Almighty Coach
Author: Victory General
Date: 2024-04-22T10:51:50.522000+00:00

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Table of Contents URL: https://animedaily.net/almighty-coach-novel.html

INTRODUCTION

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How could a poor graduate student without any background or connections become successful? With a coaching system? An upgrade? This is not a computer game, but real life we’re talking about!

This will be a fantasy based on reality. Dai Li will fight back against all those who would mock and humiliate him with his astonishing and awe-inspiring training skills. From a nobody he’ll try to become the most illustrious coach in the sports world, so join him in proving to everyone who’s the real master here!

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Chapter 1: Dai Li

Dai Li left the exam hall, walked through the crowd, and looked at the people around him. Everybody was flushed with happiness over their success and conversing happily. This made Dai Li even more upset.

“Gosh, I screwed up on the exam! There is no way that I can get into the interview round,” he thought. Dai Li rubbed his temple and felt his head getting even heavier.

“Why do I feel so dizzy? Have I got a cold? I shouldn’t have gone to see the meteor shower last night – now I did it!” Dai Li thought to himself.

Dai Li was an ordinary undergraduate senior student. As a graduate this year, he had chosen not to take the postgraduate entrance exam. Because his parents were normal blue collar people without any power or influence, his family’s financial condition was very average. It had already been difficult enough for them to raise and support a college student. Dai Li was a filial son and he didn’t want to burden his parents any more. This was why he had decided to join the job hunting “army” along with this year’s many graduates.

The problem was that his major, sports training, was kind of lame. People could easily draw a conclusion on what the students of this major could do after they graduated. The employment prospects for this major was not great. Graduates from the literature or philosophy majors, for example, might also have a difficult time finding jobs, but at least they could aim for something more general such as a secretary or copywriter position to start with. But even those general positions did not welcome students from sports majors.

This year was hard enough for normal graduates, and it was even worse for Dai Li, who came from an ordinary family without any money or network. Moreover, he was not from a 985 or 211 university. These factors, coupled with the fact that he was in such a specific major, made it hell for people like him when it came to job hunting.

That was why he targeted for the Recruitment Exam for Public Institutions. For example, primary and middle schools hired P.E teachers every year. Non-profit sports schools and teams looked for coaches too. Being a teacher or coach was at least a secured job in those public institutions. To prepare for the exam, Dai Li had begun reviewing since the first semester of his senior year. He had also gone to the education and psychology training class that was organized by the Bureau of Education. He had even managed to pass the tests and get the Teaching Certificate.

Today was the day of the recruitment exam, but he had been feeling dizzy since the morning. He had pushed through it and went into the exam hall, but he was too sick to even find the right directions. Because of this, the exam had been like the “hell-mode” of a videogame with an extra “bonus”, except the only result for this game was “game over”.

He continued rubbing his temple and thought to himself, “I thought I could enjoy not only two days off every week and the public holidays if I became a P.E teacher, but also the summer and winter vacations. Well, that’s not gonna to happen now. I guess I’ll just go write some online novels. Maybe a novel about an athlete. I even have the title for it, ‘All-around Athlete’!”

“I bet nobody is going to read a book with such a lame title. What kind of a nerdy writer would write such a boring novel like that?” said a voice that suddenly popped up in his head.

“What? Who is talking?” Dai Li looked around and found that no one was talking to him.

“Don’t bother searching – I am in your head.” The same voice talked to Dai Li’s again.

Dai Li suddenly had goosebumps all over. He was terrified by that voice. This was quite understandably a normal reaction for any normal people who found out that someone, or something, was speaking in their mind.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you,” the voice claimed.

“Who the hell is that guy? What is happening?” Dai Li thought to himself.

“Don’t call me ‘that guy.'” The voice now made an echo in Dai Li’s head.

“He knows what I am thinking about!” Dai Li thought to himself, surprised.

“Of course I do. So you can communicate with me just by thinking,” said the voice.

“So who on earth are you?” Dai Li thought silently. He was not used to this form of communication.

“I am your guide, and also part of the Coaching System. My mission is to help you get used to this Coaching System and make the best of it,” the voice answered.

Dai Li immediately thought of the so-called “Systems” in the online novels. It was almost like cheating; if you had this kind of “Systems”, the world would be your oyster. You could go from being a loser one second to on top of the world the next. Everyone would throw themselves at you. Dai Li had never imagined that lucky things like this could ever happen to him.

“Coaching System? It sounds like a system related to a personal coach, like having someone outside of the game help you without notifying other players. Is it like cheating?” Dai Li asked.

“Exactly. It can be a cheating system for your life!” The voice read Dai Li’s mind again and said, “this Coaching System not only can help you become a coach, an excellent coach, the best in the world, but also it can lead your life all the way to the top! This system is almighty. The fact that you have this Coaching System makes you the luckiest person in the world.”

“An almighty Coaching System? Deposit one million yuan into my bank account and I’ll buy your word,” Dai Li said, challenging the system.

“I cannot do that,” the voice answered, “but you could easily make one million, ten millions, and even 100 millions with the help of this Coaching System.”

“I don’t think I want you in my head,” Dai Li rejected the system subconsciously. He felt uneasy about this thing that had suddenly entered his head.

“No way,” the voice said determinedly. “I followed the meteor for a very long time and finally found a place to settle. It took me all morning to match with you. It’s too late for you to say no.”

“The whole morning? So it was this guy’s fault that I suffered from the dizziness the entire morning!” Dai Li complained to himself.

“I have to match your brain waves to communicate with you. It might be the reason you feel a little bit dizzy!” the voice admitted quite honestly.

“A little bit dizzy? You ruined my exam! You are the reason why I won’t get a job now! Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find a job? Do you have any idea how long I’ve been preparing for this exam?” Dai Li felt so angry now that he knew who was responsible for what had happened.

The voice said carelessly, “All you could have been is merely a P.E teacher in a middle school even if you pass the exam. But with me, it’s possible for you to be the best coach in the world and lead you to a unparalleled, successful life. A P.E teacher in middle school means nothing compared to a world-class coach!”

“A world-class coach,” Dai Li repeated. “No, I don’t need that. All I need to do is earn more than ten thousand yuan per month. I just want to have enough to buy a house and to get married. That would make me really content.”

“Only ten thousand yuan monthly salary? Come on. With my help, you can become the best coach in the world, even if you are an idiot,” the voice followed immediately.

“So are you like an instructor for a newbie?” Dai Li asked.

“Something like that. If there is anything you don’t understand about this Coaching System, feel free to ask me. I’ll give you some reasonable proposals,” the system said.

“Alright. Then you have to tell me what to do now.” Dai Li finally gave in.

“First, you need to get into the Coaching System,” said the System.

“How?” Dai Li asked.

“Use your mind,” the system answered.

“Use my mind how?”

“Use your mind, stupid!” After the System answered, Dai Li used his thoughts to direct what was happening. He suddenly found himself in an infinite starry sky, with all the stars surrounding him.

“Am I in the system? Why do I feel like I’m in the endless universe?”

A golden projection suddenly appeared in Dai Li’s vision. He looked carefully and identified that it was someone’s head. But it was very blurred—he could only see its facial features. It was hard to distinguish its specific appearance.

“Newbie instructor?” Dai Li asked carefully.

“Guide. Newbie guide!” The golden head corrected him.

Dai Li took a deep breathe and asked, “What should I do next?”

“You are still a newbie. But the good thing about being a newbie is that you can get some type of starting bonus. This is a welcome gift for you,” said the golden head.

A golden box showed up in front of Dai Li the next second. The golden head began speaking. “This is the welcome gift for newbies. You can open it up and have a look.”

Dai Li opened the gift without any hesitation. He saw that there were two things in the box. There was a golden card on the left and something resembling a radar on the right.

Dai Li picked up the card first. “Top-level coach trial card (14 days)? What is this?”

“If you stick this card to your body, you can experience the training results of a top-level coach for the 14 days that follow,” said the golden head.

Dai Li nodded and tried to stick the card on his body. The golden head stopped him and said, “Don’t use it now. It’s a one-time-only card. If you use it now, you can’t use it anymore.”

“Then when should I use it?” Dai Li asked.

“When you have someone to train, at least. You don’t even have a training target right now. Wouldn’t it be a waste to use the top card?” said the golden head.

“You are right,” Dai Li nodded. He picked up the radar-like object. “What is this radar?”

“The primary detector. You can use it to detect individual ability. The range for detecting is 10 meters. You can try it on some random person in real life,” the golden head explained to him.

Dai Li went back to real life and saw an old woman walking up to him with her dog.

“Detect!” he used his mind, then saw a list of statistics in the system the next second.

Detecting Target: Ordinary person; Sports Ability: 46.

“46? Is that high or low? I should try it on another person and compare them.” He looked around and found a young man of average height walking by.

“Detect!” he used his mind again and saw another list of statistics.

Detecting Target: Ordinary person; Sports Ability: 68.

“68 is much higher than the dog-walking lady. I wonder what am I?” Dai Li then used the detector on himself and saw that the result was 80.

“Wow, I didn’t expect my sports ability to be as high as 80!” He was very satisfied with the number.

The system’s voice appeared in his mind again. “The upper limit for an ordinary person is 99. Your ability is an 80, which means you always workout.”

“Yes, I majored in sports training. Besides the normal lessons, we also have many classes for practicing what’s required on the training ground,” said Dai Li.

The golden head continued pointing out, “What you should do next is learn more about your character attributes.”

A big screen showed up in front of Dai Li. Underneath a picture of Dai Li there were details.

Name: Dai Li

Coach Level: Newbie (0/100)

Others: None

Training list: None

“The column for 0/100 looks like something similar to empirical value. I could upgrade to the next level by reaching 100/100,” Dai Li talked to himself.

“Exactly. That is your Experience. You will get it when you train others. This means the first thing you need to do is to find a target to train,” said the golden head.

“Are there any special requirements for training targets? Or could anyone be my trainee?” asked Dai Li immediately.

The golden head answered right away, “There are no special requirements. The target could be an athlete, an ordinary person, disabled person, or even someone in a coma. As long as you have the 14-day top-level coach trial card, it will be very easy to upgrade. Just find some random person and train them for a few days. That would do it.”

…

“Someone in a coma can’t even move. What could I do with them?” Dai Li left the Coaching System. He began to feel the Coaching System was even more unreliable.

“Find some random people? It’s easy for him to say. If I pass this exam and become a P.E teacher, I can easily find hundreds of students to train. But where should I look for targets now? I guess I should just start writing online novels…” As Dai Li was pondering over his tasks, a poster attracted his attention. There were a few big words on it: “Talent Education. Looking for P.E teacher urgently. Excellent pay and benefits.”

Chapter 2: Training for the High School PE Entrance Exam

Normally, the exams for public institutions and civil service were set up in primary schools and middle schools. For example, the exam hall that Dai Li had gone to was set up in the Ninth Middle School in Yuzhou City. And where there were primary and middle schools, where there are training and tutoring institutions, which offered classes for writing, math, and foreign-language. When it came to hobbies, painting classes, calligraphy classes, and all kinds of classes for musical instruments were also available. If a kid hadn’t been enrolled in three or five classes at a time, he would feel embarrassed to even say “hi” to his classmates.

The poster that Dai Li had seen was for one of those tutoring institution named “Talent Education”.

“‘Talent Education. Looking for PE teacher urgently. Excellent pay and benefits.’ I wonder if I have a chance. I still have to wait a month to receive my graduation certificate. Well, I have no other choices anyway. Maybe I should just give it a shot. It’s also a good chance to see if the coaching system is real or not,” Dai Li thought as he approached the gate of Talent Education.

…

“Excuse me, are you looking for a PE teacher?” Dai Li asked as he walked through the gate.

The person who came to welcome Dai Li was a middle-aged man in his forties. He was very pale, with a pair of golden wire-framed glasses. It made him look very knowledgeable.

“You came here to apply for the position? You look very young,” said the man.

Dai Li smiled awkwardly and spread his arms. “I just graduated. My major is sports training, and I am here today because I came to take the public institution’s recruitment exam. I happened to see your poster, and want to get some more information. Sorry I didn’t expect this today, so I don’t have my résumé. I do have my student card with me though.”

Dai Li took out his student card and handed it over to the man. The man took a glance at it, then gave the student card back to Dai Li. He said, “My name is Jianguo Chen. This Talent Education was opened by me and my friend.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Chen,” said Dai Li immediately.

“Just call me Professor Chen. I was a middle school math teacher,” Jianguo Chen continued, “we are looking for a part-time PE teacher. It’s mainly about giving sports training to middle school students in preparation for the high school PE entrance exam. You must know about it, right?”

Dai Li nodded. “I had to take the PE exam in my high school examination too. I remember PE made up 30 points of the exams.”

“Now it’s 60 points! Almost 8% of the entire high school entrance exam,” said Jianguo Chen and postured an “eight” with his hand.

PE was always one of the mandatory items in high school entrance exams. The proportion PE took was different depending on the region. It ranged from a minimum of 30 points to a maximum of 80 points. And in the city where Dai Li lived, PE made up 60 points of the exam.

Jianguo Chen continued, “There are only two weeks left before the high school PE entrance exam. Our program opened a special training class for it, mainly targeting junior students in middle school who are going to take the exam. The PE teacher we originally hired is no longer available due to some unexpected emergency. We really need a PE teacher to replace him as soon as possible. Because you were a sports training major, I think it will be no problem for you to train middle school students. Am I right?”

“No problem at all,” Dai Li nodded.

“Because all our trainees are full-time students who have to go to school during the day, the training cannot conflict with their normal class time. Usually we go from 17:30 to 19:30 on weekdays. It will be two hours. On Saturdays and Sundays, it will be an entire day of training. Since the exam is around the corner, we only have about two weeks.”

Jianguo Chen stopped for a second, then continued, “As for the salary, we can offer you 300 yuan a week during the trial period. On top of that, for every student you coach who completes their training program, you will get 500 yuan as commission. If you are okay with it, I can offer you the trial contract right now.”

“Now?” Dai Li had never imagined that the whole thing would have gone so well. The man had only checked his student card and offered him the job.

“Yes. Today is Saturday and tomorrow is Sunday. We are going to begin our class tomorrow. According to the plan, it will be a full day of training. I hope you can be here and start working tomorrow,” Jianguo Chen said eagerly.

“I have no problem coming here to start the work tomorrow. It’s just…” Dai Li said hesitantly.

“Perfect. I’ll go get the trial contract.” Jianguo Chen ran into the office behind him.

…

Dai Li walked out of Talent Education, still baffled by what had just happened. Everything had gone so well that he couldn’t believe it.

“It said on the internet that job hunting was very hard for college graduates. Why was it so easy for me to get the offer today? He only took a look at my student card and hired me. Was it some kind of trap? I’ve checked the contract many times and everything including the salary, bonus, and working time are all listed clearly. They didn’t even ask for a deposit, nor charge me for the uniform.”

Dai Li thought carefully and remembered that he had seen some news on the internet about employment fraud. Most of them would offer a trial period in the beginning and then ask for a deposit for all kinds of reasons, such as the uniform, training fee, and so on.

“Well, I’ll bring 20 yuan with me for lunch and leave all my bank cards at home. They’ll never get a penny from a poor student like me!” he thought.

Dai Li came to Talent Education the next early morning. Jianguo Chen drove him to the City Youth Activity Center personally.

There was a specialized space for activity in the City Youth Activity Center. The center had athletics tracks, an equipment room, basketball court, football pitch, tennis court, badminton court, and ping-pong hall – everything you could imagine. They even had a swimming pool. All these fields were only open to public when they held competitions. Usually they were lent to the after-class tutoring centers. For example, the eight basketball courts were lent to four tutoring institutions that specialized in basketball training.

Talent Education wanted to do high school PE entrance exam training, so they had rented a field in the Youth Activity Center which included a jumping pit, calisthenics bars, and an athletics track. However, they had to share the athletics track with other tutoring institutions. This field would be the place Dai Li would work for the next two weeks.

…

“The Youth Activity Center is an official government-managed activity center. The training schools that rent space here should be registered in the Bureau of Education. They shouldn’t be frauds,” Dai Li thought as he followed Jianguo Chen to the place Talent Education was renting.

Jianguo Chen pointed at a row of horizontal bars and said, “Besides this fixed equipment, we will rent a box of equipment including dumbbells and stands for push-ups from the Youth Activity Center. They will send it here later. There are numbers attached to that equipment. Be careful not to misplace any of them, otherwise we have to pay for it.”

Dai Li nodded to show that he understood. Jianguo Chen looked at his watch and said, “It’s almost time. The students are coming. We’d better welcome the parents who are sending their children here!”

…

Twelve students stood in front of Dai Li. All of them were boys, and they all shared the same characteristic—they were all overweighted!

According to the “Physical Health Standard for Students” established by the nation, if a senior middle school boy’s height was 165 centimeters and he weighed less than 46 kilograms, he suffered from malnutrition; between 46 kilograms and 56 kilograms, he was considered thin; between 56 kilograms and 58.5 kilograms, he was average; if he weighed more than 58.5 kilograms, he was considered overweight; and if more than 66 kilograms, he was obese.

The 12 people in front of him were obviously in the obese category. One was bigger than the other! After examining all of them, Li determined that the “skinniest” one was still obese. One or two of them might have even been more than 90 kilograms.

“A bunch of fat potatoes!” Dai Li thought to himself as he sighed. Though after considering it, Dai Li realized they wouldn’t be here in the high school PE entrance exam training class if they did not have weight issues.

“I should check their sports abilities! Alright! 24, 27, 22, 25…is no one over 30? What the hell is 19? He might be even weaker than the dog of that old lady yesterday!” Dai Li thought, quite upsetly.

“Don’t look down upon the old lady from yesterday who was walking the dog,” said the system. “Nowadays, old ladies practice square dancing one to two hours every day. They are much stronger than these chubbies!”

“You are right. But there is nothing I can do about it. I have to take it easy. According to the contract, I can get 500 yuan commission per student. Which means I can get 6,000 yuan if I can manage to train them until the end! 6,000 yuan in two weeks! How lucky I am!”

The more Dai Li thought about it, the more he found it unbelievable. His morale was high thinking about that 6,000 yuan. He took the list of names and went in front of them. He cleared his throat and said, “Hello students. We will now begin roll call! Xiaoming Huang.”

“Present!”

“Congcong Wu.”

“Present!”

Chapter 3: Training starts

The subjects of the high school PE entrance exam differed depending on region. Yuzhou City, where Dai Li lived, had three tests on the high school PE entrance class. For boys, there was the 1000-meter race, standing long jump, and pull-ups. Girls were required to do the 800-meter race, standing long jump, and sit-ups. Because the full score for the entire exam was 60 points, each activity counted for 20 points.

Compared to the girls, the activities for boys were much more difficult. And they were obviously even more difficult for this group of little chubbies.

Standing long jump might have been the easiest one – as long as you got the hang of it you could pass the exam, even if you were a little big. For those students who were overweight, running the 1000-meter race was not that difficult. It would be more of a question of whether they could finish the race in time or not. If they were too slow, they would get no points at all.

As for the pull-ups, it could be like hell for those fatties. For teenagers whose bodies were not developed enough, their arms were weak points. Those who weighed less had an advantage when it came to pull-ups. Some middle school students who seemingly suffered from malnutrition could easily finish couple dozens of pull-ups, while those who were well-built had much more difficulty performing this exercise. Some of the overweight students, on the other hand, couldn’t even complete one pull-up.

Today, the group who had come to the training belonged to the last category. If they had been good at sports, they wouldn’t have even spent the money to join this special training class.

…

“My name is Dai Li. I will be your coach. From now on, you will call me Coach Li instead of Teacher Li!” Dai Li put emphasis on the word “coach.”

“Alright, let’s begin. Everybody follow me to do some warm-up exercises!” said Dai Li.

Even if Dai Li could not be considered a coach, he was at least a sports training student. When he was at school, his grades were not bad, nor had he ever failed any classes. In order to be a teacher after graduation, he had even studied education. It wouldn’t be difficult for of his ability to train a bunch of middle school students.

“I think you should use that top-level coach trial card!” a voice said in Dai Li’s mind. It was the golden head from the Coaching System.

“The top-level coach trial card. I would have forgotten about it if you hadn’t reminded me!” Dai Li’s consciousness went into the Coaching System and pasted the card on his body. The number 14 appeared on the card.

“14 days. This number will decrease one by one as the days go by. The card will disappear when the number turns to zero.” Dai Li checked his own status while the system spoke.

Name: Dai Li

Coach Level: Newbie(0/100)

Others: Top-level coach trial card (14 days left)

Training List: None

“You have to add those students to your training list, this way your training will be effective for them,” the system continued.

“Okay, add these names to the list. Xiaoming Huang, Xun Li, Congcong Wu…by the way, does this training list accept everyone?” Dai Li asked suddenly.

“Of course not. Those added to your training list must be those you train yourself. If they are no longer being trained by you, then they will be removed from the list. You can also delete them from the list yourself. You can add a random person to test that,” said the System.

Dai Li followed the System’s words and started to think about some of the world’s best athletes. However, the system indicated that it couldn’t add them to the list. Then Dai Li tried to add some of his roommates to the list, but still failed.

“So it’s true that I can only add those who are trained by me!” Dai Li considered this, then returned to reality and began the real training.

…

Pull-ups were one of the subjects of the high school PE entrance exam, mainly testing upper body development, as well as hanging strength. Many people thought that pull-ups were all about having muscle in their arms. In reality, it was not only about having strong arms, but also having strong shoulders and a strong back. Just like those bodybuilders in the gyms, they were actually doing pull-ups to train the muscles in their back as opposed to the muscles in their arms.

To practice pull-ups, it was very important to learn how to use your strength. For those who couldn’t even finish one pull-up, it was not that they didn’t have enough strength, but that they didn’t know proper technique. Normally, those who couldn’t even finish one pull-up could do at least one or two after learning the correct form. The first mission for Dai Li was to teach his students how to make the right movements, and how to use their strength along with technique.

Pull-ups were actually the most basic movement for sports training. It was also the most familiar one for a college student who had majored in sports training. For him, it was a piece of cake to teach them the right movements and techniques to best use their strength.

“Xiaoming Huang, pay attention to using the strength of your shoulders. Use your shoulders to lead your body. Very good. Use more strength. Do not just use your forearms. Use the strength from all of your upper body muscles. Don’t raise your hips, that won’t work! Raise your shoulders, yes, like that! Well done! Try it again!”

Dai Li had started out supporting his legs, but now he had let them go completely and instructed Xiaoming Huang to complete a pull-up again by himself.

“I succeeded! I finished a pull-up on my own!” Xiaoming Huang came down from the horizontal bar and hailed rapturously. The other students looked at him enviously.

Dai Li wiped the sweat from his forehead. He mumbled to himself, “This Xiaoming Huang looks heavy and slow. However, he is pretty smart, and his comprehension is not bad. I only taught him once and he’s already mastered the techniques. Could it be that he actually has talent on sports?”

“It has nothing to do with his talents. It is the ‘top-level coach’ card that rocks!” said the System again.

“What does that mean?” Dai Li asked in his mind.

“Xiaoming Huang is just a normal person. Because he’s overweight, his flexibility and compatibility are worse than the others. Because you are now in ‘top-level coach’ condition, it gives Xiaoming Huang a top-level training result. It only takes him one time to learn the techniques of a pull-up.” The system stopped, then continued, “If you don’t believe it, you can try it on the others.”

After a while, the rest of the 11 students all mastered the technique for pull-ups. Most of them learned it after only one practice session. Very few of them needed to practice more than once to master it. This made Dai Li realize that the System was no joke.

The technique for pull-ups was not that difficult, but it was, however, impossible for normal people to learn it after trying it only once. Athletes or dancers who had been trained professionally spent less time than the average person when learning a new movement. This was because their bodies had better flexibility and compatibility. It took a longer time for obese people to learn a new movement than the normal people because they possessed poor flexibility and coordination.

Of course, there was always exception. Jinbao Hong, for example, was a well-know agile chubby. Considering his shape, he deserved words of praise like “genius” because of his flexibility and agility! But geniuses were not everywhere. If it had just been Xiaoming Huang, Dai Li could take it as coincidence. But all 12 students were like this. It took them no time for them to master the technique for a pull-up. It couldn’t be that all 12 people were geniuses. The only explanation was that the Coaching System really ruled!

“The Coaching System really works. I can’t believe that God has given me such an incredible cheating system! If everything goes well, these chubbies can all get full scores on the high school PE entrance exam in two weeks!” Dai Li thought to himself.

Chapter 4: Refund

The session lasted three hours, from 8:30AM to 11:30AM. After three hours of training, the 12 students could finish several repetitions of pull-ups. Xiaoming Huang, who was the best among them, could even do three pull-ups consecutively.

This was the result of just a three-hour training session. Given the fact that these fat potatoes couldn’t even finish one pull-up originally, Dai Li’s training deserved a compliment of “incredible.” Even Dai Li himself was shocked by the outcome that morning. Having majored in sports-training himself, he knew how unbelievable his training result was. Even if you had gathered all the best coaches, you would not be able to achieve what Dai Li had accomplished.

“Well, I can see that you are shocked by the training effects!” said the system. “This is the training result of a top-level coach. Even national athletes could make a big leap forward following a top-level coach, let alone ordinary people!”

“So according to you, the results differ between national athletes and ordinary people?” Dai Li asked, catching the point.

“There is a difference. A very big one actually. Even if you don’t have the top-level coach trial card, you can still expect a good result training ordinary people as a newbie coach. However, the same result can’t be ensured if you train athletes,” explained the golden head.

“I understand that the training result gets better as the level of the coach gets better. But I didn’t expect that there is a restriction on trainees according to the level of the coach,” said Dai Li.

The golden head nodded. “This restriction appears on the limitation of the training result. The better an athlete is, the higher the level of the coach must be. If the level of the coach is too low, the training result will be very inconspicuous, which could even be close to none. For example, a newbie coach like you would make no impacts on national athletes. On the opposite, if a high-level coach trains a low-level athlete, the result would be much better.”

“So if I’m understanding correctly, I could make those fatties do 10 pull-ups if I could upgrade my coach level? There are 10,000 students who take the high school PE entrance exam in Yuzhou City. I can open a training class for the high school PE entrance exam and make a big fortune from it!” Dai Li said excitedly.

“No way. Even if you upgrade yourself to the highest level, you still couldn’t make them do 10 pull-ups in one day. Sports training is limited by individual physical ability. For example, that Xiaoming Huang can only finish five pull-ups today according to his physical limitations. Even a top-level coach couldn’t help him do more than five. Your training result so far is the best-case scenario,” the golden head explained.

Dai Li felt a little upset now that his dream of making a fortune had been broken. The System said, “The better the training result is, the more experience you will gain. I suggest you make the most of these 14 days and make yourself to level-3, which will be a sophomore coach. After 14 days, once the card is expired, it will take you more time to level up.”

“Right! The Experience!” With the system reminding him, he remembered the empirical value. He entered the system immediately and saw that the column for empirical value had raised from 0/100 to 6/100.

“I have already gained six points of empirical value, which means I can get 12 points per day. Then I just need eight or nine days to upgrade. 14-day top-level trial card is definitely enough,” Dai Li calculated in his mind.

“I don’t think so. Don’t forget that it’s Sunday today. That’s why you have an entire day. That’s also why you were able to get a high empirical value. Normally on weekdays, you’ll only have two hours after school. At that point, you would not be able to get 12 points per day,” the System reminded him. This news made Dai Li quite depressed.

…

During the training in the afternoon, the fatties were still making rapid progress. For example, Xiaoming Huang could already finish five pull-ups if he pushed himself. Even the biggest of the bunch, Congcong Wu, could manage to do three.

According to the scoring criteria of Yuzhou City’s high school PE entrance exam, six consecutive pull-ups would reach the standard to pass the exam. And according to Dai Li’s calculation, all 12 students would manage to pass the exam after two or three days of training.

The training ended at 5PM. The exhausted students dragged their bodies and waved good-bye to Dai Li. However, Dai Li didn’t leave right away. He counted the box of equipment that they borrowed so he could return it to the Youth Activity Center.

“Nothing lost. Time to get ready to go home!” As Dai Li got ready to move the box to the trolley, he saw a few familiar people walking up to him.

He looked carefully and found that all of them were the students he had taught today. There were seven or eight of them, and a few adults followed. One or two of them looked very familiar to Dai Li.

“That lady should be Zhenye Zhu’s mother. I met her this morning when I was welcoming the students with Jianguo Chen. And the man right next to her should be Xiaoming Huang’s father. The person following him is someone’s parent too. Why have all the parents gathered here all of a sudden? Is it because the training result was so incredible today that they want to say ‘thank you’ to me?” Dai Li was filled with happiness.

What should I say in return for their grateful words? ‘You are welcome. I’m just doing my job.”Your child worked really hard today. I’m sure he will make great progress after all.’ Something like that!”

As he mulled it over, the parents were already standing in front of him, looking at him from head to toe.

“You are Teacher Li?” Xiaoming Huang’s father asked.

Dai Li suddenly felt nervous. He could tell from Xiaoming Huang’s father’s tone that there was no good news. It actually sounded like he wanted to pick a fight. Normally people wouldn’t use this tone if they wanted to show their gratefulness. And the fact that Xiaoming Huang’s father’s face was obviously showing his anger.

“What’s wrong? What did I do? Is it because he is not satisfied with the training result? The fact that someone who has grown as big as Xiaoming Huang managed to do five pull-ups is already a miracle. He is still not satisfied? I didn’t abuse his son! Why is he so angry?”

Dai Li nodded with a baffled look. “Yes, I’m Dai Li.”

“Where is Coach Shouliang Zhao?” asked Xiaoming Huang’s dad.

“Shouliang Zhao? Who is that? I’ve never heard of him,” Dai Li said. “Today is my first day of work and I’m afraid there are a lot of colleagues that I don’t know.”

“First day of work! Look at you – I bet you are a student who just graduated,” said Zhenye Zhu’s mom, who was standing right next to him.

“Well, I’ll graduate in a month,” Dai Li answered honestly. His response caused a disturbance among the parents.

“Liar! You’re lying, training a class without knowing anything!”

“You promised us that there would be a professional coach. Now we only have a student who hasn’t graduated from college!”

“And this is his first day on the job! You must be kidding me!”

“I told you that Coach Zhao is not with Talent Education. This program is a fraud!”

“How could you mislead our children like this! You promised us that there would be a professional coach when we registered. Give us the money back! Our 3000 RMB training fee!”

“Right! We demand that Talent Education refund our money!”

“Refund!”

“This is fraud! A refund is not enough! You should pay us back three times over!”

Dai Li had no idea what he should do now…

Chapter 5: Retain Customers

“What the hell is this? This is the first day of my first job and these parents have come together to ask for a refund!” Dai Li stood there unsure of what to do. For a senior student who was going to graduate this year, he had no social experience that could have taught him how to deal with this. He came back from his thoughts to face the music.

“Everybody please calm down! This is my first day and I have no idea what happened. Please give me a moment. I will make a phone call to verify what exactly is going on.”

He took out his phone and entered Jianguo Chen’s number.

“Professor Chen, this is Dai Li. There’s a situation here and I have a lot of parents asking for a refund,” Dai Li told him straightforwardly.

Jianguo Chen was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone, then sighed. “I knew that would happen. They are asking for a refund again!”

“It sounds like Jianguo Chen already knew that the parents would ask for a refund. And he said ‘again,’ which means this has happened before,” thought Dai Li. He felt like he was involved in something terrible. He hesitated, then asked, “The parents said that they were looking for Shouliang Zhao. Do you know him?”

“Shouliang Zhao!” Jianguo Chen repeated the name with a tone of detestation. He sighed after a while and continued, “Tell those parents to bring the receipt they received when they paid the bill, and to come and get their refund.”

There must be some secrets! thought Dai Li. Then he asked, “Professor Chen, could you please just tell me the truth about what is happening?”

“Alright! There will be more and more parents who want refunds. Eventually there might be no students at all. There is no need for me hide anything from you.” Jianguo Chen went on to tell him what was going on.

This training class for the high school PE entrance exam organized by Talent Education had originally hired a professional coach from the municipal sports team. That was the “Coach Shouliang Zhao” the parents were referring to.

Reputation was the most important thing if you wanted to start a training class. Most of the parents had brought their children here just because of the well-known teacher. It was very easy to attract a lot of students simply by having someone famous. There was no doubt that a professional coach from a municipal sports team deserved to have that reputation according to the parents. Talent Education had used him as an eye-catching promotion. They printed Shouliang Zhao’s resume on the promotional page. Many of the parents sent their children here just because of the words “professional coach from a municipal sports team.”

What Talent Education had never considered was that Shouliang Zhao would quit the job the day before the training class was supposed to begin. He had just made a phone call yesterday morning saying he was out. Jianguo Chen had asked for information hastily, and learned that Coach Shouliang Zhao had hopped to another training school.

The school he had left for was SA Student Education. It was said that people who were involved in the same business were enemies. SA Student Education and Talent Education had competed for years. To scramble for students, they played every trick. This time SA Student Education had made a relentless blow and caught Talent Education off guard.

This kind of job-hopping behavior was very immoral. The training class was supposed to start the next day, and Shouliang Zhao had quit the day before. It was obviously a plot to bring down Talent Education – they could never find someone to replace Shouliang Zhao in such a short time. In fact, Shouliang Zhao had colluded with SA Student Education from the beginning. He didn’t leave Talent Education until the last minute so he could purposely put Talent Education into a predicament. He had quit the job knowing that the class was going to start the next day.

Through switching jobs, Shouliang Zhao had also brought many of the students with him. Most of the parents had come for the professional coach, and they asked for the refund as soon as they had found that there would be no professional coach since he had quit. There supposed to be 30 students in the Talent Education program, yet more than half of them had left with Shouliang Zhao . The 12 students left were those whose parents were uninformed. That was why they hadn’t quit the class yet.

Reputation was the key for the tutoring institutions like Talent Education. There would be no doubt that an institution would lose its credibility it had taken the parents’ money and then told them that the class was cancelled. No one would trust the institution any more if it would to start a new program in the future. The training class had to be continued, even if there was only one student left, just for the sake of reputation. However, Jianguo Chen had no time to find a PE teacher, so he had put up a poster just to try his luck. Dai Li happened to see that poster, and came to apply for the job the same day.

Jianguo Chen would normally never hire a student who hadn’t graduated yet had there been time to find a proper teacher. However, the class was scheduled to begin the next day, so there was no time to find someone else. He had to hire Dai Li. That was how Dai Li had gotten the job easily.

But the parents didn’t approve of Dai Li. They had come for the professional coach. After the first day of training, they asked their children how it was and found out that there was no professional coach. They had come here to figure out what was going on, only to find out that Dai Li was a student who hadn’t even graduated yet. Of course they felt like they had been fooled, which lead to the situation now—they were asking for the refund, and even compensation for their trouble.

“Okay, I see. So I was just a replacement for this emergency! No wonder Jianguo Chen only checked my student card and then offered me this job. It was all because there was no one else! Well, that coach Shouliang Zhao must have been really discredited.” Dai Li finally understood what had happened and why he had gotten the job so smoothly.

However, the next moment, Dai Li suddenly realized that one student meant 500 yuan in commission. There were six parents here — if they all asked for the refund, he would lose 3,000 yuan in income!

After he thought about it further, he realized he would even lose the salary of 1,200 yuan as an trial. Talent Education had no reason to keep him if all the students dropped off from this program.

“No, I can’t let him give them refunds! I will be unemployed if they all leave.” Dai Li mulled it over for a few seconds and figured out what he was going to say.

Dai Li walked in front of the parents and began. “Everybody please take it easy. I just found out what happened. Coach Shouliang Zhao is no longer in our Talent Education program. But you still have me!”

“What do we need you for? Go get your diploma first!” someone amongst the parents said.

“My major is sports training. This is what I’ve been studying. Speaking of the result of training, I have confidence that he is no better than me,” Dai Li said.

“You gotta be kidding me!” the parents said with contempt. From their point of view, they couldn’t understand how an undergraduate student had the nerve to compare himself with a professional coach from a municipal sports team!

“You are teacher Li, right? It’s good that young people have faith in themselves. But don’t reach for what’s beyond your capability. Coach Shouliang Zhao is a professional coach from a municipal sports team. An undergraduate student like you should be modest and learn from him,” a parent with a beard said.

“But I really can improve your children’s scores,” Dai Li said immediately.

With the help of the top-level coach card, Dai Li was superior to anyone else in the world when it came to training results. This gave Dai Li the confidence to speak like this. However, this kind of confidence was seen as conceited and arrogant by the parents.

“Let’s stop wasting our time here with him. He is just an undergraduate student, and this is his first day. He knows nothing! Let’s get our refunds and sign up for another training class. Our children can’t be held up,” said Zhenye Zhu’s mother, dragging her son.

Xiaoming Huang’s father also added, “I saved Coach Shouliang Zhao’s number when I signed up. After we get our refunds, I’ll call him to see where he is and if he is still coaching any classes. The day I signed up here, he promised me that after the two-week training, he could have my son doing at least five to six pull-ups. Maybe my son will be able to pass the exam with his help!”

Dai Li saw a glimmer of hope after he heard what Xiaoming Huang’s dad said.

“Wait a moment!” he said. “You said Coach Shouliang Zhao promised you that he could make Xiaoming Huang do five pull-ups after the two-week program?”

Xiaoming Huang’s dad turned around and said, “What? You don’t believe it? He is a real professional coach. It’s normal that he is better than you at training.”

“Look how you scared Teacher Li,” said Zhenye Zhu’s mother, who was standing right next to him. “The real professional coach sounds so incredible compared to the others. It seems like he really has talent in coaching if he can make promises like that. Could you please check for my son as well and see if there are any vacancies in his class once you contact him? I want to send my son there too.”

“It’s destiny that we all gathered together here, man. Don’t forget us if you manage to contact him! Coach Zhao also promised me that he would make my son pass the exam as well,” another parent said anxiously.

Xiaoming Huang’s father had become the most welcomed person here now.

Dai Li took one step forward and continued asking, “Are you sure? Coach Shouliang Zhao said he could make Xiaoming Huang do five pull-ups in two weeks?”

“What do you mean? Are you looking down upon my son?” Xiaoming Huang’s dad got very angry. He continued, “My son is a little big. But he is not that bad! You don’t believe he could do five pull-ups after a two-week training? Just because you couldn’t do it doesn’t mean the others can’t!”

The other parents echoed his words. “He is a professional coach, different from you. It might be hard for you to believe. Maybe you should just go back to school and study harder from the beginning. Maybe after 10 or 20 years you can reach Coach Zhao’s level. Who knows.”

Their sarcastic words didn’t make Dai Li feel angry. On the contrary, he sighed with relief and smiled. “If what you said is true then I’m not worrying anymore!”

The next second, Dai Li pointed at Xiaoming Huang and said, “Xiaoming Huang. Get on the horizontal bar and show your dad the result of our first day of training!”

Dai Li made it extra clear and loud when he said the words “first day”.

Chapter 6: I Only Need One Day

All children wanted to perform the best they could in front of their parents. This was also true for Xiaoming Huang. He walked to the horizontal bar without any hesitation when Dai Li called his name. He really wanted to show his dad how well he could do.

“He looks like he’s 75 kilograms, almost the same as my son.”

“Is he going to do a pull-up? Do you think he can even finish one?”

“I doubt it. I feel my son is a little slimmer than him, my son couldn’t even manage to do one pull-up.”

“That Teacher Li just told him to show his training results from the first day. Maybe he can do one pull-up!”

“One pull-up means nothing! You need six to pass the exam!”

Their discussion hit Xiaoming Huang’s father hard. A complicated feeling of depression, shame, and expectation rose up from his heart.

“If he can’t even manage to do one pull-up in front of all these parents, it could be really embarrassing. I hope Xiaoming can finish at least one,” thought Xiaoming Huang’s dad, sighing silently.

Xiaoming Huang had already walked to the horizontal bar while they were talking. Dai Li shouted, “Recall all the points of the movement. Don’t get nervous, just think of it as normal training.”

Xiaoming Huang nodded silently. He reached out his arms and jumped slightly to grab the horizontal bar. Everyone’s attention was on Xiaoming Huang. He hung on the horizontal bar with his arms. Then he squeezed with his power and finished a perfect pull-up.

“Wow, he really did one pull-up!”

“His movement seems good enough to reach the standard. And he doesn’t look very exhausted.”

“That move looks very skillful. I bet this kid practiced hard the whole day. He received the result he deserved!”

Xiaoming Huang’s father heard the discussion and felt very proud.

“That’s my boy! Good job! I’ll let you play on the computer for one hour tonight since you didn’t shame your old man!” Xiaoming Huang’s father thought proudly.

However, Xiaoming Huang didn’t get off the horizontal bar. Instead, he gave it another shot.

“A second one! He did two pull-ups in total!”

“I didn’t expect that fat potato to be able to do two pull-ups!”

Many of the parents spoke with envy. Some of the parents even patted their children’s shoulders and said, “Look at him. He is as heavy as you. Even he can do two pull-ups.”

Xiaoming Huang’s father didn’t look worried anymore. Instead, he was flushed with success. His own son was enjoying his moment of fame, so of course he felt happy. As his dad was about to praise him, Xiaoming Huang finished another pull-up.

“Three times! He did three pull-ups!”

“No way. How could such a fat kid do three pull-ups?” Many of the parents sounded very surprised, and also a bit jealous.

However, Xiaoming Huang had no intention of stopping. He kept trying, and finished a fourth pull-up.

“He did another one! It’s already the fourth one!” Zhenye Zhu’s mother said surprisedly. But this time, she got no response. All the other parents were staring at Xiaoming Huang with their eyes wide open. It seemed like they couldn’t believe what was happening in front of them.

The fourth pull-up took more energy from Xiaoming Huang. You could tell from his movement that it was not as easy as the first one. But the fourth pull-up was not the end. Xiaoming Huang rested for three to four seconds, then began to move again.

For the fifth pull-up, Xiaoming Huang’s arms trembled because he was trying very hard to use his strength. The muscles in his arms were all contracted, and the movement this time was obviously very hard for him. He could fall off at any time. However, he gritted his teeth and did not show any intention of giving up.

“Go, my boy!” Xiaoming Huang’s father clenched his fists tightly as he cheered silently for his son. The next moment, Xiaoming Huang’s jaw finally went over the horizontal bar. His fifth pull-up was completed!

All the parents looked at Xiaoming Huang and felt so shocked that their faces looked dull. How could a person as fat as Xiaoming Huang do five pull-ups?

“Xiaoming Huang. Get off!” Dai Li said. He loosened his hands and fell to the ground immediately with his mouth opened wide, trying to catch his breath. He had reached his limit of five pull-ups.

Dai Li took one step forward and stood right in front of Xiaoming Huang’s father. “Are you satisfied with the result of the first day of training?” he asked straightforwardly.

“What?” Obviously Xiaoming Huang’s father was so out of sorts that he couldn’t give a response right away.

Dai Li continued, “You just said that it would take Coach Shouliang Zhao two weeks to make Xiaoming Huang do five pull-ups, didn’t you?” Dai Li repeated his words. However, the same sentence sounded so different now to the others.

“Five pull-ups. Compared to that Coach Zhao, who said he needed two weeks to train the students. I only ask for one day!”

Dai Li’s voice echoed and fell into the ears of the parents. It was like a hammer had hit their chest. They couldn’t help but stand in shock. To make Xiaoming Huang do five pull-ups would take even a professional coach two weeks. However, the young undergraduate had only taken one day to achieve it. The difference in time left an impression like a dragon was waving at them in a river. Their hearts couldn’t calm down for a while. Could it be that Coach Shouliang Zhao was not skilled enough?

Of course not! Shouliang Zhao had taught in municipal sports, which meant he was qualified enough. At least in Yuzhou City, you could even call him a top-level coach. Otherwise he wouldn’t have even been hired by the municipal sports team.

It was not because Coach Shouliang Zhao was not good enough—it was that this young man right in front of them was so good that he was more qualified than Coach Shouliang Zhao.

“How could that be possible? An undergraduate student is way better than the professional coach from the municipal sports team?” Some of the parents still couldn’t believe it, even though they had seen it with their eyes.

“Maybe he is a swindler that they hired to fool us. Maybe they are just acting!” a voice said. Although it was said very quietly, everyone still heard it.

“Watch your mouth!” Xiaoming Huang’s father argued, feeling very insulted.

“No one knows if you are a swindler or not except yourself,” the voice echoed again. Everybody then realized that it was Zhenye Zhu’s mother. The one who had argued the most for the refund before had been her as well. She spoke with sarcasm, and looked like she would need some more convincing.

Dai Li didn’t pay much attention to it. He smiled and said, “Zhenye Zhu. Get on the horizontal bar and show your mom whether I hired a swindler or not.”

Chapter 7: Convinced

“One, two, three, four…even that fat potato was able to do four pull-ups!”

“And he was halfway to the fifth one. If he had tried harder maybe he could have made it!”

Zhenye Zhu got on the horizontal bar and finished four pull-ups in one go. He ran out of strength when trying to do the fifth one, so he only made it halfway, but it was still very impressive. The parents were not that shocked because they had already seen Xiaoming Huang’s performance.

The person who felt most embarrassed was Zhenye Zhu’s mom. A minute ago she had said Dai Li had hired a swindler. Now her own son had done four and a half pull-ups. It couldn’t be that she herself was hired as a coverup!

Being parents, they clearly knew what their children were capable of. Zhenye Zhu’s mother knew that he couldn’t even do one pull-up normally with his own ability. It was unbelievable that he could do four and a half pull-ups after one day’s training. It was strong evidence that Dai Li was really good at training.

“Son, how many can you do?” one of the parent asked his child in a low voice.

“I can do four, too,” the teenager said. He sounded very proud.

The other parents also started to ask their children and they all got a very satisfying answer.

All the parents looked at Dai Li differently now. Their disdain had turned into trust and admiration. A few minutes ago, Dai Li had just been some undergraduate student who knew nothing in their eyes. Now he was a training master to them.

All the changes on those parents’ faces didn’t escape Dai Li’s eyes. He started, “You all think that I’m too young and have no experience—that I must be worse than others at training. But sports training is not all about age or experience. The training results are more related to science. The more scientific the training is, the better the result is. If the training is not scientific, then the result might fall behind, and the sports ability might be worse than before. What’s worse, athletes could get injured.

“My major is sports training, which includes courses in scientific training. In fact, the scientific training that I learned in college is also a kind of experience. It summarized all the successful experiences, and helped me absorb the essence of them and leave out the drugs. After the selection and arrangement of experiences, they put them in the textbook for us to study.”

Dai Li exhaled deeply after finishing his speech. All the parents nodded, agreeing with Dai Li’s point of view.

Zhenye Zhu’s mother was the first to respond. “Coach Li makes a very good point. There are many coaches on sports teams who have been teaching for 20 or 30 years who may not even have high school diplomas. When it comes to scientific training, we should look for these young people who have been to college.”

Maybe she was trying to make up for what she had said about Dai Li being a “swindler.” Zhenye Zhu’s mother had changed her attitude to show her sincerity, and was the first one to support Dai Li.

Dai Li felt it was almost time to go, so he said, “Alright, everybody, it’s pretty late now. If you still want to quit the class, just go to the Talent Education office. There will be someone who can give you the refund. If you still want to stay in my class, come here on time tomorrow.”

Quit the class? Refund? A few minutes ago, that was what those parents were expecting. But only fools would quit the class now!

“No! No way we are going to quit the class! My mind can only be put at ease if my son can follow Coach Li and learn!” Xiaoming Huang’s father patted his chest and said.

“How could we quit the class when there is such an incredible coach like Coach Li! Coach, please pay more attention to my son.”

“Coach Li. Please feel free to hit my son if he does something wrong.”

…

Jianguo Chen looked at the clock on the wall. It was already eight o’clock at night, but nobody was coming for a refund.

“What’s wrong? There should be plenty of parents who want refunds. Where are they? Is there a traffic jam? No way. It’s close enough that they can just get here by foot,” Jianguo Chen mumbled.

Dai Li was partly to blame for the confusion Jianguo Chen was experiencing. If he had some working experience, he would’ve known that he should have called Jianguo Chen. First to relay what had just happened and to explain why the parents wouldn’t ask for refunds anymore, and then to ask for the credit. However, Dai Li’s working experience was close to none, so he went back home after solving the problem without letting Jianguo Chen know, not knowing better. This made Jianguo Chen wait a few hours.

“Could it be that Li didn’t explain it clearly to the parents?” Jianguo Chen couldn’t wait anymore, so he called Dai Li.

“Hello, Li, this is Jianguo Chen. Have you managed to tell the parents who want refunds to bring their receipts? You did? Then why there is nobody here. What? They quit asking for the refunds? All of them? For what? Because they are satisfied with your training? You say they would love to stay and continue learning?”

Jianguo Chen hung up the phone, but after a few minutes he still couldn’t understand the situation here. His mind was a mess and he still had a confused look.

“What was that? They are satisfied with his training results? This sounds so unbelievable. Did Li cast a spell on them or something?”

…

The next day was Monday. Because the students had to go to school during the day, the training would start at 17:30 and last until 19:30, lasting two hours total.

All the students arrived on time. Dai Li changed the training focus. The day before, only pull-ups had been on the training list. However, that was not the only requirement of the PE exam. Students also had to complete the standing long jump and 1000m race. Dai Li decided to alternate between the training of these three activities.

Pull-ups were mainly about the strength of the upper limbs, while standing long jump was about the power and strength of the legs. The two subjects did not influence each other. The 1000m race in track and field was put in the category of middle-distance race, which tested endurance. A long-distance race was an actual test of one’s endurance, but considering the physical abilities of middle school students, the 1000m race was already long enough.

Dai Li wouldn’t let his training get the better of him. He was a sports training major, after all. He had gained essential knowledge and skills in teaching effectively, the effect of sports on the body, and professional training methods. That was more than enough for him to train these middle school students.

In the enrollment office of SA Education, in front of the manager of enrollment, there sat a middle-aged man in his forties. He was of average height with tanned skin. He had small eyes, a flat nose, and sharp jawline; he was not good looking.

This was Coach Shouliang Zhao.

The manager of enrollment was full of smiles. He poured Shouliang Zhao a cup of tea and said, “Coach Zhao, you said that you would attract students from Talent Education the other day. Our training class has already been going for three or four days, but the students haven’t come yet.”

“They haven’t? There are no students today again?” Shouliang Zhao stopped and asked himself. “That’s impossible! All those parents must already know that I left Talent Education and came here.”

“I asked about it and found out that Talent Education found someone to replace you right after you left. It seems like that new coach managed to convince all the students to stay.”

Shouliang Zhao frowned after hearing his words. He thought about it, then said, “I have the numbers of a few parents that I saved during the enrollment period. I’ll ask them what happened.”

Chapter 8: Looking for trouble

Some of the parents had exchanged numbers with Coach Shouliang Zhao when they had enrolled at Talent Education. Although Shouliang Zhao had hopped to another job, he had kept the numbers. He picked up his phone and dialed one of them.

“Hello, are you Xiaoming Huang’s parent? Yes, this is Shouliang Zhao, the coach of the municipal sports team. Your child is a little big, but he still has a chance to pass the high school PE entrance exam if we train him harder… There are only two weeks left before the exam. If we don’t start the professional training as soon as possible, it might be too late to—

“I’m sorry? In the training class at Talent Education? Okay, I didn’t make myself very clear. I’m no longer with Talent Education. I’m teaching at SA Student Education—

“What? Your son can do seven pull-ups?”

Shouliang Zhao hung up the phone and snorted. “He must be bluffing. Why didn’t he just tell me that he didn’t want to come instead of making up such a naïve excuse! Look at his fat son! Seven pull-ups? Come on!” Shouliang Zhao dialed another number.

“So you want to stay at Talent Education? No offense, but there is only one chance at the high school PE entrance exam in one’s life, and sports make up 60 points. If you come to my class and join the training, I can at least promise your son gets 36 points. Maybe even 40 points if he is lucky.

“Full score? That’s never going to happen. Look at your son’s weight. He needs at least a year of training before that can happen.

“…No, I’m not looking down upon your son. That comes from my experience after all these years of being a coach.”

“…Forget experience and talk about scientific training? I know nothing about scientific training? How dare you say that!”

Zhenye Zhu’s mother was harsh and mean when she spoke. Shouliang Zhao almost fought with her over the phone. He was so pissed off after the call. He dialed the third number. You shouldn’t expect an angry person to speak with a soft tone. He spoke as if he was going to explode any second. Regardless of his tone or attitude, he sounded very aggressive.

“Hello, is this Xun Li’s parent? This is Shouliang Zhao… What is that ‘don’t take on the work if you don’t have the ability’ comment supposed to mean? You’d better make it clear! What? I’m not as good as others?”

Shouliang Zhao got the same answer from everyone else after dialing a few other numbers. All the parents wanted their children to stay with Talent Education. Some of them were polite enough to say thank you before hanging up. Others came close to arguing and calling him names through the phone. There was even someone who had said Shouliang Zhao was not qualified enough.

After all the calls, he felt very resentful. Once he had calmed down, he realized it was strange that all the parents had rejected him and chosen to stay in Talent Education. It had to be because Talent Education had somehow made those parents satisfied. It also meant that the new coach they hired was not just someone off the street.

“Maybe the coach they hired is another famous coach? But I’m sure he is not from our municipal sports team, otherwise I would have known him. Maybe he is from a sports school? Or someone who works for the college? Who the hell is he that he was able to make all those parents willing to stay? I have to find someone to ask about it.”

Shouliang Zhao thought about it and began to contact his connections right away. After a while, he found out that the coach Talent Education had hired was not a famous coach who worked for a sports school or college, but an undergraduate student who had majored in sports!

“How could an undergraduate student win over students in competition with me?! Just wait, I’ll show you who I am and leave you with no students!” said Shouliang Zhao.

To Shouliang Zhao, it seemed like they wanted to steal his money and compete for students. He made a living off getting commissions from students. One student meant one commission; one less student meant less income. As a professional coach, his commission per student was 1,000 yuan. Twelve students meant 12,000 yuan, which tripled his salary for one month. He didn’t mind looking for trouble for 12,000 yuan.

…

“Congcong Wu, lean forward. Push the ball of your foot against the ground when you jump!” Dai Li shouted.

The students were divided into two groups on the training ground. One group was practicing the standing long jump, while the other was practicing the 1000 meter race.

Congcong Wu was definitely the biggest student among them. His height was only about 160 centimeters, yet he weighed more than 90 kilograms. If you looked at him from afar, you would think he was a giant meatball. He was also one of the most difficult students for Dai Li to train. Dai Li usually spent more time on Congcong Wu just to help him make more progress.

There was a small group of people walking towards him. Shouliang Zhao was leading them. He pointed out different things as he walked. Behind him were a few people who seemed to be parents.

He spoke as he walked, saying, “There are countless training classes in Yuzhou City. Training classes for the high school entrance PE exam makes up a big part of them. As far as I am concerned, there are dozens of sports training education schools that are renting places in this Youth Activity Center, and both seedlings and weeds grow together among them. Some of them are here just to take up space. Many of the so-called sports coaches don’t even have the most basic qualifications. It’s so clear that all they care about is swindling money!

“Money is not that important; the most important thing is that someone else’s quest for money wastes the time of our children. The high school entrance exam is a once in a lifetime chance. If you fail the exam just because you went to an unqualified sports training education school and met a worthless coach, imagine how sad that would be! You might even lose the chance to enter a key high school. Don’t you think so?”

All the parents following Shouliang Zhao nodded to show their support after listening to his words.

“You really need to learn how to choose a training class. The first thing you should do is check the coach’s qualifications. For example, the training coach right in front us looks like he’s in his early 20s. He is even younger than some of the athletes that I have trained, and obviously it’s a bad choice to give your children to people like him. He is just here to fool everyone. I bet you don’t want to waste your children’s time on him.” Shouliang Zhao pointed at Dai Li, who was not far from him, raising his voice on purpose.

The group caught Dai Li’s attention right before they entered the room. Dai Li had not missed a word of what Shouliang Zhao said.

“I don’t even know this guy. We’ve never met before. Why is he saying that I’m wasting these children’s time when we barely know each other? There are even a few parents following after him. They are coming for trouble!”

Dai Li’s look turned very serious and angry. How could he tolerate this when they had come all this way, right in front of him, to look for trouble? He took one step forward without holding back his anger and said, “Who are you talking about?”

Chapter 9: Misleading the Students

Shouliang Zhao had indeed come here looking for trouble. The reason he had brought a big group of parents was to insult Dai Li in front of other people. And since SA Student Education had also rented a training ground in the Youth Activity Center, which was located on the other side of the sports field, it didn’t take Zhouliang Zhao much time to find Dai Li.

In fact, Shouliang Zhao was just an ordinary coach for the municipal sports team. He was not outstanding at all, otherwise he wouldn’t be doing a part-time job for some training education class. The real incredible coaches were all busy taking athletes to competitions. They had no time to train a bunch of middle school students for the high school PE entrance exam.

There was an old saying that you should never push somebody too hard, otherwise it would be awkward when you had to meet them again later. Shouliang Zhao might have given Dai Li more respect and would have tried to avoid direct conflict if Dai Li was from the sports school or college. Shouliang Zhao wouldn’t offend someone even if that person was a sports teacher in middle school. However, Dai Li was just some undergraduate student whom Shouliang Zhao didn’t care about at all. Each student meant a commission, and he didn’t mind offending Dai Li for that. If he could win over the students in this bid, then he could get more commissions. Twelve students meant 12,000 yuan. Shouliang Zhao was not just here looking for trouble – he was also looking for money.

Shouliang Zhao’s speech about “misleading the students” and such was all said to Dai Li on purpose. He wanted to attract Dai Li’s attention and then insult him. He knew his plot had succeeded when he saw Dai Li question him. He smiled viciously and looked at Dai Li from head to toe. He said with disdain, “Young man, I can tell that you are in your early 20s. I suppose that you are just a few years older than those students, right? Isn’t that misleading the students if people like you work as coaches?”

“Ability has nothing to do with age. What matters is the result of training. Age doesn’t represent skill. Look at you—people like you who are older than me but still know nothing can be found everywhere!” Dai Li retorted back, trading insults.

“My son, you should not talk to me like that. Do you have any idea who I am?” Shouliang Zhao answered his own question immediately and said, “I’m Shouliang Zhao.”

“Shouliang Zhao? That’s him. No wonder he came looking for trouble!” Dai Li was not a big fan of him. Nevermind that there was a competition between them simply because they worked in the same industry—Dai Li questioned Shouliang Zhao’s morals after all he had done to Talent Education. Dai Li felt that he didn’t have to be polite to people like him who had no integrity. He smiled and said, “I know you. You are the one who escaped, Shouliang Zhao!”

“Escaped? What do you mean?” Shouliang Zhao asked, trying to look dignified.

“You want me to say everything? Okay, I showed you my respect, but it seems like you don’t need it.” He sighed purposely and spoke to the parents who were behind Shouliang Zhao. “Coach Shouliang Zhao used to be in our Talent Education program. But then he felt he was not qualified enough to teach our students, so he ran away to SA Student Education!”

“Nonsense!” Shouliang Zhao shouted angrily.

“Nonsense? That was not nonsense! You were here in Talent Education during the enrollment period. But then after you saw that our students were very difficult to train, you realized you wouldn’t be able to help them get high scores, so you escaped. Yes, I admit that our students were a little big, and the training might be more difficult. However, you shouldn’t have given up before even trying!” Dai Li continued, making up stories as he went along.

“That is bullshxt! You are just making up stories!” Shouliang Zhao seemed to be a little embarrassed.

“Come on. Even if I could make up a story, I wouldn’t need to. You can ask the others if Shouliang Zhao was in Talent Education before or not, that way you’ll know if I’m telling the truth. And I’ve got witnesses too!” Dai Li said as he waved at Xiaoming Huang to ask him to come around. He patted Xiaoming Huang’s shoulder and looked up at Shouliang Zhao. “Coach Zhao, this is our student in Talent Education. You must have met him before, haven’t you? You were still in our Talent Education when he signed up.”

Shouliang Zhao felt that all the parents were looking at him with doubt. He didn’t expect Dai Li to be such a smooth talker. He was put into a defensive position just by Dai Li’s few sentences full of nonsense.

“I did. So what? I was in Talent Education when he signed up!” Shouliang Zhao shouted and continued, “I was an athlete for more than 10 years, and I have been coaching since then for seven or eight years. I’ve trained professional athletes. Even the professional athletes from municipal sports teams could not daunt me, let alone some middle school students. There is no need for me to escape. I just hopped to another job with a higher salary offer. That’s it.”

The parents behind Shouliang Zhao discussed his words quietly.

“Coach Zhao is making sense. He is a coach from the municipal sports team. How could a few middle school students daunt him?”

“Even professional athletes are a piece of cake for Coach Zhao, let alone some slightly overweight students.”

“I was almost buying that young fellow’s words! Considering Coach Zhao’s ability, there is no possibility that he would be afraid. It must be that he hopped to another job for higher pay.”

Dai Li was not in a hurry to explain himself. He patted Xiaoming Huang’s shoulder and said, “Coach Zhao, I remember that you did not only meet this student, but also promised him when he enrolled that you would help him achieve five or six pull-ups after two weeks of training. Is that true?”

Shouliang Zhao remembered, but didn’t admit it immediately. He worried that it might be a trap Dai Li had set for him. He thought about it again and found no problem with his promise. He nodded and said, “Yes, even though he was a little big. But I believe he would be able to do six pull-ups before the high school PE entrance exam if he came to me for training.”

Shouliang Zhao said “six” instead of “five or six” to show his ability. The discussion among those behind him flared up again.

“Six pull-ups! That means 12 points, which is the passing line.”

“He deserves to be a professional coach from the municipal sports team if he can make such a big child do six pull-ups! I bet the other coaches would never be able to achieve it!”

“We made the right choice choosing Coach Zhao. I’d be so satisfied if my son could do six pull-ups in the high school entrance examination.”

Shouliang Zhao listened intently and felt very proud.

“You misled the students!” Dai Li suddenly said.

“What did you say?” Shouliang Zhao asked in reply.

“I said you were the one who misled the students.” Dai Li stopped for a second and then continued, “I repeat back to you the words you said to me minutes ago, without any changes. You can only help students do six pull-ups in two weeks. Isn’t that a waste of time for the students?”

Shouliang Zhao laughed after hearing Dai Li’s words. “Son, are you a fool or are you just playing one? Six pull-ups in only two weeks is not normal. Only I, Shouliang Zhao, dare to give that promise. Other coaches would never be able to guarantee like this!”

“That’s why I say you are misleading the students.” Dai Li patted Xiaoming Huang’s shoulders and instructed, “Get on the horizontal bar and show them how many pull-ups you can do!”

Chapter 10: Who is Misleading the Students?

People started to gather. Most of those were parents who had come to pick up their children. There were also some older people who were talking a walk after dinner. Either way, those who gathered had some time to spare. They saw the crowd and came to found out what had happened. It didn’t take long for them to begin the discussion amongst themselves.

“Why are there so many people here? What happened?”

“This is the Youth Activity Center. What else can it be? Those training education schools are competing with each other again to win over students.”

“In that case we have something interesting to watch. I remember there were two taekwondo coaches that fought with each other just to win over the students last summer.”

“I’ve seen those people before. Oh, right—I think he is a coach from the municipal sports team! But who is that young man in front of him? He looks like a college student.”

“Maybe he is. Those training schools always hire college students to do part-time jobs. The salary is low, and there’s no need to pay them the insurance and everything.”

At the moment, Xiaoming Huang had walked up to the horizontal bar and did the first pull-up without pausing.

“Well that was not bad. But the first pull-up is always the easiest because you can use the power generated from the lift-off when your hands grab hold of the horizontal bar. After that, however, it will be very difficult,” Shouliang Zhao said with disdain. He was speaking as a veteran, as if he was superior to everyone else spectating.

Xiaoming Huang finished three consecutive pull-ups right after Shouliang Zhao finished speaking.

The smile Shouliang Zhao had originally worn had now disappeared from his face. As a professional sports coach, he could tell that Xiaoming Huang still had plenty of strength left for more, even after three pull-ups. Maybe he really could do two more.

“Even I wouldn’t be able to make this fatty do more than three pull-ups in such a short period of time. But it seems like he could easily do two more. Don’t tell me that I’m going to lose this game,” Shouliang Zhao thought to himself, having a feeling that it was not going to turn out well for him today.

Xiaoming Huang didn’t slow down. He was able to do five pull-ups three days ago, and after this afternoon’s training, he had gotten even better than before. Although the standing long jump and 1000m race had used up some of his energy, six pull-ups wouldn’t be a problem for him.

Xiaoming Huang began and completed the sixth pull-up successfully. This time his movement was much faster than before. He had done it quickly because he was running out of power.

“Six! That’s enough to pass!” one of the parents said excitedly.

In the scoring criteria of Yuzhou City’s high school entrance PE exam, six pull-ups meant passing. Even though it was only 12 points for those who could pass the test, it could still make a drastic difference. For example, there was an enrollment restriction in the high school entrance exam. Many of the key universities wouldn’t take students who failed one of the exams, even if the total score achieved a passing grade.

Parents didn’t only care about their children’s scores, but also about the competition with others. For many, it was a matter of honor and reputation. When they talked about their children’s scores, getting zero points and failing were two results that could damage their reputation. If a child failed his cultural classes, it was normal for him to get a few punches.

“That’s impossible!” Shouliang Zhao had lost his confidence as a “veteran” and looked very pale. He would have never believed this if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.

The parents would’ve been so happy if a child as fat as Xiaoming Huang could do six pull-ups and pass the exam. However, he himself was not satisfied with the result. He rested for a few seconds, recalled the points of the movement that Dai Li had taught him, and began attempting his seventh pull-up.

It was a struggle, but finally, he did the seventh pull-up successfully. This time, many people around couldn’t help but marvel at him. Some people even said “nice.” Xiaoming Huang quit trying after he finished the seventh pull-up.

Dai Li took one step forward and cleared his throat. “This student has been training with me for four days, including today. Four days ago, he couldn’t even do one pull-up. But now he can do seven. I’m pretty sure that he will make even more progress in the following days, and that a full score in pull-ups during the exam will be a realistic goal for him.”

“Full score?” Everyone standing around looked at Xiaoming Huang’s bloated figure and found it very difficult to imagine.

“He was trained by me for only four days and now he can do seven pull-ups. But this Coach Zhao…” He pointed at Shouliang Zhao, who was right next to him, and continued, “He said he needed two weeks to train this student to do six pull-ups. Now who do you think is misleading the students and wasting their time?”

Shouliang Zhao’s face turned a purplish shade of red. He had just promised in front of everyone that he could get Xiaoming Huang to six pull-ups in two weeks, in a conceited tone no less. But now, right in his face, Dai Li proved that he had only needed four days to help the students do seven pull-ups— one more than Zhao’s promise of two weeks’ training.

“And he said he was a coach for the municipal sports team! I guess that not all coaches get in because of their abilities. Even a young man is better than him. No wonder it took the athletes from our city so many years to get trained, and they were still rejected by the national team. I guess it’s the fault of those coaches!”

“You are right! I just asked the others and heard that this young man is an undergraduate student. Even a student is better than that professional coach. Do you think he bought the title of so-called ‘professional coach?'”

These voices swarmed through Shouliang Zhao’s ears and made him embarrassed. He knew that if this spread around, his reputation would be damaged, which might cause many students to quit his training class.

“Had I known this, I would never have come for trouble!” Shouliang Zhao thought sadly. He didn’t expect the undergraduate student to be so difficult to deal with. He thought that Dai Li would surrender right after being made aware of his title “coach from the municipal sports team”, but unfortunately, he ended up coming across a hard nut.

“How could he train that fatty to do seven pull-ups in four days? Even the coaches I know from the provincial sports team wouldn’t be able to achieve that. It seems that kid must have some specialties in pull-up training!”

At this thought, Shouliang Zhao quit focusing on the pull-ups and sneered, “The high school PE entrance exam is not all about pull-ups. There is also the standing long jump and 1000m race. Even if you get a full score in pull-ups, it means nothing. Without a good score in the other two subjects, you won’t be able to raise your score anyway.”

“Coach Zhao, it’s always easy to say. But what matters is the result. If you are not convinced, we can compete in other events.” With the help of the top-level coach card, Dai Li was not afraid of anyone. He was ready to beat Shouliang Zhao, even as an underdog.

“Sure. Let’s compete in standing long jump!” Shouliang Zhao stopped for a second and then said confidently, “You’ve held your training classes for four days, just like me. Let’s pick one student from each class and see who can jump further. What do you say?”

“Why not? The standing long jump it is,” Dai Li agreed.

…

“Look, those training classes are competing with each other again. Now we can kill time by watching that! Who do you think will win in standing long jump?”

“I think that young man has a bigger chance of winning. He is not a nobody. I mean, just look at that fatty who did seven pull-ups after four days of training.”

“You don’t really know the situation. Coach Zhao is a professional coach for the municipal sports team specializing in standing long jump. He might not be as good as others in pull-up training, but when it comes to the standing long jump, that’s what he’s known for! How could he lose to that young fellow!”

“No wonder that Coach Zhao asked to compete in standing long jump. That’s his specialty! This young guy lacks the experience to compete with a professional coach. He’s doomed to fail!”

Chapter 11: I Won Again

Shouliang Zhao specialized in the standing long jump as a coach on the municipal sports team. This was the training he was really good at it. It was also why he had challenged Dai Li in the activity.

Dai Li already knew how incredible the training results were with the help of “top-level coach.” According to the notification in the system, “top-level coach” could help ordinary people reach the limits of their physical ability and get the best results from it. This meant that no one could compete with Dai Li when it came to training ordinary people. That was why Dai Li was not afraid of Shouliang Zhao’s challenge at all.

Talent Education and SA Student Education’s training fields were not far from each other. They were both in the Youth Activity Center, but not in the same area. Shouliang Zhao had left in a hurry and came back soon with a student. The student was also very big, similar to Xiaoming Huang. He seemed to be 75 kilograms

Shouliang Zhao patted the student’s back and said, “This is my student, Dan Liu. Who are you going to pick?”

“Detect!” Dai Li started to detect Dan Liu’s information immediately and got the result from the system.

Detecting Target: Ordinary person; Sports Ability: 35.

“35. That’s even worse than the old lady who walked her dog the other day. I bet this Dan Liu is the best one on his team.” Dai Li relaxed a little bit after seeing that.

After four days of training, most of Dai Li’s students had a sports ability above 40. Even the biggest one, Congcong Wu, had a 38.

Dai Li turned around and mulled over his students. Then he picked Congcong Wu and said, “He is the biggest student in my class. I choose him!”

Congcong Wu weighed more than 90 kilograms. However, he was only 160 centimeters tall. If you didn’t pay close attention, you might have thought he was a big walking ball; he seemed to need some air every time he took a few steps. His sports ability was only a 19 when he entered the class, which may have been even worse than the dog that old lady was walking. But after only four days of training, he had managed to double that number to 38.

In the training session this past afternoon, Dai Li had paid a lot of attention to Congcong Wu and taught him about the standing long jump step by step. There was an old saying that if one sharpened their blade just before going into the battle, even if the blade was not sharp enough, it would at least glisten. Dai Li believed in Congcong Wu’s ability in the standing long jump.

The appearance of Congcong Wu attracted all surrounding attention. A student in his third year of middle school with a height of 160 centimeters and weight of 90 kilograms had a tendency to attract people’s attention wherever he went.

“That kid is too fat! He must weigh more than 90 kilograms!”

“Maybe even more than that. Is he even able to jump?”

“I thought this young coach might have some possibility of winning. But now I’ve changed my mind. He is doomed to fail.”

“Tell me about it. There must be a 15 kilograms to 20 kilograms difference between those two students. The slimmer one will definitely win this game.”

A conceited look was visible on Shouliang Zhao’s face. He might have been a little nervous if Dai Li had picked a skinnier student. But now he felt like he had already won the game since Dai Li had chosen the biggest one.

“Kid, you are embarrassing yourself. Don’t blame me if I beat you!” Shouliang Zhao’s eyes shined coldly. He bent down and said to Dan Liu, “Do your best, and don’t embarrass me!”

Dan Liu looked at Congcong Wu and nodded confidently. “That fatty is Congcong Wu. He’s from my school. He is the biggest. I’ll win the game.”

Congcong Wu’s face turned red. Obviously the discussion going on around him made him feel like his face was on fire. He knew he was overweight, and the last thing he wanted to hear was people calling him fat, let alone people around him were talking about and pointing at him, which hurt his feelings.

Dai Li noticed this and encouraged him immediately. “Think about Xiaoming Huang. He’s already made people see him in a new light. Now it’s your turn. Cheer up! As long as you can perform as usual, you can do it too.”

Congcong Wu nodded silently. He still looked very nervous.

Dan Liu was already standing next to the bunker. He jumped over the two meter line easily.

“2.17 meters!”

A smile emerged from Shouliang Zhao’s face. He said, “The standing long jump takes 20 points out of the total score. According to the criteria of the high school PE entrance exam, if you can jump over 2.15 meters, you got 15 points. If we changed it to the 100-point system, it would be equal to 75 points, which translates to a letter grade of B.

Shouliang Zhao finished and looked at Dai Li provocatively. Dai Li, however, looked relieved.

“Congcong Wu, there is no need to be nervous now, right?” Dai Li smiled.

Congcong Wu nodded. “I thought he would be better than me. I didn’t expect that he would only jump 2.17 meters. That’s even worse than me.”

“It’s your time to shine, boy! Don’t forget the points of the movement that I taught you.” Dai Li then asked Congcong Wu to go to the competition area.

Congcong Wu looked very confident as he walked to the bunker. He took a deep breath, then went over the points of the standing long jump without leaving out any details. He made a small space between his legs and bent over his knees a bit. He leaned forward and swung his arms back and forth twice while his knees moved in unison with his arms.

“The movement is not bad. But it won’t help, because your problem is your weight!” Shouliang Zhao thought to himself, deliberately acting like he didn’t care.

Next to the bunker, Congcong Wu pressed his feet against the ground with the balls of his feet while his arms swung back and forth. He straightened his knees with all his strength, pushing himself off the ground, his body drawing a straight line in the air. As he landed, he bent over his knees, drew in his stomach, and straightened his calves. After performing the movements Dai Li had taught him, he swung his arms backwards to balance himself out and landed on the ground with his heels. He finished the movement for the standing long jump with agility and confidence.

Shouliang Zhao frowned a bit. He could tell that although Congcong Wu’s movement was far from the professional level, he had gotten points as well. Honestly, Congcong Wu mastered the techniques better than Dan Liu.

“That move was good. Don’t tell me that Dai Li is really better than me!” He looked in the direction of the bunker and couldn’t control his facial expressions any longer.

“That is not possible! No way! How could he jump further even though he is much heavier? How is that possible! Am I seeing things?” He rubbed his eyes subconsciously.

Dai Li’s voice echoed at the same time, “2.25 meters. According to the criteria for the exam, that means 16 points. 80 points out of 100. Coach Zhao, I’ve won again!”

Chapter 12: Famous Coach Li

Both had been trained for only four days, yet one had jumped 2.17 meters while the other had jumped 2.25 meters. It was obvious who was better. And given the fact that Congcong Wu was much fatter than Dan Liu and had still jumped further, the training results Dai Li had produced were graded more highly than Shouliang Zhao’s.

“Shoot! I can’t believe the coach from the municipal sports team lost! He was steamrolled!”

“But they said he was an expert when it comes to the standing long jump. How could he lose so easily?”

“This young man is even better than the professional coach. I would have signed my kid up here if I had known this before!”

Most of the people here were just killing time, but there were many parents among them as well. They couldn’t remain calm after seeing this, especially those who had come with Shouliang Zhao.

There were two kinds of people whose money was easy to be earned: women and parents. They didn’t care about the price if it meant having a “famous teacher” hold training classes for their children, especially for important exams like the high school entrance exam, which was a once in a lifetime opportunity. They didn’t care about cost; they cared about the result. If the children could get a higher score after the training, they didn’t care about spending thousands of yuan.

Before this incident, Shouliang Zhao was known as the “famous coach” among the parents. His title of “coach of the municipal sports team” earned him a lot of respect, much more than those normal coaches from some everyday middle schools. However, Shouliang Zhao had lost to Dai Li completely in today’s competition, making Dai Li the “famous coach” now.

Shouliang Zhao had lost his soul and had no idea what to do. A parent came from behind him and walked up quickly to Dai Li. The parent asked him directly, “Coach Li, are there any vacancies in your class?”

“Yes, for sure!” Dai Li nodded without any hesitation. “I’ll leave you a number. Just call and speak to Professor Chen, or you can also add him through WeChat. You need to hurry if you want to sign up, though. There are less than two weeks left before the exam. Your child needs to begin training as soon as possible if you expect a higher score.”

“No problem, I’ll go sign up right now and bring my son tomorrow!” the parent promised immediately.

“And me, Coach Li! I’ll sign up too!”

“And me!”

Dai Li was surrounded by parents in the blink of an eye.

Not far from him, Shouliang Zhao looked very lost. This was the cruel reality of the situation and he had experienced it in front of everyone. All the parents that now surrounded Dai Li had been brought by him. But now it was obvious that they were going to change classes. Soon after, they would quit the SA Student Education program and turn to Talent Education, which meant a big loss of money for Shouliang Zhao.

And this was only the first batch of people. Today’s competition had already served as a testimony that Shouliang Zhao was not as good as Dai Li. And if that information spread, parents who cared about nothing except for their children’s grades would all come to Dai Li. Shouliang Zhao, on the other hand, would lose more students.

Shouliang Zhao had never felt regret like this. He had come here looking for trouble, simply wanting to show his abilities to attract more students. Dai Li had been nothing but a stepping stone to him. But now, Shouliang Zhao realized that this stepping stone was actually a sharp steel trap. He had fallen for it, too, stepping in and losing any leg he had to stand on.

“Where did this guy come from? If I’d known this before, I would never have come and gotten myself into this mess!” Shouliang Zhao thought to himself.

…

After dinner, Jianguo Chen made himself a pot of tea and sat in front of the TV. His phone rang just as he was ready to watch a TV series. He took out his mobile phone, which was only for business, and saw an unfamiliar number.

“Hello, this is Chen from Talent Education,” Jianguo Chen said, answering the phone.

“Oh, you’re Professor Chen. I want to sign my child up for your training class,” the person on the other end of the phone said.

It was not the first time he had gotten phone calls after his working hours. He said with experience and ease, “We mainly target education for middle school students. As for the cultural classes, we have writing, math, and English classes. We also have a centralized tutoring class only for middle school students who are in their third year. As for extracurricular classes, we have singing and dancing classes. Which grade is your child in this year?”

“The third grade.” He stopped for a second and continued, “There are less than two weeks left for the high school PE entrance exam. I want to sign my son up in a PE training class.”

“Training class for the high school entrance PE exam…” Jianguo Chen hesitated.

“He must have seen the enrollment advertisement from a few days ago saying we had a professional coach from the municipal sports team. This parent must have no idea that Shouliang Zhao is no longer with Talent Education. That’s why he still wants to sign his child up for the class.” Jianguo Chen couldn’t help but think of Dai Li.

“An undergraduate student, what could he do? I would be so happy if could lead the students in the right direction. What else can I expect from him? I’d better stop enrolling any new students for this PE training class. If the students in this class couldn’t get a good score on the exam, that could do a lot of damage to our reputation. I’d better tell him the truth!”

Jianguo Chen thought about it and cleared his throat. “Talent Education did open a training class for the high school PE entrance exam. But due to some unavoidable circumstances, Coach Zhao couldn’t teach our class…”

“Coach Zhao? Who is that? I don’t care about Coach Zhao, Coach Wang, or Coach Liu, I just want Coach Li,” he said.

Jianguo Chen was confused. He couldn’t figure out who Coach Li was. His silence made the parent on the other end of the phone panic. He thought Jianguo Chen didn’t want to enroll any other students. His tone turned serious and strict. “Your young Coach Li promised me that there would be a vacancy for us to sign up.”

“Young Coach Li? Oh you mean our intern Li!” Jianguo Chen finally realized that “Coach Li” meant Dai Li. Normally Jianguo Chen called him little Li or intern Li. He was not used to someone calling him “Coach Li.”

The parent on the other side continued, “I want to sign my child up just for Coach Li. He already promised me! You can’t take it back!”

“Just because of Dai Li? He is just some undergraduate college student. This parent is making him sound like some famous coach.” Jianguo Chen didn’t have the slightest idea what was going on. But if the parent insisted, there was no reason for Jianguo Chen to refuse a customer. He said “yes” immediately.

After he hung up the phone, another strange number appeared on his phone.

“Hello, this is Chen from Talent Education,” Jianguo Chen said automatically.

“Is this Talent Education? You have a very talented coach named Li, right? I want to sign my son up for the high school PE entrance training class!”

“Coach Li again?” Jianguo Chen was completely confused now.

Chapter 13: Third-Rate Coach

Jianguo Chen walked a student’s mother out of the office. This was the fifth parent who had come here today to sign up for the PE exam training class.

Where did Dai Li come from out of the blue? Why are all the parents coming here for him? Jianguo Chen thought to himself, scratching his head. He had been running training education for a long time and it was the first time he had experienced something like this.

How could an undergraduate student could attract so many students? Jianguo Chen doubted that Dai Li asked his relatives to make up the numbers.

The five students who had enrolled that night were just the beginning, however. The next day there were three more new students and seven or eight phone calls from interested parents. Then came the weekend. Parents now had more free time, and the enrollment number skyrocketed. There were sixteen new students in two days.

Twenty new students in four days. They couldn’t all be Dai Li’s relatives. Normal people didn’t even have that many family members. Jianguo Chen couldn’t figure it out, so he asked everyone he knew to collect information. Finally, he found out what had happened.

Four days ago, Dai Li won in a competition with Shouliang Zhao! Jianguo Chen was so surprised at the information. One was the professional coach from the municipal sports team, which almost represented the highest training level of Yuzhou City. The other was just some undergraduate college student. There was no way to compare the two people. How could a student compete with a professional coach who had more than ten years of experience?

However, Dai Li had had the best results. Professional coach Shouliang Zhao only had one word prefacing his name now—”loser.” Jianguo Chen would never have believed it if he hadn’t gotten the same information from everyone else. He doubted that Shouliang Zhao was Dai Li’s swindler who had lost on purpose in front of the others just to help him. However, the damage to Shouliang Zhao’s reputation was too great. There was no chance he would’ve done it for Dai Li.

A professional couldn’t even compete with a young college student. This made people think that Shouliang Zhao didn’t deserve his title since he had no actual skills. And because of that, the students had left one by one, like a domino effect.

If it was like the other kinds of normal training classes, like Chinese, math, or English, they wouldn’t have turned to another teacher immediately just because the teacher was not as good as others. But training classes for high school entrance exams were different. Middle school had primary education that didn’t allow students to repeat the courses. Even if some places did, the key high schools didn’t accept repeat students.

For students who were going to take the exam, the PE exam was their only opportunity in their entire life. Of course parents would choose the best of the best class with the best teacher. For students whose targets were key high schools, even one point meant weeding out a lot of competitors.

Dai Li now had 36 students in total. Jianguo Chen didn’t continue enrolling new students because he thought it would be hard enough for Dai Li to train 36 students by himself at the same time. It was also because there was no more room on the training field. In addition, there was only one week left until the PE exam, so it would be too late to start now for any students just joining the program.

…

On the training field, Dai Li frowned with a look full of worry.

The progress is coming slower than before! Dai Li thought to himself.

The high school PE entrance exam was around the corner, but the students were improving slower than they had been. You could easily tell from the numbers in the detecting system. The same students who had been gaining a lot of points each day in the beginning could now only gain one point after a whole day’s training. This worried Dai Li very much.

Has the training effect decreased? No way. There are still a few days left before the top-level coach card expires. There should be no difference between the training effects from before to today. Why are they improving so slowly now?

The voice of the System spoke while Dai Li was mulling over it. “It’s normal that progress comes slower. Think about normal sports training. The progress is very obvious in the beginning, but then it slows down, and even stops. When you reach the top level, even very slight progress will take you forever to develop. This has nothing to do with the system, it’s just the physical limitations of humans.

“Let’s take the 100m sprint as an example. It only takes a few weeks to improve from 13 seconds to 12 seconds. But it will take you a few months to improve from 12 seconds to 11 seconds. And from 11 seconds to 10 seconds, it might take you a few years. 99% of athletes have spent their entire life trying to break the wall of 10 seconds, but couldn’t. After breaking the 10 second barrier, an improvement of even 0.01 seconds is pushing it. The better you are, the slower you progress. Some of the top athletes might even get worse if they don’t continue a certain number of exercises. This is the rule of all sports.”

Dai Li nodded. “Now I get it. My students have already reached their limitations, so the progress will come slower than before. But although the results are not as good as before, they will still be able to get full scores on the PE exam according to their abilities now.”

“You can say that again.” The System stopped for a second and continued, “I have good news for you. Your experience has met the requirement to level up one minute ago. You are no longer a newbie. You’re a real coach!”

“I levelled? I didn’t expect it to be this fast.” This had come much faster than Li thought it would have, which made him draw a blank for a second.

But then he realized that it was because the number of the students had increased, meaning that the speed of upgrading had gotten faster. It had taken Dai Li a long time to reach 100 points of experience when he had only had 12 students to train. But now that he had 36 students, the speed had tripled as well. That was why he was able to get to the next level ahead of the schedule.

Name: Dai Li

Coach Level: Third-rate coach, preliminary phase(0/1000)

Others: Top-level coach trial card (4 days)

Training list: Xiaoming Huang, Xun Li, Congcong Wu, Zhenye Zhu…

“Third-rate coach at preliminary phase? How many phases are there?” Dai Li asked.

The System answered immediately, “Three. Preliminary, intermediate, and senior phases. After you reach the senior phase of the third-rate coach, you can get ready to move up to become the second-rate coach.”

“So is this 0/1000 experience for the intermediate phase or the senior phase?” Dai Li continued asking.

“For the intermediate phase, of course,” the System answered without any hesitation.

“But this means that I need even more experience to upgrade to the second-rate coach!” Dai Li complained.

“Stop complaining and check your rewards. You get a reward every time you level. You just got one since you upgraded from a newbie to a third-rate coach. Don’t you want to check what’s in the gift package?” the System asked.

Dai Li thought about the gift for a moment, and suddenly the gift package showed up in the System.

“Last time I got a 14-day top-level trial card. I wonder what I will get this time.” Dai Li opened the gift, wondering what was inside.

Chapter 14: Full Score

Dai Li opened the gift package and saw something golden twinkling. He took it out carefully and saw that it was a halo.

“Congratulations. You got a piece of equipment,” the System said.

“What is that? A golden aperture? Should I put it on my head and pretend I’m an angel?” Dai Li asked, joking around.

“You should, actually. The point of this halo is to put it on your head. But you should call it a halo instead of an aperture. There is a tag on it,” the System said.

Dai Li noticed the small tag stuck to the halo. It said “explosive force halo.”

“Explosive force halo. Does it increase explosive force?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes. You can increase explosive power by 10% when wearing it. Everyone on your list will benefit from the effect of explosive force halo, too,” the System said. “Equipment like this halo can’t help the trainees develop much, but given the fact that everybody can benefit from it, we can say that it belongs in the ‘A’ rank among those gifts for upgrade.”

“10% more explosive power does have some benefits, though, thinking about the state everyone is in now. Among the three activities in the high school entrance PE exam, the 1000m race mainly focuses on testing students’ endurance; pull-ups are more about the strength of the upper body since a full-score requires more than 10 repetitions; and as for the standing long jump, it requires explosive power. With the help of this explosive force halo, students will save more time and energy training for it,” Dai Li thought to himself.

Since the explosive force halo could improve the students’ performances in the standing long jump, Dai Li reduced the training time allotted to it and increased the practice of the other two activities.

…

As the saying goes, time waits for no man. The high school PE entrance exam had come quickly, seemingly sneaking up on everyone.

Yuzhou City, where Dai Li lived, was a place with a large population, even compared to other cities nationally. Including all the middle schools from counties and towns, Yuzhou City had more than one hundred thousand examinees who would take the high school entrance exam this year. This number was almost the same as all the other first-tier cities.

However, Yuzhou City had much less educational resources compared to the other first-tier cities. With more than one hundred thousand examinees, the enrollment quota was only five thousand for high schools, and three thousand for technical secondary schools. This meant that there would be two thousand middle school graduate students who were not going to be enrolled.

This made for a much more grave competition where there were many wolves but not enough meat. The competition of the high school entrance exam in Yuzhou City was very intense, and attracted much attention to it. Not only did the municipal education system put a premium on it, but the provincial education department did as well. Let’s take the PE exam for example. To prevent students from cheating, all the exam proctors were from other cities, not local schools. It was more strict than college entrance exams.

The Ninth Middle School had the highest passing rate compared to others. All the examinees had a higher possibility of entering the key high schools. The results of the examinees in the Ninth Middle School were regarded as the standard for the other schools.

Right next to the horizontal bar outside the Ninth Middle School, there were two proctors talking and laughing in the shade.

“Professor Zhang, I heard that this Ninth Middle School is the best in Yuzhou City and has the largest number of examinees at more than 1,000!” one of them said.

Professor Zhang nodded. “Tell me about it, Professor Wang. One thousand students in one day. That’s too many for us. I heard that it could be finished before lunch or at least before three o’clock in the afternoon in schools with less students. But here we have to stay until it gets dark! We should have a lot to eat for lunch, because I have no idea when we are going to have dinner.”

“There is no one to blame besides our bad luck that we were sent to the examination room with the most students. And the activity is pull-ups, the most time-consuming subject,” Professor Wang complained.

Professor Zhang nodded in agreement and said, “The examination time was limited to one minute a few years ago. Do as many as you can in one minute and that was it. But it was too difficult for most students, and 2/3 failed. The exam is going to take longer now that they’ve gotten rid of the time limit.”

Many people thought that the 1000m race was the most time-consuming subject, but in actuality, it was pull-ups. It took middle school students four or five minutes normally. Because the examinees could do the 1000m race together, they could ask 12 students to run together if 10 students per group was too slow. They could even ask 14 or 15 students to run in the same group.

Both the standing long jump and pull-ups required students to take the exam one by one. Standing long jump only took a few seconds, however, while pull-ups took much longer. Even if some of the examinees couldn’t do any more pull-ups, they would still hang on the horizontal bar, which wasted even more time.

Professor Zhang continued complaining. “The quality of life is getting better and better, but the physical abilities of the children is getting worse. We used to run 5000 meters to go to school back in our day. Look at the students now—the 1000m race could kill them! And the passing grade for pull-ups is only six. Yet there are still many students who can’t even make it. Look at this fatty. I bet he can’t do more than three or four.”

Professor Zhang pointed at the next examinee. It was Xiaoming Huang.

He passed his examination admission card to the proctor and walked up to the horizontal bar.

“Another fatty. I bet he can’t do much. The other examinee who was as fat as him only did two, right? That’s good for us since we can save more time. The more students like them there are, the earlier we can finish and go to dinner,” Professor Wang thought, laughing to himself.

Xiaoming Huang jumped onto the horizontal bar as they were speaking to each other. The proctor began counting.

“One, two, three, four, five, six…” Professor Zhang counted with low voice.

“He passed? Did I count wrong? How could an examinee as fat as him pass the exam?” Professor Wang was very surprised.

“Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten! Is there something wrong with my eyes? Most of the examinees slimmer than him couldn’t do more than ten!”

Xiaoming Huang slowed down his tempo after doing ten pull-ups. But he didn’t stop.

“Eleven! Twelve! Is he going to get a full score?” Every proctor’s attention was now on him. They didn’t expect a fat examinee like him to do more than 12 pull-ups consecutively.

Xiaoming Huang’s technique started to break down for the 13th pull-up. He didn’t take a breath, instead clenching his teeth and doing the 14th one. However, this time it was obvious that he had done it in a rush. The movement was far from skillful, and he had even used his legs to help him up. Still, Xiaoming Huang had done 14 pull-ups.

“Fourteen! Oh my gosh! He really got a full-score!” Professor Wang couldn’t help but shout.

Chapter 15: Fatties Make a Move

The grading for the high school PE entrance exam differed depending on region. Dai Li had figured that his students could get 2 points for each repetition in for their first 6 pull-ups. That would mean 12 points in total, which was the passing grade. From the seventh pull-up on, it was only one point per repetition. This meant that if an examinee wanted a full-score of 20 points, then he or she had to do 14 pull-ups consecutively. This grading system made it very difficult for examinees to get a full score in the activity of pull-ups.

Speaking of its difficulty, doing 14 pull-ups consecutively was a lot more difficult than doing 6 pull-ups. Examinees needed to improve drastically to make the jump from 6 repetitions to 14. However, no matter how much you improved, the reward was only an additional 8 points. Even great students wouldn’t chase the limit of 14 repetitions. They were satisfied with 16 or 17 points, which only required 10 or more pull-ups. Most students just wanted to pass the exam.

Professor Zhang and Professor Wang had been here for more than a few hours as proctors and had only seen very few students complete all 14 pull-ups. 10 pull-ups were already impressive, though, since many of the students couldn’t even pass the exam. Examinees who were as fat as Xiaoming Huang were obviously expected to fail the exam in the eyes of the proctors. 4 pull-ups would have been considered good for someone like him. However, he had done ten more than that. Of course, it shocked the two proctors that he had gotten a full score.

It was true that Shouliang Zhao, a professional coach, was better than the other middle school PE teachers. He definitely deserved the title of “professional coach” considering the fact that he had dared to promise to help Xiaoming Huang do 6 pull-ups while the other two proctors had assumed Xiaoming could only do 4. Blame it on bad luck that he had met someone like Dai Li, who had a system to help him. If he had competed with other normal middle school teachers, he could definitely have won the game.

…

During the examination held in the affiliated middle school of a normal university, the standing long jump test was underway. “Big Mac” Congcong Wu was already in front of the bunker.

“Children nowadays are eating too much! Look at him. How could he grow as big as that? How much meat did he eat to build his body? His parents should definitely be held responsible for his obesity. It’s bad for his health!”

While the proctors were still criticizing his parents to themselves, Congcong Wu had already swung his arms to get ready for his jump.

“I’m afraid it will be too difficult for him to get a passing grade since he would have to jump more than 1.85 meters! Considering how fat he is, I can only wish him good luck! I’m guessing he will jump 1.80 or 1.70 meters. Could it be 1.60 meters? That’s the minimum standard. If he scores any lower than that, he will get a 0.”

The proctor looked at Congcong Wu with worry. He was full of sympathy for him, worrying that Congcong Wu couldn’t even reach the minimum standard of 1.60 meters, getting zero points.

Congcong Wu dug into the ground with the balls of his feet and pushed off, jumping into the air.

“Well his movement was pretty standard,” the proctor thought. Congcong Wu’s flexibility surprised the proctor, considering his size.

Congcong Wu bent his knees, drew in his stomach, and stretched out his calves to balance and land in the bunker.

There was a visible measuring line adjacent to the bunker with a scale from the lowest score, 1.60 meters, to the highest score, which was 2.50 meters. The measuring line stopped at 2.50 meters because that was the highest.

Congcong Wu’s heels were past the line of 2.50 meters.

“He jumped over 2.50 meters—he got a full score!” The proctor’s face was full of shock and his eyes were wide open. He’d never expected that a “Big Mac” who weighed more than 90 kilograms could jump over 2.50 meters.

In the scoring criteria of Yuzhou City’s high school PE entrance exam, the full score for the boys standing long jump was exactly 2.50 meters. In fact, it was very difficult for a middle school student who was in his third year to jump over 2.50 meters. The average score of students his age was 2.20 meters. It was unbelievably difficult to improve after 2.35 meters. Most students could never jump over 2.40 meters without professional training.

2.35 meters was worth 17 points, 2.40 meters was worth 18 points, and 2.45 meters was worth 19 points. Most students could get 16 points to 18 points in the standing long jump. Those who could get 20 points were students with excellent physical gifts and sports abilities. It was an impossible task for people like Congcong Wu to get a full score, yet he had done it!

After 10 minutes, Congcong Wu showed up to the examination field of the 1000m race.

…

At the destination, a few proctors were sitting in the shade. A middle-aged man in his 40s with a thermos was pouring tea for them.

“Professor Huang, have some tea. And Professor Sun, look, your tea leaves are out of color. Let me pour you another one! Professor Cai, let me fill your cup…”

The middle-aged man who was pouring tea was PE teacher Chuanfu Liao from the affiliated middle school of the normal university.

Since all the proctors had to be sent from other cities, the teachers from the city weren’t able to oversee the exam. However, they were not doing nothing. They were responsible for logistics, like taking care of the proctors’ meals, drinks, rest, and so on. It needed to be done by the teachers from each school. That was why Chuanfu Liao had showed up to the examination field with an attentive hospitality, pouring tea for the other proctors.

He had his own motivation for being so hospitable, too. He hoped these proctors would give a free pass to the students. The higher the students’ scores were, the better it would his teaching ability look. He could also get a promotion out of it and a more impressive title.

Calculating the time of the 1000m race depended on the stopwatch in the proctors’ hands. When you calculated manually, there were always slight differences. If the proctors stopped the stopwatch 1 or 2 seconds earlier, the results of the students would be better. These kind of differences were permitted. For example, if the proctor showed some sympathy and pressed the button 1 second earlier, a student’s time could change from 3 mins, 42 secs to 3 mins, 40 secs, 50. Because proctors always left out the number after seconds, the final result would be 3 mins, 40 secs, meaning the student would get 1 more point.

There was no chance of anything like this happening when it came to pull-ups and the standing long jump. So, Chuanfu Liao had decided to stay in the area where the 1000m race was taking place and act as a waiter. He made sure to pour tea and fill their cups, and even brought some snacks and fruits during their break time, just in hopes that the proctors would show some sympathy to the students.

Of course, it was clear to everyone what Chuanfu Liao’s behavior meant. The leader of the proctors said politely, “Professor Liao, stop serving us and have a rest! You haven’t had a drink of water the entire afternoon.”

“I’m not tired at all, Head Hu. My job today is to provide the best service to all of the teachers!” Chuanfu Liao smiled and said.

“Professor Liao is really hard-working. I can tell from the results of the examinees that he must have some teaching skills.” Head Hu continued, “Look at this group. 3 students got full scores out of 12 people! That’s a big deal!”

“3 full scores?” A smile emerged from Chuanfu Liao’s face.

To get a full score in the 1000m race, you had to reach the finish line before 3 mins, 40 secs, which was much greater than the abilities of most of the students. Even for adults, the passing grade was 4 mins. Given the fact that middle school students were not fully grown, finishing the 1000m race in 3 mins, 40 secs was a very big accomplishment. Normally there was only one student who could get a full score on a team. However, there were three on this team. It was incredible for sure.

Chuanfu Liao couldn’t help but look for the students’ results on the laptop. Head Hu didn’t even try to cover it, letting him see the results. There was no need to hide the scores of the students from their own teacher.

“The 3 students who got full scores are Man Song, Dahai Chen, and Congcong Wu! Congcong Wu? Could it be the student from the 3rd class who was the fattest in the whole school? No way he was able to get a full score! There must be something wrong!”

Chapter 16: 100% Full Score Rate

Congcong Wu was the fattest in the affiliated middle school of the normal university. That was why he had left Professor Chuanfu Liao with a lasting impression. He had had no capacity for improvement in Chuanfu Liao’s eyes. He would have suggested that the boy give up on the PE exam and put all his effort towards other exams. He was too fat to get any good scores on the PE exam. However, after Chuanfu Liao saw Congcong Wu’s score was 20 on the proctor’s computer, he had no idea what had happened.

“To even pass the test would be a dream for Congcong Wu, let alone get a full score. Could it be that the proctor miswrote the score? Should I remind them?” He cleared his mind of this thought the next second. Why would he stop his own student from getting a high score? That didn’t make sense.

Head Hu’s voice echoed again. “Look, this Congcong Wu got full scores in the other two activities, too. He got a full score across the board! There aren’t many students that can get 60 points because the scoring criteria is so high this year. Professor Liao, is this Congcong Wu one of the best students in sports here?”

“The best student in sports? Congcong Wu? Quit it. I would say he is the best student in Japanese sumo!” Chuanfu Liao thought to himself. He could never link Head Hu’s comment with his student Congcong Wu, never. He smiled awkwardly, not knowing if he should nod or shake his head. The next second, he suddenly realized that Head Hu had said full score across the board.

“Congcong Wu? Full score across the board? How is that possible? The proctors must all be blind if Congcong Wu can get a full score!”

Chuanfu Liao looked at the screen again and again, just to make sure he hadn’t misread it. Congcong Wu’s score was really 60 points!

“Oh my gosh, how is that? How could Congcong Wu get a full score? And across the board? How had he survived the pull-ups?” Chuanfu Liao’s mind was running on fumes.

The same thing was happening in the other examination fields as well. Some “Big Mac” student had done 14 pull-ups without a break, jumped over 2.50 meters, and finished the 1000m race in 3 mins, 40 secs. One after another full scores were showing up!

It surprised many of the proctors, but it didn’t create any sensational news because it was normal that 3 or 4 fat examinees got full scores out of hundreds or thousands of students in some examination fields. It could only be regarded as a coincidence.

…

The high school PE entrance exam came to an end, yet Jianguo Chen was busy again. There was only one month to go before the cultural class exam, and it was the key period for training classes to enroll because all the examinees of the high school entrance exam had entered the home stretch. And after the high school entrance exam came the summer holiday. The two-month summer holiday was a golden period for training classes to make money.

Jianguo Chen didn’t forget to call the parents to hear their reviews, however. The competition between training classes was very intense, which made public praise very important. Compared to other forms of advertising, reviews from parents were the best. People tended to believe their relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues if they said something was good. That was why Talent Education called the parents for reviews every time the training class was over.

“Professor Chen, I finished the phone calls for the training class of the high school PE entrance exam.” A young teacher brought the report of the reviews to Jianguo Chen.

“How was it?” Jianguo Chen asked without even raising his head.

“The satisfaction rate is 100%,” the female teacher said.

Jianguo Chen nodded silently. The 100% outcome didn’t surprise him at all because it was pretty normal in training classes.

Many parents signed their children up not for the sake of raising their children’s scores, but to prevent them from playing games. They wanted to fill their children’s schedule. Some of the parents just signed their children up because they saw the advertisements and felt like they should follow the trend, following the herd mentality. Some even signed their children up just because they didn’t want to lose, since all the other children went to training classes. But there was one thing for sure—no parent would place hope in training classes after school. What mattered was their children’s studies at school. If the training classes were good enough to improve their children’s studies, what was the point of having school?

Since they didn’t place much hope in the class in the first place, they didn’t feel dissatisfied either. The training class was like an extra nutritious snack after meal—as long the student could get something out of it it was enough, even if it was small. And as long as the teacher gave some type of effort to teach the children, the student would improve to some extent. Unless there were some earnest parents, a 100% satisfaction rate was not big news.

“I remember that we had 36 students in the PE training class, right? Did you ask for their grades? How many of them passed?” Jianguo Chen asked.

“I did. All 36 students passed the exam. The passing rate is 100%!” The female teacher continued, “We are really lucky. Every one of them had 60 points exactly. If one of them had gotten even 1 point less, they wouldn’t have been able to pass the exam.”

The female teacher taught singing, so she had no idea that the full score for PE was 60 points. She thought that it was a hundred-mark system and that 60 points was the passing line.

“What did you say? Each one of them got 60 points?” Jianguo Chen raised his head surprisingly.

“I felt strange too. All of them got 60 points, exactly the passing line. Why was there no one who performed above average and got a few more points?” the female teacher asked.

“That’s because the full score for PE is 60! It’s not the passing line, it’s the full score! The 100% is not the passing grade, it’s a perfect score!” Jianguo Chen couldn’t sit in his chair calmly. He grabbed the report of the reviews and read it again and again.

Although Jianguo Chen was not involved in the training process, he was there during the enrollment. He knew what each student looked like. Each one was fatter than the next. Jianguo Chen would have been grateful if they could have just passed the exam. He had never expected them to get full scores.

Thirty-six students. Even one perfect score would have surprised Jianguo Chen, let alone all of them. Jianguo Chen felt like he was witnessing one of God’s miracles.

“Dai Li! It’s because of him! I’d have never thought that this young man could have given me such a big surprise! It’s a miracle!” Jianguo Chen repeated Dai Li’s name, feeling like he should worship him.

Chapter 17: Making a Big Fortune

After two weeks, Dai Li returned to Jianguo Chen’s office.

“Li, all the credit belongs to you this time! Without you, Talent Education wouldn’t be able to continue the training class for the high school PE entrance exam.” Jianguo Chen smiled, opening the safe behind him. He took out a bulging envelope and gave it to Dai Li. “You’ve had a long fight these last few days.”

“Thank you, Professor Chen.” Dai Li knew that his salary was inside of the envelope. He took it out immediately and began calculating. “One student means 500 yuan. Thirty-six students means 18,000. I can’t believe I made 18,000 yuan in two weeks. This is awesome!” However, the envelope felt strange in his hand.

“Why is it so thick? It should be no more than two stacks of money. Is 18,000 yuan this thick? I feel like there are three or four stacks of money. Could it be that they are all in 50 yuan bills instead of 100s?”

Dai Li felt embarrassed opening the envelope and counting the money. It was Jianguo Chen who said, “Open and count it. It should be 36,000 yuan.”

“36,000? Double? Did you count wrong?” Dai Li had no idea what happened.

“No, I didn’t,” Jianguo Chen said with certainty. He smiled and continued, “I told you 500 yuan for one student. But this time, because all of the students in our training class got full scores, I gave you 1,000 yuan per student, which made it 36,000.”

Dai Li was still at a loss for words. Jianguo Chen continued explaining. “According to my information, the highest commission that a coach can get from a training class of the high school PE entrance exam in Yuzhou City is 1,000 yuan per student. Normal PE teachers from middle schools can’t reach that price, but I’m paying you to the highest standard. The salary for interns we talked about is gone because those professional professors only take commissions.”

It was 18,000 yuan more than what he had expected. Dai Li did not care about that intern salary, which was 300 yuan per week. However, Dai Li was still surprised that Jianguo Chen would raise the salary by himself, since most capitalists tried every trick they could to deduct wages. This confused Dai Li.

Jianguo Chen continued, “Li, our training class for the PE exam ended this year. However, we are going to have it next year too. And we plan to do two to three grades, as well as increase the enrollment in each class. I hope we can continue working together. As for the commission, I promise to give you the highest in this industry.”

Dai Li finally got the idea of why Jianguo Chen raised the commission. He obviously wanted to keep Dai Li working at the PE training class next year for Talent Education.

There was no doubt that Jianguo Chen was a successful businessman. Normally people who only placed hope in making a fortune would try every method to take advantage of Dai Li’s salary, let alone raise it. But what Jianguo Chen cared about was the future. He hoped to build a long-term relationship with Dai Li to prepare for next year.

Although Dai Li was not famous at all, and he was not a professional coach, the result he had achieved was amazing. Thirty-six students had passed the exam with perfect scores with only two weeks of training. It spoke to Dai Li’s ability. And for sure, the record would attract a lot of parents. Jianguo Chen believed that he wouldn’t have to worry about the students who would sign up as long as Dai Li worked for him.

Dai Li continued counting to himself. “Two to three grades of training class with more students in each class. Let’s say 40 students per grade across three grades, that would make 120 students. The commission would be 120,000 yuan if 1,000 yuan is offered as a commission per person!”

Dai Li was shocked by the number after he made the calculation. If he could make 120,000 yuan every year there was a high school entrance PE exam, he could make 10,000 yuan per month without working the entire year if he split the number evenly across all twelve months.

Dai Li didn’t have to worry about if there would be enough students or not. Yuzhou City was a city with a large population, and there were more than hundreds of thousands of examinees. One or two hundred students for the training class would be a piece of cake.

He nodded thinking about the cash. “Professor Chen, I will definitely be here if you still have training classes next year!”

Although it was just a verbal promise, Jianguo Chen had already achieved his initial purpose. But he didn’t expect to keep Dai Li, who was a genius, simply through a verbal promise. He had some other tactics. He changed his tone and said calmly, as if they were just chatting, “The result of the public constitution was already published. How was it?”

“I screwed it up!” Dai Li didn’t try to cover. “I’ll work harder next year.”

“Do you have any plans then? For job hunting?” Jianguo Chen asked.

“I plan to go to the job market for college students to see if I can get a job.” Dai Li continued, “To be honest, it’s hard for me to find a job because of my major.”

“I have some information that you might be interested in. Our municipal sports school is going to hire some assistant coaches. It’s temporary, though, not a permanent position,” Jianguo Chen said.

The so-called temporary hiring in the public institution was actually contract work. You could even call it a part-time job if you boiled it down. Although the people who were hired temporarily were not the same as permanent workers, they still had to do the same work, sometimes even more. But the salary and benefits were completely different. Sometimes temporary workers even had to bear the blame for something even if it was not their fault. For example, if news came out on the internet that the members of the City Urban Administrative and Law Enforcement Bureau used violence during work, it was always the temporary workers who had “done it” after the investigation. The permanent workers would always be seen as nice and friendly, never using violence.

Temporary workers were one rank below the others in the public institutions. However, there were still many people who made every effort just to get a temporary position there. Although the salary was not high, and the work was very hard, it was at least stable. The salary was paid on time and they wouldn’t suddenly be unemployed. Especially for those parents who were old, the positions in public constitutions were “real” jobs. A temporary worker who earned 3,000 yuan was considered much better than online writers who earned 30,000 yuan a month. And to graduates like Dai Li who had little social experience, the choices were limited. A temporary position in a public institution was very attractive to him, especially a public institution that was a sports school.

All Dai Li wanted was a job related to training. The more trainees he got, the more empirical value he would gain, and the quicker he could upgrade his coach level. Sports school was obviously the best choice. There were full of trainees that Dai Li could use his Coaching System on to make it easy on himself.

“Thank you so much, Professor Chen. I will go there and check it out tomorrow,” Dai Li said.

Jianguo Chen wanted to help him to the end since he had been with him since the beginning. He took out a piece of memo paper from the drawer and gave it to Dai Li. “This is the number of Professor Qinghua Sun, who works in the sports school. He used to be my classmate. I’ll talk you through it. Just go there tomorrow and tell him directly that you are there because of me.”

Chapter 18: New Job

Dai Li went to the municipal sports school and found Professor Qinghua Sun.

Qinghua Sun was a math teacher. Because sports training was seen as more important than cultural classes in sports school, the latter was like decorative furniture with no practical function. That was the same reason Qinghua Sun had no chance of being promoted and was still an ordinary teacher.

In the HR office, Dai Li was filling out the application seriously. Qinghua Sun stood right next to him and began his incessant speech. “Back a few years ago, our sports school would never hire contract teachers. But this year is different. Our new principal, Lu, met with corporate and all the other key high schools in our city and agreed to train the sports talent students for them. We provide the teachers, and the high schools will take care of the training fields and students. That’s why we are out of hands and need to recruit some coach assistants from the society.”

“So this recruitment is for the quick training of sports talent students.” Dai Li nodded. He was very familiar with sports talent students because he had just been one of them.

There were three ways for sports talent students to enter colleges. The first was to become a high-level athlete. The admission rate for high-level athletes was very low. The benefit, though, was that they got a chance to enter a college without taking any tests, which provided them with more choices of colleges. To become a high-level athlete, one had to be a national first-class athlete in an individual sport or a key player on a sports team who had ranked in the top eight of national games. These two requirements might not be difficult at all for excellent students from sports schools, but it was an unreachable goal for high school students.

The second way to enter college was the special exam for sports. It was a special enrollment system that could lower the admission score. For example, if the admission score for a college was 500 points normally, then the special exam for sports only required 100 points to enter the same college. Compared to the high-level athletes, the threshold for the special exam for sports was much lower. However, one still needs to have the certificate of national second-class athlete to be qualified to take the special exam for sports in each college.

The third way was to become a sports talent student. It was mostly the same as normal enrollment, but the admission score was a little bit lower. However, it was not as low as the special exams for sports. It was very easy to become a sports talent student. You didn’t need to be a national athlete. All one needed to do was to take the independent enrollment exam held by each college. After New Year’s Day, the examinees who went from one college to another were all sports talent students. This was regarded as a shortcut for many examinees. Dai Li had entered college this way.

There were also some majors that were related to sports, like physical education, for example. Even though the examines had no professional sports skills at any level, they could still take the exam. However, the admission score wouldn’t change from the normal passing line.

It took a long time to train and become a high-level athlete or pass the special exam for sports. One had to be the best of the best across the whole city to get the label of first-class athlete and become a high-level athlete as a high school student. This was because a national first-class athlete had to get a record that reached a certain standard in provincial or national games to get the title.

Sports talent students could be trained in a short period of time. The threshold of the exam for sports talent students was very low; one could start during the last year of high school and be well on track. If for six months one worked hard for half of every afternoon, they would have no problem passing a few exams in several colleges.

The school could raise their admission rate for colleges if they could turn students with normal grades into sports talent students. However, since the quota of sports teachers in high school was very low, and the training results were not as good as the sports school, this corporation was brought to the table. The sports school provided schools with coaches in order to help each high school train sports talent students.

The number of coaches in the sports school was not enough to meet the demand since there were dozens of high schools in Yuzhou City. The sports school also had to make sure that the training inside their own school could be run normally. Because the quota of permanent coaches had been reached, the school had to hire some coach assistants to meet the demand.

…

After one week, Dai Li took the written exam. The recruitment of contract coach’s assistants in the sports school was very attractive. There were more than 100 applicants. The levels of the applicants were all very different. Most of them had graduated from a sports school or sports college and only had a diploma of technical secondary school or junior college. People like Dai Li who were from an undergraduate college could rank extremely high here.

There was no doubt that Dai Li had advantages in the written exam since his major was sports training. He had more knowledge of sports than the others. If someone asked Dai Li to race them on the playground, he might lose—but he was definitely better than most when it came to theories.

The results of the written test were very satisfying. He ranked first on the list. As long as he could make it somewhere in the middle of the following fitness test, he should be able to stay.

There were four subjects in the fitness test for the recruitment—the 100m sprint, the 800m race, the standing long jump, and the 5 kilogram shot put. These were the most basic subjects of the fitness test. Since the sports coaches were not athletes, they were only required to have normal physical ability. That was why fitness only took up 1/3 of the entire score.

Dai Li had 80 points in sports ability, which was higher than many average people. His major, sports training, had required that he finish 40% of the course in the training field, so his physical makeup had improved a lot.

He was not a professional athlete, though. There were some retired athletes among the applicants whose sports ability were excellent, even though they hadn’t achieved any records during their time. They were better than Dai Li fitness-wise for sure.

Luckily, the people who showed up on the top of the list in the fitness test had gotten very average grades on the written exam. Some of them were even on the bottom of the list. These ex-athletes who knew nothing outside of sports only had diplomas from technical secondary school. There was no way that they could compete with college students like Dai Li who had majored in sports training.

Dai Li only got a normal score on the fitness test, but he still ranked very high overall since he had done perfectly on the written exam.

…

“I’m employed! There is no need to worry about the job now.” Dai Li’s face was full of hope. He felt he was one step closer to the coaching career he envisioned.

Chapter 19: The Summer Training Class in Sports School

The sports school hired 30 coaching assistants, including Dai Li. In the meeting room, the HR manager was holding an employment contract in his hand as he said, “After you sign this trial contract, you are in the three-month trial period. I won’t say anything else about discipline, I’ve said enough. During the trial period, your salary will be 800 yuan per month. The formal contract of employment will be signed after the trial period. Everybody should try their best. I can fire you whenever I want if I feel your performance isn’t good enough during the trial period!”

Somebody immediately whispered, “It’s already June. The summer holiday is around the corner. I bet we don’t have a lot of work to do during the holiday, which would mean that we only really only have a one-month trial period.”

“You are right. The best thing about being a teacher is that we can rest for three months during the summer and winter holidays every year and get paid,” another person said in agreement.

The HR manager stood on the platform and said, “You might think that there won’t be too much work to do since the next two months are the summer holiday, and that nobody will be fired. I must tell you that you are completely wrong. The following two months are what will really matter to you!” His words got everybody’s attention. All the new employees stopped their writing and looked at the manager.

He stopped for a second, almost as if to add dramatic effect to arouse people’s interest, and then continued, “There isn’t much time left before the summer holiday. Our school will organize a few training classes in the next two months, and all the new coaching assistants have to be a part of it. We’ll decide if you can stay or not directly based on your performance.”

According to the rules, public schools were not allowed to organize training classes. However, the sports school was different from other public schools since it was a place for cultivating athletes. A lot of students in the sports school came from selection exams. The school could use these exams to organize and open training classes during the holidays to make some extra cash.

Many people became very nervous after hearing “open training classes.” The main job for the new coaching assistants was to train athletes. It made them nervous knowing that they were going to enter the front line of training when they still didn’t have enough experience. On top of that, they would be evaluated to see if they could stay or not based off of it.

Unlike the others, Dai Li was excited to begin. The last thing he was worried about was training since he had the Coaching System to help him. He was actually hoping that the training would start as soon as possible so he could get enough empirical value to upgrade to the next level.

…

“Li, look over this material and print it out!”

“Li, this is the summary of last year’s work. Follow this form and make a summary for this year.”

“Li, make an excel sheet of this name list and give it to me.”

“Li, this is what I’m going to apply for. Fill out an application. We need to ask for something from the general department.”

“Li, this is the list of names with contacts on it that the admissions office just sent to us. Make it into an excel sheet and email it to the training department.”

Dai Li was very busy, not because of his extraordinary ability, but because he was a college student.

In the normal job market, college students were similar to stray dogs, and masters were everywhere. Even PhD students were not difficult to find. A person with an undergraduate degree did not rank high on the job market. However, here in the sports school, an undergraduate degree was the highest rank achievable. Many of the coaches here were retired athletes who focused mainly on training instead of studying. All they were able to do was sit in front of the computer and click their mouse to surf the internet, watch movies, and play games. Most of them didn’t even know how to use Microsoft Office. If one of them had been asked to write a summary, they wouldn’t be able to write more than 200 or 300 words.

This was Dai Li’s area of expertise. All work that involved a computer was given to him. The assistants with less of an education could only apply themselves to physical labor.

After a few days of working, Dai Li had a general idea of the summer training class that was about to start. There were several sports projects in this class. The most popular ones were table tennis class and basketball class. Most of the students who had signed up for table tennis were primary school students. As for basketball, most of them were middle school students. There weren’t many high school students since studying occupied most of their time. The only one class that had them was the 100m sprint training class. It targeted high school students who were about to start their third year and whose goal was to take the track and field competition for national second-class athletes in September to receive their certificates.

The certificate of national second-class athlete was very important for the graduating students who wanted to take the college entrance exam. As long as they could get the certificate, they would be qualified to take the special exam for sports held by key colleges. If they were lucky enough, they might even be able to be admitted to the college with a score of 100 points. And even if they didn’t pass the special exam, they could still become sports talent students. With the ability a national second-class athlete possessed, it wouldn’t be very difficult for them to be a sports talent student and enter the college.

Besides, there was a policy in place where if a graduating student had the certificate of national second-class athlete, then he or she could enjoy the benefit of 20 additional points. Even one point on the exam could help you eliminate hundreds of thousands of competing applicants. Twenty points was a big enough deal to attract most of the examinees.

This wasn’t the only benefit, either. The training fee was pretty high—15,000 yuan for two months, which meant 250 yuan per day. In first-tier cities, the price might have been less of a worry. However, in Yuzhou City, a fourth-tier city, the price was too high for most parents with normal incomes.

It was not easy to become a national second-class athlete, even if the training period was two months complete with full days of training. The students had to have some basic sports ability to achieve the goal. It would take forever for those with muscle imbalances to achieve such a feat. The 100m race was chosen because it was the easiest one both for students and coaches. At least for the level of national second-class athlete, there weren’t many difficult movements to master.

Time flew by, and by July all the students were ready for the holiday. The sports training class was also ready to welcome the new students.

Chapter 20: Fired

The HR manager knocked on the door and went inside the room. He found himself smiling as soon as he saw the person that was sitting at the head of the table. “Director Zhao, I heard that you came back from the business trip. How was it?”

“Not bad. I finished all the errands,” Director Zhao said, giving him a look that asked him to have a seat.

The manager was pretty cautious in front of Zhao, trying to give him nothing but respect. Although his position was as just as important as Director Zhao’s, his words meant less than his. The training department was the most powerful one in the sports school.

On top of that, the vice principal, who was also in charge of HR, had just retired. Some said that Director Zhao would get promoted to replace the retired vice president. The HR manager had to give his respect to the future vice president and affiliated leader of the HR office, if for no other reason that to leave the future leader with a good impression of him.

The HR manager cleared his throat and changed his tone to report the work. “The summer training classes will begin soon. We already hired 30 coaching assistants to help us, but we need your help allocating them into different classes. I brought you their information.” The HR manager took out the file from his briefcase and gave it to Director Zhao.

“It’s no big deal. Just do it according to the number of students in each class.” Although Director Zhao had said it casually, his expression showed that he was very satisfied with how the HR manager was speaking. Director Zhao had already started to enjoy this feeling of being treated like a vice president, even if it had not happened yet.

He took the file and flipped through a few pages of the new assistants’ information. A name stood out to him.

“Dai Li?” Director Zhao frowned a little bit as his eyes glanced at the sheet.

“Dai Li is a college student who just graduated this year. He majored in sports training and he even has a teaching qualification certificate. He ranked first on the written test, and his results for the fitness test were above average too. I think he is an outstanding young person, and I heard that he had some working experience coaching a class of 30 students for the high school PE entrance exam,” the HR manager said, introducing him immediately.

“That’s him! How dare he come here. There are hundreds of ways leading to heaven, but unfortunately you chose the one to hell!” Director Zhao thought to himself. He raised his head the next second and said, “No, we can’t hire this Da Li!”

“No?” The HR manager was confused by what Director Zhao had said.

Zhao began giving his explanation. “A sports training major student with excellent grades and a teaching qualification certificate. People like him will definitely take the exam to become a permanent employee instead of simply being a contract employee for our sports school. We won’t be able to keep him anyway. It’s better to let him go now to find a better position!”

“So, you mean…?” the HR manager asked with uncertainty.

“Since we wouldn’t be able to keep him anyway, we are better off not wasting our time and energy recruiting him. Think about it—we try our best to help him develop into an excellent coach, then lose him. Isn’t that kind of a waste? We can use those same resources to develop someone who will stay. The best action for the future of our school is to develop talents and keep them,” Director Zhao said.

“Bullshxt!” the HR manager thought to himself. He could already tell that Dai Li must have offended the director, so he had come up with this excuse to keep Dai Li away. However, the director’s excuse was not smooth enough that everybody would be fooled.

Although the HR manager knew Director Zhao was just abusing his authority to take personal revenge, he had no reason to defend a temporary contract employee who was still in his trial period without any background, and go against the future vice principal. He nodded and said, “I got it. I’ll fire him right away!”

…

“I didn’t pass the trial period? I’m fired? Why? What did I do wrong?” Dai Li asked, confused.

These past few days he had worked really hard. He hadn’t done everything perfectly, but he was definitely not the worst among the new assistants. There were a bunch of people who were clearly worse than him. And considering his advantages in degree and major, Dai Li never thought that he would be the first one to be kicked out.

The HR manager sighed slightly and looked at Dai Li pitifully. “This was a decision made by our leader. I’m just following his instructions. I told you before that I would be able to fire any of you during the trial period. I’ll give you a memo. Go to the finance section to get your salary for the days you’ve worked.”

“Decision from the leader?” Dai Li felt even more lost. He had only been here for a few days. He didn’t even know who the leader was. How could he have offended the leader of the sports school?

Dai Li was a stubborn person—he needed to get to the bottom of this. He didn’t want to leave without even knowing why. He called Professor Qinghua Sun, hoping he could help him to figure out the reason he had been fired.

Qinghua Sun was also surprised that the person he had recommended was fired for no reason. He asked around about it, and later Dai Li received a call from him the same afternoon.

“Did you offend Director Zhao?” Qinghua Sun asked directly.

“Director Zhao? Zhao who?” Dai Li asked.

“Director Zhao of the training department. He was the one who decided you needed to be fired,” Qinghua Sun said.

Dai Li tried to remember, but still couldn’t think of anything related to this Director Zhao. He said, “I really don’t know this Director Zhao. I’ve only been here a few days. I haven’t even been to the training department. How could I have offended him?”

“Think more carefully. This Shouren Zhao was not just some unrelated person in our school. I heard that he is going to be promoted during the second half of the year and become one of the leaders of the school!” Qinghua Sun said.

“I really have no idea what I did that offended him…wait, what’s his name again?” A thought suddenly popped into Dai Li’s head.

“Shouren Zhao,” Qinghua Sun repeated.

“Does he have a relative called Shouliang Zhao? The one who works as a coach for the municipal sports team?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Well now that you mention it, I think so. He does have a younger brother on the municipal sports team who teaches standing long jump. But I don’t know his name exactly,” Qinghua Sun said.

“Then that’s him! I guess I can never get rid of this Shouliang Zhao.” Dai Li had finally realized what happened. The director had fired him to get revenge for his younger brother.

Chapter 21: Open a Training Class by Himself

Shouren Zhao was Shouliang Zhao’s older brother for sure. It was said that if you bullied one brother, you had to deal with both. As an older brother, Director Zhao surely wouldn’t just let it go without getting revenge on someone who had offended his brother. Even though it was Director Zhao who had looked for trouble himself, he definitely didn’t think that his own brother had done anything wrong.

Shouren Zhao had used his authority to fire Dai Li. Because there was a very big chance that he was going to be promoted to vice principal, nobody would go against him just because he had abused his power. Nobody would really care about where a contract worker would go.

The most upset out of anyone was Dai Li. It had cost him so much effort to get the job, yet he had lost it for no valid reason in the blink of an eye. Shouren Zhao made him feel sick, but there was nothing he could do. It was said that civilians should never mess with bureaucrats. Dai Li had no authority nor background, and that meant there was nothing he could do to Shouren Zhao.

It took him an entire night to escape his gloomy mood. Once he did, he returned to the job hunting “army” once again. Dai Li didn’t rush back into it because there weren’t any recruitment fairs these days. He went to an internet café and decided to send out a few copies of his resumé just to try his luck. He later checked his email and found dozens of emails from when he had been training his old students. These were his achievements from the sports school.

I totally wasted my time. He sighed deeply, looking at the emails. There was a student recruitment brochure, students list, and all their contacts. He blinked and suddenly a courageous idea popped up in his head.

If I have the contacts of all these parents, why don’t I just start a training class myself? I still have the 36,000 yuan I earned from before. I didn’t spend a penny. It should be enough for me to start a summer training class, Dai Li thought to himself, pondering the idea.

There were three major expenses in opening a training class: student recruitment, training field rent, and sports equipment. Since Dai Li already had the contacts of the parents in his email, the cost of student recruitment could be ignored. Those same students had signed up for the training class in the sports school, but Dai Li wouldn’t mind stealing them. He was actually kind of looking forward to it.

The biggest expense was renting the field. He looked it up on a rental site and found that in fourth-tier cities like Yuzhou, the rent was actually not that high. And if one rented an unoccupied factory building made of steel on the outskirts of the city, it only cost one 1 yuan per square meter per month. A building in the same place, but made of reinforced concrete cost more, and if it was located in the city, a lot more.

As for the training facilities and gear, aside from buying it off the internet, he could also rent it from different schools. Besides, they were not going to use it during summer vacation since the students would be home anyway. If he paid the guardsman of the warehouse, he might be able to get a facility to himself.

It seems like I could really open a training class with the money I have! he thought to himself. He shifted his eyes to the list of the students.

The students who signed up for the 100m sprint training class are mainly high school students, who won’t be done with school until next week, if I remember correctly. The training class for that won’t start until the summer holiday comes. I still have time to fight for them. If I charge them the same price as the sports school, which is 15,000 yuan, then I only need two students to cover the cost. I can start making money off the third student right away.

Dai Li sent the list of students to his cell phone, then started researching some other places to rent. He made a memo of a few suitable places and their contact information.

He spent the next few days looking at some of the fields. He finally settled on a logistics warehouse that was 3,000 square meters with windows on all sides. After realizing that the training would be during the summer, when the students could suffer from heatstroke or get sunburned outside, he thought that indoor training would be better than outdoor. Also, July and August were rainy seasons, which made outdoor training impossible.

Inside the warehouse, the longest stretch of ground was under 100m. There was a straight and smooth road longer than 200m, however, that could be used as a running track for the 100m sprint.

The warehouse costed 10,000 yuan per month. Dai Li didn’t sign the contract immediately since he was not sure how many students he could recruit. He gave the 1,000 yuan deposit to the owner and signed a pre-contract. He decided to risk the 1,000 yuan. If he could recruit enough students, he would rent it for two months. If he couldn’t, he would lose the 1,000 yuan, which was a loss he could afford.

After he was done with the training field, he got started on his next endeavor—stealing students from the sports school.

…

He had three parents in a row tell him “No.” No parent wanted to send their children to him once they heard that Dai Li was just a training teacher who wanted to open a training class by himself. This made him upset, but not surprised. A no-name coach who wanted to work alone like Dai Li could never compete with a public sports school. The parents would always choose the latter one if they were smart enough.

It seems like I need to change my strategy, Dai Li thought to himself, frowning.

Should I lower the price? Dai Li shook his head. No. If I lower the price, it will only make people think that my training class is not as good as the sports school, which will keep more students away. You get what you pay for.

After a while, Dai Li finally came up with a good plan. He called a new number.

…

“The admission score to become a national second-class athlete was manually measured to be 11.50 seconds. If he can’t achieve this result on the exam in September, I will refund your money!” Dai Li said into the phone.

Dai Li’s last resort was to issue a refund if the students couldn’t achieve the goal he promised. Normally, training classes wouldn’t dare give promises like this because the students were variables. You never knew if somebody was talented enough, hard-working enough, or both. If they weren’t, they would fail. But even so, the coach needed to spend time and energy training these students whether they would fail or not. Money was money. Moreover, turning an ordinary person into a national second-class athlete was not that easy.

Nobody dared to promise a refund. It was like the hospital saying they would give someone’s money back if they couldn’t cure them. There were too many factors involved. It was not like buying food in a supermarket, where you could see if the food was fresh enough or big enough.

15,000 was not a small number. It took a wage-dependent family a long time to save that type of money. The parent on the other end of the phone was obviously interested in the word “refund.”

Dai Li felt the parent’s hesitation through the phone and knew that he was almost there. Now he just needed to convince them. He continued, “I will organize a free trial day this weekend. You can bring your child and give it a shot to see if it works or not. If you are not satisfied with the training results, you can return to the training class in the sports school. I won’t charge you a penny for this free trial day!”

Chapter 22: Free Trial Training

A free day of training was Dai Li’s second move. The word “free” itself got everyone interested. No matter what it was, valued or not, people would rush to it. Some millionaires, even multimillionaires, would still be extremely happy to get a free head of cabbage in front of the supermarket. Did they really need it? Of course not, but they would be happy that they got something for free. Conmen always made their money easily just because they knew how to use people’s greed against them, capitalizing on their willingness to pay less to get more. Salespeople who sold health supplements always held free lectures. Dai Li was neither a fraud nor a supplement salesperson, but he was using the same tactic.

A free trial day meant a whole day of training for free. It didn’t matter whether they were going to stay or not, all they cared about was that it was free. In actuality, those parents had no intention of letting their children be trained by Dai Li going forward. But they would still bring their children, just for the free training day.

However, Dai Li had was confident that he would be able to keep the students coming back as long as their parents brought them here for the trial day.

…

He could see a black Land Rover SUV. Dai Li could tell that it was a rich family and he walked forward right away.

A father and son came out of the car. The father was very strong, even though he was only about 175cm tall. The son was taller than him, but thinner.

“I’m Dai Li, nice to meet you,” Dai Li introduced himself.

“You are Coach Li!” The father pushed his son forward and said, “This is my son, Haiyang Chen.”

“Haiyang Chen. Alright.” Dai Li took out the list of names and wrote a check next to his name.

“Coach Li, my son is yours. Haiyang, listen to your coach and work hard! I’ll pick you up this afternoon.” The father looked at Dai Li and saw that he was very young. He couldn’t help but look down on him. If it was not free, Haiyang Chen’s father would never have brought his son here.

Dai Li stopped Haiyang’s father as he was about to leave. “Wait a minute.”

Dai Li took out a timer and gave it to him. “Let’s test your son time for the 100m sprint. I’ll give the signal to start. Could you please measure the time?”

“Even though he just got here?” the father asked, obviously surprised.

“This way you can check my training results later. We can compare the performance before and after,” Dai Li said.

It’s just one day. Can we even tell the difference before and after? The parent felt that Dai Li was even more unbelievable. Still, he took the timer and said okay.

Haiyang Chen did some warm-ups and then walked to the starting line. It had actually been drawn by Dai Li yesterday, as was the running track.

Dai Li raised the starting pistol and shouted, “Ready,” and then pulled the trigger. Haiyang Chen started immediately and rushed to the finish line. The father stopped the timer right as his son reached the line.

“How was it?” Dai Li asked.

“13.03 seconds. Let’s say 13 seconds!” the father answered.

“That’s pretty good,” Dai Li nodded with satisfaction, recording the time.

As a normal high school student, one could definitely be called a prodigy if they could finish the 100m sprint in 11 seconds. If it was 12 seconds, he or she would still be excellent, and have the talent to be a professional athlete. If it was 13 seconds, then one must be very strong, and might be able to improve with professional training. Fourteen seconds was quite normal, and didn’t indicate anything special. If longer than 14 seconds, then one should definitely start doing exercises right away.

This criteria was made for people who hadn’t been trained professionally for a long time. A high school student who had had professional training for a long time should finish the 100m sprint in 12 seconds as a standard.

According to his time, Haiyang Chen must have been pretty strong among the high school students if his time was 13.03 seconds. And given the fact that he was only wearing normal sneakers instead of running shoes, and knew nothing about the skills of running, 13 seconds was already excellent enough. Dai Li was very confident that he could turn him into a national second-class athlete.

Dai Li tested every student that came afterwards, and he felt pretty satisfied with the results. All of their records were in the 13 second range.

It was very difficult to turn an ordinary person into a national second-class athlete. And if one was not talented enough physically, it could take years to improve. The sports school had also thought about this, which is why they had only selected the talented ones. Only these students had the potential to be trained into athletes in two months.

The parents were not fools. They wouldn’t sign their children up if they were not good at sports, since the training class costed 15,000 yuan, and they wouldn’t expect the children to become athletes in two months. Instead of wasting their 15,000 yuan on sports training, they would have been better off signing their children up in some other classes for cultural subjects. People who dared to bring their children here knew that they had some type of talents in sports.

…

Dai Li counted the students who stood in a line in front of him.

Only 13 students. Less than I expected. I’m still not famous enough to attract many students, even if it’s free. Hopefully most of these students will choose to stay after today. Go get it, Dai Li!

He said a prayer to himself and then added these students to his training list. He then raised his head up and said after he calmed himself down, “Let’s get started, boys!”

Chapter 23: The usage of explosive force halo

Even though the 100m sprint was the easiest activity of the track and field competition, there were still many skills needed for it that weren’t apparent to the average person. However, most of the tricks were meant for professional athletes— the basic movements could be taught to beginners. The most important thing for the latter was strengthening the explosive force of the legs and increasing speed.

There were many training methods whose core idea was built around bearing loads and adding resistance to strengthen the power of the legs. For example, jumping and squatting with weights, running while pulling another person, and running while dragging a tire were all popular exercises. As for speed, the only way to get faster was to run over and over again. To avoid any “speed limitation,” racing was often used to bring out athletes’ top speed, this way they could compare with each other.

Dai Li had already bought training equipment like sandbags, which were sold for 30 or 40 yuan each on the internet. However, Dai Li had gone to the shopping mall for sports gear, just so he could buy ten of them for wholesale price, which was cheaper than buying them online. He had also bought some discarded tires. After tying some ropes to them, they could be used as weights for resistance training, which would have costed a few bucks.

Training had never been a problem for Dai Li, since that was what he had majored in. Maybe he was not experienced enough compared to the professional coaches, but when it came to training ability, he was just as good as anyone.

…

During the lunch break, Dai Li dealt with a pair of sandbags for legs.

These sandbags are much easier to use compared to what I had when I was young. I remember these sandbags were literally ‘sand’ bags, full of sand that would easily leak out through the gaps and fall into my shoes. I still remember that grinding feeling. Sandbags nowadays are made with tiny steel balls and thin lead, which are much more comfortable. Dai Li lined up the sandbags on the floor, then checked what empirical value he had gained.

He had gotten 18 points of value this morning, even though there were only 13 students. It was the same number he had gotten during the high school entrance PE exam training class, when he trained 36 students.

It’s exceeded my expectations. I got the same empirical value training 13 students as I did training 36 students in the same amount of time. I tripled my experience gaining speed, Dai Li thought to himself, shocked with joy.

The System explained immediately, “I told you before that the empirical value differed from trainee to trainee. The fatties you trained before were worse than sports amateurs, which for sure made you gain value slower. These high school students you are training are strong and healthy, even compared to others from the same age group. You will gain value quicker just because of that. This is normal.”

“So if what you’re saying is true, my empirical value will soar if there is a world top-class athlete for me to train!” Dai Li made up his mind in that moment that he would coach a professional athlete someday, as a real coach.

Dai Li took out the list and checked all the students’ sports abilities. Most of them were above 65. One of them was even at a 71. This was an excellent number for a sophomore high school student who was 16 or 17. Even Dai Li only had an 80, even though he was in his physical prime. What made it even more impressive was the fact that Dai Li had been trained a lot because of his major—these high school students focused more on their studies than they did sports.

Dai Li detected the same students in the afternoon, but none of their sports ability numbers had improved. Dai Li wasn’t upset, however, because he knew that the higher one’s sports ability was, the harder it was for them to improve. This is what he had expected.

The teenagers I trained before improved very fast because of their low sports abilities. But now I’m dealing with kids whose sports abilities are above 60. it’s going to grow slowly, Dai Li thought to himself.

“Not only that,” the golden head’s voice said, “you benefited from the top-level coach trial card when you were getting those results. Right now you are only a sophomore coach. There is a big gap between the two.”

I need to upgrade as soon as possible, Dai Li thought, drawing himself back to the training field.

…

It was already five o’clock, but the sun was still high in the sky with its dazzling light, which made the air hot. School had almost come to an end. All the students were exhausted after a full day of training. Dai Li bought each student a popsicle using his own money, then gathered everyone together to take a rest.

They sat on the ground as the wind blew. Everyone was holding a bottle of mineral water in their hand and a popsicle in their mouth. Everything was at ease. Dai Li had told them to rest and recover their physical strength. He sat right next to the door and stared at the end of the road, waiting. After a while, a black Land Rover SUV showed up.

Here he comes. That’s Haiyang Chen’s father. Dai Li turned back and asked, “Haiyang, feel better?”

“Kind of. My legs still ache though,” Haiyang Chen answered.

“Let’s warm up for the 100m sprint to show your father the today’s training result,” Dai Li said.

Haiyang Chen’s father parked his car and walked out. Dai Li walked up to him and gave the electronic timer to the father. “I was just about to test Haiyang Chen. Would you mind timing your son to see how much progress he’s made today?”

Haiyang Chen’s father had thought he would just pick his son up, but he still took the timer after hearing Dai Li’s words. As a father, he was definitely curious about his son’s improvement after a full day of training.

Haiyang Chen had not been on Dai Li’s training list this morning, but now he was. That meant he would benefit from the explosive force halo from now on.

Chapter 24: Massive Improvement

Explosive force was very important for the 100m sprint. Although the explosive force halo Dai Li had could only increase the force 10%, it was still a significant advantage for an exercise that could be finished in 10 seconds.

The explosive force halo was Dai Li’s unique edge that he hoped would make the students stay. It was because of this halo that Dai Li had tested the students in the morning before the training had even begun. He wanted to run the test again in the evening and compare the two records to show his training results after one day. Dai Li had no idea if the 10% improvement in explosive force would show any visible improvement of speed, but he was sure that there would be some type of improvement on the timer.

Haiyang Chen’s father wasn’t really expect anything because he knew that sports training was about time accumulation. There was no shortcut—it was impossible to achieve anything in a day or two. Maybe after a month there might be some improvement, but one morning? Forget about it.

He is just playing tricks. It was just one day. How could there be any improvement? What could it be, 0.5 seconds? He is so eager to show his ability and keep the students that he doesn’t mind using dumb tricks like this. Shouldn’t he be worried that the record might be worse than before, since the training probably used too much of the students’ energy? the father thought to himself.

Dai Li had considered this as well, which was why he had let the students rest for half an hour. For professional athletes at a high level, half an hour may be insufficient. But for beginners, it was enough time for them to get back their energy for another round of the 100m sprint.

Haiyang Chen stood in front of the starting line again. His father was right next to the finish line, holding the timer. Haiyang Chen took off as soon as Dai Li pulled the trigger of the starting gun, and began to speed up.

I feel like I’ve gotten quicker! Haiyang Chen could feel that his speed was a little faster than it had been this morning.

1,2,3,4… Dai Li counted to himself silently since he didn’t have a timer. He was very nervous that Haiyang Chen might be unable to perform as he had expected. If so, he would lose this student for sure.

Whoosh!

The father saw a blur rush by in front of him and he stopped the timer immediately.

I wonder what the result is this time. He was actually expecting his son to get a worse result. His face turned serious once he saw the number on the screen of the timer: 12.39 seconds.

How’s that possible? 12.39 seconds? Am I seeing things? He blinked and looked at it again, but still, it was 12.39 seconds.

My son has never reached 12.80 seconds before on any test, and now his record is 12.39 seconds. He was more than 0.5 seconds quicker than this morning! Did I stop the timer too early? He searched his memory, but he was sure he hadn’t.

Is this timer broken or something? No way. If it’s broken, then it should be slower instead of quicker. He raised his head suddenly and looked at his son. Could it be that he actually improved during today’s training?

Dai Li walked up to him quickly and asked him, “How was it?”

“12.39 seconds,” the father answered honestly, with a slight lack of confidence.

“I remember that his record was 13.03 seconds this morning. The training result is pretty good, then, since his improvement is 0.64 seconds.” He made it seem like it was all because of his training without any hesitation. He continued, “The standard for a national third-class athlete is 12.40 seconds. He is already above the record. He could get the certificate of national third-class athlete if he took the test right now.”

A certificate of national third-class athlete was nothing but a confirmation of one’s ability, but it was a very encouraging record for an ordinary beginner. Haiyang Chen’s father hesitated for a few seconds and said, “Coach Li, I want to test him again. What do you think?”

Dai Li smiled because he knew that Haiyang’s father couldn’t believe it, and thought that it had been a coincidence. Dai Li wasn’t going to reject him. “No problem. But before that, let’s give him 10 minutes to rest. Otherwise, it might harm his muscles. I’ll use the time he’s taking to rest to test the other students.”

Dai Li looked at the list of names and shouted to the training ground, “Qingliang Xu, warm yourself up and get ready for the test!”

Qingliang Xu had come here this morning by himself and no one had come to pick him up. Dai Li could only test him by himself and tell his parents later.

Dai Li stopped the timer as Qingliang Xu crossed the finish line and looked at the timer. “12.42 seconds. It’s great. Your record this morning was 13.10 seconds, and after today’s training you are 0.68 seconds quicker! Don’t forget to tell your your parents how much you improved!”

Dai Li turned around and said another student’s name. “Congyan Lu, it’s your turn.”

…

After Haiyang Chen rested for more than ten minutes, he stood on the starting line again.

“Get ready…” Dai Li raised his starting gun and then pulled the trigger. Haiyang Chen took off at the sound of the gun. He was more relaxed after the first test, and he was in better condition, but because he had only rested ten minutes between the two tests he had not recovered completely. This time he ran the 100m sprint in 12.51 seconds, 0.12 seconds slower than the first time. Even though it was slower than the first time, however, it still shocked his father since his record for both tests were amazing. Haiyang Chen’s father was forced to believe that his son really did make a lot of progress.

“This Coach Li must be a magician to have improved my son’s record in one day! I would never believe it if it was not me who had timed my son!” Haiyang Chen’s father looked at Dai Li with a different emotion in his eyes. Ten minutes ago he thought Dai Li was just bluffing, but now, he knew that this Coach Li really had some talent in training.

“I think he is even better than those coaches in the sports school. This is unbelievable. No wonder he dared to promise that he would give a refund if the student couldn’t reach the desired results. He really has something. Maybe I should leave my student here.” Haiyang Chen’s father had already made the decision in his head.

…

Dai Li waited until the last student left, then he locked the door after packing things up.

“I wonder how many of the 13 students from today will stay with me.” Dai Li looked down the road and felt very lost.

“I should call those parents to ask after I get home!” Dai Li said to himself.

Chapter 25: Class Begins

Dai Li called five parents consecutively and got three people to say “yes” out of five. The other two had said they needed to think about it, which was code for “no.” It was easy for Dai Li to tell from their tones that they were just rejecting him in a more gentle fashion.

Three out of five, that’s more than half! I figured out before that I could make back the cost of the school as long as I could get two students to enroll. I already have three, which means I can make a profit off every other student I get to sign up. It’s not a failing business! Dai Li suddenly felt relaxed and dialed the next number on the list.

Youcai Wu, he ran 12.11 seconds this afternoon, which was the best record among all of the students. And it was his father who timed him. I would think he must be very satisfied with the training result. I bet this Youcai Wu will stay.

Dai Li called confidently.

…

In Youcai Wu’s house.

“Honey, this Coach Li is really talented. Our son’s record has improved a lot after just one day’s training. Guess what our son’s record was in the 100m sprint. 12.11 seconds! Almost 12 seconds flat! I suggest we leave our son with this Coach Li. I bet our son can reach the standard of a national second-class athlete after two months of training!” the father said with great joy.

“12.11 seconds? How’s that possible? His record was 12.81 seconds on the school test. How did he become 0.7 seconds quicker in just one day? I’m not buying it. Don’t fall for that Coach Li’s trap,” the mother said.

“I didn’t. I timed him myself. I tested him in the morning when he had just gotten there. The time was 12.88 seconds. In the evening I tested him again, and it was 12.11 seconds. I was surprised too!” the father continued.

“12.11 seconds? That means there is only 0.61 seconds left before he reaches the standard of national second-class athlete!” The mother didn’t look very happy though. Instead, she frowned and began to think.

“Honey, I think this Coach Li is really skilled. And there are no more than ten students, which would be a very nice environment for our son. He can learn in a small group. The training result might be even better than the sports school. Why don’t we just send our son there since the prices are the same anyway!” the father began.

“Are you dumb?” the mother asked, glaring at her husband. “It’s because our son is talented that he makes progress very fast. If he can make a big improvement under a nobody coach, then he would make even more progress if we send him to a professional coach! We are sending our son to the sports school. We are not wasting our son’s time on that Coach Li! I will go to the sports school when the training class starts and tell the coach how talented our son is to attract more attention. They will put more effort towards training our son that way. We might have a world champion in our home in the future!”

Youcai Wu’s father was about to argue when the phone rang. He picked it up and saw “Coach Li” on the screen.

“Coach Li is calling us. How should I respond to him?” the father asked.

The mother grabbed the phone and said, “Give it to me! I’ll say no to him!”

…

Dai Li didn’t expect for Youcai Wu’s parents to say no.

His record was 12.88 seconds in the morning and 12.11 seconds in the afternoon. The fact that he was 0.77 seconds quicker is a big improvement. His parents are still not satisfied? They say that they are afraid I might waste their child’s time. If they ask another person to train their son, I bet he won’t even be able to run 0.1 seconds faster! What’s more, he would never run 12.11 seconds without my explosive force halo, Dai Li thought to himself angrily and deleted Youcai Wu’s name from the list.

Well, I don’t want to be stuck in a bad mood anymore. I’ll continue calling the others. Dai Li calmed himself down and dialed the next number. In the end, seven students out of the original thirteen were going to be sent to Dai Li by their parents. Two were still considering it and four were sure that they wouldn’t come.

Seven—more than half the students that came to the trial class. That’s pretty nice, actually. 15,000 yuan per student. Seven students makes 105,000. Even after subtracting what I paid, I’ll still have almost 80,000 yuan profit. 80,000 for two months. Running a training class is a good business to make big profits with little capital! Dai Li’s gloominess went away as he thought about the money. He was full of enthusiasm again. 80,000 yuan in two months was unbelievable for someone who had just graduated from college.

…

Dai Li was very lucky that one of the two parents who were hesitating ended up choosing him. This meant he had eight students in total.

The 100m sprint training class in the sports school was scheduled to begin at almost the same time as Dai Li’s. As the most profitable class, the 100m sprint training class attracted a lot of attention. As the director of the training department, Shouren Zhao came to the opening ceremony. He looked at the list of students’ names and frowned a little bit. A sense of dissatisfaction flashed across his eyes. “The number is less than we expected.”

“Yes, seven to eight less,” the training coach in charge said.

Shouren Zhao nodded and didn’t give it any more thought. He couldn’t take a penny from this training class anyway, because it belonged to the sports school.

He pointed at the list and asked, “Are there any potential students here?”

“There are a few. For example, this Youcai Wu has the best record of 12.11 seconds without any professional training. It is said that the record was made last weekend. His mother came here personally this morning just to ask us to pay more attention to him,” the coach right next to him said.

“12.11 seconds without any professional training? That’s very impressive! He is already 17, which is not very young, but it shouldn’t be too late. He still has a chance to become a professional track and field athlete.” Shouren Zhao nodded and continued, “However, we can’t just believe all that she said. We have to test him to see if it’s real or not. Let’s do a test before the training to see how these students perform.”

Chapter 26: Reveal the True Color

Youcai Wu stood beside the team, feeling as if he was the best out of all of them. The test prior to training had begun on the running track. Youcai Wu had put on an aura of disdain after he saw the grades the first team had gotten.

“The fastest was 12.55 seconds for this team, 0.5 seconds faster than me!”

“He must have been trained before.”

“For sure. How could be so fast otherwise?”

“Who said you can’t be fast if you haven’t been trained before?” Youcai Wu said. Everyone looked at him. He looked very calm and continued, “I haven’t been trained before either, but my best record was 12.11 seconds!”

“12.11 seconds! That’s awesome!” The people around him were very surprised, and many of them looked at him with respect. For a bunch of high school students who only focused on studying, 12.11 seconds was a good enough record to make the others admire him.

A coach walked in with a list of names and said loudly, “Students who are called, go do some warm ups and get ready for the test. Yong Li, Wei Wang, Youcai Wu…”

Youcai Wu ran to the coach immediately when his name was called. He walked to the running track confidently. A coach on the stage that was not far away pointed at the running track and said, “Director Zhao, that’s the same Youcai Wu who said his record was 12.11 seconds.”

“Alright, let’s see if he’s worth our effort to work with him or not,” Director Zhao ordered. All the coaches around were focused on the sports field.

Youcai Wu was still very confident that the others were not as fast as him. He got ready to run as the proctor gave the order.

Youcai Wu took off at the sound of the starting gun. However, he found that he was not the fastest one there in the very next second.

What the…? There is someone quicker than me, and not just one! OK, I see. It must be because I haven’t sped up yet. I’ll ditch them after I speed up! Youcai Wu clenched his teeth and used all his strength to speed up, but it didn’t help at all. He was still behind others, and the gap between them was becoming bigger. Even the people who had been behind him were now right next to him.

Could it be that all the students on my team are of the highest level? How could I have such bad luck that I’m on the same team as them! A slight unwillingness crossed Youcai Wu’s eyes. He didn’t realize that his actual ability would be revealed without the help of Dai Li’s explosive force halo.

12 seconds passed by in the blink of an eye. Youcai Wu ran past the finish line. He noticed that the other students were looking at him with a weird expression on their faces as he was about to chat with them.

Why are they looking me like that? Do I have something on my face? He felt very strange. The coach who was in charge of the finish line read their records out loud.

“Yong Li, 12.97 seconds.”

“Wei Wang, 12.75 seconds.”

“Youcai Wu…” The coach spoke in a drawn-out voice on purpose and looked at Yongcai Wu contemptuously. “12.83 seconds!” he shouted.

What? 12.83 seconds? How’s that possible? How could I be so slow? I just ran 12.11 seconds last weekend! Youcai Wu was shocked. He didn’t know what to do.

A creepy laughter spread all over. Everybody was laughing at him!

“He said 12.11 seconds? What a bad liar.”

“Somebody’s record was 12.55 seconds on the last team. Look at his bragging face. I thought he was a big deal. I didn’t expect him to be a liar. Shame on him!”

Their discussion overwhelmed Youcai Wu and made his face look very pale. Shame, embarrassment…all these negative emotions overcame him in that moment.

12.11 seconds and 12.83 seconds. Even though the difference was only 0.72 seconds, it meant a big difference in the 100m sprint. If we took the ability of a 17-year-old high school student, for example, even if we couldn’t say he was a sprinting prodigy whose record was 12.11 seconds without any formal training, he was still above average for sure. And there was a very big chance that he could become a professional athlete after being trained. However, 12.83 seconds could only prove that he was a young man in good physical condition. The possibility of him becoming an athlete was very small.

Shouren Zhao stood on the stage and smiled sneeringly. “I thought he had talent. Didn’t expect him to be a liar. I shouldn’t have been so happy before. These kinds of students have nothing but vanity. I doubt he would get trained with his ability. Let’s not waste too much time on him and spend more effort on the other talented students.” Shouren Zhao had decided Youcai Wu’s fate in this 100m sprint training class.

Youcai Wu was not the only one who revealed his true ability. The other four students did, too. They had all been trained in Dai Li’s class during the free trial period. With the help of the explosive force halo, they had all made a lot of progress in one day. However, Dai Li had removed them from his training list when they decided to choose the sports school, which meant that they couldn’t benefit from the halo anymore. That was why everyone’s speed times had gotten worse.

Dai Li didn’t really care about the five students who had left. From his point of view, he had been kind enough to train them for free for one day. The progress had been so obvious that if the parents decided to leave anyway, it would only show that they didn’t want to send their children here from the very beginning. There was no need for Dai Li to take responsibility for them anyway, since they were no longer his students.

He put all his effort into the eight students who had chosen to stay for a couple reasons. First of all, he had already received their training fee, which meant it was his responsibility to teach them. Second, he had promised that he would give the money back if they couldn’t reach the standard. 15,000 yuan per person. He definitely didn’t want to take the money he had already put in his pocket and give it back.

Sports training was a tedious thing to do. Training itself was about repetition after repetition. This process made athletes depressed and unwilling to be trained. To increase their motivation and emotions, professional experts created a “competition training method,””game training method,” and so on. They had even put these methods in the textbooks. But sports training had nothing in common with playing house as children. The coach was not a kindergarten teacher. There was nothing they could do to rid themselves of the boredom. But Dai Li was already used to this kind of repetition. When he saw his students improve very fast, he felt it was worth it.

The training result of the sophomore coach was obviously better than that of the coaches from the sports school. Dai Li also gained a lot of empirical value during the process, until finally he got 1,000 points after one month. He upgraded again and went from the first level to the middle level as a sophomore coach.

Chapter 27: Talents of Athlete

“It costs 2,000 points of empirical value to upgrade from the middle level to the high level for a sophomore coach? That’s too much!” Dai Li complained to the System.

“Be grateful. When you come to the phase where you need to upgrade from a sophomore high level to a junior coach, it costs even more.” The golden head stopped for a second and continued, “Let’s see what gift you got for the upgrade first!”

“I wonder what is in the gift box. Will it be another halo?” Dai Li opened the box and only found something that looked like a chip, with the word “detector upgrade gear” on it.

“Detector upgrade gear? Is it to upgrade the detector?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Yes. This gear can upgrade your primary detector to an intermediate detector. In addition, it will increase the range of detection by 10 meters,” the System said.

Dai Li followed the instructions on the screen and finished upgrading to his detector. He went back to reality and used it on Haiyang Chen to test it. A line showed appeared in his mind immediately.

Detecting target: Amateur athlete

Professional projection: 100m sprint; Professional ability: 7; Professional talent: C+.

“It’s different from the primary detector. It can even detect the professional subject and talent. What do they even mean? Could you clear things up for me?” Dai Li asked directly.

“The detecting targets are divided into three groups: ordinary, amateur athlete, and professional athlete. The detector will decide which group the target belongs to according to reality. Retired professional athletes will be put in the professional athletes group. Your student has already reached the level of amateur athlete after one month of training, so the detector determined that he was an amateurish athlete,” the System said.

“Haiyang Chen improves very fast these days, and his grades are always at the top of the lists. I think he is an amateur athlete. But isn’t seven too low for professional ability? It’s a long way to go to reach 100,” Dai Li said.

“Even if he has 100 for professional ability, he is still below the professional athletes. Professional ability is counted using a 1,000-point evaluation scale. Let’s take the 100m sprint, for example. Athletes who broke the world records are all above 800 points for professional ability,” the System continued.

“1000-point evaluation scale? Then don’t these poor 7 points mean nothing for him?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course, he is nothing. National second-class athletes are very fast compared to ordinary people. However, if you compare them with real professional athletes, they are nothing,” the System said.

“What does professional talent mean?” Dai Li continued asking.

“It means his talent is in the 100m sprint, not in all of the sports. People have different talents in different sports. Some people are good at playing basketball while others are geniuses in football. The talents are evaluated separately.”

“How many grades are there for the talents? A, B, C, D?” Dai Li continued.

“There are five, from the highest-level, S, to the lowest level, D. Each level has three sub-levels. For example, level C is divided into C+, C, and C-,” the System explained.

“Five levels multiplied by three sub-levels is 15 levels. That means C+ ranks No. 10 out of all the grades. That’s not high at all,” Dai Li said with disappointment.

“C+ is actually quite good. Talent is like a pyramid—the higher it goes, the less people there are. Most people are around level D. People who are level C in one specific sports activity have the possibility of becoming a professional athlete in that sport; those in level B could be world champions with very intensive training; for level A athletes, it is very possible that they can become a world champion; and if one is in level S, then one might even break the world record; as for the highest-level, S+, the world is their oyster!” the System explained.

“People with a level of S+ could rule the sports world!” All the famous athletes’ names popped up in Dai Li’s mind. There must be someone among them who had level S+. Then he thought about Haiyang Chen’s C+ and asked, “So according to what you said, if all the people with a level C could become a professional athlete, then C+ would mean one could be one of the best among the national athletes. Is that right?”

“Yes, you could say that. C+ doesn’t mean world champion. But with hard work, one could obtain some records, I suppose,” the System answered.

That means Haiyang Chen is talented. I can’t waste his abilities. I think I should put more effort and attention into his training! Dai Li looked at Haiyang Chen, who was not far from him. Then he detected the abilities of the other students. Just like the System had said, most of the ordinary people were level D. Besides Haiyang Chen, there was only one student named Qingliang Xu who was a level C. His talent in the 100m sprint was a C. Although he was not as good as Haiyang Chen, he was much better than the other students.

I didn’t expect to have two students who have the possibility of becoming professional athletes! Dai Li suddenly felt that he couldn’t be satisfied with national second-class athletes. He wanted his students to set their goals higher.

…

Time passed by quickly. It was the end of August, and school was about to start. The training class would soon come to an end. The notice for the national athlete tests was put on the official website of the local sports bureau.

The national athlete test was held by provincial administrations, and they would be taking place in the provincial capital cities. Last year, it was admissible to hold tests locally in order to relieve the burden of travelling from the students. However, the staff who would be in charge of the tests were all sent from the provincial administrative, while the local cities provided facilities and testing locations.

The sports field was built three years ago in Yuzhou City. The facilities were quite new, and modern enough to hold the national athlete test. It was decided that the test would be held in the local city, which was obviously good news for students. They could take a taxi to the examination field. The students from the outskirts of the city could also go back home the same day without having to look for hotels to stay in, which saved them a lot of money.

After the schedule of the test was confirmed, all the examines went into the dashing phase. Time was becoming tighter. Dai Li also began his final dash training with his eight students.

Chapter 28: Independent Enrollment Quota

In his office, Principal Lü’s face was very serious. This was his second year at the sports school. As a new principal who had come out of the blue, his days in the beginning weren’t that agreeable. These last two years he had been trying to get used to the environment and cultivate his own teams. He finally had some kind of control over the whole situation.

Many people thought that there was no pressure on the sports school when it came to proportion of students who were able to get into the advanced school. They thought working at the sports school was very relaxing. However, Principal Lü had realized after just one year that it was not as easy as those on the outside looking in thought.

The sports school used to be one of the best. Although it was just a technical secondary school, it used to ensure job assignment for graduates up until the 90s. During that time, technical secondary school used to be people’s first choice, even when compared to high schools. Like technical secondary school, places like medical schools were for the best students with excellent grades, since they allocated jobs for students without fail. The sports school had been the best among them. People didn’t get enough protein during that time. Instead of nutrition, people worried more about how they could avoid suffering from starvation. In that era, people who were admitted to sports school were those with truly extraordinary physiques.

As time went on, the job assignment system was canceled. But the sports school was still the most popular choice because of the food allowance. For the people who came from poor areas, it was very attractive that the school covered their food expenses. Twenty years ago, when the number of students who were able to get admission to advanced schools was still limited, college students were especially rare and precious. Normal people could still get a decent job with a secondary technical school degree.

With the expansion of high school enrollment, it got easier for people to be admitted to colleges. This made it harder for the sports school to survive. Many bachelor and even masters students couldn’t find a job. A student from a secondary technical sports school could not get anything but labor work. Parents expected their children to have decent jobs and not just be just labor workers, especially when they had tried everything to help their children get a higher education. Coupled with the improvement of people’s lives, nobody would go to the sports school and ruin their future just for the food.

As this was happening, the disadvantages of the sports school as a secondary technical school began to become apparent. As opposed to normal high schools, students from secondary technical schools couldn’t take the college entrance exam. The only way to get their degrees was to take higher education self-study examinations. This kind of degree was given by the country, but that was it. It didn’t really help when job hunting.

This was why the quality of students who signed up for the sports school had dropped and were not achieving as much. There were many sports-oriented talented students, but they weren’t sent to the sports school because their parents didn’t want to send them. Cultural education was the best of the best. From the parents’ perspective, it was better if their children didn’t learn anything in college than going to a sports school.

Because of this situation, sports schools nationwide were all pushed into a corner. Famous schools who cultivated top-level athletes were better off because they got more financial help from the government. People who worked in schools like the sports school in Yuzhou City, which no one knew, were just muddling through life by collecting their salary and satisfying their appetite.

However, Principal Lü wouldn’t just muddle through his life with his new promotion—he was eager to show his abilities. That was why he brought the case up to corporate with high schools to cultivate sports talent students. On the one hand, they could make money from it. On the other hand, and more importantly, they could make their school famous.

In his office, Principal Lü held a document in his hand that was the notice of the national athletes’ exam. Director Shouren Zhao behaved himself in front of Principal Lü, and acted like he was listening to the leader’s speech.

Lü cleared his throat and said, “The exam for national athletes is about to start. It’s a normal activity. But this year, your tasks are greater. It’s not only about taking students from our school to the exam, but also the students from our summer training class. How’s the 100m sprint training class going? How many people do you think could get the national second-class athletes qualifications?”

“The training is coming to the end. According to our internal evaluation, at least 1/3 of the students are able to reach the standard. Some of the students are around the passing line. If they perform well, they might be able to pass too,” Shouren Zhao said.

“1/3 is not enough. At least half of the students should pass. Then we are talking. That could make our training class more convincing, and make all the high schools believe that we have the ability to improve sports talent students. It would make them willing to hand the students to us.” Principal Lü stopped for a second and continued, “Besides that, I received very important information. For this exam, the chief examiner, Coach Yuejin Chen, has been sent by the provincial administration from the provincial sports university. He is a very strict and impartial person.”

“Coach Yuejin Chen? The one who trained many national athletes? He is the top track and field coach inside our province.” Obviously Shouren Zhao had heard of him before.

“Yes, that’s him. What’s more important, he has one slot open for two provincial sports universities, which means he could choose two students taking the exam.” Principal Lü changed his tone and continued, “We should get at least one of these two admissions to sports universities!”

“So you are saying we should ask the students from summer training class to go for one of the admissions?” Shouren Zhao asked.

“Yes. It’s a very important move for our sports school. If we could get one of the admissions to the sports university, it could prove to the society that we have the ability to cultivate college students even though we are just a secondary technical school! And if the high schools in our city know that one of our students got the admission, they would be more willing to work with us,” Principal Lü said.

Shouren Zhao hesitated because he couldn’t promise it and didn’t answer immediately, which made Principal Lü feel very anxious. He rolled his eyes and changed the topic.

“Last semester, one of our old vice presidents retired, so we have a vacancy now. The people from administrations asked for my opinions about the candidate for vice president. Although I think experience matters a lot, the ability and achievements are also very important. Director Zhao, I have very high expectations for you. But you have to work harder and make some achievements too. Then you can convince the other people. And I would have a better reason to recommend you.”

Although the principal didn’t say it explicitly, Shouren Zhao understood what he meant. Whether or not he could meet the quota of the independent enrollment or not mattered for his promotion to vice principal.

Considering that, Shouren Zhao said immediately, “Don’t worry, I’ll take the responsibility of the summer training class. We are meeting the quota of the independent enrollment!”

Chapter 29: Exam for National Second-Class Athlete

Only undergraduate students who were in their third year were qualified to take the exam for independent recruitment. Students who were not in their third year could not take the exam. The sports school was a technical secondary school, so their students had no opportunity to take the independent exams for universities. However, the top students of sports in each high school had already taken the qualification exam to be national second-class athletes, which was why they were considered top students by high schools. For this reason, they didn’t need to take the exam.

Overall, the students who were taking the exam this time would be those who focused on their studies. Nine out of ten had been trained by these kinds of summer classes, so their abilities weren’t that high. The student resources of the sports school’s summer class were better than other training classes. And because their training ability was higher as well, the students there had a bigger chance of passing the exam.

The sports school had their own student resources for recruitment for summer classes, but Dai Li didn’t. He didn’t know that there was an independent recruitment quota of students. But he had heard of Yuejin Chen. He was among the top coaches in the province. Many of his students had been chosen by the national sports team. Even Yuejin Chen himself was recruited as an intensive coach by the national sports team.

…

The day of the exam finally arrived. Dai Li now had an opportunity to measure his training results. Early that morning, Dai Li went to the gate of the municipal sports field and gathered his eight students together, where they entered the examination field.

“Haiyang Chen, you are on the 13th team, kind of late. Qingliang Xu, you are on the 7th. And Congyan Lu, you are on the 1st. Go warm yourself up, it will be your turn soon. Don’t be nervous. Just treat it like an ordinary training session. There should be no problem, your daily training record already reached the standard of a second-class athlete…”

Dai Li tried to help his students relax to relieve their nervousness. Congyan Lu was the first among the eight students. His ability was somewhere in between them, but after Dai Li’s training he should have been able to pass the exam. What Dai Li was worried about was that he might be too nervous, which might have a negative effect on his performance. If he failed, it would be like a domino effect, and the rest of the students might fail too.

“Dai Li!” a voice echoed. He turned around and saw a familiar face. It was Dabing Sun, a colleague of his when he had worked in the sports school. They had both been assistants. Dabing Sun had stayed while Dai Li was fired because he had offended Shouren Zhao.

“Sun, my bro, you are here too!” Dai Li walked to him.

“Your skin has gotten brighter in the two months since I last saw you. Which big company are you working at now?” Dabing Sun asked.

“There is no big company. I started a training class by myself and enrolled a few students. I brought them here to take the exam,” Dai Li said.

“Super cool!” Dabing Sun gave a thumbs-up. “So you work for yourself now! That’s way better than me and everyone else who wasted our time in the sports school.”

“You came with the sports school today?” Dai Li asked.

“I came here to bring the training class of the 100m sprint to take the exam. They paid a lot of attention to the exam this time. Director Zhao lead the team by himself!” Dabing Sun said.

“Shouren Zhao is here too?” Dai Li heard the name of his enemy. However, he didn’t even know what he looked like. He asked in low voice, “Which one is Shouren Zhao?”

Dabing Sun looked around and answered in low voice, “The one in the light blue shirt with the suit pants.”

Most of the coaches here wore sportswear, but Shouren Zhao’s outfit stood out, so much so that Dai Li noticed him right away.

Shouren Zhao! He fired me for no reason. Let’s compete today and see whose students are better! Dai Li’s eyes were burning with passion. He was ready for the fight. He looked at his students and couldn’t wait for Haiyang Chen and Qingliang Xu to take their exam.

These two students were Dai Li’s trump card. Because he knew that their talents levels were a C in the 100m sprint, he had trained them even harder. And they didn’t let him down. The improvements they made were much better than the other six students.

…

The proctor called the test numbers. The eight students who were in the first group walked to the desk and registered.

Congyan Lu really has bad luck. How could he be divided into the first group? That’s the most difficult race because the students are not ready for the exam yet, but they have to be on the running track. And they carry a ton of pressure because everybody’s attention is on them. I can only wish him good luck. Go for it, Congyan Lu! Dai Li silently cheered for him. Suddenly, he saw a familiar face.

Isn’t that Youcai Wu? He was in the free trial for one day. Then his mother said that I would waste his time, and she put him in the training class at the sports school. I wonder how his training was there. I didn’t expect him to be in the first group. I remember that he was much faster than Congyan Lu two months ago. I could use this chance to compare the training results between the sports school and myself to see who is better!

Dai Li looked at the running track anxiously. The eight students were ready to begin in front of the starting line.

…

Shouren Zhao sat among the audience. A coach named Zhou began to introduce the people in the race to him, saying, “There are two students in the first group are from our school.”

“I know him. Youcai Wu, right? It was said that he was the top student at the beginning of the class. But it turned out that he was not when he actually ran. Even I feel ashamed for him. How is his ability now after two months of training?” Shouren Zhao asked.

“He is average. His record is always around the passing line. If he performs well, he might pass the exam. The other examinee is just like him. They need some luck to pass the exam,” Coach Zhou explained.

“Luck? I doubt they will have it since they have been put in the first group, which means they don’t really have good luck. There is no way that the students in the first group can perform well. They should thank God if they are able to perform like they usually do. I’m afraid these two students might be unable to pass. Such bad luck to be put in the first group…” Shouren Zhao said.

The proctor shouted, “Everyone, ready…”

All the students got ready. With the sound of the gun, the eight students took off at the same time. Meanwhile, Dai Li pressed the button on his timer.

Chapter 30: A High-Flyer

The eight candidates were dashing down the 100m track, and in the blink of an eye they were already past the midway point.

“Congyan Lu takes the lead!” Seeing Lu held a safe lead, Coach Dai Li relaxed a little bit.

“Come on, Lu!” Behind Coach Li, the other seven students were cheering on their teammate. Lu was much faster than the other runners, and was far ahead of the competition.

Lu should be able to reach the qualifying standard of second-level athletes. Coach Li was gratified by Lu’s performance. His first 15,000 yuan training fee was surely safe now.

A timekeeper stopped the time device that showed Lu’s record: 11.32 seconds. The qualifying standard for a second-level athlete was 11.50 seconds. Lu had hit the standard level successfully. Coach Li was not satisfied with this result, however. Lu had been doing about 11.20 seconds in his daily training. It seemed that the first to run had affected Lu’s performance.

Among all the candidates in the first group, Congyan Lu was the only one who had attained the standard. The others’ performances were all outside 11.70 seconds. Some people were even outside the 12 second mark. As for Youcai Wu, he had only gotten 11.89 seconds.

Youcai Wu got 11.89 seconds today, which is quite outside the 11.50 second standard. He may have reached the standard with the help of the explosive force halo. It’s a pity that two months of hard work and a 15,000 yuan training fee didn’t bring him good luck, Coach Li sympathized with Wu.

Meanwhile, Coach Li also felt a sense of relief that his training had worked. Comparing Wu and Lu’s performances today to two months ago, their current performances had traded places. Dai Li’s training was proven to be better than what was provided by the sports school coaches.

…

Crowds of parents were sitting in bleacher seats watching their children from afar. They were not permitted to enter the competition site. Youcai Wu’s parents were there, too. The other parents were looking at Wu’s parents sympathetically. Everyone had heard the news that Wu hadn’t done as well as everyone had hoped. To make it worse, Wu’s performance fell unexpectedly behind the qualifying standard.

Seeing that her son’s failure had attracted so much attention, Wu’s mother got angry from the shame. She argued, “This is all about bad luck. If my son was placed in later heats instead of the first one he would have passed without a doubt. There is only one person who passed in the first heat, the others all failed.” During her speech, she eyed Congyan Lu jealousy.

“Gosh!” Wu’s father sighed.

“What?” Wu’s mother asked.

“My dear, the boy who passed is Coach Li’s student! He was just walking towards his coach. Can you see the young man who is in a T-shirt? That is Coach Li!” said Wu’s father.

“Who is Coach Li?” Wu’s mother was confused.

“The one who offered free training to our son, and who later called us saying that he wanted to coach our son, but you refused,” Wu’s father recalled.

Wu’s mom finally remembered Coach Dai Li, as well as that 0.77 second improvement.

She had looked down upon Li, and was conceited in thinking that if a novice coach could help her son improve, her gifted son would make higher achievements after training in a professional sports school. Unfortunately, today’s failure had showed the truth of the matter, which was that Wu was not as gifted as they had thought. It was especially apparent in today’s test, when Coach Li’s student and Wu were in the same heat, yet Li’s student had passed but Wu had failed. This proved that Coach Li’s training was better than what Wu had received in the sports school.

How could this happen! Wu’s mother regretted what she had done. The whole training process had been a complete waste of money and time. She felt that her wrong decision had ruined everything.

…

“Oh, I never thought that someone from the first heat could pass with a nice result. Which high school is he from?” Director Zhao asked.

“I think I’ve seen him somewhere before. Ah, he is from No. 2 Middle School. He enrolled in our 100m sprint training course, but didn’t show up during orientation,” Coach Zhou answered.

“Enrolled but didn’t show up? Was it because he was lured away by some coach from No. 2 Middle School or other training programs?” Director Zhao asked.

“I don’t think so. In our training course, more than one third of the students are from No. 2 Middle School. I never heard of any training course in that school,” Coach Zhou answered, looking at Congyan Lu.

Lu was walking towards another side of the bleachers to join Coach Dai Li and his teammates. Coach Zhou immediately recognized Li.

“Oh boy, is that Li? The winner must be his student,” said Coach Zhou.

Although Director Zhao had seen Dai Li’s identification photo, because it had been so long and they were so far away from one another,, Zhao was not able to recognize Li in the very beginning. He asked, “Do you know that coach over there? He looks pretty young.”

“His name is Dai Li. He was first place in our assistant coach selection test. But for some reason, he was fired,” said Coach Zhou.

That’s him! Zhao’s eyes widened as he realized who the young man was. He hadn’t expected to hear his name again. Dai Li, the person who he had fired, had not only showed up right here in front of hm, but had also become a coach. Moreover, Li’s student was the first one to win the second-level athlete qualification. It was incredible!

Seeing that Dai Li was now “somebody,” Director Zhao was upset. He felt hatred toward Li. Somehow, he also felt disturbed by the news.

The fourth heat began. Another one of Dai Li’s students was in this heat. He had a better performance than Conyan Lu, and hit the qualifying standard easily. Li’s third student in the sixth heat also reached the requirement. Li had three qualified students now.

Qingliang Xu was in the seventh heat. He was known for having a C-Level talent for the 100m sprint, which meant that with only normal trainings he could become a professional sprinter.

…

Director Zhao looked surly, mainly due to the fact that Dai Li had achieved a 100% attainment rate, while the sports school participants only had about one third reaching the standard.

You lucky bastard! Your first three students all passed! Zhao swore to himself quietly. Then he saw Qingliang Xu was getting ready to begin.

This one must fail! Zhao thought to himself.

Apparently Coach Zhou couldn’t read Director Zhao’s mind, as he was busy introducing a student to Zhao. “That boy in the seventh heat is Chuang Liu, he is our seed sprinter. During our own evaluations, he had run inside 11 seconds six times!”

Excellent! If Liu could run within 11 seconds this time, he would probably be selected by Coach Yuejin Chen. Then he would be admitted to the Provincial Sport University’s independent recruitment! And I shall be rewarded for my outstanding achievement! Director Zhao got excited thinking about his forecast. He even began to dream about his beautiful life as future vice-president of his school.

Once one became a second-level 100m sprinter, it would be quite hard to improve performance. Even a 0.1 second improvement required great effort, and more importantly, talent. For most ordinary sprinters, no matter how hard they tried, they could not run inside 11 seconds. The 11 second standard was an insuperable barrier to them. So to 100m sprinters, if one could run inside 11 seconds, it indicated that this athlete was gifted, and thus was worth professional training.

…

A bald man in his fifties was sitting in the middle of the grandstand. He was the Chief Examiner of this standard test—Coach Yuejin Chen, from the Provincial Sport University.

At this moment, Coach Chen was a little down. As the Chief Examiner, the only thing he needed to do was sit here watching and controlling the overall situation. But everything was under control. His body had become stiff. It was too boring. To make it worse, he hadn’t found anybody worthy of his professional training. Just as Michelangelo was forced to observe groups of plain pottery bowls, it was a total waste of his time. He had almost worn out his interest.

I will never examine again, Coach Chen told himself. He looked at the tracks, poker-faced, his eyelids drooped.

At the sound of the pistol, the sprinters started. Coach Chen jerked his head up.

Ho? Coach Chen seemed to have found gold in the sand pile. He lurched up to his feet.

Well, well. This boy is a high-flyer. He finally smiled.

Chapter 31: Within 11 Seconds

The seventh heat began, but Director Zhao was still concentrating on the independent recruitment.

Chuang Liu is one of our best students and has great potential. He should be able to knock Chen’s socks off, Director Zhao thought, turning his head to the grandstand. Coach Chen had a noticeably bald head. Director Zhao found him easily.

Aha, there you are. Darn! Why do you look so sleepy? Don’t you dare sleep! You should not miss Chuang Liu’s performance! He’s my hope! Director Zhao was so angry about Chen’s indifference that he was almost not able to resist punching Chen’s face to wake him up. But the next second, “Sleepy Chen” jerked his head up and jumped down from his chair. He was staring at the track.

Hooray! He must be amazed by our Chuang Liu! Look at him, he seems to have found gold! Whew! My good boy! Thanks to you I’m going to be the vice-president! Oh, my bright future! Director Zhao was beaming with happiness. He turned around to face the arena and was about to give Liu a hand.

Come on, Chu… Director Zhao wasn’t able to finish cheering, because he suddenly realized that the leading person was not Chuang Liu, but someone else.

That’s not Chuang Liu! That’s Dai Li’s student! How come he runs so fast?! Director Zhao recognized the competitor by his vest color. That was Qingliang Xu, the boy who he had just wished ill upon.

“How fast! Where is he from?”

“Unbelievable! Why didn’t I hear about him before?”

“He is definitely qualified for official competitions!”

The audience was completely shocked. Together they gazed as Qingliang Xu crossed the finish line.

“10.75 seconds!” the timekeeper shouted loudly. The result caused a great stir.

“He must be the first one who ran under 11 seconds today!”

“He is good enough for higher level competitions, why is he here?”

“10.75 seconds timed by hand, which is 0.24 seconds clear of fully automatic timing. Even with the extra 0.24 seconds, he would still have 10.99 seconds, which is still less than 11 seconds!”

“This participant is gifted. After receiving professional training he should be able to race professionally. Even according to automatic timing, he was just 0.06 seconds behind the national first-class athlete qualifying standard!”

Qingliang Xu had now become the center of attention. While on the grandstand, Coach Chen couldn’t wait anymore. He told his assistant, “Go get this participant’s data.”

The assistant nodded, starting to search for Xu’s personal information.

Just as I expected, he is a senior high school student. If he is not a sports talent student, he is worth training, Coach Chen thought, heading for Qingliang Xu with his assistant.

…

Coach Chen is moving towards Dai Li! He must want to talk to the 10.75 second boy. Director Zhao looked ill as he watched Chen walk downstairs.

“Hurry, go inquire about Chen. What does he want?” Director Zhao instructed Coach Zhou. He trotted all the way there.

After a while, Coach Zhou trotted back. While still gasping for breath, he reported to Director Zhao, “Director Zhao, I asked about what Coach Chen and the boy were doing. The boy’s name is Qingliang Xu. Coach Chen asked him for some basic information, such as age, school, training time, best performance, etc.”

“That’s it?” Director Zhao was relaxed a bit.

But Coach Zhou wasn’t finished. He continued, “Coach Chen invited Qingliang Xu to attend the independent recruitment interview for the Provincial Sport University. Xu said yes.”

“Invitation for the interview!” Director Zhao immediately went blank. This meant that there was only one place left for his students.

Unlike the Civil Servants Examination, the university independent enrollment system didn’t have severe eliminations. For Physical Education Majors, an invitation for the final interview was equivalent to an admission to college.

Director Zhao glared at Dai Li with burning eyes. If someone else had been recruited he might have been OK with it. But it was Li’s student! He really needed an outlet for his pent-up anger.

Now there is only one place left for the admission. I must get it! Otherwise the president won’t recommend me, and I will never be the vice-president! Thinking about this, Director Zhao turned to Coach Zhou. “Who is the best student in our school?”

“It must be Lei Wang,” Coach Zhou answered without hesitation. “He almost ran within 11 seconds every time in our assessments. If he performs normally, his result should be less than 11 seconds, as usual. If he could outdo himself, he could reach Qingliang Xu’s record.”

“Which heat is Wang in?” Director Zhao asked.

“The twelfth. Soon,” answered Coach Zhou.

“He is going to run after three more heats.” Director Zhao took a deep breath and said to himself, “Zhou, you do this yourself. Take Lei Wang to do some warm-up exercises, then emphasize some considerations. Remember, let him have full control.”

…

“Hey Qingliang, you are so lucky. You have just been admitted to the Provincial Sport University. Congratulations on your excellent performance!” Dai Li smiled at Qingliang Xu.

The other students gazed with admiration at Xu. Their main purpose for training so hard was to obtain some benefits for being sports talent students, such as having a lower grade standard for college admission. However, if one could enroll in the university independent recruitment, which was equal to test-free admission, that was way better than being a sports talent students. Moreover, the Provincial Sport University was a pretty cool school that was quite difficult to be recruited to.

Dai Li continued, “All right boys! To those who haven’t run yet, try your best. I wish you all good luck! Especially you, Haiyang Li. You are the best among us. If I recall correctly you are in the thirteenth heat. It’s about time to compete. Be ready to go all out.”

Chapter 32: Treasure

Soon after Coach Chen went back to the grandstand, a man who was similar in age to Chen moved close to him, asking, “Hey Chen, did you decide on that 10.75 second boy and want him to go to your school?”

Coach Chen didn’t want to hide anything, so he nodded and got straight to the point. “I just gave him an admission to our independent recruitment.”

“An admission? That boy was definitely kissed by fortune. Who else can easily get an admission from an 11 second performance? Lao Chen, don’t you worry that he might have just outdone himself today? Perhaps he cannot be that fast in daily training. In that case you would have a fluke!” The man was a close friend of Chen, which was why his words were quite straightforward.

“That is where you are wrong, Lao Wang. In the 100m sprint, normal people can rarely run inside 11 seconds, because that is beyond our physical limitations. Nobody could cross that barrier simply by ‘outdoing oneself.’ That is like jumping in a room with a ceiling above your head: you will not be able to jump higher than the roof because it blocks your path. The higher the roof is, the higher you can jump. You can take his performance, 10.75 seconds, as a pretty high roof. That is proof that he is gifted as an athlete. He has a lot of potential,” said Coach Chen. Lao Wang nodded, not fully understanding.

Coach Chen continued, “His coach looks like he is just over twenty, like a college student. He is so young! I heard that he runs a training class. He is lucky to meet such a talented student. He will gain some valuable experience through teaching.”

“Yeah, you are right. One of his students is chosen by you, and gets an admission to the Provincial Sport University. This coach is famous for his student now. For that, his training class is going to be super popular next year!”

The two talked back and forth, not giving any credit to Dai Li. Li was too young to be a successful coach. In every field, young people were always neglected.

…

Time passed quickly. It was now time for the twelfth heat. Six out of eight students of Li’s had finished their competitions, and they had all reached the national second-class qualifying standard.

Because none of his students were about to run, Li didn’t pay attention to the heat. He took Haiyang Chen aside and whispered encouragement in his ear.

On the other side of the bleachers, Director Zhao’s eyes were glued to the track. The best student in his training class was ready for the competition.

Lei Wang, you are our trump card! Do your best—you must impress Coach Chen! Director Zhao said to himself.

As the gun sounded, the race began. Eight competitors darted off. As a top student, Lei Wang was holding a safe lead. He left the other runners far, far behind.

Good job, Wang! Director Zhao clenched his fists, his face flushed.

First place! Director Zhao took a deep breath. He was sure that Lei Wang had run inside 11 seconds, but he was not sure whether Wang could attract the attention of Coach Chen or not.

Here comes Wang’s result. Hooray! 10.84 seconds! Coach Zhou cheered up. That was a satisfying result.

“Look, another performance that’s less than 11 seconds!”

“That participant must from the sport school training class. People from that school are clapping now.”

“Sport school coaches must be good if they can train a student like that.”

“I heard that the one who ran 10.75 seconds was admitted to the independent recruitment of the Provincial Sport University, Coach Chen gave him the permission. I wonder whether this one is as lucky as the previous guy or not.”

The audience was discussing the heat while looking at Coach Chen.

On the grandstand, Coach Chen also noticed the impressive result.

“10.84 seconds? Another one under 11 seconds. Give me his personal data,” Coach Chen instructed his assistant.

The assistant immediately found out Lei Wang’s information and presented it to Chen. Coach Chen looked through the document, nodding with satisfaction.

“A high school graduate student with a 10.84 second performance. He is good,” Coach Chen thought for a few seconds, then stood up again.

“Hey Chen, do you prefer this competitor? This one is slower than the previous one. Why do you like him?” Lao Wang suddenly asked.

“You know what, I don’t have much choice. Recently these good ones have been attracted by universities in big cities. I should not miss any chance now,” Chen said, walking downstairs as he spoke.

…

10.84 seconds? This is a nice grade. Although Wang is slower than Qingliang Xu, he might be more talented than Xu. I guess he also has C+ talent like Haiyang Chen. However, he is too far away for me to detect his capacity. If this student also uses explosive force halo, he should be able to defeat Qingliang Xu, Dai Li sighed silently.

Dai Li already discovered that with the improvement of an athlete’s own capacity, the effectiveness of the explosive force halo was reduced gradually. For example, if one’s 100m sprint performance was around 13 seconds, the halo could give a 0.6 second improvement; if one’s performance was around 11 seconds, the speed increase would be less than 0.2 seconds. However, as Li estimated, once an athlete ran inside 10 seconds, the halo might be useless, for the improvement might be no more than 0.1 seconds. To be a good sprinter, explosive force was one of the essentials. Sprinters with higher capacities would have similar explosive forces, meaning the halo would be less effective when trying to speed up.

As for performances that were within 10 seconds, time would be important to 0.01 second. A 0.1 second increase would be amazing.

…

Coach Chen is moving towards us! That’s great! Zhao’s heart rate was skyrocketing. He knew that Coach Chen’s presence meaning that Lei Wang was most likely going to be chosen for the independent recruitment. He could already hear people calling him “vice-president.”

Director Zhao jumped off his chair, straightened his clothes, and got ready to welcome Coach Chen. Meanwhile, the thirteenth heat began. Haiyang Chen was in this group.

Coach Chen was walking along the track, heading in Zhao’s direction, just as Haiyang Chen was running wildly down the track. After 11 seconds, Coach Chen was less than five meters away from Director Zhao, so close that Zhao could see Chen’s face. At the same time, Haiyang Chen was the first hit the finish line, to no one’s surprise.

Zhao’s face was beaming with a smile. He moved closer to Coach Chen, stretching his hand out. He said, “Hello Coach Chen, I’m Shouren Zhao from…”

He was not able to finish. Coach Chen suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on Haiyang Chen, who had just hit the line. Chen looked surprised, as if he had found great treasure.

Chapter 33: He Has a First-Class Athlete’s Ability

As a top sprinting coach, Coach Chen was very aware of speed. He glanced at Haiyang Chen and immediately knew that he had run pretty fast. Soon the results came out. First place had gotten a time of 10.64 seconds.

“10.64 seconds? Is that real? How can he be that fast?!”

“Hand timing is 0.24 seconds clear of automatic timing. 10.64 seconds plus 0.24 seconds equals 10.88 seconds. That is good enough to reach the national first-class athlete qualifying standard.”

“The standard for a first-class athlete is 10.93 seconds with automatic timing, he has reached that requirement for sure.”

“What is he doing? Why doesn’t he go to official competitions instead? Is he here to show off?”

“I have been a PE teacher for decades, this is the first time I have seen something like this. This student is qualified to be in first-class, but he is here for a second-class athlete qualification test. What was he doing in the past?”

Everybody was talking about this. They were all discussing Haiyang Chen, who had just made a 10.64 second dash.

Because the result was timed by hand, according to tradition, the conversion to official automatic time should add a 0.24 second time gap, hence Haiyang Chen’s final result was 10.88 seconds. The qualifying standard for a national first-class sprinter was 10.93 seconds. If evaluated by performance, Chen was on the first-class level.

Unfortunately, Chen could not receive a first-level certificate. Starting from first-level, the higher level athletes were not assessed by regular competitions. They had to get official grades in national contests. For instance, if a 100m sprinter wanted to be admitted as a national first-class athlete, his official result in a national competition must be under 10.93 seconds. Official contests applied fully automatic timing, so all grades were evaluated by automatic time.

Competitions were completely different from assessments. During competitions, sprinters would get nervous and thus were likely to make mistakes and play under bar. Mabe they were only able perform up to 70% or 80% of their full potential under pressure. Sometimes, one needed not only his ability but also goodd luck to succeed. Because of this kind of challenge, only higher level athletes had the possibility of getting test-free admissions to college.

Although Haiyang Chen had a nice grade, he still had a long way to go. He needed more professional training and sufficient practical experience to become a first-level sprinter. However, a beautiful performance was good enough to prove Haiyang Chen’s capacity, and astonish Coach Chen at the same time. Haiyang Chen was only 0.11 seconds clear of Qingliang Xu, but a 0.11 time difference was evident enough to differentiate between the two levels. Between these two competitors, Lei Wang was not even worth mentioning.

Coach Chen had been going for Lei Wang, and had planned to offer him an admission to college, but Haiyang Chen had effectively changed Coach Chen’s plan. One candidate had gotten 10.64 seconds while another had gotten 10.84 seconds. Anyone with a clear head knew what to do. Coach Chen turned around and left, leaving Director Zhao alone.

“Coach Chen, where are you going?” Director Zhao looked embarrassed. His hand was still suspended in mid-air, but Coach Chen had already walked away.

Zhao heard the crowd exclaim. He realized that someone had just gotten 10.64 seconds!

“Who—who did that? When did he show up?” Director Zhao was flabbergasted. He definitely knew that there was a big gap between 10.64 seconds and 10.84 seconds. He could only pray that the one with 10.64 seconds would not be eligible in some way, so that he would still have a chance to get the last admission spot.

“I think I have seen that student before. He also enrolled in our training program, but didn’t show up to the orientation.” Coach Zhou’s voice rang in Zhou’s ears, blowing away his last hope.

…

“Coach Li, I passed!” Haiyang Chen ran towards Dai Li with excitement, but Li was looking behind Haiyang Chen. Coach Chen hurried towards them.

“That is Coach Chen from the Provincial Sport University, he is here again. He admitted Qingliang Xu before, and this time Haiyang Chen got 10.64 seconds. Coach Chen will probably give him an admission, too!”

Thinking about this, Dai Li’s face beamed. He welcomed Coach Chen, saying, “Hello Coach Chen, I never thought we would meet again so soon.”

“You again? You are…What’s your name again?” Coach Chen tried to recall Dai Li’s name. Even though they had just met about half an hour ago, he didn’t remember Li’s name.

“Dai Li. My name is Dai Li,” Li said, immediately giving his name without any dissatisfaction.

“Oh right, Dai Li!” Coach Chen took a look at Haiyang Chen, then asked another question. “Is this 10.64 second boy also your student?”

“Yes, he is also my student. His name is Haiyang Chen, a high school graduate.” Dai Li pushed Haiyang Chen to the front, still introducing him. “Chen has great potential in the 100m sprint, and he is very hard working. He is the best among my students…” Dai Li was searching for every good word to help Haiyang Li, doing everything short of asking to be admitted.

But on the contrary, Coach Chen was not in a hurry now. He was no longer eager to recruit the boy. Instead, he was interested in Dai Li, the coach. The best performers had all been Dai Li’s students. If Qingliang Xu had won the competition, he could say that Li was lucky to find such a gifted student; but here came another winner, Haiyang Chen. He could not convince himself that it was just a coincidence. With his extensive working experience, his intuition told him that this young man, was unusual.

Coach Chen looked behind Dai Li and asked, “How many students did you have for this assessment, Dai Li?”

“Eight. I mentioned to you before that I am working alone. I run a training class, and these eight students are trained by me. They have been with me for two months,” said Li.

Coach Chen nodded and asked, “How many passed this assessment?”

“Seven,” Li answered without hesitation.

“Seven out of eight students reached the second-class athlete qualifying standard. This attainment rate is extremely high! How could they have such a capable coach in such a small city? Perhaps I looked down on this young man. He may be a man of ability,” Coach Chen thought.

Then a voice suddenly rang from a distance.

“Coach Li, I made it!”

This was Li’s last participant. He was in the fourteenth heat. Dai Li smiled with relief, then turned to Coach Chen. “Coach Chen, now all eight students have reached the standard.”

Chapter 34: A New Opportunity

Was it seven? How come it is eight now? Coach Chen couldn’t make any sense of it for a second, but then understood. Dai Li said seven had passed because only seven students had taken the test at the time. Now that the last student had also passed test, it bumped Dai Li’s number up from seven to eight.

All the students reached the standard, and two of them even ran under 11 seconds! If I were him I couldn’t be that good, Coach Chen gasped in astonishment. He looked at Li in a different way. 100% passing rate. This is definitely not a coincidence. I was wrong. Qingliang Xu and Haiyang Chen are high-flyers, but this young coach, whom I neglected before, is the real man of genuine ability.

Coach Chen knew that it was way more challenging to find a capable coach than to have a talented athlete. A good coach could make the ugly look beautiful. Coach Chen had an impulse for cherishing the talent.

He asked Li, “How old are you? How long have you been a coach?”

“I just turned 22. I haven’t been a coach for a long time. I just graduated from university, and I taught a PE training class for the senior high school entrance PE exam,” Dai Li answered.

“Just graduated? What was your major? Physical Education, Sports Training or Movement Science?” Chen listed three majors, which were all related to physical training.

“My major was sports training,” Li answered.

Coach Chen nodded again and asked, “Do you have any other jobs besides running your training class?”

Dai Li was a little embarrassed. Although he had made a lot of money recently, he was still unemployed. He hesitated for a second, then replied, “I haven’t found a job yet.”

“In that case, are you interested in being my assistant coach in the Provincial Sport University? PSU expands enrollment this year. I am looking for an assistant. Although assistant coaches are employed under contract, you could have benefits similar to formal teachers. You will have performance-related pay and training grants besides your basic salary,” said Chen.

Dai Li’s face lit up with pleasure. He was planning to work as a fitness coach after he finished his training class, or find similar jobs on the job market. He never expected to be an assistant coach for the Provincial Sport University (PSU) . This great opportunity had just fallen into his lap!

For Dai Li, the only drawback of this job was that he had to leave his hometown and move to the capital city. But training excellent athletes in PSU was his biggest dream. He was eager to gain more experience so that he could upgrade his training system.

Without hesitation, he nodded in agreement. “Thank you for your offer, Coach Chen. It would be my pleasure to have this job.”

…

Director Zhao felt that he couldn’t get any worse. Coach Chen had already been in front of him, but turned him away. His hopes were dashed. Luckily Zhao didn’t have hypertension or heart problems, otherwise such radical changes would have sent him to the hospital.

Dai Li, you again! You dashed my dream! I couldn’t get an admission, how can I justify myself to President Lyv? Mr. Lyv must feel disappointed with the result. I think I have to say goodbye to my vice-president position. Zhao’s heart was full of hatred now. He would definitely not have fired that temporary worker if he could have predicted today’s awful result. He had to pay for his mistake.

Zhao began to feel regret. What if he hadn’t fired Dai Li? The situation would probably be the opposite. He would get both admissions for his school, and he would also gain honor and fame.

Zhao gave himself a resounding slap across the face. I was so stupid! How could I fire Dai Li?

…

Leading teachers from high schools were busy discussing.

“Who is that young man over there? The two best performers were both his students. One of them even got a time of 10.64 seconds, which is good enough for official competitions.”

“He doesn’t look like a high school teacher. I know almost every PE teacher in Yuzhou high schools, but I have never seen him before.”

“Is he from any nearby town or district? Wait a minute, candidates from nearby towns were normally sent here by bus. Each of the town normally sent few dozens of people in the past, but he only brought eight students. There is no way he is from the nearby town .”

“Hey, I got some news! That young coach is named Dai Li. He just graduated from college. He runs a training class, and all eight students he teaches have passed the qualifying standard. That’s a 100% passing rate! Moreover, all of the students are high school graduates, none of them are sports talent students. They were recruited to high school in a normal way.”

“They all passed? How could that be possible? Does this young man have super powers? Even professional coaches from sports schools and the Yuzhou sports team could not attain such an achievement!”

“Right? I heard that before this test, the sports school claimed that they could get admissions for the independent recruitment and send their students to the Provincial Sport University. They are making such fools of themselves! The only two admissions were taken by that young coach!”

“I say that the sports school has nothing special if a newbie coach could easily defeat them! I’m going to report all these things to our president. There is no need to cooperate with the sports school at all!”

These high school PE teachers and sport school coaches were competitors. They had nothing good to say about the sports school’s performance.

Not far away from the crowd stood Dabing Sun, an assistant coach in the sports school. He couldn’t bear the bad words about his school, so he took a step forward to interrupt the conversation. “Dai Li was from our school.”

“Hey dude, don’t say anything you don’t know. Li is a college student, while your sports school is a special secondary school. How can your graduates enroll in college?” someone asked.

“Li is not our student. I mean, he was an assistant coach, just like me,” Sun explained hastily.

“Then why isn’t he there now?” someone else asked with interest.

“Li was fired.” Sun answered with a lower voice.

“He was fired? Your school is that good, huh? You fired such an amazing coach!”

“I would say that Li must have offended someone from the upper level, otherwise with his outstanding abilities, how could he be fired?” These PE teachers had nothing else to do, so they stood there gossiping. Meanwhile, Dai Li’s name spread amongst the crowd.

Chapter 35: Sophomore Coach at an Advanced Level

Sport School, President’s office.

Principal Lü did not look happy. He was dissatisfied with the results of the qualifying test.

40% of students from the sports school training program had passed the test, compared to the 30% passing rate of other high schools. Such results indicated that the sports school had a more advanced training system than the other schools. However, this “advantage” was only data. It didn’t help much with the fierce college entrance competition.

In Yuzhou City, there were about one thousand graduates per high school every year. Out of these one thousand students, only thirty or forty were qualified as sports talent. Therefore, the 10% increase of the passing rate meant three or four more students would pass the qualifying test, and be offered with some advantages during the college entrance exam. But the increase of these three or four more students out of one thousand wouldn’t make much of a difference in improving the college acceptance rate of the school.

The crucial factor was not the 10% passing rate, but the two admissions for independent recruitment. Sports talent students with this admission could be regarded as having a test-free entrance to college. This advertisement sounded way better than the “high attainment rate.”

Consider this: a special secondary school has cultivated test-free college students. Isn’t that nice? Even though getting college admissions sounded like a vanity project, it could polish Principal Lü’s resume. He had only held the position for two years, and was really in need of some achievements to consolidate his power and enhance his reputation. According to Lü’s original estimate, the school could have at least gotten one admission, maybe even two of them, but the cruel fact was that they had gotten none. In other words, Principal Lü hadn’t achieved anything.

Feeling defeated, Principal Lü inquired into who had received those two admissions. The answer was a bitter pill to swallow. The two admissions were taken by a coach’s two students, and that coach, Dai Li, was once an assistant coach in Lü’s sport school, but was later fired.

If Dai Li had quit his job, Lü could find an excuse for himself that Dai Li looked down upon the sports school. But Li had been fired. It looked like the sports school had created a strong opponent themselves. They had shot themselves in the foot.

Principal Lü was unhappy. He immediately called the Personnel Sectional Chief into his office for the ins and outs. Standing in front of the president, the man looked aggrieved.

“Principal Lü, it was not my idea to fire Dai Li,” the Personnel Sectional Chief tried to explain.

“It wasn’t you? Then tell me, who else could do that? YOU are the chief of personnel!” Principal Lü sounded even more serious.

The chief hesitated. He noticed that Principal Lü was about to flare up. To keep himself safe, he told the truth. “It was Director Zhao from the training department who wanted to fire Dai Li. He said that Dai Li was too good to be in our school. That was why he fired Li.”

Lü looked forbidding. What a bad excuse Zhao had found! Even a child would not have believed that. Lü could sense that there might be some private resentment between Zhao and Li. Zhao was using his power to satisfy a personal grudge. Principal Lü could bear Zhao’s abuse of his own power, but what he couldn’t stand at all was Zhao’s damage to the school, let alone the huge loss of his achievements.

Lü then said with a cold voice, “You are in charge of personnel. If there is anything wrong, you report it directly to me. Don’t follow other people’s commands.”

“Principal Lü, people had been saying that Director Zhao would take our retired vice-president’s position and would be the future vice-president. That’s why I listened to Zhao’s command, I did not want to reject him.” The chief shifted all the responsibilities of the decision to Director Zhao in order to keep himself free from punishment.

“He wants to be the new vice-president? Humph!” Principal Lü ended the conversation with a snort.

The chief shrunk. It looked like Director Zhao had just lost his superior’s support. Zhao was going to have a hard time.

…

While the conversation between the chief and Principal Lü was taking place, Dai Li was on a train to Qingcheng City.

Haiyang Chen, Qingliang Xu, and all the other students were still on his training list, but once they couldn’t receive Li’s continuous training, they would automatically be cleaned out from the System. This meant that they would not be able to enjoy the benefits of the explosive force halo anymore, but Li didn’t care. The students’ training goal was to obtain a second-level athlete qualifying certificate, and now all of them had gotten it. Li had finished his job. He got paid to train them, and without further payment, they shouldn’t expect him to help them forever.

If one was not aiming to be a professional athlete, the explosive force halo was not very useful. People who chose to be sports talent students were actually looking for an easier way to enter college rather than dreaming of being professional athletes. The certificate they had just gotten could speed up the process and help them pass the big, life-determining exam.

As for the special test the students were required to take before they got admitted to college, as long as they passed the fractional line they would be recruited. Li believed in his students. They could make it even without the halo.

Between Haiyang Chen and Qingliang Xu, one had C+ level talent, while the other had C level. Those two had the potential to become professional sprinters. But to become a qualified athlete, what they really needed was a combination of their talents and a lot of effort rather than a halo. In fact, soon after they finished the qualifying test, Li was no longer their coach. They were passerbys in each other’s life. It was time to say goodbye.

…

Qingcheng City was not only a capital city, but a port city as well. Due to its resource advantages, Qingcheng City was economically developed. It was a leading city among second-tier cities, and was about to be in the first-tier.

As a big city, Qingcheng City had a well-developed sports industry. For physical education, in addition to the Provincial Sport University and the sports school, it had a special ping-pong training school, a basketball training school, and a soccer school, which was rarely seen elsewhere. As for commercial sports, it had a professional basketball team, which was eligible for A-level league matches; it also owned two professional soccer teams for domestic super league matches and First Division.

This city provided a nice opportunity for a coach’s future development, but for a newbie like Dai Li, working experience was more important. At the end of the one-month probation after signing a one-year contract, Dai Li became a permanent employee in the Provincial Sport University.

Qingcheng City had a higher living standard than Yuzhou City, but it also offered a higher income. Dai Li spent most of his time on campus. He usually ate at the school canteen, which served cheaper food than the food in off-campus restaurants. He also lived in a 4-bed postgraduate dorm. It was way better than the dorm he lived in when he was in college. As an employee under contract, he was not qualified to live in a single room dormitory like the teachers, but he was satisfied. Dai Li had only left college a few months ago, yet he felt like he had time traveled back to his college days, living in a dorm, eating at a canteen, in and out of classes on time, and playing computer games or chatting with his roommates in his spare time.

As an assistant coach, Li’s job was simple. Coach Chen would give him weekly training plans beforehand, then Li was the one who actually trained the athletes. Things like guiding stretch exercises and strength training was also Li’s work. Coach Chen was too busy to take care of every athlete, so he only offered crucial guidance occasionally.

Dai Li owned the training System, so it was no wonder why his training was more effective than the other assistant coaches. As time went by, Coach Chen approved of his training, and Chen was willing to offer Li more training tasks.

Dai Li was eager to participate in training as much as possible. In the Provincial Sport University he was able to train some professional athletes who could bring him much more empirical value than high school students. Thanks to these professionals, Li’s empirical value had been increasing rapidly. Within only three months, he had obtained the 3,000 points of experience he needed.

Finally, Dai Li had reached the senior phase of third-rate coach.

Chapter 36: A Useless Reward

Now that I’m a third-rate, senior phase coach, next time I will be level up to a second-rate coach. Even though it requires 5,000 points of experience, I could still make it one day. At this upgrading rate, I will become a second-rate coach within half a year, Dai Li thought, counting time on his phone.

“Half a year is not enough,” rang the System’s voice. Dai Li’s enthusiasm was cooled abruptly by the chilling reality. The System continued to remind him, “It’s December now, soon you will have winter break. The new semester begins in February, but ends in July. Remember that you can only gain points while you are working. So based on this speed, you won’t be upgraded until next December.”

“Oh no, I forgot that we have winter and summer breaks. Then does that mean that I need to wait 10 months? It seems like I need to reopen my training class in the summer,” said Li.

“You are now at the senior phase of third-rate, which means that you won’t get much experience points when training ordinary people. Once you reach the second-rate level, you may not receive any experience points from ordinary trainees at all.” After a pause the System added, “but accordingly, your training will be more effective than before.”

“That makes some sense. I do feel that my training is more effective than that of the other assistant coaches,” Li said.

“Once you become a second-rate coach, your training effectiveness will increase rapidly, or even make an earthshaking change,” the System added.

“That’s something far in the future. I don’t care. Well, show me my rewards, what do I get this time?” As Li thought this to himself, the System presented a gift pack in front of him.

Li opened the package. There was an antique book gleaming gold.

“A sparkling book? Wait, is this a book of Kung Fu secrets? Yi jinjing? Nine Men of Power? Buddha’s Palm? Don’t tell me it’s Ritual of the Void, I would never castrate myself.” Li picked up the book. There were two bold words on the cover: Slimming Exercises!

“Slimming exercises?” Li immediately looked through the book. It was a picture book, and had a little man that was presenting a series of movements, which looked like broadcasting gymnastics.

“What the heck is this?” asked Li.

“Slimming exercises, literally. Just follow the movements step by step, and after finishing the entire series, the trainee will lose weight. This exercise is very effective, and works immediately. The trainee can see the result within one day, be slimmer within three days, and be totally different after ten days!” the System introduced.

“That’s impossible!” Li didn’t believe it. He asked, “I’m not fat, I don’t need to lose weight. Why did you give me this?”

“This is not for you, it’s for your trainee. But you have to train your student by yourself. Otherwise these exercises won’t work. If your trainee practices by themselves, it won’t work either,” the System explained.

“You mean that I have to lead the whole training, just like what I did in broadcasting gymnastics in high school? I act as a leader, and all the others follow my movements?”

“You are right. You are the leader. However, since the exercise won’t work on you, no matter how many times you do this, you will not lose weight,” the System added.

“Is there any size limit? How many trainees can I have at a time?” Li asked.

“There is no limitation. As long as that person is on your training list, and practices under your guidance, that individual can enjoy the benefits of this exercise.”

Li was excited. “Hooray! I’m going to be rich! I shouldn’t come to this university. How about I open a fitness center instead? There are so many people trying to lose weight, if I lead them through practice everyday, I could earn a lot of money!”

“Stop daydreaming. You are not going to be rich,” the System said, bursting Li’s bubble. “This slimming exercise only works for athletes. It will be of no effect if used by ordinary people.”

“Then this is a piece of shxt.” Li was upset. His dream of being rich was dashed.

How many athletes are there in this country? People like Haiyang Chen, who were at a C+ level, could only reach the amateur athlete level after a month of training. As for ordinary people, it was almost impossible for them to be professional.

“What a chicken rib! Such a useless exercise! It looks cool, but is not effective for ordinary people. The upgraded detector is helpful for detecting some talents, but this slimming exercise only works for a specific group of people!” Dai Li felt that life was so hard. He had been working and waiting for three months and was finally able to upgrade, but had gotten something bad! What a bitter surprise!

…

Soon another month had passed. It was time for winter break. The whole school became empty, and many of the windows in the canteen were closed. Dai Li was not able to leave school with the other students. He was put on duty for another month, and had to spend Spring Festival at school.

It was a pity that Li was a newbie! In government departments, there was an unwritten rule that newbies should do more work than the others. Only seniors were able to live a leisurely life, drinking tea, reading newspapers, or doing whatever they wanted. Therefore, things like remaining on duty during vacation fell naturally to Li.

The work was boring. With the students back home, there weren’t many things left to do. The so-called “to be on duty” was actually waiting for any potential phone call in the office. Luckily he got paid 100 yuan everyday, which made him feel better.

Li liked this kind of life. He charged his phone at the two power banks at night, and on the second day he would kill time with WIFI, reading online novels, checking Moments on WeChat, playing King of Glory, etc. He also registered for a Tengxun TV prime membership, so when he got bored he would watch TV.

What a relaxing life! I would like to live this way. Dai Li sighed, then he looked up at the clock on the wall.

It’s five o’clock. I’m off duty.

Chapter 37: The Haunted Training Room

It’s five o’clock. I’m off duty. Dai Li glanced at the clock, then rose from his chair. He stretched out his body, then began to pack his stuff.

Ring, ring, ring… The telephone rang right as Dai Li was preparing to leave. He frowned with boredom. Who would want to receive extra work when it was time to go back home?

“Hello, this is the duty room,” Li answered the phone.

“Is that Dai Li? I’m Lao Zhang from the general department. I checked the duty roster, today is your turn,” the person said from the other side.

“Mr. Zhang, this is Dai Li speaking. What can I do for you?” Dai Li recognized the voice, as he had been borrowing training equipment from its owner.

“Well, Lao Qian, who is in charge of the training room on the third floor in our laboratory building, has food poisoning. He was sent to the hospital an hour ago, but he didn’t lock the door. You know we have a lot of expensive equipment in that room. Could you clean up the room and lock the door? I will find someone to bring the keys to you. He will be there in around twenty minutes. You can keep the keys with you,” Mr. Zhang instructed.

“OK. I will go,” Dai Li said. He packed his stuff then moved towards the gate keeper’s.

It actually took Dai Li more than half an hour to finally get the keys. The man apologized for being late, and explained that it was due to a traffic jam.

Daytime was short in the winter. In addition, Qingcheng City was an east coast city, so it was already dark. Dai Li had to walk towards the laboratory building under dim street lights.

Burr. So cold today. Dai Li shivered as a cold wind blew. In reality, the coldness he felt was more psychological than physical . Since there were no students on campus, walking alone in an empty school led to an illusion of chilliness.

The building was hiding in the dark, so Dai Li couldn’t see much. He used flashlight on his phone as he entered the building. It was quiet and spooky, and Dail Li felt nervous. He fumbled in the dark and finally got to the light switch. However, after pressing on it, Dai Li found that it did not light up.

Which one is broken? The switch or the light? The property department should come and fix it. Dai Li could do nothing but complain. He kept holding his phone and headed to the third floor.

The biggest room over there must be the training room. I heard that that room was remade from a conference room. He moved closer and found that the door was unlocked.

This is my first time here. Where is the switch? Dai Li shined his phone on the wall, hoping to find the switch for the room.

“Wuwuwuwu…” Suddenly, a sound kind of like crying was heard.

What’s that? Is someone weeping? Dai Li was taken aback by the sound. He had goosebumps all over.

“Wuwuwuwu…”The sound rose again.

I heard before that this place used to be a mass grave. Is it haunted now? Or perhaps there was once a girl who committed suicide by hanging herself in this room? Dai Li’s mind was full of ghost stories.

Come on, don’t be afraid. Forget about that! Darn, if I know I would be here tonight, I wouldn’t have read those ghost stories lately. Why didn’t I read novels that were full of positive energy like “Almighty Coach”? Dai Li tried his best not to thinking about the horror stories, but his thoughts inevitably flashed back to some of the most spooky scenes from those books.

I gotta go. Wait, let me lock the door first! he thought. But he was frozen on the ground. His legs began to shake.

Lock the door, lock the—Where is the lock? Ah, right here! Dai Li grabbed the anti-theft lock in his hand and was about to close the door.

“Stop!” A female voice suddenly rang. Dai Li looked towards where the sound came from and saw a figure of a young lady.

“Banshee!” Dai Li dared not to take a closer look. He ran away.

…

Dai Li escaped from the building. He ran all the way to a street light and finally stopped. After a while, he gradually calmed down.

Did I overreact? Was that a real person? But it is the winter break, nobody should be here right now. Li looked back nervously.

At the same time, his phone rang. It was a strange number.

“Hello!” Dai Li immediately answered.

“Is this Dai Li? I’m Lao Qian from the third floor training room!” The person on the other end used a low voice. He sounded like he was weak.

But such a voice made Dai Li delirious with joy. For someone who was seriously scared a minute ago, the voice of a human being was like the sound of heaven.

The caller continued, “I have got food poisoning, and now I’m still lying in bed having an intravenous drip. I can’t go back to school tonight. Have you received the keys yet? By the way, I forgot to tell you before that Feifei Yu has been training in that training room recently.”

“Feifei Yu? She has the same name as that world champion,” said Dai Li.

“It is her,” said Lao Qian.

“What? Are you serious? That Feifei Yu? The one who broke the world record, who got the career Grand Slam?” Dai Li immediately asked.

“Yes, that is her,” Lao Qian answered.

“How come she is here? She is the world champion!” Dai Li said in a doubtful voice.

“Don’t you forget that Feifei is on our provincial team. She has an affiliation with the provincial department of sports,” Lao Qian told Li, gathering breath. “The provincial sports team arranged this. They sent her alone here for some physical fitness training, and made us keep it as a secret. Therefore, few people know about this. I guess they do so to avoid external interruptions. As a world champion she does have some privileges. Moreover, our training equipment is comparable with the ones they have in the department of sports.”

“No way! Feifei Yu is here!” Dai Li suddenly recalled that the banshee he had just met looked similar to Feifei Yu.

Chapter 38: World Champion or a Whiner?

Few people in the country were unaware of Feifei Yu.

She began swimming at 6-years-old, and then competed with adult swimmers when she was only ten. Later she won the 50-meter freestyle swimming competition at the Provincial Games. She joined the national sports team at twelve, and got winner titles among all kinds of national competitions in the same year. The next year she even earned two gold medals in the Asian Games, and two silver medals at the World Swimming Championships. She was praised as a “Gifted Girl.”

At 14, she won her first world championship of the 200 meter individual medley in the World Championships, and was the youngest world swimming champion. Two years later at the Olympic Games, she earned gold by breaking the world record in the 400 meter individual medley, and earned another gold by making a new world record in the 200 meter individual medley. The next year she received the “Best New Act” from the Laureus World Sports Awards.

After becoming a world champion at 14 years old and breaking a world record at 16, FeiFei Yu was a legend in the swimming world. She herself was regarded as the new hope of this country for the next ten years.

However, in the last two years, Feifei Yu hadn’t performed well, and even showed a decline in performance. Last year in the Swimming World Cup, she was only seventh in the 40-meter individual medley, which she used to be best at, and placed third in a national competition.

The national team’s explanation for Feifei’s decline in performance was her unexpected injury, which had left a crushed bone in her ankles and caused a dull pain quite often. This was supposedly the reason why her training condition and game status had been affected.

Dai Li had realized that the “banshee” he met in the training room was probably Feifei Yu. But he could not understand why she was weeping alone there in the dark. Dai Li got his courage back, then went back to the laboratory building and moving towards the training room. This time, as he arrived at the third floor, the light was on. Dai Li walked closer to the training room on the tips of his toes, then took a careful look inside.

“Sorry to scare you.” Dai Li looked towards the voice. It really was Feifei Yu.

Feifei Yu, it is her! She looks a little bigger than what I have seen on TV, perhaps she is wearing a thick coat. This is a world champion, the real person! Dai Li was so excited, he really wanted to take a picture with this celebrity, but he immediately gave up the idea as he remembered the confidentiality agreement.

Dai Li walked inside and noticed that Feifei was the only one there. Thinking about his terrible behavior, he smiled with embarrassment. “Hi, I’m Dai Li, an assistant coach in the Provincial Sport University. Today is my turn to be on duty. Mr. Qian suddenly fell ill, I’m here to take his place. I didn’t know that you were here, and the lights were off, so I thought there was nobody in this room.”

Feifei Yu looked him over. He was only a few years older than her. She would take him for a college student if he hadn’t introduced himself.

Dai Li was looking over Feifei Yu at the same time. Compared to the little girl at the Olympics several years ago, she was grown up now. She had welts on her face and her eyes were red, as if she had been crying.

“Were you crying?” Dai Li sounded out.

“No, I wasn’t,” Feifei Yu denied.

“Did you hurt yourself when you were training? Should I call you a doctor?” Dai Li kept asking. He was worried that Feifei had hurt herself while training.

Feifei Yu was a world champion. If she got hurt here, Dai Li had to shoulder some responsibility. He spent so much effort getting this job, he definitely wanted to keep himself safe.

“I’m OK,” she replied immediately.

“Was it because of your old wounds? Are you sure you are fine? I’d better find a doctor for you,” said Dai Li. He was afraid that if Feifei was crying because of her old wounds, he still needed to pay for that. After all, he was only employed under contract. it would be easy for the school to fire him.

However, Feifei’s eyes bulged in anger. She said with a rushed voice, ” Are you expecting me to get injured?”

“I swear to God, I’m not.” Dai Li felt something was wrong. He tried to lighten the mood. “You are the world champion, the whole nation wants you to be well-nourished and healthy.”

Because of Dai Li’s expectation, and hearing the words “well-nourished,” Feifei suddenly burst out in tears.

“Wuwuwu…I know I’m plump, I know that I have gained 7 kilograms. I have been trying so hard to lose weight…I’m doing high intensity training everyday, I dare not eat…But I cannot lose even a pound, how could that happen…I don’t want to be kicked out from the national team…I want to win another world championship, I want to break another record, I tried…” She was having an emotional breakdown, and was whining louder and louder.

Dai Li had no idea what to do. He never expected that a world champion would cry like a kid in front of him.

“You gained 7 kilograms? Be kicked out from the national team?” Dai Li connected the dots and finally figured out what was going on.

Athletes had to strictly control their weight, especially swimmers. They had to confront water resistance while increasing their own buoyancy. Seven kilograms overweight was a disaster. Being overweight led to being a larger size, which increased water resistance. In addition, a higher weight would reduce individual buoyancy, which meant that the swimmer had to spend a lot more effort supporting themselves floating on water. That meant less energy was left for moving forward.

There were some reports about Feifei Yu’s decline in performance being due to her injury. But it looks like what was reported was false. Was it actually because of her substantial increase in weight? The Swimming Association must have blocked the information. What happened with the national team then? Is it that serious that she would be kicked out?

A thousand thoughts came to Li’s mind. He suddenly realized, the Slimming Exercises might be best thing to help!

Chapter 39: Let’s Practice

Since the day Dai Li had received the Slimming Exercises, he had not practiced it yet. The main reason was that he could not find a suitable trainee. The working conditions were too harsh, and it only worked on professional athletes. Normally, if an athlete could strictly control themselves, their weight would not change much. In addition, Dai Li was focused on training sprinters. Usually sprinters had low body fat, and it was a luxury to them to gain fat. Therefore, sprinters rarely need to reduce weight. Dai Li didn’t have many chances to find an appropriate trainee.

Today was his lucky day. He had finally found an opportunity to prove the exercises to be effective. Thinking about this, Dai Li asked Feifei, “Alright, stop crying. You wanna lose weight? I have an idea.”

Hearing that Dai Li had a way to solve this problem, Feifei Yu immediately stopped sobbing as if she was under his spell. She stared at Dai Li with fixed eyes.

Dai Li cleared his throat and said, “I have a series of secret slimming exercises—I mean, five-animal boxing, which was passed on from my ancestors. You know five-animal boxing, don’t you? It was created by the miracle-working doctor Hua Tuo, so it is very effective for losing weight. They say you can see the results within one day, be slimmer within three days, and be totally different after ten days!”

Feifei Yu’s face was full of doubtfulness. Dai Li must be exaggerating. Even though Yu was young, she would not believe in his “five-animal boxing.”

The blood flushed into her face. He felt that he was overenthusiastic. Even a kid would not believe him. He added awkwardly, “Alright, we both know that it’s not the five-animal boxing. But the exercise is indeed effective, would you like to give it a try?”

Yu shook her head decidedly, then responded with politeness, “Thank you for your kindness, but it’s getting dark outside, I should go back for dinner.”

Dai Li had spent so much time searching for this opportunity, how could he miss it? He stretched his arms to stop Yu and said sincerely, “How about you try first? It won’t cost you much time, only about ten minutes. If it is not effective, you won’t have lost anything. But what if it is effective? You could then lose weight and get back to your original status.”

If it was someone older than Li she would label him a drug dealer, but he was still too young. She had been spending too much time on training, so she didn’t have much social experience. Hearing Dai Li’s words, she hesitated for several seconds, then nodded in agreement.

Dai Li was overjoyed. Finally he had a chance to prove it!

Let’s first detect the world champion’s ability level. Dai Li added Feifei Yu’s name onto the training list, then detected her abilities.

Object: professional athlete;

Professional field:

200-meter individual medley; Ability: 643; Talent: S-;

400-meter individual medley; Ability: 677; Talent: S-;

50-meter freestyle; Ability: 532; Talent: A;

100-meter freestyle; Ability: 541; Talent: A;

100-meter backstroke; Ability: 502; Talent: A-;

100-meter breaststroke; Ability: 479; Talent: B;

Butterfly stroke; Ability: 582; Talent: A;

Butterfly backstroke; Ability: 565; Talent: A.

That’s a lot! Is this what a world-champion-level athlete is like? Such an all-around swimmer! But now that I think about it, the medley contains freestyle, backstroke, butterfly stroke and breaststroke. She should be a master of all these skills.

Dai Li looked through the results. The whole list not only contained Feifei Yu’s best performance in the individual medley, but freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly stroke as well. Except for the B-level talent in breaststroke, she had A-level talents for all the other events. She even retained an S-level talent for medley.

S-level talent means that one is capable of breaking world records, and Feifei Yu did create a new world record for the 400 meter individual medley. She has a 677 professional ability points. She deserves to be called “world champion.” None of my trainees have a 200 ability points. There’s such a wide gap, Dai Li thought to himself.

“600 more in ability points is not good enough to become a world champion, she is not even able to earn gold in national competitions,” the System explained to Li. “Normally, ordinary world champions possess more than 700 professional ability points, while in fierce contests, only athletes with over 800 professional ability points have a chance to win.”

“Then why does she only have 677 ability points? She is the record holder in 400 meter individual medley,” Dai Li said.

“This is due to her performance decline. She was able to break world record, which indicates that she once obtained over 900 ability points when she was at the peak. It seems like she has fallen back rapidly if her current ability is only three-fourths of her previous capacity,” the System explained.

After hearing this, Dai Li sympathized with Feifei Yu. She was once standing at the top, but now she was not even capable of winning one more gold in national competitions. Moreover, she was only around 18. How could she bear such dramatic changes?

I really hope that this exercise is effective. I want to help her, Dai Li sighed.

…

“Follow me. One two three four, two two three four, three two three four…”

Dai Li led the exercise while marking time. Feifei Yu stood opposite him, following his movements.

To be honest, Dai Li was teaching Feifei what he had just learned. Since he had never taught others this exercise before, it was his first time doing this. Fortunately, this exercise was simple, and with an experienced trainer like Dai Li, it was easy to follow the pictures step by step. At least he could fool Feifei, who was a beginner.

Why do I feel like I’m doing broadcasting gymnastics just like in primary school? Feifei was following Dai Li’s actions, but she felt that something was wrong. Was Dai Li a liar?

As Feifei was debating whether to stop or not, she felt a warm current emerge inside her and gradually flowed through her body. It reminded her of the sunlight in a chilly winter morning that shined through the window. The golden sun shone on the lazy bum who was still in bed, and gently warmed up the comforter. One could almost smell the the pleasant scent that was brought by the sunshine. The warmth made Feifei so comfortable that she would like to go to sleep like this.

I have never experienced such warmth before during my training. Feifei had been an athlete for more than ten years. Every time during her training, she felt tired, exhausted, or even painful. This kind of warmth was not something that she had ever expected.

Is it working? Yu’s attitude began to shake.

Chapter 40: Try Once and You Will See the Effect

Although Dai Li’s face seemed to be full of confidence, it was all an act. He actually felt very timid. It was his first time using these weight loss exercises. He had no idea if it would work or not.

“System. You said one could see the effects after one day, is that true?” Dai Li asked again and again.

“100%. Just relax. If you don’t believe me, you can weigh her after she finishes doing the exercises,” the System said.

“So according to what you’re saying, it’s not after one day, but after one use?” Dai Li continued asking.

“You can say that. But it depends on the person. According to the theory, the fatter one is, the more obvious the result. Pay attention here. I didn’t mean weight when I said fat. Whether or not someone is fat is based on height, age, gender, etc.,” the System said.

“What does that mean? Please explain it to me,” Dai Li didn’t want to try and figure it out himself. It was easiest to just ask the System to explain to him.

“Picture this: there are two people of the same height and weight but they are different genders. After they finish the weight loss exercises, the weight loss results will be better for the female than the male. Because men are typically heavier than women, their potential ability to lose weight is lower. Let’s use another example. There are two people of the same height, weight, and gender, except one is in their 40s while the other is in their 20s. The one in their 40s will lose less weight than the one in their 20s because the latter is in better physical condition, so the somatic function works better. They share the same mechanism,” the System said.

“Okay, I see. I hope this exercise works really well for Feifei Yu!” Dai Li sighed deeply. The weight loss exercise had almost come to an end.

“Okay, we are done!” Dai Li finished the last movement and looked at Feifei Yu. “How do you feel? Are you tired?”

“Good. Not that tired. I just feel so warm,” Feifei Yu said.

“Okay, let’s go weigh you on the scale to see if you lost any weight,” Dai Li said seriously.

“Are you kidding? It only took me 10 minutes to finish your exercises from beginning to end. How could I lose any weight in ten minutes? Your exercise is not a knife that can cut the fat off me,” Feifei Yu laughed.

“What if—” Dai Li stopped for a second and continued, “Anyway, your training today has come to an end. Let’s check your weight just as a regular activity to track your progress.”

“I checked half an hour ago. I cried because I didn’t lose any weight,” Feifei Yu mumbled in low voice, walking to the electronic scale. Obviously she was expecting results a little sooner too. She stood on the scale and was unable to speak for a while when she saw the number on it.

“Have you lost any weight?” Dai Li’s voice trailed off. He felt a lack of confidence because he was afraid the exercise had had no effect.

Feifei Yu turned around suddenly with her face full of joy. She jumped off the scale and shouted, “I’m thinner! I really am! 150 grams lighter! I have finally started to lose weight!”

“150 grams? That’s a lot!” Dai Li was surprised too. He didn’t expect the effects to be so good after just one exercise.

Losing weight was painful and hard for ordinary people, and especially for athletes. Eating less and working out more were the two key methods for ordinary people. But these same simple methods didn’t work for athletes who wanted to lose weight. In fact, it took double or triple the effort for an athlete to both lose or gain weight compared to the average person. Most athletes would keep their weight the same for the duration of their sports careers. In fact, maintaining the same weight was also difficult.

Weight loss of 1.5kg to 2kg after a day’s training for athletes was very normal, as the energy consumption and water consumption inside of their bodies put them in a slight dehydrated state after intense training. Their sweat might even be more than 0.5kg or 1 kg. This meant nothing for weight loss, as it would come right back after they drank water.

However, today was different. The exercise had only been 20 minutes. Feifei Yu hadn’t even broken a sweat, but her weight had still dropped by 150 grams. It was not intense, either, so it couldn’t be the water weight—she was actually thinner.

One practice helps lose 150 grams? This result rocks! It works even better than the sauna. Dai Li acted really calm, as if he was familiar with what had happened, when actually he was incredibly nervous. The exercise had taken less than 20 minutes. Even Dai Li himself hadn’t sweat at all, but the results were apparent. It was unbelievable. There was no scientific mechanism that could explain it at all.

Maybe the others would dissect me like I was an alien if they knew what happened, Dai Li thought to himself. But it would be okay if a small group of people knew it. I can say that it was handed down from my ancestors. Anyway, this weight loss exercise is so difficult to use. There are too many restraints. The person has to be an athlete, and I have to lead him or her through the exercise. There is no way that this could be used on a large scale. Dai Li thought about it and calmed himself down.

Feifei trotted over to him and said with a begging face, “Please, please teach me again right now.”

“Okay, let’s do it again then.” Dai Li got ready in the position and counted the rhythms.

“One and two, three and four. Five and six, and seven and eight…”

…

Feifei Yu ran to the scale after the second round of exercise.

“I dropped more than 100 grams again! I worked out for two months without dropping any weight!” Feifei Yu was very excited and jumped over to Dai Li with her begging face again.

“It’s seven o’clock already, miss! I am starving. How about we call it a day today and continue tomorrow? I’m too tired to make another move,” Dai Li said, looking at her painfully.

Feifei didn’t want to give up. But then she looked at the time and found that it was actually quite late. She also felt famished now that Dai Li brought it up.

“Thank you so much for today. Let me buy you dinner!” Feifei Yu said.

“Dinner? I don’t think so. The cafeterias are all closed now,” Dai Li said.

“I’m not talking about cafeterias in your place. I’ll bring you to the cafeteria that belongs to the provincial sports team. There shouldn’t be any traffic right now. Let’s take a taxi. It won’t be more than 10 minutes,” Feifei Yu said.

Chapter 41: The Reason Why People Get Fat

Professional athletes were very strict with food. Especially athletes who were on the same level as Feifei Yu—champion of the Olympic games, world record holder, and champion of all swimming competitions. She was as precious as a baby panda. She had to pay full attention to everything she was putting in her stomach.

To ensure the food she was eating was safe for her to eat, she only went to places that had specified meals. Even if she ate out, she had to stick to the principle that she would not eat any meat, since all commercial meat had antibiotics, and sometimes even chemical hormones that were used to help animals grow faster. Antibiotics and hormones were taboo for athletes. Once one ate meat with those chemicals, even if by accident, it meant that he or she couldn’t pass the urine test, and they would be forced to stop participating in sports games. It could even end their sports career.

The restaurant Feifei Yu brought Dai Li to was in the provincial sports school. All the ingredients came from specific facilities. All meat had to be tested before being sent to the kitchen to ensure that it was safe for athletes to eat. The restaurant provided a nutritious menu, and they even provided a private cooking service for some chosen athletes, who would make whatever they ordered.

Feifei Yu was obviously one of those chosen athletes. As the world record holder, Feifei Yu enjoyed special benefits from the national team, so of course while she was back with the provincial team she was treated with the highest of benefits.

The chief who was on his duty cooked two hot dishes and some salads. In the blink of an eye, four dishes were ready on the table. Dai Li made himself at home and swallowed the food like a horse.

Dai Li was always focusing on food when he ate. He didn’t like speaking during meals, which was the opposite of Feifei. She was very talkative, and she began to share her life with Dai Li.

“In these last two years I have always gained weight. Especially last year, I gained 7kg. My weight took a toll on my physique,” Feifei Yu said.

“Why is that?” Dai Li asked with the food all over his mouth. He mumbled. “You must really not have liked to work hard in training!”

“No, it’s not like that!” Feifei Yu argued. “I didn’t slack off at all in training. I even increased the amount of exercises. But it didn’t make any changes. My weight just soared to the sky. There was one period of time that I felt I was even gaining weight by drinking water.”

“Did you go to the hospital?” Dai Li continued asking.

“Yep,” Feifei Yu said shyly. “The doctor said that it’s normal physical development.”

Dai Li understood immediately. Normal people who went through adolescence from a teenager to an adult experienced an increase in their height and weight. In most cases, it was seen in height first, then in weight. Many people stopped growing once they turned 18-years-old, but their weight gain wouldn’t stop immediately. It was a normal physical phenomenon.

However, this kind of normal weight gain was a disaster for athletes like Feifei Yu. It could lead to a decline in performance in sports games. It had clearly happened very quickly for Feifei Yu, whose record was already on the bottom of the national team on the internal test at the end of last year.

Feifei Yu said, “The national team helped me a lot. They even hired the top nutritionists and trainers to help me lose weight. Still, the results were very limited, and the rebound from training was awful. It turned out that they didn’t have any ways to help in the end.”

“It’s against human nature to want to stop one’s weight gain during their physical development period,” Dai Li said. He continued, “Then why did you show up in the training room of the sports university? It is not the holiday for the national team yet, is it?”

“They asked me to take the holiday earlier. They said they wanted me to go home earlier for the New Year and fix my condition.” Feifei Yu’s eyes were very firm. “But I’m not okay with just going back home like a loser. I knew I could be slimmer as long as I kept trying harder. So I didn’t go back home, but went back to the provincial swimming team. However, the main coach, Zhongyi Xu, was away, and the environment was not very suitable for training. So I came to the sports university.”

Dai Li looked at this stern young girl and nodded silently. Feifei Yu was like all the other girls, in that she didn’t want others to know the reason her condition had gotten worse was because of her weight gain. Especially the press. She didn’t want them to write articles about this. That was why she had found a quiet training environment for herself to train on her own.

In this city, only the sports university had training gear and facilities that could be utilized by the provincial training team. There were no students here since it was the winter holiday, either, so in this tranquil environment she could get away from reporters.

The less people that knew she was training in the sports university, the better. Even Dai Li, who was the coach on duty, didn’t know about it. If it was not for Mr. Qian, who was in charge of the training room, going to the hospital because of food poisoning, Dai Li and Feifei Yu paths probably never would have crossed.

Dai Li put his chopsticks aside and asked, “So you cried in the training room just because you hadn’t lose any weight?”

Feifei Yu nodded with a blush on her face. “I worked out for the whole day. But a cup of water after training brought all my weight I had lost right back. I felt like a loser, so I cried.”

…

Dai Li went back to his apartment and accessed the System, beginning to remember all the moves of the weight loss exercise.

Feifei Yu would come back the next day for sure. Dai Li couldn’t fool her with some made-up moves again. He felt obligated to learn the entire set of exercises tonight. Even if he couldn’t remember it like the back of his hand, he should at least know all of them.

He checked his condition unconsciously and was surprised by the number he saw:

Name: Dai Li

Coach Level: Sophomore Coach, high level (1,006/5,000)

Others: Explosive Force Halo

Skill: Weight Loss Exercise

Training List: Feifei Yu, Youguang Zhao, Guan Sui, Qiusheng Chen…

My empirical value is 1,006? More than 1,000? I remember I stayed at 955 for a long time. How come I’m at more than 1,000 all of a sudden?

After he had gotten to the high level of sophomore coach, Dai Li could only earn 30 points a day. And it had to be an entire day of training to reach the standard. If he worked any less than a whole day, he earned even less than that. His value was 955 before, and he had to stop training because of the winter vacation. His value was not growing because of the halt. He had been 955 points for a few days already. However, it was now at 1,006, which meant he had earned 51 points of empirical value.

But I didn’t do any training today, how? And it’s almost double the number I usually earn. What’s happening? Dai Li thought about it and found there could only be one possibility.

It seems like teaching Feifei Yu the weight loss exercise also helped me gain value. It’s counted as training too! I gained 51 points just by taking her through two rounds of exercise. Does that mean I earn more value by teaching the weight loss exercise than normal training?

Chapter 42: Fantastic Result

To Dai Li it was unbelievable. As a coach, he always thought that training was the real deal; something like weight loss exercises were nothing more than some kind of sub-training in his eyes. However, this “sub-training” had given him even more empirical value.

“What are you thinking about? Weight loss exercises are just a normal kind of training. They won’t bring you more value,” the System’s voice echoed in his mind again.

“Then how do you explain the 51 points?” Dai Li asked immediately. “I cannot gain more than 30 points usually with a full day of training, but I gained 51 points just by teaching her two rounds of exercise.”

“Don’t forget who Feifei Yu is! She is the Olympic champion, the world record holder! Compared to those athletes you’re used to training, the highest being national top-level athletes, the difference is like day and night . Remember what I told you before: the higher level the athlete you train has, the more empirical value you will get. So, one world record holder is equal to hundreds of national top-level athletes,” the System said.

“One is equal to hundreds of national top-level athletes? That’s crazy,” Dai Li sighed.

“It’s not crazy at all. If we look at it as a ratio, thousands of athletes wouldn’t be able to compare to one world record holder, let alone hundreds of them.,” the System continued. “You really have good luck.”

“Good luck? What do you mean?” Dai Li asked confusedly.

“You are only a sophomore coach on the bottom of this system.” The voice of the System couldn’t sound more careless. “Your level is too low to train any world champions. Even if you were to get involved in the training, you wouldn’t be able to make any effect on them. However, you meet a world champion who needs you to help her lose weight. So now you, a sophomore coach, gets the chance to train a world champion.”

Dai Li did not appreciate the System looking down upon him. The System continued, “Just make good use of this opportunity. After all, you could get a lot of empirical value from Feifei Yu, which would help you become a junior coach.”

Dai Li nodded silently. “You are right. Two rounds of exercises make 51 points. If we practice for one whole day, I might get even more empirical value!”

…

Qian was in the hospital, which meant Dai Li was temporarily in charge of the training room on the third floor. When Dai Li came to the training room the second day, Feifei Yu was already there.

“You are pretty early! Have you had breakfast? I can bring you some if you haven’t. The soymilk today is savory.” Dai Li held a dough stick in one hand and a cup of soymilk in the other, enjoying his breakfast so much.

However, Feifei Yu looked like she was in a hurry and pressed him. “Finish your food as soon as possible, that way we can continue your weight loss exercise!”

Dai Li laughed looking at Yu’s anxious face. The words “weight loss” were very attractive for women, especially to an athlete who was looking forward to losing weight so she could go back to her normal condition. Yu performed the exercise the entire day and she lost 0.55kg. It was not as good as the first night, but still good enough to make her feel excited.

She had been gaining a lot of weight instead of losing some for a while now, even though she was on a calorie-limited diet. The best she could do was maintain her weight to keep it from increasing. She hadn’t seen her weight go down in a long time, so the 0.8kg she lost in two days made her very happy, something she had never felt before.

In fact, as time went on, the results of the weight loss exercise decreased. In the very beginning, she could lose 0.55kg one day. Then it changed to 0.5kg, then 0.45kg, then 0.4kg, and so on. It was because she had now gotten closer to her normal weight, which meant that her potential for losing weight decreased. But although the efficiency was declining, she had still lost 6kg in 15 days. This put her pretty close to her weight from one year ago. The fact that she had lost that much weight in 15 days was nothing short of incredible.

Li had also gained a lot of experience during the 15 days. Like what the System had said, training Yu gave him more value than training 100 national first-class athletes. Dai Li’s empirical value was already over 400. He would upgrade to junior coach very soon.

…

“One and two, three and four, five and six, and seven and eight…”

Li’s chanting echoed in the training room. Yu was very motivated, as usual. Although it was very boring to do the exact same exercise, because it worked very well for her weight loss it gave her a lot of hope.

“Coach Li, take a rest. I’ve already remembered all the moves, I think I’m able to do it by myself,” Yu said.

“No!” Dai Li shook his head and said, “This is an exercise that was handed down by my ancestors. What matters is not the movement, but the tempo. You are not familiar with the rhythm, so you would make no progress if you practice on your own.”

Li would never let Yu do the exercise by herself. The requirement to make it effective was to have Li leading her through the exercises. If Yu did the exercise by herself, she wouldn’t see any change in her weight.

“I don’t really see what tempo you’re talking about though!” Yu pouted her lips. Obviously she didn’t really buy Li’s words, but still, she obeyed him. It had been a habit of hers for more than ten years to obey the coach.

Li exhaled and stretched his body. “Nice. Let’s do it again. Ready, one and two, three and four, five and six, and seven and eight…”

The footsteps got louder outside the training room, but they were covered under the chanting voice of Li. Suddenly someone shouted out of the blue, “What are you doing?”

Dai Li and Feifei Yu stopped together and looked at the door. A tall middle-aged man stood there. He was a little fat with a black cap. His sideburns were gray. He had bushy eyebrows and big eyes. His nose was very tall and his smooth and glowing skin was very light. Li could imagine how handsome he must have been 20 years ago.

“Who is it? I don’t think I’ve ever met him before. He shouldn’t be a teacher here!” Dai Li was about to walk forward when he heard Yu begin talking with him.

“Coach Xu, welcome back!” Yu looked very surprised and happy. She walked over to him quickly.

This is the Coach Xu that Yu has been talking about. Dai Li exhaled deeply.

However, Coach Xu looked very serious, and he glanced at Li and Yu. “You said you wanted to lose weight here, didn’t you? Why are you doing broadcast exercises?”

Chapter 43: Coach Xu

Dai Li stood to the side awkwardly. The movements of the weight loss exercise looked like the broadcast exercises that students did in school a lot. It didn’t surprise Li that Coach Xu thought it was a broadcast exercise. He didn’t explain because he knew it wouldn’t change anything. Only the people who had practiced the exercise with him would know about its results.

However, it annoyed Feifei Yu a little it. The exercise had helped her lose a few kilos in a short period of time. She had no doubts in both this exercise or in Dai Li. She stated, “Coach Xu, this is not a broadcast exercise, but a weight loss exercise.”

“Weight loss exercise?” Coach Xu frowned and continued asking, “Where did you learn that from?”

“Coach Li taught me.” She pointed at Li and continued, “Excuse me, I forgot to introduce you two. This is Coach Li from the provincial sports university. He has been helping me train these days.”

She turned to Dai Li after she finished. “Coach Li, this is Coach Xu from the provincial swimming team. He is also my esteemed coach.”

“I’ve heard of Coach Xu for a long time. It’s nice to meet you.” Li stretched out his hand immediately.

Li had heard about him many times through Feifei Yu. His name was Zhongyi Xu, an ex-swimmer. He became a coach after he retired, and his wife was also a famous swimming coach. Feifei Yu began swimming around the age of six. Mr. and Mrs. Xu were both working at the sports school at that time. She became Zhongyi Xu’s student, and was treated like she was their own daughter. After that, Yu got into the provincial team, while the couple was promoted to swimming coaches for the provincial swimming team. They continued teaching her until she joined the national team. Zhongyi Xu was also promoted to the main coach of provincial swimming team because he had cultivated the world champion Feifei Yu. He was one of the best, even among the entire provincial sports team.

A few days before Feifei Yu had just come back to the provincial team, the couple had just brought some of the athletes to the north to train. He had come back to Qing City this morning, and the first thing he did was come to find his talented student Feifei Yu. Yet he had only just found out that she was here practicing weight loss exercises.

With Li’s hand still in the air, Zhongyi Xu didn’t show any politeness. He snickered, “What a messy exercise. This is the official training room, not a gym!”

As a professional coach who worked for more than 10 years, he didn’t believe anything like weight loss exercises. To Zhongyi Xu, it might be effective for ordinary people, but not athletes. It was just a waste of time.

The mechanisms in weight loss exercises were still about consuming energy. No matter how many calories the exercise could burn, it could never compete with high intensity training for athletes. To Xu, the movements of this exercise looked exactly the same as the broadcast exercises that were meant for primary and middle school students. He felt that this exercise couldn’t even make people sweat.

Li felt his malice. Xu stopped him just as he was about to explain. Xu stared at him and said with a very strict tone, “Coach Li, you are pretty young. How did you become an official coach at the sports university?”

“I’m just an assistant coach as of right now,” Li explained immediately.

“An assistant coach.” Xu suddenly changed his expression, and looked as if he was trying to contain his anger. He shouted in a low tone, “You are an assistant coach, how dare you train Feifei Yu? Don’t you know that she is an Olympic champion, the world record holder? How dare you make up some weight loss exercise? Do you think it’s a gym here? You think the Olympic champion is a young lady who practices yoga in the gym? What’s wrong with your sports university? How could they make such a big mistake to send an assistant to train her? I’m not letting this go!”

“It’s not like that, Coach Xu. Could you please listen to me—” He was interrupted by Xu in the middle of his sentence.

“Explain? I’ll need an explanation from your boss! In your school, the assistant coach has the qualifications to train a world champion? So does that mean the assistants in your school are better than the coaches on the national team? Your school has to give me an official explanation!” Xu said seriously.

From his perspective, he couldn’t tolerate an assistant coach being involved in Yu’s training. After all, she was a world champion. She should have the best coaching team in the nation. A low-level coach might not only be useless to her, but do her a disservice. If there was something wrong with the training method, it could lead to an injury. That was why Xu would never tolerate a young assistant coach training Yu.

“I just want to help her lose weight,” Li explained.

“Lose weight? With your broadcast exercise? Do you think you are teaching a primary school student? They hired many physical strength coaches and even nutritionists from universities. Even they couldn’t help her lose weight. You think your shxtty exercise will help?” Xu shouted in anger.

Dai Li was annoyed by his word “shxtty.” He changed his expression immediately and spoke without showing any sign of superiority or inferiority. “I can tell you honestly that my exercise works better than those physical strength coaches from national teams and nutritionists from universities!”

“You know nothing!” Xu said coldly. “I have no idea how a loser like you could be an assistant coach in the sports university. How dare you compare yourself to the coaches from the national team? How dare you put yourself in the same sentence as nutritionists from universities? You don’t understand the complexity of things at all! I can say that you can’t even compete with one of their strands of hair!”

“Actions speak louder than words. Let’s look at the real results. I can help her lose weight. I can make the number on the scale go down, but the coaches from the national team can’t. Neither can the nutritionists from the universities. That means I’m better than them when it comes to helping people lose weight,” Li said, going tit for tat with Xu.

Xu was extremely angry, and was breathing deeply. “Sure. If you say so, then show me! Let me see your ‘real deal!’ Don’t just brag and bark. Everybody knows how to bark, but not everybody knows how to bite.”

That was all Li wanted. He asked directly, “Coach Xu. Do you remember what her weight was before she came back to Qing City?”

Xu hesitated and said, “About 70kg!”

“Alright. I’ll show you her weight now.” After he finished his sentence, he pointed at the electronic scale, which was not far from him, and said to Yu, “Feifei, get on that scale and show Coach Xu if my exercise works or not!”

Chapter 44: Don’t Believe It

The potential for swimmers was generally quite high. It was a sport where the taller the athletes were, the more advantages they had. Tall people usually had excellent arms that they could use to speed up as they pushed through the water. And when they reached the finish line, the people with longer arms could touch the line quicker as well. However, it might be difficult for those people who were too tall to turn their bodies into streamlines. The resistance in the water might be greater for them. This meant that the people who were too tall were not born to be swimmers.

On the national swimming team, all the male athletes were around 1.85 meters to 2 meters. And the female athletes were more than 1.70 meters. Some of them even reached 1.80 meters. Feifei Yu, for example, was 1.70 meters. She could only be considered a short girl on the national swimming team.

As for weight, most of the female athletes weighed between 60kg to 65kg. Those who were very tall might be over 65kg. As for normal females, people who were around 1.70 meters might think they were fat if they were 60kg. However, because the athletes had lower body fat percentages, they actually looked slimmer than normal people of the same weight and height as them.

A few years ago, when Feifei Yu broke the world record, she was only 55kg. But considering the fact that her body was not fully developed at the time, the weight was appropriate. But as she aged, she grew, and her body was in a period of development. Because of this, her weight soared to 70kg immediately.

According to the evaluation from the coach on the national team, she needed to be under 62kg to return to the standard she was at when she became the world champion. Most athletes who were the height as her weighed around 60kg to 63kg, which meant she had to lose at least 8kg.

…

In the training room, Dai Li and Zhongyi Xu argued intensely. Feifei Yu, who was next to them, tried to stop them, but couldn’t even find an opportunity to speak. Finally, she heard Li ask her to stand on the scale. She felt very happy, but she still looked at Zhongyi Xu first, as if she was seeking permission.

“Go ahead!” Xu looked at Li carelessly and said, “I’ll see what tricks have you left.”

Li made a gesture and continued, “Coach Xu, this way please. Let’s see it together. Let’s see how much weight she lost in these last few days.”

Xu snickered and walked towards the scale. Li followed him. Yu stepped on the electronic scale and held her body steady. The number on the scale eventually stopped fluctuating.

“Please have a look, Coach Xu!” Li said, pointing at the number.

“63.11kg?” He was so surprised that he couldn’t control his facial expression. He raised his head up and looked at Yu, and then he looked at the number again with a face of disbelief.

“How’s that possible? She lost 7kg? Yu, it hasn’t been 20 days since you have been back in Qing City! How could you lose so much weight in such a short period of time?” Xu asked first.

Without waiting for Yu’s answer, Li said immediately, “The reason she lost so much weight is because of my weight loss exercise!”

“Nonsense! Your broadcast exercises could make her lose 7kg?” Xu still didn’t believe that the exercise was effective. He turned around and looked at Yu seriously. “Feifei, tell me the truth. Have you taken any medicine to lose weight?”

“No, coach, I haven’t! It’s all because of Coach Li’s exercise,” Yu said.

Xu knew that Yu would never lie to him, but he still couldn’t believe that something like a broadcast exercise could help her lose weight in such a short time. Even the coaches from the national team and the nutritionists from the universities couldn’t solve the problem. It went completely against Xu’s knowledge.

According to the number on the scale, Yu was currently 63kg, which was very close to her goal of 62kg. If she could keep going and get back to her condition from before, she could her world champion ability again.

Everything came very suddenly for Xu. It was said that you should only believe what you saw and never believe what you heard; however, he still couldn’t believe it, even though he saw the number of 63kg with his own eyes.

No way. It’s very difficult for athletes to lose weight. If she lost 1kg or 1.5kg in 20 days, I might believe it. But 7kg? That’s crazy. There must be something wrong with it! Let me think about it again. Xu suddenly became quiet and started to go over what had just happened.

He turned around suddenly and pointed at the scale. “I got it. There is something wrong with this scale. You’ve done something with it, haven’t you?” he said to Li harshly.

Li laughed carelessly and pointed at it. “If you think there is something with that one, you can try the one over here.”

“God knows if you did something to that one too or not! If you could change one scale, then you could change two. Maybe you changed all of them.” Xu snickered, clearly not trusting him.

“Alright, you go on that scale and check your weight then. You should know how much you weigh, right? Then you will know if I’ve done something to this scale or not,” Li said.

Yu got off the scale right away and let Xu step on the scale.

“85.53kg. I didn’t expect you to be this heavy!” Li joked around.

Xu didn’t say a word. Of course, he knew how much he weighed.

I weighed myself the day before yesterday and I was over 86kg, but less than 86.5kg. Although the number is different, there is only a 0.5kg difference. It’s understandable. So does that mean this scale is accurate? Xu couldn’t help but look at Yu. She had lost 7kg. The inaccuracy couldn’t be that great.

“No!” Xu shouted suddenly. “I got it. Feifei, you must be sick for you to have lost so much weight! Go home now and get a good rest. I’ll take you to the hospital tomorrow for an physical examination!”

Li didn’t know if he should laugh or cry.

Why can’t he just believe that my weight loss exercise really works?

Chapter 45: This Is Not Broadcast Exercise

Dai Li completely understood why Zhongyi Xu didn’t believe the slimming exercise worked.

Seven kilograms in twenty days was a very difficult challenge for the average person, let alone athletes who needed to use even more effort to lose weight. People with an average IQ wouldn’t believe that a slimming exercise could help Feifei Yu lose seven kilograms. But although Xu was very impulsive, he was not stupid. On the contrary, he was actually quite smart. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to become the main coach for the provincial swimming team.

Xu was very angry when he saw that Dai Li was teaching Feifei Yu something as basic as a broadcast exercise. He was ready to beat Li up. However, now he had calmed down, and his normal reasoning had returned. He didn’t believe the effects of the slimming exercise, and came to the conclusion that Yu’s weight loss was due to illness. He planned to take Yu to the hospital and do a medical examination.

“Coach, listen. I’m not sick. I couldn’t be healthier,” Yu explained.

“How could you lose so much weight if you are not sick? Feifei, listen to me. We are going to the hospital tomorrow.” Zhongyi Xu looked at Yu worriedly.

“Coach, I lost weight because of Coach Li’s exercise,” Yu repeated. However, Xu didn’t take it seriously, and still insisted on taking Yu to the hospital.

Finally, Li stated, “Coach Xu, if you don’t believe my slimming exercise works and you look down upon it, why don’t you just follow me and see if it works or not for yourself.”

“Try your broadcast exercise?” Xu looked very reluctant.

“Coach Xu, you just said that it’s easy to say but difficult to perform. So why don’t we just do it and see!” Li smiled confidently and continued, “Do a set of slimming exercises with me. If there is no effect, then I’ll admit that I’m a liar. Would you like to try and expose the fact?”

“Why not? I’ll uncover your fraud right now!” If Xu rejected his proposal now, it would make him look like he was afraid. So, he made up his mind and agreed to take the challenge.

Li had gotten the answer he wanted, and his eyes were glittering. He put Xu on the training list. Xu used to be an athlete, which meant the System put him in the category of professional athletes, even though he was retired. Because of that, he could fully benefit from the effects of the slimming exercises.

Then Li said, “Coach Xu, let’s start it slowly since you haven’t practiced before. You might need some time to get familiar with the moves.”

Dai Li was prodding him into action. Xu acted exactly the way Li wanted. He waved his hand and said, “Don’t bother! Let’s do it as fast as we can. This low-level broadcast exercise is not gonna get me. I knew of your tricks dozens of years ago! I’ll catch on without making any mistakes.”

“Alright, let’s get started! Ready…go!” Dai Li chanted. “One and two, three and four, five and six, and seven and eight…”

…

Xu couldn’t be more careless. He looked at Li with his eyes full of sarcasm.

Playing tricks. He thinks he can grab any old broadcast exercise, change a few moves, and make it a slimming exercise. Well he might be able to fool the ordinary person who works out in the gym, but not a professional coach like me!

He snorted to himself and felt a warm stream inside of his body. It spread all over very quickly. It was like a cozy sunshine during a cold winter that fell on his body, filling every cell with spring-like warmth. A strange feeling occurred in his body. As an experienced coach, he’d never experienced anything like this.

It’s nothing. I should feel hot because I’m doing exercise. It is like when people do warm-ups, they sweat too! It’s because this room is too hot. It must be.

He tried to calm himself down, but the feeling was getting stronger. It went to his veins, and even into his bones. Xu could feel all the cells waking up in his body, as if they were doing exercise with him on the same tempo.

What’s wrong? Why do I have this strange feeling? Am I delusional? Xu took a deep breath and looked at Li with a serious expression.

“One and two, three and four…” Li was still chanting. To Xu, it sounded like the beat of drum motivating soldiers to move forward. It kept him following every movement that came afterward.

It’s nothing but a broadcast exercise. There is no way that it could make him lose seven kilograms. I need to believe in science. Xu comforted himself again.

Finally, the exercise was finished. Li and Xu stopped at the same time.

“How do you feel, Coach Xu?” Li asked.

“Childish!” Xu pouted and acted as if he was calm. “I was the one who lead students through the broadcast exercise when I was a student in the sports school.”

Li didn’t pay much attention to his bragging. He pointed to the scale. “You were 85.53kg a few minutes before. Let’s see if you have lost any weight or not.”

“Are you crazy? Your exercise didn’t last twenty minutes. It took less energy than swimming 200 meters. Look, I didn’t sweat at all. Lose weight? Where did the sports university find a psycho like you?” Xu was very annoyed, and felt insulted.

“My slimming exercise works whether you sweat or not. Besides, it works after the first time,” Li said. He wasn’t afraid of anything.

“After the first time? Okay, I’ll show you reality.” He walked to the scale quickly.

Xu stood on the scale and balanced his body until the number on the screen stopped fluctuating. He looked down and felt very nervous once he saw the number.

85.21kg? How heavy was I before? Right, 85.53kg. I dropped 0.32kg? This goes against nature. Is there something wrong with this scale? Suddenly his mind was full of chaos.

There had only been twenty minutes between the first and second time he weighed himself, yet the difference was 0.32 kilograms. If he had gone to the restroom during that period, it would be understandable. However, he hadn’t gone anywhere. As he had said, he hadn’t even broken a sweat. Now he couldn’t explain why he had lost 0.32 kilograms.

Li walked over to him and looked at the number on the scale. “Coach Xu, you lost 0.32 kilograms. It seems like my exercise is working well.”

Slimming exercise! Now, even if he didn’t truly believe it, he had to face the music and admit it worked. In the last twenty minutes, he had done nothing but argue with Li and do the exercise. There was no way that arguing had helped him lose 0.32 kilograms, so the only explanation was that the exercise worked.

How’s that possible! The slimming exercise I did is almost the same as a broadcast exercise. It’s not difficult at all, so it shouldn’t help me burn a lot of calories. Did I take my keys and wallet out of my pocket? He searched his pocket and found his keys and wallet still there.

So, this exercise really does work? He looked at Li with an astonished expression and tried to find the answer on Li’s face.

Li smiled. “Coach Xu, now you should believe me. This exercise really works. That’s how Yu was able to drop seven kilograms in twenty days. Now you have done it with me, and even you dropped 0.32kg yourself.”

The truth was there. Coach Xu had to believe it. He stepped off the scale and fell into silence.

Chapter 46: The Wind Blows

Xu went back home, but still felt lifeless. What had happened tonight was like a plot from a movie. He kept replaying it in his mind. Every time he thought about it, he felt shaken. Li’s slimming exercise had gone against all the principles and knowledge in Xu’s head.

One set of exercise helped me lose 0.32kg. I would never believe it if it had not been me who experienced it! Where is this young Coach Li from? How is he able to do that? Xu was deep in thought.

Xu had already realized he had misunderstood Li and that he should apologize to him. However, remembering Li was just a young assistant coach, he shook his head. He himself was the main coach of the swimming team, and he was very overbearing today. He would feel so ashamed if he went to apologize.

One set of exercise could help people lost weight. There is no science supporting that at all! I don’t believe this witchcraft! He stood up and tried to recall all the movements in Li’s exercise. He started practicing in his living room.

What’s the next move again…? Xu thought to himself as his wife walked towards him.

Xu’s wife, Qian Liu, was also a swimming coach. She looked very anxious.

“Xu, something happened!” Qian Liu started.

“What’s wrong?” Xu asked.

“Feifei is in trouble.” Qian walked very quickly with a phone in her hand. “It is being said that she is going to be kicked off the national team. It’s all over social media.”

He grabbed the phone and looked through it quickly. “It’s a rumor. There is no source.”

“The problem is that some of the websites already have some related news. You can google it if you don’t believe me,” she said.

Xu picked up his own phone and searched it. The screen was full of news that had been retweeted by all the main news websites, many with the headline: “Feifei Yu is going to be kicked off of the national team.

“Recently, many media outlets have received anonymous emails saying that Feifei Yu is going to be kicked off of the national team. According to the email, she doesn’t work very hard on training, which has lead her to gain a lot of weight. The weight gain has had a bad influence on her condition in sports games. She is already over 70kg as of today. If she is asked to go back to the Hanbei provincial team, she will be kicked off of the national team.

“The reporter contacted the swimming sports center of the national sports bureau concerning the information about Feifei Yu, but he was unable to get a clear reply. According to what the reporter learned, Feifei Yu is not on the national swimming team currently, but went back to the Hanbei swimming team which might be evidence supporting the rumor. We’ll keep updating the information about this story.”

After reading the entire news story, the expression on Xu’s face had completely changed.

“Somebody is trying to frame her! It must be someone from the national team, otherwise they wouldn’t have known her weight,” Xu said immediately.

Where there were humans, there was competition. Every industry had its dark side—even sports. To fight for the opportunity to represent the team, teammates who were best friends betrayed each other all the time. There used to be situations where an athlete would add stimulants to their teammate’s water.

Feifei Yu, as the representative athlete of the national swimming team, enjoyed special benefits whether it was in training or competitions. For example, the 200m and 400m medley relay race always placed her as one of the candidates. Even if she was not in her best condition, and even if there was only one person that could take part in the competition, the swimming management center would give it to her. The national team was willing to waste competition chances on her just to help her get back to her normal condition.

If Feifei Yu left the national team, there would be someone benefiting from it. Besides the quota for taking part in sports games, as long as she left, all the training resources that she took in the national team would be dispersed to others. There would be more than one people who would benefit from her leaving.

“Shxt, I will ask the swimming management center to investigate thoroughly as soon as I go back!” Xu felt very indignant. However, his first priority now would be to deal with reporters’ interviews.

“What should we do now, Xu? Obviously, somebody was trying to frame her!” Qian Liu said anxiously.

However, Xu laughed all of a sudden. “If you told me this news a few hours ago, I might have panicked and had no idea what to do. But now it is different. I’m not afraid no matter how many media outlets gather together, because she’s already dropped the weight!”

Saying that, Dai Li’s face popped up in his head.

That was close! He shows up in time! It looks like I really should say thank you to this Dai Li.

…

Feifei Yu was not older than 20. Normally athletes her age should have been like the sun, rising from the horizon and continuing until they reached the highest point in the sky. However, she was the opposite. Her records had dropped, which had filled many people with questions.

Some people thought she was too proud of herself and wouldn’t get trained seriously; Some people thought that she participated in too many commercial events that influenced her training; Some even questioned that Feifei Yu’s former records were obtained using illegal methods like using stimulants, and because she didn’t use them anymore after she had gotten famous her records had dropped.

The first two rumors were okay and could be dealt with, but the last one was taboo that could destroy an athlete’s career forever. Obviously the people who questioned if she had used any stimulants were intent on destroying her professional sports career.

She was a champion when she was 14-years-old, and broke the world record when she was 16. It was actually unbelievable enough that others began to question. If she could keep working harder and get better records, she could empty all the questions and doubts. Unfortunately, however, she was going in the opposite direction.

The national team stated that she was injured when posed those questions, and blamed everything concerning her bad records on her ankle pain. Everybody understood when an athlete’s records were affected by injuries, especially if she had hurt her ankle during training.

Now there was another aspect of her condition that excited many conspiracy theorists. There were all kinds of rumors. The fact that she had gone back to the provincial team to get trained was taken as a sign that she was going to be kicked off of the national team. All the media outlets in Qing City had rushed to the story like eagles who had seen some rotten meat.

Chapter 47: The Cloud Moves

In the swimming management center of the sports general administration, everyone relevant to the situation was discussing it in the meeting room.

“As the main coach of the national swimming team, it’s my fault that I didn’t manage it very well. I failed in bringing the team together which caused this problem. I take full responsibility and I apologize to all the managers…” The main coach of the national swimming team, Donglai Huo, looked down and was very sincere when he made his self-criticism.

“Come on, Huo. You are not the only one at fault. Improper competitions between athletes have happened before. Everybody knows the incredible records you left during these years of management. Nobody wants things like this happen.”

The person who spoke was in his early forties. He looked very smart and capable. He was the vice director of the swimming management center, Hongjun Zhuge, and was also in charge of the sub operations.

Zhuge continued, “It’s the internet era now. The news spread very fast, and there are many internet users who have questioned the matter for no reason. What we should do now is discuss how to deal with this problem and make its influence miniscule. Huo, as the main coach of the national team, you go first!”

Huo nodded and composed himself. “Feifei Yu works very hard during her daily training, so the rumors floating around of her being lazy are not true at all. As for her weight gain, it’s the truth. But it’s a normal physical phenomenon that everyone goes through during their growing development period. We’ve already taken measures to help her lose weight. However, the result is not obvious. Although we hired some nutritionists from the capital medical university, there is still no progress. And what’s worse, she is becoming even fatter.”

“This kind of weight gain during the physical development period can’t be reversed. Normal people that are 26 years old can’t be slimmer than they were at 16. I think it’s a very ordinary phenomenon for people who are Feifei Yu’s age,” Coach Bai said, who was next to them.

“He has a point. But if this kind of weight gain is nonreversible, does that mean she will never be able to get slimmer, which would mean she will never get back to her peak condition? Her recent records were not as good as we expected. She couldn’t even rank in the top of the national competitions. Do we have to waste our resources on an athlete like her?” someone asked. He was the department head in swimming management center.

“Department head Jiang, are you saying we should give up our development of Feifei Yu? She was the career grand slam swimming athlete and broke the world record!” Donglai Huo said anxiously.

Jiang argued immediately, “That was a few years ago. And the reason she was able to make such good records is because of our swimming center’s development program. Now that it has become hard for her to get back to her former competing condition, it would be a waste to still spend so many resources on her. We’d be better off using these training resources on other athletes. Maybe we could cultivate a second or third Feifei Yu.”

“But she is under 20-years-old. She is still very young. There must be some potential that we could explore,” Huo said.

“There are many athletes who are 15 or 16 with potential that are reserves for our national team. They might have more potential!” Jiang fired right back.

“That’s different. Besides, she took part in many important competitions where she showed her ability to everyone. As long as she can lose weight, she will be able to return back to her normal condition for sure,” Huo retorted.

“Could she? If she was able to lose weight, she wouldn’t have gained 7kg last year!” Jiang continued.

“Alright, we are discussing problems here, not fighting or arguing!” Hongjun Zhuge waved his hand and continued helplessly, “Department head Jiang, I can see that you’ve got something to say. Let’s hear from you.”

“Well, I think that this is a chance for our swimming center. Since the media has brought this thing up, why don’t we use this chance to ask Feifei Yu leave the national team. Then we can allocate our training resources in a better way. It’s good for the national team’s future sustainability in the long run,” Jiang said.

“So you are kicking Feifei Yu off of the national team?” Huo asked, his eyes opening widely.

Jiang smiled slightly. “Coach Huo, I know that Feifei Yu is your favorite student and you don’t want her to leave. You are worried about her future. When she broke the world record, the country gave her an apartment that was worth 5 million yuan. Count the income from commercials she participated in and that is more than 10 million. That should be enough for her to use for the rest of her life. You don’t have to be worried about her future.”

“But she did nothing wrong, and she is working very hard during her daily training!” Huo looked at Hongjun Zhuge with an expression of helpless.

Zhuge followed him and nodded. “She is our representative athlete for the swimming team, which earned a great reputation for us, after all. It might be inappropriate to kick her out right away. There could be some bad repercussions. We also have to consider that she is very valuable in terms of commerce. If we lose her, we might suffer some type of loss.”

As the leader of the swimming management center, Zhuge considered everything from a more general perspective. Athletes like Feifei Yu had income from many commercial events and advertisements coming in every year. According to the regulations, national athletes needed to hand in 5% of the income. If they kicked out Yu, they would lose more compensation from her commercials.

“I didn’t think about that,” Jiang said. “But I think that we should rethink the allocation of training resources that Feifei Yu is utilizing now. We can improve the general ability of our swimming team. What Feifei Yu needs to do is lose weight. That requires nothing but staying on a balanced, scientific diet and doing lots of exercise. There is no need to let her use up so many of out training resources!”

When athletes were on the national level, talent and hard work were the only keys to success. Training resources were also very important. Many excellent athletes were developed by many training resources. This was similar to shooting training on military teams. As long as you were willing to provide more bullets, the soldiers would be able to practice and become more skillful.

Top-level athletes always had the best treatments. They had the ability to use training facilities, and even train in foreign countries. For example, the swimming athletes went to Australia to get trained, which cost more than one million yuan per person. This meant there could be only two or three people that went. If the same money was spent on ordinary athletes, a few more people could benefit from it.

As the discussion was taking place, the secretary knocked on the door and walked in the room. She whispered in Zhuge’s ears.

“What? Press conference? Hanbei provincial swimming team held the press conference by themselves? It’s already started?” Zhuge’s face turned very gloomy.

“What’s wrong with the main coach, Zhongyi Xu in Hanbei? How could he hold the press conference without asking for our permission? Doesn’t he know that we need to make sure we prepare the answers together? Even if he doesn’t want to prepare with us, he should still at least tell us. Feifei Yu is still on the national team after all!” somebody in the meeting room said, dissatisfied.

Somebody opened their phone and gave it to Zhuge.

“Director, look. Somebody is showing this press conference live.”

Chapter 48: The press conference

As the main coach of the Hanbei Provincial swimming team, Zhongyi Xu sat in the center of the platform during the press conference. There were dozens of reporters sitting in front of the stage. Some were from local media outlets and some were here representing each of their respective internet sites.

“Coach Xu, I heard that Feifei Yu was expelled from the national team. Is that true?”

“Coach Xu, it has been said that Feifei Yu gained a few kilograms and that she is over 70kg now. Is that accurate?”

“Coach Xu, as the enlightened coach of Feifei Yu, what do you think of her being less hard-working during training?”

Xu waved at the reporters to signal to everyone to be quiet. He didn’t speak until everyone else finished speaking. “I saw the news on the internet. So I’ll take responsibility here and announce that those are all rumors. Feifei Yu is still a member of the national team!”

A reporter raised her hand and asked, “Because Feifei Yu hasn’t been expelled from the national team, why hasn’t she stayed with the Huajing National team? Why has she returned to Qing City?”

“New Year’s Day is right around the corner. It’s the most important traditional festival, and every person who leaves their hometown should know that the only thing they are looking forward to is going back home to celebrate the festival together with their family! Athletes are also some of those people! Her hometown is in Qing City, it is normal for her to want to come back. Even though she is back here now, she is still training.”

After finishing his thought, he began to play the victim and said, “However, such a normal thing is used as a rumor by some people with evil intentions! I suggest those without moral principles and a conscience stop it as soon as possible. It’s still not too late to take it back. Don’t make up news just to get others’ attention.”

Going back home to celebrate the spring festival couldn’t be more normal. Although the reporters were not satisfied with the answer, they couldn’t argue that something was wrong if it was true that she had come back for the new year!

…

In the conference room of the swimming center, the volume was set to the max. Everybody was watching the press conference.

“Zhongyi Xu behaves very rashly, almost like an uneducated person. I didn’t know that he was such a good actor. Look at his face. It looks like he has been feeling upset for a long time!” Zhuge bursted out laughing.

“He used to be an excellent athlete when he was young. After all these years being a coach, he knows what to say and what not to say in front of the reporters,” Huo explained.

“Right. As long as he doesn’t make irresponsible marks, this conference might have been for the better,” Jiang said. “I’m just worried about those reporters asking abnormal questions!”

Right as he finished, they saw a reporter raised her hand.

“Coach Xu, it has been said that Feifei Yu gained a lot of weight because of her boredom in training. What do you think about that? Is her reported weight that has spread across the internet true?”

They all looked at Jiang after they heard the question. He shut his mouth immediately because even he himself felt he was the one who had spoken it into existence. A reporter had just asked a very sensitive question, right after he had said he was worried something like this would happen.

The camera shot to Zhongyi Xu. He didn’t look nervous. He said cautiously, “Whether it is for the provincial team or the national team, she is always very hard-working when it comes to training. She hasn’t changed at all this year, even though she broke the world record. So, the rumor on the internet saying that she didn’t work hard during training is a fake story meant to target Feifei Yu’s feelings.”

He stopped a second and continued, “As for her weight, I need to clarify here. As an athlete, to keep weight in a normal range you should balance your diet so you can absorb various types of nutritional food, It’s more than just doing a certain number of exercises. And because the national swimming team has the best training coaches and nutritionists, her weight is not over 70kg as the rumor stated.”

“How can you prove that?” another reporter asked immediately.

“There is no need to clarify this. But because it has gotten the attention of so many people, I will ask her to weigh herself right here, right now, in front of everybody, just to prove that it is true!” He waved at the staff. They brought out a scale and put it on the platform. “Let her weigh herself!”

All the reporters stretched their necks waiting to see the result.

…

In the meeting room of the swimming center.

“Asking her to show her weight in front of all these reporters? Is he sure?”

“I think he is. Otherwise he wouldn’t do that!”

Somebody began to speak in a low voice inside the meeting room. Zhuge looked at Huo and asked, “What’s her weight now, exactly?”

“She was 70kg when she went back to Qing City a few days ago. She might be slimmer now,” Huo answered.

“How many days have past since she left?” Zhuge asked.

“20 days.” Huo thought about it, then gave a more accurate number. “24 days!”

“Only 24 days? That’s too short.” Zhuge frowned and asked, “How much weight do you think she could have?”

“Well it’s hard to say!” Huo began sweating.

Jiang interrupted, saying, “I’ve read some papers saying that normally, if a professional athlete can lose about 2kg in a month, it would be massive progress.”

“2kg in one month? That means one can only lose 1-2kg, then? Let’s say 2kg. Then she should be 68kg now! There is no difference between 68kg and 70kg! Zhongyi Xu is messing around! What will they tell the press if she has only lost 2kg?” Zhuge’s voice became very harsh. Everybody could tell he was very angry.

“Xu is not that stupid.” Huo frowned and thought it over. He patted his forehead and said loudly, “I got it! That scale! He must have done something with that scale!”

Chapter 49: Weigh in Front of Everyone

Donglai Huo’s guess was like a gunshot in the middle of the night that attracted everyone’s attention.

“You think Zhongyi Xu did something to the scale?” Hongjun Zhuge nodded silently. “I think it’s a good idea. That way, even if she didn’t lose any weight, the number would look good anyway. I didn’t know that such an honest person like Xu would be able to come up with such a tricky idea. What a crafty scheme!”

“But that scale looks like an electronic scale. I heard that it’s very difficult to use underhand methods with the electronic scale,” someone next to them said.

The scales that were put in front of the pharmacy were always pointer scales. This kind of scale was a mechanical scale, whose science inside was Hooke’s law and leverage balance. Its lifespan was 8-10 years, so people could use it to weigh for a long time.

However, it was very easy to change the gears of a mechanical scale in order to change its accuracy. For example, it was not difficult to do something to the traditional scale that people used in the market. Those scales with saucers on the top were also easy to change. That was why if you bought vegetables in the market, the real weight might be lighter than the scale said.

This was different from an electronic scale, which used a force sensor. The surface changes happened when you put weight on it. It caused changes in the built-in resistance, which would result in the changes of the resistance number. The electric current changed because of it, and would create an electrical signal that would turn into the numbers that we see. If you wanted to change the number, you had to change the force sensor or the built-in resistance, which required very advanced technological knowledge that normal people were not familiar with.

The meeting room was completely silent. Everybody knew that it was not easy to do something to the electronic scale, and that only professionals who worked in the industry could do it. The sports coach would never have been able to do that.

“Maybe he found some professionals who could change it,” somebody said.

The secretaries tried many times, and finally managed to connect the phone to the projector in order to project what was happening on the screen. Everyone finally stopped squeezing together in front of the small screen.

Zhongyi Xu spoke into the screen again. “I think some of the people here might think that we did something to the scale. Why don’t we invite a few reporters to come up to the stage and weigh themselves first? Then we could tell if this scale is accurate or not. Who would like to volunteer?”

Reporters never got tired of causing trouble. Many people raised their hands right after he said it. Everyone in the meeting room panicked.

“What is he doing?”

“It will let the cat out of the bag if he invites the reporters to check the scale!”

“Could it be that he didn’t change the scale?”

“He is cornering himself.”

The meeting room was full of complaining voices. Huo’s expression looked the worst among them. He had just said Xu had done something to the scale, yet the next second Xu had invited the reporters to check.

…

At the press conference, four reporters came up the stage and checked the scale. Finally, they came to the conclusion that nothing was wrong with the scale. Suddenly, Feifei Yu walked out from a separate room next to the stage and waved at the reporters.

“Feifei Yu is here! She doesn’t look fat at all!”

“Right, she hasn’t changed too much from before. It seems that the rumor on the internet saying she gained a few pounds was wrong.”

“A few pounds usually looks very obvious on a girl. I guess it really was nothing but a rumor.”

“What do you know about it? The body fat percentage of athletes is very low, so much so that they look slimmer than normal people.”

The reporters continued discussing Feifei Yu in low voices.

…

In the meeting room of the swimming center.

“Coach Huo, you are the main coach of the national team and you are the most familiar person with Feifei Yu. Do you think she looks slimmer?” Zhuge asked with high expectations. He really wanted a “yes” from Huo.

“It’s so hard to tell from this unclear screen. And she is wearing winter clothes, so it’s really hard to say.” Huo began to sweat a little bit. He really didn’t want to bear any responsibility in front of all these people, including the administrative leaders like Zhuge. So he had only said that he couldn’t tell.

Zhuge signed deeply. Although he could see what was happening in the conference, there was nothing he could do since Huajing was so far away from Qing City. All he could do was at God’s mercy.

Feifei Yu walked over to the scale.Everyone at the conference held their breath and looked at her. All the reporters who had been conversing in low voices had all stopped talking. Nobody was speaking right now.

In the meeting room of the swimming center, everyone was still. They all had anxious expressions. Even the sound of their breathing could be heard because of how quiet it was. The sweat on Huo’s forehead was even clearer. There was a complicated look in his eyes, full of anxiousness, anger, helplessness, and expectation.

On the other side of the spectrum, you could read nothing from Zhuge’s face. It seemed like he had fallen deep into thought, where he was looking for methods to solve this issue later.

…

Feifei Yu stood on the scale. The number fluctuated as she settled onto it, then finally became stable as she stopped moving.

“62.49kg!” a reporter shouted out the number unconsciously.

Click, click… the sound of cameras echoed here and there.

The dazzling flashing lights moved in front of Xu, but they didn’t bother him at all. A smile of victory appeared on his face.

“Here is the truth. Now I’m pretty sure you all shouldn’t have any other questions,” Xu said.

All the reporters flushed with embarrassment after hearing what Xu said. They thought they had caught a big news story. However, it had turned out to be fake. The information that said she had gained weight because of her boredom in training was a total lie. Feifei Yu had come back to Qing City just to celebrate New Year’s Day.

“We should never believe those rumors on the internet!”

“Which idiot posted the news? It has made us all look foolish!”

“We can’t just let it go. We should find the one who started it.”

The reporters felt that they had been fooled, and now they felt very angry.

…

In the meeting room of the swimming center.

62.49kg? That’s already in the normal weight range, isn’t it? Huo said 70kg, didn’t he? She lost 7.5kg in 15 days? How’s that possible? It looks like Huo is hiding something. Thinking of this, Zhuge turned to Huo and looked at him. What surprised Zhuge was that Huo also looked very shocked. It looked like he couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Huo was the main coach of the swimming team. He had tried every method to help Feifei Yu lose weight for more than a year, including going to the medical university and looking for a nutritionist for her. However, it hadn’t worked at all. But now, Feifei Yu had lost 7.5kg in 20 days. This enormous gap made Huo very shocked, and also made him feel like he was a loser.

Feifei Yu followed me and trained for one year, yet she gained 7kg. She went back to Zhongyi Xu and trained for 20 days, and now she has lost 7.5kg. Why? That doesn’t make sense!

Chapter 50: Formal Organize Personnel

After sending back all the journalists, Zhongyi Xu breathed a sigh of relief. Finally the crisis was defused. He took out his phone and noticed that there were several unanswered calls.

It was Donglai Huo calling. I didn’t tell the national team anything about this press conference, Huo must have been worrying about this. Coach Xu smiled. He dialed the caller.

He only had to wait two seconds for someone to pick up. Huo immediately answered the phone. Apparently he had been waiting beside his phone the entire time.

“Xu, it took forever to hear back from you! Why did you hold this conference all of a sudden? That was a surprise!” Huo complained.

“You know, it was sudden for me, too. Who could predict that this would happen? I was unprepared and had no choice. The only thing I could do was hold this briefing to clarify everything.” Xu paused, then continued, “The reason why I didn’t warn you before was because I didn’t want to cause more trouble and make the situation even worse. I was busy enough dealing with the scoop.”

Huo understood Xu’s reasoning. He was indicating that there was someone who had done harm to Feifei Yu secretly.

“Xu, I will investigate the whole thing and find out where the problem came from.” Huo sighed, then continued, “You have no idea what happened today. It was quite risky. The leadership in the swimming center were discussing just a few seconds ago whether they should ask Feifei Yu to leave the national team for this excuse.”

“What? Are you going to fire Feifei?” Xu became serious.

“Don’t yell at me, I did nothing. There were some people arguing that because Feifei hasn’t done well recently, she shouldn’t take up more training resources.” Huo lowered his voice. “You know people in this department always hold different views than others. They only care about their own benefits. You used to teach on the national training team. You know how it goes.”

Xu gave snorted in contempt. He asked, “Then what is your final result? Are you going to fire Feifei?”

“Of course not,” Huo said. “But your press conference was held just in time. Seeing that she has lost more than 15 pounds, Director Hongjun Zhuge from the swimming center has instructed that Feifei will go to Australia for training in March with the other national teammates. So don’t you worry about her, just let her return to the national team as soon as possible after the Spring Festival.”

After ending the conversation with Huo, Coach Xu surprisingly found out that his forehead was sweating. Coach Xu knew what “training resources” meant to professional athletes on the national team, especially to those who were already at the top. If they didn’t make the best use of training resources, or they didn’t have access to resources, they would gradually be eliminated. Even though they were offered the best, they could only maintain their current condition. They were never allowed to be lazy.

I never thought that things would turn out this way. Luckily the press conference was held in time. Actually, no. I should thank Feifei for her timely weight loss. If it wasn’t for Dai Li’s slimming exercise, Feifei would have been fired, and her career would be destroyed. I misunderstood Li.

…

Qian Liu peeled an apple and gave it to her husband, Coach Xu. Xu looked unhappy.

“Why are you unhappy? Haven’t Feifei’s problems been solved?” Liu asked her husband.

“I did something wrong. I mistook Dai Li for a fraud,” Coach Xu answered.

“Dai Li?” Liu recalled. “Was he the coach who helped Feifei lose weight?”

“He was. I embarrassed him by scolding him to his face the first time we met. Now thinking back, I feel ashamed.” Xu took a big bite of the apple.

“Then why don’t you apologize to him?” Liu said as she began peeling another apple. “Are you worried about embarrassing yourself?”

Coach Xu shook his head. “This has nothing to do with that. You have no idea how serious it was. Feifei was about to be fired.”

He told Liu everything. Liu was astonished after hearing the whole story. “How could the situation be that serious? You are lucky to have met Dai Li, you owe him a lot. You really should go thank him.”

“Li helped us so much, I would thank him for sure. But I’m now worrying about something else. Do you think Feifei will gain weight in the future?” Coach Xu asked.

“Feifei is a teenager, it would be normal if she gained weight again,” Liu answered honestly.

“If she gained weight in the future, we would need Dai Li again, right?” asked Coach Xu.

“Yes,” Liu nodded with agreement. But she didn’t understand Xu’s point. “What are you trying to say?”

“I want to recruit Li,” Coach Xu said. “I think Li is a man with capacity. He will not want to stay in the Sport University forever. I want to recruit him to our team. In the case that Feifei needs further assistance, he could help her right when she needs it.”

“That sounds good. But it won’t be easy. The treatment towards contract workers on our national Sport team is not as good as what they have in the university. If he wanted to be formally employed, we would have to follow “talent introduction” procedures. It will be difficult,” said Liu.

“You are right. Networking is going to be very important.” Coach Xu sighed. ” I hope my name still means something.”

Liu smiled coyly and said, “Did you mention that Coach Li helped Feifei lose weight simply by using a slimming exercise? What kind of exercise could be that effective? Would you mind teaching me, too? I also want to lose weight!”

“Slimming exercise? I do not think it’s the exercise that helped the situation. You know what? This afternoon I practiced several times under Feifei’s guidance, but I didn’t lose any weight at all!” Coach Xu shook his head. “I say that the exercise is only a disguise. Li must have some secret skills. Everybody has secrets, and if he doesn’t want to tell me I won’t force him to give it away. No matter what he does, as long as he does no harm to Feifei, I will allow him to keep doing so.”

…

Coach Xu booked a room in the dining hall in the sports team training center to treat Dai Li.

“Li, my little brother, I never thought that your broadcasting gymnastics—I mean, slimming exercise, would be that effective. I failed to see such greatness in a person like you. I apologize.” Coach Xu raised his glass and drank up.

After drinking several cups of wine, Coach Xu turned into another person. He kept calling Dai Li his “little brother,” even though he was old enough to be Li’s father, which made Li a little embarrassed. Dai Li could tell that Coach Xu was a good man. He was straightforward, especially when he was drinking.

Coach Xu said, ” My little brother, I owe you so much. Next time, if you need me, feel free to tell me. If I can help, I will try my best. That’s not fanfare, I mean what I say…”

“Alright, alright, Coach Xu, stop there, you are about to be drunk.” Feifei Yu turned to Dai Li. “Brother Li, don’t believe him. He always brags once he gets drunk.”

“I’m not bragging! And I’m not drunk! I can’t guarantee elsewhere, but in Qingcheng City, I have some connections!” Coach Xu looked at Li, rolled his eyes, then suddenly asked Li, “I say, brother, are you still a contract worker in the sports university?”

“Yes, I came here last September. I have been working here less than a year. If I had a chance in the future, I would try to get some type of organized personnel,” said Li.

“Coach Xu, would it be possible for you to solve his problem?” asked Feifei Yu.

“I can’t help if it’s the sports university’s organized personnel.” Xu paused with a smile, then continued, “But if it’s our provincial sport team’s personnel, I could try. My brother, would you like to come to our team?”

“Coach Xu, are you talking about being an official employee for the provincial sport team?” Dai Li asked Xu looking for confirmation.

“Yes. But I can’t guarantee that right now. I’m saying that there are some possibilities.” Coach Xu picked at some food and said, “I recall that your major is athletic training, which fits our requirement. You also have working experience in the sports university. You can ask Coach Chen to write you a recommendation letter, and I will recommend you myself. Then it would be possible for you to be recruited.”

“Really? Thank you so much, Coach Xu! Here’s a toast to you!” Li immediately raised his glass.

If he could coach on the provincial sport team, even if it was a contract position, Li would not refuse it. Although working for the sports team meant more work, less salary, and no summer or winter vacations, it also meant that he would train professional athletes, which was way better than training college students in the sports university. In this case, Li would gain more experience and upgrade faster.

This dinner held by Coach Xu was a “thank you” dinner for Dai Li, but because Xu had promised to help him find a formal organized position, which was equivalent to a secure job, Li felt grateful for Xu.

Chapter 51: An Iron Bowl

To apply for “civil servant” positions in public institutions, individuals had to take recruitment tests. There were some companies and positions that didn’t require test scores for people with special skills, however. When public universities, public hospitals, or scientific research institutions were seeking high-level workers, academic-based manpower, or academic leaders, they would help organize personnel, while also offering housing, arrange job for the workers’ spouses, transferring children to another school, etc.

Coaching also required special talent. Every year the provincial sport team would offer test-free recruitment to new talent. Moreover, the sports team belonged to the Provincial Sport Bureau, which was a provincial institution. Working as a coach for the team was obviously superior to county-level sport teams.

When Coach Xu had said that he was capable of interfering with the sports team’s recruitment procedures, he was not bragging. Maybe to some people being a sports coach held no value in the real world. In actuality, however, it was the opposite. Especially when one became a chief coach, he or she could take charge of a lot of things alone, and have much more power than the average person thought. Think about coaches from national teams—they lived in big houses, drove expensive cars, and enjoyed a lot of benefits.

Coach Xu was the chief coach of the provincial swimming team, and he had even helped Feifei Yu grow into the world champion. Around the nation there were only a few world champions, and on average there was only one world record holder across several provinces, which was quite low. Therefore, Coach Xu was at the top among all the coaches in the Hanbei Province, making him very respectable and powerful.

Coach Xu may not have been powerful enough to directly get a formally organized personnel, but he could recommend talent to superiors. If it was some other coach’s recommendation, it might have been disregarded, but Coach Xu’s words were quite powerful. He had coached the world’s top swimmers, which had proved his knack for spotting talent. His recommendation was weighed heavily.

Social status mattered. Take online novels, for example: if a newbie’s work could receive a famous author’s recommendation, then both readers and other authors would think highly of them; if the referrer was not known by many people, then his recommendation would probably be useless.

…

Coach Xu knew that if Dai Li hadn’t offered his help, Feifei Yu would probably have been destroyed. To pay Li back, he tried his best to work things out. He used his reputation to his advantage. Soon after that, Coach Xu heard great news—his recommendation was valued highly by a sub-administration vice-director of the Sport Bureau. The next day, Coach Xu want to meet this vice-director.

“Xu, you know I trust you. But this Dai Li, he is so young! His resume shows that he just graduated last year!” said the vice-director.

“Director, don’t you worry about that. I took time to recommend him because he is still very young and worth cultivating. Just like with Feifei, I recruited her when she was only five, then at fourteen she won her first world championship.” Xu paused for a second, then continued, “According to what I have heard, Dai Li was not employed through normal procedure, he was introduced into the sport university by Coach Yuejin Chen. You know if Chen likes him then he must be a good one.”

The vice-director nodded in affirmation. He also knew Coach Chen pretty well. If Chen had taken note of Li’s ability and had brought him here to Qingcheng City, coupled with Xu’s recommendation, then it proved that Li was a competent person.

The vice-director remained silent for several seconds, then asked Xu, ” I saw on Li’s resume that his special talent is to help “maintain weight,” what does that mean?”

“It’s ‘helping athletes maintain weight.'” Coach Xu hesitated for a few seconds, then leaned towards the vice-director and said, “Director, there is something that I must report. Did you hear a few days ago that Feifei was going to be fired by the national team?”

“Yes, I heard that. It was gossip, wasn’t it? You were the one who held the news publication,” said the vice-director.

Coach Xu lowered his voice. “Actually, not all of the gossip was wrong. Part of it was true.”

“What do you mean?” the vice-president frowned.

“The part about her weight was true. Feifei Yu did weigh 70 kg at that time, and nobody could help. But it was this Dai Li who helped her lose 15kg! That was why we dared to let Feifei do the weighing on the spot. Li is very good at maintaining athletes’ weight.” Xu leaned forward again, saying, “Until I spoke to the national team’s chief coach, Donglai Huo, I did not know that the swimming training center was having a meeting at the same time as I was. Their main discussion was about whether they should fire Feifei or not!”

“How could things be that serious!” The vice-director swallowed. “Feifei is the golden brand of our province, and is the only world record keeper in the entire province. She is not even 20. If she is fired, her future will be destroyed.”

Coach Xu said, “Luckily we had Dai Li. He helped Feifei lose weight successfully. Otherwise we would have been in big trouble. Coach Huo from the national team asked me about what kind of methods we used to lose weight, I didn’t tell him. I don’t want Li to join the national team.”

Coach Xu was pretending that Li was so popular that if the provincial sports team didn’t recruit him, then the national team would grab him.

The vice-president seemed to feel the tension. He said, “So many professional coaches on the national team have tried to help Feifei lose weight, but failed to do so. How amazing that this young man did it! He must be competent, and worth further cultivation. We do have places for new employees this year. How about this—I keep his resume, and I will discuss with the other leaders on Monday’s party committee meeting. I will let you know the result then.”

Hearing this, Coach Xu felt sureness. Once Li’s recruitment was mentioned on the party committee meeting, then there would be an 80% probability that Li would get the job.

…

Dai Li was lying in bed reading online novels on his phone when suddenly his phone rang.

“It’s Coach Xu.” Li immediately answered the phone call.

“My little brother, here is good news! You are all set! Authorized personnel! Next Monday, bring your person ID and student card, and come register at the Provincial Department of Sports!” said Coach Xu.

“That’s great! Thank you so much, Coach Xu!” Li jumped out of his bed. “Authorized personnel” really inspired him.

Xu continued from the other end of the phone, “They gave you the personnel of ‘physical training coach,’ which means you could be allocated to any team. But I trust you. You will be fine wherever you are!”

Chapter 52: Second-Rate Coach

Sports University training room.

Today was the last day Feifei Yu was here. Now that her weight had dropped down to 62kg, she no longer needed to lose weight. Tomorrow she would go back to national team, then go to Australia for special training.

Feifei Yu was looking at Dai Li, reluctant to part ways with him. Her eyes were full of tears. She had been training with Dai Li for a month, and although they hadn’t built a tight teacher-student emotional bond, they did have a deep friendship. They were of similar age and shared many interests in common, so they had became good friends.

Dai Li had successfully helped Feifei when she was at her lowest point, and now she had rebounded to her original condition. She completely trusted Li, and really appreciated his timely help. Now they were going to say goodbye, and naturally Yu showed her unwillingness.

“Alright, Feifei, don’t cry. Next Spring Festival, after you return to Qingcheng City, we can meet there! Now let me show you out,” Li said, comforting Yu.

Watching Feifei walk away, Dai Li gave a long sigh pityingly. He was also not looking forward to parting ways. He was able to gain a lot of experience value from Feifei Yu, and without her he had to find dozens of first-class athletes to make up. In addition, his upgrading speed would slow down.

World champions could not be found everywhere. When there was an Olympic Games, more than thirty new world champions could be found. But during the other years that did not have any worldwide competitions, there would only be a few world champions. Feifei Yu was a world record holder who was on top of the world. Li was going to have a hard time finding a substitute who was as good as Yu.

“At least I just finished guiding her through the slimming exercise one last time. Now my experience value is ready for another upgrade.” Li smiled with relief. He had just become a second-rate coach seconds ago. Although he was still at the beginning stages, it was good news to him.

According to the System information, once one upgraded from a sophomore coach to a junior coach, his training effectiveness would have a substantial increase. Even though his performance might not be as good as famous chief coaches’, he would outperform other ordinary coaches on the national team without a doubt. If Li was indeed allocated to the national team, he would be more than ready to handle whatever tasks were thrown at him.

The downside was that it required 10,000 experience value for one to move from the second-rate preliminary phase to the intermediate phase. Based on Dai Li’s current upgrading speed, even including summer and winter holidays, it was going to take two years to obtain the requirement.

Dai Li couldn’t stop complaining. Last year, when he had just gotten the System, it had only cost him 100 points to upgrade. But now after only one year, the minimum value amount to upgrade was 100 times greater, and it was only for moving up from the preliminary phase. According to this growth rate, it would be another 100 times increase if he would like to move on.

“It only cost me 1,000 points, 2,000 points, and 5,000 points to upgrade when i was a third-rate coach. But look how much I have to pay now! Will it cost 20,000 points when I reach second-rate senior? How about top-level coach? Should I obtain 50,000 points then? The total amount for the whole second-rate will be 80,000 points. It will take me two years to gain 10,000 points. Let me see…Sixteen years! I need to spend sixteen years to finally obtain 80,000 points! Such a long time! I will be entering my forties when I finally reach the top level!” Li made a bitter face.

“Sixteen years, I can feel the pain now…Whatever, I will let it be. Why bother? System, show me my rewards!”

“You have reached a brand new rate, so this time you will receive a big gift pack!” said the System.

“A big gift pack? Huh, not bad. I hope it is good enough to comfort me. But what is the difference between this one and the previous ones?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Do you remember when you received a newbie pack when you were still a beginner? There were two items. That’s what the difference is. A big gift pack contains two rewards, while an ordinary pack only has one gift for you,” answered the System.

Upon learning that he would receive two rewards, Dai Li’s face brightened. He couldn’t wait to summon the gift pack and open it. There were indeed two rewards.

“Books! Like the last time!” Dai Li felt nervous. Last time, Li was given a book of Slimming Exercises. It was useless. If he hadn’t met Feifei Yu, he would never have had a chance to use it. Unfortunately, this time the same thing had happened again.

“Last time it was a shxtty slimming exercise, I wonder what I will get this time. I hope they are useful.” Li checked the cover of the book.

“Fat Loss Exercise!” Li read the title and showed his disgust with a scowl.

“Slimming Exercise and Fat Loss Exercise, are you kidding? Why would you give another useless reward? Were they buy one, get one free?” Dai Li wanted to swear.

“I think I can feel your… anger?” asked the System.

“This is bullshxt! You have lied to me twice, how can I keep calm? Fat Loss Exercise? I already have the Slimming Exercise, I don’t need this rubbish!” Li was trying to suppress his anger.

But the System remained calm. “As a physical training major, I’m sure that you know the difference between losing weight and losing fat?”

He of course knew the distinction between losing weight and losing fat. People who didn’t know much about the difference would think losing weight meant losing fat, and that less weight meant less fat. To amateurs that made sense.

To professional athletes, however, such an understanding was ridiculous. In fact, there was a huge difference between losing weight and losing fat. Weight loss included losing fat and muscle, but losing fat aimed only to reduce fat and decrease body fat percentage.

Physiologically speaking, losing too much weight would cause some negative effects, such as the decline of one’s basal metabolic rate, degradation of immunity functions, getting tired easily, etc. Comparing the two, losing fat was a safer and healthier choice. Muscles would be maintained, or even increase, while fat would be eliminated.

The System then asked Dai Li, “Most people think that athletes should maintain a quite low body fat percentage, but as a professional, you know that not every athlete wants to get rid of fat, right?”

Chapter 53: Loss Exercise and Massage

It was true that many athletes wanted to obtain a low body fat percentage, such as top-level sprinters, who could maintain a body that was 8% body fat. The same went for basketball players. More muscle and less fat could help increase their physical resistance.

Nevertheless, not all sports required a low body fat percentage. For example, skiers had to gain enough fat to keep themselves warm because a low body temperature would reduce cell viability, as well as make organs function slowly, which could affect their performance. Therefore, muscular men were rarely seen among skiers.

Other sports, like aquatic sports, also required athletes to have some fat. Fat could enlarge the volume of the body and increase buoyancy, meaning athletes could save effort when swimming. Water polo players were not muscular for this reason. Otherwise, before each game began, they would sink directly to the bottom of the pool.

Divers also needed fat to enhance their body coordination and do complex actions. In addition, because the body received such a strong impact when entering the water, fat could protect organs. Even though divers did have muscle, they were not as strong as bodybuilders for this very reason.

Moreover, swimmers needed fat for the same reason as water polo players. Fat generated a lot of buoyancy, which meant swimmers could save effort when accelerating in competitions. Because of this, it was not guaranteed that swimmers with a lot of muscle would win first place, while world champions may not have obvious muscle.

The system told Dai Li, “Slimming exercises and fat loss exercises are two different things. To athletes who do not need a low body fat percentage, the slimming exercise would be beneficial. But for those who want a low body fat percentage, they need the fat loss exercises to reduce fat while maintaining muscle.”

“I understand what you mean. But where can I find so many athletes that need to lose weight? I used all my luck finding Feifei Yu, it is impossible to find another one like her. Her weight increased due puberty, but normally, with sufficient training everyday, it’s really difficult for athletes to gain weight.” Li was upset. Then he turned to the second book.

Fat loss exercise is a chicken rib. I hope this one will be better. He read the title carefully. There were four words: “Massage and Muscle Relaxation.”

“Such a weird name!” Li scorned.

“After receiving a large amount of exercise, the trainee will have muscle soreness. Such pain will reach its peak after 24-72 hours, and later disappear after 5-7 days. In addition to soreness, the trainee will also have muscle rigidity. In less severe cases, the individual only feels tenderness. But when it becomes more severe, the muscle will swell and prevent normal actions. This is called ‘Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).’ If we do overload training in hot weather, dehydration, hypocalcemia, low protein, and other symptoms will also be seen,” the system explained.

Li continued discussing the topic. “I know. There are three factors that lead to muscle soreness. The first one is physical injury, caused by rapid increase of muscle tension and elasticity, or the change of the head structural component; the second factor is stronger toxic effect raised by more metabolon from the augment of metabolism; and the last one is muscular spasms, caused by the change of neuromodulation. I have already learned all of these!”

“Then you should know that a massage could adjust and improve the mechanism of the central nervous system while reducing fatigue. Those anaerobic metabolites can be transformed or eliminated through massage. That’s how it works.” The system paused, then moved on. “In addition, for athletes, massage can take the pressure off the muscles and ligaments, thus avoiding ligamentous injury and muscle strain.”

Athletes received high-intensity training every day, which meant their muscles were always in a tense state. This could easily cause muscle strain. Take a bow for example: if one pulled the bow for too long, the bow would lose elasticity and could even snap.

It was the same for the human body. If athlete stayed in a tense state for too long, he or she could get injured easily. Therefore, when doing high-duty exercises, trainees needed some aids to facilitate their performance. Massage was one of the economical and practical methods. Many training teams had professional masseuses. Some professional teams also had a reflexologist and acupuncturists to assist with relieving muscle strain. Because he had learned all the things the system had introduced, Li felt tired during the presentation.

“All right, all right, I got you!” Li yawned. But all of a sudden, he realized something was wrong.

“Wait, you are quite talkative today. Did you say ‘for athletes’? is there anything else you haven’t told me yet?” Li suddenly asked.

“Yeah, I haven’t told you this yet. This massage is effective for anyone,” the system explained.

“Anyone? Including ordinary people?” Li immediately asked.

“Yes, it is effective even on ordinary people. But the fat loss exercise only works on athletes,” said the system.

“Sounds good. Looks like the massage book is more useful than the fat loss exercise.” Li felt a little more comfortable.

“To be honest, I don’t see any difference. You are now a junior coach, would you be willing to massage ordinary people in your spare time?” the system chastised.

Daydreaming for a second, Li felt that it did make sense. He was different than he had been just one year ago. He was coaching junior middle school students during that time. But now, because he had trained many people, including a world champion, he would not bother massaging ordinary people.

“Then it’s not as useful as I thought,” Li thought.

Chapter 54: Fitness Coach of Weightlifting Team

Provincial Weightlifting Training Center. Chief coach office.

The weightlifting chief, Coach Guangming Song answered the phone.

“Hey Song, here’s some good news for you. Did you mention that you want a fitness coach for your weightlifting team? Well now we have found one, a formal authorized one!” the caller said happily.

“How could it have been done so fast? A formal authorized one?” Coach Song was astonished. He had even changed his tone unknowingly.

“Big surprise, huh? It’s not easy to get authorized personnel. You reported that your team was lacking a coach a few days ago, so the leaders solved your problem. They attach importance to your team by giving you this personnel. Don’t disappoint them!” the person said.

Coach Song’s heart jolted, his face turning pale. He managed to cover it up, though, saying, “Of course! I won’t let you down! I will train harder and improve my performance! When will the new coach be here?”

“He will register in the Provincial Department of Sports, and after he finishes all the procedures I will send him to you.”

Coach Song hung up, looking uncomfortable. He thought for a while, then made several phone calls. He wrinkled his brows in concentration. Ten minutes later, the vice-chief coach of the weightlifting team, Guangyi Ma, went into Song’s office hurriedly.

“Hi Coach Song, what’s going on?” Coach Ma asked.

“Ma, sit down and have some water first.” Song gave Ma a cup of tea, and waited until Ma was breathing normally. Then Song said, “Ma, bad news. Your nephew may not be able to work for our team in the future!”

“What? Why? How?” Coach Ma looked at Song wide-eyed.

Song nodded, “I just received a phone call from the department. They have arranged a new fitness coach with authorized personnel. He will come register next Monday. Now that we have a formal employee, it will not be possible to ask for another one for three years. If your nephew wants to work for our team, he can’t be recruited for several years.”

Coach Ma sank in his chair and sat in silence. After a while, he raised his head. “Coach Song, why has he come all of a sudden? I didn’t hear anything about him before.”

“I have inquired about him. This new coach is a young man around twenty. Coach Zhongyi Xu recommended him to the provincial department himself. The Party Committee has already proved,” Coach Song explained.

“Coach Xu recommended him!” Coach Ma’s face turned deathly pale. He felt detested about the new coach, but he could do nothing to change it.

Coach Song comforted him. “Ma, don’t you worry. Let me see if there is any way out. Worst case scenario, your nephew becomes an assistant coach for a while. Even though assistant coaches are contract employed, he will be given priority once we recruit authorized coaches.”

“Thank you Coach Song. Please allow me to discuss it with my nephew.” Coach Ma thanked Song, then stepped out of his office. His face was filled with sullenness.

“Come register next Monday? I don’t care who you are, but ‘the mighty dragon is no match for the native serpent. You are in my place now. You’d better be a good boy, otherwise I will let you know my power! You dare grab my nephew’s position? Just wait and see!” Coach Ma thought to himself viciously.

…

Ma’s nephew was also an athlete, but not a gifted one. It would be difficult for him to come up with some outstanding performance, so he decided to retire this year. Athletes like him had to look for jobs by themselves, so Coach Ma wanted to put him on the weightlifting team as a coach.

Being a coach was the easiest path for a retired athlete. The recruitment of the Provincial Department of Sports was not very strict—participants were only required to submit their work experience and others’ recommendations. As for job hunting for a coaching position, a recommendation from the national team was more persuasive than a Master’s Degree.

Unfortunately, however, Coach Ma was only a vice-chief coach for the weightlifting team. Even though he was at the top of this team, he was nothing in the eyes of the Provincial Department of Sports. That was why Ma had asked Song to help him. Song had promised to recommend Ma’s nephew. After all, Ma was his assistant. He would help Ma without hesitation.

A few months ago, Song began telling people that the weightlifting team was in need of a new coach. According to Song’s original plan, he would propose the idea first, this way when he recommended Ma’s nephew as a new coach, it would not be so out of the blue.

As this was going on, Ma’s nephew began to apply for retirement. The whole procedure was very complicated, and he could not get everything done all at once. Unfortunately, in the meantime, Coach Xu had recommended Dai Li to the department, and the leaders recalled that Coach Song had been complaining every day that their team needed a coach. Therefore, the leaders made a quick decision: send Dai Li to the weightlifting team.

But this meant that Li had taken Ma’s nephew’s place. Because there was already a new coach, if Song kept asking for another position, nothing would come of it. Song was not so stupid that he would offend any of the leaders just for a little boy, so he had just given up.

…

On Monday, Dai Li went to the Provincial Department of Sports for registration.

“Li, you are all set here. According to our stipulations, your first year here would be an internship. At the end of the year you can come back here, follow the necessary procedures, and become a regular employee. Here is an information form for you. Bring this to the canteen and get your meal card. The card is effective in the departmental canteen and all the other sub-canteens that belong to our training teams,” the official said as he signed the form.

“Thank you, Director Liu.” Dai Li took the paper with two hands to show his appreciation.

The newly employed workers in governmental institutions had to go through an internship. The internship was one year for undergraduates, and three months for post graduates. As for the other regular workers who transferred from other institutions, they did not require an internship.

Li already knew that the so-called one year internship was nothing threatening. As long as he didn’t make any mistakes during the year, he would definitely turn into a formal worker at last. As a new employee, he wouldn’t have much power. Even though he wanted to be able to make a big mistake, he was not qualified to do so.

After he got his meal card, Dai Li headed to the Provincial Weightlifting Team Training Center.

“Luckily it is a fitness coach. I have never trained any weight lifters before. If I was about to be a training coach, I could not make it.” While he was thinking, he arrived at the gate of the training center.

Chapter 55: An Experienced Athlete

The chief coach of the weightlifting team, Guangming Song, guided Dai Li to the central training room.

“Alright guys, assemble!” As Coach Song clapped his hands, all the coaches and trainees stopped to gather together.

“Please allow me to introduce you to our new colleague. This is Dai Li, our new fitness coach.” Song pushed Li forward a bit and said, “Li, could you introduce yourself?”

“Hello everyone, I’m Dai Li from Yuzhou City. You can call me Li. Nice to meet you,” said Li.

“Dai Li, nice name! I read a novel recently where the main character is an athlete named Guan Zhang. You two can be a pair titled ‘Zhangguanlidai①!’ That’s hilarious!” an outgoing coach said.

Coach Song jumped in with a big smile. “Come on, Xiang Huang! Do you know that your name means ‘yellow shxt?’ I feel sorry for you!”

“Hey coach, don’t make fun of me!” Huang laughed.

Coach Song pointed at Xiang Huang and introduced him to Li. “This guy is named Xiang Huang. He has a big mouth, and often tells cold jokes. Come here, let me introduce the others. This is Coach Guangyi Ma, he is our vice-chief coach, and is in charge of trivialities.”

“Nice to meet you, Coach Ma,” Li immediately greeted.

“Hi,” Coach Ma nodded at Li, not saying anything else.

“This is Coach Wei Wang, this is Coach Tao Liu, and that one is…” Coach Song introduced everyone there. Li was trying to remember everyone’s names.

“OK then. Dismissed!” Song finished the introductions then waved to Coach Ma. “Hey Ma, could you show Li around? He is new here.”

“Sure,” Coach Ma nodded. His eyes shined with coldness.

…

Coach Ma showed Dai Li around the training center so he could know his way around.

“Alright, Li, this training center is a small place, so that’s all we have here. Now how about we talk about your arrangements?” Ma glanced at Li then asked, “We lack manpower. Would it be OK if you started working today?”

“No problem, I’m always ready,” answered Li.

“Good. Have you ever trained any weightlifters before?” asked Coach Ma.

Li shook his head. “I saw some other coaches do it, but I have never done itt myself. I’m not sure about professional training, but I’m pretty good at fitness training.”

“Right, you are a fitness coach.” Coach Ma paused, then continued, “Then I won’t give you any professional training tasks. You are new here, it would be better if you get familiar with your job first. How about I pair you up with an experienced weightlifter. You can work with him for a while.”

Coach Ma turned around and said, “He is very skilled in techniques, so he doesn’t require much technical guidance. You can focus on strength and physical training. This way you can also learn about our training process.”

“Thank you Coach Ma.” Li looked at Coach Ma with appreciation. He thought what Ma had said was reasonable. By pairing him up with an experienced athlete, Ma was taking good care of him as a newcomer.

“OK, if you don’t have any questions, then let’s do it,” Coach Ma said, leading Li to a corner. There was a strong man holding a barbell rod doing basic training.

Getting closer, Li finally saw the man’s appearance clearly. This man was over thirty, less than 1.7 meters tall, and dark skinned, but had big eyes, bushy eyebrows, a large nose, thick lips, and protruding ears. His hairline was pretty high and Dai Li could see he was going bald. In general, he was not bad.

Coach Ma moved closer to the athlete and said, “Aiguo Jiang, this is our new coach, Li. I bet you heard his name during Coach Song’s introduction. Coach Li will be in charge of your recent training.”

“Nice to meet you Jiang, my name is Dai LI.” LI took a step closer, offering Jiang his hand. But Jiang only replied with a contemptuous look. He ignored Li’s hand, only nodding. “Got it,” he said.

Jiang’s coldness astonished Dai Li. Even though they were meeting for the first time, Jiang’s alienation was not what Li had expected.

Coach Ma gave some unimportant instructions, then left. Jiang still looked cold as he stared at Li, then asked, “Li, how old are you?”

“23 years old,” Li answered, not telling the truth. He was actually younger than that.

“You are too young to be a provincial team coach. Did you get here through a relationship?” Jiang asked.

Li was silent. He couldn’t answer it. Technically, he had used some relationship. He had been recommended by Coach Xu. Otherwise he would not be able to work for the provincial sport team. He was sill brainstorming for an acceptable answer when Jiang waved his hand.

“I see. I was wondering what kind of coach the team had to offer, but I never expected to have a young coach like you.”

Li suddenly realized that the reason Jiang was being so cold towards him was because he was too young to be an skillful coach. Besides, he was recruited through a supporting relationship, so Jiang looked down upon him.

People who worked in any sport were completely reliant on their own abilities, or performance, so to speak. The one who achieved the better performance, more honor, or more gold medals gained more respect. It was the same for coaches— with more famous trainees came more authority. Newbies like Li would have a hard time working in this field because he was not famous at all. Most athletes didn’t think much of him, let alone experienced athletes like Jiang.

“Hey Li, from now on, when I’m training, you work as my assistant. You do whatever I want you to do. Clear?” Jiang said in a cold tone.

“Huh? I’m not an assistant coach!” Li thought angrily to himself.

The assistant coach was at the bottom of the whole team, which was similar to a training partner. Although in weightlifting training partners were not needed, the so-called assistant coach was actually doing the same job. Even ordinary athletes could give them orders.

Li felt it was unfair, since he was an authorized employee. He had a higher position than those contract-employed coaches, so he deserved more advanced tasks. How could Jiang consider him a little coach’s assistant?

But keeping calm, Li realized he shouldn’t have quarrels with other team members on the first day here. So Li held back his anger and nodded in agreement.

“Don’t look for trouble! There is still time! Gold will shine everywhere! Li thought, comforting himself.”

①: Zhangguanlidai, a Chinese idiom, literally means “to put Zhang’s hat on Li’s head”, the actual meaning is “to confuse one thing with another.”

Chapter 56: Relaxing your muscle

It was lunchtime. People were gathered in the canteen, eating and chatting.

“Have you heard that the new coach is paired up with Aiguo Jiang!”

“Ew. Jiang is old and bad-tempered, he thinks he is superior to everyone else. Jiang must treat this new coach in the same way. Poor Li is going to have a hard time here!”

“I heard that Jiang had made some nice achievements. He was a national champion, wasn’t he?” someone asked.

“That was ten years ago. Who would remember that!”

“I heard that the leaders are dissatisfied with Jiang’s current status. They say that he is not capable of being an athlete any longer, and are planning to force him to retire. Is that true?”

“I would say it is 90% true. Jiang is 32 years old, his status can only get worse. Besides, he hasn’t had any good performances in the last few years. In the men’s 69-kilogram category, Liang Peng and Dongshan Cao are way better than Jiang, and they are pretty young. They are only in their twenties. Those young men should have plenty of room to grow. If I were the one who made the decision, I would definitely keep the young men and ask Jiang to leave!”

“If I were Jiang, I would apply for retirement myself. Why is he so shameless?”

“He must do that for money. This is his fourteenth year as a professional athlete. If he could stay here for fifteen years, he would receive a much better discharge bonus than he would right now. That’s why he stays. But judging by his current condition, he may not be able to stay much longer. I heard that they have selected some high-flyers and are planning to send them to our team. If so, the leaders must reorganize our team for the newcomers. Jiang would be eliminated for sure.”

“If you say so. The new coach Dai Li is unlucky. He is an authorized coach, but is paired up with a bad athlete who has neither good temper nor a bright future. I would say Li might be at the bottom when we have year-end performance appraisal.”

“There is more to it than this. Jiang treats Li as an assistant coach, and orders him around all the time. Do you think that Li has displeased Coach Ma, so Ma is now retaliating against Li?”

“Here is a rumor!” someone suddenly lowered his voice with excitement. It was Xiang Huang. He seemed to have some big news.

The others immediately got into a huddle. Xiang mysteriously looked around, then told the story in a low voice. “This newcomer did offend Coach Ma in a terrible way. Coach Ma has a nephew who is an athlete and is going to retire this year. Coach Ma was planning to recommend his nephew to work for our team as a coach. He discussed it with Coach Song, and Song agreed. Ma thought it was all set. You guys all know that it is quite hard to be employed onto our team, don’t you? Being a coach here is a decent job. What wishful thinking Ma had! But all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the leaders put Dai Li on our team. Li took the place of Ma’s nephew, which means that Ma’s nephew loses his future job. No wonder Ma is pissed off! I say Li is going to live in hell from now on. Poor Li has no idea what’s going on.”

“I see. So that’s why Coach Ma kept mentioning his nephew to me, he was preparing for his nephew’s recruitment! I can’t believe that Ma is such a mean person! It looks like he is taking care of Li, but he is giving a smile of treachery!”

“Coach Ma is our second chief with power. If Li displeases Ma, he won’t be able to stay here for long. I say you’d better stay away from trouble. Don’t get too close to Li.”

…

At the same time, Coach Ma was collating documents in the reference room. Not too long ago the weightlifters had a fitness evaluation. What Ma was collating now were the results.

This is Aiguo Jiang’s evaluation report. No wonder he has been in such bad condition for so long, his body is overloaded. If he keeps training this way, there is an 80% possibility that he will have irreversible muscle strain!

Coach Ma concentrated on the phrase “irreversible muscle strain.” Ordinary people may not have known much about this, but as a professional coach, Ma knew what it meant. It meant that the athlete would no longer be useful, and they would be just like a piece of scrap paper.

It was not rare to hear that an athlete was scrapped. These athletes would sustain lifelong injuries, and while the lucky ones might still be able to take care of themselves, the others may suffer from permanent disabilities. Regardless of how it happened, their careers would be brought to a premature end.

Jiang couldn’t bare such intensive training any longer. Li is Jiang’s coach, he is responsible for Jiang’s performance. If one day Jiang fails, Li should take all the responsibility! When that happens he must leave! I won’t give him any other choice!

Coach Ma was pleased with himself. He could see everything happening in front of him. That day would be one of the best days of his life.

I should hide this report so that no one else can read it, especially Li. If the others knew the truth, how could I kick Li off of our team! Ma hid the report inside his inside pocket.

…

“Li, come help me raise the barbell,” Jiang instructed.

Dai Li immediately held the barbell. Jiang clenched his teeth, beginning to raise the barbell.

He is struggling. Is is too heavy? Wait, there must be something wrong. He looks like he is in so much pain! Li wrinkled his brows.

Is it due to injury? It’s common for athletes like Jiang to have some kind of injury.” Li glanced at Jiang’s arms subconsciously. As an athlete, Jiang had very strong arms with a lot of muscle. However, what Li witnessed was Jiang’s muscle trembling all the time. Li realized that Jiang must have reached to his power limit. The next second, Jiang seemed to be exhausted. He put down the barbell, breathing heavily.

His muscle seems to have reached its limit. He can’t keep training like this, otherwise he will hurt himself! Li had professional knowledge, and he made a judgement at once.

I must stop him. He needs muscle relaxation. Thinking about this, Li asked, “Jiang, how about taking a break and allow me to give you a massage?”

“You? Are you sure? I never allow amateurs to do that on me.” Jiang looked at Li surprisingly. In Jiang’s eyes, Li was the one with no true ability. Even if Li did know about massage, he was definitely not a professional.

“I learned basic manipulations. Trust me, I can help you relax your muscle.”

Jiang hesitated for a while, but finally he nodded. “Alright then, massage my arm first.”

“Sure!” Li rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

I’ve been practicing on my pillow for days. Finally I can practice it on a real arm! Li stretched his arms. It was finally show time!

Chapter 57: Magical Massage

Based off previous experience, Li predicted that this “Massage and Muscle Relaxation” must be effective. He began with “Stroke.” The so-called “Stroke” was actually a type of massage that involved rhythmically massaging the other person. It was different from “Knead.””Stroke” contained palm stroking and finger stroking. Usually, palm stroking was for massaging the torso, while finger stroking was for massaging arms and legs.

Jiang was in a daze. He had been an athlete for years, and had experienced many masseuses, so he could easily tell good from bad. From Li’s manipulation of his body, he could see that Li knew what he was doing.

Hm, this boy does know something. Maybe I misjudged him, Jiang thought secretly.

While on the other side, Li began to shift from one skill to another. Press, stroke, push, knead, pinch, rub, scrub, knock. He presented everything he had learned from the book.

Jiang gradually closed his eyes. His face was full of enjoyment. Hey, this is comfy. I felt soreness when I was practicing, but now with Li’s massage, I feel much better.

However, Li’s face became serious. How could his muscles be so stiff? It’s OK for people with low body fat percentages to have hard muscle, but his muscle is stiff. This is not good. How could this happen? Li thought carefully for a while and finally came up with the answer: muscle overload.

Long, intensive training would produce too much pressure on muscles, thus leading to muscle overload. If a muscle has been overloaded for too long, muscle fibers and connective tissues will be torn or even broken. That’s the condition Jiang has been facing. His muscle hasn’t received enough rest for years, that’s why it is so stiff.

Li sped up a bit. As the massage was going on, Jiang felt more relaxed. His muscle was no longer stiff.

…

Several minutes later, Jiang slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Li in astonishment.

“How do you feel, Jiang?”

“Hmmm, not bad. Keep going!” Jiang tried to behave normally, but his eyes let out his surprise. My soreness has completely disappeared! How could it be possible! I have been suffering from pain for years, even specialists in Provincial Hospital warned me that unless I stopped training and had good rest for at least three months, I would not recover. How could Li loosen up my muscle simply by several minutes of massage!

Jiang closed his eyes again, enjoying Li’s massage. Gee! This is so good! I have never experienced this before. So comfy and relaxing, like lying on a cushion filled with feathers!

At this moment, Jiang felt that his arm, which was being massaged by Li, didn’t belong to him. He felt aches and pains all over his body after his intense training except for his arm. No ache, no pain—he only felt ineffable relaxation.

His arm was getting lighter and lighter. Jiang could not even feel it. He had an illusion that this arm is no longer his, and that it was about to fly away to some beautiful place.

“Jiang, would you like to be massaged elsewhere?” Li’s voice woke Jiang up with a start.

“Sure!” Jiang laid down, allowing Li to continue massaging him. Li’s hands seemed to have magical powers. Wherever he touched, the pain vanished.

Hmmm… Jiang was immersed in comfort. He felt as if he was surrounded by white clouds, and up above him was a sky full of stars; beneath him were rolling hills. He was the ruler of this world; with a mere snap of his fingers the stars changed positions, and with a stomp the mountains shifted seasons.

Am I dreaming? Jiang suddenly opened his eyes. He was still in the training room, but the relaxation remained in his body. It was real.

Jiang didn’t want to move at all. He wished he was a puddle of mud, so that he could lay there comfortably forever.

“OK, that’s all. What do you think?” Li stopped. He could tell from Jiang’s face that the massage had worked out pretty well.

“That’s it? The massage is so short.” Jiang sat up. To him, the massage only took a few seconds. That was nowhere near enough. He would like to have more.

“It’s not very short. See, it’s already five o’clock. Dinner time,” Li smiled.

Jiang looked up at the clock. It was 5:10 pm. He scratched his head, muttering to himself, “Time passed so quickly without me noticing. It actually took half an hour. How can I believe that?” Jiang stood up and wiggled his body. He could feel neither pain nor tiredness.

I wonder what kind of massage it is? I have been an athlete for such a long time, and have tried hundreds of massages. None of them were as effective as this one. I really enjoyed the relaxation. It feels like I have slept for three days! Dai Li is way better than those professional masseuses! Jiang was shocked. He looked at Li, who was packing his own stuff.

But in actuality, Li was examining his empirical value in the system.

Ha, just like I expected, giving athletes massage can earn empirical values. See how much I have earned today! Perhaps I should change jobs, I can be a masseuse and only work for famous athletes. I would earn plenty of value! What if I’m lucky enough to massage a beautiful athlete… ‘Do you have chest pain? Don’t worry, let me help you!’… Oh my, that’s awesome! An evil idea came into his mind. Li’s mouth began watering.

“It’s only five o’clock, see how hungry you are!” Jiang’s voice rang. He waved his hand. “Come on, let’s have dinner!”

Li was stunned. “Are you talking to me?” he asked with uncertainty.

“Of course!” Jiang paused, then suddenly smiled. “You are good!”

Jiang smiled with genuine joy. Li knew that Jiang had changed his attitude.

Chapter 58: A Father’s Responsibility

Every year, the sports team could receive a large amount of dining subsidy. Therefore, their canteen always offered tasty food for a low price. If one pleased the chef, he could even receive one more dish for free.

The canteen used to offer free food, where individuals could choose a limited amount of meat, unlimited vegetables, and rice. Later on, in order to avoid food waste, the canteen began to charge for food, but the price was very low—only one-fifth of the usual price of outside restaurants. Moreover, athletes and coaches had a dining allowance every month, which was directly sent to their dining cards, most of them didn’t need to pay extra dining fee. Therefore, even family men would prefer to have dinner here in the canteen.

Jiang and Li sat at the same table, face to face. The other coaches were all surprised to see this.

“Am I seeing things? Is Li, the newcomer, sitting with Aiguo Jiang?”

“This Dai Li must have something special. He has been here for only one day, how could he get along well with Jiang? You know Jiang is famous for his bad temper.”

“I heard that Dai Li once displeased Coach Ma, that’s why he is paired up with Jiang. I think Ma is trying to fix Li in this way. Unfortunately, it is not working as Ma expected.”

While the other coaches were busy gossiping in a whisper, Li started a conversation with Jiang.

“Hey Jiang, I noticed that your muscle was stiff when I was massaging. I think it was due to muscle overload. Do you feel…how should I put it, uncomfortable, during training?” asked Li.

“Uncomfortable? Just say painful.” Jiang was quite straightforward. He didn’t want to hide anything. “I know that I’m in a bad condition.”

Jiang put down his chopsticks. Sorrow flashed through his eyes. He calmed down, then said, “Last year, I went to the doctor. My doctor told me that because of my continuous training without sufficient rest, my muscle has already been overloaded. If I keep practicing like this, I will probably get injured.”

“Did the doctor give you any advice?” asked Li.

“Yes, he said there were two ways to help me out. The first one was to reduce my workouts and let the muscle gradually repair itself; the second way was to stop training for at least three months to give myself a break,” said Jiang.

“You didn’t listen to him, did you?” asked Li.

“No I didn’t. I can’t reduce my workouts, nor can I take a break. There are fierce competitions everywhere on the team, and people are seeking chances to kick me out. I’m old now, if I slack off, I won’t be able to stay. I don’t want to retire. I can’t retire!” Jiang said with firmness.

A 32-year-old athlete was about to retire. Li wouldn’t feel anything was wrong if Jiang retired this year. But he also noticed that Jiang used “can’t,” which indicated that he must have had some reason not to do so.

Jiang continued, “This is my 14th year as an athlete, next year is going to be my 15th. According to the governmental stipulations, I could receive much more retirement subsidy if I work up to 15 years. Therefore, if I could stay here for one more year, my retirement subsidy would increase by thousands.”

“Are you risking your life for money? Just in case you don’t know, your body is now in such bad condition that you could get injured or disabled at anytime! Is it worth putting the rest of your life in darkness just for some money?” Li asked, becoming serious.

“Of course!” Jiang smiled. But in Li’s eyes, that smile conveyed helplessness.

Jiang took out his wallet, pulled out a picture, and handed it to Li. It was a family picture. There were three people: Jiang, a women, and a one-year-old baby girl.

“Are they Mrs. Jiang and Ms. Jiang?” asked Li.

“Yes, you are right. My wife and my daughter.” Talking about his daughter, hope raised from the bottom of Jiang’s eyes. “My daughter is a poor baby. She was born with a cleft lip, and received her first surgery when she was only three-month old.”

“She looks pretty now,” said Li.

“She does look better. But that was only the first surgery. She needs many surgeries in the future to finish the repair. She will receive her second surgery when she is five, the third one when she is eleven, and the last one will be held when she reaches eighteen. The latter ones will cost more and more money if we want to make her look normal. I’m guessing the last surgery will cost me at least hundreds of thousands of yuan. You know, we athletes are not rich, and we don’t have any other special skills to make lots of money. The retirement subsidy is my last hope.”

Jiang paused, then let out a long sigh. “If my baby was a boy, I would only let him receive basic surgery, like sewing his mouth up. But she is a girl, and she will become a pretty woman in the future. I can’t leave her with a cleft lip. I’m trying my best to give her a bright future.”

“That’s why you insist on training intensely every day? You wish to work for one more year so that you can have more money for your baby girl?”

Jiang nodded. “To be honest, everyday after I finish training, I can barely endure the pain. Often I can’t even get up from bed. But thinking about my baby, I keep working hard. This year when I’ve been training, I can feel sharp pain in my right arm and shoulders. Luckily your massage helped me out, otherwise I couldn’t even raise my chopsticks.”

Li looked at Jiang, his heart full of respect. This father had been training intensely and working so hard to earn money for his daughter’s surgery, even though it meant risking his life and suffering from pain everyday. And he had insisted on doing so for years. Who else could make such a sacrifice except for a parent?

“I don’t know why Jiang looks cold, unfriendly and bad-tempered. The real him is a great father. He is worth respecting.” Li took a deep breath, deciding he would help Jiang by any means.

“My muscle relaxation could help Jiang relieve his muscles to a large extent. Then, even if he begins intense training again, I can still comfort his muscles and repair it back to the best condition. I will reduce his symptoms and stop the muscle overload. This way, he may not get injured during his training. Hopefully he can stay for another year.”

Thinking about this, Li told Jiang, “Jiang, if you think my massage is OK, I can do that for you every day!”

“Thank you!” Jiang only said two words, but that was enough to convey his gratefulness.

Chapter 59: Advertising Effect

Weightlifting training center.

“Coach Huang, can I borrow your 5kg plate?” Jiang asked, raising the plate.

“Jiang, be careful. Don’t hurt yourself. You have been training so hard these days,” said Xiang Huang.

“Don’t worry. I’m good!” Jiang showed a rare smile.

Xiang Huang stared at Jiang’s back, murmuring, “Does Jiang have some good news? He looks happier than usual, and is smiling for once. Did he win a prize in a lottery?”

“The key point is that he is building up his workload. He’s almost where I’m at. I say he is back to his youth again!” The speaker was an athlete named Dongshan Cao, who was 22-years-old. He was a very powerful top-level athlete.

Coach Ma was standing not too far away, feeling strangely uncomfortable.

Do whatever you want, Jiang—you don’t have much time left! The day you fail will be the day I send you and Li home!

Jiang was now receiving Li’s massages two or three times a day. He was no longer suffering from muscle overload. He was now at his best every time he trained. Jiang even felt as if he was getting gradually younger and stronger. Because of this, Jiang increased his amount of training. As an experienced athlete, he knew his body very well and knew what he was doing. And because he felt he was under less pressure, Jiang smiled more often, and was not as cold as before.

Nobody could stay calm when they were facing illness. Think about the patients in a hospital: they were either complaining about everything being unsatisfactory, or felt sad all the time. It was very rare to find a patient who had been lying in bed suffering and still looked happy.

Jiang had been in a similar situation. Because he had been suffering from pain for such a long time,and had to force himself to train intensively, he was physically and mentally exhausted. Being in such a bad state for years, it was no wonder he had turned into a bad-tempered cold man. Now that the pain had disappeared, he had less to worry about, and thus became more and more optimistic about life.

As for Dai Li, he had learned a lot from Jiang by massaging him. Li had had no idea how weightlifters trained. Through working with Jiang, he had now learned the basic concepts of training methods and skills needed for the activity. Li thought that if he worked as a weightlifting coach, this time he would know what to do.

Coach Ma had been anticipating the day that Jiang could no longer raise the barbell anymore so that he would have a wonderful excuse to kick both Jiang and Li off the team. However, Jiang seemed to be getting better and better. He couldn’t find any signs indicating that Jiang was close to slowing down. Ma was beginning to doubt whether or not the report he had received was fake.

A month passed without any change, and by this time Li had adapted himself to the job.

…

After a full day of training, nothing was better than taking a shower. Athletes and coaches were gathering together to head to the bathhouse. Splashes, laughs, and grumbles were intertwined together like a symphony circling overhead.

Dongshan Cao occupied the shower in the corner next to Jiang. Cao took his head out of the water and asked, “Jiang, could you do me a favor?”

“Scrub your back? No problem, give me the bath towel. But I should mention, I have a lot of strength!” said Jiang.

“No, not that.” Cao hesitated for a while, the said, “Could you help me wash my hair?”

“Wash your hair? How old are you, can’t you do it yourself? Wanna call your daddy for help?” Jiang asked, making fun of Cao.

“I’ve been over-training recently, and now my muscle is overloaded. I’m always in pain. I can’t even raise my arm,” Cao complained, pouring out his grievances.

“I see. OK then, lower your head, let me wash your hair,” Jiang said, agreeing easily.

It was common that athletes suffered from muscle strains, especially weightlifters. They had to raise more than 100 kilograms of weight everyday, so muscle strain was a long-standing problem for them.

“Thank you Jiang.” Cao lowered his head and said, “I made an appointment with the team masseuse, Zhang, today, but he went on vacation. I have been practicing pretty hard these days, that is why I’m in such a difficult situation. Speaking of that… Have you gone to Zhang recently? I I have not seen you there in a while.”

“Bah! That old man is arrogant with poor skills. He always flaunts his seniority and never listens to me. Why should I waste my time with him?” Jiang gave a snort, then continued, “Besides, Li is taking good care of me, I don’t need that old man anymore!”

“Li? You mean the newcomer, Li? I see him giving you massages quite often. I never would have thought that he would know how to give a massage since he is roughly the same age as me. He is so young! I only ever see old coaches giving massages to trainers,” Cao replied.

“He not only knows the skills, but he is actually very good at massaging! You know, I have been an athlete for many years, but have never received a massage as effective as his! Would you like to give it a try later?” asked Jiang.

Cao was moved, but he declined, “I’d better not. Coach Li is yours, not mine.”

“It doesn’t make any difference. You are our team member, Li is our team coach, what are you worried about?” Jiang faced the shower room and called Li. “Hey Li! Could you give Dongshan Cao a massage later?”

Li had just finished showering and was putting on his clothes. Hearing Jiang’s request, he immediately answered, “No problem! Take your time, I will wait outside.”

To Li, massaging athletes meant getting some empirical value. Although Cao was young, he was a trump card for the weightlifting team, and once won a bronze in a national competition. He was a top-level athlete in this field. If Li could massage an athlete like Cao, he would gain a lot of value for sure.

Cao was asking Li for help, so he didn’t want to keep Li waiting. He finished showering as quickly as possible, put on his shorts, then rushed to Li’s.

“Here you are. Come sit down.” Li invited Cao to sit down, then began massaging.

Cao was in a better state than Jiang, but still not very good. Li showed everything he had learned from the book, shifting from one skill to another.

Amazing! I don’t feel the pain anymore! All the soreness has disappeared! How could this massage be so effective? Cao was astonished. He never would have thought that Li’s muscle relaxation techniques had instant effects.

Chapter 60: The Busiest Person in the Weightlifting Team

Dongshan Cao sat on the bench and closed his eyes a bit. You could tell from his eyebrows that he was really at ease.

“It’s very comfortable! The strength I feel every time you massage me is exactly what I want. Not too heavy, not too light. You stimulated the part of my muscle that hurt the most! Now I feel like my arms have become lighter, almost like floating in the water. My muscles don’t ache anymore, and even the soreness has gone away. It’s just like when I woke up this morning. No, it’s even better than that!” Shandong Cao’s eyes were completely closed. He enjoyed the massage and almost fell asleep.

“Alright, now the other arm!” Dai Li’s voice woke him up. He found that Li was on the other side of him and began massaging the other arm.

Dongshan Cao waved the arm that had been massaged by Li and didn’t feel any uncomfortability. He could barely raise his arm before. Now, not only could he reach his arm behind his head, but could also did many moves. He even thought that maybe Dai Li had given him a new arm.

Your massage techniques and results are much better than that professional Zhang on our team! He is a professional masseuse, but the way he does it always hurts me. Coach Li is different. I can feel the effect right away! No wonder Aiguo Jiang doesn’t go to Zhang any more. He has coach Li, who is 100 times better than Zhang! He keeps raising his training level these days. It’s all because of coach Li’s massages!” Thinking about that, Dongshan Cao looked at his watch unconsciously.

This coach Li has some talent. I remember the first day he came here, he became very close with Aiguo Jiang. I was wondering how a bad-tempered person like Aiguo Jiang could get along so well with Dai Li. Now I understand. He is going to become very popular here with his massage techniques.

Cao had a flattering smile on his face thinking about that. “Coach Li, your massage techniques are really good. Could you please massage me too when you have time?”

How could Li reject the empirical value that was calling his name. He promised immediately, “No problem. If you are not worried about having lunch later, you can come to me every day after you finish training. I’ll do the massage for you!”

…

The next day, it was time for training to end.

“Cao, let’s go eat,” someone told Cao.

“Liu, you go first, bro. I have a reservation with coach Li for a massage,” Dongshan Cao answered.

“Coach Li? Which coach Li?” Liu asked.

“The newcomer, coach Li! He has really good massage techniques that are much better than Zhang who works in the massage room!” Cao walked in the direction of Dai Li, happily finishing what he was saying. He didn’t want to keep Dai Li waiting.

Better than Zhang? I heard that he asked for two weeks’ vacation. So he could only come back next month. Maybe I should go to coach Li for a massage too. I just don’t know if he is really good or not. He is only 23 years old. He is too young to be better than those professionals. Liu followed Cao and thought about it.

After a few minutes, he saw Cao’s face and he could tell that Cao was really enjoying it.

Look at his face. It looks like he is really enjoying this. If I only looked at his face, I might think he is having some special massage service! He doesn’t look like he is pretending. Could a massage be so comfortable? He mulled over it, then said, “Coach Li, could you please give me a massage too, if you are available?”

“Sure, no problem,” Dai Li said, not turning down the offer. After ten minutes, Liu’s face looked exactly as Cao’s face had. He couldn’t help but drool a little bit.

It’s so good! I feel like my muscles are under no pressure at all. I could never relax my muscles like this, even if I stopped training for three whole days. No wonder Cao rushed here as soon as training ended. If I were him, I would rush here too. Liu looked at Dai Li and decided that he should get along well with him.

Another day passed. Training had just ended. Not only did Cao and Liu come to Dai Li for massages, but another two athletes as well. Everybody had positive things to say about his massaging abilities, and good ratings spread very fast. The weightlifting socialization network was not very big, so one would tell another, and another, and so on. There were more athletes coming to Dai Li for massages. After a short while, all the athletes on the weightlifting team had experienced his massage.

It was also because Zhang had asked for a vacation. Before, many athletes went to Zhang, and they had to make reservations. But because Zhang was now on vacation, the athletes had nowhere to go but Dai Li. Whether he was good or not, everyone would come and try.

Everybody who tried it, however, found that they couldn’t resist his massages anymore. Athletes were not stupid—they could feel the effects. Everybody wanted to have a good rest after training instead of suffering from soreness to the point where they couldn’t even raise their arms.

In a few days, Dai Li became the busiest person on the weightlifting team, especially every time after training. Nobody could wait to receive a relaxing massage from Dai Li.

…

Xiang Huang held the plate and pointed to the food in the container. “Mr. Cai, please give me more chicken and less pepper please. Please don’t shake your hand, two pieces of chicken just fell off!”

“I’ll add two more pieces, alright?” The chief who held the big spoon added two more pieces and asked, “Have you been training longer than usual these days?”

“No. It’s the same training time as before.” Xiang Huang asked.

“Then why do all the athletes come so late for meals? It’s been happening for a few days, especially today. All the people who have come are coaches. No athletes have come yet,” Cai said.

Xiang Huang looked around and saw that it was true. All the people eating were coaches. No athletes were in sight.

“Those athletes are standing in line for massages, I guess!” Xiang Huang laughed.

“Massages? They quit eating just for a massage? How could it be more important than food? Is it because my dishes are not delicious enough?” Cai looked very dissatisfied and began mumbling to himself. He felt very frustrated.

Chapter 61: Coach Also Needs Massage

“Alright, done!” Dai Li said as he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

“Thanks, coach Li.” The athlete who had just enjoyed the massage stood up and shook his arms, looking very satisfied.

“Go have a meal. The cafeteria’s dishes are getting cold.” Dai Li turned around and said, “I’ll go wash my hands. Who’s next?”

“It’s me, coach Li. It’s my turn!” somebody rushed immediately.

“Get away. It’s me who’s first! Coach Li, it’s me!” Another person rushed and sat right in front of Dai Li.

Dai Li smiled helplessly. He was used to this already. And there were still 7-8 people in the line.

“Don’t hurry, take your time. Or maybe you can go eat first and come back later?” Li asked.

“No, we are not leaving. What if you leave? Then we have no idea where to go to find you,” someone said.

“I’m not leaving. I’ll wait for you,” Li said immediately.

“How could we make coach Li wait for us. We’ve been training all day. It’s also a good chance for us to rest, get massaged, and then go get a meal. This way, we’ll hold the chopsticks more stable,” somebody said.

Dai Li smiled but said nothing. He focused on the relaxing massage.

They were all walking empirical value to Dai Li. Even though the athletes on the weightlifting team were on different levels, the number was great. If Dai Li could massage all of them, he could gain 70-80 points. If he included the training during the daytime, he could gain more than 100 points every day. It would not be long before he upgraded to the middle level for a sophomore coach.

He began realizing that it was such a good decision he had made to come to the weightlifting team. Although there were also many athletes in the sports university, the athletes in the university were on a different level than the students from the provincial sports team. The latter was more professional and had a greater general ability, which meant more empirical value for Dai Li.

At the same time, Dai Li’s ranking in the athletes was soaring. This special sport meant that the training load was very heavy on athletes, and tested their endurance all the time. With Li’s massage, it was like providing people who were walking in the desert with a full bottle of water. Whenever they were thirsty, they would chug a big mouthful of water and give themselves new hope. Helping someone in need was definitely better than helping someone who was not looking for help. And now, Dai Li was the one who helped athletes who were in need. He never said no to athletes who came for a massage.

Li was doing this just for the empirical value. He was eager to upgrade. However, in the perspective of the athletes, they thought that Li was really selfless to devote his eating and resting time to give massages to everyone. People like him with a very grand moral principle had not been here for almost fifty years.

…

The main coach iof n the weightlifting team, Guangming Song, had a meeting in the provincial sports bureau. It was 30 minutes past the clock-out time. When he passed the gate of the training department, he happened to see Cao coming out of the building and whistling.

It’s Dongshan Cao! The training should have been over half an hour ago. He must have trained overtime if he is only getting out now. He’s quite nice, very talented and hardworking. The only thing is he needs to be successful is time. Guangming Song looked very happy. He was proud of Cao, and asked him, “Cao, did you train overtime? Why did you end so late?”

“Ah, good evening, coach Song.” Cao hesitated and said embarrassedly, “No, I didn’t.”

“You didn’t? Then why did you come out so late? Why did you stay in the building instead of having your meal and going back to get some rest?” Guangming Song asked.

“I asked coach Li for a massage, which took some time.” Cao said.

“Massage? Coach Li? Which coach is that?” Song asked.

“The new coach, Dai Li, who joined last month. His massage techniques are really good. All the fatigue goes away after his massage. Everybody goes to him after training is finished now,” Cao said.

The newbie Li? Is he that capable? Song frowned and decided to see for himself.

He walked into the weightlifting training room and was shocked by what he saw. More than ten athletes were standing in a line that looked more managed than the lines in the cafeteria. And at the front of the line, Dai Li was massaging the arm of an athlete.

These people quit their meals just to stand in line and wait for his massage? Don’t they feel hungry after an entire day of training? Did Dai Li cast a spell on them or something? Song found it so unbelievable that he just stood there and observed. The athlete who was enjoying the massage had a very peaceful and joyful expression on his face, as if he was enjoying a spring breeze.

It’s nothing but a massage. They don’t have to be like this! What a short-sighted bunch of people! Song despised the athlete. However, his concerns didn’t go away.

“Coach Song is here!” Everybody looked at him because he had a very high reputation on the team. Even the athlete who was enjoying Li’s massage stood up.

“Li, you are massaging these athletes?” Song put his hands behind his back and walked like a boss.

Li nodded. “Yes. I’ll just play games if I go back to my dormitory. I’d rather stay here and give massages to everyone since I have nothing to do.”

“There are a lot of people waiting in line,” Song said with a smile, looking at the others.

“They are just being very nice to me.” Li smiled shyly and asked carefully, “Coach Song, I think you are also tired after a long day. Maybe I could give you a massage, too?”

I was waiting for that. I’ll see what tricks you are using to confuse them! Song smiled after thinking about it and said, “Sure. Please!”

The athlete who was sitting on the massage chair stood up right away and gave the chair to Song. Song sat on the chair and said, “I had a long meeting in the provincial bureau, and now my shoulders are aching. I sat for a long time today. Li, could you please massage my shoulders?”

“No problem.” Dai Li stretched out his hands and began giving another one of his relaxing massages.

Chapter 62: Even Periarteritis of the Shoulder Could Be Cured

Using one’s finger to push the muscles was more appropriate when performing the relaxing massage of the shoulders, but Song didn’t expect anything of Dai Li anyway. He was just curious. However, the effects could be felt right away. Song felt the difference right as Dai Li’s hands were on his shoulders.

He does know about massaging. The strength is perfect and the direction he pushes in is also very comfortable. It’s true that his massage makes me feel very nice. I had a meeting for the whole afternoon, and my shoulders were felt as if somebody had put vinegar in them. But now with this massage, they are not aching anymore! It’s so comfortable…

He began to enjoy the massage and his facial expression was showing it. He had completely forgotten that he was laughing at the athlete for being short-sighted a few minutes ago.

Song was completely into the comfort that the massage brought. His eyes began to blur and the thoughts in his head started to take over.

“Alright, coach Song. How do you feel?” Dai Li’s voice dragged Song back to reality. Song then realized that the massage was over.

He stood up unwillingly and moved his shoulders. He could feel that his shoulders were very relaxed, almost as if they had lost weight. It was a feeling that was hard to describe with words. Even the periarteritis of his shoulders, which had bothered him for years, had seemed to disappear.

Li’s massage was not powerful enough to cure his shoulder. The main cause of periarteritis of the shoulder was the pathological changes of the parenchyma. The result of the changes was that the ligament around the shoulder joint and tendon suffered from chronic inflammation. It would make the external forces less bearable for the shoulder. If Li did the relaxing massage to his shoulders, which could relax the muscles, then all the symptoms would be released effectively. This was what made Song feel like his shoulders had been cured.

“Li, your massage’s effect is even better than many vegetarians!” Song praised him from the bottom of his heart. Song finally understood why these athletes had quit their meals and stood in line just for his massage.

“Coach Song, if you feel my massage is good enough, feel free to come again,” Dai Li smiled.

…

Li’s reputation grew and grew, to the point that both the athletes and the coaches praised him a lot when they spoke about him. The athletes’ respect towards him was quite understandable. After all, Li could give them relaxing massages, so he was indispensable in their eyes. As for the coaches, they respected Li for the same reason. Coaches could improve strength training when the athletes were no longer suffering from muscle soreness. This made every single coach in the weightlifting team appreciate Dai Li very much.

Guangyi Ma, however, was not one of them. He kept looking for chances to drive Dai Li away. But it was very difficult considering the conditions now. He didn’t give up. He thought about it for half a day and decided to speak to Coach Song. Even if he couldn’t kick Dai Li out, he would give Guangming Song a bad impression of Dai Li.

…

Song shouted, “Come in” when he heard the sound of knocking. Guangyi Ma pushed the door and went in.

Song sat in front of the computer, which blocked half of his head. He raised his head and saw Guangyi Ma. He pointed at the sofa right next to him and gestured to Ma to sit down.

Ma said right after he sat down, “Coach, there is something I need to tell you. Dai Li is too overbearing. He grabs those athletes to do the massage every day, and it influences their times of having meals. The food is cold by the time they go to the cafeteria. They are already very tired after an entire day of training. It would be too horrible if they couldn’t even have a hot meal! That might have a bad influence on their training.”

He stopped and saw that Guangming Song was thinking deeply on the other side of the computer screen. He continued, “Even more than that, if they want massage, they can go to the professional. We pay the professional just to ask him to give massages to the athletes. Why does the amateur Dai Li do his job? He is doing someone else’s duty instead of his. What if he hurts those athletes? Coach, I think you should do something. It might influence the daily training if we just let him be.”

Ma looked at Song. Across the computer screen, Song was looking down. Ma could not tell what he was doing. He waited for 7-8 seconds and finally saw Song raised his head. Song stood up and pulled out the in-ear headphones.

Song laughed like he had no choice. “My wife just sent me a few long voice messages. I don’t think it’s very appropriate for others to listen to the things concerning my own home, so I put on the headphones. What did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly.”

Ma was very embarrassed that he had said everything with such a passionate and exaggerated tone, and all his saliva had burst out when he had spoken, yet it had all been for nothing. Not even a single word had gone into Song’s ear! Ma had no choice but say it again.

“Coach, I was saying that…”

“Wait, it’s time. Let’s talk as we walk.” Song stopped Ma and grabbed his coat, ready to leave. Ma stood up and followed closely.

“Coach, where are you going?” Ma asked casually.

“I’m going to Li for the massage!” Song said. “This newcomer Li is very talented. He knows how to massage, and he knows it well! The effects are even better than some of the professionals. My shoulder has bothered me for years, you know. I’ve gone to many people, but nobody could cure it. After Li massaged me last time, I felt much better. Last night it was raining, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable the entire night. I moved from one side to another on the bed and it didn’t hurt at all! I need to find him to massage me once more today…”

Song’s words sounded like a commercial from the TV shopping channel. However, Ma felt like a herd of American bison had stepped on his heart. He was very confused. Coach Song had already confirmed Dai Li’s massage, and he had even gone to Dai Li happily. There was no way that Ma could do something about this massage. He didn’t want to go against Song’s opinion! Now he felt very lucky that Song didn’t hear anything because of his headphones.

“Right, what were you trying to say?” Song asked.

“Oh, well…” Ma wouldn’t dare to repeat what he said, even if you had beat him to death. “I forgot. Look at me, I have such a bad memory!” Ma played dumb. He realized that Dai Li had already gained Song’s favorable impression. It might be too late to kick him out now.

Chapter 63: Degrade

The cafeteria was always the best place for communication between colleagues. But whenever the paparazzi for Xiang Huang was here, the cafeteria became the center of gossip.

“Have you heard that some of the athletes will be forced to leave the team?” Xiang Huang said.

“Again? How many? Why?” someone asked.

“I don’t know the exact number. But I heard that every team will have a quota. The new Olympic cycle starts again soon, so it is time to bring in new athletes to prepare for the next Olympic games,” Huang said.

His voice was not loud, but it was loud enough for everybody around him to hear him clearly, including Aiguo Jiang and Dai Li.

Jiang’s expression changed immediately. A feeling of sadness, anxiousness, unwillingness, and helplessness were all apparent on his face, making his expression very complicated.

Dai Li looked at him pitifully and tried to comfort him. “Don’t take it seriously. It might be fake news.”

“Li, don’t comfort me. I know that if somebody has to leave, it will be me. I’m already 32-years-old and I’m still here. There must be somebody who doesn’t like me and is trying to force me out. It is alright. It is not bad to retire early. I’m a loser anyway.” Jiang stopped a second, looking as if he was trying to search through his memories, then continued.

“I was the national champion when I was young. I think it has been more than 10 years. I was in my early 20s when I won the national champion. I still remember lifting 155kg. I ranked No. 2. In the second round, I lifted 190kg without rest and won the championship because my record was 1kg heavier than my opponent’s. Do you know who I competed with?”

Dai Li shook his head. Aiguo Jiang revealed the answer immediately. “It was Gang Shi!”

“You mean the champion of the Olympic games, Gang Shi?” Dai Li asked surprisingly.

“Yes, that’s him. In the weightlifting championship, I was supposed to represent the national team and take part in the Olympic games because I was the champion. He was the second place finisher. However, I got hurt right before the game, so I had to quit. He took my place, and took part in the Olympic games, where he won the gold medal. Then you know how the rest of the story goes,” Aiguo Jiang said slowly.

Dai Li remembered that Olympics. Dai Li was still on his summer holiday. He watched all the Olympic games relays because he had nothing else to do. He remembered the Men’s 69kg. Gang Shi had won without any suspense, right in the foreign players’ faces.

The Men’s 69kg is our best event. If Aiguo Jiang had not gotten hurt and had taken part in the Olympic games, he must have been able to win the gold medal. If he had, he would not have to struggle for his daughter’s surgery expenses now.”

Dai Li sighed. He was not God; he could not turn back time. However, he had a coaching system that might be of use to Aiguo Jiang. This was all that he could do.

Dai Li hesitated a few seconds, then asked out of the blue, “Have you thought about changing to another weight class? The competition for the 69kg weight class is too intense. On our team alone we have two young men—Liang Peng and Dongshan Cao—who are in their 20s with great potential. Both of them are in the 69kg weight class. That’s not even considering the athletes with potential around the world.”

“Of course I’ve thought about it before. But the competition in 77kg heavyweight is also intense. I’m already in my 30s. I wouldn’t be able to compete with those young men even if I got my weight up to 77kg. People of my age can’t get themselves to be as strong as younger people, even if we rebuild our muscles.”

Dai Li shook his head. “I’m not talking about the 77kg. I’m talking about the 62kg weight class.”

“62kg heavyweight? You want me to drop weight from 69kg to 62kg? Are you kidding me?” Aiguo Jiang couldn’t hide the surprise on his face.

Jiang seemed a little angry. He could not understand why Li would make such a bad joke knowing Jiang was close to being kicked out by the weightlifting team. That was not friendly at all.

“I’m not joking. I’m serious.” Dai Li put down his chopsticks and continued, “Look, our priorities are on the 69kg and 77kg heavyweight. We have no athletes for the 62kg weight class, which means you would have no rivalry if you dropped to that weight. Then you’ll have a bigger chance of staying. As soon as you get the chance to compete in a game and get a record, there is no doubt that you will be able to stay.”

“That’s useless. You think I haven’t thought about what you said? There is a 7kg difference between the two weight classes. There would also be muscle loss accompanied with the weight loss. I might not even be able to compete with athletes from the 56kg weight class, let alone take part in sports games,” Aiguo Jiang started.

“I got your back! I’m the expert in losing weight. I know how to help you lose weight while maintaining as much muscle as possible,” Dai Li said as he patted his own chest.

Aiguo Jiang looked at him with an expression of doubt. Obviously, he didn’t believe what Dai Li was saying. He might even make fun of Li if they had not been friends.

Li knew that Jiang would not believe him. He gestured at Jiang to come closer and said, “You know that there was a rumor on the internet saying that Feifei Yu did not work hard on her training and weighed 70kg a few days ago, and how it was said that she would be kicked off the national team. Did you hear about it?”

“Of course I did. It was big news. But it turned out to be fake. The swimming team even held a press conference and asked Feifei Yu to weigh herself in front of everyone. She was not even close to 70kg.” Jiang saw that Li had a slight smile on his face. “Why is you smile so weird? You got some inside information?” Jiang asked.

“Don’t call my smile weird!” The smile disappeared from Li’s face. He lowered his voice and continued, “It’s true that she weighed 70kg, but she managed to lose the weight.”

“She must have suffered a lot to lose more than 5kg. Wait, you were not on our team at that time. How did you know that she weighed 70kg?” Jiang asked.

“It was me who helped her lose the weight!” He took out his phone and showed one picture to Jiang. It was a picture of Li and Yu.

“You took the picture with Feifei Yu? Did you use photoshop?” Jiang said immediately.

“Photoshop? Okay, I’ll show you more. Look at this one, and that one. And this is a picture from when she was being trained.” Dai Li slid his fingers across the screen of his phone and showed Jiang all the pictures he had taken when Feifei Yu was being trained.

“You really were involved in her training! She was a world-record holder!” The expression in Jiang’s eyes suddenly changed when he looked at Li.

Dai Li lowered his voice and said secretly, “I know a weight loss exercise. You can see the difference after one single practice. She lost all her weight using it. You can come with me and try it after eating if you don’t believe me.”

“Sure! Let’s go and try. I’ll consider it a post-meal exercise to make my digestion better.” Even though Jiang did not believe him, he still said yes because he was very close to Li.

Chapter 64: Broadcast Exercises

After lunch, Jiang weighed himself. The scale read 73.49kg.

The actual weight of a weightlifting athlete was more than the weight class they belonged to. For example, an athlete who was in the 69kg weight class had to weigh more than 69kg. But if one was heavier than the standard acceptable weight, then he or she would not be able to take part in the games. Athletes would lose weight before the date of the measurement by going on a diet and not drinking water.

Jiang was 73.49kg, which was 4.49kg higher than the 69kg weight class. However, considering the fact that he had just eaten a meal and was wearing clothes, the weight actually fell in the normal range.

Dai Li used his weight loss exercise again. He used the weight loss exercise instead of the fat loss exercise because he had already tried the weight loss exercise on Feifei Yu, which had turned out to be a success. He had not tried the fat loss exercise yet, so he didn’t know if it worked or not. Because he had told Jiang the effect could be seen after a single practice session, he chose the weight loss exercise to be sure he would see the effect.

“Come on. Get ready. Follow me. One and two, three and four, five and six, and seven and eight…”

“Li, I think your weight loss exercises are more like broadcast exercises, which we practiced when we were at school!” Jiang mumbled while following Li’s moves.

“Don’t worry. The effects are completely different. Come on, continue. Five and six, and seven and eight…”

…

“Five and six, and seven and stop!” Dai Li stopped his moves.

“That’s it?” Jiang drew back his lips. “Li, are you playing jokes on me today? This broadcast exercise only lasted about 20 minutes. I didn’t sweat at all. You told me that I could lose weight with just a single practice? I would rather run around a few times on the playground!”

“Weigh yourself and you’ll know if you’ve lost any weight.” Li dragged Jiang and let him stand on the scale. They looked at the scale together as he stood still.

“73.38? It’s almost the same as before! I only lost 0.01kg, which could be due to my digestion. It doesn’t count,” Aiguo Jiang said.

“Jiang, think about it. It was 73.49kg. You lost 0.11kg, not 0.01kg!” Dai Li said and reminded him.

“Yes, you are right. It was 73.49kg. I lost 0.11kg in 20 minutes? Just by performing a single round of broadcast exercises? Am I dreaming?” Aiguo Jiang was shocked. He looked like he had no idea what had happened.

Dai Li didn’t answer him directly, instead pointing at the scale. “You don’t have to believe me, but you have to believe the scale.”

Jiang looked at the number on the scale, then looked at Dai li. He screamed, “Li, are you God? It seems like this weight loss exercise really works. If we keep going like this, I think I can lose 7kg and get to the 62kg weight class!”

However, Jiang shook his head the next second. “No, even if I can lose 7kg, I would not be able to compete in the games. The muscle I would lose when cutting weight would not be sufficient enough to perform well!”

“Don’t you worry. I know how to deal with it. I can help you maintain as much muscle as possible. As long as you can lose 7kg, you will be able to compete in games!” Dai Li said confidently. However, Jiang still had an unwilling expression on his face.

“Jiang, my bro, if you stay in the 69kg weight class, you will be kicked out for sure. Even if going down to the 62kg weight class does not mean you can definitely stay, you will at least be giving yourself a chance!” Li kept persuading him.

His words resembled what doctors told their patients. Doing a surgery did not mean one’s life could be saved, but not doing the surgery meant a 100% chance of death. When facing the choices of probably living or definitely dying, normally people would choose the first one. Even if the possibility might be very low, it was still a possibility.

Aiguo Jiang suddenly understood. If he went down to the 62kg weight class, he would still have a shot at staying. If he stayed in the 69kg weight class, however, he would have to say goodbye to the weightlifting team. And if he left the team, the expenses for her daughter’s future surgery would be a problem. He had no choice but to believe in Dai Li.

He nodded his head the next second. “Okay, Li. Please help me lose weight. I want to get down to the 62kg weight class!”

…

In the weightlifting training center.

Xiang Huang had woken up a bit late today. He rushed into the training center just in time. The coaches or the athletes were already there.

I overslept by ten minutes and was almost late, Xiang Huang thought to himself. He saw that Li and Jiang were doing the weight loss exercises.

They’ve already started warming up. What kind of warm-up is that? Looks like broadcast exercises. That type of exercise that barely burns any calories might work for normal people, but not for athletes. I doubt it will help them. Xiang Huang scoffed and ran to his partner Dongshan Cao, ready to start training.

After an hour, Xiang Huang wiped the sweat off his forehead and said, “Cao, let’s rest for 10 minutes. We will drink some water and recover our physical strength.” He took his big bottle and chugged some water.

Nice! Xiang Huang looked very satisfied. He looked around. He found that Li and Jiang were still doing the same exercises.

They are still warming up! It has been an hour and they have not finished yet? I knew it. Those broadcast exercises barely do anything. Xiang Huang shook his head and stopped paying attention to Li and Jiang.

After two hours, Huang took his second break to drink some water. However, he saw Li and Jiang were still practicing the exercises.

What the hell? Are they still doing broadcast exercises? Are they actually train this morning or not? Could it be that Jiang has decided to retire and become a PE teacher? That must be why he wants to learn broadcast exercises in advance!

After three hours, the morning training had almost come to an end. Many athletes began lowering their training load to soothe their bodies.

Huang looked in Li’s direction again and found that Li and Jiang were still doing the same exact exercises.

Are they still doing broadcast exercises? Are they addicted to it? What kind of broadcast exercises are those, anyway? While Huang was thinking, Li and Jiang finished a round of exercises and stopped.

Li said, “My big bro, Jiang, let’s stop it here this morning. Let’s not interfere with your daily strength training.”

Jiang looked at his watch and found that they’d been going at it for three hours. He nodded and began his strength training. Not far away, Huang’s eyes were wide opened.

They are only beginning their training now, after three hours of warming up? It is almost time for lunch! Normally we warm up for 20 minutes, then train for the remaining time. But they did three hours of warm-ups with 20 minutes of training!

Chapter 65: Curtain Call Competitions

Using the fat loss exercises, Dai Li really began helping Aiguo Jiang lose weight. Because Li didn’t want Jiang to lose too much muscle, the best course of action was to get rid of the fat while maintaining as much as they could. This way, Jiang could keep as much of his formal strength and explosive power as possible.

Jiang had traditionally trained for the 69kg weight class, but he was not among the best on the team because of his age. However, if he trained for the 62kg weight class, he would have clear advantages. The difference between the two weight classes were completely different. In the 69kg weight class, the top athlete’s record for the snatch and the clean and jerk would be over 350kg in total. However, an athlete in the 62kg weight class could only lift 320kg, which was a difference of 30kg. Even average athletes of the 69kg weight class could easily beat the athletes of the 62kg weight class.

If Jiang could take part in the competition for the 62kg weight class as an athlete who had the ability of someone in the 69kg, there was no doubt that he would get a good result.

It was impossible to lose weight while maintaining all the muscle. There was a limit to how low a body fat percentage could be. It was quite hard to lower that percentage once it reached a certain number.

For normal adults, the average percentage was 15% to 18% for men, and 25% to 28% for women. In today’s society, only people who worked out consistently could reach the standard. Appearance-wise, the pectorals were visible when a man’s body fat percentage was under 20%. When it was below 15%, one could vaguely see the six or eight abdominal muscles on the stomach. When the number was below 12%, the muscles would be not only visible, but very attractive to other people. However, if it was under 10%, the muscles would seem too dry, which could make others find the person not so beautiful.

Weightlifting was a sport that required strength, skill, and balance. Strength only helped athletes lift weights. Besides that, all that mattered was balance. That was why weightlifting athletes didn’t have to pursue a perfect body fat percentage. Many top athletes were actually considered fat by most.

As for Jiang, his body rate percentage was a little higher than that of the young men on the team because he was older than them. The fat loss exercises would work quite well for him. Generally speaking, however, the efficiency of the fat loss exercises were much lower than the weight loss exercises.

Losing weight became daily training for Dai Li and Aiguo Jiang. During the process, more and more people on the weightlifting team found Li and Jiang doing the same broadcast exercises for most of their training time. They all found it weird because they knew that broadcast exercises couldn’t help professional athletes with significant physical ability.

Although they found it odd, no one disturbed them. Jiang was an athlete with more than 10 years of experience after all. They knew the weightlifting team would begin expelling athletes and that Jiang was one of the names on the list. There was no need to be strict with someone who was likely leaving. He should be able to do whatever he wanted!

…

“I’m finally under 66kg!” Jiang stepped off the scale looking very relieved.

After being weighed in his clothes, he found that his weight was below 66kg, which meant Jiang qualified for the 62kg weight class. Even though there was still a 4kg difference, he could definitely reach the mark before the weigh-in by taking off his clothes, as well as not eating or drinking before the competition.

Li gave a sigh of relief and said, “We’re lucky to have made it. There are only two weeks left. The sign-ups are about to begin. My big bro, you should go to Coach Song immediately, since you have to sign up and take part in the competition this time.”

“I’m going right now,” Jiang nodded. However, he still seemed very disturbed and asked, “I still feel indecisive. What if he rejects me? Could you please come with me?”

“I think he will agree seeing as there are no athletes in the 62kg weight class. The games will be held in Qing City also, which means we will be competing on our home field. The team will take full advantage of this opportunity and send as many athletes as possible,” Li said.

“I guess that makes sense. I hope Coach Song will think the same way,” Jiang said.

…

Guangyi Ma walked into Guangming Song’s office in a hurry.

“Coach, I heard that you agreed to let Jiang take part in the national weightlifting championship in Qing City?” Guangyi Ma asked.

Guangming Song nodded, “Yes, I did. What is the problem?”

“Coach, Jiang is too old for that. He has no longer has potential. I think we would be better off saving this chance for younger athletes like Liang Peng and Dongshan Cao,” Guangyi Ma said.

“They will join too,” Guangming Song agreed.

Ma hesitated a bit, then asked cautiously, “Even though it’s on our home field this time, wouldn’t it break the rules if we send three athletes for the same weight class? The other teams might gossip about us.”

“Haha, Ma, you misunderstood me.” Song waved his hand and continued, “Liang Peng and Dongshan Cao will take part in the games for the 69kg weight class, while Aiguo Jiang will go for the 62kg.”

“Aiguo Jiang? 62kg weight class?” Ma was lost. The day Jiang joined, he was an athlete of the 69kg weight class. It had been more than ten years. How could he have become part of the 62kg weight class all of a sudden when he was about to retire?

Guangming Song continued, “Jiang worked very hard to lose a few kilos these last few days. His weight is already under 66kg, which means he is qualified to take part in the competition.”

“What about his strength? He must have lost so much muscle since he dropped a few kilos. He will not be able to adjust himself to the 62kg weight class in such a short time,” Ma added.

“I understand your concerns. But because there is no athlete in 62kg weight class on our team, why don’t we send him and try? The game is in our city also, so there will not be any extra cost to send one more athlete.” He sighed and said, “Besides, you must know about what happened with his family. There will be a few more surgeries for his daughter because she has a cleft lip. That is going to be a lot of money, which will torture him. This veteran has worked for more than ten years. Let’s see this national championship as his curtain call!”

“Curtain call…” Ma repeated the words. All that popped up into his mind was the gossip about him being expelled from before. He finally understood that Jiang would be asked to leave after this championship.

Chapter 66: The Championship Starts

The news that Jiang would be competing in the 62kg weight class spread all over the team. It was much harder to drop weight than it was to gain weight in weightlifting, especially when Jiang had been in the 69kg weight class for almost 14 years. It surprised a lot of people when they heard that he was going to the 62kg.

No one had positive opinions about Jiang’s decision besides Li. Jiang was 32-years-old, after all. Most domestic athletes’ physical abilities began to deteriorate when they got to this age, and most of them were simply counting down to retirement.

Xiang Huang began gossiping again in the cafeteria.

“Jiang is really hard-working. In order to stay on the team, he dropped down to the 62kg weight class. You know he is in his 30s. Normally athletes his age are retired,” Xiang Huang said.

“All he wants to do is to extend his career to 15 years so he can get a higher pension. I heard that his daughter’s second surgery is soon,” Coach Tao Liu said next to them.

“But I think that even if he decides to go down to the 62kg weight class it will still be difficult for him. There are only two weeks left before the championship. He does not have much time; he might fail before the game even begins because he is overweight.

…

Weightlifting was divided by weight class. You couldn’t take part in the game if you were even 0.01kg overweight the day the weighing took place.

It took two hours to weigh the athletes right before the competition. The pre-weighing room was opened one hour prior so the athletes could prepare for it. The actual weighing room opened one hour later. Athletes could weigh themselves as many times as they wanted. They could go to the restroom or do some strenuous exercises if they found that their weight was not where it needed to be, then weigh themselves again until they were satisfied with the number.

According to the rules of weightlifting, if two athletes lifted the same weight, lighter of the two would win. Every athlete would try everything to bring their weight down. During the 1980s, there was a top-level athlete who lost the Olympic games to his rival because he was 0.05kg heavier than him. It was because he had drank a cup of milk for lunch. That game was named the “milk medal” because of the incident.

Normally, the athletes started to restrict their diet a few days before the game, only eating some vegetables while limiting the consumption of carbohydrates. 48 hours before the games began, the athletes would restrict their consumption of water. Some even stopped drinking water entirely, to the point where they were slightly dehydrated.

The athletes also had saunas before the competition began. Those who were in a high weight class could lose 2-3kg in the sauna after 30 minutes. If they could not find a sauna, they usually wrapped themselves in down coats and quilts just to make themselves sweat and become lighter. Some considered this procedure torture. There was also an extreme method, which was to cut one’s hair, beard, and fine hair, getting rid of keratin, and even cutting one’s nails if it meant a lighter weigh-in.

To weigh less, the athletes wore nothing whilst being weighed, not even their underwear; they were naked when they stood on the scale. In national competitions, normally they would ask a male judge to be in charge of male athletes and a female judge to be in charge of female athletes to make the athletes less uncomfortable. However, in international competitions, foreigners did not care about it. There were usually five to six judges, both male and female, which made it a little embarrassing for the naked athletes to stand on the scale.

It was quite normal for some athletes to not pass the weigh-in before the games. There had been an athlete from west Asia who could not reach the standard for the Asian championship, and had to give up before the game even began. Even in national competitions, there were a bunch of people who forfeited due to their weight.

…

Two weeks passed very quickly. The day had come for the national weightlifting championship in Qing City.

The 62kg weight class was the second-lightest group for men’s weightlifting. Because of this, the 62kg weight class happened earlier than the other weight classes. Jiang arrived very early in the morning to prepare.

“All athletes taking part in the 62kg weight class competition, please come here and prepare to weigh-in before the games,” a gentle female voice echoed from a speaker on the wall. The athletes who were preparing to compete in the competition all stood up and walked to the pre-weighing room.

“My big bro, Jiang, let’s go get ready!” Dai Li said.

“Sure.” Jiang walked to the pre-weighing room with an oppressive look.

Somebody near called his name at that moment.

“Aiguo Jiang!”

Li turned around and saw the person who had spoken was a coach from another team. He felt like he had seen that face before.

“He looks so familiar to me. I must have met him before. Where was it?” Aiguo Jiang called out his name while Li was still trying to remember.

“Gang Shi, why are you here?” Aiguo Jiang patted his head right after he finished his sentence. “Sorry, that must be my bad memory. You are the main coach for the weightlifting team of Jianglin City now!”

Dai Li stood next to them and realized who this guy was when he heard his name.

“Gang Shi, the champion of the Olympic games. No wonder he looks so familiar to me. He looks much bigger than before. I didn’t recognize him at first glance. He became a coach after his retirement!” Dai Li suddenly remembered what happened between Gang Shi and Aiguo Jiang.

Jiang had beaten Shi in the competition prior to the Olympics, and had qualified to take part in the Olympic games. However, he had to give the spot up because he had gotten injured. Shi replaced Jiang, and won the gold medal in that Olympic games. From then on, their fates had been completely changed. Jiang had left no remarkable records after that, and was gradually forgotten by other people. Even the provincial weightlifting team was preparing to kick him out.

Shi had not achieved any good records after that either, but thanks to the title “champion” that the Olympic games had given him, he enjoyed countless compliments and was worshipped. Both the country and the government provided him with a high bonus. All the commercials also brought him income, so he didn’t have to worry about food or clothes. Even after he retired, his former champion identity still helped him become a well-known coach for weightlifting without any suspense. Now he was the main coach for a provincial weightlifting team.

“It seems like fate likes to play jokes on people!” Dai Li sighed to himself.

Shi walked over to them and said, “Aiguo, we haven’t seen each other for a year, yet you seem healthier than before! Let’s catch up since we have nothing better to do anyway. Let’s go over there and find a seat.”

“Shi, I will go find you and talk to you after the game. I need to get ready for the competition right now,” Aiguo Jiang said.

“Competition?” Shi was lost. “Aiguo, are you confused? This is for the the 62kg weight class. Your game begins in the afternoon according to the agenda.”

“I’m an athlete in the 62kg weight class,” Jiang explained.

“What? You transferred to the 62kg weight class? Since when? I remember that you were still in the 69kg weight class when I came here last year.” Shi looked astonished.

“Two months ago,” Jiang said.

“Two months ago? Are you out of you mind? Do you have any idea how old you are…” Shi suddenly stopped because he remembered Jiang’s daughter, who had a special condition.

Shi breathed deeply and said, “Aiguo, we have been friends for more than 10 years. If your family is in trouble, tell me. I’m not rich, but I can help you at least a little bit.”

“Thanks, Shi! I’m already satisfied with your words.” Jiang nodded at Shi and walked into the pre-weighing room.

Shi opened his mouth, but said nothing. He knew that he would hurt Jiang’s pride if he continued. Jiang walked into the pre-weighing room and looked at the young athletes standing around. You could see the differences between him and the others.

He was not a successful athlete, nor did he know how to make a big fortune. His family was a heavy burden on him. His daughter was waiting for the money for the surgery. But he did not need other people’s pity or sympathy, let alone someone else’s charity. He believed that he could bare the burden of his family and make his family live better with his hands and effort!

Chapter 67: Snatch

“Isn’t that Aiguo Jiang? Why is he here? I thought he was in the 69kg weight class. Why is he in the 62kg pre-weighing room? Is he lost?”

“The scheduled date and time for the competitions was sent to the athletes in advance. The competition for the 69kg weight class is later. How could he not know?”

“Does that mean he transferred to the 62kg?”

“How is that possible? I think he is over 30-years-old. Athletes that age are close to retirement. How could he transfer to another weight class, especially a lighter one?”

“Who knows. There is no athlete in the 62kg weight class for the Hanbei Provincial team. Their strengths are the 77kg and 85kg weight classes. I think they want to add more athletes because it is their home field this time. That is why they put him here.”

“Let’s go and see. It is difficult for a 69kg weight class athlete to transfer to the 62kg weight class. Maybe he will be knocked out right after the weighing takes place.”

A couple experienced athletes discussed amongst themselves in low voices. Some young athletes were looked at Jiang curiously because they did not even know him.

For other weightlifting athletes, it was very exhausting to control their weight. However, Dai Li had solved this problem for Jiang, so he no longer needed to worry about that. He was qualified to take part in the game because he weigh in at 61.88kg.

There were only 25 athletes in the competition for the 62kg weight class. This was because the competition was being held by Qing City, which was located in the north coastal area. The provinces next to Qing City were not famous for weightlifting in the lighter weight classes. If the game had been held by a southwestern city, there might be more athletes in the 62kg competition.

According to international rules, organizers divided the athletes into groups A and B based on their abilities when there were too many participants. The athletes who were superior would be put in group A, while the rest were put in group B. Normally, the champion was in group A, but there were exceptions. For example, one time in the Olympic games, the Korean athlete who broke the Olympic game’s record was actually from group B. He defeated the athletes in group A successfully and won the gold medal.

This time around, there were 12 people in group A. They were all top-level athletes. Those in group B were inferior compared to group A. This was Jiang’s first time to taking part in the 62kg weight class competition. He had no record on this level, so he was put in group B without a second thought.

Weightlifting was divided into two categories: the snatch and the clean and jerk. The athletes were asked to snatch first. Everybody got three attempts. Then they would be asked to complete the clean and jerk. Everyone got three attempts for this activity as well.

Once the game had begun, all the athletes would write their trial record on the paper and give it to the judge. From there, one could only increase the weight. With the increase in weight, athletes would lift weights in the order they had chosen.

For the first trial lift, the athlete would choose a weight that they could definitely lift. Because the weight could only be increased after it was given to the referee, the athletes preferred to leave a basic guaranteed record. If the record given to the referee was too high, the athlete might fail to lift it all three trial times, which would eliminate them without even obtaining a record.

The referee would keep the records handed in by the athletes a secret to prevent competitors from drawing up a strategy against each other. The athletes had no idea who was the next until it was their turn.

The athletes in group B obviously underachieved compared to group A. The first athlete was a complete newbie. He only chose 115kg for his first trial lift. It was so light that everyday guys who attended the gym regularly could lift it.

The first athlete lifted his weight successfully. The second athlete raised the weight to 117kg, while the following athlete did the same.

With the increase in weight, there were more and more new faces appearing on the field, meaning more and more people failed. Once the weight was raised to 130kg, 12 athletes from group B had finished their trial lift. However, Jiang had not gone yet.

“It is 130kg already! Jiang still has not shown up! Which number did he write for his trial lift?” Some people began to feel confused. Some of the athletes had already finished three trial lifts, while Jiang had not even begun his very first trial lift.

Finally, once the weight increased to 135kg, Jiang came out.

“He chose 135kg as his first trial. Even if he was in group A, it would be above average, right?”

“The trial lift in group A is 130kg. Now it has been increased to 138kg. There were three athletes who chose this weight for their first trial lift. Two of them succeeded the first time, and one of them succeeded the second.”

“It seems that there is still a big difference between groups A and B. But considering Jiang lifted 135kg for his first trial, he should be qualified enough to be put into group A.”

Jiang was ready while the others talked to each other. 135kg was very easy for him. He lifted it easily, wasting no time.

“He made it! Not bad. I wonder what his next weight will be. 136kg?”

“He lifted it effortlessly. I think he could make it 137kg or 138kg. But not more than that. Even athletes from group A might fail 138kg.”

Dai Li had a satisfied smile on his face. The fat loss exercises had helped Jiang maintain most of his muscles. This weight was very easy for him because he was a former 69kg weight class athlete. Although he was in the 62kg weight class now, he still possessed superior ability.

When the weight was increased to 136kg, Jiang did not show up. The same happened for 137kg. When the weight rose to 138kg, there was only one athlete remaining besides Jiang.

Another athlete’s third trial lift was 138kg, which seemed to be beyond his abilities. In the end, he did not complete his attempt.

“Now there is only Jiang left. It is time for him to go. He has only lifted once!”

Right after the person spoke, somebody walked on the field. It was not Jiang, but a member of the staff. They ran out and raised the weight to 140kg.

“Jiang chose 140kg as his second trial lift?”

“Even if he was in group A, there would not be more than three or four athletes who could lift 140kg. He raised it 5kg. It is too difficult to do in one shot.”

“Look, he did it! He lifted 140kg!”

Jiang held the 140kg of weight steadily on the field. He put it on the floor once he heard the notification sound. With three white lights showing, Jiang had successfully completed his trial lifts.

There was a shocked expression on Gang Shi’s eyes, who was standing far from the field.

“He successfully dropped down to the 62kg weight class. If he were in his 20s it would make sense. But he is 32-years-old already. How did he manage to do it?”

Jiang was the only one from group B who had not finished the competition. He did not have much time to rest, and began his third trial immediately. The weight was 141kg.

Chapter 68: The Last Shot

Group A had one less person than group B did, so their game went faster. The snatch competition ended quickly.

The athlete who had ranked No.1 in group A was Dashan Fang. He was the top weightlifting athlete in the country. He pouted his lips and smiled smugly. His snatch record was 141kg. He felt like it would be easy to win the entire competition.

“Snatch has actually always been my weakest lift. I did not expect my performance to be this good. Clean and jerk is my specialty. This championship is mine!” Dashan Fang thought the clean and jerk would only require him going through the motions. After his performance today, the championship would be his without a doubt.

As he was thinking this, the sound of applause suddenly echoed from group B.

“There is one more person in group B. The competition has not ended yet.” Dashan Fang leaned back in his chair, not caring about the competition in group B at all. To him, people in group B were losers that had no chance at all.

Dashan Fang’s coach suddenly ran up to him hurriedly and said, “Dashan, someone in group B lifted 141kg also.”

“What?” Dashan Fang stood up straight and asked cautiously, “How could group B have such an overqualified athlete? Who is it? Is it someone new?”

There were many talented weightlifting athletes in the nation. No one could predict when a dark horse would show up, which worried Dashan Fang a lot.

“I guess you could say he is a new face, but he isn’t, really. It was Aiguo Jiang who lifted 141kg,” the coach said.

“I have heard that name before. Oh, I remember. He is an athlete who is quite old right? I think he should be over 30 years old. I remember he used to be in the 69kg weight class. How come he is in the 62kg weight class? Did he drop to a lighter weight? But how is that possible? How could an athlete in their 30s drop to a lighter weight class yet retain so much strength?”

“I know, right? I was surprised when I saw him. I’m also wondering how he made it into the 62kg weight class. I did not expect to drop to a lower weight class. You need to be careful. He is an experienced veteran. He knows all the tricks, and he is good at the clean and jerk!” The coach looked at the list of names in his hand and continued, “You are lucky that you were 0.04kg lighter than him in the pre-weighing. We have the upper hand now.”

…

Clean and jerk was easier for athletes to use their strength than the snatch. This was why the records were always higher in the clean and jerk competition. It also required more technique. The ability of national weightlifting athletes was generally quite good, so they normally performed better in the clean and jerk.

The first athlete in group B to make an attempt chose 145kg, which was 30kg heavier than their snatch had been.

The weight increased gradually until it reached 160kg, at which point Aiguo Jiang finally stepped on the field.

At the sound of the starting ring, Aiguo Jiang successfully completed the movement, then dropped the barbell on the ground. It bounced a once it landed, even though even it weighed 160kg. The people near the field could feel that the ground shake when it fell.

As this was happening, applause could be heard from the people spectating group A. It sounded like thunder.

Dashan Fang raised his hands and began to celebrate his victory. The pace was a little bit slower in group A. Dashan Fang had just finished his second trial lift of 169kg.

The news of his lift was passed on to group B. Dai Li walked over to Aiguo Jiang and said, “My bro, Dashan Fang from group A just lifted 169kg. Your snatch records were from before were identical. He is now ahead of you by 9kg, and he is lighter than you. I think we should try 170kg for now. You’ve lifted it before during training.

“Okay, let’s go to 170kg!” Aiguo Jiang said firmly.

The weight had been raised to 163kg in group B. The other two athletes had already failed at this weight. The only person remaining in group B was Aiguo Jiang. The staff came out and raised the weight to 170kg.

“Look, the weight was raised to 170kg. Aiguo Jiang is going to lift 170kg!”

“Dashan Fang from group A just lifted 169kg. It seems like Aiguo Jiang wants to lead the competition!”

“I saw that their records for the snatch were both 141kg. If Aiguo Jiang can lift 170kg, he can beat Dashan Fang. Just imagine, an athlete from group B beating an athlete from group A. What a good counterattack!”

“Do not jump to conclusions. Aiguo Jiang’s first trial lift was 160kg. He might not be able to lift it at all after raising the weight by 10kg. He might just be rolling the dice.”

Everyone in the audience had different opinions. Aiguo Jiang smeared his hands with chalk and got ready for the competition on the field.

When the bell rang, Aiguo Jiang held his breath and lifted the barbell. He crouched and continued to use his strength to push the barbell up to the height of his chest. Once he got the weight there, he used his strength and balance to crouch to the ground.

Once he was crouched, he used his power to stand up and lift the barbell above his head until his arms were fully stretched out. Aiguo Jiang then adjusted his leg position, putting his feet in line with one another. Finally, he stood still with the barbell above his head.

“Beeee…” Aiguo Jiang put the barbell back on the ground with the sound. He exhaled when he saw the three white lights glowing to the side of him.

“He did it! 170kg. Aiguo Jiang did it! He beat Dashan Fang by 1kg! He is going to be in the championship!”

The audience was shouting and applauding all over the competition field.

People always had a tendency to root for the underdog. Stories of people turning from losers to rock stars were always popular in literature. To the audience, if an athlete from group B could beat an athlete from group A and won the championship, it would be exciting and worth their applause.

Because it was Aiguo Jiang’s home field, the audience mostly consisted of local people from Qing City. As a provincial athlete, he would definitely have the support of the audience. People would prefer Aiguo Jiang win the championship rather than someone else.

…

In group A, Dashan Fang was already targeting the No.1 spot. A different athlete had already failed to lift 170kg

“I already won the competition here. Maybe I should give up on the last trial lift to avoid being injured.” As Dashan Fang was thinking about it, the sound of shouting and applause surprised him.

“What is going on? The noise is coming from group B.” Dashan Fang raised his head and looked around, only to find that even the the people that had been spectating group A were looking in the direction of group B.

The coach ran to him in a hurry looking very serious. He said, “We are in trouble. Aiguo Jiang from group B just lifted 170kg. He is now leading you by 1kg.”

“170kg? I was beat by an athlete from group B?” Dashan Fang was shocked. His eyes were wide open in disbelief. He had thought that he would win easily. He had never expected that a low-level athlete from group B would beat him.

The coach continued, “Aiguo Jiang’s pre-weighing lifts are higher than yours. As long as you can lift 170kg, you can beat him. But this is only his second trial lift, which means you both get one more chance. It would be quite dangerous to choose 170kg!”

Dashan Fang frowned and said, “You are right. I will lose the game if he can lift 170kg.”

The coach nodded and said, “Let’s wait and see if we can hold off and let Aiguo Jiang choose the weight first. Then we can follow him and win back the upper hand.”

Chapter 69: Adding Weight

Men’s 62 kilograms Group B.

“Aiguo Jiang, this is our last attempt. How much should we add?” asked Dai Li.

“How is Dashan Fang’s third attempt?” Aiguo Jiang answered with a question.

“Don’t know. They have not decided yet. Dashan Fang’s coach is talking to the judge,” said Dai Li.

“They are trying to buy themselves more time! They want us to choose first.” Aiguo Jiang was an experienced weightlifter, so he immediately sniffed out Dashan Fang’s intentions.

If the two had been in the same group, they would not have done this. Normally, the one who had had the weaker performance would choose first. But now that the two were in separate groups, they had time to delay.

“What should we do?” asked Dai Li.

Dai Li was too young. He lacked sufficient experience, and besides, it was his first time in a formal contest at the national level. He had no idea what to do. He could only ask Aiguo Jiang for help.

“Now we do the same thing. Come on, let’s go to the judge’s table and tell them that my barbell is unbalanced, and that I request a barbell change.”

The formal competition required the use of international standardized barbells, both male and female. The differences were in the bar; all the plates were the same. The men’s barbell was 2.20 meters long, and weighed 20 kilograms; the women’s barbell was 2.15 meters long and weighed 15 kilograms.

When being used in a formal contest, the length and weight had to be exactly the same, all while maintaining good balance. Once the barbell lost its balance, it would strongly affected the weightlifter’s performance.

It was hard to change the barbell during the competition. The new barbell could not be put to use right away; it had to be measured for balance, which took a great deal of time. As an experienced athlete, Aiguo Jiang knew the trick well. He chose to use it now to his advantage.

But the judges were not idiots. They knew that both athletes were using excuses to put off choosing their weights. Each wanted the other to choose first.

The game was delayed, and because there were another competition taking place afterwards, they could not simply wait here. After a discussion, the judges made a final decision.

“Choose your weight within two minutes or you will be disqualified,” said the judge.

“What about them?” Aiguo Jiang pointed at group A. “What about Dashan Fang?”

“The same goes for them,” said the judge.

Aiguo Jiang nodded. “Roger that.”

“We must decide within two minutes. Which weight should we choose?” Dai Li was anxious. It was his first time going through a situation like this. He felt even more nervous as time passed by.

We are 1 kilogram clear of them, which is to our advantage. But Aiguo Jiang weighs more than Dashan Fang, which is a disadvantage. How much should we have? 171 kilograms? 172 kilograms? That should be a safe choice, since Aiguo Jiang can make it. But what if Dashan Fang chooses the same weight? Then we will lose!

Dai Li knew it was a physical game. If they chose less weight than Dashan Fang, he would end with more weight; if they chose to add more weight, they could still fail if Aiguo Jiang could not lift it. For Dai Li, a newbie coach, it was difficult to know how to make the right decision. Right now, fortune and experience were more important.

But Aiguo Jiang was fairly calm. As an experienced athlete, the best thing he had was experience. He remained level-headed in this critical moment.

After a while, Aiguo Jiang took a deep breath, his eyes shining with firmness. “Give me 175 kilograms!”

“175 kilograms? We have never tried that before.” Dai Li was shocked. “I remember that the last Olympic 62 kilogram weight class champion’s clean+jerk was 176 kilograms, and he won gold. Are you sure about this? Our place is guaranteed, we will either win first or the second. We will have a medal. We also have a one kilogram advantage. Is it necessary to take a risk?”

Aiguo Jiang did not reply. His facial expression showed Dai Li that he insisted on doing so.

A 175 kilogram clean and jerk would not be a problem if this was the Aiguo Jiang of years ago. He had once been in the 69 kilogram weight class. 175 kilograms was the minimum requirement for a national top-level weightlifter.

But for 62 kilogram weightlifters, 175 kilograms was a peak that was impossible to conquer. As Dai Li had said, in the last Olympic games, 176 kilograms had been enough to win a gold medal, while the world record for the 62 kilogram weight class clean+jerk was 177.5 kilograms. Therefore, lifting 175 kilograms in a national weightlifting championships substation contest was a dream.

Hearing the number “175,” Dai Li knew Aiguo Jiang was taking a risk, or gambling, so to speak. Since Aiguo Jiang had dropped weight, he had not lifted 175 kilograms. To try a weight he had never tried in a formal contest, Dai Li could only cross his fingers for Aiguo Jiang.

Dai Li wrote down “175” on a piece of paper, then walked over to the judges. But he did not hand in the note.

Seconds later, Dashan Fang’s coach also came over to the judges. He stopped in front of the table and looked at Dai Li, not handing in his note either.

The two both planned to wait until the very last second, this way the other would not change the weight.

The two were staring at each other. The judges could do nothing. They had already said that the two athletes had two minutes each. They could not grab the note beforehand.

Finally, at the last possible second, the two handed in their notes together.

…

On the bleachers, the audience had been waiting for a long time. They knew that it would be the last attempt that decided the winner. Because of this, they waited in patience.

“I wonder how much Dashan Fang added. Maybe one kilogram? I remember that the minimum increase is one kilogram.”

“Dashan Fang is one kilogram behind Aiguo Jiang, so he must add more than one kilogram. Because Aiguo Jiang will also increase weight, and has a one kilogram advantage, Dashan Fang must add at least two kilograms if he wants to win first place.”

“It would be safe for Dashan Fang to lift 172 kilograms. He should at least exceed Aiguo Jiang’s weight.”

“Plates are categorized by color. Let’s wait and see which colors they have.”

Chapter 70: Individual Effort

Before the contest started, an experienced audience member rattled off their background knowledge of weightlifting.

“According to the sizes, plates can be divided into three categories: large, medium, and small. Among large ones, red represents 25kg, blue is 20 kg, yellow is 15kg, and green is 10kg; among medium plates, white is 5kg and red is 2.5kg; and among small plates, blue is 2kg, yellow is 1.5kg, green is 1kg, and white is 0.5kg. The minimum weight addition is 1kg, which means putting a small white plate on both sides of the bar. So that’s it.” the others all nodded with appreciation, even though nobody had managed to remember all the colors and their respective weights.

“Look! There goes a staff member. He is holding a red plate, how much does that weigh again?”

The experienced audience member glanced at the plate and suddenly became serious. “That is a medium red plate, weighing 2.5kg. 2.5kg multiplied by two. That means Dashan Fang is going to add 5kg of weight to the bar!”

“5kg? That’s a lot! Is he going to lift 174kg this time?”

“I wonder whether or not he can make it.”

“Don’t you remember that Fang is 1kg behind Jiang? If he wants to win, his last attempt must be good. But if he dares to try and lift 174kg, he must be confident that he’ll lift it.”

“Let’s take a look at Jiang’s. If he adds less than 5kg, then it would be impossible for him to win.”

On the other side of the competition area, a member of the staff was walking to the stage with the same red plate in his hands.

“5kg! Jiang is also adding 5kg! He is going to lift 175kg.”

“Interesting. Jiang is going to try and outperform Fang by 1kg again. Let’s see what happens.”

…

In the athletes lounge, Dai Li looked at Jiang with admiration. He had to admit that Jiang’s experience had helped make the wisest decision in such a crucial moment.

Simply based off the strategies, Jiang was the winner. A 5kg weight raise was just the right amount to suppress Fang. However, Li was worrying about Jiang’s performance and whether he could succeed in lifting it or not.

On the other side, Fang looked serious. He had thought that adding 5kg would surely secure a win, but he didn’t expect his competitor to also add the same weight. This had put him at 1kg less than Jiang. Because of this, even if he successfully lifted 174kg, Jiang still had a chance to win.

174kg was a big challenge for Dashan Fang. He was almost at his limit, and couldn’t go any further. Even the top level 62kg weightlifters couldn’t guarantee a lift of 174kg on the first attempt.

Once Fang knew that Jiang had also added 5kg, he went on the stage without hesitation. He hoped to achieve a good attempt before Jiang. Because there was no way to change weight, neither of them could do anything about it. The competition had turned into a psychological war. Fang wanted to put pressure on Jiang by getting a good lift.

He grasped some chalk and clapped his hands. Powder rose in the air, floating around like mist. Fang walked through the mist, faced the bar, and bowed to prepare for his last attempt.

Underneath the stage, Fang’s coach was shouting some words of advice, but Fang couldn’t hear a word. As a professional weightlifter, he had already practiced the skills thousands of times. When he touched the bar, he reacted by instinct. He didn’t need to review the skills in his mind at all.

Although he had lifted 174kg during his training, he had never tried that weight in a formal competition. But today he had to go beyond himself. He broke out with a sudden force, and lifted the bar to his chest.

“Go!” With the coach’s roar, Fang raised the bar above his head. His stretched arms began to shake as his feet moved around in an attempt to maintain his balance. Eventually, he stood still. People could see that his cheeks were flushed red, his teeth were clenched together, and that his face looked ferocious. His whole body was tense, and the veins in his arms were protruding from the pressure.

When the finishing beep rang, Fang dropped the bar to the ground, then jumped high with excitement. Fang had just achieved a good lift—174kg. It was his best performance. And his total was 315kg, which was 4kg more than Jiang. Now the pressure was on Jiang.

…

“Jiang, Fang just succeeded in lifting 174kg,” Li said. He looked upset and worried.

“Relax, don’t be so nervous.” Jiang comforted Li, but he was the one who needed to cheer up.

As a coach, Li was not a good one. In this moment he should have been encouraging the athlete as opposed to making him worry; but as a new coach, Jiang thought Li was pretty calm considering it was his first national competition.

Jiang patted Li’s shoulder, then adjusted his wrist strap, tightened his rubber belt, and stepped on the stage. Everyone was concentrated on Jiang. If he succeeded in this attempt, he would have outperformed Fang and won the championship.

The audience were becoming energized. Jiang was a local, just like most of the audience. Everyone hoped that a local athlete could win this game.

Li was quite nervous now. He knew Jiang well, and knew that he had never tried lifting 175kg before.

Jiang stopped in front of the barbell and stood still. He took a deep breath, then took hold of the bar tightly with both hands. He didn’t try to lift it immediately. He was trying to adjust himself to get in the perfect position.

Finally, he began to lift the bar. The first step was not very easy, but in the end he got it done. He raised the bar to his chest, then prepared for the jerk. But he was stuck. He took another deep breath, seemingly trying to gain enough energy for the next step.

It’s so heavy. Too heavy. Can I make it? Jiang was beginning to doubt himself. The bar was so heavy that he could barely hold it.

Come on! He clenched his teeth and used all his energy for the jerk, but the weight was overwhelming. He felt exhausted.

No, no, I can’t do that…

Chapter 71: Father’s Honor

Jiang felt that he couldn’t make it. 175kg was too much for him.

His arms were beginning to fail him, and his body was losing control. Everything he was doing was all by instinct. His arms, torso, and legs were shaking. Every inch of skin, every piece of muscle, every drop of blood, and every little cell was struggling to hold the weight.

Give it up. You can’t do that, a voice said in Jiang’s mind.

It’s 175kg. You have never tried that before. You have already done a nice job. Even if you can’t lift it, you are good, another voice rang.

Give it up. You already got the silver, you have gained something. That’s enough, the first voice said again, seeking reasons to persuade Jiang.

Jiang’s eyes darkened. He was not sure how long he could manage to stand here. Once he had raised the barbell above his head, he had used up all his strength. He couldn’t hold it anymore. He decided that that was enough. He had gone through so much. The end was here. He could no longer stand it.

As he came to his decision, he suddenly found a woman sitting in the stands with a two-year old girl in her arms. The baby girl was staring at him.

Why are they here? Jiang immediately recognized the women as his wife, and the little girl as his daughter.

My baby girl is looking at me! Jiang was shocked.

My girl is looking at me! She must see me win! How can I give up like this? I can’t disappoint my daughter! Hold on! I have to win! I must be strong in front of my baby! Come on…Come on!

Jiang suddenly felt all his power come back to his body. It was the power of hope, strong enough to fight against the 175kg barbell.

“Ahhhhhh…” Jiang roared like a lion. He stretched out his arms to hold the barbell tight, and used every fiber in his body to maintain his balance. His body was still shaking, but it was shaking with excitement. His face looked ferocious, but he didn’t care. He saw nobody but his daughter. At this moment, he was not only fighting for himself, but also for his family, and especially for his daughter!

See, baby? Daddy doesn’t give up! Daddy will win! Jiang felt that he had done something great. He was a successful athlete, but even more than that, he was an awesome father.

As the bell rang, Jiang dropped the barbell to the ground, making the stage shake. But the deafening cheering from the audience covered the noise.

“We win! You did it! We win!” Li rushed out on stage roaring at Jiang, jumping with joy like a kid.

In the Group A competition arena, Fang lowered his head, upset with the result. The cheering from the Group B audience had given him the result.

“How could Group A have defeated Group B? Besides, it was Jiang’s first time in the 62kg competition. A newcomer won the game! If people hear about this they are going to make fun of me!”

As Fang was murmuring to himself, his coach came to his side and comforted him. “Don’t worry, you have done a good job! Your competitor was just very ambitious. Few 62kg weightlifters could lift 175kg.”

Among the Group B audience, a little girl was busy clapping her hands. Even though she had no idea why everyone was clapping and cheering, she just followed the others. But what she did know was that the man standing on the stage was her father, and her father looked euphoric.

She also had no clue why daddy was so happy, but because he was happy, she was as well, and so she laughed in delight.

…

Coach Song was not there that morning.

The lowest weight class was 56kg, and the Hanbei Provincial Weightlifting Team didn’t have any participants for that level. The second lowest was 62kg, and the team only had one participant, the forcefully downgraded Jiang. To Coach Song, Jiang was there as a bystander. T him there was no need to show up for that contest.

The Provincial Team was famous for its 77kg and 85kg weight class participants, but they also had competitive lifters for the 69kg divison. The 69kg and 77kg contests were held in the afternoon, while the 85kg contest was the next morning. Because of this scheduling, Coach Song concentrated on those three games.

Coach Song looked at his watch. It was only eleven in the morning, but he decided to have an early lunch and head to the arena. Since the weighing period began two hours ahead of the formal competition, lifters started preparing around noon to get ready for the later contest. As the chief coach, Song also presented in the afternoon.

Song packed everything up and was ready to leave. He was already one step out of the door when the phone on his office desk suddenly rang. Song hesitated for two seconds, then finally turned around and answered it.

“Coach Song, I’m Liu. Here is some good news: JIang won the gold!” a joyful voice reported with excitement.

“Say that again?” Song thought he might have heard something wrong.

“Jiang won the 62kg championship!” the speaker repeated.

“No way!” Coach Song could not believe the result. To him, an old lifter who was downgraded on such short notice was lucky enough to make the proper weight. As for getting a gold medal, you could forget it!

“It’s all true. Jiang won the game. 141kg for snatch and 175kg for clean & jerk. His total result was 316kg,” Liu said, giving a series of numbers.

“316kg? For Jiang? How could that be possible! Stop bullshxtting Liu, are you crazy?” Coach Song thought Liu was making fun of him, which annoyed him.

If it was 69kg Jiang, Song would not doubt that he had lifted 316kg. But Jiang was only 62kg now. How could he have managed to lift 316kg? Song would rather die than believe this.

As a professional coach, he knew what that number meant. For lifters in the 62kg weight class, only top-level athletes could lift 316kg. Jiang was 32 years old, which meant he was already past his prime. Furthermore, he had forced himself to move down to the 62kg level, so he shouldn’t have had much energy left. Song never would have believed that a man in such bad condition could reach the top level with a surprising performance.

“I’m not lying, coach, how could I…” Liu was anxious about the misunderstanding. “There is going to be an Award Ceremony, let me take some pictures and send them to you!”

Several minutes later, Coach Song received Liu’s pictures. In the picture, Jiang was standing in the middle holding a championship cup and flowers. Song expanded the picture, and the word “Champion” was vaguely visible.

“Oh my god, Jiang did win!”

Chapter 72: Extra Reward

While he stood in the middle of the winners podium, Jiang realized that everybody was looking at him. He sighed emotionally. The last time he had stood on the platform more than ten years ago.

There were plenty of athletes, but only one champion. Only a few athletes had the opportunity to become champions, but the majority stayed unnoticed throughout their lives. Nobody spoke about or remembered them.

Jiang used to think that his career would end the normal way—retired and forgotten. But today, as his career was coming to an end, he was given another chance to hold the cup, receiving flowers and applause as champion.

Jiang knew that this was all because of Dai Li. Without him, he could have already received a forced retirement notice, or gotten injured while training. He turned to Li with appreciation, only to find that Li was staring at the stage with a sluggish face, as if he was daydreaming.

What is that boy thinking of?! Jiang felt confused.

…

Dai Li was staring at the stage in a daze. He was feeling a sense of satisfaction. He felt so proud to be a coach! He had been useless the whole competition, but when he saw Jiang standing on stage with the champion’s cup in his arms, Li felt extremely joyful.

He had taken part in the entire training process, meaning he was in charge of Jiang’s training. He had put a lot of effort in it. Seeing Jiang’s success, Li realized that everything he had done in the last several months had all been worth it. Even though he was not the guy standing up there, he was feeling the same honor.

Such satisfaction was delightful. Li thought of himself as a gardener—he had spent months cultivating fruit trees, and now he was enjoying the fruits of his labor. How wonderful!

I’ve decided to be a coach. I want to be the best coach in the world! Li told himself.

“You can gain extra empirical value as well,” the system’s voice suddenly said in Li’s mind.

“What do you mean? What extra value?” Li immediately accessed the system. He noticed that his empirical value had increased by 1,000 points.

The system explained, “When your trainee wins an award, the system will offer you extra empirical value based on the effort you’ve put forth. This is your reward. Depending on your trainee’s award level, you will obtain different rewards. For example, Jiang just won gold in the National Weightlifting Championship, so you gain 1,000 points for that. If he had only won a silver, you would not have gotten this much empirical value.”

“Does that mean that the higher the competition level is, the more I can receive? Say, the Olympics, World Championships—if my trainee wins any of the contests in those big competitions, I will be rewarded more than 1,000 points, right?” Li asked with excitement.

“Yes. The same goes for the Professional League, the Cup, etc. Those are also included,” the system replied.

“Let me see when Feifei Yu has a contest. She is a world champion, and attends world-level games. Those must be of a higher level than this national competition!” Li took out his phone to call Yu for more information.

“Hey, stop dreaming. There is a minimum requirement to get extra empirical value, which is that the athlete must be on your training list. Feifei Yu has been off your list for months, she can’t be the one,” the system said, bursting Li’s bubble.

There was a rule in the system that stated that even though Li could delete trainees by himself, once an athlete had not received Li’s training for a certain period of time, that person would be automatically removed from the list. Feifei Yu had returned to the national team months ago, so she had already been deleted. Therefore, even though Yu had won another world championship, Li would not get anything from it.

…

In the afternoon 69kg competition, Dongshan Cao won bronze. Li was rewarded 50 points for the achievement.

“How come there are only 50 points? I got 1,000 points this morning! Is there a huge gap between first and third?” Li asked. He was pissed off.

“I told you the reason before. There is not a big gap between first and third, but the distinctions exists in the effort you put forth during training. The harder you work, the more you gain, and vice versa,” the system explained.

Li now understood what the system was saying. During previous training, Li had not only helped Jiang lose weight, but had arranged some other facilitative training as well. He contributed a lot towards today’s success. He deserved the 1,000 points that had been rewarded to him.

As for Dongshan Cao, Li had only given him a massage each day, so the 50 points reflected his contribution to Cao’s success.

…

The news that Jiang had won the championship had spread throughout the whole team. Everyone was astonished.

“Really? I would have believed Cao had won gold before I believed Jiang would reach the top!”

“It should be true. Liu send the pictures, let me take a look! Hey, the one in the middle of platform really is Jiang!”

“Didn’t he cut down to 62kg? How could he have won the championship?”

“He is 32 years old now, and still received a gold medal. If I were him, I wonder whether I would be allowed to participate in any contest?”

“That’s amazing! It has been ten years since he got his last gold medal, right?”

“Fabulous! I wonder how he made it?”

Of course some people were jealous of the winner, so they began to try and discredit Jiang for his achievement.

“I say that Jiang won the game by chance. You know that low weight class weightlifting is not our northern lifters’ dominant event. Southern lifters are better in this. This time the southwestern lifters didn’t come, so the game was not as competitive as the previous ones. That’s how Jiang won so easily.”

But soon the others argued back with evidence.

“Here is data about Jiang’s performance. His snatch was 141kg, his clean+jerk was 175kg, making his total 316kg. This should be the best performance in the country without a doubt. I remember in the last Olympics the champion’s total weight was 319kg. Jiang’s performance was good enough to earn a medal in the Olympics!”

People were busy discussing when Coach Song walked in.

“Everybody stop your work and go clean the training room. Later I will ask a cleaner to do a thorough cleanup! Xiang Huang, get some air fresheners,” Coach Song instructed.

“Coach, are there any leaders coming to instruct us?” asked Huang.

“Did you all hear the news that Jiang won the championship? This time Qingcheng City is the host of the whole competition. Because a local athlete won, the superiors are satisfied. They will come here tomorrow for further instruction, and reporters will follow.” Song paused, then continued, “Remember to be energetic tomorrow! The people with long hair—you, you, and you—get a haircut today! And your beards, shave them! Don’t look like beggars! You must look your best for the leaders!”

Chapter 73: Rehabilitative Massage

Jiang had really amazed everyone at the national weightlifting championships. First of all, he had outperformed Group A participants as a group B member; secondly, he was 32 years old. Usually athletes at his age hardly had a chance to attend those big events. All these factors made his championship legendary.

As for Jiang, he had been looked down upon for so many years that this time he had finally brought about an upswing. The most important thing was that he had proved himself, and was able to stay on the team for another year.

The national championships contained 15 level competitions, which meant there would be 15 champions. If one allocated all the champions into every province, every other province would have a champion. Those who were able to win gold medals were the trump cards in their provinces. Nobody would be stupid enough to kick out the best lifter and keep the weak ones.

Jiang had finally achieved his dream of working 15 years before retirement. In addition, his title had brought him many opportunities for future jobs.

…

After another day had come to an end, the athletes lined up again in the training center, waiting for Li’s muscle relaxation. Li looked at the long line, happy.

After I finish massaging all these people, I can gain 10,000 points! I’m going to upgrade again!

According to Li’s calculations, he was going to upgrade next month. Fortunately, because his trainee, Jiang, had won the championship several days ago, he had received an extra 1,000 points as a reward. Because of this, he was able to upgrade beforehand.

After he finished massaging the last athlete, Li smiled. Now he had enough empirical value.

Senior Coach medium level, I’m coming! Li accessed the system and checked his status.

Name: Dai Li;

Coach Level: Senior Coach, medium level (0/30,000);

Others: Explosive force halo.

Abilities: Slimming Exercise, Fat Loss Exercise, Massage and Muscle Relaxation.

Training List: Aiguo Jiang, Dongshan Cao, Liang Peng…

I need 30,000 points to upgrade? I thought it would only be 20,000 points. Li felt stressed out. It costed more points than he had expected.

Whatever. Where is my reward? That was what he cared about most.

A level upgrade only offered a normal gift pack with only one gift, but Li was still eager to get it. After a flash of golden light, there was a book lying in the pack.

No way, not another skill book. I have the Slimming Exercise, Fat Loss Exercise and Muscle Relaxation. I wonder what would it be this time. Li looked at the cover and saw two words.

Rehabilitative Massage? The previous one was Muscle Relaxation, this time it is another massage book. Why is “buy one get one free” so popular? Li complained. Li already had several books with similar skills. This Rehabilitative Massage and Muscle Relaxation looked like they were the same thing.

The system explained, “Slimming Exercise and Fat Loss Exercise do have something in common with weight loss. But Muscle Relaxation and Rehabilitative Massage are two different things. The first one is used to relax the body and reduce muscle pressure. The latter is used to recover injured body tissues back to health.”

“You mean…to help someone who has been ill for a while get back to a normal life?” Li asked, trying to understand.

“Yes. But it can’t cure direct injury. For example, if you cut yourself with a knife and then rehabilitate yourself, that’s not going to work. Your wound will become worse, or you may die by excessive loss of blood,” the system joked, making fun of Li.

“Hey, I’m not that stupid!” Li complained. He continued his question, asking, “If you say so. With this book will I become a babysitter?”

“Well technically, you could be a rehabilitative coach, but not a real doctor. You should remember this,” said the system.

“Understood. Rehabilitation is the treatment of physical disabilities by massage, electrotherapy, and exercises. If one breaks an arm or leg, this Rehabilitative Massage can’t put the arm back, but can facilitate the recovery,” Li said, recalling his previous knowledge.

“Right. This means there is a prerequisite: the patient’s body must be functioning, but due to some circumstance the individual’s body loses some of its original function. In this instance you can use this massage to help the person return to his or her good condition,” the system explained.

“So you mean there will be a maximum effect, in that the person can only return to their best condition, but can’t exceed themself? Does that make sense?” asked Li.

“You are correct. To strengthen their physical functions, athletes must work hard. A simple massage can’t help them,” said the system. “There are two more things I’d like to remind you of. The first is that this skill is different from Muscle Relaxation. If your patient doesn’t have an injury, or is already recovered, you will achieve nothing. What is similar to muscle relaxation, however, is that this massage works on ordinary people. If you come across an old man doubled over in the street, you can give him a massage.”

“No, thank you. I would not to do that. What if he accused me of hurting him? I would be charged millions of dollars! I need to save money so I can marry a beautiful wife! But now that I think about it, if this massage is effective, maybe I can open up a massage hall to make a living.”

Li really wanted to examine the massage’s effectiveness. However, everybody on the team looked healthy. No one was injured, nor did they need help with recovery. Li had no opportunity to use his ability.

…

“I’m going to participate in some other competitions, and then I need to go to the National Weightlifting Championships Final. I can’t miss that. Li, please come with me,” Jiang told Li while he was practicing.

Li nodded. He knew that to attend the final, one must obtain enough credits to meet the criteria. Each sub-contest offered a certain amount of credits, and the one who got a medal in each sub-contest would receive the related credits. Jiang’s gold medal had already given him a sufficient amount of credits for the final competition.

Suddenly, Li’s phone rang. Li took out his phone and took a look at it. It was Coach Xu.

Why is Coach Xu calling me? Li thought to himself. He answered the phone.

“Li, I need you to go to Donggang City. There is something I would like you to help me with.” Coach Xu was being very straightforward.

Li was confused. “Why do I need to go to Donggang City? Is there something wrong? Could you give me more details?”

“How about we speak in person. Let’s have dinner together, I will tell you everything later. I will come pick you up.” As he finished, he hung up the phone.

Chapter 74: Secondment

Although Qingcheng City was a coastal city, it was pretty hot in the summer, especially during the daytime. It was the beginning of June, so the daytime temperature was generally in the 30 degree celsius range. After sunset, the sea breeze cooled down the city, and it became most comfortable during this time of the day. Later, closer to midnight, the water rising from the sea brought wet and cold air with it.

In an eatery by the sea, the owner set down plastic tables and chairs. It was during this time that a blowing sea breeze was accompanied by a freshly-caught seafood barbecue, complimented with a bubbling beer. This was the most popular pastime for the people of Qingcheng City.

“Here are your roasted oysters. Enjoy!” A waiter put down a huge iron plate on the table filled with oysters.

“Oyster” was the shellfishs’ scientific name. In different dialects people called it various things. Southerners called it “hao”; Cantonese called it “shenghao”; Minnan people called it “kezai”; and Qingcheng people called it “Hailizi.” Oysters were a nutritious seafood that contained a large amount of protein, calcium carbonate, taurine, and some other trace elements, including nucleic acid and zinc. Moreover, it facilitated male psychological functions. For this reason it was regarded as a male tonic. In general, whether it was northerners or southerners, people living along the coast were fond of oyster.

Dai Li was staring at the oysters, his mouth watering. The oysters were already open with fresh white meat exposed, sending forth a tantalizing smell. Their juice was still bubbling and sizzling on the overheated shell, and the black edge of the meat was trembling with the bubbling juice as the inner white shell was glistening under the light.

“Shall we?” Coach Xu picked up a shell and popped the meat into his mouth. “Ah…so hot…but it’s cooked just right!” Coach Xu was satisfied with the oyster.

There were all kinds of ways to cook oysters. Some people liked to add ground garlic, scallions, and Chinese vermicelli onto the shell; some preferred to dip the shellfish into soy sauce; some liked to steam it first and then dip it into a mixed sauce, like vinegar or wasabi. As for Qingcheng locals, they loved the original flavor. They cooked it and ate it plain.

Li was used to eating oysters with vinegar. In his hometown of Yuzhou, people ate freshwater fish quite often. Because freshwater fish had an earthy smell, even after cooking, people added vinegar to get rid of it. Gradually, Li had formed a habit: dip the seafood into vinegar. But because he had moved to a new place, he went with the classic saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” He mirrored Coach Xu’s behavior, putting the oyster into his mouth without adding any seasoning.

“This is so good!” Li was savoring an oyster as he spoke ambiguously. “If I recall correctly, fishing has been banned. How come we have such big oysters?”

“You are right, fishing has already been banned. There is going to be a three month “no-take” season. But these are bred oysters. Aha, there comes the halfbeak!” As they were chatting, a waiter came with roasted halfbeaks.

Roasted halfbeak was a standard of all barbecue eateries in Qingcheng City. Due to its short growth period and sufficient resources, the fish was cheap and always available. Chefs would slice it up and roast it. Once cooked, the fish would glisten, looking deliciously chewy.

Coach Xu filled his mouth with roasted halfbeak, then drank a glass of beer. He took a break from eating and said, “Feifei came back from Australia a couple days ago. She is now in a good condition,so it seems that the training is effective. However, she gained weight again, about 1kg. She is now in Donggang National Swimming Center. I want you to go help her lose weight.”

“No problem! When?” Li agreed without hesitation. Coach Xu had found a formal job for him. Li would never refuse his request.

“Cool! But you are a fitness coach for the weightlifting team, the swimming team can’t give you orders.” Coach Xu paused to have another bite of oyster, then continued. “Even if your team is willing to lend you to us, we are not able to pay for your traveling expenses.”

“It is 300 yuan for a single trip by high-speed rail. If I live in a cheap hotel, it’s going to cost around 100 yuan per day. Your swimming team is big, you can pay for that small expense, can’t you?” Li joked.

“Of course we can afford that, but for what reason? Feifei has particular coaches on the national team. No need to send her one more coach from our team, right? In addition, ever since the new regulations came out, every budget has been strictly examined. It is a pity that even a chief coach like me has no way to get extra funds.” Coach Xu shrugged and spread his hands.

“You want me to pay for that?” Li laughed.

“No, I won’t let you pay by yourself. I have an idea.” Coach Xu took a mouthful of water, then continued, “Have you ever heard of the Beikou Athletic Training Center?”

“You mean the training center in Donggang City? That place is super famous, how could I not? But does it have anything to do with me? It is an athletic training center, not a swimming center.” Li didn’t understand what Coach Xu was saying.

The Beikou Athletic Training Center was located in the Beikou District of Donggang City. It fell under the national team, and was the best training center in the country. Only athletes with some achievements in international competitions had access to train in this place.

“Here are new dishes! Come on, Let’s drink it up!” Coach Xu stopped the conversation to toast a glass with Li, then continued, “Although the Beikou Training Center is directly under the national team, they lack resident coaches. Many coaches live in Huajing City, and are not willing to travel far to Donggang. Therefore, every year the training center asks for secondment from other provincial sport teams.”

It was common for superiors to ask for secondment from subordinate departments, especially in administrative departments. For subordinate departments, sending people to upper departments meant easier access to the newest instructions and requirements; for higher-ups, loaning an individual meant having one more person to share assignments with, as well as having a new liaison. In ministries and commissions, excluding top-level secrets, other tasks were all allocated to the people from lower levels.

“You want me to go there on secondment?” asked Li.

“Right. This is the compliance approach, in which you can go to the training center as a person on loan, and you can help Feifei in passing. This way your traveling expenses can be waived. Even though you are on loan, I can try to wave your fees based off an official business standard,” Coach Xu said as he handed Li a skewer.

“According to our rules, being on official business is eligible to receive refund. To first tier cities like Donggang, one could receive 350 yuan per day for hotel subsidy, 100 yuan per day for dining, and a full waiver of any transportation fee. One can even have an extra 50 yuan transportation subsidy. When you are in that center, the national team is in charge of your living, which means you will have zero living and dining cost. So, you can earn 500 yuan per day there, meanwhile your salary would remain the same.”

“How long would I be there?” Li asked, accepting the skewer.

“About three months. But Feifei would only stay in Donggang for a month. The rest of your time there you could stay in the training center to do your own work.” Coach Xu picked up a skewer for himself.

“500 yuan per day. If I stay there for 100 days, I can earn 50,000 yuan subsidy! That’s a good deal!” Li said, taking a bite of the skewer. The mutton was carefully selected and well cooked. It had a wonderful taste. Li was happy.

“Of course it’s a good deal! Only you, my little brother, can have such benefits, I would not give this good an opportunity to the others!” Coach Xu said. He was a little drunk now, and began calling Li his “little brother” again.

Li smiled at Coach Xu with appreciation, then said, “You must treat me again after I come back!”

“Sure! I will treat you soon after you come back!” Coach Xu drank his beer, then called the waiter. “Give me another refill!”

Chapter 75: Beikou Training Center

Qingcheng City was a big city in comparison to other second-tier cities, but compared to Donggang City it was only a small one.

Donggang was an international metropolis. It was the national finance and trade center. The turnover capacity of Donggang Harbour had been first place in the world for seven years. Almost all of the world’s Top 500 enterprises had an office in this city. Some had even set up an Asian headquarters in the city.

Donggang had a better sport industry than the other cities. Every year it had hundreds of competitions, including international sports events, such as the IAAF Diamond League, FIA Formula 1 World Championship, ATP 1000 Masters, World Snooker Masters, etc. Even the Donggang Football Club was willing to spend a large amount of money to employ world-famous football players and coaches.

The Beikou Athletic Training Center was located in the Beikou District of Donggang City. It used to be called Beikou Village dozens of years ago, with a boundless stretch of farmland. But as rapid economic growth and urban expansion came about, it had turned into a new town. In the last few years especially, housing prices had been skyrocketing. Now it costed at least 50,000 yuan per square meter.

The Beikou Athletic Training Center occupied a large area of land, wide enough for a nice estate. Because every inch of land was worth a lot of money, this place lured many people. However, this training center was the national sports team’s, and belonged to General Administration of Sports, which meant that it was a state-owned property. Because of this, most developers stayed away from the difficulty. The Beikou Athletic Training Center was famous for cultivating several world champions, and was regarded as the “Cradle of Athletic Champions.” Developers who were powerful enough to buy this place had to think twice about its influence. Therefore, due to all kinds of reasons, this training center stood alone among the skyscrapers, a land of idyllic beauty.

After Dai Li arrived at Donggang Train Station, he transferred trains several times, and finally arrived at the Beikou Athletic Training Center. He saw several reporters waiting beneath a leafy shade, and some fans were looking through the fence with gifts in their hands.

“The Cradle of Athletic Champions!” Dai Li stepped forward to the gatekeeper.

The old gatekeeper glanced at Li, feeling he was too young, and directly refused him entrance. “The training hasn’t ended yet. If you are a reporter, go to the leafy shade on the opposite side of the street. If you are a fan of somebody, go to the left.”

“Sir, I’m on secondment from the Hanbei Sport Team,” said Li.

“Any Invitation letter?” asked the gatekeeper.

“Yes.” Li took out the invitation letter.

“Give it to me.” The gatekeeper grabbed the letter and read it, then said, “Reporters have all kinds of tricks. Just several days ago somebody used a fake letter to enter the training center with an undercover camera. I see your letter has an official seal, it should be real. Come in!”

The gatekeeper gave the letter back to Li, then let him in.

“Wait here first. Let me call someone to ask.” The gatekeeper made a phone call, then told Li to find Director Zhang in the office.

…

Later, Li met Director Zhang.

“You have arrived early. We require people on loan to come to register next Wednesday, you are here this week,” said Director Zhang.

Li smiled with embarrassment.He knew that the registration was on Wednesday, but Coach Xu had asked him to arrive early so that Li could help Feifei lose weight.

Director Zhang continued. “Well, there are lot of things that can’t be settled right now due to your early arrival. It is easy to find you a place to live, there are a lot of empty dorms. You can choose a room to move in to. But it will be a little difficult dining-wise. We plan to hand out meal cards together once you all arrive next Wednesday. Even though you are alone here, it’s difficult to get your card ready beforehand.”

Li understood what Zhang was saying. Zhang was trying to make things easier for everyone. Li didn’t really care about the dining fee. He said, “Director Zhang, don’t worry, I can handle it myself. Thank you for offering me a place to live.”

“OK.” Zhang felt a sense of relief. He said straightforwardly, “Go to dormitory complex #2 in the backyard. I will call the dorm keeper, he will arrange everything.”

…

As the best training center in the country, the Beikou Athletic Training Center offered the best facilities, so at least they had nice dorms. As for famous athletes, they would live in a single room with a private bathroom. For outsides like Li, they could only live in a double room with two beds, two combinatorial cabinets and tables, and no private bathroom, but there was a small balcony for hanging clothes.

Once Li finished settling down, it was dusk. He texted Feifei Yu to meet. After half an hour later, Feifei texted back.

“Seven O’clock, Champion’s Home second floor, when you come, tell them my name. The address is…”

Restaurant? Aren’t athletes allowed to eat outside? Li murmured while searching for the restaurant on the online map. Looks pretty far from here. Three transfers by train. Well, they have a bus. I will take that.

Li didn’t want to take the subway again. He chose ground traffic instead. Although it would take longer for him to get there, he could have a look at the city. If he had chosen subway, he could only read window advertisements.

Although Donggang had a well-developed transportation system, the roads were overloaded. That, coupled with the fact that it was rush hour, meant that there were more and more people gathering on the street. Every time the bus stopped, a lot of people got on, while some got off. Li had left early, but when he arrived it was already 6:45 pm.

“Luckily I’m not late.” Li walked in the restaurant. A waitress welcomed him.

“Good evening, sir. How many people do you have?” The waitress asked with a professional smile.

“My friend is waiting on the second floor.” Li thought to himself for a second. He didn’t want to give out Feifei Yu’s name. She was a famous person. He didn’t want to show off.

“My friend’s family name is Yu,” said Li.

“Are you Feifei’s guest?” Apparently the waitress already knew about Feifei Yu. She smiled, gave Li a “please” gesture, and said, “Please come with me.”

Chapter 76: Feixiang Lin

Li walked to the second floor. There were booths with fencing in between, and each booth had a curtain in front of the entrance. The booths were private rooms to protect guests’ privacy.

Li was taken to a booth, and the waitress opened the curtain. Feifei Yu was sitting there.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” said Li.

“Don’t worry, you are fine. I just arrived myself,” answered Feifei.

Even though they hadn’t met for months, they sometimes messaged each other through WeChat, which was the reason they were both acting so calmly despite not having seen one another for a while.

“Here is the menu. Choose whatever you want, it’s my treat.” Feifei handed a menu to Li with a smile.

Li looked through the menu and asked, “How about we have some vegetarian food? You have to be very careful with meat in outside restaurants, but I think vegetables should be fine.”

“Don’t you worry about that. Pick whatever you want, I can eat any dish in this restaurant.” Feifei leaned forward and said, “Do you know who the owner of this place is?”

“No idea. But ‘Champion’s Home’ is a special name,” said Li.

“Yong Chen is the owner!” Feifei revealed.

“Yong Chen? Yong Chen from Yong Chen Bloc?” Li was surprised.

“Yes, that’s him!” Feifei nodded.

Everybody knew who Yong Chen was. He was a legend in World Gymnastics. He won the grand slam and numerous honors in his career, the most classic one being a clean sweep of all seven gold medals in a Gymnastics World Championship. That was unprecedented.

Chen was also a successful businessman. After he retired, he created a new brand for sporting goods. As time went by, “Yong Chen” became the best domestic sporting goods brand in the country, and the brand had gone public in overseas countries. It was common for big companies to open up branches and have diversification, but Li would never have expected that someone who started a sporting goods brand would also have a restaurant. As he was thinking about it, Feifei continued introducing him.

“Chen is an athlete himself, so he knows the importance of food safety. His restaurant is famous for its good quality. There are no preservatives or pollution. This restaurant exists mainly to serve athletes. That is why it is called ‘Champion’s Home.’ Professional athletes in Donggang City always come here to eat.

“This is so expensive! A fillet steak costs 188 yuan! It only costs 50 yuan in ordinary restaurants.” Li continued staring at the menu and found that the fillet steak was only the beginning. If the two of them ordered four dishes, it would cost 1,000 yuan.

“I don’t care about the prices. The key point is I have to fill you up so that you have enough energy to help me lose weight tomorrow,” Feifei said as she smiled.

As a world record holder, Feifei had earned tens of millions of yuan through all kinds of endorsements. In addition, because the entertainment industry was flourishing, Feifei could take part in some live shows as a celebrity for money after she retired. To her, a 3,000 yuan meal was affordable.

The two began eating and chatting. Li told Feifei some stories about the weightlifting team, while Feifei shared her experience in Australia.

All of a sudden, the curtain was opened again. Both Li and Feifei sat in a daze. If it was a waiter, he would definitely have said “excuse me” before opening the curtain. There would be no reason for a waited to show up, however, as all dishes had already been served.

“Haha, I hear you! I know it’s you! Feifei!” The stranger was a young man. He was around 1.9 meters high with dark skin, bright eyes, and a high nose. He looked cool at first glance, but looking closer, his face was rough with acne.

Li had to take another look with astonishment. He knew this guy, but he had never expected to meet him here in a restaurant.

“You are Feixiang Lin!” Li said involuntarily.

The young man smiled, seemingly used of this reaction. Feifei was surprised.

“Lin, why are you here?”

“I just finished my dinner. I passed by your booth, then heard someone speaking that sounded like you, so I came and check. It’s really you!” Feixiang Lin looked happy to see an old friend. He turned to Li, then said, “I don’t know you. Who are you? Are you Feifei’s teammate?”

“Lin, this is coach Dai Li,” Feifei said, introducing Li. Feifei didn’t bother introducing Feixiang Lin, as everyone in the country knew Lin.

“A coach? You are young—younger than me.” Lin began making fun of them. “Is he actually your boyfriend?”

“That’s bullshxt!” Feifei gave Lin a glare, then explained, “Coach Li is a fitness coach for the Hanbei Provincal Team. He is here for my training.”

“Your team is so good to you! They even sent a coach with you to Donggang. I really feel jealous. I have never had that treat,” Lin laughed.

Feifei immediately explained, “Coach Li just helps me in passing. He is here on secondment. Speaking of this…Lin, coach Li is working in your Beikou Athletic Training Center now. Please take care of him!”

“To our training center? Then you are not very lucky,” Lin sighed.

“Why? Because of the high training intensity?” asked Feifei.

“That’s one reason. Apparently the training intensity is higher on the national team than the other teams, but it depends. But basically, coaches from provincial teams work as handymen. They can’t get involved in actual training,” explained Lin.

“A handyman? Is Coach Li going to be ‘Linderella?’” Feifei laughed.

“Close to it,” Lin continued. “Things like picking up shots, picking up discuses, picking up javelins, and picking up everything they throw away. They even clean the sandpit, or lead long-distance running. In my program, handymen get hurdles ready before we run. In addition, those poor guys have to wave towels, hand out water, get training clothes, etc. It’s just tedious.”

“Coach Li is not a butler!” Feifei said. She felt like it was unfair. To her, Li should at least be a training coach here, not just some waterboy.

“Don’t worry, Feifei. Since he is your friend, I will tell the team leaders to let him work with me. I will take care of him.” Lin looked at Li, “Your name is Dai Li, right? Just wait for the good news!”

Chapter 77: Train Himself

Dai Li was still in disbelief up until Feixiang Lin left. He had never expected to meet Feixiang Lin during a meal. Everybody knew who he was. He could be considered the best athlete in a decade.

Lin was a long jumper when he was a kid. At the age of sixteen, he had turned his attention to the men’s 110m hurdles, and was recruited to the national team in the same year. Two years later, Lin won a gold medal at the International Universities’ Games in men’s 110m hurdles. It was the first gold the country had received in the International Universities’ Games.

By the time he was twenty he had reached to the top. He broke the world record in the Olympics, and became the first male Olympics Champion in the country. One year later, he broke the world record again at the IAAF Super Grand Prix. The following year, he won another medal at the World Championships, which meant that he had achieved a Grand Slam.

Judging off his past success, Lin was expected to have a bright future, flying high in the sky like an eagle. However, an unexpected injury had bore him down. Most people had positive attitudes about him, saying he was only 25 and that it wouldn’t take him long to recover.

The next two or three years there were news stories shared on social media revealing “secrets” about Lin, like saying he had recovered or that his injury had gotten worse, although the public was doubtful about its reliability. At the same time, there were also some rumors going around about Lin, such as a rumor that he had dated a starlet, or that he had met an online celebrity in a hotel. Somebody had even said that Lin had had an illegitimate boy.

…

Over the course of the next few days, Li’s main objective was to help Feifei Yu lose weight. The training time was not on a fixed schedule due to the fact that Feifei was still training with the national team. They had to put formal training before anything else. Because of this, Li had to wait until Feifei finished her formal training before they could begin their private training.

The swimming team only knew that Coach Xu had sent Feifei a young coach, but they had no idea what they were actually doing, and surely not that they were only performing the Slimming Exercise.

The Slimming Exercise had immediate results that were not scientific at all. So far there were only three people who knew this: Coach Xu, Feifei Yu, and Aiguo Jiang. The weightlifters knew that Dai Li was good at helping athletes lose weight, but they didn’t know how. This was why they ony thought of him as a normal fitness coach.

Several days later, coaches from other provinces gradually arrived at the Beikou Training Center. There were dozens of people, and after they had all registered, they received new meal cards. From then on, Li would not have to eat out.

The incoming coaches introduced themselves to each other, and that night they arranged a dinner party so they could all develop relationships. Normally the dinner table was a nice place to get to know new friends, with a few drinks to help break the ice. After a delicious meal, the new coaches were familiar with one another, and they began chatting.

“I asked about our tasks when I got here. We will work as assistant coaches and be paired up with the coaches on the national team. They must be experienced and professional.”

“Yeah, I heard that, too. Coach Jihai Ding and coach Jun Fang are with the team right now, recently they have not received any new tasks. One would be lucky if they were paired up with either of those two coaches. They are worth learning from.”

Coach Ding and coach Fang were famous coaches on the track team. Coach Ding was in charge of hurdles, and had helped develop several famous 110m hurdlers, including Feixiang Lin; Coach Fang was famous for middle and long distance running, and had trained some of the world champions in women’s 5,000m and 10,000m running.

“Do you think it’s a good thing that we are here? Let me tell you the truth, we are here to be handymen!” a voice rang. It was from a local coach.

Donggang was a municipality, which meant that it was directly under the central government’s control. Moreover, the training center was located in Donggang, which meant that whenever the national team needed a helping hand, they would give priority to the Donggang sport team. The local coaches knew exactly what it meant to be on loan in the Beikou Training Center.

“We are here to be servants. The coaches on the national team, and even the athletes, can order us around like we are butlers.” He was speaking the truth, which left the others discouraged.

“But if you are with a famous coach you will see some benefit. Once the coach leads a team for contests, you will have it easy for a while.”

…

The next day, early in the morning, the new coaches gathered in the training hall to be put into groups.

“Guanglin Zhao, you go with coach Jihai Ding; Feibai Meng, you are with coach Jun Fang; Tianzan Qiu, you are with coach Jinrong Hu…” Director Zhang continued as he read the list.

Everybody had a place to go to except for Dai Li. At the end, Director Zhang called his name.

“Dai Li, you go find Feixiang Lin. You will be in charge of his training.” Zhang then explicitly told Li, “Do whatever Lin tells you to do. Don’t ask questions.”

Everyone looked at Li. The others had all been allocated to a professional coach. Only Li would be following an athlete who was super famous.

Li remembered that a couple days ago when he had met Lin that Lin had promised to have Li as an assistant. It appeared that Lin had kept his promise. However, when Li looked around, Lin was not present.

It’s half past eight now, the athletes should be at their positions. Where is Lin? Li was confused. He trotted over to Director Zhang and asked, “Director Zhang, where can I find Feixiang Lin?”

“He is not here yet?” Director Zhang did not seem surprised. He looked outside, then told Li, “He hasn’t come yet. How about you wait near the gate?”

Dai Li kept waiting. Lin finally appeared after 9AM. He yawned again and again, visibly sleepy. Li immediately walked up to him.

He had no idea how to address Lin, but he decided it would not be a good idea to call Lin by his last name. In the end, he decided to just call him “Lin.”

“Good morning, Lin!”

Lin was three years older than Li, so LI mimicked Feifei and addressed him the same way Feifei had.

“Dai Li, there you are. You are working with me then!” Lin waved to greet him, then said, “Come on, let’s do some warm-ups first.”

“Lin, who is your coach?” asked Li.

“Coach? I don’t have a coach. I train myself. But now I guess I have you,” Lin said straightforwardly.

No coach? He trains himself?

Li was surprised. It didn’t make any sense. Lin was the trump card for the national team, how could he train by himself?

Chapter 78: Come Late, Leave Early

When Li had first gone to the weightlifting team, he had met Aiguo Jiang, who was also training alone. It was due, however, to Jiang’s bad temper and pride; nobody was willing to work with him. Besides, Jiang was about to retire with little hope of getting a good performance. No coach wanted to waste time on him, nor did they want to waste resources.

After he had arrived, Li visited Feifei several times, and had a general idea about her training. Feifei had her own coach, training assistant, fitness coach, dietitian, and a videographer who would record Feifei’s entire training process and show it to professionals in order to improve her training effectiveness.

Feifei was a world champion, and had broken world records several times. Feixiang Lin was also a world champion and world record-holder, and had a better place in sport enthusiasts’ hearts than Feifei. Why didn’t Lin have a coach? It didn’t make any sense.

That’s incredible. Lin shouldn’t have just have me with him for his daily training. Where is everybody? Why does nobody take care of him? What is the national team doing? Are they out of their minds? What about coach Jihai Ding, he used to be Lin’s professional coach. Why doesn’t he care about Lin? That’s weird! Li was baffled.

After a short warm-up, Lin ran hurdles several times, and then stopped.

“OK, let’s take a break,” Lin said as he sat down.

Li took a look at the watch. It had only been a half an hour. That was far from enough for training. Last year, when Li was training high school students, they took a break once per hour.

Lin sat there for another half an hour, then began another set of exercises lazily. Again, Lin ran hurdles for a while, then tried a continuous 10 hurdle circuit.

In men’s 110m hurdles, there were 10 hurdles on the track, with each hurdle having a 9.14m distance between them. A 10 hurdle circuit was the basic training for this event. However, in Li’s eyes, Lin’s training almost seemed as if he was acting. Lin didn’t treat it seriously at all, and didn’t give any effort whatsoever! At the speed he was practicing at, it would take him at least fifteen seconds to finish the the process.

“Aright, time to rest,” Lin said, sitting back on the ground as he began to play on his phone.

No way, another break? Li looked at his watch again. This time the exercise had only lasted 40 minutes. Lin sat there for another half an hour, then stood up.

“Shall we continue, Lin?” asked Li.

“No, do you see what time is it? Pack things up, it’s lunch time,” said Lin.

What? Lunch time? Is this the end of morning training? Li was confused. It was only 11AM. The canteen wasn’t even ready to serve food.

What are all these? Lin came to the training center at 9 am, trained for about an hour in the morning, and his break time lasted longer than his actual training. On top of that, he didn’t even train seriously. Those little fatties I trained before were more conscientious than him! The intensity is far from good enough, too. He might as well have been taking a walk along the track. He calls that training?

Li looked around to check the other athletes’ status. Everybody else was busy practicing. They had all been working extremely hard.

The national team does have strict training requirements, but I guess Lin doesn’t… Li shook his head, then packed up his things and left for the dining hall.

Later in the afternoon, around 2PM, the other athletes were ready to practice again. Everyone except Lin. He didn’t show up until 3PM, and after a few reps of run-ups, he sat down and began another round of online chatting.

“10pm tonight?”

“Same bar?”

“No problem. I might arrive late.”

Lin sent several audio messages. Not far away from him, Li wrinkled his brows in consideration.

Professional athletes had strict schedules. Usually they were required to go to bed before 10pm, so that they could have 8 hours of sufficient sleep and recover enough energy for the next day. However, judging from Lin’s message, Li now knew that Lin’s nightlife began at 10PM, and that he would be heading a pub.

A metropolis like Donggang had an eventful nightlife. Even at 2AM there were still places to have fun. But sucha life should never be the one of an athlete.

Lin was ignoring the rules. If he was going to a pub at 10AM, he wouldn’t leave before midnight. Now it was beginning to make sense why Lin had been an hour late this morning, and had been yawning over and over—Lin had stayed up late last night!

How could Lin act like this? Can the national team tolerate him? Li felt that there was something wrong.

…

The next day, Lin was still doing the same thing. He arrived late, left early, trained lazily with low intensity, and relaxed quite often. Meanwhile, the coaches of the national team ignored everything.

Does Lin always train in this way? How has he gotten gold medals in this way? Did he really break world records? Li was in disbelief. He decided to use the detector to examine Lin.

Detect! Li used the detector on Lin.

Target: Professional Athlete;

Professional events: Men’s 110m hurdles;

Ability: 458;

Talent: S

Well, he has S-level talent, which means he does have the ability to break world records. But what the hell is his ability? An athlete with such ability is no good in this country, let alone the world. An athlete’s ability should be above 900 in order for them to be capable of breaking a world record. Lin’s current ability is only half of what it once was. Why doesn’t he work hard? And what’s wrong with the coaches? Are they out of their minds? Especially coach Jihai Ding, he used to be Lin’s coach. Why doesn’t he control Lin? Why everything is so wrong?

Li was completely confused. His mind was a mess. As Li was thinking to himself, Lin stopped training and turned to him.

“Hey Li, you don’t need to come tomorrow morning. I have an endorsement project I need to go to, my guess is that it will take the entire morning. Maybe even the afternoon, too. If I don’t show up by 4PM, then you are free to leave!”

Chapter 79: A Degenerate Champion

The next day, Dai Li got to sleep in. He got up right before lunch time and went to the canteen. As the afternoon training was beginning, Lin was still not there. Li had to sit down in a corner and play with his phone. Because he had nothing to do, Li searched about Lin online.

There were no highlights, just ordinary reports about Lin’s recent endorsements and gossip. As for training reports, Li could only find an article saying, “Lin has recovered and is now working hard to get back in good condition”.

Working hard? That’s bullshxt! Li laughed disdainfully. Based off what he had witnessed, Lin wasn’t even working as hard as amateurs were, let alone “getting back in good condition.”

Why does nobody take care of Lin? Did they give up on this guy? But then why is the news saying this? Why didn’t the news tell the public that Lin is still struggling? It it controversial? Li thought about it for a long time, but still couldn’t figure it out. He was eager to get to the bottom of it.

Lin didn’t show up at 4PM. Li knew that he would not be here today.

Li looked around and saw that coach Jihai Ding was also resting. Li hesitated for a second, then finally walked over to him.

“Hello coach Ding, I’m Dai Li,” Li introduced himself.

Coach Ding looked up at Li. “So you are the newcomer, Lin’s assistant coach. Anything I can help with?”

“Coach Ding, I’ve noticed that the other athletes all have training coaches except for Lin—” Li wasn’t able to finish because Ding interrupted him.

“Did Lin tell you to talk to me?” asked Ding.

“No, no. I’m asking myself. He doesn’t know about this. It just felt a little strange,” said Li.

“You are only on secondment. Take care of yourself. This is none of your business, don’t look for trouble.” Coach Ding became serious. He asked, “Where is Lin? He is not here today.”

“Lin said that he had to work with an endorsement today,” Li said, telling the truth.

“Huh, spending a whole day on an endorsement, eh? He is abandoning himself! No one can save him!” Coach Ding stood up and walked away, leaving Li alone there.

Abandoning himself? Sounds like coach Ding is disappointed with Lin. Li wrinkled his brows again. Things seemed to be more complicated than he had originally thought.

…

Dinners at the Beikou Training Center were always hearty. It was not a feast of expensive food every time, but all the food was well prepared and carefully cooked.

A healthy dinner was not too oily nor too fatty, but still tasted as good as it would with those things. For athletes, light food was nice. Today it was a plate of fried shrimp coupled with asparagus, thickened with starch to make the dish glisten, plus a cup of sweet tremella soup. It was a wonderful meal.

The chef for the national team is so good! He is way better than the chef for the provincial team. Chef Cai only knew certain kinds of dishes, and he cooked them all the time. I’m so done with that! Compared to the canteen here, this one is much better! Li thought.

As Li was thinking to himself, a person suddenly appeared. The guy pointed at the seat opposite Li and asked, “Is this seat taken?”

“What? No, go ahead,” said Li. He raised his head to see who it was and immediately recognized him.

“You are Haitao Xie, aren’t you?” Li introduced himself. “I’m Dai Li. I’m on secondment here.”

Haitao Xie was also an athlete in the men’s 110m hurdles. He was pretty young, and was regarded as a high-flyer. Xie had only been on the team for two years, and used to attend national competitions, but he hadn’t got the chance to go to the international games yet.

“I know you. Lin asked for you himself. Do you guys know each other from somewhere?” asked Xie.

“We met once,” Li said, not giving any more details. He didn’t want to divulge how they had me, let alone name-drop Feifei’s name.

Xie didn’t pursue the issue further. Coaches and athletes were colleagues, after all. It was nothing special for a coach to know some famous athletes.

“I saw you going to coach Ding. Were you there for Lin?” asked Xie.

Li didn’t want to cover it up, so he told him the truth. “I see that the other athletes all have a training coach except for Lin. That was why I asked coach Ding. But he did not seem willing to talk about Lin. I wonder why.”

“Coach Ding didn’t try be mean to you on purpose. That was his tough love for Lin. To tell the truth, seeing Lin in such bad condition has made coach Ding the more distressed one. Because of Lin, coach Ding went out drinking alone quite often. He never drank in the past,” said Xie.

“Is there some hidden secret?” asked Li.

Xie sighed, then lowered his voice. “Have you ever heard about Lin’s injury? He stopped at the first hurdle, and had to be lifted off of the field.”

“I know. I watched the live telecast,” said Li. If he was correct, that contest had been Lin’s last. After that the only news that had come out concerning him was about his recovery.

“Well, Lin had surgery on his Achilles tendon,” said Xie.

“The news said the surgery was successful,” said Li.

“Well the surgery was successful, that was true. But Lin really wanted to get back on the field, so he returned to high-intensity training before he was fully recovered. He did make some progress, but unfortunately God seemed to want to make fun of him. During an internal test, he hurt himself again in the same place, but worse,” Xie said, slowly told the story.

“Exercise rehabilitation is worth learning, especially for athletes. Some injuries can stay with them forever,” said Li.

Xie continued, “Lin had to receive a second operation.”

“How did the second one go?” asked Li.

Xie shook his head. “I don’t know. I got here late, so the others told me the story, but nobody told me about that part. Some people said the operation was not successful. They said Lin returned to the team, but began to lose himself. He was no longer himself. He was always late for training, he also went to pubs at night, and now he has turned into a completely different person.”

Chapter 80: Taste of Victory

To Li, Haitao Xie’s words conveyed much information.

According to Haitao Xie, Feixiang Lin is like this because of his injury. To professional athletes, recurring injuries are the last thing they want to have. Many athletes cannot bear the pressure, and have negative feelings, which can lead to a lack of confidence. In terms of physiology, recurring injuries can be complicated. Because it is hard to recover, athletes are not able to return to what they once were, and their performance declines rapidly, sometimes to the point that they decide to retire.

Dai Li was not sure which category Feixiang Lin belonged to—psychological, physiological, or worse, both. But when Dai Li thought the problem over in his mind, he realized what the issue was. Feixiang Lin was the best athlete in this country, and the Beikou Training Center had the best therapists and consultants a facility could offer. They would never leave Feixiang Lin alone if there was any problem.

“Did the national team think of ways to help Feixiang Lin?” asked Li.

“They did. Rehabilitative training, psychological consultants; they did everything they could think of. But none of those methods worked. Coach Ding was the one who worried most. He even had a fierce argument with Feixiang Lin…I should not be talking about this.” Haitao Xie did not want to spread gossip.

“But the recent news is all about Feixiang Lin’s recovery. They say that Feixiang Lin is working hard to get back to his previous status. Even Coach Ding said so during an exclusive interview,” said Li. He was confused.

“They did that for money,” Haitao Xie smiled, then said, “If I trained poorly, I would have already been kicked out. But Feixiang Lin is different. He has the highest commercial value among all national athletes. At his best, he earned two or three hundred million yuan per year. Even though he does not participate in any contests now, he still gets forty or fifty million yuan per year from advertising endorsements. How could the national team kick out a goose that lays golden eggs? They just leave Feixiang Lin alone. To the outside world, the team says the same thing over and over. They say that Feixiang Lin is recovering so that the public still has hope, and in turn the sponsors are willing to put more money into him.”

“I see. I never would have thought that a world champion—a national idol— would one day lose so much of their ability.” Dai Li had finally gotten the full story, and understood what had happened to cause what was going on today.

…

Over the next few days, Feixiang Lin was still enjoying himself. He pretended to train hard, arriving late and leaving early, and sometimes was even absent deliberately.

Dai Li’s work was simple. The other coaches on loan had all turned into handymen except for him. He always brought an extra charger to work, otherwise his phone would run out of battery.

Just as Feixiang Lin had promised, Dai Li did not have a hard time following him. Even though he was playing on his phone during work, nobody blamed him. This life was indeed relaxing.

Dai Li had helped Feifei Yu lose weight successfully. Feifei had lost 2 kilograms, and returned to her original weight.

Feifei Yu was planning to lose one more kilogram, but time was limited. She had to fly to Tokyo for the Asian Championships.

…

During a break in the training center, Li took out his phone and searched for a live broadcast.

Feifei Yu arrived in Tokyo three days ago, yet she is still on my training list. Does that mean that if she wins the championship, I will receive extra rewards? Li thought secretly.

The deletion process for Dai Li’s training list had a delay, which meant that even if the trainee was no longer under his guidance, his or her name would still exist on the list for a period of time. But Dai Li had not figured out all the rules yet.

The signal was quite strong, so Dai Li soon received the live broadcast. The swimmers were ready at their positions. Dai Li stared at the screen anxiously, waiting for the competition to begin.

“What are you doing?” asked Feixiang Lin from a distance.

“Watching the Asian Swimming Championships live broadcast, women’s 200-meter individual medley. Feifei Yu is about to compete,” said Dai Li.

“Wait for me.” Feixiang Lin immediately walked over and sat down near Dai Li.

The competition was not that exciting. It was not difficult for Feifei Yu to win, and in the end she won gold with a 2’10”66 performance.

The last time Feifei Yu had won gold in the Olympics, her performance had been within 2’08, which was two seconds quicker than this time. But considering it was an Asian Championship, Feifei did not struggle too much. A 2’10”66 performance was acceptable.

Great! That is awesome! Dai Li clenched his fist with excitement. Meanwhile he noticed that he had just gained 1,000 experience points as an extra experiential reward, the same as what he had gotten when Aiguo Jiang had won his competition.

Asian Championships was several levels higher than a substation contest, so Dai Li’s reward should have been higher than this. However, Dai Li had been completely Aiguo Jiang’s training, while he had only helped Feifei Yu lose weight. This was less of a contribution that what he had done for Aiguo Jiang, hence the rewards were decreased.

But Dai Li was quite satisfied with 1,000 points as a reward.

Beside him, Feixiang Lin stood up. Envy and unwillingness shined in his eyes. Dai Li noticed Feixiang Lin’s change in emotion.

Dai Li had not expected to see Feixiang Lin express such emotions. He used to see similar things in Aiguo Jiang’s eyes, but he had not found envy; only firmness and unwillingness.

Aiguo Jiang did not want to leave the field; he wanted to fight for his daughter’s future. Will Feixiang Lin have the same feelings? Dai Li looked at Feixiang Lin’s back. He was walking back to his original seat.

Maybe I can try to save him! Thinking this to himself, Dai Li asked straightforwardly, “Would you like to taste victory?”

Feixiang Lin suddenly paused.

“It’s been a long time since you have won the championship. Do you still remember how it felt?” Dai Li’s voice rang again.

Feixiang Lin turned around, staring at Dai Li surprisingly.

Chapter 81: Injury

Both of them did not speak as they continued looking at each other.

Feixiang Lin was feeling rather complicated as he stared at Dai Li. Dai Li did not look away, watching him, expecting him to say something. It was as if time was frozen, yet the atmosphere was not an awkward one.

Gradually, Feixiang Lin’s facial expression began to change, as if he had been in a difficult emotional struggle. After a long while, he sighed and said, “I think you have probably realized that my legs are almost wasted, and that I am a useless man now, haven’t you?”

Dai Li did not reply. He thought the “wasted” and “useless” sounded a bit too harsh. He could not believe that Feixiang Lin would even use them to describe himself.

“Champion? I cannot be a champion anymore. I can never be a champion in this life. How could a cripple like me compete for a championship?” Feixiang Lin looked very indifferent and numb, as if he had already gotten used to being a slave who was incapable of accomplishing anything.

Dai Li pointed to the spot next to him and asked him to sit down. He said, “What on earth is happening? Would you mind telling me about it in detail?”

“There is nothing else to say. You already know everything!” Feixiang Lin said.

“Others are just spreading fake rumors. What I have heard from them may not be completely true. I think the only truth lies with you. You must have something that has been troubling you!” Dai Li asked.

Dai Li sat next to Feixiang Lin. Feixiang Lin sighed and said, “Well, I am not troubled by anything, and things are not that complicated either. I was injured and had a torn Achilles tendon surgery, but I have not recovered yet, which means I can never be as good as I was.”

“So you want to give up? You are still young! You are in the prime of your athletic career. Even if you have been badly injured, you can still recover and have the ability to break the world record.”

According to the statistics, an athlete of a S-rank had the potential and ability to break world records. Because Feixiang Lin was a S-rank athlete, he would definitely be able to achieve that again.

“I have already heard what you are saying hundreds of time. Yes, I am still young. I should have fun while I am still young! What can I get out of working hard in my training? Getting injured again, falling down again, lying on the bed in the cold surgery room and feeling terrified of the unforeseeable future? I think it would be better if I shot more commercials and made more money before I get old. I will not need to worry about the rest of my life anymore!” Feixiang Lin got a bit excited.

The next second calmed down again. His hands drooped sadly as,he said: “Besides, I can never be as good as I was before.”

Dai Li waited a few seconds so Feixiang Lin could gather himself, then said, “Are we talking about the difficulty of your surgery or your recovery?”

“I do not know. I really do not know.” Feixiang Lin shook his head. “Even the doctor cannot give me an answer. They just say that the surgery has been successful, but I do not feel like it has been. I am sure that I am not as agile as before. My legs react slowly now, and more importantly, my legs always hurt. It is as if I am constantly being stung or burned, especially when I land on the ground. I have a strange feeling that these legs are not even mine.”

Feixiang Lin patted his right leg and said, “You do not understand. Every time I even make the motion of jumping a hurdle, I feel pain. I make a move, and I feel pain. The larger my movement range and the quicker I move, the more pain I feel, and it makes me worry all the time. I keep wondering if I will get injured again, and even begin to fear doing hurdles!”

“Have you told all this to the doctor?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes, I have, but they do not listen. They only check my body with a cold medical instrument and do the NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) over and over. They look at the data on the screen of the instrument and tell me the operation was successful! And yes, the operation may have been successful, but my legs are aching too! Ah…” Obviously Feixiang Lin felt that what the doctors had been telling him was ridiculous, and completely disagreed with what he was being told.

“How about the coach of the National Team? Coach Ding Jihai, have you told him yet?” Dai Li asked.

“What can he do? He is not even a doctor. I have been so badly injured, how can I possibly recover? Coach Ding has been comforting me, but what is the point? My right leg has been wasted! I am a cripple now. I can never be as good as I was,” Feixiang Lin said for the third time.

“So you had a big quarrel with Coach Ding?” Dai Li began getting curious about the situation.

“Although Coach Ding has been very strict, he has always been a father to me. He has been with me for more than ten years. He has spent ten years on me, but I know that if he left me behind, he could still cultivate the second or the third World Champion. But honestly, how many decades does someone have in them? He is already in his fifties, I really do not want him to waste his time and energy on me anymore,” Feixiang Lin said. From his tone, one could tell that he was feeling rather guilty and sad leaving Coach Ding.

Suddenly, Dai Li said, “Stop saying you are a cripple. Even if your leg has been injured, has your heart been as well? Do you not want to be a champion?”

“Of course I do, but so what? I cannot be a champion. If I was as good as I was before, I could easily win a gold medal in the Olympics. But can I do it now? Your Achilles tendon has never been injured, and you have never experienced that pain. You could never understand. Unless there is a miracle, I can never be as good as I was before!”

Feixiang Lin changed his tone and said, “You are probably thinking that I am just making excuses so I can get away from training and continue living the casual life I am living now. I know you must be thinking like this. You are not the only one who has thought this.”

Dai Li was a bit astonished. He had indeed thought about this. He thought Feixiang Lin was just making excuses so he could get out of training.

The training of an athlete was very tiring and boring. Those who were not determined could never become professional athletes. Who would want to go back to a life filled with tiring and boring training when they had an opportunity to enjoy a life of feasting and fun, and become so careless that they could even forget about life and death? There were too many athletes who lost sight of their dreams and began enjoying themselves too much when they became famous.

Few could still be as determined when they were facing the temptations of the prosperous and bustling world. Surely some people would say they could, but it was much different when you were actually facing the temptation every single day. Those who said they would not so much as blink their eyes if faced with a mountain of gold only said so because the mountain was not right in front of them.

The two sat in silence again. This time, the silence lingered.

“There are too many things that cannot be explained scientifically with the current stage of modern medicine. For example, some people can suffer from ENS (Empty Nose Syndrome) after receiving an operation for the removal of their turbinate. ENS is not even discussed in medical textbook. One can feel so much pain that they will want to die, yet the doctor can believe the patient is perfectly normal after referring to the clinical criteria. Some even categorize the problem as a psychological one.” Thinking this, Dai Li looked at Feixiang Lin’s legs.

“Maybe Feixiang Lin is telling the truth about his legs not recovering completely,” Dai Li thought to himself. “After all, a ruptured Achilles tendon is a really big deal, and is very difficult to fully recover from. But I am not a doctor myself, so I cannot assess how bad his injury really is…wait, I have an idea!”

Dai Li thought of the rehabilitation massage.

Chapter 82: Rehabilitative Massage

“The manipulation rehabilitation only works for people who are injured. If Feixiang Lin has already recovered, and it is a waste of time to do the Manipulation Rehabilitation for him, and my empirical value will not increase. However, if he has not fully recovered yet, my empirical value will increase by performing the Manipulation Rehabilitation. Besides, this way I can know whether he really has not recovered or if he is just trying to get out of training.”

Thinking of this, Dai Li directly asked Feixiang Lin, “Which leg and which area is injured?”

“The Achilles tendon on my right leg. Why are you even asking? You do not believe what I have just said? How about I show you the scar?” Feixiang Lin said ironically.

“Good. Take off your right shoe, and give me your right leg,” Dai Li said.

“What are you going to do?” Feixiang Lin began feeling suspicious.

“Manipulation!” Dai Li replied.

“You can do Manipulation?” Feixiang Lin looked at Dai Li and teased him. Clearly he was not buying it.

“Stop talking nonsense!” Dai Li said. He immediately pulled his right leg over and took off his right shoe.

“Ah, you really mean it! Do not do the manipulation carelessly or you will make it even worse!” Feixiang Lin was rather anxious.

“You have already said that your right leg is wasted. If that is the case, what are you afraid of?!” Dai Li asked. He began to perform the Manipulation Rehabilitation.

The manipulation of traditional Chinese medicine was based on the Meridian-Collateral Theory. Modern manipulation was actually a very complex subject that was based off the anatomy and pathology of western medicine. Many medical masseuses in the hospital, especially those who had been doing the manipulation for over a decade or two, were almost as good as the heads of the department. In fact, the manipulation and massage belonged in the same category, The skills were quite similar: pressing, massaging, pushing, taking, kneading, pinching, trembling, and hitting.

Dai Li had massaged every member of the weightlifting team everyday, so he was extremely skilled in this regard. He was doing the manipulation rehabilitation for Feixiang Lin like a professional.

Feixiang Lin was also someone who knew what was what. As soon as Dai Li began to massage him, he realized that Dai Li had not been joking with him earlier. He was doing everything very well.

“It never occurred to me that you would be able to do the manipulation. Ouch, be gentle, it hurts!” Feixiang Lin shouted.

However, after feeling pain for only a few seconds, Feixiang Lin felt his whole leg relax.

“Relax, do not be tense. Relax your muscles,” Dai Li said as he did the manipulation rehabilitation.

“Ouch!” Feixiang Lin shouted again. Clearly Dai Li had touched his sore spot. Feixiang Lin had figured this would happen again, but he realized that the pain he was feeling now was completely different from the pain he usually felt. The pain he felt now did not last long. It always started out sharp, like a release of pressure, and later felt eased and relaxed.

Feixiang Lin stopped talking. He completely relaxed his body just as Dai Li had told him to. The pain started again, but this time Feixiang Lin clenched his teeth and did not make a sound. He closed his eyes and began to feel the changes in his leg.

Feixiang Lin felt as if his injured Achilles tendon was being given new life. He began to move actively, and the feeling of stabbing pain and burning disappeared. There was also a picture gradually forming in his mind: a flower began growing on the branch of a withered tree. Then, more and more flowers began to grow, and soon spread all over the withered tree. The tree was now revived, and began to absorb the nutrition and water from the ground.

Feixiang Lin suddenly had a strange idea: the vision in his mind exactly reflected the situation he was in. His injured leg was being revived again, just as the withered tree was.

Gradually, Feixiang Lin began to realize he was addicted to this feeling, and even began to hope for the pain to begin sooner. Every time he felt pain, he would feel quite relaxed soon after, as if he had been freed from a prison.

Dai Li was doing the manipulation rehabilitation while keeping an eye on his empirical value.

“My empirical value has increased!” Dai Li finally saw his empirical value increase, which meant that Feixiang Lin was telling the truth. Maybe his operation had been successful, but he had not completely recovered, and could not be explain it with medical theories. Dai Li stopped massaging Feixiang Lin.

“Why did you stop?” Feixiang Lin asked.

“You are telling the truth. Your leg has not totally recovered.” Dai Li said.

“So you believe me?” Feixiang Lin pulled his leg back and asked, “You have only massaged me once and you already believe me?”

“I could feel that you have not recovered while I was massaging you,” Dai Li nodded earnestly.

“You are just playing around. I have been checked by tons of advanced medical instruments, and the doctor still cannot come to a conclusion. Yet you are sure that I have not recovered yet simply by massaging me?” Obviously Feixiang Lin did not believe Dai Li.

“Feel it for yourself, then. Are you feeling better now?” Dai Li asked.

Earlier, both the slimming workout and the massage had produced an immediate effect. Because of this, Dai Li believed that the manipulation rehabilitation would have an immediate effect as well.

Feixiang Lin did not reply. When Dai Li was massaging him, he could already tell that his right leg felt much better, especially his Achilles tendon. More importantly, he realized that he had regained control of his leg.

“It does work! And it works immediately! The pain I have been suffering from for two years has been greatly relieved!” Feixiang Lin took a deep breathe. He had not felt like this in a long time. He was completely stunned and speechless.

“I remember that you said earlier that you could only be as good as you were before if there was a miracle. Do you still feel it like it is impossible for a miracle to happen?” Dai Li shook his head. “I do not think it is that difficult for you to create a miracle. You are Asian. It is already a miracle that you broke the world record! You have already created a miracle, why not try to create another one?!”

Feixiang Lin did not speak, but his eyes gave away that he was worried and struggling.

“You are an athlete. An athlete belongs on the field. You should fight and work hard to achieve your goal instead of giving up easily like you have been doing! You are like a man lost in a desert who clearly has the energy to walk, but chooses to lie on the ground and wait to die!” Dai Li said. His words struck Feixiang Lin like a hammer.

Feixiang Lin was silent for a minute, then finally said, “Can you help me?”

“It is not important whether I am going to help you or not. The important part is that you save yourself.” While pointing at his chest, Dai Li said, “if your leg is injured, I may be able to help you. But if you have lost faith in yourself, no one will be able to help you. Not even God!”

Chapter 83: The Heart Is Still Alive

That night, Feixiang Lin tossed and turned restlessly on his bed. Dai Li’s words kept popping into his mind, and kept striking his heart like a needle. All his years of experience were flashing back in his mind.

He had met Coach Ding Jihai for the first time when he was a member of the long jump team of a sports school. This encounter had changed his entire life. It was at that moment that he began training for the 110m hurdles.

When he was sixteen, he took part in the 110m hurdles in the National Track and Field Competition for the first time. He came in fourth place.

When he was seventeen, he took part in an international competition for the first time, and won third place. He stood on the prize-winning platform. This was the best finish a Chinese athlete had ever gotten in a short-distance dash competition.

When he was eighteen-years-old, he won first prize in the University. Later, he would always win the championship in every competition he took part in. At the time, he thought he had been born to be a champion.

Finally, he recalled the time taken part in the Olympics, and gotten the gold medal. When interviewed by the journalists, he had said proudly, “they said that an Asian man could never win a gold medal in the short-distance dash. Well, I did it! I have proved them wrong!” In that moment, he had become a hero in every Chinese person’s heart.

But winning the Olympic gold medal was only the beginning of his climax of his sports career. Soon after, he managed to climb to the highest mountain in the world of the short-distance dash; he broke the world record.

Feixiang Lin turned over. All these glorious episodes of his life kept replaying before his eyes, and he became more and more nostalgic.

He remembered how it felt to be a champion, even though he had not tasted the feeling in such a long time. It did not matter, because he was born a champion.

“You are an athlete, and an athlete belongs on the field.”

“You have already created a miracle, why not try and create another one!?”

“If you have lost faith, no one can help you, not even God!”

Dai Li’s words kept popping into Feixiang Lin’s mind.

“Champion!” Feixiang Lin knew he had been longing for the title of champion. Although he was benumbing himself by leading a befuddled life, he was still missing the feeling he had once had when he would jump over hurdles on the field and stand on top on the prize-winning platform.

“What on earth have I been doing the last two years! I am such an idiot, I have wasted an entire two years!” Feixiang Lin suddenly stood up and touched his right leg, pressing his injured Achilles tendon.

“It does not hurt anymore.” Feixiang Lin calmed down. He did not seem confused anymore, and suddenly became quite determined.

“I cannot give up. I have to put up a fight!”

…

It was 7:50AM. Dai Li had arrived at the training center ten minutes early.

He was neither the first one nor the last one to arrive to the training center. Most coaches and athletes would arrive around this time, except for Feixiang Lin, who always came after 9 o’clock.

Dai Li looked at the gate. He was not sure if what he had said yesterday had worked or not, but there was one thing he was sure of: the manipulation rehabilitation worked.

The manipulation rehabilitation was like a stepping stone. It could help Feixiang Lin be as good as he once was, but the most important thing was for him to take the first step to get back to where he once was. If he continued behaving like he had been before their conversation, like showing up late for training or leaving early to go out and enjoy the nightlife, then even the manipulation rehabilitation would not help him.

Dai Li was waiting nervously. It was almost 8 o’clock. As time passed, he became more and more anxious.

“Maybe Feixiang Lin is reluctant to give up his befuddled life. Maybe he had second thoughts and felt that it was to not give up his current lifestyle. He had already made hundreds of millions of yuan, and was already a billionaire. How could he possibly come back to the tough and competitive field! What was the point of curing his leg if he was someone who was indulging in his luxury and easy life? Am I supposed to help an athlete who has no desire to do better?”

Dai Li sighed as he thought about this. Just as he was about to turn around, he saw a familiar figure approaching in the distance.

“Feixiang Lin!” Dai Li finally smiled. He had gotten the answer he had wanted.

…

“Look, it is Feixiang Lin!”

“You must be wrong. It is not even 9 o’clock, how could he be here already?”

“The training has not begun yet. How could he possibly be on time for the training today?”

“I think he will be on time when pigs fly! Is this really the Feixiang Lin I know?”

Everyone began to talk about this in a low voice. Everyone looked at Feixiang Lin together. At the same time, Coach Ding Jihai looked much kinder than before.

Feixiang Lin walked over to Dai Li and was going to speak to him, but Dai Li asked him before he could say a word, “Have you thought things through?”

Feixiang Lin nodded earnestly and said, “Dai Li—no. Coach Li, please help me!”

“Are you sure? Once you have made your decision, you can never go back to a befuddled and comfortable life. You have to be strict with yourself, which means you have to eat and rest regularly. As long as you are awake, you must be training. The same endless and boring training, again and again, and cannot go to the Champion Restaurant.” Dai Li wanted to make sure Feixiang Lin knew what he was getting himself into.

“I know how it is. I have lived this kind of life before. The training is tough and tiring, but fulfilling. That is the life I am used to. I can see my value in that life, and that is my real life! Right now I am like the walking dead, who knows nothing besides eating, drinking, playing, and having fun. This is not the life I want,” Feixiang Lin said. “So please help me!”

Looking at Feixiang Lin’s serious face, Dai Li smiled and said, “Take off your shoes. I will do the manipulation for you!”

…

Once again, Feixiang Lin experienced the magic of the manipulation rehabilitation.

“I feel like my leg has not felt this relaxed for almost a year. If you keep doing this, I think there is a great chance that I can be as good as I was before. How marvelous this is! I have been massaged by so many masseuses. The heads of the top three hospitals and the professor of the Medical University have all tried, but compared to you they are so much worse!” Feixiang Lin said.

Dai Li laughed. The manipulation rehabilitation itself went against science, so the heads of the hospitals and university professors could never be as good as he was, even if they spent their entire lives practicing.

Feixiang Lin tried to take a few steps and jump a few times. He felt much better. He said, “Let’s start the training now. I cannot wait to be as good as I was before!”

“I do not think it is the best time to start training. I understand your feelings, but haven’t you realized that you have become a bit too fat to be an effective athlete?” Dai Li pointed his belly.

Feixiang Lin used to have a six-pack of abdominal muscles. As an athlete of the short-distance dash, his body fat percentage had to be below 10%. However, after two years of laziness, he had become too fat, and was not that slim or strong anymore.

Feixiang Lin was a bit embarrassed and touched his belly. He probably knew that he would have to lose weight.

Dai Li said, “You are the world champion of the hurdles. As for the training technique for the hurdles, you know better than I do. But I am the expert in losing weight. You should do a set of slimming exercises first. I will try to make you lose two pounds today.”

Chapter 84: The Return Of A Prodigal Son

The heavier an athlete was, the more of a burden his body had to bear. For an athlete who did hurdles, if he was heavy, he would consume more energy every time he hurdled, meaning his ankle would have to withstand more pressure every time he landed.

Therefore, an athlete of the 110m hurdles was much lighter than a 100m dash athlete. Feixiang Lin’s height was around 190 centimeters, and his weight had reached its peak at 160 pounds. For an athlete of the 100m dash, who was the same height as Feixiang Lin, their weight was probably closer to 180 pounds, or even more in some cases.

Because Feixiang Lin had not taken his training seriously in the last two years or control his diet, he was already over 180 pounds. It was only due to his height that he did not look fat.

Obviously, 180 pounds was not an ideal weight for an athlete who did hurdles. Feixiang Lin knew that his main task was to lose weight, but he laughed with disdain when he heard the words “slimming exercises.”

Feixiang Lin was indeed much fatter than he was before, but because he was still a professional athlete, he could not lose weight simply by doing slimming exercises. Besides, anyone who had even a bit of common sense would know that doing slimming exercises would have no effect on an athlete.

“Come, let’s do the slimming exercises,” Dai Li said seriously.

“You are kidding me,” Feixiang Lin said, waving his hands.

“I am not joking with you.” Dai Li became more serious.

Feixiang Lin shook his head and said, “I admit that your massage was very effective, but as for these slimming exercises, why don’t you go do it yourself in the gym!”

“Do you see that scale? Go and weigh yourself, then do the slimming exercises with me. If you do not lose weight it will not do you any harm, and you can just consider it a warm-up,” Dai Li said.

Feixiang Lin still did not believe him, but when he remembered that Dai Li would help him do the manipulation rehabilitation, he stood on the scale, weighed himself, and did the slimming exercises with Dai Li.

“These are just warm-up exercises for radio music! It cannot even be considered as a warm-up,” Feixiang Lin thought.

“Stand on the scale and weigh yourself.” Dai Li kept egging him on once they finished a set of slimming exercises.

Dai Li was full of expectation. Seeing his face, Feixiang Lin did not want hurt Dai Li’s feelings, so he stepped on the scale unwillingly.

“Ah? The number has dropped? I have already lost 0.3 pounds in just twenty minutes. Seriously, what is going on?” Feixiang Lin turned around and looked at Dai Li, who was feeling very confident.

“Is this really because of the slimming exercises? No way! I cannot believe it!” Feixiang Lin stepped off the scale, looked at Dai Li, and felt very suspicious about this. He then said, “Let’s do it again!”

“No problem!” Dai Li nodded.

Twenty minutes later, Feixiang Lin weighed himself a third time.

“I have lost another 0.22 pounds! Is this scale broken?” Feixiang Lin thought for a while, then stepped off the scale and put his shoes on it to see if the scale was broken or not.

“The weight of the shoes has not changed, which means the scale works fine. Is it possible that these slimming exercises really work? But isn’t it strange that these slimming exercises, which are just like warm-up exercises, can really help me lose weight?”

Feixiang Lin looked at Dai Li.

“He has only massaged me once, yet I felt much better instantly; for these slimming exercises, I have only done one set, abut nd it works immediately. This is incredible, I think no one would ever believe me if I told them this, but is it possible that Dai Li is an alien?!”

…

Feixiang Lin was a very intelligent person, but he was completely stunned by Dai Li. However, he cared more about whether he could get back on the field, and whether he could be as good as he had been before.

Dai Li could help Feixiang Lin recover and lose weight, which already made him qualified enough for Feixiang Lin to follow his every order.

Feixiang Lin was like someone drowning in the middle of an ocean, while Dai Li was like an island. Even if it was an uninhabited island where there were many beasts, and the food was not edible unless it had been cooked, Feixiang Lin would try his best to swim to the island because it was his only chance at survival.

After earning Feixiang Lin’s trust, Dai Li began to lead Feixiang Lin through the slimming exercises. For an athlete of the hurdle, the lower his BFP (body fat percentage) was, the better. The slimming exercises could help Feixiang Lin achieve just that, and lose any excess fat.

Inside the training hall, Dai Li began to count numbers everyone was familiar with.

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight; Two, two, three, four…”

…

“My eyes are not deceiving me today. Feixiang Lin is not late for training! He came before 8 o’clock.”

“It seems as if the prodigal son has returned! With his talent, he will probably win another world championship if he works hard on his training.”

“Come look, what is Feixiang Lin doing? Is he doing slimming exercises to radio music?”

“Probably not. Why would he come here an hour earlier just to do slimming exercises to radio music?! Is it possible that he is warming up?”

“For us, that amount of slimming exercise is everything but a warm-up! I do not think we would even sweat!”

“I have heard that Feixiang Lin is going to take part in an activity at the Hope Primary School. Maybe doing the slimming exercises to radio music is part of the activity, and he is preparing for it beforehand.”

“I think you are probably right, but since when did slimming exercises to radio music look like this? Which set is this? Anyway, it is completely different from the one I did when I was in school.”

The athletes in the training hall were speaking in low voices. Meanwhile, Coach Ding Jihai’s face was turning rather gloomy.

“I thought you were the prodigal son that had returned and planned to come back to training. I never thought the reason you would come here is just to do some slimming exercises! Feixiang Lin, you have truly disappointed me. Maybe you really are beyond helping now!” Coach Ding Jihai let out a long sigh. He felt quite sad.

…

“I have lost four pounds today! If I keep doing this for ten more days, I can be as slim and strong as I was before,” Feixiang Lin said confidently.

As he was speaking, Dai Li was dong the manipulation rehabilitation for him. He said, “Do not be too optimistic. The reason you have lost four pounds in one day is because that you have a lot of fat. Once the fat begins to decrease, you cannot lose it as quickly as you did today.”

“How long will it take for me to be 160 pounds again?” Feixiang Lin asked.

“About a month!” Dai Li thought for a while, then said, “I hope that you can be fully recovered within the next month. I will help you be as good as your old self by the third month.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?” Feixiang Lin asked.

“Do not forget, I was only transferred here temporarily. I can only stay here for three months, and it is almost the end of the first month.” Dai Li became very serious. “I hope that before I leave, the old, invincible Feixiang Lin can come back!”

Chapter 85: Rehabilitation

Since his return, Feixiang Lin had not been late for training, and he never left early. He went to the training hall regularly, and ate the nutritious food in the canteen instead of eating in a restaurant everyday. He also did not go out at night anymore. He went to bed and woke up on time. Everyone had seen the changes in his behavior. Many believed that Feixiang Lin was really the prodigal son that had returned.

However, when people saw Feixiang Lin doing the slimming exercises to radio music, they would think the opposite. To them, he should have been doing something that had to do with the training rather than the slimming exercises .

No one understood what Feixiang Lin had been doing, but Feixiang Lin himself knew that he was making progress. He was losing weight everyday, and the number on the scale would not lie to him.

What made Feixiang Lin happy was that his strength and explosive force had not degenerated much while he was losing weight. His competitive spirit, on the other hand, had been increasing.

The process had made Feixiang Lin admire Dai Li very much. Although he had no idea how short amount slimming exercises had made him lose weight so quickly, he was still receiving the benefits. He chose not to think too hard about it. He was an athlete, after all, not a scientist. His aim was to return to the field, not figure out the scientific theory behind Dai Li’s slimming exercises.

Soon another month passed. Feixiang Lin’s weight was back to 160 pounds, and his weight would not change too much if he continued doing his daily training and living a regular life.

He had lost twenty pounds in the last month, and felt very satisfied. If he spent the entire day in the physical training room doing slimming exercises, he could lose about twenty pounds at most. Compared to that, doing the slimming exercises was so much easier than lifting the heavy fitness equipment.

…

The training hall was a bit empty because there was a competition for the National Track and Field Competition, as well as the field training of the National Team on the plateau. The well-known Coach Ding Jihai and Coach Fang Jun had taken their famous athletes to take part in the competition. The people who had stayed were young athletes whose abilities were not that great.

Feixiang Lin had been training regularly, but because he had only been doing the slimming exercises, many people thought he had not done any proper training. It was only natural that he had been excluded from joining the field trip to the plateau. However, Feixiang Lin knew that he had not completely recovered. Even if he had joined the field trip, it would do him no good. Because of this, he preferred to stay in the North Pass Center and regain his strength.

“I think my right leg has recovered. I did not feel any pain when you massaged me yesterday.” Feixiang Lin did some moves showing off his agility.

“You have not recovered yet,” Dai Li said without any hesitation.

Dai Li came to this conclusion by relying on the Empirical Value of the System. When he would perform the manipulation rehabilitation for Feixiang Lin, the empirical value of the Coaching System would still increase, indicating Feixiang Lin had not completely recovered. If Feixiang Lin had completely recovered, his empirical value would not increase by doing the manipulation rehabilitation.

Dai Li had gotten a lot of empirical value by helping Feixiang Lin recover. After all, Feixiang Lin was a talented S-rank athlete who had been always been the best in the men’s 110m hurdles. The manipulation rehabilitation and the effect of the slimming exercises was actually equal to the training, so the empirical value Dai Li got from Feixiang Lin was even higher than what he had gotten for helping Feifei Yu.

Because Feixiang Lin trusted Dai Li very much, he continued to let Dai Li perform the manipulation rehabilitation for him. He did not need to do the slimming exercises anymore, so he began spending most of his time training for the 110m hurdles.

When it came to training for the 110m hurdles, Dai Li had learned of it when he was in college. He had even hurdled on the playground when he was younger. When it came to training techniques and experience, however, Feixiang Lin knew far more than him.

Even though Feixiang Lin was an athlete, a few years ago he had constantly traveled to the United States to train. In the U.S., there were many professional training theories, the most advanced equipment, and the most famous trainer in the world. Feixiang Lin had received the best training in the world there. As for training techniques for the 110m hurdles, Feixiang Lin knew far more than most of the coaches of the National Team. What Dai Li had learned in a second-rate university was nothing compared to what Feixiang Lin knew in this regard.

Sports training was far more than just theories. Dai Li began to learn from Feixiang Lin, and thought that having the opportunity to be involved in Feixiang Lin’s training was definitely a unforgettable experience. Not only were the methods of training and training techniques new to him, but the training concepts would benefit Dai Li a lot. They the most advanced in the world, and were at least ten years ahead of what Dai Li had learned from his university textbook.

To reach Feixiang Lin’s level in the field of hurdling, techniques had to be close to perfect. If there were any flaws in Feixiang Lin’s techniques, he would never be able to break the world record.

Therefore, the routine training that applied to many athletes of the 110m hurdles was of no use to Feixiang Lin. His level was too high and he had too much experience in this area. He also had a very strong understanding of the sport. He had reached the ceiling of the sport; he had already been the best in the world. There were no improvements to be made.

As for his techniques, focusing on the details was the only way he could make improvements. Because of this, the National Team simply filmed his training. They normally filmed an athlete’s training process, then rewound the tape so they could clearly see which detail or movement had not been done perfectly. Later in the training, the athlete could focus on these details and work hard to improve them.

After all, the 110m hurdles and the 100m dash were rather different. For the training of the 100m dash, there was no need to film because it had more to do with an athlete’s body and training over and over again. This was all much more useful than filming a training session and watching it over again. Because the 110m hurdles were a combination of speed and techniques, as well as body flexibility and sense of rhythm in the movement of an athlete, watching the tape was the best way to find out what an athlete’s disadvantages were.

Feixiang Lin did not have a trainer, so Dai Li was the one filming. The camera for the National Team was never a cheap one; it was a professional sports camera that filmed in high definition, one that was worth tens of thousands of yuan. After staying with Feixiang Lin for a while, Dai Li had not learned anything about hurdling. His photography techniques had improved quite a lot, though.

…

In the open training hall, Feixiang Lin was lying on the ground, feeling exhausted and panting heavily.

As time went on, the intensity of training began to increase. He had now completely recovered, and began doing the highest limitation training a human’s body could possibly stand.

“Feixiang Lin has been recovering rather quickly. As the world-class athlete he is, it only takes less than a month for him to be able to do training of this intensity. I wonder how long I should wait before he becomes as good as he was before.”

Thinking of this, Dai Li detected him.

Target: professional athlete

Professional sports: 110m hurdles

Professional capacity: 765

Talent: S

Chapter 86: Qatar Money Grabbing Game

“I have not been this tired in a long time!” Feixiang Lin said while staring at the ceiling. He sounded rather weak.

“Let me massage your legs,” Dai Li said as walked over to him. His massage was the best way to relieve the muscle fatigue of an athlete.

“Thanks!” Feixiang Lin was just lying there. He did not move at all.

“What do you think? How much have you recovered?” Dai Li asked.

“Around eighty percent!” Feixiang Lin said.

“His professional capacity is 765, if this is only eighty percent of his professional capacity, that means he would reach over 950 when he has fully recovered!” Dai Li calculated and asked surprisingly, “You are already this good when your professional capacity is 765 at 80%?”

“My professional capacity? Already so good? What do you mean?” Feixiang Lin said. He had no idea what Dai Li was talking about.

Dai Li realized he had had a slip of tongue, so he immediately changed the topic. “I read some of the news put out by the paparazzi that you had an affair with Sister Feng Feng, an online celebrity. Is that true?”

“Of course not! She is not beautiful at all. One day I met her by accident, and she leaned on me on purpose. I could not even stop her!” Feixiang Lin said.

“How about the famous female star Li Mimi? People on the internet are saying that you two are in a relationship,” Dai Li said.

“Bullshxt, that is impossible. We happened to be in the same restaurant. It is only because of the drama show she plays a leading role in is on air that they put that story out. They want to attract more viewers!” Feixiang Lin said without any hesitation.

“What about your son? There are photos of him on the internet!” Dai Li laughed.

“He is my cousin’s son. Whenever I would take part in a competition in Dong Gang, my nephew would come to see me live and cheer for me. Besides, think sensibly: the kid in that photo is almost ten-years-old, and my nephew is already twelve years old. I was still very young twelve years ago. How could I have had a son of that age at that time?” Feixiang Lin said.

They began to talk about everything, even some deeper topics. Because there were only young athletes in the training hall, all the top players had gone to join the field trip on the plateau. The atmosphere here was much more relaxed.

“If Coach Ding and others were here, we could never talk like this. But anyway, it is really good that I can take part in a competition soon!” Feixiang Lin had a long sigh.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling nostalgic?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes, I have not been on the field in two years,” Feixiang Lin said, suddenly standing up.

“Am I pressing too hard?” Dai Li asked.

“No, I just remembered that the Qatar Money Grabbing game is going to be held next month. This time I have to be there!” Feixiang Lin said earnestly.

Dai Li suddenly stopped speaking, looking at Feixiang Lin in a daze.

“I’m talking about the IAAF Diamond League in Doha. You know Doha, right? The capital of Qatar, a country full of millionaires. The host of the competition in Doha has always been very generous. I have been to Doha two times, and every time I went we lived in a five-star hotel. The reward is always a bit more generous, also.”

Feixiang Lin thought a few seconds, then said, “For example, the winner of the IAAF Diamond League in Doha will not only receive the reward, but also the extra bonus given by the host, which is more than what is given by the IAAF Diamond League. The host will also give an appearance fee to famous athletes. That is why the IAAF Diamond League is jokingly called the ‘money grabbing game.'”

“Are you going to join that competition? Can you really do that in your condition?” Dai Li asked.

“I still have a month! I still have time to improve myself. The key is getting the National Team to allow me to take part in the competition,” Feixiang Lin said.

“Well, we have to wait until Coach Ding and the others come back before they can make the decision, right?” Dai Li asked.

Feixiang Lin contemplated this, then said, “I am going to fill out a competition application form. I have not seen one for almost two years. I have almost forgotten what it looks like.”

…

In the conference room of the North Pass Training Center, people were deciding who should attend the IAAF Diamond League.

The host of the conference was Zhao Shuren, the head coach of the National Track and Field Team. He was holding a manuscript and said, “The bonus for the money grabbing game in Qatar is quite a lot. We all know that the athletes in our country cannot take part in a competition like the IAAF Diamond League. But this time it is being held in Asia, and I have a few ideas about who should attend. In today’s conference, I intend to talk about who should be sent to the competition. As usual, let’s start with the 100m dash. I have a suggestion for this…”

Soon, they began to whittle down who should be sent for the 110m hurdles.

“Next, let’s decide who should be the one to take part in the 110m hurdles. I only have one opening for this slot,” the host of the conference said.

A coach said immediately, “We should definitely choose Dong Teng. He is the most suitable person for the 110m hurdles. Besides, he has made great progress in the last two years. At the beginning of this year, he won the bronze medal in the 60m hurdles competition. Judging from his ability and status, he is the perfect one for this competition.”

Zhao Shuren, the head coach, looked at Ding Jihai and said, “Coach Ding, you are the head coach of the hurdles team. Who do you think should be sent to Qatar?”

Ding Jihai sat up straight and said, “Currently, Dong Teng is the strongest in the 110m hurdles in all of Asia, and he can probably work himself into being one of the best in the world. But because the bonus of the IAAF Diamond League is so much, and famous athletes can receive an extra appearance fee, there will be a lot of world-class athletes taking part in this competition. Compared with them, Dong Teng’s advantages may not matter. I think it is impossible for him to win a medal with his current performance.”

“So you think Dong Teng is the most suitable person, right?” Zhao Shuren asked.

Ding Jihai nodded. “In fact, I hope there can be more outstanding young people joining our team soon. We want to see some new faces.” He then turned around and asked Director Zhang, “Director Zhang, apart from Dong Teng, is there anyone else who has handed in their application form for the IAAF Diamond League?”

The Director hesitated for two seconds, then said, “Yes, there is, but…”

“Tell us, who this inspirational young man is?” someone immediately asked.

“It’s Feixiang Lin!” Director Zhang said. “It is Feixiang Lin who handed in his application form!”

“Feixiang Lin!”

Ding Jihai’s eyes were shining. The conference room was silent.

Chapter 87: Intimidation

After a long, embarrassing silence, everyone began speaking confusedly, as if they were in the stock market.

“Feixiang Lin? How could he submit application? Is he not clear about his status?”

“Is he making fun of us? How can he compete in such a big game? I bet he cannot even stand straight on the field.”

“How dare he ignore the bigger issue! We have been tolerating him this entire time, not asking anything of him, yet now look what he has done! Is he doing this for fun?”

“To tell the truth, I remember that Feixiang Lin had gone to training on time right before we went to the highland.”

“Well he did, but did you ever notice what he was doing? He was practicing broadcasting gymnastics, and his coach was with him! What were they doing, having a kindergarten party?”

Hearing the mean-spirited gossip, Coach Ding was uncomfortable.

As the chief coach of the national athletics team, Coach Zhao had spent most of his time in Huajing. He had only heard about Feixiang Lin from the others. The other coaches in the room, including Coach Ding, had just gotten back from highland. None of them knew how hard Feixiang Lin had been practicing the last month; they only remembered the irresponsible Feixiang Lin who had been busy practicing the fat loss exercise.

Coach Zhao waved his hand, signaling to the crowd to calm down. He then looked at Coach Ding and asked, “Coach Ding, both Feixiang Lin and Teng Dong are your students. Who do you think would be better for the competition?”

All the other coaches looked at Coach Ding. Because he was the chief coach for hurdles, his opinion was valued very highly.

Coach Ding lowered his head a bit, as if he was considering the decision. What was really taking place, however, was that he was struggling to decide.

Feixiang Lin submitted an application. Did he just have a sudden impulse to compete or has he really turned over a new leaf? Coach Ding was hesitating to make the decision.

Deep in his heart, Coach Ding still hoped that Feixiang Lin could make up for everything he had put everyone through. He wanted to see Feixiang Lin on the field again.

Coach Jun Fang took note of Coach Ding’s struggle. They had been friends for years, and were both top-level coaches. Coach Fang had also developed world-champions, just like Coach Ding. Therefore, he understood what Coach Ding was going through.

“I suggest we move on to the next participant. Let’s give Coach Ding some time to consider it,” Coach Fang said. He was trying to give Coach Ding some time to figure out his predicament.

Unfortunately, Chief Coach Zhao did not share the same sentiments. He said, “I have heard a few things about Feixiang Lin. We had made an internal agreement that whenever journalists ask about Lin, we would say that he has recovered pretty well. But now, if we send him out, his actual status will be revealed. As Coach Ding previously mentioned, we will face strong competitors. If we send Feixiang Lin and he loses, we will lose a lot of fame.”

Coach Zhao looked around the room, then continued, “I suggest we send Teng Dong to the competition!”

His words were the final deciding factor for the participant.

…

“My application did not pass. They decided to send Teng Dong to the competition,” Feixiang Lin said with disappointment.

“Then what is your plan? Talk to Coach Ding again?” asked Dai Li.

“I heard that it was Chief Coach Zhao’s decision. If that is the case, it will be a waste of time to talk to Coach Ding. He cannot change Zhao’s decision. Moreover, Coach Ding must still be disappointed with me.” Lin sighed again, then said, “I guess I can only wait for the next opportunity. I plan to start in the low-level national competitions first.”

“Well, if you really want to go to Qatar, there is a way,” Dai Li suddenly said.

“You have an idea? Tell me!” Feixiang Lin requested hurriedly. He completely trusted Li. He had blind faith in Li’s power.

“To be honest, it is not a good idea.” Dai Li then leaned forward with a sense of embarrassment, lowered his voice, and said, “I say you intimidate them!”

“Intimidate? What do you mean?” asked Feixiang Lin with confusion.

“Thank about this. There are journalists eagerly waiting for the results, what if you tell them that you will be in Qatar?” Dai Li said, trying to show his profoundness.

But in Feixiang Lin’s eyes, Dai Li looked crafty, and was filled with bad ideas.

…

At the gate of the Beikou Training Center, many journalists were waiting for the latest news.

“I hear that Chief Coach Shuren Zhao is in the training center. I wonder if I will have the chance to interview him!”

“I do not think so. You know the training center takes care of everything. Coach Zhao lives there with no worries. He would not come out even if he had nothing better to do.”

As they were talking to one another, someone walked out from the gate.

“Wait, that guy looks like Feixiang Lin!” The photographer zoomed in to get a better look.

“It’s really him! Feixiang Lin!”

The next second, all the journalists got excited. They rushed to the gate to mob Feixiang Lin.

“Mr. Lin, there is news saying that you have recovered and begun training again, is it true?” a journalist shouted from afar.

Feixiang Lin nodded. “I’m completely recovered. I have been training for a long period of time. I would say that I have gained about 90% of my original ability back.”

“90%? Then when do you plan to return?” someone else asked.

“I’m always ready. But it depends on the national team.” Feixiang Lin paused, then continued, “Next month, in Qatar, the IAAF Diamond League Great Prix will be taking place. I hope I can be there. I have submitted my application, I’m just waiting for the team’s final decision.”

Feixiang Lin’s application had been rejected, but he covered it up in front of the journalists.

The next day, Feixiang Lin’s comeback became headline news in traditional newspapers, online media, and news apps.

Feixiang Lin was a national idol. His fans had been waiting for his comeback for two years, and now they were all going crazy over the news. Every sports media outlet was covering the news about Feixiang Lin. Some groups of fans had even flown to Qatar, waiting to witness his return.

After hearing the news, CCTV had immediately contacted the Qatar TV broadcaster, hoping to send a special team to Qatar for a live broadcast.

Although Qatar was more active, they began to make advertising posters for Feixiang Lin in order to broadcast their game. On the Doha Competition official website, Feixiang Lin’s picture was displayed along with the other superstars.

Qatar was a very rich country; they did not lack money. The original purpose of Qatar hosting the competition was to obtain some fame for the city, which was why they had welcomed athletes from around the world to join the competition. As the only Asian world-record holder in sprinting events, if Feixiang Lin could visit Qatar, there was no reason to reject it.

But the national team had been caught by surprise. They were now stuck in a sticky situation.

Chapter 88: Team Pickup Game

In the Beikou Training Center, the meeting room was bustling again.

The meeting had been called by Coach Zhao, the chief coach of the national team. Compared to just days ago, however, he did not look well.

“What is he doing, does he have any idea what is going on? How dare he brag in front of the crowds about how he wants to go to Qatar! Doesn’t he know that if he fails we are going to lose?!” Filled with anger, Coach Zhao slammed on the table.

“Coach Zhao, please calm down. I guess Feixiang Lin was unhappy because he did not get the selection.” Coach Fang was trying to comfort Coach Zhao.

“Unhappy? He thinks he can say anything he wants simply because he is unhappy?He must have done it on purpose! He went to the media to put pressure on me, so that we have to let him go! He is trying to intimidate me! This afternoon I received a phone call from Qatar asking about Feixiang Lin’s appearance fee requirement! Even the leader from the general department asked me for detailed information. What am I supposed to say?!” Coach Zhao exclaimed, pointing at his phone with anger.

“The media had already spread the news, it is too late. Moreover, the entire nation is anxiously awaiting Feixiang Lin’s comeback. We will be in great trouble if we reject him now. Once the nation knows that we refused his application, they will blame on us. They do not care about how and why it is happening,” said a respectful coach.

“Then what do you think? Should we really send Lin to Qatar?” asked Coach Zhao. He turned to Coach Ding. He looked at him seriously and said, “Coach Ding, Feixiang Lin is your student. This opportunity belongs to your hurdles team. What do you think we should do?”

Coach Ding knew that if he could not offer a reasonable solution that satisfied them he would be in trouble. He cleared his throat and said, “How about this: we follow our tradition and have a team pickup game that the young athletes can participate in. We select the final participant through this fair competition. Whoever has the best performance will go. This way, we can give the public an answer they can be satisfied with.”

In athletics, people were judged by their abilities. It was common to have a team selection before a big competition. Take American Athletics Teams, for example: they sometimes had news that the last American world champion had been rejected from participating in the next Olympics simply because the champion had not passed the team selection.

If Feixiang Lin failed in the selection game, then the national team would have a convincing reason as to why they had not chosen him.

Coach Zhao’s eyes had suddenly brightened. He was too anxious to think about this. He scratched his head and said, “A team selection game is a good idea. Let’s do it!”

…

Feixiang Lin was the brightest star on the team; his every action attracted a lot of attention. Because of this, his application was soon widespread.

The person who had been affected most was Teng Dong.

Teng Dong was one year younger than Feixiang Lin, and was right behind him. He was the second-best competitive hurdler in the country. But to tell the truth, there was still a gap between Feixiang Lin and Teng Dong. Feixiang Lin had won the world championship several times, and was also a world record holder. Teng Dong’s greatest achievement was bronze in the International Athletics Championships. He had only entered the final competition in the Athletics World Champions, and had not even taken part in the final competition in the Olympics.

But undeniably, Teng Dong was the second best Asian 110m hurdler after Feixiang Lin. Especially since Feixiang Lin’s decline, Teng Dong had taken the number one spot, and the national team had been concentrating on his training. He was hard-working, and in two years he had made a lot of progress. He still might not be as good as Feixiang Lin, but he was capable of putting up a fight against some of the world’s best hurdlers.

By this point, Teng Dong had already heard about Feixiang Lin’s application. He was also aware of the team selection that would be taking place.

…

“Teng Dong, you must win. Feixiang Lin has been declining for years. He did not even go to our highland training. Even I could defeat him easily.”

“Does Feixiang Lin really feel like he is just as good as he was years ago? Why doesn’t he keep dreaming? The team will not take anything away from him due to the advertising endorsements.”

“He hurt himself so badly that even if he has recovered, he will not be able to be as good as he once was.”

“I think a team selection is a good chance to burst Feixiang Lin’s bubble and tell the public the truth. The public knows nothing about his status. They think he is still the same person who amazed the world. Once we tell the public that he has failed the selection, few people will continue supporting him.”

All the athletes around Teng Dong supported him, and showed their disdain for Feixiang Lin through their words.

It was common that in this field, the stronger person had the power. Years ago, when Lin had been competitive, he had a group of followers. But later, as he had begun to give up on himself, he was looked down upon by his teammates.

If Feixiang Lin could still work hard, even if he could not maintain his previous ability, he would still be worth respecting. They had been training together everyday, so who worked hard and who was killing time was very clear. Similar to being in school, straight-A students were popular, while dumb people were neglected. Those who had been studying hard but had not gotten good grades yet still received the admiration of their classmates.

But Feixiang Lin had abandoned himself. This, coupled with his special privileges, had caused him to lose support. Many hard-working athletes saw Feixiang Lin that way, and although they may not have verbally complained, they disliked him secretly. Some people had even been praying that Teng Dong would soon take Feixiang Lin’s place so that the useless, depressing guy could get kicked out immediately!

However, in the center of the crowd, Teng Dong said nothing.

Teng Dong’s path to the national team was similar to Feixiang Lin’s. He had been a triple jumper, who later transferred to the 110m hurdles. He became famous in the Youth Games, and once won a silver medal in the World Youth Athletics Championships. He had been ranked number one in the world among youth athletes.

The same year, Feixiang Lin won the championship in the World Competition. It looked like they were similar at first glance, but in fact, Teng Dong had never defeated Feixiang Lin on the field.

The following year, Lin broke the world record, which completely separated the two of them. From then on, Feixiang Lin was developed every step of the way. He won gold in the Olympics, broke the world record, achieved a Grand Slam, and was the person to beat in 110m hurdles.

Although Teng Dong had also gotten himself some achievements, compared to Feixiang Lin, he had no advantages. When talking about 110m hurdles, people only focused on Feixiang Lin, while Teng Dong was simply a forgotten co-star.

Over the last Feixiang Lin had let himself fall, but Teng Dong had also been struggling. He knew he was not as talented as Feixiang Lin, so he could only make up the difference between them through hard work. He had given over 100% in that time, and had gained acclaim for it.

But Teng Dong was not satisfied. His ultimate goal was to defeat Feixiang Lin.

They had always been alike, but Feixiang Lin had been the barrier blocking Teng Dong’s way for a while. Outperforming Feixiang Lin had almost drove Teng Dong crazy. He was dreaming of doing so.

He knew he would never be able to grow as an athlete if he could not defeat Feixiang Lin. He had challenged Feixiang Lin again and again, but had failed repeatedly—until Feixiang Lin had gotten injured, that is.

Then, when Feixiang Lin had been upset, even Teng Dong had realized that he was wrecked. Feixiang Lin would never be able to return, and Teng Dong would never have another chance to challenge Feixiang Lin on the field. Teng Dong was disappointed by this. He felt that he had been a soldier rushing forward bravely, when all of a sudden his enemy had disappeared.

But now, after two years of waiting, he had finally gotten another opportunity to challenge Feixiang Lin, in a team selection game!

Recalling what he had gone through the past two years, Teng Dong could not wait for the challenge.

Feixiang Lin, this time I will defeat you!

Chapter 89: Back to the Field

The men’s 110m hurdles team selection game immediately became the focus of the Beikou Training Center.

A lot of people felt that Feixiang Lin was asking for trouble. After all, he had not been training seriously for two years. How could he compete against other professionals?

Nobody thought that Feixiang Lin would win. The public had no idea about Feixiang Lin’s condition, but the national team knew everything. An Achilles tendon rupture was a disaster for a hurdler. It signaled the end of the hurdler’s career. There was no getting around it.

Moreover, everyone had witnessed Feixiang Lin’s performance. He was so against training that there was no doubt that he would not have a good time. Teng Dong, on the other hand, had been training hard every day, and was always the first person to arrive and the last one to leave.

Last month, the main hurdlers had all gone to highland for training. They had no idea that Lin had increased his training intensity. Because of this, people thought Feixiang Lin was still nowhere close to what he had once been.

Even recently, when they had seen Feixiang Lin working hard, they had felt that he was simply grinding a spear before a battle.

“Isn’t Feixiang Lin’s workload quite high?”

“I say it is useless. Tomorrow will be our team selection. I have never seen an athlete perform well with only last-minute preparation.”

“He has not trained seriously for two years. Even though he has broken the world record before, he does not have much left. If I were him, I would ask for a waiver, otherwise I would feel ashamed if I lost the game.”

“Hey, look, Feixiang Lin is coming!”

“Huh, he really is! I admire his bravery.”

The audience gossiped in a low voice.

There were very few requirements for a team selection. Seven athletes were in the game. After they warmed up, they stood at the starting line. The Beikou Training Center owned the best equipment, and their electronic timing system was undoubtedly accurate. There would be no mistakes made today.

Standing on the blocks, facing the track he had missed so much, Feixiang Lin felt something different.

Two years later, I am finally back! Lin sighed with emotion. He closed his eyes, reliving past competitions.

At that moment, Feixiang Lin noticed that his body was shaking with excitement. Every cell in his body was ready to go, as if they were having a celebration.

This is what it feels like to come back to the field. Feixiang Lin took a deep breath, hoping to inhale the atmosphere into his body. He suddenly felt that everything around him—the red track, the white hurdles, the blocks—were were welcoming him back home.

I belong here! Feixiang Lin bent down to touch the track. Recognizing the familiar smell, he had to try his best not to cry.

He raised his head and looked into the distance. The finish line was right there, waiting for him, like a lighthouse in the dark, showing him the way.

That is where I’m heading! Feixiang Lin’s hands were holding the ground steadily. He was ready.

…

Dai Li was anxious.

Feixiang Lin’s current ability is 783, which is at the top amongst national athletes. It should be enough to get a national championship. But Teng Dong’s ability is above 800!

Dai Li had detected all seven athletes. None of them were as good as Lin except for Teng Dong.

Teng Dong had 813 ability points, which was 30 points higher than Feixiang Lin. However, his talent was only an A-, much lower than Feixiang Lin’s S-level talent.

Generally speaking, once an athlete’s ability was above 800, the person had the potential to win a world championship. But it did not apply to every sporting event. Athletic events always had fierce competitions, especially in the men’s 110m hurdles. Teng Dong’s ability was just above 800; it was impossible for him to win gold. Unless he were to compete in a competition where the other top hurdlers were all absent, he would not have a chance.

Unfortunately, however, it was a cruel truth that Teng Dong had a higher ability than Feixiang Lin.

It will be difficult for Feixiang Lin to make up the 30-point gap. I should use the explosive force halo to help him. But when I was training high school students, the halo’s force weakened as the speed rose. How much power can the halo provide to Feixiang Lin, a world-class athlete? The so-called 10% explosive force increase is a lie! Li took a deep breath to calm down, but he was still worried about the effect of the halo.

“There must be some misunderstanding. A 10% explosive force increase is not equal to a 10% speed increase,” the System suddenly said, showing up out of nowhere. “The effect increases explosive force by 10%, but such an increase cannot exceed the body’s limits. You are a coach; you are training humans, not Superman. The System cannot offer any promotions that are above one’s body limit.”

“What do you mean?” asked Dai Li confusedly.

“It is simple. Let me explain it this way: let’s say that a man has 900 experience points in explosive force, and his extreme limit is 1,000 points. After his ability increases by 10%, his explosive force increases to 990, and he can enjoy the complete power of the halo. However, had his explosive force been 950, then the halo could only increase his ability to 1,000 points, because it is his body’s limit. Because of this, the halo can only utilize half of its power. Does that make more sense?”

“I see now. The quicker the athlete is, the closer they are to their body’s limit, which means they will improve less. That weakens the halo’s power. Say, if one’s explosive force has already reached its peak, then the halo is useless, right?” asked Dai Li.

“Yes, that is correct. No matter how magical the Coaching System may be, it cannot overpower the human body’s extreme limit. The System cannot turn an athlete into Superman,” said the System, “But although the System cannot exceed physical limits, the limits can increase through training.”

“I know that. I used to not be able to do more than twenty push-ups, but after training I could do 40. But I’m not talking about that. I wonder what will happen if I use it on Feixiang Lin.” Dai Li paused, then said, “I want to know how much if an effect the halo will have on him.”

“You still don’t get it. I told you before. Extreme limits, remember? What is Feixiang Lin’s extreme limit? Is it really that poor?” the System taunted.

Dai Li suddenly understood. Obviously, Feixiang Lin’s limit was far higher than this—he was the record-holder! This meant that he had a high limit. Currently, there was a huge gap between his ability and that limit. The explosive force halo could offer the maximum increase.

“So the halo can be extremely effective! The 30-point gap will no longer be a problem.” Dai Li finally relaxed. As he began to calm down, the proctor of the race called everyone’s attention.

“On your mark. Get set…”

Chapter 90: You Are Finally Back

The proctor raised the starting pistol above his head and said, “On your mark. Set…”

The seven participants were ready to begin. As soon as they heard the shot of the starting pistol, the athletes darted off .

“They are look the same!” somebody shouted out with surprise. All the athletes jumped the first hurdle at the same time.

In men’s 110m hurdles there were 10 hurdles. The first hurdle was 13.72 meters away from the starting line. Because it was such a short distance, it was difficult for athletes to widen the gap. To the audience, the hurdlers’ movements were synchronous.

“Lin didn’t fall behind after the first hurdle? Impressive! But it’s just the beginning, he won’t last long.” A lot of people were thinking the same thing. It was easy to jump over the first hurdle with a 13.72-meters running start.

The crucial moment came at the following nine hurdles. There was a 9.14 meter gap between each one, which was only two steps from the next hurdle.

From the second hurdle on, it was time for the athletes to show their running rhythm. 110m hurdles required a very consistent rhythm. Once athletes reached the second hurdle they had to find their own rhythm. If an athlete did not have his rhythm by the third hurdle, he would probably lose the competition.

On the field, Lin was bravely running forward. He jumped over four hurdles and was still in good shape. He had found his running rhythm, and now he just needed to adjust himself to a better condition.

“Lin is good! He has proved himself to be a world champion. Even though he missed two years of training, he is still doing well!”

The audience was comprised of all professionals. They knew what they were looking at.

After four hurdles had passed there were gaps between the competitors, and by the fifth the gaps were getting bigger and bigger. Teng Dong, who had the best ability, was leading the race without a doubt, but to everyone’s surprise Lin was holding his own against Dong.

“How could it be possible, Lin hasn’t trained for years, how can he keep up?”

“Lin is as good as Dong in every aspect, no matter speed or rhythm. He has good control of over his body. I thought he would fall behind at the very beginning. I never expected him to be in the lead!”

“What if Lin was pretending to be lazy? Dong is serious today, but he still can’t outperform Lin.” Many people were busy thinking about what was going on.

As they reached the sixth hurdle, Lin and Dong were still in the lead. They had an apparent advantage.

No way, Lin is still a strong competitor! Dong was a little bit surprised. In his mind, Lin was already a loser, and should not be able to fight against him. Dong thought he could beat Lin easily.

You are a loser, I will beat you! I’m the best! Dong used all his energy and jumped over the seventh hurdle successfully.

I’m ahead! I will win! Dong was happy.

He forgot, however, that Lin was at his best during the last three hurdles!

The last three hurdles were Lin’s strongest leg of the competition. Even compared to the rest of the world, no one could defeat Lin in the last three hurdles.

As he was jumping over the seventh hurdle, Lin noticed he was falling behind. At that moment, Lin was back at that Olympics where he had won gold. He could clearly recall that during that competition he had also been behind by the seventh hurdle. But it was at the last three hurdles that he had managed to catch up and surpass his competitor for first place. That was how he had gotten his gold medal.

As he was coming back to reality, he finally had the same feeling he had during that Olympics. He returned to what he had once been. His heart started to beat loudly, and his blood was boiling. He only had one thing on his mind: to surpass his competitor!

Run faster! Faster! I can do this!

As he thought this to himself, nothing could stop him. He focused on the finish line. It was the only thing he saw. He was eager to win.

There was a fire burning inside his heart. He belonged to the field. In this moment he had returned to the fearless Feixiang Lin. He was the world champion again. On this field, he was the only king! He was the king of 110 meters hurdles!

As they reached the eighth hurdle, Lin began catching up. By the ninth, Lin was next to Dong. Finally, by the tenth hurdle, Lin had surpassed Dong! There was nothing more but the last 14 meters! Nothing could stop Lin now!

…

Yeah! He got it! Dai Li was the first one to cheer. He knew that Lin would finally win.

Lin had finished all ten hurdles and still held a safe lead. As for the final sprint, it was impossible for Lin to lose the game with the explosive force halo.

What? Why am I the one falling behind? As Dong jumped over the last hurdle, he realized he was going to lose.

Why me? Did I make a mistake? No, no I didn’t! What’s wrong here?

But Dong didn’t give up. Although he was astonished, he was still struggling to get back in first place. This was his last chance. However, the gap between Dong and Lin had grown even wider.

Lin is like a flash! Is he back to his peak performance? The thought entered Dong’s mind for a moment, but quickly left him. Lin had just hit the finishing line.

…

“Yes!” Li cheered again, but it was loud in the quiet crowd. Around the track, no one except for Dai Li said anything. Nobody had expected the result to be so surprising. Feixiang Lin, who had been abandoning himself for years, had suddenly become the winner. A few seconds later, someone finally got their voice back.

“Did I watch the wrong game? How could this be possible!”

“Lin is a loser! Everybody knows that! How did a loser win the game?”

“I remember a few days ago Lin was complaining about his tendon aching so much that he could not do any high-intensity training. How did he recover so quickly?”

“Does everybody see his attitude? This lazy bone just defeated Dong, our best hurdler. I can’t believe it! There must be something wrong! Did Dong lose the game on purpose?”

“Are you crazy? Even if Dong did that on purpose, how about the others? Did they also lose on purpose? What for?”

“Here comes the results! 13.29 seconds! Lin’s performance is 13.29 seconds! No one lost on purpose, Lin made it himself!”

13.29 seconds was still not as good as Lin’s best performance, but it was good enough to outperform 99.99% of Asian hurdlers.

…

coach Ding looked at Lin from afar with a complex expression in his eyes. Shock, surprise, excitement, and gratification had overcome him. His eyes were wet. He closed his eyes, trying his best not to let the tears fall.

For two years he had been waiting, hoping, and praying that Lin could snap out of his negative attitude and get back to being himself again. But seeing Lin come late and leave early everyday, his soul was gone with the wind. coach Ding’s good intentions were dashed.

coach Ding had been disappointed thousands of times, and wanted to give up on Lin, but later regretted. He even dreamed about Lin’s return to the fold. Today, his dream had come true.

Two years of waiting and expectations were what made up Ding’s tears. He could no longer control himself. Lin’s success reduced him to tears.

Finally, you are back!

Chapter 91: A Challenger

Beikou Training Center, Meeting Room.

“Feixiang Lin’s final result is 13.29 seconds. I’ve told you everything that happened in the game. This is the end of my report.” coach Ding put down the documents, then turned to the chief coach of national track team, Shuren Zhao.

“Are you saying that Feixiang Lin is recovered?” As he spoke, coach Zhao’s eyebrows raised involuntarily. Happiness appeared on his face.

“13.29 seconds. Even though it is not Lin’s best performance, it serves as good proof of his ability. He’s OK for the competition.”

“Is this result valid? Is there any problem?” coach Zhao confirmed with coach Ding.

Coach Ding knew what coach Zhao meant. He immediately replied, “After the game, we directly checked Lin’s blood rather than his urine. The results showed that everything was normal.”

Coach Zhao laughed out loud. “That’s great! A prodigy who returns is more precious than gold. Lin did not give up and neither did we. Our next task is to guarantee that Lin’s training is top notch and try our best to support him! The key point is to help him return to his best status and win glory for the country! Coach Ding, you are in charge of this. Whatever you need, report to me directly.”

Lin was the most famous athlete in the country, as well as the trump card for the national team. Lin was once treated as the treasure. Now that Lin was recovered, coach Zhao immediately shifted his attitude and regarded Lin as a god.

Zhao continued, “We can’t only focus on Lin’s training. We should also take care of his personal life. Don’t let him do wrong again. Coach Ding, you talk to Lin later and see what he wants. If it is anything that is reasonable, keep him satisfied.”

“Speaking of personal needs, there is one thing that Lin asked permission for. He has an assistant coach who is on secondment from the provincial team. His original plan was to stay here for three months, and now it’s coming to an end. But Lin wants the guy to stay for one more month,” said coach Ding.

“Really? What’s his name? How old is he? Is he good at coaching?” asked coach Zhao.

“His name is Dai Li. He is in his early twenties, and from Hanbei Provincial Sport Team. As for his capacity, because he is young he might not be very skillful,” coach Ding responded casually.

Upon hearing that Dai Li was so young, coach Zhao lost interest. He said, “This Dai Li is the same age as Lin. I guess they have found some common interests. Well, let Li stay for one more month, that is fine. Just inform the Hanbei Sport Team beforehand.”

As Zhao said that, the door suddenly opened. Director Zhang rushed in, looking flustered.

“Coach Zhao, there is something I have to tell you,” Director Zhang said frantically.

“Take your time,” coach Zhao said, pointing at an empty chair.

After Director Zhang sat down, he opened a document and said, “We just received breaking news that in the International Grand Prix in Czech, the famous Cuban hurdler David Bose just won the championship in men’s 110m hurdles. He broke Feixiang Lin’s world record with a 12.87 second performance!”

“What?” The group was suddenly thrown into a panic. Apparently nobody was willing to hear this bad news.

…

“David Bose got 12.87 seconds, 0.01 second clear of you. He will also be in the ‘Qatar Money Game.’” Li then asked Lin, “I remember some media source once mentioned that Bose is your old enemy. Now you are going to fight against each other again. Do you feel stressed out?”

“Pressure pushes me forward,” said Lin with a calm expression. He recalled his experience, saying, “The year I got a gold medal in Olympics was the first time I had heard about him. He won second in the IAAF World Junior Championships. Two years later, we met for the first time in the same game. He was only 20. I remember it was in a Grand Prix in Paris. I wasn’t paying much attention to him, but later he gave me a head-on blow. He took the gold medal from me.”

“Was it the year you broke world record?” asked Li.

“Yeah. That year in the game that I got the record, Bose was only fourth. In the later World Championships and World Cup, he got all bronze. Then while I was injured he took my place as the number one hurdler,” Lin said, sighing.

“Yeah, it happened all of a sudden,” said Li.

“I’ve been wasting too much time these last two years. Bose has been following in my footsteps, but now it’s my turn to catch up!” Lin looked forward, wondering about something. Then he turned to Li and said, “I requested that you stay another month. They approved it. I’m sorry I didn’t ask you before.”

“I don’t care,” Li said, shrugging his shoulders. “The longer I stay here, the more travel allowance I can get. It’s you who should worry. There is only one month left before the ‘Qatar Money Game.’ You still have a long way to go.”

“I know.” Lin looked serious. “I want to get first place! I can’t allow Bose to defeat me!”

“You wanna win the game?” Li never would have thought that Lin was such an ambitious person. If Lin didn’t have such a firm look, Li wouldn’t have taken it seriously.

“You told me that as an athlete, I belong to the field. Now that I’m standing in the place where I belong, my only goal is to be a champion!” Lin said steadfastly.

“But you are not at your top level. It might offend you, but I still want to tell you—according to your current ability, David Bose is stronger than you.” Li told Lin the truth, not holding anything back.

Li knew Lin’s ability the best out of anyone. Lin’s ability was less than 800 points according to the system. With the explosive force halo he was barely able to compete against Teng Dong. David Bose had just broken the world record, which meant he must have had more than 920 points of ability. There was a 150 point gap between Lin and Bose, and no halo would make up the difference.

Hearing what Li said, Lin felt a little uncomfortable. But he still nodded. “The current me is not as good as Bose. I need more intensive training! I have wasted two years, I can’t waste time anymore.”

Chapter 92: Super High-Intensity Training

Educational training theory asserted that in order to improve one’s ability or quality, one must be trained in an environment where one’s capacity reached the extreme. Previously, Dai Li simply took it as a theory from a textbook. After he had participated in Feixiang Lin’s training, he finally understood the idea.

Li recalled what he had experienced in the Sports University. Their training intensity was a joke compared to the national team. Even the provincial sport team’s training was less than adequate in comparison. It was no wonder the national team was the best in the country. Its training intensity was extraordinary.

Feixiang Lin’s so-called “more intense training” shook Li. Such high strength was above Li’s imagination. Li began to believe that Lin also had a plug-in system. Otherwise how else could he bear such frightful training?

Lin’s body was truly being stressed to the limit. It was not only torture of an athlete’s body, but an ordeal of human willpower. Seeing Lin so exhausted that he fell to the ground breathing heavily, then stand up and struggle again after a short break, Li believed that no one else could be as tough as Lin. Nobody could persist through this training for such a long time.

It is true that no one can succeed just by coincidence. Lin was able to break world records not just because of his talent. His effort, will, and stamina also helped him to succeed. Li sighed with respect.

Lin wasn’t fighting alone now. He had found the real him, and the national team was willing to offer their best resources. Coach Ding returned to Lin as his chief coach, while the team also provided a training coach and two assistant coaches.

Being an assistant coach for a speed contest was tough work. Athletes usually used the “Competition Method” to enhance their performance. The “Competition Method” was to create a competitive atmosphere in which the assistant went the full distance with the athlete. Such a method could provide a contrast of speed, this way the athlete could have a clear concept of how fast he had run. If the athlete ran by himself, he would probably got stuck behind a “speed barrier,” which meant that he would only have a vague concept of speed. It was difficult to improve one’s self this way.

With this method, the assistant tried to run faster than the athlete, which allowed the athlete to speed up and surpass them. But the fact of the matter was that the assistant must not be as good as the athlete, otherwise the assistant could be an athlete himself. Therefore, in the 100m or 200m sprint, the assistant would start beforehand when. But 110m hurdle didn’t need to be that complicated. The assistant and the athlete started together, but the assistant only ran the first three hurdles, then sprinted for the finish line. In this case, the assistant could have the lead.

Lin had increased his training intensity, which in turn had increased the assistants’ tasks. The two assistants took turns assisting. Even though they only had half of Lin’s training amount, they were exhausted.

Li had a different job. In addition to being a recorder, Li also became Lin’s masseuse. Whenever Lin was fatigued, Li would give him some muscle relaxation.

During breaks, athletes would receive massages to relax their muscles, which made lactic acid decompose quickly. It was especially beneficial for athletes after high-intensive training. In countries with developed sports industries like America, an athlete would receive some high-tech treatments, such as cryotherapy and auxiliary respirators.

In the very beginning, coach Ding didn’t pay much attention to Li’s massages. As a track coach, massaging was a required skill, due to the fact that athletes built up lactic acid or even inflammation during training. Coach Ding still remembered back before Lin had become famous, it was he who had massaged Lin. But as time went by, coach DIng noticed some differences.

Lin looks content. Is it because Li’s massage really works? Coach Ding looked at an exhausted Lin, pondering.

After a while, Lin stood up. Although he still looked tired, he was more relaxed and energetic. It was obvious in the follow-up training.

Coach Ding was one of the world’s top coaches, so he could tell what Lin’s status was just by one glance, whether it be physical or mental. What coach Ding was finding now was that after a massage from Li, Lin looked completely different. He didn’t look like an extremely tired person at all.

The massage looks effective. Considering Lin’s high-intensity training, if one massage can put him in good condition it is impressive. The famous masseuses I know might have such an ability, but ordinary masseuses cannot do it.”

Thinking about his, coach Ding turned to Dai Li involuntarily.

It was after Li joined our team that Lin started to train regularly. Even though I don’t understand why they have been doing broadcasting gymnastics so much, it is also true that he returned to his original status within two months. Did Li really make everything happen this way? Lin asked Li to stay for another month. I used to think that Lin had found some common interests with Li, but now it looks like it is probably because of Li’s massages. Seems like I underestimated Li.

Coach Ding kept thinking to himself, then walked close to Li and said, “Li, you are good at this. Have you ever learned to massage before?”

“My undergraduate major was physical training. I learned some subjects about massage. My teacher said I was gifted in this area, so I had some special training in it,” said Li.

Li realized that Coach Ding had noticed his muscle relaxation. He himself also knew that the massage was abnormal, and if he said he had never learned it before coach Ding would have his doubts about him. Besides, Li didn’t learn from any teacher. To cover it up, he used “gifted skill” as an excuse.

Coach Ding nodded agreement. “Talent” was something that could not be explained with theories. There were always some gifted people in all areas. Ordinary people might not be able to reach their level even if they struggled their entire lives.

Coach Ding kneaded his waist, then said, “Li, my waist has been hurting for days. Could you give me a massage after you finish training?”

Chapter 93: Invitation and Rejection

Dai Li was used to people’s content look after they received a massage from him. Right now, coach Ding looked the same.

“Nice, I like it. Knead harder,” Coach Ding murmured with comfort. ” I have been suffering from waist intervertebral disc protrusion for dozens of years. Those masseuses with little strength can’t even make me feel their kneading. I’m really jealous of you young people, you have so much strength, and your kneading is working…”

“Coach Ding, did you say that you have waist intervertebral disc protrusion?” Li asked casually.

“You know I’m an old man. Of course I have some problems. We coaches exercise everyday, we may not have the ‘three high diseases (Hypertension, Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia),’ but we easily get cervical spondylopathy, scapulohumeral periarthritis, and arthritis.” Coach Ding was beginning to chat with Dai Li.

I’m using muscle relaxation right now. If I use rehabilitative massage, it might work on coach Ding’s disability! Li recalled the related theory about waist intervertebral disc protrusion.

Usually waist intervertebral disc protrusion is formed by a degenerative disease and lumbar injury. To cure this disease, in addition to surgery, there are some other treatments such as traction, physiotherapy, and massage. For patients with slight symptoms, surgery is not necessary. Some patients may only need to lie in bed for a few days to recover. If lying in bed is also a method for self-recovery, then my rehabilitative massage would probably be effective for coach Ding.

Thinking about this, Li changed his method. He shifted from muscle relaxation to rehabilitative massage.

“Why did you change techniques?” Coach Ding felt the difference right away. Li’s method had changed.

“This one is not as effective as the last one. I can’t feel the relaxation,” coach Ding pondered. Suddenly a sharp pain shot along his spine.

“Ow!” coach Ding shouted out. The pain came from his lumbar. He felt like he was hit by a heavy hammer. Even though it had only lasted a split second, coach Ding was sweating a lot. But once the pain was gone, he felt carefree. The coziness was indescribable.

“Awesome!” Coach Ding sighed with astonishment.

Li noticed that his empirical value increased as the system presented it. This meant that his rehabilitative massage indeed worked on waist intervertebral disc protrusion. Although it could not cure the disease, it could release coach Ding’s pain.

After a while, coach Ding stood up and twisted his waist. He even tried a set of rapid squats. But, to his surprise, he didn’t feel any lumbar pain.

“Hey, your massage is pretty cool! Previously I had to stoop slowly, but now even if I stoop hard I’m still OK!” said coach Ding.

“I suggest you not stoop too hard. You have to take care of your lumbar daily. If you stoop one more time, my effort could have been spent in vain,” Li said as he was about to wash his hands.

“Li!” Coach Ding suddenly stopped Li. “Would you like to join the national team? I mean, get a formal job here?”

“Work for the national team?” Li was surprised. He never expected coach Ding to bring this up all of a sudden, let alone offer this great opportunity to him.

To any domestic coach, working for the national team was the dream. Being a coach for the national team meant standing at the top of pyramid. Moreover, being recruited to the national team was also proof of a coach’s ability.

However, not everybody could join the national team. Take coach Yuejin Chen, who had brought Dai Li to the Sports University. He only worked for the national team on occasion, and it was an old story. Considering coach Chen’s current ability, the national team wouldn’t even give him a chance for interview. But even despite this cruel fact, coach Chen still prospered among Hanbei coaches because of his experience with the national team.

To people who were as good as coach Zhongyi Xu, it was obviously pretty easy for them to find a place on the national team. But coach Xu was already the head of the provincial swimming team, and he would have a chance to work in the Provincial Sport Department to be an official, which was a brighter future compared to working on the national team. Therefore, coach Xu was not very interested in joining the national team.

But to a young coach like Dai Li, if he had a chance to coach for the national team, it would be a great rise in life. After ten years of working for the team, then working for a local team, Li would easily get a job as a chief coach.

Li’s eyes suddenly shined with excitement. He was eager to join the national team.

But coach Ding continued. “We have a high-intensity training load, but we lack skillful masseuses like you. If you are interested in this job, I can help you work here.”

“Coach Ding, do you mean that you want me to be your masseuse?” Li asked. He suddenly felt upset.

Coach Ding nodded. “To be honest, you are way better than the masseuses on our team. I know some famous masseuses in big hospitals that may not be as good as you. To tell you the truth, I never felt as comfortable as I did with you after they gave me massages. Li, I appreciate your skills. I really hope that you can join us. Furthermore, you have been working with our team for months. You have seen our resources, which must be better than your Hanbei Provincial Team.”

Li didn’t give it a second thought, and shook his head without hesitation. “Thank you, but no. I don’t want to work as a masseuse. I’m a coach!”

Being a coach was different from being a masseuse. This didn’t mean that a masseuse had a lower social status than that of a coach. On the contrary, a good masseuse was harder to find than a good coach. Almost every athlete could turn into a coach after they retired and probably be a decent one. But it was unheard of for an athlete to turn into a good masseuse.

But Li did not want to be a masseuse. Ever since Aiguo Jiang’s competition, he had decided that he wanted to be a coach. These days, as he joined in Feixiang Lin’s training, he was moved by Lin’s willpower. It inspired him to be an outstanding coach in the future!

However, coach Ding didn’t give up on trying to persuade Li. “Li, don’t look down upon masseuses. A masseuse for the national team is a good job. You can give rich people massages in your spare time. With your fame, you can earn thousands of yuan in just an hour. A coach can never earn money that quick. In addition, Donggang is the financial center of this country. A lot of rich people live here. You will have plenty of opportunities to earn money. You may even earn enough money to buy a house here within two or three years.”

In some nice areas, it was common for a house to cost 80,000 yuan per square meter. In golden areas, plus school district, the housing price skyrocketed above 100,000 yuan per square meter. It was not an exaggeration to say that a person who owned a house in Donggang City was a multimillionaire.

Donggang had the highest housing price in the country. The housing rate in Donggang City was no less than five million yuan. Most people couldn’t afford a house even if they saved money their entire life. If Li could afford a house within two or three years, he would earn at least two million yuan per year.

But Li wasn’t motivated by this temptation. It didn’t mean that he didn’t love money. To a young person in their twenties, achieving his dream was more important!

“Thank you, coach Ding,” Li rejected again. “I’m a coach.”

Coach Ding could tell Li’s determination from his words. In that moment he saw a younger version of himself in Li, proud with a sense of stubbornness.

“It must be so good to be young!” Coach Ding sighed. He patted Li’s shoulder. “I believe you will be a great coach. But my words are always effective. Whenever you change your mind, you are always welcome!”

Chapter 94: Broke World Record

On the high speed rail back to Qingcheng City, Dai Li looked out the window, his soul in Qatar.

Two days ago, coach Ding had flown Feixiang Lin to Qatar. The whole flight would take about nine hours. Because of jetlag, when they arrived in Qatar it was still early in the morning. Only a limited number of people were allowed to visit Qatar, therefore Dai Li, as a staff member on loan, didn’t get the chance to go. Moreover, the extra month he had agreed to stay for was about to end. It was time for him to return to Qingcheng City.

The game hasn’t started yet. It starts this afternoon, and there is a five hour time difference. I can watch it once I arrive, Li thought. He checked the training list in the system.

As I predicted, Feixiang Lin is still on the list. I don’t know when he will be deleted from the list, but as for right now he can keep using the explosive force halo. Even though men’s 110m hurdles doesn’t require much explosive force, it is influential when competing with the world’s best hurdlers. Lin may have a better performance with the explosive force halo. I really hope he can win gold so that I can be rewarded.

Li remembered that before Lin went to Qatar, he had detected Lin’s ability. Lin had reached exactly 900 points, which was good enough for him to be a world champion.

Lin was worth respecting. A month ago, when Lin was competing with Teng Dong, his ability was less than 800 points, but in just one month Lin had improved himself to 900 through long-term high-intensity training.

As Li had witnessed, Lin had been living in “hell” for a month. Li had even thought that there was no one in this world could bear such frightening training except for Lin. No pain, no gain, as the saying went. As a result, Lin had improved himself rapidly in a short period of time, and was close to his top level.

After a seven hour trip, Li finally arrived in Qingcheng City. It was dusk. Li bought several steamed buns, then headed to his dorm in the Provincial Sport Team Training Center.

Lin’s game is about to start. Li booted up his laptop, but found that there was no internet.

“Where is the internet?” Li roared angrily.

“Network maintenance. They said that our network needs to be updated. They are changing optical fibers,” said Li’s roommate.

“What? At this time?” Li wanted to find an internet bar outside, but it was too late. He would have to pay for staying over.

My phone is running out of data. I don’t have enough for video. I can only read online novels. Perhaps I should buy a data package? Right, that’s a good idea!

A lot of apps offered an online service that added data packages, but Li preferred to visit the mobile company’s official website. The website offered a provincial data package with a lower price than the national data package. It was more economical to buy a provincial data package.

50MB of data is definitely not enough for watching video. To watch a live telecast, it would require at least 200MB, maybe even 300MB. Wait, I can only choose 500MB… If I buy 1G, it will be more economical than 500MB. Oh, but 2G is better! But it’s the end of month, 2G is a waste of data.

Li was making a common mistake that many people made, which was that when they saw an economical product, they were in a dilemma: on the one hand, he wanted to enjoy more benefits; on the other hand, he was worrying about wasting money.

Alright then, I’d better buy a 1G data package. I wonder when network maintenance will finish. If it only lasts for two or three days, I can make full use of this 1G. Li finally made a decision.

After he bought the data package, Li opened up the live telecast app. But all he saw was a female pole-vaulter.

“Hasn’t the game started yet? Or has it already finished?” As Li was pondering, a news story suddenly popped up. It read:

“12.86 seconds. Feixiang Lin has broken the world record again!”

Li was euphoric. Lin broke world record! He did it! I wished he could win, but I never thought it would come true! Although his current ability is 900 points. That plus the explosive force halo and being in good condition, he did have a high possibility of winning.

Li couldn’t wait to read the news. It didn’t give much information, only saying that Lin had won the championship in men’s 110m hurdle at the IAAF Diamond League in Qatar. He had broken the world record again with a 12.86 seconds performance.

Video, where is the playback? Li searched and searched, then finally found the playback.

In the heat, Lin was running side-by-side with David Bose until the last second. It showed that Lin reached the finishing line before Bose. When he received his official record, Lin howled in the air with pride. At last he got the chance to vent his depressions.

Awesome! A new world record! Lin proved himself! Poor Bose, he only kept his record for a month. Wait, Lin won first place. Will I receive extra reward? Thinking about this, Li immediately accessed into the system to check his status.

Name: Dai Li;

Coach Level: Junior Coach, advanced level (12,177/50,000);

Others: Explosive Force Halo.

Abilities: Slimming Exercise, Fat Losing Game, Massage and Muscle Relaxation, Rehabilitative Massage.

Training List: Feixiang Lin

I’m upgraded! I used to be at the junior coach medium level, but now I’m at advanced level. I have gained a ton of experience during Lin’s training. I remember that I had 12,177 points, and the requirement to upgrade was 30,000 points. Does that mean that I have gained 30,000 points? Wow, impressive!

Li was astonished. When Aiguo Jiang had won the championship, Li had only been rewarded 1,000 points. Later, when Feifei Yu won gold, Li was also rewarded 1,000 points. But this time, when Lin had won the world championship, Li got a 30,000 point reward. It was 30 times as high as his previous rewards. It was a big surprise.

Even though it requires 50,000 points to become a senior coach, seem like it will not be tough work, Li smiled.

“Hey, don’t be so pleased with yourself. Your 30,000 points experience is just an coincidence.” The system always showed up at the wrong time.

The system explained, “First of all, during Lin’s training process, you were indeed very helpful. You helped him recover, you helped him lose weight, and the most important thing you did was help him find himself. Therefore, based on your effort, you deserve this big reward.”

“Haha, I deserve this!” Li was proud of himself.

“It is also because Lin broke world record, which is rarely seen. You know how hard it is to break a world record in track events. If Lin won a world championship in the Diamond League, you may only have four or five thousand points instead. Your 30,000 points were largely decided by the world record,” the system continued.

“Well, I’m really lucky. If Lin had won the game a few days from now, after he was automatically deleted from the list, I wouldn’t have received as many points. 30,000 points is a cool reward!” Li waved his fist with excitement, then said, “Now where is my gift pack?”

Chapter 95: Morale-Boosting Book

After upgrading to the junior coach advanced level, Dai Li received another gift pack. But inside the pack was only a piece of golden paper.

“A paper?” Li looked at it carefully. There were three bold words: Morale-Boosting Book.

“Morale-Boosting Book? What the heck is this?” Li was confused.

“You know what morale is, don’t you? For athletes, keeping morale high can stimulate their performance, and even help them reach new heights. But if their morale sinks low, the athletes will lose confidence, to the point where they can’t perform to even half their abilities,” explained the system.

“You mean this is for stimulating morale?” Li was upset. He looked at the rest of the paper.

“Step 1: Praise the athlete before the game.

“Step 2: Give applause when the athlete enters the court.

“Step 3: Cheer up during the game.”

Li’s face twitched. Those were all he had on the paper, and they all looked unreliable.

“What is this shxt? Praise, applaud, and cheer up? Define method!” Li swore in his mind.

“Don’t doubt it. Think about this. What if the audience cheers you on when you are on stage? Have you ever noticed that local athletes have better performances when they compete in their hometown? This method is definitely useful, and when you combine this with the other two methods, the effect will be amazing! Even if the athlete just broke up with his or her significant other, they can gain confidence again,” the system explained. “Remember that there are three key points. Firstly, the efficiency lasts from the time the athlete steps on the stage to the time he or she leaves, rather than from when the game starts and ends.”

Li thought hard for a while. “I think I get the idea. Say there is a 100m dash, the efficiency lasts from the beginning to the end; but if there is a game like shot put, javelin, weightlifting, or diving, which requires athletes to perform several times, the methods work whenever they are performing; for sports like basketball, soccer, or volleyball, which has intervals and substitutions, the methods work when the athletes are on the field. Am I right?”

“Good job! Take basketball for example: sometimes an athlete may only play one round, then be substituted. It still counts. Or he might only pitch once before they call for a time-out. This also counts. The Morale-Boosting Book can stimulate the athlete’s morale no matter how long he or she plays,” the system explained in detail.

“Got you. What about the second point?” asked Li.

“Secondly, in the same period of time, the effect can’t be stacked. Say you are cheering up an athlete. It works the same whether you cheer him up one time or hundreds of times. Thirdly, you can use the skill for groups. If you were the coach of a basketball or soccer team, you could use it to stimulate the whole group of athletes,” the system explained, bringing the other two points together.

“I see. If I were a soccer coach and I told them “You are the best!” before they enter the field, applaud all of them when they are about to start the game, and cheer them up during the game, they would all be helped, right?” asked Li.

“That’s right.”

“What if the player is a foreigner? Should I cheer him up in English?” asked Li.

“Well, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to speak English. One word is ‘Go!’ Two words are ‘Come on!’ Actually, the language is not very important as long as the athlete understands what you mean,” explained the system.

…

His second day back, Li went through formalities, then returned to the weightlifting team.

“Hey Li, you are finally back!” Aiguo Jiang looked excited. The others also welcomed Li back. Before Li had left, the weightlifters had all gotten used to Li’s massage. Once Li was absent, no one could replace him, and it was at that time that they realized Li’s importance.

During the four month separation, Aiguo Jiang participated in a national championships substation game and a weightlifting championship. Without the explosive force halo Jiang didn’t win a medal, but he still placed. Jiang was now going to take part in the National Weightlifting Championships in the Final Competition.

“Li, I thought you would stay there forever. There are three weeks left before the final competition, I would not dare show up to the game without you,” Jiang laughed.

The final competition was the last game of this year’s weightlifting contests. All points gained in all substation games determined whether an athlete was allowed to participate the final game or not. In other words, only the best weightlifters had a chance to compete in the final game. To Aiguo Jiang, this game was decisive. One more year and he could retire, which meant the final game would be Jiang’s ending competition in his career.

Li wanted to examine the effectiveness of the Morale-Boosting Book, but unfortunately, Jiang didn’t give Li the chance. In the next three weeks, Jiang had kept his morale high, meaning he was over-excited. Li inquired about what had caused Jiang’s excitement, and later heard from the others that a few days ago some volunteers from Operation Smile had come to Qingcheng City and offered Jiang’s daughter the second operation. It was successful. Jiang was euphoric about it.

Operation Smile was a nonprofit charity which offered special care and medical treatment for poor kids with cleft lips and other deformities of the head and face. A large part of volunteers were national or international specialists. Although Jiang’s family wasn’t poor, Jiang requested a British specialist to provide an operation for his daughter through the charity.

Jiang’s current life was full of hope, and the effect lasted for the entire three weeks prior to the final competition. To an already cheered-up athlete, the Morale-Boosting Book was useless. Li didn’t see any difference, which made him upset.

Jiang placed well. He won bronze in the game, which was an extraordinary result for a 32-year-old athlete. With the end of the competition, the weightlifting team was ready for the holidays. As Spring Festival approached, many nonlocal athletes and coaches were permitted to leave early. Li was also preparing to return home.

Chapter 96: Happy New Year!

The Spring Festival was the most important traditional holiday. Since it was the best time for family gatherings, everyone went back home to see their families. Dai Li also went back home without hesitation.

Last Spring Festival, Li was on duty in the Sport University, and had also helped Feifei Yu lose weight. He had not had the chance to go back home. This year he returned home to see his family and friends.

It was hard to get a train ticket before the Spring Festival. Luckily, as an eastern port city, Qingcheng was always the starting station. Li easily got his ticket back to Yuzhou City.

Li’s parents were ordinary workers with average salaries, and were quite satisfied with Li’s current job. Even though Li had little chance of becoming rich, being a coach for the Provincial Sport Team was a formal job. They didn’t need to worry about Li’s future anymore.

For parents,the only hope was that their children could live a healthy and happy life.

Li’s entire family was sitting around the table enjoying dinner.

“Try this chicken stew! Your father bought this big rooster early this morning just for you! It was cooked for three hours, must taste good!”

“Have some mutton. We bought it when it was fresh!”

Li’s mom was busy picking food out for her son. She put almost everything edible into Li’s bowl. Li’s father asked Li about his job, and told him to work hard. Later Li’s parents began to talk to Li about finding a girlfriend, and even began to count how much of a down payment the family should pay to buy a house in Qingcheng City.

Li could do nothing but sit in silence and smile. Qingcheng was a well-developed city among second tier cities, where the average housing rate was over 25,000 yuan per square meter. The down payment for an apartment in Qingcheng was good enough for them to buy a nice house in Yuzhou City. The family could never afford such a large amount of money.

Wishing others a happy new year was a custom. Li’s relatives and friends all heard that Li had gotten a good job in the capital city. They were curious, and asked Li for more details.

Li showed off his group photos with Feifei Yu and Feixiang Lin to them. For people who lived in fourth tier cities like Yuzhou, Feixiang Lin and Feifei Yu were superstars far away from their lives. In those relatives’ eyes, if Li was able to take group pictures with those celebrities, he definitely had a great job.

After the Spring Festival, Li had a gathering with his schoolmates. Because everyone was newly graduated and had their first job, they didn’t bother asking about them. Most of the time they just talked about the old days. But after several years, when they lived in different ways, the gathering may not be as happy and pure as what they were having right then.

…

Li was enjoying the Spring Holiday at home while coach Guangyi Ma, the vice coach of the weightlifting team, knocked on Director Liu’s front door. Director Liu was the director of personnel section of the Provincial Sport Department. Coach Ma came to visit Director Liu with two bottles of Maotai liquor and two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes.

“Ma, we have been friends for years, you don’t need to bring gifts,” Director Liu saidas he prepared tea for Ma.

“It’s Spring Festival, how can I visit you without new year’s presents?” Coach Ma received the tea cup with both of his hands, then began chatting with Director Liu.

After a long time, when coach Ma felt it was the right time to bring up his request, he asked, “Director Liu, do you have any idea about when you will submit our team’s new year recruitment plan to Preserve Hall?”

The Preserve Hall was the Hanbei Human Resources and Social Security Hall, for provincial governmental institutions like the Provincial Sport Department. If they wanted to recruit formal workers, they had to submit plans with detailed information, including department, position, how many new workers they wanted, etc. As for special recruitment, they also needed Preserve Hall’s final permission.

Director Liu gave a thoughtful glance to coach Ma. He knew Ma had come with some purpose or request since Ma had visited him during the new year holiday with big gifts. Director Liu smiled. “According to past schedules, we submit plans at the end of February. But you know, usually only half of the total amount of workers can be approved. Do you have any plans?”

“Haha, it is nothing big,” smiled coach Ma. “My nephew, who was an athlete, retired last year, but he is still looking for a job. I was wondering whether there would be any chance for him to apply for a coaching position for our sports team. That is why I’m here, looking for more information about this year’s recruitment plan, to see what positions want new coaches. I can tell my nephew to prepare for the recruitment test.”

“Well we do need new coaches, but we haven’t decided how many we actually need.” Director Liu had a sip of tea, then continued, “Coach is a special recruitment, so we employ coaches separately. Especially for special coaches, since they have to train specific programs, they have to be admitted by chief coaches of the training teams first. What was you nephew’s major?”

“He was a weightlifter,” said Ma. “He once trained with our provincial team, but didn’t have an outstanding performance, so he returned to the city team.”

The city weightlifting team mainly trained teenagers, and the athletes were quite young. The team’s main job was to offer high-flyers to the provincial team. For those ordinary athletes without any special talents or skills, they usually retired early.

It was a common phenomenon that the higher rank the athletes, the more competitive. There could only be one person who reached the top successfully. If an athlete didn’t have any particular talent, it would be better for him to retire early and find another way out. Thinking about this, Director Liu asked, “Is your nephew young?”

“He will be 26 after the new year,” said coach Ma.

“A weightlifter. Then your weightlifting team would be the best place for him!” Suddenly Director Liu seemed to recall something important. He said with helplessness, “Sorry Ma, but I may not be able to help you. Your team has recruited a new coach already. Li something. The general director signed the approval himself. That means this year, or the next three years, you won’t have any opportunity to employ someone else.”

Coach Ma sighed. He knew that Director Liu was telling the truth. Li had taken his nephew’s place. Ma then said in a euphemistic way, “That’s why I’m here. I’m asking if you have any ideas that can help me.”

Director Liu lowered his head, brainstorming. After a while, a good idea came to him.

Chapter 97: Become A Chief

Director Liu’s had shocked coach Ma. He immediately knew that Liu had an idea.

Director Liu lowered his voice and said, “Ma, we have known each other for years, I don’t wanna hide any secrets. I do have an idea.”

“What is it?” asked Ma intently.

Liu showed a meaningful smile. “From what I’ve been told, the Youth Team is looking for an athletics coach.”

“Is it the Youth Athletics Team? What position?” asked Ma immediately.

“Chief coach of the shot put team,” said Liu. “The chief coach is the only coach on the team, he takes charge of everything. As you know, it’s a youth team, so people come and go quite often. They don’t have formal training like your team has. Therefore, one coach should be enough. Besides, we don’t have enough positions for more coaches.”

“Haha, Director Liu, thank you for your advice, but my nephew is not capable of leading a shot put team. His major is weightlifting, which means he knows nothing about shot put. Maybe the youth team doesn’t need a coach with advanced skills like the adult team does, but the athletes still need a coach who is capable of taking good care of them. My nephew is not that good.”

“I didn’t say that your nephew should be the one to take the job. He has never been a coach before. How could he lead a team all by himself? I’m talking about the newcomer to your team. You can put him with the youth team, then your weightlifting team will have an empty position. Your nephew can apply for that position then,” said Director Liu.

Dai Li as chief coach of the Youth Shot Put Team? He will take charge of an entire team! Isn’t that a promotion? How could he be promoted so quick? Coach Ma continued thinking to himself in silence. He didn’t reply right away.

Currently Dai Li was the fitness coach of the Provincial Weightlifting Team. If he became the chief coach of the Youth Shot Team, it would seem as if he had downgraded, but in fact he would be promoted. Li would be in charge of the whole program; he would lead the entire team rather than take care of athletes’ health.

On sport teams, sending coaches to youth teams could be regarded as a type of toughening, or part of cultivation process. Usually if a new coach wanted to have such an opportunity, he must have three to five years of working experience first, and achieve outstanding performances to prove himself. Because Li had only worked for one year, it was an unconventional promotion for him.

Coach Ma had not wanted Li to be promoted, let alone in this way. But if Li did not leave the weightlifting team, his nephew would not have the chance to apply for the job. He was stuck in a dilemma.

After a while, Ma asked, “Li has only coached for a year, he is not proficient enough. Besides, he is a fitness coach. How can he lead a shot team? Would the leaders approve of that?”

“Dai Li was on loan to the Beikou Training Center, wasn’t he? I heard that the coaches of the national team were quite satisfied with Li’s performance. They requested to keep him for another month. You know, those coaches of the national team all have unerring eyes, they never make any wrong judgements. Someone who was able to satisfy the best coaches in the country should be able to coach a provincial youth team, shouldn’t he?”

Hearing those words, Ma felt even worse. Even coaches from the national team approved of Li’s ability. This indicated that Li must be different.

Director Liu continued, “Also, about the position—there will be several people applying for it. The department will discuss it and make think about the decision thoroughly. Your job is to persuade coach Song that Li is the best person for the position. Say some good words praising Li, things like ‘Li has outstanding performance,’‘he gets along so well with colleagues,’ etc. This way Li has a better shot at getting the job.”

“Understood,” coach Ma nodded an agreement. Even though he did not want to see Li succeed, if it meant creating an opportunity for his nephew he had no choice.

…

It was easy for Li to buy a ticket from Qingcheng to Yuzhou before the Spring Festival because Qingcheng was the main station. But once the holiday had passed, it was very difficult for him to buy a ticket back to Qingcheng. Everyone else was eager to get a ticket heading toward the same destination, too. Li had been waiting by the computer for days hoping to get a ticket, but unfortunately tickets always sold out in seconds. In the end, Li had no choice but to go back by bus.

Li didn’t enjoy traveling by bus. Even though highway systems were well-developed these days, and the bus ran steady and fast, it was still not as comfortable as taking a high-speed rail. A trip by bus and by high-speed rail took a similar amount of time, but a bus ticket was more expensive than a train ticket.

Li always thought that it was exhausting to travel by bus. When he finally arrived in Qingcheng, he felt exhausted. He went to his dorm and threw himself onto the bed. He was so tired that he almost fell asleep. But all of a sudden his phone rang, waking him up instantly.

Why is coach Xu calling? Li answered the phone.

“Hey Li, I saw you posted pictures on your WeChat album. You come back today, don’t you? Have you arrived yet?” asked coach Xu.

Li recalled that before he departed, he posted a picture of his bus ticket and complained about the upcoming trip.

“I just arrived at the dorm,” answered Li.

“Here is some news. The department wants to have you to take charge of the Youth Shot Put team,” said coach Xu.

“The Youth Team? Why?” Li jumped to his feet. It was absolutely not good news for him to hear about his job relocation on the first day back from the Spring Festival.

Coach Xu explained slowly, “The Youth Shot Put Team lacks a chief coach. Coach Guangming Song recommended you, and I did as well. Considering your working experience for the national team, it didn’t take long to get things all set. Soon somebody from the Provincial Sport Department will talk to you, I guess.”

Li was worried about this job relocation and his future, but hearing that Coach Xu had also recommended him to the new job meant that it must be a good thing. He did not believe that Coach Xu would hurt him.

Li then asked, “Is this a good thing?”

“Absolutely! There are only a few coaches on the Youth Team, about one coach for every program. Sometimes a coach may even take care of two teams at a time. Therefore, if you go to the youth team, you will lead a team all by yourself. You are in charge of everything, and you will have a big possibility of being promoted in the future. This is way better than being a fitness coach,” explained Coach Xu.

“Roger that. So it’s like working on the junior level and gaining some experience before being promoted to higher levels,” Li brainstormed.

“Yes, same thing. But this is also a test. If you perform well here, you will have a better future,” said Coach Xu. “I trust you. You can do well.”

Chapter 98: A Period of Shortage

Just as coach Xu had said, the next day a leader from the Provincial Sport Team spoke to Dai Li and asked if he would like to be a shot put coach for the youth team. Because Li knew it was a good job, he agreed without hesitation. The following day, after Li went through relocation procedures, he reported directly to the Youth Sport Team.

The Provincial Youth Sport Team was regarded as a reserve team for the Provincial Sport Team. Outstanding athletes on the youth team would be sent to the Provincial Sport Team for further cultivation. The athletes ranged anywhere from 16 to 18. People who were younger than 16 belonged to the junior team, while people older than 18 left the youth team. If one didn’t get selected after the age of 18, it indicated that the individual wasn’t capable of being a good athlete. The best job the person could get was killing time on a city sports team.

Due to the age limitation, the youth team had a smaller scale than the Provincial Sport Team. A lot of team members came and left. Every year the sports school and city sports teams would recommend some good performers to the Provincial Youth Team. Those who had potential would be selected to the sports team within months. Others who knew that they wouldn’t have a bright future usually gave up early.

“Agent Chief Coach of the Hanbei Youth Sport Team Shot Put Program.” Dai Li read the title of his new position on the relocation document.

“Agent” meant that he was not formally employed, but it would not affect his power. Such a phenomenon was common among these systems, such as an agent mayor, agent director, agent dean, etc. Even though they had the title of “agent,” they would be a formal employee sooner or later. Nobody would treat them as actual “agents.”

The chief coach of the youth team was named Bin Lu. He was forty-years-old and looked capable. Because there were only a few coaches on the team, Lu was also in charge of the hurdle team.

Once Dai Li came, coach Lu showed Li around the facility so he could get familiar with the new environment and meet his new colleagues. Then they went to the training field used for throwing events. There were four field events: shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw. Shot put occupied the least amount of the field.

For the javelin and hammer throw, professional athletes could easily throw over sixty meters. The top world athletes could throw more that seventy meters; for discus, ordinary athletes could do forty to fifty meters. But for shot put, it should be outstanding if one threw over sixteen meters.

…

“We have five members left on the shot put team. Here is the list.” Coach Lu handed a piece of paper to Li.

“Only five? How could that be?” Li was confused. Being a shot-putter wasn’t very difficult. The sport didn’t have high requirements. In addition, this was a provincial training team. How was it possible that they only had five members? Even a high school shot put team had more people than this.

Coach Lu smiled embarrassedly. “The Provincial Sport Team selected some high-flyers right before the new year. A new round of athlete selection hasn’t begun yet, so we only have five people left on the team.”

“But isn’t this team too small? Only five people? I used to hold a training class for special talent students and even I had eight students.” Li’s words conveyed a sense of complaint.

Lu looked indifferent. He explained, “The annual selection means a lot to these teenagers, especially those who have reached the age of eighteen. If they can’t be selected by the Provincial Sport Team, they are still too old to stay on our team any longer. They have no choice but to leave. As for newcomers, who are middle school students, they won’t register until they graduate in July. Due to these reasons, every year from the Spring Festival to June, we have a period of shortage.” Coach Lu sighed pitifully. “Moreover, a large number of athletes will give up midway.”

“Why?” asked Li.

“For all kinds of reasons. Some give up due to family pressure. Their parents don’t support their aspirations to be athletes, so they are forced to return to school. Some can’t bear the tough training. Some are used to receiving amateur training, so now when they have professional training it is much harder than what they are accustomed to. They can’t stand it, so they quit. Others think that they won’t perform well, and would rather quit early to save time and effort.” Lu thought for a second then continued, “And some athletes leave for psychological reasons.”

“What kind of psychological factors?” Li was curious.

Lu explained, “People who are selected for our youth team are talented teenagers. They are the top athletes in their counties, and even at the top level of their city sports teams usually. But here on the provincial team, we have so many amazing athletes that these “top athletes” are far from good. Some teenagers who once won championships in city competitions can’t even find a place at the medium level. Due to this huge gap, many good athletes give up.”

“Right, being an athlete is not an easy job. I feel lucky to still have five people after hearing your explanation,” Li laughed.

“Don’t be too optimistic. The five you have are ordinary students. They don’t have special talent, nor do they work hard. They just kill time. I guess the reason why they haven’t left yet is because they haven’t found anything else to do yet.” Lu patted Li’s shoulder and said, “All in all, during this period of time your main task is to adjust yourself to the new environment. Don’t think too much about their performance. In the next half of the year, when we have newcomers, then it will be time to work seriously.”

…

“Let’s call roll first!” Li clapped his hands. The five athletes stood in a line.

“Zhanshan Zhao, Lei Qin, Feng Luo, Jiankang Chen, Bin Wang.”

The five athletes answered “here” one by one. Li got to know all of them. While while doing roll call, Li also detected them. The results upset Li. Among the five students, Jiankang Chen had the best talent, a Level C, while the others only had a C-. None of their ability points were above 100.

In shot put events, young athletes weigh less, which is a disadvantage. But even so, isn’t the ability too low? Li couldn’t help but shake his head.

Chapter 99: They Don’t Listen

Based off Dai Li’s past experience, in order to reach a national first-level athlete’s proficiency, one’s ability must be above 150 points. However, all five athletes were below 100 points, which indicated that they still had a long way to go.

For the shot put event, the minimum standard for a national second-level athlete was 12.50 meters, while the standard for a first-level athlete was 16.20 meters. There was a 3.7 meter gap between the two levels.

An important thing to note was that a performance was assigned value based on standard shot weight. A standard shot weighted 7.26kg, which was 16 pounds. In youth competitions, the U20 level used a 6kg shot, while the U18 level used a 5kg shot more often.

They don’t even have 100 points of ability, nor do they have any special talent. This team must be the worst I have ever met.

Li was disappointed, but while training he still treated it seriously. Even though his trainees were ordinary, he still hoped to make some achievements.

Shot put training was a basic training course compared to other athletic programs. Some cities would test the shot put on the high-school entrance exam. As a professional athletic coach, the shot put was a required course, so Li was confident. If it was coach Ma’s nephew in charge of the team, who had never received any professional training before, he wouldn’t be able to handle the situation.

Li didn’t start training right away. Because he was in charge of the entire team, he wanted to know what the athletes’ performance capacity was.

He conducted an assessment that had the five athletes perform the shot put one after the other. This way, Li could have a basic understanding of what their abilities were. As he looked at the results, Li looked disappointed.

The detector is quite accurate, their performances really matched their ability points.

The assessment gave everyone six chances. However, the best result didn’t even get above 14 meters. Most of their performances were around the 13 meter mark, which was far from the 16.20 meter standard for first-level athletes. These performances depicted their true abilities. Li didn’t use the explosive force halo.

Bad, so bad! The terrible results put an invisible pressure on Li. This was the first time he was leading a team alone. He didn’t want his students to be a group of losers.

I need to help them improve. I can do this! Li thought to himself, trying to calm himself down.

Techniques! I should start with techniques and enhance their skills. Li took out a notebook and listed his first training goal on the top of the page.

It was a common occurrence that young athletes lacked firm skills. Small blemishes could have little effects in the present, but they could become a big problem later on and cause irreversible outcomes.

I need to record and observe their actions so I can find out their blemishes. Li recalled the method he had learned at the Beikou Training Center.

Unlike the Beikou Training Center, the Provincial Youth Team didn’t have good equipment. Actually, they had no equipment at all. The team only received a limited amount of funding, so they didn’t have any extra income from advertising endorsements. It was no wonder they couldn’t afford expensive equipment. Many training devices were bought second-hand from the Provincial Sport Team.

Even though the team had enough equipment, Li still had to wait in the line. As a newcomer with little experience and no fame, he was not able to borrow a good device. Therefore, Li had to use his phone to record. Luckily in shot put events, athletes did not leave the delivery area, so he was able to record clearly. If it was something like the 110m hurdles, he could never catch a detailed movement simply using his phone.

…

“Zhanshan Zhao, you didn’t use your wrist properly when you pushed. Your fingers were loose. That’s why your push didn’t generate enough power. You need to hold the shot tight. Remember to balance the strength of your fingers and wrist. Also, there was an obvious pause after your slide. You lifted your left leg too high and didn’t put it down on time. You didn’t put enough weight on your right leg. And after you slid your barycenter declined too much. Do five sets of fast pedaling, fifty times each set.”

“Lei Qin, you always lower your elbow unconsciously when you push. If your elbow is too low, your barycenter will twist beforehand, turning pushing into dropping. Go practice pushing movements 200 times, then sliding, then do 200 reps of body-lifting exercises.”

“Feng Luo, your slide was not long enough. You lacked strength when you were pedaling and swinging your leg. These two actions lacked transition. Besides, you didn’t hold back your leg on time. Do 200 reps of the shot pedal-swing combination.”

“Jiankang Chen, you lost balance when you slid. You had too many ups and downs. You held back your right leg too early, even before you stretched your leg. Moreover, your posture was wrong. You lifted your upper body too early, and then your barycenter moved down to your legs. But you didn’t complete your stretch-hold action. The distance was not long enough. Do 200 reps of stretch-hold practice with a shot.”

“Bin Wang, your right leg didn’t pedal enough. You didn’t twist your hip on time, and when you push, the distance between your legs widens. Your left leg’s braking range was too large. You might break the rules. In addition, when you push, your body makes a small tilt. It was also due to the unbalance of the over-distant legs. Hold your left arm still, then push it 500 times.”

Li carefully pointed out all the problems, then corrected them one by one. He believed that under his guidance, the five athletes would correct their behaviors actively and seriously. But the facts were cruel. Li had a strong feeling that the five athletes were saying one thing but doing another. They seemed to practice seriously when Li was present, but as soon as Li turned around they would immediately become lazy.

“Luo, how many times did I tell you, hold your leg on time! Why can’t you remember?”

“Qin, raise your elbow! Push your shot, do not drop it!”

Li emphasized the same things again and again, but all five athletes just did whatever they wanted. They didn’t correct their deficiencies at all. It was the first time Li had met trainees who did not listen to him at all.

Chapter 100: A Solution

Strictly speaking, the relationship between an athlete and a coach was not subordinate-superior, but rather quite cooperative. They both aimed for a common goal: to achieve better results through training. This is similar to the relationship between a doctor and a patient. In simple terms, they form a cooperative relationship comparable to that of soldiers fighting in the same trench against a common enemy (disease).

Unfortunately, the country’s system made the medical profession profit-driven, in which doctors no longer made a living with their medical knowledge, but by over-prescribing medication and examinations, and increasing the usage of medical devices. As a result, it complicated the relationship between doctors and patients. Instead of fighting in the same trench, they ended up on opposing sides of the battle.

Coaches were spared the doctors’ trouble. Whether it was the sports schools, universities, training and sports teams of various levels, or even the national teams, coaches were paid by financial allocation, the same way athletes were. Because of this, coaches and athletes did not develop any conflict similar to that between doctors and patients.

In addition, the country had issued specific regulations that allowed coaches to take a certain percentage from the athletes’ prize money and advertisement earnings.Because of this, coaches were motivated to cultivate world-class athletes, which would bring not only fame and status, but also the big bucks. Driven by this system, coaches were fully devoted to their athletes.

Although athletes and coaches were soldiers that relied on each other, they were not teammates. This was reflected in their age. Athletes lived off the few peak years of their youth. If they could not achieve anything during those few years, they would lose their chance to be better. Age spares no one, and even God cannot grant the athletes a second youth.

Coaches, however, could have life-long professions. The longer they coached, the more experience they accumulated, and the better they became. If their first athlete could not make it, they could always coach a second, third, and so on. After coaching enough athletes, they always came across a talented one. Unlike athletes, coaches could have a Plan B. It was similar to someone being in a battle. While one has to risk his life to march forward, the other has the option to retreat in disadvantageous situations and wait for back-up.

An athlete’s career was short, but a coach’s career was long. An athlete could not outlast a coach. Because of this, athletes could not train on their own. They had to follow the instructions of professional coaches and could not miss any opportunities to improve themselves. Regardless of the sport, stubborn athletes who refused to listen to their coaches were not likely to have long careers.

Dai Li did not think of it in these terms, nor did he analyze the situation that way. He simply felt that it was an athlete’s obligation to following the coach’s plan in training. It was wrong for an athlete to disobey the coach.

In the past year of his coaching career, Dai Li had encountered some disobedient athletes, such as Aiguo Jiang. None of the coaches of the weightlifting team were willing to work with him, yet Aiguo Jiang had enough experience and training skills to train himself. He was qualified to tell a coach what not to do.

Another example was Feixiang Lin. His attitude was disobedient, and was neither punctual nor devoted to training. But Lin was a superstar athlete with amazing performance. He was able to refuse the guidance of a coach.

However, these five athletes on the Youth Team were neither experienced nor accomplished. Somehow they were ignoring Dai Li’s instructions, which made him furious.

After a couple of days, Dai Li figured out that the five athletes were doing the bare minimum. Every morning each one showed up on the hour, and in the evening none of them could wait for the training to end.

What was more startling was that they were half-heartedly training. Each of them were aiming for completion of the chosen movement they were practicing. None of them bothered trying to improve or perfect it.

There were two reasons to practice the movements: one was to be more skillful, and the other was to correct any flaws. Neither purpose could be achieved if the training was superficial.

Dai Li had the urge to expel all five athletes for this. But after thinking about it carefully, he realized that expelling the athletes upon his arrival would prove nothing but his own incompetence as a coach, and an inability to train his own athletes. What kind of coach could he be if he could not handle a stubborn athlete?

Not only that, but these five men were all he had to coach. If they were expelled, Dai Li would become a general with no soldiers. Without athletes, a coach had no reason to be there.

Dai Li was troubled by this situation. He never learned how to deal with disobedient athletes in school. Eventually, Zhongyi Xu crossed Dai Li’s mind. Xu’s experience might have been able to help him with this matter.

Dai Li made a phone call and asked Zhongyi Xu out for dinner. Xu agreed promptly.

…

Dai Li told Zhongyi Xu about his recent conundrum at the dinner table.

“Disobedient? Just beat them. Beat them hard!” Xu’s spirit was high after a few drinks.

“Xu, I’m not joking with you. I seriously need your help.” Dai Li sounded slightly helpless.

Xu did not tease him any further. After thinking for a few seconds, he replied, “From what you described, I think the athletes have their own reasons for being disobedient. You mentioned that the five athletes were mediocre. If they haven’t had satisfactory results in a long time, they may have lost their confidence and now train with a negative attitude. They may even resist the training.”

Dai Li nodded in agreement. Zhongyi Xu was indeed an experienced top-level coach, and pinpointed the root of the problem.

“What should I do then?” Dai Li asked immediately.

While devouring the dishes on the table with his head down, Zhongyi Xu answered, “The first thing you need to do is re-establish their confidence. You need to make them feel that after following your training that their performance will indeed improve. Once they see that, they will no longer resist the training. It would be best if you can impress them and show them what you are capable of.”

“I get it. What you are saying is, if I can impress them, they will listen to me!” Dai Li nodded after understanding what to do. “This is easy. I’m good at impressing people!”

Chapter 101: Never Give Up

The shot put training field.

“Pause for a moment,” Dai Li said, clapping. “Come over here. Let’s have a meeting first.”

The five young athletes immediately paused and gathered around Dai Li. Dai Li swept his eyes amongst them with a serious look on his face, then asked, “You know how lousy your training has been these days, don’t you? I am confused. Why are you fooling around all day and not taking the training seriously? Did I do something that offended you, and now you are holding a grudge against me?”

Dai Li said this on purpose. What he really wanted was to make the athletes talk. Before any of the five men responded, Dai Li pointed at a young athlete. “Zhanshan Zhao, you go first.”

“No, sir, absolutely not.” Zhao shook his head right away.

“Now you go, Jiankang Chen,” Dai Li said, pointing at another athlete.

“We just met each other a few days ago. How could I possibly hold a grudge against you?” Chen answered with a grin.

“So nobody is upset with me?” Dai Li kept on glancing at them. “Let’s make things clear today. Why are you refusing to take neither the training nor my instructions seriously? Are you treating me with contempt because I am new?”

“No, sir, why would we?” Chen continued with a grin. The others nodded in agreement.

Dai Li observed their facial expressions, and noticed that Bin Wang seemed to have something to say. He called his name right away. “Bin Wang, go ahead!”

“Me? Go where?” Wang was not expecting his name to be called, which caught him off guard.

“Just say whatever is on your mind. Be a man and speak your mind. Don’t hide it inside!” Dai Li gave a straightforward answer.

Bin Wang hesitated for a moment, then gnawed his teeth. “Well sir, since you asked, let me say it out loud. We all know that you know a thing or two, and you pointed out our technical flaws on your first day. But to us it doesn’t matter anymore whether we correct the flaws or not. We did not make it onto the sports team, which means our athlete career path has come to an end.”

Bin Wang’s words seemed to be the ice-breaker. Lei Qin was next to him and made the same comment. “Mr. Li, we all know that you are doing this for our good. But we truly feel that everything you are doing is meaningless. It’s a waste of time to spend your hours and energy on us. If we were truly talented, we would have been selected by the sports team.”

“Indeed. It’s not that we don’t want to train hard. But no matter how hard we train, it won’t change the outcome.” Jiankang Chen’s grin had disappeared. “I’ll be 18 years old after this summer. I would not have stayed here if I had anywhere else to go. My family actually wants me to attend a technical school for a vocational program. But the semester won’t begin until September. So here I am now.”

“Sir, please save your energy. We are not cut out to be athletes. As a matter of fact, none of us intend to be athletes any longer, and we all have back-up plans figured out.” Bin Wang pointed at the others. “Jiankang Chen is going to a technical school. Zhanshan Zhao is going back home to run a small business with his mom. Lei Qin is heading south for work. Feng Luo wants to go back to school and retake the college entrance exam. As of me, there is an industrial park under construction in my town. I’m gonna try my luck after the construction is finished and see if I can find a job there.”

This is exactly what Zhongyi Xu had told me. They have not achieved something in a long time and are giving up on themselves.

Dai Li looked at them sternly and uttered, “I haven’t given up on you. But you have given up on yourselves already? You are not losers. You are still on your way to success. But now you are giving up before your arrive! I don’t know how long you have been practicing shot put, but I know you have made tremendous progress. If someday in the future you look back and see how you had given up, wouldn’t you feel regret?”

The five young athletes fell into silence. They had been training for shot put for many years before being selected by the provincial youth team. It had been their career for years. If they were to give it up due to lack of achievement, there would surely have been regret in their hearts.

“I may regret it, but that’s the reality!” Lei Qin spoke first. “When we first arrived here we were ambitious, thinking now that we were on the provincial youth team, it was our time to shine. We had dreamed of entering the provincial sports team, and even the national team. We also dreamed of winning the gold and silver medals, and breaking the world record like Feixiang Lin. But our dreams were only dreams…”

Lei Qin looked emotional and was about to cry. He took a deep breath to calm himself, and continued. “I remember the dozens of people entering the youth team with me. We were going through the same training and had the same effort. Yet every day someone was falling behind. Fewer and fewer people stayed. I was trying my best every day, but all I could see was being left behind by those gifted ones. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

Pain and denial glistened in Qin’s eyes. The same emotion began to appear on the faces of the others. Dai Li listened carefully, with the images of Qin’s story in his mind.

A young man was at the top of the school team, the county team, and even the city team. He had joined the provincial team full of expectations, where everybody was as good and as talented as him. This was where the best athletes in the entire province gathered, yet he was no longer the best of the best.

He had gone from “extraordinary” to just “ordinary.” The coach did not treat him differently, and assigned him the same training as everybody else. Gradually, he fell behind and could no longer catch up. He had always savored victory in the past, but now he had to swallow the bitterness of failure! Then, finally, he lost the confidence he had once had. Without the same ambition, he had given up!

…

This was a common situation on the youth team because there were not enough coaches. Especially during the new athletes’ arrival each year, one coach was usually working with dozens of athletes. If one coach had too many athletes to train, it was just like a physical education class. The coach was unable to focus on every single athlete. They had to assign the tasks like a physical education teacher and ask the athletes to complete them on their own.

In this process, a difference was developing among the athletes. The top-performing athletes gained more attention from the coach and more guidance in turn. The under-performing athletes were gradually ignored and became the “stragglers.” As the strong grew stronger, the weak grew weaker.

Dai Li never believed in this “one-pot-stew” training approach. To him, each athlete should be trained in accordance with his aptitude. It was like cooking dumplings—the dumplings that cooked faster would be the first to float to the top, but that did not mean the ones slower to rise were any less delicious.

“I understand it now,” Dai Li said, letting out a long sigh. “I understand how you feel. But I’m begging you at the same time, please do not give up. Try again. I pointed out your technical flaws. I believe as long as you make the corrections, your performance will surely improve greatly. I hope you can give me another chance by following my instructions and see if it works. This is also another chance for yourselves, your last chance to try. Even if you don’t continue your career path as athletes in the future, at least you can say you tried. There won’t be any regret in your sports career as long as you try.”

The five men fell into silence at the same time. Nobody replied to Dai Li. But Dai Li saw different responses from their facial expressions. Zhanshan Zhao and Bin Wang seemed lost. Lei Qin appeared to be struggling and conflicted internally. Feng Luo showed refusal to cooperate. Jiankang Chen was indifferent to Dai Li’s remarks.

Qin is the breakthrough! Dai Li made his judgement immediately. Compared to the others, Qin’s struggle was the most vulnerable, and also the easiest response to take advantage of. He would never turn Dai Li down.

“Qin, your biggest problem is putting your elbow too high when you thrust. Let’s try lowering your elbow and see what happens.” Dai Li dragged Qin to the throwing circle before he could speak. “Let’s start with the throwing movement without the shot,” Dai Li ordered. Qin was cooperative.

“Stop. Right here. Lower your elbow and try again…”

“Stop. Don’t lower it on purpose. Be natural and try again…

“Right. Excellent, just like this. Now try again with the shot.”

Qin learned to lower his elbow with Dai Li’s instructions. This, however, was just the beginning. It would take a lot more practice to form a habit.

Dai Li handed the shot to Qin. “Qin, this is actual training. Try it the way I just showed you and see how far you can throw.” As he was speaking, Dai Li entered the system and reloaded the explosive force halo.

During the training sessions these past few days, Dai Li did not load the explosive force halo, as he wanted to see the actual results. But now, in order to make Qin believe in his effective instruction, he decided to use the explosive force halo.

Qin stood in the throwing circle and adjusted his breath, preparing for the put.

“Pay attention to your elbow, and think back to what you just did. Be natural. Yes, just like this!” Dai Li continued to instruct him by his side. Qin made a solid thrust, and threw the shot.

Pong! The shot hit the ground with a dull sound. Everybody witnessed the shot land beyond the 15 meter marking.

“15 meters! Did I see it clearly? Qin threw beyond 15 meters! 14 meters was good enough for him on most days.” The four athletes opened their eyes wide with astonishment.

“15 meters? I threw 15 meters? I’ve never thrown 15 meters!” Qin’s heart was filled with a long-gone, thrilling joy. He looked at Dai Li the very next second. Mr. Li is right! His instructions really worked! Maybe I should do what he told me, and give it one last try!

Chapter 102: A New Hope

Track and field sports included track, field, and combined events. Field events referred to jumping and throwing events held in the center or outskirts of the open field, enclosed by the running track. The high and long jump, as well as any throwing events, were measured for competition. Track events were any foot racing events held on the running track, such as sprinting. These events were timed for competition. Simply speaking, field events were aiming for distance, while track events were aiming for time. Combined events were composed of both field and track events.

In track events, only short-distance competitions required explosive power. In events like long distance running, endurance was more important. For field events, explosive power was needed for both jumping and throwing. Based on this information, Dai Li concluded that the explosive force halo would surely boost the performance of the shot put athletes.

He was right. Lei Qin threw over 15 meters on one of his attempts, which was not only his best performance, but also an indication that he was making significant progress. That progress was partly because of Dai Li’s instructions, but mostly because of the explosive force halo.

Yet Qin had no idea the explosive force halo was helping him. He thought his progress was entirely because of Dai Li’s instructions.

All I did was lower my elbow, and now I have already made so much progress. If I had done this earlier, I would have been chosen by the sports team. I wish that I had met Mr. Li earlier. No! It’s not too late. If I can throw more than 15 meters after only a few minutes of his guidance, and he teaches me for a few more months, I can surely make paradigm-shifting progress!

As this thought came to him, Qin regained his confidence. He spoke with enthusiasm all over his face. “Mr. Li, I will listen to you from now on. I will surely dedicate myself to the training!”

Dai Li nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the other four athletes. “Who else wants to try?”

The four other athletes were still in shock. Qin had thrown more than 15 meters after only a few minutes of instruction. It was incredible! They were unable to make this type of progress after months of training, yet Dai Li had made it happen within a few minutes. The remaining four athletes could hardly believe it.

“It’s you then, Zhanshan Zhao. Come over here.” Dai Li pointed at Zhao directly, given that he was relatively obedient compared to the remaining four.

“Zhao, your first problem is that your fingers are too relaxed when you are throwing. You don’t grab the ball firmly. You have big palms, but short fingers. It takes more force for you to hold the ball. This is easy to overcome. Just grab the ball firmly. But you must pay attention to your pause after the glide. Try to pull the full force from your right leg while controlling your center.” Dai Li began his one-on-one instructions with Zhao.

It took longer to help Zhao, whose main problem was the incoherent movement caused by the excessive lowering of his center of gravity. This was because of the under-use of his right leg, which was caused by the excessive swing of the left leg. It was a chain reaction. Therefore, Dai Li had to start by correcting the root problem, and teach him to adjust his center of gravity step by step.

“Zhao, you’ve been doing well these last few practices. Let’s give it a test. Here, take the shot and do a serious put!” Dai Li handed the ball to Zhao.

…

Zhao stood in the throwing circle, staring far ahead of him.

Qin threw beyond 15 meters. I don’t know if I can do the same! Zhao looked at the 15 meter white circle painted on the ground ahead of him. He took a deep breath, went over Dai Li’s instructions in his head, and threw the shot with a quick thrust.

Soo…Pong!

The shot touched the ground with a dull sound. Zhao turned his head immediately to look, and saw that the ball had landed beyond the 15 meter circle.

“15 meters! I can throw 15 meters too!” Zhao looked at Dai Li with admiration. He also attributed his significant progress to Dai Li’s instructions.

“Qin just threw over 15 meters. Now Zhao has also thrown over 15 meters!” The remaining three athletes were filled with amazement. If it had only happened to Qin, they might call it a coincidence. But Zhao had also thrown 15 meters, which clearly proved that Dai Li was indeed gifted.

After a brief pause of disbelief, the remaining three men began feeling uneasy. The five of them had started out on almost the same level. Yet after less than half an hour, both Qin and Zhan had achieved an impressive 15 meters, leaving the three others far behind. The gap that had now grown between them was unsettling.

“OK, Zhao, now go and keep doing what I showed you. Your throwing will get better with practice,” Dai Li told Zhao.

Zhao nodded attentively. “Yes, Mr. Li. I will put my heart into the training.”

Dai Li turned around and faced the remaining three athletes. Before he could utter a word, Jiankang Chen stepped forward. “Mr. Li, please give me some instruction!”

Chen was undoubtedly the smartest one among the five, and also the quickest to switch sides. He had been indifferent to Dai Li’s words earlier, but after witnessing the progress Qin and Zhao had made, he changed his mind right away.

“Chen, you have a similar problem to Zhao with your center of gravity. Zhao lowers his center too much. Your center is unstable, with too many ups and downs.”

Dai Li started his one-on-one teaching with Chen. After about 20 minutes, Chen had one throw. He also threw beyond 15 meters, and was only thirty or forty centimeters away from the 16 meter milestone.

I can’t believe I can throw this far! Chen was beginning to have hope once again.

…

Dai Li looked at the five young athletes with a sense of relief. The improved performance of the five athletes had only partly been due to Dai Li’s instructions. The main cause of the sudden progress was the explosive force halo. Using the halo made a huge difference. That was why Dai Li had been able to boost their performance significantly in only a few minutes.

But more importantly, the five athletes had regained their confidence, and were given a new hope! They were no longer reluctant to train, which made Dai Li’s work productive.

The talent level of the five athletes was only a C+, but Dai Li had the Coach System, a game-changing advantage. He was now at the senior stage of the junior coach level. In terms of training ability, he was absolutely comparable with an excellent coach of the national team, which made him more than qualified to train athletes on a provincial youth team.

Dai Li’s previous trainees had been high-level professional athletes, such as Aiguo Jiang, who had mature techniques and was approaching the end of his career due to his age. Feixiang Lin was another one, who was already standing at the top of the world and at the limits of a human’s capacity. Dai Li, a junior coach, could no longer help Lin improve.

But now, Dai Li was facing a group of youth team athletes, whose techniques were immature and shapeable. Their bodies were also growing stronger with age. Dai Li, the late-stage junior coach, was finally serving a powerful function. Under his instruction, the five young athletes were progressing like birds with wings, gradually approaching the qualification standards of national first-class athletes.

Chapter 103: A Visit From A Strong Rival

A dark blur travelled through the air. The shot made landed on the ground.

“16 meters! I made it past 16 meters!” Qin began to celebrate with his hands in the air. Although he was the last among the five to achieve 16 meters, he was thrilled regardless.

The qualification stand for a national first-class athletes in shot put was 16.20 meters. This put Qin very close to the mark. He believed that at his current rate of progress, he could reach the standard very soon.

Jiankang Chen made the quickest progress among the five. At his best, he could already throw beyond 16.20 meters, the qualification stand for national first-class athletes.

Throwing a 16-pound shot ball over 16 meters was good enough to participate in national-level field events. However, this was merely the qualifying distance. In events such as the National Track and Field Championship, 16 meters would be at the bottom of the ranking.

If the age of the athlete were taken into consideration, 16 meters would have be extremely meaningful. In fact, considering the average physical condition of Asians, reaching the national first-class athlete standard before the age of 18 would be a remarkable achievement in any sport.

Compared to world top-level athletes such as Feixiang Lin and Feifei Yu, C-level talent could barely be considered talent at all. But not every athlete was able to be a world champion. C-level talent, however, was much better than the average person, which made for an excellent athlete.

Dai Li was satisfied enough being able to cultivate excellent athletes. Being an excellent professional in any profession was already a success. Not every software developer could become Bill Gates, just as not every e-commerce merchant could be as rich as Jack Ma. Likewise, not every internet enterprise could be as successful as Tencent, nor could every online writer have as many fans as Tang Jia San Shao.

However, nobody should disregard the achievements of those who are excellent, nor deny their success. Athletes should not be given up on just because their talent was not enough to make them champions, nor consider them to be unworthy of cultivation.

Time flew by. Dai Li had spent four months with the provincial youth team. As June approached, the team prepared to embark on the busiest time of year— the arrival of new young athletes.

June was also the season of graduation. The athletes with were finishing their nine-year compulsory education. Most of them would enter city youth teams, sports schools, or became sports talent students in high schools. Those entering the provincial youth team were the best ones among them.

…

All the coaches of the youth track and field team were gathering in the conference room. Bin Lu, the head coach, was sitting in the center with a grave look on his face.

Bin Lu said, “The reason I have gathered everyone here is to make an announcement. I was just notified by the provincial sport bureau that at the beginning of July, the track and field team at the Nantan Middle School is visiting us for an exchange. I’m sure that everybody has heard of the famous Nantan Middle School of Nanwan?” All the coaches nodded in acknowledgement, including Dai Li.

When talking about the Nantan Middle School, everybody working in the sports business knew about it. It was an ordinary public high school in Nanwan, except the word “ordinary” referred to the education. Outside of that, the Nantan Middle School was far from “ordinary.”

All students who attended the Nantan Middle School were sports talent students, meaning that the school was running an amateur sports school business under the name of an ordinary high school. The only difference separating it from a real sports school was that the Nantan Middle School was putting more emphasis on the academic lessons. The graduates there were qualified to enter universities, a perk not available in technical secondary schools like the sports schools.

Beginning on the very first day, apart from completing the regular high school courses, all students in the Nantan Middle School were required to undergo physical training. By the third year, the students took the college entrance exam as high-level athletes, special exam takers, or sports talent students, then entered universities as sports students.

The education in the Nantan Middle School was delivered in an uncommon way. However, because the minimum acceptance score in college was much lower for sports talent students, the percentage of students entering college from Nantan was very high. Their students had been training for sports for three years. They would surely have better results on sports talent exams than the students taking up sports in their last year. Not only that, but they had not given up their academic classes. Almost all graduates of Nantan could be admitted to universities.

The high college acceptance rate also gave Nantan a good reputation. This drew in students from all over the country. Parents sent their teenagers to Nantan if their children did not enjoy studying but aspired to make it into college. Choosing from students from all over the country, Nantan had the option of selecting only the best of the best, which was beneficial for the school. This formed a virtuous cycle. As a result, the Nantan Middle School was well known throughout the country, especially among sports professionals. Everyone had heard about this school.

Head coach Bin Lu continued, “The Nantan Middle School is not a friendly visitor. The summer before last, they visited the youth track and field team in the Minnan province. Last summer, they paid a visit to the youth team of the Jiandong province. I didn’t expect it to be our turn this year.”

The coaches in the conference room had grave looks on their faces, as if they were facing a great enemy. Dai Li also felt the change of atmosphere in the conference room. As a newcomer with little insider knowledge, he gently asked the coach next to him, “Mr. Zhang, isn’t it just an athletic team coming for a visit? We just need to greet them as any other team. Why is everybody so nervous?”

Mr. Zhang leaned over and whispered, “The Nantan Middle School always brings their young athletes for the exchange visits, and propose a friendly match. This is what really matters. Last year and the year before last, the Nantan team played friendly matches with the Jiangdong and Minnan provinces respectively. Guess what? Nantan had dominating victories in both matches!”

“Really? It is just a high school. How come their athletes are better than those on the youth teams?” Dai Li found it incredible. A provincial youth team was where the top athletes from the entire province gathered. How could they not compete with a high school?

Mr. Zhang explained, “Nantan is a strong team. They have students from all over the country, and there are surely some excellent athletes. But it’s still impossible to defeat the provincial youth team. It’s all about the timing. Nantan visits each year during the transition period of the provincial youth teams, when the new athletes are just arriving and have not had enough training yet. Meanwhile, for the older athletes, the good ones have already been taken by the adult teams, while the bad ones are about to quit. How can we compete with Nantan like this?”

“How can they do that, paying a visit when we are short of people? This is a sneak attack, not an elegant victory, even if they do win,” Dai Li complained.

“Yes, it is a sneak attack. But Nantan doesn’t care about elegant victories. Instead, they promote themselves with their victory. An ordinary high school from a prefecture-level city defeating the provincial youth team. It is big news!” Mr. Zhang said with a slight hint of sarcasm.

“Why are they doing this? They are offending others. What do they have to gain?” Dai Li asked.

“It helps them attract better students during the admission season,” Mr. Zhang continued. “A high school does not recruit the same way our athletic team does. Our provincial youth team has a pool of candidates from the city youth teams and sports schools. Even if we sit around and do nothing, each city will send the best candidates to our doorstep. But a regular high school has to rely on itself to recruit the best students. Most students will apply for the schools with the best reputation.”

“I get it. After defeating the provincial youth team, the Nantan Middle School will use this victory as their admission advertisement to draw in the excellent candidates. They may get good students, but we will become their stepping stone!” After saying this, Dai Li looked distraught.

Chapter 104: Battle Preparation

In the conference room, the other coaches also looked indignant about the injustice.

“The Nantan Middle School is shameless. They don’t visit us when our team is strong. They challenge us when we are transitioning.”

“We should just ignore them, in my opinion. We can refuse whatever friendly match they propose.”

“Refusing is not an option. We are a provincial team, after all. They are just a high school. If we refuse their challenge in our own house, then we have already lost! Then rumor will get around that our provincial youth team doesn’t even have the guts to compete!”

“Right. We are sports professionals. Surrendering without a battle is worse than losing a battle. So we must participate in this match!”

The coaches in the conference were busy expressing their own opinions. As a newcomer, Dai Li did not have enough seniority to interrupt them. He sat on the side in silence.

A few minutes later, head coach Bin Lu waved his hands, signaling for silence. “If the Nantan Middle School proposes a match, we cannot surrender. Even if we are not as good as them, we have to stay till the end, and lose with dignity!” Bin Lu clenched his fist, then changed his tone and continued, “Of course, my ultimate goal is to get a victory!”

“But we are missing good players! The good athletes on our team have been taken by the sports teams. Most of the remaining ones have made plans for their future and are ready to leave. Some are returning to their old teams, some are looking for jobs, some are planning to return to school,” somebody uttered on the side.

“The newly arrived athletes have barely begun their training. We can’t count on them. The Nantan athletic team is a strong one. Some of their athletes have participated in the National Youth Track and Field Championship, and their best record was a bronze medal! They are surely bringing their best athletes for the visit. Even if we have enough people, our victory is not guaranteed,” another person added immediately.

“Let’s borrow some athletes from the sports team, and call back the athletes they took away earlier,” someone suggested.

“What are you thinking? Competing with borrowed athletes will make us look like a joke if word spreads. How could we maintain our dignity amongst the other provinces?” someone refuted right away.

Bin Lu’s face grew sulky all of a sudden, his eyes serious. As chief leader of the youth team, what he wanted to hear the most at this moment was a resolution to take on the difficult challenge rather than put an emphasis on the difficulty.

Bin Lu coughed gently. “In past years, many athletes have left the team at the end of the month. However, because we are going to take the challenge from Nantan this year, I hope the athletes can stay for another month. Although the departing athletes are mediocre, they are better than the rookies. At least we’ll have some people to handle Nantan Middle School.”

“They are getting ready to leave. If you ask them to stay for another month they may not like it. Not to mention that many of them have finished the paperwork for departure. We can not stop them from leaving,” an experienced coach said, uttering his concern.

“That is why I need all of you to work on it and try to make them stay,” Bin Lu continued. “You have to feed the horses if you want them to run. For this reason, I have decided to pay a 1000 RMB stipend to each person willing to stay for another month!”

Everyone relaxed upon hearing about the stipend. In the modern world, money could always make things easier.

…

To Dai Li’s delight, all five of his athletes were willing to stay. After all, the five athletes had been training with Dai Li for four months. He did not want to see them quit their athletic career.

New groups of young athletes were arriving one after another. There were suddenly over 30 new faces on the shot put team. Counting the previous five, Dai Li was responsible for training more than 40 athletes, making him quite busy all of a sudden.

With one coach instructing over 40 athletes, it was impossible to be comprehensive. Dai Li was forced to train in the “one-pot-stew” fashion. Similar to a physical education class, Dai Li listed one training plan and asked each to complete it according to their own schedule. He could only offer limited instructions.

This was when the differences among athletes became detectable. Some were devoted in the training and finished each session with great dedication, while others only aimed for completion; some added extra training voluntarily after completing the assigned tasks, while some relaxed after completion.

It took both talent and hard work to become an excellent athlete. Sometimes hard work could make up for the disadvantage in talent. Some athletes who failed were gifted, but did not work hard enough. Regardless of talent level, hard work was a must.

…

The new athletes’ training had just started when the Nantan Middle School arrived. In front of the ill-intended visitors, the entire youth athletic team had fully prepared. The coach of each sport was prepared for battle, and the athletes knew that a match was expected today.

On the shot put field, the 30 or so newcomers were doing routine training while the original five athletes including were warming up. Dai Li did not assign high-intensity training to them so they could keep their stamina up against the Nantan visitors’ team.

A team of 6 or 7 walked towards them from a distance. Two of them led the group. One was senior coach Hui Zhang of the youth team. The other was a Nantan visitor. Dai Li didn’t know his name, but remembered meeting him at the welcoming ceremony.

Here come the Nantan visitors! Dai Li stepped forward to greet them.

“Li, allow me to introduce you.” Hui Zhang pointed at the person next to him. “This is Hu Liu, head chief of the Nantan throwing team. Mr. Liu was an athlete on the national team, and has participated in the Asian Games!”

“That was more than 20 years ago. You don’t have to bring it up.” Hu Liu looked at Dai Li and continued. “Mr. Li is so accomplished at such a young age!”

“You are flattering me, Mr. Liu. You are the veteran here, I could use some advice from you,” Dai Li replied immediately, a sudden uneasiness in his heart. This Hu Liu represented the national team for the Asian Games. He had to be good.

“Don’t say that. We should learn from each other.” Hu Liu was smiley. He did not seem proud.

Hui Zhang gestured to Li and said, “Li, I’ll let you introduce our shot put team, and ask for Mr. Liu’s instructions.”

…

Hu Liu could not give real “instructions” under such circumstances. He was a guest, after all. Even if Dai Li was not being a good host, Hu Liu could not point it out upfront. It would have been embarrassing to the host.

While Dai Li was showing him around, Hu Liu kept nodding and saying good things. Because they were both professionals, Dai Li did not have to go through too many details, only introducing him the basics. Within a few minutes, Dai Li’s introduction was finished.

“Mr. Liu, I am trying to show off in front of an expert,” Dai Li said modestly.

“Don’t say that. I’m learning a lot today after seeing how you carry out your training. The future belongs to young people like you. Old men like us do not have many years left on this earth.” Hu Liu smiled and carried on, “I’m sure a strong coach like Mr. Li has plenty of good athletes. We happen to have two shot put athletes on our team. What a coincidence! I think it’s a good idea to engage the athletes in some mutual exchange activities. What do you think?”

As Hu Liu spoke, his smile grew even more sincere. To Dai Li, however, this was a disguise for a malicious scheme!

Chapter 105: Strong Rivals

The so-called “mutual exchange of activities” definitely did not refer to the athletes sitting in a circle, exchanging insights and reflections on their daily training. The mutual exchange activity that Liu Hu was referring to was actually a match—a serious match between both sides!

“Here comes the main course,” Dai Li told himself. He had been preparing many days in advance for this match.

Dai Li put up a friendly smile on his face. “I heard a long time ago about the excellent athletes at Nantan Middle School. I can’t wait to meet them. Just a moment, Mr. Liu. I’ll ask the athletes to clear the field.”

As he spoke, Dai Li waved his hands. The athletes paused their training to give up the best training field. The original five athletes, Chen included, walked towards them.

“Mr. Liu, this is our training field. It is not as good as a formal game field. Let’s settle for this!” Hui Zhang explained from the sidelines.

“You are too modest, Mr. Zhang. Your facilities are top notch compared to the rest of the country.” After saying this, Hu Liu pointed at the two athletes behind him and told Dai Li, “Mr. Li, these are two of my shot put students. This is Jinpeng Lu. He just received the qualification certificate of national first-class athlete.”

“National first-class athlete! Nantan is indeed bringing some strong competitors.” Dai Li’s heart began beating faster.

To become a national first-class athlete in track and field sports, one had to achieve the qualifying result in a high-rank game. In shot put, the qualifying distance for men was 16.20 meters with a 16-pound shot, which was equal to 7.26kg. In youth games, however, if a 6kg shot was used, the qualifying distance was 17.80 meters. This suggested that Jinpeng Lu must have had a lot of formal game experience.

Dai Li’s students might have reached the qualifying distance, but they lacked formal game experience. This could be their disadvantage.

After introducing Jinpeng Lu, Hu Liu pointed at the other athlete. “This is Xian Su, also a national first-class athlete.” Mr. Zhang then added immediately, “Xian Su is not only a national first-class athlete. He once participated in the National Youth Track and Field Championship, and won the bronze medal in shot put!” Mr. Zhang was reminding Dai Li to be careful.

Dai Li looked at Xian Su from head to toe. “He is the bronze medallist in the national youth championship. I’ve heard before that Nantan Middle School has a few athletes participating in the national event, and the best one won a bronze medal. It must be this Xian Su. He is the trump card for Nantan, and here he is in front of me!”

After thinking about this, Dai Li commented, “National first-class athletes, and a national bronze medallist. You are worthy of your name. My athletes are mediocre. None of them are first-class athletes, only second-class.”

As Dai Li spoke, he introduced Zhanshan Zhao, Lei Qin, Feng Luo, Jiankang Chen and Bin Wang.

“Mr. Li is is planning to send five men to compete!” Hu Liu said casually, which seemed to be more of a complaint. He felt Dai Li was sending too many people.

Shot put was not a combat sport, but having more people had its advantages. More people meant more chances. If each athlete was allowed three attempts, 10 athletes would mean 30 attempts, increasing the chances of getting a further distance. It was like buying lottery—if one ticket had a winning chance of 1 in 17 million, 1 million tickets could increase the odds to 1 in 17.

Dai Li detected the complaint in Hu Liu’s words, but secretly felt good about it.

“Now you are sensing the unfairness? What were you doing earlier? You didn’t think it was unfair when you decided to raid us during our transition period?” Dai Li cursed them in his mind.

Instead of saying what was really on his mind, he laughed. “My athletes are inexperienced in competition. They train on an isolated team without much of a chance to learn from others. Now that we finally have an opportunity to learn from high-rank athletes, they are all eager to try. I think they should be given the chance to see the outside world. Mr. Liu, my athletes are rookies who have never been in a match. Please be kind to them!”

Dai Li’s remark was irrefutable. Hu Liu finally realized that this young coach in front of him was not simple person. He added, “Since this is a friendly match, we don’t have to follow the rules of a formal game. How about 3 attempts per person?”

“Not a problem. Let’s do it your way.” Dai Li turned his head towards his five athletes: “Look carefully and learn from these high-rank athletes. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir!” the five men answered in one voice. They then stepped backwards and to the side, making the field available.

This made Hu Liu slightly passive. He had intended to discuss with Dai Li the order of the athletes would perform. But now, it seemed that Dai Li was so well prepared that he didn’t even offer Hu Liu the chance to do so. By claiming “learning from them”, Li put himself in the position of the weak side, which forced the two Nantan athletes to go first.

“We don’t know each other. Going first in this situation will expose our true strength. This is not good for us. This young coach may not be good at his job, but he surely knows how to play tricks. Young people today are too reckless. They think playing a few tricks will give them a head start. Yet they don’t realize that they have to rely on their true abilities in the sports business. If they are not good at their jobs, playing tricks won’t help them.”

After thinking about this, Hu Liu waved his hands to get Jinpeng Lu near him. He whispered in a very low voice: “When you go in a minute, don’t reserve your strength. Use all of it. I want you to throw far enough to make them feel despair. Crush their morale!”

“Yes, sir! I understand what to do.” Despite saying so, Lu appeared relaxed. Hu Liu glanced at Dai Li secretly, smiling with content.

Before this, Nantan had been snooping around. They heard that the Hanbei provincial youth athletic team was missing good athletes, as the good ones had already been taken by the provincial sports team. As a result, Hu Liu was filled with confidence. He believed that as a national first-class athlete, Jinpeng Lu could obtain a victory with ease.

Lu stood in the throwing circle, smeared a handful of chalk powder around his neck, then held the shot ball firmly. He faced the throwing circles with his back, and made a preparatory swing with his body. His torso and shoulders spun rightward, with his upper body leaning forward.

“Ahhh-hah!” With a loud shout, the shot ball flew through the air. As a result of the momentum from the thrust, Lu’s body also spun for a while in the air, then stopped.

The shot made a dent in the ground a bit further than the 16 meter circle.

The youth team’s coach’s face tightened up. “I’m afraid the distance is around 16.30 meters, an excellent result by the standard of a young athlete. I don’t think we have a chance of winning this match. Li is a young coach without much experience of leading a team in a match. I don’t know if he can handle the stress.”

Hui Zhang looked towards Dai Li after thinking about this. However, he found that Dai Li was smiling just as before.

This Dai Li has a calm state of mind, Hui Zhang pondered.

“16.31 meters!” the person in charge of measurements announced.

On the side, Hu Liu started clapping for Lu’s excellent performance.

“Excellent! Jinpeng Lu had a very good attempt. 16.31 meters is 11 centimeters further than the qualifying distance of a first-class athlete, and enough to make these second-class athletes on the Jiangbei youth team tremble! As for that young coach that likes to play tricks, I’m going to teach him a lesson today. I’m going to let you know that in front of absolute excellence, no trick will work.”

Chapter 106: The Strongest of the Strong

Hu Liu looked at Dai Li and the five athletes with pride. He was expecting to see Dai Li panic, as well as how shocked the athletes were. To his surprise, they all appeared calm, not surprised by 16.31 meters at all. Hu Liu felt as if he had just thrown a punch into thin air.

Dai Li spoke first. “This is indeed a national first-class athlete! Fantastic! Admirable!”

“Admirable? I don’t see a trace of admiration on your face!” Hu Liu complained silently to himself. He said, “You are most kind. This is an average performance for Jinpeng Lu.”

“If an average performance is this impressive, I cannot wait to watch the national bronze medallist!” As Dai Li spoke, he looked at Xian Su, the bronze medalist of National Youth Track and Field Championship.

Xian Su looked arrogant. He told Hu Liu, “Sir, I think Lu will suffice. I don’t need to participate, do I?”

The youth team members frowned. By saying this, it was clear that Xian Su was looking down upon the youth team athletes. He didn’t even consider them worthy competition. He was trying to embarrass them.

Hu Liu’s face turned cold. He criticized him by saying, “This is a friendly match, but no matter what kind of match it is, you must treat it seriously. Will you refuse to participate in a formal game because your rivals are not good enough?”

It sounded like Hu Liu was criticizing Xian Su, but in fact he was being sarcastic in front of the youth team. He thought they were too weak!

But the speech did not work on Xian Su. As a national bronze medal winner and a superstar in Nantan, he had won his fame at a young age and feared no one. He didn’t seem to care, and spread his hands. “If so, I will forfeit my first pretrial attempt. This is permissible by game rules, correct?”

“You!” Hu Liu could not do anything about it. He turned his head and said, “Mr. Li, Xian Su forfeits this attempt.”

Dai Li suppressed the anger in his heart. He looked at his five students and said: “Qin, you go first!”

Qin was not the best among Dai Li’s five students, but he was the steadiest one. Letting him go first was a strategy to stabilize the team.

Qin walked to the throwing circle, grabbed the shot, played back the movements he had been practicing inside his head, then prepared himself to throw.

In a similar fashion to Jinpeng Lu, his back faced the throwing circles. He stood near the inside rear of the circle, with one foot in front of the other spread about 30 centimeters, his right foot pointing at the inner throwing circle. Then he relaxed his body, lifted up his left arm naturally, and positioned his body weight on the straight right leg.

“Hehh!” Qin’s body moved with a loud shout. The shot gained powerful momentum with a sudden spinning of his body. With a solid thrust, the giant shot ball took off in the air.

Hooh… The shot ball travelled through the air and landed solidly on the ground.

In the distance, Hui Zhang’s heart was filled with a sudden excitement. “What? Over 16 meters again? It seems to be as far as Lu’s attempt just now. This is enough to qualify for a national first-level athlete. Why was he not selected by the sports team last year? I guess they also make mistakes sometimes!”

“16.37 meters!” the measurement crew announced.

What? 16.37 meters! Hu Liu’s face suddenly turned grim.

“16.37 meters, that is further than my distance!” Jinpeng Lu was also shocked.

“Good job, Lei Qin!” Dai Li was satisfied with Qin’s performance, but not surprised at all. In fact, he had already detected Jinpeng Lu. Lu’s ability value was slightly higher than Qin, but Qin had the help of the explosive force halo. It was such a miraculous gizmo for shot put athletes. Dai Li estimated that Qin could throw 16.50 meters if he performed well. Yet Qin had only thrown for 16.37, suggesting a mediocre performance.

“Zhanshan Zhao, your turn!” Dai Li appointed his next player.

Zhao stepped onto the field without saying a word. He was as good as Qin. Qin’s 16.37 meters made Zhao confident. He felt that if Qin could beat Lu, so could he.

“Go!” Zhao threw the shot with a similar shout.

“16.41 meters!” The result was announced by the front crew.

Coach Hui Zhang was astonished. “This is further than the other two people, beyond 16.40 meters! When did we get such competent athletes on our team? Did the sports team make another mistake in their selection?”

On the side, Hu Liu’s face turned gloomy. Two athletes in a row from the Hanbei youth team had outperformed Jinpeng Lu. This was not a coincidence. At this moment, Hu Liu finally realized why he could not find a single sign of panic on Dai Li’s face earlier. It was because he was confident all along!

“I thought he was just a young coach playing petty tricks. Turns out he’s playing pig to eat the tiger! I may have kicked on an iron board.” Hu Liu shook his head silently. But he did was not worried.

“Even if you are an iron board, we have a diamond drill. We’ll drill through your iron board!” Hu Liu looked at national bronze medalist Xian Su.

Dai Li pointed at Feng Luo to signal his turn. Luo did not disappoint Dai Li. He threw 16.36 meters, still further than Lu’s 16.31 meters.

“Another good throw. There are three consecutive good attempts already. This athlete was not chosen by the sports team either. How could it be? One could be a mistake. They could not have made the same mistake three times!” Hui Zhang suddenly realized the key to the problem. He turned his head towards Dai Li, with mixed emotions in his eyes.

“This Mr. Li was transferred here at such a young age. He is not an ordinary guy. He is capable of something.”

Counting Xian Su, who had forfeited his attempt, there were five athletes who had completed the first attempt. To everybody’s surprise, Jinpeng Lu, the national first-class athlete from the Nantan Middle School was at the bottom of the rankings.

Lu was the most upset by this. He had come with pride, believing that he could smash his rivals easily, but he was ending up at the bottom. Each of the three athletes from the rival team were better than him. He felt as if he had smashed his own head against the wall.

But Dai Li was smiling with content. Behind him was Bin Wang and Jiankang Chen, who had not appeared on stage yet. They could not wait to try. However, Dai Li did not intend to let them compete. He told Hu Liu, “Mr. Liu, you are a guest from afar. I have two more athletes, but they will forfeit their first attempts as well!”

Chapter 107: A High Mountain

“This is cathartic!” Hui Zhang thought to himself, feeling relieved. His gloomy mood disappeared.

It was not long ago that Xian Su of the Nantan Middle School had forfeited his first attempt with arrogance. Now Dai Li had also asked his two athletes to forfeit. This was like slapping Xian Su in the face and saying, “Let me save some strength so I can punish you later.” Xian Su was furious. He gave Dai Li a nasty look.

Dai Li pretended that he had not seen it, then uttered, “Mr. Liu, let’s move on to round two!”

“Fine!” Hu Liu also harbored some anger towards Dai Li. In order to make up for the embarrassment, he agreed without hesitation.

Jinpeng Lu was still the first one to appear on stage. This time, his face seemed more serious. His relaxed look was gone; it was replaced with fierceness in his eyes.

“I was being careless just now. I thought they were weak, but it turns out they were only pretending to be weak so they could defeat us. And there are three of them! I have never been embarrassed like this. Just wait and see. Now I’m going to show my true colors,” Jinpeng Lu thought to himself.

Jinpeng Lu stood in the throwing circle for the second time. But this time, instead of throwing the shot right away, he began by carefully adjusting his stance. Everybody could tell that this time Jinpeng Lu was taking things seriously.

Finally, Jinpeng Lu finished adjusting his stance, and was ready to throw.

“Go!” Lu spun his body with a loud shout, fierce enough to emit a shock wave through the ground.

The flying shot ball seemed to have channeled Jinpeng Lu’s heart. It flew forward with anger, like a bomb. The measurement crew at the front seemed to be frightened by this anger, and stepped back subconsciously.

Poon!

The shot landed on the ground. The measurement crew walked towards it with a ruler.

“16.48 meters!” the crew’s voice sounded.

“This is far, almost 16.50 meters! Lu did well this time.” Dai Li was surprised, but he did not appear to panic. If Lei Qin, Zhanshan Zhao, and Feng Luo did well, they could also throw 16.50 meters.

Hu Liu nodded with satisfaction. He knew that 16.48 meters was almost the best that Jinpeng Lu could have done.

“16.48 meters is apparently not enough. The rivals are strong. I’m sure a couple of the previous three athletes can throw just as far. In a moment like this, we have to rely on our trump card player, Xian Su!” After thinking about this, Hu Liu looked towards Xian Su.

Xian Su did not forfeit this time. After having been humiliated by Dai Li, he could not wait to participate. He walked towards the throwing circle and immediately drew the attention of everybody. The coaches and athletes watching the match began talking about him in low voices.

“That is Xian Su, the bronze medal winner of the National Youth Track and Field Championship. He is the trump card for Nantan Middle School!”

“National bronze medalist. He must be good. I’m not sure how far he can throw.”

“6kg shots are used in the Youth Championship. You have to throw at least 18 meters to win a medal. They are using 7.26kg shots today in the match. I think Xian Su can throw at least 17 meters.”

“17 meters? That’s impossible! If someone could throw beyond 17 meters, they could enter the top 10 in the National Track and Field Championship. Xian Su is a youth athlete after all. He cannot be that good!”

“I remember in the national track and field throwing group games earlier this year, the qualifying distance was 17.03 meters. If Xian Su can throw beyond 17 meters, he can qualify for the national throwing group game.”

As the audience discussed amongst themselves, Xian Su was ready to throw.

With a swift turn, his tall figure spun in the air with the dexterity of a ballet dancer, yet filled with the beauty of explosive power.

“Beautiful movement!” Dai Li complimented secretly. Xian Su deserved the title of national youth game bronze medalist. His movement was not only textbook, but also pleasant to watch.

With a shout, the shot left Xian Su’s hand. It travelled through the air like a shooting star, so fast that it was hard to capture with the naked eye.

Dai Li suddenly had a bad feeling. The faster the shot travelled, and the stronger the athlete’s force was, the further the shot would fly. In global-level events such as the Olympics and the World Championships, not even the high-speed camera on TV broadcasts would play the motion of a flying shot ball. They would only feature a close-up of the impact point instead. The speed of the ball was too fast for the camera to capture.

Once the shot landed, the measurement crew took a few steps back. After seeing the impact point, they had realized that it was the right decision.

“17 meters? It seems to have reached 17 meters!”

“No, not yet. It is just very close to the 17 meter marking.”

“16.98 meters!” the measurement crew shouted, with the voice resounding throughout the entire stadium.

“It is close, only 2 centimeters away from 17 meters!” Xian Su shook his head with disappointment.

Hu Liu was satisfied with the result, however. Xian Su was only in his second year of high school, and was about to start his third year in September. Considering his age, he barely had a rival amongst his peers.

…

Dai Li’s face grew serious, and all five of his athletes felt extremely pressured. Lei Qin felt especially nervous, as he was the one who was about to step onto the field.

Lei Qin’s best record was around 16.50 meters in his training, which was almost half a meter away from Xian Su’s 16.98 meters. Even if Lei Qin performed extraordinarily well, it would be impossible to overcome such a gap. Each attempt of Xian Su’s was like a mountain standing in front of the youth team.

“He is too strong. I do not have any hope of winning!” Lei Qin appeared to have some stage fright, which was immediately spotted by Dai Li.

Stage fright was a fatal weakness for athletes participating in competitions. In sports games, there was always someone among the strong who was the strongest. Even world record holders made mistakes. When facing a stronger rival, the athlete could perform very well if he or she chose to compete without fear or doubt.

Because young athletes lacked in-game experience, they might have been able to do well when they had an advantage. However, if they were at a disadvantage, they were likely to underperform because of fear, doubt, and hesitation.

All five of Dai Li’s athletes were facing the latter situation. They had barely any in-game experience, and that problem was evident when they saw that their rival had thrown almost 17 meters.

Stage fright and low morale were what was making Dai Li worried.

Lei Qin was the next one to step into the field. His attempt had become crucial. If he did well, it could reassure the next four athletes waiting for their turns. But if he did not do well, it could trigger a domino effect.

“No, if all of them are in the same state, we cannot continue the match like this. I need to boost their morale and get them fired up. It is time to try the morale-boosting book.” After thinking about this, Dai Li suddenly said, “Lei Qin, come here first.”

Dai Li decided now was as good a time as ever to use the morale-boosting book.

Chapter 108: The Best of the Best

Lei Qin had almost reached the throwing circle when he heard Dai Li’s words. Once he heard him, he turned around and walked back.

Nobody understood what Dai Li was trying to do. They all looked at him. Dai Li recalled how to use the morale-boosting book.

“Step one, praise the athlete before he goes on stage. How? I suppose any praise will do!” After thinking about this, Dai Li told Lei Qin, “Lei Qin, you are awesome!”

“What?” Lei Qin’s mouth was wide open. He had not expected these words to come out of Dai Li’s mouth. He thought Dai Li was about to give some additional instructions, so he had put up an attentive look, preparing to listen while he was standing there.

“This is praise. It should work.” Then Dai Li said, “OK. You can go now!”

Lei Qin suddenly felt clueless. He had been called back by Dai Li, expecting to receive detailed instructions. Yet all he had gotten was “You are awesome.”

“What is Dai Li doing? Calling the athlete back just to tell him that he is awesome?” Hui Zhang, the youth team coach, looked perplexed.

Hu Liu, the coach of Nantan Middle School, had the same look on his face. “Is this even encouragement for the athlete? You are awesome? Is that it? Shouldn’t you say a few more words? What half-hearted encouragement! I think shouting ‘go for it’ would work better than calling back the athlete to tell him ‘you are awesome.'”

At that moment a clapping sound could be heard. It was Dai Li clapping for Lei Qin.

Dai Li thought in silence, “Step two: clap for the athlete when he walks up to the stage. My hands are hurting from the clapping. It should work! Next is step three: cheer for the athlete during the match.”

Dai Li’s clapping did not draw any attention. It was too normal that a coach clapped for his athlete during a game.

Lei Qin stood in the throwing circle, held the shot, and prepared himself to throw.

“Come on, Lei Qin! Go for it! Go!” Dai Li’s sudden cheering sounded particularly loud.

Everyone in the audience looked at Dai Li. He was not behaving the same way a moment ago. It was too abnormal.

“Is Mr. Li frightened out of his mind? He is being stupid!” Hui Zhang suddenly felt embarrassed.

At the same time, however, Lei Qin’s spirit was suddenly elevated. The morale-boosting book had worked.

All Lei Qin felt was a sudden excitement, as if he had a great mission to accomplish and could not wait for it. The anxiety, restlessness, and fear of failure suddenly vanished in the air.

Right now, Lei Qin’s morale was high. He shouted and threw the shot.

“16.53 meters!” the measurement crew announced.

“Good job, Lei Qin!” Dai Li could not help but yell. This was the best record Lei Qin had ever gotten.

Jinpeng Lu, the athlete from Nantan Middle School, felt pressure in his heart. His rival had just had another breakthrough. He had a feeling that consecutive defeats might happen again.

Hu Liu, on the other hand, seemed much calmer. He had expected that some of Dai Li’s athletes would be able to throw beyond 16.50 meters. Yet even in this case, it would be 0.5 meters away from Xian Su’s 16.98 meters. This was a gap impossible to bridge.

Zhanshan Zhao was the next one to step up. Dai Li repeated his trick.

“Zhanshan Zhao, you are awesome!” He uttered the same pointless praise. Then came the clapping sound from Dai Li.

“Come on! Go for it!” Dai Li’s cheering could be heard throughout the entire field. The others gave the same awkward look to Dai Li. In their eyes, he was truly being silly. Yet Zhanshan Zhao’s morale was boosted as well. He threw the shot 16.56 meters.

Feng Luo was the next in line. He also reached 16.50 meters.

“16.50 meters is a great record for athletes under the age of eighteen, enough to qualify for the provincial sports team of any province. But it is not enough to beat Nantan. They cannot defeat Xian Su.” A relaxed smile appeared on Hu Liu’s face. “I thought the Hanbei provincial youth team was short of athletes and would be easy to defeat. I cannot believe that we kicked an iron board. Luckily we still have Xian Su on our shot put team as a trump card. Otherwise we may have failed miserably on an easy task!”

Not far from him, Dai Li still looked calm. None of the results had been anything he had not expected. A distance over 16.50 meters by Lei Qin, Zhanshan Zhao, and Feng Luo was already good performance. Dai Li had not been counting on these three to defeat Xian Su from Nantan anyway. Dai Li’s real trump card were the two remaining athletes, Bin Wang and Jiankang Chen.

Bin Wang had thrown almost 17 meters in his training. If he was able to outdo himself, he might exceed 17 meters.

Jiankang Chen was the strongest among the five. He was smart, a quick learner, and more gifted than the rest. Although he was not as competitive as Xian Su, Dai Li believed that he would definitely have a chance to defeat Xian Su with the help of the explosive force halo.

Xian Su did not forfeit this attempt this time, nor did Dai Li forfeit on behalf of Bin Wang and Jiankang Chen. He sent Bin Wang up first.

This was Bin Wang’s debut, which made him slightly nervous. But he was anxious to go. Dai Li boosted his morale in the same way.

Hu Liu squinted his eyes. “This athlete did not compete just now. I’m not sure how good he is. Under most circumstances, the best athletes either compete first to boost the morale, or compete last to ease the others. I do not know how this Dai Li will choose to go about it.” Then he smiled. “Even if this athlete is good, he will not be comparable to Xian Su.”

“Go for it, Wang!” Dai Li’s cheering was still loud and clear, which was the last step of the morale-boosting book. Wang’s spirit was suddenly boosted. He then used all his strength to throw the shot.

“This is far!” Hu Liu’s eyes suddenly widened. The shot landed on the ground the moment he had the thought.

“17 meters? Did it reach the 17-meter marking?” Hui Zhang craned his head, anxious to know the result.

“I underestimated this athlete. He might be as good as Xian Su! I can’t believe that the Hanbei youth team has athletes of this level, especially during a time where they are supposed to be depleted of talent!” Hu Liu became nervous. If the shot had indeed touched the marking, even by a little, it would have been a better result than Xian Su’s.

“16.97 meters!” the measurement crew announced with a tone of disappointment and shame.

“Oh, it was close! Just one centimeter off!” Hui Zhang looked mortified, almost as if he had just missed a million-dollar jackpot.

“Phew…it was close. Only off by one centimeter.” Hu Liu, on the other hand, was sweating a cold sweat. He was extremely nervous a moment ago, fearing that Xian Su might lose the game.

“Excellent! Great job!” Dai Li continued clapping for his apprentice. Despite Wang not exceeding Xian Su’s 16.98 meters, it was a great attempt that was worth acknowledging.

Hui Zhang had a hint of despair in his eyes. “We will not make it in the end. It is not easy to defeat the bronze medalist of the National Track and Field Championship. Besides, there was still a third attempt left. Xian Su might do even better that time.

What Hui Zhang had forgotten was that Jiankang Chen had not competed yet.

“Jiankang Chen, come here!” Dai Li waved his hands to summon Jiankang Chen.

“Sir, do you want to tell me that I am awesome?” Jiankang Chen asked him directly. Dai Li had been saying “you are awesome” every time he used the morale-boosting book earlier.

“Right. You are awesome!” Dai Li felt a little embarrassed, but he said it anyway.

“Sir, if you are not good at complimenting, then do not do it. It sounds pretentious.” Jiankang Chen was being snarky again. “How about this: next time I will think of some kind words for you. You can recite them before the match, then use them on us. What do you think?”

“Go ahead with the match now. Do your best. Do not embarrass me!” Dai Li almost kicked Jiankang Chen’s butt. But Jiankang Chen walked towards the field chuckling.

“He is an optimistic guy. His morale seems fine!” Dai Li decided to clap for Jiankang Chen anyway.

“Go for it!” As Jiankang Chen was getting ready to throw, Dai Li began cheering.

At that very moment, the morale-boosting book kicked in. Jiankang Chen suddenly had the illusion that he had become an almighty gladiator who was about to step into the arena, surrounded by clapping and cheering. The drum was beating as the audience cheered for him. He was a superstar at the centre of everybody’s attention.

He could almost envision a horn that signaled it was time to march forward into battle, which excited him. His heart was burning with passion. His head was filled with intense impulses that would not go away. Even the shot in his hand felt lighter.

“Huhh!” With a loud shout, Jiankang Chen threw the shot.

Jiankang Chen’s momentum reached its peak in that moment. The distant measurement crew suddenly moved back a few steps. In fact, they were standing around the 20-meter marking. Only a world-class shot put athlete could throw far enough to hurt him. Nonetheless, he was stunned by Jiankang Chen’s momentum.

The shot made a perfect line in the air, then landed solidly, leaving a clear dent.

“17 meters! We made it! It is over 17 meters!” Hui Zhang was the first to yell out in excitement. The dent in the ground was clearly beyond the 17-meter marking, and by quite a bit at that.

“Yay!” Jiankang Chen clenched his fists and shouted in excitement. Behind Dai Li, the other four athletes cheered at the same time.

Hu Liu of Nantan Middle School was shocked. It was as if his chest had been hit by a heavy object.

“How could it be? Over 17 meters! This is a 16 pound ball, and it was thrown beyond 17 meters by a youth athlete! This is definitely a top 10 distance in the national adult championship.”

Xian Su’s face turned red. He had always been full of confidence, and looked down upon the Hanbei provincial youth team members. Even when Bin Wang had thrown 16.97 meters, it did not make him nervous. But now, a distance beyond 17 meters made his face change.

Everybody could tell that Xian Su was astonished. They were eager to find out how far Jiankang Chen had actually thrown.

The measurement crew took the measurement a few times in the front, then finally announced his result.

“17.11 meters!”

“Excellent job!” Dai Li finally smiled with relief.

Chapter 109: Losers' Success

“17.11 meters!” Coach Liu repeated the number. His face was quite serious.

Xian Su’s best performance using a 16 pound shot was 17.15 meters. He has never had such a high score in a competition. Are we going to lose the game? Coach Liu glanced at Xian Su, perplexed.

Coach Liu knew that the best performance could only be used as a reference. As a coach, he could not expect every athlete to be the best version of themselves in every single competition.

The first two attempts were finished. But although everyone would now have their last chance, they all knew that this game belonged to three people: Xian Su, Bin Wang, and Jiankang Chen.

Xian Su began to feel anxious. It was his last chance to win the competition.

Although it was a friendly match, the atmosphere was not very friendly. Xian Su did not want to be defeated by a nobody who was not even a first-class athlete. If he did, it would hurt his reputation badly. Xian Su was regretting giving up his first attempt. If he hadn’t, he would have had another chance.

Coach Liu was more eager to win that Xian Su. The purpose of their visit had been to win the game. To do so, they had deliberately picked a time when the youth team lacked sufficient athletic talent. If it meant getting more fame for Nantan Middle School, they did not care about having an even contest.

Xian Su was the trump card for Nantan. If he lost the competition, the trip would have been made in vain. What could the Nantan Middle School boast about their school if the best athletes from the school were defeated?

On his third attempt, Jinpeng Lu quickly finished his throw, then left the mound to make way for Jiankang Chen. Jinpeng Lu had finished his role as a co-star; nobody cared about his performance. They all wanted to see whether Xian Su could surpass 17.11 meters or not.

Xian Su stepped onto the field. His face was very serious, and everyone’s concentration on him put him under a lot of pressure. He felt even more stressed than when he had taken part in the National Youth Athletics Championships.

Although the youth championships were a big competition, he had competed for his pride; no matter what he had gotten, it would have been his business. But today’s friendly match was different. It was at a lower level, but Xian Su was representing the entire Nantan school. If he failed, the school failed. The pressure was quite different when representing a group as opposed to oneself.

You cannot fail! Xian Su told himself. He took a deep breath, then sddenly spun his body like an elegant dancer dancing beautifully in the throwing circle. With a loud shout, he stretched out his arm and pushed the shot. It raised high into the air.

“17 meters!” Coach Liu shouted out loud.

The shot touched the ground, leaving a mark outside the 17-meter arc.

Everybody was staring at the surveyor. Only he could give the final result.

It is too far from here, I cannot see it clearly. I do not know how Xian Su did this time. Dai Li was a little nervous, but he was still calm knowing that Jiankang Chen had one more attempt.

Coach Liu’s palms were sweating. Whether they sank or swam depended on this contest.

This time, the surveyor was extremely cautious. He measured the mark several times, then finally gave the result: “17.08 meters!”

“I win! I win!” Jiankang Chen jumped high. He was euphoric.

He ran to Dai Li and gave him a huge hug. “Coach, I win! I win, I win…” He was crying tears of joy, as if he were a child. In fact, to most people present, he was a child; he was not even 18-years-old yet.

Although it had been a small friendly match, Jiankang Chen had defeated Xian Su, the third place finisher in the national youth game. To Jiankang Chen, it was a miracle.

In that moment, Jiankang Chen thought back to four months ago when he had been willing to go on as a loser, preparing to end his career. He had been planning to enter a vocational school. But four months later, he had defeated a national third place finisher!

To him, the whole world had changed. He knew that it was Dai Li who had brought about those changes. He had been a degenerate, but thanks to Dai Li, he had gained his confidence again. He was able to devote himself to the shot put, and even taste victory.

Today’s glory had taught Jiankang Chen a lesson: whenever he did something, as long as he insisted to never give up, he would be rewarded.

“Thank you so much, Coach!” Jiankang Chen was sobbing uncontrollably.

Dai Li patted Jiankang Chen’s shoulder, then looked at the other four athletes. They were all excited. Although they had not been able to defeat Xian Su, they had still outperformed Jinpeng Lu, who was a first-class athlete. That brought them satisfaction.

There was no need to continue the contest. Xian Su had failed, so Dai Li did not plan to embarrass the competition any further.

…

How could I have failed! He is only a second-class athlete! Xian Su’s face was full of pain and unwillingness.

Xian Su was not someone who had never failed before, but he had never expected to be defeated by a nobody. It was like a kung-fu master confidently preparing for a fight, but then being beaten by a street thug. No words could express his discontent.

Coach Liu’s face was pale. When Xian Su had failed, the entire Nantan school had failed. To make matters worse, Xian Su had been defeated by someone who, he had never heard of before; someone that was not even a second-class athlete. If the news of this spread, Nantan would have a difficult time recruiting athletes in the future.

Coach Zhang, on the other hand, was delighted.

Haha, we win! And we beat your trump card! Nantan Middle School, you have finally learned your lesson. Well, I should report the good news to the chief coach…

Thinking about this, Coach Zhang took out his phone and called Coach Lu.

“Sorry, the number you dialed is busy. Please stay on the line…”

Coach Lu is talking to someone else. I will call back later. Coach Zhang put down his phone.

Chapter 110: The Only Winner

Meanwhile, Coach Lu, the chief coach of the Youth Team, was sitting in the meeting room, anxiously waiting the results. He was holding a form in his hand that listed all the events. After each title of each event there was a big red cross, indicating that the Youth Team had failed in the event.

Fail, fail again! We began preparing one week beforehand, yet we are being disastrously defeated. Nantan Middle School is strong, and they are well-prepared. We will be their stepping-stone.

Coach Lu sighed with disappointment. The Youth Team was good at middle and long distance running, especially in the 1500m and 5000m. The team had earned several national championship titles in the 1500m, while in the 5000m, the team had also raised some Asian Games champions.

Unfortunately, the youth team had failed in the two events. The main reason for this was that the best athletes had been selected to the Provincial Sport Team, and the new athletes were not good enough to compete yet.

Damn! If I had another half year to train the new athletes, we would not fail! Coach Lu gnashed his teeth in anger.

Every team has reported their results except for the throwing team. I will cross my fingers and pray that we win at least one of the four throwing events. Coach Lu stared at the form, praying in his heart.

Javelin is not our strong suit, so forget about that; Coach Sun of the discus team is experienced. He might win; hammer is one of our strengths. Coach Cai has been evaluated as an excellent coach for two years. Even though the best athletes were taken away, he should be able to handle the situation.

Finally, Coach Lu focused on the shot put team.

“Dai Li is the new coach of the shot put team It seems like he has a good relationship with Coach Xu from the swimming team. Coach Xu called me to take care of Dai Li. Because Dai Li was introduced as a person with ability, he should have some strengths. Alas, Nantan’s trump card, the National Youth Games third place finisher, is a shot putter. We cannot defeat that guy.

Suddenly, Coach Lu’s phone rang. He picked it up and answered the call.

“Coach Lu, we failed in javelin!” said the caller.

“Got it.” Coach Lu was not surprised. Javelin was not their strength.

One minute later, Coach Lu’s phone rang again.

“Coach Lu, we failed in discus! But we didn’t lose by too much…” said the caller.

“Failure is failure, no matter how much we lose by,” said Coach Lu. “Tell me the details…”

Ending the conversation, Coach Lu shook his head helplessly.

I expected the discus team to win the game. Seems like my expectations were too high. Coach Sun is a skillful coach, but he does not have any amazing athletes. Now we have to depend on the hammer team. If Coach Cai also fails, our team will be completely dominated by Nantan.

Coach Lu put his phone right in front of him as he stared at the screen, waiting for the next phone call.

Ring ring… the phone rang. Coach Lu picked it up immediately.

“So, how are you doing over there? Did we win?” Coach Lu asked straightforwardly.

“We almost won!” the caller answered.

“Almost! So we fail again!” Coach Lu was upset.

Coach Cai of the hammer team was an excellent coach, and was also one of the best coaches on the Youth Team. Coach Lu was praying that he would win, but the result was not what he had hoped for.

All the good athletes were taken away! We cannot do it! If even Coach Cai failed, then we have been defeated by Nantan!

Although the Hanbei Youth Team was not the first team to be beaten by Nantan, and Coach Lu had prepared for the failure, when the time came, he still felt unhappy.

As for shot put, Coach Lu did not even fool himself into thinking the team could win. Nantan had sent their best shot putter. According to the team’s current ability, they would never win the game.

…

“Why won’t Coach Lu answer me?” Coach Zhang was staring at the re-dial icon, counting the seconds.

Coach Zhang had jsut called Coach Lu, but the phone had rang several times, only for Coach Lu to not answer.

Perhaps he is out without his phone? Or maybe he is too busy to answer it? If it is the latter, should I even bother him? Will he be upset me? Coach Zhang hesitated for a few seconds, then finally pressed the re-dial button.

Whatever. I have a good news for him. He won’t blame me for my rudeness!

…

The phone rang again, pulling Coach Lu back to reality. The screen displayed Coach Zhang’s name.

He must have the results for me, thought Coach Lu.

But he was in a bad mood. He ignored the phone call.

He must be calling to tell me that they failed. I already know the result, stop bothering me! Coach Lu wanted to ignore the bad news, so Coach Zhang’s call, leaving the phone ringing on the table.

Soon, Coach Zhang called again.

Why won’t you leave me alone! Coach Lu was pissed off. He answered the call and said in a serious tone, “What is the result? How much did we lose by? Were we defeated badly?”

Coach Zhang did not notice Coach Lu’s tone. He was still excited. “Coach Lu, we won! The shot put team won!”

“What did you say? We won? Say it again!” Coach Lu sat up straight right away.

“We won the game!” Coach Zhang repeated.

“How is that possible? Did the third place finisher show up?” asked Coach Lu.

“He did. But he was defeated,” answered Coach Zhang.

“Was he injured? Did he hurt himself?” Coach Lu asked maliciously.

“No, nothing happened,Coach Zhang.

“Then how did we win?” Coach Lu was confused.

Coach Lu’s questions confused Coach Zhang.

“How did we win? It is not a battle. If it was basketball or ping-pong, I could describe the process in detail. But it is shot put! Isn’t the game only about throwing a shot the furthest to win the game?”

Coach Zhang had a perplexed look on his face. He said, “Our athletes threw the shot further, so we won!”

The next second, Coach Lu’s roar could be heard on Coach Zhang’s phone. “Idiot! I know that whoever throws the ball further wins the game! I’m asking for the details!”

Chapter 111: Goodbye, "Agent"

Hui Zhang told the entire story to Bin Lu.

“17.11 meters? Did Jiankang Chen really throw 17.11 meters?!” Bin Lu knew the details, but had no idea who Jiankang Chen was.

Because there were a lot of athletes that left every year, there were always newcomers. People came and left frequently, and as a chief coach, Coach Lu was unable to remember everyone’s name. He only knew the outstanding ones. Jiankang Chen was a nobody, so it was no wonder Bin Lu did not recognize him.

17.11 meters. That is good enough for him to participate in adult-level competitions. How could the Provincial Sport Team have missed such a good athlete?

Coach Lu searched for Jiankang Chen’s personal information on his computer.

Found him. His score was 14.74 meters in the selection. He has improved so much within such a short period of time! Did he crack under the pressure during the selection?

Coach Lu combed through Jiankang Chen’s performance evaluation from the previous month.

December, 14.68 meters; November, 14.63 meters; October, 14.59 meters…

Coach Lu sighed. He realized that Jiankang Chen had made a huge improvement after four months of training. Before, he had been a loser, and could not even threw beyond 15 meters. Now his score was above 17 meters.

Incredible! How did he do it?

Coach Lu suddenly remembered that the other team members on the shot put team had also all gotten over 16.50-meter performances.

What are their names again? Never mind, let me check the name list. Coach Lu typed something in, and seconds later the name list showed up on the screen.

None of them were able to throw over 15 meters! Coach Lu gasped at the result. He stared at the screen in astonishment.

It is not just Jiankang Chen—the rest all made great improvement! In only four months of training, just after the new year! What happened?

Nothing had changed. It was the same training field, same devices, same amount of training time; even the food in the canteen had remained unchanged. The only difference was the coach. Dai Li was the new shot put coach.

In athletics, only the coach could transform athletes! Coach Lu realized that the next second.

Dai Li, it must be him! Amazing! He is able to help the athletes greatly. He even defeated Xian Sum the third place finisher in the National Youth Game! I never knew he was so great! Coach Lu took a deep breath. His face was brightened with a gleaming smile.

…

That night, the Youth Team held a welcome party for Nantan Middle School.

Coach Lu was euphoric. Joy had that effect. He held his glass as he walked around and toasted. His face was full of cheerfulness.

The vice president of the Nantan Middle School squeezed out a smile and tried his best to maintain it. The smile conveyed a sense of embarrassment. Nantan would now have to return home with nothing. Their trump card had been defeated by a nobody, which was a great shame.

Dai Li, however, had amazed everyone on the Youth Team. He had transformed five “losers” into top young athletes within only four months. That alone was extraordinary.

In athletics, people judged others only by their ability. This rule was used to evaluate not only athletes, but coaches as well. Generally, coaches of youth teams were not as good as those of sport teams. Otherwise, they would not be with the youth team in the first place.

With the Coaching System’s help, Dai Li was now a second-rate coach in his senior phase. His coaching ability was almost identical to the best coaches on the national team. He was now much better than most of the youth team coaches.

Dai Li never showed off, and because he was a newcomer, no one ever noticed him, nor expect him to achieve anything. But now things had changed. Everyone admitted that Dai Li was the one with great ability, and would definitely have a bright future. At the dinner party, Dai Li was the focus; many people came over to toast to him, hoping to build a closer relationship.

Later, Coach Lu came over to Dai Li.

Because he had been too excited, Coach Lu was drunk. He was red in the face, but looked delighted.

“Well done, Dai Li! You saved us all! Without you, we would have hurt our reputation! Bottoms up!” Coach Lu smiled and glanced at his own glass, saying, “I will finish a third of it!”

Coach Lu clinked glasses Dai Li, then drank.

Dai Li did not refuse. He drank the same amount of wine. Dai Li’s drinking capacity was decent, and the glass was small. He was able to handle it.

But Coach Lu was drunk. He said, “You know, Dai Li? I knew you were a good man the first day we met! We welcome you! We love you! Wait a minute, are you still an agent coach?”

Dai Li nodded, “Yes. According to normal procedures, it should take me three to six months to become a formal coach, I think.”

“Don’t you worry!” Coach Lu waved his hand and said straightforwardly, “Tomorrow! Tomorrow I will submit a report and request that you to be a formal one!”

“That would be great! Thank you so much!” Dai Li thanked Coach Lu.

“You are one of us own, make yourself at home! Your are my worker, how could I not help you? I really like you. Keep working hard like this. You are still quite young; you must make great achievements in the future!” Coach Lu said, raising his glass again. “Come on, let’s drink another round!”

…

Dai Li thought Coach Lu had been too drunk, and that he would never remember his promise. Dai Li had planned to remind Coach Lu about it, but hesitated. Because Coach Lu was Dai Li’s boss, he did not want to push Coach Lu for a job.

However, Coach Lu did not forget what he had said. One week later, the approval came in, and Coach Lu immediately called Dai Li into his office.

“Congratulations! Dai Li, from now on, you are an official coach!” Coach Lu handed Li a document.

“Thank you, Coach Lu!” Dai Li took the document with excitement. He opened it and read it carefully.

Dai Li has been working hard throughout his career. He is responsible and loyal. Therefore, after thorough consideration, the department party committee has decided that Dai Li will become the chief coach of the Youth Team Long Jump Program for two years. This is the approval of the final decision. The decision of the above appointment begins as of the date of release…

Dai Li was frozen. He re-read the document again word for word, making sure that he had not missed anything.

Long jump? How come I am becoming a long jump coach? I’m the chief coach of the shot put team! Is there a mistake?

Chapter 112: Freeloader

Dai Li was completely confused. He stared at the red seal at the bottom of the document, knowing the appointment must be correct.

Dai Li looked up at Coach Lu for an explanation. Coach Lu smiled with embarrassment and said, “Do not look at me like that. The appointment is correct; you are the chief coach of the long jump team.”

“Coach Lu, did you want me to coach long jump team?” Dai Li probed.

“It was not my idea,” Lu shook his head, “In my report, I wrote the shot put team. But they decided to let you coach long jump team. It was the leaders’ decision.”

“Then what about Coach Zhuang, the original coach of the team?” Dai Li wanted to know what would happen to the current coach of the long jump team.

The long jump team already had a chief coach, Xuexi Zhuang. If Dai Li went to long jump team, there would be two chief coaches. He would have to figure out their relationship, as far as who was primary and secondary.

Coach Zhuang had connections. His uncle was a vice director for the Provincial Sport Department. If Dai Li became Xuexi Zhuang’s coworker, he would probably become his subordinate.

“Zhuang won’t stay. He will become the chief coach of the shot put team,” said Coach Lu.

“Then it is like we exchanged jobs,” Dai Li sighed with relief. He did not want to work with someone who had connections like Xuexi Zhuang. Otherwise, he would always be the one who worked hard, while the other would sit and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Coach Lu lowered his voice and said:, “You know that Xuexi Zhuang is Director Zhuang’s nephew, don’t you? He thought that with Director Zhuang’s special care, he would be promoted quickly. He only came to our youth team so he could move up. He was planning to leave once he made some achievements. However, he has been here for two years and still has not made any progress. None of his athletes have succeeded. We coaches are judged by our ability; if we have no good scores, we cannot be promoted. Director Zhuang lacks an excuse to promote his nephew, and he dare not to break rules.”

Dai Li nodded. If a sports coach was really outstanding, he could work in governmental institutions. For example, a vice director for the State Administration of Sports would have been a famous coach before.

But being a civil servant meant that one had to obey rules. It was similar to working for a private company, in that one had to strictly follow the boss’s orders. If the boss asked you to be a manager, you could not be an inspector. When working for the government, the higher the level, the stricter the rules were. Especially when it came to appointing officials, leaders had to be cautious. They could never do anything that others could hold against them.

Because of this, Xuexi Zhuang had not been promoted for two years due to the fact that he had not achieved anything. If he could attain even a little progress, he would not stay on the youth team; his uncle would promote him to someplace better.

Coach Lu continued, “To be honest, you should keep leading the shot put team. But Xuexi Zhuang wants your athletes. Jiankang Chen threw 17.11 meters, and Bin Wang got 17 meters, right? For teenagers, those are outstanding results.”

“He wants to trade because of the scores?” Dai Li immediately realized what this was really about.

With his uncle’s assistance, it was easy to trade places Dai Li. That was why Dai Li had been appointed the chief coach of the long jump team.

Coach Lu had confirmed Dai Li’s suspicions, saying, “At the end of August, the Provincial Youth Game will start. This game is also a selection period for the National Youth Game. The ones with good performances can represent our province in the national game. Xuexi Zhuang is seizing the opportunity. He plans to lead the shot put team and get some outstanding scores in the competition so he can have a shot at being promoted. Get it?”

“Are you saying Xuexi Zhuang is a freeloader?” Dai Li understood Coach Lu’s point.

“A freeloader? I guess you could say that. Sorry to make things difficult for you. You have been spending so much time and energy training these athletes; it should be time to reap the rewards, but suddenly someone else has grabbed them,” Coach Lu sighed pitifully. He tried to comfort Li by saying, “But we can do nothing to change the situation. Do not worry about it too much, you will still have plenty of chances.”

Dai Li was pissed off knowing what was really happening. He had been training so hard, witnessing five kids grow up. Now someone else wanted to take advantage of his hard work. It was really unfair.

But he could do nothing to stop it. The youth team directly belonged to the Provincial Sport Department, and because Xuexi Zhuang’s uncle was a vice director of the department, Xuexi Zhuang had strong backup. Dai Li would not dare to complain. He was an ordinary person without any connections. No one would support him.

Besides, there was nothing wrong with the procedure. Director Zhuang had Dai Li to the long jump team, which was reasonable. As an agent coach, being transferred to a new team as a formal chief coach meant being promoted. Everything looked acceptable on the surface.

Leaving Coach Lu’s office with the appointment document Dai Li felt depressed. He felt like a farmer who had been taking very good care of his vegetables and working really hard for months, but when the time had come to reap his rewards, someone else had grabbed everything to enjoy it themselves.

Shxt! Dai Li swore secretly. Leading his athletes through the fight for honor was something Dai Li had wanted to do so much. He deserved it. But instead, someone else had taken his place.

The next second, Dai Li suddenly realized that the reason Jiankang Chen had been able to throw 17.11 meters was because he had gotten the benefit of the explosive force halo and Morale-Boosting Book.

According to Jiankang Chen’s ability, he could not achieve that score without those tools, let alone defeat Xian Su.

If I leave the shot put team, after a while those athletes will be deleted from my training list. They will not be able to enjoy the benefit of the explosive force halo anymore. That means that even if Coach Zhuang leads the team, the athletes will not be this good. When they compete on the field, they will not have outstanding performances, Dai Li thought.

Zhuang, even if you take my place, so what? You do not have a Coaching System, nor do you have an explosive force halo. My team will no longer be special under your guidance! They will return to ordinary people again without me! You wanna earn your fame using them? Think again!

But Dai Li immediately became sad again. He had been working with those kids for so long. He truly wished them all the best.

On the one hand, there was freeloader Coach Zhuang trying to take advantage of his hard work; on the other hand, his students were excited to get some achievements to prove themselves. Dai Li was facing a dilemma.

Chapter 113: An Awful Mess

Dai Li was deep in thought. He walked towards the training field wondering what to do next.

Without him, there would be no more explosive force halo. His trainees’ performances would decline without a doubt. Dai Li was part of the group, so he definitely knew what would happen to the athletes, but he could do nothing to save the situation. He even felt a sense of guilt. It had been him who had taught them to fly, then kick back into the ground. He did not want to crush their dreams.

“Hey, do not overthink it, OK? You are just their coach!” said the System. It seemed like it had felt Dai Li’s depression. It changed its tone to become more serious.

“Do not feel guilty. You have done nothing wrong. Do not forget who you are—a coach. As a coach, you have done pretty well. They are a group of C-level athletes. Remember that C-level athletes can only become good athletes at best, even under your guidance. Their future has already been determined.

“In professional athletics, genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration, but the inspiration is more important. You see those foreign soccer stars, they all train very hard. Why do their careers turn out differently? Some people become rulers, some become superstars, some are celebrities, and some are nobodies. You know why? Because they all give different amounts of effort? No! The only reason is talent. They have different talents.

“Talent decides where one will land. It is like buildings with different heights; some buildings have ten floors, some have twenty, and some may have thirty. If it is a ten-floor building, no matter how hard you try, you will never reach the 11th floor. The same can be said about talent. Coach are stairs for athletes to climb. You, with the Coaching System, I would say you are more of an elevator. But you can never break the boundaries of walls.”

The System kept trying to get its point acrossDai Li only caught the last few words. He said, “I got the idea. You are saying that one’s talent decides one’s peak ability, and the my Coaching System only helps them to reach their peak, right?”

“Correct. You got it. You have already helped them, so there is no need to feel any regret. With your help, the five athletes have reached their peak. But with their C-level talent, they will never be world champions. They will just be their normal selves without you. Isn’t that a good thing? You are just a coach. They need to take their own path. You cannot help them forever,” said the System.

“Walk their own path? Right, I have my own way to go!” Dai Li was suddenly enlightened. The next second, he laughed, “Ha, I never thought I would be enlightened by you!”

“Hey, do not take me so lightly! My intelligence is beyond your imagination!”

…

“Coach Li, are you really leaving?” The five young athletes surrounded Dai Li. After months of training, they had developed close relationships. Now that Dai Li was about to leave, they were not willing to let him go.

“All good things must come to an end. To tell the truth, even if I stayed with this team, you would still leave one day, wouldn’t you? You are almost 18-years-old, it is time for you to leave the youth team. We were going to split up eventually.” Dai Li gave them an encouraging smile and said, “Some of you may continue your careers as athletes, and some of you may not. But I hope that in the future, no matter where you are, or what you do, that you remember what I taught. Try hard, don’t give up, and never regret anything!”

“Understood!” The five boys said in one voice.

“Alright then. I will go talk to Coach Zhuang. You should listen to him, and do your best!” Dai Li patted their shoulders, then turned around and left.

Coach Zhuang could not wait to join the shot put team. He had gone through the procedures quickly to transfer. He showed no sympathy for what he had done, feeling that everything was behooved.

This made Dai Li feel gross. He hoped to see Xuexi Zhuang mess everything up in the Provincial Youth Games.

After the transfer was completed, Dai Li headed to the long jump training field.

Once he Dai Li noticed that there were less people on the long jump team than he had expected.

The old athletes had all left after the friendly match with Nantan Middle School. Dai Li was not surprised. Besides the shot put team, old athletes on the other teams had all left because they had either reached the age limitation or had no reason to stay, since they could not make any further progress. The shot put team had astonished everyone. Even the weakest one had reached the minimum standard of a first-class athlete. The shot-putters had all been selected by the Sport Team, which was why they were willing to stay here.

The rest of long jump team were all newcomers, and there were only sixteen people altogether. Dai Li was confused.

Every July, Hanbei’s good young athletes were sent to the Provincial Youth Team. Usually there would be anywhere from twenty to fifty people in each group. When Dai Li had originally trained the shot put team, there had been forty people in the program.

Why is this team is so small? The long jump is quite popular. Why are there only sixteen people? Dai Li was confused, so he called an athlete over.

“Is your team always this small?” asked Dai Li.

“No, we used to have more than fifty people. But they were all selected. This is all we have left,” answered the young boy.

“You had more than fifty people but only have sixteen left? More than thirty have left? Who took them?” Dai Li asked. He was astonished.

“The sprint team, hurdle team, and high jump team. Even the badminton and tennis team took some people away,” answered the boy.

Long jumpers had a lot of explosive force, so it was understandable that the sprint team and hurdle team had taken some of the athletes away. The sports shared something in common. Take Feixiang Lin as an example: He had originally been a long jumper before he had been selected by Coach Jihai Ding. He had become a hurdler afterwards. There were other good long jumpers who had originally been sprinters, too.

But no matter which sport it was, they all belonged to Youth Athletics. Such a transfer could be considered an inter-team transfer. But why had the badminton and tennis teams taken athletes?

Thinking about this, Dai Li felt there was something wrong.

Wait a minute. Coach Zhuang’s uncle is Director Zhuang of the Provincial Sport Department. With such strong connections, who would dare take people Xuexi Zhuang?

Chapter 114: An "A"

Coach Zhuang had an uncle who worked in the Provincial Sport Department as a vice director. Although he may not have had the strongest network, he definitely had a good one. When trying to bully people, one had to watch out for powerful connections. Other coaches who wanted to grab athletes from the long jump team had to evaluate themselves first, and decide whether they were able to offend Xuexi Zhuang without any negative effects.

On an entire team, it was OK if only three to five people transferred to other teams. But thirty was definitely beyond acceptable. Even badminton and tennis had dared to take athletes from this team. It was incredible.

Xuexi Zhuang does not look like a loser. How could he take that? Dai Li thought. He asked, “What did Coach Zhuang do when the others came to take the athletes?”

The long jumper immediately replied, “He did nothing but welcome the coaches. I guess he thought the less people there were, the easier the job would be.”

Another athlete interrupted him and said, “Actually, lately Coach Zhuang had not even arranged our training. We all worked on our own.”

“Why?” asked Dai Li.

“Because he is going to the shot put team, he did not pay attention to us anymore,” said the athlete in a low voice, “I heard him talking to someone else on the phone. He said that because he was going to the shot put team, there was no need to waste his time and effort on the long jump team.”

How could he evade responsibility! Dai Li was filled with fury. He had been pissed off by Coach Zhuang several times already in only one day.

To Dai Li, as long as he was in charge, he would perform his duties. Afterwards, he would have to shoulder the responsibility. Dai Li had not asked Xuexi Zhuang to be as considerate as he had been, but he could have at least not left an awful mess for him.

Nevertheless, Xuexi Zhuang did not seem to have done anything right. Once he found out that the shot put team surprisingly defeated Nantan Middle School, he had decided to take the team as his own. He had even let the other teams pick out athletes as they wished, and did not even schedule daily training. Dai Li had inherited an impossible situation.

Luckily we have sixteen people left. I guess since they remain unpicked, their ability must be so-so, Dai Li thought. He detected the whole team.

First one… D+ talent? What the heck is this? How could a D+ be on this team?

Second one… D talent! Even worse than D+. Does it only get worse from here?

Third one, D+! Another D+, what is going on here? Why are there so many untalented athletes on a provincial team? I guess technically D-level talent can be categorized as amateurs, but they have a long way to go to become professionals.

Dai Li was upset. He dared not detect anyone else, worried he would see a worse result.

This team is awful. The previous shot put team had five C-level athletes. Now I have to deal with a group of D-level athletes. Damn Xuexi Zhuang! How dare you grab my team and leave me a mess? Even with my great ability, I can’t do anything in this situation. Dai Li swore Xuexi Zhuang in his mind.

It was common to have D-level athletes among Youth Team newcomers. Although Dai Li had had five C-level shot putters, they had been training for more than a year and had not be kicked off the team. These D-level athletes already meant game over. Because Dai Li was leading a group of newbies, it was no wonder he had so many D-level athletes.

While Dai Li was worrying about what he was going to do, three people walked towards him.

The leader was a middle-aged man in his fifties with dark skin and medium figure. He was well-dressed. The other two following him were in their thirtes. The one on the left wore a pair of golden wire frame glasses and had a briefcase in his hand, looking studious; the one on the right was a muscular man in a T-shirt, and was not very tall. He looked like a soldier.

The three gathered a lot of attention. They walked directly towards Li.

“Manager Fang, this is the long jump training field.” The studious man pointed in Dai Li’s direction.

The middle-aged man nodded, striding forward. Dai Li welcomed him.

“What can I do for you?” asked Dai Li.

“Are you the coach of the long jump?” the middle-aged man asked in reply.

“Yes, I am. I’m the new chief coach of the long jump team,” Dai Li nodded.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Haiquan Fang’s father. I’m here to take him away.” The man introduced himself in a flat voice, but Dai Li could feel a sense of dignity.

“Haiquan Fang?” It was Dai Li’s first day here, so he was not familiar with his team. He thought about it carefully, then finally remembered that there was someone named Haiquan Fang. Dai Li immediately opened the name list, and the name was right there.

There is someone named Haiquan Fang, but I do not know which one he is. Dai Li turned around to an athlete behind him and said, “Go tell Haiquan Fang to come here. His father is looking for him.”

Dai Li thought it was a parent asking for his child’s leave, so he asked, “Could you please tell me the reason Haiquan Fang has to leave? When will he return? I need to know so I can make a record.”

“Leave? Who said my son is asking for leave?” Manager Fang stood in a daze, then realized that Dai Li had misunderstood him.

“I’m not asking for leave, I’m here to take him away from here. We will never come back,” said Manager Fang.

You mean Haiquan wants to leave the team? Dai Li’s thoughts were all over the place.

What a bad day it is! The first day I’m on duty I’m welcomed with a mess, and now someone wants to leave. It must be because Xuexi Zhuang did not train the athletes hard recently, which disappointed the parents.

Thinking about this, Dai Li smiled and said, “I heard that you are ‘Manager Fang.’ May I refer to you the same way? Manager Fang, allow me to explain. Recently we had an inner transfer. The previous coach, Xuexi Zhuang, went to another team, which is why training was not as effective as before. But please relax. There is no need to worry about this anymore. I’m the new chief coach of the long jump team. I will take good care of the team, and never allow those problems to happen again.”

“I don’t care about what happened here. I’m here to take my son.” Manager Fang looked indifferent.

Haiquan Fang was running towards them.

“Dad, why you are here!” Haiquan Fang looked resistant. “I told you I would never leave this team!”

“No way! You have to go back!” Manager Fang said decisively.

“No! Never!” Haiquan Fang was also stern in his speech.

“How dare you! If you do not come with me, do not expect to get a cent from me!” Manager Fang was angry.

“Who cares! My team takes care of my living and dining costs. Once I join the Sport Team, I will make a living myself. I do not need your money!” Haiquan Fang had adequate reasons for not needing his father’s money.

Seeing that the father and son were having an argument, Dai Li immediately interrupted and said, “Please, there is no need to argue. How about we sit down and discuss it?”

Meanwhile, Dai Li detected Haiquan Fang. An “A” showed up in the System!

What! A-level! Fang has A-level talent in thelong jump! He has the potential to become a world-class athlete. If he is lucky enough, he may be able to win a world championship!

Dai Li made a decision: never let Haiquan Fang leave!

Chapter 115: A Rich Second-Generation Athlete

Having worked with several athletes, Dai Li realized that it was difficult to find one with top-level talent. It was like building a pyramid; more bricks were needed at the bottom, but once it reached the top, only one brick was required.

Among all the professional athletes Dai Li had ever met, 95% of them had been C-level, which was good. B- level athletes were hardly ever found. People like Feixiang Lin and Feifei Yu, who were S-level talents, were rarely seen.

With A-level talent and hard work, one could become a world-class athlete, and win a medal in international games. If lucky enough, assuming the other competitors were relatively weak, the athlete may even be able to win a gold medal.

And Haiquan Fang had A-level talent in the long jump!

A gold medal in athletics was hard to get. Asian countries’ athletics abilities lagged behind other countries. If one was a world-class athlete, they had to be great. In that case, the coach of said athlete could be promoted.

When Dai Li had detected that Haiquan Fang had A-level talent, he realized that he was a gifted athlete. He decided that, by any means necessary, that he must keep Haiquan Fang on the team.

Dai Li said, “Haiquan Fang, Manager Fang wants you to leave. What do you think?”

“Why should I obey him! I just got here, why should I leave? I will not leave!” said Haiquan Fang firmly.

“No way! You must go back with me!” Manager Fang ordered.

Dai Li could tell another argument was about to break out, so he immediately interrupted, saying, “Excuse me, Manager Fang, but why do you want Haiquan Fang to retreat? Is there anything we have done to disappoint you?”

“Sorry, Coach, don’t get me wrong—there is nothing I am dissatisfied with. I just want my son to go back to school instead of jumping around in a sandpit. Everyone else his age is studying at school,” said Manager Fang.

Back to school? He is one of those parents who think being a “scholar” is the best thing someone can be. Dai Li sighed. He understood the concern.

Being an athlete was a profession that depended on youth to make a living. In parents’ eyes, studying hard, entering a college, and finding a stable job was more realistic than being an athlete. Young athletes had usually just graduated from junior middle schools, so it seemed more reasonable for them to go to high school, then to college.

But an A-level athlete would be a top-class athlete, which was much better than just finding a normal job.

Dai Li said, “Manager Fang, to be honest, being an athlete is not a bad thing. I’m not going to talk about superstars like Feixiang Lin. Ordinary world champions can also get nice jobs after they retire. They can be coaches or work in governmental organizations. They will always have an something going for them. Especially for famous athletes, they can easily earn a living through advertising endorsements, and can earn much more than college graduates. Besides, nowadays it is really difficult to find a job. Even post-graduates cannot find satisfying jobs, let alone college students.”

While speaking, Dai Li glanced at Haiquan Fang, then said, “I think Haiquan is gifted in the long jump. If he is willing to train hard, I’m sure that he can be an outstanding athlete. Even if he is not as good as Feixiang Lin, he still has the potential to be a top national long jumper.”

Dai Li did not want to say “world-class,” so instead he said “top national.” He did not want to make Manager Fang feel like he was bragging.

Shattering Dai Li’s expectations, however, that father laughed disdainfully. “National best? I will never let him be an athlete, even if he could be the next Feixiang Lin!”

Dai Li was astonished. Feixiang Lin was a national treasure, especially after he had broken the world record again last year. His fame had increased rapidly. It was definitely not an exaggeration to say that Feixiang Lin was a national idol who was full of positive energy.

Dai Li believed that parents would be delighted to hear that their children had become as good as Feixiang Lin. Why did Manager Fang have such a bad attitude?

Suddenly, the studious man stepped forward and introduced Manager Fang more thoroughly, saying, “Our Manager Dalu Fang is the president of the Continental Corporation.”

The Continental Corporation? Dalu Fang? He is Dalu Fang! Dai Li finally realized who he had been talking to, as well as why he had disregarded Feixiang Lin. In actuality, Dalu Fang had not meant to disregard Feixiang Lin. But they were in completely different worlds.

If he had only been informed of his name, Dai Li would have needed some time to recall who Dalu Fang was. But the Continental Corporation was a resonant brand.

The Continental Corporation was built off of land sale, and had also recently gotten involved in other trades like entertainment and e-commerce. The chairman, Dalu Fan,g was the richest man in the Hanbei Province. His private property was worth over 20 billion yuan. Although he was not the richest man in the country, 20 billion was an enormous figure to normal people.

Dai Li understood right away why Manager Fang had been indifferent when talking about athletes’ futures. As an extremely rich man, why would he care about advertising endorsements and secure jobs? Just as Dalu Fang had said, even if his son became the next Feixiang Lin, he did not care. In Feixiang Lin’s career, he could earn no more than one billion yuan; the Continental Corporation could easily earn more than a billion by building two or three estates.

I never thought I would speak to a billionaire one day. That studious man must be his assistant, and the strong man must be his bodyguard. He looks like a retired soldier. But as rich as Dalu Fang is, only one bodyguard is with him. Isn’t that modest?

Dai Li looked Haiquan Fang up and down. He had never expected to have a second generation rich kid on his team, let alone a super rich one.

Haiquan Fang was just above 1.80 meters. He was pretty tall compared to his peers. He had inherited Dalu Fang’s dark skin, thick eyebrows, medium-sized eyes, and prominent cheekbones, which made his face angular. He was in a common sport suit, and looked no different than other high school students.

He does not look rich! Dai Li thought to himself.

In his mind, rich children were always well-dressed, driving sports cars, showing off everywhere, arrogant, and rude. Those qualities did not describe Haiquan Fang. Dai Li felt that even if Haiquan Fang had told the others that he had a super rich dad, nobody would believe him.

What is going on in his mind? Why does he want to be an athlete? Being an athlete is not an easy job. If I had a super rich father, I would never be an athlete!

Chapter 116: My Dream

20 billion was a figure completely beyond Dai Li’s imagination. He only had a vague concept. However, as a coach, he really hoped that Haiquan Fang could stay. After all, Fang had A-level talent; it would be a waste if he couldn’t become an athlete. It was the same as a good chef not being able to use the best materials to make a dish; an outstanding jade master would not be able to stand if he was not allowed to carve jade. As for coaches, if he missed out on a talented athlete, he would be disappointed.

“Haiquan Fang, you would rather stay than retreat, right?” asked Li.

Fang nodded. “Yes, I want to stay. I love long jump! It makes me feel like I can fly.”

“You wanna fly? I can buy you a plane! You can fly by plane to wherever you want!” Manager Fang snorted.

If someone else had said it, he may have been regarded as a joker. But Manager Fang was different. With his resources, it would not be a problem for him to buy a private plane, which is why nobody dared to laugh at him. Some salesmen might actually immediately come advertising their private planes to Manager Fang.

Worried about having a third quarrel, he turned to the father and said, “Manager Fang, if you never wanted your son to become an athlete, why did you send him here? Our youth team only recruits juveniles, they can’t enroll without a guardian’s permission.”

Li was telling the truth. No matter what team it was, as long as it referred to juveniles, the recruitment required a guardian’s permission and their signatures on relative contracts.

Upon mentioning this, Manager Fang became annoyed. “This is all about his mother! She secretly sent him here, my son is spoiled by his mom!”

“I see.” Li was still smiling. “in my opinion, it would be better for you to have a negotiation first. It seems like you and Mrs. Fang have different views. If you don’t come up with a final decision, you might bring your son home only to have Mrs. Fang send him back tomorrow.”

“She wouldn’t dare!” Manager Fang snorted again. He sounded less confident.

“Perhaps he is intimidated by his wife?” Li continued, “Manager Fang, we have a high elimination rate, so much so that our training is too intensive for teenagers to insist. A lot of people give up by themselves because they can’t stand it anymore. Usually, only 20% of athletes can make it until the end. Therefore, I suggest letting your son try first. There is no need to push him too hard right now. Besides, he is not willing to go back. How about you give him a chance?”

Hearing this, Manager Fang’s face brightened. He thought that Li was indicating that his son may not hold on for much longer. What he didn’t know, however, was that it was just Li’s misdirection.

The father finally went back alone, while Haiquan Fang stayed. But Li could sense that Manager Fang wouldn’t easily give up. He would return soon. Staring at his father’s back, the son was still filled with anger.

“Hey, are you still annoyed?” asked Li.

“He never thinks about me! He never knows what I want! He only cares about himself!” The son showed his anger by giving a snort.

“I would say that your father does all of these because he really cares about you, otherwise he wouldn’t come here by himself. Think about it; if he really wanted you to leave, he could simply tell our leader and have you expelled,” said Li.

As an extremely rich man, Manager Fang definitely possessed a strong network. In the last few years especially, after the rapid development of the Continental Cooperation, even the local government began trying to please Manager Fang in an attempt to attract his investment. Therefore, as long as he wished, he could simply pressure the Provincial Sport Department to expel his son.

But he didn’t. This did not mean that he lacked power, nor did it mean that he did not think about it. It was because he cared too much about his son. Mr. Fang loved his son; he was just expressing his love in the wrong way.

Fang knew that Li was telling the truth. He thought in silence for a few seconds, then replied, “My father wanted to send me to the UK for high school. Then he wants me to major in business management in college so I can take his position after I graduate.”

“Isn’t that cool? Leading a huge company with billions of dollars worth of property?” Li felt jealous.

“That is not what I want! I love long jump; I love the feeling when I’m flying in the sky. I enjoy the excitement whenever I challenge myself and outperform myself, especially when I have a good performance. Nothing else can bring me such satisfaction!” Fang’s eyes were full of longing.

“I don’t know what’s going on in your mind. You know, being an athlete means receiving intense training every day, no matter how bad the weather is,” said Li. “I have to make it clear: if you insist in doing this, you are going to have a hard life. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m sure!” answered Fang firmly. His eyes were shining with stubbornness.

“Alright, let’s get started then.” Li patted Fang’s shoulder. “From now on, you are going to live in hell. If you can’t deal with it, leave!”

…

Li already knew that Fang was a stubborn person. That was why he had prodded Fang into action. During their daily training, Li was very strict with Fang. He had A-level talent, which was above all the other teenagers. He deserved more attention.

Long jump training was not a big deal. It was a sport that required basic skills, and whose training was divided into two parts: explosive leg strength and methods training. Every sport shared similar explosive force training skills. The main emphasis was on weight training and additional resistance. Considering the limitations of human muscle, overloading or offering too much resistance could cause harm to the body, especially to professional athletes who received high-intensity training each day. It was very important to control the weight and resistance to make training effective.

Luckily, because Li owned two beneficial tools—Muscle Relaxation and Rehabilitative Massage—he didn’t worry about Fang getting injured. He pushed Fang to improve his capacity, and as a result, Fang’s workload indeed became “hell.” Under such intensity, Fang made a lot of progress.

Manager Fang didn’t come back for his son, which comforted Li. What Li didn’t know, however, was that Manager Fang had everything under control!

Chapter 117: Rejection

Continental Corporation, president office.

“Manager Fang, Haiquan’s training intensity has increased again,” the book assistant reported.

“Again? Last time you told me the same thing. Haiquan’s training is already longer and more intense than all the other athletes’, and now it has increased again? Is he still keeping up?” asked Fang.

“Yes, he is still persisting. It seems like he doesn’t want to give up,” answered the assistant.

Manager Fang nodded. “We are similar. He inherited my stubbornness. Keep watching over him, do not let him get hurt.”

“Do not worry Manager, there is always someone monitoring. Even though Haiquan’s training intensity has increased, his coach gives him massages every day to relax his muscles. It works,” reported the assistant.

“Is that young coach named Li? He is smart, knowing when to let Haiquan take a few steps back before the impossible happens, all while not hurting his self-esteem. He has been taking good care of my son. Be sure to pay him back later,” Manager Fang ordered.

“Sure, I will let the driver deliver a Continental Square golden shopping card to him,” replied the assistant.

In actuality, both the Manager and his assistant misunderstood Li. They thought Li had arranged all those things on purpose in an attempt to please Manager Fang and dissuade Haiquan.

Having been a rich man for such a long time, Manager Fang had experienced many people waiting to please him, as well as many different ways that did please him. Fang was used to it, and always thought that others, especially those of lower status, were attempting to do so. It was no wonder he felt like Li was pleasing him on purpose to benefit from it. It was because of this that he thought Li was “smart.”

Li had actually never meant to please Fang. All he was doing was trying to promote Haiquan Fang’s growth.

…

Haiquan Fang truly loved the long jump. Previously, when other teams had come to pick out athletes, some coaches had wished Fang join their teams. Fang was unwilling to leave, however. He only wanted to be on the long jump team. Under Li’s guidance, Fang had transformed into a completely new person. His grades increased rapidly.

A-level talent was extraordinary indeed. Other coaches could help Fang improve, but not as effectively as Li. After all, Li was at the junior coach advanced level, which was much better than the other coaches on the youth team.

The entire long jump process could be divided into four parts. The first part was the running start; the second was the takeoff; the third was to rise high; and the last part was landing.

There were two methods for accelerating. One was active acceleration, similar to a sprint. This method required higher ability, which suited athletes with quickness. However, it affected takeoff accuracy and performance stability, which led few top-level athletes to utilize this method.

The other method was to gradually increase one’s speed, which could guarantee takeoff accuracy and stability. On the other hand, however, it was much more difficult. Professional athletes often chose this method because it was reliable.

The takeoff and rising high into the air could be considered a complete action. The most important thing for the takeoff was to not step on the takeoff line. Otherwise, the athlete would receive a zero.

Rising into the air was the crucial part of whole long jump. After rising into the air, athletes could choose one of three techniques: the knee-tuck method, the back-straightened method, or the walk-in-air method. The knee-tuck method was commonly taught in high schools, and was the most traditional way of performing the long jump. It required low technical skill, hence the reason professional athletes rarely used it.

The back-straightened method was to straighten one’s back after takeoff. This action improved the athlete’s ability to pull their stomach in, bend their hips, and stretch their legs, which lengthened the distance between the takeoff and landing points. Its one drawback was that it was difficult for athletes to maintain balance when in the air.

The walk-in-air was a posture that became popular following World War II, and was still popular among professional athletes to this day. The movement required the athlete to make a three-step walking movement in midair. The athlete was able to keep good balance prior to landing, which was very beneficial.

The three techniques all had their pros and cons. The world’s best athletes had to master all three styles, but they could make choose whichever they wanted between the three based on their takeoff.

Right now, Haiquan Fang was using walk-in-air style. For young athletes, only those who were proficient adopted the style. Because the technique contained three steps, if the takeoff was not high or long enough, one could not complete all three steps. Usually young athletes were not as strong as adults, so the walk-in-air method might not work well for them. This was why many young athletes chose to use the back-straightened method for their performance.

However, without hesitation, Li had Haiquan Fang grasp the skill. Fang didn’t disappoint Li, and after a while he got the method down.

On the training field, Li was giving instructions.

“Haiquan, after you complete your three steps in the air, remember to pull in your stomach as much as possible. Only in this case can you stretch your legs. Also, wave your arms firmly.”

But Haiquan suddenly stopped. He stared at somewhere far, murmuring, “That guy looks like Mr. Zhu.”

Li looked in the same direction, seeing a man walking towards them.

“You know him?” asked Li.

“Mr. Zhu is my father’s driver. He used to take me to school when I was young,” answered Haiquan.

As they were talking, Mr. Zhu stopped in front of them.

“Coach Li, Manager Fang wanted me to meet you.” He took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Li. “Manager Fang said to thank you for taking care of Haiquan these last few days. This is a thank you gift.”

Li opened the envelope. Inside it was a golden card.

“A Continental Square golden shopping card! I heard that each card shows its value by number. If the number begins with 1, it is worth 18,888 yuan, if it starts with a 2 it means 28,888 yuan, etc.” Li searched the card carefully. It did not take him long to find the number.

The first number is a 6! This card is worth 68,888 yuan! That is a lot, even more than my annual income!” Li was shocked. He never thought that Manager Fang would give him such a big gift.

To ordinary people, 68,888 yuan was a large sum of money. But to a billionaire like Manager Fang, it was nothing.

“At the Continental Square, the ground floor is a supermarket; the first and second floors are a hypermarket; the third, fourth, and fifth floors are big brand kiosks; the sixth floor has a cinema and entertainment stores; and the seventh floor is a huge food court. It is a wonderful place for fun! If I use this card, I wonder how many people will envy me!” Greediness flashed across Li’s eyes, but the next second, his eyes were clear again.

Li gave the card back to Mr. Zhu without hesitation, “Thank you, but I cannot accept it. Sorry.” Li rejected the card straightforwardly.

Chapter 118: Proof

Mr. Zhu went back to where he had come from. Dai Li was still thinking about that golden shopping card. To him, it was definitely a huge amount of money; it was more than his annual income. He could enjoy his life with that much money.

But he also knew he had done the right thing. It would not be right to take the card.

“Well, I never thought my father would want to buy your support, but what surprised me even more was that you rejected his money!” Haiquan Fang laughed.

“What do you mean?” asked Li.

“My father always does this. He hopes that everyone will listen to him, and in his mind, money is the best way to persuade people to work for him,” Haiquan said with scorn.

“It really works, though. You know, I was considering keeping the card,” Li said, giving Haiquan a slap on his shoulder. “Alright, cut the crap. Back to your training!”

…

The assistant gave a pile of documents to Manager Fang. “Manager, please sign these files.”

“Put them here.” Manager Fang was focused on his financial statements. He did not raise his head.

“Manager Fang, there is another thing that I think you might be interested in. Coach Li from the youth team rejected the 68,888 yuan golden shopping card,” said the assistant.

“Rejected?” Manager Fang finally raised his head, showing some interest. “He cannot be earning that much money being a coach. I would bet his annual income is less than that. He really rejected my offer? Huh, interesting. Seems as if I looked down upon him. Alright, let it be!”

…

To Li, the gift had been an episode in his life. Soon he forgot about it, and returned to focusing on his training. Haiquan Fang had made huge progress. He outperformed his other teammates after only two weeks of training. After a month, he had obtained an adult athletes’ ability.

During the process, Haiquan gave Li more and more respect. He could clearly feel his competence skyrocket, more so than with any other coach.

Because he had a rich father, Haiquan had taken advantage of the opportunity to receive good training. He had not only been taught by Hanbei Provincial coaches, but also coaches from national teams. Yet as far back as he could recall, none of them had ever helped him improve this rapidly.

To Haiquan’s surprise, Li was also good at massaging. Every time Li finished massaging him, Haiquan got most of his energy back. One time during Haiquan’s training, he had been distracted for a second, and sprained his ankle. Haiquan had planned to pause and ask for a doctor, but Li instead gave him a massage for half an hour, and he recovered. After that, Haiquan admired Li from the bottom of his heart.

Li was satisfied with Haiquan. Haiquan was took training quite seriously. He did not show any arrogance like many rich children. Instead, he worked even harder than the others, even if he was exhausted and still struggling. Li used to think that rich kids like Haiquan would not be able to bear such hardship, but he had been touched by Haiquan’s persistence and passion. As time went by, the two began cooperating better and better.

…

One day during the break, Haiquan was sitting on the corner, resting.

“Haiquan, how do you feel? Still good? I have increased your training intensity again.” As he spoke, Li sat down beside Haiquan.

“I’m fine, I can do this,” said Haiquan firmly.

“To be honest, your workload has reached an adult level, in fact even higher than some adults.” Li paused to think, then continued, “Feel free to let me know if you cannot bear it. We can make some adjustments.”

“It is just an adult level, I can do more than this. I want to try the same workload the national team gives to its athletes,” said Haiquan.

“The national team’s workload is much more than this. The better the athletes, the higher the workload. Take Feixiang Lin for example, his training intensity is considered ‘hell mode,'” said Li.

“You must be joking, coach, I don’t believe you!” said Haiquan. “I’m 16 now, not a kid anymore. Tell me the truth.”

“This is the truth! You know, this time last year I was Lin’s fitness coach at the Beikou training center! You don’t believe me? Here, let me show you a picture!” Li took out his old phone and showed Haiquan the group pictures he had taken with Feixiang Lin.

The pictures were Li’s best show-off tools. Previously, when he had been on the shot put team, he had showed those pictures to his team and everyone worshipped him. Today he was taking out the pictures again.

“It is really him! Hey coach, I never thought you were so good!” Haiquan was astonished. He now looked at Li in a different way.

“Of course! If I did not have sufficient competence, how could I have coached Lin! Believe it or not, my work is well above average on the national team,” said Li confidently.

“I believe you.” Haiquan was thoroughly convinced of Li’s words. He was still focusing on the group picture.

“The celebrity effect is so good! No wonder people always show off their group pictures with celebrities. It works.” Li was joyful. He told Haiquan, “Well, so far you are performing beyond my expectations. I suggest you continue your current workload for a while and forget about the national team’s workload. You are not ready for that.”

“I have to persist for my mom!” said Haiquan.

“Your father doesn’t support you, but your mom does, hm?” asked Li casually.

Haiquan nodded, then recalled, ” When I was in grade 4 of primary school, one day in PE class we practiced long jump, and I got first place. No one jumped as far as I did. My PE teacher said I was talented in this activity, then taught me some professional actions. After that, I was addicted to long jumping. I wanted to be a top-level athlete.

“My father was busying working. He was always on business trips or socializing. Everyday when I got up, he had already left. Every night after I fell asleep, he would finally come back home. Even though we lived in the same house, I could go without seeing him for weeks.

“My mom knew that I loved long jumping, so she invited several coaches to teach me. She employed a dietitian, found someone to dig a sandpit, built me a fitness room; she even requested a coach from the national team to guide me.”

“Your mom loves you so much!” Li said this, but he was secretly thinking about how nice it must be to be rich.

Haiquan continued, “The first several years my father did not say much about my hobby. But later, as I grew up, he disagreed. He thought that I had been wasting my time doing the wrong things, and that I should focus on studying. He wanted to send me to the UK. But I did not want to go abroad, I wanted to stay for my hobby. My father thought it was all my mom’s fault, and that she had spoiled me too much. For that shxt reason, he had a big argument with my mom.”

“So you want to prove yourself?” Li sensed what Haiquan was getting at.

“Right! I want to prove that I’m not kidding, and that I’m taking it seriously! I want to be a professional long jumper, and I will be the best long jumper! I will teach my father a lesson: that my mom is always right, and she has been helping me the whole time to achieve my dream! A dream that he has no idea about!” Haiquan was speaking in an agitated tone. His eyes were shining with fierceness.

Li was touched. He was moved by Haiquan’s words. This boy’s persistence was not only because of his dream, but also for his mom. He was trying his best to prove that his mom was a wonderful mom, as opposed to someone who only expressed their love through money.

“I trust you. You will make it!” Li stood up and patted Haiquan’s shoulder. “Keep working hard like this. At the end of this month there will be a provincial youth athletes game. The number of participants is limited, but I plan to submit your name. Win the championship and shock your father. Good luck!”

Chapter 119: Participant

The Youth Athletics Team meeting room.

Coach Lu pointed to the file in his hand, telling everyone, “As everyone knows, the Provincial Youth Game is about to start. What I just handed out is our participant list. We have a limited number this year, since in addition to our team, the other city teams have joined in. The Provincial Sport Team will selected some young athletes under the age of 19 for the game.”

Coach Lu raised the document, then changed the topic, “Therefore, we have to send our best athletes! We are not as competitive as the provincial sport team, but we should not be defeated by city teams! Today I want you to check and discuss the list so we can make a final decision.”

The coaches all lowered their heads and read through the list carefully, whispering to each other from time to time.

“That Yuantong Chen from the sprinting team is on the list! He was the champion in the junior athletics game!”

“Xiangnan Liu is the best runner for the long-distance race. He has two events, 1500m and 5000m.”

“The shot put team has three people! Jiankang Chen, Bin Wang and Lei Qin will all go. This must be the greatest number!”

Hearing someone speak about the shot put team made Coach Zhuang joyful. Because the number of participants was limited this time around, it was pretty good for a team to get two slots. Most teams only had one. But the shot put team had gotten three slots, indicating that the team was quite competitive.

The shot put team was indeed impressive, but nobody gave the credit to Coach Zhuang. Everyone in the room knew that Coach Zhuang had grabbed Li’s achievements. The shot put team had obtained its current power because of Li’s hard work. Therefore, when someone referred to the three participants for the game, the other coaches all turned to Li subconsciously. Some people even showed him admiration.

Seeing this, Coach Zhuang was pissed off. He thought unhappily to himself, “Why do they all want to admire Li for when he was the coach of the shot put team?!”

He snorted as he looked down the list. He found Haiquan Fang’s name under the section for the long jump team.

“What? How could the long jump team have any participants? Didn’t I send all the best performers out?” Coach Zhuang was surprised.

Before he transferred to the shot put team, he had left an awful mess for Li to figure out. He knew what he had left on the long jump team; no one was good. He had even given out several good athletes to other teams when they had come to him for recruitment. At the time he did not think he would stay on the team any longer, so why not act recklessly and get something out of it by selling his team members away.

Because he had sent who he considered the best athletes out to other teams, he had never expected to have any team members competitive enough to attend the youth game. But now a name had showed up on the list.

“Haiquan Fang? Who is he? Sounds familiar.” Coach Zhuang never paid attention during his training because he had been eager to transfer to the shot put team. He did not even consider getting to know his trainees, let alone recognize Haiquan’s wealth. After a month, he had already forgotten who Haiquan Fang was.

“How could a nobody sneak onto the list?” Coach Zhuang glanced at Li. He suddenly remembered the others’ admiration and respect to Li, which made him even more upset.

His anger turned into hostility. He coughed deliberately, then said, “I used to coach the long jump team. This year the team’s ability is below average. They lack talented athletes. I do not think it is a good idea to send any of them to the game since none of them are competitive, and none of them can bring back any good results for our youth team. They will be defeated without a doubt. I suggest the long jump team give their spot up to someone else so the opportunity is not wasted. What do you guys think?”

Had it been someone else, they may either have said nothing or expressed the thought in a more polite way, as well as omit the words “What do you guys think?” It was the leader’s responsibility to ask for thoughts. Coach Zhuang had obviously crossed the line. But Zhuang had a vice-director uncle to support him, which was the only reason he had dared to say or do anything he wanted.

Coach Lu was offended, but he could do nothing. Zhuang had a strong network. A few years down the road Zhuang could turn out to be his leader. There was no need to argue with him now. But he was definitely upset with Zhuang’s rudeness. He swore Zhuang and his uncle secretly, but his face showed nothing unpleasant. “Haiquan Fang from the long jump team is a special case, we need to take care of him.”

“Special? Did his family die or were his parents gone?” Coach Zhuang said offensively. He was trying to embarrass Li. He then said, “There are always people who need special care. How can we take care of everybody?”

Coach Lu shrugged his shoulders and explained loudly, “Haiquan Fang’s father is Dalu Fang, the chairman of the Continental Corporation! Haiquan is the prince of the Continental Kingdom!”

“What? He is the son of the Continental chairman? How did not know that!” Coach Zhuang’s face was red with embarrassment. He had just accused Fang’s family of having died, and now he really regretted it! He was swearing a super rich and powerful man. That was asking for trouble! He was terrified, and prayed that Manager Fang would not send someone to cut off his tongue.

Meanwhile, the other coaches were enjoying the show. Zhuang had done many bad things before by abusing his power, so people were done with him. It was a nice to see him in trouble for once.

Zhuang’s last words “How did I not know that!” soon became a joke among the coaches. As a previous coach for the long jump team, that fact that he had no idea about his trainee’s background was strong evidence showcasing his attitude towards his job. Even if one day he really got his tongue cut off, none of his colleagues would show any sympathy.

Suddenly, Li stood up. He said, “Our Provincial Sports Center was built by the Continental Corporation. In recent years, the newly built competition venues were made by it. Take the stadium for this year’s Youth Game for example: it was also created by Continental. They used the BOT architectural style. This means that we are going to be competing in their territory, so we have to do a favor. That is why I submitted Haiquan’s name.”

BOT? What is BOT? Coach Zhuang was eager to find out the meaning of BOT, but he was worried that if he asked he would become a laughingstock. Because of this, he pretended to know what was going on.

On the inside, however, he was screaming, “Someone ask what BOT is! You are driving me crazy!”

Chapter 120: Throwing Money

BOT was the abbreviated version of “BUILD, OPERATE, and TRANSFER,” which referred to the transferring method of civilian construction after operation. The government had appointed a civilian company to build and operate construction for a while, but later took back the construction responsibilities and ran it by themselves.

The major focus of BOT were infrastructure constructions. The government did not have enough money to operate, so it transferred its rights to civilian companies. Those companies constructed buildings. The companies had a period of time to run the construction before they had to give it back to the government. Through this method, the companies could make up for the constructions fees, as well as benefit from the builds.

The Channel Tunnel was a famous BOT case. The entire project had cost twelve billion dollars, but the UK and France had not agreed on the cost. During the period when the two countries had decided to build the tunnel, Margaret Thatcher was in control of the UK, while President Mitterrand was in control of France. Neither of them were willing to pay the cost of construction, so they chose to adopt the BOT method.

The Provincial Youth Games were being held in the Civilian Sports Center, which had been built through BOT. According to the contract, the first several years of management rights belonged to the Continental Corporation. Because of this, having a competition in that particular building was undoubtedly stepping on Continental’s territory.

Coach Zhuang was really hoping someone could ask what BOT was for him so he could satisfy his curiosity while keeping his reputation intact. However, when he looked around, the other coaches all had the same knowledgeable look on their faces. It seemed like everyone except for Coach Zhuang knew what BOT was.

“Seriously? Am I the only one who does not know?” Coach Zhuang was upset. In fact, most of the coaches had no idea what BOT was, but because nobody wanted to risk embarrassing themselves, nobody asked.

Chief Coach Lu said, “Coach Li is considerate. We cannot offend the Continental Corporation. What if they take their funding away? Moreover, we are going to compete in their territory.”

“But what if that Haiquan Fang is unwilling to attend? As a rich kid, he must not have sufficient skills. If he was to come in last place, it would be a shame! Perhaps his family would complain about our decision!” Coach Zhuang acted as a critic, nitpicking the decision.

Dai Li immediately argued back, “Whether Haiquan Fang likes it or not, I think we should give him a chance. One, because it shows our attention to Haiquan Fang, and two, because we are doing them a favor. If Haiquan Fang does not want to go, he can ask for an abstention. But it would be a completely different thing if we did not give him a chance at all.”

“I agree. It is just a number anyway. It does not make much of a difference to us, but it is a good way to show our attitudes. It is like sending a gift: regardless of if the receiver likes it or not, we still sent them something! That’s out of our consideration. All in all, I say we need to give Haiquan Fang a chance, and I think the leaders will support us,” Coach Lu said, making the final decision.

Coach Zhuang looked like he had been humiliated. He always tried to give Dai Li trouble, but always ended up with trouble in return. He was still wondering what BOT was, so he was concerned about letting his tongue slip. It was such a terrible feeling!

Dai Li, you must do this on purpose! Wait here and see, once I get good achievements in the games, the day I’m promoted will be the day you die! Coach Zhuang thought ferociously.

Dai Li took a deep breath. Haiquan Fang’s competence was good enough to attend adult competitions, let alone the youth games. But instead of revealing the secret, he had used Haiquan Fang’s rich father as a shield.

Dai Li already knew the principle: in competitions like this, where the numbers of participants were limited, it was hard to get a chance purely through ability; it was much easier to have some type of network. Continental Corporation’s fame was the best excuse!

It had proved to be a good idea. Coach Lu had approved of letting Haiquan Fang go, and no one had disagreed.

…

As the game approached, Li increased Haiquan Fang’s workload again.

Monday afternoon, after they had eaten lunch, Dai Li was on his way back to his dorm. He took out his phone to search for a shared bike. A black Maybach halted in front of Li.

The door opened, and a man stepped out. Li took a closer look and recognized that the man was Manager Fang’s assistant.

“Coach Li, Manager Fang is waiting in the car. He wants to talk to you about Haiquan Fang,” said the assistant.

“No problem,” Dai Li nodded. He bent over to get into the car. The assistant gently closed the door. The driver got out and stood outside.

“A Maybach, what a nice car,” Dai Li sighed. He subconsciously touched the black dermal seat; it was really nice. Then he turned to Manager Fang and said, “Good afternoon, Manager Fang. What can I do for you?”

Manager Fang nodded his head gently and said, “I am having a dinner party soon, so I will make it short. I want you to persuade Haiquan Fang to give up long jumping and study in the UK.”

Dai Li was in a daze. He had never expected Fang to make such a request. He asked confusingly, “Why me?”

“Because I have never seen a person that Haiquan Fang admires so much. You are important to him, so I think you would be the best one to persuade him,” said Manager Fang.

Dai Li was even more confused. He did not understand what was going on.

Fang explained, “Recently, when Haiquan Fang went back home for the weekend, he said a lot about you. He said that you are the best and most skillful coach he has ever met. Before you, we had employed several coaches for him, but none of them had ever received such good compliments. He must trust and listen to you. So I am hoping that you can tell him that he is not suitable for the long jump, and to stop doing the wrong thing.”

Dai Li had enjoyed the first part of what Manager Fang had said because it was praise. But the latter was nowhere near as enjoyable. Dai Li immediately shook his head to express his attitude.

“Haiquan Fang is gifted in the long jump. Even the national team does not have a talented long jumper like him. He was born to do this,” said Dai Li.

Dai Li was not exaggerating. Previously, when he had been in the Beikou Training Center, he had detected a lot of athletes there. The fact was that even on the national team, there were only a few A-level talent athletes; most of them were only B-level. There was no A-level long jumper on the national team, so even if Haiquan Fang went to the national team, he would still be the most talented person there.

However, Mananger Fang seemed to misunderstand Dai Li. He took out a check and gave it to him.

“What is this for, Manager Fang?” He did not understand.

“Take a look first,” Fang said emotionlessly.

“Oh my! How many zeros are there behind two? One, two, three, four… it’s a 200,000 yuan check!” Dai Li’s hand quivered. He had never held such a large amount of money in his hand.

“If you can help persuade my son, this check is yours!” Manager Fang said crisply.

Chapter 121: Choose Your Own Path

Dai Li did not doubt Manager Fang at all with a check for 200,000 yuan in his hand. He was holding four years’ worth of Dai Li’s salary and did not have a care in the world.

Li really wanted to put the check in his pocket, but, how could he betray Haiquan Fang? “Haiquan trusted me so much,” he thought to himself.

“Manager Fang, I’m sorry, but I can’t help you with this.” Li returned the check to Manager Fang.

“Young man, you are smart. You know how to play hard to get. You refused the shopping card last time, and now you are refusing a check. Is it not enough for you? Ah, that’s right, the prices of almost all commodities are rising because of inflation. You cannot buy anything valuable with only 200,000 yuan. How about we do 500,000 yuan and quit the bargaining? Is that enough for you? I’ll have a new check brought right up.” Manager Fang was acting like a true businessman.

“Manager Fang, you are misunderstanding me. I do not want your money.” Li flat out refused this time. He was worried he would be misunderstood again if he hesitated.

“You don’t want money? Well how about an apartment then? If you can persuade Haiquan to study in the UK, I can give you an apartment in the Mainland’s Prestigious Residence.”

The Continental Cooperation was a real estate enterprise, which meant selling buildings was their main business. The Mainland’s Prestigious Residence was a new project that had just been completed by Continental. Although it was far from the center of the city, the housing price was close to 20,000 yuan per square meter. If the apartment was even 80 square meters, it would be worth about 1,600,000 yuan.

Dai Li was really wavering now. It was many young people’s dream to own an apartment. Many people struggled their entire lives to pay off a 30 year loan for an apartment. These days, owning an apartment was the standard used to judge whether one was successful in their career or not. For men, owning an apartment could at least help them please their future mothers-in-law.

But Li only wavered for a moment. He had his own principles that had to be adhered to.

Li took a deep breath and calmed himself down. “Manager Fang, you must know that Haiquan does not want to go abroad. He wants to be a long jumper. Why are you forcing him to do something he does not want to do?”

“At Haiquan’s age, the only thing he should be doing is studying hard. He is too young to understand me. I am his father. I would not hurt him. Everything I do is for my kid!” Manager Fang said.

Li sighed in silence. “Everything I do is for my kid” was the motto of most domestic parents. They made many decisions on behalf of their children using this reasoning.

The after-school classes, specialties, and friends a child had were all decided by their parents. Even as they got older, the major they chose in university and their job after they graduated was decided by their parents. The same parents sometimes even decided who their child would marry.

Li experienced the same thing when he was a child. He understood these parents. They had more life experience, and could see more things than their children could. But Li also knew that the choices the parents made were not always correct.

He subscribed to a different method of teaching, where the children made decisions themselves while taking their parents’ suggestions into consideration. Because it was their life, they should experience it by themselves. If they made the right decision, they would enjoy the honor and success that came along with it; if they were wrong, they would taste bitter defeat. But regardless of if it was right or wrong, it would be an experiences they could learn and grow from.

Dai Li said, “Actually, the senior middle schools in Qingcheng City, such as the first and second middle schools, are also great. Both of them have very high academic reputations. If you are not satisfied with those schools, you can send Haiquan to the capital city, or Donggang City, where top domestic educational resources come together. They have education quality similar to foreign countries.”

For ordinary families, studying in the capital city was very difficult. Zoning enrollment and registered residency problems were large obstacles. But for Haiquan’s family, it would not be a big deal.

Hearing Li’s words, Manager Fang stated fiercely, “No way. He must go to the best school in the UK! He is going to a noble school where princes and princesses study, like Eton or Winchester! Many business partners of mine sent their children there. My son cannot study in a middle school in our country!”

“They sent them there because their children are not gifted like Haiquan!” Li was annoyed. He knew Haiquan was very hard-working. Haiquan was not some ignorant rich kid. What had really upset Dai Li was the blind decision Fang was making.

Fang wanted to send his child to the UK only because his business partners had done so. He was simply following them. It was like buying an expensive piece shirt only because everyone else was buying one.

This was a decision that would influence Haiquan’s life. He could either stay home and become an outstanding athlete, or study in the UK and become an affluent second generation child with an uncertain future.

Manager Fang’s face had turned red because he was offended. He had not been offended in a long time, excluding his son, Haiquan. However, Li did not pay attention to Manager Fang’s facial expression. He said, “Haiquan likes long jumping. He would like to take on the long jump as his future career, and he made the decision himself. Studying in a British Noble School like other affluent second generation children is the decision you are making for him.

“Perhaps, you can force him to follow the path you choosing for him. But in the end, he will have to experience his life by himself. Whether he succeeds or not, it is his life. He will enjoy the taste of the ups and downs of life by himself. You can do nothing for him.”

After pausing for a moment, Dai Li continued, “Manager Fang, I am very sorry for being unable to help you. I am a coach. I will teach my athletes how to get past their problems; I will teach my athletes how to insist on the things they enjoy; and I will teach my athletes how to stand their ground. But I will not teach them how to quit!”

Dai Li finished his speech, opened the car door, and got out of the vehicle, leaving an astonished Manager Fang alone in the car.

The next second, however, Dai Li came back and sat beside Fang once again.

“What’s wrong? Do you regret what you said now?” Fang asked unconsciously.

“I want to tell you that the Province Youth Game will be held in the Sports Center on the 29th of this month. I have already submitted his name for the competition. I think Haiquan would look forward to seeing you there cheering for him,” said Li. He then smiled at Manager Fang, got out of the car, and left without looking back.

Manager Fang sat in the car for a while. As he watched Dai Li walk away from him, playing back his words in his head. He had a perplexed expression on his face.

…

“No, my apartment! My apartment in the Mainland’s Prestigious Residence! I have lost it!” Dai Li yelled after letting out a long sigh. “I am so impulsive. If I cannot afford my own apartment in a few years, I will probably regret what I have done today.”

Chapter 122: Haiquan Fang's Competition

The end of August had arrived quickly. The Province Youth Games began on the 29th. There were 36 athletes in total participating in the long jump event. They were all from different districts of the cities in the Hanbei Province, so the competition was relatively fierce. Everyone first had to get through the qualifying session. The thirty-six athletes were divided into two groups, and each one had three attempts to complete a trial jump. The twelve best athletes would go through the next round. The rules were the same as in the Olympic Games.

Haiquan Fang had been put in Group A of the qualifying session, so he would come to the stage first. It was the first time he had participated in a match of this level, so he was a little nervous. Dai Li tried to comfort him and said, “Take it easy. You are the best.”

Dai Li was not boasting. He had already observed the other surrounding athletes. None of them could compare to Haiquan Fang. The abilities of most of the contestants were below the national first-class athlete level.

National first-class athletes in athletics events had to get the corresponding achievements in formal competitions to qualify. These formal competitions included national competitions, competitions held by the National Track and Field Association (NTFA), and comprehensive sports meetings held by provincial institutions. If one wanted to become a National Sports Master, he or she had to get the corresponding achievements first. Comprehensive sports meetings held by provincial institutions were not qualified to assess National Sports Masters.

The Province Youth Games were a kind of comprehensive sports meeting held by provincial institutions, so if an athlete could get the corresponding achievements here, the person would be granted the title of national first-class athlete.

In fact, in the U18-level Province Youth Games, national first-class athletes were the highest-level participants. National Sports Masters participated in the U20-level games.

Haiquan Fang was a second-class athlete with Grade-A talent. With Dai Li’s training, his ability had already surpassed that of a first-class athlete. Dai Li even believed Haiquan Fang could reach the level of National Sports Masters with his explosiveness.

Many of the other contestants had only barely reached the first-class. Dai Li could see Haiquan Fang surpassing the others completely.

But Haiquan Fang was a bit unlucky. He had gotten drawn first, which meant that he would be the first to make an attempt.

“Come on! Relax and think about the main movements. No mistakes. It is the first attempt. Your goal is to finish it smoothly,” encouraged Dai Li. It was only the first attempt, so Dai Li had low expectations for Haiquan Fang. He was just hoping that Haiquan Fang would not make any vital mistakes.

Haiquan Fang entered the run-up area. Surrounding contestants and coaches’ eyes were fastened on him. Because he would be the first one making a trial jump, it was normal for everyone to see how it would go. Some coaches even began to whisper to each other about him.

“The first to go usually does not have much luck. Youngsters never have enough experience, and get stage fright in large competitions. It is difficult to behave normally as the first contestant.”

“This athlete is from the Province Youth Team. He must be skilled, otherwise they would not have sent him here.”

“I’m not sure. I saw the data for the contestants just now. He is only 16-years-old.”

“16-years-old? What a young boy! I guess he just came here to try and reach the standard. Still, to get this far at 16, he must be a good athlete.”

The age restriction for the youth athletes was from 16 to 18 years of age. If one was older than 18, they had to join the U-20 or adult competitions. But even though the official requirements stated anyone from 16-18 years of age could compete, almost all the contestants were 18-years-old. It was rare to see 17-year-old athletes, let alone 16-year-olds.

For ordinary people, there were big differences in physical development between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. For athletes, however, physical development was identical. Many athletes had adult bodies by the time they were 18-years-old, while 16-year-olds were normally only slightly stronger than younger competitors. Because of this, most players who participated in the Youth Games were eighteen. If they participated in the games at sixteen, there were many physiological disadvantages.

Upon hearing that the first contestant was only 16-years-old, everyone lost interest in Haiquan Fang’s attempt. In their opinions, a 16-year-old athlete had to have been a bystander. His performance was irrelevant in their eyes.

Haiquan Fang took a deep breath and began to run up. With Grade-A talent and excellent explosiveness, plus the power of the explosive force halo, he ran quickly.

“He has respectable speed,” someone said. The next second, Haiquan Fang reached the takeoff board, and jumped high into the air.

Haiquan Fang was still extremely nervous, and was worried about making the mistake of stepping on the line, so he did not make full use of the takeoff board. He had taken off when his toes were far from the edge of the board.

It was not a successful takeoff. All the professional long-jumpers knew how to make full use of the board, but Haiquan Fang had not achieved it because he was nervous.

But it did not influence his rise. He flew like a bird, and made the walking-in-air movement with his arms and legs. Once he had taken off and felt the adrenaline rushing through his body, he was no longer nervous.

“Whew!” Haiquan Fang’s body fell to the sand. He stretched his legs forward and kicked sand into the air. The sand formed a yellow wave that rose up, and then fell down all at once. Haiquan Fang used his waist to stand up from the sands right away.

“Not bad, no big mistakes,” commented a coach. At the same time, he turned to the line markings outside of the sands. He was shocked.

“He jumped further than 7 meters, and not just barely further!” he gulped.

An athlete whose performance was better than 7 meters could be selected in the qualifying session even in the National Youth Game. In the Province Youth Game, a 6.60 meter jump could put the player in the top twelve. According to this standard, it was safe to say that Haiquan Fang would go through the next round.

The inspector gave the official result for Haiquan Fang. “7.33 meters!”

The standard for national first-class athletes in athletics events was 7.30 meters. Haiquan Fang would be able to apply for the national first-class with his score.

“Did you hear that? 7.33 meters! He reached the standard!”

“What a lucky guy! He achieved the standard on his first jump!”

Haiquan Fang was looked at enviously by those around him. Most of the contestants were here for the national first-class. But Haiquan Fang did not look very happy. He walked over to Dai Li and said in low spirits, “Coach, I did not do well.”

“It does not matter. It is only the qualifying session. And you can enter the next round with your score now,” Dai Li smiled.

7.33 meters was not a good mark for Haiquan Fang, but Dai Li knew that at least twenty of the thirty-six players could not obtain a score higher than seven meters.

Chapter 123: It's A Small World

“Hongyu Xu, 6.21 meters!”

“Shiliang Lin, 5.95 meters!”

“Guolong He, 6.42 meters!”

“Chengyu Dai, 6.64 meters!”

“Yuchi Zhang, 6.81 meters!”

The long jumpers finished their first attempts one by one. Just as Dai Li had expected, their performances were not as good as Haiquan Fang’s. The best performers only jumped a distance of about 6.7 meters. Some athletes fell directly into the sandpit due to their mistakes, while others were too eager to get a good score and unfortunately stepped on the takeoff line, thus receiving a zero.

“Huh, seems like the others are only average! I thought I would meet some strong competitors in the Provincial Youth Games!” said Haiquan Fang. He was no longer nervous. There was no need to be anxious when fighting against a group of weak people.

By the end of the first trial for Group A, only two people had jumped over 7 meters in their first attempt. One was Haiquan Fang, who had gotten 7.33 meters, while the other had gotten 7.04 meters. There was a big gap between the two.

Haiquan Fang was much more relaxed on his second attempt. He realized that he would surely make it to the final, so he calmed down and achieved a better performance than his first time.

“7.38 meters!” The surveyor reported Haiquan Fang’s score. He had made some progress since the last time.

It was definitely no a coincidence if someone had two good performances in a row. Haiquan Fang had successfully gotten everyone’s attention.

“That boy is good. His scores are all above 7.30 meters! I think he has the potential to win a medal.”

“I heard that he is only 16-years-old. He has such great ability at such a young age. Who will be able to defeat him once he reaches 18?”

“He might already be on the national team!”

While the crowds were busy discussing, the surveyor reported another grade. “7.39 meters!”

“7.39 meters, it’s Chenglong Hong from the Provincial Sports Team!”

Not far away, Dai Li also noticed the grade.

“So that guy is Chenglong Hong from the provincial team. Last year he only stayed with our team for a year before he got picked up by the provincial team. He failed the first time because he stepped on the takeoff line. But his second jump is amazing! Such a strong competitor,” Dai Li thought secretly. But he did not worry at all. As long as Haiquan Fang can stay calm and perform normally, 7.39 meters was not a threat.

Soon, another long jumper named Haonan Su achieved a score of 7.09 meters. He was from a a district within the city.

For his last attempt, Dai Li set a simple goal for Haiquan Fang, which was to get more familiar with the environment.

However, Haiquan Fang did not agree with Dai Li. Because Chenglong Hong was 0.01 meter clear of him, Haiquan really wanted to exceed his score on his last attempt.

It was the third time he stepped up to the run-up zone. He felt much different than his previous approaches.

The first time he had stood here, he was quite nervous. His mind had wandered, and he could only rely on his instincts to jump. The second time he had stood here, he was more relaxed. His soul had come back to his body, but he was still not in his zone.

It was now his third attempt. Haiquan Fang suddenly realized that this was a formal contest, which was different from all his other experiences. He gradually got into the atmosphere and excitement.

“7.39 meters? I will do better than that!” Haiquan Fang took a deep breath. His mind automatically displayed the essentials that he needed to perform well.

The next second, he ran up, gradually gaining speed until right before he arrived at the takeoff board. By that time he had reached his top speed.

Haiquan Fang stepped on the board, and with a slam of his feet he jumped high into the air. His movement looked graceful.

“Nice jump!” Dai Li praised him silently. According to Haiquan Fang’s movements, he could tell that it would be a respectable score.

“Hey!” Haiquan Fang caused a gust of wind. He fell into the sandpit steadily, then stood up.

“7.54 meters!” The surveyor shouted out the mark, trying to control his astonished look.

“What? Did he said 7.54 meters?”

“That must be true! See, the mark is over 7.50 meters!”

“How can he be that good? An athlete with such ability could represent the national team in the Asian Youth Games! Even an 18-year-old athlete is not capable of making it, let alone a 16-year-old boy! Considering what he has already done so far, he might jump over eight meters in the future!”

“8 meters is close to the standard for the Olympics! Perhaps we will have an Olympian in the long jump?”

“This boy is a genius. He might be selected to the national team within the two years.”

The audience was all amazed by Haiquan Fang’s performance. He was such a high-flyer. Few people got such good marks at his age.

Dai Li was delighted. He sensed that Haiquan Fang had overcome his stress and was getting into his zone.

…

As group A’s contest came to an end, all the athletes left. Group B began to enter.

The rules stated that after the two groups completed the qualifying games, the top 12 would enter the final. Because of this, the latter group had more advantages. By the time group B had shown up to the arena, their coaches had already received group A’s grade report. They were able to estimate what kind of performance their athletes had to have to get into the final.

Yuzhou City’s long jumper was in Group B. The team’s coach, Shouliang Zhao, was taking his athlete to the arena.

“Coach Zhao! How are you? I heard you were transferred to the Youth Team.” Somebody was greeting him from afar.

“Coach Sun! It has been a while. How are you doing? I’m now in charge of the Yuzhou Youth Team’s long jump.” Coach Zhao welcomed him. The man was a long jump coach in a neighboring city. They had known each other for a long time.

After greeting one another, Shouliang Zhao asked, “How was group A?”

“Three of them jumped over 7 meters. The best one jumped 7.54 meters! There are two other athletes who jumped more than 6.9 meters. SIt seems like at least five of them will be in the final.”

“7.54 meters? This should be the National Youth Team’s competitor! Who is it?” Shouliang Zhao asked surprisingly.

“He is from the Provincial Youth Team. I heard that he is only sixteen! I say this year’s championship will belong to that little boy!” said Coach Sun.

“Sixteen? He is a high-flyer!” Shouliang Zhao said. But his eyes showed hostility and fear.

“I brought my trump card here aiming for the championship. How is there already a 7.54 meter performance? This boy should not be underestimated!” Thinking about this, Shouliang Zhao looked around and asked, “Which one is the best?”

“Over there. That boy in the white track jacket and blue pants.” Coach Sun pointed at Haiquan Fang, who was walking with the other Group A participants.

Shouliang Zhao looked in his direction and found Haiquan Fang. However, he also saw a familiar figure besides Haiquan Fang. It was Dai Li.

“Dai Li! Why is he here!” Shouliang Zhao was showing hostility again. “What a small world!”

Chapter 124: A Strong Opponent

Although they had not seen each other for two years, Shouliang Zhao still recognized Dai Li right away. He had not expected to see Dai Li here. His mind suddenly returned to the events of two years ago.

Two years ago, Shouliang Zhao had held a training class for the high school PE entrance exam. Shouliang Zhao had since labeled that period of time as a permanent stain on his life. At the time, Zhao was a coach for the City Sport Team, but had been defeated by Dai Li, who had not even graduated from college. This had directly led to Zhao’s infamy.

The training class had been willing to pay Shouliang Zhao a large amount of money because of his status. But once word had gotten around that Zhao was not as capable as a college student, no training class was stupid enough to waste money on an incapable coach. They could easily spend that same money employing two middle school PE teachers.

Unfortunately, that was not the only bad luck Dai Li had brought Shouliang Zhao. His brother, Shouren Zhao, who had worked in a sports school as a director, had fired Dai Li as revenge for his brother. However, none of the athletes in the sports school passed the second-level athlete qualification exam. Because of this, Shouren Zhao lost the president’s trust. Shouren Zhao would later mess up several more times; he was unable to even maintain his director’s position. Shouren Zhao was then transferred to the security department as a director. It seemed as if Zhao had moved sideways, but how much power did a director of the security department really have? Shouren Zhao’s original power had been completely taken away.

One could argue that the destinies of the Zhao brothers had been negatively altered because of Dai Li.

Shouliang Zhao was no longer able to continue teaching training classes. Without the extra income, he could do nothing but coach on the sport team. Shouliang Zhao concentrated on training until he finally got some achievements. At the beginning of this year, Shouliang Zhao was transferred to Yuzhou City Youth Team, and was in charge of the long jump team.

This time, for the Provincial Youth Games, Yuzhou City had decided to send a group to compete. Shouliang Zhao was the leader of long jump team. That was why he was on the field.

What a small world! It has been two years; why can’t Dai Li disappear forever! I asked about him before, they said he was coaching in Qingcheng City, but later went to the Provincial Youth Team. It looks like he is the chief coach of the long jump now! Shouliang Zhao was jealous of Dai Li’s fame.

Zhao knew that only chief coaches were allowed to lead athletes onto the field. Because Dai Li was here, it meant that he was a chief coach.

Shxt! Shouliang Zhao swore secretly.

It took Zhao dozens of years to become a chief coach; Dai Li was only in his twenties, yet he was able to lead an entire team by himself. How could Zhao not envy Dai Li’s success?

To make matters worse, Shouliang Zhao was only a coach for the City Youth Team. Dai Li was already working for the provincial team. Dai Li held a higher position than Zhao, which made Zhao even more upset.

The next second, however, Shouliang Zhao burst out in laughter. He looked over at his athlete, his eyes shining with coldness.

This is a good time for you to taste failure, Dai Li! Today’s championship belongs to me! Your 7.54 meters is nothing! My trump card Gang Yang can do way more than this! Get ready to be my stepping stone! Shouliang Zhao thought arrogantly. He turned to his athlete with a confident look.

Shouliang Zhao told Gang Yang, “Gang, group A’s best score is 7.54 meters. You must exceed it!”

“Coach, this is just a qualification contest. Seven meters is enough to be promoted, is it necessary to jump that hard?” asked Gang Yang.

“What do you know! Do as I say. I have other matters to attend to.” Shouliang Zhao’s had a sly look on his face.

…

Dai Li did not see Shouliang Zhao. He took Haiquan Fang away from the arena and went directly to the lounge. Haiquan Fang would surely qualify for the final.

Long jump was a solo event; it was every man for themself. Therefore, even if an athlete knew all their opponents’ tricks, it did not help them in the slightest. It was unnecessary to watch group B’s performance.

As for the athletes, knowing nothing about the opponents meant fearing nothing. Dai Li hoped that by taking Haiquan Fang away from the testing area, he could maintain his positive attitude and stay calm.

7.54 meters. Such a mark is competitive even for the National Youth Team. He might be able to win the championship! To others, 7.54 meters would be an outstanding performance, but for Haiquan Fang it is ordinary. After all, this is Haiquan Fang’s first competition. He is still too nervous to do his best. Dai Li looked at Haiquan Fang with hope. He felt that not that the qualification period has passed, Haiquan Fang had grown up.

Dai Li leaned back in his chair playing with his phone. Not far away, a young coach in his thirties looked anxious.

Last year when I was in the Weightlifting Championships with Aiguo Jiang, I may have looked the same; nervous for no reason, like a headless chicken. But now look at me—I’m pretty calm. I’m grown up! Now that I think about it, Jiang can apply for retirement at the end of this year. It is August now. In four months he will leave the team. Time has passed by so quickly! Dai Li continued reminiscing on everything he had done in the last two years.

Suddenly, someone shouted outside, “Somebody in group B got 7.63 meters!”

“What? 7.63 meters?!” This got everyone’s attention.

Dai Li also stood up with surprise. Even for a national level youth game, Haiquan Fang’s 7.54 meters was outstanding, and would probably have won a medal. But a 7.6-meter score was at the top level among adult long jumpers.

Dai Li vaguely remembered that in the last Olympics, the long jumper who had represented the country was disqualified for his 7.71-meter score. 7.63 meters was quite close to that mark.

However strong you are, there’s always someone stronger. I thought Haiquan Fang would be the best, but there is someone better, Dai Li thought as he walked out from the lounge with the others. He wanted to get a look at the amazing long jumper.

“That guy over there, he is the one who jumped 7.63 meters! He is Gang Yang, from the Yuzhou City Team.”

From Yuzhou? He is from my hometown! Dai Li looked across the field and found Gang Yang.

He looks older than Haiquan. He must be an 18-year-old. To obtain such a grade, he must have B or B+ talent! Dai Li approached Gang Yang until he was 20 meters away from him, then detected his characteristics.

Impressive! He has 374 ability points! But why is his talent only a C, and not even a B-? An 18-year-old athlete with C-level talent, but 374 ability points. How did he make it? Who is his coach? They must be amazing!”

Chapter 125: An Overage Athlete

Dai Li was astonished. He knew the detector was correct, and Gang Yang’s performance did match his 374-point ability. But what Dai Li could not understand was if Gang Yang only had C-level talent, how did he acquire 374 ability points at only 18-years-old?

Under Dai Li’s guidance, Haiquan Fang’s ability had grown to 350 points. But Haiquan Fang had A-level talent, which indicated that he had the potential to become a world champion. C-level talent could only make a good athlete; it could not make a national champion, let alone a world champion. There was a huge gap between the best world athletes and the top national athletes.

Haiquan Fang and his A-level talent made for a gifted long jumper; Gang Yang and his C-level talent should only make for a skillful long jumper. There was a huge gap between the two—a skillful long jumper could never keep up with a gifted one, even if he had begun training two years prior.

This does not make any sense. Even as a senior-rate coach in my senior phase I could not help an 18-year-old C-level athlete obtain 374 ability points. Who is Gang Yang’s coach? He is so good! Dai Li stared at Gang Yang, waiting to see who his coach was.

Gang Yang left the arena and began walking towards to athletes lounge. A middle-aged coach immediately walked up to him.

So that guy is Gang Yang’s coach. He looks familiar. Have I met him somewhere before? Dai Li was terrible at remembering faces. He searched in his mind carefully for a long time until he finally recognized the man.

Shouliang Zhao! That is Shouliang Zhao! Why is he here? Dai Li was in shock. Soon, however, he remembered that Shouliang Zhao was the long jump coach for the Yuzhou City Sport Team. It was understandable why he was the coach of the Youth Team.

Wait a minute. When did Shouliang Zhao reach such a high training level? If his training ability was that good, he would have already been above coaching at this level. He would not need to earn extra money in training schools either, because he would have plenty of money from his fame. But if Shouliang Zhao does not have this much talent, why is Gang Yang so impressive? Zhao cannot possibly have the Coaching System, can he?

Thinking about this, Dai Li called on the System. “Hey, tell me, do you have any siblings?”

“I understand what you mean,” the System immediately replied. “I can honestly tell you that I’m the one and only. There is not a second me.”

“Then how do you explain Shouliang Zhao’s behavior? How could he have improved his training ability this quickly?” Dai Li was deep in thought.

In the distance, Shoulinag Zhao was enjoying everyone’s admiration.

Envy me! Admire me! Haha, I see your faces. I know, I know, my outstanding student is a great surprise to you!

Shouliang Zhao looked out into the crowd. He soon found Dai Li.

Dai Li, there you are. I must have shocked you! You will never figure out why Gang Yang can jump 7.63 meters. Take your whole lifetime to think about that. I will never tell you that Gang Yang is older than 18… Shouliang Zhao chuckled to himself.

Gang Yang’s actual age was not 18, but 22. Shouliang Zhao had secretly changed his age so that they could make a big splash in the Youth Games.

This was not the first time athletes had “changed” ages. Some athletes had two ID cards—one for their own use, with their true age on it, and the other for entering competitions. There were several special cases where athletes had already thoroughly prepared by the age of only seven or eight-years-old just to ensure themselves a better future. They would not only change their age, but renamed themselves as well, so that once they were examined for qualifying rounds, they could avoid getting into trouble. Even in the national team training camp, many athletes changed their ages. There was a saying that said “the longer one has trained, the younger that person will be.”

During the 1990s, it was quite easy to change ages. A few cartons of cigarettes, several bottles of wine, and a red packet with thousands of yuan in it could get you a fake age. Once the registration system became a network, however, it was much more difficult to falsify the information. But there were still holes in the system; if one had a big network, he or she would probably have a chance to do it.

Gang Yang was one of those athletes. He was 22-years-old, and was ineligible to compete in U20 Competitions. By changing his age, however, he was able to participate in U18-level Youth Games. Twenty-two and eighteen were two very different age levels, which meant that there were many physical distinctions between the two. Moreover, Gang Yang had a four-year training advantage on the other 18-year-olds, which ensured he would undoubtedly outperform the others.

Dai Li would not have been surprised if he knew about Gang Yang’s true age. The age difference explained the wide disparity between the two talent levels. Gang Yang’s ability points were slightly higher than Haiquan Fang’s, but he was also six years older. Gang Yang definitely had a stronger figure, and had received more training than Haiquan Fang, yet he only had a very slight advantage in ability. What Dai Li had hypothesized originally was true—the gap between A-level and C+ talents was too large to overcome!

…

Continental Corporation, President’s Office.

Dalu Fang stretched his arms, then stood up from his chair to overlook the view from a window in his office.

The Continental Corporation Tower stood beside the sea. Dalu Fang’s office was on the top floor, facing the sea. The view was gorgeous. The weather was nice, with bright sunshine visible everywhere. The sun cast its golden rays on the calm sea, and the blue water glistened in the sunlight. However, Dalu Fang was in no mood to appreciate the beautiful nature. His mind was already thinking about the Youth Game arena.

Haiquan Fang’s contest is not finished yet, is it? Mixed feelings welled up inside him.

From a business standpoint, he did not want Haiquan Fang to get a good score. On the contrary, he hoped his son would come in last place, so that he would most likely give up the long jump after a confidence-breaking event, and study in the UK just as he had planned.

Emotionally, however, Dalu Fang hoped Haiquan Fang would finish in first place, and even win a medal. As a father, he definitely wished his son all the best. Even though he did not agree with Haiquan Fang’s choice at all, he still wanted to see his boy succeed.

“Haiquan Fang would look forward to seeing you there cheering for him!”

Dai Li’s words flashed across Dalu Fang’s mind, which made Fang fidget. He hesitated, then finally walked back to the table and pressed a button on the phone in his office.

“Get me a car. I’m going to the Civilian Sports Center,” said Dalu Fang.

“Yes, Manager Fang,” the assistant replied on the phone. Then he said, “Manager Fang, may I remind you that you have a meeting with the sales department?”

“Cancel the meeting! Change it to another time.”

Chapter 126: Competing for Glory

In the Youth Games arena, the final competition for the long jump was about to begin.

There were twelve athletes participating in the final. They would all be judged under different rules than for the qualifying game. In the qualifying game, each athlete only had three attempts; in the final, athletes began with three attempts. From there, the four with the lowest scores would be eliminated. Then, the remaining eight long jumpers would have another three attempts to compete for medals. These were the rules generally adhered to in the Olympics.

For those with true ability, six attempts was more than enough to prove how good they were.

“I assume that once you jump over 7 meters, you will be in the top eight. Calm down and take your time; your goal is to play it safe. Go get a guaranteed score in your first attempt. That’s it,” Dai Li instructed.

Haiquan Fang nodded. He was still anxious, but he felt much better than yesterday. This time Haiquan Fang had drawn number seven, meaning he would be the seventh athlete to perform. It was a lucky number.

Before he went, six other athletes made their attempts one by one, including Chenglong Hong, who achieved a 7.39-meter performance. Chenglong Hong had done pretty well on his first attempt, jumping 7.28 meters easily. It indicated that he would be one of the top eight, thus earning an additional three attempts. With his spot secured, he could challenge himself to get a better score. Besides Chenglong Hong, the others’ scores were all within seven meters. They would have to try harder, otherwise all they would be able to do is pray for good luck.

After a while, it was finally Haiquan Fang’s turn. He calmed himself down, then stood up in the run-up area.

“Look, that is the 16-year-old long jumper, the genius from the Provincial Youth Team.”

“Was he the one who jumped 7.54 meters? I wonder if he will have a similar performance in the final.”

“Generally speaking, athletes save some energy during the qualifying session. I think he will perform better in the final.”

While people were whispering about Haiquan Fang, on the field, Haiquan Fang began to run up. His acceleration was still impressive; in the blink of an eye, he had reached his top speed.His takeoff, however, was conservative, similar to what he had done this morning. He did not take full advantage of the jumping board. Haiquan Fang jumped high into the air, then fell into the sandpit. He had still jumped over seven meters.

“7.26 meters!” the proctor reported.

“Nice try!” Dai Li clapped for Haiquan Fang. Now that Haiquan Fang had secured himself a place in the finals, his next five attempts could be spent trying more challenging styles.

Later, Gang Yang from the Yuzhou City Team entered the playing ground. His first attempt was 7.43 meters, which cemented his place in the first round.

…

“We have a guaranteed grade, so in the next attempts you can be more daring. Try to make good use of the jumping board when you take off. Your last takeoff was too far from the takeoff line,” said Dai Li.

“I was worried about stepping on it,” Haiquan Fang explained.

“Don’t worry, go for it. We have another five attempts, so as long as you utilize one of them you will make it,” Dai Li instructed. “In addition, when you land, pay attention to your waist. Suck your stomach in and kick your legs out harder…”

Haiquan Fang did as he was told on his second attempt. He chose a more difficult takeoff technique, but unfortunately broke the rules by stepping on the takeoff line. Then, on his third attempt, he did an excellent job. He had jumped 7.57 meters, which was further than he had jumped in the qualifying session.

The other athletes had similar performances, either performing very well or very poorly. Gang Yang was one of them. He was too eager to try and outdo himself, and ended up failing twice.

After everyone had used their three attempts, four athletes were eliminated. The remaining eight were re-ordered by their marks, with the best of the group jumping last.

Haiquan Fang was performed the best with his 7.57-meter score, so he would be the last to jump. Gang Yang’s second and third attempts had been wasted.

…

Gang Yang’s failures had made Shouliang Zhao look bad. To make matters worse, Haiquan Fang was performing the best. Even Gang Yang was being outperformed by him.

I can deal with everyone out-performing us, but not Dai Li! Shouliang Zhao gnashed his teeth in anger. He called Gang Yang over, then lowered his voice and said, “You should work harder. You have an advantage, so you must remain number one. How can you be OK with the others doing better than you? Besides, the one who is beating you is only sixteen. You are much older than him!”

Gang Yang’s face suddenly tightened. Obviously he did not want to talk about his age. It was his soft spot.

“This is going to be your fourth jump! Take it seriously and do your best! Do not forget that our goal is the championship!” Shouliang Zhao said. His eyes were shining with a burning desire to win. If Gang Yang could win gold, Shouliang Zhao would earn first-class meritas his coach. If he was lucky enough, he could even be promoted.

The competition paused for a while in order to re-order the athletes. After that, the fourth attempts began. Now all the athletes would go all-out; they would not save any energy for later. They would do everything they could to get the best grade grade possible in each attempt. This had its consequences, however, as there was a greatly increased rate of failure.

Once the fourth round began, the first two athletes to jump failed by stepping on the takeoff line.

The third athlete succeeded. He jumped 7.31 meters, which reached the 7.30-meter first-class athlete qualifying standard.

This athlete walked out from the sandpit in satisfaction. He would not be able to win a medal, but he had attained his goal of reaching the qualifying standard.

…

Chenglong Hong stepped up to the run-up area with a grim facial expression.

He had been chosen by the Provincial Youth Team when he was sixteen, and after less than a year he was chosen by the Provincial Sport Team. Now he had become the best long jumper under the age of eighteen. Because of this, Chenglong Hong had been sure that he would win the gold medal prior to the competition. What he had not expected, however, was that someone would be better than him, let alone two people.

That Gang Yang from Yuzhou City, why have I not heard about him before? I have no idea where he came from. And that Haiquan Fang from the Provincial Youth Team, he is unhuman! He is only sixteen. I think he will be the King of Long Jump once he grows up. This has to be the worst day of my life…

Chenglong Hong continued thinking to himself with a long sigh. He saw the gold medal drifting away from him, but as an athlete, he could not give up. He wanted to fight one more time.

“7.51 meters, Chenglong Hong has also broken the 7.50-meter barrier!”

7.51 meters was a wonderful result for Chenglong Hong. Normally he would celebrate such an accomplishment, but his face remained gloomy. He had not outperformed Haiquan Fang’s 7.57-meter score.

The athlete going after Chenglong Hong was Gang Yang. Because he had jumped 7.63 meters in the qualifying session, many people were waiting to see how he would do.

Gang Yang prepared himself a bit, then accelerated and took off. He rose and glided through the air, then landed on the ground. The entire movement was accomplished in one breath.

“Above 7.60 meters again!”

The crowds all looked at the mark Gang Yang had left in the sandpit. It indeed exceeded the 7.60-meter marking on the ground.

“7.64 meters!” said the surveyor.

“He jumped 7.63 meters in the qualifying session, it must not have been a coincidence!”

“He jumped even further than before. The Yuzhou Team has a good chance of winning the gold!”

“Performances over 7.60 meters are rarely seen in the Youth Games.”

“You are right. Even in U20 level contests, 7.60 meters is a good score.”

Shouliang Zhao was pleased by everyone’s praise. He glanced at the crowd in confidence.

While people were discussing Gang Yang’s score, Haiquan Fang approached the run-up area.

“That 16-year-old genius is about to jump!”

People immediately shifted their attention to Haiquan Fang.

Dai Li clapped his hands for Haiquan Fang. “Come on! Go for it!” Dai Li cheered loudly.

“That guy who is clapping and cheering must be the boy’s coach. It looks like he is only in his early twenties. He is younger than many athletes!”

“This young man must have some special talent to have trained such an amazing athlete. He must be quite responsible as well. Look at how energetic he is!”

Nobody knew that Dai Li was using the Morale-Boosting Book. All they saw was Dai Li cheering for Haiquan Fang.

Shouliang Zhao gave a snort. Well then, keep shouting until you lose your voice! It is useless! Your trainee will not improve immediately, no matter how hard you cheer for him. Time is the only thing that will help him!

While Shouliang Zhao was thinking this to himself, Haiquan Fang began his attempt. Now that his morale had been boosted, he acted more energetically.

“Ha!” He shouted as his body rose in the air. Right after his takeoff, he made a beautiful three-step movement in the air, then stretched his legs out in front of him and hit the sandpit.

“Awesome!” Dai Li shouted first. His view was obscured by the flying sand, so he could not see Haiquan Fang’s mark. But based on his movements, Dai Li predicted that it would be a nice score.

The flying sand fell to the ground. Haiquan Fang ran out from the sandpit, leaving a mark that exceeded the 7.60-meter marking line.

“Another jump over 7.60 meters. What is it?”

“It looks even further than that 7.64 meters.”

Everyone stretched their heads out to look at the surveyor.

“7.66 meters!” the surveyor shouted loudly.

“What!” Shouliang Zhao’s face suddenly tightened up!

Chapter 127: The Last Jump

“7.66 meters! The genius from the provincial team is two centimeters clear of Gang Yang!”

“I remember that he only got around 7.5 meters in the qualifying session. I guess he was not trying his best.”

“He is inhuman. Few people could attain such an achievement at 16-years-old. I wonder if he will be selected to the national team.”

“How could it be possible for him to be recruited in the national team at sixteen? I remember Feixiang Lin went to the national team at sixteen. Do you think that this boy will be another Feixiang Lin?”

Haiquan Fang was being widely discussed. Almost everyone was admiring and envying him. As for Gang Yang’s 7.64-meter score, it was already being neglected.

Shouliang Zhao’s face was flushed pink. He had already experienced something similar before. The painful memory of the event arose in his mind.

Two years ago in the Yuzhou City Adolescent Activity Center, he and Dai Li’s students had competed in the standing long jump. He had sent his best student, who had jumped 2.17 meters. Dai Li, on the other hand, had sent his fattest student, who had jumped 2.25 meters. It was an embarrassment. Shouliang Zhao would never forget it.

Today, history had repeated itself. His student had jumped 7.64 meters. Then, while he had been proud of himself, Dai Li’s trainee paid him back with a 7.66-meter score. He had immediately gotten humiliated. It was exactly the same as the events that had occurred two years ago.

Damn it! Shouliang Zhao was filled with anger, but he had nowhere to vent to vent his frustrations.

“Gang Yang, listen: you must win!” Shouliang Zhao told Gang Yang with a angry stare. Gang Yang was scared.

There were two performances that followed that were above 7.60 meters, which indicated that the others would be excluded from championship contention. Even Chenglong Hong, who was in third place, knew that he would not able to exceed the top two. He sighed helplessly, accepting the cruel fact.

Haiquan Fang and Gang Yang were playing each other for the championship. After the fourth round, Haiquan Fang was winning the competition.

The fifth round had arrived. Gang Yang walked onto the stage.

Gang Yang was actually 22-years-old, and was in his prime. Fighting against a group of younger people, he was unwilling to be defeated. Even getting second place was unacceptable in his eyes, let alone getting second pace to a 16-year-old.

Gang Yang held his breath and concentrated. He immediately sped up.

His years of training were on full display in that moment. Gang Yang rushed to the jumping board, then took off into the sky.

“That is really high!” someone exclaimed, astonished.

In the long jump, height decided the final distance. When in the air, the higher the athlete rose, the longer he could stay above ground. They could glide further as a result, giving them a better score.

The next second, Gang Yang landed. All the attention was on the sandpit.

“My God, it is over 7.7 meters!” someone shouted.

The next second, the surveyor reported Gang Yang’s mark. “7.72 meters!”

“7.72 meters! Is this still the Youth Game? This is definitely an adult game!”

“Oh-o-ooh!”Gang Yang roared, letting out his emotions.

Shouliang Zhao cheered up, staring at Dai Li sinisterly.

The pressure was now on Dai Li and Haiquan Fang.

…

In the front row of the auditorium, Dalu Fang sat down.

That athlete jumped 7.72 meters. Does that mean that Haiquan Fang is falling behind? Dalu Fang was unhappy. Although he did not support his son being an athlete, he did not want to see his son be defeated by someone else.

Haiquan Fang showed up for his fifth attempt. Dalu Fang focused on the field. At that time, he suddenly realized that he was a little nervous, but still hoped for good things to happen.

What is going on? Why do I feel nervous? Why am I hoping to see Haiquan Fang win? Dalu Fang was surprised. With his life experience, he had already equipped himself with composure. Even if he had been dealing with a billion yuan business, he would not have been like this.

As he regained his composure, Haiquan Fang began accelerating. When Haiquan Fang took off and rose into the air, Dalu Fang suddenly felt his heart jump. But it was also in that moment, however, that the judge sitting beside the jumping board raised a red flag!

This meant that Haiquan Fang had broken the rules by stepping on the takeoff line. If he had not done anything wrong, the judge would have raised a white flag instead.

“Ah!” Dalu Fang sighed involuntarily. He felt very upset.

Wait a minute, why do I feel disappointed? I am the one who is against Haiquan Fang! I should feel happy when he fails! Dalu Fang was confused. Apparently he had underestimated the fascination of sport!

…

Haiquan Fang’s failure on his fifth attempt got Shouliang Zhao fired up.

“Gang Yang, 7.72 meters is not your best performance! You can do better! There is only one attempt left. Do not mess up, keep working hard and give that boy a hard hit!”

“Roger that, Coach!” Now that he was back in the lead, Gang Yang had become motivated again. He could not wait to defeat his opponent.

Haiquan Fang’s face was red. He was falling behind, and with his recent failure, he would only have one last attempt to get a higher score than Gang Yang. He was now anxious again, and began doubting himself.

Dai Li noticed Haiquan Fang’s change in mood. Haiquan Fang is new to competitions. He is too young with too little experience to perform steadily. He must relax. If he keeps doing so, he will not be able to use even 70% of his ability, let alone outdo himself. What should I do?

Dai Li was lost. He had no idea what to do. In this condition, he could only pray that Haiquan Fang outdo himself. Unfortunately, it was only a good thought. Haiquan Fang was too disheartened.

This was what young athletes had to go through. They had to learn from it.

…

It was Gang Yang’s last attempt. He stood in the run-up area, staring at the sandpit in the front like an angry lion.

He then ran up, took off, rose into the air, and fell down. Gang Yang’s last performance was perfect!

“Is it 7.8 meters? His footprint is on the 7.8-meter mark, which is definitely a good adult athlete’s performance. If this was a national championship, he would be capable of winning a medal!”

“Gang Yang is so good! His last jump was better than his fifth. He is definitely going to attend national competitions!”

“Here comes the grade, it is 7.79 meters. Within a hair’s breadth of 7.8 meters!”

“Ha, looks like the champion is decided! It does not matter how hard that 16-year-old genius tries. He cannot reach 7.8 meters, can he?”

Surrounded by people’s discussion, Gang Yang raised his arms above his head, seemingly celebrating his success in advance. Shouliang Zhao smiled widely.

Dai Li, how can you defeat me now?! I will win for sure! I will let you know what it feels like to be trampled!

…

In the auditorium, Dalu Fang gritted his teeth. Obviously he did not like to witness his son’s failure. But Haiquan Fang’s face looked paler. The opponent’s great success had put a lot of pressure on him!

Dai Li could not do anything besides bite his nails. When an athlete had psychological problems, he could not solve it right away. It was something that young athletes had to overcome themselves. Once they gained more experience, the issue would not occur again.

What should I do? I am going to lose the game! Dai Li pressed against his temples. He was brainstorming.

Shouliang Zhao stood across from Dai Li, laughing with a snort. Dai Li gave him a condescending look in return. When he looked away, he suddenly recognized a person sitting in the front row of the auditorium. The man looked familiar.

Dai Li turned around. It is Dalu Fang. He has come to watch Haiquan Fang’s game!

At that second, it occurred to Dai Li that his savior had arrived!

Chapter 128: My Pride Forever

Dai Li walked up to Haiquan Fang and said, “Nervous?”

“What? No, no, I’m not nervous!” Haiquan Fang squeezed out a smile. But his tone revealed his anxiety.

“Haiquan Fang, look who is here!” Dai Li pointed at the crowd in the auditorium, where Dalu Fang was sitting.

“Dad! Why is he here?” Haiquan Fang was surprised.

“I invited him.” Dai Li changed his facial expression to a serious look. He said, “You always want to improve yourself in front of him, don’t you? Well, here is your chance. Your father is here watching your game. See his facial expression? He also wants you to win. Would you miss this opportunity?”

Haiquan Fang’s face showed mixed feelings of surprise, hope and anxiety all at once.

But Dai Li continued, “Your father never supported you. He hopes that you will study in the UK instead. You must fight for your future! You must let your father know that you are gifted in the long jump, and that you will be an outstanding long jumper! You should win the game not only for a gold medal, but also for your years of hard work, as well as your mother’s love! Now is the time to receive rewards for what you’ve been working for!

“Win the game and prove yourself. Say ‘No’ to your father confidently and proudly. Show him your power. Persuade him with your performance so that you can stay. Grasp the chance for a future you always dreamed of having!” Dai Li took a deep breath, then took hold Haiquan Fang’s shoulders.

“Haiquan Fang, look at me. You are the best long jumper I have ever seen. I believe you can do this! Do not think about anything else. Do not think about scores. Just remember one thing: put all of your strength into this jump! You are not fighting against someone—you are fighting for your own future!”

Dai Li clapped his hands hard on Haiquan Fang’s shoulders to energize him.

Haiquan Fang stepped up to the run-up area. Dai Li’s words were still ringing in his head. He remembered how much he loved the long jump. He also recalled mother’s support, his father’s opposition, and the fierce quarrel they had had about him.

He was once confused, doubting himself to the point where he was almost ready to give up. Luckily, rebellion and stubbornness in adolescence had carried him all the way here. Now, Dai Li’s words had enlightened him, and straightened out his thinking.

Fight for my future! Coach Li is right. This is my future, I should live on my own terms! Haiquan Fang turned around and found his father in the auditorium.

Dad, right here, right now, I will prove myself to you. I will be a good long jumper! I will show you that my choice is right!

At this moment, Haiquan Fang’s eyes were filled with firmness. He was no longer nervous, hesitating, wavering, or confused. He had already forgotten about Gang Yang; his eyes only saw the track. In that moment, he transformed into a new person.

…

Haiquan Fang…

In the auditorium, Dalu Fang silently said his son’s name. Although he was far from his boy, he sensitively recognized Haiquan Fang’s changes. He saw a completely different Haiquan Fang, one that he was unfamiliar with.

Haiquan Fang’s firm eyes and unshakable look were exactly the same as what Dalu Fang had had in past years!

Years ago, Dalu Fang had been in the start-up period. He looked like Haiquan Fang did now. Even though he had run into snags and had been foiled everywhere, he never shook his conviction. Because of this, he was able to keep moving on until he had attained the glory he had today, and eventually constructed a business empire worth hundreds of billions of yuan in property.

Dalu Fang suddenly realized that his son was grown up. He was no longer the little boy with a runny nose. When he stood on the field, it was an entirely different Haiquan Fang.

My son has grown up! Dalu Fang sighed quietly. A sense of unspeakable soreness grew inside him. He felt like an old bird, witnessing his baby flying away in the sky.

Such a stubborn boy! Just like I was when I was his age! He is indeed my son!

The next second, Dalu Fang burst out laughter. His eyes shined with encouragement.

My son will never give up easily!

You are my pride! I will always be proud of you!

…

Gathering around the scene, nobody was confident about Haiquan Fang’s ability. Had it been a U20 game, he might still have a chance at surpassing Gang Yang. But 7.79 meters was invincible in U18 level competitions. It would take a miracle to beat.

“Second place in the Provincial Youth Games should be great for this boy!”

“He can jump 7.66 meters at 16-years-old. The Provincial Youth Team will think highly of him, and he will soon be recruited to the national team. He should be satisfied.”

The crowds were conversing in subdued voices, which made Shouliang Zhao fidget in his seat.

Shouliang Zhao knew that he was one step away from success. But deep down in his heart, he did not feel any satisfaction. Gang Yang was 22-years-old, while his opponent was only sixteen. It was an unfair game. Gang Yang should undoubtedly win the game, but the whole process had been full of ups and downs. He had not won easily. As his coach, how could Shouliang Zhao be happy?

Dai Li! Shouliang Zhao gave Dai Li another angry stare. He knew so well that Dai Li was way better at training than he was. But considering Dai Li was able to lead an entire team at such a young age, his future was completely beyond Shouliang Zhao’s imagination.

I have gotten revenge on Dai Li today. This is probably my last chance. The only chance that I can step over him! I have to seize this moment… Shouliang Zhao thought to himself with hatred. He had been waiting for two years, and now he could not wait to shame Dai Li in an effort to vent all his depression and anger.

…

Dai Li was unsure whether his words had worked or not.

At this point, Haiquan Fang had no choice but to stand and fight. Dai Li could only hope that Haiquan Fang understood this key point, and that he would try his best for the last attempt without being influenced by external factors.

When under stress, one might give up while another may face the difficulties head-on. Haiquan Fang, do not let me down. I hope you can fight instead of just waiting to fail. You are a gifted athlete. You will come across similar situations in the future. But no matter how bad the situation will be, you have to learn to overcome it yourself. This is the only way you will pass!

Dai Li had done all he could do for Haiquan Fang, so he clapped and cheered for him. Anything that happened next would all depend on Haiquan Fang.

Dai Li wanted to close his eyes and pray. He did not want to witness Haiquan Fang’s last jump. He was too anxious to bear it. Despite this, he opened his eyes widely and focused on Haiquan Fang. He had to observe Haiquan Fang’s every individual movement.

This last jump would be a big challenge for Haiquan Fang and Dai Li. As a coach, he had to learn to bear the pressure with his athlete. This was a lesson they had to learn. In a situation like this, the coach was the toughest shield for an athlete. Even though the situation would be difficult to overcome, the coach could never shrink, even if just a bit. If the coach could not stand the fight, how could the athlete?

Dai Li tried really hard to calm down. Finally, he managed to gather himself!

Dai Li appreciated Aiguo Jiang’s help. At the last weightlifting championships, Aiguo Jiang had also gotten stuck in a bad situation. Dai Li had acted like a duck in a thunderstorm, and it was Aiguo Jiang who had comforted him. Dai Li grew from that experience. He learned to calm down when he felt trapped.

Jiang is about to retire, isn’t he?

The idea flashed across Dai Li’s mind. As he was thinking about this, Haiquan Fang dashed to the jumping board.

Whoosh!

Haiquan Fang jumped high into the sky. He looked like an agile monkey ion mid-leap. His movements were perfect, and were as beautiful as a ballet dancer.

His brain had shut down. The only thing that was functioning was his instinct.

But Dai Li’s attention was on the judge’s hand.

The judge had two flags in his hands. One hand held a white flag, while the other held a red flag. The judge showed his professionalism. He did not hesitate, and after Haiquan Fang took off, he immediately raised a flag.

Yeah! White flag! Dai Li took a long breath. He focused back on Haiquan Fang right away.

Haiquan began falling to the ground. He maintained good balance, and his legs were stretched as forward as possible, hoping to reach a further marking line.

In an instant, Haiquan Fang tried his best to lean forward while raising his legs to increase his gliding distance and delay his landing.

At last, Haiquan Fang landed in the sandpit.

But it was not the end yet. He gritted his teeth and pulled in his stomach to straighten his body while protecting the mark from being destroyed.

“Awesome!” Dai Li cheered.

Awful! Shouliang Zhao felt he was done.

The crowds all concentrated on the edge of the sandpit, where the parallel measuring line marked Haiquan Fang’s result.

“It must be over 7.80 meters! Without a doubt!”

“He wins! The little genius wins! How could it be possible?”

“Impressive, a 16-year-old can jump over 7.80 meters. I have never seen such an amazing long jumper before!”

“Extraordinary! He is jaw-droppingly good! That is a deadly strike! “

Shouliang Zhao opened his mouth in surprise. How could I lose the game? It cannot be true!

Along with people’s exclamations, the surveyor reported Haiquan Fang’s final mark.

“7.84 meters!”

Chapter 129: Two Records

Haiquan Fang left the sandpit, immediately looking back at the mark he had left. When he realized the mark was past the 7.80-meter mark, he knew he had won.

Gang Yang’s mark was 7.79 meters. Even if Haiquan Fang had only jumped 7.80 meters, he still would have defeated Gang Yang. Anything over 7.80 meters was just icing on the cake.

Haiquan Fang did not care about the surveyor, nor his actual grade. He raised his arms in the air, cheering excitingly, “I won! I won! I did it!”

The delight of victory engulfed him. It was his first time participating in such a big competition, as well as his first time facing such a difficult situation. He had finally won, which made him realize that the victory did not come easily.

“Here come the results… 7.84 meters! He is only 16-years-old! What a genius! He is truly a gifted long jumper!”

“He will surely be recruited to the national team with this outstanding performance. Few people can join the national team at sixteen. He might be the next Feixiang Lin.”

“If I’m right, the Hanbei’s provincial record for the U18 level was 7.81 meters. He just broke the provincial record!”

“He has done a lot more than that. The U16 national record was 7.80 meters. He broke the national record. This means that among 16-year-olds he is the best in the country.”

“A provincial U18 record and a national U16 record. He has broken two records at once.”

The crowd was full of youth team coaches. They knew well about the existing records, which was why they were speaking with great familiarity.

“It is a pity that he was not in a national competition, otherwise he could have directly applied to be a National Sports Master!” someone said with sympathy.

The standard score for a National Sports Master in the long jump was 7.80 meters. Haiquan Fang had reached the grade. But the requirement for a National Sports Master was that the athlete must reach the standard in a national Grand Prix, championship, or nationally integrated game. Provincial integrated games did not meet those criteria, so it could only grant a National First Class Athlete evaluation.

“I did not expect to have such a genius in the Hanbei Province. I thought that guy from the Yuzhou team was going to win! But he was beaten at the last second,” a man said, turning to Shouliang Zhao.

Shouliang Zhao was in shock. He looked like he was on the verge of breaking down.

I lost the competition! How did I fail! We jumped 7.79 meters! That is impossible!

Shouliang Zhao’s mind replayed the scene he had experienced two years ago. He had been a professional athletic coach looking to cause trouble for a college student, but was defeated in the end. He had fled in disgrace. That year, he had made himself open to ridicule.

Two years later, the same scene had happened again. Shouliang Zhao had just sent a 22-year-old athlete, who was defeated by a 16-year-old. It was identical to what had happened with his sports training class two years ago; His best standing long-jumper had been defeated by Dai Li’s fattest student.

Again, he had had the game in his hands, yet once again he had failed one step short of success. On top of that, his opponent had broken two records at once, which was a dominant victory. Zhao was not able to find any excuses to comfort himself. Such fierce ups and downs had destroyed Shouliang Zhao’s pride instantly.

However, the other coaches did not know that Shouliang Zhao had once been defeated by the same person. They simply thought that he could not bear to witness today’s failure.

“Yuzhou’s coach does not look right. Why is he so disappointed?”

“It is just a game, no need to take it that seriously. He looks like he has just seen a ghost.”

“This Coach Zhao from the Yuzhou Team is in his forties, he should be an experienced coach. How can he not bear a tiny blow like this?”

“At least he has a silver medal. If the second place finished looks like this, then what about those of us who did not win anything? Should we kill ourselves?”

“Hey, at least your athlete was in the final! Mine was eliminated early in the qualifying session. If you have to commit suicide, what about me? My dead body would be whipped for days!”

“Well, it is no big deal. That is how sports are. There can only be one champion; someone wins, the others lose. Besides, we lost to a genius. It is nothing to be ashamed of.”

…

7.79 meters is my best performance, how could I have lost! Gang Yang could not believe what he had experienced. A minute ago, he had been celebrating his upcoming victory; one minute later, someone had taken it from him. He had fallen from heaven to hell in such a short period of time. It was unbearable. The worst thing about it was that the person who had defeated him was only 16-years-old!

7.84 meters, even for adult competitions, was a score only national first class athletes could achieve. By the youth game’s standard, it was an extraordinary achievement, which shocked Gang Yang greatly.

Although his “age” for this competition was eighteen, he was actually twenty-two. The difference between twenty-two and sixteen was similar to the difference between a senior in college and a freshman in high school. Consider this: how bad would a senior college student feel if he was outperformed in his major by a freshman in high school? His confidence would be destroyed.

“He is a genius!”

“He is a natural long jumper!”

“A 16-year-old gifted boy!”

Unwilling to hear all the praise for the champion, Gang Yang was terribly upset.

He recalled that when he was a little boy, he, too, had been regarded as a gifted long jumper. Every time in PE class, when kids were assessed in the long jump, nobody could jump better than him. Because of this, he had gained much admiration.

Later, he began practicing the long jump formally. Once he joined the Juvenile Team, he met many similar children, as well as some better ones. On the Juvenile Team, although he had lost his “genius” title, he still remained at the top.

From there he went to the Youth Team. It was during that period of time that he found there were many outstanding athletes, and that he was only on the first tier. It was also on the Youth Team that he said goodbye to his “genius” title.

Gradually, Gang Yang learned the importance of talent. On the team, everyone was hard-working and focused on training, but due to the difference in talent, the gaps among the athletes were made more apparent.

Gang Yang also knew the importance of age. Two athletes with the same score, but one was eighteen while the other was twenty. Which one would a coach pay more attention to? Apparently, the answer was the younger one.

As he grew older, Gang Yang got less chances. Younger athletes emerged like mushrooms after rain; they took many opportunities and resources from seniors like him.

Then, Gang Yang met Shouliang Zhao, who changed his age and made him four years younger. Zhao had also worked with him to become the “No. 1 long-jumper” on the Yuzhou Youth Team. Using his 20-year-old figure, he easily came out on top against the group of teenagers.

He had regained his “genius” title, but this time he hated it with a passion. He knew everything was fake, and that he was not a genius at all; he was a loser who had had to trick his way to success. From then on, he had always worried that one day his secret would be revealed, and that he would be thrown out from heaven by a real genius.

Today, that worry had finally come to full fruition. He had met a real genius, who had turned him back into an ordinary person, all while he was enjoying a victory!

A 22-year-old athlete with a 7.79 meter performance did not have much potential left. Even if he kept covering up his real age and went to the adult team, he would not be able to make much progress.

Should I keep burying my head in the sand? Gang Yang took a look at Haiquan Fang, who was celebrating his success. He knew that the boy was the real genius, and that he should be the one to continue walking on this path to become a good long jumper, not Gang Yang.

Maybe it’s time to wake up and face the reality… sighed Gang Yang.

Chapter 130: Digressive Plot

Watching Haiquan Fang celebrating his victory delightfully in the auditorium, Dalu Fang was struggling with his son’s future.

As a father, he could feel that his son was very happy. His son’s big smile and body language all came from the bottom of his heart. Haiquan Fang was not only celebrating for his achievement, but also his devotion to the long jump.

Haiquan really loves the long jump! Dalu Fang sighed. It was the first time he had doubted himself. Would it be a right thing to do if he sent Haiquan Fang to study in the UK?

Should he take up the long jump as a career? Dalu Fang shook his head in silence. But Haiquan Fang’s behavior clearly conveyed his thoughts on the matter. He really wanted to make it his career.

Dalu Fang was stuck in a dilemma. As a parent, he hoped that his son could grow up happily; but his responsibility warned him that it would be better for Haiquan Fang to follow the original plans he had set up for his son.

We need to talk. Dalu Fang came to a decision.

…

This was the third time Dai Li had met Dalu Fang. As opposed to the previous two meetings, today’s Dalu Fang looked more like a father rather than the chairman of the business empire, Continental Corporation.

Seeing his father, Haiquan Fang remained silent for a few seconds. Finally, he built up courage to say, “Dad, I won!”

“I saw.” Dalu Fang maintained his dignity without showing any delight, but his eyes were shining with pride, which revealed his true feelings.

“Dad, I want to keep practicing long jump!” Haiquan Fang said in a louder voice.

Dalu Fang did not respond. He stared at his son, seemingly considering the idea, or trying to put pressure on his boy. The brooding silence descended on them. Haiquan Fang wanted to speak at times, but said nothing.

Dai Li broke the ice, saying, “Manager Fang, I know that a championship in the Provincial Youth Games means nothing to you, and that even a national champion may not be worth mentioning in your eyes. However, to Haiquan, this victory is a testament to his ability, as well as a reward for his hard work. Perhaps you have not heard yet, but Haiquan’s last jump broke two records at once. One is our provincial U18 long jump record, and the other is the national U16 record.”

“Oh?” Finally, Dalu Fang’s facial expression changed visibly. He was happily surprised. He did not know much about the long jump. He only knew that his son had won the championship. He never would have thought that Haiquan could break two records at once.

Dai Li continued, “Manager Fang, being an athlete is a young person’s profession. An athlete can only remain at their best for a handful of years. Haiquan Fang is 16-years-old. His peak might end at twenty-six, then around thirty he would retire. To him, there are only ten years left for him to chase his dreams. Why don’t you give him ten years and let him do whatever he wants? I know that you want him to take your position, but based on your current condition, there will not be any problem if you keep working for another ten, or even twenty years!”

Dalu Fang was in his late forties. In twenty years, he would be just under seventy-years-old. For billionaires like him, it was quite common to retire after seventy.

Dalu Fang said nothing. It seemed that he approved, or that he was at least considering whether he should give Haiquan Fang the ten years or not.

Seconds later, Dalu Fang said, “I will consider your suggestions. But he is my only son, and he will take charge of the Continental Corporation. It is not only about running a company, but also shouldering the responsibility. He should take on this responsibility as soon as possible.”

“Manager Fang, I have a bold vision.” Dai Li thought for a while, then said, “How about you develop Haiquan as the spokesperson for the Continental Corporation? If one day he becomes the best long jumper in the nation, and goes to the international stage, he would be a good spokesperson. He can make contributions to the company in his own way.”

Dalu Fang was a little moved. He had never thought of this before. He had been so focused on sending Haiquan Fang to study abroad that he had not considered any possible alternatives.

It was not easy to get to the international stage. In athletics, many players from more talented countries lacked opportunities to go abroad. For Asians, it would only be more challenging. People who succeeded were one in a million. Because of this, Dalu Fang did not expect that to happen.

But now that Dalu Fang knew that Haiquan had broken the national U16 record, it indicated that he was the best among his peers in the country. Going to the international stage was something that was just around the corner.

He was moved.

If I send Haiquan to the UK, I can develop him into a qualified successor. If he joins the company as a spokesperson, and takes time to gradually learn the operation pattern, this could be a devious path to my goal, thought Dalu Fang silently.

Dalu Fang did not realize that he was making an excuse for his compromise. In fact, as soon as he had sensed Haiquan Fang’s true love of the long jump, he had decided to let his son continue doing this. It was not a wise decision, but the love from a father to his child. It was the result of emotional fermentation.

Dai Li’s advice had given Dalu Fang an excuse to persuade himself, so that he could label his decision as “reasonable.”

…

Meanwhile, in another arena, the shot put final was taking place.

The Provincial Youth Team had only sent three athletes. Jiankang Chen and Bin Wang had advanced to the final, but Lei Qin had not made it due to his bad performance. In fact, none of them had performed normally in the qualifying session.

This was a lesson that young athletes had to learn. None of them had attended formal competitions before, so it was understandable that they were being overcautious and indecisive during the Youth Games, which was the reason not performing well was a sure thing.

Unfortunately, in the final, neither Jiankang Chen nor Bin Wang obtained a satisfying result. Although both of them had gotten on the top-eight list and obtained six attempts, they did not throw over 18 meters.

The Youth Games used a 5kg shot instead of 16-pound standardized shot. If one could not make the 18-meter mark using a 5kg shot, he would never be able to touch a medal.

Jiankang Chen finished his last attempt. The shot dropped right on the 18-meter marking line, which put him in fourth place.

Only 18 meters! Only fourth place! He is one spot away from getting a medal! Xuexi Zhuang, the shot put team coach, looked embarrassed.

Jiankang Chen had once thrown 17.11 meters using a 16-pound shot, and had defeated the national third place of the Youth Games! What was wrong with him today? Xuexi Zhuang’s face was filled with shock, confusion, and unwillingness.

In Xuexi Zhuang’s eyes, Jiankang Chen had had a great chance of winning a gold medal. Even if he had messed up, he still should have had a silver medal. As for Bin Wang, he also had the potential to be in the top-three. Before the competition had begun, Xuexi Zhuang had already dreamed about the glory of having two of his athletes on the podium!

But the cruel reality hit him hard without mercy. Even Jiankang Chen, the strongest on the team, had only gotten fourth place, saying goodbye to the podium.

Xuexi Zhuang had taken the shot put team from Dai Li, aiming to make some achievements in the Youth Games stepping stones for a future promotion. But he had gotten nothing in the end. Even though fourth place could also promote him to a higher place with the help of his vice-director uncle, fourth place could only help him a bit.

Why have things turned out like this? This is not what I planned! Xuexi Zhuang said to himself. Obviously it was not what he wanted. Losing had not been in the script.

Chapter 131: Trading the Gift for the Gift Wrap

Training athletes was like rowing a boat against the current. If they could not advance, they would surely slide back.

The better the athlete became, the more that was required of the training conditions in order to maintain their physical condition. Low-intensity training could hold the athletes back and make them underperform. When Zhongyi Xu had first met Dai Li, and saw him training Feifei Yu, he had become furious for this very reason.

Take basketball, for example: the popular NBA stars were usually not willing to play in low-level foreign league games against mediocre players, even if they were offered higher salary. The main reason for this was that the low-intensity training in the low-level league games could only make their skills worse, not better. In order to prolong their careers, NBA stars were not willing to join inferior leagues or play in easier games for a short-term profit. The only time they would join for money was when their best years were behind them, and the end of their career was approaching.

With the help of the Coaching System, athletes were able to improve rapidly under Dai Li’s training. But Xuexi Zhuang did not have such an almighty advantage; his training ability was nothing more than mediocre. If it had been, he would have been promoted with the help of his uncle.

After the shot put team had been taken over by Xuexi Zhuang, the athletes like Jiankang Chen had begun regressing. Luckily it had not been long since the takeover, and the regression was not blatantly obvious yet.

In crucial moments, the athletes lost the help of the explosive force halo.

Shot put was a sport that was highly reliant on individual explosive power. Athletes such as Jiankang Chen only had C-level talent. Without the explosive force halo, they could still be considered excellent shot put athletes. But when it came to the Provincial Youth Games, they were simply not top players.

Xuexi Zhuang’s plan had failed. He stared at Jiankang Chen, who had just stepped off the field, with an angry face. Jiankang Chen ignored him.

Compared to Dai Li, Xuexi Zhuang’s training skills could not impress the athletes. Especially after having compared him to Dai Li, the athletes ignored him even more. They all knew that Xuexi Zhuang’s uncle was a deputy chief, and that he had given him the position instead of making him earn it.

Suddenly, a lady’s voice rose from the loudspeaker. “The award ceremony for men’s long jump will begin shortly. We would like to remind the winners to get ready for the podium.” Upon hearing the voice, everybody in the stadium focused on the podium.

“Is the long jump game finished? Did Chenglong Hong win? I did not know he had so much potential when I was training him. How did he become so good after joining the sports team?” Xuexi Zhuang also turned his head towards the podium.

Chenglong Hong had been an athlete on the youth team, and had received training under Xuexi Zhuang for a while. Yet Xuexi Zhuang’s training skills were insufficient, which covered up much of his potential. Later on, Chenglong Hong was chosen by the sports team and left the youth team. Since then, he had improved rapidly, and soon became the best young athlete on the sports team.

This was like a punch in Xuexi Zhuang’s face. Chenglong Hong was a nobody when he trained with Zhuang, but had gained a reputation instantly after switching to the sports team. This only proved how poor Xuexi Zhuang’s training skills were. As a result, Zhuang was not fond of his former apprentice, and even held some disdain towards him.

On the podium, Chenglong Hong stood on the right side. This was the position for the third place winner. Second place would stand on the left, while the champion would stand in the middle. Xuexi Zhuang glanced at Chenglong Hong’s position on the podium and realized that he had won the third place.

“It is only a third place finish! I thought he was going to be the champion.” Xuexi Zhuang spoke as if he didn’t care, but he was jealous in his heart. He was unable to achieve even a third place finish. But he tried to act as if he could not care less.

“The other two must be the first and second place winner. The second place winner seems to be an athlete from a city team. The champion looks so young; his game uniform looks like our youth team uniform in both color and style. Which city team is this? Did they not realize that their uniform is the same as ours? Maybe they used the same supplier.”

The next moment, Xuexi Zhuang suddenly realized that this was the game uniform of the youth team!

“No, this is our game uniform. He is a member of our youth team!” Xuexi Zhuang was astonished. He looked around immediately, and soon found Dai Li.

Dai Li! He is here! He was the main coach of the long jump team, which means the champion is from our youth team. Right, I remember it now. It was mentioned in a meeting a few days ago that the team had assigned a long jump quota to the heir of the Continental Corporation. I remember there being only one participant from the long jump team. It must be him. He is the heir of the Continental Corporation!

Xuexi Zhuang took a deep breath. His heart was stirring rigorously.

“The heir of the Continental Corporation won the championship? Can a second generation rich kid be this good?”

Xuexi Zhuang’s mindset was the same as many people. He thought that all second generation rich children ever did was date pretty girls in sports cars, squander their parents’ money, and fool around everywhere, never working hard on anything. He could not believe that Haiquan Fang was able to win the championship.

A tang of jealousy rose in Xuexi Zhuang’s heart. He was jealous of the champion, as well as Haiquan Fang’s wealth and status. Haiquan Fang had everything that he did not. He had never won a championship. His deputy chief uncle had such little power compared to the Continental Corporation.

“He bought it. He definitely bought it! It is not hard for the Continental Corporation to bribe all the athletes with its assets. As long as they pay the other athletes to cheat in the game and underperform intentionally, they can ensure that their heir will surely be the champion! Despicable! Shameless! No sportsmanship at all!” Xuexi Zhuang was extremely upset. His attitude grew more and more negative. While he was making himself more and more upset, other coaches began discussing what had taken place.

“Did you hear? The long jump champion jumped 7.84 meters!”

“7.84 meters? That is amazing. 7.84 meters is an excellent record in formal games of adults!”

“It broke the U18 provincial long jump record! It also broke the national record for U16.”

“Wait a minute, what did you say? U16? You mean the athlete is only 16-years-old? Jumping 7.84 meters at the age of 16. He is a genius!”

“This record can secure him a position on the national team.”

“More than that. He will get special attention even on the national team.”

Xuexi Zhuang heard these discussions. He now looked more upset than ever.

A minute ago, Xuexi Zhuang had been making himself feel better by assuming the championship had been “bought.” A minute later, the news had come that two records had been broken. It was a heavy blow to his self-esteem.

“How could Dai Li have such good luck!? He came across a genius athlete. If I can get this genius…wait a minute, this genius was my athlete! I was the main coach of the long jump team!”

Regret was filling up Xuexi Zhuang’s heart. He realized that he made a stupid deal of trading the gift for the gift wrap. There was a genius athlete in the long jump team all along. But he flipped everything around, and traded it for Dai Li’s shot put team.

“Dai Li, the despicable Dai Li!” Xuexi Zhuang made a stupid choice. But he was a blamer. He would never attribute the failure to his own choice, but blamed Dai Li instead with hatred.

Chapter 132: Recruitment

With the Youth Game over, Haiquan Fang had gained his fame. It was not only because of his 7.84-meter record, but also because of his status as a second generation rich kid. These days, saying someone was a “second generation” was not a compliment. However, the fact that someone like Haiquan Fang had this status was even more attention-grabbing.

The day following the game, the sports team made a phone call to recruit Haiquan Fang. He could begin any time he wanted. There was no news from the national team yet. The news most likely had not reached them yet, otherwise they would have definitely done something already.

As news got around about Haiquan Fang, Dai Li’s reputation grew accordingly. An athlete’s success was not solely due to individual effort and talent; the coach’s ability was the most important factor. A gem could not shine without proper cutting and polishing; an athlete was only ever a raw gem, no matter how gifted they were. How the gem turned out in the end largely depended on what the coach could do with them.

Raising one world champion in one’s career was enough to put a coach on top of the world. A coach capable of developing a world champion was surely impeccable when it came to training and instructing. The process of making a world champion was precious as well. A general who had fought on the battlefield was surely far greater than one who had only made commands from an armchair.

Talented people were abundant in the world, but talent scouts were few and far between. If a talent scout was present, talented people would surely surround him. Similarly, for a training team of any level, excellent coaches were more important than excellent athletes.

Dai Li had proven his abilities earlier in the shot put friendly match. During the Youth Game, Dai Li had proven himself once again, and achieved even more success. Haiquan Fang, the Provincial Youth Game champion, had been noticed by the sports team right away; as his coach, Dai Li had become famous as well. Recruiters from the provincial sports team took notice of him.

If the sports team intended to recruit people from the youth team, the youth team could not stop their staff from leaving. It was natural for an employee to seek better opportunities. Moreover, coaches always wanted to instruct better athletes, not only to give themselves a better future, but also to feel a stronger sense of achievement.

…

Two people walked towards the training field. On the left was Bin Lu, the head coach of the youth track and field team. Next to him was a middle-aged man in his 50s. This was Weidong Chu, head coach of the track and field team for the provincial sport team.

Track and field had always been a major sport, as well as the most popular. Therefore, Weidong Chu was a coach with real power on the provincial sports team. Although he was not as powerful as Zhongyi Xu, he was not far behind him.

Weidong Chu was here to recruit someone. A genius athlete had been uncovered on the youth team, and Weidong Xu intended to be the first one to recruit him. After all, the youth team was a talent base for the sports team. It was inevitable that Weidong Chu would want to take Haiquan Fang with him.

In addition to Haiquan Fang, Weidong Chu planned to get to know Dai Li and test his abilities. He could always use one more talented person. However, compared to athletes, recruiting a coach was more complicated due to bureaucratic paperwork, which would take a longer time to process.

Coach Bin Lu certainly did not want Dai Li to be transferred. It was rare to have such a talented person. But Bin Lu could not stop him from leaving. In addition to good athletes, the youth team also provided good coaches to the sports team. Bin Lu was already used to seeing excellent coaches move on from the youth team to higher places.

“That one is Dai Li,” Bin Lu said, pointing at the long jump bunker.

“Wow, he’s young indeed!” Weidong Chu smiled and continued, “That’s a good thing. Young people have greater potential and deserve more attention to foster. That applies to both athletes and coaches. Older people are already stuck in their ways, and are rarely open to changes.”

Bin Lu waved at Dai Li to summon him. Seeing this, Dai Li came running towards Bin Lu and Weidong Chu.

“Dai Li, let me introduce you. This is Weidong Chu, head coach of the provincial track and field team,” said Bin Lu.

“Hello, Mr. Chu.” Dai Li stretched out his right hand immediately.

“Hello.” Weidong Chu smiled with kindness and shook hands with Dai Li. He praised him, saying, “You are such a young and accomplished lad!”

Weidong Chu was here to recruit him, so he could not present himself too much as an official. He had to act amicable and approachable; nobody wanted to work with a poker face official all day.

They exchanged a few more words, with Weidong Chu asking a few casual questions about training. Eventually they began discussing what Weidong Chu was really there for.

“Dai Li, we need capable young people like you on our team. Would you like to join the adult team?” Weidong Chu asked.

Dai Li looked at Bin Lu. He wanted to say “yes,” but it would be awkward to say so in front of his current boss.

Bin Lu was open and transparent. He said, “Dai Li, do not feel like you owe us. On our youth team, it is very normal for an excellent coach to be transferred to the adult team. You will have a better future there, and I will be happy for you. If one day you can become a coach for the national team, then I can brag that a top national coach came from our Hanbei youth track and field team!”

Dai Li could feel the sincerity in Bin Lu’s words. He was not just being polite.

“Thank you, Coach,” Dai Li said, expressing his gratitude towards Bin Lu. He then replied to Weidong Chu, “Mr. Chu, it would be my honor to join your team.”

“Great, I look forward to working with you then.” Weidong Chu looked satisfied. He continued, “Dai Li, bring us this genius athlete. I heard he is the heir to the Continental Corporation! I’m really curious as to why such a wealthy family is willing to send their child to long jump training.”

Dai Li finally realized that Weidong Chu’s real intention was to look into Haiquan Fang. Maybe Haiquan Fang would leave the youth team soon as well.

Weidong Chu watched Haiquan Fang train on the side, asking him to jump a few times. After several attempts, Weidong Chu’s smile grew wider.

“What an excellent young man, a real genius! I have never seen someone better in all my years of coaching! It looks like the first national champion is about come from our Hanbei track and field team!” Weidong Chu said to himself.

As he was thinking this to himself, Weidong Chu’s cell phone rang. After answering the phone, his smile disappeared, and his facial expression grew sour.

Bin Lu also noticed the change in Weidong Chu’s facial expression. He wanted to ask what had happened, but was worried that it might be private business. He hesitated, and decided not to ask. After the phone call, however, Weidong Chu told Bin Lu about the loss himself.

“It would appear that I cannot take this genius with me!” Weidong Chu shook his head with a bitter smile.

“What is it? What happened?” Bin Lu asked.

“I was just notified by the provincial bureau that the coach of the national team is coming to Qingcheng for a visit. He is arriving tomorrow afternoon. He is coming for our genius here!” Weidong Chu looked helpless, but he could not do anything about it.

Compared to the provincial youth team, the Hanbei provincial track and field team lead by Weidong Chu was much better. Compared to the national team, however, a provincial team was inferior on many levels, both in training skills and facilities. Between the two, every athlete knew which was better.

Unlike Weidong Chu, Bin Lu was forcing himself not to show the happiness in his heart. A youth team athlete had caught the attention of the national team. This not only showcased Bin Lu’s leadership, but also contributed a great deal to his legacy.

Chapter 133: National Team Experience

Jinrong Hu was the head coach of the long jump group for the national track and field team. He had been an outstanding athlete himself when he was young. He broke the national record for long jump, won gold medals in the Asian Games and Asian Championship, and was once regarded as the No. 1 long jumper in Asia.

After retiring, Jinrong Hu transitioned into a coaching career. He trained a few outstanding athletes, and more than one of them achieved a level A ranking for the Olympics. For an Asian athlete, qualifying for Olympic level A was a rare and commendable achievement.

This time, it was indeed Jinrong Hu who had come to Qingcheng. He had heard about a genius athlete who had jumped 7.84 meters at the age of 16, and broken the national U16 record. Without hesitation, he had decided to come for a visit himself.

A grand reception was held upon Jinrong Hu’s arrival to Qingcheng. These days, even a low-ranking official from a national ministry would have been received as a high official at local branches. Jinrong Hu was a renowned head coach for the national team. When he visited a provincial youth team, he would receive more attention than a chief of a provincial sports bureau.

“Warm Welcome to National Team Coach Group for Visiting and Instructing Us”

Bin Lu stared at the scrolling red banner hung up high in the air, determined to send Haiquan Fang to the national team.

I have been the head coach of the youth team for so many years, but this is the first time I will be able to send an athlete to the national team! Thinking about this, Bin Lu shouted to the newly assembled welcome team at the top of his voice, “Cheer up guys! The national team crew is arriving soon!”

Once Bin Lu said this, a minibus drove by slowly. It was a bus from the provincial sports bureau. Although the national team coach had come for Haiquan Fang, the provincial sports bureau was the first organization to be welcomed.

“Here they are!” Bin Lu was the first to greet everyone. The minibus stopped, and the door opened. The provincial sports bureau officials got out of the bus first. Then came Jinrong Hu.

“That is Coach Hu. He has gained weight since his younger days,” an elder coach said.

“You know Coach Hu?” a younger coach asked.

“I know him, but he does not know me. I remember twenty years ago when Coach Hu won the long jump championship in the Asian Games. The newspaper used three pages to cover his story,” the elder coach replied.

“Look, a national team coach is full of swagger. Look at his radiance. I’m such a dinosaur compared to him!” someone else muttered.

“Of course, he is a renowned coach for the national team. I do not think I have a chance to coach on a national team for the rest of my life!”

“You guys are too old to join the national team. They will not take old birds like us. I think Dai Li is the only one on our team who may have a chance!”

The topic of conversation automatically shifted to Dai Li. When Xuexi Zhuang heard the conversation, he became furious again.

The long jump team was mine! It should have been my glory! Xuexi Zhuang was still upset about his history with the long jump team. Not far from him, Bin Lu and Jinrong Hu exchanged a few kind words. Bin Lu introduced Jinrong Hu to his two deputies, then summoned Dai Li upfront.

“This is Dai Li, coach of our long jump team. Haiquan Fang has always been trained under Dai Li,” Bin Lu introduced.

The national team was here to check Haiquan Fang out. As Haiquan Fang’s coach, Dai Li garnered attention as well. During the inspection of the national team, they would surely be presented with the training, and observe the daily training of Haiquan Fang. Dai Li played a major role in both events.

“Isn’t this Dai Li?” Jinrong Hu recognized Dai Li right away.

Jinrong Hu already knew Dai Li, as Dai Li had temporarily transferred to the Beikou Training Center for a while last year. Jinrong Hu had happened to be at the Beikou base during the same time.

For most temporarily transferred personnel, Jinrong Hu may not have paid attention, or would have forgotten about them already. But Dai Li was different. On his first day after transferring, he was personally appointed by Feixiang Lin. From that moment on, Jinrong Hu had paid special attention to Dai Li.

Towards the end of the three-month transfer period, the other transferred personnel had already left. But Dai Li had been requested to stay an additional month. Because of this, Jinrong Hu was impressed with Dai Li, and remembered him. This “remembrance,” however, was no more than a shallow impression. All he remembered was the temporarily transferred staff who had stayed one more month was named “Li” by the others, and nothing more.

“Mr. Hu, we have met again.” Dai Li shook Jinrong Hu’s hand with a smile.

“They know each other! Dai Li knows Coach Hu from the national team!”

The others had a surprised expression on their faces. Jinrong Hu was a reputable coach on the national team, while Dai Li was a mere provincial youth team coach. There were too many gaps between them, and yet their paths had crossed once before.

Even Bin Lu was struck with surprise. He stared at Dai Li secretly, thinking, You know Coach Hu already. Why didn’t you tell me? It is always easier to get things done if you have a common acquaintance.

Jinrong Hu felt the surprise of the people surrounding him, and explained, “Dai Li once worked for the national team for a while. He did a good job, and did not waste his time during the few months with the national team. Now it seems that he has only been away from the national team for less than a year, and has already trained a genius athlete! A genius athlete who broke the U16 national record in long jump, no less.”

As Jinrong Hu spoke, his eyes were glistening with pride, as if he was telling everybody “Do you see how good our national team is? When an ordinary coach gets a temporary transfer and serves a few months on the national team, then goes back to his old position, he can train someone to break the national record!”

“Dai Li once stayed with the national team?”

“Impressive! I have been coaching for over a decade and have never seen the front door of the national team!”

“No wonder this Dai Li is so good at training. When he was with the shot put team, the shot put team was great. Now he is with the long jump team, and the long jump team rocks. Turns out he received further education from the national team!”

“No wonder Dai Li is capable of putting everything together at such a young age. He served on the national team.”

The other coaches of the youth team did not know about Dai Li’s transfer to the national team. So naturally, after Jinrong Hu told his story, they gave Dai Li more respect. Right now, the national team experience was making Dai Li shine.

They certainly did not know that the temporary transfer that Dai Li had done was for odd-jobs. Jinrong Hu knew that Dai Li was only an odd-job worker, but had chosen not to reveal it to anyone. Instead, by making Dai Li look good, he made the national team look good too.

Bin Lu suddenly remembered that Dai Li’s resume had mentioned his temporary transfer to the national team. But Bin Lu had not paid attention back then. Most people would give a resume a second look in most cases. But the actual ability was reflected in daily training anyway. Because of this, Bin Lu had forgotten about this matter shortly after.

But now it appeared that during Dai Li’s transfer he had done a great job. Jinrong Hu was able to recognize him right away. After pondering this, Bin Lu was suddenly more impressed by Dai Li.

Nonetheless, someone did not think that it was a big deal, however.

Odd-job worker at the national team, is it even worth boasting? Xuexi Zhuang showed even more contempt on his face, yet jealousy was burning in his heart.

Let’s wait and see. If I get a chance, I will join the national team too! Xuexi Zhuang thought secretly.

When the official from the sports bureau, who was accompanying Jinrong Hu, heard that Dai Li had once stayed with the national team, he looked amazed too, and uttered to Bin Lu, “Coach Lu, your team is full of hidden talents! Coach Li is able to train a genius athlete at such a young age. It turns out that he studied with the national team. I believe Dai Li learned a great deal from Coach Hu on the national team. He is the student of a renowned teacher!”

The official looked at Jinrong Hu while speaking, hinting to everyone that Jinrong Hu was that “renowned teacher.” It was clearly a move to try and flatter Jinrong Hu in an attempt to make him look greater.

Jinrong Hu chuckled, “I’m not capable of that. Dai Li was not with me on the national team.”

When Xuexi Zhuang heard this, he laughed. He had a sneer on his face.

“I knew this a long time ago. Dai Li was only an odd-job worker on the national team. What makes him qualified to follow Coach Hu?” Xuexi Zhuang spoke in a low voice. Although it did not travel far, the people around him heard every word.

But the next second, Jinrong Hu continued, “When Dai Li was on the national team, he was following Coach Ding!”

Jinrong Hu was concerned that they did not know who “Coach Ding” was, so he added, “Coach Jihai Ding, that is!”

Xuexi Zhuang’s laugh vanished. He suddenly felt as if his face had been slapped again!

Chapter 134: Hit Twice

Everyone had heard the name Jihai Ding. Jihai Ding was the coach of Feixiang Lin, and as Feixiang Lin had become more popular, Jihai Ding’s name had begun to spread widely as well.

In the hierarchy of the national track and field team, Jihai Ding was probably the most well known after the head coach, Shuren Zhao and the assistant head coach, Li Xue. Coaches like Jinrong Hu were famous, but he could not be compared to Jihai Ding.

All the domestic athletes worshipped Jihai Ding, and treated him as their idol. They all wanted to be the next Feixiang Lin. As for domestic coaches, they wanted to become the next Jihai Ding. Apparently, being trained by Jihai Ding was much better than training under Jinrong Hu.

“When Dai Li was on the national team, he was under Coach Ding!”

“Coach Ding, the one who teaches the 110-meter hurdles. You can learn a lot from him in a short period of time.”

“I’m so jealous of Dai Li. If I got chance to be train under Coach Ding for just a second, I would be so happy and satisfied.”

“Coach Ding is a professional. You can become a top coach even if you just learn a little from him!”

The other coaches were conversing quietly. Everyone was looking at Dai Li in admiration except for Xuexi Zhuang. He felt as if he had just been hit twice.

Why? Why is he the one? Why would Jihai Ding take him?

After a deep breath, Xuexi Zhuang comforted himself. Although Dai Li is under Jihai Ding, he was just a helper, running errands for others and training some freshmen. He is not qualified enough to be involved in Teng Dong’s training, let alone Feixiang Lin’s!

In Xuexi Zhuang’s eyes, it was already a privilege to have been trained under Jihai Ding. He could not understand why a young coach like Dai Li had been permitted to join the training sessions for the best athletes in the world.

At that moment, the head of the provincial sport bureau asked, “Are you saying that Jihai Ding was the head coach of Feixiang Lin?”

The head of the sport bureau had began his career as organized personnel in the system, and had never worked as a coach or an athlete. Therefore, he could not see why other people admired Jihai Ding, or understand the special place Jihai Ding had in the coaches’ hearts.

“Right, Coach Ding is the head coach of Feixiang Lin,” Jinrong Hu siad, “By the way, when Dai Li was on the national team, he was involved in Feixiang Lin’s training.”

The head of the bureau nodded his head, smiling. It was obvious that he did not realize how big a deal this was, while all the professional coaches were completely shocked.

“Did you hear that? Coach Hu just said Dai Li was involved in Feixiang Lin’s training!”

“I know Dai Li is a great coach, but I did not expect him to be so excellent that he could be part of Feixiang Lin’s training.”

“The reason Jihai Ding did this was because he saw the ability in Dai Li! It seems that our team is not good enough for Dai Li. The national team is where he belongs!”

All professional athletes knew what it meant to be a part of Feixiang Lin’s training. Feixiang Lin was regarded as the greatest track and field athlete in the world. The training he took part in was the best in every aspect, from the intensity to the theory. It was a unique learning experience to be part of his training.

For athletes like Feixiang Lin, not just anyone was capable of becoming his coach. Only a superb coach, who was qualified enough and had great training results, could have the chance to be Feixiang Lin’s coach. Almost everyone looked at Dai Li in admiration upon hearing that he had helped Feixiang Lin train.

Pa pa pa pa pa! Xuexi Zhuang felt like someone had smacked him in his face. He was so embarrassed that he wanted to hide under the floor.

In his eyes, even though Dai Li had been under Jihai Ding, he should not have had the chance to meet excellent athletes. Xuexi Zhuang was already unhappy thinking about the fact that Dai Li was involved in Teng Dong’s training. Now that he knew that Dai Li had been part of Feixiang Lin’s training, Xuexi Zhuang was really upset.

This cannot be true. This is impossible! Xuexi Zhuang tried to convince himself that all of this was a lie, and tried to forget about it. But the words had come straight from Jinrong Hu’s mouth. How could it be a lie?

Dai Li smiled shyly. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him. He felt embarrassed.

All the coaches here did not really know what had happened, and thought Dai Li was liked by Jihai Ding only because of his ability. In actuality, he had joined Feixiang Lin’s training coincidentally.

If Dai Li had not accidentally met Feixiang Lin during a meal with Feifei Yu, he would have probably been on another coach’s team by now. If Dai Li had not helped Feixiang Lin return to a decent ability level, Jihai Ding would not have come back to Feixiang Lin, and things would not be the way they were today.

…

Afterwards, they had to evaluate Haiquan Fang’s performance. Usually there would be an introduction of his basic background first, like his date of birth, hometown, family members, education, when and where he had been trained previously, who his previous coaches were, etc. These things could all be found in Haiquan Fang’s document, but they still had to go through the procedure.

More specifically, when they introduced Haiquan Fang’s training background, they introduced the school as well; and when they introduced Haiquan Fang’s former coach, they would go through both the coach’s profile and his career information.

“So Haiquan Fang is the son of the head of the Continental Corporation? That is why I found his name familiar. About two years ago, they invited me to come to Qing to teach young athletes. I was too busy to do so, so I asked one of my colleagues to help out. Haiquan Fang was the one he was tutoring!”

Jinrong Hu laughed. “I would have come and seen it for myself if I had known earlier that Haiquan Fang was such a talented young man.”

“Coach Hu, if you had come in person, Haiquan Fang would have been taken from us, and it would have had nothing to do with our team!” Bin Lu said. People were amused by what he had said.

Next, Dai Li introduced some basic training information about Haiquan Fang, such as whether he had a positive attitude when being trained, if he was diligent on a daily basis, what his advantages and disadvantages were; everything about his long jumping performance, basically. After Dai Li’s introduction, Jinrong Hu knew more about Haiquan Fang.

After that, there was a field study waiting for them, which included a practice session and a long jumping test.

During the probation period, Jinrong Hu had begun to like Haiquan Fang, and had even coached him in person.

For coaches, the best thing that could happen to them was meeting a genius young athlete. Before the probation ended, Jinrong Hu had decided to have Haiquan Fang on the national team and take him as his trainee.

Bin Lu was over the moon. One was considered lucky if they could send one of their athletes from the provincial team to the national youth team; in this case, the athlete had been sent straight to the national team, and to the most famous coach in Jinrong Hu, no less. Bin Lu could imagine their team being nominated to the list of excellent track and field youth groups at the end of the year.

…

In the evening, the youth team welcomed Jinrong Hu with a meal.

After a while, as Dai Li went to make a toast, Jinrong Hu talked with him.

“Dai Li, our national team borrows a lot of coaches every year, but there are not many who can achieve something once they go back. You are a decent man, and I have faith in you!” said Jinrong Hu. Obviously he had been drinking a lot. Dai Li could tell from his breath.

“Thank you, Coach Hu. I still have much to learn. I will keep working on it.” Dai Li hadn’t been drinking much, so he was still sober.

Jinrong Hu continued speaking, saying, “Dai Li, I have news for you. The new National Youth Training Program is about to begin, and there is limited space. The sport bureau you are in will soon be notified. Go sign up if you can, and attend the training we hold. We need talented young men like you to join our national team!”

Chapter 135: The Youth Training Program

The next day, Jinrong Lu left, and Dai Li began paying attention to the National Track and Field “Youth Training Program” Jinrong Lu had told him about.

Dai Li searched online, but he could not find anything relevant to the program. There was nothing on the official website of the track and field administration center, either. Because of this, Dai Li decided to ask Bin Lu. As a coach for the provincial youth track and field team, it was possible that Bin Lu might know something about it.

In the Youth Track and Field Head Coaches’ office.

“The National Track and Field Youth Training Program?” Bin Lu repeated. “I think I have heard of it before, let me think about it…”

Bin Lu frowned as he thought for a while, then finally raised his head. “I remember! There is such a thing. The last one was five years ago before I was the head coach of the youth team. This is a great opportunity! If you get selected by the national team and your name gets on the program list, it means you are ready to join the national team. In addition, when the national team selects excellent coaches, they usually start from that list. This is actually a shortcut to getting on the national team!”

Bin Lu sat up straight, then continued asking, “What made you ask me this? It was five years ago. According to the name, however, I reckon this plan is about to start up again.”

Dai Li did not hide anything. He said, “Coach Jinrong Lu told me that. He said the new training program is about to begin, and that soon our bureau will notify us. He asked to me sign up.”

“This is good!” Bin Lu smiled and said, “I remember that this is specifically for excellent coaches under 30-years-old. You will be twenty-four or twenty-five this year, right? Age is not a problem for you. If you really want to get in, I will keep an eye on the notification for you. I will let you know immediately once the sign-up starts.”

“Thank you, Coach!” Dai Li said delightfully.

Dai Li had been worried that their friendship would end if he left the team soon and joined the adult sports team, but now he knew that he did not have to worry about it. Bin Lu was still going to treat him as “one of them”.

“No one is better than you when it comes to sports performance, and it is a sure thing that we will sign you up. I will help you as well. Call the head coach of the track and field team, Weidong Chu, and ask him to give you a hand, too,” Bin Lu continued.

“Coach Chu and I are only acquaintances, so I doubt that…” Obviously Dai Li was uncertain about whether Weidong Chu would help him or not, as they did not know each other very well.

“You will be part of Chu’s team soon and you are worried that he will not give you a hand? Besides, if you make it on the list of the Youth Training Program, you will be a good resource. Weidong Chu is not an idiot. How could he not support you?”

…

It took a little over half a month before the news of the National Track and Field Youth Training Program arrived at the provincial sport bureau. The provincial sport bureau promptly posted it on their website to notify all the coaches to download the signing sheet if they were interested in joining, and to then deliver it to the provincial sport bureau. The provincial sport bureau would choose only one coach out of all the candidates, which meant there would only be one person eligible to join the national team. Just as Jinrong Lu had said, there was “limited space”.

Everyone knew what a wonderful opportunity this was. You had the privilege of being trained by the national team. This was like young doctors getting the chance to be trained in a top hospital like Xiehe Hospital, Huaxi Hospital, or Ruijin Hospital. Young doctors would die for an opportunity like that.

Unfortunately, however, there were not many people that qualified for it. The “under thirty” age restriction would rule out 90% of the coaches.

The higher the level of the team, the older the coaches usually were. Coach was the kind of job that valued experience, again similar to a medical profession—the older, the better. One was usually considered to be in their prime once they were in their mid-40s or 50s.

At that age, people were already experienced in leadership, and had the energy to work in the training space. If they were younger than this, they would lack experience; if they were older than this, they would physically not be able to spend much time on the training base.

Many coaches started out as professional athletes. For them, it was normal to retire when at the age of thirty, at which point they would become an assistant coach and work their way up from from there. When they gained some experience and won some awards, they would usually be over 40-years-old, which would rule them out from taking part in the national Youth Training Program.

There were not many coaches who qualified for the Youth Training Program, which meant Dai Li did not have a lot of competition.

Of course there were still some athletes who had retired earlier, at around the age of twenty, and began their coaching careers. However, being young usually meant being inexperienced, or at least that you would not be given many opportunities on the provincial team. Young coaches normally had to work here for at least seven or eight years before they were able to train on the team independently.

Dai Li had an advantage, as he was already a training coach who had led the youth long jump team.

Other coaches who met both qualifications of being under 30-years-old and leading a team independently were not as good as Dai Li. The athlete that had trained under Dai Li had just broken the U16 jumping record, while the other coaches’ students were probably still fighting over the opportunity to sign up for the competition.

…

Peng Wang was 27-years-old this year. Two years earlier, he had signed up to take the organized personnel examination after he had gotten his master degree. He then signed up for the physical fitness coach position on the provincial team, and came out on top amongst all the hundreds of candidates, successfully becoming the physical fitness coach in the end.

Peng Wang was a goal-oriented person. He did not want to be a fitness coach his entire life. He downloaded the entry form as soon as he saw the news, and planned to sign up for the National Youth Training Program.

Peng Wang was walking through the administrative area with confidence, his entry form in-hand.

I have a masters degree in training theory, while most candidates only have a diploma from junior college. I think I can get into the training program! Thinking of this, Peng Wang smiled to himself confidently.

He went to the office and knocked on the door, then walked in and said, “Hi, I am here to drop off my entry form.”

“Is it for the Youth Training Program?” Someone who had been in the office for years smiled upon receiving the entry form from Peng Wang.

“Excuse me, how many people have signed for this so far?” Peng Wang asked.

“Not many, just four, including you,” the person answered.

“Only four? That is not a lot.” Peng Wang was surprised. He knew there would not be many coaches qualified for the program, but there were so many coaches on the provincial team. Why were there only four people who had signed up?

“This is an opportunity to train with the national team. It is such a great opportunity, yet they are not coming?” Peng Wang murmured.

“It is not that they are not coming, but that they are not confident enough in their ability. They do not think they will be selected!” the person laughed and said. “I bet you do not know this yet, but Dai Li from the youth track and field team also signed up for this. I’m pretty sure he will be selected to the national team to train!”

“Dai Li? I think I have heard his name before.” Peng Wang then asked, “Was he the coach who broke the national record in the last National Youth Games?”

“Yeah, who else would he be? The genius who broke the national record was picked by the national team. Dai Li had such a great performance. He should be the one to join the national team training without a doubt!” the person said.

Peng Wang was upset. He wanted to take back his entry form.

Training valued sports performance. Peng Wang’s master degree certificate was useless compared to a real record.

Chapter 136: Resource is Better than Ability

Haiquan Fang had left the youth team and gone to the national team. Dai Li did not pay much attention to it. As the son of a rich family, he would be taken good care of wherever he went.

As for Haiquan Fang’s future, Dai Li would not worry. Haiquan Fang had a gift in broad jumping. If he worked harder, he would become a world-level athlete without a doubt. The training conditions and resources on the national team were much better than that of the provincial team. It was a great opportunity for Haiquan Fang, as he would get much better training there.

Other athletes in the broad jump team were of a D level. The best ones were a D+, while the worst were a D-. In Dai Li’s eyes, they would have to work harder than others if they wanted to become professional athletes. But even if did become professionals, they would not make much progress. They may even leave after a short period due to a lack of progress being made.

Dai Li did not give up on these athletes, however, as they had come here with dreams. Dai Li felt it was his responsibility to offer them the opportunity to give it their best shot. Although their dreams may not come true, at least they would be given the chance to try.

The fact that Haiquan Fang was selected by the national team was great news for the other athletes on the broad jump team, as well as all the other athletes on the youth team. Someone who had set a good example had boundless power, especially when others witnessed their hard work.

Many young athletes were inspired by Haiquan Fang, and practiced harder than ever as a result. As a result, the track and field team had a better performance.

The lead coach of the provincial track and field team, Weidong Chu, had kept in touch with Dai Li. They had saved a position for him on their team and were finishing all the paperwork. Dai Li could have began the enrollment in advance, but when Weidong Chu heard that Dai Li had signed up for the Youth Training Program, he told Dai Li not to worry about the enrollment, but instead prepare for the program first. They would adjust Dai Li’s position later. Apparently, they had attached great importance to Dai Li.

Dai Li understood Weidong Chu. Consistency was highly valued in sport training. If one had just arrived to the provincial team and would soon be sent to the national team, the consistency would be broken, which would be detrimental to the athletes. Therefore, Dai Li stayed on the youth team temporarily to train the young D-level athletes.

…

The phone rang. It was Bin Lu calling.

“Hi Coach Lu. Is this about the training program? Am I on the list?” Dai Li asked anxiously.

Bin Lu’s voice was low. “They have chosen someone, but it is not you!”

Dai Li was shocked. He had thought he had advantages in age, degree, and especially in performance. He had thought that he would be the one selected to the Youth Training Program; he had not expected someone else to be chosen.

“Who did they choose?” Dai Li asked. He had proven himself by making Haiquan Fang a great athlete, so he wondered who had been deemed better than him.

“Xuexi Zhuang. He is twenty-nine this year, and is qualified in every condition they have,” Bin Lu continued, “It is the hierarchy, you know. His uncle is the vice director of the provincial sport bureau. Weidong Chu and I tried to give you a hand, but we could not really help much. There is nothing else we can do. Do not feel bad. You are still young; you will get plenty of chances ahead.”

Xuexi Zhuang again! Dai Li was furious.

Before that, Xuexi Zhuang had taken the opportunity to join the shot put team from Dai Li, leaving the broad jump situation for him. Luckily Dai Li had met Haiquan Fang, a talented straight-A athlete, and had managed to win the competition in the end.

This time, Xuexi Zhuang had taken the chance of training on the national team from Dai Li!

If the reason Xuexi Zhuang had gotten this opportunity was because Xuexi Zhuang was better than him, Dai Li would have accepted it, and would have even admired Xuexi Zhuang. However, Xuexi Zhuang had gotten the opportunity with his family’s influence, and Dai Li could not bear it.

Bin Lu could feel Dai Li was upset, so he said, “Calm down, Dai Li. The reason why Xuexi Zhuang got the opportunity was because of his father, Director Xuexi Zhuang. You have to keep calm. Do not do anything irrational. We are in the system, we have to do what the system asks us to do…”

“I understand, these are the rules of the game. Do not worry, Coach, I will not do anything irrational.” Dai Li took a deep breath and continued, “Coach, if there isn’t anything else, I would like to be alone for a while if you don’t mind.”

“No problem! Feel free to call me whenever you want.” Bin Lu understood that it might be better to leave Dai Li alone.

Dai Li put down his phone. Being disturbed by others was the last thing he wanted to worry about right now, so he turned off his phone and sat by himself silently.

The rules of the system? Dai Li laughed to himself, beginning to accept what he had just been told. It was the first time he felt disgusted with the system.

When he had graduated, it had been Dai Li’s dream to become organized personnel and get regular pay. But now he felt he should give up this job to pursue justice!

What were the rules of the game? If you had a solid background and had better resources, you could steal the fruits of other people’s labor? Those seemed to be the rules of the game!

People who did not have solid networks or backgrounds either had to find one themselves or work much harder for a small chance of being noticed by the top. This was also a rule of the game. But the latter road was much harder than the first one!

Dai Li inhaled deeply again. He did not have the courage to leave the system. He did not consider it for more than a second. He felt that he was being a coward, despite his mind telling him it was OK to compromise. He had to stay in the system if he wanted to have a stable income. He also would not give up this job because he needed the connections and networks on the team for the future.

Dai Li felt like crying all of a sudden, not only because he was unhappy with the result, but because he felt he was being weak, and did not know how to fight back!

He was only a normal person. He was not the leading character in a novel who lifted tables and beat his opponents with various tricks whenever he felt upset; he did not have a magic relative in his ring that could solve his problems, nor the courage to tell the world that he was strong and promising; he was not gifted in kung-fu, and could not climb the highest mountain in the world to look down at all the creatures on the earth.

He was an average person, and was used to living an average life, just going with the flow…

He was actually someone, though, as he had a strong network of coaches behind him, and was given the opportunity to train excellent athletes. Still, he could not do anything to prevent Xuexi Zhang from taking the chance to go to the national team from him.

Dai Li wanted nothing more than to get drunk and forget everything. He wanted someone to listen and share his feelings.

Suddenly, he thought of Zhongyi Xu. Even though there was a big age and hierarchy gap between them, Zhongyi Xu could be a good listener for him. More importantly, Zhongyi Xu was a good drinker to accompany him.

Dai Li picked up his phone, turned it on, and dialed Zhongyi Xu’s number.

Chapter 137: Background Battle

In the north coastal city, the month of October was pretty cool. The theme of the city this time of year was not barbecuing or drinking beer, but having fresh, real seafood.

“Real” seafood for local Qing people meant wild seafood that was caught in the sea, rather than artificially bred fish and crabs. The average person may not be able to tell the difference, but for those who had been born and raised here—those whose families had lived near the sea for many generations—they believed that wild seafood tasted better.

The five month long offseason for fishing had ended. There were now plenty of people around the pier everyday, buying the freshest seafood on the market. It was the busiest season for seafood dealers.

This would not last long. Every year, when the fishing offseason ended, there would be several boats out fishing. After two or three months, however, there would not be enough fish left to catch, even if they spent most of their time at sea. Over the last few decades, overfishing had caused the extinction of many sea creatures. If the trend continued, the descendants of those who had lived here for generations would have no more seafood left to eat.

“Enjoy it while you can! If you do not eat them now, we will not be able to eat them later,” Zhongyi Xu said, saying what everyone in the area had been thinking.

Dai Li, on the other hand, did not pay much attention to the delicious cuisine. Instead, had himself a beer and began to express his displeasure with the situation he was in.

By the time Dai Li had finished speaking, almost all the dishes had been cleared by Zhongyi Xu. Zhongyi Xu still seemed hungry, but upon seeing that there was not much food left on their plates, he put down his chopsticks and suppressed his appetite.

Zhongyi Xu looked at Dai Li. Dai Li was now a little drunk. He looked dreadful.

“You have great resources at your disposal, why don’t you use them? Zhang Xuexi took advantage of his solid connections and snatched the opportunity from you, but you could do the same!” Zhongyi Xu held up his cup and drank. It tasted spicy, and smelled nice.

“I am only an average person. I do not have any connections!” Dai Li raised up his head and looked at Zhongyi Xu in confusion.

Zhongyi Xu said, “I know about the national track and field youth program. We used to have similar programs for swimming. For the national track and field team, what matters most is not the people—it is the money!”

“Why does it come down to money again?” Dai Li answered.

“Whether it was the national team, provincial team, or a city-level team, they live off the financial allocation provided to them by the government. They can never give them the amount of money they want, but they still have to go through lots of files and evaluations before they get any funding. Every year, they have a detailed list of every dollar spent; food costs, medical costs, competition expenses, daily clerical costs, etc. Every expense has to be written on the list explicitly, then must be reported to the top. The financial department will give you the funding based on your expenses, but usually for less than you ask for. For example, if you apply for 100,000 yuan, they will probably give you 50 or 60,000 yuan.”

“The Youth Training Program is a money-oriented program, and is very easy to get funding for. With this program, the track and field team can get more funding. Because training coaches is quite a long process, an excellent coach needs three to five years to train, which is why the Youth Training Program takes five years to complete, and happens once every five years. You get five years of funding every time you hold this program. Worth it, isn’t it?”

Zhongyi Xu had illustrated the Youth Training Program to Dai Li from another angle. It was much clearer than Bin Lu’s explanation had been. Dai Li sighed, realizing how different the information he had known about was.

Zhongyi Xu was one of the top domestic coaches, after all, and obviously knew more about what went on behind the scenes. Bin Lu, as a head coach on the youth track and field team, did not know much.

Zhongyi Xu continued speaking, saying, “The national track and field team has the right to vote for the Youth Training Program. Even though our team has chosen the nephew of Director Zhuang, if the national team decides they want you, then they have to let you go. The provincial team only has the right to suggest people for the position, not the right to make the decision.”

Dai Li was still confused. Zhongyi Xu grabbed his chopsticks again and reached for the food as he said, “Don’t you get along well with Jihai Ding? Why don’t you use him as a resource? Call him and ask him to do you a favor—put your name on the list for the national team. You are not asking too much of him, you know; that is a piece of cake for him. Jihai Ding is your connection for this!”

“Is it really as simple as that?” Dai Li asked, suddenly sobering up.

“It is as simple as that. That is why I said you do not know how to use your resources,” Zhongyi Xu continued, “Do not think for one second that Jihai Ding cannot help you out. He has a lot more to offer than fame. If you want to be a track and field coach in the future, you must be good friends with Jihai Ding.

“There are many coaches on the national track and field team, but the situation is not that complicated. The head coach, Shuren Zhao, knows a lot about theories, but he was not an experienced athlete. Because of the cultural revolution, he did not have the chance to get proper training. When the college entrance examination resumed, he passed it and became one of the first few people to attend college. There, he obtained a master’s degree. He wrote many papers on the track and field exercise, which are still treated as must-reads in the academic world. Coaches like him, who have a great diploma and real insight, will not stay here for the rest of their lives. Sooner or later they will be sent to the sport bureau to become an official. It is only a matter of time.

“The second big name on the national team, the assistant head coach, Li Xue, was originally a sprinter, and held the 200-meter record. He is very experienced and professional. But he is almost sixty, and will soon retire. Although there is a way he can be hired after retirement, he will only be in charge of practicing. He will not be able to vote anymore at that point.

“Shuren Zhao will be promoted when Li Xue retires, and the members of the head group for the track and field team will change. When that happens, the sport bureau will either send us a new leader and we will select a vice leader, or we will choose a leader from our group, and they will find us a vice leader. But no matter what is decided upon, Jihai Ding will be selected from our team. Everyone knows it. That is why Jihai Ding is so influential within the track and field team.”

Dai Li suddenly understood everything once he heard Zhongyi Xu’s explanation.

There was a hidden social code in the organized personnel system. In order to avoid corruption or any other negative situations, the leader and the vice leader were usually in charge of two separate sectors. Meanwhile, in order to stabilize the group and avoid a situation where the new leader does something stupid due to their unfamiliarity with the team, usually teams will choose one of their own to take on the position and someone from another team.

For instance, if a new leader joined from another team, the vice leader had to be selected from the original team, and vice versa. If both were promoted and brought from other teams, they would surely know nothing about their new team, which was not good for work. It was the idea of mutual supervision or mutual restriction.

According to the hidden rules and connections, Jihai Ding would at least get the position of the vice head coach. He could even get the head coach position of the track and field team if he was lucky.

Because of this, everyone on the track and field team thought highly of Jihai Ding, or simply wanted to flatter him. If Jihai Ding was willing to give a hand to Dai Li, it would really only take a word from him to make things happen.

Thinking of this, Dai Li could not help but laugh. His bad mood had disappeared.

I see myself as a nobody. I’m surprised I actually have some connections.

Chapter 138: The Final Candidate

The next day, Dai Li texted Jihai Ding to make sure that he was not busy, then dialed his phone after receiving confirmation.

“Dai Li, what a surprise. What made you call? You can just say it.” Jihai Ding seemed to be in a good mood.

“Coach Ding, there is something I need you to help with. I want to join the National Youth Training Program!” Dai Li replied.

“Sign up for it, then. I will be the first one from our national team to welcome you!” Jihai Ding suddenly changed his tone and said, “Did you miss the sign up period?”

“I did not miss the date. It was not that my name was not on the list. They chose someone else,” Dai Li said.

“You did not get picked?” Jihai Ding sounded surprised. “Jinrong Hu told me that you have trained a guy who was born rich. He has been practicing inside our training base. He is so talented that even I want to get him in my group. You have made such great progress and you still were not chosen? Is there anyone better than you on your team? Who is it? Tell me.”

“He is the nephew of our assistant head leader in our sport bureau.” Dai Li did not want to say the name.

Jihai Ding had worked inside the organized personnel system for years, so he understood immediately what “nephew of the assistant head leader” meant without Dai Li explaining it further.

“Alright, I see.” Jihai Ding did not say anything else, or show sympathy to Dai Li. He said, “Start packing and get ready to come to the national team. Just wait for the good news!”

“Thank you, Coach Ding,” Dai Li said with gratitude. He knew this meant that Jihai Ding was willing to help him.

“Just saying thank you is not enough. Come and give me a massage when you come to Qing. It has rained a lot recently. My lumbar disc aches whenever the temperature drops down…”

…

Xuexi Zhuang walked into the dining hall humming songs.

“Chef Wang, give me another fried fish. Yes, that one on the left!” Xuexi Zhuang said, pointing at the big golden fish in the vacuum plate.

“You look happy today, Coach Zhuang. You got good news?” Chef Wang smiled at him and put the big fish on Xuexi Zhuang’s plate.

“Of course I do! Soon I will miss the food you cook,” Xuexi Zhuang said, delighted.

“You get promoted, Coach Zhuang?” Chef Wang asked.

“Not really, it is just an opportunity to get trained by the national team!” Xuexi Zhuang answered loudly on purpose. He was bragging, and wanted all his colleagues to hear it.

Xuexi Zhuang continued showing off, saying, “There is a youth training program for the track and field administration center. I already signed up. I will be there in a few days.”

A coach in line behind Xuexi Zhuang interrupted, “Coach Zhuang, you have been selected to the National Youth Training Program? That is wonderful news. You have to buy us a drink!”

“Yeah, Coach, you have to buy us a drink to celebrate!”

“Coach Zhuang, being trained by the national team is the best thing ever. You really have to buy us drinks and have a party!”

The other coaches began to go at him immediately. They did not truly want to congratulate Xuexi Zhuang, but to embarrass him.

“Well…” Xuexi Zhuang had only wanted to show off. When it came to spending money, he became stingy. So he tried to clarify what he had said, saying, “The national team has not sent me a formal notice, but because the provincial bureau has chosen me, it is on the schedule.”

Xuexi Zhuang stopped talking and quickly found a place to sit down. He was worried that they may bring up buying drinks again. When he walked past Dai Li, Xuexi Zhuang did not forget to glare at him.

Join the national team, huh? You think you are the only one who is able to join? I can go too! Dai Li, you are going to stay in Qing for the rest of your life, while I will be going to the national team in two days! Thinking of this, Xuexi Zhuang was so happy that he raised up his head and tried to make a proud face. Everyone else saw it as an example of every dog having its day.

After Xuexi Zhuang finished his meal and left the dining hall, someone began gossiping.

“He is depending on his deputy chief uncle! Without him, he is nothing!”

“I have heard that at first they planned to let Dai Li attend the program. You know that he is good in both performance and schooling. But Director Zhuang changed the name to Xuexi Zhuang.”

“I feel so sorry for Dai Li. He is such a talented coach, and has great results, but he has missed his opportunity.”

“What can we do about it? No matter how excellent you are, someone with better connections will beat you. On the bright side, Dai Li will soon be sent to the adult team, so he will not have to see Xuexi Zhuang on a daily basis!”

Dai Li looked calm despite the feeling of anger he had inside him.

Xuexi Zhuang, the higher you go, the more pain you will suffer. You are laughing now, but I will make sure you know that I am the one who laughs last when the national team posts the list!

…

In the sport bureau office, a young clerk opened up the business transfer system. He wanted to check if there was anything new.

This is a notice of government ability in the ping-pong association. It’s not that important, but I will print that out first.

This is a notification about the championship for the shooting team. I will forward it to the shooting team!

The weight-lifting team selection test notification. I’ll forward this to the weight-lifting team.

This is the finalists for the Youth Training Program for the track and field administration center. Let me see who is on the list. I don’t know anyone on the list except the one in our province, and we picked Dai Li. I will forward this to the track and field team.

Right as the clerk clicked forward, he paused.

Wait a second, Dai Li? This can’t be possible. How could it be Dai Li? I remember it was Director Zhuang’s nephew who had been chosen, and Director Zhuang even came here in person to make sure. I wrote the name of his nephew on the list myself, and sent it to the track and field administration center. Why is it now Dai Li?”

The clerk began sweating a lot, worried he had made a mistake. If he had, Director Zhuang would surely be hard on him!

The clerk opened the sent box as fast as he could and found the email he had sent out before.

Xuexi Zhuang, the nephew of Director Zhuang—I did write his name! Xuexi Zhuang’s CV, check. That’s right, I’m not mistaken. The clerk took a deep breath and took a picture of the email with his phone.

The clerk began to worry the next minute, as he didn’t know how to tell Director Zhuang.

Director Zhuang is on a business trip to the south. He will probably be back in two days. I have to think about how to tell him about this! Forget it, I will just report it to our director first. The clerk used his phone to call the office director.

Chapter 139: I Am Not On The List?

The phone on the office table rang. It was an intercom call.

Bin Lu picked up the phone. Someone on the phone said immediately, “Coach Lu, I am Weidong Chu. I have just received a file. It is the winner for the Youth Training Program.”

“Forward it to me. I will let Xuexi Zhuang know later,” Bin Lu said.

“The national team did not choose Xuexi Zhuang, they chose Dai Li!” Weidong Chu said delightfully.

“What? Say that again?” Bin Lu thought he had misheard him.

“Xuexi Zhuang is not the winner. The only candidate we’ve got in our province is Dai Li,” Weidong Chu repeated.

Bin Lu was surprised. “This is strange. They had put Xuexi Zhuang’s name on the list. How could Dai Li be the winner? Did we make a mistake or did the national team?”

“Don’t be silly, Coach Lu. How could they have made a mistake? When we sent them the files, we did not only give them the name, but other personal information, as well as their CV. This can’t be wrong. The national team has to run through all these files during the evaluation. They could not have mixed up Dai Li and Xuexi Zhuang! It is obvious that they did this on purpose!”

Saying this, Weidong Chu suddenly lowered his voice and said, “I didn’t expect Dai Li to have connections on the national team.”

Bin Lu realized now that the provincial team had reported Xuexi Zhuang’s name, yet the national team had picked Dai Li. It was obvious that Dai Li had found somebody on the national team to fight for him. Remembering that Jinrong Hu had recognized Dai Li immediately the last time they had met, Bin Lu was sure he was correct.

I’m surprised that Dai Li has such a solid network when he acts so low-key every day.

Thinking of this, Bin Lu said quickly, “Forward me the file. I’m about to have a regular coach’s meeting now, I will tell them about this.”

…

In the youth track and field conference room.

“I’ve finished touching on some of the highlights. When you go back to your group, make a detailed plan based on the situation of your teams. Next, I have another thing to announce.”

Bin Lu grabbed the file folder and took a piece of paper from it, then continued his speech. “I just received the notice from our provincial bureau today. They have released the final list of the Youth Training Program.”

A smile suddenly appeared on Xuexi Zhuang’s face when he heard this. He stood up, ready to get the notice from Bin Lu.

However, Bin Lu delivered the announcement in the direction of Dai Li and said, “Dai Li, there is some information below the list, such as the enrollment time, the location, and some other requirements. Read them carefully and prepare as it says to. Start packing when you get back and try to be there in advance. And don’t forget to fill out the application for leave.”

Dai Li stood up happily and handed in the file. On the other side of the room, Xuexi Zhuang stopped in his tracks. He was midway through standing, so he looked very weird.

Xuexi Zhuang did not feel embarrassed at all, and instead questioned Bin Lu, asking, “Coach, are you making a mistake? Why Dai Li? The provincial bureau chose me for the Youth Training Program!”

Bin Lu shook his head. “I don’t know. The provincial sport bureau sent the file to the track and field team, and the track and field team sent it to our team. I just printed out what I was sent. Your name is not on the list, but Dai Li’s is. Our team has to do what we are asked to. Why is your name not on the list? I have no clue. You can ask the provincial sport bureau for confirmation.”

“This is impossible! How could I not be on the list?” Xuexi Zhuang looked at Dai Li.

Dai Li coughed briefly, then said, “Coach Zhuang, I didn’t see your name either. Why don’t you take a look at this file and find it yourself?”

Dai Li passed the notice to Xuexi Zhuang. Xuexi Zhuang grabbed it immediately.

There were about 30 names in total on the list. Xuexi Zhuang went through the list quickly and did not find his name, but he did not give up. He kept searching, again, and again…

Xuexi Zhuang’s name was not on the list. No matter how many times he went through it, or even if he got so familiar with it that he could recite it, he would not find his name on it.

“What is going on? I was the one chosen by the provincial bureau! Why is my name not on the list?” Xuexi Zhuang doubted the authenticity of this file.

Although this paper was printed in black and white, and there was no red heading on it showing it was an important file, the stamp of the track and field administration center was clearly on it, which shattered Xuexi Zhuang’s hope.

All the coaches around him looked at him with perplexed looks. Xuexi Zhuang could feel it was a look of mocking and teasing. He was now the object of ridicule and scorn.

It suddenly occurred to Xuexi Zhuang that recently he had been constantly bragging about the news that he would soon go to the national team to everyone on the staff of the team. Even the cleaners knew about it. But now, he was not the winner. Everyone saw him as a joke. It was humiliating!

…

In the youth team dining hall, the coaches were talking about the scene that had just taken place in the conference.

“That was such an enthralling show today! Xuexi Zhuang had already stood up when he heard the words ‘final list’, but his name was not even on it! How embarrassing for him!”

“It was so humiliating. If I were him, I would hide underground.”

“He had been bragging so much, saying he would go to the national team and be trained there. Now he can’t. I wonder how he is putting up with it.”

“Shhh, stop talking. Xuexi Zhuang is near. Don’t let him hear that.”

They immediately stopped talking when Xuexi Zhuang walked into the dining hall.

Meanwhile, Chef Wang came out from the kitchen with a bamboo made basket, yelling, “Anyone fancy some steamed bread? I just made it, it smells good!”

Chef Wang put the basket with steamed bread down and raised his head. He saw Xuexi Zhuang walking towards him, holding his plate.

“Coach Zhuang, when are you leaving for the national team? Any news?” Chef Wang asked curiously.

Obviously Chef Wang hadn’t heard the news that the list had been released, nor that Xuexi Zhuang had not been on the list. He asked only because the appearance of Xuexi Zhuang had reminded him of the news, as Xuexi Zhuang had kept saying that he would be joining the national team. However, this greeting sounded like mocking to Xuexi Zhuang.

Even a lame cook like you is making fun of me! Xuexi Zhuang cursed Chef Wang secretly and stared at him angrily. He threw his plate away.

“I’m done!” Xuexi Zhuang was furious. He turned around and went back to where he had came from.

Chef Wang was completely confused. He stood there, blinking his eyes.

“What happened? He hasn’t finished his meal, why did he leave? Does the steamed bread taste awful?” Chef Wang looked at the steamed bread in the basket, confused.

Chapter 140: Police Training Base

In Director Zhang’s office in the provincial sport bureau, Xuexi Zhuang looked at his uncle desperately.

“Uncle, you have to help me! I already told others that I would be joining the national team and almost everyone knows about it. Now it looks like I have failed, and it is so embarrassing. I cannot stay on our team!”

Director Zhuang was speechless. He stared at Xuexi Zhuang unhappily.

“Can you give me a break? Grow up, will you? How many times have I helped you the past few years? And you, what did you do? You loser!”

Still angry, Director Zhuang continued, “Just take a few days ago as an example: you asked me to move you to the shot put team, saying it was better for your career development. And what was the result? Where is the medal? The long jump team you were on developed a genius who was picked up by the national team at the age of sixteen! You are the one who has good connections, yet you are the one at a disadvantage! What is wrong with you?

“You said you wanted to go to the national team to get trained, so I recommended you to them, but what happened? They don’t even know you! I have asked others about this Dai Li that is on the list. He was the one you stole the shot put team from, right? And he was the one who trained that long jump genius, right? He has worked in the Beikou Training Center before, under Jihai Ding, and has also been part of Feixiang Lin’s training…”

For a deputy chief in the provincial sport bureau, it was not hard to get all this information.

“Dai Li has just been lucky!” Xuexi Zhuang mumbled. He got angry when he heard Dai Li’s name.

“Crap!” Director Zhuang shouted, “Lucky? Are you saying Jihai Ding is a fool? If Dai Li was a loser like you, do you think Jihai Ding would welcome him to join Feixiang Lin’s training? That was Feixiang Lin! Only the best coaches can get involved in his training. Speaking of being lucky, how many chances have I given you? Why can’t you ‘be lucky’ just one damn time? Just one time! Not even once!”

Xuexi Zhuang could feel his uncle’s anger. He put his head down and stayed silent.

“That Dai Li, he is something—at least, he is way better than you. That is why the national team wants him. When can you grow up? Your name is Xuexi Zhuang, why can’t you study harder and get some better results? I may be your uncle, but I can’t take care of you forever! Once I am retired, what will you do if you are still like this!” Director Zhuang looked very upset.

“Uncle, I understand what you’re saying. That’s why I wanted to be trained by the national team. I want to learn under a higher-level coach. Even if they only teach me a little, I can learn a lot, and you won’t have to worry about me,” Xuexi Zhuang said, trying to sound sincere.

Of course Director Zhuang could tell that Xuexi Zhuang did not mean it. The reason he wanted to go to the national team was only to brag about it.

However, giving it some more thought, Director Zhuang began thinking that it would be really nice if Xuexi Zhuang got an opportunity to study on the national team. Even f he only learned a little, he could be ahead of everyone else when he returned to the provincial team.

“You are my only nephew, what can I say?” Director Zhuang shook his head. “I’ve got some resources in the national sport bureau. Let me see what I can do. But listen—if you get in, you have to study hard as hell. You are not causing me trouble anymore!”

…

Director Zhuang had some power, so he could probably use it to get an extra spot on the list for Xuexi Zhuang.

Once Dai Li heard about this, he was not surprised. While a freshman in this field like him could only seek help from Jihai Ding, it was much easier for Director Zhuang to pull a few strings and get Xuexi Zhuang an extra spot, as he had been working for the government for decades.

Dai Li felt it was wrong to do this, though, as more people meant a higher cost. Even though it was the national team, it did not mean that they had endless resources. They had to bring up coaches who were really talented and promising. Dai Li knew Xuexi Zhuang well, so he thought it would really be a waste to bring up Xuexi Zhuang.

Dai Li arrived at the national track and field team three days in advance.

It was the first time Dai Li had gone to the capital city. The reason why he had come early was because he wanted to get a tour of the area.

There was enough space on the national team for people to stay. Here, where every inch was a lot of money, the head sport bureau had a massive area for temporary dormitories, or rest houses. This area was big enough to house over 500 or 600 people during the Olympics, so it was easy to arrange the living space for only a few dozen people, including Dai Li.

Three days later, everyone arrived. The national team sent two buses to pick them up and bring them to the training base.

Dai Li roughly counted the number of people present. The capacity of one bus was around thirty people, so the total number of the people had to be over sixty.

We’ve got a lot of people here, over sixty I think. They must be the most talented ones from all over the country! Dai Li suddenly thought of Xuexi Zhuang. They had not come here together.

Maybe there are some people like Xuexi Zhuang who pulled some strings to be here. Then Dai Li laughed to himself as he remembered he had also utilized a connection in Jihai Ding.

It took about two hours before the buses arrived at the destination. Dai Li did not know if they were in Huajin or in another city. The bus drove into a compound.

Huajin police training base? Dai Li read the words on the black and white billboard, feeling confused. The bus was already inside.

“This is a police training base, why are we here?” someone next to him asked.

“Is it the so-called ‘development training’ stuff? I heard this is the new trend that they just started doing,” another one said.

“Anyone here break the law? Put your hands up and confess to your crime! Otherwise the policemen will be here to catch you,” someone said jokingly.

“Silly, this is the training base. If someone makes a mistake, they will surely be sent to prison.”

The bus stopped while they were still talking.

“Here we are, let’s get off the bus!” The leader of the national team got off the bus and walked to the dormitory building while the others followed. He then arranged the place for everyone.

Compared to the rest house in the head sport bureau, this was much worse. Eight people would be sharing one room with four bunk beds, as well as the shower room and toilet. The living conditions were worse than the dormitories in college.

This was a police training base, after all. They did not come here to enjoy life, so it was understandable.

Once everyone was settled, they were all called to the conference room. After all sixty of them sat down, the leader of the national track and field team walked into the middle with a middle-aged guy in camouflage.

“That guy is wearing camouflage, is he the coach here? Is he going to train us?”

“No way, this is the police training base. Are we really going to have professional police training? With fighting and gun shooting? I haven’t touched a real gun my entire life!”

Suddenly, someone said delightfully, “It would be great if we could touch a real gun. I would die to just touch it and take two or three shots!”

Chapter 141: Eliminate Half First

In the meeting room, the coaches were busy talking. The national team leader waved his hand, signaling for the crowd to be quiet.

After everyone stopped talking, the leader said, “So, this is the police training base. You may be wondering why you are here, instead of in the national team training center.”

The leader paused deliberately to observe everyone’s facial expressions. Seeing that everyone was looking at him waiting for his explanation, he continued, “According to our national team’s original plan, this Youth Training Program was supposed to recruit thirty to thirty-five people, but due to various reasons, we have more than sixty people here.”

Hearing this, Dai Li involuntarily glanced at Xuexi Zhuang, thinking, The leader seems to be implying that about half of us are here because of our connections.

The leader continued, “You are all coaches, so I do not need to tell you that no matter which level you are at, the resources are limited. Our Youth Training Program doesn’t have enough resources to train more than sixty young coaches, so we will have to eliminate half of the group first. Based on our plans, only thirty of you can stay, which means more than half of you must leave!”

Pausing, the leader’s eyes were stern. Some people looked embarrassed, especially people like Xuexi Zhuang, who had gotten here through his relationships with others. They had a higher possibility of being eliminated.

I thought that I would be directly sent to the national team. Why did nobody tell me that there would be an elimination round! Xuexi Zhuang was in agony.

Others, on the other hand, were very calm. They feared nothing because they had a strong backing. Some even grinned coldly.

Elimination? This is nothing serious. My third uncle is in the General Administration of Sports; he is in charge of this program’s funds. They wouldn’t dare eliminate me!

My brother-in-law is a national team coach. I’m a relative of the team. They won’t clean me out, will they?

My backing is the vice-director of the General Administration of Sports. If not for the monk’s sake, but the Buddha’s, they would never eliminate me!

There were many people who had similar thoughts. No matter how much ability they had, their backing was stronger than Xuexi Zhuang’s for sure! Some of them even felt that they were guaranteed a spot.

“As for how the eliminations would be conducted, the political instructor, Chen, from the police training base, will tell you the details.” The leader pointed at a man standing nearby dressed in camouflage and said, “I will leave this afternoon. You will be under Instructor Chen’s guidance. He will assess your abilities and make the final decision!”

Those who had feared nothing were now anxious. They had been fearless because of their connections, and thought that the national athletics team wouldn’t dare eliminate them. But all of a sudden, the judge had suddenly become the political instructor of the police training base. The disciplined services had strict rules; having a connection would mean nothing now.

Dai Li was secretly happy that the national team had wised up. If the national team had held the evaluation itself, the team could not handle it well. Once those “connections” put pressure on the team, the team leaders would not be able to come to a fair decision because they would have no choice but to keep those people happy, which meant keeping the people they had recommended. Networking was so powerful that even the national team could do nothing.

But the national team had given the power to kick incompetent people out through disciplined service to the police. People who would be disqualified would have no leg to stand on, since it would assessed by the police training base instead of the national team.

The disciplined services always had very strict elimination systems. It might not have been zero omissions, but one would be hard-pressed to find a connection that would help them pass the evaluation. At the very least, the final judgement would be more reliable and fair than the national team’s would have been. And if someone had a connection strong enough to interfere with a disciplined service’s decisions, he definitely did not need to be a poor athletics coach.

The man in camouflage took one step forward, raised his hand in a salute, and then said, “Nice to meet you, coaches. I’m Chen, the political instructor. For the next two weeks, you will live here. I will take care of your living arrangements. Our accommodations are basic, and not as cozy as what you have at home. But I hope that you will obey our administrations. Of course, if you cannot bear it, feel free to tell me at any time, I can send you back downtown to the airport or train station.”

Instructor Chen was clearly implying that if anyone felt that the training conditions were too hard to bear that they could quit at whenever they wanted, but that it would cost them their spot if they did.

Anyone who had chosen to be a professional coach was not a pleasure-seeker. Training was hard work for athletes and coaches alike. They were both exposed to the weather all the time; and while athletes continued exercising, so did their coaches, just with a lower workload.

Because of this, poor accommodations were nothing to the coaches. Years ago, when coaches would accompany athletes on their trips to other places, coaches would bring cots for the athletes while they sat on hard seats for the entire night as a way to save money. One time, when Coach Jihai Ding had taken Feixiang Lin to Europe for competitions, the host had only arranged dorms for the athletes. Jihai Ding did not want to waste money, so he spent the entire night sleeping on the floor.

Instructor Chen continued, “As for dining, we offer good food. We don’t have a lot of fish and meat, but we do offer a well-balanced diet. Because you are from different parts of the country with different eating habits, it is hard to please all of you. So, if you can’t stand the food at all, you can buy instant noodles in the convenience store, which is near the canteen.”

“In our police training base, because the logistics department distributes towels, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc., the convenience store does not offer everything. Unfortunately, it is not a supermarket. Please excuse us.

“As for the rules, there are some key points I would like you to remember. We have totally-enclosed training, meaning the gate is closed Monday through Friday with a 24-hour standing sentry. Outsiders who want to come in must present IDs, and insiders who want to leave must ask for permission. After all, this is a disciplined service; I don’t want to see that you go out that often. It is a long way to downtown, and the transportation is not very convenient. If any of you have something urgent you must tend to, come to me and ask for leave.

“Friday afternoon, after 5PM, you can leave our base freely. You have two consecutive days off in Saturday and Sunday. We offer shuttles to take you to the bus station, but remember to return before 8PM on Sunday. If you arrive late, the gate will be closed, and you will be in some trouble.

“Later I will show you around to make you familiar with the premises.” Instructor Chen then changed the topic and said, “Now I would like to give you some detailed information about how we are going to assess you!”

This was directly related to everyone’s future, so upon hearing this, the coaches all pricked up their ears and listened carefully.

Chapter 142: Training Policemen

Although more than sixty people would be evaluated, over half of them would have to leave. How and what they would be evaluated on was still the biggest question, however. When Instructor Chen referred to this topic, everyone listened very carefully.

Instructor Chen said slowly, “Recently, we held a fitness test for the city’s first-class policemen, but had unsatisfactory results. A small number of policemen did not pass the test. We have picked out around sixty policemen with the worst performances. Your job is to train them one-on-one. This is your task for the evaluation.”

The coaches all sighed in relief.

“Ah, so it’s training policemen. He scared me, I thought we were the trainees!”

“Policemen’s fitness test, I wonder what programs we will have? Will the test be like what we see on TV, like a weight-bearing cross-country race, climbing over a high wall, and crawling under an iron net?”

“Stop bullshxtting! Those are for training special soliders! Did you hear what Instructor Chen said? It’s a fitness test. How could a normal fitness test include so many cruel events? I say we have to work on the 1000m run at most!”

Instructor Chen took out a pile of documents and said, “You may be wondering what kind of events we have on the policemen’s fitness test, so let me explain. We have four events for the men: the 4x10m shuttle run, the standing long jump, pull-ups, and the 1000m race. For the women, we have one minute of sit-ups and the 800m race. However, on our team, most of the females are in administration and logistics departments; few of them are first-class policemen. This means that all your trainees will be men.”

The standing long jump, pull-ups, and the 1000m race are all on the high school entrance physical exam. The only difference is the 4x10m shuttle run. Dai Li relaxed. He had once held a training class for the physical exam, so he had already had some experience on coaching these events. He could do this with ease.

Instructor Chen handed the files to the front row and said, “This is the evaluation standard of our fitness test. Sixty points is passing, and 100 points is a full score. Everyone take one copy, then pass it on to the people behind you.”

The files were passed around. Dai Li took a copy and gave it a look. Scorn flashed across his eyes: Isn’t this too simple?

Dai Li was not the only one who reacted this way. The other coaches looked relaxed as well, including the ones who had gotten here through their connections.

For the 4x10m shuttle run, the minimum requirement is 12.20 seconds; for the standing long jump, the minimum requirement 2.20 meters; for the pull-up, trainees must get at least ten repetitions; for the 1000m race, it cannot be longer than 4.05 minutes. This is so easy! Even middle school students could do this. With two weeks of one-of-one training, this will be a piece of cake. I could train twenty or even thirty people at once and have them all pass! Xuexi Zhuang thought confidently.

Although Xuexi Zhuang did not have much ability, he was still a Provincial Youth Team coach. On such a team, even a loser would be influenced by what they consistently saw and heard. Although he was nothing comparing to Dai Li, he was still capable of helping an ordinary policemen pass the test without a doubt.

But then, the national team leader cleared his throat and said, “You are all professional coaches. Your goal is to be on the national team. You will have the best athletes in the country, including national champions, national record holders, and even world-level athletes. Are you satisfied with passing with the minimum requirement? Do you think passing will help you stay here?”

Instructor Chen continued, “This evaluation table is divided into several levels. From 5 to 100, every five points is a level. You can find a detailed rubric in the file. We will evaluate your performance by your total score. Passing is the minimum requirement; if you all pass, you will be judged by your scores. The thirty people with the highest scores will be allowed to stay. To guarantee your place, a full score gives you the best chance. If your trainee gets a full score, you will surely stay.”

Hearing about this, the coaches turned to their evaluation standard.

“Pull-ups: 10 reps is 60 points, 11 times is 65 points, 12 times is 70 points. Every pull-up is five points. To get a full score of 100 points, one would need to do twenty pull-ups!”

“For the 1000m race, the minimum requirement is 4.05 minutes, but a full score is 3.25 minutes!”

“The full score for the standing long jump 2.52 meters! To get just 85 points, one needs to jump at least 2.40 meters.”

“For the 4×10 meter shuttle run, one must finish within 10.60 seconds to get a full score.”

Reading this, a lot of people frowned. These standards were easy to reach for professional athletes, but for ordinary people who lacked years of training, it would take much more time and effort to finally achieve the goal.

The most important thing was a trainee’s physical condition. If the trainee was in poor physical condition, he would only be able to do three or four pull-ups, jump two meters, and finish the 1000m race in five minutes. It would be impossible to obtain a full score with only two weeks of training. In addition, weekends did not count towards the two weeks. They really only had ten days in total to prepare.

All the coaches began to realize this. Someone immediately asked, “Instructor Chen, could you tell us what scores these policemen got on the fitness test?”

“Below 100 points,” Instructor Chen smiled, “And I mean 100 points in total. The full score for all four events adds up to 400 points.”

“100 points in total means they averaged 25 points per event. Let’s see what 25 is equal to on the rubric.”

Everybody, including Dai Li, focused on the standard table again.

“For the 4×10 meter shuttle run, 25 points is 13.60 seconds. The full score is 10.60 seconds. That’s a three second gap!”

“For the standing long jump, 1.92 meters is 25 points. 2.52 meters is the full score. That is a sixty centimeter difference!”

“Three pull-ups is 25 points. Eighteen is 100 points. They would have to be able to do fifteen more pull-ups in just ten days!”

“For the 1000m race, 25 points is equivalent to 4.40 minutes, which is 1.15 minutes shorter away from the full score!”

“If you subtract the weekends, we only have ten days of training. In this period of time we have to help them improve by three seconds in the 4x10m shuttle run, sixty centimeters in the standing long jump, help them do fifteen more pull-ups, and shave off 1.15 minutes from their 1000m race!”

“How can we do it? Ten days is too short a time for them to improve. Based on their current condition, they can definitely pass the exam after ten days, but there is no way they can get full score.”

“In athletics, the higher one’s ability is, the more challenging it is to improve. Nobody can improve that quickly and get a full score.”

Dai Li frowned. He finally had an idea of what the evaluation would be.

All of the policemen’s scores are below 100 points, which means they are in poor physical condition. Normally, it would be impossible for them to get a full score with only ten days of training. An average of eighty points in each event would be ideal. The distinction appears exactly here! This evaluation is not as easy as I thought.

Chapter 143: TV Dramas are Deceiving

The next morning, Dai Li met his partner, who would also be his trainee.

“Hi, I’m Chong Lin,” the trainee said, introducing himself. “It is the same as ‘Panther Head’ Chong Lin in All Men are Brothers.”

“I’m Dai Li. Nice to meet you.” Dai Li stretched out his right hand for a shake as he maintained eye contact.

The man was around thirty-five. He looked ordinary and slightly fat. He was wearing an army green compression shirt, camouflage pants, and sneakers. At first glance, he was definitely not someone you would notice in a crowd. He looked like he was easygoing.

Men in their mid-thirties put on fat easily. Even the slightest bit of inattention to one’s lifestyle would lead to a potbelly.

“You are young, Coach Li.” Chong Lin eyed Dai Li, too. He had heard before that these coaches were all young men, but now that they were actually face-to-face, he was surprised.

Dai Li replied, “Chong Lin, if we subtract the weekends, we only have ten days to train. Time is limited. To save time, how about we start now? What do you think?”

“No problem. Let’s do this,” Chong Lin nodded.

“Because today is the first day, we won’t do any high-intensity exercises. But let me make something clear now: you should pay attention to your diet, especially your dinner. I think you’d be better off watching your weight,” Dai Li said straightforwardly, “Your current weight will affect your make-up exam score.”

Chong Lin nodded with embarrassment. He knew he was overweight.

“Today’s task is aerobic training. Aerobic exercise is a good way to lose weight. Moreover, if you keep doing this after today, your weight should stay off much easier,” explained Dai Li.

“Coach Li, you are a professional. I will do as you wish,” Chong Lin replied without hesitation.

“Before that, let’s do some warm-ups first. Usually we warm up before formal athletic training. By doing so we can avoid hurting ourselves while quickly preparing our body for formal exercises, which will help us obtain better results,” Dai Li explained further.

Chong Lin showed a stiff expression, then nodded agreement.

Dai Li felt sympathetic. Because Chong Lin was not an athlete, neither the slimming exercise nor the fat loss exercise would have an effect on Chong Lin. Otherwise, Chong Lin could quickly lose weight doing the slimming exercise.

But as a professional athletics coach, Dai Li did have something he could do. The slimming exercise was not the only thing he had. Dai LI was quite familiar with various kinds of warm-up exercises.

After a brief warm-up, they got into the formal training. As Dai Li had mentioned previously, their first exercises would only be of a low training intensity. As opposed to doing high-intensity work immediately, Dai Li hoped that this method could help Chong Lin get into groove quickly. It was only when the body gradually became familiar with training that the increase in intensity would be effective.

Aerobic training contained jogging, swimming, and bike-riding. The latter two activities lacked equipment support at the police training base, so jogging was the main task for Chong Lin’s first-day training.

Chong Lin did well in the beginning, but as time went by he often had to pause to take a break, stooping down to rub his legs.

At first Dai Li thought the reason Chong Lin had soreness was because he had not practiced for a long time, so his body was unable to stand it, and lactic acid had accumulated on his legs. But after some observation, Dai Li found that there was something wrong.

Chong Lin’s running posture looks different than the others. One hard step followed by one light step. It seems like he loses his balance. He is acting like a cripple. What is wrong? Did he twist his ankle?

Thinking about this, Dai Li shouted, “Stop, stop please!”

“Coach Li, what happened?” asked Chong Lin.

“Did you twist your ankle?” asked Dai Li.

“What? No! I’m good.” Chong Lin looked fine. He deliberately twisted his ankle in front of Dai Li to prove that he was OK.

“It looks like your running posture is different than before,” said Dai Li.

“Well, it must be because sand got in my shoe! Nothing serious,” Chong Lin said. He took off his shoe and shook it.

“I’m a coach. I don’t want to see my athlete hurt himself during training.” Dai Li paused, then said, “In addition, athletic rehabilitation is my strong point. If you feel like something is wrong, tell me.”

Now it was Chong Lin’s turn to hesitate.

Chong Lin lowered his head and remained silent for a few seconds, then said, “Coach Li, to tell you the truth, I have a wound on my leg! But I want you to keep it a secret if you can.”

“What kind of wound? May I take a look?” asked Dai Li.

Chong Lin cautiously looked around to make sure that nobody was watching them, then pulled Dai Li to a corner and sat down. He rolled up his pant leg, showing his right leg to Dai Li.

Dai Li lowered his head and took a closer look. There was a long scar with stitches on Chong Lin’s leg. The skin had changed color in the middle of the scar, which made it look like the area was burned. The whole scar was ten centimeters long. It was horrifying.

“What’s this?” Dai Li asked confusedly. He had never seen such a scar before. It was definitely not a knife wound, but it looked like a serious injury caused by a crash or burn.

Chong Lin put his pant leg down and answered, “It’s a gunshot wound.”

Gunshot! Dai Li nodded to himself. This gunshot wound was completely different from what he had seen on TV. In the TV dramas, gunshot wounds were small circles. But what he was seeing in front of him was a huge wound, not a small circle.

In fact, real gunshot wounds never looked like small circles. Modern weapons were grisly. A little circle would be caused by bullet shot by a small caliber weapon. If one were to receive a frontal hit, the wound would be worse.

If one was to be directly shot by a larger caliber weapon, the situation would be pretty bad. If an individual was hit in the left side of their chest, they would die for sure. If the right side of their chest or belly was hit, the person would have a 70% possibility of death. If any of the limbs were shot, there would be a 70% chance that the person would face an amputation. Suppose a 7.62mm-caliber rifle bullet was fired into a human body at a velocity of 850 meters per second:. It would cause at least a twelve centimeter-long wound. If it entered the head, one-third of the skull would gone.

If the same bullet hit someone in their bulletproof vest, the pressure would be the same as being hit by an eight pound hammer. A rib fracture would be expected; if the bullet hit a soldier’s helmet, it would fracture the skull.

So this is a real gunshot wound. TV dramas are deceiving! I learned something today. This is what a gunshot wound really looks like, Dai Li thought to himself.

Chapter 144: Conceal the Injury

After Chong Lin showed his wound to Dai Li, he immediately rolled his pant leg down to cover it again, worried that someone else would notice his horrifying scar.

He took a deep breath and remained silent for a few seconds, then said, “I was working in narcotics. I worked in a southwestern border city, and was a undercover investigator among drug dealers.”

Dai Li immediately recalled the tough men on TV that would hold machine pistols and dart to the drug lord’s lair. An undercover investigator usually looked intense and scheming, like Chaowei Liang in Infernal Affairs, the famous spy movie. But seeing Chong Lin, Dai Li was shaking his head on the inside. Regardless of his appearance or temperament, Chong Lin was too ordinary; he wasn’t powerful or bold at all, like the dramas had portrayed.

What Dai Li didn’t know was that when selecting undercover investigators, police would usually choose ordinary faces purposefully. Handsome muscle men were too attractive and would easily draw attention, which would keep them from completing their tasks.

Chong Lin continued, “I was an undercover investigator for five years, then finally completed the job successfully. My wound is from my last arrest. The injury was quite serious, and the rehabilitation process was not optimistic. My doctor’s diagnosis was a permanent unrecoverable disability. My injured leg can’t take too much force, otherwise I will feel a violent pain in it, making me weak. I can’t do any activities for too long, even jogging. That is why I have been out of practice for years, and why I didn’t pass the fitness test.”

“Is the test aiming at first-class policemen? If you have a wound, why would the bureau of public security insist that you work here? You could be a civil servant in the administrative or logistics department,” asked Dai Li.

“I concealed my injury,” said Chong Lin, “After that job, the organization transferred me to Huajing, a city thousands of miles away from my original city, in an attempt to protect me from from the drug dealers’ backlash. When I registered, I concealed my leg injury from the leaders of the Huajing Bureau of Public Security so that I could continue working in first-class narcotics.”

“You don’t want to be a civil servant?” Dai Li immediately asked.

Chong Lin nodded seriously, “Right, I don’t want to be a civil servant! I’m a policeman. I still remember my vow under the national flag on the first day I became a policeman. My duty is to get rid of the cruelty in the world, keep the peace among the people, stop crimes, and protect everyone! If I became a civil servant who stayed in the office all day long, I’d feel like the walking dead! I’d rather be killed by drug dealers than hide in an office room all day!

“That’s why I didn’t say anything about my injury. I want to stay on the frontline and catch criminals myself!” Chong Lin was speaking in an agitated tone. He took a deep breath to calm down, but his face showed how exhausted he was. “But I may not be able to cover it up anymore. The fitness test revealed my secret; I didn’t pass it because of my injury. A policeman who can’t chase after thieves is useless. I won’t be able to stay on the frontline any longer.”

Hearing Chong Lin’s words, Dai Li was touched. To uphold his responsibilities, Chong Lin had concealed his injury so he could stay on the frontline. He didn’t know how many policemen were like Chong Lin, but one thing was certain—Chong Lin was great!

“Coach Li, could you please help me pass the test? Only then will I be able to stay here fighting criminals!” Chong Lin said. He had finally told Dai Li his ultimate goal.

Chong Lin had been an undercover investigator, which meant that hiding a leg injury was not a difficult thing for him. Because Dai Li had not suspected anything, Chong Lin had chosen not to hide his secret on purpose. That was why Dai Li had noticed his abnormality. If Chong Lin had wanted to hide his injury, even Dai Li would not have been able to discern it.

Chong Lin knew that he might not be able to hide his secret much longer. If he could not pass the make-up fitness test, he would be transferred and become a civil servant. Because of this, there was no need to pretend he was fine in front of Dai Li. Instead, he had chosen to tell Dai Li everything, hoping that Dai Li could help him.

“Sure!” Dai Li nodded without hesitation. He had a special feeling that helping Chong Lin was his new mission.

Even though it is a gunshot wound, my massage rehabilitation should work. Even if I cannot bring Chong Lin’s leg back to its original condition, I have to help him pass the fitness test. Moreover, this test matters for my future, and whether I can stay or not. If Chong Lin does not get a good score, I will be eliminated!

Thinking about this, Dai Li suddenly felt like he was unlucky. There were more than sixty policemen who had not passed the test, yet he had gotten the one injured person who had concealed their condition. When training a person with injuries that was not completely recovered, normal training methods could cause negative effects.

The other coaches don’t need to deal with these difficulties, do they? Their trainees, even though they had poor performances, are at least normal people. I’m the only one who has to work with this challenge!

On second thought, Dai Li felt that he was lucky. Because there were more than sixty people who had not passed the test, he was the one who had partnered Chong Lin.

Chong Lin’s leg was hurt when he took the test the first time. Only my massage rehabilitation can help him recover. If it was some other coach, he would probably have to become a civil servant, and we would have lost an outstanding policeman. It is my honor to help him, and he is lucky to have met me!

Dai Li took a deep breath to calm himself down, then told Chong Lin, “May I take another look at your wound? I’ve been studying athletic rehabilitation, so perhaps I can help you.”

“I have seen a lot of famous doctors. After seeing my CT slice, they all said there was no way to cure it. Permanent disability was assured to me,” said Chong Lin.

“Don’t worry. Let me give you a massage first,” Dai Li said, beginning to use the massage rehabilitation.

“It’s useless. I have also seen some masseuses, but none of their massages have worked. My wound doesn’t hurt normally, and I don’t even feel any discomfort when i’m resting; but once I put pressure on it or run for a long time, it hurts,” said Chong Lin.

“It doesn’t hurt usually? You don’t feel any pain?” asked Dai Li.

Chong Lin shook his head and said, “No.”

Dai Li looked serious.

Chapter 145: Another Physical Examination

From Dai Li’s experience, when injured people received the massage rehabilitation, they felt an explosive, excruciating pain. But once the pain disappeared, patients would feel comfortable. Yet today, after dozens of minutes of the technique, Chong Lin had not reacted at all.

That’s weird. Why doesn’t he feel any pain? There shouldn’t be anything wrong with my method. massage rehabilitation works on non-athletes, so why isn’t it working on him? What’s wrong with his leg?

Thinking about this, Dai Li was unable to restrain himself. He pinched Chong Lin.

“Ow! Why did you pinch me? That hurts!” said Chong Lin.

He can feel the pain. So is there anything wrong with my massage rehabilitation? Dai Li shook his head silently. It shouldn’t be. I have been practicing it for a while now. Plus, the System has never failed me before!

Noticing that Dai Li’s facial expression had changed, Chong Lin asked, “What’s wrong? Is it because my leg is indeed hopeless? Don’t worry, it’s been years since I received that news. I have already accepted the reality. Don’t feel sorry for me.”

Dai Li suddenly accessed the System. He was worried that the System was down. But after speaking to the System’s golden avatar, it told Dai Li that the System was still functioning normally.

“I know you don’t understand it. I suggest you check your experience points,” said the System.

It has not changed! said Dai Li casually. But he immediately recognized the key problem.

My experience points have not increased at all. I have been massaging for more than ten minutes. How come it hasn’t changed? As long as the massage rehabilitation works, I earn experience points. Does this mean that the massage rehabilitation is not effective on Chong Lin?

Dai Li involuntarily recalled the conditions of the massage rehabilitation. Suddenly, a thought popped into his head.

“Your leg is recovered!” said Dai Li.

Massage rehabilitation fit patients whose body had used to function, but had later partially or completely lost function due to external factors such as illness, injury, disability, etc. Massage rehabilitation could promote recovery and help patients heal in a shorter period of time.

Meanwhile, if the patient was not ill, or had recovered, the massage rehabilitation would have no effect at all. If Dai Li gave a person who had fully recovered the massage rehabilitation, he would not gain any experience points.

When Dai Li had given Chong Lin a massage, he had not gained any experience points, which could only mean that Chong Lin was fully healed.

“You mean my leg is recovered? Are you kidding?” Chong Lin shook his head. “I know that you are encouraging and comforting me, thank you, but my leg is disabled. There is no way to heal it.”

“Did the doctor say so? Were you misdiagnosed?” asked Dai Li.

“The doctor said so. I met several doctors, including professors from famous hospitals in Huajing. After checking my CT slice, they all gave me the same opinion, which was that this disability is permanent and incurable,” Chong Lin said, helplessness flashing across his eyes.

But Dai Li was inclined to trust the System. “I’m not comforting you, I mean what I say. According to my experience in massage rehabilitation, your leg is OK now. You said that you went to the doctor. How long ago was that? It it possible that you were not recovered at the time, but that now you are good?”

“I don’t think so. The doctors had said that my injury was irreversible and permanent,” Chong Lin said as he shook his head again, “Besides, whenever I put pressure on my leg, I feel discomfort.”

“Could it be due to some other reason? I think you’d better go examine your leg again. Because modern medicine has been developing so fast the last few years, some problems that had been difficult to treat years ago have since been solved. Maybe your leg is curable now!” said Dai Li.

“Is that really necessary?” Chong Lin shook his head. Obviously he did not believe what Dai Li was saying.

Chong Lin has to get another examination to double-check his leg. But if I say it straightforwardly, will it make him feel like I don’t trust him? Dai Li thought secretly.

Trust was very important between people, especially in the athletic world. If the trainee did not trust the coach, then the training effect would decrease greatly.

I have to find a good reason that will persuade him to get another physical examination. Dai Li brainstormed for a few seconds, then got an idea.

Dai Li said, “The situation you are facing is more complicated than the others. They don’t have any leg injuries, so their problems are easy to address. But you are different; your leg is not cooperating, which means that I must give you a special training plan, and that I should be careful with your training intensity.”

Chong Lin nodded. Dai Li continued, “But these are all based on the detailed understanding I have on your leg. Otherwise, I cannot design a fitted plan for you, let alone adjust your training intensity. How about this: you ask for leave and get another physical examination, and I can go with you so that I can fully understand your condition.”

“I’m afraid that isn’t a good plan. If I ask for leave, everyone will know that my leg is injured, won’t they?” asked Chong Lin. Apparently he didn’t want to make the issue known to anyone.

“We can find an excuse. Say you twisted your ankle. I can help you convince them,” said Dai Li, “You are a good policeman. I will try my best to help you. But before that, I have to fully understand your condition. This is the basis of our training. Otherwise we can’t move forward.”

“Alright then, I will do as you want,” Chong Lin finally agreed.

…

Chong Lin and Dai Li spent the entire afternoon in the hospital.

It was very difficult to register in hospitals in Huajing. Even if one made an appointment six months beforehand, seeing a specialist was not guaranteed. Ticket scalpers made a great amount of money selling registration tickets.

Luckily, Chong Lin had been a policeman for years, so he had some relationships in Huajing. In addition, it was common to see doctors through connections. Chong Lin had asked a familiar doctor for help, and was able to be examined without having to wait.

Dai Li and Chong Lin then had to wait for the results. Usually when people had CT examinations, it would take an entire day to get back the results, or maybe even two days depending on the number of patients. In actuality, however, the beginning of the examination to the diagnosis only took about ten minutes. In Tertiary Hospitals, emergency CTs were required to be diagnosed within half an hour.

“I feel like my injury is worse than before,” Chong Lin said sadly.

“Or the opposite?” Dai Li took out his phone to check the time, then said, “The doctor you know said that he had informed the Imaging Department to deal with your CT first, and that we could have the results in half an hour. Time is up; let’s go get your CT slice!”

Chapter 146: Your Leg is Cured

Police Training Base.

Although it was only the first day of training, every coach had already begun doing everything they could to help their trainees. There were only ten days total that had been allotted to training, so every minute was precious. Even people who had gotten here through their connections were treating this seriously. Nobody wanted to be eliminated.

All the trainees were policemen. As part of the disciplined services, policemen had more executive ability than athletes. Plus, the training location was in the police training base, which made the atmosphere serious as well.

Xuexi Zhuang did not like the atmosphere. It was too depressing here for him. But he had to bear it, as he was now in Huajing, and not the Hanbei Provincial Youth Team. His vice-director uncle could not help him here. He would have to put in the work himself.

No matter how much he disliked it here, he had to continue coaching. Xuexi Zhuang did not want to be kicked out by the national team. He put more effort then ever into his training. He had never worked this hard before. Meanwhile, Xuexi Zhuang was also paying close attention to Dai Li.

Xuexi Zhuang had seen Dai Li’s coaching. Although he had always been looking to cause Dai Li trouble, he had to admitt that Dai Li was an outstanding trainer, and was much better than he was. Xuexi Zhuang also felt that based on Dai Li’s ability, he would definitely be on the Top 30 list.

Where is Dai LI? I saw him this morning, but why has he disappeared this afternoon? Xuexi Zhuang looked around, but he could not find Dai Li.

When the first day of training had come to an end, Xuexi Zhuang had still not seen Dai Li.

Dinner time. Xuexi Zhuang and the other coaches gathered in the canteen. They had all come from all over the country, and spoke with various dialects, which created a lively atmosphere in the canteen.

“Have you heard about this? This morning a policeman twisted his ankle during training and had to go to the hospital at noon.”

“That means he must have been badly hurt. If it was ordinary sprain, we coaches could handle it. After a massage, relaxing the muscle and joints, it would be fine. If that poor guy is in hospital his injury must be serious!”

“Which coach is the unlucky one? Being in the hospital costs a whole day. Now his first day has been wasted. We only have ten days to work with our trainees, and he has already lost a tenth of it!”

“Moreover, if the trainee’s injury is terrible, he might have to rest for a few days. That would delay the entire training process.”

“I thought we would see the gaps between us after a week. But someone has already fallen behind on the first day!”

“We can’t rush for quick results, either. We have to do it step by step. Our time may be limited, but we can’t give too much work to our trainees. Otherwise, once our trainees hurt themselves, the loss will outweigh the gain.”

Everyone nodded. Many people seemed to take what had happened as a warning.

Xuexi Zhuang listened carefully. He knew Dai Li had been missing all afternoon, so he asked, “Do you know where that coach is from?”

“Not sure. But he is young, I heard that he is only twenty-four or twenty-five,” someone said.

“Some people called him ‘Coach Li,’ which would mean that his family name should be Li, shouldn’t it?” another one added.

Twenty-four or twenty-five, and the family name is Li! Xuexi Zhuang was pretty sure that they were talking about Dai Li. He was immediately overcome with joy.

Aha, Dai Li! Never thought you would have a day like this, huh? Time, pass by quicker, please. I can’t wait to see your face when you are kicked out!

…

In the clinic, a young specialist around the age of forty adjusted his glasses, taking a closer look at a CT slice in his hand.

Usually a forty-year-old person was a specialist in their area; marketing, finance, electronics, etc. A forty-year-old was usually a manager with high positions. In the government, someone who was lucky enough could become a vice-director around forty-years-old.

But for doctors, a forty-year-old doctor was considered a “young specialist.” Developing a doctor took such a long time that a doctor at thirty was only a resident who wrote medical records for patients; to be an attending doctor, one had to be at least thirty-two. In big hospitals, doctors who were younger than thirty-five were not even qualified to sit in the clinic.

The young specialist put down the CT slice and said, “The CT slice tells me that there is nothing wrong with your leg!”

“Nothing wrong?” Chong Lin was completely confused. But Dai Li showed a “right enough” smile.

“That’s impossible. I have visited many specialists, and they all told me that my disability was incurable.”

“Disability?” The young specialist shook his head. “Your leg is not disabled at all! Your CT clearly shows that your leg is pretty good! To be more accurate, your leg is completely recovered. There are no lingering effects,” the young specialist said resolutely and undoubtedly.

“Could…Could there be a mistake?” Chong Lin said quietly.

The specialist seemed to be used to the doubt of his patients. He was not annoyed by Chong Lin’s question, but said, “My diagnosis is based on this CT slice; I say what I see. If you doubt the accuracy of my diagnosis, you can check with some other doctors.”

“No, we trust you! Thank you!” Dai Li immediately thanked the doctor, pulling Chong Lin out.

After walking out of the clinic, Dai Li asked, “Would you like to see another doctor to double-check?”

“Sure. Let’s change the hospital and change the doctor, and see what they says!” Chong Lin nodded. He had been believing that his leg was disabled for years, yet suddenly a doctor had just told him that he was alright. He couldn’t accept the news that easily.

As with the first time, they found a familiar doctor for convenience, then looked for a new specialist to check the CT slice. However, the new doctor had the same opinion as the young specialist. From what he saw on the CT, Chong Lin’s leg was fine.

“How could this even be possible! A few years ago when I was being examined, every doctor had told me that I would be permanently disabled. Why is everyone today saying that my leg is OK? I didn’t receive any treatment these last few years. How could it have cured itself?” Chong Lin was astonished.

Dai Li proposed a question to Chong Lin, asking, “Could it be possible that you were given the wrong CT slice? Years ago, when you were being examined, could you have taken the wrong CT slice, that belonged to some other patient?”

Chong Lin’s eyes suddenly shined brightly. He felt like what Dai Li was saying made a lot of sense.

“Coach Li, I have to go back home to get my original CT slice,” said Chong Lin.

“No problem. I will go with you.” Dai Li walked with Chong Lin back to his house.

Chong Lin found the original CT, then took the two CT slices back to the hospital. The doctors were off duty and the all the clinics were closed, but because of his relationships, Chong Lin was able to go directly to the surgical ward and meet the vice-director doctor who was on duty.

“These are two different people’s CTs,” the doctor said decisively, pointing to a place on the CT. “You see, the two bones at the same place have different shapes and sizes. Here, also, the bones are different. And there, and that … These CTs belong to two different people for sure!”

“Then which CT is mine and which is not?” Chong Lin asked.

The doctor stared at Chong Lin, giving him a look that said, “How could I tell which CT belongs to you!” However, the doctor explained, “According to national rules, clinic medical records should be kept for at least fifteen years, while in-patients’ records should be saved for thirty years. You can go back to the hospital where you got your original CT from, and go to the archives center to check your records.”

Chapter 147: Mental Disorder

Chong Lin’s CT slice had been made several years ago in the Public Security Hospital. He had asked someone to check it, and it had turned out that there was a big mistake. The CT showing a “permanent disability” actually belonged to another injured policeman, not Chong Lin.

Taking someone else’s CT by mistake was seemingly impossible, as hospitals usually had electronic medical record systems nowadays, including imaging systems. Before, if a patient moved to a different hospital, every examination, all their medications, and all their treatments would be on a personal database that was recorded on a computer until the medical records department officially put it on file.

Now, however, electronic medical record systems were required in all hospitals. Prior to this, many tertiary hospitals did not have backwards compatibility available for the transfer of information, so manual operation was the main method. For example, when patients are prescribed medicine today, they only need to bring their insurance card with them. Years ago, it was mandatory for patients to have hand-written prescriptions from the doctor.

Everybody made mistakes; such things were unavoidable. Almost every medical incident is caused by human error. Unfortunately for Chong Lin, he was one of the few who had had to experience one of them.

The doctor could only give a diagnosis based on examination results. A wrong CT slice could mislead him or her to make the wrong decision.

To continue actively serving as a policeman, Chong Lin had concealed his injury on purpose. He did not want anyone to know about his wound, and was afraid that he would be transferred and be forced to become a civil servant. Because of this, he had avoided getting himself a second examination.

This was understandable. To many patients, one examination was good enough to tell a lot of things. Sometimes, even if a doctor asked the patient to do something simple like take a routine blood test twice in two days, the patient might think the doctor was just trying to overcharge them. Getting a new CT slice would cause even more suspicion.

Chong Lin had gone to different specialists to double check his CT. To keep his injury a secret, when he would meet with the specialists, he would always say that the CT belonged to a friend of his, who had authorized him to find possible treatments.

Even the most famous specialists would not dare diagnose anything without examination results. Because of this, every specialist had given Chong Lin the same answer: “permanent disability.” This, however, was not Chong Lin’s actual condition.

The mistake had convinced Chong Lin that he would be disabled for the rest of his life, and would never be cured. So, whenever he was on duty, he would worry whether his leg could bear the pressure or not. After a while, he had given himself a physical burden. Even after his leg had recovered, he still felt pain, and lacked strength. This was a mental disorder, similar to posttraumatic stress disorder; although he was healthy physically, he could not move past his injury mentally.

Chong Lin had been telling himself for years that his right leg was no longer useful, so even though his leg was fine, he still felt uncomfortable. Gradually, his subconsciousness began to sense pain in his leg, and he was unable to use any of the strength in his right leg. While doing certain exercises, he also felt like his leg could not bear the pressure.

Luckily, Chong Lin had met Dai Li. Being encouraged by Dai Li, Chong Lin had finally gotten another examination after years of avoiding one. Now he realized that he had actually received the wrong CT slice, and that his leg was already cured.

…

By the time Chong Lin returned to the training base, it was already afternoon. He had received confirmation that the mistake had been the Public Security Hospital’s fault, and that they had given him the wrong CT slice, which had caused his misunderstanding. Because of this, he felt embarrassed and distressed; embarrassed because he had been convinced that he was disabled had created his mental disorder himself, and distressed because the hospital had made a mistake.

Had it been a different hospital, Chong Lin would probably have asked for medical dispute compensation. But it was Public Security Hospital, which belonged to the public security system itself. The hospital had cured so many injured policemen, that as a policeman himself, Chong Lin did not want to ask for compensation. Besides, if he did, the leaders would get involved, and make this big mistake seem insignificant.

Chong Lin felt his situation was unfair. Because of this CT, he had wasted years of his life. Every time he had been on duty, he had not charged forward like he had once done, and had missed opportunities to earn his honor. Now that he knew the truth, he could not change what had already been done. He had no choice but to bury his bitterness deep down in his heart.

“I think you should cheer up,” Dai Li said, comforting him, “There is nothing wrong with your leg, which means that you can return to being the brave inspector you once were!”

“I was not a “‘brave inspector,'” Chong Lin said. He didn’t look happy at all. His words sounded like a complaint.

Dai Li remained silent for a few seconds, then said, “I understand. You lost a lot of time that you could have spent being a policeman. But now your main task is not dwelling on your past—it’s getting your time back!”

Chong Lin glanced at Dai Li with surprise. He never thought that Dai Li, someone so young, could sound like such an experienced old gentleman.

Chong Lin suddenly burst out in laughter. “You are right. I should not stay here sulking. It won’t change anything. I should work hard and make up for what I missed while I was gone!”

“That’s what I have been waiting for,” Dai Li said. He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed to Chong Lin. He said, “Here is my detailed training plan for you. I’m going to gradually add to the training intensity. You can take a look first so you can prepare for it.”

Chong Lin took the paper. Dai Li had organized the training plan as a table with detailed information. Even non-athletes like Chong Lin would have a clear understanding of the plan.

“Coach Li, let’s do as you planned!” said Chong Lin.

…

Dai Li’s training plan contained a high training intensity, which was a big challenge for Chong Lin.

Luckily for Dai Li, he had a good assistant—the massage and muscle relaxation. Whenever Chong Lin felt like he could not bear the intensity, the massage and muscle relaxation would rapidly help Chong Lin’s muscles, which would help him return to training as soon as possible.

In the very beginning, when Dai Li had first received the massage and muscle relaxation technique, he had felt that the skill was useless. But as time had gone by, he realized that this skill was amazing. It could immediately alleviate muscle fatigue caused by high intensity training, which allowed him to increase the workload for better results.

Because Chong Lin had once been an undercover investigator, he had strong endurance both physically and mentally. He had gone through dangerous tasks, so high intensity training was nothing serious to him.

In the blink of an eye, the first week had passed. The training had moved on to the second week. It was exactly at this time that almost all the coaches were in trouble.

Chapter 148: I Just Need to Pass

Police training base.

Xuexi Zhuang was unhappy. His trainee was absent-minded. Because of this, his training for the day had been quite ineffective.

It was Tuesday. Yesterday, the trainee had not been himself, and was not as serious as he had been last week. Xuexi Zhuang thought it was because he was coming off of the weekend, but now that excuse looked unlikely.

This problem was not only affecting Xuexi Zhuang, but the other coaches as well. The trainees were no longer taking the training seriously, and although they were still determined to pass their exams, the effort they were giving was much lower than it had been last week.

All the coaches realized that it was their trainees’ attitudes that were the problem. As a coach, having some “bad” students was unavoidable. Even if it was the same person being coached, the trainee might have a different attitude towards training depending on when it was taking place.

If the trainee was an athlete, the coach had many methods of punishing an athlete’s immature attitude, such as suspending the athlete from competitions, or sending the athlete back to his or her original team. As for the athlete, there were only two options; quit, or acknowledge the mistake and correct it.

Few athletes dared to quit. In domestic amateur athletic systems, athletes only stayed on training teams. If they quit, they would effectively end their career.

In this case, however, the coaches were dealing with a group of policemen. Even though the policemen were not training seriously, the coaches had no idea what a proper punishment would be.

…

Back with the national athletics team, Chief Coach Shuren Zhao fiddled with his Kungfu tea set and said, “It’s about time those young coaches face some difficulties.”

Opposite Shuren Zhao sat an old man in his sixties. He had a bald head and round face, and had a fiendish look. He was Li Xue, the assistant chief coach of the national team. H had the highest seniority among all the coaches with administrative duties.

“I heard about it. The policemen are slacking.” Li Xue stretched out his hand to receive a cup of tea from Shuren Zhao, then drank it quickly.

“Hey dude, slow down! This is Kungfu tea! You should take time to sip and taste it!” said Shuren Zhao. He made another cup for Li Xue.

Xue took the second cup and asked, “Shuren Zhao, is this all part of your plan?”

Shuren Zhao nodded in confirmation, “After a week of training, the policemen should have reached the qualifying standard already. Their attitudes were bound to change once they hit that milestone. For these young coaches, the upcoming week will be their real challenge!”

“You are right. People have various attitudes towards work. Say the full score is 100 points; somebody might try to get a 120-point performance, while someone might be fine with a 100-point score. Others, on the other hand, might feel satisfied with an 80-point score is pretty good, while someone else might believe reaching the qualifying standard is good enough.

“These trainees must belong to the last group. If they were the kind of people who constantly strived for perfection, they would have passed the fitness examination already. But they didn’t, therefore they are not. Passing the exam is the goal for them. Now that they have reached the passing mark, they won’t be going out of their way to try for a better result,” Li Xue analyzed.

“That’s it. So for these young coaches, what they are going to have to try and deal with now is how to inspire their trainees to keep working hard.” Shuren Zhao paused, then continued, “Our national team’s selection criteria for young talent is not just based off of their training abilities, but their outstanding comprehensive competence. For a coach, getting athletes highly involved in training is the foundation for success!”

…

Xuexi Zhuang said to his trainee in earnest, “Officer Wang, our training today was not very satisfying. In fact, we have taken steps backwards compared to last week. I can feel that you are not giving your all during training anymore. Do you have any concerns? Are you facing any difficulties?”

“No, I’m good. I just don’t really want to practice!” Officer Wang smiled. Then he said, “Coach Zhuang, I think the current training load is enough. There is no need to add more to it.”

Xuexi Zhuang suddenly felt depressed. Officer Wang had just reached the passing line. If he continued with his current workload and did not do any additional exercises, he would improve very slowly. By the time he takes the fitness exam, he will not get a good grade.

Xuexi Zhuang kept trying to persuade him, saying, “Officer Wang, having been through a week of training, you are now capable of doing higher-intensity work. Let’s work this out together. There are only a few days left; by the time you take the fitness test, you will get a good grade.”

“But I can pass the test now,” Officer Wang said with an adorable look, “As long as I reach the qualifying standard, I will pass the make-up test. That means I only need to stay at the passing level.”

“Um…” Xuexi Zhuang was at a loss for words. He had no rebuttal for Officer Wang.

Xuexi Zhuang was unsure how to persuade Officer Wang. Had he been an athlete, he could talk about honor, dreams, and a bright future, having him imagine a scenario where he was standing on the prize-winning platform singing the national anthem, with a gold medal around his neck. But it was a police officer standing in front of him, not an athlete. Glory did not mean much to him.

What should I do? Xuexi Zhuang felt like a chicken with its head cut off.

The other coaches received similar replies from their trainees. “My goal is to pass the exam. Now that I have reached the passing standard, why bother working harder?” This became a common response amongst the trainees.

Every profession had people with a strong sense of responsibility, as well as workers who muddled along. This was especially true in governmental organizations where officers held certainty in their hands. Because people in these organizations had guaranteed futures, quite a few got lazy as time went on. After all, their salary came from financial appropriations; as long as they completed their tasks, no matter how poorly they performed, they would receive the same amount of money. Why bother going the extra mile?

Those who wanted to be promoted would definitely not mess around. Instead, they seized every possible opportunity to present themselves in the best light possible in front of their leaders.

As for these policemen, they had not passed the basic fitness examination, which indicated that they were not type of people who were responsible or would pursue excellence. They wished for nothing more than to ride the waves; as long as they completed tasks, there was nothing they needed to worry about in their eyes. These were the people that only cared about passing the make-up test.

For the coaches, however, simply passing the make-up test was terrible!

Chapter 149: Faith

Chong Lin was better than the other policemen. He was not the kind of person who was satisfied with simply passing the test. He didn’t object to Dai Li’s increasing workload, but like the other trainees, he was not as serious as he had been last week.

Once a goal was attained, people tended to relax a bit. Chong Lin fell into this category, as he had also reached the passing standard. To him, he had completed an important task, so it was no wonder he had begun to slack off.

“Even if you took the make-up test now, you would pass for sure. But is that all you want?” Dai Li looked at Chong Lin seriously.

Chong Lin nodded with embarrassment, “Sorry Coach Li, I know I was absent-minded during today’s and yesterday’s training. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not objecting to training, I just relaxed a bit. I shouldn’t be like that.”

Dai Li smiled with satisfaction. He believed that if Chong Lin had the desire to improve, things would be easy.

“I changed our plans for the next three days. Would you like to take a look?” Dai Li handed a form to Chong Lin.

Chong Lin took the form, quickly looked through it, then asked, “Did you add more training tasks?”

“Yes. I not only added events, but I increased your workload as well. You have to train efficiently, otherwise you won’t be able to finish daily tasks on time.”

It was easy for Dai Li to say, but tough for Chong Lin to do. Chong Lin’s face tightened up.

Increasing the quantity to make up for inadequate quality was Dai Li’s plan. Chong Lin’s lack of effort was mainly due to his psychological relaxation. If Chong Lin had not reached the passing standard yet, he would have been trying his hardest, and would definitely not be at ease now.

Dai Li’s wanted to make Chong Lin feel nervous and pressured. That was why he had scheduled more tasks for Chong Lin.

Once a person realized that they had a lot of work left to do, they would naturally feel anxious. Such anxiety was the opposite of relaxation; anxiety could gradually reduce relaxation and push the person forward.

This method was exactly what Dai Li believed in. In fact, when coaches dealt with an athlete’s lack of effort, many of them used this method. By increasing the workload, the athletes would be stimulated.

Increasing the workload was a science. Simply adding more workouts couldn’t solve the problem. If a coach set a goal that was too high for the trainee to reach, the athlete wouldn’t struggle for it, and it would have a negative effect.

The ideal execution was to make the athlete feel like they could finish the tasks on time, while in actuality the workload was just beyond the athlete’s ability. This way, the trainee would have hope that as long as they worked harder the next day, they would complete the tasks. The athlete would have a practical goal worth fighting for, thus the training quality would improve.

Dai Li had the Coaching System, but he also had some true ability. When he was in college, he had been a good student who teachers liked. Although the System had brought him some benefits, during training Dai Li depended on his own ability.

Dai Li’s new training plan was just above Chong Lin’s limit, so Chong Lin could not complete all the tasks in time. Meanwhile, Chong Lin was not discouraged; instead, he felt he was just one step closer to his goal.

…

“Alright, it’s about time to finish,” Dai Li looked at his watch and said.

“One more task! Just one more task and I can complete today’s plan!” Chong Lin was upset.

“Yeah, you are very close. Keep working hard, and you will make it tomorrow,” smiled Dai Li.

On the training plan, Chong Lin’s tasks for the next day were rearranged by sequence and amount. Some things had been added while others had been reduced. It seemed at first glance as if the total quantity was similar to the previous day, but in fact it was a little more than before.

Because of this tiny increase, Chong Lin was close to completing all the tasks, but failed again. The small gap had created enough separation to inspire him. He was no longer slacking off, but became more active, in hopes of completing his tasks on time.

While the other coaches were still seeking ways to encourage their trainees to work harder, Dai Li had gotten Chong Lin back to high-intensity training successfully. Dai Li felt that he was lucky to have Chong Lin as his trainee, as he always kept pushing to be better.

Seeing the other coaches stuck, Dai Li rejoiced. He knew that the gap between Chong Lin and the other policemen would soon be widened. After all, Chong Lin had once been an undercover investigator. Police officers who were qualified to be undercover agents, especially to detect drug lords, had to be outstanding. Those selected must be the best in terms of physical fitness, combat, marksmanship, etc, let alone IQ and psychological quality. Therefore, physically, Chong Lin was way better than the others.

To Chong Lin, even though he had only gotten back half of his previous ability, he was guaranteed to get a full score on the make-up test.

…

Chong Lin’s leg injury had been caused by his own overthinking. Now that he knew there was nothing wrong with his leg, and had erased the mental blocks from his head, he immediately devoted himself to crazy training.

On the training field, sweat poured down from Chong Lin’s face.

“15, 16, 17, 18…” Chong Lin forgot how many sets of eighteen pull-ups he had done today. According to the qualifying standard for the fitness test, eighteen was equivalent to a full score. Chong Lin was exhausted, but he still insisted in practicing.

“Officer Lin, you have been practicing for two hours. That is enough. Let’s take a break,” said Dai Li.

“No, I can do it!” Chong Lin refused.

Dai Li was about to say something, but stopped himself. He saw tenacity and persistence in Chong Lin’s eyes. Chong Lin could hardly bear it.

So tired! No, I can’t give up, I have to keep working! I must make up the time I missed…

At this moment, Chong Lin remembered that he was a policeman, and recalled the responsibilities he had.

…Loyalty to the motherland, loyalty to the people, and loyalty to the law… Chong Lin contemplated the vow he had made under the national flag on the first day he wore his police uniform.

…Obey orders, obey command; keep disciplined, keep secret… Chong Lin finally said to himself. Only strong belief was left in his mind!

…Be impartial and honest; observe duty, do not be afraid of sacrifice… He repeated the vow. Only one goal remained in his mind: holding on.

To Chong Lin, it was not only a hundred-word vow, but a career, a mission, and a responsibility; a faith to which he was willing to dedicate his life!

He was eager to return to his original status. He was eager to be the original version of himself!

…

The two-week training period came to an end. The police officers had their big test, then went to take the make-up fitness examination.

The test was not only for them, however; it was also for the coaches. Only the coaches who ranked in the top thirty would qualify to stay, and be formally enrolled in the national team’s Youth Training Program.

Chapter 150: Bad Example

All the trainees went to take the fitness test, while all the coaches gathered in the meeting room waiting for the results.

“I feel so nervous. I have never felt so nervous before, even when I led my team for big contests,” somebody said.

“Only thirty people can stay. I will probably be kicked out! My trainee didn’t work hard once he reached the passing standard,” another person complained.

“Ah, same. My trainee, Officer Wang, was really casual the last five days. Whenever I wasn’t paying attention, he got lazy.”

“These police officers are not athletes, we can neither blame nor punish them. They didn’t treat it seriously enough. We can’t do anything to correct them.”

This voice had hardly faded away, yet a few people immediately showed sympathy.

There were several coaches who smiled with confidence. Apparently they had figured out how to stimulate their trainees after they had reached the passing standard. Their trainees’ performances must have been above the passing line.

“Coach Deng, I say you are definitely going to win! With 400 points in total, your trainee must be able to get 320 points at least, right?”

“You must be joking, Coach Qiao. I would be satisfied if my trainee got 300 points. But your student will have 320 points for sure, won’t he?” Coach Deng asked in response.

“320 points, when divided by four, is an average of eighty points per event. I hope he can do it, but it’s too difficult. We only had ten days, after all.”

The two had known each other for a long time ago, and had been opponents in many big contests. Therefore, their exchange was not very friendly, but it was still respectful.

Hearing the conversation, Xuexi Zhuang was filled with anxiety. He had not been capable of helping his trainee acquire 300 points in ten days. He felt that the two coaches were showing off.

You showoffs! Xuexi Zhuang said to himself.

He couldn’t keep himself from turning to Dai Li. But he was surprised to find that Dai Li looked so calm. He couldn’t sense any nervousness from him.

Xuexi Zhuang immediately felt shocked. He was not as good as Dai Li in training. Now that Dai Li showed such a peaceful look, he felt that he was also not as mentally strong as him, either.

Xuexi Zhuang decided to give Dai Li some trouble. He turned to Dai Li and deliberately asked out loud, “Hey Coach Li, I heard that your trainee twisted his ankle on the first day?”

Dai Li sensed the nastiness in Xuexi Zhuang’s words, so he nodded with a smile, “It’s unavoidable to get hurt during training. Luckily, Officer Chong Lin was not badly injured. He recovered after one night of sleep.”

“But you still wasted a whole day! Your trainee must be in bad shape. We only had ten days to train, and you wasted a tenth of it.” Xuexi Zhuang took pleasure in Dai Li’s misfortune.

Xuexi Zhuang’s words garnered the other coaches’ attention. Everyone shifted their focus to them, many coaches began to comment about Dai Li in a low tone.

“So he is the one who hurt his trainee on the first day. He looks younger than us!”

“Right, he is around twenty-four or twenty-five. He must be younger than us. You know, young people don’t know how to control themselves; they only rush forward. It should have been expected that he would hurt his trainee.”

“Physical training is a science. As a coach, he shouldn’t be so careless. He should consider the trainee’s ability. Let’s say the day he missed was his lesson.”

“What a costly lesson! He lost a day of training. How can he be in the top thirty? He will be kicked out. I hope he can learn something from this.”

“I would imagine he has a strong backing, otherwise he wouldn’t be in this program at such a young age. How much ability do those people have? Even if he had one more day to make it up, he would still be kicked out.”

In everyone’s eyes, Dai Li was a bad example.

In coaching, age was not strong proof for ability. But if a coach was too young, like Dai Li, and was younger than many athletes, sometimes the coach lacked authority in front of older athletes, let alone a team!

Therefore, quite a few coaches who did not know Dai Li thought that he had gotten here through some connection. Now that people with relationships would soon be eliminated, those who had true ability despised Dai Li, while coaches with connections pitied him.

Dai Li didn’t argue back, nor did he care about their gazes. In athletics, people spoke with their actions; a victory on the field was more convincing than thousands of disputes. When they received the final results, it would be time to repair Dai Li’s reputation.

It didn’t take long. After a minute, Instructor Zhao came inside with a form in his hand.

“The final results for fitness test are in my hand. Now, I’d like to announce the grades.” Instructor Zhao raised his head and looked around, then said, “The top thirty of you can stay on the national team, while the rest will be eliminated. So I will directly read the scores of the top thirty. If your trainee’s name is not announced, it means that you have been eliminated.”

In the meeting room, all the coaches became serious. They pricked up their ears and stared at Instructor Zhao with expectation, hoping that the next second their trainees’ names would be announced.

“Number thirty: Feng Li, 270 points!” Instuctor Zhao read the first name. A coach waved his fist excitedly, he was ready to jump up to celebrate. Feng Li was his trainee, which meant he had just met the qualifying standard.

But many coaches’ faces were stern. Their trainees had only wanted to pass the exam. Because the passing score for the four events was 240 points, according to the level division rule, every five points was a level. This meant that 240 points was six levels behind 270 points.

“270 points over four events. That means Feng Li averaged seventy points for two events, and sixty-five for the other two.”

“If 30th place has 270 points, then the other twenty-nine people must have higher grades! Oh my, I will be kicked out…”

Xuexi Zhuang’ heart began beating faster. He sensed that he would probably be eliminated too.

Chapter 151: 1st Place, Chong Lin!

The score for the 30th place finished was 270 points, which was the lowest a player could score if they did not want to be knocked out.

However, this score was disappointing for those who were taking a lot of chances. With the lowest standard being 270 points, it was thirty points higher than the passing score. This difference was an impossible obstacle to overcome for the coaches who were content with just a passing score.

Of course, there were some people who were still unwilling to give up, such as Xuexi Zhuang.

There must be more than one player who scored 270 points, and there must be players who scored the same number of points. Maybe 29th and 28th place also got 270 points. If Officer Wang scored 270 points with his extraordinary performance, I stand a chance. Xuexi Zhuang comforted himself, then began to pray for his trainee, Officer Wang, and wished that his performance be better.

On the stage, Political Instructor Zhao continued to read off the names. “29th place, Qi Liu, 270 points; 28th place, Shan Li, 270 points; 27th place, Tao Chen, 270 points…”

Political Instructor Zhao shouted out six names who had all scored 270 points, just as Xuexi Zhuang had expected. However, Officer Wang had not yet been mentioned by Political Instructor Zhao.

“24th place, Xiaowei Song, 275 points.” A different score had finally been announced by Political Instructor Zhao. He went on to announce the scores of another three police officers, who had also gotten 275 points.

“20th place, Bin Zhang, 280 points.”

“18th place, Baoyu Wang, 285 points.”

…

The names were being shouted out one by one. Every announcement of a name triggered an excited look on the face of a coach.

Announcing the names one by one was quite torturous for the coaches. If the scores of all the players had been directly announced on a notice-board, the coaches of the players who had been knocked out (not included in the top thirty) would have been disappointed for a while after reading the announcement, but that’s about it; afterwards, they would have gotten over it after coming to terms with the outcome. After all, failure was quite common for coaches.

But because the names were being announced one by one, it gave hope to the coaches, and filled their hearts with expectation. However, defeat after expectations was a harder pill to swallow psychologically.

Especially in the later stages, when there were only a few remaining spots, the atmosphere became more and more stressful; at the same time, the expectations in the hearts of the coaches were growing conversely. Therefore, the closer it got to the end of the announcements, the worse the atmosphere got. The expression of the coaches whose trainees had not yet been called was no longer solemn. Some were already red-faced, about to burst.

Although it was quite torturous, it seemed quite enjoyable for Political Instructor Zhao. Just like an anchorman, he slowed down the announcement and his pace of speech to build suspense.

Political Instructor Zhao was not psychopathic; he was only doing this out of professional habit. Psychological endurance was also a training aspect for the police. A police officer had to face life-threatening risks all the time, so their psychological qualities were quite important. Therefore, Political Instructor Zhao began using the training skills for psychological endurance unknowingly in his announcement, even though he was not aware that he was speaking to a bunch of sports coaches.

As the rankings got closer and closer to the top, the scores of the officers got better and better. There were now very few players who had gotten the same number of points. Among the top-ten players, each score was different. It was almost as if something as small as five points meant getting a place higher.

…

“Say Qingshan Li, come on, say Qingshan Li!” Coach Deng kept muttering silently.

It was time to announce the top three. The scores had reached 305 points. According to Coach Deng’s estimation, the score of the officer that had been trained by him should be within this range.

“In 3rd place: Qingshan Li, 310 points,” Political Instructor Zhao finally said aloud.

“Whew!” Coach Deng sighed in relief. The score had matched his estimation exactly.

Coach Deng looked at Coach Qiao, who was standing beside him. The name of the officer that had been trained by Coach Qiao had not been said yet.

“Officer Kong, don’t let me down!” Coach Qiao also looked every nervous. There were only two places left, which meant only two more chances to place.

“2nd place, Kong Qingjun, 320 points!”

“Yes!” Coach Qiao released a sigh of relief immediately. He felt that this had been even more suspenseful and exciting than the national contests the team he coached had participated in. His chest had been filled with the pleasure of winning in the last minute.

Coach Deng was a little surprised. He had confronted Coach Qiao in the contest many times, with mixed results. But today, Coach Qiao was obviously better than him. The officer that had been trained by Coach Qiao had scored 10 points more than his own trainee.

“The total score for 2nd place is 320 points, which means the average score for each person is 80 points!”

“Awesome. This Coach Qiao is really something. In just ten days, he managed to help his trainee improve the average score of each subject to eighty points. “

“Stop your superfluous words! Coach Qiao is from a coaching family. He began taking part in the National Track and Field Grand Prix by coaching a team independently three years ago. He is the diamond of the Jiangdong Sports Team. He will definitely join the National Team in future. “

Although some people were praising Coach Qiao, a look of joy could not be found on his face.

320 points, yet only 2nd place? Besides Coach Deng, who else could be more capable than me in training? Coach Qiao looked around. There were still over 30 coaches whose trainees had not been called, so Coach Qiao could not figure out which coach had trained the champion.

Maybe the 1st place score is the same as mine, 320 points! Coach Qiao said silently to himself.

…

Only first place had yet to be announced. Among the over thirty coaches whose trainees had not been called, many people were hoping they could be the last one.

With their necks stretched out, and teeth and fists clenched, they were all looking at Political Instructor Zhao with eager eyes. Even the smallest motion of Political Instructor Zhao would put more pressure to them. It was similar to those that played the lottery; even if they knew they probably did not win, they could not help but hope that they had gotten lucky.

Of course, many coaches had already given up completely. The score of 320 points meant that the average score of each subject was eighty points, which was beyond their capabilities. They knew the police officers they had trained would never get such a good score.

Xuexi Zhuang was one of them. He was in a terrible mood, but seeing Dai Li cheered him up.

I was knocked out, but Dai Li was knocked out, too! A sense of relief overcame Xuexi Zhuang.

At that moment, Political Instructor Zhao read out the last name.

“In 1st place: Chong Lin, 400 points!”

Chapter 152: The Bad Example’s Counterattack

“In 1st place: Chong Lin, 400 points!” The voice of Political Instructor Zhao was clear and resonant.

All the coaches were completely silent. Almost everyone’s face was filled with great surprise. Disbelief was in the eyes of many people.

Four hundred points is the full score, did I just hear that correctly? Is Political Instructor Zhao joking? one coach said silently to himself. When he saw the solemn face of Political Instructor Zhao, however, he instantly knew that what Political Instructor Zhao had said was true.

“Wow!” The next second, the meeting room was in an uproar.

“400 points, the full score! How could that be possible!”

“We only got ten days of training time, how could a full score be possible?! For the total score to be even over 300 points is a remarkable achievement. It is really incredible that someone could get the full score!”

Coach Qiao and Coach Deng looked at each other, exchanging looks of amazement.

Who is that? What coach could be so capable? Coach Qiao thought that 320 points would be the top score; even if someone was better than him, he thought the score would only be five or ten points higher at most.

However, to his surprise, the 1st place finisher had gotten 400 points, which was 80 points higher than his trainee’s score. According to the criteria that equated five points to one level, this was a giant difference of sixteen levels.

Moreover, with the growth of the trainees’ level, the training would be more and more difficult as a result, and the progress would be harder and harder to see. In this case, during an examination of physical performance, a score increase from 90 points to 100 points was much more difficult than an increase from 70 points to 80 points.

Coach Qiao had always believed that he, the coach who had come in 2nd, and the other coaches, who had gotten 30th, were on two different levels; after all, the score difference between 2nd and 30th place was 50 points. But right now, there was a world of difference between him and the coach of 1st place.

The noisy discussion of the coaches made Political Instructor Zhao frown in discontent. However, he could expect too much from some coaches. If police officers had been in such a chaotic condition, punishments would have been inevitable.

The coaches kept conversing, ignoring Political Instructor Zhao’s expression.

“Who is it? Who could be so awesome?”

“Only a man of God could get a full score within ten days. Just come forth and receive my worship!”

“Political Instructor Zhao just said the name of the police officer who got the full score is Chong Lin. Who is the coach of Chong Lin?”

“Chong Lin? It sounds so familiar. I feel like I have heard this name somewhere.”

“No need to tell me. Of course you are familiar with the name. Haven’t you read the The Water Margin (a Chinese novel written by Shi Nai’an; this novel is considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The story, set in the Song dynasty, tells of how a group of 108 outlaws gather at Mount Liang (or Liangshan Marsh) to form a sizable army before they are eventually granted amnesty by the government and sent on campaigns to resist foreign invaders and suppress rebel forces. It introduced to readers many of the most well-known characters in Chinese literature, such as Wu Song, Chong Lin, and Lu Zhishen.)? The ‘Panther Head’ Chong Lin!”

“I am not talking about the Chong Lin from The Water Margin. It seems like his name was just mentioned by someone here!”

“Yes, now that you mention it, I also remember that someone said this name just moments ago!”

The speaker looked around in the meeting room, then rested his eyes on Xuexi Zhuang.

“It was him, he just said that! He mentioned Chong Lin’s name!” The guy said, pointing at Xuexi Zhuang.

Xuexi Zhuang was immediately baffled. The next second, he suddenly remembered that it was him who had just said, “It is really bad luck for Officer Chong Lin,” when he had been speaking with Dai Li. The name of Chong Lin had been mentioned by Dai Li in the very beginning.

“Dai Li! The coach of Chong Lin is Dai Li!” Xuexi Zhuang turned his head and looked at Dai Li in surprise. A few minutes ago, he had been making fun of Dai Li for hurting his trainee on the first day. But now, that same police officer had gotten the full score on the physical performance examination, and was the only one to have done so.

“Is Chong Lin your trainee?” Xuexi Zhuang asked, almost clenching his teeth. He could not accept what was happening right before his eyes.

Dai Li smiled and said, “Officer Chong Lin has always worked hard in training. The full score should be attributed to his diligence and hard work.” Dai Li had humbly admitted that he was the coach of Chong Lin through his words.

“It is him! It is the young man. He is the coach of Chong Lin. His training got Chong Lin the full score!”

“Huh? Is he the coach whose trainee sprained his foot during the first day of training?”

“It really is him! I was told that the police officer went to the hospital for a diagnosis and wasted a day. How could he have gotten the full score?”

“How could he have gotten the full score with 1/10 of his training time wasted? What training method did he use?”

Almost all of the coaches were looking at Dai Li in great surprise. These coaches had spent ten days in training, yet their scores were just over 300 points, at most. Most of them had gotten even less than 300 points. Dai Li had managed to help his trainee obtain the full score in nine days. The stark contrast was eye-catching, to say the least.

The coaches who had made comments like “this young man knows nothing of systematic training,” or “only this young man could act this recklessly” blushed immediately. In spite of their criticism, Dai Li had still managed to help his trainee get a full score, which easily crushed their pathetic scores.

Just a few minutes ago, Dai Li had been a bad example for everyone to take notice of; but now, this “bad example” had completed the perfect counterattack by not only coming in first, but also getting an amazing full score!

The coaches who had considered Dai Li a bad example were completely embarrassed. Many people felt ashamed that they were not a “bad example” like him.

Results were always the cornerstone of athletic training. A better result meant a higher training level, and a more capable coach. Ever since the ancient times, it had been impossible to find the “best” person in a writing contest, or the “second best” in a fight. Some readers may speak highly of a novel, but others might think it is terrible. No dish suited all tastes, for different people had different judging criteria.

But in competitive sports, a winner was always clear. In the racing games, one would fail even if he was 0.01 second slower than the winner; a difference of 0.05 points could result in failure. In competitive sports, everybody stood at the same starting line, and was evaluated by the same standard. By defeating everyone else, the winner deserved respect.

Dai Li became the focal point of everyone instantly, while Xuexi Zhuang became more and more flustered.

The name of the police officer who had been trained by Xuexi Zhuang had not been mentioned by Political Instructor Zhao, which meant that he had failed to make the top 30, knocking him out. Xuexi Zhuang would now have to return to the Hanbei Province in dismay.

If Dai Li had also been knocked out, Xuexi Zhuang would have definitely felt better. Both of them would have went to Huajing together. If they had come back together, nobody could have said anything about it.

But now, Dai Li could stay, while Xuexi Zhuang would have to go back by himself. He was unsure how to answer a question like “why did you come back alone?” This is what his colleagues, friends, uncle, the cook in the canteen, and even the cleaning lady would ask him. It would be very embarrassing for him to say, “I was rejected by the National Team.”

Xuexi Zhuang also knew that the gap between him and Dai Li would be widened because of this. Before, Xuexi Zhuang could still acquire more resources and even take opportunities from Dai Li using his uncle, who was the Director of the Provincial Sport Bureau. Now, Dai Li had reached the level of the National Team, where even Xuexi Zhuang’s uncle could not stop Dai Li from further development.

I never would have stepped into this muddy water had I known what I was getting into. Xuexi Zhuang began to regret his decisions.

Xuexi Zhuang had been too ostentatious lately. Now, this high-profile would turn out to be the heaviest psychological burden for him.

At that instant, Xuexi Zhuang realized the true meaning of the saying “don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

Chapter 153: The Real Competition

The Head Coach Office of the National Track and Field Team.

In front of a computer, Shuren Zhao was typing on the keyboard. The typing was fast, which meant he was busy. With a document in hand, Li Xue, the Deputy Head Coach of the National Team, knocked on the door and entered anxiously.

Shuren Zhao knew Li Xue was a quick-tempered person, so he asked, “Xue Li, why are you in such a hurry?”

“The police training base has sent us the results. They were just printed out in the office, so when I passed by I took a copy for you.” Li Xue paused, then continued and said, “Guess what? There is a full score!”

With a look of disbelief, Shuren Zhao looked up. This physical training was for the police officers whose physical performance was subpar. The average score of the selected officers was lower than 100 points; these officers were not the best. Moreover, the training time was very short. According to Shuren Zhao’s previous prediction, those who could score over 300 points should be considered top-notch talents.

Furthermore, the higher the score was, the more difficult the training would be. With a limited amount of time, it was almost impossible to get full score. Shuren Zhao thought that even with him as the coach, it would still be impossible to help a police officer get a full score in such a short time period.

“Who is it? This is really a remarkable achievement!” Shuren Zhao took the results from Li Xue.

“He’s from Hanbei Province. His name is Dai Li,” Li Xue said.

“Dai Li?” Shuren Zhao repeated. He felt like the name was familiar.

Dai Li had stayed in the Beikou Training Center for an additional month. To make this happen, Jihai Ding had made a special trip to ask Shuren Zhao for help. This was why the name was familiar to him. However, as time had passed by, coupled with being tied down with duties, Shuren Zhao had already forgotten about it.

“Has this Dai Li accomplished anything else before?” Shuren Zhao asked.

“I have already checked his records. He was the coach of Haiquan Fang in the Hanbei Province. When Haiquan Fang broke the U16 national record, Dai Li was his head coach,” Li Xue replied.

“The head coach of Haiquan Fang! To be able to develop a talent like Haiquan Fang must mean that this Dai Li is really somebody. Now he has gotten a full score again. Let’s focus our attention on him. If he is promising and worth working on, just have him stay here,” Shuren Zhao said.

“That’s what I was thinking,” Li Xue nodded. He then said to himself, Wow, a full score. He was able to get a full score in such a short time! This young guy is more skilled than an old bird like me.

…

The bus was parked outside the police training base. The coaches brought their luggage and got on the bus. More than half of them would be leaving tomorrow.

Dai Li had only just gotten on the bus when someone said to him, “Coach Li, why don’t you sit with me?”

A full score had put Dai Li in the spotlight. All the coaches who had participated in the training knew Dai Li, whether they had been knocked out or were still ableto stay.

Dai Li’s capability was also recognized by everyone. Coach Qiao, who had come in 2nd place, and Coach Deng, who had come in 3rd place, were completely convinced of Dai Li’s ability. Results were always the cornerstone of the sports world, and the strong were always admired.

As Dai Li sat down, somebody immediately said to him, “Coach Li, in a short period of time, you managed to help a police officer get a full score. Did you use some magic code? Could you please tell us?”

“Yeah, Coach Li, please give us some tips. I really want to learn from you,” another person beside him said.

Dai Li smiled and said, “Those are very basic training subjects. I was very lucky that the police officer I trained had been an anti-drugs policeman before. His physical ability was already better than the others.”

The 4x10m shuttle run, the standing long jump, the pull up, and the 1000m race were the most fundamental training subjects for professional sports coaches, who knew the training techniques very well. Dai Li really had nothing to offer to the other coaches that wasn’t already common knowledge. As for the good luck, Dai Li did not lie.

Unlike other officers who had failed the examination because of their poor conditioning, Chong Lin’s failure on the physical examination had been caused by some psychological problems.

For example, Chong Lin had been worried about his leg injury, and did not exert all his energy during the 4x10m shuttle run, which was why his performance had been unsatisfactory. When he was finally told that his leg had never been injured, he was able to make full use of his power without worrying about his legs, so his results improved remarkably. In terms of physicality, Chong Lin was far better than the other officers, which was the root of why Dai Li had mentioned his “good luck.”

Chong Lin had also worked earnestly and assiduously during training. To Dai Li, it seemed like Chong Lin was the most hard-working one among all the trainees. He truly deserved the full score on the examination.

The next day, the coaches who had been knocked out would leave and return to their training teams. The coaches who could stay would go to the training base of the National Track and Field Team.

…

In the meeting room of the National Track and Field Team, all of the top management for the National Track and Field Team, including the Head Coach, Shuren Zhao, attended the meeting.

“Hello, everyone. Welcome to the National Track and Field Team, and welcome to the Youth Training Program of the National Track and Field Team.” Standing centerstage with a piece of manuscript paper in hand, Shuren Zhao began introducing the program.

As Dai Li began to get drowsy, the microphone was finally handed to the Deputy Head Coach, Li Xue.

“This Youth Training Program we hold is mainly composed of 3 stages. The first stage is selection; the second stage focuses on development; and the third stage is examination.” As Li Xue spoke, he looked at the participating coaches, then held up his index finger and continued, “So, we will start the first stage of selection today.”

“What? A selection stage?” All thirty coaches were surprised, including Dai Li.

“Did I hear that right? Did Coach Xue just say ‘selection?'”

“We have just returned from the police training base. We originally had over sixty people, and now more than thirty have been knocked out. Isn’t that a selection?”

“What the hell is going on? Does that mean some of us might still be knocked out?”

Everyone was looking at Li Xue with a terrified look.

Li Xue said calmly, “I know you are dubious about our arrangement. You have just finished staying in the police training base for two weeks. More than half of you have been knocked out. What I’m trying to say is that what you experienced was not the selection of our Youth Training Program. Those who were knocked out over the last two weeks will not even have the opportunity to join our program.

“The original intention of the Youth Training Program was to find the top-notch talents from the best programs for further development. What we need are excellent coaches. The four training subjects used in the police training base can easily be handled by a PE teacher in middle school. How could those same subjects be used for the selection of coaches for the national team?”

The coaches were speechless. The four events used in the physical examination of the police were indeed the most elementary ones. They would not have baffled even middle school PE teachers. These training subjects were a piece of cake for professional coaches. Therefore, these subjects were not really the best standard to use as the talent selection criteria for the national team.

Everyone suddenly began to realize that the police training had only been the appetizer before the main dish. The real competition was just beginning.

Chapter 154: Observation and Learning

The news of the second stage of selection immediately made the meeting room tense. Everyone was sitting solemnly and listening carefully in an effort to avoid any missing content.

Li Xue was very satisfied with the coaches’ reaction. He really wanted to be encouraging, but because of his grisly look and his bald head, the coaches did not dare look at him directly.

Li Xue continued, “The track and field training of the national team is divided into the following groups: sprinting, middle-distance running, long-distance running, hurdles, steeplechase, race walking, long jump, high jump, throwing, and all-around. The relay training will be organized before the race by establishing a temporary training group.”

“The sprinting group will be divided into two teams: the 100m and 200m race are on team 1, and the 400m race is on team 2. The middle-distance running group will not be re-distributed. The long-distance group will be divided into two teams: the 5000m and 10000m race are on team 1, and the marathon is team 2. The hurdle, steeplechase, race walking, and the all-around groups will not be re-distributed. The long jump group will be divided into two teams as well: the running broad jump team and the triple jump team. The high jump group will also be divided into two teams, the high jump team and the pole-vault team. Finally, the throwing group will be divided into four teams: the shot put team, the discus team, the hammer throw team, and the javelin team.”

Once he finished, Li Xue glanced at the coaches, then continued, “Along with my introduction, I want to tell you that in the next two months you will be allocated to different teams to assist in training with the coaches of the national team by participating in the workouts. You may treat the next two months as a period of observation and learning. I hope you listen, watch, and learn earnestly, and think carefully during this period. If you do not understand something, think it over and ask questions! After the two months, the national team will hold a selection examination.”

Dai Li realized immediately that the selection examination that would be held must have a strong correlation with the learning and observation that would take place in these next two months.

This reminded Dai Li of his high school years. Before his examination, the teachers would always mark the contents of the textbook that would definitely be on the examination for the students, so that the students could know to review those contents carefully. This training observation, learning, and participation over the next two months would be equivalent to the marking of important knowledge to be tested on the examination.

All the coaches in the meeting room were elites from across the country. None of them were stupid, and everyone there knew that. Although nobody knew the detailed content of the selection examination, everyone had realized that the answers to whatever would be on the examination would be found in whatever they observed and learned in the next two months.

…

The sport event training had always been one of Dai Li’s shortcomings. Even though Dai Li was a college graduate who had majored in athletic training, his knowledge was basically only from textbooks. For the training for different sports, Dai Li only knew the training methods for the most simple events like sprinting, shot put, and the long jump.

However, even for these elementary sports, Dai Li’s professional knowledge was still inadequate compared to that of the national team. The training content and concepts of the national team had been far beyond Dai Li’s understanding. For instance, Dai Li’s knowledge of 100m sprint training that he had learned in university was archaic compared to the training methods of the national team.

The coaches who had once been professional athletes were definitely better than Dai Li in certain sports. For example, the coaches who had been sprinters may have had limited knowledge about training in other events, but they were certainly better than Dai Li when it came to sprint training.

“Better” did not mean better results; it meant better scheduling, better understanding, better pertinence, and better methods. As for results, Dai Li was definitely just as good as most coaches, if not better. This was the advantage the Coaching System gave him.

When Dai Li had been with the Youth Team of the Hanbei Province, he had mainly been engaged in the technique and physical training of the shot put and long-jump team. He had been responsible for basic training.

Young athletes were like unpolished jade. The most important thing in the beginning stages was to lay a solid foundation. The never-ending basic training that was repeated everyday was routine for young athletes.

All basic training was the same for all sports. Any coach with adequate professional knowledge could instruct athletes in basic training. Therefore, Dai Li was able to handle the training tasks easily and freely. Moreover, the assistance of the Coaching System helped Dai Li stand out among many coaches. Now, he was on the national team and was really participating in the training of various sports. Dai Li realized that he still had a lot to learn.

Dai Li’s first impression of the national team’s training was how meaningful it was. The coaches of the national team were really good at finding problems in athletes. Then, they would organize the training schedule of the athletes around their problems.

In addition, the national team’s training put more emphasis on details. To Dai Li, small details were totally harmless, and might not influence the result at all. These same small details that were negligible for ordinary coaches had to be corrected on the national team. It was true that a harmless detail could not influence the overall result; however, the accumulation of many small details could result in more significant effects. Sometimes the details could affect each other and cause a chain reaction. Similar to the butterfly effect, the smallest thing could ultimately change the outcome in a big way.

Two years ago, when Dai Li was still in the Beikou Training Center, he had only participated in the training of Feixiang Lin. Dai Li had not realized this fact at the time. Now, his understanding of training was even more profound, along with his participation in different training programs.

Dai Li was like a dry sponge that had suddenly been thrown into the sea. He began to absorb everything in his environment. He could feel himself learning new skills and practical knowledge, and had a novel experience during each day’s observation, learning, and training participation.

Practice and experience, which had to be accumulated over time in all industries, were Dai Li’s biggest deficits. For sports coaches, practice and experience were even more important. Unlike some industries that could have the sudden emergence of blockbusters, the growth of an excellent coach required long-term development.

The observation and learning on the national team gave Dai Li a higher starting point. Training on the national team was like a diamond that had already been transformed from coal. The training methods and concepts were state-of-the-art, at least in the country, and could be used right away. Dai Li’s first experience on the national team had saved him many twists and turns.

Meanwhile, the national team also had the best athletes from across the country. Dai Li’s participation in their daily training helped him gain a lot of experience and familiarity with the training system. In addition, because of his widely-recognized skill of relaxation massaging, tasks could always be assigned to Dai Li, which took up most of his free time. His first-person experience was skyrocketing again.

When the two month observation and learning period was halfway done, Dai Li’s system was upgraded again. He had finally managed to get past the threshold of a second-rate coach and make himself a top-level coach.

Chapter 155: The Miraculous Secret Weapon for Coach

“A new upgrade! This time I am going to move up to a top-level coach!” Overflowing with happiness, Dai Li began to hum a tune.

Dai Li would now be upgraded from a second-rate coach to a top-level coach. He would now be in the preliminary phase of the top-level coach.

Dai Li had been waiting a very long time for this upgrade. Nearly two years had passed since his last upgrade to the senior phase of the second-rate coach, which was around the time he had just finished helping Feixiang Lin. During this period, Dai Li had accumulated empirical value quietly through instructing athletes’ training every day. The growth of his empirical value had been very slow, to the point where sometimes he even forgot the the System existed.

The empirical value gained through training young athletes was extremely limited. If Dai Li had not come to the national team when he did, he would have needed more time before he would have been eligible for an upgrade.

Seeing the title of “Top-level Coach” in the System, Dai Li began to reflect on where he had started from. He still remembered the top-level coach experience card that had been given to him by the System when he was still a newbie, when he had just gotten the Coaching System. He had been so impressed by the miraculous power of a top-level coach back then. Now, he himself had finally become a real top-level coach.

“Bonus! Bonus! My bonus! This is the upgrade from the second-rate coach to the top-level coach. I am supposed to get a bonus package with two rewards inside!” Dai Li said to the System expectedly.

An upgrade package was promptly given to him by the System, as expected. Upon opening the package, Dai Li found two items in it. Dai Li had seen them before—one light ring and one chip.

Dai Li had obtained two similar items before. The light ring had a similar shape to the explosive force halo he already had, but was a slightly different color, meaning it was also a halo. The chip, which had also been obtained by Dai Li before, was an upgrade for the detector.

“A halo! I finally got another halo!” Looking at the tiny halo, Dai Li was overjoyed. He had already learned of the mighty power a halo possessed.

When Dai Li had still been in the Beikou Training Center, Feixiang Lin was able to defeat Teng Dong, whose ability value was higher than his, with the help of the explosive force halo. It had even assisted him in breaking the world record for a second time.

Back during his days with the Youth Track and Field Team, the five athletes, including Jiankang Chen, were able to defeat the powerful opponents from the Nantan Middle School with the assistance of the explosive force halo.

The explosive force halo also played a part in Haiquan Fang’s success, when he won the Youth Games by defeating Gang Yang.

The halo also had a consecutive enhancement effect, which was effective on groups of athletes. Instead of applauding or cheering, Dai Li only needed to equip the halos in the System to get the benefits of it, which was more convenient than his other skills, which required hands-on involvement.

“What is this halo?” Dai Li asked.

“The endurance halo. As its name suggest, this halo can enhance an athlete’s endurance,” the System explained.

Dai Li thought of the middle and long distance running events immediately.

It was obvious that an athlete’s endurance was very important in the middle- and long-distance running events. Unlike the quickness of the sprinting events, the winner of the middle- and long-distance running events was often be identified in the last lap, especially in high level contests. The athlete with the more sufficient energy reserve and lower muscle fatigue could have the best chance of being the ultimate winner.

Soccer crossed Dai Li’s mind. A soccer game lasted more than ninety minutes accounting for injury time, and could even last 120 minutes in the case of the extra time. The players had to continue running on the field for an extended period of time. Therefore, the team with better endurance would have an advantage on offense, defense, and tactical cooperation.

Dai Li began thinking of some other sports that required running for long periods of time, and demanded a lot of endurance. As he was thinking, he was interrupted by the voice of the System, who said, “You have had the explosive force halo for a while now, and have seen its effects. So, for the endurance halo, I will only emphasize one point—it can enhance not only an athlete’s muscular endurance, but their cardiovascular endurance as well!”

“It can enhance their cardiovascular endurance too?!” Now Dai Li was really surprised.

Muscular endurance was the ability to work one’s muscles for a long time; in short, it was the ability to fight muscle fatigue. After exercising for a long time, people are bound to get tired, which mainly comes from muscle fatigue. Therefore, people with better muscular endurance are better suited to fight that fatigue, and continue working their muscles for longer periods of time.

Cardiovascular endurance, on the other hand, was the ability to inhale, exhale, and utilize oxygen. The easier someone could perform these processes, the better their cardiovascular endurance was. Cardiovascular endurance could also increase the supply of ATP-CP and glycolysis, which provided energy for physical activities.

Dai Li had assumed the endurance halo could only enhance muscular endurance. Its effects on cardiovascular endurance were something he had not expected. It was common knowledge that muscular and cardiovascular endurance complemented one another. The combination of the two could have an effect far greater than the two would normally have individually.

As I expected, the halo is the best bonus! Dai Li couldn’t help but think to himself. Then, Dai Li looked at the chip.

“Is this an upgrade for the detector?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes, this package can upgrade your detector into the advanced detector,” the System replied.

“When the primary detector was upgraded to the intermediate detector, I could check for an athlete’s specialties. What do I get from the advanced detector?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“With the advanced detector, your detection range will be increased by twenty meters based on your position,” the System answered immediately.

“Oh…” Dai Li replied in a blank look. He was not interested in this additional detection range of twenty meters. He had expected something better.

“In addition, the advanced detector can detect the pros and cons of athletes,” the System continued to say.

“What does that mean?” Dai Li assumed this was a quite miraculous effect enhancement.

“With just my introduction, you might still be puzzled. I suggest you find an athlete to try it out. The national team is never in short of athletes,” the System said.

“That’s right,” Dai Li nodded. He upgraded his detector using the System’s instruction. Then, he went to find an athlete to check the effects of the new detector.

Athletes were abundant in the training base of the national team. Soon, Dai Li found an athlete using the bathroom.

This guy seems like a long-jump athlete. I saw him in the long-jump group. I will choose him. Start the detection! Dai Li detected the athlete.

The next second, the System was filled with a lot of information. The content of the first two rows was the same as it had always been; however, the information in the last two rows made Dai Li excited.

Detection object: Professional Athlete

Event speciaty: pole vault; professional competence: 494; gift: C+

Advantages: good body flexibility, strong run-up rhythm, sufficient take up…

Disadvantages: insufficient grip strength, weak pole utilization, the grip strength of the left hand is significantly greater than that of the right hand….

My gosh! Looking at the detection results, Dai Li realized that the advanced detector was indeed a miraculous secret weapon!

Chapter 156: The Selection Examination

For a coach, this advanced detector really is a great secret weapon! Dai Li exclaimed to himself.

Dai Li had been with the national team for some time, so he had realized that the training of first class athletes focused more on well-targeted small detail improvements. The physical qualities of the athletes who were on the national team were definitely impeccable. As a result, there were never any major shortcomings in their techniques. Therefore, besides the difference in ability, details were the dominant factor in the gaps between the athletes.

However, it was extremely difficult to pinpoint these small, specific problems. The techniques of the athletes had been developed over a long period of time. They had stuck with the same training methods for years—some even for over a decade—so it was very difficult for athletes to find these small problems themselves. Usually, only top athletes were able to recognize the small problems in their training.

Top athletes had already received high level training and accumulated plenty of training experience. In addition, their talents were better. Feixiang Lin was a good example of this. He could see the small problems in his own training and fix them accordingly. That was why he was a world record holder. However, athletes like Feixiang Lin were rare. Mediocre athletes did not have this ability.

Because most athletes could not diagnose their own problems, it was the coach’s job. This was what the examination paper would be on to check the true ability of a coach.

The job of a coach was nothing more than to help train their athletes and help them during their match. The coaches of physical events, like basketball, soccer, and volleyball had to make a game plan during the games, which was also a test of the coach’s skills.

As for non-physical sports, like racing, shooting, gymnastics, diving, etc., there was no game plan during the matches at all. The one who had better strength and performance would win. Because of this, training was the main criteria in these events to test a coach’s skills.

As things were now, Dai Li had no chance of participating in the training of physical sports. It was impossible for a young man who was only twenty-five to be the head coach of a professional basketball or soccer team. Even a deputy head coach job was out of his reach. Even if someone as young as Dai Li managed to join a professional sports team, he or she might act as an assistant coach at best.

Because of this, Dai Li’s main task was still training. He needed to find the things the athletes were bad at, then help the athletes correct them. The advanced detector truly was a miraculous cheating device that went against the laws of nature.

…

During the next learning and observation period, Dai Li began to understand the benefits of the advanced detector.

The detector indicated that this sprinter’s main problem is his insufficient hip movement during running. The coach of the national team asked him to practice leg swinging, which should make the ligament in his hip joint more flexible.

This high-jump athlete’s main problem is that his center of gravity fluctuates too much after he takes off. Because of this, his leg recovery makes his hip’s center of gravity unstable. He was told to keep practicing on the low bar so that he can master adjusting his center of gravity.

The sprinter’s insufficient hip movement and the high-jump athlete’s unstable center of gravity could only be regarded as insignificant details that could not decide the final result. On the provincial sports team, these details would definitely be neglected; however, on the national team, they were picked out by coaches, and became the focal point of improvement.

Dai Li had also began finding deficiencies in athletes that had not yet been discovered by the coaches of the national team.

The detector indicates that the breathing capacity of this long-distance runner will be chaotic when he reaches his limit. The coach seems to have overlooked this problem, so there was no specific training arranged for him. Although the coaches of the national team are skilled and have a lot of experience, they are human after all. You cannot compare them to a detector.

With the advanced detector, the advantages and disadvantages of an athlete were easily accessible to a coach. Dai Li had more of an in-depth understanding on the training program of the national team, and suddenly became clear on a lot of issues he had only somewhat understood previously.

The last day of the two-month learning and observation period had arrived. The selection examination that had been mentioned by Li Xue was unveiled.

…

Early in the morning, 30 young coaches arrived at the meeting room. With paper and pens in hand, everyone was waiting for the examination to begin.

Just after 8 o’clock, Li Xue entered the meeting room.

“We will have the selection examination today. The person who passes the examination can stay and join our Youth Training Program. What I want to emphasize is that there is no ‘passing’ score for this examination. You do not have to get a certain score to earn the right to stay. In addition, there is no limit on the number of people who can pass the exam. It is possible that all of you will be able to stay, or that none of you will be able to”

Li Xue’s stern expression and his grisly look immediately made several coaches lower their heads in an effort to avoid eye contact with him.

“Now, let’s hand out the ‘examination paper’ and prepare for the examination!” As soon as Li Xue finished speaking, his assistant came up beside him with notepads in hand.

Coaches were also regarded as outdoor workers. During training, they always needed to record something, like data, key points to focus on, etc. Therefore, a notepad and pen was the standard equipment for a coach. All the coaches in the meeting room were very familiar with the notepads.

Dai Li thought the examination paper would be clipped to the notepad. However, when the notepad was handed to him, he found just over ten pieces of blank paper attached to the notepad. Dai Li checked each piece of paper, but he could not find a single word.

Just blank paper? Where is the examination paper? Dai Li looked around and saw that the rest of the coaches had also only gotten blank paper with their notepads.

Could it be that the questions will be given on the spot? Dai Li said to himself.

As he had guessed, upon seeing that everyone had been handed a notepad, Li Xue said, “During this examination, I will give you the questions on the spot. When you hear my question, just write down your answer on the paper. Now everybody go outside. Let’s go to the training ground.”

“To the training ground? That’s quite an examination!”

“I thought the examination would be held in the meeting room.”

“Is it possible that Coach Xue didn’t prepare any questions? Maybe he will give questions about whatever he sees on the training ground. “

Although everyone was whispering, they still went to the training ground in a single-file line.

“I used to be a sprinter, so let’s start with the sprinting group!” Li Xue led the coaches to the No. 1 Sprinting Team. The sprinters were training determinedly.

After a minute of observation, Li Xue pointed at a sprinter who was performing push-off exercises using weights and asked, “Why is this sprinter performing push-off exercises using weights? If you know the answer, just write it down on your paper.”

Some coaches were deep in thought, while other coaches were writing vigorously.

Instead of starting writing immediately, Dai Li thought hard about what he was seeing.

Push-off exercises using weights aims to enhance the explosive force of a sprinter’s legs. This is so obvious that even the most mediocre coaches could not neglect it. The questions given by Coach Li Xue should not be so easy!

As he thought this, Dai Li checked the sprinter with the detector. The advantages and disadvantages of the sprinter were shown to Dai Li immediately.

So that’s it! The weakness of this athlete is unbalanced leg swinging during his running start. The push-off exercise using weights should help improve the balance of his leg swinging during his running start.

As Dai Li thought of this, he began writing down the answer on his notepad.

Chapter 157: I Should Keep a Low Profile

Li Xue led the coaches to the training ground of different events. At every section, he would give the coaches a question on the spot. When they arrived at No. 2, the long-jump team, pole vault training was taking place.

Li Xue pointed at one of the pole-vaulters and said, “First, please make an observation on the movement of this athlete.”

Everyone knew that the next question must be related to him, so they began watching the athlete carefully. After taking a closer look, Dai Li realized it was the same pole-vaulter he had detected with the advanced detector outside the bathroom.

A moment later, Li Xue asked his question. “For the next question, describe the deficiencies in this athlete’s techniques.”

Dai Li gave a wee smile, then immediately wrote down his answer on the paper.

Insufficient grip strength, weak pole utilization, the grip strength of the left hand is significantly greater than that of the right hand….

However, Dai Li’s quick reaction was noticed by Li Xue.

Dai Li had gotten a full score of 400 points during the police training. That alone had put him on top of Li Xue’s priority list. Li Xue continued watching Dai Li’s behavior silently during the examination.

He writes down his answers so quickly. It seems that he is quite confident. Does he really know the answer? Maybe he is just writing down some nonsense! Li Xue frowned, suddenly feeling that the questions were too easy.

Maybe I should make the next few questions more difficult, Li Xue said to himself.

When they arrived at the No. 1 long-distance running team, Li Xue pointed at an athlete who was training and said, “Assume you are his head coach. Please formulate a training plan for this athlete for the next week. The basis of your training plan should be detailed concretely.”

This question was more difficult than the previous ones. The formulation of a weekly training plan for an athlete was truly a test of a coach’s comprehensive capabilities.

Dai Li looked at the athlete. What a coincidence! This was the athlete whose breathing capacity would be chaotic when he reached his limit. His weakness had even been neglected by the coach of the national team.

Dai Li lowered his head and thought for a while. He decided to work out a draft first. He listed all the disadvantages of the athlete, then wrote down all his solutions, which were sorted according to the actual situation. Then he began formulating a training plan.

Generally speaking, this examination with random questions was really quite challenging for the coaches. Even the examiner, Li Xue, didn’t know what question he would give to the coaches, and just asked random questions based on what he saw in front of him.

This was quite similar to the English listening test. With very little time to think, the examinees had to make accurate judgments as quickly as possible. Even if the examinee failed to come up with an answer for the question, he or she had to make a mental adjustment immediately and prepare for the next question. The sense of urgency went far beyond the pressure of multiple choice, filling in the blanks, and reading comprehension.

All these young coaches had participated in the training of all the sports groups during the two-month observation and learning period on the national team. They should have had a preliminary understanding of the training status of all groups, as well as the status of each athlete. However, the degree to which they understood it depended on their inidividual abilities.

This had also been the purpose of the two-month learning and observation period. Li Xue had reminded the coaches to watch, think, and learn more actively. Everyone was on an even playing field. What the coaches were able to learn in the two months would be the deciding factor. The more they learned, the greater their chances of passing the selection examination would be.

…

The examination lasted all morning, and ended before lunch. After handing in their examination papers, the young coaches gathered in the canteen to have lunch. For many of them, this would be their last lunch with the national team; they could be knocked out as early as this afternoon.

The atmosphere in the canteen was a bit grim. Recalling the questions from the morning, everyone began to question their chances of staying. The questions had been given randomly. Some questions, such as the training plan formulation, did not have a standard answer. Similar to the composition of the university entrance exam, once someone received their composition topic, nobody could guarantee that it would resonate with the examination grader.

More importantly, the questions of the selection examination had covered almost all training groups and events of the national team. Li Xue had showed the examinees all around the training ground except for the all-round event, and had given questions for each of them. This included sprinting, middle-distance running, long-distance running, hurdles, the long jump, the high jump, and race walking.

The young coaches could not be good at the training of all the track and field events. They were too young to have the time and energy to have participated in the training of all track and field events. Even old coaches who had thirty years of coaching experience did not boast that they were proficient in the training of all 20+ events.

For example, a shot put coach had to be good at shot put training. When it came to the training of discus, javelin, and the hammer throw, he could probably still make do. However, if the same coach was asked to train sprinters or hurdlers, his specialized knowledge would be insufficient. Similarly, a middle-distance running coach might be able to handle the training of sprinting, long-distance running, and even hurdles; but race walking training might be beyond his capabilities.

Was the knowledge reserve of the young coaches still too low? Of course. Their limited knowledge was not good enough to coach at a high level on the national team, which was composed of high level athletes. These athletes had superb strength and great ability, and needed the best training, which could only be provided by the best coaches. PE teachers in middle school or elementary school, on the other hand, had to have know about all track and field events, and even had to provide training for basketball, soccer, and table tennis.

It was possible that one might have become a master in his own field. The coaches who had managed to get to the national team were experts, and could even be considered the elites in their respective events. However, because they had been given questions that covered all track and field events, everyone was uncertain about their examination scores.

But Dai Li was exceptional! He was sure about his results.

The advanced detector could display the strengths and weaknesses of an athlete for him, which helped him figure out the answers to the questions given by Li Xue immediately. He was able to work out the answers easily. More importantly, different events were no longer a barrier for Dai Li. With the advanced detector, Dai Li knew the weaknesses of the athletes, even if they practiced in events he had limited knowledge about. The improvement plan was also an easy job for him, as he could find the answers from the textbooks and sports training papers.

It was quite similar to a diagnosis given to patients by a doctor. Every doctor knew about the therapies and medication for diseases very well, as they could be found in the textbooks easily. The most difficult part was the diagnosis itself. A disease could have several symptoms, and a symptom could apply to several diseases. Therefore, diagnosing patients was the real test of a doctor’s ability.

At this moment, Dai Li suddenly felt that the advanced detector really was a cheating device that went against the laws of nature. It could virtually assist him in passing the examination effortlessly.

However, seeing a different look in everyone else’s face, Dai Li had to bury his self-confidence in his heart. Last time, the full score of 400 points had made him very well-known. He did not want to draw attention because of his good performance. Although results were the cornerstone of sports, where the strong were worshiped, a villain like Xuexi Zhuang who played dirty tricks could cause a lot of trouble for Dai Li.

I should lay low and keep a low profile! As he thought of it, Dai Li desperately pretended to be anxiety-ridden like the rest of the coaches.

“Alas!” Dai Li let out a long sigh and put down his chopsticks, then said, “I lost my appetite.”

“Yes, indeed. Me too. How could I be in the mood to eat now?” somebody beside him added.

Dai Li looked at the fried pork with cucumber in the dish reluctantly. Before they had been cooked, the cucumbers had been cored and pickled with salt. It had to be tasty, which made Dai Li’s mouth water. But now he had to pretend that he had no appetite, and refrain from eating the cucumbers in the dish.

My poor fried cucumber! I cannot enjoy you. What a pity! Dai Li said to himself.

Chapter 158: Examination Paper Marking

Li Xue skipped his lunch break. He returned to his office and began grading the examination papers eagerly.

I really want to know what kind of answers these young guys gave me, Li Xue muttered to himself. He was almost sixty, so these coaches in their twenties were definitely young compared to him.

Li Xue put on his reading glasses, took out the first examination paper, and began to read it from the beginning.

The purpose of the push-off exercises using weights is to enhance the explosive force of the athlete’s legs… No need to tell me that! This is the most elementary training knowledge. Don’t you think the coaches on the national team know that? If I wanted an easy answer like this, why would I bother asking you?

Li Xue put a large red cross on the paper, then continued to read the rest of the answers.

The purpose of high knees training is to improve push-off strength and continuously work the lower limbs anaerobically. Another superfluous answer straight out of a textbook. I participated in the making of those textbooks. Giving me an answer like this is like trying to teach a fish how to swim. Li Xue made another large red cross.

This pole-vaulter’s weaknesses are: 1. premature take-off; 2. insufficient pole angle… His judgments are too superficial. Some of these problems could occur if the athlete was on a new court, was too nervous, or was trying to get the best score possible by pushing his physical limits. The points this person mentioned could be overcome by making adjustments during the match. These points cannot be considered actual weaknesses.

Li Xue shook his head constantly as he marked the examination papers.

The answers for the questions for the throwing events are actually pretty good, but his answers for the long jump, high jump, and track event questions are really terrible. This guy should be a coach for one of the throwing events he has specialized in. He could be a candidate for an assistant coaching position on one of these groups in the future.

Li Xue began marking the next examination paper.

This person could be a long-distance running coach who has knowledge on middle-distance running and hurdles as well, but all his answers miss the point. His observation ability and comprehension are poor. He isn’t a natural. He could be a coach on the provincial training team. He is too mediocre for the national team.

This coach’s answers for the race-walking questions are quite good, and his observation ability in the middle- and long-distance running events is also OK; but his answers for the sprinting questions are unsatisfactory. As for the long jump, high jump, and throwing events, he knows close to nothing. This guy could be considered a talent if you only looked at his race walking expertise. It is a pity that we have plenty of race walking coaches on the national team already. Our race-walkers could win gold medals in the Olympic Games. On his current level, he may need another ten years of experience before he has a chance of being a coach on the national team.

Gee! The answers for this examination paper are quite good. Besides the questions for race walking, hurdles, and long-distance running, the answers for the rest of the questions are satisfactory. Who is this young guy? The name is Guanglei Huang. I am vaguely familiar with this name. Oh, that’s it. According to his resume, this guy is a decathlon coach. That’s why he was able to give decent answers to most of the questions. It is quite a remarkable achievement for him to be a decathlon coach at such a young age.

Li Xue shook his head as he muttered to himself. The national team had not attached importance to the all-around event in a long time. The decathlon athletes were basically athletes who had chosen this event because they had failed to accomplish anything in the specialized events. Normally, decathlon coaches were seen as underachievers.

If a coach was proficient in a certain event, how could he switch over to the all-around event?

High level sports training was very meticulous when it came to professionalism. Because of this, the all-around event often implied that the athlete was mediocre in all the events. The national team would rather choose a coach who could master the training techniques of one event, and know nothing about other events, than choose a coach who had only a decent understanding of all the events.

Finally, Li Xue began to mark Dai Li’s examination paper.

First question: The leg swinging of this athlete is unbalanced during his running start. The purpose of the push-off exercises is to enhance his ability to distribute force evenly between both of his legs, so that his coordination can improve effectively. Through this, the unbalanced leg swinging during his running start can be corrected. This is a pretty good answer that grasped the main points of the question!

The overall coordination of the athlete’s lower limbs, including his hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint, are imperfect. The flexibility of his ankle joint is poor. Through high knees training, the athlete can improve the overall coordination of his lower limbs, hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint, as well as enhance the flexibility of his ankle joint. Perfect! Only a few of the other coaches know about the overall coordination of the lower limbs; yet Dai Li was even able to notice the flexibility problems in the athlete’s ankle joint. This answer is definitely a flawless one. Li Xue couldn’t help but compliment Dai Li in his mind.

…Insufficient grip strength, weak pole utilization, the grip strength of the left hand is significantly greater than that of the right hand…. He found a ton of shortcomings and gave a detailed description. It is impossible to draw so many conclusions just by watching a training session for a few minutes.

After mulling it over for a while, Li Xue said to himself, I suppose it is similar to his learning and observation skills with the No. 2 long-jump team. This coach is pretty good. It seems like he did a lot of work during this two-month learning and observation period. The observation ability and comprehension of this young guy is quite impressive. Being gifted and hardworking, this young guy is truly talented. What is his name? Hm, Dai Li?

Dai Li’s face immediately popped into Li Xue’s mind. He could still remember when he had hardly asked the question that Dai Li began to quickly write down his answer, which had made him feel like his questions were too easy.

So these answers came from the coach who got the full score of 400 points! This guy really knows his stuff. All his answers grasped the main concepts. Now let me check his training plan. Li Xue continued to read the rest of Dai Li’s answers.

Hmm, impressive. This training plan is well-targeted. He has found the detailed weaknesses of this athlete. Wait, what’s this? The breathing capacity of this athlete will be chaotic when he reaches his limit? Why did I not know that? Li Xue’s frowned immediately.

HLi Xue’s intuition told him that Dai Li had not made it up. This long-distance runner really would have trouble breathing when he reached his physical limit. However, the coach who was responsible for the athlete had not arranged specific training for this weakness in the training plan. In other words, the coach had made a mistake due to negligence.

Being the quick-tempered person he was, Li Xue stopped grading the examination papers and went to the video room right away.

On the national team, all training activities were recorded, so that the coaches could improve their training using the videos. There was a special video room for the national team that was responsible for the storage and collation of the training and match videos of the athletes.

“Show me the training videos for the No. 1 long-distance running team,” Li Xue requested directly.

Seeing Li Xue enter the room, the clerk in the video room found the video immediately without any hesitation.

“Fast forward, fast forward, stop! Rewind. OK, now play the video at normal speed.” Li Xue watched the video and gasped.

Once he came close to reaching his limit, he began to have trouble breathing, just as Dai Li mentioned! What a shame! This detail neglected by the coach of the national team was found by a young guy who is here for further study!

Chapter 159: A Full Score Examination Paper

Li Xue returned to his office and sat back down at his desk. Dai Li’s examination paper was in front of him.

The problems neglected by the coaches of the national team were found by this Dai Li. His observation ability is really good; together with his accurate judgment, I will give a full score to his training plan!

Again, Li Xue gave a full score to another question.

The next second, Li Xue suddenly found that Dai Li’s examination paper was full of perfect scores. All the questions had gotten the full score!

Li Xue had given one question for each event. All these full scores meant that Dai Li gotten a full score in each event, which also meant that he was good at coaching all track and field events!

He got a full score in sprinting, middle-distance running, long-distance running, the high jump, the pole vault, the long jump, the triple jump, the 110m hurdle, the steeplechase, and even race walking! It is impossible. How could he be so knowledgeable? I can’t believe it! How could he know so much at his age?

Li Xue reviewed the questions he had given full scores to, and was amazed to find that the answers were indeed flawless.

What the hell? How could there be such a talented young coach like him? Right, I still have questions for the throwing events to grade. I don’t believe he can still get full score. That’s it; most coaches who are good at racing and jumping events must know nothing about the throwing events!

The next question was related to the javelin event. Li Xue began to read the answer eagerly.

As a “speed” javelin player, after the athlete finishes the “whipping” motion, the contraction of his upper psoas and abdominal muscles are premature, and the activation of his lower limbs is too slow. The coordination of the upper psoas and abdominal muscles, as well as the lower limbs, is imperfect, which is resulting in an unsatisfactory delivery speed…. He got the correct answer! He really knows the javelin!

Javelin players could be divided into “speed” players and “strength” players. “Speed” players achieved good results by having great acceleration prior to throwing the javelin. This acceleration was obtained through a fast run-up, quick javelin drawing, fast crossover step, and swift delivery.

“Strength” javelin players threw the javelin with tremendous force. They were not as flexible as “speed” athletes; they also did not have as many skilled movements. But they could still achieve good results solely with their strength.

Between the two, the technical difficulty of the speed player was surely higher.

The javelin throwing process was divided into three main stages: the “full bow,” the “whip,” and the delivery. The first two phrases were technical terms; “Whipping” was an important technical feature of the javelin throw, and acted as a connecting link between the first and last movements. So, if the “whip” was weak, the final result was bound to be unsatisfactory.

Athletes on the national team definitely did not have significant weaknesses in their technical movements; otherwise, they would never have been admitted into the national team.

The premature contraction of the upper psoas and abdominal muscles was indeed a tiny weakness. Had the athlete trained without a shirt on, the coach might have noticed the change in the contraction of the upper psoas and abdominal muscles; however, the athletes always wore training suits, or at least a training vest during training. Their abdomens were covered by clothes, so it was very difficult for the coaches to find a weakness like this given the circumstances.

At this moment, Li Xue was greatly shocked.

The contraction of the upper psoas and abdominal muscle is premature, and the activation of the lower limbs is too slow. The coordination of the upper psoas and abdominal muscles, as well as the lower limbs, is imperfect… this conclusion was drawn during the seminar held yesterday. That means we modified the training plan of the athlete temporarily. Besides the coaches of the javelin group, nobody could have known that. How could Dai Li have figured it out?

After several seconds of hesitation, Li Xue had to give another full score to Dai Li.

The lifting angle is not high enough during the rotation of the upper body… correct! He knows the shot put!

The torso muscles are not active enough… correct! He knows the discus!

Lack of concentration, susceptible to external interference… Perfect! He was even able to figure this one out!

Watching this examination paper receive a full score, Li Xue felt an extreme shock in his heart.

How could this be possible? He got a full score for each question! He even grasped the key point of each question. His answers were absolutely flawless! Could it be that he is good at all track and field events? This idea popped into Li Xue’s mind, which made him even more amazed.

Maybe someone would believe that a coach who was Li Xue’s age, that had been involved in the training of track and field events for over forty years, was proficient in all the events. On the contrary, however, this belief was a myth. As the deputy head coach of the national team, Li Xue could be considered experienced and knowledgeable; however, he still would not dare say he was good at training all of the track and field events.

But today, Li Xue had seemingly found a master of all the events, and they were only just over the age of twenty. Had it not been an on-the-spot exam with questions given by Li Xue randomly, Li Xue could have believed that Dai Li had gotten the questions beforehand.

This Dai Li found problems that had been neglected even by the coaches of the national team. His observation ability and judgment are impeccable, which makes him deserving of the title “genius.” He is definitely talented; I will not let him go.

In the same way there were geniuses among athletes, there were also geniuses among coaches. While some had only been average athletes, they could achieve remarkable things as coaches. Vice versa, some people could be extremely successful athletes, yet have below average coaching careers.

There were geniuses in all industries. They would always make their way to the top, just like this Dai Li’s examination paper had, which had given Li Xue the impression that Dai Li was indeed a “genius” coach.

At this moment, Li Xue had the sudden urge to cherish this talent himself. He wanted to instruct Dai Li himself, so that Dai Li could become his successor.

But the idea left his head just as quickly as it had entered. Had Li Xue been a few years younger, or had he met Dai Li earlier, or had Dai Li been a few years older, Li Xue surely would have combed Dai Li to be his successor. Unfortunately, however, Li Xue was almost sixty, and would retire soon; Dai Li was only twenty-five, which was still too young. Li Xue had no time to develop and pave the way for his future successor.

Gold will glitter forever! If you are really competent, I believe that in the future you will definitely have more accomplishments than me. Li Xue’s eyes were shining.

Chapter 160: Another Career Change

An A4 paper was posted to the notice board on the wall of the meeting room. The results of the selection examination had been announced. Dai Li saw his name on the paper and immediately revealed a relieved expression.

The examination papers had not been given back, mostly because most of the questions did not have standard answers. Because of this, the rest of the coaches were still uncertain about their performances on the examination.

What Dai Li did not know was that his full score had not only shocked himself, but Li Xue!

Dai Li had felt that the lucky coaches who could stay should be about as good as him, even if their answers had been no match for his. But in fact, Dai Li’s answers were better than the answers of the other accepted coaches by a good amount!

Dai Li looked around. He found that while some people were excited about the results, others were depressed. He counted the number of coaches who had passed the examination. There were only ten names, which meant that the other twenty coaches had been knocked out.

The program had started out with sixty people; thirty had been knocked out from that original group. Now, only ten people were left. The rejection rate was very high. Dai Li remembered the “fundraising” theory Zhongyi Xu had told him about.

Zhongyi Xu had said that besides the talent selection, the purpose of the Youth Training Program organized by the national team was also to help get funds from the government. This “fundraising” program would last five consecutive years. The less candidates there were, the less the development cost would be. The cost for sixty people had to be different than it was for thirty people. Only ten people had been selected, so the extra funds the national team had saved could be used as disposable public funds for the national team, which could be put towards other areas.

As Dai Li was pondering to himself quietly, Li Xue entered the meeting room. Everyone immediately quieted down.

“The results have been announced. Congratulations to those who will be staying. As for those who have failed the exam, don’t be discouraged; you are also an outstanding group. In the future, if you manage to develop elite athletes and achieve good results, you will still have a chance to be admitted to the national team. The gates of the national team are always open for excellent talents!”

After saying a few comforting and encouraging words, Li Xue continued, “The national team has prepared little souvenirs for those who will be leaving. The souvenirs have been placed outside the meeting room. You can collect your souvenirs now.”

The smarter people in the room knew that this was an eviction order. Getting a souvenir to commemorate the experience was putting it nicely; what the national team was really trying to say was, “get lost with your souvenir.”

The coaches who had not been selected left the room soon after. The remaining ten coaches, including Dai Li, stayed in the meeting room.

The meeting room suddenly felt much more empty. Looking at Li Xue, who was standing in the front, Dai Li felt Li Xue seemed more authoritative than before.

Then, Li Xue began to say, “As I said before, this Youth Training Program is composed of three stages—the selection, the training, and the examination. You have passed the selection. You will now enter the training stage.

“I have read your resumes. You all have you specialties, which I discovered while grading your exams. Therefore, the national team will assign you to the training groups of different events, taking your specialties into consideration.”

Many people let out a sigh of relief. Nobody wanted to engage in the training of events he or she was unfamiliar with. A long-distance running coach would know nothing about the training of the discus.

Dai Li was also preparing his own plan. So the grouping is according to the coaches’ specialties. The specialty written on my resume is the long jump. Looks like I will be assigned to the long jump group. In the future, if I get the chance to go to the Beikou Training Center, maybe I can see Haiquan Fang. Haiquan Fang… I wonder how things are going for him. When I return to Qingcheng, I will definitely ask him to treat me to a big dinner in the Home of Champions Restaurant.

As Dai Li was recalling the menu of the Home of Champions Restaurant, Li Xue began to read the grouping of the coaches.

“Guang Chen, No. 2 long jump team… Coach Yousheng Qin will be your instructor.”

“Jun Wu, No. 3 throwing team… Coach Hao Huang will be your instructor.”

“Chenglong Zhu, No. 1 long-distance running team….. Coach Hua Cai will be your instructor.”

“Dai Li…” Finally, Li Xue shouted out Dai Li’s name. Dai Li pricked up his ears immediately.

“No. 1 sprinting team!” Li Xue said.

What? The No. 1 sprinting team? It’s not the long jump group! Dai Li was surprised.

On Dai Li had submitted to the national team, he had put the long jump as his specialty. He had also noted on the resume that he had been the head coach of Haiquan Fang. Because of this, Dai Li had been ninety percent sure that he would be assigned to the long jump group. However, to his surprise, the words that had come out of Li Xue’s mouth were “No. 1 sprinting team.”

The No. 1 sprinting team should be responsible for the 100m and 200m sprint. I already changed my specialty from the shot put to the long jump; now I have to change it again to sprinting. Now I really want to know who will be my instructor…

Just as the thought crossed Dai Li’s mind, Li Xue gave him an answer.

“Coach Li Xue will be your instructor!”

Who? Li Xue? Dai Li looked at Li Xue with a shocked face. He had not expected Li Xue to instruct him personally.

At the same time, Li Xue also gave a glance to Dai Li, as if to say, “You heard that right. It’s me!”

…

“Oh, Coach Li, how I envy you! You will be instructed by Coach Li Xue!”

“Envy me? I honestly wish I could switch with you. Just the look of Coach Li Xue is scary enough for me!” Dai Li was thinking about the grisly look of Li Xue—a bald head with a ferocious looking face, just like a bandit…

“Coach Xue is a bit scary, but he is actually quite a nice person. Moreover, as the deputy head coach of the national team, he is responsible for the daily training of the national team. Coach Xue used to be a sprinter, so the No. 1 sprinting team has more training resources than the other training groups!”

Dai Li nodded to express his understanding. Indeed, the No. 1 sprinting team had more training resources than the other groups, which could be attributed to Li Xue.

This rule was applicable to all industries. The boss would usually take extra care of the department he or she had worked at themselves. This rule was more subtle in industries like science, education, culture, health, and sports.

In a university, if the president had been a professor in a department, that department would get more resources for sure, such as financial support and preferential treatments in scientific research. In a hospital, if the director had once been a doctor in a certain department, that department would certainly be superior to other departments, and would always get preferential treatment when it came to things like equipment introduction and talent development.

Because Li Xue had been a sprinter and was responsible for the training of the No. 1 sprinting team, more training resources would naturally be allocated to the No. 1 sprinting team.

“As the second chief of the national team, Li Xue will definitely have more opportunities to take part in events. As his trainee, maybe you can also take part in matches all over the country by following him,” a coach beside Dai Li said with the expression of admiration.

I could have the chance to take part in the matches! Dai Li’s face lit up. Now he felt that it might be a good thing to be the Li Xue’s trainee.

Chapter 161: New Sprinting Technique

On the training ground of the No. 1 sprinting team.

Fixing his eyes on the training ground, Li Xue said, “I have read your resume. You graduated only three years ago and your major was sports training. You should have acquired some knowledge about sprint training, right?”

Dai Li nodded, “A little bit, but the knowledge we learned was very superficial.”

“I know. I have participated in the compilation of many teaching materials about sprinting for universities. Honestly, those materials are now obsolete. We are now in the information era. All kinds of new technologies are emerging endlessly in various industries. The same can be said of the sports industry. As the saying goes, records are meant to be broken. Athletes, also, are becoming faster and stronger,” Li Xue said.

Dai Li did not know what Li Xue meant by his words, so he kept nodding quietly and listened carefully.

Then Li Xue asked, “According to the knowledge you learned in university, sprinting puts a large emphasis on the push-off, right?”

“Yes. According to the textbook, the sprinter should stretch their hip, knee, and ankle joints as much as possible during their push-off to generate more force, which can give them more speed,” Dai Li replied.

“Yes, I also believed that years ago. We believed that the best knee angle of the driving leg was 180⁰, so we included that in the textbooks as well. However, we no longer ask the athletes to stretch their legs out. The technique we aim for now is called the ‘bent driving leg’ technique,” Li Xue explained.

“The bent driving leg technique? Does that mean the driving leg is not stretched out completely?” Dai Li asked.

“Exactly. We used to believe that the backward leg-drive was the only driving force of the sprint; however, that theory overemphasized the resistance of the front leg; however, the driving effect of the back leg was even more overemphasized. The emergence of Gittell changed our opinion,” Li Xue said.

This Gittell Li Xue spoke of was from Jamaica, which was the kingdom of sprinting. They had raised many world-class sprinting champions. Among those champions, Gittell was undoubtedly the best. Including the hurdles, he had already won nine gold medals in three Olympic Games. He had broken the world records for the 100m and 200m sprint many times. The world records he had set were unbreakable. Even without seeing Gittell in person, Da Li had already confirmed that the Gittell’s gifts had to be the highest level, S+. He was ruling this era of sprinting.

Li Xue continued, “The technique adopted by Gittell is the ‘bent driving leg’ technique. The variation of the angle of his driving leg’s knee compared to his starting position of 90⁰ is very small; moreover, his center of gravity is very stable, which we have not even begun to understand. It is almost impossible to keep a stable center of gravity during violent push-off movements.

“Later, we found that we had overemphasized certain factors of the sprint, which should have actually been thought of as a whole. We overemphasized the resistance of the front leg, and the driving effect of the back leg, which resulted in disproportionate force between the anterior and posterior thigh muscles of the athlete. The force of the posterior muscles severely lags behind the force of the anterior muscles, so the application of force has to come closer to the projected center of gravity, which can ensure that the body’s center of gravity can be moved to the secondary position rapidly. However, it can also result in a longer secondary position and smaller strides.”

Li Xue’s explanation would absolutely confuse the average person. But for Dai Li, it was like an enlightenment. Dai Li felt like his understanding of the sprint had been improved to a new level after just a simple explanation by Li Xue.

Li Xue continued his introduction, saying, “At the same time, our research also showed that the driving force of Gittell was not only the push-off, but also the front leg-swing of the legs. Our previous understanding had been that the push-off was the driving force and could create speed, and that the buffering was resistance, and could cause speed loss. Because of this, we kept emphasizing the importance of push-off strength, as well as the degree, direction, and speed of the stretch.

“When the ‘bent driving leg’ technique was used in sprinting, the previous stretch theory vanished. Now, the only way to increase speed is to attach importance to the front leg-swing technique and enhance the combination of the front leg-swing and push-off. Therefore, the latest sprint technique the national team has been using is the coordination of the front leg-swing and push-off by prioritizing the front leg-swing, which is used to help the push-off.

“You should know that an athlete in a standing position can only perform the push-off. While the propulsive force is straight up, they cannot move their body forward. If the athlete bends their knee and swings their leg forward and upward, their center of gravity will move forward as well, which results in the forward inclination of the body. It is at that moment that the body’s balance can be maintained just by the back leg. Meanwhile, the front leg will generate a force on the ground in the downward and backward direction, which will push the body forward again to finish their stride. This is the basic principle of promoting the push-off with the front leg swing.”

Dai Li nodded his head, “I got it. Basically, in our old training theories, the push-off was the driving force, while the front leg-swing was used only to control the direction of the forward motion. But now, we know that both the front leg-swing and the push-off are driving forces. The two of them are working together like a four-wheel drive vehicle, instead of a rear wheel drive vehicle.”

“Well said! Your vehicle example is very fitting.” Li Xue looked at Dai Li admiringly. His eyes had not deceived him; Dai Li was indeed a gifted coach.

Dai Li did not only have the Coaching System; he also had a gift, and was good at learning. He had always been hard-working. After his toughening experiences these last couple years, he had even acquired the ability to apply knowledge quickly, and not just recite the contents of a textbook like other college graduates.

Li Xue had not finished. He continued his introduction with a teacher-like tone, saying, “Sprinting is a complicated biomechanical activity composed of multiple actions. Humans are standing animals. Moving a relatively static object is easier than moving a relatively dynamic object; therefore, for sprinters, accelerating during the running start is fairly easy. Coupled with the increasing speed, because the acceleration time is much shorter, it is more difficult for people to keep enhancing the push-off effect. Meanwhile, as the speed is increased, athletes face greater air and brake resistance.

“The human body cannot be streamlined, so it is very difficult to tackle the problem of air resistance. With new technology, the Americans made some innovations to racing suits to lower the air resistance, such as tight-fitting sportswear made from nano-materials, which has been pursued and imitated around the world.

“However, ever since the emergence of Gittell, the Americans have realized that their little tricks are dwarfed compared to his absolute power. Wearing an ordinary vest and shorts, Gittell can still run faster than the Americans. So, a strong body and excellent technique are key points when it comes to improving performance.

“As for the brake resistance, the essence of reducing brake resistance is to lower the landing foot’s speed relative to the ground; the moment the landing foot touches the ground, the closer the person is to a speed of zero, which makes the effect stronger. The landing speed of athletes in our country is about 1.35m/s, which is 17% quicker than the speed of the American athletes. Because of this, it still needs our help for further improvement.”

Once he finished, Li Xue pointed at the athlete who had just run over and asked, “Look at him; can you describe the advantages and disadvantages in the landing movement of his feet?”

Dai Li knew this would be the first question given by Li Xue, so he immediately began his observation carefully.

Chapter 162: This Could Even Be Found By You!

Equipped with an advanced detector that went against the law of nature, Da Li did not want to depend on the cheating device entirely. Therefore, he performed an analysis with the knowledge he had acquired himself, then drew a conclusion. After that, he performed detection on the sprinter with the advanced detector. He used the detection results to verify his conclusion, so that the factors he had neglected could be found.

This was quite similar to working on a difficult problem. You could solve it by yourself and get a result, then compare your result with the correct answer. This way, whether your original result was correct or not, you would always find your weaknesses and acquire new knowledge.

The advanced detector indeed detected several things Dai Li had missed.

My analysis grasped all the points, but it’s still not as comprehensive as the detector’s result. It seems that there is still a gap between me and the high level coaches in observation and judgment, so I will keep learning in future.

Dai Li took a deep breath, then started to give his response according to the “correct answer” the detector had given. “His landing technique has a sufficient push-off, high leg folding, fast hip movement, and accurate forward leg-swing direction; as for his weaknesses, the forward movement of his center of gravity is not fast enough, which results in uncoordinated stride movement; when his heels touch the ground, his leg is stretched out too far, and the results are high stress in the knee and insufficient buffering…”

“Very good!” Li Xue couldn’t help but compliment him. The advantages and disadvantages mentioned by Dai Li were flawless yet again. However, to Li Xue’s surprise, Dai Li had not finished giving his answer. He still had one sentence left to say.

“The high stress in the knee is caused by his sprained ankle ligament, which is still not recovered. “

The strained ankle ligament was the answer given by the advanced detector, which could not have been found by Dai Li with just his observation ability. Even Li Xue had not noticed the injury.

For an athlete, injuries during training or contests were inevitable. Normally, athletes would report their physical problems to the coaches, so that the coaches could be informed of their injuries. The coach could not read their athletes’ minds; without an active report from the athletes, the coach would never know of any minor injuries to the athlete like an ankle sprain or bruise.

But Dai Li had said the athlete was suffering from a sprained ankle ligament.

He sprained his ankle ligament? You even discovered that! Are you kidding me? Li Xue’s eyes widened with surprise

“What did you say? An ankle ligament sprain?” Li Xue asked.

Dai Li nodded his head seriously. He firmly believed that the detector could not have made a mistake.

An injury to the ankle ligament could be anywhere from minor to serious. Li Xue had no time to check the authenticity of Dai Li’s words, so he summoned the coach of the athlete to him immediately.

“Wang, did Xiong Chu sprain his ankle? Why didn’t you report to me?” Li Xue asked directly.

“Ankle sprain? No, Xiong Chu didn’t mention that to me.” Coach Wang was greatly surprised. Li Xue gave Dai Li an angry stare as if he was blaming Dai Li for his groundless words.

Coach Wang wanted to make sure Li Xue believed him. He was afraid Li Xue would misunderstand him; after all, Li Xue was not only his boss, but also the second chief coach of the national team. So Coach Wang waved his hand and called over Xiong Chen, the athlete.

“Xiong Chu, did you hurt anything during training?” Coach Wang asked, hoping to get an answer from Xiong Chu. He wanted to prove to Li Xue that he was telling the truth.

However, Xiong Chu’s facial expression changed quickly.

“Coach, I, I am sorry. I didn’t tell you. Last night I tripped on my sink when I was on my way to the washroom and sprained my ankle. After stretching it several times, I didn’t think it would be a big problem, so I didn’t tell you,” Xiong Chu said.

“You really sprained your ankle! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Coach Wang was shocked, and a little bit embarrassed. The athlete was injured, but his own coach didn’t know, which could be considered delinquency. More importantly, he had been caught by Li Xue red-handed.

Coach Wang began perspiring immediately, then turned around and tried to explain himself to Li Xue.

However, Coach Wang had not expected Li Xue to look more surprised than him.

He really sprained his ankle? What kind of person is this Dai Li? Does he have X-ray eyes that can detect injuries? If Li Xue had not seen it himself, he would have never believed what had just happened.

“OK, you go ahead. Just have him checked by the team doctor in the infirmary.” Li Xue sent Coach Wang and Xiong Chu away, then asked Dai Li, “How did you notice Xiong Chu’s ankle sprain?”

At this moment, Dai Li realized he had said too much. A coach could never find minor injuries like an ankle sprain unless the athlete had showed signs of it deliberately.

But by this point in his career, Dai Li had already acquired thick skin, which made him unflappable. He chuckled and changed the subject with an irrelevant answer. “I learned a bit of rehabilitative massage. I was the rehabilitative massage therapist for several teams many times.”

“You can even do that? Rehabilitative massage cannot be done recklessly. It requires expertise,” Li Xue said.

“I learned it in university. The teacher said I was gifted in massage, so he taught me more skills,” Dai Li said, maintaining his excuse.

But Li Xue wanted to verify Dai Li’s skill. He shouted to Xiong Chu who had left, “Xiong Chu, come back!”

Xiong Chu thought Li Xue was going to punish him, so he ran back with his head lowered and a depressed look on his face, then looked at Li Xue pathetically.

“Dai Li, give Xiong Chu massage therapy,” Li Xue requested.

“OK!” Dai Li had Xiong Chu sit on the ground and take off his running shoes. Then, Dai Li began to perform the rehabilitative massage on Xiong Chu’s sprained ankle.

Soon, the training ground was filled with the howl of Xiong Chu.

“It hurts! It hurts so much, Coach Li, please do it gently!” Xiong Chu was sweating because of the sharp pain. Later, however, he seemed to be very comfortable, almost as if he was enjoying the massage.

Standing beside them, Li Xue watched the massage therapy carefully.

His massage manipulations are quite professional! He must have received specialized training! According to Xiong Chu’s reaction, his massage seems to be quite effective. This Dai Li continues to surprise me. It looks like I should talk to Shuren Zhao about keeping this Dai Li on the national team!”

…

Xiong Chu stood up and wiggled his ankle, then jumped several times.

“How does it feel?” Li Xue asked eagerly.

“Fully recovered! It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Xiong Chu answered in amazement.

Li Xue turned to Dai Li and said, “Wow, you are really somebody! I saw your manipulations, they are quite professional. You must have received specialized training before!”

Dai Li smiled modestly. Li Xue continued, “That’s quite good! I was wondering whether I should take you to broaden your horizon on the playing fields of the National Track and Field Championship match next month. Now I see that I have to take you with me, for you can act as the massage therapist.”

Chapter 163: New Task

After that, Dai Li’s life took a very substantial turn. Besides the training of athletes on the training base of the national team, Dai Li also took part in several state-level track and field matches by following Li Xue.

It was no wonder Li Xue was the top track and field coach in the country. His theoretical knowledge, practical training, and coaching experience were the best among all the coaches Dai Li had ever met. Dai Li could clearly feel himself making rapid progress everyday under the instruction of Li Xue.

Two years ago, when Dai Li had been temporarily transferred to the Beikou Training Center, he had participated in the training of Feixiang Lin by following Coach Jihai Ding. At that time, Coach Jihai Ding had not actively imparted his training knowledge and skills to Dai Li, who had to learn and observe on his own. Because Dai Li had temporarily transferred to do odd jobs, the opportunities for him to ask questions had been very few and far between.

In contrast, Li Xue was more of a teacher. He imparted all the knowledge and training skills he had mastered to Dai Li, and even shared the experience he had accumulated over the years with Dai Li without any reservations.

Li Xue was almost sixty. He had been in the sprinting world for over forty years, and had accumulated thirty years of coaching experience. He had also been acting as the deputy head coach of the national team for almost ten years. Li Xue had witnessed the development of the domestic track and field sports. His expertise and experience absolutely made him a great teacher.

Compared to self-teaching, instruction from a teacher was far more efficient. Under the instruction of Li Xue, Dai Li was making amazing progress in sprint training.

The resources of the national team were far better than that of the provincial team. The national team had a specialized data room that subscribed to all the newspapers and magazines related to sports training in the world. The newspapers and magazines would then be stored and summarized. The coaches of the national team could look up the most advanced training concepts and know state-of-the-art techniques for the track and field events here.

Although not every coach could read English newspapers, professionals could understand the data analysis in them. Just like scientific papers, professionals did not care about the end result; it was the lab data they were interested in. The scientists could get what they want from a data table.

Dai Li’s English was OK. Although his oral English was poor, he could read some words in English. For Dai Li, the Data Room of the national team was like a big treasury. Almost every day he would spend one or two hours in it, and each time he would learn something new. Because of this, Dai Li entered a crazy learning period. He felt like he was back in his college days.

It was quite often for people to ignore the importance of learning in college. It was very normal to occasionally cut classes. Many people led lazy lives, and only began studying when exams were near.

However, as soon as these people got a job, they began to realize the importance of knowledge and learning. Then they would begin learning to develop themselves. That was also the reason on-job postgraduates and adult education had been popular in recent years.

Dai Li was like that. Over the years since his graduation from university, experiencing new things, meeting various coaches and athletes, and especially the confrontation with Xuexi Zhuang had all given Dai Li a growing sense of the importance of developing himself. Knowledge could be entirely possessed by him. The more knowledge he had, the further he could go as a coach.

Because of this, Dai Li cherished this opportunity very much. He worked very hard, which also gained recognition from Li Xue.

…

“Dai Li, I plan to send you to Tsinghua University next month.” Li Xue paused, then continued, “You will go to Tsinghua University and represent the national team.”

“What will I do there? Does Tsinghua University also need coaches like us?” Dai Li asked, puzzled.

Tsinghua University was the highest place of learning in China. Dai Li had an impression that Tsinghua University was a place for scientific research, with a lot of professors wearing lab coats and wire-rimmed glasses who were immersed in laboratories. As a physical laborer, a coach should have nothing to do with a lab coat and laboratories.

“The Sports Department of Tsinghua University. You don’t know it, do you?” Li Xue asked.

“The Sports Department of Tsinghua University? I always thought Tsinghua University was a place to for scientists.” Dai Li felt like he was out of the loop.

The university that Dai Li had been admitted to was neither included in “Project 985” (a project to promote the development and reputation of the Chinese higher education system by founding world-class universities in the 21st century, and eponymous after the date of the announcement, May 1998), nor in “Project 211” (a project of National Key Universities and colleges initiated in 1995 by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, with the intent of raising the research standards of high-level universities and cultivating strategies for socio-economic development. The name for the project comes from an abbreviation of the slogan “For the 21st century, to manage 100 universities successfully.”). His university was only a second-tier school, and was not a quarter as good as Tsinghua University, which was an untouchable university for Dai Li. Therefore, it was impossible for Dai Li to have known about a sports department in Tsinghua University.

“Tsinghua University does indeed have a sports department that is very competent. They have even achieved outstanding results in some world-class matches.” Li Xue continued, “In the Sports Department of Tsinghua University, there are twenty-six events and thirty-six teams. They not only have the traditional events like track and field, basketball, and soccer, but also have a Go team, a chess team, a rock climbing team, etc.”

“It should only be a club in the university, then. I thought it was a specialized department for sports!” Dai Li realized he had misunderstood Li Xue’s introduction. He thought it was a specialized department of PE in Tsinghua University.

“A student club? It is n ordinary student club. Among their athletes, there are many first-class talents, some of whom even make the national team jealous! More to the point, the Sports Department of Tsinghua University has established the Sport and Health Research Center and the Sports & Human Body Science Laboratory. Several professors, and dozens of associate professors, were assigned to these institutions, which also have over ten doctoral supervisors and master supervisors. More importantly, these institutions are research bases chosen by the General Administration of Sport of China!” Li Xue explained.

“Awesome!” Dai Li was surprised by the teaching resources they had at their disposal. They were sufficient for a first-tier subject in universities included in Project 985 and Project 211.

No wonder it is Tsinghua University. It sounds awesome! Dai Li said to himself. He then asked, “So what is my task in Tsinghua University? There are so many professors and doctoral supervisors whose academic levels are much higher than mine. I can do nothing for their research. Am I the thing being researched?”

After hearing Dai Li’s joke, Li Xue laughed. “There are so many athletes in Tsinghua University. Even if they did want someone to research, you wouldn’t stand a chance. You are definitely being sent there to train athletes. As a coach, what else would you do?”

Could this be considered providing assistance or training for real? I hope this time will be different than my experience as a handyman at the Beikou Training Center! Dai Li couldn’t help but remember his days at the Beikou Training Center two years ago.

“Here is the thing: the national team has established a partnership with Tsinghua University. Tsinghua University also has a small number of coaches, whose main duties are still teaching, not coaching; in addition, the coaching level of their coaches is not as good as ours, so they always ‘borrow’ coaches from us.”

Saying this, Li Xue sighed with a little bit of embarrassment. “Actually, the cooperation between us and Tsinghua University is mutually beneficial. You should know of the middle school attached to Tsinghua University, right? It is also a famous school. The coaches of the national team also want to send their children to this school for education. Each year, Tsinghua University offers several spots to the children of the coaches of the national team in its middle school. We owe Tsinghua University a favor for this. Therefore, when they are short-handed, we always send our people over to help them.”

After the explanation, Li Xue continued sternly, “Normally I always send official coaches of the national team to Tsinghua University. However, you have been following me for several months. I’m betting you have learned a lot during this period, so I decided to send you there for some practical work, which could also be considered an examination of what you’ve learned so far.

“Remember, you are representing the national team. Also, I have bragged about you to Tsinghua University, saying that you are the last disciple who has acquired my coaching essence. So just achieve some good things in Tsinghua University. Don’t embarrass me!”

Chapter 164: The Useless A-Level Gift

At 10 o’clock the next morning, Dai Li arrived at the Sports Department of Tsinghua University, right on time. He was welcomed by a PhD candidate whose last name was Mao.

Dr. Mao had been informed that the coach sent by the national team was very young, so he had already mentally prepared himself. However, he was still surprised when he saw Dai Li, who seemed to be only a few years older than the seniors in the school. As a PhD candidate, even Dr. Mao was older than Dai Li.

“Coach Li, we don’t have a physical education major in Tsinghua University. Our athletes come from other majors, and spend most of their time and energy in their professional curriculum. Right now all of them are in class. Our sports training can only be held in the afternoon. Some athletes even have to finish their first two classes in the afternoon before they can come for training,” Dr. Mao said.

“Oh, that’s ok. I will first look through some materials and get familiar with the environment here, then,” Dai Li said.

Once the afternoon came, Dr. Mao finally led Dai Li to the training ground.

“Coach Li, this is our track and field team. We have a total of eight athletes, so now they are all yours.” Once he finished, Dr. Mao summoned all the athletes to Dai Li so they could introduce themselves.

Dai Li introduced himself with a smile. After that, roll call was done as usual, but this time Dai Li performed detection on the athletes at the same time.

The guy whose name is Liang Du is quite good. He has a C+ level sprinting gift, which should be top-notch talent among the athletes in the university. He could have a chance at being admitted to the national team if he is willing to work hard during training.

Whoops, this guy’s sprinting ability is at a B- level! This level could even be above average for the national team; but his ability value is not satisfactory. He should train harder! Dai Li checked the name list. The name of this athlete is Xiaotian Xin. What a name!

The guy whose name is Guohong Niu has B-level ability. Among all the sprinters on the national team, the best sprinter’s gift is also of a B-level. Moreover, his ability value is almost 500. He has reached the level of sprinters of the national team, and could absolutely take part in state-level matches.

As Dai Li detected the athletes, he said to himself that Tsinghua University was indeed awesome.

Among all the athletes detected by Dai Li, there was only one with C-level ability; the rest all had a C+ or higher. There were even two athletes with B- ability. According to the description of the System, the B-level ability could help the athlete win the national championship.

Dai Li had worked in the Sports University of the Hanbei Province for some time. At that time, he was also training university athletes. When he had performed detection upon those athletes, the best athlete’s ability had only been a C level. They had not even have one athlete with C+ ability. Among them, there were even some athletes whose ability was only of a D level.

All of them had been sprinters, but the athletes of Tsinghua University were far better than those of the Sports University of the Hanbei Province. The worst athletes of Tsinghua University were better than the best athletes of the Sports University of the Hanbei Province. Dai Li couldn’t help but acknowledge the powerful magnetism of Tsinghua University.

Of course, however, the athletes in regular universities could not be compared to athletes on professional training teams. Some universities would attach a so-called Olympic championship list in an eye-catching place on campus as the honor of the school. As a matter of fact, the top-notch athletes wouldn’t train in those universities, for their training level was too low for them. The training base of the national team was the place where they belonged.

That’s why Coach Li Xue said the Sports Department of Tsinghua University is even better than the specialized departments of some sports universities. That really is the case; it is impossible to find two sprinters with B-level ability on the sprinting teams of those ordinary sports universities.

As Dai Li thought about this, he performed detection on the next athlete. When the results came up, Dai Li couldn’t help but change his expression.

A! His ability is A-level! This athlete, whose name is Sijie Yang, has A-level ability! Dai Li remembered when he had first met Haiquan Fang.

Another A-level ability! Does that mean we will have another world-class athlete? He could be a world-class sprinter! It was very difficult for Dai Li to contain his excitement. He continued to read the detection results, but found a lot of unsatisfactory factors in this athlete.

His professional ability value for sprinting is only 303. How could it be so low? Even the athlete of C-level ability has a higher ability value than him. Let me check his strengths and weaknesses. Strengths: super-gifted; weaknesses: What the hell, he has so many disadvantages, I think I will need one or two minutes to finish reading all of them.

Dai Li continued to check the athlete’s weaknesses one by one. His explosive force is not completely developed, his acceleration is too low, his stride length is too short, his push-off is powerless, his swing is inactive, his stride rate is low, his movement is not flexible enough, he has poor forward movement, an unstable center of gravity, an insufficient torso angle, insufficient arm swing strength, his arm swing is inactive, he has poor running linearity, he takes too long to push off from his supporting leg, he has a short flight time, slow reactions…

Dai Li was greatly depressed by all the weaknesses shown in the System compared to the one advantage, which was “super-gifted.” This Sijie Yang was virtually useless outside of his good gift.

What the hell? How could they have an athlete like him? He is really gifted, but his technique is so poor. It seems as if he is just a regular person who has never received any formal training before. Dai Li checked the table in his hand again.

Sijie Yang, nineteen, has been sprint training since the age of fourteen, and has joined the track and field team of Tsinghua University for one year. With his A-level ability and three to five months of training, his performance should not be so poor. Haiquan Fang had A-level ability, too, yet after following my training for just two months his ability value had reached 370. He was only sixteen, three years younger than Sijie Yang, whose ability value is only 303.

Dai Li was more and more amazed. He had had the experience of training the athlete with A-level ability, so he knew how powerful an athlete with A-level ability could be after receiving professional training. It was for this reason that the detection results for Sijie Yang were so confusing to him.

He began sprint training at fourteen, and is now nineteen. That means he has received 5 years of professional training. Even if his coach was really incompetent, his explosive force could have been developed through basic training, which would make it less likely for him to have insufficient acceleration.

In addition, for the traditional sprinting technique, the push-off is still the main driving force. Therefore, for every sprinter, the push-off is always the most elementary training subject. The evaluation given by the System about his push-off is “powerless,” which is even worse than “insufficient.” This is a very obvious technique defect, which should not have been neglected by his previous coaches.

Dai Li looked through all the weaknesses, many of which were elementary problems. The mistakes amateur athletes would not make should have been completely avoided by a professional athlete.

Something must be wrong. I cannot find the reason right now, but I should be able to through more observation during training.

Chapter 165: I Have to Put on an Act Again

The first day of training had ended; or, more specifically, the four hour afternoon training session had ended.

Exhausted, the athletes walked towards the canteen, talking about Dai Li on their way.

“This Coach Li sent by the national team is so young. I think he is only a few years older than me!”

“It does not look like Coach Li was ever an athlete. I really cannot figure out since why the national team has coaches as young as him.”

“Maybe he got this position through a connection!” Xiaotian Xin said.

“That goes without saying. A coach on the national team who is under thirty must have gotten his position through connections!” Guohong Niu curled his lip disdainfully, then said, “You saw today’s training. It was even less than we usually do. I am afraid that this Coach Li is just a mediocre coach on the national team who was only sent here because of his poor performance.”

The athletes did not trust Dai Li. Age was indeed Dai Li’s biggest shortcoming. It had been fine when he was still training youth team athletes; however, at his age, Dai Li would definitely be looked down upon by adult athletes.

This was quite common in careers that required a lot of experience. For example, if a guy wanted to find more information about his antique vase, and he found two appraisers—a young guy who was just over twenty and an old man over sixty—the guy would definitely believe the older man’s appraisal. He might think that the young man could make mistake because of his lack of experience, which would make his appraisal inaccurate.

Another example would be the doctors. If a young doctor who was only twenty-four or twenty-five was sitting in the consulting room, most of the patients would think he was just an intern.

However, if an old doctor with grey hair and reading glasses was sitting there, people might think he was a specialist, even if he was not. In television shows with doctors, there was always the cliché that young doctors had been refused by the patients because they were considered inexperienced.

Another example was a group named the “Four Miraculous Doctors,” who had deceived people in over ten different provinces. Each day they sold medicine on TV programs by pretending to be medical specialists. Sometimes they were doctors of Miao Nationality (an ethnic group belonging to South China, and is recognized by the government of China as one of the 55 official minority groups.) Medicine, who could perform things like “acupuncture, prescriptions, sputum removal, and asthma treatment”; the next day, they would be doctors of Traditional Mongolian Medicine, shouting claims of their ancestral “Heart & Brain Prescription from Traditional Mongolian Medicine.” Their cover would constantly change.

Even though everything was a lie, there were still many people who chose to believe and got deceived by them. Almost all the swindlers had grey hair and wore wire-framed glasses. Had they been young guys who were in their twenties, nobody would have believed they were miraculous doctors, no matter how professional they pretended to be.

This rule was applicable to coaches as well. It was very difficult for young coaches to gain the trust of their athletes. If the coach was younger than the athletes, more trouble would be caused. If the athletes thought they were more experienced and competent than the coach, why would they obey his or her orders!

Those who were admitted to Tsinghua University were elites among the students. Most of them were arrogant, and would not be completely convinced unless a coach came and showed some real skills, even if they were experienced.

Dai Li was young. He was only a few years older than them. Furthermore, in the first afternoon of training, Dai Li had arranged some basic training instead of some specific training aimed at the weaknesses of each athlete. Dai Li had planned to make an observation first, then formulate different training plans for each athlete. However, to Dai Li’s surprise, his training arrangement for the first afternoon had been despised by the athletes.

The scornful mood of the athletes was shown during the second afternoon of training.

Whether the coach was respected by the athletes or not could easily be seen in how the athletes trained. For tough coaches who were very authoritative, athletes would do their best to finish all of their training, even if they were completely exhausted. If the coach was unpopular, on the other hand, the simplest training tasks would be performed by the athletes carelessly.

Dai Li could sense the contempt of the athletes immediately.

Dai Li had experienced the same feeling when he had been on the national team. During the two-month observation and learning period, he wasn’t accepted by the athletes, even though he had participated in the training as a coach. The athletes knew that the young coaches were only here to observe and learn, and that they would not stay on the national team for a long time. Therefore, they looked at the young coaches as outsiders, naturally, and just ignored their presence during training.

Only later, when Dai Li had successfully passed the examination and was chosen by Li Xue as his favorite pupil, did the athletes’ attitude towards Dai Li change. This was because Dai Li was hard-working, as well as the fact that he was respected by Coach Li Xue.

Now Dai Li was despised by the athletes again. However, Dai Li was no longer a rowdy brat. He knew being tough would not be enough to tame these athletes. He would have to show some real ability to prove to the athletes that he was somebody, and to make them obey his instructions.

Alas, I have to put on act again. I really hate that! Dai Li took a deep breath and clapped his hands to summon everyone.

…

“Because of the afternoon training session yesterday, I have discovered a lot of problems in your sprinting techniques. So, I will now emphasize how to solve your technique deficiencies over the next few training sessions,” Dai Li said slowly.

Upon hearing Dai Li’s words, the athletes had different ideas in their mind.

As a coach who is only a few years older than us, it is unlikely that he has more sprinting knowledge. How could he solve our technique deficiencies?”

He is bragging. As a young coach, how many athletes could he have trained? Even our post-graduate assistant coaches from the Sports Department might be better than him!

Alas, I hope this young coach has some real skills, and can at least arrange the training reasonably. Otherwise, our technique will only get worse, not improve.

Although the athletes did not show any unhappiness in their faces, their hearts were filled with negative feelings towards Dai Li.

Dai Li began to call roll directly. “Liang Du, step forward!”

Liang Du stepped out of the line. Then Dai Li said, “Your major problem is landing. When you land, the hip thrusting of your leg and the active push back of your feet are problematic. The contraction of your hip and ankle muscles happens too early. Because of this, your strength cannot be transferred to the ground rapidly and sufficiently.

“Your premature contraction of your hip and ankle muscles not only influences the instant push back speed and force exertion during the rear support stage of your hip joint, but also the high tension in your knee joint before landing.

Dai Li tried his best to speak slowly and clearly. He wanted Liang Du to understand him. His slow pace could also give Liang Du more time to think about whether Dai Li’s words were accurate or not. Another important reason was to have all the athletes hear him, that way he could show off his knowledge.

As Dai Li spoke, he watched Liang Du. Liang Du’s expression was becoming more and more serious. When Dai Li finished speaking, Liang Du was completely shocked.

What he said is completely correct! He really discovered all my technique deficiencies!

Chapter 166: What Coach Li Said Makes Sense!

Apparently Liang Du already knew about his deficiencies. As a brilliant student who had been admitted to Tsinghua University, Liang Du was not just a dumb athlete. On the contrary, his IQ was very high, and he was very good at discovering and thinking about problems.

There was no Physical Education Department in Tsinghua University. Therefore, if talented athletes wanted to be admitted into Tsinghua University, they had to take the national college entrance examination and be admitted as sports-specialty students after lowering the minimum passing score. This score reduction was not very large, however; normally a reduction of 30-50 points for a passing grade was satisfactory. Sports-specialty students whose score on the national college entrance examination was just over 100 points would never be admitted by Tsinghua University. A full score for the national college entrance examination was 750 points; as one of the best universities in China, the admission score for Tsinghua University was always around 670 points or higher.

Of course, the admission scores differed depending on province. Sometimes the difference was quite large. But it was undeniable that the students who wanted to be admitted by Tsinghua University must be elite in their respective province.

So, because the Sports Department of Tsinghua University was filled with a number of elite students, Dai Li did not need to say too much. By commenting on the key points, Dai Li knew the athletes would understand what he meant.

Liang Du had been greatly shocked by Dai Li’s words.

He noticed all of my deficiencies. How could he have known that? He just got here yesterday, and we only had some regular training yesterday afternoon. Did he see my weaknesses during yesterday afternoon’s training? Premature contraction of the hip and ankle muscles are really small defects. I knew of these problems already from sending my training video to the Sports & Human Body Science Laboratory and having them analyzed by Professor Zhang by computer systems; this Coach Li was able to discover these problems just by watching me!

As he realized this, Liang Du no longer felt that Dai Li was incompetent. He asked sincerely, “Coach Li, how can I solve these problems?”

“I have already prepared a short-term training plan for you, just have a look!” Dai Li handed an A4 paper to Liang Du.

Liang Du took the paper with both of his hands and began to read carefully.

“Is this exercise a trot with half high-knees?” Liang Du asked.

“Exactly! Have you done this training before?” Dai Li asked.

“No, but I have read about it once in a article,” Liang Du replied.

“For your problems, you would be asked to perform a trot exercise according to the traditional training method. However, the regular trot exercise is effective for beginners; for someone like you who has already mastered some sprinting techniques, the trot exercise will not be very effective,” Dai Li explained.

“Right, I have been using the trot exercise to solve my premature contraction of the hip and ankle muscles, but it is almost completely ineffective,” Liang Du nodded immediately. He found Dai Li’s words to be very pertinent.

Dai Li continued, “So, I chose training that involved a trot with half high-knees, which puts more emphasis on the movement and speed of ankle landing. Using the basis of the traditional trotting movement, your thighs must be raised. The angle between the swinging height of your swing leg and the central horizontal line is about 30-45 degrees. When your foot lands on the ground, your hip should be extended rapidly. Through hip extension and pushing, the foot landing will be accelerated. Later I will give you personal instruction on the training of this technique movement.”

“Thank you, Coach Li!” Liang Du said sincerely. He was completely convinced by Dai Li.

Discovering problems was only the first step; solving those problems was what mattered. Liang Du knew his weaknesses and had tried to solve them through training, but he had been unsuccessful. Now, Dai Li had brought forth the solution, which had given him more leverage to convince Liang Du.

Watching the exchange take place in front of them, the rest of the athletes had various thoughts and ideas.

Although Coach Li is very young, it seems he has some real skills. He was able to figure out the Liang Du’s weak points and provide solutions to them. I underestimated Coach Li.

What Coach Li said is quite helpful. It seems like I don’t need to worry about my training plan.

Is this Coach Li really competent or is this just a coincidence? Let me see if he can do it again.

At this moment, Dai Li shouted out a second name. “Xiaotian Xin, step forward!”

Xiaotian Xin stepped forward immediately. He looked at Dai Li with great interest, as if he wanted to know what other correct and astute perspectives Dai Li could offer.

“Xiaotian Xin, you problems are as follows: you focus on raising your legs while you run, but you ignore the hip movements. Your hip extension adaptability is inactive, which results in a lower push distance,” Dai Li said.

Xiaotian Xin smiled disdainfully and retorted, “My technique accelerates the backward driving of my swing leg before landing, so that a greater push-off force can be obtained. You said my hip extension is inactive, but the reason for that is that my front swing is high enough when I’m sprinting! My technique can lower the push resistance.”

Ordinary athletes would not snap back at a coach like that. However, as an elite student who had been admitted into Tsinghua University, Xiaotian Xin had high academic standing, and his sprinting performance ranked 2nd on the Tsinghua University’s sprint team. The only one better than him was Guohong Niu. He had grown up always experiencing success, so naturally he was arrogant, and had the guts to defy Dai Li.

Ha, Xiaotian Xin snapped back at Coach Li. This should be a lot of fun!

It seems like Xiaotian Xin has learned a lot from sports training courses by himself in his spare time, so he has a lot of theoretical knowledge about sports training. Even postgraduate assistant coaches are unable to win arguments with Xiaotian Xin sometimes.”

Let’s see how Coach Li will respond. He should show off his real ability. If he cannot defeat Xiaotian Xin, it will be such a shame for Coach Li.”

With different ideas in mind, the rest of the athletes were prepared to enjoy the fun.

Without hurrying, Dai Li said slowly in a calm voice, “When you are running, your front swing is not high enough; it is too high! I bet you do a lot of high-knees exercise in your daily training, right?”

“How did you know that?” Xiaotian Xin’s expression changed a little bit. What Dai Li had said was right.

“High-knees training has obvious positive and negative influences on sprinting technique. It indeed can correct an insufficient front swing; however, for sprinters, leg swing height is limited when hip flection swing movement finishes. The higher the leg swing doesn’t mean the better the effect, which can be accomplished through a farther leg swing.”

As Dai Li said this, he began to make gestures with his hands. “When you are sprinting, your hip joint has an obvious torsion. Your current technique calls for you to lower the resistance by sacrificing necessary and reasonable push distance. As a result, you may take the lead in the beginning stages of a race, but your stride length towards the middle will be impaired. You also focus on the landing angle, which can result in stiffness in your hip, knee, and ankle joints, as well as tension in your knee joint.”

Dai Li paused. He could tell Xiaotian Xin had listened to what he had said and was thinking about it.

“The most important point is that this technique can cause some physiological effects, such as the contraction of the hip joints and a downward shift of the pelvis. These effects will further influence your stride length and running speed.” Dai Li paused again, then continued, “Therefore, you have to change the characteristics of your technique!”

As Dai Li said the four words “you have to change,” the resentfulness and arrogance of Xiaotian Xin had vanished. He was now just as surprised as Liang Du had been.

What Coach Li said really makes sense! Xiaotian Xin had been convinced by Dai Li.

Chapter 167: Convincing the “Ringleader”

Before that, Xiaotian Xin had been quite confident in his sprinting technique. He had thought his retort could make Dai Li speechless.

However, after Dai Li’s explanation, he knew Dai Li was right. Dai Li’s understanding of sprint training was several levels higher than his.

The concluding words of Dai Li had been especially convincing. They had indicated that Xiaotian Xin’s training method might cause a contraction of his hip joints, as well as a downward shift of his pelvis, which could give Xiaotian Xin some nasty surprises. These athletic injuries would slightly influence his professional life, and could even cause illness and agony throughout his life.

Before now, Xiaotian Xin had ignored this completely. However, after thinking about Dai Li’s words, as well as his actual physical condition, Xiaotian Xin was fully convinced by Dai Li. He even wanted to thank Dai Li for reminding him of such an important problem.

Dai Li had completely convinced Xiaotian Xin by showing off his skills. The next second, Xiaotian Xin was suddenly very humble, and said in a tone of consultation and compliance, “Coach Li, I will obey your instruction. I must correct my mistakes!”

Dai Li nodded his head, then handed an A4 paper to Xiaotian Xin, who took it eagerly.

“This is the training plan I made for you. Before, you kept doing high knees, which had been the foundation of your sprinting technique. It obviously is not practical to abandon and replace all your sprinting techniques with new ones, as it can result in an awkward situation where you lose all your current strengths, but fail to acquire anything new.

“Therefore, I made some modifications to your original training plan. The new training plan focuses on the downstroke high knees exercise. In contrast to the traditional exercise you were doing before, this training method requires the rapid downward pressing of the thigh, which can develop the quick front swing of the thigh, braking and fast landing ability, and enhance both the swing switching speed and rapid downward pressing of the thigh during the middle of your sprints.”

As Dai Li explained this, Xiaotian Xin kept nodding his head. He was eager to begin this downstroke high knees exercise.

“Thank you, Coach Li! I will definitely work hard during training!” Xiaotian Xin looked at Dai Li worshipfully.

Seeing the change in Xiaotian Xin, no one resented Dai Li any longer.

Xiaotian Xin’s performance was ranked 2nd on the Tsinghua University sprinting team. Now, Xiaotian Xin had been totally convinced by Dai Li. Those who were worse than Xiaotian Xin really had no excuse to defy Dai Li now.

Coach Li is really awesome! It seems he has grasped the technique deficiencies of Xiaotian Xin, and the training plan he formulated for Xiaotian Xin should be very effective. Otherwise, Xiaotian Xin’s attitude could not have changed so fast.

It would appear that all coaches from the national team are competent. Coach Li is young, but he does have some real skills.

When is it going to be my turn? I am so eager to be instructed by Coach Li. I really want to correct the weak points in my technique, but I don’t know what to do. Later I shall ask Coach Li to give me proper instruction.”

Everybody was becoming more and more serious. Their careless and casual moods were now gone with the wind. All of them fixed their eyes on Dai Li, awaiting his instruction.

Dai Li had not wastes his time during his stay with the national team. He had made every effort to learn. Now his effort was paying off. With the help of the advanced detector, the knowledge he had acquired, as well as the skills and experience he had gotten from Li Xue, Dai Li could handle these athletes skillfully and easily.

My attempt to “show off” has been successful! Actually, no—it should be over 50% success. I still have to deal with the highest level athlete. Dai Li scanned the team and relaxed a bit. The next moment, Dai Li looked at the name list in his hand and said, “Guohong Niu, step forward!”

Dai Li had finally called Guohong Niu’s name, who had B-level talent,and an ability value of nearly 500 points. Meanwhile, as the team leader of the Tsinghua University sprinting team, Guohong Niu was the most competent athlete on the team, and the ace athlete of the Tsinghua University Sports Department. His performance was far better than Xiaotian Xin’s who ranked 2nd on the team.

As it stood right now, Guohong Niu could be admitted to the national team. If he received professional training from the national team, he would absolutely be a top-notch sprinter in China.

In fact, the national team had already taken notice of Guohong Niu, and had even sent him an invitation. But Guohong Niu had refused the invitation, choosing to stay in Tsinghua University. Admission to the national team might be exceedingly welcome for ordinary athletes; but for those in Tsinghua University, the national team did not seem that important.

The admission to the national team meant that training would be done continuously. Part-time athletes were not allowed on the national team. Therefore, Guohong Niu would have had to abandon his studies if he were to join the national team, which was unacceptable to him. However, Guohong Niu might consider the national team after he graduated.

Furthermore, athletes of the national team would be restricted by certain regulations in some domestic university contests. After all, the universities were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, while the national team fell under the General Administration of Sports. The boundary between the two departments was quite clear.

…

Dai Li knew that it would not be enough to only convince Xiaotian Xin. He had to convince the “ringleader” first in order to get all the athletes to follow him. His prestige on the Tsinghua University sprinting team would be established through convincing the leader of the team, who was also the most talented athlete—Guohong Niu. If Guohong Niu obeyed his instruction, the other athletes on the team would naturally follow their leader.

After hearing his name, Guohong Niu stepped forward. He was very calm, his arrogance hidden perfectly. Deep in his heart, he did not believe that Dai Li could point out his disadvantages, simply because Guohong Niu thought his technique did not have any significant weak points.

My technique is almost perfect. All I have to do in the matches is just pay attention to some small details. I don’t believe you can point out my technique deficiencies! As Guohong Niu thought this, he stared at Dai Li determinedly, as if he were a predator staring at his prey.

Dai Li sensed Guohong Niu’s confidence, which further ignited his fighting will. Guohong Niu was the leader of the sprinting team. The obedience of Guohong Niu would mean he had tamed the Tsinghua University sprinting team.

“Guohong Niu, through yesterday’s observation, I found that your major weakness is that your push-off force is too big.”

After hearing Dai Li’s words, Guohong Niu’s eyes shined even more confidently.

Chapter 168: Convincing

“Guohong Niu, through yesterday’s observation, I found that your major problem is that you have too much of a push-off force,” Dai Li said, highlighting Guohong Niu’s weakness. Guohong Niu sneered in response.

“I have too much of a push-off force?” Guohong Niu asked arrogantly, “Coach Li, shouldn’t a large push-off force be an advantage? The greater the push-off force is, the more sufficient the driving force will be, hence the more acceleration the athlete will obtain. Coaches always comment on the low push-off force of the athletes. This is the first time I’ve heard a coach complain about a large push-off force. Coach Li, why do you consider this advantage a disadvantage?”

Dai Li still had a smile on his face. Yesterday, during the detection of Guohong Niu with the advanced detector, when he had found “too much of a push-off force” in the disadvantage area, he had also thought the detector had mixed up the advantages and disadvantages. A large push-off force was supposed to be an advantage.

But later, after performing a careful analysis applying the knowledge he had acquired on the national team, Dai Li finally realized that too much of a push-off force, which Guohong Niu had, was indeed a sprinting technique deficiency.

Without sounding flustered, Dai Li began his explanation, saying, “The traditional sprinting technique states the knee joint of the supporting leg should be stretched sufficiently during push-off; therefore, a good push-off technique has always been essential for athletes, who were also requested to enhance the push-off strength and ability of their lower limbs. This should be the technique you have practiced before, right?”

Guohong Niu nodded his head. “This is indeed the technique I used when I was in junior and senior middle school. However, when I was admitted to Tsinghua University, I changed my technique to swing-style running, which should be the most common sprinting technique on the national team, right?”

“The national team is using swing-style running technique, yes. However, when athletes are running quickly, according to this technique, they don’t need to stretch their knee joints to the point of lockout,” Dai Li said.

“My knee joint is not stretched all the way,” Guohong Niu immediately retorted.

“Take it easy, I haven’t finished my explanation. When you are running, although your knee joint is not stretched completely, you exert too much strength during your push-off movement. Your technique for swing-style running is still imperfect. You subconsciously bend your knee intentionally during your push-off, which results in the relatively slow transition to the front swing that follows. Because of this, the time you spend on your supporting leg is prolonged. I don’t think you need my explanation of what spending too much time on your supporting leg does to your speed, right?”

In sprinting, having a supporting leg meant contact between the human body and the ground. All kinds of contact between objects will generate resistance; therefore, the longer one spends on their supporting leg, the longer they will be facing resistance, which in turn affects how much forward resistance there will be. Sprinters try their best to shorten the time spent on their supporting leg, which reduces the amount of resistance they encounter whilst sprinting. Of course, the time spent on the supporting leg can never be zero; otherwise, the sprinter would be flying, and sprinting would become a flying competition.

As a first-class sprinter, Guohong Niu certainly knew about these theories. He was also an academic superstar, so he was good at thinking. After careful consideration, he knew that what Dai Li was saying was correct.

However, Guohong Niu still did not want to improve his technique. He was a proud person, and had gotten used to being treated as a revered leader by his peers since childhood. His self-esteem prevented him from admitting he had made a mistake.

“What you said made some sense. My push-off force could indeed prolong the time spent on my supporting leg, which could slow me down a little bit. But don’t forget that a large push-off force can also generate more of a driving force and increase speed. This speed increase is large enough to offset the loss caused by more time spent on the supporting leg,” Guohong Niu said calmly. He knew that if he wanted to prove his point, he should bring out the facts and reason with Dai Li calmly.

“It is true that I cannot find out which of the two had a greater impact, the driving force generated from the push-off or the resistance caused by the prolonged time spent on your supporting leg. However, what I am sure about is that your technique has to be improved,” Dai Li said, spreading his hands.

“Why? If the driving force generated from the push-off is greater than the resistance caused by the time spent on my supporting leg, the technique modification will result in a decrease in my performance,” Guohong Niu said arrogantly.

Dai Li continued to explain slowly, “I certainly have a basis for thinking this. Do you often experience a loose bending of your front knee, as well as a low center of gravity?”

“How did you know that?” Guohong Niu’s expression was changed.

“These are also things that are caused by your extra-large push-off force, which not only prolongs the amount of time spent on your supporting leg, but also prevents the muscles from relaxing, which further impacts the transition and connecting speed of the hip flection swing. Sometimes it can even cause drawbacks, like a loose bending of the knee, as well as low center of gravity of body. This is inconsistent with the characteristics of swing-type running, which are a high center of gravity, front swing of the quad, pushing the front leg down, and rapid switching and tight bending of the knee!” Dai Li explained.

Guohong Niu was amazed. The disadvantages Dai Li had mentioned were things he had not known; nobody had told him these things before.

Technically speaking, what Dai Li had said was absolutely correct. However, a theory that sounded perfect was not enough to convince Guohong Niu. He was, however, completely impressed by the two drawbacks Dai Li had just mentioned. Guohong Niu had indeed experienced a loose bending of the knee, as well as the low center of gravity, in his daily training.

These effects did not occur all the time, but they did occasionally, especially when there was a large training volume. Guohong Niu had thought the occurrence of these drawbacks had been caused by failure to fully complete the movements of the technique when he was exhausted.

But now, the true reason for these effects should have been as Dai Li had said. His push-off force was extending the time spent on his supporting leg, and prevented the muscles from relaxing, which further influenced the transition and connecting speed of the hip flection swing.

At this moment, Guohong Niu finally realized what Dai Li had said was correct. His push-off force was indeed his weakness!

I am convinced. I am completely convinced, Guohong Li whispered to himself. He immediately lowered his guard and said sincerely, “Coach Li, please help me correct this shortcoming!”

Dai Li smiled and nodded his head. He had finally tamed Guohong Niu, who was the team leader of the Tsinghua University sprinting team. His prestige as a coach here had also now been established.

He handed an A4 paper to Guohong Niu and said, “This is the training plan I arranged for you, just have a look!”

“Thank you, Coach Li. I will perform the training seriously according to your plan.” Guohong Niu took the training plan with both of his hands, expressing determination without even looking at the plan.

“Good. Later I will give you instruction on the essentials of the related technique movements personally,” Dai Li smiled. The team leader, Guohong Niu, had been tamed. Now, his coaching would be free of obstacles.

Dai Li could not help but look at Sijie Yang, who was standing at the end of the line.

Only Sijie Yang is left. As a guy with A-level ability, he should be the most troublesome one!”

Chapter 169: “Walking Dead” on the Training Ground

Dai Li couldn’t help but be anxious at the thought of Sijie Yang. Technically speaking, Sijie Yang could not even reach the professional level. It was fair to say he had virtually nothing going for him except for his A-level ability.

However, on second thought, Dai Li felt this might be a good thing. The lousy technique of Sijie Yang meant his technique movements had not yet been fixed. Just like a piece of blank paper, Dai Li could do whatever he wanted with it.

The more disadvantages an athlete had, the more improvements could be made, and the larger room for improvement the athlete would have. This also meant there was a longer way the athlete could go before they reached their limit.

This Sijie Yang hasn’t even fully reached his top speed, strength, and explosive force. He should have more elementary trainings.

“Sijie Yang, step forward!” Dai Li shouted. Sijie Yang stepped out of the line immediately.

“You have a lot of disadvantages. For example, your explosive force hasn’t been completely realized; your acceleration is not good enough; your stride length is too short; your push-off force is too small; your leg swing is not active enough; your stride frequency is low; your movements are not flexible; your forward motion is poor; the time you take to push away from your supporting leg is too long; your flight time is short, and your reaction is slow…”

As Dai Li pointed out the disadvantages, he kept watching to see if there was a change in expression in Sijie Yang’s face. Dai Li had expected that Sijie Yang would be shocked like the others after his instruction, or at least slightly surprised. However, Sijie Yang did not change his expression whatsoever.

Dai Li could feel that Sijie Yang was listening carefully and pondering the things he had mentioned. However, Dai Li had a weird feeling about Sijie Yang that he could not put his finger on.

“This is the training plan I prepared for you, just have a look.” Dai Li handed the training plan to Sijie Yang.

After taking the training plan with both of his hands and saying “Thank you,” Sijie Yang returned to the line. He stood there quietly, not communicating with his teammates at all.

This Sijie Yang is very introverted! Dai Li said to himself quietly. He looked at Sijie Yang, his heart filled with a weird feeling.

…

In the following days, Dai Li’s training went on smoothly. Nothing got in the way of his coaching.

All the athletes on the sprinting team were completely convinced by Dai Li, so they really had no excuse to contradict the training arrangements he had made. Moreover, all of them were quite cooperative with the training plans Dai Li had made.

The athletes obviously hoped that their performance would get better and better. The students of Tsinghua University were virtuous and talented, and had always been the best among their peers. All of them were quite ambitious, and naturally would not be satisfied with their current states. They were constantly trying to perform better, and always tried to outdo themselves.

Along with the implementation of different types of training, the athletes felt the improvement in their performance. Dai Li helped them correct the deficiencies in their technique, which helped facilitate their improvement in performance. Meanwhile, the training effects of being a top-level coach yielded twice the results with half the effort.

For instance, if the athletes were asked to perform a leapfrog exercise 100 times, the Coaching System could help the athletes improve their explosive force. Of course, this effect was invisible during training. Performing the leapfrog exercise 100 times could not give the athletes immediate results. However, after days of training, the improvement could be seen clearly.

The improvements in performance made the athletes trust Dai Li more. They carried out the training plans formulated by Dai Li much more strictly, and would work even harder during training. This, in turn, increased performance improvement. A virtuous cycle had been formed.

Dai Li was quite satisfied with his disciples. These athletes were very gifted, and were not inferior to the athletes of the national team. These athletes were also very smart and had understood things quite well. Most of the time, Dai Li did not need to give them a very detailed instruction, and they could understand Dai Li’s meaning. Their IQ was high, and their feeling for the sport was also very high. They knew how to do the right thing at the right time.

Although Dai Li was responsible for the daily training of eight athletes on the sprinting team, it did not require much attention. His job was quite easy. The only athlete that gave Dai Li headaches was Sijie Yang, who had A-level ability.

On the training ground, Dai Li was standing in front of Sijie Yang. Dai Li said, “Your leg swing should be faster!”

Sijie Yang said, “Oh.”

Dai Li said, “Try to control the fluctuation of your center of gravity!”

Sijie Yang said, “Oh.”

Dai Li said, “Relax, don’t stiffen your muscles too much. You technique movements are too deliberate. Try to do them naturally.”

Sijie Yang said, “Oh.”

Sijie Yang accepted and carried out all the instructions given by Dai Li. However, Dai Li was very disappointed with Sijie Yang’s effort. Dai Li got the feeling that Sijie Yang’s training was problematic. But he could not figure out the reason behind it. When observing Sijie Yang’s training, Dai Li always felt that something was missing.

What is actually missing? Dai Li thought for a moment with furrowed brows. He looked at other athletes, then looked back at Sijie Yang, finally finding his answer.

Passion! What he is missing is passion! Sijie Yang’s training completely lacks passion. It seems like it is not him who is training, but a robot finishing its programmed actions!

But how could an athlete lack passion?

The training of Sijie Yang indeed lacked passion. Sijie Yang was like the walking dead on the training ground. You could not feel his joy, sadness, or any mood change at all. Sijie Yang was simply completing the training subjects robotically, going through the motions.

Is he slacking off? No. Is he checking the time? No. Dai Li shook his head silently. Sijie Yang was training inactively; however, his inactive training was vastly different than how inactive training usually looked.

When Dai Li had been in the Beikou Training Base, Feixiang Lin had also been inactive during training. He played fast and loose in his training, through which he wanted to tell everyone that he was clearly not training seriously. However, Sijie Yang was quite different.

Later when Dai Li had been in the shot put group, Jiankang Chen and the other athletes had also contradicted the training by slacking off during training. Sijie Yang was not like this either.

Sijie Yang did not slack off and mark time. He had no late arrivals or early departures. He finished all the training Dai Li had assigned him. However, during training, Sijie Yang seemed to be completely absent-minded. He didn’t apply himself to the training at all, and seemed like he was not himself when he trained.

This should be an attitude problem. Dai Li formed his judgment immediately.

Sijie Yang’s sprinting ability is of an A-level. I haven’t even found an athlete on the national team whose ability is an A. He should at least be the best sprinter among his peers. He should not be like Jiankang Chen, who lost his self-confidence after not achieving anything for a while.

Sijie Yang is only nineteen. His current training can only be considered quasi-professional level training. That means he should not be like Feixiang Lin, either, who gave up on himself because of prolonged illness and injuries.

Resting his hands on his hips, Dai Li felt quite helpless. He knew Sijie Yang was much more troublesome than those who slacked off or checked the time during training.

Chapter 170: I Don’t Want to Be an Athlete

During the training breaks, the athletes would get together to drink water and chat. Except Sijie Yang would sit beside them quietly. With a large glass of water in hand, Sijie Yang did not talk to anyone. He did not even make eye contact with the rest of the athletes.

He is truly introverted! He seldom talks to his teammates. Dai Li watched him silently.

Being introverted was not a big issue for athletes. They were not correspondents or hosts; they did not need outgoing personalities to assist their careers. The most important thing for them was improving their performance.

However, it seemed like Sijie Yang was too introverted. He did not even speak to his own teammates.

Dai Li continued observing, and found that the rest of the athletes did not speak to Sijie Yang, either. It seemed as if they had got used to the situation by just ignoring the Sijie Yang’s existence altogether.

When the training was over, the athletes left in groups of three and four. Sijie Yang was still a “lone ranger.” He walked behind the rest of the athletes, not communicating with them at all.

Does he have autism? Dai Li murmured to himself.

Although sprinting was an individual sporting event and did not require cooperation between teammates, the track and field athletes gathered on different teams according to the current system requirements of China. The training team of the highest level should be the national team, followed by provincial teams, city-level teams, and school teams. Training teams of different levels were small groups. The athletes had to stay in their groups before their retirement.

However, Sijie Yang was like a weirdo who had left his group. He never spoke to others, and vice versa.

Dai Li remembered that the most frequent word Sijie Yang had used was “Oh.” He had replied to everything Dai Li had said with “Oh.” Suddenly, the word “isolation” popped into Dai Li’s brain, which he thought was the most accurate word to describe Sijie Yang.

Dai Li was now curious about Sijie Yang’s experience, and what had led him to where he was now.

…

On the training ground.

“Xiaotian Xin, well done; but try to make your center of gravity more stabilized. Have you noticed that the landing time of your supporting leg is a bit uneven? This is the result of an unstable center of gravity. Don’t try to push off by exerting force intentionally; you should do it naturally, and treat each stride as a whole, and in turn treat the complete running process as a whole…”

Along with Dai Li’s voluble instruction, Xiaotian Xin kept nodding his head, taking note of all Dai Li’s instructions. Dai Li was always able to point out Xiaotian Xin’s deficiencies right away. Xiaotian Xin had long gotten used to his instruction, so his admiration for Dai Li only increased.

After finishing technique instruction, Dai Li changed the topic suddenly and asked, “It seems like you aren’t fond of Sijie Yang. I have never seen communication between you and him. Have you ever had any conflict with him?”

“You mean him?” Xiaotian Xin snorted grimly, “Sijie Yang was admitted to the sprinting team through the ‘backdoor.’ When he arrived, we thought his performance was only so-so; we were wondering how such a lousy guy could make it on our team. Later, we heard that his father was very accomplished, and even knew a lot of big shots. The university admitted him only because of his father’s relationships.”

Backdoor? Dai Li was quite amazed. He thought an athlete with A-level ability could get on the national team easily. Why would he need connections to help him be admitted to the Tsinghua University sprinting team? However, thinking about Sijie Yang’s low ability, Dai Li began to believe what Xiaotian Xin had said.

“Even if Sijie Yang came here through the ‘backdoor,’ you shouldn’t isolate him, right? I have seldom seen you communicate with him,” Dai Li continued.

“It’s not that we don’t talk to him, it’s that he doesn’t want to talk with us,” Xiaotian Xin shook his head. “When he arrived, we wanted to communicate with him. But he always ignored our greetings and didn’t want to answer our questions. Eventually we just left him alone. Being a ‘backdoor’ user, he was just too distant. I even got the feeling that he was in a different world than us.”

Xiaotian Xin’s last sentence really resonated with Dai Li, who also got the feeling that Sijie Yang was an outsider. Although Sijie Yang could finish all the training, he was like a square peg in a round hole. Dai Li even got the feeling that the person on the training ground was not Sijie Yang, but someone else in his place.

Dai Li had never had a coaching experience with an athlete like Sijie Yang, who had no passion and was calm as water. He could finish all the training, but it always seemed like he did not care about it one way or another.

Dai Li felt he should have a serious conversation with Sijie Yang.

…

After finishing a day’s training, the athletes went to leave the training ground. However, Dai Li stopped Sijie Yang.

“Sijie Yang, please wait a moment.” Dai Li called Sijie Yang over to him.

“Sijie Yang, how had your recent training been?” Dai Li asked.

With his head lowered, Sijie Yang didn’t reply, continuing to show his introverted attitude.

Dai Li continued, “I feel your training attitude is quite problematic.”

“I have finished all training tasks you assigned!” Sijie Yang said immediately.

“Yes, you finished the tasks; but you only finished them, nothing more. What is the purpose of our training? We train so we can improve your performance, not to ‘finish’ the task.” Dai Li paused, then continued, “You are really gifted, and your current performance does not match up with your ability.”

Sijie Yang lowered his head and remained silent again.

“I think there is something wrong with your training attitude. Do you think training is something you don’t need? Or do you just not like the training?” Dai Li continued asking.

Sijie Yang still had his head lowered, remaining silent.

“Sijie Yang, I don’t want to scold you; I just want to communicate with you. Now that I have expressed what I’m feeling, I’m waiting for your opinion,” Dai Li finished. He stared at Sijie Yang.

Sijie Yang was trying to avoid eye contact with Dai Li. He wanted to escape.

“Problems cannot be solved by keeping silent. Language is the basic communication tool used by mankind. You should tell me first so I can know what’s going on in your head.” Dai Li paused, then continued in a sincere tone, “I don’t know what worries you, but if you tell me you’re thinking, maybe I can understand what’s going on.”

Finally, after building up the courage for several seconds, Sijie Yang looked up and said, “Coach, I hate sprinting, and I don’t want to be an athlete!”

A flash of amazement appeared in Dai Li’s eyes. He had never expected an answer like that.

Chapter 171: Shoot Oneself in the Foot

Sijie Yang had A-level ability in sprinting. He had the potential to win several national championships easily as long as he tried a bit harder. If he did, he would have the chance to compete against the top sprinters in the world; and, if he was lucky enough, he could probably become a world champion. It surprised Dai Li that such a talented star was saying that he hated sprinting, and that he did not want to be an athlete.

People always said that your interests were your best teacher. If Da Vinci had not been interested in drawing, he could not have become a great painter; Had Shakespeare hated writing, he could not have been a master in literature.

Of course, not everyone liked their job, but most would not say they hated it either.

If a person hated what they were doing, they would never achieve anything, no matter how long they stayed in their field. Take a businessman; if he hated making money, he would definitely be poor his entire life. If someone in the personnel system did not want to be a leader, then chances are they would be stuck in the office doing chores for the rest of their life.

This applied to athletes as well. Many athletes began training at a very young age, and really loved what they were doing. They practiced with the dream of becoming a champion. If an athlete had no desire to get medals and felt comfortable just going with the flow, they would never achieve anything.

Sijie Yang said he hated sprinting and did not want to be an athlete, and that he practiced with that in mind every day. Even if he finished the training from today, he would not achieve much. This way of thinking would also prevent him from communicating with his teammates, since no one wants to talk about things they hate.

It was like reading a book. Suppose a guy liked the book he was reading; he would feel something after he finished reading it, and would talk about the details of the book, remembering the content vividly. However, if he was not interested in the book, he would criticize it as he read, and even once he finished reading it, he would hate recalling the details, and would even forget the main characters’ names.

Sijie Yang truly hated sprinting, which was why he always acted passively, and was never motivated to train. The effects of being active and passive were totally different. Had he been an average athlete, he would definitely have been dismissed and kicked off the field by now.

Sijie Yang, however, was really talented. Having A-level ability meant you were good enough to be a world class athlete. Even on the national sprinting team there were not any other A-level athletes. Sijie Yang didn’t even like his gift, yet he could still beat a bunch of people with just his raw talent.

He could be worldwide phenomenon with such great talents, but he said he hates sprinting and doesn’t want to be a athlete. What a waste!

Dai Li knew that he could not force people to do things. If Sijie Yang really had no interest in sprinting, nothing would change, even if he kept practicing.

From Sijie Yang’s CV we can tell that he began training professionally at 14-years-old, which means he has had five years of sprint training! Since he doesn’t want to be an athlete, why doesn’t he just give up? Thinking of this, Dai Li changed the topic to keep the conversation going.

“If you don’t want to be an athlete, what do you want to do then? I’ve seen your CV; you studied economics and management, and want to get another MBA degree later. Do you want become a company manager?” Dai Li asked.

“I want to be a photographer,” said Sijie Yang as he lowered his head. He looked embarrassed.

“That is nothing to be embarrassed about. When I graduated I didn’t want to be a coach. I wanted to become a middle school PE teacher. Summer and winter vacation, who doesn’t want that? But I failed the entrance exam, and ended up as a coach.” Dai Li smiled, then continued, “Tell me, how did you become an athlete?”

“When I was fourteen, all the students were asked to stay an extra hour to study after school. I didn’t want to study because I already knew everything the teacher had taught us, so I joined the track and field team in our school so I wouldn’t have to study,” Sijie Yang answered.

“You joined the track and field team so that you wouldn’t have to study?” Dai Li thought this was really dramatic.

Sijie Yang nodded. “After a few months, I joined a city-level track and field competition, and became a champion with a 11.72 second record, which impressed the coach in the sports school. At that point, my dad told me to do sports, and said I had the potential to become a top athlete. So I went to school to study in the morning and practice in the afternoon.”

Dai Li was impressed. An 11.72-second record at fourteen. That is really something. A B-level athlete can only run an 11.74! Many sprinters are still trying to meet the standard of 11.74 seconds to get onto the national team, but he did it with a better record at just fourteen.

Sijie Yang continued, “Later, I went to college. I was going to give up on being an athlete, but my dad got me onto the sports team, and asked me to keep practicing as a sprinter.”

Sijie Yang was mentioning his father a lot. This reminded Dai Li of what Xiaotian Xin had said; Sijie Yang’s father was an influential man, who even had connections in Tsinghua University.

Dai Li asked, “It sounds like your father wants you to become an athlete, not you. Why don’t you tell him that you don’t want to be an athlete?”

“Because he has a point. He says I am gifted in sprinting and can be an excellent athlete. I should do what he asked me to do and become an athlete,” Sijie Yang said as he lowered his head.

“Your father is right, you are really gifted.” Dai Li suddenly remembered Sijie Yang was an A-level athlete, so he asked, “Is your dad a retired athlete?”

Sijie Yang shook his head.

“Then he must be a coach!” Dai Li said.

Sijie Yang shook his head again and responded, “He is a scientist.”

“Scientist? Like sports science?” Dai Li was a bit shocked.

“Biology. My dad studies biology,” Sijie Yang said.

“Oh!” Dai Li nodded. Biology was something he knew nothing about. He did not want to attempt to discuss it and embarrass himself.

“So you’re saying that you didn’t choose to be an athlete, your dad did?” Dai Li looked at Sijie Yang. Sijie Yang didn’t reply, but nodded his head in silence.

“You don’t like the idea of sprinting or being an athlete. Did you tell your dad about this?” Dai Li asked.

Sijie Yang shook his head. “No.”

“Why not?” Dai Li asked anxiously.

“It is not necessary. He is always right. He makes decisions for me all the time. I just need to do what he tells me.” Sijie Yang sounded calm, but also a bit sad.

“No one is always right,” Dai Li argued.

Sijie Yang lowered his head. He seemed like he didn’t want to argue with Dai Li about this.

Dai Li could tell Sijie Yang’s dad was an aggressive guy who got pleasure out of controlling others. His father had arranged everything for him, and Sijie Yang was used to arrangements being made by his father.

Suddenly Dai Li felt sympathetic for Sijie Yang. Maybe his father was right, and Sijie Yang could become a successful athlete by just doing what he was told. But he had lost himself. You could say he was a good son who did as he was tod, but you could also say he was a toy controlled by his father!

Dai Li inhaled deeply, then changed his tone and told Sijie Yang, “Sijie Yang, look at me. Listen carefully.”

Sijie Yang raised his head and looked at him in the eyes.

“Sijie Yang, you are nineteen now. You are an adult. You have to make your own decisions. You can’t depend on your father all the time; you have to think and act independently. Maybe your father is was right, but that doesn’t mean you are wrong.”

“If you have your own dream, you need to fight for it! Dreams should not be buried deep inside you; they should be put in front of you to remind yourself to chase it with your actions!

“This is your dream, and your life. Your dad might be able to help you find a shortcut in your life, but he cannot determine your fate! You have to understand, you are a person, not a toy. You have to make things happen on your own. You have to walk by yourself and control your own life.”

Sijie Yang opened his mouth. There was an excitement in his eyes for a second, but it disappeared quickly. He said sadly, “I completely understand what you’re saying. But if I listen to you and do what I want—become a photographer—the first thing I need to do is stop practicing sprinting and quit the track and field team, right?”

“Well…” Dai Li suddenly hesitated. He realized he had made a huge mistake and shot himself in the foot.

He had been talking about dreams, but it had sounded like he was trying to persuade Sijie Yang to quit the track and field team.

What have I done? I wanted to ask him to give it his all in practice. How did it end up like this?

Chapter 172: You are The Owner of Your Youth

Dai Li felt embarrassed. He had wanted to encourage Sijie Yang to be positive, which was why he had given him a passionate lecture about dreams. However, Sijie Yang’s dream was not to become an excellent athlete, but a photographer. Dai Li had encouraged him to pursue his dream, which would mean giving up his athletic career.

I am a coach, I can’t believe I just persuaded a super talented athlete to change his career path! Dai Li was regretful. He wanted to take back what he had said. But when Dai Li looked at Sijie Yang, he had different thoughts.

Your twenties are a time when a person is passionate about making their dreams come true. This is an age full of passion, but also irrationality. Young people tend to do what they want without second thought. This is a time when men can actually chase their dreams.

When you reach my age and have a stable job, you will have to work hard to survive, and in some cases even leave your dream behind. And when you get older and have family to raise, you will be responsible for more things. You might have to give up all your dreams. When you have a thirty-year loan on a house, you will never talk about your dreams anymore!

A man who doesn’t try to make his dreams come true when he is young will be full of regret when he is older. Thinking of this, Dai Li looked at Sijie Yang with a complex look.

As a coach, Dai Li surely didn’t want to let Sijie Yang give up his sprinting career. It was a coach’s responsibility to train his or her athletes. Sijie Yang was born to be a sprinter. It would be a pity if he gave it up.

But at the same time, Dai Li knew it would be suck to be asked to do things you hate. Even though Sijie Yang could achieve something in the future and become a champion, he might not feel happy about it at all.

He shouldn’t waste his youth on something he is not interested in at all! After all, you can only be young once… Dai Li sighed. He didn’t want Sijie Yang to live in regret the rest of his life.

Finally, Dai Li said, “Sijie Yang, it’s your life. You have to walk your own path. You have to make your own choice.”

Dai Li stopped, then continued, “If you don’t want to continue practicing sprinting, you can leave; but if you want to stay, I hope you will practice hard just like the others, and treat this as your career, not just something your dad told you to do.

“You are only nineteen; you are still young. But youth goes by quickly. You should make the most of it, not do something you hate everyday.” Dai Li stopped, then smiled and said, “You are the owner of your youth.”

…

The next day, Sijie Yang didn’t show up to the training ground. Dai Li asked the others about it, only to find out that Sijie Yang had sent a leave application form to the team.

Dai Li felt remorseful, and even a bit hurt. He had a feeling that he had lost the jackpot because Sijie Yang was truly too talented for him to have given up.

Dai Li didn’t know whether he was making the right decision or not. Maybe Sijie Yang would feel regret if he failed to become a good photographer. He might even think that had he continued pursuing being an athlete, he would have become one of the top sprinters in the world.

This is your own choice. The road ahead of you, whether it is good or bad, is a path you must walk yourself. All I can do is make a wish and hope that you find success no matter what road you choose. Dai Li calmed down and went back to work.

…

As Dai Li was training athletes on the training ground, Doctor Mao walked towards them.

Doctor Mao greeted Dai Li, then asked, “Coach Li, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“What is it?” Dai Li asked.

“Professor Fang would like to see you in his office and discuss the training issues lately,” Doctor Mao replied.

The Professor Fang Doctor Mao spoke of was the boss of the Sports Department in Tsinghua University. He had made a great contribution to sports, and was a well-known person.

“Sure, just let me get changed.” Dai Li pointed to his soaked training t-shirt. He couldn’t take a shower at the moment, so changing his shirt was the least he could do.

Dai Li changed shirts and followed Doctor Mao to Professor Fang’s office. To his surprise, there were two people sitting in the room.

One of them was Professor Fang. Dai Li had seen what he looked like when he had been looking at information about the Tsinghua Sports Department. He recognized him immediately.

Next to Professor Fang sat a man in his fifties. He had grey hair and big shiny eyes. He looked very wise. You could tell that he paid attention to his skincare; despite his wrinkles, there was a shade of healthy pink on his face.

An attractive old guy! Dai Li was impressed by his appearance. He was comparable to one of those middle-aged celebrities. In Tsinghua University, there were more scholars than dogs. Dai Li had seen numerous guys who looked smart, but none of them could be compared to this old man.

He looks so familiar! I think I have seen him before. He might be another professor here, Dai Li thought.

As Dai Li was glancing at them, they were glancing at him as well. They were surprised, as Dai Li was much younger than they had thought he would be.

Doctor Mao was the first one to speak. “Professor Fang, Academician Yang, this is Coach Dai Li.”

Oh my God! That guy is an academician! How impressive is that! Dai Li thought. He greeted them, saying, “Professor Fang, Academician Yang, how are you?”

“Good,” Professor Fang nodded. “Coach Li, I know this is the first time we have met, but I assume you have heard of me?”

Dai Li smiled and nodded, “Of course. You are the first one I knew when I came here.”

Professor Fang looked satisfied. He pointed at Academician Yang and introduced him, saying, “Academician Yang is the father of Sijie Yang.”

This handsome old guy is Sijie Yang’s father? No wonder Sijie Yang is handsome. Gosh, what kind of genes run in their family? I assume his father looked better at Sijie Yang’s age. Anyhow, why is Sijie Yang’s father here? His father asked him to practice sprinting, but now he has quit. Oh shoot. His father might be mad at me…

Dai Li suddenly understood what was going on. He stared at Doctor Mao.

Discuss the training issues lately? That was just an excuse! You should have told me the truth! Why are you giving me a hard time? Dai Li thought.

Doctor Mao stared right back at Dai Li back. The look on his face made it seem like he was blaming Dai Li for the trouble he had brought to their team.

Chapter 173: You Are The One To Blame

Dai Li suddenly got tense when he found out that Academician Yang was Sijie Yang’s father. He is here to blame me, Dai Li thought to himself. He was nervous, but he got himself to relax and play it cool.

Dai Li did not say anything, deciding to wait for them to make the first move. But to his surprise, Academician Yang began the conversation, saying, “Coach Li, nice to meet you. I am Lin Yang.”

This was a unique introduction. Usually when two strangers met each other for the first time, they would introduce themselves by saying, “My name is …” Academician Yang had instead said “I am…” Only well-known people used this to introduce themselves.

But Dai Li did not notice this. When he heard the name “Lin Yang,” he became shocked, so much so that he even shook a bit.

“Lin Yang? The scientist? The one who won the Nobel Prize?” Dai Li asked in surprise.

Lin Yang nodded. He got that surprised look a lot.

This is the actual Lin Yang. No wonder I thought he looked familiar. I saw his photo several years ago. He is older, that’s why I didn’t recognize him right away, Dai Li thought.

Lin Yang was a topnotch scientist who studied biology. He was so talented that he became a professor and had his own lab before he was thirty. When he was thirty-five, his achievements in his field made him eligible to be nominated for a Nobel Prize. To no one’s surprise, he won the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine at the age of forty-two. It had been a very significant accomplishment when it had happened.

Lin Yang was involved in several important science programs, such as the Human Genome Project. His experimental results had saved millions of people’s lives; he was considered a god by pharmaceuticals companies. Some companies even wanted to offer funding to Lin Yang, but it was impossible to find him.

Dai Li still remembered that when he had been in primary school, Lin Yang was in the Chinese textbook, and was admired by all the students. Not every scientist was written about in textbooks. Lin Yang’s work had become a bible to people, meaning he did not need to do interviews to stay relevant.

Sijie Yang’s father is Lin Yang! Dai Li suddenly remembered that Sijie Yang had said that his father was always right. Before, Dai Li had thought Sijie Yang had said that because he was afraid of his father; now he completely understood what Sijie Yang had meant. It made so much sense. Sijie Yang’s father was Lin Yang, the famous scientist!

Ten years ago, when Lin Yang had just won the Nobel Prize, he had been regarded as a legend. At the time, the economic development of the country had just entered the fast lane, and people were moving up in lifestyle. On the other hand, people’s spiritual lives were not satisfactory, which made people bored. The academic world desperately needed to catch up.

It was during this time that Lin Yang won his Nobel Prize. Naturally, he became an idol. People were so convinced by him and his work, that no matter what he said, people would assume it was the truth. If Lin Yang had said, “Sweet tofu tastes better than savoury tofu,” millions of people would have come out in agreement. Cooks, gourmets, folklorists, critics, and even other scientists would stand with Lin Yang in an attempt to prove he was right.

People believed in scientists’ theories and decisions, especially a scientist who had received a Nobel Prize at such a young age. People thought highly of him and assumed he was always right. This was common for people back then.

Dai Li had still been a child when Lin Yang had received the Nobel Prize, yet even he had been able to tell how great Lin Yang was, as there had been plenty of news about him in the newspaper and on television everyday. He would be even more famous had all this had happened now, with the internet being as big as it is. Even if Lin Yang made a live show for his pet dog online now, it would, without a doubt, have millions of views, and attract dozens of fans.

Great scientists are always right; that sounds correct. Lin Yang wants his son to be a sprinter, and the fact is that Sijie Yang does have a gift for sprinting. He is so good at it. The only problem is that this is not what Sijie Yang is interested in, Dai Li thought silently.

As he was thinking about all this, Lin Yang said, “Coach Li, relax. I am not here to blame you. I just want to know more about Sijie Yang.”

Lin Yang spoke in a calm manner, while Professor Fang was much more straightforward. He said, “Sijie Yang had been practicing sprinting all these years, yet he signed an application sheet to quit the team the day before yesterday.”

Professor Fang looked at Dai Li with a serious look, then continued, “I overheard that the day Sijie Yang decided to quit was exactly the fifth day you had been here. Am I right?”

Professor Fang was questioning Dai Li. Sijie Yang had been trained every day. Why would he want to quit as soon as Dai Li arrived? Obviously Professor Fang had determined that Dai Li was the one to blame.

Dai Li thought about it, and figured it was best to just explain the situation, so he said, “Sijie Yang is talented and I have faith in him. I thought he was going to be a great sprinter and I had intended to help him do that, but that was not what he wanted.”

“He doesn’t like sprinting?” Lin Yang interrupted suddenly.

Dai Li looked at Lin Yang in surprise. He suddenly realized that Lin Yang probably knew nothing about his son’s dream of being a photographer.

“Sijie Yang said he hates sprinting, and doesn’t want to be an athlete.” Dai Li spread his hands and added, “That’s what he said to me.”

“This is not possible!” Lin Yang shook his head. He looked calm. “As his father, I am pretty sure he enjoys sports.”

“I didn’t see that in our daily training,” Dai Li responded immediately, “Sijie Yang never practices energetically. To be honest, he was passive, and never had a goal when he was practicing. He was doing it without trying his best, as if he were a robot.”

Dai Li turned around and said to Lin Yang, “Academician Yang, you must have a lot of teaching experience and know a lot about active and passive learning. They are completely different. Nobody can become a successful scientist if they study passively. This applies to sports training as well. If the athlete is not motivated, there will be no results, and they will not become an excellent athlete.”

Lin Yang was thinking about what Dai Li had just said. He frowned as he thought.

Professor Fang asked, “Maybe there is something wrong with your coaching, and Sijie Yang found it difficult to adjust to? That’s probably why the training didn’t go well.”

Dai Li did not want to be blamed for what was happening, so he refuted Professor Yang, saying, “That is not true. I make plans carefully and scientifically. Everyone else can adapt to that.”

“I think it depends,” Professor Fang said, “Other athletes can adapt to your plan, but Sijie Yang can’t. As a consequence, he would definitely doubt himself, and think he was not capable of being an athlete. That was probably why he quit.”

Dai Li’s face turned green. It was obvious that Professor Fang wanted to put the responsibility on him, and blame him for the situation.

Chapter 174: Misunderstanding

Professor Fang was a well-known professor, but compared to Lin Yang he was a nobody. As a Nobel Prize winner, Lin Yang was considered a god by all of Tsinghua University. Professor Fang was afraid of upsetting Lin Yang, otherwise the whole sports department could get in trouble. Therefore, when Lin Yang had come to him, his first reaction had been to blame Dai Li.

Dai Li was not from Tsinghua, but from national team. If he took responsibility for what had happened, Professor Fang and the Tsinghua University sports team would not be blamed. That was why Professor Fang was giving Dai Li a hard time.

Although Dai Li understood why this was happening, he was not happy about it.

If that’s how you want to do this, then there is no need for me to try and maintain your reputation.

Thinking of this, Dai Li said, “According to what I’ve seen, Sijie Yang is not qualified to be a professional athlete so far; he still has many flaws. For example, his explosive force hasn’t fully developed, he isn’t fast enough, and his stride and push-off power are not good enough either…”

Dai Li talked about Sijie Yang’s weaknesses nonstop. It seemed like he was saying that Sijie Yang was not even qualified to attend Tsinghua University to receive training.

Professor Fang understood what Dai Li meant and felt embarrassed. Lin Yang also looked embarrassed, as he had not expected his son to have so many shortcomings.

But Dai Li didn’t care about their feelings. He continued, “I scheduled Sijie Yang to do hop-step and split-leap sessions to help him develop his explosive force…” Dai Li told them his training plan, explaining the intention and effect of every step.

Lin Yang specialized in biology, but knew nothing about sports training, so he stared at Professor Fang to see his reaction. Although Professor Fang was not a professional coach, he was still an expert in exercise science. He quickly realized that Dai Li’s training plan was perfect.

Sensing Lin Yang was waiting for confirmation, Professor Fang nodded to indicate that Dai Li’s training plan was spot-on. Lin Yang looked serious. He grabbed his cup of tea and sipped from it. It looked like he was thinking deeply about something.

Lin Yang put down his tea cup slowly and said, “Coach Li, you said before that Sijie Yang doesn’t like sports. I still doubt that. I am sure that he enjoys sports. He started liking them when he was in junior high school.”

Lin Yang recalled, “I still remember that when he was in junior high school, he signed up for the track and field team. He was happy every afternoon when he went to his training sessions.”

Dai Li remembered that Sijie Yang had told him that he had joined the track and field team so that he could skip school.

The reason Sijie Yang was happy was not because he got to play sports, but because he was able to skip his classes.

Thinking of this, Dai Li interrupted Lin Yang and asked, “Academician Yang, are you sure he was happy because of the training? Have you ever thought that maybe he was happy because he could skip things he hated, like classes?”

Lin Yang looked at Dai Li, confused.

“Academician Yang, do you know that Sijie Yang wants to be a photographer?” Dai Li asked.

“A photographer?” Lin Yang seemed shocked. Suddenly, he remembered that the day before yesterday he had gotten a text saying his credit card had been charged around 20,000 yuan. Later, his wife had told him that Sijie Yang wanted a camera, so she used his card and bought it.

Now that Lin Yang thought of the camera, everything made sense. He began to believe the photographer idea. Dai Li could tell from Lin Yang’s facial expression that he knew nothing about Sijie Yang’s dream.

Dai Li sighed. “Academician Yang, I understand you are busy at work; but I think you should spend some time with Sijie Yang. Talk to him, and try to understand him. You are father and son, after all; you should communicate more.”

Both Dai Li and Professor Fang had mistaken Lin Yang. He had not come here to blame anyone, but to figure out why Sijie Yang would suddenly give up his sprinting career. Lin Yang was such a big figure, however, that his presence easily made people nervous.

Professor Fang was afraid of taking responsibility, and tended to look at things in a negative way, which explained why he wanted Dai Li to shoulder all the blame. His reaction had made Dai Li worried as well.

Lin Yang had always thought that Sijie Yang loved sprinting. Lin Yang had asked some experienced coaches for their opinions and they had all agreed that Sijie Yang was gifted in sprinting. Because of this, Li Yang had planned to raise Sijie Yang as an athlete. Lin Yang thought it was a privilege to have your hobby and your job be the same thing. However, after today’s conversation with Dai Li, Lin Yang realized he did not know his son as well as he thought he had.

Lin Yang had always considered himself a great father, as he had raised a great son in Sijie Yang, who was not only good academically, but good at sports as well. You could say he was skilled with both the pen and the sword.

Lin Yang had always been capable of providing the best for his son as he acquired money and resources. When Sijie Yang had first arrived at Tsinghua University, in order to make him continue sprinting, Lin Yang had had to pull some strings to get him into the sports department.

However, Lin Yang had not known that Sijie Yang did not actually want to be an athlete. He had simply accepted his father’s arrangement, burying his true wish inside himself.

It has been a long time since we sat down and talked to each other. Lin Yang sighed, looking sad.

Chapter 175: Father and Son

The next day, when Dai Li was on his lunch break in the dining hall, his phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number.

Is it from a delivery service? I haven’t bought anything recently, Dai Li thought to himself as he picked up the phone.

“Hi, is this Coach Li? This is Lin Yang.”

“Academician Yang, hi.” Dai Li was a bit shocked. He had not expected a call from Lin Yang.

“I got your number from Professor Mao,” Lin Yang said. “Coach Li, I wanted to call you to say thanks. I had a long conversation with Sijie Yang last night.”

“Is everything settled?” Dai Li asked.

“Yeah, Sijie told me how he really felt. I support him!” Lin Yang said proudly. “It was my fault for pushing him so hard. When I was young, I paid too much attention to my work. I had him when I was 35 years old—kind of late, you might say. I cherish him, and kind of spoiled him. I want to make sure he gets everything he wants.

“People like us who spend a lot of time in the laboratory sometimes don’t come home for months. I neglected communicating with my son. He is a grown-up now, and he has his own ideas and plans. I was neglecting this. I am not a good father.”

Lin Yang paused, then continued, “Coach Li, thank you for your kind reminder. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known that Sijie Yang and I had such a gap between us.”

A gap! Dai Li felt that was the perfect word for it.

The relationship between parents and their children was the most intimate relationship in the world, but the two could find it hard to understand each other from time to time; sometimes they might even misunderstand each other because of the different social backgrounds they were born in. Not many parents would sit down quietly and listen to their children to see what was on their minds.

In traditional Confucianism, responsibility and obedience were valued more than communication. Parents were expected to shoulder the responsibility, while the children were expected to obey. As the old Chinese saying went—”If a child misbehaves, his/her parents are to blame.” Ideally, parents were supposed to take on the responsibility to take care of their children. If their children failed their exams, the parents would blame themselves; if they didn’t find a decent job, the parents would blame themselves; if they broke up with someone, the parents would blame themselves. This was a lifelong responsibility, and even if the children were middle-aged men, their parents would still worry about them; it was their responsibility.

Children, on the other hand, had to obey their parents’ word. Before they became adults, it was natural to listen to their parents; however, once they got older, they were still expected to obey their parents’ demands. If a child didn’t listen to their parents, they were considered to be going against the filial piety, which was unacceptable. Children who broke this rule would seem as if they had no morals. As a child, you had to listen to your parents and do whatever they told you to do.

If you wanted to make the connection healthy, however, you had to communicate with each other. Orders and obedience would not be useful when it came to parenting. Even if you were family, if you did not communicate with one another, you would eventually lose your loved ones.

Dai Li thought about Haiquan Fang at this moment.

Dai Li felt there were many similarities between Haiquan Fang and Sijie Yang. They both had pushy fathers who loved them so much and had arranged their futures; yet, at the same time, both of them lacked communication with their fathers. The difference between them was that Haiquan Fang had fought back against his father, while Sijie Yang had chosen to do what he was told.

The next minute, Dai Li suddenly remembered his own father.

Dai Li had not lived at home since he had graduated from college. It had been a long time since the two of them had last sat and spoken to each other.

I haven’t been home for ages. I wonder if my old man alright.

Dai Li grabbed his phone. He hesitated for a second, then dialed his father’s number.

After a few rings, his father picked up the phone.

“Son, what happened? Is everything alright? What made you call?”

“Dad, I’m alright. I just thought about you, and…I wanted to hear your voice.” Dai Li’s eyes turned red as he realized he was getting emotional.

…

Sijie Yang held his new camera, smiling happily.

He had just had a sincere conversation with his father not too long ago. This time, he had finally built up the courage to tell his father about his real dream—being a photographer. He thought his father was going to be furious, but to his surprise, he had gotten support from his father.

Sijie Yang had been excited for days. He was so in love with his new camera that he could not stop playing with it. When weekends came, he would run outside with his camera and take numerous photos to practice his photography skills.

Huajing was a historic place with a lot of tourist attractions, many of them photo-worthy. They attracted many famous photographers, which meant a new photographer like Sijie Yang could not stop capturing all the moments that could be seen in every corner.

By the time it was noon, Sijie Yang’s camera storage was almost full.

Not enough space, this memory card is almost full. Sijie Yang sighed as he read the alert. He hadn’t brought another memory card with him, so he would have to stop shooting and put his camera away.

It’s lunch time. I guess I’ll eat something before I go home. Thinking of this, Sijie Yang took out his phone and searched on his map to see if there was anything good to eat in the neighborhood.

As he was doing this, Sijie Yang could hear someone shouting behind him.

“Freeze! Don’t run! Police! Stop running!”

Sijie Yang turned around. Suddenly, there was a young man dressed in black that quickly ran past him. Two men were chasing him, one dressed in street clothes, and the other in a police uniform.

The next second, almost unconsciously, Sijie Yang took off and started running. It took him ten seconds to catch up to the young man. Finally, he grabbed the young man with his hands and dragged him down.

The young man fell to the ground. He got up immediately and tried to keep running. Before he could, however, the two policemen caught up them and put him on the ground. The undercover policeman took out his handcuffs and cuffed the young man.

“Try running again! I have been waiting to catch you for three days, and I finally got you!” the undercover policeman said. Then, the undercover policeman looked at Sijie Yang.

“Thank you so much, young man. There aren’t many people like you nowadays. I really appreciate your help. I can’t catch criminals without your help.”

“You’re welcome, it was my pleasure.” Sijie Yang breathed heavily. He was still catching his breath.

Next to them, another policeman in uniform said, “Young man, you are such an amazing runner! We had run almost three blocks, but we still wouldn’t have caught him unless you showed up! You ran so fast! Are you an athlete?”

Sijie Yang said subconsciously, “Yeah, I am an athlete. I’m a sprinter! I run for…”

Sijie Yang suddenly stopped talking. He touched his camera bag.

I almost forgot; I am no longer an athlete!

Chapter 176: I Am An Athlete

Helping people in need was a good thing, but for some reason Sijie Yang felt sad. He was deep in thought by the time he returned home. He felt like he had lost someone he loved.

A feeling of losing someone I love… Sijie Yang laughed at himself. He had never been in a relationship before, so how could he know what it felt like to break up with someone?

Sijie Yang shook the feeling, opened his computer, then transferred the photos to his computer and started looking at them.

Bad; deleted!

This one isn’t good either; deleted.

And this one too, ugh. Deleted!

Sijie Yang looked at the photos he had taken this morning, deleting two-thirds of them. He then began going through them a second time. By the time he was done there were only about ten photos left. But the longer he stared at the photos, the more he wanted to delete them all.

Sijie Yang suddenly came to the realization that he was really bad at taking pictures. The pictures taken by college students in the photography festival were much better than his.

Sijie Yang was bummed out. He had always been the best at almost everything he did; this was something he had inherited from his father. Every time he wanted to do something, he could always do it well.

But today, he had to admit that he was bad at taking photos.

Sijie Yang sighed. He opened his computer and went on a few photographers’ blogs to see their latest photos. The more time he spent appreciating their works, the worse he felt about his own.

I need to practice more. As they say, practice makes perfect!

Sijie Yang looked outside the window as he thought this. The weather was really nice today; the sun was about to set. Sijie Yang took his camera out again to capture the moment.

…

Two hours later, Sijie Yang returned home. He looked at the photos he had just taken, still looking bummed.

This is not the effect I was going for! Sijie Yang thought to himself silently, sighing.

Ding-dong! It was his WeChat. Sijie Yang checked his phone. He had received a group message from the Tsinghua University shutterbugs. One of the group members had just posted some pictures of the sunset.

This is so much better than my photos. It was said that the only way to avoid getting your feelings hurt was to not compare yourself to anyone. Now, Sijie Yang suddenly felt bitter.

At this moment, Sijie Yang felt like although he had wanted to be a photographer, once he had actually started doing it, it didn’t bring him the satisfaction or joy he had expected. He used to get excited when he thought of his so-called “photography skills,” and was eager to try and test those skills. However, he did not feel excited at all this time.

Sijie Yang felt weird. He picked up his brand new camera again and put it down on the chair.

He had dreamt of this camera for a long time, and had been over the moon when he had gotten it. However, Sijie Yang could no longer feel the happiness and excitement he had felt when he had first gotten it. He felt like a child who had craved a toy and tried everything to get his parents buy it for him. Now that he had finally gotten it, he felt nothing.

At this moment, Sijie Yang suddenly realized that his enthusiasm for photography was declining.

A three-minute passion! Sijie Yang thought of the Chinese saying. Though he did not want to admit it, he was now a vivid example of the phrase.

I want to be a photographer! Sijie Yang murmured, trying to convince himself. However, in his heart, there was a voice saying, No, I am an athlete!

All of a sudden, Sijie Yang thought back to when the policeman had asked him if he was an athlete and he had said yes right right away. Sijie Yang knew it had been out of instinct. He had answered it without a second thought.

Why is this happening? I am supposed to hate sprinting. I am supposed to hate being an athlete! Sijie Yang was confused. The more deeply he thought about this, the more he wanted to go back to being a sprinter. All of a sudden, Sijie Yang was beginning to realize that after five years of sprint training, he had already become a sprinter in his own mind.

But I don’t want to be an athlete, I want to be a photographer! Sijie Yang was annoyed by this thought. He grabbed his camera, trying to convince himself that his real dream was becoming a photographer.

As he held the camera in his hands, it became heavier. It now felt like more than a camera; it had become a burden for Sijie Yang! And the root of this burden was the thought of being a photographer!

Sijie Yang felt more anxious. He thought photography was his hobby and interest. He was supposed to feel happy doing the things he liked, not consider it a burden.

Maybe I don’t really like photography, Sijie Yang thought to himself. What if, my dad hadn’t asked me to become an athlete, but a photographer instead; what would have happened? Would I still hate the idea of being a sprinter? Would I have hated becoming a photographer?

Sijie Yang was confused. He closed his eyes and forced himself to stop thinking.

If my dad had forced me to become a photographer, I probably would have hated that as well.

As this idea popped into Sijie Yang’s mind, it terrified him. He had just realized something—he didn’t hate sprinting or being an athlete. What he disliked was his father’s arrangement for him!

He had always wanted to be given the opportunity to make his own decisions, but he had never had the chance. He wanted to fight against his father’s wishes, but had this unhappiness buried in his mind.

Sijie Yang suddenly stood up, astonished.

I don’t actually want to be a photographer!

Sijie Yang finally realized that being a photographer was not his real dream. The thought of being a photographer had only been a reflection of his desire to be independent; it had only been a placeholder. In actuality, he could now be whatever he wanted to be, regardless of whether it was a photographer, a painter, a musician, or a writer.

It was not about the career path he chose; it was about him being independent and beginning to listen to himself, and making his own decisions, instead of being in his father’s shadow!

Sijie Yang felt hurt and confused. He had realized that being a photographer was not what he really wanted. He had lost his goal in an instant, and now didn’t know what to do.

What Sijie Yang had wanted was the freedom to make his own choices. He now had that. His father respected his choice, but Sijie Yang did not know what was next.

You are the owner of your own youth!

Dai Li’s words kept appearing in his mind.

Sijie Yang looked toward the corner of the room subconsciously. He had left his training clothes there. He walked towards them, picked the tracksuit up, and looked at it quietly.

Suddenly, the memory of him winning the championship as a middle school student for the first time when he was 14 years old popped into his mind. He still remembered that he had tried his best, and had run the fastest when the starting gun sounded. It had been five years, but the scene was still fresh in his mind, almost as if it had just happened.

He turned around and looked at his shelf, where a gold trophy was sitting. It was his first trophy. There was some dust on it; it was no longer shiny.

Sijie Yang couldn’t help walking towards the trophy and grabbing it. He suddenly felt like he was not just holding a trophy, but something he should never let go.

Five years! I’ve been training for five years! Sijie Yang lowered his head. Tears started flowing from his eyes nonstop. Sijie Yang had finally realized what he had given up and lost.

After five years of training, Sijie Yang had become an athlete. There were still athlete juices in his body. The word “athlete” almost felt as if it was embedded in his body; it could not be erased.

I am an athlete!

Sijie Yang finally understood what he truly wanted.

…

On the training field.

Dai Li turned to Guohong Wang and said, “To make this movement work, you have to put down your leg as fast as you can when you reach the highest position. While you’re doing this, you also have to lower your front leg so it can support your hip more easily…”

Dai Li demonstrated the position as he spoke, but noticed that Guohong Niu was not looking at him; instead, he was looking at the entrance to their training space. Dai Li turned around and saw a familiar figure.

Sijie Yang? Didn’t he quit? Why is he back? And why is he wearing training clothes? Dai Li found the situation odd at first, but the next second he realized what was happening.

Sijie Yang walked towards Dai Li quickly, looking at him with a determined look on his face.

“Coach, I’ve made up my mind; I am an athlete! I want to be a real athlete!”

Chapter 177: University Games

Sijie Yang was back. This news had not only surprised Dai Li, but had also made him super excited!

Sijie Yang was, after all, an athlete with A-level talent, who had the potential to become a world champion. It would be such a shame if he gave up his athletic career. As a coach, Dai Li wanted to train a world champion, as it would not only bring him money and fame, but would also make him feel satisfied spiritually.

Sijie Yang returned to his daily training routine, but he did not practice like he had used to. Instead of hanging around and thinking about other things, he put all his attention towards training diligently.

Once Sijie Yang began training, his A-level talent was made apparent. He made amazing progress, and performed better and better each day.

It took about ten seconds for a sprinter to run 100 meters. World-level athletes could run 100 meters around or under ten seconds, so for sprinters, being one second faster was a big deal, and meant a lot.

Sijie Yang did have a lot of drawbacks, just as Dai Li had predicted. However, more drawbacks meant more room for improvement, and more opportunities to progress. Every time Sijie Yang corrected his shortcomings, he improved a bit. And the more mistakes he corrected, the more improvements he made.

Sijie Yang was the special one in the athlete group. He had gotten to where he was purely because of his talent. If he had been a less gifted athlete, he surely would have been replaced if he didn’t work harder. However, Sijie Yang could beat his opponents easily just by using his natural ability. This was probably why he had never been motivated to improve his sprinting skills.

Now, however, Sijie Yang had began to improve, which made him even better. It was like a great warrior who could beat armed opponents with his bare hands, but when armed could beat them faster and easier.

Dai Li had also played a big part in helping him be successful. There was always a great coach behind every great athlete. For Sijie Yang, Dai Li was the best coach he could have had for this period of time. The fancy detector Dai Li had could also find Sijie Yang’s weaknesses, which allowed Dai Li to attack them as soon as possible.

Within two short months, Sijie Yang made huge progress. He had been the worst one on the sprinting team, but after two months he was now third behind Guohong Niu and Xiaotian Xin. It was only a matter of time before he surpassed them.

Sijie Yang’s improvement had put pressure on Guohong Niu and Xiaotian Xin. Tsinghua students were all ambitious, and no one wanted to be left behind, so Guohong Niu and Xiaotian Xin worked even harder.

Seeing Guohong Niu and Xiaotian Xin working harder than ever, other athletes on the team got inspired and began working harder as well.

…

Just as Dai Li assigned the training plan for the afternoon, he saw Doctor Mao walking towards him from far away.

Dai Li didn’t really know this Doctor Mao, and the experience he had had two months ago had given Dai Li a bad first impression. Therefore, they were only on nodding terms, and never bothered to smile or say “hi” when they saw each other.

There was no way that Doctor Mao had come here today to share good news.

Doctor Mao walked over to Dai Li and nodded. Then he opened his mouth and said, “Coach Li, it has been over two months since you got to Tsinghua University, right? Are you getting used to everything here?”

“Of course. The environment here is much more relaxed than what I’m used to. I even gained weight.” Dai Li was trying to be nice. Then he asked, “Doctor Mao, did you come here for anything about work?”

“Well, you know the University Games will be held in Wanzhou in the middle of next month. Our school will surely attend. I heard that you had experience in big sporting events when you were with the national team, so I would like you to go on a business trip to Wanzhou as the leader, as well as the coach, of the sprinting team next month,” Doctor Mao answered.

“Sure, no problem,” Dai Li nodded without hesitation. As a coach, it was completely normal to travel with his team for competitions. The better the coach was, the more competitions he would be involved in. Top coaches like Jihai Ding had to travel around the world at least two or three times.

Dai Li continued, “We are not just going to send sprinters to the game, are we? I’ll just go with the group and won’t have to worry about meals and accommodations, right?”

“Yes, there will be someone in charge of meals and accommodations; you don’t have to worry about it. Coach Li, you just focus on the games and training.” Doctor Mao continued, “We paid for the living space and the meals, so the host will make sure everything goes as planned. As for transportation, the athletes will be divided into three groups and go to Wanzhou by bullet train. You will have to give me your ID card later so I can buy and get the tickets together.”

“I have my ID card with me. You can come meet me whenever you want it,” Dai Li said.

For average people, it was a troublesome thing to order train tickets. Now that Tsinghua University had promised to help them do that, it would be dumb to say no.

Dai Li continued asking, “The number is restricted, right? I have eight athletes altogether, but not everyone is going to Wanzhou for the University Games. How many athletes can I take to the game this time?”

“Three!” Doctor Mao said as he raised three fingers. “Although it is called the University Games, we will join this game under the provincial name. They gave us three positions because we are Tsinghua.”

“Then we must send the best three athletes!” Dai Li said, turning around to look at the athletes who were practicing.

Doctor Mao smiled weirdly. “Actually, we have decided to send Guohong Niu, Xiaotian Xin, and Sijie Yang. I wanted to tell you the news first so you could prepare for their specialized training.”

Dai Li was surprised. He didn’t know that Doctor Mao knew so much about his team.

Doctor Mao really knows everything. He even knows that Sijie Yang has made a lot of progress in the last two months. Sijie Yang is behind Guohong Niu and Xiaotian Xin at the moment, but he may surpass them in the next month! How could Doctor Mao know about this? Dai Li began wondering about Doctor Mao.

His look sent Doctor Mao the wrong message. Doctor Mao lowered his voice and said, “I know Sijie Yang isn’t the best on your team, but his father is Academician Yang. You know that. We have to impress Academician Yang. Therefore, although Sijie Yang is only an ordinary athlete, we have to send him to the game! I hope you understand.”

Dai Li was speechless He wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry.

So it is all because of Lin Yang! I almost thought highly of you. Never mind. You will be surprised when Sijie Yang wins the game!

Chapter 178: Old Friends

The National University Games were a comprehensive sporting event. The competition scale was no less than any of the other games, but had competitions less often. It worked the same way for the World University Games and the National University Games.

The National University Games, for example, although the competitions were slightly tweaked each year, the total number of events was always around ten.

Excluding performances, the Olympics Games had about thirty official competitions and over 300 small programs all together. The Asian Games had more events than Olympics. Compared to them, the University Games had less than one-third of the competitions than the Asian Games.

There were no events that required expensive equipment such as shooting or archery, nor difficult sports like gymnastics or diving. For the average undergraduate, there weren’t many opportunities to use firearms and arrows, nor practice gymnastics and diving.

The competitions in the University Games were popular sports such as track and field, swimming, basketball, ping pong, etc. These games involved many university students. Meanwhile, there were also some non-Olympic events, such as martial arts, aerobics, and orienteering. There were also activities like Contract Bridge.

There were about eleven competitions in the University Games, and events like martial arts, aerobics, and orienteering made up about half of them. There were only six or seven real sports-related programs.

Although there weren’t many programs, there were still many candidates. There were over 6,000 students signed up. In comparison, the Olympics only had around 10,000 candidates. It was truly a large amount of people considering it was only a university competition.

A smaller program with more people meant that every sport would have more participants. This was why the University Games didn’t restrict enrollment.

In the Olympic Games, the maximum number of group members for each team was three. However, in the University Games, more athletes were allowed for each competition. Take sprinting, for example; the Tsinghua University sprinting team could send three athletes to take part in the contest.

…

A few days prior, Dai Li had gone to several big track and field competitions with Li Xue. As a result, Dai Li had gained some experience in guiding teams.

Dai Li didn’t have to worry about food and accommodations since the sponsor was in charge of planning everything. All he needed to do was make sure the games went well.

“The stadium in Wanzhou is so spacious. I bet it’s top ten in our country. No wonder it’s confident it can hold the national games!”

Dai Li looked around and saw that a lot of people were already sitting on the bench. Some of them were holding signs with slogans saying, “Go for it,”followed by the name of a university. There were also cheerleaders in the stands.

So this is the University Games. I have attended some national track and field games, but I have never seen an audience like this. Young people are truly full of passion!”

Someone familiar suddenly walked entered Dai Li’s line of sight as he was thinking.

It’s Yuejin Chen! So Hanbei Sports College has also joined the game. Dai Li stepped forward. It was the same Yuejin Chen who had brought Dai Li from Yuzhou to Hanbei Sports College, where Dai Li had met Feifei Yu and Zhongyi Xu. It had been two or three years since the last time Dai Li had seen Yuejin Chen.

Dai Li sighed. He had once seen Yuejin Chen as a legend, since Chen had gone to the training camp as a coach. Dai Li used to think it was something that he could never be doing, but now he was on the national team, and was favored by Li Xue.

“Coach Chen!” Dai Li yelled from a distance.

“Dai Li!” Yuejin Chen was surprised. “You’re here too! Aren’t you working for the provincial team now?”

“I am working for Tsinghua University temporarily,” Dai Li explained briefly.

“Tsinghua University!” Yuejin Chen was shocked. He was still confused why Dai Li had gone to Tsinghua, as there seemed to be no relationship between their group and Tsinghua University. But he believed what Dai Li said.

“The Department of Sports in Tsinghua University is much better than our Hanbei Sports College. I am sure you will get dozens of golden medals. Dai Li, What program are you in?”Yuejin Chen asked.

“The sprinting team,” Dai Li answered.

“Sprinting! That’s the top program in Tsinghua University. I heard there is an athlete on the track and field team in Tsinghua University who is so good that the national team asked him to join them multiple times, but still couldn’t get him to say “yes.” He is here for the games, isn’t he?” Yuejin Chen asked.

Dai Li nodded with a smile. He knew Yuejin Chen was talking about Guohong Niu.

“It’s going to be an exciting match. A fight between two tigers!” Yuejin Chen laughed.

“A fight between two tigers?” Dai Li looked at Yuejin Chen, confused.

“You don’t know?” Yuejin Chen sighed, then continued, “You have a tough opponent this time. There is a really excellent athlete from Jiangdong who is qualified to play for the national team. He may even be better than your athlete!”

Dai Li frowned. He couldn’t believe what Yuejin Chen had just said.

The level of the university athletes varied. But one thing was certain—there couldn’t be candidates who were too good due to the enrollment rule.

There was only one enrollment rule—athletes who joined the national competitions before were not allowed to attend University Games.

For all sports, national competitions included the national track and field championships and the Grand Prix; the swimming national championships, the Youth Championships, as well as the national professional swimming league; the National Basketball League, the national championships, the Grand Prix, the professional league, and the tour; the Super Soccer League, the first and second league, and the football team games; and finally, the FA Cup, the Table Tennis Super League, League A, and other regional professional competitions.

Anyone who had been to the games mentioned were not allowed to participate in the National University Games. This had ruled out a lot of top athletes from the National University Games because top athletes would not stay in the college and give up great opportunities just to join the games.

Many top athletes would go to college and finish their undergraduate studies, but when they were given the opportunity to be in the games, they would definitely skip school for it. They needed the experience and opportunity toget exposure.

Once you were involved in national contests, you couldn’t go to the National University Games. Because of this, athletes in the University Games were usually not top athletes. They were not capable of being in other national contests, which meant the University Games were their only shot.

Guohong Niu was an exception. He was qualified enough to join the national team, but he didn’t want to be there; instead, he had stayed in university to continue his training. This was mainly because Guohong Niu was studying in Tsinghua University, and had an emotional attachment to the famous school. If it had been some other average university, he probably would not have stayed.

Therefore, when Dai Li heard there were athletes as good as Guohong Niu coming to the game, he was really surprised.

I can’t believe there is someone better than Guohong Niu, and that he is from the Dongjiang team. They must be from a top university, otherwise the university wouldn’t allow the athlete to stay. Even if it’s not as good as Tsinghua, it can’t be too bad. Nandu University is the only university in the Dongjiang Province, and it is a top 10 school.

Dai Li clenched his fists subconsciously. He really wanted to know who the athlete was!

Chapter 179: An Unexpected Opponent

“Coach Li, the group lists for the 100m sprint have been released.” Doctor Mao walked quickly and handed Dai Li a sheet, then said, “The game is pretty tense. Two competitions in the morning and two more in the afternoon. All 100m sprint competitions need to be held on the same day.”

Dai Li took the sheet and said, “There is a big disparity among our participants. For the advanced athletes, the two competitions in the morning are just warm-ups. They only have to reach the minimum time. The two competitions in the afternoon are much more important for them.”

“It works the same way for other programs. If you can finish one game in one day, you will never delay it to the next day. The sponsor wants to save on the budget,” Doctor Mao complained, “The sponsor wants to spend as little money as possible. They hope the athletes can leave immediately after the game is over.”

According to the rules, regardless of whether it was a candidate, coach, or a member of the staff, you had to pay ninety yuan every day for the food and accommodations. If the total cost was less than per person, you wouldn’t get the rest back. On the flip side, if it wasn’t enough to cover everything, the sponsor would pay the rest for you.

The National University Games were held in Wanzhou, a city full of tourist attractions. Usually the level of consumption in a tourist city was higher than other cities, so it was quite expensive to live in Wanzhou.

Ninety yuan could cover one day’s meals in a small city, but in Wanzhou it was not even close. The sponsor had to pay the remaining expenses, so in order to save on the budget, they hoped the games could finish as soon as possible.

Dai Li smiled, not commenting on Doctor Mao’s complaint. Instead, he lowered his head and checked the group list.

First round, Guohong Niu is in Group C, Sijie Yang is in Group F, and Xiaotian Xin is in Group H. Not bad. None of them are in the first group, and they are not in the same group. They can win the first round, I say.

After checking for his own team members, Dai Li glanced over other groups. He scanned over the Jiangdong team carefully, as he was really curious about the athlete who was said to be as good as Guohong Niu.

Finally, he saw a name in Group K: Jiangdong Team, Yue Zhao (Nandu University).

What? Yue Zhao? Am I misreading something or is it just the same name? It must be a stranger who just happens to have the same name. Yue Zhao can’t be here. Dai Li felt nervous as soon as he saw the name.

I hope this is not the Yue Zhao I know. Otherwise, Guohong Niu won’t have much of a chance at winning! Dai Li prayed.

…

After a while, the first round of the 100m sprint officially began. Guohong Niu, who was in the Group C, was the first athlete from Tsinghua University to participate.

Guohong Niu was kind of famous among all these undergraduates. It was no longer a secret that he was wanted by the national team. Some people even thought he would surely be the champion of the games.

Guohong Niu didn’t let Dai Li down. He had already been above average before he began training. After experiencing Dai Li’s coaching, he improved a lot. He easily won the first round, and was the fastest athlete in Group C without putting too much energy.

Sijie Yang was in Group F. He was only 19 years old, which was very young, even for a university game. He wasn’t recognized by many people, but everyone knew the Tsinghua team was excellent. Because of this, they could tell Sijie Yang was excellent just because he was from Tsinghua University.

After spending some time training, Sijie Yang had become as good as Guohong Niu. Sometimes, Dai Li even thought that Sijie Yang was better than Guohong Niu.

Sijie Yang was quite nervous, as this was his first time being in a big event. He did not perform his best in the first round, but he was still much better than the other candidates in his group. He made it to the second round easily. This victory helped Sijie Yang relax.

Xiaotian Xin was in Group H. He was not as good as Guohong Niu, but he was still considered one of the top athletes in the game. He was now qualified to go to the national team with Dai Li’s help, so this game would be a piece of cake for him. Without leaving any doubt, he made it to the second round as number one in his group.

Dai Li wasn’t excited about his students’ success because it was normal to get into the second round. They were good enough to pass the first round; it would have been strange if they hadn’t.

Before the game, Dai Li had set a goal of getting to the final round and winning the gold medal. Passing the first round was only their first step.

Sports tested your real ability, and in track and field events in particular, you couldn’t win because of luck. Sports like basketball and soccer ball could have circumstances where a player on a weaker team got lucky and scored in the final second and beat the other team, but track and field events were not like that.

Dai Li focused on the racetrack. He was waiting for Group K. He wanted to find out whether the candidate named “Yue Zhao” was the Yue Zhao he knew.

…

The candidates in Group J were already on the racetrack and getting ready. Members of Group K had also showed up to the waiting zone and were warming up, getting ready for their call.

Dai Li looked at the waiting zone and stared at the candidates carefully one by one. Finally, he saw Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao! It’s him! That is Yue Zhao! How come he’s on the humble National University Games stage? He shouldn’t be qualified for the games!

Dai Li looked serious. He had seen this athlete when he was in the Beikou Training Center. Back then, Dai Li had been helping Feixiang Lin recover. Yue Zhao was a sprinter who specialized in the 100m sprint.

Anyone who could practice in the Beikou Training Center was top notch. Because Yue Zhao had been one of those people, he had to have been really special. He was qualified to join the national team, and should have had plenty of opportunities to attend national competitions.

According to the rules of the National University Games, if the athlete had joined any national sport related event, he was not allowed to sign up for this competition. Therefore, Dai Li doubted Yue Zhao was qualified to be here.

Why is Yue Zhao here? He surely can’t be allowed to attend this game! Is this rigged?

But, on second thought, Dai Li assumed it was impossible for Yue Zhao to cheat. Yue Zhao was known by many people in our field. He will definitely be recognized by others now that he is here. I know him. And I know he is in the national team. How could other people don’t know?

The fact that he is here must mean that he has qualified for the games, otherwise people would have reported this. Dai Li frowned. I have to ask someone and find out the truth.

Thinking of this, Dai Li walked straight to the judging stand. He wanted to figure out why Yue Zhao was allowed to compete in the University Games.

Chapter 180: We Are Beating The National Team

Dai Li walked over to the judges.

“Hi, I’m the coach for Tsinghua University. I’m wondering, the candidate Yue Zhao in Group K, is he the one who joined the national team before?” Dai Li asked.

Dai Li was playing dumb. He knew Yue Zhao had been on the national team, but he wanted to hint at it by asking questions.

The judge laughed. “You are from Tsinghua University? No wonder you asked. Your school is famous for sprinting, and Yue Zhao will be a difficult opponent for you! If Yue Zhao was not here, Guohong Niu would win the gold medal without a doubt.”

Dai Li blinked his eyes awkwardly. The judge continued, “Yue Zhao used to be on the national team, but he does not violate any of our rules.”

Dai Li had a confused look on his face. “According to the rules, any athlete who has been in national competitions is not allowed the sign up for the university games. Does that mean that Yue Zhao never attended a national track and field competition, not even once?”

Competitions like the national track and field competition invited numerous athletes from all over the nation. As an excellent athlete on the national team, Yue Zhao couldn’t have missed the opportunity to go to the national track and field competition.

The judge explained, “Yue Zhao’s case is quite special. He was on national team, yes; but two years ago he retired due to illness, and the national team erased his name from their list.”

“Yue Zhao is so young, how could he have retired due to illness?” Dai Li didn’t understand, so he asked, “Can a retired athlete can join this game?”

“Retirement is one reason. But, more importantly, Yue Zhao hasn’t competed in any official games in the last two years, and we can’t find any record of him doing so. His name is not even in the athlete query system.

“Yue Zhao is now a graduate student in Nandu University, and has enrolled in the Joint Secretariat of the Student Sports Association of the Ministry of Education. In addition, he is currently 26 years old, which meets the 18-28 years old age criteria. To sum things up, he is qualified in every aspect.”

Dai Li finally understood after the explanation. The University Games were held by the Ministry of Education. The General Administration of Sports was also involved, but they were not the one who made the decisions. Therefore, only the Ministry of Education had the right to decide who could be in the games.

To the Ministry of Education, Yue Zhao was no longer an active athlete, and his name was no longer on the General Administration of Sports’ name list. Because of this, he was able to join the competition.

The duties of the National General Administration of Sports actually covered the entire sports industry, including competitive sports, teenage sports, exercises for everyone, etc.—all except for student sports. The reason for this was because affairs related to universities were handled by the Ministry of Education, which included sports. The Ministry of Education had even built a student sports association.

The Ministry of Education wouldn’t give up their rights to the General Administration of Sports. The University Games had ruled top athletes out of the competition to make the boundaries clear, this way the Administration of Sports wouldn’t interfere with the university students’ sports affairs.

When I left the Beikou Training Center, Yue Zhao was still on the national team. That means that when he retired I had already left Beikou. I remember that he was around 23 at the time—a track and field athlete’s prime. Yue Zhao must have had a serious illness, otherwise he wouldn’t have chosen to retire.

Thinking of this, Dai Li looked at the training field. Group J had finished their competition, and Group K was about to start theirs. Yue Zhao was already on the track.

Not practicing for two years is a disaster for any professional athlete! Yue Zhao was at the top of the national team two years ago. I wonder how good his performance is now. Dai Li stared at the training field. He wanted to observe Zhao Yue’s performance.

The race began. Yue Zhao wasn’t the fastest in the beginning, but when the athletes reached the 30-meter mark, his real ability showed. It took him little effort to get out front and get first place in his group.

Yue Zhao didn’t try his best. Dai Li shook his head. He couldn’t tell what Yue Zhao’s real ability was based off this first round competition alone.

Looks like I’ll have to rely on my detector. Dai Li stepped forward and detected Yue Zhao’s speed.

B-level talent, just like Guohong Niu. No wonder he was doing well on the national team. However, Yue Zhao’s current level is almost 600, which is a lot higher than Guohong Niu’s. This is the result of being trained by the national team. Dai Li looked serious.

Yue Zhao and Guohong Niu were both B-level talent, but Yue Zhao had been an excellent member of the national team, and had been under the best training for a long time. This would surely make him perform much better than Guohong Niu.

This is not Yue Zhao’s best. If he can stay at the Beikou Training Center, his resting talent level should be around 700. It seems that the retirement has had a bad effect on him. Yue Zhao had good technique and a ton of experience. He will surely be more confident and stable when it comes to big competitions.

Dai Li thought about this for a while, and ultimately realized that Guohong Niu did not have any advantage over Yue Zhao.

With the help of the explosive force halo and confidence, will Guohong Niu be able to have a better performance in the competition? Dai Li thought.

…

After the first round of the 100m sprint, the judging committee divided the candidates into new groups. Dai Li received the name list for the second round as soon as it was released.

In the second round, Guohong Niu will be in Group B; Sijie Yang, Group C; and Xiaotian Xin is in Group E, the same group as Yue Zhao. Yue Zhao and Xiaotian Xin are in the same group! This is not good. I have to encourage Xiaotian Xin and get him to try his very best. It will be embarrassing if he fails this round. Dai Li called Xiaotian Xin over and conversed with him in a low voice.

Meanwhile, Coach Wu, the coach of the Nandu University sprinting team, also received the new name list for the second round.

“Yue Zhao, you have an athlete from Tsinghua University in your group,” Coach Wu said.

“Oh.” Yue Zhao didn’t bother to raise his head, continuing to play with his phone. He had paid zero attention to what Coach Wu had just said.

Yue Zhao had once been a top athlete, so he assumed these student athletes were all too lame to worry about. He was confident that he could use a bit of his skill to.

Coach Wu continued, “You have to pay attention to the next round. Tsinghua University is different from other universities. Although they don’t have a specialized sports department, their athletes are much better than students from other schools. Many of the athletes in Tsinghua University are qualified to go to the national team.”

When Yue Zhao heard “National Team,” he finally raised his head. He looked in the direction of where the Tsinghua University athletes were, his eyes stopping on Dai Li.

“That guy looks so familiar. I feel like I’ve seen him before,” Yue Zhao said quietly.

It had been three years since Dai Li had been to the Beikou Training Center, and Dai Li had only hung out with Feixiang Lin. That was why Yue Zhao did not recognize Dai Li immediately. He had only thought Dai Li looked familiar.

“What? You know each other?” Coach Wu looked at Dai Li and continued, “From what I know, Tsinghua University has invited coaches from the national team to train their athletes. I assume that young coach is one of them. He looks really young!”

No wonder he looked familiar. He is from the national team! I must have seen him before. There was a hateful expression in Yue Zhao’s eyes.

Beating him is like beating the National Team!

Chapter 181: Stay Tough

It was almost midday. The semi-final for the 100m sprint had begun.

Guohong Niu from Group B continued outperforming his opponents. He first place in his group, and moved on to the semi-final.

Sijie Yang also started getting settled into the race, and was visibly less nervous compared to his first race. He performed with ease. So far, it was difficult to judge who was better between Sijie Yang and Guohong Niu. Sijie Yang’s super A-level talent made it easy for him to beat out the competition.

There had actually been a few excellent opponents in Sijie Yang’s group. However, none of them were skilled enough to threaten him. He was first place in his group, and easily moved on to the semi-final.

Meanwhile, Group E was finally preparing to race. It was time for Xiaotian Xin to step up to the plate and face his most powerful opponent, Yue Zhao!

Xiaotian Xin couldn’t help but look at Yue Zhao, who was lane away on the running track from him. Dai Li had already told him that Yue Zhao was the real king of the national team. His strength was so powerful that Xiaotian Xin would never have a chance of beating him unless he tried his best.

I didn’t expect that I would have to use all my strength in only the semi-final! Xiaotian Xin thought to himself secretly.

Xiaotian Xin didn’t know that Dai Li hadn’t told him the truth that even if he used all his strength, he wouldn’t be able to beat Yue Zhao. The reason why Dai Li did that was because he wanted to leave hope to Xiaotian Xin in case he got scared.

Dai Li’s cheering voice echoed to Xiaotian Xin’s ears.

“Go for it, Xiaotian Xin!” Dai Li raised his voice. He had used his morale-boosting book to increase Xiaotian Xin’s courage!

Coach Li has taught me so many things over the last three months. I improved so much that I’m no longer the person I was before! I must win this competition! I will!

Xiaotian Xin got ready to run.

At the sound of the gun, he darted off like an arrow that had left its bow string.

Yue Zhao’s attitude had changed since the first round. He took off as soon as he heard the shot. He was just as good as Xiaotian Xin.

I’m in good condition. I have to keep moving! Xiaotian Xin felt like his body was full of power. He knew that he was already in good condition in the race.

I should win. I will! Xiaotian Xin then saw someone passing him out of the corner of his eye.

That’s Yue Zhao! He passed me! Xiaotian Xin suddenly felt nervous.

I need to run faster than him. Xiaotian Xin gave it everything he could, but his speed didn’t change much. He had reached his limit.

This was a characteristic of many Asians. Many lacked endurance, especially when it came to the second half of a race.

Yue Zhao is too good. I feel like he is as fast as Guohong Niu. I can never catch up! Although the race hadn’t ended yet, Xiaotian Xin already knew that he would lose to Yue Zhao.

…

The finish line was right in front of him. Yue Zhao leaned forward and crossed the finish line.

He had finished in first place!

Yue Zhao slowed down and clenched his fist. He pounded his chest in excitement.

I don’t care if you are the coach of the Tsinghua University team; I’m here to beat the National Team! Yue Zhao stared at Xiaotian Xin.

Coach Wu stood next to the track, smiling in relief.

He finally showed his true ability. Maybe he wouldn’t have tried his best if his opponent did not have a coach from the National Team! Coach Wu looked in Dai Li’s direction, only to find that he looked very calm.

This young coach is acting quite cool! No wonder he works for the National Team, Coach Wu thought.

The reason Dai Li looked so calm was that he had already expected this result. Xiaotian Xin was much less competitive than Yue Zhao. As long as Yue Zhao performed normally, it would have been very difficult for Xiaotian Xin to win.

Xiaotian Xin walked off the track looking very upset. Dai Li comforted him. Although he had lost to Yue Zhao, he had still made it to the semi-final that would be held in the afternoon as second place in his group.

It didn’t take very long for the committee to divide the groups.

Sijie Yang is in Group A; Xiaotian Xin will be in Group B. Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao were both put in Group D! It seems like the committee wants them to compete on purpose now! Dai Li looked at the groups and found out that outside of Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao, all the other athletes in group D were very average. He understood what the committee was trying to do right away.

Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao were the two athletes that would be competing for the championship. The competition between them was obviously the focus of the entire event. The organizers of the competition definitely wanted as much attention as possible on this matchup; that was why they had put Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao together in the same group. They wanted them to compete in the semi-final.

Considering their abilities, it would be no problem for them to make it to the final. Once they did, it would mean that their race would come in the final round.

The reason the organizers had scheduled them to compete against each other early was to make the race more attractive to the audience, as they would have to compete twice instead of once.

It was similar to the NBA playoffs. The last thing that the league wanted to see was some team beaten easily without any suspense; that scenario had no surprise nor attraction. The less games they played, the less the league could earn on advertisements.

The organizer is such a bxtch! Dai Li said to himself. As a coach, he didn’t want Guohong Niu to face Yue Zhao. That would only add external pressure to his athlete.

At 2PM in the afternoon, the first competition was the 100m sprint semi-final.

Sijie Yang, who had come to the stage first in Group A, kept getting better and better. Even though it was the semi-final, he still outran all his competitors.

In Group B, Xiaotian Xin faced a very competitive athlete; the two had almost crossed the finish line together. After the judges carefully reviewed the finish, they decided that Xiaotian Xin had finished in first place. He had made it to the final successfully along with Sijie Xiu.

The real competition, however, would be in Group D between Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao.

…

Everyone looked very serious as they stood at the starting line. They could feel each other’s competitiveness.

Yue Zhao knew that Guohong Niu was the best athlete in Tsinghua University, and that he had even been invited to join the National Team. He knew that Guohong Niu was the only obstacle standing between him and the gold medal.

Guohong Niu also knew that Yue Zhao had been the “brave warrior” on the National Team. Although he had retired because of his injury, and hadn’t taken part in any competitions in the last two years, he was still very competitive. As the saying went, the camel who suffered from hunger was still bigger than the horse. This was obvious from the fact that he had beaten Xiaotian Xin easily.

They were all here for the championship, and they all knew that the only way that they could become champion was to beat everyone else.

At the sound of the starting gun firing, they took off together and began to speed up at the same time.

Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao are running at almost the exact same speed! All the people looked at the running track and hoped the two athletes could make it clear who would win. However, they remained neck and neck for almost the entire race.

Guohong Niu had used all his strength because he did not want to lose to Yue Zhao. Yue Zhao did not want to lose either, so he began running faster.

Although it seemed that the two were running at the same pace, the difference between in speed were quite visible.

Yue Zhao is quicker. Guohong Niu is going to lose! Dai Li realized immediately.

As Guohong Niu’s coach, Dai Li knew everything about him. It was obvious to him that Guohong Niu had already done everything he could have.

Yue Zhao, on the other hand, still had some strength left to give. It might not have had much of an influence in this short a time, but it would for sure make a big difference in the last twenty meters.

Dai Li’s judgement was quite precise. Yue Zhao had already been leading a bit when they entered the last twenty meters.By the time the two athletes reached the last ten meters, Yue Zhao was already leading by half a step.

Right before they had reached the finish line, Yue Zhao was ahead of Guohong Niu by more than half a step. Both of them extended their heads in an attempt to finish faster than the other, but Yue Zhao was one step quicker. He was the first to reach the finish line.

I won! Yue Zhao raised his arms in celebration when he crossed the finish line. He couldn’t help but scream. Guohong Niu was in the background, an upset expression on his face.

In the previous heat, Xiaotian Xin had lost his race against Yue Zhao, and now Guohong Niu had lost his. Tsinghua University had now lost two consecutive races.

Yue Zhao felt brand new.

Chapter 182: A Resolute Fighting Will

Guohong Niu had been defeated by Yue Zhao, and Dai Li finally began to sense some pressure.

The effects of both the explosive force halo and the morale boosting book couldn’t help Guohong Niu defeat Yue Zhao. Guohong Niu was not as good as Yue Zhao, so he can’t be blamed for this failure. Moreover, Yue Zhao performed very well in this match.

Dai Li thought about the race that had just ended. He thought Yue Zhao had performed very well indeed. If an athlete who had a major advantage could perform well in the race, his opponents wouldn’t have any chance of winning.

Yue Zhao is really excited today. His celebration of the victory is very over-the-top. This is only the semi-final; it’s not worth this kind of celebration.

Dai Li was upset about Guohong Niu’s defeat. Yue Zhao was celebrating as if he had won the championship, which gave Dai Li the feeling that he was mocking his opponent. Because of this, Dai Li couldn’t help glaring at Yue Zhao. However, Dai Li felt a bit strange as he was looking at him.

This is not just excitement; this is more of an emotional release. He is venting! It seems like Yu Zhao’s mood is unstable; but he shouldn’t act like this in the University Games with his competition experience. Dai Li frowned again.

…

The semi-final of the 100m sprint had ended. Onlookers started talking about what all had happened.

“Guohong Niu was defeated by Yue Zhao. Tsinghua University has been defeated twice!”

“Wow, even Guohong Niu was defeated; it looks like there should be no suspense to see who will win the championship.”

“The strength of Tsinghua University is still tremendous, though, considering three athletes from the school have made the final.”

“Yes, in terms of comprehensive strength, Tsinghua University is obviously stronger than the other universities. This time, though, Tsinghua University is unlucky. They have to face Yue Zhao.”

“Yue Zhao really is skilled. I’ve heard Guohong Niu has been invited by the national team many times, but he is still no match for the athletes on the national team.”

“It makes sense; the national team used to focus its development resources on Yue Zhao. If he hadn’t retired because of illness, he would have already been a top sprinter in the world.”

“That’s true, but then again, it’s been two years. What was the illness that caused his retirement?”

“I don’t know. He left the national team suddenly and disappeared. If he hadn’t made a comeback in these University Games, I would have forgotten his name.”

…

Guohong Niu was embarrassed by the talking of the audience. He walked back to Dai Li gloomily.

“That’s OK. Both victory and defeat are common for athletes. Don’t worry about it.” Dai Li continued his consolation, saying, “Yue Zhao used to be a top-notch athlete on the national team. He has been training much longer than you have; it makes sense that he defeated you. In addition, this is only the semi-final. We still have the final. Soon you will have your chance for revenge, right?”

“Coach, I’m afraid that I can’t defeat Yue Zhao. He is very good!” Guohong Niu said after giving it some though.

“But you are younger than him! Yue Zhao is 26 and has no more potential to grow; you aren’t even 22 yet, right?” Dai Li continued, “Being younger is your advantage. Even if you cannot defeat him now, as long as you keep training hard, you will definitely surpass him. I believe in your potential.”

As a coach, Dai Li could not show any frustration or look flustered, even if his athletes were defeated in the matches.

Like the old saying went, you can lose in a battle, but you shouldn’t lose your momentum. Even knowing that the opponent is very good, the coach should still express full confidence in their athletes. If the coach got worried before the match, the athlete would have no desire to continue fighting.

However, it was quite clear to Dai Li that it was very difficult to defeat Yue Zhao. Even the explosive force halo could not fill the gap between his athletes and Yue Zhao. The only way Guohong Niu could defeat Yue Zhao was to outdo himself during the race.

Outdoing yourself is something that’s more so up to chance than choice. Guohong Niu has already been defeated once. It will be almost impossible for him to outdo himself in his current condition.

Dai Li looked at Sijie Yang. At this point, Sijie Yang was almost as good as Guohong Niu. Guohong Niu couldn’t defeat Yue Zhao, and neither could Sijie Yang.

However, Sijie Yang’s gift was A-level, which gave him a significant advantage over the other sprinters who were present, including Yue Zhao.

I can only count on Sijie Yang to outdo himself. He isn’t an experienced athlete. However, just as the old saying goes, the newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger. Maybe his A-level ability can surprise me.

As Dai Li thought of this, he called Sijie Yang over to him.

“Are you nervous to participate in the final of a big event like this?” Dai Li asked.

“A little bit,” Sijie Yang nodded, “But I’m a little bit excited too!”

“I still remember the day you returned, you told me you wanted to be an excellent athlete.” Dai Li patted Sijie Yang on his shoulder and said, “This should be your first step to that dream—trying to defeat Yue Zhao!”

“Defeat Yue Zhao? He already beat Guohong Niu though. How can I beat him?” Sijie Yang asked. He did not sound confident.

“How could you know without trying?” Dai Li continued, “Your father didn’t see success in every research project he did, right? He needed to conduct experiments and experience defeat repeatedly before finally reaching success. Hasn’t he also achieved success through trying?

“It works the same for athletes. An athlete has to challenge and defeat multiple opponents throughout their career. Even when standing on the top of the world, an athlete can also try to outdo themselves!”

After hearing Dai Li’s encouragement, Sijie Yang nodded, even though he did not fully understand what Dai Li was talking about.

Dai Li continued, “Don’t put a pressure on yourself. What you should do is just try to get faster with each step. Understand?”

“Got it. There is no best, only better, right?” Sijie Yang asked.

“Yes, exactly.” Dai Li was very satisfied with Sijie Yang’s perception. Then he said with smile, “If you can’t control your nervousness, just think about something that makes you happy.”

…

The final match was about to begin.

Yue Zhao walked to the starting line. He looked to his left and to his right, where he found three athletes who were wearing identical sports gear.

They are from Tsinghua University, which means they are really skilled! Their athletes have filled up three of the eight places in the final match.” Yue Zhao smiled disdainfully and thought, However, I’ve already defeated two of them. Today’s championship will definitely be mine!

Guohong Niu was known as the Tsinghua University’s best sprinter on the school’s team. Yue Zhao figured that since Guohong Niu had been no match for him, it meant that Tsinghua University would not be able to stop him from winning the championship.

Sijie Yang was still a nobody, so Yue Zhao ignored him. The next moment, Yue Zhao looked in Dai Li’s direction subconsciously.

A coach from the national team? Even though I don’t know your name, you must have recognized me, right? Yue Zhao is back, this time with both of his legs! I’m going to take the championship from you! Feels pretty bad, huh?

Yue Zhao took a deep breath; he was determined to win!

Chapter 183: Outdo Himself

Sijie Yang stood on the starting line. Looking at the white lines on the red track, he began to feel nervous. After all, this was the first time Sijie Yang had attended such a large-scale competition. Now that he had made it to the final match, it was very normal for him to be nervous. If he had not been nervous, it would have meant he was inattentive.

Sijie Yang bent over and put his feet on the starting block, supporting his body with his arms. He found that his arms were trembling. He still could not find his inner peace.

My coach used to tell me to think about something happy when I am nervous. Something happy…do I have anything happy to think about? Sijie Yang’s mind had gone blank. He could not remember anything happy that had happened to him.

The first official competition I participated in should have been the city-level middle school track and field race. Sijie Yang’s thoughts traveled back to five years ago.

At that time, I really knew nothing, and was forced to participate in the race by my PE teacher; then I won the championship inexplicably. As he thought about this, Sijie Yang suddenly smiled.

I was so embarrassed that I didn’t know what to do on the podium. What a ghastly memory it is! Sijie Yang took a deep breath. He missed that feeling of innocence.

Recently, I have often recalled raced from the old days. In those competitions, my opponents were quite weak. But now, in retrospect, I really miss those days. Sijie Yang suddenly found that he was beginning to get emotional

“On your mark! Get set!” The starter shouted loudly as they raised the starting pistol.

The race is about to begin! Sijie Yang prepared himself for the race, but the memories were still lingering in his mind.

“Come on! Come on!” Sijie Yang heard Dai Li’s cheering. He got an inexplicable feeling of excitement, and was eager to take off from the starting line. Also at this moment, Sijie Yang suddenly understood something.

The reason I miss the old days is because I miss the feeling of victory!

Sijie Yang finally realized why he had chosen to continue his athletic career three months ago. It was not simply because he could not give up emotionally, but also because he was craving victory deep in his heart.

For victory! With an empty mind, Sijie Yang’s eyes only focused on the finish line.

Blam!

The starting pistol went off. All the athletes took off from the starting line simultaneously. At the same time, the cheering squads in the stands began cheering.

…

Yue Zhao happened to be in the lane adjacent Guohong Niu. After the two took off, Yue Zhao kept an eye on Guohong Niu.

I have already defeated you in the semi-final; in the final, you will still be one of my defeated opponents! Full of confidence, Yue Zhao began to speed up.

With his teeth clenched, Guohong Niu tried to surpass Yue Zhao in the first half of the race and get a leg up on him as soon as possible. However, Yue Zhao didn’t give Guohong Niu any opportunity, for he ran no slower than Guohong Niu in the first half of the race.

After thirty meters, discernible gaps began to appear amongst the sprinters. Stronger athletes began to stand out from the rest, while mediocre runners began having difficulty keeping up with the faster ones.

After forty meters, the gaps between the players became more apparent. If players were lagging behind at this point, they would have no chance of winning a medal.

The competition between Yue Zhao and Guohong Niu was quite fierce. After fifty meters, even Xiaotian Xin had begun to run low on stamina. He could barely keep up with Yue Zhao’s pace.

After sixty meters, the “wall” for Asian athletes started to appear. Most Asian sprinters lost momentum in the second half of the race, which showed up after sixty meters of running.

…

Out of the corner of his eye, Guohong Niu found that Yue Zhao was indeed a little bit faster than him. However, this small advantage could transform into a victory for Yue Zhao in the last thirty meters.

It is same as the semi-final! I’m going to lose!

Guohong Niu’s objective was the gold medal; he did not want to miss out on winning the championship.

I can’t accept failure! Guohong Niu said to himself. He tried his best to keep up with Yue Zhao using all of his strength. However, the gap between them was huge, insurmountable for Guohong Niu.

Yue Zhao’s lead grew with each step, even though it was not blatantly obvious. Guohong Niu, however, could sense it.

The 100m sprint was an event filled with fierce competition even in small advantages like this. All sprinters would make every effort to obtain a trace of it.

…

Today Yue Zhao looks really good! Dai Li sighed slightly. Although the athletes had only covered 2/3 of the full distance, Dai Li could already tell Guohong Niu had lost again.

Guohong Niu’s ability was the same level as Yue Zhao’s, but Yue Zhao had several years of experience on the national team. Although he had not been with the national team for years, his mental state and technique were still better than Guohong Niu’s. It was similar to the NBA; a retired NBA player could easily defeat a CBA player who was still playing.

The situation looks a lot like the semi-final. Right now Guohong Niu is barely keeping up with Yue Zhao, but he will definitely begin to lag behind in the last twenty meters. Both of them have reached their top speed, so neither of them can run any faster.

Just then, a figure was closing in on Yue Zhao and Guohong Niu. In the blink of an eye, the figure was running alongside Yue Zhao and Guohong Niu.

It’s Sijie Yang! He’s keeping up with them! Dai Li was wide-eyed with delight.

…

Sijie Yang’s mind had gone blank. He could feel each cell in his body rejoicing. He felt empowered; it was a marvelous feeling!

He caught up with Yue Zhao and Guohong Niu, and was now keeping up with them. He even felt confident enough that he felt he could surpass them.

All Sijie Yang could think about was winning. He sped forward, continuing to push himself.

…

I’m going to win! Yue Zhao saw Guohong Niu out of the corner of his eye and found that Guohong Niu was lagging behind again.

Guohong Niu can’t keep up with me in the last twenty meters. I’m going to win! Yue Zhao felt a sense of delight.

As he was thinking this, however, a figure appeared on the other side of Yue Zhao, and had almost completely caught up to Yue Zhao.

Someone is catching up! Who is it? Yue Zhao was completely surprised. He had never expected someone to catch up to him and keep up with his pace in the last twenty meters.

This guy is from Tsinghua University! Yue Zhao could tell from the color of the athlete’s clothing.

The other athlete from Tsinghua University, Xiaotian Xin, is much weaker than me. It can’t be him who has caught up to me.

Yue Zhao turned his head slightly and saw a young, new face.

He is the third athlete from Tsinghua University! Although he had read through the name list of the runners who had qualified for the final, Yue Zhao did not remember Sijie Yang’s name. But now, this player whose name Yue Zhao had forgotten had caught up from behind, and was now neck-and-neck with Yue Zhao.

Only 10 meters left, I can’t lose! Like an irritated animal, Yue Zhao dashed after his target fiercely.

Chapter 184: Catch Up from Behind

Sijie Yang finally caught up with Yue Zhao in the last ten meters, and was now running alongside him.

All the onlookers on the sidelines began to excitedly converse with each other. In the 100m sprint, if the winner was still not clear in the last ten meters, the final result of the match could only be determined at the moment the athletes crossed the finish line.

“His explosive force in the second half of match is very impressive! Who is this guy?”

“This athletes is also from Tsinghua University. I totally neglected him before.”

“He must be a newbie. I haven’t seen him before.

“No wonder he is from Tsinghua University. They really have a variety of talents. This new guy is even faster than Guohong Niu.”

With different ideas in their minds, all the wide-eyed onlookers were staring at the track, waiting for the judges to determine the winner.

Clenching his fists, Dai Li started gettign nervous.

Sijie Yang has outdone himself! He is catching up! Dai Li couldn’t resist the feeling of ecstasy in his heart.

Dai Li could clearly see once again the power of A-level ability. Sijie Yang’s technique was not as good as Yue Zhao’s, yet he was neck-and-neck with Yue Zhao, and was even in a position where he could pass Yue Zhao.

When highly gifted athletes outdid themselves, they were unstoppable.

Dai Li couldn’t help remembering a series of so-called “godlike” moments, which had all been had by genius athletes. For example, Tracy McGrady, an NBA all-star, had once scored 13 points in 35 seconds, which was considered impossible for the average player, even if they were given the same opportunity.

Ability is essential for sports. Especially during high level competitions, they may be even more important than effort. Effort can be acquired, but ability is something you’re born with. Mediocre athletes can change the results of a match by outdoing themselves; genius athletes, on the other hand, are invincible if they outdo themselves.

As this idea flashed in Dai Li’s mind, the runners on the track reached the finish line.

Stretching his head out fiercely, Yue Zhao couldn’t help glancing at Sijie Yang. He wanted to determine whether Sijie Yang had beaten him or not.

However, it seemed like Sijie Yang did not care about Yue Zhao’s standing. The finish line was the only thing he could see. Sijie Yang bent over and went for the tape.

“They have crossed the finish line. Who is the winner?”

“I didn’t see it clearly, what about you?”

“No, they were too fast. I really couldn’t tell which one was the first to cross the line.”

“It seems they reached the tape simultaneously, and that the result could not be determined with the naked eye. Let’s wait for the electronic timer results.”

After crossing the finish line, Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao stopped. They also did not know who had won, so they looked to the referees.

The referees were quite busy. Several referees were walking back and forth and discussing what had happened. They looked like worker bees collecting honey. None of the referees stopped for even a second.

“What are the referees talking about?”

“Here come the results. It is 10.42 seconds!”

“10.42 seconds? This is definitely the level of first-class athletes. Even during the National University Games, athletes can reach 10.42 seconds! It is very impressive.”

“Whose result is 10.42 seconds? Is it Yue Zhao or the athlete from Tsinghua University?”

“It looks like both of them got 10.42 seconds!”

“So their results are identical!”

“Now the referees are watching the replay of the moment they crossed the finish line to determine who will win the championship.”

The electronic timer could time things down to 0.001 second; however, the referees had to check the results personally because it would determine the winner of the championship.

Everyone was waiting with bated breath. Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao grew even more nervous. While Yue Zhao was waiting for the results, he began to look at Sijie Yang carefully.

He is so young. It seems that he is only twenty, yet he was able to get a time of 10.42 seconds. His potential is boundless! Yue Zhao couldn’t help but think about his younger self. His eyes were dimmed.

At this moment, with a piece of paper in hand, the chief referee stood up in the referee’s seat. Everybody knew it was the time to announce the final result.

“The officiating team has determined the results of the top two players as follows: No. 3821, Yue Zhao, has a final time of 10.423 seconds!” The chief referee then paused deliberately.

The furrowed brow of Yue Zhao vanished immediately. It was a very good score, and fell in the range of 10.42 seconds.

The pressure had now transferred to Sijie Yang.

The chief referee then continued, “No. 2670, Sijie Yang, has a final time of 10.420 seconds!”

“Victory! I won!” Sijie Yang was quite quick; before a lot of people knew what had happened, he had raised his hands in the air immediately and rushed over to Dai Li, cheering.

I lost. Yue Zhao’s heart suddenly dropped. A flash of desolation rose slowly from deep inside, and then engulfed his entire body instantly.

Sijie Yang has defeated Yue Zhao! Guohong Niu looked at Sijie Yang with a startled look on his face. More than three months ago, Sijie Yang had been the weakest runner on Tsinghua University’s sprinting team. But now, he had defeated Yue Zhao, and had become the strongest athlete on the team.

Tsinghua University won! Tsinghua University won the match!

No wonder they won, it is Tsinghua University! Their reputation is incomparable. The championship finally belongs to Tsinghua University!

Who is this new champion? I haven’t seen him before. Tsinghua University is indeed a place with filled with talented athletes.

The coaches of other teams looked at the Tsinghua team with envious eyes.

The Tsinghua University name carried with it a good reputation, which could make the result understandable for the coaches and athletes from other universities.

After congratulating Sijie Yang, Dai Li walked to Yue Zhao. According to sports etiquette, coaches and athletes should congratulate athletes who had won a medal.

“Congratulations!” Dai Li stretched his hand out to Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao hesitated a bit, but eventually gave a polite reply to Dai Li’s praise. However, his handshake was quite weak, which embodied his reluctance to shake hands.

Dai Li thought Yue Zhao had a grudge because of his failure in the race; therefore, Dai Li smiled and said, “Yue Zhao, do you still remember me?”

“You are a coach for the national team, right?” Yue Zhao snorted coldly, “As an expendable, I managed to return to the track. Are you surprised? Or are you going to check and see why my leg is still not amputated?”

Dai Li’s brain was full of questions. Except for the first sentence, he could not understand what Yue Zhao was talking about at all.

Yue Zhao said I am a coach from the national team, but I was only temporarily transferred to the Beikou Training Center at that time. My job there was similar to a handyman’s, and could not be considered a coaching job at all. Yue Zhao should know this already, right? Yue Zhao must not have recognized me, or he took me for somebody else.

As he thought of this, Dai Li said immediately, “Yue Zhao, you remember it differently. I am not a coach for the national team. I am a coach of the Hanbei Province’s Track and Field Team.”

“You are from Hanbei Province? You are not a coach from the national team?” Yue Zhao paused a bit, then said, “Then how did you become a coach for Tsinghua University?”

“I was transferred to Tsinghua University temporarily,” Dai Li said.

Yue Zhao immediately looked very embarrassed. With an apologetic look on his face, he said, “I am sorry, I made a mistake. Your face looked so familiar. I thought you were a coach for the national team.”

Yue Zhao’s attitude was completely changed. He reached out and shook hands with Dai Li, smiling.

Now that he knows I am not a coach for the national team, Yue Zhao has become friendly towards me all of a sudden. Is it possible that Yue Zhao has a problem with the national team? Dai Li was now very curious.

Chapter 185: Expendable

Dai Li was quite curious, and was eager to know what had happened, as well as what the consequences had been. So, Dai Li said, “Yue Zhao, you have probably forgotten me. Three years ago, I was temporarily transferred to the Beikou Training Center. That’s where we met.”

Yue Zhao knew the coaches who were temporarily transferred to the Beikou Training Center from other places mainly did chores. It was definitely not a glorious experience. So instead of pointing that out, Yue Zhao gave Dai Li a look indicating he had just remembered everything. He said, “No wonder you looked familiar to me; we really have met before.”

In fact, Yue Zhao did not remember Dai Li. Every year, at least eighty coaches were temporarily transferred to the Beikou Training Center, who would be sent back after three months. Now that three years had passed, to Yue Zhao, Dai Li only looked familiar to him and nothing else.

“I heard you were retired then. Why? You are very young and could have continued your career for another four to five years. Were you retired because of injuries?” Dai Li asked.

“Ah!” Yue Zhao sighed, “It was caused by injuries, or more so an illness. I guess it’s more accurate to say it was caused by a misdiagnosis.”

“Misdiagnosis? Can a misdiagnosis cause retirement? What the hell was all that about?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“It was probably three years ago, maybe less than three years. I felt pain in my knee during training. In the beginning I didn’t care about it. But later, during the routine health check, they found a tumor inside my knee,” Yue Zhao stated.

“A tumor? That can be anywhere from minor to significant. Did you get some second opinions?” Dai Li wanted to get more information; he pretended to be very concerned so that he could learn about Yue Zhao’s experience.

Yue Zhao was quick to share with Dai Li. He continued, “The national team arranged other examinations for me, which directly ruined my professional career. Guess what diagnosis I was given by the doctor?”

“What was it?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Bone cancer!” Yue Zhao sighed painfully. “I was completely shocked! The doctor told me that my leg had to be amputated, otherwise the spread of the cancer would take my life.”

At this point, Yue Zhao was quite agitated. He said much faster, “I am a sprinter. My career, my dream—everything depends on my legs. How could I amputate my leg?”

Yue Zhao paused a moment to calm himself down, then continued, “So I chose to have treatment; I tried to keep my leg. I planned to have chemotherapy, but it was very expensive. You know, it is possible for cancer treatment to cost one million yuan or more…”

“I remember that the national team should have funds for injury and illness treatment, right? Did you apply for it? I think they would have granted you a few hundred thousand yuan,” Dai Li said.

“Of course I applied for it; but my application was rejected. The national team told me that bone cancer was an illness I caused, and had not been caused by the training or races, so they couldn’t use the fund for my treatment. In the end, they ended up giving me 10,000 yuan as consolation before ending the issue.”

Yue Zhao shook his head with a wry smile. “10,000 yuan is nothing for bone cancer treatment. It wasn’t even enough for the amputation operation fee. If I had gotten my leg amputated, I may have needed an artificial leg. The price for an artificial leg was more than 100,000 yuan. What I didn’t know was that more bad things were coming my way.”

Hatred could be seen in Yue Zhao’s eyes. He continued, “After learning about my bone cancer, the national team forced me to retire. They gave me a retirement stipend of 50,000 yuan and kicked me out. They abandoned me when I was in dire need of help!”

Dai Li frowned. He had not expected this. 50,000 yuan was indeed only a drop in the bucket for the gigantic treatment fee for bone cancer. Even Dai Li felt it was too cruel for Yue Zhao.

“You didn’t expect to hear that, did you? It surprised me too! However, in retrospect, the probability of curing bone cancer was very low. Even if I had been cured, after a long period of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I wouldn’t have had the ability to run like before. And if my leg had been amputated, I would have been disabled. Maybe I could have joined the Disabled Person’s Sports Association? Regardless, the national team didn’t need a one-legged athlete. To them, I was of no use at all. I was expendable,” Yue Zhao said angrily.

“But later you found out that the bone cancer was just a misdiagnosis, right?” Dai Li asked.

Yue Zhao nodded. “In order to treat my cancer and keep my leg, my parents sold our apartment. Then I was sent to the United States and found a bone cancer specialist. I had a more detailed examination in the United States, and they ultimately confirmed that the tumor inside my knee was not bone cancer, but a coagulated blood clot.”

“Was it serious?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“It was not serious. However, I chose to stay in the United States to continue the treatment so that I could recover completely.” Yue Zhao smiled sadly, then continued, “I am not an athlete with a rich family like Feixiang Lin. I didn’t have a lot of money, so during my treatment in the United States, I had to rent the cheapest apartments, which were located on blocks where you could get robbed during the day. All my money was spent on the treatment; I didn’t even have money to buy food. I had to work to earn a living. I didn’t have a working visa, either, so all I could do was the dirtiest and most exhausting work. I had to put up with it.”

Taking a deep breath, Yue Zhao seemed as if he didn’t want to remember his experience in the United States. He continued, “Finally, my leg had healed completely. However, my family now owed a large debt. As for me, besides being an athlete, I didn’t have any other professional skills.”

“I started sprint training when I was nine. I wasn’t good at anything except for running and being an athlete. I have a bachelor’s degree, which I got just by registering my name in the university; I didn’t attend any classes while I was there. I didn’t have any professional skills. To me, the computer was just a gaming box. Because of this, it was impossible for me to get a job.”

“Your leg had healed, though. Why didn’t you return to the national team?” Dai Li had barely finished his question before he realized how stupid his question was.

“Return to the national team? They treated me like something expendable when I was there; why should I go back to them?” Yue Zhao snorted coldly and continue, “In addition, it was impossible for me to return. I had lost two years, which is a huge amount of time for athletes in their peak physical condition.”

After he finished speaking, Yue Zhao looked in the direction of his coach and said, “Fortunately, Nandu University took me in. I was specially admitted as a Master Degree candidate; they even gave me a scholarship. I know they want me to win some awards for Nandu University. Moreover, if I could achieve something in the races while I’m here, it will be possible for me to be a coach in the university. Even if I can’t stay in the university, I plan to study hard there for several years so that I can master some professional skills and get a job to make a living.”

“I see.” Dai Li nodded his head. He finally understood why Yue Zhao held a grudge against the national team.

Chapter 186: Reasons

Sijie Yang, Yue Zhao, and Guohong Niu stood on the podium. They were the champion, second, and third place, respectively. With a gold and bronze medal in hand, Tsinghua University had become the sprinting overlord amongst the universities, which drew many envious eyes.

However, Dai Li now had a lot on his mind. He felt sorry for Yue Zhao, and sympathized with him. After being diagnosed with bone cancer, Yue Zhao had been in dire need of care and help, but the national team had abandoned him relentlessly.

Yue Zhao was twenty-three then; he should have been entering the peak of his career at the time; however, a misdiagnosis had caused him to lose three years. When he finally returned to the track, the peak of his professional career had already left him.

It was too cruel! Dai Li lowered his eyes silently, not wanting to look at Yue Zhao on the podium. After all, Dai Li had studied with the national team for such a long a time; the sense of honor he possessed in his heart prevented him from believing Yue Zhao’s experience was true.

In real life, similar cases were quite common. News about former champions with radical headlines were abundant; “one former champion sold braised foods,””former champion acted as gatekeeper,” and other similar headlines. could often be found on the internet. Some of them were even propagated by the media as examples of ceaseless self-improvement.

To Dai Li, these news report were more like moaning and groaning without actually being ill. Retirement was more like a disaster for most athletes. Domestic athletes began their training during childhood, so they had no other professional skills except for their athletic techniques. Therefore, for these athletes, retirement meant losing everything.

It was especially bad for athletes who had to find their own ways of providing for themselves after retirement, as they had no educational background or professional skills; they had nothing except for their strong limbs. Their retirement stipend, which was only tens of thousands yuan, was only enough money to start with. Outside of being a merchant, what else could they do?

In comparison, Yue Zhao was even more unlucky. He had lost everything as an athlete, and all he had gotten in return was a large debt he had to repay.

Yue Zhao had gotten sick by himself, so the responsibility could not be attributed to the national team; but Dai Li could understand how Yue Zhao felt. What a helpless person wants most is the care and encouragement from others; but Yue Zhao had been forced to retire upon receiving the news about his leg. It was natural for him to have all these negative emotions towards the national team.

Dai Li felt like he should inform Li Xue of this issue.

…

Dai Li dialed Li Xue’s cell phone.

“Dai Li, how are your trainees doing in the University Games? Did any of them win a championship?” Li Xue asked.

“We won the championship and third place,” Dai Li replied.

“That’s pretty good. You didn’t disgrace me or the national team. Keep trying!” Li Xue continued, “You are not calling me just to inform me of your championship, right?”

“Do you remember an athlete named Yue Zhao?” Dai Li asked.

“Yue Zhao!” Li Xue could be heard sighing on the other end of the line. “He is a pretty good young athlete with potential. His ability is very good. He had the potential to be a top-notch sprinter. It is a pity that he had bone cancer and had to have his leg amputated. Did you see him in Wanzhou?”

“Yes,” Dai Li said immediately.

“How is he? Is he in a wheelchair or using an artificial leg? His cancer didn’t spread, right?” Li Xue asked eagerly.

Dai Li was very surprised. According to Yue Zhao’s story, the national team should have been ruthless about the situation. However, he could sense the heartfelt concern in Li Xue’s tone.

“Yue Zhao is not in a wheelchair or using an artificial leg,” Dai Li continued, “Just now I said that we got first and third place; second place belongs to Yue Zhao!”

“What? Is his leg strong enough to support his career?” Li Xue could not believe what he was hearing.

“His bone cancer was a misdiagnosis…” Dai Li retold the story Yue Zhao had told him, including his application for treatment funds being rejected, the fact that he had been forced to retire, and his treatment in the United States.

“He has indeed had a hard life.” With a long sigh, Li Xue fell silent.

Dai Li said, “Coach, in my opinion, the national team should have helped Yue Zhao. It was unreasonable to force him to retire!”

“I knew you would say that!” Li Xue explained, “When Yue Zhao was diagnosed with bone cancer, I helped him apply for treatment funds; but my application was not approved by my superiors.”

“It was because the bone cancer had not been caused by the training and competitions, right?” Dai Li asked.

“That was one of the reasons for their rejection. The main reason was that the superiors didn’t want to spend the money. They felt it was a waste of money. Cancer treatment costs a lot of money. The doctor had said it would be almost impossible to cure Yue Zhao’s cancer with conservative treatment, and that amputation was the only way to save his life,” Li Xue said.

“Yue Zhao also said that once he was healed, he couldn’t be an athlete anymore. He was useless, so it was not necessary to give him any treatment,” Dai Li said angrily.

“Our funds were quite limited then. As the saying goes, the best steel should be used to create the knife’s edge. We spent over one million yuan to treat Yue Zhao’s bone cancer, which had its consequences; the same money could have helped over ten injured athletes return to the field.”

Li Xue took a deep breath and said, “Results are the key factor in the sports industry. Good results bring us more financial support, which helps the training teams survive. There can only be one champion, so sacrifice is inevitable. I have been acting as a coach for many years, and I have witnessed too many situations like this. Sometimes I even feel that this industry is even more cruel than the African Savannah, where the rules of the jungle prevails.”

Dai Li opened his mouth, but said nothing. This was how competitive sports worked. The winner was the “king,” but the loser didn’t have the opportunity to be an ordinary person. It was applicable to athletes in the entire sports industry.

Li Xue continued, “Our application for the treatment funds was rejected. Yue Zhao’s mother then came to the team and met with the head coach and me. She asked us to force Yue Zhao to retire.”

“Wasn’t Yue Zhao forced to retire by the national team?” Dai Li had not expected a 180-degree change like this.

“How could we be that unreasonable? After all, Yue Zhao was one of us, part of the national team. Even if he had bone cancer, we couldn’t force him to retire!” Li Xue continued, “His mother urged us to do it; she didn’t want him to be an athlete anymore.”

“Didn’t Yue Zhao know about this?” Dai Li asked.

“Yue Zhao didn’t know about his mother’s visit. His mother sincerely requested us to keep it a secret for her. Yue Zhao’s mother knew he was unwilling to retire. Therefore, we fulfilled the retirement formalities for Yue Zhao according to his family’s request,” Li Xue said.

It seems like the national team took the blame for Yue Zhao’s retirement for his parents. As he thought of it, Dai Li asked, “Why? Why did Yue Zhao’s mother do this?”

“Maybe his mother thought being an athlete was too hard for Yue Zhao.” Li Xue sighed deeply. “All parents on this planet love their children wholeheartedly.”

Chapter 187: Parents

During breakfast, Dai Li saw Yue Zhao again in the dining hall of the hotel.

Should I tell him the truth about his retirement? Dai Li hesitated. Three years have passed. Yue Zhao didn’t end up having bone cancer. I shouldn’t let Coach Xue always take the blame for others. As he thought about it, Dai Li took his dinner plate and walked over to Yue Zhao.

“Is this seat taken?” Dai Li pointed at the seat in front of Yue Zhao.

“No, Coach Li, it is vacant. Please, sit.” Yue Zhao didn’t say no to Dai Li. They were similar in age, which made them much more similar than they had originally thought.

Dai Li sat down and chatted with Yue Zhao leisurely at first. Then he said, “Yesterday I called Coach Li Xue of the national team.”

When Dai Li mentioned Li Xue’s name, Yue Zhao frowned as expected.

“I had been studying with the national team earlier. You could say Coach Xue is my teacher. He also arranged for me to act as a coach for Tsinghua University.” Dai Li explained himself first, then said, “I told Coach Xue about your experience.”

Yue Zhao put down his chopsticks, raising his head with an unkind expression. “What did he say?”

“Coach Xue told me the truth about your retirement.” Dai Li paused a moment, then said, “At the time, your mother came to the national team and requested the national team force you to retire.”

“My mother?” Yue Zhao was quite surprised.

Dai Li told Yue Zhao all the issues Li Xue had told him. After that, Yue Zhao fell silent. He didn’t say anything for a long time.

It is said that no one knows a son better than his mother, and vice versa; the children also know their parents very well. It was crystal clear to Yue Zhao that his mother would absolutely do something like this.

Yue Zhao suddenly realized that he might have blamed the national team wrongly for his compulsory retirement.

Dai Li had also stopped talking, giving Yue Zhao some time to process the information. Then he asked, “Didn’t your mother support you becoming an athlete?”

“What can I say? Before, my mother used to be very supportive; however, after the bone cancer diagnosis, she kept trying to persuade me to give up my sports career.” Yue Zhao sighed deeply. “My mother doesn’t know much about sports. She always thought my ‘bone cancer’ was caused by the sprint training.”

“Do you still hate the national team?” Dai Li asked.

“I don’t know.” Yue Zhao shook his head. “I really don’t know!”

Yue Zhao was quite bewildered. Over the years, he had held a grudge against the national team over his forced retirement. However, what he had learned today had made him think about things differently.

“I hope you can let go of this grudge now,” Dai Li continued. “You should know that the track and field athletes of our country couldn’t separate themselves from the system. Joining the national team and competing for our country; this is the ultimate goal of athletes.

“Since you have chosen the career of an athlete, it means you have to keep getting better. You have to face the national team sooner or later. Even if you become a judge after you retire, there will always be intersections between Nandu University and the national team. You can’t face the national team with hatred for a lifetime, right?

“In addition, you are only twenty-six now; you still have the chance to get back to your peak and return to the national team!” Dai Li stopped, deliberately looking at Yue Zhao carefully. The craving for greatness flashed Yue Zhao’s eyes, which Dai Li noticed.

Yue Zhao shook his head. “I am already twenty-six; how could I return to the national team? The national team won’t need me. My time in this race was 10.42 seconds, which should be quite satisfactory. If I were in my early twenties, I would definitely be admitted to the national team. However, 10.42 seconds cannot help an athlete who is already twenty-six make it onto the national team.”

“But 10.42 seconds wasn’t the best you can do, right? Your current performance is far worse than your performance at your peak.” Dai Li continued, “Feixiang Lin was able to break the world record a second time when he was twenty-six. As long as you don’t give up, I think you could also get back to where you once were.”

As Dai Li mentioned Feixiang Lin, Yue Zhao suddenly remembered something.

“Feixiang Lin? I remember now—you were Feixiang Lin’s coach when I was in the Beikou Training Center!”

Dai Li smiled and nodded his head. Yue Zhao finally remembered him.

…

Wanzhou and Nandu were connected by the inter-city high speed train, so it was very convenient for Yue Zhao to go home. He left the hotel a little after 9AM; when he arrived home, lunch hadn’t been started yet.

“Mom, Dad, I’m home.” His parents rented a small apartment. As long as the family was there, however, it was a warm and sweet home.

“Little Yue Zhao is home. Your mom is cooking inside,” Yue Zhao’s father said.

Last night Yue Zhao had told his parents that he had won a silver medal, so his parents did not ask how the races went.

I’ll go help mom! Yue Zhao dropped his bag, took off his overcoat, and walked into the kitchen. A moment later, several dishes were placed on the table. Although the dishes were nothing eye-catching, they were nutritionally balanced.

“Little Yue Zhao, the races must have been very exhausting. Eat more.” Yue Zhao’s mother kept adding food to the plate of Yue Zhao.

“That’s plenty of food, it’s enough for me.” Yue Zhao ate a mouthful of food, and said casually, “I met an acquaintance during the match held in Wanzhou. He is a coach for the national team.” Yue Zhao’s parent didn’t reply him, seemingly because they didn’t want to.

Yue Zhao continued, “He told me that when I was misdiagnosed, you went to the national team and met with the head coach.”

Yue Zhao’s parents put down their chopsticks and stared at each other. They knew they couldn’t hide it anymore.

Finally, Yue Zhao’s father said, “Yes, we went to the national team and met with Head Coach Shuren Zhao and Deputy Head Coach Li Xue. It is us who requested that the national team force you to retire.”

Before Yue Zhao could ask why, his father continued, “Your mom and I don’t want you to be an athlete anymore. Although the tumor in your knee was not cancer and healed, it must have been caused by years of training. This time it may not have been bone cancer, but what about the next time? What about the future?”

Yue Zhao’s father sighed regretfully. He said, “Your mom and I are getting old, and our family is quite fragile now. If you continue your training and you really do have bone cancer, what would we do?”

Next to him, Yue Zhao’s mother said, “You are our only son. We don’t want you to be somebody, win a lot of championships,or make a lot of money; we only hope that you can be safe and sound. We would be very content if our family could get together.”

“Ever since you returned from the United States, your mom and I have always worried you. We are afraid you really could have bone cancer. We also did some research; as a result of of years of training, many athletes suffer from lifelong injuries and disabilities. Their life is very painful, especially when they get old. We don’t want you to be like them,” Yue Zhao’s father said.

Beside him, Yue Zhao’s mother also persuaded him immediately, “Little Yue Zhao, respect your mother’s wishes. Stop your training and don’t be an athlete anymore!”

Chapter 188: Way Out

Late that night, Yue Zhao was tossing and turning restlessly in his bed. He couldn’t fall asleep. He had been quite touched by his parents’ words during their lunch.

He was already twenty-six, and no longer an ignorant adolescent anymore. Many people his age had established their family and had children. Yue Zhao felt as if he had yet to achieve anything. His family was in a debt crisis because of his illness.

If I hadn’t devoted myself to a sports career as an athlete and had studied hard in school, maybe I would have had a stable job, a family, and a kid. Yue Zhao turned over in bed and sighed regretfully.

However, if I stopped being an athlete now, what else would I do? Would I set up a stand and sell food? Yue Zhao turned over in his bed again. He knew merchants who sold breakfast could make a lot of money, which would at least be more than the salary of an unknown athlete.

I have been an athlete for over ten years. Should I give up now? As he thought about it, Yue Zhao’s heart was filled with agony and reluctance.

He had devoted himself to this career for over ten years. He had even been admitted to the national team, and once had a promising future. How could he give up so easily? Yue Zhao did not want to give up, but he also couldn’t bear to see his parents worry about him all the time.

If Yue Zhao had been a few years younger and had not been hurt by his misdiagnosis, he would have chosen to continue his career as an athlete. However, after the setbacks, Yue Zhao was more mature psychologically. He could not go about his business whilst ignoring his family’s feelings like a young boy.

My parents are getting old. They are worried about me; they can’t take a hit for the second time. For them, a safe and sound family is the biggest priority. Yue Zhao took a deep breath. My parents have given so much to me. I should fulfill their wishes now. I can’t be headstrong like a little kid anymore.

Finally, Yue Zhao made up his mind to give up his dream of being an athlete. He decided he would study hard in Nandu University and obtain his master’s degree. It would be great if he could work at the university after his graduation, but if not, he could also find a decent job with his master’s degree.

…

The University Games was ended. Dai Li’s work in Tsinghua University had also come to an end temporarily. Without upcoming competitions, there were no training responsibilities. Therefore, Dai Li would return to the national team and continue his apprenticeship under Li Xue.

Tsinghua University was very satisfied with Dai Li’s accomplishments. One gold and one bronze medal in the 100m sprint had been the best accomplishment Tsinghua University had ever achieved in history.

“Coach Li, thank you very much for your contribution to Tsinghua University. We really appreciate your hard work these last few months.” Professor Fang handed a box to Dai Li and said, “We don’t have a very expensive gift for you. This is a souvenir for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Tsinghua University’s establishment. We hereby give it to you as a token of our appreciation.”

“Thank you, Professor Mao.” Dai Li took the souvenir with both of his hands.

Tsinghua University had a special souvenir service department, which had been established by the Tsinghua University Foundation. This department sold all kinds of souvenirs from Tsinghua University, which featured a wide range of items that were of good quality, and of course, a high price. However, the money made in this department would be put towards the education of the poverty-stricken students attending Tsinghua University.

Dai Li had been to this department. He found stationaries like bookmarks, pens, and notebooks, small items like key chains and school badges, as well as postcards and high-end gift boxes.

What Professor Fang had given him was of course a high-end souvenir. Although Dai Li did not know what was inside the box, he knew the souvenirs for the 100th anniversary celebration were limited edition, and could not be bought by somewhat outside the school.

Beside them, Li Xue was also smiling. The master was proud of his apprentice’s great achievement.

Li Xue’s arrival at Tsinghua University was not just to take Dai Li back; he was hoping to recruit Sijie Yang, Guohong Niu, and Xiaotian Xin to the national team. He had even brought the special documents for the recruitment with him.

However, all three athletes were students of Tsinghua University. Therefore, Li Xue would have to come to an agreement with Tsinghua University before he could officially recruit them.

“Guohong Niu is already a senior student, and will graduate soon. We will respect his choice; If he is willing to join the national team and serve our country, he will have our full support.”

Professor Fang paused for a moment, then continued, “As for Xiaotian Xin, he is a junior this year. We will also respect his decision regarding joining the national team. If he also chooses the national team, we could retain his student status and help him conduct the formalities regarding schooling suspension.”

As a senior student, Guohong Niu could begin preparing for his future career, or he could start getting ready for the postgraduate entrance examination. Graduates of Tsinghua University were always in short supply in the job market, and could pass the postgraduate entrance examination easily.

If he could be admitted to the national team and became a professional athlete, it would also be a pretty good career choice for him. And if he could achieve good results in international competitions and win glory for the country, Tsinghua University would also gain a lot of respect.

Xiaotian Xin was still a junior, and would graduate after a year. However, the National University Games had just ended; there would be no large-scale university competitions before Xiaotian Xin’s graduation. By the time the next large-scale race would be held, Xiaotian Xin would be preparing to graduate, which would make it almost impossible to participate in the competitions representing Tsinghua University. Because of this, it was meaningless for Tsinghua University to keep Xiaotian Xin. It was better for Tsinghua University to “give” him to the national team as a favor.

Professor Fang continued, “As for Sijie Yang, we can’t make the decision for him. His father is Academician Lin Yang, who has won the Nobel Prize. Sijie Yang’s joining our Sports Department was only made possible by Academician Lin Yang. Therefore, for this issue, you have to go to him and get his opinion. His academic position forces us to respect and obey all his decisions.”

“OK, we will go to him!” Li Xue nodded and asked, “Where will we find him? The Chinese Academy of Sciences?”

“Academician Yang has his own laboratory, which is close to Tsinghua University. It’s only a five minute drive when there’s no traffic. I have his telephone number; you can call him in advance.” Professor Fang took out his cellphone and looked through his contacts, then wrote down a telephone number on a piece of paper.

He handed the paper to Li Xue and said, “By the way—if you are going to meet Academician Yang, you’d better take your ID cards. Academician Yang’s laboratory management is very strict. Their security guards are personnel from the national security department.”

…

Li Xue and Dai Li drove to Lin Yang’s laboratory.

“Coach, during the University Games, Yue Zhao’s performance was also pretty good. Could he possibly return to the national team?” Dai Li asked.

“I know. Yue Zhao’s result was also 10.42 seconds, and lost to Sijie Yang by a very small time difference.” Li Xue went on, “But Yue Zhao is already twenty-six. Sijie Yang was able to achieve a time of 10.42 seconds at the age of nineteen—he is truly a prodigy. On the other hand, Yue Zhao can only be considered a very good athlete at his age. Moreover, Yue Zhao has received training from the national team already. He doesn’t have enough potential left to be developed.

“Results are not the only standard the national team looks at when enrolling talents. Other factors have to be taken into consideration, and potential is one of the most important factors. After all, the training resources of the national team are limited. Most of the time, young athletes with potential get priority when it comes to resource allocation.

“Competition for the 100m sprint is very fierce. Young athletes with potential keep emerging. We just put Sijie Yang on our list, and even Guohong Niu from Tsinghua University could be better than Yue Zhao after 2 years of training with the national team. Even if Yue Zhao was admitted to the national team, he wouldn’t have the chance to participate in competitions.”

Li Xue stopped and sighed deeply. “I know you feel bad about what happened to Yue Zhao; I also sympathize with him. But we can’t let our personal feelings affect our work. Because we are coaches, we are using resources provided by our country. We are developing athletes for our country! It is our official duty!”

Li Xue’s words were becoming more and more sincere and earnest. He continued, “Dai Li, in the future, when you are in my position, or an even higher one, you will understand that your power comes with responsibility. Our country entrusts the power to you because our country trusts you; you must undertake this duty.

“Only those who are outstanding can be admitted to the national team, as ability is the deciding factor in competitive sports. We can’t play favorites. Remember, this is our duty; business is business”

Dai Li was silent for several seconds. He really wanted to help Yue Zhao, but he also knew what Li Xue was saying was correct.

But Dai Li didn’t give up. He said, “In his current condition, Yue Zhao would indeed have difficulty achieving good results in the 100m sprint; however, I think he could try the 200m sprint. By that, I mean he could specialize in the 200m sprint.”

“Change to 200m sprint?” Li Xue looked at Dai Li. Dai Li’s eyes were full of confidence.

“You seem to be very confident about this, is that right?” Li Xue asked.

“Yes, I think Yue Zhao is very well-suited for the 200m sprint. If he specializes in the 200m sprint, he will achieve better results! Furthermore, with his experience and technique, if he focuses on the 200m sprint, I believe he will surprise us in a very short time,” Dai Li said.

There was one thing that Dai Li didn’t tell Li Xue—the fact that during the university games, Dai Li had found all this out by detecting Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao’s gift in the 100m sprint was B-level, which was identical Guohong Niu; but at the same time, the detector also showed Yue Zhao’s ability in the 200m sprint was a B+!

Chapter 189: Opportunity

Dai Li had suggested that Yue Zhao could be specialized in the 200m sprint. After hearing Dai Li’s suggestion, Li Xue fell silent immediately. Dai Li knew Li Xue was taking his suggestion seriously.

Sprinters who specialized in the 200m sprint were rare, both in the country and abroad. Most sprinters specialized in the 100m sprint, and considered the 200m sprint irrelevant.

Of course, the 200m sprint is far less influential than the 100m sprint. The world record holder in the 100m sprint was considered the “fastest person alive,” but there was no such title for the champion of the 200m sprint.

The 200m sprint was also a lot less frequent in the Grand Prix, the Super Grand Prix, and the Diamond League held by the IAAF. According to the IAAF rules, among similar events, only one event could be held during the games.

For example, between the long jump and triple jump, the high jump and pole vault, the 800m and 1,500m run, as well as the 5,000m and 10,000m run, only one event between the two could take place in an IAAF Grand Prix.

Between the 100m sprint and the 200m sprint, the former was almost always selected, for the 100m sprint was indispensable in track and field competitions. Because of this, the 200m sprint could only take place in high level, large-scale events, like the World Track and Field Championship, the Track and Field World Cup, and the Olympic Games.

The low occurrence probability of the 200m sprint prevented the world’s best sprinters from specializing in it. Because there was a good chance the 100m sprint would actually take place during events, athletes could participate in more competitions if their performance in the 100m sprint was better. Even if sprinters were truly gifted in the 200m sprint, they would invest most of their time and energy into the 100m sprint.

Many people thought the 100m and the 200m sprint were same. Many assumed that an athlete who was good at the 100m sprint should always be good in the 200m sprint, and vice versa.

In reality, this view was only half-correct. The athletes who were good at the 200m sprint could be talented in the 100m sprint; however, sprinters who were good at the 100m sprint might not have the ability to excel in the 200m sprint.

Compared to the 100m sprint, the 200m sprint was obviously 100 meters longer; but this additional 100 meters were on the curve of the track, which was the difficult part of the 200m sprint.

Because of the curve, athletes had to master three more skills; the curve start technique, the curve running technique, and the transition technique between the curve and the straightaway.

The beginning of the curve was different than the beginning of the straightaway. Sprinters only needed to dash forward after the start in the straightaway; in contrast, sprinters had to control the turning of their body whilst in the curve. Sprinters also had to maintain a high speed, as well as control the angle of their bodies after the beginning of the curve; the combination of these two factors made the beginning of the curve a quite complicated technique to master.

The width of a lane is around 1.22-1.25 meters. If the athletes failed to control their body, their explosive force could easily push them to the lane beside theirs; however, if athletes slowed down to maintain a good angle, they would be left behind once they entered the curve.

Sprinting was a sport where winning or losing could be determined by 0.01 seconds. If an athlete was slower than another athlete for even a fraction of a second when they began the curve, they would probably lose the race.

A good curve start would ideally be composed of a fast starting speed, a good body angle, and good control once inside the curve. Even professional sprinters needed at least a year to master the technique.

Running the curve was also a very complicated technique. The obstacle in high speed turning was overcoming centripetal force; therefore, running the curve should be a process that involved the athlete controlling their body to fight against the centripetal force.

Beyond this, athletes had to master the technique of running along the inside edge of the lane whilst in the curve.

The curve was 100 meters long, which made the running distance along the inside edge of the lane 3.7 meters shorter than the running distance along the outside edge of the lane. If athletes could finish the 200m sprint in under 20 seconds, 3.7 meters would mean 0.037 seconds. Because of this, we always see athletes trying to run along the left side of the lane during the curve in an effort to save as much of those 0.03 seconds as possible.

According to the rules of sprinting, stepping on the line was considered a foul, and the athlete would be disqualified from the match. The athletes could not always look down at the lines outlining the lane during running, so athletes needed extensive training in order to run within the lines of the lane whilst maintaining an optimal stride length and pace for professional athletes without stepping on the line. Normally, athletes needed at least six months to master the technique.

Besides this, the transition between the curve and the straightaway was another difficult aspect of the 200m sprint. After 100 meters of running the curve, the athletes’ bodies had all their momentum going towards one direction. Once they entered the straightaway, the first thing they had to do was alter their momentum so they could run straight. At the same time, athletes also had to keep their speed during the transition. It was even possible for excellent athletes to speed up during this period.

The transition between the curve and the straightaway could cause a gap of 0.1 seconds. Because of this, the athletes would spend several months training to optimize their technique and cover this gap.

Because of all these factors, the 200m sprint had very few competitions and many complicated techniques; its influence was also far lower than that of the 100m sprint. The cost/reward ratio for the 200m sprint was too low for most athletes.

However, Dai Li thought Yue Zhao was well-suited to specialize in the 200m sprint in his current condition. When Yue Zhao was in the national team, he was specialized in the 100m sprint, and took 200m sprint as his minor; so he had some technique reserve in the 200m sprint, and didn’t need a lot of time to practice the curve techniques.

At Yue Zhao’s age, if he had continued training for the 100m sprint, he wouldn’t have had any opportunity to get better; there were too many young. talented athletes. Compared to prodigies like Sijie Yang, Yue Zhao did not stand a chance.

But the 200m sprint was completely different. Young athletes needed at least two to three years of training to master curve techniques. As an older athlete, Yue Zhao already had the techniques in his arsenal; he would only need to train for a short period of time to become a competitor in the 200m sprint.

More importantly, Dai Li had discovered that Yue Zhao’s ability in the 200m sprint was better than his ability in the 100m sprint using his detector. Yue Zhao’s ability in the 100m sprint was a B, but his ability in the 200m sprint was a B+. This meant that Yue Zhao was good at controlling his body, and that he should be good at running the curve. Dai Li hadn’t found an athlete on the national team whose ability in the 200m sprint was a B+.

Because of this, Dai Li had suggested Li Xue let Yue Zhao start training for the 200m sprint. Dai Li believed that if Yue Zhao could take advantage of this opportunity, he would definitely be recruited to the national team again.

But Li Xue was not optimistic about Yue Zhao. Yue Zhao was already twenty-six, which made Li Xue doubt Yue Zhao.

After several minutes of consideration, Li Xue said, “In two months, the training camp for the Asian Games will begin. Many athletes will be recruited to attend the training camp. There will only be approximately five or six athletes that can attend the Asian Games representing our country in the end. Whether Yue Zhao can seize this opportunity and stand out in the trials is up to him.”

Dai Li breathed a sigh of relief immediately. He was very happy that he would be able to help Yue Zhaoget an opportunity to return to the national team.

Li Xue continued, “During the training camp for the Asian Games, the athletes will not be the people enrolled; the coaches will also be enrolled. You should also attend this training camp. You haven’t been home in a long time, right? In a few days I will give you some time off, that way you can go back to your home. Once you return, you should follow me and prepare for the Asian Games. We are the host country for this year’s Asian Games, so we should win at least one medal in the sprinting events.”

Chapter 190: Parenthood

In one of Nandu University’s classrooms, Yue Zhao was doing his homework carefully.

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz… His cell phone started to vibrate. Yue Zhao checked the screen and saw that it was Dai Li. He left the classroom with his cell phone immediately, then answered the phone.

“Hello, Coach Li. What can I do for you?” Yue Zhao asked.

“I want to tell you the good news. The national team is planning to recruit you for the training camp for the Asian Games!” Dai Li continued, “But you will be specializing in the 200m sprint!”

“I was recruited by the national team?” Yue Zhao was surprised. He didn’t expect the national team to still want to recruit him when he was already twenty-six.

“You are surprised, right?” Dai Li smiled and continued, “I am afraid you will not get an opportunity in the 100m sprint. If you want to stay on the national team, you have to specialize in the 200m sprint.”

“I know!” Yue Zhao also knew that a 26-year-old athlete had no advantage in the 100m sprint; he wouldn’t stand a chance against young competition. He might as well focus on the 200m sprint. With his technique and experience, maybe he could stay with the national team.

But the next second, Yue Zhao’s parents popped into his mind. They didn’t want him to be an athlete anymore.

“Coach Li, thank you! But I don’t want be an athlete anymore. I want to study hard, obtain my master’s degree, and find a stable job,” Yue Zhao said.

“Are you going to give up?” Dai Li was surprised. He had helped Yue Zhao get such a good opportunity, and it had not been easy; but he had not expected that Yue Zhao would want to give up.

“You had a hard time recovering from your illness and returning to the field. Why do you want to give up? Because you are too old?” Dai Li asked eagerly.

“Not because of my age. It’s because….” Yue Zhao hesitated, then finally said, “My parents don’t want me to continue my career as an athlete.”

“Their worries still stem from the misdiagnosed bone cancer, right?” Dai Li sighed deeply.

“My parents are getting old; they can’t take a hit like that a second time,” Yue Zhao said slowly.

“What about you? Are you willing to give up now? I remember you said you suffered a lot in the United States just for your leg treatment. What was the point of you doing so? Wasn’t it so you could return to the field? Wasn’t it to elongate your professional career? If you give up now, the hardships you have endured and your persistence will all have been in vain, right?” Dai Li continued trying to persuade Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao said regretfully, “You are right. I want to continue my athletic career. However, people can’t just live for themselves. My parents raised me, and have made so many sacrifices for me. I don’t want to make them worry anymore.”

“But this is your only opportunity! Moreover, this is the training camp for the Asian Games, which should be a heaven-sent chance for you. If you perform well, you would have a chance to participate in the Asian Games. This is an opportunity many athletes look forward to for their entire life. Do you really want to give it up?” Dai Li asked eagerly.

“I—I don’t know! I really don’t know!” Yue Zhao said bitterly, “Coach Li, please leave me alone! Just leave me alone, OK?”

Dai Li could sense the dilemma going on in Yue Zhao’s heart. Yue Zhao was having trouble making a decision.

“OK. I guess the notification of the training camp for the Asian Games will be sent to Nandu University next month. Whether you come or not, it’s your call.”

…

A quite popular reality show was being played on TV. Yue Zhao’s father was sitting in front of the TV and enjoying the program.

“Raise your legs!” Yue Zhao’s mother commanded. Yue Zhao’s father raised his legs immediately. The mop in Yue Zhao’s mother’s hands slipped under Yue Zhao’s father’s feet rapidly.

“Zhao, do you think something is wrong with our Little Yue Zhao these days?” Yue Zhao’s mother said as she was mopping the floor.

“Yes, something is wrong with him. He is quite depressed.” Yue Zhao’s father continued, “I guess the examination is drawing near, and he’s stressed out because of his studying. Don’t worry, our son is grown; he will be OK.”

“Agreed. Our son is not a small kid anymore. It’s time to find him a girlfriend.” Yue Zhao’s mother said when she walked into another room with the mop.

“Right now we are in bad shape, though. We don’t have an apartment; we don’t have money, and we owe a great debt. No girl wants to be his wife,” Yue Zhao’s father said regretfully.

Then, Yue Zhao’s mother suddenly said, “Zhao, come here and have a look at this!”

Yue Zhao’s father stood up immediately and walked towards Yue Zhao’s mother. On the desk in Yue Zhao’s room, there was a notification that had been sent by the national team, offering Yue Zhao the opportunity to attend training camp for the Asian Games.

“I found this when I was cleaning the desk of Little Yue.” Yue Zhao’s mother said, “Zhao, did our son tell you this training camp for the Asian Games?”

Yue Zhao’s father shook his head, “No, he didn’t tell you either, right? Now I know why he was so depressed the last few day days. This is the reason!”

“We can’t let him go! What would we do if he gets some disease again from training?” Yue Zhao’s mother said firmly.

Yue Zhao’s father didn’t say a word. Then, after a moment, he said, “These last couple days I’ve been wondering whether our decision to prevent our son from continuing his athletic career is right or not.”

“Of course we are correct!” Yue Zhao’s mother said immediately. “Our son’s athletic career got him bone cancer. His leg was almost amputated. Why should we allow him to continue?”

“But it seems like Little Yue Zhao is not happy.” Looking at the notification for the Asian Games training camp on the desk, Yue Zhao’s father continued, “Little Yue Zhao definitely wants to attend this training camp, but he hasn’t told us yet. Our son is very sensible; he knew we would oppose him.”

Both of them were silent. Recently, Yue Zhao’s smile had indeed become rare. Yue Zhao had been especially depressed the last two days, which could easily be sensed by his parents.

“I think we have made the wrong decision,” Yue Zhao’s father said suddenly.

…

After the dinner, Yue Zhao stayed in the classroom for two hours before going back home.

“Mom, dad, I’m home.” Yue Zhao entered his house and found that his parents seemed to be waiting for him. The next second, he saw the enrollment notification for the Asian Games training camp on the desk.

“Mom, dad, this is…” Yue Zhao felt like he had been caught red-handed. For a second he wasn’t sure how to explain things.

“It is nothing but a notification. I wasn’t planning on going,” Yue Zhao said against his will.

Yue Zhao’s mother said, “If you want to attend this Asian Games training camp, just go!”

“Mom, what did you just say?” Yue Zhao couldn’t believe what he had heard. His mother had always opposed his wish to continue his athletic career.

“Your mom and I all know you are reluctant to give up after so many years of sprint training. You also want to go back to the national team. Just go and attend this Asian Games training camp. Work hard with the national team and try to attend the Asian Games,” Yue Zhao’s father said.

“Why?” Yue Zhao did not understand what was going on. “Don’t you always hope that I don’t continue my athletic career?”

“Silly boy; we don’t want you to be an athlete because we are afraid you could be injured again during training. But we also want you to be happy,” Yue Zhao’s mother said sincerely and earnestly.

“My son, your mom and I know the Asian Games are only held once every four years. Training camp for the Asian Games is a rare opportunity; we don’t want you regret not going. Just go—this time your dad and mom support you!”

Chapter 191: Teach You A Lesson First

Before contests, the national team always held training camps to prepare.

In the beginning of these training camps, many athletes and coaches would be recruited. The training camp had several phases. As training moved on, after each phase was completed, a large number of people would be eliminated. Only a few people would remain on the team to represent the national team for the Asian Games. Each event had one to three participants.

Dai Li was not the only coach being called up from the Hanbei Provincial Athletics Team. Besides Dai Li, there was another coach. Meanwhile, two athletes from the team were also called up to attend the training camp.

In the office, Li Xue held a list of names. He told Dai Li, “The first phase of our training states that national team coaches are responsible for general training outlines, while coaches from provincial teams carry out everyday tasks. In principle, coaches will be paired up with athletes who they are familiar with. Of the two athletes from the Hanbei Provincial Athletic Team, one is a middle-distance runner, and the other is a discus player. Neither of them have anything to do with your speciality. But I have another two athletes for you. The first one is Yue Zhao. You recommended him, so you are in charge of his training. Do you have any problems with that?”

“No problems,” Dai Li immediately replied.

“Moreover, Sijie Yang and Guohong Niu are both your trainees. I thought it over for a while, and here is my decision: Guohong Niu will belong to you. As for Sijie Yang, the son of Academician Lin Yang, he is talented. I will take care of him myself,” said Li Xue.

Sijie Yang was a genius, and would surely be given special attention on the national team. Li Xue was worried about wasting Sijie Yang’s talent, so he decided to train Yang himself.

Li Xue continued, “As for Guohong Niu, I don’t have much to say. Let me set a goal for you: help him become an alternate for this Asian Games.”

“I will try my best,” Dai Li nodded. He knew it would be hard to accomplish.

Guohong Niu had good talent and fine grades, but he needed to work harder if he wanted to represent the national team in the Asian Games. Only three participants were allowed to take part in the 100m sprint, and the national team had a plethora of talent. Everyone was giving it their all to be admitted.

Guohong Niu had just come to the national team. Compared to the best athletes on the team, he had no advantages whatsoever. It would be almost impossible for him to be directly sent through to the contest, and would still be quite challenging for him to be an alternate.

“As for Yue Zhao…” Li Xue paused, then continued, “I won’t give you any specific goal. Yue Zhao specializes in the 200m sprint. He is an experienced athlete, and has some knowledge in this event. Hopefully he can stick out from the crowd.”

Dai Li could tell that Li Xue did not have much faith in Yue Zhao. In fact, none of the coaches on the national team thought highly of him. Many people believed that in such a fierce environment like the National Team Training Camp, Yue Zhao would for sure be kicked out as soon as the first phase ended.

…

The Asian Games Training Camp started. In the camp, Dai Li saw two old friends: Feixiang Lin and Haiquan Fang.

Feixiang Lin’s ability had sustained itself pretty well. Even though he was no longer capable of breaking another world record, he still had world-champion ability. In the last Asian Games, Feixiang Lin had easily won the 110m hurdles championship. This time, he was preparing to win another gold medal.

As for Haiquan Fang, he had stayed in the Beikou Training Center for further training. The Haiquan Fang of today was stronger than he had been, and was more skillful. He had became the trump card of the national team.

To train in the National Team Training Camp was a rare opportunity for an athlete. Even though the majority could not stay until the end, their ability could still increase by a large margin.

…

Why is Dai Li my coach! Yue Zhao stared at the coach-athlete pairing list, sighing with disappointment.

As an athlete, he definitely wanted to be taught by a high-level coach. Moreover, because he had already been on the national team once before, he already knew who was good at coaching.

Dai Li was a young coach, which disappointed Yue Zhao. In Zhao’s eyes, Dai Li was almost the same age as him, which meant that at most, Dai Li had the same amount of experience he had. Perhaps Dai Li was even worse than Yue Xhao. Under Dai Li’s guidance, he did not expect much help.

However, Yue Zhao had gotten into this camp because of Dai Li’s recommendation. Because of this, he showed respect to Dai Li.

On the first day of training, however, Yue Zhao no longer felt that he knew more than Dai Li.

“Yue Zhao, your last run exposed a lot of weak points. Here are some of the major ones.” Dai Li listed Yue Zhao’s technical flaws with confidence and composure.

Yue Zhao was listening casually, but his face gradually became serious.

Coach Li is right! I do have the flaws he mentioned, Yue Zhao gasped.

My last sprint took no more than 21 seconds, yet Dai Li can see so many weak points. He is such an acute observer! Even the coaches I know may not be able to find as many of my flaws as he did. He is indeed Coach Li Xue’s student; he is impressive!

Yue Zhao immediately stopped underestimating Dai Li. Dai Li had hit the nail on the head, and had even pointed out some weak points Yue Zhao had missed. Yue Zhao suddenly felt that Dai Li knew him better than he knew himself.

Dai Li continued, “I just made a tentative training plan; you can take a look. Unless you have a problem with it, we will follow this plan going forward.” Dai Li then took out a piece of paper and handed it to Yue Zhao.

He even made a plan! Yue Zhao took the paper and looked at it. The handwriting was very clear. It had obviously been written just now.

This plan is very fitting. It is tailored to my situation! Yue Zhao was astonished.

How could this be possible! I only ran for a short period of time, yet he still picked out my deficiencies in detail, which was amazing in itself. Now he has even made an appropriate plan. How did he make it within such a short time frame?

Had the handwriting had not been fresh, Yue Zhao would have doubted that Dai Li had prepared the plan in advance.

Because of his experience on the national team, he knew a good amount about the coaches on the team. Even the best coaches on the team could not observe his weaknesses and make a detailed training plan so quickly.

Awesome! Yue Zhao said to himself. He used to have only been grateful for Dai Li; now, he was sincerely convinced.

This plan had been premeditated by Dai Li. When Yue Zhao had registered for the National Team Training Camp, Dai Li had detected Zhao, after which he wrote down his flaws. Later, Dai Li studied Zhao’s disadvantages, and made a detailed plan based off of them.

Today, Dai Li had only rewritten his original plan, but it had taught Yue Zhao a big lesson.

Chapter 192: Take the Lead

On the first day of training, Dai Li taught Yue Zhao a lesson, which worked out extremely well. Yue Zhao learned that Dai Li had some true ability, so, in the following training session, he firmly implemented Dai Li’s plan.

Training effectiveness depended not only on the coach’s plans, but the athlete’s implementation of those plans as well. No matter how perfect a coach’s plan was, if the athlete didn’t follow it, the plan would mean nothing.

From Feixiang Lin, to the shot put team, and now to Sijie Yang, Dai Li had met multiple athletes who trained in passively. Because of this, Dai Li had astonished Yue Zhao in the very beginning in an effort to impress and convince Zhao of his ability. As Dai Li had expected, the results were being shown on the track.

The first phase of the Asian Training Camp only lasted twenty days. During that time, athletes would have fierce competitions. As for the coaches that had been drafted from provincial teams, they were competing as well. Coaches at the primary level hoped to get noticed by the national team, and eventually be recruited. Even though they could not stay with the national team, as long as their abilities were showcased to the team and were accepted into the next phase of training camp, they still would have accomplished something.

Meanwhile, the national team was also observing both the athletes and the coaches. As time went by, training moved to more advanced levels, and the gaps between those who were good and those who were great gradually appeared.

…

Whoosh!

Yue Zhao rushed cross the finishing line. Dai Li stopped the electronic timer in his hand.

“20.73 seconds. This is a manual timing mark. If we had used an auto-timer instead, which adds 0.24 seconds, your performance would still be less than 21 seconds,” Dai Li said, “Since correcting the swing of your upper and lower forearms, your performance has improved significantly. Now you can run regularly finish in under 21 seconds.”

For a 200m sprinter, the qualifying standard for National Sports Masters was 21.35 seconds. Normally, National Sports Masters were capable of going to the final round of the national athletics grand prix. Any score under 21 seconds would be enough to get a 200m sprinting championship in national level games.

Hearing that he had done well, Yue Zhao smiled. But Dai Li threw cold water on him, saying, “Don’t think you can start taking it easy; you still shrugged your shoulders during your running. You must correct that behavior!”

“Understood. I will try not to do that again,” Yue Zhao nodded. He then sighed with emotion. “I feel like I’m best suited for the 200m sprint.”

“You have good control over your frequency and stride. The 200m sprint does fit you. If I had met you earlier, I would have let you try the 400m,” said Dai Li.

“Forget about the 400m; it’s running technique requirements are too high.” Yue Zhao looked around, then said, “In the 200m, if I’m under 21 seconds, I can stay in the first phase, right?”

“Don’t relax; the better your time, the slower you improve. If you want to go to the Asian Games, you have to amaze everyone,” Dai Li said with helplessness, “You aren’t even on the national team’s radar.”

Yue Zhao lapsed into silence. He knew what Dai Li meant. The qualifying standard for Yue Zhao to be admitted to the Asian Games was higher than the other athletes. He was not an original team member, but had been called up from the basic level.

It was easy to explain. For example, every team was in charge of a program. As the person responsible, the leader would definitely give the most important part of the program to their older team members, while newcomers would be one of the last people to get an opportunity. The leader would never give the key part to a newcomer, no matter how outstanding the person was.

Of course, if the newcomer was way better than the others, that individual would be highly valued. Say a three-star Michelin chef came to work in a three-star restaurant. Both were “three-star,” but the chef could be found anywhere; there were only about sixty three-star Michelin restaurants around the world. Compared to a three-star Michelin Chief chef, chefs from ordinary restaurants were not even qualified to be handymen.

It was the same in athletics. If Yue Zhao’s score was the same as the other team members on the national team, the leaders wouldn’t send him to the Asian Games. Even if Yue Zhao was a little bit better than the others, he still would not get a chance; unless, however, Yue Zhao was far enough ahead of the other athletes. For instance, if the other athlete ran in 20.80 seconds, but Yue Zhao ran in 20.60 seconds. A 0.2-second gap was an irreversible distance for 200m sprinters, and was a dividing line between two levels. In this case, Yue Zhao could get the chance to represent the country in the Asian Games.

“There are several athletes on the national team who can run within 20.80 seconds. Jun Xie, the strongest runner, is an International Sports Master; he will take a place for sure. In addition, Zitao Wei is a 100m and 200m sprinter, and once participated in the Olympics, I assume he will take up another spot,” Dai Li said, looking at Yue Zhao worriedly, “If you want to join them, you should at least reach the International Sports Master standard.”

“International Sports Master, that’s 20.62 seconds, isn’t it?” Yue Zhao took a deep breath. His eyes shone with firmness.

“I will try to make it!”

…

Twenty days was not a lot of time, especially when people were busy training. Neither athletes nor coaches had time to think about other business. Time seemed to pass by even faster with competitions approaching.

On the training field, the first phase examination was about to begin. It decided the athletes’ fate. Athletes with good performances would show up on the second phase training list, while people who performed poorly would pack up their belongings and leave.

People like Haiquan Fang, Sijie Yang, and Guohong Niu, who were already on the national team, did not need to worry about this test. Because they were already part of the team, they would not be eliminated. But athletes like Yue Zhao, who had come from basic levels, would unfortunately be the targets of elimination.

Yue Zhao crouched on the ground, carefully adjusting his starters.

The 200m starting line was on the bend of the track. Because of this, starters’ locations were very important. Everyone had their own habits, so each pair of starters were placed at different locations with various angles. But generally, starters would be set on the right side of the tracks, fixed with a certain angle.

In the bleachers, Chief Coach Shuren Zhao had noticed Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao used to be a high-flyer on our team. Had he not been misjudged, he would have already become our trump card. What a pity, Shuren Zhao said to himself regretfully. He is now focusing on the 200m sprint, which is a new path for him. However, the 200m sprint also has fierce competition! To be honest, I don’t think he can win.

Being a professional athlete is not an easy job. ‘A boat sailing against the current must forge ahead or it will be driven back,’ as the saying goes. He wasted two years; I’m afraid it’s going to be quite difficult for him to get back to where he once was. Before Shuren Zhao’s voice faded away, the starting gun was fired.

When starting at the bend, sprinters were not on the same horizontal line. Runners on the inner tracks would be behind other sprinters, while sprinters on the outer tracks started out ahead. An ordinary audience would not be able to tell who was in the lead until all the runners were on the straight track.

For a professional, however, it was easy. Even when athletes were still on the bend, they could make a judgement immediately. Shuren Zhao looked at the eight runners, suddenly frowning. He realized the situation was not what he had predicted.

“Yue Zhao takes the lead!” said Shuren Zhao.

Chapter 193: I Want to Be Stronger

Coach Li Xue had once been sprinter, so he was more knowledgeable about speed than Shuren Zhao was. Shuren Zhao could judge athletes’ place at the bend, but Li Xue could make direct judgements on a sprinter’s speed.

“Yue Zhao is fast!” Li Xue pursed lips, his eyes were shining.

The audience was made up of coaches and athletes. Even though the 200m was not their speciality, they had knowledge on it. As the saying went, “the inexperienced see the appearance, and the experienced appreciate the contents”. Yue Zhao’s performance had garnered many people’s attention.

“That guy took the lead in the beginning. Is that Yue Zhao?”

“I haven’t seen him in more than three years. I heard that he retired, and that this is his comeback. I didn’t expect that he would still be this strong.”

At that moment, Yue Zhao was the first to hit the straight track. Obviously, he was far ahead of the competition.

“He has huge advantage; he will win without a doubt!” Shuren Zhao said with a long sigh. Although the game was still going on, the result was apparent.

Shuren Zhao turned around and said to Li Xue, “Li Xue, you were a sprinter. What do you think of Yue Zhao?”

“He has a nice foundation, and outstanding curve technique. Three years ago, when he was still on our national team, he was a technical player. He has big advantages in the 200m sprint. The only problem is his age; he is 26-years-old, which is older than average. He doesn’t have much potential left to be developed. I don’t think he is worth developing,” said Li Xue.

As Li Xue was speaking, Yue Zhao crossed the finish line first. His time was displayed on the screen.

“20.88 seconds, under 21 seconds. Nice performance,” said Shuren Zhao.

“Yeah, such a time is top tier on the national team.” Li Xue frowned and considered this for a while, then said, “Maybe we can keep him. In our next phase, we need some high-level ladder players.”

…

With a time under 21 seconds, passing the first phase was a sure thing. But to Yue Zhao, it was a reassurance; it had proved that choosing the 200m sprint was the right decision.

But he was not satisfied with this. He hoped to stay till the end, thus he worked even harder.

In the second phase, the number of athletes were reduced, as was time for isolated practice; group training time, however, increased. Almost every morning the athletes gathered together to practice, and in the afternoon they had isolated training based on their own condition.

Group training was a method which could easily showcase differences in ability. Individual training time and events were the same, but the effect varied. Yue Zhao’s age was his weakness, so he didn’t make much progress when he worked with young athletes.

But every afternoon, when Yue Zhao trained alone with Dai Li, he always made big progress. Dai Li was helped by “top-level coach” benefits, so his training was indeed more effective than the other coaches on the national team. Yue Zhao’s ability was improving day by day. Dai Li estimated, according to Yue Zhao’s current improving rate, that he had a large possibility of running in under 20.75 seconds.

…

On the void terrace, Dai Li was talking to his parents on the phone.

“Mom, don’t worry about me, I have enough clothes; I won’t catch a cold,” Dai Li said, looking up in the sky. A bright moon was hanging there, but there were no stars.

Dai Li suddenly missed old times, when he had seen starry nights quite often. Now he could only see one or two stars twinkling in the dark at night.

Dai Li looked into the distance again. Even though it was night time, there was still someone on the track.

Who practices so late at night? After ending the conversation with his parents, Dai Li zoomed in on the person using his phone’s camera.

It looks like Guohong Niu! Didn’t he get enough practice during the daytime? Dai Li thought for a second, then decided to take a look himself.

Dai Li took two bottles of sports drink and walked onto the training field. Seeing that it was indeed Guohong Niu who was focused on training, he immediately walked towards him.

“Guohong Niu, why are you giving yourself extra work so late at night?” Dai Li shouted at Guohong Niu.

Guohong Niu stopped immediately once he recognized Dai Li. He looked at Li embarrassingly. Dai Li threw a bottle of sports drink to Guohong Niu, then pointed at the open space on the side of tracks. The two sat down on the ground.

“Why are you still practicing? When you were in Tsinghua University, you were not this active,” Dai Li scoffed at Guohong Niu.

Guohong Niu gulped the drink down, then said, “Coach, I want to be stronger!”

“Stronger?” Dai Li looked at Guohong Niu: “Everybody here feels that they are not strong enough; everyone wants to be stronger.”

Guohong Niu took a deep breath. He replied, “I always thought that I was pretty good. In Tsinghua, universities in Huajing City, or even among colleges around the country, I was always the best. But once I got to the national team, I finally realized that there are so many people better than me. A lot of athletes are younger than me, yet still perform better than me!”

Dai Li knew that Guohong Niu was having an identity crisis.

People who were able to attend Tsinghua University were one-in-a-million, and Guohong Niu had been at the top, which meant that he was on the best of the best. It was no wonder he had so much confidence.

But there was a gap between college athletes and professionals. Take a complex sport like basketball, for example; when playing against professionals, the “national number one” player from a university was undoubtedly not as good as someone in a professional league.

Sports like sprinting did not contain much cooperation and tactics; almost all events required individual work. Therefore, the gap between college and professional athletes was smaller. Guohong Niu, the top athlete in university, would probably become a great professional. But he needed sufficient time and work to develop in order to shorten the gap.

Honestly, Guohong Niu’s performance was not bad; he was above average on the national team. But compared to the top-level athletes, he still had a long way to go.

Considering these factors, Dai Li comforted Guohong Niu. “This is normal. You are on the national team, where the best athletes in the country gather together. A large number of them began training at seven or eight years old, then went to sports schools as teenagers, and have received professional training since then. Compared to them, your training time is way less.”

Dai Li patted Guohong Niu’s shoulder and said, “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You are great! What you need is time; once you put sufficient time into your training, you will become a top-level athlete in this country.”

“But Sijie Yang joined in the team with me. His best time during training reached B-level qualifying standards for the Olympics. My time is still only around 10.40 seconds. I’m falling behind.”

For the 100m sprint, B-level qualifying standard for the Olympics was 10.28 seconds. This indicated that since arriving here, a 0.1-second gap had been created between Sijie Yang and Guohong Niu.

“Sijie Yang is younger than me, and he was not as good as I was; yet in only six months he has outperformed me,” Guohong Niu said, clenching his fists. “Coach, can you help me improve? I want to be stronger!”

Chapter 194: Qualifying Standard

Dai Li stared at Guohong Niu. He sensed that Guohong Niu was eager to be stronger.

“So far your training load is pretty high. If I give you extra practice, your body may not be able to bear the stress,” Dai Li said worriedly.

“I believe I can do it!” said Guohong Niu firmly.

“Let’s have additional training for a few days first, then see how everything goes. You can adjust yourself during this period of time,” Dai Li agreed, “It’s OK if you can’t make it. Additional training doesn’t fall under regular training, there’s no need to be ashamed if you can’t hold on until the end.”

Guohong Niu said nothing, but his eyes were shining with stubbornness.

“Well, to be honest, it’s not necessary to put yourself under so much pressure. Athletic training is a long, gradual process; you have to improve step by step. Nobody can reach the top in a night. You are already on the national team, they won’t eliminate you. Don’t worry about that.”

“I want to go to the Asian Games!” Guohong Niu replied, “I don’t want to be an alternate! I want to compete in formal contests!”

“Then hold on!” Dai Li smiled. He knew that Guohong Niu had made his decision. It had not taken any encouragement on Dai Li’s part. Why not push this boy a little by offering him additional training in spare time?

Guohong Niu was anxious to outdo the others. Even if Dai Li refused, he would insist on receiving extra training. Dai Li would rather give him a small lesson than let the boy practice alone unprofessionally.

A few days later, the second phase of the Asian Games Training Camp finished. It was finally time for the national team to decide on the participants for the game. In the meeting room, the national team coaches were discussing the final name list.

“Guohong Niu is a college athlete. He started late, but has been working very hard. Recently he has been receiving extra training. From his performance I can see significant progress.” Li Xue paused, then said, “In yesterday’s assessment, Guohong Niu’s time was 10.28 seconds, which just reaches the B-level standard for the Olympics. Usually an athlete with such a performance would be able to go to the Asian Games, but the number of participants is limited. Therefore, I plan to have him be an alternate in the Asian Games,” Li Xue finished his speech, sighing pitifully.

Big competitions like the Asian Games were different than individual events. The latter required whoever registered to be the one competing, while the relay race only required group registrations. The participant group submitted the list of names right before the race began.

Generally speaking, the relay race had alternates. If the main force’s schedule was too tight, or if any of the main athletes got injured, alternates would substitute in for the athlete. Sometimes there were alternates who specialized in the relay race. So, as an alternate, Guohong Niu’s upcoming task would be to prepare for relay race. With his performance, the other coaches had no disagreements over making Guohong Niu an alternate.

“OK, now let’s discuss the 200m sprint!” Li Xue paused again, then said, “For the 200m sprint, Jun Xie and Zitao Wei already occupy two spots; the key problem is deciding who should be the last one. l was planning on choosing either Xiong Chu or Wei Zhang, but you all watched the latest in-team examination. We have a dark horse! Yue Zhao’s time was 20.78 seconds.

“I know, 20.78 seconds is not outstanding; Xiong Chu and Wei Zhang can also make that time. Moreover, both of them are already members of the national team, while Yue Zhao is from a local team. But I think Yue Zhao has a lot of potential!”

Li Xue continued, “Yue Zhao is 26-years-old. Normally athletes at 26 don’t have much potential left. However, during this last examination, his time was 20.88 seconds. There were only twenty days between the first and second tests, yet he improved by 0.1 seconds. I’m surprised by his progress.

“There are still two months before the Asian Games begin. If Yue Zhao keeps improving like this, when the games begin, his time might be less than 20.70 seconds. Going off previous years, such a time could possibly win a medal.”

“Therefore, for the last person for the 200m sprint, I’d like to hear your thoughts.” Li Xue ended the conversation, looking at the crowd. The coaches in the room began brainstorming.

It sounds like Coach Xue is planning on giving the last spot to Yue Zhao!

Yue Zhao’s coach is Dai Li. Even though he doesn’t belong to the national team, he is Li Xue’s favorite student. Is Li Xue planning to promote Dai Li?

It’s not common to see a basic-level athlete take a national team athlete’s spot! It might be weird to send Yue Zhao for the game.

Everyone present had different ideas. Finally, someone said, “Coach Xue, Yue Zhao’s current time may be 20.78 seconds, but after two months there’s no telling whether he will be able to run in under 20.70 seconds or not. Since his performance is not guaranteed, I don’t think it would be a good idea to send him for the competition.”

Li Xue nodded silently, then turned to the others.

“Coach Xue, I think Yue Zhao can be the one. For the 200m sprint, if we send either Xiong Chu or Wei Zhang, neither of them can realistically win a medal. Why not bet on him? If he indeed runs under 20.70 seconds, he might be able to get a medal.”

Li Xue nodded again, then looked at the other coaches. Some coaches agreed the idea, while others were against it. They each came up with various reasons. The fierce discussion brought forth no conclusion. At last, Li Xue turned to the chief coach, Shuren Zhao. He should be the one to make the final decision.

Shuren Zhao took it as his obligation. He cleared throat with a cough, then said, “This is all good advice. But there are two weeks before the registration deadline, so my suggestion is that we don’t need to hurry; why not take time to observe Yue Zhao for a while, instead of making a hasty decision right now? What do you think, Coach Xue?”

“Right, we still have two weeks. We’d better make further observations.” Although Li Xue said so, he didn’t think in the same way. He preferred to have everything set as soon as possible, so he could arrange upcoming training plans. But Shuren Zhao was the chief coach. As the second leader, Li Xue dared not to disagree.

“But it’s not a good idea to put this off. What if in two weeks we still can’t come to a group decision. We will have wasted too much time.” Li Xue turned to Shuren Zhao and said, “I have an idea—how about we set a qualifying standard for Yue Zhao?”

“Good idea.” Shuren Zhao gently knocked on the table to call everyone’s attention. Then he said, “During this period of time, Yue Zhao is indeed improving rapidly. But it’s unsure whether his improvement is temporary or will prove to be long-lasting. Li Xue just reminded me that we can set a qualifying standard for him. Before the registration deadline for the Asian Games, if he can reach our standard, he will get his opportunity! In athletics, the one with the better performance has the power. Although Yue Zhao is from a local team, as long as he has an outstanding performance, the others will be convinced.”

Chapter 195: The Marvellous Effect of the Halo

Setting a qualifying standard to judge Yue Zhao’s ability sounded pretty fair.

“Then how much should this standard be?” someone immediately asked.

The meeting room fell into silence again. If the standard was too low, it would be like sending Yue Zhao directly to the Asian Games. But if the standard was too high, then it would seem like an obstacle aimed at stopping Yue Zhao from attending the game.

“Would 20.75 seconds be OK?” Li Xue asked.

Shuren Zhao replied immediately, “There are only two weeks left before the deadline. Asking Yue Zhao to improve from 20.78 seconds to 20.75 seconds, a 0.03-second increment, is quite difficult.”

It was hard for high-level athletes to improve even 0.01 second. Based on Yue Zhao’s current ability, to increase 0.03 seconds within two weeks would be an extreme improvement.

“Coach, I think we should give the other athletes a chance, too,” somebody suddenly said. “Give me two weeks; I can make Xiong Chu run in under 20.75 seconds!”

Wei Zhang’s coach then said in agreement, “I am also confident that Wei Zhang can reach the 20.75-second-standard within two weeks!”

The two coaches’ attitudes clearly indicated that they were not willing to hand the chance over on a silver platter to Yue Zhao.

Shuren Zhao laughed. “Good, competition stimulates progress! Let’s do it this way: not only Xiong Chu and Wei Zhang will compete, but all the other 200m sprinters can join in this competition, too. Our qualifying standard is 20.75 seconds. Whoever reaches the standard will win the ticket to the Asian Games.”

“What if more than one person reaches the standard?” Coach Wang asked.

“Then we send the best one!” Shuren Zhao paused, then said, “Our team will represent our country; we must send the most competitive participants!”

…

Dai Li was not a formal coach for the national team, so he was not qualified to participate in the meeting. All he could do was to wait. There were two other people waiting for the results: Yue Zhao and Guohong Niu.

“The participant list for the Asian Games is posted on the bulletin board!” someone shouted. Every athlete stopped their work to see the list of names.

Sijie Yang was selected for the 100m sprint, as I expected. Dai Li checked the list carefully, but he didn’t see Guohong Niu’s name.

Guohong Niu was upset. He specialized in the 100m sprint, and felt that he had lost his opportunity.

“Guohong Niu, I found your name!” Yue Zhao suddenly said. He pointed at the relay race section. “See, your name is in relay race section.”

Guohong Niu immediately looked up. He saw his name on the list.

“I will be in the relay race!” Guohong Niu exclaimed. Although he had missed the chance to compete in the individual games, he would still be able to be part of the relay race. This was comforting for him.

Standing next to Guohong Niu, Dai Li felt happy for him. Meanwhile, Dai Li was checking the participants for the other events.

When he reached the 200m section, Dai Li frowned.

200m sprint: Jun Xie, Zitao Wei, undetermined. Only two names are here, but no Yue Zhao. What does ‘undetermined’ mean? Does it imply that Yue Zhao still has a shot at going? I need to ask about this, Dai Li thought.

Soon, Dai Li heard about the qualifying standard.

Two weeks to reach the 20.75-second qualifying standard. That’s not difficult for me, Dai Li thought confidently, But the others can also reach the standard, which means 20.75 seconds is not enough! It can’t guarantee a spot for Yue Zhao.

Dai Li fell silent. He knew Yue Zhao needed time.

Yue Zhao’s talent in the 200m sprint was undoubtedly the best on the national team, and he had mature techniques, which was also ranked amongst the top of the team. But the problem was that he had wasted almost three years. He needed more time just to get back to his original status, let alone get even better.

We have to make time for extra practice sessions! Dai Li firmly clenched his fist.

…

Yue Zhao crouched on the ground, retching violently. The training was intense. Yue Zhao was so tired that he vomited.

After throwing up, Yue Zhao drank half a bottle of water, then walked back to the training field.

“Coach, let’s continue!” Yue Zhao’s voice was filled with tiredness.

Dai Li looked at Yue Zhao’s sallow face, then sighed lightly. He said with sympathy, “How about we take a break?”

Yue Zhao hesitated. He was exhausted, and really wanted to sleep on the ground. But he nodded stubbornly. “Time doesn’t wait. I don’t have time to rest; I need to practice.”

This can’t work. The current training load is above Yue Zhao’s physical limits.

Dai Li was worried, but he could not do anything. He had to give Yue Zhao larger training loads, and Yue Zhao had to push through. It was not just an examination of Yue Zhao’s physical fitness, but also his willpower.

The ordinary person might not have been able to hold on. But Yue Zhao was different; the misdiagnosis of bone cancer had taken three years away from him, but had also strengthened his willpower. Every time he was too tired to move, he would recall his past, remembering the bitterness he had tasted in America. It was enough to motivate him to move forward.

From 7AM to 9PM, Yue Zhao stayed in the training field, only taking short breaks for lunch and dinner. When the day’s training finally ended, Yue Zhao spread out on the ground. He felt like all of his strength had been taken away from him.

If he continues like this, how much strength can he have for tomorrow? Dai Li looked at Yue Zhao worriedly.

The System’s voice suddenly rang, “I have been wondering for a long time— why don’t you use the endurance halo?”

Dai Li was in a daze. “The 200m is a short-distance run. Why would I use the endurance halo?”

“To increase his endurance, of course,” The System continued, “The 200m does fall under the category of short-distance running, which doesn’t require much endurance; but don’t you forget, what you are doing is training. The endurance halo offers additional endurance, which can help athletes keep up during practice.”

Dai Li suddenly understood. Why didn’t I think about this earlier!

Dai Li’s first halo had been the explosive force halo. From then on, he had regarded halos as equipment only used in competitions.

Since Dai Li had received the endurance halo, he had never used it. Dai Li had been coaching the sprinting team, which did not need the endurance halo’s assistance. Dai Li had not considered using the halo in training, for he believed that only middle- or long-distance running required high endurance.

But what Dai Li had neglected was that sprinters who had been practicing under long, high-intensity circumstances used the same amount of energy as a long-distance runner running ten thousand meters. Yue Zhao’s training load had consumed a lot more power than running ten thousand meters.

My fault. I should have thought about using the halo earlier in practice. Dai Li was upset. He patted his head, blaming his own foolishness. At least it’s not very late. We still have time, Dai Li sighed, This endurance halo can be used during training. Seems like halos are the best rewards.

Chapter 196: Sense of Urgency

At 10PM, most athletes were falling asleep. Dai Li and Yue Zhao had just gotten back to the dorms. Yue Zhao was too tired to move; he couldn’t get up the stairs without Dai Li’s help.

In fact, Dai Li was doing no better than Yue Zhao. Being a coach was exhausting work; after a day on the training filed for most of the day, Dai Li could barely keep himself standing.

But Dai Li felt that since he had made the switch from the explosive force halo to the endurance halo, Yue Zhao had indeed kept up his energy level longer during training.

Yesterday, Dai Li had not used the endurance halo; by 8PM, Yue Zhao had been too exhausted to even raise his foot. But today, after Dai Li had used the endurance halo, Yue Zhao had held on until 10PM.

Pity that I can only use one halo at a time. If I could use both the explosive force halo and the endurance halo, that would be great! Dai Li sighed.

Halos could only be used one at a time, which annoyed Dai Li. If he chose the endurance halo, he couldn’t use the explosive force halo, and vice versa. In other words, Dai Li could only choose between increasing explosive force or enhancing endurance.

Luckily, in track and field, such a selection was not hard to make. For running, jumping, throwing events, etc., the explosive force halo was the best choice; when it came to middle- or long-distance running, race walking, etc., the endurance halo fit athletes better.

If it was another activity, such as basketball and football, it would not be as easy to make a choice. Athletes needed explosive force to break through opponents’ defense, as well as to perform some difficult actions. At the same time, however, they also required endurance to maintain energy for continuous running. In this case, one could not have it in both ways.

Dai Li helped Yue Zhao back to the dorm gate, then said, “Take a shower and go to bed as soon as possible! Tomorrow we need to keep training.”

“Hey Dai Li, it’s late at night. Are you only just coming back?” a voice suddenly rang in the hallway.

Dai Li twisted his head to look in the direction of the voice. The speaker was a Coach named Liu. He was about to be in his fifties, and had seniority on the national team.

“Hi Coach Liu. I was practicing with Yue Zhao, I just forgot to check time,” Dai Li smiled.

“Young men are energetic!” Coach Liu pointed upstairs, then said, “They are playing Mahjong upstairs, they have three players looking for one more. I will join them. See you later.” Coach Liu then walked upstairs. Dai Li headed to his dorm and began preparing for bed.

Coach Liu knocked on the door. Three people were already in their positions, and Mahjong tiles were already aligned in stacks, waiting for Coach Liu.

“Zhong, Li, and Wang are also here! This is my first time playing Mahjong with Wang!” Coach Liu greeted the other three.

The coach who was named “Wang” was Yaozu Wang. He was Xiong Chu’s chief coach. Xiong Chu was the strongest competitor for the last spot for the 200m sprint.

“Hey Liu, come sit down! We have been waiting for you for a long time! Here, roll the dice; let’s start a round!” one of the three called out to Coach Liu.

“I say, Liu, are you getting old? Why does it take you so long to move upstairs? The time you wasted was enough for me to win by my own draw. Ah, wait, I skip,” another person said.

“Huh? Oh, I met Dai Li before I came here, so we had a short conversation. Young men are so energetic; they had additional training tonight, and were only just coming back. If I were him, I would be exhausted, and would barely be able to move,” Coach Liu explained as he threw a Red Dragon.

“Additional training?” Yaozu Wang was sitting on Coach Liu’s right. Hearing about his news, his heart skipped a beat. He drew a tile, noticed it was a White Dragon, then discarded it at once. But the next second, he realized that he had made a mistake!

Shit, I shouldn’t draw. I have two Red Dragons here, I should Pong! Yaozu Wang was upset. If Coach Liu had not mentioned Dai Li’s additional training, he would not have acted so absent-mindedly.

Seeing the opponent to his right had discarded the tile, Coach Liu shouted, “Pong!”

Coach Liu joyfully matched a tile with a triplet, then slowly stroked his “wall” and said, “Right, additional training! Yue Zhao was working so hard, I saw he had collapsed. He had to be carried back by Dai Li!”

As he spoke, he threw a Three Bamboo tile.

“Pong!” the man seated on Coach Liu’s left shouted, grasping the Three Bamboo in front of him. He said, “The last spot for the 200m sprint is still undetermined; plus, with that 20.75-second qualifying standard, Yue Zhao will definitely spend every day fighting for it! But speaking of this, I sympathize with Yue Zhao; he was misdiagnosed with bone cancer, and almost lost his leg. It must be a difficult thing for him to come back.”

Hearing these words, Yaozu Wang was unhappy. He was Xiong Chu’s coach, Yue Zhao’s opponent, but this coach beside him obviously supported Yue Zhao. Now, Yue Zhao was fighting for the last spot, which had apparently given Yaozu Wang a sense of urgency.

Yue Zhao is receiving extra training. If Xiong Chu doesn’t do the same thing, he will fall behind! I will never allow that to happen. Tomorrow I will give Xiong Chu extra training, too!

Thinking about this, Yaozu Wang was not focused on the game. He played Mahjong absent-mindedly, and began shooting tiles off carelessly.

…

It was half past seven in the morning. Yaozu Wang was humming a tune as he walked towards the canteen.

What do we have for breakfast? I want to have some bean curd, if there is any. If not, maybe I will have some soybean milk instead.

Yaozu Wang walked into the canteen and saw that his student, Xiong Chu, was already sitting at a table, focused on peeling a boiled egg.

I need to inform Xiong Chu that we will have additional practice this afternoon! Yaozu Wang quickly picked up his breakfast, then walked to Xiong Chu’s table and sat down. At the same time, a voice suddenly rang.

“Yue Zhao, you are sweating all over. Did you have morning practice? Why don’t you go and wash your face first!”

Yaozu Wang turned to face where the voice had come from. Yue Zhao was right there. He seemed hot, as sweat dripped from his jaw. His hair were already wet. Obviously, he had just received high-intensity training.

Yue Zhao smiled embarrassingly. “I got up at five. I just finished my morning exercise and put on a clean suit. I need to keep practicing soon.”

“Five o’clock! That’s earlier than daybreak!” someone gasped surprisingly.

Yaozu Wang subconsciously checked the time on his watch, alarmed.

He started at five o’clock, which means he has been training for two and a half hours. In other words, Yue Zhao has received two and a half more hours of additional training than Xiong Chu!

At that moment, the sense of urgency became stronger and stronger in Yaozu Wang’s heart.

Chapter 197: Iron Man

On the training field, Xiong Chu gritted his teeth and went on with his training, but his body had a mind of its own. The next second, he crouched on the ground, breathing heavily.

I pushed him to the limit again! Yaozu Wang didn’t urge Xiong Chu to get up, as he knew Chu was struggling. He had reached his physical limit. No man was a machine, let alone a perpetual machine. Once a man was tired or out of energy, he had to get some rest.

Yaozu Wang looked into the distance and saw that Yue Zhao was not training, either. Instead, he was lying on the ground, receiving a leg massage from Dai Li.

Yue Zhao had a two-hour extra practice session this morning. He should have a lot less power left than Xiong Chu does. That should mean I don’t need to worry to much. Even if Yue Zhao stayed on the training field for an entire day, without sufficient energy he won’t make much progress, Yaozu Wang exhaled, relieved.

However, at this moment, Yue Zhao got up from the ground and went back to exercising.

Did he regain his energy? Yaozu Wang was anxious, so he turned around to ask Xiong Chu, “How do you feel? Can you stand up?”

Xiong Chu gritted his teeth again, trying to raise himself up with both arms, but was only able to sit up. He had run out of energy for further training.

“Let’s take a longer break. Have some water first!” Yaozu Wang could not help but sigh. He gave a bottle of sports drink to Xiong Chu.

After drinking some water and getting back some electrolytes, Xiong Chu had gained some energy. He sat there for a few more minutes, then finally stood up.

“Shall we continue?” Yaozu Wang asked.

Xiong Chu nodded, then returned to training.

After a short while, Xiong Chu laid out on the ground again.

“Let’s take another break!” Yaozu Wang sensed that Xiong Chu had reached to his limit again.

I wonder how Yue Zhao is doing? Yaozu Wang looked into the distance again, and surprisingly found that Yue Zhao was still exercising.

Still going? He is so energetic! Yaozu Wang murmured, annoyed.

…

Gradually, Yaozu Wang realized, that although Yue Zhao’s training time was longer than Xiong Chu’s, he took less rest than Xiong Chu did.

Yaozu Wang began to observe Yue Zhao secretly. However, he found that Yue Zhao’s workload was not low; instead, it was even higher than Xiong Chu’s.

Yue Zhao has a larger training amount. How can he keep working for so long? He must have a ton of energy! Why didn’t he practice long distance running instead? Yaozu Wang complained to himself. However, after he thought carefully for a while, he noticed something was wrong.

Yue Zhao began receiving extra training yesterday, and this morning he practiced for two more hours. He should have run out of energy a long time ago, and should feel more exhausted than Xiong Chu. Yaozu Wang recalled every detail he had observed during Yue Zhao’s training progress. Suddenly, though, he remembered that whenever Yue Zhao had taken a break, Dai Li would give him a massage.

I heard before that Dai Li specializes in massage, and is as good as a professional masseuse. Maybe that’s why Yue Zhao can keep going for so long.

Thinking about this, Yaozu Wang went over to Xiong Chu, who was resting on the ground, and said, “Xiong Chu, let me give you a massage!”

Coaches who were able to teach on the national team had to have some speciality, which meant that Yaozu Wang had some ability for sure. To sprinters, getting cramps or pulling a muscle was common. Therefore, professional sprinting coaches knew more or less about massaging.

Yaozu Wang figured that even though he was not as good as professional masseuses, he was capable of helping an athlete relax their muscles.

However, he could never know that Dai Li’s Massage and Muscle Relaxation was way better than any ordinary massage. Even professional masseuses could not reach Dai Li’s level.

…

Eight o’clock at night, on the training field, Xiong Chu fell on the ground like a pile of bricks.

“Coach, I’m sorry, but I can’t do this! I cannot stand up.” Xiong Chu sounded like he no longer had the strength to speak.

Yaozu Wang looked at his student with sympathy. He had never arranged such high-intensity training for Xiong Chu, and knew that today Xiong Chu had tried his best.

“Alright, let’s end it here,” Yaozu Wang said. He looked into the distance again, only to find that Yue Zhao was performing a deep squat.

What? Why is he still exercising! Does he even get tired? Yaozu Wang sighed depressingly. Keep practicing like this, then; let’s wait and see how long can you bear it! I say in no more than three days that you will give up and cry! Yaozu Wang thought, helping Xiong Chu to the dorms.

After coming back to the dorms, Yaozu Wang’s mind was still on the training field. Through his window he could clearly see the dorm gate, so he leaned on the window, playing Glory of Kings while waiting to see when Dai Li and Yue Zhao would appear at the gate.

Yaozu Wang waited for more than an hour, then finally saw Dai Li supporting Yue Zhao as they slowly moved through the gate.

Ten o’clock again. Go out at 5AM, come back at 10PM; seventeen hours in total. Even minus meal time, Yue Zhao has to have been on the field for thirteen to fourteen hours. Once he finished counting, Yaozu Wang was astonished.

That’s crazy! Thirteen to fourteen hours a day; even Iron Man can’t bear such high-intensity training. Yue Zhao will give up soon!

…

The next morning, Yaozu Wang got up an hour earlier, and took Xiong Chu to the training field at six o’clock. Yue Zhao was already there, sweating all over.

“Hey Li, did you come at five again?” Yaozu Wang said, greeting Dai Li.

“Morning, Coach Wang. You are quite early,” Dai Li nodded as greeting, acquiesced in the fact that they had started training at five o’clock.

“The early bird catches the worm. I asked Xiong Chu to warm up, then have formal training after breakfast.” Yaozu Wang paused, then asked, “Dai Li, would like to join us for breakfast?”

Dai Li nodded, “Sure, but Yue Zhao won’t go. He needs to keep practicing. I will bring food for him.”

Yaozu Wang felt awkward. He thought to himself, Do you have to do this, saving every second, even breakfast time for training! Yue Zhao is a human, not a machine; he won’t hold on for long under such pressure.

…

That night, Yaozu Wang leaned on the window again. At 10PM, he saw Dai Li and Yue Zhao again.

The next morning, Yaozu Wang showed up to the training field, but Dai Li and Yue Zhao were already there.

One day, two days, three days; everyday was the same. Yue Zhao continued his extremely high-intensity training and long workout time. Yaozu Wang was stunned.

Chapter 198: The Result is Certain

The entire day’s work depended on a good start in the morning. For athletes, breakfast was quite important. A nutritious breakfast could offer sufficient energy for a whole morning’s exercise. In contrast, dinner was not essential. Many athletes who wanted to control their weight chose not to have dinner when they were dieting. Research studies showed that it was not healthy to not eat breakfast for a long time.

At seven o’clock in the morning, the canteen chefs got various breakfast ready to serve. Considering the athletes were from all around the country with different preferences, the canteen offered a full range of food. The key point was to provide rich nutrition. Within the next half hour, coaches and athletes flooded in, making the canteen busy.

Dai Li was jogging into the canteen. The chef recognized him from a distance.

“Morning Dai Li, do you still want it to go today?” the chef asked.

“Yes, food for two people, I want them all to go. And please, give me two more eggs, and I also want…” Dai Li made his order. Soon, the chef packed everything Dai Li wanted and handed it to him. Dai Li thanked him, then carried the food as he jogged out of the canteen.

The other coaches witnessed this scene. Somebody began to talk about it.

“Did Dai Li have his breakfast to go again. He has been doing this for five or six days, hasn’t he?”

“Today is the seventh day,” another person answered. “Yue Zhao has been training crazily this week. People say that he started training at five in the morning, and didn’t come back until ten at night.”

“5AM to 10PM, let me count… oh my, seventeen hours in total! How can this even be possible! That’s such a long training time. To do so for one or two days might be understandable, but seven days?! That’s incredible! Even Iron Man couldn’t bear it!”

“Well, this is partially correct. Don’t forget to subtract dining time and breaks. But he still probably trains thirteen or fourteen hours a day. Even in that case, to go on for seven days seems impossible.”

“Four years ago, when I was training Yue Zhao, I didn’t realize he had such outstanding endurance!”

“He has been working so hard. I say the last spot for the 200m sprint must belong to him. But I wonder how much longer he can bear such high-intensity training.”

The discussion was heard by Yaozu Wang, which made him uncomfortable.

It’s been seven days; how can Yue Zhao continue such training for seven days! This doesn’t make sense! Yaozu Wang clenched his chopsticks tightly, seemingly expressing his grievances.

Yue Zhao finished almost every task under my watch, so I know he didn’t mess around, and I know he has a really high workload. But the question is, how did he make it? Xiong Chu has been doing the same thing, but he can only bear ten hours at most. Why? Does it have anything to do with training plans?

Yaozu Wang couldn’t help but think about Dai Li, and became even more upset.

Recently, Yaozu Wang had been observing Dai Li’s coaching, but he had not found anything surprising. Dai Li’s methods were the same methods that were commonly adopted by the national team, Yaozu Wang was already quite familiar with them.

Yaozu Wang had once thought that the reason Yue Zhao could go on for such a long time was because of Dai Li’s massages. Yaozu Wang had even tried to mimic Dai Li’s actions; every time when they would take a break, Yaozu Wang would imitate Dai Li and give Xiong Chu leg massages. But it didn’t work.

If Dai Li massaged Yue Zhao for five to six minutes, Yue Zhao could stand up and return to training. But even when Yaozu Wang would massage Xiong Chu for more than ten minutes, Xiong Chu would still not be able to stand up.

Is this because of the gap between Dai Li and me? Although he was unwilling to admit that he was not as good as Dai Li, he couldn’t think of any other explanation.

At this moment, Yaozu Wang became anxious. He was predicting that the last spot for the 200m sprint was heading Yue Zhao’s way, as Yue Zhao had been training much more than the others.

Training relied on the accumulation of ability, similar to a marathon. If athletes ran one kilometer of a marathon, gaps between athletes were not very obvious; but if a marathon was more than forty kilometers long, and one athlete ran just one second faster than the others every kilometer, in the end he would have at least a forty-second advantage.

Yue Zhao had benefited from this accumulation. Every day he had several more hours of training than the others, and after two weeks his training ability would have been at least one level higher than that of the other athletes. Moreover, Yue Zhao had talent in the 200m sprint, which had promoted his progress.

…

Two weeks later, at the 200m sprinting team’s in-team assessment, six athletes participated. Among the six participants, not everyone had the ability to run within 20.75 seconds, some people wanted to try their luck. The most competitive runners were undoubtedly Yue zhao and Xiong Chu.

On the grandstand, Shuren Zhao looked at the starting line and asked, “I heard that both Yue Zhao and Xiong Chu have been receiving extra training. Xue, who do you think will win?”

“Yue Zhao!” Li Xue answered without hesitation. “Although both of them had received extra training, Yue Zhao’s training load was greater. The effects of short-term assault training, time, and intensity will have a big influence.”

Shuren Zhao nodded silently. If training intensity and time remained normal, assault training would not have much of an effect. To improve, one had to spend more time, effort, and practice under higher intensity.

It was similar to college students’ behavior before finals. Right before final exams, study rooms were always filled with people. Students would study hard there; some bad students who had not worked hard during the semester relied on this method to pass finals.

The starting gun fired. Yue Zhao got a good start. His reaction to the starting gunshot had been perfect; not too late, and not to early. Dai Li was relieved.

Nothing wrong with the start; that means Yue Zhao will win! Dai Li smiled.

Right before the test, Dai Li had detected all the participants’ ability points. The results showed that Yue Zhao had the most ability points of all of them. Moreover, Yue Zhao was being helped by the explosive force halo; even if his opponents had the same amount of ability as he did, he would not lose the race.

Standing besides Dai Li, Yaozu Wang looked very nervous. He glanced at Dai Li, and was surprised to see Dai Li smiling.

A smile? How come he is so confident? Does he trust Yue Zhao that much?

Yaozu Wang looked back to the field, only to find that Yue Zhao had taken the lead. Yaozu Wang was now sweating.

“It seems that higher-intensity training brings out better effects!” a coach standing beside Yaozu Wang said. Upon hearing this, Yaozu Wang became even more depressed.

On the grandstand, Shuren Zhao and Li Xue looked at each other. Although the sprinters were still in the bend, the result was clear.

Yue Zhao had gotten the last ticket to the Asian Games.

Chapter 199: Relay Race Training

“20.71 seconds. Yue Zhao has made a lot of progress again; he has exceeded my expectations. Good job, Dai Li!” Li Xue was satisfied with Yue Zhao’s performance.

“Next, Yue Zhao’s training plan needs to be adjusted,” said Li Xue. “Add some relay race training.”

Dai Li nodded. To sprinters in the Asian Games, the 4x100m relay race was one of their tasks. Therefore, before the game started, the national team assembled sprinters to make relay race special training.

To win in a relay race, speed was not the key factor. Sending the four quickest sprinters could not guarantee a medal.

One lap on a standard track was 400 meters long, 160 meters of which were straight, while the other 240 meters were curved. Among the four runners in a 4x100m relay race, the first and third legs (runners) were required to run the bend every time. Both of those athletes had to have outstanding curve techniques.

Here, 200m sprinters had the advantage. They had curve techniques, outstanding speed, and explosive force, which made them capable of being any of the four legs.

In contrast, those without curve techniques were only capable of running the second or fourth leg.

Li Xue continued, “The 4x100m relay race usually only exists in big events, hence why we don’t have much of an opportunity to practice. You haven’t experienced a high-level relay race, have you?”

Dai Li shook his head. “No. But I learned about it when I was in college. We mainly focused on the baton exchange.”

“Tell me what you learned.”

Dai Li thought to himself for a few seconds, then answered, “I mainly learned the top-pick and press-down baton-exchange methods. The top-pick requires the receiver to stretch their arm backwards naturally, and form an angle from 40 to 50 degrees with their body. The receiver’s palm faces backwards, fingers naturally open, with the part between the thumb and the index finger faces down. The incoming runner’s hand should be over the baton and above the receiver’s. The advantage of this method is that both receiving and giving are easy to control, and the actions are natural. The disadvantage is that after receiving the baton, the receiver’s hand is holding the midpoint of baton. If the athlete doesn’t shift the baton to the other hand, when they perform the handover to the next person, that person can only hold the top part of baton, which can cause them to drop the baton and influence the outcome.

The press-down baton exchange requires the receiver to stretch their arm backwards, forming an angle from 50 to 60 degrees with their body. The wrist twists inward and the palm faces up, fingers open. The space between the thumb and index finger faces backwards; the incoming runner then puts the top of the baton into receiver’s hand. The advantage of this method is that it’s easy for the receiver to run fast with the baton, and handover process is more accurate; but the disadvantage is that mistakes are easily made by tense muscle movement of the receiver’s arm.

“When performing the handover, the first and third legs run along the inside of the track, and use their right hand to pass the baton to the second and fourth legs’ left hand. The second leg runs along the outside the track, and uses their left hand to pass the baton to the receiver’s right hand.”

Li Xue nodded. “Um, good. It seems like you paid attention in school. In formal games we mainly use a hybrid of those techniques, depending on each leg’s features. For example, the first leg doesn’t need to think about receiving the baton; his job is to handover the baton safely to the second leg. The fourth leg only thinks about how to take the baton, since he has no one he needs to pass it to. As for the second and third legs, they receive and give the baton. In order to fit different needs, save time, and reduce mistakes, the second and third legs use different handover methods.”

Pausing here, Li Xue changed to a serious look. “No matter which method is chosen, cooperation between athletes is the crucial factor. Any mistake will make the whole team fail.

“Let me give you an example. Before Team Jamaica rose to dominance, the American team had been the strongest in the relay race. Over a long period of time, Americans had a majority of the gold medals in the event. The only way the American team could have lost was if they had lost the baton during the race.

“In world-top competitions, a nice baton exchange can save 0.1 second. Asian athletes are not as competitive as people from the other parts of the world, so a successful handover can save more than 0.1 or 0.2 seconds.”

Li Xue paused, seemingly going through his catalogue of memories. Later, he asked, “Do you know of the Asian Games that took place eight years ago? And which team won the gold in the 4x100m relay race?”

Eight years ago, Dai Li had still been a poor high school student living in hell. Everyday he would wake up with the sunrise, and go to bed at midnight. Almost every minute was used to study. How could he have had spare time to watch the Asian Games? Dai Li could only guess. “Maybe the Japanese? Before the Western Asians took their place, the Japanese had been the kings of Asian sprinting for about thirty years.”

“The Japanese did rule the Asian sprinting world for thirty years. And, eight years ago, it was the Japanese’s late golden period. But no, they were not the champion,” answered Li Xue.

“The Saudi, then? Saudi Arabia was strong in athletics,” Dai Li guessed again.

Li Xue shook head again.

“The Iranians? Qataris? Wait, at that time the Naturalization Legion hadn’t developed yet. How about someone from the Middle East? Or the Koreans? It can’t be North Korea, can it?” Dai Li guessed again and again. The countries he mentioned all had big sports names in Asia. However, Li Xue shook his head over and over again.

“You have no idea. It was Thailand,” Li Xue answered.

“Thailand? I would believe it if they had won in Thai Boxing, but the 4x100m relay race? How could that be possible?” Dai Li was astonished.

In Asia, South Asian countries were the weakest in sports. The popular activities were cricket and other local games. Southeastern Asians didn’t have high sports abilities, either. However, each Southeastern Asian country had at least one or two activities they were good at; for instance, Malaysia and Indonesia were famous for badminton, the Philippines and Thailand specialized in boxing, etc. But in track and field, Southeastern Asian countries had to stand aside.

Therefore, upon hearing that Thailand had won the championship in the Asian Games, Dai Li was dumbfounded.

“Coach Xue, it was the Asian Games—how could Thailand have possibly won the championship? Was it because the strong teams were all absent, or had they all made mistakes, meaning Thailand faced worse opponents?”asked Dai Li.

“Japan, Saudi Arabia, and our team all participated and finished the entire race.” Looking as if he had remembered, Li Xue said, “I led the team myself to the race, and I was there to witness the process.”

“Four Japanese athletes had all reached the Olympics A-level standard; three of them participated in the Olympics. But Thailand only had one Olympic B-level standard athlete. The other three weren’t even B-level athletes. Yet Thailand won, through sound cooperation. The Thais cooperated smoothly. Whenever the athletes were running, the Japanese would always shorten the distance between them and Thailand, but after each baton exchange, Thailand always would widen the gap.

“I can still remember Japanese trump card Sasaki Akita’s painful look when he crossed the finish line. He was capable of being in the semi-finals in the Olympics, and was regarded as the best Asian sprinter, yet he finished in second place in the relay race in those Asian Games.”

Hearing the story, Dai Li couldn’t believe it.

The Olympics 100m sprint A-level standard was 10.21 seconds, while B-level was 10.28 seconds. This meant that there was a 0.7-second gap between A-level and B-level sprinters. Sasaki Akita was regarded as the first “Asian Flying Man,” as his score was close to ten seconds. The other Japanese athletes’ best scores were around 10.10 seconds.

But Thailand only had one B-level athlete, which indicated that, each Thai runner had a 0.2-second gap between them and the Japanese. The fact that Thailand had won the gold proved that the Thais had been at least 0.2 seconds quicker than the Japanese during the baton exchange.

Standing next to Dai Li, Li Xue concluded, “I use this example to tell you the importance of cooperation in the relay race. Therefore, the essence of relay race training is to develop and enhance cooperation within the team! This is our purpose!”

Chapter 200: Campaign for the Asian Games

There was a month left before the Asian Games would begin. The national team was the first to arrive in the host city, Xingkou.

The benefit of being the host city was that the athletes were already acclimated to the environment, especially the natural feeling and climate.

Each place had its own way of supporting its civilians. In ancient times, when medical conditions were undeveloped, many people who traveled long distances might die in foreign places. During that time, one had to risk their life to travel to other provinces.

As for athletes traveling for competitions, the most important thing was to adjust themselves to the new environment. Once one arrived at a new place, they would need to get acclimated to the climate, temperature, time difference, food, accommodations, etc. Athletes had to get used to the new environment and get comfortable as soon as possible so that they could perform better in their competitions.

The national team arrived at Xingkou City one month early in an effort to make athletes feel more comfortable in Xingkou.

Xingkou City was located in the southern part of the country, which provided a completely different climate from Huajing City. Moreover, the diet in Xingkou was abnormal for most northern athletes. The reason the team had arrived one month early was to ensure the athletes could get accustomed to the food.

The sprinting team was made up of five participants. Sijie Yang, Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao were the newcomers. Guohong Niu was the alternate for the relay race, and didn’t have any individual contest to worry about. Sijie Yang would participate in the 100m sprint, while Yue Zhao was here for the 200m sprint.

In addition, Jun Xie and Zitao Wei would also compete. The two had attended the last Olympic games, and were at the top level in Asia. They could definitely compete for a medal. In these Asian Games, the two would both participate in the 100m and 200m sprint.

To the national team, Sijie Yang and Guohong Niu were there to gain some experience; they represented the team’s future. Yue Zhao was the third participant for the 200m sprint, so the national team didn’t have much faith in him. The task of competing for a medal had been given to Jun Xie and Zitao Wei.

During this one-month period, besides regular training, the sprinting team had mainly focused on practicing for the relay race. As an alternate, Guohong Niu focused on it, while others like Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao also joined in. Dai Li had taken this chance to put the entire sprinting team into the System’s training list in order to gain experience points.

Four to five days before the Asian Games began, foreign teams gradually arrived in Xingkou City. The Asian Games were about to begin.

…

On the training field, the preliminary contest for the men’s 100m sprint was about to start.

Because many sprinters also had to compete in the 200m race, in order to reduce the athletes’ stress and fatigue, the 100m and 200m sprint were scheduled separately. The relay race was scheduled to be the final phase of the track and field competitions.

The three athletes for the 100m sprint were Jun Xie, Zitao Wei, and Sijie Yanghe. The first two had participated in the Olympics, although they had not achieved anything, they had been in big events before. When they stood on the field, they looked relaxed and comfortable.

In contrast, it was Sijie Yang’s first time in an international-level competition. It was no wonder he was anxious.

Fortunately, passing the preliminary contest was nothing difficult to Sijie Yang. The level of Asian athletics as a whole was too low; many participants in the preliminary contest were emphasizing participation. Countries like Timor-Leste and Maldives had sprinters who were amateurs, semi-professionals, or simply sprinting enthusiasts.

The national team coaches were concentrating on the strong components. Li Xue pointed at a black athlete and introduced him to Dai Li. “That man is Clark from Qatar! He is the current Asian Flying Man!”

Dai Li looked in his direction and saw a short black athlete. He was around 1.6 meters tall. He did not look very strong, and seemed old. He seemed to be in his forties, but according to his personal information, he was thirty years old.

Clark had been born in Kenya, then domesticated to Qatar. Two years later, he gave Qatar their first Asian Championship. After another two years, he succeeded in running under ten seconds, which broke the Asian record. He became the first “Asian” to run in under ten seconds.

Clark’s success had brought about a domestication trend in West Asia. Countries like Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain began to domesticate athletes from Africa. Therefore, in today’s Asian Games, many black athletes could be seen.

Li Xue pointed in another direction and said, “That’s Japan. See that coach whose hair is neatly combed? He used to be the king of Asian sprinting; Sasaki Akita!”

Compared to Clark, Sasaki Akita was more familiar to Dai Li. He represented an era of Asian sprinting.

Japan ruled the Asian sprinting world for about thirty years, during which emerged a “golden era.” Sasaki Akita was the representative during that time. After he retired, Sasaki Akita became the sprinting coach of the Japanese sprinting team, and had now returned to the Asian Games.

Li Xue continued, “Do you see the young man next to Sasaki Akita with cropped hair? He is the gifted sprinter Oda Shoki. Oda Shoki is twenty years old; he once ran 9.97 seconds in high school. Although his performance was influenced by wind, and wasn’t accepted as a record, he still amazed the Japanese athletic world.

“Oda Shoki was regarded as the future of Japanese sprinting. Even though he is only twenty, he has gained abundant experience. Last year, in the IAAF competition in Osaka, he was competing against the world’s top sprinters.”

“Competing against the world’s best sprinters? Was he on the worst of them all?” Dai Li smiled.

“No, he was second to last,” said Li Xue.

“Was there someone who couldn’t surpass him?” Dai Li asked with surprise.

“One athlete committed a false start and was punished for breaking rules, so that guy didn’t score. Oda Shoki was lucky to get second to last.” Li Xue continued, “Sijie Yang is only several months younger than Oda Shoki, so they are supposed to be opponents. But right now, Oda Shoki has more advantages and more experience than Sijie Yang.”

“The Japanese prefer to cultivate athletes by pulling prospects up in the hopes of helping them grow, which means sending groups of teenagers to international competitions to compete against twenty-year-old adults who are at the peak of their abilities. Once they win a game or two, the media keeps blabbering on about them. But once those ‘geniuses’ grow up, they will be forgotten,” Dai Li complained.

“This might be the nature of Japanese. They like to bet on the future with the present; but athletics require athletes to grow step by step. No one can turn into Superman in one night. So, most of the time, they seem to win at the time, but they lose their future,” replied Li Xue.

At that time, Dai Li had detected Oda Shoki. Oda had B+ talent on sprint, which was good, but was way lower than Sijie Yang. However, his ability points were pretty high, and much higher than Sijie Yang’s. Dai Li knew such ability points were accumulated through resources.

Japan was an island country, but it was also the second developed country in the world. They had world’s top sports training resources. When they put most of their resources into Oda Shoki, his ability would increase without a doubt.

In fact, Japanese athletes had similar characteristics. When they were young, they were considered “geniuses” who could only be seen once every century, and were expected to be future world champions, outperforming their peers in various competitions. However, once they grew up, they became ordinary, and were defeated by the others in contests.

Suddenly, the audience sighed in disappointment.

What? What happened? Dai Li looked around subconsciously. He could vaguely see from a distance that somebody needed help to leave the long jump sandpit. From the color of his uniform, it seemed to be an athlete from the national team.

“Our man got injured!” said Dai Li.

Meanwhile, Li Xue’s phone rang. He picked it up, and his face immediately became pale.

“In the men’s long jump final, Haiquan Fang twisted his ankle on his second attempt! I have to go and check on him,” Li Xue said hurriedly, walking towards that direction.

“I’ll go with you.” Dai Li chased after Li Xue without hesitation.

Chapter 201: Persistence

When Dai Li arrived, Haiquan Fang was already lying in the open space beside the playing area. Haiquan Fang had taken off his shoes. The team doctor was sitting beside him, examining his foot.

“How bad is it?” Li Xue asked eagerly.

The team doctor looked up and said, “The preliminary examination didn’t find any broken bones, and the joint is also OK; but there’s a muscle strain for sure. As for the ligament, I am not sure; it doesn’t seem to be very serious like a laceration, so I would guess it’s a ligament strain at most. I suggest he have an MRI inspection immediately. If his ligament is OK and he only has a muscle strain, he should avoid strenuous exercise for 2-3 days, and then he will have recovered.”

After hearing Haiquan Fang’s bone and joint were OK, Li Xue was a bit relieved. Beside Li Xue, the head coach responsible for the long jump asked, “Should we send Haiquan Fang to hospital now?”

“Do you really have to ask? What are you waiting for? Send him to hospital immediately!” Li Xue said snappily.

The head coach of the long jump team had been Li Xue’s subordinate for over ten years. He had been promoted by Li Xue as the head coach of long jump team. Because of this, Li Xue didn’t need to speak to him with courtesy.

“But Haiquan Fang doesn’t want to go to hospital; he wants to return to the match!” the coach of long jump team said.

“Can he return to the match in this condition?” Li Xue shouted angrily. His tone, along with his grisly-looking, made him really look like a monster.

“The current situation is quite promising, so Haiquan Fang doesn’t want to give up.” The long jump coach paused, then continued, “To be honest, I also don’t want to give up. It would really be a pity to give up now.”

“What’s your point?” Li Xue asked.

“During the first trial jump, Haiquan Fang’s result was 7.87 meters, which ranked 1st among all athletes. This result could ensure that Haiquan Fang enters the top 8.” As the long jump coach was speaking, he looked at the distant scoreboard. He continued, “During the second trial jump, there was still no one who could surpass Haiquan Fang. The third trial jump is happening right now, and Haiquan Fang is still in first place.”

Frowning, Li Xue was absorbed in thought.

Although 7.87 meters could not win the championship in the Asian Games, it was still a satisfactory guarantee result. An athlete who could achieve such a result on their first trial jump could choose a more risky technique in the next 5 trial jumps to strive for a score over eight meters. A score over eight meters could ensure a medal in the long jump event of the Asian Games.

“It’s time for Haiquan Fang’s third trial jump!” a game official said.

“We forfeit the third trial jump,” the long jump coach said without hesitation. Then he looked at Li Xue. It was quite obvious that the coach was waiting for Li Xue’s final decision.

“Just send Haiquan Fang to hospital!” finally Li Xue said.

“No, I want to continue,” Haiquan Fang suddenly said loudly.

Li Xue went and tried to persuade Haiquan Fang. “Haiquan Fang, I remember that two months from now you will be eighteen, right? You are so young; you still have a lot of opportunities in the future. At your age, it should be no problem for you to attend the next two, or even three Asian Games.”

“Moreover, you are very gifted, so you are bound to take part in the international matches. The IAAF Diamond League, the Track & Field World Cup, the World Athletics Championships, and the Olympics Games are your stage. This is only the Asian Games; you don’t need to push yourself so hard.”

A flash of hesitation appeared in the eyes of Haiquan Fang, but he still shook his head.

“Coach Xue, I want to continue. This is my game; I should hold on. So many people are watching me. I believe I can jump!” Haiquan Fang said resolutely.

“Haiquan, even though we are the host city this time around, you don’t need to take on any psychological burden. You quit the game because of injury; we understand that, and the audience will also understand. Furthermore, today you give up temporarily just in order to accomplish better things in the future!” Li Xue continued trying to persuade Haiquan Fang.

“But I want to win!”

Li Xue sighed helplessly. As a coach with decades of coaching experience, he could understand how Haiquan Fang was feeling. However, Li Xue still tried to persuade Haiquan Fang, saying, “You are injured right now. In your current state, even if you return to the match, you cannot obtain a satisfactory result. And if you get injured again in your current condition, it will be more troublesome. Your professional career could take a toll.”

The third round of trial jump was about to end.

“As for the other two players of our team, Yi Li ranks 4th right now, and Jinrui Liu ranks 7th. Only one player hasn’t had their third trial jump. This player is relatively weak; even if he gets a good score, Yi Li and Dawei Liu can also enter the top eight smoothly,” the long jump coach whispered to Li Xue.

“Very good!” Li Xue nodded his head satisfactorily.

“What about me? Am I still No. 1?” Haiquan Fang asked.

The long jump coach hesitated for a moment, but said eventually, “Right now, your score of 7.87 meters still ranks 1st among all competitors.”

“Coach Xue, I want to return to the match! Please!” With his hands on the ground, Haiquan Fang tried to stand up. His eyes were filled with the want to win.

A sorry expression could be seen on Li Xue’s face. Haiquan Fang was in a quite favorable position now. The first 3 trial jumps had already been completed, yet Haiquan Fang still ranked 1st. According to the game rules, Haiquan Fang could perform the worst of all the athletes in the final three trial jumps and still win.

If no one gets a score better than 7.87 meters in the last three trial jumps, Haiquan Fang will win the championship!

The thought flashed Li Xue’s mind; however, he knew it was impossible. After all, this was the Asian Games, which was filled with elite athletes from all across Asia, including the “immigrant legion” of countries in Western Asia. It was impossible for a score of 7.87 meters to win the championship.

“Coach, please give me one chance! Please! Just one jump!” Haiquan Fang continued to beg Li Xue for an opportunity.

At that moment, Dai Li finally said, “Coach, just give him a chance!”

“How could you mess with him?” Li Xue glanced at Dai Li questionably. “His injury could be serious. How could he return to the match?”

“Coach, I was Haiquan Fang’s coach when he was on the youth team. I’m worried about his injury too,” Dai Li said, “However, he is quite stubborn. He will never stop until he reaches his goal. So just let him have another jump.”

“What about the injury in his leg? What should we do if his injury is aggravated?” Li Xue asked back.

Dai Li said immediately, “Let me give him a massage first to alleviate the pain. If his injury is not very serious, he should be able to finish one trial jump after the massage.”

Chapter 202: Hang On

According to the diagnosis of the team doctor, Haiquan Fang had not hurt his bone or joint. The worst case scenario would be a ligament strain; it could also just be a muscle strain. Therefore, Dai Li had volunteered to give a massage to Haiquan Fang. If Haiquan Fang’s injury had been very serious, Dai Li would not have had the guts to stand up.

Dai Li’s rehabilitative massage could not cure traumatic injuries, but it was very helpful for injury recovery. Regardless of if it was a ligament strain or a normal muscle strain, the rehabilitative massage would be effective. At the very least, it could alleviate Haiquan Fang’s pain. Together with the effect of low-temperature analgesic spray, Haiquan Fang should be able to handle a trial jump.

Li Xue also knew Dai Li’s massage was very effective. Before, Dai Li had given massage treatments to the athletes of the national team who had suffered from sprains. The alleviation effect of his treatments was very obvious.

“Dai Li, do we have enough time for the massage? What are the odds of recovery?” Li Xue couldn’t help asking.

“I’m uncertain about the odds, but I can at least give it a try.” As Dai Li said this, he squatted beside Haiquan Fang and said to Li Xue, “Coach, please buy me as much time as you can.”

Without any hesitation, Li Xue took out his cell phone and dialed a number.

“Director Chen, I am Li Xue of the Track and Field Team. We need your help for an urgent incident. We need some extra time before the long jump final. Yes, just postpone the game! We are the host, so it shouldn’t be very difficult to postpone the match for a bit, right?”

A moment later, Li Xue hung up and said to Dai Li, “The third trial jump has just finished. The appearing sequence of the athletes will be reset according to the results. I bought you fifteen minutes in this period, and that’s as much as you’re going to get; don’t expect more.”

…

After three trial jumps, some were happy with the results, while others were sad. The happy ones were the top eight players, naturally, while the sad ones were the bottom four athletes, who had already been knocked out.

Three players of the national team had entered the top eight. Besides them, three players from the Saudi Arabian team had also entered the top eight. Therefore, the last three trial jumps would be a competition between the players from these two countries.

In the athletes’ preparation area, Sardo, a Saudi-Arabian player, was quite anxious.

“Why hasn’t the fourth trial jump started? They only need to reset the appearing sequence according to the results; why do they need such a long time?” Sardo complained.

The head coach of the Saudi-Arabian team besides him consoled him immediately, saying, “Sardo, take it easy. The game should start soon.”

“I have been waiting for more than ten minutes! Now I am only second. I will surpass the guy in first place in the next three trial jumps. How could I be defeated by a nobody?”

As an immigrant athlete, Sardo’s ancestral home was in Morocco, Africa, which was a country dominated by Arabians. Because of an identical religion and culture, many middle-east countries recruited immigrant athletes from Morocco.

Sardo was one of the best immigrant athletes. In the last Asian Games, he had won a long jump gold medal for the Saudi-Arabian team. This time, he was determined to defend his championship. From a performance perspective, Sardo was indeed strong enough to win the championship. The threshold result of eight meters was not a difficult task for Sardo.

Perhaps because of his eagerness of win, Sardo had chosen the risky technique for his first three trial jumps, among which only one jump had been successful; the other two jumps had failed. However, the result of his successful jump was 7.85 meters, which ranked 2nd among all participants.

Of course, Sardo was not satisfied with 2nd place; he wanted to win the championship by sweeping the other players. What he had not expected, however, was the emergence of Haiquan Fang, who had ruined his plan. More importantly, Haiquan Fang was an unknown newbie in the international matches. How could Sardo tolerate being defeated by a novice athlete?

Because of this, Sardo eagerly hoped the match would start immediately. He planned to obtain a score that would be enough to win the championship. He hated being in 2nd place, especially behind Haiquan Fang.

Beside him, the coach of the Saudi-Arabian team said, “Sardo, take your time. Sooner or later the championship will be yours. The guy who ranks 1st now was injured in the second trial jump. He has forfeited his third trial jump, which means his injury is too serious, and he cannot return to the match. I think he will continue to forfeit his last three trial jumps.”

“The match didn’t start until now; it’s possible that they postponed the match to buy time for his treatment!” Sardo had seen a lot of things in his time, so he realized what was going on.

“I have spoken with the judge, and the judge told me the match has to be postponed for fifteen minutes to cooperate with the TV broadcast,” the coach of the Saudi-Arabian team said, “It is quite normal. The matches broadcasted on TV always consider their sponsors. Even the Super Bowl has commercial breaks! Besides, it’s only fifteen minutes. Do you really think they could help the injured guy return to the match in fifteen minutes? If they could, this guy wouldn’t have forfeited his third jump!”

…

Fifteen minutes flew by quickly. The fourth trial jump had begun.

“How is he?” Li Xue asked anxiously.

“Wait a moment, he is still not OK.” Dai Li was still performing the rehabilitative massage for Haiquan Fang.

“But the fourth trial jump has begun!” With his brows knitted, Li Xue watched the athletes who were getting ready in the waiting area.

“Forfeit the fourth trial jump!” Dai Li said resolutely.

Li Xue didn’t speak, for it was time for Jinrui Liu, another athlete on the national team, to jump. Jinrui Liu sprung into the air; when he landed, his heels were pressed exactly on the8-meter mark.

“8 meters! Jinrui Liu, well done!” Li Xue clenched his fists excitedly.

Haiquan Fang became even more anxious. The emergence of a better result made him want to return to the playing area.

“Steady; be patient! Take a deep breath,” Dai Li said. Haiquan Fang listened to Dai Li’s instructions and adjusted his breathing, trying to suppress his anxiety.

“The result of the Saudi-Arabian player, Mubarah, is 7.92 meters!”

“The result of the Qatar player, Emir, is 7.98 meters!”

The players began to do their best on the fourth trial jump, and their results reflected it; they had improved remarkably.

Finally, Sardo, the long jump champion of the last Asian Games, stood in the run-up area.

Now the highest result is 8.02 meters. My result will exceed 8.10 meters to ensure the championship!

After taking a deep breath, Sardo began his run-up..

“Hah!” As Sardo shouted, he sprung up high into the air; he completed a walking movement in the air before landing in the sandpit steadily.

“He jumped past the 8-meter line.” Li Xue felt something tug at his heart. The game official reported the score: 8.11 meters.

“8.11 meters could win championship. Of course it’s Sardo; it seems like he could probably defend his championship!”

Sardo walked out of the playing area with an elated look on his face. He was now in first place, and his lead was quite large. In Asia, only a few player’s could reach 8.11 meters.

Seeing the score of 8.11 meters, Haiquan Fang tried to stand up; but his legs were pressed down tightly by Dai Li.

“Just hang on! You have forfeited your fourth trial jump!” Dai Li looked at Haiquan Fang seriously. “Now you have only one chance, so you have to wait until the end when your leg has recovered more.”

Haiquan Fang clenched his teeth and held back again.

…

The coach of the Saudi-Arabian team was smiling. “Sardo, I told you the injured guy would not return to the playing area; he has forfeited his fourth jump.”

“He really made me nervous. I thought he could be a dark horse!” Sardo’s face lit up.

“OK, Sardo, now you are No. 1; you will have more advantages during the appearance sequence. You should try to score a better score next time. I believe the championship will be yours!”

Chapter 203: Fly

“Forfeit the fifth trial jump!” Dai Li said directly without raising his head.

Haiquan Fang clenched his teeth and held back the urge to return to the match.

If an unfamiliar coach had asked him to hold back, Haiquan Fang was so stubborn that he might have kicked the coach away. However, the one who was speaking to him was Dai Li, the first coach Haiquan Fang had had when he became a professional athlete. Out of the reverence and respect he had for Dai Li, Haiquan Fang had to hold back.

“Haiquan, I still remember that when I first met you, you told me you liked the long jump and the feeling of flying in the air,” Dai Li said as he raised his head, “Now your goal has been achieved; you are a professional long jump athlete and you have been admitted to the national team. You practice the long jump every day. Is it boring?”

Haiquan Fang pondered a moment, then said, “Sometimes it is a little bit boring. Every day I keep jumping, and it gets boring. But on the national team, everyone is like this.”

“Yes. On the national team, everyone is working hard; everyone is longing for victory and championships!” Dai Li paused, then asked, “Haiquan, do you want be a champion?”

“Of course!” Haiquan Fang answered without any hesitation.

“Why?” Dai Li continued to ask.

Haiquan Fang was speechless. He could not answer the question, for he had never thought about why he needed a championship.

“You don’t have an answer?” Dai Li changed the topic and asked, “Do you remember the Provincial Youth Games? You defeated Gang Yang on the last jump and won the championship. Was the feeling wonderful?

“Now, for the second time, you only have one jump left again, and your opponent has taken the lead, just like in those Youth Games.” Dai Li stopped his massage and said, “You like the feeling of flying in the air, but you should get more enjoyment from the sense of accomplishment that comes from defeating your opponents! Think about it; when you defeat strong opponents one after another, do you have an indescribable sense of satisfaction in your heart? Really think; when you are standing on the top of the winner’s podium, is the feeling wonderful?”

“Sometimes you don’t need a reason to pursue victory.” As Dai Li said this, he picked up a low-temperature analgesic spray and sprayed it on Haiquan Fang’s leg.

“OK, go and get yourself prepared for the last trial jump. Go and defeat your opponent!” Dai Li helped Haiquan Fang stand up and watched him walk to the preparation area.

“Go and fly!” Dai Li murmured to himself.

…

Sardo stood in the run-up area for the 6th time.

He looked quite relaxed and excited. He forced himself to be serious, but still could not hide the joy he was feeling.

Sardo’s score of 8.11 meters still ranked 1st, and this was only the trial jump. Another six players before him had failed to surpass him. Sardo thought the gold medal was already his.

As for Haiquan Fang, who had gone last, Sardo had already forgotten about him. Haiquan Fang had forfeited three trial jumps, so Sardo thought Haiquan Fang had given up.

As long as I finish this jump, I will be the champion. Sardo took a deep breath and concentrated all his attention on the jump, then began his run-up.

Take off, flight, landing… Sardo finished all the movements in one motion and landed steadily at the 8-meter line. Although this trial jump had not surpassed his best score, it was still a successful trial jump.

Sardo raised his hands in celebration as he walked out of the sandpit. At the same time, deafening cheers burst out of the grandstand.

“Thank you! Thank you all!” Sardo was very happy; he had not expected the audience to be so enthusiastic in congratulating his win. Sardo’s face was filled with a winner’s smile. He waved to the grandstand and posed with a handsome gesture so that a reporter could take his picture. To Sardo’s surprise, however, all the reporters were still in the interview preparation area, and nobody had approached him.

These reporters are so unprofessional! Don’t they know they should take pictures of the champion and interview him? As Sardo complained to himself, he turned around to wave to the grandstand on the other side. As he turned around, however, he saw an athlete standing in the run-up area.

It’s him; the guy that was injured in the second trial jump. How could he return to the match? Sardo’s expression suddenly changed.

At this moment, Sardo finally realized the reason for the resounding cheers and applause that had burst from the grandstand. The audiences weren’t celebrating his lead, but the return of their host city athlete. The reporters had not come to take pictures of him because the match had not finished yet.

You are back, so what? You only have one trial jump left, and you are injured. You have no chance at all. Sardo curled his lip disdainfully.

…

The return of an injured athlete who had limped out of the playing area deserved the applause of the audience. Moreover, as an athlete from the host city, the return of Haiquan Fang triggered the deafening cheers of the audiences.

Standing on the track of the run-up area, Haiquan Fang’s ears were filled with the thunderous cheers of the audience. Suddenly he felt a sense of responsibility.

They are cheering for me! They are encouraging me! Haiquan Fang looked at the scoreboard unconsciously. The score of 8.11 meters on the top caught his eyes immediately.

The sense of accomplishment comes from the defeat of opponents! Haiquan Fang suddenly felt like his heart was filled with strong sense of expectation.

I managed to return to the match to surpass him; to surpass everyone! Haiquan Fang’s eyes were filled with resolution

He began his run-up by completely ignoring his leg injury. In fact, Haiquan Fang had forgotten his injury altogether in that moment. His foot stepped on the take-off board, and when the judge raised the white flag, he sprung into the air.

Haiquan Fang had used up all his strength for this one jump. Haiquan Fang was really flying like a bird.

Just fly! Dai Li said to himself again, hopeful.

Tens of thousands of pairs of eyes in the stadium were fixed on Haiquan Fang. All Haiquan Fang saw, however, was the blue sky.

The sky is so beautiful! Suddenly, Haiquan Fang calmed down. This was the feeling of flying in the air, which was his favorite feeling.

The next moment, he looked into the distance and noticed the 8-meter line next to the sandpit in the corner of his eye.

I will fly over it! This was the only conviction left in Haiquan Fang’s heart, who started to extend his legs forward strenuously.

I can fly even farther! Haiquan Fang kept his balance. He tried to keep his body in the air as long as possible.

Finally, Haiquan Fang landed in sandpit and left a clear mark in the sand.

“What is the result?” All the coaches of the national team stretched out their necks and looked at the mark that had been left in the sandpit.

“It is over 8.10 meters! He has a chance!” The long jump coach was the first to roar.

The game official announced the score soon after. Haiquan Fang’s score for his last jump was 8.13 meters.

“8.13 meters! We won! We have won the match! Haiquan has won! His last jump was a buzzer beater!”

…

Buzzer beater! This thought jumped into Sardo’s mind. He really could not believe what was happening in front of his eyes. One minute ago, he had still been celebrating his victory; in one minute, however, his gold medal had turned into a silver medal.

Haiquan Fang was looking at the scoreboard next to the playing area. The top score had been changed from Sardo’s 8.11 meters to his 8.13 meters.

What Coach Li said was right. It is a great sense of accomplishment to defeat the opponent!

Chapter 204: The Reason I Can’t Lose

The result of Haiquan Fang’s first trial jump had ranked 1st; he had gotten injured in his second trial jump, and forfeited his next three trial jumps. In the end, however, he had still managed to win the championship with a “buzzer beater” on his last trial jump. It had been quite phenomenal for Haiquan Fang to win the gold medal.

After the award ceremony, Haiquan Fang was sent to hospital for a diagnosis immediately. The final examination result reassured the national team. Haiquan Fang only had a muscle strain; after 3 -4 days of rest, he would be fully recovered.

The matches of the Asian Games were still ongoing. The next big event in the track and field category would be the men’s 100m sprint.

As the last match the next day, the final competition, the 100m sprint, was also the highest-profile match. Two players from the national team, Jun Xie and Sijie Yang, had entered the final match.

“Zitao Wei was not lucky. He was knocked out in the ‘group of death’ during the semi-final; otherwise he definitely would have been good enough to get into the final match,” Li Xue exclaimed indignantly.

The national team was not strong enough to dominate Asia in the 100m sprinting event. In East Asia, Sunshine Oda, the sprinting star of the Japanese team, was quite strong. His performance in the second-round match and semi-final had been very impressive.

Of the west Asian “immigrant legion,” besides Clark, who held the Asian record, Oneida, another immigrant athlete of Qatar, also competed well and entered the final match successfully. As an immigrant athlete from Africa, the UAE athlete Sarafa had also qualified for the final match.

Thus, among the eight athletes in the final match, three of them were black immigrant athletes from Africa.

“Sijie Yang, you are in lane 2. On your left will be Xianlong Chen from Singapore, and on your right will be Sunshine Oda, the star from Japan!” Dai Li looked at the list of athletes and said, “Lane 2 is not the best, but it’s still a good one.

“Xianlong Chen is a veteran; he once reached the standard B-level of the Olympic Games, and attended the last Olympic Games. As for Sunshine Oda, he is regarded as a once-every-century sprinting talent by the Japanese. He is close in age to you. He is currently a student at Tokyo University, which is very much like you, for you are also a brilliant student from Tsinghua University!” Dai Li continued.

Sijie Yang suddenly frowned, and a flash of disgust could be seen in his eyes.

Dai Li noticed Sijie Yang’s mood change. He smiled and said, “Why? You don’t like Japan? You are a man of national integrity.”

“My father’s laboratory was almost ruined by the Japanese!” Sijie Yang explained, “For the research project my father was awarded a Nobel Prize for, when the first stage research results came out, Tokyo University said they would provide research funding of three million USD, but they wanted to share the final research results.

“That was more than twenty years ago, yet they wanted to trade Nobel Prize-level research results for only three million USD. Tokyo University was so cheap!” Dai Li couldn’t help complaining.

“But back then a lot of people wanted that three million USD; I’m talking about some administration departments. They asked my father to accept Tokyo University’s request so that they could get a share from the fund. Moreover, the foreign exchange earnings of three million USD could also be considered an administrative achievement by some officials.”

Sijie Yang paused, then continued, “However, my father refused, which also offended those people. After that, my father’s laboratory entered a period of hard times. Their research funding was deducted, their application to hire more research staff was rejected, and the experimental materials they used were embezzled. Even the payment of the laboratory’s utility expenses was delayed for several months.”

Dai Li sighed slightly. Many people only focused on the immediate interests, ignoring the greater benefits in the future.

Dai Li had also used to curse their short-sighted behavior, but later realized the main reason had not been because of their nearsightedness. Most of the time, for decision makers, the immediate interests were their own; they wouldn’t be able to enjoy the greater benefit in the future.

This was similar to the research funding of three million USD, which was a substantial achievement for some officials. As for the Nobel Prize, it was something that would not be realized until over ten years later; by that time, those same officials may have been promoted or retired. In addition, no one would take on the responsibility of selling the Nobel Prize research results to Tokyo University at a very low price over ten years ago.

Lin Yang’s refusal had apparently hurt the interests of these people, so their revenge was inevitable. Therefore, the fund deduction, the rejection of staff recruitment application and experiment material embezzlement were quite normal.

Sijie Yang continued, “Fortunately, my father didn’t burn all his bridges. He hid some critical research results. After the deduction of their research funding, he publicized these critical results, which made a splash in the industry and also drew the attention of high level management. It was because of this that my father managed to continue his research.”

This was the first time Dai Li had heard about these issues. The history of Lin Yang winning the Nobel Prize had already been documented in literature, and had been published in installments in the newspapers during that time. It had even been compiled in the textbooks. It was a household name at the time.

However, the fund deduction, rejection of staff recruitment applications, and experiment material embezzlement Sijie Yang had just told him had never been mentioned in the news reports. Such things would be buried in the ashes of history if they were not mentioned by the concerned parties personally.

Sijie Yang continued, “In fact, this was just the beginning. Along with the implementation of my father’s research, he needed to purchase some more advanced research equipment, some of which could only be manufactured in Japan. Therefore, Tokyo University asked the manufacturer to reject the purchase application of my father’s laboratory with their influence. They wanted to postpone the progress of my father’s laboratory.

“Meanwhile, Tokyo University also spent a lot of money hiring research staff from my father’s laboratory, and even bought off some of his research staff to disclose the progress and data of the research in my father’s laboratory.”

Dai Li could understand the refusal to sell experiment equipment. All transactions should be based on the consensus of the buyer and seller; a mandatory purchase or sale wouldn’t work. The seller had been willing to lose money in the business, so the buyer could not say anything else. Moreover, the technology blockade of the western world against China hadn’t been stopped for over fifty years, which Dai Li has already gotten used to.

Hiring research staff by providing a high salary was also acceptable. As the old saying goes, man struggles upwards. Everybody wants a better working environment, a higher salary, and a more promising future. Everybody wants to have a better life and more disposable money. It is impossible to ask everybody to make unselfish contributions without a reward.

However, buying off research personnel to steal experiment data had gone beyond the moral line. Sometimes people resorted to every conceivable means to win, but the behavior of Tokyo University should have been considered a crime.

“After that, my father’s laboratory got the results of the research first. They also registered the patent for their results. However, Tokyo University was unwilling to accept their failure, and filed for patent litigation in the European and American countries by accusing my father of plagiarizing their research results. Even though Tokyo University lost the case in the end, the litigation really hurt my father’s reputation, and even influenced the selection for the Nobel Prize. If the Japanese hadn’t filed the litigation, my father would have won the Nobel Prize five years earlier!” Sijie Yang said resentfully.

For people who engaged in scientific research, five years were nothing; however, for the Nobel Prize winners, five years were of great significance. If Lin Yang had won the Nobel Prize five years earlier, he would have established his position in the academic circle earlier; he could have grasped the discourse power in Chinese research earlier; he could have struggled for a better research program for China. The economic benefit of winning the Nobel Prize earlier also had to be taken into consideration.

Dai Li asked with emotion, “So this Sunshine Oda should be a deadly foe of your family. Do you want to avenge your father in the match?”

Sijie Yang nodded, his eyes full of resolution. “Even if only for my father, I will never lose to this Sunshine Oda! I will get revenge for my father.”

Chapter 205: An Unexpected Accident

Standing in front of the starting block, the Qatar player Clark was twisting his joints slightly.

Clark had been born in a village in Kenya. For generations, his family had been peasants living off of planting cassava. Cassava is a common crop in the tropical area, which doesn’t need fine management, and has a high output and good drought resistance. Every year after the sowing period, the cassava could bear very large fruits, even without watering and fertilization.

Clark’s family had a lot of land, so his family could keep themselves from starving by planting cassava. The eldest generation of Clark’s family led quite a leisurely life every day. Two pieces of cassava would be enough for a day’s rations. After eating, they would hang out in the village, or just sleep in the shade of a tree.

However, Clark did not want to lead a life of sitting around like the generations that had come before him. He did not want to be a peasant all his life; but Kenya had almost no industries, nor a service sector. Outside of being a peasant, there was nothing he could do. As a result, Clark had to engage in sports like many other Kenyans, for it was one of the only ways Kenyans could change their fate.

The event Clark had chosen was long-distance running, which was one of Kenya’s strongest events. As the world’s superpower in middle- and long-distance running, Kenya had cultivated many middle- and long-distance running champions.

However, Clark was not gifted in long-distance running; but his powerful explosive force and quick strides were quite impressive, so he was chosen by the coach of the sprinting team. Ever since then, he had had his sprinting career.

After shifting his focus to sprinting, Clark had achieved many things; soon after he made the switch, he became the national sprinting champion of Kenya. It was also at this time that Qatar came to him in hopes that he could work for Qatar as an immigrant athlete.

Through revenue of petroleum and natural gas, the per capita GDP of Qatar had always been among the top three in the word. For Clark, Qatar was extremely wealthy, and a place where he could make a lot of money. Therefore, he took on the Qatar nationality without any hesitation.

As a black athlete, Clark was not the best athlete in the world. However, he could defeat the Asian athletes easily. Since Clark’s naturalization, he had won many Asian championships for Qatar, including the championship in the last Asian Game’s 100m sprint.

Clark also received a profitable return for these championships. Because he was an immigrant athlete, the people of Qatar did not consider him a hero of their country. However, money was not a problem for Qatar. Clark’s salary was very high, and he also received a decent-sized bonus for each championship he won.

Clark was now thirty. As a sprinter, he had entered the later stage of his career. In fact, Clark knew he was definitely older than thirty. His parents were illiterates without any education. They even needed a lot of time to finish addition and subtraction with numbers below ten. Therefore, the age of Clark was just a rough estimate they had made. Even when Clark looked in the mirror, he himself did not believe he was only thirty.

Because of this, Clark was devoured by a sense of crisis. He was eager to make more money so that he could have a comfortable life after his retirement. This was also the reason he had attended all kinds of matches frequently in the last two years.

The Asian Games were always a good chance for him to make money. He had won the championship in the last Asian Games, so if he could defend his title, Qatar would definitely give him a large bonus. As he thought about it, Clark couldn’t help bending over and rubbing his shin.

His shin was not in good condition. As a small sprinter with a fast stride, it was normal for him to have accumulated injuries in his legs over time, let alone in the matches he had attended frequently in the last two years. Without sufficient rest, his legs had been further overwhelmed.

After this Asian Games, I shall take a long vacation. As Clark thought this to himself, he stood on the starting block.

Looking at the opponents on his left and right, Clark felt quite assured. Among these opponents was someone he recognized and someone that was new to him. But it was certain that he was the only one whose result could be under ten seconds among all eight athletes.

The starter signaled to the athletes so that they could get fully prepared, then raised the starting pistol.

At the sound of the starting pistol, the players rushed out from the starting line. Clark’s starting phase was very successful; he had almost taken the lead in the very beginning of the match.

The stride rate of the small sprinters was always fast. Athletes whose stride rate was fast would be advantageous in the beginning phase of the match. Normally, in the first thirty meters, athletes whose stride rate was fast would take the lead, and at the very least would not fall behind.

“Clark is taking lead; he is in great shape today.”

“No wonder he is the No. 1 sprinter in Asia. It seems like Clark is determined to defend his championship!”

“I wonder whether Clark’s time can be under ten seconds again.”

As people were exclaiming, Clark suddenly faltered and lost his balance.

“What happened?”

This unexpected accident surprised everyone, including Clark.

My leg! Clark suddenly felt a twitch in his right shin bone.

This kind of twitch probably would not have caused a tumble if the person was walking; however, during the 100m sprint, the athletes were running at a very high speed. This sudden twitch in the shin would stop the power output of one’s leg, which was equivalent to the loss of support in a leg. Therefore, it could result in a serious fall of the athlete.

Oh, no! Clark tried to stabilize his body and keep his balance, but it was all in vain.

As Clark was about to fall, he tried to grab something out of instinct. It was also at this moment that a figure ran by Clark, and was grasped by him coincidentally. That figure was the Qatari player Oneida, who was Clark’s fellow countryman. Oneida was in the lane adjacent to Clark’s.

Clark had lost his balance, so he had grabbed Oneida in passing and transferred his center of gravity to Oneida instantly. Oneida was also running at a high speed, so he also lost his balance and fell in the other direction because of Clark.

Jun Xie, an athlete on the national team, was in the lane right next to Oneida’s. Jun Xie had been running desperately when someone suddenly rammed into him from the side. It was too late for Jun Xie to evade the guy. Jun Xie collided with Oneida. In the collision, their knees also bumped into one another when their bodies made contact.

The next second, Oneida and Jun Xie fell forward simultaneously. They had been running too fast, so they even rolled over a few times on the ground.

“Oh, oh, oh….” Exclamations came from the stands. It had all happened so quickly. Before some of the audience had realized what had happened, three athletes had fallen to the ground.

It was quite normal for athletes to collide with one another in long-distance running; however, the collision of athletes in the 100m sprint was very rare.

Moreover, this collision was quite serious. Triggered by Clark, who was the defending champ and Asian record holder, this high-speed collision had knocked down three athletes at the same time.

Clark’s ability was better than the other athletes. Before the match, he had once been considered the athlete who would certainly win the championship; but now he was lying on the ground during the match.

As for Oneida and Jun Xie, who had been affected by Clark, they were also powerful players; both of them had stood a chance to win a medal.

The athletes who had had the best chance to win medals had dropped out of the match because of their collision, which meant three vacancies had been created. The power gap between the rest of the athletes was not large; so the result of the 100m sprint had become uncertain.

“It’s a good opportunity!” Akita Sasaki shook his fists excitedly.

Among the rest of the five athletes on the track, there were two players from the Japanese team. Moreover, the top three players had dropped out, so Sunshine Oda had a chance to win the gold medal.

As he realized this, Akita Sasaki couldn’t help yelling, “Come on, Sunshine Oda!”

Chapter 206: Fight for My Father

The face of the Qatari Team’s coach was filled with shock, disappointment, anxiety, and helplessness.

Clark, Qatar’s ace sprinter, had tumbled suddenly; when he fell, he had knocked down his teammate Oneida accidentally. All the members of the Qatari Team were wiped out in a blink.

Oneida was also an immigrant, a black athlete of Qatar from Africa. He was not as strong as Clark; however, because of his physical advantage and the gift many black athletes had in sprinting, Oneida also stood a chance at winning a medal.

But now, Clark’s gold medal hopes were gone along with Oneida’s medal. The Qatari Team coach experienced the feeling of falling between two stools suddenly.

Another guy who had the same expression was Li Xue, since Jun Xie from the national team had also been affected by this accident. Jun Xie had attended the Olympic Games with a result that had reached the standard A of the Olympic Games, so the probability for him to win a medal at the Asian Games was very high. Li Xue had planned to have Jun Xie receive a medal for the 100m sprint, but his hopes were dashed.

In comparison, the coach of the Japanese Team instantly became excited. Sasaki Akita was even cheering loudly.

…

On the track, Oda Sunshine couldn’t hear Sasaki Akita’s cheers at all. The area was so noisy that he couldn’t clearly hear what people were shouting.

In fact, many sprinters’ minds had gone blank during the 100m sprint; all they knew was that they had to keep running forward.

Those athletes who had more experience in competition would keep an eye on the position of their opponents, pay attention to their own pace, and make adjustments during the match.

However, Oda Sunsine knew his opportunity had come.

The three athletes who had just been knocked down had been strong enough to win medals, so they were faster than the rest of the runners. Therefore, Oda Sunshine who had been running behind them witnessed the collision. He also knew his opportunity to win the championship had come.

Champion of the Asian Games! This title flashed in Oda Sunshine’s mind. The championship was his goal for the following four years, but he suddenly found that he could realize his dream that day!

Oda Sunshine couldn’t help but look around. Now, five athletes were running on the track. The gap in ability among them was not large, so the space between them wasn’t large enough to determine the winner.

A figure on the left of Oda Sunshine was especially advancing on him, shoulder to shoulder. It was Sijie Yang.

No wonder this Sijie Yang could enter the final match, he’s really something. But in Asia, I’m the best among my peers. This Sijie Yang is a few months younger than me, so he’s absolutely no match for me!

Before the match, Oda Sunshine had also looked through the materials of the other athletes who had entered the final match. He knew Sijie Yang was a few months younger than him. Oda Sunshine was quite confident of his power in front of his peers.

His self-confidence came from the flattery of others. Oda was born in Osaka, and he was regarded as the sprinting genius of Osaka when he was in middle school. When he was a high school student, he was even described as the sprinting genius of all of Japan.

As a sophomore during a national high school game, Oda Sunshine had created a record of 9.97 seconds with the help of high winds. At that moment, he had turned into the hope for the future of Japan’s sprinting, and was even called the future best sprinter in Asia by the Japanese media.

From high school to university, Oda Sunshine kept wearing the halo of “genius.” In addition, in order to refine his skills, Japan had sent him to attend many international matches. Oda Sunshine had even raced against Gittell, the best sprinter in the world. Although he was left in the dust by those powerful black athletes in every match, his overreaching attempts to improve had given Oda Sunshine abundant experience for large scale matches. At least he was the best among the young athletes in Asia who were under 20.

At this moment, Oda Sunshine was so confident that he believed he could leave Sijie Yang behind in the next 10 meters.

…

With his heart filled with fighting will, Sijie Yang didn’t care about the three players who had tumbled to the ground at all. The only thing he wanted to do was defeat Oda Sunshine.

I shall never lose to this Japanese! I must win for the honor of my father!

At this moment, the figure of his father was in Sijie Yang’s mind. Deep in his heart, Sijie Yang had always adored his father. Although he wasn’t a great scientist like his father, he had always regarded his father as his role-model. When he thought of the unfair treatment his father received in those years, his chest was filled with righteous indignation, and he was also eager to get revenge for him.

But actually, those things had occurred over twenty years ago, so they had nothing to do with Oda Sunshine. In addition, scientific research and sports belonged to two totally different fields. Personally, it was childish for Sijie Yang to vent his resentments about Oda Sunshine.

As a matter of fact, this was quite like those airhead fans who adored handsome young males. If their idol was criticized by anyone, these fans would denounce the criticizer definitively. In case dispute arose between fan groups of two idols, a crazy flame war would be triggered between the fan groups. People had even become accustomed to physical confrontation between the fans.

Now, Sijie Yang was a diehard fan of Lin Yang. As Lin Yang’s son and the person nearest and dearest to him, Sijie Yuang had been living in the radiance of his “Noble Prize father” since his childhood. His adoration of his father was no less than the religious beliefs of fanatical religious believers.

Now is my father still in the laboratory or has he come home? I suppose he’s at home. Maybe he’s sitting in front of the TV and watching me! As he thought of this, Sijie Yang’s eyes were burning.

Sijie Yang was eager to get attention from his father, but he was more eager to prove himself in front of his father. He was just like a fanatic groupie who was too excited to sleep for days because a celebrity had waved at him.

My father is watching my match! I won’t fail, and I won’t ever lose to that Oda Sunshine!

This strong belief kept Sijie Yuang focused. At this moment, he felt he was full of inexhaustible strength.

…

One second had passed, and the athletes on the track had moved forward another 10 meters.

The UAE athlete, Sarafa, looked to his left, and suddenly found the two players in lanes two and three were a body-length lead ahead of him.

Those 2 Asian players are even faster than me! Suddenly, Sarafa was anxious.

Also an immigrant athlete from Africa, Sarafa was born in Uganda, which was one of the world’s least developed countries. Agriculture was the main industry of Uganda, but this country had to import agricultural tools, fertilizers, and even seeds.

Moreover, Uganda was a country full of all kinds of infectious diseases, slike dengue fever, malaria, plague, yellow fever, cholera and schistosomiasis. For every hundred adult Ugandans, there were six people infected with AIDS. Even the recent rampant Ebola virus was fermented in Uganda first.

Such a country was indeed not suitable for living, so Sarafa had decided to change his nationality. At first, he had wanted to join the United Kingdom, since Uganda was formerly a colony of the United Kingdom and had a strong influence on Uganda.

However, Sarafa was not one of the world’s top-notch sprinters. His results in the 100m sprint were over 10 seconds. Therefore, the United Kingdom was obviously not inclined to take him in. After several setbacks, Sarafa managed to become an immigrant athlete for the United Arab Emirates.

Besides Sarafa’s performance in the 100m sprint, the UAE placed high value on his technique in the 200m sprint. In comparison with Qatar’s Clark, Sarafa’s explosive force was a bit weak. However, Sarafa’s curve running technique was better.

The best result of Sarafa’s in the 200m sprint was 20.07 seconds, which had been the best result in Asia, and would have been good enough for him to enter the final heat in the Olympic Games or the World Championships.

However, the 200m sprint was not held frequently, and it wasn’t as influential as the 100m sprint, so Sarafa was not as renowned as Clark, but this would not change the fact that Sarafa was the biggest favorite for the 200m sprint gold medal at this Asian Games.

At this moment, Clark and Oneida had dropped out of the match. As the only black athlete on the track, Sarafa naturally thought he already had the championship in his hands. However, when he was 20 meters away from the finishing line, Sarafa saw two indigenous Asian athletes taking the lead.

Am I going to lose to those two Asian athletes? No! Failure isn’t for me! In the last 20 meters, Sarafa also did his best.

…

Oda Sunshine noticed out of the corner of his eye that Sijie Yang was still running shoulder to shoulder with him.

I’ve still failed to create distance between us? Don’t I have a little bit of an advantage? Oda Sunshine was a bit anxious and angry.

Among the young people my age in Asia, I’m the fastest sprinter! This Sijie Yang is several months younger than, he can’t be faster than me! I must win!

Oda Sunshine’s expression became ferocious. He wanted to defeat Sijie Yang in the last 20 meters.

I am a genius. I’m a genius that only comes once every century. Even Coach Sasaki used to say I would definitely go beyond him and become the new best sprinter in Asia. How could I lose to these losers?

The relentlessness in the Japanese’s bones broke out completely. Oda Sunshine’s strides quickened suddenly along with his running speed.

…

“Well done, Oda! You’re taking lead!” Sasaki Akita shouted excitedly. At this moment, Sasaki Akita saw his younger self.

Sasaki Akita had used to be the best sprinter in Asia, and the representative figure of the Golden Generation of Japan. At that time, Japan’s sprinters dominated all of Asia. In some Asian matches, the Japanese Team could even take the top three.

However, after their retirement, the Japanese Sprint Team suffered a serious downturn. They couldn’t even dominate East Asia, let alone the powerful immigrant legion of the West Asia.

Now, Sasaki Akita seemed to see the hope of Japanese sprinters rise again.

“Only 20 meters left, Oda, hang on!”

…

Li Xue also started to feel nervous.

Although Jun Xie had been knocked down by the others, Sijie Yang had sprung up and was taking the lead, running shoulder to shoulder with Oda Sunshine.

“Come on!” Li Xue also couldn’t help yelling.

However, Oda Sunshine’s stride rate quickened a bit at this moment.

Oh, no! Maybe we’ll lose. Li Xue felt a twinge in his heart. In the last 20 meters of the race, the result could be determined by even the smallest advantage.

…

Back in the city of Huajing, Lin Yang purposely went home earlier to watch his son’s race.

At that moment, Lin Yang couldn’t help standing up from the sofa to stand in front of the TV. He didn’t even notice how nervous he was.

As a Noble Prize winner, Lin Yang had experienced many big moments. He had long been able to be calm in his hour of peril. However, today he couldn’t calm himself down at all, for it was his son who was struggling on the track.

Lin Yang suddenly noticed his nervous mood. He remembered that during the half hour before the Nobel Prize winner was announced, he had known he was on the list of the final three candidates; at that time, he was as nervous as he was at this moment.

Lin Yang couldn’t help exhaling a breath and murmuring to himself, “This brat always makes me worry!”

…

On the track, Sarafa finally used his advantages to the fullest. As a black athlete, he had explosive force in the second half of match that the Asian athletes didn’t have. With this explosive force, he caught up to Oda Sunshine.

On the other side, Sijie Yang also had noticed the quickening of Oda Sunshine’s strides.

He didn’t want to be outdone, so he used all his strength to dash forward. In the last 10 meters, the three athletes were running shoulder to shoulder.

I am a genius, the hope of Japanese sprinting. How could I lose to a peer? Oda Sunshine’s mind was filled with these thoughts.

As an immigrant athlete, I should be faster than the indigenous Asian athletes, and that’s also where my value is. How could I lose to these indigenous athletes? I don’t want to go back to Uganda! The blood was surging in Sarafa’s heart.

Father, look at me! I can win, I’m sure to win! I’m your son. I won’t let you down! You will be proud of me! The finish line wasn’t the only thing in Sijie Yang’s eyes, but also the figure of his father.

In the next second, or less than 1 second, the three runners dashed to the finishing line simultaneously.

They lowered their heads and hit the tape with their chests. They crossed the finishing line in a single moment.

The time was frozen at 10.24 seconds, which wasn’t a very good result according to the standard of the Asian Games. If Clark hadn’t tumbled and knocked down another two runner, this result wouldn’t have been good enough to win a championship.

With his arms raised high, Sijie Yang gestured a one with his finger.

Then, the audiences in the stadium abruptly erupted, just like the sudden eruption of a volcano which had been suppressed for a long time.

“Victory! We won!” Looking at Sijie Yang in the distance, Dai Li knew how hard his victory was gained.

Among the three athletes, Sijie Yang’s abilities were the least impressive. Even his explosive force could not fill the gap between him and Sarafa and Oda Sunshine, but Sijie Yang had won the match by outdoing himself again.

“Sijie Yang, finally, you managed to make it.” Dai Li smiled. Dai Li’s happiness wasn’t only because of Sijie Yang’s winning the Asian Games, but also due to another upgrading of his system.

Chapter 207: The Interlinked Iron Chain

The national team had plenty of first class athletes. Sprinting was also a relatively popular event. As the favorite apprentice of Li Xue, Dai Li naturally had many opportunities, so his experience was rocketing during his time on the national team.

Dai Li needed 50,000 experience points to upgrade from the preliminary phase of a top-level coach to the intermediate phase. If Dai Li had coached youth athletes like the old days, he might have needed 8 to 10 years to accumulate so many experience points. However, he could accumulate more experience with the national team, so his upgrading speed was almost the same as it had been before.

During this period, Dai Li also attended some races. The outstanding performance of the athletes he had trained during the races also gave Dai Li an experience bonus.

For example, the level of athletes who attended the National University Games was not very high, but the National University Games were a state-level comprehensive competition. Dai Li had gained 2,000 experience points for Sijie Yang’s win and Guohong Niu’s third place finish.

Another example was that during the long jump final of the Asian Games, Dai Li had put Haiquan Fang back on his training list by giving Haiquan Fang a rehabilitative massage. Later, Haiquan Fang won his event at the Asian Games, so Dai Li also gained some experience from this.

Although Sijie Yang was trained by Li Xue, he had also participated in the training for the relay; therefore, he was always on Dai Li’s training list. Sijie Yang’s first place in the 100m sprint at the Asian Games also gained Dai Li a lot of experience, which triggered his upgrade to the intermediate phase of a top-level coach from the preliminary phase.

Finally, I upgraded again. I just want to know what good staff is contained in the bonus package. Dai Li was immersed in the system, and eager to know what upgrade bonus he might receive this time.

“System, bring me the bonus package.” Dai Li said.

“Okay, congratulations on winning the grand upgrade bonus package,” the system said.

“Wait a minute, I was just upgraded to the intermediate phase of the top-level coach. Shouldn’t I just get the upgrade bonus package? Why is it a grand upgrade bonus package?” Dai Li asked.

“I forgot to tell you that after your upgrade to the top-level coach, your following upgrades will be more and more difficult, so the bonus will also be a greater incentive by changing the normal bonus package to the grand bonus package; that is to say, you will get two awards for each upgrade in future,” the system explained.

“Another award!” Dai Li was immediately delighted.

Dai Li opened the bonus package and looked into it eagerly. What he found were two items. On the left side, there was a book, which meant a new skill; on the right side, an item that was quite similar to the name badge of shop assistants in the mall was placed.

“What is this?” Dai Li picked up the name badge first, an award he had never seen before.

Four words were inscribed on the name badge, “The Interlinked Iron Chain.”

“The interlinked iron chain? That reminds me of the story of Yu Zhou who burnt the interlinked war ships of Cao Cao during the Battle of Red Cliffs in the Three Kingdoms Period of China. What is this thing?” Dai Li asked.

“It’s a title! Congratulations on getting your first title!” the system explained.

“What’s the function of a title? Is it only for addressing and decoration, or could it provide some substantial effects?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Of course it can provide substantial effects. Each title can provide a substantial promoting effect.” the system explained.

“Something like the halo?” Dai Li remembered the halo over his head.

“You could think of it that way, however, titles don’t contradict with halos. You may equip the title and halo at the same time to enjoy their combined effect,” the system explained.

Dai Li had always held a grudge against the rule that only one halo could be equipped at a time. Now he had a title, which could compensate for the deficiency of equipping only one halo by Dai Li’s estimates.

The system continued its explanation. “Besides, one major difference between a title and a halo is that all promotion effects of a halo are positive, while the effects caused by a title are not only positive, but could be negative.”

“I knew it couldn’t be that simple.” Dai Li wouldn’t stop complaining.

“If all the effects are positive, wouldn’t the function of titles overlap with the function of halos?” the system continued to explain. “Let’s take the title of ‘The Interlinked Iron Chain’ you obtained this time as an example; when you equip this title, the tacit cooperation degree of the athletes in your training list will be remarkably enhanced!”

“The degree of tacit cooperation is enhanced? That sounds quite good. This title could definitely be useful for sports like basketball, football, and volleyball. It could also be used in the doubles for tennis and badminton, which also require cooperation between teammates. In addition, this title could be used in other events that need multiple teammates like kayaking. In this way, the title of ‘The Interlinked Iron Chain’ could be widely used in all events except for solo ones.”

Dai Li paused and continued to asked, “The enhancement of tacit cooperation would be a so-called positive effect, right? Then what are the negative effects of this title?”

“The negative effect is that after equipping this title, the athletes could influence each other. For example, if one athlete is in good shape, other athletes will be influenced and start to be in good shape.” the system explained.

“In this way, if one athlete is in bad shape, other athletes will also be influenced and start to be in bad shape, right?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Exactly. Strictly speaking, it shouldn’t be a completely negative effect, but should be regarded as a double-edged sword. For instance, during a basketball match, if one player is on fire and keeps scoring, his teammates will be influenced and enhance their shooting accuracy.

“On the contrary, if one player misses shots consecutively, his teammates will also be influenced and miss more shots.” The explanation of the system was quite thorough.

Dai Li nodded his head. This mutual influence among teammates was quite realistic, and very common during actual matches. Sometimes, the shooting accuracy seemed to be an epidemic; especially in the teams relying heavily on shooting, sometimes everyone was a sharpshooter and could defeat their opponent through a rain of three pointers. Sometimes everyone was a terrible shooter and missed all kinds of shots, and the match was lost naturally.

I am a coach of the track and field events, and this title of “The Interlinked Iron Chain” is temporarily useless for me in my current stage, so I’ll equip it later. Dai Li’s gaze fell to the skill book.

Before I used to practice weight-loss exercise, fat-loss exercise, relaxation massaging, and rehabilitative massaging. What’s the skill this time?” Dai Li gave it a closer look, and found two words printed on the cover of the glittery skill book, which were: “Flexible Yoga!”

Chapter 208: Absence

“Flexibility yoga could enhance the body’s flexibility, so it should be very helpful for gymnasts, right?” Dai Li said.

The word “flexibility” reminded Dai Li of the gymnastics in the first place. The sport had high requirements to be a professional. The athlete needed to make all kinds of flips, many of which had to be finished in the air without any external support. Therefore, body flexibility was essential to the athlete’s quality of movement completion.

“It’s effective not only for gymnastics, but also for events like diving, fencing, and Taekwondo. Body flexibility is probably necessary for all sports with high technique requirements.” Dai Li looked through the book and found the contents were all pictures of yoga positions.

Strength, speed, explosive force, and endurance are key factors for track and field events. Except for the hurdles, the other events don’t have high requirements for body flexibility. Technique and speed are essential for hurdles, but body flexibility is not a key factor. The flexibility yoga skill seems not to be very helpful for me now.

Disappointment welled up in Dai Li’s heart. He had been waiting for such a long time for this upgrade, and he had received two awards this time, which could have been very effective and used extensively. However, when it came down to it, these two awards weren’t useful to him.

It was quite similar to a top-tier item obtained in a game that couldn’t be used by the player’s character, but this item was bound to the player’s character, so the player couldn’t sell it, and it would be a pity to throw it away.

I have to pin my hopes on future awards, but I’ll need 100,000 experience points to activate my next upgrade, which could only be accumulated in the next two or three years. Dai Li sighed silently; he had to become more accustomed to this time-consuming upgrading mode.

…

In the hospital, Li Xue was on a tablet, and he was surrounded by five or six coaches.

Li Xue’s tablet was playing the slow motion replay of the collision accident during the 100m sprint final.

“Yes, this is it. Oneida fell sideways into Jun Xie’s lane so they collided into each other. You see, their knees also collided. It looked quite serious.” As Li Xue said this, he became increasingly worried.

“Hope it’s not a serious injury,” a coach beside Li Xue said anxiously.

At this moment, a doctor came out with an examination report. Li Xue stood up immediately, dashed to the doctor and asked eagerly, “Professor Huang, how is Jun Xie? Were his knees injured?”

“His knees weren’t injured, but we found a minor hairline fracture in Jun Xie’s rib, which could’ve been caused by that violent collision. It isn’t a very serious injury, and he’ll soon be fully recovered after some rest and nutritional supplements.” Professor Huang said.

“That is to say, Jun Xie will be absent from the 200m sprint and the relay.” Li Xue let out a long sigh. “However, his knees weren’t injured, which should be seen as a silver lining.”

With Guohong Niu as the substitute, Jun Xie’s absence wouldn’t be a big problem for the relay team.

However, the 200m sprint was a solo event. Anyone who signed up for the race had to take part in the event themselves, so Jun Xie couldn’t be replaced by other players on the national team. In his current condition, Jun Xie had to forfeit the match; that is to say, the national team only had Zitao Wei and Yue Zhao to count on for the 200m sprint.

After pondering it for a few seconds, Li Xue drew Professor Huang aside, and asked in a hushed voice, “Professor Huang, I know two members of the Qatari Team were also sent here. Could you help us inquiring about their conditions, and whether they an participate in the following events?”

Professor Huang hesitated, embarrassed, and said, “I’ve already checked the examination results of the two Qatari athletes, but for the privacy of the patients, I shouldn’t disclose them.

“But, I also know they’re your opponents. I could give you a brief introduction so you can figure out a tactic. However, please keep it between the two of us!”

Li Xue nodded, “Don’t worry, Professor, this is only between you and me. We will never disclose this information to others.”

Professor Huang looked around, then said, “The player whose name is Clark strained his shin ligaments during the collision. In his current condition, he will certainly not be able to participate in other events.”

Li Xue was a bit relieved. As the number one sprinter in Asia, the absence of Clark in the following events would remove the greatest threat for the rest of the teams.

“As for the athlete whose name is Oneida…” Professor Huang looked around again and found no one was watching their conversation, then continued to say, “He received no serious injuries. Only his knees were scraped, which isn’t a traumatic injury. After they’re dressed, these scrapes will not influence his performance in the following events. However, he was knocked unconscious directly on the track, so he’s definitely suffering from a brain concussion, which can range from minor to significant; therefore, we have suggested he remain in the hospital under observation for 24 hours.”

Li Xue looked more relaxed. If Oneida would be in the hospital for the next 24 hours, he would definitely be absent from the 200m sprint preliminaries held the next day. That is to say, another powerful opponent for the 200m sprint had been knocked out.

Jun Xie’s absence had ruined Li Xue’s mood terribly, but now, Li Xue knew the situation of the Qatari Team was even worse, since they were losing two players at once. This was enough to console him.

…

The next day, the preliminary match and the second heat of the 200m sprint were held.

Of the remaining two athletes on the national team, Yue Zhao specialized in the 200m sprint, while Zitao Wei was also good at it. Therefore, it would be no problem for them to enter the semi-final.

And the real competition would start from the semi-finals.

In the semi-final of the 100m sprint, Zitao Wei was regretfully knocked out by the “group of death.” Now, he was definitely not willing to repeat his tragic experience in the 200m sprint.

In addition, Clark and Oneida had dropped out of the 200m sprint, which remarkably reduced the pressure of the competition. Clark and Oneida were both strong enough to enter the final match. Without them, two vacancies had opened up for the other runners. Along with the absence of Jun Xie, there would be three spots available for the rest of the athletes.

Only eight runners could enter the final match. Now, the three vacancies had remarkably increased the odds for the remaining runners to enter the finals. As a powerful sprinter, Zitao Wei could almost guarantee himself a position in the final match if he performed well.

…

On the temporary training grounds of the national team, Yu Zhao was still practicing, but his training intensity wasn’t very high.

“Well, Yue Zhao, let’s call it a day now. You’ll have a tough day tomorrow. You have to participate in the semi-final and final for the 200m sprint, as well as the preliminary match of the relay,” Dai Li said.

“Okay, I’m going to get some rest.” Yue Zhao stopped his training.

A gust of wind swept through the area, and Dai Li couldn’t help sneezing.

“The air seems to be getting colder!” Dai Li looked at the cloudy sky.

“It’s going to rain. On rainy days, the events are quite uncomfortable.” Dai Li turned around and said to Yue Zhao, “It might rain tonight, and the temperature will definitely drop, so put on more layers to prevent getting cold.”

Chapter 209: Racing in the Rain

The sky looked dark and suffocating. The stands of the stadium were filled with gorgeous colors, provided by colorful umbrellas and raincoats.

It was raining at that moment. The rain wasn’t heavy, but still created a cold, dreary feeling.

Dai Li looked at the sky and became irritable, for he didn’t like events held in the rain.

In fact, all the coaches and athletes didn’t want to participate in the events on rainy days. Especially for the sprinters, the rain would make the track wet and slippery, which could impair the athletes’ performances, so naturally, the athletes’ performances wouldn’t be as good as the rest of the time.

After all, track and field events had to be held in the open air, so it was inevitable to hold events on rainy days. Proper stadiums would have sound drainage devices on the track. Therefore, the track could be wet and slippery, but the devices prevented the formation of puddles. As long as it wasn’t raining cats and dogs, the matches would be held as usual, only the athletes had to painstakingly participate in the events in the rain.

All the athletes weren’t used to racing in the rain, and no one could prepare for events in the rain. Especially those immigrant athletes from West Asia were more incapable of adapting to races on rainy days. The climate in West Asia was quite dry, and rain was a gift from God, so athletes from the West Asia had very few experiences racing in the rain.

On the track, Yue Zhao was making his final preparations before the race.

This was the semi-final of the 200m sprint, which was challenging for Yue Zhao. Fortunately, three of the most powerful athletes had dropped out of the event, so Yue Zhao didn’t have any tough opponents in the semi-final. As long as Yue Zhao did well, he could definitely enter the finals.

When the starting gun went off, Yue Zhao dashed on the track, deliberately basking in the cheers of the audience in the stadium.

Yue Zhao was good at running the curve, so he was the first one to start sprinting the straightaway.

Maybe the rest of the runners in this group were mediocre, or maybe they just wanted to preserve their strength, or maybe these athletes were simply not good at racing on rainy days, but the other athletes didn’t chase Yue Zhao, letting him enter the final as the first place of the group.

Soaking wet, Yue Zhao left the infield. The water on his body was not sweat, but rain water.

“Hurry, dry your hair and change into dry clothes.” As Dai Li said this, he handed Yue Zhao a towel.

Although the athletes would get soaking wet during their daily training, which was similar to their situation now, sweat was different from rain water. A sweaty athlete wouldn’t need to worry about catching a cold if he wasn’t exposed to cold wind; however, athletes drenched in rain had to dry themselves off immediately to avoid catching a cold.

The athletes of another heat were standing on the starting line. Zitao Wei, another member of the national team, was in this group.

The UAE sprinter, Sarafa, and Zitao Wei were in the same group. Sarafa’s strength in the 200m sprint was much stronger than in the 100m sprint. Now that Clark had dropped out of the event, Sarafa was the biggest favorite to win the 200m sprint championship.

Finally, Zitao Wei entered the final as the second place of the heat, so the two players from the national team entered the final match together.

After several hours’ break, the preliminary match of the 4x100m relay started.

Only a few countries participated in the 4x100m relay. The Asians were not good at track and field events. Many Asian countries couldn’t even scrounge up four sprinters, let alone have them participate in the relays. Therefore, the 4x100m relay only had a preliminary race.

The Japanese Team had dominated this event for over 20 years in Asia with their strength. However, with the retirement of their Golden Generation, it was hard for the Japanese Team to continue their domination of this event.

At the same time, they had witnessed the rise of many countries in this event, like Qatar and Saudi Arab in West Asia, Kazakhstan in Middle Asia and Thailand in Southeast Asia, which made it difficult to predict who the gold medal in the 4x100m would go to. Several strong teams, including the national team, seemingly had the chance to win the championship.

The strong teams didn’t need to pursue speed in the preliminary match. After all, they were strong and could enter the final match easily, as long as they didn’t make any mistakes in the preliminary race.

The national team also asked the four contestants to ensure their entry of the final match held in the next day by avoiding any errors in the preliminary race.

Jun Xie dropped out of the match because of his injury, so Guohong Niu, the bench player, had the opportunity to play.

Guohong Niu was quite excited. He had not been entered in any individual events. He had thought he would sit on the bench until the end of the competition. However, Jun Xie’s injury was a great blessing for Guohong Niu. He could finally participate in the matches of the Asian Games.

The Qatari Team was in the same situation as the national team. Since Clark had dropped out of the race, and Oneida was also recovering from a concussion, the Qatari Team eventually gave up the relay.

…

On the track, as the third leg, Zitao Wei handed the relay baton to Sijie Yang, who took the baton steadily and started sprinting.

“No mistakes, the baton pass was successful!” Li Xue heaved a sigh of relief.

The baton pass between the third leg and the last was successful; now all Sijie Yang could do was clench the baton and dash forward strenuously.

As the new 100m sprint champion of the Asian Games, Sijie Yang was very confident. He had the demeanor of a star athlete, a kind of mindset change. With a brilliant gift for sprinting, it was only a matter of time before Sijie Yang became a world-class sprinter. An Asian Games championship would just accelerate his transformation.

Sijie Yang crossed the finish line steadily, marking the entry of the national team to the finals.

…

Zitao Wei took the towel handed to him and wiped the rain water off his head, then returned it to Dai Li.

“Your face is flushed.” Dai Li looked at Zitao Wei, and found his reaction was unnatural.

“I…” Zitao Wei hesitated a bit and finally said, “I feel cold.”

“Maybe you have a fever! I’ll get the thermometer from the team doctor.” Dai Li fetched for the team doctor immediately.

A moment later, the team doctor arrived. He touched Zitao Wei’s forehead, which was very hot, then measured his body temperature with a thermometer.

“He has a fever. His body temperature is 102.02℉, almost 102.2℉,” the team doctor said solemnly.

The coaches around Zitao Wei gasped.

Coupled with the sudden temperature drop last night, a race in the rain could have easily caused a cold and fever. However, it was indeed the wrong time for Zitao Wei to have a fever, since the final match of the 200m sprint would start in only one hour.

“What should we do?” Everyone was looking at Li Xue; it was time for the boss to make a decision.

Li Xue looked at Zitao Wei, as if he was asking for his opinion.

“Coach, let me do it!” Instead, Zitao Wei was quite steadfast; he continued, “This might be my last Asian Games. In four years, I’ll be over thirty. I’m afraid that maybe I’ll be retired by then. I’ve entered the finals, and I don’t want to regret anything.”

“Will you be able to handle it?” Li Xue continued to ask.

“Yes, I can make it!” Zitao Wei nodded resolutely.

“Then okay! Drink more water, and don’t be worried about the result. You have a fever, no one could blame you. After the match, I will immediately dispatch a car to send you back so you can rest.” Li Xue accepted Zitao Wei’s request.

Chapter 210: The 200m Sprint Final

If ordinary people had a fever, they could take medicine or get an injection to bring down the temperature. However, professional athletes couldn’t do this, for their medication had to be handled discreetly.

In addition, the events were still going on; Zitao Wei had to face a possible doping test after the race. Unless he dropped out of the race, he couldn’t take any medicine at that time.

Therefore, Zitao Wei had to fight the fever with his body, and water was the only “medicine” he could use.

However, another issue still worried Li Xue. What would they do if Zitao Wei was absent from the relay final?

Jun Xie was bound to be absent from the relay final due to his fracture. Now Zitao Wei had a fever, and without medication, it was impossible to bring his body temperature down before the relay final, which was to be held the following day.

We lost another player! Now we only have three athletes left. How should we deal with the relay? Li Xue was quite depressed.

…

The 200m sprint final was the last event of that day.

“It’s almost impossible for Zitao Wei to win a medal in his current condition.”

“It really is a pity. This should have been the last Asian Games for Zitao Wei, and he was performing at the highest athletic level possible.”

“This is the will of the heavens. God chose to make it rain on this day so that Zitao Wei would have a fever.”

The coaches in the area were chatting in low voices.

Dai Li also felt sorry for Zitao Wei, whose strength in the 200m sprint was outstanding. Zitao Wei’s curve running technique was quite good, and he also had sufficient explosive force for sprinting the straightaway. He had been regarded as a promising candidate to win a medal.

However, the reality was unforgiving. Now, his body temperature was 102.2℉, so it was impossible for him to exert all his strength in the match. The coaches would thank God if Zitao Wei could even walk to the starting line and finish the full distance.

We can’t count on Zitao Wei anymore. I hope Yue Zhao can bring us a miracle. Dai Li peeked at Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao’s best result was 20.64 seconds, which was a pretty good result for Asia. His record was better than the B standard of the Olympic Games, and was very close to the A standard.

However, if he wanted to win the championship with a time of 20.64 seconds in the final race of the Asian Games, luck was a necessary factor, meaning the performances of the other runners needed to be poor.

Dai Li couldn’t help looking at the sky. The rain kept coming, and it seemed to be heavier than before. The track had long been saturated in rain water. The athletes’ feet could easily make a visible splash, as there were still puddles on the track. Even the best drainage devices could not funnel all the water off the track.

Clark, Oneida and Jun Xie have dropped out of the race. Zitao Wei’s chances are also impaired by his fever. Now it’s raining again, which is also a factor of uncertainty. Maybe this will be good luck for Yue Zhao. As he thought this, Dai Li murmured to himself silently, “Yue Zhao! Come on!”

…

The Japanese Team were originally very strong in the 200m sprint, but now they were had a temporary shortage of talent. Oda Sunshine focused on his stamina in the 100m sprint, while the 200m sprinters cultivated by the Japanese Team in recent years were mediocre.

The best 200m sprinter on the Japanese Team was Gehiko Yamamoto, who specialized in the 400m run. The 200m sprint was a less important race for him. Most sprinters specialized in the 100m sprint, and took the 200m sprint less seriously; therefore, sprinters like Gehiko Yamamoto were quite rare.

The UAE athlete Sarafa was the biggest favorite to win the championship. He had defeated Oda Sunshine but lost to Sijie Yang in the 100m sprint final, and only won a silver medal. Now that he was on the track for his advantageous 200m sprint, he was, naturally, aiming to be the champion except he wasn’t accustomed to races held on rainy day, for it rarely rains in the United Arab Emirates.

The athletes from Saudi Arabia and Jordan were also unable to adapt to the situation. These two countries had one runner each in the final match.

Saudi Arabia was a country with abundant money, ore, and petroleum, but with a shortage of water. Most areas of Saudi Arabia had a tropical desert climate, which was hot and dry in the summer. An air temperature of 104℉ to 122℉ was quite normal, so rain was rare in this country. When it did rain, the rainfall was very short and immediately, almost vaporized on the ground.

Jordan’s water shortage was even worse than Saudi Arabia’s. Jordan was one of the ten countries in the world that needed water the most. Even the famous Dead Sea was almost dried up because of the serious droughts.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from Middle Asia also had one runner each in the final, but their athletes weren’t competitive in the final for the 200m sprint.

…

Sarafa looked at the sky, his eyes full of misery.

Sarafa would definitely appreciate this kind of rain in the United Arab Emirates. However, during a race, Sarafa preferred a 120℉ sunny day more than a rainy day in a country that usually had a pleasant climate.

Sarafa was not accustomed to running in the rain. He thought the track drenched in rain water was too slippery and soft, making him quite uncomfortable exerting strength.

More importantly, today’s temperature was too low for him.

After a lengthy warm up, Sarafa still felt his limbs were very tight, which was not a good sign for the upcoming event.

Sarafa was born in Uganda, which is a country on the equator. Although sometimes the temperature there would drop to around 70℉, people would never experience a sudden temperature drop in the subtropical areas that was too gloomy and cold. Later, he moved to the United Arab Emirates, which is a country where nobody knows the notion of “cold.”

“What terrible weather! It’s just so depressing!” Sarafa cursed in his mind. He looked at the Kazakhstan athlete who wasn’t far away. This athlete had an obviously Russian bloodline, and his naked arms were covered with a layer of body hair.

Sarafa’s eyes showed his envy. “His body hair must be quite warm,” he thought.

Then, Sarafa looked to the lane on his left, where Gehiko Yamamoto of the Japanese Team was standing.

He’s that famous Japanese athlete, Gehiko Yamamoto. Clark and Oneida have dropped out of the match, so he will be my strongest opponent.

Sarafa looked to the lane on his right, where Yue Zhao was adjusting the starting block carefully.

This guy is a host athlete, and has entered the final match as the first place in the semi-final. I haven’t heard of him before, so he must just be a nobody. The athlete profiles said he was 26, soon to be 27. He’s still unknown at his age, so I don’t think I have to worry about him.

Chapter 211: Say Goodbye to the Past

Yue Zhao, as a 26-year-old and experienced athlete, was a newbie in the Asian Games arena.

Warming up, adjusting his starting blocks, and getting ready for the race, Yue Zhao made his preparations step by step. It looked like he was pretty calm, but actually, inside, his heart was leaping.

“The finals in the Asian Games!” Excitement flashed across Yue Zhao’s eyes.

Months ago, Yue Zhao never thought that he could attend the Asian Games, but today, he was standing right there in the arena, preparing for the 200m final.

Yue Zhao closed his eyes. He recalled his painful past.

“That misdiagnosis wasted three years of my time. Now I’m 26, and in only one or two years, I’ll retire.”

Thinking about his inevitable retirement, Yue Zhao suddenly felt painful. He stared at the track in front of him, unwilling to leave. A soft expression appeared on his face.

“I should give myself something to be proud of!” Yue Zhao felt that he was forced to stand and fight.

He stood on the starting blocks, put both hands on the ground to steady his body, and recalled technical details in his mind.

He was solely concentrated on receiving the signal from the starting gun.

Bang! The crisp sound of the gunshot greeted Yue Zhao’s ears. At the same time, he leapt forward.

At once, the auditorium was boiling with excitement. Various kinds of cheering made lots of noise, but the noise sounded like drums on the battlefield to Yue Zhao.

Yue Zhao ran along the left side of the track, trying hard to increase his speed.

Due to his starting position, he couldn’t see the other participants on his left, nor did he know whether anyone was catching up to him or not. His only thought was to run faster.

Beside him, Zerafa from the United Arab Emirates looked uncomfortable, his movements not as smooth as usual.

On Zerafa’s left, Japanese sprinter Yamamoto Kazuhiko also put pressure on Zerafa. Yamamoto Kazuhiko was not very tall, but he had a high stride frequency. Since it was raining, every time Yamamoto stepped on the ground, he splashed, disrupting Zerafa’s rhythm.

“Stupid rain!” Zerafa swore to himself. He knew he wasn’t performing well, especially in the curve, which he ran poorly.

When he entered onto the straightaway, Zerafa realized that he was only in fourth. Although he wasn’t falling behind much, he couldn’t accept defeat at all. He was there to win, how could he be in fourth?

Zerafa quickly adjusted himself. In the second half of the race, he needed to turn the tide.

Running on the straightaway was way easier than the curve, so now that they were in the second half of the race, Zerafa’s advantages as a black athlete showed.

Yamamoto Kazuhiko specialized in the 400m, so he might have had nice curve techniques, but he definitely lacked explosive force that the 100m sprinters had. On the straightaway, Zerafa caught up to him, and he immediately fell behind.

Within only thirty meters, Zerafa went from fourth to second place. His next goal was to overtake Yue Zhao on his right.

At that second, Zerafa suddenly realized, the one in the lead was the athlete from the hosting country that he had never heard about.

“Who would have thought he was the last one I needed to beat!” Zerafa thought, but he didn’t slack, rushing foward.

…

Thirty meters before the finish line, Zerafa was about to catch up with Yue Zhao.

Zerafa was really worthy of being one of the tournament favorites, as he indeed had the upper hand. Even when his performance was restricted by the weather, his speed was still faster than the other sprinters.

Yue Zhao had already noticed the figure on his left making a dash for the finish line. That guy was running pretty fast. In the blink of an eye, that man had caught up and was now running side by side next to him.

Yue Zhao glanced at Zerafa. For some reason, Zerafa’s skin color was extremely different and conspicuous.

In that second, disintegrated images flashed across Yue Zhao’s mind. In a dilapidated and disordered city slum, where motley graffiti on the wall looked more like the shadow of the devil, curses rose one after another to join the shining lights.

Late at night, Yue Zhao left work and was walking down a dim path. Suddenly, two figures showed up. Two black youth blocked his way, knives in their hands.

The knives were glinted with a bloodcurdling coldness. Yue Zhao had figured out what they wanted from him.

“Money! Money!” The two bullies were worried about the Asian guy’s English, so they kept repeating the word “money” while gesturing like they were counting dollars.

However, at that time, Yue Zhao was a poor guy who could barely feed himself, let alone have spare cash in his pocket!

He was filled with helplessness and fear. He kept swearing in his head, asking why life was so unfair, why should he suffer from such pain?

In the next second, Yue Zhao chose to flee. He had used to be a sprinter, since running was the thing he was best at. The two bullies were unwilling to let their victim escape, and immediately chased after Zhao.

That night, Yue Zhao was in the lead, with the two bullies in hot pursuit after him. The situation was exactly the same as he was currently in!

Today, Yue Zhao was making a slight advance on the track, while Zerafa was right behind him. The difference was that that night, Yue Zhao was escaping for his life, while today, he was fighting to win a competition.

To Yue Zhao, his days in America were the darkest days in his life. He was not willing to recall those painful memories.

But today, for some reason, those memories came into his mind unbounded.

He couldn’t bear to think of the past, but once he had, he converted his grief and indignation into strength, pushing him forward.

Yue Zhao felt like he was fleeing again, and Zerafa was the bully threatening him with his knife in hand!

Right at this moment, Yue Zhao ran faster. He was back to that painful moment when he was struggling to escape from the bullies, but the current him wasn’t only trying to escape from bad guys, but also the darkest moments of his past!

He wanted to get rid of the dark times, he wanted to let bygones be bygones!

His previous experience was a massive source of motivation for him. His strength instantly broke out, his speed becoming faster and faster. He was a phoenix approaching nirvana, shining as brightly as he ever had in his life.

…

Whoosh! Yue Zhao crossed the finish line. Until he exited at the end of the track, he didn’t remember that he was still in a race at the Asian Games.

“The champion of the Asian Games!” He finally became conscious of where he was, but he couldn’t believe it. After being in a complete daze for seconds, he confirmed that he had won the event at the Asian Games.

He knelt on the ground and burst into tears.

What he had experienced in the past, so many years of grievance, humiliation, and helplessness, all was vented at this moment.

“It’s time to say goodbye to the old days!” a voice rang in Yue Zhao’s mind. At this point, the knots in his heart were completely untied.

Chapter 212: A Volunteer

Li Xue was pleasantly surprised; he had never expected Yue Zhao to be the champion.

Yue Zhao wasn’t originally part of the national team’s plan, and without Dai Li’s vouching for him, he might not even have been admitted to the Asian Games Training Camp. The process of getting his final approval for the contest was full of ups and downs, and the argument for his participation was settled at the last minute, right before the deadline of registration.

But today, this underdog sprinter was the champion, which made Li Xue feel like he had hit the jackpot.

Yue Zhao’s performance was 20.60 seconds, which was not very outstanding. He hadn’t even reached the 20.59-second Olympic A-level standard. Based on an average performance at the Asian Games Champion, such a performance was something of a fluke.

Perhaps Yue Zhao was indeed very lucky. Aonaide and Jun Xie had dropped out before the race, and three of the favorites were incapacitated, Zitao Wei had a fever, so his ability was reduced greatly, and Zerafa wasn’t used to racing in the rain, hence he didn’t perform well. Due to these factors, Yue Zhao was able to snag a victory.

Since athletics focused on results, once a competition was finished, people only remembered the champions, not the process of the competition. Whether he had good luck or not, Yue Zhao was worthy enough to earn the Asian Games championship.

Besides, most of the time, luck was a part of one’s victory. Sports matches were filled with uncertainties. Among so many games, one could win or be defeated by chance.

Looking at the podium, Li Xue smiled with satisfaction.

The national team had already gained two gold medals, for the 100m and 200m sprint, without realizing. The national team had previously planned to get one gold, but now they had exceeded their expectations.

Now we only have the relay final left! Thinking about this, Li Xue was stressed.

Zitao Wei still had a fever, but without taking any medicine, simply drinking more water and using cold compresses, he could hardly bring down the fever.

…

In the dead of night, the athletes had all fallen asleep, but the national team coaches were still gathered in the meeting room.

“Half an hour ago, a doctor took Zitao Wei’s temperature, 102.5 Fahrenheit. Don’t expect his fever to be gone tonight, it’ll be a miracle if his temperature doesn’t go higher.” Li Xue paused, then said, “I’m not planning to put Zitao Wei in the relay race. Based on his current condition, he is not suitable for tomorrow’s race.”

“Then for the 4×100m relay race, won’t we lack one participant? Shall we borrow an athlete from another event?” someone immediately asked.

Li Xue nodded. “So for today’s meeting, I also invited Coach He from the long jump team. This time, we need to borrow an athlete from his team.”

In athletic competitions, if a 4×100m relay race lacked athletes and needed to borrow athletes from other teams, the first option was not 110m hurdlers or 400m runners, but long jumpers.

Long jumping and sprinting shared much in common, and had similar physical requirements for the athletes. Both long jumping and sprinting required athletes to obtain extreme explosive force, while the run-up process in long jump needed athletes to acquire extreme speed.

Generally speaking, long jumpers were pretty good at sprinting, and the best long jumper’s sprinting speed was even faster than ordinary sprinters; as for sprinters, as long as they attained long jump techniques, they could perform outstandingly.

In history, there was one who won world championships in both the long jump and 100m sprint.

Now that the 4×100m team was missing an athlete, the national team went to ask the long jump team to help without hesitation. Therefore, Li Xue had invited Coach He, who was in charge of the long jump team, to ask for advice.

Li Xue turned to talk to Coach He. “Coach He, we need your help now. Please recommend a suitable athlete for tomorrow’s 4×100m relay race!”

“I think Haiquan Fang is the best man for the race. He has a nice physicality and strong explosive force. As for his speed, he’s faster than all the other long-jumpers. Moreover, since Haiquan Fang just won the championship in the long-jump event, he’s been in a confident mood. Old Xue, from my point of view, Haiquan Fang is the most suitable person.” said Coach He.

Coach He was more than sixty years old, and had been rehired by the national team after retirement. He was years older than Li Xue, and was one of few on the national team who dared to call Li Xue “Ole Xue.”

“I watched Haiquan Fang’s competition. He did have outstanding explosive force while running. I agree, he’s suitable,” Li Xue said and turned to the crowd. “Any other ideas? Feel free to share your opinions, we can discuss together.”

Nobody answered. Li Xue waited for a minute, and seeing no one disagreed, he continued himself. “Since no one is against this idea, we will have Haiquan Fang for the 4×100m relay race!”

Li Xue wrote down Haiquan Fang’s name on the list in his hand, then said, “Yue Zhao, Sijie Yang, Guohong Niu, and Haiquan Fang. These are the four participants for tomorrow’s relay final, but Haiquan Fang is a long jumper, so he’s never experienced a 4×100m relay race. Therefore we need to give him special training. The final is at half past seven tomorrow night, which means that we still have time to prepare during the day.”

As he spoke, Li Xue looked at the crowd. “One day for preparation, we’re short on time, and the task is arduous. Who would like to try?”

The other coaches in the room kept looking at one another without saying a word.

In fact, everyone knew it was not a desirable task. To some degree, the coach who took this job would probably be made a scapegoat if something went wrong.

The 4×100m relay race not only required high speed, but team cooperation. Even if an athlete struggled to gain a 0.1 second lead, once another teammate dropped the baton, such a lead would no longer exist, or worse, the whole team would lag behind.

Normally, to develop cooperation, athletes needed to practice together for at least one to two weeks. It was impossible to develop cooperation within only one day.

Not to mention that in this team, there were three Asian Games champions. Sijie Yang was 100m sprint champion, Yue Zhao was the 200m sprint champion, and Haiqua Fang was the long jump champion.

Such a lineup would be awesome, at least in outsiders’ eyes, so such a team would be favorable to win the championship. Just like in people’s minds, by putting the world’s four fastest runners in one team, that team would be the world champions of the 4×100m relay race.

But the fact was, this wasn’t necessarily true. As mentioned before, the relay race relied heavily on team cooperation. Even if the national team sent a three-time first place squad, if they lacked cooperation, they might not even be able to medal, let alone win gold.

Therefore, to lead the relay race at this moment was like receiving a steaming hot potato; it looked nice but was difficult to handle. If the three-time champion squad won, to the public it would be just as expected, but if they failed, the coach would definitely be denounced.

Since the national team was the host team, the audience thought highly of them. Ordinary people only cared about the results, like whether the team won a gold or not, never caring about the professional background knowledge on the event! Many people even held the view that the relay race was only running to deliver a baton, nothing serious.

The coaches in the meeting room were all extremely quick-witted, how could they not know this? No one was willing to be unjustly blamed in the future, so when Li Xue raised the question of who wanted to take charge of the relay team, everyone began to play dumb.

Li Xue’s face was dark. He looked at the crowd, regretting that they didn’t meet his expectations. Everyone in the room was an outstanding coach for the national team, but at this crucial moment, nobody dared to stand out and shoulder the responsibility.

Right at that time, a voice suddenly rang from a corner. “Coach, may I have a try?”

Li Xue was so familiar with the voice that he could easily tell the speaker was Dai Li without even looking at the guy.

Dai Li had volunteered to coach the relay team!

Chapter 213: Li’s Army

Silence filled the meeting room. Dai Li’s voice was a shocking thunderclap that broke the silence of the night, suddenly attracting everyone’s attention.

It’s Dai Li! The other coaches in the meeting room all turned to Dai Li.

They looked at Dai Li with different expressions in their eyes. Some admired Dai Li’s courage to volunteer, some thought he was reckless, and some were delighting in his upcoming misfortune.

“Dai Li, are you sure you want to lead the relay team? I want to make this clear, there’s only one day left for you to coach them.” Li Xue paused then continued, “Moreover, even though you still have one day, you can’t overtrain the athletes. The relay final starts tomorrow night, and your trainees must save as much strength as possible for the race. Therefore, your training load can’t be too much. You have to think carefully.”

Dai Li nodded. “Roger that, coach. I have confidence!”

Li Xue thought for a few seconds. “This is a matter of great importance. In the national team, you are the newest coach. Confidence is not good enough to help you deal with this challenge. You have to give us something to convince us. I won’t give you the team simply from your words. How about sharing your ideas first, what’s your training plan? We can discuss it.”

Dai Li immediately replied, “Guohong Niu has a nice reaction speed, plus as an alternate, he has already been practicing for the relay race, so I plan to make him the first leg. Sijie Yang specialized in the 100m sprint, he has good speed and explosive force, so it should be no problem for him to be the second leg. Yue Zhao has outstanding curve techniques and has been performing steadily, so I’ll put him as the third leg. Since these three participants have received special training for relays, they won’t need much time to practice their baton exchanges tomorrow.

“The most vital role is Haiquan Fang. He’s not a sprinter, so he can only fit the fourth leg, and he’ll need special training on the baton exchange.” Dai Li paused, then said, “Actually, he only needs to practice receiving the baton, so it should be okay for him to practice just before the race.”

Li Xue nodded, agreeing with Dai Li.

Haiquan Fang was not a professional sprinter, and he didn’t have any curve techniques, so he was not capable of being the first or third leg, only able to be the second or last one.

Usually, the fourth leg was the fastest person on the team, so Sijie Yang should be the fourth. However, the fourth runner only needed to receive the baton without delivering it to someone else. On the contrary, the second runner had to both receive the baton and give it to the next person, which meant that being the second runner needed more technique for passing the baton.

Passing was more challenging than receiving the baton, so it would be impossible for Haiquan Fang to fully master both techniques. Hence, by putting Haiquan Fang in the fourth leg, he only needed to grasp the skill of receiving baton, which was easier to learn.

To be honest, What Dai Li had said was plain truth, any coach understood, let alone the national team coaches in this meeting room! Anyone else present would adopt Dai Li’s arrangement. The fact that nobody else had said so was due to a simple fact: they were all afraid of receiving this steaming hot potato.

Li Xue thought for a few seconds, then said, “Well, we all know the truth, but if you talk the talk, can you walk the walk? Although you’ve been studying the national team for a while, every coach here is more experienced than you. Why are you confident about this? What advantages do you have?”

Li Xue was not belittling Dai Li, he made that clear. He was indicating that even Dai Li the newbie had dared to bear this hardshi, while the seniors shrunk back at a critical moment, wasn’t that pathetic!

Hearing this, some coaches lowered their heads with shame.

However, Dai Li replied, “Haiquan Fang was under my coaching when he was on the Hanbei Provincial Youth Team. We’re familiar with each other, so if I train him, we could save time on introductions, and leave more time for formal training. We could have a faster training speed. That’s my advantage.”

“Good. We do need a high training speed.” Li Xue glanced at Dai Li with encouragement, then turned to the crowd. “I agree to let Dai Li try, what do you guys think? If any of you feel that Dai Li is too young to do the job, feel free to share your thoughts! We can have further discussions!”

No one was against him at this moment. If anybody was stupid enough to disagree, once Li Xue said, “if you think you can, then you do it,” that guy would have to take Dai Li’s place and shoulder the responsibility. Now that Dai Li had volunteered to stand out, the others were exceedingly welcome.

…

Early the next morning, the four participants began to practice for the relay race.

In fact, the training was mainly about practicing the cooperation of the baton exchange. The participants were all good at sprinting, so there was no need to waste time on enhancing explosive force or speed.

When exchanging the baton, there was an exchanging zone, which was 20 meters long. The athletes were only allowed to exchange the baton within this area. Once anyone stepped out of the zone, it was illegal and would be disqualified.

The first leg would make a stationary start, the second leg runners would have a handoff, during which the second leg athlete ran up first, while waiting for the person behind him to catch up. The baton exchange was completed while running.

During the exchange process, the one at the back was in charge, and the athlete in front had to listen to the commander’s order.

Normally, when the giver was approaching the receiver, he would shout “stretch,” the person at front would stretch out his hand, and his eyes would remain looking forward.

The person in the back gave the baton to the front person, at the same time he shouted, “Hold.” Upon receiving the command, the athlete in front would grip the baton tight and withdraw his arm, running at full speed.

Of course, there were some other orders used in place of “stretch” and “hold.” Sometimes if teammates cooperated well, they only needed to give a grunt, and the front person would receive the order.

The most commonly made mistake was to drop the baton. If the receiver withdrew their arm too early, or the giver didn’t pass the baton on time, it would lead to dropping the baton.

The whole process looked complicated, but it actually took less than one second for the athletes to complete. Teams who were good at relays were even capable to save about 0.2 seconds during the handoff.

…

At noon, several coaches who had completed their tasks walked out of the cafeteria, and when they passed by the temporary training field, they happened to see Dai Li and his four trainees.

“Half a day has passed. I wonder how Li is doing over there.”

“They look good! But one day is too short for them to prepare, I can only pray for them and wish they’re lucky enough to win a medal. It would be great to bring a medal back.”

“Li once told me that the long jump champion Haiquan Fang used to be his student on the youth team. Then Li was a long jump coach? I thought he had been a sprint coach this whole time!”

“You know, a provincial youth team doesn’t expect to have many coaches, and an able man is always busy! But you do remind me, Sijie Yang and Guohong Niu, they used to be Dai Li’s students at Tsinghua University!”

“Guohong Niu and Yue Zhao have been training under Dai Li since the Asian Games training camp. Especially Yue Zhao, I heard that he was recommended by Dai Li to join the training camp. Days ago, in the second phase of the training camp, Dai Li stayed with Yue Zhao until ten o’clock every night to help him practice, you guys all knew that, didn’t you?”

“God helps those who help themselves. Yue Zhao’s hard work was not in vain, he’s a champion at the Asian Games!”

“Yue Zhao, Sijie Yang, Guohong Niu, and Haiquan Fang, in this case, all four athletes in the relay race are Dai Li’s students! Well, well, Li is pretty young, but his students are everywhere!”

“Haha, our national relay team is ‘Li’s army!'”

This coach carelessly joked about “Li’s army,” but he didn’t expect that years later, “Li’s army” would dominate the sports world!

Chapter 214: A Makeweight

Southeastern countries had almost the poorest athletic performances. Even in Asian-level competitions, athletes from those countries were in the background—they acted as co-stars, never getting the chance to win themselves.

However, in the upcoming 4×100m relay race, Thailand was one of the favorites to win the championship.

According to individual ability, Thailand was very ordinary. The whole country had at most, one Olympic B-level athlete, and even that guy was at the bottom of the B-level.

However, in the 4×100m relay race, Thailand was quite strong. The Thai sprinters were different from the other countries in that they specialized in relays and rarely participated in individual contests. Therefore, the team had great cooperation. Of course, even if they attended individual events, due to their abilities, they would not obtain good results.

Eight years ago, when Thailand was competing against Japan, led by The First Asian Flyer Sasaki Akita, the Thais won the championship with only 0.02 seconds on the Japanese. That fight was the shock of the Asian Games, and it also kicked Japanese Golden Generation off of its altar.

Four years ago, in the last Asian Games, Thailand won a silver, defeated by Qatar. However, in that competition, Qatar was the host team, plus its team member Clark had just broken the Asian record and was in great form, so it was reasonable for Thailand to lose the games.

But today, due to Clark and Aonaide’s injury, Qatar had to give up the relay race. Without Qatar as their powerful enemy, Thailand had a higher possibility of winning a gold.

An hour before the race started, Thailand’s chief coach, Bassoon, had the list naming all of the teams.

We have been preparing for four years, waiting to defeat Qatar, but who could have imagined that Qatar would give up.

But this isn’t a bad thing. Without that strong foe, we have greater hopes to win. Bassoon looked through the list of names and smiled. Bassoon felt like punching the air.

As a team specializing in the 4×100m relay race, Thailand was quite familiar with the other national teams’ conditions.

The Japanese team is in a low place after the Golden Generation retired. That gifted athlete Oda Shoki does have some ability, but Japan has to wait for another four years to totally rely on him. The current Japan team is a mixture of elder and junior athletes. They are facing a temporary shortage, similar to four years ago. There is no need to fear!

Saudi Arabia is worth paying attention to. Their team includes naturalized athletes from Africa, but only one is Moroccan, and the majority of the North Africans are white. If Saudi Arabia naturalized a black athlete like what Qatar did, things would be more challenging.

As for the host… Jun Xie has retired from the race, I heard that Zitao Wei is sick, I don’t know whether he’ll show up or not. Bassoon checked the name list, finally seeing Haiquan Fang’s name.

A stranger, who is he? Is he an alternate? It seems like he’s never shown up before. Bassoon was worried about any sudden changes, so he immediately brought the list to a familiar officer for inquiry.

Soon, he found some information.

So he’s a long jumper! And he’s the new long jump champion at this Asian Games! Bassoon became relaxed at once.

It looks like the host team is no longer a threat. I used to think that they had a 100m and 200m sprint champion, so they must be strong. It’s a pity that the relay race is four people. When lacking a fourth runner, they found a long jump as a makeshift runner. They’re now several levels lower than us simply by team ability.

Bassoon shook his head. He had gained more confidence.

…

Before long, the other coaches also heard that since the host team lacked a fourth runner, they had to find a long jumper to fill in.

Although Haiquan Fang was the champion of the Asian Games, with a speed faster than many professional sprinters, in the 4×100m, team cooperation played a vital role. It would be a big success if the temporary runner didn’t make any mistakes, let alone expecting him to work well with the team.

In any competition, the host team was a team to fear, especially in group events, where the host had clear advantages. Some athletes with poor psychological qualities were afraid in the face of the local audience’s cheering even before the games started.

Now that the host team had a subsitute, in the other teams’ eyes, the national team had abandoned its chances of winning. Unknowingly, the national team had been kicked off the Potential Winner List.

…

At half past seven at night, the relay final was about to start.

Dai Li stood besides the track, looking at his students, feeling anxious.

“Li, it’s time to inspect your training results.” Li Xue patted Dai Li’s shoulder and continued, “Don’t worry, no stress, no consideration of winning or losing. You have me! Even if the result isn’t satisfying, as your teacher, I’ll shoulder the responsibility for you!”

Dai Li was touched. He looked at Li Xue and said, “Coach, I have confidence in them!”

Dai Li’s confidence came from a Serial Cable, which could increase teamwork and close relationships to a great extent.

In the latter half of the training, when Dai Li had equipped himself with the Serial Cable, the effect was immediately seen. The relationship between teammates improved at once; even the last baton exchange between Yue Zhao and Haiquan Fang looked like they had been working together for weeks.

Li Xue’s “inspection of training results” would be inspecting the Serial Cable’s external effect.

Of course, after being equipped with the Serial Cable, the athletes affected each other either positively or negatively. But Dai Li didn’t worry about that. The national team was the host, so they had a high morale. In the team, as Haiquan Fang, Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao had all won, they were in the most confident mood, which promoted their performance, no one was better than another. Therefore, the mutual influence would be positive.

…

The huge screen on the field displayed the live broadcast, which was focusing on Thailand. Apparently, the broadcaster knew that Thailand was the most favored team to win the race.

People showed sympathy to the weak. An underdog’s victory was the most popular scene in novels. Eight years ago, when the weak Thailand outperformed Japan, the then strongest Asian team, and defeated the Japanese Golden Generation, the Thai had gained many fans. Now that Thailand had returned, they were definitely favored by many people.

The starting gun went off with a bang. The first leg, Guohong Niu, reacted quickly, and his speed was good, at least faster than the first Thai.

Guohong Niu was the only one on the national team who focused on relay races, hence his preparation was the best. It was reasonable to see him perform well. Among all the first runners, he was the first to arrive at the exchange area.

On the side of the field, Thailand’s chief coach Bassoon curled his lip with disdain.

Fast speed is nothing; in the relay race, the key point is the baton exchange. If you are 0.1 second slower than us when passing the baton, your efforts are in vain!

Chapter 215: Closeness of Li’s Army

In the relay race, athletes had a staggered start, which meant that they were not starting from the same horizontal line. Athletes in inner lanes had their starting positions in the back, while runners in outer lanes had forward starting positions. To the ordinary audience, before the athletes entered the last 100m straightaway, they could hardly tell who was running faster.

Luckily, there was something called the exchange zone, which helped judge who ran faster. The distance from each athlete’s starting line to the exchanging zone was the same, so whoever stepped into the exchange zone first was the faster runner. Likewise, athletes who left the zone first took the lead in the race.

Guohong Niu was the first to arrive at the exchange zone, which indicated that he was the fastest runner among the first legs. However, since he was the first leg, the national team’s advantage was not obvious yet.

Sijie Yang had already been waiting for Guohong Niu at the edge of the exchange zone. When Guohong Niu was approaching the zone, Sijie Yang began running, and Guohong Niu rushed towards Yang’s back.

The baton exchange process was the most vital part of the whole relay race, or rather, it decided whether a team would succeed or fail. If, unluckily, someone dropped the baton, the team would fail early. With any tiny mistake, any previous speed advantage would be erased.

Sijie Yang stretched his hand backward, and Guohong Niu passed the baton steadily into Yang’s hand. Yang grasped the baton, rushing forward.

“Excellent, nice exchange!” Li Xue murmured. Guohong Niu and Sijie Yang’s handoff was like floating clouds and flowing water—seamless and smooth, no time wasted.

Guohong Niu and Sijie Yang were schoolmates at Tsinghua University, so they’ve been training together for about two years. They have developed a nice relationship. Moreover, in the first exchange, Guohong Niu was in charge of passing the baton. Since he has no individual events and has been focusing on preparing for the relay, no wonder he had a better performance here.

Thinking about this, Li Xue pushed down the joy in his heart immediately. It was only the first exchange, the first step, that was completed successfully, but there were second and third exchanges that remained.

Thailand’s national team chief coach Bassoon was anxious. Guohong Niu and Sijie Yang were cooperating well; it looked like they had been old teammates for one or two years. Although their teamwork was not as good as Thailand’s relay team, whose bond had developed for four years, the two teams looked similar.

We didn’t catch up much in the first round of baton exchanges! Bassoon’s eyebrows furrowed. At the same time, Sijie Yang left the exchanging zone first, which meant that he was taking the lead at that moment.

Don’t worry, they’re just lucky. Besides, the first two athletes who were in the original relay team have been practicing together for a long time, so it makes sense that they cooperated well. The key point is the last exchange between the third and fourth sprinters. The fourth one is an experienced long jumper, so as long as he makes a mistake, we can make up at least 0.5 seconds! Basson comforted himself.

…

The second runner mainly ran on the straight track, and his running distance was the shortest among the four athletes.

Sijie Yang had won the championship three days ago, enhancing his presence in the field, so the audience all recognized him. When he received the baton, the whole audience all rose and cheered deafeningly loud for him.

The audience’s reaction immediately stimulated Sijie Yang, who felt an upsurge of emotion, which brought him inexhaustible energy. He couldn’t wait to release his power.

As the champion of the 100m sprint at this Asian Games, Sijie Yang again showed his outstanding talent. Judging by speed, Sijie Yang was the fastest in the national relay team. Normally, the fastest runner would be the last leg, while the second person was usually the weakest in the team.

However, due to the same reason that the national team had lost a participant, they had to ask Sijie Yang, despite being the best runner, to be the second leg. Like Tian Ji’s horse racing strategy, Sijie Yang was a first-rate horse, while the other second runners were low-grade horses. The distinction was huge.

Hence, on the second curve, Sijie Yang easily created a clear gap. Even without using the exchange zone line as a measurement, people could tell Sijie Yang was in the lead.

While many audience members were still recalling the first exchange process, Sijie Yang had already entered the exchange zone, and Yue Zhao was the first to enter the zone.

Second exchange! Li Xue’s heart was pounding again.

Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao were not schoolmates. Yue Zhao had been recruited by the national team after he joined the Asian Games Training Camp, and he had specialized in the 200m sprint, rarely interacting with Sijie Yang. Until one month before the Asian Games, when they began to prepare for the relay race, the two hadn’t worked together.

Therefore, Li Xue knew that the teamwork between Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao wouldn’t be as good as Sijie Yang and Guohong Niu.

Moreover, Guohong Niu had focused on practicing for the relay race, while Sijie Yang concentrated on the 100m sprint, so Guohong Niu would have better handoff skills than Sijie Yang.

I don’t expect the second exchange to be as seamless as the first one, I only wish they don’t make any big mistakes or waste too much time. Sije Yang has made a clear advantage, so we should be able to bear 0.2-second loss, Li Xue thought.

Meanwhile, the two athletes on the track began to pass the baton. Sijie Yang stretched his arm forward to pass the baton to Yue Zhao, while shouting “hold.” Yue Zhao grasped the baton tight, then continued his running as the third leg.

The whole process happened extremely quickly, so fast that one couldn’t not see the actions clearly without a fixed gaze at the the athletes’ movements.

The baton exchange required the athletes to play it safe, but the faster, the better. The faster athletes exchanged it, the less time was spent on it, and the better the final time would be.

The exchange process between Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao was not as perfect as the previous one performed by Guohong Niu and Sije Yang, and the actions were rough, but the time it took was similar.

From the final results, as long as they hadn’t taken too much time, handoffs were worth praising. It was like the same car, after installing leather seats and a surround sound system. Although the new equipment could produce a better driving experience, they didn’t help increase speed at all.

“Awesome! Good job!” Li Xue involuntarily started clapping.

The first perfect baton exchange had brought Li Xue much joy, but the second exchange had been kind of outside of his expectations.

Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao were cooperating so well that it didn’t look like they had only been working together for a month. On the contrary, they were like old friends.

Li Xue knew that in the relay preliminary, Yue Zhao and Sijie Yang hadn’t had such nice “chemistry.”

He couldn’t help glancing at Dai Li by his side, but Dai Li looked indifferent.

When did Yue Zhao and Sijie Yang learn such good teamwork? They weren’t like this yesterday in the relay preliminary. Was it because of Li’s special training? Is it possible for them to have developed such a relationship in one day?

Chapter 216: The Last Baton Exchange

The second baton exchange went smoothly, Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao’s cooperation greatly exceeding Li Xue’s expectations.

According to Li Xue’s original plan, this exchange would count as a success as long as the two runners didn’t make any mistakes. Even if they wasted a little time, it was acceptable.

However, this exchange didn’t waste any time at all. Instead, Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao performed even better than they did during daily training. While feeling happy for them, Li Xue was quite confused.

Is this a coincidence? Or good luck helping them to perform well? Li Xue wondered, shaking his head in silence.

As an experienced coach, Li Xue never believed in luck or coincidence. To high-level athletes, even with coincidence and luck, results must be based on hard work. Without true abilities, coincidence or luck wouldn’t work at all.

Perhaps Li’s ‘practice just before the race’ method worked? Such thoughts flashed across Li Xue’s mind, causing him to involuntarily glance at Dai Li again.

At the same time, Thailand’s relay team chief coach Bassoon looked more serious.

Thailand’s second baton exchange was completed perfectly. Simply from smoothness and teamwork standpoints, Thailand was better than the national team. However, on the time front, although Thai’s speed was a little bit faster, they were far from fast enough to make up the time they were behind.

Thailand’s individual abilities were low, so they depended on their cooperation. In Bassoon’s original plan, when on the track, each Thai runner might be 0.1 to 0.2 seconds slower than the other teams, but with better cooperation, every exchange could gain 0.2 to 0.3 second back for them. As Bassoon counted, once they gained more than an 0.8 second advantage through the three exchanges, then they would surely be the champions.

Such a plan had worked in actual races. Thailand’s defeat of Japan eight years ago was the best example.

At present, Bassoon’s plan was only half succeeding. Compared to Japan and Saudi Arabia, Thailand had gained an advantage through good cooperation, but in front of the national team, Thailand couldn’t fill the gap, seemingly widening it instead.

How come their second exchange went so well! Bassoon curled his lip. Due to the fact that Sijie Yang was way faster than the second Thai runner, Thailand hadn’t gained much of a lead during the exchange process, causing Thailand to clearly fall behind.

The third runner for the host team is that 200m champion. Our runner will probably fall even more behind. Thinking about this, anxiety appeared on Bassoon’s face for the first time.

By the last exchange, we’ll be lagging behind much more than this. If we want to turn the tide, we have to rely on the last exchange.

Bassoon looked at the last Thai runner, who was standing in the last exchange zone waiting for his teammate nervously.

This athlete, named Mochai, was the strongest athlete on the Thailand team, and was the only one in the team who could reach the Olympics B-level standard.

Mochai was ethnically one quarter American. His grandfather was an American soldier who had left a relationship in Thailand to return to America. Perhaps even the soldier himself couldn’t recall that he had offspring in Thailand.

In Thailand, there were many of Thai-American parentage like Mochai. Compared to native Thais, those of mixed-blood were taller and well-built, with more outstanding athletic abilities.

Mochai is our best athlete. Even when facing Asian top-level runners, he is able to compete with them. The fourth host team athlete is a long jumper, so although he won a championship, in a sprint event he is probably not as competitive as Mochai! As long as we make up the gap in the last exchange, the championship still belongs to us! Bassoon considered, looking at the exchanging zone with high expectations, waiting for the final exchange.

…

Yue Zhao had a wonderful curve technique, and the third runner performed mostly on the curve. He was indeed the best choice for the third leg.

The national team’s “Asian Games Champion” lineup had worked out successfully. No matter if Sijie Yang was the second runner, or Yue Zhao was the third, they were all Asian Games champions, who took advantage in their reputation. The other second and third runners were all weaker than these two, therefore, by capitalizing on this, the national team had widened the gap to maintain their lead.

However, both the national team coaches and the other international coaches were all aware of the cruel truth that, before the teams reached the finish line, the result remained unsure. This wasn’t even considering the most vital part—the last baton exchange wasn’t completed yet!

On the track, Yue Zhao was approaching the exchange zone, while Haiquan Fang, the last runner, began to run.

Li Xue focused on the track, praying in his heart: As long as you guys can pass the baton smoothly, a slow exchange is fine. Please, please do not drop the baton! Make it steady, steady! It’s okay to slow down, wait, why are you running so fast!

On the track, Haiquan Fang increased his speed rapidly, causing quite a shock to Li Xue, whose head was now soaked with cold sweat.

During the exchange process, the slower the athletes ran, the easier they could exchange the baton, if they both paused to pass the baton, there would be no mistake at all. However, on the other hand, the slower they ran, the more time they would waste.

Conversely, the faster athletes ran, the less time it would take, but the probability of error increased. Theoretically speaking, the ideal baton exchange happened at the time when the receiver’s speed reached the top.

Practically, such an ideal exchange had never happened. Not taking into account the teamwork between the giver and receiver, the exchanging zone was only 20 meters long, impossible for an athlete to immediately increase their speed to a full sprint within such a short distance.

To stand-ins like Haiquan Fang, who lacked training and practical experience in relays, to guarantee a good performance, it was definitely better for him to pursue steadiness. Slowing down or having some tiny flaws, or even mistakes, those were all acceptable, but never any fatal errors.

However, Haiquan Fang’s current run-up speed was obviously not aiming for steadiness—every coach present could tell that he was trying for higher speed!

What the heck are you playing at?! Shouldn’t you perform steadily instead! You shouldn’t be pursuing a higher speed, you’re asking for trouble! Li Xue knew, as an athlete, that Haiquan Fang himself would never have made such decision, so it must have been Dai Li’s plan.

Li Xue stared at Dai Li with annoyance. He had never expected Dai Li to adopt such radical tactics at the final crucial step.

Surprisingly, Dai Li still looked relaxed, seemingly satisfied with his tactics.

…

“Huh?” When Bassoon saw Haiquan Fang’s run up, he was confused at first, then he smiled.

Bassoon also held the view that since the fourth runner was a substitute, the national team would choose to make a steady exchange. They would rather sacrifice a few fractions of a second to guarantee a safe last exchange.

Therefore, at the time he saw Haiquan Fang’s radical acceleration, he was puzzled.

He immediately realized that such radical acceleration meant a higher probability of error to an inexperienced relay runner. Such a tactic was like gambling with a pretty low winning rate.

You will fail, you must fail, you will probably drop the baton! Haha, you’ve taken the lead all the way until here, but if you drop the baton at the last step, your previous efforts would all be in vain, wouldn’t it be painful!

Bassoon had a big smile on his face, waiting to witness the delightful moment of the national team’s misfortune.

At the same time, Yue Zhao and Haiquan Fang started their last baton exchange.

Chapter 217: We are the Champions

The first three national team athletes performed outstandingly, creating a clear advantage for the team.

But at the games, there were still a lot of foreign coaches and athletes who didn’t project the national team to be the winner.

The fourth runner, Haiquan Fang, was a long jumper, which was a big issue. In the relay race, a long jumper’s speed might only be fractions of a second slower than a professional sprinter, yet in a high level competition like this, such a time difference was decisive.

The fourth leg was the final spurt, so every team put their best sprinter in this leg. Compared to them, the national team’s last runner, Haiquan Fang, was just a makeshift addition. Undoubtedly, his leg would be the weakest part of the national team’s performance.

It seemed to return to Tian Ji’s horse race, using a first-rate horse to fight against a low-level horse, but this time the poor horse was Haiquan Fang of the national team, while the nice horse was the last runners from other foreign teams.

We still have a chance! Bassoon the Thailand chief coach thought. The other foreign team coaches all secretly thought the same.

Li Xue felt like his heart was in his throat, while the other team members all wore anxious expressions.

Haiquan Fang’s speed was increasing so quickly, it was clear he didn’t plan to play it safe at all.

Meanwhile Yue Zhao, the third runner who was going to pass the baton to Haiquan Fang, didn’t slow down either, rushing into the exchanging zone, preparing to deliver the baton to Haiquan Fang.

Please make it! Li Xue involuntarily prayed in his heart, but it was too late to pray for fortune. He could only hope that the two athletes in the field could exchange the baton successfully.

Yue Zhao caught up and was right behind Haiquan Fang. He didn’t hesitate, directly putting the baton in Haiquan Fang’s hand, and gave Fang the order to start running at the same time.

Haiquan Fang didn’t do things sloppily. He grasped the baton, then dashed forward.

The whole process went smoothly, and the cooperation between the two looked pretty good, especially Haiquan Fang, who had acted calmly, even accomplishing the task with ease. He didn’t look like a substitute at all.

Yes, no mistake! Excellent! Li Xue’s pounding heart gradually calmed down, but in the next second, Li Xue suddenly wondered, Yue Zhao and Haiquan Fang cooperated perfectly in the last exchange process, like they had worked together for a long time, but in fact, they only practiced together for one day. How come they have developed such closeness?

Li Xue had been a sprint coach for decades, gaining great experience. It was not the first time for him to ask long jumpers to fill in for a relay race. However, in all the previous races, the long jumper wasted time while exchanging the baton.

Yet today was different. In the last baton exchange, the long jumper hadn’t wasted a second, instead acting seamlessly with his teammate. Yue Zhao and Haiquan Fang’s teamwork would never be seen in any other new pairs who had only been working together for one day.

How did Li do it? Li Xue couldn’t keep his eyes from straying towards him.

Not far away, Bassoon, Thailand’s chief coach, was sallow-faced.

They succeeded! The whole process went seamlessly! How could this even be possible? Isn’t that long jumper an alternate? Shouldn’t they have cooperated poorly? But their performance, their exchanging process, it looked like they had been training together for weeks! It doesn’t make any sense! Why?

Bassoon furrowed his eyebrows, wondering, Perhaps the long jumper was already on the team when they began relay preparations? No, it couldn’t be! Their coach would never be able to predict that one of the four runners would miss the race, and he would never let a long jumper participate in relay training beforehand!

Currently, Bassoon was anxious. The national team hadn’t messed up in the last baton exchange, and they maintained their great advantage. The probability of Thailand winning the champion decreased as the finish line approached.

At the same time, an exclamation came from the Japanese team’s coach. Japan had made a mistake on their final exchange.

The fourth runner held his arm back earlier than he had been supposed to, which led to a situation where the third runner didn’t fully hand the baton to him. Hence, the two had to redo the baton handoff in order to complete the action. This mistake had added at least 0.3 seconds on the Japanese team’s final time.

Due to this mistake, Japan was no longer in the gold-medal match. With their nice teamwork, Thailand had passed Japan by a long distance.

However, no joy could be seen on Bassoon’s face. Although Thailand was still in second, as the chief coach of Thailand’s national team, second place was definitely not what he wanted.

Thai sprinters had terrible individual abilities, rarely appearing in high-level big stages like the Olympics or World Championships. To them, the Asian Games would probably be their highest-level competition, but even so, they couldn’t win any medals in individual events. Therefore, the only event they could rely on was the relay race.

In the past four years, Thailand had concentrated on the relay, aiming at winning gold in this Asian Games.

This year’s Asian relay race made Thailand feel like there was a heavenly hand helping them to win. The traditionally strong Japanese team had a mix of old and young athletes, last year’s champion team, Qatar, had lost runners and had to retire this year, and even the host team had lost a runner, using a long jumper as the alternate. Bassoon felt that this year, Thailand must win!

Unfortunately, the race didn’t go as he expected. Thailand was good at exchanges, but now that the last cooperation was finished, there was no more chance left for them to gain a lead again, so they would still remain in second place.

Mochai, it’s your turn. The last host runner is a long jumper, you can definitely run faster than him!

…

On the track, Haiquan Fang was sprinting hard.

He knew, as a long jumper, that he might not run as fast as professional sprinters in the 100m sprint.

He also knew that the last run was decisive, determining the final results of the race.

The national team had taken the lead for the first three legs; Guohong Niu, Sijie Yang, and Yue Zhao had already created a sufficient advantage for Haiquan Fang, now all the heavy responsibility shifted to him! As a long jumper, he would decide the winner of this relay race!

Haiquan Fang didn’t want to, nor could he fail. He was carrying his three teammates’ efforts, also shouldering the huge expectations from the whole national team!

I’m not a sprinter, but when it comes to speed, I will never be defeated by you! Haiquan Fang snorted in his heart. His stubbornness surfaced, stimulating him to dash forward bravely.

A-level talent in the long jump didn’t mean that the athlete could only jump further than the others. A comprehensive physicality was needed for long jumping, containing explosive force, jumping ability, body-control, balancing competence, run-up speed, and more.

Many world-standard long jumpers’ 100m sprint marks easily reached the Olympics A-level standard, let alone one who had once won two championships: both long jump and the 100m sprint.

Haiquan Fang’s talent in long jump made him a future world champion. At the present, since he had not reached his peak yet, if asked to compete in the 100m sprint, he was still far behind the top world sprinters, but among Asian sprinters, he was at the top.

Besides, when the baton was passed into Haiquan Fang’s hand, the national team had gained a huge lead. As long as his speed was not too much slower than Mochai, the Thai sprinter, the national team’s first place would be guaranteed.

The audience started cheering. They didn’t care about whether Haiquan Fang was a long jumper or not, they only knew that Haiquan Fang was in first.

He’s so fast! How can that long jumper run so fast! What Bassoon had always expected hadn’t happened, as Haiquan Fang’s speed was similar to Mochai’s. Based on the distance between the two, the result was a foregone conclusion!

“We win!” Although Haiquan Fang hadn’t crossed the finish line yet, the national team coaches had begun cheering and celebrating.

Bassoon painfully covered his face in hands. To him, the gold medal was stolen right from under his nose, the four years effort he had put into it completely in vain!

Chapter 218: They Are All Ordinary People

“Hey Li, congratulations on winning gold in the relay race, your efforts were the most valuable!”

“You’re amazing, Li, to help Haiquan Fang and Yue Zhao develop such closeness in only one day.”

“Li, I saw that the other team members’ cooperation was better than before, your training’s effectiveness is extraordinary!”

The coaches around Dai Li couldn’t stop praising him.

Li Xue had his nose in the air, elated and proud. Previously, nobody was willing to be in charge of the relay team, thinking it was too dangerous, until his student Dai Li stepped forward bravely.

The result hadn’t blown up in Li Xue’s face. Dai Li brought no shame, but glory, to Li Xue, in the form of an Asian Games relay champion, which was a big surprise and beyond everyone’s expectations.

Including the previous champions in the 100m and 200m run, they had gained three “grand chiefs,” so now they could return fully decorated.

Based on traditions, in the upcoming Asian Games Commendation Conference, the national athletic team would be praised for sure, while their application for next year’s funds would be largely guaranteed. Therefore, the whole team would benefit from their achievements.

Among compliments, Dai Li was smiling shyly. To him, the relay championship helped gain not only public approval of his ability, but also twenty thousand experience value points as a reward.

The experience value increases faster in competitions! If I only depend on daily training, I wonder how long it would take to obtain sufficient value points to upgrade. A relay champion is worth twenty thousand experience points, one fifth of the upgrading value points required! Dai Li sighed in his mind.

But big competitions like the Asian Games are only held once every four years. Usually in domestic games, even if I trained a champion, I wouldn’t receive much experience value as a reward. If I have such experience-rewarding opportunities in the future, I must take every chance.

Dai Li knew that without these Asian Games, he could never predict exactly when he would finally gain enough experience value to upgrade to the top-level coach intermediate phase.

In the next long period of time, there were no big competitions. Dai Li would have to gain his experience value step by step.

…

The Asian Games were finished, but Dai Li didn’t return to the Hanbei Provincial Athletic team. Li Xue let him stay with the national team for a few more days in order to increase the coaching team’s variety, while offering an opportunity for Dai Li to learn more.

People could tell that Li Xue was determined to cultivate Dai Li, and they had no disagreements. The relay race had proved Dai Li’s ability, he was indeed worth of the national team’s special treatment.

The national athletic team.

Dai Li knocked at the door, then walked into Li Xue’s office.

“Coach, did you want to see me about something?” Dai Li asked.

“Take my car keys and drive my car to pick someone up from the airport. Today’s schedule is pretty tight, and our team cars are out on duty, so I have to use my own car instead.” Li Xue said, threw his car key to Dai Li.

“Who should I pick up?” Dai Li took the key and asked.

“Old Ding! Jihai Ding. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t let you pick them up. They could simply take a taxi here.” Li Xue continued, “Old Ding’s flight will arrive at around half past eleven.”

“Which airport?” asked Dai Li.

“The international airport, Terminal Three, Exit B,” Li Xue replied.

“Is Exit B the exit for international flights?” Dai Li searched his mind, then asked.

“Old Ding went to Singapore for the Asian Hurdling Promotion Conference, that was why he took the international flight. Hurry up, there isn’t much time left before rush hour, you don’t want to get stuck in a traffic jam,” Li Xue said, then focused on his own business.

Dai Li, driving Li Xue’s car, headed to the international airport.

At present, it wasn’t rush hour, thus traffic wasn’t busy. As Dai Li approached the airport, the amount of cars increased gradually, most of them passengers trying to make it in time for flights.

Dai Li parked the car in the parking lot, then went directly to Exit B, Terminal Three. He checked the time, just about eleven o’clock, so the flight from Singapore had not arrived yet. Even if the flight had landed, it still took time for passengers to pass through customs and pick up luggage.

Coach Ding is on the flight, so he can’t answer my phone call. Once his flight arrives, the screen will show the information. I can text him then to let him know that I’m here waiting to pick him up.

Since Dai Li felt that there was still some time left, he found a seat, then began to read online novels.

Passengers with different skin colors came out from the exit one after another, white, black, mixed race… All kinds of people gathered together, but nothing stood out. Different languages were spoken at the same time, creating an frenzied atmosphere.

A group of tens of people walked out from the exit wearing the same tracksuits, looking quite strong. Dai Li glanced at them, immediately recognizing that they were athletes.

Foreign athletes? They must have come here for a competition. Do we have any competitions in Huajing soon? Or are they just stopping by in Huajing to move to another city?

As a coach, Dai Li always paid more attention to athletes. He looked carefully at the group of people and found that they were apparently westerners. Some of them looked like Asians at first glance, but if he looked closer at their appearances, they had some Caucasian features, and were probably mixed-race.

They might come from Central Asia. I remember that in the Asian Games, the athletes from five central Asian countries looked similar to these people.

Thinking about this, Dai Li’s mind was in a haze. The five central Asian countries—Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan—those countries were quite difficult for Dai Li to distinguish. If he hadn’t attended the Asian Games recently, he might not even be able to recognize their national flags.

Let me see what sport they are in! Dai Li thought, examining the foreign athletes.

Road Cycling, talent: C, ability: 328. So they’re cyclists!

Dai Li detected several people, and it turned out that they were all cyclists.

I see, recently there seems to be a tour around Juyongguan Bicycle Grand Prix. These athletes must be here for that event. They are probably Kazakhstan athletes. I heard that Kazakhstan has a strong cycling presence, the Astana-Wurth was a breakout force in the Tour de France.

After a while, another group of people came out. This time, they were all Caucasian, although they were dressed casually, Dai Li sensed that they were also professional athletes.

Dai Li examined them again.

Again, these are cyclists. This athlete looks young, but he has B-talent, and his ability is approaching 500 points. As Dai Li was pondering, he saw a foreigner holding a black, yellow, and red tricolor flag, waiting for someone at the airport.

Belgium! Belgium is a country with great power in cycling. Their athletes are indeed stronger than Kazakhstan, but back on topic, this bicycle race is pretty big, even European teams joined in.

Soon after the Belgians left, a group of Spanish-speaking athletes came out with their luggage carts.

Spanish cyclists are here, too. From their ability points, they are at the similar level as the Belgians!

This team even has black athletes, uh, they must be Americans. I can’t remember any good black cyclists in history.

…

Three flights had arrived one after another. Dai Li had seen several groups of cyclists.

The flight from Bangkok has just arrived. These must be Thai cyclists! They don’t look as good as the previous teams.

Dai Li looked at a new group of athletes who had just come out. They were also dressed in identical tracksuits, but the total amount of people was more than twenty, which was about the sum of the previous two teams.

However, these Thai athletes looked skinny, many of them short and skinny, and two or three of them had dark circles and looked sleepy.

They look exhausted, how long does it take to fly from Bangkok to here? It shouldn’t be longer than flying from Europe, right? But the Belgians and the Spanish weren’t as tired as they are.

Dai Li shook his head slightly. He could sense that the Thai had so-so physical qualities, perhaps they would lose in this bicycle race, but he still examined them.

Object: ordinary people, ability: 45. What’s going on here?

Dai Li stared at the result in a haze.

How come he’s just an ordinary person? Shouldn’t he be an athlete? Uh-huh, I see, this guy must be the coach! That’s why the System doesn’t show an athlete’s features, but what the hell is a 45 point ability? Even among normal people, such an ability is quite low. I remember the old woman who was walking her dog had a higher ability than this. Is the Thai coach this bad? A few days ago, Thailand’s chief coach Bassoon looked quite strong.

Dai Li shook his head again, beginning to examine the next person.

Object: ordinary people, ability: 47. Another ordinary person? Is this a coincidence? Have I examined two coaches coincidentally?

He moved on to the third person.

Object: ordinary people, ability: 55.

The fourth person: Object: ordinary people, ability: 51.

The fifth: Object: ordinary people, ability…

The System has recognized five people as ordinary, is it possible that all five of these people happen to be coaches? Dai Li furrowed his eyebrows.

Perhaps on the Thailand team, there are many non-athletes. Perhaps they’ve seized the opportunity to travel in a foreign country! But their abilities are indeed low, forty to fifty ability points, that’s similar to the old and weak.

Dai Li continued his examination.

Ordinary, ordinary, ordinary, ordinary… More than twenty people, all of them ordinary! What’s going on here?

Chapter 219: Mystery

Subconsciously, Dai Li had examined all these men. The results showed that this group of more than twenty men were all ordinary people; only two of them had more than 80 point in abilities, with everybody else having little athletic ability, as low as aunts who did square dance!

Are they really athletes? If I consider their ability points alone, I would label them an elderly tour group! Dai Li’s mind was filled with confusion.

Perhaps I misunderstood. They aren’t cyclists at all, they just happen to be wearing uniform tracksuits, but based on an ordinary adult’s physical standard, it is quite difficult to gather more than twenty athletes with poor physical qualities, like them.

At this moment, his phone’s vibrating broke into Dai Li’s thoughts. He lowered his head to check, the phone screen displayed Li Xue’s name.

“Hello, coach, I’m in the airport right now, Coach Ding hasn’t arrived yet.” said Dai Li.

“Li, don’t need to wait anymore. Come back now!” Li Xue’s voice rang out. “Beikou training center has an emergency, Old Ding made a last minute change and flew directly to Donggang. I just received his phone call.”

“Alright then, I’ll come back now.” Dai Li put his phone back into his pocket with disappointment, walking to the parking lot.

When he passed by the men’s room, Dai Li suddenly felt like he needed to use the toilet, so he walked in.

To Dai Li’s surprise, in the corner of the room, he ran full tilt into a man.

The man was middle-aged with cropped hair, not tall but stocky, even fatter than Dai Li. This man wore an Arsenal shirt, so he might be a Arsenal fan.

“I’m sorry!”

“Excuse me!”

Dai Li and that man had both talked at the same time.

Since people could hardly see each other coming around a corner, it was difficult to judge who was right or wrong. The two didn’t argue about it, only nodding at each other, then continued on their own way.

That man was holding a phone, talking to somebody. “Uh, nothing serious, I didn’t watch where I was going and bumped into someone.”

“Alright, dear, let’s end here. Those Thai cyclists have arrived, they keep pushing me to send them to the hotel,” the man with cropped hair said to the phone.

Thai cyclists? Hearing those words, Dai Li couldn’t help but think of the group of over twenty athletes with extremely poor abilities.

Are they indeed athletes? They look so bad, they shouldn’t be! Perhaps a new group of real athletes has arrived at the same time.

…

Dai Li walked out of the bathroom, planning on leaving directly, but several steps later, he saw an old friend. This guy was wearing casual clothes, his hands in pockets and a Bluetooth headset in a ear, looking around.

It was Chong Lin, Dai Li’s previous trainee at the Police Training Base.

That’s Chong Lin! It’s been a while since I finished the Police Training Camp. Is he here to pick up someone? Dai Li walked closer, and Chong Lin also recognized Dai Li.

“Officer Lin!” Dai Li greeted him with a smile.

“Coach Li!” Chong Lin greeted warmly. Without Dai Li, he might already have been transferred to be a civil servant.

“Officer Lin, are you still in the Anti-Drug Brigade?” asked Dai Li.

Chong Lin nodded. “That’s right, I’m still in the brigade.”

“How is your leg, can you still feel the pain?” asked Dai Li.

“Come on, stop making fun of me. My leg has never hurt since I was told it was fine. It seems that my pain is just a psychological effect.” Chong Lin sighed. “Working on the front lines suits me better. If I ended up being a civil servant, I would have been bored as heck.”

As Chong Lin spoke, he noticed that Dai Li didn’t have any luggage with him, not even a bag to be seen. He realized that Dai Li had not just arrived, so he asked, “Coach Li, are you here to pick someone up?”

“Yeah, I was supposed to pick somebody up, but the plan changed.” Dai Li replied with another question, “Are you waiting for somebody, too?”

“Haha.” Chong Lin gave a dry smile, but didn’t respond clearly.

At the same time, Chong Lin suddenly became serious. He nodded and said, “Sir, it’s nothing strange, just an old friend, I haven’t talked to him in a while. Yes, sir, no more conversation. I will return to the task right away.”

Dai Li was slightly dazed, then realized that Chong Lin was talking to his Bluetooth headset.

So Chong Lin is on duty! Dai Li immediately understood, and felt embarrassed, because Chong Lin’s facial expression indicated that he was scolded by his leader due to his chat with Dai Li.

While Chong Lin was on duty, casually chatting with old friends was not allowed.

Dai Li thought that he had interrupted Chong Lin’s work, causing him to be yelled at. He looked at Chong Lin apologetically and said, “Sorry, I didn’t notice that you were on duty, I won’t bother you anymore. Bye.”

“Coach Li, don’t worry. Our team leader is always very strict about work,” Chong Lin explained, then said goodbye to Dai Li, and watched him exit the terminal gates.

…

Near the parking lot, Dai Li saw the group of poor Thais again. They were gathered together, seemingly waiting for a car.

A tour bus approached them and stopped. The bus driver came out, the man with cropped hair and the Arsenal Shirt. He was the same man who had bumped into Dai Li.

The cropped hair guy opened the trunk, then used body language and half-English to motion the Thai to put their luggage in the car.

Dai Li looked at the scene, talking to himself secretly. I remember in the bathroom, this guy talked to his wife and mentioned he was here to pick up Thai cyclists, did he mean these poor ‘cyclists’? Are they indeed here for the bicycle race? With forty to fifty ability points, they might not even be able to ride ten miles!

This Road Bicycle Grand Prix should be quite prestigious if even Europeans and Americans are here for it. The race must be of a certain standard, not some bogus race. What are the Thais doing, sending a group of weak people who aren’t even professionals, even I can do better than them!

Dai Li stopped to take out his phone, beginning to search related news reports about this Road Bicycle Grand Prix.

The information showed that the participants for this Grand Prix were all professional cycling teams, no amateurs admitted.

That was weird! Dai Li’s curiosity peaked. He couldn’t help but move closer to find out more details.

The Arsenal-fan driver was busy helping the Thais move luggage.

One of the Thais seemed to feel his suit was too loose, and was bothering him while moving luggage, so he rolled his sleeves up to the elbow, then continued his work. On his bare arm, a tattoo was quite obvious.

Dai Li stared at that tattoo, but he couldn’t tell what it was.

However, there was another sign on his arm that caught Dai Li’s attention.

Chapter 220: Role Play

Dai Li looked carefully. On one of the Thai’s arms, except for a tattoo, there were several red dots.

These look like scars made by injections, which are quite fresh. Is this guy coming from the hospital? Dai Li suddenly felt that something was wrong.

He took his phone and looked up the official page for the Road Cycling Race around Juyongguan, then searched through it cautiously. After a while, he raised his head.

This race has a urine test; the participants shouldn’t have received any injections recently, otherwise they won’t pass the examination.

Dai Li pretended to play with his phone while he continued observing the Thais. Several minutes later, another Thai also rolled up his sleeves, revealing his arm. The same three red dots could be seen on his arm.

Another one? Dai Li squinted his eyes. He had made a wild guess.

Chong Lin is here for undercover duties. I remember that he works for the Anti-Drug Brigade. There are more than twenty Thais in total, and they are not athletes at all; they are pretending to be athletes so they can pass through Customs. In addition, their athletic abilities are surprisingly low, which means that they are in poor physical condition. That, plus the needle marks on their arms…

Dai Li felt that he was quite close to the truth.

I don’t know whether Chong Lin knows all that information or not. Dai Li looked at the group of Thais, noticing that they were about to leave. Dai Li hesitated for a second, then returned to the terminal’s arrival area.

In the hall, Chong Lin was still looking around. It seemed as if he was searching for something. Seeing this, Dai Li immediately moved closer.

“Coach Li, why have you come back? Are you here to pick up someone else?” Chong Lin saw Dai Li.

Dai Li lowered his voice and asked, “Officer Lin, are you waiting for drug dealers?”

Chong Lin shook his head. “Coach Li, I am on duty; I can’t tell you any details about my job or what I’m doing. We have rules; please understand.”

Dai Li smiled. Chong Lin was a police officer for the Anti-Drug Brigade; his only job was to catch drug dealers.

…

At the same time, in a little room not far from there, Chong Lin and Dai Li’s conversation had passed through electronic devices.

The Anti-Drug Brigade leader, Dahu Fu, was in charge of the operation. He had already noticed on the monitor screen that Dai Li was talking to Chong Lin.

How come Chong Lin’s friend has returned? If he keeps doing so, he will interrupt our mission! Dahu Fu took the microphone and prepared to order Chong Lin to send Dai Li away, but then he heard the conversation.

“Officer Lin, are you waiting for drug dealers?”

“Coach Li, I am on duty; sorry, but I can’t tell you any details about what I’m doing. We have rules; please understand.”

Dahu Fu frowned his eyebrows at once. What is Chong Lin’s friend doing? Why is he asking? He already left once; why dod he come back? He is asking about what we’re doing; does he have some ulterior motive?

Dahu Fu was beginning to suspect Dai Li. As the leader of the Anti-Drug Brigade, he had been fighting drug dealers for more than twenty years. He had developed the habit of suspecting people who asked too many questions.

Chong Lin called him “Coach Li”; is he a sports coach, or a driving school coach? Dahu Fu lowered his head and thought for a while. He planned to look into Dai Li by himself.

…

Meanwhile, Dai Li continued asking, “Officer Lin, the drug dealers you are waiting for—are they coming from Thailand?”

Chong Lin did not answer, nor did he change his facial expression. He was indeed a good undercover cop with outstanding psychological strength; even when Dai Li asked a crucial question, he didn’t show any change in emotion. It was as if Dai Li was talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

Dai Li continued, “If your target is from Thailand, perhaps I can help you as a Chaoyang local, and give you a tip.”

Chong Lin still looked indifferent, but Dahu Fu, who was in the command center, took the microphone.

“Chong Lin, invite this Coach Li to the command center,” said Dahu Fu.

Chong Lin immediately nodded, “Coach Li, our leader would like to meet you.”

“No problem!” Dai Li nodded in agreement, then followed Chong Lin into the command center. In the room, Dai Li met Dahu Fu.

“This is our Anti-Drug Brigade leader, Fudui!” Chong Lin introduced. He seemed to worry that Dai Li would misunderstood the meaning of “Fudui”, so he added, “Captain Dahu Fu.”

“Nice to meet you, Captain Fu,” said Dai Li. Without Chong Lin’s explanation, he would have thought that the man was a vice captain.

“Nice to meet you, Coach Li. We have heard about your conversation with Chong Lin. What kind of clues can you offer?” Dahu Fu asked directly.

“I’m not sure about your tasks in detail, but if you are planning to catch drug dealers from Thailand, I have found some suspects.” Dai Li wasn’t planning to hide anything, so he said straightforwardly, “Huajing is going to hold a Road Bicycle Race around Juyongguan,.I think the drug dealers may have disguised themselves as Thai athletes.”

Dahu Fu signaled to a policeman who was sitting next to the computer, then asked, “Coach Li, what’s the basis for your assumption?”

“Thailand has sent more than twenty people. I sense that they are not athletes,” Dai Li said. He could not tell Dahu Fu that after detecting them he had found that the Thais were all ordinary people, let alone that they were the weakest among ordinary people.

“You sense?” Dahu Fu snorted upon hearing Dai Li’s response. He replied, “Coach Li, you may not be familiar with the process of handling our cases. We always solve problems based on real evidence, not our senses.”

Chong Lin then explained hurriedly, “Captain Fu, Coach Li is a professional sports coach, and he works with the national team.”

“Oh? Coach Li looks so young. I didn’t know that you were a national team coach; sorry about that,” Dahu Fu replied.

Because Dai Li was coaching on the national team at such a young age, Dahu Fu had not expected it. However, it was hard to convince Dahu Fu Dai Li was right purely based off what he felt.

Dai Li continued: “I’m a sports coach, and I’m quite good with athletes. In my professional opinion, none of the Thais are professional cyclists. This Bicycle Race has pretty high standards, and the participants are all professionals. Because of this, this Thai team is suspicious.”

“You coaches can tell whether someone is an athlete or not just by looking at them?” Dahu Fu didn’t believe it.

Having been a policeman for more than twenty years, he could not tell whether a person was a criminal or not simply by taking a glance at them. Dai Li was such a young coach that when he said he could tell if a person was an athlete or not just by looking at the,, Dahu Fu naturally thought that he was boasting.

Dai Li didn’t argue. He had made the judgement using the detector, which was impossible to explain. Dai Li was planning to tell Dahu Fu about the needle marks on Thais’ arms.

However, before he spoke, the policeman who was sitting in front of the computer said, “Captain Fu, I’ve found the results; the Thailand cycling team is called the ‘Jinxin Team,’ and 23 people in total have passed Customs. They used the airport’s special pass for cyclists.”

“Special pass? Does that mean they didn’t go through the new millimeter wave imaging detector?” Dahu Fu immediately asked.

The policeman nodded his head in confirmation. He kept typing for a while, then said, “I also saw that this Jinxin Team was formed half a year ago, right after the announcement of the Road Bicycle Race around Juyongguan!”

Dahu Fu seemed to realize something. He suddenly stared at Dai Li as if he had seen a ghost.

National team coaches are amazing. how can they judge whether someone is an athlete or not just by looking at them?!

Chapter 221: The Windfall

Of course, Dahu Fu would not consider the Thai athletes drug traffickers just because of Dai Li’s comments. However, the police had received some information earlier. With the new information from Dai Li combined with what he already knew, Dahu Fu instantly realized how suspicious this Jinxin cycling team was.

Dahu Fu looked at Dai Li with an odd stare.

Is what this coach said really true? Is the Jinxin cycling team really suspicious? Is the guy we are looking for really hiding on that team? If it is true, it would be such a shame for the Anti-Drug Brigade! We have guarded this place to search for this guy all this morning, yet we couldn’t find him at all. It was this sports coach that found him! We are going to be a laughing stock if this gets out.

Deep in his heart, he had been convinced that the target of his investigation was hiding on the Jinxin cycling team. He just had no evidence to prove it.

Without saying a word, Dahu Fu shook his head and began to assign tasks to his team.

“Get all the photos taken of the Jinxin cycling team members from when they went through the customs, then send them in for facial recognition. See if there is any match with what we have in our database. Group One, follow the Jinxin cycling team immediately from now on to locate their position; Group Two, go to the Baggage Service Center and see if they have any baggage checked.”

All Dahu Fu could do now was wait. Pretty soon, group two reported back to him.

“Captain, Group Two has inspected the bicycle parts the Jinxin cycling team checked in. No problems found!”

“Got it,” Dahu Fu said. There was no change to his facial expression at all, almost as if he had expected this.

Dai Li, on the other hand, said to Chong Lin next to him, “I thought they would hide the drugs in the bikes to get them in.”

“You’ve watched too many movies! Do you really expect them to hide the drugs in the bike frame?” Chong Lin smiled, then said, “The security check at the customs is very strict, especially for air shipments; everything is scanned with special machines. It’s not only to check for prohibited items, but also to prevent any foreign objects from entering the country.”

After a short pause, Chong Lin continued, “Surely the drug dealers are not that stupid. They know the checked items will be inspected, so they would not have hidden the drugs there. We still needed to check them anyway though, as we can leave no stone unturned.”

“So where do you think they are hiding the drugs? In their luggage?” asked Dai Li in a whisper.

“Not possible. Did you not see our detection dogs sniffing around the luggage warehouse?” Pointing to his belly, Chong Lin said, “If they are really drug traffickers, the likeliest place for them to hide the drugs is inside their bodies.”

“Did you say hide the drugs inside themselves?” Dai Li was shocked.

Chong Lin nodded. “When these 20+ people get through customs, they used the special passage where the security check is not so strict. What’s important about that is that there is no millimeter wave imaging inspector there, so the security inspector cannot see what’s inside them. That made them all the more suspicious. Captain Fu must have realized this earlier.”

“Captain, we found something in the facial recognition!” the officer at the computer said. “Target found; this guy, Nawat-Wonpuapara, used a fake passport. We have his profile in the database. His real name is Chappie. He is connected with the Golden Triangle drug dealers, and was arrested by the Tai police once for drug dealing. He was later released due to lack of evidence.”

“Chappie? Used a fake passport for entry?” With a half-smile, Dahu Fu nodded his head. He was now sure that this Jinxin cycling team was who he had been looking for.

“Attention, Group One! The target has been confirmed! I will immediately send you the profiles of all members of the Jinxin cycling team; you keep a close watch on each and every one of them!”

After giving another order, Dahu Fu turned around to Dai Li and said, “You have really hit it this time, Coach Li. This Jinxin cycling team is really suspicious. On behalf of the Anti-Drug Brigade, I extend our thanks to you.”

“It’s what I’m supposed to do,” Dai Li said immediately.

“Coach Li, we also have to ask you to make a testimony. Do you have time?” Dahu Fu then asked.

“Sure, no problem. It won’t be long, I assume?” Dai Li asked.

“It’ll be pretty quick. You just need to tell the police briefly why you found the Jinxin cycling team suspicious and then came to notify us.” Dahu Fu then turned his head to Chong Lin and said, “Chong Lin, you are familiar with Coach Li, so you take him to do the testimony.”

Several days later, Dai Li saw the news on his phone that the police had taken down a super big drug trafficking gang. Although the details of the case were mentioned, Dai Li felt that this had something to do with the lead he had provided the police.

Putting his phone down, Dai Li resumed his work. A moment later, Li Xue called and said, “Dai Li, come to the reception room! I have two police officers waiting for you.”

Dai Li hurried to the reception room immediately and found Dahu Fu and Chong Lin there.

“Coach Li!” Dahu Fu and Chong Lin immediately stood up and shook Dai Li’s hand.

“I saw the news! You took down a super big drug trafficking gang! Congratulations!” Dai Li said.

“It is thanks to your help that we did it,” Dahu Fu said. “Coach Li, I have come here to say thank you.”

“Is this about the Jinxin cycling team?” Dai Li then asked, “Does it really has anything to do with the super big drug trafficking gang that you arrested?”

“You are right,” Dahu Fu nodded. “All 23 members of that Jinxin cycling team are drug addicts except for two drug trafficking gangsters. The addicts owed a lot of money to the gang, so the gang forced them to smuggle drugs into China with their bodies.”

Just like I thought. Such low sports ability values are surely due to drug addiction. According to my detection, two were of normal sport ability, who must have been the two gangsters, Dai Li thought to himself.

Dahu Fu then said, “Technology is more advanced than ever and the entry and exit inspection in the airport is ever more strict. The drug traffickers thought they would be discovered, so they wanted to take advantage of this bicycle race. They registered as a cycling team in advance, then disguised themselves as cycling athletes to enter our country through the express entry port for the participants in the race. Once this was confirmed, we closely watched the Jinxin cycling team and caught them. That’s how we did it.”

Dahu Fu only gave a brief outline of how the case was solved, not sharing many details.

“To be frank, I have met quite a few warm-hearted people during my years as a policeman; but this is the first time a PE coach has helped us solve a case.” With a smile, Dahu Fu continued, “It is really thanks to Coach Li this time. The lead you provided us really helped. So, we have decided to grant you a cash reward of 100,000 yuan.”

“There’s a reward?” Dai Li had not expected this.

“Sure. We have explicit rules for this. One can receive a reward of anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 yuan for reporting on the production, processing, making, trafficking, selling, transporting, and/or the illegal possession of drugs. It was a big case this time, which is why you will get the highest reward possible—100,000 yuan,” Dahu Fu said, smiling.

This is really a stroke of luck! I have been quite lucky these days. Should I buy a lottery ticket? Maybe I’ll trade in my bicycle for a motorcycle! Dai Li thought to himself.

Chapter 222: The Half Marathon

100,000 yuan was by no means a small figure. It would take Dai Li two years to save up that much money, even if he didn’t spend any of it on daily necessities. What made it even better was that it had been given to him by the police; it was much better than finding money on the street, as it was completely trouble free.

“To receive the money, you need to go through some formalities. If you have time, you can go directly to our bureau to get it. You can contact me in advance; here’s my card.” Dahu Fu handed a name card to Dai Li, then said, “We’ll keep your identity secret. Don’t worry.”

Dai Li took the name card, still feeling very surprised and happy.

Dahu Fu then asked, “Coach Li, I actually want to ask you for another favor.”

“Sure, just tell me what it is,” Dai Li said immediately.

Dahu Fu said, “You know, there is a national fitness program underway across the entire country. Next month, our city will hold the Jinyan Lake Half Marathon. Besides the marathon lovers among the residents, the big enterprises in the city will also organize their staff to take part in it. We the police have also organized a team.

“This is only a match for amateurs, and it is more about participation than results. But we are the police, so this makes it a little special for us; if we get very poor results, the people will doubt our competence as policemen. So, I’m hoping that you would be willing to train our participants.”

Dai Li nodded his head to show he had understood the request. He had heard about the half marathon match taking place next month. It was for amateurs, and was mainly to draw more residents to participate in the national fitness campaign. The prize for the race was not high; the main purpose was to have fun. Some coaches of the national team had also planned to run the match. Among them was Coach Liu, who was in charge of the marathon training; he had asked for his annual leave to prepare for it.

Compared to the other participants, the policemen were obviously special. In the opinion of the ordinary people, policemen were all professionally trained, so they should be able to run faster and have better endurance. Otherwise, how could they catch thieves?

So, if the policemen did not get a good score in this marathon, the residents would naturally think that the policemen were not skilled enough for the responsibility of taking down criminals and protecting the people.

If they did well in the match, on the other hand, they would be able to show that they were well-trained for their job. Therefore, it could considered a PR campaign for the police to organize a team to participate in the half marathon. If they did well, people would praise their excellence; otherwise, they would lose points in the minds of the public. This was why the police had attached great importance to this half marathon. They not only sent their strongest members for it, but also planned to have a professional coach train them.

When it came to coaching for a marathon, the coaches on the national track and field team were surely the most professional. Before Dai Li had come, Dahu Fu had already spoken to Li Xue about it. However, several famous long-distance running coaches were heavily scheduled for coaching tasks, and did not have time for this. So, Dahu Fu had decided to ask Dai Li for his assistance instead.

Dahu Fu thought that because Dai Li was quite young, he would be more approachable, and would not be very busy with his coaching tasks, which would make him more likely to help. In addition, Dai Li had just gotten the 100,000 yuan reward from the police. He should still have very positive feelings towards the police, and be more likely to agree.

Hearing what Dahu Fu said, Dai Li hesitated and glanced at Li Xue, who was next to him, obviously hoping to hear what his teacher thought.

Li Xue nodded with a smile, “Since Mr. Fu is so fond of you, just go. We don’t have much training to do these days, anyway.”

It seemed that Li Xue also thought it would be good for Dai Li to accept the invitation of the police. Society was full of people linked to each other through favors and connections, which meant it would do Dai Li good to know more people, as he was currently only a grassroot drifter from Beijing with no power nor backing.

Seeing that Li Xue had no objections, Dai Li nodded in agreement. “Alright. Because Mr. Fu has asked, I will humbly accept your offer.”

The match would begin next month, which meant that Dai Li would only have three weeks maximum for training.

When training for long distance running, three weeks was really too short. What made it worse was that the policemen could not train full time; they had to work during the day, and could only train for two or three hours after work.

Even though Dai Li had upgraded to the immediate phase of a top-level coach, two or three hours of training per day for three weeks was by no means a sufficient guarantee that the police officers would improve much. Therefore, Dai Li put the training emphasis on the tactics and distribution of physical strength.

In long distance running, physical strength distribution was obviously a key point. The longer the running distance was, the more important physical strength distribution would be. Many people can complete a 5000- or 10,000-meter run, but not a marathon; the difference is the lack of knowledge on physical strength distribution.

The key factor for physical strength distribution in a marathon lies in the later half, especially the last third of the total distance. Many runners can suffer from cramps, fainting, and even have to withdraw from the match due to an improper distribution of physical strength.

Professional marathon runners had to distribute their strength very accurately; what speed to run in which mile, how much energy to use—everything had to be controlled precisely. For amateur runners, on the other hand, it would be a successful strength distribution if they could have the strength to run the entire distance at a consistent speed.

The tactics for marathon running were quite like that of a 10,000-meter run. If they ran in a team, the team members should stick together as much as possible and change the lead runner every so often regularly. This way, they could save a lot of strength.

During the later phase of a marathon, mental strength was also very important. It requires tenacity to tap one’s potential and challenge one’s limits.

Mentality is also a very important factor. When running a marathon, especially during the later phase, many people would feel very happy if they overtook their opponents, and feel upset if they were passed themselves. If a runner is overtaken by several opponents successively, they may even want to drop out—this is where a runner’s mentality comes into play.

As a matter of fact, when you are tired during a marathon, your opponents feel the same way. Especially when all the contestants are of a similar skill level, because everyone has covered the same distance in the same time and has consumed the same amount of energy, whoever can stick with it until the end will win.

For professional athletes, “sticking with it” was the very content of their daily training. For amateurs, however, learning to “stick with it” on the racetrack was the hardest part.

Among the skyscrapers in the CBD business center of Huajing City converged all the economic, technological, and cultural forces of the city. All mega enterprises of the financial, trade, service, exhibition, and consultation fields had set up offices here.

The Dingtian Group was a nationally leading group company covering real estate, film & television, tourism, consumption, and sport industries. With their total assets worth nearly 500 billion yuan, it ranked within the global top 2000 on the Forbes list. In comparison, the Continental Group of Haiquan Fang’s father’s was only but a small company.

The headquarters of the Dingtian Group was not in Jinghua City; instead, it was a luxurious office in the CBD business center of Jinghua. The office was located in the tallest landmark building in the CBD area, which had been built by one of the Dingtian Group’s subsidiaries— the Sky Height real estate company.

In front of the window of the Dingtian Group’s office stood a 24 or 25-year-old woman in business suit. Through the huge French window, she was looking at the endless stream of people down the road.

There was a knock on the door, then came in a man in his fifties wearing a suit, with a thick folder in his hand.

“Yunan, I’ve read the proposal you wrote. Go ahead as you planned!” said the man.

Turning around, the woman in business suit showed her beautiful egg-shaped face. She had light makeup on her face—she had only drawn in her eyebrows, wore a little lipstick, and the powder foundation she had on was not even noticeable. All these things had highlighted her fair and tender skin well. Her eyes are shiny, and showed a tinge of unyielding spirit, yet the dimples on her cheek added some sweetness to her look.

“Uncle Wang, please don’t call me by my name in the company, will you?” Her voice was as sweet as the dimples on her face.

“All right, all right; Director Xiao!” said the man, a warm smile full of affection on his face. “You think they don’t know who you actually are if I don’t say your name? Those young people in the office are quite gossipy. As a girl of this age, you were parachuted into this position as a director. They might have guessed who you are the first day you were here.”

Putting down the folder in his hand, the man changed the subject. “The half marathon by the Jinyan Lake is about to arrive. How is the preparation going? I heard that you have hired a professional coach?”

The girl nodded. “I hired Baogang Liu. He is the coach of the national marathon team. He had asked for his annual leave to train our runners.

“That’s good. The contestants we chose are all veterans who are already good at sports themselves. Now, with training from a nation team coach, I’m sure we can win the championship,” the man said.

The girl replied, “We must win. We spent 10.2 billion yuan to buy the land of the Jinyan Lake, and this half marathon is the first step to advertise our Jinyan Lake project. We need this to make a good start.”

Chapter 223: The Opponent

“Hello, Mr. Wang!”

“Hello, Mr. Wang!”

The suited man in his fifties had just entered the public office area when everyone came up to him to say hello. He nodded his greetings to them.

The man was Qinghe Wang, a member of the board of directors of the Dingtian Group, and general manager of Sky Height Real Estate Co., Ltd.—a subsidiary of the Dingtian Group. He was deeply trusted by the chairman of the group, as he had been following the chairman from the very beginning of the company.

Walking through the public office area, he went back to his office by the elevator. The employees in the public office area, however, were taking part in a heated discussion.

“Mr. Wang went to see Director Xiao again! Mr. Wang is the boss here; if he wants anything, he can have her come to his office. Why did he bother to go down to her office? This Director Xiao is really favored by Mr. Wang.”

“Well, I think Mr. Wang might have taken a fancy to Director Xiao. Xiao is so beautiful that every man would fall for her. Mr. Wang might want to get involved with someone younger this time.”

“It’s possible. Yunan Xiao is only about 24 or 25, yet she was appointed director of the Planning Department. She must have connections somehow, and might have something with Mr. Wang …”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Nearby, someone approached them and interrupted their conversation. “You should never say anything like that. Don’t you know that calamity comes from gossip?”

“We get it. How dare we gossip about Mr. Wang! We won’t talk about it anymore! Brother Hu, please rest assured; we won’t get you into any trouble.”

“You people are really troublesome. You don’t do any of your work well, but you gossip all day. What’s worse, your gossip wasn’t even accurate!” Brother Hu sighed. “You gossip so much every day. Don’t you know who Yunan Xiao is?”

“Brother Hu, do you have any insider information? Tell us now!” The small group of people came closer to him immediately.

“Use your brain and think about what the surname of this Yunan Xiao is!” said Brother Hu.

“Xiao, of course!” one of his listeners said, with an expression of slow-witted loveliness.

Brother Hu was helplessly annoyed. “You fool! Of course I know her family name is Xiao! Don’t you realize the family name of our chairman is also Xiao?”

“Oh my god! Is Yunan Xiao a relative of our Big Boss Xiao?” someone exclaimed.

Brother Hu nodded. “She is the daughter of our chairman. She came back from America not too long ago.”

“Oh my, she is the princess of our company!”

“My god, a girl worth hundreds of billions of yuan! Right in front of me!”

Some of them began to gossip again.

…..

On the training ground of the SWAT team, Dai Li was looking at the officers who were standing in a line in front of him.

These are all the participants for the half marathon that had been selected by the SWAT team. They may not have been the best athletes on the team, but they were definitely good at long-distance running. Although they were not so good compared to professional runners, they were very good compared to amateurs.

Suddenly, Dai Li felt a tinge of maladjustment.

In Dai Li’s mind, he had always been unlucky. All his trainees had had different problems; Feifei Yu was fat, Feixiang Lin had given up on himself, the shot put team would lose every match, the long jump team was drained of all their talent, Chong Lin had mentality issues, Sijie Yang had wanted to be a photographer instead of an athlete, and Yue Zhao had been misdiagnosed.

Everywhere he went, Dai Li had never actually been able to conduct his coaching without any disturbances. But now, Dai Li felt his luck had finally come. Though the training was not long, the training process was smooth, without any incidents.

What made things even better for Dai Li was that there were three SWAT police among the participants. For them, the 10,000-meter run was just a daily training exercise, so a half marathon was not too difficult for them.

Besides those three, there was one police officer who was a former special force soldier, and had transferred to the police team only last year. He was in excellent physical condition. He had used to run cross-country carrying several dozens of kilograms of weight. It was a piece of cake for him to run a half marathon.

The SWAT officers, the former special force soldier, and any other police officers were all stronger than the ordinary marathon aficionado. This was the first time that Dai Li had felt that he had a team of excellent trainees.

…..

The date of the match arrived very quickly.

The popularity of the half marathon was growing more quickly than any other sport in recent years. A half marathon was 21.0975 kilometers, which was a little more than two 10,000-meter races.

As a match to promote national fitness, the Jinyan Lake half marathon had no special requirements for the participants. A lot of long-distance running lovers had signed up for it, and even more contestants were citizens who had never run a marathon. These contestants did not want any praise; they only wanted to see if they could run to the finish line, and some were just there to watch the race.

Signing up was easy. As long as you brought a valid form of ID, filled out a form, and got a number plate, you could go to the starting zone. Many onlookers signed up for the match last minute. It was very crowded by the Jinyan Lake.

Compared with the individuals who signed up last minute, the teams of the enterprises and public institutions were more like regular armies who had their team leaders, wore the same clothing, had their own slogans, and had special logistics team for provisions such as drinks. Some even had their cheering squads.

Companies in good standing in Huajing City were all big ones, especially the time-honored state-owned enterprises (SOEs), of whom many were founded at the beginnings of the country. These state-owned enterprises had been in existence from planned economy to market economy, and had gone through the SOE reform, restructuring, and laid-off worker booms. Those still in operation had more experience in organizing such activities than the national team had in participating in the Olympics.

As for the public institutions, they were even better at the organization of events like this. Huajing City was the political center of the nation and tended to have a vast variety of events going on each year. It was business as usual for them to organize employees to take part in group activities like this.

Standing at the roadside, Baogang Liu looked at the event in full confidence.

On the racing suits of many teams was each company’s name, such as “___ Paper,””___ Pharmacy,””___ Bank,” etc.Others had printed slogans like “Serving the People” on their tracksuits.

In Baogang Liu’s opinion, however, they were only here to make up the number.

Baogang Liu was the coach in charge of the training for the national marathon team. He had been asked by the Dingtian Group to coach the company’s participants. The company had paid him well. To earn this money, he had even asked for his annual leave to focus on the training.

It was no strange thing for a coach to earn some quick money in his or her spare time. Every national team coach had his or her own way of doing this. The national team did not object nor encourage this kind of thing, as long as their official work was not affected.

As a national team coach, he was surely qualified, and was more than skilled enough to train ordinary people. The Dingtian Group had also given him a good team; the members were all veterans.

As a mega enterprise, the Dingtian Group would go to the job fair looking for veterans every year. Veterans had great of discipline, were easier to manage, and could bear hardships better than ordinary people. This made them more reliable than employees recruited through other means. Those who were chosen by the Dingtian Group were the elites among the veterans, with excellent capabilities.

The Dingtian Group was determined to win the team championship of this half marathon. Baogang Liu had not wasted any of the company’s resources, and in just a few weeks, he had trained a very strong marathon team for the Dingtian Group.

Baogang Liu was very confident about the Dingtian Group’s team, but he continued observing other teams. This was his experience he had accumulated during his many years of coaching kicking in.

“Construct Educational System, Promote Social Development.” They must be from the Education Bureau. They all have fair and tender skin; they are surely a bunch of sedentary guys judging off their looks.

The members of the other team over there are more tan. That should be due to sunburn. They are reporters for the Huajing Paper! No wonder. They go out for interviews every day. It makes sense that they would be tanned.

This team is from Qinghua University. They are quite a big team. Some look like athletes, but most of them are ordinary teachers and students. Those university students are quite enthusiastic about this half marathon.

Oh? The Sports Bureau also have their own team here, and are even being lead by Mr. Qian, the Director General! There’s Li, Wang… Baogang Liu shook his head quietly. He saw quite a few people he knew, one of whom had once been a professional athlete.

Wang was a national champion in the 10,000-meter run! But that was ten years ago. He retired from the national team five or six years ago. He was so strong as an athlete, yet now he has a beer belly.

Baogang Liu knew that it required daily training for an athlete to maintain his or her condition. Yet for top athletes, even if they stuck to their training every day, their condition would deteriorate as they aged. An athlete could not even maintain 30% of his or her top performance after five or six years of retirement.

Judging from my observation, there is no strong team at all except for the Dingtian Group’s team, which is my group. We are certain to win the team championship, Baogang Liu thought to himself.

“Coach Liu, how is it? Are there any strong opponents?” asked a sweet girl’s voice.

Hearing this, Baogang Liu knew that Yunan Xiao had come up behind him. She had such a distinctive voice.

“Hi, Director Xiao!” he said with a big smile on his face. Even at his age, he was eagerly attentive to young and beautiful girls.

“Director Xiao, I have looked through the other teams and did not find any strong adversaries. I think we are easily going to win this.” As he was speaking, he suddenly saw a team in blue tracksuits.

Oh? Is that a professional team? I certainly see some professional qualities in them. Baogang Liu began assessing them almost immediately. Such was the instinct of a first-class coach.

Baogang Liu had seen many teams before, but this team wearing blue tracksuits had a different aura of professionalism about them, one which only some professional-grade long-distance runners possessed. Prior to seeing this, Baogang Liu had only seen this in their own training team.

A strong opponent! Baogang Liu felt his heart skip a beat. In this kind of competition, there are no professional teams. These people look like a quasi-professional team. But this is the marathon. Who are they?

Baogang Liu looked carefully, and finally saw clearly the team’s slogan.

Faithfully Guard the Safety of the People, Baogang Liu repeated the short slogan to himself. There are not many units that use these words as slogans. It’s the police! Only the police would use this slogan.

Baogang Liu took a deep breath. He knew that the ability of the police team participants was absolutely not inferior to that of the Dingtian Group’s team. The Dingtian Group could gather more than ten outstanding veterans, but the police team could do the same, and may even find more excellent talents.

They should also have professional sports coaches. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be that aura of professionalism pro athletes have, Baogang Liu thought. The next second, he saw Dai Li appear with the police team.

“Dai Li!” Baogang Liu couldn’t help exclaiming.

“Coach Liu, do you see an acquaintance? Maybe he is a colleague of yours!” Yunan Xiao said, looking in the same direction as Baogang Liu.

“Yes, a colleague,” Baogang Liu simply nodded. “That team in blue tracksuits over there should be the police team.”

“Which one is your colleague?” Yunan Xiao immediately asked.

“The seventh young man from the left,” Baogang Liu replied.

Yunan Xiao saw Dai Li. Although she was far away and could not see him clearly, Yunan Xiao could tell that he was not so old, and about her own age.

“Coach Liu, your colleague is very young. I would think the training level and experience are certainly not as good as yours, right?” Yunan Xiao tentatively asked.

“That’s for sure!” Baogang Liu certainly wouldn’t say the opposite, but he also felt he could not say so too definitely. After all, as the saying goes, “There is no ever-victorious soldier and no inflexible water.” As long as it is a sports competition, there would always be uncertainty.

Baogang Liu changed the topic and said, “As a matter of fact, this Dai Li is not my colleague, as he is not a member of the national team. He has been temporarily transferred to the national team from the Hanbei Provincial team. He is also a good student of Coach Xue Li, and he is proficient in short-distance running training.”

“He’s not a marathon coach,” Yunan Xiao said casually.

“But he is the youngest championship coach on the national team. In the Asian Games held a few days ago, the national team relied on Dai Li to get the gold medal in the relay race.” Baogang Liu told Yunan Xiao all the details of the Asian Games relay race.

Yunan Xiao looked at Dai Li from far away and seemed interested in him. She said, “This Coach Li is a sprinting coach. In marathon training, he shouldn’t be as good, right?”

“That’s for sure!” Liu Bao said. He then added, “He probably is not.”

Yunan Xiao noticed that Baogang Liu’s was not so confident in his words anymore. She never would have thought this senior coach from the national team would show this lack of self-confidence before Dai Li. Yunan Xiao involuntarily looked at the distant Dai Li again.

Baogang Liu also realized that he had used the wrong words, and that it was wrong to not be confident in front of his sponsor. Baogang Liu then immediately said, “Director Xiao, please don’t worry; I believe in the strength of our participants. And in the team competition, only the first five athletes’ scores are counted to calculate the results. I can form a strategy to disturb their pace by arranging two or three of our contestants to run with them! As long as they are out of sync, we will win!”

Chapter 224: Giving a Hand With No Hesitation

“Coach Li, there is a beautiful lady over there. She is looking at you!” Feng Wu whispered to Dai Li.

As a police officer who had been demobilized from the special forces, Wu had a much better intuition than anyone else, and thus spotted that the beautiful lady, Yunan Xiao, was looking at them from a distance.

“She may be looking at me rather than Coach Li,” A police officer nearby said with a smile.

“Wu was a sniper in the special forces. His eyesight is no doubt better than yours! If he said the beautiful girl was looking at Dai Li, then it must be him,” another police officer said.

Dai Li turned to face the direction Feng Wu had said and saw Yunan Xiao. Due to the distance, however, Dai Li could not see her face clearly. She was in sportswear, and was wearing a peaked cap. Her fair complexion and fine figure showed off her beauty.

The next second, he saw Baogang Liu.

Isn’t that Coach Baogang Liu of the marathon team? He did join the race! I heard a few days ago that he had asked for his annual leave to prepare for this. Wait, the race uniform he is wearing looks similar to that of the team nearby. I’m sure the national team is not participating. Has he joined some amateur team?”

Thinking about this, Dai Li said to Feng Wu, “Officer Wu, could you please tell me what team that is over there?”

As a former sniper in the special forces, Feng Wu did have sharp eyes. After a glance, he said to Dai Li, “The slogan on the uniforms those people are wearing reads ‘Dingtian Real Estate’. The team should be from the Dingtian Group.”

The Dingtian Group… That’s a giant company! How could Coach Liu have gotten involved with them? Perhaps he works for it privately to earn some extra money… Dai Li thought.

It’s very likely. Baogang Liu himself is a marathon coach working all day on the training ground. There is no need for him to ask for an annual leave to do pre-race training—he could train professional athletes if he really wanted to.

Dai Li knew that Baogang Liu was a high-level coach. He had coached on the national team for several years. Although the national team didn’t achieve satisfying results in the international competitions, it was undeniable that its performance was stably improving.

It’s a piece of cake to coach ordinary men for him. He should have been able to form a fairly well-trained team in such a long annual leave. But no matter how skilled he is, he is no match for me. My team members are all policemen. So, my team is unparalleled compared to these common teams.

Dai Li found that he felt much more relieved than before.

“Hey, isn’t that Zhao? The squad leader of the first squad? He had been working for Dingtian Group after his demobilization!” a police officer beside Dai Li said.

“Any acquaintances, Officer Wang?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Sure. There, one of my old comrades in the army is on the Dingtian Group’s team. We were levied in the same year and assigned to the same platoon. He was the head of the No. 1 squad, and I was in charge of the No. 2. Coach, may I say hi to him?” His request for a temporary leave was approved, and he walked over to the Dingtian Group’s team.

Officer Wang returned to the team after a moment.

“I’m sorry to keep you waiting so long. I met a few old comrades there,” Wang explained. “At first, I thought only Zhao was there. But I never expected another two comrades in my military unit to also be on that team…”

“Are there a lot of demobilized army men in the that team?” Dai Li vigilantly asked.

A police officer named Sui next to him looked over the team of the Dingtian Group and answered, “Quite a few. People who served in the army, especially those who just get demobilized, would reveal their identity of being a soldier easily. I think they are all demobilized army men.”

Officer Sui was a criminal police officer. He knew a lot and had excellent observation and good analytic skills.

All demobilized army men! Dai Li gasped nervously. Now, the situation turned hot.

I used to believe my team was strong enough physically. But it never occured to me that the Dingtian Group’s team is almost as strong as mine, in that they even employed Baogang Liu as their coach! They will be my archrival in this race, and I have to take as much care as I can. I’ll detect their ability later.

Before long, all the contestants stood on the starting line. Dai Li seized this opportunity to detect the abilities of the members of the Dingtian Group’s team.

They are strong, as expected. If I just compare the ability points, the points of that team are almost equally matched with mine. Thanks to the buff from my Endurance Aura, they should be no match for my team if the race really comes down to the end. Dai Li was reassured.

…..

Does Dai Li really know marathon training?

Baogang Liu was still uncertain. He would be much more confident if his opponent were one of his fellow coaches he had worked with on the national team for years. As a senior coach on the national team, he knew them well.

But he couldn’t figure out Dai Li at all. On the eve of the Asian Games, Dai Li had volunteered to coach the relay race team and made them champions. Baogang Liu had witnessed that race. The coordination among the four team members couldn’t have been achieved in a day’s training. That made him believe that there was something mysterious about Dai Li.

This guy Dai Li is by no means ordinary if he was chosen by Li Xue. However, he is too young; mastering sprint training is challenging enough for him. He should not be skilled at long-distance race training! Baogang Liu tried to boost his morale.

At that moment, the starting gun fired. Runners began to move like the tide of the sea. The scene of several thousands of people running on the track was rather spectacular.

There is an old saying that goes, “Never fall behind at the starting line.” But the half marathon was not a 100-meter sprint. These runners had to run over 20 kilometers in total; whether they were slightly ahead in the beginning would have little influence on their rankings in the race.

But many people who took part in the race for the first time didn’t understand that, and eagerly ran as quickly as they could to gain some advantage once the race began.

Some amateur participants sped up to follow those fast runners out of fear of falling behind. What they didn’t know was that a marathon at the amateur level aimed for running as much as one could. Finishing the race was most important.

Seeing this, Baogang Liu shook his head silently.

The present front-runners may quit the race halfway. Although there seems to be a lot of people running during the race, those who can finish the race are probably less than ⅕ of the people running right now, if I had to guess. Absorbed in thoughts, Baogang Liu picked up a pack of drinks, and rode on his bicycle.

At the same time, Dai Li also carried a pack of supplies and rode on a shared bicycle.

The road that had been selected as the race track had been closed for this marathon, so no automobiles were allowed to pass through. As a result, supplies such as drinks and energy bars had to be transported by bicycles.

There were too many teams in the race, including dozens of teams composed of undergraduates. If every team had a car with them, the race would certainly be hindered by those vehicles.

Of course, special vehicles like police cars and ambulances were permitted to enter the track. To avoid arousing suspicion of providing privilege to the police team, the police station hadn’t assigned any cars for its team. Dai Li, as the team coach, had to bring the supplies to the next supply point by himself.

In a marathon, the organizer would set up supply zones. Sometimes participating teams might set up some additional supply zones to supply their players as well.

The first supply point in this half marathon was five kilometers away from the starting line. It was a good distance for those who dared to take part in the race. For those who had difficulty running five kilometers, they really needed more exercise.

Dai Li wrote down some notes at the supply zone and stuck them to the bottles with double-sided tape. It was a method to deliver messages during the marathon. Depending on the conditions of the runners, the coach would write down their tactical arrangements on the paper to inform his athletes. In similar races like road cycling, participants used the same method to deliver messages.

Racers reaching the supply zone first were all athletes of good skill. Those who were first i nthe beginning of the race might have dropped out already.

“Dai Li! You are here!” Baogang Liu’s voice arose.

Before the race, there had been too many people, and both of them were busy setting up their strategies. The two of them had no chance to greet each other. Now that they were at the supply point where there weren’t many people, they had no excuse to not see each other.

“Coach Liu!” Dai Li smiled immediately. “I saw you earlier. Please pardon me for not greeting you. I had a lot to deal with.”

“Same here,” Baogang Liu replied. He then asked, “Dai Li, are all your team members policemen?”

“Yes, they are. Days ago the police station wanted to hire a coach among us. Everyone was busy except for me, so I went,” Dai Li answered. “Coach Liu, is your team from the Dingtian Group?”

“Hehe…” Baogang Liu readily acknowledged it without being awkward about doing a private job.

They spoke vaguely and tried to get a sense of each other’s strength as runners gradually appeared from the horizon.

“Here they come!” Dai Li found a group of runners in blue sportswear—they were from the police team. Simultaneously, the Dingtian Group’s team appeared in his sight.

Dai Li and Baogang Liu both picked up their bags and walked to the side of the road, ready to pass drinks out to their team members.

The second supply zone was 7.5 kilometers away. After that, a supply zone would be set up every 2.5 kilometers.

It was reasonable to set up more supply points in an amateur marathon race. When ordinary men had to run ten kilometers, every 2.5 kilometers in the race would drain them, and even cause some of them to suffer. At every supply point, there were always a number of runners that could no longer continue running anymore and had to quit the race.

The number of runners on the track started to decrease at the 10-kilometer supply zone, and began dropping more quickly when it got to the 17.5-kilometer mark. For those who had run that far, they were all able to finish the race. The supply zone for 20 kilometers was a little over one kilometer away from the finish line. Runners who had run that far would not give up easily.

At the supply zone for the 7.5-kilometer mark there were still many runners, but some obvious gaps had emerged among them. Neither the police team nor the Dingtian Group team were in first place, but they were still ahead of the majority of the racers.

The real race would really begin at the 10-kilometer supply zone Many people would quit at the next two supply zones.

“Dai Li, I have to go.” Baogang Liu waved goodbye to Dai Li, then rode to the next supply point.

Dai Li smiled helplessly. The bicycle Liu was riding on was a high-end urban bicycle with derailleur, and could even be used as a racing bike. The Dingtian Group was rich enough to offer several bicycles to its team staff.

Dai Li’s bicycle was a shared bicycle that had to scan a QR code before it could be used. Such a bicycle was no match for Baogang Liu’s city bicycle in terms of speed and riding experience.

Forget it; I only need to be a bit faster than my team to reach the zone in advance. It will be fine. He rode on his bicycle and headed for the next supply zone.

Dai Li had seen many runners falling behind on the track.

Although most participants were merely having fun, there were still a bunch of marathon fans in them. Some of these fans were outstanding runners at the amateur level, even though they couldn’t rival professionals. They were no slower than the advantageous teams and thus appeared in the front. Some really tough athletes among them could even win the individual championship.

The half marathon is no doubt the fastest growing sport in the last two years. So many people take part in the race, and there are a few masters at the amateur level. It has been almost twelve kilometers now. Racers running this far are obviously skilled. It’s particularly difficult for solo runners to stay towards the front of the pack because they lack team coordination and have spent too much of their stamina. What a challenge!”

Dai Li marveled at them as he continued riding forward. All of a sudden, a man in white sportswear stumbled and fell to the ground. Dai Li took a careful look at him and found that it was a skinny man in his sixties who had grizzled hair.

…

“Director Xiao, you don’t need to ride to the end. Our company has arranged a car for you. Isn’t it better to go the other way and take a little detour to get you to the finish line?” A man beside Yunan Xiao was speaking to her attentively.

“It doesn’t matter. I just want to get some exercise. It’s only twenty kilometers; not that much.” She actually despised this form of flattery, if it could be called that, but showed no discomfort in her expression.

It was natural for the employees of the Dingtian Group to come and try to pamper Yunan Xiao due to her position. For example, when she had decided to ride to the finish line in today’s race, seven or eight people immediately rode on bicycles to accompany her. One of them even carried an ice box containing cold drinks for her.

Alas, I have no freedom at all! Yunan Xiao sighed helplessly.

At that moment, she saw someone fall to the ground.

Somebody fell down! It looks like an old man! She made up her mind and rode over there to help him as soon as possible.

“Director Xiao, please wait!” the man beside her said, following her. “Check it out first, don’t touch him!”

“Why?” Yunan Xiao asked as she turned around to look at him.

“You have been in the U.S. too long and don’t know the situation here. When faced with this type of thing, you should call the police or the hospital. If you insist on helping him, please do so after I have taken the video as proof to illustrate that the man was not hit by you,” the man answered.

Yunan Xiao opened her mouth, but said nothing. She had thought of cases of “pengci” fraud, and the story of someone helping an old woman out of kindness at first, but selling a car to pay reparations to her in the end.

“It can’t be…” Xiao seemed to say to herself.

“Director Xiao, people are very different these days. You have your special status. Being blackmailed will harm your reputation.” Then, the man said to the men behind him, “Zhang and Li, you two go and help that old man; Zhao and Yu, take the video with your mobile phone. Although we are helping others, we don’t want to be fooled!”

While they were talking, Dai Li arrived from behind. He stopped his bicycle in front of the old man.

“Are you okay, sir? Let me help you up!” he said without hesitation.

Chapter 225: The Good Man

Yunan Xiao looked at the man beside him with a hint of anger, almost as if she was saying, This man can help him; why can’t I?

The man looked helplessness. He did not expect anyone to come and help an old man without any precautious self-protection.

This guy is Baogang Liu’s colleague and a coach for the national team. Yunan Xiao recognized Dai Li.

“Sir, are you okay?” Dai Li asked, carefully checking on the old man.

To be precise, this old man was not very old. By his appearance, he should have been less than sixty years old. But his gray hair made him look older. He appeared to be in pain, clenching his teeth, with both his hands holding his legs.

Hearing Dai Li asked him whether he was OK, the old man said, “I have a cramp in my leg!”

Dai Li instantly understood why the old man had fallen.

When running a marathon, cramps were very common, as the runners would lose too much physical energy and have an inadequate amount of electrolytes. The old man had lost his balance when his leg began cramping and fell to the ground.

“Straighten your feet; toes up. Let me help you. Don’t bend your legs.” As a professional coach, it was natural for Dai Li to handle cramps. He knew how to relieve them.

A minute later, the tense expression of the old man eased a lot. The symptom of the cramp had seemingly vanished.

“Sir, how are you feeling now?” Dai Li asked.

“No cramping anymore, just a little painful here in the calf,” the old man said.

“Your muscles are too tight.” Dai Li touched the old man’s calf, then said, “Let me rub it for you!”

Dai Li’s Relaxation Massage was also effective on ordinary people. Only a moment later, the old man felt very relieved, and the pain originally caused by the cramp was also gradually eliminated.

“Young man, your massage technique is really good. Are you a massage therapist?” the old man asked, looking at Dai Li.

“I’m a sports coach,” Dai Li answered.

“No wonder you are good at dealing with this sort of thing.” The old man continued, “Nowadays, when ordinary people see an old guy like me falling down, they will hesitate for a while, even if they want to help. There are not many people like you now.”

Dai Li smiled, but did not answer. When he saw the old man fall, he did not think too much; he simply wanted to help him.

“What’s wrong, boss?” an anxious voice said from far away.

Following the voice, three men ran closer. The one in the lead was a slightly overweight 30-year-old, while two 20–year-old men followed him.

The 30-year-old man approached them, breathing heavily. He glanced at Dai Li and immediately said, “Did you bump into our director so that he would fall to the ground?”

Dai Li felt both annoyed and amused. But thinking it over, he realized that it was not strange. With his bike on the side, it was quite normal that they thought he had knocked down the old man.

“Lin, what nonsense! He is a good man!” The old man stared at the fat man and said, “I fell because I had a cramp in my leg. This young man kindly came to help me!”

The fat man was immediately embarrassed. With a smile, he said to Dai Li, “Sorry that I accused you.”

“Director Xiao, you see that? It is really dangerous to be kind to others! Fortunately, the old man was a reasonable man. If it were rogue b*stard, the young man could get extorted.” The man next to Yunan Xiao then said, “That old man is no ordinary man.”

“Why?” Yunan Xiao asked.

“I heard those men addressing the old man as director. In this capital of ours, it is most difficult to figure out what position a director is, exactly. A director is by no means always a small position. This title might mean a lot.” The man continued, “As officials of the lowest rank, there might be several directors in the administration of just one community. Yet at the same time, the boss of the Nation Development and Reform Committee is also called a ‘director.’ Some ‘directors’ in the committee have the power to easily make a big company suffer a lot.”

“I see. The young coach of the national team is a warm-hearted person,” Yunan Xiao nodded. She then said, “Well, everything is OK here now. Let’s go.”

Dai Li did not know that he was unexpectedly labeled a “good man” by Yunan Xiao.

How come Dai Li is still not here. Even though he rides a shared bike, he should not be so much slower than me! Looking at his watch, Baogang Liu continued thinking to himself.

Baogang Liu looked up again and finally saw Dai Li. With Dai Li were also more than 10 runners.

Dai Li is so late that he arrived at almost the same time as the candidates! I don’t know why he was delayed. Well, this kid is not a professional marathon coach. It is normal that he hasn’t prepared fully. Baogang Liu took out a bottle of water from his pack while thinking to himself.

Dai Li rode to the supply area quickly and quickly removed his backpack. He took out the drinks and got ready to give them to his team.

Upon Dai Li’s arrival, the police team also arrived at the supply point. Dai Li quickly gave out the drinks, then immediately rode to the next supply zone.

People who could arrive at the 17.5-kilometer supply zone earlier than others were by no means mediocre. Until then, no complete team had arrived at the supply zone. Baogang Liu silently prayed that the Dingtian Group’s team would arrive as soon as possible.

Here they are! Baogang Liu sighed in relief. The next second, however, he saw that the Dingtian Group’s team was being closely followed by a team wearing blue tracksuits.

It was the police team.

Since the beginning of the race the two teams had been running together, and neither of them had been able to surpass each other by a significant distance.

It’s almost the last 3.5 kilometers. It’s time for a showdown. Now you should speed up a little. Baogang Liu picked up a pen and quickly wrote a few words on the sticker. He then stuck it on the bottle.

At the same time, Dai Li was also hurriedly writing.

In the last 3.5 kilometers, it will be time to speed up. With the help of the endurance halo, the physical condition of my team should be better than those of Coach Liu’s. Dai Li wrote his tactical order to speed up on the paper. He then stuck it on the drink bottle and went to the side of the track.

Coach Baogang Liu also appeared at the same position, ready to pass the message along to his team.

The two teams received their coach’s instructions and began increasing their speeds at the same time.

They are also speeding up! The same idea popped into the mind of both Dai Li and Baogang Liu at the same time. They involuntarily looked into each other’s eyes.

Dai Li’s stay on the national team was not in vain after all. Although he is not a marathon coach, he has learned a few marathon skills. He knows it is time to speed up now, Baogang Liu thought.

Dai Li, however, felt a huge boost in his morale.

Baogang Liu also chose to speed up now. He made the same choice as I did. It means my judgment is correct! Maybe we can win today! Baogang Liu is a professional marathon coach; it must feel very good to beat him!

Chapter 226: The Score Counting

After the 17.5-kilometer supply point, there was no need for the contestants of a team to stay in formation.

The contestants who had the strength to get a higher individual ranking had been following others within the team to preserve more physical strength. Until now, the leading runner for the last leg of the half marathon would be in front of the team. He would be leading the team for the next two kilometers.

After those two kilometers, they would reach the final sprint phase. This would depend on individual ability. The more physical strength one had left, the faster they could sprint.

The runner leading the team was destined to sacrifice their own result. If on an ordinary team, it would be difficult to do such tactical coordination, for no one would be willing to sacrifice their own achievements for someone else’s ranking. But the police team was different; they strictly followed Dai Li’s strategy that was made before the race. The leading athlete wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice for the sake of the team to achieve a better result. For the Dingtian Group team, the discipline of the veterans could also be guaranteed.

After the 20-kilometer supply zone, less than one kilometer was left before the finish line of the half marathon. At this point, all the contestants would begin their final sprint, and the distance between the players would begin to grow.

The ranking of individual races naturally depended on the results, while the ranking for team competitions was calculated by the total score of its team members. Contestants ranking within the top 500 all had scores. The first participant to pass the finish line would receive 500 points for its team, the second 499 points, and so on; 500th place would receive one point. For contestants ranking below 500, no points would be given to the team.

If more than one contestant of a team was within the top 500, then only the top five participants’ scores would be counted. At the finish line, everyone looked anxiously at the runway, waiting for the first place finisher to arrive.

“Here he is!” someone suddenly shouted. Dozens of cameras instantly pointed towards the horizon. First place was a young man who was about 20 years old. He was a student from the Sports University, specializing in tthe marathon.

In this kind of competition, no professional athletes would show up. Competing for the championship against a group of amateurs was a disgrace no professional athlete wanted. Therefore, college athletes made up almost all of the highly skilled competitors. These college students were going for personal achievements, so they were no threat to a team.

The second through eighth place finishers were all college students, all from different universities. Ninth place was a marathon enthusiast who was about 30 years old, and had been a professional athlete when he was younger. Although he had retired many years ago, he had continued his training, running as many as 120-150 kilometers per week.

For amateurs, this amount of training was unusual. Even for professional athletes on the national team, weekly training only covered between 180-220 kilometers generally. If an amateur could really run 150 kilometers in a week, it meant that they must spend almost all their spare time running marathons to ensure a good result.

“10th place is coming!”

Although the runner was still quite far away, Dai Li saw the familiar blue sportswear. It’s Feng Wu!

Dai Li heaved a long sigh of relief that this police officer from the special-ops had indeed brought him a surprise.

Baogang Liu, who was beside him, looked unhappy. But only a few seconds later, he felt relieved.

The 12th place finisher was from the Dingtian Group’s team.

Between 10th and 12th place, the difference was only two points. Baogang Liu thought this could be ignored.

The 19th place finisher is still our man! Baogang Liu clenched his fist excitedly.

12th place scored 489 points, and 19th place scored 482 points. In total, the Dingtian Group’s team had already gotten 971 points, which lead all other teams by a huge margin.

“Director Xiao, so far two of our runners have finished. The total score now is 971 points. We are number one.”

Yunan Xiao nodded, “Tell the publicity staff to get in their positions. Once we receive the group championship, immediately begin our Jinyuanya Park publicity program. How about the other teams?”

“Only the police team has two contestants who have finished the competition. Their score is 969 points,” the man immediately reported.

“Only two points less than our team!” Yunan Xiao raised her eyebrows. Then she said, “Watch the results carefully.”

…

At the finish line, Dai Li and Baogang Liu were both waiting anxiously. The 25th, 26th and 27th place finishers had just crossed the finish line.

Both 28th and 29th place were also in sight, but neither of them were on their teams. 30th is still not our man. Come on! Baogang Liu prayed to himself.

However, none of the next few contestants reaching the finish line were members of the Dingtian Group’s team. Similarly, none of these runners were members of the police team, either.

Finally, a familiar tracksuit appeared on the horizon. Here it is! 41st! He is from my team.

Baogang Liu had all his excitement showing on his face. It meant that the third contestant of the Dingtian Group’s team was also about to finish the race.

Four or five seconds later, another member of the Dingtian Group’s team appeared.

The 42nd place finisher is also from our team! We have four now; four of us! Baogang Liu quickly calculated it. The 41st place finisher would score 460 points, and the 42nd 459 points. Adding this to the previous two finishes, the Dingtian Group was leading by 921 points over the police team, which ranked 2nd. We are about to win! Now we just need one more contestant to finish the race and we’ll win! The anxiety in his heart suddenly eased.

Places 42, 43, 44, and 45 finished the race in the next minute, but the four of them were not members of either team.

After half a minute, the 46th place finisher came into sight. He was wearing a blue sports T-shirt.

When Dai Li saw this blue sports shirt, he knew someone on his team was coming.

46th place is not bad. Baogang Liu was calm. 46th place will go to the police team. But he can only receive 455 points, which does not affect the overall ranking.

But then there was another contestant coming in a blue sports T-shirt.

The 46th and 48th place finishers were both from the police team. Baogang Liu’s expression changed slightly.

Dai Li took out his phone to calculate. 46th place would score 455 points and the 48th would score 457 points. With the previous 969 points, we now have a total of 1,881 points. The Dingtian Group’s team has now scored… Dai Li pressed on the calculator of the phone, calculating, and quickly came to a number. 1,890 points. We are now nine points behind the Dingtian Group’s team!

Dai Li continued to look at the black silhouettes on the horizon ahead. Many of the contestants were sprinting to the finish line.

There are now four contestants who have finished from both teams. It will depend on the last runner of the five to see whose score will be counted. As for the 9-point gap, if our next contestant ranks higher than theirs by nine points, we can still win!

Chapter 227: You Owe Me This Time

One minute ago, Baogang Liu had been planning to celebrate his victory; once he looked at the calculator on his phone, however, he lost all of his confidence.

Although Baogang Liu was a little slow calculating, he did finish the calculation; his team’s score was only nine points higher than that of the police team. In other words, it was a nine rank difference.

In a marathon race, a difference of nine ranks was no big deal at all. Especially after the 40th or 50th place finisher, there could be more than ten athletes rushing to the finish line together. The rankings among a group of athletes could easily change, and did so often.

I’m not going to lose it today, am I? Baogang Liu thought, no longer sure of himself.

There are no undefeated generals in the stadium, and it was normal for a coach to lose a match. But Baogang Liu really did not want to lose today. Both Baogang Liu and Dai Li were coaches on the national team, but Baogang Liu was a marathon coach. If he was defeated by a sprinting coach, he would be quite shamed.

It all depends on the fifth score. Hurry up! Baogang Liu silently prayed.

On the track, there were always other runners appearing on the horizon. At first they were black silhouettes in the distance, then gradually the color of their sportswear would become clear. Each time a new silhouette appeared, Baogang Liu and Dai Li would anxiously look at it. When they clearly saw that the athlete was not from their team nor their opponent’s, they each deeply sighed in both relief and regret.

In a blink of the eye, more than 60 runners had finished the game. There were more and more contestants on the track and the distances between the runners were getting closer and closer together, which became overwhelming.

Counted as the 69th, the fifth contestant of Dai Li’s police team finally come.

Here he is! My contestant has gotten here first! With 69th place, we will get another 432 points. Dai Li quickly calculated the results.

If there is no contestant from the Dingtian Group’s team among the next nine runners passing the finish line, then the team championship is ours! Dai Li thought, secretly glancing at Baogang Liu, who was not far away.

Baogang Liu had very mixed feelings. Not too long ago, the fourth contestant of the Dingtian Group’s team had arrived first, and Baogang Liu had even felt victory already in his grasp. However, he was unexpectedly waiting for a fifth runner from his team, and in this time three runners from the police team had finished the race.

There is still a chance. I’ll still win as long as one of the next nine runners is from my team. As long as he gets a ranking above 78th place, we will still win the champion.

Baogang Liu was trying to cheer himself up. Thinking of this, Baogang Liu looked up into the distance. He saw another blue tracksuit.

Is this one from the police team again? They have six runners who have finished the race now?

Baogang Liu felt worried immediately. Although the score of the sixth contestant would not be counted in the group results, he had a very bad feeling.

71st place was again taken by the police team.

75th and 78th place were also from the police team.

It’s over! I have lost. Baogang Liu already knew that the Dingtian Group had lost the group championship!

The fifth contestant finishing the race from the Dingtian Group placed 85th, which led them to score five less points than the police team. This gap was not much in terms of points, but Baogang Liu knew he had been completely defeated.

Among the finishers from 69th place to 85th place, six were members of the police team. In comparison, most contestants from the Dingtian Group team finished between 85th place and 100th place.

Baogang Liu knew that this was where the gap lied. When only the scores of the top five of each team’s participants were counted, the Dingtian Group seemed to be no weaker than the police team. The other runners from the Dingtian Group after the top five, however, were obviously weaker than the police team.

We were basically tied at the 17.5-kilometer supply zone. The gap had to have happened during the final three-kilometer sprint. Baogang Liu immediately figured out how this had happened.

Losing the match was not so terrible when you knew the reason why you had lost. The national team coaches were very good at learning lessons from their failures. Baogang Liu immediately found the reason for his failure.

I thought Dai Li was only a sprinting coach. It never occurred to me that he knew how to train marathon runners too. He had been playing innocent to trick his opponent! Baogang Liu cursed under his breath, then helplessly shook his head. This kid was so skillful; no wonder Coach Xue Li values him so much!

…

On the other side, Dai Li had also silently evaluated the effects of the endurance halo.

Although I have won, it was so close that I could have lost if it had not been for the endurance halo. I thought I would win easily, but in the end we only won by a small margin. The effect of the endurance halo for this super long race didn’t seem to be as strong as I imagined.

The tactical arrangements made before the race and the on-field commanding were also my weak points. Before the match, I scanned all the contestants for their ability and they were very close; I barely won even with the endurance halo. This means I still have much more to learn from Coach Liu about the tactical arrangements and on-field commanding.

As for leading a team, Dai Li thought he had much less experience than Baogang Liu. The tactical arrangements Baogang Liu had made before the race were certainly better than Dai Li’s, and the tactical instructions during the match he had given were certainly more reasonable than Dai Li’s.

I’m in the intermediate phase of a top-level coach. With this advantage, I am one of the best on the national team in terms of training effects. In other aspects, however, I still have a lot of weaknesses, especially in leading a team during the match.

In the few projects I have done, whether it was the shot put, long jump, or sprinting, basically no tactics were required. I have not paid any attention to this. Now it seems that I have a lot of things to learn. As a coach, I can’t just train! Leading the team in competitions is what I will have to do, and this is something I will have to continue getting better at.

Through a half marathon race, Dai Li had found his shortcomings, which could not be learned from the coaching system.

The coaching system could make his training effect multiply, could enhance his athletes’ performance in certain aspects, and could even help the athletes recover from injuries; but it could not give Dai Li coaching experience, and was not able to help Dai Li master on-field commanding techniques.

Dai Li had considered himself very strong in the intermediate phase of a top-level coach. But now, Dai Li suddenly found that he was only a little better than a newbie.

…

Dai Li lowered his head as he summed up his shortcomings, so he didn’t notice that Yunan Xiao was checking him out from not too far away.

The young coach of the national team was quite interesting! Baogang Liu said earlier that he was a sprinting coach, but he managed to beat a professional marathon coach in a marathon. Yunan Xiao felt that Dai Li was now even more mysterious than he had been before.

“Director Xiao, we have lost the competition. Will we continue to follow the publicity plan?” someone asked.

“Switch to plan B!” Yunan Xiao helplessly said.

For a project where more than one billion yuan had been spent to buy the land, there would surely always be a publicity plan B. The Dingtian Group had prepared several sets of alternative plans, though they were not as good as plan A.

What was more important was the fact that this was the first project Yunan Xiao had managed since she had returned to China. This setback at the beginning of her campaign had really made her upset.

She stared at Dai Li from far away, who was on her mind to blame for her defeat. She muttered, “Our plan took the planning department so long to prepare. But you screwed it up! You owe me.”

Chapter 228: The National Games Are Coming

The next day, word of the results of the half marathon quickly spread to the national team. Everyone knew that Baogang Liu had had an unexpected failure, and that he had been defeated by Dai Li in the marathon.

The coaches of the national team knew each other well. They surely knew about Baogang Liu’s qualifications.

In terms of ability, Baogang Liu was definitely not weak on the national team, and might even be in the upper-middle level. Not only was he good at marathon training, but he was also good at long-distance running training.

If Baogang Liu was defeated by another marathon coach, or even by a long-distance running coach, it would not have surprised anyone. After all, even the best horses stumbled sometimes; it’s normal for a high-level coach to lose a match once in a while.

But Baogang Liu had been defeated by Dai Li. This made many people wonder why Dai Li was a sprinting coach. Sprint and marathon were both popular sports, but the two had nothing in common with one another; in fact, it was even safe to say that they were vastly different.

…

Yet the winner was Dai Li.

The outsiders might have thought that Dai Li had won the game due to pure luck. As the saying went, even the poorest families might have dumplings for dinner during the spring festival.

But in the eyes of the national team coaches, although there may have been a slice of luck in Dai Li’s victory, there was definitely not a lot of it; Dai Li’s strength as a coach was much more crucial.

What’s more, what Dai Li had won was the team competition. This required five participants’ scores to be counted. It might have been luck to have an individual runner win, but for five participants on one team to win, it obviously required something more than purely being lucky. Therefore, everyone realized that Dai Li must know something about marathon training. Many people even believed that Dai Li had rich experience in leading a team in marathon, otherwise it would have been impossible for him to defeat Baogang Liu.

…

Dai Li knocked on the door, then walked into Li Xue’s office.

Seeing that it was Dai Li, Li Xue said, “Dai Li, you good boy! You won that half marathon race yesterday and defeated Baogang Liu! Baogang Liu’s ability is quite extraordinary among marathon coaches on our national team. I never would have thought you would defeat him!”

“That was pure luck!” Dai Li smiled.

“All right. You needn’t be humble when with me. If you did not know something about marathon, you couldn’t defeat Baogang Liu at all! Fortunately, you’re my student, and the long-distance running team wouldn’t sare touch you” Li Xue said, smiling.

“It was only a game. Are they going to beat me?” Dai Li asked with surprised.

“You misunderstood me. I am short-tempered, but I have never fought with anyone when I lost a match. Those guys on the long-distance running team are always dawdling when doing things; how dare they start a fight with anyone?” Li Xue then said, “Yet they dare to do headhunting! If you were someone else, the long-distance running team would have tried to recruit you to their team long ago! It’s a good thing that you work for me. They dare not solicit you, even if they had twice the amount of courage.”

Dai Li smiled and changed the topic. “Coach, what did you call me here for?”

“Go back to the dormitory and pack up your belongings. You should return to your provincial team now,” Li Xue said with no hesitation.

“Coach, you just said you would have me under your wing. Now you’re firing me? I just won a half marathon with only amateurs. Is it really necessary to fire me??” Dai Li said half-jokingly.

“It is not that I want to fire you; I reckon that your provincial team will soon want you back,” Li Xue said. He put a copy of a document on the table. “Take a look at this first.”

Dai Li picked up the document. He knew what it was as soon as he finished scanning the title.

“The schedule for the track and field qualification competition for the National Games was released! It begins next month. It’s very soon,” Dai Li said.

Li Xue nodded. “Great importance is placed on every session of the National Games by every provincial training team. As usual, the provincial training teams will recall all the excellent athletes and coaches in their province. Many athletes and coaches from the national team also usually return to their former unit to work for their province. This is an unwritten rule.

“You have been temporarily transferred to the national team, and there are not many excellent sprinting coaches in Hanbei Province. Although you are working for the national team, you are still an coach for your provincial team. I think they will soon get you back,” Li Xue said.

Glancing at Dai Li, he continued, “I just received this document. The national team gets news sooner than the provincial team. I think the Hanbei provincial team will receive a similar document by this afternoon at the latest. I just wanted to let you know in advance so that you could pack up and book your ticket home.”

“I see. Thank you, coach!” Dai Li said.

Li Xue then said, “The track and field team of Hanbei Province is good at middle-distance running and the shot put. Their performance in sprinting is only so-so. I am afraid it is unlikely they will earn a medal in the National Games. So I will not impose any goal on you. When you go back to the provincial team, just don’t screw up and embarrass me.”

Li Xue, as an official of the second highest rank in national team, usually lead the training and naturally knew the situation of each provincial team well. This meant that he knew what the track and field teams of each province were good at.

Dai Li had been with the national team for such a long time that he had gotten to know something about each of the provincial teams. He knew there was no top-level sprinter in his hometown, Hanbei Province; at least, there was no sprinter on the national team currently from his hometown.

Li Xue was right. At five o’clock that afternoon, Dai Li received a call from the head coach of the track and field team of Hanbei Province, Weidong Chu, who told him to go back as soon as possible to prepare for the National Games.

Dai Li first bought a ticket to his hometown Yu Zhou, where he stayed with his parents for a day. Then he went to the provincial capital, Qingcheng.

The Hanbei Province’s track and field team was still unfamiliar to Dai Li, as he had not actually stayed there for more than a few days.

When he was still with the youth team, he had signed up for the talent training program of the national team. After that, he had stayed on the national team with Li Xue to learn, and had almost never come back to the Hanbei Province’s track and field team.

Hanbei Province’s track and field team had never asked Dai Li to come back. Dai Li was wanted by Li Xue, and Weidong Chu would not want to annoy Li Xue. He actually hoped that Dai Li could stay with the national team.

Weidong Chu knew that the provincial team was too small a temple to accommodate a big Buddha like Dai Li; it would only be a matter of time before he went to the national team anyway. In Weidong Chu’s eyes, it would benefit him to have a friend on the national team. It would do Hanbei Province’s track and field team nothing but good if Dai Li could be recruited by the national team.

Therefore, if it were not really a special occasion, Weidong Chu would not recall Dai Li. But the National Games were obviously a special occasion. Weidong Chu needed Dai Li to come back.

Chapter 229: Dai Li Is Coming Back

NG was short for the National Games, which was the highest and largest comprehensive sports event in the country. In addition to the martial arts project, the National Games were basically on the same level as the Olympic Games. There were even winter Olympic events in the early years such as skating.

Ordinary people probably would not pay much attention to the National Games. But for the Provincial Sports Bureaus, the National Games was only second to the Olympic Games.

Since the provincial training teams were not eligible to attend national sports games, the National Games became the highest stage they could ever see. Each Provincial Sports Bureau looked to the National Games to show off their achievements. Thus, the National Games was also nicknamed the Olympic Games in the sports world.

For athletes in the sports world, a gold medal in the National Games was second only to a world championship, especially for sports that were not as popular nor familiar to the public. If an athlete could win a gold medal in the National Games, he would be making contributions to their Provincial Sports Bureau, which meant that his or her career path would be a lot smoother, and that there would be a better position for him or her after retiring from sports.

These were the tangible benefits. For athletes who had no chance of seeing the Olympic stage, it was obviously worth it to try their best to show out in front of the leaders and solidify a good position for themselves after retirement.

In order to win a gold medal in the National Games, each of the Provincial Sports Bureaus applied all the strategies and tactics they had at their disposal. Drafting excellent athletes and coaches was the most basic of these strategies. Excellent athletes on national teams, professional clubs, or even overseas would be asked to attend the National Games.

Spending money was also useful. Especially in rich provinces, Provincial Sports Bureaus would set a high-level prize for a gold medal, nearly that of an Olympic championship. With a higher prize, the enthusiasm of the athletes would naturally be more profound.

Besides, spending money to poach excellent athletes from other provinces to attend the National Games was also a good way to enhance their own team in a short amount of time. For example, there was once a famous basketball player who had attended the National Games three times, and represented a different team each time. In the end, he walked away with a lot of money.

…

Headquarters for Hanbei Province’s track and field team.

As the National Games began approaching, all the coaches started to gear up their training, hoping to achieve a good result in the competition.

The sprinting coach, Baojun Sha, walked into the dining hall, exhausted. He ordered several dishes he liked and devoured them. An entire afternoon of training had consumed a great deal of his physical strength. Right now even steamed bread with salted vegetables were a delicacy in his eyes.

“Baojun Sha, here, come here!” someone at the next table greeted Baojun Sha.

Baojun Sha turned around and saw two of his colleagues, Hua Liu and Guodong Li, who were both sprinting coaches.

How did Hua Liu and Guodong Li get together! Baojun Sha thought in doubt.

They were all sprinting coaches, but their relationships were not good at all. As the saying goes, “two people from the same trade can never agree.” The three had always been in competitive on the track and field team.

The Hanbei Province track and field team had a vacant position as the group leader in the sprint training section, which was in charge of practical training. When someone got this position, he would have the opportunity to be promoted to the assistant head coach of the track and field team. Becoming a senior member on the team was getting a seat in a leadership position. Therefore, Baojun Sha, Hua Liu, and Guodong Li were all longing for this position.

Their differences in age were not significant, and both their qualifications and achievements were nearly the same. In order to get this position, they had all tried their best. It was because of this that their relationship with one another was not so good. They usually nodded at each other as a form of greeting, and never spoke to each other unless necessary. Even during group dinners that involved all their colleagues, they tried not to sit together.

Understandably, it was unbelievable that Hua Liu and Guodong Li were eating at the same table. Not only that, but now they had called Baojun Sha over to the eat with them. Baojun Sha was surprised.

He hesitated, but eventually carried his tray over to them. Before he could sit down, Guodong Li said, “Baojun Sha, you have really held some tough training sessions recently!”

Could it be possible that Guodong Li wants to find out my training schedule? Baojun Sha was distrustful and replied thoughtlessly, “It seems like you two have been doing some tough training too! Are you going to have yourself a big success at the National Games?”

“If so, you should be the group leader!” Hua Liu smiled and said, “I’m afraid there’s no chance!”

“Hua Liu, opportunities depend on strength. You cannot attend the National Games just by talking.” Baojun Sha thought Hua Liu had criticized him, so he was unhappy.

Hua Liu smiled ironically, “Sha, don’t misunderstand me—I’m not talking about you.”

Hua Liu’s sneer disgruntled Baojun Sha. Baojun Sha said ironically, “Not talking about me? Could it be Guodong Li? I guess you were not talking about you, right?”

“Sha, I meant that none of us had a chance!” Hua Liu said.

“What did you mean, Hua Liu?” Baojun Sha sniffed.

“Sha, do you know? Dai Li is coming back,” Guodong Li began to explain.

Dai Li? Who is Dai Li? The name sounds a little familiar! Baojun Sha said to himself.

Guodong Li leaned forward and lowered his voice. “The young coach who was selected from the youth team. The one who was taken away by the national team before he came to report in.”

Baojun Sha suddenly remembered. “That guy! I knew him. Dai Li planned to attend the youth talent training program. He got lucky and was selected by Li Xue. Then he stayed with the national team. So? Is he coming back? I thought he would be directly transferred to the national team!”

“Dai Li was only on the national team temporarily before. Now that the National Games are coming, Coach Chu naturally wants him back.” Guodong Li continued, “I heard that Coach Chu wants him to be the group leader!”

“Why! I’ve been on the team for almost ten years. Why him? Such a young guy wants to be the group leader! I don’t even know him.” Baojun Sha let all the anger he was feeling show on his face.

“It’s because he can hold his position in the national team; because he is a proud disciple of Li Xue!” Hua Liu interrupted. These two reasons left Baojun Sha speechless, and unable to find any ground for defense.

Chapter 230: Failed to Ally

Either of the two reasons given by Hua Liu would be sufficient for Dai Li to be made the group leader.

As for these three, being recruited by the national team was impossible. They hadn’t didn’t qualified for the national training camp, while Dai Li could gain a firm foothold in the national team. This showed that he was much stronger than them, and thus could be eligible to be group leader.

Besides, Dai Li was Li Xue’s favorite disciple, who was the second in command on the national track and field team. Xue was very influential throughout the whole country due to his numerous disciples and longtime followers. Relying on his relationship with Li Xue, Dai Li could make himself the group leader.

Considering this, Baojun Sha suddenly felt a sense of loss. He had trained for quite a long time to be the group leader. Now, the chance was taken by someone else before he could even get his hopes up.

He took a deep breath and cleared his mind. He had to console himself, “Dai Li is happy on the national team, and certainly won’t want to return to the provincial team. I think he was just drafted for the National Games. After that, he’ll surely return to the national team.”

“Well, let’s talk about the National Games.” Hua Liu continued, “Dai Li is a coach. After coming back, the team will assign him athletes to train, right? Sha, who do you think will be sent to him?”

As if Baojun Sha was aware of something, his expression suddenly became serious.

Hua Liu continued, “When Dai Li comes back from the national team, our team will definitely assign him the best athletes. On our team, there are three top athletes: Kun Shen, trained by Sha, Tinshan Chen, trained by Li, and Yueyang Zhu, trained by me.”

Guodong Li interrupted Hua Liu and added, “Sha, if I remember correctly, Kun Shen has been training with you for four years! Yueyang Zhu with Hua Liu have been for over three years. Although Tinshan Chen has only been training with me for nearly two years, his training is just starting to pay off.”

Looking at these two guys, Guodong Li added, “Dai Li will choose one of them, which means taking away our two-year efforts. Will we be reimbursed? And at this key sports event, it seems that Dai Li will take an athlete trained by us to the National Games and steal our achievements.”

“You two took me here just for this?” Baojun Sha sat up and continued, “To be honest, we would be quite lucky and thankful if our three athletes could even pass the National Games’ qualification. To get good rankings would be impossible.”

“But we can’t allow Dai Li to take away our trainees!” Hua Liu said firmly, “Sha, at this special moment in time, we three should unite together against the outsider! We cannot allow Dai Li to rob our athletes.”

“Unite together against the outsider?” With a sly smile on his face, Baojun Sha said, “Dai Li will only choose one man, and the probability of any of us is one third. I don’t think my athlete will be lucky enough to be chosen by Dai Li.”

“What do you mean, Sha?” Guodong Li looked anxious.

Smiling at him, Baojun Sha added, “Didn’t you just say that Kun Shen had been training with me for four years? Actually, it’s been four years and eight months! Kun Shen is twenty four. He’s the oldest among the three athletes!”

Looking at Hua Liu, he continued, “Hua Liu, Yueyang Zhu, who you train, is about twenty two, right?”

“Yes, he will be soon,” Hua Liu nodded.

“As for Tinshan Chen…” Turning to Guodong Li, he smiled, “Wasn’t Tinshan Chen chosen by you from Qingcheng Sports School two years ago, Li? Later, you managed to get him onto the youth team. One year later, he was directly selected for our provincial team. I suppose that he’s no older than twenty, right?”

When talking about age, Guodong Li became a little uncomfortable.

Baojun Sha continued, “All three are practically the same in skill, but they’re different in age. If you were Dai Li, which one would you choose? The twenty-four-year-old, the twenty-two-year-old, or the one under twenty?”

It was known to all coaches that the younger an athlete was, the more potential they had. When facing three athletes at the same level, anyone with common sense would choose the youngest.

Holding his stray and patting Hua Liu’s shoulder, Baojun Sha said, “Don’t worry, Liu. Even if Dai Li came back, he wouldn’t choose Kun Shen or Yueyang Zhu. I assure you!”

Guodong Li clenched his fists with anger, because Baojun Sha had figured out his plan.

Guodong Li had been eager to find an ally, since the youngest athlete, Tinshan Chen, who he trained, was the most likely to be chosen by Dai Li.

Therefore, he wanted to form an alliance with Baojun Sha and Hua Liu.

He talked to Hua Liu first and exaggerated the situation to scare Hua Liu, who hadn’t realized the age issue and had agreed to ally with him.

However, when talking with Baojun Sha about it, Guodong Li’s trick was figured out by the wily Baojun Sha. What’s more, Hua Liu also understood the truth, thanks to Sha’s comment.

After Baojun Sha moved to another table to the side, Guodong Li turned to Hua Liu. “Liu, it seems that Sha doesn’t want to help us, but don’t worry, we can find others…”

“Oh, Li, you eat slowly, I’m going to get a bowl of porridge!” Hua Liu cut him off and went off with his stray, leaving Guodong Li sat there alone.

“Men are evil and tricky!” Guodong Li couldn’t help but curse in his mind.

…

In the conference room of the track and field team of Hanbei Province…

Pointing at Dai Li next to him, Weidong Chu said, “Let me introduce to you Dai Li. You must have heard about him before, but some of you may have never seen him before. Li was added to the national team after entering our track and field team, so he seldom shows up on our team. Now, he’s returned. Whether you’ve seen him before or not, now you know him. Come on. Let’s welcome Li back from the national team!”

Saying that, Weidong Chu started to applaud, and the others clapped along.

“Thank you! Thank you all!” Dai Li stood up, made a brief self-introduction, then said some standard words about learning more from others.

As he sat down, Weidong Chu went on, “Let’s get straight to business. The qualifications for the National Games are about to begin. Needless to say, everyone knows how important the National Games are. What we are going to talk about is the National Games. Moving on, let’s start with the field events. Coach Wang, tell us about your group’s preparation for the long jump.”

A bald man took out the report materials he had prepared, and said calmly, “For this National Games, the long jump group has specially prepared…”

…

The field sports included high jump, long jump, pole vault, triple jump, shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer. Every coach for every event reported their preparation for the National Games, then Weidong Chu discussed some modifications with them.

Some events took a short time, while some took much longer. After all eight of them had finished, an hour and a half had passed.

After looking at his watch, Weidong Chu said, “Discussions on preparations for the field events are over. Now let’s discuss the track events, starting with the sprints. Lu, what about you?”

An over fifty-year-old coach put on his reading glasses and took out a rumpled document, starting to report.

As there was no group leader for sprint events and Baojun Sha, Hua Liu, and Guodong Li were all competing for the position, it wouldn’t be appropriate to let any one of them do the reporting. It would be regarded as an act of favoritism.

Thus, Weidong Chu arranged the old yet honorable coach Lu to do the reporting. Coach Lu was approaching retirement age, and he certainly would not contend to be group leader. He wasn’t a threat to the three people, so letting him report wouldn’t cause others to misunderstand his intentions.

Coach Lu did his briefing at quite a slow pace. Though he said a lot, there was actually not much meaning in what he said. Anyway, as an old retiring coach who was basically dawdling his time away at work, he wasn’t expected to do any brilliant reporting.

After he finished his report, they needed to discuss matters as usual.

Weidong Chu turned to Dai Li first.

“Li, you’ve been with the national team for such a long time, and you’re Coach Li Xue’s favorite disciple. Besides, you competed in the Asian Games. You’re definitely an expert on sprint training. Tell us what you think first!”

Chapter 231: I Want to Strive for a Gold Medal

This was the first time that Dai Li had attended a meeting like this, so he had made sufficient preparations in advance. Dai Li had formulated a game plan. Now, Weidong Chu was questioning him, so Dai Li firmly decided to start an explanation by himself.

Everyone in the meeting room fixed their eyes on Dai Li. They hadn’t cooperated with Dai Li before, so they didn’t know him and didn’t know the actual level of the young man coming straight from the national team.

Someone was looking at Dai Li with high expectations and hoped he could provide some substantial content; someone seemed to be sneering at Dai Li and hoped Dai Li would make a fool of himself.

Only fools wouldn’t be envious of him. As the youngest one in the meeting room, Dai Li was able to enter the national team, and now had even been asked to address the group by Weidong Chu. This treatment was almost the same as team leaders of other training teams; therefore, he could easily be envied by many people.

I’d like to know what this young fellow will say! Baojun Sha was flaunting his seniority by resting on the back of his seat, even crossing his legs.

Beside him, Hua Liu was poker-faced, while Guodong Li was very serious.

Dai Li cleared his throat with a dry cough and said, “I gained a brief understanding of the strength of our sprinters. Frankly speaking, our sprinters could hardly be promoted for the qualification round. Even if they could be promoted, they would be knocked out in the first round of the official competition of the National Games held in August. “

“Coach Li, your point is too arbitrary!” someone said, and that someone was Guodong Li.

“Coach Li, you’ve just come back, you haven’t participated in training yet, and you also haven’t met our athletes; how could you determine that our athletes won’t be able to enter the official competition of the National Games?”

Guodong Li was quite hostile towards Dai Li, so even though he knew what Dai Li had said was basically correct, he couldn’t help finding an excuse to argue with Dai Li. When he challenged Dai Li, he felt much better.

At this moment, not only the sprint coaches, but the coaches of other events turned their attention to Dai Li.

This should be a lot of fun! Guodong Li is trying to spook the newcomer, Dai Li.

In the sprint group, the competition among Baojun Sha, Hua Liu, and Guodong Li has already been very fierce. Now, the arrival of Dai Li will create even more fun!

It’s beyond my expectations! This is just the first day, and the atmosphere has been so rousing.

Let’s see whether this newcomer Dai Li has real skill!

Everyone had different ideas on the issue.

At this moment, the one sat beside Dai Li was introduced. “This is Coach Guodong Li from the sprint group.”

Dai Li also didn’t expect someone would oppose him when he had just started to speak. Now that he knew the objector was also a coach from the sprint group, he realized the reason.

Two of a trade never agree. This Coach Li is afraid that I could steal his job! Dai Li smiled; he knew there would be a lot of local bullies like Guodong Li among the sprint coaches in the meeting room. Guodong Li had just stuck his neck out.

As the saying goes, even one with great power cannot defeat a local villain. Since Dai Li had just arrived, he had to show his real strength.

Dai Li said, “The national team asks all provincial teams to submit lists of the names of excellent athletes quarterly; each quarter, the results of the athletes should also be submitted. We submitted our materials on the fifth of this quarter, and the materials of our team of the last quarter were submitted on the sixth, while the materials of our team of the previous quarter to that were submitted on the third…”

Dai Li paused a bit, “The athletes reported should be the best ones on our team. I can still remember several of them who appeared on the name list consecutively for several quarters, including Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen.”

Dai Li looked at Guodong Li again. “Those I mentioned just now are athletes on our team, so you should know them very well. However, I don’t think your information on athletes of other provinces could be better than mine!”

“Just now, I said our athletes weren’t good enough to be promoted from the qualification round. My viewpoint was not only based on the results of our athletes, but also from comparison with the results of athletes of other provinces, for their results could be found in the database of the national team.”

As Dai Li said this, he looked directly at Guodong Li. To Guodong Li, this was an obvious demonstration.

However, Guodong Li was dumbfounded. Dai Li had mentioned the database of the national team, which was irrefutable for Guodong Li.

Guodong Li was not capable enough to be admitted to the national team, so he wasn’t qualified to have access to the database of the national team. Therefore, he had to believe whatever Dai Li said, as he wasn’t able to verify it.

Even now, Guodong Li raised questions. What he questioned wasn’t Dai Li, but the database of the national team. Guodong Li was only an ordinary coach for the provincial track and field team. His questioning of the database of the national team was just like the complaint of a roadside restaurant owner about the recommended dishes of a 5-star hotel executive chef, which could only be described as sour grapes.

It’s not a big deal to have access to the database of the national team! Guodong Li became depressed and didn’t speak anymore.

“Ha, Guodong Li is humble now!” Baojun Sha gloated silently over Guodong Li.

Hua Liu was relieved. Li, at first you jumped out to challenge Dai Li, that was obvious to everyone. Dai Li isn’t a fool, he will definitely get revenge. Later, he’ll definitely ask for Tingshan Chen, so Yueyang Zhu and Kun Shen are safe now. They shouldn’t be chosen by Dai Li.

The originally offensive Guodong Li had been subdued, so he sat back in his chair silently. Then Dai Li continued, “I’ll carry on. As I said just now, our athletes aren’t strong enough to be promoted from the qualification round, and can’t achieve good results. Our insufficient strength is one reason, but another is our powerful opponents.”

“Li, like the old saying goes, if you know yourself and know your enemy, you will win every war. Everyone knows that our sprint team is indeed not strong enough. Could you give us a brief introduction on other provinces’ sprint teams?” Weidong Chu asked suddenly.

“Okay. Last year, local teams sent many excellent athletes to the national team. Especially during the training camp of the Asian Games, the national team enrolled forty sprinters during the first stage of the training camp. All forty of these sprinters were strong enough to enter the official races of the National Games, which means half of the positions in the official competition were taken by them.

“Besides that, as far as I know, some senior athletes of the provincial teams who had abundant experience didn’t participate in the training camp for the Asian Games organized by the national team. The main reason was that provincial teams are putting emphasis on the cultivation of young athletes. However, these senior athletes are still powerful. According to my estimation, a quarter of the positions of the official competition will be taken up by them.

“In addition, the athletes from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan will attend the National Games. Sports organizations like the Xinjiang Construction Corps Team, the Rolling Stock Team of the railway industry, the Coal Mine Team, and the Vanguard Team, among others, will also participate in the National Games.

“Basically, the athletes from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, as well as sports organizations will not participate in events with a high technique difficulty; they’ll focus on the track events, with sprints as the highest priority. I think these athletes will also take up a quarter of these positions.

“There are some unknowns in the races, such as the emergence of unexpected winners, so it’s actually almost impossible for our athletes to be promoted from the qualification round, whether in the 100m sprint or the 200m sprint.”

Weidong Chu nodded. He also had a general understanding of what Dai Li had said just now. However, the basic-level coaches of the team were unlikely to know such detailed information.

Weidong Chu said, “Li, the reason that we called you back this time was to help our athletes break through in the National Games. You should have known the status of our team. The configuration of athletes in our team is complete; we can’t just select new athletes now. Just like a card game, we’ve drawn all cards, but our cards aren’t good. How do we play the cards, what do you have in mind?”

“Coach Chu, could you tell me the goal of our sprint team in this National Games?” Dai Li asked.

“At least one or two athletes should be promoted from the qualification round and enter the official races in August.” Weidong Chu said.

“That’s not a difficult one. We still have nearly three months before the qualification round. If I’m responsible for the training, as long as the athlete is talented enough, I’m sure they could enter the official competition.” Dai Li said resolutely.

Maybe Dai Li had been a little bit overconfident; people around him looked at him with strange eyes.

Some thought Dai Li was gutsy, while some thought he was bragging.

“Keep bragging. The more you brag, the more embarrassed you’ll be when your swans are proven to be geese!” Baojun Sha said silently in his mind.

Dai Li even said so himself! Is he bragging or is he really that competent? Hua Liu’s mind was full of doubt.

Guodong Li was the most nervous one among them. Dai Li’s words could be understood as asking for athletes from the team. The subtext of “as long as the athlete is talented enough,” was “just give me the most talented athlete.” On the sprint team, the most gifted athlete was obviously Tingshan Chen, who was under twenty and under the management of Guodong Li.

Dai Li continued, “You may think I’m bragging. Actually, my confidence comes from successful cases I’ve had before. I think all of you should know Yue Zhao, the champion of the 200m sprint at the Asian Games. When he was enrolled to the training camp for the Asian Games, his level was just above average. After three months of my training, he managed to win the championship during the Asian Games.”

“Was Yue Zhao trained by you?” someone immediately asked in surprise.

In the national team, all the coaches and athletes knew Yue Zhao was trained by Dai Li, but the coaches of Hanbei Province track and field team hadn’t known. Hence, they had only heard the outstanding performance of Dai Li in the national team without specific examples.

Now Dai Li mentioned the case of Yue Zhao as a fact, which made everyone think highly of him immediately.

Dai Li smiled and nodded, “This is not a secret. Everyone on the national team knows it.”

Everyone in the meeting room knew that the underlying meaning of Dai Li’s words was, “if you don’t believe me, you can verify my words.” Since Dai Li dared to accept the verification, what he said must have been authentic.

He cultivated a champion at the Asian Games in three months, this Dai Li is really somebody!

It’s quite impressive that he could be on the national team around twenty-five-years-old and could be chosen by Li Xue.

It turns out that this Coach Li is the coach of a champion at the Asian Games. When it comes to achievements, our coaches couldn’t match him.

At this moment, Dai Li immediately stood tall. A lot of people who had planned to address him as “Li” had changed the salutation in their minds to “Coach Li.”

Results were decisive in the competitive sports world. Those who bragged before the matches without results were bragging in vain. For those who were degraded before the match, as long as they could produce a champion, they would still be regarded as legendary heroes.

In all sports, if athletes were regarded as powerful, number one in the world, or leading an era, but they didn’t have any decent achievements, their career would always be regarded as a fluke.

In the NBA, a lot of star players tried to join a powerful team, even with an annual salary of one dollar. They just wanted to get an NBA championship ring. Those who had an NBA championship ring at a young age, even if they were nameless, would be remembered as winning an NBA championship whenever they were mentioned.

This was the power of a championship. Dai Li showed his identity as the coach of an Asian Games champion at this moment to gain leverage.

Dai Li knew he was young and a newcomer. It was quite normal that others didn’t accept him. He needed enough leverage to show his real strength, so that troublemakers or local bullies could be overpowered.

Weidong Chu was very delighted. He had heard Dai Li was very successful on the national team, but he didn’t know Dai Li had accomplished such a remarkable achievement as this. A coach of an Asian Games champion was very rare in China, and Hanbei Province track and field team was lucky to find one.

This made Weidong Chu smile harder. He said, “Li, of course I believe your capable. Tomorrow, you’ll just choose the athletes during training. Those who you select will be your trainees in future.”

What Weidong Chu said made Guodong Li nervous. He intended to object, but he felt his voice would be very lonely.

Dai Li waved his hands, “Coach Chu, I still have an idea myself, although I don’t know whether it’s appropriate to say.”

“Just say it, please tell us your idea!” Weidong Chu said generously.

“In my opinion, the promotion of our athletes from the qualification round and their entry to the official matches shouldn’t be regarded as a breakthrough.” Dai Li said.

“Li, are you going to achieve better results? Good, young people are always bold and resolute!” Weidong Chu was even more delighted.

“Coach, I want to strive for a medal.” Dai Li paused, and continued as everyone snapped to attention, “I want to strive for a gold medal.”

Chapter 232: A Big Appetite

When Dai Li said, “strive for a gold medal,” everyone in the meeting room was silent, including Weidong Chu. Everybody looked at Dai Li with amazed expressions.

What Dai Li had mentioned, a higher rank, a medal, or even a gold medal, was a distant dream for sprinters of the Hanbei Province Track and Field Team.

After all, these athletes weren’t strong enough. They could hardly be promoted from the qualification round. A gold medal was just a myth to them.

What did Dai Li say just now? He wants a gold medal? Did I hear that right?

It’s not easy for our athletes to enter official competitions, let alone at a higher rank. Is he still going to try for a gold medal?

Dai Li must be joking. So many national and Asian Games champions participate in the National Games. The distance between the gold medal and our athletes is a million miles.

Heh, this young guy is always aiming too high. An Asian Game champion has made him think too highly of himself. He thinks he’s invincible in China, right? How dare he brag about striving for a gold medal!

Even Weidong Chu was doubtful in his mind. He thought Dai Li wanted to achieve a higher rank, so he praised Dai Li’s boldness and resolution as a young man. However, when he heard Dai Li’s goal, he felt that what Dai Li had said was quite unreliable.

Just like grabbing a lifesaver, Guodong Li thought he had finally found the loophole in Dai Li’s words, so he looked up joyfully. “Coach Li, did you say ‘strive for a gold medal’ just now? I remember several minutes ago you mentioned our athletes could hardly enter official competitions. Those were the very words you said. How could you change to ‘striving for a gold medal’ in such a short time?”

“Yes, Coach Li, I know you’re the coach of an Asian Games champion, but your goal is absolutely impossible!” Baojun Sha said. His words were fanning the flames.

Weidong Chu started to mediate the dispute. He said, “Li, we still have three months before the qualification round. After the qualification round, the National Games will start in August, which means we have an additional month. Our primary tasks now should be to promote our athletes from the qualification round. As for our achievements in the National Games, we still have a lot of time to set a goal.”

Dai Li nodded and continued, “Coach Chu, colleagues, what I said just now may sound a little bit impractical. I did say our athletes aren’t competitive in the National Games!

“Asian Games champions, like Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao, as well as national champions, like Jun Xie and Zitao Wei, will participate in the National Games together with numerous athletes who have won medals at state-level matches. Our athletes are far weaker than even the mediocre sprinters on the national team.

“This is a gap of strength that can’t be filled through three months of training. No one is able to cultivate an athlete who has just reached the level of the qualification round into a champion at the National Games, let alone bridge the gap between our athletes and theirs. Therefore, it’s impossible for me to strive for a gold medal in the 100m and 200m sprints.”

Guodong Li snorted immediately, “Then how dare you to say you want to strive for a gold medal? I thought you really had the capability to realize it. You just said it casually, right? Everybody could say that. I could even say I want to strive for a gold medal at the Olympic Games!”

“Coach Guodong Li, mind your words, we’re in a meeting right now.” Weidong Chu stared at Guodong Li.

Guodong Li also felt he had gone too far just now. He straightened up a bit, and said, “Don’t get me wrong, I just meant what Coach Dai Li said was paradoxical and meaningless, that’s all.”

“You’re Coach Guodong Li, right?” Dai Li had clearly sensed the hostility from this local villain, so he continued, “You thought my words were paradoxical, but I haven’t finished. I didn’t plan to strive for a gold medal in the 100m sprint or the 200m sprint”

“Then which ones? We’re the sprint group, so we’re talking about the 100m sprint and the 200m sprint, or are you going to other groups? Or are you going to change our athletes’ events? You only have three months, definitely not enough, right?” Guodong Li said acidly, so Dai Li couldn’t save face.

Restraining the fury in his heart, Dai Li ignored Guodong Li’s sarcasm and continued to say, “We can’t compete with the athletes on other teams in the 100m sprint and the 200m sprint, so we have to go off the beaten track if we want to achieve a good result.”

“Li, don’t keep us guessing, just say it,” Weidong Chu encouraged.

“To go off the beaten track means the relay!” Dai Li said.

In the meeting room, a lot of coaches had a thoughtful look. Actually, they had already realized what Dai Li meant was to focus on the relay. In fact, the sprint events only included the 100m sprint, the 200m sprint, and the relays.

Dai Li continued, “We won the gold medal in the relay at the Asian Games. I guess you’ve watched that race. I was in the arena, so my perception of the race was more informed. No matter the aspects of the process or the result of the event, you should’ve been able to see that the strongest opponent of the national team was not the Japanese Team, not the Saudi Arabian Team, but the Thai Team.

“The level of the Thai sprinters isn’t high. Among the four runners, only one could reach the B standard of the Olympic Games. In personal ability, the Thai athletes would definitely be knocked out in the first round of the individual races; however, these players managed to win the silver medal in the relay race, which is a team event. In the previous two Asian Games, the Thai Team won a gold medal and a silver medal. We can say without a doubt that Thailand’s performance was better than that of the Japan in the relay race at the Asian Games.

“I’m inspired by the Thailand Team. The personal abilities of our athletes are not good enough to achieve favorable results in the 100m sprint and the 200m sprint. We might as well give up on individual events and focus on the relay race, which we could win eventually.”

Beside him, Baojun Sha’s expression became grave.

“I thought he wanted to choose one athlete among Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu and Tingshan Chen, but I didn’t expect he was planning a relay and wanted all three of them. This Dai Li indeed has a big appetite!”

Chapter 233: The Highest State

Baojun Sha used to think that if Dai Li chose one athlete among Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen, his apprentice, Kun Shen, would beDai Li’s last choice, since Kun Shen was the eldest among them. Even if Dai Li wanted to choose two athletes, the possibility that Dai Li would choose Kun Shen was still low.

However, Dai Li’s suggestion to focus on the relay generated a strong sense of crisis in Baojun Sha’s heart.

A relay race needed four athletes. Once Weidong Chu accepted Dai Li’s suggestion, the track and field team would definitely give four athletes to Dai Li, along with substitutes, so five or six athletes would be under Dai Li’s management.

If so, not only Tingshan Chen, who was trained by Guodong Li, but Yueyang Zhu who was trained by Hua Liu, and Kun Shen who was trained by Baojun Sha would be chosen by Dai Li. Excellent athletes trained by other coaches might also be chosen by Dai Li for the relay practice.

I underestimated this Dai Li. His suggestion of focusing on the relay race was really unexpected. If I had known, I would’ve agreed with Guodong Li’s advice yesterday to form an alliance against him. The objection of many would make a stand against Dai Li. Now, we’re on our own. Without a unified statement, we’ll be in big trouble.

Baojun Sha rolled his eyes. He didn’t start a verbal duel like Guodong Li, instead acting smoothly but sinisterly. With smile on his face, he said, “Coach Li, I have a question. The Thai Team won a championship during the Asian Games eight years ago. Their achievements today should be more accomplished as a result of prolonged training. The experience they’ve accumulated should also be difficult for us to master in a short time. Is there still enough time for us to learn from Thailand? We have at most three months before the start of the National Games’ qualification round. If we start training for the relay now, isn’t time a little bit tight?”

The magic key that Dai Li relied on was still his title of “The Interlinked Iron Chain.” However, he could only convince Baojun Sha on a factual basis here.

“This is Coach Baojun Sha,” someone beside Dai Li gave introduced him.

Dai Li nodded, “Coach Sha, I understand your concerns. You’re worried that we couldn’t replicate the Thai Team’s experience if we start training now, right? Actually, in recent years, the coaches in the national team were also studying Thailand’s relay team. They performed a lot of professional analysis and collected materials from many aspects. We can say that our national team has acquired a full training system from the Thai Team.

“On the national team, a plan similar to the plan of Thailand’s Team was also formulated. However, the athletes on the national team have to participate in individual events, so they can’t just focus their stamina on relay training like Thailand. Therefore, this plan was not implemented.” As Dai Li said this, he looked at Weidong Chu.

“But now, we could copy the plan formulated by the national team directly and use the plan on our team so that we could enjoy the research results of the national team. Even if we can’t reach the level of the Thai Team in such a short time, the plan is more than enough for us to achieve a good result at the National Games.”

Weidong Chu nodded and said enthusiastically, “The coaches of the national team are top figures in the industry. The training plan they formulated should be much better than ours. Li, we were lucky to have you on the national team; you found a secret weapon for us!”

Baojun Sha worked out his next question immediately. He asked, “Coach Li, this training plan formulated by the national team will also be known by other coaches on the national team. As far as I know, all provincial teams have called their coaches on the national team back to prepare for the National Games; that is to say, this training plan is also available for the other provincial teams. In case they also give up individual events and focus on the relay race, we won’t have any advantage, right? “

In the meeting room, many coaches were nodding along. Training plans were not patented technologies. They were available not only for Dai Li, but also for anyone else who knew them. Any coach who knew this plan could implement it in practice without any opposition. This training plan was available for everybody, so it couldn’t be regarded as a “secret weapon.”

Dai Li looked at Baojun Sha. He had realized that this Baojun Sha was pretending to be nice and keep a low profile, but he was actually trying to challenge Dai Li, hiding daggers in his smile.

Dai Li continued to say, “Indeed, other coaches on the national team know of this training plan to focus resources on the relay. Some of them even participated in the formulation of this plan. However, what I can guarantee is that my training is definitely better than that of our opponents. Under the same conditions, our result will be better than theirs.”

“Coach Li, are you confident about that?” Baojun Sha smiled, but his eyes were cold.

From beside him, Guodong Li added, “The national team has a galaxy of talents. Coach Li, I don’t think your qualifications and experience are advantageous on the national team. What makes you think the training effect of other coaches on the national team is inferior to yours? Are you also the coach of the relay team that won a championship, like the 200m sprint?”

“How did you know that?” Dai Li pretended to be surprised, then said, “During the Asian Games, our sprinters suffered a lot of accidents. Jun Xie was knocked down and dropped out of his events because of injury; Zitao Wei had a serious fever before the match. These incidents were reported in the news. Before the relay race, the national team had only three sprinters left. In desperation, we had to ask Haiquan Fang, who is a long-jumper, to reach the required number.”

“We knew all these issues, but what does that have to do with you?” Guodong Li asked improperly. He had made up his mind to find a fault in Dai Li.

Without rushing, Dai Li continued, “The temporary entry of an athlete causes a big problem in the cooperation of a relay team. More importantly, our training time to enhance the cooperation among the runners was limited to a couple hours on that day, and the one who was responsible for their training on that day was me!”

“Gosh!” Dai Li heard someone gasp in the meeting room.

“I guess you watched that match. The cooperation among the athletes was great, right?” Dai Li added.

Everyone in the meeting room was a professional coach; of course they knew how terrible it was to put a long jumper on a relay team. What Dai Li had said obviously implied that he had managed to help the relay team win at the Asian Games with only one day of training.

Furthermore, the cooperation among the four runner had been flawless in the match, looking perfect to all the coaches. Dai Li could improve the cooperation among the athletes to that degree in one day, so he should be regarded as the best coach on the national team. Even calling him the best coach in Asia would not be an overestimation.

Isn’t the champion of the Asian Games just the best in Asia?

As the old saying goes, the best fighter is as hard to determine as the second best fighter. Athletes in competitive sports should be classified as fighters, as there’s always a winner. The championship meant number one, and therefore, the best. Dai Li’s reveal of his identity as the coach of the relay team that had won the championship at the Asian Games totally convinced everyone in the meeting room at that moment.

He was also the coach of the relay team! Guodong Li was so embarrassed. Just now, he had spoken thoughtlessly; he hadn’t expected the gold medal of the relay team to really be attributed to Dai Li’s training.

Beside him, Baojun Sha could sense an invisible pressure. He had realized that Dai Li was a tough opponent, although he looked ageless.

Just now, Dai Li didn’t mention his identity as the coach of the relay team which had won the championship of the Asian Games until I questioned him. His acting was perfect! He kept a low profile at the beginning and then revealed his remarkable achievements in the end, which imperceptibly raised his profile. This is the highest form of acting; I give him a full score!

Chapter 234: Undermine

Baojun Sha was silent, while Guodong Li also couldn’t find an excuse to object, so all he could do was sulk in his chair.

Weidong Chu had been totally impressed by Dai Li’s plan. Dai Li’s contribution in the championship of the relay team at the Asian Games had wiped out any last doubts in Weidong Chu’s mind.

So, the sprint team’s plan to focus on the relay was finalized. Weidong Chu asked Dai Li to submit a detailed plan to the track and field team.

Then, the meeting began to discuss other events. However, Baojun Sha, Hua Liu, and Guodong Li were distracted, like cats on hot brick.

The meeting lasted for over four hours and was finished after noon. All the participants left the meeting room, many of whom shuffled directly to the cafeteria.

“Li, wait for me!” someone called from behind Guodong Li; he turned around and found Baojun Sha and Hua Liu were walking towards him rapidly.

“Hey, Sha!” Guodong Li looked at Baojun Sha ironically, and said, “I remember you said Kun Shen was too old to be chosen by Dai Li, right? Now Dai Li has worked out a plan of relay training that requires four athletes. Besides Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen, he still needs one more athlete!”

“Li, it’s not a good time to say that.” Hua Liu acted as peacemaker and said, “We should prepare a countermeasure. We can’t let Dai Li just take our painstakingly cultivated athletes!”

“Are you going to find a countermeasure now? Isn’t it too late? His plan to focus on the relay race was finalized just now in the meeting.” Guodong Li shook his head disdainfully. “Hindsight is meaningless. I suggest you turn to Dai Li; maybe you could be his underlings!”

“Li, what do you mean?” Hua Liu was angry.

“It’s okay, Hua Liu, Li doesn’t want to cooperate with us. Let’s find someone else. In the case that Tingshan Chen is chosen by Dai Li, it’s not our business. We just need to protect Kun Shan and Yueyang Zhu from being chosen by Dai Li.” Baojun Sha pulled Hua Li and pretended to leave.

Guodong Li also knew that Baojun Sha was scheming and full of ideas. By now, Baojun Sha should have worked out a method to cope with Dai Li.

“Wait!” Guodong Li stopped them immediately, then walked to them and asked, “Sha, do you have an idea?”

“Well, Li, are you interested now?” Baojun Sha seemed to have long expected Guodong Li’s reaction.

Guodong Li nodded, “Sha, last night it was me who suggested we form an alliance.”

“Okay then. Let’s talk while we’re walking.” Baojun Sha waved his hand, and the three of them walked to the cafeteria.

The three of them were walking along the road. When there was no one around them, Baojun Sha said, “The plan to focus on the relay raised by Dai Li was finalized in the meeting, which is a command and can’t be changed by ordinary coaches like us.”

“Then what should we do? Just let Dai Li grab our athletes?” Guodong Li asked eagerly.

“That won’t happen. The decision made in the meeting, although it can’t be changed by us, can be changed by the athletes.” Baojun Sha gave a cheeky grin, and continued, “Dai Li is going to choose athletes for the relay team, right? His efforts will be in vain as long as our athletes refuse to follow him.”

“It’s a decision made by the track and field team that was approved by Coach Chu. Could our athletes reject the plan? You can’t fight the city hall!” Guodong Li asked with knitted brows.

“An objection from one or two athletes is definitely not enough. What about an objection from a lot of athletes? There’s strength in numbers. You can’t fight the city hall alone; two people are still no match for them. If you had ten thousand people, what do you think the result would be?”

“Sha, I understand your plan now. Your plan is to persuade more athletes to reject the relay training, right?” Guodong Li gasped, “In this way, the athletes will be punished! You should know the consequences if an athlete rejects an arrangement from a higher-up. It could ruin the professional career of an athlete.”

“Don’t forget, the law can’t be enforced when everyone is an offender.” Baojun Sha continued, “Once again, there’s strength in numbers. If a lot of athletes reject the relay team, could the track and field team punish all of them? I guess they would consider whether their decision to focus on the relay is worth it at that time, and we still have a justifiable argument.”

“What’s the justifiable argument?” Guodong Li asked immediately.

“Dai Li’s plan is to focus on the relay race, right? He also mentioned a precondition, which is to give up individual events. Isn’t it a pretty good reason? After painstaking training, it’s normal that all athletes want to accomplish achievements in the individual events,” Baojun Sha continued.

Guodong Li didn’t speak, seemingly considering Baojun Sha’s suggestion.

Hua Liu said, “I think Sha’s method is feasible. From the aspect of the athletes, they definitely want to have good results in individual events. They may not be willing to participate in the relay race.”

“We should persuade more athletes to join our plan. Besides the athletes under our management, we should also have other athletes whose levels are high join us. We should create some chaos, the more chaotic, the better.” Baojun Sha added.

Finally, Guodong Li nodded, “Okay, let’s proceed as you said! Later, we should go separately to talk to the athletes.”

…

Dai Li was busy preparing his report until three in the morning, but finally, he managed to list the training plan for the relay race in a detailed report.

On the morning of the second day, the report was placed on Weidong Chu’s desk.

After reading through the training plan carefully, Weidong Chu smiled satisfactorily.

“This is a quite a good training plan, integrated with the high level training methods of the national team and the consideration of the actual situation of our team.” As Weidong Chu spoke, he picked up a document and handed it to Dai Li. “I have approved the athlete selection plan for the relay team. Now all athletes of the sprint team are available for you to choose.”

“Thank you, Coach!” Dai Li took the document and prepared to select athletes at the training ground.

The phone rang right at that moment. Weidong Chu picked up the phone and said, “Hello, this is Weidong Chu… What?”

Weidong Chu suddenly became solemn. He couldn’t help glancinging at Dai Li, who was standing in front of him.

Dai Li noticed that the trouble seemed to be related to him.

“Okay, now I see. Just gather them in the meeting room, I’ll come over later.” Weidong Chu hung up the phone and lifted his head, then said, “Li, for the athlete selection, you have to wait a moment.”

“What’s wrong?” Dai Li asked.

“Some athletes don’t want give up their individual events, and there’s backlash against the relay team. I’ll go and check it out.” As Weidong Chu said this, he stood up and got ready to go.

An ominous foreboding suddenly flashed across Dai Li’s mind.

…

Eleven athletes were gathered in the meeting room, all sprinters on the sprint team with relatively high athletic abilities.

“Coach Chu, I heard that athletes chosen to join the relay team have to focus on the relay alone and give up their individual events. Is that true? I’ll never join the relay team if I’m asked to give up my individual event,” Tingshan Chen said.

“Coach Chu, this year I am already twenty four. In two years, my physical condition will start to decline, so I won’t have opportunity to take part in the next National Games. I’ve been preparing for this National Games for a long time. I just want to give it my best shot. I don’t want to join the relay team.” Kun Shen’s voice was permeated with anxiety.

“Coach Chu, the opportunity to attend the National Games is quite rare. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for several years. I failed to attend the last National Games, so I really don’t want to miss this one. As for my performance in the 100m sprint, I’m the best on the sprint team. If I’m asked to give up the 100m sprint and focus on the relay race, I won’t obey the order.” Yueyang Zhu said stubbornly.

The rest of the sprinters also expressed similar opinions that they didn’t want to give up their individual events to focus on the relay race.

With knitted brows, Weidong Chu hadn’t expected the decision to focus on the relay race would be rejected by so many athletes.

An objection from one or two athletes was easy to handle, but now eleven backbone sprinters of the track team were rejecting the plan. Almost all of them were strong enough to attend the qualification round of the National Games.

Now Weidong Chu had to reconsider the decision to focus on the relay race cemented at the meeting the day before.

“It’s normal that the athletes don’t want to give up their individual events after so many years of hard training. Now, the athletes have expressed their objection. I guess some coaches also have similar feelings, but they didn’t point it out for fear of hurting my feelings. I underestimated this issue. I should organize a meeting again to discuss it,” Weidong Chu thought.

…

The sprinters’ protest to Weidong Chu was soon spread throughout the whole track and field team. Dai Li also heard about the issue.

Due to this, Weidong Chu had to organize the coaches of the sprint team to discuss this issue in another meeting.

In the meeting room, Weidong Chu held up Dai Li’s training plan and said, “This is the training plan for the relay race, prepared by Coach Li. I have read through it, and it’s pretty good, and feasible. I think we should give it a try. However, the situation we are facing now is that some athletes are refusing to join the relay team and give up their individual events.”

“Coach, should we try to persuade the athletes to accept this plan?” someone said.

“Persuade them? I’m afraid that’s not an easy task. Athletes nowadays are different from athletes in the past. You could talk about the big picture, the team, and contribution to athletes in the past. However, most athletes nowadays are the only child in their family. They only care about themselves. It’s useless to persuade them by talking about the team and contributing!” said Guodong Li, who was, again, the first one to bring up this issue.

All the participants had long discovered that Guodong Li was a naysayer.

“What Coach Guodong Li said is very reasonable. I’m also the only child of my family, so I can understand their feelings.” Dai Li laughed, then said, “Coach Guodong Li has such a good understanding of our athletes that I guess he must have found the solution. Just say it, so that I can learn from you.”

Guodong Li was dumbfounded immediately. All he had meant to do was pick on Dai Li, so it was impossible for him to prepare a reply.

Others also didn’t expect that Dai Li could launch a counterattack against Guodong Li in such a short time, so everyone was looking at Guodong Li with a faint smile on face, waiting for his response.

It was lucky for Guodong Li that Baojun Sha stood up to rescue him. Although they didn’t get along well with each other normally, now they were allied and had a common enemy. Both of them were in the same boat, so Baojun Sha had to speak for Guodong Li.

Baojun Sha said, “Coach, I have a suggestion. The athletes who rejected the relay race are worried about their individual events. How about just cancelling this restriction, and just as before, athletes can take part in their individual events and also participate in the relay race. In this way, the athletes won’t reject the relay race.”

“Then what should we do for training? Should the athletes be trained for individual events or the relay?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Since they’ll participate in individual events and the relay, they should have the training of their individual events and the relay at the same time. We’ve also done this before,” Baojun Sha said with a smile.

Dai Li shook his head slightly. The sprinters on the track and field team weren’t strong enough. If they were distracted by the training of their individual events, their performance in the relay race wouldn’t realize a remarkable improvement. Also, Dai Li’s plan of winning a gold medal in the National Games would be ruined.

Weidong Chu also knew Baojun Sha’s so-called “suggestion” would do nothing but ruin the plan, so he asked, “Does anyone else have any good suggestions?”

The rest of the coaches either shook their heads or kept silent. The meeting room grew quiet immediately.

Weidong Chu became more and more solemn. He knew Dai Li’s plan could help Hanbei Province Track and Field Team accomplish a good achievement at the National Games, but the coaches of the sprint team were uncooperative and even undermining Dai Li’s plan.

As the head coach of Hanbei Province Track and Field Team, Weidong Chu was smart enough to know that Dai Li’s plan would definitely go against some people’s interests. The naysayer Guodong Li and the unknowledgable Baojun Sha had clinched Weidong Chu’s judgment.

“Coach, I also have an idea,” Dai Li said suddenly.

Everyone in the meeting room fixed their eyes on Dai Li. They knew Dai Li was planning to attack.

Dai Li said, “For the relay race, the teamwork among the athletes is crucial. A gap of 0.1 seconds could be filled with a perfect baton exchange, so I don’t have strict requirements upon the athlete’s level. Since some sprinters rejected my plan, how about just letting the athletes sign up voluntarily? Then, I’ll choose five or six athletes from the applicants to build the relay team.

“I’ll stick to this training plan. Once an athlete joins the relay team, they must give up their individual event and focus on the training for the relay race. We should tell the athletes about this in advance.”

Weidong Chu stared at Dai Li in amazement. It seemed to Weidong Chu that Dai Li had made the perfect compromise.

“Li, our athletes aren’t as strong as athletes of other provincial teams. If you don’t select athletes whose levels are higher, our performance in the National Games might be ruined,” Weidong Chu reminded him.

“Just because our athletes aren’t strong enough doesn’t mean they need more training. What I need are athletes who want to focus their stamina on the relay race.” Dai Li smiled confidently, then he continued, saying, “However, I have to point out that once our relay team is established, the lineup will be fixed for the qualification round, the official competition, and even the final race at the National Games. No lineup changes will be permitted.”

After hearing what Dai Li said, Baojun Sha, and Guodong Li couldn’t help making an eye contact. What Dai Li intended was to destroy the other athletes’ chances to join the relay team. If an athlete didn’t sign up, or wasn’t selected by Dai Li after signing up, this athlete was doomed to have no opportunity to participate in the 4x100m relay at this National Games.

“This Dai Li indeed has character. He’s pushing the athletes to make the choice between individual events and the relay race. However, he should first pray that his team is able to enter the official competition!” Baojun Sha thought triumphantly.

Chapter 235: Laugh Impudently

The door of the meeting room opened, and the coaches who attended the meeting filed out.

“Sha!” Guodong Li called out to Baojun Sha and picked up his pace to catch up with him.

“Sha, did we win this battle?” Guodong Li asked in a low voice.

“Yes, we won,” Baojun Sha nodded. “I thought Dai Li would struggle a bit, but I didn’t expect he would compromise so quickly.”

“Yes. In my opinion, it’s a really poor move to ask the athletes to sign up voluntarily. Maybe he won’t even be able to scrape together four athletes!”

“It might not be so bad. Dai Li should have no problem finding four athletes to build the relay team. However, the level of the athletes is crucial. If athletes who want to join the relay team can’t participate in individual events, I’m guessing no great athletes will sign up,” Baojun Sha said.

“You’re right. I think that athletes who sign up to join the relay team will be mediocre at best. If they’re not qualified to participate in individual events in the National Games, it’s better for them to join the relay team so that they can at least get the opportunity to attend the Games.” Guodong Li’s face lit up with a smile.

Baojun Sha deadpanned, “Now what I’m worried about is if Dai Li can help the relay team to get through the qualification round and enter the official race, then…”

“As you said, that’s just an if.” Guodong Li’s smile widened.

“Don’t forget, he was a coach on the national team and also the coach of the relay team that won a gold medal at the Asian Games! No one could gain a foothold in the national team without true skill and experience,” Baojun Sha reminded him.

“One can’t redistribute what doesn’t exist! Without high level athletes, no matter how capable the coach is, a good result is impossible, but anyway, Dai Li is young enough, he could take part in the race himself… Ha…” As Guodong Li spoke, he laughed impudently

…

The notice for registering for the relay team had been posted on the bulletin board.

Athletes on the sprint team had gathered in front of the bulletin board to check the notice.

“We can sign up voluntarily, then the coach will select team members from the applicants. That sounds good, before the members of the relay was going to be decided directly by the coaches!”

“Is it open to everyone? If so, I’d like to have a go at it. This is an opportunity to attend the National Games! In other events, I would never qualify to attend the National Games.”

“It’s because yesterday some athletes went to Coach Weidong Chu to petition against the plan for the relay race, so they decided to let us sign up voluntarily.”

“I’ve heard that the track and field team stipulated that athletes who signed up for the relay race had to focus on it by giving up their individual events.”

“Right, see, that’s what they put in the notice.”

“If individual events have to be given up, I’ll never participate in the relay race. Relays are no competition for individual events.”

“It also says in the notice that once the lineup of the relay is determined, it won’t be changed until the end of the National Games, which means if the relay team can get through the qualification round, the team will enter the official race at the National Games.”

“But the team has to be strong enough to get through the qualification round! It’ll be very difficult for our team to achieve a good result in the relay race considering our current position.”

The athletes began to buzz with discussion. Everyone had different ideas in mind. Especially for mediocre athletes who otherwise might not be qualified to enter individual events, to attend the National Games by joining the relay team was a unique opportunity for them.

Behind them, Kun Shen was looking at the notice with a deadpan expression. Tingshan Chen, who was standing beside Kun Shen, was smiling disdainfully. However, the expression of Yueyang Zhu was different from the expressions of Kun Shen and Tingshan Chen. Yueyang Zhu seemed to be lost in thought, his brows knitted.

“Interesting. Look! Once the lineup of the relay team is determined, it won’t be changed anymore, which means athletes who don’t want to give up individual events will have no opportunity to join the relay team. This is pushing us to make a choice between the relay race and our individual events,” Tingshan Chen said.

“Well, Tingshan Chen, are you interested in the relay race?” Kun Shen asked coldly.

“Of course not! I’ll definitely choose individual events. I’ll do my best in the qualification round, so I might enter the official race in August as well. Look, Yueyang Zhu seems hesitant!” Tingshan Chen pointed at Yueyang Zhu.

Yueyang Zhu shook his head, “I was thinking that Dai Li used to be a coach for the national team. I’ve heard that he was Li Xue’s apprentice. He should definitely have some real skill.”

“Yueyang Zhu, are you complimenting that newcomer Dai Li? You would probably be scolded if you said that to Coach Hua Liu!” Kun Shen said.

“I mean, in case the relay team can get through the qualification round and enter the official race in August, and we’re knocked out in the qualification round, it’ll be extremely embarrassing for us. Then, we’ll have to watch those who aren’t as good as us participate in the official race in August helplessly.” As Yueyang Zhu said this, he looked at Tingshan Chen and Kun Shen.

“Are you one hundred percent sure you can enter the official competition in August? I’m not so confident anyway.”

“Don’t worry! In case what you said really occurs, we can join the relay team then,” Tingshan Chen said immediately.

“But it says in this notice that once the lineup of the relay team is determined, it can not be changed.” Yueyang Zhu said.

“We’re strong, and we’re faster! With us, the relay team will achieve better results. Why wouldn’t they allow us to join them? Maybe Dai Li will come and beg us to join his relay team then.” Saying this, Tingshan Chen laughed impudently.

…

“Li, we get off work in one hour, and the registration of the relay team will be ended at that time. Now, seven athletes have signed up.” With a wad of registration forms in hand, Coach Lu walked to Dai Li and handed the forms to him; then Coach Lu continued, “I still have something to handle, so I have to leave now, and I’ll tell athletes who want to sign up to come directly to you!”

“Thank you very much for your hard work, Coach Lu,” Dai Li said politely as he took the forms from Coach Lu.

Coach Lu was the one who had reported during the meeting held earlier in the week. He was about to retire, so he didn’t work very hard. He might have come a little bit late in the morning and left a little bit earlier in the afternoon, but everyone just turned a blind eye to the way he muddled through.

Now that Coach Lu had sent the forms to Dai Li so early, it was apparent that he wanted to leave early again. Dai Li was undemanding of old-timers like coach Lu, who were immune to both soft and hard tactics. He believed he should appreciate their cooperation, for they were accommodating him. If they weren’t cooperative, one could do nothing with them.

This was how things worked inside the system. Seniority was a powerful thing in administrative departments, governmental institutions, and long-established state-owned enterprises; but in private enterprises, no matter how old one was, it meant nothing if they didn’t work hard, and money could only be earned through effort.

Dai Li’s respect towards his elders left Coach Lu with a pretty good impression.He said, “Li, not so many athletes signed up this time, only seven. I’m guessing you need at least six athletes, if you count substitutes. You have very few alternatives.”

“If the athletes focus their stamina on the relay training, five athletes will also be enough for me, as in, four members and one substitute. If the athletes aren’t distracted by training for individual events, their training intensity will also be lower, so the probability of injuries caused during practice will also be lower. Therefore, downsizing is less likely to happen,” Dai Li explained.

“It’s good, you know this very well.” Coach Lu smiled and said, “In my opinion, you may postpone the registration for half a month. After all, a lot of athletes don’t want to give up their individual events right now. At the beginning of next month, we’ll have a practice meet, held specifically for the National Games. Many athletes will be knocked out in the test meet. These athletes won’t be qualified for individual events at the National Games, so they will definitely sign up for the relay race, and you may have more candidates then.”

“Thanks for reminding me, Coach Lu, but the relay team is not a charity. It would be a shame for me to take in those “second-hand” athletes who have been knocked out,” Dai Li said with a smile.

“Second-hand athletes? I’ve been a coach for 30 years; this is the first time I’ve heard that athletes could be described as first-hand and second-hand. Ha, Li, you really are funny!” Coach Lu was amused by Dai Li and started to laugh impudently.

Chapter 236: Team Building

After work, Dai Li waited in the office for another hour, but the eighth applicant never appeared.

Dai Li looked at the registration forms in his hand. Only seven athletes had signed up. Among them, he needed to select four participants and one substitute. Actually, he didn’t have a lot of alternatives.

Dai Li turned on his computer and found the profiles of these athletes from the athlete database, including their results in previous meets and practices, which weren’t satisfactory. Among them, three of the athletes were mid-level, the other four athletes were at the middle to low level.

The result is just as I expected. I heard that yesterday over ten athletes went to Weidong Chu to “petition” who said they would definitely not sign up for the relay team, and the rest of the athletes on the sprint team are quite mediocre.

However, Dai Li was not discouraged. This wouldn’t be the first time he dealt with low level athletes. Dai Li believed he was capable of cultivating mediocre athletes into top-notch ones.

The materials saved on the computer couldn’t give me a comprehensive description of the athletes. I should use the detector to check them personally, then I’ll decide the lineup of the relay team. Maybe another surprise is awaiting me.

Dai Li remembered Sijie Yang and Haiquan Fang. As athletes with grade-A gifts, they had been found and cultivated by Dai Li.

Next morning, Dai Li gathered all seven athletes.

Again, Dai Li was not surprised by the detection results. No genius athletes like Sijie Yang or Haiquan Fang were found among the seven athletes. Their gifts were quite normal. Only one athlete was grade-C, and all the rest were C-. Some of the athletes were a bit old, so it was almost impossible to tap into their potential.

Technically speaking, these athletes also had a lot of defects. The training level of the provincial team was already lower than that of the national team, let alone the athletes’ levels, which were middle grade or even middle-low on the provincial team. Their techniques were unsatisfactory; otherwise, their results would have been much better.

Dai Li had a feeling that he was being asked to choose a peacock from a bunch of chickens. Finally, he selected five athletes.

“Yihao Wu, grade-C gift, 18…” Dai Li listed the names of the athletes.

The young athlete with a grade-C gift, whose name was Yihao Wu, was naturally Dai Li’s first choice. This year, he was only eighteen. Last year, he had been promoted from the youth team, so he was a newbie on the provincial track and field team.

The techniques of young athletes were inevitably clumsy. This year, he was still only eighteen, so his body hadn’t yet fully developed and was no match for athletes who were around twenty five and in their peak states. As a newbie, his opportunities to participate in meets were already few and he would never have a chance to participate at this National Games. Therefore, he had to choose the relay race if he still hoped to take part in an event at the National Games.

Dai Li looked at the next athlete. Kenan Shen, thirty-years-old, he’s even a few years older than me!

This athlete, Kenan Shen, was a standout during his peak. He had enjoyed his moment of glory by winning the second place in the National Championship when he was young, but an athlete’s peak was very short, especially for sprinters. A thirty-year-old sprinter would be knocked down by illness and injuries without proper body care.

A sprinter at the age of thirty was definitely in the final phase of his sports career. Now, Kenan Shen’s athletic level was much lower than his level during his youth. He seldom had the chance to take part in regular meets, let alone the National Games. The track and field team would rather give the opportunity to the younger athletes.

However, Kenan Shen still decided to sign up for the relay team, which meant he hadn’t given up. The persistence of a thirty-year-old athlete sufficiently impressed Dai Li.

Kenan Shen reminded Dai Li of Aiguo Jiang, from the weight lifting team. Now, Aiguo Jiang had already retired and was working on the team as a coach. He was still working hard to earn the operation costs for his daughter.

Maybe for this reason, Dai Li decided to choose Kenan Shen, who was already an old athlete. However, old as he was, he had abundant experience. An experienced, older athlete could hold the team together in all kinds of team sports.

Dai Li looked at the next athlete. Jialiang Zhang, twenty five, he should be at his peak as a sprinter!

His name was Jialiang Zhang. His level, result and gift were all quite common. He was indeed, a mediocre athlete.

However, Dai Li was attracted by his one advantage, his stability. Although Jialiang Zhang was very common in all aspects, he was a pretty stable player; stability was crucial for the relay race. It meant a lower probability of errors. As long as an athlete was stable enough, it was acceptable that they were a little bit slow.

Dong Qian, twenty two. For the moment, his ability value is the highest among the five members of the relay team.

Among the five athletes, Dong Qian was the only one who might have had a chance to participate in individual events at the National Games. Of course, it was a “might have” chance. If Dong Qian chose to participate in an individual event, he would definitely have to face fierce selection and competition. He might have been knocked out. On the grounds of his current level, even if he managed to take part in the qualifying race, he was certainly not strong enough to get through the qualifying round. He might as well join the relay team, then at least he would have the chance to participate in the qualifying round of the National Games safely.

Besides Dong Qian having the highest ability value among the five players, Dai Li also chose him because his technical problems could be corrected easily. In other words, Dai Li could help Dong Qian see an obvious improvement in strength in a short time.

Wenqiang Wang, twenty seven, another old athlete! Dai Li looked at the last athlete.

This athlete was also mediocre. Dai Li had to choose Wenqiang Wang, for he really had no better choice, so Wenqiang Wang was simply admitted to fill the spot. He could only act as the substitute in the relay team. If nothing went wrong, he would have no chance to participate in the race.

…

In this way, the relay team was finally established. Dai Li started formal training the next day.

The first thing Dai Li needed to do was enhance the personal abilities of the athletes. The technical defects of these athletes were different, and had be corrected.

After he finished gradually rectifying the athletes’ defects, Dai Li introduced the actual relay training.

One month passed in the blink of an eye. The qualification round of the National Games was getting closer. Inside the track and field team, an internal test meet was held.

This internal test meet was held mainly for individual events. The relay team that Dai Li was in charge of was not included in the meet.

The spots to participate at the National Games were limited; therefore, the athletes even had to compete for places at the qualification meet. The Hanbei Province Track and Field Team also wanted to fish out the best of the best through their internal test meet so that their best athletes could be sent to participate at the National Games.

…

Looking at the report posted on the bulletin board, Chao Zhang was sour-faced. He knew he had lost the opportunity to participate in the National Games.

Alas, years of efforts were in vain. Chao Zhang sighed and walked to the dormitory with heavy steps.

“Chao Zhang, what about your results?” He heard a voice behind him. Without turning around, he knew it was his roommate, Xinhua Zhao.

“What else could it be? I failed. I’ve lost my ticket to the National Games.” Chao Zhang shook his head, then asked, “Xinhua Zhao, what about you?”

“Just like you, I also failed.” Xinhua Zhao said.

“We’re fellow sufferers! Let’s work harder for the next National Games,” Chao Zhang patted Xinhua Zhao’s shoulder and said bitterly.

“That won’t be necessary. We can still sign up for the relay team!” Xinhua Zhao said.

“Wasn’t the registration for the relay team finished a month ago?” Chao Zhang asked.

“It was finished, but just look at those who signed up. Kenan Shen, he’s already thirty, right? Another one is Yihao Wu, who’s a newbie that just arrived. The relay team is made up old men and young kids who are no match for us. If we join the relay team, we’ll be the best.”

Xinhua Zhao continued to say, “Let’s find that Dai Li and compliment him. Dai Li will definitely accept us, as we could strengthen the relay team. Although the relay isn’t very attractive, it’s still an indirect way for us to earn a ticket to participate in the National Games!”

Chapter 237: Beg for Membership

During the homestretch of the National Games, the food in the cafeteria was more luxurious than usual.

Today’s dishes were very appetizing to Dai Li. The meat dishes were diversified and not too greasy; more importantly, the dishes were lightly flavored, which was consistent with Dai Li’s low salt diet. He couldn’t help but go back for a second round.

Dai Li placed his cell phone on the table. As he enjoyed his dishes with gusto, he started to watch a hit TV series on the cell phone. Two figures appeared in front of Dai Li and sat opposite him.

The two of them introduced themselves.

“Hello, Coach Li, I’m Chao Zhang.”

“I’m Xinhua Zhao.”

Dai Li looked up at them. “Hello, I know you’re both on the sprint team.”

Both of them nodded. Dai Li stopped talking and continued to enjoy the TV show and his dishes.

One never goes to the temple for nothing. Dai Li had vaguely figured out their purpose for visiting. Dai Li ate his meals in the cafeteria every day; no one had ever come to him. Now that the internal test meet had just finished, the two athletes’ visit was a reminder to Dai Li of their purpose.

However, Dai Li still pretended not to know why they had come. He didn’t ask a question or say a word, just ignored the two athletes directly.

Chao Zhang and Xinhua Zhao made eye contact embarrassedly. At last, Xinhua Zhao started to say, “Coach Li, I’d like to ask you about something.”

“What’s that?” Dai Li looked up at him.

“Does the relay team still need more people?” Xinhua Zhao continued.

“What makes you ask that? Do you want to join the relay team?” Dai Li asked straightforwardly.

Xinhua Zhao and Chao Zhang’s faces were soon beaming with delight, and both of them nodded. “Yes, we want to join the relay team.”

Dai Li pressed the pause button on his cell phone, and said, “The registration for the relay team ended more than a month ago. If you want to join the relay team, you have to wait until next time and not miss the registration time again. However, I can’t guarantee I’ll still be the coach of the relay team next time.”

Xinhua Zhao and Chao Zhang were quite embarrassed, but they didn’t give up.

Xinhua said pleadingly, “Coach Li, could you make an exception for us and let us join the relay team, please?”

“Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards. Since the registration time had been specified, the registration has to be performed according to specifications. I guess you’ve participated in a lot of meets, right? Can athletes still sign up through “exceptions” over a month after the end of the meet’s registration?” Dai Li said unreservedly.

“This isn’t an official meet,” Xinhua Zhao murmured.

“The principles are the same!” Dai Li retorted.

“Coach Li, please just make an exception for us this one time. Both of us like the relay race very much,” Chao Zhang said.

Dai Li curled his lip disdainfully. “Since you like the relay race, why didn’t you sign up a month ago?”

Dai Li’s question caused the two athletes to be dumbfounded immediately.

Xinhua Zhao and Chao Zhang had pinned their hopes on the relay race because they had lost their opportunity to participate in individual events at the National Games. One month ago, the test meet hadn’t yet been held, and they still stood a chance to go to the National Games, so naturally, they didn’t sign up for the relay team. It was assumed that Dai Li and the two athletes had a tacit understanding of this issue, but Dai Li didn’t want these two athletes at all, so he didn’t save face for them during the conversation.

Xinhua Zhao was quite angry at Dai Li’s rude rejection. He held back his anger and said, “Coach Li, actually, you may also benefit from us being onboard.”

“Oh? What benefits? Just tell me,” Dai Li asked with interest.

“Both of us are good sprinters, or at least, we’re stronger than the current members of the relay team. We’re faster than Jialiang Zhang, Yihao Wu, Kenan Shen, and Dong Qian. With us, the results of the relay team will surely improve,” Xinhua Zhao said.

Dai Li smiled like he didn’t believe a sales pitch from a lousy salesperson. If Xinhua Zhao had said that to him a month ago, Dai Li would have believed him. Now, one month had passed, and the athletes of the relay team had made remarkable progress. Dai Li believed that the current members of the relay team wouldn’t lose to Xinhua Zhao, even in individual events.

Dai Li put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin, then said, “I’m quite satisfied with the current level of the relay team. I think they’ll be capable of getting through the qualification round after another two months’ training, or even less than two months. Okay, I’m full, you two take your time and enjoy the food.”

After finishing his words, Dai Li picked up his plate and left without even looking back. Behind him, Xinhua Zhao and Chao Zhang sat there, looking at each other in consternation.

“What should we do? Coach Li refused us.” Chao Zhang was very disappointed.

Xinhua Zhao was staring at Dai Li, who was leaving the canteen, malevolently.

“Humph, without athletes like us, he’s only dreaming of making it through the qualification round of the National Games with those who are old and weak. In two months, he’ll be a joke among the team,” Xinhua Zhao said.

…

One month later, another internal test meet was held in the track and field team, and another group of athletes had bad achievements were knocked out again.

Dai Li became popular again. Now, Dai Li was just like the captain in a game. With the label of “captain,” he was surrounded by a crowd of players who were begging for him to help them accumulate experience.

Quite a few athletes who were knocked out in the internal test meet hoped to join the relay team, including a very competent athlete on the sprint team, but Dai Li rejected all of them,

Dai Li’s decision was a little bit unexpected. The five athletes selected by Dai Li were not competent ones. Ordinarily, Dai Li should welcome the entry of competent athletes with open arms, just like a powerful athlete joining a team was celebrated. However, Dai Li refused everyone who wanted to join the relay team.

A lot of people thought Dai Li was sticking to his principles, while other people thought Dai Li was making an example out of the relay to threaten them. Still others thought Dai Li was a blockhead.

Until the list of athletes going to the National Games was finally determined, Dai Li’s lineup for the relay team remained unchanged without any addition or reduction.

The five members of the relay team were, of course, overjoyed. On grounds of their strength, they wouldn’t have the chance to participate in the National Games. On the track and field team, a lot of competent athletes had been knocked out, but they could participate in the National Games if they competed in the relay race.

Actually, they hadn’t realized that they had made remarkable progress after three months’ training, which not only included the relay race. Even their performances in the 100m and 200m sprint were enhanced significantly.

A lot of athletes who had been knocked out in the test meet were envious of the members of the relay team. The feeling of helplessly looking at athletes inferior to them getting on a bus heading to the National Games as onlookers really sucked!

I just don’t believe you can enter the official event at the National Games with a team of weaklings!

This Dai Li is too arrogant. When you have to face the music, you will regret rejecting my entry.

From the windows of the dormitory building, many resentful eyes were looking at the receding bus, and Dai Li was constantly cursed in the minds of those resentful losers.

Chapter 238: Nobody was Happy but Somebody was Sad

The competition system at the National Games was very complicated and varied for different events.

For example, the preliminaries for basketball would be held four to five months in advance and would be held in several locations. The participating teams had to participate in round-robin matches in each location. The top two teams of a competition would be promoted to the final round, while the third and fourth place of the competition competed for another place in the final round through a play-off. In August, the teams who had entered the final round would compete for the gold medal.

In this competition system, in case several powerful teams were assigned to one location, the preliminaries would be very fierce; in case all the weak teams were assigned to one location, the preliminaries would be held between the weaklings. Because of this, a circumstance where powerful teams were knocked out while weak teams entered the final round was always possible.

Another example was the marathon. The winner of the gold medal of the marathon would be decided several months before the National Games. The official events of the National Games would be held in August, while the marathon champion would have been decided around April, and the marathon wouldn’t be held during the National Games at all.

The competition rules and system varied at each National Games. For example, eight teams would enter the final round in this National Games, but the number might be changed to twelve at the next National Games, while the number could even be changed back to eight in the games after that. The registration of the current National Games would be changed during the next one. In case the registration rules were changed, those who were qualified to participate in the events might lose their qualifications, while those who weren’t qualified might be able to participate.

After all, the National Games were renowned as “The Olympics of Systems.” The rules and competition systems were decided by sports associations. Sometimes, the chairman of a sports association who had a passing fancy in his mind might casually decide to change the rules. Therefore, non-professionals could be confused by the National Games, sometimes not even being able to figure out how athletes were promoted.

For the track and field events at this National Games, athletes whose results ranked in the top sixteen in China in the previous three years could enter official meets directly; athletes who participated in the last Olympic Games, or placed in the top eight in the last World Championships, or placed in the top six in the last World Cup, or were in the top three at the last Asian Games could also enter official meets directly. Therefore, athletes like Haiquan Fang, Yue Zhao, and Sijie Yang didn’t’ need to participate in the qualification meets, and could enter the official meets directly.

In this way, over twenty places in the official meets had been occupied by athletes who had qualified directly, which made the competition in the qualification matches even more fierce.

…

My opponents are so strong! Kun Shen lowered his head and walked off of the field gloomily.

He had come in the fourth place in the qualification race, and couldn’t enter the next round, which meant his journey in the National Games’ 100m sprint event ended here.

“Kun Shen was also knocked out, so our sprint team has been wiped out in the 100m sprint.” As Guodong Li spoke, he patted Tingshan Chen’s shoulder and continued, “Tingshan, don’t be depressed, you’re still young and have a chance at the next National Games. You aren’t like the others who’ll retire before the next National Games.”

“Guodong Li, stop being mean!” Baojun Sha growled immediately to show his dissatisfaction.

Kun Shen was already twenty four this year, so he wouldn’t have the chance to attend the next National Games. Guodong Li had alluded that Kun Shen was the one who would retire before the next National Games.

Kun Shen’s failure to get through the qualification round upset Baojun Sha a lot, so Guodong Li’s cruel words annoyed him easily. Baojun Sha quickly launched a comeback. “Kun Shen will participate in the qualification race for the 200m sprint, so he still has a chance to strive for success. He isn’t like some young athletes who could only participate in the 100m sprint because they lacked curve techniques!”

Now, Baojun Sha was implying that Tingshan Chen was a young athlete who didn’t know how to handle running the curve. Tingshan Chen was not yet twenty and still needed a lot of time to perfect his technique for the 100m sprint, so he hadn’t spent any time training the 200m sprint.

“Enough! You two stop quarreling! Don’t embarrass yourselves in front of the other teams!” Hua Liu noticed that Baojun Sha and Guodong Li were about to start a quarrel, so he tried to sort it out immediately.

Before, the three of them formed a short-term alliance because of Dai Li. Now, with the threat of Dai Li gone, they had revealed their true colors and started to undermine each other’s work again.

However, this time, Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen had been knocked out in the qualification match of the 100m sprint together, and lost the opportunity to enter the official race.

After all, they were weak and less skilled, so it was normal for them to be defeated in a fierce competition like this.

Kun Shen participated in the qualification match of the 200m sprint held the next day, but he was knocked out in the first round.

…

In the hotel, Yueyang Zhu was packing his luggage, quite depressed.

Beside Yueyang Zhu, Kun Shen was sitting by the bed. He lowered his head and kept silent.

Kun Shen was twenty four this year, so he was at his peak as a sprinter. Even so, he still failed to enter the official race at the National Games, which meant he wouldn’t have another chance to participate in the National Games.

The next National Games would be held at least four years later, and Kun Shen would already be twenty eight by then, which meant he would be in the final phase of his sports career, perhaps even preparing his retirement.

I’ll be twenty six when the next National Games is held. I don’t know whether I could still have a chance to participate in it. Yueyang Zhu shook his head and said nothing.

Just at this moment, they heard the sound of footsteps. Tingshan Chen entered the room with another athlete.

“Shen, since we’re going to go back tomorrow, we plan to buy some local delicacies for our families. Care to join us?” Tingshan Chen asked.

This was the first time for Tingshan Chen, who was only nineteen, to participate in the National Games; therefore, although he had failed to enter the official race, he wasn’t very depressed; instead, he was quite excited to participate in meets in new places.

“It’s time to buy some gifts for my family.” Kun Shen returned to his mind and stood up. “Sure, I’ll go with you.”

As Kun Shen spoke, he picked up his cell phone to look for a number, then said, “Wait a moment, let me call Mr. Zheng of the vehicle fleet first. He travels a lot, so he definitely knows where we can buy high quality, local delicacies at the lowest price.”

“That would be best. We were worried about where we could go just now. We planned to go shopping at supermarkets.” Tingshan Chen said.

“The supermarkets are almost the same in all of China. Let me ask where we can find a specialty store.” As Kun Shen talked to them, he dialed Mr. Zheng’s number.

Soon, the call was connected.

“Hello, Mr. Zheng? This is Kun Shen speaking,” Kun Shen said.

He heard a noise through the cell phone. Mr. Zheng, on the other end of the phone, said, “Shen, speak loudly please. It’s quite noisy here, I can’t hear you clearly.”

Kun Shen raised his voice immediately and was almost shouting, “Mr. Zheng, how about now?”

“It’s much better, I can hear you now.”

“Mr. Shen, why is it so noisy there? I also can’t hear you very clearly! Could you find a quiet place? I’d like to ask you about something,” Kun Shen said loudly.

“I’m still in the stadium! So many people are around, how can I find a quiet place?” Mr. Zheng said.

“You’re still in the stadium? Haven’t you come back yet?” Kun Shen checked the time, then said, “Mr. Shen, now should be time for the Closing Ceremony, right?”

“The Closing Ceremony is about to be held soon. Now is the last match of the 4x100m relay, which is also the last event. I have to wait until the end of all matches then drive our athletes back.” Mr. Zheng said.

“The relay race? Our athletes?” Kun Shen gasped immediately, and asked in amazement, “Hasn’t our relay team been knocked out yet?”

Chapter 239: The First Place

Kun Shen shouted loudly, which attracted the attention of everyone in the room immediately, their eyes fixed on Kun Shen.

“Of course our relay hasn’t been knocked out. They still have a race left. If they managed to rank in the top four, they’ll enter the official race at the National Games!” Mr. Zheng replied loudly. Although Kun Shen hadn’t put the phone on speakerphone, everyone in the room could still hear.

The relay race was a group event, so the rules for qualifying were different from those of the individual events. For the individual events, athletes whose points were in the top sixteen in the last three years could enter the official races directly. However, teams whose times ranked in the top twelve in the previous two years could enter official meets directly.

The official race of the 4x100m relay at the National Games had sixteen entries. Besides the twelve teams who had already entered due to their results earlier in the season, only four spots left were to be filled from the qualification round. However, the total number of teams that had signed up for the qualification match was over twenty. Therefore, each heat of six teams competed for one place in the official event. The competition was extremely tough.

Athletes like Kun Shen were focusing on their own events and didn’t pay attention to the relay team. For them, the relay was composed of a bunch of weaklings, so it was impossible for them to win a place in the official race. Therefore, the relay team had long been forgotten by them.

But now, these athletes who had been knocked out were informed that the relay team was still in contention and had even survived until the last round. The relay team had the chance to win a place in the official race at the National Games. That’s why Kun Shen and the other athletes were so surprised.

“Do you remember the members of the relay team? They even managed to enter the last round of qualifiers!” Tingshan Chen couldn’t help asking.

“Let me think about it. I remember, there should be Yihao Wu, Kenan Shen, and the rest are…” Yueyang Zhu thought about it for several seconds, then continued to say, “I think the other two are Dong Qian and Jialiang Zhang.”

“Yihao Wu, Kenan Shen, Dong Qian, and Jialiang Zhang? How could the relay team enter the final round of qualifiers with such a lousy lineup? It’s totally impossible!” Tingshan Chen said in amazement.

At the same time, on the other end of the phone, Mr. Zheng said, “The match is about to begin, Shen, don’t hang up, I’ll talk to you when the match is over, it will only take a minute.”

As soon as Mr. Zheng finished his words, a loud noise came out from the phone; apparently, the race had begun.

“For the qualification race for the relay, the top four will be promoted to the official meet, right? Now is the last heat, that is to say, they just need to come in fourth place,” Yueyang Zhu said with furrowed brows.

“Fourth place is not an easy task! If we were on the track, it might be possible. For them, it’s impossible!” Tingshan Chen curled his lip disdainfully, then said, “I defeated Yihao Wu when I was still on the youth team. Kenan Shen enjoyed his moment of glory when he was younger; however, yesterday’s sun can’t dry today’s clothes. His level is much lower than before. Jialiang Zhang and Dong Qian are also no match for us.”

Kun Shen said, “Speed isn’t the only factor in the relay race. The teamwork among the runners is also very important. Moreover, the relay race is also very uncertain. An error could cause a disaster, even in a relay team composed of the four best sprinters.”

While they were talking, they could clearly hear cheers from Kun Shen’s cellphone.

“Come on! Come on! Faster!”

That was Mr. Zheng’s voice.

Kun Shen looked at his cellphone embarrassedly. He hadn’t expected the good-natured Mr. Zheng to cheer at the top of his lungs.

The room went quiet, everyone in the room silent, while the noisy cheers from the cell phone became even more clear.

“First place! We’re in first place now! Just hang on! Come on!” Mr. Zheng’s voice was very loud. Meanwhile, the cheers of others could also be heard.

“Hang on! Go, go!”

“Keep it up! Come on!”

“Was that Coach Wang’s voice?” Tingshan Chen asked.

“No, I thought that it was Coach Liu!” Yueyang Zhu then said, “Kun Shen, just use the speakerphone so we can hear it clearly.”

Kun Shen nodded and pressed the speakerphone button.

At the same time, a booming voice came out from the cell phone.

“Victory! We won! First place! We won first place! Well done!”

It was still Mr. Zheng’s voice. However, when he was shouting, the athletes in the room were all dumbfounded.

After several seconds, Yueyang Zhu said first, “Did you hear that? Did Mr. Zheng say we won? Did he say we won first place?”

“You also heard that, right? So I heard correctly!” Kun Shen was shocked.

“Was the one who shouted just now Mr. Zheng? It’s impossible! It couldn’t have been Mr. Zheng! How could our relay team win first place?” Tingshan Chen asked in uncertainty.

“It had to be Mr. Zheng!” Kun Shen said, “I’ve known him for years, the one who shouted just now was him!”

“Couldn’t we have misheard it? You should know our voices on the phone are different from our voices normally.” Tingshan Chen argued irrationally, “I suggest we confirm it with Mr. Zheng.”

Kun Shen nodded, and shouted to his cellphone, “Mr. Zheng! Mr. Zheng! Are you still there? Mr. Zheng!”

“Sorry, I’m here. I was too excited just now and forgot you were still on the phone.” Mr. Zheng’s voice came out again; apparently, he was the one who shouted “first place” before.

The hope in Tingshan Chen’s heart was smashed instantly.

On the other side of the phone, Mr. Zheng said, “Well, Shen, you said you wanted to ask me about something, right?”

“Mr. Zheng, were you the one who shouted ‘we won’ just now?” Kun Shen asked immediately.

“I remember I shouted. Not just me, Coach Wang and Coach Liu beside me shouted too. It was too noisy, sorry for that,” Mr. Zheng said coyly.

“Mr. Zheng, you mean our relay team won, right?” Kun Shen asked anxiously.

“Of course! Our relay team won the race, otherwise, why would I shout?” Mr. Zheng said.

“What about the ranking? Did they get first place?” Kun Shen’s tone was even weaker.

“That’s for sure. To come in first place is also called winning!” Mr. Zheng paused a bit. “Shen, you seem a little bit weird today.”

“Ah, I’m fine, I’m okay. I have to hang up now.” Kun Shen ended the phone call, then looked at Yueyang Zhu and Tingshan Chen, who were beside him.

“Did you hear that? The relay team won! They came in first place!” Kun Shen said.

“First place! Does that mean they got through the qualification round and can enter the official race at the National Games held in August?” Yueyang Zhu was out of his wits.

“The relay team actually won first place! That Yihao Wu is much weaker than me. How could he enter an official race at the National Games?” Tingshan Chen clenched his fists, not wanting to accept that fact.

“Well, Shen…” the athlete with Tingshan Chen said suddenly. “Shen, it seems you’ve forgotten something.”

“What?” Kun Shen asked automatically.

“You forgot to ask Mr. Zheng where we could buy local delicacies,” the athlete said.

Kun Shen stared at him malevolently. Now, he was really not in the mood to buy any local specialties.

Chapter 240: A Saint Knight

When it was time for dinner, both the coaches and athletes arrived at the cafeteria of the hotel one after another.

By now everyone knew that the relay team had come in first place in the qualification round, and had become eligible to attend the National Games. Everyone knew that the members of the relay team were only second-rate athletes on the sprinting team. Their victory had been regarded as a big upset. Therefore, the relay team had been the talk of a lot of people during dinner.

“What a surprise! The relay team actually got first place in the qualification round!”

“Yes, indeed. It also surpassed my expectations. Anyway, that Coach Li who came back from the national team is really skilled! He was able to do so well with a group of mediocre athletes.”

“I have also heard that our relay team’s lead was huge during the match. They were in the lead the entire time. The 2nd place finisher was left far behind our relay team. The coach from the national team is indeed capable and skilled. If I had known that from the start, I would have signed up for the relay team.”

“You regret it now? It’s too late! I still remember before the relay team was established, over ten sprinters went to Coach Weidong Chu to tell him that they didn’t want to join the relay team. Later, when all athletes could sign up for the relay team voluntarily, only a few athletes did so. As a result, the relay team has qualified for the National Games. I’m afraid they will not accept new applicants now.”

“You are right! There is a saying which goes something like this: ‘Today you ignore my existence, but tomorrow I will be out of your reach.'”

The talking had made Tingshan Chen very cranky. He was anxious to find a place where there were no people. However, some gossipers continued talking about the topic in the cafeteria, which made it impossible for Tingshan Chen to escape.

“Here comes Yihao Wu!” someone said suddenly. Tingshan Chen looked up and saw Yihao Wu walking into the cafeteria smiling.

“Wu, congratulations on qualifying for the National Games!” someone said immediately.

Hearing “National Games”, Yihao Wu grinned from ear to ear.

“Yihao Wu, you are 18 this year, right? It is really impressive for an 18-year-old athlete to be able to qualify for the the National Games. When I was 18, I was still on the youth team,” another person said, commending him.

Tingshan Chen’s face flushed. He was one year older than Yihao Wu, so they should be peers; now, Yihao Wu had qualified for the National Games, while he had been knocked out in the qualifying round.

I don’t accept that! I am not reconciled to my defeat. Why can Yihao Wu participate in the National Games and I can’t? I am better than him. Tingshan Chen clenched his chopsticks tightly, his eyes filled with anger.

It’s the relay race! Yihao Wu can participate in the National Games just because he joined the relay team! If I join the relay team, I will also participate in the National Games. Tingshan Chen took a deep breath, then thought of Dai Li.

Right! I should contact Coach Li. I am stronger than all the members of the relay team. If I sign up, he will definitely approve my application. Tingshan Chen made up his mind to recommend himself to Dai Li.

…

That evening, Tingshan Chen didn’t visit Dai Li. The following day the track and field team returned to the training base, so Tingshan Chen also couldn’t find an appropriate opportunity.

Back in Qingcheng, the track and field team had a day off. Dai Li had gone back to Yuzhou by train, so Tingshan Chen had failed to meet with Dai Li again. It was not until Dai Li returned after the holiday and normal training was resumed on the track and field team that Tingshan Chen finally saw his opportunity.

Tingshan Chen learned where Dai Li’s dormitory was, then went to visit Dai Li alone.

Room 407, 4th Floor of Dormitory Building A should still be ahead of me. Tingshan Chen checked the room numbers, then finally found the door to Room 407.

Tingshan Chen smoothed out his clothes and went to knock on the door. However, before he could reach the door, the door suddenly opened. Someone walked out from the room with a bag in hand. There should have been two boxes inside the bag according its outline. The logo of some kind of liquor was printed on the packaging.

Tingshan Chen took a closer look and found that the one who had just come out was Kun Shen.

“Kun Shen?” Tingshan Chen was amazed. He had not expected Kun Shen to come out from Room 407 with two bottles of liquor in hand.

The next moment, Tingshan Chen suddenly realized that Kun Shen had also come to visit Dai Li. He had brought liquor with him, assumedly to bribe Dai Li. However, it seemed as if Dai Li had refused his bribery.

Kun Shen came to bribe Dai Li! No matter how stupid Tingshan Chen was, he knew the reason behind Kun Shen’s behavior.

Kun Shen also wants to join the relay team! Tingshan Chen looked at the two bottles of liquor, as well as Kun Shen’s gloomy expression. Apparently Kun Shen had been rejected.

Kun Shen had not expected to meet Tingshan Chen here either, who had witnessed his dismay. Kun Shen was very embarrassed.

“Kun Shen, did you come here to visit Coach Li?” Tingshan Chen paused a bit, then said, “To see if you can still join the relay team?”

Kun Shen didn’t keep the secret from Tingshan Chen. He nodded and said, “Coach Li didn’t accept me, just as I expected. After all, he has rejected many athletes before. I just wanted to try my luck. What about you? Are you here for the same thing?”

“Me? I was just passing through.” Tingshan Chen didn’t have the courage to tell the truth.

“Oh, then I’m going back. You take your time.” Kun Shen didn’t let him in on what had happened, and simply left with the two bottles of liquor.

Watching Kun Shen’s receding figure, Tingshan Chen had mixed feelings

Kun Shen also visited Coach Li, and even took him some gifts, but Coach Li still refused him. I came empty-handed. Will Coach Li accept me? Tingshan Chen sighed wanly, but eventually knocked on Dai Li’s door.

…

Several minutes later, Tingshan Chen came out from Dai Li’s room with a disappointed face, visibly upset.

Dai Li had refused him, as he had expected.

Tingshan Chen felt as if he had been insulted. Dai Li would rather choose the young Yihao Wu and the old Kenan Shen, and even Dong Qian and Jialiang Zhang, who were no match for him, than choose him.

I hate him! Tingshan Chen said to himself. He couldn’t help but be upset with Dai Li.

When Tingshan Chen walked to the gate of the dormitory building, he found Kun Shen standing there with two bottles of liquor in his hand. Kun Shen was looking at him with a half smile.

“Kun Shen…” Tingshan Chen stepped forward towards Kun Shen.

“Dai Li refused you too, right?” Kun Shen seemed to have expected this result. He continued, “If you think about it, we shouldn’t be surprised by this. We went to Coach Chu and told him that we didn’t want to join the relay team, which ruined Dai Li’s plan to choose good athletes from the sprint team. Now that his relay team has qualified for the National Games, he will definitely teach us a lesson. We only have ourselves to blame for going too far.”

“We were told to petition against the relay team by our coaches!” Tingshan Chen pouted, as if he had nothing to do with what had happened.

“Tingshan Chen, if you hadn’t rejected the chance to join the relay team, you wouldn’t have gone to Coach Chu to express yourself, right? After all, it was us who didn’t want to give up the individual events,” Kun Shen said.

“Dai Li’s conditions were too harsh. We had to give up the individual events if we wanted to sign up for the relay team, which was unacceptable to most of the athletes,” Tingshan Chen said, attempting to rid himself of responsibility again.

“It was indeed harsh to ask us to give up the individual events. However, in retrospect, if the members of the relay team hadn’t put all their effort into the relay training, they wouldn’t have qualified for the National Games. As a coach of the national team, Dai Li definitely knew that, so he made it a requirement that athletes had to give up individual events and focus all their energy on training for the relay in the very beginning,” Kun Shen said.

“Shen, why are you defending Dai Li?” Tingshan Chen complained. “Are you willing to give up? We have to wait at least four years for the next National Games!”

“Of course not! Kenan Shen is 30, so he can still participate in the National Games; as for Jialiang Zhang, he is very average, and his performance hasn’t improved in recent years. I’ll be 24 this year, which is the peak of a sprinter’s career. Four years from now I might be planning my retirement.” As Kun Shen said, he sighed helplessly. “But what can I do? I want to join the relay team, but Dai Li didn’t accept me!”

“Shen, I have an idea,” Tingshan Chen said.

“What’s it? Just tell me,” Kun Shen asked immediately.

“Let’s go to Coach Chu with Yueyang Zhu and other athletes whose performances are good, just like last time, and start a disagreement.” Tingshan Chen continued, “Last time we won, didn’t we? We successfully forced Dai Li to compromise by asking the athletes to sign up voluntarily. This time we should band together again to force Coach Li to accept us. We are sure to succeed.”

Kun Shen let out a long sigh. “Tingshan Chen, you are too young and naïve. Last time we only won because Dai Li hadn’t achieved anything yet, and the track and field team was looking forward to our good performance in the qualification round of the National Games. At that time, Dai Li was begging for our acceptance to the relay team, so we were given the benefit of a doubt; now we have been knocked out, but Dai Li’s relay team has qualified for the National Games. We are now begging to join the relay team, while Dai Li has been given preference this time.”

“Kun Shen, regardless of who has been given preference, we have to try, right? The track and field team is not ruled by Dai Li! If we dare not to try, we will never have a chance to participate in the National Games! If we try, maybe we will have a slim chance.” Tingshan Chen continued trying to persuade Kun Shen.

Kun Shen thought it over as he frowned. He had indeed been convinced by the sentence, “If we try, maybe we will have a slim chance.”

“You are right! If I fail to participate in this National Games, I won’t have a chance to participate in the next one in four years. Even though this is risky, I have to give it a shot.” Kun Shen nodded and said, “Let’s go talk about our plan with Yueyang Zhu.”

…

Today Weidong Chu was quite busy.

Over twenty athletes on the track and field team had qualified for the official match of the National Games. Therefore, the subsequent training for these athletes had become the most important focus for the track and field team.

Now that the training plans for the athletes had been submitted to Weidong Chu, he planned to review each of the plans one by one to find and point out anything unreasonable about them, as well as content that could be improved.

Weidong Chu had once been a professional coach, so even though he was not proficient in all track and field events, he was still familiar with training skills. In addition, as the head coach of a provincial team, Weidong Chu was more experienced and knowledgeable than ordinary coaches.

He picked up a red pen and made over ten marks on a training plan in several minutes.

This plan is not OK. I need to organize the coaches and discuss this in a meeting. Weidong Chu put the plan aside and picked up the next training plan.

This is the relay team’s training plan prepared by Dai Li. When Weidong Chu saw the words “4x100m relay team,” he smiled immediately.

The relay team got through the qualifying round by winning first place, with a huge gap between them and second place. This Dai Li is truly a capable guy. He can achieve such good results with a group of mediocre athletes. That’s why Coach Li Xue decided to make Dai Li his last apprentice before his retirement. Li Xue has been working as a coach on the national team for a lifetime, so he is really insightful! Maybe Dai Li will be the best coach on the national team within 10 years.

As Weidong Chu thought this to himself, he reviewed Dai Li’s training plan in an appreciative and open-minded view.

This was a mindset change. When he reviewed other coach’s training plan, Weidong Chu expected to find mistakes, which was different than his attitude when reviewing Dai Li’s training plan. Just like an artist who went to a high-end painting exhibition, Weidong Chu wanted to learn something from Dai Li’s plan to make up for his own weaknesses.

As Weidong Chu was reading over Dai Li’s plan, the phone rang. He picked it up immediately.

“Hello. Yes, it’s me, what’s up? Again? Last time they didn’t want to join the relay team, what is their excuse this time? They want to join the relay team? Dai Li won’t accept them? They deserve that! OK, I know; just send them to the meeting room, I will come over later.”

Weidong Chu hung up the phone. He was clearly upset.

These guys have too much pride! What do they think I’m running here, a convenience store?

…

In the meeting room, Weidong Chu glared the athletes, who were being led by Tingshan Chen.

“Three months ago, in this same meeting room,” Weidong Chu said as he tapped on the table with his finger, “You said you didn’t want to join the relay team, and that you didn’t want to participate in the relay race; now you’re saying you want to join the relay team. What the hell do you want?”

Tingshan Chen was about to explain, but Weidong Chu didn’t give him the opportunity. He continued, “Our relay team has entered the National Games after getting the remarkable achievement of winning first place in the qualifying match. I am very satisfied with their performance. I think it is very important to keep the integrity of the lineup for a team that could win first place. So, as for your request, my reply is that the lineup of the relay team will remain unchanged.”

“But I’m faster!” Tingshan Chen said in haste.

“I just said the lineup of the relay team will not change.” Weidong Chu stared at Tingshan Chen and said, “Regardless of if you are faster or slower, we will not change the lineup of a team that could come in first place!

Weidong Chu checked his watch. “OK, it’s about time. I still have a meeting to attend later, so that’s all for today’s discussion.” He stood up and left, leaving the athletes in the meeting room.

Coach Chu is indeed a qualified saint knight! You can’t attack him with one movement a second time… Watching Weidong Chu’s figure walk into the distance, Tingshan Chen continued having negative thoughts.

Chapter 241: Frame Up

Weidong Chu left the other athletes in the conference room without looking back.

“I told you. It’s not working.” Kun Shen looked upset.

Tingshan Chen looked upset too. His idea hadn’t worked; on the contrary, it had been taken as a form of mocking by Weidong Chu. Tingshan Chen knew Weidong Chu didn’t think highly of him.

“I don’t think this is going to work. Tingshan Chen is young, so you can’t blame him for thinking of stupid ideas; but you, Kun Shen, you are way older than Tingshan Chen, and you have been on the team for so many years. Why are you acting like this too?” Yueyang Zhu said.

“Hindsight is 20/20!” Kun Shen cursed quietly, then said, “How about you think of a plan yourselves!”

“Of course I have some ideas. Surely they will be better than yours!” Yueyang Zhu smiled with a mysterious look.

“Yueyang Zhu, do you really have some good ideas that can help us join the relay team?” Kun Shen walked closer to them and asked.

“I do have a pan. But I can’t assure your success in joining the relay team, as you’ll have to be good enough yourself,” Yueyang Zhu said.

“Tell us about it now,” Tingshan said anxiously.

Yueyang Zhu didn’t answer them immediately. Instead he asked: “Do you have a lot of relatives?”

“What do my relatives have to do with this?” Tingshan Chen was confused.

Kun Shen sneered. “I don’t have relatives in the authorities who are in charge of these types of things.”

“You are overthinking. That’s not what I mean.” Yueyang Zhu lowered his voice and continued, “It is quite simple; we can find someone to report the relay team to the provincial authorities saying there is a shady deal going on, one in which qualified athletes were not selected for the team, while unqualified ones were. This would force them to perform another selection!”

“Isn’t that fake reporting?” Kun Shen frowned. He didn’t like this idea.

“If we don’t do anything we will miss the National Games,” Yueyang Zhu said.

Kun Shen shook his head. “I think even if we report them, we don’t have a good chance of winning. According to management rules, even if this kind of thing is reported to the provincial authorities, they will let the team investigate the issue themselves. And it is pointless to let the team investigate themselves. They will just make up some excuse and let it go.”

“That was before. Now things have changed.” Yueyang Zhu smiled.

“What’s the difference?” Kun Shen asked.

“You must have missed the news.” There was a mysterious look on Yueyang Zhu’s face. He continued, “I heard that the central inspection group might come to us after a few months.”

“No way. Yueyang Zhu, don’t tease us. You want us to report to the central inspection group? The central inspection group is in charge of big problems; what we have here is just a small, messy situation that isn’t worthy of their time! Plus, this is a frame up, a fake charge! It is the wrong thing to do,” Kun Shen said.

“That’s right. And you said it will be several months for the inspection group to come here. By that time the National Games will have already finished. What’s the point of reporting it?” Tingshan Chen agreed.

“That is why I said you guys don’t read the news! I am not a fool. We are not going to report it to the inspection group.” Yueyang Zhu snorted and said, “Before the arrival of the inspection group, the Provincial Politics and Law Committee, as well as the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, have a Discipline Inspection Dispute Group to keep things straight and neat. They also announced the hotlines. They want to solve the problems in advance before the central inspection group is actually here. After all, it would be much better to check the problems yourselves than have it checked by the inspection group.”

“You’re saying we tell this group about the relay team?” Kun Shen asked.

“Exactly! Although nobody knows the exact date the inspection group is coming, it worries everyone in this province. Whether it is a small problemor a big deal, we have to take everything seriously,” Yueyang Zhu explained.

“But this is only a selection. This is not really worth investigating. The Discipline Inspection Dispute Group is not going to check this, will they?” Tingshan Chen asked.

“Being involved in a scandal is the last thing they want to deal with! If only one or two people say something, they may not take it seriously; but if a dozen people report it?” Yueyang Zhu lowered his voice as he kept talking. “That is why I asked if you have any relatives. Encourage your relatives to report the issue together and we can do it!”

“That sounds like a good idea. If we can make the relay team hold another selection, we all may get the chance to be chosen,” Kun Shen said.

Tingshan Chen shook his head. “I don’t think so. Don’t forget the coach of the relay team is Dai Li. If he doesn’t want to choose us for the relay team, there is nothing we can do.”‘

“That makes sense.” Yueyang Zhu thought about it for a while, then responded, “What about this: we say these athletes bribed Dai Li and bought him presents so they would make the relay team. We can tell on Dai Li and make a false charge against him. We are definitely going to make it when he is no longer a coach!”

“Good idea! I say this works. We can crush Dai Li as well.” Tingshan Chen was the first one to agree to the plan.

“But without Dai Li, we can’t assure good scores in the National Games!” Kun Shen hesitated.

Tingshen Chen’s mouth twisted in a contemptuous sneer. “Scores? Scores are obtained by us, not the help of others! Are we really going to talk about scores if we can’t even make it to the National Games? Kittel has already broken so many world records; what does it have to do with our salary? Think about scores after we make it to the National Games.”

…

The phone rang. Weidong Chu looked at the number, suddenly looking seriously. It was the home line of Director Wang, the direct boss of Weidong Chu. Weidong Chu was very familiar with this number.

“Why would Director Wang want to talk to me?” Weidong Chu picked it up without any hesitation.

“Hello, Director Wang. This is Weidong Chu!” Weidong Chu said energetically.

“Weidong Chu, there will be two officers from the discipline inspection dispute group coming. You have to see them in person and assist them with their work,” Director Wang said.

“Discipline Inspection Dispute Group!” Weidong Chu suddenly felt nervous. He was familiar with the group, as he had worked with the authorities before. He knew exactly what this group did.

“Director Wang, is everything alright?” Weidong Chu asked in a low voice.

“They said we have been reported by a number of people saying there was something wrong with our selection for the relay team. Ask the members in the group for details!” Director Wang said. “Remember, you have to assist with their investigation! I have already promised them our integrity. If there are any problems, I will not tolerate it!”

“Director Wang, don’t worry. I will help the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group.” Weidong Chu paused, then continued, “Director Wang, I can promise you that the selection of our teams is fair and clear. There is nothing shady going on here!”

Weidong Chu looked nervous after he hung up. He knew he was innocent, but it was not a good thing to be inspected.

Chapter 242: Achieve Something Big

Xiaochun Gao stood at the gate of the Hanbei track and field team feeling excited.

Xiaochun Gao had used to work for the Provincial Politics and Law Committee, but had always felt he didn’t get what he deserved after all those years of hard working. He had done a lot of things, but he had never gotten his boss’s appreciation, or a promotion.

When the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group was established, Xiaochun Gao was transferred from his original work unit to this group.

After Xiaochun Gao came to the group, he was eager to achieve something big and impress his boss. However, it was not easy to find big tasks. Xiaochun Gao had stayed with the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group for over a month and had gone to check things on a daily basis, but still couldn’t find a big case.

But two days ago, someone had reported that there was something shady going on in the selection process of the provincial track and field team, saying some athletes had bribed their coach to get positions on teams for the National Games, especially the relay team.

This wasn’t really a big case, but because someone had reported it, the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group was on call. It ended up in Xiaochun Gao’s hands.

As soon as Xiaochun Gao had taken over this job, he had begun dreaming of achieving something big.

This thing seems like a simple shady deal in the selection process, but will there be any deep reason behind it? Although Dai Li is the only one being reported, will this be something common across the track and field team? You can’t take part in matches if you don’t buy your coach gifts? Or maybe this isn’t a single case on the track and field team, but all the sports teams in Hanbei Province work this way? Maybe this also involves the Provincial Sports Bureau. If the Provincial Sports Bureau has corruption problems, will there be anyone benefiting from it? I remember the provincial sports lottery sold over ten billion yuan last year? Even taking ⅕ of it for sports funding would be two billion! Oh my god, a two billion yuan case. If I solve this, I will be so famous!

Thinking of this, Xiaochun Gao couldn’t help smiling. Xiaochun Gao was an imaginative person. Even a small selection could make him connect it to a big case that involved billions of yuan.

…

Weidong Chu had been waiting in the reception area for a while. After they met each other, they had a brief introduction, then went straight to the point.

“Coach Chu, it was reported to us that the selection on the track and field team is rigged,” Xiaochun Gao said.

“Director Gao, we are very serious about the selection. We have our evidence and standards.” Weidong Chu paused, then continued, “I reckon the reason we got reported is because someone wasn’t selected, and he was not happy about it. He probably made things up and reported it as revenge.”

Xiaochun Gao smiled. He wasn’t surprised to hear Weidong Chu’s words. According to his previous experiences, those who were corrupted had plenty of excuses for themselves.

Knowing this, Xiaochun Gao continued, “This report mentioned an exact name.”

“Who is that?” Weidong Chu asked immediately. He didn’t know that.

“Coach Dai Li of the relay team. That is why I hope to call and ask him some questions.” Xiaochun Gao made his request brief and direct.

“No problem, Director Gao. Just bear with me. I will call Coach Li here.” Weidong Chu signaled to someone next to him. “Call Coach Li and tell him to come here.”

Weidong Chu poured a cup of tea for Xiaochun Gao, then continued, “Director Gao, you said before that there was a shady deal behind the selection of the athletes. Were you referring to the relay team?”

“You are the person in charge of the track and field team. I will just tell you the truth.” Xiaochun Gao put down the tea cup and said, “It was the relay team that had been reported.”

“Hehe…” Weidong Chu heaved a sigh of relief.

Weidong Chu might not have been that confidence when it came to other teams playing dodgy when selecting team members, but when it came to the relay team, he was 100% certain that everything was neat and fair.

It was not easy and smooth when they had begun assembling the relay team. Coaches like Guodong Li and Baojun Sha were having some problems and they were not copying with each other, while athletes like Tingshan Suan and Kun Shen even told on them directly. Finally, they had to let the athletes volunteer to join the team. They ended up setting zero restrictions, and anyone could sign up for it. They would literally thank God just to have five athletes on the relay team.

Weidong Chu said, “Director Gao, I can assure you that we didn’t have a so-called ‘shady’ deal going on for the selection for the relay team.”

“Coach Chu, you have such strong confidence in your team members?” Xiaochun Chu shook his head. “From what I heard, athletes could only join the relay team after they bought Coach Li presents and gave him money.”

“Presents and money?” Weidong Chu laughed. He continued, “We almost had to beg the athletes to join the relay team when we raised the idea, but no one was willing to be part of it, so we asked them to volunteer. In a way we didn’t even select them for the relay team; they signed up for it voluntarily.”

“The athletes signed up voluntarily!” Xiaochun Gao opened his eyes wide, looking embarrassed.

If it had been a selection, there were chances that a shady deal existed, as the coach was the one who would have made the final judgement. This was kind of like the first day of school when the children were trying to become the class monitor; the teacher has the right to decide. But it was a completely different story when athletes volunteered to sign up.

“Even though the athletes sign up themselves, there is still a chance there was some shady play. This kind of thing happens all the time,” Xiaochun Gao said resentfully. He didn’t want to just give it up. He still wished to find and solve a big case. Leaving with nothing was the last thing he wanted to do.

Weidong Chu recalled his memory and said, “I remember when we put up the signing up notice, not many people came to sign up. There were only about seven or eight people I think. Coach Li then selected five of them. This was not like a civil service exam where only one person could be selected to the personnel system out of thousands of candidates. Choosing five out of seven is not an easy job to do in itself, and it is impossible to be shady about it.”

Xiaochun Gao was obviously upset after hearing what Weidong Chu said.

Dai Li arrived at the reception area.

“Coach Chu, I’m here.” Dai Li said.

“Dai Li, come here. Let me introduce you to Director Gao. He is from our provincial Discipline Inspection Dispute Group. Director Gao, this is Coach Dai Li from our team.” Weidong Chu introduced the two of them to each other.

So this is the Dai Li who was reported! He is so young. He’s probably inexperienced. I could make him tell me everything if I scare him. Xiaochun Gao felt there was a good chance he could achieve something big.

Chapter 243: Bluffing

Dai Li sat down opposite Xiaochun Gao.

Xiaochun Gao stared at Dai Li. He thought Dai Li would be nervous, but in fact, Dai Li looked extremely calm. This wasn’t a good start from what Xiaochun Gao had experienced.

The next minute, Xiaochun Gao played hardball and began talking. “Coach Li, we have received some information about you, but I would prefer to hear from you in person. You must know our policy; there is a lighter penalty if you confess than the other way around. If you give up the other people involved, you can receive a lighter punishment.” Xiaochun Gao was staring at Dai Li as he spoke.

It was Xiaochun Gao’s regular trick to bluff in the beginning, whether there really was a problem or not. This was a common trick. Many guilty and cowardly people sometimes just told the truth when they were being lied to.

The last sentence Xiaochu Gao had said was an attempt to persuade Dai Li to tell on more people. The more people that were involved, the bigger the case was, and Xiaochun Gao could make his dream come true.

Weidong Chu frowned. He seemed unhappy. Xiaochun Gao sounded like he was interrogating a criminal. Weidong Chu wanted to say something, but he held back when he remembered Director Wang’s words, “assist him.”

A clean hand wants no washing. There is nothing to worry about. Weidong Chu thought.

Dai Li nodded. Looking sincere, he said, “I am responsible for not breaking the relay record. I personally think there are some problems existing in our training process. First of all…”

“Stop!” Xiaochun Gao smacked the table all of a sudden. “I asked you to tell the truth. What are you talking about?”

“I am telling the truth!” Dai Li pretended to be cute and dumb. He continued, “Aren’t we talking about the fact that my team didn’t break the National Team’s record?”

Weidong Chu almost laughed out loud. Obviously he had underestimated Dai Li.

“What record! We are talking about the thing you did when you were selecting the team members for the relay group!” Xiaochun Gao groaned. “Does that remind you?”

“You mean the selection for the relay team?” Dai Li shook his head and said, “The athletes signed up themselves. We didn’t run the selection process as we usually do.”

“Then why would only five of the seven be selected? It must have had something to do with you!” Xiaochun Gao inquired immediately.

“Director Gao, if seven people come to the tryout, are all seven of them supposed to be chosen?” Dai Li smirked. “The sports bureau wouldn’t agree with that. According to the rules of the relay team for the National Games, every team has to have five to six members. Seven members wouldn’t work at all.”

Xiaochun Gao was embarrassed. He felt he had made a big mistake. He had acted unprofessional, as he seemed to have asked something before he had figured it out.

“Then what was your standard when you picked the five athletes? We heard that there was some shady play when you selected the members!” Xiaochun Gao continued his bluffing strategy.

“Shady play? Director Gao, you are overthinking. This is a sprinting competition; we only have two standards. Number one, how fast you run; and number two, how much potential you have to run faster. You can go over the records of the seven athletes if you want and see if the five athletes I picked were not qualified.” Dai Li paused, then continued, “Sprinting is about running fast. I can’t leave the fast runners aside and pick the slow ones, right?”

“But people reported you, saying the athletes gave you money to join the relay team!” Xiaochun Gao looked furious.

“Well, did the public tell you who gave me the money? And when they gave it to me? Where did it happen? And how much did they give me? We can discuss these things and make things clear,” Dai Li sneered, looking straight into Xiaochun Gao’s eyes. “Director Gao, you said you had some evidence to prove my guilt the moment we saw each other. Now I am curious if you really have evidence. Or did you just guess about everything? You can’t just bluff to work for the Discipline Group, right?”

Xiaochun Gao took a long breath and calmed down. He thought dealing with a young coach like Dai Li would be a piece of cake; that just a few frightening statements would make him fold and tell the truth. He didn’t expect Dai Li to be so difficult and come right back at him.

Is there really someone who tried to frame and throw dirt on Dai Li? Xiaochun Gao started to suspect this, however he couldn’t simply let it go. He was thinking of the “big case” he had been dreaming about.

Bluffing is not going to work. I need to think of something else. Xiaochun Gao stayed silence for a few seconds before he started talking again. “Coach Li, please tell me—what was your reason for picking the athletes? The evidence for choosing every single athlete. I will have to write them down, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure. I will start with Kenan Shen first. He is a bit older than the others on the team, but he won second place in the National Games when he was younger. He is experienced in running, and we need an experienced athlete for our relay team, as the relay is a sport that requires teamwork.

“Then there’s Yihao Wu. He is only eighteen, and he is the young man with potential on our track and field team. I want to develop him and help him become a better sprinter.

“Jialiang Zhang is next. He is a positive guy, and he always has a stable performance in competitions, which is suitable for the relay.

“The fourth one is Dong Qin. The reason I picked him was because he was quick and strong. He is the fastest among the seven candidates. You can check his documents or ask other people to prove it.

“And finally, Wenqiang Wang. He is the substitute on the team. I chose him because he was the fastest one of the remaining three candidates.”

“So you are saying that the five guys on the relay team are not the fastest on the track and field team?” Xiaochun Gao thought he had found something weak in Dai Li’s words.

Dai Li knew this question was a set up. He didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he thought about it, then answered, “Their performance is changing. I am a coach in charge of the relay games. It is none of my business to measure their personal sports performance.”

Xiaochun Gao hit the table again. “That’s right! That is exactly what was said in the report! Those who ran faster didn’t get selected to the relay team; on the contrary, those who were slow and average were selected! And you are telling me nothing about that is shady?”

“Director Gao, you seem to have forgotten that the selection of the relay team was actually voluntary. The excellent athletes you mentioned didn’t even sign up for it. I wish I could have selected them, but I didn’t have the choice,” Dai Li said.

“Why didn’t they sign up?” Xiaochun Gao asked.

“I have no idea!” Dai Li shook his head furiously. “The notice was put up on the bulletin board, so everyone could see it. We only got seven entry forms in the end. I couldn’t force them to sign up.”

“Sign up” again! Xiaochun Gao cursed silently. He felt like he was back where he started. He couldn’t find anything suspicious as long as the athletes had signed up themselves.

It seems like there is no big case waiting here for me. I will have to go back with nothing, Xiaochun Gao sighed.

Suddenly, someone pushed open the reception area door and rushed inside without knocking.

“I wanted to join the relay team but Coach Dai Li refused to take me!” the guy said loudly.

Dai Li and Weidong Chu turned around at the same time and found that it was Tingshan Chen who had rushed in and spoken.

Xiaochun Gao, on the other hand, felt his dream of achieving something big had been given a new life. He waved to Tingshan Chen and said, “Are you an athlete? Come and sit down. Tell us everything, completely and slowly.”

Chapter 244: Make Things Right Once And For All

Kun Shen looked at Yueyang Zhu, who stood next to him in the door of the track and field building, feeling nauseous.

“Yueyang Zhu, you are so mean. I heard that the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group has arrived. You persuaded Tingshan Chen to speak out, but you are standing here watching the fun,” Kun Shen said with despise.

“The nail that sticks up always gets hammered down!”Yueyan Zhu said. “But this time, we need someone to speak out. You don’t need to pretend to be a nice guy in front of me. When I was encouraging Tingshan Chen, you didn’t say anything. You just wanted to get something out of it. if you really feel sorry for Tingshan Chen, why don’t you switch with him and be the nail that sticks out?”

Kun Shen frowned. Yueyang Zhu’s words were not pleasant to hear, but it revealed the truth that Kun Shen wanted to hear. He knew that Tingshan Chen was the guy that had stepped up, but he didn’t say anything because he also wanted to get something out of it. Without Tingshan Chen, Kun Shen would get nothing.

Kun Shen felt sorry for Tingshan Chen. He sighed. “I feel sorry for Tingshan Chen. He was the one who reported the thing to the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group. Even if it works out in the end, he would be blamed by Weidong Chu. Once the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group leaves, Weidong Chu will surely be hard on him. Maybe Coach Guodong Li will be punished as well.”

“This is the cost of growing up!” Yueyang Zhu said. “Tingshan Chen is a proud guy. He never showed respect to our older team members, as he thought he was excellent in his field. It is time to teach him a lesson and let him know that he can’t do whatever he likes on our track and field team. If Tingshan Chen does get punished, it is not a bad thing for us, as we have such a competitive team environment.”

Kun Shen didn’t argue. Tingshan Chen was a proud person. He was only 19 years old, but his sports performance was as good as Kun Shen and Yueyang Zhu. One could predict that after three or four years, when Tingshan Chen would be 23, he would surely surpass Kun Shen and Yueyang Zhu.

Maybe because of this, Tingshan Chen had become “the nail that stuck up.” When you are 18 and 19, you do things irrationally. Young men don’t have their own opinions towards things, and tend to be more impulsive when they hear something. As they get older, they learn to think critically and have their own values and beliefs, and aren’t shaped as easily by a place or person.

…

Weidong Chu looked at Tingshan Chen with resent inside the reception room. Xiaochun Gao was about to leave, as he had ran out of ideas. They didn’t expect there would be another obstacle for them to overcome.

It is so inappropriate for Tingshan Chen showed up right now. We thought he would be the key person to develop; who knew he was such a troublemaker!

Weidong Chu thought about the two reports that had already happened before and realized Tingshan Chen had been a part of them. He couldn’t help thinking less of Tingshan Chen.

Xiaochun Gao, on the other hand, seemed really excited. He thought he had found a new drive. He happily invited Tingshan Chen to sit down.

“My name is Tingshan Chen. I am an athlete on the sprint team…” Tingshan Chen introduced himself first.

“Tingshan Chen, you mentioned that you wanted to join relay team, but Coach Dai Li didn’t accept you. Can you tell me more about this?” Xiaochun Gao asked patiently with a kind face.

“I wanted to join the relay team, so I went to Coach Li. But Coach Li said no,” Tingshan Chen said. “My 100m record is surely the best on our team, but Coach Li would rather take other athletes who are slower than choose me. This is not fair!” Tingshan Chen said.

“Coach Li, is this true?” Xiaochun Gao looked at Dai Li, looking thrilled. “You just said that the athletes you picked are either fast runners or potential fast runners. Tingshan Chen is a young and promising athlete. How come you didn’t choose him?”

“Tingshan Chen wasn’t one of the seven athletes who signed up in the beginning. When he came to me, it was past the application period—it was three month later. Tingshan Chen thought this was unfair, but we have our rules. If you can still apply for it after three months, it is unfair for the other people,” Dai Li answered without hesitation.

“Coach Li, you are right. If everyone delays things and hopes it will be fine, we can’t manage our track and field team,” Weidong Chu said.

“But I run faster than anyone else! If I join the relay team, the team will perform better in competitions!” Tingshan Chen agued. “Not only me, but Kun Shen and Yueyang Zhu as well. They were all left out even though they run faster than the current members on the relay team. If we change the members on the relay team to us, the sports performance will definitely improve!”

Xiaochun Gao nodded. He was excited, as he felt he had finally found a key point to fight back. He then asked, “Coach Li, why was a better sprinter ruled out when he wished to join the relay team? I am an outsider, but I know that the faster the team members run, the better chance they have of winning the race.”

“Director Gao, a 4x100m race is not about getting the four fastest athletes and winning first place for sure; it’s about teamwork.” Dai Li continued, “Also, our relay team has made it to the official match in the National Games, and I am pretty satisfied with their performance. There is chemistry among our team members and I don’t think it is necessary to change the team. If we change the members on purpose, it may hurt their chemistry.”

“Coach Li, I don’t agree with you on this. I’m not an athlete myself, but I know every athlete wants to be first place. They are not satisfied with what they have now.” Xiaochun Gao paused, then continued, “I have to say something about this. As a coach, how could you be satisfied with how things are now? How can you be over the moon just because you made it to the National Games? You should aim for first place!”

“First place? We are first place!” Dai Li blinked. “Our relay team got first place in the qualification match for the National Games. As for the official games, although they hasn’t started yet, I am aiming for first place again. Director Gao, since we can get first place now, the most important thing is to maintain the stability of the team. It is not necessary to take the risk of breaking up the team and finding new people.”

Xiaochun Gao was speechless hearing Dai Li’s words again. He was really upset. Xiaochun Gao wasn’t a professional when it came to sports terms. When he had finally found a topic of ‘team structure’ to talk about, he had judged Dai Li for not being ambitious enough. He didn’t expect Dai Li to have already won first place.

Seeing the awkward look of Xiaochun Gao, Weidong Chu couldn’t help giggling silently. He knew that Xiaochun Gao had to leave with nothing if he didn’t have any real evidence.

However, Dai Li didn’t want to just let it go.

Dai Li continued, “Tingshan Chen said he was one of the best on our team, and that the other athletes are not as good as him. That is his own illusion, and it doesn’t represent the truth. Anyone can say he is the best, but is it true? I don’t even want to talk about the real case on the entire team, but on our relay team, there are at least two candidates who are better than Tingshan Chen. I don’t think Tingshan Chen is fast enough, and that’s one of the reasons I said no to him.”

“You said I am not fast enough! That is bullsh*t!” Tingshan Chen stood up out of anger.

Dai Li smiled. “Tingshan Chen, I know you are happy with the results. What about this; we have a match in front of Coach Chu and Director Gao. I will call two of my buddies, and you can call Kun Shen and Yueyang Zhu. Scores are louder than words. We will see!”

“Then race it is! Competing with those weak chicks on your relay team, I am definitely gonna win!”

…

Weidong Chu walked with Dai Li side by side to the training base.

Frowning, Weidong Chu said in a low voice, “Dai Li, what the hell are you doing? Xiaochun Gao was already in the wrong and was about to leave. Why did you do that?”

“Coach Chu, today we had to deal with the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group. You think it has anything to do with Tingshan Chen?” Dai Li asked.

“I am sure they are involved. I assume they may be the ones that reported it! Dai Li, don’t worry; this is not over. I will find an opportunity to make Tingshan Chen pay for this!” Weidong Chu said.

“Actually the athletes did this just because they thought they were better than the others. They felt it was unfair seeing those who weren’t as good as them attend the games. So even though we handled Xiaochun Gao this time, the others will probably play other tricks.”

Dai Li paused, then continued, “We are getting pretty close to the National Games in August, and the relay team are in the final stages of their training. I don’t want to be distracted again, so I need a plan that can make things right once and for all. I need this race to let these people know that our relay team is strong and can’t be mocked! We are much stronger than them, and they need to know that! They didn’t get picked because they are not good enough.”

“Are you sure? Tingshan Chen is indeed one of the best on our team when it comes to the 100m sprint,” Weidong Chu said.

“One of the best? That was three months ago.” Dai Li smiled confidently.

Chapter 245: Remove the Obstacles

Kun Shen changed the specialized competition trainers, looking hesitant.

“Tingshan Chen managed to find us some opportunity after he made a scene,” Yueyang Zhu said as he tied his shoes. “I will not show you mercy during the competition. Try your best if you want to make it to the relay team.”

“They didn’t say we can join the relay team if we win.” Kun Shen didn’t seem happy.

“At least this is an opportunity. We have to seize the opportunity that Tingshan Chen fought to get us!” Yueyang Zhu said.

Kun Shen felt sorry for Tingshan Chen whenever he heard Tingshan Chen’s name. Tingshan Chen was going to have a tough time after this, no matter what the result was.

Not far away from them, Tingshan Chen looked immensely proud. He didn’t realize what kind of situation he was in. He quickly walked over to Kun Shen, smiling. “Brother Shen, I did a great job, huh? You have to buy me meals soon.”

“Sure, the meal is on me!” Kun Shen smiled awkwardly, judging Tingshan Chen silently. This fool thinks he is some kind of hero. He would be counting money for the guy who sold to him. He made his bed; let him lie in it.

Dong Qian and Yihao Wu, representatives for the relay team, were ready for the competition.

“Hey Coach Li, are there only two athletes in the competition. Are the other two not coming?” Xiaochun Gao groaned.

“The relay team is for relay games. Two athletes for the curves while the other two run the straightaways. We are having a 100m sprint race, so the two athletes in charge of straightaways will take part in it. The other two athletes are practicing for the curves. I wouldn’t mind having them participate if we were having a curve race,” Dai Li answered.

Xiaochun Gao didn’t argue. He understood nothing about professional sports terms, so he just kept his mouth shut in case he made another mistake.

Weidong Chu felt diffirent about this though. He surely supported Dai Li, but he didn’t have faith in the two athletes Dai Li had picked for this race. If it had not been Dai Li, but another guy dealing with this, this ridiculous competition would not even be happening.

Dai Li still looked confident. As he had predicted, Dong Qian and Yihao Wu were way better than their three opponents, including Tingshan Chen. And this was his big achievement from the latest three months.

The moment when Dai Li had picked Dong Qian, he knew Dong Qian had potential. His weaknesses would be easy to overcome, and once he overcame them, he would improve a lot.

In the three months of training under Dai Li, Dong Qian had continued correcting his shortcomings. Dong Qian was not bad in the beginning, and over time he became better. It was only because Dong Qian was one of the members of the relay team and didn’t get involved in self-testing programs that people didn’t know he had improved to a higher level.

Yihao Wu, on the other hand, was in a different situation. Dong Qian was already mature in some skills even though he had some shortcomings, while Yihao Wu had not formed his own technique yet.

Yihao Wu was one year older than Tingshan Chen, and he had just gotten promoted from the youth team. The “mixed up” training style of the youth team would not help athletes grow.

To Dai Li, Yihao Wu was like a blank sheet of paper that welcomed all possibilities. Because of this, when they were first starting out, Dai Li taught Yihao Wu the technique system of the national team. Compared with the other athletes on the provincial team, Yihao Wu was at a higher starting point, and avoided unnecessary detours.

Young people were better at learning new things, so in the following few months, Yihao Wu grew a lot. And with a top coach like Dai Li, Yihao Wu got chances to improve faster. He was now just as good as Tingshan Chen. With the help of the explosive force halo, Yihao Wu could even be better than Tingshan Chen. Also, because they were all training for the relay team, Yihao Wu hadn’t attended the most recent competitions in the past three month either. This meant that no one knew about his progress.

…

Altogether there were five athletes in the match. The rest of the members of the relay team didn’t join the match.

The younger athletes, as well as the average ones, thought the relay team wouldn’t achieve anything even if they were going to the games, so they didn’t want to embarrass themselves. The experienced athletes who had practiced for years also didn’t want to get involved in the race either, as they knew it was a competition that had excellent athletes.

It was not an official match, so they didn’t use an electronic timer to keep time; instead, they found five coaches to time the race, holding stopwatches in their hands and standing at the finish line.

Although there wasn’t an electronic timer involved, they used an electronic starting gun. A starting gun was usable, safe, and economic, as it could be used for a long time once it was charged.

The old fashioned starting gun was no longer popular these days. The existing starting guns had been produced years ago. This country had a strict rule about guns, so even though they were only used for races as starting guns, bullets were banned. In addition, the approval process for production was extremely strict; manufacturers wouldn’t bother making them, and decided to make electronic ones. The electronic guns now didn’t look like guns at all, but game handles.

The announcer shot the starting gun and shouted, “Everybody, get ready…” The five candidates were all ready to run.

With the sound of the gunshot, the five athletes shot out from the starting line like bullets.

…

“Wow…” The crowd was in awe.

“How come?”

“Dong Qian is in first place!”

“Yihao Wu runs so fast!

In the race, Dong Qian was first among the runners. The other four were at similar positions.

Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen were all good sprinters, so it wasn’t strange for them to run at the same speed; it was to everyone’s surprise that Yihao Wu was running so fast that he had caught up to them.

It hadn’t even been one year since Yihao Wu had been promoted from the youth team. He was still considered a freshman on the track and field team, and hadn’t been given opportunities to attend formal games. Freshmen like him had to practice for two or three years before they could compete publicly.

But now, Yihao Wu’s performance was surprising everyone watching. Dong Qian had surprised people even more, as he was currently in first place.

On the sprint team, Dong Qian wasn’t the worst, but he was not the best either. However, Dong Qian was running faster than Kun Shen and the other three, and the gap between them widened as the race went on.

…

Dong Qian is ahead of me! How did that happen? Am I running too slow today? Kun Shen looked around and noticed that Yueyang Zhu and Tingshan Chen were running at the same pace as him.

Yueyang Zhu and Tingshan Chen are around the same speed as me. It’s not that I’m running slower than usual, Dong Qian is just running faster! Kun Shen realized this, but also found that Yueyang Zhu and Tingshan Chen were not the only two running with him. There was a third guy.

Another one! Kun Shen turned around again and saw Yihao Wu.

Yihao Wu? Can he catch me? Kun Shen felt frightened. Dong Qian is faster than me, and Yihao Wu is running as fast as I am. How could this be happening?

However, the next minute, Kun Shen realized that Yihao Wu seemed to be ahead of them.

I feel like Yihao Wu is faster than me. Is this an illusion? Ku Shen looked around and found that Yihao Wu was slightly ahead of him.

How could this be possible! Yihao Wu is also faster than me!

…

Weidong Chu watched the race. The match was about to finish, and it was pretty clear who was going to win. Dong Qian without doubt had an advantage, and Yihao Wu had also emerged as second. As for Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen, they were going to be the last three.

That’s Dong Qian and Yihao Wu, right? I didn’t even notice them in the beginning, and I didn’t expect them to be so fast. No wonder Dai Li was so confident!

Weidong Chu looked at Dai Li, and suddenly realized that Dong Qian and Yihao Wu were faster because of Dai Li’s training.

I didn’t pick up the wrong guy! Weidong Chu thought. The athletes ran to the finishing point in a row.

Dong Qian was first, and Yihao Wu was second. The two candidates on the relay team had won the game, which surprised everyone.

“Dong Qian won first place! He beat Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen!”

“Yihao Wu was second. When did he become so fast?”

“The members of the relay team are really something. No wonder they were willing to have a match with Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen. They have the ability to.”

“I used to think I was way better than the people on the relay team, but now I know that was just an illusion. I am much worse.”

“I went to Coach Li, what a shame! I can’t even run faster than them. No wonder Coach Li turned me down!”

There were discussions going on in the crowd.

I remember that Yihao Wu is one year younger than Tingshan Chen, and now he can beat him. It seems that Yihao Wu is more worthy of training, and he is obedient! Tingshan Chen is such a troublemaker. He just brought a lot of trouble to me, Weidong Chu thought silently. He thought about making Yihao Wu the focus of development on the track and field team.

In Weidong Chu’s position, although scores mattered, he would not want troublemakers on his team for sure. The most important thing to Weidong Chu was to obey the coach and never bring trouble to the team.

Xiaochun Gao looked so embarrassed standing next to them. He stared at Tingshan Chen with resent.

And you call this one of the best? Bullsh*t! What a bullsh*t excuse that the excellent athletes were not selected and the average ones were! And the bribe? Bullsh*t! I thought it was a big case, but it was just a few athletes that got jealous of others because they were not good enough to be selected. What a false accusation! Such a waste of time.

Seeing this result, Xiaochun Gao realized that he had been used.

Xiaochun Gao suddenly came to the realization that it was actually very simple. He was just so obsessed with achieving something big that he had made things complicated.

Weidong Chu glanced at Xiaochun Gao coldly as he thought of ways to get revenge.

I remember Xiaochun Gao said he had evidence on Dai Li’s case… Weidong Chu squinted his eyes and decided to do something for Dai Li.

…

As soon as Xiaochun Gao left, Weidong Chu dialed the number of Director Wang, the director of the sports bureau, and began complaining.

Helping his employees out was management skill of the boss. If the employee was mistreated and the boss paid no attention to it, the employees would not respect him, and the bully might gather the courage to continue mistreating the employee in the future. That was why Weidong Chu reported this to his boss.

Words like “framed,””treated as criminals,” and “abuse of power” came out of Weidong Chu’s mouth. And of course he exaggerated a bit here and there. From Weidong Chu’s description, the track and field team had been mistreated, and Xiaochun Gao was made out to be very evil and mean.

Director Wang was not easy to deal with, as he was the vice director of the Provincial Sports Bureau. When he heard the news that the track and field team was bullied, he would surely defend them. This was not only for the sake of Weidong Chu, but also to show his power to lead coaches on other teams.

Director Wang called the boss of the Discipline Inspection Dispute Group. He wanted to complain about this as well.

…

“Xiaochun Gao, I asked you to investigate; I didn’t ask you to cause trouble! I received a complaint!” a middle aged guy in his 40s yelled excitedly. “You should be faithful to the truth when I send you to investigate. And what did you do? You said you had the evidence to prove he was guilty? I am asking you now, what made him guilty?”

Xiaochun Gao lowered his head and said in a low voice, “Secretary Zhao, I was just using it as an interrogation tactic. I thought that if there was anything wrong, they would be frightened and tell me everything if I lied.”

“Lie? Xiaochun Gao, how old are you? Are you still using the tricks that we used ten years ago? Were you asleep when we were having the training lecture? We deal with things more civilized now, without threatening anyone. Haven’t you learned anything? The moment you saw them, you assumed they were suspicious. If you had evidence, fine. But did you think maybe they were framed? How are you going to get things done if you say things like that? Do you have an idea how much trouble you have caused our group? We aim to serve justice, but now, after this scene you made, the outsiders might take us as the imperial guards of the Ming Dynasty, which eventually became some version of SS troops!”

Xiaochun Gao still had his head lowered, not arguing back. Secretary Zhao continued, “Xiaochun Gao, I’ve seen your CV. You worked diligently during that time, and I was wondering why you never received a promotion. Now I finally understand—it was because you suck! No wonder you were never promoted, you troublemaker!”

Secretary Zhao breathed heavily and calmed down, then he said, “Well, to save you the trouble, there is no need for you to stay with the investigation group. Manager Li in the archives office happens to need some help, so you can go there and meet up with him tomorrow!”

“I’ve been transferred to the archives office?” Xiaochun Gao almost cried.

The archives office sorted out files and papers, which was dull and required no intelligence. More importantly, staying at the archives office was like being exiled. He would not be able to deal with regular cases anymore, let alone the big case he had always wanted.

Chapter 246: The National Games

After the race, Dai Li had made things right once and for all. Just as he had said, the athletes had originally complained because they thought they were better than the members of the relay team, and assumed they would help the team perform better if they replaced them.

This was the way sports worked—you let your performance speak for you. It was normal for an athlete to find things unfair when he saw people who weren’t better than him got more opportunities and exposure.

But in this competition, Kun Shen, Yueyang Zhu, and Tingshan Chen had all failed. It made all the people present realize that the members of the relay team weren’t easily bullied, and that they were all excellent athletes who were better than the top athletes on the track and field team.

Many people had wanted to join the relay team after their success, but they disregarded this dream when they saw how great Dong Qian and Yihao Wu were. It would be humiliating if they insisted on joining the team if they were not good enough.

A lot of people were shocked by Dong Qian and Yihao Wu, but afterwards realized that Dong Qian and Yihao Wu couldn’t have won the match if they were not good. There were over 20 teams involved in the competition; they hadn’t won this through luck.

Dai Li’s coaching impressed all of them as well. Da Li had held the title of coach on the national team, and there were still many coaches who thought Dai Li was too young to be a coach. They didn’t respect him much, but after this match, no one looked down on Dai Li anymore.

In under three months, Dai Li had helped Dong Qian and Yihao Wu become successful. Dai Li could take the credit for this, as other coaches couldn’t have done this well with Dong Qian and Yihao Wu in such a short period of time.

In the sports world, your performance was the only thing that could do the talking. In this industry, competition existed. If you won the contest, you won all the respect and fans; if you failed, you received nothing. This also applied to the coaching industry.

If you compared a young coach who had won first place to an old one who had never won a competition, surely the former would be more popular. Although the coaching industry valued experience a lot, the truth was that championships were equivalent to experience.

Take the NBA for example; if a coach got three or four championships, even if he was young, no one would consider him inexperienced, and they would put his name next to other excellent coaches.

Dai Li was a good example. He was talented and good at coaching, so of course he would win the public’s respect. People like Baojun Sha and Guodong Li, who had competed against Dai Li before, toned it down and gave up their tricks.

Dai Li didn’t get distracted, and his training went smoothly.

…

As late August arrived, the National Games officially began.

To be honest, the public didn’t pay much attention to the events in the National Games, as they thought many events were just weak athletes playing house.

A spectator sport demanded public attention. However, many sports fans were already spoiled by high-level competitions, and wouldn’t be satisfied by an average contest. Once you tried Kobe beef, you would never find regular beef tasty.

The same applied to the National Games. Many events weren’t interesting at all, and couldn’t attract audience, such as track and field events. The athletes sucked, and no one wanted to watch these events.

Basketball did not fall under this category. There wasn’t any foreign aid allowed in the National Games, which made the game easier to predict. If a basketball team invited just one excellent athlete from the NBA, they would surely win the entire competition. You could see everything in this kind of game, including exciting plays and defeating other teams. The audience would be intrigued. However, the games that weren’t that fancy and required less proficiency would probably make the audience drowsy.

There were some events, however, that attracted people. Ping-pong, for instance, was a game that had a lot of top athletes. It was a lot of fun seeing the chemistry between top-notch players competing with each other in the National Games. Their performances were even better than those in the National Championship competitions.

…

On the Jiangdong team, Coach Guangzhi Cao, the one in charge, held the newly-released list of names and said, “Any team that took part in the National Games is not an easy team to beat. Although we have Yue Zhao, the champion of the Asian Games, we will not take this competition lightly.”

Guangzhi Cao took a look at Yue Zhao and continued, “Judging from the structure of the groups, we missed two strong teams—the Huajing team and the Gangdao team, who are both in Group B. We will only have to compete with them in the final round. Of the teams in our group, we have Jun Xie from the Nanling team, and Zitao Wei from the Shangchuan team. They are top athletes from the national team as well.”

“Coach, are we in the same group as the Hanbei team?” Yue Zhao asked.

“Let me see. Yep! We are in the same group as the Hanbei team. It looks like they caught up in the qualifying match. But don’t worry, they are not as good as we are,” Guangzhi Cao said.

“Coach, I think the Hanbei Team might be really tough to beat,” Yue Zhao said.

“Oh?”Guangzhi Cao checked the Hanbei team’s list of athletes again.

“Dong Qian, Yihao Wu, Jialiang Zhang; who are they? I have never heard of them. Anyone meet them during the 100 or 200m sprint?” Guangzhi Cao asked.

The athletes shook their heads.

“Cooch, I remember that the Hanbei team didn’t join the 100 or 200m sprint,” someone said.

“Did they fail to qualify?” Guangzhi Cao curled his lips, looking scornful. “Don’t take these candidates who can’t even qualify seriously. The fourth runner on the Hanbei team is named Kenan Shen, I know him.”

“Coach, is that Kenan Shen? The one who won second place in the national games last year?” an experienced team member asked.

“That’s right. That’s him. Kenan Shen isn’t a common name, so I don’t think there isn’t another guy shares this name,” Guangzhi Cao said.

“If it is really that Kenen Shen, he is over 30 years old. I remember that he was already a big athlete when I attended the national games for the first time. I thought he retired, as there hasn’t been much news about him lately,” the experienced team member explained.

“He is over 30 years old and still running? Impressive. But we don’t have to worry about him since he’s so old.” Another athlete turned around and said to Yue Zhao, “Yue Zhao, you are wrong. The athletes on the Hanbei team are neither old nor famous. How could they be tough?”

“Because their coach is Coach Li!” Yue Zhao said with a serious look.

“Coach Li? Which Coach Li? The one from the national team?” Guangzhi Cao asked.

“Coach Dai Li,” Yue Zhao said.

“So he is a Dai Coach! Then what is there to worry about? Why are you so serious.” Guangzhi Cao laughed, looking relaxed.

“No, not that ‘dai!'” Yue Zhao knew Guangzhi Cao had mistaken it for “assistant coach,” so he explained, “His family name is Li, and his first name is Dai. His name is Dai Li.”

“Dai Li? I think I’ve heard that name before.” Guangzhi Cao frowned, trying to remember where he had heard it.

Yue Zhao continued his introduction. “Coach Li was the coach that trained me when I was on the national team. I couldn’t have won first place in the Asian Games without his special training.”

Guangzhi Cao suddenly looked serious. It took a lot of talent to raise a Asian champion. He had to take this coach seriously.

Yue Zhao went on. “Also, during the relay race in the Asian Games, Jun Xie and Zitao Wei got hurt, so we had to ask that broad jump athlete Haiquan Fang to join us. I was the third runner, and Haiquan Fang was the fourth. Coach Li only needed one day to get us working cohesively.”

“I saw that competition. You and Haiquan Fang were so in tune with each other.” Guangzhi Cao shook his head as he said, “It’s impossible. How could you be so in tune after just one day?”

“I didn’t believe it either, but it happened.” Yue Zhao sighed deeply. “When I think about it, I still find it unbelievable. But we did it.”

“I am not saying I don’t believe you. I just thought the teamwork you exhibited didn’t seem random or new,” Guangzhi Cao explained.

“Coach Li explained later that it was because he had trained all four of us in a way to develop smooth cooperation.” Yue Zhao continued, “Haiquan Fang was originally from the Hanbei team, and I heard that Dai Li has been his coach since then.”

“Two Asian Games winners! I am scared,” Guangzhi laughed.

As a coach, Guangzhi Cao couldn’t show his true emotions to others. His laughed to comfort and calm the athletes.

Yue Zhao laughed awkwardly. He reminded Guangzhi Cao with a quiet voice, “Coach, Sijie Yang is actually also a student of Dai Li. In the Asian Games, Sijie Yang beat me and won first place, and back then his coach was…”

“What? Three champions in a row?” Guangzhi Cao was so surprised that he yelled.

Champions in the Asian Games were not just cabbages that you could buy in every supermarket. Plus, there were only a few gold medals to be had in the Asian Games’ track and field events.

Under these circumstances, Dai Li could win three medals in the same competition. If getting three gold medals could make you shine, Guangzhi Cao would be blinded by Dai Li’s light.

Guangzhi Cao couldn’t laugh this time.

…

Shuren Zhao and Li Xue sat side by side on the grandstand.

“Although some athletes had good performances in the sprinting events in the National Games, the results weren’t as good as we thought they would be. We didn’t see as many unexpected winners as we had hoped for. Instead, those who were predicted to win did so, and those who had been expected to lose failed,” Shuren Zhao summarized.

“I personally hoped to see some unexpected winners, but it was a shame that no one had showed up.” Li Xue continued, “Our next move is to train Sijie Yang carefully for the sprinting games. I intend to offer him more opportunities so he can get some more competition experience.”

Shuren Zhao nodded in agreement. “If there are any international games, sign him up. Don’t worry about losing, as failure is also good experience. If he loses today, he will win tomorrow!”

As they were talking, the starting gun fired, and the first round of relay race began. Shuren Zhao suddenly stopped talking and looked at the track.

“Eh?” Shuren Zhao made a questionable sound, gazing at the track intently. There was an obvious gap amongst the runners as the runners passed their batons.

It was at this time that Shuren Zhao suddenly commented, “How could this leg have been so fast? In just one leg the gap between the groups has been widened.”

“Doesn’t this seem familiar?” Li Xue smiled.

On the track, the third leg had already started. Shuren Zhao suddenly shouted, “The Thai team!”

“You’ve got a sharp pair of eyes.” Li Xue gave him a thumbs up and continued, “That’s right. They are using the Thai team’s skills. Their athletes don’t have advantages in speed; in fact; they are actually slower than other teams. But they saved time and gave themselves an advantage with their smooth cooperation during the race.”

“Which team is this?” Shuren Zhao asked immediately.

“The Hanbei team,” Li Xue said. “It must be the team Dai Li is coaching. I can’t think of any other teams that would use this method.”

“Your favorite student?”

Li Xue leaned back in his chair and watched as Dong Qian rushed to the finish line and finished in first place. He said, “Dai Li is really good at coaching. In just a few months he was able to learn from the Thai team and make the skills his.”

This student will surpass his teacher eventually. Li Xue smiled, satisfied.

…

In the first round for Group A, the Hanbei Relay Team ran the fastest and entered the final round. They had also won the public’s attention with this victory.

It was a common thing for a strong team to garner more attention as the competition went on. Take the Huajing Team for example; there were three top athletes on this team, including Sijie Yang. Sijie Yang was the 100m sprint champion in the Asian Games. Any team he was on would have a better performance, which was why the Huajing Team was the favorite to win the competition before the game even started.

This was also the case for the Gangdao Team. They were able to join some international competitions because of their special geographic position. This had helped them gain more experience. Their team members were also very professional, and their best performances had even been better than the national team in some past contests.

As for the Hanbei team, there weren’t any celebrity athletes; there were many names people had never heard of before. Therefore no one really cared about the Hanbei team prior to this competition.

Things changed after the first round. None of the teams who had gotten through the initial round were weak. Making it to the final round was a sign that this team was excellent.

More than half of the athletes standing on the track were from the national team, including some Asian champions like Sijie Yang and Yue Zhao. Compared to their teams, the Hanbei team seemed a bit awkward.

Before the race, all the athletes from different teams would say hi to one another. Those who weren’t on the national team had become friends with athletes who were, as they had come across each other in big contests so many times.

The athletes on the Hanbei team were the only ones who didn’t know anyone here. They hadn’t had many opportunities to take part in different contests, let alone meet top notch athletes in big competitions. Surrounded by strangers, they could only stand around awkwardly.

Dai Li saw quite a few acquaintances, including his former colleagues who had showed up to the match area.

…

Li Xue looked at the races with interest from the grandstand.

This is going to be fun. The athletes on the Hanbei team were not excellent athletes themselves, but had won because of their excellent teamwork. Let’s see whether speed is more important than teamwork this time.

Just as Li Xue finished thinking this to himself, the starting gun sounded.

Chapter 247: Speed vs Teamwork

The contest began as soon as the starting gun fired.

Jialiang Zhang was the first relay runner for the Hanbei team, chosen by Dai Li.

Jialiang Zhang was not a top athlete, but he was a calm person, which helped him have steady, consistent performances in competitions. His characteristics made him suitable to be the first relay runner.

His performance was steady as usual. He began calmly and sped up as expected. He was running at a steady speed, but was gradually left behind by other runners as time went by.

This was the ability gap. Jialiang Zhang didn’t have advantages in speed compared to the other runners, so it was normal for him to be left behind.

Right, he is not as fast as the others. Although he is running at a steady pace, he was left behind. Li Xue was intrigued as he looked at the track. He was not surprised by the result.

Dai Li sighed out of frustration. He knew Jialiang Zhang was just an average athlete, but he had had faith in him, and was hoping he could at least not finish last. Unfortunately, however, Jialiang Zhang was slowly left behind, and he was the last one to reach the second leg.

In the previous qualifying races and the first round, they had met some weak teams, and Jialiang Zhang had been able to somewhat handle them. However, when it came to the final, all the athletes on the track were great. Jialiang Chen was clearly at a disadvantage.

Jialiang Zhang is consistent. These types of athletes will never fail at critical moments, but I could never count on him to go above and beyond. It would appear that I was overthinking. Dai Li laughed at himself.

The runners waiting at the second leg were getting ready to receive the baton. Now was the time to show the gap in teamwork between in each team.

Jialiang Zhang was still steady. In both handing off and receiving the baton, everything went smoothly. After the set of actions were completed, Jialiang Zhang had completed his task.

He finished quickly. I saw the Thai team in his movement! Li Xue gasped silently.

The second runner was the young athlete Yihao Wu. As soon as he got the baton, he began to speed up.

Jialiang Zhang was the last one to enter the relay area, but Yihao Wu was the first one rush out.

“The Hanbei team is in first place after the first leg!”

“The curve is happening! What did I miss?”

All the coaches and athletes opened their eyes wide. Every team were running quickly, and it was hard to judge their positions clearly with the naked eye. Normally you just stared at one or two groups in particular.

However, it was easy for the audience to notice who was the first one to take off from the start of the second leg. The distance between the starting point to the second leg was the same, as was the length of the track. Whoever ran through the relay area was the quickest.

“They went from being left behind to first place. The Hanbei team was the fastest in the first leg of the race. They were much faster than any other team. They made up ground in the first circle in just one leg of the race.”

Because many of the people who made up the audience were sports specialists, they realized this.

Yihao Wu performed extremely well as a second runner on his team.

In the relay, the second runner ran the shortest distance because it was a straightaway, so it required less skill. In most cases, the second runner was the weakest one compared to the other members of the team. This applied to today’s match, as all the teams had made their weakest athlete run second.

However, Yihao Wu wasn’t Dai Li’s weakest runner. He was only worse than Dong Qian. The reason he was the second runner was because he couldn’t run the curve of the track.

Yihao Wu was like the average horse on Dai Li’s team fighting against the weakest horse of the other teams. This was “Tianji’s horse racing strategy,” when you made the average horse race against the weakest ones. Therefore, even though Yihao Wu wasn’t that good, the Hanbei team would have a better chance of winning using this strategy.

“The second relay runner of the Hanbei team is good! After this stretch, their chance of winning should be pretty good.” Li Xue was so smart that he understood the strategy and recognized it immediately.

Shuren Zhao, who was sitting next to him, was not a specialist in sprinting, so he couldn’t make as quick and sharp a judgement as Li Xue. Li Xue’s word were like a caption for Shuren Zhao, so Shuren Zhao couldn’t help but nod.

It was just as Li Xue had said. Yihao Wu had the advantage, and was the first one to reach the second runner on his team

“Check out the Hanbei Team! They are so fast at handing off the baton!”

“What smooth teamwork. You can tell the two of them are really in tune. That takes a lot of practice!”

“That’s right. This kind of teamwork couldn’t have been developed in a short amount of time. It requires at least a year and a half.”

“I see. They must specifically practice for the relay race!”

The second leg for the Hanbei team went perfectly, and their chances of winning grew directly afterwards. It was at this moment that the coaches of the other teams realized that the Hanbei team was a team that had specifically practiced for this event; otherwise, they couldn’t have been so in tune during the race.

“I didn’t expect to see any team use this kind of strategy!”

“It is hard to tell whether speed or teamwork works better!”

“The turning point will be whether the time they saved using their teamwork will make up for the time they lost during the individual running.”

The rest of the teams finished the second leg of the race one by one. Two of them had rough baton handoffs, and there were some mistakes in the athletes’ cooperation. These tiny mistakes would consume a lot of their time.

There was an obvious gap between them and the teams that had completed their handoffs smoothly. Though every athlete performed the same set of movements—handing off and taking the baton—how quickly they completed this process varied.

“It’s the third curve! The Hanbei team is slowing down!”

The third runner Dai Li had sent to the Asian Games was the old athlete, Kenan Shen. He tried his best to run quickly, but because he was already 30 years old, his body was not as strong and flexible as the younger athletes who were in their 20s.

“Their third runner is Kenen Shen, the old tiger. He is already 30; he can’t run fast!”

“They are catching up! Someone is catching up!”

Finally, Kenan Shen made it to the end of the curve.

Just a short curve on the track had made the Hanbei team’s advantage slim.

Chapter 248: A Finish That Takes Everything

The third leg of the race was the most important part of the relay race in the 4x100m competition. Compared to the other legs, the third runner had to run the longest curve, and had to complete the final handoff, which required the best technique.

In addition, the third runner tended to feel nervous because the upcoming curve was the final one. They wanted to hand off the baton as soon as possible. However, the more nervous they were, the more mistakes they tended to make.

The fourth runner, on the other hand, only had to focus on one thing once they got the baton in their hand—running! This was the only thought in their mind, and because of this they generally felt less nervous.

Dai Li had chosen Kenen Shen to be the third runner because he was good at running the curve and had a lot of experience.

As an experienced athlete, he knew about curve running technique. When an athlete reached Kenan Shen’s age, who had been sprinting for a dozen years, although they might not be the best runner when it came to curve running technique, they would still be masters to some extent.

As for experience, Kenan Shen was also a great athlete experienced in running. When he was younger, he was an excellent sprinter who went to various national sports games, which young athletes could never compare to.

In a man’s thirties, even someone who was irritable could become patient, at least in the moment. Kenan Shen was not worried.

“Handoff!” Kenan Shen shouted as he stuck the baton out.

“Receiving!” Dong Qian grabbed the baton immediately, then rushed forward at a high speed. It was perfect teamwork again; so smooth and perfect!

Compared to other relay teams, the cooperation between Kenan Shen and Dong Qian was much smoother and faster. Outsiders might not have noticed this, but in the eyes of professional sprinting coaches, this was similar to a masterpiece.

“Perfect!” Li Xue commented. He had to compliment Kenan Shen for his handoff.

When judging the relay event, the performance of the next runner who received the baton decided the result. The athlete handing off the baton was not only a starter, but also an organizer of the relay process.

In the third leg of the race, Kenan Shen had done his best, regardless of his timing or other aspects of a sprinter who had to perform a handoff. He was one of the best relay runners just for what he had just done.

Perfect teamwork allowed Dong Qian to become the first one to leave the starting point for the last leg. He sped up. He realized he could maintain their advantage and be the first runner for at least the first ten meters.

Dong Qian was capable of competing in official competitions just because of his current performance. He was also one of Dai Li’s best athletes. It would not be exaggerating to say he was the fastest sprinter on the Hanbei track and field team. But when it came to being the anchor of a team, every team would send their best runner.

Sijie Yang, Yue Zhao, Jun Xie, and Zitao Wei… The first two were Asian Games champions, and the other two had also won many national prizes for finishing in first place.

Dong Qian was still not as good as them. Even worse, there weren’t any more opportunities to catch up. Dong Qian’s performance mattered a lot. It would make a difference if his advantage would help him remain the fastest until the end of the race.

Everyone tried their best in the last leg of the race. Even if they had made some mistakes and become the slowest in the group, they would try their best right now.

…

Jun Xie held the baton tightly while he ran as fast as he could.

As an excellent sprinter on the national team, it wasn’t that he didn’t know he would be chasing after others; it was just that in Jun Xie’s mind, he would have been chasing Sijie Yang, Yue Zhao, or Zitao Wei, his old team mate.

Right now, however, Jun Xie found that he was chasing after someone he didn’t know at all.

Dong Qian was quite a famous athlete in the Hanbei Province, but he wasn’t famous enough to be recognized nationwide. It was understandable for top athletes like Jun Xie to not know him.

How could this nobody be ahead of me? Jun Qian looked towards the front of the pack unhappily.

Luckily he is not as fast as I am. Once Jun Qian realized this, he began running at the speed of light.

The gap is narrowing! Jun Xie seemed to see a glimpse of hope.

But the runners were getting close to the finish line. Jun Xie suddenly realized that he might not be able to catch up to Dong Qian before they reached the finish line.

I am faster than him but I am being left behind! Am I going to lose to this nobody? No way! I can’t let this happen!

At this moment Jun Xie looked diabolic. He looked like a crazy beast sprinting to the finish line.

Sijie Yang was acting the same way. This was a big change for Sijie Yang, who had won first place in the Asian Games.

Sijie Yang was much more mature than he had been when he had first attended the Asian Games. He longed for the championship even more than he had before. He would never miss an opportunity to become a champion. But right now, facing someone who was not as good as he was, the only thing he needed to do was to speed up.

Dong Qian was still the first one, but the gap was narrowing. Dong Qian could feel that Jun Xie and Sijie Yang were right behind him.

Jun Xie is on my left! Dong Qian got a glimpse of Jun Xie, which meant that Jun Xie was getting pretty close.

That’s Jun Qian. I can’t believe he is behind me! Dong Qian was excited.

Jun Xie had been the top sprinter in this country the past few years, and was considered the model sprinter.

Dong Qian had dreamed of competing with Jun Qian on the same stage for a long time, except that he had never been good enough to do so. All the contests Jun Xie attended were big ones, while Dong Qian was not even qualified to sign up for those competitions.

But at this moment, Dong Qian had felt that his dream had come true. He was running next to the great athlete he had always wanted to meet.

On his left, Sijie Yang was approaching.

That’s Sijie Yang! the Asian champion Sijie Yang! Dong Qian suddenly remembered that a couple months earlier, when he had been sitting in front of a TV witnessing Sijie Yang win first place in the Asian Games, that he had also envied him as well!

Dong Qian had used to think that he would never be able to even be at the same contest as Sijie Yang.

Jun Xie, Sijie Yang, we are now in the same competition! And I might win! This is the only shot I’ll have in my entire life!

Jun Xie and Sijie Yang were on either side of Dong Qian, now behind him. They had almost caught up to Dong Qian.

They were less than ten meters away from the finish line.

Dong Qian knew this would probably be the most spectacular ten meters of his life.

I want to win! No matter what it takes, I want to win!

Dong Qian straightened his head and body forward. Dong Qian was moving so fast that he couldn’t keep his balance. He shifted his weight forward and stretched his arms out. He was diving across the finish line.

Many people thought it was cheating to dive across the finish line, but in actuality it wasn’t against the rules. According to the regulations, the scale depended on the sequence of the athlete’s body (not including the head, neck, arm, leg, hand or foot) crossing the finish line. The first one to reach the finish line won. As long as you didn’t distract other athletes, it was okay to lie down once you crossed the finish line.

That being said, this movement wasn’t encouraged, as athletes tended to get injured when they were running quickly. Most of the time they were not only in the danger of hurting their skin, but also faced the possibility of breaking a bone, which could end their sprinting career. Therefore, athletes would seldom bet their professional sports career to dive for the finish line.

Dong Qian was willing to do anything to win the victory. He dived across the line without giving it a second thought. He wanted to win so badly that he would do whatever it took to win.

The next second, Dong Qian feel to the ground hard, and slid forward due to his momentum.

Dong Qian now only had one question.

Did I win?

He raised his head, looking around for some type of confirmation. He was confused until he saw Dai Li raise his arms in celebration.

“I won!” Dong Qian giggled like a child.

Chapter 249: Regretful People

Weidong Chu looked at his colleagues celebrating at the end of the track, then pinched himself in the arm hard. When he felt the pain, he murmured, “We really won!”

Before, Weidong Chu had been grasping at straws when he had accepted Dai Li’s suggestions and decided to let the athletes practice for the relay race specifically. After all, the sprinters’ individual ability on the team hadn’t been good enough for them to achieve a great performance in the National Games.

After the “reporting” fiasco, it had become harder to build a team, especially after Dai Li had been given a bunch of average athletes. Weidong Chu hadn’t had any confidence in the relay team.

Winning first place had really impressed Weidong Chu. He had never thought they would win a gold medal. But now that they had already won first place, Weidong Chu couldn’t believe it. It felt like a dream.

A relay race gold medal. They won first place! Weidong Chu couldn’t help feeling excited.

Even though an individual medal was equivalent to a group medal, the value of a group medal meant more. A group gold medal was a group achievement, and could be bragged about in your resume. In comparison, individual achievements were not that great when put on a resume.

In the official summary, especially the report you wrote to your boss, you could write about how great the group was, and how wonderful your scores were. However, the same words couldn’t be used to describe an individual, even if the person you were referring to had won a dozen Olympic gold medals.

There weren’t many group events in track and field. The 4x100m relay race was obviously one of the most popular events that attracted an audience. Weidong Chu was already picturing the scene where he was being awarded by his boss.

The National Games were, after all, the Olympics for the personnel system. For those who were in leadership positions like Weidong Chu, this medal represented his outstanding achievement, and could even be his opportunity for a brighter future.

It’s a sure thing! Now that we’ve got the gold medal, our track and field team will be having a good time next year! Wedong Chu looked at Dai Li as he thought this to himself.

“All the credit goes to Dai Li! He really made a great achievement, and we should award him when we go back!”

Thinking about awards, Weidong Chu frowned. He couldn’t think of anything to award Dai Li with.

“It should be enough letting him be the leader of the sprint team! But he will not stay on the team for long. He’ll probably go back to the national team soon. This team leader title won’t mean a lot to him, so he probably won’t take it seriously.”

“What about another bonus? The bonus of this National Games isn’t too much, but the welfare is good. Even though we gave Dai Li 8,000 yuan, it isn’t enough. 8,000 yuan is not a lot of money right now.”

Weidong Chu put his face in his hands: “We can’t offer him a position or give him money, so what should we do? It’s a tough job!”

The next second, Weidong Chu suddenly remembered something. He hesitated for a few seconds, then made up his mind.

“Well, let Dai Li have the opportunity to go to the USA! This is a unique opportunity, even for a coach on the national team!”

…

In the dining hall of the Hanbei track and field team, the athletes gathered together and looked at the television hanging on the wall. The national 4x100m relay race was live on the TV.

When they race started, the athletes sitting in the dining hall were so excited that they couldn’t help yelling and shouting. Although they were millions of meters away from the track, they still shouted as loud as possible as if they were in the stadium.

“Dong Qian, hold on! You have to hold on!”

When Jun Xie and Sijie Yang were about to catch Dong Qian, everyone was nervous.

“We won! Dong Qian was the first one to cross the finish line! We won!”

Shouting and applause suddenly broke out at that moment. The sound of celebrating lasted for more than one minute, but the athletes didn’t leave. They were still staring at the screen, looking forward to the upcoming awarding ceremony.

“They’re coming out!”

As can be seen on the screen, all the 12 winners walked to the podium in three groups.

“Look at Jialiang Zhang, he looks lost. Is this his first time being on the stage? He looks terrified.”

“Yihao Wu is waving at us!”

“He’s waving at the camera, not us!”

“I am sure he is waving at us. Yihao Wu knows that we are watching him on TV.”

“Look at Dong Qian. He is so happy that his front teeth are going to fall out from smiling so much.”

“Why are Shen’s eyes red? Did he just cry?”

“He definitely cried. Kenan Shen is 30 years old; how could he not cry standing on the winning stage of the National Games? If I were him I would cry too.”

“Now that Shen got a gold medal, he won’t have any regrets when he retires.”

“Absolutely. Getting a gold medal in the National Games and retiring with glory. The bureau will offer him a decent job for sure. Maybe if the boss is happy he will offer him a really nice position, and he won’t have to worry about his retirement.”

“Yihao Wu, too. I figure he will be the key target of training in our team when he comes back.”

“Of course, that’s for sure.”

“I say Wenqiang Wang is the luckiest since he’s just a substitute. He never took part in the big competitions, but he is on the list of names for the relay team. Wenqiang Wang will be sharing the credit later.”

“That’s right. Lucky Wenqiang Wang. Hey, would I get the gold medal for the relay team if I they switched me with him?” someone joked.

“What if I had signed up when the relay team was recruiting. I might be the one standing on the stage reaping the rewards now!” Someone looked regretful.

When Kun Shen heard all the discussion, he felt even worse.

“Ah, if I know they could get the gold medal earlier, I would have joined the relay team. How could I let this marvelous opportunity pass?”

Kun Shen looked regretful. If there was a time machine, he definitely would have joined the relay team. Tingshan Chen and Yueyang Zhu also felt a sense of regret. Actually, they had already regretted everything when the relay team had made it to the final, and that was why they had tried to frame Dai Li.

But back then they didn’t think the relay team would have won first place. They had only thought they were fighting to attend the National Games.

When they saw their four teammates standing in the middle of the stage wearing gold medals around their necks, they felt nothing but regret and sorrow.

“When the relay team was being assembled, they wanted us to be on the team! If we hadn’t ‘reported’ them and just listened to what they had said, we would be standing on the stage right now on TV.” Yueyang Zhu sighed, lowering his head. “I think I missed the best shot I had in my entire life! And I am the one who gave it away to other people…”

Not far away, Guodong Li touched Baojun Sha’s shoulder tenderly.

“Baojun Sha, I think we made a mistake! We shouldn’t have competed against Dai Li. It is all our fault.”

Chapter 250: Go To the USA

“Dong dong dong…”

Dai Li was knocking on the door of Weidong Chu’s office.

“Come in, please!” Weidong Chu answered from inside. Dai Li then pushed the door open, and walked in.

“Coach, you were looking for me?” Dai Li stepped forward.

“Li, have a seat.” Weidong Chu pointed at the chair opposite the office door , as he lowered his head in search for something from a pile of paper in front of him.

After a while, Weidong Chu found something that looked like a sheet, and raising his head, he asked, “Li, do you know UCLA?”

“University of California, Los Angeles? That’s a top school in America!” Dai Li responded.

“Yes, University of California, Los Angeles.” Weidong Chu continued saying. “There is an Institute called AP, short for Athlete Performance. Have you heard of it before?”

Dai Li gave it a thought, then asked, “Are you talking about that AP training center? The one in Arizona? That’s one of the most famous athlete physical fitness training centers in the world. Numerous sports brands are their sponsors, including, Adidas, EAS sports nutrition, Gatorade sports drinks, and more.”

Weidong Chu nodded, “That’s right. But this AP physical fitness training center not only exists in Arizona, but the training bases are also located in Carson, California, and at Andrews University in Florida, as well as in the Fries section in Texas. However, the facilities in California are the most advanced.”

Weidong Chu paused, then asked, “Li, are you interested in going to the USA?”

“Go to the USA? You mean, go to California? UCLA? And AP?” Dai Li asked in surprise.

“Yeah, California,” Weidong Chu said. “Now here is an opportunity for you. There is an informational event covering how to get further study in the USA, organized by our sports bureau. It takes around 10 days. The main studying spot will be in the UCLA and AP physical fitness training center. UCLA is a top comprehensive university, and is also the cradle of the American economy, high technology industry, and film and art. This public school is always in the top three list of American universities, and in the top 10 in all-American, and even in the top 15 all over the world! UCLA has even produced 16 Nobel Prize winners.”

“As for sports, UCLA has made great achievements. If you watch the NBA, you will know that many sports stars come from UCLA. And, this is just a tip of the iceberg. The students or graduates of UCLA have won 233 medals in totality since 1928, among which, there are 123 gold medals.” Weidong Chu continued his introduction.

“Really…233 gold medals? I remember that we’ve only won less than 200 gold medals, since we joined the Olympics! UCLA is just a university, but it’s sports performance is surely better than most of the countries in the world,” Dai Li said, awed. He knew UCLA was really good, but he didn’t realize UCLA was this good.

“That’s why we would choose UCLA as our place of further study,” Weidong Chu explained. “The AP physical fitness training center was established in the late 90s, when the private training industry in America wasn’t that developed yet. Hence, the athletes mainly relied on their teams and the specialists in the university to train and support them.”

“Later, a Sports Science Professor established the AP training center under the sponsorship of Adidas. He gathered a group of specialists from different fields, including coaches, doctors, physical therapists, nutritionists, human soft tissue experts, and sports psychology experts, to provide the athletes with scientific training methods and excellent services. Due to the advanced theories and reasonable training offered there, the AP training center attracts a lot of great American athletes.”

“But, the moment the AP training center received its fame, was when they cooperated with the NFL, which stands for American National Football League. Back then, the AP held a pre-training program, and asked those athletes, who were potential qualifiers for the football league, to join in order to get ready for the tryouts for NFL. Now, every year, seven or eight athletes, who have been training in the AP, will be selected by the NFL.”

“Later, the AP training center started working with the AEG Company. The AP training stadium in Carson, California, was built by the AEG Company. Thanks to the resources of the AEG Company, the AP training center has become the premier training base for American top athletes and future sports stars. You have heard of the AEG Company, right?”

Dai Li nodded. The AEG Company was the top sport and entertainment company in the entire world. Many people thought that AEG was just a magnate in the entertainment industry, but AEG was also a sports industry magnate. It controlled the most American stadiums, and owned a wealth of shares of the four major league teams in the United States. Therefore, the athlete resource that AEG had to offer, could really help the AP training center to be the best in America.

Weidong Chu continued, “Then, the AP training center worked with the Germany National Sports Team, and offered the athletes individualized training plans. In the World Cup that year, the Germany Team won second place, and the AP training center had now become a world famous training center.”

Dai Li was a little bit hesitant, and he said, “UCLA and the AP training center are all super awesome places. If I really can visit there, I would be over the moon. But would they be happy to let us come to their fancy place?”

Dai Li thought he didn’t really have a chance at this. He had stayed in the national team before, but even coaches in the national team wouldn’t have the opportunity to have further study in places like UCLA or the AP training center. And the Hanbei sport team was just a provincial team, so how could they be lucky enough to have this chance?

Weidong Chu explained, “Our provincial sports bureau can’t do this. It was the AEG Company. AEG always wanted to be involved in the domestic sports industry, and wanted to invest in our provincial sports stadium. Helping us contact UCLA and the AP training center was a nice gesture, aimed to show their sincerity. This is why we now have the opportunity to go abroad. UCLA and the AP training center have numerous visitors every year. Getting there is difficult for us, but a piece of cake for AEG.”

“Do I need to pay for this?” Dai Li asked in a low voice.

“You don’t have to, our bureau will pay for you,” Weidong Chu explained. “AEG is only responsible for contacting UCLA and the AP training center. All the costs during this trip, including tickets and accommodation, will be covered by our bureau.”

“Are there a lot of people coming?” Dai Li asked again.

“Not many, most likely over 20, but less than 30.” Weidong Chu continued saying, “There is a limit to the number going abroad. We’ve factored the budget, and it costs about 100000 yuan for one person to go. Therefore, apart from those leaders in our bureau, there is only one place for one team coach. And I decided to let you take the opportunity!”

“Coach, are you sure? I don’t think this is appropriate. We have so many excellent coaches in the team, who are all more experienced than I am…” Dai Li declined the offer in a subtle manner, but really, he was testing the waters to see whether Weidong Chu truly meant what he said.

Can experience win gold medals in the National Games for me?” Weidong Chu replied, his mouth twitching.

“I am just worried that the other coaches might not be happy!” Dai Li said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Weidong Chu said. “Actually, this opportunity is for the main lead coach in other teams, and as a main lead coach, I am supposed to go to the USA. Now, I’ve decided to give this chance to you, so they won’t be unhappy.”

Dai Li was very moved by this gesture.

Weidong Chu handed the sheet to Dai Li, saying, “Fill in your personal information first. I will sign you up later. Oh, right, don’t forget to get a passport. You won’t be able to go abroad, if you don’t have a passport!”

Chapter 251: The Stolen Quota

Dai Li went to the Exit-Entry Administration Center of the Public Security Bureau the next day to apply for a passport, as instructed by Weidong Chu.

In some cities in China, people could apply for a passport out of his/her native city so they didn’t have to go all the way back to their hometown. According to the policy of Hanbei Province, the applicant could apply for a passport anywhere within the province, and it was not necessary to go back to his or her registered place of residence. What it required was to bring an ID card for inspection, to take a photo, and to fill out a form. Then the applicant may go home and wait for the notice.

Dai Li had never gone abroad. As it was America that he was going to, he exchanged for some dollar bills and bought some books on English to practice in his spare time.

Meanwhile, Dai Li’s application form was also submitted to the Provincial Sports Bureau.

…

“Section Chief, we have finished the name list of those applicants who are going to America for the learning exchange. With Director Zhang as the team leader, everything is ready now.” Tong Wang handed a pile of files to Shousheng Liu.

Taking the files, Shousheng Liu casually put them aside and said, “Put them here first. By the way, is there anyone special in the files?”

“There are actually quite a few special ones. For the badminton team, the main coach did not sign up. They have submitted the files of Coach Hong Han for their quota,” Tong Wang said.

“The position for the deputy main coach of the badminton team has been vacant for some time and the bureau has decided to promote Hong Han to the position. It has been decided and is about to be publicly released. They sent Hong Han to America, as he is actually second in charge,” Shousheng Liu explained.

“For the Taekwondo team, the applicant was Coach Xiaolong Ye, the leader of the training group,” Tong Wang said.

“Xiaolong Ye? I know him.” Then Shousheng Liu said, “Xiaolong Ye is a leading coach of the Taekwondo team. He has trained three national team contestants in the recent five years, and one of them even participated in the last Olympic games. He is expected to be promoted in a year or two. Besides, the key point is that he is the nephew of Director Sun of the Secretariat of the provincial party committee. Hehe…”

Shousheng Liu stopped explaining and smiled to himself. As for if Tong Wang could understand what he was saying, it would depend on his comprehension.

“There is another one. The representative of the track and field team was not Weidong Chu, but a coach named Dai Li,” Tong Wang continued.

“Dai Li? Who is he? I’ve never heard of him!” Shousheng Liu took the pile and started to browse through the files.

“Here he is.” Tong Wang went forward immediately and helped Shousheng Liu find the file of Dai Li.

“He is quite young!” Shousheng Liu looked at the picture on the form and said.

“I’ve checked about him. Though he is young, Dai Li is really competent. You remember the gold medal we got in the National Games? He was the coach for the team,” Tong Wang explained.

“I see. The gold medal for the relay race in the National Games has really helped Weidong Chu gain a lot of favor from the bureau leaders. The bureau director praised him for this gold medal as a model in quite a few conferences. It was this Dai Li guy who helped him get it. No wonder Weidong Chu is willing to give the opportunity to him.” After some thought, Shousheng Liu asked, “Have you checked if he has any powerful strings? Could it be that he is a relative of some leader?”

“Nothing that I’ve heard of. But he was temporarily relocated to the national team some time ago,” Tong Wang said.

“No backing!” Shousheng Liu looked at Dai Li’s resume and said, as if talking to himself. “He was born in Yuzhou City, and his college was also in Yuzhou. No leader in our bureau is from Yuzhou, so he should not be related to any of our leaders. It seems that Dai Li really has no powerful backing.”

Saying this, Shousheng Liu’s eyes shone brightly and thought to himself, It is such a rare opportunity to go to America!

…

On the training ground, Dai Li was busy working when he saw Weidong Chu walking toward him at a fast pace.

Weidong Chu’s expression was serious, and there was also some anger in his eyes. Dai Li had an ominous feeling.

“Li, come over here,” Weidong Chu said loudly to Dai Li. Dai Li ran across to him immediately.

“What’s wrong, Coach?” Dai Li asked.

“Let’s talk about it while walking.” Weidong Chu walked several steps and then said, “Li, I told you several days ago that you may go to America for learning. But it is not going to happen now.”

“What happened?” Dai Li asked in surprise.

“Someone else has taken your quota!” Weidong Chu shook his head helplessly. “Director Xiao from the Retired Officer Division has taken your place.”

Dai Li was so disappointed. But he did not ask why. Going abroad on public expense was such a good opportunity, and it was America that they were going to! Surely everyone would try to seize the quota. Now that some official had taken his place, it would just be in vein to ask why.

Weidong heaved a long sigh, “It was my fault. I didn’t think it through. I thought that since the track and field team had the quota, we could decide who should go as we wished. I hadn’t expected that they would have someone else to take your place after we submitted your application.”

“I can understand that. It is a rare opportunity to go abroad. Surely everyone wants it.” Although he said so, Dai Li was full of discontent.

Weidong Chu patted on Dai Li’s shoulder and said, “I did the wrong thing though with kind intention. If I had submitted my name as the applicant, they would not have dared to displace me as I am the main coach of the track and field team. My position is at least an official. You, however…”

Weidong Chu sighed again. Dai Li understood what he meant.

As the saying goes, Pick the softest persimmon to pinch. If it was Weidong Chu who was going, the quota would not have been stolen. Dai Li, however, was the softest persimmon in the eyes of others, as he had no ranking, nor any strings to pull.

Although Dai Li didn’t know that his quota for going abroad had been given by Shousheng Liu to another person as a favor, he could guess that it was a hot cake in the Sports Bureau, and there were a hell lot of people who wanted to get it, openly and secretly.”

Dai Li was in very bad mood at that moment but he could do nothing at all. For the Young Talent Training Program of the National Team when his quota was taken by Xuexi Zhuang, he was able to go to Coach Jihai Ding to ask for his help. Yet for this America-going opportunity, there was nothing he could do.

Weidong Chu who was by his side said, trying to comfort him, “It’s all right, Li. Don’t take it to heart. You are so young and will surely have other opportunities to go abroad. From tomorrow on, you may have a vacation of two days. With the weekend, you may have a four-day holiday. Go out to refresh yourself, or you may go back home to have some rest.

He said some other comforting words to Dai Li and then left. Dai Li went back to the training ground with a gloomy heart.

Suddenly, something rang in Dai Li’s pocket. It was his phone.

Dai Li took out his phone, and a strange landline number was shown on it.

“Hello.” Dai Li answered the phone, thinking it might be a sales call.

“Hello. Is it Dai Li? This is the Entry-Exit Administration Center. Your passport has been issued. Please come and get it when you have time,” a girl’s voice was heard on the phone.

“It was the passport.” Dai Li smiled with some self-mockery. Now that his opportunity to go abroad was taken by someone else, it was useless to have a passport.

Chapter 252: The Turnaround

The passport was useless for the moment, but Dai Li went to the service hall of the public security bureau to get it anyway.

Dai Li also booked a ticket home. He planned to get the passport in the morning, take the train at noon so that he would get home before dark and have supper with his family.

“This picture on my passport is quite good. It’s much better than the one on my ID card. I should change to a better-looking photo the next time my ID card expires and needs to be changed.”

With his passport in his hand, he looked at the photo on it carefully.

He had barely gotten out of the service hall when he saw a dozen people or so go out the the building next to the service hall one after another. Meanwhile, a minibus went over.

…

“Captain, why not stay here a little longer? It’s so rare an opportunity that you can come here.” Director Qin held the hand of an old man firmly.

“Qin, I have job to do in Qing City. I need to visit several units here. I just dropped by to see you. All right, since you are very alive and sound, I will worry about you no more. I’ll go now!” The old man waved his hand.

The deputy directors next to them were a little awkward when they heard that the old man address their director as “Qin.” Anyone in the public security bureau, when seeing Director Qin, would address him as “Director Qin” out of respect. This was the first time they had heard anyone addressing him as “Qin.”

However, those deputy directors also knew that this old man was very much qualified to address their director as “Qin.” When they were in the army, Director Qin served as a combat squad leader, while this old man was his company commander. When they were demobilized, this old man went to Huajing City and had a position of as a senior official. He had been the one everyone looked up to due to not only his qualifications and service history, but also his position.

The old man was about to turn around and leave when he saw Dai Li standing not far away on the stairs in front of the gates of the service hall.

“This lad has also come to Qing City.” After a moment of thought, he said, “I see an acquaintance of mine and want to say hi to him. You stay here. Don’t follow me.”

Director Qin nodded immediately and watched him walking toward Dai Li. The others, seeing that Director Qin obeyed the old man’s order and stood there, dared not follow.

The old man came to Dai Li and Dai Li also saw him.

“Hi, young man! We meet again! Do you remember me?” the old man asked with a smile.

“Hi, it’s you! Never expected to see you here.” Dai Li walked up to him quickly and then asked, “Have you been running a marathon recently? Do you have cramp anymore in your leg?”

This old man was the one who fell during the Jinyan Lake half-marathon. Dai Li helped him then and treated him with a massage.

“My leg is okay. But I cannot run marathons anymore.” Seeing Dai Li’s passport, the old man said, “You are here to get a passport. Are you going abroad? I remember you are a coach. Are you going abroad for a match?”

“Not for a match. It was an exchange learning program. But I cannot go now. My quota was taken by some official!” Dai Li’s voice was full of dissatisfaction.

“Taken by an official?” There was a glitter in the old man’s eyes. Then he changed his tone and said as someone who had been in Dai Li’s place, “When I was young, I once had a chance to go to Hungary. I was told that I would not be able to go just two days before leaving. I was so upset at that time. Where were you going?”

“America.” Dai Li then said, “The Sports Bureau is organizing the coaches to be able to learn from the training centers in America. Each team has a quota for one coach to go. My team sent me. But some division chief took my place.”

“What division is the division chief from? He wants to go abroad so badly?” the old man asked with a smile.

“The division of Retired Officials,” Dai Li answered, feeling speechless.

“Retired Officials Division? What is he going to learn in America? They don’t have any management of the retired officials. This is a waste of the public fund!” the old man frowned.

“Surely it is! I wouldn’t complain about it if it had been someone who was in charge of the training, competition, or even sports development. Yet he was from the Retired Officials Division! What can he learn?” Dai Li got quite angry.

The old man nodded and noted it down in his heart. Then he changed the subject and said, “All right, young man. We were in such a hurry last time I saw you. I still don’t know your name.”

“My name is Dai Li. I’m a coach for the provincial track and field team.” Dai Li did not hold back his identity from him.

“I’m Dayong Jiang. I think I might be a little older than your father. You many call me Uncle Jiang,” the old man said with a smile.

Dai Li nodded and looked in the direction from where the old man had come. There was quite a crowd there waiting for him.

“Uncle Jiang, are you a leader of the Public Security Bureau?” Dai Li asked carefully.

“I’m not a leader. I’m almost retired.” Pointing at the crowd, Dayong Jiang said, “I was in the army when I was young. That’s an old pal of mine from the army there. I was here to see him.”

…

“Who was the young man? How does he know Supervisor Jiang? They know each other quite well. He might be someone powerful.”

“It seems to me that the young man was here for some business of his. You see? He has a passport in his hand. Did he come here to apply for a passport?”

“Might be. But that is good. If he is here for his passport, we can look it up in the service hall so that we might know who he is.”

Some in the crowd were whispering to each other. It was not that they really cared about who Dai Li was. They were just concerned about Dayong Jiang’s every move.

…

The number one conference hall of the provincial party committee was fully occupied by the leaders from the institutes and enterprises subject to the provincial administration.

Sitting on the rostrum were naturally the big bosses of the province. The faces were familiar, except Dayong Jiang’s.

Dayong Jiang sat close to the middle of the rostrum. He wore a pair of reading glasses and was speaking eloquently with a few pages in his hand.

“The usage of the three public expenses has been a key point for our inspection group. During the inspection of the several provinces, we have found a lot of problems. In some regions, the information on the three public expenses is not transparent and lacks supervision; in some regions, the supervision and inspection of the financial sector is extremely deficient and the inspection of the budget spending of some units is insufficient; and in some other regions, overspending happens every year and the expenditures are not in compliance with the budget.”

Then Dayong Jiang’s expression suddenly turned cold and he said, “apart from this, the waste of public expenses is very severe. The accounting of the expenses in some units is a mess. The expenditures are not recorded under the specified items and are even intentionally recorded under some other items; in some other units, no evidence is provided for the reimbursement of public expenses. They reimbursed the expense for official receptions without any official letter or any review or approval. Illegal items such as gifts and local specialties were also found.”

“For going abroad on public expenses, lack of supervision was also discovered in some units. They take going abroad as sightseeing. Those who should go don’t have the chance. Some who should not go are going instead.” Dayong Jiang paused, and then continued, “Assuming that we are going to send some sports coaches to American training centers to learn and advance their training experience, why are some irrelevant personnel, such as people from the labor union, retired official management, and family planning management going instead of coaches? Isn’t this a waste of public expenses?”

“America is a capitalist country. What are those who manage the labor union going to learn from them? Organizing strikes? And what are those who manage the retired officials going learn from them? Do Americans have the same retirement system as ours? And what will those from the family planning learn? Do American people have a family planning system?”

“I don’t want any of these irregularities to happen in this province. As we are to learn their training experience, we should send those who are really in the business—the frontline coaches. We should not allow irrelevant people to go sightseeing abroad with the money from the state and the people. We should be aware that the money belongs to the country; it is the money of the people. Comrades, the money was given to us by the people. It should not be squandered. Every cent of it should be used for meaningful purposes, not even one cent should be wasted. This is not just money, it’s our responsibility, it’s our duty!

The leaders at the rostrum took the lead to applaud, and those who sat opposite to the rostrum followed their lead.

Director Zhang from the Sports Bureau began to feel a little nervous.

“We are organizing our coaches to go to America for exchange learning. Why did Supervisor Jiang from the Inspection Group of the Central Committee use it as an example instead of other things? It’s too much of a coincidence. Is he implying something? Is it us that he means?”

Director Zhang was alerted immediately. His political sensitivity told him that Dayong Jiang would never say anything like this without a purpose.

“He is from the Inspection Group of the Central Committee. This surely is not child’s play. I need to have it checked out if there is anything wrong in my bureau.”

The next moment, Director Zhang took his phone and sent a text message quickly.

Chapter 253: The Guess Work

Waiting always makes people unable to calm down. It was just like sitting on a boat and shaking with the waves. The mood of anxiety was like the bad weather when you are struggling with the waves, which make you complain about your bad luck and cause in you some reverence and fear for God.

Finally, when his phone vibrated, Director Zhang knew that the bureau had replied to his message. Hurriedly he began sliding his phone screen.

“Director, I have personally verified that there is no one from the Labor Union or the Family Planning Office on the training staff trip to America. But there is one from the Retired Officials Division. He is the division chief, Changjin Xiao.”

Seeing this, a grim look appeared on the face of Director Zhang.

“It is true that Supervisor Jiang of the Inspection Group noted one of them! So, it seems that the example said by leader Jiang was not a coincidence. He was just now talking about us!” Director Zhang felt that his heart was suddenly in his throat and sweat broke out on his forehead.

“Could it be that the Inspection Group is going to use us as a warning to others? If so, I will have to bear the responsibility.” Clenching his fists, Director Zhang cursed Shousheng Liu, who was responsible for the training program in America, and Changjin Xiao, who caused the trouble.

Changjin Xiao always gets me into trouble. This time he has pushed me in front of the Inspection Group. Stupid guy! If this gets worse, even I could be punished! The more he thought, the more nervous Director Zhang got. However, with so many years of official experience, he quickly calmed down and started to analyze the matter.

But then again, there were so many departments, like the human society department, the housing department, the land and resources department, and the tax department that had real power. Compared with the Sports Bureau, even the science, education, culture, and health departments were more prominent. How could Supervisor Jiang have noticed us alone? And how did he know this? It must be someone in our bureau who disclosed this. Who is so widely connected to bring this to the Central Inspection Group?

Director Zhang heaved a sigh as he could not think about someone so tricky in the Sports Bureau.

The problem must have been caused by the allocation about quota for going abroad! Realizing this, he took out his phone again and texted a message.

“Tell Shousheng Liu and Changjin Xiao to wait for me in my office.”

…

Standing in front of the office door, Changjin Xiao was nervous and didn’t know why he was asked here.

In the distance, Shousheng Liu came over and greeted Changjin Xiao immediately. “Xiao, are you coming to report to Director Zhang?”

Changjin Xiao shook his head and replied, “Director Zhang told me to wait for him here. He is attending a meeting at the Provincial Party Committee and hasn’t come back.”

“What a coincidence. Me too. He also asked me here,” Shousheng Liu said.

“Did he tell you why?” Changjin Xiao asked in a low voice.

“No. I was informed by the office.” Shousheng Liu asked, “What about you?”

“Me too. I was also informed by the office, and I know nothing else,” Changjin Xiao replied.

They both fell silent and tried to figure out why Director Zhang had asked them there. To figure out what’s on the mind of the leader, in other words, understanding the intention of leader, was one of the basic skills of middle-class officials.

Suddenly, Changjin Xiao asked, “Director Liu, is everything alright for me to go to America?”

“Sure, no problem. It’s all settled,” Shousheng Liu said confidently.

“I mean the coach I have replaced. Any problem with him?” Changjin Xiao asked again.

“The coach called Dai Li from the track and field team?” Shousheng Liu sneered. “Take it easy. Dai Li comes from Yuzhou City, and he does not have any connections in our Qing City. You shouldn’t worry about him.”

…

Just after the meeting, Director Zhang walked out the number one conference hall in a hurry.

I have to get back to figure out what happened. Thinking this, Director Zhang walked faster.

Just then, a man came up beside him. As he kept pace with Director Zhang, he said, “Zhang, why are you walking so quickly? Since everyone is trying to get out, the exit of the parking lot will be blocked again.”

“It’s you, Du!” Director Zhang slowed down a bit and said with amusement, “Easing the traffic is just your work, Du. Since the road is blocked, why don’t you get down to your work quickly?”

“What can I do? The road is so narrow!” Du said.

The “old man” was the deputy director of the traffic police department of the Public Security Bureau. Since the Sports Bureau often hosted sports games or national fitness activities, it was quite normal to ask the traffic police to maintain and ease the traffic. Therefore, the business between Sports Bureau and Director Du was quite a lot. As a result, Director Zhang and Chief Du had become familiar.

Director Du said, “Zhang, I heard that your department would send people abroad. To America, right?”

“How did you know?” Director Zhang asked in surprise.

“Hey, it’s no big deal to me. Recently, many coaches from your Sports Bureau came to the Entry-Exit Administration Center for passport application or change,” Chief Du explained.

According to the regulations, the passport application for officials of the institution would be put on a special register. Someone who were in a high position even needed to submit their passports to his or her organization for safekeeping.

However, Director Zhang frowned and asked, “Du, you are in charge of traffic police. When were you in charge of the Entry-Exit Administration?”

“I happened to see that!” Lowering his voice, Chief Du continued, “Supervisor Jiang of the Inspection Group came to our bureau for inspection that day and met someone he knew at the service hall who was applying for his passport. After all, this man was related to Supervisor Jiang, so we checked him out by the way and found that he was a coach from your bureau.”

“Some guy in our bureau knows Supervisor Jiang!” Instantly, Director Zhang’s back was soaked by cold sweat and the doubt in his mind was solved immediately.

“Du, check for me who the coach was!” Director Zhang said at once.

“Well…” Chief Du hesitated.

“I know it is against the rules, but it’s important to us. Du, do me a favor!” Director Zhang continued to say.

“OK. I’ll check it for you.” Finally, Chief Du agreed.

“Du, this is very important, check it for me at once when you get back, as soon as possible,” asked Director Zhang, with an urgent expression.

Chapter 254: He Has Connections

After more than an hour, Shousheng Liu and Changjin Xiao finally met with Director Zhang when he came back.

However, when they saw the serious look on the face of Director Zhang, they both felt that it must be that someone had made Director Zhang really angry.

The two looked at each other and entered into the office, looking down.

Without asking them to sit down, Director Zhang asked directly, “Why does the name of Changjin Xiao appear on the list for coaches studying in America?”

“It is because of this. I had it right.” Shousheng Liu took a peep at Changjin Xiao.

Shousheng Liu was the one who was in charge of the matter of studying abroad. If he failed his mission, and the director wanted to blame someone, he would be held responsible for it.

Nevertheless, Changjin Xiao was the beneficiary. At this time, Shousheng Liu hoped that Changjin Xiao would stand up to defend him.

Changjin Xiao was a good man, and he didn’t shift the blame all onto Shousheng Liu. He said, “Director Zhang, it’s my fault. I wanted to go abroad to see advanced training ideas in America, so I asked Liu to get a quota for me.”

Seeing Changjin Xiao took the responsibility onto himself, Shousheng Liu sighed with relief at once. But Director Zhang snorted on the other side of the table. He knew how this thing had played out, even without anyone telling him anything.

However, Director Zhang was quite satisfied about Changjin Xiao’s attitude toward admitting his mistakes. He then asked, “The quota for going abroad this time is so few. Whose place was replaced?”

Shousheng Liu dared not conceal the matter. As a matter of fact, this kind of thing could not be concealed at all. He had to answer honestly. “For the track and field team, Coach Weidong Chu didn’t want to go, and instead they sent a young coach called Dai Li. He is only about 26. He is too young, and he is inexperienced in leading a team. Besides, he has no official title. I think it is a waste to let him go to America. Therefore, we gave the quota to Chief Xiao.”

“Dai Li? You thought he was young, powerless, and easy to bully!” Director Zhang’s words exposed the mind of Shousheng Liu.

Shousheng Liu smiled cunningly and said, “Director, don’t worry. I would never do anything that would trouble our bureau. I have checked about this Dai Li. He comes from Yuzhou City. He is just an ordinary coach, without any interpersonal connections in Qingcheng.”

At that time, Director Zhang’s phone rang.

It’s Du. He must have checked out the coach who knows Supervisor Jiang. Director Zhang picked up his phone right away.

“Hello, Du. How’s it going?” Director Zhang asked.

“I found it out. The coach is called Dai Li from Yuzhou!” Director Du replied.

“What! Dai Li?” Director Zhang almost jumped out of his chair.

And then he glared at Shousheng Liu resentfully.

An ordinary coach? No interpersonal connections? Then how does he know Supervisor Jiang of the Inspection Group of the Central Committee? This connection goes all the way to the top! Director Zhang screamed in his mind.

After hanging up, Director Zhang glared at Shousheng Liu with a murderous stare.

Shousheng Liu was frightened by this. When hearing Director Zhang saying the name Dai Li, he realized something was wrong. Seeing the murderous look in Director Zhang’s eyes, he dared not even breathe.

“Shousheng Liu!” Director Zhang growled resentfully.

I screwed it up. Director Zhang is angry! Shousheng Liu was frightened and shuddered in his mind.

At this time, the generous Changjin Xiao said again, “Director, I will give up this quota for studying in America. Let Dai Li go!”

Changjin Xiao’s words inspired Shousheng Liu, and he said hastily, “Great. Great. Let Dai Li go! I’ll call the track and field team immediately to inform Dai Li.”

“Call him?” Director Zhang pounded on the table and said, “You go to the track and field team in person and explain it clearly. I don’t care what excuse you use. You must gain the forgiveness of Dai Li!”

“Yes, I’ll go right now!” Shousheng Liu said immediately.

By this time, Shousheng Liu realized that he had stepped into some deep trouble.

…

He went to track and field team personally and found coach Weidong Chu, but he didn’t find Dai Li.

“You mean Dai Li is on vacation? He went back home?” Failing to meet Dai Li, he became greatly depressed.

Weidong Chu nodded seriously. “Coach Li has been working overtime recently. He intended to finish this phase of training before going to America. However, since he can’t go abroad now, I sent him on vacation for a few days.”

“Who said he couldn’t go? Coach Li will go to America. I’m sure!” Shousheng Liu said without any hesitation.

Yet Weidong Chu said with interest, “On the name list for those coaches going to study in America, there was no Dai Li at all.”

“Uh, our staff made a mistake. Coach Li was missed due to a mistake,” Shousheng Liu said hurriedly.

Weidong Chu just narrowed his eyes. How could he believe his poor excuse? Furthermore, he knew that Changjin Xiao had replaced Dai Li.

It must be that Li used his connections, or Shousheng Liu himself would not come here in such a hurry. It seems that Li has someone above! Thinking of this, Weidong Chu raised his hands in a helpless gesture. “Dai Li will return next Monday. How about you come again then, Chief Liu?”

“I’m afraid so.” Shousheng Liu nodded and took his leave.

He had not gone far when his phone rang.

“It’s Director Zhang!” Shousheng Liu picked up his phone hastily.

“How’s it going? Have you seen Dai Li? Everything is explained clearly?” Director Zhang asked desperately.

“Director Zhang, I didn’t see him. He’s on vacation and went back to his hometown in Yuzhou. He will come back next Monday, so I intend to come early then…”

Before Shousheng Liu could finish, there came the voice of Director Zhang, “By train or by bus, you go to Yuzhou now. In a word, find Dai Li and explain everything clearly!”

“Go to Yuzhou? Now?” Shousheng Liu looked at the time. It would be dark even if he took the high-speed railway to Yuzhou. And after dark, there would be no high-speed train or bus returning to Qing City, which meant that he would have to spend a night in Yuzhou.

“Go now! After seeing him and explaining it clearly, call me to report at once!” As if he suddenly thought of something, he added, “And you pay the fees of transportation and accommodation yourself! Never expect the bureau to reimburse the expense caused by your own trouble!”

Director Zhang hung up after finishing his words, leaving Shousheng Liu looking at his phone, gloomy and depressed.

“Why does Director Zhang react so fiercely this time? It seems that this Dai Li is more than an ordinary coach. He must have someone connections above!”

Chapter 255: The Visit To UCLA

It was tough to be on a plane for a dozen hours, not to mention when it was the economy class.

The torture, apart from the roar of aircraft engines and the discomfort of high pressure, was boredom and tediousness.

This was the first time for Dai Li to go abroad, and he was full of anticipation when the plane took off. However, he felt anxious and fretful after several hours. The plane was flying above the clouds and the scenery outside the window remained unchanged. It was quite refreshing at the first sight, but it was boring after a long time. The little television in front of him played these old movies again and again, and even worse, Dai Li had seen all those movies before. The shaking due to airstream from time to time made him nervous each time it happened.

Finally, the plane arrived safely in Los Angeles, and a car took them to the hotel, where almost everyone laid down to have a rest. A dozen hours of journey and the jetlag could easily cause mental fatigue, and thus everyone felt exhausted.

After a day’s rest, their visiting began formally. The first stop was the famous American university—UCLA, or the University of California, Los Angeles.

As one of the top universities in the United States, UCLA attracted many tourists and scholars every day, and such visiting delegations were common for UCLA.

At UCLA, student volunteers served as the guides, and they introduced the campus to visitors. And lots of places on the campus were open to the public where they could visit freely, such as the library as long as there was no noise. The hard-working students basically paid no attention to the visitors.

“Oh, American universities are so unique. There are small stalls where it seems that university associations are attracting new members!” said Guangming Song, the head coach of the weightlifting team. He wanted to join them and headed over.

Zhongyi Xu warned, “Song, don’t go over there. Don’t you see the protests? You want to join them?”

“Protest? I’ve never experienced one.” Song said with a smile.

Zhongyi Xu smiled again and said, “Look there, the boxes are prepared for raising money. If you go there, you have to donate money.”

On hearing donating money, Song put his hands in the pocket and returned to the team immediately and mumbled, “Americans earn much more than I do, so do not expect me to donate money to them.”

Laughing and joking all the way, they looked at everything with curiosity like Granny Liu in the Grand View Garden. However, nobody laughed several hours later.

Everyone realized the huge gap between American training and the training in China.

They said, “The training intensity they have is so high! Their training in college is even more intense than that of our provincial team. I can’t imagine the intensity of their professional training centers.”

“You are right. Their training is very professional. I spent some time at our provincial School of Physical Education, and compared with UCLA, our training is so easy.”

“Please note that UCLA is a comprehensive university rather than a professional sports university. They have no major in sports. It is surprising that a university without a sports major can offer such high-intensity training.”

Zhongyi Xu, grim-faced, is a great coach who has cultivated a world record holder. He has been to many countries, including America and Australia. Ha has brought back some foreign training experiences, but now when they are in UCLA, Xu still perceived the huge gap between UCLA and Chinese universities.

“Li, you have been in Tsing Hua University. How is the training in UCLA compared with the training in Tsing Hua University?” Zhongyi Xu asked.

“Both Tsing Hua University and UCLA are top universities in the world, and neither has established a major in sports. But to be honest, UCLA is better than Tsing Hua University in terms of sports training,” Dai Li replied with some helplessness.

“Just as I expected.” Zhongyi Xu was not surprised by the answer.

“In my view, this is a kind of cultural difference, I mean the difference in sports.” Dai Li paused, and then went on. “The Americans love sports more than the Chinese. In terms of university admission, they focus not only on the candidates’ scores, but also their hobbies and interests, including their talents in sports. In the admission process of those American elite colleges, excellent sports students are more popular than those with excellent grades, and they get more attention.”

Zhongyi Xu replied, “You got a point. The sports atmosphere in American universities is much better than ours.”

“Actually, the sports atmosphere in Chinese universities is not so bad, but our students pay more attention to words rather than actions.” Dai Li smiled and continued, “When I was in college, I used to talk about the tactics of NBA teams and their characteristics with my roommates, but we seldom put these tactics into practice. I guess that a lot of basketball fans in China are like this. When it comes to theories about basketball, they have a lot to say, but when required to put these into practice, they are all disabled. They are all talkers but not doers.”

“Talkers but not doers?” Zhongyi Xu smiled and said, “You are right, in terms of sports, the Chinese, unlike the American, pay more attention to theories rather than realistic actions. In the United States, there are many vacant lands for sports. They have basketball courts in the community, and the schools are also open to the public. But in China, it is difficult for us to find a playground, and the basketball courts of school are not available to the public even during the holidays.”

“All the vacant lands in China are used to build houses, so there is no room for sports courts!” Di Li said, while looking up to the front. “The basketball stadium of UCLA is not far away from here. The basketball level of UCLA teams ranks top in NCAA. They have won the championship of NCAA ten times. Many NBA basketball players come from UCLA basketball teams, and I’ve always wanted to go to see their basketball teams.”

“Please wait for a moment. Coach Alford will be here soon,” said the guide.

“Alford is one of the top basketball coaches in The United States. It is said that NBA teams pay high salaries to hire him to train their players.”

“The best achievement of Alford’s was to win the second place of NCAA, but his team entered the top 16 many times.”

The group was talking to each other in low voices. Then, a white-haired, tall man came from the distance accompanied by a middle-aged black woman.

“Here comes Coach Alford,” the guide pointed to the man.

“It seems that his height is more than 1.90 meters, and he may have been a basketball player himself when he was young,” said Guangming Song.

At that point, however, Coach Alford seemed to be trying to get rid of the black woman.

“Coach Alford, please give my son a chance. Allen is really talented!” The black woman followed Alford and implored him.

“Mrs. Hampton, I know Allen Hampton is a very talented basketball player. His great performance in high school has proven that. The data of his performance averaging at 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists has made him qualified for the NBA.” Coach Alford paused and then added, “but you should know that your son is a time bomb! He has criminal records, and he is currently struggling in a lawsuit, right? UCLA will never admit a time bomb! Therefore, I suggest you go to other universities.”

Chapter 256: The New Dream

Coach Alford finally got rid of the black woman.

“I’m sorry, guys, the lady just now wanted us to admit her son onto our basketball team. This kind of things happen every year. Thank you for your patience and forgiveness,” Alford seemed to be worried that everyone’s English was not good enough to understand what he was saying, so he spoke very slowly.

Led by Alford, they visited the basketball team of UCLA.

The UCLA basketball team was worthy of its long-standing reputation. Their training conditions were no less than that of professional basketball teams at home, and of course, the athletes were better than most professional athletes at home.

After visiting UCLA’s basketball team, everyone had a sense of frustration. Especially the head coach of the basketball team. He kept shaking his head all the way, and his eyes were full of admiration.

Compared with the basketball team, the places they visited before were not the essence of UCLA sports. Basketball, baseball, and American football were the most popular sports in the United States. They were the most heavily-invested in sports at UCLA and many top-ranked players were trained there. So, these were the most important sectors of UCLA sports.

The next day, the visiting group went to the second destination, the University of Southern California.

The University of Southern California, was also a world-famous university with a long history. They had a great reputation in cinema, music, media, and other subjects, and many of the world’s best directors and musicians were once students in the University of Southern California. The university had the world’s largest number of Academy Award winners.

Meanwhile, USC also had strong athletic competence, and in many sports events, USC and UCLA were competitors. Especially in the NCAA matches, the competition between USC and USLA was very exciting.

USC had won a total of 144 gold medals, 93 silver medals, and 72 bronze medals. In terms of both the number of gold medals and the number of medals, USC ranked first among American universities. UCLA only ranked third in The United States.

They were at the basketball stadium of USC.

“Coach Babe, thank you very much.” The deputy bureau director leading the team showed his gratitude to the basketball coach of USC. They shook hands again, and then the visiting group walked away.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged black woman rushed over.

“Hello, Coach Babe, my name is Anne Hampton, the mother of Allen Hampton. I want to talk with you? Do you have time?” the black woman asked.

“Allen Hampton? The Allen Hampton from Beze High School?” Coach Babe asked.

“Yes, you’ve heard of my son! Oh! It is such a great honor for me!” said the black woman.

“Of course, I know him. The top genius at his high school. Meanwhile, he is also a troublemaker!” Babe said with a pause and then added, “Does he want to join the USC basketball team?”

The black woman said expectantly, “Of course, everyone who wants to join the NBA is interested in USC.”

“But you are on the east coast. There are many perfect universities for you to choose, such as Duke University, Georgetown University, Wake Forest University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. None of them is inferior to us. And these universities are closer to you. Why does your son want to join us?” said Babe.

The middle-aged woman hesitated, but finally answered, “Uh huh, the reason is…”

The middle-aged woman hemmed and hawed for a long time before she finally said, “Because Allen was arrested for carrying an excessive amount of drugs.”

“Far more than that, Mrs. Hampton. As far as I know, this year on February 14, Valentine’s Day, Allen Hampton was involved in a brawl of more than 50 people, and more than 20 people were seriously injured. According to the district court, four people were sentenced to 15 years in prison, and Allen was sentenced to 5 years in prison. Am I right?” asked Babe.

“The judgment was unfair. The whites were released on bail, while the blacks were all convicted. They are discriminating against blacks. We have lodged an appeal and won the case. My son was released on parole!” The woman explained hastily.

“But my team doesn’t need a criminal,” Babe applied gravely.

“But Allen has mended his ways!” Mrs. Hampton said immediately.

“But he is still on parole, isn’t he?” Babe shook his head and said, “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Hampton. Your son, Allen Hampton, doesn’t fit the admission requirements of our university.”

“What are you looking at, Li? Let’s go!” Zhongyi Xu shouted to Dai Li.

Li’s attention was drawn back from Coach Babe and the black woman. He walked quickly to catch up with the team.

“What are you looking at, Li? Reluctant to leave? Why don’t you take some photos?” Zhongyi Xu continued.

“I am looking at the black woman. Yesterday at UCLA, there was the black woman who went to Coach Alford. She’s here again with Coach Babe.” Dai Li added.

On the third day, they finally came to the famous AP training center to witness the world’s top sports training.

“This is the KEISER vapor resistance equipment. It is used to train the explosive power of athletes. The most striking feature of it is the ability to ensure that the users complete actions at any speed under certain loads and complete many actions that cannot be done by using traditional heavy weights equipment, and what’s more, it reduces injury.”

“This is a vibration trainer, which is used frequently in basketball and football training. As an emerging neuromuscular exercise, vibration training can improve the coordination between neuromuscular systems.”

“This is the liquid nitrogen cell for cryotherapy. When the athletes enter the equipment, the temperature decrease from minus 110 degrees Celsius to minus 180 degrees Celsius. This equipment can quickly relieve muscle and joint pain in athletes. I guess that you’ve seen it in many news reports, and this equipment has been widely used in the leagues of the United States.”

The guide was just like a salesman who is always talking. The coaches were whispering to each other.

“They are so advanced, I heard about this sports equipment before, but it is the first time that I’ve seen it!”

“The liquid nitrogen cell for cryotherapy is so great. I really want to buy one, but I’m sure it’s be very expensive.”

“As far as I know, the price of that is barely affordable. You can buy a cheaper one at the price of lower one hundred thousand dollars. However, it is quite expensive to use it. Liquid nitrogen costs $60 or $70 every three minutes. And this does not include the equipment wear and depreciation.”

“It would cost $100 to use per time. That is 700 or 800 yuan! That’s too expensive! We can’t afford it.”

“What are you worried about? We just came here to visit.”

While the crowd murmured, Li was looking at the advanced equipment with admiration.

“If I had such a big training center and so much advanced equipment, that would be so great.”

Just then, Li realized that he had another dream. He wanted to have a training center of his own.

Chapter 257: The Basketball Camp

Members in the visiting group were envious of the hardware equipment in the AP Training Center. However, everyone knew that a provincial training team couldn’t afford them and even if they could, they couldn’t afford the maintenance costs.

Just like cars, the more expensive it was, the higher the maintenance costs would be. If you bought a luxury car, you would only use the highest octane gasoline to fill its tank.

The guide introduced all the advanced equipment to the group with pride, like a guy who was showing off his fortune. Then everyone was brought to the reception room where they saw David Mills, the head of the AP Training Center.

“You’ve just seen our training equipment, and I know that you must be eager to see the real training activities here. But I am afraid that you can’t see it.” David Mills smiled and continued, “You must know that many famous athletes come here and do their training, which they hope can be secretive. Besides, it involves privacy. So, most of training is done in private.”

Hearing this, all of them were disappointed.

In America, people cared about their privacy more than people in China. Even if they weren’t famous athletes, they didn’t like the interruption from visitors.

David Mills said, “Please cheer up! The latest Adidas Basketball Camp will be undertaken by our Training Center. The camp gathers excellent high school students, and it is open to anyone, including coaches in universities, scouts in professional basketball teams, reporters, and you.”

There were a number of similar camps in America. Some coaches, even athletes may host their own camps. There was no doubt that Adidas Basketball Training Camp was the one that everyone wanted to join in. Of course, those athletes who could join in this camp were top players from all the schools in America. Therefore, it could attract attention from the media, coaches in universities, and NBA scouts who were eager to find future stars.

Those young athletes joining in the camp can no only improve their skills, but also attract attention. They were happy to have more people observe them.

It was the first day in Adidas Basketball Training Camp. Dai Li saw that black woman on the training ground again who followed tightly the head coach of the Adidas Basketball Camp, Hyde, an old man around 50 years old.

“Mr. Hyde, please give Allen another chance, please!” The black woman begged.

“Mrs. Hampton, I’ve explained to you several times. We sent out an invitation to your son Allen Hampton before, but he didn’t reply to us that he would come to our camp.”

“He didn’t have his parole then.” the woman said.

Mr. Hyde threw up his hand sand said, “Mrs. Hampton, I hope you can understand. Since we’ve made rules, we must observe them, right? If everyone who came here and asked for privileges got them, our camp could no longer do what we do.”

Eventually, the woman left, disappointed.

Sitting in the stand and watching the athletes, Dai Li screamed in his heart, Are these really high school students?

Besides Dai Li, the other coaches in the visiting group showed their surprise.

“Those high school students bear comparison with our professional athletes of the provincial team, right?”

“In my view, they can play in our national lower-level leagues.”

“Far more than that! See that guard! What a wonderful breakthrough, and he dunked directly! This guy can play in CBA.”

Yet, the American audience looked more at ease. Obviously, they were accustomed to it.

A reporter beside Dai Li, of about the same age as him, kindly introduced the players for Dai Li.

“See the young lad who dunked just now? He is from New York. His nickname is Son of New York. When he was just an elementary student, he could compete with adults in basketball game already. Among high school students this year, he may be listed within the top 3. And he may be the MVP in this Adidas Training Camp.”

“Pupils compete with adults!” Dai Li was shocked. He observed this young lad immediately and found he had A-level talent.

“A-level talent is good enough. He is a strong basketball player in America. I don’t know the talent of our national professional athletes.”

The young reporter continued his introduction, “that lad who did a three-point shot is a leading scorer in Mountain Top High School in southern California, and he helped his school become state champions this year. Although he is only 19 years old, he is a father. So, he is trying to find a school which could provide him with a basketball scholarship.”

Dai Li began his observation again.

“He has A plus talent, and he is good at shooting three-pointers. It seems like this athlete will be an excellent shooter.”

The reporter pointed to a big guy under the basketball frame. “He is six-feet, nine-inches, and he might grow to around seven feet. He is thin, yet he has a long wingspan. His ball handling skills are just so-so. But he is good at grabbing rebounds and blocking shots. Just some more weight will make him a wonderful defensive center!”

“This big guy has A-minus-level talent who can be counted as a superior basketball athlete in America, not so good as I’ve imagined. I thought their talent would be higher in America as the country is a top basketball power. Maybe that is the gap caused by training.”

Dai Li took a deep breath and thought again, If we could grow up in America where sports are everywhere around us, maybe our achievements in sports wouldn’t be defeated by the Americans.

Again, the reporter said, “Those guys I mentioned just now can definitely enter the NBA, even the lottery. But there is one guy who didn’t come this time. What a pity.”

“Who? Is there anyone who is willing to ignore such a good chance like this?” Dai Li asked with his poor English.

But the reporter knew what Dai Li meant. He said, “Maybe due to injury or something. That guy is Allen Hampton from Holy Land High School. He is not only an excellent basketball player, but also a great football player. He helped his school get the state championships in both football and basketball. In the last season, he averaged 31.6 points, 9.2 assists, and 8.7 rebounds per game. He is a real genius!”

By football, the American reporter meant American football, not soccer.

The reporter continued, “But the genius is a bad boy. It was said that he was sentenced to jail for carrying drugs when he was 15. Then he broke his parole regulations, which resulted in a longer prison term. After a while, leading a group of people to cause trouble got him another prison sentence. His lawsuits succeeded owing to help from The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The coaches of famous universities don’t like this bad boy, I guess.”

Chapter 258: The Talent Who Was S-level For Two Sports

The first day in the basketball camp had passed, and the coaches of the visiting group spent a whole day sitting in the stands watching games.

Actually, it was not a boring experience to watch high-level basketball games at all, even if for a whole day. On the contrary, some felt that they didn’t get enough games to watch.

Just like watching video games live, we like it because it is quite a pleasure for us to watch excellent games, especially those high-level ones. If we participate in the games, it would be game over in no time. So it brought satisfaction just by watching those high-level gamers win the game.

The same was for watching basketball training games. We can acquire a great sense of satisfaction from their hard work, especially from the training programs where many athletes train together. It was like a real game.

The layman watched the crowd, and the inner man looked at the doorway. As head coaches, they’d seen the world. Although they were not basketball coaches, they could still acquire some information by analyzing.

For the group of professional coaches, the more they knew about the AP Training Center, the stronger feeling of respect they had. At that time, they were eager to bring their players to this center.

“This is just the first day, and we’ve already seen such strong training intensity. I bet our high school students would throw up after this kind of training.”

“It would be too much for adult athletes, let alone high school students.”

“Actually, you must have noticed that plenty of them were not accustomed to the training intensity.”

Then, head of the AP Center David Mills appeared again.

“Gentlemen, I guess you’ve gotten a lot after a whole day’s watching,” David Mills said. “Today’s training is just a simple start; tomorrow’s training will be more complex and intense.”

“Mr. Mills, I have a question,” a coach who could speak fluent English asked. “Don’t you think this intense training is too much for high school students? I noticed that everyone was exhausted at the end.”

“That is a good question.” David Mills smiled and said, “The goal of this basketball training is not only to show their strengths, but also their weaknesses. That is why we set complex training programs.”

David Mills continued, “Starting tomorrow, a number of scouts and coaches from university basketball teams will come here in succession. They hope they can know about every athlete, know their strengths and weaknesses.”

“Mr. Mills, improving their ability is not one of your goals then?” The coach asked.

After several seconds of consideration, David Mills said, “The goal of most training camps is to improve the skills of their participants, but we are different. We don’t charge fees from the athletes. We don’t earn any profit. Yet, we have our sponsor, Adidas. For Adidas, what they want is to raise their brand influence, not to train excellent athletes. Strictly speaking, Adidas is the employer, and we are the employees. What we must do is to put their needs first. However, great athletes can improve their skills here, I believe.”

The coaches gathered in the McDonald’s near the AP Training Center, chewing hamburgers and drinking cola which could be refilled.

“The medium coke is as big as our large coke. But the chicken in the sandwich is too hard to chew.”

“This apple pie is good, enjoy yourselves.”

“Eating in McDonald’s is economical after calculating price. This chicken nugget is as big as two of those in China. I am full after eating only one.”

“We must save as much as we can as our budget is limited. I hope we can make the best of it,” the deputy bureau director said, wiping his hand with a napkin.

Zhongyi Xu leaned over to Dai Li and said, “I saw a convenience store along the road when I came here. Let’s find something to eat in a minute.”

“What do they have in American convenience stores? Do they have bread and ham?” Dai Li asked.

Zhongyi Xu had been in America before. He replied in a low voice, “Lots of snacks, instant noodles and doughnuts that can satisfy our hunger.”

“I need a bag of instant noodles.” Dai Li drank up his coke, stood up and said, “I need to use the bathroom.”

At the sink, Dai Li washed his hands and was leaving when he saw a middle-aged black woman staring at him.

Dai Li recognized her immediately because he had seen her several times.

The black woman approached him and greeted him, “Hello, my name is Anne Hampton.”

“Hello.” Dai Li replied.

“Are you a member of the foreign visiting group?” Anne Hampton asked.

Nodding his head, Dai Li admitted it.

“Have you been to the Adidas Basketball Training Camp?” Anne Hampton asked continuously.

“Yes.” Dai Li nodded his head.

“Are you going there tomorrow?” Anne Hampton asked.

“Yes, I will stay there for another day according to our schedule.” Dai Li then asked, “Is there anything that I can help you with?”

“Sir, could you help me record training activities in the Adidas Training Camp?” Anne Hampton took out an old mobile phone.

“Why don’t you go yourself? Anybody can go there,” Dai Li asked.

“I need to go to three other universities tomorrow. I don’t have enough time,” Anne Hampton answered.

“Then can you tell me why you want me to do this?” Dai Li asked vigilantly.

Anne Hampton noticed his alarm and said, “Please don’t worry. I mean no offense. I just want to record the training and show it to my son. My son should have been at the camp, but he couldn’t, for certain reasons.”

Anne Hampton spoke fast. Dai Li didn’t follow, and he asked her to speak again, then he understood.

“Ma, you are here!” A young black man came over.

The young black man was young, 18 years old, maybe. He was no more than 1.8 meters with short spiky hair. However, he was very strong with obvious muscle lines in his arms. And Dai Li also noticed that there were tattoos on one arm.

“He is my son, Allen Hampton,” Anne introduced.

“Allen Hampton! The genius?” Dai Li looked at him and turned on his detector.

The next second, Dai Li was shocked by the result.

S-level basketball talent! S-level football talent! A talent who is S-level for two sports! I haven’t seen anyone like him before. What a sports genius!

Chapter 259: The Feast Of Hamburgers

Dai Li had met only one S-level athlete in his long career life as a coach. That was Feixiang Lin. In addition to Feixiang Lin, the most talented athlete he had seen was Feifei Yu, who was level S-minus.

In the National Track and Field Team, level B talent was among the best, and the only A-level athlete from the sprinters was Sijie Yang, who was discovered and trained by Dai Li himself. And the entire National Track and Field Team had less than five A-level athletes, while the S-level group there contained only Feixiang Lin.

So Dai Li had already learned that even pandas outnumbered the level S athletes. These athletes were “endangered species”—there were just a few nationwide.

What Dai Li learned in the Adidas Basketball Training Camp during the day, also confirmed the analysis of Dai Li. The United States of America, as the top basketball power in the world, attracted not only the basketball elites from within the country, but also the basketball elites of the same age from all over the world, to the Adidas Basketball Training Camp. But among them there were only one A-plus level, one A-level and one A-minus level, which perfectly proved the scarcity of level S talents.

Yet now, this Allen Hampton standing in front of Dai Li, was an athlete with two kinds of level S talents.

If the two S-level talents are of the same category, that might not make Dai Li surprised. For example, it is usual for a sprinter to have S-level talents on both 100-meter and 200-meter programs and a swimmer to have S-level talents on both the freestyle and the butterfly. Because they are of the same category of sports. They have lots of technical characteristics in common and have same physical requirements.

However, the two S-level talents of Allen Hampton belonged to two completely different sports: basketball and football. That was what shocked Dai Li.

One with one level S talent in one sport could be one of the world’s top athletes, and there is no doubt that two S-level talents on two different sports made a man a real sports genius.

At the moment, Allen Hampton was looking at Dai Li, and then he asked, “What are you doing, mom? Who is this guy?”

“This gentleman is a member from a foreign delegation, and I would like to ask him to help us record the training in the Adidas Basketball Training Camp,” Anne replied.

“Mom, I don’t need it. I can do the training myself,” Allen Hampton said stubbornly.

“I think you’ll change your mind when you finish watching the video of the Basketball Training Camp,” Dai Li Suddenly said in English, not so fluently though. But the Hamptons understood what he said.

He took out his mobile phone and said, “I recorded some training videos today. You can take a look first.”

And then he found the video on the phone and handed his phone to Allen Hampton. The latter soon got attracted by the video.

Allen Hampton was obviously a proud man. Although he said he didn’t need it, he still wanted to see the training video of the basketball camp.

Dai Li, looking at Allen Hampton, could feel the longing in Allen’s face. The man was wishing that he was the one being trained in that video.

A moment later, Allen Hampton finished watching the video and gave the phone back to Li.

“Now, do you want me to record the video for you?” Dai Li asked.

Allen whispered with a little hesitation, “But we don’t have any money. We can’t pay you too much.”

“Hahaha…” Dai Li laughed. “I don’t want your money.”

“For free? No way! You worked, and you should be paid,” said Anne.

“And I don’t need your charity!” said Allen with a stubborn face.

Dai Li realized that it perhaps was due to the cultural difference. In the eyes of Americans there was no working for free. If someone did something for you, it was natural for you to pay him a price.

For instance, if people eat in the restaurant in the U.S., they give tips to the waiter. Living in a hotel, people are supposed to give tips to those who park their cars, carry their luggage, book the taxi, and clean up their rooms. People usually give tips to the driver when they take a taxi. Service industries such as haircuts, beauty, and car washing almost inevitably require people to give tips.

Lowering his head, Dai Li thought for a few seconds, and then he said to Allen Hampton, “I have just arrived in Los Angeles, and I will stay here for about two weeks. Let’s make a deal. You can be my guide here and in return, I will record the training video for you.”

“A guide?” Alan Hampton looked bewildered and asked.

“Yes. A guide to show me around. As a foreigner I am totally a stranger to Los Angeles. I need a guide. But I cannot afford to hire a professional one,” said Dai Li.

“Deal!” Allen Hampton said without hesitation. “But during the day, I have to work. So only afternoons and evenings are available!”

…

That night, Allen Hampton brought Dai Li to several fast food restaurants and Dai Li didn’t have to go to the supermarket to buy instant noodles and doughnuts anymore.

American fast food was more than just McDonald’s and KFC. There were many other brands that Dai Li had never heard of, but they were very well-known in America.

In general, all other fast food restaurants offered hamburgers, French fries, pizza, sandwiches, fried chicken, apple pie, and doughnuts, but they offered them with different tastes and features. Such as medium beef burgers, big burgers that could only be held by two hands, and the double hamburger with overflowing cheese. Those were difficult to be found in KFC and McDonald’s.

What’s more, some fast food brands were really honest and willing to use enough ingredients. The hamburgers and sandwiches they made were exactly the same with what they showed in their advertisements. Make great publicity, but produce something with just two pieces of dry bread? They never did that.

Of course, those fast food brands might be slightly more expensive, and American consumers have always been very rational. Average Americans care about cost-effectiveness very much, and they do not want to spend money buying expensive products.

…

Zhongyi Xu held the remote control of the TV set, with a bored face.

“Let me check my instant noodles.” Zhongyi Xu paced to the table and was staring at the instant noodles when Dai Li opened the door and came in.

“Li, where have you been? My instant noodles are ready. And there is half kettle of hot water. If you want to use it, boil another kettle. I want to have some tea after a while.” Zhongyi Xu continued saying without looking back, “So difficult to get hot water. I gave the waiter a tip of two dollars to get me this kettle. A painful death of me!”

Westerners obviously didn’t have the habit of drinking hot water. They drink the tap water directly as tap water is drinkable in America. There is hot water in the bathroom, but that was not drinkable.

Usually hotels do not prepare a kettle for every room. But of course, they could provide it if the guest so requires. And it was inevitable to give tips to the waiter for asking him to offer a kettle.

Zhongyi Xu smelled barbecue when he was going to eat the instant noodles.

“What’s that? It smells so good!” he looked back at Dai Li and asked.

“I bought you many hamburgers and sandwiches of various kinds. Enough for the full day tomorrow.” Dai Li took the food out.

“Hamburgers? No! Hamburgers for lunch, and hamburgers for supper. Aren’t you fed up with them?!” said Zhongyi Xu with his expression full of grievance.

Picking out one of the hamburgers, Dai Li replied, “This is not McDonald’s.”

“So big? Oh, it smells quite good!” Xu came over curiously, leaving his noodles aside.

…

“Li, come here. Let’s play cards,” Guangming Song said loudly.

“We have four people here. One more to start a ‘Fight the Landlord’ poker game,” someone next to him said.

“Let’s play ‘The Upgrade’ poker game.” Guangming Song stood up and added, “We still need a deck of cards. I’ll go to Zhongyi Xu’s room and borrow one from him.”

And then he left the room. The other three stayed.

The three waited for five or six minutes but they didn’t see the return of Song.

“Zhongyi Xu’ s room is just two rooms next to ours. Why hasn’t Song come back! It should not take more than five minutes to borrow a deck of cards. He should have been back even if he crawled to Xu’s room.” The elder Li felt worried and got up. “I’ll go and have a look.”

He did not come back either five or six minutes later.

“Old Li is famous for his quick temper. What is taking him so long?”

“Is there anything wrong? Maybe we should go and take a look?”

The two who stayed in the room thought they’d better go and take a look after they discussed.

They then approached the door of Zhongyi Xu’s room and saw that the door was not completely closed. They heard the voice of Guangming Song inside.

He was saying, “Li, keep that one with beef for me! There is cheese inside. I love cheese!”

“Shut up. First come, first served. He who finished the one in hand will get that one with cheese!” cried elder Li.

The two outside looked at each other.

“Sounds like they are eating something!”

“They are eating delicious food, and they don’t tell us!”

“We should stop them from eating while ignoring us! Let’s go inside!”

They pushed the door together and went in.

“We caught you! Hand over immediately what you are eating!” One of the two persons shouted.

But the next second, he saw four men around a table and several hamburgers were on the table.

“You are eating hamburgers! Haven’t you had that enough after a full day’s McDonald’s?” he ridiculed, just like Zhongyi Xu moments ago.

“Okay. I feel disgusted as soon as I smell burgers now.” The man pretended to vomit, but the next moment he said, “But the food you’re eating smells wonderful.”

“Of course, this is not what we ate at McDonald’s during the day!” Zhongyi Xu said. “Li bought them from the fast food restaurants around here. Come and have a try. Fast food, this is the authentic American food culture!”

Invited by Xu, the two came close, and each chose one hamburger to gulp.

…

“I once thought there were only KFC and McDonald’s in the United States. It is a surprise for me to know that there are so many fast food brands here.” Guangming Song held in hand a piece of wrapper, paused with a burp, and then added, “I’ve gotten used to burgers of this brand. Its meat is thick, and the cheese is abundant! I’ve never had such a delicious hamburger in my life. Li, where did you buy this hamburger?”

“We will pass by the spot when we go to the AP training center tomorrow. I’ll show you,” answered Dai Li.

“Oh, and that sandwich, the one with really thick meat, where did you buy it? ” the elder Coach Li asked, gesturing the thickness of the hamburger with his hands.

“That shop is a little farther away. It’s around two kilometers from here. I’ll locate it on the map on your mobile phone later,” Dai Li replied.

And the Coach Li laughed. “A two-kilometer trip to get such thick meat is totally acceptable.”

…

The next day, the group of visitors went to the AP training center again.

There were indeed many new faces in the stands. They were there with laptops, watching the training and taking notes. And some of them simply set up a video camera against the training field and recorded the training process directly.

Dai Li knew that there must be professional scouts, chief coaches, or assistant coaches of university basketball teams among those people.

Many of them were old acquaintances. They observed the players and discussed with each other. Who they talked about the most were the three players with A-level talents: “The Son of New York”, the three-point shooter, and the tall, skinny guy.

Allen Hampton would be the focus of the basketball court if he were here, Dai Li thought.

Just then, the deputy bureau director who led the visiting group came over to sit beside Dai Li.

“Li! I heard that you wandered around the place where we’re staying yesterday?” he asked.

“I got hungry. So, I went out to find food and took the opportunity to look around,” Dai Li answered immediately.

“Well, take care when you go out. We are in America. The public security here is not as great. It is not our country.” He stopped for a moment and then continued, “You can leave early this afternoon. Go and check the restaurants nearby. Find some economical ones. It would be better if you could find some offering a buffet. We still have more than 10 days to stay here. We cannot eat at McDonald’s every day. You can visit a few more restaurants and make a list of their locations, prices, and menus. And tell me about that when you come back.”

“OK. No problem!” said Dai Li without hesitation.

It would be easy to find a buffet restaurant with the help of Allen, an American.

…

“Restaurant? Inexpensive? And it would be better to offer a buffet? Okay, you are asking the right person for help!” Allen added, “I cannot afford high-end restaurants, so I know a lot of low-priced and fast food restaurants.”

He talked and, meanwhile, opened the mobile phone to watch the videos recorded by Dai Li.

“Those videos are fragmented. Each of them is divided into dozens of sections.” Allen opened the first video.

“I just picked those useful scenes to record and left the useless ones aside. I was saving the power of your phone for you,” Dai Li said. He then added, “Don’t forget that I am a professional coach.”

“Never mind, I am not doubting your ability,” Allen explained at once. “I thank you sincerely. I know you’re helping me. You have the map application on your phone, and you can walk around without me.”

Dai Li smiled and then asked, “You already have the training video, so what are you going to do next? There are some training programs that you can’t do by yourself.”

“I have some good friends, and they will help me!” Allen patted his chest and added in a mystical tone, “In fact, I have a training ground of my own!”

“A training ground of your own? Stop joking around,” replied Dai Li.

“It is true. I can show you if you don’t believe me,” Allen said proudly. “And I am afraid that you dare not go there with me.”

“Me, dare not? It’s not that there is any bomb on your training ground, and they will explode when I get there! Bang!” Dai Li laughed with a gesture of “Boom.”

“It’s in a black community. It’s not very safe. White people don’t want to go there,” Allen said. He continued confidently, “But please be at ease. No one will hurt you as long as you tell them you are my friend.”

Chapter 260: The Ghetto

The hotel that Dai Li lived in was not luxurious, but the security around it was good enough to allow the guests to hang out in the evening, without worrying about being robbed. However, the place that Allen Hampton brought Dai Li to was totally different. It was the ghetto, and could be quite unsafe. There were armed robberies even in the daytime. Drugs, guns, and crimes were nothing new here.

The houses here were shabby, and seemed to have been in disrepair for a long time. Window glasses of some of the houses were broken and covered with plastic paper. Various graffiti on the dim gray walls showed the African American culture. By the roadside, there was a very old car. Dai Li even thought that it might be older than him. The glass on one of its window was broken. Several black children were playing near it.

Dai Li looked around with a little fear, and also some curiosity. Allen Hampton, walking by him, said, “To be honest, public security in Los Angeles isn’t too bad. This block is better than those blocks in the central east. If you are in Detroit, you dare not drive into some of the blocks filled by the poor, because you may have a gun pointing at you at any time.”

A group of young men with tattoos on their bodies gathered on the roadside. One of them, a big guy of around 300 jin (or, 150 kg/330 pounds) showed a fierce expression on his face after he saw Dai Li.

A thought to escape came to Dai Li at that moment. But Allen shouted to the big guy, “Martin, put away your scary look. He’s my brother, don’t bother him!”

The big man followed Allen’s words with a grin. He stopped frightening Dai Li. Others heard Allen’s words, and did not pay attention to Dai Li any more.

“You see? I get along with them well here!” Allen said proudly.

“Do you live nearby?” asked Li.

“No, my family was in Virginia, and I grew up there. I came to Los Angeles to join the Adidas Basketball Training Camp, and to find a college that could offer me a scholarship,” Allen said this with an unnatural facial expression.

“Then why didn’t you attend the Adidas Basketball Training Camp?” Dai Li asked.

“I missed the confirmation,” Allen said, then added, “The Adidas Basketball Training Camp sent me an invitation, but I didn’t confirm within the time limit. So, they cancelled the invitation.”

“Why?” Dai Li continued asking.

Allen hesitated and then answered, “Because I was in prison at that time.”

Dai Li did not ask for more details, but Allen went on to explain, “In the high school football team, I am a quarterback. I am the best quarterback across all Virginia high schools, and I also won the state championship for my school. On the day of our celebration for the championship, we went bowling. A quarrel was started between us and a group of white people. They called us ‘niggers’. That’s racism. So, we had a quarrel and finally started a fight!”

“Those whites could not defeat us. So, they called up more people to join that fight, and we did the same. Finally, it became a mass brawl of more than fifty people. We, of course, were the final winners. More than ten people from their side were taken to the hospital. We also had a couple of guys injured. Then, my four companions were sentenced to 15 years in prison, and I was sentenced to five years in prison!”

“But the leading white men who fought with us were only sentenced to community corrections. And we blacks were not even given the chance of parole. We chose to appeal. Some black groups helped us, and black lawyers defended our case for free. Finally, we won the lawsuit. However, I still spent four months in jail because of this case.”

“I see!” Dai Li nodded.

Although there are advocates fighting for equality everyday, serious racial discrimination still exists in America. Colored races suffer discriminations in enrollment, job applications, and almost every aspect of daily life. When faced with racial discrimination, Chinese people tend to endure, while black people prefer to use their fists to speak for them.

Allen added, “Four months in jail, I lost a lot of opportunities. Before that, there had been some football coaches from several universities who wanted me to join their teams. Actually, I prefer football. I like the feeling of bringing the ball out of the crowds. Basketball is soft compared with football.”

“I think most Americans prefer football,” Dai Li agreed. The “football” they were talking about was, of course, the American football.

American football is the most popular sport in America, as compared with other sports. It’s the real “sport for all” in America. All Americans love it.

“Because of this fight, I couldn’t get a football scholarship from any university. No university would want a guy who went to jail because of a brawl.” Allen sighed.

Having been in prison was indeed a big problem. A former convict would be faced with discriminations in enrollment and job applications. Even in the United States, no university would accept a guy who was just released from prison.

Also, American football is very intense. The players collide with each other, and the game is very fierce. Fights often break out on the football field, and fighting during a game is inevitable, even in the top NFL professional league.

Such a violent sport obviously would not welcome Allen, who was formerly convicted, due to a mass brawl. The coach would consider Allen as an unstable element in the team. Although he was the best of the quarterbacks, the core on the field, across all high schools in Virginia, no coach from any university would accept him.

Allen said in a low mood, “My football career has come to an end early. So now, I can only hope that basketball can help me get a basketball scholarship from a university. Let me play basketball for one or two years in the university, then I would like to take part in the NBA draft!”

Allen’s eyes were sparkling as he was speaking of the NBA Draft.

“I’m sure you’ll be admitted by the NBA,” said Dai Li.

After all, Allen was a player with S Level talents, and players like him were rare even in the NBA. Dai Li thought that, as long as the managers of NBA teams were not blind, Allen could easily get into that lottery.

“But first of all, I must find a university which would enroll me. In the east I have a bad reputation, so I can only come to the west to have a try. I cannot go to any university if I have no scholarship.” Allen shrugged and then said, “To get a scholarship, and then go to university, is my only chance.”

Chapter 261: Happy Hunting

“Here we are! This is my training ground!” Alan pointed at an open space ahead of him, which was a shabby street basketball court. Only two basketball stands were placed in the court. Half of the rebounds’ area’s lacquer finish had been worn out. The baskets were also rusty. When they got closer, Dai Li found two young black people in the court; one was dragging a heavy tire with a rope, while the other one was lifting a rusty dumbbell.

“That’s the Claude Brothers. The one on the left is Joe. He is a ship loader, but he wants to be a truck driver and have a truck of his own. The one on the right is David. He dreams of becoming a bodybuilder. Now, I am living in their house.”

“Their father was killed in their childhood. Later, their mother was arrested by the police, because she was delivering drugs for drug dealers. So, only the two of them are living in their house now. The Claude Brothers like basketball very much. My daily training is also dependent on them, for they are my sparring partners,” as Alan introduced this information, he led Dai Li to them.

“Hey, boss, you are finally back. We’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” David said.

“Oh, boss, you also brought a man here! A yellow person! Is he a bastard from the Chinese Town? Don’t tell me, he is a Korean asshole!” Joe stared at Dai Li and said.

“Did they just call you boss?” Dai Li asked in surprise, for he could tell the Claude Brothers were older than Alan.

“Of course. I teach them basketball. They definitely should call me boss! The Angelinos like basketball very much. Therefore, anyone who is good at basketball is very popular on the block,” as Alan said this, he patted Dai Li on his shoulder and made his official introduction, “This is Li from China, my new friend.”

“A foreigner, okay, as long as he is not a Korean asshole!” Joe Claude said.

Alan continued to introduce the Claude Brothers’ family, “Their father was killed in the riot over 20 years ago, by some Korean immigrants, so they hate Koreans.”

Early in the 1990s, a riot broke out in Los Angeles, which was caused by the conflicts between the Koreans and the black people, together with some Mexicans. The initial trigger of the riot was that a young black man, Rodney King, was stopped by the police while driving home one day, but he resisted arrest, which caused him to be severely beaten by the police on the scene, fiercely, with police batons.

This incident happened to be captured by a civilian living nearby with a camcorder, who sold the video to a TV station later. The meddlesome TV Station only showed the footage of King being beaten by the police, which caused a great disturbance in the United States. Four police officers were prosecuted, but there was no hard evidence of the police’s being at fault, so the police officers were acquitted.

When the trial result was announced, thousands of black people gathered in Los Angeles, and it was then that the big riot was triggered. At the beginning, it was just a protest, but later, it developed into assault and looting. Besides the black people, the illegal Mexican immigrants also participated in the riot. Thousands of shops in Los Angeles were looted and burned down. Dozens of people were killed. Even San Francisco, Seattle, and Atlanta were affected by the riot.

Also during the period of Rodney King’s case, a 15-year-old black girl stole things in a supermarket owned by Koreans in Los Angeles, but her theft was discovered by the Korean proprietress, who was knocked to the ground by the black girl. When the black girl was leaving the store, she was killed by the Korean proprietress with a gun from behind. At last, the Korean proprietress’s behavior was identified as being legitimate defense by the court, and she was only sentenced to a fine of USD 500 and 400 hours of community service.

The local black people were irritated by this case as well. Maybe they had tasted the sweetness of looting shops, but whatever the reason, the black people and Mexicans assaulted the Korean Town in Los Angeles, but LAPD chose to do nothing, instead indulged in allowing the looting. Soon the Korean Town was in anarchy.

However, to the surprise of the whole United States, the Koreans were quite unified. They picked up guns to protect their properties. The unarmed Koreans lined up to buy guns in the gun stores. Someone even managed to obtain the M16 military assault rifles and 12mm shotguns. In the Korean Town, over 70% of the Koreans were armed. Even the Korean students from the universities in Los Angeles picked up pistols to join the defense of the Korean Town.

This was just like the real-life version of the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. One side was garrisoning the house with guns, but the other side had just landed, and was planning to attack the house bare-handed. As a result, the black people and Mexicans suffered serious casualties during the assault of the Korean Town. And the black people kept a distance from the Korean Town long after the assault.

The Claude Brothers’ father was killed in this assault.

…

“Joe, David, I bring you something good today. See, the training video of the Adidas Basketball Training Camp!” Alan waved his cellphone and said, “Later, let’s practice according to the instructions in the video.”

“OK, boss, but before that, you have to accept the challenge from Sanders,” David said.

“Sanders has been defeated by me so many times, yet he still refuses to give up?” Alan asked in surprise.

“I’ve heard he got an external assistance, the Street Basketball King of Sacramento, goes by the name of Morris!” As David said this, he checked the time and then said, “They will be here in roughly half an hour.”

“Fine! If they come here to give me money, I can’t reject them. Give me the ball, I will warm up first.” After finishing his words, Alan turned around and said to Dai Li, “Li, later I will invite you to enjoy a good show, and just see how I will defeat them easily.”

…

In despair, Morris was watching Alan, who was standing in front of him. Morris was regarded as the Street Basketball King of Sacramento. He was a minor celebrity in Sacramento. He even opened a basketball training camp to teach a lot of kids to play basketball. However, today Morris felt he was so feeble in front of Alan.

Too fast! He is moving too fast! He could dribble past me easily, with just one crossover. Is he really a high school student?

Although Morris was reluctant accept the result, the fact was that he was defeated by a high school student in this street basketball one-on-one match.

“Sanders, you lost again!” Alan stretched out his hand to a black man.

“Damn it! God damn it! You are a monster! You shouldn’t be here. You should play in an NBA game in the Staples Center.” The black man, whose name was Sanders, drew out two hundred dollar bills from his inner pocket and handed them to Alan.

Alan handed one of the “Franklins” to the Claude Brothers, and kept the other one. Now Dai Li realized that both sides had made a bet on this match.

“Haha, Sanders, I’ve told you, our boss could defeat whoever was invited by you, even a professional player,” Joe Claude said.

Beside him, David Claude also spoke in support of his brother, “Our boss will be an NBA superstar in the future!”

An NBA superstar? Maybe it is really possible. Dai Li cupped his chin with his hand. Now he was very happy, just like a headhunter who had spotted a good employee.

To coach an athlete of grade S gift must be very interesting!

Chapter 262: Forge the Scoring Machine

In the shabby training ground, Alan Hampton was practicing by simulating the content of the video with training equipment that was even shabbier. Beside him, Dai Li kept shaking his head. From the point of view of a coach, Alan’s behavior was nothing but aimless training.

“You won’t benefit from training like this,” Dai Li said suddenly.

“Why?” Alan stopped, wiped the sweat from his forehead, then continued to say, “Although our training equipment is very shabby, Joe and David are also not professional sparring partners. My training is exactly the same as the content of the video you recorded. I didn’t slack off.”

“I know, but you don’t understand the meaning of these training programs that were set up in the Adidas Basketball Training Camp. Do you think this training camp is established to help the player in enhancing their levels?” Dai Li said.

“Isn’t it?” Alan asked back.

“Of course not.” Dai Li shook his head, “The training programs set up in the training camp are to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of the players to the audiences as much as possible, including the scouts, the coaches, and the correspondents.”

Alan was not clumsy, so he figured it out immediately.

“I understand now. It’s more of a talent show, designed to check the skills of the players to facilitate the selection of the coaches and scouts. However, no one could see my training here. So, it’s meaningless, right?” Alan asked gloomily.

“Right. It’s useless for you to practice according to the content of the video, for no coach or scout could see it, and they don’t know how outstanding you are. Therefore, you need a training plan that is more suitable for you,” Dai Li said.

“I know, but I don’t have money, and I can’t afford one-on-one guidance by a coach.” Alan’s eyes were dimmed.

“Don’t forget I am a coach!” Dai Li shook his index finger, “And I’m free of charge!”

“Li, are you willing to help me?” Alan was getting a little bit excited.

Dai Li nodded, “At least I could help you in your training in the next 10 days.”

“Thank you!” Alan was moved.

Dai Li continued to say, “However, I am not a professional basketball coach, so I can’t give you any advice in basketball tactics. Also, my help will be very limited in your basketball techniques, but I am pretty good at physical training. With my help, you could run faster, jump higher, and get stronger. “

With the help of the detector, Dai Li had long known the advantages and disadvantages of Alan, including the defects in his techniques. However, Dai Li was not a professional basketball coach.

Maybe he was even not as good as Alan in the basketball techniques. What Dai Li could do, was just to point out the technique defects of the basketball players, but he couldn’t find a way to help them in rectifying those defects.

Before when Dai Li was coaching the sprinters, he could prepare a detailed training plan, according to the defects of the athletes in order to help them improve. All these skills and knowledge were acquired by Dai Li from Li Xue, but he could not use these skills and knowledge in the basketball training.

For example, the detector indicated that one player’s defect was instability in his center of gravity during shooting. Dai Li could point out this defect, but he didn’t know the training method to rectify this defect for the player, as he was not a professional basketball coach, and his knowledge in basketball training was insufficient.

Of course, it was natural that, compared to the first-rate basketball coach, Dai Li’s basketball knowledge was insufficient. In the face of an NBA coach, Dai Li was just an elementary school pupil.

In the face of a first-rate basketball player, only a professional basketball coach could be qualified for the coaching. However, it was quite satisfactory for Alan to now have a presentable coach who was willing to help him.

…

Dai Li walked to Alan and said, “According to my observation, you are not just a point guard, but are more of a combo guard. In fact, according to my opinion, it is more cost-effective for you to score directly, than pass the ball to others.”

“Your greatest advantages are agility and athletic ability. Therefore, although you are not very tall, your defense is pretty good, which is quite oppressive to opponents. Also, noticed you are really good at stealing.”

“But your shooting is very unstable. I haven’t seen you shooting three-pointers. Your field goal percentage is also not high. I noticed your shooting is always hasty, as if you are worrying that your shots could be blocked, right?”

Alan nodded, “Actually I am not good at shooting three-pointers, and I am planning to improve that.”

“That’s not necessary, at least for your current stage. You could practice your three-pointer technique when you are at university.” Dai Li paused a bit and continued to say, “Now, your priority target is to find a university which could offer you a scholarship. You need to impress the basketball coaches of the universities, so you should give a full display of your advantage.”

“Advantage? You mean my speed?” Alan asked.

“Yes, your speed! Just use your speed to get to the basket and score through layup, or draw fouls, or pass your opponent with your speed and shoot a fadeaway. This is the scoring method most suitable for you. The point is, that you should enhance your field goal percentage. In other words, improve your field goal percentage with your speed.”

“As for other aspects, such as passing, I think that, for now, you could neglect it temporarily. I know you have acquired the technique of passing the ball. However, there are a lot of guards who know the passing ball technique among your peers, so the scouts and coaches really have many options. Therefore, you should tell those university coaches that you are a scoring machine!”

“But I am a point guard. If I only focus on scoring, I will be a shooting guard, right? And I am too short to be a shooting guard,” Alan said.

Dai Li smiled, “Have you ever analyzed about which scoring probability is higher, whether it be passing the ball to your teammates, or the directly doing a layup by yourself?”

“For this…” after pondering it for a while, Alan felt what Dai Li said was reasonable. In his high school days, when he passed the ball to his teammates, his teammates might miss the hoop. On the other hand, the opposing defensive players couldn’t stop Alan from shooting a layup by himself.

“Alan, your body is your most powerful weapon. No one is as strong as you, and no one could be faster than you. What you need to do is just use your strong body and fast speed to the utmost advantage, which means to give a full display of your weapon,” Dai Li continued to say.

“I got you.” Alan nodded, “Thank you, Li. Thank you for your help!”

…

Dai Li prepared a training plan according to Alan’s characteristics, which focused on enhancing Alan’s body stability when he was in physical contact with other players.

Dai Li planned to forge Alan into another top-notch driver. However, Alan was less than 1.8m tall, and he would definitely face fierce physical contact when he got to the basket. Therefore, his body stability was crucial. Even though he couldn’t win in the physical contact arena, he could still score through layups, as long as he could keep his balance, or draw fouls directly from the opposing inside players.

Dai Li didn’t formulate any training plan to rectify Alan’s defects, like his unstable shooting. Dai Li almost knew nothing about the basketball techniques. Also, his time was very limited. In the daytime, Dai Li would perform observation and continue learning in the AP Training Center. He could only instruct Alan’s training in the evenings.

During the training, Dai Li also sensed the advantage of coaching an athlete with the grade S gift, which was the rapid accumulation of a wealth of experience. Before, when Dai Li was in the Beikou Training Center, although Feixiang Lin was also an athlete with the grade S gift, Dai Li was just assisting the training of Feixiang Lin, so he was a high-level handyman at most. But now, Dai Li was the head coach of Alan, who could dominate Alan’s training, so his experience accumulation was more rapid than in his days spent in the Beikou Training Center.

Soon, over one week had passed. Alan had achieved remarkable progress. His journey to becoming a “scoring machine” had become smoother and smoother.

Chapter 263: Children of The Poor

In the afternoon, Alan came to pick up Dai Li to take him to his training ground as usual. Without Alan, Dai Li wouldn’t dare enter that black neighborhood alone.

However, Alan was a little bit depressed today.

“Alan, what’s wrong? Are you sick? You look quite depressed,” Dai Li asked.

“Li, I have to leave Los Angeles in a few days,” Alan said.

“Are you going back to Virginia?” Dai Li continued to ask, “Is something wrong with your university application?”

Alan nodded, “My mom went to some really good universities in Los Angeles, but none of those universities were interested in me. They even refused to give me a chance to tryout.”

“Then what are you going to do?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“I will go back to the east coast, and try my luck in Massachusetts by checking whether a second-rate university would offer me a scholarship.” Alan sighed and continued to say, “Let’s change the topic. Come with me, let’s go shopping in a mall now, for it will be closed if we get there too late.”

“What do you want to buy? Are there discounts or special sales happening?” Dai Li asked.

Dai Li had stayed in the United States for several days, so he had more or less known something about the American culture. A lot of the Americans’ consumption was quite rational.

For most Americans, they preferred to go shopping during the discount season. A shopping mall with a sales promotion was always attractive for many consumers. During the Christmas promotions, like the “Black Friday” sales, many Americans would buy commodities for the next few months, or even a year in advance, taking advantage of those times when the prices were pretty low.

“No discounts.” Alan continued to say, “I want to buy a Barbie doll set.”

“Barbie doll? Isn’t that for girls?” Dai Li didn’t expect Alan had taste like this.

“Don’t jump to conclusions! I’m going to buy it for my younger sister. I have promised to bring a gift to her,” Alan said.

“You have a younger sister? I have never heard you mention that,” Dai Li asked in surprise.

Alan nodded, then he took out his cellphone and found a picture. In the picture, a girl, about 15 or 16, was standing on the left of Alan, holding a little girl aged 3 or 4 years old in her arms.

“This is my younger sister Brandy, she has just started her high school years, and beside her is my youngest sister Lisa, who is only 4 this year. I’ll buy the Barbie doll for her,” Alan explained.

“She is very cute,” Dai Li praised.

“She is also very miserable, for she is suffering from congenital heart disease,” Alan shared, melancholy showing in his eyes.

Dai Li pondered this news for a while, before figuring out the meaning of the term “congenital heart disease”.

Then Dai Li asked, “It’s very difficult to treat this disease, right?”

“Yes. The doctor told me Lisa could only live less than 20 years, unless she undergoes a surgery.” Alan clenched his fists in agony.

Alan let out a long sigh, and continued, “When my mother conceived me, she was only 15. Shortly after my birth, my biological father left us. Later, my mother got married to my foster father, then she gave birth to my two younger sisters.”

Dai Li nodded, for this was quite common in the United States, especially in the black population.

“My foster father is a good man. He really wanted to support the family. However, he failed to get a stable job because of his criminal record of drug trafficking and frequent imprisonment. My mother had to do all kinds of part-time jobs. The place we lived was really terrible. We couldn’t afford to pay the electric bill, so our power was cut off quite frequently. We couldn’t afford to buy enough food either, so we were always hungry. We couldn’t afford to pay the water bill, so so sometimes we even didn’t have drinking water. We even used to get thrown out by the landlords, having to spend the night in the streets because we couldn’t afford to pay the rent.”

Dai Li nodded. He had read some reports about the ghetto. It was conceivable that Alan really had experienced so many hardships in his childhood.

“My youngest sister Lisa grew up in poor health. She was diagnosed with congenital heart disease not long ago. Lisa doesn’t have medical insurance. We can’t afford the medical insurance, as well as Lisa’s surgical fee,” Alan said in a very low voice, then continued, “Moreover, Lisa is very young, the surgery success rate will be higher if her surgery is performed by an expert from a high-end medical center, which is very expensive.”

In the United States, without medical insurance, the treatment of a minor illness could also be a heavy burden; but many poor families in the United States couldn’t afford the medical insurance.

The prescription drugs, examination fees, and surgery fee in the United States were strikingly expensive. A routine blood test would cost over 100 American dollars. An ambulance call would cost over 1,000. An appendectomy in the hospital would be followed by a bill of 40,000 or 50,000. It was quite normal to spend over RMB 100,000 for a caesarean section. Therefore, ordinary wage-earners really couldn’t afford the medical costs without the medical insurance.

What makes things worse, was that some Americans didn’t have the habit of saving money. They had gotten used to using credit cards to buy commodities, expensive or inexpensive. They always spent the money for tomorrow today. Therefore, a sudden illness might cause bankruptcy directly.

In the United State, if you wanted to see a doctor in a public hospital, the only thing you could do was to wait. The medical costs in the public hospitals were low, but you had to make appointments for a most common examination 2 or 3 months in advance. As time went by, the patients’ illnesses might worsen, or the patients might even have recovered by themselves.

It was also very normal for a patient who needed emergency treatment to be ignored for a night, the doctors only having the resources or manpower at that moment to deal with the patients who were critically ill. Back to China, if a registration is made in the morning, the patient could receive treatment in the same day, and if an examination was performed that day, the patient could get the result the very following day.

Sometimes, the patients who suffered from some chronic diseases could get treatment in the emergency center of a hospital. All these things were totally impossible in the public hospitals of the United States.

Furthermore, all high-level doctors of the United States were working in the private hospitals. Many medical centers, which could perform medical research, would always be flooded with ace doctors.

Therefore, the doctors in the private hospitals were more competent than the doctors in the public hospitals, but the medical cost in the private hospitals was much higher. In a private hospital, as long as you could pay, you could receive the treatment in the same day.

The medical cost in the United States’ private hospitals could also be reimbursed, all of which depended on the insurances the patient had. The insurance companies had signed contracts with the hospitals. Patients who had expensive insurances might even enjoy VIP treatment in the top-level private hospitals.

Alan continued to say, “Lisa doesn’t have medical insurance. If she has to receive a surgery, the surgery will cost us around 1 million American dollars. Normally we could never make so much money, so the only route to take is that I could be a professional player, either in the NFL or NBA. As long as I could be a star player, I could earn enough money to pay Lisa’s surgery fee. Otherwise, Lisa will die…”

“I was really stupid then. If I hadn’t gotten in that fight, maybe I would still have had the chance to be a player in the NFL, and could have continued to play football. Then maybe the university coaches wouldn’t have refused me like they are now, and I would have found a good university that could offer me a scholarship…What I have done was really stupid!” Alan shook his head and said, “So, I swear, I will never get into a fight in the future!”

Chapter 264: The Opportunity Came Up

Dai Li was moved by Alan’s experience. He was even surprised after hearing that the surgery fee needed by Alan’s youngest sister was almost 1 million American dollars.

What Alan mentioned was a lot of US dollars! Dai Li knew the surgery for congenital heart disease was very expensive. In China, it would cost anywhere between 100 thousand Yuan to a few hundred thousand Yuan. By contrast, 1 million dollars was really an astronomical sum.

In the United States, a guy who could earn 50,000 to 80,000 dollars was regarded as being in the middle class. Therefore, the middle class in the United States still needed to save money for nearly 20 years, without eating or drinking anything beside the bare minimums, before they could finally accumulate 1 million dollars. As for the low-income group and poor people, it was impossible for them to earn 1 million dollars. Hence, the only way Alan could save his youngest sister was to play hard and become an NBA star player.

“Alan, in case you can’t find an appropriate university in the United States, have you ever considered playing in a foreign league? For example, you may go to Europe. Many NBA players used to earn money in Europe. The salary of the European leagues may be lower than that of NBA, as it is very difficult to sign a contract of 100 million American dollars with the clubs. But it is still possible for you to earn 1 million dollars in Europe,” Dai Li said.

“I have considered that, but now I am on parole, so I am not allowed to leave the United States according to the parole regulation. Now, I can only stay in the United States.” Alan let out a long sigh.

Dai Li nodded. Now, if Alan wanted to be a star player, the only way for him to do so was to be admitted by a University, and then to participate in the draft of the NBA. However, it seemed that the only way out had been obstructed.

“Alan, just don’t give up, maybe we still have other opportunities.” Dai Li continued to say, “Even if we don’t, we could still create opportunities!”

…

The Adidas Basketball Training Camp was drawing to an end. A match would be held on the last day of the training camp, which was more of a stage for the players to show their talents than a pure match.

Compared to the normal training days of the camp, which had the presence of scattered scouts or university coaches, the match held on the last day would attract more attention, with all coaches of the famous universities in California attending. Even some coaches, who were studying in the eastern United States, would fly directly to Los Angeles to take a closer look at their favorite players.

This was just like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. A long preparation period was needed. During the preparation period, the media would release all kinds of news to evoke people’s expectations and anticipation. On the last day, the whole fashion world would flock to the show, while the long-legged models showed their most beautiful sides on the catwalk.

…

David Mills, the person responsible for running the AP Training Center, was carefully checking a name list in his hands, looking for any possible missing names. The contents of the name list were the names of the coaches of famous universities, scouts of NBA teams, and famous basketball correspondents.

The AP Training Center had invited everyone listed in the name list. Mills hoped these people could come and watch the last match, and if they did, their travel costs and accommodations would be undertaken by the AP Center.

This kind of basketball training camp was essentially a stage play, which would be meaningless if they only had performers. Hence, the audience was also needed. The coaches of the famous universities and the NBA scouts were apparently the most adoring audiences. A news report from a famous basketball correspondent would enhance the level of the training camp remarkably.

Just at this moment, the secretary knocked at the door and entered.

“Mr. Mills, a Mr. Li wants to see you. He is a member of the foreign delegation,” the secretary said.

“Mr. Li? OK, just let him in,” Mills said.

Dozens of seconds later, Dai Li entered the office of Mills.

“I am really sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Mills. My name is Dai Li.” Dai Li first introduced himself.

“Hello, Mr. Li, what can I do for you?” Mills continued to say, “If possible, I hope you could make this short. My time is quite precious.”

“OK, I was hoping you could give an opportunity to Alan Hampton.” Dai Li brought out his purpose directly.

“Alan Hampton, I have heard this name somewhere.” Mills was pondering with knitted brows.

“He is the high school student from Virginia,” Dai Li said immediately.

“I got it, the bad boy! He missed our training camp. For that, his mother used to come to me on his behalf as well.” Mills did a double take, then he said, “Mr. Li, don’t you think it is too late for you to come to me now? Our training camp is about to end. You should have come to me at least 10 days ago, if you wanted to intercede for that bad boy.”

“Mr. Mills, you misunderstood me. I hope you could give Alan Hampton an opportunity to play in the match held on the last day,” Dai Li said.

“Mr. Li, did I just hear that right? Alan Hampton didn’t participate in our training camp, so how could he play in the match held on the last day?” Mills said, shaking his head.

“Mr. Mills, please don’t refuse me so fast. My proposal will be very beneficial to the AP Training Center,” Dai Li said.

“We could benefit from your proposal? OK, I am interested now.” Finally Mills sat up straight, folded his arms, and pricked up his ears.

Dai Li asked, “First, I want to know, how much do you know about Alan Hampton?”

“I’ve heard about him, that he is a genius player, and a double star player of football and basketball from Virginia. It is hardly overestimating to address him as the No.1 high school player in Virginia.” Mills continued to say, “But, I also heard he got into some trouble outside the basketball court. I’ve heard that he was involved in a fight and received a jail sentence.”

“But he is gifted indeed. If he had a clean record, he would be the most sought after high school player this year, right?” Dai Li said.

Mills nodded. He didn’t deny that.

Dai Li continued to say, “Mr. Mills, I remember you used to say that your training camp was established for the players to show their talents, right?”

“This is what our sponsors expect to see. Of course we should meet the requirements of our customers.” Mills didn’t answer the question directly, which could be viewed as his agreeing with Li.

“So, Alan Hampton’s participation in the match held on the last day could be viewed as one more player showing his talent, and one more option for the scouts and coaches to choose among. However, the AP Training Center didn’t invest any training resources in him. What you need to invest is just several minutes’ showtime for him. Therefore, it is almost a zero cost investment for you.”

“In case Alan Hampton is selected by a coach of a famous university, or an NBA scout, or were to be written about in a well-known basketball column by a correspondent, it will undoubtedly be good publicity for the AP Training Center. To win this type of surefire lottery, with zero cost, would you like to have a try, Mr. Mills?”

Dai Li prepared this rhetoric yesterday, then modified it with translation software for several times, before keeping it memorized in his heart. Therefore, he could say it smoothly in front of Mills today.

Mills was absorbed in thought. From the perspective of a businessman, what Dai Li said was quite reasonable, especially the last sentence, “To win a lottery with zero cost”, really impressed him. This was quite like taking a walk after dinner. If you could find money on the road, you are lucky, or if you didn’t find any money on the road, you have still lost nothing.

“Mr. Li, I am convinced by you,” Mills finally said. “I will inform Coach Hyde to give 5 minutes to Alan Hampton. I hope he can put up a good show.”

After hearing Mills’ reply, Dai Li clenched his fists in triumph. He knew the opportunity for Alan had come!

Chapter 265: A Convergence of Celebrities

On the last day of the basketball training camp, a test match would be held.

“Li, thank you! Without you, I would have come back to Virginia,” Alan said sincerely.

Dai Li patted Alan on his shoulder, “OK, don’t think too much. Later, just play well in the court. Today, a lot of basketball celebrities will watch this match. You only have 5 minutes, so don’t waste your time with unnecessary things. Just try to demonstrate your advantage as much as possible. Show them your speed, your strength, and your scoring ability. Make them see that you are unstoppable on this court!”

“I will!” Alan said, his eyes filled with resolute fighting will.

Some people, who were familiar to the Americans, had been seated in the front seats of the court, where the scorching eyes of the players participating in the match were focused.

“Oh, look! Coach Alford of UCLA and Coach Babe of University of Southern California are over there! They are really here!”

“That’s for sure. They are local coaches from California, so they will definitely come. See that gray-bearded black person over there? That’s Coach Thompson of Georgetown University.”

“There’s more. Coach Wright of University of North Carolina is also here. He is the best coach in the NCAA, who is good at small-ball tactics, which suits me very well.”

“The head coach of Duke University didn’t come. They sent their deputy head Coach Frye instead.”

“No need to tell me. It’s extremely difficult to enter Duke University. Even the top-notch high school players might not be lucky enough to get a basketball scholarship to Duke University.”

“Look! That man should be Reed, the scout of the Los Angeles Lakers!”

“It’s really him! My Gosh! Even the scout of the Lakers has arrived. As such a great club in the NBA, do they also pay close attention to the high school basketball training camp?”

No wonder this is the Adidas Basketball Training Camp! It could even attract the scouts of NBA giants! Today I shall do my best, and will hope Reed could write a nifty scout report about me!

“The one over there with brown hair, who wears a suit and tie, is the famous basketball correspondent Zach! I’ve heard many basketball professionals are readers of his column. I have seen him many times in the interviews of the legendary star players.”

“He turned out to really be the basketball correspondent Zach! The coach of my high school team has been following his column for 10 years.”

“Yes! There are readers of Zach’s basketball column all across the United States. If you could appear in his column, the whole United States would know your name!”

The appearance of the celebrities caused great excitement among these high school players. This was the exclusive effect of the top level basketball training camp. These celebrities would ignore the invitations of the ordinary training camps, even the camps that agreed to pay them for their presence.

…

These coaches were familiar with each other, for they were coaches of the famous universities, and had met each other in the NCAA matches many times before. The NBA scouts were more familiar with the coaches of the universities, for universities were the main talent pool of NBA.

The coaches of the universities also hoped their apprentices could play in the NBA. Sometimes, the coaches of the universities would recommend their apprentices to the NBA scouts.

As for that Zach, who was the correspondent of the basketball column, he was the acquaintance of all these coaches, who had been interviewed by him before. Some coaches had known Zach for over 10 years.

The meeting of the acquaintances would always give out competitive sparks, let alone between some coaches from the teams which were “sworn enemies” of each other. For example, there was the rivalry between UCLA and University of Southern California, which were not only in the same state, but also in the same city, as well as that present between Duke University and University of North Carolina, which were also in the same state as one another. These teams were equally matched, and thus, rivaled each other naturally.

Coach Alford of UCLA didn’t see eye to eye with Coach Babe of University of Southern California. Coach Wright of University of North Carolina just ignored the Deputy Head Coach Frye of Duke University, and started to talk with Coach Thompson of Georgetown University.

“Thompson, I know Georgetown University is used to cultivating big players. So this year, you’ve come for that big guy, right? He is a little bit skinny, but his wingspan is quite good, which suits you very well,” Wright said.

“I’ve heard he has been admitted by University of Massachusetts, which offered him a pretty good scholarship. We are no match for them in this aspect.” Thompson shook his head and said, “As for you, your team needs an offensive guard, right? That Steve looks pretty good.”

“Steve, the “Son of New York”! Yes, I came for him. We need an offensive guard. I am very optimistic about him. He will definitely enter the NBA lottery pick. With him, we will certainly overpower Duke University!” Wright said without concealment.

“Yes, indeed he has a lot of potential. If the NBA also allows the high school players to participate in the draft, I guess he will appear on the scene of this year’s draft. Moreover, with his gift, his rank won’t be low, maybe he will be selected by the Knicks with the preferential draft pick,” Thompson said. He knew a lot of coaches on the scene were coming for this “Son of New York”.

…

At the same time, the “Son of New York” Steve was sitting on the sidelines, enjoying the attention from many people. From afar, Coach Hyde brought a player onto the court.

“Now you sit here. Later, when it is your turn to play, I will call you,” Coach Hyde said as he pointed at a bench.

Steve turned around, finding that he knew the newcomer.

“Hampton!” Steve shouted in surprise.

“Steve!” Alan also recognized Steve.

They knew each other, because both of them were guards and of about the same age. One of them was from New York, while the other was from Virginia. Their places of origin were along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and not too far away from one another. In addition, both of them were frequently mentioned at the same time, even in the arguments on which of them was the No. 1 high school player in the eastern United States.

However, Steve knew he was no match for Alan. Steve accomplished his current achievement by focusing all his energy on basketball. Alan played basketball and football concurrently, which meant Alan achieved the same accomplishment as Steve, but with undivided energy.

Why is Hampton here? I haven’t seen him in the previous trainings…with knitted brows, Steve had realized today’s match might not be as smooth as he had expected.

…

“Is he Alan Hampton from Virginia? He doesn’t seem to be very tall, I’m guessing he is under six feet.”

“Be careful! He is a dangerous guy! Have you heard about that group fight he was involved in? Over 20 people were hospitalized because of serious injuries. We should keep a distance from him!”

“I know, that case even got to the Supreme Court.”

“Could you tell me which one is stronger, Hampton or Steve?”

“I don’t know, but today we will know the answer. Both of them will compete with each other in this match. If I were Coach Hyde, I would definitely put them on the two opposing teams respectively.”

While the rest of the players were still talking, Alan lowered his head and recalled the trainings and instructions of Dai Li in recent days, silently.

…

The whistle to start the match was blown. Alan was not included in the starting lineup, so he had to sit on the bench as a substitute.

This was a test match, which was different from an official match. A player could be assigned to team A during his first appearance, then he would be assigned to team B during his second appearance. Also, there was no pause during the match. One short break would be arranged for each 20 minutes long match.

Therefore, the most important issue was not the result of the match, but the skills and performance of the players. During the first 20 minutes, Coach Hyde seemed to have forgotten Alan. He kept changing the players, but never called the name of Alan. After all, Alan didn’t participate in the previous trainings, so Coach Hyde would naturally give priority to other players.

Alan was a little bit anxious, just sitting around and watching others playing hard in the court. The second 20 minutes had half-past, and all the rest of the players had made their appearances. Finally, Coach Hyde remembered Alan.

“Hampton, warm up yourself, and prepare for your appearance.”

Chapter 266: Here Comes the Scoring Machine

“That Steve is pretty good. He has the potential to be a top-notch guard. I guess he is good enough to play in the NBA,” as Zach said this, he wrote down something in his notebook.

Steve’s heart would dance with delight, if he knew of Zach’s comments about him. In the draft period, this exact comment from Zach would raise Steve’s ranking in the draft pick.

After finishing his note-taking, Zach looked up and saw a figure get to the basket and score through a layup, while the opposing defensive player didn’t make any defensive action, as if he had been nailed on the floor. The big guy under the basket, who was responsible for the ball recovery, was also looking at the basket blankly, as if he hadn’t come to himself yet after that layup.

What happened just now? Did the defenders zone out? As Zach thought of it, he fixed his eyes on Alan Hampton, who had just scored that layup.

…

Alan looked around and found that all faces were so strange to him. For the rest of the players, Alan was also a stranger. These players had stayed in the training camp for over 10 days, and had gotten to know each other very well. Therefore, for them, Alan was a “newcomer”.

However, the ball was returned to Alan again, as he was the point guard, who should launch the attack of his team. Alan walked past the half court with the ball, and kept observing the positions of the opposing defenders.

They have such a big loophole in their defense. I should be able to rush to the basket directly. Alan made a judgment in his mind.

Also at this moment, the defender on Alan ran up slowly. To Alan, this player was indeed very slow.

Beside Alan, one teammate was in a good position, so he waved to Alan and shouted, “Newcomer, pass me the ball!”

Just at this moment, Alan started to move. A figure just rushed to the basket and scored through layup in a wink.

He dribbled past me! When that defender was still wondering how Alan dribbled past him with one move, he heard the sound of the friction between the ball and the net in the hoop.

The big player, who was responsible for the inside defense, was also looking at Alan with wide eyes. Just now, when he found Alan’s breakthrough, he planned to fill in. However, before the movement of his body, Alan had gotten to the basket, which meant that Alan’s layup was a lot faster than the reaction of his body.

This little guy is really fast!

…

In the first row of the spectator area, Wright shook his head and said, “It was not a good offensive option, as his teammate was apparently in a better offensive position. He should have passed the ball.”

Coach Wright, of the basketball team of University of North Carolina, was the most skillful coach, who was the very best at small-ball tactics in the NCAA. Compared to other coaches, he was more skillful in using the guards.

“But he scored at last, what an impressive breakthrough!” Thompson, who was beside Wright, said.

Wright didn’t contradict Thompson. Thompson was the coach of the basketball team of Georgetown University, of which the tactics were based on big players. They preferred to use the center. In its history, Georgetown University used to have centers of NBA Hall of Fame level. Therefore, for Wright, to discuss the usage of guards with Thompson, was nothing but playing the lute to a cow.

The two coaches continued to watch the match. The player who had just been dribbled past by Alan was eager to save face, so he kept focused on the ball, hoping to dribble past Alan.

He was nearly 10 cm taller than Alan. To him, Alan was just a dwarf. He believed he could easily get rid of Alan through his physical advantage.

However, the tough defense of Alan gave him a good lesson. Also Alan’s tackling ability went beyond his expectation.

In Alan’s senior year, he could realize 3.4 steals per game, which ranked second among all high school students in the United States. So, a player who ignored Alan’s tackling would bring disgrace on himself.

When Alan was in close marking defense, he poked the ball with his hand suddenly, sending the ball out of the control of his opponent. Immediately after that, Alan rushed out and retained the ball. Without a break, he rushed directly to the basket of the opposing team.

He ran so fast, and left his opponents in the dust as always. Those defenders, who were getting back to defend, could not catch up with Alan, even though they did their best to run fast enough.

“He is so fast!”

At this moment, all eyes in the arena were fixed on Alan.

“He is holding the ball, and his opponents can’t catch up with him! Could the dribbling be faster than the off-the-ball running?”

“So fast! He is even as good as the top-notch NBA guards! “

“Who is this guy? I haven’t seen him before.”

Everyone stared on, commenting in amazement.

…

Score, score, score again!

Alan rushed to the basket and scored through layup, or drew fouls on the defenders and then made free throws, or dribbled past the defender and shot a fadeaway. Alan had officially started his stunning performance. Now Alan had been turned into a scoring machine, according to Dai Li’s plan, and started to score crazily.

As long as the ball was passed to Alan, he would definitely attack by himself, without passing the ball out. However, all his offenses were effective through scoring, drawing fouls on the opposing defenders, or causing a three-point play.

As for the rest of the players on the court, although they were also high school students, in front of Alan, their levels were much lower. Though they were not as fragile as the elementary school students, they had never been able to pose a substantive threat to Alan, as Alan’s attack would always open up the defense of the opposing team, no matter what defense formation they used.

“The gap is too great!” someone in the spectator area couldn’t help exclaiming.

…

Alan knew he only has 5 minutes, so he needed to do his best to prove himself in those 5 minutes. So in those 5 minutes, Alan scored 21 points alone. Most spectators on the scene were all convinced by Alan’s remarkable performance.

“The boy is pretty good, but he is just too “selfish”. He always attacks by himself, and never passes the ball to his teammates. He has no team spirit at all.” Coach Babe of University of Southern California gave his comments.

“But he scored 21 points! This is a perfect performance. I guess he could score at least 10 points in each game, if he could play in NBA,” Coach Alford of UCLA contradicted him immediately. “If he passed the ball to his teammates, his teammates might not score so many points. Moreover, he has drawn many fouls from the opposing inside players. The big player standing in front of him has fouled three times in 5 minutes.”

“OK, gentlemen, stop discussing.” Reed, the scout of Los Angeles Lakers, stopped their argument, then asked, “Could anyone of you tell me who this brilliant boy is, please?”

The rest of the people looked at each other. After over 10 seconds, one person said, “I kind of recognize him. He is Alan Hampton, the No. 1 high school player in Virginia!”

“That Alan Hampton, who was jailed because of fighting?” Reed nodded, before continuing, “So it’s him…”

Chapter 267: A Great Young Man

The name of Alan Hampton was nothing new for the people. As the basketball and football champion of Virginia, Alan had been a star player in his high school years, so he deserved to be known by the public.

Actually, people were more impressed by his achievements in football. After all, the national sport of the United States was not basketball but football. The notoriety brought forth by football was much bigger than that of basketball. Moreover, Alan was regarded as the best quarterback of Virginia.

But now, when the name of Alan Hampton was mentioned, people would first think of that fight, which was sort of demonstrating the saying “evil news rides fast, while good news baits later”.

The coaches shook their heads, when they got to know that brilliant player in the court was Alan Hampton. A lot of coaches dissolved their idea of selecting Alan on the spot. Alan’s criminal record prevented the famous universities from offering him a scholarship, even though Alan was invincible on the court now.

…

Coach Hyde opened his mouth slightly, because of his amazement.

What a surprise! Alan Hampton is so strong. His offensive game has gone far beyond the level of high school students. Even the university players couldn’t stop him. This kind of sharp breakthrough could only be found in the NBA.

When Hyde was pondering all this, the assistant coach beside him reminded, “Coach Hyde, it’s been five minutes.”

“Five minutes?” Hyde had just remembered that Alan only got five minutes of show time.

Yes, it’s time to take him out. Hyde was a little bit reluctant to do so. Alan’s breakthrough was too amazing, so Hyde really wanted to enjoy it a little longer. At this moment, a staff member of the AP Center ran over in a hurry.

“Coach Hyde, Mr. Mills asked you to take Steve onto the court, assigning him to the opposing team of Hampton,” the staff member said.

“A confrontation between Steve and Hampton?” Coach Hyde looked towards the whereabouts of Mills, and happened to see Mills nodding to him, which meant that his command should be executed.

“OK, I will take Steve onto the court immediately.” Hyde nodded for agreement confirmation.

Coach Hyde could understand the plan of Mills. The confrontation between two ace players could promote the visually enjoyability of the match, especially if Alan and Steve were playing in the same position.

…

“Look, the ‘Son of New York’ Steve enters the court!”

“Both Steve and Hampton are point guards. Now they are on two opposing teams, so a fierce confrontation between them will definitely be staged. Now the match is more enjoyable!”

“Showtime! It’s time to test their real strength. Who could be stronger, the ‘Son of New York’ Steve or the ‘Double Champion of Virginia’ Hampton?”

“They should be the top two high school players in the eastern United States this year. Finally, they are confronting each other, and the winner will be the No.1 high school player of the eastern United States.”

“What a surprise! It’s lucky for us to enjoy the competition for the No. 1 high school player of the eastern United States in the Adidas Training Camp.”

The spectators were whispering in the spectator area, while the coaches, scouts, and correspondents, who sat in the front row, were watching the two gifted players with wide eyes. These basketball professionals knew that to defeat the rookies easily, could not demonstrate the real skills, which could only be shown during the competition between high level players.

…

Now Alan held the ball and prepared to attack. Steve hunched over and stared at Alan seriously.

I really didn’t expect I could compete with Hampton in this instance. He is very fast, and I am also not slow. Moreover, I am 7 to 8 cm taller than him, so I should have physical advantage. I must contain him! Previously, he always attacked by holding the ball himself, so I will also be the winner if I could force him to pass the ball to others. Steve’s thought raced through his mind.

In the next second, Alan started to move suddenly. He leaned forward.

He is coming! No, it’s a fake!

Steve took a step back directly, and stopped to move laterally to continue the close marking. Since Steve took a step back, Alan got the space to accelerate. Then Alan changed his direction suddenly, as he tried to dribble past Steve.

It’s indeed a fake!

Steve tried to cover in the moving direction of Alan. However, Alan made a sudden stop and changed his direction again.

It’s just a sudden stop and direction change! He may have more fakes!

Steve stepped back again, but this time Alan dashed forward directly. Steve was a half-step slow. It was too late for him to catch up. Alan dashed to the basket. Steve was running closely after Alan. Steve jumped up, trying to block Alan’s layup shot, but he slapped on Alan’s arm accidentally.

The referee blew the whistle immediately.

I fouled! Steve also realized that, as the whistle’s trill pierced the air.

However, to Steve’s surprise, although Alan was slapped by Steve, Alan didn’t lose his balance. Alan continued to shoot the layup in the air by throwing the ball to the hoop stably.

Woosh! The ball was thrown into the hoop. Alan finished a three-point play successfully!

At this moment, Dai Li’s training worked. He formulated a training plan for Alan to enhance Alan’s performance in body contact, so that Alan could still shoot the layup when he lost his balance. Therefore, Alan’s breakthrough and layup were more like “racketeering” tactics.

He was not afraid of body contact.

On the contrary, he strongly inclined to have body contact with his opponent. As long as he was fouled by his opponent, he would get two free throws. If he was lucky, he might even finish a three-point play.

…

Alan’s three-point play was successful, which also triggered a round of applause in the spectator area.

It is really a brilliant shot, especially at the final stage. When Hampton was fouled, he still managed to finish the layup. He is not very tall, but his performance in body contact is excellent. I’ve heard he is a genius. Now I think I underestimated him. He is really a great young man!

With his chin cupped in his hand, Thompson had remembered that Alan’s mother used to visit him several months ago, but he had refused her.

Maybe I made a mistake at that time. I’ve heard that the fighting that time was caused by the white people’s discrimination against the blacks.

Looking at Alan, who was running in the court, Thompson’s heart was filled with a wave of sympathy. Thompson was also a black person. As such, he had also experienced the feeling of being discriminated by others many times since his childhood.

If he hadn’t been involved in that fighting, he would have been the most sought after player among the famous universities.

As he thought of it, Thompson took a deep breath, the love of talent was surging in his heart.

If I made a mistake by refusing Hampton that day, let me correct that mistake today!

Chapter 268: Go Home

Alan continued his performance. Even the “Son of New York” Steve couldn’t stop him.

Alan played football and basketball concurrently in his high school days. He also won the championship of basketball and football in Virginia. At that time, Alan invested more stamina in football than basketball. His love of playing the quarterback in football was much more than that of performing as the guard in basketball. After all, it was quite normal to give priority to football in the United States.

Even though Alan invested most of his energy in football, he still accomplished remarkable achievements in basketball. Now, Alan had focused all his energy on basketball, so he was immediately turned into a star in the basketball court.

All coaches on the scene were impressed by Alan’s performance. However, Alan’s criminal record prevented the coaches from admitting him. Only a few coaches planned to give him a chance.

Coach Thompson of Georgetown University really appreciated Alan’s gift, but he also knew it was quite risky to offer a scholarship to Alan. If Alan could straighten up and fly right, and kept his nose clean, it would be a happy story.

But if Alan still got involved in fighting like before, he would definitely be punished. Thompson would then also suffer due to Alan’s behavior.

The test match was over. Thompson made up his mind finally.

I hope he will not fail me in the future. Thompson let out a long sigh. He decided to gamble on Alan, so he stood up and walked to Alan, to tell him the good news.

…

Alan ran to Dai Li feverishly.

“Li, we made it! Just now, Coach Thompson of Georgetown University came to me, saying that they will offer me a full scholarship!” Alan said exaggeratedly, as if he had found a great treasure.

As one of the top universities in the world, as well as the oldest university in the United States, Georgetown University was located in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. In fact, Georgetown University is only 2 miles away from the White House. Children of many foreign diplomats would choose it for this reason.

This university has also cultivated many politicians. Therefore, Georgetown University is for elites, and is regarded as the cradle of aristocrats.

Georgetown University has indeed cultivated many “aristocrats”, such as the Presidents, the Secretary of State, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Advisor, Leaders of the House of Representatives, Chairpersons of the Republican Party of the United States, the Crown Prince of Spain, the Prime Minister of Portuguese, the King of Jordan and the President of the Philippines, just to name a few. For people like Alan, who came from the ghetto and had criminal records, the admittance of Georgetown University was just like reaching the sky in a single bound. The gilded signboard of Georgetown University was sufficient to cover a shameful history.

“Congratulations!” Dai Li changed the subject and said, “The admittance to university is just the first step. You should work harder in the future to be a star player in the NBA and make a lot of money, so that you can then afford the treatment for your youngest sister. More importantly, never get into a fight again.”

“I will never get into a fight in the future,” Alan nodded and said solemnly.

…

The basketball training camp was over. The visiting group’s learning schedule in the United States was also drawing to an end. Two days later, Dai Li said goodbye to Alan and boarded the return flight.

Dai Li benefited a lot from this oversea learning trip. He visited the best sports training center in the world, and also got acquainted with Alan Hampton, who had become his friend.

Dai Li walked out of the passenger passage of Qingcheng International Airport, then he turned on his cellular phone and called his father to confirm his safe arrival. Beside him, other passengers who had just gotten off the plane also took out their cellular phones to make calls, sending short messages or Wechat messages.

After obtaining their luggage, the passengers walked out of the airport and waited for the coach bus. At this moment, Ping Wang, who was the head coach of the table tennis team, put down his cellphone, his expression quite serious.

“Song, please send my luggage back, I have to go to the hospital,” Ping Wang said to Guangming Song.

“What happened?” Guangming Song asked immediately.

“Mr. Ma of our team was injured in a car accident and now is hospitalized.” Ping Wang continued to say, “Just bring my luggage back to our team. I will come to the Director and ask for a leave.”

“Mr. Ma? The physical trainer of your team?” Guangming Song continued to ask.

“Yes, it’s him!” Ping Wang let out a sigh. “The National Table Tennis Tournament will start soon. It’s really bad luck for us to lose our physical trainer before the match.”

Guangming Song took over Ping Wang’s luggage, and said, “OK, just go to the hospital, I will bring your luggage back to your team.”

…

After returning from the United States, Dai Li had two days off before going back to the provincial track and field team. Dai Li was summoned to the office of Weidong Chu, when he had just returned to the provincial track and field team.

“Li, how was your holiday? Have you gotten over the jet lag yet?” Weidong Chu asked considerately.

“I have,” Dai Li said.

“How was your trip to the United States?” Weidong Chu asked casually.

“It was really an eye-opening trip for us in the United States.” As Dai Li said this, he took out a document and put it on the table in front of Weidong Chu, then continued, “Coach, I prepared a brief report of the trip.”

“OK, just leave it here. When you have time, prepare a PPT and show us everything you have seen and learned in the United States, so that we could also acquire some knowledge.” Weidong Chu placed Dai Li’s report aside, then said, “Li, I called you here for another issue. Three days ago, the physical trainer Ma of the table tennis team was injured in a car accident, and now is staying in the hospital. Have you heard this issue?”

“When I have just returned from the United States, I heard it in the airport. The Head Coach Ping Wang of the table tennis team went directly to the hospital to see him, after getting out of the plane,” Dai Li answered.

“Although Mr. Ma is just a physical trainer, he has been working in the table tennis team for many years. As the backbone of the team, he will need at least 2 or 3 months for the treatment of his fracture.” Weidong Chu continued to say, “The National Table Tennis Tournament is drawing near. Without Mr. Ma, the table tennis team will have problems in physical training. Ping Wang is so anxious, that he comes to the Director every day to ask for a replacement.”

“The National Table Tennis Tournament is also an important event. After all, table tennis is the national sport of our country. It is quite popular among the public. In recent days, the rise of the live webcast of sports events also enhances the young people’s concerns about table tennis. Therefore, the Provincial Sports Bureau has attached great importance in this National Table Tennis Tournament. The Director has commanded that all training teams of the sports team shall give their full support to the preparation of the table tennis team for the National Table Tennis Tournament.”

“Hence, the Sports Bureau has decided to transfer a physical trainer temporarily to the table tennis team, to act as the replacement of Mr. Ma from other training teams. The temporary transfer will be finished by the end of the National Table Tennis Tournament.” As Weidong Chu said this, he stared at Dai Li, then asked, “Li, I’ve heard you were a physical trainer of the weightlifting team, when you just joined our track and field team. Now, are you interested in acting as the physical trainer of the table tennis team?”

Chapter 269: Be an Official

Dai Li looked at Weidong Chu inexplicably.

During my recent stay in the United States, I didn’t make mistakes or cause offense to somebody, did I? My training level ranks the top in the track and field team, so Weidong Chu has no reason to throw me out. And Weidong Chu also doesn’t have limitless empathy to send me to make contributions to the table tennis team out of nowhere.

As Dai Li thought of these things, Weidong Chu made his explanation, “The physical trainer in the table tennis team is quite a cushy job, which is being chased by many coaches.”

“Is it a cushy job?” Dai Li asked questioningly.

Weidong Chu nodded, “The administrative rank of Mr. Ma is First Officer, and he is enjoying the treatment of the section chief rank. Now you should be able to understand, right? The Sports Bureau will give an administrative rank to the one who would replace Mr. Ma. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the replacement to do the job. Therefore, it is indeed a cushy job. You have been working in our provincial team for several years. I guess you will be promoted to Second Officer, if you could replace Mr. Ma temporarily.”

Second Officer! He is making me an official! Dai Li figured it out immediately.

In the cadre system of China, the first and second officers were not leading positions. Although they could also enjoy the treatment of the section chief rank, their functions and powers were definitely no match for that of the section chief and deputy section chief, who both held a leading position.

However, in the sports system, the second officer could be regarded as a low level official. Many coaches couldn’t be promoted to second officer in their whole life.

In the domestic sports system, the General Administration of Sport of China of the highest level was a minister-level unit. Although addressed as “Director”, the official-in-charge of the General Administration of Sport of China was indeed a minister-level official.

The administrative centers, which were affiliated to the General Administration of Sport of China, such as the Athletics Administrative Center, the Aquatics Administrative Center, and the Table Tennis Administrative Center, etc., were all department-level units. The principals of these administrative centers were addressed as “Director of XXX Administrative Center”, but they were indeed department-level officials, who had reached the level of national high ranking cadres. Their ranks were equivalent to the mayor of Prefecture-level city. Some ignorant people might think the principles of those sports administrative centers were just “low level directors”, by equating them with the workshop directors in enterprises.

In the provincial-level administrative system, the provincial sports bureau was a department-level unit. The training teams, which were affiliated to the provincial sports bureau, were normally division-level organizations. The head coach and deputy head coach of the training teams were division-level cadres and hold the leading positions.

However, the training teams were not administrative organizations with real powers. Therefore, under the division-level cadres, instead of setting section chief and deputy section chief, who held the leading positions, the first officer and second officer, who didn’t hold leading positions, were set.

Of course, there were also department-level cadres and division-level cadres, who didn’t hold leading positions. For instance, the “Inspector” was a department-level rank, while the “Investigator” was a division-level rank. In the system, these titles were prepared for cadres who were going to retire. The in-service cadres would not act as inspectors or investigators.

In the systems of science, education, culture, health and sport, the promotion of the officials was different than that of the administrative organization with real powers. It was very difficult for the frontline positions to get administrative promotions, such as the scientific research personnel, the teachers in schools, the doctors in hospitals and coaches in the sports bureaus, most of whom could not get an administrative rank.

Examples of this would be the famous doctors, who might be Directors of the hospital departments. Another example would be teachers in schools; the normal teachers didn’t have any administrative ranks. The president and vice president of the schools normally would not give lessons to the students for a whole year, and this was what the reality was.

Meanwhile, in the systems of science, education, culture, health and sport, the administrative ranks of the staff were relatively low. For example, the president of a county or district level key middle school might manage several hundred teachers and several thousand students, but the president was actually a section-level cadre. Imagine if the president of a school was just a section-level cadre, then how could the ordinary teachers be promoted as cadres?

The sports coaches were just the same. The possibility for ordinary coaches, who didn’t have the background of a famous athlete, to be promoted to an official, was just a little bit higher than zero.

After graduating from the university, Dai Li started his career as a coach. It had been years till now, but he still had no administrative rank. Dai Li also didn’t consider something like being an official in his life plan. After all, the possibility for the frontline coaches to development their official careers was very low, and required not only personal efforts and capabilities, but also good luck. Only very few lucky ones among the sports coaches might obtain some harvest in the official careers.

Now, it seemed Dai Li had a stroke of luck.

Mr. Ma was a first officer, so his replacement should not be an ordinary coach without any administrative rank. People who were in management positions without administrative ranks would have difficulty in work. Moreover, for this kind of temporary transfer, no one would like to go without some “bonus”. Otherwise, the replacement would not work hard, even if the replacement was assigned forcibly.

All training teams were more or less shorthanded, so the head coaches of the teams wouldn’t accept the temporary transfer easily. After all, it was a selfish era.

The helpful and generous people, like Feng Lei (a famous soldier in the People’s Liberation Army and a communist legend in China, who, after his death, was characterized as a selfless and modest person devoted to the Communist Party and the people of China) were very few.

However, a second officer was definitely a great temptation for ordinary coaches. After becoming a second officer, the coach could enjoy the treatment of a deputy section chief. Although the powers in hand were not changed, and the salary was only increased by roughly RMB 100 or 200, it could stand for the first step in one’s official career.

For Dai Li, this was also a good issue to consider. He had no reason to refuse it. So he nodded immediately and expressed his interest.

“OK. I will recommend you to Head Coach Ping Wang of the table tennis team.” Weidong Chu continued to say, “This time, a lot of people were interested in this position, among whom were many ace coaches of other teams. Therefore, Ping Wang will definitely organize a selection, so the final result will be up to your personal capabilities.”

…

As Weidong Chu said, a lot of people had signed up for this position, not just the physical trainers, as there were even some technique trainers that had signed up, too. Apparently, a lot of people were unwilling to be an ordinary and nameless coach for a lifetime. Although the second officer was just in the lowest level of the bureaucratic system, it would still provide room for promotion, as well as more chances in the future cadre selection.

Thanks to the great influence of the table tennis event, a temporary replacement could be given a rank of second officer. For other sports, especially for those lesser-known sports, it was absolutely impossible, as the provincial sports bureau might just ignore the appeal for replacement.

However, the table tennis was the national sport of China, which enjoyed great popularity and attention among the public. Leaders of different levels also attached great importance to it. Especially some cadres were fans of table tennis, and therefore, a good basketball player or soccer player might be forgotten by these cadres, but a good table tennis player would definitely be remembered by them.

The same could be said of the ordinary people. Almost all middle-aged people aged 30 to 40 years old might be able to name the table tennis champions in the recent two decades. However, if they were asked to name the players of the National Football Team, who used to participate in the World Cup 2002 that was held in Japan and South Korea, most of them might have forgotten those names of those players, especially if they were not soccer fans.

This was the power of the “national sport”!

Therefore, even it was just for showing off in front of high level management, or being remembered by the leaders, the table tennis event deserved great investment!

Chapter 270: Rating

When the Head Coach Ping Wang of the table tennis team had just returned, he was anxious, like a cat on hot bricks. The National Table Tennis Tournament would start soon, and the hospitalization of his physical trainer made him feel quite helpless and desperate.

In order to get a replacement, Ping Wang had almost decided to hang on in the office of the Director of the sports bureau. It was lucky that the Director was quite supportive of the table tennis event.

The Director’s approval of the rank of the second officer for the replacement had directly ignited the enthusiasm of the best physical trainers in the provincial sports team, at least in regards to acting as the replacement in the table tennis team. The cost performance of being promoted as a second officer for acting as the physical trainer in the table tennis team for a duration of two or three months was remarkably high!

Ping Wang was suddenly surrounded by happiness, for he could choose any physical trainer from all the training teams of the provincial sports teams at will. However, he was worried at the same time, as there were too many excellent candidates, and he really didn’t know which one he should select.

This issue might end up offending others! Ping Wang suddenly realized the selection was indeed a sort of “hot potato” scenario.

If it had just been an issue about making a selection of a physical trainer, it would be quite easy for Ping Wang to make this decision. However, this issue was related to the rank of a second officer, so Ping Wang had to deal with it scrupulously. Otherwise, he might be involved in unnecessary troubles.

Offending others was nothing, but if he was reported for a violation of discipline or regulations in the selection, no matter what the final result was, it would exert a negative influence on him.

It’s really a hot potato! Ping Wang let out a long sigh. I have to organize a selection, which will judge the candidates only on their competences. Only the most competent one can be selected. The losers would not blame me, but would blame their own incompetences, so, in that way, I could avoid offending these people.

Ping Wang looked at the wad of registration forms in his hand, and started to think about the selection plan.

…

The Temporary Selection Criteria for the Physical Trainer of the Table Tennis Team was placed on the bulletin board of the internal website of the provincial sports bureau. The first part was presenting the rating.

For example, the candidates might get more points for their educational background, working experience, and coaching achievements, etc. For the educational background, a bachelor degree would definitely be advantageous than a technical secondary school.

As for working experience, the longer the duration of working years was, the higher the points would be. As for the coaching achievement, a coach who had cultivated an excellent athlete, would naturally get more points.

Apparently, this kind of rating which was performed according to certain rules and regulations, was the most equitable one. The points were fully dependent upon one’s personal competence. Coaches with limited educational backgrounds, working experiences, and coaching achievements, could not blame others, but only their own incompetence, for any low points ratings.

The rating, in the first part, could open a big gap among the coaches especially. For instance, the score of the coaches, who used to cultivate high level athletes, would be much higher than the rest of the coaches.

The second part was the interview portion. The candidates would make a presentation, one by one. The presentation time was 15 minutes, and the content of the presentation would center around their understandings of the physical training of the table tennis players, as well as a brief introduction of the candidate’s training plan. Then, the candidate would be rated by of the all coaches of the table tennis team.

Normally, the interview was just a formality. The physical training of table tennis was not confidential, like the research of nuclear weapons, as even the most professional content could be found in some theses. The coaches of all levels, from the national team to the sports universities, would publish some theses related to this topic. After reading over 10 theses, and making a summary, a candidate would be able to become an armchair expert easily.

As for the detailed training plan, although different coaches had different plans, their overall training concepts were about the same, only with some different details. After all these years spent developing the athletic training, an optimal training direction had long been summed up through experience accumulation from countless successes and failures, as well as the unremitting research of kinematics experts. Hence, the overall plan couldn’t go wrong, as long as this optimal direction was adhered to.

Moreover, in order to avoid the deliberate downplay in the rating, the highest score and the lowest score would be removed in the rating of the interview. The coaches, who were responsible for the rating, had a pretty good idea that all of the candidates were their colleagues, who they would see all the time, so this made them want to save face for the candidates. Without deep hatred, it was unnecessary to give an extra low score. By giving similar scores, the coaches doing the rating wouldn’t need to worry about offending the candidates.

After the first two parts, the top three coaches would undergo a one-day field training. After all, the coach was a practice-oriented job, and no matter how good one’s theory or educational background was, possessing the real basic skills was essential for a coach. To be sure, one day’s trial training wouldn’t have any effect on the athletes. However, the competence and training level of the coach would be demonstrated easily from the trial training.

…

“The score of the first part of the physical trainer selection of the table tennis team has been announced!”

“I’ve heard that this rating is quite detailed. The educational background and work experience have been taken into consideration.”

“Yes, indeed. The scores of all candidates are publicized on the bulletin board. Let’s go and have a look.”

Seven or eight people had now gathered in front of the bulletin board.

“Alas, I only got 19 points. It seems I have been knocked out.”

“Nineteen points is a better rating than mine. I only got 15 points. Alas, I am hindered by my educational background. I’ve heard that the college degree holder would have an additional 2 points, while the bachelor degree holder would have an additional 5 points. It is a pity that I graduated from a technical secondary school. If I were a university graduate, I would have 20 points!”

“One year of working experience would add 1 point. Wang, you have gained 12 points from your working experience, right?”

“The additional 12 points are still not enough, as my final score is only 20 points. My coaching achievement is poor. The best athlete cultivated by me only got a provincial championship title.”

“Look, someone got 31 points! It’s Guang Wu of the gymnastic team. Wu, where are you? You got 31 points!”

In the crowd, Guang Wu smiled shyly, but his heart was filled with elation.

“It seems an athlete cultivated by Wu won second place in the parallel bars event of the National Games, right? This achievement will definitely bring a lot of points to him.”

“Besides the second place in the parallel bars event of the National Games, his athletes also won several championship titles in the national championships, which could also bring him some additional points,” someone explained.

Just at this moment, someone exclaimed, “Youdi Wei of the boxing team got 49 points! It’s awesome!”

Every one fixed their eyes on the bulletin board again. The 49 points had been the highest score so far, as it was 18 points higher than the score of Guang Wu. The scores of several coaches were even lower than 18 points.

Someone said, “Our boxing team has achieved great accomplishments in the recent years, including one champion of the National Games and one champion of the national championship. As the physical trainer of the boxing team, Youdi Wei would get a high score, naturally.”

The people who were speaking didn’t notice that Youdi Wei, who had scored 49 points, was standing at the very end of the crowd. After hearing the discussion of the people in front of him, Youdi Wei smiled triumphantly.

My score should be the highest one. Many coaches, those with similar seniority as me, only got a score which was less than half of my score. I guess I should be No. 1 among all the candidates. I have been a coach for 10 years now, and finally, I’m getting the rank of the second officer.

When Youdi Wei was thinking these things confidently, someone cried out, like they were seeing a ghost.

“What the hell? 122 points! I can’t believe what I see! How could it be possible?”

“It’s really 122 points. Did they add an extra “1” mistakenly? How could a candidate score 122 points?”

“Who is this incredible guy?”

“Dai Li, it’s Dai Li of the track and field team, with 122 points!”

Chapter 271: The Competition is a Show

Hearing of this 122-point high grade, sent a shock through everyone at once.

“My God, 122 points! My grade is only a fraction of his!”

“A score of 122 points! How could it be possible, is there any mistake? I may have believed, it if it was 22 points.”

“Dai Li, I have heard about him before. He hasn’t been in our team for long, and is probably still in his twenties. How would it possible for him to earn 122 points?!”

Hearing the people’s discussions, Youdi Wei clenched his fists angrily.

How can this be true?! My 49 points was the highest grade! Why there is someone else, whose grade is higher than mine, almost twice as much as mine, in fact! It’s impossible! It must be some shady deal! Right, this Deputy Director must be predetermined?! The competition cannot real, but only a show!

Youdi Wei was plagued by all kinds of negative conjectures. Someone from the crowd said, “I think I once saw Dai Li before. A few days ago, in the visiting group to America, he was there.”

“Isn’t that visiting group only allowing chief coaches in? How could Dai Li be a part of it?”

“Well, you know why. He must have some backings, otherwise, how could he go to America!”

“Then, this competition for Ping-pong fitness coach is just a show, the leaders have already determined Dai Li as the man to win.”

“Probably so, otherwise, how can he gain 122 points, which is the sum of five to six people’s grades?! There is no need for the others to compete anymore. I say, let’s give the Deputy Director to him directly!”

The discussions stimulated Youdi Wei’s incomparable anger. After all, his 49 points used to be the highest among all the candidates, that is, before Dai Li’s grade came out. He had been believing that he was only one step away from that position, but now, he felt that he had been treated in an extremely unfair way.

“So-called selection, we are all supporting actors!” Youdi Wei snorted coldly.

Meanwhile, someone standing at the front said, “There is a sentence at the bottom of the announcement, and it says that detailed evaluation information can be found in the attached file. Ha! This announcement has an attachment! Perhaps the information is too much, so that it can’t fit in this announcement.”

“Let’s go to find a computer, and take a look at the detailed evaluation. I want to know why I only gained 20 points!”

“Yeah, I also want to see what my 25 points are about!”

“And Dai Li’s 122 points, I want to check why they gave him 122 points!”

Referring to Dai Li’s 122 points, someone joked in anger, “Well, well, perhaps he once cultivated an Olympic champion!”

“An Olympic champion? Shall he have had the chance?” another person said, while pointing at the mailroom not far from there. “If I’m right, there is a computer in the mailroom, let’s go and check the attachment!”

As he appealed, the others immediately moved towards the mailroom also.

…

“That’s it, click here and download the file!”

A form was displayed on the screen.

“Old Ding, you are the first one. College degree, two points, length of employment, 11 points…”

“Don’t look at mine, I’m finished. Look at someone else’s,” said Coach Ding.

“How about Dai Li’s? Let’s look at his!” a person, who stood at the back, suggested.

The one in front of the computer dragged the mouse, soon finding Dai Li’s name.

“University degree, 5 points. Length of employment, 5 points, these are only 10 points. Where do the 122 points come from?”

“Let’s see what’s next, ah, his achievements.”

The guy kept moving his mouse, and located Dai Li’s coaching achievements.

“Got it, here, let me see. Athlete’s name, Aiguo Jiang. Organization, Hanbei Weightlifting Team. Achievements during training, National Weightlifting Grand Prix Qingcheng substation 62kg Champion.”

“A national Grand Prix substation champion can only have brought him 4 points!”

“He has to have at least 30 national Grand Prix substation champions to gain 120 points!”

“Like I said earlier, Dai Li must have some backing, hence, this competition is indeed a show…”

The coaches discussed these findings with disdain, while the one sitting in front of the computer continued reading.

“Athlete name, Haiquan Fang. Organization, Hanbei Youth Athletics Team. Achievements During Training, Hanbei Youth Games Long Jump Champion.”

“Provincial Youth Game Champion? That is nothing, only counts 2 or 3 points!” someone snorted.

“Wait a minute, what is the athlete’s name again? Haiquan Fang? Is it THAT Haiquan Fang?” another person asked.

“You mean the Asian Games Long Jump Champion Haiquan Fang? Hey, he did come from our youth team. No one else would be named that!”

“Haiquan Fang is the domestic long jump genius No. 1. He won the Asian Games champion at 18! Was he trained by Dai Li? I remember that, in the evaluation rubric it mentioned, sending talents to the national team also counts as achievements, and so one can earn some points for that.”

“Besides, Dai Li sent an Asian Games champion, which also counts. He can add some points on this.”

“But that’s still not enough for 122 points!” Youdi Wei was quite discomforted, as he continued, “Besides, Haiquan Fang won the Asian Games Champion after he joined in the national team, so he didn’t make it when he was in our team.”

“Make sense. The boxing team’s National Games championship and National Championships first place were all made, step by step, and Wei put all his efforts in it!” somebody said, to defend Youdi Wei against any injustice.

The guy in front of the computer moved on, reading, “Athlete name, Guohong Niu. Organization, Tsinghua University athletic team.Achievements during training, National University Games Third Place.”

“Bah! There are no professional athletes in the National University Games, as the participants’ competences can only be high-level amateurs at most. A third place, one -point reward is too much for its caliber!” someone said in a cynical tone, with a lopsided mouth smirk.

“Wait, that’s not the end yet… Athlete name, Guohong Niu. Organization, National Athletic Team. Achievements during training, the Asian Games Men’s 4×100m Relay Race Champion!”

“The Asian Games Relay Race champion? I see, that’s why I felt this name sounded familiar. He was one of the champion relay team members. A few days ago in the National Games, he was in the Top Eight, if I’m right.”

“The organization is the National Athletic Team. Was Dai Li in the national team before?”

“Perhaps, during the Asian Games Training Camp, he was favored by a national team coach, and so then was able to stay in the national team for a while. Such things happen sometimes,” someone reminded the crowd.

The people present were all professionals, and without further explanation needed, they understood what had happened.

“Then this Guohong Niu was also sent by Dai Li to the national team. Moreover, he was also a champion in the Asian Games, which could earn many points for Dai Li.”

“If Dai Li has several trainees, each of whom are as good as Guohong Niu, 122 points is indeed possible. After all, an Asian Games championship is worth more points than a National Games champion.”

Youdi Wei’s face looked even more terrible now. His trainees were only champions in the National Games and the National Championships, but Dai Li had two Asian Games champions already.

Previously, Haiquan Fang’s Asian Games champion was not cultivated by Dai Li himself, but the national team. Thus, Youdi Wei could find some excuse to convince himself that Dai Li was not as good as him. But now that Guohong Niu was trained by Dai Li all the time, even in the national team, Youdi Wei couldn’t find any more excuses.

It’s just an Asian Games champion! Youdi Wei thought with a lopsided mouth, his face filled with discomfort.

But the guy at the computer screen kept reading:

“Athlete name, Sijie Yang. Organization, Tsinghua University Athletic Team. Achievements during training, the National University Games Champion!”

In the next second, somebody shouted with surprise, “Sijie Yang? The Asian Games 100m Sprint champion Sijie Yang? The guy who is most likely to run it in 10 seconds? He is also Dai Li’s student?”

At this moment, Youdi Wei’s face turned extremely pale…

Chapter 272: Practical Training

At present, Sijie Yang was a well-known athlete in the country. He won the Asian Games champion at a very young age, and became the “Star of Hope” of domestic athletics.

Also, he had a Nobel Prize Winner father, so he was definitely a descendant of a noble family. Therefore, even ordinary people knew who Sijie Yang was, let alone these professional athletic coaches.

“Even Sijie Yang was trained by Dai Li? Does he really have something, or was it just luck that he was able to meet such outstanding athletes?”

“Now I understand why Dai Li has earned 122 points, he has several Asian Games champions as his students, so it’s acceptable for him to have such a high grade!”

Some people present had now changed their tones. At the very beginning, everyone was doubting that Dai Li had some backup support, but now, many people had changed their minds.

Youdi Wei clenched his fists and teeth. His heart was filled with ambivalence, unwillingness, discomfort and a sense of astonishment. But the guy in front of the computer kept reading.

“Athlete name, Yue Zhao. Organization, National Athletic Team. Achievements during training, the Asian Games Men’s 200m Sprint Champion!”

“Another Asian Games champion, Yue Zhao! 200m sprinter Yue Zhao was also trained by Dai Li? Then, does it mean that, the sprint championships in the Asian Games all belonged to Dai Li?!”

“No wonder he has 122 points, he got four Asian Games champions!”

“I’m convinced, totally II admire him now, from my heart. There is no problem at all for Dai Li to gain 122 points!”

“There is more!” the guy said, as he continued reading.

“Athlete name, Kenan Shen. Organization, Hanbei Athletic Team. Achievements during training, the National Games 4×100m Relay Race Champion. Athlete name, Jialiang Zhang. Organization, Hanbei Athletic Team. Achievements during training, the National Games 4×100m Relay Race Champion. Athlete name, Yihao Wu. Organization, Hanbei Athletic Team. Achievements during training, the National Games 4×100m Relay Race Champion. Athlete name, Dong Qian. Organization, Hanbei Athletic Team. Achievements during training, the National Games 4×100m Relay Race Champion!”

“So the National Games Relay Race champion team was also trained by Dai Li?”

“I heard that 4×100m relay race was a great surprise. Our athletic team sent second-level athletes, but finally, they brought back a gold medal. So the miracle was made by Dai Li!”

“Relay Race is a group event, so the championship is worth more value than individual competitions.”

“Well, 122 points, now I think this grade is pretty low, isn’t it?”

“You are right, I also feel that 122 points is not enough for him.”

At this moment, no one said anything about any “shady deal” any more, neither did they mention the idea that “the competition is just a show”. Dai Li’s achievements were extraordinary, and he was indeed worth that 122 points.

While seeing one championship after another, some people even felt numb.

Youdi Wei stood there, having completely lost his wits.

He used to be mostly satisfied with his achievement of having a National Games boxing champion, as he had trained that athlete to be on the top, which not only made him feel quite proud of himself, but also brought him a sense of priority in within the team. However, Dai Li had also trained the National Games champions, which was a whole team of champions.

Although the titles were the same, a group championship was always more valuable than individual championships. Therefore, Youdi Wei knew that the relay race gold medal was more “expensive” than a boxing gold medal, and was, therefore, a pretty heavy counterpoise.

“I’m falling more than seventy points behind in the first event, so what about the next events?! How could I win?” Youdi Wei kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm himself down.

“Don’t worry, this is just the first round. There will be two more rounds, in which the third event, Practical Training is the most crucial part. That’s where we display our true abilities. Show me what you got!”

…

Although the first event was not an elimination, many coaches gave up right then and there. Those who hadn’t reach 20 points would not be able to smile at last, even if they participated in the next selections, hence, they gave up early, in order to avoid embarrassment of earning too few points in the end.

Especially after Dai Li’s astonishing 122 points came out, most people’s confidences were terribly hurt. Some coaches didn’t have even one national games champion, so they would rather quit voluntarily than endure humiliation from the coach who had trained several Asian Games champions. Therefore, at last, only seven people were left standing for the second selection.

The second round was an interview, where every coach entered into the meeting room to make a self-introduction, a presentation on their understandings of Ping-pong fitness training, and generally talked about their training methods.

In this part, every candidate earned similar points, and the grade gap was controlled, maintaining no more than 5 points between one and another.

Based on the “not to offend anyone” principle, the coaches in charge of scoring showed mercy to the candidates. For instance, the first candidate earned 90 points, the second had 88 points, and the third got 91 points. Hence, everyone’s grade was close. Then, when counting final grades, the distinctions were even smaller.

Some even only offered the highest grade, in order to give everyone 100 points. When counting the final grades, the highest and lowest grades would be eliminated, which meant that those 100 points were useless. By doing it this way, the coach could build good relationships with the candidates, while not influencing the results of the selection.

So, to be honest, the second round interview was a mere formality. Such situations were commonly seen in governmental organizations. Nowadays, when competing for officers, interview were always there in the selections. But the interview was just a show, as the final position was predetermined by leaders, a process which actually had little to do with candidates’ performances in the interview.

After the first two rounds had finished, people whose total grades were ranked as among the top three, could then be permitted to be in the last event, Practical Training. Dai Li had already taken the first place after the first round. After all, 122 points was 73 points higher than the second place Youdi Wei, which was an irreversible distance.

The other two places were obtained by Youdi Wei and Guang Wu. The temporary ping-pong fitness coach would be selected out of these three people.

…

Ping-Pong Team Training Center.

Dai Li, Youdi Wei, and Guang Wu stood in a line. The ping-pong team chief coach, Ping Wang, looked at the three with excitement.

Ping Wang, at this moment, was indeed delighted. The three remaining contenders in the competition were the best people in the athletic team. Each was capable to lead a team alone, all they all had outstanding achievements.

In normal daily life, they would never take the place of Old Ma, who was hurt in a car accident. But now, under the allure of the role of Deputy Director, the three gathered together.

“You three are talents!” Ping Wang grinned slyly, “And since you are talents, I can’t use regular evaluations to assess your abilities. It’s time for you to try my special offer…”

Chapter 273: A Feast

“For today’s practical training, our ping-pong team will send three trainees. Each of you is responsible for one person. You determine your own training contents, methods, and programs.” Ping Wang grinned slyly, then continued, “To ensure fairness in our selections, we won’t use any of our original team members, but three ‘outside assistants’ to receive your training.”

Dai Li and the other two all nodded agreement. They were all Sports Team coaches, and Youdi Wei had more than ten years coaching experience and knew plenty of people on the team. If today’s trainees were ping-pong team players, since they might already know the coaches, the trainee and coach could deliberately collaborate in order to get a high grade.

But if the trainees were from other places, and had never met the coaches before, then there weren’t any potential conflicts of interest. This made it less likely that any shady deals would happen.

Coach Ping Wang finished, then took out his phone to make a phone call. “Mr. Zhang, please come here!”

After a short while, three old men came in. They were all dressed in sport suits, with ping-pong paddles in their hands. The three were in their sixties, with well-proportioned figures, ruddy faces, and energetic appearances.

Are they the so-called outside assistants? Why are they so old? Dai Li, Youdi Wei, and Guang Wu were all shocked. They had guessed that Ping Wang would invited three athletes from the Qingcheng city team, a sport university, or even sport schools, but they had never expected him to find three old men.

“Please allow me to introduce our assistants. These three are our Retired cadres of the provincial Party committee, and are experienced ping-pong lovers.”

“This is Mr. Zhang, who once won the championship in the Qingcheng Amateur Ping-Pong Games. This is Mr. Liu. He won three successive championships in provincial transport system ping-pong games. This is Mr. Chen. He used to be a professional ping-pong player, and participated in national competitions. He is our senior!”

“For the rest of the day, you will take care of these three seniors,” Ping Wang instructed. Then he turned to the old men and said politely, “Gentlemen, these our our three coaches, you can pick whoever you want.”

Mr.Liu was the first one to respond. “I’m the oldest among the three, so I will choose the oldest coach.” As he spoke, Mr. Liu pointed at Youdi Wei.

Youdi Wei was indeed older than Guang Wu and Dai Li, which could be easily distinguished from their appearances. But after being selected by Mr. Liu, Youdi Wei felt bitter in his heart. He had never trained an older person before. As Mr. Liu mentioned, he was the oldest of the three trainees. There was a saying: Old people do not talk about muscles and bones. When getting old, people began to have poor physical qualities and less flexible movements. In athletic events, the older one was, the more disadvantages one had.

People at this age were suitable to play Taiji boxing or square dance, but they were not fitted for fierce competitions.

After Mr. Liu chose Youdi Wei, Mr. Zhang stepped forward and pointed at Dai Li. “I will follow this young man!”

“Then I don’t have any choice,” said Mr. Chen, naturally following Guang Wu. Mr. Chen used to be a professional ping-pong player, while Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhang were only amateurs. It looked like Mr. Chen had a better foundation.

But in fact, the three were at similar levels.

The three were all in their sixties. Mr. Chen had been a professional forty years ago, and at that time, being an athlete required a “poor peasant” identity rather than talent. If one was not a “poor peasant,” no matter how gifted he was, he could not be an athlete.

Not only being an athlete, but also being a worker, becoming a civil servant, or going to college—only “poor peasants” had such preferential treatments.

Moreover, at that time, many people could not feed themselves, and were commonly malnourished. Without enough food, how could they have sufficient energy for training? Therefore, even professional athletes didn’t have high competencies.

On the other hand, ping-pong amateurs in mining enterprises often acquired better skills. In the era of vigorous development of a planned economy, factories didn’t care about marketing, they only focused on production. At that time, workers were better than civil servants, since they had urban residences, received so-called “Treasury grains,” and enjoyed the same treatment that civil servants did. While enterprises controlled production resources, they sometimes offered extra benefits to the workers, which ordinary civil servants could not have.

Therefore, in that era, many factory workers had better living conditions than professional athletes. As the saying went, “Study when poor, play sports when rich.” People who lived in better living conditions had more energy to play sports.

…

Dai Li didn’t have any experience in training elderly people, either. So when facing Mr. Zhang, Dai Li reacted just like the other two; he didn’t know where to start.

This Coach Ping Wang is indeed difficult, finding three old men for us! Although the three all have some ping-pong basis, they are still lagging far behind when compared with young professionals. Besides, this is the provincial team; they are not competitive at all in front of provincial team members. Hence, I can’t use the same methods to train them that I used training professionals.

But these three are not ordinaries, they should be at the top among amateurs. Therefore, the normal training methods for amateurs won’t work on them, either.

Furthermore, considering their ages, they can’t receive extreme exercises. They couldn’t bear such exertion. If they were sent to the hospital due to overtraining, I would be in big trouble.

Ugh, it’s so complicated… Definitely more difficult to arrange plans than to train athletes. To design plans for elderly people, I must consider their ages and physical endurance. Plus their bodies are weaker than young people’s, and once I increase the tasks, they may not bear it. I must focus on their reactions all the time, and adjust my plans on the spot.

Wait, I got it! At this moment, Dai Li finally understood why Ping Wang had found these old men.

Ping Wang found these old men because he wants to evaluate not only our training abilities, but also our abilities to react and adjust.

It is difficult to make fitting plans for the elderly people, which is the first challenge. But during training, we will have to adjust plans based on current conditions. Due to the fact that the elderly have disadvantages in age and physical qualities, we must adjust plans faster and more accurately, which will allow him to test our reactivity. This is the second challenge.

Considering this, Dai Li shook his head slightly. He keenly sensed that things would probably be more complicated. Perhaps after they started, there would be third and fourth challenges waiting for him.

I know this Deputy Director is not easily gotten. Ping Wang, you really have prepared a feast for us!

Chapter 274: Increase Difficulty

There was a man, who was in his forties, standing beside Ping Wang. He was not tall, was pot-bellied, and looked pudgy.

The man was named Tao Lin, and he was the vice chief coach in the ping-pong team. Tao Lin used to be the grand master in the national team, and after retired, he went to the provincial team to coach. Although he had not been coaching for long, as a previous grand master, he was able to become the vice chief coach in the team within a short time.

“Coach, your three retired cadres, this is a tough task for them,” Tao Lin joked with a smile.

“True gold does not fear fire. How can I tell who is better, without giving challenging tasks?” Ping Wang looked at the training field, as he continued to say, “I think most coaches have little experience in coaching old people, therefore, training seniors is a brand new topic for them.”

“Old people have poorer physical conditions than young people, let alone when compared with professional athletes. To us professional coaches, who are used to teaching high-level athletes, when facing seniors, the most important thing is knowing how to control the level of difficulty and the intensity of training.”

“Take the Warm-Up before formal training, for example. Usually, professional athletes need twenty minutes’ to half an hour’s high-intensive warm-up, while old people can only bear about ten minutes of a low-intensity warm-up. Another example is training length, as we professionals can commonly bear a continuous high-intensive training for an hour, but ordinary people can not do so for sure. As for seniors, they must be weaker than the ordinaries, so they might practice no more than half an hour. Therefore, when designing training plans, the coach must take these things into consideration.”

Tao Lin nodded, then said, “These three are the best guys in our sports team, so they can surely think about these, can’t they?”

“Of course. If they can’t even consider these, then they are not qualified to be here. But one must talk the talk, and walk the walk, in order to reasonably arrange training plans. After all, that is indeed a tough question, due to the fact that they lack the experience of working with old people. Hence, they don’t know what level of intensity to use to maximize the training effect,” answered Ping Wang.

“So, they can only figure it out during training?” Tao Lin immediately asked.

“Right, they can only work it out through actual attempts. In addition, during training, they have to adjust their training methods at any time, based on real and changing conditions,” Ping Wang explained.

“You are testing their reactions!” Tao Lin now understood Ping Wang’s purpose.

“Haha…yes.” Ping Wang grinned cunningly. “I am testing their reactions, but how can things be that apparent?!”

Tao Lin was surprised, asking, “Do you have any other ‘traps’?”

Ping Wang nodded proudly, then lowered his voice and explained, “Those three retired cadres, they all have some problems.”

“What do you mean?” Tao Lin asked, dazed.

“That Mr. Zhang, he has Lumbar Disc Protrusion and slight Cervical Spondylopathy. Mr. Liu has not only Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, but also a poor cervical spine. As for Mr. Chen, he has Osteoporosis and Arthritis on his knee.” Ping Wang paused, then said, “But I didn’t tell the three candidates about these awarenesses.”

Tao Lin was shocked, his eyes wide and his thumb up, as he said, “So, these three old cadres have sicknesses! These illnesses will probably affect their training. In this case, some training programs are not suitable for them. Hey coach, you are so brilliant!”

“Let’s wait and see when they realize this!” Ping Wang said. “After all, their three resumes all said that they are good at rehabilitation training, so I should give them a chance to show themselves!”

…

Dai Li looked at Mr. Zhang in front of him, and couldn’t stop brainstorming which method was suitable for this old man.

I’d better detect him first. Let me have a general understanding of Mr. Zhang!

Thinking about this, Dai Li detected Mr. Zhang.

The result showed that, Mr. Zhang was an ordinary person, as his ability was counted within the percentile system for normal people, rather than the thousandth system for athletes. The result displayed that Mr. Zhang had 63 points for individual ability, which was pretty good for his age.

Since Mr. Zhang was not an athlete, the detector didn’t show his talents. But it did give evaluations on individual advantages and disadvantages, which were aimed at ordinary people.

“Advantage: Frequent exercise has equipped him with a good physical quality, so this person is suitable for most mid-intensive sports activities. Disadvantages: This person has Lumbar Disc Protrusion, and thus, he is not suitable for spending a long duration of exercising, and should avoid any exercise with large movements, which may result in compression to the lumbar spine.”

Seeing this disadvantage, Dai Li frowned his eyebrows at once.

Lumbar Disc Protrusion. This meant that many exercises involving bending should be avoided. Besides, individuals with Lumbar Disc Protrusion would feel much pain, once they stand for too long. As such, I can’t let him stand for long. I need to revise my plans again.

Dai Li sighed silently, feeling that bad luck had come to him again.

Poor me, why do they give me an old cadre with such an illness?! One out of three, so it was a one-third probability this would have happened on me. Am wondering now, what do Youdi Wei and Guang Wu have over there…

Dai Li thought these things, as he detected Mr. Liu subconsciously..

Scapulohumeral Periarthritis? Youdi Wei is as poor as me. Mr. Liu has Scapulohumeral periarthritis, which means that 80% of upper-body practices cannot be done. It seems that I’m not the only one with bad luck!

Dai Li suddenly felt more balanced.

Let’s look at Guang Wu’s… I heard that Mr. Chen used to be a professional athlete, and it looks like he has been taking good care of his health. Dai Li detected Mr. Chen.

Knee Arthritis? This is the toughest problem in athletics. Usually, people with Knee Arthritis cannot do fierce exercises, and have limitations on choosing programs. For instance, speedy runs or jumps must be avoided. To patients with Knee Arthritis, the best exercises are bike-riding and swimming. It looks like I’m not the poorest, but that Guang Wu has even worse luck than me!

At this moment, Dai Li felt he was lucky. If Mr. Chen, who had Knee Arthritis, picked him, he would be in big trouble.

Suddenly, Dai Li sensed something different.

Lumbar Disc Protrusion, Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, plus Arthritis, these three old cadres all have physical problems! Although these are common illnesses among seniors, they can affect physical exercises. I see, these are arranged on purpose, in order to enhance the difficulty of the competition!

Dai Li had already felt that today’s practical training had been upgraded from “Complex Level” to “Difficult Level”.

Chapter 275: Training Seniors

“Li, I’m ready. What should we do first?” Mr. Zhang asked eagerly.

“Mr. Zhang, how about we do some warm-ups first?” Dai Li replied.

“Sure, as you say. Let’s do some warm-ups.” Mr. Zhang was very affable.

Warming up was an essential part of any athletic training. Warming up could help individuals prepare for the upcoming exhausting exercises both physically and mentally. It enhanced the body’s core temperature and muscle temperature. The increase of muscle temperature stimulated the muscle, making it more relaxed and flexible.

Effective warming up could also increase heart rate as well as the depth and frequency of breath, using greater blood flow to carry more oxygen and nutrition to the muscles. This allowed tendons and joints to better bear harder training, while reducing the risk coefficient of physical injury.

The length and intensity of warming up must be calculated individually, for each person had different physical abilities. And they should also be adjusted from one program to another. Professional athletes who had specialized in athletic training had a pretty good body temperature regulating system, hence their need for a long, fierce warming up to produce an ideal effect. Generally, professional athletes took at least 20 minutes to warm up.

Ordinary people had no need for such a long, high-intensity warm-up. For them, 10 to 20 minutes would be fine. If one spent too much time or energy on warming up, then his energy would be used up before the real exercise started.

In addition, external factors also had influence on warming up. For example, in winter when the weather was cold, one needed a longer warm up, while in summer when it was hot, one could shorten the warm up a little bit.

Formal warming up was not about running or jumping on the spot; it required releasing knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle joints, as well as sufficiently stretching the muscle of the back of the thighs, the inner thighs, the diaphragm, and the back.

For professional coaches, helping athletes warm up was their most regular and easiest task; in their daily work, the first task was to do warm ups. After decades of accumulated experience, they couldn’t be more familiar with warming up.

But today, despite their differences in age and experience, Dai Li, Guang Wu, and Youdi Wei all chose relatively conservative and cautious ways of warming up.

The three were aware that they were not training professional athletes, but elderly men in their sixties. Hence, they didn’t put much time or intensity into the warm up.

Ten minutes later, the three retired cadres’ were all finished warming up. There was sweat on the three old men’s foreheads, and their breath was rasping loudly. Judging by the effects, the three old cadres were just right.

“Warming up is just right, seems like none of them has the better of the others in warm ups!” Tao Lin evaluated at the side.

“They determined the old cadres’ training time by observing their physical conditions. This is hardly new, any coach with some experience can tell whether an athlete is ready or not.” Ping Wang continued, “Next, let’s see how they are going to practice.”

…

Mr. Zhang’s clothes were wet with sweat, but at present he was still performing actively, not falling behind where a young man would have been.

Of course, this was also due to the fact that Dai Li hadn’t chosen high-intensity exercises. After all, Mr. Zhang was more than sixty; he couldn’t run or jump like a young man. Therefore, during training, Dai Li adopted “just right” as the standard.

“Mr. Zhang, let’s take a break!” Dai Li signaled Mr. Zhang to stop.

“I’m not tired!” Mr. Zhang said, looked at Mr. Chen and Mr. Liu who were far from here. He said, “Those two are still training. I can’t be defeated!”

“Mr. Zhang, you are soaked with sweat, you must have some water first,” Dai Li said, handing a water bottle to Mr. Zhang. “Plus, the next program is massage, so you can simply lie down on the ground.”

“Massage? Aren’t we doing fitness training? Why do we have a massage?” Mr. Zhang asked, confused.

“Massage is an essential part of professional fitness training. After exercise, the human body produces lactic acid, and once it accumulates to a certain degree, it will lead to muscle pain, and affect later practices. Massage is needed to accelerate lactic acid decomposition,” Dai Li said, to generally explain the idea.

“Oh, I see. Okay then, let’s have a massage, then I will keep practicing. I can’t be defeated by Old Liu and Old Chen!” Mr. Zhang said with stubbornness.

…

“Coach, Dai Li is stopping to give a massage!” Tao Lin pointed at Dai Li and said, “Isn’t it too fast? Normally, muscle massage is given after training finishes, and right now they have only been practicing for an hour! Even though the trainee is an old man, there is no need to give a massage so quick.”

Ping Wang raised his arm to check the time on his watch. “Right, only one hour past. They have taken a break, and now it’s time to have another break. But I don’t think it’s necessary to give a muscle massage at this time!”

“I say this Dai Li is overly cautious. I checked his achievements during training; he has cultivated several Asian Games champions, and our relay team surprisingly won the 4×100m relay race championship in the National Games under his influence. I used to think that he was a man who liked to struggle hard, but I never thought he was so cautious. This is over-reacting!” Tao Lin shook his head, apparently not liking Dai Li’s behavior.

“Huh?” Ping Wang made a sound with surprise. On the training field, Dai Li asked Mr. Zhang to get down on all fours, then began his massage on Mr. Zhang’s waist.

“Dai Li is massaging Mr. Zhang’s waist!” Ping Wang suddenly frowned.

Tao Lin asked quietly, “Coach, you mentioned there was a person with Lumbar Disc Protrusion… is that Mr. Zhang?”

Ping Wang nodded, didn’t say anything. He seemed to be absorbed in meditation.

By his side, Tao Lin sighed. “Dai Li, did you really notice this problem, or is this just a coincidence?”

…

On the training field.

“Mr. Zhang, how do you feel?” Dai Li asked.

“Nice! You are quite skillful, as good as a massage therapist!” Mr. Zhang nodded with satisfaction.

“Mr. Zhang, please turn around and lie down, let’s massage your backside,” said Dai Li.

“Why massage my backside?” Mr. Zhang was confused. He turned around, and Dai Li put his hands on Mr. Zhang’s waist.

“Well, Mr. Zhang, I feel that your lumbar disc is a little bit protruded!” Dai Li said deliberately.

“You can feel that my lumbar disc is protruded!” Mr. Zhang was astonished.

“Of course!” Dai Li continued, “Mr. Zhang, please allow me to massage your lumbar. To reduce your discomfort from lumbar disc protrusion, I should press hard on your lumbar. It might hurt, please stand it!” As he spoke, Dai Li began a rehabilitative massage.

Chapter 276: Arthritis And Scapulohumeral Periarthritis

Although Youdi Wei had more than 10 years coaching experience, at this moment he was still quite cautious, because he had never trained elderly people before.

Youdi Wei’s trainee, Mr. Liu, was the oldest among the three retired cadres, so he closely observed Mr. Liu’s status and dared not to make any mistakes.

Meanwhile, Youdi Wei also paid attention to Dai Li and Guang Wu’s behaviors, especially Dai Li, who was Youdi Wei’s main competition. Since Youdi Wei knew that, although Guang Wu was pretty good, he was still behind Wei, and Dai Li was Youdi Wei’s strongest opponent.

Dai Li is taking a break now. Is it because Mr. Zhang can’t catch up? Youdi Wei checked the time on his watch, then looked at his trainee, Mr. Liu, and felt that they needed some rest, too.

But several seconds later, Youdi Wei suddenly noticed that Dai Li was giving Mr. Zhang a muscle massage.

Muscle massage? They have only trained one hour. Why are they having a massage now? Shouldn’t muscle massage be given after a whole day’s training. Why do they start now! Youdi Wei didn’t get Dai Li’s point.

“Ouch!” A groan came into Youdi Wei’s ears. It was Mr. Zhang’s painful scream. He couldn’t bear the pain during Dai Li’s massage on his lumber.

Youdi Wei almost laughed out loud.

He must be putting too much power into the massage that Mr. Zhang can’t bear the press. Dai Li’s massage sucks. He can’t even control his strength. This Dai Li does have outstanding achievements, but he is still too young and lack skills on muscle massaging!

…

On the other side, Ping Wang and Tao Lin also furrowed their eyebrows.

Tao Lin said, “Dai Li seems to be not very good at muscle massage.”

“But he should be. His materials said clearly that he was proficient in rehabilitative massage. Moreover, he has been on the national team for quite a while, according to my understanding. The national athletic team offers extremely high-intensive training, and every day after training finishes, muscle massage is a requirement. Dai Li has been studying on the national team and should have acquired some true abilities. more or less.”

“Who knows, perhaps the materials are not sufficient.” Tao Lin paused, then said, “But I’m worried about Mr. Zhang. After all, he is a retired cadre from the Provincial Party Committee. If he gets hurt here with our team after today’s training, and the news spread, we will lose face.”

While the two were discussing, Mr. Zhang, who was still on the ground, showed an extremely enjoyable look.

“Comfy, this is so enjoyable! I feel my whole lumber is relaxed.” Mr. Zhang stood up and twisted his waist pretty hard, then realized that his previous soreness caused by Lumbar Disc Protrusion had gone completely.

“Hey, young man, you are good! My Lumbar Disc Protrusion has been with me for more than 20 years. In recent years I have received conservative treatment, but it is not as effective as your several-minute massage. It looks like I don’t need to worry about twisting my waist anymore today,” Mr. Zhang said, as he kept shaking his body.

“Shall we move on?” asked Dai Li.

“Sure, let’s do it!” Mr. Zhang nodded.

…

At eleven o’clock, morning training finished.

Mr. Chen plodded on the ground. He was having difficulty stepping forward.

Mr. Chen’s behavior brought Guang Wu a sense of foreboding.

Is it because the morning training intensity was above Mr. Chen’s endurance that he is exhausted? Guang Wu carefully recalled his training and felt that there was nothing wrong.

But the other two cadres, Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhang walked as if on wings. Their conditions were way better than Mr. Chen’s.

We three have the same training time, and we probably have similar training intensities. But why does only Mr. Chen walk unsteadily? Guang Wu was confused.

Dai Li and Youdi Wei also noticed it.

Youdi Wei thought Guang Wu had trained Mr. Chen improperly, but Dai Li knew clearly, that Mr. Chen’s Arthritis must be acting up.

…

Ping Wang drove the three seniors home in his car.

“Mr. Chen, is your leg alright?” Ping Wang asked.

“I’m OK. The only thing is that I haven’t practiced like that for a long time. I can’t bear it. My Arthritis has been there for years. Once I take a break this afternoon I should be fine.” Mr. Chen paused, then said, “Wang, I won’t come this afternoon.”

Ping Wang nodded, then asked, “Mr. Zhang, Mr. Liu, are you two alright?”

“Nothing is wrong. With my Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, as long as I don’t catch cold or get exhausted, I should be fine,” said Mr. Liu.

“My Lumbar Disc Protrusion is fine!” Mr. Zhang said. “Hey, you know what? That coach Li does have something. After his massage, I feel my whole waist is relaxed!”

“You really feel comfortable? Old Zhang, I heard you scream during it. It didn’t sound comfortable!” Mr. Chen joked on Mr. Zhang.

“You know nothing. I did feel some pain when he was pressing, but after that I really felt comfortable. Let me tell you, in massage, the pain indicates that the massage therapist found the spot. The good joints won’t produce pain when being pressed. By the way, I have tried many massage therapists, and none of them compares to Coach Li. I think if he is not a coach, he can earn much money being a massage therapist.” Mr. Zhang smiled.

Ping Wang interrupted, “Mr. Zhang, I saw Dai Li give you massages on your waist two or three times. Did he know you have Lumbar Disc Protrusion?”

“Yes, he knew,” Mr. Zhang said. “But I didn’t tell him. When he was massaging, he touched my lumber and said that I have a protruded lumber. I thought he must have sensed it, otherwise how can he massage so well!”

“So Coach Li sensed it himself!” Ping Wang nodded silently. Now he knew that was why Dai Li gave Mr. Zhang a massage. The reason was that he hoped to reduce Mr. Zhang’s lumber pressure through massaging, so that Mr. Zhang could perform better in the upcoming exercises.

Dai Li is incredible. He has indeed stayed on the national team for a while, Ping Wang said in his heart.

Then he asked, “Mr. Liu, did Coach Wei know about your Scapulohumeral Periarthritis?”

“I didn’t tell him, so how could he know that?” Mr. Liu replied.

As for whether Guang Wu knew about Mr. Chen’s Arthritis or not, Ping Wang didn’t even ask. If Guang Wu knew it in advance, he would have paid more attention during training, and Mr. Chen would not be like he was now, who couldn’t even walk smoothly.

…

At two o’clock in the afternoon, the training continued.

Dai Li, Youdi Wei, and Guang Wu were already waiting on the training field.

After a while, Ping Wang led the retired cadres there. However, only Mr. Zhang and Mr. Liu showed up. Mr. Chen was not there.

“Coach Wang, where is Mr. Chen?” Guang Wu asked involuntarily.

“Mr. Chen can’t come this afternoon. His Arthritis is bothering him again, and he needs to take a rest at home.” Ping Wang seemed to say it casually. He paused, then continued. “Wu, since Mr. Chen is not here, you can go back and rest. There is no need to participate in afternoon training.”

Ping Wang’s words apparently announced that Guang Wu was eliminated. Today was practical training, if the trainee was gone, there was no need for the coach to stay.

Ping Wang’s words shocked Guang Wu like a thunderclap. His face was filled with astonishment.

“Arthritis? Mr. Chen has Arthritis!” Guang Wu’s eyes widened.

Arthritis was a common disease, but it was the deathly opponent of all athletic activities. Guang Wu suddenly heard the news, and his heart surged with violent waves.

“It’s just ordinary Arthritis, which developed when he was an athlete,” Ping Wang added.

Arthritis was a degenerative disease. The main causes were degeneration and injury of articular cartilage and joint marginal and subchondral bone hyperplasia. There were many factors that induced Arthritis, such as obesity, strain, trauma, congenital malformation, or because as one aged, sclerotin became worse, which led to a natural degeneration of articular cartilage, then caused Arthritis.

Many athletes, dancers, or heavy manual laborers who did a large amount of training, exercise, or work when they were young had joints that became abraded or even damaged. Such abrasion or damage might not have been noticeable when they were young, but if patients didn’t take good care of their joints, when they get older, the potential problems could lead to Arthritis. Mr. Chen was a professional athlete in the past and received a huge amount of training every day. At that time, there was no scientific training at all, and many athletes devoted themselves to exercises simply by their passions. Therefore, athletes over-practicing and then being discarded was a common occurrence. Mr. Chen’s joint damage had a particular cause, and to have Arthritis at his age was normal.

Actually, there was no effective treatment for Arthritis, and it mainly depended on rest and physiotherapy. If the symptoms were severe, then the patient could take medication. However, medicine such as Chondroitin, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics could only reduce pain, but were useless for rehabilitation. Sometimes patients chose to inject Hyaluronate into joints, but it couldn’t cure Arthritis completely, either. When conditions were really bad, the only thing that could possibly help was an artificial joint replacement.

Once an individual had Arthritis, the main treatment was not to “cure” but to “maintain”, to avoid overwork or over-exercise, to reduce joint pressure and burden, and then wait for the Arthritis to disappear slowly and gradually. Eventually, the symptoms would lessen.

Therefore, Mr. Chen with his Arthritis was not suitable for long-term, high-load exercises.

However, Guang Wu didn’t know about this, so he didn’t avoid stimulating Mr. Chen’s joints on purpose. After a whole morning’s training, Mr. Chen’s joints were obviously overloaded. That was why he plodded when he left at noon.

At this time, Guang Wu was very upset. He felt that he had been framed by Mr. Chen. If Mr. Chen had mentioned his disease in advance, he surely would have been cautious the whole time so as to avoid stimulation on Mr. Chen’s weak knee joints.

…

Guang Wu was kicked out, and then only Dai Li and Youdi Wei left.

Youdi Wei looked at Mr. Liu by his side and asked scrupulously, “Mr. Liu, do you have any Arthritis?”

“When getting old, joints will have problems more or less,” Mr. Liu said. “My joints are definitely not as good as you young people, but mine are not as poor as Old Chen.”

As he said this, he confidently patted his two knees.

“Good to know.” Youdi Wei released a long breath, then added, “Mr. Liu, if you feel anything that is not right, please tell me at once!”

“Sure thing. Don’t worry, if I feel uncomfortable, I will immediately let you know,” answered Mr. Liu.

Youdi Wei relaxed a little bit. He involuntarily glanced in Dai Li’s direction, only to find the Mr. Zhang was still lying on the ground, receiving massage from Dai Li.

“Massage again? Afternoon training hasn’t started yet. Why do you massage now? You are a coach, not a massage therapist,” Youdi Wei murmured.

…

On the training field, Mr. Liu’s actions gradually slowed down.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Liu?” Youdi Wei asked immediately.

“Wei, help me to take some rest over there,” Mr. Liu answered. Youdi Wei immediately supported Mr. Liu by his shoulder.

“Don’t, don’t touch my shoulder, it hurts!” Mr. Liu grinned with pain. Youdi Wei changed to support his arm at once and sat down with him.

“What’s going on, Mr. Liu. Is your shoulder hurt? Did you twist your shoulder?” Youdi Wei asked worriedly.

“Nothing serious. My Scapulohumeral Periarthritis is occurring again. I will be fine with a medical paste,” Mr. Liu talked to himself. “There were many activities today. I got wet all over and was blown by the wind, so my shoulder caught cold just now. My Scapulohumeral Periarthritis has been with me for years. The only thing I’m afraid of is to catch cold.”

“Mr. Liu, you have Scapulohumeral Periarthritis? Why didn’t you tell me when I asked you?” Youdi Wei was about to cry.

“You asked me whether I have Arthritis or not! Mine is Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, not Arthritis.” Mr. Liu said innocently.

Youdi Wei cried without tears.

Scapulohumeral Periarthritis was a common disease of the elderly. When it occurred, the patient not only felt pain in the shoulder, but also in biceps and triceps; the whole upper limb would usually not be able to rise.

This disease had slow onset, many patients with Scapulohumeral Periarthritis looked normal in daily life, but once the weather changed or the individual was overworked, the pain would be sensed on the shoulder.

Another feature of Scapulohumeral Periarthritis was the patient was afraid of coldness, therefore, the patient’s shoulders should always be kept warm throughout the year. In summer, they dared not to uncover their shoulders, nor did they dare to expose shoulders in front of a fan. Some people even used cotton padding to cover their shoulders all the time.

Like Arthritis, Scapulohumeral Periarthritis also needed conservative treatment and physiotherapy. Medicine could only reduce pain and inflammation, but could do nothing for rehabilitation. In daily life, besides keeping warm and not being overworked, the patient should take good care of his shoulders.

But Youdi Wei didn’t know that Mr. Liu had Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, so he didn’t avoid using shoulders in his training plans, which caused Mr. Liu’s shoulders to get overworked and get cold, and then he suffered from pain.

Dai Li’s training continued, while Youdi Wei’s had stopped. It seemed that in the follow-up session, Mr. Liu couldn’t return to the training field due to his disease.

Far from the field, Ping Wang looked at Mr. Liu, who was taking a break on the side and sighed, “It looks like the results of this test section are out!”

Chapter 277: He is More Skillful

Mr. Liu’s Scapulohumeral Periarthritis flared up again, so he didn’t continue training, but instead, put on a jacket. He then covered his whole shoulder with another cloth.

Youdi Wei’s heart was filled with helplessness. He stared at Dai Li, who was not far away, especially when he noticed that Mr. Zhang was still exercising, brimming with energy. He felt that the world was treating him unfairly.

Why does my trainee Mr. Liu have Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, when Dai Li’s trainee Mr. Zhang is quite healthy?! I must be down on my luck! Youdi Wei thought.

Ping Wang and Tao Jiang conversed from afar.

“Mr. Liu, what’s going on? Are you alright?” Ping Wang asked thoughtfully.

“I’m alright, it’s just my shoulder hurts again!” Mr. Liu said, as he stood up.

“Coach Wang, I need to go back and put on a patch, then have some physiotherapy. Could you find me a car, and send me home?”

“Sure, Let me call the driver.” Ping Wang winked at Tao Jiang, who, wordlessly understanding, then turned around to arrange a car.

Ping Wang told Youdi Wei, “Coach Wei, Mr. Liu is about to go back home, you won’t have any tasks for the rest of you time here, so how about you go back and rest?”

“Go back and rest” were the words Ping Wang had told Guang Wu a while ago, which also announced that Guang Wu was out of the game. Now, those same words were given to Youdi Wei, so he clearly understood that Ping Wang was actually indicating that he was being eliminated.

However, at this moment, Youdi Wei was not convinced at all. He felt very uncomfortable about it all.

Youdi Wei didn’t leave at once, but rather, he hesitated, then asked, “Coach Wang, I think this practical training is not fair, as it doesn’t show my true ability.”

“Oh?” Ping Wang was not offended, but instead, he looked at Youdi Wei with interest, saying, “Coach Wei, we are colleagues, feel free to share your ideas or concerns.”

“Thank you Coach Wang,then I will say it straightforwardly. Mr. Chen has Arthritis, and Mr. Liu has Scapulohumeral Periarthritis. These two diseases will affect normal training. But, before we started,we didn’t know about the two old cadres’ chronic diseases. Guang Wu was not aware of Mr. Chen’s Arthritis, which was why he overtrained Mr. Chen, and caused his discomfort.”

Youdi Wei paused, then continued, “I didn’t know that Mr. Liu had Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, so I didn’t adopt targeted measures to avoid hurting Mr. Liu’s shoulders. If I was informed in advance, I would definitely not have used my original training methods, and Mr.Liu’s shoulders would not be hurting now.”

“However, Dai Li’s trainee, Mr. Zhang, doesn’t have these chronic diseases. That is why he can finish a whole day’s training plans.” Youdi Wei glanced at Dai Li again, then said, “This is too unfair to me and Guang Wu! We have different trainees, and if Mr. Liu didn’t have Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, we could also be finishing our training tasks today.”

“Oh? You think that Mr. Zhang is very healthy?” Ping Wang smiled.

“Then, does Mr. Zhang have Arthritis?” Youdi Wei replied with a question.

Ping Wang shook his head. “No!”

“Then, does he have Scapulohumeral Periarthritis?” Youdi Wei asked another question.

“No.” Ping Wang shook head again.

Youdi Wei was about to say something, when Mr.Liu, who was resting on the side, suddenly interrupted, “Old Zhang has Lumbar Disc Protrusion.”

“Lumbar Disc Protrusion?” Youdi Wei repeated, as he looked toward the direction of Mr. Zhang with surprise. In the next second, he asked: “Does Dai Li know this?”

“He does. But we didn’t tell him, and neither did Mr. Zhang. He discovered it by himself, when he was massaging Mr. Zhang,” Ping Wang explained.

“Massage!” Youdi Wei immediately recalled that, during morning training, every time they took a break, Dai Li would give Mr. Zhang a massage.

I see! That’s not simply a muscle massage, but a targeted lumber massage. The reason why Dai Li massaged him so frequently, was to reduce Mr. Zhang’s lumber pressure.That’s why Mr. Zhang could still act actively, and how he is not affected by his illness! Without those massages, Mr. Zhang would probably have lied down on the ground by now.

Youdi Wei had figured out everything.

“Coach Li, take a time out!” Ping Wang shouted at Dai Li to call him over.

Then Ping Wang said, “Actually, in today’s practical training, you all had the same starting level. Mr. Zhang has Lumbar Disc Protrusion, Mr. Liu has Scapulohumeral Periarthritis, and Mr. Chen has Arthritis. These three Chronic diseases will all affect training. But, we didn’t inform you before you started.”

“Well, to be honest, we did so in order to find create some trouble on purpose, as we wanted to make the optimal selection. You three are so good, and are the best coaches in our provincial team. Any of you coming to our ping-pong team as a fitness coach would be our pleasure, and I believe that you can do quite well on your future job. Therefore, we warmly welcome you, no matter who stays in the end. But in normal times, without the Deputy Director allure, none of you would be willing to come, I’m guessing!”

Hearing Ping Wang’s words, Dai Li and Youdi Wei both smiled awkwardly.

Ping Wang continued, “But only one person can be the deputy director, as the saying goes: ‘the monks are many, and the supply of gruel is meager–not enough to go around’. Hence, we here in the ping-pong team decided to use such an extremely strict, or rather, tricky assessment as the selection. As for the final result, Dai Li is more skillful. He noticed Mr. Zhang’s Lumbar Disc Protrusion, and adopted targeted measures to ensure the proper training process.”

As Ping Wang spoke, he turned to Youdi Wei, then continued his explanation, “Coach Wei, please don’t hate me, as I did this for work. You guys are so good, that regular selections cannot distinguish who is the better, so we were forced to creatively challenge you.”

Youdi Wei took a deep breath in order to calm himself down. Although he was still not completely convinced, in his heart, he had accepted the truth of being defeated by Dai Li.

“Mr. Liu has Scapulohumeral Periarthritis?” Dai Li pretended that he knew nothing. He turned to Mr. Liu.

“Just some old trouble. My Scapulohumeral Periarthritis has been here for more than ten years, and once I catch any cold, I can’t raise my arm. But it’s not serious, so after I go back home, I will use a hot lamp to heat my shoulder, then put on a patch, and I shall be fine tomorrow,” said Mr. Liu.

“Mr. Liu, may I help you?” asked Dai Li.

Mr. Liu considered this, and since the car hadn’t come yet, he nodded. “Sure. Old Zhang told me that your massage is as good as those experienced massage professionals.”

…

Five minutes later.

“Uh-huh! It doesn’t hurt anymore!” Mr. Liu said, as he attempted to raise his arm. “I can move it. My arm was not able to even raise up a small bit several minutes ago, but now I can completely raise it up!” Mr. Liu exclaimed, excited.

Dai Li smiled, as he said, “Mr. Liu, my massage can only release your pain for a while, so after you go back home, you still need to keep warm and take good care of your shoulders.”

On the side, Youdi Wei witnessed what had happened. His eyes were shining with admiration.

It’s only been five minutes, and Mr. Liu’s pain has been released. It seems that Dai Li’s massage skill really is amazing! I thought he didn’t know how to massage, but it’s actually his buried skill. This time, I am defeated by Dai Li, but I know that I don’t lose unjustly. He is indeed more skillful.

Chapter 278: A Red Envelope

Dai Li joined in the ping-pong team as he wished, and became an agent fitness coach. On the training field, Dai Li made a brief self-introduction, and while getting to know each other, he also detected the team members.

“Talent, C+; Talent, C+; Talent, C+.” Such a reading revealed that the continuous three athletes all had C+ talent.

Ping-pong is indeed the national ball, C+ talent is the most commonly seen in the provincial team. If it had been in the athletic team, C+talent would definitely be the major force. And with a large potential, the athlete could be recruited into the national team.

Dai Li detected the others, until finally, he found a B- talent player.

Aha, a B- talent, why wasn’t he selected to the national team?!

Dai Li sighed in his heart. Ping Wang pointed at a 23 or 24 year old, suntanned man, and introduced him, “This is Feng Zhu, the best player in our team. Feng Zhu is also the one with the highest potential to be in the national team.”

“Nice to meet you, Coach Li!” Feng Zhu greeted him at once.

Dai Li replied, while he detected Feng Zhu…

He is a B+ talent, so why does such a talented person stay in the provincial team? His talent is great, and if he was in athletics, even in the national team, he could be a major force! I never expected that, in ping-pong, a B+ talent can only be at the top in provincial team. So then, does this mean, in the national ping-pong team, that the players all have A-level talents? Or, maybe there will be more than one S-level talent player in the national team?

Dai Li boldly guessed these things. After all, Dai Li had stayed in the national athletic team for a long while, and knew pretty much about each athlete in the team. For instance, people like Guohong Niu, who was a B-level athlete, although he was already 22 years old when he was recruited, and yet he still received focused cultivation from the team.

Actually, among all present in the national athletic team, B-level talents were the main force. In some weak events, the team even needed C+ level talents to keep up appearances. There were only a few A-level talents, as people like Sijie Yang and Haiquan Fang were regarded as geniuses of their decades.

In regards to talents, athletics had nothing to compare with ping-pong, but it was in direct proportion to strength.

The national team’s athletic competence was not poor, after all, as during every Olympics, the team won gold medals in athletic events, and often won the championships in athletic World Championships. Therefore, the national team’s ability, although it may not be at the top-level in Track and Field Powers, was admittedly a contender as being the second-level in the world.

But the national ping-pong team was a place gathered by “Kings of the Devils”. To foreign athletes, the national team randomly sent a player, who was a hell-difficult opponent. The national team owned absolute power in regards to ping-pong throughout the world, and this fact was undisputed.

In regards to World-level games, it was no longer news to hear that the national team won all the gold medals, but it might be big news if they failed to do so. Therefore, seeing domestic players showing high talents in regards to ping-pong was a normal thing.

Other than talents, the detector also presented athletes’ shortcomings. Unfortunately, shortcomings on ping-pong techniques were things that Dai Li could not handle, as Dai Li was only a fitness coach, not a professional ping-pong coach. Moreover, ping-pong emphasized greatly on techniques.

To be honest, Dai Li’s ping-pong skills were fine, at least when he held the bat. Then, no matter if he was to serve or receive, he could make his play presentable. But, as for guiding another professional, especially professional players in the provincial team, he was far from being qualified. Even though Dai Li could figure out a player’s shortcomings, he didn’t have the ability to guide that player in improving.

Domestic ping-pong coaches were at an extremely high level. Many coaches in the provincial team used to be national grand masters themselves, or might even have been at the top among masters. They had the world’s best skills on techniques, experiences, and comprehension of the sport, so there was no need for Dai Li to show off in front of them.

Therefore, after he came to the ping-pong team, Dai Li focused on his own job as a fitness coach. Being the fitness coach, Dai Li handled his tasks and role with great facility. What he had learned in the national team was good enough for him to deal with any fitness training.

Among all sports, athletics required the most fitness training. Compared with other events, the athletic events were more simple, and were mainly just about who ran faster, who jumped higher, who threw further, etc. In these competitions, the role of the fitness coach was especially important. While in other sports, the importance of fitness training was apparently not on the top of the list.

Take basketball and football for example, the players not only needed sufficient energy, but also techniques, cooperation, and tactics. In the competitions, cooperation and tactics were more important than individual ability.

Basketball or football coaches, who had attained some fame, all created their own tactics, which they were good at, like top-level basketball or football coaches, who were masters of tactics. But, it was never heard that a famous basketball or football coach was famous for his fitness training.

Most individual events required more learning of techniques than improvements of physical qualities. Take shooting for instance, which was a sport that totally relied on techniques. Even if the athlete had a poor physical quality, and needed to take a break after every shoot, as long as he could take good aim, he could win as champion.

In fighting events, like boxing and Taekwondo, no matter how hard one punched or kicked, or how energetic an athlete was, if he could not hit his opponent, it was all in vain. Many times, one punch could KO and end the game.

Water games were also different. Diving was a high-technique activity, but swimming was similar to running, in that, both were speed contests. However, athletes’ physical talents were more crucial in this arena. With big palms and feet, swimmers could have more power to thrash and pedal water. Thus, big hands and feet were basic requirements for being a top swimmer. People with small hands or feet would surely be eliminated in selections.

Since athletic events relied much on fitness coaches, therefore, as long as one was an athletic coach, his fitness training ability wasn’t bad. And athletic coaches could do well on other events, like fitness coaches. In addition, Dai Li received assistance from the detector. He knew every athlete’s pros and cons.

So, although Dai Li couldn’t help on ping-pong techniques, he could help players fix fitness problems.

On the first day of joining the ping-pong team, Dai Li showed a convincing performance. Fitness training on ping-pong mainly included several points: speed training, flexibility training, power training and endurance training. The four programs didn’t refer much to professional techniques, and thus, they belonged to a fitness coach’s working area.

Speed training mainly focused on the speed of waving the arm when hitting the ball, and the speed of movement when getting the position of stance. After a single fast action, the muscles could receive relaxation and maintain brief pauses, so that they could remain unfatigued for a period of time.

Ping-pong contests required athletes to make immediate judgements, have fast reactions, quick starts, high swing speeds, and quick movements, as well as being able to change direction quickly. Only when doing these, could the player could grasp the initiative in fast, but complex, contests. These were also all based on an athlete’s possessing good speed.

Flexibility influenced the athlete’s accuracy of judgement and speed of reaction. The feature of ping-ping required players to react with flexible movements in the field. Meanwhile, enhancing body flexibility could improve action coordination and the accuracy of movements. Hence, players could better react to various situations, and control their bodies more accurately.

Power was the non-neglected part in modern ping-pong. Especially in recent years, the rules of the ping-ping game had changed, which caused changes in ping-pong techniques, and produced higher requirements of the players’ powers. Nowadays, ping-pong had increased its demand on rotation and speed, because without sufficient power, the ball couldn’t have high-rotation or high-speed.

Endurance was the necessity in most events, including ping-pong. Ping-pong was a game in which the rhythm and intensity changed continuously. Without enough endurance, the player couldn’t respond to the rhythm and intensity in the game.

Moreover, after International Table Tennis Association changed the small ball into big ball, and set rules for “Unshielded Service”, speed and rotating intensity were reduced more than before. These obviously all offered stricter demands on players’ endurance.

Moreover, since every player had their own styles and types, ping-pong fitness training could not be generalized, but was adjusted based on each person’s technical features. For example, some athletes were strength type, and had strong power, so there was no need for them to undergo long term power training.

Meanwhile, the time of training should also be paid attention to. For instance, if the player was doing flexibility training, he’d better do so at the beginning of training, when he had sufficient energy still. Only with enough energy, would the excitement and inhibition of the central nervous system be relatively strong and balanced, and maintain a high accuracy. Only in such conditions, could athletes develop sensitivity.

Before speed training, players should do a certain amount of intensive sprint or upper-body movements, for these could increase the excitability of the nerve process, and thus, provide better effects for training. After speed training, players could do some jumping training, which was good for improving both speed and jumping ability.

After a whole day’s training, athletes left the training field in groups, talking amongst themselves.

“This newcomer, Coach Li, does have something, as he could tell with a glance that I lack flexibility, and asked me to start to whistle run tomorrow.”

“Coach Li saw my shortcoming on endurance, too. He added a 1500m run in my tasks.”

“Why do I feel that this Coach Li is better than our previous Coach Ma?”

“Of course! I heard that Coach Li used to stay in the national team for a while, and that he has coached several Asian Games champions! He is the trump card in the athletic team! If not for the Deputy Director, how would he be degenerating himself to our team as a fitness coach?”

“Tell us more about inside story!”

Several gossipy athletes immediately gathered together. Usually, as gossip spreads, the story becomes more exaggerated. So, if the thing used to be as simple as 1+1=2, after being delivered from one to another, the story ended up much more complicated, and in many various versions.

Recently Dai Li had given up Glory of Kings, but fell into Survival of the Jedi. After a whole day’s training, Dai Li roughly finished his dinner, then ran directly to the a cyber bar. Two hours later, after experiencing several times of “landing box”, and being tortured by cunning players, Dai Li went back to his dorm with extremely bad feelings.

However, there was a man at fifties stood in front of Dai Li’s room. This man was not tall, was suntanned, and although he was not simply dressed, he didn’t wear expensive brands either.

Seeing that Dai Li walked towards him, the man stared at Dai Li for a while, as if checking Dai Li’s identity. Then, he asked, “Excuse me, are you Coach Dai Li?”

“Yes, I am. Who are you? What can I do for you?” Dai Li looked at the man with confusion, as he knew nothing about this man.

“Finally, Coach Li!” The man smiled, as he stepped forward, then said, “I’m Feng Zhu’s father. Feng Zhu is in the ping-pong team.”

“Oh, you are Mr. Zhu.” Dai Li recalled Zhu Feng at once, as he was also dark skinned, not tall in height, but had B+ talent. From his appearance, Feng Zhu and his father were very alike.

“Mr. Zhu, why are you coming for me?” Dai Li asked.

“Sorry, this is not a suitable place. Shall we move inside?” Feng Zhu’s father pointed at Dai Li’s door.

Dai Li hesitated, then nodded and opened the door. He went on to clean up the mess inside, while he apologized, “Sorry Mr. Zhu, I didn’t do the cleaning today, so it’s a little bit messy here.”

“It’s alright, it’s alright.” Feng Zhu’s father waved his hand. He closed the door voluntarily, then took out an envelope from his pocket.

“Coach Li, please take this.” Feng Zhu’s father cautiously handed the envelope to Dai Li.

“What is this?” Dai Li subconsciously received the envelope. But at the time when he took the envelope, he sensed there was a pile of money in the envelope.

Dai Li was slightly shocked, and he hurriedly opened the envelope. There was indeed a pile of money inside, which was tied firmly in a small bundle. From its thickness, there might be ten thousand yuan.

“Sorry, Mr. Zhu, what do you mean by this?” Dai Li’s face turned cold.

Feng Zhu’s father rubbed his hands embarrassingly, as he faltered out the explanation, “Coach Li, I inquired that you have some relationships in Huajing, and I wondered whether you could transfer my son Feng Zhu to the national team or not!”

“Sorry, what?” Dai LI felt that surely he hadn’t heard clearly.

“Coach Li, I know this is not enough, and that this is just our first meeting, but as long as you can put my son in the national team, please feel free to tell me how much more you want!” Feng Zhu’s father said generously.

At this time, Dai Li finally figured out what was happening. Feng Zhu’s father was here to give him a red envelope, filled with cash!

Chapter 279: The Dream of Three Generations

As Dai Li held it, the envelope full of money suddenly became as heavy as a thousand kilograms in his hand.

What’s going on here? Why does somebody give me such an amount of money? What did Feng Zhu’s father say just now? Did he mention the national team?

Dai Li’s brain was in a daze, shocked.

“Mr.Zhu, did you say you wanted Feng Zhu to be in the national team? What’s going on here?” asked Dai Li.

“Coach Li, I heard that you have some relationship in the national team, and thus, have some power in the team. You have the capacity to send my son there, so please help us…” said Feng Zhu’s father.

“I have relationships?” Dai Li suddenly laughed. “Mr. Zhu, I think there must be some misunderstanding. I’m just an ordinary coach from Yuzhou, which is a very little city, so how can I have any relationships in the national team?”

“Coach Li, please don’t be so modest!” Feng Zhu’s father pointed at the envelope, and said, “I know this is definitely not enough, and you must need more money to request national team leaders. Please feel free to tell me how much you need, and I will bring you more tomorrow.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Zhu. You misunderstand me. I don’t have such an ability, to send an athlete to the national team.” Dai Li waved his hands to deny this at once, then asked, “Wait, where did you hear that I know somebody in the national team?”

“It’s widespread knowledge in the ping-pong team.” Feng Zhu’s father replied. “They say that you know a lot of people in Huajing, many of whom are officers, and who have power in the General Administration of Sports.”

“That is nonsense!” Dai Li laughed with self-deprecating humor. “If I did have such an ability, I wouldn’t stay here any longer, but would have already been coaching in the national team myself.”

“Weren’t you a member of the national team?” Feng Zhu’s father asked. “The rumor goes that you came back to the provincial team, just for the experiences of being grassroots, and that you have a promotion promised you upon your return to the capital.”

Impressed about that scenario! But shouldn’t I be informed in advance, as the lead actor of this imaginary playact? Dai Li was shocked.

“Mr. Zhu, there must be some misunderstanding, I think,” Dai Li thought things over, and then explained, “It’s true that I was a member of the national athletic team, instead of the ping-pong team. If you want a position for him in the track and field team, I’d like to recommend him, but ping-pong is really far beyond my reach!”

As he said so, he handed the envelope with the money back to Feng Zhu’s father. However, the father believed that the reason he refused the request was for the insufficient amount of the money in the envelope, so he continued to argue, “Coach Li, it’s just my regards. I know you will need much more than this. I can surely give you more, and I can promise that tomorrow!”

“No no no no!!! I don’t mean that. It’s really out of my capability!” Li passed the envelope back to Feng Zhu’s father, once again.

“I see, I see!” Feng Zhu’s father, now enlightened, finally took his leave.

…

Dai Li was taking the whole thing as a misunderstanding, resulting from someone’s making up stories, but what was beyond his expectation, was that another envelope was found lying on the ground at just the moment when he opened his door! Obviously, the envelope was from the crack of the door, and had been waiting there for him to return home.

Dai Li opened the envelope, and this time, no money was found in it, but a it was a bank card, instead. There was also a note, which read: “Coach Dai Li, please kindly accept this”, with six numbers following that, which were apparently combined to form the password code of this card. The name of the gift sender was Feng Zhu’s father.

No, not this again! Dai Li felt helpless, but he was also annoyed. He looked out at the walkway, but couldn’t find Feng Zhu’s father anywhere.

As an athlete, he doesn’t focus on training to improve himself, but always is thinking about dishonest methods. Alright then, let me go find Feng Zhu and give this money back to him directly, and rebuke him as well!

Thinking about this, Dai Li took the envelope with him, then walked towards the athletes’ dorm. As a coach, Dai Li lived in a single dorm, while Feng Zhu, who was an athlete, lived in a double room.

After Dai Li arrived at the athletes’ dorm and inquired about Feng Zhu’s room number, then he directly walked there. As he knocked at the door, someone immediately opened it.

“Coach Li, why have you come here?” The guy who opened the door was also in the ping-pong team, so he recognized Dai Li.

“Is Feng Zhu here?” Dai Li asked in a threatening manner.

“You are here for Feng Zhu? He hasn’t come back yet,” Feng Zhu’s roommate replied.

“It’s half past eight, so why he is not here? Is he in the cyber bar? Or, maybe is he out having fun?” Dai Li frowned his eyebrows disapprovingly.

Automaticity was the required quality that professional athletes must possess. Strict work-rest schedule was a part of that. Usually, athletes should end their days and go to rest no later than ten o’clock, as if they stayed up late, they wouldn’t get enough rest, which would surely affect their next day’s training. As such, many athletes went to bed at around nine o’clock.

And if you added time for bathing, athletes should return to the dorm at around eight every night. Without special cases, if an athlete didn’t return to the dorm until after eight thirty, that individual was obviously not being very self-disciplined.

Hearing Dai Li’s doubt, Feng Zhu’s roommate immediately explained, “Don’t get me wrong, Coach Li, I can guarantee that he is not out having fun! He must be in the training room, practicing with the equipment! Every night, he takes extra practice there, and won’t come back until nine o’clock. Would you like to wait inside? I will call him back now.”

“No, thank you.” Dai Li waved his hand. “The training room is not far from here, so I will go look for him there.”

…

‘He takes extra training every night’? it sounds like Feng Zhu is a hardworking athlete. Why such a person preferred to go to the national team through dishonest ways, makes no sense… This is really out of my expectation.

Dai Li wondered these things, while walking to the training room.

The light in the training room was on, and a moving figure could been seen from afar. Dai Li went through the gate, seeing at a glance that Feng Zhu was indeed practicing on the equipment, sweating profusely.

He is indeed here. Dai Li looked at sweat pouring down from Feng Zhu’s face, which added a little sense of admiration in his heart for the player.

Coaches often referred hard-working athletes. Previously, Dai Li felt that Feng Zhu didn’t train seriously, but only wanted to find an easy pass to the national team. But now, it looked like he was not such a kind of lazy player.

There might still be some reason! Dai Li thought. He felt it would be better not to make a rough, snap judgement.

At this moment, Feng Zhu saw Dai Li walking in from the gate. He stopped practicing at once.

“Coach Li!” Feng Zhu called, as he got down from the equipment.

Dai Li took out the envelope from his pocket, then handed it to Feng Zhu with a cold face. Feng Zhu received the envelope, glanced at Dai Li cautiously, then asked tentatively, “Coach Li, is this not enough?”

Dai Li was almost angered to laugh, as he spat out, “You think so?” Dai Li’s voice was extremely cold, he continued, “Your father is muddled, so are you muddled, too? Do you think national team selection is just a children’s game? Do you think you can pay for admission?”

“I…” Feng Zhu struggled with his words, saying, “I just wanted to try. They all say that you have some relationship in the national team.”

“Huh, even if I did know somebody, I would not help you, or rather say, I wouldn’t help you because of your money.” Dai Li took a deep breath, then continued, “Don’t forget who you are. You are an athlete, so if you do want to be in the national team, use your own power, rather than someone else’s!”

“I’m sorry,” Feng Zhu said, as he lowered his head. “I didn’t want to do this, but I was afraid I won’t have another chance. I’m 20 years old, if I can’t be selected to the national team, I will never be in the future.”

As far as ping-pong national team selection, a 20-year-old was indeed an old athlete. In the national ping-pong team, many famous athletes that were remembered by the public, all joined in the team at around age fourteen to fifteen.

Those who were selected after such an age were regarded as old athletes. To the national team, athletes above 20 years old were probably not regarded as being able to be cultivated much anymore. Thus, first-tier athletes, without good conditions, would often even retire at around age twenty-six to twenty-seven.

Therefore, Feng Zhu the 20-year-old athlete, while he might still be a new star in other sports, in ping-pong,which was filled with young talents, he would not get the ticket to the national team, due to his age. However, Dai Li didn’t show sympathy to Feng Zhu as he said, “This is not a good enough reason to be dishonest. What you have done not only insulted me, but also yourself as well. You put your athlete identity to shame.”

“I’m sorry,” Feng Zhu apologized again. Clearly, he knew he was wrong.

“To be honest, your ability is at the top in our provincial team. Even though you couldn’t be in the national team, you can still prove yourself in competitions. You can still be a good athlete. Although not being in the national team means that you can’t participate in international competitions, you can go to domestic games. Domestic ping-pong games are more fierce and more challenging than international games. In addition, you can also choose club races, and there shouldn’t be any problem for you to fight in Table Tennis Super League as the No.1 in the provincial team!” said Dai Li.

“Coach Li, you don’t understand. To be in the national team is my dream, and it is also the dream of three generations in my family!” Feng Zhu’s tone became excited, as he said, “Actually, my family is a well-known ping-pong family. My grandfather used to be a ping-pong player, when he was young. He was a soldier, and represented the army in participating in the First National Games.”

“The First National Games? He is a such a senior player!” said Dai Li.

Dai Li learned of this at school, so he knew that the First National Games meant a lot. It was not exaggerating to say that the First National Games set the foundation of the domestic sports business.

Various domestic sport systems were developed right after that game. Without the First National Games, the national sport business might still be like the Indians, having fun in playing cricket, but making no achievements on international competitions.

Feng Zhu continued, “In that era, there was no concept of one being a professional athlete, nor did they have professional coaches. My grandfather played ping-pong so well, that he was sent by the army to the National Games. After the games ended, although my grandfather didn’t win any medals, he received an invitation from the national ping-pong team.”

He continued, “But at that time, my grandfather was in active service, so he refused to be in the national team, which became his main regret in life, for two years later, after the National Games, in the 26th World Table Tennis Competition, our national team won the gold for the first time, a gold for men’s group competition.”

Dai Li nodded. Although it happened half a century ago, the first World Table Tennis Group Competition gold medal was the great honor that was worth remembering forever, and it was the first time the national team first kissed the Swaythling Cup. That moment would always be remembered, and be a source of great pride to every national team athlete.

But Feng Zhu’s grandfather had missed it…

Dai Li felt that, if he was Feng Zhu’s grandfather, he would also regret that forever. Feng Zhu continued, “Not being in the national team is forever a knot in my grandfather’s heart. Later, he cultivated my father for the honor. My father went to amateur sport school at seven, and learned to play ping-pong. He joined in the City Youth Team at nine, and went on to the City Sport Team at twelve. He became a member in our Provincial Sport Team at fourteen. My family all thought that my father was surely going to be selected into the national team.”

“But right before the national team came here, my father got Phthisis. Although he was finally cured, he had some sequela in breathing. Once he over-exercised, he would have aerothorax. Hence, his career ended there.”

Phthisis was called consumption in the ancient times, and for thousands of years, it was a serious and fatal infectious disease. Throughout history, a lot of famous people died of consumption.

Since the nineteen-fifties, anti-tuberculosis medicines were discovered gradually, thus, the epidemicity of Phthisis was finally under control. In that country, once it became the nineteen-eighties, the disease finally had a more stable cure.

In that era, the morbidity rate of domestic Phthisis was more than 710/100,000. Every year, there were more than 300,000 who people died of Phthisis, so it was not a big surprise for Feng Zhu’s father to contract it.

Phthisis was an infectious chronic disease, so even in modern times with developed medical treatment, after being cured, phthisis still caused calcification in a patient’s lungs, which affected the respiratory system. Also, in the past, when medical techniques were not as well-developed, more sequela existed.

Such as the past relating to Feng Zhu’s father, who had been suffering from sequela of Phthisis. He would have aerothorax after over-exercised, which meant that he would never be allowed to become an athlete again. The other athletes could have a big meal in the canteen to regain energy, but his way of regaining energy was to be in the hospital uptaking oxygen. In such a sad scenario, no training team dared receive him, let alone allow him to join in the national team.

Chapter 280: Feng Zhu’s Story

Feng Zhu finished his father’s story, and finally, he talked about himself, “My grandfather and my father have rested their hopes of being in the National Team on me. When I was 3 years old, my grandfather started to train me to play ping-pong. To be honest, I can’t remember things clearly back at that time. I only remember that my grandfather emptied the living room and bought a ping-pong table especially for me, even though I was no taller than the table.”

“Then, not only my grandfather, but my father also joined in to train me. I was never in kindergarten when I was a child. I was trained by my grandfather on weekdays, while my father trained me on weekends. My family spent a lot of money on my training. They bought nutrition supplements to help me get stronger, and engaged a coach to help my training. Almost all my father’s salary, and my grandfather’s pension, were spent on me.”

“When I was 7 years old, I started to participate in ping-pong games between amateurs. When I was 8, I got my first achievement, the champion of our City Table Tennis Match Children Group. It did not take long before I was selected by City Sport Team. Then, was recruited to Provincial Youth Team. And later, when I was 14, I went to Provincial Sport Team.”

“Soon after I joined in our provincial team, a national team coach came for selection. He gave me high praise. However, since I was only in this team for a short time, he didn’t take me to the National Team immediately. He let me stay here and practice for 1 or 2 years to accumulate more experience.”

“From then on, I started training madly, and had an additional training day and night. I knew both my grandfather and my father were anxious for me to enter in the National Team. I didn’t want to let them down.”

“When I was 16 years old, a National Team coach came here again. It was another coach who came specially for testing me. But in the end, I was not chosen by the National Team.” Ending here, Feng Zhu showed a painful look on his face.

“Why?” asked Dai Li.

“The coach thought I lacked strength, and my techniques were outdated. I was really thin at that time, thin and short, and not strong.” After a short pause, he went on, “What’s more, I learned my ping-pong techniques from my grandfather and my father. The techniques in their time was different from modern times.”

Dai Li nodded to show his understanding. In the past decade, International Table Tennis Association had modified the competition rules repeatedly, and started to use new table tennis equipment. The major purpose was to restrict our National Team and break the monopoly on table tennis.

These changes had slowed down the speed of the ping-pong ball, which on the other hand, made it easier to play stalemate ball. Given an example of match ball, 38mm-diameter balls were used in the past, while 40mm-diameter balls were used in recent years. Although the diameter disparity was just 2mm, the ball speed slowed by 17%, and the rotation degree was cut by 23%, which made the previous playing style of fast and flexible become obsolete.

Almost all the world champions twenty years ago were the kind of players who had flexible bodies and fierce playing styles. The most popular style was like a fierce tiger, which gave the opponent a rush in 2-3 rounds and ended the fighting in 5-6 rounds. It was almost impossible to play stalemate ball!

Especially some short players were at a disadvantage on movement, because of their heights. They had to take two steps, while their opponents only took one. Therefore, these short players had to pursue fast and fierce playing techniques, so that they could gain the initiative and not be led by the nose.

Once they kept playing stalemate ball for a long time, or did not gain the initiative, their shortcomings would be amplified, which brought increasing probability of loss. However, it did not work to use the previous playing style. Modern table tennis not only needed techniques and flexibility, but also ample strength. Without strength, the ball would lack high-speed and rotation, then an attack would be not fierce enough. In this case, the opponent would catch the ball and launched counterattacks easily.

As for strength and rotation, the players who were tall with long arm spans certainly had advantages. That a big player would have more power, was a common view in the sports field. What’s more, based on the leverage principle, players who had longer arm spans led to a bigger ball rotation. So in recent years, there were no more short world champions.

Feng Zhu was not very tall. He was less than 1.7 meters, in fact. Among males, this didn’t matter 20 years ago, but now, it was definitely a disadvantage. The influence of height would not be obvious when players were teenagers, but the disadvantage would show up after they became adults.

That was what professional sports were supposed to be like. No matter what kind of sports, being outstanding when one was young was not real success. Many talented teenagers became ordinary and unknown after they became adults.

One of the important reasons for this was a change of their physical condition.

Youngsters engaged in sports didn’t need to be at high physical conditions, and there was no big gap between youngsters. But after they became adults, being too tall, too short, too fat, too thin, or having arms that were not long enough, legs that were too short, shoulders that were too broad, hands that were not big enough, etc, all those factors would be obstacles to progress.

Take basketball for example, it was almost impossible to be a professional basketball player if one’s height was only around 1.8 meters. But if one was 2.2 meters tall, basketball coaches would find one voluntarily, even if that guy could not play basketball at all.

Beyond that, Feng Zhu’s playing style was another problem. Feng Zhu was trained by his grandfather and father, whose techniques were popular in the last century. Of course, Feng Zhu, who was trained by them, hence, used obsolete techniques.

Pursuing speed and having fierce techniques were nothing wrong for teenage players, and Feng Zhu could easily win against all his peers. In fact, Feng Zhu became the star of hope by his techniques.

However, in the National Team coaches’ eyes, such techniques were out of date. At least, those skills could not survive in the National Team today.

There were too many table tennis talents in the country. Many teenagers’ techniques and experiences were worse than Feng Zhu, but they had better physical conditions. This gave them better potential. National Team coaches valued players’ potentials, rather than their current abilities.

Because there were too many talented players in the National Team, immediate force was sufficient. A lot of players, who stayed in the National Team for 7 or 8 years, hadn’t waited for the opportunity to become the major force, so how could Feng Zhu’s inconspicuous achievements catch those coaches’ attention?

Feng Zhu continued, “After the coach left, I started power exercises. I knew that, compared with those tall players, I didn’t have any advantage in strength. The only thing I could do was to work extremely hard. If others exercised for 1 hour, I exercised for 2 hours. On techniques, I started making adjustments, and began to use strenuous techniques.”

“I heard it from Coach Ping Wang!” Dai Li thought back for a while, then continued, “Coach Ping Wang said that your strength was great, your serving speed was very high, and your rotation of the ball was powerful. In this respect, many tall players were no match for you. Therefore, you are the No.1 of our team!”

When Dai Li was speaking, he greatly admired Feng Zhu in his heart. Although Feng Zhu lacked physical talent, he made up for it with efforts. In the respect of power, he had to make a lot of efforts, so that he could fight against big players.

There is no doubt that Feng Zhu is very hard-working. But I can’t understand why such a diligent player bribed a coach in order to enter the National Team. Perhaps his obsession to enter in the National Team is too deep. Dai Li sighed in his heart.

By his side, Feng Zhu sighed, “I did obtain better strength, and changed my techniques. I had expected that I would be in the National Team by doing so. But two years ago, when National Team coaches came here for selection, I failed again.”

“Why did you fail this time? You were 18 years old two years ago, which was not too old. It wasn’t your age, was it?” asked Dai Li.

“It was flexibility. The coach thought that my technical movements were too rigid. They deemed that I was not flexible enough, which would influence many difficult technical movements and the continuity of actions. But I didn’t have such problems in the past,” answered Feng Zhu.

“Because of power exercises?” Dai Li asked at once.

Feng Zhu nodded, “The coaching staff analyzed it. My body flexibility declined because of overloaded power exercises.”

Too much power exercising must lead to the decline of body flexibility. Perhaps there were many people who thought that, male gymnasts or divers who had many muscle groups, including eight abdominal muscles, could still make difficult technical movements. They were undoubtedly flexible. This had proved that muscle men could acquire high flexibility.

But in fact, those difficult technical movements were driven by power. Just like body varial in both gymnastics and diving, it was finished not by flexibility, but by great initial force and lumbar abdomen power in midair instead.

Overloaded exercising on muscles would decline the body’s controllability. Many muscle men in the NBA, who had amazing talents, had poor free throw performance. That was because of physical controllability. They had too many muscles and too much power, which affected their strength of free throwing.

Plus, due to some mental factors’ negative influences, they rarely threw accurately.

But on table tennis, flexibility was a necessity. From characteristics of ping-pong, it was a kind of a skillful sport. In professional contests, players had to make judgments within a few seconds, because of the high speed of the ball. And they had to switch fine stroke movements, which required flexible joints all over the athlete’s body, and high expansion of action range. To achieve this, one must have strong body flexibility.

From technical development of ping-pong, a small ball in the platform had been more and more important. If the player could handle the ball in the platform successfully, one would not lose the game, even if he couldn’t make trouble for his opponent. If one couldn’t handle the ball satisfyingly, one’s flaws would be exposed to, and seized by, his opponent.

To deal with in-platform balls, the player needed fine body flexibility. Body flexibility was closely related to players’ sensitivity, speed, strength and endurance, all of which were essential factors for playing ping-pong. Having fine body flexibility could help players make bigger ranges of actions, as well as aiding them in improving joint flexibility and muscle elasticity. Hence, athletes could move easier, while saving more efforts. Therefore, for ping-pong players, low flexibility would be a shortage, let alone no flexibility at all.

National Team coaches selected the best player out of merely good ones. There was a huge ping-pong talents reserve, so the national team didn’t worry about shortages of players. Even a tiny blemish would be a reason for rejection by National Team coaches.

Feng Zhu continued, “From then on, I had tried many exercises to improve my flexibility, but…”

“But the effect was not obvious, was it?” Dai Li interrupted him.

Feng Zhu nodded and agreed, “There was almost no effect. I was too old to practice flexibility, which was indeed a little late.”

The lack of flexibility is indeed Feng Zhu’s current main shortage. Dai Li thought.

Dai Li had studied Feng Zhu before, and already knew his shortage. His training program also aimed at enhancing flexibility. But, to a 20-year-old adult player, it was hard to enhance body flexibility. Female gymnasts, who had fine flexibility, were at their best status when they were 14-16 years old. They should probably retire at 18. The main reason was that they couldn’t improve their flexibility anymore at that age, or even decline, no matter how many exercises they did.

So Dai Li continued, “During training these days, I think you have felt that my training program aims at improving your flexibility. For instance, things such as Kicking Training, which can help you with the flexibility of coxa. I also added Knee Joint Circling Training and Kneeing Foot Training.”

Feng Zhu nodded, “I know those exercises can help me increase flexibility. I had been doing those exercises for a long time, but it didn’t work. If I can’t improve my flexibility, I would never be chosen by the National Team!”

“You can’t improve your flexibility, and can’t be selected by the National Team, so you decided to take the other side?” Dai Li said, pointing at the envelope in Feng Zhu’s hand with a bank card in it.

Feng Zhu lowered his head shamefully, “I am sorry, Coach Li. I was too eager to be in the National Team. It is a dream of three generations in my family!”

“But this is not the reason you take the other side!” Dai Li repeated those words, then he continued, “If you made efforts and tried your best, you were still an admirable player, even though you were not selected into the National Team. But you want to enter the National Team by a bribe, I would look down upon you, even if you made it!”

“I am really sorry, but I have no choice. What I have done was all for my grandfather!” Feng Zhu raised his head with a painful look. “My grandfather was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. I don’t know how long he can stay alive. But I’d hoped I could reach his desire in his lifetime, and I now hope he could go without regret!”

Chapter 281: Practice Yoga

Dai Li didn’t expect Feng Zhu’s reasons, and he asked: “How is your grandpa now?”

Feng Zhu said in a very low voice: “My grandpa will be over 70 this year. At this age, the risk of surgery is very large. And his body can’t take chemotherapy. Therefore, right now we can only consider conservative treatments.”

In the field of cancer treatments, apart from conservative treatments, the other three useful treatments were surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. It was not difficult to understand the surgery method, which meant lying on the surgery bed and removing the cancer tissues, however, this treatment was not suitable for senior people. Just imagine the scene of cutting their skin and taking out a small part of their organs… a young man could bear the pain, but it would probably kill a senior person.

Radiotherapy equaled radiation treatment, which was a treatment that killed the cancer tissues by ray, wire, proton beam or other beams. However, those radioactive substances were bad for people’s health, and also, they had trouble identifying the cells, therefore, they tended to kill all the cancer cells, as well as healthy cells during the treatment.

Such reasons were why patients with lung cancer seldom chose radiotherapy. The treatment requires extensive exposure, which would affect other organs inside the thorax, such as the heart. It would be a loss to sacrifice your heart for the sake of your lung.

Regarding chemotherapy, it was a way to kill the cancer cells with a chemotherapeutic agent. It was a treatment that was applied to the whole body. No matter what way the patient took in the pills, the medicine would travel with the blood and reach almost every organ and tissue. It was really effective for tumor treatment, and for tumor inhibition in later stages.

The medicines used in chemotherapy were cytotoxic drugs, and they surely had side-effects. The most common ones were digestive system problems, hair loss, lessening of lung and kidney function, and leukocyte reduction. The problems in the digestive system would cause nausea, throwing up, and even cause trouble with eating. Therefore, patients who took chemotherapy tended to become thinner.

On the other hand, the patients still had to take supplements, because if they were to not, they would be weaker, and so would their immune system. The decline of leukocytes would definitely lead to the decreased functioning of the immune system. Therefore, the patients tended to catch other diseases, and those other diseases would harm the other organs in the body. Hence, as a consequence, the damage of the immune system would be fatal.

Many people found chemotherapy unfamiliar, which was why they thought it would speed up death if a patient took the chemotherapy treatment. Some people even thought that the hospital had “killed” the patient, when they saw the patient walk into the hospital safe and sound, only to later come out looking, and feeling, dreadful.

The chemotherapy itself had nothing wrong with it, it was just that the patients couldn’t bear the side-effects of it, and ended up with complications or the decay of organs, which would then lead to death. People who were weak or old were not advised to take chemotherapy, because while it took the cancer cells years to cause death, the breakdown of the immune system would make patients die in three months.

Those expensive anti-cancer medicines available abroad had less side-effects, or sometimes no side-effects at all. Therefore, those rich people that could afford them wouldn’t have to worry about their diseases, as they could get these medicines and maintain their lives. Also, when you got enough nutrition, your immune system wouldn’t be damaged as much, and you could live for 10 to 20 years more, living just like a normal person.

Feng Zhu was not born into a rich family, and it would be impossible for him to buy those extremely expensive anticancer medicines. Also, Feng Zhu’s grandpa was too old to try all the three methods for fighting the cancer, so he might have to wait for death at home.

…

After Dai Li knew about this, he forgave Feng Zhu’s bribe from before. “Feng Zhu, since you told me all this, I want to be honest with you.” Dai Li paused, then continued, “Don’t believe what they say. I don’t have networks connections to the higher ups, and there’s no way for me to get you into the national team. I am not turning you down or lying, it’s just that I have no right to do that.”

Dai Li looked sincere, while Feng Zhu looked like he had lost all hope. Dai Li continued saying, “But I may have something to help you with your flexibility issue.”

“Really?” Feng Zhu suddenly raised up his head. He looked astonished and excited.

“Of course, it’s true. You think I would tease you?” Dai Li replied.

“No, that’s not what I mean.” Feng Zhu explained, “Coach Li, I don’t doubt your words. It’s just that I am too old to practice flexibility. And plus, I have tried to do this for two years. However, I didn’t achieve anything in the last two years. I don’t have faith in myself.”

“It is kind of late to start training flexibility at your age. And I don’t think the normal training routine would be suitable for you.” Dai Li kept saying, “Therefore, we need to figure out other ways to do this, to use some special method… something you have never tried before.”

“What method?” Feng Zhu asked anxiously.

“Well…” Dai Li hesitated, and didn’t reply immediately.

Dai Li was thinking of flexible yoga, which was similar to slimming and fat reduction exercises. Coaches were asked to guide the athletes to do yoga, and the athletes could improve their flexibility by practicing yoga.

Dai Li hadn’t used this skill after he learned it. He always thought this was a skill that was only used in sports like gymnastics.

Many people would think yoga was a sport that was specially taken by those office ladies who spent time in the gym only to relax. If so, it was okay for average people, but it would be ridiculous for high-leveled athletes to take it as a professional training.

That was why Dai Li didn’t point out the answer immediately, as he assumed Feng Zhu would think it was a joke. However, seeing Dai Li mumbling, seeming to hold words back, Feng Zhu mistook the method as something super hard and cruel.

Feng Zhu said, “Coach Li, don’t worry. I can bear the hardships. No matter how hard it is, I will take it!”

“Bear the hardship?” Dai Li was stuck when he heard this, then he shook his head. “This training method is not hard at all. You can even say it’s quite easy, comparatively. It’s just a bit special!” Dai Li stressed on the word “special” on purpose.

“Coach Li, just tell me, no matter what it takes, as long as it can help improve my flexibility, I would do it!” Feng Zhu asked.

“Well then, my method is…” Dai Li said the last few words clearly, “Practice yoga!”

Chapter 282: Two Amateurs

“Yoga?” Feng Zhu had a surprised look on his face, as expected.

Modern citizens would find yoga familiar. As long as there was a gym, there would be yoga class. Females are the major participates, as few men would practice yoga.

Many domestic people considered practicing yoga as a trend-chasing activity. They practiced so that they could post the picture on their social media and get attention, not for pure exercise.

Actually, practicing yoga had many advantages. It was, after all, a kind of sport, and it had its strength. From a physiology perspective, it could improve circulation, the immune system, and strength, as well as balance. It also helped with reducing muscle aches. Besides, practicing yoga could increase flexibility, as the old saying goes: the more flexible your body is, the longer you are going to live.

Practicing yoga also helped reduce stress and allowed people to better maintain a calm emotional state, and therefore, to be healthy and happy. But yoga seemed ridiculous, when compared with other professional training sessions.

As for the amount of exercise, yoga was much less than other aerobic exercise. Many people might feel tired after yoga training, but this kind of tiredness was different from that caused by a more exerting physical output. For a professional athlete, this tiredness was not tiring at all.

The effect of yoga on improving physical function was not as good as other specialized training sessions either. For instance, yoga could help with strength, but it was nothing compared with lifting weights, let alone the fact that professional athletes would practice in a more professional way, so they would choose more personalized exercises rather than yoga.

Therefore, when Feng Zhu heard “yoga”, he thought he misheard, and his second reaction was to think that this was a joke. However, looking at Dai Li, he seemed to be serious.

Zhu Feng had to ask and make sure, “Coach Li, did I hear it wrong? Did you say ‘yoga’?”

“That’s right, yoga.” Dai Li kept saying, “You may find it unbelievable, but I’m serious. My method is practicing yoga, more specifically, practicing yoga under my guide.”

“Coach Li, I know I made a mistake before. I really regretted it. You don’t really have to punish me in this way!” Feng Zhu said impatiently.

“This is not a punishment.” Dai Li shook his head, “I meant it. But I won’t force you to do that if you don’t want to.”

“Practice yoga? This is impossible! Of course I won’t take it! How is this going to work?” Feng Zhu replied without hesitation.

“I suggest you think about it.” Dai Li continued saying, “You have been trained to be more flexible for two years, but nothing has improved. Do you think it’s going to work out one day, magically? You’d better try something new rather than waiting.”

“But that’s yoga! It’s not going to work,” Feng Zhu argued.

“How could you know it won’t benefit your flexibility, if you don’t give it a shot?” Dai Li argued back.

Feng Zhu was speechless. He kept silent for a while.

Dai Li continued saying, “Surely you could choose to ignore my advice and repeat your old tricks, those moves that are not going to help, even if you practice for all your life. Or, you could take my advice and practice yoga. If it works, your flexibility will be improved, and you may possibly be selected by the national team.”

“Stay where you are, or take the challenge and do something different. It’s your own choice.” Dai Li paused, turned around and said at the same time, “Take your time, think about it. If you want to practice yoga, come to me.”

There was a struggling look on Feng Zhu’s face. Feng Zhu still couldn’t buy it. He didn’t believe that yoga would be more effective than what he had done before.

However, he had to admit that Dai Li’s words made some sense. If he continued what he was doing, he would achieve nothing. But a slight change could make some difference, even it sounded unreasonable.

Finally, Feng Zhu thought it through and made his decision. He ran to the outside, taking big strides.

“Coach Li, wait for me!” Feng Zhu shouted. “I believe in you, I will try yoga.”

…

Dai Li himself had never learned yoga before either. He was just copying the actions on the system. His movement was not smooth at all, and was even a bit rusty, to be honest.

Yoga was different from slimming exercises. The latter were kind of like setting up exercises to radio music, which had been practiced by Dai Li for years since primary school. You could simply master it, as long as you practiced it for a couple of times.

But yoga was new to Dai Li, and that was why he was rusty. Feng Zhu just looked at Dai Li and imitated every move he made.

Soon Feng Zhu came to realize that Dai Li didn’t do the whole set in a smooth way. “Coach Li didn’t look professional at all. He seems to be an amateur at yoga. Is he really qualified in teaching others? Or is he just messing around with me?” Feng Zhu had so many questions.

The good thing was that Feng Zhu had never practiced yoga before, hence, as a starter himself, he had no right to judge. So he held his words back and kept doing what Dai Li was doing.

Dai Li felt awkward as well.

“Yoga’s movements are way harder than slimming exercises. I made a fool of myself. I would have practiced several days ahead, if only I had known this was going to happen, so I would be smoother. I am a coach, so how can I convince my athletes, if I can’t do the movement right myself?”

Although Dai Li performed badly, he felt confident about the effect yoga could have, because the system never failed him.

“What we had practiced all worked out immediately. I hope this could work at once as well! As long as it worked immediately, even only a little effect could make Feng Zhu believe in it,” Dai Li prayed silently.

The yoga motions weren’t difficult, and didn’t involve any stunt, such as lifting the legs above the head. However, it took Dai Li an hour to accomplish the whole set.

Dai Li was unfamiliar with the motions, so you couldn’t blame him. Finally, after they finished the last move, Dai Li stood up.

“What do you feel?” he asked Feng Zhu immediately.

“What do I feel?” Feng Zhu shook his body. “I didn’t feel anything special!”

“Nothing?” Dai Li seemed disappointed. He said, more like self-comforting, “It takes more than 1 or two days for the training to be effective. We still have plenty of time! It’s pretty late, let’s call it a day. We will see each other tomorrow and continue our practice!”

Chapter 283: Yoga Worked

Early in the morning, Feng Zhu woke up and got up from his bed.

Suddenly, when he recalled what he did last night, he realized he had been foolish. Yoga? I am a professional player. How can yoga be effective? What’s wrong with me? Maybe Coach Li went mad, but why I was so stupid then?

Besides, Coach Li was unfamiliar with those yoga postures, and his actions were uncoordinated, just like a beginner. How could he teach others when he is not so skillful?

The more he thought, the more Feng Zhu felt yoga was not reliable. After stabilizing his emotions, he thought that it was time to tell Dai Li that they should not waste time on yoga.

After breakfast, Feng Zhu went to the training ground and prepared for the day’s training.

“Feng Zhu, come over for stretching!” The coach who was responsible for Feng Zhu motioned.

Stretching was the first thing for a ping pong player’s daily training. It could be viewed as a warm-up before exercise, which could effectively prevent muscle strain. In terms of the characteristics of ping pong, stretching was a must before training.

Professional athletes tended to stretch more, so the pain would be more intense. Although professional athletes stretched before training every day, the stretches always seemed to be very painful, causing the athletes to grind their teeth and even scream. Athletes were so miserable when they stretched that people called ping pong coaches “leg tearers” on the internet.

As Feng Zhu lay on the ground, Coach Kong, the leg tearer, was doing his work faithfully.

“Feng Zhu, are you okay?” Coach Kong asked, while tearing Feng Zhu’s legs.

“Sure, why not?” Feng Zhu was a little confused.

“Isn’t it painful?” Coach Kong continued.

“A little sore,” Feng Zhu answered.

“If it hurts, just call it out. You don’t need put up with it,” Coach Kong went on. “Normally, you would certainly call out in pain at this degree of stretch. However, you have said nothing today…”

Looking up at the degree of stretching, Feng Zhu was also surprised slightly.

What’s wrong with me today? Stretching to such a degree was just a bit sore. Could it be the yoga last night was really effective?

The next second, Feng Zhu shook his head. No way! I am a professional player. How could yoga be effective!

…

“Nice! Nice catching!” Coach Zheng couldn’t help but start clapping for Feng Zhu.

“Feng Zhu, you seem to be in great condition today. You couldn’t catch such a ball before,” his opponent also said.

“Did I?” Feng Zhu thought back carefully and realized that he was more coordinated than before. As for some difficult skills, he usually completed them but with skill distortion. However, distortions were occurring much less today.

Is it really because of yoga? This idea came into Feng Zhu’s mind again.

The whole day, Feng Zhu’s training had been extremely smooth. Especially in one-on-one confrontation practice, where he even frequently used hard skills.

Feng Zhu himself could clearly feel the changes in his body.

Until now, Feng Zhu still didn’t believe that this was because of yoga. However, except for yoga, nothing else had changed.

After a whole day’s training, Feng Zhu rested for a while and appeared outside the training room with his head full of doubts, preparing to do yoga.

This morning when he got up, he thought that doing yoga was stupid, and he even wanted to stop doing it. However, what happened during the day changed his mind.

Still I don’t think doing yoga is reliable. But now, better to believe something than nothing! Thinking this, Feng Zhu entered the training room.

…

The next morning.

Stretching for Feng Zhu, Coach Kong said, “Feng Zhu, I think your muscles are much looser today than two days ago.”

“Looser? I didn’t relax my training recently. I’m a little fatter, right?” Feng Zhu answered casually.

“Not that kind of loose. It’s relaxation. Your muscles were very rigid before. I could feel it when I helped you stretch. It was so rigid that I was afraid of hurting you when I exerted more strength.” Tearing the leg to a larger degree, Coach Kong went on, “But since yesterday, it has been different. Your muscles are not so rigid. Today is better than yesterday.”

Feng Zhu nodded thoughtfully. The first thing that came to his mind was the yoga that he did last night.

Coach Li’s yoga is really effective! It’s amazing that something like yoga works for professional athletes!

In this way, as a week passed, Feng Zhu progressed at an almost visible speed.

Feng Zhu himself could clearly feel that his flexibility was improving every day. Every time before training, the degree of his stretching was becoming larger and larger. And in daily confrontation training, he performed hard skills more and more smoothly.

…

Other players started to discuss Feng Zhu’s recent performance.

“Feng Zhu is in perfect condition lately. I was completely defeated every time I practiced with him!”

“Exactly. I have no confidence to practice with him now. Last time, he gave me five points ahead, but I was still defeated.”

“Feng Zhu practiced overtime even after daily training. So it’s normal to be so excellent.”

“He practiced overtime before, but why is he so good now? I think he was enlightened all at once.”

“The National Table Tennis Championship is about to begin, and I can’t be slothful anymore. I’ll go with him and practice more tonight!”

“I’ll go with you!”

…

In the training room.

“Coach Li, I would not believe yoga could be so effective if I didn’t experience it myself. If I had known that, I would have attended a yoga class two years ago!” Feng Zhu said excitedly.

“My yoga is different from others. This is specially designed for athletes, not like the kind of yoga in the gym,” Dai Li said, as it was true.

Unexpectedly, Feng Zhu believed him. For the first reason, he didn’t know other yoga coaches. For the second reason, Dai Li’s yoga helped him with his body flexibility. At this time, Feng Zhu viewed Dai Li’s words as truth.

“I must do well in this National Table Tennis Championship. It will be best if I can defeat one or two national champions!” Feng Zhu said with great morale. “I want to prove that I am qualified for the national team!”

Chapter 284: Dai Li’s Yoga Class

Da Liu was in a bad mood.

In the day training, Da Liu practiced with Feng Zhu. Although Feng Zhu gave him five points in every game, Da Liu still didn’t win after several games.

Da Liu knew that he was not as excellent as Feng Zhu, but he didn’t expect that the gap between them was so huge.

As an athlete, Da Liu naturally knew that effort and achievement were inseparable. Everyone knew that Feng Zhu trained overtime every day, so everyone expected him to achieve good results.

Da Liu wanted to make progress as well. He decided to learn from Feng Zhu, and he hoped Feng Zhu could teach him something after training.

Therefore, after supper, Da Liu took a bath, put on clean sportswear, and came to the training room.

The light is on. Definitely someone is in it. It must be Feng Zhu training inside. Da Liu stretched up his neck and looked into the room.

However, Da Liu was surprised to see Dai Li and Feng Zhu lying on the ground and slowly making strange motions.

What are they doing? Da Liu looked at them in surprising, with his eyes wide open.

It seems they are doing yoga! Those two are doing yoga! Two men are practicing yoga! Da Liu concluded, after watching for a while.

The two men were doing yoga on the floor. They seemed to be so uncoordinated!

Standing outside the door for several minutes, he didn’t enter.

Suddenly, someone behind patted Da Liu on the shoulder.

“Da Liu, what are you looking at?” Da Liu was familiar with the voice. It was just his teammate Xiaolong Gao.

“Hiss, keep quiet!” Da Liu gestured with a finger across his lips, and then pointed Dai Li and Feng Zhu inside.

“Coach Li and Feng Zhu! They are doing… yoga! Am I seeing it wrong? They are doing yoga, right?” Xiaolong Gao was in great shock.

“It’s yoga.” Da Liu nodded.

“Why do they practice yoga? Two men!” Xiaolong Gao asked.

“How should I know?” Da Liu shook his head.

They both knew that yoga had nearly zero effect on high-level professional players. Therefore, they didn’t understand why Dai Li and Feng Zhu practiced yoga.

Minutes later, another three athletes came over to practice. But when they saw Dai Li and Feng Zhu in the training room, they all stopped before the door simultaneously, looking at them in surprise.

It was weird enough for high-level professional athletes to take yoga as training, not to mention two men doing this.

A dozen minutes later, Dai Li and Feng Zhu ended their yoga only to find five people standing at the door already.

“Da Liu? Xiaolong Gao? Are you here for overtime training? Why don’t you come in?” Feng Zhu asked.

“We…” Looking at each other, Da Liu and Xiaolong Gao didn’t what to say for a while.

But Feng Zhu started to explain it anyway. “Coach Li is leading me in doing yoga! It can improve body flexibility. Will you have a try?”

“It’s yoga indeed!” They were standing at the door and looking at each other with shocked expressions once again.

“Da Liu, even if yoga could improve the flexibility of your body, it should not be as effective as regular training for professional athletes, right?” someone asked in a low voice.

“It should be so.” Da Liu nodded slightly.

“Why is Feng Zhu still doing yoga? Isn’t that a waste of time?” that person asked again.

“It works more or less,” Da Liu went on not-so-confidently. “Coach Li is a high-level coach. I don’t think he can teach something useless. His teaching must be effective.”

“Let’s try it too!” a young guy behind said eagerly.

This proposal attracted many people’s interest. After all, Feng Zhu was a good example.

As the strongest player on the ping pong team of Hanbei Province, Feng Zhu definitely could be a representative. His willingness to practice yoga worked like an invisible advertisement.

“I’ll have a try.” Da Liu nodded.

“You go and try it. I’ll not. Yoga is for common people. There exists no effect on us athletes at all.” Xiaolong Gao shook his head.

“I think so. We are professional athletes. There are so many targeted training projects! We needn’t yoga at all!” another person said, agreeing with Xiaolong Gao.

…

Da Liu and other two athletes joined the yoga training.

After a week of training, Dai Li’s yoga actions were much more skillful, and he was not like a beginner anymore. At least, Da Liu didn’t doubt it through his actions.

However, Da Liu was still skeptical about the effect of yoga. As a professional athlete, he didn’t think yoga was effective at all. Had it not been for Feng Zhu’s leading role, Da Liu would not have tried yoga.

The next morning, Da Liu encountered the same situation with Feng Zhu.

“Da Liu, if it hurts, it would be better to just call it out. You don’t need to put up with it,” the coach said, as his stretching action loosened slightly.

“Doesn’t hurt. Just a little sore at the beginning,” Da Liu answered.

“Just a little sore?” the coach asked, surprised. “Ordinarily, if you were stretched this far, you would have streamed out in pain. Now I will tear harder.”

Da Liu became aware of the change when the coach reminded him.

It can’t be the yoga worked! Da Liu thought incredulously.

…

When Feng Zhu entered the training room, he found the three players who joined the training last night already waiting there. Apparently, they had tasted the benefits of yoga.

“Da Liu, you came earlier than me!” Feng Zhu said.

“Well…” Da Liu felt embarrassed and asked, “When will Coach Li come?”

“Maybe in 20 minutes,” Feng Zhu said. He got close to Da Liu and asked, “Yoga worked, right?”

Da Liu nodded seriously, “If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I wouldn’t believe yoga could have such an effect on professional athletes.”

“Coach Li said his yoga was specially designed for athletes. Other people’s yoga may not be so effective! You are just beginning to practice now. You can feel how great Coach Li is when you train longer,” Feng Zhu said confidently.

…

Three days later.

“Bang!”

Da Liu managed to score one point by an extreme retrieve.

“Nice!” Xiaolong Gao, his opponent, complimented him involuntarily.

“Da Liu, you are so vigorous these days. These two days, we have practiced for dozens of games and I lost them all,” Xiaolong Gao said, a little unsatisfied.

“Who told you not to do yoga!” Da Liu pursed his lips.

“Yoga? You wouldn’t tell me that you became so vigorous because you practiced yoga, right?” Xiaolong Gao said jokingly.

However, Da Liu didn’t mean to joke and he nodded seriously. “Of course it’s because of yoga! I wouldn’t practice it every day if it didn’t work. Since I began practicing yoga, my skills have been more coordinated than before. I can achieve hard skills without distorting them.”

Xiaolong Gao still didn’t believe him. In his subconsciousness, he still felt that yoga with such little exercise had no effect on professional athletes at all.

Although Xiaolong Gao didn’t believe in yoga, others did.

Some athletes chose to join the training when they found out that Feng Zhu, Da Liu, and other athletes trained yoga every night. When they felt the effects of yoga on their flexibility and vigor, they came to the training and did yoga every day.

After all, humans are social animals with group psychology. Especially under the domestic system, professional athletes were always in groups, such as in sports schools when they were young and in sports teams when they grew up. Even a person with unique individuality would be ironed out and form to the habits of the community.

It was like in a university dormitory. If three of four people in a dormitory were playing one type of game, the last one would definitely play it soon. Similarly, if three of them went out to play basketball on weekends, the last one would serve as a stopgap even if he didn’t play well.

Therefore, others chose to join the yoga training when more and more people joined it. Even Xiaolong Gao, who didn’t believe in the effects of yoga, also joined the training at last.

When they felt the effects, they would never quit. Dai Li’s yoga class was gradually expanding.

…

“Coach Li!”

“Coach Li, there you are!”

“Coach Li, when will we start straining?”

As soon as Dai Li entered the training room, he was surrounded by his students immediately.

Nowadays, Dai Li’s yoga class had attracted all the athletes on the ping pong team. Every night, dozens of athletes did yoga following Dai Li. It was spectacular. Someone walking by might think it was a yoga class.

Dai Li felt a sense of achievement when he saw so many athletes already waiting for him in the training room.

As a coach, it was obviously a sign of success to be admired by athletes. Additionally, the entire team had been attracted here, which made him feel complacent.

As a coach, I should be satisfied with what I have achieved! Dai Li smiled involuntarily. However, he always felt something was missing.

Yes, the results. It would be perfect if we could achieve a championship! Looking at these athletes in front of him longingly, he knew that this goal was not far away, because the National Table Tennis Championship was coming soon!

Chapter 285: Helped by Some Master

Holding the athlete’s report card in his hand, Ping Wang seemed hesitant.

“So difficult! Which should be chosen to attend the National Table Tennis Championship?” Shaking his head, Ping Wang continued, “Recently, all our athletes have improved a lot, and it seems that everyone is working hard! However, the number of participants is limited. I really don’t want to discourage them now.”

Tao Lin, the assistant coach standing beside him said, “I think the new-come Coach Li is great. As far as I know, the entire team follows him to practice every night.”

Ping Wang nodded. “It is true that our players have made significant improvement since Dai Li came here. As a coach, it is simple to ask players to practice overtime, but ordinary people can’t make all the players willing to do so. I am reluctant to let him go. Unfortunately, he came here to help us on secondment. He will return to the track and field team after the National Table Tennis Championship.”

Ping Wang and Tao Lin both knew about the athletes’ practice, but they didn’t know the exact content of it. Both of them thought that Dai Li was a professional sports coach, and all the players were professional athletes, so the content of the practice must be professional training projects. How could they think of yoga?

Besides, in front of Ping Wang and Tao Lin, the athletes were embarrassed to say they were practicing yoga. After all, they were professional players and they were proud.

Tao Lin offered, “Coach Wang, why don’t we try to keep him here by offering him better conditions?”

“It’s quite impossible. The track and field team is also a major force of the sport field, and the influence and background of Weidong Chu cannot be ignored. What’s more, Dai Li has relations with the national track and field team. Sooner or later, he will enter the national team. We cannot be compared with the national team at all.” Ping Wang sighed in disappointment and continued, “Forget about that. Now we should determine our players to attend the national championships. Tao Lin, what do you think?”

“I think Feng Zhu is definite to play. After all, he is the strongest on our team. And also, as a left-handed player, Da Liu is a good match for the doubles…” Tao Lin said without stopping.

The limit for each team was five male and five female players to participate in the National Table Tennis Championship. In the singles events, each team could only send two players. In the doubles events, each team could only send two groups, four players in all. In the team competition, the latest rule was a three-win system of five sets, with the third set being doubles and the others singles.

Since there were doubles events, left-handed players had a better chance of playing.

In the doubles of table tennis, it was more convenient for cooperation when one player used his right hand and the other his left hand. But most players used their right hand, so left-handed players were more likely to find a partner in doubles. Sometimes, an athlete’s skills were not excellent at all, but he had more chances to play because he was left-handed.

…

The National Table Tennis Championship was far more difficult than the Olympic Games or the World Table Tennis Championship.

In both the Olympic Games and the World Table Tennis Championship, the seed players would avoid competing with each other in advance in grouping. When attending the Olympic Games or the world championship, the national champion player might encounter an African player in the first round, an American player in the second round, a European player in the third round, a second-class Asian player in the fourth round, and a first-rate Asian player in the fifth round. The opponents gradually became stronger and stronger. In the semi-finals after five rounds competitions, which meant entering the medal circle, it was quite normal to encounter top players of Japan and Korea or even their own teammates in the national team.

In such competition with opponents becoming gradually stronger, it was quite impossible to produce a dark horse. For a top player, it didn’t matter if he didn’t feel good at the beginning or if his hands weren’t hot yet. He could defeat an African player first to get the feeling. In the second game, he could win against an American player to stimulate the enthusiasm. In the third game, he could defeat a European big guy, then get his feeling and morale back. Here came the period of beating children like a Big Devil.

The National Table Tennis Championship would be held at the provincial level with two players from each province, so none of them would be weak. Therefore, even a top player could lose the game if he entered the game too slowly or encountered an opponent in a perfect state.

…

Dai Li didn’t follow their team to attend the game. According to the rules, each team could only have two coaches in the competition. So, the table tennis team sent Ping Wang, the head coach, and Tao Lin, the deputy coach. Therefore, Dai Li, the physical coach, had no opportunity at all.

What’s more, when the team went out to play, the physical coach was useless. The tactical arrangement of the game and the guidance of the athletes were all the work of the chief coach, not the physical coach. Even being there, Dai Li was just a part of the audience.

Being an audience member was no different than watching the game on TV or on the computer.

In the first few rounds, TV broadcasters would only broadcast the matches of famous players. Obviously, Feng Zhu was not famous and therefore not qualified to be on TV. But now, webcast was so advanced that online live-broadcasting platforms would broadcast the games not on TV, even with live commentary from sports anchors. Therefore, Dai Li didn’t miss Feng Zhu’s game.

Feng Zhu’s first opponent was also strong, basically the same as the previous Feng Zhu. Nevertheless, Feng Zhu’s physical flexibility had been improved greatly and his level had been improved significantly. He defeated his opponent without any trouble.

In his second game, he encountered a national player who was only seventeen years old, and had just enrolled in the national team this year.

Maybe because he was too young and lacked experience, or maybe because Feng Zhu was so eager to defeat a national player, the kid played in an extremely fierce way. In a word, this game was quite easy for Feng Zhu.

In the third game, Feng Zhu met another national player, called Tielin Li in the national team two, who was about the same age as Feng Zhu. For Feng Zhu, this game was a real challenge.

…

Two middle-aged men were sitting in an unimpressive corner of the grandstand. The left, wearing a peak cap, was fat and plain-looking, and now he was sleepy as well. The one on the right had a buzz cut, a big nose and big eyes, a square face, and a wide mouth. He had a pair of dashing eyebrows. At first glance, he appeared an upright man, who was suitable to play the protagonist in an anti-Japanese war film.

The two men were the chief coach and deputy chief coach of the national table tennis team. The left one with a peak cap was the chief coach Zhizhong Gu, and the right one was the deputy chief coach Bin Wang.

These two men had both been world champions when they were young, and both were grand slam winners of table tennis. They had once been teammates. Zhizhong Gu retired earlier because he was older, and he stayed and became a table tennis coach for the national team. Also, Bin Wang stayed on the national team as a coach after retirement.

Nowadays, this pair remained partners as they had been when they were young athletes, and became captains of the national table tennis team, leading this team to a glorious future.

Today, of course they were in the stands to inspect the athletes.

“Players of team one play stably. It has been smooth for them to reach the second stage.” Bin Wang was watching the latest games on the phone with his head down.

“They usually have more chances to attend in various competitions. When facing big competitions, they will be more stable in mentality. I’m relieved about them.” Zhizhong Gu continued, “But those young men of team two, some of them are beyond my expectation.”

“Some of them are really promising. They definitely can make great achievements after they go through more, but they just lack opportunities.” Pointing to Tielin Li, who had just entered the stage, Bin Wang continued, “Tielin Li, from team two. He has been on our team for two years, right?”

“Yes. It’s time to achieve some awards for the national team after two years’ training,” Zhizhong Gu said, his attention unconsciously focused on Tielin Li.

…

Bang! The flying ball hit on Tielin Li’s racket with a clear sound.

Not good! Tielin Li thought.

The rapid rotation of the ball was beyond Tielin Li’s expectations. Though he tried to hold the ball, it still flew off the table.

Feng Zhu is not tall but strong in power. The ball he returns is even equal to those strength players in terms of speed and rotation. I can’t play hard with him. I should play flexibly and make him move all the time to seek chances, Tielin Li thought.

Tielin Li strictly carried out his plan, but nearly in vain.

Feng Zhu’s action was much smoother than Tielin Li had imagined. He even made some hard skills without much distortion.

This Feng Zhu is even much harder to handle than teammates on the national team! Tielin Li looked at the score and realized that he was behind again, and he felt anxious.

…

In the stands, Zhizhong Gu frowned. Bin Wang said beside him, “If the game goes on like this, Tielin Li will lose!”

“Tielin Li plays well. His opponent is so excellent!” Zhizhong Gu said.

“This guy is called Feng Zhu. Our national team inspected him before,” Bin Wang said at once.

Zhizhong Gu searched his memory and said, “I remember I read some reports about him two years ago. He has practiced table tennis since he was a child, and his skill was pretty good and his strength was much greater than a lot of big players. His serve was fast enough and the rotation was strong enough. However, he lacked body flexibility.”

“Feng Zhu’s ball is great in speed and rotation, but his flexibility is also not bad! I don’t see any problems in his body flexibility,” Bin Wang commented.

“It means that Feng Zhu has improved his flexibility during the last two years.” Zhizhong Gu frowned again. “I remember that he was eighteen two years ago, so now he is twenty. Athletes at this age start to build muscle. I believe they will become strong, but I will not believe they can be more flexible!”

“Watch longer. Maybe Feng Zhu is playing at his best!” Bin Wang continued, “If it was his normal level, I believe he is better than most of the players in team two!”

As they were talking, the game ended. Feng Zhu defeated Tielin Li. Tielin Li was also the first national player to be eliminated.

…

Bin Wang’s judgment was correct that Feng Zhu was indeed much better than most players of national team two.

In the fourth round, Feng Zhu faced another player of national team two. Although he lost the first two sets, he finally won.

In the fifth round, the quarter final, Feng Zhu faced a senior member of the national team as well as the world number one player, Anshan Wang.

Anshan Wang was a super grand slam player who had won all the titles including the Olympic Games, the World Championship, the World Cup, the Asian Cup, the Asian Championship, the Tour Finals, and singles in the National Games. Besides, he had ranked the first place in the world for three consecutive years.

There remained a big gap between Feng Zhu and Anshan Wang. What’s more, Anshan Wang was more experienced than Feng Zhu. At last, Feng Zhu lost this game. However, Feng Zhu’s performance in this competition was remarkable. He could feel proud even though he was defeated.

After the end of the singles competitions, the doubles and team competitions began.

…

“When did Hanbei Team become so strong? They defeated Huajing Team in the group competition!”

“There are three national players in Huajing Team, and Hanbei has none.”

“Hanbei Team won the crucial game in the doubles.”

“As for the doubles, it suddenly occurs to me that the two pairs of players from Hanbei both entered the last sixteen!”

A lot of discussions went on around.

Zhizhong Gu felt interested and looked at Ping Wang on the stage.

“Hanbei Team is a black horse this year. Their strength improved significantly this year. So strange!” Zhizhong Gu said, smiling.

“I agree with you. Those players are much better than they were last year. I’ve known Ping Wang for years, and I know exactly how much he can handle. If he is so excellent like this, the Hanbei table tennis team is already number one!” in Wang wore an expression of approval.

“I think Ping Wang must get help from some master hand. Let’s go and talk to him!” Saying this, Zhizhong Gu stood up.

Chapter 286: National Team Came to Poach Him

“Dai Li!” Zhizhong Gu repeated the name again.

Bin Wang beside him said, “A physical coach can contribute so much to a table tennis team. Incredible!”

“But it’s true! Ping Wang didn’t need to lie to us about this,” Zhizhong Gu said. “Table tennis today is different than it was the past. The rules changed, and if you want to win a competition, you should focus on speed and rotation. A physical coach will become more and more important.”

“You are right. We have basically developed table tennis skills to their limit. And under the current rules of table tennis, it is difficult to develop new technical styles. Therefore, we can only explore the potential in other aspects of the game to enhance player abilities,” Bin Wang said. “Should I check Dai Li? I heard that he stayed in the national team before, and I might find out some new information.”

Zhizhong Gu nodded. “Go and check it out. Talent is hard to come by. If he is really a talent, we can’t let him in another team. After all, our team needs new coaches this year.”

…

After Zhizhong Gu and Bin Wang left, Tao Lin came to Ping Wang.

“Coach, why do I think you will sell Dai Li? If Zhizhong Gu wants Dai Li, he must poach him! I know Zhizhong Gu. He is a doer,” Tao Lin said.

Ping Wang stared at Tao Lin and said, “Zhizhong Gu is the chief coach of a national team. Did you think I could cover up that he came and asked about Dai Li? Besides, we can’t keep him here.”

“After all, he is in the track and field team…” Tao Lin whispered.

“That’s why I’m letting Zhizhong Gu poach Dai Li.” Ping Wang lowered his voice and said, “If Dai Li is poached to the national team, he will be a table tennis coach rather than a track coach. Afterwards, in the National Championship or the National Games or whatever, the national coach will be called back to provincial teams, then Dai Li will be our table tennis coach!”

Tao Lin understood this at once, and gave a thumbs up involuntarily. “Coach, you are really thoughtful!”

…

Meanwhile, Bin Wang found out some information about Dai Li.

“Coach Gu, all his information is here,” he said, handing the file to Zhizhong Gu. “He is indeed a talent. He taught an Asian Games champion. A champion coach for the Asian Games under thirty. What’s more, he is the last disciple of Li Xue. Such talent is hard to poach!”

Looking at Dai Li’s curriculum vitae, Zhizhong Gu sighed with emotion. “According to his curriculum vitae, he really is a great guy. With his experience, it would be no problem for him to be our physical coach.”

“Coach Gu, did you hear what I said just now? He is the last disciple of Li Xue and also a champion coach of the Asian Games. He is so outstanding, and the national track and field team will let him go! After all, Li Xue has been a coach all his life. He is so qualified that even if he had no achievements, he would be put in a lot of sweats. It’s not good to poach someone from him, right?” Bin Wang asked with concern.

“What’s wrong with that?” After staring at Bin Wang, Zhizhong Gu continued. “In our team, there is no top-ranking physical coach now. Now here comes a very qualified person. How can I let him go?”

“I’m just worried that the track and field team will not let him go easily,” Bin Wang said.

“Your file says that the organizational affiliation of Dai Li is still in the Hanbei Sport Bureau. We will directly give him an official position in the national team and poach him from the Hanbei sports team. This is a promotion! Hanbei sports team won’t have any hesitation for that, let alone refuse it, right?” Zhizhong Gu’s mouth turned upward as he spoke.

“Promotion should be based on mutual agreement. If Dai Li isn’t willing to come?” Bin Wang asked.

“That’s why I am going to do it in person!” Zhizhong Gu continued, “At the end of this national championship, I’ll go to Qingcheng and pretend to be a sports inspector. Feng Zhu performed pretty well, so I’ll go to inspect him.”

Bin Wang understood him immediately and said, “I see. You want to manage it secretly!”

Zhizhong Gu nodded. Though he still seemed to be sleepy, he said with a determined expression, “Poaching should be done secretly and quickly. We should handle it all before Li Xue and the track and field team realize it! Get his organizational affiliation here, and after he comes to our team, others won’t be able to take him away.”

…

Because of the characteristics of track and field sports, it was certainly more than enough for a track coach to double as a physical coach, since an excellent track coach would certainly be excellent in physical training. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a problem for Dai Li to be a physical coach in the national team.

The national table tennis team didn’t have any lack of excellent coaches, because top national players with many world championships would work as coaches in their national team after retirement. Those former world champions were world-class not only in the skills and experience of table tennis, but also in their understanding of table tennis. It couldn’t be more suitable for them to be professional table tennis coaches.

However, these coaches were not good at physical training. They were proficient in technical skills, not really intelligent heroes but agile ones. They couldn’t do strength-type work. They couldn’t resist damage but could cause it.

In fact, the domestic training system focused on technical skill much more than physical training. Therefore, in some sports, not divided by weight class but requiring high technical skills, the national team always occupied a relatively strong position, like gymnastics, diving, shooting and so on. The national team could always get some gold medals in big competitions.

In some sports divided by weight, Chinese players also had advantages in lightweight competitions. Especially in resistance sports, like boxing, judo, taekwondo, wrestling and so on, men under 70kg and women under 60kg, Chinese players were the best in the world.

Nevertheless, in heavyweight sports such as heavyweight boxing and heavyweight judo, Chinese national players were ranked significantly lower than others. The most fundamental reason was their lack of physical training. Heavyweight competitions required stronger bodies, and while Chinese players were rich in technical skills, they were poor in physical strength. They couldn’t defeat their opponents quickly or outlast them. Losing the competition was just a matter of time, since they had no weapons to fight with.

However, in western countries, physical training was highly valued and the position of physical coach was pretty important. Professional physical training centers were everywhere, and excellent physical coaches could earn two to three hundred thousand dollars annually, the same as some doctors.

Until some changes in recent years, table tennis had always been a technical sport. Foreign players couldn’t defeat Chinese players on stage, but they could change the rules and equipment. The rules beneficial to national players were weakened and the equipment suitable to them was changed.

As the chief coach of the national table tennis team, Zhizhong Gu had realized this long ago, so he was eagerly searching for excellent physical coaches.

However, under domestic systems, it was really hard to find a good physical coach.

There were good physical coaches abroad, but the national team could not hire one. Table tennis was the national ball sport, and the Chinese team was number one in the galaxy; if even one foreign coach was hired, Chinese coaches would feel embarrassed.

Beyond that, money was another factor. It would cost much to hire a foreign coach. Taking European physical coaches as example, even a physical coach of Eredivisie could get three hundred thousand dollars a year, let alone of the Premier League or La Liga. And they would have to be paid even more to get them to work in Asia, far from their homes.

Coaches from Eredivisie couldn’t satisfy our national players at all. Thus, American physical coaches would have to be hired, which would mean a higher price for their value.

The national table tennis team indeed had money for plenty of advertising sponsors. But that was public money, and it would be audited once used. Taking hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire a foreign coach definitely would not pass the audit. The person who signed it would be responsible for it.

Therefore, when they heard of Dai Li, they wanted to poach him for the national team. It would only take an official position for Zhizhong Gu to poach Dai Li, rather than plenty of dollars. Even though Dai Li couldn’t be compared with those foreign physical coaches, Zhizhong Gu would be satisfied if Dai Li was better than domestic coaches.

Anyway, something was better than nothing!

…

The National Table Tennis Championship ended. Hanbei provincial table tennis won the bronze medals for both male and female group competitions, and won nothing in singles or doubles.

Yet, Ping Wang was really satisfied with these results. They had no national players so they couldn’t get any prize in single and doubles. However, they were still an unexpected winner by getting two group competition bronze medals without any national players.

Later, Ping Wang was informed that the chief coach of the national table tennis Zhizhong Gu was going to inspect Hanbei’s table tennis players.

It was not something unexpected, since their players performed well and got the attention of the national coach. It was quite normal for them to inspect their players in person. But this time the inspector was the chief coach Zhizhong Gu, much more important than other coaches in the national team.

All the players of the Hanbei table tennis team were extremely excited, including Feng Zhu. For provincial athletes, the only way upward was to enter the national team, which was the goal of every player in the provincial teams.

Everything seemed to be so normal that nobody realized that Zhizhong Gu’s real purpose was not the athletes but Dai Li!

Chapter 287: Everyone Wants to Go Upwards

The car stopped slowly, and Zhizhong Gu got out.

Everyone was familiar with Zhizhong Gu. He was once the world’s foremost table tennis player, and had been so for a decade. In addition, he was the first “grand slam” winner on the national table tennis team, as well as a champion of the Olympic Games, a World Table Tennis champion, and a World Cup Table Tennis Tournament champion. He could be said to be the idol of first-generation table tennis fans.

Basically, Dai Li grew up watching the matches of Zhizhong Gu. Coaches ten years older than Dai Li, on the other hand, had regarded Zhizhong Gu as their idol when they were athletes.

Zhizhong Gu was now much fatter than before, but his world-champion’s temperament couldn’t be clouded by a few extra pounds.

When Zhizhong Gu appeared, many coaches formed a welcoming line, hoping that their athletes might be selected by Zhizhong Gu.

The process for national team coaches examining athletes was the same everywhere. First, they listened to the report in the meeting room and the introduction of the coaches. Then, they visited the training ground, and if necessary, they offered to watch a specific training.

However, table tennis had a strict requirement for technology, so the national team coaches would watch a match with the athletes to examine their abilities.

But it all seemed to have nothing to do with Dai Li. He was a fitness coach, whose job was to be responsible for the fitness of all the table tennis players, rather than a specific player. Dai Li, therefore, returned to his work after the welcome ceremony.

In the training room, Dai Li was leading several young players who had just joined the provincial team through strength training.

“Coach Li! Please come here!” said Ping Wang.

Dai Li turned around surprised, only to find Ping Wang coming toward him with a smile.

Why has Ping Wang come here? Shouldn’t he be with Zhizhong Gu by now? Has Zhizhong Gu left? It couldn’t be so fast, right? Dai Li was quite confused.

In normal times, it would be common for Ping Wang to appear anywhere. But today, Zhizhong Gu had come to visit, and as the head coach of table tennis team, Ping Wang was supposed to be with Zhizhong Gu all the time. How could he have spare time to come visit Dai Li?

“Mr. Wang, what can I do for you?” asked Dai Li.

“Coach Li, please follow me to the meeting room. Coach Gu wants to see you,” Ping Wang said with a smile.

“Coach Gu? Zhizhong Gu? He wants to see me?” Dai Li couldn’t believe what he had heard.

“Right!” Ping Wang nodded seriously.

“Coach Wang, why does Zhizhong Gu want to see me?” Dai Li whispered.

“He didn’t tell me the reason, but I thought it must be something positive!” he said with a smile. “Do not ask me, you will know when you see him. Please follow me!”

Dai Li followed Ping Wang doubtfully to the meeting room, and then saw the world-renowned Zhizhong Gu.

Zhizhong Gu looked at Dai Li curiously as if Dai Li was something new, which made Dai Li feel uncomfortable and unnatural.

Dai Li sat down and Zhizhong Gu asked directly, “Coach Li, I asked to you to come here because I wanted to know whether you are interested in joining the national table tennis team.”

Dai Li was surprised by Gu’s words, and he couldn’t believe Zhizhong Gu wanted him to join the national team after the first contact.

After a moment, Dai Li came to himself and then instinctively said, “I’m a track coach; I know nothing about the training of table tennis!”

“We have enough professional table tennis coaches on the national table tennis team, but we lack a great fitness coach. So, I hope you can be a fitness coach for us,” said Zhizhong Gu.

“So why did you choose me?” asked Dai Li.

Zhizhong Gu smiled and said, “I have seen your resume, so I know you have trained several Asian Games champions. In addition, I just had a chat with Coach Wang, and I think you are qualified to be the fitness coach on the national table tennis team. Therefore, on behalf of the national table tennis team, I formally invite you to join us.”

Dai Li was still at a loss; it was so sudden that he almost lost the ability to think.

Zhizhong Gu continued. “Table tennis is our national game, so compared to other sports events, the General Administration of Sports gives us great support. What’s more, table tennis has a good foundation and high public participation in China, so there is no doubt that table tennis has a promising future.”

“In terms of sponsorship, table tennis also has advantages. Let’s take our national table tennis team as an example; several of our major sponsors are well-known brands in China. Just at this point, other sports events are far behind our national team.”

“Compared to other sports, a coach in our national table tennis team enjoys better benefits.”

Zhizhong Gu’s introduction of the national table tennis team was rather exaggerated.

Actually, it was just like a business’s hiring strategies; if a business wanted to recruit talent, it was necessary to present the advantages as attractively as possible. If an enterprise had neither scale nor development potential, then it would be impossible to attract talent.

So, Zhizhong Gu introduced the national table tennis team like a Fortune 500 company.

Obviously, it would be impossible to attract talents by only discussing the company’s strength; more importantly, the benefits package must be clearly laid out. It would be quite difficult for even Microsoft or Apple to recruit talents if they couldn’t provide good salaries. All talents deserved high salary and good treatment.

Zhizhong Gu continued by saying, “Coach Li, if you join us, we will hire you as a formal coach of the national table tennis team. In addition, you will be treated as a national civil servant just like other coaches, and your previous administrative duties will remain unchanged.”

Dai Li was moved when he heard those words. The formal establishment of national table tennis team was great! Compared with the establishment of it current provincial sports team, it was obviously much better.

When he worked on the national track team, Dai Li was only an officer on secondment, rather than a formal national team coach, which imposed many limitations on him. So Dai Li wanted to be a formal coach on a national team. Now, he had the opportunity to achieve his hope.

Zhizhong Gu continued. “Our national table tennis team ranks first in the world, both in comprehensive strength and the personal abilities of the players. We have the world’s best table tennis players, and our table tennis team holds a dominating position in the world. I believe that there will never be so many world champions and top table tennis players in other teams. So, it is a challenge for coaches to train so many perfect table tennis players on the national table tennis team.”

“Dai Li, another reason why I think highly of you is that you are young. Young people should be brave, and try to face all kinds of challenges. I believe you are not content with your current status! I value your potential and recognize your ability; you need a bigger stage to perform your talent, and national table tennis is that stage.”

After introducing “company scale,” Zhizhong Gu began to introduce working treatment.

Although Zhizhong Gu was not good at indoctrination, Dai Li was deeply impacted by his words.

What Zhizhong Gu has said is right. There are top table tennis players in the national table tennis teams, and they are the world’s best both in personal ability and talent. Being a coach on a national table tennis team means I can get more experience.

Dai Li needed experience, so he began to calculate silently.

In terms of the comprehensive ability of players, the national track team was definitely lower than the national table tennis team. On the national track team, Haiquan Fang and Sijie Yang had A-grade talents, and they were the best athletes on the team. In terms of table tennis, Feng Zhu, who had B plus-grade talent, hadn’t been selected by the national table tennis team!”

Dai Li could predict that there would be several S-grade players and many A-grade players on the national table tennis team. Meanwhile, the players there had much better ability. All of this meant more experience for Dai Li.

What’s more, the players on the national table tennis team had more opportunities to participate in international matches, and as long as they completed, they were basically champions.

Compared with the national table tennis team, there were only a few players in the national track team who could take part in an international match. Even if they had the chance to participate in a match, it would be very difficult for them to get good scores. So Dai Li had difficulty gaining extra experience.

Obviously, according to the system’s settings, the higher his grade, the more experience he needed to upgrade. And if he wanted to upgrade as soon as possible, he had to train the players who had better abilities and talents.

Among all the table tennis training teams in China, the national table tennis team can provide me with the highest experience!

Dai Li understood that he relied heavily on the coaching system, and improvement in his coaching grade meant improvement in his ability.

I am only a top coach now, and I will doubtlessly need more experience as the ranks go up. If I continue as I have been, it will take me more than a decade to get upgraded. Thinking of this, Dai Li took a deep breath. I can’t wait any longer!

Zhizhong Gu took out a business card, handed it to Dai Li, and said, “Coach Li, I know it is very difficult for you to make a decision in such a short time. So, please take your time and consider it. This is my business card. If you make a decision, please call me.”

Dai Li took the business card in his hands, a solemn expression on his face.

“Coach Gu, I don’t have to think about it. I would like to join the national table team,” said Dai Li.

Zhizhong Gu was a little surprised, and then smiled.

“Surely everyone wants to go upwards!” Ping Wang couldn’t help sighing.

Chapter 288: The Surprising S-Plus Grade Talent

“Coach Li, I was selected! I was selected by the national team!” Feng Zhu said with excitement, his eyes twinkling with light.

Feng Zhu fulfilled the dream of three generations of his family and finally joined the national team.

As a newly-selected player on the national team, Feng Zhu had to stay on Team Two. If he wanted to be a member of Team One, it would require more effort.

Within the national table tennis team, there was a trial of upgrade and downgrade, which was attended by the last several players of Team One and the first several players of Team Two. The trial adopted the round-robin fashion and it was ranked by points.

The players with the most points could stay on Team One if they were already a member of Team One. If they were on Team Two, then they could join Team One.

Players from Team Two with low points would remain on Team Two, while Team One players with low points could actually be demoted.

In this trial of upgrade and downgrade, the low-ranking players had to attend the match of upgrade and downgrade. The famous world champions in the top of Team One, however, didn’t need to attend the trials.

But in Team Two, only the players who ranked at the top were qualified to attend the trials. Thus, new players in Team Two were not qualified to attend the trials.

For example, Feng Zhu had to stay in Team Two for a while. He needed to experience all kinds of matches and round-robin’s to improve his ranking in Team Two, and when he reached the top of Team Two, he would get the opportunity to attend the trials of upgrade and downgrade and then go to Team One.

In addition, Team Two had very fierce competition. In Team One, poor performance would be relegated to Team Two, but poor performance in Team Two would result in elimination from the national team.

If an athlete could go to Team One within two years, then he or she would be regarded as a talent, and would deserve the cultivation of the national team. And those who became members of the nation’s Team Two at the age of 14 or 15 and entered Team One at the age of 16 would be world champions in the future, maybe even the rulers of an era.

Feng Zhu was 20 years old, so he had no advantages in terms of age. He just entered Team Two, while there were many people who had been in Team One before the age of 18. Therefore, there were many people with much greater talent than Feng Zhu.

In the teams of Hanbei province, Feng Zhu had been a well-deserved “team leader.” But in the national table tennis team, he was just a common player. The great change in status could leave a person at a loss.

Dai Li didn’t know if Feng Zhu could adapt to the change of status, and if he couldn’t adapt to it, it might not be long before he was eliminated from the national team.

Looking at Feng Zhu’s back, Dai Li suddenly felt a sense of melancholy.

Feng Zhu had realized his dream, but he had also met a greater challenge. His future path would be more difficult than it had been.

The next second, Dai Li suddenly thought of himself.

The national table tennis team was also quite strange to Dai Li, and the strange environment was a new challenge for him. What’s more, the national table tennis team was totally different from the national track team, in which Dai Li was protected by Li Xue. But in national table tennis, he had nothing.

Thinking of Li Xue, Dai Li had a sense of sadness. Li Xue had tried his best to cultivate Dai Li, and he even regarded Dai Li as his future successor. However, Dai Li had chosen to become the fitness coach of the national table tennis team, and Dai Li didn’t know if it was a betrayal of Li Xue.

Dai Li was very confused, and finally he picked up his phone and dialed Xue’s number. But he still didn’t know how to explain it to Xue.

Finally, Dai Li told Li Xue he would go to the national table tennis team, and Li Xue was lost in contemplation.

After more than a minute, Li Xue heaved a sigh.

Li Xue didn’t blame Dai Li, but encouraged him. “Dai Li, the national table tennis team will treat you well. But the Sports General Administration has high requirements for the national team. So, you must work hard, and do not embarrass me!”

Dai Li could feel that Li Xue’s words were full of melancholy, but also blessing for Dai Li.

Actually, Li Xue knew that the national table tennis team was more suitable for a young person such as Dai Li. There were much better players, more matches and more champions, and for young coaches, a broader space for development.

Athletes needed matches and gold medals to improve and encourage themselves, and so did coaches. If a coach could not meet a good athlete and participate in high-level matches, he could remain unknown despite being a professional. On the contrary, even an ordinary coach would improve after winning several championships.

So, compared with the national track team, the national table tennis team was a better stage for Dai Li.

A week later, Dai Li finished his job transfer and he came to Huajing again to sign up for the national table tennis team.

The training center of national table tennis team.

At the training center, Dai Li met many famous people whom he had previously only seen on television. Some of them had been on television ten or twenty years ago. Those older people were now retired coaches, but they had facilitated many brilliant achievements for the national table tennis team and won many championships. And the young athletes were following the footsteps of the former generation, and would continue their brilliant achievements.

Zhizhong Gu showed Dai Li around and introduced him to everyone.

“Anshan Wang, the team leader of the men’s table tennis team. I think you are familiar with him without introduction!” Zhizhong Gu said, pointing at Wang.

Dai Li nodded; there was no doubt that he knew Anshan Wang. People in China who paid attention to table tennis all knew Anshan Wang.

Anshan Wang, 28 years old, was a leading player in the men’s table tennis teams of China. He had ranked first in the world for three consecutive years, and he was a grand slam winner in table tennis, called “the best player in men’s table tennis.”

Dai Li subconsciously detected Anshan Wang.

S plus! His talent is S plus! It was what Dai Li had expected, but it still took his breath away.

Anshan Wang was the first player Dai Li had met with the S-plus grade talent, and according to the system’s description, a player who had S-plus grade talent was capable of ruling an age. Actually, Anshan Wang had already done this; in the past year, he won the men’s singles championships of World Championships, the World Cup, and the finals of the International Table Tennis Federation world tour. All of these reflected the absolute dominance of Anshan Wang. And the players on men’s table tennis team voted him team leader, which also reflected a different aspect of his strength.

His ability value was 992! Only eight points less than the full score. Of all the athletes I have ever seen, Anshan Wang has the highest ability value! If he could get my help in his explosive, would his ability value break 1000?

“His advantages: comprehensive play, balanced attack and defense, back spin has strong rotary force, fickle drop point, fast speed of forehand, early hitting point, good control of serve arc…” Dai Li watched a few lines and directly filtered out the advantages, because the description of his advantages was so long that it would take Dai Li several minutes to read them all.

Shortcomings… none! No shortcoming! There is no shortcoming! Dai Li was shocked again. It was the first time the detector had failed to detect the shortcoming of an athlete, which meant Anshan Wang was a perfect athlete.

This is the ability of the world’s top athletes! S-plus grade talent, near-perfect ability values, numerous advantages, but no disadvantages. Perfect! The athletes who can rule an age are like this!

Dai Li finally understood what the term “best athletes” meant.

Chapter 289: Chapter 289

An athlete with no shortcomings would be a great challenge for his or her coach.

Ordinary physical exercise would keep a person healthy, but professional sports training was a more targeted enhancement to a person’s specific physical condition. For example, a man who was weak might need a strength enhancement routine, while another one who was slow might need a speed regimen. In other words, strong purposes guide professional sports training.

But the training for an athlete without shortcomings would lack direction or purpose, which would pose a great challenge for the coach.

An athlete like Anshan Wang had reached perfection in every aspect. What was the most important for him, and thus his coach’s task, was to maintain his current state.

Sports training was like sailing against the current. Improper training would lead to a decline of the athlete’s performance, which would be especially obvious for high-level athletes.

Therefore, Dai Li started thinking about the training plan for Anshan Wang after they met.

And Zhizhong Gu continued to introduce Dai Li to other athletes.

“Over there is Pengfei Cui, whom you might know. He is the most popular player on our National Table Tennis Team, having a lot of female fans,” Gu said.

Pengfei Cui was also a Grand Slam champion in table tennis. As a top world-class player, he was of course technically perfect, and what’s more, he played very aggressively. Thanks to his aggressiveness, he even out-achieved Anshan Wang several years ago.

Dai Li detected Cui at once.

His talent is Level S, a little lower than Anshan Wang’s, but his Skill Points are 905, far less than Wang’s. Oh, it’s because of injuries!

Detection showed that Pengfei Cui’s weakness didn’t lie in technical skill. His shortcomings came from injuries on his shoulders, waist, knees, and ankles. At that moment, Cui was engulfed by injuries, both minor and severe.

Such results didn’t surprise Dai Li at all. It had been reported long ago that Pengfei Cui was injured. And taking Cui’s extreme aggressiveness in playing into consideration, it was not surprising that he was injured.

In table tennis, players who played aggressively were more likely to get hurt, and they usually had relatively shorter career life. Athletes of Pengfei Cui’s kind often made difficult technical movements, which physically made games worth watching, but they paid for such games with their own physical injuries.

Therefore, Pengfei Cui out-achieved Anshan Wang four or five years ago. He could won championships in almost every game he attended. At that time, Anshan Wang was said to be “second to Cui forever.” But in recent years, Pengfei Cui could not sustain his aggressive style of play because of his injuries. His competitive state was also rapidly declining.

“Here is Xiangxian Zuo,” said Zhizhong Gu, “the only left-hand penhold player on our team.”

Zuo, also a world champion, once topped the world rankings and currently ranked third in the world.

Being a left-handed penhold player, it was easier for him to cooperate with doubles. So, he took part in more doubles matches than singles. And he won more championships in doubles.

There were few penhold table tennis players nowadays. Penhold was more flexible in receiving and dealt better with on-table situations. And it had more advantages in the first three strokes. However, with the change of the rules of table tennis, the advantages of penhold had been weakened, since penhold’s abilities could also be performed through shake-hand grip.

The trend of professional table tennis over the last two years was to strengthen the backhand way of playing. It was obvious that shake-hand grip worked better with backhand than penhold.

And since the skill of Penhold Backhand appeared, it had become a necessary skill for penhold players. But Penhold Backhand’s requirements for the player’s wrist were very high, and it was very difficult to learn. What’s more, even a mastery of Penhold Backhand might not equal Shake-hand Grip Backhand in terms of force. Since the benefits of penhold were not great, fewer athletes chose to use it.

Dai Li detected Xiangxian Zuo. He found that Zuo’s talent was also Level S with Skill Points of 937, and Zuo was suffering from shoulder and back problems, too.

Zhizhong Gu pointed to the fourth athlete. “Shuang Pang, the genius of our team.”

Dai Li knew that with everything going well, this Pang would be the next leading player in the National Men’s Team after Anshan Wang’s era.

Shuang Pang was the youngest genius in the National Table Tennis Team. When he was 14 years old, he already could defeat most of the players in the National Team Two. At the age of 15, Shuang Pang entered the National Team One. During the next year, he went through all the stages of in-team competitions and won the opportunity to take part in the WTTC. That year also saw him to the championships of the Table Tennis Opens in Germany and Poland in succession.

Shuang Pang was only 19 when Dai Li saw him, but he had already been crowned with a dozen world championships. He was second only to Anshan Wang in the world. And the gap between Wang and him in strength was not so big.

S+! Shuang Pang’s talent is also S+! My prediction is right that every leading player of the National Table Tennis Team is Level S+. However, he has some shortcomings, unlike Anshan Wang, who is perfect. But Pang is only 19 now. All he needs to reach Wang’s level is a bit more time, Dai Li thought.

The four main players in the National Men’s Table Tennis Team—Anshan Wang, Pengfei Cui, Xiangxian Zuo and Shuang Pang—were all Level S athletes, and two of them were a breathtaking S+. That was enough to show the strength of the National Team.

And then Zhizhong Gu introduced other players in the National Team One. There were no more Level S, but they all had Level A talent. The worst of them ranked Level A-. No Level B.

Such a result made Dai Li worried about Feng Zhu. Feng Zhu was just Level B+. It seemed that he could hardly enter the Team One.

Then Zhizhong Gu took Dai Li to the National Women’s Table Tennis Team.

There were two S+ players of similar age. And there was only one Level S player on the Women’s Team.

But there were three S- and five A+ athletes on the team. The worst in the National Women’s Team One was Level A. No Level A- existed in the team. It could be inferred that the competition in the Women’s Team was fiercer than that in the Men’s Team.

Gu and Li’s next destination was the National Table Tennis Team Two. They met with the Chief Coach Feihong Liu of Team Two there.

Players of Team Two were indeed not as skillful as their counterparts in Team One.

The women’s situation was better than the men’s. Level S players in the Women’s Team were newly joined, so they hadn’t achieved anything yet. The Men’s Team, however, didn’t have young Level S players. Most of the players in the team were Level A. The B+ talent of Feng Zhu was only ranked lower than the average.

After he introduced every player on the team, Zhizhong Gu said, “Dai Li, you just came here, so I will not give you training tasks. Your major task, for now, is to get familiar with the environment. You are a fitness coach. Please make a physical training plan for every player on our team. There are 78 players on our Teams One and Two. You have one month to make as many physical training plans as possible.”

“No problem!” Dai Li nodded at once, knowing that working out training plans was Zhizhong Gu’s “test before posting” for him.

Chapter 290: The Test

There were 78 players on the National Table Tennis Team. Team One had 16 men and 16 women, which totaled 32. And the remaining 46 were in Team Two.

The 32 positions in Team One were fixed and would not change. Players in Team Two fought through promotion games to get into Team One, while unqualified players of Team One were gradually weeded out.

The number of players in Team Two was not fixed. New players joined Team Two while players in the team might be sent back to the provincial team. But generally, players in Team Two outnumbered those in Team One.

It was impossible to draw up training plans for national team players through applying exactly the same plan to every player. The different technical features, physical conditions, and ages of different players required unique training plans. Everyone needed a targeted plan.

That was a complicated task. The coach had to know the athlete well, and he had to know the athlete’s advantages and disadvantages. The coach also needed to know the athlete’s play style, and more importantly, the athlete’s injuries. A training plan had to be based on the overall condition of the athlete.

Zhizhong Gu set Dai Li to designing physical training plans as a test of Dai Li’s ability, a fact which had not escaped Dai Li’s notice.

Outstanding performance on his part would lead him to a core position. He would even have the chance to take part in the training of major players. But if his performance was not so good, he might be sent to Team Two to be a coach of those ordinary young players.

And Zhizhong Gu gave Dai Li only one month, 22 working days. Normally, that would have been far from enough for a coach to make 78 physical training plans.

It was easy for a fitness coach to make a physical training plan for one player in a day. 22 days meant 22 plans. But 22 physical training plans from Dai Li would hardly impress Zhizhong Gu. An ordinary fitness coach could do that, too. What Zhizhong Gu needed was obviously not an ordinary coach.

Dai Li didn’t know how many plans Zhizhong Gu expected from him. It might be 30 or 40. That would be difficult for ordinary coaches.

In addition to quantity, quality was another important concern. Physical training plans without specific aims would lower Dai Li’s score. Quality was even more important than quantity.

Improper training would cause a decline in strength rather than an improvement for high-level athletes. A coach was meaningless if he could not help an athlete improve their strength.

So, the quality of the training plans was more important than the quantity. What Dai Li needed to do was make as many training plans as possible while ensuring their quality.

…

Dai Li left the training field, and then Zhizhong Gu started to talk with the Chief Coach of Team Two, Feihong Liu.

“Feihong, what do you think of this young man?” asked Zhizhong Gu.

Feihong Liu shook his head, “I don’t know. He accepted your assignment to make training plans so quickly. I think he is very confident. And he should be. A Champion Coach of the Asian Games at such a young age should definitely be confident. When I was his age, I was just an intern coach!”

When Feihong Liu was young, he was the third major player in the National Men’s Table Tennis Team, next to Zhizhong Gu and Bin Wang. He was younger than Gu and Wang, but he had chosen to retire earlier because of injuries. And taking his injuries into consideration, the National Table Tennis Team let him stay as a coach. Feihong Liu started as an intern coach, and after years of hard work, he finally became the Chief Coach of the National Team Two.

Zhizhong Gu sighed. “As a coach, Dai Li started from a higher place than us. And he is so young. He might not be used to this job temporarily, but he deserves that we spend our time on him. If he cannot satisfy me in one month, I will leave him to you. Let him work in Team Two to gain experience.”

“Ok! Team Two will never get enough players. Please give us those whom you don’t need in your Team One!” Feihong Liu laughed. “One month is not enough for one to make 78 physical training plans. How many do you expect from him?”

“30 physical training plans,” Zhizhong Gu replied immediately. “I will keep him in Team One if he can complete 30 plans with good quality. Less than 30? Then he will be yours.”

“That’s not a hard task. It should be easy for a fitness coach in Team One,” Feihong Liu said with a smile.

“If he can’t complete 30 physical training plans, he is not qualified to stay in Team One,” Zhizhong Gu said with a smile. “If he can make 40 plans, I will give major players like Anshan Wang and Shuang Pang to him.”

“40 plans?” Feihong Liu shook his head at once. “That can’t be done in one month. He is a newcomer and not familiar with these players. He needs time to observe every player’s condition. He must be a very gifted coach if he completes 40 physical training plans with good quality.”

…

Dai Li was constantly taking notes on his small notebook by the side of the training field.

Dai Lai only needed to run a detection of the athletes to determine their shortcomings and advantages. Thus, all Dai Li had to do was take notes. He didn’t need time to observe their play.

Dai Li recorded all the detection results of the 32 players on Team One, and then he went to the training field of Team Two.

The greater number of players in Team Two resulted in more time spent taking notes.

It cost Dai Li a whole day to record the detection results of all 78 players in the National Table Tennis Team on his notebook. And then he started to make a targeted physical training plan for each player respectively.

…

A week later.

The regular meeting of the National Table Tennis Team brought all the coaches to the meeting room.

“Anything else?” Zhizhong Gu looked around the crowd and didn’t see anyone still wanting to speak. Then he concluded, “Ok. We will stop here today. Dismissed!”

Everyone got up and left the meeting room in twos and threes.

Dai Li ran to Gu and gave him a file box.

“Coach, I have worked out all the physical training plans.”

Chapter 291: Seventy-eight Training Plans

In the conference room, what Dai Li had done attracted everyone’s attention.

As a newcomer, it was normal to attract more attention when he was unfamiliar to the place. And in those days, Dai Li had been busy with the training plans. Everyone knew that this was a test that Zhizhong Gu had set for Dai Li.

“It’s a month that Coach Gu gave Dai Li, right? Now it has been only one week. How come Dai Li has already handed in the training plans?”

“One week’s time is only enough to make seven or eight training plans. It’s far from seventy-eight.”

“I think Dai Li wants to make several training plans for Coach Gu’s review, so that Coach Gu may give him some comments. This may be a probe to see the evaluation standards of Coach Li. When he figures out Coach Gu’s criteria, he may have a better gauge for the next training plans he is to make.”

“That makes sense. He is quite smart as a newcomer. He knows how to figure things out with this method.”

The coaches were discussing the matter in low voices.

Zhizhong Gu smiled. He also believed that Dai Li could not make many training plans in just one week’s time, and so he was handing out these “homeworks” to feel him out.

“It has been only one week. You don’t need to hurry.” Zhizhong Gu took the file box. Yet the next moment, he sensed how heavy the file box was, so much so that it almost fell out of his hand.

“It’s so heavy! The file box is full!” Zhizhong Gu was surprised, and then he opened the box.

As Zhizhong Gu expected, the box was full of documents printed on A4 papers.

“There are so many files!” Zhizhong Gu was shocked by the quantity of the papers and asked, “Li, how many training plans are there in this box?”

“Seventy-eight,” Dai Li confidently said. “We have seventy-eight people in our team. One for each one of them, so there are seventy-eight training plans.”

Zhizhong Gu looked at Dai Li with a confused stare. Although Dai Li appeared confident, Zhizhong Gu still could not believe what he had heard.

Not only Zhizhong Gu, but the several coaches there also all showed their suspicions on their faces, when they heard what Dai Li said.

“Seventy-eight training plans in one week? Is something wrong with my ears?”

“How is this possible?! No way can make so many training plans in just one week’s time.”

“Is he fooling us? Or are all the training plans about the same, that they can be finished in one week?”

“Does this newcomer think that he can drift along aimlessly in the national team? He cannot just scrape together some training plans and hand them in.”

Everyone was guessing their theories, and Zhizhong Gu became serious. He also believed that Dai Li was totally meddling with his work, to hand in his “homework” so soon.

“Have I gotten it wrong this time? Is this Dai Li really an incompetent fool?” Zhizhong Gu was full of doubt in his heart. He didn’t say anything, when feeling the weight of the file box. But in his mind, he determined that he would dispatch Dai Li to team two.

With the file box, Zhizhong Gu returned to his office. He then dialed the number of Feihong Liu, the head coach of team two.

“Feihong, stay for a while after work. Come by my office.” Zhizhong Gu then said,” the newcomer, Dai Li, will have to stay in your team. Teach him some lessons for me.”

“Ok. I’ll get there in one minute.” Feihong Liu, on the other side of the phone, then said, “I heard that, in the meeting, Dai Li gave you seventy-eight training plans. Hehe, is this Dai Li a fool, or is he just pretending to be one? Or did he not get your point at all?”

“Who knows?” Zhizhong Gu shook his head helplessly. “I thought this young guy was quite smart. I didn’t expect that he was such a fool! Let him stay in your team first. You teach him, and see if he is teachable or not. If he is too stupid to learn his lessons, get him out of here as soon as possible.”

Zhizhong Gu finished and put down the phone, staring at the file box. Then, Zhizhong Gu heaved a long sigh, before taking up the file box and looking through the first training plan.

“Oh? It’s not so bad. The advantages and weaknesses of the athlete were clearly analyzed. The training plan was detailed and specific. It had obviously been made with quite some effort.” The frown on his face eased a little.

“Maybe it had been arranged on top purposefully, as the first one I’d read, to fool me. This is the first one after all. It has to be carefully made to be good. When I was at school, I used to put the well-written homework at the first,” Zhizhong Gu thought these things to himself, as he flipped open the second training plan.

In the second training plan, the advantages and weaknesses of the athlete were also analyzed. A detailed training plan was then listed accordingly. The insiders could see, at the first glance, that it was well-made with a lot of effort.

“This one is also very good and well-targeted. It’s not a simple copy of the first one. This is also arranged as one of the best ones.”

Zhizhong Gu took up the third training plan immediately.

“This one is also good! This Dai Li is quite competent. He has sharp eyes for observation, and his analysis of the advantages and weaknesses of the athletes was dead on. The training plan is also very much to the point. If I were to have made this, I could not do any better than this.” Zhizhong Gu couldn’t help but rate the first three training plans as “A”.

Zhizhong Gu surely could see that those three training plans were carefully written with a lot of effort. The training plans were of very high quality, and could each be put into use directly.

“It’s just hard to tell how many of these training plans are of high quality, like this. Maybe Dai Li thought I would just look through the first ones. Maybe this young man is somewhat competent, but he should not play such tricks.”

Zhizhong Gu still thought that Dai Li must be “fooling around” to hand in 78 training plans in such a short time. He must have had written the first several ones carefully, and scraped together the later ones.

This might be called the mentality of “summer holiday homework”. The students used to do the first few pages carefully, for their teachers to review, but for the pages that followed, they would do it casually, just to simply make do. There was so much homework for the summer holiday, that the teacher couldn’t possibly review every page of it.

Zhizhong Gu took out the fourth one. It was also perfect.

Then the fifth, the six, and the seventh…

Before he realized it, Zhizhong Gu had finished reading ten of the training plans. Every one of them was written according to the characteristics of the athlete. It was difficult to find anything wrong with them, even for Zhizhong Gu.

“Ten? It has been only one week! He can write ten training plans in one week. And the quality of them are so high. He may really be able to finish forty training plans in a month!”

Thinking of this, Zhizhong Gu suddenly felt a shock. Although he still believed Dai Li was fooling around, he thought Dai Li should be good enough to stay in team one, simply by the merits of having made these ten excellent training plans.

This was out of Zhizhong Gu’s expectation. He took up the eleventh training plan.

“It’s perfect! He made eleven training plans in one week?”

Eleven perfect training plans! This had exceeded Zhizhong Gu’s expectation of Dai Li. He couldn’t help but remember Dai Li’s expression of full confidence when he handed in the file box. Zhizhong Gu suddenly thought of a circumstance of possibility.

“Seventy-eight training plans? Impossible! It cannot be done in one week! There must be bad ones in the pile!” Zhizhong Gu couldn’t believe it. But he dared not look at the twelfth training plan.

After hesitating for several seconds, he finally took up the twelfth.

“The twelfth one is also good! I cannot believe it!” Zhizhong Gu’s expression suddenly turned ferocious. He didn’t continue with the thirteenth training plan, but instead, pulled one copy of A4 paper from the middle of the pile.

“This one is from the middle of the pile. I’ll see if it is also without any problems!”

Chapter 292: Hired a Superman

Zhizhong Gu pulled out a training plan from the middle of the pile. He believed those training plans stacked in the middle were surely poorly written.

With this feeling, Zhizhong Gu started reading the training plan. This training plan was also well written, with no problems at all. It’s not something to fool people. How could this be?! I pulled it randomly from the middle of the pile!”

Then, Feihong Liu came to the door of Zhizhong Gu’s office. The door was not closed. Feihong Liu didn’t knock, but stepped hard to make a big sound, as to notify Zhizhong Gu that he was coming. Meanwhile, he said, “Gu, I’m here!”

Zhizhong Gu raised his head and took a glance at Feihong Liu. He didn’t greet Feihong Liu, but instead handed him the training plan directly.

“Take a look at this physical training plan,” Zhizhong Gu said.

Feihong Liu didn’t take himself as an outsider. He took a seat right opposite to Zhizhong Gu and took the training plan.

“Physical training plan? This athlete was from team two!” After a glance at the name of the athlete, Feihong Liu started reading.

After quite a while, Feihong Liu said, “This training plan is quite well-written. The analysis on the advantages and weaknesses of the athlete is very clear and specific, and the training activities are well arranged. Hence, it can be used without any modification.”

“You think so?” Zhizhong Gu said, meanwhile pulling out another two from the pile, looking at the name of the athlete and handing it to Feihong Liu.

“Have a look at these two. They are also for athletes from team two,” Zhizhong Gu then said.

Feihong Liu took it and spent two minutes reading through it. Then he nodded his head in agreement, “I think these two are also very good, first-class training plans. If it were me making this plan, I could only do this well, exactly. This guy who wrote these two plans knows a lot about our athletes of team two. Gu, who wrote these?”

“Dai Li,” said Zhizhong Gu, patting the thick pile of physical training plans.

“These are what Dai Li gave you, when the meeting was closed, right?” Feihong Liu was surprised, and then said, “These training plans are really good. Dai Li is quite competent, I’d say. It’s only that his attitude toward work is somewhat not serious. He can do it well, but he chooses to fool around. There are only two or three good ones in that pile of training plans that he gave you, I’m guessing?”

Feihong Liu also mistook Dai Li, and thought he just wrote several good training plans to cover the bad ones up, and that all the other physical training plans were churned out simply to fool his boss.

Then Feihong Liu said, “Alright, Gu. You can trust this Dai Li with me. He is only a little not flippant about his work. That’s not hard to deal with. I’ll be tough with him to get him fully committed to work. Don’t worry. I’ll turn him into a first-class coach.”

Zhizhong Gu smiled awkwardly, then handed Feihong Liu the twelve training plans he had already read. He said to Feihong Liu, “Look at those. These are training plans for athletes of team one.”

Feihong Liu didn’t know what Zhizhong Gu meant. He took the twelve physical training plans and began to read them carefully.

“This one is good, very specific and accurate.”

“Pursuit racing? It’s good. But it would be hard work for the training partner.”

“Squat-style side slide with loads? This is really strength consuming. But it’s necessary.”

Feihong Liu made comments while reading the plans. After finishing several training plans, there was not even one negative comment. All his comments were positive.

Finally, Feihong Liu finished reading all twelve physical training plans and said, “Those training plans are of uniform style. They were written by one person.”

Feihong Liu suddenly realized that the three training plans for athletes of team two were very similar to these twelve.

“Those are all written by Dai Li?” Feihong Liu asked.

Zhizhong Gu nodded, while Feihong Liu’s face suggested that he could not believe it at all.

“You told Dai Li to make training plans last week. It has been only one week, and he has written twelve, no, with the three I read, that’s a total of fifteen training plans?” Feihong Liu asked.

“When I assigned the task to Dai Li last week, we were at the training ground of team two. You were there, too,” Zhizhong Gu said.

“What the hell?! I’ve been a coach for so many years, and I’ve never known anyone who could make so many training plans within one week! And those plans are all good, with no flaws at all. Fifteen training plans! He must have had to work all night, for several days, to finish these within such a short time,” Feihong Liu said.

“Maybe not only 15,” Zhizhong Gu suddenly said. “We just read 15, but here are also more than 60 training plans,” Zhizhong Gu said, patting the thick file box.

Feihong Liu, however, shook his head, saying, “Stop kidding me, Gu. Making 78 training plans within one week? Not possible. The rest of the plans must be poorly made in order to fool you. I think it might be a simple process of copy and paste. They must be almost the exact same as those ones.”

“That’s what I thought minutes ago,” Zhizhong Gu said, as he took all the files out of the box and handed about half of them to Feihong Liu.

“You and me, each take half of these?” Zhizhong Gu asked. He wanted to read all the rest of the training plans.

“Ok. Half each.” Feihong Liu understood what Zhizhong Gu was doing immediately.

Then, a voice was heard at the door. “Gu, time to get off work. Still not going? Your wife’s going to call and urge you home soon.” It was Bin Wang, who walked in directly.

“Good, you are here. We have one more hand to help. Come here! We can finish reading these with you.” Zhizhong Gu shared some of his files with Bin Wang, and Feihong Liu followed suit.

“Bin Wang, these are for you!” Zhizhong Gu said, pointing at the chair in front of him, gesturing him to sit.

Bin Wang walked nearer, full of curiosity. “Those are physical training plans! Let me have a look. Well, it’s well written. Are all these training plans? You two both have some in your hands. There must be about sixty or seventy of them?

“Seventy-eight, to be exact,” Zhizhong Gu said.

“That means there’s one for every athlete in our team!” Bin Wang exclaimed, “This is a huge project, and it would take great effort to finish this. Gu, when have you gotten all these done? You were even hiding it from me? How long did it take to make all these seventy-eight training plans?”

“One week,” Zhizhong Gu replied.

“Nonsense! It cannot be done in a month, let alone one week,” Bin Wang said, shaking his head.

“I’m not the one who did it. It was Dai Li,” Zhizhong Gu said, “He made all these seventy-eight training plans in one week, then gave them to me at the meeting today. You were sitting beside me then, so you should have seen it. Remember?”

“That’s even more ridiculous. He is new here, and not even familiar with the athletes, right? How could he make all these plans, in one week? Is it that everyone of them is the same? Maybe only the name is different?” Bin Wang said immediately.

“That’s why I’ve asked you to verify the matter. We have seen more than a dozen of these now, and there are more than sixty still left. Each of us has read twenty of these. It’ll be pretty quick, especially with you now helping,” Zhizhong Gu said.

…

One minute later, Bin Wang still had a shadow of disdain showing on his face.

Five minutes later, Bin Wang was much more serious.

Ten minutes later, Bin Wang frowned.

Fifteen minutes later, Bin Wang turned on an expression that said “Incredible”.

Twenty minutes later, his eyes revealed a look of shock.

Bin Wang read the twenty training plans, seeing no clue of any “copy and paste” trickery. Each and every of them was unique, and made in accordance with the actual conditions of the athlete. They were just perfect.

Bin Wang took a deep breath. He suddenly rejoiced that he was not an online anchorman. Otherwise, he would have shouted out, “Good mate! Well done!”

Zhizhong Gu and Feihong Liu also finished reading their portions of training plans. They also looked like they had seen a ghost or something.

“Have you found any problems?” Zhizhong Gu asked.

“Bin Wang and Feihong Liu both shook their heads. Bin Wang said, “Let’s switch now, and look again?”

“OK!” Feihong Liu agreed immediately.

They switched their training plans around among them, and then followed another twenty minutes of silence.

“Seventy-eight training plans, in one week! If I had not seen this for myself, I would not believe it, even if you beat me over the head with it, to my very death!” Binwang’s voice broke the silence finally.

Feihong Liu raised his head and said, “Gu, you said on the phone that you would assign this Dai Li to team two, right? I’ll call him and tell him this now.”

Zhizhong Gu suddenly shuddered, “Who said that? He must stay in team one!”

“How can you go back on your own words?! What did you say on the phone just now? You said you would assign Dai Li to my team, so that I could teach him something. How can you change your mind in just one hour! You change your face more quickly than you turn the pages of a book!” Feihong Liu said, with more than a little anger.

Zhizhong Gu, however, smiled unabashedly, “Of course the good talents must stay in team one! As you just said, all these training plans could be used without any revision. You can pick up all those plans for the athletes in team two, and take them away with you. They will surely save you much time!”

“I say, Gu, you think I’m a mere beggar? This compensation is not enough at all! You must treat me to a big dinner tonight! And not in our canteen, either, as we must go and find a fancy restaurant!” Feihong Liu squabbled.

Bin Wang, however, looking at the two haggling with each other, heaved a long sigh.

“Seventy-eight training plans in one week! Is this even human? It must be a superman that Gu has hired this time!”

Chapter 293: The Way of Changes

“Have you heard that the new Coach Li was directly assigned to team one?”

“Really? He was assigned to team one? Usually, new coaches are assigned to team two first, aren’t they?” someone questioned.

“Of course, it’s true! I’ve seen it for myself. He was assigned to team one by Coach Gu. It seems that Coach Gu values him very much!” the coach of team one said.

“Over the past years, Gu has picked several coaches from other places, and there has never been a coach who was directly assigned to team one,” said the other.

“Yes. Who is this Dai Li? If he was assigned to team one, he may have a strong background, or maybe he is the son of a leader,” someone said with disbelief.

“Don’t guess blindly. Dai Li is a real talent!” said someone who had known about it.

“Du, you are quite familiar with Bin Wang. You must know something. Can you share with us?” someone asked.

Du replied, “Did you all get a new physical training program? It was made by Dai Li.”

“Oh, it was him who made it? To be frank, it was a great physical training program,” sighed the man.

Someone opposed and said, “It is not a big deal. This kind of physical training program is quite easy for me, so why haven’t I been assigned to team one by Coach Gu?”

“Can you make seventy-eight physical training programs for the team in one week?” Du countered.

“What did you say? Seventy-eight physical training programs, for the whole team, in one week? How is that possible?” the naysayer said.

“You can’t do it, but Dai Li is able to make seventy-eight physical training programs in a week. And these programs are now in our hands,” Du said. “If you don’t believe it, you can ask other coaches if they’ve got the new physical training program.”

However, nothing could be kept secret forever in this world. As the seventy-eight physical training programs were sent to each coach, the news that Dai Li was assigned to team one was also spread throughout the national table tennis team.

Nevertheless, it was also a great challenge for Dai Li to be in team one. In team one, there were several world champions and grand slam players. They had both reputation and strength.

They were all successful athletes. However, as a newcomer, how to get these world champions to follow his instructions, and train them according to his program, were the first problems for Dai Li.

Standing in the shoes of these athletes, it’s easy to understand. They would feel like, “I am a world champion, and the backbone of the national table tennis team. You are just a young and new coach, not an athlete. And as a coach, you haven’t got any brilliant achievements. So why should I obey you?!”

When Dai Li went to the Sports Department of Tsing Hua University, he also encountered similar problems. At that time, he quickly convinced Guohong Liu, Xiaotian Xin, and other athletes, by pointing out their shortcomings, then, finally, his training went smoothly.

But this method didn’t apply to the national table tennis team. After all, table tennis is a highly technical sport. While acting as a physical coach, it is obviously unpersuasive for Dai Li to talk about the skills of table tennis with these athletes.

The national table tennis team boasts China’s top table tennis coaches, many of whom have trained world champions. Therefore, they are more experienced than Dai Li, in terms of table tennis skills.

What’s more, the athletes of the national table tennis team began to play table tennis at early ages. Most of them have been trained for more than two decades. They are much better than Dai Li in professional skills. If Dai Li wanted to tell them how to improve their skills, it would be just like teaching a fish to swim.

Besides, there are athletes who are simply had no flaws at all, like Anshan Wang. While for the backbone athletes of the national table tennis, such as Pengfei Cui and Xiangxian Zuo, the only problem was their physical pain, as they had no problem in skills.

Therefore, it was impossible for Dai Li to use the method that he had used in Tsing Hua University. If he wanted to attain the athletes’ trusts, he must come up with other methods.

…

Bin Wang looked at Dai Li in the distance, his eyes full of worry, while Zhizhong Gu showed an indifferent expression.

“Gu, I’m quite worried about whether or not Li can convince these guys. Consider the four backbones of our team. Shuang Pang is young, so he tends to be more obedient than the others. The world’s No.1 tennis player, Anshan Wang, has a modest and introverted character. Xiangxian Zuo has always been outgoing, and he is good at getting along with others. But Pengfei Cui is a troublemaker by nature, and doesn’t listen to anyone much. An ordinary coach cannot handle him at all!”

Zhizhong Gu smiled and said, “This might be the second test for Dai Li! It is a practical test. The physical training program he wrote before was but a theoretical examination.”

“Aren’t you going to help him?” Bin Wang asked.

Zhizhong Gu shook his head and said, “Fire tests pure gold. Athletes need to experience setbacks in order to grow up, especially the young athletes.”

“But I think Dai Li is good enough, we don’t need to give him more tests,” Bin Wang continued.

“There is no doubt that he is good enough, but I think he has more potential,” Gu added.

“We should not only focus on the present, but also pay more attention to the future. Such a young coach as Dai Li is the future of China’s table tennis. When we were athletes, China’s table tennis was ranked first. When we were coaches, China’s table tennis was still the No.1 in the world. So I hope that, when we retire, we will still be No.1 in the world,” continued Gu.

When Gu said these things, his eyes were full of hope, “These athletes are stronger than we were, when we were younger. They have stronger bodies, more prominent skills, and more reasonable tactics. If they retire and become coaches, they must be better than us. That’s what we expect of our national table tennis, that each generation surpasses the preceding one. Only in this way, can our table tennis stand at the top of the world.”

Just as Gu said before, it was only a theoretical examination to have Li make physical training programs. Sports, after all, are based on practice. It would be useless to talk about many theories, without putting them into practice.

Daily training is the main basic work for a coach. If we can’t ensure sufficient training, even if we have great theories, we are just researchers, rather than “excellent coaches”.

It also applies to teaching. Each school has a department that is responsible for teaching research, and the teachers there also have rich experience. However, the “great teachers” in parents’ eyes are the head teachers who have higher graduation rates. These head teachers cannot compete with these professionals in teaching theories, but they have great teaching achievements.

Li’s goal is not to be an armchair coach, so he must face the challenges he will encounter in the future. It is quite difficult for Li to make these world champions follow his training program. So Dai Li knows that, if he wants to win the recognition of these world champions, the key is to change!

The best way to win the trust of these world champions is for Dai Li to make efforts to help these athletes realize that his training will bring them changes in a short time. However, for these backbone athletes, who are quite excellent in all aspects, it is by no means easy to give them changes in a short time. Hence, Dai Li must find an appropriate breakthrough to achieve this aim.

Finally, Dai Li chose “Arm muscle training” as his breakthrough.

Professional table tennis players have a common characteristic, namely, the forearm of the ball-holding hand is longer than that of the non-ball-holding hand. So, the muscles of the ball-holding hand are obviously stronger than those of the other one. As such, to the naked eye, it looks like one arm is longer and stronger than the other. This is mainly because athletes have been playing table tennis since childhood, so the growth of their bones and muscles have been affected, causing this inevitable result.

That’s not the case with people who haven’t been playing table tennis from an early age. Of course, in China, those who have not been trained in table tennis since childhood are unlikely to be professional players.

The human body is a coordinated system and each movement made when playing table tennis is a part of the whole body movement. If two arms were different in length and size, it is bound to affect the integrity of the whole body. So, if this defect can be improved, athletes would quickly feel the systematic “changes” in their bodies.

Chapter 294: Trust Building

“Anshan Wang, Pengfei Cui, Xiangxian Zuo and Shuang Pang.” Dai Li wrote the names of the four backbones on a sheet of white paper.

As a fitness coach of the national table tennis team, if Dai Li couldn’t handle these four backbones, he would definitely not be unable to gain a foothold in the team. On the other hand, if a coach couldn’t win the athletes’ trust, then the training couldn’t go on.

“Shuang Pang is only 19, the youngest athlete in the team. Convincing him to follow the training program should be the simplest. But he is too young, and he hasn’t established his prestige in the national team yet. Thus, it would be useless to make him the first target.”

“Pengfei Cui?” When Dai Li read the name aloud, he shook his head immediately.

Although Pengfei Cui was a grand slam player, he was also a famous troublemaker in the national table tennis team. He had been expelled from the national team twice, and sent back to the provincial team for his resistance to management.

“It seems that I can only choose Anshan Wang or Xiangxian Zuo. Wang is the captain of the men’s team. He has a modest and introverted character, while Zuo is outgoing and easy to get along with. They both have their own advantages, so I can choose either one of them.”

After consideration, Dai Li finally chose Anshan Wang. Anshan Wang, the No.1 in current national table tennis team, had the most strength and prestige in the team. If Dai Li could win his trust, then it would be easy for Li to win the recognition of the other athletes.

“Please give me three days, and I will make you see change!” Dai Li said to Anshan Wang with an earnest expression.

But Anshan Wang was contemptuous upon hearing what Li said.

Dai Li was only a new fitness coach, but Anshan Wang was the world’s top table tennis player. Wang didn’t believe Li could bring “change” to him. On the contrary, he just felt that Dai Li was a braggart.

But Wang was a modest, diligent athlete of good self-control. Ordinarily, he followed the guidance of his coach. Therefore, he didn’t refuse Li’s training program immediately, and chose to have a try.

…

Domestic sports training basically remained at the “stop-gap” stage. For example, when Dai Li was on the national track-and-field team, the coaches there would improve athletes’ performance by aiming at their shortcomings, giving them specialized training. This was also the mainstream training method in China.

This training method was effective for non-elite athletes, but it was of no use for top athletes. The top athletes in the world are almost perfect in skills. In other words, their defects in skills would not affect their performance. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to be No.1 in their field of sport.

During Li’s time in the AP training center, he had learned a new training theory. That is, that athletes should be regarded as a group, and thus, the performance of each athlete could be improved by improving the balance of the whole group.

This theory was just like the distribution of attribute points in computer games. Suitable attribute points should be distributed to corresponding game characters. When these attribute points reach their limit, full attribute points plus one was the best choice.

Of course, this theory did not apply to the national track-and-field team, because there was still a huge gap between the world’s top track-and-field athletes and the athletes at home. But when Li was in the national table tennis team, he found that this advanced training theory could be used.

The AP Training Center had no experience in training the world’s top table tennis players, but it had trained several top tennis players, including many four grand slam tennis players. Dai Li had seen some of this information while studying in the United States, so he decided to apply this experience to the training of top players in the national table tennis team.

The coaches of the national table tennis team were basically table tennis players. They were excellent and professional in skills, but their physical training had remained at the same level of a decade ago.

China’s table tennis had been the world’s No.1 for many years. The performance of other countries’ table tennis could not pose any threat to China, and the gap was becoming even more obvious. In this case, the coaches of the national table tennis had rarely paid attention to the training of foreign table tennis athletes. This was because they all were convinced that the training of foreign countries was definitely inferior to that of China.

Three days was transient, and it meant nothing to professional athletes.

But for Dai Li, three days could help him to make some “changes” in Anshan Wang. Li had a great training theory and method, and, in terms of training effect, it was comparable to that of the elite coaches in the national table tennis team.

More importantly, Dai Li chose the right strategy for training.

Anshan Wang had been playing table tennis since he was a child, so the forearm of his ball-holding hand was a bit longer, and the muscle of that hand was a bit stronger than that of the other. But all of these things didn’t prevent him from winning the championships and being the world’s No.1. However, there were still considered as being defects in the overall coordination of his body.

The human body should be a coordinated whole, and it took tens of millions of years for human beings to evolve into what they are today. If a man, whose arms were different in length and size, is more superior than his fellowmen, then all human beings would be bound to evolve in his same way.

The bone structures of adult athletes have been maturely shaped, and this factor is what Li can’t change, as it was impossible for him to make the length of Wang’s two forearms the same. But Dai Lin was able to improve Wang’s muscles of the shorter arm.

For ordinary people, three-day’s worth of training wouldn’t bring about any improvement in their body. However, as one of the world’s top professional athletes, Anshan Wang was much more sensitive to body changes than ordinary people.

Take the table tennis racket as an example: The table tennis rackets of the national table tennis team were specially customized by the manufacturer. Regardless of the glue and rubber, the clapper of the table tennis racket must be precise in its length, width, and thickness, for which even a millimeter of error was not permitted.

The radian of the racket shoulder is a good example for this. Ordinary people may not pay attention to the radian of the racket shoulder, but for top players, they have strict requirements for it, and can perceive the slightest change in it.

Such top athletes, like Anshan Wang, could perceive the difference in the radian of the racket shoulder, even if it was only different by 0.5 degrees. The athletes would feel uncomfortable when using the new racket. Such a slight difference in radian could not be detected in the process of regular product quality inspection. It could only be measured by engineers with precise measuring instruments.

Such was the sensitivity of top athletes, so much that they could perceive even the slightest change in their bodies or sports equipment immediately. After three days of training, Anshan Wang felt exactly the “change” that Dai Li had told him he would. It was the coordination optimization of the whole body, and subtle as it was, Wang now felt more comfortable when playing table tennis.

For Anshan Wang, one of the world’s top athletes, there was barely room for improvement in regards to his professional skills, but there could also be a great improvement for him to be a little more comfortable when playing table tennis.

In order to make these top athletes more comfortable, the team behind them must work really hard. For example, the engineers of the racket had spent a lot of time developing new rackets and asked him to trying them out. The shoe maker specially designed a pair of sneakers for them, paying attention to all details. They had made all these efforts, just to make them feel more comfortable. In order to achieve this goal, the research team of sports equipment may spend several months.

Now, it only took three days for Li to make Wang feel the change.

“Li was of the same age as me, but he could get recruited by Coach Gu. It means he has real talent,” Anshan Wang said to himself. At this moment, his contempt for Li had disappeared, now replaced by appreciation, and he began to trust Li.

Chapter 295: Rehabilitation Training

“Don’t stop! Cheer up! Another five!” Dai Li urged Anshan Wang.

In the training yard, Wang stood in front of a pneumatic resistance chest expander, doing cross-pulling exercises with his arms continuously. The chest expander was relatively advanced. The most prominent feature of it being the precise adjustment of the training load.

Traditional fitness equipment is gravity-weighted, that is, the free weight is changed by the addition or removal of iron weight stacks. For example, a weight stack of the fitness equipment used in Europe and America mostly weighs 10 pounds usually. Five-pound stacks are not so commonly seen. The lightest ones weigh 2.5 pounds. That’s to say, the minimum free weight added or removed in the training is 2.5 pounds.

However, even the most commonly used pneumatic resistance fitness equipment is able to adjust the free weight by an accuracy of 1 pound. The products of top brands, such as KEISER, can change the weight by 0.1 pound, which indeed is the best to meet professional athletes’ demands for precise training.

In addition, such equipment can change the free weight separately. For instance, when doing weight training for both arms, one can use different free weights for each arm respectively. So, it’s particularly effective when used in the training of sports, such as table tennis and badminton, where the players’ two arms are used differently.

Anshan Wang clenched his teeth and tried to do his utmost. His expression showed that his training load was very heavy, and that he had almost reached his limit. Although every single action was a challenge for him, he insisted on finishing, and didn’t give up.

“Come on, just four more! Grit your teeth and hang on! Perseverance brings you final victory!” Dai Li encouraged him again, standing next to him.

Zhizhong Gu and Bin Wang stared at the scene nearby, standing side by side.

The training up to one’s physical limit is something of torture for the athletes. No doubt they will reject it. Although Dai Li was not a top-notch coach across the globe, he somehow could convince a top athlete in the world to accept such extreme training. This skill had explained his success.

“It took him only a few days to nail it. We have all underestimated him,” Bin Wang said of Li.

Zhizhong Gu nodded in agreement, saying, “Yeah. I never expected that. I thought that he might need a year or so, to get acquainted with his athletes, before he could smoothly carry out his training plan. But in no more than a week, Anshan Wang was willing to follow his instructions to train himself that hard. It’s really beyond my expectations. That’s good. It means that it’s now safe to ask him to handle Xiangxian Zuo.”

Wang was amazed at Gu’s words, and he said, “But the doctor has recommended him to rest for a few days.”

“Rehabilitation training is one of the jobs of a fitness coach.” Gu stopped and then continued, “The Swedish Open is about to begin. We can’t wait any longer. It’s a must for us to have Zuo recovered. He is the only left-handed athlete we have. We need to count on him, at least for the double.”

…

“What’s the matter?” Dai Li was summoned to the office by Zhizhong Gu.

Gu motioned him to sit down, and then he said, “Xiangxian Zuo has rested for five days, and tomorrow he will return. I hope you can take on the task of Zuo’s rehabilitation. Any problem with that?”

“Me? Take charge of his rehabilitation?” He was surprised at first, then accepted with no hesitation, “Okay.”

Gu said, “The Swedish Open is coming, and we’re short on time. I hope you can help Zuo recover, get him back to training as soon as possible. We have a lot to do before the match begins. We cannot afford to delay anything.”

Xiangxian Zuo twisted his ankle during his training five days ago. Nothing serious was found in the medical examination. However, he was asked to stay in bed and not do anything intense. His training had to be stopped as a result.

When professional athletes get injured, it’s impossible for them to recover slowly like common people. They will take rehabilitation training after they have recovered to some extent. Through training, they can recover much faster, and rebuild their capability.

So, it was imperative for Zuo to take his rehabilitation training. Li had not expected that he would be assigned such an important task.

He had been in the national table tennis team for no more than a month, and had only been in the first team for more than a week. This task concerning the top athletes should have been assigned to experienced coaches, rather than new coaches, like him. But Zhizhong Gu decided to choose him.

Li didn’t worry about himself, as firstly, it was his job as a fitness coach, and he had plenty of professional knowledge about that, and secondly, he had a magical weapon, rehabilitation massage.

…

Xiangxian Zuo took off his socks and shoes, exposing his swollen purple ankle.

“There is still much extravasate blood,” Dai Li told him to wear his shoes then.

The purple part in his ankle was a sign of that said extravasate blood, which also brought pain. Therefore, the first step of rehabilitation training was to remove the blood.

At the same time, Li also noticed some muscle atrophy in the left leg, as it looked different than his right leg.

“Both five days’ rest and the injury have affected the blood circulation in his calves. That’s why the slight muscle atrophy has occurred.”

He frowned a bit. Extravasate blood removal and rehabilitation was easy to deal with. With muscle atrophy, rehabilitation training would not be that easy.

“Balance pedal and BOSU ball are needed.” Li made a training plan accordingly in his mind.

Balance pedal is a piece of common fitness equipment. It can create an artificial slope and change the slope gradient by the adjustment of the height of pedal.

The BOSU ball consists of two parts: the upper part is half a rubber ball, the lower part, a plastic platform. It can also be regarded as half a yoga ball.

The BOSU ball is unstable. It is difficult to do exercise movements on it, and thus, increases the amount of exercise. It is fitness equipment for static muscle training, and an absolute necessity for gyms or yoga rooms.

…

Xiangxian Zuo stood on the BOSU ball on one leg, his body swinging constantly in order to maintain his balance. For an athlete with an injured ankle, it was quite difficult to maintain balance while standing on one foot. When he was on the BOSU ball, it was even more difficult for him to find the force application point. He had to change the center of gravity through his body movement to keep balanced.

Such training was particularly effective for Zuo. When he was adjusting his center of gravity, he had to twist his ankle, which, in turn, would accelerate the blood circulation in the area around the ankle. Thus, it would eliminate the extravasate blood more quickly. At the same time, he also had to use the muscles of his legs to maintain balance. His muscle atrophy was eased, too.

The rehabilitation training, together with Li’s rehabilitation massage, helped return Zuo back to normal in just five days.

…

Zhizhong Gu was walking to the training room merrily.

“Ouch!” a shriek was suddenly heard. Gu found immediately that it was Xiangxian Zuo.

“Xiangxian Zuo injured his ankles not long ago. Did he get injured again?”

Gu walked faster for a few steps and rushed into the training room, only to see that Zuo was lying on the training bench, with Dai Li massaging Zuo’s waist.

“Xiangxian Zuo’s waist is injured. Dai Li may have touched the injury.” Gu thought. He then decided to tell Dai Li to pay more attention to Zuo’s injury in the waist during the massage.

But the next moment, an expression of great enjoyment appeared on Zuo’s face.

“Well, I should go to the medical room first. Doctor Chen is waiting for me.” He thought, as he moved across the training yard, heading towards the medical room directly.

…

In the medical room of national table tennis team, with the latest examination report in hand, the doctor showed a serious face.

“Doctor Chen, how is Xiangxian Zuo’s injury in his legs? Can he resume training?” Zhizhong Gu asked nervously.

Doctor Chen put down the report and adjusted his glasses, then said, “According to the examination result, Zuo has recovered. There is no problem for him to resume training.”

“That’s reassuring,” Gu said, relieved.

“But…” Doctor Chen said, “I think he is recovering too quickly. According to my estimation, such a sprain takes over fifteen days to recover. Sometimes it takes a month. It has been just ten days, and yet he has recovered…a total recovery.”

“This may be owing to the rehabilitation training! We have hired a new physical coach named Dai Li,” Gu said casually.

“I have met that young man,” Doctor Chen nodded and said, “Besides, I checked his old injury in the waist, and found it much better.”

“Is that so? What good news! I will not worry about the lack of competent athletes for this Swedish Open then.” A tinge of happiness shone in Gu’s eyes.

Doctor Chen then continued to say, “We have talked about his waist injury before. His injury was considered to be irreversible, unless he went through an operation. We will have to thank god if it is not worsening any more. But my examination report shows that it is recovering! If he had been resting every day, such a case could be explained. But taking the intensity of our team’s training into consideration, it is almost impossible to be show such a result as this.”

“You mean Xiangxian Zuo’s injury is getting better?” Gu asked.

“You can understand that in this way,” Doctor Chen nodded and continued to say, “I have been a doctor for more than 20 years. To be honest, it’s the first time I have witnessed the recovery of an irreversible injury.”

All of the sudden, Gu thought of the scene he had seen just now. Dai Li was doing waist massage for Xiangxian Zuo…

“Is it because of him?”

Chapter 296: Help Only the One in Need

As the Swedish Open was approaching, the national table tennis team began to make preparations accordingly. They cancelled their two-day rest each week, and instead, rested for one day every two weeks. Also, the daily training time was extended by two hours.

At six o’clock in the morning, Dai Li reached the training ground and found that all the members of the first team had been there doing warm-ups already. That day, the first team had a practice match with the other team.

The match was in the form of a round robin, and should be finished in one day. The winner of each game would win 1 point, while the loser would get none. The ranking would be made according to the score points each team totally won.

The first team consisted of 26 players, equal numbers of which were male players and female players. Everyone had to face 12 rivals and thus, needed to have 12 matches in all. Assuming that one match would take one hour, 12 matches would take 12 hours, which meant it would last from the morning to the evening.

Playing 12 matches in a day was a great test of the athletes’ staminas. There were no weak chickens in the first team. Everyone in the team was competent enough to earn the global champion status. So, they all had to treat their matches seriously.

Being a young athlete was advantageous for such intense matches, because they had youth and energy on their sides. For those elder athletes, the matches might be harder, due to the fact that they had less stamina and more injuries.

They knew each other well. So, in this team practice, the coaches in charge would not give any instruction. They would just let the athletes adjust their own strategies for themselves.

The practice match was finally over. Though tired, the athletes did not forget to check their results.

“Anshan Wang won 12 matches in a row! He must be in excellent condition!”

“Xiangxian Zuo earned 11 points. His only loss was the match against Anshan Wang!”

“Doesn’t he have a waist injury? Days ago, he had to do this training with waist support. I thought he might lose a few matches!”

“When I was fighting with him, he played fiercely in the match, as if he had no injury at all. His pen-hold style was so hard to defeat. You would lose if you could not defeat him in the first three turns.”

“What you just said reminded me of that. I met him in my 11th match.”

“That was close to the end. If he was still that good then, his injury must have healed.”

While everyone else was busy discussing the results, Pengfei Cui’s face looked a bit unnatural. He had earned only 6 points in these matches, winning 6 matches and losing 6 of the other 6 matches. He was obviously unsatisfied with his results.

As the grand slam winner in table tennis, he had been the number one in the national team some years ago. But now, due to his injuries, he had lost his position in the team and often got defeated by younger players in the team.

Xiangxian Zuo was also troubled by injuries. Both of them shared this same miserable fate. However, today’s matches had shown that Zuo was not much influenced or impaired by that.

“I have fallen behind!” Cui clenched his fists tightly. His own pride chastised him not to be a drag.

…

In the dining room, there were obviously many more dishes on Xiangxian Zuo’s plate. Thanks to the easing of his injury, he had been in a much lighter mood these days. The recent increase of training had also increased his appetite.

Having hesitated for a few seconds, Cui finally came to Zuo’s place and sat down. They had been teammates for several years, and trained together all-day long. So, Cui felt comfortable in asking Zuo directly, “How’s your waist?”

“Better. It won’t affect me during the games, as long as I pay more attention to my waist and not letting myself get too tired. How about you?” Zuo asked.

“Always the same,” Cui stopped and then said, “but it may be a bit worse than before.”

Xiangxian Zuo seemed to understand where Cui was coming for. He wanted to ask him how his waist got healed.

Then he gave a shiny smile and told Cui, “You can seek help from Coach Li. He does have something to offer in regards to rehabilitation training.”

“Coach Li? That newcomer Li?” Cui asked in confusion.

“Yeah, it’s him,” Zuo nodded seriously.

“He should be about the same age as us,” Cui showed his distrust on his face.

Xiangxian Zuo had expected that Cui would have such a response. Pengfei Cui feared nothing, and obeyed no one. Many experienced coaches of the team couldn’t tame him. Hence, how could a young coach like Dai Li gain his trust?

“Let me tell you, bro. Although Li is young, he really is capable. My waist injury used to be no better than yours. But it has gotten better now. That was all thanks to him.” He paused for a moment, and then said, “Please don’t let your temper run wild, when you go to him!”

…

Hearing the knock, Dai Li stood up and opened the door, seeing Pengfei Cui standing at the door.

“Pengfei Cui, what’s up?” he asked without thinking.

Cui nodded. Dai Li asked him to enter the room, “Come in!”

Cui was a straightforward man. He walked into Li’s room and said without pleasantries, “Coach Li, I want you to help me with my rehabilitation training.”

With no change in facial expression, Li thought, “Finally, he comes.”

Pengfei Cui had the strongest personality among the members of national table tennis team. If one wanted to be a professional athlete under the national sports system, one had to obey his coach. A man as arrogant as him would normally be weeded out at juvenile sports school. But Cui’s father was the coach of table tennis at the sports school. That’s why he could still play table tennis, as he could not disobey his own father, or run his temper wild.

He was chosen to be a member of the national team at the age of 14. Then, he was recruited into the team one from the team two in just 10 months. His ascent of success was as fast as a rocket rising into the air.

However, one year later, he was dismissed from the national team, due to breach of discipline. He was just 15 years old then.

His talent was never buried. After 2 years in the provincial team, he got back to the national team. Yet no one dared coach him, as they all knew he was hard to manage.

He was a well-known troublemaker in the national team, yet a troublemaker with great strength and achievements. His achievement as a grand slam winner of table tennis provided him an umbrella against all criticism, and allowed him to do as he liked, without being bothered.

His complicated character and issues were reported by the press many times. Li knew of these things of him, even before Li came to work with the national team.

Dai Li had never believed he possessed any dominant power that could make such a rebellious athlete like Pengfei Cui follow his instructions. As a result, he tried to avoid too much contact with Cui during the training, because he knew he would have had to be more arrogant and indifferent in order to earn the trust of such a man.

His rehabilitation massage was, of course, of great help for the recovery of Cui. But he didn’t give a helping hand immediately. Instead, he waited for Cui to seek his help on his own initiative. Then, he could do what he could to help him and earn his trust.

If he made the first move to offer Cui his rehabilitation treatment, he would have been rejected and despised, since Cui was so arrogant and unyielding. Li knew all too well that the failure of establishing authority meant a bad outcome of training.

Then Cui came in person to ask for his help, finally. If possible, Dai Li even hoped to throw him into utter desperation. Then, his help would bring an even better result, as offering help to someone in need is always more likely to gain one’s gratefulness than merely providing extra aids.

Chapter 297: The Core of the National Table Tennis Team

Cui’s injuries were more serious than those of Xiangxian Zuo. What’s more, Zuo had only really had a single waist injury, while Cui had several injuries in the waist, the knees, and the shoulders, among which, the shoulder injury was the most serious.

For table tennis players, their shoulders are always moving, as whether they serve or catch the ball, they must always be using their shoulders. Therefore, their shoulders would not get any rest, as long as they keep playing table tennis. Considering this, it is extremely difficult for table tennis players to recover from a shoulder injury.

As for a core player like Pengfei Cui, as long as he could continue to play table tennis, it would be impossible for him to take a year or so off in order to heal his injury. Therefore, his shoulder injury would get worse from overuse, until his injury prevented him from playing table tennis.

…

Cui tried to rotate his shoulder, only to find that seventy or eighty percent of the distending pain in his shoulder had disappeared. If he did not deliberately press the shoulder, he felt no pain at all.

“My shoulder injury no longer affects my shoulder movement!” Pengfei Cui suddenly felt as he was in a dream. His shoulder injury had been a nuisance for him for several years. He had gone to see many expert doctors, including famous foreign experts, but all of them had offered no good method to treat it.

All the therapies and advice given by the medical experts were that, if he wanted to recover from his injury, he must give up playing table tennis for a while in order to then receive treatment. As such, their therapies wouldn’t work unless he was willing to stop playing the games during his treatment.

However, his same shoulder injury that had troubled many medical experts was finally solved by Dai Li! Dai Li’s rehabilitation massage therapy couldn’t cure Cui’s shoulder injury completely, but at least it could relieve the pain caused by the injury, and alleviate the impact on Cui as much as possible. Just for this reason, Dai Li won Cui’s trust easily.

Cui knew that only by following Dai Li’s suggestions, could his shoulder injury be relieved. Therefore, he strictly followed Li’s training program. He became very serious in his training, and would do anything he was told. Based on this new leaf he was turning over in his behavior, it seemed that Cui had never been a troublemaker at all.

…

“Keeping moving, faster! faster!” Dai Li said with a strict expression, it looked like he was scolding Pengfei Cui.

However, Cui didn’t mind the way Dai Li spoke to him, and he clenched his teeth to try even harder to quicken his pace. Many people were extremely surprised by Cui’s unusual performance, as Cui’s rebellious temperament was known to everyone.

In fact, when Pengfei Cui had returned to the national table tennis team, there was no coach willing to coach him. Even those experienced coaches felt that they could not manage him.

But Pengfei Cui became completely obedient to Dai Li. This was unexpected to everyone. They all soon wanted to know what magic the new young coach had played, that he should have the ability to convince Pengfei Cui! Thus, Dai Li had an air of mystery in their minds.

…

“Pengfei Cui became so obedient to him, so now, I’m becoming more and more curious about him,” Bin Wang said, shaking his head, but with a smile on his face.

“How long has Dai Li been in our team?” Zhizhong Gu suddenly asked.

Bin Wang thought for a while and replied, “A little more than a month.”

“Ah, only just over a month!” Gu said with a loud sigh, “We will have the closed training next week, and I am going to invite Dai Li to join the pre-match consultation.”

“What? He has only been here for about a month, and you want him to join the pre-match consultation? Isn’t that too soon?” Bin Wang asked in surprise.

“It might be a bit hasty to get him into the core of our team. He has just been here for more than a month, but now he is responsible for the physical training of the main players of our team. From this point of view, his responsibilities are similar to the main coaches. So, I want to know what he thinks before the game,” said Zhizhong Gu.

“Perhaps far more than this? You are planning to cultivate him for the future, right?” Bin Wang said with a smile.

“Sure enough, you always see through my mind,” Gu said. “Dai Li is different from us, as he has not been an athlete before. When we were young, we had training and competition every day, and were thinking about how to defeat our opponents every day. But Dai Li spent his youth in college, where he learned how to coach others. Compared with us, he is a purer coach. So, I want to bring him into our coaching system, to see what the effect will be.”

“You are planning to try some new coaching system?” Wang asked immediately.

Zhizhong Gu nodded his head and replied, “We have been the world’s No.1 in table tennis, but I want to make further progress. We had the world’s top athletes and coaching team. Next, I will try to set up a world’s top training system for table tennis! No matter who will be the coach of the national table tennis team, as long as we continue to follow this training system, we will still be the world’s No.1.”

…

The closed training of the national table tennis team was underway. On the training ground, Anshan Wang, Pengfei Cui, Xiangxian Zuo and other main players were all absent, as well as were their executive coaches.

But the coaches and athletes of the team were not surprised, as they had been used to this. Only Li’s absence aroused the attention of anyone.

“It’s now past eight o’clock, why hasn’t Dai Li come yet? He’s never late. Is he ill?”

“I saw him in the dining room, when I was having breakfast. He looked well and sound. Maybe he went to the bathroom!”

“But he doesn’t need to stay for half an hour in the bathroom. Does he have constipation?” the speaker looked at his watch.

“You don’t know yet? Dai Li went to the meeting room.”

“The meeting room? Is the pre-match consultation going on there? What did he go there for?”

“There is no doubt that he was invited to attend the meeting!”

“Impossible! Only the core athletes and coaches can attend that meeting. He’s only been here for more than a month. How could he be qualified for the pre-match consultation? I have been a coach here for more than seven years, and I haven’t been invited to attend the pre-match consultation, not even once,” said Coach Wang.

“That’s for sure. But you haven’t cultivated any grand slam winner, right? That’s why you can’t attend the pre-match consultation.” The coach continued to say, “Although Dai Li just came here for a month, he was responsible for the training of Anshan Wang, Xinagxian Zuo, and Pengfei Cui. Regardless of other reasons, we had no ways to convince Pengfei Cui, but he did it.”

“You are right, almost nobody could handle that troublemaker. But he has become so obedient to Dai Li.”

“Dai Li just came here for a month so far, but he has already had the ability to enter into the core team of the national table tennis. This is really something! Compared with others, he has saved a decade of time to enter the core team!”

Dai Li followed Zhizhong Gu and walked toward the meeting room.

“Coach, what are we going to do?” asked Li.

“Attend the pre-match consultation,” replied Gu.

“Consultation? Did anyone get hurt?” Dai Li didn’t understand what Gu said and so continued to question, “But we are not doctors.”

“This is the pre-match consultation!” Coach Gu smiled, then he said, “You are the core staff of the national table tennis team now!”

Chapter 298: The Reason for Being Number One

“What is the pre-match consultation for?” asked Dai Li.

“This is a tradition for our national table tennis team, where the collective wisdom of our team can be given full display. Before the games, the core coaches and players will be gathered together, to discuss the problems of athletes.” After a short pause, Gu continued, “The existing problems are not just about technology, but are more about other things, such as athletes’ physical fitness, attitudes, and their psychological problems.”

After saying these words, Gu turned his head to look at Li and said, “Although we are not psychologists, we have many experienced coaches, who once were players. The players’ psychological problems are basically what these coaches have experienced before. So, they know how to deal with these problems.”

While talking, Gu walked to the door of the meeting room. Instead of immediately pushing the door open to go in, he said to Dai Li, “After entering into the conference room, don’t talk, but rather listen first, so you can see how this pre-game consultation is conducted.”

Following Gu, Li entered into the meeting room. All the other people there, except Bin Wang, were surprised by the appearance of Li. Obviously, they did not expect that Li would attend the meeting.

Li sat down in a not-so-visible position, and took out his notebook to prepare for the records. After spending the whole morning listening, Li finally understood what the pre-match consultation was all about.

The pre-match consultation was mainly aimed at analyzing the recent problems of the athletes, so as to find solutions for these problems. It involved the full participation of all the people present, which included not only the head coaches of the athletes, but also the other coaches, who would likewise express their opinions. And so did those athletes present. As for the athletes themselves, they would analyze themselves in order to find out exactly what their problems were.

For example, if an athlete had been under a lot of pressure recently, all of the people attending the consultation would help him analyze the causes of the pressure, and then, they’d help to find a solution for him or her.

It is always more difficult for one to find his or her own shortcomings. But it is easier to find others’ faults. Similarly, no matter how perfect a player, there are still some problems or shortcomings of that player that can be pointed out by others during the pre-match consultation.

However, for those front-line athletes of the national table tennis team, their shortcomings were not limited to their techniques, but also covered other aspects, such as a lack of calmness during a game, an overcautious playing manner, or even the handling of a clutch shot in a certain game.

It was the first time for Li to participate in such a pre-match consultation, so he remained as a silent listener. During the meeting, he had no chance to speak, and he didn’t try to get the chance to speak, either.

What he did do was listen quietly. Even so, he still benefited a lot from it.

When the pre-game consultation was finished, the athletes and their coaches returned to the training ground. However, Li was summoned by Gu to stay.

“Well, how do you feel about your first pre-game consultation?” asked Gu.

“I have benefited a lot from it,” Li replied frankly.

Gu added, “Just like what I said before, it’s a place where our team can give their collective wisdom full play. Besides, all the information here is shared among all the members. Since it involves analysis of the famous athletes’ technical and character information, our pre-match consultations’ process and contents are only accessible to our internal talents and core staff, and have never been open to the media or the public.”

Li nodded. He had been an “insider” in the sports circle, but before today, he had never heard of such special consultations before the games.

Gu went on, “This is actually a successful example of our national system being applied in table tennis. If you are in a foreign country, there is no way that you can gather so many of the world’s best athletes and best coaches to have a consultation for one player, so as to help the player find out his or her problems and their relevant solutions.”

“Our players participate in international competitions all the time. When they would get to the semi-finals, it would actually become an inner competition among our players within the team. Therefore, from this perspective, these people in the room just now, are also competitors against each other, as everybody wants to win the championship, but only one can finally win. If you win, others will lose. Therefore, it’s no matter whether they are the coaches or the players, all of them have to make a consideration of their own interests. If you help your competitors by giving them good advice, they will be stronger, and you will then become comparatively weaker,” Gu added.

“But this is also what our team is proud of. As we sit here, for the interests of the nation, the honor of our team, and our own ideals and pursuits, we give up our individual interests, in order to collectively apply the wisdom of the whole team, and hence, go all out to help every player in solving their own problems. All this could not have been achieved without the national system.”

Gu stood up and said, “Come on, I’ll take you to visit our research group.”

“Research group?” Li wanted to ask the reason why he should visit there, but didn’t.

Yet, Gu had already known what Li was thinking about.

“You don’t think that our research group is just drinking tea and reading the newspapers all day, doing nothing else at all, do you?” asked Gu.

Li smiled awkwardly. In his view, the so-called “research group” was indeed a “sinecure” department.

It was not uncommon in some government agencies, where out of every 100 people hired, only twenty did any real work, and of those 20, only 18 are temporary workers, leaving the remaining two as the leaders. Therefore, Li took it for granted that the research group of the national table tennis team was also a place of those who were idle.

Gu shook his head helplessly, as he got up to take Li to the research group. He said, “Our research group is not a place where one can idle along in his job. Instead, there are many experienced table tennis coaches there. Some head coaches, who just participated in the pre-match consultation, had once been working in our research group.”

“The table tennis rules have been constantly changing over the years. Yet our players are always No.1 in the world. This is partly due to the work of our research group. Whenever the International Table Tennis Association has issued new rules, our research group would immediately study which techniques would become more effective under the new rules, and which would be less useful, because of these new rules. In this way, our research group would instantly put forward new techniques, new methods, new tactics and new systems, in accordance with the new rules, and then ask the athletes to carry out exercises for their continuous improvements. Therefore, every time there are new rules for table tennis, we can get used to them as soon as possible,” Gu said.

Li had heard of what Gu now mentioned. It could not be kept a secret that there were researchers who specialize in studying the new rules in the national table tennis team.

In recent ten years, in order to prevent the growing dominance of the Chinese national table tennis team, the International Table Tennis Association constantly changed the rules of table tennis, in hopes of restraining the national table tennis team. However, the outcome was that our national table tennis was getting ever stronger, while fewer and fewer players were playing table tennis in other countries.

This is most probably because there are teams inside the country that specialize in studying the new rules. As soon as the rules of the International Table Tennis Association were issued, our research group would thoroughly analyze the new tactics and methods under the new rules in no time, so that our players of national table tennis could adapt to the new rules very quickly.

Therefore, when our players began playing in a competition with the new tactics and methods, players from other countries may have just begun to practice under the new rules. It’s like playing a game, where a new hero character has been presented. We have grasped all the information about this character, including the type of the new hero character, his skills, his equipment, how to use this new hero character to cooperate with other heroes, and even the new tactics for the hero character.

However, at the same time, the opponents are just beginning to get familiar with the new hero’s skills. In this case, it’s certain that we would win an overwhelming victory, just like our crushing victory of national table tennis under the new rules.

When the opponents see our players playing, they would suddenly understand that they are supposed to play in this way, while under the new rules! As a result, our national table tennis was always the No.1!

Gu then said, “In fact, in addition to studying the new rules, our research group also does a lot of other work, such as data collection and analysis. This is the reason why we also have many people working on statistics, besides the table tennis coaches, in our research group. There are so many statistical items, based on which we can find a lot of problems for improvement.”

“Take picking-up time for example, you certainly won’t notice it when you are watching the table tennis match, right?” said Gu.

“Picking up time? What does that mean?” Li asked, in total confusion.

“It’s the pause between the end of one rally and the start of the next rally. It’s the time for the player to ‘pick up’ the Ping pong ball,” Gu explained.

“We collect data on this? Is it really useful?” Li asked in surprise. In his view, it would be a waste of time to count the time used for picking up the ball.

However, Gu explained with a serious countenance, “It certainly is useful. When the player is picking up the ball, he is actually thinking about what technique he should adopt for the next rally. So, the longer an athlete takes to pick up the ball, the longer he can think of the tactics.

“Take Anshan Wang as an example. Sometimes, when he is impatient in the match, he spends less time to pick up the ball, which is only about 20 seconds. Under such circumstances, he tends be less likely to win the game. In contrast, when he is more likely to win, he spends more than 30 seconds to pick up the ball, which means that he has been thinking through his tactics for the next rally. Sometimes, when he meets a strong adversary, like Xiangxian Zuo, he even needs 40 seconds to pick up the ball, which shows that he is giving full consideration to the tactics.”

Gu paused, and then said, “This is just a small part of the work of our research group. They also do a lot of statistics of other detail information. It is very tedious. Sometimes, it is just a match for one hour, yet it will take three or four people seven or eight hours to complete the statistics on it.

Gu stopped with a long sigh of relief, and then said, “They are truly the heroes of our team, and our country. However, our head coaches can go on television and get to be known to the public, while the research group can only remain unknown in the background, unknown to the public.”

“All this should be attributed to our national system, right?” Li asked suddenly.

“You’re right. Only under the national system would it be possible that someone is willing to stick to their own posts for decades, so that the two or three world champions may win their victories. It shows not only a spirit of dedication, but also is an embodiment of unity,” Gu nodded with emotion.

“Many Chinese people are not familiar with our national system in sports. However, the application of this system in table tennis is the most successful. We have set up a complete system, covering from the cultivation and selection of young players to the training of the adult athletes, as well as a variety of logistics services, with one closely connected to another, and everyone doing their own job to make the whole system work.”

“It is this system that we have set up that makes our table tennis the No.1 in the world. As long as this system exists and works, our team will continue to be No.1!”

Chapter 299: The Athlete Album

Led by head coach Zhizhong Gu, the core members of the national table tennis team went to Sweden for the Swedish Open of the ITTF. Dai Li, as a physical coach, however, could not go to Sweden. He could only watch the games on the live broadcast online.

Seeing the athletes he had trained playing in an international match, Dai Li felt a tinge of nervousness. He was afraid that they might slip up. But Dai Li soon found that this worry was not necessary at all.

Although there were many good players from Japan, Korea, and Europe, no one could escape defeat when confronted with the national team’s core players. It was even very difficult for the foreign players to win one single game in a match. If they could win two, that would have been an even bigger surprise.

The singles became an inner competition of the national table tennis team at the semi-finals. As for the doubles, the national team sent only one pair of players each for both the men’s and women’s matches, both of which partnerships won the championships.

Without a doubt, the Chinese national table tennis team had absolute dominating power over the teams from all the other countries. The last match of the Swedish Open was the final of the men’s singles between Anshan Wang and Shuang Pang. Anshan Wang won the championship with a score of 4:2.

The match finally ended, and Dai Li, who had been watching the games live on his cell phone, heaved a long sigh of relief. Then, he found that his system was once again updated.

“Upgraded, finally! Senior phase of top-level coach!” Dai Li couldn’t help but be excited.

The last upgrade had been more than one year ago, during the Asian Games. Thanks to the several gold medals won by his trainees in the Asian Games, he had upgraded to the intermediate phase of top-level coach. After that, he had begun a long period of experience-accumulating.

The experience Dai Li gained was closely related to the level of the athlete he trained. The best athlete in the national track and field team was only of A level talent, and the ability value was not so high, so they were not sufficient for the upgrading requirements of Dai Li.

During the period when he went back to the provincial team, he had been training athletes of an even lower level. So, the empirical value points he gained were even less. At that time, Dai Li had believed he might never upgrade again. Things had improved after he went to the provincial table tennis team as a physical coach.

One of the reasons why Dai Li had been willing to join the national table tennis team was that he thought he could gain more empirical value points by coaching these top-level athletes of the world.

It was as expected by Dai Li, as, when coaching a group of athletes of S level talent and ability value of above 900, his empirical value had indeed soared. During his one month working in the national table tennis team, the empirical value points that he gained were equal to those that he had gained in the previous several months.

Meanwhile, the empirical award gained via the competition results of the athletes he coached was also an important key element. Like the Swedish Open table tennis match, the Chinese national team had won 6 medals in the men’s and women’s singles and 2 medals in men’s and women’s doubles. These triumphs were all related to Dai Li’s coaching. Therefore, Dai Li won tens of thousands of empirical value points and upgraded to the senior phase of top-level coach.

Dai Li knew that there were a lot of chances for the players of the national table tennis team to attend such world-level matches, and that when they went, they would for sure win the championships, even win almost of the medals. For Dai Li, each and every medal would mean another huge deposit of empirical value points.

This is vastly differently from the national track and field team. Actually, there are more world level track and field games than those of table tennis. There are the Diamond League, the Grand Prix, the Super Grand Prix, Millrose Games…They go almost year-round!

But the athletes of the national track and field team, due to their limited performance level, have no chance to compete in those world level games. The highest-level games they go to are the Asian games. So, even if Dai Li could have Li Xue’s position, there would still be no way for him to gain so many empirical value points.

…

“I am now a senior-phase top-level coach now. What’s the next level?” Dai Li asked.

The system answered, “The next level would be Famous Coach. Upgrading to the next higher level would cost 300,000 empirical value points.”

“So many points? It would take 3 or 4 years to earn 300,000 empirical value points through daily coaching, even in the national table tennis team. It seems that I have to have more of my trainees attend more games, and win more championships. This is the only way for me to upgrade at a faster pace.”

Dai Li lowered his head to think about the matter. There would be two Opens, the Table Tennis World and the annual final of the Pro Tour. Even if the national table tennis team won all the medals in all of those games, it would still not be enough for Dai Li to earn the empirical value points needed to upgrade.

But next year, there would be more table tennis games. At the beginning of next year, there would be the opens in the European countries, like Hungary, Germany, and Switzerland, then the opens in the Asian countries, like Qatar, Kuwait, Japan and Korea. More importantly, the Olympic Games would be held in August of next year. The four gold medals for men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s team and women’s team would certainly bring a huge amount of empirical value points for Dai Li.

“If I am lucky, I can upgrade to be a Famous Coach next year, once the Olympic Games finish!” Hope arose in Dai Li’s heart. He even began to rejoice that he had been chosen to come to the national table tennis team. It was an absolutely correct choice. If it had been in some other sports, it would not be quick for Dai Li to accumulate his empirical value points.

“Now it is time for a bonus! Show me what upgrade bonus I have gotten.” Dai Li asked in his mind, and the system set the bonus in front of him.

There were two bonus items. The one on the left was a skill book. Dai Li was quite familiar with the appearance of the skill books, so he recognized it at first glance.

On the right, however, was a big album-like book with a hard cover. It was like one of those big photo albums that were popular in the past, and it had a texture of wood grain.

The album was very thick, thicker than an ordinary dictionary, almost as thick as CIHAI, the large-scale dictionary and encyclopedia of Standard Mandarin Chinese.

“My gosh. What is this? it’s so big and thick, and made of high quality materials. It must be something good!” Dai Li was immensely attracted by the album, believing subconsciously that it must be precious.

Dai Li took the album and turned to the first page. It was blank, with no words or pictures.

The second page, still blank, with no words or pictures.

The third page, still blank, with no words or pictures.

Dai Li flipped through all the several dozens of pages, only to find that they were all blank, without even a page number.

“What is this? A book of blank paper?” Dai Li was totally upset.

The system’s voice sounded, “It is your Athlete Album.”

“Athlete Album? What is it used for?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“You may put the information about the athletes into the Athlete Album. Everything about the athlete can be recorded in it, including information concerning physical conditions, skill features, advantages and weakness, experience, on-the-spot judgements, everything. In this way, you may have a detailed database. Even if an athlete is removed from your coaching list, you can still check the data regarding him or her,” the system answered.

“Sounds like stamp collecting. But how is it useful to me?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course it is useful! Just imagine, if you could collect all the best athletes of each sport in the world into this one album, how intoxicating the sense of achievement would be! When you are old, you may look at this album and recall all the athletes you have coached. What a beautiful memory it would be!”

Chapter 300: The Warm-up Square Dance

The Athlete Album, by its appearance, looked really gorgeous and precious. It was beautifully packaged and made of fine quality paper. But for Dai Li, it was of no practical use.

Dai Li had been expecting the upgrading for more than a year. He had expected to get some excellent bonus, yet it turned out to be something totally useless.

Dai Li felt that the athlete album was like a white elephant gift. What’s the use of it to collect the data of athletes? It was totally useless.

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

The voice of the system was heard again, “There are several things I need to clarify. First, only the athletes in your coaching list can be added into the athlete album. You cannot include an athlete who is not in your coaching list.”

“Second, the status of the athlete shown in the album was the status of the athlete when he or she was added to the album. If you put an athlete into the album when he or she is at his or her peak state, then the status of the athlete shown in the album was his or her peak state status. If you add an athlete when he or she is ill or injured, then the album will show him or her at his or her illness or injury state.”

“Third, if you add the same athlete into the athlete album several times, the album will record the best status of the athlete.”

“That is, if you put a peak-state athlete into the album, the album records the peak-state of the athlete. Ten years later, the athlete’s conditions will deteriorate due to aging. If you put him or her into the album again, then the album will not update his deteriorated statue, but automatically store what were his physical conditions ten years earlier. However, the athlete, after the ten years, will have accumulated more experience in the sport. With the physical peak-state stored in the album, the athlete will be even better than he or she was ten years ago. So, in terms of experience, the athlete album will store the status of the athlete ten years later.”

“I see. Let me try it first,” Dai Li answered listlessly.

Dai Li put Anshan Wang into the album, carefully following the instructions of the system. He chose Anshan Wang, because Wang was the “No.1 male table tennis player”, and with his S+ level talent and almost 1000-point character attribute, he was definitely at his peak state.

Then, Dai Li saw the profile of Anshan Wang in the athlete album. There was the data about his height, body weight, and skill features, and the tactics he was good at were also described in detail. It was indeed an all-around introduction of Anshan Wang.

Dai Li thought, even Anshan Wang could not know about himself so well as the album.

“How is it? The introduction of the athlete is very detailed, right? Imagine if the whole album is full of the detailed introduction of athletes, how beautiful would it be?!” the system said.

Dai Li ignored the system, wanting to put Pengfei Cui, Xiangxian Zuo, and some other athletes into the album. But what the system then said stopped him.

“I forgot to tell you one thing. It costs 10,000 empirical value points to put an athlete into the album. So, be cautious when you decide to put any athlete into the album,” the system warned.

“Cost of empirical value points? At 10,000 points? I lost 10,000 points of empirical value for just one small operation like that? Just to have a look at the information of Anshan Wang?” Dai Li roared with anger.

“Relax! I have not finished yet. The first three times are free. But after that, it will cost 10,000 empirical value points to add one athlete into the album. The first three times are like 10,000 empirical value points for you for free. What’s more, if you add the same athlete into the album for the second time, it would cost you only 5,000 points. That’s 50% off!” the system explained.

“I have put Anshan Wang in the album. So, I have left only two chances for free.” Dai Li shook his head helplessly. He could not control the system, as to deciding what the bonus would be. He had to take whatever the system gave. So, his only hope was that the new skill would be more useful.

Dai Li looked at the other bonus item, the skill book. There were three huge words on the cover of it.

“Warm-up Square Dance?” Dai Li read them aloud.

By the name of the skill book, Dai Li knew the function of the new skill.

“Athletes need to warm up before either training or a game. So, this skill must have something to do with warming up!” Dai Li murmured.

“Exactly. This is a skill related to the warm-up before any sporting. If the athletes, led by you, practice the square dance, they can warm up more quickly, and thus, enter into better sports conditions. The athletes will also find it to be more easy and efficient when doing sports. Hence, the effect of the square dance is much better than when prefaced with ordinary warm-up exercises.”

The system was like a salesman, and it said, “After the square-dancing warm-up, the probability of athlete’s getting injured during the activity will decrease significantly. It works no matter whether it is practiced before a game or training.”

“This is more useful.” Dai Li finally cheered up a little.

The square dance could help the athletes warm up more quickly. For Dai Li, this advantage was better than nothing.

Warming-up was something the athletes did every day. And the period of time needed was different, according to the effect of the warm-up. In summer, when it is hot, the warm-up would take less time, while in winter, when it is cold, it would take longer. So, for the coaches or the athletes, to shorten the warm-up time by several minutes was not so practically meaningful.

Comparatively, to reduce the probability of injury was vastly more important than shortening the warm-up time. The biggest enemies of athletes are illness and injuries. As such, athletes are willing to try all sorts of things to avoid them, including daily massage, cupping therapy, skin scraping, foot massage, everything that is useful. The professional teams of the NBA were even known to hire foot massage therapists for their basketball stars.

For example, a lot of foreigners don’t trust Chinese medicine, and may even see acupuncture as witchcraft. But to relax the muscles and avoid injuries as much as possible, the foreign athletes would rather believe it than not, and hence, often they’ll have a try with it.

“It can reduce the probability of injuries. This makes it very useful, even just for this one function.” Dai Li flipped open the Warm-up Square Dance.

The next moment, however, awkwardness crept on Dai Li’s face.

“What? The movements shown in this book are really square dance steps! Isn’t this a joke? I’m a professional coach, and I coach the most top-class athletes in the world. How can I get them to do square-dancing according to this book?”

An image flashed in Dai Li’s mind, where Anshan Wang, Pengfei Cui, Xiangxian Zuo, Shuang Pang and other core players of the national table tennis team, in a neat formation, were square-dancing to some dynamic tunes. And the one who is leading the dance? It was none other than Dai Li himself!

The next second, Dai Li felt goose bumps all over his body.

“How awkward!”

Chapter 301: Have Some Music!

It took Dai Li several days to finally perform the whole series of Warming-Up Square Dance well. At the time when the main force of National Ping-Pong Team came back from Sweden, Dai Li had already mastered the Warming-Up Square Dance.

The next key point was, how to persuade those world-top ping-pong players to accept this square dance. Early morning, at five o’clock, the sun hadn’t rose yet, and coldness filled in the air. Dai Li had arrived at the training field. At that time, some early bird athletes had already been doing morning exercises for a while.

When the workload was small, the national ping-pong team players usually arrived at the training field after six o’clock in the morning to start training. Coaches arrived half an hour later. Usually, head coaches all arrived at around seven. Fitness coaches could come to the training center after breakfast.

But, in a group, there was always someone who worked harder. So, even at the super early time when Dai Li arrived, somebody had already began training.

Similar as when one was studying at school, there must be one or two students, who went to the classroom early for morning reading. They might not be the best students in the class, but they were surely the most hardworking ones. Whenever you turned to them, they were focusing on studying.

Among students, few were willing to study from dawn to night everyday. The majority were satisfied with having classes right on time. But among professional athletes, especially those who reached a high level, like those national ping-pong players, hard work and diligence were required qualities.

It had become a part of the daily routine for many professionals to train at five, before sunrise. And if some days, they lingered in bed till seven or eight o’clock, they would feel uncomfortable. Especially athletes who had outstanding competence and high talents, as well as diligence, such as Anshan Wang.

Anshan Wang didn’t play the peacock, as he dominated the rank of first place in the world for a long time. On the contrary, he was more hardworking and diligent than most athletes. Such was the case today, as when Dai Li arrived at the training center around five, Wang was already there.

I’m quite early today, but didn’t expect to see Anshan Wang having already begun training. Well, athletes’ performances are indeed closely associated with their efforts. Anshan Wang is worthy of being the world’s No.1!

Dai Li looked at the sky, and sighed in his heart.

As a person with S+ talent, who was willing to put forth more efforts, Wang’s achievements were obviously not obtained simply by luck and coincidence.

“Coach Li, you are early today!” Anshan Wang noticed Dai Li’s arrival.

As a fitness coach, it was not necessary for Dai Li to arrive early at the training center, like head coaches did. Hence, Dai Li’s early arrival surprised Anshan Wang.

Dai Li hesitated, then asked, “Have you warmed up yet?”

“I just exercised a little bit, but haven’t started my formal warm-up yet,” said Anshan Wang.

“Then shall we?” asked Dai Li.

“Sure!” Anshan Wang answered without hesitation. With the assistance from a professional fitness coach, the warm-up would be more effective than if he did it just by himself. Moreover, Dai Li’s coaching ability had already convinced Anshan Wang.

“We do some simple exercises first, and have basic warm-up practice.” Dai Li glanced at Anshan Wang diffidently, and asked, “Shall we do it together?”

Anshan Wang nodded. He didn’t think much of it, after all, as it was familiar to see coaches guiding athletes to warm up.

“Alright then, follow me!” Dai Li stood in front of Anshan Wang, and began to perform the Warm-Up Square Dance.

Although they were doing square dance movements, Dai Li still shouted out normal beats.

“One two three four, five six seven eight. Two two three four, five six seven eight…”

…

Anshan Wang began to play ping-pong when he was a child, after being a professional athlete for years, from sport school to provincial team to the national team, so he couldn’t be more familiar with warming up exercises. But today, Anshan Wang noticed, Dai Li’s “Warming Up Exercise” was completely different from what he had ever done before.

What’s this? I have never done such an exercise before. It looks strange….

Anshan Wang followed Dai Li’s actions, filled with confusion. Since Anshan Wang had never experienced Square Dance before, nor did he pay attention to things other than ping-pong, due to his tight schedules of training and competitions, he didn’t realize that Dai Li was actually taking him to do a square dance.

Regular warm-ups contained many muscle-stretch actions, such as stretching the thigh muscle, crus muscle, and backside muscle, which all had high probabilities of being hurt during highly intensive training. Besides muscle stretching, the rest was about activating joints, such as shoulder joints, hip joints, knee joints, ankle joints, etc.

However, Dai Li’s square dance looked like the body was exercising, but the actions were totally different from regular warm-ups. Luckily, Anshan Wang was a modest and reserved person, which meant that he always did as coaches said. So, even though he was filled with questions, he didn’t say anything or pause for a second, but kept following Dai Li’s actions. If Wang had been a more outgoing athlete, with individuality, like Pengfei Cui, he might have already stopped and figured it out with Dai Li.

…

At this moment, Dai Li felt the actions didn’t go smoothly. Square Dance was a coherent dance, so if it was performed with regular beats, like “one two three four, five six seven eight”, the original sequencing movements would be broken into loosely divided fragments, which often caused some problems on overall coordination. That was why those grannies danced with stirring music, rather than dancing with digital beats, like doing broadcasting gymnastics.

This can’t work, as I have no feelings for it. Square dance must be performed with music. Now, Dai Li finally understood why those square dancers always danced with loud music. Square dance without music was no longer square dance.

Dai Li stopped, then turned to Anshan Wang while he took out his phone. “We just got up, and we are both still a little bit sleepy, so let me play some energetic music to wake us up.”

The background music was ready in his phone. Anshan Wang nodded indifferently. Based on his trust of Dai Li, he didn’t think much on this.

…

Dai Li and Anshan Wang’s square dance startled the other athletes. As the “big brother” in the national ping-pong team, Anshan Wang’s every move was under much scrutiny.

“What are Coach Li and Anshan Wang doing?”

“They are warming up, aren’t they?”

“The actions are strange. I have never seen such warm-up exercises before, have you?”

“Neither have I. Why does it look like square dance?”

“Square dance? How could it be possible?! Coach Li is a professional fitness coach, and we are professional athletes, so why would he teach us square dance?”

Hardly had his voice faded away, when Dai Li pressed the “play” button.

The music started out loud!

“This does sound like Square Dance music!” someone suddenly said.

A few athletes stared speechless at each other…

Chapter 302: Let’s Dance!

Square Dance music was magical. Whenever the music started, it easily caught everyone’s attention.

When the music was played out loud, Dai Li felt more sure-footed. Square dance without background music somehow lacked the proper atmosphere.

Now that the music was being played, Dai Li got excited with the rhythm. But by his side, Anshan Wang behaved quite the opposite. At present, he was very uncertain about what was going on.

The unknown “Warming Up Exercise” had left him puzzled, and now the devil character of square dance music put him in even more of a nonplussed mood.

This doesn’t look like warming up, but like actually doing square dance instead! Anshan Wang had realized this.

Coach Li is a professional fitness coach, he wouldn’t guide me to do an actual square dance, would he? Anshan Wang thought.

At last, he chose to obey, since he was always coach’s “good boy”, besides, he had enjoyed the benefits of Dai Li’s training thus far. Therefore, although he was full of doubt and uncertainty, he still followed Dai Li’s movements and continued doing the square dance.

Under stimulation from the background music, the atmosphere was immediately enlivened. Dai Li was high on the dance, both mentally and physically, and he was dancing with great energy. As the music went on, Anshan Wang’s movement became smoother, and he felt that he could hardly stop it.

My whole body is warming up! Anshan Wang sensed every tiny change of his body. Dancing with the music, although the actions were normal and easy, he felt that his every single cell was dancing energetically.

Unknowingly, Anshan Wang’s forehead began to sweat, then beads of sweat fell down from his face. The feeling of it on his skin brought him indescribable passion.

I sweat! How come such simple movements make me sweat! Anshan Wang took a deep breath, the music beats coordinating with the steps of the square dance made him unable to stop. Square dance was magical, and full of devil characters! Once one got into it, it was easy to integrate into the rhythm. Even clumsy people could move with the music.

…

On the side, the other athletes all stopped their training and stared at Dai Li and Anshan Wang. A coach, with an athlete, doing square dance early in the morning in the training center? What’s more…the square dancer was the world’s No.1 Anshan Wang? To the onlookers, the scene was creepily weird.

“Is this really warming up? I think this is square dance, isn’t it?”

“It should be. You see, they even have music.”

“What’s wrong with Coach Li? Is he here early, just for square dancing? Isn’t he crazy?!”

“And Anshan Wang is dancing, too! Isn’t he crazy? Is this the newest training method?”

“A new training method? That makes sense! You see, Anshan Wang is dancing excitingly. How about we have a try, too?” One athlete was eager to try.

“Let’s go try, after all, our coaches are not here yet, let’s follow Coach Li to warm up!”

…

Two athletes joined into the dancing, and soon they followed Dai Li’s steps.

Square dance was a simple activity, which had quite a low qualifying standard to join in, and it was also easy to learn. Square dance didn’t have complex movements, and to professional athletes, whose body balances were better than ordinary people’s, following up the beats was as easy as blowing off dust.

Furthermore, Square dance was infectious, just like a virus. Once someone started dancing, the surrounding audience couldn’t control themself from wanting to participate too. The longer they watched, the stronger their impulse to do so would be.

This was the powerful, infectious nature of square dance. This activity was widespread around the country, and had attracted millions of people to join in. To athletes, who were used to group participation and collective life, it had an extraordinary attractiveness.

Unknowingly, five to six people joined in Dai Li’s “Square Dance Army”. In fact, since it was still early before the formal training, head coaches had not arrived yet, and without the strict guidance from coaches, the athletes were much more relaxed, both physically and mentally, and therefore worried less about their actions. That was why they were dancing behind Dai Li. If head coaches were present, they would have dared not dance with Dai Li so recklessly.

…

Looking at the clock on the wall, its hour hand had pointed at “six”. Dai Li stopped, and wiped his sweat away. After dancing for such a long time, Dai Li still felt that he wanted more.

But time told Dai Li, he should stop now. It was six o’clock, and soon head coaches would begin to show up in the training center.

Dai Li turned around, looked at Anshan Wang, who was also wet all over, and asked him, “How do you feel?”

“My sweat is pouring down! My body is heating up.” Anshan Wang added, “But I’m not tired. I feel that I’m ready for training.”

The key point for warming up is to heat up the body, while another crucial part of it was not to waste too much energy. If one used all of his energy in warming up, then there was no need to train anymore.

Warming-Up Square Dance apparently integrated these two factors pretty well, it could heat up athletes’ bodies, while not wasting too much of their energy. Actually, the amount of exercise in squaring dancing meant nothing to professional athletes.

The effect of the warming up would be directly reflected in the upcoming exercises or competitions. Ping-pong was a technical activity, thus, warming up was extremely important. When athletes were in a rather excited condition, the most direct reflection of this was that they had faster reaction time on receiving balls.

…

Anshan Wang could clearly feel that, at the time when he started training, his body was ready in position. No matter what program he had today, he could handle it successfully. Even Anshan Wang’s head coach kept praising him, saying that he was doing very well today.

Anshan Wang had been performing steadily. In fact, athletes at this level performed steadily without doubt, which also worked out in other events. Tennis, badminton, golf, soccer, anyone who was ranked among the world’s top for long-term would surely perform steadily.

It was also due to the long-lasting steadiness, that Anshan Wang could immediately sense even a tiny bit of difference.

Today’s training went smoothly, I could feel that I have been excited and stimulated throughout the time, and extra alert, too.

At this moment, Anshan Wang subconsciously recalled Dai Li’s words: “I will make you feel changes!”

Anshan Wang tasted “change” again.

Today’s warming up was obviously very effective. Was it because of the morning square dance? I have been an athlete for such a long time, this is my first time to think that square dance could have such an outstanding effect.

Anshan Wang subconsciously looked at Dai Li. At this moment, Dai Li became even more mysterious in his eyes.

Chapter 303: The Attractiveness of Square Dance

Not only Anshan Wang, but also the other athletes who danced with Dai Li this morning, all sensed the unusual change. During the whole day’s training, their bodies remained fully activated. In such a condition, they got two-fold effects with only half the effort.

Today, after training ended, athletes walked out of the training center one after another, friends joking at each other.

“You were in great status today during training, I saw Coach Zhou praise you. He’s always bitch-faced, rarely smiles. And now, he is willing to praise you, how amazing! Pigs might fly!” Athlete A said.

Athlete B nodded. “Right, I was surprised, too. I have been after Coach Zhou for more than a year, I can count with one hand the amount of praise I’ve ever received from him.”

“Come on, how did you get in such nice condition? Do you have any secret method?” Athlete A immediately asked.

“I guess, maybe because I did some square dance with Coach Li this morning!” Athlete B replied.

“Are you kidding me? Square dance? I can do ballet!” Athlete A curled his lips with scorn.

But Athlete B changed to a serious look. “I am serious. My training today had nothing different from my daily training, except that, this morning, I danced with Coach Li. Moreover, after I stopped dancing, I felt that my whole body was boiling with energy, and I was very excited, like I had just won a game. So that’s why I think the square dance worked.”

Athlete A continued, “You must be joking! I mean, is it really necessary to exaggerate like this? You say, ‘My body is boiling’, I say your brain is boiled away! Should I take you to the doctor’s?”

After his taunting, Athlete A mockingly looked innocent, waiting as Athlete B responded, saying, “I’m not joking, neither do I exaggerate. If you don’t trust me, why don’t you come earlier tomorrow, and do square dance with Coach Li, then you will see whether I’m lying or not.”

“You want me to learn square dance? I would never go! I’m an athlete, and if the others knew that I went to learn Square dance in the national ping-pong team, they would laugh their jaws off!” said Athlete A.

“Come on, just have a try, it only takes you ten to twenty minutes, so you won’t waste much time. Besides, what if Coach Li’s square dance does work? You will enjoy its benefits!” Athlete B kept persuading.

…

The next morning, Dai Li arrived at the training center at five o’clock, just like he had the day before. To be honest, Dai Li also thought that, as a professional fitness coach, it wasn’t something worth being proud of, to teach athletes to square dance, even though the dance did work. Hence, he came early on purpose, in order to avoid being caught by the head coaches, and therefore, causing himself embarrassment.

Out of Dai Li’s expectation, Anshan Wang was waiting right at the gate, looking forward to seeing Dai Li.

“Coach Li, finally you are here!” After seeing Dai Li, Anshan Wang welcomed him at once, while saying: “We were waiting for you, please guide us in warming up!”

We? Before Dai Li figured out who he meant, several athletes from behind came closer to surround him. They were people who learned the square dance from Dai Li yesterday, and enjoyed the benefits. So today, they all arrived early, waiting for Dai Li.

“Coach Li, the sound of your phone is too low, so we couldn’t hear it from afar. I have brought a Bluetooth Loudspeaker!” One athlete squeezed to the front, with a small loudspeaker in his hand.

Ha, you guys are better equipped than I! Realizing that he was quite popular, Dai Li felt delighted.

“OK then, let’s start danc…No, I mean, warming up!” While he spoke, Dai Li took off his coat.

…

Pengfei Cui walked to the training center with eyelids half-dropped. From his look, obviously, he was not fully awake yet.

As he entered into the gate, he was yawning lazily. But what he witnessed next shocked him, his eyes wide open now.

What are they doing? And the music, are they square dancing?! Pengfei Cui subconsciously stepped back, then looked around to ensure that he was in the right place.

Pengfei Cui stepped into the gate again. He stared at those dancing athletes, and everybody looked familiar. Those were all his teammates!

What the hell is this? Are they crazy?! Pengfei Cui complained in his heart. He didn’t choose to join in the dancing team, but instead, found a corner for himself and began his solo practice.

“Step forward! Step back! Left! Right! Step forward! Clap!” Dai Li modeled the dancing movements, while shouting out directions.

The athletes all followed Dai Li, and danced orderly. When Dai Li instructed “clap”, the crowd clapped with him.

“Bang bang!”

The two crisp claps went into Pengfei Cui’s ears, which distracted him. He couldn’t concentrate anymore.

Pengfei Cui looked around, noticing that, except him, the others were all dancing with Dai Li. Suddenly, a sense of loneliness flashed across his heart.

Should I try, too? Such an idea came to his mind, and soon, his feet were out of his control, as he subconsciously moved toward the dancing crowd.

Square dance was like this, as its dancers were not shy, and the audience couldn’t wait to join in. Especially when everybody was square dancing, the one who stood aside felt himself as an outcast. If he wanted to make himself look normal, either he joined in, or he turned around and left.

That morning, some other athletes joined in the group. Then, on the third day, the thirteen athletes of the National Ping-Pong Men’s Team 1 all learned square dance with Dai Li.

…

“Early birds eat worms, early worms are eaten by birds…” Bin Wang sang his own-written song, as he walked to the training center.

As the vice chief coach of the national ping-pong team, Bin Wang always showed up in the training center before seven o’clock in the morning. However, when there were training camps, normally, he wouldn’t show up until regular working time.

But today, he couldn’t sleep since waking early at 4 am, so he got up instead, and came to the training center. Before he went into the gate, Bin Wang heard music coming from the training center.

“Who is playing music out loud so early in the morning, and the song, it sounds familiar. Wait, I see, isn’t it that recently popular, divine tune of square dance?! Ha, this song is really suitable for refreshing my mind!” Bin Wang considered, as he stepped into the training center.

The next second, he suddenly changed his facial expression, as he saw the dancing athletes in the center.

“What are you doing?!” Bin Wang roared.

Chapter 304: A New Continent

Scared by Bin Wang’s roar, everybody froze.

Why is Bin Wang here?! Dai Li was astonished.

All the athletes looked embarrassed, like they were being caught red-handed.

They all remained silent. As a coach, Dai Li couldn’t say anything either.

Finally, Li squeezed a smile, walked to Bin Wang, and said, “Coach Wang, I’m guiding them in doing some warm-ups.”

“Warm-ups?” Bin Wang showed an “are you kidding me” expression, then said, “What kind of warm-up exercises? Yours look like square dance!”

“Well…This does look like square dance, to some degree,” Dai Li answered with embarrassment.

“To some degree? This is definitely square dance! Even the music is for square dancing!” Bin Wang’s tone became serious.

“What matters most, is not how it looks, but how it works,” Dai Li smiled. “This method offers a pretty good warming up effect.”

“I say Li, what is in your mind? Our athletes warm up through square dancing, and you even talk to me about effects, aren’t you out of bounds?!” Bin Wang looked at Dai Li. If Dai Li was not wide awake, with no smell of alcohol, he would possibly even have been labeled as a delirious drunk!

Dai Li’s heart was filled with helplessness. He understood Bin Wang’s idea, to any other coaches, they would definitely think Dai Li overstepped.

“Coach Wang, I’m not lying to you, neither do I run wild. My warming up indeed works,” Dai Li explained.

“Square dance? How could it be possible?! To ordinary people, it might be, but to professional athletes, such exercise doesn’t have any effect at all,” Bin Wang said straightforwardly.

“Coach Wang, in our national ping-pong team, did anyone use square dancing for warming up?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course not, who would be that stupid?” Bin Wang replied at once.

“If nobody has ever tried, how do you know square dance doesn’t work well?” Dai Li argued.

“Li, you are a fitness coach, so you must know that warming up for professional athletes doesn’t mean just moving the body and having some sweat, they also need to activate joints, and stretch muscles. Square dance’s movement range might work for joint-activation, but for stretching muscles, it’s far from being enough,” said Bin Wang.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Dai Li shook his head, saying, “My warming up exercise can stretch muscles effectively. If you don’t believe it, you can ask these athletes.”

At this moment, as the team leader, Anshan Wang stood out to support Dai Li, attesting, “Coach Wang, Coach Li is telling the truth. This warming up exercise is indeed very effective.”

On the side, Pengfei Cui also said, “Coach Wang, I feel that Coach Li’s warming up is more effective than our previous traditional exercises.”

“Right, Coach Wang, if it didn’t have any effect, why would we dance with Coach Li for days?” Xiangxian Zuo’s voice also rang out.

“For days? You have been square dancing everyday, all these days?” Bin Wang felt shocked. In his eyes, it was crazy for athletes to dance once, but to dance for days? He dared not even imagine.

However, the next second, Bin Wang thought in another way, noticing that Xiangxian Zuo’s words did make some sense. Athletes, who were able to join in the national ping-pong team, were all very brilliant. If this square dance didn’t work, they wouldn’t dance after Dai Li so energetically. But to be rational, Bin Wang was still unwilling to believe that square dance could warm up adequately.

Dai Li seemed to sense Bin Wang’s struggle, and said, “Coach Wang, how about this, you can have a try on my warming up exercise, and check for yourself whether it is effective or not.”

“You want me to do square dance?” Bin Wang shook his head at once. As a vice chief coach in the national ping-pong team, it was too immature for him to do square dance.

Dai Li showed a determined attitude, as he knew, without Bin Wang experiencing square dance for himself, he would never believe Dai Li’s explanation.

“Coach Wang, if you trust me, please dance with us, to examine its effect,” said Dai Li.

To this extent, although Bin Wang was still unwilling to dance, he finally compromised. The music rang out again, Bin Wang still extremely reluctant to dance after Dai Li.

Gradually, though, he felt his body temperature was increasing, and his adrenaline started secreting rapidly. Warmth spread in Bin Wang’s body, and he felt that he was showering under sunshine on a summer day.

“Forward, swing, clap!” Dai Li’s voice rang.

Bin Wang had followed up Dai Li’s rhythm, and as Dai Li ordered, he clapped his hands. Bin Wang coordinated himself into square dance, his body moved with the music beats, while the warmth that swept over his body became scorching hot.

Sweat came out of his skin, and Bin Wang sensed that his body was fast turning to be quite active. Bin Wang was very familiar with such a feeling, and it only occurred after being fully warmed up!

Square dance can indeed warm up my body! Bin Wang was filled with astonishment.

Bin Wang used to be a Grand Slam ping-pong player in the past, and was once the world’s No.1, and also was the previous “Big Brother” of the national ping-pong team. Therefore, he couldn’t be more familiar with warming up. Years of experience helped him judge clearly what level of warm up could result in him being in the best status.

Now Bin Wang was sure that his body was ready, and in the best status, he even felt that, if he took the bat now, even Anshan Wang couldn’t match him as an opponent. When such an idea came to his mind, Bin Wang’s heart was shocked.

To compete with Anshan Wang? I have retired for more than ten years, why do I have such weird ideas! No, this is an adrenaline surge. When I was an athlete, I only had such surges when I was in extremely heightened and ideal conditions. After I became a coach, I have never experienced such feelings anymore. Why? Why would I feel such an adrenaline surge? Because of this square dance?

An appalled look displayed on Bin Wang’s face. Talking about warming-up, to activate one’s body was only the first step of the process, as an ideal warm up should also arouse morale, and make athletes remain in an excited mood.

Unfortunately, ordinary warming up could hardly raise athletes’ morales. Think about this, shouting digital orders, while continuing in stretching arms or legs, how could those actions make one excited?

Hence, athletes all needed to raise their morale during training or competitions, to make themselves high. Of course, some athletes, like those with hyperactivity, didn’t need to do so. They would be excited as soon as they began exercising.

Now, simply by square dancing, Bin Wang sensed such a similar stimulation, as if he had won several games already!

Dai Li didn’t lie to me. Square dance can indeed warm up, moreover, it not only warmed up my body, but also raised my mood! This is really out of my expectation, that square dance could have such an amazing effect!

Bin Wang suddenly felt that he was on a new continent.

Chapter 305: Spread Square Dance in the Team

After breakfast, Zhizhong Gu went to his office, and saw that Bin Wang was standing by his door, eagerly awaiting him there.

“Anything I can help with?” Zhizhong behaved casually. He took out a key to open the door, as Bin Wang, not hesitating, followed Zhizhong Gu into his office directly.

“Hey Old Gu, I have found something big!” Bin Wang said with excitement.

“Take your time, have some water first.” Zhizhong Gu took out a paper cup from a locker below the water dispenser, passing it to Bin Wang.

“Old Gu, I have found a good way for warming up.” Bin Wang got some water for himself, then drank it.

Zhizhong Gu took off his jacket and hung it on a clothes tree, while asking, “What is it?”

“Square dance!” said Bin Wang.

“This is not funny at all!” Zhizhong Gu fetched a box of tea, shook the box toward Bin Wang, then asked, “Tea? This year’s new tea. Not the best one, but tastes good.”

“I’m not joking!” Bin Wang ignored that box of tea, and continued to explain, “I arrived early this morning, and went directly to the training center. You know what I saw? Dai Li was leading a group of athletes doing square dance!”

“Say it again? Square dance!” Zhizhong Gu put down the tea box. “This is ridiculous!”

“Listen, this square dance can warm up your body,” Bin Wang explained.

“Square dance can warm up my body? Hahahaha…” Zhizhong Gu couldn’t help but laugh out loud. His laughter was filled with scorn and mockery.

“Hey, trust me, I’m serious, I also danced several times!” Bin Wang said.

“You went to the training center early this morning, for square dance? Hahahaha…” Zhizhong Gu laughed even louder.

Bin Wang felt a little speechless, but he didn’t blame Zhizhong Gu. After all, a few hours ago, he didn’t believe that square dance could help him warm up, either.

“Old Gu, I’m telling you the truth, not a joke. Think about this, if I wanted to make fun of you, why would I came to wait for you so early in the morning?!” Bin Wang defended himself.

Hearing this, Zhizhong Gu finally became serious. He considered carefully for a while, feeling that Bin Wang did make some sense.

“That square dance, have you ever tried it? Did it indeed work?” Zhizhong Gu checked with Bin Wang.

“I did! And it worked out very well. This morning, I only danced for about ten minutes, and my body was warmed up, so I was excited. At that time, I had an impulse to catch a bat and have a competition with someone!” said Bin Wang.

Zhizhong Gu frowned a little bit. He thought for a few seconds, then ordered, “Let’s go to the training center. And in passing, call Coach Wang, Coach Zhou, and Coach Hu. Also call the Women’s team’s Coach Li, Coach Zhang, and Coach Chu, and perhaps Team Two’s Feihong Liu. Let’s all go find Dai Li together!”

…

Dai Li was shocked by the spectacle. Not only were Zhizhong Gu and Bin Wang present, but the core coaches in the national ping-pong team were all there as well. They all came for his Warming Up Square Dance.

Dai Li was embarrassed, as those people standing in front of him were “old coaches”, who had been coaching for years, with sufficient experience and techniques, and who often participated in foreign games, so they wouldn’t be fooled easily. Those coaches gazed at Dai Li with different facial expressions. Some looked at him curiously, some were waiting to poke fun at what they assumed would be Dai Li’s upcoming misfortune.

“The square dance I developed indeed has positive warming up effect,” Dai Li introduced, remaining thick-skinned. “Square dance is a series of coherent holistic actions, to my understanding, and in my square dance, I incorporate different warming up movements that are coordinated together as a whole. Activities like traditional muscle stretching and joint activation could be performed in the square dance, too.”

Dai Li covered a lot of information, while secretly observing the others’ facial expressions. Seeing that no one disagreed with his words, he continued more bravely, “I use square dance as a warm up, and actually, I’m taking athletes as a whole group also. To adopt a series of coherent warming up exercise into a coherent group, we can gain two-fold results, with half the effort.”

He continued, “Moreover, I found that square dance music can easily stimulate the human cerebral cortex, and instantly activate human vitality. Meanwhile, such mental excitement could also stimulate Hormone secretion faster, thus signifying the warming up effect.”

Dai Li forcibly explained for a while, realizing that he was about to convince even himself, and he admired his “make things up as he goes” ability. To be honest, Dai Li didn’t want to talk nonsense. Knowledge about Warming Up Square Dance had already spread in the national ping-pong team, plus, Zhizhong Gu came here with a group of professional experienced coaches, so he must find a reasonable excuse to convince them about the dance’s positive effect.

Luckily, the Dai Li at present was no longer who he had been several years ago. He was more knowledgeable now, and more experienced, which was why he was able to make up a “Square Dance can Warm Up” theory confidently, and without shame.

But the coaches present were all men with experience, and although Dai Li spoke in seeming earnestness and sounded theoretical, none of them were fooled. It was only due to the fact that they were not willing to disappoint him, since he was young a newcomer, that they didn’t say it out loud. However, in their hearts, they took Dai Li’s theory as only a joke.

Dai Li could sense the embarrassment in the air, as he took off his coat and said, “If you are interested, dance with me for a while, so that you can examine the effect.”

The coaches stared at each other, none willing to participate. They were all famous ping-pong coaches, and had gained much fame in the Ping-Pong arena, so how could they put away pride to do square dance? The atmosphere grew even more embarrassing.

As the one who had experienced square dance, Bin Wang had faith in Dai Li. He looked around, noticing that nobody was willing to dance, and so he volunteered to be the first one.

“Let me have a try!” As he said this, Bin Wang pulled Team Two chief coach Feihong Liu out of the crowd.

“I…don’t want to…” Feihong Liu stuttered, ready to refuse, but was shot a look by Bin Wang, whose eyes were clearly warning him: You must support me!

Feihong Liu sighed helplessly, and was pulled out by Bin Wang stiffly. He looked at the crowd with a “SOS” expression in his eyes.

“Alright then, I will have a try, too!” Zhizhong Gu stepped out at last.

As the chief coach, Zhizhong Gu’s participation was basically his announcing that he supported Dai Li. After all, Dai Li was recruited to the national ping-pong team by Zhizhong Gu himself. Therefore, when necessary, Zhizhong Gu should show his support.

“Then I will have some exercise!” Seeing that Zhizhong Gu clarified his position, and mentality, two more coaches stepped out.

…

Square dance’s magical music rang out, as Zhizhong Gu and the other coaches learned to dance after Dai Li, but their facial expressions were still embarrassed.

However, after a few minutes, the dancers felt the warming up effect being delivered throughout their bodies.

This square dance can indeed warm up! Zhizhong Gu’s face gradually became serious. He could sense that his body was subconsciously dancing with the beats.

Except for Dai Li, the others were all retired professional ping-pong players, including the world’s top ones. As such, they had much more practical experience than Dai Li. Therefore, they were more sensitive towards warm up effects.

“Old Chu, old Zhou, come join us.” Zhizhong Gu waved to the coaches observing on the side.

This time, Zhizhong Gu instructed them himself, so the others dared not refuse. Although they were reluctant to dance, they still joined in.

…

“I have been a coach for more than ten years, and this is my first time to see that square dance cam warm up”

“This square dance is incredible. I was fully activated after I danced for ten minutes. My head was sweating.”

“Li is right, this square dance does have a nice effect. Besides, I’m excited now, and really want to have a competition with someone!”

“Li mentioned music could stimulate cerebral cortex something, which I didn’t take seriously. Now it looks like there is something like that! We old men should communicate more with young people, otherwise we will become outdated.”

The coaches exchanged experiences with each other. On their faces, in addition to astonishment, there was now a growing admiration for Dai Li.

Bin Wang approached Zhizhong Gu and asked, “How do you feel? Doesn’t this square dance work? I think that we can spread this dance in the whole team. In the future, we can set a specific time period in the morning, and athletes who want to warm up can join in during this period, and do the square dance.”

“Sounds good.” Zhizhong Gu nodded in agreement. “But it’s going to occupy much time from Li.”

Bin Wang said, “There is not much difference between shepherding one sheep and a group of sheep. This square dance is different from traditional warming up exercises, in that, as long as we have enough training space, it’s OK to have many people dance together.”

“Actually, warming up before training indicated something. I think it will work in real competitions,” Zhizhong Gu said. “When we are out for competitions, we sometimes have limited time to prepare. Maybe we arrive today and compete tomorrow. Moreover, in foreign countries, which we know nothing about, we have to adjust ourselves quickly with the various diets, living conditions, and training. Warming up is usually unguaranteed in most cases. Our athletes often warm up through formal games.”

He continued his explanation, “If this square dance can be used as warm up, it will increase our competence to a large extent. Our athletes are already more competitive than their opponents, so once we are in good conditions at the beginning of the game, we will surely win.”

“Furthermore, square dance doesn’t require much space or equipment. As long as we have an empty room and a music player, we can dance. Truly, this is customized for us!”

Bin Wang nodded: “You are considerable. But in that case, when we go abroad for competitions, we need to add a person. You have to bring Dai Li with us.”

“It’s just adding a person! As long as we can win, it doesn’t matter. Besides, Li is not a traveler, he is also a coach in our team,” Zhizhong Gu said generously.

The national ping-pong team had a lot of rich sponsors, hence, they had better conditions and resources for going abroad. Zhizhong Gu didn’t care about adding one more person’s cost.

Zhizhong Gu continued, “Several days from now, there will be an Austria Open Tournament. So when you list the participants for this, add Dai Li onto the list!”

Chapter 306: A Slow Starter

Dai Li never expected that, as a fitness coach, one day he could get the chance to go abroad for competitions with the national team. This time, it was the Austria Table Tennis Open, which was also a vital contest in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) circuit.

Days before the formal game started, there were several preliminary contests. The first one was the U21 level Youth contest, which was followed by a qualifying session. Athletes who were promoted in the qualifying session would be admitted to participate in a three-day formal contest with the other qualified competitors.

In Dai Li’s eyes, this contest didn’t occupy big venues, nor did it attract a large audience. Lots of Asian faces were found throughout the auditorium, most of whom were apparently either overseas Chinese, or Chinese students studying in Austria.

This looks cheerless, I remember that Austrians like ping-pong more than the other Europeans do. But look here, there are less audience members then I expected. It seems that ping-pong still remains unpopular in foreign countries.

Thinking about this, Dai Li sighed with disappointment. In his heart, Dai Li wished ping-pong’s popularity would be better spread over the world, and that more people could join in this activity.

“What’s going on? Why do you sigh?” Zhizhong Gu came up beside him without notice.

“Well, I just feel that we could have more people here.” Dai Li signaled Zhizhong Gu with his eyes to look around at the auditorium.

“You mean the audience? Right, there doesn’t seem to be many audience members here.” Zhizhong Gu switched the topic and said, “After all, today is a working day, many Austrians are still at work. Austrians are very diligent among Europeans, and in some areas they are similar to Germans, like, they both focus on work greatly. In addition, Austrian laws permit a 12 working-hour a day. Such rules must have caused countless strikes and protests in Southern Europe.”

“Moreover, right now it’s just the opening of the contest, and famous players haven’t showed up yet. Athletes in qualifying sessions are kind of nobodies, so how can they attract a big audience? Once the formal game starts, and after European athletes enter the arena, more audience members will come in. For instance, many Germans come here especially for that game.”

“Will other foreign Opens attract lots of audience members?”Dai Li asked.

“It depends. But the certain thing is that, no matter where we are, those Chinese will come support us, since they are our most loyal audiences.”

Then Zhizhong Gu asked Dai Li, “Is this your first time to be abroad for competitions?”

Dai Li nodded. “Right. Although this is not my first time to be abroad, I have never been out of the country for international contests before.”

“How do you feel? Can you get used to it?” Zhizhong Gu asked.

“It’s better than I thought. Before I came, I thought I might have some problems in a foreign country, but actually, it’s way better than I expected. The hosts are very considerate,” said Dai Li.

“The Austria Table Tennis Open has been held for years, so the hosts have gained much experience,” Zhizhong Gu said, his eyes brightening with recollection. Then he said, “Back when the Austria Open was first held, I hadn’t yet retired. But in that era, our national team athletes only participated in Asian circuits, so we rarely showed up in European tours. So, even though I was the world’s No.1, I only had chances to visit Europe in big games, like World Championships and the World Cup.”

“To be honest, we didn’t come to Europe, due to the lack of funds. Europe was too far from us, so we couldn’t afford the cost, therefore, we only participated in Asian contests. Later, after I became a coach, we received more and more funds, so then we began to send athletes for European Opens.”

“Now you feel that the hosts are kind to us, but years ago, things were totally different. We didn’t receive the same treatment. As such, what we ate, where we lived, were way worse than what we have now. I still remember that, one time, we went to Germany for competition, and those Germans could speak English, but they spoke German on purpose. We didn’t have sufficient German translators, so problems emerged during intercommunication. We risked missing the playing time.”

“At that time, we could clearly sense that those Europeans rousted us deliberately. They considered us as robbers, assuming that we participated in European tours, aiming at grabbing their championships and rewards. However, at present, Europeans would never show the same face to us. I think you can feel that the hosts are pretty good to us. They are very conscientious and responsible,” Zhizhong Gu said, looked around, then asked Dai Li, “You know why?”

“Because we are strong?” answered Dai Li.

“For decades, our National Ping-Pong Team has been maintaining our strong competence. Back when we were treated so poorly, we were still the No.1 in the world.” Zhizhong Gu continued with a smile, “Look around, you may find some clues.”

Dai Li turned around, but he didn’t find anything special.

Zhizhong Gu cued him, “See those advertisements?”

At this moment, Dai Li suddenly saw the light.

“See,these advertisements are produced by our domestic companies, and they are all in Chinese.” Pride arose in Zhizhong Gu’s face, as he continued, “At current Ping-Pong Tours, no matter what country holds the contest, the sponsors must be companies in our country. On the other hand, if our domestic companies stopped sponsoring, they may not be able to hold the games any longer, for they would lack money to do so!”

“The sponsor is the last person the host dares to offend, so even if Europeans insist on regarding us as champion-robbers, they dare not embarrass us anymore. In fact, they even please us on purpose. These changes all were caused simply due to the fact that we can now bring sponsors.”

“In fact, this is like quenching a thirst with poison. Rejecting us meant rejecting sponsors, then they would lose the financial support for holding the games, hence, embracing us could help continue the games, but it also means that their players would never get a chance to taste victory!”

Pausing here, Zhizhong Gu turned around and said, “Actually, this is also the embodiment of national strength promotion. Since you have never gone abroad for competitions before, you certainly cannot feel this. In recent years, I often led teams for foreign competitions, and I have been impressed. Sometimes, only after you go to a different country, can you sense that your own country has been growing stronger and stronger.”

Pride was conveyed in Zhizhong Gu’s words.

…

Neither Zhizhong Gu nor Dai Li noticed that, from afar, two men were gazing at them. The two were around forty years old, with Oriental appearance, and were in unified sport suits.

But, if one looked carefully, there was a national flag on the clothing’s chest area: a red circle on a white background. They were Japanese chief coach Kimura Juichi and vice-chief coach Ikeda Tatsuo.

The Japan Ping-Pong Team was very competitive, as right now the team was right after the Chinese National Team in standing, and was the biggest opponent of the National Team.

Japanese chief coach Kimura Juichi’s eyes were fixed on Zhizhong Gu coldly.

“Zhizhong Gu looks joyful,” said Kimura Juichi. “The young man standing next to him is their fitness coach, isn’t he? If I’m right, his name is Dai Li.”

The Japan Team was good at collecting opponents’ information, and they had already inquired about Dai Li’s identity. By his side, Ikeda Tatsuo nodded. “I don’t understand why they bring a fitness coach here. What can a fitness coach do in this contest? Besides, this coach is so young.”

“Ikeda San, don’t belittle your opponent, just because he is younger than you. In our team, Harimoto Hisashi is only fifteen, but he defeated the player who was way older than him, didn’t he?” said Kimura Juichi.

“You are right, Coach Kimura.” Ikeda Tatsuo nodded with obedience, then said, “But in the next round, Harimoto Hisashi is going to fight against Pengfei Cui, and it looks like he will not be in the Top Eight.”

“After all, Pengfei Cui used to be the world’s No.1, although his condition has been declining in the recent two years due to his injury. What we cannot deny is that, currently, he is still ranked as one of the world’s top five players. Based on Harimoto San’s ability, he is definitely not Pengfei Cui’s opponent.”

Kimura Juichi turned around and said, “But the future is ours, and belongs to Harimoto San. He is only 15 years old, so his career has just started. At the time when his competence reaches peak, Pengfei Cui, Anshan Wang, they will be old! What we can do right now, is to help Harimoto San mature as quickly as possible.”

Kimura Juichi’s eyes were shining with enthusiasm, as he continued, “In domestic contests, Harimoto San has defeated a lot of opponents, including the best player in our team, Hasegawa Xiuyoshi. While in international competitions, Harimoto San has defeated several famous European players. But he has never fought any World Top Three players.”

“Therefore, in tomorrow’s contest, Pengfei Cui will be perfect. I won’t request Harimoto San to win the whole game, but I do hope that he could win one or two rounds. Acquiring some points for one or two rounds from Pengfei Cui, to Harimoto San, it must be stimulating! It will make him feel that, even world’s best players lose games, showing him that they are not infallible.”

Ikeda Tatsuo immediately nodded. “I agree. To Harimoto San, this is indeed a valuable experience.”

Kimura Juichi sounded excited, and said, “We have been studying Pengfei Cui for six to seven years, and already know his characteristics. The vital point is, he is always a slow starter in the games, and usually loses the first round.”

“Harimoto San is exactly the opposite. He can immediately get into the state soon after the game starts. Therefore, it would not be very challenging for Harimoto San to win one or two rounds.” Kimura Juichi smiled. “If Harimoto San met Anshan Wang, or Xiangxian Zuo, I would definitely not set this goal for him. But his opponent is the Slow Starter Pengfei Cui, and as such, he is meant to be Harimoto San’s stepping stone!”

Chapter 307: Young and Frivolous

“Pengfei, your opponent for the Top Eight Promotion Event is that “Gifted Boy” Harimoto Hisashi,” Zhizhong Gu smiled.

Pengfei Cui curled his lip with scorn. “I know him. Japanese media has been puffing him up as being a bright young star, and they give him titles like The Youngest Men’s Singles Champion, The Youngest Youth World Championships Champion, The Youngest Open Top Eight Player, etc. Was his mother a National Ping-Pong Team player?”

Zhizhong Gu nodded. “Harimoto Hisashi’s parents changed their family name from Zhang to Harimoto after they immigrated to Japan. His mother and I used to be teammates, but at that time, his mother was not outstanding in our team. After she retired, she went back her hometown, and we lost contact since then. Later, I heard she immigrated to a foreign country. It was not until years ago, when the media reported Harimoto Hisashi’s news, that I discovered that my previous teammate went to Japan.”

“Don’t look down upon your opponent simply because of his young age. His playing style and yours are alike, both fierce. Moreover, Japan focuses on cultivating him, and these years he has participated in many international events, and has gained much experience,” Zhizhong Gu said, then took out a file and browsed it, before continuing, “Not long ago, Harimoto Hisashi defeated Japanese Big Brother Hasegawa Xiuyoshi with a 4:2 score. Current him is in a nice condition. Although he is only fifteen, and is not a threat to us now, in four or five years, he might become our vigorous opponent.”

Pausing here, cruelty flashed in Zhizhong Gu’s eyes, and he lowered his voice, “Therefore, in tomorrow’s contest, I want you to win, and I want you to win big. Smash him, destroy his confidence. Bring him fear and horror, and make us national team players a terrifying threat in his eyes! I want you to be his nightmare!

“Don’t worry, I’m quite good at this!” Pengfei Cui also smiled. He was a player with a distinct personality, and apparently, he felt no guilt about whacking a kid.

“In addition, change your old slow-start weakness,” said Zhizhong Gu. “I have instructed Dai Li to warm you up in advance tomorrow, so that you can get into status quickly.”

…

Athlete Lounge.

Harimoto Hisashi’s hands began to tremble involuntarily, his heart was beating with extreme excitement. Although Harimoto Hisashi gained much fame, most of it was puffed up by the media. It was like an unknown star, if he appeared on media coverage everyday, then one day he must be well-known by the public.

Another example was, when some actors didn’t have any presentable movie, nor did they have any valuable awards, or might even have a “box office flop”. But after they walked the red carpet in a bizarre outfit several times while at foreign film festivals, foreigners who knew nothing about this guy before, would then label him an international movie star.

Harimoto Hisashi was in such a situation. He attended some international competitions with the title “The Youngest Participant”, although he was always whacked by those adult players, until finally, he gained fame for himself. Of course, Harimoto Hisashi did have some competence. He was born in a sport family, both his parents played sports, especially his mother, who used to be a Chinese National Ping-Pong Team player. Hence, among foreign peers, Harimoto Hisashi was indeed the most outstanding one.

Harimoto Hisashi was famous when he was young, but he had never fought with the world’s best players. Here, the “world’s best players” didn’t mean “Japan’s No.1”, “Germany’s No.1”, “Korea’s No.1”, nor ordinary international tour champions, but champions in World Championships, World Cup, Olympics, and other heavyweight tournaments. Championships of these important tournaments were always undertaken by China National Ping-Pong Team.

In other words, Harimoto Hisashi had not fought against any major force in the national team. But today, Harimoto Hisashi was going to face his first ever Hell-Difficulty copy in his career, in which his opponent was the Dark Lord Pengfei Cui.

Harimoto Hisashi was aware of the fact that, even though Pengfie Cui was affected by his injury and was not was competitive as he used to be, he was still undefeated. He would surely fail in the Hell-Difficulty challenge.

I must win Pengfei Cui at least one round1! Harimoto Hisashi told himself.

Winning a round was not only the goal that Coach Kimura Juichi set for Harimoto Hisashi, but was also Harimoto’s own goal for himself. Kimura Juichi considered that winning a round could inspire Harimoto Hisashi’s growth, and thus, would enhance his confidence. But Harimoto Hisashi hoped that he could rectify his name by this victory.

Comparing with the other athletes, in regards to youth and fame, Harimoto Hisashi did receive much doubt, scorn, and even unprovoked abuse. There were too many people who thought that Harimoto Hisashi was just a flash in the pan. But all those unfair treatments became his driving force.

Thinking about Pengfei Cui, a sense of complex feeling raised in Haimoto Hisashi’s heart. He had already heard about Pengfei Cui at the time when he had just entered into primary school.

Later, when Pengfei Cui became the World No.1, he regarded Pengfei Cui as his idol, even mimicking Pengfei Cui’s playing style on purpose. Now at this moment, Harimoto Hisashi finally got the chance to challenge Pengfei Cui face to face.

I have observed all the records of Pengfei Cui’s competitions, I know that his slow-start weakness is my chance, and I must catch it!I will win at least one round, or even two rounds! Harimoto Hisashi thought confidently.

Pengfei Cui always started slow in competitions, which was well-known around the world. When he was fighting top ping-pong players, a 3:1 score often occurred, and he usually failed the first round in the game, while rallying to come back and whack his opponents in the rest three rounds.

Harimoto Hisashi felt that, if he did fail in a 3:1 situation, then it at least proved that he did have something, and that he had reached the world top level, rather than being boosted by the media without merit. While Harimoto Hisashi was full of bright hope, in another lounge, Pengfei Cui was doing Warming Up Square Dance, with background music…

…

As the Austria Open went into the Top Eight Promotion session, the amount of people in the audience had obviously increased, now filling the auditorium. Pengfei Cui walked onto the field, and from his appearance, he looked just the same as in previous games, eyelids drooped as usual, as if he was still asleep.

Harimoto Hisashi observed this, and smelled the odor of “hope”. The game started, Pengfei Cui serving a ball first.

For the first ball, I should utilize Pengfei Cui’s slow-start characteristic to grab one point! Harimoto Hisashi had already made his strategy in his mind.

Chapter 308: A Slow-Starter?

Pengfei Cui held the ball in hand, glanced at Harimoto Hisashi with a poker-face, then served his first ball. Since this was the first serve in this contest, Pengfei Cui didn’t choose to make a limit erupting serve, hence, it only brought a regular effect.

Of course, such a “regular serve” was regular only in top professional players’ eyes. If it was an ordinary person who caught the ball, he would probably lose the “regular serve”. Harimoto Hisashi had already made a sound-attack strategy. Without hesitation, he waved a return to attack Pengfei Cui’s backhand.

Harimoto Hisashi’s serve was shot at Pengfei Cui in a threatening manner, sending up the war-cry!

Pengfei Cui is always a slow-starter. The game just started, the first ball he is going to receive is so fierce, he can hardly catch it safely. Thinking about this, Kimura Juichi curled his lip and showed an elated smile.

Unexpectedly, Pengfei Cui reacted immediately with a backhand screw pull, and hit the ball to the across corner. It was not a tricky attack, but it happened all of a sudden, which was out of Harimoto Hisashi’s expectation. He hesitated for a half beat, unfortunately, so he missed the ball.

The score was now 1:0, as Pengfei Cui got the first ball.

Was I too impatient? The last ball was fierce, maybe I should calm down a little bit and play it safe. Hatimoto Hisashi thought.

Pengfei Cui began another serve, which was, just like the first ball, regularly served. Harimoto Hisashi again chose to give a fierce attack. Pengfei Cui reacted just like what he did in the last ball, using a backhand screw pull to hit the ball to the opposite corner.

Since he lost the first ball, Harimoto Hisashi was mentally prepared. He had predicted that there was a high potential that Pengfei Cui would make another backhand screw pull, so this time, he didn’t lose the ball, but instead, he successfully rushed to the right position and made a catching movement.

However, Harimoto Hisashi underestimated Pengfei Cui, whose backhand screw pull skill was definitely the best in the world. In other words, such skill brought him fame. Even in the National Ping-Pong Team, Pengfei Cui’s backhand screw pull skill could be written in the textbook and mimicked by the other team members.

Pengfei Cui’s backhand screw pull contained special angles and fast speed, and the most important thing was, the ball produced a strong rotation. Many of his opponents might be able to catch the ball, but they could not deal with that strong rotation. Hence, when they hit the ball back, they made unavoidable mistakes.

It was the first time Harimoto Hisashi fought against Pengfei Cui, so he had no idea how terrifying Pengfei Cui’s backhand-screw-pull ball would be like. He used the previous way to catch it. Therefore, undoubtedly, this ball brought another sad ending to Harimoto Hisashi.

At the time when Harimoto Hisashi’s bat touched the ball, he immediately realized that he was going to lose this ball, too.

Such a strong rotation!

Harimoto Hisashi tried hard to press the bat in order to control the route of ball, to have it not fly out of bounds. Unfortunately, it was too late. The ping-pong ball flew directly out of bounds.

In fact, even though Harimoto Hisashi could press the bat, he would lose one point. He was not prepared for catching a loop drive at all. Even if the ball could successfully fall on the table, it would not have a high quality. When fighting a world’s best ping-pong player like Pengfei Cui, returning such a low-quality ball was like offering points to him.

The score changed into 2:0, the audience clapped. This was not out of their expectation. In all matters, including fame and competence, Pengfei Cui was several levels higher than Harimoto Hisashi, so he was supposed to lead the game.

However, what happened made Kimura Juichi nervous. It was too late for him to defend himself.

It’s probably because that the game just started, Harimoto is a little nervous. It’s OK, now Harimoto San is going to serve. Calm down, and get points back by two serves!

Serve right switched into Harimoto Hisashi’s hand.

I must play it more actively! Thinking about this, Harimoto Hisashi served a top spinning ball.

Crack! Pengfei Cui stepped forward with a rush. A white shadow flashed across Harimoto Hisashi. It was Pengfei Cui’s lightning return, which was followed up by the judge’s shout: “0-3!”

I lost another ball! Harimoto Hisashi’s face turned cloudy at once.

Harimoto Hisashi knew that Pengfei Cui had a fierce playing style, so he chose to take evasive action, making a shorter ball instead. Normally, when receiving such a kind of ball, players tried to pick a short play, then form a stalemate situation, hoping for a chance in such a situation.

The previous opponents Harimoto Hisashi met all chose to pick a short play when dealing with such a kind of serve. Therefore, Harimoto Hisashi took it for granted that Pengfei Cui would do the same thing.

However, what was out of Harimoto Hisashi’s expectation was that, Pengfei Cui didn’t make a short play, but offered a direct backhand forward instead. Backhand punching ball was a vital training program technique in the National Ping-Pong Team. This method was quite challenging, and was even more difficult to complete with a high quality.

Pengfei Cui’s backhand punching also existed in the textbook. Especially when Pengfei Cui was in a good situation, his backhand punching was a nightmare to his opponent.

After losing three balls, Harimoto Hisashi was anxious. He chose fierce playing method again on the fourth ball, but lost another point due to return ball error. Then it was Pengfei Cui’s turn. Since there was a huge gap between the two’s abilities, Pengfei Cui caught the right of serve and won another two points. The score changed into 6:0.

…

“This score of 6:0 is not of our expectations. Harimoto Hisashi is only 15 years old, so on competence, he is surely several levels lower than Pengfei Cui.”

“Right. Moreover, Pengfei Cui seems to be in quite a nice condition today. No matter whether in his serve or return, they all have high finishing qualities.”

“Yeah, according to my past experience, Pengfei Cui usually starts slow. But today, apparently, he has corrected this defect.”

The two commentators spouted eloquent speeches. In their eyes, there was no need to explain this contest anymore, as the result was transparent: Pengfei Cui was whacking a kid.

Even commentators could see that Pengfei Cui was in a very good status, so how could Kimura Juichi turn a blind eye to this as Harimoto Hisashi’s coach?

What’s going on here? Isn’t Pengfei Cui a forever slow-starter? How is he in such a good condition so soon after the game starts?! If he keeps this up, Harimoto San will be smashed!

Kimura Juichi stared at the two players blankly. Reality was totally different from the plan. Digressing on the opposite side, Kimura Juichi had already predicted the final result.

Does this mean that Pengfei Cui has corrected his defect? Right, this sounds possible. After all, the Chinese team’s chief coach is Zhizhong Gu!

Kimura Juichi looked around the coach seats, and happened to see that Zhizhong Gu was calmly clapping his hands for Pengfei Cui with a smile. Zhizhong Gu had gained much weight in recent years, so his smile looked simple and honest.

However, in Kimura Juichi’s eyes, was the devil’s smile.

Chapter 309: Concede Points

Why is this happening?! Isn’t Pengfei Cui a slow starter? Harimoto Hisashi stared at the 10-0 score, and was totally bewildered. Pengfei Cui was about to win the first round, while Harimoto Hisashi hadn’t gotten any points yet.

To Harimoto Hisashi, the plot had completely digressed. Pengfei Cui didn’t start slow, but on the contrary, had been in an extremely good condition since the game began, and had performed several high-difficulty technical moves with ease.

There were levels in 10-0 score, but the audience was not surprised by the result. In their eyes, it was the embodiment of the normal competence of both sides.

It was Pengfei Cui’s serve again. At this moment, Pengfei Cui remained wearing a sleepy poker face, with his eyelids dropped.

“Ahem!” Sitting in the coach seat, Zhizhong Gu suddenly cleared his throat loudly. However, it was done in such a deliberate way that everyone could tell that he merely pretended to cough. Television cameras turned to Zhizhong Gu right at this moment, successfully catching him coughing.

He is ordering to concede points! The audience witnessed Zhizhong Gu’s action, and so they all knew what was going to happen, too.

It was the Chinese National Ping-Pong Team’s traditional to concede points to the opponent, especially in embarrassing moments like a score of 10:0. They did this so that the opponents could save some face.

Zhizhong Gu was worrying that Pengfei Cui was so over-enjoyed in the game, that he had forgotten to show mercy, so he cleared throat loudly as a reminder. Pengfei Cui hated facade project, as in his mind, people who were inferior to him deserved an egg. But his coach ordered him to “show mercy”, so he had to obey the command.

Therefore, he casually served a ball into the net, which changed the score into 10:1. Finally, Harimoto Hisahsi received his first point!

“Uh, Pengfei Cui finally conceded a point after the score reached 10:0.”

“Yeah, but isn’t it humiliating? Such a casual serve into the net, even a fool could tell he did so on purpose.”

“Right. Although conceding points is a facade project, he should at least make several rounds, rather than just a serve. Such an obvious fake.”

The audience whispered to one another. The crowd even applauded. The applause might have been celebrating Harimoto Hisashi’s first point in this game, or Pengfei Cui’s concession. However, when the claps came into Harimoto Hisashi’s ears, they sounded like deliberate mockery.

Although he had gained his first point, Harimoto Hisashi’s face flushed. Things had developed unexpectedly, which was totally different than what he had imagined before the game started. He came here with confidence, hoping to win the first round, to prove that he indeed obtained top-level professional competence. Unfortunately, life was so cruel, and it slapped him so hard that it threw him into endless pain.

Concession? How come I received a concession?! Am I not even able to win one point? How poor I am, to win a point through his almsgiving!

The concession came as a heavy hammer, which directly smashed Harimoto Hisashi’s confidence. At this moment, Harimoto Hisashi was unbalanced. He made a stupid mistake in his next serve.

Harimoto Hisashi’s serve into the net ended the first round with 11:1. However, Harimoto Hisashi was not conceding a point to Pengfei Cui, as he had made a real mistake.

…

Zhizhong Gu looked relaxed, he didn’t even give Pengfei Cui any instruction during the interval. But Kimura Juichi’s face was cloudy. Although he had predicted Harimoto Hisashi’s failure, he never expected such a fiasco.

Moreover, Pengfei Cui’s high-enthusiasm immediately messed up Kimura Juichi’s strategies soon after the game began. Kimura Juichi’s plans were all useless. In fact, the gap between the two players was huge, and even the best strategy could not make it up.

In the second round, soon the score changed into 8:0. Now, Pengfei Cui was a little bit loose, and Harimoto Hisashi caught the chance to gain his second point.

Finally the second round ended at 11:2, then the gap remained impossible to cross.

After the third round started, Pengfei Cui took a lead again, with a 5:0 score.

Harimoto Hisashi stood still with eyes glazing. He was about to cry.

Is there indeed a huge gap between Pengfei Cui and I? I’m right here facing him, but I can’t fight back. There’s not even a chance!

Helplessness raised from his heart, then gradually spread over his body, like a dandelion being blown away by a breeze, its seeds dancing in the air and spreading all over the land.

At this moment, Harimoto Hisashi even distrusted himself. He began to doubt whether he was the right person for playing ping-pong or not.

Because of his parents, Harimoto Hisashi started practicing ping-pong since he was two years old. When he was seven, he showed up prominently, not only among his peers, but among seniors as well.

No one his age could defeat him, even seniors were often beaten by him. At that time, he was called “The Gifted Child” by Japanese media, and was predicted as being the hope of Japanese ping-pong.

With a title of so-called genius, he stood at the international stage when he was only twelve, and was praised as the youngest player in the ITTF open. In the next couple of years, Harimoto Hisashi kept participating in various kinds of contests, defeating adult opponents one by another. Meanwhile, his world rank gradually raised, and finally, he was listed in the Top 50 ping-pong players in the world.

The rank convinced Harimoto Hisashi himself that he was capable to challenge the world’s best ping-pong players. However, from today’s scores, he awakened to the realization that he was not only one step away from being the world’s best, but instead, there was a huge chasm blocking his way.

At the end of the third round, again, Harimoto Hisashi lost many points. Such hopelessness brought Harimoto Hisashi much pain, that he even began to shrink back, for he feared being in the field facing Pengfei Cui.

He prayed that the game could finish as soon as possible. To make it worse, deep in his heart, he had an impulse to run away from here.

However, in international ping-pong contests, individual singles knockouts usually had four-wins out of seven games, which meant that Harimoto Hisashi must complete the fourth round before he left. But in his eyes, the fourth round was only a torment of pain!

Harimoto Hisashi never had such a miserable loss before. When standing against Pengfei Cui, who had already been on the pitch, fighting back was an extravagant hope.

At last, in the fourth round, after losing three rounds, Harimoto Hisashi was completely unbalanced. He even performed technical deformation in the basic serve actions.

Harimoto Hisashi is having a breakdown.

Zhizhong Gu’s face lit up with a satisfying smile. That was what he wanted.

For young athletes like Harimoto Hisashi, their biggest defect was not technical problems, but psychological immaturity. A fourteen to fifteen year old teenager was definitely not as mentally mature as adults.

Especially when they suffered setbacks, adults were able to bear a certain degree of frustration, while teenagers might have a shadow remaining from the bad experience. At this moment, the hormones produced by puberty were also disastrous substances.

What we called psychological shadows, were produced in adolescence. TV shows often displayed similar plots, like an individual who turned out to be a psycho killer after going through a miserable childhood.

Being whacked in today’s match apparently left an enormous psychological shadow in Harimoto Hisashi’s heart. He was only fifteen, so he might probably need a long time to get rid of the shadow, or in the worst case scenario, he might live under the shadow for the rest of his life.

Perhaps from the very beginning, if Harimoto Hisashi set a rather low goal for himself to achieve, things would be better. But he thought highly of himself, and the goal was set too high, which brought the reverse effects.

Puny boy! What gifted child? I was way stronger than him when I was fifteen.

Pengfei Cui curled his lip with disappointment in his eyes. Actually, when Pengfei Cui was fifteen, he was already recruited into the National Team One, and had defeated the team’s main force several times. By contrast, the current Harimoto Hisashi barely met the standard of getting into the National Team Two.

…

The fourth round was ongoing. Standing in the field, gazing at the 10:0 score, tears fell from Harimoto Hisashi’s eyes involuntarily. The current situation exceeded Harimoto Hisashi’s mental summit.

Argh, why he is crying? Did I do anything wrong?

Pengfei Cui finally felt a sense of guilt about bullying a boy. “I’d better concede another point to calm him down!” Pengfei Cui told himself.

Chapter 310: Always the Second

The Austrian Open’s results were predictable, as foreign players were not capable threats to Chinese brave warriors, and the National Team came home loaded with honors.

Dai Li again enjoyed experience rewards. After all, the Ping-Pong Austrian Open was an international contest, so the experience rewards were pretty high. Dai Li involuntarily sighed, deciding that, it was indeed a right choice to join in the National Ping-Pong Team.

With the blink of an eye, the year had come to an end. As the ITTF Tour Annual Final ended, the whole year’s ping-pong games finished. Both players and coaches were sighing in relief. Athletes adjusted their conditions, or received medical treatments, since training intensity had apparently decreased.

But Zhizhong Gu was busier than usual. It was the end of the year, which was a good season for finding bargains on sponsorship fees.

Although General Admission of Sports offered a large amount of annual funds to the Ping-Pong Team, nobody disliked more money. Science, educational, and other social undertakings were bottomless holes, so no matter how much money one owned, it could be all spent.

Comparatively speaking, putting money on athletics could receive quicker results. As for the other undertakings, such as science, it was not rare to hear that people spent billions in research fees, but received nothing in return, sometimes even seeing the success rate be as low as winning a lottery.

As for education, even if one threw billions into it, results wouldn’t show until many years later. As the saying goes, “It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to rear people”.

No need to even introduce public health. If focusing simply on the medical aspect, which received annual funds of about five or six thousand billions, people still found it more difficult and expensive than common medical treatment.

In the sporting industry, the return of investment was pretty high and rapid. Even in advanced professional sport events, as long as a team was getting a good coach, some nice equipment, and reliable logistics service, soon the results would come.

As for game hosts, once they set a rather high reward, they could attract the world’s best players, who could immediately raise the game level several tiers higher than before, and thus, get instant results.

At a National Team’s level, anything cost money. Even though the team spent money without hesitation, they still put every cent into good use. Moreover, sponsor fees that they received would not all go into their own wallets, as a portion should always be submitted as a development fee for the ping-pong association.

What had to be admitted was that, in regards to the running of the ping-pong team’s business, Zhizhong Gu really had something. At least in recent years, while it had been led by him, the team was never stressed for money.

These years, in addition to original fixed sponsors, new big sponsors joined in every year. Their comings brought sufficient benefits to the National Ping-Pong Team. Then, after tasting the sweetness of profits, every year at the end of the year, sponsorship negotiations became Zhizhon Gu’s major work.

Furthermore, next year was the Olympic year, so the National Ping-Pong Team would definitely gain attention in the Olympic field. Thus, sponsorship should be higher than usual.

…

In the meeting room, Zhizhong Gu was holding a notebook in his hand, pouring out words.

“Recently several media outlets asked me to have exclusive interviews, not only for our players, but for coaches as well. You guys make some preparations for that, as this is not the first time you face reporters, you don’t need me to emphasize any dos and don’ts again.”

Zhizhong Gu turned to another page and said, “Moreover, a direct seeding software app wants to sponsor us, and they offer a good price. But the thing is, they want our main forces to make live broadcasts eight hours per month. I’d like to hear about your ideas.”

“Live broadcast? Then our athletes will become internet celebrities, won’t they?”

“I say it’s doable. The key point is to give those wild boys something to do. They are only twenty years old, full of passion, and they don’t lack money. If we leave them alone for a while, they would probably find some trouble. Then it would be better to let live broadcasts chain them up.”

“But we should set rules for them beforehand, and make everything clear. Such as, what they can say, what they cannot. Otherwise, if they do whatever they want in the live broadcasts, they will cause negative effects to our team.”

The crowd expressed their opinions, one by another, and soon the decision was made.

…

To National Ping-Pong Team players, being anchors in live broadcasts was a fresh thing to do. At the very beginning, the players were shy in the shows, but as time went by, they gradually got used to it.

Players in the National Ping-Pong Team, especially the main forces, had already gained sufficient experience in interviews. They even had experienced many nationwide live shows. Therefore, when facing audiences, they were quite open, and reacted naturally.

The live broadcasts had nice effects, especially when popular players like Pengfei Cui and Anshan Wang were in the show, they attracted a lot of attention from fans, and received generous gifts from the audience. Their popularity easily exceeded those internet celebrities.

Players occasionally broadcast for an hour, which didn’t affect their training and competitions. Besides, in the Olympic Year, contests in the first half of the year were more important. Those competitions were like monthly tests before a college entrance exam, so players needed those contests to adjust their conditions.

In fact, at this time, the team had already decided participants for the Olympics. As time was fast approaching, it was impossible to change players right before the games. Therefore, the main forces showed up in the international arena frequently.

Dai Li was happy to see his trainees busy engaging in competitions. Once the National Ping-Pong Team’s main force participated in international opens, winning the championship was a sure thing. Hence, Dai Li had gained plenty experience rewards, and was approaching an upgrade.

…

In the training field, the main force players stood in a line, listening to Zhizhong Gu’s instruction: “Now let’s talk about the love broadcast. The effect is good, and I noticed that you have attracted many fans, which means that more and more people will start paying attention to our team and ping-pong events. However, I have to point out some individuals’ behaviors.”

As he said this, Zhizhong Gu turned to Pengfei Cui and spoke in a serious tone, “Pengfei, you don’t lack money, so why did you ask your fans for gifts? I heard that someone gave you gifts costing tens of thousands of yuan. You really think of yourself as an anchor, don’t you?!”

Not only Pengfei Cui, but also the others all smiled embarrassingly. Zhizhong Gu paused, then said, “Let me emphasize the rule. Asking gifts from the audience is forbidden. You are athletes, not anchors, so you must obey strict disciplines. If the audience volunteers to buy you gifts, we are not able to stop them. But it’s a totally different thing to ask for gifts from them.”

Zhizhong Gu turned to now address Shuang Pang: “Pang, you were only broadcasting about five hours last month, which didn’t reach the requirement. We signed on to broadcast eight hours per month. I checked your schedule for the recent two months, and you were not very busy. I have talked to the platform, and they’d like you to make up three hours this month.”

Shuang Pang hesitated, struggled for a while, then finally nodded in agreement.

…

Dai Li went to pick up his package at the gate, and on his way back, he surprisingly saw that Shuang Pang stood alone on the balcony at the end of the walkway, looking bewildered.

“Hey Pang, what are you doing here?” Dai Li asked from afar.

“Nothing, nothing…” Shuang Pang replied awkwardly.

Dai Li walked close. He saw a phone in Shuang Pang’s hands, immediately smiling: “You are going to make a live broadcast! Are you planning to make up the three hours you missed last month?”

The phone in Shuang Pang’s hands was specialized for live broadcasting, as the team had bought it for the players. The phone had a big screen and a high pixel front camera, with automatic filter functions, hence, Dai Li recognized it at once.

“I…” Shuang Pang gnashed his teeth, then finally said, “Coach Li, to tell you the truth, I don’t want to make a live broadcast!”

Dai Li was a little surprised, as in his mind, Shuang Pang was not a shy player. Besides, he hadn’t reached age twenty yet, and most people his age tended to like live shows.

“Why?” Dai Li asked.

“In the broadcast, they all say that I’m always the second!” Shuang Pang replied painfully.

Chapter 311: Conceal Strength in Each Final Match

The title “Eternal Second” was obviously not a term of commendation. Of course, only a top-notch player in the world could earn the title of “Eternal Second” in the event of the table tennis. Achieving this title was still a mission impossible for the mediocre players.

After hearing what Shuang Pang said, Dai Li also couldn’t help laughing.

Shuang Pang ranked the second in the world after Anshan Wang, who had been the first in the world for three consecutive years. Shuang Pang’s second place was also very stable, since his rank hadn’t changed since he became second place more than a year ago.

Also, Shuang Pang’s match records over the last two years could sufficiently prove his identity as the second player in the world. For more than two years, Shuang Pang had won more than ten second places in matches of different levels. Of course, he also won some championships; however, the matches in which he won the second place were more influential.

Just like the second places in the National Games, the Asian Cup, the World Table Tennis Championship, and the final of the annual ITTF Pro Tour, etc., it was correct to say Shuang Pang concealed his strength in each final match in recent years. Therefore, his title of the “Eternal Second” was not surprising.

When Shuang Pang was making his webcast, the audiences and commentators always ridiculed Shuang Pang with the title of the “Eternal Second,” which quenched the Shuang Pang’s enthusiasm to continue his webcast.

The thing the network anchors dreaded most was someone who deliberately made a barrage of inflammatory or disputed remarks. Even veteran anchors might be thrown into confusion by those “rhythm-creators,” let alone Shuang Pang, who was not a professional network anchor but a professional athlete who was under 20. A screenful of the “Eternal Second” would lead to Shuang Pang having a breakdown.

Also because of this, Shuang Pang didn’t even finish eight hours of webcast last month.

Dai Li knew that Shuang Pang was unlikely to get the second place in each final match on the ground of his strength. Although he was not as strong as Anshan Wang, the matches that had pitted Shuang Pang against Anshan Wang could be counted with one hand; therefore, he was also defeated by other players of the national team, like Pengfei Cui and Xiangxian Zuo, etc.

For most important table tennis events, the players of the national team could always enter the final match, and were strong enough to win the championship. Sometimes a lucky ball could decide the final result of the match.

Since it was not a lack of strength which caused Shuang Pang’s title of the “Eternal Second,” it had to be caused by a psychological problem.

Is it possible that Shuang Pang once had setbacks in a final match, which has formed a psychological shadow in him and is still influencing his performance in final matches? Dai Li couldn’t help remembering Shuang Pang’s performance in recent final matches.

After entering the National Table Tennis Team, Dai Li had watched all the important events that players of the national team participated in. He also discussed the matches with other coaches in the team. Of course, the so-called discussions were more of other coaches’ commentaries with Dai Li as an audience. Dai Li’s expertise in table tennis was no match for that of the executing coaches.

“Shuang Pang, don’t you think you give up too early in the final match?” Dai Li asked. “Especially when you are playing your teammates, it seems like you don’t play seriously when your teammate is taking a lead.”

Shuang Pang scratched his head. “I don’t? It couldn’t be. I treat each ball seriously.”

Dai Li shook his head. “I am just a physical trainer and not a professional table tennis coach. The feeling I got could also be sensed by many people.”

Shuang Pang was silent, while Dai Li continued to say, “Before the final match, you could always choose the playing style and tactics reasonably, and could strive for the victory actively, which would give the audience a feeling that you were quite surefooted, right?”

“However, during the final match, I felt your playing was too rigid, without flexibility. Your decisions for the critical balls were also not reasonable. Sometimes you were too anxious for success and lost patience. It seemed you didn’t think calmly about your next moves, which gave me a feeling that you were accomplishing a task.”

“Coach Li, you’ve got me there. I do have this kind of feeling,” Shuang Pang said suddenly. “Most of the time, when I entered the final match and found my opponent was also a teammate of the national team, I felt like my mission was accomplished. Sometimes I even felt that the gold medal had been put in the pocket of the national team; whether I achieved the championship or second place was not too important for me.”

“Why could you have such a feeling?” Dai Li asked.

“I don’t know.” Shuang Pang shook his head.

“Don’t you want to win in your heart?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Of course I want to win!” Shuang Pang nodded seriously. “I aim for victory in the matches.”

“But your performance in the final match gave me the feeling that your desire to win was not that strong.” Dai Li said.

Shuang Pang hesitated a bit, and finally said, “Maybe! In truth, I don’t have a lot of fun playing table tennis.”

Dai Li opened his eyes wide with amazement. The most gifted player in the national team, who had the incredible grade S+ gift and was even decided as the leader of the next generation of players in the men’s national team, had just said that he didn’t enjoy playing table tennis! It was hard for Dai Li to imagine that a guy who couldn’t enjoy table tennis could achieve such a high competence in the table tennis events.

“You should have started learning table tennis when you were very young, right?” Dai Li asked.

Shuang Pang nodded. “I started to practice table tennis when I was 6. In my hometown, there is an elementary school which focuses on the table tennis event. All students who learned to play table tennis could enjoy a tuition waiver. My parents are ordinary workers, so my family was not well-off. Therefore, my parents sent me to that school to learn to play table tennis so that they could save some money in my tuition.”

Shuang Pang continued to explain his history with table tennis. His experience was almost the same as other players of the national team—his gift for table tennis was discovered, so he was admitted to the city-level sports school, and then he entered the city team and the provincial team.

When Shuang Pang was 14, he was admitted to the national team and he stood out conspicuously soon. Then he entered the first team of the national team, and had good results in the selective trials, so he participated in the World Table Tennis Championships. His performance in other international events was also very remarkable. His continuous impressive achievements allowed him to enter the top 3 in the world when he was 18.

After hearing Shuang Pang’s explanation of his past, Dai Li furrowed his brows. He realized that Shuang Pang’s engagement in table tennis was more like squeezing a square peg into a round hole.

Dai Li suddenly interrupted Shuang Pang. “Are you happy when you are playing table tennis?”

“Happy?” Shuang Pang was a little dazed, for no one had asked a question like that before.

Dai Li said, “To be a professional athlete of an event, the first requirement is to enjoy it. So, my question is, do you feel happy when you are playing table tennis?”

Dai Li waited for an answer, but Shuang Pang had fallen silent.

After a long while, Shuang Pang finally said, “I don’t know. I have never thought about it.”

“Then that is the root of your problem. Your current achievements were gained through your gift and efforts. Your gift in table tennis is better than 99.99% of people, and your efforts in the table tennis also outweigh that of most athletes. You have earned the reward you deserve.”

“But you didn’t enjoy it. You have been struggling for more than 10 years, and table tennis will also be the battlefield where you will fight hard in the coming decades. What are you are fighting for with all your might?”

“I am fighting for our country, of course!” Shuang Pang blurted out.

“No need to tell me. This is the training base of the National Table Tennis Team, everyone here is fighting for our country.” Dai Li shook his head. “But that is not the only answer, and also not the answer you are seeking.”

“For myself?” Shuang Pang looked at Dai Li with puzzlement, then he said, “Coach Gu used to tell me that selecting this path means I will treat table tennis as my lifelong career.”

“Yes. For you, table tennis is just a career, or a job.” Dai Li shook his head slightly. “It is not enough, at least for you.”

“I still don’t understand you.” Shuang Pang also shook his head.

However, Dai Li had an idea. He changed the topic and said, “Tomorrow is the weekend, how about hiking with me in the mountains? It might be helpful for you to enjoy some natural scenery.”

Chapter 312: Happy Sport

Hiking in the mountains could also be regarded as physical training, which was good for the body in many ways. It was not only an aerobic exercise, but a component of strength and endurance training as well.

Hiking in the mountains could enhance the overall coordination of body; it was also good for people’s joints, bones, muscles, blood circulation, metabolism, etc. Moreover, getting close to nature could also relieve the mental stress of daily life, which was very relaxing and helped to maintain psychological health.

Shuang Pang was a professional athlete, so hiking was not an exhausting activity; his daily training was much more intense than a simple mountain hike. As a coach, Dai Li’s physical performance was also much better than an ordinary person’s. Therefore, while ordinary people normally needed three or four hours to reach the mountain top, Dai Li and Shuang Pang only needed about two hours.

During the weekends, a lot of people went for an outing, including many avid mountaineers. The two of them stood on the mountain top and looked down the mountainside; they found over 10 groups of people who were hiking in the mountains.

“Look, those are people who like to go hiking in the mountains.” Dai Li pointed at the mountain path. “None of them are professional mountaineers; they are more like fans of mountain hiking. Some of them are not even fans, but just like walking in the mountains. I guess most of them will be occupied in their daily lives by busywork, and only have time on the weekends to do something they like.”

As Dai Li spoke, he turned around. “Actually, it is quite a special thing to do something you like as a job. The job is your hobby, and your hobby is your job. You could do something you like every day, and it would bring you income to support your family. This should be a dream job for most people, because there are not many jobs like this in real life. However, being an athlete is obviously one of these jobs.”

“Someone likes basketball, and finally becomes a basketball player; someone likes soccer, so he becomes a soccer player; while someone likes playing table tennis, and finally becomes a table tennis player.” Dai Li looked at Shuang Pang seriously. “So do you like table tennis?”

“I… should like it, shouldn’t I?” Shuang Pang’s answer was more like a question.

“If you like a sport, you should be able to have fun in it.” Dai Li answered. “Think carefully. Can you remember something which made you happy in these years as a table tennis player?”

Shuang Pang hesitated a bit, then answered, “Too many. I couldn’t remember them all in a moment.”

“Can you not remember them, or were they just not impressive?” Dai Li asked suddenly.

Shuang Pang was tongue-tied immediately. He really didn’t know how to answer Dai Li’s question.

“I guess this is the crux of your problem. You just treat table tennis as a job you have to accomplish, not as your hobby. So you can’t have fun and enjoy it.”

“Coach Gu keeps pounding the idea of fighting for our country into you; therefore, each match for you is a mission. The ultimate mission for athletes is to strive to be the champion; so until you accomplish your task, you are always in a working state. However, when you enter the final match and fight against one of your teammates, you realize that the national team has already taken possession of the championship, so you lose your working state. You slack off in the match and even don’t play seriously. Therefore, you will always have all kinds of problems in final matches. “

“And the root reason for all of this is that you don’t enjoy table tennis. You have stayed in the stage of ‘striving for our country,’ and you don’t aspire for a championship for yourself!”

“No, I want to be a champion!” Shuang Pang retorted immediately.

“No, you don’t! Unless you are requested to win the championship, otherwise you are not very eager to be a champion. My judgment is not groundless.” Dai Li paused a bit. “I have watched all your final matches from the last few years. I think you did your best in the final match of the National Games. Although you lost at the score of 3:4, the score of the last round was 13:15. I could sense your eagerness to win; you really wanted to win the championship of the National Games.”

“The reason you wanted to win was to help your provincial team get a gold medal of the National Games. You thought it was your mission, and a task you had to accomplish; so you strived very hard in that match. If your opponent in the final match had been a teammate of your provincial team, could you still have done your best in the match?”

“I…” Shuang Pang was faltering, but he didn’t answer the question.

Dai Li paused for a few seconds, so that Shuang Pang think about what he had said, then he continued his enlightenment. “Last night I asked you what were you fighting for, right? Your answer was to fight for our country, but I told you that wasn’t the only answer. Now you should understand my meaning, right?”

“When you participated in the international events by representing the national team, you were indeed fighting for our country; when you participated in the National Games by representing your provincial team, you were fighting for your provincial team; however, when you are representing yourself, you should fight for yourself. The key is your attitude. You have to adjust your attitude and know when you are fighting for yourself!”

“You mean in those matches which I lost, I should have fought for myself?” Shuang Pang realized that, but finally he shook his head. “Maybe it is impossible for me, for I have never thought about it.”

“No, you have thought about it, but you haven’t realized that.” Dai Li smiled and said, “Try to remember those internal upgrading matches in the national team; didn’t you fight for yourself? When you were promoted to the first team from the second team, you defeated many teammates; didn’t you fight for yourself at that time? Now what you need to do is get back that feeling. Especially when you are in the final match, you have to get back that feeling and tell yourself that your mission hasn’t been accomplished yet; a championship is still waiting for you.”

Shuang Pang nodded as if he agreed with Dai Li. However, in his eyes, Dai Li didn’t find any resolution, but more puzzlement.

Shuang Pang’s reaction made Dai Li feel quite helpless, so he had to say, “I have told you what to do, do you still have the feeling that it is very difficult for you to do as I said?”

Shuang Pang nodded, but he said, “I will try it in my next match.”

Dai Li shook his head. “You still don’t understand the meaning of fighting for yourself, for your cognition of table tennis hasn’t been changed yet. The first thing you need to do is to be fond of table tennis, and make table tennis your hobby instead of a job.”

“A job is different than a hobby. Workaholics can gain a sense of satisfaction from their work and a sense of accomplishment from their success; however, they might not have fun in their work. A hobby, on the other hand, could not only provide you with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, but also could let you have a lot of fun.”

As Dai Li spoke, he pointed at the mountain hiking fans who were hiking strenuously, and said, “Just like them. They might only have one day off in several weeks to hike in the mountains, but they are happy, and enjoying the mountain hike, because they like hiking in the mountains.”

“I also hope you can enjoy table tennis. I hope one day when you are standing in front of the table with a bat in your hand, you are cheerful; when you are playing table tennis, you feel happiness in your heart. I hope you gain real enjoyment from table tennis, and enjoy the matches, even enjoy every score and fumble in the match.”

Shuang Pang nodded, and asked, “Then what should I do?”

“For this, I can’t help you. You have to sense it yourself. As a professional athlete, you have been playing table tennis for so many years; you should be able to find the enjoyment in it.” Dai Li smiled. “The competitive sports are designed to bring happiness to people, not only to the audiences, but to the professional athletes as well. The fun of challenging opponents, the fun of challenging yourself, and the fun of creating miracles—you should enjoy that more than the audience does. Maybe it will be a long process, but I believe you will be able to sense it as long as you try to feel it with your heart.”

Chapter 313: A Famous Coach

Dai Li was not a psychologist, so that was all Dai Li could do to help Shuang Pang adjust his mindset.

Actually, Shuang Pang should have understood many things by himself. After all, he was still under 20, and his career life had just begun. An athlete at this age had tremendous room for growth. Shuang Pang had just come across the problem of the “Eternal Second”; more setbacks awaited him in the future, so he had to acquire the ability to overcome difficulties by himself.

Dai Li also had his own work to do. He needed to prepare for the Olympic Games.

As a quadrennial event, the Olympic Games was the most important event for most sports. During the preparation period of the Olympic Games, all coaches of the National Table Tennis Team stayed in the training base; sometimes they couldn’t go home for a whole week.

This was acceptable for bachelors like Dai Li, who had gotten used to living in dormitories. Most of the rest of the coaches had families; therefore, they really sacrificed a lot by staying with the team every day and leaving their family members at home.

The players who would participate in the Olympic Games had been decided internally at the beginning of the Olympic year.

The players who had not been selected to participate in the Olympic Games also had tasks. They acted as the training partners of the contestants by simulating the playing style and techniques of their opponents.

This kind of training was quite monotonous and dull, but the monotony was an efficient time-killer.

In a blink, August had come, and the quadrennial Olympic Games successfully attracted the attention of the world.

…

The experience award for a champion of the Olympic Games is really good! Dai Li couldn’t help showing a delighted expression on his face. The national team had obtained 3 gold medals so far; with the awarded experience, Dai Li had upgraded again. Now he had successfully moved beyond the threshold of the top-level coach and had been upgraded to a famous coach.

This time, Dai Li hadn’t had to wait long for the upgrade. The main reason was that players of the National Table Tennis Team could always win championships, so Dai Li was awarded more experience than before. Moreover, the experience he gained in this quadrennial Olympic Games was many times more than his experience accumulation in normal days.

After all, this is the Olympic Games, which is held every four years. The gold content of a champion of the Olympic Games is quite high. The experience award is also several times that of open tournaments and championships. In addition, the experience award of the team champion is also much higher than that of an individual champion.

The table tennis event of the Olympic Games had four gold medals for the men’s singles, the women’s singles, the men’s team, and the women’s team respectively. It was certain that the National Table Tennis Team would take all four gold medals. Now the gold medals for the women’s singles, the men’s singles, and the women’s group had been obtained by the national team, among which, the most experience gained by Dai Li came from the gold medal of the women’s team.

In the award identification of the system, the team events are more important than those individual events, as expected, Dai Li thought.

“It is more than that,” the system said. “The experience award is also dependent on the importance of the match, the popularity of the event, and the distinctiveness of the award.”

“I could understand the importance of the match; for example, the Olympic Games is definitely more important than ordinary international events, so the award for the Olympic Games is more. What is the meaning of the popularity of the event? Does it mean the award for events which are more popular is greater?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Right, the experience award for champions of football or basketball in the Olympic Games is certainly more than the experience award of the champion of table tennis. If you could help a team to win the FIFA World Cup one day, you would get an astronomical sum of experience,” the system answered.

“Then what is the meaning of the distinctiveness of the award?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Some sports events and sports leagues set up special awards, such as the player of the week, player of the month, MVP, and rookie of the year of the NBA, the Golden Shoe Award of the World Cup, the Golden Ball Award of FIFA, the Laureus World Sports Awards, etc. If the players coached by you win these awards, you will also get an experience reward. Of course, the more influential the award and the honor is, the higher your experience reward will be,” the system explained.

Dai Li said, “The awards you mentioned only exist in large professional leagues, such as basketball and soccer, right? In ordinary competitive sports, these special awards are quite rare.”

“Yes. So if there is a chance, I suggest you try to participate in those large professional leagues. You are now in the stage of the famous coach. The experience accumulated through table tennis could still help you upgrade rapidly. When you are upgraded to a renowned coach or even a star coach, you will need huge amounts of experience for your upgrade, and even the frequent table tennis championship will be far from enough. After all, you are just a physical trainer, not a head coach,” the system said.

“I got it. In the future, if I want to keep upgrading, a physical trainer is not enough, even the physical trainer of the National Table Tennis Team.” Dai Li continued, “Okay, let’s stop talking about this. What about checking the bonus items of my upgrade?”

The bonus package appeared in the system. Dai Li opened the package and found two items in it. One was a skill book which he was familiar with, and the other one was a card.

This card looks familiar, just like that top-level coach trial card at the very beginning. Dai Li hesitated for a few seconds, but he finally picked up the skill book.

Let me check the skill book first. In any case, it is a skill. That card might be another useless item like the athlete illustrated handbook. Dai Li lowered his expectations to avoid great disappointment.

Stamina Long-Distance Walking? Is this new skill related to physical training? And the training should be realized through walking. After reading the name of the skill, Dai Li had a rough idea of it in his mind.

Long distance walking was quite a popular outdoor sport in recent years. In cities, many middle-aged women who used to be avid square dancers had been turned into long-distance walkers. Some of them were even injured in car accidents because of their walking in the motorways.

The popularity of long distance walking was mainly caused by insufficient sport venues for citizens in the cities. In foreign countries, communities provided a lot of sport venues and open spaces for citizens to do exercises. However, most of the open spaces in this country were used to build more apartments. The citizens couldn’t find a place to do exercises, so they chose to be long-distance walkers instead.

At this moment, the system explained, “This ‘Stamina Long-Distance Walking’ could help athletes to enhance their physical performance, which doesn’t mean the athletic ability and endurance of the body merely, but also the cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, etc.”

“I know. The physical performance mentioned in competitive sports mainly refers to the athletic ability of people. Strictly speaking, it should be called the athletic physical performance, which is defined in kinematics as the general term of all athletic abilities necessary for athletes to enhance their technique levels and create excellent results. Actually, the broadly defined ‘physical performance’ was more than that. The cardiovascular endurance, the muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, agility, and balance should also be included in physical performance,” Dai Li said.

“Your answer is correct. This ‘Stamina Long-Distance Walking’ is designed to enhance all physical qualities. The endurance halo and the flexibility yoga you have obtained could only enhance a certain quality. The Stamina Long-Distance Walking might not be as effective as those skills in enhancing a certain physical quality, but its effect in the comprehensive enhancement of all physical performance indicators is definitely the best,” the system said.

This skill doesn’t have many restrictions upon the sport events; it could be used in almost all events, so it is really a practical skill. Fortunately, I have gotten at least one useful item from this bonus.

Then Dai Li looked at the second bonus item anxiously.

A Duplicate Card? What is it?

Chapter 314: Howl of the Mighty Wind

Three cards were placed in front of Dai Li. They had a golden framework and a wooden texture, but the central area of the cards was blank.

“This item is called duplicate card. What is it used for?” Dai Li asked.

“You still remember the athlete illustrated handbook you obtained last time, right? With this duplicate card, you could spend 10,000 points of experience to duplicate any athlete into the card,” the system explained.

Now Dai Li realized that his duplicate card and the athlete illustrated handbook he obtained before were in one kit, which should be used together.

“After duplicating an athlete, what can the card be used for?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Then you could use the duplicate card to get 70% of the capabilities of the duplicated athlete for 12 hours,” the system said.

“Now I only have Anshan Wang in my athlete illustrated handbook. If I duplicate the capability of Anshan Wang with the card and use it for me, in the next 12 hours, I could be a 70% Anshan Wang, right?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Exactly! The stronger the athlete you duplicate, the stronger effect you will have,” the system said.

Dai Li reckoned a bit in his mind. On the ground of Anshan Wang’s strength, 70% of his capability would be enough to participate in the matches of the Olympic Games. With the duplicate card, he could be turned into a top-notch table tennis player at any time, though of course, only for 12 hours. Also he would have to spend 10,000 points of experience.

I am a coach, not an athlete. I don’t need to participate in the match personally. Dai Li shook his head. Although he didn’t figure out the detailed function of the duplicate card, he still felt it was something incredible.

I only have Anshan Wang, who is a top-level athlete, in my athlete illustrated handbook. If I could use the duplicate card after collecting more athletes of other events, couldn’t I become an almighty athlete? 70% of the level of the best athletes in the world is still unattainable for many professional athletes in their whole life. After thinking of this, Dai Li was a little bit delighted.

However, when he realized he only had three cards, he was a little bit disappointed.

It’s a pity that I only got duplicate cards, and each of them can only be used for 12 hours, Dai Li thought ruefully.

The system immediately started its introduction. “Although you only have three cards, you could benefit from two features of the card. First, it can be used repeatedly. One card can be used for 12 hours. After 12 hours, the card will be turned into a blank card again, and you need to duplicate the athlete in your handbook again.”

“Oh, then I don’t need to worry about using up the cards,” Dai Li said. “In this way, one card is enough, it’s not necessary to give me three cards.”

“The reason that you get three cards lies in the second feature of the duplicate card. The cards can be used together. You could use two cards or three cards together, and the effects would be superimposed,” the system explained.

“That is to say, I could use three duplicate cards to duplicate three athletes, and use all three cards on me, then I could have 70% of the capabilities of the three athletes simultaneously, right?”

“Right, but with one condition. The athletes duplicated by you should be athletes of different sports. For example, if you have duplicated one table tennis player with one card, the athletes you duplicate for the second and the third card should not be table tennis players anymore. You have to duplicate athletes of other sports.”

…

The Olympic Games were over. The National Table Tennis Team returned with four gold medals, which was not surprising to anyone.

After their return, a lot of activities were waiting for the athletes of the National Table Tennis Team. The meritorious staff members behind the scenes, like Dai Li, were also awarded accordingly.

As the national sport, table tennis was quite popular among the people in China. Along with the rising of the webcast and We Media, TV broadcasting was not the only way to watch the matches anymore. More and more people started to enjoy table tennis matches in different through various media, which made table tennis more popular.

Moreover, the marketing of the athletes had been drastically improved. Star players were widely publicized, which had cultivated a lot of young fans.

A few years ago, the main audiences of table tennis were middle-aged and elderly people. Now more and more young fans had rejuvenated the table tennis event in China.

The atmosphere of table tennis in China was improving, and more and more people started to pay attention to table tennis. For table tennis itself, everything was developing in the right direction.

…

One day, during lunch, many coaches were caught in a discussion in the canteen of the National Table Tennis Team.

“Have you heard about it? The Table Tennis Association said a reform is coming.”

“A reform? We have reforms every year, but our table tennis team is still number one in the world. Don’t worry, the table tennis teams of other countries won’t be any threat to us.”

“I’ve heard that this time is different. This time the high level management wants to reform the management mode and try to implement the so-called ‘flat management.'”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. However, according to the hearsay, the position of the General Coach and the Head Coach might be cancelled. The team will only have a coach of the men’s team and a coach of the women’s team, who are of the same level and under the direct management of higher staff.”

“That can’t be possible! If the General Coach is cancelled, where should Coach Gu go? He couldn’t be the coach of the men’s team, could he? That’s a demotion! What’s more, Coach Gu is the backbone of the National Table Tennis Team. He has borne hardship without complaint for so many years, and has made remarkable contributions to our team. His efforts are crucial to the current achievements of our team.”

“I also hope this is not for real. After so many years, the National Table Tennis Team finally established a mature framework. We have our own standards for player selection, training, team-building, scientific research, and match preparation. A sudden reform might change all of that.”

Everyone was talking about the issue, but many of them didn’t take it seriously or realize the severity of what was about to happen.

…

One week later, the key players went to Rongzhou to participate in the open tournament of the International Table Tennis Federation.

While the matches were ongoing, the Table Tennis Association suddenly declared that Zhizhong Gu was no longer the General Coach of the National Table Tennis Team, and he was transferred to the Table Tennis Association to act as a Vice Chairman.

This could be regarded as changing horse mid-race.

The reform of the National Table Tennis Team was also unveiled at this point.

Chapter 315: An Outstanding Tree in the Woods

Zhizhong Gu stepped down too suddenly for the National Table Tennis Team, and the effect of it was like an earthquake. Everyone on the team was informed of this news without any mental preparation.

“What’s going on? Coach Gu’s work is flawless, how could he be relieved of his office?”

“If Coach Gu leaves the team, what should we do? Who will be the General Coach in the future?”

“According to the notification, we will not have a General Coach from now on. A National Team Coach Group will be established for the men’s team and the women’s team respectively, which will be responsible for the training and management of our team. This is the so-called flat management.”

“Isn’t it the same as before? I remember over 10 years ago, we also had coach groups for the men’s and women’s teams. This reform just takes us back more than a decade!”

“I wonder who will be the coaches of the men’s team and the women’s team in the future. Do you think Coach Gu could have a chance to come back to us?”

“Won’t Coach Gu act as the Vice Chairman of the Table Tennis Association? This could be regarded as a promotion, right?”

“Promotion? Are you out of your mind? This is apparently an Irish promotion! The Table Tennis Association has over 10 Vice Chairmen, whose main work is nothing but drinking tea and attending meetings. The Vice Chairman is a leisure job for people who are about to retire. Coach Gu is only in his early forties, which is the prime of his life, but he is assigned to do some leisure work to wait for his retirement. I really can’t understand the intention of the high-level management.”

Beside them, Dai Li didn’t speak, but he could clearly sense the incomprehension of the others upon this decision, as well as their uncertainty about the future.

Dai Li was also bewildered. Zhizhong Gu had left, and the overall framework of the National Table Tennis Team would be changed enormously. He was also not clear about his own future, and whether his work in the national team would be changed after the reform.

The unknown was terrifying. A notification from the high-level management made everyone in the National Table Tennis Team anxious and bewildered, for none of them knew the future work arrangement for them.

That night, no one got very much sleep.

The next day, the disturbed feeling still permeated the national team. The media also got the news, and then all kinds of comments on the internet came one after another.

The whole team was dominated by the feeling of fear. Dai Li called Li Xue during dinner. Dai Li thought Li Xue should have more inside information than he did.

On the phone, Dai Li asked if he knew anything about the reform, and Li Xue let out a long sigh.

“There are a lot of things you don’t understand. The root problem is the national sports system in this country, which has been denounced by many people for a long time. This system is controversial among ordinary people, and even the management isn’t settled on the topic. The focal point of the controversy is whether we should continue this national system or carry out a market-oriented reform of the complete sports industry.”

“For now, the idea of the market-oriented reform of the sports industry has apparently gained the upper hand. In the high-level management of the sport administrative organization, someone used to say unequivocally that the problems in the sports industry of our country are mainly caused by this national system, which can also be regarded as the planning system of the sports. Although the high-level management didn’t deny the national system publicly, their reform strategy is designed to promote the marketization of the sport industry.”

“Once all problems were attributed to the system, the judgment criteria and logic of some people became weird and simple. They deem that the planning system is wrong, and needs to be corrected, even though it could allow us many achievements. While the marketization is ongoing, no matter how many problems have been caused during the process, they will continue to promote it. They will say that all the problems are because we haven’t taken the marketization far enough.”

“The National Table Tennis Team is a good representative of the national system; therefore, for those people who want to promote the marketization of the sports industry, the National Table Tennis Team must be reformed to provide a template for the reform of the sports industry as a whole. They just don’t care how magnificent the National Table Tennis Team is.”

“However, during the implementation of the reform, the main issues are still related to two words—power and interest. Actually, power and interest could be regarded as one thing. With power, you could pursue your interests; to defend your interest, you needed to strive for more power.”

Dai Li frowned. He really didn’t like the two words.

Li Xue continued to say, “This reform in the National Table Tennis Team looks more like the repatriation of powers from the sports administration centers by the General Administration of Sports. As a matter of fact, the General Administration of Sports has been trying to take power back from the administration centers in recent years.”

“I’ve heard that Zhizhong Gu got an Irish promotion, is it true?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Zhizhong Gu is a pretty good young man. In his early forties, he is still energetic and competent. It’s really a pity for him,” Li Xue said. “The head coach responsibility system, which has been established for several decades, has been implemented in all teams in our system. In a team, most of the powers are concentrated in the hand of the head coach, who is responsible not only for the management and training, but also the real powers of human resources, finance and purchase, etc. Just like your entry of the national team only needed the oral approval of Zhizhong Gu.”

“You have read the notification from the Table Tennis Association. There will be no head coach in the Table Tennis Team, instead, they have set up two coach groups for the men’s team and the women’s team. The head coaches of the two groups will be responsible for the training and management of their team. However, the other aspects of the team are never mentioned. So do you think the head coaches of the men’s team and the women’s team will also have the powers in human resources and finance like Zhizhong Gu?”

“Through this flat management reform, the General Administration of Sports has taken back all those powers. In the future, the Table Tennis Team will have to use the person assigned by the General Administration of Sports and use the equipment purchased by the General Administration of Sports. The administrative work and the training of the team have been separated. The team only needs to perform the training earnestly and strive for good achievements.”

Dai Li asked immediately, “You mean a head coach in the old days was just like a general manager of an enterprise, who was responsible for the operation and development of the enterprise, and had to make the enterprise bigger and stronger. After the reform of the flat management, the head coach is turned into a workshop director, who should only be responsible for the production of the workshop, right?”

“You could understand it that way,” Li Xue responded. “Actually another reason for this change is that Zhizhong Gu’s work was too good. Like the old saying goes, a tree outstanding, a gale might be chasing. The achievements of the National Table Tennis Team in recent years were too conspicuous, which has established a great reputation for Zhizhong Gu in the team and among ordinary people. For some people in the management level, his ‘excessive’ reputation was unacceptable.”

“In addition, the National Table Tennis Team is now enjoying the moment of glory. Just the advertisement endorsement could translate to hundreds of millions of yuan. Too many people want to get a slice of the cake. With Zhizhong Gu as the General Coach, other people could not touch the profit; but now the situation is totally different.”

“Coach, what should I do now?” Dai Li asked.

“Nothing, just wait and see.” Li Xue let out a long sigh. “This is a game for the high-level leaders. Even Zhizhong Gu has to obey the arrangement; what could you do? Just do your job steadfastly. After a while, the situation will calm down.”

After ending the call with Li Xue, Dai Li still had an uneasy feeling in his heart.

Ding-dong!

The wechat application in his mobile phone made a prompt tone.

Dai Li looked down, then his facial expression changed.

“What? The players of the National Table Tennis Team withdrew from the match collectively!”

Chapter 316: Each Sovereign Maintains His Own Courtiers

In the small meeting room, everyone sat in silence.

“We withdrew from the match to defend Coach Gu against the injustice. Why did they treat Coach Gu unjustly?” Shuang Pang, who was the youngest among the athletes, broke the silence.

“Shuang Pang, don’t tell tales! This is the flat management, which is not against Coach Gu deliberately,” said an old coach who was sitting next to the athletes.

“Is this the flat management? I’ve searched this term on the internet. Flat management is implemented to reduce the administrative levels. But after this flat management in our team, none of the high-level management staff is reduced; none of the executive coaches are reduced; the coaches of the men’s team and the women’s team are still there. Only Coach Gu is ‘reduced.’ Isn’t it against Coach Gu deliberately?” Shuang Pang said indignantly.

“Even so, you shouldn’t have withdrawn from the match. You should express your appeal rationally instead of taking this extreme action. Don’t forget you are athletes of our country! You should attach most importance to the honor of our country,” the old coach continued to say.

“Coach Gu’s contribution is greater than ours. What did he get out of it? An Irish promotion? What were they thinking? Kill the donkey the moment it leaves the millstone, right?” Anshan Wang, who usually remained silent, suddenly said.

Everyone in the meeting room dropped into silence again, for all of them knew Zhizhong Gu’s contribution to the National Table Tennis Team very well. When considering contribution, none of them could compare with Zhizhong Gu.

“I also feel you are too impetuous,” Dai Li said. “I know you are defending Coach Gu, and you hope Coach Gu can come back. However, have you ever thought about how your behavior will do harm to Coach Gu instead of helping him!”

Dai Li paused a bit, then he said, “Someone doesn’t want Coach Gu to go on coaching the national team, because he is competent and admired by all of us. But your withdrawal will make those people more afraid of Coach Gu; therefore, they will not dare to give any real power to Coach Gu. You think your collective withdrawal looks as if you are expressing your support for Coach Gu or defending him against the injustice, but in fact you are jeopardizing Coach Gu’s future career.”

After Dai Li’s reminder, all the athletes realized their rashness.

Just as Dai Li said, after this collective withdrawal, everyone knew Zhizhong Gu was enjoying immense popularity and support in the National Table Tennis Team, which would make the high-level management more afraid of him. They worried that they couldn’t control the National Table Tennis Team. Someone thought Zhizhong Gu set up a small clique in the team to go against the high-level management.

In this circumstance, Zhizhong Gu wouldn’t be allowed to do any substantive work for a while. Nobody would dare to put him in a position with real powers, so he might have to do some leisure work till his retirement.

Athletes like Anshan Wang who had been engaged in the sports industry for years knew this truth very well. Therefore, after Dai Li’s reminder, reality suddenly dawned on them.

“Sorry, we are wrong! We are harming Coach Gu.” Anshan Wang lowered his head.

“Let me call Coach Gu now and tell him we didn’t do it deliberately,” Shuang Pang said.

“Don’t contact Coach Gu now!” Dai Li stopped Shuang Pang immediately, then he said, “If you call Coach Gu now, it will be more difficult for him to get away from this issue.”

“Then what should we do now?” Shuang Pang asked.

“You should admit your mistake first!” Dai Li shook his head ruefully. “I suggest we could undertake the responsibility of the withdrawal, and try our best to make a clean break with Coach Gu, which might be helpful for him.”

“We will definitely be punished, right?” Shuang Pang asked timidly.

“You will be punished in all likelihood.” Dai Li nodded, then he looked at other executive coaches in the meeting room, and said, “I suggest we undertake the responsibility in the name of the National Table Tennis Team, and make an apology to the public. Let’s face the consequence of this withdrawal together. What say you?”

“Coach Li, you didn’t participate in this withdrawal, which was a decision made by us. We shall receive any possible punishments!” Pengfei Cui said courageously.

“Pengfei, what Coach Li means is that the law can’t be enforced when everyone is an offender,” Anshan Wang said. He had now been restored to reason completely.

Dai Li nodded. “Right, that’s what I want to say. We admit the mistake and undertake the responsibility in the name of the national team. I hope this will mitigate the punishment to each individual. Moreover, if the team is to undertake the responsibility, normally the principal of the team would bear much of the blame. But now Coach Gu has been transferred, and we don’t have a principal in the team; therefore, if we are lucky, we might be able to minimize the consequence of this issue.”

…

It had been three days since the withdrawal. The National Table Tennis Team admitted its mistake and apologized to the public. It seemed the issue had been quieted down.

The General Administration of Sports asked the Table Tennis Association to investigate the withdrawal strictly, but it didn’t mention any punishment. Also, the coaches who would be put in charge of the men’s team and the women’s team were not decided.

Maybe the withdrawal made the high level management more cautious in the reform. Everyone knew the reform was supposed to solve problems instead of creating more problems.

Some in the national team thought Dai Li’s trick had worked; other people thought it was just the calm before the storm. The management level was still preparing punishments, or the management level planned to settle the accounts when people had forgotten this issue.

The daily work of the national team progressed without change. However, the sense of anxiety and loss still permeated the team. Without Coach Gu to lead them, no one knew how the National Table Tennis Team would develop.

One day, Dai Li got a call from Zhizhong Gu after dinner.

“Li, I’ve heard your suggestion of undertaking the responsibility in the name of the national team. Thank you,” Zhizhong Gu said.

“If I had known in advance of their plan to withdraw, I would have stopped them. Did this issue cause any trouble for you?” Dai Li asked.

“In my current situation, should I be afraid of more trouble? A lot of lice don’t bite.” Zhizhong Gu paused a bit, then said, “But I owe you an apology, for I might have brought trouble on you.”

Dai Li frowned and asked, “Is this issue still not over? Is the management level still planning to give punishment?”

“The punishment is inevitable. The collective withdrawal is a big issue, which has to be answered for. The key is the degree of punishment,” Zhizhong Gu said.

“Will someone be fired?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“It can’t be that serious. A short-term suspension is unavoidable.” Zhizhong Gu continued to say, “I don’t worry about the athletes. The veteran players like Anshan Wang and Pengfei Cui have gained enough fame and wealth in these years under my leadership, which are enough for the rest of their lives, even if their career lives as athletes were to end now. Also, they also accumulated a lot of injuries in their bodies; it’s time for them to have a good break and rehabilitation.”

“As for the young athletes like Shuang Pang, they are the hope of the National Table Tennis Team in the future, and they are expected to accomplish great things, no matter who the future coach of the team will be. Therefore, if there is any punishment for them, it will not be very heavy. Instead of them, I am worrying about you the most.”

“Me? Why?” Dai Li asked in confusion.

“When I was the head coach, I promoted several executive coaches into the core management team, including you. So you might be targeted by being treated unjustly or being marginalized for a long time.” As Zhizhong Gu spoke, he let out a long sigh. “Compared to the other coaches, you are the youngest, and you also don’t have the history of being a table tennis player. Therefore, what worries me is that they will get rid of you to scare the rest of the coaches.”

“I don’t think they will come for me… No matter who will be the next coach of the team, the team will still need me. Don’t you believe in my competence?” Dai Li said with a smile.

“Your competence is indeed the best. I could say you are the best physical trainer I’ve met. However, I recruited you into the team, so they will treat you as an ally of mine. I wouldn’t worry about you if the withdrawal hadn’t happened, but now the situation is different. The management level will not allow something like this to reoccur. So it is highly possible for the team to be purged,” Zhizhong Gu said.

Dai Li fell silent. If Zhizhong Gu was warning him of this, then it was very likely to occur. Although Zhizhong Gu had been demoted, his relationship network was still there. He must have heard some news before calling Dai Li.

It was not hard to understand what had happened. As an old saying goes, each sovereign maintains his own courtiers. The new boss would eagerly replace all previous underlings with his trusted followers, while the followers of the previous boss would be purged.

Moreover, the collective withdrawal had strengthened their determination to get rid of Zhizhong Gu’s followers. Those people were apparently deemed dispensable and given priority to be eliminated.

In the National Table Tennis Team, a young and junior physical trainer without the background of an athlete was obviously the best object for elimination.

…

Two days later.

“Li, I’ve just received a notification. You are required to go to the HR Department of the Table Tennis Association at 10 a.m. tomorrow. They want to talk with you.”

Dai Li nodded silently. He had already been prepared for that.

If it’s doomed to come, it will come eventually…

Chapter 317: Departure

In the human resources meeting room, Director Zhao looked at Dai Li with a smile.

“Li, you are still an assisting section-level cadre, right? Do you plan to be promoted to the section level?” Director Zhao asked with a smile.

Dai Li was surprised immediately. He thought he wouldn’t meet a good end this time, but he was not prepared for a mention of promotion.

Director Zhao’s smile widened and he said, “A good opportunity is in your hand. The Table Tennis Association thinks highly of your work performance and trusts your competence, so we plan to transfer you to act as the Vice Committee Director of the Committee for the Application of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Tai Chi. In this position, you could enjoy the treatment of a county-level cadre.”

“The Committee for the Application of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Tai Chi?” Dai Li was surprised again, for he had never heard about this organization.

Director Zhao nodded seriously. “Right. We are planning to transfer you to the Committee for the Application of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Tai Chi, which may be new to you. Let me give you a brief introduction. This organization is mainly responsible for the application of the intangible cultural heritage of Tai Chi. You should know something about the intangible cultural heritage, right?”

Dai Li nodded in confusion. He was still trying to figure out the meaning of Director Zhao’s words.

Then Director Zhao started the introduction volubly, “As the national essence of China’s traditional martial arts, Tai Chi has a lot of genres, and is quite popular with the public. Now Tai Chi has spread to over 150 countries and regions in the world. Tai Chi has been listed in the directory of the first batch of China’s intangible cultural heritages. The global applications of the intangible cultural heritage of Tai Chi will be the key work to do next.”

“Director Zhao, I am a sport coach. I know nothing about martial arts,” Dai Li said.

“Martial arts are one part of sports,” Director Zhao said, smiling. “Tai Chi is an important cultural name card of China; so the application work for Tai Chi is very important. The application will not be easy. Although China is the birthplace of Tai Chi, countries like South Korea are trying to claim Tai Chi. In addition, in previous years, the Taekkyeon of South Korea and Yoga of India have been included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Our application for Tai Chi is far behind the other countries.”

Then Director Zhao continued to talk about this issue with informative and instructive content. According to his description, the application of the intangible cultural heritage for Tai Chi was almost as important as the research of nuclear weapons.

Dai Li pondered it a bit, then said, “Director Zhao, could you leave me some time to think about it?”

“It’s not necessary. Your transfer has been determined by the management level. For you, it is also an opportunity to be promoted to the section-level. Li, the decision of your transfer has been made after careful consideration. Please work hard in your new position.” Director Zhao’s words meant Dai Li’s transfer was nonnegotiable.

At this moment, Dai Li realized that the so-called Vice Committee Director of the Committee for the Application of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Tai Chi and the treatment of the section-level cadre were actually an Irish promotion for him.

What Zhizhong Gu got was also a demotion. He was promoted as a Vice Chairman of the Table Tennis Association. Although this position was leisure work, he was still in the system of Table Tennis. The demotion for Dai Li directly kicked him out of the competitive sport system.

The Vice Committee Director of the Committee for the Application of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Tai Chi sounded pretty good, but it was actually leisure work.

The application of cultural heritages, especially the intangible cultural heritages, was almost the same as attempting to win a Nobel Prize. Even if a Noble Prize level research achievement had been worked out, winning the Nobel Prize still required good timing, geographical convenience, and good human relations together with years or even decades of waiting. The application of cultural heritages was similar; it needed good timing, geographical convenience, and good human relations together with accumulation of time.

Therefore, for Dai Li, the Vice Committee Director of the Committee for the Application of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Tai Chi was a cage which could lock him away for a lifetime. If the application of Tai Chi was not rejected for 20 or 30 years, Dai Li might have to act as the Vice Director for 20 or 30 years, and then retire placidly as a section-level cadre.

As Dai Li thought of this possibility, a chill and desolation rose in his heart. He was in his early 20s, which was a perfect age to start a business; but now he was offered leisure work he had to do till his retirement.

But Dai Li could not find a place to reason that out. He was offered a promotion from the assisting section-level to the section-level, which should be for his own good.

At this moment, the idea of resignation flashed in Dai Li’s heart again. He wanted to get out of this system.

In those years, when Dai Li’s place was taken by Xuexi Zhuang, he thought about resigning. Later, when his opportunity of learning abroad was taken by others, he thought about resigning again.

At that time, Dai Li just thought about resigning, but he was not brave enough to put it into action.

A job in the public institution, which could ensure gains no matter what happened, was irresistible for a young man.

Now, Dai Li had grown a lot, and he had to plan for his future.

When Dai Li stepped out of the gate of the Table Tennis Association, he couldn’t help thinking of Zhizhong Gu.

Dai Li remembered, when he had just joined the National Table Tennis Team, the delightful expression of Zhizhong Gu as he introduced the national system of the table tennis event.

Dai Li could also remember Zhizhong Gu’s proud expression when he pointed at Chinese sponsors during Dai Li’s first overseas match experience in Sweden.

Dai Li knew Zhizhong Gu really loved the National Table Tennis Team, but now what had he gotten…?

Dai Li’s heart was filled with courage suddenly. Although he hadn’t made a plan for his future, he knew it was the time for him to leave.

To get out of this system!

…

After submitting the resignation application, Dai Li got a relaxed feeling suddenly.

I am free again! Dai Li smiled with self-mockery. He got a presentiment that he had chosen a difficult path.

Inside the country, a coach, especially a high-level coach, had almost nothing he could do outside of the system. And the reason was that almost all high-level athletes were included in the system. Therefore, if a coach wanted to achieve anything, the system was essential.

I have saved some money these years. Maybe I could go back to my hometown in Yuzhou to open a gym. With my reputation of the former coach of the national team, I guess it wouldn’t be difficult for me to reach the subsistence level.

Dai Li had indeed saved some money in the years he’d been working. He had lived in the dormitory and eaten in the canteen of his working unit. He spent very little on clothing and food; and he didn’t buy any expensive commodities, let alone a car or an apartment. He didn’t even have a girlfriend. As a bachelor, he saved a lot of money in his salary.

The treatment in the National Table Tennis Team had also been satisfactory. The sponsors were really supportive. After the matches, if an athlete won a championship, the coach would also be rewarded. Especially for the Olympic Games not long ago, Dai Li had received a bonus of many hundreds of thousands of Yuan during the commendation meeting.

Dai Li estimated his savings would be enough to open a gym in Yuzhou, which was a third-tier city in China. Of course, his money was far from enough to open a high-end gym with a swimming pool, sauna, and massage room, but should be more than enough to open a small one.

If the gym is not profitable, I could go back to my old business by opening a training class. I guess I could easily make two to three hundred thousand Yuan a year, Dai Li figured.

Now Dai Li was no longer the nameless university graduate. His experience in the national team could absolutely make him the number one coach in Yuzhou. If he wanted to open a training class, he could easily enroll trainees with a standard charge which was two or three times the average.

…

After packing up his luggage, Dai Li left Jingcheng and returned to Yuzhou, which was his hometown.

Prior to his departure, Dai Li bade farewell to Zhizhong Gu and Li Xue, who didn’t try to persuade Dai Li to stay after being informed of Dai Li’s transfer to the Committee for the Application of the Intangible Cultural Heritages of Tai Chi.

In fact, if Dai Li wanted, he could go back to the track and field team. The gold content of a physical trainer in the National Table Tennis Team was quite high. With the support of Li Xue, Dai Li could absolutely start anew in the track and field team.

It would also be no problem for Dai Li to go back to the provincial team. No provincial team could say no to a coach who used to work in the national team. If Dai Li wanted, he could get a position in a provincial team at any time. Some training teams would even offer him an extra sum as a settling-in allowance.

However, after all this time, Dai Li didn’t want to stay in the system anymore.

Upon Dai Li’s return, the happiest people would be Dai Li’s parents, who were about to retire and naturally hoped to keep their son company.

In addition, Dai Li was old enough to have his own family. After his return, his parents started to look for a girlfriend for him and arrange blind dates.

Dai Li was busy finding a venue. He still planned to open his gym, which could at least earn enough money to support his life instead of burning through his cash reserves; otherwise, if a girl asked about his career during the blind date, Dai Li’s reply of joblessness would be too embarrassing.

…

“With several residential areas nearby, this place is pretty good. But the rental is too high. Could you ask the landlord to lower the rental a bit?” Dai Li said to a real estate agent.

“Actually, the price for this location is really not high. You should know the average price of apartments nearby has exceeded RMB 10,000 per square meter. Also, the landlord told me someone who was introduced by another agent is also interested in this place,” the real estate agent said seriously.

Dai Li sighed helplessly. The average price of apartments in Yuzhou, which was barely able to be regarded as a third-tier city, had exceeded RMB 10,000 per square meter, and the price kept rising. Whenever a new residential area was launched, hundreds of people would line up to snap up apartments. Dai Li couldn’t understand why so many wealthy people were without apartments.

“I am going to rent this place for a long time. According to the current price, I have to pay a lot more for the rental. Never mind, let me have a look at other places.” Dai Li turned around and was ready to go.

“How about I discuss this with the landlord and see if the price could be further lowered?” Seeing that Dai Li had lost interest in that place, the agent immediately changed his tone. Obviously, renting this venue would not be as difficult as the agent made it seem.

Just at this moment, Dai Li’s mobile phone rang. A strange number appeared on the screen of his mobile phone.

Is it a number from the area of Qingcheng? Is someone in the provincial team calling me? Dai Li hesitated for two seconds, then he picked up the phone.

“Hello?” Dai Li said.

“Coach Li, this is Dalu Fang speaking,” the voice on the phone said.

“Chairman Fang?” Dai Li was a little bit surprised, for he didn’t expect the caller to be Dalu Fang, who was the Chairman of Dalu Group and also the father of Haiquan Fang.

“Coach Li, Haiquan told me you have resigned from the national team, right?” Dalu Fang asked.

“Yes, I have resigned.” Dai Li didn’t conceal the issue.

“Then have you already found a new job?” Dalu Fang continued to ask.

“Not yet. I am planning to open a gym,” Dai Li answered.

“I see!” Dalu Fang paused a bit, then he said, “I have a job vacancy here. I don’t know whether you would be interested or not.”

Chapter 318: New Challenges

Isn’t Dalu Group an enterprise engaged in real estate? How could a job in this company suit me? As Dai Li thought of this, he asked, “Chairman Fang, are you planning to enter the sports industry?”

“We are not ‘planning to,’ but have already entered the sports industry!” Dalu Fang said. “The Dingtian Soccer Club is quite familiar to you, right?”

“The Dingtian Soccer Club? It was the double winner of the league championship and the FA Cup of last season! How could I be unfamiliar with this club?” Dai Li said.

“Dalu Group owns shares in the Dingtian Soccer Club,” Dalu Fang said.

“I thought the Dingtian Soccer Club was wholly owned by Dingtian Group. I didn’t expect you to also own shares of this club,” Dai Li said.

“I made this investment several years ago. I only bought some shares, but I don’t participate in the management,” Dalu Fang responded. “Are you interested in being a coach in the Dingtian Soccer Club?”

“Chairman Fang, you must be kidding me, right? The head coach of the Dingtian Soccer Club is Harman, a world-famous coach who used to win the World Cup,” Dai Li said.

“Harman is indeed the head coach. But they need physical trainers now. I have just heard from Haiquan that you have resigned. You used to be the physical trainer of the National Table Tennis Team, so I am calling to ask if you are interested in being a physical trainer for the Dingtian Soccer Club. If you are interested, I could recommend you to them,” Dalu Fang said.

“There should be more than one physical trainer in Harman’s team, right?” Dai Li asked.

All famous soccer coaches would establish a team of their own. In modern soccer, the head coach was definitely the soul of the team, but the team of the head coach was composed of three groups. The first group would be the technique group, including the assistant coaches, the goalkeeper coaches, and the performance analysts. The second group would be the sports management group, including the physical trainers, the dietitians, the coach of scientific research, the psychologists, etc. The third group was the medical group, which included the team doctors, the physical therapists, the rehabilitation therapists, the massage therapists, etc.

There would be more than one person in each position of the team; for example, they would have two or three assistant coaches, two or three physical trainers, and several analysts and coaches of scientific research.

The world’s top coaches, like Harman, would not work in a club alone. His team had been working with him for decades, including several senior experts. It could be considered as a totally mature coaching team.

In addition, on ground of Harman’s level, he would hire coaches in Europe if his team was shorthanded. After all, soccer coaches in China were far less competent than their European counterparts.

Then Dalu Fang explained, “Harman’s team has two core physical trainers who have been following Harman for many years. One of the physical trainers, whose name is Franz, went back to Germany to have surgery. I guess he might be absent for the rest of this season. The leagues in Europe have already begun. It is difficult to find an appropriate candidate now in Europe; so Harman decided to recruit several experienced physical trainers in Asia to fill the vacancy that Franz left.”

“It’s just a temporary position, right?” Dai Li said disappointedly.

“What? Do you want to enter Harman’s team or not? The level of coaches of our country is too low for Harman!” Dalu Fang laughed straightforwardly. “This time the recruitment of physical trainers is performed in the name of the Dingtian Soccer Club. If you could join them, you will sign the labor contract with Dingtian, so technically speaking, you will be an employee of the Dingtian Club, and not a member of Harman’s team. However, you have to follow Harman’s orders in the training.”

“As for remuneration, you should know the investment scale of Dingtian Group in soccer. If you could join them, they will definitely offer you a pretty good salary, which will be more than you have made in the national team.”

…

That night, Dai Li couldn’t sleep and spent all night tossing and turning in his bed.

The Dalu Fang’s proposal had given Dai Li a feeling that he was about to turn his life around.

The Dingtian Soccer Club could be considered an upstart in recent years. Two years ago, it was still a League One club; later, it was acquired by Dingtian Group. After the large-scale investment of Dingtian Group, this club was successfully promoted to the Super League, and gained the championship of the Super League.

Dingtian Group also staked a lot on their soccer team by not only purchasing top players from around the world, but also hiring Harman, who was one of the best coaches in the world. Therefore, the strength of the Dingtian Soccer Club became amazing in a very short time. Although this club was still less powerful than the clubs in Europe and South America, in Asia, it had already become a first-class club. The next goal of the Dingtian Soccer Club was the championship of the AFC Champions League.

Professional soccer is an authentically-commercialized professional sport, which the system views differently than the other sports I have coached so far! Dai Li’s heart was again full of excitement.

After all, Dai Li was a professional coach. He was extremely unwilling to open a gym by leaving the professional sports industry. If he hadn’t been forced by circumstances, he wouldn’t have left the National Table Tennis Team so soon.

Now, an opportunity to go back to the professional sports industry was placed in front of him, and it took Dai Li’s breath away immediately.

Moreover, Dai Li was equipped with the coach system. He could only upgrade the system and become stronger by continuing to train athletes.

I want to be one of the world’s top coaches. Opening a gym and providing training courses in a small place like Yuzhou is not my fate! I should see the world while I am still young.

Dai Li sat up straight on the bed immediately. He had made up his mind to join the Dingtian Soccer Club and face new challenges.

…

Dingtian Soccer Club

Harman, whose hair was already beginning to silver, was leaning on the seat back, and said in a low voice, “Franz has sent me an email. In his mail, he said although his tumor is benign, the possibility of the tumor turning malignant couldn’t be ruled out. His doctor still recommends that they remove the tumor first. Now he has made a surgery appointment and is waiting for the surgery. It seems he will be absent for the rest of this season.”

“In the next few months, I will have a lot of overtime.” A dark-haired man who was over 50 smiled ruefully.

The dark-haired man’s name was Claude, and he was another physical trainer on Harman’s team.

“Don’t worry. I have asked the club to hire more physical trainers. Although we won’t find someone who can replace Franz at this moment, we can use the strength in numbers. We will find some physical trainers in Asia to share some of the work with you. You won’t be over-exhausted if you just arrange assignments to be completed by others,” Harman said.

However, Claude shook his head in a bitter face. “I am not optimistic about the capabilities of the Asian coaches. What worries me is that my assignments will never be completed.”

“I hope that young and beautiful Ms. Xiao won’t let us down!” Harman let out a long sigh.

Chapter 319: People from Two Different Worlds

The office area of Dingtian Soccer Club.

Xiong Zhou walked to the door and looked at the plate that read, “General Manager’s Office.” After smoothing his collar, he knocked at the door.

“Please come in!” a euphonious female voice came out. Xiong Zhou took a deep breath, then he opened the door and entered the office.

Yunan Xiao was sitting at her table; several documents placed in front of her.

Xiong Zhou walked to the table seriously, prepared to accept the instructions of his boss.

As a member of the club’s management level, Xiong Zhou knew the beautiful General Manager in front of him was the only daughter of the group’s Chairman. Therefore, Xiong Zhou showed respect every time he met Yunan Xiao.

Yunan Xiao picked up three documents and handed them to Xiong Zhou, and she said, “These three coaches of the League One clubs are rejected. Harman is not satisfied with coaches of the Super League clubs, let alone the coaches from League One clubs. By the way, have you received any reply from Coach Sun of Shanggang?”

“That is why I came to speak with you. Coach Sun has replied to me. He said his child is still attending high school in Shanggang, and he doesn’t want to come here,” Xiong Zhou said.

“In that case, let’s stop requesting him for now,” Yunan Xiao said helplessly.

“Besides, Chairman Fang of Dalu Group recommended a coach to me. I have his resume here.” As Xiong Zhou spoke, he handed the folder to Yunan Xiao.

“Chairman Fang called me about this candidate. He said this coach has a background of track and field events, and used to act as the physical trainer of the National Table Tennis Team. I think he must be competent enough if he had a foothold in the National Table Tennis Team. Furthermore, Chairman Fang is our shareholder; respecting his opinion is of utmost importance. So I have accepted his recommendation,” Yunan Xiao said, taking the folder. After opening the folder, she saw Dai Li’s picture of Dai Li.

“He looks familiar to me. Dai Li? The name also sounds familiar.” Yunan Xiao started to read the working experience of Dai Li.

“Now I remember, it’s him! He is the coach I met during that marathon.” Yunan Xiao recognized Dai Li quickly.

During the Half Marathon held at Jinyan Lake, Dai Li left a deep impression on Yunan Xiao. Dai Li’s help to Dalu Fang, as well his victory in the end made Yunan Xiao remember him. After looking at Dai Li’s picture and reading his working experience, Yunan Xiao could remember that marathon clearly.

He has been acting as a physical trainer on the National Table Tennis Team these last few years. Now he is applying for the physical trainer position in our club.

Yunan Xiao smiled suddenly. She placed Dai Li’s resume on the resumes of another two people, and said, “Translate these three resumes into English, and then send them to Coach Harman.”

…

“Look, these are the resumes for the three physical trainers found by Ms. Xiao.” Harman handed the three resumes to Claude.

After taking the resumes, Claude opened the first one.

“Chowtai Kim, a Korean. He used to act as the physical trainer in Chunnam Dragons Club in the K-league of South Korea.” As Claude spoke, he nodded. “This one is okay. He has coaching experience in the professional soccer league, and the K-league is pretty impressive in Asia.”

Then Claude opened the second resume.

“Haoxin Liu, a guy who was born in Hong Kong and brought up in Canada. He was a professional hockey player for a little while, and then acted as the physical trainer in the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL.” Claude frowned slightly, then he said, “This guy’s experience is good. After all, the NHL is one of the top four leagues in the United States. The level of their coaches should be fine. However, hockey is different than soccer. Maybe he will need some time to adapt to soccer, which is new to him.”

Finally, Claude opened the third resume.

“Dai Li, is he also a coach? He is so young! It seems he is as young as our players. He has a background in track and field events, and used to act as the physical trainer of the table tennis event. Haha, they are kidding me, right?” Dissatisfaction flashed in Claude’s eyes. Obviously, both Dai Li’s age and working experience were not satisfactory to Claude.

Dai Li’s experience as the physical trainer in the National Table Tennis Team was very impressive for many people in China. However, to Claude, Dai Li’s working experience meant nothing.

As a physical trainer of the soccer event, Claude could be considered one of the best coaches in the world. To him, Asian physical trainers were far behind their European counterparts, let alone a physical trainer of a “small ball” event like table tennis.

“I have asked Xiong Zhou, who sent the resumes to me. According to his information, this table tennis coach was recommended by a shareholder of the club.” Harman looked at Claude with an expression that said, “You should know that.” Then he said, “It’s okay, he used to be a coach of the track and field team, so he should be good for something. You just make do with him.”

“That’s the only way out.” Claude sighed helplessly. “I shouldn’t have had high hopes for Asian physical trainers.”

…

Dai Li signed his name on the contract.

The Dingtian Soccer Club offered Dai Li an annual salary of RMB 300,000. Although it was not very high in the first-tier cities, Dai Li was quite satisfied with the amount.

Besides the annual salary, Dai Li would also get some additional income, such as the travel allowance for the team’s away games. If the team won a game, Dai Li could get a bonus as a coach. If the team won the championship of China’s Super League, or even the championship of the AFC Champions League, the club would also pay Dai Li a bonus.

“Coach Kim, Coach Liu, and Coach Li, please allow me to welcome you to join us on behalf of the club.” Yunan Xiao smiled at the three of them.

Yunan Xiao’s voice lingered in Dai Li’s ears after he walked out of the meeting room.

This General Manager is really a beautiful girl! She’s so young, she must be about the same age as me, Dai Li thought.

Dai Li had met Yunan Xiao during the Half Marathon held at Jinyan Lake, but that had been a long time ago, and Dai Li had forgotten much of what had occurred on that day.

Today, when Dai Li met Yunan Xiao again, he still found her very attractive.

However, Dai Li was quite sober and he didn’t have any inappropriate ambitions on her. On Dai Li’s way to the meeting, someone working in the club had mentioned Yunan Xiao. This pretty General Manager was the darling daughter of the Chairman of Dingtian Group, and could basically be considered the princess of Dingtian Group. This kind of rich girl who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth was out of Dai Li’s reach, since he was just an ordinary person. Yunan Xiao and Dai Li were people from two different worlds.

…

“The three new physical trainers have signed their contracts, and will start work tomorrow. Do you have any plan in using them?” Harman said, picking up his coffee and taking a sip.

“That Chowtai Kim from South Korea was a soccer physical trainer before. I plan to let him participate in the formulation of next two weeks of training plans, so that I can check his level before giving him any concrete work. Haoxin Liu was brought up in Canada, so he should have no problem in verbal communication with the foreign players. I plan to arrange him to do the strength training. As for that table tennis coach…”

Claude’s expression was quite troubled. “For now, I really don’t know what he could do. He is a person from a different world!”

“My old friend, I have a suggestion for you.” Harman put down his coffee mug, then said, “Several players on our team are not very self-disciplined. After months of rest, they have put on a lot of weight. Now the league is about to start, but they are still overweight.”

“I got you! The table tennis coach could be instructed to help those players lose weight. It’s really a good idea!” Claude heaved a long sigh of relief. “I think that table tennis coach should be qualified for such easy work.”

Chapter 320: Mission Accomplished

Dai Li’s first mission in the Dingtian Soccer Club was to help players who needed to lose weight.

For professional soccer players, it was extremely important to keep a healthy weight. Especially during the long off-season, which would last for several months, the training intensity of the players would be lowered and most of them would put on weight. Therefore, the players who could control their weight during the off-season were undoubtedly very self-disciplined.

However, not every player was so self-disciplined. Even the star players might have a weight gain of five to ten kilograms during the off-season. Most of the players just enjoyed themselves during the off-season. It was impossible for them to perform high-intensity training as they did in the team.

The weight gain of five to ten kilograms would obviously influence the performance of the professional soccer players, who might be slower and less flexible; their joint load would also be increased. Many world-class players retired because of their failure in weight control.

If players failed to control their weight, they would have to lose weight in a short time before the new season, so that their weight could be within a reasonable scope.

However, weight loss was quite difficult even for the players. Some players were still overweight when the new season was about to begin.

The essence of weight loss was to eat less and exercise more, which was not only applicable to ordinary people, but also to the players. It was quite normal for professional athletes to skip meals for weight control.

The professional soccer players didn’t need to focus on moderating how much they ate. Rather, a balanced diet was more important for them. As long as they could get enough exercise, they would lose weight naturally. Sometimes the promotion of muscle body-contact ability gained through exercise was good for them.

Therefore, guiding the weight loss of professional soccer players was not complicated work, and could easily be handled by ordinary assistants, let alone by a professional physical trainer.

Claude’s work arrangement for Dai Li showed his contempt. Obviously, Claude thought Dai Li could only do the simple work of an assistant.

Dai Li wasn’t concerned by the slight. He already understood that respect could only be won by competence. In this world, as long as you were strong enough, you would be respected by your peers no matter what industry you were in.

I haven’t used the aerobics for weight and fat loss in a long time. I have almost forgotten the movements. Dai Li looked at the name list of the players in his hand.

Three players needed to lose weight: midfielder Yunping Zheng, striker Feng Gao, and midfielder Jinshan Sun. They were seriously overweight, which had influenced their normal training. If they wanted to avoid influencing the normal training of the team, they had to reduce their weight by at least five kilograms.

Claude gave Dai Li one week to finish his work.

Helping the players lose five kilograms would not be difficult for Dai Li. Even if he didn’t use the weight loss aerobics, Dai Li could accomplish the mission through his current training skills.

However, Dai Li couldn’t find reason to not use the shortcut.

If I could only help them lose five kilograms within one week, my competence won’t be cherished by them. As Dai Li thought of this, he smiled, then he said to the three players who needed to lose weight, “Let’s do some simple warm-up exercises!”

The so-called warm-up exercises were, of course, the weight loss aerobics.

Now Dai Li wouldn’t say, “Follow my lead and let’s dance the weight-loss aerobics.” He had disguised the weight-loss aerobics into the warm-up exercises, and used it to help the players who needed to lose weight without their knowledge.

…

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Although the Korean coach Chowtai Kim was sitting in the farthest corner, his face was full a proud expression.

He was attending a meeting to form the training plan for the team.

The preparation period before the beginning of a new season was crucial for the promotion of the players’ physical functions and the team’s performance in the season, so it was also the busiest period for the coaches.

In order to better coordinate the different trainings, the physical trainers would discuss the training quantity and intensity, as well as the individual training arrangements for players with special requirements with the head coach, the assistant coaches, and members of the medical group. And the physical trainer would participate all of it.

Therefore, being able to participate in the training plan formulation gave Chowtai Kim a feeling that he was valuable, even if he had to sit in the farthest corner.

Moreover, though Haoxin Liu and Dai Li had been hired in with him, they were not allowed to attend this meeting. That gave Chowtai Kim the overjoyed feeling that he was superior to Haoxin Liu and Dai Li.

Although we joined the club at the same time, the gap has been opened in the first working day. I have acquired many tactics of the team in these three days. I don’t have the right to speak now, but my situation is far better than the other two guys. I’ve heard that indigenous coach, whose name is Dai Li, is helping the players lose weight! As a physical trainer, he was assigned to do the low-level works which are for the drilling partners; he really is useless and pathetic!

Chowtai Kim was so complacent that he couldn’t help raising the corners of his lips.

The Korean coaches are far more competent than you! You’ll see, I will soon prove that I am qualified to be a member of Harman’s team.

Chowtai Kim looked at all the European coaches in the meeting room. His heart was filled with the desire to perform well.

At that moment, Claude was introducing his work volubly, and he was talking about the weight control of the players.

“Yunping Zheng was a starting player last season. Feng Gao and Jinshan Sun are also important substitutes. However, during the off-season, they over-indulged themselves, and they are severely overweight. I think they should lose at least five kilograms.”

As Claude spoke, he turned around and looked at Harman. “I have arranged for Dai Li, who is our new physical trainer, to help them in lose weight. I gave Dai Li one week, and I hope he can help the three players lose a weight of five kilograms.”

“It is not an easy job to help someone lose five kilograms in only a week,” Harman said.

“This Coach Li was recruited by the club. I believe he can accomplish the mission as a professional physical trainer.” Claude shrugged to imply he also didn’t trust Dai Li. If Dai Li failed to accomplish the mission of weight loss for the three players, his failure could only be attributed to his incompetence.

All the foreign coaches in the meeting grinned with understanding. They had been working together for many years, so all of them could understand Claude’s implication.

Indeed, the Asian coaches, especially the indigenous coaches, were too weak and untrustworthy for the liking of these European coaches.

At that moment, an assistant knocked at the door and entered the meeting room. He saw Claude talking volubly, so he chose to stand aside self-consciously.

Claude ended his report and sat back in his seat. The assistant walked to Claude and whispered to him, “Mr. Claude, that Coach Li who is new here wants to see you.”

“Tell him I’m not available today. I have a meeting to attend, so tell him to come tomorrow,” Claude said.

The assistant nodded and continued to say, “Coach Li said if you don’t have time, I could leave a message to you that he had accomplished the mission you assigned to him three days ago.”

Chapter 321: True Blue Will Never Stain

Claude paused and then smiled. The smile on his face was not the same as usual. It was only a cover for his anger.

“The training mission is done? Has it been three days? Including today, it has been only four days. To lose five kilograms in such a short time! That table tennis coach is joking! His humor is misplaced,” Claude sniffed.

Theoretically, it was possible to lose five kilograms in three days. Many extreme dieters could lose a lot of weight in a short time, but Claude thought it would be impossible for Dai Li to achieve such results.

Even his assistant could feel that Claude’s smile was full of hostility.

“Uh…Mr. Claude…” his assistant said again.

“Is there anything else?” Claude asked impatiently.

“Coach Dai Li asked me to tell you, if you have any question, you can have a look at this.” His assistant handed him a document.

“Today’s body weight report?” Claude looked closely and found the weights of Feng Gao, Yunping Zheng, and Jinshan Sun, and the date that their weights were measured. At the end of the report, there was the seal and signature of the team’s medical group. The three players had lost more than five kilograms compared with their weight three days earlier.

Dai Li gave me this report because he expected I would not believe him. However, it was too intentional. Does he think I’m a fool? Does he think I don’t know they have just lost the water in their bodies? Claude scowled at once, and he felt like he was being teased.

Theoretically, a body weight report with the signature of the team’s medical group should have been compelling; it was certainly enough to prove that Dai Li had actually helped the three players to lose five kilograms each. But Claude thought that these players had only lost water weight rather than cutting actual fat.

Claude really needed athletes to lose excess fat.

It was easy for athletes to lose their body water. When an athlete stayed away from drinking water during a period of exercise, then the body would naturally be dehydrated and the athlete’s weight would be less. In a professional soccer game, those players could easily lose a couple kilograms if the weather was hot. However, the amount of weight lost in the game could be replenished by drinking water; technically, it could be called weight loss.

Therefore, Claude assumed Dai Li had used this method to help the athletes to lose weight, and he thought that Dai Li had asked the medical group to make a fake body weight report to fool him.

Claude believed Dai Li had done this just to show off his ability.

Claude could put up with his coaches’ poor ability, but he couldn’t tolerate them deceiving him with trickery. Therefore, after seeing this body weight report, he was provoked to anger.

“I hate cheaters and I can’t tolerate cheating in my team! I must fire him!” Claude said with a gloomy face.

“But I heard that Li was recommended by the team shareholder, so if it is not necessary, I can’t fire him! But he must get away from my team.” Obviously, Claude was sophisticated. He knew that if he offended the shareholders, he might cause some unnecessary trouble to Harman’s whole coaching team.

Claude thought for a while and came up with an idea. “I can expose him in front of the whole coaching team, and then everyone will know that he is a cheat. Then I will have sufficient reason to fire him! Even the shareholders will be embarrassed to shield him!”

Thinking of this, Claude said to his assistant, “Please go to the medical room and inform them that I want to give the athletes an electrolyte test!”

After more than an hour, the meeting was over, and Coach Harman looked at the crowd and asked if anyone wanted to say anything.

Claude decisively stood up and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I just found out that the weight of Feng Gao, Yunping Zheng, and Jinshan Sun has been brought down to standard. They have successfully lost five kilograms. If so, can the three players get involved in normal training?”

“Last season, Yunping Zheng was always our starter, and Feng Gao and Jinshan Sun are important on the bench. Especially Feng Gao, who scored six goals last season. If they have lost the excess weight, they should return to normal training,” said assistant coach Draco

Harman asked, “Claude, I remember you said that the three players began to lose weight three days ago, and your expectation for them was five kilograms. I know it’s not impossible to lose five kilograms in three days, but to be honest, it would be very difficult.”

“Yeah, I think so too,” said Claude. He swung the body weight report in his hand, “But the newcomer, Dai Li, did it. And he also sent me a body weight report.”

Claude gave the team doctor Marla Rodney the weight test report, and the doctor looked at it and then nodded to the crowd. “Yes, it is the seal of our medical group.”

“So, the three players actually lost five kilograms in three days? The new physical coach is great!” Someone in the meeting room made an exclamation of surprise.

“I couldn’t agree with you more. I was surprised that the club had recruited such a talent.” Claude stressed the word “talent” in particular. Then he added, “So I’m going to see the weight loss results of the three players in person. Do you have any interest in going with me? Marla Rodney, you are the team doctor, please come with me!”

Marla Rodney frowned. At first, he thought that Claude was suspicious of the medical group’s weight test results. But after he considered it, he instantly understood Claude’s intention.

“I would like to go with you!” said assistant coach Draco.

The head coach, Harman, said to the crowd, “If you don’t have anything important, let’s go together and have a look.”

Everyone in the coaching staff, including the assistants, goalkeeping coach, physical coach, team doctor, therapists, and data analysts, had followed Harman for many years. The tacit understanding between them had formed since their work together in Europe, so at the moment, they knew Claude’s intention under the circumstances.

“Is Claude going to fire the new coach?”

“The new coach was so bold that he dared to cheat on Claude’s assignment.”

“It is impossible to lose five kilograms in three days, so it will be interesting to see what happens next.”

Those in the meeting room couldn’t help talking about it.

Chowtai Kim felt uncomfortable, and he thought Dai Li had impressed the head group so much that he might be overshadowed. Yet, hearing the whispers in the meeting room, he suddenly understood the whole thing.

It was a fraud! I’m the best, for sure! Chowtai Kim curled his lip, laughed, and stood up to go taunt Dai Li.

Dai Li was surprised that the whole coaching staff was in front of him.

Apart from the head coach Harman and the physical coach Claude, he hadn’t yet met the other people in front of him, such as the assistant coaches, the data analysts, and so on. He had just been here for three days, and he hadn’t had the opportunity to get in touch with the other core members of Harman’s team.

Why are so many people here? It seems that all the members of Harman’s team are here. It was just some weight-loss training, is this really necessary? Dai Li couldn’t help thinking of the three athletes who had lost weight.

Are the three players so important to the coaching team? One of them is a starter and the other are two benches, but their performance was not very good in the game several days ago. Those foreign players, on the other hand, were quite great.

Dai Li stood there and guessed blindly. After all, he was not a soccer coach, and so he didn’t know very much about professional soccer. When it came to the tactics of professional soccer, Dai Li was just as uninformed the average person.

Meanwhile, the three players were already standing on the scale.

The first on the scale was Feng Gao. When he steadied himself, the staff next to him immediately spoke out his weight.

“81.05 kilograms!”

“It’s amazing, he is five kilograms lighter than three days ago!”

“In terms of shape, he seems to be thinner than he was a few days ago, too.”

“But he is a little heavier than last year. Although the weight conformed with the standard of normal training, he was six kilograms heavier than last season.”

“It doesn’t matter, the new season hasn’t started yet. His weight could be 75 kilograms after he has trained in the team for several days.”

Everyone murmured.

The second on the scale was Yunping Zheng.

“78.80 kilograms!” The staff spoke out his weight.

“Zheng’s weight loss result was more obvious than Gao’s! He has lost 5.7 kilograms?”

“Yeah, if he keeps on training for one more day, he would lose six kilograms.”

“Yunping Zheng is older than the others, and it is normal for athletes of his age to gain weight. If he could maintain his weight in this range, he would be quite successful.”

“You have got a point! Coach Harman has planned to reduce how much he starts in all competitions. After all, he is more than 30 years old, so his body is certainly not as good as the younger athletes. What’s more, older athletes are more likely to get hurt.”

The third on the scale was Jinshan Sun, who had lost more than five kilograms.

According to the scale, Dai Li had more than met Claude’s demands. At the same time, he also seemed very relaxed.

“It was true, everyone has lost more than five kilograms! I thought the new physical coach was a fraud!”

“Calm down, the fun hasn’t started yet! Have a look at Claude’s expression…”

Claude was looking at Dai Li with a mocking expression in his eyes.

Why is Claude looking at me like that? He gave me a week to finish the task, but I did it in three days. He should have praised me, but why this? Dai Li was confused.

Claude waved to his assistant. “I asked you to prepare the electrolyte test. How is it coming?”

“It can be done at any time,” answered the assistant.

“Well, now we can test their electrolytes.” Claude deliberately amplified his voice so that everyone could hear it.

Electrolyte test? I got it! Everyone there was a professional, they finally figured out that the three players had only lost their body water, but they didn’t speak out. When Claude proposed an “electrolyte test,” even the less responsive could understand.

If an athlete lost five kilograms in three days by losing body water rather than fat, then the body would be in a state of dehydration. At this point, only an electrolyte test could distinguish between the two.

After exercise, the body would sweat a lot. Apart from the loss of body water, the body would also lose a massive number of electrolytes. In fact, in terms of the metabolism of body, the loss of water is the same thing as the loss of electrolytes. For example, if saline and glucose were injected into someone who was dehydrated, their body would be supplemented with water and electrolytes.

Claude proposing an electrolyte test at this moment obviously revealed his intention. As long as the test report showed some problems, then he could prove that the three players were in a state of dehydration, and the so-called five kilograms of weight loss was useless for the athletes. What’s more, the physical condition of the three players could be affected if they stay in a dehydrated state for a long time.

Claude looked at Dai Li with elation, and it seemed that he wanted to say, “I’ve seen through your trickery.”

However, Dai Li couldn’t help sighing, and he even looked at the three players with sympathy.

When Dai Li heard the words “electrolyte test,” he immediately understood that Claude believed that the three players had just lost their body water rather than their fat.

Claude was so scornful of me that he overthought this. I just promised to help the three players to lose five kilograms in three days! It is the three players who suffered as their blood was drawn, Dai Li thought silently.

The medical team of the Dingtian Football Club had special testing equipment and professional doctors, and they were dedicated to serving the athletes. Therefore, they were faster in completing the electrolyte test than a hospital laboratory would have been. Soon, the medical team brought three reports.

“Here is the report!” Claude looked at Dai Li again and he found Dai Li was not nervous at all.

Pretend to be calm; I wondered how long you can hold it! Chowtai Kim gloated over Dai Li at the distance.

The staff of the medical team handed the test report to Marla Rodney, the head doctor of the medical team. He was a professional doctor, so it would be the most authoritative for him to interpret the medical report.

“What are the results?” asked Claude.

“Nothing wrong!” Marla Rodney looked up and gave Claude a nonplussed look, then he repeated what he had said, “The result of the electrolyte testing was normal!”

Chapter 322: Second-Rate Young Player

“There’s nothing wrong with the results?” Claude’s eyes glistened with astonishment.

“In terms of indicators, Feng Gao’s body was all right,” answered Marla Rodney.

“How about Zheng and Sun?” Claude questioned impatiently.

“Uh, let me see…” Marla Rodney lifted his reading glasses and looked carefully at the other two reports. Then he raised his head and said, “The electrolyte test reports of Zheng and Sun are normal.”

Marla Rodney was concerned that Claude would not believe the result, so he handed over the three reports to Claude. There were normal numerical ranges on the reports, so even if Claude was not professional medical worker, he could easily understand the report.

There are no issues with the electrolyte test, and all the indicators are in the normal range? How could that be? Is it true that they lost five kilograms in three days? Claude couldn’t help looking at Dai Li when he thought this.

“The results of the electrolyte test were normal, which means that these athletes were not in a dehydrated state. In other words, they actually lost five kilograms.”

“Losing five kilograms in three days; I thought it was just an ‘ideal situation’ sort of thing. It is surprising to me that it was achieved.”

“There have been similar cases in the top training centers of Europe and the United States. But that was all done by top trainers. I am surprised that an Asian coach could do it.”

“Who is the new physical coach? I thought he was just an ordinary coach, but his ability really surprised me.”

Everyone turned their attention to Dai Li. Although they were all the top professionals in their sport, no one was better than Dai Li in terms of helping athletes lose weight.

Claude was very embarrassed. He had proposed an electrolyte test with the aim of making a fool of Dai Li and then firing him. But Dai Li was not a fraud as he had expected. And the electrolyte test reports in his hand had become the best evidence for Dai Li.

Claude knew that he had misunderstood Dai Li. But it would be quite embarrassing for him to apologize to Li in front of so many people.

Harman looked at Claude and was ready to relieve him of the awkward atmosphere, and then he smiled and said, “Coach Li has successfully finished his task, and it took him only three days to complete the task that usually would have taken a week to complete. Claude, congratulations, you have a good helper! Coach Li will be able to help you with a lot of work.”

Claude recovered in time to nod and say, “I’m ready to arrange new training tasks for Coach Li, and I’m going to make him responsible for part of the physical training of young players.”

Claude was quite realistic. He had questioned Dai Li’s ability, but now that he recognized Li’s talent in training, his attitude toward Li changed immediately. Moreover, he had a good helper, so why not?

But Chowtai Kim, not far away, frowned. He was apparently unhappy with the news.

Being in charge of the physical training of young players has always been my pursuit. D*mn it, it was taken away by Dai Li.

Unconsciously, Kim looked at Li, his eyes full of envy and resentment.

Older players, young players, less experienced players, injured players—there were always some athletes on a team who had special requirements for the frequency and intensity of training. The training level of these players was different from normal players.

In terms of training intensity, the daily training of those players who seldom had a chance to play was definitely more intense. For example, when the match day approached, the team’s main players and benches would mainly do warm-up exercises, or they would just do some relatively easy targeted training, because they needed to reserve physical strength for the match. The players who seldom had a chance to play, on the other hand, still had to receive high intensity training.

European soccer teams have always attached great attention to the cultivation of young players, and they have the best training system for young players. Now, the Dingtian Soccer Team had that too, thanks to Harman’s coaching team. So, training young athletes was also an important task for Harman’s team.

Before he left, Coach Franz had been responsible for the training of young athletes, but now he had returned to Europe for surgery. Therefore, who would take over the task was a question of great significance.

Chowtai Kim had traveled far to join the Dingtian Club, and given up his job as a physical coach in Quan Nan Tian Long. His purpose in coming here was not just for hundreds of thousands of yuan per year, because he could earn more in Korea.

Kim came here because he was attracted by Harman’s coaching team. He hoped that he could become a real member of Harman’s team and become an international level coach.

Therefore, Chowtai Kim was eager to take over Franz’s job. He even planned to ask Claude about taking over the physical training of young athletes several days later.

But nobody knew what was coming next. Before Kim put forward his request, Claude had made Dai Li responsible for the physical training of young players.

The physical fitness of the young players in the Dingtian Club is much worse than the main players! Dai Li looked at the testing results and kept shaking head.

It was true that the main players in the Dingtian Club were near-perfect. The Dingtian Club recruited first-class players in China and some of the world’s top players by investing lots of money. It wasn’t unusual for a national starter to be a bench in the Dingtian Club.

But the abilities of the young athletes in the Dingtian Club were terrible.

The youth training of soccer was a huge systematic project, which required much investment, but it took effect slowly. It took decades for strong European teams to set up perfect youth training systems, and the Chinese domestic youth training system couldn’t be compared with it.

What’s more, the number of young people in China who regularly played soccer was smaller than that of Europe. A good team could be established in a small town of Europe by choosing local lads. However, there wasn’t even a place to play soccer in a big city of millions of citizens in China. Therefore, although the youth training system was introduced in China, it was difficult to find enough young players.

Even the Dingtian Club couldn’t recruit young players with high levels of talent, let alone other clubs which joined in low-level leagues. So even though the Dingtian Club had back to back wins, their young athletes were not as impressive as their success would suggest.

“Their personal abilities are so weak, with low-level talent that is full of defects. They need to improve their physical energy in an integrated way.” Dai Li looked down one A4 paper, filled with training goals and a general training plan. Of course, specific implementation depended on Dai Li.

“Maybe I should try the effects of Physical Energy Rampage!”

Chapter 323: Outbreak Movement

Growing up in Canada, Haoxin Liu was fluent in English, functional in Cantonese, but barely understandable in Mandarin.

These days, a large number of people from Hong Kong went north for work. The Dingtian Club had no salary advantage, since the pay level in Hong Kong was very high. But for Haoxin Liu, Hong Kong offered fewer work opportunities.

Hong Kong was very small and didn’t have many good athletes, let alone a team that could compete with the top Asian professional teams. Haoxin Liu didn’t want to stay in Hong Kong to teach those low-level athletes, so he chose to go north for more opportunities.

Growing up in North America, Haoxin Liu had no special feelings about soccer. After all, soccer was not very popular in North America. Unlike Chowtai Kim joining the Dingtian Club for the Herman team, Haoxin Liu hoped to find a place to use his talent.

Standing in his room now, he seemed to be uncertain as he looked at the training ground through the window.

On the training ground, Dai Li was leading several young athletes, walking in large circles around the grounds.

“What are they doing? They have circled the training ground for a few laps.” Haoxin Liu had no idea what Dai Li intended.

“It is indeed walking. Fast though, but what’s the point of that?”

After watching it for over half an hour, Haoxin Liu still couldn’t understand what Dai Li was doing. Finally, he called a colleague nearby and asked, “What training program is Coach Li doing over there?”

“Running around the ground,” the colleague answered immediately after glancing at it.

“No, they are not running. They are walking, walking quickly,” Haoxin Liu said.

“Running made them tired, so they are walking now,” the colleague said again.

“They have walked for a quite a long time,” Haoxin Liu continued.

“It’s normal in training. They will walk for a while if running has tired them out. After recovering, they then continue to run,” the colleague gave a response again.

The answer made Haoxin Liu speechless. He wanted to express the whole process in detail, but he didn’t how to say it. Definitely, he could express himself clearly in English. However, his broken Mandarin failed him in organizing words well enough to express his meaning in a short time.

On the training ground, Dai Li and his athletes walked another lap. When they were close to Haoxin Liu, he at last saw that Dai Li carried a bag on his back.

“Coach Li carries a bag for weight training? No. For weight training, the athletes should be loaded, but now they carry nothing while the coach is loaded.”

Meanwhile, Dai Li wiped the sweat from his head. Carrying an audio speaker while speed walking for over an hour was really exhausting. Dai Li worked in physical training all year round and exercised frequently, and he was still almost out of breath.

“The outbreak is really tiring, but you seem to enjoy it! No wonder so many people like it,” Dai Li took a breath.

Doing outbreak movement naturally needed music to follow. The musical rhythm coming out of the big audio speaker could easily surge adrenaline concentration and make people become more and more energetic.

The music for outbreak movement was different from that of square dancing. Square dancing music tended to focus on rhythm and sounded festive or grand.

But outbreak movement music was more dynamic and tended to sound younger. Even a lot of American and European rock music could be used for it.

As for young players, it would be hard for them to accept such square dancing music, but they had no resistance to dynamic American and European music.

Besides, young players were often obedient. Especially for those young ordinary players without any talents, they had no nearly chance to enter the field. Even as a training partner, the star players loathed them. Therefore, staying on the team was a blessing for them, and they didn’t dare to doubt the coach’s training method.

So Dai Li tried to build up the athletes’ physical strength through outbreak movement and carried it out smoothly.

Surely, he didn’t take athletes for a whole-day outbreak, since he was a fitness coach after all. If he just led his athletes walking around the ground, others would be suspicious. Furthermore, his physical strength could not keep up himself.

Thus, in the name of warm-up, Dai Li divided daily training into two parts so as to practice physical outbreak. And the time for each exercise was also slightly longer to cast a mist before others’ eyes.

…

Chowtai Kim walked around the room, depressed and gloomy.

He wanted to train those young players, but now that job had been given to Dai Li. At present, he just followed Claude and did everything that was assigned to him. Though Kim could contact the main players on this team every day and help them with their training, he was similar to a training assistant.

“Dai Li is responsible for the physical training of those young players now. It is not good to go on like this. If his training really works out, Claude will put him in an important position. Then, I will be second to him! No way! I need to find a chance to check how his training is progressing.”

Chowtai Kim was not a passive person. When he thought of this, he took the opportunity to walk to Dai Li’s training ground.

He heard some faint music.

“Where is the music from? Whose phone is playing this? Sounds like rock music. No. The sound of a phone cannot spread so far on this open ground. Much more like from special sound equipment.”

He frowned, slowed down, listened carefully, and finally knew the direction of the sound.

“Over there!” Looking in that direction, Kim saw a group of people walking quickly.

“What are they doing? Warm-up before training? No. It is more walking quickly than running.”

Stopping there, he stared at this group of people. Dai Li was leading as the young players followed behind.

One minute, two minutes, three minutes… After staring for more than ten minutes, he realized the team were still walking quickly without any sign of running.

“It’s been a dozen minutes. Why are they still walking? And that sound comes from them. I think they have no intention of running. They are just walking to the music. Do they seriously think this is physical training?”

Chowtai Kim suddenly burst into laughter. “This training may be effective for ordinary people, but not for soccer players!”

“I heard that Dai Li was a physical coach of a table tennis team. Maybe this is a physical training method for table tennis, but how can table tennis be compared to soccer? If he thinks he can apply his method for ping pong to soccer training, he has made a big mistake. Seems that I don’t need to worry about this Dai Li. He doesn’t know soccer physical training at all. In a few days, I will replace this layman!”

Chapter 324: Wish Fulfilled

The new season was about to begin, and the team was in the final stages of preparation.

At this time, drilling tactics became the main task of the coaching staff.

The lineup of the Dingtian Soccer Club changed little this year, and the players were quite familiar with Herman’s tactical systems. They needn’t learn new tactics. They just needed to practice new tactical changes on present tactics.

The time left for physical training also began to dwindle, and it would become more valuable as the new season began. For example, players had strength training nearly every day before the new season, while during the season, training twice a week would be quite good.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff also arranged actual competition training to allow players to familiarize themselves with the use of tactics.

The players of the club were divided into two groups for confrontation. Group A were all main players, and Group B were the young players and those who had nearly no opportunity to enter the field.

A professional team contained about 30 players, but in official games, only 14 players could play on the court at the start, including 11 starters and three substitutes. Even the squad list for official games contained 18 players, including a substitute goalkeeper. Therefore, at least one-third of the team had no chance to play on the field, and it would be no problem for them to form a team.

Furthermore, in the Dingtian Soccer Club, there was a large gap between the levels of the players. Main players included some world-class star players and national team players who were quite expensive and talented. Those players who nearly had no chance to enter the field were in the second-class even in domestic leagues.

Owing to the great gap of strength, this kind of practice match tended to be one-sided. How could those players who had nearly no chance to enter the field rival the main players? Because of the gap of strength, the group of main players could easily practice new tactics in the training match.

Standing on the sidelines, Coach Harman was watching the field with no expression on his face.

The score was now 4-0 with Group A in the lead, but this result was unexpected.

“Group B played well today. They run actively, and although there are plenty of mistakes, their coverage is excellent.” Looking at his watch, Harman continued, “I thought Group A would have a much bigger lead so far, but they have only scored four goals.”

“Two of those goals depend on Neol’s personal capability,” assistant coach Draco added, “so only two of the goals were really because of their tactical coordination.”

“Group A made no obvious mistakes in tactics, but several of their attempts at tactical coordination were destroyed by Group B. Players in Group B may not be sufficient in personal capability, but they are also our players, and they know the tactical intentions of Group A,” said assistant coach Georg.

“I’m afraid it’s more than that.” Watching his watch again, Harman murmured, “70 minutes.”

Surprised at first, the two assistant coaches then understood what Harman meant after seeing the players performance.

“This game has lasted for 70 minutes, and the match on the field is still very intense and the game still holds a fast pace. I’m not surprised at the performance of Group A, but the fact that Group B is still keeping up is completely unexpected,” Harman said slowly.

“In terms of ball possession, Group A owns absolute advantage. I have informed the data analysis team to record the covering distances all the players run,” Draco said.

…

“How could the covering distance of Group B be more than that of Group A?” Looking at the report by data analysis team, Draco was astonished.

“Of course. During the whole game, Group B was in a passive position at all times. They have to run constantly to defend against the attacks of Group A. Since they have to follow the pace of Group A, there is no doubt that they will cover a longer distance in passive defense,” the analyst explained.

“I know what you said. But I want to know, how did they manage to run the whole time? Could their physical strength bear it?” Draco said.

“About this question, you should ask Claude. He is in charge of physical training, and he will give you a reasonable explanation. What I can provide is only data for your tactical analysis.” The analyst was an old member of Harman’s team. He shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, thanks.” Holding this report, Draco headed for Claude’s office.

Claude was as busy as a bee. Since Franz returned to Europe to recuperate, the physical training work of two coaches had all been on his shoulders.

“Claude! Look at this!” Draco rushed into Claude’s office, saw the gaunt Claude, and handed him the report.

“What’s this?” Claude asked.

“Data from the data analysis team about the game today,” Draco answered.

“Ah. Put it aside. I’ll look at it after I finish what I’m doing,” Claude said.

“No, you should see it now.” Pushing the report closer to him, Draco continued, “Look at the covering distance. Group B exceeded Group A unexpectedly.”

“What’s so strange about that? The underdog must constantly defend, so the covering distance will naturally be greater,” Claude answered.

“But they are Group B! Don’t you know their capabilities? Have you watched today’s game? They run all the time…”

Claude interrupted him. “I’m sorry. I only watched the first half. You know I have too much work to do. It’s impossible for me to watch the whole game.”

“So, you didn’t watch the second half?” Draco sighed and said, “Well, let me explain to you what happened, then.”

“During the whole second half, the players of Group B ran all the time. Unexpectedly, they could keep up with the pace that Group A set. More importantly, they were not at a disadvantage…” Draco introduced the second half.

“You mean some players of Group B level off with Group A in terms of energy expenditure?” Claude grasped the gist of the problem.

“Yes. When the game lasted for over 70 minutes, players’ physical capabilities should start to descend quickly. Normally, the energy expenditure of Group B would be more obvious. After all, there is a big difference in the individual quality of the players. Those young players of Group B cannot compare with the main players.”

He paused and continued, “But today was different. Those young men played till the last minute. Although they lost the game by a large margin, they performed well on the whole. Their weaknesses in technical and tactical coordination are still evident, but they are less inferior in physical quality.”

Claude’s expression finally became serious. After thinking about it for a few seconds, he said, “Recently, I handed over the training of young players to the young Coach Li. I have too much work at hand and I can’t keep track of it all.”

“You mean the new Dai Li is an expert on physical training?” Draco asked at once.

“I was impressed by the fact he made players lose five kilograms in three days. But in terms of physical training, we need to judge it based on data.” Claude thought and then said, “I intended to give Group B a morning off and do a physical test for them alone in the afternoon. Then we will know whether they have made progress or not.”

…

Several assistant coaches were missing on the training ground, but Chowtai Kim’s face was filled with undeniable joy.

Some assistant coaches were selected for the players’ physical test, Chowtai Kim couldn’t help looking in another direction across the training ground.

Because of the distance and the huge wire fence in the middle, he could only see the shadows but not the details.

“I heard they are testing the young players on our team. Dai Li is in charge of them, and Claude wants to know how his training is going.” He couldn’t help thinking of the scene he had stumbled upon a while ago, when Dai Li was leading the young players to do an outbreak movement.

“Outbreak? Well! Could that useless training have any effect? The result of this physical test must be pretty bad!” Ambition appeared in his eyes.

“If so, should I recommend myself to Claude to train those young players? Great. That’s it. That’s a unique opportunity. With my rich coaching experience, the chance of success is quite high. What a great opportunity! I can’t miss it.”

In his mind, he was imaging taking over Dai Li’s position and showing his ability in training work. Then he would get Claude’s trust and finally enter Harman’s coaching team.

…

Early the next morning, Claude summoned all the physical coaches and their assistant coaches.

“I called you together to announce some adjustments to our work.” After clearing his throat, he took out his coach board and opened one page.

“Coach Chowtai Kim.” He looked at Chowtai Kim.

Hearing his name, Chowtai Kim involuntarily took a deep breath, full of expectation.

“From now on, you will take over training young players from Coach Li,” Claude said.

Chowtai Kim was so happy. He hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. He had replaced Dai Li and become physical training coach of the young players.

Dai Li was removed as expected. I knew it. His training method is not suitable for soccer at all. You know nothing about physical training in soccer! It must be because of the terrible result of yesterday’s physical test. It is absolutely right for Claude to choose me to replace you. Finally, it’s my show time!

Chowtai Kim looked at Dai Li with an intentional expression of pity in his eyes.

At this time, Claude said again, “As for Coach Dai Li, from today on, you are going to share some of my work. The main players’ cycle training is on you!”

What? Main players’ cycle training! Chowtai Kim’s proud face immediately turned pale…

Chapter 325: Period Training

Chowtai Kim, just as he had wished, finally replaced Dai Li as the physical coach for the young players of the team. Then he enjoyed a sense of achievement and superiority for a couple of seconds. But after that, he felt that he had been cheated when he heard Claude’s new appointment for Dai Li.

Dai Li was indeed no longer the fitness coach for the young players. But he got a better new job in charge of the period physical training of key players.

Jin knew that these two jobs were on totally different levels. The period training of key players, compared with the training of young players, could be considered the core work in a team.

Period training was not to design a timetable, nor to choose the workouts and decide how many times trainees should do them. And it was not a one-time exercise to make an athlete tired and sweating, either.

True period training could turn a small, skinny child into a strong warrior, and then he would kill you on the pitch.

In more detail, period training was a systematic and flexible training guided by an ultimate goal. It used long-term and flexible methods to achieve different aims during different phases. And it let the accumulation of those different aims lead to the fulfillment of the ultimate goal.

In professional soccer or professional basketball games, one season’s schedule tended to be relatively complicated. For example, in the NBA, a team would play 82 games in a season, including road games far away and hard back-to-back games. In soccer, a team in the Premier League played 38 rounds in the league, plus the FA Cup and Carling Cup. Strong teams also played in the Champions League, and occasionally players were temporarily absent because of the national team’s games.

This kind of irregular schedule made the training of the players irregular, too. A rigid training plan was obviously not practical in such a situation, and adjustments and changes had to be applied to the training according to the actual schedule of games.

For instance, players of an NBA team just finished back-to-back road games and they were tired to death. If training was arranged on the second day, it wouldn’t help the team, and on the contrary, it could have bad influences on the team. And playing away from home in a soccer game brought restrictions of training conditions that might make some training programs impossible to carry out, and there was also a possibility of leaks of tactical intentions.in away games.

In this case, period training became the training method that had to be used.

Considering three weeks as a short period, one to two months a medium period, and one season a long period, one could set different levels of goals as well as training programs.

Take strength training as an example. It would be impossible for a player to do strength training every day during the season. If he went to his fitness coach for advice, the fitness coach might tell him to do strength training four times per fortnight. A layman might regard “four times per fortnight” as “twice a week.”

But in fact, the fitness coach has used a professional expression of period training. The so-called “four times per fortnight” might be one training session in the first week and three sessions of training in the second week, and it might mean that the player should complete all four training sessions within one week, too.

During the whole season, all training programs of a team were arranged with the period training as their core. So Claude gave the job to Dai Li, which meant that Dai Li began to take the core work of the team.

In fact, since period training was a very complicated and professional training method, it was not available for each player. In professional teams, there were always some people who didn’t even have the chance to play. For example, if a soccer match had an 18-player list, and the other players who were not on that list had no task to play, no coach would arrange complicated period training sessions for them.

…

“I heard that you’ve had Dai Li in charge of the period training of main players.” Harman, holding a coffee cup, continued, “It was all your responsibility before.”

“I’m letting Li get familiar with the work first. I will teach him soon, and I hope he can help me with this part of the job. I’m letting him get used to it at the beginning of the season, because I am afraid I will have no time to take care of it when the season proceeds and player injuries start coming up,” Claude answered.

“Yeah, you were in charge of period training and Franz was in charge of the special training for the injured players. Now you are left alone, and it is really hard for you to take care of these two tasks at the same time. More professional knowledge and experience are needed in the special training for the injured players, otherwise, the training will make the player’s injury worse. It really needs your efforts. Compared with it, the period training is only daily work that just needs a step-by-step carrying out, which is much simpler.”

Haman took a sip of coffee, then put down his cup and asked, “But is the young Dai Li qualified enough for the job? Claude, I’m not interfering with your work, but I am still worried about the ability of Asian coaches.”

“I brought you this.” Claude handed a document to Harman. “These are the latest physical fitness reports of the young players on the team. I had Dai Li in charge of them during this time, so these reports can be seen as the results of his work.”

Harman took the reports and read them one by one. Gradually, he seemed to relax.

“Significant progress,” he said. “Usually I don’t pay much attention to these young players, but according to these figures, they have made great progress. It seems that Dai Li is not only good at helping athletes lose weight, but is also a good physical trainer.”

“Yes, he is a professional fitness coach after all,” Claude agreed. “In terms of soccer training, Asian coaches are way behind us indeed. But as a fitness coach, Dai Li is comparable to European coaches. I think he will be able to fulfill Franz’s responsibilities after some training.”

…

On the training ground, most of the players looked at Dai Li curiously.

In their opinion, Dai Li was too young, even younger than several players on the field. Such a young coach was very rare in the country.

Several of the foreign players, led by Neol, were not interested in him. Professional sports started early in western countries, which resulted in a more complete coach training system. Even in South American countries like Brazil and Argentina that are not as rich as European countries, many young people choose to be coaches.

However, Feng Gao, Yunping Zheng, and Jinshan Sun knew Dai Li’s abilities.

Dai Li made them lose five kilos of weight within three days without extremely heavy exercises or dieting. He simply made them slim. The three had no idea how Dai Li did that. But they all knew that Dai Li was a great coach.

“Gao, is that the Coach Li who helped you lose weight?” someone asked.

“Yes, that’s him! Five kilos in three days. I even thought I had to be sick to lose so much weight, until I saw the results of the physical test, which showed that I am healthy,” Feng Gao replied.

“He is so young! I think he is younger than me,” the other player continued.

“I don’t know his age. Maybe he is younger than you,” Feng Gao answered with a smile.

“Oh, and you once told me that this Coach Li’s way of warming up is unique. It’s like doing a radio broadcast exercise?” the other added.

“Yes, and you do it for a long time.” Gao nodded and then said, “I’ve been playing soccer for so many years and experienced a lot of coaches. It’s my first time to see such a way of warming up. I was really embarrassed when I did it for the first time.”

Days before, Dai Li had helped Gao and two others to lose weight with a kind of gymnastics disguised as a warm up. So Gao always thought that he was doing some sort of warm up similar to a radio broadcast exercise.

“I am really curious about the radio broadcast exercise that can be used as a warm up.” The player beside Gao looked eager for a try.

“He will probably help us warm up later. You’ll know then,” Feng Gao answered.

At that moment Dai Li stepped in front of the crowd with a small black box.

“First of all, let’s warm up. Simple movements. Please just follow me!” said Dai Li.

“Sure, it’s time for the radio broadcast exercise,” Gao whispered, and then stood prepared for the slimnastics.

However, Dai Li pressed the button on the black box and then music boomed out from it.

That box was a portable loudspeaker.

“Full preparations of equipment! Was there music for you when you were doing the radio broadcast exercise?” The player beside Gao asked.

But Feng Gao replied with a confused face, “Music? Our warm up didn’t go with music but beats—one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight—cried by Coach Li. That’s all we got.”

“Maybe the presence of the foreign players is the reason here. They probably cannot understand the orders if he just shouts out beats in Chinese, ” the other player said with a smile, trying to find an explanation.

At the same time, the prelude ended.

“Sounds like the popular song for square dance lately.”

“It is indeed the song for a square dance. Don’t tell me that Coach Li is going to teach us to square dance?”

“Stop joking! He is a professional coach and we are professional athletes. Square dance? Your imagination is so great.”

But Dai Li had begun to perform a square dance as the warm up while several players discussed in low voices.

Those who followed his movements didn’t recognize it at the start, but soon they realized that something was wrong.

Someone looked to Feng Gao and said with doubt, “It’s not the radio broadcast exercise! We are just performing a square dance!”

Feng Gao answered innocently and unhappily, “Why do you blame me for this? I’m not a liar! I was doing the radio broadcast exercise at that moment! I don’t know how the radio broadcast exercise became square dancing!”

Chapter 326: Coach Li Likes Warming Up

The music stopped.

Neol swept the sweat from his forehead. His face was still filled with curiosity. As a foreign player from Brazil who had just been here for one year, he had just square danced for the first time in his life. Neol found it interesting to do such a dance with unique movements to pleasant music.

But the domestic players didn’t know what to do. They were all professional soccer players and some of them ranked top in the nation. They had experienced a lot and, of course, they had met many different coaches. But it was the first time for them to see a coach getting everyone to square dance.

But then, Dai Li’s training became even more surprising. He asked everyone to follow him to walk fast around the training ground.

At first, everyone thought that Dai Li was about to start a long run. This kind of training was normal for soccer players. But after a few laps, the players found that Dai Li did not want to run.

“It has been a couple of laps of walking. When are we going to run?”

“Will we keep going like this? What exactly does this newcomer Coach Li plan to do?”

“The coach doesn’t have to run with the athletes in a normal long run training. Doesn’t Coach Li know? He is with us now.”

“Why don’t we ask Coach Li for the exact number of laps he planned for us and accomplish it ourselves? We might finish this program more quickly that way.”

“It seems that Coach Li never wants to run at all. His plan is to walk fast.”

“And with music. Walking while listening to music. This kind of training is new to me!”

“This music serves our walk properly. Look at Neol. He is enjoying walking.”

“A typical man of South America, who can enjoy a funeral as long as there is dynamic music there.”

“Your words remind me of the popular ‘Outbreak’ lately. Isn’t it the same as what we are doing now? Walking fast with music!”

“The ‘Outbreak’? Right! We are now doing ‘outbreak’!”

“First the square dance, then the ‘Outbreak.’ What does Coach Li want? What kind of training method is this?”

“Gao, you are familiar with Coach Li. Go ask him. When should we start to run? It makes no sense to keep walking like this!” a player told Feng Gao.

Gao nodded after a little hesitation and then ran to Dai Li.

“Coach Li, what are we doing?” he asked.

“Training, of course,” said Dai Li without hesitation.

“Should we keep walking? Or should we start to run?” Feng Gao added.

“No, just walk.” Li continued, “We need to warm up before the formal training.”

“Coach Li? So, it is the warm up!” Gao found out and nodded.

After one and a half hours, Dai Li had to stop the ‘outbreak’ although he wanted all the players to continue.

Physical ‘Outbreak’ would greatly improve a player’s physical strength. Dai Li wanted to keep those athletes doing the ‘outbreak’ as long as possible. But he could not do that. A training plan fully occupied by ‘Outbreak’ would get questioned by the public, regardless of whether the athletes were willing to follow the plan or not.

Therefore, Dai Li had to call his physical ‘outbreak’ training for the players a ‘warm up.’ But players in training couldn’t always be warming up. So Dai Li administered normal physical training programs for the rest of the training time.

The physical ‘outbreak’ took up a lot of time. In Dai Li’s opinion, the improvement brought by his system skills were much more obvious than the improvement from normal physical training programs.

…

“We finished the training so quickly this morning. I don’t think we went through many programs.”

“Of course! We warmed up for one and a half hours, so the time left for other training programs was much shorter. That’s why the training seemed to end quickly. “

“Coach Li’s style of training is so strange. I’ve never seen such a long warm up before.”

“Maybe it is because he, as a newcomer who doesn’t know us, is afraid of injuring us in training. And he is not a coach of the Harman team. As a coach hired by the club itself, he tends to be more careful in training,” someone reasoned.

“That makes sense. If players like Neol get injured in training, the responsible coach will probably only be criticized if he is from the Harman team. But if the coach is hired from outside, like Coach Li, he will definitely be fired or at least be given the cold shoulder.”

“That is the so-called ‘no merits, no demerits.’ And of course, such sufficient warming up was effective. I was in good physical and mental condition during the training today. I even wanted more after the training ended.”

“But the time of the warm up was too long. It was a three hour training in the morning, of which one and a half hours were spent warming up. And the walking around the ground almost made me dizzy.”

“It’s okay for me. There was music anyway. The music was great. And I enjoyed walking with the music. Later I will ask Coach Li for his playlist.”

It was inevitable for the players to discuss the training after it was finished. And such discussions spread across the whole team in the following days.

Everyone now knew that Dai Li was a coach who liked to ask athletes to warm up, and everyone now knew that Dai Li did it because he was more careful and was afraid of injuring players in training.

Every coach had a different style of training, and some coaches were passionate when they were training. Some coaches were very serious in training. Some coaches had a high requirement for training, which required the athletes to reach the limit and to be exhausted every time. Some coaches were extremely strict with data, so if you were asked to do 20 push-ups, you had to make it 20 exactly.

Those were all styles of coaching. There was no right or wrong when it came to training styles. The matter was whether it was suitable or not. Some athletes were more comfortable with the training of a certain coach, so that they were able to get a great improvement in training easily. While some athletes couldn’t fit in the training of a certain coach and they just got half the result with twice the effort.

But people can’t judge that the training style of Coach A is right and Coach B is wrong. Sports training can only be defined as “effective” or “ineffective,” rather than “right” or “wrong.”

Therefore, Dai Li’s method of “two hours warming up and two minutes formal training” would never be called a wrong method.

What’s more, everyone agreed that Li was doing so to get the athletes warmed up and to avoid injury during training. Taking Dai Li’s identity as a coach hired by the club rather than a member of the Harman team into consideration, people showed understanding to his way of training.

Some even marked Dai Li with the adjective “cowardly.” In their opinions, Dai Li’s style was cowardly because he intentionally increased the warm up time to shorten the time of normal training, which would weaken the effects of training, only to avoid injuries to the players.

…

“Do you know that the training this morning contained a warm up of more than two hours?”

“Two hours for warming up? No wonder! When I went to copy the papers today, I saw them walking around the field, and when I came back, they were still walking around the field.”

“Coach Li is too cowardly! Two hours for warming up. That’s not a warm up. I think he’s deliberately trying to reduce the time of formal training.”

“Why would Coach Li do that? Won’t the reduction of training time lead to inefficiency of training?”

“Don’t you know? If the coach reduces training time, it is less likely for players to get injured in training.”

“So it is! I never thought of that. However, I am sorry for the Coach Li. Those Europeans are always looking down on our local coaches. Working with them is never easy. Perhaps a tiny mistake will put you in the doghouse.”

“You are right. It is not easy for everyone to make a living.”

Dai Li soon found out about these discussions. He discovered that he had won the title of “the most cowardly coach.”

“Well, just let them misunderstand me. They will know the power of my training in the game. That will correct their opinions,” Dai Li thought.

…

Claude invited Dai Li to his office.

“Try this cup of coffee. I made it myself.” Claude handed a cup of coffee to Li and continued, “People of your country prefer tea. So, I found it difficult to buy my favorite flavor of coffee here. The coffee we are drinking now is brought from Europe by me. Its origins are on the Ethiopian plateau of Africa.”

“Thank you.” Li took the coffee and tasted it, but he didn’t think it made any difference.

That’s not because Claude’s coffee was fake or his way of making coffee was wrong. It was because Dai Li knew little about coffee. Chinese people prefer tea. Many Chinese can tell the differences between “Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong” black tea and “Jin Jun Mei” black tea. But few people in China know the differences between Indonesian coffee and Brazilian coffee.

The Ethiopian coffee was, of course, not the reason why Claude had called Dai Li to his office. He cleared his throat and said, “Coach Li, I’ve found that you like asking athletes to warm up.”

“Of course, it is the topic of this meeting.” Dai Li had guessed Claude’s purpose. So he replied immediately, “I think the sufficient warm up’s will make the following training more effective.”

“But a warm up that is too long will shorten the time for normal training, right?” Claude smiled and then added, “I know that you might be worried about injuries and choose a conservative way of training. That is understandable.”

“My purpose to get you here today is to tell you that you need not worry so much about training.” Claude assumed a serious look, then said more slowly, “I have chosen you to take charge of the period training. And that represents my trust in you. I will support you. Do you understand?”

“I understand.” Dai Li nodded and then explained, “Mr. Claude, I think you might misunderstand me. I am also good at athlete recovery. So, I don’t worry about their injuries caused by training. My plan of extended warm up’s is based on research and practice. I can assure you that such a means of training is more effective.”

“Really?” Claude smiled and argued no more with Li. He looked at Dai Li as a youth.

This young man needs to go through a hard time to learn what to do. I was the same as you when I was young. Energetic, stubborn, and unyielding. Claude thought that in Dai Li, he saw himself at the young age.

This guy is pretty good, the best of his peers. But he needs a mentor! Claude suddenly felt that he had a responsibility on his shoulders, and it was to be the mentor of Coach Li.

“The team is going to Denmark a few days from now, and I hope I can see the effects of your training,” said Claude, and turned his mind to other things.

Chapter 327: Warming up

The new season would start soon, but before it did, there were some warm-up matches for the Dingtian football team. The first opponent of the Dingtian football team would be the Copenhagen team, a veteran of Denmark.

Although the Danish football league is not very famous in Europe, and is not as good as the five major European leagues, it is a European team, and so would be a great challenge for Dingtian. Of course, in terms of the ability of the domestic football league, only Dingtian could complete with the Copenhagen football team, because they have Coach Harman, the tactical master.

However, the tactical master cannot deal with every single problem. When the two teams are at the same level, tactics can be turned into victories. However, if the opposing team is slightly stronger, the tactics can narrow the gap between the two teams. But when there is a clear gap between the two teams, even delicate tactics cannot bring victory for the weak.

Harman stood there, with a serious expression on his face. He knew there was a gap between the two teams, but he still wanted his team to win the match, even if it was just a warm-up match.

The warm-up match had been going on for a long time. Although Dingtian was still behind Copenhagen by a score of 1-2, Harman was very satisfied with the players’ performances.

However, Harman also knew that physical stamina remains a great challenge for most players, especially as the match enters into the last thirty minutes. The physical stamina of a player involves more than just his physical strength.

For instance, running the full 90 minutes on the court does not mean that you necessarily have good physical strength. Physical stamina is a comprehensive indicator, which means it contains endurance, speed, flexibility, agility, balance and so on. Given all these components, European players are indeed better in comparison to Asian Players.

For Harman, this was not just a matter of physical talent, but of training. The poor abilities of Asian coaches contributes to the poor physical staminas of Asian players. However, as many Asian players grew up in Europe or North America, they received the physical training of Europe and America at an early age. So, in terms of physical stamina, although they are inferior to the blacks, when compared with native Asian players, they are certainly better.

This is the function of training. When an Asian coach meets Asian players, it is just like playing cards. Harman is a top player, so even if he was unlucky enough to catch bad cards, he would still be able to have a better end result and outcome than most.

Also, while in the match, physical consumption has much to do with the intensity of the match. For example, if a football player played in the Chinese Super League, 90 minutes was enough for him to deplete all of his physical stamina. But when he played in the Asian Champion League, he was likely to use 70 minutes to execute tactical stamina, but it would be less efficient in the next 20 minutes. When he played in the UEFA Champion League, his stamina could only get him through until halftime.

The strength of the Copenhagen football team is less strong in the UEFA Champion League, and they are likely to lose in matches. But no matter how bad it is, it still adapts to the intensity of the UEFA Champion League. However, for the players of Dingtian, competing with the Copenhagen team requires more physical consumption than that of the Chinese Super League.

Harman had a deep understanding of the strength of his players, how they would fall behind and face the challenge of physical exhaustion. He also knew that they had poor abilities to execute their tactics, so it was almost impossible for them to equalize the playing field.

Harman knew that, by this time, the result had already been determined. However, at this point, there was a sudden change on the court. With several players passing the ball in succession, the play came down to Neol, who had abruptly passed through the defense of Copenhagen.

“Goal! We equalized the score!” cheers burst out immediately from the team of Dingtian.

This goal was the evidence of Neol’s ability. The Brazilian football player had no experience in the European League, but in terms of ability, he had shown today that he was indeed the world’s top player. Brazilians are different from Europeans in football. They may not be as good as Europeans in some ways, but they are definitely better than Europeans in singles.

Apart from Neol’s ability, Hartman also found something special in Neol. The players were still executing their tactics, which they executed effectively. As the head coach of the team, Hartman could easily discover whether they were executing the tactics or not.

Football is a team sport, yet the players in every position still have their own individual role and value. Each movement of the players is aimed at the changes on the court, and as such, the players should have a clear understanding of where they are, and what direction they are heading in. All of these components are the reflections of tactics. For example, if you run blindly, you will not only waste energy, but also cause loopholes in the team’s tactics.

“Their physical stamina was much better than I had expected, as by now, this late in the game, they were still efficient in executing the tactics.” Harman nodded silently, very satisfied with the result.

When the match went on into the midfield, the two teams played to a 2-2 draw. But in the last 10 minutes, the players in Dingtian did have a problem in their physical stamina. However, the Copenhagen team didn’t try their best to take this advantage and score. After all, it was only a warm-up match, so the result was not the most important, and the Copenhagen team was also willing to show the Danish this friendly gesture of restraint.

“The stamina of the players has improved greatly, and I can be completely reassured heading into the new season.” Harman breathed freely and continued to say to Cloud, “You have told me that you wanted Dai Li to take over the periodic training of the main players. To be honest, I was a little worried, but now, it seems that the young coach didn’t disappoint you.”

Cloud smiled awkwardly and, of course, he could sense that the players’ stamina was much better than it had been a few days earlier. At this point, Cloud couldn’t help but think of the explanation of Dai Li.

At that time, Cloud had assumed that Li’s explanation was merely an excuse for his stubbornness, and Cloud didn’t think that Li’s warm-up-oriented training would be effective. He was ready to take the video of the game to Li, then tell him what mistakes Li had made, thus playing the role of “life mentor”, and then talk about such things as ideals, with an aim to influence him and help the lost young guy find the right way to go.

But what was beyond Cloud’s expectation, was that the stamina of these players had remarkably improved, which meant that Li’s training was effective.

“How did this happen? These players spent more time warming up than they did in training, but their progress was so obvious, so what training method did he use?!” Cloud suddenly felt that it was not Dai Li who was lost, but himself!

Chapter 328: Running

Facts speak louder than words. When Cloud witnessed the apparent progress of his players, he never mentioned Li’s training method again. Meanwhile, Dai Li continued to use his training method, with training interlaced in the warm-up.

A week before the start of the Chinese Super League, the Dingtian football team played two matches in the group stage of the Asian Champions League. The first match would be against the Binh Duong team of the Vietnamese, and if nothing else, Dingtian would beat Binh Duong by 1-0 in Vietnam. Then, in the second match, Dingtian was at home, and it beat the FC Tokyo of Korea by a score of 2-1.

It was a good result for Dingtian to obtain two winning streaks in the Asian Champions League, and through these two matches, the players of Dingtian had gotten into the state of the game in advance. Therefore, in the next Chinese Super League, Dingtian obtained another two winning streaks, capitalizing on their more excellent state and stronger strength.

In May, there would be more matches, as well as the four matches of the Chinese Super League happening later this month, the top 16 elimination matches of the Asian Champions League that had already started, and Dingtian had one home and one away match still left to play. What’s more, the third round of the Chinese Football Association Cup had also started, and Dingtian was about to play against a team from the Chinese League.

According to the rules of the Chinese Football Association Cup, 32 teams from the Chinese Football Association Division Two League, amateur league, and qualifiers of the Football Association Cup, would play an elimination match. The top 16 winners would enter the second round, then would play against the teams from the Chinese League in the elimination match, the victor of which would then play against the teams from the Chinese Super League in the third round.

That was to say, that in the matches of the Football Association Cup, the teams from the Chinese Super League would show up in the third round. In addition, their opponents would be less stronger teams from the Chinese League, or much worse teams from the Chinese Football Association Division Two League. For the players of the Chinese Super League, it would be quite easy for them to win, if the main players played the game.

In June and July, the Chinese Super League played eight matches, the Football Association Cup played five matches, and the semi-finals were soon on the way.

August would present a more tough schedule for the Dingtian Football Club: four matches of the Chinese Super League, semi-finals of the Football Association Cup, and the top 8 of the Asian Champions League, among which, the latter competition was the most important.

Busy schedules and highly intensive matches historically was shown to cause more athletes to get injured. Such injuries are inevitable in sports, and it is even an indispensable part of sports, especially in football. Even for amateur football players, it is very common for them to get injured, while for professional football players, they don’t care about these common injuries at all.

Fractures or muscle tears are serious injuries, and if players are unlucky to encounter these injuries, they will waste the whole season. The most common injuries are general muscle strains, such as a ligament injury, hamstring injury and strain injury. Even cramps can be recorded by the team doctor as an official, albeit minor, injury.

All of these are minor injuries have no impact on players’ matches, and require no special treatment, because the therapist and physical coach can cure them. However, these players suffering from these injuries must be treated specially during training. In addition, changes must be made in cycle training, training loads, and training programs, which address the need for special attention. This is called “individuated training.”

Cloud was personally responsible for the individuated training. This is a serious task, which is very strict in the need for a high level of training skill and experience. If the coach has a poor ability, it will be useless for training, and it will even aggravate the players’ injuries further. Therefore, Cloud had to take charge of the training himself.

During his time in Dingtian, Dai Li also tried to learn more knowledge about football training and tactics from Harman’s coaching staff. The physical coach must be involved in the training planning, and the purpose of physical training is to help players execute their tactics. Therefore, Dai Li, as the physical coach of cycle training, must know something about football tactics. It meant a learning process for Dai Li.

What’s more, Harman had the world’s top football coaching staff. In fact, you couldn’t find so many perfect coaches anywhere, especially for such an unprofessional football coach as Dai Li. He could learn a lot of new knowledge from one simple tactical meeting.

Previously, Dai Li had only a little knowledge of football tactics, so maybe he was only a bit less inferior to those who made comments blindly. But, after staying in Dingtian for several months, his knowledge of football changed dramatically.

At the end of September, the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League started, and this time, Dingtian had to play against Jeonbuk Hyundai of South Korea. The first round of the two teams would be held in South Korea.

Chonju World Cup Stadium

“Foul, but why were there no whistles?!” Harman complained loudly.

Yunping Zheng stood up, with difficulty, on the court, then rubbed his legs, gritted his teeth, and continued to play.

Just now, a player of Jeonbuk Hyundai tripped Zheng with a foul, intentionally bunting Zheng with his knee. As a result, Zheng fell down, but the referee didn’t whistle.

This was not the first time that such a thing had happened, as Jeonbuk Hyundai had made several fouls in the previous match, but the referee didn’t whistle or issue yellow cards, he just gave them a verbal warning.

At the start, all felt that it was due to this being the home court advantage of Jeonbuk Hyundai, so the referee might be giving face to the team. But gradually, all came to find that the referee was simply being biased in his whistle blowing, apparently desiring to help the home team.

After several of these bogus whistle calls, even those home players knew that the referee was being lenient with the fouls, so they took advantage. Hence, they made big movements, obviously not for the ball, but at the opponents most of the time.

“In my idea, Jeonbuk Hyundai should call itself Jeonbuk Tripping Team.”

“Don’t say that. The shit Koreans may apply for the list of world heritage, saying even the tripping is theirs…”

“They never change. There were black biased whistles in The World Cup in South Korea, and it’s still the same.”

Even the fans vented their feelings with lots of complaints. On the court, Dingtian players showed extreme perseverance in facing the situation.

The referee whistled once more, and the first half was over. The score was 0-0, as neither team had made a goal, which was actually good news for Dingtian. If it could get back to play at their home court with a draw here, the hope of Dingtian’s promotion would soar.

But Jeonbuk Hyundai couldn’t accept the result, because no goal at home meant that it would be much harder to play away from home. In the locker room, Yunping Zheng lifted his shorts, revealing that his right leg was bruised.

“It’s so swollen. The South Koreans were so vicious,” said the teammate nearby with sympathy.

“It was okay to kick here, but if it had been a little further up, that could have been a kick to my genitalia! The South Koreans were too insidious. If it weren’t for the match, I would definitely have hit him!” said Zheng Yunping fiercely.

“Calm down. It’s home court for them after all, and the referee is also partial to them. If you are not calm, you will be given a red card. Then, the loss will outweigh the gain,” the teammate urged.

Next to him, Martin, a foreign player, walked up and down the locker room with the help of a therapist.

“How are you feeling?” asked the therapist anxiously.

“It still hurts,” Martin said, gritting his teeth.

“I have checked you all over, no bone is hurt, it was the same strain that you had before, and it was almost healed, but it has been stepped on by the opponent, and it becomes even worse with the new injury. You need to walk more and open up your body now,” said the therapist, stringing the words together quickly in his haste to explain.

The team doctor Maraloni was grim-faced.

“How’s it going?” Harman asked.

Maraloni shook his head, “I’m not optimistic. Most players were injured already, and now, their injuries are more serious. Although it did not affect their performances so far on the court, it definitely may affect them in the second-half match.”

“Is there anyone who needs special attention?” Harman went on.

“Most mainly have a normal strain or bump, so with a pain-retarding spray and a simple massage, they should be fine 45 minutes after treatment. But the situation with Jingyuan Zhang is more complicated. He has had surgery on his ankle, and has been kicked by his opponent in the first half. Now, his running will be greatly affected,” said Maraloni.

“That opponent should be given a yellow card!” Harman’s face scowled at once and said, “Zhang’s breakthrough on the left was an important means for us to break the opponent’s defense. Also, iit could attract the attention of the opponent’s defense, so as to create favorable attacking opportunities for Neol. If Jingyuan Zhang can’t run, we will lose a very effective choice in our attacking tactics.”

“I have tried my best, but now it seems to be difficult for Jingyuan Zhang to run as easily as when he started, and I suggest you be prepared in advance for substitution, or a change in the original tactics,” said Maraloni.

As soon as Maraloni stopped, someone said, “Everybody, make room for me!”

When Harman and Maraloni looked in the direction of the sound, they saw that Jingyuan Zhang was running at an accelerated pace, sprinting from the left side of the locker room to the right in the blink of an eye. His movements were smooth.

“That’s Jingyuan Zhang!” Harman looked at Maraloni, exclaiming, “You have told me that he couldn’t run as well as he did at the start!”

Maraloni was surprised as well, “Wow! He was limping just moments ago, but now he’s running!”

Chapter 329: Massage Master Li Came Back

After all, the locker room was small, so that it was not open enough to run far. Therefore, Jingyuan Zhang had to stop after a while.

As if he was still feeling unsatisfied after stopping, he stood still and jumped a few times. Seeing this, Harman judged by his actions that he could run, and that his overall movement was still very flexible.

“What’s going on? Why is he running now?” the face of the team doctor Maraloni looked a little embarrassed.

“Is this Jingyuan Zhang embarrassing me deliberately? Just now, he limped before me, as if he would fall down. But after I reported to Coach Harman, you become well. Are you fooling me deliberately?”

“Coach… It’s… Actually…” Maraloni didn’t know how to explain for a while.

Harman waved his hand and stopped him. Maraloni had followed him for about ten years, and he didn’t think that Maraloni would mislead him about a player’s injury. After all, it would not be good for him, either.

“Let’s go and ask him how he recovered,” Harman said.

They two walked to Jingyuan Zhang. Seeing the unkind look on Maraloni’s face, Zhang felt guilty suddenly.

“Jingyuan Zhang, you couldn’t move just now, but how did you recover? Beyond that, you can run and jump now?” Maraloni questioned him, glaring at him accusingly.

“Maraloni, I’m sorry you have thought that I was just fooling you!” Jingyuan Zhang smiled awkwardly and explained, “Just now, it was too painful to walk, but Coach Li massaged me for a while, and it got better. Now, it’s still painful, but it’s alright to run.”

“Coach Li?” the two looked at Dai Li simultaneously.

The physical coach was in charge of rehabilitation training. As such, it was quite normal for him to know massage techniques. In fact, it would have been very strange if a physical coach couldn’t massage.

Seeing this, Dai Li explained immediately, “I saw that Jingyuan Zhang was in so much pain that he nearly couldn’t walk, so I massaged him for a while. I am quite proficient in massage for rehabilitation.”

Looking at Dai Li and Zhang’s leg, Maraloni didn’t know what to say. Judging from his professional knowledge, Jingyuan Zhang’s leg injury couldn’t be healed by simple massage alone. He even thought that Dai Li collaborated with Zhang to playact.

Thinking of this, he said suddenly, “Coach Li, since you are so good at massage, come and help Martin Thess, who was badly injured by that slide tackle in the first half.”

He said this with a smile on his face, though his eyes were cold, as if he was hiding a knife behind his back.

“Since you want to playact, I will let Martin Thess try it. Then you must spill the beans!” Maraloni thought this in his mind confidently.

“No problem,” without any hesitation, Dai Li agreed happily.

Maraloni was a little shocked. Dai Li’s quick response and confidence made him doubt his suspicion.

“It was impossible. I’ve been a team doctor for so many years. Judging by my experience, such a kind of injury couldn’t be healed by mere minutes of massage,” Maraloni consoled himself, thinking.

Martin Thess arrived, carried by his teammates.

“It might be a little painful. Bear with it,” Dai Li said.

Martin Thess nodded. As a professional football player, physical confrontation was quite normal to him, and it was especially common to be hurt in tackling. It was also not unusual to be kicked, and then tumble, when running at high speed. Therefore, pain was fairly common.

Dai Li started to massage him. A painful look appeared on Martin Thess’ face from time to time, as if he was being pressed on his most sore, injured parts.

Alongside, Harman and Maraloni stared at Li’s hands all the time. What’s more, Maraloni called all the team physical therapists there to also observe.

“What do you think of Li’s massage techniques?” he asked physical therapists in an aside whisper.

As a team doctor, Maraloni was an expert in the medical area, but in rehabilitation massage, especially on massage techniques, he had to consult specialists. This physical therapist came from Europe too, and had served in the Harman Team for many years. He had also served many star players before. Surely his techniques and experience were impeccable.

This moment, he commented, “In terms of technique, his is quite professional, and there is nothing wrong with it. But there is nothing to be praised, either. On the whole, it’s quite normal.”

“Just normal?” narrowing his eyes slightly, Maraloni continued, “That is to say, the effect of Coach Li’s massage will be just quite normal, too?”

“Well…” the physical therapist thought about it and shook his head, “I’m not sure. The effect not only depends on techniques, but also on the strength of the massage, the direction of pressing, the duration of the massage and so on. Hence, I can’t give you a precise answer, at least not only through visual judgment.”

By this moment, Claude had also come over. Maraloni turned to him immediately.

“Just now, Coach Dai Li said he was proficient in rehabilitation massage, right? You know this?” Maraloni asked.

Claude shook his head and answered, “I haven’t asked him about it. During the last few months, he has been in charge of cycle training, while I am personally responsible for the individual training of the injured.”

At once, his response set Maraloni’s mind at rest. After a few minutes passed, Dai Li stopped, then said to Martin Thess, “Stand up and walk a few steps. Tell me how you feel.”

Martin Thess nodded, stepped on the ground, stood up and walked around.

“Much better now. Just standing here, I feel no pain. But it gets a little painful when walking. I think it will be alright, if I do more movements to promote blood circulation,” Martin Thess said.

“Do some simple actions. Jump, or move around fast,” Dai Li continued.

Martin Thess did this immediately. He jumped several times, moved around fast, and then shot several times.

“Seems like he is recovered. His actions seem quite fluid!”

“Coach Li is like a god. Only minutes of massage, and he heals Martin Thess. Just now, Thess even couldn’t walk!”

“A moment ago, Jingyuan Zhang was also limping, and then he was healed by Coach Li. Now, so is Martin Thess. I’m afraid that Coach Li is better than that foreign therapist.”

People around started to whisper. Looking at Dai Li, the team doctor Maraloni, with his eyes wide, was in great shock.

“It’s true! What kind of massage is this? So amazing! Only minutes of massage healed Martin Thess injury totally. Is that witchcraft of the orient?”

Suddenly, Maraloni felt that his decades of experience in medicine had been completely overturned at this moment. Meanwhile, the physical therapist that was observing was so shocked that even a cold sweat appeared on his head.

“Was the effect of the massage so good? Being a physical therapist for a dozen years, I haven’t seen such a kind of massage. Is Coach Li a physical coach, or physical therapist? Fortunately, I signed a five-year contract with Coach Harman. Otherwise, I would be out of work in the next season!”

Chapter 330: To the Rescue

Looking at Dai Li, Harman’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Li surprised him again.

“Seems like Asian coach is not as bad as I thought,” Harman looked at Dai Li with interest, and then Dai Li was pulled away by another player, to massage his muscles.

Halftime was now over. Harman didn’t make any adjustments to personnel and tactics, but instead, just told the players to strengthen some aspects of their games. If the game could end with a score of 0-0 in away games, it could be viewed as a victory for Dingtian.

However, Jeonbuk Hyundai became more ferocious, because they wanted to break the deadlock. They tried in vain for several times to achieve this, but to no avail. Especially considering the existence of foreign aid, Neol, Jeonbuk, and Hyundai dared not input their full power into the offensive. Neol was so prominent, that if Jeonbuk Hyundai didn’t leave someone in the defense line, it would be much too easy for him to get a solo drive.

As time passed, the score remained unchanged. In Jeonbuk Hyundai, all coaches, players, and even their own fans started to become anxious.

In the 61st minute, Jeonbuk Hyundai finally entered a substitution.

…

“Tweeeet!” the whistle sounded, as the referee took a yellow card for a player from Jeonbuk Hyundai.

On the other side, foreign aid Martin Thess lied on the ground, holding his legs with a painful expression.

As a key player in the midfield of Dingtian Football, Martin Thess was strong and had great stamina. He showed world-class insight, control, and tactics, both in offense and defense of his midfield position. As a Brazilian player, undoubtedly, he was great in offensive tactics and imagination. Meanwhile, in terms of defense, his steals and tackles always could build up an insurmountable barrier for the team.

In the first half, Jeonbuk Hyundai had committed several fouls, and was given a yellow card as a result. Thanks to the home field advantage, Jeonbuk Hyundai could get the help of the referee. Otherwise, it would definitely have been more than a yellow card, maybe even a red card.

But now, another yellow card issued, as Martin Thess fell down once again.

Team doctor Maraloni rushed to his aid, along with the medical group, to check his injury.

Maraloni knew that, if this game ended with a score of 0-0, Dingtian would get the home field advantage. Therefore, with the chance of checking on Martin Thess, he tried to delay time deliberately.

However, the referee ran to him quickly, assigning the stretcher group to carry Martin Thess off the field, and thus, not to affect the game. Obviously, the referee was also experienced, and knew what Maraloni was thinking.

Maraloni didn’t dare to talk back to the referee. Reluctantly, he had to let the stretcher group carry Martin Thess to the sidelines. And the game continued. On the ground, it was 10 players on 11, temporarily.

“Good chance. Martin Thess is a key midfielder of Dingtian, contributing both in offensive and defensive. Now he is off. It’s our chance to score!” without any hesitation, the Chief Coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai made all the three substitutions, which greatly helped in positive adjustments to tactics.

In this situation, now the condition suddenly became passive to the Dingtian Club.

For Dingtian Club, Martin Thess was irreplaceable, both in offensive and defensive terms. Especially on the defensive aspect, he was an overwhelming asset, gaining an advantage in front of Asian players. But now that he had left the ground, it meant a loss of an important barrier for the defense of Dingtian.

At this moment, Jeonbuk Hyundai realized that it was a great chance to score, so that they immediately pushed forward to score as soon as possible.

…

“How is Martin Thess now?” Coach Harman asked anxiously.

“It didn’t hurt the bone. In my experience, it is likely to be a sprain, but the severity of the injury requires further examination and confirmation,” the team doctor Maraloni answered.

“I need a precise answer. Will he be able to play?” Harman became serious and said, “We don’t have much time to lose, and if he can’t play, I’m going to have to make a substitution.”

In football games, every team only had three substitutions during one game, so each was so very valuable. The coach would substitute for tactical adjustments. If the substitution couldn’t have an immediate effect, this substitution could be said to be a failure as a tactical adjustment.

If one substitution was made for a player’s injury, it meant an opportunity was lost for adjusting tactics, even it would disrupt the original tactical management. So, for the coach, such a kind of substitution was obviously not worth it.

The team doctor Maraloni also knew the importance of any substitution, and said at once, “I can give him analgesic spray first, and then tie the injury with a bandage. He could continue to play, but I’m not sure how long he can bear with it. For insurance reasons, I suggest that you leave one substitution in reserve.”

Definitely, this wasn’t the answer Coach Harman wanted to hear. He frowned, as he didn’t want to waste one substitution.

At that moment, Martin Thess, lying on the ground, suddenly said, “Let Coach Li have a try! During halftime, his massage relieved my pain. I want him to give me a massage again.”

“Call Coach Li over!” Without any hesitation, Harman directly ordered Dai Li to come to the rescue. Now, it was 10 players on 11 on the field, Harman had to make every decision as fast as possible, without any delay.

Dai Li came over and started to do rehabilitation massage for Martin Thess.

…

On the stands nearest to the substitute bench, the management members of Dingtian were sitting there, all with a nervous look, watching as Martin Thess underwent treatment there.

“How is Martin Thess now? How bad is his injury?”

“The team doctor is dealing with it. Hoping he will be alright.”

While everyone was talking about this, Dai Li came over, running quickly.

“It seems like the physician coach, right? Why did he come?”

“Shouldn’t we rely on our team doctor at this time? What’s the use of a physician coach?”

“Besides, he isn’t on Harman Team. I know this guy, he is our own coach, in our club, right?”

“Surely he is one of our own people, as there is no Asian on Harman Team.”

Seated in the middle, Yunan Xiao also saw Dai Li running over and squatting beside Martin Thess.

“Seems like he’s giving Martin Thess a massage, right? How come it’s his turn to do this? There are specialized physical therapists and massage therapists on our team, but it looks like Coach Harman has allowed it.”

There existed a doubt in her mind. She couldn’t understand why Coach Harman would trust Dai Li versus other coaches on his own team at this time.

By this second, Yunan Xiao couldn’t help but be more curious about him.

…

Owing to the fact that it was 11 on 10 now, Jeonbuk Hyundai had all the advantages on the ground. Meanwhile, the player who was substituted just now was full of physical strength, and he constantly tried to break Dingtian’s defensive line.

However, Harman didn’t make any tactical adjustments at once, didn’t substitute, and didn’t even let Martin Thess back to the field.

Even the TV commentator began to become nervous, “Martin Thess has been hurt and off the field for treatment for three minutes now, but Coach Harman didn’t make any substitution. So it seems that Martin Thess’ injury was not so serious. It may be not long before he returns to play again.”

Another commentator offered a different perspective: “I’m a little worried about his injury. If it’s just a general injury, simple treatments would be alright, and it wouldn’t take that long. Martin Thess’ injury was obviously an accident for Dingtian. I think Coach Harman will make tactical adjustments. He might substitute soon.”

“But a substitution can’t work for Martin Thess. During the three minutes without him, Jeonbuk Hyundai had launched two rounds of offense, including one threatening shot to the goal range. But by comparison, Dingtian seems to have not adapted to the situation well, without their core midfielder.”

“Coach Harman should do some adjustments quickly, or Dingtian will concede anytime.”

…

“OK?” Harman asked anxiously.

“All right!” Dai Li nodded and pulled up Martin Thess.

“How are you feeling?” Harman and Maraloni asked nearly at the same time.

Martin Thess stretched his legs, did several running actions quickly, then nodded, “No problem! I can play.”

“Great! You play right now!” Harman patted Martin Thess’ shoulder and smiled in relief.

While team doctor Maraloni couldn’t help peeping at Dai Li.

“Simple massage again. Extremely unbelievable!”

…

“What? Martin Thess is walking toward the ground and signing to the referee. Is he going to get back on the field?”

“Correct! Martin Thess is back! His wound is OK for now. But we don’t know whether it will affect him.”

“From the steps he walks, it seems like he is OK now. If he can play as usual, Dingtian will get its advantages back, both on offensive and defensive ends.”

“Martin Thess is running. No problem. There is no problem with his movements. Seems that the injury isn’t affecting his performance at all.”

“Martin Thess is back. Seems like Dingtian will regain the dominant position on the ground.”

…

Martin Thess’ presence back on the ground not only guaranteed the defense in the midfield, but also raised the spirits of the other Dingtian players.

On the contrary, the resistance for the offense of Jeonbuk Hyundai suddenly was upgraded, and the pushing in the midfield was becoming harder again. What’s more, they had to guard against Martin Thess turning defense into offense suddenly.

In the stadium, fans had been booing with disappointment, while a heavy look appeared on the chief coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai’s face.

At this time, Harman started to substitute.

Since Martin Thess was not affected by his injury, Harman chose to make a substitution and do tactical adjustments.

Jeonbuk Hyundai substituted much too early, which meant that they exposed their tactical intentions after substitution. How could a world-class coach like Harman not realize it? So, Harman applied the latter tactic by substituting specifically. According to Jeonbuk Hyundai’s tactics that were exposed after substitution, he made tactical adjustments accordingly.

Seeing this, on the substitute bench, all people, including the chief coach and main coaches, looked on in desperation. They all knew that, for a tactical master like Harman, substituting now meant that he had seek out a tactic to counter Jeonbuk Hyundai.

By this time, Jeonbuk Hyundai had already used all three substitutions…

The die was cast!

Chapter 331: Aspiration for Talent

The game was over, and the final score was 0-0. None of the two teams managed to score a goal, so they had to shake hands for this goalies’ draw.

However, the next game between the two teams would be held at the home court of Dingtian Club, which was not providing an optimistic outlook for Jeonbuk Hyundai. In a game of this level, it was almost impossible for Jeonbuk Hyundai to win in the home court of Dingtian Club, according to the strength comparison between the two teams.

For Jeonbuk Hyundai, the only good news was that Dingtian failed to score any away goals. Therefore, if Jeonbuk Hyundai managed to score one goal in the next game, they could go through to the next round of the game, even if the final result of the game was still a draw.

In the plane flying back to China, Harman and several core members of his coach team sat together, to summarize the game which had just finished.

Harman looked at the notebook in his hand and said, “We have to participate in the games of three fronts simultaneously, which resulted in serious exhaustion of the players. From this game, our disadvantage of insufficient lineup depth has been exposed. Our players are suffering from serious physical exhaustion by taking part in the games of the domestic league, the FA Cup, and the AFC Champions League at the same time. The chance of injury is also increasing. I will point this out to the club. However, we have to wait until the next season to change this situation. For this season, we still have to hold the line.”

“The injuries of several players shall be evaluated, so I plan to have some of our key players take a break in the upcoming games of the domestic league. As far as to our current scores in the domestic league, if we could win the next game, it is highly possible for us to win the league championship in advance. Of course, this is dependent on whether our rivals could give us the chance. If they also win the next game, this competition for the championship has to be continued.”

As Harman said this, he closed his notebook, turned to Claude, and asked, “What do you think of Dai Li?”

“What aspect are you talking about?” Claude asked immediately.

Harman smiled slightly, “Out team hasn’t had transfusion of fresh blood for a long time.”

Everyone was shocked, as none of them had expected Harman was planning to recruit Dai Li.

The gap between the Asian soccer players and their European counterparts was large, while the gap between the Asian soccer coaches and their European counterparts was even larger. Actually, there were good soccer coaches in Asia, but these coaches wouldn’t create any advantage for Asia over Europe.

For example, if a competent Asian coach, who was a flagship in Asia, and could even match the European coaches, was put in Europe, this coach wouldn’t be as shiny or impressive as he was in Asia. The reason being was that there might be around 20 coaches in Europe, who were at the same level as was this Asian coach.

This was just like a giant panda in an ordinary zoo: This panda must be the star of the zoo, and get the most attention. Some people would buy a ticket to the zoo just to see the panda. However, if the same panda was placed in the breeding base of the giant panda, together with dozens of pandas, this panda would just be an ordinary panda there.

For the same reason, the famous European coaches would definitely search for their team members in Europe. Even though some Asian coaches had reached their standards, these European coaches wouldn’t go around the sun to meet the moon, for they really had a lot of candidates of the same level in Europe already.

Therefore, if an Asian coach wanted to have a place in Europe, being at the same level with the European coaches was far from being enough, as you were not good enough for the team to hire you instead of other coaches of same level with you. An Asian coach should be much better than the European coaches, in order to ensure himself a place on the European coach teams.

Another example would be the table tennis event. The reason that the table tennis coaches of China could have a place in the national teams of foreign countries, was that they were much better than their foreign counterparts. Therefore, when Harman expressed his intention to recruit Dai Li, everyone was shocked. Harman’s intention was an indirect recognition that Dai Li was better than the European coaches.

After pondering it for several seconds, Claude said first, “Dai Li is really good in the physical training, which could match the high-level physical trainers in Europe. However, he also has some shortcomings. For example, he can only speak English, and even so, his English is still not really good enough.”

All the European coaches in the meeting could speak two or three other languages besides English, such as German, French, Italian and Spanish. Basically, they wouldn’t have any problem in communicating with all European players. Harman could speak four languages. Compared to them, Dai Li could only speak Chinese and English, and his English was not good enough.

Standing beside Claude, Maraloni, who was the Team Doctor, said, “Dai Li’s massage manipulation is miraculous, which he has shown to us in the last game. So I will open my arms to welcome him to join our medical group.”

Claude stared at Maraloni discontentedly, and thought Maraloni was undermining his team, even if Dai Li hadn’t been recruited to the coach team.

The Assisting Coach Delassaux gave a knowing smile, and turned aside from this topic, “According to my information, Dai Li has signed a one year contract with Dingtian Club. Now, there are three months before the expiration of the contract. I’ve heard Dai Li was recommended by one of the team’s shareholders. Based on his performance, the renewal of his contract with the club will be assured. I guess Dai Li will remain in the club for the next season. We also have one year left before the expiration of the contract between us and Dingtian Club.”

“I know what you are talking about,” Harman nodded slightly. “You mean the club could renew Dai Li’s contract first for the next season, so that we could still have Dai Li work for us, and save a lot of money for our team at the same time.”

Harman came to Dingtian Club with his team. The remuneration of each team member had been determined through strict calculation and negotiation. Now, except for Harman, the annual salary of the rest of the team members was about 10 million Euros. One more person would definitely cause additional expenditures.

Delassaux revealed an expression of “you know that”, then continued to say, “Dai Li’s contract with Dingtian Club will not stop him from working for us. One year later, if we won’t renew the contract with Dingtian Club, we could send an invitation to Dai Li then. I believe he won’t refuse our invitation.”

…

Dai Li suddenly felt the hospitality from the foreign coaches of Harman’s team, which was much better than before.

Especially for the team doctor Maraloni, who, when he met Dai Li before, would just greet Dai Li. But now, he would always talk with Dai Li, and even discuss the rehabilitation of the players with Dai Li, even asking for Dai Li’s opinions. Before that, these issues were just inside Harman’s team. Coaches hired by the club, like Dai Li, would have the chance to listen, at most, and wouldn’t have the right to speak, let alone be asked for their opinions.

Now the domestic league was drawing to an end. The score of Dingtian Club was obviously advantageous. In the upcoming 27th round of the domestic league, it was highly possible for Dingtian Club to win the league champion in advance. Of course, it was still dependent on whether the team, which ranked the 2nd, could give Dingtian Club the chance.

The opposing team of Dingtian in the 27th round was a team of intermediate level. Coach Harman didn’t send all of his key players to the game. Finally, Dingtian defeated this team at a score of 2-1.

At the same time, the team rank the 2nd lost in the game, so Dingtian Club managed to defend the championship of the league three rounds in advance.

For Dingtian Club, this was definitely good news. They wouldn’t worry about the domestic league anymore. The key players didn’t need to participate in the upcoming games of the domestic league, and could devote themselves in the preparation of the final game of AFC Champions League.

…

In the office, Dai Li was holding a thick operation manual in one hand, and his mobile phone in the other hand. He was using translation software on his mobile phone.

Dingtian Club had just imported several pieces of state-of-the-art training equipment from Europe. The operation interfaces of the equipment were all in English and quite complicated. The operation manual was just like a dictionary. Even the foreign coaches of Harman’s team had to spend a lot of time to figure out the operation of the equipment.

For Dai Li, he needed to work even harder to master the usage of the equipment. Although the operation manual had a lot of language options, such as English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, the option of Chinese was not included. Many technical terms and special names had made Dai Li light-headed in trying to figure them. He had to read the manual with the help of the translation software.

It got dark before Dai Li was aware, and he stood up, gave a stretch, and yawned with fatigue.

It’s really hard to understand this operation manual. Let me just go to the training room to have some field operation of those new equipment.

As Dai Li thought of it, he walked to the training room with the operation manual.

From afar, Dai Li saw that the lamps in the training room were still on.

Did they forget to turn off the lamps, or is there still somebody there? Dai Li shook his head. It is impossible for someone to stay in this room at this time.

This was a professional soccer club, not a training team in the system. Although the players were better paid than those athletes in the system, the club players’ training time was shorter than that of the athletes in the system.

The players in the club were more like employees in an enterprise. They would arrive at the training ground on time in the morning, and go home on time in the afternoon. The additional training would always happen on holidays or weekends. We could read the news that certain star players performed additional training during holidays, but we seldom heard the news that a player performed additional training in the team in the evening of a working day.

The members of Harman’s team would also have reliable attendance every day. The Europeans were people who would refuse to work overtime, even if overtime pay was guaranteed. The team doctor Maraloni was a good example of this phenomenon. As an Italian, he spent a lot of time in planning his vacations. If you asked him to work overtime, he would definitely bear a deep grudge against you, as if you had murdered his parents!

Before, when Dai Li was in the National Table Tennis Team, overtime was very normal. A guy who refused to work overtime would be considered an alien. In the National Table Tennis Team, you could find someone who worked 16 hours a day easily. A lot of athletes chose to have additional trainings. Yet after joining Dingtian Club, Dai Li had gradually adapted to this culture of saying no to overtime.

Therefore, when Dai Li saw the lamps in the training room were still on, his first response was to think that someone forgot to turn off the lamps. However, when Dai Li got close, he could heard sounds coming out of the room.

Someone is in the room. Who doesn’t leave at this time? It shouldn’t be those foreigners, they are not so diligent! As Dai Li thought of it, he entered the room and started to look around.

It’s General Manager Xiao!

On a treadmill, Dai Li saw a beautiful figure.

It was Yunan Xiao.

Chapter 332: Boyfriend

On the treadmill, Yunan Xiao was wearing a pink T-shirt and black leggings. Outside the leggings, she also wore pink-rimmed black shorts. Her clothes were not close-fitting, however, her flawless figure was outlined perfectly.

Now Yunan Xiao’s forehead had been covered with tiny sweat beads. Her face was also flushed, because of the intense exercise. She was listening to music with earphones, so she didn’t realized Dai Li’s arrival immediately.

Yunan Xiao was the General Manager of Dingtian Club. Dai Li could meet her occasionally in the daytime, but he would only greet her every time. Actually, both of them had never had any real verbal communication before.

Also, Dai Li always thought a princess like Yunan Xiao was a person from a world which was different with his, although they were of about the same age. He decided to keep his distance from her.

However, since he had met her here, he had to say hello to her; so Dai Li came up to her and said first, “Hello, General Manager Xiao, sorry for interrupting your exercise.”

After hearing Dai Li’s words, Yunan Xiao turned around and saw Dai Li. She was also a little bit surprised. Obviously, she didn’t expect someone would still in the club and come to the training room at this time.

“Coach Li, it’s getting dark, why didn’t you go home?” as Yunan Xiao said this, she smiled at Dai Li slightly.

When Yunan Xiao smiled, her dimples made her quite lovely, which intoxicated Dai Li for a short while. However, Dai Li came to himself immediately and explained, “Our club has just imported several pieces of training equipment from Europe. I came here to get familiar with them, and figure out their functions.”

As Dai Li spoke, he pointed at the operation manual in his hand, “The operation manual is in English. I couldn’t understand the content by only reading it, so I have to operate the equipment personally.”

“I see. So that’s why I didn’t see you here before.” Yunan Xiao nodded, then said, “I sit in the office every day, and have no time to do exercise, so whenever I have time after work, I will come here to use the treadmills and such.”

“So I’ll leave you to it.” Dai Li nodded at Yunan Xiao politely, then walked to the new equipment with the operation manual.

After stabilizing his mind, Dai Li started to operate the new training equipment.

This one has the function of heart rate measurement. I saw similar equipment in the United States, which was not as advanced as this. This one could not only measure the heart rate, but also could export the data by pressing one button. After downloading the APP, this equipment could be connected to the mobile phone or a tablet computer, then all data could be checked with a mobile phone.

This is the air resistance training device, of which the precision could reach 0.1kg level. The air resistance training device of the National Table Tennis Team could only reach the 1kg precision level. This one also has the progressive resistance setting function, so it should be the most advanced air resistance training device on the market.

Dai Li started to learn the functions of the new equipment, according to the operation manual. Suddenly, all the lamps of the training room went out, and the equipment operated by Dai Li also stopped working.

Is it a power outage? Dai Li realized it was so, and was a little bit shocked. Nowadays, normally a notification would be given before a power outage took place in cities. This kind of unexpected power outage was quite rare, which would happen only once in several years.

“Ouch…” a shout came in, which was followed by a sound of a collision.

It’s the sound of Yunan Xiao. Dai Li took out his mobile phone and activated the function of the flashlight, then walked toward Yunan Xiao.

Dai Li came to the treadmill, guided by the light of his mobile phone. He found Yunan Xiao was sitting on the ground, rubbing her right ankle with both of her hands.

Dai Li knew Yunan Xiao had fallen off the treadmill. The track of the treadmill was driven electrically. During the power outage, the treadmill would lose power supply, and thus, stopped naturally. People, who were running on the treadmill, would lose their balance and fall off, due to the inertia.

“General Manager Xiao, are you ok?” as Dai Li asked, he squatted down to check the injuries of Yunan Xiao.

“It seems I have sprained my ankle,” Yunan Xiao said, clenching her teeth.

“Don’t move, let me check it.” Dai Li touched her ankle with his hand gently, “Does it hurt here?”

Yunan Xiao’s body shivered suddenly. Obviously, the pain point was touched, then she nodded, pointing: “This is it.”

“It should be a normal sprain. Your muscles and bones are ok.” Dai Li continued to say, “Take off your shoe, and let me rub your ankle first.”

Yunan Xiao hesitated a bit, then she nodded. Dai Li took off Yunan Xiao’s shoe and sock, and started to rub the sprain gently. For a high level physical trainer like Dai Li, this kind of massage was just like eating and drinking, which could be considered as the most elementary of skills.

However, now Dai Li was quite nervous. He could even hear his own heartbeat. “Just tell me if you feel any pain, I will do it more gently.” Dai Li said.

“It hurts!” Yunan Xiao said immediately.

“OK, I will be more gentle…” suddenly Dai Li felt that, if their dialogue was written down, it would cause misunderstanding.

Stop thinking nonsense! Normally my thoughts are not so filthy! Dai Li took a self-mocking breath; however, the fragrance from Yunan Xiao’s body rushed into Dai Li’s nose, which made him more nervous.

Dai Li peeped at Yunan Xiao. Under the dim light of the mobile phone, Yunan Xiao’s pink-and-white face was very tender. At this moment, Yunan Xiao’s face was indeed flushed, maybe because of the exercises, or the pain, or the shyness for putting her foot in the hands of a strange man.

Sometimes a woman was more attractive in dim light. At this moment, because of the power outage, it was quite just this way in the training room. Dai Li could even hear the breath of Yunan Xiao, which made Dai Li feel Yunan Xiao was incredibly beautiful.

I am breathing the same air with her! Dai Li was quite excited. He dared not keep looking at Yunan Xiao’s face. He was afraid that he couldn’t help staring at Yunan Xiao, which would be very embarrassing. Therefore, he tried to focus on his massage work.

However, Yunan Xiao’s white-and-tender foot came into the view of Dai Li. Her toenails were coated with red nail polish, which were just like rubies in the dim light, while her white and tender skin added some charms to her foot. Also, the smooth and soft sense of touching the tender skin in Yunan Xiao’s foot made Dai Li fanciful and fickle, and gave him an impulse to touch the foot slowly.

Normally, the objects of Dai Li’s massage therapy were males, many of them had a lot of injuries in their legs and feet, and their skin was very rough. The different feeling of touching Yunan Xiao’s foot made Dai Li feel more than a little bit awkward.

However, the rehabilitative massage was effective. Yunan Xiao’s ankle was better than before, but she was still a little bit gimpy.

According to Yunan Xiao’s current situation, she couldn’t continue her exercise. Without power supply, Dai Li also couldn’t continue his study of the new equipment. Now both of them had to leave the training room.

“Coach Li, thank you. I feel much better now.” Yunan Xiao paused a bit and then made her farewell, “It’s late now, I don’t know when the power supply could be resumed, so I will go home now.”

“En, the lamps are out, how about I walk you out?” Dai Li couldn’t help saying this. However, hardly were the words uttered, when he began to regret them.

I am too rash. We don’t know each other very well. If she refuses me, it will be very embarrassing! Dai Li said to himself.

But Yunan Xiao also couldn’t help nodding her head, “Thank you, my car is parking in the underground parking lot.”

…

Dai Li was holding the light with his mobile phone in one of his hands, and supporting Yunan Xiao with the other hand. Finally, they walked to a red Maserati in the underground parking lot.

No wonder she is a princess! This is a Maserati! Although Dai Li didn’t know the price of the car, he definitely knew he couldn’t afford such a car. At this moment, he was quite sober of mind. He made it clear again that he and Yunan Xiao were people from two different worlds.

“Thank you.” After expressing appreciation to Dai Li, Yunan Xiao sat in the driver’s seat. Before closing the car door, Yunan Xiao stuck her head out of the car.

“Coach Li, could you drive me home? My ankle still hurts, and I couldn’t step on the gas pedal with my foot,” Yunan Xiao said in an injured tone.

“Alright. Your ankle is injured, and you are really not in a good condition to drive.” Dai Li was a little bit excited in his heart. He couldn’t help finding an excuse for himself.

…

Dai Li drove the red Maserati to a villa area, according to the instruction of Yunan Xiao. Dai Li knew this villa area, which was developed by Dingtian Group. The price also ranked among the top in China. It was said that a lot of rich people were living here. The security control of the area was very strict. Ordinary people would never have a chance to enter this area. However, all the security guards knew Yunan Xiao’s car. The red Maserati entered the villa area without any obstruction.

It was already dark outside, but the villa was lit up by a lot of lamps from outside and inside. Dai Li estimated the floor area of the villa was about 1 to 2 Mu (666.7 m2~ 1333.3 m2), according to the length of the wall enclosed the villa. Dai Li drove the car directly into the courtyard, finding his estimation of the villa’s area was too conservative.

What a big villa! As Dai Li exclaimed in his heart, he stopped the car. Just at this moment, a young man came out from the villa. “Yunan, you are back. I have been waiting for you for a long time!” the young man shouted from afar.

“Fen Luo, why are you here?” Yunan Xiao frowned, obviously displeased.

At this moment, the young man, whose name was Fen Luo, also noticed that Yunan Xiao got out of the car from the passenger side.

“You didn’t drive, right? Have you drunk during social activities? You found a designated driver, right? You could just call me, I would pick you up,” Fen Luo said gallantly, as he ignored Dai Li completely. He thought Dai Li was just a designated driver.

Then Dai Li got out of the car and prepared to return the key to Yunan Xiao.

“I didn’t drink any alcohol. He is also not a designated driver.” Yunan Xiao looked at Fen Luo discontentedly. She clenched her teeth inadvertently and pointed at Dai Li, “He is my boyfriend!”

“What? Your boyfriend?” Fen Luo shouted in surprise, and stared at Dai Li like a murderer.

Boyfriend? Dai Li said to himself. He doubted whether he had had an auditory hallucination. His face was filled with an expression like that of a crashed computer!

Chapter 333: A Shield

“Is he your boyfriend? You got a boyfriend?” Fen Luo looked at Dai Li immediately with glaring eyes.

Dai Li had just left the training room, and he hadn’t changed his clothes because of the power outage, so he was wearing his ordinary-looking gym suit, which was not a low-priced product, but was also not a luxury brand either.

Dai Li was wearing a pair of sports shoes, which were a little bit worn from his frequent visits to the training grounds. From Dai Li’s ordinary attire, Fen Luo couldn’t get any information about Dai Li and his background; so Fen Luo took a glance at Dai Li’s wristwatch.

How could he wear an electronic watch? How could an adult wear an electronic watch? Fen Luo was surprised.

Like a saying goes, the poor went in for vehicles, the rich were keen on wristwatches, and the fool compared mobile phones, while the proletariats had a deep love for computers. Although it was just a joke, it was quite ironic in reality.

The last two sentences of this saying, “the fool compared mobile phones, while the proletariats had a deep love for computers”, were added by modern people, while the first two sentences, “the poor went in for vehicles, the rich were keen on wristwatches” , were quite popular in the 1970s to the 1980s.

The poor went in for vehicles. The vehicles descibed here were not automobiles, but bicycles. In the 1970s-1980s, a Forever brand bicycle was absolutely an expensive item in many families, although it could not be considered as a luxury good. This bicycle was as important as were the cars in modern families. Now, many people misunderstood “the poor went in for vehicles” as standing for automobiles. From the aspect of price, the low-end cars were more expensive than low-end wristwatches, while the high-end cars were more expensive than the high-end wristwatches. The price of the limited edition wristwatch was lower than the price of the limited edition cars, naturally. A hobby in cars would cost more money than a hobby in wristwatches.

The rich were fond of wristwatches. The wristwatches here meant Swiss watches. In those days, a Seagull wristwatch would make the wearer feel very good. The rich people would wear wristwatches imported from the Swiss. At that time, the foreign currency of the country was very limited. Most ordinary people were not rich, therefore, the Swiss watches were considered as being top-grade limited luxury goods, which could not be purchased, even if you had money.

Now, the economy is much more developed. The Swiss watches are no longer rarities. Some brands, which were considered as luxury goods in the last century, are common nowadays. However, most of the time, the status of a man can still be roughly revealed through the wristwatch he is wearing.

People, who were good at choosing wristwatches, wouldn’t choose the most expensive wristwatches. The match of wristwatch with clothes or occasion could reveal the taste of the wearer. For example, the wristwatches for meeting customers and a girlfriend should be different. Of course, taste was only for the rich people.

Dai Li was not a rich man, and was also far from having good tastes. He didn’t like to spend money on expensive wristwatches. An electronic watch, which could be used for timing, was elementary equipment for a professional coach, and therefore, what Dai Li was wearing was an electronic watch.

People, who like wristwatches, always wear mechanical wristwatches. They would not spare a glance at quartz watches. As for electronic watches, to Fen Luo, they were just baby products, which could only be used by kids.

Fen Luo couldn’t figure out Dai Li’s status and background. From Dai Li’s attire, Fen Luo couldn’t get any useful information. He even felt Dai Li was quite mysterious. Then Fen Luo looked at Yunan Xiao’s clothes, and he was quite frustrated by what he saw.

Yunan Xiao also wore a gym suit. Fen Luo could easily figure out that Yunan Xiao and Dai Li were doing exercises together just now, since they were wearing their gym suits.

He did exercises together with Yunan. Could he really be Yunan’s boyfriend? Fen Luo’s face was filled with the expression of deep sorrow immediately.

Dai Li hadn’t figured out what was happening, but his instinct told him the best thing he should do now was to leave.

He returned the key to Yunan Xiao and said, “General Manager Xiao, it’s time for me to…”

“Didn’t I tell you that you should call me Nannan privately?” Yunan Xiao interrupted Dai Li.

“Nan…nan?” Dai Li was slow in reacting, for he didn’t remember anything about this term of endearment being mentioned by Yunan Xiao before.

“Let’s go inside.” Yunan Xiao held Dai Li’s arm and walked into the villa together with him.

Then Yunan Xiao stopped halfway, turned around and said to Fen Luo, “Fen Luo, I have got a boyfriend now, so stop clinging to me in the future!”

At this moment, Dai Li finally figured out that he was only being used by Yunan Xiao as a shield.

…

Yunan Xiao dragged Dai Li back to her room. Now Dai Li’s thought was already stagnant, and he moved his feet mechanically, just like a bewildered little puppet that had just been deserted in a strange environment.

“Thank you!” Yunan Xiao let go of Dai Li’s arm, her face flushing a little bit.

This kind of intimacy act with a man she was unfamiliar with made Yunan Xiao a little bit shy.

“The one that just showed up is your admirer, right?” Dai Li asked knowingly.

“Yes, his name is Fen Luo. His family firm has some business relations with Dingtian,” Yunan Xiao said.

“It seems you hate him very much, right?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Actually I don’t hate him, but I don’t like him either.” Yunan Xiao continued to say, “And I don’t know him very well. He keeps showing his love to me, but the chemistry just isn’t there. I feel he is quite annoying, but my father hopes he could be my boyfriend.”

“A political marriage?” Dai Li asked in a low voice.

Yunan Xiao didn’t answer, but her silence was just like an answer.

Maybe being rich is also not good; at least they can’t decide their marriages. Compared to the rich, the ordinary people…As Dai Li thought of this, he laughed with self-mockery. He found it seemed that many ordinary people also couldn’t have 100% control of their marriages.

House property had become a rigid criterion for marriage. Besides the economic factors, it was also quite often that the marriage was stopped because of the opposition from the parents. In China, marriage was not only decided by the resonance between two lovers, but also by the two families. The so-called freedom of marriage was never absolute. In case a Chinese call his parents and said “I am getting married, come and attend my wedding ceremony” like what the foreigners did, his parents would definitely rush to him and beat him black and blue.

The topic of marriage was too heavy for both of them, so they started to talk about the issues of the club, which brought them to share a more common language.

They chatted for over half an hour. When Fen Luo had left and gone far away, Dai Li also rose and took his leave.

Walking out of the villa area, Dai Li couldn’t help looking back. The price of the cheapest villa in this area would make ordinary people desperate.

“Dai Li, wake up, Yunan Xiao and you are people from different worlds. Stop daydreaming!” Dai Li said to himself. Looking at the lamps in the villa area, Dai Li became more rational.

A shield is not as good as a spare tire. However, for Yunan Xiao, indeed I don’t deserve to be her spare tire. The experience of being a shield for her is still a good memory!

…

In a spacious and bright office, Fen Luo was staring at the screen of the computer and looked quite busy.

“Bang bang bang…” his secretary knocked at the door and entered the room.

“General Manager Luo, the investigation company has sent the investigation results to us,” his secretary said.

“What did they find? What is the background of this guy?” Fen Luo looked up.

“His name is Dai Li. He has been working as a coach in Dingtian Club for less than a year,” his secretary said.

“A coach?” Fen Luo doubted whether he had heard that right.

For Dai Li’s identity, Fen Luo had made a lot of speculation, such as a second-generation rich, an officialling, a third-generation of a Founding Father, or a man engaged in finance and securities, investment or real estate industries. However, a coach had gone beyond Fen Luo’s imagination.

“How could he be a coach?” Fen Luo continued to ask, “What about his background?”

“They have also checked his background, but they found nothing. This guy is from Yuzhou, and his parents are ordinary salariats,” the secretary continued to say.

After thinking of the place for a while, Fen Luo finally remembered the whereabouts of Yuzhou, then asked, “How did he come here? It is really far away from Yuzhou to here?”

“He was recommended by Chairman Fang of Dalu Group,” his secretary said.

“Dalu Fang?” Fen Luo frowned.

“But Dalu Fang is not Dai Li’s backer. The investigation company found Dai Li used to be a coach of Dalu Fang’s son. I think this is also the reason he knows Dalu Fang,” his secretary continued to say.

“OK, leave the investigation results here.” Fen Luo waved his hand to let his secretary go, then started to read the investigation results.

“He used to be a track and field coach, and also worked on the National Table Tennis Team.” As Fen Luo read the results carefully, he became more and more angry.

This Dai Li is definitely an ordinary person. How could he win Yunan Xiao’s heart? And how could I lose to such a loser? Fen Luo tossed the investigation results aside angrily. After a while, Fen Luo finally calmed down.

Fen Luo could also be considered as being one of God’s favored ones. He had been treated as a revered leader by a lot of people since his childhood. However, Fen Luo was not a second-generation rich, who only wanted to lead a life of pleasure. As a successor of an enterprise, Fen Luo had been qualified till now. At least he could be considered as being a young talent among the top-grade second-generation riches.

But at this moment, Fen Luo felt he was suffering a gross insult. He thought he was defeated by a loser, who had no money and social status, in pursuing Yunan Xiao.

Damn it! Yunan Xiao was definitely fooled by that Dai Li! He must have other objectives by acting as a coach in Dingtian Club. His target must be the property of Dingtian Group. No, I won’t let it happen. How could a property of hundreds of billions Yuan be obtained by him? Hatred flashed in Fen Luo’s eyes. The next second, he picked up the telephone suddenly.

“Try to publicize the news that Yunan Xiao has got a boyfriend!”

Chapter 334: A Fitness Trainer and His Female Customer

Dai Li still didn’t know that he was hurt innocently, for he hadn’t gotten the awareness of being a shield until now. A qualified shield should be penetrated by hundreds of arrows. The consequence of being a shield could be easily figured out by thinking about the pathetic straw soldiers on the boats used by Liang Zhuge to borrow arrows.

In the evening, Dai Li came to the training room. All the rest of the people had gotten off work. The training room was quite empty.

She is not here. Dai Li was a little bit disappointed. He shook his head, and walked to the newly-purchased equipment with the thick operation instruction in his hands.

Dai Li was focusing on studying the new equipment, and ignored the passage of time, until he heard a voice that came from behind.

“Coach Li, you are also here!” The sweet voice came into Dai Li’ s ears, as he turned around immediately with a pleasant surprise. Yunan Xiao was here, finally.

“General Manager Xiao, you are here to do exercises again.” After seeing Yunan Xiao, Dai Li was a little bit excited. After the thing happened that night, Dai Li felt Yunan Xiao was not so strange to him like before.

“General Manager Xiao, is your ankle better now?” Dai Li asked.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Yunan Xiao nodded, then she said after a short while of hesitation, “Actually you could call me Yunan privately, and you don’t need to call me General Manager Xiao.”

“Not Nannan anymore?” Dai Li said jokingly, “Then you could just call me Dai Li instead of Coach Li.”

After hearing “Nannan”, Yunan Xiao was a little bit shy, and her face was also flushed unknowingly. Dai Li wasn’t embarrassed, so he continued to say, “Yunan, I see you always use the treadmill, do you want to try these new training devices?”

“A lot of equipment looks quite complicated, and I don’t know how to operate them,” Yunan Xiao said.

“I can help you!” Dai Li patted his chest and said, “As a professional physical trainer, I won’t have any problem in acting as your fitness trainer.”

“I don’t want to trouble you,” Yunan Xiao said hesitantly.

“Don’t forget you pay me hundreds of thousands Yuan for my salary. I should make myself well worth the money you paid.” As Dai Li spoke, he pointed at a piece of equipment beside him, “Do you want to try this one? This is a new piece of equipment, which hasn’t been used by our players yet.”

“OK,” Yunan Xiao agreed.

“This equipment is called the intelligent …” Dai Li pointed at the equipment and started his introduction.

…

The equipment in the training room of Dingtian Club was better and more diversified than the equipment of the national team. Even if Yunan Xiao tried 2 or 3 new pieces of equipment a day, she would need 10 days to half a month to try it all!

Both of them didn’t reach an official agreement, but they had formed a tacit agreement. Every day after work, Yunan Xiao and Dai Li would come to the training room. Then Dai Li would act as the fitness trainer of Yunan Xiao and instruct her for a workout for several minutes.

Dai Li and Yunan Xiao got acquainted with each other soon. Although they hadn’t stepped over the boundary of friendship, they had become intimate friends.

The news that Yunan Xiao had gotten a boyfriend was publicized with the “help” of Fen Luo. Yunan Xiao was the princess of Dingtian Group; her family background was also the best among the second generation riches. Also, she was a beautiful girl, and would receive great interest, naturally. Therefore, this news was spread quickly among the second generation rich.

Of course, this news was spread in the circle of the second generation rich; Dai Li had no idea of this news.

Yunan Xiao was very angry upon hearing this news, and she knew it was initiated by Fen Luo, since only Fen Luo knew she took Dai Li as her shield. Now, the spreading of the news must only be being fueled by Fen Luo.

…

Dai Li felt that Yunan Xiao’s expression was unnatural.

“What’s wrong with you? You look absent-minded,” Dai Li asked.

“Nothing, just something annoying.” Yunan Xiao shook her head.

“Something related to work or the AFC Champions League?” Dai Li asked.

“It’s not related to work, but something private,” Yunan Xiao replied.

“Oh…” since it was Yunan Xiao’s private issue, Dai Li stopped asking.

But Yunan Xiao raised her head and looked at Dai Li, “I’m sorry.”

“What? Sorry for what?” Dai Li asked in surprise.

“Do you still remember Fen Luo? After that night, he has been publicizing the news that I have a boyfriend.” Yunan Xiao paused a bit, and continued to say, “This might bring you unnecessary troubles.”

“Oh?” Dai Li’s heart was filled with an inexplicable happiness, then he said, “It doesn’t matter. Rumors stop at those who are witty. Besides, it’s my pleasure to be your shield!”

Yunan Xiao rolled her eyes. She felt that what Dai Li said was a little bit like a confession of love. Dai Li changed the topic immediately, and said half-jokingly, “I have checked the information of that Fen Luo from the internet. According to his experiences, he could be considered as being a competent second generation rich. I didn’t expect he was so narrow-minded.”

“A competent second generation rich? In your mind, all second generation riches are ignorant, right?” Yunan Xiao asked.

“When I was still a schoolboy, I used to think so. After all, for a lot of people, the second generation rich is not a commendatory term. Sometimes, it is a derogatory term.” Dai Li smiled at Yunan Xiao, and continued to say, “However, when I met Haiquan Fang later, who is the son of Chairman Fang of Dalu Group, my idea about the second generation rich was changed by him. Through him, I knew the second generation rich were not pursuing enjoyment every day, and that they could also pursue their dreams strenuously.”

“Haiquan Fang? I know him, but we think he is a troublemaker of his parents.” Yunan Xiao shook her head.

“Why? He was the champion of the Asian Games, which could sufficiently prove he is a brilliant second generation rich,” Dai Li asked.

“Do you think our parents would care about a champion of the Asian Games?” Yunan Xiao let out a long sigh and said, “For them, Haiquan Fang accomplished nothing. Dalu Fang spoiled his son too much, and allowed him to be an athlete.”

“Accomplish nothing? For your parents, the real accomplishment is to be the successor of the family enterprise, right?” Dai Li said ironically, for he really didn’t like that the athletes were looked down upon by the rich.

“Isn’t it what we should do?” Yunan Xiao asked back.

Dai Li was tongue-tied, for he couldn’t find any excuse to contradict Yunan Xiao. For those billionaires and multi-billionaires, a champion of Asian Games was really nothing. Obviously, the most important thing for them was to cultivate a qualified successor to continue the operation of their gigantic properties.

Then Yunan Xiao continued to say, “I am the only child of my father, so I knew I would be the successor of Dingtian when I was young. It is my responsibility to be the manager of Dingtian in future.”

“It is quite stressful if you think in this way, right?” Dai Li sighed slightly.

“Sometimes it is stressful.” Yunan Xiao continued to say, “But it is still a driving force. When I was in school, I always worked harder than others. After graduation, I started to work in Dingtian Group, and I also did my best to complete all tasks assigned to me. I hope I am not accepted by everyone because of my identity, but by my abilities. I hope I could prove that I could be a qualified successor of Dingtian Group to my father.”

“What you have done is already good enough. You are running such a big club, and we have defended our championship of the domestic league.” Dai Li consoled her.

“But my father doesn’t think so.” Yunan Xiao lowered her head with frustration, “My father always thinks I am a girl, and will marry someone sooner or later.”

“Doesn’t he want to hand Dingtian Group to you? Is he going to find a professional manager?” Dai Li asked in surprise.

“No, he will not find a professional manager, but a son-in-law who could run the business of the whole Dingtian Group,” Yunan Xiao said disdainfully. “Also because of this, he keeps introducing those ‘young talents’ to me.”

“Like Fen Luo?” Dai Li asked.

Yunan Xiao nodded, “From the aspect of an entrepreneur, Fen Luo could be considered as a qualified successor. He is running two investment companies, and the annual rate of return is quite good. But I don’t think that I am not as good as Fen Luo. I am not a man, but I can do better than them!”

Dai Li nodded. He could understand Yunan Xiao, who was working hard to be the successor of Dingtian Group. However, her father didn’t recognize her ability, only because she was a girl.

Dai Li felt this might not be considered as a son preference, but rather that this might be the distrust in the traditional thoughts. The same can be said in reality. In most industries, a lady always needed to work much harder than her male counterparts to gain recognition and accomplish success.

She is making her efforts, but can’t gain recognition from her father, who always wants to find a substitute. And the substitute will be her lifelong partner, and that’s why she has the antagonism against Fen Luo. Suddenly Dai Li had a hint of sympathy towards Yunan Xiao in his heart.

Dai Li couldn’t help saying, “Yunan, please trust me. I will do my best to ensure that our team will win the champion of the AFC Champions League, so that you could submit a flawless answer sheet to your father!”

With his eyes filled with sincerity, Dai Li said sturdily. Yunan Xiao looked at him earnestly. At this moment, suddenly she felt a kind of security in her heart. She felt as if Dai Li was the man she could rely on.

…

Watching Yunan Xiao go, Dai Li got a feeling that he was a big hat, with no cattle.

“As a loser can’t afford an apartment, how could I be sympathetic to Yunan Xiao?” Dai Li shook his head, and said to himself, “Just now, I talked too large. I am not a head coach, but just a physical trainer.”

Chapter 335: Father-in-law

The second semi-final of the AFC Champions League was held at the home court of Dingtian. The fans of the home court were shouting very loudly. Their deafening shouts created a suffocating cacophony.

After the confrontation in the first round, Dingtian and Jeonbuk Hyundai were familiar with each other, a familiarity that was a disadvantage for Jeonbuk Hyundai.

The reason for this was that the head coach of Dingtian Club was Harman. The more familiar the two teams were with each other, the more rigorous the testing of the coaches’ tactics would be. In this aspect, the Korean coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai was no match for Harman, who was among the top-level soccer coaches in the world.

Dingtian overwhelmed Jeonbuk Hyundai in tactic arrangements, comprehensively. Also, Dingtian’s lineup was better than that of Jeonbuk Hyundai. Therefore, most of the suspense had been removed in the first half of the game. The score of 2-0 at half time almost destroyed the resistance consciousness of Jeonbuk Hyundai.

After all, this was the home court of Dingtian. On the grounds alone of the strength of Jeonbuk Hyundai, it was too difficult for them to score 2 goals in 45 minutes.

In the second half, Jeonbuk Hyundai adjusted their tactics, and launched their desperate counterattack. At the 64th minute, they scored one goal. Then Harman took countermeasures, and Dingtian scored the third goal after 5 minutes, changing the score to 3-1 and regaining the advantage of two goals.

There was now only 20 minutes left until the end of the whole game. It was impossible for Jeonbuk Hyundai to score two goals in such a short time. In the coach seats of Dingtian, the atmosphere was easy and pleasant.

Dai Li was standing beside the coach seats. This game went smoothly. Therefore, without a lot of players injured in the game, like in the first semi-final, Dai Li didn’t need to do any massage for the players.

For Jeonbuk Hyundai, this was an away game. They wouldn’t play savagely, like they did in their home court. Otherwise, they would definitely get red cards.

“Dai Li, I remember you were a coach of table tennis before, right?” Harman asked suddenly.

Now the face of Harman was filled with an imperceptible smile. As a head coach, he even had time to chat with Dai Li. Obviously, in his mind, he had already grasped the victory of this game in his hands safely.

Dai Li answered immediately, “I used to be the coach in the National Table Tennis Team of our country.”

“Then what do you think of soccer?” Harman continued to say, “I mean, are you interested in being a soccer coach?”

“A soccer coach? You mean the physical training of soccer, right?” Dai Li asked tentatively.

“Not just the physical training, but also other aspects.” Harman thought of it for a while, and said, “I mean a coach like Delassaux, Georg, or me.”

Delassaux and Georg were Harman’s assisting coaches. Although they were just assisting coaches, their coaching was quite professional, and it was no problem for them to lead a team. Their tactic skills were taught to them by Harman personally, and their levels of sideline coaching were also very high. Without Harman, they would be fully qualified as the head coaches of some small European clubs. just based on the grounds of their abilities.

Actually, being a head coach in a small club was not as good as an assistant coach for a top-level head coach. Normally, the small clubs didn’t have enough money, so their head coaches couldn’t make a lot of money, and they also didn’t have enough high level players. Also, as a head coach, the pressure of pursuing good records was inevitable, and sometimes the head coaches even had to take the blame for others’ failures.

In comparison, being an assistant coach for a top-level coach, like Harman, was much better – the pressure was low, the salary was high. If the game was lost, the responsibility would be undertaken by the head coach. If the game was won, a large bonus was awaiting. Also, the working experience in the resume would be more substantial.

Dai Li could understand Harman, and he replied, “I don’t know the tactics of soccer; and I haven’t been a professional soccer player before. I am not even good at playing soccer. In fact, I was just a physical trainer in the National Table Tennis Team, and was only responsible for physical training. I don’t know the techniques very well.”

“Nobody is born to be a good soccer player, and nobody is born with the knowledge of soccer tactics,” Harman continued to say, “But I hope you could jump out of the boundaries of physical training and learn more knowledge related to soccer.”

Dai Li was surprised, as he didn’t expect such a requirement from Harman.

Then Harman continued to say, “Soccer has requirements upon the players’ physical performances and personal techniques, as well as the tactics and cooperation of the team in the game. As a soccer physical trainer, you’d better know all aspects of soccer.”

“You are working with Claude. You should notice that he is not just a physical trainer. He will also take part in our training plan workshop and in any discussion of tactics. He will also bring forth a lot of good suggestions.” Harman continued to say, “We are a team, and an entirety. Just like a machine, each individual is a gear. When all gears are engaged perfectly, the machine could run rapidly and smoothly. If one of the gears loses several gear teeth, the efficiency of the whole machine would be impaired. Do you understand me?”

It seemed as if Harman worried that Dai Li couldn’t understand him, so he spoke slowly. He even gestured to Dai Li as he spoke.

“You mean the knowledge related to soccer is teeth of the gears, right?” Dai Li asked tentatively.

Harman smiled, “It seems you have understood me. Young man, work harder and learn more, while you are still young. I am optimistic about your future!”

Dai Li nodded his head, but he was still confused in his heart. He didn’t know why Harman discussed these issues with him. He also didn’t know that the reason Harman was giving him direction was because Harman was planning to recruit him to the coach team.

Maybe the old man is overjoyed because of his victory in the game. Dai Li said to himself silently.

…

There were a lot of boxes on the second floor of the stand of the stadium. In a box, which was located at the best position, a man with slicked-back hair was surrounded by a lot of people. This man was Dingtian Xiao, who was the Chairman of Dingtian Group, and also the father of Yunan Xiao. Dingtian Group was named according to the pronunciation of his first name.

“Chairman Xiao, the young man who is standing beside Coach Harman is Dai Li.” A guy beside Dingtian Xiao supplied this introduction.

“Is he rumored to be Yunan’s boyfriend?” Dingtian Xiao looked at Dai Li with a blank look.

The guy beside him smiled. Since Dingtian Xiao said it was a “rumor”, he didn’t need to explain more. Dingtian Xiao had heard the slanderous gossip about Yunan Xiao’s boyfriend, as all parents care about their children. Dingtian Xiao was also crystal clear about the details of when Dai Li drove Yunan Xiao home and met Fen Luo.

Actually, in his position, Dingtian Xiao didn’t need to ask someone to investigate this issue deliberately. Someone would investigate the issue and report the result to him naturally, as many people in Dingtian Group, as well as in other enterprises, have business relationships with Dingtian Group and therefore, are always wanting to butter Dingtian Xiao up.

This young man is quite lively and spirited. Dingtian Xiao was still wearing a blank face. Someone had reported Dai Li’s family background and working experience to Dingtian Xiao, which was more specific than the investigation report obtained by Fen Luo.

The one beside Dingtian Xiao peeped at Dingtian Xiao, but couldn’t figure out whether Dingtian Xiao was looking at his son-in-law, or if he was planning to separate the lovebirds, at least not simply according to Dingtian Xiao’s blank face.

He should be planning to interfere in this love affair. How could Chairman Xiao allow an ordinary person to marry his beloved daughter? The guy wondered to himself silently.

Chapter 336: The Final of the AFC Championship League

In the home page of a news site, the news that Dingtian Club had entered the final game of the AFC Championship League was placed in a quite conspicuous position. Fen Luo looked at the webpage with knitted brows.

“Why didn’t Chairman Xiao take any action?” Fen Luo murmured to himself.

Several days ago, Fen Luo publicized the news that Yunan Xiao had gotten a boyfriend. He hoped that Dingtian Xiao would get this news. Fen Luo was certain that Dingtian Xiao would definitely interfere in the love affair of Yunan Xiao and Dai Li, for Dingtian Xiao was not satisfied with many talented second-generation riches, let alone an ordinary coach like Dai Li.

However, several days had passed, but Dingtian Xiao did nothing. It seemed nothing had happened, which surprised Fen Luo a lot. Just at this moment, Fen Luo’s mobile phone vibrated, and he got a voice message in his WeChat.

It’s Lefeng Gu. Isn’t he in Singapore now? Why does he contact me? Fen Luo hesitated a bit, and then clicked on the voice message.

“I’ve heard Yunan Xiao has gotten a boyfriend. Is this news true?”

Fen Luo picked up his mobile phone and sent a voice message back: “It’s real. Why? Still can’t forget Yunan Xiao, right? She has refused you, definitely, for the last time, and her father also doesn’t have a good impression of you.”

“Stop saying that. Is this news accurate? Could it be a rumor?” another voice message was received.

“It is reliable news, and I have seen it personally. That guy was doing exercises together with Yunan Xiao, and even drove her home. Yunan Xiao has admitted that he is her boyfriend,” Fen Luo spoke with some frustration.

“Got it. I will return to China several days from now, and I will come to visit you then,” said another voice message.

“Hey, Lefeng Gu, don’t do anything stupid,” Fen Luo said immediately.

“I know what I will do,” Lefeng Gu replied.

Fen Luo put down his mobile phone, his expression unnatural.

As a second generation rich, this Lefeng Gu is a famous black sheep. His family is also a shareholder of Dingtian Club. It seems this guy will make a mess again this time. Think of it in this way, I am a little bit sympathetic to that coach…

…

The two final games of the AFC Championship League would be held in mid-November and late November respectively. To facilitate Dingtian’s preparation of the final games of the AFC Championship League, the Chinese Football Association had postponed the final game of the CFA Cup until December.

Before that, the date of the CFA Cup games used to contradict with the games of the AFC Championship League. At that time, the football association didn’t expect the domestic clubs would enter the final eight or final four of the AFC Championship League, so the football association didn’t take the games of the AFC Championship League into the consideration of the scheduling of the CFA Cup. As a result, the football association was criticized by the fans fiercely, some of whom even blamed the football association for the failures of domestic clubs in the games of AFC Championship League.

Now, the domestic clubs were much more powerful than before, especially for clubs like Dingtian, which could strive for winning as the champion of the AFC Championship League. Therefore, the pressure of public opinion, and the reality of it all, had forced the football association to further elaborate their work. It was quite normal that the schedule of the CFA Cup made concessions for the games of the AFC Championship League.

As a matter of fact, the domestic league was just an appetizer for Dingtian Club. In this season, Dingtian was indeed invincible in the domestic league. The value of hundreds of millions Yuan, invested by Dingtian Club to recruit the team of Harman, as well as the first-class players like Neol and Martintes, was fully displayed.

When Dingtian invested a lot of money to recruit the team of Harman, a lot of people were mocking Dingtian Club for spending money to no avail. Now, however, several rich clubs in the domestic league planned to make heavy investments, just like Dingtian Club. Some clubs even started the negotiations and hoped to introduce star players and famous coaches in order to enhance the strength of the clubs.

However, all these investments would take effect in the next season. In this season, Dingtian Club was still invincible among the rest of the clubs. The opponent of Dingtian Club in the final games of the AFC Championship League was the Al-Ain Club of UAE. Al-Ain Club was one of the best clubs in UAE, and could even be considered as one of the best clubs in west Asia. The club had a history dating back nearly 50 years, which was still no match for those century-old European clubs. Although, it could still be considered as a time-honored club in Asia.

Al-Ain Club used to win as champion of the AFC Championship League and over 10 champions of the domestic league of UAE, as well as several champions of the UAE Cup. As for the lineup of the club, Al-Ain was quite similar to Dingtian, in that it was recruiting a lot of players of the national team and investing a lot of money to recruit Brazilian players for key positions, like the midfielders and forecourt players.

In fact, in the final game stage of the AFC Championship League, the strength gap between the clubs was not obvious. All clubs were at the same level. Sometimes, a little bit of good luck might decide the final result of the games.

The game schedule of Dingtian Club was still the same – they would have an away game first, and then have their home game. Since Dingtian had won as champion of the domestic league in advance, they had over 20 days to prepare for the first round of the final game for the AFC Championship League.

…

During the tactics discussion meeting, Dai Li sat in the corner and kept silent, as if he was totally marginalized. In fact, Dai Li couldn’t get a single word in the discussion, for each member of Harman’s team, even the Team Doctor Maraloni, was better than Dai Li in the understanding of soccer tactics.

After all, Harman was among the top-level soccer coaches in the world. He also used to coach the top-notch clubs in Europe. Therefore, the tactical ability of this team was flawless.

After the discussion meeting, when everyone was leaving the meeting room, one after the other, Dai Li was stopped by Claude.

“Well, could you understand the tactics we have discussed just now?” Claude asked.

“Frankly speaking, not very well, especially for the tactics of the left wing,” Dai Li said.

Claude took out the tactics board and started to draw on it slightly, “Actually, this tactic is not very complicated. You see here, when we are on the offensive, our left back fielder will push forward. Meanwhile, one of the two center backs will fall back, while the other center back will go left. In this system, the left back fielder will act as a midfielder in the offensive. The defensive midfielder will also move forward. We put Martintes in the position of the defensive midfielder. When he moves forward, the opponent will fear his offensive ability, so they will arrange more people to stop Martintes. Once their defensive line moves to Martintes, one of our offensive players in the upfield will be freed to create the opportunity of a goal.”

He continued: “There are two key points in this tactic. The first one is the left back fielder. He should keep moving forward and backward, to change his position, so that the defensive players of the opponent can be distracted. The center back, who moves left, should have some organization ability and be active enough. He should pass the ball rapidly and accurately to create opportunities for his teammates.”

Dai Li nodded to show he had understood the tactic, while Claude continued his explanation, “In fact, our players are still not good enough to meet the requirements of Coach Harman completely. Therefore, we keep changing our formations, from 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-3-2-1 to 3-5-2, we have tried them all. In one game, we tried to use 2 or 3 different tactics. Most of the time, we want to have more complicated tactic cooperation. However, the personal competence of our players is hampering the smooth implementation of our tactics.”

…

In the next 10 days, Claude gave explanations of Harman’s tactic system to Dai Li regularly. Although Claude was just a physical trainer, he had been following Harman for 10 years, so he knew Harman’s tactic system very well. The best way to learn was to learn from the best. From the aspect of tactic theories, Claude was absolutely better than the head coaches of those small European clubs, and several levels higher than the coaches of domestic clubs. Of course, he was not as good as the professional soccer coaches in sideline coaching. After all, he was just a physical trainer.

Dai Li kept absorbing new knowledge crazily. Along with the increment of the soccer theoretical knowledge, his soccer physical training was also more and more efficient. In mid-November, the first final game of the AFC Championship League was held in the Khalifa International Stadium of UAE, which was also the home court of Al-Ain Club.

Also in November, the winter of UAE had come. As a country with a tropical desert climate, UAE’s winter was mild, and the temperature was between 10℃- 20℃. Also, the winter here was quite dry, even posing occasional sand storms during the season.

Therefore, it was not difficult for players of Dingtian Club to adapt to the climate in UAE. In addition, the dry weather here could even enhance the players’ performances in the game. If the game was held in summer, most players would be influenced by the high temperature in UAE, which would be over 40℃.

After several weeks of preparation, the two teams were fully prepared, so the game was quite exciting at the very beginning. In its home court, Al-Ain wanted to score goals as early as possible, so their offensives were quite fierce. However, Dingtian didn’t solidify their defense, before launching a counter attack as usual. They also started their offensives.

The two teams fought over ball possession hotly. After a while, everyone had figured out the tactical intention of Dingtian. Dingtian’s goal was to score as many away goals as possible.

The games between clubs were different from the games between the national teams. There was only one final game of the World Cup. If the score was tied in 90 minutes, the additional overtime periods were played. If the score was still tied after the overtime periods, the penalty shootout would be held. However, the final games of the AFC Championship League would be held for two rounds. After the home game and the away game, the total score would be calculated to decide the ultimate winner.

If the score was tied, the team with more away goals would be the final winner. In fact, the strength gap between the teams in the final four stage of the AFC Championship League was small, and the strength gap between the two teams in the final games would be much smaller. None of the teams could guarantee to win over its opponent, and also to consider, the games would be held in the home court and the away court respectively.

No one would be surprised if the final score of the two teams in the final games of the AFC Championship League was tied. Some people even thought it would be quite normal. Once the total score was tied, the away goals were critical in deciding the final winner.

For example, if Dingtian was defeated by Al-Ain with a score of 2-3 in its away game, and then Dingtian defeated Al-Ain with a score of 2-1 in its home game, the total score would be 4-4. However, Dingtian got 2 away goals, while Al-Ain only got 1 away goal, so Dingtian would be the final winner, because they had 1 more away goal. In this game system, the more goals lost in the home court, the more unfavorable situation a team would be in.

…

The players were struggling in the court, while the coaches were in a battle of wits and courage. In the 21st minute, Dingtian broke the deadlock first. The foreign player Neol grasped a defensive gap of the opponent and managed to rush into the opponent’s penalty area. For the defense line of Al-Ain, this was a severe mistake.

In order to remedy this mistake, the center back of Al-Ain shoved Neol directly to the ground. Neol won a penalty for Dingtian. Then, he scored the penalty, thus living up to everyone’s expectations. Now Dingtian had gained the advantage of 1-0 in its away game.

Behind in the score, Al-Ain started their crazy counterattack, and managed to score a goal through a free kick at the 44th minute in the first half of the game.

The score was fixed at 1-1 at the end of the first half. In the second half, both of the teams made adjustments in their tactics.

As a world-class tactic master, Harman used to change the formation 3 times in a game, and used 3 different tactics in one game. Therefore, Dingtian’s adjustment in formation and tactics was implemented thoroughly. At the same time, Al-Ain was quite unadaptable to the changes caused by Dingtian’s adjustments.

For a moment, the defense line of Al-Ain was in chaos. The players’ running of the ball was messy, which caused some defensive gaps. Dingtian scored the second goal by decisively grasping a defensive gap. The score was changed to 2-1.

Behind in the scoring again, Al-Ain performed a substitution. However, their substitution didn’t take effect immediately. Al-Ain failed to tie up the score till the 75th minute of the game.

At this moment, the players of Dingtian had almost run out of stamina.

The intensity of the final game of the AFC Championship League was much higher than that of the domestic league. Furthermore, Dingtian was also on the offensive in the first half, which consumed more stamina of the players. With abundant stamina, the substitutes of Al-Ain kept bombarding the defense line of Dingtian, while the players of Dingtian were exhausted. Finally, Al-Ain managed to score a goal and tie up the score.

However, what Al-Ain hoped for was a victory in their home court. They couldn’t accept the result of a tie, let alone the fact that they lost 2 scores in their home court.

Harman was satisfied with the score, so he sent defensive players to hold the line for the last 15 minutes, with all efforts. The referee was quite gracious to Al-Ain in their home court by giving them a 5 minutes injury time after 90 minutes. However, Al-Ain couldn’t break Dingtian’s defense line. Finally, the 2 teams shook hands at a score of 2-2.

With 2 away goals, Dingtian returned to their home court.

Chapter 337: Association of Hearts

In the evening, Dai Li waited in the training room of Dingtian Club until the arrival of Yunan Xiao.

“I want to do some strenuous exercises today,” Yunan Xiao said.

“No problem.” Dai Li nodded and pointed at one piece of training equipment, “Just use this one!”

Several minutes later, Dai Li found something was wrong with Yunan Xiao.

When Yunan Xiao stopped to have a break, Dai Li sat together with her, and asked, “What’s wrong with you? Is there something annoying you?”

“You have noticed my mood change, right?” Yunan Xiao asked.

“Yes. You are not doing exercises, but instead, venting your bad mood,” Dai Li said.

Yunan Xiao hesitated for several seconds, then said, “I am worrying we might lose in the next game.”

The “next game” mentioned by Yunan Xiao was the second round of the final game of the AFC Championship League. “You don’t need to worry. We have 2 away goals in hand, so we have the upper hand,” Dai Li said.

“But no one can guarantee we could win the next game.” Yunan Xiao’s eyes were filled with depression. She sighed and said, “This champion of the AFC Championship League is really very important for the whole club.”

“I know. If we win, we will be the first club to win as champion of the AFC Championship League in China, which is unprecedented,” Dai Li said.

“It’s more than that, for it is also related to Dingtian Group,” Yunan Xiao said.

“You mean the economic returns, right? From the news, I know Dingtian Group has invested almost 1 billion Yuan in these years in the club. I thought you are just planning to maximize your influence, so that the sales of your real estates could be promoted,” Dai Li said.

“If the investment in the new stadium is counted, the actual expenditure has exceeded 1 billion Yuan.” Yunan Xiao paused a bit and continued to say, “Soccer is an expensive industry. It is impossible for our group to make investments in projects without economic returns. Therefore, according to the plan, we are going to have our team go public at an appropriate time. Being champion of the AFC Championship League will also create a good opportunity for the club to go public.”

“Go public? Could a soccer club also be a listed company?” Dai Li asked in surprise.

“Of course. If we could make it fast, and lodge the application next year. Then, the club will go public in the New Over The Counter Market in the year after next year. After going public, we could not only get more financing, the assets of the club will also grow tenfold, or even more. If we could succeed in turning the club into a listed company, the club will be the good asset of the group, and my efforts in these years could pay off,” Yunan Xiao said with longing.

Dai Li made a calculation in his heart. Now, the market value of Dingtian Club was over 1 billion Yuan. If the club went public, the assets would be increased tenfold, or even more, making the market value of Dingtian Club over 10 billion Yuan at that time.

After his calculation, Dai Li was surprised by the result. If Dingtian Club managed to go public, as the largest shareholder, Dingtian Group would at least obtain direct revenue of 4 to 5 billion Yuan, and the indirect revenue in future would even be immeasurable.

“I didn’t expect the soccer industry could be so profitable.” Dai Li sighed slightly.

“That’s for sure. Otherwise, we would not make such a heavy investment in soccer.” Yunan Xiao continued to say, “Of course, the precondition of all of these things is becoming the champion of the AFC Championship League. We have to achieve pretty good accomplishments first, otherwise, our application will be rejected by China Securities Regulatory Commission. The listing of the club will also be postponed.”

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” Dai Li continued to say, “I think you are too nervous now. Try to relax. You should know we only have 1 game left, and the result of the game is out of your control. At this time, what you could only do is to trust us. Trust the coach and the players.”

Yunan Xiao didn’t say anything, then Dai Li continued to speak: “I still remember when I participated in the official match for the first time as a coach. That was a branch match of the National Weightlifting Championship. I was totally lost in the playing area and didn’t know what I should do. At last, an athlete came to console me and told me to relax…”

Dai Li started to tell his experience of participating in the matches. He hoped Yunan Xiao could get some relaxation as she listened. When he started to tell his experience in the Asian Games, he suddenly felt something leaning on his shoulder.

Dai Li turned around and found Yunan Xiao leaning on his shoulder with squinted eyes. She had fallen asleep unknowingly as she was listening to Dai Li’s stories.

She is really tired. Dai Li stared at Yunan Xiao, and found that she only put on light make-up. However, the delicate fragrance emitting from her beautiful hair kept drifting into Dai Li’s nose.

At this moment, Dai Li got a feeling of obsession, suddenly. He even wanted to kiss the cheek of Yunan Xiao. However, he didn’t move a bit, for he was afraid he would wake Yunan Xiao up.

Just let her sleep quietly. She has put too much pressure on herself. It’s time for her to have a good rest.

…

After opening her eyes, Yunan Xiao felt that her neck was sore. However, this leaning gave her a sense of security. She wanted to keep this leaning movement and sleep a little longer.

In the next second, she suddenly realized she was leaning on the shoulder of Dai Li.

How could I sleep by leaning on his shoulder? Yunan Xiao’s face was flushed because of shyness. However, she didn’t get up immediately, but kept leaning on Dai Li and peeped up at him.

At this moment, Dai Li was also looking at her. When they made eye contact, they started to be embarrassed at the same time. Dai Li got an inexplicable diffident feeling in his heart. On the contrary, Yunan Xiao was more open-minded. She left Dai Li’s shoulder, dressed her hair a bit, and then asked, “How long did I sleep?”

“Over half an hour,” Dai Li answered.

“I should go home now.” Yunan Xiao checked her wristwatch, stood up, and left. Soon, she turned around and smiled at Dai Li, “Do you want to leave with me?”

…

The second round of the final game of the AFC Championship League was held in the home court of Dingtian Club. Although the current score was 2-2, Dingtian had the advantage of 2 away goals, which meant for each goal scored by Dingtian in this game, Al-Ain had to score 2 more goals in order to be the winner.

Harman arranged 2 defending midfielders in this game, which meant that he planned to set up a solid defense line in the midfield to enhance the team’s defense. For Harman, the advantage of 2 away goals should be fully exerted, so his tactic was more steady and conservative in this game.

However, the 2 defending midfielders were not purely defensive. Besides the defense enhancement in the midfield, they should also organize offensive during the counterattack, meaning that they were attacking midfielders in offensive. This was the essence of Harman’s coaching theories: the position change of the players. Harman laid great emphasis on off-the-ball running in his tactics, which meant the players wouldn’t be fixed in one position. In offensive, the backcourt players should participate in the offensive. While during defensive, the forecourt players shall also take part in the overall defense system.

Al-Ain kept attacking, while Dingtian was trying to counterattack on the basis of their robust defense. The double defending midfielder arrangement had greatly hampered the momentum of Al-Ain. Many offensives of Al-Ain were blocked in the midfield. Even though they managed to push forward to the forecourt, they had already lost their momentum. However, this defensive formation of Dingtian also resulted in the insufficient sharpness of the strikers, so Dingtian also failed to create many offensive opportunities.

The first half of the game ended in the stalemate. Neither of the 2 teams scored a goal, and even the offensives, which could cause threats to the opponent’s goal, were quite rare.

On normal days, this kind of game would be quite boring. However, the fans in the stadium kept cheering for the players in high spirits. Everyone knew that, even if no goal was scored in this game, Dingtian would still be the ultimate winner.

…

Score 1 goal! Just 1 goal is enough! Dai Li stood on the sideline and was watching the game nervously. Dai Li felt a tie was not secure enough. In case Al-Ain scored 1 goal, Dingtian would be in a passive situation. On the contrary, if Dingtian scored a goal, Al-Ain had to score 2 more goals, which meant Dingtian got an error rate of 1 goal.

“Don’t be so nervous.” Claude patted Dai Li on his shoulder slightly. “You should have confidence in Coach Harman, especially in this crucial moment.”

Dai Li looked at Claude, as well as the two assistant coaches, Delassaux and Georg. He found all of them were quite undisturbed.

“Aren’t you nervous now?” Dai Li asked.

“Everything is under control!” Claude paused a bit and continued to say, “This is not an individual event. Don’t forget, this is soccer, a sport with 11 players. The teamwork is the most important factor. Till now, we have known the performance of Al-Ain, as well as their upper limits in this game. Therefore, even now, with the score still 0-0, and no goal being scored, I am still not nervous.”

“Our current tactics are correct, so what we need is just a little bit of good luck. A goal will be scored sooner or later.” Claude continued to say, “This is what Coach Harman taught me.”

Claude wore an expression of recollection, and continued to say, “I still remember when I had just started to work for Coach Harman, and he had been the coach of the champion of the UEFA Champions League, and was recruited as the head coach of the National Team of Italy. You should know that World Cup, of which Italy was the winner.”

Dai Li nodded, and Claude continued his introduction, “I remember during the final game, I was very nervous, just like you are now. No, I should say I was more nervous than you, for we lost a goal in the first ten minutes of the game. At that time, I thought we were doomed to lose the game.”

“Then Coach Harman told me that the current tactics were correct, and that what we needed was just a little bit of good luck. A goal would be scored sooner or later.” Claude shrugged his shoulders, “As a result, we scored a goal after 10 minutes. I still can’t forget the confident expression of Coach Harman in that game.”

Claude’s words were hardly out of his mouth, when a great shout burst out from the stands. Claude turned around and looked at the court. The ball had been passed to the right side of the perimeter of Al-Ain’s penalty area.

“Cross! Shoot! Goal!”

Neol had a swift response. Although he was not very tall, his dibbling was quite awesome. He didn’t jump for the header, but managed to squeeze out from between two defensive players of Al-Ain, then he volleyed the ball to the goal of Al-Ain.

The goalkeeper of Al-Ain had the correct judgment upon the direction of the ball, however, the ball was too fast and Neol was too close, so all the attempts at saves made by the goalkeeper were in vain.

A deafening roar burst out in the stadium suddenly. All cameras in the stadium were aiming at Neol, who was dashing about excitedly. Then he made his symbolic celebration gesture.

Dingtian was in the lead with the score of 1-0. Al-Ain had to score 2 goals to win this game. It was less than half an hour before the end of the game. According to the current situation, it was almost impossible for Al-Ain to score 2 goals.

“We are going to win!” Dai Li also cheered excitedly. Then, he couldn’t help looking at the stands, for he wanted to share the joy of winning with Yunan Xiao.

At the same time, Yunan Xiao, who was in the stands, was also looking at Dai Li. When they made eye contact, they gave an understanding smile to each other.

Chapter 338: Athlete Patches

Time flowed away. 90 minutes of regular game ended, and the referee gave three minutes of injury time.

Three minutes later, the whole stadium turned into a sea of jubilation at the final whistle.

“Win! We are the champion!” A lot of people rushed into the field from the bench and, at the same time, Dai Li received a hint from the system.

“Upgraded! So much bonus experience for the championship of the AFC Champions League!” Dai Li showed a surprised expression for an instant.

He had found that the bonus experience was very high in Dingtian’s winning the championship of Chinese Super League before, which also proved the system’s description that the bonus experience gained from the achievements on team events were way more than that gained from individual events. Also, professional football could maximize this bonus experience.

Football is the most popular sport in the world, and the professional football league is also the most widespread league in the world. It is on every corner of five continents. Where there are humans, there are people playing football. Poverty, starvation, and wars, all of these even cannot stop people from playing football.

Even some countries that are the least developed economically, like Africa, hold their own football leagues, such as Iraq has in the past, as well as Syria in recent years. Players have to pass through shells to attend football trainings there. So, the bonus experience of professional football is higher than any other sport at the same level.

When he was in the National Table Tennis Team, Dai Li upgraded to the primary stage of the Famous Coach Level, because the players trained by him won many championships in international games and got gold medals in the Olympics. His upgrade to the secondary stage of the Famous Coach at the moment was, to some degree, due to his experience gained in the National Table Tennis Team. His experience in Dingtian Club also made great contributions to the upgrade.

From another point of view, the Olympic Games, held every four years, is the world’s most important sporting event. The Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League are held every year. They are national level or Asian level, which are much lower, compared with the Olympics.

But Dai Li gained more bonus experience from the Asian Championship than the Olympic championship, with the advantage of the team event and it being a professional sport.

It seems that, if I want more experience in the future, I have to aim at the team events among professional sporting events. Dai Li thought secretly, and at the same time, checked his upgrade rewards.

The first item was a thick stack of square black cloths.

“What is this?” Dai Li asked.

“Athlete Patches. They are consumable. Here are 200 patches,” the system replied.

“What’s the function of the patch?” Dai Li continued asking.

“It can offset the athlete’s own physical defects,” the system replied.

“Sounds like an amazing thing,” Dai Li said, while observing the patch he just got in hand, as he continued speaking. “An athlete, who doesn’t run fast enough, can use patch to run faster? Then, how many patches do I need to offset more defects of one player? For example, how many patches does a player lacking endurance and strength, who also cannot run fast, need? One, or three?”

“In this case, even using up all 200 athlete patches is useless,” the system said.

“Do I understand it wrong? Didn’t you say it can offset the athlete’s shortcomings?” Dai Li questioned unhappily.

“I mean the physical defects of a player’s own. Lacks of speed, jumping ability, strength and endurance are all shortcomings of a player’s abilities, but not his physical defects. The Athlete Patch has no use on a player’s shortcomings of abilities,” the system said frankly.

“Then, what are an athlete’s own physical defects?” Dai Li laughed, “An athlete with only one arm? Or only one leg?”

“You’re right, the lack of limbs is really a physical defect for an athlete,” the system said seriously.

Dai Li suddenly wanted to say dirty words, and he asked with anger, “Have you ever seen an athlete, who is short of arms and legs? Oh, a disabled athlete? If this patch is for the disabled athletes, as you say, then I have to seek a job in the Disabled Persons’ Federation!”

“I’m going to train a disabled athlete who is lacking of a leg, and give him a patch. And then his leg appears! How amazing! Magical technology! Should I apply for a patent? Oh! I would better publish dozens of papers to get a Nobel Prize!” Limb regeneration, the biggest discovery of the 21st century! This is really lucrative! I have decided the news headline: ‘A Sports Coach Makes More than One Hundred Million Monthly with His Limb Regeneration Technology’!” Dai Li spoke ironically. He had a feeling of being deceived and thought that the patch was useless.

Athletes are all strong, and their physical qualities are far better than the average. Athletes trained by a coach like Dai Li were even stronger, and had greater physical talents. Those who lack legs or arms were impossible to be made into professional athletes.

What’s more, things like limb regeneration went way beyond the boundaries of modern sciences. An athlete without legs or arms suddenly got his limbs back? He would definitely be the experimental subject of scientists. And Dai Li, as his coach, would be in big trouble then.

Therefore, Dai Li regarded the patch as being something useless to himself and didn’t dare use it, even if it was effective. The system explained, “You misunderstood me. What I just said is: offsetting a player’s own physical defects, not regenerating limbs. Damaged limbs cannot be regenerated, but disabled athletes can have the feeling that their physical defects have been offset.”

“Let me give you an example of an athlete who lacks an arm. Compared with ordinary people, he has a deficit in balance, besides a physical disability. He can use the Athlete Patch to make up for the deficiency of his sense of balance, but he still can’t use his arm, due to his lack of that arm. All this, even though he now feels that he is just like a normal person with two arms.”

“I have understood, generally.” Dai Li nodded, calming down.

And the system explained more, “Another example: An athlete went through a surgery to remove his meniscus, which affected his movement. And if the patch is applied to him, he would overcome the lack of the meniscus, to move and act just like his meniscus was not removed.”

On hearing this, Li was instantly excited, and he finally understood how great the Athlete Patch was. It is normal for a professional athlete to remove some “parts” of his body because of injuries. Important organs, such as the heart, lung, and kidney, cannot be removed. But it’s okay to remove the meniscus, or the splinters of bones after a fracture. Even some joints can be replaced by artificial joints.

But the artificial ones could never work better than the natural joints. Not to mention that some parts are simply removed. That’s the difference between “I have” and “I do not have”… when they remove some of their body parts, it is very difficult for many good athletes to get back to their former competitive states, and they even retire with lifetime injuries.

The Athlete Patch solves that predicament perfectly. Really, for an athlete’s needs, it can make him recover to his former state, and in a larger sense, it can save his whole career.

“One more question. Is this Athlete Patch lifetime effective, or valid for only a period of time?” Dai Li asked.

“The duration of the Athlete Patch is one year, which means that, after the use of the athlete, it is valid for one year, and when one year passed, a second patch is required,” the system replied.

“Is there any restriction of the times of use on one player?” Dai Li continued asking.

“Yes. Every player can only use patches for three times in his lifetime,” the system said.

Dai Li nodded silently and began to calculate in his heart, “Three patches. One patch for one year. A total of three years. It’s enough. After all, most professional athletes’ careers are very short. Many professional athletes will retire before the age of 30. Occasionally, some of them could extend their career life to their thirties. On average, it would be great for an athlete to have a ten-year career. Three years almost occupies one-third of an athlete’s career life.”

“And many of the athletes’ injuries are caused by accumulation over a long period. They usually suffer from serious injuries in the middle and late stages of their careers. They are set to retire, even without injuries. From this point of view, three years is enough for them.”

Thinking about that, Dai Li asked, “In total, there are only 200 patches?”

“Yes, 200. No more. So, you must be prudent and make full use of them,” the system replied.

“Are there any other restrictions, besides the times of use?” Dai Li continued asking.

“These athlete patches are currently inactive, and you have to activate them before you can use them. As for the activation requirements…” The system paused, and then said, “You can activate an athlete patch by consuming only 10,000 points of experience.”

“Another 10,000 points of experience! I know it cannot be that easy!” Dai Li could not help saying.

Chapter 339: Skill Upgrade

Although Dai Li was muttering his complaint, he was satisfied with this reward item from the bottom of his heart. Athlete patches were the reward that would bring essential changes. The cost of 10,000 points of experience might be high, but the earnings were far beyond that cost.

After some transient surprise and delight, Dai Li then put patches aside and looked at another reward item. No one would be unfamiliar with it, if he or she had studied at a primary school: an extra book cover used to wrap up the textbook. But there was no design except for two big words on it: cover upgrade.

Cover? Upgrade? He didn’t know what it meant.

“You should read the two words in converse order. Upgrade cover is the name.” The system then said, “Do you remember those skill books you that had before? This upgrade cover is used to upgrade your skill books. Cover the book with it, and the skill in the book will be upgraded, the effect of which will thus be improved significantly. “

“Can I use it repeatedly?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“No. It’s a disposable consumable. So, before you use it, you should make clear what skill you want to upgrade,” the system answered in a quite serious manner.

“Then, could you please tell me the effect of the upgrade?” he inquired.

“The exact effect of the upgrade is randomly generated. I can’t give you an exact answer,” the system explained.

“Huh, another bet on luck.” Dai Li then frowned and began to think.

The skill books he owned at present were: Weight Loss Exercises, Fat Loss Exercise, Massage and Muscle Relaxation, Rehabilitative Massage, Stretching Yoga, Warm-up Square Dance and Stamina Rampage. The Morale-boosting Book was more a piece of paper versus a book now, so it couldn’t be upgraded with the cover. He had to choose one of those skill books to upgrade.

Weight Loss Exercises and Fat Loss Exercises have similar effects, but the proportion of athletes in need of losing weight is quite small. Thus, these two skills are minor, and I don’t need to give them any upgrade. Dai Li gave up Weight Loss Exercises and Fat Loss Exercises first.

As for Stretching Yoga, although it helps to improve body flexibility and coordination, stamina rampage also boosts flexibility to some extent. The increase of flexibility brought about by stamina rampage is far less than Stretching Yoga, but stamina rampage can promote other qualities, such as endurance and strength. In this view, the comprehensive gains of stamina rampage are better than Stretching Yoga. Hence, he denied Stretching Yoga.

Warming-up square dance is only applied in warming-up. The usage is limited, and square dance is not well-accepted by people, due to its form. Warming-up square dance was, therefore, negated.

Compared with relaxing massage, Rehabilitative Massage is much more important. As a coach, I have worked with the national team, the provincial team, and Dingtian Club. In my career, I saw not a single athlete that would not get hurt. It’s unavoidable that athletes get hurt in training. From this aspect, Rehabilitative Massage is of great practicality, ranking only second to stamina rampage.

Thought out here, Dai Li had determined to make a choice between Rehabilitative Massage and stamina rampage. In comparison, stamina rampage could be applied to all athletes, while Rehabilitative Massage only was aimed at the injured. Therefore, stamina rampage had a wider range of application.

However, Rehabilitative Massage was able to create miracles. Since he acquired the skill, he had helped several athletes to recover from their injuries, and then had built trust with them.

What a hard decision to make! He even imagined counting on tossing a coin.

Well, I should upgrade Rehabilitative Massage. Although stamina rampage can work in a larger field, it’s a BUFF on capability at root. Rehabilitative Massage will recollect one’s lost hope…

Dai Li couldn’t help thinking of Feixiang Lin, who gave up on himself, due to his injury, and then later got back to the game, thanks to his recovery. So to say, Rehabilitative Massage brought him a new life.

Thinking this way, he put the cover on the skill book of Rehabilitative Massage, because he liked the excitement of creating miracles most. After a golden blink, the cover was changed. There was now a tangible frame around the edge of the book. Dai Li read the book immediately, but found nothing new there.

“The same massage technique, no change. That’s to say, the upgrade is merely the increase of skill effect?” he asked.

At this moment, the system explained slowly, “The effect of Rehabilitative Massage is indeed improved, and the massage now will revitalize damaged nerve issues, as well as promote the regeneration of nerve cells.”

“What do you mean?” Dai Li asked promptly.

The system answered, “You know, the efficiency of recovery differs, according to the parts of body that get injured. The most difficult part for recovery is the nerves. Many injuries effects on those are irrevocable. Once damaged, there will be no chance to get well. However, the new function of Rehabilitative Massage can heal them to some extent. Of course, the result depends on the injured themselves.”

Dai Li recalled what he knew and then nodded in comprehension.

Cells of different parts of muscles or tissues have different efficiencies of recovery. For example, the cells on people’s lips are the most active cells. Everyday, there are many cells dying or being regenerated. So, the wounds on lips will heal rapidly and leave no scars.

Another example is that the wounds on skin will be fine earlier than the ones of muscles or bones. Once the epidermis is hurt, the basal cells at the edge of wound will proliferate in 24 hours, and then move to the center of the wound, forming the epithelium that covers the granulation tissue. Thus, slight scratches on the skin will heal soon.

For the wounds of inner muscles, they need to be sutured. Torn ligaments and fractures should be treated with operations. Such injuries will require a long time for complete recovery. As the saying goes: “A wound to the bone needs 100 days to recover.” The injuries in critical parts of body, such as a meniscus tear and a serious fracture of ankle bone, even take a year to heal. If nerve tissues are damaged, whether they will heal at all is doubtful most of the time. For most tissues and organs of the human body, physical recovery means returning to correct functioning.

Take the fracture of a finger as an example. When the fracture occurs, it’s impossible for one to pick up chopsticks. The finger is damaged, at a physical level, and is malfunctioning. When the fracture is healed, one can pick up chopsticks as a result. The recovery is at both the physical and functional levels.

But the damages of nerves are different. Physical recovery doesn’t necessarily mean re-functioning. For instance, people suffering from spine nerve damage may not stand on the ground anymore, even if their spine nerve is recovered.

The new effect of Rehabilitative Massage is to revitalize damaged nerve issues and promote the regeneration of nerve cells, which is obviously against such nerve damage. It looks cool.

But after a thorough analysis, Dai Li was only depressed.

For athletes, nerve damage is a very serious, irregular injury. As it is irregular, the probability of its occurrence must be low. It might take a few years to meet an athlete with nerve damage. At least, I haven’t met any in all my years as a coach. So, this new effect looks nice, but it is not that useful.

Dai Li sighed in much regret, saying, “If I had known that, I would have upgraded the stamina rampage!”

Chapter 340: The Glee Feast

Winners are always the targets of people’s praise.

Dingtian Club had won as champion in the Asian Champions League. Skepticism in the past had gone, naturally. Even its opponents came to make congratulations for the win.

Soccer fans in China had been disappointed for a long time. In the international games, Chinese soccer teams had made such horrible results, that one could hardly bear to look at them. This championship on the Asian Champions League was obviously a shot in the arm.

Harman was praised as the savior of Chinese soccer. This old coach had won the title of champion instructor of World Cup and Europe Champions League, and had no need to prove his coaching skill with the name of champion instructor of Asian Champions League. However, he was still excited about the championship.

In fact, Harman was under heavy pressure, too. As a top coach in the world, his coaching in Chinese Super League was like breaking a fly upon a wheel. If he failed, he would be a joke. For Harman, he and his team were obliged to be the champion of the Chinese Super League, and even had to win it with excellent performance. Otherwise, they would be denounced. He never imagined failing in such an easy task.

Moreover, Dingtian Group had spent a large sum of money to hire Harman, and made a direct investment in his team, to the sum of more than 20 million euros. Following Harman’s request, the groups paid much for Brazilian soccer players. This investment of hundreds of millions had astonished many soccer teams. Some laughed at Dingtian, saying it knew nothing about soccer and was wasting money.

So, Harman liked to prove that he was worthy of the money. The championship made other teams aware that Dingtian’s investment had paid off. Of course, the news that Dingtian Club was seeking to be listed hadn’t been made known yet. If people witnessed the market capitalization of the club exploding to almost 20 billion after it was listed, they would realize that spending several hundreds of millions for Harman was inexpensive.

Although Asian Champion League was over, Dingtian Club’s journey was not. After a three days break, team members returned to the club and started to make preparation for the Football Association Cup (FA Cup).

In order to provide enough time for Dingtian to make preparations for the Asian Champions League, the football association deliberately put off the FA Cup until December. That’s a good delay. Being the champion of Asian Champions League, both the morale and popularity of Dingtian Club’s team were at their peaks. Many soccer fans felt that it was reasonable for Dingtian to win as champion of the FA Cup. It would be perfect if the club grabbed the champion title in these three soccer games.

Most people are fond of a happy ending. In the cinema, even the worst comedy has its audience. A TV play with a good ending is easier to have rebroadcast. Although some sad stories may arouse tears, they can’t invoke the second attempt to watch them. The death of an important positive figure in a cartoon will cast some mental shadow to children. So, it was expected that Dingtian Club win the champion title of the FA Cup. Even some fans of its opponent teams thought so.

There was no suspense about the result of the FA Cup: Dingtian won the FA Cup and achieved three successive championships. Its opponents accepted the result, because Dingtian was indeed best. The popularity of Dingtian raised the price of an Entrance ticket of the FA Cup, which made all teams gain a lot as well.

…

Dingtian Club rented the banquet hall in a deluxe restaurant belonging to Dingtian Group in order to hold the glee feast. People of Dingtian Club, and others related to them, gathered here. Acquaintances stayed together and formed different groups, making a clear distinction.

In such a gathering, people with higher statuses were closely arranged. For example, Harman was led to a special room. Meanwhile, those who needed to find seats themselves grouped with their close peers. Doing their own deeds, players, coaches, and management personnel didn’t interfere with one another.

“Dai Li, come here.” Cloud waved to Dai Li.

Dai Li was surprised that he was called by Cloud. As was known to all, people sitting beside him were all members of Harman’s team, including Draco and Georg, his assistant coaches, and team doctor Maraloni.

Dai Li became somewhat hesitant. He should sit with Zhoutai Jin and Haoxin Liu, because they were all hired coaches of Dingtian Club and belonged to the middle class of coaches, which were lower than Harman and his team. But he didn’t know that Harman had planned to recruit him. So, members of Harman’s team also treated him as a member of the team, rather than as an outsider.

“Come on, Dai Li. We have an empty seat here,” Maraloni also invited him.

Members of Harman’s team enjoyed higher treatment in the Dingtian Club. They were all foreigners, who had been raised in different backgrounds. It was quite difficult for coaches in China to join them. As a result, the acts of Cloud and Maraloni had attracted the attention of others. Bearing admiration and jealousy, Dai Li had to walk there to sit with them.

Chairman Xiao came to make a speech. The other two shareholders of the soccer team, Dalu Fang, the chairman of Continent Group, and Jianshe Gu, the chairman of Golden Wheat Group, showed up for a brief time.

These three rich and power people would not stay in the hall. They had their own single room. As for higher management personnel, like Yunan Xiao, they didn’t remain in the hall either. In a banquet, the atmosphere would be more active if there were no leaders. A buffet was offered in this banquet, and people could eat as much as they wanted. Soon, the hall was full of happy laughter and cheerful voices.

With a mug of liquor in his hand, drunken Cloud said, “Of all the liquor brands in China, I like Maotai the best. I won’t be dizzy, even if I drink too much. I can sleep for a night. And the next day, I will feel no hangover.”

Dai Li couldn’t help but let out a smile. These foreigners knew nothing about the pure degree of Chinese liquor. Some of them even dared to drink the Maotai, a liquor of 53 degrees, like champagne. Maotai, unlike other liquor, tasted not that hot. They would drink it, mug after mug, with no scruples.

He intended to dissuade Cloud, and ask him not to drink that much, because too much drinking was not good. But seeing Cloud was in the mood, he did nothing but let him drink as he liked.

At that moment, two young men came from afar. The man in the front wore a piece of leisure suits, and the other was in casual wear. Walking through the crowd in the hall, the two headed directly toward Dai Li. Dai Li, however, didn’t notice them until they got close.

“Are you Dai Li?” the leading guy asked.

Dai Li raised his head and looked at the men. He didn’t know them.

Who are they? I have never met them. Since they are here, they can’t be outsiders. They may be from the club, or have something to do with the club. I have no impression of them. They should not be in the management level— they may come from Dingtian Group!

Thoughtful, he nodded, saying: “Yes, I’m Dai Li. Who are you?”

“I’m Leifeng Gu!” the leading young man said in a cold voice.

Chapter 341: Be Vulnerable to Envy

Obviously, Dai Li didn’t know Lefeng Gu, but out of courtesy, he asked, “Hello, Mr. Gu, what can I do for you?”

“I heard that you were a table tennis coach before?” Lefeng Gu asked in a condescending tone.

Dai Li didn’t like Lefeng Gu’s attitude, but he still answered, “I used to be a coach in the national table tennis team.”

“What a coincidence! My friend also can play table tennis.” Lefeng Gu pointed behind him, to the man in casual clothes, and said with fickleness, “Since you have been a table tennis coach, why not give some guidance to my friend?”

I was just asked to coach him in table tennis. Dai Li understood immediately.

Table tennis has a high public participation, as many senior table tennis fans would find some professional table tennis coaches to give them some guidance on their technique skills. There are also some professional table tennis schools which would regularly arrange some experienced coaches to guide students.

The training team would turn a blind eye to coaches’ part-time jobs outside, as long as it didn’t affect their normal work. After all, everyone has to support their family. However, the top coaches are not willing to find part-time jobs, and they don’t have spare time. Even if they occasionally take some part-time jobs, it is only at the request of others, rather than for money.

In view of Dai Li’s qualifications in the national table tennis team, it would be very popular for Dai Li to take on some part-time jobs, and there would be many people who would want to get some guidance from him.

Although I am not a professional table tennis coach, I have worked in the national table tennis team. In addition, Lefeng Gu deliberately came here to ask me for some guidance. If I reject him, it would injure our harmony.

Thinking of this, Dai Li smiled and said, “If time permits, we can communicate with each other.”

Dai Li felt that he was being quite modest to Lefeng Gu, and that he had showed respect to him. However, Lefeng Gu frowned and said with disdain in his eyes, “Communicate? OK, there is no time like the present, let’s do it today!”

“Today? I’m afraid I can’t, as the celebration is going on, isn’t it?” Dai Li rejected him tactfully, and showed his distaste for Lefeng Gu, who he felt was being rude.

“In my view, it’s very suitable!” Lefeng Gu said with a strange smile, before giving a snap to the hotel manager on duty, who was standing in the distance. This caused the manager to run to him immediately.

“I push what I want!” said Lefeng Gu.

“OK, I’ll arrange it right away,” the manager said and trotted away.

Dai Li saw this and had doubts immediately.

Lefeng Gu must be unusual, the duty manager knew him and showed respect to him, so I must be cautious.

Just as Dai Li was pondering, he saw some waiters pushing a table tennis table outside the banquet hall.

Suddenly, there was a table tennis table in the banquet hall, which attracted everyone’s attention. But as for Dai Li, he was wary of Lefeng Gu.

This is the celebration party of Dingtian Club. It’s incredible that Lefeng Gu was able to push a table tennis table on such an occasion. If he were an ordinary person, even if he had the courage, he would not have the ability.

Lefeng Gu must be up to something. If he wanted me to give him some guidance, he needn’t put a table tennis table in the banquet hall. He must have come here to find fault with me! What’s the identity of Lefeng Gu? His last name is “Gu”, which is a rare last name. It has just occurred to me that Jinsui Group is one of the team’s shareholders, and its chairman was called Jianshe Gu, so did they know each other?” Dai Li wondered in silence.

The table tennis table was pushed to the middle of the banquet hall, then fixed. But Lefeng Gu added, “Coach Li, I have prepared the table tennis table for you, so if you don’t give my friend some guidance, you must despise me!”

Lefeng Gu’s last words held a bullying tone, which made Dai Li even more uncomfortable.

Forget it, it seems that he is an unreasonable rich second generation, so I’d better not offend him.

Thinking of this, Dai Li nodded, then stood up and said, “In that case, I’ll give some guidance to the guy behind you, but I don’t know how to call him.”

Lefeng Gu pointed to the man in casual clothes behind him and said, “His name is Yaozu Li.”

“What a coincidence, he has the same last name as me,” said Dai Li.

“Don’t cotton up with me, we are not the same, I’m from Singapore! I have nothing to do with the people of your country,” he said coldly, showing his contempt for Dai Li. Although he spoke Mandarin, there was a strong foreign accent in his words.

Lefeng Gu smiled triumphantly, as he was apparently very satisfied with Yaozu Li’s performance.

What a pity! He wasted a good name, Yaozu? He didn’t even know who his ancestors were, so how could he be so proud? Dai Li couldn’t help despising Yaozu Li.

“Please, coach Li!” Lefeng Gu pointed to the table, Dai Li went straight up to the table and took the racket from the waiter.

Meanwhile, the waiter handed the racket to Yaozu Li, but he rejected it and said, “I use my own racket.”

Rejecting the rackets provided by the hotel, Yaozu Li took a cloth bag out of his bag and took out his own racket.

He was well-equipped. Dai Li looked at the racket subconsciously and was slightly shocked.

The tennis bottom was made by Butterfly VISCARIA, which was made up of five layers of wood and two layers of aryl carbon. It is characterized as being light weight, having good flexibility, a good damping effect and good elasticity, and because it is suitable for loop. I remembered that Pengfei Cui had the same racket. In addition, the forehand rubber of his racket was made by STIGA, and the backhand rubber was made by BUTTERFLY, all of which are the equipments of professional table tennis players. Hence, this set of equipment is suitable for attacking loop. It seemed that he tends to loop.

Having worked on the national table tennis team for a long time, Dai Li was quite familiar with such top table tennis equipment. And the equipment used by Yaozu Li was the top table tennis equipment that was used by the players of the national table tennis team, and these equipments were of the same type and brand.

A person who can use this equipment is either a professional table tennis player or a super fan of table tennis, which one is he? Thinking of this, Dai Li couldn’t help but measuring up Yaozu Li.

As expected, he was a professional table tennis player of more than 600 personal ability. Although he is not a top player at home, if he was placed in somewhere outside of Asia, he could represent a country to compete in the Olympics!

Dai Li became serious immediately, then looked at Lefeng Gu quietly. However, Lefeng Gu was also staring at Dai Li, whose eyes were just like a hungry vulture, staring at dying prey!

He asked me to give some guidance to a brilliant professional table tennis player, so he was just trying to pick on me! But when did I offend him?

Dai Li shook his head slightly, wondering: Why was I so vulnerable to envy?

Chapter 342: Guidance

A table tennis table was suddenly placed in the banquet hall, which immediately attracted the attention of everyone. They began to talk in low voices and asked what had happened. Even the foreigners in Harman’s team put down their knives and forks to look at the table with great interest. Perhaps these foreigners thought it was an impromptus performance of the celebration banquet.

What does this mean? Xiong Zhou pushed his way through the crowd of onlookers and saw Lefeng Gu at first sight.

Lefeng Gu! What the hell are you doing?! Xiong Zhou knew Lefeng Gu and understood his virtue. When he saw the table tennis table in front of him and then looked at Lefeng Gu, he could easily know that Lefeng Gu wanted to find fault with Dai Li.

Though Xiong Zhou was a senior manager in Dingtian Club, he was just an ordinary employee with a relatively high salary. He knew that he couldn’t handle such an arrogant dandy as Lefeng. On the other hand, Dai Li didn’t look well, as he stood in front of the table tennis table.

Yaozu Li is a professional table tennis player. Lefeng Gu asked me to give some guidance to a professional player, so what did he want? In addition, he didn’t tell me on purpose, as if he wanted to embarrass me on purpose?

Dai Li was quite indignant, but his outward expression was more relaxed. According to the detector, Yaozu Li had many shortcomings, both in skills and in physicality, so when compared with the top table tennis players of the national team, he had no merit at all.

“Well, in that case, I’ll give you some guidance!” Dai Li said to himself, as he casually served a ball.

Dai Li, after all, worked in the national table tennis team for a period of time. Although he worked as a fitness coach, he also learned a lot of skills about table tennis. So, his serve and posture were very standard, even in the eyes of the professionals.

However, Yaozu Li swung his bat violently, giving the ball back to Dai Li immediately. Obviously, Yaozu Li had done his best.

Dai Li is not a professional table tennis player, and he knew that even if he received the ball, it would be a foul ball, so he gave up catching the ball and let it out of the table. Yaozu Li immediately put on a complacent smile, and looked at Dai Li triumphantly. Dai Li, however, didn’t take it seriously, as he picked up the ball from the ground and served the second ball leisurely.

This time, Yaozu Li immediately attacked after Dai Li’s service, and not surprisingly, Dai Li didn’t catch the ball.

“Coach Li, why can’t you catch the ball? As a table tennis coach, you can’t catch a ball, so aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” said Lefeng Gu.

Dai Li was about to answer, when a woman’s voice chimed up.

“Lefeng Gu, this was the celebration banquet of Dingtian Club, not your home, so please quit your monkey business.”

The crowd looked back, seeing that Yunan Xiao had come.

“Here comes the heroine!” Lefeng Gu secretly cheered, then said, “It’s not monkey business, I heard that there was a table tennis coach, who had worked in the national table tennis team, so I came here on purpose to learn some skills from him. Nevertheless, he couldn’t catch the ball, so he was a fraud! Why was he on the coaching team before?”

“Previously, coach Li was a fitness coach on the national table tennis team, so he was mainly responsible for the physical training, rather than skills. When he came to Dingtian Club, he was still responsible for the physical training,” said Yunan Xiao.

“Ha ha, Yunan Xiao, why are you so anxious to protect your boyfriend? He is just eye candy!” Lefeng Gu said with his eyes looking at Dai Li, then he deliberately showed a contemptuous expression and added, “Oh, he is not handsome at all, so he can’t even be called eye candy!”

Almost everyone was very surprised at Lefeng Gu’s words.

“Did you hear what he said? He said coach Li is Mr. Xiao’s boyfriend? Really?”

“How come! It can’t be true, as there is too much difference between them.”

“Coach Li has only been on the team for one year, and is now the boyfriend of Mr. Xiao. It seems that he will be promoted soon!”

“I just can’t believe it, Coach Li was so honest, but it’s so amazing that he was good at striking up a conservation with girls. When did they start?”

Everyone had their own ideas, but most of them were surprised and couldn’t believe what Lefeng Gu said.

Lefeng Gu added, “I am one of the shareholders of the club. Although I am not involved in the management of the team, I still have the right to supervise the operation, so that I can know whether my investment is worth it. Now I know that there was an unqualified coach on the coaching team.”

Lefeng Gu spoke, while looking defiantly at Dai Li.

He picked on me on purpose, as he just wanted to embarrass me. Why are there so many stupid people everywhere?! He thought to himself, and then he replied, “I’m a coach, my job is to find the technical shortcomings of players and then help them to improve themselves, not to compete with them. If each coach is better than the athlete, then why do we need athletes?”

“You’re probably right, but you can’t catch the ball, so how can you compete with an athlete?” Lefeng Gu said indifferently.

“The reason why I didn’t catch the ball, was that I was observing Yaozu Li, as I wanted to find his technical shortcomings,” Dai Li replied immediately.

“All right, can you tell us what you have observed?” said Lefeng Gu.

“That’s right, can you tell me what technical shortcomings I have? I doubt you know,” Yaozu Li said in Mandarin, with a strong accent.

Well, now that you’ve asked me to help you, I’ll give you some guidance! Dai Li smiled confidently, then he reached out his right index finger with a “one” gesture and said:

“First, you have a problem in your pace when you catch the ball. You are left-handed, so when you prepare to catch the ball, the body’s center of gravity should be on the left leg, and then you should turn your body to the left and use the left leg as the fulcrum. However, when you caught the ball, the body’s center of gravity moved to the right, which would affect the stability of your upper body’s movements. I guess that’s the reason why you have this problem, as that your previous coaches used to catch the ball with their right hands.”

Dai Li added, “Secondly, you have a problem with the topspin of your forehand, as the amplitude of your arm swing is not big enough. The bigger of the instantaneous physical strength of your catch, the better the topspin will be. But the amplitude of arm swing will affect the exertion of your physical strength. If you want to catch a long ball of your opponent, your arm swing will cause a low return and the ball will go out- of- bounds finally.”

He continued: “Thirdly, you have a problem with your spike. When you make a spike, you didn’t lock your wrist. The spike of table tennis requires the player to lock their wrist, so if you test your wrist, the speed of your catch will be fast, but the course of the ball will be unstable, which will lower the success rate of the spike. The first requirement of a spike is success rate, rather than the angle.”

“Fourthly, the angle of the bat, when you prepare to catch the ball…

“Fifthly, when you catch the ball…”

“Sixthly…”

As Dai Li went on, Yaozu Li’s triumphant complexion became more and more embarrassed.

Chapter 343: No Mercy

Dai Li went on and in a twinkling, he listed more than a dozen tips.

People around had been quiet for a long time, everyone silent, listening to Dai Li’s listing them, one by one.

“I just saw that Yaozu Li was playing very well, but how come he became so worthless after Coach Li’s comments?”

“Coach Li is awesome! He just pointed out so many problems, through just two balls. He deserves to be the coach from the national team.”

“How can foreigners match us in table tennis? The Singaporean table tennis is quite great, but in front of our coaches, they are just showing their slight skills before an expert.”

“Just now, Coach Li couldn’t catch the ball, and I really thought he just enjoyed undeserved fame. Now it seems that he is a real expert. Although he didn’t catch the balls, he observed carefully. Unwittingly, he has listed more than a dozen defects of his opponent.”

The crowd thought differently, but Dai Li’s performance convinced everyone.

Most of these people only knew a little about table tennis, so they might not understand all that Dai Li had said. For laymen, they just watched this for fun. Dai Li said a dozen defects in a single breath, which really made the scene funny enough. Even though some people didn’t understand the content of what he said, and they couldn’t judge the correctness, they couldn’t help but think that Dai Li was really professional, due to his eloquent manner of speaking.

It was like a doctor explaining a disease. The more he said, and the more technical terms he used, even if the listener didn’t understand it at all, he or she would feel that what the doctor said was clear and professional.

Yaozu Li’s face became more and more embarrassed. He thought he played so well, that Dai Li even couldn’t catch the ball. However, after Dai Li’s words, he suddenly found that he actually had so many defects, it was if if he was nothing!

Lefeng Gu’s expression became more embarrassed. He came here to trouble Dai Li, but now it seemed that he had only gotten himself in trouble.

With a livid face, Lefeng Gu kept making eye contact with Yaozu Li, which meant: Refute him quickly!

However, Yaozu Li showed only an innocent expression.

After all, Yaozu Li was a professional player, though a Singaporean, and so he had professionalism. He knew his own technical disadvantages, and so he could tell if Dai Li was correct. At least till now, Dai Li had said nothing wrong.

Some of his problems pointed out by Dai Li had been pointed out by Yaozu Li’s coach before, but some others were not seen by his coach. Actually, what Dai Li had said was reasonable. With a little thought, Yaozu Li could see that Dai Li was right.

Yaozu Li’s coach in Singapore didn’t see his problems, but Dai Li could see it, which clearly showed that Dai Li was much more capable than his coach.

What was even more surprising, Dai Li pointed out so many problems, just with two hits.

How could it be possible? Just with two hits, and even with the slow motion replay, he couldn’t see so many problems! Is this guy a monster? Yaozu Li thought this in his mind. With people around, who were all laymen, he was full of doubts, although, he couldn’t say it to others and nobody understand it at all.

On the other side, determined not to save any face for Yaozu Li and Lefeng Gu, Dai Li continued: “No.17, the angle of your swing is not right when you serve backspins. When a normal player serves a ball with his right hand, he should cut the ball at the five to six o’clock position. If he cuts it at the seven o’clock position, the ball could spin still, although, its speed forward would be weakened and the quality of the ball would be affected. But you, as a left-handed player, you should cut it at the seven to eight o’clock position. However, you…”

“Hold on!” with an innocent face, Yaozu Li shouted suddenly and said, “I didn’t serve a ball just now.”

“I know. But I can guess it, from your catching, based on my years of coaching experience. Surely, if you don’t believe me, you can serve a ball and see if I am right,” Dai Li said mercilessly.

This defect in his serve came out of the detector, so it must exist, and hence, Dai Li said it without any qualms.

But Yaozu Li was speechless now. He knew Dai Li was right. He indeed had such a defect in his serve, so he didn’t need to have a test.

Yaozu Li’s reaction meant that he admitted his defect, which caused a great gasp of amazement to come from the surrounding crowd.

“Coach Li is amazing! He can detect the defect in a serve by catching! How could it be? I really learned a lot today!”

“No wonder our national team is so excellent. With such high-level coaches, undoubtedly the national team would be so amazing!”

“Coach Li is just a physical coach on the national team. Since a physical coach can be so awesome, people like Zhizhong Gu must be that much more awesome!”

It might sound incredible to detect a serve by catching a ball. Any professional coaches on the scene in any cases would believe that Dai Li was boasting. However, people around were all laymen of table tennis. Nobody had played on the national team. Judging Dai Li’s behavior, they thought he was indeed awesome.

“No.18, I’ll say something about your topspin…” Dai Li still didn’t stop. Yaozu Li, on the other side, seemed to be utterly wretched. Now he was about to lose all his confidence, due to what Dai Li had said. However, he could not refute him at all, for Dai Li was correct.

Some people nearby were gloating and looking at him, as if with expressions to say: Your skill sucks. You deserved this!

After finishing this, Dai Li finally stopped.

Finally finished! Yaozu Li breathed a sigh of relief. He was really suffering, to be accused of eighteen defects in front of so many people. He even had the intention to hide himself into the ground!

“Give me a glass of water. I’m quite thirsty,” Dai Li said to a waiter nearby.

The waiter immediately fetched a glass of water for Dai Li quickly, but Yunan Xiao advanced and took the water from the waiter. Handing it to Dai Li in person, she smiled encouragingly at him.

Yunan Xiao’s expression, in the eyes of others, seemed to confirm the statement that Dai Li indeed was her boyfriend.

“Thank you,”said Dai Li, taking the glass, then drinking. Taking a long breath, he went on, “Where were we just now? Right! Just now, I said No.18, and so now let’s start No.19!”

No.19? Can you just let me go? with his mouth open, Yaozu Li thought, but said no words. At this time, his eyes were filled with despair.

Some people around could not help but looking at him sympathetically.

“Oh, poor Singaporean! With so many things you can do, why did you choose to compete with us in table tennis? You asked for this yourself!”

Chapter 344: A Scoundrel Encountered Another

“No.22…” with a relaxed expression, Dai Li continued.

“Enough!” Lefeng Gu roared. He could not bear it any longer. He came to embarrass Dai Li, but in a twinkling, Dai Li gave him a bigger embarrassment.

Dai Li stopped and looked at Lefeng Gu with a smile, interested in enjoying the indignation on his face.

“You are speaking all the time. Who knows if you’re right!” Lefeng Gu argued irrationally.

Dai Li shook his head with scorn, “If you think I was wrong, you can refute me. Give me your reasons, and convince me with truths.”

Lefeng Gu said in his mind that he was not a table tennis coach, and that he was not Dai Li’s opponent in reasoning. That would also be self-humiliation. He looked at Yaozu Li, hoping him could come forward and refute Dai Li. After all, Yaozu Li was a professional table tennis player.

Seeing this, Lefeng Gu still did not react. He did want to refute, but he had no reasons and causes to do so at all. In front of the truth, refutation was foolish seeming, like a clown.

Lefeng Gu was not a fool either. Judging from Yaozu Li’s expression, Lefeng Gu realized that all the defects said by Dai Li just now were real, which is why Yaozu Li didn’t refute it.

I can’t believe this Dai Li indeed has some real skills, Lefeng Gu had a feeling of kicking and stubbing his toe on an iron plate.

In this bout, Lefeng Gu took a big beating. However, he was not the kind of person who could suffer any losses. He was usually arrogant and domineering. He always was a bully, and no one had bullied him before. Therefore, he couldn’t bear this.

Lefeng Gu groaned and continued to say irrationally, “Everyone can say anything just with his mouth. If you can, take the racket and play with Yaozu Li.”

Not responding, Dai Li looked at Lefeng Gu with disdain.

People around also were looking at Lefeng Gu, as if seeing a joke. Lefeng Gu started this, but now he acted like he didn’t admit his loss, which was really quite ungracious.

This really embarrassed Lefeng Gu. As the offspring of a wealthy family, he would rather throw money than lose face. Therefore, if he couldn’t get his face back, he obviously would not stop.

“Dai Li, you don’t have to listen to him. He is just such an irrational scoundrel,” Yunan Xiao came beside Dai Li and said.

Lefeng Gu continued to bluster, “What’s wrong? You afraid? Tell me frankly if you’re afraid. Apologize to me and admit yourself as being a coward, then that’s the end! Or else, take that racket and compete with Yaozu Li!”

Lefeng Gu’s rascal behavior made Dai Li speechless. How could you reason with such a scoundrel?

Well, you act as a scoundrel, then I will act the same to you. Thinking of this, Dai Li said, “Lefeng Gu, you just asked me to guide Yaozu Li. Since you are a shareholder, I did as you asked. But I never thought that you would ask too much.”

Pointing at Yaozu Li, Dai Li continued, “It’s fine that you want me to compete with him, but what can I get from it? Though you are a shareholder, you can’t raise my salary, and you are not involved in the management of the team. Why should I listen to your arrangement? Can anyone order others for free nowadays?”

“Don’t talk to me about cowardice. What you said doesn’t count. You want me to compete with him. Fine. What benefit can I get?”

Dai Li deliberately acted like a bourgeois, almost labeling “give me money” on his face.

“You want money, right? OK! I can give you that. I have nothing but money! Tell me, how much? One million? Two million? Just like giving it to beggars for charity!” Lefeng Gu said, as if an understatement.

“A billion!” Dai Li said.

“What did you say?” Lefeng Gu couldn’t believe what he heard.

“I said a billion! Give me a billion, then I’ll compete with him!” Dai Li said it clearly.

“Are you mad?” Lefeng Gu roared. The next second, he realized that Dai Li was teasing him deliberately.

“You can’t pay it, right? You just said you had nothing but money! How dare you pretend to be rich here, when you can’t take out such a little amount of money?” Dai Li looked at Lefeng Gu contemptuously.

A little money? Lefeng Gu had an urge to curse Dai Li’s mother. The expression on Dai Li’s face seemed to say: what you were going to do to me, even I had no money and I pretended to be something?!

People around could tell that Dai Li was teasing Lefeng Gu. Some people even had an understanding smile on their faces.

With this exact kind of face, Dai Li continued, “Since you are a shareholder of the team, I’ll give you a 15% discount, OK? You can’t pay this either?”

At this time, Lefeng Gu was really angry. Although he was used to being a scoundrel, he didn’t expect Dai Li could be like him. It was also 850 million, even with a 15% discount. He was indeed from a real rich family, but he couldn’t take out so much money right away. Obviously, Dai Li knew this. Therefore, he proposed this figure deliberately to humiliate him through this opportunity.

Dai Li still didn’t stop, and continued, “How about this? You take out the money, and I compete with Yaozu Li. If I lose, I give back all the money to you, or I take it. OK?”

“OK! That’s what you said! I’ll take that bet. I don’t believe you can defeat Yaozu Li!” Lefeng Gu said angrily.

“Then give me the money!” stretching out his hand, Dai Li went on, “Give the money first, in case you default!”

After Dai Li said this, even Yunan Xiao, who was beside him, couldn’t help but laugh. She never thought that such a gentleman like Dai Li could let Lefeng Gu suffer by playing the rascal. This Dai Li could be more scoundrelly than a scoundrel!

This moment, the word “default” like a lightning bolt, gave a critical strike on Lefeng Gu’s mind.

For him, this word was the biggest humiliation.

It was like a rich man went to a restaurant and ordered a share of caviar, but the waiter beside him mentioned its price. To the rich, this was obviously a doubt as to whether he could afford it or not. The rich man couldn’t stand this.

Even for an average person, when he took orders, the waiter mentioned that he couldn’t afford it. It was a fact that many people would be angry hearing this.

Doubting a second generation of wealth was like doubting if a guest could afford the dish. It was plain contempt.

Lefeng Gu bought anything he wanted all his life, like sports cars, yachts, and even private planes. How could it be assumed that he would default?

But nobody would go out to a party with a billion on their person! Therefore, when he saw Dai Li’s behavior, he was really angry, but could do nothing.

A scoundrel meets another! Neither is reasonable, Yunan Xiao thought in her mind, and was delighted to see Lefeng Gu being humbled. But she thought this farce should stop now, so she beckoned the manager on duty.

Running over quickly, the manager said with a respectful face, “Ms. Xiao, what can I do for you?”

“Move out this!” she said, pointing at the ping pong table.

“I’ll arrange it right now!” the manager paused and explained in a low voice, “Ms. Xiao, this was required by Master Gu. I had no choice…”

“I understand. You have difficulty with this kind of matter. Manage your own things,” Yunan Xiao said.

The manager looked at her gratefully, then began to command waiters to move out the table.

However, how could it be possible for Lefeng Gu to let this chance go by? He said with a rush, “Wait a minute. Who told you to move this out?”

“Me!” standing up, Yunan Xiao said sharply, “Lefeng Gu, today is the celebration party of the Dingtian Club. If you want to play mad like the drunk, go back to your own place. Don’t be a disgrace here!”

“Well, well!” Lefeng Gu continued fiercely, “You just said benefit, right? OK! I give you benefit. Compete with Yaozu Li, and if you win, I agree on that equity distribution plan!”

Hearing equity distribution plan, Yunan Xiao’s expression involuntarily tightened, and the desire in her eyes flashed. Dai Li noticed.

Lefeng Gu just said equity distribution plan, and Yunan Xiao seemed to care about that very much, thinking of this, Dai Li asked in a low voice, “What’s an equity distribution plan? Is that important?”

Yunan Xiao also lowered her voice and explained, “Do you remember how I told you before that our club was seeking listing? The listing financing will dilute the original shareholders’ equity. Therefore, before being listed, original shareholders should clearly distribute their equity respectively. Days before, I proposed an equity distribution plan about our team’s list to the other two shareholders, but the Jinsui Group didn’t agree on it. This affair is still under negotiation.”

“Whether they agree to this equity distribution plan is important for the listing of the team, right?” Dai Li asked softly.

Yunan Xiao nodded, “Although it’s the first step, it’s also the root of the listing. If we can’t reach a consensus among our shareholders, we will not be able to list.”

“Is he reliable, if he says he will agree on that equity distribution plan? Can he take the responsibility for that decision?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Why do you ask this?” Yunan Xiao asked him immediately.

“I want to help you,” Dai Li responded without hesitation. “If he can take the responsibility, I’ll go and compete with Yaozu Li, to help you win back the equity distribution plan.”

“You don’t have to do this. You’re just a coach. The management of the team is not your duty,” Yunan Xiao said.

However, Dai Li said with a smile, “I want to help you all the time, but I’m just a coach. I can’t help you, neither in business nor in management of the team. But today, finally, I get the opportunity to help you!”

Yunan Xiao felt some special meaning behind Dai Li’s words. Her face seemed to be reddish, and she asked softly, “Why? Is it worth?”

“Absolutely! Don’t worry. I’ll win. You just need to make sure Lefeng Gu can keep his promise,” trying to wear a relaxed expression, Dai Li said jokingly, “Don’t forget that, in others’ eyes, I am your boyfriend. It’s about love, and we must pay for each other!”

After finishing this, Dai Li turned to the ping pong table.

“Pay for each other…” Yunan Xiao repeated these words lightly. Looking at the back of Dai Li obsessively, she felt a sense of safety this moment. She felt that Dai Li was the man she could really rely on…

Chapter 345: Singaporean Champion

Dai Li went to the table, staring at Lefeng Gu all the time.

Feeling uncomfortable with this, Lefeng Gu said fiercely, “Why are you staring at me? Yaozu Li is your opponent!”

“I am worrying about whether you will keep your promise. What if you regret it, when I win?” Dai Li said lightly.

“You can win? Hahaha…” Lefeng Gu smiled arrogantly and said, “I can tell you, you can’t win. You don’t know who is Yaozu Li, do you?”

“Yes, he is a professional ping pong player,” Dai Li answered calmly still, “But I have seen so many professionals, and many are much better than him. If he were on my team, he should have no opportunity to play a match. What I worry about is you. I am really afraid you will break your promise!”

“Will I lose? Well, I can’t lose, and I never repudiate any debt. You have my word. Additionally, people around can guarantee this,” Lefeng Gu stared at Dai Li coldly and continued, “You should worry about yourself first. You should be afraid of losing this game by a score of 0-10, then you shouldn’t wish for any concessions.”

Their conversation also came into the ears of those around them, as if to remind them something.

“That Yaozu Li is apparently a professional ping pong player! Is he quite good?”

“They must come here with full preparations. Foreign players are not equal to our national players, though, they should be better than coaches, right?”

“About foreign ping pong players, I only know a few. I’ve never heard of this Yaozu Li. Check on him with your phone, to see if we can get some information about him.”

“I found it. There is some news with his name. The latest news was reported last year. It says: Jianlong Liu defeated Yaozu Li, with difficulty, in the Olympic Trials of Singaporean ping pong match.”

“Jianlong Liu? I’ve heard that name before. He is the famous Singaporean player. He participated in the table tennis men’s singles of the last Olympic Games, and entered the last eight! At last, he was defeated by our national player.”

“Since Yaozu Li could compete with Jianlong Liu, could it be that he is also a Singaporean national player? No way? Maybe just has the same name?”

“There is an image, so let me check this. It’s really him. It’s really the Yaozu Li in front of us!”

“According to this, Yaozu Li is not only a professional player, but he is also a Singaporean champion! Besides, he almost participated in the last Olympic Games!”

“Gosh! A Singaporean ping pong player is not weak. I’m afraid Coach Li can’t win.”

“Yes, he is just a coach after all, but Yaozu Li is an active ping pong player!”

“Why, I think Coach Li was trapped! Lefeng Gu brought a Singaporean champion here. It is obvious that he will defeat Dai Li!”

Yunan Xiao heard people’s discussion and became nervous.

On the contrary, Lefeng Gu seemed to be cheerful and confident. He thought he was much better than Dai Li in intelligence.

“Yaozu Li, don’t restrain your strength. Win a perfect battle for me!” Lefeng Gu said viciously.

However, at this time, Dai Li held up his hand, “Hold on!”

“What’s up? Are you afraid? You want to admit your defeat?” said Lefeng Gu maniacally, “So quick to be afraid! Where is your courage, the same as when you were asking for one billion just now?”

“I must and will win this match. Why should I surrender?” Dai Li continued, “Since it is a match, it should be fair. But now, I think it isn’t.”

“Why is it not fair?” Lefeng Gu groaned.

“The racket,” pointing at his racket, Dai Li said, “This racket is provided by the hotel. Although it’s a product of a famous sports brand, it’s only roadside goods to professionals.”

He pointed at Yaozu Li’s racket and said, “But his racket is professional, much better than mine. You prepared the racket, so it’s unfair.”

“So, what do you want? Should we buy a suitable one for you now?” Lefeng Gu said, “I see. You want to use this method to delay time deliberately, right?”

“Don’t have to buy one for me. Let them provide the same racket as mine to Yaozu Li, then it’s fair,” Dai Li said.

“No problem! Go get another racket,” Lefeng Gu waved to the manager and turned to Dai Li, “Do you think a racket can make up the gap between you? It’s useless. You are bound to lose this match!”

Dai Li felt more assured in his mind. In a high-level ping pong game, the impact of the racket was so great, that it could cause a two-grade gap. Obviously Lefeng Gu didn’t know this fact. Besides, Dai Li didn’t want to lose, so he would try everything he could to gain advantages.

…

In one private room of the hotel, Dingtian Xiao, Dalu Fang, and Jianshe Gu sat together, chatting pleasurably.

“Mr. Xiao, my son troubled you again,” Jianshe Gu said so, but his expression had no sign of apology.

“Doesn’t matter. Young man is always energetic,” Dingtian Xiao waved his hand dismissively. Lefeng Gu was really notorious, and Dingtian Xiao naturally knew what kind of person he was.

“You’re right. Leave the young people’s affairs to themselves. Just like my son, I don’t care about him at all,” Dalu Fang said causally, following Dingtian Xiao’s words.

About the ping pong table in the banquet hall brought by Lefeng Gu, these three men knew it. Although Dingtian Xiao was not pleased to hear that Lefeng Gu was seeking trouble at the celebration party of Dingtian Club, it wasn’t worth getting pissed at the young man.

At this time, Jianshe Gu’s assistant came and whispered in his ear.

“Well. This bastard! All day long he does nothing but fool around. A worthless prodigal!” Jianshe Gu groaned, with an angry expression.

“Jianshe Gu, don’t be angry. Young men need careful guides,” Dalu Fang said.

“Alas. This disappointing son. He is betting with others on the equity distribution plan we talked of before,” Jianshe Gu said angrily.

Hearing equity distribution plan, the other two became interested.

Actually, Jianshe Gu didn’t hide this, as he had no need to do so. This affair occurred in a hotel subordinate to Dingtian Group. Besides, there were so many witnesses. Even if Jianshe Gu didn’t say it now, someone would report it to Dingtian Xiao sooner or later. He would get the cause and effect and details about it.

Jianshe Gu said it roughly. Hearing this, Dalu Fang said with a smile, “Well, you are going to lose a lot of money once again! Your Jinsui Group didn’t agree on the equity distribution plan proposed by Dingtian Xiao’s daughter.”

Dalu Fang held the least share. Besides, the assets of Dalu Group were much less than Dingtian Group and Jinsui Group, so Dalu Fang planned to mess it up.

“Maybe not! He may not lose this bet this time,” Jianshe Gu said with an astute smile. “As far as I know, my son brings a Singaporean this time, and this guy is a ping pong player on the Singaporean national team. This active player, also a Singaporean champion, is surely to be better than a coach!”

“You’re right. But it depends on who the coach is. I think if it is someone like Zhizhong Gu, a foreign active player may not defeat him,” Dalu Fang continued to mess things up, asking, “How is the coach from Dingtian Club? Is this football coach also good in ping pong?”

Jianshe Gu winked at the assistant and immediately answered, “That coach is a physical coach. He worked on the national ping pong team before. He is called Dai Li.”

“Dai Li!” Dalu Fang was a little surprised.

“Dai Li?” Dingtian Xiao’s expression also changed clearly.

“You two know this guy, right?” Jianshe Gu looked at them, then the three smiled simultaneously.

Chapter 346: Professional Level

Before the table, Dai Li had prepared a copy card. That was why he had accepted the challenge, even when he knew Yaozu Li was a professional player.

A copy card could copy a player on the players illustrated handbook. Then Dai Li could use this card to gain 70% capability of the player in the next 12 hours. Without any hesitation, Dai Li copied Anshan Wang in the illustrated handbook.

The players illustrated handbook stored the Anshan Wang at his peak, with the strongest talent, full capacity, and no defects. Dai Li calculated in his mind. Even a 70% Anshan Wang contained 700 capacity, which contended against a foreign first-class player. That was Dai Li’s confidence.

A seventy percent Anshan Wang is better than Yaozu Li! Dai Li thought confidently.

Using a copy card would cost ten thousand points of experience, which made Dai Li feel distressed, but he thought it was worthwhile, as he was doing this to help Yunan Xiao.

Just try the effect of this copy card. Since the system rewarded me with this card, it would be a waste if I didn’t use it. Dai Li thought this in his mind.

“What are you waiting for? Serve the ball!” Lefeng Gu shouted impatiently.

Back to life, looking at Yaozu Li at his opposite, Dai Li said, “You first. Serve the ball!”

“Do I need it?” Yaozu Li twitched his mouth disdainfully, “If I serve the ball, you can’t catch it. I’ll let you serve the ball first!”

Dai Li didn’t discuss it with Yaozu Li. He took the ball, telling him to be ready, and started to serve.

Yaozu Li was still wearing a relaxed and pleasant expression. He didn’t stress over him at all. He was a professional ping pong player anyhow, although not world-class. Compared with a coach, he was much more sufficient.

Moreover, he just saw Dai Li’s serve, which was not even as good as an amateur player, let alone in comparison to Yaozu Li. He could defeat him just with a single stroke.

With full confidence, Yaozu Li stared at the ball coming over the net. Just as he had done, he simply took a stroke. Yaozu Li thought that Dai Li couldn’t react to this the same as he had before.

Actually, Dai Li didn’t react at all, because he didn’t need to. The ball flew off of the table lines as soon as it bumped on Yaozu Li’s racket.

Yaozu Li’s catching was out, directly!

It’s spinning. A topspin! He can serve a topspin! Yaozu Li was also surprised. It was out of his expectations.

I was so careless. I thought he would serve a ball like before. I didn’t expect he could serve a topspin. It seems that he was hiding his strength just now. Thinking of this, Yaozu Li suddenly felt like a cat catching a rat.

Even if you hide your strength, you’re just a coach, and I’m an active professional! Let me play with you slowly.

Yaozu Li blamed that ball on his carelessness, and for the next second, he bent down and concentrated. However, Lefeng Gu was unpleasant. He didn’t expect Yaozu Li could lose one point first.

“He let you win a point first, in case you would get a zero!” Lefeng Gu roared.

Still, Dai Li ignored Lefeng Gu’s bluster. He knew that the harder he roared now, the more embarrassed he would be after he lost this game. Dai Li threw up the ball and served the second time.

Another topspin! Yaozu Li sized up the ball immediately.

I didn’t concentrate on it just now, so you could take me by surprise using that topspin. But this time, I prepared for it. How could I be fooled again? Yaozu Li was going to catch the ball with full confidence.

However, when the ball touched the racket, the uncontrollable shaking from the racket made Yaozu Li realize that he was going to lose the control of this ball, too.

A professional level serve! It was too late once he realized this. He couldn’t ensure the quality of his receive.

This receive was bad, as far as spinning, speed, and landing. Judging from professional standards, it could be regarded as a muff, just like giving points to the opponent.

He is not a professional. Maybe I still have hope. Yaozu Li prayed in his mind.

Yaozu Li knew that, in the face of such a receive, without quality at all, any professional players would seize the chance. However, it would be different if the opponent wasn’t a professional.

Nevertheless, god didn’t hear Yaozu Li’s prayer. How could Dai Li miss such a good chance? He directly took his offense along the diagonal and Yaozu Li only could see the ball flying away in front of his eyes.

“2-0! Dai Li won two points in a row! Is his opponent a professional player?”

“The Singaporean champion should be very powerful. Why does he seem to be a rookie?”

“No wonder our national team of ping pong is so powerful. An ordinary coach can defeat a foreign national team player.”

People whispered such things all around.

Staring at Dai Li, now Yaozu Li’s face was not the same as the contempt he had shown minutes before. On the contrary, he was a little afraid now.

That was a professional level serve. And only the first-class professional players can serve such a spinning ball! This coach is real proficient. Yaozu Li’s thoughts swirled in his mind.

However, Lefeng Gu was quite angry and said, “Yaozu Li, what are you doing? How could you lose two points in a row? Win it back, quickly!”

Yaozu Li felt a bit helpless. He picked up his racket and prepared to serve the ball.

The serve is the most basic skill, and also the most easily-trained. Many amateur players do well in serving, but badly receive. Maybe you’re professional in serving, but I don’t believe you are also professional in your receive!

Thinking of this, Yaozu Li kept concentrated. Then the ball was tossed up and flipped to the direction of Dai Li, after Yaozu Li swung his racket.

“Bang!” Dai Li was really quick in receiving the ball, and his action was also fluent.

He caught that ball! The anger of Yaozu Li disappeared in a flash. He served the ball with full preparation. At his level, this serve was really high in quality.

Yaozu Li had thought, in the face of this serve with high quality, even Dai Li could catch it, and he must catch it hurriedly. However, it seemed to be quite easy for Dai Li, as the quality of his catching was pretty good.

It is not only about the serve and receive in ping pong. What’s also crucial is every reaction, treatment, and tactics selection. Those amateur players don’t know these things. Only the professional players are equipped with these qualities. Dai Li, you will know the gap between you and me soon!

Yaozu Li thought of this and stroked back the ball to Dai Li.

Dai Li stroked it back, quickly, agilely, and the landing point was just the diagonal, which was, again, out of Yaozu Li’s expectation.

“Damn!” Yaozu Li managed to catch the ball, but the return stroke was of no quality.

“Bang!” without any hesitation, Dai Li smashed the ball very hard. The ball flew out of the bounds, even before Yaozu Li could take any actions.

The next second, Yaozu Li stared at Dai Li, full of astonishment.

That ball was at high professional level in speed, spinning, and landing point, and he did well in his reaction. How could an amateur table tennis player do that? Could it be that he is really at a professional level?

Yaozu Li always regarded Dai Li as someone he could defeat easily, so he never paid attention to Dai Li mentally. However, when he found that Dai Li was not as weak as he had thought before, he became panicked in his heart.

Oh, no. Am I going to lose this game? How can I get defeated by such a nameless?!

There was a saying that only the brave man could win in a fierce battle. If one side thought that he would lose, then, naturally, he would lose his morale soon. A sports contest was no exception. For players, the moment he thought he would lose in his mind, the balance of the game began to tilt.

Right now, Yaozu Li needed time to adjust his mental state. If it was an official competition, so his coach could call a timeout to let him have a rest and seek mental psychological guidance.

But now, it was unreal. His coach was not here. What’s worse, Lefeng Gu was urging him to score quickly. In this moment, only a stupid partner would do such things.

In the following game, Yaozu Li played worse and worse, quite irregular and out of his own patterns. On the flipside, Dai Li was advancing triumphantly. He seized up Yaozu Li’s muffs and kept scoring.

…

In the private room, these three bosses were chatting casually and drinking tea, as if none of them put the competition in the banquet hall at all in their minds.

The moment when Jianshe Gu’s assistant came over to report to him the current situation about the competition, Dalu Fang asked at first, “Has the competition ended? What’s the result?”

With a meaningful smile, Dingtian Xiao had a look at Dalu Fang. He could tell that Dalu Fang did that deliberately, and he meant to mess it up.

The assistant glanced at Jianshe Gu hesitantly. Apparently, he was asking his boss whether he should tell him. The assistant was intending to tell his boss secretly, but now Dalu Fang asked about it directly. He didn’t know what to do.

“Say it!” Jianshe Gu said casually, as if he didn’t care about the result at all.

Since his boss gave him the order, the assistant need not hide the truth and said directly: “The first game ended, and the score is 11-2.”

“This coach is pretty good. Unexpectedly, he could get two points, when facing the Singaporean champion,” Jianshe Gu said in a relaxed tone. At first, he thought Lefeng Gu was mischievous. But until now, his action caused no harm to Jinsui Group, and so his anger relieved a bit.

However, with a hesitant expression, the assistant stood there still, looking at Jianshe Gu. He wanted to say something more, but stopped finally.

“What’s the matter? Anything else?” finally Jianshe Gu lifted his eyes.

“Chairman, it’s the Singaporean champion that gets two points, not the coach!” the voice of the assistant became lower, as did his confidence.

“You mean Dai Li won? He defeated that Singaporean champion and let his opponent get two points only?” All of a sudden, Dalu Fang’s face was filled with shock. He never would’ve believed it…

Chapter 347: The One Who Is Hiding His Strength

Dai Li heard that Anshan Wang was a powerful athlete, without direct feelings. Now, he was finally aware of the strength of Anshan Wang, one of top ping-pong players in the world.

“I can’t believe that Anshan Wang didn’t show his real ability!” Looking at Yaozu Li across the table, full of confidence in his heart, Dai Li knew that he was stronger than Yaozu Li, although only the first set was finished.

“Not bad for an athlete,” Dai Li was a little excited.

Beating his rival and winning a contest is really a pleasant thing, which is why Dai Li was feeling good. On the contrary, frequent failure can be annoying.

Therefore, Yaozu Li couldn’t be in a good mood, because no man would be happy after losing contests. What’s worse is having a failure to a coach instead of a professional athlete, which would be a terrible experience.

“This man is as good as any world-class professional athlete. In Singapore, a person with his ability can play in the Olympic games! He is just a coach, so how can he be so good at the game?! Is this the real strength of China, a Ping-pong power?”

Yaozu Li was terribly upset. He was initially proud of his ping-pong skills, and knew he could strive to be a world-class athlete after taking efforts. However, he found the harsh reality that he couldn’t even beat a coach, which began to raise his thoughts of giving up his professional career.

People now looked at Dai Li in a strange way. At first, no one knew Yaozu Li’s real identity. Later, the audience felt sorry for Dai Li, after they knew the truth. But, in the first set, Yaozu Li couldn’t fight back at all, which was a big surprise for everyone. Although Yunan Xiao once imagined that Dai Li would win, she never thought it would be so easy.

“I know that ping-pong is our national sport, and that our national team is excellent, but I never thought that a coach could beat up a Singapore professional athlete!”

“When we see ping-pong contests on TV, we actually cannot feel the huge gap between Chinese athletes and foreign athletes, by which I was also shocked.”

“Mr. Li is really good. No wonder he dared to compete with Yaozu Li. Of course he is excellent.”

Most of the audience supported Dai Li, because most of them came from Dingtian Club, so the sense of collective honor combined them into an integrated cheering squad, as they were not willing to see the failure of Dai Li. The only one who couldn’t accept the reality was Lefeng Gu.

“Why? Why did he lose? He is a professional athlete in Singapore. Why?”

Lefeng Gu invited Yaozu Li, a professional athlete in Singapore, and he intended to keep it a secret, trying to humiliate Dai Li after his failure.

Yet, in the end, it was Lefeng Gu who became the one who was humiliated.

How can it be? My plan was perfect! The problem is that Yaozu Li is too weak to beat a coach. A good idea is wasted.

At the moment, furious Lefeng Gu stared at Yaozu Li. In fact, it was difficult for him to realize his own mistakes. In his view, all responsibilities should be shouldered on Yaozu Li.

In fact, Yaozu Li wasn’t so bad, even though he was beaten by Anshan Wang, who didn’t show his true strength. The reason for such a huge gap in the first set was mainly due to his mental state.

Before this time, Yaozu Li thought it would be very easy for him to win this contest, because Dai Li was just a coach. Maybe he was good at playing, but he could surely never beat a professional athlete. His taking the enemy lightly was the main reason for his crushing defeat.

There are a great deal of examples of just this same folly in numerous sports contests. When the strong confront the weak, it is easy for the strong to take his rival lightly. Therefore, a weaker man in this kind of mental state would not only lose the game, but also lose his confidence.

When Yaozu Li walked into the stadium, he was in such a mental state. Basic requirements for professional athletes, such as careful observation, calm analysis, and reasonable solutions, were forgotten. Obviously, it wasn’t so difficult to beat an athlete without possessing these abilities.

Yunan Xiao was very glad, and she never thought of this great surprise that Dai Li would bring her.

“I didn’t know he was such a great ping-pong player!” Yunan Xiao looked at Dai Li, the man struggling for the game, in an admirable way. Suddenly, she was attracted by his unique characteristics, and she couldn’t help looking at him.

In the studios of the hotel, three bosses got the official score reported to them from the contest scene.

In the next two sets, it was the same as the first set. The contest hadn’t finished yet though, but the end was already determined. Losing his calmness, Jianshe Gu couldn’t disguise his anger anymore, a fact which the other two easily noticed.

An ignoramus son made Jianshe Gu feel very helpless. But what he could do was limited, because of his spoiling his son. In most cases, he just ignored his son’s ridiculous behaviors, such as his buying sports car and a yacht, gambling, and pursuing starlets, all of which Jianshe Gu could bear, thanks to his huge amounts of wealth. But this time, he crossed the line.

The IPO of Dingtian football club had been designed to raise at least $10 billion, with billions of dollars of interest behind each point of equity allocation. Jianshe Gu didn’t agree with the equity allocation plan proposed by Dingtian, because he wanted to gain more benefits.

But that Lefeng Gu should bet on equity allocation, all for his resentment, and then lose the bet, which was not only an economical loss, but also affected strategic decision-making of Jinsui Group, was unthinkable! From the perspective of a negative view, he dared to bet on equity allocation solution of Dingtian today, so it’s hard to say whether he would recklessly bet on the whole Jinsui Group tomorrow!

“Such a loser!” he almost exploded with anger.

“Mr. Gu, take it easy, as it costs time to educate our kids,” said Dingtian Xiao, a face filled with a smile, an air of complacency.

“God bless me, if I can survive these horrible things done by my stupid son. If that loser could just behave himself like your daughter, I could retire now and have a rest!” said Jianshe Gu.

“Each family has its own problems,” he sighed. “My girl has a strong character. However, a girl must marry a lad when she grows up. Being a housewife is good enough. I introduced several good lads to her, each good-looking, good families, and good careers. But she rejected all of them. I am so worried about that!”

“I heard that the coach Dai Li is the boyfriend of your daughter…” he stopped unconsciously, because he realized something.

Isn’t it so strange that Yunan Xiao chose the sports coach, among so many excellent young lads? Why would he be willing to be a coach, when he possessed such ability? It can’t make sense at all. Isn’t it a trick they played, just to fool my stupid son?

Chapter 348: Breaking Up the Affectionate Couple

Lefeng Gu left with embarrassment. The experience wouldn’t be forgotten in his whole life. He must take responsibility for the great loss of Jinsui Group, for which he would be punished by Jianshe Gu.

The slapstick comedy ended in such a way, that it just looked like an interval show for most people. For Yunan Xiao, she knew that winning the ping-pong contest solved the problem of equity allocation, pushing the IPO of Ding Tian Football Club one step forward, and simultaneously, moving her closer toward her ultimate goal.

“Wipe your sweat first!” Yunan Xiao approached Dai Li, handing up a wet tissue for him, then said, “I didn’t expect you were such an excellent ping-pong player, and that you could even beat a Singapore professional athlete.”

“After all, I was a member of National Ping-pong Team before. I can’t beat my teammates though, and I can’t lose the game with foreigners, or it would be an embarrassment for our team.” Dai Li smiled and took the tissue, then said, “Lefeng Gu, will he keep his promise?”

“I will handle that.” Yunan Xiao stopped for a while to just stare at Dai Li, then she smiled like a shy little girl and said, “Thank you.”

Dai Li stood in amazement at her unusual behavior. In his mind, Yunan Xiao was independent and never behaved like this.

Yunan Xiao continued, “I know what you’ve done to help me… well, in fact, I…”

She didn’t know what to say, because she wasn’t good at showing her appreciation, or emotions. At this moment, a strong man wearing a suit and a pair of glasses walked towards them.

“That is my father’s assistant Zhicheng Huang, he comes for me.” Switching back to being in the capable and confident daughter role, she walked to meet him.

“Mr. Huang, my father wants to see me?” Yunan Xiao asked.

“I come for Mr. Li, actually, chairman wants to see him,” Zhicheng Huang pointed at Dai Li.

“Why does my father want to see Mr. Li?” Yunan Xiao asked, a little nervous.

“I’m not quite sure. I am a messenger only,” Zhicheng Huang replied.

Yunan Xiao turned around and spoke to Dai Li, “My father wants to see you! Go, let’s go together!”

Zhicheng Huang led the way, Dai Li and Yuan Xiao walked behind him, side by side. Dai Li was nervous, as he didn’t know what Dingtian Xiao’s purpose was, or what to do. Zhicheng Huang led them into a small reception room, where Dingtian Xiao sat on central sofa with a document in his hand, a pair of glasses on his nose.

“Father!” Yunan Xiao shouted.

“Chairman, I brought them here,” Zhicheng Huang said.

Dingtian Xiao raised his head up to look at both of them, then asked, “You are Mr. Li, right?”

Hello, sir, I am Dai Li,” Dai Li replied in a rush.

Dingtian Xiao nodded, turned around, and spoke to Yunan Xiao, “Yunan, would you please leave us alone, I’d like to talk with Mr. Li in private.”

Yunan Xiao hesitated for a while, watching Dai Li with a complicated expression, then went out.

“Have a seat, Mr. Li,” Dingtian Xiao pointed to a sofa beside him, easy-going.

Dai Li walked toward the sofa and sat down with serious expression.

“Don’t be nervous,” Dingtian Xiao seemed to be used of this kind of situation, as he put down the document and said, “Actually, I want to thank you for helping me solve this case of equity allocation. What happened today was out of my anticipation. However, Jianshe Gu may think that he was fooled by me.”

“It was too much for him to bully us, and I was forced to do that,” Dai Li asked.

“Forced to do that?” Dingtian Xiao smiled and said, “There is rumor that you are the boyfriend of Yunan.”

This suddenly appearing topic made Dai Li speechless.

Dingtian Xiao said, “You needn’t explain to me, because I know what happened to some extent. You were used to be a shield in order to deal with Fen Luo. Nothing happened between the two of you.”

He continued, “You are an excellent young man. As a coach, at your age, the achievement you’ve gained is not bad. I am your boss, and I hope you can have a clear understanding of yourself.”

Dai Li was confused, and so he didn’t follow Dingtian Xiao at first.

Dingtian Xiao moved his back a little bit and explained, “In short, I hope you leave my daughter alone.”

Dai Li’s eyebrow knitted, accompanied by a frown. Dingtian Xiao’s direct refusal deeply hurt his self-esteem.

Dingtian Xiao continued, “Of course, you solved the problem of equity allocation, which Dingtian will not forget. At the end of this year, the company will give you a special bonus.”

Dai Li got it now, suddenly. A big stick first, a date later. Telling Dai Li to get away from Yunan Xiao first, then giving him a sum of money later.

Dai Li nodded, although, he was in a paradox. He tried to calm himself down, and his wisdom told him that nothing would happen between them, because they were from different worlds. At the same time, he realized that he felt terrible when he even thought of the idea of “leave my daughter alone”.

At the moment, Dai Li finally realized that he had fallen in love with Yunan Xiao. Maybe he is right. Maybe I should stay away from Yunan, because I do not deserve her. She can have a better husband.

He tried his best to control his emotions, but his brain couldn’t get rid of the thought of her. What is worse, he couldn’t help thinking about Fen Luo, as he considered what kind of man she deserved.

It is a suitable marriage, that can ensure a happy life, rather than a political marriage! The thought flashed through Dai Li’s mind and gave him courage.

“Mr. Xiao, I know what you mean. However, I’d like to show my view,” Dai Li was serious.

He continued, “She’s your daughter, so shouldn’t you consider her thoughts and feelings? I know you want to find her a capable husband, who can help you deal with the businesses of Dingtian. So, is it worth it to ruin your daughter’s happiness, for your company?”

Chapter 349: Father-Daughter Relationship

Dingtian Xiao was surprised that Dai Li dared to speak to him in such a way. But later, he burst out laughing.

“I was such a person in your eyes? Political marriage? Do you think I will would sacrifice my daughter’s happiness for my own career?” asked Dingtian Xiao.

Dai Li hesitated for a few seconds, then finally nodded: “Yunan told me that you’ve always wanted her to marry the heirs of other big enterprises, just like Fen Luo. You wanted to find a suitable son-in-law to inherit Dingtian Group.”

Dingtian Xiao took a deep breath and said, “I see, so Yunan had the same idea as you?”

Dai Li didn’t answer, but you could know the answer from his expression.

Dingtian Xiao was more exasperated, then he said, “I was surprised that she had the idea. It was no wonder that, each time I arranged a blind date for her, she would reject me. It turned out that she regarded them as each being a potential political marriage…”

Dai Li looked at Dingtian Xiao bewilderingly, and was keenly aware that there was something behind it.

Dingtian Xiao relaxed and said, “I started my business in the 1980s, when Yunan was born, and I’ve built up Dingtian Group. At that time, Dingtian was not as big as it is today, but it was a famous enterprise still, here. Yunan grew up in a very superior environment ever since her childhood, and she has never suffered from any hardship, as I provided her the best things. No matter what she wants, I will always try my best to satisfy her.”

He continued: “But when it comes to marriage, I can’t listen to her. Just as a Chinese saying goes: “A marriage between two families should be of equal rank” … you should know what that means. Families backgrounds, social status, economic status, and occupations should all be taken into consideration in a marriage, thus, the couples will have more in common. However, if there is a big gap between the two families in lifestyle, living habits, and living cultures, there will be estrangement between the couples.

“I hope that my daughter and her future spouse have similar life experiences, similar values, and a common language, and I hope that they can understand each other, so that they can live together happily and won’t quarrel over trivial things.”

He took a breath, slow, then resumed talking: “So, I introduced many promising and rich young men to Yunan. In your eyes, they are the second rich generation, each having a pretty good family background and a lot of money. And the marriage between rich enterprises is quite similar with the so-called political marriage. But what I valued was not family background and money, but rather their life experiences, as they must have the similar values as Yunan, so that they could understand each other easily. You see, ordinary people don’t have these!”

He charged on in his explanation: “In the corporate world, there are only several young men, who conform to the requirements of family background, economic condition, personal ability, and so on. I hoped that she could choose a man she really likes, and I encouraged these young men to make contact with Yunan, which she probably regarded as the so-called ‘make a match’ being a part of.”

“Marriage is an important choice in everyone’s life. The couples have to live together for the rest of their lives, so they must have tacit understanding, as they have to use the rest of their lives to accommodate each other, to understand each other, and to support each other. If they are different regarding their ideas and lifestyle, and they live together just out of passion, then they have to accommodate and adapt to each other, and so are forced to accept the living ideas and lifestyles they perhaps dislike or disagree with. Do you think that is a happy life?” he posed the question to a listening Dai Li.

The he added with a sigh, “I’m a father, I have only one daughter, and Yunan’s happiness, in my view, is more important than anything else! Compared with Yunan, Dingtian Group is nothing! Therefore, I must be responsible for her marriage, and I do want to make her happy!”

At this moment, Yunan pushed the door open and came in, looking at her father with emotion. Yunan Xiao had been outside for a long time, listening their talk. Yunan was worried that her father would embarrass Dai Li, so she didn’t leave. However, she listened to her father’s true thoughts, and she immediately knew that she had always misunderstood her father.

“Dad, I’m sorry, I misunderstood you,” said Yunan Xiao.

Dingtian Xiao opened his mouth slightly, but failed to say something.

“Mr. Chairman, I have to go!” Dai Li stood up to go, as he knew that Yunan and her father needed to talk.

Dai Li didn’t leave immediately, but waited for Yunan near the door. After more than half an hour, Yunan came out of the room.

“I thought you were gone,” said Yunan Xiao.

“I’m waiting for you.” Dai Li paused and said, “Have you stitched up your misunderstanding?”

Yunan Xiao nodded: “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, I might not have understood my father’s true thoughts. Although, I still don’t agree with him, I now know that he did it all for me.”

“It couldn’t be better, as you are family, and you should always talk with him and understand him,” said Dai Li subconsciously.

“But I didn’t expect you to say those words to my dad. No one has ever spoken to him in that way! Aren’t you afraid of getting fired?” said Yunan Xiao, impressed.

“Now I’m a bit afraid. But, when it was all happening, I just wanted to say something that was fair to you at that time,” said Dai Li.

“Thank you,” said Yunan Xiao.

“Well, now that you’re OK, I have to go,” Dai Li waved to Yunan Xiao and turned away.

“Wait a minute!” Yunan Xiao suddenly said.

“Anything else?” asked Dai Li.

Yunan was a bit bashful and whispered, “Please don’t take what my father said to you seriously.”

“What?” Dai Li asked curiously, as Dingtian Xiao had said a lot to him just now, so he didn’t know exactly what Yunan was referring to.

Yunan Xiao stared at Dai Li angrily, then said in a reproachful tone, “It’s the words that you should keep me at arm’s length! Don’t take it seriously…”

“So? What do you mean?” Dai Li wondered.

“You are a fool!” Yunan Xiao looked at the puzzled Dai Li, not being able to keep from scolding him, which was more like coquetry between lovers.

A ripple of doubt went through Dai Li’s heart, when he heard these words.

“Is she implying something to me?” thought Dai Li.

Chapter 350: The Injured Racing King

The season was over, and the holidays had begun, but the club became more and more cheerless. Harman’s team had returned to Europe, the players all spending their time to rest, recover themselves, and take holidays.

Dai Li, however, didn’t leave the club immediately, but rather, he began to date Yunan Xiao. It seemed that everything was going well after the celebration banquet. They established a good tacit understanding, they worked together, ate together, and went to movies together, if time permitted. They completely forgot Dingtian Xiao’s words of: “You should keep away from Yunan.”

On the evening of Christmas Eve, as they came out of a restaurant, a cold wind blew past them, and Dai Li took off his coat and put it on Yunan Xiao. They strolled down the pedestrian street, hand in hand, and when they looked at the couples around them, they got closer and closer.

Looking at Yunan Xiao’s beautiful face, Dai Li couldn’t help wanting to kiss her. But suddenly, his cellphone rang.

“It’s a call from Germany,” Dai Li looked at his cellphone, the security software showing the source of the call.

“Why did a German call me? Could it be a fraud call? I know that’s been rampant recently,” Dai Li didn’t want to answer the call, but it kept ringing, so he finally answered.

“Hello, Mr. Li, Merry Christmas!” It was Cloud. Dai Li was very familiar with his voice.

“Mr. Cloud? What a surprise!” said Dai Li.

“I hoped that I haven’t disturbed you, because I thought Spring Festival is your traditional holiday.” Cloud added, “My wife was cooking the Christmas Eve dinner, and I couldn’t bear her nagging, so I walked around the yard and gave you a call. How are you doing?”

They greeted to each other, then Cloud got right down to business: “Dai Li, I know you had your own methods in rehabilitation training, and that several players in the team had recovered quickly with your help and methods. But their injuries were not very serious, as many of them were cumulative trauma disorders. I wandered if you could cure a very serious injury, also?”

“How serious was it? What kind of trauma?” asked Dai Li.

“The injured was hit on the head, which caused intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral edema after surgery. After two weeks spent in an artificial coma, his cranial injury has recovered, but partial cerebral hypoxia might have caused the injury of nerves, which couldn’t be judged accurately. There were fractures and hairline fractures in his body, but they were not serious and have since healed. Therefore, it was not local trauma, but rather, was comprehensive physical trauma,” said Cloud.

“How was his spine? Could he act on his own?”

“There was nothing wrong with his spine, he can now sit up and stand, with much help, but it is difficult for him to walk,” said Cloud.

“That means he can’t act on his own,” Dai Li nodded.

“Far from not being able to act on his own, he is now almost completely at a total loss of control over his limbs. He can’t stand truly firmly without the help of others. He can only slightly raise his arms, and he can’t even clench his fists,” said Cloud helplessly.

“It sounds like he had a very serious injury, was it caused by routine sports? A car accident?” asked Dai Li subconsciously.

“It’s not a car accident, the injured hit a stone at a high speed while skiing. But fortunately, he wore a helmet, or else he would have died,” Cloud said with a sigh.

“It occurred to me that Helheim, the king of racing, hit his head when he was skiing a few months ago,” said Dai Li.

“You guessed it, the injured is Helheim,” Cloud confessed.

“Really?” Dai Li remembered the news that he had read a few days ago. But then he had been preparing for the Asia Champion League, so he didn’t pay much attention to it at the time.

“Yes, it’s him! We have been friends for over ten years, as I was his fitness coach when he was at Ferrari,” said Cloud.

“I have been praying for him since he was injured. And when I returned to Europe, I went to Switzerland to visit him for the first time, hoping to help him. He is safe now, but from the perspective of a coach, he is still in bad condition, and it’s difficult for him to be an able-bodied person again.”

Cloud paused, then said, “In fact, Helheim has received the best medical team, the best medical equipment, and the best treatment, but he is still is not in good condition. So, we can only rely on exercise rehabilitation. But I have no idea, because he can’t even do the basic rehabilitation training. I guess you could help him, as I remembered that you could help these athletes, who I now see can run and get back on the court. I wondered if you could help him to recover, or at least help him to do rehabilitation training.”

“Well…” Dai Li hesitated for a moment, because he didn’t know whether rehabilitation massage would be helpful to Helheim.

“Cloud, I’m not sure if I can help him, but I can have a try,” said Dai Li.

“Better try than give up all hope!” Cloud sighed, then said, “When can you come to Europe? We’re going to Switzerland.”

“At least one week, I have to get a visa. Unlike you, German passports are almost visa-free in Europe. You can go anywhere you want.” Dai Li agreed to his request.

Helheim is a German, the world’s greatest Formula One driver. He has won the championship of Formula One seven times, and he kept most of the records of Formula One Racing. So, he was known as “the king of racing”.

Apart from racing, Helheim’s biggest hobby was skiing. He would spend a month or two a year at a ski resort in Europe. Not long ago, the Alps had just started its ski season. So, Helheim couldn’t wait to go to the ski resorts in the French Alps, but unfortunately, he hit his head on the stone and almost lost his life.

There had been much debate in the news media about Helheim’s injury. Some say he has been a vegetable, and could never stand up again, while others say he would recover soon. Now, it seems that what Cloud has said is the reality. Helheim didn’t become a vegetable, but he would not recover soon, either.

Dai Li knew Helheim very well. Being one of the greatest racing drivers in the world, Helheim had led the trend of the times. When Dai Li got the intermediate detector, and hence, knew the talent date for athletes, he thought of several athletes whose date might be S+, including Helheim.

Chapter 351: Will You Believe in Miracles?

In the following week, after applying for a Visa to Germany and Switzerland, Dai Li flew to meet Claude in Germany, and then onward to Switzerland.

Many professional race drivers chose to settle down in Switzerland, because being a race driver was not recognized as being a career by the Swiss government. Therefore, if race drivers lived in Switzerland, they would be registered as unemployed, so they would enjoy more preferential treatments in taxes. Especially for Helheim, a world-class racing driver, who got an income of billions annually, even a 1% cut in tax would be a good deal. Therefore, he settled in Switzerland years ago.

Switzerland had the highest level of medical care in the world, and even among the developed western countries, Switzerland enjoyed the most efficient and effective medical system. Besides, Switzerland was quite attractive to talents. Many high-level doctors would choose to immigrate here. So, Helheim, who would never lack for money, could get the world’s top medical treatment here.

Dai Li, with Claude, came to Helheim’s villa, which was more like a medieval castle, and was located by the picturesque Geneva River. In front of him was a large area of grassland, which was broad enough for a round of golf, and was surrounded by trees. Though there were many famous people living around, these trees could protect the owner’s privacy.

Pointing at the villa, Claude said, “To build this villa, Helheim spent over thirty million euros. It contains eight bedrooms and five shower rooms, together with a kitchen costing three million. It has a small cinema, a sauna room, one indoor pool and two outdoor pools, which could be injected with fresh lake water. Have you seen the tower? The roof was hand-polished and cost 400,000 euros!”

“After his injury, Helheim’s wife spent nearly 10 million euros converting this villa into a modern rehabilitation center. Now, it has the most advanced rehabilitation equipment in the world, and the medical professionals of Lausanne University Hospital stay here 24 hours, on call.”

“That is his wife. She is awaiting us there,” Claude made an eye gesture at the villa’s gate, pointing to a gaunt, middle-aged woman standing there. That was Helheim’s wife, Corinna.

“Corinna, is Helheim getting better?” Claude asked with concern.

“Still the same,” Corinna sighed and then looked at Dai Li.

“He is the one I told you about, Coach Li,” Claude started to introduce them.

“Coach Li, nice to see you. Thank you for coming here from the far east,” Corinna politely shook hands with Dai Li. Her expression seemed a little confused and even more panicked, since she didn’t expect him to be so young.

Yellow people seemed to be younger than white ones. So, her judgment of his age was even less than his real age. Ordinarily, Corinna would never believe such a young man could help her husband, and even she would doubt whether Claude could get to know a swindler of the east. However, now she was desperate and had no choice. She would try anything to rehabilitate her Helheim.

Dai Li answered humbly, “I am a fan of Helheim, too, and I also hope to see him recover soon. If my method would work, it’s my honor.”

“Well, Corinna, it’s still early. Let’s see Helheim first. Now he needs more rest. I don’t want to disturb you too long,” Claude said.

“Please follow me. Professor Nelsen of Lausanne University Hospital is just here. Maybe you can exchange with each other,” said Corinna, as she led them into the villa.

“Professor Nelsen? Darcy Nelsen?” Claude said the name at once.

“Yes, that’s him!” Corinna nodded, “My husband is now in charge of his team. He comes in person every two or three days.”

Dai Li asked softly, as he approached Claude, “Is this Professor Nelsen very famous?”

“He is an expert in rehabilitation therapy and fairly famous in Europe. I read one paper of his about rehabilitation therapy, long before, and it’s quite helpful in sports rehabilitation. In terms of level, his position in rehabilitation therapy was almost as high as my position in physical coaches,” Claude responded.

So, he is a top expert in rehabilitation therapy in the world! Dai Li thought. He knew Claude was nearly at the world-top level as a football physical coach. According to this, Professor Nelsen was also the top in rehabilitation therapy.

…

As these three people approached Helheim’s recovery room, they happened to see a bald, old man wearing glasses coming out.

“Professor Nelsen! How’s my husband? Getting better?” Corinna asked eagerly.

“Compared to the condition he was in two days ago, his language competence hasn’t recovered yet. I think we need more patience,” the bald professor said.

Corinna nodded disappointedly, then made introductions: “Professor Nelsen, let me introduce to you. This is Mr. Claude, who I mentioned before.”

“Professor Nelsen. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Claude said politely.

“Mr. Claude, hello. I heard a lot about you from Helheim. You are a world-top physical coach and an expert in sports rehabilitation,” Nelsen stepped forward and shook hands with Claude.

As for Dai Li, behind as usual, he was ignored by Nelsen. An Asian young man in his twenties was naturally regarded as a nobody by Nelsen.

Nelsen then made a brief introduction regarding Helheim’s condition and turned to leave.

Corinna led Dai Li and Claude into Helheim’s room.

Finally, Dai Li saw the real face of Helheim.

Helheim looked much older than his pictures in the media. Perhaps because of the injury, he seemed gaunt and thin. At this time, he was half-lying in his bed. When he saw Claude, a smile appeared on his face.

“My old pal, I’m coming to see you. How do you feel?” Claude asked.

“Not bad,” his voice sounded very weak, his words not quite clear. It even sounded like an old wizard was saying a spell.

But for Dai Li, it mattered nothing. Helheim and Claude were talking in German. Dai Li didn’t understand what they said, even if he could hear it clearly.

“I brought you a man,” Claude pushed Dai Li forward and continued, “His name is Dai Li…my colleague and a physical coach too, very proficient in sports rehabilitation. I bring him here, particularly to see if he can help.”

“Hello, Mr. Helheim,” said Dai Li in English.

“Hi, Mr. Li,” Helheim looked at Dai Li. Now, in addition to his mouth, it was very hard for him to move his other parts.

Later, Helheim’s eyes fell on Claude again.

“My old pal, let’s talk for awhile, OK? I am nearly suffocating in bed,” Helheim said inarticulately.

A racing driver was the kind of person who liked to have the pursuit of passion. They liked the thrill of extreme sports and, it indeed was a kind of torture to let them lie in bed all day.

Claude nodded, “Well. But before that, let Coach Li see if he can help you,” said Claude, gesturing to Dai Li with his eyes. But Helheim refused, “Thank you for your kindness, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Therefore, don’t bother Coach Li.”

“Why?” Claude paused, as if he had guessed Helheim’s concerns, and began to explain, “Although Coach Li is young, he is really quite proficient in sports rehabilitation, especially in practices. I have witnessed this many times, so please trust him.”

Claude thought Helheim didn’t trust Dai Li because he was so young.

“You misunderstand what I mean. It is not because I have no faith in Coach Li,” a despair appeared in his eyes, and he deliberately explained it in English, in order to get Dai Li to understand, “I’ve been like this. It’s great to live. I don’t need to do anything in vain!”

Looking at Helheim, Dai Li could clearly feel the despair in his tone.

“In fact, I know my condition is terrible. After the surgery, I realized it when I woke up from anesthesia. I can’t recover to the way I used to be, and it’s impossible to be a normal person. But now, I can’t raise my arms and step on my feet. My hands once used to drive the fastest racing car in the world, but now, I even cannot hold a pen.”

Helheim’s eyes became hollow, his voice still faint. Dai Li couldn’t hear him clearly, but judging from his expression and tone, he knew Helheim’s world had collapsed.

Corinna frowned, her eyes full of blame. She thought it was Professor Nelsen who had told Helheim his actual condition.

It seemed that Helheim got her thinking, and he said, “Corinna, it has nothing to do with Doctor Nelsen. I clearly know my own body. Don’t forget, I have been badly injured before. Crashed with a speed of 200kmph, severe cerebral concussion, comminuted fracture, and pulled out in coma from a smoky racing car … I’ve been through all these. I have gotten through all of these. So, this time, I know I’m afraid of being so lucky again.”

“So, you choose to give up?” Dai Li’s voice came out suddenly, and he continued in a tone of questioning, “You feel there is no hope, so you give up? Are you really willing to lie here all of your life?”

Helheim smiled sadly, “I know what you want to say. You want to tell me don’t give up and continue to fight like a warrior and regain my previous glories! But to me, now, none of those matter!”

“Glories, I had many. I even can open a museum with all the trophies. Position, I had that also. I was at the top of the world as a racing driver. Wealth, I don’t lack. Although the injury this time might cost me much, I could live a rich life all the rest of my days with all my wealth.”

Still, Helheim couldn’t express himself clearly, but Dai Li was listening earnestly and understood his words.

Dai Li had also met some athletes who gave up on themselves, such as Feixiang Lin, who abandoned his training and only went to nightclubs for fun. However, there was always a flame of hope in his mind. He was eager to return to the field and to his peak.

But Helheim was different. He was a retired athlete. Besides, he had achieved the highest level of success in the field of racing, even having no competitors. His achievements were nearly unsurpassable, and he was really so powerful that he had nothing left to pursue. The lyric “how lonely to be invincible is” was quite suitable for Helheim.

Therefore, after giving up on himself, Helheim completely lost his morale. For him, even if he could return to his peak level, all he could experience was loneliness. Unlike Feixiang Lin, he couldn’t rekindle his hope.

“I’ve received a lot in my life, so God let me quit something. Hence, stop talking to me about struggles and ideals. Let me rest,” said Helheim, as if tired, as he closed his eyes.

“But your family and your friends haven’t given up,” Dai Li continued, “They hope you can recover. Your parents want a healthy son, your wife wants a healthy husband, and your son also wants a healthy father. They want to see a normal Helheim, rather than a self-abandoned wretch in bed!”

Dai Li’s words let Helheim open his eyes, and he involuntarily looked at his wife. Seeing his wife pining away, he felt an inexplicable sadness. The next second, however, Helheim sighed hopelessly, “I understand what you’re saying, but I know my condition is really terrible, and that the chance of complete recovery is nil. I could never turn back to what I used to be, unless a miracle happens!”

“So, for your family, will you believe in miracles?” Dai Li stared at Helheim seriously, and then he said slowly, “You don’t have to answer me now. I think you should think it over, before you answer me. If you still believe in miracles, I would do everything I can to help you.”

A vague bewilderment appeared in his empty eyes, and there contained a trace of struggle and pain deeper in them.

“I once met an athlete, who gave up himself for an injury. At that time, I gave him a sentence, and now, I give it to you: If it is a physical injury, I still have some ways. But if it be a mental one, even God cannot save you!”

Chapter 352: For the Family

The original sentence Dai Li said to Feixiang Lin was: “If one gave up mentally, even the immortals couldn’t save him.” But for westerners, it was exactly more appropriate to replace the word immortals with the word God.

Dai Li didn’t make rehabilitation massage for Helheim, but his words touched him similarly. He may not care about self-salvation, but he had to care about his family. In the afternoon, nearing sunset, Helheim lay in his bed, two empty eyes staring at the ceiling.

A slight snore came and Helheim turned his face to see his wife lying in his bed, not knowing when she fell asleep.

“She really had a hard time recently,” so touched was Helheim, that his old days flashed in his mind.

Helheim was a racing driver, and the Formula One Racing he had occupied was one of the most dangerous sports in the world. There had been many deaths on the track throughout its history. Therefore, every time he attended races, his wife was very nervous, hoping that he wouldn’t have any accident, and that he would come back safely.

His two sons were playing football on the lawn outside the window, screaming and running.

Although Helheim was the greatest racing driver in history, he didn’t wish his sons to follow his steps and become racing drivers. He also didn’t wish they could watch his matches, because he knew this sport was too dangerous, and he would rather his sons just be ordinary people.

“I chose to retire for them!” looking at his wife and thinking about his sons, Helheim sighed with emotion.

By his age and condition at that time, it was definitely no problem for him to race for four or five years more, but he chose to retire. He didn’t wish his family to live in fear every day any longer.

He didn’t want to see his wife nervous. Helheim remembered that Corinna spent a long time in church before each match, praying that he would not suffer accidents and would could come back safe and sound.

He also didn’t want his sons to view him as their model, and he was afraid that they would love this dangerous sport. So, he even took holidays abroad, as excuses to prevent them from attending youth carting.

Years ago, I chose to leave the track, and to retire for my family. I didn’t want them to be nervous. But now, they are still worrying about my condition.

Thinking of this, Helheim closed his eyes.

The screams of his two sons from outside came through the window. They seemed to be arguing about the football. Helheim wanted to go there and stop them, but now he could just lie in bed helplessly, like a piece of trash. The feeling of hopelessness made him want to shout and vent, but in fact, he couldn’t even speak loudly.

The setting sun dyed the sky into red, and made Helheim sleepy.

Suddenly, a voice broke out, “Dad, pass the ball to me!”

Helheim saw his two sons waving hands to him. Lifting his leg, he wanted to kick the football to them, but the ball was still there.

“Honey, dinner is ready. It’s time for dinner!” Corinna’s voice came from a distance.

His two children ran to their mother, and Helheim intended to step forward, but only found that he couldn’t move at all. The two children and their mother went into that castle-like villa.

“Wait for me!” Helheim shouted, but they were getting further away, as if they heard nothing.

“Wait for me!” he wanted to rush there, but couldn’t move at all.

Corinna and his two sons went into the villa and disappeared from view, leaving Helheim standing there, alone and hopeless. The setting sun disappeared under the horizon, and all surrounding was left in darkness. All Helheim felt was that he was enveloped by endless fear. Silence was everywhere, as if countless demons lurking there would devour him soon. The nightmare frightened him, causing him to keep opening his eyes. Out of the window, the sunset’s glow came into his eyes again.

Corinna was still in sleep by his bed, snoring softly. The sound of his two sons, playing football on the lawn, came into this room.

“Just a dream!” Helheim sighed with fear, “What a nightmare!”

This moment, Dai Li’s question flashed into his mind.

Will you believe in miracles for your family?

Also, at this moment, Helheim finally realized what he had lost.

At this time, I should be playing outside with my sons, instead of lying here!

At this time, I should stay in the kitchen with Corinna, preparing today’s dinner together!

At this time, I should be in my study, and call my parents to invite them here to spend the weekend!

I chose to retire, just for these things! I hoped to spare more time for my family. But now, I only can lie here, letting them look after me and worry about me.

Will you believe in miracles for your family? Once again, Dai Li’s question came into his mind. But this time, Helheim’s heart was renewed.

“Yes! For my family, I will believe in miracles!” Helheim muttered.

His sound awoke Corinna. Raising her head, Corinna looked at him and asked, “What did you say? Are you thirsty? I’ll get you some water, OK?”

“No! I’m not!” said Helheim, looking gratefully at his wife, “Make me an appointment with Claude and that Coach Li tomorrow.”

Corinna hesitated and asked, “Can we believe that Coach Li? He is too young, maybe in his twenties…”

“I would like to believe him, even just for you! I am willing to believe in miracles!” Helheim said with a firm look.

…

Once again, Dai Li and Claude came into the medieval castle-like villa.

“Mr. Helheim, I’m afraid that you are not fit for rehabilitation at your current physical state, so we can only start with the most basic massage,” Dai Li said seriously.

Helheim nodded. He even couldn’t stand up now without help, let alone do rehabilitation exercise. Dai Li continued, “In addition to hitting your head in the accident, your legs are fractured. By comparison, your arms are probably the least injured, right?”

“My arms suffered only bruises,” Helheim answered.

“Can you raise your arms?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes, but only a little,” Helheim tried to raise his arm, but it stopped before thirty degrees. Obviously, it was his limit now.

“Can your fingers move?” Dai Li continued, “Could you have a try?”

“Pretty hard!” Helheim moved his fingers slightly. Obviously, it was also all he could do now.

“I see,” Dai Li frowned and realized now that Helheim’s condition was really serious. In all likelihood, the inability to move without any trauma mostly was due to damage to the nervous system.

Fortunately, I upgraded the rehabilitation massage before, so now it can activate damaged nervous tissue and promote the nervous cells. It may work for Helheim.

As Dai Li was thinking of this, the door opened suddenly.

“Wait a minute!” Professor Nelsen burst in and snapped.

“What are you going to do with my patient?” he asked with a stern look.

“Professor Nelsen, take it easy. They’re just giving me a massage,” Helheim explained.

“Massage? That’s not the doctor’s advice!” Nelsen said coldly.

Suddenly, Helheim looked a little embarrassed. As a patient, he should follow his doctor’s advice, but he bypassed his attending physician and hired a coach for rehabilitation massage. It was not correct. Nelsen even could regard it as showing a distrust of the doctor.

Claude started to explain quickly, “Professor Nelsen, don’t get me wrong. We are physical coaches, and we are also experts in rehabilitation training. We just make some additional complements on the basis of your treatment. This will help with Helheim’s recovery. For example, in addition to taking medicine, patients can also take some extra nutrition supplements to improve their bodies, right?”

“However, the premise is that nutritional supplements will not conflict with the medicine, and will not aggravate the patient’s condition!” Nelsen grunted.

“Of course not, Professor Nelsen. Your concern is unnecessary. Every year we do rehabilitation trainings for dozens of athletes, including some with severe injuries. So, in this respect, we have rich experience. Therefore, please trust me on my professional level, that we’ll never aggravate Helheim’s injury,” Claude said.

“Coach Claude, I know you are the top physical coach in Europe, so I trust you. It’s alright if you massage Mr. Helheim,” saying this, Nelsen now pointed at Dai Li, “But he can’t!”

Looking at Claude with a solemn face, Nelsen said seriously, “Mr. Claude, you know Helheim’s injury is quite complicated, and he needs your experience. Therefore, it’s better to do the rehabilitation massage yourself, rather than having your assistant practice on him!”

Chapter 353: Get Him Convinced

Claude smiled bitterly. He knew that Nelson had misunderstood him.

“Prof. Nelson, you’ve misunderstood. Coach Li is not my assistant. He is a fitness coach, just like me. Also, exercise rehabilitation is what he is good at,” explained Claude.

“He is also a coach? He looks even younger than any of those medical interns! I’m not a coach, but as far as I know, a coach, just like a doctor, needs an accumulation of experience,” Nelson went on with his doubts, “And Asian coaches are not the best in Europe.”

His words meant that he thought that Dai Li was too young to be experienced and moreover, that he was doubtful about the ability of Asian coaches.

“I’m not an Asian in Europe. I’m Chinese,” said Dai Li.

“Chinese? Then I won’t let you touch my patient! The medical technology of you Chinese is, at most, in the second tier in the world!” Nelson became serious suddenly.

“Prof. Nelson are you a racist?” Claude questioned angrily. It was obvious that he was not comfortable with the attitude of Nelson.

“No, I’m not a racist. A lot of my patients are minorities, and I spare no effort to treat them,” Nelson added, as he shook his head, “But I’m a doctor, who must be responsible for my patients. I have to make sure that all treatments are going to help him recover, instead of worsening his injuries, as long as I am his attending doctor.”

“My massage will only make Helheim better,” answered Dai Li.

“Who can guarantee that?” Nelson shook his head contemptuously.

“I can guarantee that,” answered Dai Li at once.

“Your guarantee is not trustworthy!” Nelson took a deep breath and said calmly, “Coach Li, to tell you the truth, it is just the second time we have now met each other, and I don’t even know your name. For me, you’re just a stranger with a familiar face, so I can’t trust you. And I will never allow you to do massage for Mr. Helheim.”

Nelson was quite frank. He, a bald, old man, seemed to be extremely stubborn on this issue.

Dai Li said calmly, “The reason I’m so sure of this, is because the body of Helheim can fully take a normal muscle massage.”

“Why are you so sure?” Nelson stared at Dai Li.

“The clinical manifestation of Helheim’s arms is Level-3 muscle atrophy, and the clinical manifestation of his trunk is far worse, probably close to the Level 2 of muscle atrophy, but in fact, his arms are just suffering from Level-4 muscle atrophy. The muscle atrophy of his trunk is only Level 3. That is to say, the actual condition of his body is not as terrible as those clinical manifestations. Am I right?” Dai Li asked.

“How do you know?” Nelson, somewhat surprised, involuntarily turned his eyes to Corinna, who he thought had revealed Helheim’s condition to Dai Li.

“It’s not Mrs. Helheim who told me,” Dai Li shook his head and added, “Don’t forget that I am a fitness coach. I can tell what’s going on with Helheim by observing and touching his muscles.”

“That makes sense!” Finally, Nelson became serious.

Helheim’s clinical manifestations were really bad. As an example, he could only raise his arms slightly. In medical classifications of muscle atrophy, it is Level-3 muscle atrophy if one’s body can overcome gravity. But Nelson had found that Helheim’s muscles were in the stage of Level-4 muscle atrophy, based on a series of examinations, including electromyography, muscle circumference detection, muscle tone examination and a MRI. That was far milder than what was indicated by Helheim’s manifestations, and was more in line with the clinical manifestation of a patient who had been on bedrest for a long time.

Nelson couldn’t get such results without medical examinations. But Dai Li reached the same conclusion only by observations and touches. That was what made Nelson finally treat him with some respect.

Dai Li continued saying, “Helheim’s actual physical conditions are better than his clinical manifestations. Therefore, his muscles should be able to endure a normal massage, currently, in terms of either medicine or rehabilitation exercise. Am I right?”

Nelson nodded grudgingly. Dai Li was right. Helheim behaved as if he was very weak. It even seemed that he had difficulties moving slightly, but his muscle strength was not low at all. In other words, Helheim’s body was strong enough to go through a normal muscle massage.

Dai Li went on speaking, “It is mainly a neurological problem, in the case of Helheim, isn’t it? Part injuries of nerve roots, nerve plexuses, and motor neurons. I think you know much more about the causes of such injuries than I do.”

“You got that from your observations, too?” Nelson asked, finding it hard to believe. What Dai Li just said is true. but Nelson got those results by measuring nerve conduction velocity and detecting evoked potential.

“I judge by experience,” said Dai Li.

“What else can you see?” asked Nelson seriously.

Dai Li squinted enigmatically and then whispered, “Epilepsy!”

On hearing the word, Nelson’s expression changed suddenly.

How did he know? Even I didn’t know, until I got the report this morning! Not even Mrs. Helheim knew about it! Does the young man know divination?

Nelson wore a much more serious expression, staring at Dai Li.

Helheim had been showing anxiety and fear for a while, which had long been considered by Nelson as a psychological problem caused by trauma. Later, Helheim experienced occasional visual hallucinations and frequent auditory hallucinations, all of which met the primary symptoms of epilepsy.

Nelson knew that epilepsy was common for a lot of patients after brain surgeries. So, he arranged the examinations, including cerebral angiogram and a nuclide brain scan for Helheim, particularly. The examination results given to him today finally proved that Helheim had been showing signs of the early stages of epilepsy. Nelson’s visit this day was, in fact, to tell Helheim’s family about the new issue, and to decide the treatment plan.

However, Dai Li told everyone before Nelson started the topic! Dai Li knew so much because of the detector, of course. The detector would tell Dai Li accurately, as long as athletes had defects, whether they were physical or technical, including this epilepsy, the brain surgery’s sequela, which only showed early symptoms recently … and the doctor diagnosed it before.

But when Dai Li spoke about the results of the detector, he convinced Nelson totally. Nelson’s expression also showed what was in his mind. Seeing Nelson’s expression, everyone there understood that Dai Li was right at once.

“Prof. Nelson, would you trust my expertise now?” asked Dai Li with a smile.

“Coach Li, I admit that your experience and judgment are indeed very good, I despised you before, for which I apologize to you now,” Nelson continued, “But an expert like you should know that a normal muscle massage could only help smooth Helheim’s blood circulation. The main problem now is neurological damage, which calls for a pretty long recovery process that cannot be replaced by a simple muscle massage. Muscle massage has almost no therapeutic effect on his current condition.”

“My massage can stimulate the nerves of Helheim and accelerate his recovery,” answered Dai Li at once.

“Coach Li, I hope you’re not joking,” Nelson replied with distrust again, and then said, “Almost all the great experts over Europe came here for a consultation for Helheim, and they have given many solutions. We have tried low frequency electrical stimulation, nerve nutrition, electroacupuncture stimulation, and even the most advanced laser treatments, but we didn’t see any effects.”

“It was because nothing else worked that I decided to try my method,” Dai Li said, as he pointed to Helheim’s arms, adding, “Start with his arm first.”

“Coach Li, I admire your confidence, but do you think your methods will work, when even the best experts in Europe have been at a loss to do anything about it?” Nelson sneered. He thought Dai Li was too conceited, and Nelson didn’t like a young man like that.

“Try, and we’ll know,” Dai Li answered confidently.

Chapter 354: The Miracle Happened

Dai Li seemed very calm. He didn’t know how much the upgraded rehabilitation massage could do for Helheim’s recovery, but was sure that it would make Helheim recover much faster, compared with the speed of his self- healing.

“Mr. Helheim, I’m going to massage your arm. Please relax,” Dai Li put on special rubber gloves as he spoke.

Nelson shook his head helplessly. He considered what Dai Li was doing as being something totally useless. How would a case, remaining unsolvable to all experts on rehabilitation, over the whole, get effectively cured by such a simple muscle massage?

“Prof. Nelson, what did coach Li mean by epilepsy?” Corinna asked.

Her words reminded Nelson of the present business, then he replied, “That’s why I’m here today. Epilepsy is a chronic recurrent transient cerebral dysfunction syndrome, which is one of the most common diseases on the nervous system, featuring a recurrent epileptic seizure caused by abnormal discharges of brain neurons. According to the latest test results, Mr. Helheim has been in the early stages of epilepsy.”

“Why did it happen? Isn’t he recovering?” Corinna asked.

Nelson immediately explained, “Acquired brain injury is one of the etiologies of epilepsy. After a brain surgery, the nervous system will inevitably encounter inflammations, including central nervous system infection caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and spirochetes, and nervous system complications of AIDS are among those etiologies, too. The brain hypoxia can also cause myoclonic epileptic seizures.”

“That is to say, that my condition is now more complicated?” Lying in bed, Helheim asked.

“Yes,” Nelson nodded, then went on talking, “But don’t worry. You are now in the early stages of epilepsy, with less obvious symptoms. We are able to control the seizures by medication…”

He then went on with a torrent of introductions about epilepsy, as if he was giving a lecture about epilepsy in a college. Foreign doctors are very good at explaining the illness to their patients. Different from their counterparts in China, who must make diagnoses about hundreds of patients, a doctor receiving ten patients a day could be regarded as a model worker in a country with the top healthcare in the world, such as Switzerland.

A word-class leading expert like Nelson offered his services with a high price. His patients were all rich. Usually, he was scheduled for only two patients each day, so that he could explain their conditions thoroughly to them, from the pathogenesis to symptoms, and then he would propose a list of therapies, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each, for his patients to choose from.

If the patient wanted therapy plan A, Nelson would take him through a comparison among plan A, B, C and D, and then would recommend the most suitable: plan D. In the end, Nelson would add, “That’s only my suggestion. It’s you who will make the final decision.”

A same case in China would never see so many explanations and suggestions from the doctor. He might directly choose plan D for the patient, even without a word to make the therapy clear to the patient and his family. The doctor just would just simply them about the decision and ask them to pay for the treatment.

Nelson’s long “lecture” made Helheim and Corinna, as well as Claude, a fitness coach with a little knowledge about medicine, confused. As for Dai Li, he did not listen to Nelson at all. There were so many medical terms that Dai Li needed a dictionary to help him understand.

Foreign doctors respect their patients’ rights to know. If there is nothing special in the case, they will tell the patient about his illness in detail. Such a way of communication between doctors and patients cannot be defined as “correct” or not, nor can it be judged by the standards of good and bad. What it will result in only depends on the psychological endurance of the patient in each specific case.

For example, in the case of a terminal cancer patient, doctors in China usually tell the condition to the patient’s family member, instead of the patient himself. They are afraid that the patient cannot accept such a fact, and that would make him suffer in his last few days. But foreign doctors believe that patients should be told the truth, so that they can use their time left to fulfill some of their own unfinished wishes.

Those patients, who treat life positively, will indeed spend their final period of time to realize their own wishes. There is always news about someone with an incurable disease selling his houses and cars in order to travel around the world. And the one in the news is usually a foreigner.

As for those who cannot accept the fact they will soon die, they will be destroyed by their own fear about death, some of them even committing suicide to end their lives early. Such things are also frequently reported by domestic media. A patient, usually who was fatally ill, jumped off a building in a hospital because he could not face death. Hence, his family could get an economic compensation from the hospital, since his death happened in the hospital building.

Helheim, after serious injuries, was obviously not someone who could think positively. He looked upset upon knowing about his current conditions. He felt that he was one more step away from recovery.

My health is getting worse and worse, and now I have epilepsy. Maybe I can’t recover. Helheim couldn’t help but taking a look at Dai Li, who was massaging him, and he recalled Dai Li’s words before and sighed in his heart. It is never easy to make a miracle happen!

A sense of disappointment hung over Helheim, and he felt that the world had turned grey again. It’s useless. I’ve been in such a situation. A brain surgery, nerve damage, and now epilepsy. How can it be possible that such muscle massage works? It’s just a waste of time. A sense of despair rose from the bottom of his heart, and he opened his mouth, intending to stop Dai Li from doing such a futile massage.

Helheim was then ready to give up.

“Coach Li…” Helheim said with a faint voice, but at that moment, a pain suddenly came from his arm. Helheim grinned with the pain, and then his mind was filled with joys. To him, it was a long-lost pain. Helheim had been unable to move his arms and legs flexibly after the brain surgery. Sometimes he couldn’t even feel the existence of his arms at all. He even thought his two arms were no longer there with him. He was not even so sensitive to pains.

But the pain at the moment made him refreshed at once. He felt that his arm was coming back to him, with the numbness fading away and being replaced by the clear pains gradually…vivid, real pains.

Without a reason, Helheim thought of an image of a wasted and silent black land, covered by dark clouds that was suddenly enlightened by a ray of sunshine breaking the barrier of clouds. And a green seeding grew out of it. It was a wonderful symbol of life and hope.

“Mr. Helheim were you calling me just now?” the voice of Dai Li brought Helheim back to reality.

“Never mind…” Helheim shook his head hesitantly. His subconscious suddenly told himself that maybe he should give Dai Li a chance, as a chance to himself, too.

“It will be alright soon. Don’t worry please,” Dai Li explained further, “It’s normal to be painful occasionally.”

“I can endure it,” Helheim answered, now full of trust for Li.

Nelson shook his head contemptuously. He thought it was useless. They’d be better off spending time on his detailed introductions of follow-up treatment for epilepsy, rather than on such meaningless massage.

“Mrs. Helheim, I would like to go back, if you have no question,” Nelson bowed slightly and said. He did not want to remain here any longer.

“Thank you very much, Prof. Nelson. If there is any question, I’ll call you!” Corinna saw him out.

“It’s time to leave,” said Nelson, turning to leave the room.

At the same time, Dai Li finished his massage and asked, “Try moving your arm, Mr. Helheim. Let’s see what’s different.”

What difference will a muscle massage make? Nelson thought. He had reached the door and reached to open it…

…

Helheim stared at his newly-massaged arm on his bed. At that moment, he felt a little nervous. He then had a hunch that his condition had gotten better. Meanwhile, he was worried that the fact would be the totally opposite.

He took a deep breath and began to lift his arm. Wow! Helheim suddenly realized that his arm was much higher than it had been before. He used to be able to raise his arm up to, at most 30 degrees, and now he moved it to about 60 degrees. Then he tried moving his fingers…

…

“Oh? Oh!” Claude cried out happily.

“Ahhh! My holy God!” Corinna cried out, too. Her voice revealed her pure joy.

Meanwhile, Nelson had almost left the room, with his one foot out of the door. But the cry of surprise stopped him. Nelson turned back to see Claude clenching his fists and waving them near his chest, Corinna covering her mouth, with surprise in her eyes.

What happened? Nelson was confused, then turned around to find Helheim,
who raised his left arm high and clenched his fist.

For God’s sake, that’s impossible! Nelson was stunned the moment he saw this.

Chapter 355: Buck-Passing

Nelson stared at Helheim, his eyes as big as a bell, and he could not help but hold his glasses on his nose, just to make sure it was all happening.

Helheim did raise him arms, and could clench his fists. Although his couldn’t clench tightly, he had never been able to do so before. Before the massage therapy, Helheim was just able to move his fingers slightly, and had even had difficulty bending his fingers, let alone his fists. But with just one massage, he could raise his arms higher and clench his fists.

Clenching fists is an important indicator in rehabilitation medicine. If someone can clench his fists, it means that he can pick up the spoon to eat, without the help of others, which is a basic element of survival, and that he has made great progress in self-care.

For those who lost or partially lost the ability of language, clenching fists means he can pick up a pen to write down his thoughts, which is an important method to communicate with others. The Helheims were not doctors, and they didn’t know that clenching fists was such an important indicator. But it was much better to clench fists than to move fingers. However, being a professional doctor, Nelson knew that from moving fingers to clenching fists, in a mere dozens of minutes, was amazing progress.

“How come? Helheim can raise his arms! He can clench fists! I just introduced an epilepsy case here, but I didn’t know the details of his seizure. How could he do that in such a short time?” Nelson even had some malicious doubts as to whether Helheim had recovered, or he just cheated him.

This idea just flashed in Nelson’s mind, as he had been the attending doctor for Helheim for a long time, so for Nelson’s real condition, no one knows better than his. Of course, he knew that it is impossible for Helheim for clench his fists at this point.

“Why? Is it the massage therapy? Could muscle massage really cure nerve injury? That doesn’t make sense! I’ve been a doctor for most of my life and have never heard that!” Nelson looked at Dai Li and felt that what he had witnessed today was a violation of his common sense, him having been a doctor for decades.

Corinne covered her mouth with her hands, and tears of joy welled up in her eyes. These days, Corinne went through a string of bad news. Her strong husband had an accident and almost lost his life. Then, although, finally his life was saved, he still had a long way to go before he completely recovered, and whether he could take care of himself remained in doubt.

These days, she was beset with many things: care of her husband and two kids, communication with doctors to choose the best treatments, handling the media and facing the unknown future, all of which made her exhausted. She was suffering something she had never experienced before. Every morning, when she woke up, she hoped that what she had suffered was a dream, hoped her husband was still very healthy. But when she looked at the pillow beside her, she was always pulled back to the cruel reality.

Corinne needed some good news to encourage herself, or at least to give her something in return, to make her felt that everything she had done was worth it. Now, she finally got what she wanted, and saw the long-lost hope.

Next to Dai Li was Cloud, who felt proud and elated, because Dai Li was introduced by him, and Cloud would have been ashamed if Dai Li couldn’t help Corinne. But at present, the effect of Dai Li’s massage therapy exceeded everyone’s expectations, which made Cloud feel excited.

“My dear fellow, you will recover soon, having coach Li here!” Could said with a smile, and meanwhile, he gave Nelson a provocative look in a casual way.

Cloud’s eyes made Nelson depressed immediately. He was a doctor, a world’s top rehabilitation specialist! But in the field of rehabilitation medicine, to think that he should have been disdained by a coach, Nelson felt ashamed immediately.

“How could this therapy achieve such a good effect, just with massage, might he secretly use some injections of which I haven’t heard?”

Thinking like this, Nelson went back into the room, had a hacking cough, and then said, “Mr. Helheim, please allow me to examine your left arm.”

Helheim nodded, and Nelson came to Helheim and had a careful examination. Nelson checked, caught hold of Helheim’s left arm, and pinched his arm from time to time, then asked him about the feeling. Nelson wanted to have a careful examination of Helheim’s hair and pores, in other words, he wanted to find out a few problems.

However, Nelson failed to find any problem, even after dozens of minutes, which made him even more confused about why muscle massage could be so effective.

Was my diagnosis wrong? Is it the muscle, not the nerve, that was really injured? It is impossible, the diagnosis can’t be wrong, not with so many times of MRI. But what’s the reason for the recovery of his arm? Perhaps, it is just a coincidence!

The word “coincidence” came to Nelson’s mind. “Coincidence” was the best explanation for this violation of his medical common sense.

“Coincidence! Coincidence! It must be a coincidence!” Nelson kept telling himself.

“Professor Nelson, how was my left arm? Any problem?” asked Helheim.

“After my examination…” Nelson immediately said with confidence, then added, “it was the same as before, if you want to know more details, I have to give you another MRI.”

“Thank God, I am OK!” Helheim heaved a great sigh of relief, turned to Dai Li, then said in an earnest voice, “Coach Li, could you give me another massage, on my right arm?”

“Of course!” Dai Li answered, then wore the special rubber gloves to do so.

This time, Nelson did not introduce “epilepsy”, nor did he leave. Instead, he stood by and stared at Dai Li’s hands. He wanted to have a careful look at his movements. But Dai Li’s massage manipulation didn’t bring any surprises to Nelson, as Dai Li used conventional massage manipulation, which was widely used by other therapists, and there was no novelty in his massage manipulation whatsoever.

It’s just common massage manipulation! It isn’t novel at all, I can do it. How can this common massage be so effective? It confirmed my conjecture, it must be a coincidence! Nelson relaxed immediately, and his gloom disappeared gradually.

Dai Li stopped to indicate that the massage was over and said, “It’s OK, now, Mr. Helheim, you can try to raise your right arm, or clench your fists.”

This time, Helheim directly raised his right arm, without any hesitation.

Helheim was not a left-hander, his right hand being more flexible than his left hand, so the performance of his right hand was much better than that of his left hand. At least, he could clench that fist more tightly, and his fingers were more flexible.

“I can clench my fist with my right hand!” Helheim waved his arms at the same time and said pleasantly, “I think it won’t be long before I can pick up my knife and have a medium rare steak! I really missed that taste!”

Seeing the improvement of his arm, Helheim was in a good mood, and the thought of eating steak with a knife and fork made his mouth water. While Nelson, who stood to the side, stared at him, his eyes as big as bells.

“His right arm also has improved, it’s not a coincidence!” He was depressed again. He couldn’t find any evidence to explain what he had seen, and now, Nelson was completely at a loss.

“Why? What could be the reason? Why is this kind of muscle massage so effective?” Nelson couldn’t help mumbling to himself, and was heard by Dai Li.

“Professor Nelson, are you asking me? Dai Li shrugged his shoulders, looked at the bewildered Nelson, then said, “I’m just a coach, and knew that it was useful to do that. As for the principles behind it, or the deep-seated pathological factors, I thought all of these are the business of the scientists in the field of rehabilitation medicine. Am I right, professor Nelson”

Nelson was shocked. In Dai Li’s view, the “rehabilitation medicine scientist” was himself. Although Nelson was not the world’s top rehabilitation medicine expert, he must be one of the top ten experts in the world. However, Nelson must admit that Dai Li was right. He was a coach, who pursued training effects and had chosen the training methods for better effect. A coach is a man of practice, so do you expect a coach to do some scientific research? Why else would we need scientists?

Nelson glanced helplessly at Dai Li, only to find that he was looking at him with a spurious smile. Did he mean that I should explain all these? But I don’t know the reasons! No, he gave the massage therapy to Helheim, he was passing the buck to me! Nelson suddenly realized this.

Chapter 356: The Scapegoat

Switzerland is not hot in the summer, but it is very cold in the winter, the average temperature being zero. That is to say, the temperature will be below zero in the evening, and it will be under ten degrees Celsius in the day.

When there was a heavy snow, everywhere was covered with snow, especially the banks of the Geneva River, where Helheim lived. It was originally a beautiful place, and as it was now covered with heavy snow, it seemed that it was a holiday resort.

Dai Li pushed the wheelchair to the lawn in front of the villa, which was fully covered with snow. In addition, the medieval style villa behind him made him felt that he was in a fairytale world.

In his wheelchair, Helheim took a deep breath, expectantly looked around, and then said, “It’s so great to come out and breath the fresh air! I would be a zombie if I stayed in my room all day.”

“But you can’t stay out too long, it’s so cold outside. I promised the nurse that I would only be out for 20 minutes,” said Dai Li with a smile.

“Twenty minutes is OK, I can see the beautiful snow, I can talk with you.” Helheim paused and asked, “Could you help me up?”

Dai Li nodded, helped Helheim out of the wheelchair, then took two steps forward. “Be careful not to slip.” said Dai Li.

“It doesn’t matter, you won’t get hurt if you fall down, I had a lot of experience in it,” said Helheim confidently, then added, “I wish I could recover soon, so that I can go skiing again.”

“You still want to go skiing again?” Dai Li looked at Helheim, dumbfounded.

It was because of skiing that he had an accident last time and almost lost his life. If it had been anyone else, it would have a deep psychological impact on them, making them even scared when they heard the word “skiing”. Yet not Helheim, who still wanted to go skiing after recovery.

Harman understood what Dai Li meant, and then he said, “Take it easy, after this accident, I will slow down my speed when I go skiing.”

After these words, Helheim turned to Dai Li and asked, “Coach Li, I should be able to recover soon, shouldn’t I?”

“Look, you can walk in the snow with the help of others. Next, I will arrange some rehabilitation training for you. I guess, if everything goes well, you can walk by yourself,” said Dai Li confidently.

After the upgrading, the effect of the rehabilitation massage was greatly improved, which went even beyond Dai Li’s expectations. Helheim recovered rapidly under the help of rehabilitation massage, especially in his nervous system. The rehabilitation massage was tailored to Helheim, so he could walk with the help of others in ten days.

“Coach Li, you know, you’ve cost me a lot of money,” said Helheim suddenly.

“What do you mean?” asked Dai Li, confused.

“Before you came here, I’d sold my private plane, the villa in Hawaii, the racecourse in England, and the wine estate in France. I thought I would spend the rest of my life in bed, and that I’d lost my self-care ability, so I didn’t think I’d need them anymore.”

Helheim continued to say, “But you cured me! I suddenly found that I shouldn’t have sold them, and that I still need them. What’s more, I sold them at a rock-bottom price, and now I find that I suffer losses.”

At that point, Helheim was completely free from the German’s stereotypical seriousness, so instead, he played a joke on Dai Li. Far away in the medieval villa, an eleven or twelve-year-old boy sat by his computer in a daze. His name was Mick Helheim, the younger son of Helheim, and he was on winter holiday.

Europeans love to take holidays. For many Europeans, at least one holiday a year is a must. In previous years, Mick would ski in the Alps with his family, or enjoy sunny beaches in Hawaii during the winter holiday.

This year, Mick had to stay at home and couldn’t go anywhere, because of Helheim’s injury. Time permitting, he could play football outside, but now that everywhere was covered with snow, he had to stay in the room playing computer games, watching television, and on the mobile phone.

Lucas was on vacation, so wer Andrew and Jenny. Mick looked at the pictures shared by his classmates on Facebook and sighed with admiration. Behind the pictures, there were the messages of his classmates, who would ask each other things and show off for each other. All of these made him think that he had nothing in common with his classmates, and so that he had lost the attention of his classmates.

Mick had blond hair, inherited from his mother, Corinna. He had always been the most popular in school, because he was a charming Germanic boy with blond hair. In addition, he was the son of Helheim, who was hailed as “The King”. Hence, for Mick, the feeling of being forgotten by his classmates was terrible.

Everyone went on vacation, but I had to stay at home and make a snowman. No one left messages for me. If it was in the past, I would be in France or skiing in Austria, or enjoying the sun in Hawaii by this time. I would show my pictures, and my classmates and I would exchange many messages! Mick suddenly felt depressed, as if he were a stray wild goose, lonely and helpless.

But father will recover soon, as now, he is able to walk, so I think we can go on holiday this time next year. Thinking of this, Mick looked out the window, and it was then that he saw Dai Li and Helheim in the snow.

“It’s dad and coach Li, who helped dad in physical rehabilitation.” Mick suddenly had an idea, he picked up his phone, pointed at Helheim, and then pressed the button. Mick filmed a short video in less than 10 seconds, then shared it on his Facebook with a caption: “Dad will recover soon.”

“Then someone will leave me messages!” Mick mumbled to himself.

But Mick didn’t know that, in addition to his classmates, some strangers were also watching his Facebook. They were the journalists for motor sport magazine. Winter, especially after heavy snow, was often the most depressing time for motor sport magazines in Europe, because they couldn’t find stories to cover.

Motor racing is an outdoor sport, so considering the weather in winter, there would be no decent races, and it is not worth covering small-scale indoor go-kart races. At this moment, all teams would be in the stages of research and development. They occasionally tested their motors, but they did it secretly in order to prevent information from being stolen by competitors, and hence, it was more difficult for journalists to get information. So, no matter how talented the editors and journalists of the motor sport magazines were, they had no opportunities to show their abilities to share the scoops!

Many motor sport magazines would cover gossip of some drivers, for example, like a driver had an engagement with a young model, or a driver had engagements with two young models at the same time, or with many young models. Usually, some blurry photos, taken in secret, and some high-definition amorous photos, were very attractive to buyers. Of course, motor sport magazines are not Playboy, so they can’t cover such gossips and amorous photos in each issue.

Hence, Helheim’s illness was obviously more gripping than the drivers’ gossips with those young models, as Helheim had been a racing driver for more than a decade, which almost made two generations of fans of him. Mick didn’t know that there was a journalist who had been focusing on his Facebook for a long time. When the journalist saw the video that had been uploaded by Mick, he was very excited.

A few days later, the headlines of the sports section in Europe was filled with the news that Helheim would recover soon. While in Helheim’s hometown in Germany and Italy’s Ferrari, Helheim became the headline of some mainstream media. The phone suddenly rang, as Nelson looked at it and showed a serious expression.

It’s professor Mueller! Nelson was a bit surprised.

Muller was a veteran rehabilitation expert in Europe. When Nelson was young, he had spent some time in Muller’s laboratory, so he was the student and a friend of Muller. Nowadays, although Muller was now more than 70 years old, he was still working, currently, in fact, at the Karolinska institute of Stockholm Medical University in Sweden.

The Medical School of Lausanne University in Switzerland, where Nelson worked, is quite famous in Europe, but can’t compare with the medical school where Muller worked. The Karolinska institute of Stockholm Medical University is very famous for its science and technology, as it was responsible for the first selection of the famous Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Now, the selection committee of the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine was appointed by it. In addition, it was also responsible for the preparation of the selection. Therefore, Karolinska Medical School is the most unique in the eyes of the world’s top scientists.

Nelson had always respected Muller, so he picked up the phone without hesitation and said, “Hello, professor Muller!”

“Congratulations! Nelson, you did it again!” said Muller.

What Muller said bewildered Nelson. “Congratulations? Why?” Nelson was confused, not knowing how to answer.

Muller continued, “I went to France to give him a consultation when he was injured, but his injury was quite terrible! But it is so amazing that you could help him to recover to such a degree in such a short time. It seems that your team has already led the world in rehabilitation medicine. I think you can take advantage of this opportunity and publish a top paper. Helheim is a celebrity and has a great influence, so considering his influence, even New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, or British Medical Journal would not reject your paper.”

Muller’s words made Nelson more confused, he didn’t know why Muller advised him to publish papers in medical magazines, New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, and British Medical Journal are all the world’s top medical journals. Professor Muller was still gushing, and he didn’t give Nelson the chance to speak, as he continued to chatter, “When it comes to papers, I can’t help but read your papers, so please make sure that when you finish it, I’m the first reader!”

After the call with professor Muller, Nelson had many doubts. The telephone rang again, and Nelson pressed the hands-free button, a sweet voice of his female assistant rang out from the telephone.

“Professor, you’ve a call from the editor of global medical network and he hoped to give you an interview.”

“An interview? Of which aspects?” Nelson asked subconsciously.

“He wanted you to talk about the rehabilitation of Helheim.”

“Helheim again!” It seemed that Nelson had realized that something was wrong with Helheim.

Being a doctor, Nelson had to do some research in his working time, and give lectures at colleges. Therefore, he had no spare time to watch sports news, and even if he watched sports news, it would be football news. So, he didn’t know that Helheim was already the focus of the sports section in European media.

After the call, Nelson quickly opened the website and searched for the latest news about Helheim. The video, which showed Helheim walking in the snow, was also seen by Nelson. “Next to Helheim is coach Li.” Nelson shook his hand with a bitter smile.

It’s all coach Li’s contribution, it’s his massage, damn it! How can I write a paper?! I can’t make it up! I didn’t know his massage would make Helheim recover so quickly! Am I going to write a paper on massage, and then publish it in Lancet? Nelson mumbled to himself, suddenly becoming very discouraged.

As a doctor, and one of the world’s top rehabilitation medicine experts, he was outdone by a sports coach, which really hurt his self-esteem.

My team is now in charge of the rehabilitation of Helheim, and now everyone thinks that it’s my contribution. A lot of people may wonder what new research projects I’ve developed! But who should I talk to? Am I going to tell the world that something I can’t handle is done by a sports coach?

Nelson felt as if he had become a “scapegoat” all over again.

Chapter 357: The Duke

Helheim was walking in the micro pool with some difficulty.

He stood on a track that looked like the one on the running machine. The track could rotate, following his steps.

Such a micro pool was actually the latest model of rehabilitation equipment, which integrated several functions of several older models of similar equipment. It was much more advanced than ones that Dai Li had used.

Squatting nearby, Dai Li looked at the clock and said, “I know you are tired. But you must hold on. You just need to walk another 15 minutes!”

Helheim nodded tiredly and moved again, grinding his teeth. For his present state, such a walk, with water resistance, was indeed tiring. But the desire of recovery, and his trust in Dai Li, made Helheim carry on.

Massage was not enough for Helheim’s complete rehabilitation. He had to take much more rehabilitation training, which was Dai Li’s official job. With the help of BUFF of “Renowned Coach”, Helheim recovered well, even through normal rehabilitation training. Now, he could walk slowly without assistance.

Nelson appeared at the door and walked to them.

“Hey! Dr. Nelson!” Helheim seemed to be in a good mood, and greeted Nelson on his own.

“Mr. Helheim, I’ve come here for Coach Li,” he then turned to Dai Li and asked,” Do you have any spare time, Coach Li?”

“What’s up?” Dai Li was surprised, as he didn’t know what Nelson had come for.

…

In the restroom, Nelson and Dai Li sat on their own sofa.

“Coach Li, did you notice that there is a video about Mr. Helheim on the Internet?” Nelson asked.

Dai Li nodded and said, “Yes. The younger son of Helheim recorded that by accident, and then he uploaded the video on the Internet.”

“Many people have contacted me since the video appeared. They believe that it is the new research fruit of my team that is making Helheim recover so quickly,” spreading his hands, Nelson continued, “However, I have explained that, what is behind Helheim’s fast rehabilitation are your massage and rehabilitation training.”

Dai Li nodded silently. Nelson was honest from this aspect. He didn’t attribute all the merit of Helheim’s rehabilitation to himself.

But Nelson shook his head unhappily, saying, “My fellow colleagues don’t believe me, however, just like I didn’t believe you before. They don’t think that rehabilitation training from a coach could have such a good effect.”

“Let it go, Dr. Nelson. Different people have different standards, when it comes to judging things. There is no need for you to tangle with it,” Dai Li comforted him.

“No, no, no. I don’t mean that,” Nelson waved his hand and said, “My colleagues don’t believe that, but one of my former patients does believe. That patient contacted me yesterday, in hopes of getting new treatment. As you see, when tortured by injuries and illnesses, many people are willing to try anything, even if others could consider it absurd.”

People stuck in illness are always tending to trust some inexplicable treatment, especially for those suffering from incurable diseases. A famous Chinese writer has even written a story about how ignorant folks dream of curing tuberculosis by eating steamed bread stained with human blood!

Compared with that, rehabilitation training seems to be much more reasonable and trustworthy.

Dai Li asked, “Dr. Nelson, do you want me to help your former patient?”

Nelson nodded in agreement and said, “I came here to ask for your will. I have brought his medical records. You can read them first. Give me your reply, when you have it.”

While speaking, Nelson gave the records to Dai Li.

Dai Li read the records and found that the name of the patient was covered. All he knew was that the patient was a male, aged 61. He returned the records to Nelson after taking a few glances.

“Dr. Nelson, these medical records are too hard for me to decipher. I don’t understand. I can’t handle so many English medical terms with my broken English. Could you please introduce it to me?” Dai Li said with some awkwardness.

For common people, medical records are naturally obscure. Those high-end medical records only make outsiders confused, because there are too many professional terms in them. Moreover, Dai Li’s mother tongue is not English. Also, his English may be good enough for daily conversation, but it is not competent for reading medical records.

Dr. Nelson couldn’t help but let out a sigh, as he started to make introduction for Li, “Same as Helheim, my patient has gone through head surgery, due to a head injury ten years ago. What’s different, is that the medical technology then was not as advanced as that of today. Hence, his recovery was not as good as Helheim’s. In these ten years, he has tried his best to recover from that injury. But to this day, still, he can only walk with support.”

“This patient is 61 years old now. He was aged 51 ten years ago, then, right? What accident did he get hurt in?” he asked.

“He fell from a horse and hit his head while hunting,” Nelson answered.

“Hunting? Riding a horse?” Dai Li asked incredulously, “Is your patient a nomad?”

“Of course not, he is an Englishman,” Nelson explained immediately, “Hunting is a very traditional mode of entertainment in Europe, especially in Britain. It has been around for hundreds of years, and the sport still enjoys great popularity. Even the royal family is fond of it. In Britain, there are many legal hunting fields. When the season arrives, many people will gather to ride horses and go for a hunt with their hounds and rifles.”

“Are there many animal protection organizations in Europe? They will…” Dai Li asked casually.

“Hunting is a tradition in Europe, a cultural heritage to some extent,” Nelson answered.

Dai Li chuckled. He was not surprised at European’s double standards at all. Those animal protection organizations make protests all over the world. Sometimes, they may even hold some naked sit-ins. It seems that they want to transform all people of this planet into vegetarians. However, when it comes to hunting for fun, they call it a traditional cultural pastime.

Nelson ignored Li’s ironic chuckle and kept speaking, “Now, you may realize that my patient is a nobleman in Britain.”

“Are there still so many noblemen in Britain? Don’t tell me this patient is from the royal family of the UK,” he inquired with a smile.

“He does have a close tie with the royal family, “Nelson nodded seriously and went on, “He is Duke Gale.”

“A duke? Is that the highest title?” obviously, Dai Li had never heard of it.

“Indeed. Gale is an ancient family in Britain, whose lineage dates back to the period of Henry VI,” Nelson told Li.

Dai Li knew little about the ancient history of Europe, neither was he familiar with Henry VI. For him, the name seemed to belong to a British king.

Nelson continued, “The ancestor of Duke Gale served as the colonial secretary of Great Britain, and made great contribution for Britain’s expansion. So, he was made duke. In the Victorian Age, Duke Gale then married a princess of the British monarchy, after which, he became the governor general of Canada.”

“So, this Duke Gale is in the royal family,” he concluded.

“No more. Since the end of the first World War, the royal family has been reducing members of the family. So, in Britain today, although many nobles are descendants of the monarchy, they don’t officially belong to the royal family anymore,” Nelson explained.

“Do I need to go to Britain?” Dai Li asked then.

“Do you agree to help?” Nelson asked back.

“I still have to instruct Helheim. I think I can give it a try, as long as I have time,” Dai Li said, rather conservatively.

“We can talk about the specific time later. Duke Gale has waited for 10 years, so he will certainly not mind waiting for another few days,” Nelson smiled.

…

Dai Li, accompanied by Nelson, arrived in the UK by plane on Sunday.

They landed in the Edinburgh Airport, which was located in the capital of Scotland. Duke Gale had arranged to have a car waiting for them there. When they got in the car, they were taken to the country.

A medieval castle stood in front of Dai Li. It was a real castle, rather than a villa imitating the medieval style, like Helheim’s. The long history of Gales had been shown in such a castle.

A grey-haired man in a swallow-tailed coat stood at the gate of the castle. He made Dai Li think of the old butler of batman.

“He is Mr. Thompson, the butler of Duke Gale,” Nelson reminded Dai Li.

What an elegant way of dressing, the butler of a duke! Dai Li thought.

Thompson walked to them and made a self-introduction, with some Scottish accent detected.

Standing in this ancient castle, surrounded by hundreds of years of history, and witnessing the time-honored decorations, Dai Li, accompanied by this old English butler, felt surreal, as if he was in a movie.

Then the butler led Li to visit the entire castle. It seemed that the butler often did this, as he was obviously a professional guide.

Half an hour later, Dai Li met with Duke Gale.

Chapter 358: Life is Full of Hope

Duke Gale was sitting in his wheelchair and relaxing in the sun, his legs covered with a blanket.

Dai Li took a close look at Duke Gale. He maintained his face so well, that he didn’t look like a man aged 61. However, the grey in his dark-brown hair, and completely white hair on his temples, were telltale signs that exposed that he had experienced vicissitude.

Duke Gale had a low-pitched voice, but he was very talkative. He kept talking, his topics including almost everything. Dai Li even felt that he maybe had met a comedian rather than a noble.

Shouldn’t a man of nobility be quiet and calm? Why is he is such a chatterbox? Dai Li thought.

Duke Gale held forth for more than half an hour. In the end, it was Nelson who couldn’t bear the duke’s chatter.

“Sir, please let Coach Li examine you now,” Nelson said.

…

Lying in bed, Duke Gale was massaged by Dai Li. He couldn’t help thinking of his past.

It was a clear memory for Duke Gale, one from his hunting days, back to a time when his hunting rifle discharged accidentally and hit a piece of stone. The fragment of stone splashed his horse, causing him to be thrown off by the astonished horse. His head hit a tree, making him lose consciousness.

When he recovered consciousness, he found he couldn’t move his body. He could only blink his eyes or make some muffled sounds. For a chat lover, that was nothing but torture from hell.

Ever since then, Duke Gale had started to receive medical treatment. Gradually, he could control his legs and say words clearly, then, finally, he regained his ability to speak. He thought that was a good beginning, and so he expected to completely recover soon.

But it was not as promising as that. A month later, he still had to lie in bed. One year gone, and he could barely stand up, even with the help of others. At that moment, Duke Gale finally realized the seriousness of his injury.

Gale felt a sinking feeling that he might no longer be able to stand up for the rest of his life. But he was not resigned to the fate of sitting in the wheelchair, being fed by others until his death. Instead, he sought help from excellent rehabilitation specialists from all over the world, trying every kind of therapy.

In the past ten years, he was trapped in the loop of hope-to-disappointment: he hoped to fully recover in the hands of one specialist and therapy, only to be disappointed in the end. He would then turn to a new specialist and therapy, with renewed hope, only to go through yet another failure.

However, those therapies did have some positive effects. For instance, now he could eat with a spoon, drink through a straw, and walk slowly (albeit unstably), aided by a walker or crutches, all by himself. However, such things were not his ultimate goal. He wished to walk as before, and dreamed of riding his horse to chase prey while out hunting with his hounds and rifle.

All in a mist of his own imaginings, Duke Gale could almost see his beloved horse and his butler, leading a group of hounds, all were waiting for him. Then, he fastened his paces, jumped on the horse, and rode far away.

Suddenly, Duke Gale realized that he had lost his action capacity. How could he ride a horse?

The duke fiercely opened his eyes, only to find himself alone, still lying on the massage bed of his room in the castle, as Dai Li and Nelson had left.

I dreamed again. Duke gale gave a long sigh. He looked at his half-paralyzed legs and felt lost all over again.

“You are awake, sir,” his butler’s voice came from his side, “You fell asleep while Coach Li was massaging you. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I saw the gentlemen out.”

“How long did I sleep?” the duke asked.

His butler looked at his watch and answered, “One hour, sir.”

“Help me up first,” Gale ordered his butler.

The butler immediately stepped forward and helped Duke Gale sit up, then he pushed the wheelchair from the side, helping the duke stand, then aiding him to the wheelchair.

With the assistance of his butler, Duke Gale made his first step. However, he felt the difference in his whole body by this single step.

“Maybe I should try to walk alone!” the adventurous idea popped in his mind.

“Thompson, just leave me alone. I want to walk by myself,” Duke Gale turned to his butler and said.

After some seconds of hesitation, the butler nodded in agreement and couldn’t help but say, “Sir, I will stand by you. You can lean on me if you need.”

Looking at the duke nervously, the butler let go of his hand slowly, but his arms were still in front of Gale, in case he might fall down.

Duke Gale took a deep breath and made the second step.

Lifting his foot, putting it down, and standing stably were all very simple things for common people. However, Duke Gale had spent seven or eight seconds to finish each move.

Such an easy action of walking made Duke Gale excited and astonished.

“I did it! I can walk with no help or crutch!” Duke Gale shouted out in excitement.

In the next second, he started to cry.

“Sir!” the butler stepped forward and held him.

“Thompson, don’t help me! Let me do this!” Duke Gale took a deep breath and said, “Thanks for your kindness. But I am fed up with being pitied!”

“Sir…”

Duke Gale straightened his back and lifted his chest. He looked at the wheelchair and crutches at his side, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Thompson, do you know what hope is?” the duke suddenly asked.

The butler stared at Duke Gale blankly, and the latter went on, “As long as hope comes to me, I never mind whether it comes early or later!”

Pointing at the wheelchair, he said, “I think I will soon not need it anymore. You should prepare a walking stick for me!”

…

An afternoon tea party was held in the Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Queen’s access to the throne. All guests of this party were hereditary nobles of Britain.

There were many people with titles of nobility in Britain, especially since the end of the Second World War. This collective included scientists, politicians, stars and athletes. All these were given a medal and a nobility title that couldn’t be inherited.

In Britain, the hereditary aristocracy and others were quite different. The House of Lords in Britain had the seats for hereditary aristocracy, and was in Britain’s legislature institution. That is to say, the hereditary aristocracy in Britain could interfere with the legislation. In any country, those who could interfere with legislation must indeed be quite influential.

Meanwhile, the hereditary aristocracy in Britain was entitled to immunity in many aspects. For example, once an inherited duke died, his oldest son would inherit his title, as well as his property, without paying legacy tax. This is the immunity of legacy tax enjoyed by the hereditary aristocracy.

Those hereditary nobles have been amassing wealth all over the world since the colonial period, and their property is unable to count, even after hundreds of years’ accumulation. The legacy tax in Britain is 40 percent. Thus, it is clear that this immunity of legacy tax will lead to severe tax loss.

Governments of Britain have tried to reverse this trend, but failed due to the hereditary aristocracy having control of the House of Lords. For nobles, they also know that having controlling seats in the House of Lords means the defense of interests for all, and hence, they form an inner circle.

Those guests of the tea party stand a good chance of being relatives to each other. It’s quite common that the great-grandfather of one noble and the great-grandmother of the other are brother and sister. Such is the result of European aristocratic tradition, that noble marries noble. As a result, the number of nobles is so small now, that they all become relatives in the end.

They gathered here, never losing topics to talk about. For the high society of Britain, afternoon tea was a way of social intercourse. Naturally, they flocked into several groups, talking about everything with each other.

Carrying a walking stick, a middle-aged man in an exquisite suit came from afar. He had dark brown hair, half of which had bits of grey interspersed.

Why did he carry a walking stick? It was because the man walked so steadily, that he didn’t require the aid of a walking stick, but rather, used it like a decoration.

“That’s Duke Gale!” someone recognized him in no time.

“Duke Gale? It is him! He came!” the person next to that man cried out.

“Is it that surprising? Duke Gale is Scottish, but it is quite reasonable that he comes here, as today is the anniversary of her majesty’s accession to the throne,” one beside him said.

“I mean, he walks here!” he explained at once.

At this moment, others had now seen it, too.

“That’s true. It is said that Duke Gale fell from his horse and was injured. He was given a tough brain operation and lost the ability of action. He had to sit on a wheelchair most of his time.” A person made some introduction.

“Not bad. Duke could walk a few steps, if he held an arm support,” the other added.

“Look at his steps. It seems that he doesn’t need it anymore.”

“Yeah, even without a stick…”

“Duke Gale has recovered! My god! What a miracle! A man in a wheelchair for ten years, can now walk.”

In the system of the hierarchy of Europe, the hereditary title of the duke is the highest. For instance, the eldest son of the prince of Britain, who is the second in line to the throne, is the duke of Cambridge. So, in such a noble gathering, a hereditary duke is the most honorable title among the non-royals.

Thus, the very appearance of Duke Gale had attracted all the people’s attentions. What made them more surprised, was the fact that he walked!

Everyone here knew about the accident of Duke Gale. In the recent ten years, every time he showed up somewhere, he had sit in a wheelchair. But now, all of them were aware of his recovery.

“Is Duke Gale really recovered? Last time I met him, it was at Her Majesty’s birthday party. I saw him still sit in the wheelchair back then. It was no more than a year ago.”

“Duke Gale must have gotten new treatment, or he wouldn’t be so well, in such a short time.”

“It is ten years since he got hurt in his accident. In my opinion, his body may have degraded. So, I think it is likely to be attributed to some advanced biological regeneration therapy. I have heard that some scientists of Northern Europe are working on it.”

“Maybe it’s thanks to cloning … Transplant some new organs, and then he can work and function again.”

When it came to the topic of new therapies, such as biological regeneration and cloning, many eyes lit up, especially of those aged people present. They looked at Duke Gale greedily.

None of them were short of money, not to mention that they enjoyed the privileges that the common British couldn’t.

With money, status, and privileges, all these nobles wanted was to live longer, to feast longer. The older they became, the stronger that desire grew.

In the more developed countries, the rich were always afforded better medical treatment and thus, lived longer as a result. There were many aged nobles there, all gathered around Duke Gale at the moment.

Duke Gale felt good about being the center of attention. He was excellent when he was young, acquiring the most kills in aristocratic hunting matches. He was the envy of his fellows back then.

All that had gone away after that accident. He was not the envy of others any longer. On the contrary, he had become the target of pity. Now, he was once again surrounded by people, and became the focus of them again!

Before he got hurt, he used to be very talkative, and would visit social places quite often. However, when he was injured and became disabled, people talking with him dwindled. After all, who wanted to waste time on a disabled man?

Now, people were once again fond of listening to him.

Duke Gale was deeply contented. He felt that his life was colorful again.

It’s so good to live with hope again!

Chapter 359: This Car Is Yours

“When will you be back? You have already missed the pre-season training. And now the opener! I’m going to cut your salary for your absenteeism!” Yunan Xiao said on the phone.

“Helheim is almost recovered. I will be home next week,” Dai Li apologized.

Dai Li had been in Europe for more than three months, from the end of December to the middle of March, during which time, Dai Li returned to China only once for the Spring Festival.

He was especially busy during the last one month. The magical recovery of Duke Gale had made Dai Li famous as an expert on rehabilitation among British nobles. As a result, he got two more patients that month: a French tycoon, who had his spine injured while skydiving, and a British-born equestrian athlete, who needed a rehabilitation training.

Dai Li could get more clients as long as he wanted. The chatty Duke Gale was a perfect free advertisement for Dai Li everywhere. However, Dai Li did not plan to develop his practice in Europe. His family and sweetheart were all in China. So, he decided to return to China as soon as Helheim was fully recovered.

“Will you be back next week?” Yunan Xiao asked excitedly, “That’s just in time for my birthday, where I could introduce you to everyone.”

“Everyone? You mean your friends?” asked Dai Li, puzzled by her words.

Xiao hesitated a little, then said, “My dad is going to hold a birthday party for me, and he has invited a lot of people.”

“It’s a big occasion, then I have to dress formally. I met a British tailor the other day, who makes suits for British aristocrats. I asked him to make a suit for me,” said Dai Li, grinning.

“I mean that my father has invited a lot of young men, who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, who come from families of entrepreneurs. They are all promising youngsters from his point of view,” Yunan Xiao explained somewhat reluctantly.

Dai Li was stunned, and then understood, “Your father is giving you a dating show in real life! Then I must attend, and you will choose me!”

“Screw you! I will weed you out in the first round!” Yunan Xiao replied teasingly, and then she sighed, “In fact, I don’t know what my dad wants to do exactly. I almost know every one of those so-called ‘promising youngsters’. He needn’t hold such a party, if he just wants to arrange a blind date for me. I’m thinking about introducing you to the public at the party.”

“Is there any possibility that my future father-in-law is to hold this party for you and me intentionally?” Dai Li said.

Yunan Xiao protested coquettishly, “Who is your future father-in-law? I never said I will marry you…”

The sweet chat between the two lasted for a while and then they ended the call. Dai Li had just put down his mobile phone, when he saw that Helheim came in after knocking on the door.

At that time, Helheim had almost recovered. Although he still didn’t get back his former strength as a racing driver, he was just like an ordinary healthy man.

The reason for this was also because his physical condition was better than the average before his accident. He was a professional racing driver. An ordinary person would never have recovered so fast

.

Helheim asked, “Coach Li, are you interested in visiting my garage?”

“It’s a great honor!” said Dai Li without hesitation.

As the best racing driver, Helheim had enough automobiles in his collection to run a museum. His collection included many special editions or customized editions of automobiles and even original models of some classic automobiles.

What Dai Li saw was obviously not a disappointment to him, when he entered the garage with Helheim. In the garage were parked dozens of automobiles orderly, most of which were sports cars. Several of them were Formula One cars.

“In Switzerland, a lot of people like to collect old cars, but I am different, I like these sports cars. You know, I am a racing driver. It is difficult for those slow old cars to meet my driving requirements,” said Helheim.

“I remember you once took part in an old car race,” said Dai Li with a smile.

“You mean that one,” Helheim said immediately, pointing. “I happened to be on vacation at that time in a small town, and the town held an old car race. My nature, being a professional race driver, drove me to join the game with a pseudonym and a car temporarily borrowed from someone,” Helheim said.

He now was pointing to a blue Formula One car and continued, “It’s the car that helped me win my first Formula One world championship. A Benetton B194 with a Ford-Cosworth V8 engine of 800 horsepower, and it can be shifted by a pedal. It was not the fastest at that time. The fastest car that year was the car of Renault and Ferrari, which approximately equaled us in competitive power.”

“Lucky you are the fastest racing driver,” said Dai Li with a smile.

“Yes. The fastest racing driver,” said Helheim, recalling his past.

“Did each of these Formula One cars here help you to win?” Dai Li said, pointing to other Formula One cars in the garage.

Helheim nodded and then said, “Right, every time I win a race, I will collect the car I used in the race. Formula One rules change every year, and teams design new cars every year to meet the rules. Those old racing cars are useless. Some of them will stay in the team, wasted, while most of them will be sold at auction.”

Helheim’s introduction about his racing cars ended, and then he talked about his sports car, “Over half of the cars in my sports car collection were free. This Bugatti EB110 is the only production car of Bugatti. It was given to me as a gift. The company wanted it to be free advertisement for them.”

“And this is my favorite, a Shelby – Cobra – Daytona 427 sports car, which is also the most expensive one I ever bought,” said Helheim, pointing to a dark blue coupe.

“This car has a number. Is this a racing car?” asked Li.

“You are right. It was developed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But its quantity of production was less than 100 for the model, therefore, it didn’t qualify for the Le Mans. This car has a top speed of more than 340 kilometers per hour, and I really enjoy its maneuverability! I don’t know how many its quantity of production was exactly. But almost all cars of its type in the market now were fakes,” said Helheim.

“Mercedes SLS-AMG. This car should be very common, and I once endorsed it. And that is Ferrari F50, the flagship sports car released for the 50th anniversary of the founding of Ferrari. A big one, full of power. It’s a gift from the boss of the Ferrari team, for when I joined Ferrari. And this one is a Ferrari ENZO, a legendary with a perfect aerodynamic design.”

“It’s also a gift from Ferrari?” asked Li.

“Yes!” Helheim pointed around and added, “Every Ferrari car here is free for me.”

He stopped at a black sports car, while still speaking.

It seemed that the car came from a science fiction movie. It looked different, with its low body and small lights and pure black paint. A number “30” was on its hood and it had doors at both sides.

“The prototype of Ferrari FXX. Only 30 cars of this kind were produced. Well, 29 exactly, plus this prototype. And I took part in the design of this car. It uses a V12 engine of 6262CC and a gearbox for F1 cars, which means its shift can reach the level of F1 racing cars. Its speed is up to 390 km/h with the 0-100km/h sprint completed in less than 3 seconds. What’s more, it follows the aerodynamic design of the F1 racing car. I’m sure that it is the supercar closest to the F1 racing car in the world!”

Helheim talked about statistics, and Dai Li found it very compelling, although he didn’t understand it all very well.

“Have a try?” Helheim pointed to the Ferrari FXX, and then said, “In all of the sports cars I’ve collected, this is the fastest.”

“May I?” Dai Li asked with surprise.

“Sure, I’ll take you for a ride!” Helheim could not wait to get in the driver’s seat.

It was a rare opportunity for one to take a joyride with the best racing driver. Dai Li then sat in the passenger seat and put on the safety belt. He was filled with excitement with the vibration of the car, as the engine roared.

“By the way, I forgot to tell you that this car can only be driven on the road in Switzerland,” said Helheim.

“What do you mean?” Dai Li was puzzled.

“Ferrari FXX is so fast that, in other countries, it is considered a racing car, so it is only allowed to run on the track. But there is no professional racing driver in Switzerland, therefore, FXX is allowed on the roads there,” explained Helheim.

Dai Li involuntarily reached for the armrest, hearing Helheim’s explanation.

Helheim continued calmly, “One can never get an FXX, if all he has to offer is enough money. There are further requirements of driving ability for FXX owners set by Ferrari. You cannot buy it if you are not good enough at driving. Oh, mine is different, though, because it is the prototype. It is faster than the other 29!”

After Helheim said this, he stepped on the gas. The black sports car bulleted out of the garage.

…

Finally, Dai Li knew the feeling of a racing driver.

The area Helheim lived in was not so densely populated. Helheim’s villa accounted for a dozen acres of land, just like his neighbors’. Therefore, there were few residences in the area. Roads were open, without passengers or cars.

Helheim accelerated the car to more than 300 km/h. Such a speed was the limit to some of those good sports cars, but for this prototype of Ferrari FXX, it just got the engine to work efficiently.

Dai Li found it hard to describe how he felt in a car with a speed higher than 300 km/h. He often took the high-speed railway train in China, and the speed of the train was always higher than 300 km/h, but the feeling on the train was totally different from that of a car running more than 300 kilometers per hour.

The front of the FXX was a curved windshield, and there was no driving blind area around on both sides of the front windshield, which made the scenery ahead panoramic. But sitting in the passenger seat, Dai Li was frightened. He felt his heart was about to jump out from his throat.

Li Dai was even scared to close his eyes, not being able to see the scene while the car was running the fastest. But Helheim enjoyed the joyride very much. It seemed that he wanted a longer ride, as he drove back to the villa.

“I will never get in your car!” Dai Li got out of the car with quaking legs. He would have fallen on the ground if he hadn’t been holding onto the car.

“A powerful car, isn’t it?” Helheim patted the pure black Ferrari FXX and then said, “From today on, this car is yours!”

Pardon?” Dai Li questioned in surprise.

“Take it, Li. It’s my gift for you,” Helheim repeated.

“No, it’s too expensive! I can’t accept it,” Dai Li refused, shaking his head.

Helheim smiled, “Coach Li, I would have never recovered without you. But for your help, I would have lay on my bed, groaning, or have been in the wheelchair for my lifetime. It’s impossible for me to get back in the car without you.”

“You’ve already paid me for the treatment,” said Dai Li.

“That’s different,” Helheim shook his head and added, “You have shown me the miracle. You have shown me that there’s always hope if I don’t give up, and you’ve made me know how important my family is to me…”

Helheim continued saying these things seriously, “I was once headstrong. I did things only following my own thoughts. Some of the things I did were very dangerous. But lying on the bed in the hospital, I regretted all I had done before. I even chose to give up.”

“But then you woke me up. The most important thing in my life is not myself, but my family, the people who loved me. They are the most important people in my life. I should not live for myself only, it is my family that makes my life meaningful. Thank you, Coach Li. You healed me, and you let me know the meaning of life. You’ve given me a second life! So, I’m going to give you this car.”

“In fact, after my injury, I had planned to sell the car, and I think I will not drive it again. Fortunately, you are here to save me,” touching the black FXX, Helheim added, “This car was a gift from Ferrari when I retired. A unique supercar in the world.”

“Then I have more reasons to refuse. it’s a valuable souvenir to you,” Dai Li, who shook his head.

“You are right. It stands for my past and my previous glories! But I know it’s time for me to say goodbye to my past,” Helheim smiled, “Therefore, I want to give it to you, the man who gave me a rebirth! Keep it, please!”

Chapter 360: Birthday Gift

Instead of rejecting Helheim’s offer, Dai Li took the special supercar. But he soon realized that this supercar was definitely a troublesome gift, a joyful annoyance.

First of all, because it was too fast, the car could only run on the road in Switzerland, and in other countries, this FXX could only run on the track. Dai Li found no road to drive on, although he accepted the car.

This supercar applied a gearbox of the F1 racing car. Its 0-100 km/h acceleration could be achieved within 3 seconds. Its speed would be higher than 100 km/h before the driver’s foot left the pedal. A ride on a city road in China, with a speed limit of 50 km/h by this car, would give the driver dozens of speeding tickets.

Secondly, maintenance. A top super car’s maintenance cost equaled the price of an imported C-class car. And FXX used many F1 racing car technologies, which surely led to more expensive maintenance fees.

If it were in China, my whole year’s salary would not be enough for the maintenance of this car. This car is free, but it is going to cost me everything to maintain it… Dai Li sighed.

Helheim’s retirement gift, a Ferrari FXX prototype. One can get 4 million or 5 million euros easily, if he takes it to auction. One may not be able to earn so much in his life! Dai Li continued thinking.

He would not sell this FXX prototype. It was a gift from Helheim. Dai Li must show some respect.

Yunan’s birthday is around the corner. Let me give this to her as a birthday gift. I have never given her anything valuable before. And her family keeps many luxury cars, which may be given a discount if they maintain cars together.

…

Dai Li visited an international transport company. The company had three Boeing 747 jumbo jets and often undertook luxury car delivery tasks. Many of its clients were from rich countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Those rich customers from the Middle East booked some luxury cars in Europe, and then they would turn to the company to deliver the cars to the Middle East by air.

“Mr. Li, we will offer different delivery options, according to the value of the car,” Thomas, the transport company’s business manager, holding a color page ad, told Dai Li. “An ordinary sports car only needs an ordinary shipping container. Shipping needs more time, but its price is lower.”

“What about a more luxurious supercar? For example, a car of limited edition?” asked Li.

“I suggest you use a customized transport container for a high-value limited edition supercar. We can provide different support brackets according to the style of the car. If necessary, we will also use the anti-scratch film. You know, the paint of high-end supercars is also very expensive. We have common anti-scratch film, BOPP abrasive film, PRT soft-touch film, anti-fingerprint soft-touch film, temperature-sensitive color shift film and so on,” Thomas continued.

“Does it just cover the car, like a dress, or stick to the car?” Dai Li continued asking.

“It depends on your needs, and the distance, and the way of transportation,” Thomas paused and then asked, “What kind of car would you like to transport, Mr. Li?”

“A Ferrari FXX. I want it to be delivered by air,” said Dai Li.

“What? Are you talking about the FXX? One of the only 30 FXX in the world?” Thomas asked in surprise.

Li nodded, and Thomas swallowed a little. “Mr. Li, in this case, I suggest you use the polymer anti-scratch film, as such film can not only prevent scratches, but also can resist a sword cut, and it can stop small-bore bullets shot from far away, too. And we vacuum it to minimize the effect of high-altitude air pressure on the paint to prevent the paint from oxidation,” said Thomas.

“So many details?” Dai Li nodded, “The polymer film must cost a lot.”

“Coach Li, we can offer you a 20 percent discount if you choose us for the delivery of the FXX,” Thomas seemed to be facing a hard situation, then he added, “Coach Li, our market is limited. And we are in a tough competition. Every high-end customer from the Middle East is a treasure that is very hard to get.”

“You want me to be your advertisement, don’t you?” asked Dai Li with a smile.

Thomas nodded honestly, “Ferrari FXX is the top supercar. Experience in delivering such a car will help us to gain recognition among those Middle East clients much more easily.”

“Let it be a 40 percent discount, OK?” Dai Li started his bargain immediately.

“No! That price even cannot cover our cost,” Thomas stretched out seven fingers, “Let’s make some compromise. Is a 30 percent discount OK for you?”

Dai Li frowned. He was thinking. Thomas didn’t want to let this client go. The opportunity is so rare for a company to deliver one of the only 30 FXX in the world. The success of this deal would lead to more business opportunities between the company and the rich from the Middle East. One would be surely willing to get his own luxurious supercar transported by a company that once successfully accomplished the task to deliver an FXX.

“Mr. Li, how about a 30 percent discount and an extra one-million euro shipping insurance for free? That is to say, if your car has an accident during transportation, which causes your losses, you will receive a compensation from our company up to one million euros from the insurance company,” Thomas added.

“Only one million euros…” murmured Dai Li.

Thomas made a hard decision. He said, “Two-million extra shipping insurance! That’s all we can afford.”

“OK. Deal!” Dai Li said and then he added, “Please arrange the transportation for me as soon as possible.”

…

In an auction on Hong Kong Island.

“The next is the final item of today, and the most important item in this auction. The jade pendant, ‘The Star of Princess’! You all have known a lot about this item. So, I will not waste my time on introductions. The opening bid of ‘The Star of Princess’ is ten million Hong Kong dollars, and the minimum increment per time is one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. The auction has started!”

The auctioneer, holding the hammer in his hand, said excitedly, “Ten million and one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. Any more bids? OK, No.3 offers ten million and one hundred thousand. And No.15 offers ten million and one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars…”

The price kept increasing, and soon it came to 12 million, which was more than 120 percent of the opening bid. The bidding slowed down a lot. Many had quit the competition.

“12.2 million Hong Kong dollars, from No.7, sir…”

“12.8 million from Mr.7 again! 12.8 million!”

“13 million! 13 million from No.7! Any other bid? Any more? OK! We have No.19! No.19 raised his paddle!”

“Mr.7 offers 13.5 million! 13.5 million, calling once! Calling once!” The auctioneer looked at No.19, who was the only competitor to No. 7 at the moment.

Looking at the No.7, No.19 hesitated. The price was then more than 135 percent of the opening bid. It was high enough. And he thought that was not so worthy.

“It seems that Mr. Chai is determined to win ‘The Star of Princess’!”

“13.5 million is nothing compared with the wealth of the shipping tycoon Chai family!”

“Although this jade is great, the price is high enough! 13.5 million will be a big surprise to the seller.”

“The auction company can also take a lot of commissions.”

The crowd discussed and finally, No.19 decided. He clenched his teeth and sighed helplessly, then he made a “please” gesture to Mr. 7. Liang Chai, the No.7, knew that “The Star of Princess” was his. And he put away the paddle of No.7 with satisfaction.

“13.5 million! Last calling! Sold! Congratulations! 13.5 million Hong Kong dollars sold to bidder No.7! He got ‘The Star of Princess’!” The auctioneer hammered heavily.

The crowd applauded, and Liang Chai stood up and showed an expression of thanks, especially to No.19.

“The Star of Princess”. No gift is more valuable than mine! Liang Chai thought.

…

At the Donggang International Auto Show.

A casually dressed man stood in front of a red Ferrari. It seemed that he did not want to leave.

“LaFerrari with a 6262CC V12 naturally aspirated engine. Truly the top flagship of Ferrari. King of supercars! Unfortunately, it has been reserved for someone before the show started. Who would that be?” The man sighed, regretfully.

“I bought it, of course!” hearing the voice, the casually dressed man looked back to see an acquaintance.

“Liancheng Jia!” The man looked at that newcomer, and added, “Mr. Jia, are you kidding me? You are the buyer? It costs more than 22 million yuan!”

“Why do I need to deceive you on this?” Liancheng Jia continued, “Yang Chen, you know sports cars best. Is this car worthy?”

“A man like you never needs to care about the price. Just buy what you like! Unfortunately, I don’t have that much money, otherwise, I would have bought one.” Yang Chen stopped and then said, “Mr. Jia, may I borrow this car for a couple of rounds of driving later? I will only drive on the track, not on the ordinary road.”

“You are crazy about cars!” Liancheng Jia said, “You could borrow, it if it’s a gift I had bought for myself. But it is my gift to someone.”

“A gift? It’s more than 20 million yuan, and you just bought it as a gift to someone? To whom?” Chen asked.

“Yunan Xiao, of course!” Jia replied.

“You mean for Yunan Xiao’s birthday party? You’ve been invited, too?” Yang Chen asked immediately.

“What do you mean by ‘too’? You have been invited. Why couldn’t I receive the invitation?” said Liancheng Jia coldly.

“It makes sense. Even I have been invited. It’s impossible that Mr. Jia cannot get the invitation.” Yang Chen took it for granted and then he added, “It is said that a lot of promising youngsters have got the invitation. Is President Xiao of Dingtian Group choosing his son-in-law there?”

“Something like that. I heard that Yunan Xiao got a boyfriend on her own. He is a poor coach, a nobody. President will never like him.” Jia added, “The party is an opportunity to impress President Xiao and Yunan. Maybe I will be the son-in-law of Dingtian.”

Chen Yang turned his eyes and said, “You are interested in the power of Dingtian Group, aren’t you? With the help of the funds from Dingtian Group, your group’s equity carve-out in Hong Kong will be much easier. Even 20 billion is OK, not to mention a car of 20 million yuan, for marrying Yunan.”

“So, please don’t compete with me!” Jia added, “And I have my father’s full support, in both finance and manpower, to catch Yunan Xiao as my girlfriend.”

“Others treat me as a rich boy. But I am a loser compared with you. I’ll never compete with you! And you are the best among our friends in terms of family background, ability and look!” Yang Chen grinned and then said, “You have to be careful about Liang Chai in Hong Kong. My father told me that Dingtian is to set the partnership with the Chais to enter the energy industry.”

“The Chais. Just businessmen in the shipping industry. They would have been nobody, if it were not for us not carrying the policy of opening and reform several decades ago!” said Jia coldly.

Chapter 361: Birthday Party

In the garden of Dingtian Group’s leisure villa, the lawn was redecorated. The table was covered by a white table cloth, and beside the table, fresh flowers were organized into the letters, spelling out “Happy-Birthday” in petals.

Today was Yunan Xiao’s birthday, and Dai Li had arrived here early. However, he was currently holding his phone with a bitter face.

“Mr. Li, we have arrived at the highway entrance, and will arrive in half an hour, without a traffic jam.” A man was talking through the phone.

Dai Li sighed with helplessness. Yunan Xiao’s birthday party was about to begin, but Dai Li’s birthday gift for her, a Ferrari fxx, was still on the way. It was not the shipping company’s fault. Dai Li had found a European shipping company, which offered nice service, but the car was stuck at Customs.

To enter a country, imported cars must pay tariffs, otherwise, they would be regarded as smuggled cars. The import tariff for an imported car was 25%, value-added tax was 17%, and beyond these, there was an additional excise tax that would be charged, according to car emissions, which could run up to 40%.

But this Ferrari was a retirement gift from the Ferrari company to Helheim, who, himself, hadn’t spent a cent on it, let alone have any receipt. Therefore, it was impossible to assess the car, so they did they know much tax should be paid.

Moreover, this Ferrari fxx was a special case. It was not a production car, there were only 30 of this particular model in the world. Dai Li’s car was a prototype, which was different from ordinary imported cars. Except in Switzerland, in any other European countries, this fxx would be regarded as a racing car, which was only allowed to be used on the racecourse.

The Customs did have a special entry detection channel for racing cars. But according to domestic rules, a racing car must have a contest invitation to enter the country. Dai Li didn’t have any invitation letter, so Customs couldn’t refer to racing-car standards to let the car into the country.

Dai Li could do nothing to help, so finally, he found a trade company which specialized in importing and exporting, and together, they spent great efforts to complete the customs formalities. To be honest, if Dai Li turned to Yunan Xiao for help, based on Dingtian Group’s power, it wouldn’t take much effort to have the car be let the in, but Dai Li wanted to give Yunan Xiao a surprise. Hence, the car took longer to arrive.

Luckily, now the car was about to arrive, and Yunan Xiao’s birthday party just started, so everything was working well so far.

…

“Who were you talking with?” Yunan Xiao’s voice rang behind Dai Li. She walked closer, stretched her arm to Dai Li, and asked: “Where is my birthday gift?”

“On the way, it will arrive soon.” Dai Li smiled.

“So what is it?” Yunan Xao was curious about the gift.

“It’s a secret. You will know. But I’m pretty sure that it is unique in this world,” Dai Li said with confidence.

“You know I don’t need anything, you don’t have to waste your money on my birthday gift. I would be happy with anything you give me, even if it’s just a flower you picked from the roadside.” Yunan Xiao said, showing her love.

“I wouldn’t do that. Your friends are here, plus those ‘young talents’, I can’t let you lose face!” smiled Dai Li.

Worry flashed across Yunan Xiao’s eyes. She wanted to say something, but gave up in the end.

“What’s wrong?” Dai Li caught Yunan Xiao’s facial expression.

“Nothing.” Yunan Xiao shook her head: “Come, let me introduce you to my friends!”

…

“Aha, Prince Chai is here.”

“Prince Chai? Do you mean Liang Chai?”

“Of course, who else’s surname is Chai?”

Under the crowd’s focus, Liang Chai showed up in front of Dai Li and Yunan Xiao.

“That man is the second son of the Hong Kong shipping magnate Wang’s eldest son. Have you ever heard about the shipping magnate Chai?” Yunan Xiao reminded Dai Li in a low voice.

“Of course, he is one of the four shipping magnates in Hong Kong, became rich in the nineteen fifties, and is now an old, rich man.”

Dai Li nodded and said, “Is Liang Chai on your ‘young talents’ list?”

Yunan Xiao replied to Dai Li with a stare, and said: “Let’s go meet him!”

Yunan Xiao walked toward Liang Chai with her arms around Dai Li. Liang Chai saw Yunan Xiao, too, but he also noticed Dai Li, confusion crossing his eyes then.

“Welcome, Mr. Chai!” Yunan Xiao greeted him with a polite smile.

“You invited me, I dare not refuse.”Liang Chai spoke in Hong Kong Style Putonghua, as he took a delicate gift box from his assistant.

“Happy birthday!” Liang Chai smiled like a gentleman. He opened the box and said, “This emerald is called ‘Star of the Princess’, and it fits you the most, my princess.”

…

“That emerald, ‘Star of the Princess’, is it famous?”

“Star of the Princess, I know, it used to be exhibited in the Mainland, and later was auctioned in Hong Kong, I heard the final price was thirteen million Hong Kong dollars! So it was bought by Prince Chai.”

“How much is it? Thirteen million? This Prince Chai is so generous, a thirteen-million dollar birthday gift, is he serious?”

“Prince Chai’s real interest is not in emeralds! It’s a pity that Yunan Xiao has already got a boyfriend.”

“You mean that poor coach beside her? How could he match Yunan Xiao? You see the gifts she has received today. Million-dollar gifts are gathered in piles, plus this thirteen-million Star of the Princess, and that poor coach can’t earn that much ever in his life. I say he is living off a woman.”

“Yeah, if I were him, seeing that the others give my girlfriend such expensive gifts, I would already feel ashamed and dig a hole to bury myself in.”

“Right? Plus, it’s an emerald, huh, the color of forgiveness! What a cuckold!”

“Hey, don’t be so mean!”

The crowd discussed all of these things in low voices, and although Liang Chai couldn’t hear them clearly, he was quite sure that they were talking about his bounteous gift. All of a sudden, his heart was filled with inexplicable priority.

“Three-million, for the Star of the Princess, I say the others’ gifts could be no more valuable than his. I heard that president Xiao is here, too. Today, Liang Chai does show himself in front of President Xiao!” Fen Luo held a glass in his hand, looking at the show with interest.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Beside him, Yang Chen showed a playful smile.

“Hey Yang Chen, are you hiding a trump card? Give me some clues.” Fen Luo lowered his voice.

“Mr. Luo, you thought too highly of me. I would feel pain to even buy a million-yuan gift.” Yang Chen shook his head: “But someone else may spend money like water.”

As he said this, a truck approached from afar.

…

Dai Li also saw the truck.

Finally! Dai Li took a long breath. He smiled with relief. But the next second, Dai Li realized that this truck didn’t have a container, but used a trailer to carry a red roadster. A red roadster? It’s not my fxx. Dai Li felt bad at once.

The truck came to the gate from a distance. When it finally arrived, it had already attracted everyone’s attention. There was a red roadster on the trail, which had a white silk bowknot on the car.

Is this roadster a gift for Yunan Xiao? Many people had the same question.

At this time, Liancheng Jia finally showed up. He also held a delicate box with him, when he walked toward Yunan Xiao, but the box had a running horse sign on its top, which was the logo of Ferrari.

“Yunan, happy birthday!” Liancheng Jia opened the box, revealing that there were three keys in it: one was an electronic key, the others were mechanical keys. On the red key shell, the running horse sign was eye-catching. At this time, workers had already unloaded the red roadster. The crowd was able to see it clearly now.

“It’s a Ferrari, I always wanted to have one!”

“If I’m right, this car is worth more than twenty-two million dollars, and just days ago in the Donggang Car show, I saw it on display … it was the climax of the entire Ferrari exhibition.”

“One of the best roadsters in the world, I bet there are few in the entire country!”

“Liancheng Jia is indeed generous, if he is willing to give this car as a gift.”

“I felt that Prince Chai was handsome enough, in giving a thirteen-million emerald pendant, now it seems that Liancheng Jia is even cooler, as he gives a twenty-two million dollar roadster!”

“As for roadsters, Ferrari is the world’s best, isn’t it?”

“Yang Chen is here, he knows most about cars, let’s ask him later.”

…

Fen Luo eye-signaled the roadster from afar, then asked: “Is this what you meant when you said, spend money like water?”

Yang Chen nodded: “In the Donggang car show a few days ago, this Ferrari was the most expensive one. To us roadster fans, it is what we have been dreaming of.”

“Then it means that Liancheng Jia has been running down leads on this!” Fen Luo gave a long sigh.

“Prince Chai’s emerald pendant was immediately defeated. You see his face, now he is not as complacent as before,” Yang Chen said in a low tone.

Fen Luo turned around to look at the main buildings in the villa: “President Xiao is there watching everything, I wonder whether Liancheg Jia caught his eye or not!”

…

“This is my boyfriend, Dai Li.” Yunan Xiao introduced Dai Li to some people in front, her arm linked in Dai Li’s.

“So this is Coach Li?” A fashion woman looked at Dai Li with picky eyes, asking in a voice dripping with sarcasm: “Today is Yunan’s birthday, dear coach, what do you have for her?”

Anger flashed across Yunan Xiao’s eyes, showing that she clearly felt that this fashion woman was up to no good. The other rich second generations around them also looked at Dai Li, waiting to see a drama.

Among these people present, men envied Dai Li, as he was the lucky dog to be Yunan Xiao’s boyfriend, while women felt jealous about Yunan Xiao, who was born into a rich family with a beautiful face. Therefore, they were willing to see Dai Li being stupid.

Yunan Xiao linked Dai Li’s arm tight, she was worried that those people would bring a terrible blow to Dai Li’s self-esteem. To their surprise, Dai Li was still confident, as he looked at Yunan Xiao with love, then replied, as if he was showing off their love: “My gift for Yunan is on the way, it should be here soon.”

“Huh, still on the way, then we will take a good look at it after it arrives!” The fashion woman still talked with sarcasm.

At this moment, Dingtian Xiao’s assistant Zhicheng Huang came from a distance. “Your father’s assistant is coming,” Dai Li reminded Yunan Xiao.

As Yunan Xiao turned around, she also saw Zhicheng Huang. “My dad may want to see me, “Yunan Xiao said, walking to Zhicheng Huang herself. But Zhicheng Huang looked at Dai Li instead.

“Coach Li, the President wants to see you,” said Zhicheng Huang.

“President Xiao wants to see me?”Dai Li looked at Yunan Xiao, showing her a “don’t worry” look, while he said: “Your father wants to see me. I will come back soon.”

Yunan Xiao looked at Dai Li with worry in her eyes, a sinking feeling raising up in her heart.

Chapter 362: Here Comes the Roadster

In a room at the top of the resort hotel, Dai Li met Dingtian Xiao again. Dingtian Xiao remained wearing his poker face, looking serious, with authority. But comparing with the last meeting, Dai Li was less nervous, more confident.

“President Xiao, you wanted to see me?” Dai Li looked at Dingtian Xiao.

Although he was not sure about what he was here for, he sensitively felt that it was a Hongmen Banquet.

“Sit down.” Dingtian Xiao pointed at the sofa. Dai Li didn’t make niceties, but rather, sat down directly.

“You have been downstairs for a long time, how do you feel?” Dingtian Xiao suddenly asked.

“Quite lively.” Dai Li answered casually.

“That’s it?” Dingtian Xiao stared at Dai Li. He was a little annoyed that Dai Li reacted so slowly, so he reminded Dai Li: “I mean, when you saw Yunan’s friends, and their gifts for her, how did you feel?”

Feel? Feel what? Dai Li was dazed. He wasn’t sure what was Dingtian Xiao’s point, hence, he didn’t know what to say. Dintian Xiao looked out the window, and said: “Just now, I had a glimpse of the gifts Yunan received, they look good, jewelries, emerald, luxuries, roadster, all kinds of things, and none of them is cheap. For ordinary people, they may not be able to afford any one of them, even if they devoted all the money they earned through their whole lives.”

Dai Li was even more baffled about Dingtian Xiao’s words. “What does Dingtian Xiao mean? He is a myraidnaire, his name can’t fall out of from among the top 10 on domestic wealthy people’s name lists. He doesn’t need to covet those gifts. They are indeed worth much money, but if he wanted to buy it, he could have it all immediately.” Dai Li complained secretly.

In front of him, Dingtian Xiao suddenly turned around, looking at Dai Li and asking: “Dai Li, do you think you are one of the ordinaries?”

“Me?” Dai Li frowned, his eyebrows furrowed in thought for two seconds. He remembered his magical Coach System, so he shook his head: “I don’t think so.”

Unsatisfaction flashed across Dingtian Xiao’s eyes, as he said: “Indeed, you are an outstanding coach. It’s really difficult to make such achievements at your age. So you would think that you are not ordinary.”

But the next second, Dingtian Xiao switched the point: “But in my eyes, you are just an ordinary person.”

“You have high standards.” Dai Li replied casually, but his words contained a sense of disagreement.

Dingtian Xiao shook his head with helplessness: “Everyone lives in a certain circle, a circle of life and sociality. A politician has politicians around him, businessmen make friends with businessmen, pork-sellers meet other pedlars everyday, while breakfast makers deal with philistines. If I say, I make friends with a pork-seller or a breakfast-maker, would anyone believe it?”

“This society has tiers. We have extremely wealthy people on the top, then rich people, then mid-class, wage earners, and the underclass.” Dingtian Xiao said this, as he made a gesture of tiers, then said: “People in the same tier will naturally be together, while people from different tiers, simply can’t belong. There are unbridgeable gaps between tiers.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not discriminating against the underclass, neither do I look down upon poor people. I just want you to understand the facts. Namely, that you and Yunan are not in the same tier, and that you have gaps in between.” Dingtian Xiao looked very serious as he spoke.

“I can’t see any gaps between us,” said Dai Li.

“Really? It’s just you haven’t realized it yet. But it doesn’t mean you won’t realize it in the future.” Dingtian Xiao showed a rational look, as he said: “As her father, I don’t want my daughter to be with you. But I am not an unreasonable parent, so I won’t say ‘no’ like some parents do, without giving any reasons. I want to convince you by my reasoning. That’s why I held today’s birthday party for Yunan, to let you meet her friends, so that you will know what kind of circle she lives in.”

“You want me to retreat before the impossible?” Dai Li had by now somewhat guessed Dingtian Xiao’s plan.

Dingtian Xiao showed a “finally you got it” look, as he continued: “You are right. I hope, through this birthday party, you two will realize the distance between you. You belong to different tiers, even if you stay together, you will have to deal with great distinctions in your future life. You will face difficulties, you will have hard times, all because you are from two dissimilar life circles. I think Yunan has guessed my ideas, but from your reaction, I say she didn’t tell you anything.”

Dai Li immediately remembered how today Yunan Xiao looked somehow different, especially when people gave her expensive gifts. So she is worrying that those jewelries and roadster things will hurt my feelings. This does make sense, I’m a coach, normally, so how could I afford a ten-million dollar emerald, or a roadster? ‘I will like whatever you give me, even it’s a flower you pick from roadside’ she had said, so she was probably comforting me! Dai Li had figured out everything.

Sitting on his opposite side, Dingtian Xiao took a long sigh, then said: “As a father, I hope my daughter can live a happy life. A few years of joy is not true happiness, and I want her to always be delightful. Therefore, I can’t give my daughter to you. I don’t know whether you would feel pressure with her, but I can’t let her bear the pressure which shouldn’t belong to her. Such pressure is exactly from what I just mentioned, social stratum gaps.”

“You will find that you have little in common with Yunan’s friends. They may neglect you, they even make fun of you. When it comes down to it, you are not the only one who suffers, as my daughter shares your pain, and she suffers, too. I don’t want my daughter to live such a miserable life for ever after!”

“I’m not belittling you, neither do I praise myself. But imagine this: A princess marries a commoner, then what will the other princesses and princes think of her? They will laugh at her, taunt her, despise her. Even in fairy tales, at the end, Snow White marries a prince, rather than any of the dwarfs, although they had been the ones protecting her all the time. Suppose Snow White married a dwarf instead, it would not be a happy ending. There must be some readers jeering at Snow White, wondering whether her head was squeezed by the door.”

Dai Li never thought that a super rich man like Dingtian Xiao would talk about Grimms fairy tales to him, which was weird. But, in his mind, he had to admit that Dingtian Xiao’s words were quite convincing. Dingtian Xiao licked his lips, then leaned on the sofa and crossed his arms at his belly, before he said: “I’m not saying that you can’t give my daughter a good life. I, dingtian Xiao, do not lack money, whoever my daughter marries, she doesn’t need that guy to feed her. But from today’s birthday party, you should see, and you must see, that you and Yunan are from two different worlds. You can’t live inside her life, neither can she live in yours. You two should not be together, I hope you see now for yourself.”

“You want me to leave Yunan?” asked Dai Li.

Dingtain Xiao nodded: “Yes, I want you to leave her, unconditionally.”

Dingtian Xiao paused, then said: “According to what I know about you, I don’t think you would ever ask for something from me. If you were a greedy guy, Yunan would not be with you. But, of course, if you do need some financial compensation, I will meet your requirements.”

Undoubtedly, Dingtian Xiao was saying basically: tell me how much money you want. Dai Li didn’t doubt Dingtian Xiao’s economic power. He knew that if he gave a price, even an enormous figure in commoners’ eyes, Dingtian Xiao would pay him without hesitation. How could Dai Li treat love as a trade?!

Dai Li shook his head: “Sorry President Xiao, I’m afraid that I can’t agree with you.”

“Good, then tell me your thoughts, perhaps you would persuade me,” said President Xiao.

Dai Li knew that, when facing people like Dingtian Xiao, the best way was to negotiate with reason, as lovers’ pledging eternal loyalty was bullshit in Dingtian Xiao’s eyes. Those empty words could not persuade him at all, but asked instead for his sarcasm.

Dai Li organized words in his mind, then said: “I know Yunan and I were born in different tiers. I agree with you that there must be gaps between us on outlooks on life. But it won’t tear us apart. In your eyes, the current me is just a nobody, and you think that Yunan deserves a better man. But I am trying to make myself better!”

Dai Li spoke in a more excited tone: “If you think that only people from the same tier could live together to form a family, then right now, I’m moving forward to the tier that you belong to, and one day, I will stand in the same tier with you.”

“How? By empty talks?” Dingtian Xiao shook his head: “I agree, you are a capable young man, and you are hardworking. But, you are far behind Yunan, and the gap is so wide that you can never cross it!”

“I don’t think so. Nobody was born to be a success! President Xiao, didn’t you spend only twenty years to reach today’s height? When you were my age, weren’t you just just starting your career? Did you ever think about owning such a business empire one day in your life?” Dai Li replied with questions.

“Time is different. As the society develops, social tiers are getting more and more fixed.” Dingtian Xiao shook his head, “The reason I am what I am today is that I caught many chances. But such chances only occurred in a certain period of time, and are unrepeatable. Even though the same chance may jump out to you, you would not be the one who catches it.”

“I can forecast that the future you may become a leader in your career, and be a so-called ‘successful professional’, but that is about the future. The future is uncertain, and I may not be able to wait until you finally succeed. Therefore, to the current me, as well as to the current Yunan, you start rather low, compared with people outside!”

Dingtian Xiao said this, while pointing out the window: “You have witnessed what happened today. People who are here for celebrating Yunan’s birthday, the cheapest gift they brought was worth tens of thousands yuan, gifts worth more than a million are piling up, even million-yuan gifts can be found. Liang Chai, the third generation of Chai’s family from Hong Kong, gave Yunan an emerald pendant, which is worth ten million Hong Kong dollars; Liancheng Jia from Donggang, the roadster he brought for Yunan was the climax of Donggang car exhibition, the price was higher than twenty million yuan. Can you do the same thing?How long would it take you to cross this gap?”

“What you saw happened right in front of you, and this is reality!” Dingtian Xiao paused. He put down his arms, then said sincerely: “It’s good to have enterprise, but your dream should not dull your senses. You’d better face reality, then make a decision, which is both good for you and Yunan.”

Dai Li raised his head, looking at Dingtian Xiao seriously: “They gave Yunan a roadster, I saw it. Yes, this is reality, but to me, it’s not that cruel. If you think that a twenty-million roadster can knock my confidence and humiliate me, then you are wrong about me. I don’t think I’m subordinate to them.”

“A slight error in thought brings you from confidence to conceit. A confident man may not be clever, but a conceited man must be stupid!” DIngtian Xiao snorted.

“I’m not conceited.” Dai Li shook his head at once. “If you think the gap between me and Liang Chai, or Liancheng Jia, is an emerald pendant or a roadster, then does it mean that I can bridge the gap with an emerald pendant or a roadster, and you will then accept me?”

Dai Li spoke, also pointing out the window: “You pointed out the window and asked me whether I could buy an emerald pendant or a roadster, I answer your question right now, I can. I can give Yunan a supreme roadster as a birthday gift, and it’s a unique one!”

“You can? By what, boasting?” Dingtian Xiao shook his head with scorn.

Right at this moment, an extremely loud beep ended the conversation. Through the window, Dai Li saw a truck stopped at the villa gate. At the back of the truck was a container, with an English logo painted on the wall. It was the shipping company Dai Li had entrusted.

Finally! Dai Li made a long sigh with relief. He turned around to Dingtian Xiao, a satisfying smile emerging on his face.

“President Xiao, I said I could do it. Here comes my roadster for Yunan!”

Chapter 363: Unloading

Liang Chai sat alone in the chair, looking solitary. His cold face refused everyone that approached him. After spending more than thirteen million Hong Kong dollars on an emerald pendant, the gift was still exceeded by someone’s twenty-million dollar roadster. Liang Chai was unpleasant. To him, the ten-million price difference was no big deal, but being exceeded by other people and losing face mattered much.

From afar, Liangcheng Jia’s arrogant look kept attacking his confidence, which made Liang Chai felt even worse. What an upstart! Liang Chai snorted. As the third generation of Hong Kong shipping magnate, Liang Chai looked down upon these mainland rich people. His grandfather began his shipping business in the last century, since World War Ⅱ ended, and had become one of the richest people in Hong Kong in the early nineteen seventies. Even the new richest man, who enriched his family through land and property, was very polite in front of Chai, the King of Ships.

On the contrary, most mainland rich people earned their fortunes in the recent ten to twenty years. Although many of them had caught up to Hong Kong rich men, they were not able to exceed the wealth rankings in Hong Kong people’s hearts. Priority remained.

However, at this moment, priority was just an excuse to comfort Liang Chai himself. Although Chai’s family was wealthy, Jia’s family was about the same. Besides, Liancheng Jia was the rich second generation, while Liang Chai was the third generation. The son definitely inherited family property sooner than the grandson.

On the other side, Liancheng Jia was flattered by the crowd, flattery such as “Young master is bounteous”, “Mr. Jia is forthright”, and so forth, and Liangcheng Jia’s vanity had been greatly satisfied. As such, he absolutely put on an arrogant face, enjoying this happy moment.

“Mr. Jia, is your car the grand finale of the latest Donggang International Car Exhibition? I inquired about the car, and they told me that it was already reserved. I have been wondering who is so generous, never expecting it’s you! Mr. Jia, is this car vigorous?”

“Haha, Yang Chen is our specialist on roadsters. Hey Yang Chen, would you like to introduce the car to us?” Liangcheng Jia said with a smiling face.

Yang Chen knew that Liancheng Jia wanted him to flatter him in a different way. But Liancheng Jia did say one thing right, the only person who truly knew about cars was him.

Yang Chen cleared his throat, then said: “Mr. Jia’s Ferrari is Ferrari’s flagship sports car. This car has a hy-kers hybrid power system, 6262cc V12 engine, and can reach speeds up to 200km/h within 7 seconds, accelerate from 0 to 300km/h within 15 seconds, and its fastest speed is 350km/h. This car is exclusive, as there are only 499 of the same model cars, and it is the best roadster in the world. Moreover, based on its speed, this should be the fastest Ferrari roadster.”

Yang Chen’s introduction made Liancheng Jia feel even better. He couldn’t help looking at Liang Chai, who sat alone sulking, satirizing in his heart: You are from Hong Kong Chai’s family, so what? Your family has been declining, a few years more, and you are won’t even be qualified to clean my shoes.

At this point, a beep rang from afar. A truck with a container appeared, slowly drove in to the resort villa’s gate, and parked in front of the crowd.

“Whose gift is this? It’s carried by a truck, must be a big one. What do you think?”

“I say it’s a 90% probability it is a roadster, too. Other things don’t need to be carried by a truck.”

“And it’s packed by a container. What a mysterious gift.”

“You see, the loader is a foreigner!”

Two foreigners got off from the back of the truck. The one with a red beard opened the container door, then took out a remote control and pressed a button. Mechanical gears transmitted, then, gradually, a support stretched from the container. There was indeed a roadster in the container.

However, the roadster was tightly covered by a layer of white plastic film, and although people saw the shape of the car, they couldn’t tell its color, let alone its logo.

The red beard foreigner kept pressing the remote control, bringing the support slowly down, and finally landing it on the ground.

“This container should be specialized in shipping roadsters, seems to be first class.”

“I feel the same. The whole car is covered by plastic film, looks mysterious, plus two foreign loaders, hey, the level immediately raised.”

People involuntarily recalled that, not long ago, when Liancheng Jia’s Ferrari was shipped here, the car was also loaded on a truck. But the differences were, that Ferrari was carried by a trailer, and was driven off from the trailer. On the contrary, here, this roadster had a special shipping container with a hydraulic support, so unloading was completed simply a remote control.

Although a remote-control hydraulic support didn’t contain much high-tech, it was automatically functioning, which was completely different from manual operation. It was similar to thirty years ago, when people switched TV channels by twisting a button, then later, remote control was invented. But it was the remote control which raised the levels of television. Besides, there were two foreign loaders!

The two foreigners were sent by the European shipping company. They were not only loaders, but also technical advisers for unloading. After all, a polymeric membrane had been protecting the car. This membrane could even block sharp blades, so it definitely needed specialists to uncover it. But in the crowd’s eyes, the two foreigners raised several levels up for this gift.

It was like dining out in a restaurant, where one sat in a French restaurant, with a violinist playing beautiful songs, and the waiters were all foreigners, with golden hair, blue eyes, dressed up in suits and ties, speaking French, and the menu was written in French, as well. Even though the guest could not understand the menu, he would feel the restaurant was exotic with high quality.

But, in contrast, if one ate in a noodle house, served by an old man in a sleeveless sweater and flip flops, who spoke dialect, asked about the food you wanted, then made loud noises when stretching noodles. Even if the beef noodle soup tasted way better than the French cuisine, the guest could not feel any romantic sentiment.

Thus, this scene of a professional container, electronic unloading, whole-cover polymeric membrane, plus two foreign loaders, altogether made a gorgeous packaging for the product. The value of a product could be increased by packaging. The same apple, which was worth one yuan in a local market, when put it into a special fruit and vegetable market with a tag, and stored in a fresh-keeping cabinet, the apple could then be sold for four to five yuan. But if it was kept in a delicate box, and was sold at Christmas Eve, the the price could be tens of yuan.

Liancheng Jia looked embarrassed. Although he had no idea whose car it was, the unloading process had already humiliated him. He even began to regret that he didn’t buy a container and hire some foreign loaders, too. It wouldn’t cost much anyway.

Who’s being deliberately mystifying here?! Liancheng Jia snorted. But he could not restrain the others’ curiosities. To be honest, even he was eager to know what kind of roadster was under that white protection membrane. Everyone’s attentions fell onto the membrane-wrapped roadster. Many people talked in whispers.

“A roadster again, whom does it belong to? And the car is protected under a membrane, what kind of car is this?”

“No idea, it looks pretty high-tech. From its streamline design, it should be another roadster.”

“Well, it doesn’t really matter what car is it. What car can be better than Mr. Jia’s laferrari?”

“Makes sense. How can this car exceed laferrari? But back to the topic, who sent it here? Mr. Jia bought a roadster, he also got one, how can his car be better than Jia’s? Isn’t he looking for humiliation?”

“Right. People are afraid of outfit clashes, same as sending gifts! The key point is, in this gift clash, his gift is not as good as the other’s. What does the proverb say again? “Comparing with other people, the lowest rank will die; comparing with other products, the worst product will be thrown.”

Those discussions went into Liangcheng Jia’s ears, which made him feel better at once. That’s true. No matter how gaudy your car packaging is, how can yours exceed my laferrari?! Mine is the most expensive car in the entire Donggang International Car Exhibition! The best roadster in the world! Liancheng Jia thought confidently.

While Liancheng Jia was comforting himself, suddenly an exclamation rang from the crowd: “Oh my God, this is…this is…”

A figure shot pass the crowd and rushed directly toward the car, peering at the unwrapped roadster. It was Yang Chen! “This is fxx! Am I right? Ferrari’s fxx.” Yang Chen’s voice trembled with surprise.

The others might not know about fxx, but as a senior car fan, how could Yang Chen not recognize fxx?! Even though the car was totally covered by a protection membrane, its shape was very clear. Yang Chen recognized it right away by its shape.

The next second, Yang Chen looked at the two foreigners, and asked in English: “Is this car Ferrari’s fxx?”

The foreigner slightly hesitated, then nodded: “Yes, you are right.”

“Jesus, fxx, this is a real fxx! I see a real fxx!” Yang Chen almost wanted to dance. His eyes, his facial expression, were as if he was a sincere pilgrim worshiping his God. In fact, to a crazy car fan like Yang Chen, seeing a fxx by himself, the feeling was the same as worshiping God.

Everybody saw Yang Chen’s craziness.

“What’s wrong with Yang Chen? Is he insane? He looks crazy!”

“Is it because of that car? What did he say? Ferrari? Is this roadster also a Ferrari?”

“I heard him saying fxx, what is it? Is it the name of the car?”

“Fxx? Is it famous?”

“I heard it somewhere before. Right, fxx is also a supreme roadster in Ferrari.”

“Is it? Then which one is better, laferrari or fxx?”

Not every rich second generation here knew about roadsters. Wealthy people directly bought the car, but only keyboard men who could not afford a roadster setting roadsters as wallpaper, and talking about roadsters online all day long. As the saying went, people who afford it don’t talk, people who talked a lot wouldn’t buy. Were there any domestic rich kids boasting about roadsters online all the time?

Real wealthy people, even though their roadster was crashed, would sit down and look through webpages on their phone. They didn’t care about millions of money. They changed roadsters just like ordinary people changed clothes, so likewise, was there anyone who kept talking how many buttons, or how many stitches there were on a coat?

This Ferrari fxx was a special car, as it was made ten years ago by Ferrari. Back at that time, most of these rich kids hadn’t even gotten their driving licenses yet, so how would they care about this fxx?

Even though they wanted to know, there was no way to do so. There were only thirty of the same cars produced, and none of them were found in the country. Even senior roadster fans like Yang Chen only saw its model, rather than the real car.

Finally, someone couldn’t help asking: “Yang Chen, what car is this? Could you introduce it to us?”

Yang Chen was pulled back from his excitement. He took a deep breath, then introduced it: “This is Ferrari’s fxx! So far, it is the most high-tech car produced by Ferrari. This car contains a lot of racing techniques, so technically speaking, this car is a racing car! To us roadster fans, this car is our God!”

As he said this, Yang Chen’s voice sounded more excited: “You know what? Even with the prototype car, there are only thirty of them in the world, in the whole world! And they all belong to top-level roadster collectors, we have none of them is in this country! Wait, no, finally, we now have one!”

Enthusiasm shone through Yang Chen’s eyes. His eager look was like a puppy seeing a bone. You feckless! It’s just a car. Liancheng Jia snorted in his heart.

Right now, someone stood beside and asked the question that Liancheng Jia was eager to ask, which was also the question most people wanted to ask: “Yang Chen, how much is this car?”

To everyone’s surprise, Yang Chen shook his head: “I don’t know.”

“Are you kidding? Is there any car in the world that you don’t know about its price?” someone immediately asked.

“I’m not joking, I really don’t know!” Yang Chen shook his head again depressingly: “This car was not open to the public, at that time, so if one wanted it, he must meet certain standards. More precisely speaking, Ferrari chose customs, and only if they chose you, did you get the chance to buy this car.”

“How could this happen? Sellers choose buyers, only Ferrari dares to do so.”

Somebody sighed.

Liancheng Jia felt his show was stolen, and he involuntarily asked: “I say, Yang Chen, even though this car was not open to the public, it should have had an appraisal, shouldn’t it?”

Yang Chen thought for a while, then replied: “At the time that this car came out, some European media assessed its price should be no lower than one and a half million euros.”

“One and a half million euros, converted into RMB, is around twelve million, so similar to that Star of the Princess something!” Liangcheng Jia talked out loud deliberately, aiming at telling everyone that, this fxx was way cheaper than his laferrari.

“One and a half million euros TEN YEARS AGO.” Yang Chen reminded, ill-timed.

The crowd was enlightened. The exchange rate was different ten years ago. At that time, one and a half million euros was equal to more than fifteen million RMB, plus inflation, fifteen million RMB ten years ago was worth way more than today’s twenty million. What fifteen million RMB could do a decade ago, might not be done with thirty million RMB at present.

Apart from anything else, if one bought a fifteen-million house in a first-tier city, conservatively speaking, the price would increase five to six times, and if lucky enough, the price might be ten times higher than the original value. But Yang Chen hadn’t finished yet, as he continued: “Ten years ago, media assessed it to be one and a half million euros, but no one would be willing to sell it with this price. In recent years, no trading record about this car was found. It would probably be auctioned. I guess if it was priced at three million euros, it would be sold.”

“Three million? Then this car is more expensive than that laferrari, isn’t it?” Liang Chai said, chuckling.

Liancheng Jia suddenly turned around, giving Liang Chai a murderous look…

Chapter 364: The Unique Gift

Nyoi-Bo StudioNyoi-Bo Studio

“Mr. Li, your car has been delivered, please come and sign for it.” A voice came through the phone. It was the red bearded foreigner from the European shipping company.

“OK, please wait for a minute, I’m coming right now.” Dai Li hung up the phone, and looked at Dingtian Xiao apologetically.

“President Xiao, please excuse me, I have to go downstairs. My gift for Yunan has arrived, I have to sign for it.”

Dingtian Xiao waved his hand, poker-faced, seeming to be indifferent.

However, soon after Dai Li left the room, Dingtian Xiao involuntarily moved beside the window, looking at the roadster being unloaded.

This young man did buy a roadster! Is this a coincidence? Dingtian Xiao suddenly felt like he was being smacked in the face. This feeling was strange, as he hadn’t experienced such a feeling for a long while. Zhicheng Huang knocked on the door, then came in. He looked at Dingtian Xiao, then asked:

“President, would you like me to go watch him, to ensure that he won’t mess anything up?”

“OK. You go watch him, that will reassure me.” Dingtian Xiao seemed to suddenly remember something, so he said: “Go inquire about Dai Li’s car.

What car did he buy for Yunan?”

“Understood.” Zhicheng Huang immediately replied, but he looked a little surprised.

President never show any interest in cars, why does he care about this gifted car? Zhicheng Huang shook his head, as he walked out the room.

…

Liancheng Jia’s face was filled with depression, but he was still unwilling to be defeated.

“It’s just a jalopy!” Liancheng Jia snorted, and said: “A ten-year-old car. I wonder whether it can run or not. Even so, it must be slower than my new laferrari!”

Liang Chai moved to the front with a smiling face, asking: “Yang Chen, could you tell me how is this fxx’s engine? How is its speed?”

This sulking saboteur! Liancheng Jia gave Liang Chai an angry look. He already knew that this guy was here humiliating him. Yang Chen replied honestly: “This car also has a 6262cc v12engine, according to what I know, and has a Formula One gearbox, so even though it doesn’t have an advanced hybrid power system, its acceleration is no worse than Ferrari’s newest flagship automobile. It speeds up to 100km/h within three seconds, to 200km/h within seven seconds, and to 300km/h within fifteen seconds, none of these would be any problems. Fxx has a top speed of 390km/h.”

“If I’m right, did you say that laferrari’s top speed is 350km/h? Then this fxx is faster than laferrari!” Liang Chai smiled, glanced at Liancheng Jia, then said:

“I’m really curious about whoever bought such a legendary car as a gift.”

Liang Chai’s last sentence awakened many people. Before that, they focused on the car, but the key question now was, who had bought this car.

“Who sent this car here? That person indeed invested much!”

“Right, Mr. Jia put more than twenty million in his gift, and still isn’t able to win.

Who is this Mr. Mystery?”

“He must have a powerful background, otherwise, how can he buy a Ferrari fxx? If I were him, I wouldn’t even know where to buy it!”

As the crowd was busy discussing, Dai Li walked hurriedly towards that red beard.

“Mr. Li, would you like me to uncover the car now?” asked the red beard.

“Yes, please!” Dai Li nodded, signing his name on the receipt.

…

“Who is he? Did he send the car?”

“Is he Yunan Xiao’s boyfriend?”

“Boyfriend? No wonder he gave her such an amazing gift! But her boyfriend looks strange to me, which family does he come from?”

“Which family? I heard that her boyfriend was just a normal sports coach!”

“It can’t be, don’t you make fun of me. I can’t afford this Ferrari fxx, let alone a sports coach!”

“I’m serious, Yunan Xiao said so herself. Her boyfriend is a coach, and is right in Dingtian Football Club!”

“I still can’t believe it. How much can a coach earn? You think he’s Hammam, earning millions upon million euros per year?”

“You are right, our domestic coaches, even earning million yuan per year, he should spend no money within thirty years to finally afford this fxx!”

“Do you think that it’s a fake one? Like a model?”

The last sentence reminded Liancheng Jia of something. He seemed to catch a live-saving straw, which could reverse the situation.

That makes sense, he is only a coach, how can he afford Ferrari fxx, this must be a fake one! Thinking about this, Liancheng Jia shouted at Dai Li in the front: “Hey, pull off the plastic film, let’s take a look at this Ferrari fxx!”

As Liancheng Jia shouted, some people followed him. Dai Li nodded at red beard, the latter one immediately picking up his tools and moving close to the car, preparing to peel away the protection membrane. This polymeric membrane could not be lacerated by any knife, only special tools, together with certain methods could peel it.

“Let me help you!” Yang Chen couldn’t wait to see the fxx, so he rushed forward.

Red beard held his tools in his hand, and walked to the rear, as he needed to peel the protection membrane on the engine first. Since the engine was the core of a car, he must make sure that the core was alright. The reason why he came to the rear was because Ferrari fxx’s engine was located at the rear, like most roadsters’ were.

As red beard peeled the protection membrane on the engine, black metal lacquer surface appeared in front of the crowd.

“Black, this car is black!”

“Usually Ferraris are red, why is this one black”

“You see, I search fxx online, and they all look red, none of them is black.

This one is weird!”

Red was the traditional Ferrari color, so many people even thought that only red Ferraris could be called Ferrari. Liancheng Jia’s laferrari was also red. As for the other colors, there were some, but not many. Many cars in the street were black and white, but to Ferrari, no matter whether black or white, as long as it was not red, it was non-mainstream.

Seeing this, Liancheng Jia suddenly asked out loud: “Yang Chen, this one is black. Is there any black fxxs?”

“Well, I’m not sure.” Yang Chen shook his head: “But my collections are all red.”

“Black Ferrari, rarely seen, huh? Is this a real Ferrari, or a fake one? I heard that there are some people specialized in stitching cars, who can make whatever you want” Liancheng Jia said in a loud voice, for fear that someone couldn’t hear him.

There were some lawbreakers who specialized in stitching cars. A county collected various kinds of car components, and it was said that there was nothing they could not make. Hundreds of thousand of yuan for a Benz, four to five hundred thousand for a Bentley, seven to eight hundred thousand for a Lamborghini …. it was not a myth there. How couldn’t the others tell Liancheng Jia’s sourness in his words? It was just that he was not the only one who felt jealous, but rather, a lot of people waited to mock Dai Li.

The previous fashion sarcastic woman snorted in the crowd: “I say, how can a sport coach afford a tens of million roadster? This forgery is so unprofessional. You wanna fool us with a black Ferrari? Everyone knows that

Ferrari is red. You are making yourself look fat by slapping your own face!”

In the front, red beard ensured that the engine was alright, then began to peel the membrane on the door. On the black surface, a number “30” showed up.

“Uh-huh, a number? 30? What does it mean, odd-and-even license plate rule?

Liancheng Jia jeered.

But Yang Chen, who stood at the front, after noting the number, was taken aback.

“Seriously? No. 30, is it THAT fxx? No, it can’t be! It’s impossible!” Yang Chen murmured to himself.

Finally, the membrane on the front hood was also peeled off. At the center of the hood, a number “30” came into Yang Chen’s eyes. 30, number 30, black fxx, only that car has such a painting! Is this indeed that car? Really? Yang Chen couldn’t help but touch the “30” sign, then he turned to Dai Li, astonished.

“Is this Herr Haim, King of the Car’s fxx?” Yang Chen asked seriously.

Dai Li smiled and nodded: “Yes, it was. But now, it’s Yunan’s!”

“Aw!” Yang Chen suddenly shouted, which gave Dai Li a good scare.

The next second, Yang Chen suddenly bowed down and leaned his upper body on the front hood, and kept kissing that “30” sign. If previously, Yang Chen looked like a sincere pilgrim worshiping, then currently, he was actually like a pilgrim, who was worshipping this black fxx!

“What’s wrong with Yang Chen? Is he insane?”

“He must be crazy! Crying, laughing, shouting, he is crazier than before!”

“What is Yang Chen doing? Kissing the car? Isn’t it gross?”

The crowd looked at Yang Chen confusingly. But red beard couldn’t tolerate it at all. He stepped forward and lifted Yang Chen off the car, shouting: “Hey, move your mouth away from the car, don’t smudge it, I haven’t completed my delivery yet!”

“Please, I beg you, please let me touch it again! Just one more time!”

Yang Chen seemed to become a child seeing his favorite toy, as he kept begging red beard.

Fen Luo couldn’t stand it, and he stopped Yang Chen, saying: “Yang Chen, mind your behavior, you are in public area, don’t forget who you are.”

Yang Chen then awakened. Seeing that the crowd was looking at him, he was embarrassed, and calmed himself down at once.

“What’s wrong with you, Yang Chen, are you insane?” asked Fen Luo.

“No, I was too excited, really!” Yang Chen said: “I never expected to see the legendary fxx ever in my life!”

“The legendary fxx?” Fen Luo was confused. He looked at Yang Chen, then looked at the car, asking: “Are there legendary cars and non-legendary cars?”

“Well, I just mentioned, there are only 30 Ferrari fxxs in this world. In fact, the prototype car is included. The fxx prototype, which is the most unique fxx in the world, its number is 30!” Yang Chen said, pointing at the number “30”.

“You mean, this car is its prototype?” Fen Luo was now enlightened, then he asked: “But you don’t need to overreact like that, kissing a car?”

“The fxx prototype is different from the other 29 fxxs. It contains the most Formula One technology, in other words, the prototype is the most Formula-One-like roadster! This car can bring the driver a car-racing experience.” Yang Chen’s face was flushed, as he was in an extremely exciting moment. He continued: “Well, what I said was not the key point. Do you know to whom this fxx prototype belongs to?”

“Who?” Fen Luo asked subconsciously.

“Herr Haim, King of the Car! This is Ferrari’s gift for Herr Haim’s retirement, it’s …

Chapter 365: He is Lucky

Herr Haim, King of the Car, the name was familiar to everyone present.

“Is this indeed the Herr Haim’s retirement gift from Ferrari?”

“Yang Chen said so, so then it should be true. He knows roadsters best among us.”

“If it is the retirement gift, then it’s invaluable. Three million euros should not be enough.”

“Stop joking, the car’s sentimental value alone is priceless.”

“Back to the topic, why is Herr Haim’s retirement souvenir here? This car is memorable to Herr Haim, so I think he wouldn’t sell it, even if he got paid?”

Liancheng Jia heard those voices, his depressed face suddenly lighting up. He was hyper now. “I say, Yang Chen, did you misread it? How could Herr Haim’s retirement souvenir be here?”Liancheng Jia said.

“How would I misread it? Black lacquer coating, plus the figure 30, only Herr Haim’s fxx looks like this.” Yang Chen was sure.

“Perhaps, the coating is made on purpose!” Liancheng Jia smiled, and said: “Or rather, say, this is just a model! At least I can’t believe this, that an ordinary coach owns Herr Haim’s retirement souvenir.”

Hearing these words, Yang Chen hesitated. He looked at the roadster, then at Dai Li, undecided. There were many people staring at Dai Li, waiting to see him lose face. Apparently, they thought that Dai Li intended to fool them with a fake car. Herr Haim’s private car, an exclusive roadster, which could not be bought by money, how would it fall into a poor coach’s hands?

Red beard walked to Dai Li, and asked: “Mr. Li, the car looks good from appearances. Would you like to start it, just as a double check? If the engine works well, then our delivery will be completed.”

“Sure, let me try.” Dai Li opened the door and sat inside. He inserted the key, then pressed start button. Rear lamps went on, followed by that 6262cc V12 neighing-like startup. After that sound, the heavy bass roar shocked everyone at the scene.

As the fxx prototype, it didn’t use a series-produced engine. This special engine was made only for fxx, later, it was gradually used in other Ferrari flagship roadsters. Therefore, from the engine’s roar, its uniqueness had already been shown.

Not every rich second generation there knew about roadsters, but surely everybody got one, at least. However, none of them had ever heard such a roar from their own roadsters. But from the pleasant neighing heard when the engine just started, and heavy bass-like beastial roaring after it fully started, everyone sensed that it must be a top-level roadster.

Yang Chen stood right next to the car, intoxicated by the engine roaring. To him, it was the most beautiful music in the world. Meanwhile, Dai Li stepped on the accelerator in neutral. A tremendous crash “Hum” immediately shocked the crowd.

Hearing it, Yang Chen shouted, ill-mannered: “This roar is made by a v12 engine, no, only racing-car level engines can produce such a roar. This car is indeed a fxx! This car is Herr Haim’s fxx!”

Yang Chen’s words slapped Liancheng Jia in his face. Liancheng Jia was questioning that the car was just a model, but Yang Chen’s behavior refuted him, and humiliated him greatly.

Liancheng Jia wished to kick Yang Chen down to the ground. Although nobody laughed at him, it didn’t mean that people would forget about this. Liancheng Jia predicted that soon he would be the others’ after-dinner joke. Today’s “gift war” was full of twists and turns. From Liang Chai’s pendant, to Liancheng Jia’s roadster, but the one laughing till the end was Dai Li, who was the one who had been ignored the whole time.

The crowd looked at Dai Li differently now. Previously, Dai Li was a loser in people’s eyes, as to those rich people, a sports coach was nothing. But now, after an exclusive roadster was presented, Dai Li’s figure immediately grew bigger. At least, none of those people was able to buy a Ferrari fxx as a gift, let alone Herr Haim’s retirement souvenir.

Now, many people began to guess as to what background Dai Li had. Perhaps he was a love child of an executive, otherwise, how could he afford such a unique gift?

…

Zhicheng Huang knocked at the door and walked in. “President, I have investigated Dai Li’s roadster, and it is indeed a Ferrari fxx,” reported Zhicheng Huang.

“Oh, a Ferrari? This Dai Li probably spent all the money he has in order to afford such a Ferrari roadster. Well, he indeed invested much for Yunan.” Dingtian Xiao kept reading the document in his hand, and didn’t even raise his head, asking: “How much is it?”

“Not sure. I haven’t found any information,” Zhicheng Huang answered honestly.

“No information?”Dingtian Xiao put down the document, while he looked at Zhizhong Huang in surprise.

He knew Zhicheng Huang’s competence. Zhicheng Huang had been following Dingtian Xiao as an assistant for so many years, how would he be now a common individual? But today, hearing “no information” from his assistant, Dingtian Xiao was a little bit confused.

Zhicheng Huang explained: “President, this Ferrari fxx is an exclusive product, as there are only 30 of them in this world, and all are not open for sale. The buyers were selected by Ferrari, according to certain standards, otherwise, there is no way to buy it. Precisely speaking, this car is priceless, without even a market.”

“Is Ferrari making hunger marketing? Hmm, not really, if there are only 30 of them, there is no need to do any hunger marketing.” Dingtian Xiao slightly shook his head, but kept asking: “You said there are some standards, what are they?”

“Details are not given. I found some rumors, but they are all wrong,” replied Zhicheng Huang.

“Do I meet those standards?” Dingtian Xiao asked with interest.

“Definitely not, “Zhicheng Huang replied honestly, like a robot.

“I don’t meet the standards, how come Dai Li reached the standards? Am I worse than that boy?!” Dingtian Xiao didn’t blame Zhicheng Huang, he just seemed to pour out his unpleasantness, for the thought of that Dai Li being better than him in some aspects.

“I guess Dai Li didn’t buy this fxx himself. This car was sold ten years ago, when Dai Li was still at school, so how could he buy this car? Besides, this fxx has a special sentimental value, as it was given to Herr Haim by Ferrari when he retired,” said Zhicheng Huang.

“You’re sure?” Dingtian Xiao turned around: “Are you sure that it is Herr Haim’s car? Not a model for fooling people?”

“I’m quite sure. I think people who bought this car must pursue personalization and uniqueness, since they didn’t want to use the same coating as the others. Moreover, Herr Haim’s coating is most special, as the one who bought his car didn’t need to make the same coating as Herr Haim’s,” said Zhicheng Huang.

Hearing these details, Dingtian Xiao fell into the sofa, defeat flashing across his face.

“How did Herr Haim’s car fall in his hands, then, did he steal it? Then when Herr Haim came to ask for the car, I would have to give it back… This Dai Li is really good at surprising me! I just told him that he couldn’t afford a roadster, and he immediately gave me a supreme one. Huh, interesting, I haven’t be losing face like this for years!”

Frustration raised involuntarily from within Dingtian Xiao’s heart. He hadn’t experienced such feelings for years. As Dingtian Xiao spoke, he turned to Zhicheng Huang and asked: “Zhicheng, what do you think of Dai Li?”

Zhicheng Huang thought for a while, then answered seriously: “Stubborn, serious, hot-blooded, pushy, and I think, he is very lucky.”

“Lucky?” Dingtian Xiao suddenly burst out into laughter: “You are right, he is lucky. Sometimes, fortune make people helpless.”

Dingtian Xiao took a look at the document again, then casually said: “This time, Yunan has received many gifts. You go prepare some return presents. Besides, keep the present for Hong Kong Chai’s family, for next week, when I go, I will bring it with me.”

“Understood.” Zhicheng Huang continued: “This time, Liang Chai gave a ten million emerald pendant, but was exceeded by the others, so I’m not sure whether he would feel awkward or not.”

“Let him be! Even though we can’t be future relatives, we still need to continue in our business. Shipping Magnate Chai will understand. Canadian natural gas, it is a large piece of fat meat. We invest, and we will surely gain profits. To do business, there would be no eternal enemy or friends, we either compete with each other, or cooperate together…”Dingtian Xiao said, as he began to read the document again.

…

Yunan Xiao leaned close to Dai Li’s shoulder, gazing at clouds far away in the sky.

“Where did you get this car?” Yunan Xiao asked.

“Herr Haim gave it to me,” said Dai Li.

“Did you beg him for it?” Yunan Xiao curled her lip, making fun of him.

“How would I do that? I refused again and again for thousands of times, and it was Herr Haim who insisted to give the car to me.” Dai Li made a helpless look, then switched the topic: “But the car ran fast. Herr Haim took me for a ride in this car, and with a blink of an eye, we sped up to 350km/h. I was petrified.”

“I can’t go that fast,” Yunan Xiao said thoughtlessly.

“This car is not allowed to be on the road, except in Switzerland. If you want to have fun, drive it in the racing field.” Dai Li thought for a second, then said: “If we’ve got time, I can drive you in the racing field, and let you experience Formula One’s feeling!”

“Forget about that. Your driving experience is less than mine!” Yunan Xiao shook her head.

Dai Li smiled carelessly. After Herr Haim recovered, Dai Li took Herr Haim into the Athletes Illustrated Handbook. Now that Herr Haim had been retired for years, and was injured, he was no longer at his best status. But the king was always the king, so if he was asked to drive a Formula One racing car, He could still drive it well,and would still be better than many young drivers.

In Dai Li’s Athletes Illustrated Handbook, although Herr Haim was not at his peak, he could surely surpass 99% of racing drivers. There were only twenty to thirty Formula One drivers in the world, and if Dai Li copied Herr Haim’s ability, even only 70% of it, he would be able to reach European top-level driver’s competence, and would be way stronger than domestic drivers.

Dai Li clasped Yunan Xiao in his arms, enjoying this momentary sweetness, before his phone rang, ill-timed.

“A phone call from UK, excuse me,” Dai Li said as he picked up the phone.

“Hello, Coach Li. This is Thompson, Duke Gaer’s housekeeper.” A man spoke with a British accent.

“Hi Mr. Thompson, how are you? Haven’t seen you for a while! How is Duke Gaer?” Dai Li said with great enthusiasm.

“I’m good, thank you. Sorry to bother you, but Duke Gaer may need some rehabilitative training. Yesterday, when Duke Gaer was riding a horse, he fell off the horse again. Although he was not seriously injured, he still needs some help to recover.” Thompson paused, then said: “I have found some therapists, but he rejected them all. He didn’t trust them.”

Pausing here, Mr. Thompson sighed helplessly: “So, Coach Li, could you come to the UK again? I think Duke trusts nobody, except you!”

Chapter 366: Ruthless Man

On the second day, Dai Li flew to Capital City for his UK visa. This time, the visa application was extremely easy, with all green lights along the process. British visa officers saw Duke Gaer’s invitation letter, didn’t say anything, and directly sealed a “pass”.

Among British governmental organizations, hereditary aristocracy enjoyed some special rights. After receiving his visa, Dai Li booked a flight to the UK. Fifteen hours later, he arrived at Edinburgh.

Duke Gaer’s injury was not severe, in fact, beyond some abrasions, he had merely wrenched his waist. If he had been a young man, after receiving simple massage and having some good rest, he would be fine. But Duke Gaer was an old man in his sixties. As the saying goes, “When getting old, do not match strength with others”. A minor wrench on his waist made Duke Gaer completely bedridden.

However, Duke Gaer didn’t trust the other therapists, he only believed in Dai Li. He’d rather lie in bed bearing the waist pain than to receive treatments from other therapists. He had been waiting until Dai Li came.

When aging, people get stubborn. It’s like domestic elders, who are fooled into buying health products, no matter what the others said, they were willing to spend hundreds of thousands yuan buying something useless.

In the medieval castle, Duke Gaer was lying in bed, receiving Dai Li’s massage.

“My horsemanship is excellent. When I was young, I participated in domestic Olympics selection for British equestrian athletes. But who could predict that I would fall off the horse! Ten years ago, making such a performance on a horse was no big deal to me…” Duke Gaer recalled the old times.

“Your Excellency, you just said it was ten years ago. Please remember, you are in your sixties now, and are no longer a young man. How could you perform difficult technical moves as excellent as before?” Dai Li paused, then said: “Besides, you have sat in a wheelchair for a decade, and during this period of time, your body, like muscles and bones, must have degraded. Therefore, you should pay more attention when exercising. My suggestion is for you to only exercise under professional guidance.”

“Just because I have been restrained in the wheelchair for ten years, I couldn’t wait to go out for a horse ride. I have already wasted ten years, I don’t want to miss any more time.” Duke Gaer shook his head.

At this time, Thompson, the housekeeper, walked into the room. He slightly bowed to Duke Gaer, then said: “Your Excellency, guests from Hong Kong have arrived, they are waiting in the lounge.”

“Huh, I forgot this.” Duke Gaer thought for seconds, then said: “I don’t want to meet them. Tell them that I don’t feel good, and send them away. I’d like Coach Li to massage me for a longer time.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Thompson bowed again, then left the room.

Duke Gaer turned his head to glimpse at Dai Li, then said: “Coach Li, would you like to have afternoon tea with me? My chef has prepared the most authentic Scottish desserts, and black tea from your country!”

“My pleasure!” Dai Li nodded with a smile.

…

Four Chinese men were sitting in the lounge. If Dai Li was here, he would be surprised, for he knew three of them. On the left sofa, sat a man around sixty with a serious look. Next to him was a middle-aged man in his forties. The two were Dingtian Xiao and his assistant Zhicheng Huang.

On the side sofa, there was also a sixty-year-old man, who wore a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, his hair combed sleek. Next to him was a man right above thirty years old. The thirty-year-old was Liang Chai, Hong Kong Chai’s family’s third generation. The sixty-year-old man next to him was his father, Zhengnan Chai, who was the eldest son of Hong Kong Shipping Magnate Chai.

Shipping Magnate Chai was more that ninety years old. He had retired tens of years ago, and passed on Chai’s business to his son, Zhengnan Chai. In other words, Zhennan Chai was actually the man in charge of Chai’s business.

The four sat in the lounge, having tea and chatting. But if there were any outsiders here, they would have felt that both sides looked harmonious, but actually deceived each other.

“Duke Gaer had been paralysed in a horse accident, after ten years, and he has finally recovered recently,” Zhennan Chai said. “So it’s a good timing for us to be here in order to congratulate him on his recovery.”

“What I care about more is, whether Duke Gaer is willing to support us on Canadian natural gas or not.” Dingtian Xiao squinted his eyes a little bit, then continued: “In my memory, British people are arrogant. This Duke Gaer may ask for an exorbitant repayment.”

“Canadian natural gas is a piece of fat meat, a lot of people want it. But current European economics is in a recession, and investors are cautious. I don’t think there would be anyone who offers better cooperation terms than we do. Moreover, after gas is extracted, finding a market for it will be a big problem. Except in new markets, European and American countries can not use so much gas.” Zhennan Chai tapped his finger.

“Right. Although it’s a fat meat, it requires long-term investment.” Dingtian Xiao subconsciously lifted his neck, seeming to count gains and losses.

The four waited for a long while, before finally seeing the housekeeper Thompson walk in. Thompson was wearing a pair of clean white gloves, and was holding two delicate paper boxes in his hands.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Thompson slightly bowed, then said: “His Excellency doesn’t feel well today, so he can’t come meet you. His Excellency wants me to deliver his apologies, and let you know that he really appreciates your coming from afar.”

Thompson showed an apologetic look, but the atmosphere among the four guests suddenly deflated a bit.

“To apologize, His Excellency asks me to bring some snacks especially for you. Our dessert chef once worked for Her Majesty and is one of the best dessert chefs in the UK. These two boxes contains freshly made cookies, of authentic Scottish flavor, so please accept it.” As he said this, Thompson handed the boxes to the four people.

…

Duke Gaer leaned on the chair, his back was supported by a cushion. He pointed at the tiered cake stand, saying: “Coach Li, my dessert chef once served Her Majesty, but she seemed to not like Scottish cookies very much.”

“This tastes really good.” Dai Li smiled. “To be honest, I don’t know much about European desserts. I can’t even tell the difference between British and French desserts. But what I do know is, this cookie is great.”

“Glad you like it. I will have my housekeeper bring a box of cookies to you when you leave.” Duke Gaer started to enter his chatterbox mode, as it was rare to have someone like his afternoon tea. This led Duke Gaer to begin to evaluate afternoon-tea cultures among European countries.

Dai Li listened helplessly. His eyes randomly glimpsed outside the window, just happening to see four people as they left the castle. Those two people, did I meet them somewhere before? They look familiar! Looks like Dingtian Xiao and his assistant Zhicheng Huang! Thinking about this, Dai Li shook his head in self-mockery, “This is the UK, how would I possibly meet them here? I must have ‘Father-in Law phobia’!”

…

“Alright, we have waited for several hours, only to see a cookie box!” Zhicheng Huang sat in the car, holding the cookie box in this arms, complaining. “This Duke Gaer is really good at putting on airs. I mean, a box of cookies, and we are sent away!”

“Two boxes. Zhennan Chai is also rejected by a box of cookies, isn’t he?” Dingtian Xiao remained calm, his eyes shining with self-examination. He continued: “I have some responsibility for today’s situation. It seems that I overestimated Chai’s relationship in the UK.”

“President, after you said so, it’s likely to be this way. Previously, the Chais boasted how much power they had, as if they could talk to any British nobility, and it seemed that even the queen had to give them face. But when they actually came here, they couldn’t even see a duke.” Zhicheng Huang continued in his scorn: “Perhaps even the Chais overestimated their status. As a matter of fact, in the past, the old shipping magnate was indeed influential. He was given the title of Justice of Peace, and was greeted by the queen individually for the investiture. People at his status, even the governor of Hong Kong have to show much respect to him.”

Pausing here, Dingtian Xiao sighed: “It sounded like he had stepped into the UK’s upper class, and became a part of British nobility. But now, it seems that those British never took him as being truly one of them. It makes sense, since Hong Kong used to be a British colony. You regard British as your lord, try hard to show your loyalty, but they don’t even treat you as good as a dog!”

“President, what are we going to do? Duke Gaer is not willing to meet us, and we can’t waste time waiting for him, can we? Is there any other plan? Or can we inquire about new relationships?” asked Zhicheng Huang.

“It’s too late to find other relationships.” Dingtian Xiao curled his lip and said. “Zhennan Chai must not be willing to give up. He will make another appointment tomorrow, so let’s wait first.”

…

“Your Excellency, the men from yesterday, Mr. Chai and Mr. Xiao, they have come back again. Right now they are waiting in the drawing room,” Thompson spoke in a standard British housekeeper way, with a deep, rich voice.

“Why come again? Did he make an appointment?” Duke Gaer was impatient.

“It looks like Mr. Chai and Mr. Xiao are assured that they will have Canadian natural gas. They are not willing to give this fat meat up,” Thompson smiled and said. “Mr. Chai’s father received Her Majesty’s investiture, and he has a high status in Hong Kong.”

“I’m not going to see anyone without an appointment! Recently, Her Majesty knighted hundreds of people, and if I met every one of them in person, I would be busy until death! Besides, this Mr. Chai is just the son of Knight Chai. Even if his father were here, I wouldn’t see him if I didn’t want to!” Duke Gaer shook his head indifferently. “As for Canadian gas, I don’t lack money, and I have been lying in bed for ten years. I don’t want to waste any time on earning more money. Let me enjoy my life. Send them away for me!”

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Thompson nodded.

“Uh, has Coach Li arrived?” Duke Gaer asked.

Thompson checked the time on his watch: “An hour ago, our driver went to the hotel to pick Coach Li up. They are about to arrive.”

“Then tell chef to prepare more afternoon tea,” Duke Gaer said. “Yesterday I had a nice conversation with Coach Li.”

Thompson laughed, nodding in reply. He knew well about his duke, and how yesterday afternoon, to say that Duke Gaer was chatting with Dai Li, he would rather say that Duke was giving a lecture, and spouting eloquent speeches!

…

“Mr. Chai, Mr. Xiao, I’m sorry. His Excellency has a full schedule today, and will be meeting an important guest soon. Please go back.” Thompson gave them a sorry look, sending the four people to the gate himself.

It had been a long time since Dingtian Xiao was denied an entrance, anywhere. At least in the domestic market, no one dared to slam the door in his face. But this was the UK, not Dingtian Xiao’s territory, so he had to take duke’s cue before taking action. Duke Gaer’s status was only subordinate to the royal family, and hence, was at the top among hereditary aristocracies. If he wanted to show his pride, nobody could stop him.

From his property stance, although Duke Gaer might not be as rich as Dingtian Xiao, he still had billions of pounds. Plus, these British nobility’s property usually existed in the form of fixed assets, like land, houses, precious metals, artwork, etc. These things had steady appreciation.

On the contrary, entrepreneurs like Dingtian Xiao’s properties mainly came from stocks they held in the company. If the company’s share price increased, they might become billionaires within one night, but if the price fell, their property would experience several hundred times of shrinkage. Therefore, the two sides didn’t need to look at the other’s cue, and perhaps Duke Gaer, with less money, had more priority.

Dingtian Xiao could take temporary setbacks. Although he was refused and annoyed, he still looked calm, and it seemed that he was not affected by his failure at all. Thompson walked out to the castle with them, all the way to the parking lot in front. At the same time, a Rolls-Royce came from afar, it was the car the housekeeper had sent to pick up Dai Li.

Seeing this Rolls-Royce, Thompson immediately applied a professional smile.

“Is this the important guest the housekeeper mentioned? Duke Gaer will probably see that individual.” Liang Chai whispered.

Zhennan Chai and Dingtian Xiao involuntarily looked at this Rolls-Royce. They were curious about who the important guest was. Finally, the Rolls-Royce parked. Thompson walked forward to open the door himself, greeting with enthusiasm: “Coach Li, finally you are here! His Excellency has been waiting for you!”

“Coach Li?” Zhizhong Huang couldn’t help but repeat this appellation, while Dingtian Xiao furrowed his eyebrows. To these two people, “Coach Li” meant something different.

The next second, Dai Li got out of the car. This moment, Zhicheng Huang looked like an owl, dazed in the tree. While Dingtian Xiao, who never let facial expressions reveal his feelings before, didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Only Liang Chai couldn’t control himself, as he shouted out surprisingly: “Dai Li! Why are you here?”

Liang Chai’s shouting caught Dai Li’s attention. The first person he saw was not Liang Chai, but Dingtian Xiao.

Why is Yunan’s father here? Did he chase me all the way to the UK, only to separate us? My future father-in-law is too ruthless! Dai Li’s mind was a mess.

Chapter 367: A Confusing Conversation

On their way back, Zhicheng Huang was still thinking about what had happened just now.

“Why had Dai Li become Duke Gaer’s honorable guest?” said Zhicheng Huang. “He is just a normal coach, and his parents are simple wage earners. They don’t have much money, neither do they have supporting backgrounds. I have investigated all his information.”

Zhicheng Huang investigated Dai Li’s personal information himself, so he knew well about Dai Li’s family background and working experience. No matter how hard he tried, Zhicheng Huang couldn’t figure out how Dai Li engaged in a friendship with Duke Gaer. From any standpoint, a domestic young sports coach should not have any connection with a British duke.

“There is always something in this world that happens unexpectedly.” Dingtian Xiao acted more calm than did Zhicheng Huang. He lowered his head in concentration for a few seconds, then said: “After we go back, talk to Dai Li, and see whether he could help us meet Duke Gaer.”

Zhicheng Huang looked at DIngtian Xiao, surprised, as he never thought that one day Dingtian Xiao would be willing to get off his high horse and ask Dai Li for help.

“Why, you look surprised? Is it losing face to ask Dai Li for help?” Dingtian Xiao smiled, then shook his head. “I understand why you think so. But if I could take this Canadian natural gas program, it would be nothing to lose face!”

Dingtian Xiao said, sighing as he thought back to old times. He then asked, “Zhicheng, have you been working in Dingtian for more than ten years?”

“Plus this year, it’s been fifteen years. I have been working with you for ten years already.” Zhicheng Huang nodded.

“Right, you didn’t went through my starting period. At the time when you came working with me, Dingtian walked on the right trail, and was one of the biggest companies in the province. Hence, you have no idea about what I experienced when I was just starting my business.”

Dingtian Xiao shook head again with a bitter smile, then continued: “I remember, at the very beginning, I often humbled myself in order to please people. I’m lucky that I was able to survive. I didn’t care about saving face, as it couldn’t bring me any fortune, so why did I need to?”

He went on: “As for now, in outsiders’ eyes, I’m a successful entrepreneur, owning hundreds of billions of properties. But, actually, I still ask for help very often. The difference is that, many times now, I no longer need to humble myself, but rather do a win-win cooperation instead. It is essentially the same, however, as decades ago, when I paid money to beg others for help! Comparing with that, asking Dai Li for assistance makes me feel better. My daughter is going to be taken by him, so how can’t I ask him to do me a favor?” Pausing here, Dingtian Xiao burst out in laughter: “But you were right about this young man. He is indeed very lucky!”

…

In another car, Chai’s father and son, Zhennan Chai and Liang Chai, were sitting together in the backseat.

“You know that man?” asked Zhennan Chai.

“Yeah. He is Dai Li, YUnan Xiao’s boyfriend. I met him in Yunan Xiai’s birthday party,” answered Liang Chai.

“Yunan Xiao’s boyfriend? Then he will probably become Dingtian Xiao’s proud son-in-law?” Zhennan Chai said, frowning with his eyebrows. “What is Dingtian Xiao doing? His future son-in-law apparently knows Duke Gaer, so then why does he want us Chais to build a bridge for him? Wait, who is his son-in-law anyway? He is regarded as an honorable guest by Duke Gaer, so then he is not a mainland Chinese, is he? Is he an overseas Chinese?”

“That Dai Li is just an ordinary mainland sports coach!” Liang Chai snorted.

“An ordinary coach? How can an ordinary coach become Duke Gaer’s important guest?” Zhennan Chai didn’t believe his son at all. But the next second, he took a long sigh, disappointed: “Anyway, I think we should book flight tickets back to Hong Kong soon.”

“Why” Liang Chai asked subconsciously, then immediately got his father’s point, asking: “Is it because of that Dai Li?”

Zhennan Chai nodded: “Dingtian Xiao came to us, aiming at our relationships in the UK. He hoped for us to build a bridge for him, so he could close a deal with Duke Gaer. That was why he was willing to share profits with us. But, now, he has found some other way. With that Dai Li, DIngtian Xiao could talk to Duke Gaer himself, so do you think he will still share some profits with us?”

“Such a big deal, and finally it comes to nothing? If Dingtian Xiao kicks us out and stands by himself, isn’t he burning the bridge after crossing the river?!” Liang Chai said angrily.

“The business world is like a battlefield! If we Chais had sufficient funds, and are able to get this trade done alone, do you think I would cooperate with Dingtian?” Zhennan Chai said seriously, hoping to be teaching his son a lesson. “Now I feel that we should appreciate Dingtian Xiao, for he has taught you a lesson. He taught you how cruel the business world is!”

Liang Chai nodded in silence. After all, he was more than thirty years old, and was the third generation of successors in Hong Kong Chai’s family, who had been leaning to do business by trial and error for years. After a brief time of excitement, he calmed down.

Although Chai’s family was one of the original Hong Kong riches, no matter what were their total assets or liquid funds, the family was not as strong as Dingtian Group. Dingtian Group concentrated on real estate, since recently, housing prices had zoomed up. Thus, Dingtian immediately accumulated a large amount of properties. As long as it didn’t go grab premium land on a large scale, Dingtian’s financial chain would stay quite strong.

On the contrary, Chai’s family made their fortune by shipping. Their main properties were hundreds of ocean-going freighters, wharf stock, and properties in Hong Kong. These things were worth as much as properties, but none of them could be liquidated within a short time. Therefore, the liquid funds that Chais could use were considered of far less worth to most than Dingtian’s.

…

Dai Li received Zhicheng Huang’s text: President Xiao invites me for dinner!

Dai Li stared at his phone diffidently: Will it be another Hongmen Banquet?

Hesitating for seconds, Dai Li finally texted back in agreement. To Dingtian Xiao, escape could not solve any problems at all. As his future father-in-law, he had to face him one day. At dusk, Dai Li arrived at the restaurant on time, which was located in the hotel Dingtian Xiao lived in.

“Today’s appetizer is West Seashore halibut filet with lobster mousse. Entrees are Balmoral grilled venison, served with Madeira soft cake, truffle, red cabbage stew, roast potatoes, roast walnut, pumpkin and celery. In addition, there will be mango and lemon dark chocolate, and fruit, as desserts. I have told them to now begin service,” introduced Zhicheng Huang.

Dai Li didn’t know much about this. However, he felt that, since it was Dingtian Xiao’s treat, it would not be low-grade fare. He guessed that these dishes could only appear in top-level banquets in the UK.

Sitting opposite him, Dingtian Xiao didn’t say anything, but gave Dai Li an intense gaze, which made Dai Li a little anxious, and he dared not say anything. The two major characters sat in silence, the atmosphere suddenly becoming embarrassing around the table.

Saying nothing for about a minute, Dingtian Xiao finally broke the ice first: “I want to meet Duke Gaer for a big trade, and I want you to recommend me to him.”

“OK, I will talk to him tomorrow.” Dai Li answered without thinking, subconsciously agreeing.

“Good. Then let’s have dinner.” Dingtian Xiao remained wearing his indifferent look, no happiness, no sorrow, as if he hadn’t talked to Dai Li just now.

That’s it? Zhicheng Huang stared at the two. He was expecting a complicated conversation, perhaps one not as long as making three calls at the thatched cottage, but he figured it would at least take around half an hour to explain everything clearly, or to put off for a while. While in fact, the whole conversation only contained two sentences, and that was it.

Maybe president is unwilling to put off his pride. He said yes, but meant no. Zhicheng Huang considered this thought, feeling that it would be better to offer further details.

Hence, he said: “In the last few years, Dingtian Group has been transforming from a real estate developer into a diversified manager. Recently, president is planning to enter into the energy field, and natural gas is our preferred investment. Compared with petroleum, natural gas looks like a cleaner energy. Since the public is concentrating on environmental protection, president thinks highly of gas’ potential.”

Dai Li nodded. He learned from newspapers that the price of natural gas had been increasing, especially in winter, and that the high demand of heating caused gas shortages in many places.

Zhicheng Huang continued: “Natural gas which we have now is mainly imported from Russia and Qatar. Beyond these two countries, North America also has quite a few natural gas resources. In America, due to demands for industrial production, the majority of gas is used by locals. But Canadian gas is almost solely used for export.”

He continued: “Canada is the third biggest natural gas producer, right after America and Russia. Meanwhile, Canada is also the world’s second natural gas exporter. In fact, if they put more money into natural gas production, Canada will probably exceed Russia to become the world’s largest gas producer.”

“We Dingtian Group value Canadian natural gas resource, and wish to invest on this project. However, whenever referring to such a kind of investment, resistance is quite strong. They don’t want us to invest in any energy programs in their countries. Therefore, to gain some profits in Canada’s gas project, having enough money is simply not enough, we also need help from a third party, like, Duke Gaer.”

“Duke Gaer’s family entered into Canada at the beginning of the very first colony, and Duke Gaer’s great grandfather used to be a governor in Canada. At that time, Duke Gaer’s family bought a large scale of land there, which used to be barren fields. Duke Gaer didn’t spend much on it.”

Still talking: “Later, natural gas was found underground there. Although Canada was independent, and was no longer a British colony, the country didn’t own legislative or constitutional rights, at least until in 1982, when the UK passed the Constitution Act. Hence, British traditional nobility kept their rights in Canada till today. Because of this, Duke Gaer owns much discourse power, as a large amount of Canadian natural gas is explored from their lands.”

Dai Li took a long breath, processing all this information: “No wonder I saw you guys outside Duke Gaer’s castle!”

“Do you think, we are so boring, that we come here just to make trouble?” Zhicheng Huang laughed.

Yes, I did. Dai Li talked to himself in his heart, but he dared not say so aloud. Instead he asked, “Did you meet Duke Gaer today?”

Zhicheng Huang shook his head. “This Duke Gaer really treats himself as nobility, never getting off his high horse. We went there yesterday, but he refused us, giving a box of cookies instead in apology.”

“Were they blueberry flavored?”Dai Li casually replied, as he had the same cookies yesterday, too. At this moment, Dai L finally recalled that, who he saw through the window yesterday, were exactly DIngtian Xiao and Zhicheng Huang.

“So, how did you know Duke Gaer?” asked Zhicheng Huang.

“Well, it’s a long story. Duke Gaer had an accident ten years ago…” Dai Li generally explained how he helped Duke Gaer recover.

As Dai Li ended the story, a waiter pushed a food trolley in, then put the appetizer halibut and lobster mousse on the table. Dai Li didn’t bother, as he ate directly. The food looked pretty, but was served in a rather small amount, so it was finished within two to three bites.

Next came their entrees, Dai Li also gulped these down without thought.

Sitting at his opposite, Dingtian Xiao put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, then seemed to ask casually: “Dai Li, are you interested in working for Dingtian?”

Dai Li was dazed a little bit. He put down his knife and fork, and looked at Dingtian Xiao, confused.

“If you are willing to come, I can arrange a proper place for you, and I will also offer you some chances to prove your abilities. If you are indeed capable, in the future, you will have a chance to sit at my place,” Dingtian Xiao said calmly.

As his words came out, everyone, including Dai Li and Zhicheng Huang, was shocked. Dingtian Xiao’s place was none other than the president of Dingtian Group!

“Thank you for your kindness, but I’m just a coach, I don’t know anything about running a business,” Dai Li said, but he looked at Dingtian Xiao cautiously as he spoke, wondering what Dingtian Xiao truly meant.

“Learn to do so. Nobody is born to be an entrepreneur.” Dingtian Xiao sounded serious.

Does he really mean it? thought Dai Li.

“Why, is this so unbelievable?” Dingtian Xiao looked at Dai Li, speaking in an oppressive way. “You like Yunan, but I say you are not fit. That’s why I told you before, I don’t want you to be together. You are not the right son-in-law in my eyes.”

He continued: “But now I think that maybe I can give you a chance. I want to cultivate you, to see whether you will reach my standards or not. If you satisfy me, I will agree to you two being together. In the future, after I retire, I can pass Dingtian Group to you with trust, and you can take it as Yunan’s dowry.”

Dai Li was astonished upon hearing this, eyes widely opened, still trying to assimilate what Dingtian Xiao had just now told him.

Did I hear that right? To pass Dingtian to me? To give me an empire with hundreds of billions in market value? Dai Li only felt his mind must be deranged.

Chapter 368: Go to America

Dai Li’s mind was messed up for a while, then he finally came to himself. Dai Li knew exactly how competent he was, or wasn’t. He had no experience in running a business, and he couldn’t even take good care of a small supermarket, let alone a huge Group Company worth hundreds of billions of RMB.

As for Dingtian Xiao’s “Learn it, if you don’t know” mentality, it was encouraging to some degree, but it also brought more pressure than inspiration. Dai Li was no longer an ignorant boy, who concentrated only on study, nor was he an enthusiastic newbie, who had just started his job. He had already become a successful coach. Now, he was told to enter into a completely unknown field, and start from the very beginning, so understandably, he was confused and anxious.

But such confusion and anxiety were outshone by the lust of wealth. Being possible to receive a company with hundreds of billions in market value, such an allure was like a stray that suddenly found a GPS navigation, offering such amazement, which was strong enough to destroy any confusion or anxiety. If Dai Li hadn’t had the System with him, he would definitely have agreed without a slight hesitation.

Sitting on his opposite, Dingtian Xiao continued: “You may ask me, why don’t I give Dingtian Group to Yunan. I know, she has been trying really hard on everything, and that she hopes to take my place, but I don’t want her to sit on my seat and walk down my old path. Being a businessman is exhausting!”

Dingtian Xiao spoke, took a long sigh, then continued: “In outsiders’ eyes, I, DIngtian Xiao, live a wonderful life, owning hundreds of billions worth in properties, being one of the richest people in the country, calling the wind and commanding the rain. But, in fact, it’s sad to look back on those old days, when I just began my career. Even at present, when Dingtian has such a big scale, I still wake up at five a.m., work for sixteen to seventeen hours a day, and can’t go to bed until twelve. Meetings, reports, activities, social parties, I fly around the country everyday dealing with various kinds of people…Day in and Day out, the same things repeat again and again, and I can’t see its end!”

He went on: “This is a hard life. At the beginning, I felt my life was fulfilled and passionate, but now, I think it’s more about fulfilling responsibilities.” Dingtain Xiao was now looking at Dai Li seriously: “Since I have experienced the life a businessman is likely to have, I don’t want to see Yunan go though the same hard life. I hope her life could be easy and simple, not being forced to shoulder so many responsibilities.”

Dingtian Xiao paused, sipped on his wine, then told Dai Li: “My requirement to my future son-in-law is simple: to be able to take my turn, and be strong enough to support the whole Dingtian Group, so that Yunan can have a rather relaxing life, and won’t worry about Dingtian anymore.”

He continued: “You may think that my behavior is selfish, to force my son-in-law to shoulder more responsibilities in order to make my daughter’s life more comfortable. Sometimes I also think this is like finding an uxorilocal son-in-law in ancient times. In the past, an uxorilocal man married into, and lived with, his bride’s family, and he also needed to do the bride’s farm work. Isn’t it like my requirements?” Dingtian Xiao paused here, laughed at himself, then continued:

“You are not too old to start learning to do business. Many successful entrepreneurs didn’t start their business until their forties or fifties, but you haven’t yet reached your thirties. So, I think I can offer you a chance, and assess whether you have talent in management or not. As for you, there is no need to reply right now. You can take time and consider thoroughly.”

…

The hotel’s bed was soft and comfortable, and lying in bed was like falling into a snow pile. But Dai Li was not in the mood for enjoying this. He lay in the bed, pondering Dingtian Xiao’s words.

Dingtian Xiao indeed offered Dai Li a great chance, a chance which could help Dai Li reach the sky in one step. And Dai Li’s desire was indeed aroused. Like many commoners, he had a dream of being rich, or even lucky enough to be the richest person in the country. Now, he was very likely to attain his dream.

But I’m a professional coach!

With hundreds of billions money, why do I do this shit?

My dream is to become the best coach in the world!

Comparing that with hundreds of millions in money, how much does it cost for a dream?

Two voices kept ringing in Dai Li’s mind, arguing back and forth, making Dai Li incomparably conflicted in his heart. Dai Li tossed and turned restlessly, unable to fall asleep at all. He never knew that a night could be so long.

…

One day later.

Dai Li walked out form Duke Gaer’s castle, enjoying the warm sunshine. Dai Li had already introduced Dingtian Xiao to Duke Gaer, who met Dingtian Xiao after afternoon tea. As for what they discussed in the meeting, Dai Li didn’t care. But as for Dingtian Xiao’s suggestion, Dai Li had made up his mind. He took out his phone, typed Yunan Xiao’s number.

“Yunan, I met your father in London,” Dai Li said calmly.

“My father? He seems to be there for some natural gas program. Why, did he embarrass you?” Yunan sounded very nervous.

“President Xiao wanted me to join in Dingtian,” said Dai Li.

“Join in Dingtian? But aren’t you the coach in our club?”Yunan Xiao asked, confused.

“Not the club, but Dingtian Group. He wanted to cultivate me as the successor of Dingtian, to take his turn in the future.” Dai Li told Yunan Xiao about Dingtian Xiao’s general idea.

Yunan Xiao remained silent for a while, before she asked: “Then, what’s your plan? Did you agree?”

“Today, on my way to Duke Gaer’s, I have refused him.” Dai Li’s voice was calm: “I have thought carefully, and it might be a right choice to join in Dingtian, but it’s not what I want.”

“Don’t you want to try?” Yunan Xiao sounded causal, but Dai Li could feel that she was controlling her emotions.

Dai Li didn’t reply directly, but said, “I remember that you once mentioned wanting to prove to your father that you have sufficient ability to take charge of Dingtian, so inheriting Dingtian Group is your dream. But for me, I want to be the best coach in the world! I don’t want to be some successful entrepreneur at all. So, I have made a decision.”

“What decision?” Yunan Xiao immediately asked.

“I want to achieve my dream, to be the best coach in the world. Then I will retire and go to Dingtian to help you. I can be a garbage man, or fetch lattes for you!” Dai Li said seriously.

“Hum…” On the other side of the phone, Yunan Xiao suddenly snickered.

“Hey, don’t laugh, I’m serious.” Dai Li continued, “And I’m planning to go to America!”

“You wanna go to America?” Yunan Xiao stopped laughing now.

“In this country, If I want to be a good coach, I have to rely on the governmental system, which is unreasonable to me. So I want to go to America in order to open a private training center, and to offer commercial physical training.” Dai Li paused, then said: “Actually a few years ago, when I was in America for a study tour, I had this idea of running my own training institute! But at that time, I had neither sufficient funds nor good timing. Now, I think I’m ready!”

Chapter 369: Training Gym

Walking out of Los Angeles airport, Dai Li took a taxi to the reserved hotel.

Downtown LA remained unchanged, appearing exactly as it had several years ago, which brought Dai Li a feeling of familiarity.

American cities were like this, their city scales extended block by block, but the downtowns themselves remaining unchanged. The pull down-rebuild model was rarely used in America. Thus, cities like New York and Chicago, buildings around fifty to sixty years old, or even more than hundreds of years old, were everywhere. Central Station in New York looked the same as it had a hundred years ago. Hence, many people felt that American metropolises’ infrastructures were old and outdated. Downtown LA was in a similar situation, although it looked prosperous, it didn’t change much every year.

After settling down in the hotel, Dai Li went to the bank to cash a check worth one and a half million dollars. This check was given to him by Yunan Xiao, and was her case-dough, for when she studies in America. Besides, Dai Li had an eight hundred thousand dollar initial fund, which was earned from Duke Gaer and the others’ rehabilitations in Europe.

Dai Li planned to open a training gym in Los Angeles. America had developed a thriving sport industry, and Americans love sports. There were plenty of training centers in America, like specialized fitness centers, or places focusing on a specific activity, such as boxing halls, gym halls, natatoriums, etc. Some of them were nonprofit organizations, while some were for profit institutions.

Dai Li was not here for charity work, as he was going to open a for profit training center, which was equivalent to running small business. Hence, application procedures were not complicated. If he asked a professional lawyer to help, things would be more easier. Dai Li didn’t mind to pay a lawyer’s fee, after all, under a professional’s guidance, fewer worries would be raised.

But to declare enterprise, one must have an operation premises first. Therefore, before declaration, Dai Li must find a suitable place for his training center.

Dai Li only had around two million dollars, which was not enough to buy a suitable training center. What’s more, Dai Li needed to keep a part of the fund as working capital, hence, he had to rent a place instead.

Los Angeles’ property market had always been bustling, which had fed a large group of real-estate brokers. Dai Li found several brokers, at which he had left his email address, then went back to the hotel with ease. He knew that, soon, these agents would send information to him.

As expected, in the next three days, Dai Li gradually began to receive dozens of emails, which were all about housing information, sent from those agents.

This used to be training center, but the price is too high. If I rented it, I would not have much circulating capital left.

This one is too small, it’s OK for a gym, but definitely not large enough for a training center. Oh, the introduction says that, actually, it is a gym.

This gym is big enough, pity that the location is not ideal. It’s too far from the city, plus it is surrounded by Mexicans. People say that there might be many illegal immigrants, so then the security might not be very good.

This has a good location and a proper price, but it used to be a hardware store. I would need to rebuild it, which will cost too much. Then buying fitness equipment will cost another large amount of money. No, it’s not worth it to do so.

This is a swimming center, including a ten-meter diving platform. I’m in the beginning stages, so a swimming center seems to be useless.

Well, this looks nice. Wait, the landlord wants me to sign a five-year lease. Let’s forget about this one. Five years is such a long time, maybe I will move to a better place within five years.

Dai Li looked through all the emails, carefully filtering those with new information.Finally, one email caught Dai Li’s attention:

This looks good, nice location, no slums around, most of the neighbors are middle-class. And there is a university not far from here. This center used to be a medium-sized gymnastic hall, a large space inside, plus a fitness room with much equipment available for me to use. As for its price…No price? What does it mean?

Dai Li slightly frowned, creasing his eyebrows. These American brokers were professional, as they had introduced lease requirements in detail, such as prices, the minimum leasing time, deposit, whether the building was allowed to be rebuilt or not, all those items were listed clearly. It was the first time Dai Li met an introduction without a price.

I checked this agent’s certificate, so he should be a professional one. But why is there no price? Dai Li hesitated, then called the agent.

After Dai Li explained his calling’s purpose, the agent immediately explained.

“Well, Mr. Li, the building you prefer is a special case. It doesn’t belong to any individuals, but rather, to the bank. It used to be a gymnastic hall, but not long ago, American Gymnastics had a scandal, and the gymnastic hall owner was accused of crimes. He went bankrupt, and faced a court battle. So during the insolvency liquidation, this gym was taken back by the bank.”

“I see.” Dai Li nodded. He heard about the scandal recently in American Gymnastics.

At the very beginning, a gymnast from the American national team revealed on a social media platform that she was molested by her team doctor. Later, the American media began to investigate, realizing that it was not a single event. Rather, hundreds of gymnasts had been molested or sexually offended by their coaches, gym owners, or the other staff in the gym. The key point was that those gymnasts were all juveniles.

This totally stirred up a hornet’s nest, and became the biggest scandal in American Gymnastic history. It was a moral crime. More than three thousand gym halls in America were under the administration of the American Gymnastic Association, even the president of AGA was forced to resign.

The broker continued: “This gym hall’s previous owner planned to sell the building to pay his debt, but nobody bought it. Later the gym was taken by the bank, and priced to sell at auction for three times the amount, but all remained unsold.”

“Why? Was the price too high?” asked Dai Li.

“Well, in my eyes, the price was high. The previous owner owed too much, and he would be prosecuted and sent to jail for years. Even assessing the assets after a reorganization after bankruptcy, it was impossible to settle with creditors within a short time. To retrieve the loss as much as possible, the bank set a rather high price.”

“Then why didn’t they decrease the price?”asked Dai Li.

“Recently, California has attracted many immigrants, many of whom are rich. They raised general housing prices in California. Plus, this gym hall has a nice location, so it probably attracts foreign investors’ attentions. Hence, the bank is not willing to decrease the price.”

“When it’s cheap, the bank is not willing to sell, but when it’s expensive, no one is willing to buy it. So that’s why the bank tries to lease it out instead. What about the price? If the bank does want to let it out to somebody, why doesn’t it offer a price?”asked Dai Li.

“That’s exactly what I’m going to explain. In fact, the bank offers two prices, one is for direct renting, which, I think, is quite expensive and less cost-effective, and the other price is relatively low, but it has an additional condition. Because of this, I didn’t attach detailed prices in my email,” said the agent.

“Additional condition? Is it harsh?”Dai Li frowned.

“I’m not sure how to judge it.” The agent paused, then said, “The bank says, if the new runner continues to use this hall as a physical training center, to enjoy a discount, that person should train 10 or 15 disabled athletes free of charge. Otherwise, the new runner must pay the total amount of the original rent.”

“That’s weird. Why should the new runner undertake disabled athletes’ training?” Dai Li was confused.

“Well, details couldn’t be disclosed right now, so sorry about that. Actually, the reason I took this order is that I have been doing business with this bank for a while. If Mr. Li is interested in this building, I can make an appointment with the responsible person for you. You can discuss this face to face,” said the agent.

…

The next day at nightfall, around the time of the work day’s end, Dai Li came to a nearby cafe.

“Mr. Li, this is City Councilor Mr. Anthony,” the agent introduced.

“City Councilor?” Dai Li looked at the housing agent with confusion. He was here to meet a bank clerk, but the agent brought him a Los Angeles City Councilor.

Sitting next to him, the agent explained, “Well, Mr. Anthony is the bank’s responsible person in Los Angeles, and he succeeded in last year’s Los Angeles City Councilor election.”

After a brief introduction, the agent didn’t stay long, as he found an excuse and left, leaving Mr. Anthony and Dai Li in the cafe.

“Mr. Li, you must be curious, why I offer such a weird tenant condition?” Anthony asked straightforwardly.

“Yes, that’s what I’m here for,” Dai Li nodded, said. “To be honest, I’m planning to use this gym as a fitness training center, and I’m able to meet your additional requirement. But may I know why?”

“Actually, the reason is quite simple. It’s just not so good to declare.” Anthony looked around, then lowered his voice, continuing, “Last year when I was campaigning for City Councilor, I promised the voters that I would strengthen humanitarian concern for the disabled. Then I won, so I should keep my promise.”

“Not long ago, several amateur disabled athletes came to me and told me that they wished to receive professional training, and that, while coaches from the Protection Centre for the Disabled are usually low-level volunteers, they couldn’t meet those athletes’ training requirements, and high-level professional training centers offer rather high prices, which they are not able to afford. Therefore, I came up with this additional leasing condition.”

“But this is not good to tell the public, after all, as this is the bank’s property. Although I’m the responsible person of the bank, and I have the right to determine the final rent, if I lowered the rent without authorization, I would damage the bank’s interests to some degree. It would be using my right to complete my commitment.”

Pausing here, Anthony grinned wickedly, showed a “You know why” look.

Sitting opposite, Dai Li nodded with a smile, indicating that he understood what Anthony meant. He was not like some so-called public intellectuals, advocating how clean-handed European and American countries were.

Actually, foreign politicians using their powers or resources to seek benefits was nothing new, such action was even accepted widely. It was just that the so-called interest didn’t have to be money. Using powers and resources to help oneself get re-elected, to support one’s sponsors, or to defeat political opponents, although the politician didn’t gain any benefit, meant he was still actually gaining interest.

Just like the American TV series ‘House of Cards’, there were many people who were good at “using power”, and their exchanges of interests were not noble at all. Those methods could even be described as “sordid”. In fact, this was a hidden rule in European and American countries, that every politician gained interest more or less for themselves, and would trade-off with others.

Frankly speaking, this was politics, which had a similar pattern around the world. People, who were as innocent as the Virgin Mary, would never be politicians, just like sheep could never sneak into wolves’ dens unnoticed or blend in. Anthony was doing the same thing, but compared with the tactics used in the “House of Cards”, his behavior was nothing.

Dai Li didn’t care whether Anthony was using his power to gain interest, nor did he care about how much the bank was going to lose. Rather, he was only focused on the training hall’s rent, which was closely related to his own benefit. Therefore, Dai Li asked: “Mr. Anthony, how much discount would you offer, if I accept this additional condition?”

“This.” Anthony took out a pen, then wrote a number on the napkin in front of him. He showed Dai Li the number. Seeing this figure, Dai Li’s interest was aroused. It was a price with a high performance-price ratio, and nowhere else in Los Angeles could offer such a suitable place with this price. But Dai Li didn’t agree immediately. He deliberately frowned, seeming to be unsatisfied.

“Mr. Anthony, training disabled athletes is different from training ordinary people, as it requires a high level of professional skills. If a disabled athlete trains here four hours per week, and according to your condition, at least ten people would come here, then I need to have 40 hours extra working time per week, which is the legal weekly working time. I would have to hire an extra coach for this.” Dai Li spoke logically, with ease and composure.

Dai Li apparently brought the set point, what cost most in America was human resource! In America, energy price was low, land price was low, and while tax might not be low in some states, it didn’t charge extra ridiculous fees. Hence, human capital input became the biggest expenditure. Americans had high wages, about fifty-six thousands dollars in average, which was definitely ranked among the world’s top percentage.

America had a well-developed labor security system, and when hiring a formal worker, the company paid not only wages, but also various kinds of insurances for that worker. Besides, if that individual’s working time exceeded legal working time, overtime pay must then be offered. Add to all this other legal welfares, and hiring employees actually meant a rather high input.

Therefore, to American small companies, hiring an extra worker was blood-sucking, for they could not afford such a high cost. Moreover, unlike labor workers, being a fitness coach required special skills. In America, any individual with special skills could be called specialists in a certain area, and thus, would not accept a salary that was lower than average.

Anthony knew that Dai Li said these things in hopes of striking a deal to cut down the rent. He hesitated for a second, wrote a new figure on the napkin, then showed it to Dai Li.

“This is the lowest price I can offer. After all, this training hall is the bank’s property, and I can’t justify myself to the bank if the rent is too low,.” Anthony said with a serious look.

Dai Li didn’t believe Anthony’s bullshit, and he guessed that this figure was not Anthony’s minimum price at all. But he didn’t continue his bargaining, because he was quite satisfied with this price, and because Anthony was Los Angeles’s City Councilor, so Dai Li dared not waves, as he hoped that one day, they might gain some common interest in the future.

“Deal!” Dai Li held out his right hand, agreeing.

Chapter 370: Coach Lee Physical Training Center

Dai Li named his training center “Coach Lee Physical Training Center”. To make it easier to be accepted by Americans, he didn’t use the Chinese Pinyin “Li”, but used “Lee” in English, instead.

Now that he had a building, the rest was easy. Dai Li spent some funds on lawyer’s fee, in order to get the training hall registration settled. After that, Dai Li made some simple alterations to the training hall. It was a small gym, and soon, the equipment and facilities were all ready. Dai Li also spent a little money to buy some new, modern equipment.

Dai Li hadn’t hired any other workers yet, so currently he only had one task, which was to train disabled athletes for free, which he took as doing charity. No profitable business was coming to him yet, so Dai Li felt that he could handle the training all by himself for now. After all, the most expensive thing in America was human resources, so to hire less people meant to save more money for future use.

Dai Li even did the cleaning by himself. The training center just opened, few guests came to visit, and since there was nothing to do, he had sufficient time to mop the floor, or to wipe equipment. Once the training center got going and on the right track, he planned to find a cleaning company to take charge of this job.

Dai Li knew nothing about finance, so he directly gave those issues to the accounting firm. American small enterprises could afford professional accountants, hence, they usually gave corporate finance tasks to an accounting firm, letting the firm be in charge of all special financial and tax reporting.

It was also different from domestic situations. Domestic accounting firms’ main clients were big enterprises and companies, and the firms usually offered large scale accounting and audit services. Small companies and individual businesses didn’t have many things to ask accounting firms to help with. But in America, the main clients of accounting firms were small companies and individuals, as for big enterprises, hiring private accountants would be more economical.

Unlike a domestic situation, where individual income tax was deducted directly from wages, in America, tax returns should be done by citizens themselves. Moreover, American tax programs and tax relief projects were very complicated, so ordinary people could hardly figure them out. If, unfortunately, someone missed a program carelessly, that individual would be charged with tax fraud. Therefore, they needed professional accountants for help.

Many Americans, especially low-income groups, since they received a tax reduction or subsidy, might not need to pay for tax. But they must have still gone through the tax return process to confirm this. Therefore, when in tax season, it was common to hear that poor people didn’t need to pay even a cent for taxes, but that they had to give their accountants hundreds of dollars for going through the tax-returning process, still.

Dai Li had a clear plan for his training center. In the beginning level, he would not hire any other workers, so he could save as much labor costs as possible. Of course, he would not be stingy, and when there was some money he must spend, like a lawyer’s fee or accountant’s fee, well, those he would consider as unavoidable costs. If he tried to make money-saving moves on those aspects, in the future, he might get himself into big trouble, which could then not be solved by thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars!

…

Coach Lee Physical Training Center opened, unknown to the public, no opening ceremony, no ribbon-cutting, no colorful flags or banners. Perhaps, only when neighbors walked by, did they notice that the previous gym had now turned into a physical training center.

The first day, there were no customers at all. Professional physical training centers like this, unlike gyms, were aimed at athletes rather than ordinary fitness enthusiasts, and thus, they charged higher fees than gyms. It was similar to cheap mass-marketed products, which had a large amount of buyers but gained little profit, while luxuries might be displayed for a long time before they were sold, but they brought high profits in return.

Dai Li didn’t expect people to flood in. Physical training valued public praise most, while praises, he knew, were collected over time. But Dai Li didn’t have much time to kill. In the afternoon, a social worker from the Los Angeles Association for the Disabled came to the Coach Lee Physical Training Center.

“Coach Lee, this is the name list of your disabled athletes, twelve people in total.” The social worker handed a list to Dai Li.

Training ten to fifteen disabled athletes was what Dai Li had promised. Mr. Anthony didn’t profit at Dai Li’s expense, as he had selected twelve people, neither more nor less, but just the right amount, as agreed upon.

Dai Li received the list and took a careful look at it, then asked, “This is just a list with names on it, but I need more detailed information about my trainees, like age, height, weight, detailed impairments, causes of disabilities, etc.”

The social worker frowned. “These facts are private, Coach Lee, America pays attention to the protection of personal privacy.”

“I understand, and I know how to protect my customers’ privacies. But to organize high-level physical training, I must know this information, before I make training plans.” Dai Li stretched his arms. “Let me give you a quick example: If a normal individual’s standard weight is 150 pounds, then, as a disabled person who lacks an arm or a leg, the same weight would be overweight for him, and thus, my training plans must then include weight loss.”

“Alright, I will bring their detailed information to you.” The social worker compromised. He paused, then told Dai Li, “Coach Lee, in observing your physical training center, I suggest you add some barrierless facilities.”

How come I forgot?! Adding barrierless facilities also costs money, so even basing only on this point, I could ask for a higher discount from Anthony. Dai Li suddenly regretted not doing so earlier.

But Dai Li maintained a smile, saying, “Sorry, I didn’t think about that. This place used to be a gymnastic hall, hence, while most gymnasts don’t have mobility impairments, there were no barrierless facilities.”

“A polite suggestion, Mr. Lee, that building barrierless facilities can bring you tax incentives.” The social worker smiled and said, “American barrierless facilities are widespread, and are also benefit from the Tax Reform Act of 1986. This act stipulates that companies that build barrierless facilities can enjoy tax preferences. Hence, enterprises are enthusiastic about building barrierless facilities voluntarily. Except in public areas, barrierless facilities are built by enterprise owners.”

Dai Li showed a “This is a good lesson” look in reply. In the country, public intellectuals told people that the reasons enterprise owners voluntarily built barrierless facilities were that they had high political quality and good virtue, and that they sincerely considered disabled people. Until now, Dai Li had not realized that by doing so, he could pay less tax.

But Dai Li still praised, “America is very kind to vulnerable groups like disabled people. Even in my country, we know that, in America, as long as you are disabled, you can receive 800 dollars per month from the government.”

“Who told you this? I never thought that the Far Eastern World had such a misunderstanding of America.” The social worker stared at Dai Li with surprise, then said, “Our welfare for the disabled varies from state to state, let alone having a so-called fixed amount. So the person who told you that disabled Americans receive a certain amount of subsidy every month must be a liar! Once, there were scammers doing similar things in America.”

“Then what about common disabled people, how much can they get from the government?” asked Dai Li.

“The disabled receive benefits mainly through two programs, the first one is the Social Safety Disability Insurance. Every individual with a job should pay a social safety tax, a part of which is then turned into a fund of Social Safety Disability Insurance, and the taxpayer is the insured. If the insured became disabled, they could receive money from this insurance. The actual amount of money that person could have depends on their age and income, hence, it is not a fixed number. If the insured is dead, the insured’s minor children and spouse, who hasn’t reached retirement age, could also receive money from the insurance,” explained the social worker.

“Ah, is that so!” Dai Li nodded. He now understood that the so-called Social Safety Disability Insurance was equal to domestic employment injury insurance 2.0. The two insurances were mandatory, and only people with jobs could buy the insurances. The difference was that employment injury insurance only compensated injuries on-the-job, while American Social Safety Disability Insurance compensated the insured, as long as the insured was disabled.

The social worker standing in front of Dai Li continued his explanation: “The second one is Federal Supplemental Security Income, which is the so-called SSI. Disabled people, who are above age 18 and without working ability, can apply for it. If the individual is not disabled, but over 65, that person can also apply, as well as can blind people. The government then investigates applicants’ economic and asset conditions. If the application is successful, the applicant will receive a living subsidy every month, depending on specific conditions. In California, people who receive SSI will be automatically included into a medicaid program.”

“Is the medicaid program the free-medical-care white card?” Dai Li immediately asked. He knew this white card with so-called free medical service was something that domestic public intellectuals boosted most, and probably because of this, people propagated that seeing a doctor in America cost nothing.

“Free? Well, if you think so.” The social worker showed a sarcastic smile, then said, “The California medicaid program has been lavish. Currently in California, at least thirteen million out of forty million people have received low-income, free medical care, which means that one out of three Californians owns the white card you mentioned. At present, many doctors are beginning to refuse patients with white cards.”

“There will always be some doctors who are willing to take care of them, right? After all, the government pays the fee, so doctors won’t lose anything.” Dai Li showed an indifferent look.

“The government is willing to pay only ten dollars, which, to doctors, is like doing charity. At least, doctors with fame do not want to have these ten-dollar patients. Therefore, white-card owners have no choice but to go to public hospitals, waiting for one or two months to finally see a doctor.” The social worker explained.

Dai Li was suddenly enlightened. He recalled that American doctors only gave diagnoses, then sent patients to buy medicine in pharmacies. Doctors offered inspections, while patients made appointments in hospitals. Doctors only earned the amount of fees that belonged to them. Of course, surgeons performed operations that would charge extra fees.

American doctors set their own “prices”. Doctors with high abilities charged quite high fees, some of which, depending on specific market conditions, could be two to three hundred dollars, four to five hundred dollars, or seven to eight hundred dollars. There would never be a specialist offering five-dollar treatment.

With white-card patients, no matter how much the doctor’s fee was, the government only paid ten dollars. If charging only ten dollars per person, American doctors had already applied for bankruptcy. Doctors who usually charged hundreds of dollars, were not willing to see ten-dollar patients. Hence, only doctors in public hospitals offered ten-dollar outpatient services, for they had governmental support that covered some costs.

However, American doctors were not “super-doctors” who could see two hundred patients per day. They saw twenty new patients at most, plus revisiting patients. As more and more white-card owners crowded public hospitals, waiting time would be longer and longer. In this case, waiting for two months to see a doctor was not uncommon in America.

Thinking about this, Dai Li inquired, “But this is free, after all. I know that medical services are quite expensive here, so I think many people are willing to wait for one to two months for the sake of saving money.”

“You may have some misunderstandings on ‘free’. It doesn’t mean that patients don’t need to pay for the medical fees at all with the white card, but rather, that those fees will be recorded. Patients pay the bill once they are able to pay. What I mean is that, being able to pay includes paying the bill, even after they die,” introduced the social worker.

How can they pay when they are dead? Is it also a custom here for a son to pay his father’s bill? Dai Li was astonished.

The social worker stretched his hand out. “Here is an example. An individual under the free-medicaid program spent three-hundred thousand dollars in the hospital. After he died, he left a five-hundred thousand house property. If his inheritor wants to have this house, he must pay for the three-hundred thousand debt first, otherwise, the court will sell the house by auction, then use the money to pay the government first, only then releasing the rest to be inherited by the successor.”

“So there is a back-up plan. Then, in this case, only proletarians could gain benefits from this program, as they have neither money nor property, so even when they die, there is nothing left for auction.” Dai Li said subconsciously.

“Free-medicaid program is a charitable rescue social welfare. Why would people who can afford medical insurance choose this medical aid?”

The social worker paused, then said, “People who are rescued are poor, they live in the lowest social tier, no job, maybe not even having the ability to work. They depend on food stamps to live. They have no alternative, but are compelled to live life like humble ants. They live for mere living itself.”

Stopping here, the social worker showed a serious look, while talking slowly in a poetic manner. “If there was a better option, who would be willing to fight in the bottom of society, living with no dignity?!”

…

Looking at the social worker walking away, Dai Li had an inexplicable emotion. He felt his heart was empty, while his mind was filled.

He was right, if one can live a better life, who is willing to struggle at the lowest class, without dignity?!

Dai Li involuntarily recalled, when he was at home hearing people discussing about how good American social welfare was, like, the government gave out free food, citizens enjoyed free medical service, etc. A few years ago, when Dai Li heard these, he felt jealous about such a kind of life. But now he had a new thought. Just like the social worker mentioned, these were charitable rescues, aimed at guaranteeing underclass life, to help poor people live, even with humble means.

But no one was willing to live humbly!

From the program user’s point of view, the poorer a person was, the more beneficial the free medicaid would be. No car, no house, nothing would be left after the user’s death, which, on the other hand, meant that person received totally free medical service, and the government paid for everything. But if there was a better life, who was willing to live with poverty and blankness?

When a person began to envy American vulnerable groups’ free medical services, he had put himself in the disadvantaged group. Only poor people felt jealous about other poor people who lived better than themselves. It was like two beggars, one envied the other’s better begging location, for that place brought the other beggar more money. However, basically, the two were both just beggars!

Thinking about beggars, Dai Li subconsciously recalled a domestic news report, saying that a beggar earned more than ten-thousand yuan per month. Many people envied such income, but to be honest, how many of those people with jealousy were willing to be beggars? The beggar’s ten-thousand yuan income was exchanged with dignity. Who was willing to easily throw dignity on the ground and let others trample on it?

Now, thinking back, my previous jealousy on American welfare was indeed underclass thought! Well, if considered carefully, only people living at the bottom of the society envy American underclass’ free food and medicaid. Domestic middle-class people are living comfortable lives, so who will envy American poor people? They may probably envy American middle-class, living in houses, having vacations frequently. As for rich people, their lives are alike, no matter where they go.

Dai Li let out a long sigh. He believed that everyone who left their homeland and travelled far to America had their own dreams for better lives. Everyone fought for their future. None of them came here to be in the underclass, then live on nothing. While in America, those poor people who received “free” services didn’t feel satisfied about their current life, nor did they think they had gained extra advantages from society, for their “free” services exactly reflected their life full of failures.

This “salvation” is made for disadvantaged groups in need, which is not worthy of envying. My goal in life is to create a better future by myself, rather than waiting for others’ almsgiving. Dai Li was awakened from his misconception with sanity.

For a bright future, let’s fight! Dai Li sighed with disappointment, but his heart was filled with high morale.

Chapter 371: Reception

Dai Li, whose morale soared after filling himself with a big bowl of chicken soup for the soul, grabbed a towel and began cleaning the equipment inside his training center. No one was around anyway, so for Dai Li, working temporarily as a cleaner was the only thing he could do.

The sound of a phone ringing could be heard. As Dai Li set aside the mop that was in his hand, he wiped away the sweat from his forehead and reached into his pocket to pull out his phone.

A message appeared on the screen of his phone, “Li, send me the address of your training center. Our next game is against the Los Angeles Clippers. I’ll arrive earlier in Los Angeles.”

“It’s Allen Hampton! It’s been years since I last saw him,” Dai Li thought, as he sent the address of the training center to Hampton.

Hampton got into Georgetown University with the help of Dai Li back in the day, and as a person who focused all his efforts in basketball, it did not take long for him to make a name for himself in the NCAA, attracting the attention of national scouts across the U.S. In his second year, he was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers as the first overall pick in the NBA draft.

Being the first overall pick naturally meant that he had a promising future ahead of him, and he did not disappoint, as he scored 30 points in his NBA debut match. He even managed to score 50 points in a single game in his first season.

After the entire season, although the Philadelphia 76ers recorded another miserable season, Hampton managed the feat of averaging 23.5 points per game, 7.5 assists per game, and 2.1 interceptions per game, acquiring statistics that could be considered All-star level.

After his rookie season, Hampton’s stats continued rising, and up till then, Hampton had already become a starter in the All-star team. He was also a strong contender for the NBA Scoring Leader, with his average points per game reaching 28 points.

Looking at his growth and performances, it was only a matter of time before he became a superstar. In fact, even the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Championship title were practically waving their hands at him.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Hampton was one of the most wanted sports stars in the U.S. Large businesses were more than willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on him via sponsorship and endorsement deals, so his entire family was already living richly.

Dai Li’s heart filled with excitement as he learned that Hampton was coming to visit. He didn’t know that many people in the U.S. in the first place, so when someone he knew was finally coming to visit, Dai Li felt as though he was going to meet his family and loved ones.

More importantly, Hampton was a superstar.

“I better get Hampton to cooperate and take more photos, so that I can develop them and hang them on the walls. That way, this visit is also a type of advertisement opportunity!” Dai Li thought, as he scanned through the interior of his training center, attempting to identify the best place to hang the photographs.

…

The training of American athletes depends mainly on private organizations. As such, a great variety of sports clubs are scattered throughout the cities, streets, and towns of the the nation, forming the most basic sports training system in the U.S.

For example, the gym that Dai Li rented was initially a gymnasium. The operator of the gymnasium also established a gymnastics club, so that children interested in gymnastics could learn by paying a small membership fee to join the club.

After joining, they could then learn from the gymnastics coaches stationed at the club, or simply purchase an individual gymnastics course. Hence, collecting membership fees and selling courses are the main ways basic training sports clubs in the U.S. generate income.

The same model may not work as well in China, as parents in China prioritized their children’s studies over all else, even when it came to cultivating a hobby. Thus, they would be more inclined to have their children learn painting, music, and other specialties, whereas for sports, it was always ranked last.

Parents in the U.S. were different, as they were much more willing to spend money for their children to learn sports, whether it was a popular sport like basketball or baseball, or something less popular, like gymnastics or archery.

Also, in the U.S., even regular athletes had to depend on private organizations, such as sports clubs, for their training, so when it came to disabled people, there were even less professional training institutions available. In China, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation handled disabled sports. The country would allocate funds to the federation to support para-athletes, which made it possible for different levels of the organization to establish dedicated sports teams, to hire professional coaches, and to have specialized training equipment and training locations.

These things were nowhere to be found in the U.S., so for a para-athlete, even finding a newly opened and unknown training center, like Dai Li’s, was a rare opportunity. Several para-athletes paid a visit directly on the second day of opening, and there were even some who called and made appointments with Dai Li.

Although Dai Li had no experience in disabled sports training, even if a person had never eaten pork, he would have at least have seen a pig run [1]. Plus, Dai Li had the motion detectors, so he would be able to instantaneously pinpoint an athlete’s weaknesses, leaving only the simple task of arranging targeted training programs, which made things much more manageable.

…

He glanced at his watch, the time was already a quarter past four in the afternoon.

Dai Li furrowed his brow slightly, as he had an appointment with a para-athlete named Barron Phillip at four o’clock in the afternoon. Fifteen minutes had passed, and this Barron Phillip was still nowhere to be seen.

Americans have a good sense of time. It could even be said that they value time as much as gold. In the U.S., excluding human lives, the most valuable thing is time. In fact, when human resources cost a lot, this is often caused by, or relating to, time.

Americans, out of everyone in the world, are probably the best in understanding the concept of charging by the hour. That is why Americans are used to making exact appointments for just about anything.

Americans are also exceptionally punctual, and the punctuality mentioned is not the kind where a person arrives in advance. Instead, it is the kind where a person arrives at the exact time of an appointment, generally no more than five minutes before or after the appointed time. Of course, if one was attending a dinner party, it would be acceptable to be ten to fifteen minutes late, as arriving early would actually be seen as impolite, since the guest might then be seen as pressuring the host.

However, when it comes to an appointment with a doctor, lawyer, or even a business meeting, arriving 15 minutes late would result in people canceling the appointment directly, no longer wishing to continue with the meeting. Obviously, making an appointment with a fitness coach was not the same as attending a dinner party, so this Barron Phillip, who was fifteen minutes late, was already being very rude.

Dai Li hesitated, wondering if he should call to check and see if Phillip was coming. However, as Dai Li lifted his head, he saw a man striding towards him at an incredible pace.

The man was most likely of mixed-race, as his appearance had the features of a white Caucasian, while his complexion was dark, but not dark like a black person, as his skin was slightly darker than a Mexican, but fairer than a typical black person. The U.S. was originally a nation of immigrants, so interracial marriage was common, and the number of people who were biracial was high. As such, Dai Li had grown used to seeing people similar to this man in appearance.

“The information from the social worker said that Barron Phillip had no legs, and that everything below his ankle joint had been amputated. Hence, this person, who is walking with such dexterity, that ordinary people might not even be faster than him, definitely cannot be Barron Phillip. Looks like there’s new business for me!” Dai Li thought gleefully, as he moved forward to welcome the incoming guest with a big smile on his face.

The person trotted towards him, and finally stopped in front of Dai Li.

“Hello sir, how may I help you today?” Dai Li said, as he brandished his brightest “receptionist” smile at the incoming gentleman.

“I’m so sorry I’m late! There was an accident at work, and I was delayed,” the person said apologetically. Immediately after his apology, he introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Barron Phillip, I made an appointment earlier.”

“You’re Barron Phillip?” Dai Li exclaimed, as his face filled with surprise. He was careful to look the man in the eye, as he knew that looking at the part of a disabled person that was his disability was considered to be extremely rude. However, he could not help but to take a quick glance at the person’s feet. What he saw was a pair of Nike sports shoes, the check mark logo appearing particularly distinct.

“What’s going on? Didn’t they say that Barron Phillip had no feet? Not only does this person in front of me have both of his feet, but he also walks ridiculously well. Could this Barron Phillip be faking his disability, so that he can receive relief funds?” Dai Li thought in silence.

Notes

[1] The main idea of the phrase is to express that there are some things, while a person may not have experienced it directly or personally, that he or she might have at least heard or know about it, thus understanding it.

Chapter 372: An Immediate Correction

Dai Li stared blankly at the man in front of him, the one who called himself Barron Phillip.

Relief funds, such as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which the social worker told him about, were established to provide aid towards senior citizens aged 65 and above, as well as to the blind, and other people with disabilities. They receive several hundreds of dollars each month from the government.

For a lot of people with “lazy man’s thinking,” they would regard the few hundred dollars as a handout from the government, and when someone’s handing out free lunches, why not take one? If someone told Dai Li that there were people who would use tricks and lies to con their ways into receiving these relief funds, he would certainly believe them.

As he reached this conclusion, he put on a puzzled look and said, “Mr. Phillip, from the information I received, everything below your ankle joint had been amputated.” Dai Li glanced again at both of Phillip’ feet as he said that.

Paying no mind to Dai Li’s comments, Phillip smiled and said, “I use prosthetics.” He then pulled up his trousers, exposing the prosthetic limbs beneath.

“They really are!” Dai Li thought. As he recalled Phillip’s pace when he was walking towards him earlier, Dai Li couldn’t help but sigh, and said, “I’m really sorry, I really didn’t notice. The way you were walking just now, it was the same as everyone else!”

“I’m not a wheelchair athlete, so if you group para-athletes according to their disability sports classifications, my classification would be T43,” Phillip stated.

In the disability sports classifications, the alphabet represents the sports type, for example, “S” is for swimming, “AR” for archery, “WB” for wheelchair basketball, “TT” for table tennis, “SH” for shooting, etc. For the number that follows, the digit in the tens regards the disability type.

For instance, the digit one is used for vision impairments. Two is for intellectual impairments, and three is for cerebral palsy, or those who have suffered brain damage. Four is for amputees, or those with short stature, and five is for spinal cord injuries, as well as some wheelchair groups.

The digit in the ones signifies the severity of an athlete’s disability. The lower the number, the more severe the disability. For example, in the vision impairment disability type, a classification of “11” means that the person is fully blind, or almost fully blind, meaning that the person can no longer see anything. However, a “13” classification is for those who meet only the minimum standards of being regarded as visually impaired. As such, these people can generally still see something.

Barron Phillip was in the T43 class, so the alphabet “T” stood for track. The number four meant that it was the amputee or short stature disability type, and the final number three implied that the amputation was below both knees, but above, or through, the ankle joint. It could also mean that the amputation was above the knee on one leg, while on the other leg, the amputation was below the knee and above the ankle.

For normal people, losing both their legs usually meant that there was an 80 to 90 percent chance that they would end up in a wheelchair. Even if one were to utilize a prosthetic, they would most likely require the additional support of a crutch, as there was no way they could walk like an ordinary person.

However, for a class T43 para-athlete, it meant that he was a professional track and field athlete, or to put it in simpler terms, he practiced running. How could a runner not know how to walk? They might even walk better than healthy people!

Dai Li stared at Phillip’s prosthetic and had a look of realization, as he said, “Oh so that’s why. No wonder! You walk just like everyone else.”

Phillip smiled and said, “If I had difficulty moving around, I wouldn’t even be able to work anymore.”

“Work? I should think it would be quite tough to work, considering your circumstances. Why not apply for financial subsidies for disabled persons?” Dai Li asked.

“It’s not all that hard, once you get used to wearing the prosthesis. Besides, I didn’t apply for the SSI. I’m not qualified,” Phillip continued.

“I previously heard from a social worker that people with disabilities, the blind, and those who are over 65 years old can apply,” Dai Li said.

“He might have missed some details, as those are just the groups of people who can apply for the SSI. There are other economic limitations. One of them is that the personal financial income of the applicant is capped at 2,000 USD, and I don’t meet this requirement,” Phillip said, pausing for a short moment before continuing, “I can work and live on my own, so I don’t need that. Of course, I’m still poor, so I do apply for other financial subsidies. I have to work at least 20 hours a week to be eligible to receive the financial subsidy that I apply for, which means that I have to work at least four hours a week.”

“Oh, I’m not that well-versed in these topics, I just came to the U.S. not that long ago,” Dai Li answered with an awkward smile.

“I can see that, because if you were an American Born Chinese, you wouldn’t have asked me those questions,” Phillip said in a friendly manner. “In the U.S., for most financial subsidy programs, you are required to submit three to six months’ worth of tax bills when receiving funds. Those are needed in order to prove that you were indeed from the low-income group. At the same time, it would also prove that you are a working individual, not just an idler getting by through these relief funds.”

“I understand. Simply put, the government doesn’t want to raise lazy people,” Dai Li said as he chuckled.

Phillip shrugged his shoulders and continued in a talkative manner, “You’ve just come to the U.S. A lot of you new immigrants think that America is a heaven, filled with welfares and guarantees, free medical treatments, free food, free accommodation… But the truth isn’t like that, the welfare is only used to help the poor, not the lazy. As far as I know, some European countries are the same. After losing both my feet, I’ve read a book that was titled “A Second Wind.” It was the memoir of a paralyzed French aristocrat and his black immigrant care-worker. The reason the black immigrant became a care-worker was simply because he needed a job, so that he could receive relief funds.”

“I’ll try to find this book if I have the chance,” Dai Li politely replied. He now knew that Phillip considered him as being a new immigrant.

Regarding this matter, Dai Li was neither surprised, nor was he interested in justifying himself to anyone anymore. The U.S. was originally a nation of immigrants, and it was also the country that received the highest number of immigrants in the world.

Several cities located in the west coast were popular immigration destinations for the Chinese, and as such, a Chinese like Dai Li, who knew little about the various systems in the U.S., would easily be regarded as a new immigrant.

Phillip glanced at his watch and spoke, “Although I am late, I really did encounter an accident. Can you take me to Coach Lee? I’ll explain it to him myself.”

“You’re looking for Coach Li? I am Coach Li!” Dai Li said with an innocent look on his face.

“You are Coach Lee? You’re the one in charge of this place?” Phillip exclaimed, as a look of distrust formed on his face.

Americans generally stereotyped Chinese people as being bookworms, short, not good at sports, antisocial, etc. As such, it was rare to see a Chinese person within the sports industry, which was why Phillip didn’t even consider the possibility that Dai Li was the fitness coach, and why he even assumed that Dai Li was just a part-time worker.

“Hi, my name is Dai Li, and I’m the owner, as well as the coach of this training center,” Dai Li said as he formally introduced himself.

“Sorry, you used the word “L””E””E”, so I didn’t give it much thought,” Phillip stated.

“Lee” is also a common surname used in the west, and the number of Americans with this surname isn’t exactly low. That was why Phillip’s impression of “Coach Lee” was that he must be a tall and burly white Caucasian male.

However, Phillip knew from the bottom of his heart that he didn’t trust Dai Li. After all, sports was never a thing the Chinese excelled at. Moreover, in his eyes, Dai Li was but a mere “new immigrant,” so Phillip would never believe that Dai Li was a certified fitness coach. In fact, he even felt that Dai Li was probably less qualified than the volunteers working in charities.

“I should’ve known. There is just no way a good coach would ever provide free training. An a Chinese, as if that isn’t enough, a new immigrant! I bet he isn’t even qualified to train elementary school students. There is no way he’s training me.”

Phillip was set on switching to another coach, so he asked, “Coach Li, may I know in total, how many coaches do you have employed here? And what kind of programs do you provide?”

“For now, I’m the only coach. I just opened not long ago, and I haven’t got the means to employ other coaches at the moment. As for programs, I will develop customized individual training programs based on each person’s traits and needs,” Dai Li answered without a shred of hesitation.

Many other para-athletes had asked him similar questions before, and at first, Dai Li felt awkward and uneasy. However, when you’re covered in lice, you don’t itch anymore, so after repeatedly facing the same question, Dai Li had already grown numb to being affected by it. Thus, he graciously admitted that he could not afford to hire coaches.

Upon hearing Dai Li’s answer, Phillip was extremely dissatisfied. Although Dai Li provided free training programs, Phillip still had an urge to call it quits.

Consumers in the U.S. are used to paying for services. For example, there’s medical insurance. Only those living at the bottom of society would choose free health care in dire situations. As long as they could afford it, they would pay the insurance companies for commercial insurance, so that they could enjoy better healthcare services.

That was why Philip was reluctant to stay, even when the training programs that Dai Li provided were free. He felt that if he could not achieve the desired training effect, it would be a complete waste of time.

“Coach Li, I think that your training center might not be suitable for me…” before he finished his sentence, a black man could be seen walking towards them.

“Hey Li, I’ve been all over the place before I finally found your place!” The man was extremely loud, so his voice could be heard from afar.

“This person looks a bit like Allen Hampton!” Phillip widened his eyes, as he stared at the black man walking towards them.

“Allen! I thought you would arrive in Los Angeles tomorrow!” Dai Li smiled as he replied.

Hampton, however, merely moved forward and gave Dai Li a hug.

“Li, even if you didn’t come to the U.S., if I happened to be in Asia, I would have definitely gone to find you!” said Hampton enthusiastically.

On the side, Phillip was staring blankly at them both. By then, he was confident that the black man in front of him was indeed Allen Hampton.

“Allen Hampton, it’s really Allen Hampton! I can’t believe I’m actually meeting Allen Hampton. Is he here in Los Angeles for a game?” Phillip thought as he pulled out his phone, wanting to take a photo with him.

Phillip approached apologetically and asked, “Are you Allen Hampton? Can I get a photo with you?”

“Of course,” Hampton was already used to having his photo taken with his fans, he posed and asked, “Are you here to train with Coach Li? If you are, then you’ve got the right man, as Li is the greatest fitness coach I’ve met!”

“The greatest fitness coach?” Phillip never would have imagined hearing such high praise from Hampton.

“Definitely the best!” Hampton nodded. “If it wasn’t for Li’s training, I might have not even made it to university! Li was the one who made me who I am now.”

Phillip subconsciously looked at Dai Li. He never would have thought this new Asian immigrant standing in front of him had actually trained the famous Allen Hampton!

It was then that Dai Li spoke, “Mr. Phillip, what did you say was not suitable? I didn’t quite catch that…”

“Not suitable? No, I did not say not suitable, I was just asking, when can we start?!” Phillip immediately corrected himself. He was certain that the skills and level of a coach who trained Allen Hampton couldn’t be too bad.

Chapter 373: Chancing Upon a Gem

Phillip’s tone became much humbler, like a transfer student who had just joined a new school. He opened his mouth and began to introduce himself, “My main sport is the 100m sprint, though I occasionally practice the 200m sprint as well. Right now, my time for the 100m sprint is 13.35 seconds, and I hope that through training, it can be improved to within 13 seconds”.

“Based on your T43 classification, if you can improve your time to within 13 seconds, you would have the chance to participate in international competitions,” Dai Li stated.

Finishing 100 meters in 13 seconds was a result that wouldn’t even make a person a grade three national athlete in China. Even middle school students could run faster than that. However, for a para-athlete, who had had both his feet amputated, finishing a 100m sprint within 13 seconds was enough to participate in para-athletics competitions at the international level. After all, the world record for the 100m sprint in the T43 class was only 12.20 seconds.

“First, I’ll have to see how talented he is,” Dai Li thought, as he started his examination on Phillip.

“100m, talent potential is A-, 200m, talent potential is A, 400m, talent potential is A+!” Dai Li drew in a breath of cold air in surprise, because the result was far greater than his expectation.

“Grade A talent potential, the talent required to become a world champion! A para-athlete with grade A talent potential, this is too unfortunate. He has so much potential in sprinting, yet he has no legs!” Dai Li thought sympathetically.

Most of the para-athletes, who had visited earlier, only had grade D talent potential, not even one had a grade C- talent potential. The way athletes were selected and trained was different in the U.S. than in China. In China, athletes were chosen from large groups of people, such as sports schools, city teams, provincial teams, and different levels of national team training.

After layers upon layers of selection, the ones who were ultimately chosen, were the best of the bunch and, more often than not, had excellent talent potential. The ones who were left out, would alter their plans and change their career paths as soon as possible, to not waste time. That was why most athletes in China had to have at least a decent amount of talent in sports.

In the U.S., however, athletes were required to pay for their own training. Coaches wouldn’t care if you had talent or not. As long as they were paid, they would provide training services. That was why the U.S. lacked people with incredible talent, despite having so many people working in the sports industry. The actual number of people who were truly suited to work as athletes was amazingly small.

Meeting an athlete with Grade A sprint talent in the U.S. was something one could only wish for, and the man called Phillip, who was standing in front of him, was one with such talent. However, he had lost both of his feet.

Dai Li’s gaze was filled with disappointment and sympathy. He was sure that, if Phillip was a normal, healthy individual, he could turn him into a world champion! Phillip, however, did not pay much heed to Dai Li’s expression. He pulled out a pair of semi-curved black blades from his backpack.

“Is this a prosthesis for sport?” Dai Li asked, since he had recognized the item.

“The Flex-Foot Cheetah. It’s the world’s most advanced sports prosthesis available. It weighs around 8 pounds, the thickest area has 80 layers of carbon fiber, and the bottom of the prosthesis is equipped with the sole of a running shoe. I specifically went to a company specialized in creating prosthesis and mobility solutions in Iceland to have it custom-made. It cost me 250,000 Dollars. Half of what I got from the insurance company was spent on this prosthesis,” Phillip said.

“So what caused you to lose both your feet?” Dai Li paused briefly, before continuing, “Please don’t misunderstand, I don’t mean to intrude on your privacy. I just need to assess your situation in detail, so that I can develop specific training programs later.”

Phillip nodded and began describing his experience, “I’ve liked all types of sports since I was a kid. For example, football, basketball, tennis, boxing, and golf. I was even interested in motorbike racing. I wanted to a professional football player back then. I was a main player in the school football team, but after graduating high school, none of the colleges gave me a scholarship, and my family wasn’t able to afford the school tuition, since it was just too expensive. So I didn’t go to college, but went and joined the military instead. That was because I could apply for tuition subsidies after joining the military. With the subsidy, I would have enough to get into college after I retired.”

“However, a year after joining the military, I was sent to Iraq. You know, in Iraq, we weren’t welcomed by the locals. Even if we were in a supposed ‘green area,’ we’d still have to worry about getting hit by an incoming missile, and for me, it was bad luck. I stepped on a landmine during an operation. Fortunately though, it was a homemade landmine, not a professionally made anti-personnel landmine. If it was the latter, I’d have lost more than just both my legs, I’d probably have lost my life”.

“After that, I returned to the U.S. and received the disability insurance from the insurance company. The government also gives me a monthly allowance for disabled military servicemen. I used the money I got from the disability insurance to purchase a set of normal prostheses, and began training to walk. I was naive back then, and I really thought that, if I could walk like a normal person, I would be able to live a normal life.”

“But when I could walk like normal again, I still couldn’t find any formal work. I didn’t go to college, and a person who hasn’t gone to college could only do physical labor. And as a person with a disability, I cannot engage in heavy physical labor. Even if I wanted to, employers wouldn’t hire me. They are afraid that the labor unions and organizations that protect the rights of people with disabilities would accuse them of mistreating people with disabilities. They don’t want trouble, which is why I can only do part-time jobs”.

“I joined the army so that I could lead a better life, because I didn’t want to end up at the bottom of society. But after losing both my legs and leaving the army, I found out that, in the end, I had still ended up at the bottom of society. I have no job, and I’m only getting by using the money I earn from part-time jobs and the money I receive from relief funds. I had thought that I would be living like that for the rest of my life, just getting by every day. That was until I met Jonny”.

“Jonny was an army sergeant, who was my superior back when I had just arrived in Iraq. He suffered heavy burns from napalm, and the doctors used morphine on him during his treatment, which later made him addicted to drugs. Jonny also resorted to alcoholism. So when I met him, he had already become a homeless person, he was living in the streets, and he was using the allowance for disabled military servicemen that he’d received from the government to purchase liquor. He was living from the food given to him by charities every day. It was tough to imagine, the courageous warrior that once stood upon the battlefield had now become a drug addict and drunkard!”

“When I saw Jonny, it was like seeing my future. I started to become afraid. I was worried that I would become like Jonny, turning into a homeless drunkard. I felt that, no matter what, I should never lose my sense of self, and I knew that I had to do something meaningful. I decided to become an amateur athlete, so I traveled specifically to Iceland to have this Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis made.”

“At first, I wanted to play football, I even joined a football club. However, the physical confrontation involved in the sport wasn’t suited for people like me, who had lost both feet. My prosthesis was extremely durable, making it an accessory that caused injury easily, including injuring myself. During a match, I was hurt. I had twisted my knee, and when I was running during my rehabilitation, a coach at the club felt that I had talent in sprinting, so he suggested I try out track and field training. After that, I started attempting sprinting practice”.

Dai Li nodded his head in silence, feeling sympathetic to Phillip’s life encounters. If it wasn’t for the war, perhaps Phillips could have completed his military service safely, received the tuition subsidy he mentioned, went on to college before graduating, and ultimately, have gotten a decent job.

After adjusting his riled up emotions, Dai Li said, “The difference between you and ordinary athletes is that both your legs and ankles are amputated, which means that you have no feet. The foot is the most important organ in the body, needed to bear burdens and provide support. Apart from that, the feet are also used to adjust the balance of the human body. In any case, I don’t think that your prosthesis can truly replace your feet.”

“And for a sprinter, you are missing another important organ, and that would be the Achilles tendon! For a sprinter, the explosive force arising from the stomping of the ground comes from the Achilles tendon, so without the Achilles tendon, your explosiveness would suffer a lot. If my guess is correct, you are slow off the mark. I’m not sure if this Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis of yours can provide you with an extra spring, but ultimately, it still isn’t a part of your body. So, I am certain that, after you get off the mark, you would need to spend at least 20 to 30 meters to find your running rhythm.”

“Next, let’s talk about some other aspects. First of all, the calf. When you’re walking, the force distribution of your calf is also different…”

“Then there’s your thigh when you make a stride…”

“Your arm swing should be your primary balance mechanism, but…”

As Dai Li analyzed Phillip’s shortcomings one by one, the expression on Phillip’s face shifted gradually, first becoming serious, then surprised, and finally, impressed.

“Everything is as Coach Li said. He was able to deduce so many things from just seeing my prosthesis! It’s no wonder that even Allen Hampton came to him for training.”

At that point, Phillip no longer held any disdain towards Dai Li, and he no longer cared about all the presumed weaknesses the Chinese had in sports. He couldn’t wait to get started in his training.

…

Phillips began his training, and soon discovered that Dai Li’s training wasn’t just about physical fitness. There were also techniques in sprinting, and the sprinting technique practices Dai Li used were no worse than a professional track and field coach’s.

“My disciple was the champion of the 100m and 200m sprint in the Asian Games,” Dai Li said in a slightly teasing tone.

Among the many world sports games held in various continents across the world, the track and field of the Asian Games should be of the lowest level. Compared to Europe and Africa, the value of the sprint champion of the Asian Games was obviously the lowest.

However, in a place like the U.S. where a person who had a skill could easily find a job, the more talented a person was, the more valuable he was. A coach with several achievements would have athletes flocking to them, and being the coach of an Asian Games sprint champion was certainly enough for a person to tout himself as a high-level coach.

“Coach Li is actually the coach of an Asian Games champion,so it looks like I’ve really hit the jackpot!” As this thought surfaced in Phillip’s mind, he asked tentatively, “Coach Li, can you be my coach? What I mean is, not just physical fitness training, but also in sprinting.”

“Sure, the only drawback is that I don’t have a long enough track here,” Dai Li thought for a moment before saying, “If you don’t mind, there’s an empty space outside the gym, where I could draw and create a temporary track.”

“That would be great!” a look of excitement filled Phillip’s face, but only for a moment, as in the next second, he suddenly remembered something.

“Coach Li, there’s another problem, I’m currently still receiving relief funds, so I haven’t got the money to pay you,” Phillip said awkwardly.

“I am not planning to charge you anything!” Dai Li said with a smile.

Phillip however, shook his head and said, “Coach Li, how about I owe you first, and when I get a sponsor, I will definitely return the amount, and more, to you!”

…

After all, Phillip was one blessed with grade A sprinting talent potential, though he had lost both his feet, and as soon as the training began, his performance started to improve rapidly.

Two weeks later.

On the temporary track outside the gym, Dai Li stared blankly at the electronic timer he held in his hand.

“11.99 seconds, he has broken through the 12 seconds mark, did I remember wrongly?!” Dai Li mumbled to himself.

However, Dai Li knew that in Phillip’s T43 classification, the world record for the 100m sprint was only 12.20 seconds, which meant that, after just two weeks of training, Phillip already had the ability to break the world record for the para-athletics’ T43 classification.

“I had felt that I was making a loss when I provided free training to para-athletes, now it seems I’ve found myself a gem!” Dai Li thought happily.

Chapter 374: The Big Debut

Max frowned after seeing the words on the signboard, “Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center” as he drove past the gym.

Someone actually rented that gymnasium! When and where did such a rich person come from? What kind of person is actually willing to accept such high rent? Max thought, feeling slightly annoyed.

Max and Dai Li were in the same line of work; he had also opened a physical fitness training center, and his “Ironman” training center had a bit of fame in the northern parts of Los Angeles. Many athletes and affluent individuals would visit him to have a customized physical fitness training course made.

Apart from the physical fitness center, Max also owned two gyms and a swimming complex. He operated a bodybuilding club and a swimming club as well.

Max had always intended to expand his business, and he had been keeping an eye on that gymnasium. It had a great location and sufficient space. It was just that it wasn’t cost effective because of the high rent, which deterred Max from making a move. However, Max had not given up on it because he hoped that no one would move into the gym due to the high rent, which meant that a price reduction was only a matter of time.

So when Max saw the signboard with the words, “Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center,” he felt as though something precious had been taken away from him.

Max dialed the number of his real estate agent.

“I happened to pass by the gymnasium today and saw that it has already been rented out. Do you know who’s renting it?” Max asked.

“It was a Chinese man, who could also be a new immigrant,” the real estate agent answered.

“There’s a Chinese guy working in the physical fitness training industry? What about the price? Did he really accept such high rent?” Max continued inquiring.

“No. As far as I know, he accepted the second proposal, the one you wouldn’t accept,” the real estate agent replied honestly.

“He’s willing to provide free training to para-athletes? What an arduous and fruitless job.” Max curled his lips in disdain.

“Mr. Max, to be honest with you, I don’t think that this condition is harsh. After all, you get a reduction in the rent. If you had been willing to accept this back then, the gymnasium would have long ago become a training base for the Ironman Training Center,” the agent said. It was natural for the agent to want to tie up a business deal quickly since he would be able to earn an intermediary fee from it.

“I open physical fitness training centers, not physical fitness training charities!” Max exclaimed. “Besides, when you train a para-athlete, even if you do a great job in training them, what’s there to be achieved? Among those who are disabled, half of them support themselves through relief funds. They wouldn’t be able to afford the course fee! If you ask me, the training center of this Chinese man won’t last more than a year!”

…

At the exact moment in Seattle, a para-athletic game was underway.

Despite Seattle’s location on the west coast, this para-athletic game had managed to attract many para-athletes from the east.

Thanks to low-cost airlines spread throughout the US, traveling thousands of kilometers had become extremely easy and convenient. Moreover, considering the income of an average American, the aircraft of a low-cost airline was the equivalent of a traditional “green train” in China. Because airfares were very affordable, even low-income groups could afford to buy a ticket from low-cost airlines.

What’s more, the para-athletes who arrived to participate in the competition were mostly burly men with tattoos on their body, their bodies burned or scarred.

“They are like me; they’re also soldiers who retired due to injury. I think that most of them probably spent some time in Iraq!” Philip said.

Apart from a one-time insurance compensation, soldiers who retired due to injury also received a decommissioning allowance for disabled military servicemen from the government each month. That was why their economic conditions were slightly better than normal unemployed individuals.

The US encouraged disabled soldiers to participate in para-athletic games. After all, the earliest para-athletic games in the US originated from the United States Armed Forces. During the second world war, the wheelchair basketball teams formed by disabled soldiers were quite popular for a time. A wheelchair basketball association was even specially established after the second world war, and it organized tournaments throughout the US. It could be said that the history and heritage of the US National Wheelchair Basketball League wasn’t that much inferior to the NBA.

For decades, the US waged war all over the world, and a large number of disabled soldiers appeared after each war. Many of the disabled soldiers soon became para-athletes, and in the next two upcoming Paralympic Games, the performance of the US team would be exceptional. When the US stopped waging war for a couple of years, the performance of the US team in the Paralympic Games would also drop.

Take the Iraq War for example. Although it had been more than a decade since the war ended, US military operations in Iraq were still ongoing, and the number of injured and disabled soldiers kept increasing. After numerous troops withdrawal, the number of soldiers stationed in Iraq still exceeded 5000, and the war had created a large number of para-athletes in the US.

Compared to the other para-athletes, Philip was a rookie. He had played football before, and it hadn’t been that long since he started training in track and field.

Philip, who was standing on the track, looked extremely nervous since he kept glancing left and right. It was, after all, his first time taking part in a competition.

“Hey kid, you look awfully nervous. You should take it easy, just treat this as a practice!” said a big bearded caucasian man beside him.

“That’s right, the important thing is to just to participate. Don’t worry about winning or losing,” said a brown-haired man on Philip’s other side as he patted Philip on the shoulder. He then continued and said, “To be honest, I think that grouping both the T43 and T44 class together in a competition is rather unfair. But since we’re here, the objective is not to beat the other competitors, it is to overcome yourself”.

The two men who spoke were both in the T44 para-athletics classification. In a para-athletic game, the T43 and T44 class actually competed together, and occasionally even the T42 class would be included. Compared to the T43 class, the disabilities of the T44 class were less severe. The T43 is an amputation performed on both legs, below the knees but above the ankle or through the ankle joint; however, the T44 is an amputation performed on one leg, below the knee and above the ankle or through the ankle joint. To put it in simpler terms, one is a disability on both legs while the other is a disability on one leg.

Theoretically speaking, a person with a one-leg disability should run faster than a person with a two-leg disability. Among the contestants, Philip was the only one from the T43 class, so his nervousness was instead interpreted by others as a pessimistic view on the outcome of the race, which had led to the advice and encouragement from the other contestants.

People tend to sympathize with the weak. In a group of people with disabilities, the one in the worst situation would get the most sympathy. The others had only lost a leg while Philip had lost both his legs, so Philip, who had lost both legs, had suddenly become the target for sympathy.

…

“The Men’s 100m sprint of the T43/T44 class is about to begin. The athletes are all ready. As you can see, there is an athlete who is from the T43 class”.

As the commentator spoke enthusiastically into the microphone, he took a quick glance at the information he held in his hand before speaking again. “The T43 class athlete is called Barron Philip. According to the information on my report, he only started sprint training a month ago, and today is his first official sprint race. Let’s wish him good luck and hope he performs well!”

The excited tone of the commentator brought a wave of applause from the crowd. In truth, everyone present felt that Philip, who had lost both his legs, was the weakest among the contestants. Everyone believed that he would only be left behind by the other contestants and finish the entire race amidst encouraging applause. He would show the indomitable spirit of disabled people.

On the stands, a young father pointed towards Philip and spoke to his son, “Jimmy, do you see that man? He has lost both his legs, but he didn’t choose to stay in a wheelchair; he chose to wear a prosthesis and walk and run like an ordinary person. He can even take part in track and field competitions.”

“Then can he run very fast?” the child asked innocently.

“He has one leg less than the others, so he’ll be the slowest among all the contestants, but he will cross the finish line like everyone else, and he will complete his goals,” the father answered with confidence.

At that moment, the race started at the sound of the starting pistol. The contestants began running.

A person with no legs has no Achilles tendon, so the explosive force generated from stomping the ground during the start of the race was reduced. Athletes in the T44 class had at least one leg, so at the beginning of the race, they could generate the explosive force of a leg by stomping the ground using their remaining leg. Philip, who had lost both his legs, could not produce any extra explosive force at the start of the race.

His acceleration at the start was slower, so in the first 30 meters of the race, as expected, Philip lagged behind.

Last place and lagging behind everyone, it suited everyone’s perception of Philip. After all, how could a person without both legs run faster!

The father turned his head and continued speaking earnestly, “Jimmy, he’s currently lagging behind, but he still has his indomitable spirit, which we should all learn. When faced with a problem, do not compromise. You have to learn to face it head on and overcome it. For him, it doesn’t matter if he can win. Just by being out there in the race, he has already won.”

That father had begun instilling inspirational chicken soup ideas in his son. Similar situations were happening simultaneously throughout the stands.

Americans were always good at practical education. A good example would be when teaching the Chinese concept of Zi Qiang Bu Xi. The standard practice in China would be for children to read an article from a textbook, followed by writing a review. Alternatively, students would answer questions with standardized answers, the belief being that children would understand the concept just by getting the correct answer. Americans, on the other hand, would prefer to let their children learn through personal experiences, and the para-athletic race was a good example. To the parents, allowing their child to observe the determination and spirit of the para-athletes battling on the racetrack was an excellent opportunity for education.

However, the boy named Jimmy shook his head. He pointed towards the racetrack and said, “Daddy, you’re wrong. He’s not the last one, he’s now the third, second, oh, no, he’s in the first place!”

His father looked where his son pointed.

The race had reached the 60 meter mark, and Philip had made it to first place.

“What happened? How did he get into first place!”

…

The crowd went wild. The only athlete who had no legs had somehow made it to the front!

People loved it when the weak rose. Philip coming up from behind, going from last to first place, awoke people’s sympathy for the weak. Philip successfully ignited the passion of the audience.

“Come on! Charge forward!”

“Charge, charge through the finish line!”

At that moment, without a doubt, Philip was the focus of the entire stadium.

…

On the racetrack, the brown-haired man who consoled Philip earlier had been left far behind. He could only see Philip’s back.

That rookie sure runs fast! The brown-haired man sighed lightly in his heart, but he immediately realized in the next second that Philip was a T43 class athlete, each of his legs equipped with a prosthesis.

How is that possible! He doesn’t have any legs, and I’ve only lost one. How is he running faster than me, and by so much!

As he thought about that, he couldn’t help but look down. He wanted to make sure that Philip did indeed lose both his legs.

Although the black colored cheetah-style prosthesis was made of carbon fiber, under the sunlight, it emanated a metallic glow, as if it was a pair of sharp blades.

Blades! The word flashed through the mind of the brown-haired man.

…

“Oh my God, Philip is coming from behind! He is surpassing the other contestants, he’s leading! He’s getting faster, and his lead is getting wider and wider! He has crossed the finish line! Philip! Philip won, he has achieved victory!”

The roaring voice of the commentator livened up the atmosphere in the stadium, where many like him had begun to shout.

“I did not expect that. The winner is actually Barron Philip! You have to know that among all the contestants, he was the only one in the T43 class! He was the only one without both legs, but he has somehow managed to beat everyone, and he completely dominated the other contestants! When he was making his final dash, the other contestants were already far behind him!”

“Let’s take a look at Philip’s performance, 12.16 seconds, it’s been confirmed, it’s 12.16 seconds! According to the information in my hand, the world record for the 100m sprint in the T43/44 classification is 12.20 seconds. That means, just now, right in front of us, Barron Philip set a new world record!”

The tone and voice of the commentator kept rising, and as he said the phrase, “set a new world record,” his voice reached its highest decibel.

The atmosphere also climaxed, and the cheers and screams were all woven together in the stadium. At that moment, even if a person were to scream at the top of his lungs, he would still not be able to hear his own voice.

“A world record, I couldn’t have misheard that, the commentator said a world record just now!”

“Who is that guy with no legs? I’ve never seen him before. Did he just break the world record?”

“Barron Philip, I remember they introduced his name before, he’s called Barron Philip!”

“Barron Philip?” A journalist quickly wrote the name down on her tablet.

…

The world record for the men’s 100m sprint for the T43/44 class had been broken, and although most people hadn’t the slightest clue what the T43/44 class was like, everyone knew that the man who set the new record had lost both his legs.

A 12.16 second result was not even enough to be considered a grade two national athlete in China, and in a nation that excelled in track and field, the number of people who were faster than that couldn’t even be counted. Some might even find it embarrassing to announce that their time was 12.16 seconds. However, because this was the result of a person who had lost both his legs, the situation was completely different.

Before the race, Barron Philip was a nobody.

During the race, he appeared out of nowhere and stood above the rest.

After that day, more and more people would come to know and remember his name.

Chapter 375: The Birth of the Blade Warrior

Two weeks later, a track and field competition was held in Oakland.

This was only the second official race Philip had participated in, but he was no longer an unknown and obscure contestant anymore. Although most people had never seen him before, they had heard of his name, and they knew that he had broken a world record two weeks ago. Most of all, they knew that Philip, as a T43 class para-athlete, was faster than para-athletes in the T44 class.

“That person should be Barron Philip, right? I heard that this rookie broke a world record in Seattle.”

“He doesn’t look all that young, he must be at least 25 or 26, right?”

“I heard that this Barron Philip has been to Iraq, he probably lost both his legs there.”

“To tell you the truth, I still can’t believe that he actually managed to break the world record. From what I’ve heard, he uses a prosthesis on each of his legs, which means that he should lose in terms of speed. After all, the other contestants still have one healthy leg.”

“It might have just been a coincidence! It was just one race, it doesn’t mean anything. Let’s hope that he can still perform well today! Lots of charities came to today’s race, so he might even get himself a few sponsors.”

Amidst discussions within the stadium, Philip had already started his sprint.

The first 30 meters he was lagging behind. The next 30 meters he was catching up. The last 40 meters he was coming from behind. As he reached the finish line, Philip had once again left all his opponents far behind him.

“11.61 seconds! He’s done it inside 12 seconds, and compared to two weeks ago, he is 0.5 seconds faster!”

“That’s fast. His pace is really amazing, and I heard that he only started training in track and field not that long ago.”

In the stands, the heads of various charities had their eyes glued unto Barron Philip. Their eyes glistened as they stared at him.

The US has a lot of charities, and Americans enjoy donating to charities. The wealthier the individual, the more they enjoyed donating to charities. The middle class also happily donates small sums to charities.

Donating to charities in the US makes one eligible for tax deductions. However, the donation mentioned earlier is not limited to monetary donations. It also includes stocks, properties, cars, and even old clothes, which can all be counted as donations, and used as tax deductions.

For example, a person had an income of $100,000, and he donated clothes worth $1,000. When paying his taxes, he would only have to pay taxes on the revenue of $99,000. For those who had just passed a tax threshold, using these types of donations to offset tax collection was very cost-effective. These people could reduce their income tax level by donating to charities, which would result in a significant amount of taxes they would have to pay. The donor would also gain the good reputation of being a philanthropist.

For the wealthy, donations can be used to avoid gift tax and inheritance tax. Gift and inheritance taxes in the US are very high, so much so that the taxes can cut a person’s wealth in half, and it is in these situations that charities show their true value.

The rich are allowed to establish or register a philanthropic foundation and name their heir as the decision maker of the foundation. In the event of their death, the money would be left to be used by their heir. They can buy cars and houses, all without having to pay a single cent of inheritance tax.

Another example would be when a billionaire wanted to give his son ten million dollars. To avoid tax, he would make a donation of ten million dollars to a charity, before having the charity give his son a random designation at the charity. The charity would pay his son’s salary, which might be 300,000 dollars a month. Using a method much like how ants move, little by little, the money the billionaire donated to the charity would become his son’s salary, all done without having to deal with the gift tax. Of course, the charity involved would also receive a portion of the fees as compensation.

However, where there are people, there will always be a Jianghu. As the number of charities increased, the competition grew as well. When people made donations, they would prefer well-known charities, and so it was easier for well-known charities to receive donations. This meant that charities had to perform deeds that people knew about to promote themselves and increase their reputation so that more people would donate to them.

Sponsoring a popular para-athlete was an excellent method of promotion. For example, if a charity were to sponsor Philip, they would be able to display Philip’s photographs and images during their fundraising and inform everyone that the fantastic para-athlete who had broken world records was sponsored by the charity. These advertisements would be similar to popup ads such as “Chicken bro delivers a dragon slayer” when one was browsing the web, or the erotic voice of a woman saying something like, “ABC company has opened its business, real women dealing cards online,” that appears when a Laosiji selects a video.

…

In the afternoon, Philip appeared yet again at the scene of the 200m sprint.

In the 100m sprint that morning, Philip had set a new world record. Philip had already become the star of the entire stadium. As he stepped onto the racetrack, deafening cheers erupted from the audience.

At the side of the track, Dai Li looked at Philip with a relaxed expression.

Philip started training in the 200m sprint after the sports games in Seattle. However, his talent potential in the 200m sprint was greater than his talent potential in the 100m sprint. The speed of his growth was also extremely fast, and in his routine daily test, he had already broken the world record of the 200m sprint of the T43 class multiple times.

In truth, Philip’s growth had far exceeded Dai Li’s expectations by breaking a world record with just two weeks of training. It would be unimaginable if this situation were to happen with a normal and healthy athlete, whose limbs were intact. After thinking about it for a long time, Dai Li attributed the result to the athlete training system in the US.

Although the US was among the best in the world in track and field, when it came to track and field in para-athletics, the US was far less dominant. In the sprinting event of para-athletics, for example, a prosthesis that cost more than 20,000 dollars was enough to stop most disabled people who aspired to become para-athletes.

Half of the disabled population in the US lived on government relief funds, especially black people who grew up in the slums. Even if they had terrific sports talents, they wouldn’t have the money to get their hands on a sports prosthesis. A Chinese saying says that the poor studies while the rich practice martial arts describes this situation perfectly. One needed money to play sports. Philip was one who fit the condition; he was willing to spend several tens of thousands of dollars to get himself an advanced sports prosthesis. Philip’s case was extremely rare because for most Americans, after receiving a large sum of money, the first thing that came to mind would be to go and have fun and enjoy their lives.

As Dai Li contemplated, Philip had left the bend and gone into the straight track. His pace was as quick as ever. Dai Li even saw glimpses of a normal and healthy athlete from him.

“Come on, Blade Warrior!” A voice erupted from the stands. Someone was holding onto a sign with the words, “Blade Warrior,” with a drawing of a cheetah-style bladed prosthesis on the side.

“Blade Warrior!”

“Blade Warrior!”

The voices spread through the entire stadium. Gradually, on the side the voice originated from, the number of voices shouting “Blade Warrior” had increased.

Philip sure has gained a lot of fans! The “Blade Warrior” is a pretty cool nickname. It’s also very well-put. The Flex-Foot Cheetah that he’s using really looks like a sharp blade.

Dai Li kept pondering as he watched Philip continue his wide lead before finally crossing the finish line.

Philip’s result was 21.58 seconds, just barely breaking through the 22 seconds threshold. In the US, this result would have been unconvincing for healthy people who called themselves professional sprinters; however, for a para-athlete like Philip, he had set a new world record.

…

“The Blade Warrior. Sounds strong and rambunctious. We are talking about the young man who lost both his legs, right?” A bespectacled and well-dressed man with white sideburns who sat in the main central stands asked.

“That’s right. It’s probably a nickname given by the audience, looks like he’s already made some fans,” answered a youngster who sat beside the man.

“I think that this young man is worth the investment. Don’t we still need a representative for our newly launched accident disability insurance? The Blade Warrior, a very memorable name,” the older man said with a big smile on his face.

“I understand, director. I’ll go meet with Philip after the race,” the younger man replied immediately.

…

The name “Blade Warrior” appeared in the media very quickly. At first, only media from the west coast followed Philip. However, not long after, media companies in the east had also learned about the “Blade Warrior” who had lost both his legs and still repeatedly broken world records in several para-athletic games.

The nickname “Blade Warrior” went viral overnight. Philip had suddenly become a “limited celebrity.””Limited” mainly because it was still only sports for disabled people, not something mainstream media paid attention to. Even if there was a news report, it would have only appeared as a side story.

In a large sporting country like the US, the weekly number of matches of the four biggest sports leagues alone reaches over the hundreds. Taking into account other sports like tennis, golf, car racing, boxing, and various other sports loved by Americans, sports media in the US had an abundance of content to report on. Who would pay any attention to para-athletics?

…

As Philip handed over a check to Dai Li, he said, “Coach Li, I can finally pay the fees for your training!”

“20,000 dollars? Where did you get that much money? I remember your prize money, it was only around 2,000 dollars, wasn’t it?” Dai Li asked with a puzzled expression.

The annual average income of Americans was over 55,000 dollars. However, people with that kind of income had to pay an income tax of 25%. Adding to that, there was also the social security tax they had to pay to enjoy social benefits, as well as the medical insurance and dental insurance paid to insurance companies. As such, the maximum disposable income of Americans was only around 40,000 dollars. This meant that the 20,000 dollar check was already an American’s expenses for half a year.

“I just signed a sponsorship deal. An insurance company is launching a new accident disability insurance product, and they asked me to be their representative. There were also several other charities that provided me a few thousand dollars’ worth of sponsorship,” Philip answered as his face filled with an excited smile. He then continued, “I can finally stop working part-time, and I don’t have to depend on a government check anymore. I can train the whole day!”

“Looks like you should start looking for an agent!” Dai Li said with a smile.

“You’ve got that absolutely right. There’s a guy called Steven. I haven’t got a clue where he got my contact info, but he’s saying that he wants to be my agent! Of course, I ignored him.” Philip shook his head before continuing to speak, “I am not a superstar, there is no way I can afford an agent!”

Chapter 376: Equivalent Respect

Philip was not a world class sports star, and as such, no one would spend millions or billions to endorse him. For Philip, the two to three thousand dollars worth of sponsorship provided by charities was already a pretty good income.

Regarding endorsements, it was impossible for Philip to achieve a high net worth, because the number of endorsements an athlete had was directly related to their reputation. In this aspect, para-athletes were disadvantaged since mainstream media rarely paid any attention to things or events related to para-athletes. If the insurance company did not happen to launch a disability accident insurance product, Philip might not have had the chance to become the advertising endorser for that product.

Although the sponsorship and endorsement deals hadn’t amounted to much, Philip’s quality of life had still improved significantly. Previously, he had to work as a part-timer for four to five hours a day just so he could receive a check from the government. Now, he no longer had to continue working part-time because the sponsorship he received from various charities, paired with the disability allowance for military servicemen, was enough to cover his daily expenses. He could now stay and train in Dai Li’s training center the entire day.

Philip’s success was an example, encouraging and urging the other 11 para-athletes who were receiving free training from Dai Li. Unfortunately, they did not have the kind of talent Philip possessed, and even if they put in a lot of effort, it would be challenging for them to reach Philip’s level.

…

In the dressing room of the training center, Philip took off his prosthesis with a look of relief.

He supported and rubbed the part where his calves and his prosthesis touched, and the initially grim expression on his face gradually subsided.

“Come. Let me!” Dai Li appeared from the side and began massaging Philip.

The part where his calves and prostheses met had become swollen again, and faint scars from recovered wounds that were caused by wearing prostheses could still be seen on his skin.

No matter how good a prosthesis, in the end, it still wasn’t a person’s real leg. It was impossible to say that walking with a prosthesis was like walking with a real leg. Walking with a prosthesis was undoubtedly more exhausting. It didn’t matter if the Flex-Foot Cheetah was the most high-tech sports prosthesis in the world that used the most advanced carbon fiber technology, or if the prosthesis was designed to be ergonomic and only weigh eight pounds; it was still incredibly uncomfortable to wear.

To ensure that the prosthesis didn’t fall off during his sprint, Philip had to fix it tightly to his limbs. Carbon fiber is a tough and durable material, and the Flex-Foot Cheetah was comprised of 80 layers of carbon fiber. It was much more durable than steel and one didn’t need to worry that the prosthesis would break. However, attaching such a thing to a person’s body would naturally cause harm to it.

Muscles that were tightly clamped by the prosthesis would become swollen and bruised as if someone had punched them. The part where the prosthesis touched the skin would chafe, bleed, and become wounded before finally forming scars, after which, the process would start all over again.

Philip had to endure that process daily. Compared to Philip, an able-bodied person only had to work hard in their training, whereas he also had to go through excruciating bodily pain.

“Barron, I really admire you. Track and field training has always been boring. To athletes, the neverending repetitive training routines are already mentally exhausting, but for you, apart from the mental stress, you also have to endure physical pain. If it was just any other man, I doubt they would be able to stick to it, ” Dai Li said.

“Compared to losing both legs, this much pain is nothing,” Philip said with a sigh. “However, I still haven’t got what I wanted”

Dai Li paused his movement and said, “In your class, you are already the fastest in the world. You’ve already broken the world record for the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprint. Also, your nickname, the ‘Blade Warrior’ sounds very cool. It really suits your Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis.”

“That only means that I’ve achieved results.” Philip shook his head. “Though I’ve been winning races continually, I still don’t feel happy.”

“Why? Why aren’t you happy when you are winning races? Are you too tired? If that’s the case, we can lower your training intensity.” Dai Li paused to think before speaking again. “You have an absolute advantage over your opponents since your current level is far beyond them. In the 100m sprint, you would be 0.5 seconds faster than your opponents; in the 200m sprint, you would be faster than them by approximately 1 second.”

“It’s not fatigue,” said Philip. He shook his head and sighed before saying, “A few days ago during the race in Houston, a lot of people came and had their photos taken with me. They would say things like ‘Keep it up, Blade Warrior.’ Everyone who approached me encouraged me, but that’s not what I want.”

“I’m not sure I quite get what you mean. I think that it’s nice that people are encouraging you,” Dai Li said.

“I also know that it’s a good thing. It’s their way of showing that they care about me. But somehow I can feel it; the expression in their eyes when they see me and the tone they use when they talk to me, it’s filled with pity and sympathy!” Philip’s expression suddenly became serious. “But I don’t need their pity or sympathy. What I want is respect! I want to live with dignity!”

As Philip said that, his emotion started to broil. He continued and said, “I am not trying to become someone amazing. I don’t even think that what I do can motivate others. The reason I became an athlete was that I hoped to make my life more meaningful. I don’t want to be treated as someone who needs to be protected, or put in another way, I don’t want any special treatment. Even when these special treatments are considered a privilege, they still make me.uncomfortable. “

“I understand,” Dai Li said as he frowned and began to think. He then continued in an enlightened manner, “But you can’t avoid them. People will always treat you differently because you are handicapped. People will always regard disabled people as weak and show them sympathy. It is a normal way of thinking. However, this does not mean that they don’t respect you.”

“What I want is equal respect!” Philip said with strength.

Dai Li stopped massaging Philip’s calves and looked at him with a little surprise.

Philip, however, calmed himself and continued, “When I first came back from Iraq, I didn’t get a prosthesis immediately. I actually used a wheelchair for some time. During that time, I used all kinds of accessibility facilities, and I also enjoyed all types of special treatment. Whenever I crossed the road, people would voluntarily come and help me; when I took the bus, a space would be left especially for wheelchair use… I am very grateful for their help, but their help also brought me a kind of unease. They made me feel like I’m not a normal person, and that without their help, I wouldn’t be able to live a normal life.”

“So you decided to start training to use a prosthesis?” Dai Li asked.

Philip nodded and said, “That’s right, I want to live a normal life. I wish that people would treat me like I was a normal person, not like they would normally treat a disabled person. That’s why I trained so hard. At first, I left the wheelchair and was able to walk with the help of a crutch; later, I bid farewell to the crutch as well and was able to walk independently. After that, I could walk like a normal person, and I could even run. Since that day, I’ve never used any accessibility facilities again. I haven’t even used any disabled parking spaces!”

“I think that I’ve got a rough idea what you mean.” Dai Li nodded with a tinge of regret. A bold idea suddenly emerged in his mind.

“You want everyone to view you as an able-bodied person. Have you ever thought about taking part in a conventional track and field race? To compete against normal, able-bodied athletes?”

“That’s impossible! I can’t possibly beat them!” Philip shook his head. He felt that Dai Li’s idea was too far-fetched.

“Why do you think that you cannot beat them?” Dai Li immediately followed up with a question.

“Of course it’s because I have no legs!” Philip stared at Dai Li intensely.

“Do you really mind it that much?” Dai Li smiled, then he continued speaking in a rhetorical manner. “You really mind. You’ve said it yourself; you want to live a normal life, you want people to treat you like a normal person, and you’ve also put in the effort to have that realized. The you can now walk and run like a normal person, but deep down, have you ever treated yourself as a normal person?”

Dai Li stopped and shook his head before continuing to answer his own question. “The answer is no. When I suggested that you take part in a conventional race, the first thing on your mind was that you had no legs, so you couldn’t compete against them. Why wasn’t it ‘I should give it a try’? Because deep down in your heart, even you do not treat yourself as a healthy and normal person! How could you ask others to treat you in a way that you don’t even treat yourself? If you want people to recognize you, the first thing to do is to recognize yourself!”

Dai Li’s words were like needles piercing through Philip’s heart. Philip’s face suddenly became blank. Following that, his expression slowly became reflective.

After a while, Philip let out a long sigh. “Coach Li, you are right. I haven’t even recognized myself, how could I expect others to recognize me! I have never been able to look at myself properly, and you could even say that I intentionally covered my eyes. I’m so stupid!”

“So do you want to give it a go?” Dai Li spoke as he started moving his hands to massage Philip’s legs again.

“Try? Try what?” Philip asked, a little confused with what was asked.

“Try out what I mentioned just now. Go and take part in a conventional race and compete against able-bodied people!” Dai Li continued looking down, maintaining his focus on his hand movement for the massage.

Philip’s gaze showed that he was struggling, as if he had no idea how he should decide.

Dai Li, on the other hand, looked up and stared at Philip. With a serious expression on his face, Dai Li said, “You’ve left the wheelchair behind. You’ve bid farewell to the crutches. You can even walk and run like a normal person. You did all these things because you wanted to be like a normal person. Or you could say that you have been learning to become a normal person. And now, it’s time you said goodbye to the lessons. You should give it a go. You should try to truly become a normal person!”

Chapter 377: Venture into the 400m

Phillip lowered his head and thought for a long time before finally speaking. “Coach Li, you are right. Trying to join a race for normal people, would be good for me. However, with my current results, I’m not sure if I could even make it through the qualifiers.”

“There’s no uncertainty there, it’s a given. You would never be able to make it through the qualifiers.” Dai Li nodded honestly and said, “In the 100m sprint, your current time is 11.50 seconds, and this is already a world record in your current disability class. However, in a race against normal people, it is only at the level of high school students. Even in Asia, where track and field is the least developed, the minimum threshold for competing in an international race is 10.50 seconds. The track and field standard in the US is much higher. If you want to do well in track and field in the US, your time for the 100m sprint should be close to 10 seconds.”

“There is no way I can make it in 10 seconds. H*ll, it might even be impossible to make it in around 11 seconds. I haven’t got any legs, this is an unchangeable truth that I cannot overcome.” Phillip shook his head.

“Don’t be hasty. Keep listening.” Dai Li said. “We were talking about the 100m sprint. In the 200m sprint, your result is much better. You were able to cross the finish line within 22 seconds. This result might even get you into the Asian Games.”

“To tell you the truth, there is a grading standard for athletes in my country. In the 100m sprint, getting a 10.93 seconds result would make you a national first-class athlete. In the 200m sprint, the time required to become a national first-class athlete is 22.02 seconds. Based on your current level, you can’t reach the standard to become a national first-class athlete in the 100m sprint, but in the 200m sprint, you can. Do you know what this means?”

“It means that I’m better at the 200m event, which also means that my advantage in the 200m event would be better!” Phillip replied.

“That’s correct. Do you know why that is so?” Dai Li did not wait for Phillip to reply but revealed the answer himself. “First and foremost, it is what I told you previously. You lack the Achilles tendon, and this affects your explosiveness at the beginning of the race, which means that you will always start much slower than others. This process takes up around 10 meters. In these 10 meters, you will always be behind the other athletes.”

“Apart from that, under normal circumstances, when a sprinter begins his run, his body would lean forward, and this sort of unbalanced state continues for around 30 meters. All the power in the legs transforms into a forward pushing momentum, which makes it possible to continually accelerate. You are equipped with a prosthesis, and your prosthesis is fixed to your knee. That means that it is hard for your knee to bend or twist flexibly to keep your balance. Your body has to be straightened as much as possible if you want to keep your body balanced. So, in the next 30 meters, the momentum obtained by leaning the body forward is also gone.”

“At the same time, because you are wearing a prosthesis, your leg is actually 40 centimeters above the ground. You are a certain distance away from the ground, which means that you cannot perceive the state and condition of the track immediately. Based on my observation, after starting, you need around 30 meters to find your running rhythm.”

“This 30 meter distance is your weakness. If put on a 100 meter track, 30 meters is almost a third of the entire course. If it were a 200m sprint, 30 meters would only be around one-seventh of the entire race. From this point, the shorter the distance, the larger the disadvantage you face at the start. On the flip side, the longer the distance, the smaller the disadvantage. For example, if you were to run 5,000 meters or even 10,000 meters, everyone would be running with their bodies upright, and the disadvantage from the beginning of the race would be close to zero!”

“Next, let’s talk about your prosthesis, the Flex-Foot Cheetah.” Dai Li pointed towards the black-colored prosthesis lying at the side. “It’s elastic, right? Although carbon fiber is extremely tough, even tougher than steel, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t elastic. From what I know, carbon fiber has always been a material with high durability, density, and elasticity.”

Phillip did not hide anything and just nodded, admitting that the carbon fiber prosthesis he used could provide extra elasticity.

Dai Li continued and said, “As you run, the extra spring you get from the elasticity of the prosthesis would provide you with additional momentum. It is like those Shox sneakers you see in playgrounds. The further you run, the more you benefit from the elasticity of the prosthesis. That is why your advantage in the 200m spring is more significant than the 100m sprint.”

“I understand what you mean now. You want me to focus on the 200m sprint, correct? I can currently cross the finish line within 22 seconds, and this result should help me get through the qualifiers of some races. By then, I would be able to compete against normal people!”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” Dai Li shook his head and asked, “Do you want to hear my suggestion?”

“Of course, you are my coach, I need your advice!” Phillip answered.

“I want you to train for the 400 meters,” Dai Li stated.

Phillip was shocked, since he had never considered running the 400m sprint.

If calculated seriously, the 400m sprint might not even be considered a sprint. When the 400m event was listed under the sprint category, there was a lot of debate. Many people felt that the characteristics and techniques behind the 400m event leaned more towards a mid-distance race, the only difference being that contestants were separated by the tracks during the race.

From a physiological perspective, the 100m and 200m sprints were both anaerobic exercises since sprinters tended to finish the race in one breath. They did not breathe during the race. Even in the 200m sprint, sprinters would only breathe one or two times. During this process, the human body practically wouldn’t use any glucose from aerobic metabolism to provide energy. The stored energy within the human body, as well as the energy generated from the decomposition of phosphoric acid and creatine, was enough to ensure that athletes could run through the entirety of the 100m and 200m sprint. Unfortunately, the process produced pyruvate, lactate, and various other metabolites, which caused muscle fatigue.

The 400m sprint, on the other hand, was regarded as a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The nature of the 100m and 200m sprint was completely different from the 400m sprint. The stored energy within the human body, as well as the energy acquired from the decomposition of phosphoric acid and creatine, are insufficient to support a person completing a 400m race. So, athletes participating in the 400m race perform aerobic exercise before their final dash, relying on the energy produced from the aerobic metabolism of glucose in the beginning, and once they enter the last phase of the race where they make their final dash, they switch to anaerobic exercise.

However, the human body is not a machine. Adjusting with such precision and speed is impossible. It’s not as if the body would perform aerobic or anaerobic exercise just because a person wanted it to do so. During the 400m sprint, the body of the athlete would actually be in a hypoxic state, in other words, the locomotive organs and internal organs of the human body had to go into overdrive and fully utilize all the energy produced from aerobic, as well as anaerobic exercises.

The pyruvate and lactate produced from anaerobic exercise had side effects on the human body, including fatigue, muscle pain, hyperventilation, arrhythmia, and etc. If the condition was severe, there might even be acidosis. In the 100m and 200m sprints, the state of anaerobic exercise wouldn’t last very long, so athletes would only feel these side effects after the race had finished. In the 400m race, athletes would begin to feel the effects of the pyruvate and lactate halfway through the race. The physical demands of an athlete for the event were extremely high, since athletes had to continue running in those kinds of situations. That was why the 400m sprint was generally known as one of the hardest sports events out there.

Dai Li was not concerned about whether Phillip had the potential to become competent in the 400m sprint, because the motion detector had already informed him that Phillip’s highest talent potential was in the 400m sprint. It indicated that his body and talent were extremely well-suited to exercise under a hypoxic state.

Phillip however, hesitated. If there were reasons, of course, he hadn’t planned to train in the 400m sprint. He knew that the 400m race was extremely difficult.

“Coach Li, can you tell me why you want me to train in the 400 meters? Do you think I would do well in it?” Phillip asked.

“Of course. I made this decision based on logical reasons,” Dai Li said as he stretched out a finger. “First, I’ve mentioned it just now, the beginning of the race is a disadvantage for you, so the longer the race, the smaller the disadvantage. If it was a 100m or 200m sprint, the reaction time at the start is calculated in the thousandth of a second. Being 0.1 seconds quicker is already a huge advantage. However, in the 400m sprint, the demand at the start of the race is less stringent, and the gap of a few tenths of a second could easily be offset on the track.”

Dai Li stretched out a second finger. “Secondly, also from what I’ve said just now, your prosthesis is elastic. The longer the distance, the more you benefit from its elasticity. From this perspective, it’s obvious that the benefit of running 400 meters is far greater than running 100 meters or 200 meters.”

“Number three. I’m going to explain this from a physiological perspective. Both your legs are partially amputated, so you have fewer muscles compared to regular people. That means that when you run, the pyruvate and lactate produced in your muscles is far less than others, so the side effects of anaerobic exercise on your body are less severe. The effects of muscle fatigue aren’t that extreme, and your muscles won’t get fatigued easily. This is very advantageous in the latter part of the race. In a 400m sprint, normally, contestants would be faster in the first 200 meters, while in the last 200 meters, they would slow down due to fatigue. However, in your case, you might not necessarily be slower in the first 200 meters, but in the last 200 meters, you will definitely be faster than others.”

Phillip nodded and asked, “Based on what you’ve said, wouldn’t it be better if I ran longer distances, such as the 800m or 1500m event?”

“Can your legs hold out that long?” Dai Li pointed towards the part he was massaging and continued, “800 meters is too long. You’d have to run for over a minute, and the prosthesis would be a burden in that type of high-intensity exercise over a long period of time. The area where you equip the prosthesis would feel pain, and under those kinds of circumstances, it would be difficult for you to finish the course. That is why, even in the Paralympics, the events for the T4 class only went up to 400 meters. Longer distances like the 800m, 1500m, or 5000m race were left to the T1 and T5 class para-athletes.”

The Paralympic Games was categorized into a few classifications. The number “1” meant visual impairments, “5” meant the wheelchair group. That meant that the para-athletes who ran long distance races were those who had problems with their eyes, or they finished the entire race in a wheelchair. For para-athletes in the T4 class, the pain and damage brought about by wearing prostheses made it impossible for them to finish a long distance race. As such, the Paralympic Games would not set up mid-distance or long-distance race events for the T4 class.

In truth, in mid-distance or long-distance races, the standard of the T1 class para-athletes wasn’t that much weaker than a race for normal athletes. T1 class athletes only had problems with their eyes; their legs were just as nimble. It had actually turned out before in a 1500m event that the results of the top four contestants in the Olympic Games were worse than the top four of the T1 class in the Paralympic Games.

…

Running 400 meters was indeed an excellent choice for Phillip. Compared to normal people, the disadvantage of his body would be reduced.

Phillip began training in the 400m sprint, and at the same time, Dai Li posted a job advertisement online. He had decided to start hiring.

Phillip began training all day, and Dai Li’s primary focus was also on Phillip. He didn’t have time to take care of the other 11 para-athletes. Also, since Phillip’s success, there had been more people visiting, seeking consultation on matters pertaining to physical fitness. It was too busy with Dai Li alone.

Hiring a new coach had become a must. However, Dai Li’s first choice was to hire part-time coaches.

Labor costs in the US were too high.

A lot of people compared the price of goods in China against the US, feeling that products were cheaper in the US. Foodstuff was cheaper, beef was cheaper, clothes were cheaper, cars were cheaper, and etc. No matter how they calculated, the items in China were still more expensive than in the US. Of course, the taxation system was part of the reason for the difference in price; however, if one only looked at basic daily living necessities, living in the US was definitely more cost-effective.

People are always focused on meeting their current needs. Those who are only trying to survive will naturally concentrate on food and clothes that ensure that one stays fed and warm. Only those who have already solved their basic food and clothing problems will seek to find food that tastes better or clothes that are prettier.

However, humans do not live to only fill their stomachs. Food and warmth are just basic needs. Once a person’s economic condition improves and his income increases to a certain level, new needs emerge, such as lifestyle needs and spiritual gratification. Some examples include getting a beautiful haircut, going to the spa, listening to the opera, or watching a sports game. These expenses that are closely linked to the service industry are more than ten times more expensive in the US than in China. Moreover, after the services are rendered, apart from the bill, there is also a tipping fee.

If Dai Li hired an official employee, he had to pay his wages and buy all kinds of employee insurance. Although it wasn’t unaffordable for Dai Li at that point, it was still a significant amount of money. If he hired someone part-time, he would save a lot of expenses, and he could also avoid the trouble of buying insurance.

Dai Li also didn’t need his part-time coaches to be that highly skilled. Since Dai Li made all the training plans and schedules, the part-time coaches only had to follow the training plans. In a country like the US where sports fundamentals were widely known, there were many people who were qualified to do this kind of job.

At the same time, if he hired someone part-time, he could be more flexible with his staff. If the part-timer did not perform well, he could just fire him. The procedure was more troublesome if he were to fire an official employee, and it would also involve a lot of laws on labor protection.

Of course, if there was a really amazing coach whose asking price was reasonable, Dai Li wouldn’t mind offering an official contract. Labor costs in the US were expensive, but if the person was indeed a talent who could bring in additional value, hiring that person would only bring in profits.

…

On the second day after posting the job advertisement, a man with red hair walked into Dai Li’s training center.

Dai Li sized the person up. The man was probably in his early thirties, with a head full of red and brown curly hair. Under his large eyes were two dark circles, and he had freckles around his nose. The look of a typical Caucasian from the west. The man was formally dressed. A suit, a tie, and a pair of leather shoes, and he also had a briefcase in his hand.

Dai Li felt that the individual was probably not there to begin physical training. However, he still walked up and inquired, “Hello, how can I help you?”

“Sorry, I’m not here for physical training. I saw your address on a part-time job hiring advertisement,” the man with the red and brown curly hair replied.

“You’re here for an interview?” Dai Li’s expression looked odd. The man did not look strong, no matter how you looked at it. He did not seem like a person from the sports industry.

“Oh no, no. I’m not here for the job,” the man said. From his pocket, he took out a name card and passed it to Dai Li.

The name card was simple. The company name, job title, telephone number—nothing more was on the card except a name:

“George Stephen!”

Chapter 378: 5%

George Stephen. It wasn’t an exceptional name; a lot of people in the US were called George, and many had “Stephen” as their last name too. Although it wasn’t as widespread as the names “Wang Wei” or “Li Qiang” in China, it was still a name that appeared often.

Although Dai Li felt that the name was somewhat familiar, he didn’t think about it too much and simply treated it as encountering a common American name.

“Mr. Stephen, since you aren’t here to train, and you aren’t here for a job, what are you here for? Are you a salesman?” Dai Li asked with a smile.

“Actually, I’m an agent, a sports agent,” Stephen replied.

Dai Li suddenly remembered. Philip mentioned it a few days ago when he handed a 20,000 dollar check to Dai Li. He mentioned an agent named Stephen. Philip also said that he couldn’t afford an agent.

Could he be that agent? Dai Li thought. He then asked, “Are you here for Philip?”

“Oh no, no. Coach Li, I’m here for you.” Stephen paused briefly before continuing, “But it is related to Philip. Can we find somewhere to sit down and talk?”

“No problem.” Dai Li brought Stephen to a place where they could sit.

Americans are very direct in their speech, and Stephen was no exception. So, he said directly, “Coach Li, I’m a sports agent, and I am very optimistic about Barron Philip’s potential, which is why I’m hoping to become his agent. I can help him get in contact with more sponsors, as well as more advertising endorsements.”

“I heard from Philip that he rejected you,” Dai Li stated.

“Yes, it seemed like he didn’t want to depend on an agent. That’s why I came to you. I hope that you can help me persuade Philip to let me be his agent. This is a win-win situation for us both.” As he spoke, Stephen continued to monitor and observe the expression on Dai Li’s face.

However, Dai Li’s expression remained unchanged, and even his eyes had a slight hint of wanting to reject the offer. Stephen noticed this and immediately corrected himself, “Let me correct myself. To be precise, it should be a win-win-win situation! Coach Li, if you are willing to help me persuade Philip, I can offer you a remuneration package worth $1000 dollars after everything is done!”

Dai Li smiled and shook his head firmly. The price that Stephen offered was too insincere.

The remuneration of sports agents in the US was commissioned from the income of athletes. Under normal circumstances, 10% of an athlete’s salary would become an agent’s income. Reputable agents might get higher commissions. In regards to advertising endorsements, the commission was much higher, sometimes going as high as 20%.

Philip had received tens of thousands of dollars from the sponsorship fee awarded by multiple charities. Moreover, there was the endorsement fee he received from the insurance company on the disability insurance product. Philip’s recent income would be around 100,000 dollars. If he had an agent, even if it were calculated according to the minimum commission percentage of 10%, the agent would receive 10,000 dollars.

And in the future, as Philip’s performance improved and he achieved better results, his exposure would also gradually increase. As such, the number of sponsors, as well as the advertisement endorsements would also increase, and as a result, the commission the agent received would also rise.

Philip had already decided to take part in races for normal athletes. A para-athlete who had lost both his legs was taking part in a race for normal and healthy individuals. It was something that was certain to attract attention. It was inevitable that Philip would become a focal point, as long as he successfully appeared on the field. He would also become an inspirational figure that the entire US knew; the hidden commercial value of Philip was definitely not worth only a few hundred thousand dollars. Millions or even tens of millions of dollars’ worth of advertisement endorsements could potentially emerge someday. For a sports agent, Philip was without a doubt a once in a lifetime treasure.

Even Dai Li could anticipate that Philip would become a golden goose in the future, and this Stephen was actually hoping to get his hands on this golden goose with only a meager 1000 dollars. In Dai Li’s opinion, Stephen was simply trying to get something for nothing.

Stephen excelled at observing the moods and emotions of people. He noticed that Dai Li looked a bit dissatisfied, so without hesitation, he immediately increased the price. “How about 2000 dollars?”

Dai Li still shook his head. Stephen intentionally gnashed his teeth and said, “2500 dollars!”

Still, Dai Li did not speak.

“Coach Li, this is already a very high amount. All you have to do is to speak a little and persuade Philip to accept this ‘win-win-win’ situation! Besides, this is beneficial to you as well. Once Philip has a dedicated agent, he can invest a lot more time and effort into training, isn’t that right?” Stephen said as he attempted to persuade Dai Li.

Dai Li glared at Stephen and made a hand gesture that was used to send guests away. “Mr. Stephen, I’m not interested in your offers, please show yourself to the door!”

Dai Li stood up and decided to leave upon finishing his sentence. Stephen immediately stood up as well and said eagerly, “3000 dollars, Coach Li, this is as high as I can go!”

Dai Li smiled and shook his head and gestured for him to leave once again.

Alright then, since Coach Li isn’t interested, I’ll have to bid my farewell, Stephen said, looking disappointed as he turned around and headed towards the door.

As Dai Li looked at the back of the departing Stephen, his mind began contemplating.

Although Philip was the strongest when it came to people with disabilities, when compared to normal people with healthy bodies, there was still a large gap. Dai Li decided to use the “athlete’s patch” on Philip. The effect of the “athlete’s patch” was, simply put, a Godsend tool for athletes with physical defects such as Philip.

However, the “athlete’s patch” was a consumable item. Dai Li only had 200 of them. Each patch was only effective for one year, and Philip’s entire career might require a total of two or three patches. Dai Li felt that if he were to only gain tens of thousands of dollars in training fees, he would have made a loss.

As soon as Philip achieves decent results in normal races, his commercial value will skyrocket. It should be quite easy to sign a million-dollar endorsement deal. If he manages to break into the international stage, Philip will definitely become a world-famous superstar. By then, the endorsement fees won’t only be in the millions anymore,” Dai Li began to think.

As Dai Li pondered, Stephen the agent had reached the front door. However, he did not walk out. Instead, he stopped in his tracks, and after two seconds, Stephen turned and walked back.

Why is he coming back? Did he drop something? Dai Li glanced at the ground around him, but he did not discover any item that was left behind.

Stephen opened his mouth and declared, “Alright Coach Li, you’ve won! Name a price, how much do you need to help me?”

This fellow thinks that I’m playing hard to get. He must have thought that I would stop him if he pretended to leave. He sure is calculating. He came all the way here to show off his negotiation skills. Unfortunately for him, I really do not care about those 3000 dollars. Dai Li suddenly understood Stephen’s intention.

Dai Li looked at Stephen with an expression that looked like a smile but couldn’t be called a smile, and said casually, “Mr. Stephen, I have a feeling that you will become an excellent agent one day.”

Stephen laughed awkwardly. “Those of us who are in this business are all like this. Coach Li, do let me know your price, we can slowly negotiate.”

Dai Li thought for a while and put out five fingers.

“5000 dollars?” Stephen breathed in a breath of cold air. He had a solemn expression, as if he was having an intense psychological battle in his mind, but it was more like he was weighing the pros and cons.

Stephen was certainly counting in his mind, calculating to see if the 5000 dollars was worth it. He was gauging to see how long it would take to break even on the investment.

However, Dai Li simply shook his head. “You are mistaken. I am not just asking for 5000 dollars.”

“You can’t mean 50,000 dollars?” There was disdain in Stephen’s eyes.

“Of course not.” Dai Li shook his head before continuing. “What I want is 5%!”

“5%? What 5%?” Stephen asked immediately, a sense of unease slowly building up in his mind.

“5% of Philip’s annual income!” Dai Li answered.

“That’s impossible!” Stephen shook his head without hesitation. “Coach Li, you must be kidding?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding you?” Dai Li said with a serious look on his face.

“Heh, heh, heh…” Stephen couldn’t help but laugh. “Coach Li, this is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard! Even us agents only receive a 10% commission! You only need to persuade Philip to get himself an agent, and you want to get a 5% commission? You must be dreaming. Even if I agree, Philip wouldn’t agree. Do you think that he would be willing to give you 5% of his income? Alright Coach Li, let’s stop with the jokes and talk about something more realistic.”

“I never said anything about taking away 5% from Philip. You could give me 5% from your commission,” Dai Li answered calmly.

“Insane, you must be insane! I never would have thought that I would spend so much time talking to an insane person!” Stephen shook his head and turned around to leave.

However, Dai Li suddenly said, “Hold on a minute, since I’ve requested a 5% commission, it’s natural that I have my reasons. Perhaps you should listen to another condition of mine.”

“Heh heh…” Stephen revealed a mocking grin. He stopped and turned around. “What other conditions do you have?”

“Even I knew that you wouldn’t agree to my demand of 5%,” Dai Li stated.

“No agent in the world would agree to that unless he were an idiot,” Stephen said as he shook his head.

“So why don’t we add a valuation adjustment mechanism.” Dai Li grinned.

“What valuation adjustment mechanism?” Stephen replied quickly.

“500,000 dollars!” Dai Li continued shaking all five of his fingers and said, “If Philip’s annual income is below 500,000 dollars, then I won’t take a single cent. However, if his income exceeds 500,000 dollars, then I want 5% of the total exceeding amount.”

“500,000 dollars?” Stephen’s expression suddenly became serious. He responded, “Since this valuation adjustment mechanism is your proposal, you believe that Philip’s annual income will exceed 500,000 dollars?”

“I believe in him!” Dai Li nodded.

Stephen frowned and started to reevaluate Philip.

In the US, an individual who had an annual income of over 100,000 dollars was already in the high-income group. Even in the wealthy state of California, a household income of over 450,000 dollars would get one into the top 1%. That meant that if two people were working in a household, on average, each person would only have to earn 225,000 dollars to get into the top 1% in the wealthy state of California.

For a professional athlete, their primary sources of income were their salaries and advertising sponsorships. Athletes who managed to get into the four major leagues in the US could easily earn 500,000 dollars a year. Take for example the rookies who had just joined the NBA; their salaries already surpassed this number.

For track and field athletes, as they didn’t belong to any sports club that paid them salaries, their primary sources of income were, number one, the rewards from winning races; and number two, advertising endorsements and sponsorships. It was much more difficult for them to reach an annual income of 500,000 dollars. The monetary rewards from track and field races were modest, unlike tennis or golf competitions where the prize money was in the millions. As such, track and field athletes needed generous and large sponsors to earn that much.

Stephen was a professional sports agent. It was natural for him to know how much athletes from different levels earned annually.

Even if it were a normal track and field athlete, he would have to be among the best in the world to be able to receive sponsorship in the millions. The exposure para-athletes received is already much lower than normal athletes, how is there any chance for Philip to earn 500,000 dollars annually! He would have to be blessed by God if he could earn 300,000 dollars a year!

This Coach Li doesn’t even understand the US. He probably still thinks that the US is a land of gold and that any random athlete can earn a lot of money; that’s the only reason for him to make this sort of weird request. But this might also be good, as it’s going to save me a lot of money!

As Stephen reached his conclusion, he reached out his right hand and said, “Coach Li, I find your terms agreeable. Here’s to our future collaboration!”

Chapter 379: A Small Test

Portland is the most populated city in the state of Oregon, and it is also the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest of the US, second only to Seattle. Naturally, the market for the sports industry is larger in a city with a large population such as this.

On a field in the State University of Portland, the 400m sprint of the para-athletic games was about to begin.

The 400m sprint was one of the toughest events in track and field. It had high physical fitness requirements, and the training was also extremely difficult. To put it simply, the entry requirement for the sport was very high. Many athletes would select the 100m and 200m sprints rather than taking part in the 400m race. For para-athletes, even fewer people took part in the 400m sprint. In fact, many para-athletic games didn’t even set up a 400m sprint event.

And today, the number of athletes taking part in the 400m sprint for the T43/44 class was just five. That meant that a contestant would actually receive a bronze medal if his final ranking were in the middle.

In para-athletic races, Philip was a superstar, since he was the world record holder for the 100m and 200m event in that class. This was the first time Philip challenged the 400m event, so many people had arrived to spectate.

Stephen stood beside Dai Li and pointed towards a plump middle-aged man sitting in the stands. He said, “That’s the guy I told you about, the person-in-charge of the Dave Charity. He has already promised to give us 5000 dollars’ worth of sponsorship fees.”

“5000 dollars huh. He sure is generous. Most charities would, at most, be willing to sponsor two to three thousand dollars,” Dai Li answered casually.

“There’s also the guy on the left in the grey suit.” Stephen pointed in another direction and said, “That person is the boss of a corporation that sells specialized medical equipment. We’ve already negotiated a price. If Philip breaks the world record for the 400m sprint this time, he would be willing to award us with an endorsement deal worth 30,000 dollars.”

“30,000 dollars huh. With a term of one year?” Dai Li asked.

Stephen nodded. “Their current intention is just one year. If Philip continues to maintain his performance, it’s not impossible to renew the contract after a year.”

“I suggest we delay this endorsement deal a little,” Dai Li suggested.

“Why? This is already a good price. Besides, you would also receive 1500 dollars from the commission,” Stephen objected.

“There’s an important race early next month. If Philip does well in that race, his commercial value will increase significantly. By then, he might even be able to obtain endorsement deals worth around 20 or 30 thousand dollars,” Dai Li said.

Early next month? There are two weeks left. Stephen thought for a moment and finally nodded his head, “Okay, then I will try to delay it. Can you tell me what race it is?”

“The selection for the world championship held in Sacramento,” Dai Li answered.

“The world championship for para-athletes is starting again? That’s great, Philip will definitely set the world on fire. Looks like I’ll be getting busy soon!” Stephen answered gleefully.

“I’m not talking about the world championship in para-athletics, I’m talking about the selection stage for the world championship in athletics,” Dai Li replied while looking at the race track with his arms crossed.

“Hmm? Is there a difference?” Stephen did not immediately understand what Dai Li meant.

Dai Li just smiled and did not explain further. He simply used his gaze to signal Stephen to shift his attention toward the race track, and as he did that, he said, “Watch the race first, the race is starting soon.”

As Dai Li spoke, the starter had already signaled for the race to start and Stephen’s attention shifted towards the race track.

At the sound of a gunshot, all five contestants of the 400m sprint dashed away from the starting line.

Stephen’s expression showed a slight tinge of nervousness. He could not help himself as he clenched his fists. Sponsorship and endorsement deals worth tens of thousands of dollars were on the line, and it was also Stephen’s first business deal since becoming Philip’s agent, so it was natural for him to feel nervous.

However, after 10 to 20 seconds, Stephen looked much more relaxed as he said, “Philip is a lot faster than the others!”

“So, you see it too?” Dai Li asked with a big grin.

Stephen nodded. “I’m probably not mistaken, right?”

“If you can see it, then there’s no mistaking it,” Dai Li stated.

Each contestant had their own tracks in the 400m sprint. At the beginning of the race, the starting position of the outer side of the track was further forward, while the starting position of contestants at the inner side of the track was positioned considerably further back. Everyone had a different starting position, so from the surface, the ones located on the outer side of the track would look like they were in the lead.

Insiders would generally be able to differentiate the actual positions of the athletes; however, outsiders would probably only be able to identify the actual positions of the contestants in the last 100 meters.

However, right then, even an outsider like Stephen could tell that Philip was a lot faster than the rest. That meant that Philip’s advantage was indeed very obvious.

The truth was, in the eye of an expert, Philip’s pace was not inferior to normal athletes who were average. For a para-athlete, that was an incredible feat.

As a para-athlete, it was natural that their pace was slower than normal athletes. In the 400m sprint of the T43/44 class that Philip was in, the result of the fastest male para-athlete could not even compare to the result of a normal female athlete, and when compared against the results of male athletes, it was a no contest.

Philip was like a completely different being. Although his current pace still could not compare to top-notch athletes in the 400m sprint, if he were to compete against a normal athlete, then there was at least an actual chance for him to win.

The pace of a normal athlete, when put in a race among para-athletes, would be like the Fuxing Hao high-speed train meeting a traditional green train; the speed and pace were simply incomparable. When Philip reached the final stretch of the race, which was a straight track, the four other contestants were still struggling in the middle of the previous bend.

“He is certainly worthy of being the world record holder for the 100m and 200m events. Even when it is the 400m event, he maintains his huge advantage. The victor has already been decided, the key is to see if Philip can also break the world record for the 400m sprint!” announced the commentator.

“I think that there’s no doubt that Philip will also break the world record for the 400m event. His result might be close to 46 seconds,” another commentator mentioned.

“46 seconds? If I remember correctly, a result like that would be very close to the B standard of the Olympics. In the group stage of the previous Olympics, one-third of the contestants’ results were over 46 seconds.”

“Quick! Look! Philip is already close to the finish line, he’s leading the others by at least two seconds, and he has passed the finish line! Let’s congratulate Philip for winning, and his result is… oh, my God, it’s 45.51 seconds!”

The timecard at the finish line displayed the number “45.51”. The result was without a doubt a world record in the T43/44 class, but more importantly, if the result were put in a race for normal athletes, it would have reached the A standard of the Olympics! There was no polite way to say this but, even in the world, most professional athletes wouldn’t have been able to achieve that result.

“My eyes are not deceiving me, right? 45.51 seconds. Wasn’t the A standard for the Olympics only 45.55 seconds? That means that Philip is capable of taking part in the Olympics, and he is actually a disabled person! I wouldn’t believe this if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes! The performance of a para-athlete is actually on par with normal athletes!” The excited voice of the commentator rang powerfully within the stadium.

It was impossible for normal audiences to remember the A and B standards of the Olympic Games. However, after the introduction of the commentator, everyone thought that Philip was amazing.

Stephen turned his head and looked towards Dai Li with a shocked expression on his face.

“You knew. You already knew this would happen, right?” Stephen asked.

“I told you earlier, Philip is terribly talented!” Dai Li paused briefly and continued, “I am his coach, do you think that I already knew?”

“But regardless, he is still disabled. He doesn’t have any legs, how could he be as fast as normal athletes!” Stephen exclaimed as his voice quivered with excitement.

Dai Li did not answer, he only stared quietly at Stephen.

At that exact moment, Stephen recalled what Dai Li had mentioned earlier, that there was an important race the following month.

Just now Coach Li said that it was the selection for the world championship in athletics. He was referring to a race for normal athletes! Stephen’s thoughts suddenly went into chaos.

Chapter 380: What the Heck Is This?

Dai Li held a book in his hands and pretended to be reading seriously.

“Coach Li, what are you reading?” Philip peeked at the title of the book. “An Introduction to Super Hypnosis, are you getting into hypnosis?”

“Yeah, you want to give it a try? I just learned some hypnosis techniques.” Dai Li pointed towards the book.

“All the contents in the book are actually lies. These sorts of books overran the market in the fifties and sixties. Countless publishers would publish them every year,” Philip said. He continued looking at Dai Li, who looked like he was raring to go. Philip finally compromised and said, “Alright, it seems like you won’t give up unless you’ve tried. Let’s try it out. It’ll also show you that these are all just tricks used to con people.”

“Excellent, take a seat first!” Dai Li pointed towards a seat in front of him and picked up the book with a serious look on his face.

“Now close your eyes and pay attention to what I say. Don’t think about anything else. You are now very comfortable, very relaxed, your entire body is relaxed… You are standing in the middle of a plain, a grass plain as far as the eyes can see, a blue sky… You lower your head and look. You see that your legs have regrown. You start running around in excitement, running wildly…”

As Dai Li spoke, he used an athlete’s patch on Philip.

“That should be enough right? It doesn’t seem like anything happened!” Dai Li stole a glance at Philip, but there didn’t seem to be any change on the surface. However, in the system, the number of athlete’s patches left had dropped to 199.

In truth, a month ago, Dai Li had not expected Philip to actually make it into the A standard of the Olympics, but Philip’s growth was too quick. Besides that, just as Dai Li had predicted, Philip had fewer muscles compared to normal athletes due to his disability, so his muscles produced less lactate, which meant that it took longer for him to feel fatigue. Thus, his speed advantage in the last 200 meters was more pronounced. It could be said that the 400m event was a sport that was custom-made for Philip.

However, achieving the A standard of the Olympics was Philip’s limit. Philip was at the peak age of track and field athletes, and it would be tough for him to improve further.

After returning from Portland, Dai Li had decided to use the athlete’s patch, a gift of the system that would help Philip break through his limits. However, Dai Li had never actually used the athlete’s patch before, so he did not know the effects of the athlete’s patch. Dai Li’s only worry was if the impact of the athlete’s patch was too great, and Philip ended up leveling up too quickly, it might backfire by becoming a difficult situation to explain.

Sports training has always been progressive, and a sudden spike in growth would cause suspicion. Even Philip himself would grow suspicious.

That was the reason Dai Li held the book titled An Introduction to Super Hypnosis in his hand and put up an act. In case the effects of the athlete’s patch were too great, Dai Li would directly blame it all on supernatural phenomena, which would save him a lot of time and energy in giving an explanation.

Dai Li read aloud and finished the hypnotic discourse from the book word by word before he asked Philip to open his eyes. He pretended to look very expectant and asked, “How do you feel? Do you feel like you’ve been born anew?”

“Not at all!” Philip shook his head nonchalantly. “I told you before, these things are used to trick people. I don’t deny that professional clinical psychologists know how to hypnotize people, but surely it’s impossible for ordinary folks to become hypnosis masters through a book like this An Introduction to Super Hypnosis.”

“There’s no effect. Huh! Then that’s too bad…” Dai Li pretended to look disappointed. He then threw the book to the side and stood up. “Then let’s get on with our training!”

…

Philip felt that his running was smooth. He even had an illusion, for a moment, that he wasn’t wearing any prostheses, and his legs had returned!

In the next second, a sudden pain came from the area of his knees where the prostheses were fixed. It cleared Philip’s mind up.

Both my legs have been gone for a long time! A sudden sadness filled Philip’s heart. However, the smoothness he felt from his legs was increasingly vivid. Oddly enough, Philip once again felt that both his legs were back.

How could this be? It’s been so many years since I came back from Iraq, and I’ve long grown accustomed to life without legs. Why am I having these weird feelings today? Philip suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. It had been too long since he became disabled, and he had even begun to forget what it felt like to walk with legs.

It couldn’t be the hypnosis just now! Philip shook his head violently.

What am I thinking! That rubbish of a book called An Introduction to Super Hypnosis? Only someone like Coach Li who had just arrived in the US would believe that!

…

The selection system of athletes in the US was different from China. Athletes from China were selected through multiple layers, from sports schools to city teams, then to provincial teams, before finally making it into the national team. The ones who were able to represent the national team in international competitions were the best in the national team. If an international game was coming up, the selection would be held within the national team; in essence, a person would have no chance to represent the nation and participate in international competitions if they did not first make it into the national team.

The athlete cultivation system in the US was different. Athletes in the US fought for themselves. There was no such thing as a provincial or city team. Whenever an international competition drew near, the US selected the athletes before forming their national team. After that, they would represent the country by participating in international competitions.

Athletes were selected through different competitions, and the results were usually decided by one match. For example, if a sports event had three places, it meant that the top three of the selection stage would become the representatives to compete in the upcoming competition. The reputation, as well as past achievements of the athlete, were useless in the selection. Even if the athlete was a world record holder, if he finished fourth in the selection race, he would not be able to represent the US in the competition.

In the history of track and field in the US, there had been many cases where world champions or even world record holders had a drop in performance during the selections and ended up not being able to take part in important international competitions. For example, there was once a 100m sprinter who had just broken the world record the previous year, but in the Olympics selection the following year, he failed to get into the top three. As a result, he missed the Olympics.

A selection system such as this would surely not work in other countries. If an athlete was a world champion as well as a world record holder, or if the athlete had been a past world record holder, then even if the athlete wasn’t performing as well, he would have still been given a place to take part in the important international competition. It didn’t matter if the athlete could no longer run, or if he had to limp to the finish line, he would still be eligible to participate.

The athlete selection system in the US had its pros and cons. The advantage would be that it was fair, victory was decided by a match, and everyone had an equal chance. No one would get a place by exploiting human relations. There were also no biased internal decisions set at a higher level or things of similar nature. Athletes in the US advocated individual heroism, and collectivism had no place there. Thus, Americans were adept at protecting their personal interests. Things like sacrificing one’s own interest for the group was against mainstream American values.

However, the cons were also obvious. The selected athlete might not be the most suited to participate in the competition. Luck played an important role in these types of selection systems that decided everything in one match. If an average athlete succeeded in getting into the top three thanks to extraordinary forms, or if a capable athlete happened to perform poorly on that day, that would mean the weaker athlete would be sent to take part in the competition.

That was why, if you counted in detail the contestants of the US team from the World Championship in Athletics and the Olympics, you would be sure to find a few contestants who were unknown, and their performance would be mediocre. After the race, they would disappear. These were the kind of athletes who had exceptional luck during the selection stage.

Of course, that was because Americans were good at sports, and they had sufficient talent, which was why they chose this method of selection. If it were another country, the total number of usable athletes would be more or less the same, so no country would ever dare use this sort of athlete selection system outside the US.

…

In the stadium of California State University, the selection for the World Championships in Athletics was underway.

The US was a powerhouse in track and field, and as such, it was natural that the selection for the world championship would gather the best athletes in the world. Many world-renowned track and field athletes were present. They were all working hard to get a ticket to the world championship in athletics. Many contestants were not that well-known, and some were obscure. Some of them might not be trying to get a ticket to the world championship, as most would be hoping to use this chance to gain a bit of fame.

At the registration area, Philip walked towards the registration office with a face full of unease. He had downloaded and filled out the registration form much earlier. Now all he had to do was simply submit the form and let the registration officers do their job.

Philip wasn’t a seeded contestant who could take part in the official race directly; he had to start from the qualifiers. Once he obtained a qualifying spot during the qualifiers, he would be allowed to take part in the official race later.

Some athletes who were also submitting their registration forms saw Philip not far away.

“Isn’t that the Blade Warrior?”

“Blade Warrior? The black actor who fought vampires? He looks thinner than when he was in the movies, and his complexion isn’t as dark either!”

“Not that blade warrior movie, he’s a para-athlete who lost both of his legs. What was his name again… Oh, that’s right, I think he’s called Barron Philip! He has a nickname called ‘Blade Warrior.’ He’s pretty famous on the west coast.”

“Now that you mention it, I think I remember! I heard he holds the world record for three separate events in the para-athletic world. Do you think he’s here to watch the race? He’s in the wrong area. You go to the stadium if you want to watch the race, this is the registration office.”

“He probably came here with his friend! He’s heading towards the registration office, and he’s taken a piece of paper out of his bag. Is that a registration form?”

“Registration form? How can it be? He wants to register for the race? Don’t joke around, this isn’t a para-athletic game! Surely he’s just helping someone else submit the registration form.”

“But the rules say that if you aren’t a seeded contestant, the athlete himself needs to personally submit the form!”

“Then perhaps he’s here to deliver some other documents. I don’t believe that he’s here to register. He’s a disabled person, there’s no way he is competing against normal people, right?”

There was no difference between the way Philip and normal people walked, so none of the staff found out that Philip was a disabled person.

“Barron Philip.” A staff took a look at Philip’s name. He only felt that the name was familiar, and he did not immediately associate the name with the famous para-athlete. If the nickname ‘Blade Warrior’ were brought up, however, many of the staff who were present would have immediately recognized Philip’s identity.

This name sure sounds familiar, but it’s also pretty standard. Nine times out of ten, I have heard the names of these contestants before. Apart from the few most famous ones, who would remember clearly? The staff shook his head and continued looking down.

Registering for the 400m event. Although the competitiveness of this event is not as high as the 100m and 200m events, it is still very competitive. Personal best is 45.51 seconds. Not bad, a result that is already at the A standard of the Olympics. He only needs to reach the B standard of the Olympics, which is 45.95 seconds, to take part in the qualifiers.

Achieved his best time two weeks ago, which meets the registration requirements, the result can be counted as long as it was recorded within two years. Location was Portland, the race was the Portland Elite Track and Field Para-athletics Competition. Elite Track and Field Para-athletics Competition?

The staff member’s eyes opened wide as he stared at the form. He reread it several times to make sure that he was not mistaken.

Disabled. What the heck is this?

Chapter 381: Tricked

The staff member was at a loss after he reviewed the registration form. He had never encountered a situation like this. According to the information on the registration form, the personal best for the athlete in front of him was recorded in an elite track and field para-athletics competition.

Elite track and field para-athletics competition? What is this competition? As he thought this, he lifted his head and looked at Phillip before pointing at the portion of the form that had “Portland Elite Track and Field Para-athletics Competition” written on it. He asked, “Did you make a mistake here?”

Phillip lowered his head to check and said, “It’s correct.”

“This race should only be open to disabled people, right?” the staff member checked.

“That’s right, only disabled people can participate in the race,” Phillip answered.

“Then, you are a disabled person?” the staffer asked cautiously.

“Yes, I’m disabled. I’ve lost both my legs and I use a prosthesis to walk,” Phillip answered honestly.

“You have no legs?” Despite knowing that it was insulting, he still lowered his head to look at Phillip’s legs. After which, he returned his gaze towards the registration form.

Barron Phillip. Lost both legs. I remember. I remember who he is! The staff lifted his head quickly and said with a stunned expression, “You are the blade warrior of Los Angeles!”

“I do have a nickname like that,” Phillip replied.

“It’s really you!” The shocked expression on his face grew more apparent by the second after he confirmed Phillip’s identity. He asked, “You’re really here to register? Are you sure you want to participate? This is not a race for disabled people!”

“I know. This is the selection for the world championship in athletics, that’s why I want to participate,” Phillip said seriously.

“Crazy! This is madness!” the staff mumbled to himself.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem with my registration?” Phillip asked.

“This… I don’t know, I really don’t know. I’ve never encountered something like this before. Sorry, Mr. Phillip. About your registration, I have to ask for instructions from my superiors!” After he finished, the staffer grabbed Phillip’s registration form and walked outside. As he walked, he continued mumbling, “Madness, the world is way too crazy!”

…

The look on the face of the competition committee officer, Lopez, became distorted as he reviewed the registration form.

“A para-athlete? What is the meaning of this? Is he treating us as the Paralympics?” Lopez snorted coldly before putting down the form in his hand. He then said, “He is just trying to make trouble, pure and simple!”

“Mr. Lopez, do we accept his entry?” asked the staffer.

“Are you kidding me? This is the selection of the world championship; it is the highest level track and field competition in the US. Do you want to treat this like the Paralympics? Do you really want America’s best athletes, such as the “flying man,” to compete on the same platform as a para-athlete?” Lopez answered firmly, “Reject his registration!”

“Okay sir, but what reason should I tell him for rejecting him?” asked the staffer self-consciously.

Lopez curled his lips in contempt and said, “Any reason would do. It doesn’t matter. We are the organizers of this competition, and we have the right to reject the participation of any athlete!”

…

“Mr. Phillip, I’m really sorry. You can’t participate in our competition.” The staffer returned the registration form to Phillip.

“Why?” Phillip accepted the registration form. “Did I make a mistake in filling in the form? I can change it now.”

“It’s not a problem with the form, it’s just that you do not meet the requirements for signing up,” replied the staffer coldly.

“Which part of me does not meet the requirements? My result has met the minimum requirements for registering for the qualifiers! Or are you saying that my result is suspicious? You can go ahead and check. My result is definitely authentic,” Phillip said.

“It’s not about the result either.” The man shook his head.

“Then what exactly is the reason? Could it be because I am a disabled person? But your rules did not state that a disabled person cannot register!” Phillip looked a little exasperated.

The staffer did not answer him directly as he was afraid of saying something wrong and later taking the blame for it. So, he merely said, “Mr. Phillip, you do not meet the requirements for signing up. It is the decision of the competition committee. If you have any questions or problems, please direct it to the competition committee.”

Phillip just shook his head in disgust. He grabbed the registration form and turned towards the exit.

Sitting by a French window in a cafe not far away, Dai Li saw a disgruntled Phillip heading towards the cafe.

Phillip entered the cafe and sat in front of Dai Li. He slammed the registration form on the table in anger and exclaimed, “They really rejected my registration!”

“Was it because you were disabled?” Dai Li asked calmly.

“They didn’t say it clearly.” Phillip took in several deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself.

“It doesn’t matter if they were clear or not. If they don’t allow you to register, we’ll have to ask Stephen to do his thing. Anyway, as an agent, Stephen is actually quite responsible,” Dai Li said, taking out his phone and lowering his head. He then began searching for Stephen’s number. As he searched, he said, “I’m going to give Stephen a call. I’ll ask him to contact the media as well as the protection agency for disabled persons. You should also quickly go and make a tweet on Twitter. I believe your supporters would like to be the first to know that you have encountered unfair treatment.”

…

“Hey Marshall, it’s Stephen. How have you been… You’ve heard of the ‘blade warrior,’ Barron Phillip before, right? Yeah, the para-athlete who lost both his legs. I have news related to him, I’m sure you’ll be interested! He intends to participate in a competition for normal people! Yes, a disabled person is going to take part in a normal competition!”

“What? This news isn’t impressive enough? Marshall, don’t be hasty, let me finish. Phillip wants to take part in normal competitions, and he’s already met the requirements for signing up, but he was denied participation by the organizers!”

“Of course it’s because he is a disabled person! No, no, no. The rules of participation do not limit the participation of disabled people. Isn’t it ironic? A disabled person who has worked so hard to be normal was mistreated. That’s why Phillip needs you, Marshall. We need a journalist like you who has a sense of justice…”

Stephen ended the call with the journalist. He then started another call with the protection agency for disabled persons.

“Mr. Powell, what I’m telling you is nothing but the truth. The organizers really did reject Phillip’s request to participate in the competition. This is discrimination against people with disabilities! We need people like you who have a sense of justice to help us. And if you are willing to help us, it would be beneficial to you as well. From what I know, in your constituency, one-fifth of the population are people with disabilities, they would definitely vote for the candidate who was willing to lend a hand to a disabled person…”

Stephen made more than a dozen phone calls, then let out a long sigh.

“Hurry up and make some noise. The noisier, the better. It would be best if the whole world knew. Then, there might be more advertisement endorsements later!”

…

Two university students from California State University walked towards their classroom.

“The stadium sure looks lively, so many people are gathered there,” one of the students said.

“I heard there’s a competition. It’s the qualifier for the selection of the world championship in athletics. A lot of big-name athletes came to participate,” the other person said.

“No wonder so many people gathered there. Look, it seems like they are holding up posters and banners. Are they here to support an athlete?”

“Eh? There really are posters and banners. But the competition starts tomorrow. Why are the supporters already here? Whoever they’re supporting, they sure are passionate. If I didn’t know any better, I’d have thought that some organizations were having a protest!”

“A protest huh? It does look like a protest… Wait, look closely, they are having a protest!”

It wasn’t all that difficult to differentiate between a protest and a group of fans following their idols. As soon as the two of them looked closer, they were able to discern that the group gathered in front of the stadium was indeed a protest group.

“Let’s go and have a look, see what they are protesting!” They edged closer to the group of protesters as they spoke.

As they moved closer, they discovered that within the group of protesters, many were people with disabilities.

“Protest against disability discrimination!”

“People with disabilities should not be mistreated!”

“Protect the rights of the disabled!”

The eye-catching banners appeared before their eyes one after another.

…

When a large group of people in wheelchairs and on crutches held up signs to protest, it was natural that they would attract attention. Disabled people would always be regarded as a vulnerable group, no matter where they went. When a person decided to leave their amputated arms or legs exposed in the open, he might not even need to do anything for the people around him to feel sympathy for him.

Beside the window, Lopez opened a small gap between his shutters to look at the group of people protesting outside.

What is this? I refused to let that “blade warrior” take part just this morning, and now there’s already someone here to protest in the afternoon. It must have been planned in advance! By then, Lopez’s mood had already plummeted.

Suddenly, Lopez saw a few men carrying cameras, and a man holding a microphone in his hand appeared within the group of people.

It’s the journalists! The protesters only just arrived half an hour ago, how are the journalists already here? When did journalists become so efficient! Things will definitely become trickier once journalists become involved.

As Lopez began thinking, he saw a black car coming from afar. It stopped near the group of people, and a blonde man stepped out of the vehicle.

That man is the Republican candidate, Damon! I heard he’s running for city councilman, why is he here… Damn! Lopez suddenly realized something.

“I think I’ve been tricked by that ‘blade warrior!'” Lopez mumbled to himself.

Chapter 382: Group of Death

“Mr. Lopez, there’s a big group of protesters outside. What should we do?” a staff member asked cautiously.

“There’s no need to pay attention to them. Let them stay outside! Once they’re tired, they’ll disperse on their own,” Lopez grunted coldly.

In the US, protests were nothing new. Anything could become a cause for protest. It could even be said that no matter the decision, someone would surely turn up to protest.

If the candidate of the Republican party were elected president, the Democrats would protest; if the candidate of the Democratic party were elected president, the Republicans would protest. If the government wanted to increase taxes, the rich would protest; if the government wanted to decrease taxes, the poor who lived at the bottom of society would protest. If the government wanted to implement medical insurance for the entire population, the people who could afford business insurance would protest. If they granted refugees entry to the country, people who believed that it would bring about safety issues would protest; if they denied entry for refugees, it would bring about the protests from human rights organizations.

And those were only important policy issues. More protests were only related to personal preferences. For example, someone might feel that juvenile detention centers should not exist, so they would protest. Others might be dissatisfied that McDonald’s had just removed a hamburger that they liked from the menu, so they would protest. A supermarket owner might feel that the operating hours of his rival were too long, hence taking away his business, so he would protest as well. A shopper failed to buy something he wanted during “Black Friday,” so he would protest…

It could be said that Americans have fully put into practice the saying, “It’s every man for himself,” through protests. If something were not beneficial to them, or it would incur a loss for them, or if it were something that they disagreed with… it didn’t matter if it was right or wrong, staging a protest was the way to go.

However, the reality was that a “complete win” situation has never existed in the real world. For four people playing Mahjong on a table, it isn’t possible for everyone to win, and achieving a “Yi Pao San Xiang” situation is already extremely difficult. Every change in the world benefits some while others suffer. It was inevitable that the ones who suffered went to protest.

However, protesting was simply letting one’s voice be heard. Whether the protest brought about change was an entirely different matter. There were often protests against the president that involved tens of thousands of people. However, the president would still remain firmly in his seat. The crowd of people who demanded the resignation of the president would be powerful and massive as they moved from Congress all the way to the White House. However, on the second day after the protest, the protesters would all return to their homes, and the president would still be the president, still seated in his Oval Office in the White House drinking coke and watching television. Apart from giving journalists content to report on, the effects were minimal.

At the end of the day, legal proceedings were what decided things. For example, legal impeachment proceedings were required for the president to step down, not protests on the streets. In a presidential impeachment case, the case had to first pass through the House of Representatives before going to the Senate. Once it passed Senate, a trial would be overseen by the chief justice, where two-thirds of the senators needed to agree for the president to be impeached. If law and systems were not considered and the government only listened to the side with more protesters or the side that was louder, not following proper procedures in doing things, it would just have been populism. The door of populism must not be opened. Once opened, it would be unstoppable. The elites in the US were not dumb; they would never support populism.

There was a saying that once a person’s body was full of lice, he would stop feeling itchy. The number of protests in the US had become so high that people had grown used to seeing them. That was why Lopez did not seem to be bothered by the protesters outside. Even the arrival of Councilman Damon would not affect Lopez’s authority over the competition committee.

From a different perspective, if Lopez were to compromise, to alter his decision just because someone protested, then he would lose all credibility, and it would be tough to continue in his work. So, Lopez would not easily change his decision.

The protesters outside annoyed Lopez. He laid back on his chair and reached for a cup of coffee. A mouthful of richly flavored coffee passed through his throat. The caffeine helped calm him down a lot.

At that moment, Lopez’s phone rang.

It’s the CEO of the Track and Field Association, Mr. Williams! Lopez quickly answered the call.

The American Track and Field Association was not an official government organization; instead, it was a non-governmental or non-profit organization, so the head of the association was the CEO, similar to the CEO of the NBA.

“Lopez, you rejected the registration of a para-athlete called Phillip, who is nicknamed ‘blade warrior,’ is that correct?” Williams asked through the phone.

“Yes sir.” Lopez’s chest tightened as he discovered that Williams was indeed contacting him because of that incident.

“Does he meet the minimum requirements for entry?” Williams asked.

“He doesn’t have legs, and he’s a disabled person. He should take part in para-athletic games and not come here to our competition.” Lopez had already prepared his excuse. He continued, “As a disabled person, there is no way for Phillip to compete against normal athletes. That’s why I believe that he’s only trying to use this competition as an opportunity to boost his fame! He’s not here to really compete.”

“I know that he’s disabled, and I’m not interested in his purpose for participating. I’m asking you if he fulfills the requirements for entry, which is to say, is there an actual rule that prohibits him from entering the competition?” Williams had become serious.

“Well… Perhaps not…” Lopez’s voice had lost its previous strength.

Williams took a deep breath and continued in a strict tone, “Lopez, we are too passive!”

“Sir, I don’t think you should worry too much. Although there are a few protesters, these are all fairly common. We don’t have to pay attention to them. They will disperse after one or two days. Even if some journalist were to make a news report, saying that we were discriminating against disabled people, we just have to directly deny their accusations. We are also the organizers; we have the authority to make the final decision,” Lopez stated.

“You think I’m worried about the protesters or the journalists? I’m worried about our sponsors!” Williams said directly. “Some sponsors have already called to ask. They don’t want to be affected negatively.”

Lopez’s brow suddenly furrowed together. After all his detailed calculations, he had forgotten about the sponsors.

The American Track and Field Association was not a government organization, so their primary source of income was sponsors. Under normal circumstances, the American Track and Field Association would have around 15 to 20 sponsors at a time, and sometimes they would even make deals with different brands in the same industry. For example, they would first sign with Kentucky Fried Chicken before signing with McDonald’s. These sponsors would help the American Track and Field Association bring in over 30 million dollars’ worth of annual income. If it were the year of the Olympics, the sponsorship income would be higher.

As a sponsor, it was natural to require that the sponsored subject or entity did not become entangled with any negative news. And a thing such as discriminating against disabled people was one of the untouchable taboos in American society; the consequence would be moral condemnation. Although realistically speaking, many discriminated against disabled people, when it was time for one to publicly declare their position, one had to be just. One might even have to claim that he had volunteered in helping people with disabilities because it was politically correct!

On the other side of the line, Williams continued speaking, “Lopez, listen carefully. I don’t want trouble, so you don’t go and create trouble for me! That ‘blade warrior’ only wants a place in the qualifier. You just give him that damned place, and let him compete. Regardless of whether he wants to really compete or he simply wants to hype himself up, it’s got nothing to do with us. I don’t want this thing to continue! I don’t want to get another call from our sponsors!”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get to it immediately. That para-athlete will definitely get a place in the qualifiers.” Lopez immediately agreed as soon as he received instructions from his boss.

…

“Mr. Lopez, everything you ordered has been completed. I’ve just received Barron Phillip’s registration form. He’ll be able to take part in the 400m qualifiers tomorrow,” the staffer reported.

“Noted.” Lopez nodded as he stood beside the window. He could see Phillip leaving the establishment through the gaps of the shutter.

I was completely played. This is so aggravating! Lopez clenched his fist tightly.

That damned cripple! You don’t even have legs, what’s the point of joining this competition? Even on the off chance that you make it into the official race, when faced against so many world-class athletes, there’s no way you can get a place, not to mention going to the world championship! You’re definitely just trying to use this opportunity to boost your reputation.

In the next second, Lopez suddenly had an idea.

You want to increase your reputation, huh? I won’t let you get what you want. You’ll have to get through the qualifiers first if you want to participate in the official race! I’ll place the seven strongest contestants in your group. Let’s see how you advance through the qualifiers!

As Lopez reached this conclusion, he waved towards the staff. “After the registration deadline, bring the list of names of athletes taking part in the men’s 400m sprint to my office. I’ll group them myself.”

…

“The grouping for the qualifiers sure is unfavorable for you!” Dai Li said as he sat in front of the computer. He keyed in name after name on the website.

“Jim Oliver, 28 years old, his personal best in the past year is 44.92 seconds.”

“Joe Christian, 21 years old, his personal best in the past year is 45.05 seconds.”

“Marcus Garcia, 25 years old, his personal best in the past year is 44.98 seconds. Another one that did it in 45 seconds.”

“Sam Scott, 25 years old, his personal best in the past year is 45.11 seconds.”

“Rudy Jackson, 23 years old, his personal best in the past year is 44.86 seconds. That’s the third one who finished in 45 seconds.”

“Lester Rogge, 26 years old…”

Dai Li had found the results of all seven of the other athletes in Phillip’s group, and every single one of them had a result that was better than the result Phillip submitted, 45.51 seconds. The gap wasn’t all that small, either.

“Their results are too good. Even if it were the Olympics, their personal best would be enough to get them through to the semifinals. How is it possible that all the athletes with the best results ended up in the same group in the qualifiers?” Dai Li said with a powerless expression. “Phillip, it looks like someone’s targeting us! This is the group of death.”

Chapter 383: Qualifier

On the main stands, Lopez tapped his knee lightly with his fingers.

400m qualifiers. A total of 39 registered contestants, divided into five groups. Only 12 people can advance to the next round. The top two of each group and two third-placed contestants from the two best-performing groups.

Lopez’s lips curled upwards inadvertently as he thought of this, a proud look appearing on his face.

Blade warrior? Heh, your group consists of the strongest seven athletes in the qualifier. You’ve already been eliminated! In a moment, you’ll look like a stooge, left far behind everyone else. Bullsh*t blade warrior, go and become the stooge warrior that you should be!

At that moment, the athletes participating in the 400m sprint appeared from the exit tunnel and moved onto the field.

“Scott, we’ve been put in the group of death this time. Jim Oliver and Rudy Jackson are both in our group. I’m afraid it’s the end for me,” said the contestant Marcus Garcia with a short sigh.

“Garcia, if you perform well, making it through shouldn’t be a problem. As for me, I’m probably the weakest in the group! I might seriously get last place,” another contestant, Sam Scott said.

“That’s impossible. Don’t be too pessimistic, and don’t you forget, there’s still the blade warrior in our group!” Garcia said with a laugh.

“Who’s the blade warrior?” Scott did not immediately get what he meant.

“It’s that guy called Barron Phillip, don’t you know him? He’s a para-athlete, no legs, wears a prosthesis to run. He’s also the world record holder for three separate events in his disability class,” Garcia explained.

Scott showed an expression of sudden realization. “Now that you mention it, I do know him. I’ve heard of him on the news. There was a ‘Barron Phillip’ in the contestant name list of our group, is that him? But he has no legs, is he seriously going to participate in a race for normal people?”

“I know, right?” Garcia grinned. “I didn’t think of it when I first saw his name too. I thought it was a new contestant. It was only later, after checking, that I found out he was the ‘blade warrior’ of Los Angeles!”

Garcia suddenly lowered his voice to a whisper. “And I heard that several contestants in our group don’t have a good impression of this blade warrior!”

“Well, of course, I don’t want to compete against a disabled person either!” Scott said with a hint of fury. “Although I have nothing against disabled people, to compete against him on the same field, I feel ridiculed. I am a professional athlete!”

“That’s right! To win against a disabled person brings no sense of achievement, and it might even seem like bullying. However, if we lose, it would be a huge disgrace… Heh heh, I’m ridiculous, how could we lose to a disabled person!” Garcia said with a scowl.

…

Phillip left the athlete’s tunnel. His black-colored Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis immediately attracted the attention of many onlookers.

“What is that man wearing? Is that a sports prosthesis? It really is a sports prosthesis. That man hasn’t got any legs. Oh my God, that’s a disabled person, is he here to participate?”

“How is that possible? This is a race for able-bodied people, why is there a disabled person in it!”

“I recognize that guy. He’s the ‘blade warrior’ from Los Angeles. The world’s fastest disabled person.”

“Blade warrior? So he’s that blade warrior! I saw a news report about him. Is he here to compete?”

“He’s disabled, how is it possible for him to compete in a competition for normal people? You think too much.”

“But he’s got his sportswear on, and there’s even a number on his back! Only contestants have a number. He’s really here to compete.”

It was just a qualifier, so the number of spectators was limited. However, the moment Phillip appeared, the sound of discussions sounded throughout the stadium.

The eight contestants of the first group each headed towards the field. After around a minute of preparation, they dashed forward upon the sound of the gunshot.

Running 400 meters only took around 45 seconds. Including the time used for pre-match preparation and post-match statistics, the total time for a group race was only around three minutes. And because all the strongest contestants had been put into Phillip’s group, the standard of the other groups had become weaker. So, after the first group finished, the result was not that great.

The same thing happened in the second and third group. The results of the athletes were all beyond 45 seconds. After three groups, with a total of 24 contestants had finished their races, no one had finished the race in 45 seconds.

From the 24 athletes, six had advanced to the official match. According to the rules, the top two of each group could advance, and apart from that, the top three from the two best-performing groups would also advance.

When the contestants of the fourth group appeared, Phillip was also standing on the track.

“It’s finally the fourth group’s turn. In the 400m sprint qualifier today, group four is the one with the most prospect. This is the group of death; I reckon the third-placed contestant will also advance.”

“Jim Oliver, Rudy Jackson, Marcus Garcia, Sam Scott, Joe Christian… If they were in the other groups, they would have surely advanced. What a shame to have all of them together. Some of them are fated to be eliminated.”

“Look, guys, that ‘blade warrior’ from Los Angeles is also in the group!”

“Where did he find this sort of courage, to actually participate in a competition for normal people. And he sure has bad luck, being put in this group of death. I hope that his self-esteem doesn’t get crushed in the race!”

The few athletes who had successfully qualified huddled together and discussed in a low voice.

On the race track, Jim Oliver was put on track number three. For a 400m race, it was a decent track position.

As he warmed up his joints, he looked around and thought about how there were no new faces within the group. Everyone was a veteran of the 400m sprint. For Oliver, every face was a familiar one.

All except Phillip, who was assigned to the outermost track.

Upon looking at Phillip and his black-colored sports prosthesis, Oliver grew more and more annoyed.

I really don’t understand why he wants to come here to show his ignorance. A disabled person should just compete in a competition for disabled people, he shouldn’t come here to blend in. Oliver sighed with a face full of disdain. Then, he prepared himself for the start of the race.

Oliver was very strong. Even with all the athletes in the qualifier, he was among the best. Since he was put in the group of death, though, he did not dare to take things lightly.

However, Oliver was not willing to waste any attention on a disabled person like Phillip.

The other contestants within the group also took Phillip lightly. To them, Phillip was something else, something not worthy of their recognition. Every contestant, heck, every athlete within the stadium felt that Phillip, who was placed on the outermost track, would be left behind very quickly.

The outermost track was a very bad track for a 400m sprint. In a 400m race, the further out an athlete was, the further front he was as well. That meant it was difficult for the athlete to observe the positions of his opponents. In contrast, the athlete on the innermost track would be the furthest back; this athlete would easily know the positions of all his opponents just by looking right. For this reason, in a 400m sprint, the second and third tracks were considered the best tracks, since the athletes could easily observe their opponents.

The other seven contestants could observe Phillip’s situation during the race. On the other hand, Phillip could barely observe the opponent situated beside him, while the athletes on the inner tracks were completely out of his field of vision.

…

The starter signaled for everyone to get ready. Following that, he lifted the starter pistol in his hand.

All the other contestants were in a crouch start position; only Phillip was in a standing start position. Since he was wearing a prosthesis on each leg, there was no way for him to be in a crouch start position.

Bang!

The gunshot that signaled the start of the race rang. Everyone dashed forward at the same time.

The sporadic cheers from the stands were a reminder to everyone that the race was only a qualifier. The commentator also did a poor job, as there was no excitement in the narration. The atmosphere of the race was a tad bit cold.

In the first 100 meter bend, Phillip was still somewhat in a leading position, and in the track on his left, which was the second outermost track, was the athlete called Sam Scott.

In this group of death, Scott did not have that much advantage when it came to capability. However, he was in great form that day. After the race started, he immediately got into the zone.

Blade warrior, your start was way too slow, looks like I’ll be able to surpass you in this first bend! Scott looked towards Phillip, who was in front of him. He could clearly feel that the distance between the two of them was getting shorter.

For the spectators, the act of surpassing another contestant was the most exciting and most entertaining part of a sports race. For an athlete, passing an opponent was also an exciting and enjoyable act, one that brought a great sense of achievement. The essence of a sports race was to surpass everyone else, to rush, and be at the front.

In the 400m sprint, because the starting positions of the contestants were different, even if one were to keep his pace with the opponent on his right, it would still mean that he was in a leading position.

Closer. Even closer. I’ll be passing you soon! Scott was getting impatient, since he was very eager to catch up and run beside Phillip, and savor the surprised look on Phillip’s face.

On the stands, Lopez tilted his legs, looking contented.

Already almost caught by his opponent in the first bend. Such a big gap. That’s the first time in today’s race! The result was already decided, and you still made so much trouble. Heh, so what if I let you compete in the qualifiers; you’ll still get last place!

Lopez couldn’t help but laugh in contempt as he thought of that.

…

I’ll be caught up soon! This thought had bloomed inside Scott’s mind.

However, as Scott went into the straight track, Phillip was still in front of him. Only then did Scott realize that the distance between Phillip and himself was not continuing to decrease.

What’s going on? Why can’t I catch up to him? It can’t be that this cripple is running as fast as me? Scott finally realized.

Chapter 384: Advancement

Phillip had finally found his running rhythm.

The disadvantage brought about by the prosthesis at the start of the race was too great.

The mere difference between starting positions, the crouching start and the standing start, had induced a gap of a few tenths of a second. Not to mention the initial acceleration phase after the start. Phillip had close to zero extra force generated from stomping the ground. That was why Phillip had lagged behind at the start.

However, after the initial stage of the race, Phillip gradually found his running rhythm, and his pace was not inferior to any other athlete on the field.

The contestants had all entered the first 100 meters of straight track. Upon reaching the straight track, and after the acceleration at the start of the race, their speed had reached a considerably high level.

In the 400m race, the second 100 meters used up the least time. Because it was a straight track, athletes did not need any additional power to counter the centripetal force of a turn, so their pace was definitely faster than their pace at the bend. The athletes still had plenty of stored energy, so the lactate produced during anaerobic exercise was still dormant, and muscle fatigue was not a problem yet. These factors were all beneficial to an increase in pace.

In truth, it was difficult for athletes of similar standards to widen the gap during this phase. Phillip was also not behind anyone. He didn’t have legs, so he could not generate a significant amount of force by stomping the ground. However, his carbon fiber prosthesis, the Flex-Foot Cheetah, could provide him with an extra spring. It made up for the lack of power from the start of the race.

However, that only helped him avoid getting left behind, and even after putting his all into running, he could only maintain his pace to keep the others from catching up.

…

The weird feeling is back again! A very hard to notice light flashed within Phillip’s eyes, and it was hard to tell if it was sadness or happiness.

Phillip was once again having an illusion; he felt that he had not lost his legs. In the last two weeks, Phillip had been experiencing this illusion almost every day, especially after he found his running rhythm. He would always feel that he was running with his legs, not his prosthesis.

That feeling made Phillip feel comfortable and happy. It was like he was one with his prosthesis. All those layers of carbon fiber were his legs!

A voice appeared in Phillip’s mind, screaming from deep within his heart.

Run!

At that moment, he threw away all his anxieties, and he forgot that he was a disabled person who had lost both his legs. In his mind, there was only one desire; it was to run happily.

…

Oliver shifted his gaze in an attempt to gauge the positions of the other athletes. His focus finally stopped at the rightmost position, which was also the shadow of the one who was furthest in front, as well as a pair of black-colored prosthesis.

Although it was made up of 80 layers of carbon fiber, the prosthesis was not thick, hence the description of “blade.” Under the sunshine, the light reflected from the pair of prosthesis was really like a pair of razor sharp blades!

It’s really like a blade, was that how he got the nickname “blade warrior”? The question suddenly flashed through Oliver’s mind.

I’m in the middle of a race, what am I thinking! Damn that prosthesis, who cares about it, I should be focused on the position of the other contestants! Oliver forced himself to focus. It was then that he finally realized that Phillip seemed to be just as fast as the others.

I originally thought that he would get left behind from the start. Who would have thought that his pace wasn’t that much slower than us able-bodied athletes? From the corner of his eye, Oliver noticed that Phillip was once again heading into another bend.

The third 100 meters, which was also the toughest part of the 400m sprint.

Reaching this stage, athletes would have spent half of their stored energy, anaerobic exercise would have started to provide energy to the body. At the same time, the lactate produced in the previous 200 meters would have begun affecting the body, making the runners feel fatigued. At this stage, the human body would start to feel the agony brought about by a lack of oxygen, and some people might even feel suffocated, and would want to stop to take a deep breath. That feeling was comparable to being tortured. It was regarded as the toughest stage of the 400m race, one that any sprinter around the world would find difficult. Runners had to clench their teeth and persevere to make it through.

The limits of human physiology would force an athlete to slow down so that he could adjust the state of his body. Using aerobic exercise to obtain energy, and at the same time, trying to accumulate as much energy as possible to prepare for the final 100 meter dash. So, athletes spent the most time during the second bend in the 400m sprint.

Phillip’s pace was as quick as ever. The second part of the 400m sprint was the most advantageous for Phillip. He used less energy as he ran, and less lactate was produced in his muscles. As the others began to adjust, slow down, and accumulate energy, Phillip continued running while maintaining his previous rhythm and speed.

However, nobody paid any particular attention to him. He was located at the outermost track, which was also the track that was least attractive. He was a disabled person, so he was naturally ignored. Everyone was focused on Oliver, Garcia, and other strong contestants.

On the field, the competition between athletes reached its peak during this bend. The spectators would elongate their necks, widen their eyes, and wait for the moment the athletes entered the final straight.

Starting positions varied in a 400m sprint, as some started in front while others were at the back. Because of this, spectators would only be able to tell who was in the lead and who was in last place after the athletes made it onto the final stretch of straight track in the race.

“The last 100m dash, who will lead?” someone asked. Immediately after, the first runner made it into the final stretch.

The first leg that went past the line that signified the start of the last stretch was not a leg, it was a black-colored blade with the sole of a sneaker beneath it!

“It’s the blade warrior!” came a deafening shout.

Only then did everyone discover that the runner in the lead was actually Phillip!

Phillip was placed on the outermost track, and he had to run a huge circle, so his starting position was further forward. So, in the race, Phillip’s position was always in front

However, now that they had entered the final stretch of straight track, if Phillip was still in the lead, then it could only mean one thing. He was the fastest among them all!

Many spectators looked on in disbelief. In the race of the “group of death,” the fastest person was actually a disabled person who had lost both his legs! No one would have believed it if they were not witnessing it themselves.

“Oh my God, what did I just see!”

…

The last 100 meters. Get ready to dash! Oliver worked hard to adjust his breathing rhythm. He was going to enter the final stretch of straight track. He had made his preparations for the dash, and he was about to release all the energy that he had stored.

Go! I’m going to advance as the number one of the group! Oliver stole a glance at the track on his left as he thought about that.

On Oliver’s left was a young man named Rudy Jackson. His personal best was 0.06 seconds faster than Oliver’s, and he was younger than Oliver. He could be said to be Oliver’s biggest rival.

However, Jackson had also turned his head sideways. He was looking to the right, though the expression on his face looked like he had just seen a ghost.

We’re in the middle of a race and this guy still has time to make faces! Oliver was a little irritated, but he instantly sensed that Jackson was not looking at him.

Oliver subconsciously moved his eyeballs to the right.

On the left in front of him, a cold channel of lights reflected from Phillip’s black-colored “blades.”

Why is that disabled person in front of me! The expression on Oliver’s face was even worse than Jackson’s.

…

Lopez, the competition committee officer, rose from his seat. He had lost all his previous calm and cool.

Why is he in the lead? How is a disabled person running faster than a normal person? Impossible! He must be cheating! Lopez shouted in his mind.

However, Lopez knew that there was no way to cheat. Since the start of the race, Lopez’s gaze had not once strayed from the tracks, so there was simply no way for anyone to cheat under his surveillance. Even if Lopez had missed something, there were hundreds of other eyes all around him.

It can’t be, this disabled person is going to advance!

Lopez felt like scolding someone. He had put Phillip in the “group of death” because he wanted to prevent Phillip from advancing into the official races. However, reality had cruelly slapped him in the face!

Those seven idiots! They can’t even beat a disabled person! Lopez had begun cursing in his heart; however, cursing was all he could do. He could only stare in disbelief as Phillip ran past the finish line, advancing through to the official races on the next day.

…

The last 80 meters. The frequency of their steps increased, and they went into a sprint.

The last 60 meters. The gap widened, and the ones in the lead were still struggling and battling against each other.

The last 40 meters. Some of them slowed down, having used up most of their stored energy.

The last 20 meters. Every step demanded tremendous determination and strength. At this stage, almost everyone relied on inertia to push themselves forward.

Like everyone else, Phillip persevered. He had also used up all his energy, however, unlike the others, he had to bear an additional pain.

400 meters of high-intensity running. His knee bore a considerable amount of stress. His knee was where he fixed his prosthesis, and so it had to withstand even more compression and friction, while supporting the weight of his entire body.

However, Phillip was already used to it. He was used to the feeling of compression and friction. He was used to continuing his run under such pain and duress.

For him, as long as his pain would bring him success, it was worth it.

Phillip ran in front, his eyes staring straight ahead. That was the finish line!

And then, the finish line was in front of him!

He stepped onto the white finish line without hesitation. He was the first to run past the finish line…

Chapter 385: The Ability of a Finalist

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Everyone in the stadium looked aghast. What had happened that day was something they had never thought possible.

The person who emerged victorious from the 400m sprint’s “group of death” was a para-athlete who had lost both his legs!

“Is something wrong with my eyes? Was the first person who ran past the finish line the ‘blade warrior?’ But he’s disabled! He doesn’t have legs, and he only has a small part of his calves. A person without legs ran faster than people with legs?”

“What’s going on? Isn’t this the ‘group of death?’ Why is a disabled person in first place? What were the other seven contestants doing? Were they imitating a tortoise? Why would they let a disabled person get first place?”

“Fixed race. This must be a fixed race! How else can a disabled person top the group! The other seven contestants must have been bought!” announced a person who had read a lot of mystery novels.

At this moment, the results of the contestants appeared on the electronic display.

There was no doubt it was the “group of death”; every athlete was capable of advancing through to the official race, and as such, their results were at the standard of the official race. Many finished close to 45 seconds, and there were even some who made it within 45 seconds. Compared to this group, the results of the previous three groups were miserable. Judging by the standards of the world championship qualifier, these sort of results would only appear in the US.

And ranked first was Phillip. His time was 44.72 seconds!

“44.72 seconds, he actually managed to produce this kind of result! And the results of the other athletes are actually really good. It’s not that the other athletes made concessions, or that the race was fixed… That ‘blade warrior’ is really fast.”

“I remember in the last Olympic Games, the worst result that made it into the finals was 44.79 seconds. Doesn’t that mean the ‘blade warrior’ has the ability to make it into the finals of the Olympics?”

“Now, all I want to know is how fast this ‘blade warrior’ can run! Is his performance today his limit?”

“You would know just by coming to watch the race tomorrow. He’s in the first place, so he has already advanced through to the official race tomorrow!”

…

Oliver was the second runner to cross the finish line. However, his expression was filled with regret and disappointment.

I’ve actually lost to a disabled person! At that moment, it was like Oliver had lost his soul. He looked like a zombie who had no thought.

It wasn’t just Oliver; Rudy Jackson, Marcus Garcia, Joe Christian… The other contestants in the group all had the same desolate expression.

They were all professional athletes, and they were the superior members of the bunch. Although losing races was a common occurrence for them, losing to a para-athlete was completely unacceptable.

44.72 seconds! How is he so fast? He’s so fast even without legs! Oliver finally saw Phillip’s result.

44.72 seconds. Oliver only managed to achieve that during training. In official matches, Oliver had never achieved such a result before.

At that moment, the contempt that Oliver had felt gradually turned into fear. Oliver looked at Phillip like he had seen a “demon lord.”

…

Lopez paced back and forth in his office, looking as though he was struggling internally.

Finally, Lopez made a decision. He grabbed his phone and dialed the number of Williams, the CEO of the American Track and Field Association.

“Hello sir, it’s me, Lopez. There’s something I need to report to you. Do you remember a Barron Phillip? That ‘blade warrior.'”

Before Lopez could finish, Williams asked, “You still haven’t settled things with that guy?”

“No, no. We accepted his registration promptly after your instructions yesterday, and he also came and took part in the competition,” Lopez answered.

“Alright, noted. You don’t have to tell me how you actually did it. As long as he stops causing us problems,” Williams said impatiently.

“Yes, sir. I am not sure if this is him causing trouble for us, that’s why I am reporting this to you.” Lopez paused and then continued. “He’s advanced. That disabled person actually made it through the qualifiers!”

“What did you just say? Advanced? He’s a disabled person, he doesn’t have legs! He’s advanced despite that?” Williams asked in a peculiar tone.

“And he has actually advanced as the first place of the group. That is why I’m asking you for instructions. Should we let him participate in the race tomorrow? He is a disabled person after all. We could let it slide if it were just the qualifiers, but tomorrow’s race is the actual selection for the World Championship in Athletics. There’s even a live broadcast. Are we going to allow him to get on the field and compete against our country’s best athletes?”

“Lopez, couldn’t you have just assigned him to a tougher group?” Williams had instead started to assign blame.

“Sir, I already put him in a ‘group of death,’ but he still made it through. His time was 44.72 seconds. Based on past results, if this result were in an official race, it would be enough to get him into the final.”

“You mean to say that there’s a chance we’ll see him in the finals?” William asked in disbelief.

“If he maintains this kind of form, we can’t exclude the possibility!” Lopez answered honestly.

“To h*ll with this! Lopez, why don’t you just tell it straight to my face that he can get into the top three and book a spot to the world championship. He would then represent the United States of America in the upcoming World Championship in Athletics! What would the world say? They would say, ‘Oh, look, the almighty United States, number one in track and field, could only send a cripple to participate in the race’!” Williams said anxiously.

“Sorry sir,” Lopez said. “Should we just deny him the right to compete in tomorrow’s race?”

“Deny him the right to compete? Is your brain rusty?” Williams demanded. “A disabled person successfully advancing through to tomorrow’s official race, do you think that the journalists will let something as rare as this slide? Who knows, that ‘blade warrior’ might be in an interview with them now! If you don’t let him compete, how will the public view us?”

“Then what should we do?” Lopez asked.

“By now, we can only react by not responding,” Williams said helplessly.

…

Just as Williams had predicted, Phillip was indeed in a special interview with journalists.

At a location not far away, Dai Li and Stephen sat together. Dai Li held a coffee cup in his hand, and Stephen was scarfing down a piece of takeout pizza.

“It sure is tough for you guys in this business. To delay your meal by so much, just so you could get in touch with these journalists,” Dai Li said.

“Many people think that agents are like vampires, sucking off the blood of athletes just so we can live in luxury. But where in the world can you find a job where you only count your money at home?” Stephen laughed in a self-mocking manner. “The competitiveness between agents in the US is very high. There’s always someone new joining the industry, and at the same time, there are also people that change their industry. The truth is, the market is only so big. It’s just like the pizza in my hand; if I eat another piece, someone else will have one piece less, and those who don’t get any will starve.”

“As long as Phillip maintains his current form, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about starving again.” Dai Li inadvertently looked at Phillip, who was in the middle of an interview.

Stephen nodded. “Yeah, I’ve already decided to leave the apartment I’m currently renting so that I can purchase a house of my own. To tell you the truth, I’m really starting to regret it now.”

“Regret what?” Dai Li asked.

“Regret that five percent!” Stephen sighed helplessly. “Looking at the current situation, Phillip’s endorsement income from this year’s advertisements alone could exceed a million dollars, and for everything that exceeds 500,000 dollars, I have to give you 5%. I will be losing tens of thousands of dollars to you just like that. Did you know that this day would come?”

Dai Li did not deny it. He nodded and said, “That’s right, I knew that Phillip could compete against normal athletes. It was only that his potential hadn’t been developed.”

“Your prediction was spot on.” Stephen swallowed a bite of pizza and said, “So, for tomorrow’s race, do you think that he will make it through?”

“The official race is separated into the preliminary race and the final race. You are asking if he can make it into the final, or obtain a spot in the world championship?” Dai Li asked.

“I want to know both answers,” Stephen said as he wiped the pizza sauce off his face.

“24 contestants will take part in the preliminary race. Excluding the 12 athletes who advanced through the qualifiers today, there are another 12 seeded contestants. These 12 seeds are the top athletes of the US, and among them are past world championship contestants as well as past Olympic contestants. There are also contestants of the diamond league. These 24 contestants will be vying for the final eight spots. According to the rules, the top two of each group and the top three of the two best-performing groups will advance to the final race.”

Dai Li looked towards Phillip, who was seated not far away, as he spoke. “If the grouping isn’t too bad, I don’t believe Phillip will have too much problem advancing into the final race. However, when it comes to going to the world championship…”

“The possibility isn’t high, right?” Stephen asked.

Dai Li nodded. “Only the top three are allowed to participate in the individual events, and the fourth-placed athlete is allowed to take part in the 4x400m relay race. That means that among the eight contestants in the final, half of them will appear on the stage of the world championship. The probability looks to be rather high, but for Phillip, it will be really hard; the opponents are too strong.”

As he said this, Dai Li couldn’t help but sigh. “Among the 12 seeded contestants, two of them can run within 44 seconds. Those two have technically already taken up two spots. Another three of them can run within 44.5 seconds. The rest of them are no less capable than Phillip. It is impossible for Phillip to stand out in the race. Unless he creates a miracle!”

Chapter 386: The Meaning of Running

“In the selection of the World Championship in Athletics that ended today, the ‘blade warrior,’ Barron Phillip, who participated in a race for normal people for the very first time, has obtained the second place in his group. He has successfully advanced to tomorrow’s final.”

Accompanied by the sweet voice of the news anchor, a photograph of Phillip running appeared on the upper right side of the television screen.

It was a very brief sports news broadcast. A simple statement paired with a blurry photography. In fact, there wasn’t even a second of video recording.

Time on live television was precious. The US had a great variety of sports games and matches, and there was never a lack of programs to broadcast. In comparison, the public was obviously less interested in sports news. Sports news was only the results, which was never as exciting and enjoyable as a live game. As such, on television, sports news was always as short and straightforward as possible. Broadcasting games and matches were the principal methods of increasing television ratings.

However, when it came to online media, they were much more generous. Text articles, pictures, and even a video of a few minutes—it was only a short string of data on the server. They didn’t need to pursue excellence like on television media; on the contrary, the more internet content there was, the better.

News of Phillip advancing to the finals had become viral on the internet. The US had always been a country that advocated personal heroism with characters such as Superman, Captain America, Iron Man, etc., who were all loved by the American people. And in the eye of the general public, Phillip had somehow become the “Broken Leg Man.”

When a person whose legs had been amputated competed against an able-bodied person, it was always going to be new and exciting, not to mention that Phillip had made it to the finals with his strength.

As a disabled person, he would already have gained extra sympathy under normal circumstances, and in any country, a disabled person who strived for improvement and never gave up would be seen as a role model.

An able-bodied person might sympathize with Phillip and give him encouraging applause, but a disabled person would identify with Phillip and idolize him.

When Phillip made his appearance on the field during the finals, the most enthusiastic and passionate cheers suddenly erupted from all over the stadium.

“Blade warrior! Blade warrior! Blade warrior!” the crowd shouted in unison.

There were even people who held and waved around giant banners or photographs of Phillip in the stands. The competition hadn’t started, but the stadium had already reached its boiling point, as people shouted and cheered for Phillip.

Phillip sat down and did some simple warm-ups. He raised his legs and stretched his waist, looking a little nervous. Even when the commentator announced his name and the camera closed in on him for a close-up, he only smiled shyly.

However, when Phillip’s smile appeared on the big screen, the most passionate of cheers reverberated within the stadium.

Phillip was dumbfounded. He had never felt so much applause, not to mention the cheers that he was hearing. At that moment, Phillip suddenly felt that he was surrounded by happiness.

This applause, these cheers, they’re all for me? Phillip looked around. He saw the people holding his photograph, as well as the people who lifted huge banners. Unconsciously, Phillip raised both his arms above his head and waved them around to pay tribute to all who supported him.

They’ve recognized me! Phillip suddenly realized.

Phillip wrinkled his nose as tears formed in his eyes. He really needed this feeling of acceptance!

Phillip looked around.

In the stands right in front of him, a young man in a wheelchair was shouting at the top of his lungs.

In the stands far behind him, a man on crutches held a big banner with the words ‘Blade Warrior’ written on it.

And in the first row of the stands closest to him, a frail-looking man with red hair looked at him with a face full of expectation.

That’s Jonny! Phillip recognized that person. He had been Phillip’s comrade during the war, the ex-Army Sergeant, Jonny. He became addicted to drugs after returning to the country, and had since become a homeless person.

Jonny also noticed that Phillip had seen him. He smiled at Phillip and held out his hand at the same time, encouraging Phillip with a big thumbs up.

At that moment, Phillip felt that he had an additional purpose, and it was not heavy but full of hope.

I finally understand the meaning of me continuing to run! It’s not so that I can gain recognition, it’s not about getting equal respect, it is to give hope to those who were in despair, to tell them to not give up on life!

Phillip lowered his head to look at the prosthesis that had accompanied him for many years. Although he had lost both his legs, he had never given up hope.

Phillip’s eyes suddenly became clear; he now had an objective, a clear purpose that would support him to continue running.

He completed his preparation and awaited the signal that would start the race.

…

The sound of a gunshot. Phillip dashed forward, away from the starting line like a runaway stallion.

“Eh?” Dai Li uttered curiously. He was the first to notice that something had changed in Phillip’s body.

Dai Li had been with Phillip for a very long time, and so he knew Phillip from the inside out. At that moment, Dai Li saw something he had never seen before in Phillip.

Dai Li could see that Phillip was, at that moment, very focused and resilient. However, Dai Li could not put into words the transformation that Phillip had undergone.

It was belief. It could not easily be put into words; however, it brought with it courage and an unyielding spirit.

As Phillip ran, passionate cheers reverberated from the stands that he passed. People were shouting “blade warrior,” and no one could keep their eyes off him. He had undoubtedly become the focus of the entire stadium.

…

On the main stands, the CEO of the American Track and Field Association, Williams, was seated in the middle, maintaining his calm and collected composure.

However, the wild cheers surrounding him continued to stir his heart.

He gazed at the race track and looked at the legless athlete who was running with a pair of prosthesis.

“Blade warrior…” Williams kept repeating the name in a whisper. A mysterious sense of affection rose from deep within his heart.

He lost both his legs, but he’s still putting so much effort into running. His belief must be firm to have persevered to this point! Williams thought with a deep breath. In his mind, he had already rejected all of Lopez’s previous opinions.

If he only wanted to boost his fame using this competition, he didn’t need to go this far. This “blade warrior” ran for his dreams… Williams suddenly felt that letting Phillips participate in the competition might have been the right thing to do.

…

It was the second half of the race. The pace of the other contestants had fallen, but Phillip’s advantage had only just begun taking effect; not only did he maintain his speed, he had somehow increased it a bit.

Dai Li quickly took a glance at the stopwatch in his hand. He had already realized that the Phillip of that day was much faster than usual.

He is outdoing himself today! Dai Li realized that, but he did not know what the cause of his fantastic form was.

Perhaps he was always this type of contender. In an official race, the stress that comes from all around him further unleashes his potential. Dai continued glancing at his stopwatch as he kept thinking.

…

The 200m to 300m bend was the hardest part to endure for many athletes, but for Phillip, this was the part where he gained a significant advantage.

In the blink of an eye, the contestants would enter the final straight track and make their final dash.

“We’re going into the final stretch of straight track. Brown is in the lead, behind him is Andrew, and then following him is Francesco. Oh, it looks like the blade warrior is catching up! He is close behind Francesco, can he get past him?”

The voice of the commentator rang powerfully across the stadium. The crowds in the stands had all stood up.

Brown, who was leading in the first place, was the best when it came to the 400m sprint. He had won the silver medal for the Olympics and the world championship, as well as the 4x100m relay gold medal. Among the active athletes at the time, he dominated the 400m sprint event. If he was in good form, he could finish the race in 44 seconds. Getting crowned champion in this sort of competition was a given.

Andrew, who was in second place, also had a personal best that neared 44 seconds. In terms of strength, he was only second to Brown, and since he was slightly stronger than the other athletes, getting second place wasn’t much of a problem.

The key was the fight for third place, because it was the last ticket to the 400m sprint event in the world championships.

At that moment, the third-ranked Francesco had already sensed that someone was getting close to him. He squinted from the corner of his eye and saw a person he recognized immediately. It was Phillip.

The “blade warrior” of Los Angeles! I never would have thought that he would be the one behind me, chasing me, and intending to pass me! It’s actually a person who doesn’t even have legs! That is why I cannot lose!”

Francesco did not want to lose to Phillip. It wasn’t only about winning or losing, heck, winning third place and getting into the world championship wasn’t even all that important. What was more important was the dignity of an athlete. He could be defeated, but definitely not by a disabled person!

Francesco looked forward and saw that there was only about 50 meters left until the finish line.

Fight! Francesco focused all his strength in both his legs, working hard to increase the gap in between his steps. He wanted to increase his step frequency and to stomp harder on the ground. He wanted to do all those just so he could widen the gap between Phillip and himself, even if just slightly.

However, Phillip did not give him that chance. As Francesco worked hard, Phillip was also working hard.

The cheers within the stadium had reached their climax. Many people had surely shouted until they lost their voices, yet they continued shouting. These cheers were mixed together with the sound of the wind, and as it flowed into Phillip’s ear, it was like the sound of a war-drum.

Phillip dashed. The distance between him and the finish line was a mere 40 meters; however, he had still not yet caught up to Francesco.

Francesco was determined, and it did not seem like he was going to slow down.

Into the last 30 meters. One was still in front while the other was behind, and perhaps the race would continue like that until the end.

Can I really not pass him? Phillip started to become anxious as he had put all his effort into his dash, but he still couldn’t catch up to Francesco.

No. I’m not at the finish line yet, I can’t give up! This is a race, but it is also life, and that’s why there’s always hope! Persevere, there’s definitely going to be a chance!

Phillip entered the last 20 meters with this belief.

And at that moment, Francesco slowed down. He had exhausted all the energy stored in his body.

Fatigue was like pitch black darkness. It attacked and lingered. Francesco felt as if he had lost control of both his legs. However, the belief and conviction in his mind made it possible to continue striding forward.

Come on, just a little more, the last 20 meters, hold on!

Francesco did not give up fighting, he continued encouraging and pushing himself. However, the clearness of his mind could not prevent his legs from slowing down.

At the same time, Phillip had finally made it to his side, running side by side with him.

He’s caught up! Francesco noticed.

I can’t lose, I will definitely not lose to a disabled person! Francesco clenched his teeth. Immediately, he had once again regained control of both his legs, and he then exhausted his strength to dash towards the finish line.

Only 10 meters left; the next second was the moment the victor would be decided!

…

I’ve caught up to him! Phillip could feel that he was running side by side with Francesco. He also knew that in the next second, they would reach the finish line.

I will win! Phillip began leaning his body forward, and then he made a lunging gesture.

This gesture was extremely difficult for Phillip because he was wearing a pair of prosthesis. He did not have the Achilles Tendon that could twist and turn. As his prosthesis was fixed on his knee, his knee also could not move around easily. The Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis could never support a person as perfectly as a pair of legs. So, the same lunging gesture meant that Phillip could not maintain his center of gravity and keep his body balanced like a normal person.

He gave up balancing his body.

He had only one belief, and that was to dash past the finish line first.

Whoosh!

Phillip rushed to the front like a dolphin plunging out of the sea.

He was really flying. His prosthesis had left the ground. Under the influence of inertia, he flew past the finish line, and then his body crashed into the ground and slid forward. The highly durable carbon fiber prosthesis left definite marks on the rubber tracks.

The cheers around the stadium ceased. The scene had happened too quickly, and not even the people who were closest to the finish line managed to see it clearly. Phillip and Francesco, who went past the finish line first? Everyone looked anxiously at the electronic display and waited for the photo finish system to give them the final answer.

Did I win? Phillip had not risen from the ground. Crashing into the ground at that kind of speed made him feel as though his bones were going to shatter. He only turned his head towards the big screen at the side of the stadium.

On the big screen, a still image of the scene was finally shown. The person who dashed past the finish line first, his leg raised, the black blade-like prosthesis particularly apparent.

I’ve won!

Chapter 387: New Rewards for Leveling Up

Although Phillip had only placed third, Stephen’s reaction was like he had won a championship.

“Third place! A ticket to the world championship, we’ve got a ticket to the world championship!” Stephen shouted in excitement. That was also the reason for his enthusiasm.

Phillip only had a little fame in the US at that moment, but if he could participate in the world championship, he would undoubtedly become a world-famous sports star. Phillip would have an inestimable commercial value by then. For an agent, that meant a lot of moolah.

Dai Li was also feeling happy. He was delighted not only because Phillip had obtained a ticket to the world championship, but also because Dai Li himself had just been upgraded to the senior phase of famous coach.

Dai Li had initially thought that he would be stuck for a long time at the intermediate phase of the famous coach, especially after arriving in the US. Everything had to be started from scratch, and the number of athletes in his hand was also limited, so the speed at which he gained experience was rather slow.

But then Dai Li met Phillip. Phillip successively broke several world records in para-athletics, which brought Dai Li a considerable amount of experience.

Even more important was the third place in the selection of the world championship that day. The amount of experience Dai Li gained that day was greater than the experience he had gained from Phillip breaking those world records.

“A disabled person participating in a competition for normal people, it belongs to a cross-level challenge. The difficulty for achieving results increased substantially, so the experience you receive is several times more than normal,” the system explained.

“Does that mean that every cross-level challenge would provide bonus experience?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Yes. However, the exact amount added depends on the difficulty of the cross-level challenge. For example, in a boxing match, a middleweight challenging a heavyweight, and a light heavyweight challenging a heavyweight; although both are cross-level challenges, the latter is more difficult, so the bonus experience will also be higher,” the system answered.

“I understand. Looks like I’ve found a new method of leveling up quickly.” Dai Li nodded and looked at the experience required to level up. It used millions as a unit, and his heart wanted to request the song “Liangliang” for himself.

Now that I’m at the senior phase of the famous coach, I should level up to become a celebrated coach next, but with the amount of experience required to level up, who knows when I will be able to achieve that!

Dai Li adjusted his mood and told the system, “Hurry up and let me see the rewards for leveling up! Let’s hope you give me something useful.”

The system brought out both of the rewards for leveling up. On the left was a pen and a stack of cards, and on the right was a model of a pyramid.

As soon as he saw the cards, Dai Li couldn’t help but think about the “copy cards.” However, the style and pattern of these cards were completely different from the copy cards.

“What are these cards, and they come with a pen, too. Is it used for writing?” Dai Li asked.

“This is an age-reduction card. Used on athletes, it can return the body condition of athletes to when they were young. For example, you could use the age-reduction card on a 35 year old athlete and return his body to its condition at 25,” the system stated.

Upon hearing the effects, Dai Li felt a sudden sense of joy in his heart.

Age and injury were the two worst enemies of an athlete. In particular, age was scarier than injury since most injuries could be healed, while age was an irreversible process. After an injury, as long as rehabilitation went well, an athlete could still jump and run around with ease upon returning; however, after aging, even if the body remained healthy, it would still be challenging to remain lively even if the athlete wanted to. Not to mention, as one aged, the probability of getting injured also increased, and the recovery speed also slowed down as well.

“This thing is amazing! It’s the same as a rejuvenation! How do I use this age-reduction card?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“It’s simple. You just have to write down the number of years you want to reduce on the card, and simply use it on the athlete. An example would be if you wanted an athlete to become five years younger, just write a ‘5’ on the card, if it’s ten years, then just write down the number ’10,'” the system explained.

Dai Li thought about the athlete’s patch from earlier. Its effective period was a year, and every athlete was limited to only using three cards. So, based on the distinct personality of the system, there would also be restrictions on the use of the age-reduction card. As such, Dai Li asked, “This isn’t a permanent effect, right?”

“Of course it’s not a permanent effect, and the age reduction isn’t without its limitations,” the system said. “Regarding its time of effect, there is a formula. Subtract the number you’ve written on the card from 13, then multiply it by 30. That would be the time of effect for an age-reduction card. For example, if you wish to deduct five years off an athlete’s age and let his body return to his condition five years ago, then, to calculate the time of effect of the age-reduction card, you subtract five from 13, which gives you eight. Then you multiply eight by 30, which gives you the final number of 240. So, the time of effect for that card would be the next 240 days. Can you understand?”

Dai Li nodded, and the system continued. “Based on these formulas, the age-reduction card has two usage conditions. Number one, the number you write on the card has to be an integer, and it cannot be a negative number. Number two, the number on the age-reduction card cannot exceed 13.”

“The number on the card cannot exceed 13, does that mean that I can write the number 13?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course. If you write 13, the final number will be zero, which means that the effective period of the card is zero days. That means that it will immediately lose its effect. You would have wasted an age-reduction card,” the system answered.

Dai Li thought for a moment and continued asking, “The number written on the card must be an integer and cannot be a negative number, does that mean I can write down ‘0’? Since, after all, zero is an integer.”

“Of course you can. If you write zero, the final number would be 390, which also means that in the next 390 days, the athlete would be able to maintain his current body condition. In these 390 days, the athlete’s body would be impervious to the effects of aging,” the system answered.

“I think I’ve got the gist of it,” Dai Li began calculating quietly in his heart.

Based on the calculation of the formula, the more years you wanted to reduce, the shorter the effect duration. In contrast, the fewer years reduced, the longer the effect duration. If you reduced the age of the athlete by one, it would last 360 days, almost a year. But if you reduced the age by 12 years, it would only last 30 days. Just a month.

The peak age of athletes in most sports is around 25 years old. Under normal circumstances, the bodily functions of an athlete begin to deteriorate after the age of 30. For athletes below the age of 30, there is almost no need to use the age-reduction cards. The body of athletes in this age range are usually in great condition, and reducing the age from 29 to 25 or 26 would not bring too much change. That means that the ones who would use these age-reduction cards are definitely athletes who are more than 30 years old.

And for older athletes, if they want to return to a better physical condition, they would need to reduce more years. It would be meaningless if a 35 year old athlete only returned to the body of a 33 year old. Returning to the body condition of a 30 year old would be much more effective.

But the higher the number of years reduced, the shorter the effect duration. A five year reduction would last 240 days, which is the equivalent of eight months, around an entire season for a basketball league. If it were a seven or eight year reduction, it wouldn’t even last a season.

At that moment, Dai Li was already aware that the age-reduction card was a tool that had to be used carefully. If too many years were deducted, the effect would be short-lived, and the athlete would return to his original state after only a few matches. If the number of years subtracted were too few, although it would last a long time, its effect would be minimal.

“A reminder. The total number of age-reduction cards is also 200, and each athlete can also only use three cards, the same as the athlete’s patch,” the voice of the system interrupted Dai Li’s thoughts.

“I know. Next, tell me about this pyramid.” Dai Li pointed towards the pyramid-like model.

“This is a team pyramid. It can help you build your coaching team. You are familiar with the structure of the pyramid, yes?” the system asked.

“Just a little,” Dai Li answered.

“It is impossible for world-class coaches to handle everything alone, and it’s also unlikely for them to personally do every single thing; they have a team. They are merely the decision makers and conductors. When it comes to hands-on practical training, it is usually handled by the other team members,” the system said slowly.

“I know, I’ve been in Harman’s team before. Although Harman was the head coach, he never handled the minute details of training, it was always his subordinates who handled them,” Dai Li said.

“With your current standard of being a famous coach, you are more than qualified to build your own coaching team. As the decision maker and conductor of the team, you will undoubtedly be on top of the pyramid. The different layers below would be the other members of your team. You are currently a famous coach, so the team pyramid can provide you with the titles of two top-level coaches, four second-rate coaches, and eight third-rate coaches,” the system explained.

“What is the use of these titles?” Dai Li asked promptly.

“You can give these titles to the coaches in your team, and they will receive additional training effects associated with the title. Like the part-timer that you recently hired, you could give him the title of a second-rate coach. He would then enjoy the bonus effects of a second-rate coach when training athletes. You’ve experienced being a second-rate coach before, so you should understand very well what the bonus effects are. Of course, people who receive the title will only enjoy the improved training effect, they won’t learn of my existence,” the system explained.

“Would I be able to retract the titles after handing them out?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes. As long as the person is in your coaching team, you can give them any title, and you can also retract the titles any time you want. Everything will be displayed on the team pyramid. With a title, bonus training effects; no title, no bonus training effects.” The system continued, “At the same time, you will gain experience when a coach who has been given a title conducts training as if you were conducting the training yourself.”

“It’s similar to me being the boss and them being the workers who help me earn money?” Dai Li asked quickly.

“That description isn’t exactly right, as a boss has to pay wages to his employees. The correct description would be that they are like slaves, and you are a slave master. All the experience they gain through training athletes will belong to you,” the system stated.

That means that by having this team pyramid, I’ve gained a group of experience points miners. In this case, I will gain experience faster; looks like those millions of experience points required to level up won’t be that hard to achieve anymore. Dai Li began calculating again in his mind as he thought of that.

Two top-level coaches, four second-rate coaches, eight third-rate coaches. A total of 14 spots. The number of people in coach Harman’s coaching team was probably also around this number. That means that I can form a coaching team for a soccer club. For a physical training center like mine, 14 staff is definitely more than enough. I have only employed two part-time coaches, and now that I have this team pyramid, perhaps I should hire a few more full-time coaches.

The system interrupted him and said, “You should indeed hire more people. You will become a celebrated coach in your next level up, and at that point, the effects of the team pyramid will also increase. You will be able to use the titles of two famous coaches, four top-level coaches, eight second-rate coaches, and 16 third-rate coaches.”

…

In the meeting room of the American Track and Field Association, the situation regarding Phillip had ignited an argument.

“He’s disabled, how can you let him represent the United States of America in the World Championship in Athletics? We would become a laughingstock!”

“But he has indeed placed third in the race. According to your rules, the top three from the selection will represent the US in the world championship. It has been like this for decades. The top three represent the US. We should follow the rules.”

“But the circumstances are too special this time, I think special circumstances should be treated differently.”

“No. Rules should be followed. We cannot use ‘a special circumstance’ as an excuse to go against the rules. As soon as a precedent is created, multiple ‘special circumstances’ will appear in the future. Would we have to also treat special circumstances differently each time? Once that happens, where would fairness and justice go? In that case, why organize a selection race in the first place? We might as well just choose the participants.”

“Are we going to submit the name of that disabled person to the International Association of Athletics Federation?”

“Why not? He got third place, he has earned the right to participate.”

“Among the rules and regulations of the World Championship in Athletics, no rule prohibits disabled people from taking part in the competition.”

“But that doesn’t mean the International Association of Athletics Federation will recognize Phillip, or that they will let him participate.”

“Whether the International Association of Athletics Federation allows Phillip to participate in the championship, that’s their problem. Whether we submit Phillip’s name to the International Association of Athletics Federation, now that’s our problem. We are currently discussing if we should send Phillip to participate in the World Championship in Athletics, and not whether they will allow him to participate. Besides, if the International Association of Athletics Federation decides to deny Phillip the right to participate, it’s still not a reason for us to break the rules. Our rule is that the top three of the selection race will go and represent the US in the world championship.”

Chapter 388 - Recruitment

Chapter 388: Recruitment

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Ironman Training Center.

The owner, Max, looked at the tall, large Caucasian youngster in front of him and said, “Mr. Payton, I’ve read your resume, and I think you are well-suited for our training center; however, our full-time coaching positions are all occupied. Would you mind trying part-time?”

“Part-time huh? Forget about it then. I’m looking for a full-time job.” Chris Payton shook his head before standing up. “Sir, since you don’t need me here at the moment, I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Mr. Payton, hold on!” Max suddenly called out to Chris Payton. “Not far from here, there’s a Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center, opened by a Chinese coach. I heard they are hiring full-time coaches, so you could go there and try.”

Chris Payton gratefully looked at Max and said in a sincere tone, “Thank you for letting me know, I’ll definitely give it a go.”

Chris Payton turned around to leave, not seeing the cold light that glinted in Max’s eyes.

By his side, a man in his forties asked, “Boss, this Chris Payton isn’t bad. He used to be a professional football player, and he also did a stint as an assistant coach in the basketball team of a university. Besides that, his asking salary wasn’t all that high. Why didn’t you keep him? Even if we don’t need him, there wasn’t any need to introduce him to Coach Lee’s physical fitness training center, was there? They are our rivals after all. And from what I heard, they have been pretty popular lately.”

“You are talking about that ‘blade warrior’ aren’t you! Indeed, this ‘blade warrior’ has been very famous lately. He actually managed to get a place in the world championship, and everyone in the US knows about him,” Max said. “I originally thought that training para-athletes would only result in losses… Who would have thought that they would pick up such an unusual runner? They aren’t located that far from us, so they definitely affect our business. However, it is precisely because they are our rivals that I advised Chris Payton to go there.”

“Is there something wrong with this Chris Payton?” the middle-aged man asked immediately.

“Of course. He sent his resume to my email earlier, and I read that he was a key player in his university football team. However, it just so happens that I know the coach of that university football team, so naturally, I asked about him,” Max explained.

“And what did he say?” the middle-aged man asked instantly.

“This Chris Payton isn’t that simple. He is the bastard son of a gang leader in Los Angeles. This gang doesn’t just smuggle firearms, they are also related to the Colombian drug cartel.” As Max said this, the side of his lips curled upwards into a smirk. He continued, “I have no intention of being involved with such a dangerous person. Since I have no time for a troublesome character like him, let’s just leave him to our rivals!”

…

Chris Payton followed the instructions of the GPS and drove towards Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center. While he was still a distance away, he saw two giant advertising posters hanging on both sides of the front door of the training center.

The poster was a picture of Phillip in mid-stride. On the side was a slogan, “Success favors the unyielding.”

That’s the “blade warrior” Barron Phillip! Is he the spokesperson of this training center? This Coach Lee’s training center is indeed strong, if they’re actually willing to sign an endorsement deal with Phillip. Chris Payton unconsciously slowed his car down.

It could be said that Phillip became famous overnight. He gained a whole lot of attention. Phillip was one of the most celebrated and popular sports stars in the US, and as such, his endorsement fee would also be over the roof.

Chris Payton parked his car and walked towards the training center with his resume in hand. As soon as he reached the door, he saw the recruitment advertisement posted on the wall.

They really are hiring! Chris Payton straightened his clothes and walked into the training center.

…

So the “blade warrior” trains here, no wonder his poster was outside! A place that cultivated the “blade warrior,” this place must be great, Chris Payton suddenly thought. The prospects for working in Coach Lee’s training center seemed much better than in the Ironman training center.

Opposite him, Dai Li read through Chris Payton’s resume in detail.

Used to be a key player in his school football team. Took part in the NFL draft after graduating but was not picked. Later went to play soccer in a low-level league. Just retired not that long ago, and worked as a fitness coach for two years. This Chris Payton used to be a professional athlete, so he is a suitable candidate for being a coach, and his asking salary isn’t that high. In Los Angeles, it’s hard to find someone this qualified at this price. Dai Li nodded his head in satisfaction.

“Mr. Payton, I can give you a full-time job, but you need to pass the probation period first,” Dai Li said.

“No problem, I’ll work hard.” Chris Payton nodded his head in enthusiasm and asked, “When can I start coming in?”

“Is tomorrow okay?” Dai Li pointed towards the training ground outside and said, “We’re kind of short on manpower. We’re already very busy as it is, so I hope you can come in as soon as possible.”

Dai Li’s business had recently improved. Phillip’s success also helped boost the name of Dai Li’s training center. As the journalists and reporters interviewed Phillip, they also interviewed Dai Li, who was his coach. The brand of Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center had become a household name throughout Los Angeles.

In Dai Li’s original plan, his primary clients were supposed to be professional or amateur athletes. However, after Dai Li gained some fame, he found out that apart from athletes, some of the more affluent residents of the city were also interested in becoming his clients.

California was a wealthy area in the US. There was no lack of rich people, and a common trait among these affluent Americans was that they had a lot of free time. In the US, a poor person might have several jobs, working from day to night just to live a better life; even the vast number of the middle-class could only relax and enjoy their lives on fixed holidays, since their nine to five jobs kept them swamped during the workweek.

Only the rich had time for entertainment, leisure, travel, and fitness training. That was why a lot of poor people were obese in the US, because they could only eat unhealthy food that was high in calories. The rich had ideal body weights because they didn’t have to spend too much time earning money, so they also had enough spare time to train their bodies.

The affluent pursued high-quality lifestyles. Even their sports had to be of high quality. Although they couldn’t spend all day in training centers like athletes, they were willing to spend money on a personal training plan, or a couple of customized training courses weekly. For Dai Li, it was a massive source of income.

With more incoming clients, Dai Li was getting stretched all by himself, and relying on part-timers wasn’t exactly a sustainable plan. That was why Dai Li began hiring full-time coaches. He had already hired two full-time coaches, so including Chris Payton who came in today, Dai Li had a total of three full-time coaches under him.

However, all three of them were still on probation, and Dai Li’s hiring plan was still ongoing. A coach was a profession very similar to that of a doctor or teacher. Experience and individual ability played equally important roles. It wasn’t a job that could be done well just by having a Master’s degree or having certain specialized technical skills. Meeting a good coach was something one could only hope for, so Dai Li’s recruitment drive had to continue.

…

Stephen hurried inside, looking extremely anxious. He saw Dai Li, and his pace increased even more as he walked towards him.

“What’s wrong?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“It’s the International Association of Athletics Federation! They might not allow Phillip to take part in the world championship,” Stephen said quickly.

Chapter 389 - Pre-Emptive Strike

Chapter 389: Pre-Emptive Strike

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Stephen looked frantic, and he said anxiously, “I just received a call from the CEO of the American Track and Field Association, Mr. Williams. According to him, the IAAF might not allow Phillip to take part in the world championship.”

“Has the IAAF already issued a public statement disallowing Phillip from participating in the world championship?” Dai Li asked immediately.

Stephen shook his head. “It’s inside information the American Track and Field Association heard from the IAAF. It probably won’t be long until it becomes the truth.”

“Why? Is it because Phillip is disabled again?” Dai Li asked.

“No! In the rules and regulations of the World Championship in Athletics, no rule prohibits para-athletes from participating in the competition.” Stephen shook his head.

“Then what’s their reason for prohibiting Phillip from participating?” Dai Li asked.

“It might be the prosthesis,” Stephen answered.

Dai Li frowned and said, “From what I know, athletes are allowed to wear sports equipment during races, like high tech running shoes or shark skin-like swimsuits in swimming competitions.”

“That’s right, but the IAAF thinks that Phillip’s prosthesis has exceeded the definition of ‘sports equipment.’ They think that Phillip’s Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis gives Phillip unfair advantages, affecting the fairness of the competition.” Stephen lowered his voice and asked, “Coach Li, tell me the truth. Are Phillip’s prostheses elastic, and do they provide him with extra help?”

“Everything has some form of elasticity; some are more elastic while others are less elastic.” Dai Li chose a more roundabout answer.

Stephen seemed to understand what Dai Li meant. He said, “Whether or not they allow Phillip to participate is all in the hands of the IAAF. They have the final right of interpretation, and that is exactly what is disadvantageous to us. If they decide to deny Phillip the right to participate, then even I can’t do anything.”

“But the IAAF should at least find an appropriate reason,” Dai Li responded. “If I remember correctly, the IAAF will not be able to find any clear limitation on high tech equipment support for contestants in the current sports law.”

“Which means that when it comes to the rules, we are in a favorable situation.” Stephen’s spirit lifted slightly, and he continued, “Why don’t we do the same thing we did against the American Track and Field Association? We can go to the journalists, or we can organize some protests.”

Dai Li shook his head. “The IAAF is an international athletics management organization. The management team and decision makers come from all over the world, and among them, most remain in the organization only to safeguard the rights of their national athletes. Their work style can be described in only one way; they avoid making mistakes at all cost. Their decisions are usually very conservative. They are afraid of taking responsibility, so even if there is only a slight possibility of a problem arising, they will not want to take the risk.”

“I understand. Phillip is a disabled person. Letting him participate means that the competition will undergo a ‘change,’ and that is precisely what these bureaucratic old farts don’t want to see,” Stephen asked.

The change could bring about three kinds of results. Things could get better, get worse, or nothing could change.

For a decision maker, it would be natural to applaud when things got better; if no change occurred, it meant that the decision was useless. However, if things got worse, then it was indeed a wrong decision.

From the perspective of a decision maker, there was a one in three chance the change would be good. Whether it was a useless or wrong decision, someone had to take responsibility, and that was why most people would rather continue to “rule without achievements” than to reform drastically.

And for an international organization such as the International Association of Athletics Federation, reform was extremely difficult. If it were poorly done, not only would someone have to bear the responsibility, he would be scolded by the entire world. So on the matter of Phillip, the International Association of Athletics Federation would make the most conservative decision. They did not want to change.

Dai Li continued and said, “Regarding the rules of participation, Phillip has no problem. As soon as the IAAF makes the decision, we can make an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Using that might get us better results, but it would take a long time, perhaps one or two years, maybe even three to five years. Although this would garner some attention, the effect would be far less significant than having Phillip participate in the World Championship in Athletics.”

“Yeah. Going to court wastes a lot of time, and even if we won, our losses would be far greater.” Stephen nodded his head.

“Going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport is the last resort. In truth, the biggest problem faced by the IAAF is whether they want to ensure the participation rights of the individual athlete, or if they want to ensure the fairness of the competitive environment. They have to make a choice between the two. The law would support the former, so what we need to do now is to dispel their fears on the latter,” Dai Li said.

“I understand what you mean, but I still don’t know what we have to do,” Stephen stated.

“Simply put, the IAAF believes that Phillip’s prostheses have affected the fairness of the competition. Thus, all we need to do is prove that Phillip’s prostheses do not affect the fairness of the competition, and even if Phillip were to participate in the world championship, the competition would still remain fair,” Dai Li explained.

“But how do we prove that Phillip’s prostheses won’t affect the fairness of the competition?” Stephen asked.

“Everything starts from the Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis. We can directly deny the prosthesis provides Phillip with any additional advantage, but in truth, that is an idiotic method, because it wouldn’t be able to withstand the scrutiny of science. That is why we should focus on the other point. We have to prove that while running, the prosthesis does not have an advantage over real legs.” Dai Li’s expression grew calmer by the second; he had thought of a countermeasure.

In the following second, Dai Li switched his tone and asked, “There are several major universities in California, right?”

“You mean…” Stephen had guessed Dai Li’s intention.

“Yes.” Dai Li smiled as he nodded. “Go and find a reputable specialist, offer them research funding and ask them to prove that a prosthesis doesn’t have more advantage than a pair of legs while running. For example, a prosthesis would have limited explosive power, and the prosthesis would have limited joint flexibility, etc. Proving this won’t be difficult for them, and if the research fee is right, it should be easy to get a report we need from those experts.”

“Alright, I’ll go find a few reputable schools,” Stephen promised with a nod.

“This has to be fast. The faster, the better. We have to get reports that are beneficial to us and use the media to help spread them around. This time, we need to make the pre-emptive strike!” Dai Li said with a smile.

Chapter 390 - Research Report

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Updated by AnimeDaily.Net

Stanford University. Professor Biden’s Office.

“Professor, I’d like to entrust you with our research needs.” As Stephen spoke, he passed a check to Biden. “As such, I’m willing to provide your research lab with a sum of research funds.”

Biden took the check and glanced at the 20,000 dollars written on it, then he asked, “Mr. Stephen, may I know what topic you want me to research?”

“When running, which is more advantageous, the legs of a healthy individual or a prosthesis?” Stephen said.

“A prosthesis? The type the ‘blade warrior’ uses?” Professor Biden checked.

Stephen nodded and said, “Yes, that’s the one. I’ve brought along some data related to the Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis, provided by a prosthesis manufacturer in Iceland. If there is a need, I can even arrange for Phillip to come and cooperate in your research.”

“Are you serious?” Biden looked shocked. “No matter how high tech a prosthesis is, it is ultimately still a prosthesis. How could it be better than our naturally grown legs? Is there really a need to specifically research this topic? This is an unneeded expenditure for you.”

As Biden said so conscientiously, he made a gesture to return the check to Stephen.

However, Stephen raised his palms to reject the check. “Professor Biden, what you said just now, that the prosthesis is not as good as our legs, is exactly the conclusion I desire. Even truths have to be proven by scientists, right? As a scientist, your job is to confirm the truth. What do you think?”

Biden suddenly understood what Stephen meant.

“Alright, no problem. I thank you for your generosity, and I will produce the relevant research report as soon as possible. I believe the research result that I come to will be the one you want to see.” Biden placed the check inside his pocket as he spoke, then reached his right hand towards Stephen with a bright smile on his face.

As he sent Stephen off, Biden’s grin did not recede.

Proving the leg of a human is better than a sports prosthesis, these 20,000 dollars sure came easy!

Stephen did not only approach Stanford University’s Professor Biden, but he had also contacted Harvard University’s Professor Horton and Oxford University’s Professor Wesley. A research fee of 20,000 dollars to prove that the human leg is better than a prosthesis. For the professors, it was like being handed free money. In fact, they didn’t even need to personally do anything. They could just ask any of the PhD’s under them to do something, and in about half a day’s time, a perfect research report would be prepared.

At moments like these, the scientists also fully demonstrated their professional ethics; since they’d taken the money, they would have to produce a research report with results that their sponsor wanted to see.

…

Monaco, the headquarters of the International Association of Athletics Federation.

The major business matters of the International Association of Athletics Federation were decided by the council. The council consisted of 27 members, including one president, four vice presidents, one treasurer, six representatives from the associations of athletics of the major continents, and 15 council members.

At that moment, the council members were discussing Barron Phillip.

A council member with a head full of white hair said, “We’ve read through all the clauses, and there is nothing that prohibits a disabled person from participating in the world championship.”

“What about the prosthesis? Is there any clear rules regarding this?” a person on the side asked.

“Our rules on sports equipment is too general. For the prosthesis that Phillip uses, there are no specific limitations,” the white-haired council member said.

“How is this happening? When formulating the rules, weren’t we supposed to consider the effects of high tech equipment on competition fairness? If, in the future, an athlete equips a rocket propeller on his shoes, should we also let him participate!” an Indian council member said.

The oldest member of the council coughed and said, “Regarding this, let me explain. When we formulated these rules, we were faced with pressure from several sports brands. You should all know that high tech sports equipment is produced by all the major sports brands. And we can’t organize these competitions without their sponsorship. If we became too detailed in these sort of rules, we would remove them as a source of income, and they would stop sponsoring our races.”

“Alright, let’s stop talking about this. There is no way we can prohibit Phillip from participating by using the law, we can only do it through other methods. It is better if we return to the problem we’ve discussed previously, his prosthesis!” a female council member said.

“But didn’t we discuss it just now? Our rules on sports equipment are too general,” the Indian council member said.

“But we can expect that when Phillip wears the prosthesis in a competition, he will gain advantages that would affect competition fairness,” the female council member said while laughing.

“That is actually a good idea! To protect the fairness of the competition. It is a good reason. We could use this to prevent Phillip from participating in the world championship,” everyone agreed.

“But if the public asks how we ascertained that wearing a prosthesis would affect competition fairness, how should we answer them?” someone asked immediately.

“That is why we need to do some extra work, or perhaps also some additional expenditure,” the female council member answered.

“What do you mean?” The Indian council member clearly did not understand what she was trying to convey.

The female council member continued, “We of the International Association of Athletics Federation only suspect Phillip’s prosthesis would affect competition fairness, but the specifics have to be ascertained by experts and specialists. We would then only make the final decision based on the conclusions made by these experts and specialists.”

“I know Professor Brugman from the University of Cologne, he’s an authority on kinetics; we can entrust him with the research! I believe Professor Brugman will tell us that Phillip’s prosthesis would bring him additional benefits during a race,” the oldest council member said profoundly.

“Alright, you go and contact this Professor Brugman. See how much research funding he needs. I will arrange for our financial team to allocate the funds.” The host of the meeting, who was also the president of the International Association of Athletics Federation finally spoke.

“Everyone, I don’t think there’s a need anymore!” One of the vice presidents suddenly spoke. “I’ve just read a report. That ‘blade warrior’ already made the pre-emptive strike. Apparently, there was an interview with Phillip’s agent, where he said that he had three individual reports from Professor Biden from Stanford University, Professor Horton from Harvard University, and Professor Wesley from Oxford University. All these reports came to the same conclusion, which is that Phillip’s blade-like prosthesis is no match for the legs of a normal person, and that there was no way Phillip could gain more advantage than a normal person from the prosthesis!”

“What does this mean?” the Indian council member asked again.

“That means there’s no need to go to Professor Brugman from the University of Cologne anymore!” the president said. “We were one step behind them. We have only just thought of what to do, but not only have they already done it, they’ve already published the results! And they found three scientists.”

“So what? They found three, we can find 30!” the Indian council member replied in anger.

“And then what, turn this into a scientific debate? That’s meaningless! You would never be able to talk sense with these scientists. These scientists always make incomprehensible arguments, so how would that help with public opinion?”

The vice president shook his head and said, “Besides, by then, the media would ask why the IAAF used the report of the University of Cologne and not Oxford University. How should we answer then? Unless you want us to stupidly say that the University of Cologne is more reliable than Oxford University?”

“Then what should we do? Should we let Phillip take part in the world championship? Something like this has never happened in the World Championship in Athletics before!” another council member asked in a panic.

The vice president did not answer. It was as if he did not hear the question. He only leaned back into his chair with a calm demeanor.

At that moment, nobody was willing to say that they would allow Phillip to participate in the competition. No one wanted to bear the responsibility.

However, everyone seated within the room knew that in this battle, the International Association of Athletics Federation had already fallen to a disadvantaged position.

Chapter 391 - Los Angeles Police

Chapter 391: Los Angeles Police

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Los Angeles Police Department was the second largest police department in the US, second only to the New York Police Department. The entire Los Angeles Police Department had tens of thousands of active personnel and over 3000 civilian support staff. At the same time, the department also had a large number of resources; for example, they owned the third largest civil air force unit in the US, second only to the Civil Aviation Training Unit and the Customs and Border Protection.

Sergeant Tucker was one of its members. At that moment, he was interrogating a Mexican. He had just found a considerable amount of drugs on the man, as well as a few satchels used to dispense the drugs. The Mexican was obviously a drug dealer.

“You better tell me soon, where did your stock come from? Who is your supplier!” Sergeant Tucker glared at the Mexican. He knew that if he found the supplier, he would catch a big fish.

However, the Mexican remained silent. He also understood the consequences of making a confession.

“Looks like I’ll have to teach you a lesson.” Sergeant Tucker rolled up his sleeves as he spoke.

“What do you want to do?” The Mexican began to panic.

“When we were arresting you, you resisted arrest, so we had no choice but to take you down by force,” Tucker said coldly.

“I didn’t resist!” the Mexican said immediately.

“No, you did. If I say you did, you did!” Sergeant Tucker punched his stomach as he said that.

Mournful wails could be heard from the interrogation room, and after a mere 20 seconds, the Mexican couldn’t hold it anymore.

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk! Please stop. I’m begging you, please stop hitting me! I’ll talk!” The Mexican promised.

“Alright, tell me where you get your supplies!” Sergeant Tucker asked cruelly.

“Payton, it’s the Payton family! They just received a shipment from Colombia. They are now distributing them to their pushers,” the Mexican said.

“The Payton family!” Sergeant Tucker’s face turned pale. Even he knew the Paytons, the infamous crime family of Los Angeles.

“Perhaps we can get rid of the Payton family once and for all!” As Tucker came to this conclusion, he ordered, “Go and check the Payton family immediately, see what they’ve been doing recently.”

A short while later, the officers under his command came back with results.

“According to the report of our informant, they couldn’t find Payton senior. The eldest and second child of the Payton family have also been missing for a while. They seem to be deliberately hiding,” the officer reported.

“Sly bastards. They must have finished distributing their product and been worried their pushers would give them up, that’s why they went into hiding in advance. They have no intention of getting caught red-handed. They might have even gone to a faraway place intentionally just to create an alibi. Once the heat dies down and the distribution of the drugs is finished, there’s no way we can convict them with just the confessions of this Mexican!” Sergeant Tucker said furiously. He realized that he had just lost an excellent opportunity to catch a big fish.

However, the officer stated, “But we have checked, and the third son of the Payton family is in Los Angeles. At noon yesterday, someone saw him in a restaurant in Los Angeles. I heard that he eats at that restaurant every day at noon.”

“He goes every day at noon?” Tucker looked at his watch. It was almost eleven.

“It’s going to be lunchtime soon. Let’s go, we’re going to head over to that restaurant. We might be able to catch the third son of the Payton family.”

…

Near the training center, there was a mid-sized restaurant. The food was inexpensive and it tasted good, and apart from that, the waitresses were pretty too. The coaches of the training center often ate there.

It was noon. Dai Li hitched a ride with Chris Payton to the restaurant.

They walked into the restaurant after parking the car.

In a sedan not far away, Sergeant Tucker was eating a doughnut.

“Boss, that’s Chris Payton, the third son of the Payton family,” an officer said while pointing at Chris Payton.

Tucker looked through the car window. He saw Payton and Dai Li.

“Why is there a Chinese guy beside him? Don’t tell me the Payton family is related to the triad from Chinatown!” Thinking that there might be a chance for him to crack two criminal organizations at once, Sergeant Tucker couldn’t help getting a little excited.

“Boss, do we catch them now?” the officer by his side asked.

“No, wait a while. Let’s observe first. See if anyone else joins them.” Tucker was prepared to cast a long line so that he could catch the big fish.

…

Scones, steak, and an egg sandwich. Dai Li had a good appetite that day, and he finished eating everything after only a short while. He leaned back in his chair, took out a sports magazine, and began reading it with a big grin.

Barron Phillip was on the cover page of the magazine, and furthermore, the Phillip on the cover page was wearing the US team uniform.

The US track and field team was a huge group. In that issue of the magazine, most pages were used to cover news and stories on the athletes participating in the World Championship in Athletics. At the same time, there was also a prediction of the results of each event, and Phillip’s coverage occupied an entire page.

“Phillip has finally made it onto the world championship stage. The first disabled person in history to participate in the world championship. I hope he does well in the competition!” Dai Li muttered to himself.

“Li, I believe Phillip will definitely make it into the finals of the world championship,” Chris Payton said as he put down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin to show that he had finished eating.

“Chris, you are eating so little, are you sure it’s enough?” Dai Li looked at Chris’s plate. He had only ordered a beef burger, a small plate of salad, and a cup of coffee. Quantitatively, he ate much less than Dai Li.

“I’m full.” Chris Payton nodded.

“You’ve eaten less than me, are you sure you’re full?” Dai Li smiled and continued, “Don’t worry about me, I still have a lot to read in this magazine. If you’re still hungry, you can order some more. Take your time and eat, I’m in no rush to return.”

“Li, I really am full. Don’t look down on that burger, that beef patty was ridiculously big,” Payton said before standing up and pulling his car keys out of his pocket.

…

“Boss, they are leaving!” an officer said.

Tucker put down the doughnut in his hand when he saw Dai Li and Payton walking out of the restaurant through his car window.

“Move!” At Tucker’s command, the officers rushed out of their vehicle, pulled out their pistols, and scrambled towards Dai Li and Payton. At the same time, they shouted the order.

“LAPD, don’t move!”

…

“Stop, don’t move, LAPD!” Shouts came from around them. Before Dai Li could react, several men rushed in front of him, the guns in their hands pointed at him.

Dai Li froze as he stared at the black barrels pointed at him. He had never even seen a real gun before in China, not to mention having a gun pointed at him.

“Put your arms on top of your head!” a voice shouted. Dai Li immediately followed the instruction and put his hands on top of his head.

Updated by AnimeDaily.Net

Immediately after, a man rushed forward, and Dai Li heard the sound Ka-Chak, and his wrist felt a cold sensation.

I’ve been handcuffed. What exactly is going on?

Chapter 392 - A Has-Been Boxing Champion

Chapter 392: A Has-Been Boxing Champion

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li did his best to control his fear and panic, and tried to calm down as he stared at the scary looking police officers from the back of the police cruiser.

They must have caught the wrong person. I need to make things clear to them; if that doesn’t work, I can still seek help from the Chinese embassy, Dai Li thought.

The police cruiser brought Dai Li to the police station, and he was placed inside an interrogation room.

“Name?”

“Dai Li.”

“Job?”

“Coach.”

“Why were you in the restaurant?”

“To eat lunch!”

“What’s your relationship with Chris Payton?”

“I’m his boss. I’ve opened a physical fitness training center. I’m the owner, and Chris is a coach.”

After a few bouts of questioning and answering, things seemed to have cleared up. A boss was eating lunch with his staff, and then he was unfortunately dragged into the police station.

The officer took the recorded statement and went to Tucker.

“Boss, we might have caught the wrong person. According to the Chinese guy, he has no connection with the triad of Chinatown, he is just a fitness coach. He opened a physical fitness training center in Los Angeles. He’s not even an American citizen, he’s just holding an investment visa,” the officer stated.

Caught the wrong person? Tucker scratched his head, but his heart felt a little depressed. Catching the wrong person was considered a mistake for any police officer, so it wasn’t a good feeling.

“Go and check out the Chinese guy’s story. We can’t rule out the possibility that he’s related to the underworld,” Sergeant Tucker commanded.

“What about the man himself? He is currently in the interrogation room, do we lock him up?” the officer asked.

“Put him in the holding cell first.” Sergeant Tucker thought for a second and commanded, “That’s right, don’t put him in the same cell as that bastard, give him the other room. He’s not an American after all; if we can’t find any proof of him committing a crime, we should let him go. I want him to leave the police station in one piece, I have no intention of dealing with the people from the embassy.”

…

Dai Li was put in a single room. A Chinese officer even gave Dai Li an old magazine to help him pass the time.

From this, it could be said that Dai Li was treated decently. At least in a single room holding cell, he was not locked up with other criminals.

The one thing large cities in the US didn’t lack was criminals. Safety was an issue in most large cities in the US, as there were a lot of slums and vagrants in large cities, which were all sources of unease. In contrast, rural areas tended to be much safer.

It was especially apparent in a large city like Los Angeles, where it was rare that there was an empty holding cell at the police station. The crime rate was high, and many suspects were brought in for theft, fights, or vandalism; however, in truth, their real identities might be that of desperados such as murderers, arms dealers, or drug dealers. If one were locked together with these people, even if it were only for a few hours, it would be extremely rough, and one might also get violated sexually if he had terrible luck.

So, Dai Li staying in a single holding cell was more like protection, saving him from the harassment of the other criminals.

On the other side, Sergeant Tucker was questioning Chris Payton.

“You better tell me where your father and your two brothers are right now.” Tucker glared dangerously at Payton.

Payton nodded his head and said his address.

“Are you messing with me? If we could find your father and two brothers at your home, do you think we would come to catch you?” Tucker lashed at Payton in a deep voice.

Payton however, looked very calm. He grew up in a family of gangsters, so he was used to situations like this. It wasn’t his first time at a police station.

Payton shrugged his shoulders and said, “If you can’t find them at our home, then I don’t know where they are. The last time I saw them was during Christmas last year. Even if we met, they wouldn’t tell me what they were doing.”

“You don’t know what the infamous Payton family of Los Angeles is doing?” Sergeant Tucker obviously did not believe this answer.

“I don’t know.” Payton shook his head seriously. “I rent my own place, and I don’t go home. You can investigate this.”

Just as Tucker was about to speak, a subordinate police officer of his knocked on the door before barging in.

“Boss, we’ve just caught a person, you should go check it out!” the officer said.

“We catch people every day. You should follow procedure and process it yourself. I’m here questioning a suspect,” Tucker said impatiently.

“Boss, this person is special, you better come and personally have a look,” the officer said.

“Fine.” Tucker sighed weakly and left the interrogation room.

A well-built black man lay on a bench outside. His face couldn’t be seen as he lay there, but he smelled of alcohol, and he seemed only semiconscious as fresh blood dripped from his dangling arms.

“Is this man injured? Help him stop his bleeding first. Don’t dirty our floor,” Sergeant Tucker said.

“That isn’t his blood, it’s the blood of the injured person. He broke his opponent’s nose bridge in one punch. That injured person fainted on the spot, and has already been sent to the hospital,” the officer explained.

“Then what’s his problem? He was knocked unconscious? Or is he drunk?” Tucker continued asking.

“He’s drunk,” the officer answered.

“It’s not even dark yet, and he’s already this drunk. He’s even punched someone,” Tucker said with a face full of disgust.

“Apart from that, he’s also smoked marijuana. When we caught him, he was in a state of confusion,” an officer on his other side added.

“It’s just marijuana, a lot of high school students use it. Our own state senators actually legalized the stuff for six billion dollars a year! Those idiots. Don’t they know that this will increase the rate of crime!”

Tucker was filled with anger. He took a deep breath to calm himself down before saying, “If we can’t charge him with a crime of possession, then deal with it as an assault case.”

“Boss, you should first see who this is,” the officer reminded him.

Tucker walked towards the person in disgust. It was apparent he did not like the stench of alcohol coming from the man.

However, when Tucker saw the face of the black man, his expression instantly became stiff, as if he had grabbed a hot yam.

“Damn it, why is it this guy! Why did you bring this troublesome person here?” Although Tucker sounded like he was blaming someone, his tone seemed to indicate that he was actually complaining.

When people fought, and someone got injured, the police were naturally required to do something. Bringing this man to the police station was also the responsibility of a police officer, so there was nothing to blame. It was only because this black man had a special status that Tucker was getting a headache.

“Boss, what should we do? His condition is… He can’t even finish a sentence, we definitely won’t be able to find his lawyer,” the officer asked.

“Lock him up first. Get him to contact and bring in his lawyer only after he is sober. As for his assault, I think that lawyer of his will think of something to get him out of it,” Tucker said in resignation.

“But the holding cells are all full,” the officer whispered.

Tucker frowned. “This fellow can’t be put together with the other bastards. There’s always a few troublemakers in those cells, and if they happen to mess with him, he will go crazy. Someone will die. Even if all the bastards in the holding cells ganged up on him, he would still win. Forget it, put him with that Chinese guy. The Chinese have always been an honest group, they won’t stir up any trouble.”

…

A sound came from the lock of the holding cell. Dai Li stood up immediately with a face full of joy.

American police sure are efficient. They finished the investigation so quickly, and they’re already letting me out, Dai Li thought.

However, after the door opened, a prominent and muscular black man was brought in by two police officers. They turned around and locked the door after leaving the black man on the bed.

They aren’t here to release me! Dai Li sighed with disappointment. Later, he took a cautious glance at the black man.

The black man was gigantic, his muscles so big that his shirt seemed too tight. There were also trails of blood on his hands.

If Dai Li met someone like this on the streets, he would stay as far away as possible, not to mention meeting one at the police station. Dai Li unconsciously moved towards the far corner of the room. He had no intention of being involved with this type of dangerous person.

The black man suddenly rolled over and laid face down on the bed, revealing one side of his face.

There was a tattoo on his face. It began on the right side of his forehead and went down the side of his face to his jaw, making his not so good looking face seem much more ferocious. However, Dai Li became less frightened after seeing his face. He widened his eyes and couldn’t help but get closer to the man. He wanted to view the man’s face more clearly.

Kevin Taylor! It’s really him! It’s really Kevin Taylor! How did he get himself locked up here? Dai Li thought.

If one asked who the most exceptional professional boxer was in the last 20 years, the answer was, without a doubt, Kevin Taylor. He was the youngest world heavyweight boxing champion, and he was also the world’s greatest in-boxer. If he maintained his form, he could have become the world’s greatest heavyweight champion; however, he personally destroyed his own professional career.

Kevin Taylor made his professional debut 13 years ago. He was only 19 years old then. He knocked his opponent down in the first round, and in the first year of his career, he fought in 15 matches. Among these, he managed to knock down his opponents in the first round of 14 of the matches. And among these 14 opponents, only three managed to get up and make it to the second round before getting knocked down again. The others were knocked out after just one punch.

For an apprentice boxer who had just entered the professional boxing field, the record was enough to cause a furor in the boxing world.

In his second year, the 20-year-old Taylor made his first title challenge. He needed only two rounds to defeat his opponent, obtaining the WBC heavyweight title, and became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Later, he began his undefeated run. Back then, matches were decided by points. No one could make it to the end of the match against Taylor; making it to the third round was considered an achievement. In those few years, the person who survived the longest in a match against Taylor lasted a total of seven rounds.

Without a doubt, the Taylor in his early twenties dominated the heavyweight division of the boxing world. The WBA championship belt, the IBF championship belt, the WBO championship belt, the WBC championship belt… If Taylor wanted it, then the ownership of the championship belt, regardless of its league, was already decided.

Boxing brought Taylor wealth and fame, but it also made his life chaotic. Like someone from the slums who became rich overnight, he pursued a luxurious and materialistic lifestyle with abandon. A mansion was a must, naturally. There were also hundreds of sports cars, huge gold chains and expensive watches, all kinds of luxury items. Rearing lions, tigers, crocodiles, and even sharks; gambling in Las Vegas; and finally, there was his pursuit of beautiful women, not only in terms of number but also in quality.

Taylor was destroyed by his indulgence in women. He was sentenced to a jail term after raping a Miss America. Although Taylor wasn’t the most handsome person out there, he had his demands.

A professional boxer’s career usually peaked between the age of 25 and 30. Taylor, however, was in jail for those years.

After five years in prison, Taylor was released on parole, and he returned to the boxing world. He quickly moved back into his seat as the heavyweight boxing champion.

But in a match not long after, he met a sly opponent. The opponent knew he was fighting a boxing champion, so he did not face Taylor directly. Instead, he kept dodging, and used a clinch when he couldn’t dodge. During the clinch, he used all kinds of dirty tricks, such as headbutting his opponent. Taylor became impatient and irritated during the match and bit the ear of his opponent.

In professional boxing, regardless of whether you could win or not, biting someone was considered dirty, maybe even against sports ethics. Taylor’s bite got him a two-year ban.

After that, news on Taylor disappeared from the media. The has-been boxing champion who bit people was faced with a ban; he couldn’t even fight in a match. It was clear that was the reason people lost interest and stopped paying attention.

If you count the time, Taylor’s two-year ban is almost up. I wonder if he will make a comeback. As Dai Li looked at Taylor lying on the bed, he couldn’t keep himself from using his detector.

Just as I thought, Taylor is indeed an athlete with S+ grade talent potential! But thinking about it, he did dominate the entire heavyweight boxing world, Dai Li thought.

At that moment, Taylor suddenly opened his mouth.

“Wa… Water…” Taylor said semi-consciously.

Dai Li didn’t want to bother, but after seeing Taylor’s state, he couldn’t help but walk towards the door and knock on the metal door of the holding cell with his hands.

“Is someone there? Someone!” Dai Li shouted outside.

After a short while, a police officer approached, looked at Dai Li, and asked through the iron railing with a blank expression, “What’s the problem?”

“Officer, can I get a cup of water?” Dai Li asked.

“No!” the officer replied bluntly and turned to leave.

“Wait!” Dai Li said quickly. He pointed behind him and said, “That guy needs water. He drank too much, he needs to drink water to replenish the water in his body. He might throw up in his current situation, and if his vomit is too dry, it might block his trachea and cause him to suffocate. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to have Kevin Taylor die of suffocation at your police station, would you?”

“Suffocate? Die? Heh…” The police officer had a look of “Who are you trying to scare?” written all over his face.

However, Dai Li continued speaking. “I know that the probability of that happening is low, maybe just 1%, but are you willing to put your job on the line for this 1%? If you were really that lucky, you wouldn’t be here in the first place. You should just buy a lottery ticket, and spend tomorrow counting your money at home!”

“Alright, just wait.” The officer understood the proverb, “Better safe than sorry” well. He went and brought Dai Li a bottle of water.

Dai Li took the water and walked towards the bedframe. He pulled Taylor up and poured water into his mouth.

After drinking some water, Taylor quieted down. He gradually opened his eyes and looked at Dai Li with his bloodshot eyes.

( Updated by AnimeDaily.Net )

In the next second, Taylor got up from the bed and hugged Dai Li before saying passionately, “Angie, you’re back? You’re really back?”

Before Dai Li could say anything, Taylor suddenly began sobbing.

“Angie, I’ve missed you. I was wrong…”

Chapter 393 - In Debt

Chapter 393: In Debt

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

A big and muscular black man, who used to be an amazing boxing champion, was suddenly hugging him and sobbing. Dai Li had no idea what to do.

Dai Li wanted to push him away, but how would Dai Li push away a heavyweight boxing champion with his strength? Dai Li tried to push him away all day but to no avail.

What the heck. This guy must be drunk, or he must have taken too many drugs! Dai Li complained in his mind.

Both were true. The stench of alcohol emanating from Taylor’s body made it evident that he had drunk a lot of liquor; apart from that, he had also smoked a significant amount of marijuana, which deluded one’s consciousness and brought about illusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders.

Taylor sobbed like an aggrieved child. Not only tears, but his saliva and nasal mucus were all smeared over Dai Li’s body.

“Angie, I’ve really missed you. I was wrong, I am really an idiot. Your advice to me before you died, I ignored it all. If you were still here, I wouldn’t become like this,” Taylor said while he choked.

Angie? Advice before death? What the heck are all these things? Dai Li thought in confusion.

Perhaps it was the alcohol. Taylor sobbed for a while, then went back to sleep. Not long after, he cried again as he talked in his sleep, then drifted back into deeper slumber again.

It continued going on just like that for at least another hour. Taylor finally quieted down. He snored. After another hour or so, Taylor was finally awake. He opened his eyes, sat up, and looked around him with a blank expression.

Taylor was obviously a person who frequented the police station. After a short period of stupor, he immediately realized where he was.

This is the holding cell at the police station! Taylor then looked at Dai Li beside him. He mumbled to himself, “There’s even a Chinese guy.”

While looking at Dai Li’s face, Taylor suddenly remembered a dream he just had. He saw Angie who died a few years ago, and in that dream, Angie had looked like a Chinese guy. Just like the guy in front of him.

It can’t be, I hugged and sobbed in front of this guy? Taylor suddenly realized. Oh, God! Please don’t let that happen, that’s too embarrassing! He shook his head as he attempted to sober up.

“Do you want some water?” Dai Li passed the half-empty water bottle to Taylor.

Taylor did not speak, just took the bottle and drank everything in one gulp. For a big guy like him, the water was just enough to moisten his throat.

After that, Taylor threw the bottle to the side, looked at Dai Li awkwardly, and whispered a question, “Just now, did I do something foolish?”

Dai Li did not answer directly. He thought for a few seconds and asked, “Is Angie your friend?”

“As expected! This is embarrassing…” Taylor lowered his head to show his shame and said, “Angie was my coach, he was also my father.”

“I’m sorry,” Dai Li apologized immediately. Bringing up one’s deceased relative was considered very rude.

However, Taylor quietly said, “I was born in the slums of Brooklyn. When I was nine, I was put into a juvenile detention center. It was difficult living in a juvenile detention center. Fighting was a part of life, and in that, I was born stronger than the rest. Even the older kids were afraid of me back then.”

“Later, I met Angie. He was an instructor at the juvenile detention center. He cared about me. He would take me out to eat at restaurants, teach me about boxing. He later became my guardian and brought me out of the detention center. He gave me a home. Angie was like my father. He raised me, educated me, and guided me.”

“Just before I became a professional boxer, Angie died. Before he died, he asked me to come to his bedside and told me that I was too impulsive, and I would suffer great losses because of it. That was why he wanted me to change that bad habit of mine. He told me to stay calm, to think and reason, and to control my emotions.”

Taylor looked to be in pain as he spoke, “But I did not listen to Angie. I’ve let him down, that’s why I’ve become like this. I think that if Angie saw me now, he would be gravely disappointed.”

As Taylor finished his sentence, his head lowered further. He looked like a frightened ostrich, the kind that likes to bury their heads in the sand, to hide from the cruel reality.

Dai Li immediately changed the subject. “Then do you remember why you are here today?”

“Probably a fight. I probably hurt someone again.” Taylor looked at the dried blood on his hand and continued, “I drank liquor and smoked some weed. So I don’t really remember the specifics. I only remember that someone came and scolded me, so I gave him a punch…”

As Taylor finished speaking, he lifted his head. “Why did you end up here?”

“Because I ate lunch with a companion.” Dai Li shook his head weakly. “My companion might have got into trouble, and we just happened to be eating lunch at a restaurant. When the police came to apprehend him, I was brought along.”

“Don’t worry, if that’s the case, you should be released soon,” Taylor consoled him.

“Maybe you will get out earlier than me, you are a celebrity after all. Once your lawyer gets here, you will probably be released on bail,” Dai Li said.

“Lawyer? Hahaha…” Taylor smiled bitterly. “I can’t afford a lawyer anymore.”

“Can’t afford a lawyer? That’s impossible!” Dai Li looked at Taylor in shock. In his mind, since Taylor made his debut, he should have at least made 200 to 300 million dollars. He was considered a super-rich athlete even among American professional athletes; how could he not afford a lawyer?

“Don’t you think it’s funny?” Taylor shook his head in a self-mocking manner. “I’ve made 500 million dollars in the past few years, but I’ve spent 520 million, that means that I’m currently 20 million in debt. Don’t even mention lawyer fees, I don’t even have the money to buy liquor! I’ve already started filing for bankruptcy. Later, I’ll go and apply for relief funds; if not, I might not even be able to eat anymore!”

“How could this be?” It was hard for Dai Li to imagine that the strongest heavyweight boxing champion in the world had become like this.

500 million dollars, that’s enough money to pile up a mountain. Even if someone gave me 500 million dollars now, I wouldn’t know what to do with it. But this guy, not only did he spend it all, he owes another 20 million, Dai Li thought.

In front of him, Taylor let out a long sigh. “Now that I think about it, it’s all self-inflicted. Back when I was rich, I was surrounded by people who called themselves ‘friends.’ I bought them stuff, bought hundreds of sports cars for them to drive, I even took them gambling in Las Vegas. We’ve lost tens of thousands of dollars in a single night! And when I went broke, every one of them disappeared. They wouldn’t even answer my calls!”

“Even my agent was scum. He kept cooking the books, and he almost made away with all my money. For example, the towels I used in my matches cost only one or two dollars, but he would record them as costing 8000 dollars. 8000 dollars for a towel, can you imagine that? If I had found out his true colors earlier, I definitely would have fired him, and I wouldn’t have fallen so far, not even having the money to eat. Ah… my poor sweetie, you’ll have to starve with me…”

“Sweetie? Looks like there is still someone with you, accompanying you through all this,” Dai Li consoled him.

“Sweetie is my pet tiger, a beautiful Bengal tiger. I’ve raised him since he was a cub, he’s like my son…” Taylor explained.

Dai Li was speechless. One would typically think that someone called “Sweetie” was a woman, but instead, it was how Taylor referred to a pet tiger. It was really the behavior of a wealthy person.

“You can still raise a tiger in your current situation.” Dai Li sighed and continued, “But it’s alright, you are 32 years old this year, right? For a professional boxer, 32 isn’t old. You can make a comeback.”

“Make a comeback?” Taylor shook his head helplessly. “It’s no longer possible. I’m not the Kevin Taylor I was back then. I can no longer throw out those fast and deadly punches, so I’m old. Yeah, 32 isn’t that old for many boxers. Some of them are even still in their prime at 32, but I’m different from others.”

“I don’t know if you understand boxing, but my fighting style requires me to finish the fight within the first few rounds. I’m not the kind of fighter that does well in a fight of attrition. If my opponent manages to drag the fight to more than ten rounds, my stamina drops significantly, and I lose the match. The only fight I lost in the first five years of my career was one where my opponent successfully dragged the match beyond the tenth round. After that, I became passive and took a beating.”

“So 32 years old is too old for me. I am no longer the world’s greatest boxer. I’m not even sure if I would still be considered within the top-class, perhaps a younger top-class boxer would be able to defeat me. I’m old, and I can’t fight anymore.”

Dai Li nodded. When he used the detector on Taylor, he had already seen the characteristics of his techniques.

Compared to other boxers, Taylor’s arms were a bit short. His technique was also not the best, or at least, he couldn’t be regarded as a technical boxer. However, his punch was without a doubt the best. His basic fighting style was to quickly rush towards his opponent. Once his opponent was within his attack range, he attacked swiftly with a combination of fast punches.

Although Taylor was a heavyweight fighter, his regular punches were the same strength as a super heavyweight. His punch speed was rapid, and in a fight within the same weight class, not many people could block his punch combination. That was why he was able to knock down most of his opponents in the first round.

Taylor had used that single move to conquer the world. It was like Cheng Yaojin’s three tricks utilizing the ax. Everyone knew that Cheng Yaojin only knew three tricks, but on the battlefield, they still couldn’t defend against those three tricks.

Taylor’s fighting style relied on two fundamental factors. First was his fantastic ability to take a beating. As he rushed towards his opponents, it was inevitable that he would receive one or two punches. If he had not been able to take the beating, there would have been no chance to go on the offensive later. Many experts even believed that within his weight class, he had the best ability to take a beating.

The second factor was the stunning, explosive power he possessed. At his peak, Taylor’s explosive power was undoubtedly the strongest in the history of boxing. His quick and continuous heavy punches required his body to have high explosive energy, and at the same time, his stamina consumption was also very high. So Taylor would launch a hurricane-like offense once the match began. If he failed to defeat his opponent, he would be in trouble. His remaining stamina would not be enough for him to start the second round of crazy, hurricane-like offense. And by that time, the disadvantage of his shorter arms would put him in a passive situation where he would only get hit.

The explosive power of a young Taylor was shocking. As he aged, especially after 30, his explosive energy would decay at an alarming speed, even if his strength did not. For an athlete with techniques like Taylor’s, the deterioration of his explosive power was, simply put, a disaster. The probability of him knocking down an opponent after a wave of fierce attacks like before was gradually getting lower.

…

Dai Li looked at Taylor sympathetically. He asked, “Then, what do you plan to do next? Not boxing anymore?”

“I’m not ready yet. There’s still one month left to my ban. I’ll just do things step by step and see how things go after the ban.” Taylor lifted his head and looked at the metal window with soulless eyes before saying, “If I didn’t go bankrupt, I might go and open a boxing hall and name it ‘Human Punch.’”

“You owe 20 million dollars, not two thousand. Do you think that opening a boxing hall would help you clear your debt?” Dai Li asked, throwing a wet blanket in Taylor’s face.

Of course, Taylor knew that a boxing hall would never be able to clear his 20 million dollar debt unless he could cultivate a second mega-boxing champion like himself.

“So, actually there’s only one path for you, and that is to continue boxing,” Dai Li said firmly.

Taylor looked confused. Naturally, he knew that what Dai Li said was the truth; continuing to box was the only option if he wanted to clear his debt. But deep within his heart, there was a fear.

It was the fear of starting everything from scratch!

Taylor had left the boxing world for two years. During his two-year ban, Taylor had lost all of his championship belts, and all his boxing league points dropped to zero. He was no longer the boxing champion that awaited challengers from the highest point. He had to become a challenger. Starting everything from scratch, one match at a time, would be just like ascending a high-rise building, walking up the stairs one step at a time.

Can I still do it? The question flashed through his heart, and he knew that he was not the Taylor from more than a decade ago. He was worried that he would lose. He was afraid of suffering failure.

“I don’t know why you are hesitating.” Dai Li’s voice came from the side, he then continued, “I don’t think you have any other choice. Of course, you can choose to lower your pride and go receive free food vouchers, apply for relief funds, become the bottom of the society and live frivolously.”

“I know, everything you’ve said, I know it already! I am indeed hesitating because I don’t know what to do!” Taylor shook his head violently.

“What else can you do? You are a boxer! You only have to do two things, fight and train!” Dai Li said.

“Fight? Train?” Taylor smiled bitterly and shook his head. “I used to have a luxurious training room, equipped with the world’s best training equipment. I offered the coach a monthly salary of 120,000 dollars, and I even had a few sparring partners. But now, everything is gone. My training room was emptied by the bank! No coach, no sparring partners, I don’t even have a punching bag!”

“But you’re still here!” Dai Li walked two steps forward. “Perhaps I can help you solve these problems. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Dai Li, and I’m a coach!”

Chapter 394 - New Client

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“You’re a coach?” Taylor looked at Dai Li suspiciously.

In the US, the coaching industry was predominantly white. Americans’ impression of Asians was that they weren’t good at sports, so Asians working in the coaching industry was extremely rare.

“Forget it.” Taylor shook his head. “Even if you were a coach, I don’t have the money to pay you. With my current situation, I can’t even spare a single cent.”

“If it’s training fees, you can pay on credit. You can pay me after you’ve earned money,” Dai Li said with a grin.

“Buy on credit? Is that okay?” Taylor asked as he widened his eyes.

Buying on credit was unpopular amongst Americans, as they calculated everything clearly. Personal financial accounts were separated and calculated clearly, even if two people were parent and child. For example, if you treated someone to a ten dollar meal today, then the other person would definitely treat you back to a ten dollar meal the next day, not a single cent more, and not a single cent less. What’s more, American’s didn’t feel that this exchange was inappropriate to be used with friends. Although Americans were used to credit cards, and every American owed the bank money, when it came to transactions between individuals, buying things on credit was very rare.

On this, Dai Li clearly still had not gotten used to American culture. He answered, “Of course you can pay on credit. Besides, you won’t be the first athlete to pay on credit at my place.”

“Other people pay for training on credit as well?” Taylor asked curiously.

“Yeah. ‘Blade warrior’ Barron Phillip, you know him, right? He trained at my place. He didn’t have money when he first came to me, since he was working part-time and living on government aid. He didn’t have money to pay for training,” Dai Li answered.

Taylor’s expression went from curious to shocked. “You’re really the blade warrior’s coach?”

Dai Li did not stay focused on that question and instead said, “Back then, Phillip was in a much worse situation than you. He was a disabled person who had lost both legs, and he could only walk using his prostheses. But even then, he worked hard so that he could run like a normal person.”

“I know about him. These days, sports media keep reporting about him. Who would have thought that he trained at your place,” Taylor said while nodding.

“How about it? Do you have a little more confidence in me now?” Dai Li smiled and continued, “But more importantly, you should have faith in yourself. You need to believe that you can return to your peak.”

“I am…” Taylor suddenly stopped. He clearly didn’t have the courage to say the last word, “confident.”

“I told you just now, you have no other choice. If you still want to clear your debt, if you still want to live with pride, boxing is your only option. I don’t think Angie would want to see you living on the streets now, would he?” Dai Li said.

After the mention of the deceased Angie, Taylor finally nodded. However, Dai Li still felt that somehow, Taylor still had some concern hidden within his heart.

…

Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center.

Dai Li glared at Chris Payton, who had just been released, and said in a severe tone, “Chris, I want an explanation.”

Of course, Chris Payton knew what Dai Li was talking about. Dai Li had lunch with him, got caught by the police along with him, and was only released on the following morning.

Chris Payton was held longer. It was only because the police couldn’t find proof that he had committed any crime that he was ultimately released.

“Sorry boss, I’ve caused you trouble,” Chris Payton said apologetically. His face twitched as he struggled a little, but in the end, he began describing his family background.

In the middle of the last century, American society was in a period of chaos. After the end of the second world war, and at the beginning of the cold war, especially after the Cuban missile crisis, the fear and panic amongst American citizens reached its peak. At the same time, many younger Americans developed a new set of values utterly different than those of their parents’ generation. Students began to participate more in political protests, feminism began to rise, and the black community also started to demand equality.

All sorts of open ideas began to ferment, then permeated into every corner of people’s lives. The civil rights movement, the feminist movement, the anti-war movement, the anti-cultural movement, the sexual liberation movement… American citizens of that period were very busy.

And these changes greatly impacted the thinking of some of the more traditionally conservative and religious people. As these new ideas emerged, the number of social activities on conservatism also increased. The social unrest which resulted from the strife between the two opposing social classes created the breeding ground for the development of gangs. Although it wasn’t comparable to the golden age of the US underworld in the thirties, it in that short period of time, tens of thousands of gangs were formed. In large cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, gangs were everywhere.

Chris Payton’s grandfather had seized that chance. At first, he was only a biker, riding a heavy motorbike like in the movies. It was a unique culture in the US during the second world war. During those days, bikers weren’t necessarily gangsters, they simply belonged to a club for motorbike lovers.

However, under the leadership of Payton’s grandfather, a group of bikers in Los Angeles gradually became gangsters. They were involved in selling drugs, extortion, intimidation, and theft. Although one couldn’t say that they committed every evil deed out there, the number of crimes they had committed wasn’t low.

After the death of Payton’s grandfather, his father became the leader of the gang. For decades, the scale of the gang wasn’t massive; they only occupied a single territory in Los Angeles. They were still several levels down from the mafia gangs depicted in the movie “The Godfather.”

Chris Payton grew up in a gangster environment. If everything went as planned, Chris Payton would have become a gang member like his two older brothers.

However, Chris Payton was never interested in that. He loved football, and he wanted to become a football player. So while his two brothers went everywhere with revolvers in hand, he was running all over the field with a football in his hand.

But his gangster background had also given him a lot of trouble. Ever since he was a little kid, Chris Payton was always regarded as a dangerous person by his school, and because of his family background, good universities were unwilling to admit him.

In the end, Chris Payton went to an average university. He hadn’t had much of a choice. He wanted to become a football player, but if he failed to enroll in a more reputable school, he would not only miss his chance at getting top-class training, it would alo be tougher to garner the attention of scouts. As a result, his chance for taking part in the NFL draft was extremely low.

And the reality was just that. Although he was a key player during his university years, nobody paid any attention to him when he took part in the NFL draft. That was why he only played in a low-level football league for a few years before retiring.

Chris Payton blamed it all on his gangster family. So after getting into university, he rarely came into contact with his family. Apart from Christmas or other special occasions, he rarely ever went home.

Despite that, he was still a target for the police. He was caught, questioned, released, and then monitored. The police hoped to gain clues on his father and two brothers from him. Although everything had been to no avail, Chris Payton was still suspected by the police.

“That means you were also innocently dragged into this?” Dai Li asked.

Chris Payton nodded. “If I were really guilty, the police wouldn’t have released me.”

“Alright, I understand. Let’s get back to work,” Dai Li said in a carefree manner.

Payton however, looked hesitant. He asked, “I’ve caused you so much trouble, do you still want me to work here?”

“Why not? Did you think that I would fire you?” Dai Li asked him in return.

“I’ve worked under three bosses. All of them fired me. They believed that I was also a gang member. But they weren’t as unlucky as you; they did not have to stay overnight at the police station.” Payton sighed and continued, “Li, I’ve prepared myself mentally for you to fire me.”

“Alright. Stop overthinking. What matters to me is your work ability, not your family background. Besides, getting locked up in the police station might have been a disaster in disguise, since I got us a huge business deal.” Dai Li looked at his watch as he said, “Based on our appointment time, that client should be here soon.”

Chapter 395 - Lost Confidence

Chapter 395: Lost Confidence

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the office of the training center, Dai Li held Taylor’s physical test report and shook his head slightly. He was clearly dissatisfied with the physical test results.

“I think you need to lose at least 20 pounds of body weight. If not, your flexibility will be greatly affected,” Dai Li stated.

For boxers in the same weight class, greater body weight was generally advantageous; however, for the current Kevin Taylor, greater body weight would instead hinder his movement and flexibility.

Taylor was only slightly more than 1.8 meters tall, which was a disadvantage in heavyweight boxing. A taller boxer had more reach. In boxing, the longer the arms, the more extensive the range of attack. In the world of heavyweight boxing, it was common to see giants who were over two meters tall.

With Taylor’s current body weight, if he were to approach a two meter tall person, he might be considered light; however, when looking at Taylor’s weight relative to his height, he really needed to start losing weight.

Taylor nodded awkwardly. Even he knew that it was time for him to start losing weight.

After all, Taylor had been banned from fighting in a match for two whole years. A two year hiatus was the ultimate discipline challenge for athletes. How many athletes would maintain high-intensity training for two years with no matches?

Taylor was the same. His life during those two years was undisciplined. He had even developed the habit of drinking and smoking marijuana, which were taboos among athletes. In truth, if Taylor were not hugely in debt and so tight on money, Taylor might have been much fatter.

“I will increase my exercise intensity and start dieting,” Taylor said

“Increasing exercise intensity is a must, but there is no need to diet. Just follow my training plan. Your weight will still drop quickly even if you don’t go on a diet,” Dai Li said with confidence.

A look of suspicion flashed through Taylor’s eyes. He was considered a veteran athlete, and he had been the world’s greatest boxing champion. He had met quite a few top-class coaches before, but he had never heard that a person did not need to diet to lose 20 pounds of weight.

Dai Li continued by saying, “Apart from that, you have to begin strength training. There is no shortcut there, you can only do it step by step. Also, your ban is ending soon, and you have to get your match feeling back, so you need to find a sparring partner.”

“I don’t have money for a sparring partner,” Taylor said in a dispirited tone.

“I can help with the wage of your sparring partner. Same old rules. Pay on credit.” Dai Li paused and said, “You’ve been a boxer for so many years, you should have some connections, right? I’m sure you know better than me where you can find a suitable sparring partner. But don’t find someone too expensive, I don’t have too much money.”

Taylor glanced gratefully at Dai Li.

Dai Li behind his back and said, “This used to be a gymnasium. I later turned it into a physical fitness training center. I’ve decided to clear that space and build a boxing ring so that you can use it for training.”

“Build a boxing ring especially for me?” Taylor did not manage to react immediately.

“Of course. You are a boxer, you need practical training. You can’t expect to just play around and train with this bodybuilding gym equipment all day!” Dai Li said.

Taylor went silent. After a minute, he finally opened his mouth and said, “Coach Li, I don’t think there’s any need for you to do that. You shouldn’t alter your training center especially for me, even building a boxing ring. It’s not worth it!”

( Updated by AnimeDaily.Net )

“Why? Why do you not think that it is worth it?” Dai Li asked.

“The investment that you want to pour on me isn’t worth it, because there’s a chance I won’t even be able to fully pay your training fees.” Taylor lowered his head in disappointment. “Don’t forget. I still owe the bank over 20 million dollars. Before I came here, I’d already received a notice from the bankruptcy court that they’ve agreed to accept my bankruptcy application. In the coming five years, I have to execute a debt repayment plan.”

For an American, going bankrupt wasn’t always a bad thing. Among past US presidents, many had experienced bankruptcy, including the famous Lincoln. He went bankrupt once in 1833. There was also the current president, Trump. He went bankrupt four times, but because of celebrity effects, his brazen behavior, and his robust way of doing things, his prestige remained even after bankruptcy. And it was common to see cases similar to Trump’s among US celebrities. It was common to see the news reporting that some famous person from the US had gone bankrupt, but their lives remained luxurious and exciting.

The bankruptcy of Americans could be divided into two categories. The first involved the liquidation of assets, while the second was a deferred payment scheme. For the liquidation of assets, the assets of the person would be taken away after the bankruptcy announcement. The assets would then be auctioned off to clear debts. The credit rating of the individual would also drop to the minimum. There would be no need to pay the bank any of the owed accounts, but things like debts on taxes, divorce, and alimony fees still had to be paid.

Under these circumstances, it was difficult for the bankrupt person to find a regular job, and it was also almost impossible for them to receive social relief. They could forget about renting a home outside the slums, their children would also end up in poor schools. They couldn’t buy medical insurance, and they couldn’t buy insurance for their children; they couldn’t purchase air tickets or go overseas. They might even be monitored by the police if they entered the area of the rich.

Under normal circumstances, Americans would never choose this method of going bankrupt, because once a person became bankrupt this way, they would lose all their pride and dignity. Many homeless people out there on the streets were merely people who didn’t have money, didn’t have a job, or didn’t have a place to stay. They were not really people who were bankrupt, they just chose to live on the streets rather than going bankrupt.

Compared to the liquidation of assets, Americans preferred the deferred payment scheme as their bankruptcy method. A deferred payment meant that assets would not be taken away; however, a debt repayment plan would exist, and repayments had to be made in the future based on the person’s salary. It was actually a sort of debt reorganization. Although the credit rating of the bankrupt person would also drop, there were fewer limitations and restrictions on the person’s lifestyle. However, one thing was certain; the insolvent person who used this method still couldn’t spend their money however they liked.

Taylor had chosen the deferred payment scheme as his bankruptcy method. After a 20 million dollar debt reorganization, every single cent Taylor earned had to be returned to the bank according to the debt repayment plan. That meant that Taylor had to first give the money he earned to the bank, so it was difficult for him to withdraw too much money as payment for Dai Li’s training fee.

However, Dai Li laughed after hearing that. “You only owe the bank 20 million dollars, right? I remember your appearance fee for a single match back in the day was between 10 and 20 million, and that’s not including other earnings. You could probably clear off all your debts by fighting in just one match, couldn’t you?”

“That was me from seven years ago. I was 25 years old then, but now, I am already 32 years old. I haven’t fought in two whole years, so it’s impossible for me to return to that kind of condition. By the time I return to the arena in a month, at the end of my ban, I might not even be able to defeat my first opponent!” Taylor said with sad resignation.

I have a modus operandi for this, Dai Li thought to himself. The age-reduction card he received earlier would solve this problem perfectly.

However, the most important thing was to have Taylor recover his confidence as a boxing champion!

Chapter 396 - Fitness Issue

Chapter 396: Fitness Issue

Taylor stood on one of the gym’s scales, both eyes glued to the number that it displayed.

In such a short amount of time, I’ve become this much lighter? I’m not sick, am I? I just had a medical examination two months ago, and the report indicated that I was in perfect health. Maybe this scale is broken. Taylor stared suspiciously at the scale.

“What’s wrong? Are you wondering if the scale is broken?” Dai Li’s voice emerged from his side. Taylor turned his head to look at Dai Li with an expression that said, How did you know what I was thinking?

Taylor’s expression made Dai Li feel strange. There was a Chinese saying that said that one had to stand on their own by the time they reached the age of 30. Taylor was already a 32-year-old, but his mind was nothing like that of a grown man. One could even say that he had no subtlety. Whatever was on his mind would appear immediately on his face.

No wonder he got conned out of 500 million dollars by his agent. He’s like a grown-up kid.

As Dai Li’s thoughts wandered, he said, “Don’t worry, this scale works fine. You’ve really lost that much weight.”

“I’ve never lost so much weight in such a short amount of time,” Taylor said.

“Don’t you think that it’s amazing?” Dai Li laughed and continued, “That’s why you should have faith in me. Although I am not a professional boxing coach, I won’t lose to any boxing coach in aspects of training, apart from punching techniques. As for punching techniques, I think that you are already the world’s best, right?”

After all, Taylor had been a professional boxer for 13 years, and he used to stand at the peak of the boxing world, having obtained several heavyweight championship belts. When it came to punching techniques, he wouldn’t lose to any boxing coach. Besides, Taylor’s fighting style leaned more towards a “one trick pony” anyway, so as long as he perfected his “Three ax tricks of Chen Yaojin,” the other techniques weren’t that important. He might not even be able to use them in a match.

“I have faith in you, but I have no faith in myself,” Taylor said in a low voice.

“You managed to lose more than ten pounds of body weight in such a short amount of time, we’re already very close to the initial target of 20 pounds. This is a good start. You should have more confidence in yourself,” Dai Li said encouragingly.

Taylor nodded, but his eyes still did not show that he had an ounce of confidence. He hesitated for a few seconds and finally said, “As a matter of fact, I can feel that a lot of my body functions have deteriorated since I was young. My muscles aren’t as vigorous. Although I have been recovering, my recovery speed has been extremely slow.”

Taylor made a few punches in the air as he spoke, he then shook his head. “I’ve become weak, much weaker than before. I don’t have the kind of explosive power I had when I was young. My combination punches have lost their power, and more importantly, my fitness isn’t anywhere near what it used to be.”

“Leave your fitness training to me. Don’t forget, I am a fitness coach; fitness training is my specialty,” Dai Li said with confidence.

“That’s not what I mean. What I mean to say is that there is an upper limit to my fitness, and if the upper limit has been lowered, it’s not something training can solve.”

Taylor lowered his voice and continued, “In truth, even when I was in my early twenties, during my golden years, I could never fight the entire 12 rounds. Even then, if a match were dragged to the tenth round, I would lose all my offensive capabilities. The match I lost back then was dragged past the tenth round. Don’t you find it funny? A heavyweight boxing champion who held multiple championship belts didn’t even have the fitness to complete 12 rounds of a match?”

“It is a little unexpected.” Dai Li nodded.

It certainly sounded funny if someone were to say a professional boxer’s fitness couldn’t take him through an entire match. Not to mention Taylor, who was a world-class boxing champion.

However, in the boxing world, Taylor was really different. He would always KO his opponents within the first three rounds. For him, fighting until the 12th round would require far too much.

Taylor, who was seated on the opposite, said, “I know. The peak period for a boxer is between 25 and 30 years old. However, during that period, I was in jail. After I got out of jail, I was 30. I had already watered down a great deal, no longer at my peak.”

“I remember that after you got out of jail, you only took half a year to regain the WBA championship belt,” Dai Li said.

“Yeah, but in truth, back then, my fitness level dropped so much that I couldn’t even last ten rounds. I could only fight until the seventh or eighth round then. In the match where I won the WBA championship belt, my opponent was also defeated within the first three rounds.” Taylor let out a long sigh and said with shame, “You should know, in the match where I bit off Highfield’s ear?”

Dai Li nodded. He knew that to Taylor, there was only one word to describe the match, “Shameful.” That ear-biting match gained the attention of the world. Not only had Taylor received a two-year ban for that, he had lost his dignity and pride as the boxing champion and become an object of ridicule.

Dai Li did not know whether the subject would upset or motivate Taylor, so he had never brought it up, but now Taylor had voluntarily brought up the match where he was reduced to a laughingstock.

Taylor continued speaking, “I thought I was going to win. I felt that as long as I continued to attack, Highfield would get knocked down quickly. And back then, most people thought that the chances of me winning were higher; that could be seen easily from the odds given by lottery companies.”

“However, the reality was nothing like my imagination. Highfield was very sly. He knew that with my fitness, I wouldn’t be able to hold out too long, so he just kept dodging and running. He never confronted me directly, and when there was finally nowhere to run anymore, he would clinch. Then, the referee would separate us.”

“Even more aggravating was that he kept using these dirty tricks. He was taller than me, so he would continuously headbutt my face. Sure, it’s a common trick in boxing matches, but before that, my opponents were all knocked down before they had the opportunity to use that sort of trick.”

“Now that I think about it, he was actually intentionally trying to anger me. He baited me so that I would attack. He wanted to quickly exhaust my stamina, and I fell right into his trap. I grew impatient and anxious as I fought, and as time went by, my stamina expenditure grew faster. I knew that if things were to continue as they were, my stamina would be depleted and I would lose the match!”

“I was eager to attack, but when he began clinching to prevent my attacks, it made me extremely impatient. In one of the attacks, as he clinched me, he headbutted my brow at the same time, it was really painful, excruciating! That kind of pain was completely different from getting punched in the face with a boxing glove. At that moment, I lost my mind, and I directly bit his ear.”

Dai Li nodded his head as if he realized something. “So that’s what really happened. Looks like this Highfield was a sly old fox!”

“He was always known as the old fox in the boxing world. He was very adept at using all kinds of tricks, and he was also very good at using his dirty tricks when the referees wouldn’t be able to see. Those are the things that I was terrible at.” Taylor smiled bitterly.

Dai Li could feel Taylor’s sense of resignation. For a simple-minded and impulsive athlete like Taylor, when facing old foxes like Highfield, getting played and messed around like that was commonplace.

Taylor continued, “I was 30 years old then, and I could only last seven or eight rounds. Now I am 32 years old, my body has deteriorated more, I don’t know if I can even last more than five rounds! What’s more, my punches aren’t as powerful as they used to be, so I am not confident that I can defeat my opponents in three rounds.”

“Is your physical fitness the main reason you have no faith in yourself?” Dai Li asked.

Taylor nodded. He then fell into silence.

Dai Li finally understood. Taylor lost his self-confidence because he understood the condition his body was in. He seemed to be a simple-minded person on the surface, but in reality, his judgment of himself was extremely accurate. He did not have an exaggerated opinion of his ability, in fact, he was completely aware of his limits when it came to boxing.

Dai Li suddenly remembered a phrase: “When God closes a door, he always leaves a window open.” Taylor was a complete idiot regarding personal finances. Tricked by his agent, losing over 500 million dollars’ worth of assets in just a few years. However, when it came to boxing, he was truly a genius!

“If you were 26 or 27 years old, you should be able to fight the full 12 rounds, right?” Dai Li asked. “You should have been at your peak then.”

“I don’t know.” Taylor shook his head. “I was in prison then.”

“Did you not continue to train boxing while you were in prison?” Dai Li asked.

“It’s a bit embarrassing to talk about, but when I was in prison, I was beaten by others.” Taylor smiled bitterly again and continued, “I was imprisoned in a jail in Indianapolis. On the day I arrived at the prison, everyone was cheering. They weren’t welcoming me. They had found a new opponent, and they couldn’t wait to kick my ass to increase their reputation.”

“There’s even something like that?” Dai Li asked curiously.

“Yeah. I could feel hostility coming from every corner of the prison. I knew that everyone around me wanted to take me down,” Taylor answered.

“You say that you were beaten by someone. It can’t be that you couldn’t beat them in a fight?” Dai Li asked cautiously.

“At first I thought that I could knock them down in one punch too, but who’d have thought that prison had so many hidden talents? One of them was an infamous fighter from the underworld; he once killed his opponent with one kick in an underground fighting ring. There was also a karate champion of the west coast; apart from that, people who were keen for a fight were everywhere. These convicts had nothing better to do all day than use the prison gym. It was set up especially for these muscle head criminals to vent out their extra energy!” Taylor exclaimed.

“On this, my country is much better. The criminals of my country are very busy while serving their time in prison. They have to take part in labor reform, study political science, and increase their ideological awareness. Of course, they have time to exercise too, but there is definitely no lack of outlets for them to vent out their energy,” Dai Li said with a grin.

“Yeah, it’s not a good thing when criminals have too much energy. I was used to dominating the boxing ring, so I didn’t take the criminals seriously. I originally thought they were only punks from the streets, and I suffered for it. I personally witnessed a big guy having a spat with a prison boss. When the boss hit him, the big guy was unconscious before he hit the ground. By the time the prison officers arrived, he had already stopped breathing,” Taylor said.  ( Updated by AnimeDaily.Net)

“Since he killed someone in prison, it didn’t end well for the prison boss, right?” Dai Li asked.

“The state of Indiana has already abolished the death penalty. The cumulative prison sentence of that prison boss was already 85 years, so he won’t be getting out in this lifetime anyway. Killing one more person didn’t really matter to him. At most, he would get locked up in a supermax. And in that prison, conflicts that result in injuries happen almost every day.”

Taylor’s tone sounded weak, and he continued, “I’m not a ruffian, and I still wanted to get out and enjoy life, so I treated every provocation carefully. I didn’t dare practice boxing, because I was worried that would be seen as showing off. I didn’t even dare to go to the gym. Every time I walked past the gym, I would see convicts hitting the sandbag crazily to show off. I didn’t even dare to train in squats.”

“Which is to say, in those five years, you have had absolutely no practice?” Dai Li never would have imagined that things would be like this; he had initially thought that someone like Taylor, upon entering prison, would become the virtual king of the prison, someone that no one dared to offend. He never would have thought that Taylor was a coward that hid and avoided everyone he saw in prison.

Later, Dai Li noticed another issue. He said, “You haven’t trained in five years, but after being released, you only took half a year to regain the WBA championship belt. When it comes to boxing, you are really a genius!”

“I guess you can’t say that I absolutely didn’t practice. I actually started training again in the last two years of my sentence.” Taylor pointed to a scar on his head and continued, “You remember the underground fighting champion that killed someone with a kick? He left me this. He broke my nose bridge and another three of my ribs. I was sent to the hospital for one month.”

“There really is someone who can defeat you?” Dai Li was somewhat surprised.

“He’s a master who has experienced life and death fights, and I’ve never seen anyone so strong.” Taylor didn’t seem to want to talk about the underground fighting champion who injured him. “After I returned from the hospital, my agent gave that underground champion some money, and reached an understanding with him. I guess you can say that we paid him protection money to take care of me. Later, my agent used more money to hire a bunch of convicts to become my bodyguards. At the same time, he also rented a single room cell for me in prison. During those time, I even got myself a female prison officer! She wasn’t pretty, she was also a little old and not in good shape, there was even a lot of fat… But you know, in prison, any woman is desired!”

Taylor’s eyebrows danced in joy at the mention of women, and it was obvious that he was showing off.

Dai Li, on the other hand, looked dumbfounded. “That’s a little off-topic, don’t you think? What I want to know is, how strong were you when you were 26 or 27 years old?”

“Is this important?” Taylor asked.

“It’s very important!” Dai Li continued, “Tell me this; if you hadn’t gone to prison, and continued to practice boxing, when do you think your body would have been in peak condition?”

Chapter 397 - Price Markup

Chapter 397: Price Markup

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“27 years old. If I hadn’t gone to prison, I would probably have been strongest when I was 27 years old,” Taylor answered after thinking for a long time.

27 years old! Dai Li began calculating in his mind.

Taylor is 32 years old this year, so if I use the age-reduction card, I will need to subtract five years for him to return to his body condition at 27 years old. The effective period of the age-reduction card for a five-year deduction is 240 days. Adding three cards together means 720 days. No, wait, it shouldn’t be calculated like that. As I use the age-reduction card, Taylor’s age will still increase.

As Dai Li reached this conclusion, he asked, “Kevin, when’s your birthday?”

“June 30th. What’s wrong?” Taylor looked puzzled.

Dai Li did not answer Taylor’s question. Instead, he took out his phone and opened his calendar before counting again.

If I use the first age-reduction card on Taylor, subtracting five years, the effective period of 240 days shouldn’t be a problem. But after the 240 days are up, Taylor will become 33 years old, so I will then need to deduct six years for Taylor to become 27 years old. That means that the second age-reduction card will only be effective for 210 days.

After 210 days, let me see… It’s not the 30th of June yet, so Taylor is still 33 years old. If I look at it like this, the third age-reduction card should also last 210 days. So the total time of effect for the three age-reduction cards is 660 days. Not even two years. Which means that I can ensure that Taylor will remain at his peak condition for two years. Two years later, Taylor will be 34 years, and it should be about time for him to retire.

Taylor looked at Dai Li, who was swiping left and right on his phone. Taylor couldn’t help himself, and he asked, “Li, what are you calculating?”

Dai Li still didn’t answer Taylor’s question, but simply said, “Kevin, if there is a method to help your body return to its peak. Would you be willing to give it a try?”

“Bullsh*t, of course I’m willing,” Taylor replied firmly.

“Even if the time you remained at your peak was limited, such as two years?” Dai Li continued asking.

“Of course I’m still willing! Two years is more than enough for me to dominate the entire boxing world; I could obtain several championship belts,” Taylor replied without any form of hesitation.

“Then I’ll do my best to help your body return to its condition from when you were 27 years old,” Dai Li said.

Taylor, however, only widened his eyes. “Coach Li, you are joking with me, right?”

Dai Li shook his head. “I am not joking, I am really going to do my best.”

“Coach Li, that’s impossible. People age, and no one can go back in time. The condition of the body will only worsen. The peak that I enjoyed while I was in my twenties is gone,” Taylor replied.

“I have my resources.” Dai Li put on a mysterious expression and continued, “Since I can make Phillip run faster than a normal healthy athlete, it is natural that I have special training methods.”

“Coach Li, don’t tell me you know voodoo?” Taylor asked with bulging eyes.

“Hehe…” Dai Li did not answer. He deliberately put on a look of mystery, but in his mind, he was considering what price he should ask for the use of his age-reduction cards.

…

There are 200 age-reduction cards, just as there were 200 athlete’s patches. But I feel that the age-reduction card is more useful, and its range of use is much wider. Where there still a good number of athletes with body defects like Phillip, no one is impervious to the attack of time. Every athlete will age, which means that every athlete can make use of the age-reduction card.

And the time of effect of the age-reduction card is much shorter than the athlete’s patch. The effective period of the athlete’s patch is fixed at one year, whereas limitations are set on the effective period of the age-reduction card. The age-reduction card is more useful, and they will also be used faster, so the age-reduction card is definitely more valuable than the athlete’s patch. There’s no way I can only take 5%. I must increase the price.

The sound of water boiling on the kettle disrupted Dai Li’s thoughts. Dai Li picked up the kettle of boiling water and made himself a cup of tea.

He blew at the tea leaves in his cup. Dai Li suddenly came up with a different idea.

Why not just price them separately? 10 million dollars for one age-reduction card. That shouldn’t be too expensive. 200 age-reduction cards would be worth 2 billion dollars; that’s enough for me to return and wed Xiao Yunan. But in Taylor’s current condition, he might not even be able to fork out 1000 dollars.

Forget it, I should just continue using the revenue sharing model. Taylor is a world-class boxing champion, and if he’s more hard-working, earning 100 million dollars a year should be easy. Then should I just take 10% of his income? Still looks a bit too low, huh.

Dai Li frowned and pondered. He finally took out his phone and dialed the number of the law firm.

“Hi, I’d like to inquire about a revenue sharing contract…”

…

The men’s 400m sprint world championship final was being broadcast live on television.

All the representatives of the US team had made it into the final, and among them, of course, was “blade warrior” Barron Phillip.

Without a doubt, Phillip was the absolute focus of the entire stadium. A disabled person who had lost both legs was competing against normal people, and he even made it into the final. Reaching this stage was already considered a success for Phillip. It didn’t matter if he finished last; the applause he received would definitely be more than the first place winner. / update by AnimeDaily.Net

In reality, Phillip was the weakest of the eight contestants in the world championship final. He was a disabled person after all, and no matter how much hard work he put in, there was no way for him to run faster than those able-bodied world champions.

The gunshot that signaled the start of the race boomed, and Phillip worked hard to accelerate, but he was still slower than the other seven contestants.

Phillip continued to lag behind, even during the latter stage of the race when his advantage was in full effect. He ran faster and faster, but the gap between him and the top three was still ridiculous.

In the end, Phillip was the last contestant to run past the finish line…

Phillip placed last. He was miles away from getting a medal, but he wasn’t sad. He looked contented. He had already surpassed himself by appearing on that racetrack.

The audience in the stands gave Phillip the most enthusiastic applause. Nobody paid any attention to the gold, silver, and bronze medal winners; those who had won medals were not that important. The focus of the stadium was concentrated on Phillip.

The contestant who won the championship shook his head in resignation. He knew that he had been reduced to a background character in Phillip’s story.

Since he’d already become a background character, he might as well find the main character to get himself some attention!

The champion walked towards Phillip to congratulate him with a big smile on his face.

The first place contestant congratulating the last place contestant could sound like a mockery, but the champion’s face was full of admiration.

Regardless of whether it was truthful, or if it was for the media, paying homage to Phillip was politically correct, at the very least. Even if he were a simple-minded big-mouthed athlete, he wouldn’t do anything that would insinuate that he was insulting or mocking Phillip.

“It’s over!” Dai Li let out a long sigh as if a heavy burden had just been lifted off his shoulders. Phillip was the result of several months of his training, and he had finally reaped its rewards.

Dai Li turned off the television and left the office after grabbing a file. He found Taylor.

“Kevin. Look at this contract.” Dai Li passed the document to Taylor.

“What’s this?” Taylor took the document and frowned, and said at the same time, “I absolutely hate looking at these densely packed things. I get a headache whenever I see them.”

“This is the training agreement of my place,” Dai Li said.

“Haha, looks like I’ve got another debt. How much do I owe you?” Taylor said in a carefree manner.

No matter how good the relationship between two parties, their accounts were separated very clearly. Although Dai Li said that the training fee could be paid on credit, the credit still required an actual number. Taylor having no money was a special case, but if Dai Li didn’t bring up the topic of payment, their cooperation wouldn’t sound solid. That was why Taylor was very calm when he saw that formal contract.

“This contract of mine is a little unique, because the actual number isn’t written on it. What I want is a percentage, a percentage of your income.” Dai Li continued, “I’ll explain it to you briefly. You currently owe the bank 20 million dollars, right? So according to the rules and conditions in this contract, over the next two years, 20% of your income from after you’ve paid off your debt will become your training fee. You can get a lawyer to help you review the details.”

“You take 20% of my income, yeah?” Taylor looked at Dai Li with a silly look on his face. He then continued, “Li, I can’t sign this contract. Can’t you just put down an actual figure?”

“Why? Do you think you’re losing money?” Dai Li asked cautiously. He thought that perhaps Taylor felt that 20% of his income was too much.

“I think you will lose money!” Taylor shook his head. “I owe 20 million dollars! I’m no longer a boxing champion. There is no way I can repay all of the 20 million dollars in the next 2 years with my current condition! So when you say that in the next two years, 20% of what I earn after I’ve fully repaid my debt belongs to you, the result might very well be that you will not even earn a single cent. Li, even if you can’t make a profit from me, I don’t want to see you make a deal that will make you lose money.”

“Hahaha…” Dai Li laughed. He had not expected Taylor to reject the deal for his sake. He couldn’t help but feel touched at that moment.

“Kevin, believe me. I won’t make a loss. On the contrary, by then, I fear that you will think that I’m making too much from you!” Dai Li said.

…

Dai Li was fully aware of the earning potential of the ultimate boxing champion. When it came to appearance fees, the highest amount Taylor had achieved was 20 million dollars per match, and that was the standard from ten years ago. In the present day, if Taylor were to return to his role as the ultimate boxing champion, it would be perfectly reasonable for his appearance fee to exceed 50 million dollars per match.

Apart from the appearance fee, there were match bonuses as well. The match bonus for a match between top class boxing champions would be several tens of millions of dollars. And if the attention of the match was high, the boxers could request all kinds of dividends, which would be another twenty or thirty million dollars’ worth of income. So, for a top-class boxer, if he were to fight in a match that garnered a lot of attention, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he could earn 100 million dollars per match.

Based on this calculation, it would be entirely possible for Dai Li to earn several tens of millions of dollars’ worth of dividends from Taylor.

Taylor finally decided to sign the contract and shifted his focus back towards training. The end of his ban was gradually getting closer. The current Taylor could no longer wait to fight in his comeback match and to clear off his 20 million dollar debt.

…

“Li, I’m back! I just got off the plane,” Stephen’s familiar voice said from the phone.

Phillip had gone to Europe for the world championship, and Stephen had followed him there. Of course, Stephen went at his own expense. Stephen knew that once Phillip appeared at the world championship, his value would soar. That was why Stephen decided to follow him to Europe to look for business opportunities.

Opportunity favored the prepared. Stephen found quite a number of advertising endorsement deals for Phillip in Europe, so after the World Championship in Athletics ended, Phillip did not return to the US with the national team. He only returned after finishing all the advertisement shoots there.

Stephen returned even later than Phillip. Phillip was already training when Stephen was just arriving at Los Angeles.

“You’ve returned later than Phillip, huh. I heard you’ve brought him another deal?” Dai Li asked.

“Yeah, a big business deal. It’s Adidas. They’ve agreed to especially design a shoe for Phillip, and it’s going to be named the ‘Blade Warrior,’ so I went to Adidas’ headquarters in Germany to discuss that,” Stephen said.

“Designing a shoe for Phillip, why does this sound ridiculous to me? He doesn’t even have legs…” There was a hint of mockery in Dai Li’s tone.

“But Adidas is willing to pay! This could earn us a lot!” Stephen continued, “Now that I think back about it, I get more impressed by the day. The earnings you’ve got from that 5% could probably buy your entire training center by now.”

“You’ve moved into a bigger house too, isn’t that right?” Dai Li said while laughing.

“Yeah, we both have to thank Phillip.” Stephen’s tone changed and he said, “I’m going home to drop off my luggage, then I’ll meet you at the training center. Do you have time this afternoon?”

“I do have free time, but don’t you have jet lag?” Dai Li asked.

“Every time I think about that huge endorsement fee, I’m so excited I can’t even sleep! Wait for me, I’ll be there very soon,” Stephen said as he hung up the phone.

…

Stephen walked into the training center excitedly. The recently built boxing ring immediately attracted his attention.

It has just been a few weeks, and he’s already added new equipment. A boxing ring! I’d like to get up there and throw a punch or two, just for fun. Stephen looked at the boxing ring, but as he moved closer, he discovered that the man practicing on it looked incredibly familiar.

That’s Kevin Taylor! The Taylor who bit off someone’s ear! Stephen blinked several times to make sure he wasn’t mistaken.

It’s been a while since I last read any news on Taylor. I think he was match-banned. Counting the time, his ban is probably ending soon. Who would have thought that he would actually be training here? Coach Li found another big client! I think I heard that Taylor fired his previous agent, I wonder who Taylor’s current agent is? Stephen’s eyeballs couldn’t help but move around as he contemplated.

Chapter 398 - Unprofitable Deal

Chapter 398: Unprofitable Deal

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“This is the result of my trip to Europe. We’ve got several new advertisements and endorsements.” Stephen passed a document to Dai Li.

Dai Li accepted the documents, saying, “I heard that Phillip’s popularity in Europe has even surpassed his popularity in the US?”

“Yes.” Stephen nodded. “The Europeans really loved Phillip. His popularity there was on par with any top-class sports star. If that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t have been able to get so many advertisement deals.”

Stephen continued speaking in a casual and non-caring manner. “Did I see Kevin Taylor outside just now?”

“Yeah, my new client,” Dai Li answered vaguely, not revealing how he met Taylor.

It was obvious Stephen wanted to remain on that topic. “How did you guys meet? Did he come to you, or did you go to him?”

“I think it was a coincidence,” Dai Li replied. He still didn’t want to bring up the incident at the police station.

Stephen also noticed that Dai Li was speaking nonchalantly, but in the end, he asked directly, “What I want to ask is, the one who first came into contact with you, was it Taylor himself or was it his agent?”

Dai Li suddenly understood. “You’re asking if Taylor has an agent, right?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.” Stephen continued, “I heard that Taylor fired his agent, but that was two years ago. As for who Taylor’s current agent is, I really have no idea. But a sports star at Taylor’s level probably won’t lack an agent.”

“Taylor currently has no agent,” Dai Li replied.

He currently doesn’t have an agent! Joy flashed through Stephen’s eyes.

“You want to become his agent, don’t you?” Dai Li asked directly.

“Of course.” Stephen did not even try to hide the fact. “That’s Kevin Taylor! Ten years ago he was the most famous sports superstar in the US. If you talked about boxing, no one in the world would not know his name, and his commercial value was hundreds of millions of dollars. He was the kind of client agents dream of. He could make an agent filthy rich!”

“Really?” Dai Li smiled. “Do you think the current Taylor has hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of commercial value? Don’t forget, he’s not young anymore. He’s 32 years old.”

“Ugh, you’re right. That match where he bit off Highfield’s ear in front of God and everybody lost him all his sponsors. Even now, those advertisement sponsors will avoid him at all costs. Nobody wants to have someone who has been stained endorse their products,” Stephen analyzed logically.

“Then, you still want to be his agent?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course!” Stephen answered firmly. “Even if he doesn’t have any income from advertising endorsements, he could earn a sizable income just from boxing alone. He is a little old, and perhaps he’ll have to retire after a few years, but the appearance fees and match bonuses older boxers get are still pretty high. Even if he doesn’t win a single match, just an appearance fee alone could earn him 10 to 20 million dollars. And for me, that is a commission of one to two million! A lot of people can’t earn that much in their entire life.”

Dai Li nodded. In the US, a job that paid over 3000 dollars a month was either a more presentable jobs, or heavy labor that normal people wouldn’t do. A supermarket clerk or a waiter working in a restaurant definitely couldn’t make that much. According to statistics, the median annual income for American families was 53,000 dollars. One million dollars was the equivalent of 17 or 18 years of income for these families. Compared to an individual, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that one might not be able to earn that much in his lifetime.

However, Dai Li was not optimistic about Stephen’s chances. “Taylor is just outside. You can ask him if he wants to let you be his agent, but don’t get your hopes too high.”

“Why?” Stephen asked.

“Taylor was tricked by his previous agent, the one that he fired. Taylor told me that agent of his lied to him and cheated him out of a lot of his money. A towel that cost a few dollars, his agent would report as costing 8000 dollars. Through this method, his agent took almost all his money. That’s why he doesn’t believe in agents now,” Dai Li explained.

“A lot of people in our line of work don’t have any work ethics. There are always some black sheep in every profession. The main responsibility of agents like us is to help our clients make more money, and I believe no one would feel sorry for making more money. If Kevin Taylor wants to earn more money, then he will definitely need an agent,” Stephen said.

“Alright then. If that’s the case, I wish you good luck.”

…

“I don’t need an agent!” Taylor shook his head with determination.

“Mr. Taylor, I know that you’ve been tricked by your previous agent, and you lost a lot of money because of that, but I’m not that kind of unethical degenerate. I can assure you if you choose to appoint me as your agent, I will definitely place your interest as my priority. Choosing me will definitely be the correct decision,” Stephen said.

Taylor was unmoved, and he shook his head without hesitation.”I really don’t need an agent right now.”

Stephen straightened his body and continued advising. “I am Barron Phillip’s agent. Barron Phillip. The blade warrior. I’m sure you’ve heard of him! Ever since I became Barron Phillip’s agent, I’ve brought him over 15 million dollars’ worth of advertising endorsement deals, so you can completely trust in my professionalism.”

Taylor looked at Stephen’s enthusiastic expression and sighed in resignation. “I’ll tell you the truth then. I’m actually bankrupt!”

“Bankrupt?” Stephen was stunned. He, of course, knew what being bankrupt meant.

“How much do you owe the bank?” Stephen asked immediately.

“More than 20 million dollars,” Taylor answered, not hiding anything.

“20 million! That much!” Stephen suddenly looked amazingly serious.

Taylor nodded and smiled bitterly. “Now do you understand? I can’t afford an agent.”

Stephen’s heart was instantly distracted. He initially thought that he had caught himself a big fish; he never would have imagined that only the meatless bone of the big fish was left. Even if one were to dispose of it, there would be an additional garbage disposal fee.

No agent would be willing to take on a bankrupt athlete. A bankrupt athlete meant zero profits for an agent; moreover, Taylor still owed the bank 20 million dollars. That number was astronomical even for most American athletes. Even in the NBA, sports stars with after tax income of more than 20 million dollars were rare.

Kevin Taylor is already 32 years old, he has long left his peak, and he is no longer the ultimate boxing champion from before. How long will he need before he clears off his debt of 20 million dollars? Three years? Five years? By then he probably won’t be able to fight anymore! Becoming his agent definitely won’t bring any profit. No wonder he still doesn’t have a new agent; no one is stupid. Who would work on something that doesn’t make money?

Stephen immediately dismissed his previous idea. He had no intention of picking up a client that didn’t make money. Updated by Boxnovel.com

…

After half an hour, Stephen returned to Dai Li’s office.

Seeing Stephen’s strange expression, Dai Li couldn’t help but ask, “How was your chat with Taylor? Was he willing to let you be his agent?”

Stephen did not answer. Instead, he moved one step forward, lowered his voice, and asked, “Did you know that Kevin Taylor is bankrupt?”

“Of course,” Dai Li nodded.

“And you still let him train here? Can he afford the training fee?” Stephen asked. “You are not an American so you might not understand bankruptcy. Taylor is currently in the bankruptcy protection period, so there will be a lot of consumer limitations in place. Apart from that, there is also the repayment plan after the debt reorganization. He needs to first make up his tax payments, and the other debt repayments also take priority.”

“I know that he currently can’t pay a single cent of training fee. Sometimes I even have to buy him lunch,” Dai Li said calmly.

“Oh my God, Coach Li, you should understand that you own a training center, not a charity!” Stephen said.

“Of course I don’t run a charity, but I am confident that Taylor will pay me the training fees he owes. This is an investment, just like with Phillip. Wasn’t it the same? Not to mention that Phillip couldn’t even be considered a professional athlete at first while, Taylor was already an ultimate boxing champion,” Dai Li said casually.

“Coach Li, Taylor owes the bank 20 million dollars!” Stephen reminded.

“More than 20 million,” Dai Li corrected. “All the things that you’ve said, I know and understand them.”

“You know and understand, but you’re still doing it anyway? You’re crazy!” Stephen shook his head. “Li, you are a professional sports coach; you should know that the current Taylor is far from his former self. He passed his peak age a long time ago, and his condition will only get worse as time passes. He won’t be making much money in the future. As a friend, I have to remind you that if you continue conducting business like this, you will lose money.”

“I have faith in my athletes.” Dai Li smiled. “I believe, under my guidance, Taylor will return to his peak!”

“Alright, I don’t know where you get your confidence. You’re too stubborn, I can’t advise you anymore!” Stephen shook his head in resignation and prepared to leave.

“Hold on a second, you never told me if Taylor agreed to let you be his agent?” Dai Li stopped Stephen in his tracks.

“Even if he agreed, I wouldn’t take him! I’m not like you. I don’t find unprofitable deals that lose money.” Stephen shook his head. “Alright, I’m going. I came to your place immediately after I got off the plane. I’m going to head back, take a shower, and go to bed.”

“Unprofitable? Take a loss?” Dai Li shook his head as he watched Stephen’s shadow gradually shrink while he walked away.

“We aren’t sure who is taking a loss yet!”

Chapter 399 - Opponent

Chapter 399: Opponent

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The number of boxing organizations in the world was unbelievable. In the US alone, there were more than 70 of them. In reality, a lot of boxing organizations could no longer effectively organize boxing matches. Those organizations would only occasionally appear in regional competitions, provide support in organizing competitions, and sometimes work together with larger and stronger organizations to jointly certify world champions, to show that they still existed.

Without a doubt, the most reputable boxing organizations were the four professional boxing organizations: the World Boxing Association (WBA), the World Boxing Organization (WBO), the World Boxing Council (WBC), and the International Boxing Federation (IBF). Apart from those, there were organizations like the WPBF, WBE, WBF, WBU, IBA, WBB, IBO, IBC, IBU, PBO, WBN, GBU, UBO, and various other more reputable professional boxing organizations. Among them, the IBO and WBF were also quite well-known, and a lot of world-class boxing champions were registered in them.

As the current president of the World Boxing Council, it could be said that Surman enjoyed limitless fame. The WBC had 162 member nations, and was like a condensed version of the United Nations. In nations where professional boxing was well-developed, Surman would receive welcome of the highest class. For example, when he went to South Africa, the president personally welcomed him; when he was in Mexico, he had dinner with the president; even in the US, he was a frequent visitor of the White House.

However, on this day, Surman looked as if he was having the worst headache ever.

“Two years. It vanished before I realized it was gone. That troublesome fellow is coming back,” Surman said in a flat monologue, the distance between his furrowed brows becoming shorter and shorter.

On the side, the assistant held a document and said, “Mr. President, from what we have, Kevin Taylor’s comeback match doesn’t lack any opponents. I’ve asked a lot of boxers, and most of them are willing to become Kevin Taylor’s first opponent upon his return. This the name list after my selection.”

“Haha… Just as I expected.” Surman smiled, picked up the document, and said, “Taylor used to be the world’s strongest heavyweight boxing champion. If he makes a comeback now, many champions will be itching for a chance to beat him up!”

His assistant nodded. “If he were the Taylor from back then, perhaps no one would want to be his opponent. But now, everyone knows that he is just an aging lion, and his teeth and claws are no longer sharp. The younger lions are impatiently waiting for a chance to strike him down to prove their strength.”

As the saying went, “In the Yangtze River, the waves behind drive the waves in front forward, and the waves in front splatter and disappear on the beach.” If the young professional boxers wanted to become famous quickly, the best way would be to defeat a very renowned boxer; ideally, one who was on the level of a boxing champion. But under normal circumstances, how could a young boxer defeat a boxing champion? Sports was a competition of strength, and those who could become boxing champions, who could wear those championship belts, were definitely amongst the top, even if they weren’t the absolute strongest at their level.

At that moment, Taylor was obviously the most suitable “wave in front.” His reputation was still great, and if someone could defeat him and make him splatter and disappear on the beach, even if it were an obscure newbie, that newbie would become famous after just one fight.

Not to mention Taylor’s technique. Taylor was the kind of boxer who used to dominate the entire boxing world, so his techniques had already been thoroughly researched. Even an ordinary person would know that Taylor’s fighting style relied heavily on explosive power. And he was already past his peak, so his explosive power had already deteriorated severely. He could no longer produce the kind of deadly combination punches he had when he was young.

For a professional boxer, finding a way to deal with Taylor wasn’t hard. The Taylor from several years ago could take on ten people at the same time, and his three tricks were undefeated. The current Taylor’s strength was very likely halved, and to a professional boxer, fighting him would be that much easier.

So many boxers with considerable strength hoped to become Taylor’s first opponent after his comeback. They wanted to try to defeat Taylor in that first match. To overcome the one who had once dominated the boxing world, and to become famous through that match, using Taylor as a stepping stone. What an exciting thing it would be!

However, that was also the cause of Surman’s headache. What type of boxer should he arrange as Kevin Taylor’s first opponent in his comeback match?

Surman shook his head repeatedly as he browsed through the name list. It was apparent that he was dissatisfied with the boxers on the list.

“No. These won’t work. They are too weak.” Surman rejected them.

“Based on conventional methods, we don’t usually schedule strong opponents in the first comeback match of a boxer,” the assistant stated.

“That is true, but our conventional methods shouldn’t apply to Taylor.” Surman folded his arms and thought for ten seconds before speaking. “How about Saunders? Can he fight?”

“You mean ‘The Trench’ Saunders? Isn’t he a little too strong? He is, after all, the tenth ranked title challenger for the champion’s belt. Besides, his techniques are quite effective in restraining Kevin Taylor. Would Taylor be able to beat him?” the assistant asked.

“That’s the reason why he should be the one to confront Taylor in his first comeback match, because none of us know how much strength Taylor has left, and Saunders is the perfect touchstone,” Surman declared.

The assistant looked at Surman with a puzzled expression, so Surman continued to explain. “For us, Taylor’s value lies in the fact that he used to be the boxing champion, the conqueror of the heavyweight boxing world at that. If he were just an ordinary boxer, would I follow him personally? But if the current Taylor can’t even defeat Saunders, then that would mean that he had lost the strength to remain a boxing champion. A has-been boxing champion whose strength is only average does not deserve further resources from us. Try and think, who would pay attention to a match where newbies fought against each other?”

“But Taylor should have a decent number of fans. From that perspective, he should still have some form of commercial value,” the assistant said.

“In the match against Highfield when Taylor bit his ear, that was probably the most scandalous news within the last few decades! Biting someone’s ear off just because you couldn’t defeat him. If it were you, would you support this type of boxer?” Surman rebutted.

The assistant laughed and shook his head. Surman then continued, “When Taylor was young, he constantly caused trouble. You should remember why he was put in prison back then, right? Rape! To tell you the truth, if he were just an average boxer, I might have removed his name from the WBC a long time ago!”

…

“Coach Li, my opponent in my first comeback match has been confirmed. It’s ‘The Trench’ Saunders,” Taylor said with a serious expression.

“‘The Trench’ Saunders? I’ve never heard of him.” Dai Li obviously did not know too much about the boxing world. Apart from the few world-renowned boxing champions, Dai Li didn’t know anyone else. As such, Dai Li pulled out his phone and searched for information about “The Trench” Saunders.

Taylor, who sat opposite Dai Li, began describing the man instead. “Saunders is 26 years old this year. He’s one of the rising stars that came to prominence in the heavyweight boxing world within the last three years. He only started appearing and gaining fame when I received the match ban. He’s currently ranked tenth among the challengers for the WBC champion’s belt.”

The championship belt was the gold medal of boxing. Only those who had received championship belts were called “boxing champions.”

Among boxing organizations, the strongest boxer within each weight class was naturally the owner of the championship belt, and within a weight class, the top 15 contenders were the title challengers. These 15 people were ranked according to their points, and the person who ranked first was called the first challenger of the championship belt, the second-ranked would be called the second challenger, and so on.

All 15 people within the rank table were qualified to challenge for the championship belt. For example, if a boxer’s points were just enough for him to be ranked 15, it meant that he had only just qualified to challenge for the title, but he did not need to defeat all 14 boxers who were ranked higher than him. It wasn’t compulsory for him to defeat the first ranked boxer either; he could directly initiate a title challenge with the boxing champion. If he won, then the championship belt would belong to him, and he would be the new boxing champion. Those 14 people who were ranked higher than him still remained as title challengers.

By the same reasoning, if a boxer failed to get into the top 15, he would not be allowed to initiate a championship belt title challenge.

The heavyweight class had always been a more popular weight class in world-class boxing organizations such as the WBC. If a boxer were to successfully rise into the top ten, he was definitely worthy of being regarded as a world-class boxer within that weight class.

Dai Li understood these fundamentals of boxing, but he had never heard of this Saunders. Upon learning that he was the tenth ranked challenger, Dai Li also knew that he would be a tough opponent.

“You seem worried. Are you afraid that you will lose?” Dai Li consoled Taylor. “I haven’t even heard the name of this boxer, Saunders, before. You’re a boxing champion, I’m confident you can win!”

“If it were me from ten years ago, I could probably settle this fellow in one round, but now, I think that it will be difficult for me to win this match. I originally thought that the opponent for my first comeback match would be weaker, and the difficulty would be lower. Who would have thought the WBC would arrange such a difficult opponent?” Taylor said with a face without confidence.

“Is this Saunders strong?” Dai Li asked.

“His nickname is ‘The Trench.’ You should know what a trench is, right? In battle, soldiers on defense would hide behind the trenches while they fired away at their enemies. A trench protects people, it helps soldiers avoid bullets and bombs,” Taylor said slowly.

“What you mean is that Saunders is formidable in his defense,” Dai Li said immediately.

Taylor nodded. “In the heavyweight class, it’s rare to see a defensive type boxer, because once you get to heavyweight, the power of the punches can no longer be blocked through defense alone. In reality, Saunders’ fighting style is more like a counterattack; he looks for chances to unleash critical hits after the end of his opponent’s attack. And for me right now, he is precisely the type of fighter I am afraid of most. I would rather face a boxer who would exchange hits with me than fight a counter-attacking boxer like Saunders. He will restrain me too effectively.”

“Looks like you can only settle things quickly, try to knock him down at the beginning of the match,” Dai Li said while laughing.

“For the current me, I’m afraid it would be hard to achieve that.” Taylor shook his head in resignation. “Now that I think about it, I think that making a comeback might be a mistake. I can imagine it, all those youngsters who are looking to make a name for themselves, lining up to kick my ass! Then they will say that they have defeated Kevin Taylor, that would be enough for them to boast about their entire life…”

Dai Li sighed slightly. Confrontational sports were cruel, and everyone tried to use their seniors as stepping stones. Most people would choose to leave the boxing industry once their condition began to deteriorate, so that they could avoid becoming a stepping stone for those who came after them, thus preventing themselves from losing the dignity of the boxing champion.

If Taylor had not lost all his assets while still owing the bank so much money, perhaps he would have also chosen to retire.

Chapter 400 - Singing a Different Tune

Las Vegas was where most boxing matches were held. It could even be called the “Holy Land of Boxing” in the US, and because Las Vegas was also the “Gambling Capital” of the world, it had the most developed betting industry in the world.

Before the nineties, American boxers gathered in New York because New York was the most developed and heavily populated city in the US. In New York, any sport would be able to find a vast market, and many world boxing championships were held in the Madison Square Garden back then.

However, because a gambling ban was written into the legal provisions of New York, the development of the boxing industry was greatly restrained. Since then, Las Vegas began its “marriage” with boxing. With the support of casinos, bookmakers, and betting businesses and groups, the boxing industry developed rapidly in Las Vegas, ultimately achieving its current status.

Boxing could no longer be separated from gambling. Where there was boxing, there would be gambling. The better developed the gambling industry of a place, the more boxing matches there would be. Las Vegas was like that, and so was Macau, Mexico City, and Johannesburg.

In the age of manual betting, boxing was the sport with the highest wagers. It was only after the rise of online betting that soccer surpassed the bet amounts of boxing.

From this perspective, Britons really loved to gamble. Their three favorite sports, which were soccer, boxing, and horse racing, were the most popular sports in the betting industry. Bets on soccer matches, boxing matches, and horse racing consistently contributed to the betting industry, while bankrupting a lot of people at the same time.

Soccer bets were mainly online, and manual offline bets were rare. On the other hand, when it came to bets on boxing matches and horse racing, manual bets were still the majority, especially in places such as Las Vegas. Manual bets were extremely convenient, and any random resort or hotel was a betting spot.

Located within the MGM Square was the MGM Grand Hotel, which was the most famous hotel in Las Vegas. In the nineties, the hotel was once the world’s largest hotel, and it also boasted the largest casino in Las Vegas, with the same square footage as four soccer fields.

At the same time, it was also where many large-scale boxing matches were held. Compared to other venues, boxing matches organized at the MGM Grand Hotel were extremely lucrative. It had always been a vacation hotel. Food, relaxation, entertainment—all kinds of services were provided there. Added to that was the casino, which allowed players to place their bets at any time. A lot of celebrities would choose to stay at the hotel when they visited Las Vegas. Eat, sleep, and play, then watch a match, placing a bet in between. There was no need to leave the hotel to have everything done.

Taylor’s first comeback match would also be held there. The major bookmakers had already put up their odds, and the casinos within the hotels had already started accepting bets.

Two days before the start of the match, Taylor and Dai Li checked in at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Taylor used to stay there a lot, and every time he arrived, he would gamble at the casino, often spending millions of dollars in a single night. However, the current Taylor was in the bankruptcy protection period, and according to the rules, he wasn’t allowed to stay in such a luxurious hotel. It was only because that was the match venue, and Taylor was the athlete who was participating in the match, that he could apply to stay at the MGM Grand Hotel. However, he was absolutely not allowed to visit the casino.

It was the first time Dai Li had stayed in such a luxurious vacation hotel. The MGM Grand Hotel was considered costly even for the average American, and expense wasn’t restricted to the price of the rooms; there were also all kinds of service fees. Unlike in other luxurious hotels, every service afforded by the hotel cost extra.

In truth, none of the guests who could afford to stay there chose it because they wanted to get a good night’s rest in their rooms. The guests went there to have a good time, to spend their money, and to intoxicate themselves temporarily in the casinos. Las Vegas was the best place in the world to squander one’s money. If a person wanted to rest or to enjoy the wonders of nature, he could go hike on a mountain or visit a beach; there was no need to visit this diamond city located in the middle of the desert.

…

“Mr. Li, this way, please! This is the VIP betting room. The lowest bet amount is 10,000 dollars. We have specially trained staff inside that will help you place your bets” An attendant wearing a vest and tie brought Dai Li to the front door of a room.

“Thank you.” Dai Li handed a tip to the attendant.

“Thank you for your generosity, and I’m happy to be of service.” When the attendant saw the face of Lincoln, America’s 16th President, on the banknote, the smile on his face seemed especially sincere. A five dollar tip for just showing the way was above the usual standard of tipping. If every guest were just as generous, he would be willing to show the way every day.

The chips of the supposed VIP area within the casino had higher values, and the service there was also better as the people there were mostly VIP clients.

There were also VIP betting rooms in the betting areas. For general bets, a player could place a bet by using an automated betting machine, or a bet of a higher amount could be made manually at the service counter. Only big clients used the VIP betting rooms, where more professional services could be enjoyed.

Dai Li entered the VIP betting room and looked around. The people inside the VIP betting room were clearly rich. Their outfits and dresses were well planned and designed, there were even one or two familiar faces who were probably celebrities.

A professional-looking young lady approached and asked with a pleasant smile, “Sir, is there anything I can help you with?”

“Yes, I want to know the odds for Kevin Taylor’s comeback match,” Dai Li said.

“Alright. This way please.” The lady guided Dai Li in front of a big screen. Displayed on the big screen were the various odds for the match between Taylor and Saunders.

“Sir, you can see the live changes of the odds on this screen. If you decide to place a bet, you can call me over. The lowest bet amount here is 10,000 dollars. You can rest on the sofa there, and there are also some snacks and beverages that are free for you.” After the female attendant finished speaking, she stepped back to the side.

Standing in front of the big screen were several other people who were also focused on Taylor’s first comeback match.

“Kevin Taylor, that bastard was banned for two years. I thought that he would retire, I didn’t think that he would actually return,” a voice said.

“I hope someone beats the hell out of him!” another person said.

“He will,” the first person responded. “His opponent is ‘The Trench’ Saunders, I’ve always been optimistic about this boxer.”

“Then what are you hesitating about, hurry up and bet for Saunders to win!” the first person who spoke encouraged.

The guy, however, shook his head. “Saunders’ odds for winning are only 1.75, and Taylor’s odds for winning are the same, at 1.75. If they have the same odds, that means that even the bookmakers aren’t sure who will win. For me, this type of bet isn’t worth it.”

“Yeah, after all, Taylor was the world’s strongest heavyweight boxing champion. No one could match him back then. However, it has been two years since he last fought, and who knows how much strength he has left? You can see that from the odds. But the odds for a draw is as high as 46, so the bookmakers don’t think that this match will end in a draw,” a person on the side analyzed.

“It’s a match with Taylor in it; there’s no way for it to end in a draw. Look, Taylor’s odds for winning are only 1.75, but the odds for him winning through a knockdown has risen to 4.25. You can make a lot of money from this odd.”

“This reminds me of the Taylor from ten years ago, from when he just went pro. He would always knock down his opponents in the first round. I remember among the 15 opponents he defeated in his first year, three of them chose to retire immediately after losing to him. The Taylor back then sure was strong!”

“I don’t believe the Taylor today can still knock down his opponent in the first round!” The one who spoke earlier pointed towards the big screen and said, “Look, guys, the odds for Taylor winning in the first round are 41, and the odds for winning in the second and third round are 36 and 31 respectively, and the odds for winning in the fifth round has just gone back to 36. Looking at these odds, the bookmakers clearly don’t think that Taylor can defeat Saunders quickly. You guys shouldn’t forget that Saunders’ defense is top-notch.”

Following the man’s statement, Dai Li shifted his gaze towards the displayed odds.

The odds for Taylor winning in the first round are 41, which means that if I bet 10,000 dollars, I would get a return of 410,000 dollars, so the profit would be 400,000 dollars. That’s very profitable. Even the 36 and 31 for the second and third round are all great odds. Dai Li began calculating in his mind and prepared to place a bet.

At that moment, a voice rose behind him.

“It is impossible for Kevin Taylor to win this match!”

Everyone looked back and saw an older black man. The black man seemed to be more than 60 years old, and had an afro of white hair. He wore dark sunglasses and smoked a cigar. He wore a light green suit on his upper body and a large gold watch on his wrist. His appearance was ridiculously flamboyant. He could be placed anywhere in the world and it would still be easy to recognize him.

Behind the old man was another tall and strong man wearing a suit. His expression was cold and cruel, and it was easy to tell from one look that he was the old man’s bodyguard.  Up.dated b.y B o x Novel. com

Cigar, large gold chains, and huge gold watch. What’s more, there’s a bodyguard. Is this guy an upstart? Dai Li thought.

At that moment, someone from the group of people recognized that black man.

“Are you James King?”

“Haha, I didn’t think anyone still recognized me!” the old black man said.

Someone on the side asked in a whisper, “Who is James King?”

“He’s a very famous boxing agent. Kevin Taylor was the most famous boxer under him, but Taylor fired him two years ago,” someone replied in a whisper.

“I think I heard it before. He’s gotten some criticism from people who say that he conned a lot of Taylor’s money.”

“Who knows! But he was Taylor’s agent for a decade, so he should know Taylor very well. We might even be able to get some insider’s information from him that could help us win money!”

Everyone around the area had the same idea in their minds, so they all surrounded James King like a bunch of fans meeting their idol.

Dai Li simply smirked in contempt. From the description he received from Taylor, he knew that the old man in front of him was an agent without any professional ethics, a person who recorded a towel that cost a few dollars as costing 8000 dollars. From that point alone, Dai Li despised him greatly.

As James King was enjoying being the center of attention, he began explaining talkatively.

“Let me see the odds… If it were 12 years ago, when I first met Kevin Taylor, I would definitely advise you guys to buy him winning in the first round. But now, hmm… Haha, I really don’t think that Taylor can defeat Saunders.”

As he finished his sentence, he put on an exaggerated expression and intentionally deepened his voice. “Why don’t I just tell it to you directly. In truth, two years ago, Taylor’s condition had already deteriorated severely. There was definitely luck involved in the match where he successfully regained the championship belt back then.”

“Mr. King, are you saying that the current Taylor can no longer fight? Will Saunders win?” a person on the side asked immediately.

“I didn’t say that. I’m just providing you with information. As for how you decide to place your bets, that’s entirely up to you. If not, would I be the one to blame if you lose money?” James King said with a laugh.

Everyone began discussing in whispers again. They were processing the information they received from James King, and someone intentionally said in a flattering manner, “Mr. King, you’re also here to place a bet, aren’t you? If you don’t mind, I’d like to make the same selection as you.”

The man was basically saying that he would place the same bet as James King.

In the casino, following others when gambling was a regular occurrence, and it was the same in betting on sports. There was always someone who would just follow in the footsteps of betting experts to make money.

James King smiled and reviewed the odds in detail, then snapped his fingers and called for the attendant.

“I’m buying 100,000 dollars for Saunders to win by a technical knockdown,” James King said.

“Saunders winning through technical knockdown, the odds are at 4.2, compared to that, the odds for Saunders winning through points are 26,” someone said.

“In a heavyweight boxing match, the chance of a victory by knockdown is much higher than the chance of achieving victory by points after 12 rounds,” someone at the side said.

James King then continued, “Apart from that, Saunders winning in the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth round, I’m buying 10,000 dollars for each.”

Everyone looked again at the odds.

“The odds for Saunders winning in the sixth round is 26, the seventh is 21, the eighth, ninth, and tenth all have the same odds of 19.”

“Mr. King clearly looks favorable to Saunders after the fifth round. Could it be Mr. King thinks that Taylor’s current stamina can only last him through five rounds?”

“Mr. King used to be Taylor’s agent, so he should understand Taylor’s condition. Since he dared to place his bet this way, there must be a basis for it. Who knows, maybe Taylor really cannot make it to the sixth round.”

“I believe in Mr. King’s judgment. I’m buying Saunders to win by a technical knockdown, 50,000 dollars!”

“I’m buying 60,000. Quick, before too many people start placing their bets and affecting the odds.”

In an instant, many people started to follow suit and make bets similar to James King.

The smile on James King’s face grew wider. The reason he went there, apart from placing bets, was to show himself off. In other words, he was a poser. Now that he was successful in doing so, James King was immensely satisfied.

However, at that moment, a loud voice came from nowhere. “Get me 50,000 dollars on Taylor beating Saunders in the first round, and another 50,000 dollars for Taylor beating Saunders in the second round!”

At that moment, everyone was buying for Saunders to win, so that differing voice was very unexpected.

Someone is actually singing a different tune from me! The expression on James King’s face immediately shifted, and he turned his head to search for the source of the voice.

What he saw was Dai Li pulling out his room card and handing it over to the female attendant. At the same time, he said, “This is my room card, put it on my account first!”

Chapter 401 - You’re the Best

Chapter 401: You’re the Best

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li smiled as he walked out of the VIP betting room. He looked to be in a good mood. He spent 100,000 dollars placing his bets, and according to the odds, he would win two million dollars if Taylor won in the first round. If Taylor won in the second round, Dai Li would still receive 1.75 million dollars.

What made Dai Li even happier was the fact that James King had increased his bet after Dai Li placed his bets.

James King was already more than 60 years old, but he still had a temper. Perhaps because Dai Li had opposed and embarrassed him, James King increased his bet by one million dollars. However, a hundred million dollars was nothing to him; after all, he had conned many millions from Taylor back in the day, which was a lot more.

The joyous Dai Li couldn’t help but take a stroll around the casino of the MGM Grand Hotel. After a few minutes passed, and he had already lost a couple hundred dollars at the slot machine.

“I sure lost money fast. I guess I really don’t have the knack for a life like this. I should just stick with being a coach.” Dai Li laughed in a self-mocking manner. He looked around. The environment was shrouded with all kinds of noises. There were all sorts of different expressions woven throughout the crowd, from the dancing and joyous faces of those who won, to the dejected and sad expressions of those who lost.

“Although it is said that one would lose nine times out of ten, there should still be several professional gamblers doing this as their main job.” Dai Li stood up and headed towards the guest room.

Should I tell Taylor about the incident with James King? This might affect his mood, but telling him earlier should be better. Dai Li dialed Taylor’s number as he thought.

“I’m upstairs. On the observation deck,” Taylor answered.

“Alright, I’ll find you immediately.” As Dai Li finished speaking, he stepped into the elevator.

…

On the observation deck, Taylor sat alone in front of a glass window. He looked like he was contemplating something, yet at the same time, he also seemed to be reminiscing about the past.

Dai Li down sat beside him and ordered a cup of coffee for himself, and later another glass of water for Taylor. Taylor had a match coming up, so it would be best for him to drink water at that moment.

“Did you know, I used to be a regular here,” Taylor suddenly spoke, he pointing below his feet. “Las Vegas has a lot of boxing matches, and after I became famous, almost all my matches were held here. After every match, I would go down to the casino and gamble all day. By night, I would visit the nightclub and bring a few ladies back to my presidential suite…”

“Do you miss that kind of life?” Dai Li interrupted Taylor.

“No.” Taylor shook his head. “That life was exciting, filled with passion, and I guess a lot of people would want to live a life surrounded by beautiful women. I spent money like water. But after experiencing so many things, when I am seated here once again, looking down at these familiar sights from high above, those things seem ultimately meaningless.”

“Enjoying life. How is that meaningless? You have no idea how many people’s life goal is to simply just enjoy life,” Dai Li said.

“That’s more like a fulfillment of personal desires. After the desire is fulfilled, what comes next is a sense of emptiness. If you’ve never experienced that feeling before, you wouldn’t understand what I mean. It’s like you are faced with a beautiful woman you like, and when you can’t have her, you would do anything to get her in bed. But after getting her in bed, you feel like she wasn’t all that different from other girls,” Taylor said very slowly, revealing a sense of vicissitude.

“Ugh…” Dai Li was suddenly speechless. He didn’t know how to continue the conversation.

“These days, I’ve been thinking. Me, boxing all these years, what was it for? When I was a kid, Angie brought me out of the juvenile detention center and trained me in boxing. He told me that I had talent for boxing, so I trained hard. I didn’t have any dreams, I only did it for Angie. Later, after becoming a professional boxer, becoming a boxing champion, I made money, made a lot of money. I knew that being a boxer could earn me a lot of money, but living a life that indulged in beautiful women, luxurious cars, big mansions, and even raising Sweetie… Those were things that I didn’t even dare imagine when I was a kid.”

Taylor shook his head as he spoke. “But now, I don’t even know what’s the meaning of everything that I did. I’m lost, and I don’t know why I am boxing.”

“For the money, duh, you owe the bank over 20 million dollars,” Dai Li said.

“What about after I’ve fully settled my debts? By then, I will be old, no longer able to box, and perhaps I’ll be able to save enough to last till retirement. After that, will I return to what I was a few months back? Numbing myself with booze and weed?” Taylor asked with a self-mocking expression. “That’s not what I want. I’ve earned a lot of money through boxing, but I’ve spent even more. As a result, I have a huge debt, a debt that I pay by continuing to box. Now that I think about it, it’s like I haven’t done anything in this decade. I really am an as*hole!”

Dai Li, however, found that after being in contact with Taylor for so many days, his opinion of Taylor was changing. Dai Li had always thought that Taylor was a big, simple-minded, and impulsive guy; he had never thought that Taylor would have a different side of him.

Wasn’t he the kind of guy who counted money for the people who took advantage of him? When did he learn to contemplate life like everyone else! When Dai Li looked at Taylor, he felt that the current Taylor was very much like a loser who was completely defeated. Sorrow, weakness, self-doubt, and loss of confidence. Those were the reasons for the emergence of his melancholic thoughts.

“Kevin, you shouldn’t think about something so far away right now. Your first task is to defeat Saunders. After all, I just spent 100,000 dollars betting on you to KO Saunders in the first two rounds. Do your best, I have faith in you!” Dai Li encouraged.

“What are the odds for my match against Saunders?” Taylor asked.

“Of course your odds were better,” Dai Li lied. He wanted to console Taylor.

“You don’t have to console me, I know that our odds were similar. After the fluctuation, his odds became better than mine.” Taylor sighed in resignation.

Betting odds never remained the same. Every bookmaker had their formulas for calculating odds, and whichever side that had more bets would have lower odds. If the odds for both sides were the same at the beginning and then the odds of one side lowered, it meant that more people had placed their bets on that side. So Saunders’ odds getting lower indicated that more people were placing their bets on Saunders to win, favoring Saunders over Taylor.

“You’re worried about the odds of the match, which means that you still care about the match.” Dai Li smiled and continued, “I’ll let you know another piece of information. I met James King when I placed my bet, and he bet over a million dollars on Saunders. You wouldn’t want that as*hole to win money, would you?”

“James King! You’re right, I would never let that degenerate win money!” Taylor’s eyes were filled with anger.

Dai Li let out a long sigh. Taylor was still the impulsive Taylor. A moment ago he actually thoughtful and contemplative, but at the mention of James King, he immediately transformed into an enraged bulldog.

…

Matchday. The boxing arena was long since filled.

The tunnel door opened and Saunders walked out deftly. He punched towards the camera which transmitted his gesture onto the big screen of the arena.

The cheers soared immediately after his gesture, the surrounding audience continuing to wave their arms.

“Saunders, beat down Taylor!”

“Do your best! Kick Taylor’s as*!”

“Saunders, I placed a bet for you to win, go and give Taylor a KO!”

It was easy to see that Saunders had more supporters in the arena.

The voices drifted into Saunders’ ears, and although a lot of the words began with the alphabet “F,” it still made him more excited.

Kevin Taylor. Former ultimate boxing champion, the conqueror of heavyweight boxing. Today, you will crawl beneath my feet! You will become my stepping stone.

Saunders looked excited and ferocious; he knew that the match was vital to him. It was Taylor’s first match in two years, and many people paid attention to the match. If he were to defeat Taylor, his name would be known by boxing fans throughout the world, and he would ascend by stepping on Taylor’s back.

At that moment, the host announced Taylor’s name.

The door of the athlete’s tunnel on the other side opened, and Taylor shook and hyped himself up before entering the arena.

However, booing sounded from all around.

“Go home, rapist!”

“Are you going to eat someone else’s ear today?”

“My ear tastes better than XX, do you want to have a try, bi*ch!”

Profanities and insults echoed all around Taylor. Someone even used a fishing rod to place a piece of rubber ear in front of Taylor. He shouted, “Come and take a bite!”

Faced with this situation, Taylor decided to walk towards the boxing ring with a blank expression; however, his heart had already sunk to its lowest point.

Behind Taylor, Dai Li looked around. He had never seen a scene like that before.

Profanities and insults everywhere, it’s like being surrounded by enemies! This feeling is like being caught in a trap, it brings despair! When I followed Dingtian Football Club to the away match in the Final of the Asian Cup, even it didn’t have this sort of atmosphere.

In the next moment, Dai Li’s mind entered the system and wrote down the number “5” on the age-reduction card, then used the card on Taylor.

Within the system, the number “240” appeared on the bottom of the card. That was how long the age-reduction card would last.

The current Taylor has lost 5 years, and has regained the body condition of when he was 27 years old. Based on what he said earlier, this should be when his body was in peak condition!

Dai Li looked at Taylor as he pondered. He wanted to see if there were any changes on Taylor after he used the age-reduction card.

Taylor still looked the same, and his expression hadn’t changed either. He looked calm, deadly calm, as if all the voices around him were unrelated to him.

No! This isn’t calmness, it’s numbness! Dai Li realized.

The match is starting soon, and Taylor is still numb. This won’t do. He’s lost before the match has even begun, this has to change! Thank goodness I still have the morale-boosting book. With Taylor’s current condition, using the morale-boosting book might not make his morale soar, but at least it will make him a little normal. The first step, praise him before the match.

As Dai Li reached this conclusion, he moved one step forward to be in front of Taylor, and spoke into his ear. “Kevin, you’re the best!”

“What?” Taylor was startled and did not hear Dai Li’s words clearly.

“I said, you are the best!” Dai Li repeated.

“Oh!” Taylor nodded subconsciously, then walked up to the boxing ring, not paying much attention to Dai Li’s words at all.

Clap, clap, clap, clap… The sound of Dai Li clapping was the second step for boosting morale. Encouragement through applause when heading out to the match.

On the front rows of the audience stands, James King, whose outfit was just as outrageous, also saw Dai Li.

It’s that Chinese guy who sang a different tune from me yesterday! So he’s Taylor’s man, is he an assistant? He sure is responsible, not forgetting to applaud Taylor even at a moment like this. Unfortunately, boxing is about strength, and even if he applauds until his hands are broken, his 100,000 dollars is already lost.

Chapter 402 - Revival of the Boxing Champion

Chapter 402: Revival of the Boxing Champion

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Taylor stood in the boxing ring, and everything that surrounded him felt familiar, strange at the same time.

His opponent, Saunders, was a few years younger than him, and they had never had contact prior to that day. When Taylor was the boxing champion, Saunders was still in high school. Even just before Taylor’s ban from two years ago, Saunders was only a side character who had just broken into the world of boxing.

But Taylor knew that Saunders was the type of fighter he wanted to avoid most.

Before the match, Taylor had already reviewed all of Saunders’ match videos, and he watched them repeatedly. Saunders was truly worthy of being nicknamed “The Trench”; his defense was ridiculously strong, and he was adept at dodging. In the midst of defending and dodging, he would look for spaces to counterattack. If his opponent remained in an impeccable state throughout the match, without exposing any weakness or space for him to attack, Saunders would patiently continue dodging and defending, waiting for a chance to appear.

The fighting style of Saunders made the matches last longer, but patience and cautiousness would ultimately make Saunders the winner. The longer the match, the more impatient an opponent became, and the more chances there were for a mistake to appear. Most of the time, Saunders only needed to grasp a single chance to deal a critical blow to his opponent and achieve victory.

When it came to fighting styles, Saunders’ style effectively restrained Taylor’s style. Saunders was like a shield, whereas Taylor was more like a sharp spear.

I’m going to beat you up! Saunders glared at Taylor provocatively. If it weren’t for the boxing gloves he was wearing, Saunders might have made some indecent gestures with his hands.

The booing that came from everywhere had long since crushed Taylor’s fortitude, and Saunders’ current posture and appearance made Taylor feel even worse.

It was the first time Taylor had appeared in a boxing match in two years; however, what awaited him was the booing sounds within the arena, the abuse from the audience, the provocation from his opponent, and the rubber ear that insulted him!

Taylor felt something in his heart that he couldn’t put into words. He was sad, he felt sorrow, he even pitied himself. All the negative emotions that weaved together had made him numb. He felt the urge to just run away from the boxing ring.

Ding!

The bell that signified the start of the match rang. The referee retreated quickly to avoid getting injured by the boxers accidentally. It was a heavyweight match, after all. Getting grazed or hit accidentally by the boxers might well send an ordinary person to the hospital for an entire day

And at that moment, Taylor pushed his head down slightly and quickly went into battle mode.

At the same time, a voice emerged from behind him.

“Kevin, go!” Dai Li was shouting with his full strength.

The final step for the morale-boosting book had been completed, and at that moment, Taylor suddenly felt vigorous, the depression from earlier having suddenly disappeared.

The match has started, I have to focus! Although Taylor’s morale did not soar, at least his condition reverted to a regular state.

He looked at Saunders, who moved with light steps in front of him, looking for an opportunity to attack; however, because of those light movements, Taylor felt something odd.

My body seems lighter, like I’m filled with energy. Taylor attempted to use a shuffle movement, and he could clearly feel the fluidity from his legs.

What’s going on? Why do I have this weird feeling? Taylor could not cope with the change immediately.

However, Saunders was right in front of him and began groaning, “What are you waiting for, come and hit me!”

Saunders wore braces, so his words were unclear; however, he was obviously trying to provoke Taylor. Even before the match began, he had been trying all sorts of tricks to provoke Taylor. He clearly wanted to bait Taylor into attacking so that Taylor’s stamina would drain quickly.

Taylor made a punch. He did not put much strength into the punch as he was just testing out Saunders’ movement when he dodged. Saunders guessed correctly that Taylor was just testing, so he ducked quickly when Taylor made the punch.

What’s going on? That punch just now was completely different than my normal punches, but at the same time, it feels familiar.

Taylor did not immediately recognize the punching feeling he had when he was younger. It was more agile and much more powerful, and that familiar feeling helped him gain a strange sense of confidence.

My movement and punches, they are different than usual. Looks like my body’s in pretty good condition today. I should be able to make better swings, perhaps I should try attacking!

As Taylor reached this conclusion, his steps instantly became nimble.

…

Taylor’s steps began to shift quickly, and his body also began to sway from left to right.

Is Taylor attacking! Saunders immediately prepared himself for defense.

The technical features of Taylor’s fighting style were not a secret. Professional boxers, even boxing fans understood the technical features of Taylor’s fighting style.

Taylor was considered very agile among heavyweight boxers, and at his peak, it could even be said that Taylor was the world’s most agile heavyweight boxer. Taylor’s height and reach were disadvantageous in heavyweight boxing, or to be more precise, his attack range was too small. Thus, the arms of his opponents were more extended, so they would hit him first. So, with an athletic body like Taylor’s, he could quickly dodge and avoid the punches of his opponents.

For Taylor, a boxing match meant attacking. He continually moved forward, using his fantastic swaying techniques to dodge his opponents’ punches before getting a vital hit in. When moving forward, Taylor was used to lowering his head and bending his body sideways. Plus, he wasn’t tall, which meant the area for his opponent to target was very small, and it was easier to use swaying techniques to dodge his opponents’ punches.

At the same time, Taylor moved forward very quickly, his nimble footwork and explosive strength allowing him to accelerate instantaneously. It was difficult for his opponents to react in time. He had a lot of feints, the swaying of his body and the movement of his footwork were very deceiving, and his punches had a strong sense of continuity. Most of the time, even when the audience could see the trajectory of Taylor’s punches very clearly, his opponents in the ring still wouldn’t be able to defend against them.

Perhaps he’ll try that trick again, rushing in quickly to bait me into parrying with a jab, so that I become exposed. Following that he will use a straight to cover himself, and once I enter his attack range, he’ll quickly use a hook to knock me down!” Saunders thought.

That was Taylor’s best attack method. Every step, every detail of his actions had already been analyzed thoroughly. However, when Taylor was at his peak, even when everyone knew how Taylor would fight, no one was capable of defending against him.

You are not the Taylor from ten years ago! Saunders mocked coldly in his mind. He began retreating as he attempted to maintain a distance between Taylor and himself.

Retreat, drift about, no direct contact. If there really isn’t a way to dodge, clinch. I have to thank Highfield. You are too easy to deal with! Saunders thought.

In the match two years ago, that was the method Highfield used to defeat Taylor. It was also the match that opened up a new window for all boxers. Highfield had found the best method for dealing with Taylor.

As Saunders expected, Taylor dashed forward quickly and continuously attacked using jabs, trying to force Saunders into showing some space in his defense.

Retreat, and continue to retreat. Move and drift around the boxing ring! Saunders was executing his game plan perfectly, but after only a few steps, Saunders discovered that something seemed to be wrong.

After a few shuffles, Taylor was already in front of Saunders.

Taylor’s forward rush was completely out of Saunders’ expectation!

How is his shuffle so quick, he’s so close to me! Saunders exclaimed in his mind.

Taylor’s fist was already in the air, and Saunders had only just realized that it was too late for him to retreat.

Hurry up and clinch! Saunders commanded his body, and at the same time, something crimson appeared in front of his pupils. It grew larger and larger.

It was a boxing glove, it was Taylor’s boxing glove!

Bam! A crisp sound rang, but Saunders could no longer hear it. He could only feel his brain buzzing and a tone ringing in his ear.

Saunders instinctively moved backward to dodge, and then…

Bam!

Everything suddenly went dark for Saunders, and he could no longer hear anything.

…

“The match has started! Neither side started their attacks immediately, they are feeling each other out. Taylor punches, just a simple punch to feel his opponent out.” The commentator soothed his emotion slightly. He thought that since the match had just started, both boxers would begin feeling each other out and would not start fighting immediately.

“Saunders is retreating, maintaining a safe distance between Taylor and himself. Saunders obviously knows about Taylor’s weakness, and he has chosen a brilliant strategy. By constantly retreating and keeping a safe distance, he can expend Taylor’s stamina, and once Taylor’s stamina is depleted, Saunders can launch his counterattack!”

“Two years ago, Highfield taught us how to deal with Taylor, and that is to continuously circle and expend his energy. Saunders is now using the same strategy, and Taylor doesn’t seem to have a countermeasure, he is still attacking, just like two years ago. It doesn’t look too good for Taylor today!”

As soon as the commentator finished speaking, Taylor landed a punch directly in Saunders’ face. In the following second, Saunders fell to the ground.

“What… What’s going on? What just happened? Why is Saunders down?” The commentator stared at the boxing ring, dumbfounded.

…

“Taylor, you rapist, go home!”

“Saunders, go all-out, destroy that as*hole!”

“Hurry up and knock him down, make him regret coming here!”

Voices surrounded the arena, and James King couldn’t help but turn his head to look.

Looks like a lot of people bet that Saunders would win! James King’s eyes flashed with contempt.

Suddenly, everyone in the arena exclaimed in unison.

“Oh…”

A sense of panic was mixed in with the exclamations.

James King went blank for a brief moment, and all the shouts stopped at that instant. Not a single person around him did not have a shocked expression on their face.

What’s wrong? James King turned his head towards the boxing ring. However, he only saw Taylor standing there while Saunders was already lying on the ground.

KO’d? Saunders was KO’d by Taylor? What happened?

Chapter 403 - It Was Just a Coincidence

The big screen had already started replaying the punch from all sorts of different angles. What could be seen was a simple hook by Taylor, nothing fancy, hitting Saunders right in the middle of his face, followed by another hook that knocked Saunders to the ground. Analyzed from a technical perspective, no controversies surrounded these two punches.

“Why didn’t Saunders dodge? That punch wasn’t fancy, it wasn’t even that fast, it looked ordinary. Even I could see Taylor’s punch trajectory clearly, Saunders,” someone said.

“It’s not that he didn’t want to dodge, it was that he couldn’t dodge. That’s how it is with Taylor’s punch; you can see it clearly, but you can’t dodge it,” another person answered.

James King stared at the big screen with his mouth wide open, his expression too complex to be described with words. Taylor’s attack just now was way too familiar to James King.

Using footwork and rapid body sways to approach his opponents while confusing them with feints, then a simple and straightforward punch. That was the typical attack from Taylor. From the perspective of a spectator, Taylor’s punches could be easily dodged, but from the point of view of his opponents, Taylor’s punch was unavoidable.

That was Taylor the boxing champion; even when the world knew how he was going to fight, even if his opponents were informed earlier of his attack methods, they would still fail to avoid that lethal punch in the ring.

“But he’s 32 years old now, how can he still throw out punches like that?” James King mumbled to himself.

James King had been Taylor’s agent for over a decade, and he understood Taylor better than anyone. Taylor’s attack method had long been imprinted in James King’s mind, and it would never fade away. James King had initially thought that Taylor’s body had deteriorated as he aged, and he would never attack like that again. That was the reason he did not favor Taylor in the fight.

At that moment, James King had a feeling; he felt as if Taylor had returned to his peak from a decade ago. The Taylor back then delivered attacks like that to his opponents, attacks that were exactly the same as the one he used today!

Could it be that he has returned to his condition from before? A sudden sense of fear arose in James King’s heart. He understood better than most how strong Taylor was when he was at his peak.

Impossible, it’s definitely impossible. Taylor is old. There is absolutely no way he can return to his condition from when he was younger!

…

In the boxing ring, Taylor was at a loss. He looked at the referee who was bent over on the floor in front of Saunders, checking to see if Saunders could continue the fight. If the referee were to confirm that Saunders could no longer continue, then he would announce Taylor’s victory.

However, Taylor’s baffled look made it appear as though he did not know what had happened, as if he wasn’t the one who had thrown that punch.

KO’d just like that? That easy? Taylor looked suspiciously at his fist.

Saunders was not a newbie boxer; he had become the tenth ranked title challenger of the WBC, which meant that his strength was among the world’s first class boxers. Moreover, he was a boxer who was skilled in defense.

However, Taylor felt that he had won too easily. He had only needed a straightforward attack to put Saunders on the ground.

Why was Saunders’ defense so weak? Taylor recalled the attack and examined it in detail, then suddenly realized something.

No, it wasn’t that Saunders was weak, it was that my attack was too perfect. When I attacked just now, whether it was speed, agility, or my body’s explosive power, they were exceptional, just like a decade ago! Yes, the feeling during my attack was exactly the same as ten years ago!

Taylor looked at his fist in disbelief. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t understand why a 32-year-old version of himself was able to execute an attack that was at the level of his 22-year-old self.

At that moment, the referee had already confirmed that Saunders could no longer continue the fight. He waved to signal the medical team, and at the same time, he walked to Taylor’s side, grabbed his arm, and lifted it high up in the air to declare his victory.

“Boo… Boo… Boo… Boo…” The booing emerged once again.

“Idiot. Saunders, you idiot. Don’t box if you’re so weak! You made me lose money!” an unknown person shouted. Following that, a great burst of curses emerged from the stands.

“Taylor, you stupid bull, you pumping ‘roids now?”

Some of the audience tore the betting tickets in their hands and threw the torn pieces in the air, mixing them with the color paper falling from the top of the boxing ring.

Dai Li looked around and smiled weakly.

Taylor. This fellow sure is unpopular. He is still getting cursed even after winning the match!

…

Surman, the WBC president, had just attended an event and was currently seated in an airport lounge, waiting for the boarding announcement.

The broadcast announced that the flight was delayed due to weather conditions. Surman frowned in resignation.

Oh, that’s right. Taylor’s comeback match was today, I wonder how his fight with Saunders went. Surman waved at his assistant.

His assistant left and made a call to inquire about the fight, then walked back swiftly.

“Mr. President, the fight is over. Kevin Taylor KO’d Saunders,” the assistant said.

“That fast?” Surman checked his watch. “The match should have just started, right? Did they start the match early?”

“No, Mr. President, the match started on time. However, the match was decided in a only one round.” The assistant thought briefly before continuing, “To be precise, after the match began, Taylor only needed one attack to KO Saunders.”

“One attack to KO an opponent!” Surman sucked in a breath of cold air and mumbled to himself, “Don’t tell me the Kevin Taylor from before has returned!”

…

Dai Li walked out of the hotel casino with a big smile on his face, as well as a 1.59 million dollar check.

Dai Li had placed a 50,000 dollar bet on Taylor winning in the first round, and the odds were 41, so Dai Li won a total of 2.05 million dollars. However, earnings from bets were taxable, so the amount Dai Li actually received was not as high.

The winnings from buying lottery tickets were taxable in the US, and the taxes included federal tax, state tax, and personal income tax. Among them, the federal tax was fixed at 25%; the state tax, on the other hand, differed according to each state. In Nevada, it was 6.5%. The personal income tax ratios were based on the different levels of personal annual income. Americans would voluntarily declare their tax returns after winning the lottery. There was once a news report on an American who had won a huge prize worth 200 million dollars; however, in the end, he only received 80 million dollars, a total of 62% being deducted as tax.

As a city based on gambling, the taxation laws in Las Vegas were more complicated. There were a lot of tax deductions and tax exemption policies in place even for foreigners. If a foreigner were to win money at a casino in Las Vegas, they were not required to personally declare tax returns like an American. They just needed to show their passport, and the casino would directly deduct 33% of the winnings as tax, while the remainder of the winnings would be returned to the winner.

Although Dai Li had suddenly paid several hundred thousand dollars of tax, he still earned a good amount from his gamble. Over 1.5 million dollars. And that was the income after tax. It was already enough for Dai Li to purchase state-of-the-art training equipment.

I’ll treat Taylor to something good! He even had to cut down on what he ate. Dai Li thought for a moment before dialing Taylor’s number.

If it were the Taylor from before, he would have gone to the casino and spent a few million dollars on gambling, before searching for a few hot chicks to take to bed. However, the current Taylor was bankrupt; he couldn’t afford to spend money on items that were not necessities. Until he cleared the debt from the bank, having a nice meal at a restaurant or having a drink were the best rewards available to Taylor.

Dai Li found Taylor on the observation deck of the hotel. He sat there in silence, just like before the match.

“What are you thinking?” Dai Li walked over and sat beside Taylor before continuing, “Before the match, you were worried that you couldn’t beat Saunders, now you’ve won. Why do you still look like this? Buddy, you should be celebrating right now.”

“Coach Li, I’ve won, but I feel weird. Now that I think about it, I don’t even know how I actually won,” Taylor said in a troubled voice.

“You’re stronger than Saunders! A beautiful punch combo hit Saunders, and then he fell down. It was that simple.” Dai Li mimicked a punching gesture.

“No, that’s not what I mean. You watched the match. I only used one attack to KO Saunders, but he shouldn’t be that weak,” Taylor said.

“It’s not that he’s weak, it’s that you are strong enough. That’s why you managed to completely obliterate him.” Dai Li looked at Taylor with an expression that seemed like a smile but wasn’t a smile.

“I feel weird.” Taylor shook his head. “To tell you the truth, my body has been feeling weird since the match, but I can’t pinpoint exactly what is wrong. I don’t know how to describe this feeling.”

“It must be the feeling of youth!” Dai Li was still all smiles.

“Feeling of youth?” Taylor nodded in confusion; he thought that Dai Li’s description was spot on.

“Do you remember what I told you before that I would do my best to let your body return to its condition from when you were 27 years old? Looks like the effects of my training are finally showing.” Dai Li looked satisfied.

“What did you say? Body returning to the condition of a 27-year-old? Is this true?” Taylor widened his eyes. He naturally found Dai Li’s words hard to believe.

“Don’t look at me like that, and don’t think that this is somehow amazing. Sports and exercise can make a person younger. There are many real examples. The rich can remain strong and healthy if they maintain a training habit, even if they are 60 or 70 years old. And in medical science, sports and exercise can also improve blood circulation and metabolism, restoring the bodily functions of an individual. If you frequent some of the high-end gyms, you will notice that many people look far younger than their actual age.” Dai Li used an excuse to cover it up.

“What you mean to say is that all of this is the result of my training?” Taylor asked, his eyes bulging.

“What else could it be? Or maybe you think I’m a wizard, and all I have to do is chant a few incantations to make you young?” Dai Li stood up and laughed as he patted Taylor on the shoulders. He then continued speaking, “Kevin, you have to be more confident, and even more so, you have to have faith in me. I will do my best to maintain your excellent condition, but you also have to maintain the high-intensity training. If you return to being like before, drinking, smoking marijuana, and having at women without restrictions, then even I won’t be able to help you anymore.”

…

Mason was a well-known boxing commentator. He was correct in many of his predictions for important boxing matches, and so he was regarded “The Light of Betting” in boxing matches. A lot of boxing magazines would invite him to write in, and bookmakers would pay him consulting fees. And his blog had even more fans and followers, many of whom bet in boxing matches. When an important boxing match was coming up, Mason’s blog would get a dramatically increased number of visits.

Mason frequently placed bets as well. After all, he was a professional in these sorts of things, and as an insider, he had earned quite a lot from boxing match betting.

However, in the match that just ended, Mason stumbled like a horse that had just lost its front hooves. He predicted that Saunders would defeat Taylor, and he even wrote a few long articles on it, analyzing from multiple perspectives. And the end result was Saunders getting KO’d by Taylor in the first round.

Taylor actually won, and he won so easily. Wasn’t Saunders skilled at defending? How did he get knocked down so easily? He’s lost me several thousand dollars! Mason stared at his betting ticket on the table in a depressed mood. Initially, he had hoped to earn some extra cash from the match before having fun for a few days in Las Vegas, but now he had lost money, and not just his bet, but his hotel accommodation fees as well.

Damn Taylor, he’s already 32 years old, but he can still fight like that! Mason pressed himself against the sofa in anger, grabbed his laptop, and opened his blog. Hundreds of comments appeared instantly before Mason’s eyes.

“Didn’t you say it was a sure-win for Saunders? He ended up being KO’d in the first round.”

“You’re a liar. You understand nothing, you’re all talk, your prediction was completely off, and I’ll never listen to your lies anymore.”

“Idiot, I listened to your pre-match prediction. You made me lose 500 dollars!”

“Your blog said that Taylor was no more, is your face now swollen?”

Comment after comment, each one of them insulting Mason, some even directly cursing him.

“These bastards. All of them gave me likes when they first heard my prediction, now, after losing just one match, they’re already cursing me!” Mason felt angry, but he had nowhere to vent his anger.

“No! I have to make sense of my previous prediction! If not, the spit from these fans will be enough to drown me.” Mason frowned in thought for a long time before opening up a blank document and keying in the following title:

“Kevin Taylor’s victory was only a coincidence.”

Chapter 404 - High-Difficulty Instance

Chapter 404: High-Difficulty Instance

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Li, I watched the match this weekend. Congratulations to you guys on the victory!” Stephen said as he edged closer. He then assumed the look of an insider and lowered his voice before saying, “Taylor sure has good luck!”

“Good luck?” Dai Li looked at Stephen with a baffled expression and wondered if “good luck” was some new congratulatory remark used in American culture.

Stephen then continued, “We all wanted Kevin Taylor to win the first match of his comeback, but we didn’t think that his opponent would be so nice, easily ‘giving’ him a win.”

“What do you mean? I don’t understand.” Dai Li felt that the match Stephen talked about and the actual match were two entirely different things.

“Oh, God, I’ve practically spelled it out, but you still don’t understand.” Stephen laughed bitterly, then said, “Don’t tell me you didn’t read Mason’s post-match commentary? It’s about the match between Taylor and Saunders.”

“Mason, I think I’ve heard that name before, let me think…” Dai Li started looking for this name in his mind.

“It’s that famous boxing commentator, ‘The Light of Betting’ of the boxing world. I’m sure you’ve heard his name. He is a professional boxing commentator, and he’s always able to make accurate predictions. A lot of people follow his articles, winning money from listening to his judgment, including me!” Stephen said.

“I remember, I’ve heard of this man. I’ve read some of his articles.” Dai Li nodded. “What did he write about Taylor recently?”

“I’ll find it for you.” Stephen walked towards the computer and quickly found the article. The first line read, “Kevin Taylor’s victory was only a coincidence.”

“This is the one. Mason wrote it. He analyzed in detail the reasons for Taylor’s win. It makes sense, and a lot of websites have already shared it around,” Stephen said.

“Let me see what he wrote.” Dai Li became interested, lowered his head, and began reading the article in detail.

After a few minutes, Dai Li looked dumbfounded.

The content of the article corresponded with the first line well. The boxing commentator called Mason found all kinds of reasons from different angles to prove his point, which was that Taylor overflowed with luck, his victory was an utter coincidence, and it was the consequence of several low probability situations occurring at the same time.

Mason’s theories all made sense and sounded plausible, at least, someone of Dai Li’s level could not find any clear loophole. After all, Mason was one of the best boxing commentators in the US, and his professionalism was top class. It was way too simple for a professional such as him to deceive an ordinary person, whether by supporting or denouncing an athlete, everything he said would make perfect sense. It was impossible to refute.

If it were someone else, they would have undoubtedly believed the content of the article, just like Stephen. It was inevitable; his article was just that well-written. It had a clear point of view with a well-defined structure, as if the article was describing the truth. However, Dai Li knew that the seemingly sensible article was basically bullsh*t.

“This Mason sure is good. Even I almost believed what he wrote. Taylor’s victory was just a coincidence!” Dai Li said as he unconsciously curled his lips.

Dai Li had used an age-reduction card on Taylor, so Dai Li knew very clearly the reason behind Taylor’s victory. It was because he had the body of a 27-year-old. It wasn’t the coincidence that Mason mentioned. It didn’t matter if Mason found ten thousand reasons, it didn’t matter if the world thought that Taylor’s victory was only a coincidence, Dai Li would hold to his point of view.

That was because Dai Li was the initiator of Taylor’s victory.

Taylor himself believed that his body was at its peak when he was 27 years old, but no one in the world knew exactly how strong a 27-year-old Taylor was. That was because Taylor was in prison when he was 27 years old. Dai Li’s age-reduction card showed the answer when he recreated a Taylor who was at his peak. The current Taylor had defeated Saunders in one round, and Dai Li wouldn’t be surprised if that Taylor defeated any other heavyweight boxer in the world in just one round.

At that moment, Stephen’s voice came from his side. “And there’s this, Saunders’ post-match interview. Have you watched it?”

“Nope.” Dai Li shook his head. “After the match, we didn’t really stay before heading back. You know Taylor’s situation; he’s currently in the bankruptcy protection period and his spending is restricted, so we couldn’t organize any celebratory activities. I don’t want Taylor to be called to court for something like that.”

“Then you should watch it. After watching it, you will realize just how lucky Taylor was,” Stephen said.

Dai Li immediately searched for news related to Saunders. Sure enough, his latest interview was available, and there were text descriptions as well as video recordings.

Dai Li first clicked on the video. A clip of Saunders’ interview appeared.

“… I’ve had some bad luck. As I prepared for defense when Taylor came at me, my eyes were distracted by the flashing lights, so I didn’t see Taylor’s fist clearly. By the time I avoided the lights, Taylor’s fist had reached me, and by then, it was already too late to dodge…” Saunders put up an act of innocence as he spoke in the video.

He blamed the lights after losing the match? At least find some better excuse. Stupid excuses like this just sound like a joke! Why don’t you complain that the mat was too hard or too soft, or that the air conditioning was too cold or hot! Dai Li shook his head, he had no interest in listening to Saunders’ nonsense. The guy was only looking for excuses for losing the match.

Later, Dai Li asked Stephen, “You coming here today, it can’t be you’re only here to congratulate us, right?”

“Of course, I know that you are still hiring, so I’ve brought a resume with me. I think he would be of help to you. You should take a look and see if you’re interested.” Stephen grabbed a resume from his suitcase and passed it to Dai Li.

“A Masters of Business Administration? This is a physical fitness training center, it needs coaches. What’s the use of an MBA?” Dai Li asked.

“You’re all coaches here. Even you, the boss, personally trains people too. Don’t you feel that this place of yours is missing a manager?” Stephen said earnestly.

“You’re trying to find me a CEO!” Dai Li sighed lightly.

“Management is important.” Stephen shook his head and continued, “If you’re satisfied with this place, then it is enough with just you, the boss. However, if you want to expand, then you will need specialized management personnel. Of course, you can also become the manager personally, but can you guarantee that you can perform better than someone with specialized training for the position?”

“Makes sense, professional tasks should be done by professionals,” Dai Li agreed.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Taylor walked inside.

“Coach Li, I just received a call from the WBA. My opponent has been confirmed,” Taylor said.

“That fast? Your match against Saunders just finished, aren’t you resting for a few months?” Stephen asked first.

“That was a match with the WBC, this is a match with the WBA,” Taylor explained. “I’m registered in multiple boxing leagues, so after the ban, I’ve submitted applications to participate in matches with all four of the big boxing leagues.”

“Which means that this is your first opponent with the WBA after your comeback?” Stephen nodded as if he realized something. “Looks like the aftereffects of your victory against Saunders!”

“What aftereffects?” This time, it was Dai Li who asked the question.

“Taylor beating Saunders has certainly attracted attention, and the WBA is hoping to capitalize and arrange a match for Taylor as soon as possible before that attention wanes. That way, regardless of whether it is broadcasting or sponsorship, they can maximize their earnings.”

“Which means that the WBA is jumping on the bandwagon,” Dai Li said.

“You could say that.” Stephen changed his tone, turned to face Taylor, and asked, “Who did the WBA arrange as your first opponent?”

“Nicholas,” Taylor answered.

“You are talking about that ‘Hurricane’ Nicholas?” Stephen clarified.

Taylor nodded. “Yes, that’s him.”

“God, good luck to you! Hopefully lady luck is still on your side,” Stephen said as he looked at Taylor with pity.

“Is this ‘Hurricane’ Nicholas very strong?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course. Just listen to his nickname. Hurricane. You should know what a hurricane is, right? A person who dares to use this as a nickname, do you think he would be a weakling?” Stephen stated.

The US had experienced many hurricanes, more than 20 hurricanes in a year in the northeastern Pacific, enough to fill the entire alphabet. There were fewer hurricanes in the North Atlantic than in the northeastern Pacific, but it was still enough to go from A to W. For Americans, hurricanes caused the more financial loss than any other natural disaster.

Taylor provided a more detailed answer. “Nicholas fought against me three years ago. I was the WBA championship belt holder, and he was the challenger, attempting to take the championship belt from me. He lost in the end, but I had a hard time winning that match. I was also hit quite a few times, and if I hadn’t avoided getting hit in my vitals, I might have been the one losing.”

“This Nicholas is really strong, then!” Dai Li said lightly.

“Although Nicholas hasn’t won a championship belt yet, among all the current active heavyweight boxers, I think he is the closest to a championship belt. He is the fourth-ranked title challenger in the WBA rankings, and the fifth-ranked title challenger in the IBF rankings. All the boxers who are ranked higher than him have previously possessed championship belts. If you ask me, among the title challengers who have not won a championship belt before, Nicholas definitely has the best chance,” Taylor said.

“Then what about his fighting style?” Dai Li continued asking.

“Very similar to mine. He’s also an attacking type, and his attacks are very fierce. His combination punches integrate technique with power perfectly. The only difference is that his footwork isn’t as agile as mine in an attack, and he uses fewer feints. His attack is a simple continuous attack, constantly putting pressure on his opponent, not allowing them any time to breathe. If you can’t take the pressure in defense, it is easy to get knocked down by him.”

“For the WBA, this should be your first match after your comeback, right?” Dai Li asked. “If that’s the case, your opponent might seem a little too strong. This ‘Hurricane’ Nicholas should be a high-difficulty instance.”

“Perhaps it’s because the WBA hates me. They can’t arrange for a boxing champion to fight me in the first match, so they sent this quasi-boxing champion, Nicholas. They must really want to see me get knocked down.” Taylor laughed bitterly.

“Why? Did something happen with the WBA?” Dai Li asked.

“Two years ago, the match where I bit Highfield, that was the championship boxing match of the WBA! The WBA invested a lot of resources into that match, but in the end, it became a laughing stock in the boxing world. I think that to this day, the WBA president still hates my guts!”

Chapter 405 - Stage Clear in 37 Seconds

Chapter 405: Stage Clear in 37 Seconds

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Exactly, I want him to lose!” a white-bearded old man shouted in anger.

He was called Fraser, and he was the president of the World Boxing Association. He looked exactly like the stubborn old man that he was.

“Is there a vendetta between the president and Kevin Taylor? Why does Fraser get so angry whenever Kevin Taylor is brought up?” a young man asked quietly.

The middle-aged man beside him made an “Shh” gesture, and said in a whisper, “You just wait. Fraser will say it himself. This guy has become old now, so he’s also become naggy.”

Sure enough, without anyone asking, Fraser began a thorough explanation of why he was mad.

“Back when Taylor first debuted, I was so optimistic about him. I invested so many resources into cultivating him. Promoting him, creating momentum for him, making him into the world’s most popular ultimate boxing champion… and how did he repay me? He was like a beast in season. He couldn’t control the lower half of his body, and he actually raped a Miss America! Going to prison during his peak, all the effort that I poured into him completely wasted!”

“Later, he got out of prison. I thought that he would repent and become a new person. I forgave him and gave him a large number of resources. I promoted him and helped him create momentum again, and I arranged the most advantageous matches and opponents for him. I once again groomed him into the top boxing champion of the WBA, but what did he repay me with? He bit the ear off Highfield in such an important match!”

“We, the WBA, invested more resources than ever before in promoting that match. I used up almost all of my media connections, and we sold the broadcasting rights of the match to over ten countries. We did a massive live broadcast, we successfully attracted the attention of the whole world, but that damned Kevin Taylor, he turned the match into a farce! Biting someone’s ear off just because you couldn’t win? Bastard! Because of this, I am still the subject of ridicule amongst my peers!”

“If I could, I would have sent someone at the level of a boxing champion to teach that Kevin Taylor a lesson. To remove this damned bastard from my sight once and for all!” As Fraser spoke, he took in a couple of deep breaths to calm himself down. He then ordered, “You guys, go and inform Nicholas that if he beats Taylor, we of the WBA will provide him with more resources. We will support him in becoming the next boxing champion. Tell him that it’s from me!”

…

“Did President Fraser really say that? The WBA is willing to invest more resources in me?” Nicholas asked with surprise.

His agent nodded. “President Fraser promised personally, so in the next match, you must defeat Taylor. As long as you win, it’ll be smooth sailing for us in the WBA. You will have the chance to become the ace boxer of the WBA.”

No sports organization had unlimited resources, so when it came to distributing resources, fairness did not exist. There would always be the few chosen athletes who had the support of the organizations; they would become the flagships of these sports organizations and receive more resources and better treatment.

In the NBA, for example, there would always be a player among the athletes to receive the title “Godson of the CEO,” and this player would be the “Number One” in the NBA. The NBA would also devote more resources in him, giving him preferential treatment.

Soccer was the same. Whether it was the Spanish La Liga, the English Premier League, or the Italian Serie A, in every soccer league, there would always be one or two star players who were popular across the world. This fame would even include non-fans, which meant that even if a person were not a soccer fan, he would know their name. That was the result of a bias in the distribution of promotional resources by sports organizations.

It was the same in other sports, one or two sports stars would get packaged, a lot of advertising resources would be poured on them, and when it came time for the competition, they would receive preferential treatment. After that, they would make use of these sports stars to drive the development of the entire sports league, or better yet, to encourage the development of the particular sport. It was a movement to “create a king” through artificial methods, put him in front of the public, and allow everyone to admire him.

Taylor used to enjoy this sort of treatment. He received the most resources, so his name was known throughout the world, and everyone had heard of him before.

These kinds of things were opportunities that were hard to come by. There were so many exceptional boxers in the world, but how many of them could encounter opportunities like this? After all, resources were limited. In truth, even many of the championship belt holders never received the support of their boxing organizations. So to Nicholas, the promise made by the WBA President, Fraser, was like a giant meat pie that fell from the heavens.

“Relax, I’ll win. I will definitely win! Taylor is old, he is only a paper tiger right now.” Nicholas’s eyes glittered.

“You shouldn’t become complacent, don’t forget that he just defeated Saunders in only one round,” his agent reminded him kindly.

“That was just a coincidence! The post-match commentary by Mason, you’ve read it, right? Lady luck doesn’t always visit the same person.” Nicholas clutched both his fists as if he was filled with the desire to battle. “Besides, I’ve lost to him once. This time, I definitely won’t lose!”

…

In high-level professional boxing matches, the chances of meeting a past opponent in the boxing ring were far and few between. Many boxers wouldn’t fight the same opponent twice in their entire career, so a “revenge match” was rare. The moment a revenge match appeared, it became the focus of the media.

That match was exactly such a match. Three years ago, Nicholas challenged for Taylor’s WBA championship belt, and Taylor knocked him down. It could be said that Nicholas was now making a comeback. However, Taylor, who had been banned for two years, had zero points. He had to start everything from scratch. So, their identities had switched somewhat; Taylor had become the challenger.

Standing on top of the boxing ring and looking at Nicholas, who was taller than him by a full head, Taylor’s expression was like still water.

Throughout the arena, unfriendly voices were the majority. The win against Saunders clearly had not changed the views of the people. Most people still didn’t favor Taylor; they wanted him to get knocked down by Nicholas and lose the match.

Finally, there was a ding, and the match began.

…

The operating room of the bookmakers.

As the match started, the operator clicked a button to stop all further betting transactions. The computer automatically generated a report on all betting information concerning the match, then displayed the data on the computer screen.

“There’s another huge bet, buying for Taylor to beat Nicholas in two rounds. Could this be the guy from last time? But this time, I’m afraid lady luck won’t be revisiting him. Coincidences don’t happen twice,” the operator said sourly.

“That’s not for certain.” Another operator on the side poked his head over and looked at the computer screen, then said, “Maybe Kevin Taylor will win this one too!”

“How is that possible? Didn’t Mason state in his post-match commentary that Taylor’s victory was only a coincidence? That commentary made a lot of sense. Besides, the reason our company gave out these odds was because we referred to his opinion,” the first operator refuted.

“I don’t think so. The match between Taylor and Saunders ended in the first round. To be precise, the match only lasted around one minute before Taylor knocked Saunders down to the ground. The match ended too quickly, so the amount of useful data is insufficient. In my opinion, Mason’s post-match commentary was more like guesses and deductions. There wasn’t enough real evidence,” the second operator said.

“So, you think Taylor will win?” the first operator asked while he laughed.

The second operator shook his head. “No, that’s not what I mean. What I mean is, Mason’s opinion might not be correct. I studied statistics, so I only believe in statistics, not guesses.”

“But looking at the data from these bets, it seems like most players think that Nicholas is better.” The first operator pointed towards the computer screen.

“Perhaps they were misguided. They believed the conclusion of the experts, instead of making a judgment based on their personal understanding,” the second operator said intelligently.

“Alright, I can’t convince you, and I don’t want to debate with you anymore. The truth is better than a great debate. You just wait and see. I think that not long from now, news of Nicholas’s victory will reach us.”

As the operator spoke, the phone suddenly rang. He immediately made a gesture that signaled to the others to keep quiet before he picked up the phone.

“Hello, it’s me. What did you say? Export our revenue results? Isn’t this something we do after the match? What? The match has already ended?”

The first operator glanced at his watch and said, “I didn’t hear you clearly, do you mean the match between Nicholas and Taylor? That’s the match? It’s over? How is that possible! I just closed off the bets, it has only been around a minute! How is the match already over? Was there an accident, and the match was canceled?”

From the other side of the phone came an anxious explanatory voice, and the expression of the operator became stiffer as time went by. When he put down the phone, he looked like a statue in a garden.

“What happened?” the second operator asked.

“They said that the match has ended. Taylor won, he defeated Nicholas in the first round!”

…

When the match began, Nicholas didn’t even try to gauge anything. He immediately initiated his first round of attacks.

Nicholas was nicknamed “Hurricane,” because his attacks were intense and destructive. When his punch combo was in effect, even a boxing champion with a championship belt would choose to move back three steps. They wouldn’t want to fight it out against Nicholas directly, but would instead defend diligently.

However, Taylor didn’t know the word “defense.” To Taylor, to attack was to advance, to defend was also to advance. Using offense as defense was his primary strategy.

Taylor’s lack of height and reach were disadvantages in heavyweight boxing. His attack range was smaller than his opponent’s, which meant that as soon as he moved into a defensive battle, he would be at a disadvantage. It was like a fight between a man with a spear and a man with a dagger. The one with the spear would continuously thrust at his opponent, and if the one with the dagger only retreated and defended, he would never achieve victory. If the one with the dagger wanted to win, he had to get close to his opponent to move within the attack range of the dagger.

Taylor, of course, knew his weakness. His arms were not long enough, so whenever he fought, he would advance. Faced with Nicholas’s attack, he didn’t choose to retreat and defend. Instead, he dodged, swayed, and shuffled forward using feints.

Bam! Nicholas’s fist returned quickly, but he could feel it. The punch had landed on something.

I’ve hit! Nicholas’s heart leaped in joy, but his fists never stopped. He attacked once more towards Taylor’s head.

Taylor once again dodged getting hit in a vital area. He was not hit in the head, but his body received a substantial blow. It was a heavyweight boxing match after all. If it were an ordinary human, even if the person were hit in a meaty area that had good resistance, they would still go down easily.

“Effective hit!” The commentator couldn’t help himself as he shouted, and the live audiences also followed suit as their enthusiasm rose. At that moment, it was as if they had already seen Nicholas winning.

The scoring system of professional boxing was different from amateur boxing. Amateur boxing used a point accumulation system; for example, hitting once meant getting a point. Professional boxing, however, used a point deduction system, so getting hit would mean that a point was deducted. After 12 rounds, it was not uncommon to see two 110 point scores, which meant that both sides hadn’t had a lot of points deducted. This also meant that in a high-level professional boxing match, it was extremely difficult to get an effective hit in.

In the boxing ring, although he received two hits, Taylor was not distracted at all. As the saying went, if one wanted to learn how to hit people, he had to learn how to get hit first. Professional boxers were good at receiving hits, and Taylor’s ability to receive hits was among the best in the heavyweight class. Getting hit twice wasn’t enough to distract him. Moreover, he did not take those two hits for nothing; he got closer to Nicholas, until Nicholas was inside Taylor’s attack range.

Taylor punched without hesitation. A combination of punches flew out.

Nicholas suddenly felt as if he had returned to three years ago. Back then, when he faced Taylor as a challenger, Taylor used the same method, charging at him before dealing out a combination of feints and punches.

Taylor’s body swayed quickly, punch after punch, and Nicholas used his arms to block as he dodged from left to right.

Suddenly, space appeared on the left of Nicholas, and Taylor’s right hook was already on its way.

“Sh*t!” Nicholas cried, quickly dodging in the other direction.

In the next moment, Nicholas suddenly felt his face hitting something.

It’s over, I was tricked, that was a feint! By the time Nicholas realized that, he felt his head go Bong, and everything went dark.

…

From the audience’s perspective, Nicholas did something stupid. He actually used his head to hit Taylor’s fist, and the result was as expected. A punch from Taylor could kill a bull. When a punch landed cleanly on Nicholas’s face, the chance of Nicholas fainting was one hundred percent.

However, for the older audiences who had watched boxing for over a decade, the scene was incredibly familiar. Ten years ago, Taylor used that exact method to conquer the world of heavyweight boxing.

Taylor’s attack was full of real and fakes, with all kinds of feints mixed in as he swayed his body, making it difficult for his opponent to judge. When his real punch came, there was nothing fancy. His opponents had already fallen into his trap; his feints had already made them dizzy.

Nicholas fell onto the ground like a dead pig. The referee once again grabbed Taylor’s arm and lifted it high into the air, declaring his victory.

“Taylor won again, just like last time, also in the first round!”

“And this time he won it much faster. In the last round against Saunders, they felt each other out at first, but this time, the both of them went on the offensive as soon as the match started, and then Nicholas fell! This match was way too fast!”

Someone glanced towards the timer on the side of the ring. On the electronic timer, the first round had ended in 37 seconds!

…

“Won again, huh. Feels like he’s winning so easily.” Dai Li couldn’t help but touch his breast pocket. His betting voucher was still there, and now, the tiny piece of paper was worth millions of dollars.

“The bookmakers should learn match by match, and on the next match, they probably won’t give out such high odds again.” Dai Li couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at the timer. “Just 37 seconds, high-difficulty instance, cleared!”

Chapter 406 - Boss Fight

Chapter 406: Boss Fight

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Next, we have our famous boxing commentator, Mr. Mason!” The talk show host waved his hand, and the camera pointed towards the entrance of the stage. Mason appeared there, dressed in a white suit, and smiled and waved to the audience below the stage before walking over to sit on the sofa opposite the host.

The host started with a few jokes to liven up the atmosphere around the stage before moving on to the main topic. “Mr. Mason, you are regarded as the ‘Light of Betting’ in professional boxing. When it comes to predicting match results, surely you have your unique methods? You can tell me secretly, I won’t tell them!”

The host pointed towards the live audience, and the American humor earned a burst of laughter from the audience.

Mason spread his hands and answered, “There really isn’t any secret. You have to observe. Observe the distinguishing feature of every boxer, find their strengths and weaknesses, and then start analyzing…”

“It sounds simple, but we all know it is a difficult thing to do. I always mix up the two boxers, let alone remember their distinguishing features,” the host interrupted.

“For an ordinary person, it is somewhat difficult, so I’ll teach everyone a simple method, and that is to follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, and follow me on Facebook. That way, you will know exactly where to place your bets!” Mason said with a smile.

At that moment, something black suddenly flew into the view of the camera, heading straight for Mason.

Bang! The black thing hit Mason in the face.

It was a black leather shoe. It fell to the ground, revealing Mason’s face, and the clear black shoe mark that was left there.

“You liar, you actually have the guts to sit here and talk! To h*ll with this ‘Light of Betting’ nonsense, I placed bets according to your judgment in Taylor’s previous two matches, and I’ve lost 10,000 dollars!” A big bearded man from the audience below the stage shouted, still bent over from hurling his shoe.

A commotion began to build in the audience. As the crowd’s attention shifted towards the big, bearded, shoe-throwing man, someone even whistled and cheered him on. Maybe they lost money for the same reason.

The talk show recording was forced to a halt. Security guards appeared and hauled the shoe-throwing man out. Mason, on the other hand, left the scene with a face that was gloomy, and still partially covered by the shoe mark.

Blame me for losing money? And you actually threw a shoe at me! I don’t see you sharing your winnings with me! Mason thought furiously.

By his side, a worker said apologetically, “Mr. Mason, we’ve caught the guy who threw the shoe, and he refused to apologize, so we’ve already called the police!”

“Called the police? Oh my God, why did you call the police!” Mason’s heart was confused and disconcerted.

“That guy messed up our show recording, so it’s natural for us to call the police. Punish him, set an example. If not, more will come to disrupt our recordings! We will also report this incident to the public and let everyone know the consequences for messing up the recordings of our program!” the worker said, believing he was upholding justice.

“No. Don’t let the public know about this incident. It would be even better if the police weren’t involved.” Mason suddenly looked like a frosted eggplant.

“Why? Mr. Mason, you are the victim here. Don’t you want the guy who was violent to you to get what he deserves?” the worker asked.

“I don’t want to escalate this type of incident. By then, everyone would know that I was hit in the face by a shoe thrown by the audience,” Mason said immediately.

I think you just don’t want people to know that you were hit in the face because your predictions were inaccurate, and you made someone lose money! Then you would no longer be the “Light of Betting.” This is related to your livelihood, huh… The worker thought in his mind.

…

“In yesterday’s heavyweight boxing match, Kevin Taylor faced off with his third opponent since making his comeback, the ‘Crocodile’ Martinez. The result was Kevin Taylor KO’ing his opponent in just one round.”

“Kevin Taylor only took two minutes and 21 seconds to tame the ‘Raptor’ Harris. Harris is the heavyweight boxer whom the International Boxing Federation has supported over the past few years, and he is also one of the strongest young boxers in the heavyweight class. A lot of people saw him as a future boxing champion, but it looks like Harris’s road to becoming a boxing champion is still very long!”

“This just in. Kevin Taylor easily defeated the ‘Matador’ Hood. Hood used to be the championship belt holder of the WBA and WBO light heavyweight class, and after he moved himself up to the heavyweight class, he achieved five straight wins. But when faced Taylor, Hood didn’t even make it past the first round. Looks like Hood needs more time to adapt after making the leap from light heavyweight to heavyweight.”

“Kevin Taylor faced a boxing champion in his sixth match since making his comeback. A past IBF heavyweight boxing champion, nicknamed ‘The Giant Beast’ Romonsolov. Romonsolov is 2.13 meters tall, his arm span is 2.16 meters, and he weighs as much as 320 pounds. In front of him, Taylor was like a midget, but even so, Romonsolov only made it to the second round. However, Romonsolov is the only opponent that hasn’t gotten knocked out in the first round since Taylor made his comeback.”

“Kevin Taylor’s winning streak continues. In yesterday’s match, he defeated ‘The Thug’ Wallace, maintaining his winning streak since making his comeback. Wallace won the WBO championship belt back in March, and was successfully crowned as the WBO boxing champion. Although he only defended the championship belt for two months, one cannot deny that Wallace was the highest valued opponent Taylor has faced since making his comeback.”

“Although ‘The Bull’ Thompson never received the title of boxing champion, it is undeniable that over the years, he has been one of the best heavyweight boxers in the world. However, just yesterday, when he faced-off against Kevin Taylor, he was beaten like a child. The match lasted a mere one minute and 43 seconds, and was anything but suspenseful. Faced with the ferocious attacks of Taylor, Thompson could only retreat, retreat, and then get knocked down…”

…

Suddenly, Taylor had a nine-match winning streak, and he had defeated most of his opponents in the first round.

No one believed that Taylor’s wins were coincidences anymore, and even an idiot could tell that Taylor had returned to his former condition. Regardless who his opponent was, he settled them in the first round.

In truth, according to Dai Li’s judgment, Taylor was stronger than he was ten years ago. He had the body of a 27-year-old and the experience of a 32-year-old. That was far better than the body and experience of a 22-year-old.

Taylor was already an S+ grade boxer, and if everything went according to plan, he was destined to become the conqueror of the heavyweight boxing world. So far, Taylor was doing just that.

In Dai Li’s training center, Taylor passed a check to Dai Li.

“Coach Li, I promised you before. After paying off my debt with the bank, 20 percent of my income belongs to you!”

Taylor had already cleared the 20 million dollar debt he owed to the bank, and he also broke out of the bankruptcy protection state. The moment Taylor cleared the debt, 20 percent of everything Taylor earned belonged to Dai Li.

“Boxers sure make a lot of money. From just match bonuses alone, you were successful in clearing your debt in such a short amount of time. Boxing is certainly worthy of being called ‘the sport with the most bonus.’” Dai Li couldn’t help but sigh.

Comprehensively speaking, boxing was definitely the sport with the highest match bonus. The match bonus of a famous boxer could last a person an entire lifetime. Even a rookie or a boxer from a lower level league could have a decent income.

Other sports were not as good, and the athletes who made a lot of money were usually the high-level and famous athletes. The obscure and low-level athletes’ income was pitiful.

For example, in golf, the income of famous golf players were at the top of the pyramid, but their income mainly relied on advertising endorsements and sponsorships. Unpopular golf players who were at the bottom did not get advertising endorsements. They did not have match bonuses, so they might be even worse off than the ball boy working at the golf course.

Tennis was considered a worldwide sport; however, the prize money for the singles champion in the most influential Wimbledon Tennis Open was only around two million pounds. For the snooker Masters held in Wembley, the prize money didn’t even reach 200,000 pounds. Compared to those, the bonus of a boxing match could be millions, tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of dollars. The numbers were astronomical.

Early boxing matches were barely restricted by any rules; opponents could really be beaten to death in a match. It was normal for boxers to die in the boxing ring, and there were even bookmakers who set up a “Life and death bet,” which allowed people to place bets on whether the boxers would die. Occasionally, there would be psychopathic boxers who would still hurl that extra punch to kill their opponent, even if their opponent had surrendered.

Boxers back then truly placed their lives on the line in a match. Even if a boxer didn’t die in a match, they could be disabled for life. If the prize money for such cruel matches wasn’t high, who would participate? It was also because of this historical reason that the bonus for boxing matches was higher than other sports.

Similar situations also appeared in car racing. In the past, the accident rate of car races was very high. Cars colliding with each other could cause an explosion. The racers of that time also raced with their lives on the line, so car racing was also very lucrative. As the saying goes, rewards allure men to brave danger.

Dai Li put the check in his pocket and asked, “Who’s your next opponent? When does the match start?”

Taylor shook his head. “Even I don’t know who my next opponent is. Now it looks like no one wants to fight me, so even the boxing associations will have trouble arranging a match.”

Although boxers were violent, they were not idiots. Back when Taylor had just returned, everyone thought that Taylor was old and weak. They wanted to use Taylor as a stepping stone, and anyone with a little bit of strength couldn’t wait to have a match against Taylor.

Now, even ordinary audiences knew that Taylor had recovered his former strength and returned to being the Taylor who could easily KO his opponent in the first round. Who would still want to fight Taylor? Being crushed by their opponent when they finally managed to get a match; no boxer wanted something like that.

Professional boxing matches were arranged by the boxing confederations, and boxers of lower level didn’t have much of a choice in who they had to fight. Not only did they not have any space for negotiation, but the boxer also had to be grateful towards the boxing confederations, thanking them for the chance to fight in a match and appear before the camera.

Famous and reputable boxers, on the other hand, had some autonomy in determining who and when they fought. If both were big name boxers, the arranged fight might be put off a few dozen times. A boxer might feel that the time of the fight was inappropriate, or they didn’t like the venue of the match, or their wife was having her birthday, or there was a parent-teacher meeting with his son, or they had a dentist appointment next week, or they had to bring their dog to the doggy beauty salon…

The more famous the boxer, the more privileges they had. For the world’s top professional boxers, fighting two matches in a year would make them a model worker. The number of matches a top-class professional boxer fought in four years might actually be fewer than the number of matches an amateur boxer experienced in a single Olympic Games.

The championship belt holders of the boxing confederations were naturally the people with the most privileges. According to boxing rules, the 15 boxers with the highest accumulated points could challenge for the championship belt. Since there was only one championship belt, though, it was impossible for the boxing champion to accept the challenges of all 15 boxers. Thus, the boxing champion had the power to choose his opponent. He could pick an opponent among all those who challenged him. Some boxing champions would choose the weaker challengers just to protect their championship belt.

Many challengers would discuss and negotiate with the other 14 challengers when they wanted to challenge for the championship belt. The other 14 would not send out a challenge at the same time, giving the boxer a chance to challenge the boxing champion. The negotiation process alone took a lot of time; moreover, there was the process of arranging the match. That was why one could not view many of those so-called boxing championship matches.

…

“If no one dares to fight you, does that mean that you can only wait?” Dai Li asked.

“I’ve decided to challenge for the championship belt!” Taylor said with steel-like determination. “I’ve already made it into the top 15 in rankings for all four of the big boxing leagues, and I have the qualifications to challenge for the championship belt, so I have already challenged all four of the championship belt holders of the four big boxing leagues.”

“And the result? Did those boxing champions agree to it?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“That sly Highfield found an excuse to avoid a fight!” Taylor clenched his fist in anger.

If Taylor were to name the opponent he wanted to fight most, it would be Highfield. Back then, Taylor bit Highfield’s ear and became the laughing stock of the entire world. Taylor also lost his WBA championship belt because of that. And now, Taylor had returned to his peak and wanted to take his revenge on Highfield and regain his championship belt.

The only problem was that Highfield did not want to fight against Taylor. In truth, Highfield had only fought in two matches in these two years. He used rules to avoid fights against strong opponents, hence, retaining his championship belt.

The truth was that Highfield had always been like that. Not only did he have strength, he was also good at scheming. In his matches, if he could beat his opponent, he would beat his opponent, but if he couldn’t, he would drag it to a draw. Highfield might have been the boxing champion who had the most draws among the heavyweight boxing champions.

Taylor then continued, “Although Highfield avoided the fight, Hopkins agreed to a fight against me!”

“Hopkins? ‘The Iron Professor’ Hopkins?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Yes, that’s him. The WBO and IBF championship belt holder, ‘The Iron Professor’ Hopkins!” Taylor nodded seriously.

“That’s good, this is a boss fight!” Dai Li’s expression also became serious.

Chapter 407 - Re-emergence

Chapter 407: Re-emergence

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

If someone asked the audience who the best heavyweight boxer in the world was right then, eight out of ten would give the same answer: Hopkins, “The Iron Professor.”

Hopkins entered and won a gold medal in the Olympics when he was 22 years old. He subsequently became a professional boxer. As an amateur who had already won in the Olympics, he was at an advantage when he became a professional boxer.

Hopkins was two meters tall, with an arm’s reach of 206 centimeters. That combination was perfect for heavyweight boxing. A fist that was capable of delivering devastating blows, and a light and nimble body. In the heavyweight class, those who were shorter than him would be at a major disadvantage. Those who were around the same height didn’t have an arm’s reach as wide as his. Those who were taller and larger than him wouldn’t be able to match him in speed and agility. In other words, Hopkins’s body was perfect for the sport.

Most importantly, not only did Hopkins have the perfect body for boxing, but he also demonstrated masterful technique.

Amateur boxers tended to have better technique. The reason was that amateur boxers tended to wear protective gear when boxing, and that made it difficult to get a win with a knockout. This forced boxers to learn how to gain points through good displays of technique, as it was the best way to win a match. Thus, people who had competed in the Olympics, like Hopkins, naturally had better technique.

Moreover, Hopkin displayed intelligence when he boxed. He always observed his opponents before deciding what to do, whether that was thinking of an overall strategy or making on-the-spot changes.

An excellent body, a strong will, and an intelligent brain. Hopkins had no flaws. All these reasons were why Hopkins earned the nickname “The Iron Professor.”

Hopkins did not disgrace his nickname. Ever since he went professional, he had defeated countless opponents. At the moment, he was the boxing champion of both the WBO and the IBF. Of the four championship belts, Hopkins already possessed two of them. With his current momentum, it was only a matter of time before he would get all of them.

If Taylor could be regarded as the heavyweight boxing conqueror of the previous era, then Hopkins was the ruler of the heavyweight boxing of the current era.

In the face of Taylor’s challenge, most other boxing champions would have to consider it carefully. Now that Taylor had restored his body back to its original condition, he would have no trouble beating down anyone who came his way. No one could guarantee that they could block his attack.

However, Hopkins was different. He accepted Taylor’s challenge. As the saying goes, the young calf is not afraid of the tiger. Hopkins, who was on the rise, was very keen to fight against Taylor, because Taylor was once the heavyweight boxing champion. It was like a lion pride; if a young lion wanted to be recognized by the other lions as leader of the pride, the best way to do so was to defeat the former leader. If the young lion succeeded, he would become the new leader. Those who defeated the old kings and claimed their thrones were respected and honored.

For boxing organizations like the WBO and IBF, the face-off between Hopkins and Taylor was a great opportunity. Showdowns between famous boxers brought about many benefits. If it were possible, boxing organizations would have boxing matches between champions every day.

…

In a secluded villa in an affluent community, an anxious 70-year-old man held a phone.

“Mr. Ayres, the news you mentioned before is true,” a man on the phone said.

“So, is there really a physical therapist?” the old man said excitedly.

“Yes,” said the man on the phone, “but the man only appeared two years ago, and he did not stay in Europe for a long time. It seems that he only stayed in Switzerland and Scotland. I can’t find out the details due to matters of personal privacy concerns, and it was two years ago. So far I only know that the physical therapist is an Asian.”

“What is his name? Have you found it?” the old man asked eagerly.

“I did find a name through some means. The name of the physical therapist is… let me have a look. His name is Lithium… well… Day, yes, it is Lithium-Day,” the person on the phone said. However, there was an air of discomfort to his voice.

“Lithium-Day? What a bizarre name. Are you sure?” the old man asked with some skepticism.

“He is Asian, strange names are not uncommon for them. He might be Indian, I’ve heard that there are many strange names in India,” the man said.

“An Indian physical therapist called Lithium-Day,” the old man nodded. “Thank you for the information you provided me. I hope you can continue to help me to keep a lookout for news about this Lithium-Day. It would be best if I knew where I could find him.”

“No problem. But Mr. Ayres, I want to remind you that even if the physical therapist can help your wife recover, his fees will be very high. You need to keep that in mind,” said the person on the phone.

“Okay, thank you very much.” The old man hung up the phone. Sorrow flashed in his eyes.

“Lithium-Day, where can I find this guy!” the old man spoke to himself while looking into the room next to him. In the other room, a white-haired old woman was lying quietly in bed.

“Lucy, I will help you get better,” said the old man as tears streamed down his face. However, his eyes showed that he was determined.

Immediately after, the old man picked up the phone and dialed a number.

“Jim, it’s me! Yes, I’m fine, but lately, I’ve had some troubles, yes, money matters, so I’m planning to come back again!”

…

In the training center, Taylor stood alone in the boxing ring. He looked as if he was in deep meditation.

“Kevin, what are you thinking about?” Dai Li stepped forward and handed a sports drink to Taylor.

“Coach, I can’t continue like this. My next opponent is Hopkins. He is probably the strongest active heavyweight boxer around. I am not sure I can beat him. I need a professional boxing coach. I have money now, I think I can hire a boxing coach,” Taylor said.

“It seems that you already have a plan,” Dai Li said.

Taylor nodded. “Yes, I asked my old friends to inquire, but I haven’t heard back from them. As you know, it isn’t easy to find a coach that is capable of coaching someone at my level on such short notice.”

Taylor was, after all, the world’s top boxing champion. An average coach would not be able to meet his standard… Only the world’s top boxing coach would be able to guide someone at his level. Moreover, in the coaching industry, high-level coaches were a rare commodity. They were regularly sought out for their services, so they had no need to seek out clients on their own.

Trying to find a suitable boxing coach for Taylor in a span of a few days was basically an impossible task.

Just then, Taylor’s phone, which was next to the boxing ring, began to ring.

Dai Li took the cell phone and threw it into the boxing ring to Taylor. Taylor looked at the caller ID and immediately answered.

“Kevin, good news, I just heard that Ayres is coming back!” said the man on the phone.

“Ayres? That ‘white devil’? I thought he already retired?” Taylor asked in a curious tone.

“Yes, it is him, but I heard the reason he decided to come back…” The man paused. “People are saying that he decided to return because of money problems, so his asking price is not going to be low!”

“Although he is over 70 years old, he was once the best boxing coach in the world. I wouldn’t be surprised even if he asked for the highest price in the world.” Taylor took a deep breath and calmed himself. “Send Ayres’ phone number to me, I want to talk to him.”

…

Beverly Hills was the most famous affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles. Many of the most popular celebrities lived there.

“The Iron Professor” Hopkins’s mansion was also located in Beverly Hills. Hopkins, who carried two heavyweight championship belts, earned hundreds of millions of dollars a year, enough to buy him an expensive mansion in Beverly Hills.

At that point, Hopkins also knew of the news of Ayres’ comeback.

“The legendary coach of the boxing world, ‘White Devil’ Ayres, is coming back! That guy should be in his seventies!” exclaimed Hopkins in surprise.

“Yeah,” said Hopkins’s agent, who was sitting opposite him. “I thought he would enjoy retirement in peace. I did not expect that he would choose to return. According to some sources, he encountered some trouble and needs a lot of money. That is why he chose to come back. Otherwise, at his age, having been away from the boxing scene for several years, wouldn’t it be better to just enjoy life?”

“Ayres was once the world’s best boxing coach. He should have made a lot of money during the years he was coaching. His house is much more expensive than most top boxers. If he needs to come back for the sake of money, it looks like he really is in trouble,” Hopkins said.

“Yeah, and with of Ayres’ reputation, an average boxer can’t afford him. His asking price is too high,” the agent said casually.

Hopkins frowned. He thought for a moment, and said, “I plan to hire him!”

“You? You want to hire Ayers? No no no, we don’t need this at all. You already have a professional coaching team. The coaches on the team are highly qualified. Our coaching team has no need to recruit a new coach. Even if he is the legendary ‘White Devil’ Ayres. Moreover, his asking price is too high. Even though we can afford it, it is an unnecessary expenditure,” the agent replied.

Hopkins shook his head, “The reason I want to hire him is not to strengthen our coaching team, but to make it impossible for others to hire him, like Taylor! As far as I know, Taylor has not found a suitable head coach since his comeback. Now that Taylor has apparently recovered to his previous physical condition, if the legendary coach, ‘White Devil’ Ayres goes to him, he will be even more powerful! Then Taylor will be even more challenging to deal with.”

“Yeah, why didn’t I think of that! Even though we don’t need Ayres, we can’t give him to Taylor! Hopkins, your mind is something, you really are worthy of the title ‘The Iron Professor.’” The agent stood up. “I will contact Ayres now!”

Chapter 408 - Becoming Indian

Chapter 408: Becoming Indian

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The next day, Taylor did not go to the training center. He went to visit the legendary boxing coach, Ayres, nicknamed “White Devil.”

Ayres was regarded as the godfather in the boxing world. In the few decades of his coaching career, he produced dozens of world-class boxing champions and dozens of world-class boxing coaches. Ayres’ disciples were everywhere, and they were well represented in all four of the boxing leagues.

Ayres had chosen to retire five years ago. However, even before his retirement, he decided not to work as a permanent head coach of a single professional boxer. He became a freelance boxing consultant. He was paid by professional boxers to give short-term coaching. Although this type of work wasn’t as secure, he had professional boxers lining up to hire him, hoping that Ayres would be able to give them some pointers.

In terms of coaching, Ayres was undoubtedly the best, and in terms of experience, no one could claim to be more experienced than him. If Taylor could get Ayres to coach him, he would be like a tiger with wings.

The next day, Taylor went to the training center early in the morning.

“So, how was it? How was your talk with Ayres?” Dai Li said while observing Taylor’s expression. Taylor did not look optimistic.

“I only had preliminary talks with him. We haven’t talked in detail about the pay yet, but he won’t come cheap. I predict that if I want to please him, I would need to give him at least five million per year,” Taylor said.

“A salary of five million per year is really high.” Dai Li silently nodded.

Different sports coaches had different incomes. For example, for world-class tennis coaches, those that had the ability to coach Grand Slam players generally had an annual salary of about 500,000 dollars. That was already considered to be a high salary for coaches.

The head coaches of NBA teams generally had an annual salary of three or four million dollars. Only occasionally would someone get a five million dollar salary. Even for first-class coaches who had won NBA championships before, their annual salary could only reach six or seven million dollars. Head coaches with an annual salary of more than ten million were extremely rare in the NBA. Moreover, they were often also part of the management team. As the saying goes, the laborer is worthy of his wages, so the fact that they earned more was reasonable.

The number one sport in the United States was American football. The salary of football coaches was higher than in any other sport. In the NFL, the average annual salary of a head coach could reach more than six million dollars per year.

The disparity in salary for boxing coaches was more substantial than in any other sport. Low-level boxing coaches might not make as much as an average sparring partner, while top-level boxing coaches usually had a two to three million dollar annual income. The only boxing coach who had the guts to ask for five million a year was the legendary coach Ayres.

“To tell you the truth, I think an annual salary of five million is worth it if it means I can get Ayres. I trust his coaching ability. But when we talked, he also revealed some other information,” Taylor said, a little depressed.

“What information?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“According to Ayres, I’m not the only one looking to hire him. Other boxers are negotiating with him as well,” Taylor replied.

“This is not unexpected. Ayres’ name still carries weight. Everyone would hope to hire this legendary coach,” Dai Li replied.

“When I say other boxers, that includes Hopkins,” Taylor replied.

“Hopkins? Doesn’t he already have a coach? Could it be that he wants to fire his current coach and hire Ayres instead?” Dai Li said as he shook his head, but then, he immediately saw through Hopkin’s plan.

“I understand what he is doing. Hopkins probably doesn’t want you to hire Ayres. He doesn’t want you to become stronger. As for Ayres, he deliberately revealed this information because he wants you to raise the price. He wants to make more money. I’m guessing he probably also told Hopkins that you wanted to hire him. He is waiting for both of you to start a bidding war,” Dai Li said.

“Then I have to move faster.” Taylor looked up and asked, “Coach Li, I need your help; you have to accompany me to meet Ayres. He may have some other conditions regarding the training environment.”

…

“Taylor really went to meet with Ayres. Ayres deliberately revealed this information to us because he must have wanted a higher price. Now it looks like we can’t hire him for just five million dollars per year,” the agent said.

“Then increase the price!” Hopkins said without any hesitation. “If I’m not wrong, Ayres will tell Taylor about our meeting with him. He hopes that the both of us will start a bidding war, and Taylor will most likely offer a higher salary.” Hopkins did some calculations in his mind and said, “Offer him eight million per year!”

“Eight million? That high? No boxing coach has ever got an annual salary of eight million! Is this necessary?” the agent said in a shocked tone.

“Of course it is necessary. I want to get this done and dusted as soon as possible. I can not let Taylor get Ayres. At eight million, Ayres should have a hard time refusing! And we can also pay him a year’s salary in advance. This is what Taylor can’t do.” Hopkins paused and said, “Taylor fell into debt before. He owed the bank tens of millions. He has only recently paid it off, so Taylor won’t be able to give him a year’s salary in advance. Doesn’t Ayres need money now? Eight million should help him solve his problems! I don’t think he will refuse.”

“Ok then, I will go talk to him.” The agent spread his hands and said, “Sometimes it feels like you are more of an agent than me.”

“Forget it, let’s go together,” Hopkins said, getting up. “Ayres is a legendary coach, after all. I want to go to him personally. As a sign of my sincerity.”

…

Professional talents definitely had standards when it came to work environment. If the working environment was terrible, it didn’t matter how much money was offered to them.

For example, university professors with strong research abilities were considered rare and prized talents. All universities needed such talents, as there was no university with too much talent. However, if the school’s overall research capability was weak, it didn’t matter how much money it offered; those talented researchers would not be willing to accept a position there. It was as if a third-rate college wanted to hire a Nobel Prize winner. It didn’t matter how much they were offered, they wouldn’t go to work there as it would affect their reputation.

The same was true for coaching. If the level of the athlete was too low, or if the training environment was not right, then the coach would never accept the job, no matter the pay.

With Taylor’s boxing ability, he definitely wouldn’t be looked down on by Ayres. However, Dai Li’s fitness center wasn’t specialized for boxing, so Taylor wanted Dai Li to go with him to meet Ayres. If Ayres made any request on the training environment, then Dai Li, the owner of the fitness center, would be able to make a decision right away.

Dai Li had seen photos of Ayres in the news before. Ayres’ hair was always unnaturally white. Even when he was younger, he had a lot of white hair. When he was in his fifties, all his hair had already turned white, so people gave him the nickname “White Devil.”

Today, Dai Li saw the real Ayres. He was much older than the photos made him look. Dai Li could even sense an aura of exhaustion coming from Ayres.

From his appearance, I can tell that he is in some trouble, and he needs money to solve it, Dai Li thought.

Ayres invited the two of them to the living room and made some coffee for them. Ayres said in an apologetic tone, “Kevin, if you hadn’t come, I would have called you. It is about the thing that we talked about the last time we met.”

“Have you made a decision?” Taylor asked with a face full of hope.

Ayres nodded and said, “Kevin, I’m truly sorry, I have already accepted an offer from Hopkins to coach him. He made me an offer that was hard to refuse.”

Taylor immediately asked,”How much? Six million? More?”

“An annual salary of eight million dollars,” Ayres said.

“I can also pay you eight million a year. So please reconsider,” Taylor replied without hesitation.

“Not only that, Hopkins is willing to pay me a year’s salary in advance, can you do that?” Ayres asked.

“I…” Taylor suddenly felt helpless. He had just finished paying off his 20 million dollar debt to the bank. As of that moment, he had some money, but he was not able to come up with eight million dollars for Ayres right away. If he had a few months to take part in a few more boxing matches, he would be able to have the eight million dollars ready.

“Alright, I understand.” Taylor nodded in resignation. “In that case, I will not bother you any longer. I hope I have the opportunity to work with you in the future.”

“Kevin, I’m really sorry, but I really have no other choice. I really need the money, and Hopkins’s offer will go a long way in helping me,” Ayres explained. “My wife met with an accident, and her whole body has been paralyzed. She is lying in bed, and she can’t move either her legs or her hands, so I really need the money.”

“I see, her rehabilitation would definitely cost a lot. May God help her and let her recover soon,” Taylor replied with an air of understanding.

“The cost of the treatment is only one of the problems. The main issue is that I need to find a person, an Indian physical therapist,” Ayres went on to say. “He is a very excellent physical therapist. He could even help those who had been paralyzed get back on their feet, to move freely again!”

What! Dai Li thought in his mind. The ability was very familiar to Dai Li. To allow people who were physically paralyzed to stand up again and move freely. Wasn’t that the effect that could only be achieved by rehabilitative massages?

Who else besides me in this world has this ability? Dai Li thought. He then asked, “Mr. Ayres, what is the name of the Indian physical therapist that you mentioned? I have been in the sports rehabilitation scene for a long time, and I am also very familiar with sports rehabilitation. Who knows, maybe I have heard of his name before.”

“His name is Lithium-Day!” Ayres said. “A bizarre name, isn’t it? Anybody who has heard this name would definitely remember it. But I haven’t found him yet. I learned of this physical therapist from a Swedish friend of mine. Lithium-Day appeared in Switzerland two years ago. As to his whereabouts now, I have no idea. If he returns to India, it will be even more difficult for me to find him. India has a population of more than one billion, so I plan to hire private detectives to find this Lithium-Day around the globe, which will require a lot of money.”

Appeared in Switzerland two years ago? I was also in Switzerland at the time. Why haven’t I heard of this guy before? It can’t be one of those snake oil salesmen, right! Dai Li thought. He kindly reminded Ayres, “Ayres, sir, Indians have a habit of talking big but underdelivering. They like to brag. They can exaggerate their skills just from a little bit of achievement. I suggest that you ask around about him more.”

“Coach Li, thank you very much. I know what you mean. You are worried that I might be scammed. But this Lithium-Day is definitely not a liar. He has had a successful case.” Ayres lowered his voice and continued, “The motorsport champion Helheim, you know about him I’m sure, he was seriously injured in a ski accident three years ago, and this Lithium-Day was the one who helped him recover. Now Helheim has recovered, and he just participated in a classic car race in Switzerland a few days ago.”

What? You’re talking about Helheim? Dai Li’s expression suddenly lit up. That was my doing! When did my name change to Lithium-Day?

And when did I become an Indian?

Chapter 409

Chapter 409: It’s Not Always Good To Be Too Educated

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Dai Li was one hundred percent sure that Ayres had met a scammer.

Someone took the results of my work to deceive people? This is not okay, thought Dai Li, suppressing the anger in him.

He then said, “Mr. Ayres, for these kinds of cases, I still suggest that you look more into it, to see whether the person who helped Helheim recover was an Indian or not. Motorsport champion Helheim is a celebrity after all, and it is not difficult to get in contact with him or his agent. Not to mention the fact that you have coached over a dozen boxing champions in the past, so maybe some of them know Helheim.”

By the tone of his voice, this coach Li seems to know something, Ayres thought. Ayres was a wise man, and he noticed that there were some hidden meanings within Dai Li’s words. However, this was the first time they had met, and their relationship was only slightly better than that of two strangers. Ayres couldn’t count on Dai Li to say what was truly on his mind, and Dai Li couldn’t speak without reservation to Ayres. Although people are capable of becoming friends the first time they meet, it is impossible for them to share everything that is on their minds with each other at the first meeting.

Dai Li and Taylor left the villa and got into the car. Taylor then asked, “Coach Li, from what I’ve heard just now, it seems like you know who Lithium Day is. Do you think he is a liar?”

“If I said that the person who helped motorsport champion Helheim recover was not Lithium Day, would you believe me?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes! Of course, I would believe you.” Taylor nodded seriously. “Coach Li, do you know the full story? You know the man who cured Helheim, don’t you? He really isn’t the one called Lithium Day?”

“Of course I know that physical therapist. We’ve been living and sleeping together for several decades! What he likes to eat, what he likes to drink, what kind of girl he likes, I even know where all his body hairs are! There isn’t anyone in this world who knows him better than I do.” Dai Li shrugged.

“That’s great, we should go back now and tell Ayres about this. Maybe he will change his mind and reconsider my offer,” Taylor said with excitement.

Dai Li, however, did not speak. He was silent.

“What’s wrong?” Taylor glanced at Li. He suddenly recalled the words that Dai Li just said.

“Sleeping, living, and eating together for decades? Coach Li, is he your family? Your father? Or your brother?” Taylor asked immediately.

Dai Li shook his head. He was slightly amused at how long it took Taylor to catch on.

After pondering for a while, Taylor asked, slowly, “Coach Li, that physical therapist, he’s not you, is he?”

“You’ve finally caught on! The person who helped Helheim recover was me. I am that physical therapist,” Dai Li said while nodding his head.

“My God!” Taylor’s body jolted back, his expression showed complete disbelief.

After more than half a minute, Taylor finally recovered and asked, “Li, why didn’t you tell Ayres just now?”

“Tell him? What do I say? That Lithium-Day is a liar, and that it was me who helped Helheim recover? Do you think that in that sort of situation, it would be appropriate to say that? What would Ayres think? Would he believe me? Even if he believed me, wouldn’t he think that we were simply trying to get him to join us?” Dai Li asked.

“That…” Taylor thought about it carefully and didn’t reply.

“Kevin, this is the first time Ayres and I have met. We don’t know each other. To put it more accurately, we don’t trust each other. Would you believe every word a person said if you just met them? It is as if you were just walking down the street, and a businessman handed you his business card and then introduced himself. You would think that he was a salesman, and you would not believe a word he said!” Dai Li said.

“Okay. I admit that what you say makes sense.” Taylor nodded and asked, “Are you actually able to help someone who is paralyzed recover?”

“Rehabilitation is my specialty,” Dai Li said boasted.

“So, are you going to help Ayres?” Taylor asked.

“If he asks me, I will consider it.” Dai Li thought for a while, then said, “But it is quite troublesome, what I mean is that the recovery process is troublesome. It takes a long time for someone who is paralyzed to recover. It could take months or even a couple of years. I don’t have that kind of time right now. I am a sports coach after all, not a physical therapist. If I wanted to become a physical therapist, I would’ve just stayed in Europe two years ago, not come to America to set up a physical fitness training center.

“So even if Ayres asks for your help, you may not agree to help him?” Taylor asked.

“Kevin, you need to understand, everyone needs to do what is needed of them according to the situation. Look at the bosses of large technology companies such as Microsoft and Facebook. Their founders are excellent programmers, but are they still sitting by their computers writing code? Of course not! They are the CEOs of their companies. My main job now is to run my training center instead of working as a part-time physical therapist.” Dai Li patted Taylor on his shoulder. “Of course, if time permits, I don’t mind helping those who need help.”

…

Ayres sat on the sofa with a solemn look on his face. As Dai Li left, he kept asking Ayres to check whether the Indian physical therapist was a liar, which caused doubt to appear in Ayres’ mind.

As the saying goes, repeat a lie often enough, and it becomes the truth. Ayres was very confident in Lithium Day’s ability to heal his wife, but after the reminders given by Dai Li, he couldn’t help but start to feel suspicious.

There shouldn’t be any problems, right? Ayres pulled out his phone and looked at his contact list. He was feeling hesitant about calling his Swedish friend to ask again.

He is helping me, after all. If I call him to ask again, wouldn’t it seem like I don’t trust him? We are, after all, friends. Doing this seems inappropriate, Ayres thought.

At that moment, Ayres’ phone started to ring. The caller ID showed that it was his friend from Sweden that was calling.

“Turns out he is the one to call me,” Ayres said to himself. He then answered the phone.

“Hello old friend, I am calling to say sorry. I made a mistake. The information I gave you on the physical therapist was wrong!” the Swedish said.

There were problems with that Lithium Day guy after all? Ayres thought nervously. He had a premonition, so he quickly asked, “Is the Indian fellow a liar? Or does this person have issues?”

The Swedish replied, “No no, the physical therapist does indeed exist, and he did help Helheim recover, but I got one detail wrong. The physical therapist is indeed from Asia, but he is not an Indian, he is an ethnic Chinese. I only just found this out, so I immediately called you.”

“Chinese and Indians are both Asians, they only have different skin tones. What’s the difference?” Ayres asked in a puzzled tone.

“Chinese people have a different way of writing their names. They put their family names first, then their given names. In other words, ‘Day’ isn’t his family name, it is his given name,” the Swedish said.

“Okay, you found another difference,” Ayres said, his voice showing his agitation. He didn’t expect his Swedish friend to be so meticulous.

“Ayres, listen to me, the reason I’m saying this is because of the order of the name. It led me to make a mistake. The name of this physical therapist is ‘L-I.”Li.’ This is a very common name in the East. It isn’t Lithium. So I got his surname wrong,” the Swedish man said.

“So that’s how it is. I did wonder why someone had such a strange name,” Ayres said. “But there is quite a difference between the name ‘Li’ and Lithium, right?”

“Yes, there is. I made a dumb mistake. You know me, I loved chemistry ever since I was a young boy. I could recite the periodic table when I was only twelve years old. That’s why, when I saw the word ‘Li,’ I just thought that it was the element Lithium…” the Swedish man explained very cautiously.

“Ugh, I see…” Ayres was speechless. He could not understand how someone could make such a mistake.

“Lithium” is an element, and in chemistry, it is usually shortened to “Li.” It has the same spelling as the Eastern family name “Li,” but Westerners would never sound out the word “Li” for lithium, they would simply say “lithium.” For example, the battery used in mobile phones is called a “lithium-battery,” not a “Li-battery.”

The Swedish man then continued, “I got the name of the physical therapist wrong. This definitely would have given you some trouble in your search. I am very sorry, so I wanted to call you and correct my mistake. The physical therapist’s name isn’t Lithium-Day, but Li-day!”

“Li-day?” Ayres repeated the name. He suddenly realized that the name sounded very familiar, almost as if he had just heard the name.

“No, that isn’t right. I definitely just heard this name. The Chinese coach that was here just now. This is his name! It can’t be that that physical therapist is him, right?” Ayres’ face changed drastically. He recalled Dai Li’s expression when they were talking.

“When I mentioned Helheim’s case, Dai Li’s expression was bizarre. And he also kept reminding me to further investigate the case. That’s it! He is the physical therapist!” Ayres instantly slapped himself in regret.

“Oh no! What did I just miss!” Ayres screamed.

…

A day later, Taylor saw the “White Devil” Ayres again, only this time, it wasn’t at his villa, but at Dai Li’s fitness training center.

“So it was your Swedish friend who misspelled my name?” Dai Li couldn’t help but laugh after finding out the truth.

Sweden is one of the most studious countries in the world, and Swedish people are also some of the most knowledgeable people on earth.

Sweden is located close to the north pole, and when winter arrives, there isn’t much daylight, not to mention the fact that it is freezing outside. So after it gets dark, most Swedish people choose to stay at home and keep warm by the fire.

During the Viking period, Sweden became an affluent country by raiding and plundering throughout Europe. From that, they were able to build up their industrial system during the Industrial Revolution in Europe. Two hundred years of capitalism developed Sweden into the welfare state that it is today. Its people are able to live very good lives, even though they have very short working hours. So, even if the Swedes have short working hours, Sweden is still a highly developed country.

After it gets dark, there isn’t much to do at home. Back when the entertainment industry wasn’t as developed, there were no televisions, computers, or phones. No television dramas, variety shows, or games. The only thing Swedish people could do to not feel bored was to read. Thus, the Swedish have cultivated a reading culture.

The more someone reads, the more they know, and the broader their knowledge. But sometimes, being too educated might not be a good thing. When you are educated, you tend to overthink, as was the case for Ayres’ Swedish friend. When he saw the word “Li,” he thought of the element lithium. If he were instead someone who did not know that much about chemistry, someone who didn’t even know the periodic table, he wouldn’t have made that mistake.

When foreigners read Chinese, their pronunciation usually isn’t accurate. Dai Li realized this long ago. Americans tend to pronounce his “Dai” as “Day.” On the other hand, they didn’t mispronounce his family name “Li.” That was because there was an American family name, “Lee,” that shares the same pronunciation, so it was harder to get it wrong. Dai Li was already used to Americans calling him “Li-day.”

This Swedish fellow actually made this sort of a mistake. It seems like sometimes when you are too educated, you might actually cause harm to others! Dai Li sighed. He turned his head to Ayres. “Mr. Ayres, Helheim did, in fact, get better under my care. Besides him, there were also others who suffered from different levels of paralysis. They were all able to recover under my guidance.”

Ayres’ face was full of joy, and he looked at Dai Li eagerly.

However, Dai Li changed his tone and said, “But Mr. Ayres, I’m afraid I am not able to help in your wife’s recovery.”

“I will pay you! How much do you want?” Ayres said quickly.

“This isn’t a question of money, but a matter of time. I simply do not have that much time.” Dai Li shook his head and continued, “As you can see, I’m running such a large fitness center, I have many things to do. In addition to that, I have to personally take care of Kevin Taylor’s training. Kevin is our star client. I am counting on Kevin to bring more attention here.”

Ayres wasn’t so dumb that he didn’t understand what Dai Li meant. Dai Li was in the process of bargaining. His objective was to get Ayres to coach Taylor.

Dai Li had barely set the bait, but Ayres was already willingly putting his mouth on the hook.

Without hesitation, Ayres said, “Let me handle Kevin Taylor’s training. This will save you a lot of time.”

“But you have already promised to train Hopkins. Wouldn’t that be a problem?” Dai Li asked.

“No problem at all. I can still reject him,” Ayres replied immediately.

“Taylor can’t pay you your salary in advance, he doesn’t have that much money.” Dai Li laughed, then said, “But you can use it to offset the cost of the physical therapy.”

“Coach Li, did you just agree? Have you agreed to help my wife recover?” Ayres was able to understand what Dai Li was implying in the conversation, and he couldn’t help but let his excitement show in his voice.

Dai Li smiled and nodded. He opened up his arms in a gesture of embrace, and said, “Coach Ayres, welcome to my fitness training center!”

Chapter 410 - The Legendary Coach

Chapter 410: The Legendary Coach

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“Ayres rejected our offer? Why? Is it because Taylor made him a better offer? That’s impossible. Taylor doesn’t have that much money,” Hopkins said with a frown.

“I did some investigation, and it turns out that Ayres’ wife met with an accident not long ago and is now paralyzed. There is a very good physical therapist who is able to help people who suffer from limb paralysis recover. So, Ayres needs a large sum of money to cover the medical cost of his wife’s treatment. Coincidentally, Taylor’s fitness coach is that famous physical therapist,” the agent said.

“What a coincidence,” Hopkins said with irritation. “Who is Taylor’s fitness coach? What is his background?”

“He’s Chinese. He is the owner of a fitness center called ‘Coach Lee’s physical fitness training center.’ Taylor trained there before he made his comeback,” the agent answered.

“It is not often you see a Chinese coach. A Chinese who is able to open a fitness center all on his own, this must mean that he is good. Not to mention Taylor’s physical condition has been quite excellent since making his comeback. Looks like this Chinese guy really has some skills,” Hopkins said casually.

“According to the information I collected, this Chinese coach specializes in track and field training. The popular para-athlete, ‘Blade Warrior’ Phillip, was also trained by this Chinese coach,” the agent said. He had obviously done his homework.

“Track and field coaches are usually good at physical training,” Hopkins said, before suddenly raising his head. “Speaking of which, is our contract with AP Fitness Training Center expiring next year?”

“Yes, it is expiring next year. What of it? You want to switch to another company?” the agent replied.

“We need to see whether there are any better ones!” Hopkins nodded his head and said, “AP Fitness Training Center provides good service, and their fitness coaches are very professional, but what if there is a better option? As a boxer of this level, I need the best coaches. If I can find a 100-point coach, why should I settle for a 99-point?”

…

Clips of Hopkins’s previous matches were playing on a big television screen.

“This is a special video clip that I made from Hopkins’s past matches. They are the highlights I picked out from the matches,” Ayres said as he controlled the television screen with a remote. “We’ve already gone through it once. So, what did you see?”

Taylor thought for a moment and replied, “Hopkins’s technique is really very good. His timing was practically immaculate, and his punches were very accurate. He could always find and take advantage of the weak spots of his opponents, even if the weak spot was only exposed for a short moment.”

“And?” Ayres pressed the rewind button on the remote and said, “I’m talking about his defense.”

Taylor thought for a few dozen more seconds before replying, “Hopkins has great judgments, he was able to see through the intentions of his opponents…”

“So, what do you think are his weaknesses then?” Ayres said, interrupting Taylor.

“His weaknesses…” Taylor looked hesitant, then said, “Hopkins is one of those athletes who doesn’t have any weaknesses. Whether it is his physique, technique, or his match judgment, they are all perfect. Truth be told, I don’t think he has any kind of weaknesses.”

“That is because you aren’t good at analyzing,” Ayres said, shaking his head. He pointed at the screen and said, “Watch it again, and pay attention this time.”

Taylor shifted his gaze to the television screen and stared at it intently. But from his expression, he obviously still did not discover anything new.

Dai Li, who was also looking at the screen, suddenly said, “I think that dodge just now was a bit different.”

“Oh?” Ayres exclaimed in surprise and asked immediately, “What do you think is different?”

“Can I watch it one more time?” Dai Li asked.

“No problem.” Ayres rewound the video to the previous scene.

“So? Do you think there’s anything different?” Ayres asked.

“I think Hopkins is deliberately trying to protect a certain part of his body in his previous defense gesture,” Dai Li said. He then changed his tone drastically and said, “I’m only guessing, I don’t know if it is correct.”

“Which part of his body do you think Hopkins is protecting?” Ayres asked quickly.

“His neck? No,” Dai Li shook his head.

“His face? No, that’s not it either,” Dai Li mumbled to himself as he shook his head. He started to playback the video in his mind, and suddenly, he finally figured it out.

“It’s his chin! Hopkins is trying to protect his chin!” Dai Li said confidently.

“Correct!” Ayres couldn’t help but clap to applaud Dai Li.

“I was correct?” Dai Li said, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

At the same time, Taylor said in a surprised voice, “He guessed correctly?”

“Coach Li, if I didn’t know you, I would definitely think that you are a very experienced boxing coach. Your observational and analytical skills are something that even most boxing coaches don’t have,” Ayres couldn’t help but praise Dai Li.

“Just a lucky guess,” Dai Li said humbly.

“No, I don’t think it is luck. Perhaps you have a talent for this sort of thing,” Ayres said. He pointed at the monitor. “Almost all boxers and boxing coaches think that Hopkins is a flawless boxer. No doubt his body seems like it was made for heavyweight boxing, and his skills, even when he was boxing as an amateur, were already top-notch. He is one of the best in the world, but that doesn’t mean that he is flawless.”

“People think that Hopkins is a perfect, flawless boxer because they are unable to discover his flaw.” Ayres pressed the pause button on the remote, freezing the frame, and said confidently, “Hopkins’s flaw is his chin!”

“You mean to say, Hopkin has a weak chin?” Taylor asked naively.

“If we compare him to the other heavyweight boxing champions, Hopkins does indeed have a weak chin.” Ayres nodded his head and said plainly, “But Hopkins has already discovered his own weakness, so during matches, he pays extra attention to defending his chin, something that coach Li noticed earlier. Take for example the move you just saw; his dodge moved him farther than usual, and if you look at it from another angle, you can see that he is prioritizing the defense of his chin.”

Ayres pressed the play button as he spoke, and explained, “In a boxing match, attacking the chin is usually the fastest way to get a KO. So in most professional matches, defending your chin from your opponent is a fundamental strategy. Boxers are required to train and strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles to minimize the impact of a punch to the chin. This is one of the most basic things that boxers do. So when Hopkins defends his chin, most people just assume that he is doing what every other boxer does, so they are unable to figure out Hopkins’s weakness.”

“That seems to be the case.” Taylor nodded. “If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have realized it. I would have just thought that it was a normal defensive move.”

“There are many excellent boxing coaches in the world, but only a few of them are able to find out Hopkins’s weakness!” Ayres said as he glanced at Dai Li. He seemed to be implying that it was quite a wonder that even though Dai Li’s specialty wasn’t boxing, he was able to figure it out.

Dai Li suddenly felt a bit embarrassed by the praise. He thought he was just lucky.

Taylor wasn’t paying attention to that topic, so he simply stated, “Now that I know of Hopkins’s weakness, I simply have to keep attacking his chin during the match!”

“If you do that, you might not be able to win the match.” Ayres sighed and shook his head. He moved as if he was some kind of highly educated gentleman.

“Why? Shouldn’t we focus on the weakness of the opponent during a match?” Taylor rebutted.

“Hopkins is a very intelligent boxer. He knows how to evaluate a situation. Do you think that he would continue to let you attack his chin once he realized what you were trying to do?” Ayres shook his finger and said, “In terms of physique, Hopkins literally has the high ground. He is taller than you by 20 centimeters. You will need to attack from below, and that in itself is already a disadvantage. Not to mention that his arm’s reach is also longer than yours by at least 20 centimeters. The chin is a body part that is always guarded very closely by boxers. If he focuses his defense there, it will be tough to attack his chin.”

Hopkins is one of the best boxers in the world, and his physique is simply superior to Taylor’s. If he chooses to adopt a defensive strategy, it will be very difficult for Taylor to attack, Dai Li thought.

“What should I do then?” Taylor asked.

“You need to pretend that you don’t know his weakness. Tire him out, and when the opportunity arises, strike,” Ayres said confidently. “I have devised a strategy for you. When the match starts, you shouldn’t try to attack his chin. You need to make it seem like you are trying to find his weakness during the match. Make it seem like you are clueless about how he fights.”

“Then you need to make him attack. He has the advantage when it comes to physique, and his technique is top-notch. If he intentionally fights defensively, you will only gain an advantage of a few points, and they are mostly irrelevant. It is only when he attacks that he will expose his weak points. Only when he exposes his weakness will you be able to seize the chance to give a fatal blow to his chin. This is the best way for you to win.”

Ayres become more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, almost as if he was giving a speech to motivate a group of salesmen.

Taylor was eating up every word that Ayres was saying. His face seemed serious, and he kept nodding as Ayres spoke. Taylor was so entirely captivated by the few simple words spoken by Ayres that he could not differentiate left from right.

Dai Li couldn’t help but respect Ayres. The way Ayres spoke exuded confidence. His speechlike explanation really showed that he was one of the best boxing coaches in the world. It was as if he was telling someone that if they listened to him, victory was guaranteed! His words were intoxicating, and whether it was Taylor or any other boxer, there was no doubt they would believe anything he said.

It is no wonder he is the legendary coach of the boxing world. He really deserves his nickname, ‘White Devil,’ even ignoring all his other qualities. Just from his speech giving ability alone, I should definitely learn from him. He was just too awesome!

Chapter 411 - The Coach’s Talents

Chapter 411: The Coach’s Talents

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The sun was shining through the French window by the bed, and a gray-haired old woman was trying to lift her arm.

“Great, Mrs. Ayres. Moving your arms is a good start. But you’ve been in bed too long, and your muscle atrophy is so serious that you need more exercises. If you’re tired, you can increase your frequency of exercise and decrease the time of exercise on each occasion. Mr. Ayres is also a coach, so he is a professional on this too,” Dai Li said.

“Thank you, Coach Li.” Ayres looked grateful. He turned to his wife and said, “Honey, you rest, and I’ll show Coach Li out.”

Ayres took Dai Li out of the gate and to a garden in front of the villa.

“Coach Li, I would never believe your massage would be so effective for rehabilitation if I hadn’t seen it myself,” Ayres said with amazement.

“Everyone is good at something, and I am just good at rehabilitation,” Dai Li answered.

“I’m also a coach, and I know it’s almost impossible to help a paralyzed patient recover. Maybe only God himself can do it.” Speaking of this, Ayres went on, “Coach Li, I know that your main business is physical training, but are you interested in being a boxing coach?”

“Boxing coach?” Dai Li shook his head. “I really don’t know much about boxing. If I hadn’t been in contact with Taylor recently, I probably wouldn’t know as much as the senior boxing audience.”

“But you have the talent.” Ayres’ expression became solemn. “I’ve been watching you since the day you found Hopkins’s defect in the video, and I think you are suitable to be a boxing coach. When I first met you, you really didn’t know much about boxing. But during this period, when I was coaching Taylor, you were also learning, right? Besides, you learn very fast, just like a sponge absorbing water. To be honest, you seem to understand boxing better than him.”

“You must be joking. Taylor is a boxing champion with more than ten years of experience,” Dai Li said.

“It has nothing to do with time or experience,” Ayres said seriously, shaking his head. “The accumulation of experience determines the lower limit of a coach’s ability, but talent determines the upper limit. Therefore, talent sometimes is the most important. And you have the talent.”

Dai Li was stunned. He had received similar comments before, but on other events.

“In fact, even if I want to be a boxing coach, I don’t have enough time. After all, I have to run my training center,” Dai Li said.

“You can just be a consultant like I was before I retired. When a boxer comes to you, you only need to give him some instruction or direction for training. As for specific training, the players do it themselves. That was what I did after fifty-five. It’s easy, but it pays well,” Ayres said with a smile,

“As your friend, I think your performance in running a training center is only ordinary, but you are extraordinary in training. So, I have been trying to suggest that you should hire a specialized manager for the operation of your training center. And you should focus on the specific training of athletes. You can regard it as the optimization of talent and position, where the most professional people do what they are best at and get the most effective results.”

Dai Li nodded, because Ayres was not the first person to speak of this. Steven also suggested that Dai Li should hire a specialized manager, and even recommended a suitable person. However, Dai Li was not satisfied with that person because he was too young and had just gotten his MBA without any experience at all. What’s more, he didn’t expect much in the way of salary, which clearly showed that he would quit the job as soon as he got enough experience. Dai Li didn’t want his training center to be just a way of padding out a resume.

“Thank you for your suggestion. I’ll take it seriously,” Dai Li answered.

…

On his way back, Dai Li kept thinking about Ayres’ words.

“Talent? To be a coach? Why didn’t I realize I had such a good coaching talent?” Dai Li said to himself lightly.

“Do you think that’s dependent only on yourself?” the system’s voice reappeared in Dai Li’s mind.

“What do you mean?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“You’ve been at the level of a relatively noted coach for a long time, and you’re about to hit the threshold of famous coach. I thought you already felt it,” the system said. “The promotion of coach level will not only bring you more training effect bonuses, it will also improve your coaching quality. For example, you’ll be equipped with stronger abilities of learning, analyzing, and judging in any sports event.”

“Do you mean it was all because of you that I could see Hopkins’s defect and that Ayres thought that I had the talent to be a boxing coach? It was you that made me so talented, right?” Dai Li asked with a little anger.

“Needless to say. If you really had the world’s best coaching talent, why did you still have to worry about getting a job after graduation? I’m afraid you didn’t stand out in college!” the system answered inexorably.

Dai Li lost himself in thought. Indeed, he was not an outstanding student in college, and his performance in school was just so so. At least in those days, he showed no unusual talent.

The system continued, “The improvement of your coaching quality is related to your coach level. The higher your level is, the more you will improve. Therefore, when you were at the third-rate coach level, you couldn’t realize the improvement of the coaching quality at all, since your coach level was too low. But when you rose to first-rate coach, you should feel the changes brought by the improvements of all qualities!”

Dai Li suddenly recalled that Harman’s coach team had offered him an olive branch when he was in the Dingtian Group. Harman himself once expressed clearly that he hoped that Dai Li would try to be a football coach, which obviously showed that Harman recognized Dai Li’s talent and ability in football training.

No wonder Harman wanted me at that time. I thought I was so skillful. Finally, Dai Li understood everything, and the realization was not pleasant.

After all, it was not real progress of Dai Li himself. The improvement brought by the system was totally different from the progress made by his own efforts. Dai Li had always thought that his progress relied on his own efforts, but now he knew that he was still the same person, the same coach, that he had been in college. He felt inexplicably let down.

Obviously, the system didn’t get Dai Li’s emotion and kept talking. “At the level of well-known coach, even if you don’t know anything about a sport, you can become an expert as long as you are willing to learn. Even a high-level professional athlete will believe your coaching. And if you upgrade to famous coach, the process of learning will be quicker and the effect will be more distinct. You can become an all-round coach, proficient in every sport if you want!”

…

Hopkins was the heavyweight boxing champion of the WBO and IBF. Taylor was the challenger in this match. Therefore, this match would determine whom the two gold belts of the WBO and IBF belonged to.

The WBO and IBF had already invested a lot of resources in this match. Besides, the media publicity had begun the moment the match was announced.

Frequently, professional boxing matches were jointly held by several boxing organizations, especially when a match involved several gold belts. Boxing organizations didn’t mind cooperating with each other to hold the match together, so that they could share their resources to gain high returns with less invested.

As the world’s top boxing organizations, the WBO and IBF both had their own media outreach and means of publicity. Their media resources would cover more than one hundred countries worldwide. With their cooperation, there would be continuous media coverage of the match between Hopkins and Taylor, and soon it would be the so-called Match of the Century.

In fact, professional boxing matches didn’t lack matches of the century. Every boxing organization wanted to package their matches as impressively as possible. Therefore, during the last century, there were dozens called the “Match of the Century.”

The prize money of such a widely-publicized match would be hundreds of million of dollars. According to the usual rules, the winner took 60% of it and the loser took the rest. Therefore, the prize money alone could bring the boxers hundreds of millions.

The appearance fee of the boxing champions was also more than ten million. Hopkins, with his two gold belts, had a much higher appearance fee. Although Taylor was more senior, his fee was lower since he was a challenger.

At the same time, famous boxers could ask for a share of the advertising profits. With all this income together, it was entirely possible to make a hundred million dollars on a single match.

Therefore, no matter who won on the stage, both contestants were winners in terms of economic gain. Anyone would be satisfied with hundreds of millions of dollars, even if he lost the match. Thinking of that pile of bills would more than make up for the frustration of losing.

That was why even the loser of the so-called Match of the Century would drink, eat, and enjoy himself even he lost the match. It was more a celebration without any sign of losing a match. As for the winner, he need to drink more, eat more, and get more girls. He needed to celebrate more.

As for boxing organizations, their huge investments would also earn corresponding returns. The broadcasting rights could be sold to dozens of countries, which could bring in hundreds of millions of dollars. The advertisement income during the match would be dozens of millions, and the ticket income couldn’t be ignored either. All these together would be much of the cost of hosting the match, and sometimes they could profit some.

What was more important was the income brought by the gaming industry. This money would not reach the pockets of the boxing organizations, but the huge annual sponsorship fee that the gaming industry gave to the boxing organization was solid.

…

Taylor was at the MGM Grand Hotel again, but this time he was in the presidential suite.

Taylor had paid off his bank debt and ended his bankruptcy protection, so now his spending was no longer restricted. He could fly first-class, stay in the presidential suite, eat expensive truffle goose liver caviar, buy fancy cars, and hold a big pool party, inviting a lot of hot bikini models.

This match would bring Taylor hundreds of millions. He didn’t need to save money, even if he was a penniless pauper. The most luxurious service in the MGM hotel would cost about ten thousand a day, which was really nothing compared the income he would soon have from the match.

At the pre-match press conference, Dai Li saw Hopkins in person.

Just like Taylor, Hopkins’ talent is also level S+. No wonder people call him the heavyweight boxing champion of the future. He really deserves it. In terms of capacity, the two are nearly at the same level, with Hopkins 965 and Taylor 971.

Dai Li sighed. He had thought of having fun in the betting hall, but now he gave up this intention.

Dai Li didn’t know which one would win, since they both were level S+ with similar capacity.

Both sides had prepared a long time for this match. Their mental and physical states certainly had reached a fantastic level. Now both of them were certainly full of morale. When both sides were in a good state, the impact of so-called on-the-spot performance would be minimized, and would barely affect the result of the match.

In such a high-level match, both boxers already knew each other during the months of preparation before the match.

That was the highlight of such a high-level match. The two top boxing champions had prepared for this match for months, and when they were on the stage, they would be showing their best abilities. Beyond that, they matched each other in ability…

Their strength gap is too narrow. When facing Hopkins, Taylor can’t KO him easily in the first round as he has before. It’s a real battle of wits and courage. Finally, it’s the tactics chosen by both sides that will determine the winner. Thinking of this, Dai Li felt a little nervous. He could help but look at Ayres, who had developed tactics Taylor’s tactics.

Ayres, a legendary coach known as the “White Devil,” was now full of confidence, which could be felt even from a distance.

Ayres seems to have confidence in winning the match! The legendary coach had come back, just like the rising sun.

Chapter 412 - A Worthy Opponent

Chapter 412: A Worthy Opponent

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Remember not to play tough with Taylor. Although you’re also the world’s top offensive boxer, and your punch is powerful, trust me, playing tough with Taylor is the stupidest thing in the world. Highfield told the world how to defeat Taylor. The only way we can win is to exhaust his energy. If you want to win, you must strictly execute the tactics we decided before,” the coach kept telling Hopkins.

The referee signaled the two boxers to the center of the ring.

“Come on!” the coach patted Hopkins on his shoulder.

Hopkins walked to the center of the ring, as did Taylor.

The bell rang, and the fight between the two boxing champions finally began.

…

“Taylor has gone on the offensive. Nice combination! Wow! Brilliant defense! Hopkins’s defense is impeccable!” the commentator said.

At the beginning, Taylor launched a fierce offense. The audience was overwhelmed by his combination punches together with his continuous evasion. If the opponent was just an ordinary boxer, he might have fallen down under the first offense.

It was the strategy set before the match, and also the one that Taylor used most frequently. No matter who his opponent was, he would go fiercely on the offensive at the beginning of the match. If the opponent immediately ready for the attack, the match was over before it even began.

Hopkins was in good form. He had a perfect figure and the best defense in the world. There were no defects in his footwork, evasion, or blocking.

Taylor missed the hit, but he didn’t give up looking for a chance to strike. Using fierce offense in the first round was a typical tactic for Taylor. He could suppress his opponent’s momentum and gain mental advantage, even if his opponent could withstand his attacks.

In fact, nobody believed that Hopkins could be defeated in the first round, because the two had almost no difference in strength. As the boxing champion of two boxing federations, Hopkins was definitely excellent at defending.

“Taylor’s offense at the beginning of the game didn’t seem to have any real goal other than to overwhelm his opponent in momentum,” the commentator said.

“Exactly. Taylor obviously realized that. Look! He’s starting to distance himself from Hopkins and try him with jabs. The first round is going to end. He clearly doesn’t want to exert more energy,” another commentator said.

The first round entered the countdown. Neither boxer in the ring both made very aggressive movements. When the bell rang at the end of the first round, the two returned to their own respective corners.

Hopkins’s coach was beside him. “Taylor’s offense was aggressive in the first round, as expected. According to his style, he could continue this offense for two or three rounds. Thus, in the next round, no direct contact with Taylor. Continue the strategy just now. Defend and deter…” The coach spoke very quickly, as if he was afraid of finishing his words during this short pause.

On the contrary, Ayres was calmer.

“Hopkins isn’t an opponent you can easily beat. So, take it easy. You should be more patient and avoid mistakes. Just carry out the set strategy and wait. Wait for Hopkins to relax, and wait for him to be paralyzed…”

The pause was very short. The two boxers returned to the boxing ring after several breaths.

“The second round begins. Will Taylor continue his fierce offensive?”

“Taylor is still feeling him out. At his position, he now can’t reach Hopkins at all. Taylor doesn’t seem to be as aggressive as he was before. Maybe Hopkins put him under pressure.”

“Taylor is advancing. Is he attacking? Just a feeler. Hopkins evaded in time. Taylor missed.”

Round three.

“Taylor strikes again. Oh, Hopkins didn’t evade this time. He struck back! Oh! They parted again. Maybe neither of them thought it was a good opportunity to attack.”

…

The doctor gave Taylor a simple treatment for his eyes.

“Okay. This won’t affect your sight, right?” the doctor asked.

“No problem,” Taylor said in a low voice. He looked at Hopkins opposite. The pain from the corner of his eye made him angry.

You broke the corner of my eye unexpectedly. Few people have made me look bad for a long time! Taylor stared at Hopkins viciously.

Hopkins was not doing any better. One of his cheeks was swollen and painful when he spoke.

I was accidentally hit by Taylor. I shouldn’t have been so aggressive. I thought Taylor wouldn’t have a chance to respond to that punch. But I didn’t expect his reaction to be so quick that he could punch back when he was hit!

Next to Hopkins, his coach started talking again. “In the next round, you can go more on the offensive. I don’t think Taylor’s strength will last long. After all, he is 32 years old. He will become more and more incompetent in this high-intensity match.”

…

Round five.

It had been a long time since Taylor fought a fifth round.

Hopkins’s figure began to shake in front of him, and Taylor suddenly became nervous.

“A deceptive movement! Hopkins begins his offense!”

Taylor’s attention had never been more focused, and he hoped to find the defect in Hopkins’s offense and deliver a critical strike. But for a boxing champion like Hopkins, even a defect was fleeting.

Whoosh! Hopkins punched but Taylor just evaded it to one side, making the motion look easy.

However, Hopkins’s offense was just starting. As a representative of heavyweight boxing, Hopkins had no lack of offensive capability.

“It has begun! Finally, Hopkins begins his offense!” Ayres was still expressionless on the sidelines, but he heaved a long sigh of relief. So far, the script had not gone off course.

Finally, the fish begins to bite…

…

Despite his height of two meters, Hopkins was remarkably nimble.

“Nice punch! Almost! Even I didn’t think Taylor could evade it.”

“Hopkins turns to offense, while Taylor begins to defend. Their roles have completely reversed from the beginning of the match.”

“After all, Taylor is 32 years old, and he isn’t a physical boxer in the first place. Now, he might meet his physical bottleneck.”

As the commentator spoke, Hopkins’s offense became even more fierce.

Taylor’s mind couldn’t be calmer. He knew that the fiercer Hopkins’s offense was, the bigger the possibility that he would make a mistake. His chance might come any second.

…

Hopkins evaded to one side, and he seemed to go after Taylor’s flank.

That’s a deceptive movement. Taylor already knew Hopkins’s strategy.

But in the next moment, Taylor was facing two choices.

Evasion or offense? If I evade, Hopkins can’t hit me. But if I attack, though I will be punched, I can cause him damage!

The idea flashed through Taylor’s mind, and he chose the latter without hesitation: offense!

That was Taylor’s boxing defense. Whether he was offending or defending, his strength was to advance, punch and hit his opponent.

Taylor moved fast and fought back. Meanwhile, Hopkins punched.

Taylor punched too!

Bang! Hopkins’s punch landed on Taylor’s left ear.

I hit it! Even before Hopkins had time to rejoice, his jaw wrenched sideways under Taylor’s blow.

Oh, no! He hit my jaw! Hopkins’s mind went blank and he stumbled to the ground.

…

Humming…

Taylor seemed to hear a swarm of bees around him. His sight blurred and his consciousness paused for a moment.

After Taylor shook his head, and his sight began to clear. But he could still hear the humming.

Hopkins’s punch was really heavy. If Taylor was an ordinary boxer, he wouldn’t have been able to stand up now. Even so, he felt a bit stunned.

However, Hopkins fell down to the ground.

“KO? Taylor KO’d Hopkins? What happened? I just saw Hopkins hit Taylor!”

“No, Taylor also hit Hopkins! Taylor punched Hopkins in the jaw. The two hurt each other and neither took any advantage!”

“But Hopkins fell down.”

“Taylor seems to be wobbling.”

The audience was overwhelmed, and they were all looking at Hopkins.

…

Blurry, everything was blurry before him.

Booming, everything was booming in his head.

Hopkins was lying on the ground with his eyes open, still breathing, but his eyes were empty as if he had lost his soul. Taylor’s punch even made Hopkins forget the pain, and his consciousness was slipping.

“1, 2, 3…” The referee’s count began, but it couldn’t remove that humming sound from Hopkins’s head.

“4, 5, 6…” The audience couldn’t help but count with the referee. The counting sound became increasingly loud and orderly.

Finally, the humming in Hopkins’s head quieted enough for him to hear the count.

Someone is counting! Finally, he moved. He wanted to stand up!

What drove him to his feet was not his mind, but the instinct of a boxer and the desire to win!

“Hopkins stood up!”

The thunder of applause and shouts of approval were all around. Everyone was shouting Hopkins’s name.

Hopkins was becoming fully conscious again. He felt a bit dizzy. Although he was standing in the boxing ring, everything around him seemed to be spinning.

“Are you alright?” the referee asked. The noise was so loud that the referee almost shouted at Hopkins.

But Hopkins didn’t answer. He just looked at Taylor on the opposite side of the ring. Taylor was breathing heavily, and his eyes were filled with blood, probably from a concussion.

Suddenly Hopkins felt that Taylor was just like a wounded beast.

Taylor’s condition is bad too. I can’t give up! I must win! Thinking of this, Hopkins nodded seriously. “I can still fight!”

…

Hopkins staggered to Taylor. Apparently, he had not recovered from the hit.

But Hopkins wasn’t giving up. He was still insisting. He wanted to win.

He stood up! He stood up after my heavy punch! He is a worthy opponent! Taylor thought. The next second, he raised his fists.

Taylor knew that the best way to show his respect to a worthy opponent was to KO him in the boxing ring!

Chapter 413 - The Meaning of Iron

Chapter 413: The Meaning of Iron

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Hopkins stood right there, shaking slightly and involuntarily. It was unbelievable that he hadn’t passed out the moment he took the punch. A professional doctor would definitely have suggested that he stay in a hospital for a few day under medical observation. But Hopkins continued to stand in the boxing ring.

Taylor’s situation was better, but not by much. Hopkins’s blow hadn’t knocked him down, but he was hurt. The tinnitus stimulated his nerves and made it hard for him to concentrate.

The referee took a look at the two and then decided to keep the match going. As an experienced referee, he had often seen two boxers return to the ring after hitting each other.

Taylor gave a tentative jab, and Hopkins ducked quickly. Hopkins was still nimble. It didn’t seem like he had just been knocked down.

But many boxing professionals shook their heads around the boxing ring. They knew that Hopkins was not the same as he had been before the fall.

“His dodge just now avoided Taylor’s jab quickly, but he moved far beyond Taylor’s range of attack, which was not necessary. That fall had a big influence on Hopkins.”

“Of course. Hopkins was hit in the jaw. Anyone else that Taylor hit like that would have passed out. But Hopkins stood up again.”

“It’s possible for Hopkins to lose this match now!”

“I think so!”

“This is heavyweight boxing. You will never win after you fall down and get back up. If you keep trying to win, your disadvantages will only increase.”

“Hopkins knows that clearly. I don’t know why he still insists on fighting. If he gets knocked down again, it will lead to a more serious injury. He’d better give up early.”

…

Taylor kept tempting and attacking aggressively in the boxing ring, controlling the match. It seemed that Hopkins was trying hard to keep up, and his second fall was coming soon.

I don’t want to lose! I want to be the greatest heavyweight boxing champion! This idea kept Hopkins standing in the boxing ring.

But his coach, standing beside the boxing ring, could not bear to watch.

In a heavyweight boxing match, falling down once meant falling down a second time later. A boxer could get up, but the match was already lost. Therefore, heavyweight boxing matches often saw one of the boxers falling down and continuing to lie on the ground, waiting for the referee to count to ten. The boxer knew that even if he could stand up, he wouldn’t have any chance to win. Standing up again would just cause more injuries.

“The Iron Professor!” the coach said to himself. That was Hopkins’s nickname.

Everyone knew that nickname, but few knew the true meaning of it. Hopkins was so smart that he was called “professor.” As for the word “iron,” many thought it was to describe his body. Hopkins had the best-proportioned body of all heavyweight boxers, like he was born to be fight in the ring. Long-time exercise had made his body strong like steel.

But the coach knew that “iron” did not describe Hopkins’s body, but his willpower, his perseverance.

You can fall, but your will never falls!

…

“He is still persevering in such a situation. A tough guy!” Ayres sighed suddenly.

Dai Li agreed. “Yes. The media said that he was the future ruler of heavyweight boxing. That was not an overstatement. His technique is already at the top of all heavyweight boxers. And he is also so persistent and dauntless! Hopkins is really a perfect athlete. But he met you and Taylor.”

“Taylor is a boxer whose advantages and shortcomings are equally obvious. But his advantages are so great. Taylor might be the only boxer of his kind in the history of boxing. Therefore, Taylor does not have remind you of anyone. He is the only one,” Ayres said. Then he pointed at Hopkins.

“But Hopkins is different. What he stands for is the future direction of boxing. A comprehensive balance of power, speed, attack, defense, and awareness. I think such a boxer, who once took part in the Olympic Games, will be a star of boxing. He is the future of boxing!”

“I can’t believe you speak so highly of Hopkins!” Dai Li was surprised.

“If I were twenty years younger, I would be eager to teach an athlete like Hopkins. He is really perfect… Um…” Suddenly Ayres stopped and then went on happily, “Even if he’s knocked down by his opponent, it doesn’t lessen his perfection!”

As Ayres spoke, Taylor knocked Hopkins down again. And this time, Hopkins could not get up again.

…

On the screen, the referee grabbed Taylor’s hand and raised it up to announce that Taylor was the winner.

In front of the TV, Highfield pressed the remote control to turn off the TV with a serious face.

“Taylor won!” said the man who was both Highfield’s elder brother and his agent. “Taylor’s physical strength is beyond my expectation. I thought he could only fight five or six rounds, but he finished it in the eighth round.

Highfield shook his head. “The match ended in the sixth round, the moment Taylor hit Hopkins in the jaw. Such a heavy blow from Taylor erased any possibility of continuing the match. Hopkins kept fighting in the next two rounds with nothing but his will.”

“Hopkins deserves his appearance fee. Two more rounds mean more commercial ads. That will make the organizers happy.” His brother picked up a piece of fruit from the table and bit into it, then said, “I think you will be the next in Taylor’s list of opponents. You are the holder of a WBA heavyweight golden belt. And Taylor was the heavyweight champion of the WBA for three years consecutively. And he is still holding a grudge about your last match. You must be careful.”

His brother’s mention of “your last match” made Highfield touch the ear that Taylor had bitten. And then Highfield said, “Taylor is in good condition recently, which can be inferred from his winning streak. And he just defeated Hopkins and took Hopkins’s WBO and IBF golden belts. He is having his day now. It would not be wise for me to fight him now. My match with him must happen in a suitable moment, either when he is not in good condition or when I am fully prepared.”

“So, what do you want?” asked his brother.

“There are 15 WBA golden belt challengers. Why do I have to accept Taylor’s challenge?” Highfield smiled cunningly. “Let’s have a fight with a weaker one first to fulfill this year’s obligation.”

Chapter 414 - Money Matters

Chapter 414: Money Matters

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“The War of the Century: Kevin Taylor Back to His Peak!”

The latest boxing magazine’s cover was a picture of Taylor holding up his golden belt after he won the match.

“Good picture with a perfect angle from the bottom up. Like Taylor is a king on his throne.” Ayres put down the magazine and turned to Dai Li to ask, “Did you think about what I told you last time?”

“What you said last time?” Li Dai was confused for a moment.

“Finding a full-time manager,” said Ayres.

“You mean that! I’ve thought it over. You’re right. I really need a full-time manager here. In the future, I will expand the training center or open a few branches. I cannot manage it with only myself. ” Dai Li sighed and added, “But there are few suitable candidates for this position. The manager must know both management and sports. So, it might take some time to find a suitable one. I’m not worrying about it.”

“If you want such a manager, I have a candidate for you,” Ayres said.

Dai Li was interested. Ayres was a legendary boxing instructor who knew a lot of people. His recommendation would be better than Steve’s.

Seeing that Dai Li was interested, Ayres then said, “I have a student, whose name is Randy Blake. I do not know if you know him.”

“Your student? A boxer?” Dai Li asked.

“He was a boxer twenty years ago.” Ayres added in nostalgia, “In fact, he was my worst student. Most of my students won golden belts. But Randy-Blake won nothing in his entire career. When I think about it now, I feel pretty embarrassed.”

“Blake likes sports very much. His short legs stopped him from playing American football, and his short arms stopped him from playing basketball. And his near-sightedness limited his development as a baseball player. Finally, he chose to be a boxer. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a great talent in boxing. Even I couldn’t teach him to win golden belts.”

“Blake was my assistant coach for a while after his retirement. He wanted to be a boxing coach, which was a common choice for retired boxers. But he is not talented in coaching, so he returned to university to study for a degree in management.”

“Later, he became a sales agent for a brand of protein and healthcare products and did a good job. But he still could not give up sports. Right now he is working as an obscure sports commentator. His advantage is that he knows about many sports programs. Track and field, boxing, basketball, American football, baseball, tennis, and so on. He has many opportunities for sports commentary.”

“Personally, I think Blake is the right man for your training center. He knows about sales and sports. And he knows a lot of people in the field of sports. He is not an excellent athlete or coach, but I think he will become a successful manager.”

“Blake might not ask for a high salary. You know that professional boxers can make a lot of money. The fact that he did not earn any golden belt did not stop him from making big money through professional boxing, so salary is not important to him. What he wants the most is a stage to do something he is interested in, to use his advantages.”

Dai Li nodded. “Sounds like a very good guy. If he has your recommendation, then I’m more than happy to let him try! But let’s be clear; I will weed him out if he is unqualified.”

…

Steve was reading dozens of sports magazines, one by one. Almost every sports magazine had an article about Taylor, especially the boxing magazines.

“Kevin Taylor, 33 years old now. It’s hard to imagine a 33-year-old boxer returning to his peak!” Steve sighed slightly and then opened another magazine.

The magazine had a full page report on Taylor with a different angle than other sports magazines. This article focused on the money Taylor earned from that “War of the Century.”

Taylor was paid $20 million for the match. And that was not surprising. His appearance fee a decade ago had reached that level. The bonus of the game was $100 million. Traditionally, the winner receives 60% of it, and that’s $60 million! And there are other sources of income. It’s a lot of money… D*mn it! I almost became Taylor’s agent not long ago. If I were Taylor’s agent, I would be getting tens of millions of dollars! Not being Taylor’s manager was one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made.

Steve suddenly felt that he had lost the biggest income in his life. He had been Phillip’s agent for a long time, and had only earned several million dollars. That was less than what Taylor’s agent earned from one of Taylor’s matches.

Steve regretted his decision very much. He hadn’t become Taylor’s agent when he found out about Taylor’s debts of more than twenty million dollars. Steve thought that an old boxing king at the end of his career life could never pay such debts with his limited remaining commercial value. But he hadn’t foreseen that Taylor would come back to the top of the field of boxing to be the super boxing king who could make a billion dollars in a single fight again.

Maybe I still can do something. So far, I haven’t heard that Taylor has found a new agent. I should try again!

…

Dai Li showed Randy Blake around the training center and then they came back to the office.

“What do you think of my business here, Blake?” Dai Li asked as he gave Blake a cup of coffee.

“Thank you.” Blake took the coffee cup and said, “Honestly, I don’t think you’ve done enough marketing. Your training center brought Kevin Taylor back to the top. Taylor is your sharpest weapon, but you have not made good use of the weapon.”

“I had a poster of Taylor on the door, and I had him on the leaflet,” Dai Li explained in a low voice.

“It’s not nearly enough. It’s like being given a sniper rifle and using it as a stick. The rifle will work as a stick if you want it to, but using it as a stick cannot let out its true power,” said Blake.

“Oh, I see. Like an old saying in my country, take a musket to kill a butterfly. That’s what I’m doing here,” said Dai Li.

And Blake added, “Kevin Taylor is known to the world. You need to use his fame as free advertising to let more people know about your training center. That’s not simply advertising with banners and posters. What you need is a series of promotional programs, including media interviews, internet marketing and so on.”

“For example. In terms of media programs, you may have an interview to talk about Taylor’s training after he came back, and how he got back to the top. Such an interview about Taylor will be invaluable marketing for you and your training center. What’s more, you can post some training videos of Taylor online, especially videos of some catchy training programs. And in those videos, you may put some displays with your training center’s name in inconspicuous places in the background. That is a sort of advertising. People watching the videos will also see your training center.”

“And you may…”

Blake went on and on about his ideas. And Dai Li listened carefully and took notes like a student. At that time Dai Li thought Randy-Blake was perfect to be the CEO.

…

“Mr. Taylor, I know you haven’t found a new agent yet. You may choose me if you want,” Steve said and handed a towel to Taylor.

“Steve, thank you for your kindness. To tell you the truth, I don’t want an agent now,” said Taylor.

“Why? You must have an agent. You have now returned to the top. You are now a heavyweight boxing king with the greatest commercial value. I can help you find a lot of top-level endorsements, which could bring you hundreds of millions,” Steve said.

“I’m not going to take any more endorsements. You know, my reputation is not so good. I think advertisers will certainly think twice before asking me to endorse them. My past is not flawless, and sponsors will make requirements that I don’t want to be bound by.”

Taylor wiped the sweat from his head and added, “I just want to make money by boxing. The income of boxers is very high. I can earn tens of millions of dollars for one match. My savings will be enough for the rest of my life if things keep going the way they are.”

Taylor was right. In the opinion of sponsors, he was a man with flaws. Endorsement agreements would surely come with additional requirements. For example, he would be required not to do anything that might harm the brand image of the sponsor. If he violated the terms, he wouldn’t be paid, and he might even be sued by the sponsor for compensation.

Additional requirements of that sort were nothing for well-behaved athletes. But Taylor was unpredictable. It was possible for him to do something stupid someday.

However, Taylor was a sum of walking dollars in Steve’s eyes. Steve would not give up easily. So, he continued, “Taylor, no one hates more money. Your bonus and appearance fees are great, and more than enough for an average person. But who would not want a better life? A better life needs more money. Now you are able to make more money. Why don’t you want it? When you are about to retire in a few years, you will be too old to make money then.”

Taylor shook his head. “I’m very satisfied with my situation now. I am already planning to make some low-risk investments. I know several reputable financial advisers on Wall Street. Giving my money to them can bring me significant income. I was once robbed of almost all my money by James King. So, with all due respect, I don’t trust any agent now.”

“I am not an asshole like James King. I’m a virtuous agent. I’ll only ask for what I deserve. You can ask Phillip if you don’t believe me. I have never stolen his income,” Steve added.

“Forget it. I don’t want to give another part of my income to my agent.” Taylor shook his head firmly.

“Another part? What do you mean?” Steve caught the point.

Taylor smiled. Then he shrugged his shoulders and said, “Coach Li gets twenty percent of the money I make as a training fee. You see, I have lost twenty percent of my income. So, I don’t want to give any more to another agent.”

What? Coach Li gets twenty percent of your income? Steve was surprised. He knew it was tens of millions of dollars without counting.

He asked immediately, “Why does Coach Li get twenty percent of your income?”

“I signed the contract with him during my suspension period,” Taylor said with a simple smile. “I thought he was doing charity and was willing to help a bankrupted former boxer. But now it seems his choice was right. But he deserves it. Without Coach Li, I wouldn’t have reached where I am now. If he wanted it, I would give him more money.”

Taylor showed no complaint, and his words were more like a “thanks.”

Taylor was a smart man. He did not know what Dai Li had done to him, but he knew that he could not have been in his current physical condition without Dai Li. And he knew without Dai Li, “White Devil” Ayres would be coaching Hopkins. Then he would not have had any chance to defeat Hopkins and to get two world-class golden belts.

…

Steve was feeling more and more regretful as he left the training center in his car.

Twenty percent of his income! How much do I get as an agent? Five percent of the game bonus of the athletes, and ten percent of their income from commercial endorsements? My God, Dai Li makes way more money than me! How could such a coach exist? A coach asking for no fixed training fees, but a share of the athlete’s income.

Oh, and Phillip! Besides Taylor, five percent of Phillip’s income goes to Dai Li, too! He’s just a coach. Doesn’t he realize he wants too much?

Steve, at that moment, felt extremely unhappy. Thinking of tens of millions of dollars of income sharing and more money in the future, it seemed that a cake that should have belonged to Steve had been stolen by Dai Li.

I don’t care about Taylor, but the five percent of Phillip’s income is mine. I must get that back. I must renegotiate with Dai Li about the contract that includes the five percent of income sharing! Otherwise… Steve was getting angrier. He stopped the car and got out his mobile phone to make a call.

“Hello? Is this the AP Physical Training Center? My name is Steve, the agent of Barron Phillip, ‘the Blade Warrior.’ Yes! The disabled athlete who lost his legs… His physical training contract is about to expire and he is interested in the AP Physical Training Center… Yes, I think we can meet to discuss that…”

Chapter 415 - Change to Another Training Center

Chapter 415: Change to Another Training Center

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

There was a question on Quora, a website that was basically the American version of Zhihu. Namely, how should Indians curb the rise of a neighboring country?

This was a ridiculous question and also a ridiculous idea. The person asking was trying to figure out how to destroy the development of other countries, instead of developing their own nation.

For example, if you were not a very good student, then what should you do? Work hard to improve yourself, or poison all the classmates who were better than you? Or if you noticed your neighbor becoming rich from his efforts, then what should you do? Learn from your neighbor, or set fire to his house?

A bad student might poison the good students, but it wouldn’t change his terrible study habits. A poor man might burn a rich man’s house, but it couldn’t change his poverty.

But the fact is, there are many people like this. For example, when Steven found out that Dai Li was receiving twenty percent of Taylor’s revenue, he was jealous of Dai Li.

Sports brokers in the United States are very special, and they are supposed to serve athletes. However, the fact is that many brokers can directly determine the fate of athletes. For example, it often appears in the news that a basketball player in the NBA asked for a high salary according to his broker’s instructions and ended up with no chance to play basketball. Another typical example is Kevin Taylor, who ended up bankrupt after his broker stole most of his money.

As an agent, Steven felt that he had the right to decide where Phillip would train.

Dai Li’s Office.

Steven raised his cup of coffee, took a sip, and then leaned his upper body against the sofa with his legs crossed, assuming a commanding position.

“Coach Li, I think we should seriously talk about the Phillip’s training contract for next year.” Steven put down his coffee cup.

“Just the same as this year will be okay. I have no objection,” said Dai Li.

“But I don’t agree!” Steven said, leaning forward.

“Well, what’s your new idea?” said Dai Li.

“I would like to talk a little bit more about the cost of Phillip’s training for next year,” said Steven.

“Training cost? I have never charged Phillip for his training! Will you give me the money?” Dai Li said with an innocent expression.

“But you take away five percent of his income.” Steven snorted.

“That’s as you say. Well, if you think this is training cost, that’s fine!” Dai Li had already guessed Steven’s intention, but instead of disclosing his knowledge, Dai Li picked up his cup of tea and took a sip.

But Steven said, “I hope that five percent can become a fixed number.”

“No problem,” Dai Li said without any hesitation. He took out his phone and calculated for a while. “I got nearly $600,000 dollars from Phillip this year. Well, I’ll give you a discount; I’ll charge you $500,000!”

“No, it’s too expensive.” Steven shook his head.

“So, what’s your idea?” Dai Li put down his phone and looked at Steven with a smile, but there was dissatisfaction in his heart.

“$50,000!” Steven held out his five fingers.

Dai Li said nothing but looked at Steven contemptuously.

“Well, I know you are not satisfied with the price. How about $70,000 dollars?” Steven compromised.

“$500,000,” Dai Li said firmly.

“$80,000. I can’t back down any more. You must know this is the highest price. Other members, even the members who enjoy the best personal services would not pay you $80,000 a year for training,” said Steven.

“Half a million. I can’t go any lower,” Dai Li said without hesitation.

“If you insist on this price, then we won’t be doing business.” Steven’s words were filled with menace.

Dai Li, however, was unmoved. He said, “I have my reasons for charging this price, and it is not unreasonable. You pay the training fee of $500,000, and Phillip will be able to compete with athletes who are not handicapped, and even beat most of them. That is the effect of my training. I guarantee that nowhere else in America can you find anyone who can do this. It is worth it to pay the $500,000.”

“Is that so? None of the fitness training centers in the United States are better than you? Even the famous AP training center?” Steven said with a disdainful look.

“They are not as good at training disabled athletes,” Dai Li said confidently.

“Well, if you think so, then I have to terminate our cooperation for the next year,” Steven said with his hands spread out. He stood up.

Dai Li made a gesture of goodbye, and then said, “I hope you take this into careful consideration, and the same to Phillip. Since the career peak of an athlete only exists for several years, Phillip can’t waste his youth. When Phillip wants to restart his career, it might be too late.”

“Is that so?” Steven winced and added, “I believe Phillip will be better with the AP training center!”

Looking at Steven’s back, Dai Li felt somewhat uncomfortable.

When Dai Li first met Steven, he knew that he was a businessman who only paid attention to his interests. And Dai Li wasn’t disappointed that they were no longer friends.

Phillip was an athlete that Dai Li had cultivated and trained. Originally, Phillip was a disabled and retired American soldier, but Dai Li transformed him into the world-famous “Blade Warrior.”

And at that time, Dai Li had just arrived in the United States and opened his fitness training center. What’s more, he had no family or friends in the United States at that time, and he was not familiar with the environment. In a sense, Phillip was the first American he had gotten to know when he arrived. And it was impossible to say that they were just business partners without friendship.

So Dai Li had a sense of regret for Phillip’s departure.

It has been two years since Phillip was here. He used two athlete patches, and he could have used the last one. What a pity. Dai Li shook his head hopelessly.

For Dai Li, half a million dollars was not the training cost, but the price of the athlete patches. Athlete patches were disposable consumables, and they were limited in quantity, so he would not provide athletes with these patches for free.

Phillip was a talented sprinter. He was a disabled person, but thanks to the athlete patches provided by Dai Li, he could compete with sound athletes. Without the help of athlete patches, Dai Li doubted whether Phillip could keep up with the pace of sound athletes. And apart from the athlete patches, Phillip also had the advantage of explosive power.

In terms of training effects, Dai Li thought he was the No.1 in the United States. He was not bragging; he was a very famous coach in the United States. His training had remarkable effects, and in addition, he had his own auxiliary means of training athletes; for example, relaxing massage to relieve muscle stress, warm-up square dancing to help athletes back into training quickly, etc. None of these abilities were equipped with other coaches, so it would obvious that Dai Li’s training had high efficiency.

During the two years that Phillip had been famous, he had saved a lot of money. He had a villa, a sports car, and a beautiful model girlfriend. His money could now support all his life, as long as he didn’t use it too lavishly. So Dai Li was not worried about Phillip’s future.

All good things must come to an end, Barron. Good luck! sighed Dai Li.

Dai Li didn’t know that Steven and Phillip hadn’t agreed on the training fee, and Phillip did not know anything about it.

But when Steven left the training center, he went to visit Phillip immediately to persuade Phillip to leave Dai Li’s training center.

“Steven, I’m not going to change places. I’ve been here for almost two years. I don’t want to go to the AP Training Center. Besides, Coach Li is good at training,” Phillip said, shaking his head.

“I admit that Coach Li’s training is very good, but can he compare to that of the AP Training Center? The AP Training Center is the most famous fitness training center in the whole United States, and has the most professional training team in the United States. Even if Dai Li is very good, he’s just one person. How can a person compare to a whole team?” Steven said.

“But it is because of Coach Li that I have the achievements that I do. It is his training that allows me to compete with healthy athletes,” Phillip said.

“Then how can you make sure that the AP Training Center won’t do this?” Steven asked. “Barron, the main reason why you have today’s achievements is your talent and the efforts you have made. The coach is just a negligible factor of it. Change your coach, and perhaps you will be better than now.”

“But Coach Li helped me when I was in trouble. At that time, I still relied on relief money and working as a part-time worker. I couldn’t afford the training fee at all. I couldn’t get professional training either. Only Coach Li was willing to help me with this kind of disability free of charge,” Phillip continued.

“But now he’s got what he deserves. 5% of your income in his pocket, millions of dollars in total. Isn’t it enough to pay for his previous efforts?” Steven paused and said earnestly, “Barron, you can now earn ten million dollars a year. 5% of that income is $500,000. Ordinary people can only make that much money in a decade or so. As a training fee, don’t you think $500,000 a year is a bit too high?”

“What do you mean?” Phillip frowned.

“I’ve consulted with the AP Training Center, and their privately tailored high-end physical training costs only $50,000 a year for a cheaper one, and $100,000 a year for the higher grade. Even with more additional training, annual fees can be kept under $150,000. You have to give Dai Li at least $500,000 a year, which means you could save at least $350,000 a year if you choose the AP Training Center. What’s more, Dai Li takes more than $500,000 a year from you,” Steven said, with both hands spread. “Barron, we can enjoy higher-end service at a lower price. Why do we have to hang on this tree?”

“This…” Phillip showed a hint of hesitation, and he was somewhat moved.

“Barron, at least $350,000 a year, that’s a lot of money. You lost your legs in the Iraqi battlefield and only got $200,000 in compensation. And the athlete’s career is only a few short years. Don’t you want to save more money when you’re young? What will you do when you get old? Look at the old people with disabilities who live on the streets. They can only rely on the minimum living allowance and food stamps. You don’t want to be like that, do you?” Steven asked.

“Well… Okay!” Phillip thought for a long time, and finally decided to make up his mind for the sake of money. He went on to say, “But you have to go talk with Coach Li.”

“I understand that you don’t want to face Dai Li. Then, I’ll play the bad guy and talk to him!” Steven said seriously, but his heart had filled with a sense of achievement.

Dai Li, wait and see. You’ll soon know that you’re not that important. Without you, Phillip is still the ‘Blade Warrior’!

AP Physical Training Center.

A middle-aged man was leading Phillip and Steven to visit the entire training center.

If Dai Li were there, he would have recognized the middle-aged man. He was David Mills, director of the Los Angeles division of the AP Training Center. When Dai Li came to the AP Training Center to study, he had met him, and he had also looked for him for the Aaron Hampton matter, .

Phillip was now known all over the world, so his arrival was received by David Mills himself.

Phillip looked around with doubt. The AP Training Center was indeed much larger than Dai Li’s training center, and the equipment was more advanced, so Phillip’s doubts were gradually disappearing.

“As you can see, Barron, the scale here is much larger than Dai Li’s, and the equipment is more advanced. I think their coaches will be more professional,” Steven pointed around and said with smile on his face.

David Mills, director of the AP Training Center, also said, “You don’t have to worry about coaching. We have a professional coaching team that can customize the best training program for you. By the way, where did Mr. Phillip train before?”

“Coach Li’s Fitness Training Center,” Steven answered. “A personal training center run by Chinese people.”

“Personal training center, and the owner is Chinese? Ha ha…” David Mills laughed. He added, “What we rely on here is teamwork. An experienced team is definitely much better than an individual, not to mention that the other party is Chinese. Mr. Phillip, I’m really looking forward to your future. If you can achieve what you have so far with a Chinese trainer, then after you’ve been in our AP Training Center for a while, I think you might get the Olympic gold medal!”

“Mr. Phillip, Mr. Steven, this way, please,” David Mills said, making a gesture of invitation. “I’ll take you to the coaching team at our center.”

Chapter 416 - An Easy Game

Chapter 416: An Easy Game

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

A group of less well-known journalists gathered in front of Randy Blake.

“Is it true that Barron Phillip has left here and go to the AP Fitness Training Center?”

“Why is Baron Phillip changing his training center, is he not satisfied with the training results here?”

“You have worked with Barron Phillip for two years. When he chose to leave, did you try to persuade him to stay?”

“Barron Phillip has always been your signature athlete here. How much damage do you think Phillip’s departure will cause to the training center?”

“It is said that you have invested more training resources in Kevin Taylor, which led to Phillip’s dissatisfaction. Is that true?”

The journalists’ questions were like falling bombs. An ordinary person would have been blown up.

Randy Blake was not an ordinary person. He had been a sports commentator for a few years, so he was used to dealing with the media. Now, in the face of some small reporters, Blake was naturally at ease.

“In fact, things are not as complicated as you might think. Phillip and our organization just weren’t able to agree on training costs. A business transaction needs to be agreed upon by both sides, after all. Please don’t speculate too much,” Blake said with a smile.

“But Phillip went to AP Fitness Training Center. If he went because of price, does that mean that your center charges more than the AP Fitness Training Center?” asked a journalist at once.

Blake didn’t panic and said, “There is a saying that you get what you pay for, which is very true with our service. If you spend more money, you will naturally enjoy more and better service. Our center’s charges are divided into multiple levels, and different types of service have different associated fees. For example, pretend you’re a hair-stylist. The fees for different barbershops are different. Even in the same barbershop, the price of a perm and a haircut is not the same. Even if all the customers want perms, the prices are still not the same because there are different types of perming. All the service industries are like this, and so is our business. If you compare two fitness training centers with fees, there is no comparison.”

“But the AP Training Center is the most famous and largest fitness training center in Los Angeles. In this respect, your center is not as good as the AP Training Center. So, do you think it would be appropriate for you to charge more than the AP Training Center?” a journalist retorted.

“I admit that the AP Fitness Training Center is larger and more popular than us, but that does not mean that the training services they provide are better than ours. The United States is the strongest and most famous country in the world, but our per capita income is not as high as Luxembourg or Switzerland’s. Wal-Mart is also the largest supermarket chain in the United States, but the goods it sells are much cheaper than those of boutique stores. Therefore, small scale and low visibility do not mean that we cannot provide better service,” Blake said smoothly.

“Then what you mean is that your center’s training is better than the AP Fitness Training Center?” the journalist asked, a question full of traps.

Apparently, Blake found the traps in the question. He smiled and said, “This involves another question—how do you test the training level of a fitness training center? Compare the size, the equipment, or the coach? Of course not!”

Blake shook his fingers and went on to say, “A fitness center can be judged mainly by looking at the performance of the athletes. What an athlete can achieve in one training center compared to what he can achieve in another training center. Such a comparison should objectively reflect the different levels of the two training centers. What do you think? Is there a better way to test the level of training?” Blake said and looked at the crowd.

They were small journalists. Some of them were quasi-professionals of sports. In this respect, how could they trap the experienced Blake? They had long been entangled by Blake. So, in the face of Blake’s response, no one answered.

“Well, since no one has come up with a better method of inspection, I shall assume you all agree with me,” Blake said with a gentlemanly smile.

Having bantered with this group of journalists long enough, Blake returned to Dai Li’s office.

“I didn’t think the first thing I came to here to do was help you put up with these journalists.” Blake loosened his collar and then said, “Li, to those journalists, my suggestion of comparing the performance of an athlete in different training centers is tantamount to declaring war on the AP Training Center!”

“I’ve figured that sooner or later the AP Training Center and I are going to be competitors, not only in Los Angeles, but on the entire West Coast. With so many athletes, the high-end training market is so big. To become a new leader in this industry, stepping on the carcass of an old leader is the best way,” said Dai Li.

“I can’t believe you have such a strong sense of competition.” Blake sighed.

“It was the Taylor-Hopkins match that made me realize that,” Dai Li said.

“Then you are sure that the AP Training Center’s training is not as effective as yours? If Phillip goes to the AP Training Center, and his performance goes up, it will have a great impact on our reputation. People will think we’re not as good as the AP Training Center,” Blake said.

Dai Li did not answer, but a charming smile appeared on his face, exuding the brilliance of self-confidence.

Blake was in a bit of a daze. Dai Li’s behavior felt familiar to Blake. He had once seen this unique quality in someone.

This feeling, this pretend ability, how can he be so much like that old devil Elvis! Blake sighed in his heart.

……

“What an athlete can achieve in one training center compared to what he can achieve in another training center. Such a comparison should objectively reflect the different levels of the two training centers.” David Mills, the director of the AP Training Center, looked at the computer screen and repeated the words from the web page.

Is this a declaration of war on our AP Training Center? An unknown Chinese coach, do you think your training skill is comparable to that of our AP Training Center? Who gave you such courage to declare war on us! Mills suddenly became grim.

Mills picked up the phone and dialed a telephone number.

“What competition does Barron Phillip have in the near future? Oh? Next month? There’s a small race in New Mexico? Well, I know.” Mills put down the phone with a smug smile on his face.

What a pity. Phillip will have a match next month. That Chinese Coach Li, you would never have thought that you would be smacked in the face so soon. You dare to challenge our AP Training Center, and I’ll make you eat your words!

…..

Phillip stood in front of the starting block, moving his joints to prepare for the following race.

It was Phillip’s first official game since he changed training centers.

It was not a game for the disabled, but it was normal for Phillip to compete against able-bodied athletes. So, when he stood on the track, no opponent looked down on the guy who had lost his feet. Instead, his opponents saw him as an even bigger obstacle on the road to winning.

For Phillip, that race was just a small one. There were no top American athletes among them. His main competitors were two athletes who could be called the front-line athletes. As for other second-line athletes, they were long gone from Phillip’s eyes. In this race, Phillip was determined to win the championship.

Phillip once participated in the World Championship as a part of the US team, which had shrouded him with the halo of a track and field star. Moreover, his nickname “Blade Warrior” was known all over the world, and he was regarded as an inspiration by countless people.

In the front row of the audience, his agent Steven had a large cup of cola in his hand and with a smug expression on his face. He had met a sponsor yesterday who was interested in Phillip. An inspirational background coupled with good performance was very attractive for sponsors. In contrast, it was no wonder that no one loved Taylor, the guy who had once been jailed for rape, and who also bit people’s ears in the ring.

Phillip has already participated in the World Championship, and if he can maintain this momentum, maybe he really has a chance to get on the stage of the Olympics. By that time, the money will be rolling in! The more Steven thought about it, the more excited he felt.

At the same time, the starter gave out instructions. The athletes stood on the starting block in order and rushed out with the gunshot.

Phillip had a slow start and fell behind other athletes at the beginning, but it was not a new thing. The runner, the coach, and the audience all knew that Phillip’s start was slower than the others.

Since Phillip became famous, many professionals had analyzed Phillip’s technical characteristics and knew that he was at a completely disadvantaged starting point because he lacked the Achilles tendon. Therefore, people didn’t think too much of the fact that Phillip had started behind.

Phillip was used to this, knowing that he would do best in the second half of the race. In the final 100 meter sprint, he would be faster than the others.

Turning from the corner to the straight, Phillip had found his rhythm. According to past experience, it was time for him to perform.

He was accelerating!

However, when Phillip began to accelerate, his acceleration felt a bit slower than usual. He was completely unable to exert his usual explosive power.

My speed isn’t that great. Was my warm-up exercise not enough? Phillip thought, trying to adjust to make his physical condition better.

A few seconds later, Phillip finished the first 200 meters. As usual, the other athletes were beginning to enter the fatigue period, and Phillip’s advantage was coming into effect.

Speed up! Phillip, as usual, made great strides.

But he felt clearly that his acceleration was not as smooth as he had imagined it would be. At the same time, a slight pain came from the fixation of his cheetah-type blade prostheses.

“Damn it, it’s starting to hurt!” Phillip started to feel frustrated. Although he suffered from this pain regularly in training, the same pain in competition would affect his performance.

At the same time, Phillip felt that his legs were a little unnatural. He could clearly feel that he had a pair of prostheses on his legs, and whenever he took a step, he could even imagine the bending of the prostheses as they touched the ground.

In order to reduce the shock and wear on the prostheses, but also to allow Phillip to run better, this pair of sport prostheses were specially equipped with soles. But Phillip now felt that the shock was extremely strong when the prostheses touched the ground, as if the soles had fallen off.

“What’s going on? Why do I feel uncomfortable all over?” Phillip did not know what had happened.

The audience could clearly see that Phillip was not running as fast as usual. Unlike previous races, Phillip was not accelerating past all of his opponents as they neared the halfway mark. Although he strode very hard, he had no advantage in speed.

Finally, all the athletes rushed into the final straight. For the 400-meter event, it was time to clearly distinguish the forward and rear positions of the athletes.

“Phillip is at the end!” A child in the audience shouted, pointing at the track.

Entering the final sprint, Phillip was in last place. The last time this happened was in the final of the World Championship, when Phillip faced the world’s seven strongest opponents!

Today, there were no top runners of the United States competing with Phillip, and there were not even a few first-class runners. Facing a group of second-rate athletes, Phillip unexpectedly ranked at the bottom.

The sound of cheering suddenly turned into surprised exclamations. As a disabled athlete, Phillip’s victory over the able-bodied was a common occurrence. However, what was happening now was very different.

“Will Phillip be the last one?”

“I don’t think so. Phillip is the fastest in the last 100 meters. He has an advantage in the last sprint!”

The audience whispered, and their eyes fell on Phillip.

On the track, Phillip bit the bullet to speed up. His advantage in the final sprint was really reflected. His physical disability allowed him to produce less lactic acid and have faster sprinting speed.

“Phillip is speeding up! You see, he’s catching up!”

“He’s got the seventh place!”

“He caught up with sixth place, now Phillip is the sixth!”

The audience members who supported Phillip began to cheer, but their cheers had just begun as the first athletes crossed the finish line.

The game was over.

Sixth place, this was Phillip’s performance in this race.

For Phillip, it should have been an easy race, and his score was only sixth!

Chapter 417 - A Fallen Star

Chapter 417: A Fallen Star

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Phillip was the favorite to win the 400-meter event, but he only finished sixth!”

“Only sixth place! That’s really bad!”

There were many spectators came to see the race of the famous Blade Warrior, but they were disappointed by Phillip’s performance.

Standing at the terminal, Phillip looked at the scores on the screen. He was more than a second behind the first place today.

How did I run so slowly today? Looking at the celebrating winner, Phillip shook his head with disappointment and walked quietly down the aisle.

A sense of heaviness came from his legs. In fact, the two cheetah blades weighed less than a pair of normal legs, but he found it was difficult to walk with them now.

Phillip couldn’t help but look down at his artificial legs. At this moment, he could clearly feel them now.

Even though I can walk and run like a normal person, these are not real legs after all! A feeling of sadness burst into Phillip’s mind.

Walking down the stands, Steven came into the locker room and found Phillip.

Leaning back in his chair, Phillip’s face was filled with impatience.

“I came here to win the championship of such a small-size competition, but I ended with the sixth place! Damn it! How could I perform so badly!” Phillip clenched his fists in anger. He still hadn’t realized the root cause of his defeat.

“Barron, it’s just a small game. Never mind.” Handing Phillip a drink, Steven continued, “Maybe the opponents were so weak that you couldn’t get excited at all. Besides, it’s impossible for an athlete to perform at his best in every competition. It’s normal to not be in a good state for one or two races.”

Steven was as upset as Phillip, though he didn’t say so.

Phillip’s achievement was directly related to the number of sponsors.

Sponsors chose Phillip not only because he was inspirational, but also because he was successful. The United States didn’t lack disabled people who could be role models, but Phillip was the only one who could defeat able-bodied people in sports.

If he couldn’t defeat an able-bodied athlete, he would be no different from any other disabled athlete. At best, he would be a disabled athlete with good performance. He would lose the attention of the media and the public, and his sponsors also would leave him.

I hope this match does not affect the sponsor we just negotiated with! Steven prayed in his mind.

…

Randy Blake rushed into Dai Li’s office with a tablet computer.

“Dai Li, I just found this on the USA Track and Field; Barron Phillip just finished sixth in a match in New Mexico. It was just a small game without any top players, but Phillip still lost this match,” Blake said, pointing at his tablet.

“Ah.” Dai Li nodded without any sign of excitement.

“Hey, buddy! Say something!” Blake shouted.

“Say what? It was expected.” Dai Li didn’t lift his head and continued focusing on the training plan he was developing.

“Wonderful answer!” Blake pursed his mouth and turned out of Dai Li’s office.

As soon as Blake was out of his office, Dai Li couldn’t help opening the USA Track and Field website and finding the results of the match.

Phillip was more than a second slower than the first place runner. And the first place’s result was not excellent at all. Without the athlete patch, Phillip’s performance has gone down even more than I expected… Dai Li shook his head. As far as he knew, although Phillip’s performance still could rank first in the disabled races, it was a bad result against able-bodied runners.

Phillip must be depressed now, but it may be a good chance for me. It’s a rare opportunity to become famous by stepping on the most prestigious AP Training Center in the US.

…

The AP Training Center had many branches in the US, and the one in Los Angeles was just one of them. David Mills was the head of the center, and he had to follow the instructions from headquarters.

David Mills was on the telephone with headquarters now.

“Mills, that race in New Mexico was small, but Phillip just finished sixth. You should know what that means, right?” the voice on the phone was harsh.

“Phillip is new here, and he cannot adapt to the new training environment. We made a new training plan for him, and it should take time to work out. Right now our coaching group and Barron Phillip are still in the adaptation period. I believe that after this period, they will get familiar with each other and Phillip’s performance will improve drastically,” Mills explained.

“I hope so!” The voice was still serious. “Mills, you should know, as one of the most famous fitness training centers in this nation, we are viewed as a benchmark by our peers and competitors. We have no friends. I believe every fitness training center in North America wants to move higher by stepping on our shoulders. In fact, many of them have tried to do so, but they all failed! No one can step on the shoulders of a giant! So, I don’t want anyone to succeed in the future. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.” Despite the phone conversation, David Mills still spoke with a composed face.

“Good! You should remember that we are the leader in this industry, so we can’t lose, even once. Any failure will cause people to doubt us and our peers to look at us more closely! The reputation we have built up over the years could also be destroyed,” the voice on the phone said.

“Sir, I assure you, we’ll never fail,” Mills said confidently.

“Good! I wish you success, but I also hope you will remember your promise. If anything goes wrong, someone will be held responsible.”

After hanging up this phone, Mills’s face was somber. Surely, “someone” meant David Mills.

The attitude of the headquarters made Mills realize the urgency of the matter. He felt more pressed and diffident, especially when he thought of Phillip’s performance.

Mills picked up the phone and dialed.

“I hope we can allocate more training resources to Barron Phillip. Charging standard? Don’t talk about charge. We’ll give him the best training even if we can’t make any money on this business! Tell the coaching team that they don’t need to think about the cost, just improve Phillip’s performance. I don’t want to see a sixth place again! I want a champion! Phillip the champion!”

…

The match in New Mexico was just a small race, and the West Bank Track and Field Classic held in Los Angeles was a big race.

It was not about the race’s size, but it’s prize. The West Bank was a rich area, and it often sponsored sports games. Tennis matches that they sponsored had prizes as large as the Grand Slam Tennis. The West Bank was also a big spender on track and field events, which made the prize of this event one of the biggest prizes in the United States.

A greater prize would obviously attract more competitors, which would make the game more exciting, and attract more spectators and even more media.

The 400-meter was the strength of the US, and there were many 400-meter athletes in this event. Therefore, the race was divided into two days, with the first day as the preliminary and the second day as the final.

When the commentator introduced Phillip, all the spectators gave him a warm welcome. Phillip waved his hand to the camera and managed to force a smile.

Several competitors around him were looking at him. They regarded Phillip as a strong contender for the final. However, Phillip didn’t pay any attention to them at all.

It only took about two minutes before the referee gave an order to the athletes to take their own places.

Phillip tried to concentrate on the game. He knew that his opponents today would not be easy to handle.

Finally, the match began with a gunshot. The athletes started running to the shouts of the crowded spectators.

……

The race entered into the final sprint stage once again. The front three athletes were still catching each other. Their relative positions were still not clear, as if the result would not be revealed until the finish line.

The preliminary was divided into three groups. The top two of each group and the best pair of third place runners would enter the final. No one wanted to be the third place if they could rank top two. The third place also had a two-thirds chance of entering the final, but it also had a one-third chance of being eliminated.

But all this had nothing to do with Phillip, because he was in last place.

Looking ahead, Phillip felt that the distance between the top three and him was so far that it would be impossible to catch up.

He realized that his pair of artificial legs were making him feel increasingly heavy. Pain also radiated from the joints between his knees and the artificial legs. Every step stirred Phillip’s nerves and made him want to give up.

He was a bit confused. This pair of artificial legs had been with him for years, and he thought of them as his own legs. Sometimes, he didn’t feel the existence of the artificial legs at all. But now, they felt unnatural.

The legs rubbed coldly against his knees, and this feeling constantly reminded Phillip that his legs were artificial and cold, not real ones!

They reminded Phillip that he was not able-bodied, but disabled.

In that moment, Phillip started doubting himself. His confidence was collapsing!

The top three runners had already crossed the finish line. The first two were naturally happy, while the third was nervous, not knowing whether he could enter the final or not.

Phillip, however, was not qualified to be nervous at all.

This time, he was last, even worse than sixth place.

Nevertheless, Phillip didn’t look depressed, but numb.

My legs hurt and I feel tired! I wish I could go back early. Phillip couldn’t even move. He didn’t want to move at all.

The eyes of spectators lingered on the top three and on the next group. As for Phillip, he had been completely forgotten by the audience.

Many famous athletes came to this game; the fastest runner, the farthest and the highest jumpers, the best athlete for hurdles, the strongest javelin thrower and shot putter and weight throw players, and so on. In a word, there was no shortage of star athletes in the eyes of the audience. At this moment, people were more concerned about the winners, and no one would remember the losers.

What’s more, there were women’s competitions. The female athletes were wearing tight sportswear, which showed their fit bodies well. Some lechers in the stands were already having indecent fantasies.

As for female lechers, there were also male athletes wearing tight sportswear, with ripped biceps, strong pecs, and bulging a*ses which shocked the female audience. They not only made the male audience envy and hate each other, but also boasted their length.

Under such circumstances, who would care about a disabled athlete who was eliminated in the preliminary?

…

Two weeks later, Phillip lost again in the Miami track and field game.

Phillip didn’t pass the preliminary in a Seattle sprint.

Phillip failed to make any achievements in the New Orleans Track and Field Classic.

Finally, a sports magazine ran the headline: Barron Phillip, A Fallen Star!

Chapter 418 - Sponsors Left

Chapter 418: Sponsors Left

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Mr. James, I wonder if you have any time to talk about the sponsorship and endorsement. Yes, we talked about that last time.”

“Suspend? Mr. James, as for the endorsement fee, we could discuss it again…”

“You’ve found a new cooperation partner? Mr. James, I hope you will reconsider Phillip. He has a very good image in the public, and he is an inspirational role model.”

“Well, I hope we can cooperate next time.”

Putting down the phone, Steven’s face became serious. This was the third sponsor who’d refused him recently.

Venality of secular people! Steven cursed in his mind.

However, Steven knew that the sponsors were not to blame. It was Phillip who performed badly recently. No, his performance had not been bad, it had been terrible. Without good results, Phillip would naturally lose the sponsors’ favor.

Phillip, when will you get back to where you were? If you go on like this, our sponsors will all be gone! Steven sighed, then he seemed to suddenly think of something. He picked up the phone again.

“Hello, is this the organizing committee of the New York Athletics Invitational? This is the agent of Barron Phillip. I would like to know if your invitation letter has been issued?” Steven asked.

“We sent out the invitation letter three days ago!” a lady’s voice said.

“Three days ago? I checked my email and I didn’t see it.” As he said this, Steven felt a terrible foreboding.

“Just a moment please. I’ll check for you. Barron Phillip? I’m sorry. Barron Phillip wasn’t on our invitation list!” The woman’s response confirmed Steven’s foreboding.

Steven kept silent. He didn’t even ask why. He didn’t need to.

For an invitational tournament, the organizer’s three standards were that the athlete must be strong enough, famous enough, or local enough to warrant special treatment.

In the eyes of the organizer, Phillip clearly didn’t meet the three standards.

The woman on the other end of the phone seemed to feel Steven’s bad mood, so she gave him a humane consolation prize.

She said, “We also have games for the disabled after the end of the regular competition. Although it’s a performance, we’re also sponsored by the New York Disability Foundation. Therefore, any disabled athlete who participates in the game will get one year of dental insurance as a prize.”

“One year of dental insurance?” Steven’s voice was full of contempt.

Seeing a dentist was really expensive. Besides, dental insurance and medical insurance were separated. Whether it was an ordinary person buying commercial insurance, or an employer-made offer of treatment, the dental insurance was listed separately. Employers who offered dental plans would be considered quite generous.

For ordinary Americans, a dental insurance plan was really a good prize, which could not only assure dental health, but also save a lot of money. The disabled, who didn’t have high incomes, would pay more attention to this kind of security.

But Phillip was not an ordinary athlete. How could he care about a dental insurance plan when he had won more than ten million dollars in two years? Therefore, it sounded more like a humiliation than a prize.

But the woman on the other side didn’t know it, so she continued, “But the foundation just sponsors the prize, not including the transportation and accommodation, and we the organizer will not provide this either. So, Mr. Phillip has to come to New York on his own expense.”

“His own expense?” Phillip’s voice became more contemptuous.

The tickets for the round trip were not cheap, not to mention the cost of accommodation in New York. The prize was just dental insurance, not even enough to cover the cost!

…

What Brought the Blade Warrior down from the Pedestal?

“During the last two years, the hottest athlete in the US has undoubtedly been the Blade Warrior, Barron Phillip, who became an inspirational model after losing his legs in Iraq as a soldier. As a disabled athlete, he competes with world-class able-bodied athletes in world championships, and is even considered a very strong contender. There is no doubt that the Blade Warrior Phillip is a great athlete.”

“However, during the last few months, the Blade Warrior has seemed to be in trouble. His performance was much worse than his previous record. He could compete with the best athletes before, but now he has lost races to second-rate runners. Although it is still a miracle for him to be able to compete with able-bodied athletes, he has really stepped back from his previous achievements.”

“So, the question is, what has brought down Phillip?”

“There is no doubt about Phillip’s talent. What mediocre athlete could have reached the world championship?”

“And he is right at the prime age for track and field athletes, so age is not the reason for the decline, or at least not such a sudden decline.”

“The only reason the author can think of is attitude. Phillip must be in a bad state, so he can’t perform as well as he used to in matches, which has led to a sudden drop in his performance.”

“As an athlete, it is quite normal to have ups and downs. Many factors, whether on the field or personal, may lead to changes in the athlete’s state of mind. Experienced professional athletes are also good at adjusting themselves, and Phillip is obviously experienced. He should be able to gradually adjust himself.”

“But the truth is, his performance is becoming worse and worse, showing no sign of becoming better, which clearly shows that he is losing his state gradually.”

“According to our investigation, Phillip changed his coach not long before. He left the coach he had cooperated with for two years and turned to the AP Training Center. However, the previous coach was the very coach that found Phillip and trained him as the Blade Warrior.”

“Surely we can’t blame Phillip’s declining performance on his coach completely, but as for his recent performance, changing his coach was not a brilliant choice. But what’s more surprising to me is that the famous AP Training Center suffered such a failure!”

This was an article written by the famous sports commentator, Fox, in the American Journal of Athletics.

This magazine was very influential and many professional track and field workers paid attention to it, not just in North America, but also in Europe and Asia. Especially before the Olympic Games or the World Championship, the predictions about the winners of each track and field event were considered as the weather vane of the competition.

Fox was a very famous sports commentator and his articles were often published in well-known sports magazines. Outsiders might not know him, but almost all insiders knew his name.

The combination of a famous sports commentator and an influential magazine always could make some waves.

…

Although most people read the news on mobile phones these days, Dai Li’s training center still subscribed to dozens of sports magazines for the coaches and members.

When Randy Blake handed the article, What Brought the Blade Warrior down from the Pedestal? in the latest American Journal of Athletics to Dai Li, Dai Li knew that Blake had made it happen.

“Was this written by someone you asked?” Dai Li asked without finishing it.

“I was a sports commentator before, and Fox is an old friend,” Blake said, not trying to conceal it.

“The AP Training Center might blacklist us for this article,” Dai Li said, but his face looked like he didn’t care.

“You told me that the best way to become a new leader is to step over the body of the old one!” Blake leaned comfortably in the sofa and went on, “But the AP Training Center really depressed me. Phillip has been trained for months there, but his performance is becoming worse and worse. It seems that the most famous fitness training center in America doesn’t know how to train disabled athletes.”

“Several years ago, I met with the manager of the AP Training Center in Los Angeles. His name was David Mills. I don’t know whether he is still in charge.” Dai Li wore a wistful look.

“He is still in charge. I think he must be enraged!” Blake answered.

…

David Mills had no time to be angry, and he was answering another call from headquarters.

“Mills, several months ago, I told you someone would be responsible for the training of the Blade Warrior if something went wrong. Do you remember that?” The voice on the phone was still harsh.

“Yes. But since then, I have arranged for Phillip to have the best—”

“I don’t need an explanation!” The voice on the phone interrupted Mills and went on, “You’d better come to headquarters and explain to the board!”

Chapter 419 - The Truth That We Need

Chapter 419: The Truth That We Need

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Phillip returned to the locker room, tired from the whole day’s training. Gritting his teeth due to the pain, he took off the artificial limb and found that his knee had swollen where it joined the artificial limb.

It hurts so much! Rubbing the swollen part, he suddenly began to miss Dai Li.

When Dai Li was there, Dai Li would give him several minutes of massage after the training ended, and his pain and swelling were quickly relieved. But now, the swelling and pain tortured him every minute, and they didn’t leave even after a whole day’s rest.

The training made his legs hurt, and he placed last every time he went to a race. Under such circumstances, Phillip couldn’t find any motivation to go on. He was beginning to hate being an athlete.

Steven came into the locker room looking happy and excited.

“Good news, Barron! There is a sponsor in Oakland interested in you. I’ll go to Oakland tomorrow to meet him,” Steven said.

“Another sponsor, then.” There was nothing happy on Phillip’s face.

Steven had often told him that there was a new sponsor interested in him. But after that, Phillip never heard anything else about these sponsors.

Feeling Phillip’s listlessness, Steven said, “Don’t worry, Barron. I’ll make a deal with the sponsor this time.”

Looking disconsolate, Phillip heaved a sigh and then said, “Did I make a stupid choice when I left Coach Li?”

“How can that be? The AP training center is much bigger than Dai Li’s training center. Here we have more kinds of equipment, the coaching team is more professional, and the training philosophy is the most advanced—” Steven immediately said.

“But my performance declined,” Phillip interrupted, shaking his head. “I know the training in the AP Training Center is really professional. Their coaching team has made me a very good training plan. I didn’t see any problem with their training, but I can feel clearly that I am slower than before!”

“Barron, you aren’t in your best shape, that’s all. Don’t overstress yourself. Relax, you will get your best performance back,” Steven said.

“No. It has nothing to do with my shape.” Phillip shook his head very seriously. “When coached by Coach Li, I ran very smoothly. Sometimes I didn’t even notice that I have artificial limbs, as if they were completely integrated with my body. But now, that feeling has escaped me. Especially when I am in a match, the artificial limbs are so heavy that they are a burden for me. It is so hard to run for even one step.”

“Barron, is it that your artificial limbs are too old? Maybe we should go to Iceland and get the company to make another pair of limbs for you. Maybe they now have even more advanced technology to make firmer and lighter limbs,” Steven said.

“The artificial limbs?” Phillip shook his head. “When I bought them, the company promised that these artificial limbs would last for two or three decades. The strength of carbon fiber bundles is much higher than steel. They won’t deform under continuous pressure. What’s more, even if it is due to the artificial limbs, I cannot change them in a short time.”

“Why?” Steven asked.

“They are customized. Everyone’s requirements for artificial limbs are different, as everyone is different in terms of figure and bone structure. This kind of artificial limb can never be mass produced. It takes several months to make them, as they need to craft carbon fiber nanotubes.”

After a short pause, Phillip continued, “When the artificial limbs are made, they need installation and commissioning so that the user can get comfortable with them. It took me one year to get used to this set and walk like a normal person. Do you think I have that much time now to get a new set of artificial limbs and adapt to them?”

Then Phillip sighed. “I regret it now. I should have stayed with Coach Li for my training. Losing 5% of my income is really nothing. It would be much better than this, at least.”

…

With a stack of printed paper in his hand, David Mills said eloquently, “Dear directors, the Los Angeles Center has allocated many extra training resources to Barron Phillip, and has assigned him the best training team. We’ve also made him a perfect training plan, which I am holding in my hand now. Before I came here, I visited Laurence, Dell, and Gunelius. Those three consultants all endorsed this plan. Here are their signatures.”

Mills held up the papers to show three illegible signatures.

Laurence, Dell, and Gunelius were all top coaches in America and had all worked for the AP Training Center. They became senior consultants of the AP Training Center after retirement. They were all of high level coaching performance, experience, and qualifications, which were sufficient to convince the directors.

As expected, a lot of them were mollified when Mills mentioned the three senior consultants. Even the directors of the board did not dare to disagree with the consultants. It was not likely to find Mills’s fault in the plan.

“Mills, if the plan is okay, why has Phillip’s performance gotten worse? Is there any problem with your execution of the plan?” a director asked.

“There is no problem at all with our execution. The coaches are all trained by headquarters, and passed the examination of headquarters,” Mills said.

The director didn’t pursue this question any further. Or it might seem that he was blaming headquarters.

“Mills, as the head of the Los Angeles center, what do you think is the reason for the deterioration of Phillip’s performance?” another director asked.

Mills cleared his throat and said, “I think it’s all his own fault that his performance declined. Maybe he has not done his best during training so that the training is not effective. Or, he might have visited the night clubs too often, so he was not in good shape.”

“Mills, you mean you want to blame Phillip? You want our client to be held responsible for this?” The director who asked the question seemed a little annoyed.

“Is there any better explanation? Or do you really believe that our training is not so good as that of the Chinese?” David Mills said, not feeling any guilt.

Silence prevailed in the meeting room. The directors realized that blaming Phillip was not a bad option.

“Gentlemen, there has been someone in the media saying we are not as good as the training center of that Coach Li. Other training centers are waiting to see us in trouble! What we need to do now is to suppress the negative press. And the best way to do that, obviously, is to clear the responsibility off of ourselves.”

Shrugging with his hands outstretched, Mills then said, “Phillip has only himself to blame for the decline of his performance. It is not that our training is not working, or the Chinese coach is better than us. We, the AP Training Center, is still the best physical training center in America. What do you think?”

“I agree with Mills,” the director said. “We have to agree with Mills, for the reputation of the AP Training Center.”

“Yet this may not be the truth!” someone said.

“Truth or not, is it really that important?” the director asked. “The key is, this is the truth that we need!”

Chapter 420 - I’m Going to Retire

Chapter 420: I’m Going to Retire

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The AP Training Center

“Well, this set is finished, let’s take a break.” The coach picked up a towel, wiped the sweat off his head, and then walked away indifferently.

Phillip sat on the stool and panted. But his eyes were full of helplessness, because he had sensed the indifference of his coach, which was totally different than when he had just come here.

Phillip still remembered that when he first came to the AP Training Center, every coach was so enthusiastic about him. They even gave him a small reception party. But now when the coaches worked with him, they were impatient and perfunctory.

It was true that Phillip’s performance was disappointing, at least for the coaches who trained him, because they felt that their hard work was not being rewarded.

It was just like a teacher who found a very talented student, then spent a lot of time teaching the student, giving the student special attention, and trying to cultivate the student to be an elite. However, the student’s academic performance became increasingly worse, until it was the worst in the class. Then the teacher who had endeavored to cultivate the student would be very disappointed, so the teacher’s patience for the student would disappear gradually, and his expectation for the student would eventually transform into disgust.

The same was true of the coaches. When Phillip first came to the AP Training Center, all the coaches had great expectations for him. They hoped that Phillip would make it to the Olympic Games and make brilliant achievements. So, when he first came here, they were very patient and gave him much attention.

But Phillip’s performance declined until it was practically free-falling. So the coaches were dissatisfied, and they were also under great pressure from their management, which made them put in more effort.

However, who would continue to try when their efforts were not rewarded?

When the patience of his coaches was worn out, Phillip’s performance was still as terrible as before. So they chose to give up. They were not enthusiastic about Phillip, and they no longer paid special attention to him. On the contrary, they were indifferent to Phillip, just like numb workers standing in an assembly line.

Phillip didn’t like this feeling, and he was eager to get away from the training center as soon as possible. He wanted to go back home, where he could feel more secure.

At that moment, Phillip’s phone rang, and he took it out only to find it was a call from Steven.

Shouldn’t he be negotiating with the sponsors in Oakland now? Has he succeeded? Phillip was slightly pleased, and he answered the phone.

“Have you reached an agreement with the sponsor?” asked Phillip.

“No! What a d*mn sponsor, they want you to cut the ribbon for a pizza restaurant, then promised to give you two hundred bucks as appearance fee, among which one hundred dollars are vouchers for their restaurant. Damn it, who would want to eat pizza in their restaurant! It’s insulting! Well, let’s talk about another topic. Can you find today’s Sport Today around you?” asked Steven.

“Probably? What’s the matter?” asked Phillip.

“Looks like we were betrayed by the AP Training Center!” Steven said gloomily.

Dai Li picked up a copy of Sports Today, and there was a news report about Phillip, one which read, “We specially interviewed the AP Training Center in Los Angeles, and a coach, who didn’t give his name, said Barron Phillip didn’t pay much attention to his daily training, which was the main reason for his bad performance…”

When Dai Li saw this report, an unnatural expression twisted his face.

“How could they say that? Barron has been with me for two years, so I know him. He’s definitely not the guy to be lazy in training! He has no feet, so he needs a pair of prosthetic legs for training. He’s suffered more difficulties and pain than ordinary people, but he persisted! He spares no effort,” said Dai Li.

“Don’t you understand? This is just an excuse of the AP Training Center. They want to pass the buck.” Blake made a helpless gesture and added, “The AP Training Center won’t tell the press that they are not as good as we are in terms of training, yet Phillip’s performance is getting worse and worse! They have to find an excuse to put the blame on someone else!”

“But they may destroy Phillip’s future by saying so. This is a lie!” Dai Li said excitedly.

Even if it’s a lie, the AP Training Center wants it to be true! Blake crossed his legs with a poker face, and then said, “You may think it’s despicable behavior, but if you were in the position of the AP Training Center, you might find that the AP Training Center is just trying to minimize their losses. It’s true that it is morally wrong to do so, but it is okay to do so when it comes to business operation. I think if I had faced that situation, I might have chosen to do the same.”

“I know, business is business. It is stupid to talk about morality with a businessman,” Dai Li said with indignation.

Blake changed the topic and said, “Well, do not feel wronged on Phillip’s behalf. He is an adult, and he should take responsibility for his decision, whether it’s good or terrible. As for you, you are supposed to focus your attention on Kevin Taylor. Has his next opponent been confirmed?”

“Not yet.” Dai Li shook his head and added, “Taylor wants to challenge Highfield to get back the WBA’s heavyweight gold belt. But the cunning Highfield has been looking for excuses to refuse Taylor’s challenge.”

Blake thought for a few seconds and then said, “If you want to make the challenge happen, you have to start with the WBA. Highfield certainly doesn’t want to lose his gold belt, but the WBA should be happy to see Taylor challenge Highfield. The story between Taylor and Highfield would attract the world’s attention even without much advertising. For the WBA, this challenge is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, so they might be motivated to make it happen.”

“Highfield, the WBA just denied your fight with Meo,” his agent said regretfully.

“Why? Meo agreed to challenge me two months ago. And we will split the bonus evenly. That will free me from worries about other matches for months to come,” Highfield said as he frowned.

“The WBA arranged another opponent for Meo. So it’s impossible for him to fight with you at the same time,” his agent replied.

“Use another plan, then. Ask Bruno or Hayes to fight with me. It’s okay to share the bonus evenly with them, too,” added Highfield.

The agent shook his head and said, “The two are unavailable to fight with you, too. The newly issued schedule from the WBA shows that Bruno’s next opponent is Hayes. For them, the timetable is too tight. They cannot challenge you.”

“Damn it!” Highfield cursed.

“Highfield, it’s the WBA that is behind all this. They want you to have a fight with Taylor. The story of you and him will draw the attention of the world without any hype. That means several hundred million dollars to the WBA. They will spare no effort in stopping other challengers from fighting you. So, this time, I’m afraid you can’t avoid a fight with Taylor. You must fight him. And I think boxing fans all over the world are looking forward to such a match,” said his agent.

“Maybe they want to see Taylor bite my other ear!” Highfield said, pouting his lips. He didn’t want to accept Taylor’s challenge at all. But if he was faced with the WBA, he had no choice.

“Okay, I will have a fight with Taylor. But I have a requirement. The WBA heavyweight gold belt will be his if I lose. Otherwise, both his WBO and IBF Heavyweight Golden Belts will be mine!” Highfield said.

“You are going to bring both the WBO and the IBF to the match, and make it a competition to decide the champion of all three leagues!”

Each of the top four boxing leagues in the world had innumerable resources. A match held by three of them together, with all of their resources, would definitely be a global focus. The agent could even foresee appearance fees of ten or twenty million dollars, a match bonus of more than one hundred million dollars, and a large amount of money gained from advertising.

We can make one hundred million dollars by this match if it is held by the three leagues together! The agent became very excited as he thought of the money. It seemed he would get an income of more than ten million dollars as an agent in the future.

In the empty villa, Phillip sat alone beside the pool, staring at the sky in a daze. On the small table next to him, there was a little red wine left in the bottom of a glass, and next to the glass was a stack of thick documents full of tables and numbers.

Phillip turned to look at the stack of documents and his heart settled a lot.

It was the annual report that Phillip’s financial adviser had just sent to him. The figures showed that over the past year, his financial management had a decent return.

“I’ve made quite a lot of money in the past two years!” Phillip took up the glass and drank it away. He turned his eyes from the swimming pool to the main building of the villa.

The luxury home had cost him three million dollars, and although its facilities were luxurious, it was a little expensive. Houses in Las Angeles were already pricey. The same luxury homes, if not on the West Coast of the United States, would cost half as much.

“Three years ago, I wouldn’t even have been able to pay the property tax on this house!” Phillip recalled his toughest time and suddenly felt a sense of happiness. Compared with the old days when he relied on relief money, he was now living in heaven.

“I lost my legs on the battlefield, and God compensated me with my athlete’s gift. Now God probably feels that my compensation is enough, so he has to take it back. From nothing to what I am, I should be satisfied, thank God!” Phillip put down his glass and felt a bit tipsy. He took out his phone, opened his Twitter, and typed in the phrase, “I’m going to retire…”

Chapter 421 - Growth

Chapter 421: Growth

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Stephen held the phone anxiously. “Barron, I will explain to the media that your statement about retiring was just something you wrote when you were drunk. Just a dumb dare with your friends.”

“No, I really want to retire,” said Phillip in a somber tone.

“Barron, I know that the results from your recent competitions have been a bit disappointing, but this is just temporary. I believe it will soon return to how things were,” Stephen said encouragingly.

“How it used to be? Seriously? Even you don’t believe that!” Phillip replied.

Stephen was silent for a few seconds. It was just as Phillip said; even he didn’t believe that Phillip would be able to return to his previous peak condition.

“Barron, listen to me. Even if you aren’t as good as you used to be, you don’t have to choose to retire,” Phillip advised.

“What can I do if I don’t retire? Come last in every race?” Phillip laughed in a self-mocking manner. “I’ve had enough of feeling like a loser. Being the last to cross the finish line every time, looking at others celebrating, and scurrying off to the locker room with my tail between my legs.”

“Barron, listen, if you care about winning so much, you can enter para-athletic competitions. You don’t need to compete with able-bodied athletes. Going by your performance now, if you enter a para-athletic contest, you will definitely get first!” Phillip continued.

“Enter a para-athletic competition? How will people look at me? They might say, ‘Hey superstar, why is a celebrity athlete like you not competing in the world championships? Why are you here trying to contest the prize money with us, disabled people?’ If I did that, I would feel like a loser. I would rather retire, and at least keep a little of my dignity!” Phillip paused for a while and said, “You don’t need to try to convince me, I’ve already decided. I am retiring!”

“Barron, you really need to reconsider this carefully…” Stephen kept trying to convince Phillip to change his mind, but he knew that it was unlikely. To a person suffering from a physical disability, dignity might well be more important than their lives.

Sure enough, Phillip interrupted Stephen as he spoke. “I’m tired, not physically, but mentally. Now, being an athlete no longer interests me. It is a heavy burden, and it makes me depressed. Sometimes I even have difficulty breathing. I am exhausted, and I don’t want to keep this up anymore! I want to retire.”

After the conversation with Phillip, Stephen could only stare into space.

Phillip was really retiring. It was a bolt out of the blue for Stephen. This meant that Stephen would lose his primary source of income.

Over the past two years, Stephen had made millions of dollars from Phillip. He bought a big house and a new car, and enjoyed the good life with that huge income. However, that good life was coming to an end. Once Phillip retired, he would no longer have any commercial value. And as his agent, Stephen no longer had any reason left for existing.

“I’m finished! I will need to sell the house!” Stephen’s looked at the luxury furnishings in his villa in dismay.

He bought the villa for 1.6 million dollars. House prices in California were relatively high, and the median house price was about 400,000 dollars. His villa was four times the median house price. It was definitely a luxury house.

Buying a house was easy, but maintaining it was another story. And no American property owner could escape property tax. The more expensive the house, the higher the tax. If one refused to pay the tax, the government had the authority to take away the person’s house, and either sell it in an auction or sell it to a bank.

If the average American were given a luxury house, they still would not be able to afford to live in it, because they would not be able to afford the property tax. For example, when Phillip had an income of a couple million dollars per year, the property tax for that house meant nothing to him. Once he lost his income, though, the property tax became a huge burden. If he worked hard for a year, he might be able to come up with the money to pay the property tax, so the only option for him was to sell his current house and move into a smaller one.

…

“The famous para-athlete ‘Blade Warrior’ Barron Phillip announces his retirement.”

When Dai Li read this news headline, his heart felt sad and heavy. He couldn’t help but sigh.

“Coach Li, don’t worry so much, cheer up!” Ayres’ voice boomed. Ayres walked over to him with a smile on his face. He glanced at the headline and said, “These kinds of things, you need to get used to them. When I was young, I felt the same as you when I saw the athletes that I trained retire. The heart feels heavy, as if you just lost someone close.”

“What did you do?” Dai Li asked.

“Work. Worked like a maniac. I put all my energy and attention into my work. With time, you will naturally forget the things that worried you,” Ayres said. He then had a hearty laugh and said, “Which is why I brought you some work.”

“You really never come, do you? Go ahead, what is it?” Dai Li asked.

“It is about Taylor’s next fight. His opponent is Highfield. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you about the rivalry between these two, so this fight is crucial to Taylor. Three years ago, Highfield used a delaying strategy when he fought against Taylor. He kept dodging Taylor’s attacks to deplete his strength. He knew Taylor’s weakness, and he was able to successfully exploit it. Seeing as he was successful in that fight, I think that Highfield will definitely use this tactic again in the next match,” said Ayres

He continued, “Physical fitness is Taylor’s biggest weakness. The way he fights uses up too much of his stamina. The longer a fight goes on, the more disadvantaged he becomes. When it comes to fighting an experienced fighter like Highfield, I do not think that Taylor will be able to finish the match within a short timespan. It is very likely that the match will go on for all 12 rounds. So I devised a strategy that involves him fighting all 12 rounds.”

“However, while Taylor debuted over a decade ago, he has never fought in a match that went on for all twelve rounds. I am worried that he might not be able to last that long. I need him to focus on his physical fitness training, to improve his stamina. I need him to last all twelve rounds. You are a fitness coach, so this is your job!”

Dai Li nodded his head. “No problem, just leave it to me. I will personally take care of this. I guarantee that Taylor will have enough stamina to last all 12 rounds.”

“Don’t be too confident. Time is an athlete’s biggest enemy. Don’t overlook Taylor’s age. He is already a 33-year-old. A 33-year-old body, with 33-year-old stamina! He couldn’t even fight for all twelve rounds when he was 22 years old, and now, we need him to be able to fight for 13 rounds. Just thinking about it gives me cold sweats,” Ayres said.

…

A group of reporters surrounded Highfield. While facing the reporters, Highfield looked relaxed, as if he was a tourist on holiday.

“Of course I have prepared. Kevin Taylor is an experienced fighter. However, I am confident when it comes to fighting him. After all, he’s never defeated me.”

“What type of strategy have I prepared? I guess it doesn’t hurt to tell you; Taylor only knows a few moves. So, facing him doesn’t require any special tactical preparation. I will simply reuse the strategy that I used to beat him three years ago.”

“Taylor’s become stronger? No, no, no. I don’t think so. I believe that the reason why he has remained undefeated since his comeback is only that his opponents were not able to find the proper way to restrain him.”

“Other things I should look out for in the match? Of course. I need to protect my ears this time. I don’t want to get bitten again. I am considering whether or not to wear an earmuff, hahaha…”

Highfield was laughing arrogantly on the television screen.

Taylor was fuming in front of the television. His eyes filled with anger. Highfield was obviously making fun of Taylor for biting his ear when he mentioned wearing earmuffs in the fight.

“Kevin, he is simply trying to provoke you!” said a calm Ayres from beside him.

“I know!” Taylor took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

“Kevin, I hope that you learn to calm down. You have gone through a lot, not to mention that you have once again climbed up the ladder and reached the peak of the boxing world. I think it is time for you to grow up.”

Taylor did not answer. He just sat there quietly, not knowing how to calm down. He was still fuming.

Ayres frowned slightly. He didn’t know how to persuade Taylor to calm down.

Beside him, Dai Li suddenly said, “Kevin, do you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you. Why? What is it?” Taylor replied without any hesitation.

It seemed as if Dai Li was deliberately trying to change the topic. “Three years ago, the reason you bit Highfield wasn’t only because you were angry, but because you were afraid you would lose, right?”

Taylor didn’t reply. He lowered his head. He did not dare to look at Dai Li. It was like giving an affirmative answer.

“You were worried that you would lose. You knew that you couldn’t last all twelve rounds. Your negative emotions made you do something that was stupid. If you felt like you were going to win, would you have bitten Highfield’s ear?” Dai Li continued to ask.

“Li, I know what you are saying. I will be calm. I have faith in myself!” Taylor’s head still hung low. He had no desire to be reminded of that incident.

“No. What I am saying is that you need to have faith in me!” Dai Li said confidently. “Have faith in my training.”

Taylor lifted his head and moved his head slightly to look at Dai Li.

Dai Li had a smile on his face. Taylor felt a sense of calm when he saw his smile.

“If you have the stamina to last all 12 rounds, you will definitely win! This is because I am the one who personally trained you.”

On the side, Ayres looked at Dai Li. He felt a sense of familiarity with the unique temperament Dai Li emanated when he spoke. That confidence. It was as if they had already won before the match even began. Suddenly, Ayres felt like he was looking at himself from ten years ago.

Interesting. This kid sure grows up fast. He is becoming more and more like a proper coach! Ayres thought, judging him using the standard of a legendary coach.

Chapter 422 - Physical Fitness Battle

Chapter 422: Physical Fitness Battle

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Taylor sat on the bench, his elbows on his knees. He was unusually calm.

“Highfield started as a light heavyweight boxer. He is one year older than me. He used to compete in the amateur league, and he won a bronze medal in the Olympics. He later entered the professional leagues, also in the light heavyweight class. He was able to win the championship belt from the World Boxing Council, the World Boxing Association, and the International Boxing Federation within four years.”

Taylor was saying this to Ayres and Dai Li, but to them, it looked more like he was talking to himself.

Taylor went on to say, “After that, Highfield gained weight and entered the heavyweight division. But his experience in the heavyweight division wasn’t the same as when he was fighting in the light heavyweight division. He fought in the division for five years, and even though he was always a title challenger, he never managed to win the championship belt. But that was until the match against me!”

Taylor suddenly looked agitated. “Everyone thought that I would win that match. I also thought that I would be able to defeat Highfield easily. I had no idea that it would be the toughest fight of my life. Highfield chose the right strategy. He played me through the entire match.”

“During that match, Highfield kept moving around me. When he wasn’t able to do that, he just clinched me. I kept trying to attack him, but not only did it not have any effect, it also drained most of my energy. After the fourth round, I started to feel like I was going to lose the match.”

“I remember during the sixth round, I’d already depleted most of my energy. I was not able to maintain my aggressive fighting style. But Highfield was still running and jumping all around me, trying to keep exhausting me. He kept using small tricks to annoy me. Finally, I lost my cool, and when he was holding on to me, I bit his ear!”

“I felt instant regret after biting his ear. I was too rash. I felt like I had just ended my professional boxing career. The truth was that I turned that match into one of the biggest jokes in the boxing world. I almost ruined myself with my impulsive behavior.”

“But in all fairness, Highfield had some of the best defensive techniques in the world. At least when it comes to the people that I have fought, he was the best. His defense was almost impenetrable. If Highfield kept avoiding a head-on fight, I really would have had no way of winning.”

…

In the athlete’s lounge, Highfield stared at the clock. The ticking of the clock sounded like war drums, pumping him up for a fight.

However, Highfield kept reminding himself to stay calm. He couldn’t act too rashly. He needed to keep a cool head because his opponent today was Kevin Taylor.

“Only an idiot would get into a head-on fight with Kevin Taylor!” Highfield pouted. He still vividly remembered the match from three years ago. When he fought against the fierce Kevin Taylor, everyone thought that Taylor would win. But Highfield was the one who walked away with the championship belt from the World Boxing Association.

Of course, he had to sacrifice his ear in the process, but he won sympathy from the audience, and it pushed him into the ranks of the top heavyweight champions.

“I only need to keep dodging Taylor when I face him, just like three years ago.” Highfield couldn’t help but touch the ear that Taylor had bitten. It had already healed, and the scars had already disappeared, but the scars in his heart were still there.

“I remember it was in the sixth round. Taylor was agitated, and bit my ear. I think he knew that he didn’t have enough stamina to hold on any longer. Now that he is three years older, he should be in worse condition. He definitely won’t be able to last long. Maybe he will bite my ear in the third round!”

Highfield looked at the clock. It was almost time. He stood up and walked towards the door.

…

It was a world-famous boxing match, but the crowd was surprisingly quiet. Strictly speaking, it didn’t sound that much different from a regular boxing match.

“Are they actually going to fight? It is already the third round, but neither of them has attacked.”

“Highfield is staying at the back. Taylor is also staying at the back. They are both just avoiding each other and circling around the ring. We are here to watch a boxing match, not a staring competition!”

“Where was the epic fight that was promised? The best attacker versus the best defender. What are we watching right now? Can you guys please get on with it!”

Many members of the audience were getting angry. In the commentary box sat three well-known commentators, but none of them knew what to say. The match had just been the two fighters avoiding each other and trying to test each other out. No direct attacks were coming from either of them. It really wasn’t an entertaining fight.

The bell rang. That meant the third round had ended. Both contestants went to their corners.

Highfield’s chest was only moving slightly. He wasn’t out of breath. He hadn’t used much of his stamina, and he suspected it was the same for Taylor.

“Taylor got smarter. He wasn’t impatient in trying to attack. I think that this time, he is prepared to fight all twelve rounds,” the coach who stood beside Highfield said.

“I know. Taylor hired the ‘White Devil’ Ayres as his coach. Judging by Ayres’ skill, he wouldn’t let Taylor repeat the mistake he made three years ago,” Highfield said.

“Then we have to change our strategy. You need to provoke him. You can even create a few fake openings for him to attack. But if you do this, you may lose some points,” the coach reminded him.

“Relax, I understand. If I can exhaust Taylor, losing a few points doesn’t matter. Taylor without stamina is a toothless tiger. He will be like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. When that happens, not only will I be able to win back some points, but I will be able to knock him out,” Highfield said while nodding.

“Be careful. Don’t get hit. Taylor’s punches are very powerful. Once you get hit, it will be hard for you to recover,” the coach reminded him.

“Relax, I know what I’m doing!” Highfield said. He stood up and returned to the match.

…

“The sixth round has just started!” the commentator shouted, almost simultaneously with the sound of the bell.

“During the sixth round of the match three years ago, Taylor did something extraordinarily dumb that shook the world. He bit Highfield’s ear and created the biggest scandal in the boxing world. But today is different from three years ago. Both fighters are evenly matched, and in terms of points, Taylor is leading slightly. Although it isn’t enough for a clear win, a lead is still a lead. I think that under these circumstances, Taylor probably won’t repeat the dumb mistake he made three years ago,” the commentator said.

In the boxing ring, Taylor was taking an offensive stance, and Highfield was on the defensive. But on the whole, they were still evenly matched. Highfield created some openings to bait Taylor, and Taylor did not let go of the opportunity. He took the bait and attacked. Nothing much came from the attack. He only gained a few points from it.

Amongst all the heavyweight champions, Highfield was the best at defending. The openings he gave Taylor didn’t really give Taylor much of an advantage. It was only a few points, and a few points were generally not decisive in a heavyweight fight. Knockouts occurred very frequently in heavyweight fights. Leading by points didn’t matter, as a knock out would render the points useless.

The bell rang, signifying the end of the sixth round. Highfield lost another point in this round, but he wasn’t too concerned by it. When he arrived at his corner, he couldn’t help but continue to check up on Taylor’s condition.

Taylor looks like he still has a lot of stamina. Looks like I need to keep depleting his energy for the next few rounds. Maybe he will start to get tired in the ninth, or tenth round. The last two rounds will give me the chance I need. But Taylor isn’t someone who can be easily beaten. I may not be able to knock him out in those two rounds, Highfield thought to himself.

…

The ninth round.

The spotlights shone on the boxing ring and reflected off the bodies of the two boxers.

Their sweat glistened, and both Taylor and Highfield looked as if they had just come out of a sauna. They were drenched in sweat. Just by looking at the amount of sweat, one could guess how much energy they had spent.

Boxing was a sport that required a massive amount of endurance. ESPN did a poll on professional athletes and asked them to rank the sports that required the most endurance. Long-distance cycling and marathon running came first at 9.36 points. Third place was long-distance swimming with 9.25 points. Boxing came fourth at 8.63 points. Soccer only got 7.75 points, and basketball scored 7.38 points.

Heavyweight boxing took an even greater amount of energy compared to other weight divisions. It was the ninth round, and Taylor and Highfield had both depleted much of their energy.

Taylor should be tired now, Highfield thought. His breath was short, and Taylor was not in a better situation either.

Maybe Taylor is just barely hanging on! I should try to find out, Highfield thought, and he decided to try attacking.

The next second, Highfield started to move his body left and right. He skipped around to try to confuse Taylor and looked for an opportunity to attack. Taylor did not let up, reacting to his opponent’s every move.

In a flash, both of them attacked, trading several blows. They then retreated immediately. Their punches and reactions were too fast. The audience could only guess how many punches they had unleashed. Unless a slow-mo camera was used, there was no way to tell how many punches were meted out.

Highfield looked at Taylor. He wanted to use his hands to rub the area beneath his ribs. During their exchange, the right side of his ribcage took a punch from Taylor. That punch made him feel like his internal organs were coming out of his body. He felt like throwing up.

But what was on his mind wasn’t the pain, but Taylor. During their exchange, Taylor’s movements were fast, and his reactions quick. His punches were still very powerful. Evidently, Taylor had not depleted his stamina.

Damn. Taylor still has energy! Highfield thought, feeling anxious for the first time since the beginning of the match.

…

Below the ring, Dai Li crossed his arms, but he had a very proud look on his face.

Stop underestimating Taylor’s strength. I’ve even used my endurance aura!

Under the effects of the age-reduction card, Taylor had the body of a 27-year-old. This already increased his endurance. The recent endurance training also helped to increase his endurance.

However, in this match, Dai Li was still using the endurance aura.

In the previous matches, Dai Li used the explosive force halo. When used with Taylor’s three-ax-style attacks, it increased Taylor’s strength and speed, making Taylor unstoppable.

But today’s match was a tug-of-war. It might go on for 12 rounds. Dai Li chose to use the endurance aura instead of the explosive force halo. Although he lost some attacking power, he was able to gain some endurance. Because of that, even though it was the ninth round, Taylor was maintaining his endurance.

…

In the boxing ring, Taylor’s chest was pumping. He was in the same condition as Highfield, breathing haggardly. Their most recent exchange had expended a lot of his energy. Although he felt a bit tired, his body was feeling excited.

It is around the ninth round. Judging by my current condition, I should be able to fight till the 12th round. This will be the first time in my boxing career that I’ve fought a full match. I’m still not used to it. I think I managed to hit one of Highfield’s lower ribs just now, that should be a critical hit, right?

Taylor couldn’t help but glance at the right side of Highfield’s ribcage.

In the last few rounds, I managed several effective hits. In comparison, he also hit me a few times, but in terms of points, I am definitely ahead of him. This means that I am currently at an advantage. Before the match began, Coach Ayres told me that if I am leading in points and I have the advantage of the situation, I need to stay calm. Don’t rush, let the opponent attack!

Taylor started to calm down. In his eyes, he not only saw Highfield who was opposite him, but also the victory that was dawning!

Chapter 423 - Advancing and Retreating

Chapter 423: Advancing and Retreating

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was the eleventh round, and the match was nearing its end.

Highfield tried throwing a jab. Taylor dodged it and shuffled forward. Highfield immediately retreated in order to create a safe distance between him and Taylor.

How is Taylor still not tired! He is already 33 years old. How is his stamina better now than when he was younger? Highfield started to wonder nervously. This was completely different from what he had expected.

The endurance that Taylor demonstrated was far beyond what Highfield had imagined. He thought that Taylor wouldn’t be able to last this long. He never imagined that Taylor would still be so energized after ten rounds.

Are we really going to fight all 12 rounds? Highfield suddenly realized.

At the same time, Taylor started to attack. He combined his signature rushing technique with a punch. This broke Highfield’s train of thought. He had to clear his head and focus on the present fight.

Against the master of defense, Taylor’s attacks were futile. Highfield dodged his attacks and then lunged forward to clinch at Taylor. The referee had no choice but to pause the match and separate the two.

After that, everything just repeated itself. Another test, another attack, and another dodge.

Finally, the bell rang, and the eleventh round was over. Highfield returned to his corner. He could finally calm down enough to think and analyze the situation.

A sense of fatigue suddenly overcame Highfield. He wanted to lie down and rest. It was only after he had a drink that he felt better. After eleven rounds, Highfield had also used up a lot of his strength. He was already 34 years old, a year older than Taylor. A high-intensity match like this one was also very challenging for him.

The coach went over and said, “Right now we are behind on points. You have four points to catch up.”

Highfield’s face suddenly looked heavy. Four points. If it were a few rounds earlier, he wouldn’t even care, but now that they were in the last round, there was no way that he would be able to catch up against Kevin Taylor.

If the match ended without a knockout, then the winner would be decided by points. If it came to that, Highfield would lose, and he would lose his WBA championship belt.

This is the last round. My strength is almost depleted. Taylor probably isn’t in any better condition, he must also be at his limit. Maybe if I attack one more time, I will be able to knock him down! After Highfield thought of this, he decided to give it a shot.

…

Taylor kept up a fast breathing pattern. In this high-intensity match, he had depleted a lot of his energy. His muscles had built up a significant amount of lactic acid. He needed to keep breathing to get rid of the lactic acid.

It is already the last round, and I am leading by four points. More importantly, I still have enough stamina! Coach Li is right, I can last all 12 rounds. Taylor thought that with his remaining stamina, he could initiate two to three more attacks.

In actuality, I only need to keep defending to win. There is no way Highfield can catch up by four points in just one short round, Taylor thought. He turned around and asked Ayres, who was beside him, “Coach, it is already the last round. What should I do? Do I attack or defend?”

“What do you think? Do you want to attack or defend?” Ayres asked back.

“I don’t know,” Taylor replied.

Ayres smiled, and said, “Kevin, there is only one round left in this competition. As your coach, I have already done everything I can to help. For the rest of the match, you need to make your own decisions. Attack or defend. It’s your choice. The only advice I can give you is to trust your instinct.”

“My instinct?” Taylor’s eyes showed confusion.

“Yes.” Ayres nodded earnestly. “You are a boxer. When you are in the ring, you are not only trying to win, you are showing a true version of yourself, the real Kevin Taylor!”

Taylor understood what Ayres meant. He stood up and walked confidently towards the center of the ring.

…

The bell rang, signifying the start of the last round.

Highfield adopted a different stance. His body leaned forward, he threw a jab to test the waters.

“Does Highfield want to attack? He must have noticed that he is behind on points, so he’s taking the initiative to attack. Although Highfield is considered a master of defense in heavyweight boxing, his attacking skills are also world-class. His punches aren’t the heaviest, but at a close distance, the technique and speed of his punches always make his opponents feel pain.”

When the commentator’s voice disappeared, Highfield approached Taylor.

As a bronze medalist in the Olympics, Highfield’s technique was impeccable. His punches were characterized by speed and accuracy. One hit wouldn’t be enough to knock someone down, but it could definitely cause a good amount of damage. If the damage kept on accumulating, it would eventually become fatal.

To put it simply, Highfield’s punches were like running water. If a jagged rock were constantly washed by the stream, it would eventually turn into a smooth cobblestone.

Taylor’s body, however, was like steel. His ability to take punishment was amongst the best in heavyweight boxing. His fighting style determined that if he intended to hit others, he first needed to be hit. So when Highfield attacked, Taylor didn’t retreat, he sprang forward, hid his vital spots, and delivered a blow to Highfield.

Yet again, everything happened as quick as a blaze. The two quickly exchanged blows, and it ended with them clinching on each other.

The same thing had happened a few times in the early rounds. Highfield attacked, Taylor retaliated, and they each gave the other a few blows. Some did not even land. Basically, neither of them gained any advantage. It usually ended with both of them retreating, or clinching each other before getting separated by the referee.

It happened again. I hit him, and he hits me. Highfield stared at Taylor, who stood right across him. He recalled their last exchange, and he realized that Taylor did not move any slower than usual.

Taylor is still able to fight. How much energy does he have left?

…

Taylor’s chest was moving up and down as he panted heavily. Every attack he made used up a lot of his energy.

During the last exchange, Highfield hit me, and I hit him as well. They were both effective hits. Both of us lost one point. So my four-point advantage is still there. There isn’t much time left in the round. If I keep fighting defensively, victory will be mine.

The word “defense” popped up in Taylor’s mind, but it made him feel awkward.

Defense? Damn it, I am Kevin Taylor; the word defense isn’t in my vocabulary. Am I getting old? Has my fighting style changed? I kept dodging like a coward and delaying, waiting for the match to end. That is not something Kevin Taylor would do! When I was first learning to box, Angie told me that boxing is about knocking out the opponent!

Taylor couldn’t help but think of his adoptive father, Angie. The next moment, Taylor’s eyes were filled with fire.

I am Kevin Taylor. I don’t only desire victory. I want to attack, and knock out my opponent. That is my only goal! Only unrelenting attacks; that is the real me!

In the next second, Taylor moved forward decisively.

…

Taylor is attacking again! Highfield dodged and evaded his attack.

He just keeps on coming. This is already the last round, and he is leading by four points. He only needs to defend, and he will win, but he just keeps attacking! Highfield looked at Taylor, feeling slightly confused. If he were in the same position, he would definitely choose to fight defensively, waste time, and wait for victory to come to him.

Does Taylor want to knock me out? But he will only exhaust himself with these kinds of attacks, and he might even expose an opening to me. That will give me a chance to make a comeback. I only need to wait for him to attack, and give him a fatal blow!

As Highfield thought of this, he suddenly felt excited, as if he had a glimmer of hope.

Hwee! Hwee! Hwee! The whistle blew.

Taylor attacked again. He delivered a flurry of punches, and Highfield heard the wind that they generated. In truth, Taylor’s punches were faster than the wind. Highfield only heard the sound after he dodged Taylor’s attack.

What a fierce attack! Highfield thought, surprised. The excitement he had earlier vanished in a flash.

Taylor is really aiming to knock me out! I get hit by one of these punches, I’m done!

If I get knocked out, I won’t only be losing this match, I will look bad as well!

I am only behind by four points right now. This is only a slight lead. If I lose by a small lead, I won’t look as bad!

There is only a little time left. Do I want to risk it? I have a chance to knock out Taylor.

But he also has a chance to knock me out! I have already lasted this long. Do I want to get knocked out in the last round?

In those few seconds, Highfield’s head was in a fierce struggle. It was as if there were an angel and a devil standing on his shoulders, arguing about what he should do.

Do I risk it? Or just keep dodging?

Highfield did not know which decision he should make, but his body made the decision for him.

Taylor started a new attack.

Highfield instinctively retreated.

It wasn’t a conscious decision, but just a natural reaction from his body.

Highfield’s instinct was telling him that, when faced with such a situation, it was better to retreat!

…

Below the ring, when Highfield chose to retreat, Ayres let out a long sigh.

“He advanced, but Highfield retreated! The match is over! We’ve won…”

Chapter 424 - The Celebrated Coach

Chapter 424: The Celebrated Coach

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the boxing ring, Taylor lifted the championship belt high above his head. His face was wet. It wasn’t clear whether it was sweat or tears, or a combination of both.

“Kevin is crying,” Ayres said.

“He is too excited. When he beat Hopkins, he didn’t act like this,” Dai Li said, slightly absent-mindedly.

“The WBA championship belt is really meaningful for Taylor. Thirteen years ago, when he was twenty years old, the first heavyweight championship belt he won was the WBA belt. From then until he went to prison, he never lost his title as the WBA champion. During those years, the WBA championship belt represented the name Kevin Taylor.” Ayres kept looking at the championship belt, and said, “After he got out of prison, the first championship belt Taylor won was also the WBA belt. I believe you are able to feel his determination to keep the WBA belt. To him, this WBA belt doesn’t only represent his skill in boxing, but also his honor, and the memories of his youth. It is a witness to his entire career, the thing that kept him going.”

Ayres turned around to look at Dai Li. He noticed that Dai Li seemed slightly absent-minded, so Ayres asked in a slightly annoyed tone, “Li, are you listening to me?”

“Yes. Of course, I am listening.” Dai Li laughed. The reason he was absent-minded was because he just received a notification from the system. The system had upgraded him from a famous coach to a celebrated coach.

The top boxing league, the top boxer, and the top boxing championship match. I’ve gained a large amount of experience. And then there’s also the team pyramid that has helped me gain a lot of experience. But now that I’ve been upgraded, the team pyramid will also be upgraded.

Dai Li examined the team pyramid, and as expected, it was also upgraded. Before, the team pyramid could only hold two top-level coaches, four second-rate coaches, and eight third-rate coaches. Now, it could contain two famous coaches, four top-level coaches, eight second-rate coaches, and 16 third-rate coaches. The number of spaces had doubled, and there were two additional positions for famous coaches. This meant that two of the coaches working under him would enjoy the bonus effects of a famous coach.

It was only 14 people before, and now it is 30. I need to start recruiting again. But my training center can’t accommodate thirty coaches. Maybe I should open another center and expand. It’s better for me to leave this issue to Blake!

Dai Li did some calculations, and the amount he made from Taylor would be enough for him to purchase a larger venue. If he continued renting, opening up several branches wouldn’t be a problem.

“It’s better to wait and see the rewards for leveling up this time. I was upgraded from being a famous coach to a celebrated coach. The bonus shouldn’t be too bad, right?” Dai Li shouted at the system to bring him his upgrade bonus.

Two upgrade awards appeared in the system. On the left was a golden, engraved stick, with a gem mounted to its top. The one on the right was a silver scale, its two trays also engraved with many patterns.

“A golden stick and a silver scale? They look quite impressive, but what are they?” Dai Li asked the system.

“That is not a stick, it is a scepter. This item is called the Scepter of Authority!” the system replied immediately.

“What is it used for?” Dai Li asked.

“Now that you are well-known, a lot of top athletes will seek you out. You will not only have to possess ability, but authority as well. Authority is absolutely necessary for a celebrated coach. This Scepter of Authority will improve your attributes in this area,” the system explained.

Dai Li nodded that he understood. In the coaching business, the higher the level of the athlete, the more authority the coach required.

If it were an ordinary athlete with average skills, then an average coach would be enough to handle it. But if it were a well-known athlete or even a world-class athlete, there was no way an average coach would be able to coach them. Even if the coach was good, and was able to set up a good training routine, the athletes might not listen to them, and the effectiveness of the training would be greatly reduced.

It would be like when Dai Li had just entered the provincial team, and the coach then was Jiang Aiguo. At that time, Dai Li was more like an assistant trainer, not a formal coach. Later, when Dai Li entered the national team to learn, the situation was similar. Even when Dai Li was right, the national team athletes would not follow Dai Li’s instructions.

When Dai Li later returned to the provincial team and led the national team, the situation was completely different. Dai Li was known as the coach who won a gold medal in the Asian Games, so he was the absolute authority in the provincial track and field team. Both athletes and coaches listened to Dai Li’s instructions. Even for the few who were not satisfied with him, they could only talk bad about him behind his back.

He had trained Phillip, and now Taylor. Dai Li’s training center had become famous on the west coast. But Dai Li’s biggest weakness was the fact that he was Chinese. Americans stereotyped Chinese as not being good at sports. Therefore, Dai Li still needed to continue accumulating fame and increasing his authority. At the very least, when faced with world-class athletes, he should be able to get them to listen to him.

“Now that I have the Scepter of Authority, does this mean that in the future, people will follow all of my training programs? They will become more compliant? Am I understanding this correctly?” Dai Li asked.

“Not only the training programs. Your on-the-spot commands, your tactical arrangements, your comments on the athletes, and even your pre-match predictions. People will find them to be much more believable and reasonable. This is the ability of the Scepter of Authority,” the system continued to explain.

“If that is the case, I don’t even need to continue being a coach. I can just earn a living being a commentator,” Li Dai said jokingly. As he had not used the scepter before, he wasn’t able to evaluate its usefulness. He didn’t know if it was an amazing magical reward, or just a useless piece of junk.

“What does the silver scale do?” Dai Li asked.

“This is called the State Scale. It can be used to adjust the competitive state of the athlete,” the system replied.

“Does this mean that it can improve an athlete’s state or worsen it?” Dai Li asked.

“Completely wrong,” the system rebutted quickly. “The State Scale can’t improve or worsen an athlete’s state. It is used to stabilize the athlete’s state. The more the scale moves to the left, the more stabilized the athlete is, and the more it moves to the right, the more the athlete’s state will fluctuate.”

“Of course it would better if it were stabilized! Why would anyone choose to move it to the right?” Dai Li said without hesitation.

“Is that really the case?” the system replied in a taunting way. “I’m talking about the fluctuation of the athlete’s state. This, of course, includes a poor state, but it also includes a sudden burst of brilliance.”

“You mean it can be good, or it can be bad?” Dai Li slowly started to understand what the system meant.

The system continued to explain, “I’ll give you an example. A basketball player might have a free throw accuracy of 70%. If his condition is stable, he might score seven out of ten shots, and 70 out of 100. But if his condition was allowed to fluctuate, he might score ten out of ten shots, but he also might only get three or four. That is what happens when you move the scale to the right or to the left.”

“You can also see it as the attack stats in a video game. A 15-15 attack means that every attack would be 15; however, for a 0-30 attack, it means that there is a chance for getting an attack that does 30 damage, as well as an attack with zero damage.” The system gave a vivid metaphor.

Dai Li frowned. According to the system’s explanation, the State Scale was akin to a video game where you choose to either have a stable output of damage or go for a critical hit, a choice that was a double-edged sword. It wasn’t an easy task.

If placed in the context of a competition, if the athlete’s standard were good enough, it would make sense to choose stability. But one also had to consider that if the opponent was in great form, then overly relying on stability might make one lose the match.

If the two competitors were both evenly matched, then the choice would be even more difficult. If they were both evenly matched, the person who was in a better condition would win. But the State Scale was not able to improve someone’s state, it only allowed it to fluctuate. If it fluctuated upwards, then good, but if fluctuated downwards, then the match would be lost.

“If that is the case, then the less stable side might be good to use when the opponent is obviously stronger. It would be a difficult match to win anyway. Tipping the scale to the right to maximize the fluctuation of the athlete’s state, if we are lucky, might give a boost and provide a chance for victory. Looks like this is a tool for those who are weak. Only when a person is outmatched would this item maximize the return benefits.”

Dai Li figured out the correct way to use the State Scale within a short few seconds.

Chapter 425 - The Successor

Chapter 425: The Successor

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“If you want to open a branch, you will need to hire new employees. This is giving me a huge load of work.” Though Blake said that, the tone of his voice was relaxed, and there was even a hint of teasing. He continued, “I’ve done so much, you better give me a raise next year!”

“After you finish dealing with the opening of the new branch, I will give you 5% of our stocks as a bonus. How’s that?” Dai Li asked seriously.

Blake saw the solemn look on Dai Li’s face and realized that Dai Li wasn’t joking. He was pleasantly surprised and said, “Li, you sure are a generous boss.”

Dai Li was very satisfied with Blake’s performance. As a professional manager, Blake had performed magnificently in the time he had been in charge. Business increased, and the center became more well-known. Handing over specialized work to the professionals had been the correct decision.

Giving Blake a 5% stake in the company was Xiao Yunan’s proposal. When it came to being a boss, Xiao Yunan was much better than Dai Li. Xiao Yunan managed a one hundred billion dollar company. Just a few tips from her would last Dai Li a long time.

To be a good boss, there was no need to do everything on your own or to have any specialized professional skills. Knowing how to use the correct people was the key. For example, a talent like Blake. Rather than giving him a raise, it would be better to provide him with a stake in the company. Once he had shares in the company, he would naturally work harder to manage the fitness training center.

The 5% shares really motivated Blake, and his mood instantly shifted to become more excited. He said, “About the location of the new branch, I suggest that we open it near a college. If there is a need, we can rent the facilities from the nearby college, such as the track and field stadium. We can save a lot of money this way.”

“Okay, we will do as you say.” Dai Li’s voice changed, and he said, “I need to go back to China for a few days. I will let you handle things here.”

As they were speaking, the doorbell rang and Taylor walked in.

“Li, do you have time? I want to speak with you,” Taylor said.

Understanding, Blake stood up and said, “I’ll get out of here.”

After Blake left, Dai Li and Taylor were left in the room.

“Li, I’ve given it some thought, and I’ve decided to open a boxing gym,” Taylor said, looking anxious and serious at the same time.

Dai Li stared at Taylor with an odd look. “You want to teach others how to box? This is a pretty good idea. With your status as a world-class boxing champion, you should attract a lot of people.”

“No, you misunderstand me. I don’t plan to make any money. I want to open up a boxing gym and teach the kids in youth detention centers how to box for free,” Taylor said.

“Just like what Angie did for you in the past?” Dai Li asked.

Taylor took a deep breath and nodded. “You know, because I used to be in a youth detention center, I know that the kids in there aren’t bad people. A lot of them lost their parents, and that was why they went on the wrong path. If someone gave them the right guidance, they might have a chance.”

“So you want to open a boxing gym, and then teach them how to box so that they can become boxing champions like you?” Dai Li’s expression became solemn.

Taylor nodded. “Compared to them, I am lucky. I met Angie, and he brought me out of the re-education through labor camp. He taught me to box, which is why I became the boxing champion Taylor, and not the drug addict Taylor, smuggler Taylor, or thief Taylor… Angie has already been gone for over a decade, but I am starting to understand him more and more. Understanding what he did back then. He chose to help me because he didn’t want me to go down the wrong path. He didn’t want me to become a criminal and rot in prison, or get my brains blown out in a gunfight. Whether or not I could become a boxing champion wasn’t important. Practicing boxing was something legitimate that he found for me to do. Something practical that I could do, and not just lay around doing nothing.”

Taylor took a deep breath, and his expression became sorrowful. “I’m not looking to train the next boxing champion. I don’t even expect to train the next professional boxer. I only want to carry out Angie’s last wish, to finish what he hadn’t finished. I can help those lost kids find something to do. Such as regular boxing training. To keep them away from crime, away from drugs, at least give them a chance to grow up away from crime. To use their two hands to earn a living for themselves.”

Dai Li stared at Taylor. In his mind, Taylor was simple-minded and impulsive. Someone who did things recklessly without considering the consequences. As it turned out, he didn’t know Taylor at all. Taylor had a noble side to him.

Taylor chose to become Angie’s successor after he became famous. Dai Li couldn’t help but start to admire Taylor.

Taylor continued to say, “Although I am a boxer, I have no idea how to start a boxing gym, and no one to help me, so I want to ask for your help.”

“What do you need me to do? Just say the word!” Dai Li said.

“After I start my boxing gym, I want to borrow some of your people, at least until my boxing gym can operate properly. I am unable to find someone suitable to run a boxing gym on such short notice,” Taylor said.

“No problem. Let me think…” Dai Li pondered for a minute, then said, “Jones, Payton, and Tiger, you know all three of them. Pick one of them. All three of them are good. They all have their own strong points. When I open another branch, I am also considering picking one of the three to be the manager of the branch.”

“Give me Chris Payton then! I am more familiar with him,” Taylor replied.

“You have a good eye… Come to think of it, if it weren’t for Payton, I wouldn’t have been put in the police detention cell, in the same detention room with you—”

Taylor interrupted Dai Li, “Can you not bring that up? That is a very embarrassing memory for me.”

…

On the signboard, the words “Kevin Taylor’s Boxing Gym” were written. Beside it was a cartoon version of Kevin Taylor’s head.

“I never thought that Kevin would retire when he had just reached his peak again. And start a boxing gym, of all things. It’s a gym that focuses on recruiting troubled youths, too. Those are all troublesome kids,” Ayres said, while he patted the hand of an old woman beside him.

She was Ayres’ wife. She had once been paralyzed, but was finally starting to walk using a cane. She was there to accompany her husband during the opening ceremony of the boxing gym.

“Ayres, Kevin is retiring. I would also like to congratulate you on your retirement. Again. What are you preparing to do next?” Dai Li turned his head and said, “If you are willing, you can continue to stay at my fitness training center.”

“If I were to continue working, how would that be considered as retirement?” Ayres shook his head. “These two years, I earned a good salary from Taylor. I plan to use this money to travel the world with my wife. What do you think about having the Great Wall of China as our first stop?”

“You want to go to my motherland on vacation? How long do you plan to stay there?” Dai Li asked with interest.

“Two weeks? What do you think?” Ayres held up two fingers.

“If you only intend to walk around, it should be enough. In two weeks, you should be able to see some of the more significant sites,” Dai Li said. He saw Chris Payton coming from a small distance away.

“Chris, are you used to the new working environment?” Dai Li asked with a smile.

“They are all a bunch of troublesome kids, and almost all of them have been in a youth detention center. Some of them were even in gangs, but I can manage. I also grew up in that sort of environment,” Payton answered.

“That is true.” Dai Li patted Payton on the shoulder and continued to say, “Do this well, help Taylor build up the boxing gym, and after two months, when we open the new branch, I have reserved a managerial position for you.”

Chapter 426 - Rebirth

Chapter 426: Rebirth

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Trash was scattered on the uneven road. A car whose rims had long been stolen was parked on a patch of grass that hadn’t been cut in a long time. The car’s front windows were shattered, and stains of dried blood could be seen on the messy seats.

On both sides were old and rundown apartments. The paint of the upper walls was peeling off, whereas the lower walls were covered in graffiti. Those who didn’t know any better might have thought that these were art pieces, but they were actually gang signs. It was to tell the outside world that the place was their territory, and at the same time, it warned rival gangs to stay out.

This was a poor neighborhood, and it was the same as every other poor neighborhood in America. It was chaotic and run down, and violence and crime were common. When it got dark, even the LAPD was not willing to go there. And those so-called cultural facilities distanced themselves from areas like these.

A black youth lay in a corner. His body was curled up, his hands raised to protect his head. Surrounding him were four youths who were hitting and kicking him.

On the hood of the old car sat a youth with blonde shaved hair. He was covered in tattoos and had half a cigarette in his mouth. He was looking down at the black youth condescendingly. He said fiercely, “Tim, did you spend too much time at the youth detention center? Even your brain got disciplined until it became dull? I am giving you one more chance. Say it again.”

“No, I’m not going to sling for you!” The black youth shouted in a trembling voice, twisting his body.

“It seems like your brain is still not awake after a beating.” The blond-haired youth flicked his cigarette and looked at the black youth with contempt. He waved his hands, and the others continued the beating.

“Tim, do you understand what you need to do now?” the blonde haired youth asked.

“If I deal for you, once I get caught by the cops, I’ll get sent back to the detention center. I won’t be able to keep boxing,” the youth said while panting heavily.

“So what? It won’t be your first time going to the youth detention center. Who here hasn’t been to that damned place!” the blonde haired youth said coldly.

“I promised Kevin Taylor that I will practice boxing seriously. I will not get involved in any sort of crime. I want to become a boxer,” the youth said.

“A boxer? Hehehe. You need to wake up from your dream!” The blonde haired youth jumped off the hood, bent down, grabbed the black youth’s hair, and said, “Tim, you should understand, you live here and you are poor. In this neighborhood, you either steal, or you follow me! There is no third option. This is your fate in life. You can’t change it… So, you need to help me deliver some goods. You’ve got no choice.”

As the blonde haired youth spoke, he kicked the black youth again. He then waved his hands, turned around, and walked away with his lackeys.

After about ten minutes, the black youth got up with difficulty, and limped away in the other direction…

…

Kevin Taylor’s boxing gym.

Taylor walked leisurely around the boxing gym, and finally stopped in front of Chris Payton.

“These kids aren’t giving you any trouble, right?” Taylor asked.

“No,” Payton shook his head. “Their behavior is much better than I thought. My impression was that kids who came out of youth detention centers were dangerous people, each one like an explosive barrel, just a bit of spark and they blow up.”

“Actually they are just trying to make themselves seem stronger; that is how they survive. In reality, they want a peaceful life. I was the same when I was young. I fought everywhere. Using violence to solve everything. My aim was to make sure my peers didn’t bully me,” Taylor said with a sigh.

Payton pointed to a black youth who was training. “Something happened to Tim. When he came in today, he was covered in bruises, and they aren’t there because of boxing practice. He most likely got into a fight with someone.”

Taylor looked at the black youth and thought for a few seconds. He said, “According to the information we have, he was sent to the youth detention center twice. The first time was because of theft, and the second was because he had a small number of drugs on him.”

“Did he touch any of that stuff?” Payton asked.

“Of course he didn’t touch any of that stuff. Otherwise, he would be in a drug rehabilitation center, and not here.” Taylor lowered his voice as he spoke, and continued, “He lives in the south side. That place is dangerous. There are a lot of Mexicans who snuck in illegally. Fighting should be something that is very common there.”

…

“Coach, I didn’t fight with anyone. Please don’t send me away!” The black youth called Tim looked very nervous.

“Then how did your injuries come about? Don’t tell me you got them during your boxing training. My training doesn’t cause injuries like that,” Payton asked.

Tim hung his head low and stayed silent for a while before saying, “Some guys who live near me wanted me to deliver some goods for them. I didn’t agree to it, so they beat me up. But I didn’t fight back, I didn’t fight.”

“Delivering goods? Drugs, right?” Payton said. He suddenly had a feeling of deja vu, as if he saw a small-time drug pusher specializing in using minors to deliver drugs to buyers.

“I will never deliver for them again,” Tim said firmly. “Even if they beat me up again, I still won’t do it. I want to become a professional boxer, just like Kevin Taylor. Win the title of the boxing champion. I know that he and I are the same, we both came from youth detention centers. I believe that I will be able to do it.”

Having a role model is really powerful! Payton sighed and asked, “You rejected those gangsters, but they wouldn’t let you off so easily, right?”

Tim didn’t answer, but the panic in his eyes said everything.

“Where is your house?” Payton asked.

“In the south side…” Tim gave him an address.

“Haha. No wonder I had a feeling of deja vu.” Payton suddenly laughed and continued, “Tim, this afternoon, after you finish practicing, I will take you home! Coincidently, my home is also nearby. It’s been a while since I last went home.”

…

An old Chevrolet Impala entered the rundown neighborhood.

The car was very popular in America. It was a typical American-style economy car. The car was large enough, with plenty of interior space, and the trunk was spacious as well. It was not a very high tech car, but it was enough. The engine was strong, and the car was cheap. To Americans, who typically practiced pragmatism, it was a very cost-effective choice.

On the side of the street, a short tattooed man had noticed the car quite a while ago. The tattooed man was obviously a gang member. At that point, he unconsciously touched the gun on his waist.

The Impala was too common in America. A lot of criminals chose to steal conventional cars in order to avoid being tracked by the police. So the tattooed man worried that the person in the car might be dangerous. They might pull out a submachine gun in the next second and start spraying everyone.

“Don’t be nervous, he is one of our own. That is Chris’s car.” A bald black man who was wearing sunglasses and a large gold chain patted the short guy’s shoulder and said, “Although Chris only comes back a few times a year, I still recognize his license plate number.”

“Chris? Which Chris?” The short guy hadn’t registered what was said.

“Chris Payton! Payton’s third son. This neighborhood is all part of their family’s turf. But I’ve heard Chris doesn’t get involved with his family’s business. He became a sports coach elsewhere. He usually doesn’t come back,” the bald black man with the glasses said.

“A sports coach? A Payton working in a proper job? Hahaha, only an idiot would believe that!” The short guy laughed and looked in the direction the Impala had gone. “Is he driving to ‘Yellow Hair’ Jack’s territory? Payton’s house is on the left, isn’t it?”

“Maybe he has some other business.” The bald man with the sunglasses lit the cigarette in his hands, took a deep breath, and blew out a smoke circle. “Jack only took control of that street last year. I’m not sure if he’ll recognize Chris Payton.”

…

In the car, Tim looked nervously around him.

“Coach, you don’t need to drive me. You can just stop here. I can walk back by myself,” Tim said.

“It’s no problem. I’ve been here before. I don’t even need a navigational system,” Payton said nonchalantly.

“Coach, it has been very chaotic here recently. There are a lot of gangsters, and there are also many illegal immigrants from Mexico. If a stranger lingers here too long, it will be dangerous. If we meet with any issues, even if we call the cops, the cops will take a long time to arrive,” Tim said in a worried tone.

“I said it’s okay. You don’t need to worry about me. Oh, I need to make a right turn here?” Payton pointed at the crossroad in front.

“Yes, a right turn, and then a left turn, and you will arrive at my house,” Tim said, while praying that they won’t meet the blonde haired youth. Otherwise, it might bring trouble to Payton.

…

“Boss, Tim lives there. He should have just returned home.” The thug pointed at a run-down apartment from far away.

“Go, go find him. Right now I lack delivery men.” The blonde haired youth waved his hands at some of his lackeys.

An old Chevrolet Impala came from a distance, stopping at the apartment entrance.

Tim stepped out of the car, turned around, and saw the yellow-haired youth coming for him.

“Coach, you need to leave now!” Tim shouted loudly.

Payton didn’t listen to Tim. He opened his car door, got down, turned around, and looked at the yellow-haired youth.

…

“Boss, it’s Tim! And it looks like he brought help.”

“So what if he has help? This street is my turf. What I say goes,” the blonde haired youth snorted coldly and brought his lackeys forward.

…

“Mind your own business and get the hell out of here, f*cker!” The blonde-haired youth’s tone was very arrogant.

“Who are you?” Payton stared coldly at the blonde haired youth.

“This entire street belongs to me. If I kill you right here, the police won’t be able to do anything. The only thing that will happen is that the missing persons’ statistics gets an additional number. So get out of here while I am still in a good mood!” The blonde haired youth’s attitude became more and more arrogant.

But Payton just smiled disdainfully and said, “As far as I know, all the streets around this area belong to the Paytons.”

He knows about the Paytons. The blonde haired youth paused. He stared at Payton, trying to figure out whether or not he was a gangster. But from his appearance, besides looking very muscular, the youth couldn’t see anything different.

“Who exactly are you?” the blonde haired youth asked impatiently.

“I am a coach. I’m Tim’s coach,” Payton pointed at Tim.

“Only a coach? Hahaha… sticking your neck out like this, and here I thought you were Batman or Captain America!” The blonde haired youth couldn’t help but laugh maniacally, and the gangsters around him also started to laugh.

However, Payton ignored the ridicule of the gangsters and said, “I am Chris Payton.”

“Like I care what your… Wait. Payton? Did he just say, Payton?” The blonde haired youth’s laughter suddenly stopped. His expression was frozen.

In the next second, the blonde haired youth asked his lackeys, “What did he say his name was?”

“Boss, he said his name was Chris Payton,” the gangster beside him said immediately.

“Chris Payton. What a familiar sounding name. He’s a Payton, and a coach. And he has such a fearless look even though he is here…” The blonde haired youth suddenly thought about the rumored third son of the Payton family.

Although Chris Payton didn’t participate in his family’s business, the street gangs in that area all knew of his existence. As someone who grew up in a gangster household, yet chose to leave their world and work a proper job, Chris Payton was definitely different from the sort of people they new. It was easy for people to remember him.

“You are Chris!” The blonde haired youth finally realized that he had kicked against a piece of iron. He was just a small time street gangster. At most, he was only an affiliate member of the Payton family. All the blocks nearby were part of the Payton family’s sphere of influence. If got on the Payton family’s bad side, someone would most likely bring his head to the Paytons as a tribute. So the blonde haired youth could not afford to offend Chris Payton.

“I prefer people to call me Coach Payton. I also don’t want to see people bullying my students.” Payton’s expression had become cold.

“I understand, Coach Payton. I swear I will never harass Tim again!” The blonde haired youth was able to control a street. He wasn’t brainless.

…

“Okay, you don’t have to worry about them giving you trouble anymore. If they still continue to harass you, just let me know. At least on these few blocks, my words still carry some weight.” Payton patted Tim on his back.

“Coach Payton, thank you!” Tim’s eyes were filled with admiration. Payton was not used to that.

I think a lot of athletes look at Coach Li with this kind of expression! It feels pretty nice.” Payton laughed as he entered his Chevrolet.

Payton started his engine, placed it into gear, and looked forward.

In the distance, the blonde haired youth and his lackeys had already gone far, but their backs could still be vaguely seen.

Even if they can’t get Tim, they will find some other teenager to help them deliver their goods… Payton’s felt a strange sort of sadness.

He could help the first Tim, or even the second or third Tim, but he couldn’t help everyone. The blonde haired youth could always find some other kid.

There were too many poor people in the area. It was just like the blonde haired youth said; if the poor wished to live, they could only follow the laws of survival.

The cruel reality. Helplessness and desperation! But I am not the one who has the strength to change things… Chris Payton turned his head to look into the distance. High up, there was a billboard, and on the billboard, a presidential candidate’s huge promotional poster was smiling at him.

Chris Payton gave a mocking smile. He suddenly didn’t want to go home. He stepped on his gas pedal and headed in a different direction.

Chapter 427 - Job Hopping

Chapter 427: Job Hopping

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Iron Man Training Center.

Max, the owner of the training center, faced the telephone receiver and said very emotionally, “Mr. Hanks, you have already trained here for two years. If you have any complaints about our training program, we can change it according to your needs. You don’t need to go to another place…”

“Max, these two years, I’ve enjoyed working with you guys. I am also very satisfied with your training program, but I am a hiking enthusiast, and I’ve always wanted to challenge Mt. Everest. Standing on the highest point on earth is one of my dreams. This is the reason I am changing training centers. As you know, climbing Mt. Everest is a very dangerous thing. It is very taxing on the body. If my physical condition isn’t good, I might die on the way, and my body might not even be able to be carried down. I need to be responsible for my own life.”

The voice on the phone paused for a moment, then said, “One of my friends is also a hiking enthusiast, and we both joined a mountaineering club. Just last week, he successfully climbed Mt. Everest. Before he went, he went to Coach Lee’s physical fitness training center and did physical training for three months. So, I also plan on spending three months and focusing seriously on my physical training. Then I will go and challenge Mt. Everest in September!”

Max put down the phone. He looked depressed.

“Another client lost, and it’s that Coach Lee’s physical fitness training center again! They’ve already opened up quite a few branches, and they have stolen some of my business,” Max said coldly. He grabbed the performance report for the past three months with a look distress.

In these three months, the Ironman Training Center had lost many of its VIP clients, making its performance deteriorate a lot. In the service industry, the higher-end the customers, the higher the profit. Sometimes, the cumulative profit from several normal clients would not be sufficient to cover for the profits from a single VIP client. It was similar to the profit from selling a luxury villa, compared to the profit of selling dozens of small houses.

Amongst these VIP clients, almost all of them went to Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center. More accurately, they went to coach Li’s new branches. And the manager of one of those branches was Chris Payton.

This made Max feel like he had lifted up a stone to smash his own legs. Payton had once come to the Ironman Fitness Center to look for a job, but Max had directed him to Dai Li’s training center. Max originally wanted to create trouble for Dai Li. He never thought that within a few short years, Payton would grow to become a coach that was capable of operating independently.

“It can’t go on like this!” Max slumped against the chair and lowered his head to think.

That Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center is expanding too fast. They opened three branches in such a short time, but it seems like he doesn’t understand that fitness centers are not like chain supermarkets. Opening more stores don’t necessarily bring more benefits. The most important thing is to have is talented employees. Coaches are a fitness center’s core.

After reaching that conclusion, Max suddenly laughed a delighted laugh. He had a plan.

…

Jones sat on the sofa, quietly looking at the contract in front of him. His face was filled with hesitation.

Jones was a coach. He had worked in many different gyms. Two years ago, he applied to work at Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center.

In those two years, Jones had some achievements. He had some steady clientele in his hands, and at the same time, he also felt that his coaching skills had improved. In the past, he could only work in small to medium sized gyms, coaching ordinary people. Now, he could coach professional athletes.

Not long ago, Dai Li had opened up a new branch, and seeing that Jones was a senior employee of the fitness center, he was appointed to be the deputy manager of the new branch. This counted as a promotion for Jones, but just as he was about to make this big jump, he received the contract that was in his hands.

The Ironman Fitness Center’s boss, Max, personally went to see him and gave him the contract. The contract promised to give him a salary that was five times his current salary. It was very obvious, Max was there to scout him away.

Jones was just an average coach. His skill level was limited to normal gyms. As such, his salary was naturally not very high. Going by his actual coaching abilities, the salary Dai Li gave him was very generous. But when he saw the salary that was offered by the Ironman Fitness Center, he was seriously tempted.

Of course, Jones knew that he would have to work for his pay. In other words, if he took the salary, he would have to demonstrate higher value.

I’ve been working in Coach Li’s place for two years. I’ve learned quite a few things. I’ve already seen the training programs he makes for professional athletes, and they don’t seem to be anything special. I should also be able to come up with them. And now I’m not the same as I was, I definitely can deal with professional athletes.

Jones looked at the salary in the contract again, and he finally made his decision.

…

As the sky began to brighten up, the ringtone from the phone woke Dai Li from his dreams. The caller ID showed that it was an international number. Dai Li recognized that it was an international call from Blake.

“Randy, what’s the problem?” Dai Li answered the call.

“Li, I want to congratulate you first on your engagement. I’m terribly sorry for disturbing you at this hour—” Blake started to say, then stopped. “It is night in America right now, so it should be the morning over there, shouldn’t it? Is the sun already up?” Blake asked.

“No problem. I should be up as well.” Dai Li sat up, rubbed his eyes, and asked, “If you’re calling me at this hour, is there a problem at the training center?”

“We’ve met with some trouble, yes. Yesterday, I received a resignation letter from Jones. I didn’t give it too much thought, but today, I received four more resignation letters. Which means, within two days, five of our coaches resigned. And they were all full-time coaches.” Blake then gave the names of the other four.

Dai Li was suddenly fully awake. So far, in Dai Li’s training center, there were thirty full-time coaches in all of the branches. Having five resign in one go meant that they lost one-sixth of their people.

Dai Li immediately logged into the system. The team pyramid showed that their names were missing. And the titles that Dai Li gave them had all become vacant. This meant that they were no longer part of Dai Li’s team, and they could no longer have a place in the team pyramid.

On the other side of the phone, Blake continued to say, “I think someone is trying to steal our people. I did some research, and just as I thought, all of the people who resigned went to the Ironman Training Center.”

“Ironman? Their boss is called Max, right?” Dai Li asked.

“Correct. This is definitely Max’s doing. He offered them very high salaries to steal them from us. I am worried that besides these five people, there might be others who will resign. We have now already lost one-sixth of our manpower. If another four or five people tender their resignations, our daily operation might be affected,” Blake said.

“We still have some part-time coaches, so we can use them to stabilize things first. And another thing; you need to recruit new people immediately,” Dai Li said.

“I will do that, but more importantly, I am worried that this might affect the others. People are sheep. Five people resigning within five days might influence others to leave. Even if we retain them, the instability brought about by constant personnel change might affect their work performance. Employee morale might be affected,” Blake said.

Dai Li nodded. “This is a problem. Alright, I’ll buy a ticket immediately, and I’ll head back tomorrow.”

“That would be for the best.” Blake let out a long breath. “If we have the boss here, I think it might help to placate the employees’ emotions and stabilize the place!”

…

When Dai Li arrived in America, Blake’s worries really turned into reality.

Returning to the training center, Blake explained while driving, “Right now eight of our coaches have resigned, and another five are clearly indicating that they hope for a raise.”

“In other words, 13 in total? That is almost half of my manpower. The Ironman Training Center is able to absorb so many new employees?” Dai Li didn’t seem like he was nervous.

Hiring people was always expensive in America, not to mention in professions like coaching where professional knowledge and experience was required. Hiring 13 people at once, and paying their salaries, their social security, and their health insurance was a large financial commitment. A typical fitness center would not be able to afford it.

“Not only the Ironman Training Center. As far as I know, other training centers are also starting to approach our coaches. They also want to poach our people,” Blake said.

“Our coaches are really popular commodities!” Dai Li laughed instead of worrying.

“Our center’s training results are good, and word of mouth has spread. More people will remember our coaches. They are all thinking about trying to snatch up our people.” Blake’s tone was tinged with resignation.

Dai Li, still not panicking, said, “Those five that asked for a raise, how do you plan on handling it?”

“I will delay, for now. I wanted to discuss it with you first before making a decision,” Blake glanced in the car’s rearview mirror, even though he knew that the only people in the car were him and Dai Li. After checking the back, he said, “I don’t agree with giving them a raise. Once you raise one person’s salary, the others will also want a raise. If we agree that easily, then next time, they might get carried away and keep asking for raises.”

Blake slowed down the car and continued. “But if we don’t give them the raise, they may resign. Right now, we already don’t have enough people. If another five leave right away, our daily operation will be affected. These coaches have a lot of experience, and new employees would surely be unable to completely take over their responsibilities. Besides, working here was also a process of cultivation. The resources we spent on grooming them are also a cost, and if we get new people, we would need to spend more money grooming them.”

Dai Li massaged his temples. This was a problem that many entrepreneurs faced.

An employee grew from an inexperienced rookie to a “business elite,” and then the employee mentioned that he wanted to job hop. Of course, the boss would feel that he had lost a lot of money. The boss would feel like the employee was only using his company as a rookie training ground, going elsewhere to show off his ability after slowly growing. Not only did they not get much for themselves, but they also had to waste a lot of their time and resources.

It was because of these issues that more and more employers were not willing to spend too many resources on training new employees. They worried that after they trained the new employees to become “business elites,” they wouldn’t be able to retain them. Instead of wasting time and resources on training employees, why not just poach the talent from elsewhere.

In the sixties and seventies in America for example, most companies were really focused on employee training, and during that time, most companies also encouraged their employees to take part in on-the-job and off-the-job training. Employees would continue to learn. As they improved themselves, they would naturally also better themselves in their job performance, and it would generate more returns for the company. The employees that improved themselves would also have a higher income, and it helped to create a society with many middle-income families, and it started the flame for the so-called American dream.

However, most companies nowadays had already given up the culture that focused on employee training. And it slowly affected the entire world. It was more cost-effective to simply poach talents rather than to train their own. Thus, headhunting companies had started to flourish all over the world. Except for Japan. Japanese companies practiced a system of lifetime employment. Once a person was employed there, they were employed for life. They had no need for job hopping, which meant that there was no need for headhunters.

Any boss would want to choose employees who were already trained, but some professions still required training for employees. In the medical industry, for example, being a doctor was something that needed to be learned on-the-job. Learning while working, learning throughout their entire career, and learning how to take hardship. Domestic second-rate hospitals had departments that were responsible for training new employees. If they didn’t have them, they would not be able to pass an inspection from the health department.

This was one of the reasons why there was no way to implement government policies encouraging doctors who had seven to eight years of experience to work more as general practitioners.

The small hospitals with low standards and poor techniques would naturally welcome their doctors to have more specialization. Their abilities to treat patients were horrible. If a doctor could become a deputy chief physician, they could rule the entire place. Of course, these kinds of places would want to have more practicing physicians who were good at exaggerating their skills. It will bring the hospital more income.

Looking at it from the position of bigger hospitals, a newly graduated medical student would require hospitals to spend resources training them during their residency. After being assigned to a department, they would need to appoint a chief physician to guide them, give them thousands of patients’ information to let them gain experience, and at the same time, bear the consequences of their mistakes. Research also would also cost a lot of money, spending several decades of time and countless resources and a lot of manpower to turn a rookie into a specialist. And now, if the hospital asked them to go out to practice more, work in their hospital once a week, and the other six days to go and help other hospitals make money, if the hospital chief agreed, they would really need to go visit the psychiatric ward.

From some perspective, coaches and doctors were very similar. They were both professions that required technical knowledge, and they both relied on the accumulation of experience to bring more accurate judgment. At the same time, they also needed to constantly learn new theories relating to their professions.

Coaches needed to train athletes, and doctors were necessary to cure patients. The differences in the human body could be reflected in sports training and medical treatment. For a coach, an error in training might cause the opposite of the intended effect and cause the athlete to get injured. And for a doctor, if the wrong treatment was given, there might be no way to cure the sickness, or it might even cause a medical incident. In the medical field, new drugs and new medical equipment constantly appeared, the number of diseases that could be cured grew larger and larger. And in the sports training field, new training methods and new training equipment were always appearing. Humans were always reaching new limits.

“My brain hurts!” When Dai Li thought about the similarities between coaches and doctors, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh. If it were in his country, it wouldn’t matter whether it was coaches or doctors, they were always bound by an establishment. Just like the issue with asking doctors to practice more. As long as the doctor was still bound to the hospital, the hospital could just require the doctor to stay in the hospital; there would be no need to go out to work as a general practitioner.

In America, however, there was no such thing as being bound by an establishment. If a coach in a training center wanted to change his company, as long the everything was done according to the signed contract, Dai Li couldn’t do anything.

“Go back and find a lawyer. I want to see if we can add a new clause that mentions paying a penalty in the contract for new employees. If the contract period hasn’t ended, they would need to pay the penalty!” Dai Li said as he huffed and puffed.

“I also planned to do this. I will go contact the lawyer’s office in the afternoon,” Blake said. “But the five who are asking for a raise, what should I do?”

“Of course we should reject them!” Dai Li shook his head in dissatisfaction. He showed the face of a capitalist. “We won’t give even one cent more. We can’t open this can of worms, and we cannot let them become accustomed to this! If people asked for a raise every few days, we’d be running a loss-making business!”

Chapter 428 - Old Trade

Chapter 428: Old Trade

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li felt like an exploitative capitalist. Faced with employees asking for a raise, he he rejected their request resolutely, with no room for compromise. He wouldn’t pay even an extra cent.

Blake, who was sitting in the driver seat only shrugged his shoulders. He had a 5% share in the training center, so he could also be considered as a small owner. Naturally, he also had the mindset of a capitalist, and was determined not to give the employees their raise.

While he was driving, Blake slowly said, “I never thought you would reject them so decisively. This reminds me of the time several decades ago when labor unions flourished. Back then, unions would often request wage increases, and if business owners didn’t agree, the labor unions would organize strikes. After that, the business owners and unions negotiated to give the workers a raise and to increase employee benefits. Once the workers’ demands were satisfied, they would go back to work. However, not long after, the workers who had tasted the honey would ask for another raise and more benefits. If the business owners rejected them, they would go on strike again, and then they would get into another negotiation… Such was the cycle. In the end, the business owners couldn’t take it anymore. They shut down their factories and moved them overseas, to places where they didn’t have to worry about labor unions. The business owners continued to make money whereas the American workers lost their jobs.”

“I have heard about it a little. I remember a few years ago, General Motors declared bankruptcy because the United Automobile Workers union demanded too much. In the end, General Motors couldn’t compete anymore. They were the largest manufacturer to declare bankruptcy in American history,” Dai Li said.

“In actuality, most of the automobile workers did not have to worry about their livelihood; they were all skilled workers. Even if the three big giants, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler became bankrupt, these automobile workers could go to Japanese manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. The automobile manufacturing plants opened by the Japanese in America don’t care about unions such as the United Automobile Workers, so if they went to work at a Japanese plant, their benefits would be much lower.”

Blake noticed that the traffic light far away had already turned red, so he slowed the car down before continuing, “Most skilled professionals are the same; they won’t really become jobless. If they have the skills, they will always be able to earn a living. The only difference is whether or not their quality of life will go down. Just like those coaches that left our center, and those that are about to leave, they are all actually just hoping for a better life.”

“I understand what you mean. Job hopping for money is not something to be ashamed of, and if your salary goes up every time you jump ship, it actually shows the value you possess. It shows that your abilities are getting stronger and stronger.” Dai Li spread his hands and said, “But if someone is earning a salary that is disproportionate to their abilities, that may not be a good thing.”

“Yeah. Those coaches think that they should have a better salary, so they jumped ship,” Blake answered casually.

Dai Li shook his head, “You misunderstand. What I mean to say is, the salary that I am giving them right now reflects their current abilities. With their current abilities, they are not suitable for a higher salary, so they shouldn’t have requested a raise. At least not now. Those training centers that gave them a high salary made a deal that will lose them money.”

Blake was shocked by Dai Li’s words. “I thought you were just trying to make yourself feel better because you couldn’t get those coaches to stay! You’re actually saying that the ones that got poached away were all newbies?”

“Of course. Do you think their coaching abilities are high?” Dai Li asked.

“In comparison to you, they are indeed pretty weak; actually, it’s not even comparable. But compared to the average coach, they are not bad! At least to me, their salary is matched by their work performance; I would even go so far as to say that they are a good value. Which is why Ironman Training Center is willing to spend so much money on poaching them,” Blake said.

“It would be the same with anyone else hired to fill their positions. If you place the new employees you hire with me and let me train them properly, they will also become outstanding coaches,” Dai Li said very confidently.

Blake gave Dai Li a look. He didn’t know where Dai Li’s confidence was coming from.

Blake had considered becoming a boxing coach, so he knew that developing a good coach didn’t happen overnight. This caused him to be somewhat uncertain about the salary increase issue. As the saying goes, it is easy to raise an army, but hard to find a general. There were tons of average coaches, but good coaches were rare. They could only be discovered, not sought out.

On Dai Li’s face, there was a vague sneer, and there was even a slight hint of sarcasm in the sneer.

Those naive people. Do they really think that their coaching abilities have improved that much? If they had the ability, they would’ve done well a long time ago, and they wouldn’t have had to come to my training center. Dai Li shook his head in silence. His mind had already entered the system. He was looking at the vacant positions in the team pyramid.

The coaches that chose to jump ship were all employed by Dai Li during the early stages. At that time, Dai Li’s training center had only been open for a while. They wanted resources, but they had none, they wanted fame, but they had none. They had no way of hiring top-tier fitness coaches, which was why they could only hire coaches with average abilities. Chris Payton’s resume was the best amongst them.

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. The coaches that had no skills would naturally garner lower pay. In addition to hiring some part-time workers, Dai Li’s human resources cost wasn’t very high.

As far as the effects of the coaching, Dai Li wasn’t worried at all. The training programs were all designed personally by Dai Li, and then the other coaches were responsible for the daily training. The motion detector allowed Dai Li to know clearly the weaknesses of every single person. From that, specific training programs could be developed. The other coaches simply had to follow the training program.

Ever since he obtained the team pyramid, Dai Li had fewer reasons to worry about the training effects. The team pyramid allowed the coaches under Dai Li to benefit from additional training effects, turning them from a group of weaklings into elite coaches. If they weren’t connected to the team pyramid, their level would be the same as average coaches.

Like Jones, who was poached away by the Ironman Training Center. His real standard only allowed him to work in gyms, coaching ordinary people. Once Dai Li brought him into the team pyramid and gave him the position of a top-level coach, he would receive the bonus of a top-level coach. When Dai Li was still a top-level coach, he had the ability to coach the national team. A gym coach and a national team coach; the difference was as big as heaven and earth.

It was also because of the effects from the team pyramid that Jones would feel his coaching ability had improved. This gave him the incorrect perception that he was a young, promising, and talented coach.

Without the team pyramid, the coaches that jumped ship would be restored to their original level. If they had really been very talented coaches, they wouldn’t have gone to Dai Li’s center to work. They would’ve achieved something a long time ago.

Blake, who was driving the car, did not pay attention to Dai Li’s confidence. He continued to drive and said as he drove, “Recruiting new people can’t be rushed, but we have recently accepted some clients for physical training. We have to prep them for lifeguard recruitment tests. That sort of training is usually short-term and profitable, but word of mouth will spread quickly. If we don’t do well in a certain year, it will be difficult to get that kind of business again.”

“Yeah, summer is almost here again. The beaches will be very full,” Dai Li looked at the sky outside.

Blake continued to say, “Last year, we opened a small-scale physical fitness course for lifeguards. The results were decent. Many were able to pass the physical fitness part of the lifeguard exam. At that time, Jones was the one who was responsible for the training. Jones was the first one to be poached by the Ironman Training Center, and at the same time, he brought over some of our clientele. This affects us quite negatively.”

Amongst jobs that were popular with American youths, being a beach lifeguard was usually among the top ten. Imagine staying out at the beach every day, facing the ocean, enjoying the sun and the breeze. There were also many sexy bikini babes and young muscular guys with eight packs. There would be nothing to do but just ride a motorcycle around the beach. The days would pass as if it were a holiday. Earning a decent paycheck while on holiday; how could young people not be tempted by that sort of life? In an effort to attract young viewers, some American film companies purposely went and filmed movies about lifeguards.

Thus, a large number of young people to would be attracted to sign up for the recruitment of beach lifeguards. Only the best of the best could work in that popular occupation. The acceptance rate for beach lifeguards in America was comparable to the acceptance rate of civil servants in China. Just by looking at the popularity of training programs for civil servants in China, one could imagine the popularity of training programs for beach lifeguards in America.

As a beach lifeguard, besides knowing the techniques for saving lives, one also needed to be good in the water and have good physical fitness. Many physical fitness training centers opened courses to help clients develop those skills, allowing them to smoothly pass the beach lifeguard exam.

Dai Li started his career with training courses, so of course, he knew that these kinds of short-term courses were profitable. In the past, Dai Li started a two months summer course that was able to earn him a year’s worth of salary. So, the beach lifeguard training course was a profitable venture to any fitness training center.

However, these sorts of short-term courses depended a lot on word-of-mouth. It wasn’t only true in China, but in other countries as well. If none of the students from a group who trained in a particular year passed the test, then the center’s reputation would be ruined. As a result, no one would sign up the following year. In contrast, if the passing rate was high, then when the course opened the following year, students would come rushing in.

For the students who took part in the training course, the important thing wasn’t the price, but the quality of the training. It was like in the retake class for the National Higher Education Entrance Examination in China; if the class could produce a Number One Scholar of the College Entrance Examination every year, even if the price was high, there would be no need to worry about student recruitment. On the contrary, many would even try to secure a place in the class through connections.

When Dai Li thought about the characteristics of training courses, he massaged his temples before saying, “Conducting training courses is my old trade, I’ll personally handle this year’s beach lifeguard training course. I want to have a passing rate of a hundred percent!”

Chapter 429 - Increased Difficulty

Chapter 429: Increased Difficulty

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The five that brought up getting a raise walked out of Blake’s office in single file.

Their faces showed that they were a bit frustrated, and a little bit angry.

Not far away, another two coaches looked at them as they discussed quietly.

“There’s no need to say anything. From their expressions, Blake definitely rejected their request for a raise.”

“Will they really choose to jump ship?”

“Jump ship? Resign more likely. If another training center really offered them a higher salary, they would’ve already tendered their resignation letter like Jones. I’m guessing that they were hoping to use the stream of recent departures to raise their own salaries.”

“Right now, the training center is lacking manpower. If they resign because they weren’t given a raise, it is definitely a big threat. But Blake seems to have seen through their ploy.”

“Or perhaps Blake doesn’t even care if they leave. It is hard to find a secure job right now. Maybe a lot of people are applying for coaching positions!”

…

Ironman Training Center.

In the conference room, Max was looking at the coaches that he had just headhunted, and he felt that his training center was filled with strong soldiers and sturdy horses. He was in high spirits.

That Chinese Coach Li’s training center. So what if he opened a lot of branches? Coaches are the key. No matter how many branches you open, and no matter how big they are, without coaches, they are just a bunch of empty buildings. But I have to thank you for helping me train so many excellent talents.

As Max thought of that, he coughed lightly and said, “Summer is almost here, that means the lifeguard examinations are about to start again. This is our next important job.”

Max also knew that these short-term training courses were very profitable. From the most prominent national fitness training chains to the smallest average gym, everyone was fighting to get part of the pie.

Max continued to say, “Our new colleague Mr. Jones is very experienced in this regard. He did the same job last year, right?”

As Max spoke, he turned to Jones. Jones nodded his head politely and said, “Yes, last year, when I was at Coach Lee’s physical fitness training center, I was mainly responsible for the beach lifeguard training courses, but we were in a bit of a rush last time, and I only had a month to train. However, of the eight trainees, six passed the beach lifeguard physical fitness test.”

Many people there were in awe. If what Jones said was true, then his coaching talent would command the trust of everyone.

“Then you will still be responsible for the job this year, how’s that?” Max asked.

“Of course that is no problem. There is more time this year, and I will strive to make sure that every one of my students passes the beach lifeguard physical fitness test,” Jones promised straight away.

Max nodded his head happily. Jones knew that since this was his first task after jumping ship, it was an important task. Whether or not he could stay in the Ironman Training Center depended heavily on the results of the beach lifeguard training course.

…

At a cafe next to the beach, a tall bald man who sat opposite Dai Li was endlessly introducing something. “Being a beach lifeguard is a trendy job. Right now a lot of young people want the jobs, so the competition is becoming fiercer and fiercer. The professional and physical requirements are getting higher and higher. Like the beach I am at; this year they’re requiring the beach lifeguards to have first aid certification. They don’t only demand that the lifeguards to know how to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and compressions, they also want the beach lifeguards to know how to operate an automated external defibrillator…”

“There are also places that require beach lifeguards to have a diving certificate and know deep diving, underwater navigation, and night diving. But these are relatively easy. Two days of theory and one day of practical training, around four to five hundred dollars, and they’re valid for life.”

Dai Li, who sat opposite him, interrupted the bald man, and said, “Mickey, let’s stick to things that are related to the beach lifeguard physical fitness test.”

Mickey was about 190cm tall and very muscular, built like a bull. It was hard to imagine he shared the same cute name as Mickey Mouse.

Mickey was a beach lifeguard, and he was also a famous leader of the lifeguards in Los Angeles. At the same time, he was also a hardcore fan of Taylor’s, so Dai Li used a boxing glove signed by Taylor to learn many useful things from Mickey.

Mickey lowered his voice, and said, “Last year, my beach decided to only recruit one beach lifeguard, but over a hundred applicants came, and about eighty of them passed their physical fitness test. The passing rate was too high, and as far as I know, the situation at other beaches was about the same. Many applicants came prepared. So this year, the lifeguard association has decided to raise the standard.”

“What are the contents of this year’s physical fitness test?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“To finish a 36-mile run, 8 kilometers of swimming, and 25 obstacle courses within 24 hours,” Mickie answered with a laugh.

“36 miles is about 58 kilometers,” Dai Li calculated in his head. He found that the part of the test to be a bit familiar.

“Seem familiar?” Mickey asked. “You have probably heard of the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, right?”

“You’re right, a 58-kilometer run, 8 kilometers of swimming, and 25 obstacle courses within 24 hours. Isn’t this the 24-hour Frogman Challenge? Why would you design such a test? This is a test for the Navy SEALs, how can the average human pass this test!” Dai Li couldn’t help but be surprised.

“The people we recruit are never just average people. The job of a beach lifeguard is to protect human life. It’s a sacred job, so of course, we need the best people to accomplish it,” Mickey said while laughing.

The US Navy SEALs were famous amongst the special forces. Part of the Navy SEALs’ assessment was completing a 58-kilometer long distance run, 8 kilometers of swimming, and 25 obstacle courses. Americans who had nothing to do and liked to challenge themselves would sometimes try to pass the assessment test for the Navy SEALs to satisfy their egos, so the Navy SEALs test became a sort of competition. It became the 24-hour Frogman Challenge.

The Navy SEALs is one of the best special forces in the world. The average person definitely couldn’t achieve that level of fitness. The difficulty of the 24-hour Frogman Challenge for the average person was much lower than the Navy SEALs assessment test.

The SEALs had to carry tens of kilograms of weight to complete the test, and the long-distance run would be conducted in a mountainous area with rugged roads. The swimming test would be at a place where the winds and waves were fierce. The difficulty of the 25 obstacles was also much higher. The 24-hour Frogman Challenge for citizens naturally did not require its participants to wear weights, the long-distance run was also done on even surfaces, and the 25 obstacle courses were also less difficult.

Even if the difficulty was much lower than the Navy SEALs test, the competition was still an enormous challenge for the average person. Even if they were an athlete, it would still be challenging to pass this event if they didn’t go through professional training. And for the average person, if they wanted to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, they would need to go through professional fitness training.

…

Blake knocked on the door and walked in. “Li, I have bad news, and I have good news. Which do you want to hear first?”

“What’s the bad news?” Dai Li asked.

“Amongst the students who signed up for the beach lifeguard training course, someone came and asked for a refund,” Blake said.

“That’s within expectation. This year’s beach lifeguard assessment test changed into the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. The difficulty is much higher than the previous years, so some people will choose to give up,” Dai Li replied. “What’s the good news then?”

“The good news is that there are even more people signing up to join our training course,” Blake said while laughing.

“Why? Did you make advertisements for the training course?” Dai Li asked with a puzzled face.

“No.” Blake shook his head. “If the results of this year’s training course are good, I will make an advertisement next year. As for the increased number of applicants, I think it is because the difficulty of this year’s lifeguard assessment test has increased. As you know, if they don’t go through professional training, there is no way they can pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. Think about it. If you are a person who regularly plays sports, your fitness level should be decent, so you only need to slightly increase your training in order to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. What would you do?”

“I understand. What you mean is, those that asked for a refund are the ones whose fitness level were average. In the past, it was possible for them to achieve the desired fitness level through training, but this year’s test became more difficult, so it is no longer possible to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge assessment test even after training. Those that signed up are those whose fitness levels are better. They would’ve been able to pass the test without having to go through professional training. Now that the difficulty of the physical fitness test increased, they came to apply,” Dai Li analyzed.

“That is correct. But to a fitness training center like us, this is a test. The average gym wouldn’t be able to raise the standard of their fitness training course. Their coaches will also find it difficult to help their students pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. So those low-end training courses will naturally be eliminated, and those that survive will be the ones like us.” Blake took a deep breath. “But the higher the training quality, the higher the chance of showing the gap between different training centers, so the competition has become fiercer. If we don’t do well enough this year, we will face difficulty in recruiting new students next year.”

Dai Li smiled as if he didn’t mind it. “I am personally handling this matter, are you not reassured? Although the fitness test has become more difficult, as long as the physical condition of the students is not too bad, I will be able to let them smoothly pass the test.”

At that moment, as Dai Li displayed his confidence, Blake couldn’t help but feel shocked. He instinctively felt a sort of conviction towards Dai Li, as if everything Dai Li said would become a reality.

In the system, the Scepter of Authority sent out a dignified flash of light…

Chapter 430 - A Fatty with a Quest

Chapter 430: A Fatty with a Quest

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Ironman Training Center.

A bright professional smile was on Jones’s face as he looked at the two young clients in front of him. A fat kid and a well-built blonde youngster.

“Mr. Cruise, you were a key player in your high school football team, and you’ve participated in the long jump event before. You currently exercise two to three times a week. I think that with your body foundation, there’s a high chance for you to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge with professional training,” Jones told the blonde youngster.

“As for Mr. Hassel…” Jones turned his head towards the fat kid and continued, “Mr. Hassel, if it were last year, I might have been able to help you pass the fitness test for beach lifeguards, but the difficulty of the test has increased this year. Forgive me for being direct, but with your current condition, there is no way for you to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge.”

Disappointment filled the face of the fat person. He asked with a glimmer of hope, “Is there really no chance at all?”

Jones shook his head, “If there’s money to be earned, we don’t turn down clients. But I would never lie to my clients, which is why I can only tell you the truth.”

More than ten minutes later, the two youngsters walked side by side out of the main door of the Ironman Training Center. As soon as they reached the car, the fat person couldn’t help but touch his large belly before letting out a disappointed sigh.

The fat person was called Hassel, and he was an ordinary young man. His appearance was average, his height was average, and his family background was also very average; however, he had a not-so-average weight. There were a lot of people in the US whose weight was on the higher side, and Hassel was considered an exceptional case even among that group of people.

However, Hassel wanted to become a beach lifeguard. Unfortunately, with his body and without professional training, it would be practically impossible for him to pass the beach lifeguard fitness test.

By his side, the well-built blonde youngster consoled him, “Buddy, don’t be so sad! If this one can’t, you can try the other fitness centers; they might be able to help you pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge.”

The blonde youngster was called Cruise, and he was a good friend of the fat kid. Unlike the fat kid, Cruise had been an athlete ever since he was young, and he was good at all kinds of sports. Like most Americans, Cruise also aspired to work as a beach lifeguard.

That was why both of them accompanied each other to the Ironman Training Center; they wanted to sign up for a fitness training program to become beach lifeguards. However, only the athlete, Cruise, swiped his credit card to sign up while the fat Hassel only received a piece of bad news, which was that with his body condition, even if he were to participate in a training course, it was still impossible for him to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge.

Hassel’s sad look made Cruise feel bad, so he made a suggestion. “I heard that there is a ‘Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center’ not far from here, and Kevin Taylor is rumored to train there, though the fees are higher over there. You should go try again.”

“Higher fees?” The fat Hassel touched his pockets where his credit card was, and he began to hesitate.

“You should at least consult them. Even if the chances are slim, there’s still a chance. If you don’t do it, you will lose even that slim chance,” Cruise began distributing his rich chicken soup for the soul.

…

A fat Hassel whose mind was filled with chicken soup for the soul arrived at Dai Li’s training center.

“Mr. Hassel, please wait a moment, Coach Li will be here soon.” The receptionist pointed towards the training ground with a smile.

Dai Li, an ethnic Chinese man was standing in the training ground, and in front of Dai Li were members of a training course.

A lot of Westerners could not differentiate Asians accurately, and Hassel was the same. He glanced at Dai Li’s photo on the brochure before looking back at Dai Li on the training ground. He noticed that the actual person looked similar to the one in the brochure and asked, “Is that person Coach Li?”

“Yes, he is our boss, Coach Li. The fitness training course for beach lifeguards will be led personally by our boss!” the receptionist said with admiration.

Hassel nodded and walked a few steps closer. He wanted to hear what Dai Li was saying, and Dai Li’s voice also emerged at that moment.

“Although you are all my clients, if you want to train here, you have to follow my rules. So, I hope that you can do these two things perfectly. First, trust me, trust me unconditionally.” Dai Li held out a finger. After finishing the first rule, he stuck out a second finger, and said, “Second. If I tell you to do something, you do something. You have to follow my training plan strictly. For example, if I ask you to do ten push-ups, you do ten, not one more, and not one less!”

In front of Dai Li, all the students of the course looked at Dai Li with severe expressions, like they were listening to the scoldings of an army drill sergeant. At that moment, everyone there felt that the Dai Li was more like a very experienced big-shot coach than a physical trainer. He was extremely in control. So his words were like Polaris in the night sky, providing guidance to the people.

Hassel observed from not far away. His heart was oddly convinced, as if what Dai Li said was the truth.

The scepter of authority was in constant effect, and everything Dai Li did received a bonus. Dai Li’s words at that moment were naturally infused with the essence of power, generating an overwhelming sense of dignity felt by the people around him.

“Alright, I’ll give everyone a five minute preparation time. You can drink water, go to the toilet, or lace your shoes again. We’ll officially begin the warmups after five minutes.” Dai Li waved his hand after speaking and moved towards Hassel.

“Coach Li, this Mr. Hassel also wants to sign up for our fitness training course for beach lifeguards,” the receptionist introduced Hassel to Dai Li.

Dai Li assessed Hassel from top to bottom. Hassel was at most, 1.7 meters tall, which was considered short among American males, but when it came to his width, Hassel was definitely above the American male average. He had a head full of brown curly hair, a chubby face full of freckles, and a big belly. He had the typical appearance of a fat kid depicted in American movies.

“Mr. Hassel, you want to sign up for our fitness training course for beach lifeguards?” Dai Li asked in a tone that sought confirmation. Looking at Hassel’s appearance, he certainly did not look like the kind of person who could pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge.

“Yes, I want to become a beach lifeguard,” Hassel said with an expectant face.

“Mr. Hassel, the beach lifeguard test this year is much harder than previous years. The beach lifeguard candidates this year have to complete the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, the specifics of which include running a 58-kilometer marathon, an eight-kilometer swim, and…”

“I know the test details,” Hassel interrupted Dai Li, his expression gradually becoming sad. “I know that there is no way for me to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. I’ve been to a couple of training centers, the coaches there have already told me.”

Hassel’s sad look made Dai Li feel sympathy, he asked, “Mr. Hassel, since you already know that you can’t pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, why did you still come to my place?”

“I just wanted to try my luck. Who knows if you might have a way,” Hassel answered honestly.

“Then why do you want to become a beach lifeguard?” Dai Li continued asking.

Hassel hesitated for a moment before continuing, “I’ve got my sight on a girl. I want to get closer to her, and she’s a beach lifeguard. So I want to apply to become a lifeguard at the beach that she goes to. That way I could see her every day.”

“So it’s to get a girl, that’s courageous.” Dai Li looked at Hassel with a smile that didn’t look like a smile, and asked, “Why didn’t you tell the girl directly that you like her? Why must you become a beach lifeguard, taking such a big roundabout route?”

“I… I feel that we should get to know each other more… And then…” Hassel said in a stutter.

A scene suddenly appeared in Dai Li’s mind. A fat loser fell in love with his dream girl but didn’t have the guts to confess, so he would think up all kinds of ways to get closer to his dream girl, dreaming that one day she would come to him.

Poor guy, but at least he’s a fatty with a dream. Dai Li looked at Hassel’s shilly-shally expression. Sympathy began to rise from the bottom of his heart. Dai Li suddenly wanted to help this fat kid.

In this world, if I can’t help him pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, no one else can.

As he reached this conclusion, Dai Li said, “It’s not impossible to help you complete the Frogman Challenge with training, but this depends on how much you’re willing to pay.”

“I can use my credit card, but I don’t know if I have sufficient credit,” Hassel said immediately.

“That’s not what I mean.” Dai Li shook his head as his expression grew austere. “I’m not talking about money. It’s effort, your personal effort.”

“I will do my best,” Hassel said impatiently.

Dai Li instead said, “You will need to go through very high-intensity training if you want to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge in your current body condition. The training will be tough, you might even think it’s torture. Can you persevere?”

“I can. I can definitely persevere,” Hassel nodded like a woodpecker pecking wood.

“I have to first remind you that the training program that I make for you isn’t only exercise for the body, it’s more of a test of will. The 24-hour Frogman Challenge was originally a test for the Navy SEALs, so what you will be facing will also be cruel training, a devilish fitness training. If you can’t persevere, you will only be wasting money,” Dai Li reminded him with a solemn expression.

Due to the bonus from the scepter of authority, Dai Li’s dignified look made Hassel nervous.

“It’s just a fitness course, why does it feel like I’m about to make an important life decision?” Sweat had already begun to form on Hassel’s forehead, and his face twisted in nervousness as he became hesitant.

“How about this, Mr. Hassel. I suggest you go home and consider whether you really want to accept this sort of high-intensity training. Come and sign up once you’ve made up your mind.” Dai Li glanced at his watch as he spoke; the five minutes were almost up. He apologized and returned to the training ground.

…

It is always tough for men to keep a cool head in front of beautiful women, and a lot of losers would sacrifice everything for their dream girl. Some would eat only pickles for an entire month and send the money they saved up to female broadcasters, getting a heart hand gesture or a simple “XOXO” in return.

Hassel was also willing to go through cruel fitness training for his dream girl.

So on the following day, Hassel went to Dai Li’s training center and maxed out his credit card.

At the same time, the training course at the Ironman Training Center also began.

Chapter 431 - Mediocre

Chapter 431: Mediocre

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the Ironman Training Center, Max leaned against his chair with a job briefing in his hands. The middle-aged man with a beard in front of Max was a senior worker who had been with Max for many years. In addition, he was the most experienced and capable coach in this training center, so Max found him to be a very capable assistant.

“What about the newcomers? Are they adapting to their new job?” asked Max.

“They have pretty good executive capability and are able to follow training schemes to finish their tasks,” the man with a beard said, but it seemed that he began to hesitate.

Max noticed the man’s hesitation, and then asked, “What’s wrong? Have you found anything wrong?”

“It’s nothing, but these new coaches, in my view, are too common,” said the bearded man.

“Too common? What do you mean?” asked Max.

“I mean they are too common in all aspects. During this period, I didn’t find any special skills in them. It seemed that they can only finish the tasks arranged for them. If I was asked to use an adjective to describe their performance, I think the word would be ‘mediocre,’” the bearded man said.

The word “mediocre” made Max unhappy, because he had spent a lot of money hiring these new coaches. If they didn’t have great performance, it meant that Max had made a bad decision.

“Maybe they just came here for a short time, so they haven’t completely adapted to the working environment here,” Max said, trying to find an excuse.

“Maybe,” the beard said. Then he took out a paper file, handed it to Max, and added, “This is the training scheme that Jones made for the students of the beach lifeguard course, which I filed. I thought this physical training scheme was too generalized. It was not suitable for everyone, and when I researched it, I found that this scheme was downloaded from the Internet.”

Max took the paper file and read it seriously.

Max was a professional physical trainer, and he went through several pages of the physical training scheme and found that the content was the same. If you just read one of the schemes, you might think it was pretty good, but if you put the schemes together, you found that they were all revised editions of a single scheme. It was just like an annual year-end summary; apart from the date, everything was the same as last year.

“It is quite general.” Max felt terrible immediately. Jones was the first coach he had hired, and Max thought highly of Jones, but according to the scheme, it was obvious that Jones failed to live up to Max’s expectations.

“Judging from these training schemes, Jones isn’t worth the salary I pay for him.” Max hesitated, but then he said, “Last year, Jones successfully helped six people pass the exam for beach lifeguards within one month; this was a real achievement he made. Although these training schemes might seem mediocre, I guessed he might not be good at making detailed training schemes, but he might be good at practical training instead. It doesn’t really matter as long as the training is good enough.”

“I hope so.” The beard shrugged, but the look on his face suggested that he didn’t think highly of Jones.

Dai Li’s training center.

Amidst the magic music, Dai Li was square dancing with a group of his students.

The modest movement of square dance made many students feel uncomfortable. They have never seen such a warm-up before.

“Coach Li said it was a warm-up, but I have never seen such a warm-up. It seemed like we were dancing!”

“But it really works, I feel warm now and I have sweat on my forehand.”

“I guess this warm-up may have something to do with Chinese Kung Fu. Maybe Coach Li knows Kung Fu?”

“Ten to one, maybe he can fight like Jackie Chan.”

“Stupid, Jackie Chan is just a movie star, not a master of boxing.”

“You’re stupid. Jackie Chan knows Chinese Kung Fu! And he brings Kung Fu into movies.”

“Guys, stop arguing and save your strength. This is just a few minutes of warm-up, but I’m already sweating, and it seems like I’ve played half-court basketball. We’re going to be exhausted when the formal training starts.”

“It seems that we won’t feel good for the next few days.”

“Regret signing up? I told you earlier that Coach Li is not an ordinary coach.”

The golden-haired Cruise finished his all-day training and walked out of the Ironman Training Center.

When he got home, he ordered a pizza and took a bath.

After coming out of the tub, Cruise felt much more relaxed. He stood in front of the mirror, looked at himself, glanced at his abdominal muscles and then showed off his strong biceps.

“Compared with the days before training, there doesn’t seem to be any obvious change.” Cruise touched his “Apollo’s belt” and began to clean his body hair.

Cruise, meanwhile, could not help but recall the previous days of training.

“All the training programs are very general. They are just the same as the training programs in a common gym, but with a little bit more intensity. It seems that professional physical training center is no better than a common gym!”

Thinking of that, Cruise suddenly felt that his money was not worth it. The physical training course was so much more expensive than a common gym membership, yet what he got from it was merely doubling his training volume.

How about Hassel, he said that he had signed up at the training center of Dai Li, Cruise thought of his friend.

Hassel, a fat man, sank to the ground, gasping for breath. His face was covered with sweat and it seemed that he was completely worn out.

“The five-minute break is over, stand up and finish the next training program!” Dai Li said. At that moment, for Hassel, Dai Li’s voice just like the cry of a devil.

But Hassel still struggled to get up and begin the next training program according to Dai Li’s instructions.

The next training was a series of fat-reducing exercises, which was special-designed program for Hassel.

Dai Li nodded to show his satisfaction with Hassel’s performance. Hassel looked like just another fat kid, but in fact, he was quite persevering. So far at least, he had finished all the physical training programs.

After a day of training, Hassel felt very tired and went to the bathroom. A few minutes in a hot shower made him feel better and relieved his muscle pain.

“Whew!” Hassel took a deep breath, and he stood there, letting the water spray over him.

“I’m so tired!” Hassel recalled the last few days and he felt that as if he were living in hell.

The shower sprayed into his face, making him unable to open his eyes, so subconsciously he lowered his head, avoided the shower spray, and opened his eyes.

Suddenly, he saw a familiar object, which was his penis.

At that moment, he widened his eyes and suddenly felt happy.

I can see it! I can see it with my head down! Hassel felt excited

In the past, Hassel could never have seen his penis over the rounded girth of his big belly. Today, however, Hassel could see it just by tipping his head down.

Hassel immediately understood that it was not his penis getting bigger, but his big belly getting smaller!

Hassel took the bath as fast as he could, didn’t dry his body, and then stood in front of the mirror.

In the mirror, he was still fat, but now he was a fat man who looked very energetic.

Hassel patted his belly and felt that his fat had become stronger, then he tried lifting up his arms and flexing his biceps. And he found that the muscle on his fat and loose arms could float when he began to exert force.

“Yeah!” Hassel couldn’t help cheering. He realized that these days of training had been really effective.

For Hassel, “seeing practical results” was more convincing. At that moment, he had a hope in his mind; he suddenly felt that all the fatigue and pain he had experienced during training was worth it, and if he continued to accept the training, he was likely to pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge.

Jones was a little bit anxious; the training course he was in charge of had started more than 20 days ago, but he wasn’t satisfied with the performance of the students. The training effect was failing to live up to his expectations.

Last year, when they were trained for 20 days, they made remarkable progress. This year, however, is totally different from last year. Many students aren’t showing any progress at all. So what’s the reason? The training programs are almost the same as last year, so what has caused the big difference in training results?

What Jones didn’t know was that last year’s training programs at Dai Li’s training center were highly targeted, although they were routine. Dai Li’s detector could detect everyone’s shortcomings. And once you improved your shortcomings, you are sure to sense remarkable progress.

More importantly, at that time, for the function of team pyramid, Jones was a member of Dai Li’s team, so he could learn from the first-rate coaches. But now that Jones had job-hopped, his training effect went back to his days as a coach at the gym.

The difference between a gym and a training center was just like the gap between an amateur and a professional athlete. An amateur who is very skillful in the opinions of ordinary people might be defeated instantly in a game with a professional athlete. The two can’t be compared in any way.

Dai Li could not find a suitable coach in a short time while his training center was short of hands. Therefore, he hired Jones, a gym-level coach. It was Dai Li’s targeted training programs and the enhancement brought by the whole team that made up for the shortcomings of Jones and his colleagues. All they had to do was carry out the training programs, and then good results would be achieved.

However, for other high-level training centers, using coaches from common gyms would definitely result in disaster. High-level sports training was like sailing against the current. No progress simply meant regression. A high-level athlete who witnessed the regression of ability after months of training in your center would be a deadly blow to your business.

Dai Li came to Blake’s office with a handful of resumes.

“Out of all these resumes, I think three of the candidates are decent choices for the position. Give them a probation period and let them have a try,” said Dai Li. He gave some of the resumes to Blake.

Blake got the resumes and took a look. And then he asked hesitantly, “Full-time contracts for them? Not part-time? The three are so average that they could only be coaches in a gym according to their work experience. In my opinion, they don’t deserve full-time contracts with a training center like ours.”

“I know they are just average coaches. But what can I do? We are short of hands now. Every resume we have received recently is at the same level. I have tried to choose the best candidates.” Dai Li shook his head helplessly. “But the three I have chosen were all once athletes, and they are not too old now. I hope there are more possibilities in them to be built up to be qualified coaches. We may have a future Payton, if we are lucky enough.”

“You want to train them yourself, again? They will go to other centers after they grow into qualified coaches.” Blake threw cold water on Dai Li’s ideas.

“Let them go then. Soon, others will know that what they got from my center is not what they thought.” Dai Li smiled cunningly.

Chapter 432 - Hassel’s Race

Chapter 432: Hassel’s Race

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The empty road was very quiet. It was not the main traffic artery, so very few vehicles would pass there. What’s more, it was the weekend, many people would stay at home instead of driving around.

A middle-age man in glasses was standing on the lawn of his house with a baseball glove in one hand and a baseball in the other.

“Get ready!” The middle-aged man cocked his arm back and then threw the baseball.

Opposite the middle-aged man was a little boy eight or nine years old, also wearing a baseball glove. When the boy saw the baseball coming to him, he held out his hands and caught it.

At that moment, someone ran along the road, and gradually, more and more began to appear along the road. They all wore numbers on their backs, and it was easy to see that they were athletes running a race.

The little boy stopped and looked at the athletes.

“Daddy, are they competing?” asked the little boy.

“It is supposed to be a marathon,” the middle-aged man with glasses stopped and said. “It’s not too cold or too hot right now. It’s really a good time to run a marathon.”

“Wow, it’s a marathon, there must be sports stars running!” The little boy looked expectantly at the crowd, hoping to see a sports star.

“No point looking for someone famous. That’s just a marathon for marathon lovers. They are all amateur runners!” the middle-aged man said with a smile.

“How do you know there aren’t any sports stars in it when you are not participating?” the little boy asked indignantly.

“Look at that man.” The middle-aged man pointed to a fat man amongst the runners and then said, “If it was a professional marathon, how could there be a fat runner on the team? So, it must be a race organized by marathon lovers. Everyone is at the same level, so it’s taking part that really counts. Therefore, it is less likely that professional athletes and sports stars are participating.”

Following the direction of his father’s finger, the little boy looked at the fat man, whose figure made him very conspicuous despite being in the center of the crowd. In addition, the number on his back suggested he was a real runner.

“He looks fat, and it seems like he won’t be able to finish the race,” said the little boy, somewhat discouraged.

“You are right. That’s why your mother and I tell you to eat more vegetables and less food with a lot of calories, such as French fries. Otherwise, you will become a fatty and be unable to complete a marathon.”

The little boy nodded helplessly. It was obvious that he didn’t want to give up these delicious high-calorie foods, but he didn’t want to be clumsy fatty either.

The fat Hassel didn’t know he had become the object lesson that a middle-aged man used to educate his son.

But at that moment, Hassel was covered with sweat and his clothes were soaked. He couldn’t even tell what direction he was running, and it was all he could do to run after the man in front of him.

Hassel didn’t know how long he had been running, but he remembered that at first there were many people, but gradually the crowd drew into a long line. Occasionally, two or three runners would run together. There were fewer and fewer runners around him, as some surpassed him and others fell behind.

Hassel didn’t know whether he ran fast or slow. Colorful clothes dazzled him, which also gave him a sense of security. At least he knew that he still had many companions and was not alone.

Hassel didn’t know how far he was from the finish line, but he was running mechanically just like an indefatigable robot on an assembly line. As he forced his body to run at a constant speed, his limbs were paralyzed and he had forgotten the fatigue in his body. What’s more, he thought nothing in his mind, but simply focused on taking step after step.

When Hassel passed a depot, a volunteer handed a bottle of water to him, but he didn’t stop. He continued to run along, opening the bottle and pouring the water into his mouth.

Drinking the bottle of water made him feel much refreshed, and the intake of water stimulated his body’s circulation, making him sweat more.

At this point, Hassel looked very dispirited, and he ran clumsily. It gave everyone the feeling that he might give up the race in the next few seconds, and stop to have a rest on the roadside.

At the roadside, there were indeed some contestants who chose to sit down and have a rest. Whenever Hassel passed by, they would look at him with a strange eye, maybe admiration, maybe sympathy, or maybe bewilderment. Perhaps they didn’t understand how a fatty like Hassel could stick it out until now.

“I can’t stop, I can’t stop, Coach Li told me that I have to keep running. Even if I run slower than a walk, I can never stop and rest. Once I sit down and rest, it would be hard for me to stand up again.” Hassel recalled Dai Li’s advice.

There were fewer and fewer contestants around Hassel. Some were faster than he was, so he was gradually left behind, and others were physically exhausted, so they slowed down and were left behind by Hassel. This race was the same as a marathon, where crowds of contestants set off together, and then they gradually dispersed, so the tight formation would become more and more loose.

Hassel was still running at his own pace, and he ignored those who moved beyond him and those he left behind. That’s what he had been practicing these days—running at his own pace, namely, running at a constant speed.

From morning to noon, the sun was getting higher and higher, and the temperature began to rise. Hassel felt much hotter, and he sweated more.

The sun rose right above his head, which meant the heat of the day was coming. At this time, Hassel came to realize that he had been running all morning. But he didn’t feel tired. His body had completely fallen into the rhythm of running.

But Hassel was thirsty, and as the sun shone on him, he felt like he was burning, which accelerated the evaporation of water from his body.

“Hold on, I have to hold on. I should be near the depot, where I can be supplied with water.” Hassel licked his lips.

Sweat came from Hassel’s forehead, rolled down his cheeks, rested on his chin, accumulating into large beads of sweat and eventually falling to the ground. Wherever Hassel passed by, there would be sweat stain on the ground, while in front of him, there was the sweat stain of others.

At this moment, time seemed static, and Hassel no longer felt it passing. He looked ahead uncertainly as he ran mechanically, swinging his arms and repeating the same movement.

At last, there was a large crowd in front of him, and something like a billboard.

There is a depot ahead! Hassel could not remember how many depots he had passed. Previously, he would catch the water provided by others and drink it while continuing to run.

This time, Hassel ran over as he had done several times before and he saw the staff and volunteers in green overalls.

This time, instead of handing him a bottle of water, however, the staff gave him a piece of paper.

“Go over there and register!” said the staff.

“What this?” asked Hassel, but his words disturbed his breathing rhythm and he felt exhausted immediately.

“It’s your certificate of completion for the 58-kilometer race!” the staff said and then continued to hand the papers to the contestants behind Hassel.

“Certificate? Am I finished?” Hassel looked at the paper in his hand. It was indeed a certificate of completion for the 58-kilometer race, with a number just written on it.

I made it! I finished a 58-kilometer race! Hassel thought, and then took off his coat, which was completely soaked with sweat.

This 24-hour Frogman Challenge was not as difficult as I thought it would be!

The blonde Cruise lay on a beach, and in front of him was a wall about 2.5 meters high.

This wall was one of the 25 obstacles. The participants had to climb up the wall, get over it, and then stand on the ground on the other side.

Usually, it would be quite easy for Cruise to finish it. He was more than 1.8 meters tall, and he was a master of sports. He could climb up the 2.5 meters high wall just by jumping from a standing position, without even a run-up.

This time, however, Cruise couldn’t climb over the wall. He had tried many times, but his strength couldn’t support him to climb over the wall. Even though his hands could reach the top, he had no strength to shore up his body.

The 58-kilometer long-distance run and the 8-kilometer swim had completely drained Cruise of his physical strength. As a result, the 25 obstacles, which had originally been the easiest task for him, had now become an insurmountable challenge.

I didn’t expect the 24-hour Frogman Challenge to be so difficult. I signed up for a special physical training course, but I’m still having difficulty passing the challenge. Breathing heavily, Cruise decided to take a rest, save up his physical strength, and then climb over the wall in front of him.

The 58-kilometer run and the 8-kilometer swim have consumed too much of my energy, especially the 8-kilometer swim… Cruise could not help but recall the swim.

Cruise had spent more than three hours to finish the 8-kilometer swim, which consumed no less energy than the 58-kilometer long-distance run.

Swimming consumes more physical strength than long-distance running, let alone swimming in outdoor public waters. Even good swimmers would feel tired after swimming for more than three hours in a row. In addition, three hours of swimming after a 58-kilometer run was enough to make anyone exhausted.

Cruise was dog-tired. But in fact, his performance was pretty good, because few participants could make it to the 25 obstacles. Most of them gave up during the first two events.

Lay down for a while, and my energy will recover. By then I will be able to climb over the wall! This idea kept coming up in Cruise’s mind, but he was in a daze and his consciousness was clouding.

I’m so sleepy, I want to sleep for a while. Cruise took another look at the nearby wall.

A fat but fuzzy figure appeared near the wall. He ran, jumped, and used his hands to seize the wall as his feet scrambled up it. Suddenly, he used his arms to support his body and climbed up the wall with the inertia of his run and jump.

In reality, he put his own body on the wall and hung himself in the air with his stomach as a support point. But from Cruise’s perspective, he could only see the fatty stamping his legs to keep his body balanced, then the kid fell over to the other side of the wall.

What an ugly gesture. It reminded me of Hassel, how is he here now? He should have been eliminated. Cruise gave a deep sigh, and he slowly closed his eyes. Ten seconds later, he was snoring.

At that moment, a staff went past Cruise and squatted and had a look at him, only to find that Cruise had fallen asleep. The staff, therefore, covered Cruise with a blanket, and then muttered, “There’s one more participant who gave up the race.”

The staff clearly knew that anyone who fell asleep at this point would not be able to wake up soon, let alone return to the race.

Hassel got up from the ground, and as he had just fallen off the wall, he was a bit dizzy. What’s more, the ground was covered with soft sand, and Hassel’s mouth was full of sand.

Hassel spit out the sand, then raised his head and looked forward tenaciously.

He was going to confront the next obstacle.

Chapter 433 - Follow-Up Calls

Chapter 433: Follow-Up Calls

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the Ironman Training Center, Jones sat in front of the phone expectantly with a name list in his hand.

The 24-hour Frogman Challenge had ended, but Jones’ work wasn’t over yet. He had to make some follow-up calls with students to make check whether or not they had passed the Challenge, and thus check the outcome of his work.

Jones was looking forward to the results of the follow-up calls. He was like a man with a lot of lottery tickets waiting for the winning numbers.

I don’t know how many students have passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. It is very difficult. I can gain a footing here if 40% of the students can pass, which would be excellent. I might get an extra bonus if half of the students can pass. And if 60% of the students passed… No, that’s hardly possible. I don’t think any training center in Los Angeles can achieve that.

Jones dialed the first phone number on the list as he was thinking about all this.

“Is this Mr. James? Hello, I’m Coach Jones of the Ironman Training Center. I’m calling to ask if you have passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge?”

“No! I quit during the 8-kilometer swim because of exhaustion. It’s really a shame…” said the voice.

Jones hung up the phone and was in a bad mood. He had expected a piece of good news in his first call-back. But it didn’t come. The first student didn’t pass the challenge. However, he calmed down and dialed the next phone number.

“Mr. Garcia, I’m Coach Jones of the Ironman Training Center. I am calling to ask if you passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge? No? Sorry to hear that…”

More terrible news! The optimism in Jones’s eyes had disappeared, and nervousness began to grow in his heart.

Calm down. I will get good news in my call to the third student according to the 40% probability of passing. Jones then made the third call.

“Mr. Davis, I’m Coach Jones of the Ironman Training Center. I’m calling to ask if you passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge? Not you either?”

And the student named Davis suddenly asked, “Are there many students who haven’t passed the competition besides me?”

Jones immediately realized that he had leaked the information and he explained at once, “The 24-hour Frogman Challenge is very difficult. And the pass rate is not high. In fact, most of the participants cannot fulfill the competition. Don’t be discouraged, Mr. Davis. Just keep training and I’m sure you’ll be more likely to pass next year.”

Suddenly overwhelmed by negative emotions, Jones hung up the phone. He stopped for one more minute to get back his courage to dial the fourth phone number.

“Hello, Mr. Pop, I’m Coach Jones of the Ironman Training Center…”

What waited for him was another piece of bad news. The fourth student did not finish the competition.

Bad luck today. All of the first four guys didn’t finish the Challenge. But I feel that the good news is on its way. Jones blamed the defeat on his luck and tried to comfort himself. And then he made the fifth call.

But another “I quit the competition” welcomed him.

He made six calls. None of the six people passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. He expected a good result six times and was disappointed six times, too. The disappointment engulfed him, and he felt more and more lost.

What’s going on? Six people and no one passed! Is the 24-hour Frogman Challenge so difficult?

At that moment Jones still hadn’t realized that it was the problem of training that stopped the students from finishing the challenge.

Looking at the name list in his hand, Jones was so worried about receiving another piece of bad news in the next call that he didn’t even dare to pick up the phone and call the next student.

What I need now is a piece of good news to encourage myself. Jones then searched the list and found the name Cruise.

I remember this guy, Cruise. An excellent sportsman with blonde hair. He will have finished the competition!

Thinking about that, Jones skipped the other phone numbers on the list and dialed Cruise’s phone number first. And after a long wait, Cruise answered.

“Is this Mr. Cruise? Hello, I’m Coach Jones of the Ironman Training Center.”

…

Cruise walked into the restaurant to see the fat guy, Hassel, in the corner.

In front of Hassel were two big plates full of food. And Hassel was eating happily with his knife and fork.

He has gotten much thinner since we last saw each other a few days ago. It seems that the physical training class he attended was effective to some extent, Cruise thought and then walked towards him.

“You are much thinner.” Cruise sat facing Hassel and pointed to the plates to ask, “But you will be as fat as before if you keep eating so much.”

“I was tired to death because of the damn competition. I slept for a whole day and a night to recover. And my training before! It felt like being in hell. It was not easy for me to go through all this. So, eating this is my reward to myself,” the fat guy said as he kept eating.

Cruise’s face looked melancholy as he thought about the competition. He then called the waiter to order a meal to hide his depression.

“Another for me, too,” said Hassel, pointing to his own plate. Then he asked Cruise, “Which beach do you want a job interview at? Some suggestions first. Do not go to the Monica South Cape Beach. I’m going there for my interview. My dream girl is there.”

“Job interview? Maybe next year I will have the opportunity.” Cruise sighed deeply and then suddenly raised his head in confusion, looking at Hassel. He asked, “What did you say just now? You have a job interview for a lifeguard position?”

“Yes. Three days from now.” Hassel nodded seriously.

Cruise stared at Hassel, and he thought Hassel was bragging.

“Are you kidding? The job of a beach lifeguard requires that you pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. Are you telling me that you have passed the competition?” said Cruise, leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed.

“Yes, I passed. I mean it. Believe me!” Hassel replied while Cruise smiled disdainfully, which let Hassel know that Cruise didn’t believe his words at all.

“I know it sounds fantastic. And even I could not believe it when I woke up.” Hassel then took out his mobile phone to show Cruise a photo and said, “Look. It’s my certificate!”

Cruise looked at the picture. It really was Hassel’s certificate of passing the 24-hour Frogman Challenge.

“Is this a fake one you created with Photoshop?” Cruise looked at the fat man skeptically.

Hassel shook his head at once. “Of course not. Come to my home to see it if you don’t believe me. Or, you can check the serial number of my certificate on their official website. Man, we’ve known each other for ten years. I would never lie to you on this.”

“So, you really passed the competition?” Cruise said wide-eyed, staring at his fat friend. Then he asked, “How did you do that?”

“Just everyday training. I have a training plan from Coach Li. As I said just now, the hell-style training. However, I must give him my thanks now. I wouldn’t have passed the challenge but for his help.” Hassel ate a mouthful of food and then asked, “By the way, you haven’t told me which beach you want to go to for the job interview.”

“I didn’t finish the competition,” Cruise said after a pause, deciding that there was no need to hide it from his friend.

“What? You didn’t finish the competition? Stop kidding me. That’s not funny.” Apparently Hassel didn’t believe what Cruise said.

In Hassel’s memory, Cruise had been a master of sports since his childhood. Cruise was good at almost all kinds of sports, and was the best player on their high school football team, and a college offered him a scholarship. At college, he even ran track and field. Hassel thought he was far behind Cruise in the field of sports. That was a kind of difference that could never be bridged, even through a lifetime of training. What’s more, he believed that a competition that he passed would be a piece of cake for Cruise.

Hassel’s surprise put Cruise in a worse mood due to the fact that he had lost to this fat guy in sports. He felt insulted, even though they were friends.

Cruise then fell into depression. At the same time, his phone rang. He picked up his mobile phone and saw a landline number.

“Is that telemarketing?” Cruise didn’t want to answer, but his cell phone kept ringing, so he answered.

“Is this Mr. Cruise? Hello, I’m Coach Jones of the Ironman Training Center. I’m calling to ask if you have passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge?” Jones said on the phone.

“No.” Cruise’s voice was angry, and his attitude was cold.

If it were a few minutes ago, Cruise wouldn’t be so cold. But the 24-hour Frogman Challenge had been a scar on his heart since he knew that Hassel passed the competition. Jones’s call to ask him about the result of the Challenge was just insult to injury.

Jones didn’t catch the chillness in Cruise’s words. On the contrary, he asked in disbelief, “I thought you would have passed. Which section did you quit?”

Cruise was hurt again. He just wanted to hang up the phone immediately. But out of politeness, he replied, “The 25 obstacles.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. You almost finished the Challenge!” said Jones regretfully. And then he began to comfort Cruise, “But you are very close to success. Keep training with me and you will pass the Challenge!”

Jones’s words made Cruise unhappier. Seeing the fat guy eating happily across from him and recalling his own training in the Ironman Training Center, Cruise felt he had been fooled and had spent his money in vain.

There’s no difference between those exercises in the center and what I do in a normal gym. This Jones has cheated me once and he now wants to do it again! Cruise’s tolerance ended at that moment.

“No, I will not go to your center next year. I will not go there again for the rest of my life!” said Cruise angrily.

Jones did not know for a moment how he had offended Jones. He instinctively asked, “Why?”

“Why? Why don’t you ask yourself?” Cruise said and then he added, “Do you remember the guy who was with me when I signed up for the training in your center? The fat man you refused! He was trained in another place, and then he went through the 24-hour Frogman Challenge! And I, who have been trained by you for so long, have failed on a wall only two and a half meters high! D*mn you and your physical training center. You cheaters! Sooner or later you will go out of business!”

Cruise hung up the phone angrily and then put the phone number into his blocklist.

Across from him, Hassel, with salad in his mouth, looked at him and was stunned. Hassel then asked, “Did I hear that right? You really didn’t finish the competition?”

Hassel even couldn’t speak clearly with his mouth so filled with food.

Chapter 434 - One Hundred Percent and Zero

Chapter 434: One Hundred Percent and Zero

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The secretary who had recently started as an intern knocked on the door and walked into Blake’s office. She put a folder on the table and said, “Mr. Blake, the follow-up calls have all been finished.”

Blake got the folder and opened it to have a look. And he became serious.

“Nancy, this work is very serious. I hope you can do it carefully. If you just dawdle, you can pack up and leave now,” said Blake.

The secretary was so frightened that she almost cried. Her expression was a little confused. And she asked, “What’s wrong with my work, Mr. Blake?”

Blake’s facial expression was saying, “You know what I mean.” He pointed to the folder in his hand and asked, “Are you sure you have done all the follow-up calls that I asked you to do? Did you call each of them?”

“Yes, Mr. Blake. I called them all and I recorded the results of my calls on the document.” She pointed to the folder in his hand.

But Blake laughed ironically. “Nancy, this work is not a joke, and today is not April Fool’s Day! Everyone on the follow-up list is satisfied with our training. Okay, it may not be too surprising to have a one hundred percent satisfaction rate. But the key point is that everyone chose ‘passed’ as the result of the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. All of them passed the challenge. A pass rate of one hundred percent. Do you think that’s possible? Nancy, you must know that I can tolerate the inefficiency of my employees, but I cannot tolerate cheating. Honesty is of great importance.”

The secretary felt wronged. She timidly explained, “I confirmed with them again and again. But all of them told me that they passed that competition. It’s true. I didn’t lie to you. What I said is true. You can check the results with our clients if you do not believe me.”

On hearing the words of the secretary, Blake frowned. He had thought that she filled out all the forms with “passed” without making the follow-up calls because she didn’t take her job seriously. But he could tell from her expression that her words were true.

“Did every client finish the competition? No. That’s impossible. It’s the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, not a simple mass sports activity. A 50% pass rate would be a big surprise. How could it be a one hundred percent pass rate? Are the students in this training class all professional athletes of triathlon?”

Blake didn’t believe it. But he was softened, seeing the grievance of the young secretary. He decided to call to check on his own.

Let me pick a few clients randomly and ask them. The truth will show itself.

…

Half an hour later, Blake was stunned, looking at the phone on the desk. Everyone he called had passed the competition. For a moment, he didn’t know whether he should continue to make the next call or not.

Jesus! Each of them passed the competition! Has the 24-hour Frogman Challenge become easier? Why does it seem like a driving test, which anyone can pass?

Blake was a professional. He knew the difficulty of the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. The challenge was designed as the test for the Navy Seals. The fact that the average people could pass would be evidence to prove that Navy Seals were too unqualified.

It suddenly occurred to Blake that Dai Li had been in charge of the training.

How did Dai Li achieve that? Blake couldn’t help getting out his mobile phone and calling Dai Li.

…

“All passed? How did I do that? Just training! If one trains poorly, let him spend more time on training and eventually he will be able to pass the competition,” Dai Li said, relaxed.

“Are you kidding? Your description makes it sound as simple as shopping at Wal-Mart!” Blake snorted coldly, then lowered his voice to say, “Tell me honestly if you’re using something you shouldn’t use.”

Dai Li was slightly stunned. And after thinking for a moment he realized the indication of Blake’s words.

“You mean stimulants? Randy, as a former professional athlete, you should know that in the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, stimulants wouldn’t work,” said Dai Li with a smile.

“You are right,” Blake nodded and replied. The 24-hour Frogman Challenge was a physical test for the average person. It was not like the Olympic Games or the World Championship. For ordinary people, using stimulants made no difference. For example, an examinee who drunk a can of Red Bull before his physical test for a senior high school entrance exam would not experience any improvement in his scores. The only effect of drinking Red Bull would be to quench his thirst.

Blake added, “A pass rate of one hundred percent. It’s really a miracle. To tell you the truth, I would like to announce this result to the public. It will be great advertising for us, and we will win more customers for the next year’s training class.”

“Make it public then. Publicity is your job,” said Dai Li.

“But do you think anyone will believe it? That’s the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. I myself didn’t believe it until I saw the result of the one hundred percent pass in person. But we will be faced with questioning from all over Los Angeles. Everyone will take us as cheaters. But due to our protection policy of the privacy of our clients, we are not allowed to disclose the information of our clients. Therefore, our announcement cannot be verified by those who question. We will not be able to prove that the one hundred percent pass is real,” said Blake.

Privacy protection really mattered in America. China saw a weak awareness in privacy protection. In China, some training classes for civil service entrance exams usually announced the information of their students who passed the exams. Those classes wanted the whole world to know that some of their students were admitted by the Finance Bureau, the Construction Bureau, or the National Tax Bureau. Some high schools in China issued the list of their students enrolled by universities on their bulletin boards every summer at their gates. Students’ names, scores, and admission results, which were all private student information, were usually used as material to flaunt the achievements of those high schools.

But Americans put more importance on protecting privacies. A physical training center must keep the information of clients a secret. Leaks of the information could cause a lawsuit.

The 24-hour Frogman Challenge was so difficult that no one would ever believe in a one hundred percent pass rate. And the best way to prove its achievements would be to reveal the performance of its students, which was impossible given the privacy protection system in the US.

Announcing the pass rate without evidence would only result in endless questions from the outside. Such an announcement might operate as a disaster rather than an advertisement.

Dai Li knew Blake well, and he asked, “Since you called to say this, there must be a solution, right?”

“I have an idea. We can’t release the information of all the students, but we can publish the information of one or two of them. It’s not a difficult thing. What we need is only the consent of the chosen ones. But the chosen student should be as physically normal as possible. We should convey through him a message that our pass rate is real to the public,” said Blake.

Suddenly, Blake’s words reminded Dai Li of Hassel, the fat guy. Hassel’s shape made it impossible for anyone to believe that he could pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. From another point of view, the fact that he passed made it reasonable to say that all of the rest of the students passed.

Just like it was reasonable to say that the whole class passed the exam when the one ranked last in the class passed.

Therefore, Dai Li said, “There is a student named Hassel in the training class this time. He is a fat guy, and you can find his photo in the student database. I think he is a good choice for us to show to the public as a typical image.”

“Okay, I will get in touch with him at once,” answered Blake.

“No. Let me talk to him in person,” Dai Li said. Then he added, “Hassel will soon take part in a job interview. Maybe we can help him.”

…

“Coach Li, I didn’t think you’d call me,” Hassel said in surprise.

“Mr. Hassel, I think you haven’t taken part in the job interview for beach lifeguards, have you?” asked Dai Li.

“No, I haven’t. I am still preparing for the interview. It was scheduled on the morning of the day after tomorrow at first, but apparently the interview has been moved to next week since too many people have applied for the position. But I think I can hardly be chosen. The Monica South Cape Beach will only pick one person this year. And I am just one of the dozens of candidates. Too many people want to be beach lifeguards.” Dismay gradually filled Hassel’s voice as he replied.

“I have a plan that will bring you some fame and depict you positively. It may help you become a beach lifeguard.” Dai Li lowered his voice mysteriously and added, “If you are interested in it, please come to the training center so that we can have a talk in detail.”

…

In the Ironman Training Center.

Max had been waiting for the results of the follow-up calls for a whole day. But he hadn’t seen Jones yet.

It seems that I will not hear good news. Jones would have been here earlier if the results had been very good. Max had realized that the results of the class must be barely satisfactory, if not worse.

The 24-hour Frogman Challenge is very difficult. I shouldn’t expect much. I can accept it, barely, if 30% or 40% of the students can pass the challenge.

Thinking of that, Max decided not to wait any longer. He called Jones and asked him to come.

Minutes later. Jones turned up in Max’s office.

“Coach Jones, are all follow-up calls to the students in the physical training class done? How about the results? How many of our students passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge?” Max asked directly.

“Well…” Jones finally plucked up his courage and replied, “None of our students passed the competition.”

“Pardon?” Max thought he had misunderstood Jones’s words.

“I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Max,” said Jones hurriedly. “It is just an accident this year. Next year! Next year I will certainly…”

“You just said that no one passed the competition? None of them?” Max didn’t care about the latter part of Jones’s words. He was still thinking about “none of our students passed the competition.”

“Sorry. But it’s the situation now,” Jones said awkwardly.

Max was shocked. He had predicted that the results this year would be bad. He had even prepared for the worst situation where just one or two students passed the challenge. There was really a “one” in the results. The “one” in “none”.

The next second Max looked at Jones in shock.

It would be incredible to find that all students passed, but none of them? That was much more incredible.

In his school days, almost everyone had gotten full marks at least once. But few had gotten zero, except those who handed in blank test papers. According to probability, the probability of avoiding all the correct answers was lower than that of answering all questions correctly. You could guess the right answers to one or two questions even if you learned nothing. Perhaps only the one who knew all the correct answers was able to answer all the questions wrong.

So, at that moment, Max was astonished. No one in the training class passed. That sounded like winning the lottery.

How bad was the training to make all of them fail in the competition! How did Jones do that? Max stared at Jones and he didn’t know what to say.

At that moment, there came a knock on the door. And then Max’s most senior employee, the coach with whiskers, came in.

He looked at Jones with a hint of disdain in his eyes, then he turned to Max and said, “I have just learned that the training center of Coach Li claimed that all of their students this year passed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. That’s a pass rate of one hundred percent.”

“One hundred percent! That’s impossible!” said Max

On hearing of this, Jones was sweating like a pig.

..

Chapter 435 - Press Conference

Chapter 435: Press Conference

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“All students finished the competition? 100 percent completion rate? It’s impossible! Are they all from the SEALs?” Max shouted hysterically.

Max’s reaction was understandable. None of his students finished the competition, while all of Dai Li’s students finished it, which would drive anyone a little crazy. It was like if a parent’s child got a zero on a test, while the neighbor’s child got a perfect score. It would let any parent down.

A minute later, Max calmed down and said, “That can’t be true. It was the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. It can’t have 100 percent completion rate. It’s a lie, a fraud. It’s false publicity! We must expose him!”

“So, what do you want to do?” the beard asked.

“We are not enough for this. We need to unite other training centers to make the event bigger. We’ll make sure all people in Los Angeles know that Coach Li is a liar. We’d better take this opportunity to get him out of Los Angeles!” Max said savagely.

…

The 100 percent completion rate indeed displeased others. As for the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, it was difficult for a high-level training center to reach a half completion rate, even if the center was selective in who they recruited for training. For example, Cruise was an athlete, and only people like him could finish the 24-hour Frogman Challenge after formal training. For people with no basis of sports, it wouldn’t even be possible to run 58km.

However, Dai Li got a 100 percent completion rate. It was a big deal, and a slap in the face to the other training centers. It wasn’t even possible for everyone to pass the exam, but Dai Li had somehow gotten a full score.

Many fitness training centers in Los Angeles were united together spontaneously, believing that Dai Li was lying to generate publicity and recruit students. It seemed that they were trying to kick Dai Li out of Los Angeles.

The media also fanned the flames of the controversy. Though California was a place with a large number of Chinese people, discrimination against Chinese still existed. How could those traditional white people allow a Chinese man to walk on them? For the media, the incitement to racial confrontation was always a great way to catch people’s attention.

…

“You seem to have touched the interests of many people. You’ve become the public enemy of all fitness training centers in Los Angeles. Maybe someone will accuse you of false publicity!” Blake said with a smile.

“I didn’t do it. We did it.” Holding a cup of black tea, Dai Li asked, “Is everything ready for the press conference?”

Blake nodded. “No problem! Hassel has sent us his old pictures, so we can hold the press conference anytime.”

“Let’s begin! Time to take advantage of public opinion.” Taking a deep breath, Dai Li said smilingly, “Prepare more food and drinks for the press conference as well as some small gifts. These journalists have come to give us free publicity, so we can’t let them go home empty-handed! As a Chinese saying goes, courtesy costs nothing…”

…

Wearing a stiff suit, Blake stood upon a makeshift podium, next to a projection screen.

There were some journalists in the audience, and some people had come just to watch.

Dressed in a plain tracksuit with a peaked cup covering most of his face, Max stood in a very humble position. He seemed to be a client coming to a training session, only to come across a press conference here and join the crowd.

100 percent completion rate, that is impossible! I want to see how you defend yourself, you liar! Max thought in his mind.

At this time, Blake waved for silence and said, “This spring, our fitness training center started a fitness training program for clients who wanted to participate in the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. This training program was very successful, and our students all finished the challenge. However, many people doubt that it is possible for our training center achieved a 100 percent completion rate. Therefore today, we are holding the press conference to explain this to the public.”

Blake paused and then said with a solemn expression, as if to announce something very important, “The first thing I want to say here is that our training center achieved a 100 percent completion rate in this 24-hour Frogman Challenge. They all finished it.”

“So how can you prove it?” someone asked.

“If I was allowed, I would show you the results of all the students in our fitness training program. However, we can’t do it for the confidentiality of our clients,” Blake said.

“So, you can’t prove it at all.”

“I knew it. They are just bluffing. It’s impossible to achieve 100 percent completion rate in 24-hour Frogman Challenge.”

“I thought there would be big news, but this is no news at all.”

“This training center is lying, and its false publicity!”

People began to whisper.

Blake on the stage was in no hurry. He didn’t listen to the murmurs of disapproval, but raised his voice and said, “Although we can’t disclose the information and results of our clients, we still can invite one of them. I believe he will provide ample evidence for the 100 percent completion rate.”

“Humph! Can only one of them prove that all finished the challenge? Every training center in Los Angeles has students who can finish the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. It’s common to find a gifted student to talk about his training experience!” said a short man not far from Max, full of disapproval.

Many people agreed with that, except Max. He was upset because his Ironman Training Center couldn’t find a student who had completed the race.

Blake didn’t take it seriously. He motioned backstage and continued, “Let’s welcome Mr. Hassel!”

Hearing his name, fat Hassel trotted up to the stage.

For an instant, the scene was quiet. Everyone looked at Hassel in great astonishment. And then the discussion began like a sudden riot.

“This guy looks a little fat!”

“I don’t know how many pounds he is, but he must be fatter than me.”

“Such a fat man completed the 24-hour Frogman Challenge? Probably not. I mean, the challenge is really difficult, right?”

“If such a guy can finish it, I think I can too.”

“Maybe this guy is lying for the training center!”

Blake smiled and once again motioned the audience to be quiet, and then said to Hassel, “Mr. Hassel, would you show us your certificate of completion?”

“Sure.” Hassel nodded. At this time, people discovered that Hassel had a hard folder in his hand. He opened the folder and placed it before his chest like an award certificate, facing the audience.

“This is the certificate of the 24-hour Frogman Challenge, and it has a serial number on it. We can check it on the website to see it is true…”

“Don’t need to check. It’s true since he dares to bring it out. The fat guy finished the challenge.”

Meanwhile, the projection screen next to Blake was showing a slide with old pictures of fat Hassel.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what I’m showing you now is what Mr. Hassel looked like before training,” Blake pointed to the screen and said.

“He looked even fatter then.”

“Guess how many pounds the fat man lost.”

“The fat man seems to have lost a lot of weight. For this reason, if for no other, this training center is really not bad.”

“I can’t believe that the fat guy like a ball in the picture could pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge after training!”

“If that guy can finish the race, I’m pretty certain I can too.”

Blake was quite pleased with the reaction, and once again silenced the crowd. He said, “After looking at Hassel’s pictures, I think you guys can understand that Mr. Hassel certainly wasn’t good at sports in the past, and many of us here are probably in better physical condition than he was. Even so, through our training and his personal efforts, Mr. Hassel still passed the extremely difficult 24-hour Frogman Challenge. I think this can prove that our training has achieved a 100 percent completion rate.”

The audience kept silent and many people even agreed with that. If even a person like Hassel could complete the 24-hour Frogman Challenge after training, it wouldn’t be surprising that all the other students could do it, too.

In fact, everyone thought they must be better than that fat guy in the picture. Since the fat guy could finish the challenge, then doubting the others would suggest that they were not even better than a fat guy. No reporter wanted to dig a hole for himself. It was like when a group of men were together; no one would admit that they were short and soft, but would only brag about how strong they were.

Standing unobtrusively in the corner, Max was astonished to see the pictures.

How could such a fat guy complete the challenge? What’s their training program? I really want to know how the fat guy’s training program was designed.

Max knew that he definitely couldn’t make fat Hassel complete the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. He also knew that no other training center in Los Angeles could make it happen, either.

As he watched the reporters from the stage, Blake finally felt it was enough and winked at a young man in the crowd.

The young man understood, raised his hand, and asked loudly, “Mr. Hassel, why did you want to participate in the difficult 24-hour Frogman Challenge? Is it because you want to challenge your weakness?”

The young man asked in a euphemistic way. If he had asked more directly, it would have sounded like this: Why did you want to trouble yourself since you were so fat? Are you playing with yourself?

The scene was quiet again and everyone was looking at Hassel.

“I want to be a beach lifeguard,” Hassel answered.

“I see. So, beach lifeguard is your dream job?” the young man continued to ask.

Suddenly Hassel looked shy. He looked at Blake, who gave him an encouraging look.

Finally, Hassel said, “The girl I love is a beach lifeguard.”

“I see. It turns out that for the sake of his beloved girl, he was willing to accept such a difficult challenge. Love is so powerful!” The young man started clapping.

People around him saw the young man clapping, and recalling the sentence “love is so powerful,” they were affected immediately. They couldn’t help but start clapping.

The next second, there was a thunderous applause for Hassel.

…

The long table was filled with snacks and free drinks, and the journalists all got together around the table.

No matter the country, a journalist’s work was very hard. It was quite usual for them to sleep outside and eat nothing while they worked. But now, few people would refuse these free afternoon snacks.

Max couldn’t stay any longer. He was in a terrible mood. He hadn’t thought that the press conference today would not only cause no damage to Dai Li’s reputation, but also offer him free advertising.

Max lowered his peaked cup, trying to cover more of his face, and headed towards the door.

“Excuse me, sir!” a woman said behind Max.

Am I recognized? Max was in panic.

The woman was Blake’s intern secretary. She walked to Max and handed him a nice paper bag. “This is a small gift for you, sir. Thank you for attending our press conference.”

I wasn’t recognized. Max sighed in relief. He looked at the bag with the words “Coach Li Fitness Training Center” printed on it.

“What’s this?” Max asked.

“A portable weight scale,” the intern secretary answered with a sweet smile.

Max felt a little restless.

How can the boss of the Ironman Training Center accept a scale from my competitor? It’s an insult! And it would be shameful if others know I accepted their scale! I would be viewed as a joke then.

But if I don’t accept the gift, will they doubt my identity? After all, it is not common to refuse a free gift! Oh, no. If I was recognized, they would think I was spying on my competitors, and there are so many journalists…

D*mn it. You just needed to hold your press conference and everyone else just needs to leave after it. Why do you have to give gifts!

At that moment, Max thought that the logo on the bag was dazzling.

Chapter 436 - Tragic Last Shot

Chapter 436: Tragic Last Shot

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Hassel entered the interview room and saw four people sitting behind a long table. These four people were definitely the interviewers.

Feeling nervous, Hassel went to the interviewee’s chair and sat down stiffly.

In the following minutes, Hassel felt dizzy. The interviewers asked questions, and he answered. But after answering, Hassel couldn’t remember what he had said.

Then he walked out of the room without waiting for further notice.

“It seems to be over. I think that was a terrible performance,” Hassel muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, the four interviewers in the room started to discuss Hassel.

“I wouldn’t believe such a fat guy could pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge if I didn’t see him in person.”

“It seems that you seldom go online. That fat Hassel is a new web celebrity in Los Angeles.”

“Web celebrity? Did he do something special?”

“He just finished the 24-hour Frogman Challenge after hard training. For his figure, it was a miracle.”

At this time, one of the interviewers took his phone and started searching.

“I found it. This is a picture of him. He was much fatter than he is now. Have a look…” The guy showed the others the picture on his phone.

“Oh my god! He used to be so fat, and he unexpectedly passed the challenge. He must have worked harder than anybody else. That’s admirable.”

“It says the power of love helped him pass the 24-hour Frogman Challenge. What does that mean?”

“He fell in love with a girl who is a beach lifeguard. Therefore, he wants to be a beach lifeguard for that girl.”

“He came to us for an interview, which means the girl he loves is on our Monica South Beach, right? Well, I have a bold idea…”

They looked at each other as if they had seen through each other’s thoughts.

…

A shooting match was playing on the TV. A middle-aged man was sitting on the sofa in front of the TV, with a melancholy expression.

Suddenly, the TV was turned off. The middle-aged man turned around and saw a middle-aged woman with dark brown hair standing behind the sofa, holding the remote. Apparently, she had just turned off the TV.

“Honey, don’t look back on these depressing things. You should look at something pleasant. If you continue to immerse yourself in your past failure, you’ll just burden your mind and heart,” the woman said.

The middle-aged man kept silent for a few seconds and said, “I think it’s time to retire!”

“What did you say?” The woman was shocked by the unexpected answer.

“I said I should retire.” Lowering his head, the middle-aged man sighed. “Every time, every time I fired the last shot, I couldn’t make it. I’m tired of this all these years! I really can’t persist…” the man said, with his head in his hands. He looked in pain.

The woman looked at her husband heartbrokenly. She knew what her husband had been through all these years. She sympathized with him and felt pity for him, but she also wished he could buck up.

The woman sat next to her husband, holding him in her arms. After he calmed down, she said, “Do you still remember Randy Blake, Adam?”

“You mean that commentator?” the man asked.

“Yes. Him.” The woman touched her husband’s shoulder lightly and continued to say, “Now he is a partner in a fitness training center, and that is where Taylor has trained.”

“I have read some reports. The chief coach there is Chinese, but he helped Taylor to return to his peak,” the man said.

“So, I think you should also have a try. Maybe the Chinese coach would help you back too!”

…

Blake entered Dai Li’s office and saw Dai Li talking to someone on the phone.

A long time later, Dai Li put down the phone and said, “Hassel called me to tell me he was accepted by the Monica South Beach.”

“That’s not surprising. Hassel is a web celebrity in Los Angeles now, and he’s becoming known as an inspirational role model. He stands for a positive image, a person who is willing to work hard for love. I think it is a good advantage for Monica South Beach. It will attract more visitors there. People will be curious about what the beach lifeguard who was a fat person before looks like, and what the gorgeous girl the fat man loves so much looks like. From a business standpoint, he has a good chance of getting the job,” Blake nodded.

“Well, we wish him well. May he finally get his beloved girl!” After saying this, Dai Li continued to ask, “By the way, what have you come to me for?”

“You heard the name Adam Holly, right?” Blake asked.

“That famous shooter?” Dai Li nodded. “I know him. Known as the Tragic Last Shot. He is deeply impressed on my memory. He missed the target that year, so that China got one more gold medal. Now he is known as our national friend.”

“I knew them when I was a commentator. Adam’s wife Karina was also a shooting world champion. Mrs. Holly just called me, and they want to train here,” Blake said.

“Just Mrs. Holly, or both of them?” Dai Li asked.

“Sorry, I didn’t make it clear. Mrs. Holly applied for her husband, and only Adam Holly will come for training,” Blake explained.

“It’s the first time for me to deal with the fitness training of shooters. As far as I’m concerned, shooting doesn’t require much physical ability.” Dai Li thought about it and revised his previous statement immediately. “But not necessarily. If I remember correctly, Adam Holly was in the 50-meter rifle shooting with three positions. This event consists of three positions, and each position needs 40 shoots, 120 in all, and then 10 shoots in the final. The whole competition lasts more than four hours. Therefore, the 50-meter rifle shooting with three positions is known as the marathon of shooting.”

“You are right. But Adam Holly isn’t coming for physical training,” Blake said.

“What is he coming here for, if not physical training? This is not a shooting center. To be honest, I know nothing about shooting. So, I can’t give any guidance to this world champion. Does he want to be a coach here?” Dai Li asked in confusion, shrugging his shoulders.

“You know that Adam Holly is known as the Tragic Last Shot, and he can never make the last shot. So, his wife hopes that we can help him to manage this,” Blake said.

“Are you kidding me?” Dai Li looked annoyed. “He can’t make the last shot. He should see a psychologist for that, rather than me, a sports coach!”

“Adam Holly was powerful when he was young. Apparently, he is still powerful now, except his last shot. Therefore, Mrs. Holly hopes that you can help him to find his state when he was young, just like you helped Taylor.” Blake paused and asked, “Will you accept the work?”

Chapter 437 - The Shadow of the Failure

Chapter 437: The Shadow of the Failure

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Rubbing his temple, Blake thought for several seconds and then said, “Adam Holly is famous in America. From the perspective of publicity, it is beneficial for us to make this deal. And Adam Holly is rich, so he can afford high training fees. His name as a world champion can bring him some advertising revenue, and he has a shooting training center with an outdoor shooting range, which earns more than two million dollars for him every year.”

“Is a shooting center so lucrative?” Dai Li was surprised. “I know the gun industry is highly developed in America. It is said that there are more guns than people in this country. But I never knew that the industry had developed into such a prosperity that a single shooting training center can make two million dollars!”

Blake smiled and said, “I understand that what you want to say is about gun abuse in America. However, there are more reasons for the lucrativeness of Holly’s shooting center than the charm and celebrity of the Holly’s. For example, Adam Holly himself often plays the role of a coach and teaches courses on shooting. It is reasonable that courses from a world champion of shooting sports are more expensive.”

Not fully understanding Blake’s words, Dai Li nodded and listened to his explanation.

Blake added, “Adam Holly is a genius when it comes to shooting. With his father and grandfather as hunters, he has inherited the gene from his family. He started learning to shoot when he was five years old.”

“Wait for a second,” Dai Li interrupted him and said, “you mean hunters? Professional hunters? Such an old career still exists in America nowadays?”

“Yes, and it is very easy to get a hunting license. Anyone who meets the requirements can apply for a license by paying a fee and presenting a couple proofs of identity. Many gun shops even offer to make the application for you. And, of course, there are rules about what animals you can hunt. Having a hunting license doesn’t mean you are free to hunt all wild animals.”

“As for professional hunters today, they make their money mainly from hunting and offering guide services. Their prey are usually wild boar. The wild boar in the US is a non-native species that was brought here by the Spanish long ago, sp the wild boar generally has no natural enemies in the US. The wild boar population in some places will multiple three to five times every five years. Groups of wild boar will destroy crops, kill livestock, and even harm humans. Therefore, it is usual farmers who hire hunters to kill the boar.”

“And the hunting guide services are for hunters who are new or unfamiliar with an area. As you know, many hunters have a mastery of shooting, but they don’t know where to find the prey and how to track it. And there lies the opportunity for professional hunters. Going out with a professional hunter can make an amateur hunter safer. Professional hunters make big money by offering such services, since many amateur hunters are rich and willing to spend several thousand dollars on finding a black bear.”

After briefing Dai Li on hunters, Blake went on describing Adam Holly. “Where are we now? Oh, yes. Holly started learning to shoot when he was five years old. At that point, he wasn’t even strong enough to pick up a sporting rifle. He started with pistols, and soon, he showed his talent for shooting. He won the championship of the teenage group of an American national 10m air pistol game when he was twelve years old.”

“Besides shooting, Holly loves baseball, too. But his talent in baseball is not as great as his talent in shooting sports. Some top universities in America are willing to offer full scholarships to the best shooters. He chose shooting finally for the full scholarship. What’s more, he chose 50m air rifle, the most difficult program.”

Few American parents pay college tuition fees for their children, since tuition is very expensive in America. Most Americans go to college on loans. From the day they enter college, they shoulder the burden of paying their student loans. It usually costs them a few years after graduation to pay off the student loans. So, many students try to apply for scholarships to lighten the pressure.

The full scholarship in America covers not only tuition but also living expenses for the student. A full scholarship usually means that you are freed from worries about tuition fees and living costs. Some students even have a little money left over. A student with the full scholarship lives a pretty good life on campus. He or she doesn’t need to work for a living, and also doesn’t need to worry about student loans. Therefore, many Americans start planning for college scholarships in their junior high school days.

Blake continued, “After entering college, Holly received more professional training, which led to a rapid development of his shooting skills. He was the best in the 50 meters air rifle program all over the US when he graduated.”

“Holly became a professional shooter after his graduation. He then started to participate frequently in shooting games, including national and global games. He got many gold medals, including the one of the world championship of shooting. Holly soon grew into a household name in America. A sharpshooter would be an idol, given that shooting was a sport widely loved in America.”

“Later, he took part in the Olympic Games. You mentioned witnessing him picking the wrong target and losing the gold medal when he should have won. You know that failure.”

Dai Li nodded and said, “I watched the match on TV that day. Our Chinese shooter ranked number two after the next to last shot. And he was 9.1 points behind Holly. Holly would have won without any doubt if he hadn’t missed the target. But he did miss. And dramatically, he shot on someone else’s target, getting a breathtaking score of 10.6 points, which was almost never happened in a professional game, especially in an Olympic final. With due respect, I was so excited that I jumped up from my chair when I saw it happen.”

“An Olympic gold medal for free was a perfect reason for you to celebrate,” Blake said unnaturally.

Dai Li smiled awkwardly, and he asked, “What’s the following story then? Holly lost the gold medal. He has been accused by Americans, hasn’t he?”

“No, he is our hero!” Blake shook his head and added, “It seems that you don’t know there are two programs under 50m rifle. They are 50m Rifle Three Positions, in which Holly lost the gold medal, and 50m Rifle Prone, which ended earlier. And the winner of the Olympic 50m Rifle Prone competition was Adam Holly. Why should we blame a man who won one gold medal and one silver medal in the Olympic Games?”

“Oh! I only know his bad luck at the Olympic Games. I really didn’t know that he had already been an Olympic champion before his failure,” replied Dai Li.

“Almost everyone blamed the failure on Holly’s bad luck. And the failure did pay Holly something in return. A Czech female shooter comforted Holly after the final ended. Her name is Ekarina, and she is Adam Holly’s wife now. He lost a gold medal, but he got a beauty,” Blake said.

“Yuan, Miao Bu Ke Yan…” Dai Li whispered in Chinese.

“What are you saying?” asked Blake.

“It means…” Dai Li took some efforts to explain this Chinese idiom to Blake and finally, Dai Li made himself half-understood.

Blake knew that it was hard for Dai Li to express the exact meaning of the phrase in English. So, he didn’t waste much time on the Chinese sentence. He went back to talking about Adam Holly. “During the years after the Olympic Games, Holly got world championships many times. He was then still ruling the 50m air rifle program. I even thought he was not influenced by his bad luck at the last shot in the Olympic Games that year.”

“But I was wrong.” Blake changed his tone and added, “Victories Holly got were all because of advantages at early stages of his matches. Holly could win with all his advantages before the final shot. And four years later he was in the Olympic final again, and it was the final shot again. And he failed again. At that moment, everyone realized that he had never escaped the shadow of his failure caused by missing the target four years before.”

“I watch that match on TV. Holly had always been in the leading position, and he was in a good competitive state. He often got 10.5 points and more. He was 4 points more than the shooter in the second place before the final shot. That was a decisive advantage, which meant he only needed another 6 points to be the winner. And the fact was his final shot got only 4.4 points, a score that was almost never seen in an Olympic match,” Dai Li said.

“Yes. And that score showed that he never walked out the shadow of his failure four years before. In fact, he got totally 400 points in the previous 120 shots with prone position, which proved that he was still a king of the 50m air rifle program. Unfortunately, the final shot was his nightmare…” Blake sighed regretfully. “From that day on, he has been stuck by the final shot. It is a good score for him if his final shot can get more than 8 points. Therefore, he is called ‘Tragic Last Shot.’”

“It’s a mental problem!” Dai Li threw up his hands and added, “Doesn’t he go to a psychologist?”

“Of course he does. He has seen psychologists from America and Europe, and famous psychologists all over the world. I think a psychologist would gain great fame if he could solve Holly’s problem of his final shot,” said Blake.

“His problem is not solved by famous psychologists. And he turns to me, a coach?” Dai Li asked, laughing.

Blake obviously held a different opinion. He replied, “Don’t you feel that’s better? You will not need to worry. It’s better if you can solve his problem. And it’s also okay if you cannot.”

Dai Li thought for a moment and he said, “Let me meet with Mr. Holly first and then I can decide.”

“Okay. We really should have a talk with him in person. I will let you know after I set up the appointment,” Blake said. “Next is a piece of good news. I haven’t got letters of resignation for eight weeks. The trend of resignations of our coaches has ended.”

“Okay. Those who want our coaches have got enough coaches from here. And those who wanted to leave left.” Dai Li smiled mysteriously. “Do you still remember what I said before? It’s not so simple to get my employees!”

Chapter 438 - A Trap

Chapter 438: A Trap

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Thor was more than 50 years old, and he had been a fitness coach when he was young. Later, he ran a small community gym, and after several years of operation, the small gym became a medium-sized gym and then a large-scale fitness club. At present, it had become a more advanced “Thor Fitness Training Center.”

More than three years ago, Thor had recruited a coach from Dai Li, and it was a quite successful deal for him. Because Dai Li didn’t pay that coach much, Thor promised to pay the coach an extra 30% of his original salary.

Thor was very content with his decision, because the new coach he got from Dai Li had good performance, even though he had to pay an extra 30% of the man’s salary, he still had an advantage, because it was difficult to train a qualified coach in a short time. No fitness training center would reject such a professional and experienced coach, who could concentrate on work immediately.

At that time, Thor heard that the Ironman Training Center recruited more coaches from Dai Li, and he even regretted not taking measures earlier, or he could have recruited more talented coaches from Dai Li.

Three months later, however, Thor suddenly changed his mind, and found himself regretting his decision to recruit a coach from Dai Li.

Coaches are not scientists. If a scientist could get results from his scientific research in several years, it would be quite fast for him. But many scientists have to spend their entire lives to research a project, and the result wouldn’t come out until the end of their lives. Some scientific results wouldn’t be confirmed until decades after the scientist’s death.

For coaches, three months is enough to prove their training level and coaching ability. For example, if an NBA basketball team changed coaches before the new season, then about one month’s pre-season training camp, 20 days of pre-season games, and one month of regular games are enough to estimate the coaching ability of the new coach. The same is true of football, in that about three months would be enough to estimate the ability of the football coach.

But it would be much quicker to the evaluate the ability of fitness coach. Ten or fifteen days would check the effect of short-term fitness training. Generally speaking, if there wasn’t any effect after a month of fitness training, then the training would have failed.

Now three months had passed, and the new coach should have showed his training results. However, several of his customers retrogressed to varying degrees. Instead of making progress, they stagnated.

Thor realized that he had made a bad decision. What he recruited from Dai Li was not a perfect coach, but a “fake” coach, and he was not worth of the salary Thor paid him.

At the same time, Robin, the boss of another fitness training center in Los Angeles, was also glum.

The man sitting opposite Robin was his partner Johnson. He kept on complaining, “There is no wonder why Walker could only get a small salary; it turns out that he has poor ability.”

“I’m sorry, Johnson, it’s my fault. Walker is not a qualified fitness coach. He would be an entry-level coach in our training center,” Robin added. “But he had great performance when he worked in Dai Li’s training center, and the reason why I decided to recruit him was that I saw the successful cases he had executed. But when he came to our training center, his performance was totally different.”

“Yeah, you made a bad decision. So, I have a suggestion; why not correct the mistake in time? We don’t need such a useless coach!” Johnson said in a low voice.

Robin was silent for a few seconds, then he nodded approvingly and said happily, “Have you heard that other training centers also recruited coaches from Dai Li’s training center, and all of those coaches have had bad performance? Fortunately, we only got one coach from Dai Li’s training center, and we might have lost a whole year’s profit if we had several coaches from Dai Li’s training center.”

“Yes, I heard about that. All the coaches recruited from Dai Li’s training center have had bad performance. If I hadn’t recruited coaches from Dai Li’s training center voluntarily, I would have even suspected that Dai Li was trying to trick us by giving useless people to us,” Johnson said and shook his head. “Now I really admire Dai Li. He knew that those coaches didn’t deserve such a high salary, so when we went there and recruited them, Dai Li didn’t object, and we even regarded them as treasure.”

“What I’m wondering now is why these coaches had good performance when they worked for Dai Li, but when they worked for other training centers, all of them had bad performance,” said Robin.

“Who knows? Maybe it’s magic from the east! Think about ‘Blade Runner’ Philip; he has no legs, but he can beat the top able-bodied runners. In addition, Kevin Taylor is stronger now at 32 years old than he was at 22 years old. In my view, it’s impossible, but Dai Li did it,” Johnson said with a helpless expression.

“Maybe he is a wizard. His training center should be renamed; it should be called Wizard Training Center instead of Dai Li’s Training Center,” Robin remarked jokingly. “By the way, have you thought about Max, from the Ironman Training Center? He spent so much money to recruit the most coaches from Dai Li, I think he must have suffered great losses by now.

The Ironman Training Center

Jones looked decadent.

Jones felt that he was hard-working. He arrived at the Ironman Training Center early every day, and he came home late after work. He put almost all his energy into his work, and he even considered how to make training plans for clients in his days off. Over the past several months, he hadn’t gone to the movies, he hadn’t watched ball games, he hadn’t gone to his favorite bar, he hadn’t even saved the time that he usually allocated for computer games.

But his efforts didn’t pay off. Shortly before, all the students in Jones’s 24-hour Frogman Challenge training class had failed the challenge. After that, someone even complained about his training to his boss Max.

It made Jones confused. He had made such efforts, but the results were terrible.

“When I worked in Dai Li’s training center, my training was very effective. Even the professional athletes were able to make remarkable progress under my training. But when I came here, I made more effort than before, but the results were several levels lower than before. Why?”

Jones looked not far away. There was a coach named Claude, who was a colleague of Jones, now and before.

Claude was once a coach in Dai Li’s training center as well, he had come here with Jones at the same time. And he had the same trouble as Jones; namely, when he worked for Dai Li, he had a good performance and he was praised by many people. But when he came to the Ironman Training Center, he was totally different from before.

It was said that his clients complained about him yesterday. He has the same terrible situation as me, thought Jones.

Just then, a man in the distance shouted to Jones, “Coach Jones, the boss asked you to go to his office!”

Jones was a little confused.

Max sat in his office and he looked very serious. In front of him were several dismissal letters, and Jones’s name was on the first letter.

“It’s time to put an end to it,” Max murmured.

“You need to do this.” The bearded coach was sitting opposite to Max. “If we keep such an unskilled guy here, we will lose more and more clients. In fact, you should’ve fired them just after the end of the fitness training course.”

“You are right. They cost me an extra month’s salary and many clients, which were also a big loss. It’s good that we won’t lose next month’s salary,” Max nodded.

“But according to the rules, you should still pay him another month’s salary,” said the bearded man.

An employer could fire an employee at any time in the United States, since the nation could basically be viewed as employer-dominated. In many states, a reasonable excuse was needed to fire an employee; for example, late arrival to work, low work efficiency, lack of professional ethics, negative impact on the company, and so on. However, in California, the law allowed the employer to fire any employee without any reason at all.

As for labor law, the United States didn’t mandate open-ended contracts. The labor law in the United States mainly protected the employment of certain disadvantaged groups, such as avoiding racial and gender discrimination in employment, and preventing employment discrimination of disabled people.

Also because of this, the United States had many powerful labor unions. Workers who joined a union would have more speaking rights when facing their employers. If their employer fired them without any excuses, they could strike back.

Surely, the compensation for layoff was needed. In general, the compensation contained salary of 1+N months, in which the N stood for the employee’s service years in the company. Taking Jones as example, who hadn’t worked over one year, he only could get one month’s worth of salary as his compensation.

Walking out of the Ironman Training Center, Jones still held the dismissal letter and compensation check.

I’m out of work! Jones still didn’t believe what had happened.

Three months ago, the Ironman Training Center had poached him with the offer of a fat salary. He came here with great ambition and prepared to achieve his big plans.

But three months later, he was like a poor dog, kicked out of the Ironman Training Center with disgrace.

A real master like me can go any place I want! There are so many fitness training centers in Los Angeles. With my work experience, will I even need to worry about my job? Jones started to encourage himself. He took out his phone and checked the latest recruitment information on a recruiting website.

He heard some footsteps behind him, which were from Jones’s previous colleague. Claude came out of the room, also with a dismissal letter in his hand.

Thor Fitness Training Center

Thor, the boss of the training center, looked at the young interviewee and opened his resume. One of the lines of the resume caught his eyes immediately.

“Mr. Jones, I notice that you have worked in Dai Li’s training center in your resume, so can you tell me why you left there to go to the Ironman Training Center?” Thor already had some doubt, but he asked calmly.

“Because Mr. Max offered me a higher salary,” Jones said proudly. In his view, a raise in salary was something to show off, or at least something to prove his value.

But Thor, with a wry smile on his face, soliloquized in a very low voice, “I see, he must have made Max suffer a great loss…”

“Mr. Thor, what did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly,” asked Jones.

Thor narrowed his eyes and looked at Jones with a forced smile. “Mr. Jones, the job in my training center is not suitable for you.”

“Mr. Thor, we can talk more about the salary…” Jones thought Thor was trying to reduce the salary.

“No, no, no, Mr. Jones, it has nothing to do with salary.” Thor leaned back and said, “We don’t need a staff member who worked for Dai Li.”

“Why?” asked Jones instinctively.

“Because I just fired a staffer. He was the same as you; he used to be a coach in Dai Li’s training center.” Thor stretched out his two fingers and said, “There is a big pit in the ground. If you fall into it the first time, you can say you are careless, but if you fall into it twice, that’s stupid.”

Chapter 439 - Dai Li the Bluffer

Chapter 439: Dai Li the Bluffer

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“In front of us is our functional training room, with world-class training equipment, some of which is newly-bought,” Blake explained to Holly eloquently.

Nearby, Adam Holly was looking around, expressionless. He felt contemptuous of this.

Although this Coach Lee’s Fitness Training Center is famous, it is nearly the same as the others, not special at all. Besides, I’m a shooter and general fitness training is enough. How can this kind of professional physical training help me? It seems that today I came here in vain. But it’s for my wife. After all, she wanted me to come here.

Adam Holly thought considered when he could find an excuse to leave.

“That’s our Coach Li.” Blake pointed to the man in front of them.

Adam Holly looked in that direction and saw Dai Li.

That guy is marvelous. Holly started tensing up as he felt the unique quality of a top-level coach in Dai Li.

Blake led Holly to Dai Li, and Dai Li started to detect Holly.

Holly’s ability is 925 and talent S+ in the 50-meter air rifle event. As I expected, his level and talent are at the top. He is also an athlete capable of dominating an era.

Dai Li knew Holly mostly because of his historic missed shot that sent the gold medal to China years ago. In fact, before that, Holly had dominated the 50-meter air rifle event. Whether it was in the United States or on the world stage, it was difficult for others to win as long as Holly attended the competition.

Dai Li continued to detect Holly and finally he found what he wanted to know.

The defect is that his last shot is extremely unstable, infinitely close to negative state, which is caused by psychological reasons. This was expected. But it says his state is unstable. In other words, if he can be stable when he makes the last shot, the tragedy will not happen, right?

Dai Li thought of his state scale, which could adjust the playing state of an athlete.

The state scale could make athletes’ state either extremely stable or unstable. As for Adam Holly, who was now in an infinite negative state, Dai Li didn’t think he could play beyond expectation.

Holly’s ability exceeds 900. He doesn’t need training at all. He should achieve a great result as long as he performs as usual. Therefore, I only need to use the state scale when he attends games so as to stabilize his state. It seems that I am the person Holly needs.

However, I am a coach after all. Since he has come here, it is not appropriate to do nothing for him and ask him to go back and just wait for game. Thus, the training needed should be done one by one. Besides, a psychological problem like Holly’s requires some unique training, rather than those regular training projects. Maybe I should bluff this time!

Dai Li decided to accept this business.

…

After the visit, Holly was taken to the reception room.

When Blake started to ask Holly about it, Dai Li stopped him with a meaningful glance.

Dai Li said, “Mr. Holly, you just visited our training center, and I’m sure you saw many training projects. But I’d like to tell you up front that those training projects you just saw basically won’t be helpful for you at all.”

Hearing this, both Blake and Holly were astonished.

Blake looked at Dai Li with confusion. Blake didn’t know why Dai Li would tell clients that their training had no effect at all. All training centers want their clients to order as many training projects possible, while Dai Li tell them that those training projects are not effective. Is it that this guy doesn’t want to make the money?

Holly was confused too. Business was all about boasting, so why would a businessman take the initiative to say that his goods were not good? Holly even thought it possible that Dai Li expressed himself wrongly, so he asked awkwardly, “Coach Li, I didn’t follow you. You just said that your training project is not helpful for me? Is that right?”

“Yes, I mean it.” Dai Li nodded seriously. “Do you think hours of training on these pieces of gym equipment or on the treadmill would help your last shot accuracy?”

Hearing about the last shot, Adam Holly felt more unnatural, and his heart beat faster. But when Holly recalled Dai Li’s words, he felt that Dai Li was really honest. Training with equipment like a treadmill had nothing to do with shooting accuracy.

Blake was hinting at Dai Li with winks. He didn’t want to lose a famous client like Holly, but Dai Li pretended not to see his winks and continued, “Mr. Holly, regular fitness training can’t solve the issue with your last shot, so we really need some unconventional training to do it.”

“Unconventional training… Wait! You mean you can solve my problem?” Holly wore an incredulous look on his face.

“Sixty percent assurance,” Dai Li said, purposefully being conservative.

Instead, it gave Holly a feeling of hope. At that moment, Holly felt like he just met the very doctor who could cure him when he was ill with incurable disease.

“Coach Li, arrange my training plan, please!” Holly said eagerly.

“No problem. I’ll offer you a specialized training plan, but before that, we should look at the contract first,” said Dai Li, beckoning Blake to prepare the contract.

Blake looked at Dai Li and Holly with astonishment.

What? They haven’t said anything yet. Adam Holly, you are a world champion. Don’t you have a few more questions? As a coach, Dai Li, shouldn’t you explain more? So quick to ask him to sign the contract?

…

Holly left the training center with the copy of the contract in his hand. His signature was scratched clearly across the bottom line.

Why did I sign it? Looking at the contract, Holly was suddenly unable to laugh or cry.

What’s wrong with me? That Coach Li just said that and I signed this contract. I didn’t even ask more. At least I should have asked him the exact content of the unconventional training.

Holly shook his head with guilt. Recalling what happened just now, he only felt that he seemed to lost have his mind and taken Dai Li’s words as absolute truth.

That’s so weird. So many psychologists couldn’t solve my problem, but I unexpectedly believed him when he said sixty percent assurance.

…

Inside the training center, Blake held the other copy of the contract.

He looked at Adam Holly’s signature on the contract, and asked, “The guy just now is the real Adam Holly, right?”

“Nonsense. You led him here, and you found this client. Now you ask me whether it is true. Are you playing with me?” Dai Li gave Blake a stare.

“No, it just went so smoothly. I thought it would take a lot of…” continued Blake.

“Isn’t it good?” Dai Li ignored Blake, sitting in front of the computer, continuing to type and handle his tasks.

“I don’t understand why your simple words could earn his trust that easily?” Blake continued to ask

Maybe because I am the protagonist! Dai Li smiled, but even he didn’t expect the wand of authority to be so effective that Adam Holly would believe him without any hesitation.

Blake asked once again, “But can you really solve his problem with his last shot?”

“Sure. I am working out a training plan for him,” Dai Li said as he continued to type quickly.

“Is this the unconventional training you just mentioned? Let me have a look.” Blake looked at the screen.

“Square dancing, half an hour? Yoga, one hour? Trudging, forty minutes? Arm massage, twenty minutes? What the hell are these?” shouted Blake.

“This is the training plan for Adam Holly!” Dai Li wore a confident smile.

At this moment, Blake was shocked. It was as if he saw his teacher, the legendary coach “White Devil” Ayres, because that kind of confidence and quality was only possessed by a legendary coach.

…

Adam Holly entered his living room.

“How went your training today, Adam? What did you train?” Mrs. Holly asked from the kitchen, before emerging with a fruit tray.

“You don’t look tired at all. I thought you must be tired after hours of physical training, so I prepared these banana and apple slices for you.” She put the tray on the table as she spoke.

Holly took up a banana and said, “My training today was pretty easy. I just danced for a while and did some warm up’s.”

“Dance? That’s a fitness training center, not a dance club!” Mrs. Holly asked, full of astonishment.

“I said that was a warm up. Dance is just for warming up,” said Adam Holly. “After dancing, I mean after the warm up, I did yoga for a while.”

“Yoga? That’s a fitness training center, not a yoga club!” she continued to say.

“Coach Li said doing yoga can not only make your body more coordinated, but can also adjust your mood…” said Adam.

“Then? What else did you do?” Her expression looked odd.

“After that, I trudged along the training center for circles following music. Then Coach Li massaged my arms…” answered Holly.

His wife interrupted him and stared at him. “Adam, I now think it was a mistake to let you go to Coach Li’s training center. Dancing, yoga, and trudging? What kind of training are those? What training center would conduct these training projects? Did we meet a swindler?”

Chapter 440 - Marathon of Shooting

Chapter 440: Marathon of Shooting

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Holly only felt confused and didn’t know what to do during the ten days of weird training, which included dancing, yoga, and trudging.

Holly was a shooter, but he was also a world champion for many years. He had met many great coaches and also knew what their training was like. However, this was the first time that he had encountered this kind of training.

Every evening when Holly returned home and carefully recalled his daily training program, he always felt that the day had been a waste of time. But every time he saw Dai Li, he would follow his training arrangement involuntarily. Every word Dai Li said was full of authority in Holly’s ears, just like an order given by a general to a soldier, which had to be carried out at once without any doubt.

Holly didn’t know the reason why. As for age, Dai Li was younger than him, but Holly felt that even the chief shooting coach of the United States national team was inferior to him in terms of momentum.

But after ten days of weird training, Holly paused his training. He needed to attend the shooting championship in Tennessee, whic was also the qualification trial for the World Shooting Championship.

In the United States, the selection of the World Shooting Championship was just like the field and track events. No matter how great you were, how excellent your previous scores were, or how many world championships and Olympic championships you had earned before, every player had to pass the qualification trial to attend the world games. Even a world record holder couldn’t attend the games if he couldn’t pass the qualification.

This shooting tournament was held in Tennessee because there were many people who liked shooting there.

When talking about places with guns, people generally thought of Texas first. Texas cowboys didn’t hide their love of guns, and there were pictures posted online of Texans carrying M16’s in the supermarket.

However, the number of guns per capita in Tennessee was higher than that of Texas. People there also liked guns. The National Rifle Association often held gun shows in Tennessee, and whenever a gun control act was introduced, there would be demonstrations and parades against it. It was worth mentioning that the famous civil rights fighter, Martin Luther King, was assassinated by an automatic rifle in Tennessee.

It was natural that shooting activity received more attention in a place where guns sold well. Gun manufacturers would not hesitate to sponsor shooting competitions. Here, a famous competition shooter such as Holly had become the idol of many people.

…

Dai Li stood before one of the posters that were hung on the walls of the corridor of the museum and read the content on it carefully.

“Dai Li, why are you looking at this? These are the basic knowledge of shooting events. Only people who are coming here for the first time pay attention to these things,” Blake said to Dai Li before handing him a cola.

“I’m coming here for the first time,” Dai Li said. “I mean, this is my first time being here to watch the games. I’ve watched live on the TV before.”

“I see.” Blake walked to Dai Li and started to lecture him on the subject. “The Olympic Games shooting events mainly use three kinds of guns; handguns, rifles, and 12-gauge double-barreled shotguns. The double-barreled shotguns are mainly used for skeets, and both handguns and rifles are sports pistols.”

“In official competition, pistol events include the men’s 50m pistol slow fire, the 25m pistol rapid fire, the 10m air pistol, and the women’s 25m pistol slow fire and 10m air pistol. Rifle competitions include the 10m air rifle, the 50m rifle prone position, and the 50m rifle three positions, among which the last event is only a men’s event.”

“Of all these shooting events, the 50m rifle three positions is recognized as the most difficult shooting event. The distance and the duration are both very long. Players need to shoot 120 times from three positions. Each shot is important. And another 10 shots are needed if entering the final. The 50m three-position rifle is known as the marathon of shooting.”

Blake led Dai Li to another poster and pointed to a target painted on it. “This is the target for the 50m air rifle, one to one true size. It is 154.4mm in diameter, black within the fourth ring. The black is 106.4mm in diameter.”

Looking at the true-size target, Dai Li estimated that the area within the ninth ring was nearly the size of a coin, which meant that the shooter should hit a coin fifty meters away if he wanted to gain nine points.

For professional shooters, the ninth-ring meant failure. Taking the Olympic Games as an example, a player needed to gain 1170 points with 120 shots to be qualified for the next round, which meant he should hit within the ninth ring less than three times.

I can’t even see a coin from fifty meters away! Dai Li thought. He sighed. “As for this target, I am virtually blind compared to Adam Holly!”

“Exactly! These shooters practically have eagle eyes. Ordinary people like me even have trouble playing the popstar games on our smartphones due to poor visions,” Blake said.

Pointing at the target, Dai Li asked, “Is there a gun sight on their guns?”

“The guns can have sights, but they can’t amplify the scene. This aiming device may only contain a red dot or a cross to aid in targeting.” Finishing his explanation, Blake pointed to the fast food truck on the road outside and said, “Let’s eat something first. Adam Holly’s competition will take several hours! We have enough time to see a movie before we come back.”

…

The information of the match and the names of the contestants were shown continuously on the big screen in the stadium, which was surrounded by a crowd of spectators.

“So many great shooters. All the best shooters in America are here.”

“Of course, this is the qualification match for the World Shooting Championship.”

“I saw Adam Holly’s name. I don’t think it will be difficult for him considering how good he is.”

“But it’ll be difficult to get the first prize. After all, Prince is also here. In the last two national shooting championships, Prince defeated Holly with the final kill!”

“Final kill? Do you really think it was a final kill? Obviously, it was because Holly missed his last shot. He always was ahead of Prince, and he always missed his last shot.”

“Sure, that’s why he is called the Tragic Last Shot.”

Everyone talked about Holly’s last shot and shook their heads helplessly.

…

Adam Holly appeared at the shooting stadium and was immediately surrounded by a crowd of fans. As Blake said, Holly was remembered for missing the last shot at the Olympic Games on the international stage, yet he was still viewed as a world champion and a hero in the hearts of the American people.

Holly signed autographs, was photographed, and finally dealt with his fans. He took his rifle and entered the competition area and adjusted his equipment.

“Adam, several days before I heard that you would retire and wouldn’t be attending the competition. Now it seems that was a piece of false news,” said a young man with curly hair walking next to him.

This young man was Prince, Holly’s main competitor in America. During the last two national shooting championships, Prince defeated Holly twice, which made him nearly the number one of the 50m rifle event.

Holly looked back at Prince. He didn’t say anything and responded with a cold look, just like an old lion king, facing a young lion’s aggressive challenge.

Prince continued, “I heard you applied to a fitness training center recently, right? To be honest, it’s beyond my imagination! We are shooters, not those wild guys running and jumping on a field. Shooting is a peaceful sport. What can fitness training do for us? You are just too anxious.”

It was not surprising that Prince knew that Holly attended a fitness training center. Prince was Holly’s main rival, and it was normal to know your opponent’s condition.

Hearing Prince’s words, Holly still said nothing, but his heart was very uncomfortable.

Prince is right. I shouldn’t waste time on fitness training. What did I do these days? Dancing with that noisy music, doing yoga lying on a pad, and trudging in the training center? What’s the meaning of that? Well, except the massage. Coach Li’s massage felt really good. But that was not what I need. I want to not miss the last shot! Maybe I made a mistake this time. I’ll terminate the contract after the competition, Holly thought as he adjusted his gun.

…

Dai Li and Blake got something to eat. When they came back, the game was half way over, and the screen showed the results of the players.

“Holly has 876 points, ranking first. Prince has 875 points, in second place. Three people are 874 points and nine 873 points, and many of the rest are 872 points. It seems the gap is quite narrow,” said Dai Li.

“It’s quite often narrow in 50m three-position rifle. The gap between the players who enter the final is less than 5 points. In fact, it’s impossible to win the championship if you’re behind by three points. No one can recover the gap in the last 10 shots,” Blake explained.

50m three-position rifle contained prone position, kneeling position, and standing position with 40 shots each and a full score of 1200 points. These 120 shots only counted integer points. For example, if a player hit the 9.5 ring, it would be only calculated as nine points.

Under the rules, there was actually no difference between 9.9 and 9.1, which would both be calculated as nine points. However, the difference between 9.9 and 10.1 would be amplified.

After these 120 shots, the best eight players would enter the final and each one would shoot another 10 times, and the decimals of the scores would also be calculated. Therefore, the best result would be 10.9 points, and the result of the 10 shots would theoretically reach 109 points in all.

In the last 10 shots, as for the existence of decimals, the difference between 9.9 and 10.1 was not one but 0.2. Under this circumstance, it was harder for the people behind to catch up to the players ahead of them. In the previous phase, they could catch one point with one shot, but now they couldn’t, let alone in only ten shots total.

In such a world-class competition, all the players here were extremely good, especially the last eight ones. Everyone could get more than 10.5 points. Therefore, during the last ten shots, it was impossible to catch up if there was a gap over two points.

…

The 50m three-position rifle was really the marathon of shooting. After Dai Li returned back to the field, he waited another hour before all the players finished their own 120 shots.

“Here come the results. Adam Holly’s total point is 1174 points, with prone position 399 points, standing position 389 points, and kneeling position 386 points. Holly did much better in prone position than standing and kneeling position,” said Dai Li, looking at the scoreboard.

“It’s normal. The 50m rifle event contains the special competition of prone position. Therefore, players usually will train prone position shooting so that their grade in prone shooting will be better. Look at Prince, in second place. He also got 399 points in prone position and both the third and fourth place got 398 points,” Blake said.

“Prince’s score is 1174 points, the same as Holly in the first place. The third and the fourth are 1172 points, and they still have hope to win. However, all the players beneath the fifth place are basically out of the race. Next, it is time for the final ten shots!”

Chapter 441 - Tragic Last Shot

Chapter 441: Tragic Last Shot

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Bang!

A crisp gunshot rang out. Adam Holly looked at the monitor beside him, and it showed a score of 9.7 points.

It wasn’t a good score; even claiming it was average would be barely believable. However, Holly was satisfied with the score, because it was the first shot of the last ten shots, and the main function of this shot was to mark the target, so a score below 10 wasn’t considered bad. According to the way the Olympics calculated the score, getting 9.5 points with this shot would be considered an acceptable result.

After a few dozen seconds, all eight contestants had finished their first shot, and only one of them managed to get 10.2 points. The other contestants each had a score below 10. And Holly’s main competitor, the curly haired youth named Prince, got a score of 9.6. He was behind Holly by 0.1 points.

On the second shot, Holly scored 10.2 points. It seemed like the adjustment he made after his first shot really improved his accuracy. Prince’s second shot was 10.1 points, so he was still behind Holly by 0.1 points.

On the third shot, Holly scored 10.5 points. It was the best score up to that point.

The applause came quickly and faded just as quickly.

Compared to other sports, the audience for shooting sports was usually quieter. They would only applaud when the results were really good, and the applause didn’t appear often; after all, shooting athletes also needed a quiet environment during the competition.

Although the best score for the event was 10.9, in proper competitions, a score of 10.5 was already considered to be on the high side. Even in international competitions like the Olympics, a score above 10.5 would only appear once or twice in a competition, and in those cases, it was usually due to luck. This was basically equal to hitting the center of a dollar coin from 50 meters away. It couldn’t be done without luck.

After the first three shots, Holly’s score improved with every shot. At that point, he had already achieved an advantage with his lead, and besides Prince, the other competitors had basically already withdrawn from the fight to become the champion.

On the fourth shot, Holly achieved a 10.1 score again, followed by the fifth shot, Holly hit a 10.5 again with some adjustment and received a full round of applause. The sixth shot, Holly’s score was 10.0. The seventh shot, Holly hit a 10.1 score again.

Six consecutive shots, and all of Holly’s scores were above 10 points. There was no disputing that it was a world class display.

…

“Holly is really good!” Dai Li couldn’t help uttering those words as he looked at the results displayed on the big screen. Holly was leading Prince by 1.4 points, and his entire lead had been achieved through the seven most recent shots. On average, every shot Holly took was 0.2 points higher than Prince’s.

In a competition of this level, if a shooter was able to get an average of 0.2 points more than another contestant, it basically meant that they were in different leagues.

Dai Li calculated in his head and then said, “There are only three shots left. If Prince wants to win, on average, each of his shots would need to be higher than Holly’s by 0.5 points, which means that if Holly scores 10 points, Prince would need to score 10.5 points. It is still possible to score 10.5 points, but to achieve such a high score in three consecutive shots is very rare. It looks like the game has already been decided.”

“Not necessarily.” Blake shook his head. “Don’t forget that Holly is the ‘Tragic Last Shot.’ Even when he leads throughout the match, his lost shot may make him lose all his advantages.”

“Tragic Last Shot? That was the Adam Holly of the past.” Dai Li had a bright smile on his face. “The reason he came to our training center was to get help solving this issue, wasn’t it?”

“He has only trained at our place for ten days. Ten days, it’s so short, how big of a change could he have made!” Blake said in frustration.

“Ten days, huh. It is enough for him to be reborn.” Dai Li’s tone showed incomparable confidence.

…

Holly looked at the results displayed on the screen.

I am leading Prince by 1.4 points. If he wants to beat me, he needs to catch up by 1.5 points within the last three shots. This is basically impossible. For the following three shots, I need to be stable.

Holly’s thoughts stopped there. He raised the rifle in his hands and aimed in front of him.

Bang! After the crisp sounding shot, Holly looked at the small screen beside him. On it, it showed where the bullet had landed as well as the score for that shot.

“This shot is 10.0 points,” Blake muttered, he then immediately turned his gaze on the big screen far away. He wanted to know what Prince’s score for this shot was.

10.4, I’ve allowed Prince to catch up by 0.4 points. I still have a 1 point advantage. Holly took a big breath, calmed his mind, and prepared for his ninth shot.

The referee quickly signaled for the ninth shot. Holly lifted his rifle again, aimed, and finished shooting.

“9.9 points. Holly is clearly starting to seek stability in these two recent shots. Now we will see whether or not Prince is able to take advantage of this opportunity. He was able to catch up by 0.4 points just now, but we don’t know if he will be able to catch up by a few points with this shot.” As Dai Li finished speaking, the big screen displayed Prince’s score.

“Prince’s score for the ninth shot is 9.7 points. He didn’t close the gap, but lost another 0.2 points; the difference between his score and Holly’s is now 1.2 points.”

When shooters were behind on points, they naturally employed a more desperate shooting style, which made it easier to get a high score of around 10.5. However, risks always existed together with high rewards, and a more desperate shooting style would mean bearing higher risk, and the consequence of that risk was to get a lower score. In the ninth shot, Prince lost his gamble.

There was only one shot left, and the difference between them was 1.2 points. In theory, Holly only needed to get 9.8 points to secure a victory. Because the highest score for a shot was 10.9, if Holly hit 9.8 points, that would mean he would lead by 11 points; if that happened, even if Prince hit the highest point of 10.9, he still wouldn’t be able to win.

However, in reality, 10.9 points was something that rarely happened. Normally, even 10.5 points would be considered a very high score, and if Prince hit 10.5 points, Holly only needed to get 9.4 points to win.

However, Holly’s worst result that year was 9.7 points, and he hadn’t gotten a score below 9.5 points before.

Going by this data, victory was in the palm of Holly’s hand. However, Holly’s last shot couldn’t be looked at with a “normal” vision; he was the famous “Tragic Last Shot.”

Prince was deeply aware of this fact, so even though he was behind by a whole 1.2 points, he did not appear to be nervous. The pleased look on his face almost made it seem like he was the one in the lead.

Prince lifted his head and looked at the information on the big screen, and his expression seemed to indicate he was lost in his own memories.

The situation now makes me think of the American National Shooting Championship from a few years ago. I remember I was behind by even more, I think about 2.2 points, and I thought that I had definitely lost, but Holly’s last shot was only 7.7 points.

And during the American National Shooting Championship last year, in the last shot, I was also the one who was behind, and I did very badly on my last shot. I only managed 9.3 points, but Holly couldn’t even get seven points. That time, he didn’t just lose first place, but he even lost the second and third place, and in the end, he only placed fourth!

Tragic Last Shot, this nickname is really suitable. Ever since the Olympics where he missed his target, he has never been able to do well in his last shot. It used to be true in the past, and it will be the same today, so even though I am behind by 1.2 points, it isn’t an issue. The only thing I need to do now is to do well on my last shot!”

Yes, do well on the last shot, not only that, I need to shoot earlier, to put more pressure on Holly!

At that moment, Prince’s eyes filled with determination. He had already assumed that Holly would drop the ball in the last shot.

At that point, the referee signaled to indicate that the last shot could be taken. Prince immediately lifted his rifle and aimed at the target that was 50 meters away.

Bang! Prince was the first to pull the trigger.

A round of applause from the audience followed.

“10.6 points, Prince’s last shot was great. He actually hit 10.6 points, which is the year’s best result so far. Prince really is a world-class athlete. In a situation where it was the last shot, and he was behind by 1.2 points, he was not only able to withstand the pressure, but he struck back!” Blake couldn’t help but exclaim.

“10.6 subtracted by 1.2 is 9.4. In this case, Holly needs to score 9.5 points in order surpass Prince and win first place!” As Dai Li spoke, he logged into the system and began using the State Scale. He pushed all of the weights towards the side that stabilized the state.

All the weights have been added, and now Holly is at the most stable state that he can be. With his skill, getting 9.5 points should not be a problem! Dai Li secretly thought in his head.

…

As Holly lifted the rifle, he couldn’t help but think of the last shot he took in the Olympics where he shot at someone else’s target.

I’m not aiming at the wrong target am I? I should check one more time.

Holly lowered his rifle, checked whether or not he was aiming at the wrong target, then started to aim again.

At the same time, applause rang out.

Holly lowered his rifle for the second time, and then looked at the big screen.

Prince actually manage to get 10.6 points in his last shot. In that case, my last shot has to score 9.5 points in order to have enough to win!

Holly took a deep breath, lifted his rifle for the third time, and took aim.

9.5 points. My last shot needs to score 9.5 points, but in these last few years, all of my last shots couldn’t even reach nine points. Can I get 9.5 points today?

Holly aimed at the target. He focused on the black dot on the target located 50 meters away.

The target I am aiming at is mine, right? I’m not aiming at the target next to mine, am I!

The situation where he missed in the Olympic was like a nightmare. It was bothering Holly’s mind again, and he lowered his rifle for the third time.

Bang…

Bang…

Bang…

The contestants around him were finished with their final shots, but Holly looked as if he were a lost pedestrian. He stood there with a look of hesitation on his face.

Almost everyone there had their eyes concentrated on Holly. Their eyes showed that they were expectant. Not for the birth of a champion, but for Holly to perform badly on his last shot again, handing first place to someone else.

“D*mn…” Blake let out a long sigh and lowered his head. He couldn’t bear to keep looking at Holly. He didn’t want to see Holly fail again.

Not far away, Prince had finally smiled, and this smile became brighter every time Holly lowered his gun.

Chapter 442 - Effective Training

Chapter 442: Effective Training

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the stadium, only Holly hadn’t fired his rifle. The reflection in everyone’s eyes showed him lifting up and lowering his gun. Everyone felt Holly’s uncertainty.

The audience looked at Holly with eager eyes, including the referee of the match, but the referee didn’t press Holly. It was the last shot in the competition, and it was the shot that would decide the final winner. Holly should spend extra time on preparing for this shot. They had already waited for hours for the competition, so they didn’t mind waiting a few extra seconds.

Holly felt everyone’s expectant gazes, and their expectation put more pressure on him.

9.5 points. I only need to get 9.5 points with this shot to win. This isn’t hard for me, I only need to shoot normally! Even if I perform slightly worse than usual, I will still be able to get 9.5 points!

Holly encouraged himself continuously, but he didn’t realize that this exposed his desperation and lack of confidence.

Holly lifted his rifle again; however, the competitions he had participated in over the past few years kept emerging in his mind.

He remembered the second time he entered the Olympics. During the last shot, he only needed six points to win, but he only managed 4.4 points, giving the Olympic gold medal to someone else again.

All his experience of past failures ran like a movie on fast forward. They were rushing in Holly’s mind, and the more Holly didn’t want to remember these past tragedies, the more these memories of past failures kept appearing in his mind.

These few years, he had experienced too many failures. He always dropped the ball during the last shot. It stood to reason that he should have been numb by then, or he should’ve gradually forgotten, but every time the memories appeared, they were crystal clear, as if he was actually there.

Don’t overthink, just aim the rifle and pull the trigger! Holly forced himself to focus.

He lifted the rifle, looked down the sights, and aimed at the target in front of him. All his movements were steady.

Finally, Holly pulled the trigger.

Bang!

A crisp gunshot sounded out.

At that same moment, Holly felt that his shot was stable.

Is it my imagination? The shot just now didn’t feel too bad, it felt very stable.

In the next second, Holly immediately looked at the small screen beside him.

On the small screen, it showed where Holly’s shot landed, the circle that was created by the shot was between the ninth and tenth circle.

“It is above nine points! The last shot, I was able to go above nine points again!” In a heartbeat, Holly immediately looked at the score below.

“9.5 points, exactly 9.5 points, I won!”

In that second, Holly didn’t think about celebrating, but to check whether or not he was dreaming.

…

“9.5 points, exactly 9.5 points! How is this possible, how can Holly do so well in his last shot!” Prince’s jaw dropped. He had a hard time accepting this outcome.

Actually, within the last 10 shots, Prince had been lagging behind, and the gap kept growing. Under normal circumstances, Prince should’ve already mentally prepared himself to lose the competition.

However, Prince kept believing that the final winner would be him, because the opponent he was facing was Adam Holly. The man always dropped the ball with his last shot. Prince thought that the competition would be the same as the last two American National Shooting Championships, where Holly did terribly with his last shot and handed first place to him.

But today’s competition didn’t go as Prince had planned.

Prince lost, and he lost by 0.1 points. Losing with that kind of result was really embarrassing.

And this was a 50-meter rifle three-position competition. Within a few hours, Prince had shot 1,210 shots. He initially thought that he would definitely win, but he lost the competition because of a difference of 0.1 points. The experience of losing this sort of competition was truly horrible!

…

The applause and cheers resounded instantly. These types of matches where victory or defeat was decided by the last shot would, of course, have higher entertainment value, and Holly’s 9.5 points allowed him to win by as little as possible. This type of dramatic ending made the audience feel like their money was well spent. Not to mention, Holly finally didn’t drop the ball in his last shot. This was the first time in a very long time that Holly had a last minute win.

The cheers from the audience reached Holly’s ears. The sound was slightly different from what he normally heard, because it was rare to hear such enthusiastic cheers in shooting competitions. This made Holly felt surreal.

Am I dreaming? Holly looked around him in confusion.

And just then, all the contestants around him walked over, all of them, including Prince, to congratulate Holly.

Someone shook hands with him, and Holly could clearly feel the warmth transmitted from his hand.

Someone patted him on his shoulder, and Holly could clearly feel the weight of his arm.

Someone even gave Holly a hug, and when Holly took a slight whiff, he could clearly smell the cologne on his body.

All of these informed Holly that everything he had just experienced was real.

This time, I’ve really won! I’ve finally won, with my last shot! Holly finally started to thank the audience by waving at them, and at the same time, tears streamed down his face.

Finally, while he was waving towards the stand, he saw Dai Li and Blake.

It’s Coach Li! Holly went blank for a brief moment, and he remembered the weird ten days of training he had received.

The 9.5 points from my last shot, was it because of the results of the training? Dancing, yoga, and letting out my emotions, was this weird training program really effective? Holly suddenly thought of this point.

Dropping the ball during the last shot was something that had troubled Holly for over a decade, and he received all kinds of training and a lot of psychotherapy trying to solve this problem. They were all ineffective. However, during today’s game, the problem that had troubled him for over a decade was finally solved!

Problems don’t go away by themselves, and every time there is a change, there is a reason for it.

Holly felt that he was the same man who had missed in the Olympics. The only difference was that he received Dai Li’s training.

Maybe it was Coach Li’s training that brought about the change! Holly secretly thought. He had already decided that he would continue to receive Coach Li’s training, even if the training methods were really weird.

…

Looking at the stage, Dai Li let out a sigh.

“Exactly 9.5 points, so close. If it were 0.2 less, he would’ve lost. How risky!”

This result had never occurred to Dai Li. Dai Li originally thought that with the State Scale stabilizing Holly’s state, Holly would be able to score 10 points; after all, he was a person whose ability was over 900 points.

But in the end, Holly only managed 9.5 points, which really gave Dai Li a cold sweat.

According to Holly’s true strength, 9.5 points is definitely not a good score, and it can even be considered as being below his normal level. It seems like Holly’s problem of missing his lost shot is a severe problem. Even when I stabilized him, he could only get a score of 9.5 points. He really needs treatment for this psychological issue. Holly’s problem is caused by his mental state, and he should solve it psychologically. Depending on the State Scale is simply treating the symptoms and not the cause.

After he had thought about it that far, Dai Li’s expression was a bit blue. He was a sports coach, not a psychologist, and the system did not possess anything that could help to solve this type of psychological issue.

Dai Li turned his head to look at Blake, but found Blake in deep contemplation.

“Randy, what are you thinking about?” Dai Li asked.

“I was thinking about how to promote the training center. Holly won, which is a really good advertisement for us.” Blake made an expression of resignation. “Truth be told, I originally thought that Holly would miss his last shot. I did not at all think that he would win this competition, so I did not think about the issue of promoting after this. But now that he has won, it really caught me off guard.”

“As I said before, ten days, I will help Holly be reborn.” Dai Li patted Blake on his shoulder while standing up. “Let’s go back to Los Angeles. When it comes to the promotions, think about it while you are on the plane!”

Chapter 443 - Defeating Inner Demons

Chapter 443: Defeating Inner Demons

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

One week later. Dallas, Texas.

Another shooting competition, another final shot.

“Adam Holly is leading by 3.6 points, he will definitely win this competition!”

“That might not be the case, don’t forget Holly’s nickname, the Tragic Last Shot. Even if he was leading by more than 3.6 points, he might still lose.”

“You definitely haven’t watched last week’s competition. Holly scored 9.5 points with his last shot. He defeated Prince, and he won first place.”

“In all these years, Holly only managed to do something like that once. In the other competitions, didn’t he always drop the ball with the last shot? Last week’s competition was just a coincidence! You can’t expect Holly to have last week’s luck every day.”

Some people were optimistic about Holly, and some weren’t. As for Holly himself, he fell into uncertainty.

Holly repeatedly checked whether or not he was aiming at someone else’s target, and then the memories of his past failures kept popping up continuously, the Olympics, the World Championship, the Grand Prix, domestic competitions in America… The memories of him missing the final shot every single time were like a slideshow flashing in his mind.

The shadow of his past failures had again become a lingering nightmare, constantly swallowing Holly’s self-confidence, making Holly more and more uncertain.

Finally, a number appeared in his memory, 9.5!

Holly remembered last week, at the competition in Tennessee, how he managed a score of 9.5 points on the last shot.

It wasn’t a very high number, but it was the best score out of all the last shots that he had taken in the past few years.

I just got 9.5 points last week! As long as I can get back into last week’s form, maybe I can achieve the same results today. Holly lifted his rifle and pulled the trigger as he thought of that.

At the same time the gun fired, Holly felt a feeling of steadiness.

This feeling again, it is the same as last week! I’ve got this! Although Holly did not look at the small screen in front of him, he could feel that the score for this shot would be enough for him to win first place.

…

Looking at the stage, Dai Li stared at the final score on the big screen. He let out a big sigh.

9.7 points. Compared to last week’s 9.5 points in Tennessee, Holly’s score for his last shot has improved. Dai Li looked at the State Scale on the system. All of the weights had been pushed to the side where it stabilized the state.

It was the same as last time; the State Scale is at the most stabilized state, but today’s result was 0.2 higher than last week’s. However, according to the system’s description, when the State Scale is in its most stable state, the fluctuation of the results should be the least. What is the reason for this gap?

Dai Li went to check Holly’s ability value again and found out that Holly’s ability had not changed. It was still at 925.

His ability value didn’t change, but his score has improved. Does this mean that it is because Holly’s mental state is gradually recovering?

Dai Li suddenly felt that he had found a way to cure Holly of his psychological problems.

…

Five days later, at the New York Elite Shooting Competition, Holly scored 9.8 points in his last shot.

Looking at the results, a mysterious smile appeared on Dai Li’s face.

9.8 points, Holly has again improved a bit. This result confirms my guess; when his results get better, he recovers his confidence, and the troubles his past failures brought him decrease.

It seems like, in order to solve Holly’s psychological problems, he needs to constantly enter competitions and do well in them. By going through such accumulations, he can start to build up his self-confidence. Once he has enough self-confidence, he will be able to resist the troubles that come from his past failures, and his last shot will reach a normal level.

…

Austria, the World Championship.

The commentator was speaking into the microphone, giving non-stop updates on the competition.

“Holly’s condition today is not bad. After finishing that shot, he managed to get a full score in the 50-meter rifle prone event!”

“10 points! Ten consecutive shots, and Holly managed to get 10 points in all of them. His score for the standing event is 393 points…”

“1,183 points? Oh my god, in the first 120 shots in the contest, Adam Holly scored 1,183 points! He is having an outburst today! It looks like Holly already has the gold medal for the 50-meter rifle three positions in the bag.”

Holly placed his rifle on the gun rack next to him and raised his head, then started to enjoy the cheers from the audience.

On the electronic scoreboard on the wall, Holly’s name ranked first, with a score of 1,183 points, meaning that he only lost 17 shots. Compared to the results of the previous 120 shots, this was a new world record.

At the same time, the 1,183 points almost guaranteed Holly would win the World Championship, because the score of the person in second place was only 1,176 points. Holly had a seven point advantage.

For the last 10 shots, if the difference was only one or two points, there was still a chance to catch up. But trying to close a gap of seven points with only ten shots was simply impossible. Even if 10.5 points was achieved with every shot, one must also pray that the opponent’s result would be below 9.8 points for it to be possible to win.

And Holly had been able to achieve a world record breaking 1,183 points in the first 120 shots; this showed that he was at the top of his game today. How was it possible for Holly, who was already surpassing his usual performance, to only get a score of 9.8 points?

Sure enough, for the next nine shots, Holly had seven shots with more than 10 points, including three shots that scored 10.5, and the gap between him and the shooter who was in second became wider, reaching a gap of 9.1 points.

There was only the final shot left in the competition. Leading by 9.1 points. For any shooting athlete, it was a lead that was completely impossible to lose.

Any athlete besides Adam Holly!

9.1 points. Going by the standards of shooting athletes, even amateurs, as long as they didn’t shoot off target, they would win. But Adam Holly had lost competitions in this kind of situation. He had missed the target, he had shot at the target of others, and he had done it in one of the most important sporting competitions in the world: the Olympics!

“What a dramatic scene, leading by 9.1 points before his final shot, Adam Holly will definitely feel a sense of deja vu! That’s right, it is the same situation he faced during that fateful Olympics; he led by 9.1 points before the last shot. It is simply a perfect copy of that Olympic match!” the TV station’s commentator couldn’t help but exclaim.

All eyes in the audience were focused on Holly, but both of Holly’s eyes were staring at the scoreboard on the wall.

The last shot, 9.1 points, am I dreaming that dream again? Holly couldn’t help but bite the tip of his tongue with his teeth, hoping to wake himself up.

It had been more than a decade since he shot the wrong target in the Olympics, and for more than a decade, Holly had been dreaming that same dream.

In the dream, he was competing in the final round in the Olympics, and he only had one shot left. He was leading by 9.1 points.

In the dream, he knew that he would shoot at another person’s target, so he would desperately try to aim at his own target. He wanted to correct that mistake.

In the dream, when he fired that last shot, the small screen in front of him would show a score of zero points.

In the dream, he would always try to fix his mistakes, but he would fail every time. And the feeling of despair would come.

At that moment, Holly’s hands suddenly trembled. He felt terrified, uneasy, confused, and he was somewhat unclear on whether it was reality or just a dream!

Another way of looking at it was that Holly knew that it was reality, but he hoped that he was dreaming, because he didn’t dare to face reality. He would have preferred it be a dream, as the failure in the dream wasn’t real.

Holly finally understood that although he had won several times recently, he had not overcome himself. He had not defeated the inner demons that had been bothering him!

At that moment, Holly was like a frightened bird. He wanted to escape from that place, but found himself trapped like a bird in a cage.

The demon continuously swallowed the light in Holly’s heart, and Holly felt a coldness in his body as if he was pulling himself into a bottomless abyss…

Holly couldn’t help but to turn around and look at the audience behind him, looking for the seat where Ekarina was seated. He hoped to find his wife, his lover, his family. At moments like this, she could give him warmth and make him feel safe.

Finally, he saw his wife in the first row of the stands. Ekarina was covering her mouth with both hands. Her eyes were looking at Holly with worry.

Ekarina knew that Holly’s old problem had reoccurred. The last shot, 9.1 points. The present situation was exactly the same as the Olympics from a few years ago. Holly was still unable to overcome that psychological barrier. She could predict that Holly would again face a tragedy with this shot.

Holly’s expression became a bit complicated. He felt his wife’s worry. He didn’t want to disappoint his wife, but he had no self-confidence. The nightmare where he shot the wrong target with his last shot lingered.

Suddenly, above his wife’s head, Holly saw a hand stretched out, giving him a big thumbs up.

It was the outstretched hand of the audience member who was sitting behind Ekarina.

Holly looked up, and finally saw the face of the audience member.

It’s Coach Li! Holly was slightly stunned. At the same time, he saw a smile on Dai Li’s face.

That smile showed expectation, and it also showed encouragement!

This was what Holly needed the most at that moment. He needed the encouragement of others.

Holly finally remembered the strange training he had received at Dai Li’s hands in recent times. He finally remembered the recent competitions where his last shot was not inaccurate.

Coach Li has been training me. I should have confidence in myself. I can do it! Holly finally recovered. He calmed down, raised his rifle, and aimed at the target in front of him.

…

“Holly seems to be hesitating. He must have recalled the last shot he took in the Olympics a couple years back, so he is worried about that tragedy reoccurring.”

“Speaking of tragedies, I suddenly remembered; Holly has another nickname in America, the ‘Tragic Last Shot.’ It means that he is often very inaccurate in the last shot.”

“In the last few years, Holly’s last shot has often been inaccurate, and he has lost a lot of chances of getting first place because of it.”

“But he is ahead by 9.1 points today. It is such a big advantage, even if he is not perfectly accurate, he won’t lose first place right?”

“That might not be the case, maybe he will hit another person’s target again!”

The audience members in the stands were discussing. At that point, Holly pulled the trigger.

“Holly took the shot!” Everyone’s eyes were on the scoreboard. After two or three seconds, Holly’s score appeared on the scoreboard.

“10.1 points! Holly won!”

…

Holly stood still with an expressionless face. As if he had not realized that he had won.

I really won? This is not a dream! Holly suddenly felt lost.

The dream where he missed his last shot had plagued him for more than a decade, and now, he finally saw a different conclusion in reality.

This time, he hit his own target, and he had firmly won first place.

Decades of burden, decades of pressure, they were all released at that moment. Holly felt that his body became lighter, and the grievances that he had suffered in his heart for many years also broke out at that moment.

In the next second, Holly could no longer suppress the emotion welling up inside of him. He leaned directly on the gun rack next to him, and he cried like a child.

…

In the distance, Dai Li made another detection for Holly.

The results from the detection show that the unstableness of the last shot is gone! Holly has finally defeated his inner demons with that last show. Holly will no longer need the State Scale, and I don’t need to follow Holly around when he participates in competitions anymore.

Chapter 444 - Lost Person

Chapter 444: Lost Person

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The doorbell rang, and Justin Alexander opened the door, but the face he saw was a face he didn’t want to see.

“Sebastian, why are you here?” Alexander’s tone was not the least bit friendly.

“You’re not going to invite in your old partner?” Sebastian pointed into the house.

Alexander hesitated, but he nodded and invited Sebastian into the house.

The two sat down in the living room. Alexander didn’t even serve Sebastian a cup of coffee. He asked directly, “Sebastian, what is your reason for visiting me?”

Sebastian crossed his legs and asked, “Justin, your suspension period is coming to an end, right? I am here to talk to you about your comeback. I’ve done some calculations, and as long as you use your time properly to train, you should be able to get back to your original condition before the Olympic trials. So when are you going to return to my training camp?”

“What do you mean? Do you think that you have not hurt me enough? If not for you, I wouldn’t have been banned. Wasting away at home for four years. The day I was suspended, the cooperation between us ended!” Alexander snarled.

“Do you think I was the one who got you suspended? You got suspended because of the choices you made. I warned you about the possible consequences of using those things, and you didn’t raise any objections. You still used them, and you ran faster, right? You are the one who failed to withstand the temptation. Shouldn’t you bear the consequences of your own actions?” Sebastian said.

“The consequences? The consequence was that I was suspended by the Anti-Doping Committee! I almost lost everything, but you suffered nothing, and you were able to win the title of the best national track and field team coach. Hahaha, how ironic. A coach who used performance-enhancing drugs for his athletes won the title of best track and field coach of the year!” Alexander’s tone was full of ridicule and resentment.

“Is that a problem? Athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs naturally need to bear the risk. If performance-enhancing drugs improve their results, and they don’t get caught, they will get praise, glory, money. But if you are caught, of course, you are suspended as punishment. The world is fair; if you want to gain something, you need to be willing to pay the price. And you were unlucky then, the International Association of Athletics Federation had just improved their doping detection system, and they caught you.”

Sebastian changed his tone and went on to say, “But that’s not important anymore. It’s all in the past. Being suspended isn’t a catastrophe. Isn’t your suspension going to end soon? The next step you should take is to return to training as soon as possible. Return to the field, and then start your career again.”

“That’s right, I will return to the game, but my partner will not be you! I will not cooperate with you anymore, and I will not use those d*mned things again. This time, I will rely on my own strength to get honor!” Alexander said resolutely.

However, a scornful smile appeared on Sebastian’s face. “I admit that you are a very talented athlete, but do you really think that you can stand out from that many athletes by your own talents? You have to know that it is not 30 years ago. You can’t achieve results by just training the body. Today, technology has developed, and there are many other ways to assist in training and improve an athlete’s performance. I’ve only allowed you guys to enjoy the progress brought along by technology. Yes, I used some products that can help athletes improve their performance, but how do you know that the same methods are not used by others?”

Alexander was silent. Sebastian then advised, “Justin, I think you know that many athletes are using performance-enhancing drugs, and many people are even using them legally. Especially athletes who are in athletics, using performance-enhancing drugs is an open secret. Performance-enhancing drugs can indeed bring about an improvement in results. If others are using it, and you don’t use it, isn’t it equivalent to binding your own hands and feet?”

“No! I will never touch that kind of thing again!” Alexander resolutely shook his head. “I have already had one suspension, and if I get caught doping again, I will be facing a life-long ban!”

“The possibility of that happening isn’t high. Don’t forget, I have Franklin’s Lab behind me.” Sebastian smiled confidently. “I’ll tell you a secret; Franklin’s Lab has launched a new generation of products, and the Anti-Doping Committee has no way of detecting them. Franklin’s Lab is at least 24 months ahead of the International Olympic Committee, so you can relax. Believe me, as long as you are willing to continue working with me, I will make you the fastest runner in the world!”

“The fastest runner in the world? If not for Kittel’s retirement, you wouldn’t have the confidence to say that!” Alexander snorted.

“You’re right, it’s because of Kittel’s retirement that I dare give you such a guarantee. Didn’t you always dream of being the fastest person in the world? Now you have the chance to realize your dream. As soon as you come to my training camp, you will realize that you are getting closer and closer to your dream.” Sebastian’s voice was full of enchantment.

“My dream is to defeat the fastest person in the world, and that person is Kittel. Yes, I never defeated him. Every time I challenged him, I ended up in failure. But that does not mean I will give in!” Alexander’s emotions seemed agitated, and he went on to say, “But you gave me those d*mned things to use and got me suspended for four years. In these past four years, I would’ve had chances to challenge Kittel again. But now? Kittel has already retired, leaving only a pile of records that no one can break, and I can no longer challenge him. He has become a mountain that cannot be passed.”

The unfriendliness in Sebastian’s eyes went away in a flash, and he eased his tone and said, “We shouldn’t waste time on things that happened in the past, we should pay attention to the present. I know that you are worried about being caught using performance-enhancing drugs again, and you are worried about being suspended for life. But don’t forget, you are already 30 years old. How long can you continue to run? With the technology of Franklin’s Lab, even if you were caught using performance-enhancing drugs again, it will be many years in the future. When that happens, you might’ve already retired.”

“Besides, when you were suspended four years ago for using steroids, you became infamous. In the eyes of other track and field coaches, you are a troublesome guy with a criminal record. Besides me, what top coach would be willing to work with you? Those track and field coaches who are famous and well-established are all looking to protect their reputation. Will they accept a tainted athlete such as yourself? You are more like a prisoner who has just been released from prison rather than an athlete!”

“But I am different, not to mention that we have cooperated for so many years. I understand you. If we cooperate again, we do not need to rebuild rapport. I will be able to let you return to your peak in a short time! Think about your age; you are already 30 years old, and the four-year suspension also made you miss your peak period. If you get a new coach now, you will need time to understand each other. You will need time to get to know each other. You guys will need an adjustment period, and when all this is done, you will already be old! Can you still run then?”

“Even if you hate me, for your own career, I hope you can let go of your prejudice against me. You should understand this clearly; choosing to continue to cooperate with me is your best option,” Sebastian said. He took a business card from his pocket and placed it on the table. “I don’t know if you still have my contact information. I’ll leave my business card here, so contact me after you think about it!”

…

Sebastian left, leaving Justin Alexander sitting alone in the living room. He laid down on the sofa and turned on the TV. He then stared at the ceiling. His heart was filled with many contradictions.

Because of his suspension, he hated Sebastian. However, he had to admit that what Sebastian said had some truth in it.

As Sebastian said, coaches and athletes needed time to get to know each other and to build rapport. The higher level the athlete, the more that held true. The adjustment period might be four or five months, or one or two years. Many track and field athletes refused to change coaches after entering their peak, because the adjustment period that came with changing coaches would lead to the decline of an athlete’s performance. In sprint competitions for example, even if the results were only a slight decrease of a few fractions of a second, it would be unacceptable to an athlete.

A sprinter’s career was relatively short, and their peak periods were even shorter. The one or two years of adjustment period with a new coach was time that the sprinters couldn’t afford to lose.

What’s more, Alexander was already 30 years old. He had been away from the game for four years because of the suspension. He not only needed to return to his original physical condition, but he also needed a lot of time to find his rhythm in competitions. If he followed a new coach, he would need more time before he was able to really return to the field.

From this point of view, continuing to work with Sebastian was indeed the best option.

But Alexander also knew what it meant to continue working with Sebastian. Sebastian would not give up the use of performance-enhancing drugs for athletes.

At that time, an exclusive program was playing on the TV. The person who was being interviewed was Adam Holly, who had just won the gold medal in the World Championship.

“I know that since I missed my target in the last Olympics, I had the nickname, the ‘Tragic Last Shot,’” Holly said. It was followed by a soft laugh from the audience.

“However, my friends who have seen me in recent competitions must know that I have completely solved this problem,” Holly continued.

“Adam, would you mind sharing with us how you solved this problem?” the host asked.

“This is because I met a good coach! So I want to especially thank my coach, Dai Li. It is because of his training that my last shot is no longer inaccurate,” Holly replied.

“Coach? Is he the kind of coach who trains the body? Not a psychiatrist?” The host looked surprised. “This is the first time I heard a psychological problem being solved through physical training.”

“That is the truth! If you live in Los Angeles, you may have heard of him. He has opened a physical training center and is very famous in Los Angeles. You must know ‘Blade Warrior’ Philip. He was originally just an injured soldier who came back from the Iraqi battlefield. It was after he received training from Coach Li that he was able to become a top athlete. There was also the boxing champion Kevin Taylor. After being trained by Coach Li, he was able to return to his peak!” Holly had an earnest expression. He looked more like an advertising promoter.

In front of the TV, Alexander had already straightened up. He lived in Los Angeles, and as a professional athlete, he had heard of Coach Li’s training center, so when he heard Dai Li’s name, he picked up his phone, and started searching for Dai Li’s training center.

Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center, there are quite a few chain stores… Dai Li, he’s Chinese! Alexander looked at Dai Li’s photo, and surprise flashed in his eyes.

In the US, the Chinese gave the impression that they were not good at sports. Therefore, in the case of sports, the Chinese had to perform better than blacks or whites to get people’s attention. For example, if a school team was selecting basketball players, and a Chinese man and a black person gave the same performance, then the coach would definitely choose the black person. If the Chinese wanted to be selected by the coach, he must do better than the black person.

As a Chinese coach who is able to make it in Los Angeles, and be famous no less, this guy must be really capable. Alexander stared at the photo and memorized Dai Li’s appearance.

Chapter 445 - God’s Guidance

Chapter 445: God’s Guidance

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Justin Alexander was seated in church with his fists clenched and his head lowered, praying to God.

He was a faithful believer. As long as there were no matches on the weekend, he would rather give up his training and attend a church service.

The sound of footsteps grew louder behind him. Alexander opened his eyes and saw a priest that he was very familiar with walking towards him.

Alexander had known this priest ever since he was a child. Back then, the priest was still middle-aged, but now, the priest had turned into a white-haired old man.

“My son, you look lost. Did you encounter some troubles?” the priest asked.

“I did something wrong before, and I want to seek forgiveness from God,” Alexander answered.

“If you want to repent and atone your sins from the bottom of your heart, God will forgive you,” the priest answered in a deep voice.

Alexander raised his head. “Father, my suspension is about to be lifted. I want to return to the arena.”

“That’s great, son. You are still young. You can still achieve a lot if you return to the arena; however, I hope that you won’t make that same mistake again,” the priest said as he took a seat beside Alexander.

“But I can’t find a suitable coach.” Alexander sighed before continuing, “I’ve contacted several reputable coaches, and they’ve all rejected me. You should know that I was suspended for using performance enhancing drugs. I’ve touched the taboo that no athlete should ever touch.”

“Child, that is a thing of the past. I’m sure you won’t be using drugs again, right?” the priest asked.

“That’s a given. I will never touch something like that for as long as I live,” Alexander answered resolutely.

“My child, it looks like you’ve found your road to redemption. Believe in yourself. God would never abandon you, so you should not give up on yourself. Continue moving forward, and God will give you guidance. Who knows, a miracle might occur in the very next moment,” the priest said as he touched the cross on his chest with a hand before patting Alexander on the shoulder. “Child, I will give you a piece of advice. If you feel a lot of pressure and stress, find a place to vent. Perhaps you will feel better.”

…

In front of the main door of a building, Dai Li was reviewing a promotional poster in detail. The poster was the layout plan of the building, and on the top of the poster were the words, “Holly’s Shooting Club,” as well as a photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Holly.

On the side, Holly pointed towards the layout plan and announced, “The shooting club is divided into three parts. On the right here is the indoor shooting range, the place at the back is the outdoor shooting range, and on the left, this is the shooting training center.”

“The indoor and outdoor shooting ranges both use real guns and live rounds, whereas the shooting training center uses practice guns used in matches. In some shooting clubs in America, it is mandatory for users to possess a gun license before they can perform live rounds practice, but for my shooting club, as long as you are over 21 years old, you can perform live rounds practice. For those who are above 18 years old but below 21 years old, they can only use pistols, and for those not yet 18, they can only use practice rifles in the shooting training center. Let’s go inside.”

Holly brought Dai Li into the shooting club. Descriptions of all kinds of guns were pasted all over the walls, and every gun had a one-to-one ratio display picture, the name of the gun, the gun’s caliber, production house, as well as some information about the gun.

A price list was placed in an area with high visibility. On the price list was the rental price of every gun.

Holly, who stood on the side, continued his introduction. “In my shooting club, clients are allowed to bring their guns. However, still select rented guns. I have a lot of classical guns here; you can’t buy these from Walmart or your regular gun stores.”

Buying a gun in America is easy. There is a total of around 50,000 legal gun stores in America, which is about the same as the number of Shaxian country snack stores in China. Apart from gun stores, even Walmart has designated areas that sell guns. Apart from that, there are more than 5000 annual gun exhibitions in America on average, and one could purchase a rare or classical gun from those exhibitions.

Most ordinary gun owners possessed a pistol or a hunting rifle, and very few owned a submachine gun, an automatic rifle, or a machine gun. In truth, from the perspective of self-defense, a pistol would be more than enough. Besides, the price of a pistol was lower, as they could be purchased for around 300 or 400 dollars.

And if an ordinary citizen had the urge to shoot a gun, renting a gun from the shooting club was obviously very cost effective. It was like going skiing; although skiing equipment isn’t expensive, very few people would actually bring their own gear. They would rent and use the items from the ski resort instead.

Dai Li looked at the price list. The guns were divided into three categories. The first were pistols, and the rental rate was 25 dollars each; the second were automatic rifles, and the rental price was also 25 dollars each. The third was the machine guns which had a rental rate of 50 dollars each.

The price listed included a fixed number of bullets; for example, ten bullets were given for the rental of an SKS semi-automatic rifle for 25 dollars. 50 bullets were given for the rental of a UZI submachine gun for 50 dollars. Of course, the bullet of the 9mm caliber UZI submachine gun was much cheaper than the 7.62 bullets used by the SKS semi-automatic rifle.

After using up all the given bullets, one would have to spend money to purchase bullets. Bullets of different calibers were priced differently. However, one thing was certain. The bullets in shooting clubs were more expensive than the prices at Walmart.

Apart from that, the price lists included an advertisement for the application of VIP deals. For example, the cheapest was a VIP deal that cost 499 dollars. One could rent a gun 11 times, plus a one-time-use for an M249 machine gun or a Degtyaryov machine gun, one use of an MP5 submachine gun, an M4, or an AK-47 rifle, and two pistols uses as well as one semi-automatic rifle use. To sum it up, it was spending 499 dollars for the rental and use of guns for a total of 17 times. The higher-priced VIP deal that cost 799 dollars allowed for a total usage of 42 times. On average, the rental of a gun didn’t even reach 20 dollars. It was much more cost-effective when compared to renting a gun separately.

Apart from the VIP deals, there were also a few gun rental packages. Some of the packages were very tasteless. For example, the price for the rental of two pistols was 40 dollars. In Dai Li’s opinion, going to a professional shooting range to experience shooting two pistols was anything but money well-spent. It was very probable that only those who were aged between 18 and 21 would choose that sort of package.

Of course, there were also combinations of several more popular guns. For example, there was a package named “We’ve won World War II.” That package was a combination of the Thompson submachine gun and the MP40 submachine gun. Renting the guns separately would cost 50 dollars, but the package reduced it to 44.90. Although both those guns were ancient, they were the classic submachine guns of the second world war, and they were very popular among gun enthusiasts. There was another package, the “American Army Package,” it included the M9 pistol, the M4 rifle, and the M249 machine gun. The full set of US military equipment was also a favorite and hot package.

Apart from the rental price of guns and the price of bullets, the rental of the shooting lane also cost money. An indoor lane cost 30 dollars per hour while the outdoor shooting lane cost 50 dollars per hour. The target sheets also cost money, but the cost was mainly to cover the labor for changing the sheets. It was the US after all; as long as it was human labor, it cost extra.

If it were the outdoor shooting range, the target equipment would also cost money. Take for an example a row of beer bottles, or perhaps a few humanoid gun targets, maybe even a watermelon or a hanging apple. Each and every one of those would have a clear price tag.

Dai Li looked at the price list and began calculating in his mind.

Under normal circumstances, buying a gun in a gun store, a pistol would cost from 300 to 500 dollars. The selling price of a long-barrelled gun would be around 1000 dollars. The price might be lower if it was bought directly from the factory in a gun exhibition. Based on the rental price of 25 dollars, deducting the cost of the bullets, the breakeven point for a long-barrelled gun would be around 60 plus times. The people who come here would never only rent one gun. If that were the case, the price wouldn’t even be able to cover the cost of renting the shooting lane. Under normal circumstances, it is common for a person to rent two guns. If that’s the case, the usage rate of the guns is quite high.

And the charges for these shooting lanes, it is merely a profiteering business. It’s just the simple act of providing a location, and the maintenance fee is so low that is can be considered insignificant, but the price is more than ten dollars per hour. It is comparable to opening a cyber cafe and not just charging people for computer use, but for internet use as well, not to mention the charge for the used area of the computer table. These “two-sided” charges sure are well-played. Considering that in the calculation, spending two hours here would cost at least 200 dollars. A front-row seat for the LA Lakers was also around 200 dollars, wasn’t it? No wonder Blake told me that Holly’s shooting club could earn him several million annually. Renting guns, selling ammo, renting shooting lanes and target equipment… With these sorts of charges, there is no way to not make a profit.

Holly brought Dai Li to the counter. The shelf behind the counter was filled with all kinds of guns, and behind the counter was a man and two girls and three staff. The three of them all had pistols on their waists.

“Coach Li, which gun do you want to try, just choose whichever,” Holly pointed toward the guns.

Dai Li looked dumbfoundedly at the gun shelf instead. He only recognized half the guns, and that was only because of the games he had played before. He had never touched a real gun before.

“Um… about that. To tell you the truth, I don’t have a gun license, so I haven’t used a real gun before,” Dai Li could only answer honestly.

“I’ve almost forgotten, you aren’t American!” Holly had only just remembered.

American adults who had never touched a gun were considered strange. The population of the US is around 300 million, but there is a total of 270 million guns. Removing minors who are below 21 years old, there were enough guns in America for every American to have one, with several million left over. So amongst the adults, almost everyone knew how to use a gun.

“If that’s the case, let me help you pick.” Holly grabbed a pen and the gun selection menu before pointing towards a silver pistol on the gun shelf, and saying, “This M500 revolver is the most powerful pistol in the world. The kinetic energy generated from the launching of the bullet is double that of the famous ‘Desert Eagle.’ The power it generates is almost the equivalent of a powerful rifle. The weight of the pistol, without bullets, is 2.32 kilograms, which is close to a lightweight submachine gun.”

“That is a Thompson submachine gun. You’ve definitely heard of this gun before. It was the favorite weapon of the Chicago mob in the twenties, the burst of this gun is extremely satisfying, the rhythm that goes ‘da da da,’ giving it the nickname ‘The Chicago Typewriter.’”

“The M4 rifle, the main rifle for the US Army, is also the most stable rifle of the US Army. It uses .223 caliber Remington bullets, which is also the most common rifle bullet in the US…”

“Hold on, I remember the M4 rifle is supposed to use the 5.56mm bullets,” Dai Li interrupted Holly’s explanation.

“The 5.56mm bullets were the standard bullets during the Vietnam war, but only the military used those. The bullet used by civilians in shooting ranges are the .223 bullets. For an ordinary person, the difference between the two isn’t that big.” Holly pointed towards the AK47 on the side and continued, “The AK47, the king of the long-barrelled guns, this is a gun you cannot miss.”

“The SPAS-12 multipurpose shotgun is something you have to experience. This is the most commonly seen shotgun in Hollywood movies, like ‘The Terminator,”Jurassic Park’…”

“The M249 machine gun… Yeah, let’s forget about machine guns for now. We’ll head towards the outdoor shooting range. I’ll show you my baby, it’s way better than the M249.”

…

Hitting the target with real bullets was completely different from playing a first-person shooter game. When playing a game, all one needed to do was click on the mouse and within a few seconds, thirty bullets would have been shot. In real life shooting, however, it was not like that. Every shot was fired with a pull of the trigger. If one aimed seriously for every single shot, it would take a long time to finish shooting 30 bullets. Moreover, Dai Li was a beginner, so his rate of shooting was much slower.

After about an hour in the indoor shooting range, Holly brought Dai Li to the outdoor shooting range. Dai Li also had the chance to witness the “baby” that Holly mentioned earlier.

The gun was placed on top of a shelf, six dark and shiny steel pipes that sent shivers down people’s spines. Although Dai Li’s understanding of the gun stopped at the game level, he still recognized the gun on first sight.

“The Gatling gun!” Dai Li couldn’t help himself.

As the world’s first practical machine gun, the Gatling gun was certainly famous enough, and more importantly, the gun could easily be recognized. The gun barrels tied together are the Gatling gun’s most prominent feature. It was hard to forget after seeing it.

“I didn’t see this thing in the advertisement outside,” Dai Li remarked as he stepped forward to touch the Gatling gun, unable to help himself.

“This is the good stuff you get to enjoy after purchasing a VIP package.” A hardcover manual seemed to appear from nowhere into Holly’s hand, then he continued, “The things inside this manual are exclusive to the VIP of my place. They’re all rare items, so I did not put them on the price list.”

“Which means the things inside are the real essence of your club?” Dai Li asked.

“Correct, you can put it that way. The guns in this manual I bought in gun exhibitions myself. You can hardly find them in regular gun stores,” Holly said as he opened the first page of the manual, and pointed at a sniper rifle with a long barrel. He then continued speaking, “I highly recommend this to you. The Barrett M82 12.7mm caliber sniper rifle. This rifle can penetrate light armor and bring down a helicopter, it can even destroy a light bombardier passenger aircraft. Because of its overwhelming power, this gun is prohibited to be sold in certain areas. A lot of gun stores would treat this gun as their most prized treasure.”

“Those legendary killers, they use this, right?” Dai Li asked.

“That, I don’t know.” Holly shook his head and continued, “In truth, buying this gun requires special registration, and every man who owns a gun is recorded in the files. Besides that, the selling price of this gun is ridiculously high, and when paired with the add-ons and accessories, the cost goes through the roof. The 12.7mm bullets are also very expensive. Besides gun collectors, only shooting clubs would buy something like this.”

As Holly spoke, a prominent and tall employee walked towards them with an army-green colored box.

“Boss, the bullets are here,” the big guy said.

“Thanks, Jim. Just put the bullets here.” Holly turned around as soon as he finished and continued speaking with Dai Li, “This is what I have especially prepared a carton of bullets for you.”

“That’s a lot. I’m actually just a beginner, when will I be able to finish?” Dai Li asked with a puzzled face.

“These are the bullets for the Gatling gun. Although an entire carton looks like a lot, for the Gatling gun, all it takes is a few minutes. Since we’re playing with the Gatling gun, of course you will need a carton of bullets. Only then will you have fun!”

…

The barrels of the Gatling gun were boiling hot, and the various targets far away had long ago been shredded.

Using the Gatling gun. Finishing a carton of bullets in just a few minutes. The feeling was indeed very satisfying.

However, Dai Li stayed on the following Barrett M82 sniper rifle for a long time. He aimed carefully for every shot, since the production cost of the 12.7mm bullet was already considerably high. With every pull of the trigger, 40 to 50 dollars were gone.

At that moment, the big guy who brought the carton of bullets earlier hurried over and whispered something into Holly’s ear.

“Is there really something like that? Alright, I’ll be right over,” Holly said.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Dai Li put down the gun in his hand.

“There’s a client, and it seems like there are some problems,” Holly answered.

“Is someone refusing to pay? It can’t be that someone is causing a scene? If there’s anything you don’t lack here, it’s guns, an entire armory. By my estimation, the guns you have here are enough to equip a small army. I would never believe that someone would dare cause a scene here at your place,” Dai Li said.

“There’s a guy, he might be on some drugs, and he’s someone I know. I have to go check it out. According to the law, people on drugs, mental health patients, and convicted persons are not allowed to practice live rounds shooting in a shooting range. You can continue and have fun, I’ll be right back,” Holly said.

“I’m done, continually shooting for several hours is pretty tiring.” Dai Li stood up and rolled his shoulders. Even if the gun was placed on the ground, the recoil of the Barrett M82 sniper rifle still numbed both his arms.

“Alright, you should go to the lounge and have a cup of coffee. I’ll be back after I settle that client.” Holly turned to leave upon finishing his sentence.

…

Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop…

Alexander steadied the M249 machine gun and shot at the targets located far away with a burst of fire. All 60 bullets in the box were quickly used up.

“Not enough!” Alexander lowered his head and glanced at the plastic container for bullets. The bullets that he bought were already gone.

After Justin Alexander left the church, he decided to listen to the advice of the priest and find a place to release his stress. His car coincidentally passed by Holly’s Shooting Club, so Alexander decided to shoot a few rounds at the shooting club, to lighten his mood.

Alexander’s action had long attracted the attention of the employees of the shooting club. The others who came to the shooting club all aimed properly and made shots one by one. Alexander, on the other hand, shot away like he had no care in the world the moment he pulled on the trigger. Added to that, his expression was incredibly savage, even seeming a little hysteric. It naturally increased the vigilance of the club employees. They suspected that Alexander was on drugs.

There is no lack of shooting cases in the US, especially ones that involved people on drugs. They have delusions and have no idea what they are doing. It’s not like situations where an irrational drug addict who has a gun in his hand starts shooting at a crowd had never happened before. But Alexander was a famous celebrity, which meant that it was difficult for the employees of the club to check up on him directly as they were worried about the repercussions of an action like that. So, they went ahead and informed Holly instead.

At that moment, Alexander still did not realize that his behavior of venting pressure had turned him into a terrorist in the eyes of the club employees, he continued looking at the emptied bandolier and mumbled to himself, “Time to go buy more bullets.”

At that moment, a person was walking purposefully towards Alexander.

“It’s Adam Holly!” Alexander recognized him immediately after setting his eyes on him.

Alexander and Holly were both well-known athletes in the US. The both of them used to be representatives for the US national team, participating in the Olympic Games. So it was natural they knew each other. However, the relationship between them was only that of an acquaintance, they did not know each other that well.

Shooting and track and field were two separate sports, after all, and there wasn’t much chance for athletes to meet each other. Even if it were in the Olympic Games, the shooting event was one of the earlier sports whereas track and field was usually slotted in the middle phase of the Games. By the time Holly’s game had ended, Alexander’s sprint might not have even started. It was even more improbable for the two to have any sort of interaction, which was why they couldn’t be regarded as familiar with each other.

“Hey, Justin. I never would have imagined that you would be here,” Holly put on a friendly smile, but in truth, he was observing Alexander’s face in detail. He wanted to determine if Alexander had taken anything.

As a shooting athlete, Holly had good eyesight, so he could clearly see Alexander’s face from far away. Alexander’s eyes were bright, and his emotional state also seemed normal. He didn’t look like a person who had taken drugs.

“Adam, it’s been a while. I heard you won the world championship again. Congratulations,” Alexander said.

Holly stopped in front of Alexander, his face still smiling, but both his eyes remained fixed on Alexander. He was still trying to affirm Alexander’s state of mind.

Doesn’t look like the face of a person who has just taken drugs, but I can’t be careless. If he really took drugs before coming here to shoot at targets, my shooting club will also be penalized by the government. I better stop him from continuing to shoot. As Holly thought of that, he said, “Justin, it looks like you’ve run out of bullets. Why don’t you take a break, come to my lounge, and have a cup of coffee. I’ve just got a stock of top-grade Cuban cigars.”

“Alright, if you insist,” Alexander agreed and nodded.

…

At the lounge, Dai Li stood beside the window with a hot cup of coffee in his hand as he looked out, and what he saw was Holly leading a black man into his sight.

That should be the client Holly mentioned just now. A black man. Looks quite muscular, like an athlete. Hmm, he sure looks familiar. Have I seen him somewhere before?

It took Dai Li several seconds, but he finally recognized Alexander.

If I’m not mistaken, that black man used to be the fastest man in America, Justin Alexander!

Back in China, Dai Li used to be a track and field coach, so he had some knowledge when it came to world-renowned track and field athletes. When Alexander made his name, Dai Li was the track and field coach of the Chinese national track and field team, so Dai Li could recognize Alexander after a more detailed observation.

I remember a few years ago, before Kittel retired, Alexander was just behind Kittel. His personal best was 9.78 seconds, although it is still quite a distance away from Kittel’s world record. Among the current active athletes, excluding Kittel, he is the only person who can make it within 9.80 seconds. This guy is probably also an S grade athlete. However, I haven’t seen him in any race in the past few years.

As Dai Li thought of that, he pulled out his phone and searched for information on Alexander online. It didn’t take long for him to see the news about Alexander’s match suspension.

So he was suspended by the International Olympic Games Committee for using drugs. That’s why there had been no news on him in the past few years.

…

Alexander walked into the lounge and happened to see Dai Li.

This person sure looks familiar, I should have seen him before. Oh yeah, he’s that Chinese Coach Li, I’ve checked his training center before.

I remember this Coach Li also knows about track and field training, he even trained that “Blade Warrior” Philip. To be able to make a disabled person who has lost both his legs run faster than an ordinary person, that was way too incredible.

Wait, the priest told me that God will provide me with guidance, and now I’ve met with this Coach Li, could this be God’s guidance?

Chapter 446 - Time Bomb

Chapter 446: Time Bomb

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“You promised Justin Alexander that you would become his coach?” Blake did not look at all happy. He looked more like a person who was in agony.

“Of course. A client approached me voluntarily, I can’t just reject the guy, right? Besides, Justin Alexander is an exceptional athlete. Now that Kittel has retired, among the current active athletes, only he can run within 9.80 seconds. With his talent, becoming the fastest man in the world among the current active athletes isn’t a difficult task. He will come and sign the contract tomorrow.” Dai Li looked at Blake and asked, “Why do you have this expression? You look a little unnatural.”

“I just never thought that Alexander would find you,” Blake said with an insincere tone.

Dai Li did not notice Blake’s tone and said directly, “I went to Holly’s shooting range and met him coincidentally.”

“What I mean to say is, how did an athlete of Alexander’s level find you? Have you ever thought about the fact that he is a world class sprinter? So he should be looking for a world class sprinting coach,” Blake said as if he was reminding Dai Li.

“I’m also a world class sprinting coach!” Dai Li said with confidence.

“I’m not questioning your ability. I know that your training ability in sprinting is not inferior to any other world class sprinting coach, but do other people know? Does Alexander know? He should have only just met you, right? And he already wants you to become his coach, don’t you think that it’s peculiar?” Blake said.

“Randy, do you have something you want to tell me? Do you feel that there is something wrong with Justin Alexander?” Dai Li looked at Blake like he understood something, but not really.

“Before you made a promise to Alexander, you should already know that he was suspended for using performance enhancing drugs, right?” Blake asked immediately.

Dai Li nodded. “I know. The news mentioned that he was found to have used performance enhancing drugs, so the Anti-Doping Committee of the International Olympic Committee suspended him for eight years, but because of his good behavior, being punctual and disciplined in submitting his medical report to the Anti-Doping Committee, a total of four years was deducted from his original sentence. So the total period of his suspension was shortened to four years.”

“Then you probably didn’t know that this was the second time he was tested to be using performance enhancing drugs, right?” Blake stated.

“The second time?” Dai Li’s brows instantly furrowed together. “From what I know, according to the rules of the Anti-Doping Committee, to be found using performance enhancing drugs a second time should mean a lifetime ban, but he was only suspended for eight years.”

“When Alexander was 20 years old, he was found to be using an amphetamine. This drug significantly stimulates the central nervous system. Because of that, the Anti-Doping Committee decided to give him a two-year suspension. However, he appealed the decision, stating that he used the drug to treat his ADHD, so he was exempted from punishment,” Blake said.

“Amphetamine is a kind of stimulant that provides mental stimulation. It’s a low-level stimulant, and even a test strip would be able to uncover it. No athlete should be using this kind of mental stimulant anymore nowadays, right? No matter how stupid Alexander is, he wouldn’t need to use something so rudimentary. Perhaps he really used it to treat his ADHD. Otherwise, there would be no way he would take this sort of low-level stimulant,” Dai Li justified for Alexander.

“But Alexander was already around 20 years old. He entered the University of Tennessee with a full scholarship. The University of Tennessee is a first-class national university. Do you think a full scholarship recipient of the University of Tennessee has ADHD? Besides, when Alexander was in university, he was the champion of the university sports association’s 100m sprint event for six consecutive years. If he really had ADHD, would he have been able to accumulate so many achievements?” Blake rebutted.

Dai Li couldn’t help but frown. He used to be the sprinting coach of a university, so he obviously knew it was improbable for people who had been admitted into universities to be diagnosed with ADHD, not to mention getting a full American scholarship.

ADHD is, in itself, a type of mental disorder. Its main characteristic is that the attention of the individual is disproportionate to the age and development of the individual. Children with ADHD are unable to focus their attention, their studies are terrible, and they are bad at doing most other things, including sports.

Dai Li did not deny the fact that geniuses exist everywhere. For example in school, there would always be a classmate who never studied but always did well in exams; in art, there would always be a student whose studies were terrible, but when it came to music and art, they were highly talented.

But it was different in sports. Although these so-called geniuses do exist in all kinds of sports, sports geniuses have no shortcuts. No matter how much of a genius an athlete was, he had to focus on training to achieve good results. Just look at the experience of famous world-class athletes; hard work and sweat are sure to be found every step of the way. No athlete would dare say that they don’t train regularly and succeeded just from their talents alone.

So to indicate that Alexander suffered from ADHD while being capable of becoming the champion of the university sports association’s 100m sprint event for six consecutive times was impossible. The track and field of the US was considered to be the best in the world, and universities in the US did not lack world-class athletes. To be able to retain the championship six years in a row meant that his level was amongst the top ten in the world. A person who suffered from ADHD wouldn’t have been able to focus on his training, let alone reach the level of the world’s top ten.

So for an athlete of Alexander’s standard, the excuse of using amphetamine to treat his ADHD was not a good one.

Dai Li remained silent as Blake who was in front of him continued, “You are also a professional, and you should know that the half-life of amphetamine is between two and 24 hours. The kind of test strip that you mentioned just now would have difficulty discovering the drug if the user ingested it within two hours. Besides, the technology from ten years ago wasn’t as advanced as it is now, and the races of a university sports association can only be considered to be amateur. Their urine test capability wasn’t really high. It was normal for them to not find anything. If they really couldn’t detect anything, then amphetamine was really an effective item.”

“What you mean to say is that Alexander had always been using amphetamine, but due to the limitations of the urine test in amateur races, he was never found out. That was until he entered international competitions, where he was met with more advanced urine test techniques. It was then that he was finally detected?” Dai Li asked.

“I have no evidence, but that is what I personally think happened.” Blake tilted his head and pondered for a while before continuing, “Four years ago, Alexander was again found out to be using performance enhancing drugs, this time he used THG. It shouldn’t be a stranger to you, right?”

Dai Li nodded. “THG, Tetrahydropregnenone, a type of synthetic steroids, it can also be called the ‘muscle gain drug.’ The molecular compound is actually the derivative of synthetic testosterone, a type of stimulant specifically prohibited by the International Olympic Committee. I heard that this thing has been used more than the Beta blockers.”

“Now you understand. At first, it was the low-level amphetamine. Later, it was the high-level THG. Justin Alexander has always been using performance enhancing drugs. That’s why I feel that you shouldn’t have promised him. If he were found out to be using performance enhancing drugs while training at our place, our reputation would be affected, and your personal reputation too. You should know that as a coach, reputation is vital,” Blake said.

“When Alexander comes to sign the contract tomorrow, we should add a disclaimer clause. And we should also additionally note that if he were to use performance enhancing drugs, we have the right to terminate the contract unilaterally,” Dai Li immediately said.

Blake shook his head. “You still haven’t understood what I mean. What I want to say is that this is trouble, and you don’t have to get involved in it.”

“Randy, I am biased against athletes who use performance enhancing drugs, but I feel that we should give Alexander a chance. He is a very talented athlete. He made mistakes before, and he has already been suspended for four years; he has received his fair share of punishment. As long as he is sincere in wanting to change, to never use performance enhancing drugs ever again, why shouldn’t we help him!” Dai Li said.

Dai Li was, of course, not suddenly filled with benevolence. He was just reluctant to let go of Alexander’s talent. As a coach, when met with a talented athlete, it was indeed tough to let them go and give up.

However, Blake responded, “You’ve misunderstood what I meant. I am not prejudiced against Alexander, I only feel that he is a problem. My question remains. Why did Alexander find you and not the other coaches? Alexander was, after all, a sprinter who was second only to Kittel. If it wasn’t for Kittel’s dominance, Alexander might have already won several dozen world championships. He is an athlete who is among the best of the best, and finding a top-class track and field coach shouldn’t be that hard, right? You know that Alexander has extreme talent, but do you think that the other top-class track and field coaches would deny Alexander’s talent?”

“Do you know the reason? Why didn’t he look for other coaches?” Dai Li asked.

“It’s not that he didn’t look! Alexander definitely went to other coaches, but he was rejected. They didn’t want to coach Alexander,” Blake said firmly.

“Why? Alexander has such talent, are those coaches willing to give up? You’ve been a boxing coach, you should know how it feels. When a coach sees an exceptionally talented athlete, he would never just let go,” Dai Li refuted.

“It’s because Justin Alexander was found to be doping. Twice.” Blake held out two fingers.

“Indeed, he’s used performance enhancing drugs as an athlete, and twice. His integrity should be questioned,” Dai Li answered.

“You’ve been to the US for a few years, but you still haven’t understood sports in America. It’s not about personal integrity.” Blake subconsciously looked out the door. He only spoke after he was certain no one was outside. “You should know the urine test rules of the Anti-Doping Committee, right?”

“I know. For example, in the sprints of the Olympic Games, any athlete who made it into the final is subject to a urine test. The collected samples are separated into bottle A and B. Sample A will be tested while sample B will be stored. The minimal time for the sample to be stored is eight years. During this period, the sample will be randomly picked to be tested. Athletes who did not make it into the final are subject to a randomized urine test. Apart from that, the International Olympic Committee also conducts spot check urine tests, and the Anti-Doping Committee will suddenly appear to have a spot check while athletes are training,” Dai Li answered.

“That’s right, but there is a hidden rule in the urine test of the Anti-Doping Committee. Any athlete who was previously found to be doping, as well as athletes who are suspected of doping, they pay special attention to. Take for an example the Olympic races that you mentioned; if Alexander didn’t make it into the final, but because he used to dope, it would be almost certain that he would be chosen to be tested. And then for the spot checks that you mentioned, the Anti-Doping Committee would come to the US, and nine times out of ten they would conduct a test on Alexander,” Blake explained.

“I understand. Those who have a criminal record are naturally to be focused upon. I do think that it’s fine since I don’t plan on giving my athletes any performance enhancing drugs. The Anti-Doping Committee can do whatever test they want!” Dai Li said without a bother.

“You won’t use it, but what about the others?” Blake then continued, “Can you guarantee that the other coaches aren’t giving their athletes any performance enhancing drugs?”

Upon hearing Blake’s words, Dai Li opened his mouth in shock. He had a very daring guess in his mind.

“You mean to say that those so-called top-class track and field coaches, the reason they are worried about the spot check urine test is that they are afraid that Alexander would bring them down since he would attract the attention of the Anti-Doping Committee?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“I can only say the same thing. I don’t have any direct proof. I can only hypothesize.” Blake lowered his voice and said, “Alexander already has the special attention of the Anti-Doping Committee, and it is a given the Anti-Doping Committee will conduct a spot check on him. When the officer from the Anti-Doping Committee arrives, wouldn’t it be a waste of time to only conduct the test on Alexander? Would he not also conduct the test on the other athletes on the way? If some coach had given his athlete performance enhancing drugs, then wouldn’t these ‘on the way’ checks get detected? From this perspective, wouldn’t this Alexander be a time bomb buried right next to you?”

“I understand what you mean. Alexander is definitely subject to a spot check urine tests, and the coaches who use performance enhancing drugs on their athletes are worried about being dragged into the tests, so they rejected Alexander. But there are so many outstanding track and field coaches in the US, Alexander should be able to find a coach who is willing to coach him, right? Unless everyone is using performance enhancing drugs, but how is that even possible?” Dai Li shook his head as he finished his sentence. He looked doubtful.

“What’s there to be impossible?” Blake laughed scornfully. “That’s why I said, you’ve been in America for a long time, but you still don’t understand sports in America.”

Dai Li initially thought that Blake was only joking, but after seeing Blake’s expression, he instantly realized that he was not kidding.

“Is what you said true?” Dai Li asked in disbelief.

Chapter 447 - Unfair Competition

Chapter 447: Unfair Competition

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

A lot of people misunderstand and think that performance-enhancing drugs are only temporary. That using it before the competition would only yield a short-term boost.

In truth, as technology advanced, performance-enhancing drugs were more like a drug one consumed to fight against chronic diseases. Athletes had to use it every day, and since the daily intake amount was very small, the body would quickly absorb it through metabolism.

Performance-enhancing drugs were also no longer used during the competition or match period. The effects built up during the entire process, from training to competition. For example, using performance-enhancing drugs before training would help reduce the fatigue during training, allowing the training to last longer and improving the effects of the training. As the effects of the training improved daily, through months of accumulation, the personal ability of the athlete would naturally improve drastically.

It was just like losing weight; as long as one lost a little weight daily, after a long time of accumulation, a lot of weight would have been cut.

In the beginning, when the International Olympic Committee started going against performance-enhancing drugs, they were divided into four primary categories, but as technology advanced, different kinds of drugs were developed. When Dai Li agreed to train Alexander, there was a total of seven categories.

The earliest type of performance-enhancing drug was the stimulant. This type of drug stimulates the central nervous system or the muscles to improve the performance of the athlete. Things like caffeine, amphetamine, and ephedrine were all categorized as stimulants.

This type of performance-enhancing drug fundamentally has a half-life lifecycle. As long as it remains within its half-life period, it can be easily detected using a test strip. With amphetamine as an example, its half-life was between two and 24 hours. The fluctuation of the time period is because the metabolic rate of each individual is different and the variations in dosage.

In the last century, athletes in China used to employ methods such as eating watermelon or drinking a lot of water to facilitate urination and increase metabolism to remove the drugs from their bodies to avoid being detected after using this type of performance-enhancing drug. During those times, a lot of watermelon farmers delivered watermelon to sports teams specifically. A larger sports team solved a lot of livelihood problems for a lot of farmers.

However, as technology advanced, these stimulants were becoming easier to detect. Thus, stimulants became the lowest-level performance-enhancing drug. Now, no high-level athlete would be dumb enough to use stimulants.

The second type of performance-enhancing drug were the Anesthesia and Analgesia, like morphine, heroin, cocaine, etc. These were already considered drugs, and even normal people had to stay away from them, not to mention athletes. Besides, there was no legitimate way of purchasing these things, so no athlete would use them.

The third kind of performance-enhancing drugs were the diuretics. The diuretics don’t really stimulate the central nervous system or the musculature of the human body; at most, they only enhance the rate that the body excretes water, reducing weight as a result. But using diuretics increases metabolism and reduces the metabolite residue left behind by other performance-enhancing drugs, helping athletes avoid detection as a result. As such, the diuretics were always used in coordination with other performance-enhancing drugs.

The fourth kind were the beta blockers. They could selectively integrate with the beta adrenal gland, and stimulate the body. More than a decade ago, the beta blockers were rarely used in sports, but more and more athletes began using them later as the beta blockers could treat high blood pressure and arrhythmia. An athlete only had to produce a diagnostic report that stated that the athlete had heart problems to be able to apply for the approved use of drugs with beta-blockers with the International Olympic Committee.

The fifth kind was the endogenous peptide hormone, such as the human growth hormone, insulin, erythropoietin, androgen, etc. These were all hormones produced by the human body. Since the body originally had them, if the dosage wasn’t high, it was impossible to detect. But if the dosage was too low, then these hormones wouldn’t produce the desired stimulation effect. So the dosage for this sort of drug had to be high, which made it easier to detect.

The sixth type of performance-enhancing drug was blood stimulants. It was also known as blood doping. It was conducted by transfusing blood to the athlete, thus increasing the ability of the blood cells to carry oxygen. In the eighties and nineties of the previous century, there was a golden age of sprinting and new world records for sprints were being set continually. The number of exceptional sprinters kept increasing, and many of the athletes back then used precisely this technique.

The seventh kind of performance-enhancing drug were the synthesized steroids. It was the most varied and widely used performance-enhancing drug. It was also the most technologically advanced, as well as the hardest to detect. Athletes who used this type of performance-enhancing drug were nine times out of ten from countries with highly developed biotechnology, such as the US, Great Britain, Australia, etc. Countries with weaker technologies didn’t even have the research capability to develop such high-level performance-enhancing drugs.

This was the type of performance-enhancing drug that Justin Alexander had used.

…

“Is what you are saying true? You mean to say those reputable track and field coaches are actually using performance-enhancing drugs on their athletes?” Dai Li asked with a bemused expression.

“Is that odd? Not just the United States, but a lot of countries in the world are like this,” Blake said with a calm face.

“Of course it is odd. I’ve been a track and field coach before, and I was even in the national team of China. At least back then, I never found any coach using performance-enhancing drugs,” Dai Li said.

Blake smiled. “I think it might be the gap in technology standards. The technological standard of the US is top notch globally, and when it comes to pharmaceutical research, a lot of technology companies and research laboratories in the US like to play on the edge. Even more, they prefer to utilize their technological advantage as a sort of time gap.”

“Take a biological lab for example. Their technology is more advanced than that of the Anti-Doping Committee, so they can use this lead to continuously provide new products to the athletes. And as the Anti-Doping Committee lags behind in technology, they are unable to detect the new performance-enhancing drugs.”

The underlying meaning behind Blake’s words was that the technological level of China was too low, so they didn’t have the research strength to develop pharmaceuticals that couldn’t be detected by the Anti-Doping Committee.

“Perhaps there is also another reason,” Dai Li suggested. “Our country’s coaches are supported by the government; they are considered civil servants, and they have stable jobs, stable incomes, and stable welfares. Even if the results of an athlete aren’t good, they don’t have to worry about losing their jobs. At most, they receive a lower bonus, and their career advancement opportunities diminish. Although it can’t completely remove the usage of performance-enhancing drugs, the number of people willing to take risks is relatively lower.”

“Yeah. Using performance-enhancing drugs has its risks. The detection skills of the Anti-Doping Committee continue to advance, and every technological breakthrough enables them to detect a large number of performance-enhancing drugs and increase the number of athletes suspected of using these drugs. It also forces the research labs to continue developing new products. Four years ago when Justin Alexander was found to be using performance-enhancing drugs, it was precisely when the Anti-Doping Committee had a technological breakthrough. The Anti-Doping Committee suddenly improved upon their THG detection technique. Alexander clearly did not notice and continued using THG. The end result was him stepping on a landmine.”

“It’s like a game of tag. As the saying goes, while the priest climbs a post, the devil climbs ten.” Dai Li sighed, but he suddenly thought of another problem.

“Oh yeah. What about the review of the B sample? The B sample has to be stored for at least eight years. With the speed of technological advancement being what it is, it doesn’t matter if it’s the most advanced biological laboratory. When faced with the Anti-Doping Committee, there’s no way for anyone to have an eight-year technological advantage,” Dai Li asked.

The urine samples of athletes in international competitions had to be separated into A and B samples. The A sample was used for immediate testing whereas the B sample was stored. An athlete might not be found to be using any performance-enhancing drugs, but after several years, as the Anti-Doping committee improved their detection techniques, it was possible to detect residue of the performance-enhancing drugs in the B sample.

“Eight years is too long. For an athlete, that might be the entirety of his professional career. Athletes use performance-enhancing drugs at the peak of their careers, and make millions. That would be enough to last an athlete the rest of his life. Even if the Anti-Doping Committee were to discover it at a later time, it would still be worth it. Moreover, it is ‘if’ it was detected. Sometimes, they are unable to make the detection,” Blake explained.

The professional career of an athlete was short. After eight years, the athlete might have already retired or be nearing retirement. The athlete would have obtained both fame and fortune by then, earning what could be earned, and being found out to be using performance-enhancing drugs might only take away the glory from before. To the athlete, there wasn’t any real material loss. An athlete could sincerely apologize and express his desire to change, and use the rest of his earned money to live a luxurious life.

Blake then continued, “Apart from this, athletes also have legal methods of drug use, which help them avoid getting caught with many types of the performance-enhancing drugs.”

“You are talking about immunity for using drugs on treatment, right?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes. When Alexander first got caught using a stimulant, didn’t he argue that he was using it to treat his ADHD? Of course, a lot of athletes really do use drugs to treat diseases; for example, it is widely known that swimming is effective in treating asthma, so a lot of people practice swimming to treat asthma and end up becoming athletes. However, the drugs used to treat asthma contain compounds found in performance enhancers, so a lot of swimmers have to apply for immunity for using drugs for treatment.”

Blake paused a moment and continued, “There are also a lot of athletes who capitalize on the loophole provided by the drug use immunity, using disease treatment as an excuse to continue using performance enhancers. The exact number of people doing this, I don’t know. But I can give you a statistic; the number of athletes applying for drug use immunity in the US last year was around 700, and the number of athletes who went to the Olympic Games last year was only approximately 500 people. You can make the comparison. Among those who go overseas for international competitions, more than 70% of them would apply for drug use immunity from the International Olympic Committee.”

“That many?” Dai Li was surprised.

The US is the world’s number one when it comes to sports, and American athletes are also among the best in the world. The athletes who could make it through the trials and appear on the international stage were without a doubt the best of the best. Among them, many were world-class athletes.

If one were to say that each of these high-level athletes had a disease, it was still normal, but to say that over 70% of them were sick enough to require pharmaceutical intervention, it was obviously impossible. How could it be possible that these super sick athletes were much stronger than normal athletes? It was biologically implausible.

Or perhaps the body condition of the average American citizen was terrible, and super sick people was the norm, so the athletes who appeared in trial competitions or races were all sickly individuals. But how could this explain the fact that the US was the world’s number one country in sports? If the citizens of the world’s number one country in sports are all so sickly, why were they still into sports?

The only answer was that they were manipulating the rules so that they could legitimately administer performance-enhancing drugs.

However many people would help justify the actions of American athletes online, stating that they really were trying to treat their diseases. But if one were to really analyze the situation, it would be simple to get an answer. If every single one those exceptional athletes had a disease, and they needed to administer drugs for treatment, then what made them world-class? Did they really think that American athletes were practicing the “Sunflower Bible,” where self-castration would make one invincible?

Blake then continued, “Of course, not all 700 of these people get approval; about one-third of the applicants don’t get the drug use immunity. However, one thing I am certain of is that track and field athletes are the ones who possess the most immunity.”

Dai Li took in a deep breath and said, “You mean to say most track and field athletes are actually using performance-enhancing drugs?”

“And it’s through any means necessary,” Blake added. “I’m saying all this in the hope that you can understand. What’s in front of you is unfair competition. I know that you have a high training standard and great ability in track and field training, but the levels of the other coaches aren’t bad as well, not to mention your opponents are extremely likely to be using performance-enhancing drugs.”

“You think that I can’t best these ‘Pharmaceutical Coaches’?” Dai Li asked.

“It’s difficult. To tell you the truth, I really don’t favor your chances.” Blake shook his head. “Before his suspension, Alexander was touted ‘the second fastest man in the world,’ second only to Kittel. His comeback will definitely garner attention. If the result of his comeback is terrible, there will definitely be a lot of questioning voices, which will affect the reputation of our training center, as well as your personal reputation.”

As Blake finished his sentence, he glanced towards Dai Li, but he only found Dai Li smiling with confidence. Both his eyes showed that he was ready for battle; it was as if victory was almost in hand.

Unfair competition huh? The other coaches have performance-enhancing drugs, while I have the bonuses from the system. To them, it sure is unfair! Dai Li thought.

Chapter 448 - Utterly Convinced

Chapter 448: Utterly Convinced

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the side of the track, Dai Li looked at his stopwatch and couldn’t help but reminisce about his days in the national team a few years ago.

“Back then, I was only a young man who didn’t know anything. Feeling satisfied simply by being on the national team. And now, I have a large chain of training centers, and what’s more, I’m training world-class sprinters like Justin Alexander.”

Dai Li glanced at the number on his stopwatch again. “No wonder he was the second fastest man in the world. Although he has been suspended for four years, his results are still among the best in the world.”

“Coach Li, how did I do just now?” Pant… Pant… Alexander walked over. The full-strength sprint just now made him pant a little, but from his expression, Alexander was still rather satisfied with his performance.

However, Dai Li displayed a contrasting expression, and he said in a serious tone, “There’s a lot of problems in the details.”

Alexander was stunned slightly. He obviously knew what the “details” Dai Li mentioned were.

For sprinters who could finish the 100m sprint in 10 seconds, there were no longer any shortcomings in their overall techniques, and their sprinting methods were certainly also the most suitable to them. If that weren’t the case, it would be impossible for them to break through the 10 second barrier. Not to mention Alexander used to make it in 9.80 seconds. His sprinting techniques had long become the textbook approach that other sprinters emulated, and he was an object of study for coaches around the country. As such, even though Alexander was suspended for four years, his sprinting technique was immaculate.

This sort of world-class athlete no longer had any shortcomings in their technique. When it came time for the race, the primary factor that affected results was the execution during the race, as well as personal details. A good detail might only improve the time by 0.01 seconds. That difference might seem small, but for the 100m sprint, the gap between athletes were recorded in the hundredths of a second. In the 100m sprint, every 0.01 seconds was a difficult gap to close.

And in Alexander’s case, he had not participated in any race for four whole years. He had already lost the feel for a race when it came to details, and he was no longer the person from before. When placed in a real race, he would also not be able to find the feel for the race.

It was at that moment that a coach could show his effectiveness.

It was a question that tested Dai Li’s coaching ability.

Dai Li coughed and said, “Let’s first talk about the start of the race. Your starting reaction and your coherence after the start were fine, but your starting rhythm was terrible. To be precise, your body’s adjustment and adaptation to the starting rhythm did not match with your start reaction and coherence. It is like when you are starting a car; you turned on the car and accelerated without any problems, but you were not fast enough in shifting gears. It makes you lose speed.

I’ve only run once, and he’s already uncovered it. This Coach Li sure knows his stuff. It looks like I’ve made the right choice. Alexander removed his final bit of reservation and began listening attentively to Dai Li, who pointed out his weaknesses.

Dai Li continued, “Next, let’s talk about your step frequency in the first 20 meters…”

“You have to pay attention to maintaining tenacity when your right leg swings forward in force…”

“In the process of your sprint, your abdominal contraction affected your breathing rhythm. This might have a minimal effect on your final result, but it affects the transition from the middle of the race to the final dash…”

“And, when you’re making your final dash…”

Dai Li said a lot of things in a talkative manner while Alexander’s expression gradually increased in seriousness. In the end, he even had a slightly shocked expression

Coach Li got everything right, and among them are problems that even I hadn’t noticed. This Coach Li is amazing. With this kind of observation skills, he’s definitely not inferior to Sebastian. No! He’s better than Sebastian! I’ve seen a lot of world-class track and field coaches, and their observation skills are just as accurate, but they were definitely not this fast! Alexander thought.

Alexander knew the phases that he did not perform well in, so he knew what Dai Li said was extremely accurate. Especially when it came to the details, there were even problems that Alexander didn’t pay attention to, but after Dai Li’s reminder, he immediately became aware of their existence.

It was also the standard of world-class sprinters; just a little advice and reminder would help them realize their errors. Even on the 100m sprint, the kind of sport that seemed simple, to become a world-class athlete, one could not simply be a simple-minded brawn. They were good not only because they were faster than others, but also because their understanding of sprinting allowed them to stand above the others.

Alexander listened to Dai Li’s guidance with full conviction. Alexander might have chosen Dai Li because of superstition previously, but now he had been awed by Dai Li. Even if he did not have his discussion with the priest at the church, he would have still chosen Dai Li as his coach.

Dai Li continued, “Alright, I’ve finished talking about the detailed problems in your sprint. Next, let’s talk about the other aspects.”

“There are other aspects?” Alexander was slightly shocked and did not understand Dai Li’s meaning.

Dai Li, instead, looked at Alexander’s waist and asked, “What’s with your lumbar muscle sprain?”

“How did you know?” Alexander looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

The previous afternoon, Alexander had gone bowling with a few of his friends and accidentally sprained his back. It wasn’t a serious injury, only a simple muscle strain.

As a track and field athlete, his muscle density was very high, or to put it in simpler terms, the muscles were tough. This sort of muscle sprain wouldn’t do much damage to someone like Alexander, and he didn’t even need a rehabilitative massage. It would heal automatically in a few days, so Alexander hadn’t paid too much attention to it.

Alexander hadn’t told anyone about it, not even the friends who went bowling with him, but Dai Li brought it up.

How did Coach Li find out, it’s just a normal muscle sprain. It shouldn’t be possible to discover this from appearance alone. Besides, I never told anyone about it, but Coach Li knows about it. Have I really met a prophet?

…

Two weeks passed, and Sebastian still had not received any reply from Alexander.

The end of Alexander’s suspension is getting closer, but how there isn’t any news on him. Could it be that he’s not prepared to make a comeback? Or perhaps he has found another coach? That’s impossible, right? With Alexander’s condition, he is definitely going to become the focus of the Anti-Doping Committee. No coach would want to work with him!” As Sebastian thought of that, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“Tom, it’s me. It’s been a while…”

“To look for a news-clever journalist like you, of course, it is to inquire about something!”

“Relax. I know. I’ll make it worth your while…”

“I’d like you to find out about Justin Alexander. His suspension is coming to an end soon, and I want to know if he has found a coach.”

“What? You know? Alexander went to Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center? Which Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center? He needs a professional track and field coach right now, not some fitness coach.”

“You mean the fitness training center that discovered the ‘Blade Warrior’ Philip? That Chinese coach? He was able to train Philip, he does indeed have some mettle in track and field training…”

Sebastian ended the call and sat there alone. He began to ponder.

After half an hour, Sebastian stood up and walked deliberately to the side window and shut it. He then dialed another number.

“Mr. Franklin, it’s me, Sebastian. Are you free to talk? Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

Sebastian held his phone and waited for around two minutes before the other person told him that he could speak.

“Mr. Franklin, do you know about the fitness training center operated by the Chinese coach? Yeah, that’s the place. How well do you know that place?”

“Oh, your laboratory hasn’t worked with him?” Sebastian seemed much more relaxed, he then continued asking, “Then do you know if this Coach Li has any relationship with the other labs? Yes, those rivals and competitors of yours. Are they working with him?”

“No! They’re not affiliated with any labs?” Sebastian let out a long breath before smiling.

Nowadays, without the support of a research lab, how big a wave can you set off! Alexander, you’ve made the wrong decision this time! But it’s also for the best. When you grow tired of losing in races, you will naturally understand that coming to my training camp was the best choice, Sebastian thought gleefully.

…

A suited gentleman was seated in front of Blake. He was a salesman who specialized in selling nutrition products.

“I’ve heard of the products of your prestigious company, especially the osteocollagen. It has received great reviews from consumers, and a lot of gyms are using it.” Blake shook the product manual in his hand and continued, “But we have already got four different brands of nutrition products, so…”

“I understand!” the salesman immediately said. “Our company can increase the sales commission by 2%. From what I know, the other four brands don’t have such preferential conditions.”

“But the products of your company are more expensive,” Blake said.

“Isn’t that better? The higher the price, the higher the commission after a successful sale,” the salesman smiled eerily.

“That is indeed the case, but we will not forcibly recommend your products to our clients, even if the commission you give is high. Here at our place, you can only compete fairly with the other brands. I accept your products, but it is only to provide our clients with more choices,” Blake said. He then continued, “The main reason I brought up the price is that I wanted to inform you that compared to the other four brands, your product has no competitive advantage when it comes to pricing. If the sales volume of your product is low, I cannot guarantee that we will let your products remain.”

“I understand, I understand…” The salesman nodded awkwardly. Then he leaned forward and whispered, “In truth, we have a few other products. The kind that improve an athlete’s results.”

“We don’t need that kind of stuff.” Blake obviously knew that the other products that the salesman was talking about were performance-enhancing drugs, so he replied without any hesitation.

“Mr. Blake, I know that you have your worries, but your worries are unfounded. Our company is a long-time sponsor of the Hoffman Lab…”

Blake interrupted the salesman, “I’ve said it before, we don’t need that kind of stuff. That’s a rule set by our boss; performance enhancers are a taboo that we must avoid at all cost! If any one of our coaches dares to break the rules, he’ll be kicked out immediately! So what you’ve just said, I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear it. But if you really want to continue with that conversation, I will have to ask security to escort you out.”

Chapter 449 - Leg Length Discrepancy

Chapter 449: Leg Length Discrepancy

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Eugene is located in the State of Oregon in the US. The place has a unique nickname, the Tracktown. The best track and field coaches, as well as the best track and field athletes, were born there. It was also the birthplace of the world’s largest sports brand, Nike, and even the Diamond League of the IAAF specifically set up a race in Eugene.

As the city of track and field, the number of races held each year in Eugene was always the highest in the US. These races include world-class races such as the Diamond League of the IAAF as well as amateur competitions organized for sports enthusiasts.

Today, the competition organized in Eugene was a small track and field competition. Every event of the competition was a track race, and there were only four. The 100m, 400m, 1500m, and the 5000m. Adding the male and female races together, there was a total of eight races.

It was also Justin Alexander’s first race after his comeback!

…

Oregon was north of California, not far from Los Angeles, so Dai Li followed Alexander to arrive at Eugene.

“This competition doesn’t seem very big. Why did you choose this place as your first race after coming back?” Dai Li asked, slightly puzzled.

“I was criticized a lot for using performance enhancers, and it could even be said that I was universally condemned. I didn’t want my first comeback race to be stressful or high profile. That is why I chose this sort of competition.”

Alexander paused briefly before continuing with his explanation, “Don’t look down on the competition just because it doesn’t have a huge scale; a lot of strong competitors take part as well. This is, after all, Eugene. The only thing that Eugene doesn’t lack is track and field experts. So even if the scale of the competition isn’t big, the competition atmosphere is still pretty good. I can also find a feel for the race here. You should know, it’s been four years since I participated in any race. I’ve almost forgotten the feel of competitions already.”

As soon as Alexander finished his sentence, he lowered his voice and said, “There is another reason. The organizer of this competition promised to give me a 20,000 dollar appearance fee.”

Dai Li smiled in good faith. In truth, Dai Li knew that when Alexander was at his peak, his appearance fee was ten times that. It was only after the suspension that Alexander’s value dropped so much. It was fortunate that Kittel had retired. Alexander had a massive opportunity to become the fastest man in the world, and once he obtained that title, recovering his previous value wouldn’t be difficult.

Alexander then continued, “I have to run three races today; the preliminaries at 11 o’clock, the semi-finals at half past two, and the final at six o’clock. It’s been a while since I ran three races in a day… Eh? Isn’t that Shawn Ford? He’s also here for this competition.”

Following Alexander’s gaze, Dai Li saw a black man with a mustache.

“Shawn Ford. I remember him. He was the World Championship winner for the 200m sprint. But I haven’t heard of him since.” Dai Li only remembered this man after hearing his name.

Alexander nodded. “Yup, that’s him. He won the world championship for the 200m sprint in a dramatic way. He was initially placed fourth in the trials and had no chance of joining the world championship, but one of the contestants got injured, so he replaced him and participated, and ended up as the champion. After that, he never reached the same kind of result ever again. It was even hard for him to qualify for the US domestic trial competitions.”

“Why? A person who could win the world championship shouldn’t be that weak. Were his opponents weak during that world championship?” Dai Li asked.

“How could the opponents of the world championship be weak! Actually, Shawn Ford’s time when he won the championship was perfect. He finished in 20 seconds, but no one would have thought that the result was his peak. A lot of people felt that his championship was obtained due to extraordinary form, or said that he used something he shouldn’t have used. His actual ability could never reach the level of a world champion,” Alexander explained.

“There aren’t any 200m sprints today. Looks like he’s entering the 100m sprint. He’s going to be your opponent in the race.” Dai Li used the motion detector on Shawn Ford as he spoke. Later, when Dai Li saw the result of the detection, his expression relaxed.

“You don’t have to worry about him, he can’t beat you,” Dai Li said.

Shawn Ford had the talent potential grade of A+ in sprinting, but his personal ability value only just passed the 700 mark. Such a level was sufficient for one to represent a nation in Asia. However, in a country like the US with tons of track and field talents everywhere, in a popular event like the 100m sprint, a personal ability value of around 700 was perhaps sufficient for the preliminaries of the domestic trials of the US. Qualifying for the semi-finals was a difficult task. A level like that wasn’t enough to pose a threat to Alexander.

Dai Li continued reviewing the results of Shawn Ford’s detection, and parts of the description made Dai Li fairly happy.

A talent potential of grade A+, easily a world champion level, but he actually has a defect on his body. Congenital scoliosis. It makes his right leg shorter than his left leg by not more than half an inch. This sort of leg length discrepancy won’t affect a person’s daily life, but for a sprinter, it’s not good news.

There are many causes for leg length discrepancy, such as a traumatic fracture, polio, or nerve damage that leads to the uneven growth of both the legs. Medically speaking, treatments for leg length discrepancy are much more conservative, and include the use of an insole, custom-made shoes, and long-term rehabilitative sports treatment among other things. Few people would use surgery as a treatment method.

For an adult of average height, a one-centimeter leg length discrepancy could not be determined from the outside, and the life of the person would not really be affected. At most, the knee wear of a particular leg would be more than the other, and there would be a higher chance of getting osteoarthritis. For example, some people liked to cross their legs, which could lead to the dislocation of the hip joint, which is likely to cause a one-centimeter leg length discrepancy.

However, for a sprinter, a leg length discrepancy is a fatal shortcoming. Leg length discrepancy would result in an uneven force distribution with the legs, and the time it takes for the feet to touch the ground would also be different, the width of each step was different, and the rhythm of the steps were also unbalanced. There was a 100% chance that it would reduce the speed of the sprinter.

From a time point of view, the effects of the delay were minimal. The delay for a 100m sprint would be around 0.1 seconds, so an ordinary person could completely ignore it. However, when it came to a sprinting competition on the global scale, being 0.1 seconds slower in a 100m sprint meant a difference of several levels. It was like the A standard and B standard of the 100m sprint in the Olympic Games; the A standard was only 0.06 seconds faster than the B standard, yet the 0.06-second difference had obstructed thousands of sprinters from reaching the Olympic stage.

No wonder he hasn’t been getting any satisfactory results all these years. The effects of a leg length discrepancy for an athlete of his level is just too great. This Shawn Ford guy sure is unlucky, having a talent potential grade of A+ in sprinting, but he has to be in the US, the country that is strongest in track and field. He has access to the best training atmosphere and conditions, but he has a leg length discrepancy! The athlete’s patch should have an effect on this physical defect. An athlete with an A+ grade talent potential, should I scout him over?

As Dai Li thought of that, he suddenly frowned.

This doesn’t make any sense. His leg length discrepancy was caused by his congenital scoliosis, which means that when he took part in the world championship back then, he already had the leg length discrepancy. Then how did he become the world champion? If he slowed down 0.1 seconds per 100m, then 200m would mean he lagged behind 0.2 seconds. A gap of 0.2 seconds in the final of a world championship. Nothing can supplement something like that.

Dai Li couldn’t help but bring out his phone. He began looking for Shawn Ford’s result in the world championship.

19.79 seconds! He won the championship with a time of 19.79 seconds, that result would win any competition as long as he didn’t meet with that crazy Kittel. But from this result, Shawn Ford had obviously overcome his leg length discrepancy back then. How did he do it? It can’t be that this guy also has a cheat like the system!

The information Dai Li obtained had already exceeded his understanding of sports. So Dai Li lowered his head and went into deep thought.

…

Alexander bent his body and stepped firmly on the starting block. He waited for the sound of the gun.

The moment the gunshot was heard, Alexander rushed forward away from the starting line without hesitation and ran towards the finish line.

He was one of the most famous and most influential athletes among all the contestants. And this was also his first race since coming back. It was natural that he garnered a lot of attention. Almost every eye was staring at Alexander.

However, Dai Li did not do that. He did not pay attention to Alexander’s race because he knew Alexander’s victory was certain.

Dai Li kept stared attentively at Shawn Ford, and at the same time, he also took pictures of Shawn Ford’s race.

Ford’s performance wasn’t great. In total, eight contestants made it into the final, and Ford fell into the seventh place in the middle part of the race. There was not a hint of a world championship winner left.

Alexander was the first to run past the finish line. His lead was pronounced, so, during the final phase, he slowed down slightly. His final result was 10.07 seconds. It wasn’t a tremendous 100m sprint result, and it was actually still some distance away from the 10-second barrier. But in this sort of small-scale competition, it was enough to make him the champion.

Alexander was an athlete with an S grade talent potential; even if he didn’t use performance enhancers, as long as he trained diligently, he could achieve world-class results. It was unfortunate for him that he had met Kittel, a sprinter who was in a realm of his own. Even when Alexander used performance enhancers, he still couldn’t catch up to Kittel.

It wasn’t because Alexander was weak, it was because Kittel was just too strong, ridiculously strong.

…

Alexander stood on the podium to receive his reward joyously. Although the cash reward for first prize in this sort of small competition wasn’t much, for the first competition since his comeback, it was obviously an excellent encouragement for Alexander.

In the stands, the audience was discussing Alexander’s comeback. Only Dai Li was immersed in his cell phone, reviewing scenes of Shawn Ford’s performance during the race.

I keep feeling that something isn’t right. Perhaps I should also watch videos of Shawn Ford when he won the world championship. I should be able to find the video online. Dai Li searched on his phone for a while and finally found a video of Shawn Ford winning the world championship from a few years ago.

So fast! Although it’s the 200m sprint, Shawn Ford was much faster than he was today. Especially in the earlier bend, he has already established a clear advantage. But from the size of his lead, he sure doesn’t look like an athlete with a leg length discrepancy… Hold on a minute!

It was as if Dai Li had thought of something. He immediately rewound the video and reviewed Ford’s race in the final of the world championship. The video of the first 100m bend. He then closed his eyes and thought of Ford’s appearance today.

I understand! So it’s like that. Ford doesn’t even need the athlete’s patch, it’s just that he hasn’t found the correct method to sprint!

Chapter 450 - Leg Length Discrepancy Has Its Advantages Too

Chapter 450: Leg Length Discrepancy Has Its Advantages Too

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the athlete’s lounge, Shawn Ford seemed withdrawn. He changed his outfit while seated in the corner. The athletes around him were chit-chatting with each other without noticing his existence.

He used to be the champion of the track and field world championship. He had been one of the best 200m sprinters in the world, but now, he had long left the glories of the world championship behind. Ever since that world championship tournament, he had never achieved a decent result again, and he couldn’t even make it through the domestic trial tournaments in the US.

The tan flower appears only briefly. That was people’s general assessment of Shawn Ford. Looking across the sports industry, there were many athletes like that. Ford wasn’t the first, and he wouldn’t be the last. However, athletes like Ford who stood at the peak of the world and then immediately fell from grace were few and far between.

When mentioning Shawn Ford’s name, everyone would be reminded of the world championship that he won, as well as the unfruitful career that came after. They would look at Ford with a peculiar look in their eyes. Within it was sympathy, regret, and even delight!

It was especially true when other athletes saw Ford. The most prominent feeling was a sense of delight. After all, being in the same line of work meant that they were enemies, and there was always only going to be one winner. If someone won first prize, then someone else couldn’t. Weakening an opponent who was better meant that the person was one step closer to winning the championship.

Ford hated those strange stares, but he couldn’t control the behavior of others. All he could do was distance himself from them. He held onto his peace of mind by not seeing. It was more like avoiding the issue, and at the same time, it made Ford increasingly withdrawn.

The sound of footsteps drew nearer and stopped in front of Ford. Ford lifted his head to see the face of a Chinese man.

Ford recognized Dai Li. It’s that Coach Li from LA.

In track and field, Chinese coaches were a rarity. So in the afternoon, when Dai Li appeared in the athlete’s locker room, he attracted the attention of all of the athletes. After exchanging information with each other, everyone found out quickly that the Chinese man was the owner of Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center, the famous Coach Li of Los Angeles.

“Shawn. Is it alright if I call you that?” Dai Li was the first to speak.

“It’s alright, Coach Li. This is probably the first time we’ve met. Is there anything I can do for you?” There was a slight hint of hesitation in Shawn Ford’s tone, as if it had been too long since he last talked to a stranger, which made him forget how to speak.

Dai Li said straightforwardly, “Shawn, are you interested in coming to my training center?”

Ford was instantly baffled. He never would have thought that Dai Li was there to look for clients for his training center, but what surprised him most was that the client Dai Li searched for was himself. That was because there were many athletes who were more affluent than him. Not to mention that Dai Li was the boss; he didn’t have to act like a salesman looking for clients.

As if Dai Li knew Ford’s thoughts, he added, “Don’t misunderstand, I’m coming here as a track and field coach. I just want to ask if you are interested in working with me, and letting me be your coach?”

Ford finally understood. He asked, “There are so many athletes here. Some of them are younger than me, more talented than me, and have better results than me. Why have you picked me?”

“In this room, it is true that there are people who are younger than you and have better results than you, but when it comes to talent, that might not be the case.” Dai Li smiled and continued, “You have congenital scoliosis, which made your right leg half an inch shorter than your left leg. This has affected your speed. I’m right, aren’t I?”

“How did you know this?” Ford looked surprised, but calmed down immediately after. “It’s normal for you to now. All my previous coaches knew this, so it’s not odd for you to have found out.”

“Which is why I believe that my training suits you. I can help you solve this problem,” Dai Li said.

“How would you solve this?” Ford looked at Dai Li half suspiciously. His leg length discrepancy had been troubling him constantly. Now that someone suddenly told him that it was possible to solve the problem, Ford’s first reaction was to not believe him.

“I definitely have a solution, but I can’t tell you yet.” Dai Li shook his head and said, “But I would like to ask you to believe me. I really can solve your problem. Your trouble is only a leg length discrepancy. I’ve seen more serious situations, like having no legs at all!”

It was then that Ford remembered, Dai Li was the one who groomed the “Blade Warrior” Barron Philip. Dai Li had helped a disabled person without both legs to appear on the stage of the world championship. Compared to Philip, Ford’s leg length discrepancy was nothing.

This Coach Li can help a disabled person without both legs to appear on the stage of the world championship. The “Blade Warrior” had a more severe problem than me, so perhaps this Coach Li really is better at training athletes with physical defects. As Ford thought of that, he was slightly moved.

However, in the next second, Ford shook his head and said, “Coach Li, I’m sorry, I’m currently in Coach Thomas’s training camp.”

“Thomas’s training camp is similar to my place, so why not try out at my place? The equipment of my training center is top-notch in America, and I can guarantee that you will be afforded a lot of individual guidance,” Dai Li said.

“What I mean is that I don’t have that much money…” Ford said awkwardly.

The US did not have provincial training teams like in China. Athletes who had money would naturally hire specialized coaches to provide personal training services. Some might even spend money to create a coaching team. Athletes without money could only join training camps by other coaches or train at some clubs.

It was the same for coaches. Wealthy coaches could own and operate a training center, and reputable coaches could also open up clubs under their names, or rent a place to conduct training camps while recruiting athletes. It was similar to the private training courses in China. Coaches who weren’t as good could only work for others at these sports clubs.

Ford was obviously not a wealthy athlete. Although he had won the first prize in the world championship once, he hadn’t achieved any good results since then. An inconsistent achievement like that didn’t earn money. He couldn’t hire a specialized coach, as well as an agent. He knew better than anyone he couldn’t afford the expensive training fees.

Ford said that he didn’t have money. However, Dai Li laughed without paying it any notice. “Perhaps we can change to a different payment method. You don’t have to pay my training fees, but the bonuses that you earn in the future, and your appearance and endorsement fees as well, you have to share your earnings with me. The same amount that you would pay an agent!”

It was rare for a coach to demand profit sharing, but it did happen, especially among big shot coaches. They would ask for various things, including a profit-sharing scheme with the athlete. In truth, a lot of athletes were willing to accept this sort of payment method. The more the athlete earned, the more the coach earned. The prerequisite of earning more was that the results had to be good, so the coach would definitely put more effort into training the athlete.

However, Ford shook his head. “Coach Li, with my current condition, it’s practically impossible to win any rewards, and I barely pay attention to the appearance fees the organizers pay me. As for advertisement and endorsement fees, the amount is so minuscule that it is depressing. If I told you, I’d be afraid you would laugh. My current main income is from my part-time job at a track and field club. There is no profit to share.”

“That is why, to avoid making losses, I have to train you into a world champion, isn’t that right?” Dai Li smiled confidence.

“World Champion?” Ford opened his mouth slightly without saying anything.

After all this time, the words “world champion” sounded like an insult to Ford, stating that he hadn’t achieved any good results since getting the world championship.

As the title slipped out of Dai Li’s mouth, a dark cloud loomed over Ford.

Ford stared at Dai Li. Dai Li’s confidence came through his smile like sunshine on a winter morning, suddenly giving Ford hope.

…

Blake shook the contract in his hand and asked, “You’re sure about only taking 20% of his income? And only for income above 10,000 dollars? You’re sure we won’t lose money like this? With Shawn Ford’s current form, it’s difficult for him to attract any advertisement sponsorships, not to mention getting any prizes from races.”

Dai Li paid it no heed and said, “Ford won the world championship once, that should count as having proven himself before.”

“That’s true, he has had one victory. The one, and only, victory! After that world championship, it was difficult for him to even make it through the domestic trial races of the US, so the world championship win for him does not prove that he is talented. It’s just like winning the lottery; it can only say that your luck was great on that day, but it doesn’t prove that you’re good at making money,” Blake said.

“Then I will let you in on a secret.” Dai Li lowered his voice and said, “Ford has congenital scoliosis. It makes his right leg half an inch shorter than his left leg.”

“There’s such a thing?” Blake was surprised. “But this shouldn’t be regarded as a secret, right? The coaches who trained him should know about this. It’s something that can be found out, not a real secret. Besides, I’ve trained in track and field before, so I know that for a sprinter, a leg length discrepancy would affect speed. This sort of congenital defect is fate, and it can’t be remedied no matter by training. No matter how he trains, there is no way for Shawn Ford to become faster.”

“You think so too?” Dai Li’s smile was brighter than ever.

Blake looked at Dai Li with a face of puzzlement. From what he knew of Dai Li, when Dai Li looked like that, he already had a plan in mind.

“Did you discover some special circumstance?” Blake asked with interest.

Dai Li nodded and said, “Because of his leg length discrepancy, it is fate that the time for each of his feet to touch the ground is different when he is running. The time on the ground for his shorter right leg will always be shorter whereas his longer left leg will touch the ground longer.”

Blake nodded. “I understand that the length of time the feet touch the ground affects the landing force, which ultimately causes an imbalance in stride. In sprinting, an imbalanced stride would slow-down the runner’s rhythm, and in turn, affect the speed.”

“That’s straight-track running. What if it were at the bend?” Dai Li took out a blank piece of paper and a pen, and explained as he scribbled. “At the bend, the athlete has to turn to the left. Due to the centripetal force, the body will naturally tilt towards the left. If the left leg stays longer on the ground during this time, the left leg will generate more force, and the body will become more stabilized, have a stronger centripetal force, and a faster speed during the bend. Which also means that Ford’s condition where his left leg is slightly longer than his right leg will give him an advantage that no one else possesses. Especially during the acceleration process, this advantage will become more obvious.”

“You mean to say, back then, the reason he won the 200m sprint world championship was that he ran better than everyone else in the bend? It was precisely because it was a 200m sprint, his speed advantage during the bend made him win the first prize during the world championship,” Blake said.

“I believe that is the case. Ford is faster during the bend, but exactly how much faster, I am not sure. I’m also not sure if the speed he gains during the bend is enough to offset the speed he loses in the straight track.” Dai Li continued, “According to my research and understanding, I think that there is a need to change Ford’s sprinting method. I’ve observed his race videos, and he’s been chasing after a balance in timing for both legs when touching the ground, but because his left leg is slightly longer, he intentionally tries to shorten the amount of time the left leg stays on the ground. I don’t think he needs to do that, and it is also my future training direction for him.”

“I understand. You mean that there is no need to intentionally decrease the time the left leg touches the ground to make sure that the striding rhythm of both legs matches each other. You want him to run exactly the way he feels comfortable, even if it means that he will lose a stable stride rhythm?” Blake said.

“That’s exactly what I mean. I’m guessing Ford’s previous coaches all knew about his leg length discrepancy, and their training for Ford all tried to remedy his physical defect in the hope of achieving a balance of force in both legs, and as a result, a balance in running rhythm. But what never occurred to them was that it had adversely affected Ford’s speed.” Dai Li paused and continued to explain, “Ford’s body already has a defect. Regardless of the method or technique used to remedy the defect, it would never reach a normal person’s level. It is impossible for techniques to make both his feet the same length. Instead, attempting to force a balance in his running rhythm made him slower. I believe what Ford needs is a running rhythm that suits his leg length discrepancy, and not to simply pursue a balanced rhythm.”

“That’s reasonable. But are these your deductions? Or are they results that have been proven?” Blake asked.

“Of course it’s only deductions. Isn’t the contract agreement in your hands? We’ve just signed the contract, where would I have found a chance to prove it.” Dai Li pointed towards the contract in Blake’s hands.

“Then, have you ever thought about if your deductions are wrong? If Shawn Ford’s results don’t improve, we will have made a deal that loses money.” Blake was still expressing his worry.

“Just relax, even if my deductions are wrong, I still have a plan B!” Dai Li said with confidence.

Dai Li’s plan B was to use the athlete’s patch. After all, Ford had a talent potential grade of A+. If one could use the athlete’s patch to remedy his physical defect, he could still become a world champion level athlete.

Chapter 451 - A Different Coach

Chapter 451: A Different Coach

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Standing with Shawn Ford by the side of the training ground, Dai Li pointed to the video and said, “What you need now is more time for your left foot to touch the ground. That is what our following training will be aimed at.”

Will it work? Ford was confused. Dai Li was contradicting all of his previous coaches. They had asked him to shorten the time of his left foot touching the ground as much as he could. But Dai Li asked him to increase it.

“Coach Li, I once went through a test in a research institution. My left leg is longer, so my left foot touches the ground for a longer time than my right foot. The time is around 14% greater,” Ford replied immediately.

Then Dai Li asked, “Your previous coaches told you that you should shorten the time of your left foot touching the ground to balance your rhythm, didn’t they?”

Ford nodded honestly. He never thought that was wrong. The balance of steps was fundamental to a sprinter. The more balanced, the better. No one would like his own steps to be sometimes quick and sometimes slow. That was common sense even to beginners of sprint.

Dai Li continued asking, “When did you get that test in the institution? After you won the world championship?”

Ford nodded and said, “Yes. I won the world championship of the 200m program. And then I got some advertising endorsements. So, I was rich at that moment, and I spent a lot on finding ways to enhance my performance.”

“Sure enough!” Dai Li sighed and then he said, “Normally, it’s reasonable to pursue the balance of steps. But you are different. Your left leg is longer than your right leg, which means the torque on your left leg will be bigger when you are running. According to physics, the force multiplied by the length is the torque. You have to decrease the force you lay on your left leg when you are running or increase the force on the right leg to reach the balance of your steps.”

Ford nodded. Previous coaches trained him in that way indeed.

And Dai Li added, “Your left foot touches the ground earlier in running since the left leg is longer. And therefore, it touches the ground for a longer time. Your coaches before must have told you to make your left foot leave the ground earlier to balance your stride frequency. But I think such a method is a bad influence on the integrity of your running.”

“Do you mean I shouldn’t pursue the balance of steps?” Ford asked in surprise. He didn’t understand Dai Li. Dai Li’s ideas were contrary to traditional theories on sprint.

“Correcting the asymmetry of your legs doesn’t increase of your speed, and it backfires. Your legs are not the same in length. To you, running with balanced steps is unnatural.” Dai Li paused and then added, “The peak force of a top sprinter’s single foot touching the ground can be five times as much as his own weight. Such a peak of force shows up within 0.03 second after touching the ground, and it’s an important source of energy in running forward. It’s even decisive to the final score.”

“The stride frequency of normal sprinters is coordinated. The peak force of each leg touching the ground should be approximately the same. And the difference between the two peaks should be smaller than 3%. But you are different. The difference between your two peaks is bigger than 10%. Do you know why?” asked Dai Li.

“Is it because of the previous training?” asked Ford, thinking about that.

Dai Li nodded and said, “Right. As I just said, your training in previous years decreased the force of the left leg or increased the force of the right leg to balance the arms of force of the two legs. Meanwhile, the intentional shortening of the time that your left leg touches the ground led to a decline of the strength of your left leg. Years of such training caused the peak force of your right leg to be much higher than that of your left leg.”

“In your case, your shorter right leg has a higher peak force while touching the ground. That goes against usual principles of exerting force. The normal way of running doesn’t fit you. For you, the logic way of running is to make your left foot stay longer on the ground and then your left leg will exert force for a longer time, which will produce a stronger centrifugal force to enhance your speed.”

“At the same time, such a way of running can accelerate you on the bend. Running on the bend requires your body to lean towards the left to keep balance. If your left foot stays on the ground for a longer time, your running on the bend can be more stable and you can make better use of the peak force of your right foot touching the ground to give yourself more kinetic energy and greater acceleration on the bend.”

“That makes sense!” Ford nodded. But then he said regretfully, “So, my training to make my stride frequency balanced through these years was totally useless?”

It was more than useless. It was like you were stabbing yourself with a knife. Dai Li looked at him with sympathy. He knew what Ford was feeling.

As an athlete, Ford had spent many years, much money, and hard work on training to improve himself. But suddenly he was told that all he had done was counterproductive. That must be a huge mental shock.

“Don’t be so upset,” said Dai Li to comfort Ford. “It’s not too late for us to remedy. We still have time to prepare for the tryout in late June for the Olympic Games. I will send you to the Olympics!”

…

Shawn Ford’s training was a medium to long-term process. It was hard for a skillful athlete to change his way of running since the change was not simply to running method, but to many small details. Normally, it was quick for an athlete to adjust to a new way of running within one year.

The case of Shawn Ford was unique. His former way of running focused on remedying the defect of his legs with various lengths. Viewed from Ford’s body integrity, that kind of gait was unnatural. And Dai Li’s training for him was trying to bring his natural gait back. So, the training efficiency was really high.

It’s just like if you forced a left-handed person to use chopsticks with his right hand. He would with no doubt feel unnatural about his movements, but he would get used to it after practice. However, the left-handed person would still find it easy to use his left hand again after years of using the right hand. That’s because it was the nature of his body.

From this point of view, Shawn Ford’s previous way of running was wrong, and Dai Li was just getting him back to his nature.

Meanwhile, Justin Alexander was achieving more and more. After two small-sized races, he had his competitiveness back. He participated in some medium-sized races, and he won them all.

Alexander was once “the flying man ranked second in the world.” It is a piece of cake for him to get a good ranking in medium-level matches even in America, the superpower of track and field.

He finished within 10.05 seconds in three consecutive medium-sized track and field events, which made him very confident. He decided to participate in some bigger and more important competitions.

…

The Pennsylvania Track and Field Elite Competition.

This competition was half an invitational tournament. Five of the eight participants in the 100m sprint program were invited to the competition, while the other three got access to it through qualifications.

Alexander didn’t get the invitation, which might have been because of his bad reputation of being banned for using stimulants, or his comeback without new big achievements. And he had fought through qualifications to get an opportunity to join the formal competition.

Alexander heard a familiar voice from behind just after he changed his clothes in the changing room for athletes. “Justin, why are you here? I don’t think I saw your name on the invitation list this time!”

Without looking back, Alexander knew it was his former coach, Sebastian, who was speaking.

“I heard that you are in the training center of the Chinese coach now. Why didn’t he come with you?” Sebastian asked and looked around for Dai Li.

Located in the east of America, Pennsylvania was far from Los Angeles. So, Dai Li didn’t come here.

Alexander didn’t answer. He didn’t want to interact with Sebastian any more. Even a word was needless.

But Sebastian was a chatterbox. He said with contempt, “I’ve heard that you took part in several small competitions. I cannot imagine that you, once the greatest sprinter in America, now have to participate in those small competitions.”

Alexander heard the sarcasm in Sebastian’s voice, but facing his former coach, Alexander was humbled. So, he decided to ignore Sebastian’s words.

But his silence never stopped Sebastian. The coach pointed at a black young athlete behind him and said, “I want to introduce this man to you. He is Warton, ‘the Miami Lightning.’ You must have heard about him. I have trained him for one year. And in all the consecutive five races he has run recently, he got scores within 10 seconds, including a score of 9.88 seconds.”

Oh, he is Warton, the talented sprinter in Miami! Alexander had heard about this guy. He looked at Warton, and he knew sharply that this young Warton would be his strongest rival in the competition.

It was truly a great achievement for a sprinter to get scores of less than 10 seconds in five races consecutively. And a score of 9.88 seconds might lead the sprinter to the gold medal in a world-class competition. The data showed that the man named Warton was at the top of 100m sprint program worldwide.

Warton was a new talent who rose up rapidly in recent years in the field of sprint.

He got the championship of the American Youth Games when he was young, and he got the championships of the American College Students Games for two consecutive years. And he often got excellent achievements in professional games. He was from Miami, so everybody called him “the Miami Lightning.”

His cooperation with Sebastian helped him make great progress. Sebastian was once awarded the Best Track and Field Coach in America. And he had trained many to be world champions. Although his moral quality was not so good, his training methods ranked the top in the world. The cooperation between the two was an alliance between giants.

…

The 100m race was going to start. The eight participants were standing on the starting line.

Sebastian looked at Warton confidently. He thought Warton would definitely win today’s race with his perfect condition.

Among the participants today are some skillful ones. But they will be defeated by Warton. Warton’s fastest performance is less than 9.80 seconds.

A score within 9.80 could win the gold medal in the Olympics and also in the world championship.

But it was also true that practices were different from competitions. Athletes’ performances in daily practices were usually better than their performances in competitions. It was a success for an athlete to show 80% of his real strength in major sports events. However, a score within 9.80 seconds in practices still showed the great talent of Warton.

Warton should be the best sprinter in America now. I will get him to be the number one sprinter in the world. Kittell has retired. The field of sprint will be ruled again by several giants. It is an opportunity that we must seize fast.

Sebastian couldn’t help thinking of Alexander.

Warton’s talent is great. But Alexander used to be better than him. I think Warton will be the second Alexander at the best. Unfortunately, Alexander didn’t follow me. But that doesn’t matter now. Today, Alexander is nothing…

Bang!

The starting gun went off, interrupting Sebastian’s thoughts. At the same time, the sprinters ran forward from the starting line. And Sebastian was focused on Warton.

Sebastian’s prediction was right. Warton was faster than the other seven. After running for 30m, he had more a body-length lead compared with the sprinters at his left and right.

We win. Sebastian relaxed, but soon he found a man on the outermost track who was as fast as Warton.

That’s Alexander! Sebastian felt nervous suddenly. It was like his heart was pinched by someone invisible.

In the 100m sprint, the two tracks in the middle were the best choice for the sprinters while the outermost track was the worst. Alexander, as a participant from the qualifications, was set to the track by the side of the field.

But such an arrangement didn’t stop him from showing his surprising speed.

After 60m, Warton stood out from the participants and the only one who was competing with him was Alexander.

The live audience were becoming more and more excited. No one liked a game with a fixed winner. A situation where two athletes were competing and no one knew the final result? That was the most exciting.

But by the side of the field, Sebastian was frozen. He did not have a good feeling about what was happening.

Sebastian was once Alexander’s coach. Therefore, he knew Alexander deeply. Alexander was his most brilliant student. And Alexander’s excellence at the peak of his career still remained in Sebastian’s mind.

And Alexander’s performance of that day was the same as his best state in Sebastian’s memory.

No! When this word came to Sebastian’s mind, the sprinters on the field were very close to the finish line.

Warton leaned his body forward to try to use his head to cross the line.

But Alexander just lowered his head.

Alexander knew that he had the lead, which allowed him to not make big movements to cross the line.

In a blink, the sprinters crossed the finish line and began to slow down.

On the screen on site, all cameras were focusing on the champion.

That champion was Justin Alexander!

Chapter 452 - Measuring Other People's Corn by One's Own Bushel

Chapter 452: Measuring Other People’s Corn by One’s Own Bushel

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“Alexander has won!” Sebastian cried in surprise.

From Sebastian’s perspective, it wasn’t surprising to see Alexander winning a competition. But it was beyond his imagination that Alexander had defeated Warton to win the race.

Was Warton too slow today? Thinking of that, Sebastian looked at the big scoreboard on the wall.

It showed that Warton’s score was 9.91 seconds, a pretty good score which could possibly get the gold medal in a race held by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

Warton was not slow, but he was defeated. Then, the only reason was that Alexander’s score was great. Sebastian found Alexander’s name on the scoreboard with his score beside it: 9.87 seconds.

A gap of 0.04 seconds was not enough for a blink and was too short to be felt by humans. But 0.04 seconds in the score of a sprint, especially in the score within 10 seconds, was a chasm.

Sebastian recalled the flying Alexander on the track. That man seemed just like Alexander at his peak four year ago!

Has he recovered to his best state? No. That’s impossible, totally impossible! Even if he could recover, he couldn’t be so fast. I couldn’t train him to be so fast. How could that Dai Li be better than me at training him?

The Sebastian’s self-confidence seemed to take a hit. He always considered himself the best track and field coach in the world. He thought what he couldn’t do must be impossible for other coaches as well.

But reality taught him a lesson. Alexander’s score of 9.87 seconds was telling everybody clearly that he had recovered his best state, as powerful now as he had been four years ago.

The Chinese coach is only a fitness coach. He is not a professional coach for sprint. How could he be better than me? And why could Alexander recover so quickly? Sebastian thought about that, rolling his eyes. Maybe the Chinese coach used something illegal! Yes! That makes sense!

His eyes were filled with the fire of hope again. He firmly believed that Alexander used stimulants to recover in such a short time to his state from four years before.

The champion must go through a urine test. He will be found out if he used a stimulant. He will be found out! Sebastian comforted himself.

…

The next day after the competition finished, Sebastian asked for the results of the urine test for the competition again and again. But he was disappointed by the fact that no one was found to have used stimulants.

He was unhappy about that, but soon he calmed down after he thought about it.

American biological labs usually had technologies that were more advanced than the technologies of the Anti-Doping Committee. For example, the Franklin Lab that was cooperating with Sebastian had a technology that was two years ahead of the Anti-Doping Committee of the IOC. The stimulants invented by the lab couldn’t be detected by the Anti-Doping Committee for another two years.

Products of the Franklin Lab could not be found out in a short period of time. So, it was possible for the product of other labs not to be found out either.

But what made Sebastian upset was that Alexander’s recovery was too fast.

Is the stimulant he is using more effective than the product of the Franklin Lab? Right. I see. It is the effect of the stimulant that has allowed him to recover so fast! He refused my partnership because he had another choice.

Sebastian helped athletes with stimulants. Therefore, he thought that Dai Li would also use stimulants. And Alexander’s outstanding performance made him believe more firmly that Alexander had used better stimulants.

But as I know, the products of the Franklin Lab are the best in the world. Where does Dai Li find the better stimulants? Is there another research institution that is working with him secretly?

Suddenly, he was very worried. He knew that Alexander would outachieve Warton greatly with both his talent and stronger stimulants.

The Franklin Lab’s technology has fallen behind others. I must tell them about this as soon as possible. And I must ask them to get Alexander’s body fluid sample!

Thinking about that, Sebastian took out his mobile phone and called the Franklin Lab.

…

Alexander walked to the door of the men’s room, only to find an “Out of Order” sign hanging on the door.

Out of order? He thought. But before he left for another toilet, the door opened and a young man dressed as a plumber came out.

“Sorry. The pipes inside weren’t working right. I’m repairing them. I have already repaired the first urinal, so you can use it, if you want,” said the plumber kindly.

“Okay. Thank you.” Alexander walked in and came to the first urinal.

“Yes. That one,” said the plumber, gazing at Alexander. It seemed that he wanted to watch Alexander pee.

It was very strange for one to be watched when he was peeing. Alexander couldn’t help squinting at the plumber.

Why does this guy keep staring at me and focusing on my dick? Is he homosexual? I must protect my *sshole. Alexander got goosebumps all over with this idea and he even found it difficult to pee.

At that moment, the plumber felt awkward, too. So, he turned around, pretending to be calm and trying to act like a stranger.

Alexander finished as quickly as he could and pressed the flushing button, and he found that it didn’t work.

“I haven’t fully repaired it yet,” the plumber said.

“Okay.” Alexander nodded and pulled his pants up quickly and then he ran out of the toilet.

He relaxed when he left the toilet and got to the corridor. He didn’t discriminate against gay men. But he didn’t want to be alone in a room with a gay man, especially when the gay man was staring strangely at his penis.

Clack.

The sound of a shutting door came from behind Alexander.

The door is locked? Alexander looked at the door of the bathroom. The “Out of Order” sign was conspicuous.

A strange plumber! Alexander shook his head and walked out with big steps.

…

Andrew was an investigator of an investigation company. His job covered a wide range of tasks, including investigating hidden wealth, extramarital affairs, and the whereabouts of a specific artworks.

Andrew’s assignment that day was to get the urine sample of an athlete.

Andrew had seen many strange clients and gotten many strange assignments. But it was his first time on an assignment like this. However, as an experienced investigator, he would never be stopped by it. And what’s more, the commission of the assignment was a lot of money.

So, he disguised himself as a plumber, disabled the urinal, and hung a repair sign on the door of the toilet to wait for the athlete.

Everything went well. That athlete came to the toilet and peed in the urinal that Andrew had “repaired” in advance. And finally, Andrew got his urine sample.

The only thing that made Andrew unhappy was that the athlete thought he was gay!

Chapter 453 - A Little Bit Expensive

Chapter 453: A Little Bit Expensive

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In a Mediterranean villa, Kevin Taylor walked in the yard with a large fresh steak in his hands.

“Sweetie, you can eat the steak now, I bought a fresh piece of steak for you!” Kevin Taylor walked up to a tiger.

This tiger was raised by Taylor when it was a baby, and it was his favorite pet. When Taylor was on the verge of bankruptcy, he had to sell a lot of his property, but he still tried to feed his tiger.

Ding dong… The doorbell rang.

“Someone is coming, I’m going to open the door!” Taylor threw the rest of the meat to his tiger, turned back, and walked to the door.

In front of the door was a first-generation 1968 Ford Mustang.

Ford Mustangs aren’t very expensive, since they are popular sports cars. But the first-generation Mustang is a classic that was produced more than fifty years ago, so it’s much rarer than many luxury cars. In addition, the Mustang produced in 1968 was a favorite, so people who can afford to drive a classic like that are not ordinary people.

In front of the door stood a balding white man, who was over 1.8 meters tall and in his thirties. His face was thin.

“Jimmy, why did you come here!” It obvious that Taylor knew Jimmy, and he opened the door to let him in.

“Kevin, long time no see.” Jimmy gave a gift box to Taylor and said, “I hope you’ll like the 2003 Clos du Bois.”

Clos du Bois is one of the top 10 wineries in the United States, and it is located in Sonoma, California. Although it enjoys a great reputation, it’s wine is relatively cheap and fine compared with other famous wineries.

“Thank you.” Taylor took the gift box and invited Jimmy to the middle of the living room.

They sat down and began to talk; the white man was the first to cut to the chase.

“Kevin, I’m going to come back!” said the white man.

“Why? You have been retired for three years, and it’s time for you to enjoy your life. Why do you want to come back?” Taylor was very surprised.

“I have to make money. I have run out,” said the white man.

Taylor looked at the white man in surprise and asked, “I remember that you didn’t gamble and you didn’t have many friends, so what did you do? Where is your money?”

As was known to all, pornography, gambling, and drugs could easily bankrupt people. But Taylor knew well how much money Jimmy had. If Jimmy used his money to go whoring, it would be impossible for him to run out of money. If Jimmy had taken drugs, he could have supplied himself with drugs until his death. What’s more, Jimmy didn’t know how to gamble, and he didn’t have many morally-bankrupt associates, so he shouldn’t have spent his money so quickly.

“I made a failed investment, and I put almost all my money into it. Soon I will lose everything,” said Jimmy.

“So, what did you invest in? And things are different now from the financial crisis of several years ago, even the Wall Street’s evil capitalists are wary now. Some investments may cause losses, but only a few investments would make you lose everything,” said Taylor.

“I invested in oil, shale oil to be exact,” Jimmy said helplessly. “I invested in the exploitation of shale oil with my cooperative partners. In the beginning, we made much money, but then OPEC started to increase oil production, so the price of oil fell sharply. We can’t get profits from our wells, and we lose money whenever we produce a barrel of oil.”

Shale oil was once a resource that was difficult to exploit, but the development of technology, especially the progress of hydraulic fracturing technology, drastically reduced the exploitation costs of shale oil. What’s more, with the further improvement of technology, the exploitation costs were expected to decline further.

The time of return on investment of shale oil was very short, and the pre-investment cycle was only two or three months. The investment cycle of a traditional oil field was five to seven years, which made the exploitation of shale oil a very popular investment project.

The cost of exploiting shale oil in America was between $40 and $60 per barrel, and it varied from region to region. When the oil price was high in the world, exploiting shale oil could bring in high profit and gain quick rewards, so investing in shale oil was very popular in the United States.

Lots of shale oil was exploited in America, which meant America got an increase in its oil production. Thus, it naturally reduced America’s dependence on oil imported from OPEC. In addition, with more shale oil being exploited in America, it even planned to export shale oil to other countries, which would have turned America from an oil importer to an oil exporter. That also meant that instead of being one of OPEC’s customers, America would now become its competitor.

So, OPEC decided to fight back by increasing the supply of oil and lowering the price. Taking the Middle East as an example, the exploitation cost of their onshore fields was less than $10 per barrel, so they were not afraid of a price war.

When the price war broke out, the oil price began to plummet, and the oil price of OPEC was even lower than the exploitation cost of shale oil in America, which meant all shale oil in America suffered heavy losses.

Hydraulic fracturing techniques were used for the production of shale oil, which meant that it couldn’t stop. The principle of the hydraulic fracturing technique was to inject fracturing fluid into the oil reservoir to produce pressure, which would create cracks through which the oil and natural gas would leak through into the drilling hole. In order to keep the cracks open continuously, a type of propping agent needed to be injected into the cracks together with the fracturing fluid. Once stopped, the pressure inside the oil reservoir would decline and the cracks also would shut, which meant everything had been done in vain.

As long as the exploitation of shale oil continued, the investment in shale oil would continue. Even if the investors would suffer losses, shale oil still had to be exploited from the wells. In other words, if a businessman bought a lot of goods only to find that he couldn’t sell his goods at all, he would be forced to sell his goods below cost. The businessman would take a loss, he would take a much larger loss if he didn’t sell his goods at all.

Now, Jimmy was faced with this dilemma. He had invested in shale oil, and even if the market price of oil was below the exploitation cost, he still had to put money into his investment, so he could hold onto his investment until the oil price went back up. But if he stopped his investment, he would lose all his money.

The white man continued to say, “So I’m going to come back to make some money. If I can participate in the Olympics again, that would be great. At least I could get some advertising sponsorships.”

“That’s for sure. You have won six gold medals in three Olympics, so as long as you are in the Olympics, there will be sponsors for you,” said Taylor.

“I’m confident in my physical condition, but I’m 34 years old now, so it’s something I can’t ignore. That’s why I came here. You have been back to your peak physical condition before, so I would like to ask you for help!” Jimmy said earnestly.

“I got back to my peak physical condition because I have a great fitness coach. You may have heard of him, he runs a chain of fitness training centers in Los Angeles.” Taylor smiled and continued, “I can recommend him to you, but I have to tell you, his charge is a little bit expensive.”

Chapter 454 - The Former Ruler of the 400-meter Sprint

Chapter 454: The Former Ruler of the 400-meter Sprint

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“What? Jimmy Aylwin plans to came back?” Blake said in surprise, but he was also a little excited.

Dai Li nodded. “Yes, Taylor told me that Aylwin invested a lot of money in shale oil and he suffered heavy losses. So he wants to came back and participate in the Olympics again, and he wants me to help him to return to his competitive condition.”

“Oh my god, I think it must be the most sensational sports news of this weekend! He won the championship in the Olympics three times. With such brilliant achievements, as long as he will be in the next Olympics, there will be some top sponsors for him!” Blake exclaimed.

Jimmy Aylwin was a white track and field athlete who focused on the 400-meter sprint.

Black athletes had an absolute advantage in sprint events, whether in the 100-meter sprint, the 200-meter sprint, or the 400-meter sprint. Especially in the World Championship and the Olympics, almost all the finals of sprint events were monopolized by black athletes.

But in the finals of the 400-meter sprint, the ruler was a white man named Jimmy Aylwin.

Jimmy Aylwin also had a similarly brilliant record in the World Championship. He participated in two World Championships, and each time he was the champion of the 400-meter sprint and the four-by-400-meter relay. In addition, he also won numerous championships in many tournaments, such as the IAAF Super Grand Prix, the IAAF Golden League, and the IAAF Diamond League.

The 400-meter sprint was less popular than the 100-meter sprint, so Aylwin didn’t enjoy the same reputation as Kittell, “the world’s first fleet-footed runner.” But Jimmy Aylwin was a household name in the United States, and he was even more influential than the NAB superstars.

Aylwin’s fame was due to the rise of sprinting in Central America and the Caribbean in recent years.

America had been the ruler of sprinting since the beginning of 1980s, but due to the rapid rise of Jamaican sprinters after the 21st century, Jamaican sprinters competed with American sprinters in several years.

Then the top sprinter, Kittell, suddenly appeared, and his ability overwhelmed all the other sprinters, which also gave American sprinters a fatal blow. After that, American sprinters had never won the championship as long as Kittell participated.

Apart from Jamaican, countries in Central America and the Caribbean also paid attention to sprint. The ethnic talent of the black athletes, the natural environment, and the unique climate in Central America and the Caribbean created a large number of top sprinters. Such small countries as the Bahamas, Grenada, Trinidad, Tobago, Saint Kitts, and Nevis were able to challenge American sprinters in the International arena. There was a time when American sprinters couldn’t win the fourth place if Justin Alexander didn’t participate in the match.

But America was still the ruler of the 400-meter sprint, because they had Jimmy Aylwin. His ability was far more than other 400-meter sprinters; thus, he was the idol of many Americans.

People like to praise winners. An athlete, no matter how excellent he is, can never be successful if he doesn’t win the game all the time. For example, Justin Alexander could never be the winner as long as Kittell participated in the game, even though Justin continuously created better records and constantly renewed the record in America.

Because Jimmy Aylwin was always the winner, he was more popular than Alexander. From the perspective of others, Alexander could be regarded as a world top athlete, while Jimmy Aylwin was a “great” athlete.

More importantly, Jimmy Aylwin was a white.

White people dominated mainstream American society, and the elites in American politics, economy, culture, entertainment, science, and other industries were white. The vast middle class in America was white, and even in the sports industry, the most influential athletes were not the black superstars in the NBA, but the white quarterbacks of the NFL.

As a white, Jimmy Aylwin had congenital advantage in gaining influence, and the function of this influence was to attract sponsors, in particular the top advertising sponsors. Aylwin had won three championships in the Olympics, so as long as he passed the qualification trials in America and entered the Olympics, he could easily get millions of dollars in advertising sponsorships.

Blake was very excited when he found out Jimmy Aylwin planned to come back, and he asked Dai Li in a hopeful tone, “Would you like to help him?”

“Helping these athletes who have been retired for several years return to their competitive condition is very difficult. Aylwin is now 34 years old. Sprinting has a strict requirement for physical condition, and very few athletes can hold up to 34 years old. You know that age is a terrible enemy for athletes.” said Dai Li.

“So, you won’t help him?” Blake said disappointedly.

“No, I just want to emphasize the difficulty. Because it’s so difficult, I will charge more money!” Dai Li paused and said with a smile, “As usual, I want a revenue share for the next three years!”

For Dai Li, Jimmy Aylwin was definitely worth three age-reduction cards.

In the 1990s, Franklin, a professor in a prestigious university, left the university’s laboratory to set up a company. He built up a joint laboratory called Franklin Laboratory.

On the surface, the main task of Franklin’s laboratory was to research how to manufacture nutrition. Their flagship product aided the circulatory and excretory systems and replenished the body with vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, more covertly, Franklin’s laboratory had been working on the latest steroid doping.

The scientific name of the steroid was epinephrine. The adrenal glands naturally secrete a certain amount of the steroid every day to maintain the normal physiological operation of the body. This steroid also had a variety of clinical functions, and could be used to treat a variety of common diseases, such as cancer, brain edema, rheumatism, skin diseases, sepsis, meningitis, and so on. It could be used in the treatment of almost all diseases.

So, the development of steroid derivatives had become a research topic of high commercial value. With a bit of luck, a new kind of derivatives could be a new medicine, which would then bring hundreds of millions of profits to the developer.

By turning their research products into performance enhancers for athletes, they found free experimental subjects to test their products, and they obtained a lot of experimental data to continue their research and development. But once athletes started doping, they were afraid to speak out in public. Even if there was something wrong with their bodies, they would choose to solve it privately in the laboratory rather than through legal channels.

It has to be said that the doping in Franklin’s Laboratory was very effective, and it couldn’t be easily detected by the Anti-Doping Committee. Over the past two decades, Franklin’s Laboratory had become more famous and popular, and many famous coaches and athletes went to Franklin’s Laboratory and asked for help. When they obtained brilliant achievements, they became an accidental advertisement for Franklin’s Laboratory.

Sebastian was the most faithful partner of Franklin’s Laboratory, and he had been the friend of Dr. Franklin for many years. But today, they seemed to be at odds over something.

The door of Franklin’s office was closed and the blinds were drawn down, and it looked as if they were discussing something secret.

“There were no traces of enhancers found in Alexander’s sample? How could that be?” Sebastian assumed an air of disbelief.

“We have used all of the tests, but all the results show that everything is normal for Alexander; there was no evidence of doping in his samples. To be exact, there was no evidence to suggest that Alexander used any performance enhancer at all.” Franklin handed Sebastian the test report.

“That’s impossible! Is there anything wrong? Something was forgotten in the process of the test?” said Sebastian.

“We tested it three times.” Franklin shrugged his shoulders. “But we found nothing.”

“How could Alexander run so fast without doping? Did he get back to his competitive condition in such a short time? That’s impossible, there is no training that effective in the world.” Sebastian shook his head. “He must have doped, but we haven’t found it yet.”

“It’s theoretically possible that Alexander used a new type of drug, but we can’t detect it at all. But that’s only reasonable in theory. If we can’t detect it, we must have fallen behind in technology.” Franklin showed a confident expression and said, “My laboratory may not be the number one in the world, but it must be a top laboratory in the world. It is impossible that other laboratories would be so far ahead of us in technology! So, I think there is another possibility.”

Franklin stretched out two fingers and then said, “The second possibility is that Alexander didn’t dope, but finished the game within 9.90 seconds through his ability.”

“He was suspended for four years! It’s impossible for him recover his condition in such a short time,” Sebastian said confidently.

Franklin’s face was gloomy. He was unhappy with Sebastian’s attitude, and he said in a tone of a scientist, “Athlete’s training is not my field. You are a professional, so you would know better than I how long it will take Alexander to return his competitive condition. But I am sure that people must have both good conditions and bad conditions, and it’s possible for an athlete to present an extraordinary performance in a match.”

Sebastian frowned. He was not Alexander’s coach now, so he didn’t know Alexander’s current condition, and he couldn’t judge whether Alexander’s performance was extraordinary. But there was no denying that what Franklin had said was possible. Alexander might have presented extraordinary performance in that match.

Franklin went on. “Anyway, I didn’t detect doping at all, and I thought if I couldn’t detect doping, neither could other laboratories. Even if Alexander doped, there’s no sense talking about it, because we can’t detect it and you can’t do anything to him.”

“I see!” Sebastian nodded helplessly and his eyes were full of unwillingness.

“Well, my friend, do not pay much attention to Justin Alexander. We should focus on the qualification trials of the Olympics. I hope more athletes can pass the qualification trials and participate in the Olympics by using our products!” Franklin eased the atmosphere and then said, “I heard that the head coach of the US track and field team hasn’t been decided yet, and you’re one of the candidates?”

“Yes, I am one of the candidates and I’m likely to be the head coach.” When Sebastian thought of this, he was not so helpless, and he was in a much better mood.

Chapter 455 - Three Trump Cards

Chapter 455: Three Trump Cards

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

With continuous shutter sounds and flashes in the studio, a ground crew was holding flash reflectors next to a big and strong black man, who was making all kinds of postures with a plastic bottle in his hand.

This black man was Justin Alexander, who was now advertising a poor popular sports drink.

“Good, this set is done. Next, we will shoot the picture of you drinking it,” the director said.

“No problem.” Alexander walked to the green cloth as asked and received a new drink from the staff.

“Wait!” Alexander stopped the worker. He shook the drink and said, “Would you please replace it with water?”

That man was surprised at first, but soon he understood that a professional sprinter dared not drink something he didn’t know, even the product he endorsed.

A few minutes later, the staff returned with two new bottles of the drink, both containing water.

“Okay, ready to shoot. Justin, you need to turn around your head, with the side of your face to me. Yes, that’s it. Lift your head, 45 degrees, a little higher. Well, that’s it…” The director started to direct.

Advertising actually was really tiring, especially for those who were not entertainers. As top professional player, Alexander often appeared in media interviews, but he didn’t need to perform at all, which was totally different from advertising. It was difficult for people who hadn’t received special performance training to be natural before cameras.

However, Alexander still performed with professionalism. Although he didn’t have a good feeling of being an actor, he earnestly followed the direction of the director just like a diligent bee.

Because this was his first advertisement after recovery.

Unlike professional players of ball sports, track and field athletes didn’t get fat salaries from their teams. Their competition prizes were also not too high. As for average international track and field events, such as the Grand Prix of IAAF, the prize of the division champion only was ten thousand dollars, and the final champion was also less than fifty thousand dollars.

The highest prize of the track and field events was from the Gold Grand Prix of the IAAF, which was one million dollars. However, the conditions were extremely strict. The winner must get every division championship in the Gold Grand Prix. The prize was gone if even one division championship was missing. Beyond that, if several athletes reached that condition, they needed to share the prize together.

In fact, those who won the prize were all dominating players. For them, the one million prize was not much at all. They could earn tens of millions quickly by advertising.

The main income of top track and field athletes was from advertising endorsements. Alexander also had received advertising endorsements with for more than one million dollars before he was suspended. However, his reputation had suffered as a result of the doping scandal. It was even great that these previous sponsors didn’t ask him for compensation. As for new advertising sponsors, many would pretend not to know Alexander when they met him.

After coming back to the public, Alexander had attended several competitions. His results were becoming better and better, and he also won several championships in a row. What’s more, he even got several times within 10 seconds, which drew the media’s attention.

It was common in sports. Although one or two inspirational stories would attract the public occasionally, that was transient. People soon would be attracted by other things. Only great results would be remembered for a long time. As an athlete, even though his behavior was very controversial, he could still gain a large number of fans if his performance was good enough.

Now Alexander was preferred once again by advertising sponsors, and he also cherished this chance. Just as the old saying goes, cherish what is lost.

…

Jimmy Aylwin had just visited Dai Li’s training center. As far as he was concerned, it was not special at all, with no difference from other fitness training centers.

Actually, Aylwin was a little depressed. When he visited Taylor before, Taylor seemed to view Dai Li as a god. That was why he had high expectations of Dai Li. But after visiting the training center, his expectation was fading away. Besides, he even started to doubt it and become nervous.

Then, Dai Li led Aylwin to a track and field training ground outside.

“I just bought a new electronic timing system. We adjusted it yesterday. In other words, this training ground totally simulates the electronic timing of formal competitions, so we have a more accurate understanding of athlete’s performance,” Dai Li explained to him.

At the starting point for the 200m run, a starter was placed and a wire was attached to it. A coach was playing with his starting gun.

A black man was standing before the starter. Aylwin thought he looked familiar, and after he watched him more carefully, he realized that black man was Shawn Ford.

Is that Shawn Ford? I nearly didn’t recognize him, because I haven’t seen him for five or six years. I heard that Justin Alexander was here for training, but I didn’t think there was anyone else, Aylwin thought in his mind.

Aylwin had also attended the World Championship and won two gold medals for the 400m and the 4x400m, and Shawn Ford had won the championship for the 200m. Therefore, they knew each other, but they were also very different in status. Aylwin was a great athlete, as famous as a legend, while Ford had been forgotten as quickly as he got his reputation.

At that moment, Ford stood on the starter and the coach beside him also lifted the starting gun.

“Well, let me check the effect of the electronic timing system. I didn’t see anyone use it after it was adjusted,” said Dai Li.

As Dai Li said this, the gun fired, and Shawn Ford started to accelerate.

Aylwin stood beside the track without any expression on his face. He didn’t expect anything at all. The 200m and the 400m were two totally different sprint events, and Aylwin and Ford were also so different in status. Just like a legendary player of the NBA seeing a match of the CBA, it couldn’t be duller.

On the track, Ford was serious. Soon he made his way from the bend into the straight and then crossed the finish line.

At the end of the track, a liquid crystal display was placed casually on the grass outside of the race track. Ford’s result flashed across it.

19.98 seconds, less than 20 seconds. Shawn Ford is so fast! Aylwin was so shocked that his face expressed it out uncontrollably.

In terms of difficulty, it was more difficult to get within 20 seconds for the 200m than within 10 seconds for the 100m, for the former also required skills for a curved track. Judging by the final result of the current Olympic Games, it was possible to gain a medal with a result within 20 seconds for the 200m. Compared to this, it was impossible to enter the final with a 10-second score for the 100m.

That result is the level of a world champion! Looking at Ford, Aylwin was full of doubt.

After that World Championship, Ford never got another good result. If he could run so fast, he could easily pass the qualification trials for the Olympic Games and the World Championship. But why did he become depressed for years and nearly disappear? Did he just outdo himself? Yes, it must be so, Aylwin thought in his mind.

However, at this moment, Dai Li shouted at Ford, “Shawn, you should have run faster. Just now at the bend, you made several detailed mistakes…”

Dai Li walked to Ford and talked to him for about three minutes. Ford nodded and walked slowly to the grass beside the track and sat down. Dai Li ran quickly back to Aylwin.

“Will he run again?” Aylwin asked.

Dai Li nodded. “He just made some detailed mistakes which affected his speed, so I asked him to run again. But he needs ten minutes to rest. Jimmy, wait a moment. I need to do a massage for him.”

Affected his speed and within 20 seconds? You just keep bragging! A big mouther! Could you be a little practical? Aylwin didn’t believe Dai Li at all.

At that point, Aylwin thought that Dai Li and Ford had just been putting on a performance to keep Aylwin himself there for training.

Dai Li’s massage was still very effective. Even though Ford just ran a 200m, after his massage, he soon recovered and got rid of his muscular soreness.

Ten minutes later, Shawn Ford stood on the starting line again. Dai Li stood beside him, repeatedly telling him to focus on some details.

After the gunshot, Ford rushed forward once again. Unlike the previous time, this time Aylwin made the count in his mind.

Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty… The moment when Aylwin reached twenty, Ford passed the finish line.

This time, the result on the scoreboard was 19.97 seconds.

0.01 seconds faster than the previous run! Aylwin looked at the electronic scoreboard in astonishment.

Aylwin would never believe that someone could run the 200m twice within a couple dozen minutes if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes. Besides, the second run was even faster than the first, both of which were within 20 seconds.

It was also tiring for a professional athlete to run a 200m with all his strength. It was impossible to fully recover with a 10-minute rest, so the second time should’ve been slower than the previous one. Therefore, major matches would only schedule one 200m match on one morning or afternoon to let the athletes to restore their strength.

But today, Shawn Ford ran twice within twenty minutes, and he even ran faster in the second run than the first. To Aylwin, he only saw two possible explanations for this.

First, Ford didn’t try his best in his first run. He kept his strength so that he could have even more strength for his second run.

However, Aylwin denied that at once. If his first result was not good, that possibility might be reasonable. But his first result was within 20 seconds. It couldn’t be possible if he didn’t try his best.

Second, Ford indeed performed better than the previous run. Thus, even without the full strength of his previous run, he still could run faster because he adjusted his skills.

After carefully thinking, Aylwin suddenly realized the second option was the only possibility.

As a legendary athlete, Aylwin was experienced both in sprint knowledge and experience. He knew that strength sometimes was not the most crucial aspect of the 200m run. Even excellent bend skill could cause a few tenths of a second difference in speed, while an inadvertent mistake could also mean the end of the game.

The next second, Aylwin suddenly thought of the words that Dai Li said to Ford.

Coach Li just said Ford should have run faster because he made several detailed mistakes. Then he gave him some guidance for a couple minutes and Ford became faster. Therefore, Coach Li’s guidance made Ford faster? When Aylwin realized this, his attitude toward Dai Li was totally different.

…

Dai Li was typing before his computer. He was making a training plan for Jimmy Aylwin.

I have Justin Alexander for the 100m, Shawn Ford for the 200m, and Jimmy Aylwin for the 400m. I’m holding all three trump cards for the next sprint events of the Olympic Games!

Chapter 456 - Why him Again

Chapter 456: Why him Again

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

After changing his way of running, Ford improved greatly. It was easy now for him to get within 20 seconds. In terms of results, he seemed to become the 200m champion of World Championship that he had once been.

Of course, training and competition were two different things. In official competitions, especially international games, it was regarded as a stable performance if an athlete could perform at 80% of his training level.

It also verified Dai Li’s speculation that the reason Shawn Ford couldn’t run fast wasn’t because he didn’t have talent or he didn’t work hard enough, but because he had problems with his way of running.

All of Ford’s previous coaches tried to make up for his defect of leg length discrepancy with skills, but the result was totally opposite. Ford didn’t become faster for this. On the contrary, he became slower.

However, Dai Li believed that there should be a different way of running for a player with leg length discrepancy. It would be better to develop the strength brought by its advantages rather than to attempt to offset the defect’s disadvantages. From this point of view, Ford’s overall speed would be improved if the strength brought by his advantages was enough.

Ford was faster in the bend than normal runners because of his leg length discrepancy, but his performance was also affected in straight. If the leg length discrepancy made Ford 0.1 seconds slower, but he could be 0.2 seconds faster in bend, Ford would actually be 0.1 seconds faster than before.

Thanks to Ford’s left leg being shorter than his right one, he could gain more power in the bend for any race that was anticlockwise. If the races had been clockwise, even God couldn’t save him.

Yet Ford’s progress had not been tested. It was not because he didn’t want to attend competitions, but because he didn’t have any chances.

The 200m sprint was really rare. Generally, only large games could have the 200m event. Compared to this, the 100m dash was much better, because any all-around game would contain a 100m dash.

They had too much in common, and many athletes could attend them both. Some athletes for the 100m dash would not run the 200m for they might not have good skills in the bend, while some athletes for the 200m could also run the 100m dash because they had no problem in the straightway.

Therefore, the organizers of the games would consider athletes’ physical strength when they set events. Thus, in large games, these two events would not be held on the same day and athletes couldn’t support the consumption for the two events.

That was why in the Olympic Games or the World Championship, the 200m match was usually held after the end of the 100m dash. In those one day invitational tournaments or the Grand Prix, they only had the 100m and didn’t arrange a 200m event at all.

With fewer games, more athletes only focused on the 100m dash, while athletes who only ran the 200m became fewer and fewer. As athletes for the 100m dash became more plentiful, organizers would pay more attention to the 100m dash and less to the 200m.

That was a vicious circle actually. If one event was good, more athletes would work on it, and vice versa.

The United States held the most track and field games in the world, including hundreds of games at the state-level and above. Among all those games, however, not many were 200m events. These games usually lasted one day, so they only had the 100m sprint.

Fortunately, the Olympic Games were this year, so there were many more games in the first half of this year. Especially close to the qualification trials for the Olympic Games, USATF would hold some big games to let athletes gain more points and experience for the qualification trials.

…

The Miami Open Tournament in Florida.

The Miami Open Tournament was a four-day event, well-known in track and field. With plenty of time, this event included a 200m, as well as other running events like the medium-sized 800m and 1500m, and the long-sized 5000m and 10000m.

At the final of the 200m, Shawn Ford walked to his starter and bent to adjust his starter.

No one around paid any attention to him. Even when the commentator introduced him, there was only a cursory round of applause.

That World Championship had been so long ago that the public had already forgotten him. There were several young athletes today, and Ford was an old athlete who couldn’t attract any attention at all.

Ford kept calm as if he had gotten used to it.

When he won the championship that year, he was really noticed. When he appeared on the track, the public would give him cheers and applause and some even loudly shouted his name.

But soon, expectation turned into doubts, for he never performed well anymore. As the public got disappointed with him, the applause and cheers vanished.

The World Championship was gone, and Ford was soon forgotten by the public. Although he attended competitions continuously, the applause for him became less and less. Young audience members even couldn’t remember his name, and he became an average athlete among others. But he himself just got used to it.

It was normal in sports. People would remember the first prize, the second, and sometimes even the third, but those beneath them would never be remembered at all.

The referee’s voice stopped Ford’s thoughts. Ford was ready and calm now, focusing on his track only.

After the gunshot, Ford rushed out. He started, accelerated, and turned. When he reached the straight, he was in first, and the other seven were far behind him.

At that moment, the crowd focused on him because he was the fastest today!

“Shawn Ford is ahead!” the commentator called out this strange name, which was vaguely familiar to him.

…

As a famous coach, several athletes of Sebastian also attended the Miami Open Tournament, but he himself didn’t make it there. At this time, he was attending an interview in Polis, Indiana. The interview was held by the USA Track and Field in order to select the chief and deputy chief coaches of the national track and field team to lead the team to attend the next Olympic Games in August.

There were fifteen voting chairmen on the board of the USA Track and Field, and they were the interviewers today. There were nine coaches attending it, all famous coaches in the United States. But Sebastian was the most popular candidate because he had won the National Coach of the Year before. Compared to the others, Sebastian had much better achievements, experience, and personal qualities. What’s more, he had strong personal connections in sports circles.

Although he could win the interview, he still prepared a lot for it. The process was very smooth. At the end of the interview when he walked out of the room, Sebastian felt that he had definitely become the chief coach of the national team.

Sebastian walked to the parking lot with an uncontrollable smile on his face. When he reached for his car keys, he accidentally touched his phone. He remembered that he had muted it before the interview.

Don’t know if anyone called me. He took out his phone and saw two missed calls, both from his assistant, who should have been at Miami leading his athletes to attend the Miami Open Tournament.

“Is it the result?” Sebastian called his assistant back.

Soon, the voice of his assistant came from the phone, “Coach, Warton got fifth place.”

“Quite good. Warton didn’t train long enough and he mainly focused on the 100m dash. This result is good for him,” said Sebastian.

Warton was defeated by Alexander not long before, but he was still one of Sebastian’s trump cards. At the beginning of his training, Sebastian also let him practice the 200m. This young athlete had earned his reputation and achieved great progress. Now he got the fifth place in Miami, which reached Sebastian’s expectation.

Sebastian felt good about his athletes, and he continued to ask, “Who is the champion?”

“Shawn Ford,” the assistant said on the phone.

Sebastian thought this name seemed familiar, but it took him a long time to recall the name.

“Is Shawn Ford the one who won the 200m championship in the World Championship?” Sebastian asked.

“Yes, that was him,” the assistant answered.

“I know him. I haven’t heard about him for a long time, and I nearly couldn’t recall it. He hasn’t retired yet. He came back for the Olympic Games!” Sebastian said in a tone of derision. To Sebastian, Shawn Ford won that championship by luck. Such an athlete wasn’t worth cultivating.

However, the assistant on the phone continued, “His result was 19.93 seconds, and he just broke the best result of the US this year.”

“What? So fast!” Sebastian was shocked. As a top coach, he knew what the result meant. It was close to a world championship.

“Is it a result of wind-assistance more than 2m/s?” Sebastian asked at once.

“No, the wind speed was 1.2m/s. It wasn’t,” the assistant answered.

“Then why? After that World Championship, he has never run so fast. How could it be today? Did he change his coach?” The experienced Sebastian soon found the key.

“I just checked. His coach and Justin Alexander’s are the same person, the Chinese coach in Los Angeles. As for how long he trained, I don’t know yet,” the assistant answered.

“Why him again? That Dai Li again!” Sebastian had been in a good mood, but now he seemed to fall to the bottom.

Chapter 457 - Still Him

Chapter 457: Still Him

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Sebastian was holding the steering wheel but he didn’t start the car. His favorite jazz artist was coming through the stereo, but the sound seemed harsh and distracting.

19.93 seconds! That’s the result of a world champion. Since Kittell has retired, this result could bring a gold medal in the Olympic Games, or at least a medal.

Shawn Ford got 19.93 seconds, which shows that he is in a good state. If he keeps that state, even if he goes a little slower, he will pass the qualification trials of the Olympic Games. In other words, he has already reserved one seat in the 200m.

But the question is, why can he suddenly run so fast? What he has done this year to let him run so fast? Let alone within 20 seconds, even someone within 20.10 seconds could win nearly any championship in America!

After that World Championship, Shawn Ford didn’t perform well at all. I almost forgot him. But now he has come back without any warning. There must be something strange! There must be! If I am right, the Chinese coach is the key.

It could be viewed as luck or coincidence when Alexander returned to his former state. But now Shawn Ford is achieving again. How could it be possible that both these changes are by chance? Dai Li must be giving excitants to them, or they couldn’t improve so fast.

Thinking of this, Sebastian suddenly felt annoyed that Dai Li’s excitant must be powerful enough that even an old athlete like Shawn Ford could regain his status.

No, I need to notify Franklin’s Lab at once. I must figure out what the h*ll Dai Li is using. Sebastian took up his phone and called Franklin…

…

After a whole day training, Ford was tired and walked close to Alexander.

“Justin, could you take me to the station? My car is in the shop,” Shawn Ford said apologetically.

“Sure, I’ll give you a ride.” Alexander nodded. “But wait for me for five minutes, I need to go to the bathroom.”

“The men’s toilet in the bathroom over there is broken. One hour ago, when I went there, workers were examining it. You’d better go to another bathroom outside,” Ford said casually.

“Broken again. It’s really frequent.” Alexander continued, “Not long ago, the toilet was broken and a plumber was repairing it, but that guy was gay. He stared at my dick when I had a pee. That was really awkward.”

“Was he about so tall, with thin with brown hair and a beard on his upper lip?” Ford made some gestures as he said.

“Yes, that’s him.” Alexander obviously hadn’t forgotten the plumber’s appearance, and he continued to ask, “You met him too?”

“It seems like we met the same guy. D*mn it! Of course we met a gay guy right when we had to pee, and he stared at us for so long…” Ford started to talk dirty. Obviously, he didn’t like gays at all.

…

Andrew was an investigator of a research company. He had met many weird clients and also received many strange commissions. For example, he was asked to get an athlete’s urine sample not long ago.

That investigation was not as good as Andrew expected. He pretended to be a plumber and got the athlete’s urine sample successfully, but at the same time, the athlete thought he was gay.

Andrew didn’t think that he could get another similar commission. However, to his surprise, he got one again not long after to get another athlete’s urine sample.

Therefore, Andrew pretended to be a plumber again.

As a man and a temporary-urologist, it was really embarrassing to watch another man peeing.

Still, he succeeded at gaining the sample, but he would never forget the athlete’s face when he looked at him.

The athlete’s face was full of irony, disdain, and disgust. There was no doubt that the athlete this time also treated Andrew as a gay.

Andrew felt that his dignity had been trampled.

D*mn it! I swear that I will never accept such a commission again!

…

Franklin was holding a detection report but his face looked serious.

“How is the result? Anything wrong?” Sebastian asked eagerly.

Franklin shook his head. “The result of Shawn Ford is as normal as that of Justin Alexander.”

Both of them were silent for half a minute. Franklin spoke first. “Can you be certain that Shawn Ford used excitant?”

“What else? I can’t figure out another possibility.” Sebastian continued, “Last time it could have been luck for Alexander, but could it possible that this time was luck again? Moreover, Ford was different from Alexander. Before he was suspended, Alexander was a top sprinter in the world, known as the fastest athlete of America. But how about Shawn Ford?”

“These years, he has been unknown to the public, only an average athlete. But after changing coaches, he suddenly becomes world championship level. If Ford was good enough, why didn’t he perform well these years? So, the only thing I can think is that the Chinese coach let them dope excitant so that they could improve more quickly!”

Franklin sighed. “I admit it makes sense. One time could be coincidence, but two times in a row suggests a high probability that it was caused by human factors. However, we didn’t detect anything related to an excitant at all!”

“Maybe Dai Li holds more advanced technology?” Sebastian asked.

“No way! Our technology is the most advanced in the world.” In terms of technology, Franklin felt very confident.

“Should it be possible that he uses a new excitant, which is beyond the seven varieties we already know, and it is very effective, just like…” Sebastian thought a while and said, “Just like the serum used by Captain America, which could strengthen bodies!”

“That only exists in cartoon and film. It’s not reality.” Franklin suddenly paused as if he had thought of something. He lowered his voice and continued, “But what you said does make a certain kind of sense. It is said that the military researched the so-called ‘super soldier’ during Cold War. It was the Soviet Union that started to use steroidal drugs, which were designed to create more powerful soldiers. However, the research was eventually applied to athletes.”

“That sounds terrifying,” Sebastian said. His generation experienced the Cold War, when the powerful Soviet Union could surpass the United States in military power. Therefore, hearing about the Soviet Union made Sebastian afraid, even though the Soviet Union had collapsed decades ago.

Franklin continued, “In the United States, Europe, and even Japan, the process of many labs is transparent. Of course, it doesn’t mean it’s real-time, but these labs will show the public their achievements in scientific research at short intervals. Not only can they give their investors a mandate, but also, they can gain more money for research. But it is different in socialist countries. Their labs belong to the government and the government funds them. The processes of many labs are classified. If they don’t register a patent, we don’t even know what they are studying. As far as I know, Dai Li comes from that kind of country. So, we can’t exclude the possibility that he indeed has a new excitant, not as powerful as that of Captain America, but still good enough.”

“So, what can we do now?” Sebastian asked.

“The first thing we need to know is whether he really has a new type of excitant.” Franklin looked at Sebastian seriously as he said, “I’ll continue to send a private investigator to investigate him, but you also need to help me.”

“What can I do?” Sebastian asked.

“You will become the chief coach of the USA national track and field team soon, right? I want you to get more information with that new identity,” said Franklin.

…

The national office of the USA Track and Field in Polis, Indiana.

The CEO of the USA Track and Field, Williams, handed a letter of appointment to Sebastian personally, and said, “Coach Sebastian, congratulations! You are the new coach of our national team.”

“Thank you. I will try my best to get a good result in the Olympic Games.” Sebastian accepted the letter of appointment.

Williams said with a smile, “Coach Sebastian, even though the qualifiers of the Olympic Games haven’t started, I want to know your opinion on our national team, especially on which aspects we can expect breakthroughs. You know, the public concentrates on this. They want to see that we can make progress and our athletes can achieve ever greater things.”

“I think in terms of men’s sprint events, we will perform better than the previous two Olympic Games, even regain the gold medal,” Sebastian said. “During the last few Olympics, Jamaica has always surpassed us in sprint events. But now, Kittell has retired and he will not attend this Olympic Games. Therefore, we definitely can get gold medals in men’s 100m, 200m, and 4x100m. Next, my focus will shift to these three events. I’ll get the gold medal back!”

“The association thought just as you said. In fact, you were chosen as the chief coach this time because you have rich experience in sprint events. We hope you can make a breakthrough in this event for the national team.” Williams nodded with a smile and continued to ask, “How about the 400m? Do you have anything to say?”

“We are always excellent in the 400m event. We have dominated the 400m in Olympic Games for about thirty years, and we even got all the three medals in one Olympic Games. In this event, our athletes are all world-top, like Brown, Andrew, Francois, Stephenson… Any one of them has the strength to get the Olympic championship,” Sebastian said.

“How about Aylwin?” Williams continued to ask.

Sebastian was shocked. “Aylwin? You mean Jimmy Aylwin? Didn’t he retire three years ago?”

“It seems that you still don’t know. You must have missed the news this morning,” Williams said with a smile.

Sebastian nodded. “Yes sir. I came here on an early flight today and didn’t have the time to check the news. What happened?”

“Indeed. Jimmy Aylwin announced that he is coming back!” Williams answered.

…

Sebastian felt conflicted about the idea of Aylwin coming back.

Aylwin was a legendary athlete, but Sebastian was not a legendary coach, which made Sebastian feel that he wasn’t good enough to train a big-name athlete. Sebastian was afraid that he couldn’t dominate Aylwin.

Aylwin was retired for three years, and he is about 35 years old now. In terms of his age, his career should have ended! Maybe I think too much. He may not pass the qualification, let alone the national team.

Thinking of this, Sebastian’s phone was ringing. It was from his assistant.

“Coach, I have checked it out. Early this morning, Jimmy Aylwin announced that he is returning on his social media, and that he would attend the qualifiers of the Olympic Games. According to the grapevine, Aylwin started his training several months ago,” the assistant said.

“Several months? I didn’t expect them to keep it a secret so well. Is he training by himself or with another coach?”

“Yes, Aylwin is training in the Chinese coach’s training center in Los Angeles,” answered the assistant.

“Dai Li? How could it be him again? Why is he everywhere?” Sebastian could not help shouting. His mood became much worse.

Chapter 458 - The Taste of Youth

Chapter 458: The Taste of Youth

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Aylwin was optimistic about his return.

As the former dominator of the 400m event, Aylwin was indeed much stronger than other athletes, outstripping them by multiple levels.

In previous Olympics, the athletes who entered the final could be classified into three categories. The third category were those who were not Americans. They could usually get within 45 seconds. Those who could get within 44.50 seconds were top athletes, who could compete for the bronze medal.

The second category were American athletes. The United States had absolute dominance in the 400m event. Therefore, all the athletes who attended the Olympic Games had to get within 44.50 seconds, even close to 44 seconds. They were among the best even in America.

And the first category was only Jimmy Aylwin, who could get within 44 seconds, even 43.50 seconds if he performed well.

Athletes who entered the final of the Olympic Games were supposed to be at the same level. Even if there was a difference, it was unlikely to be large. But if one got 45 seconds while another got 43.50 seconds with a gap of 1.5 seconds, that meant 0.4-second slower every 100 meters. That was a big gap.

On that condition, Aylwin felt that he still could attend the Olympic Games again, even if he was about 34 years old.

…

In late June, the US track and field championships were held in Eugene, the holy land of track and field. It was also a qualification trial of the Olympic Games.

For American fans of track and field, every time of year was important for track and field. Especially in the year of the Olympic Games, it was quite important for the selection of Olympics athletes. Athletes had worked hard for four years in order to attend the Olympic Games. Moreover, the difficulty for American athletes was even higher.

As the strongest country of track and field in the world, the United States also had the most athletes in the world. It was no exaggeration to say that there would be just as many athletes competing in the US qualification trials as in the real Olympic Games, and the competition might be even more fierce than the Olympic Games.

The 400m sprinting was divided into preliminary, quarter-final, semifinal, and final, with one round every day. The event in the Olympic Games only consisted of three rounds, one less than the US qualification.

In the preliminary competition, there were nine groups with forty places for promotion, which meant that over half the athletes would enter the quarter-final. It was not difficult.

Naturally, it was also not so attractive to the audience. Because of the gaps among different athletes, powerful athletes would move up easily. There would be no fierce competition at all, let alone the existence of a dark horse.

But today was totally different. Not only was there a large audience here, but it was also the last game of the preliminary that would be broadcast live in the United States.

Because Jimmy Aylwin would appear in that round.

It was really exciting to know that Aylwin would return back, but people didn’t know how Aylwin would do now. For a senior athlete about 34 years old, it was really difficult to attend the Olympic Games, let alone the extremely fierce 400m sprints.

When Aylwin stood on the track with the camera on him, all the audience stood up and cheered for him. At this time, all the other athletes became indifferent to each other and their relative positions on the track. Nobody cared about such things. They all focused on Aylwin. The audience hoped that he could achieve a good result.

Aylwin was calm now. He was a little nervous, even a bit uneasy, maybe because he hadn’t attended any games for a long time.

Not far away, the referee looked at Aylwin carefully as if he was asking Aylwin: Hey, big name! Are you ready? Let’s start if you are ready. It’s okay if not, we can wait for you.

Obviously, the referee knew what kind of game he was playing. As a referee with enforcement power though, he had to wait until a legendary athlete like Aylwin could get ready fully.

All the other athletes beside Aylwin on the track were looking at him with respect. Two of the young men even came to Aylwin and took a photo with him. Only Aylwin could make other athletes ask him to take a photo with them before the competition.

In the eyes of all the other 400m athletes, Aylwin was their goal and idol. The athletes with him might not be qualified for the next round, but it seemed more important to them that they got to run on the same track as Aylwin.

Aylwin was ready and the referee nodded. As the referee gave the order, all the athletes stood on their starting blocks.

Aylwin felt a little rigid. In fact, he didn’t have enough confidence either. As a 34-year-old athlete, he didn’t know how he would perform after three years off the track.

Standing outside, Dai Li began to use the age-reducing card on Aylwin.

Aylwin was at his peak when he was 26 years old and got 43.50 seconds. If I want to reduce his age to 26, I need to reduce 8 years for him, but that wouldn’t be worthwhile because the duration of the card would be too short.

He was 30 years old when he won the championship four years ago in the Olympic Games with a result of 43.85 seconds. He was quite good at that time. Well, I’ll use the first age-reducing card to reduce six years to return his body to 28 years old. His body then must have been better than at 30 years old.

According to the formula of the age-reducing card, subtract six from 13, we get seven, and multiply seven by three to get 21. So, the duration of the first card is 210 days, enough to make it to the beginning of next year. The next two age-reducing cards can return him to 30 years old. He can dominate the world with that.

…

With the gunshot and crazy shouting, Aylwin rushed off the starting line.

The moment Aylwin stepped out, he suddenly felt that all the cells in his body were starting to activate, pumping power into his arms and legs continuously. He felt vital instead of rigid.

What happened? I suddenly feel that I am years younger. This feeling is so familiar, really familiar.

Aylwin thought about it for a while, and finally he remembered that it was exactly what he felt when he ran before retirement.

I feel the taste of youth! I haven’t felt it for a long time! I even feel that I’m returning back to my peak time. Is it an illusion?

Aylwin didn’t believe that with 34 years old, he still could return back to his peak. After all, time was irreversible.

The next second, however, he suddenly realized that Kevin Taylor had also found his peak again despite being in his thirties.

I went to Coach Li in order to return to the state of my youth. Oh my God! I made it now! Incredible! Coach Li is incredible! Aylwin was so excited. Dai Li was a god to him now.

…

Sebastian was also watching this game from the central stand. He wanted to know how Aylwin would perform now.

Four years ago, Aylwin won the championship at the Olympic Games with 43.85 seconds. , Now, four years later, his result must be worse than four years ago. And that’s not even taking his long retirement into account. After all, he is Jimmy Aylwin. I believe he can get within 45 seconds. However, this is just the preliminary. I don’t think he will try his best unless the other competitors are powerful enough.

Sebastian stared at Aylwin. Aylwin had entered into the straight.

His sprinting is still fast. Why do I think that his speed at the first straight today was no different from four years ago? Sebastian suddenly felt nervous.

After the straight, Aylwin entered the bend again, which was his advantage.

During the 400m event, the most difficult period was between 200m and 300m. After running for 200 meters, an athlete’s body had already been in a hypoxic state, and his muscles would become sore and his body would be exhausted. But the next 100 meters was a sprinting period. Therefore, an athlete also needed to save strength for this period. Actually, it was against the body’s physiological system to store strength in a hypoxic state. That was a huge challenge to athletes.

Normally, athletes would slow down at this period. Aylwin, however, was different. He still ran fast in the third 100 meters, and he also could store strength. He was still much faster than the others in the last sprint. Therefore, it was quite common that Aylwin took the lead as he entered the last straight and crossed the finish line.

Today was no different. When he entered the last straight, he was far ahead.

Aylwin is still so fast! Sebastian was so shocked that Aylwin was nearly the same as four years ago.

Aylwin deliberately slowed down in the final sprint. Since he could be qualified to advance to the next round, it was unnecessary to waste more strength. Therefore, Aylwin’s final result was 45.36 seconds. Judging by his peak time, it was really bad. But everyone present knew that Aylwin slowed down on purpose at last.

Sebastian’s expression became complicated. As the chief coach of the national team, he naturally hoped that Aylwin could keep a good state. It was better if he could perform as well as four years before, which could assure that the US would get the gold medal in the 400m sprint.

However, the better Aylwin’s state was, the more Sebastian would think that Dai Li had a new type of effective excitant, which couldn’t be detected by existing technology.

Dai Li must have a new type of excitant. As things stand now, that excitant is so effective that it even take a retired player back to youth. If I don’t do anything now, it will be not long before Dai Li surpasses me and becomes the best coach in the United States! No, I must get that excitant. The most advanced excitant in the world! Only I deserve it! Sebastian thought fiercely.

Chapter 459 - Return of the King

Chapter 459: Return of the King

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the fourth day of the Olympic Games trials, the event finals began one after one. Runners earned prizes and the right to a spot on the Olympic team.

At this time, the competition finally became more heated. In the United States, no average athlete could enter the final of the trial. In some highly competitive events such as sprint and hurdle, the level of the finals could be as fierce as that of the Olympic Games. Other finals were also world-class.

The last two games on the fourth day were even more important. In one event, the legendary athlete Aylwin would attend the final of the 400m sprint. If he entered the top three, he would attend the Olympic Games as an American athlete for the fourth time.

The other was the 100m sprint. This event had always been one of the most popular sports in track and field. A lot of star athletes would attend it, and the person who won the first place would become the new American flying man. Aylwin was wildly popular now. Every time he appeared on the field, the audience would shout crazily. It was natural for him to be qualified to attend the Olympic Games again.

Aylwin was also excited now. Before he appeared on the field, he received a message that a famous sports brand would provide him with an endorsement contract of fifteen million dollars for two years on the condition that he could attend the Olympic Games.

In track and field sports, it was out of imagination for any athlete to receive such a high endorsement contract. Even many all-star basketball players couldn’t receive such a contract. Once Aylwin got that money, he would feel less pressed financially. Even if the oil prices kept falling, Aylwin didn’t need to worry about the shale oil.

Besides, it was only a start for Aylwin. As one of the greatest athletes in American history, he would get continuous income as long as he appeared in games. It would be better if he could win several championships.

To the left of Aylwin, a black man with a mustache on his chin was secretly watching Aylwin.

This black man was called Brown, and he was five years younger than Aylwin. Before Aylwin retired, Brown once won two second prizes in the 400m of Olympic Games and one second prize in the 400m of the World Championship. He didn’t win the first prize, not because he wasn’t fast enough, but because Aylwin was there.

It was also the same in other games. If Aylwin attended, then Brown could only win a silver medal. However, Aylwin attended all the international games, so Brown was constantly the runner up. But in the 4x400m event, Brown had won a lot of gold medals as he followed the US national team.

Aylwin was nearly invincible in the 400m event. No matter how hard Brown had tried, he couldn’t beat Aylwin. Until three years ago, when Aylwin chose to retire. After that, Brown started to learn how it tasted to be a world champion without Aylwin in his way. Brown was the first place in the last track and field World Championship, and later in the World Championship, he won the gold medal of 400m.

Obviously, Brown’s goal was to win a 400m gold medal in this Olympic Games. In fact, he was so close to that goal, because being the champion of USA in the 400m was almost the same thing as being the champion of the world.

However, Aylwin had returned. The high mountain that Brown would never cross, the demon Aylwin, had come again!

At this time, Brown’s feelings were complicated. On one hand, he didn’t think it possible that Aylwin could be in his previous state despite being in his thirties, so Brown still had the chance to defeat him. On the other hand, the shadow caused by Aylwin was like a nightmare, haunting his mind.

…

To the right of Aylwin was a young black man named Andrew, a new star in recent years. Andrew had great talent. He was only 23 years old, and he was just second to Brown. Besides, he was still making progress. The previous year, he even got within 44 seconds.

Unlike Brown, Andrew was extremely excited now that his idol had returned! For Andrew, this was a game and also a pilgrimage.

When Aylwin got his first Olympic gold medal, Andrew was still a pupil. It was no exaggeration that Andrew grew up watching Aylwin’s games. Because of Aylwin’s influence, he chose to work on the 400m event. As a young 400m athlete, Aylwin was definitely Andrew’s idol.

Four years ago, Andrew also attended the qualification trial and entered the final. Unfortunately, he didn’t pass the trial. He still remembered on that day when he entered the last straight and started to sprint, Aylwin had already been ahead. His back was just like an insurmountable mountain in Andrew’s mind, flashing all the time.

Four years later, Andrew could get within 44 seconds now. Gradually, he had followed the footsteps of his idol with four years of hard work, and now he could challenge his idol in the competition.

…

Aylwin stood on his track. He didn’t say anything to the others and showed no emotion.

He just stood there, looking at the track before him. Just like a lord standing at the top of his castle and overlooking his manor.

Everyone could feel the sense of confidence upon Aylwin, just like a sword, which would split anything before it.

Aylwin at this moment not only found his playing status again, but also found the feeling of being the number one of the 400m event.

That was a winning feeling, which meant that he would dominate the track as long as he stood on it.

He was the dominator of the track.

Aylwin took a deep breath and stood upon the starting block. He was ready and waiting for the gunshot.

…

The audience on the stands were silent, as if they had all become deaf. There was no applause at all, only the faint noise of shutter sounds.

Bang! The gun fired.

Then, the shouting rang out across the stands as if it was a mountain torrent. The audience stood up and continuously shouted at the track.

As the athletes started to run, the crazy shouting made them feel like they were in an ancient battle and would fight against terrible enemies.

No one could clearly hear the shouts of the audience, but this shouting sound made them excited, which brought more morale to the competitors.

Brown was inspired by the sound. At this time, he only felt that he was full of strength, which made him run forward with nothing to fear.

Brown could feel that he was in a good state. He couldn’t help turning to see Aylwin next to his track.

I’m faster than him! Brown suddenly realized.

He became increasingly excited in his mind. Throughout his career, he was always defeated by Aylwin and always won the second place. But at this moment, he seemed to see the hope of victory.

Aylwin is 34 years old now. He can’t be as fast as four years ago. I can win! I can win today! Brown began to inspire himself. He wanted to mobilize himself and turn this positive power into momentum.

…

Andrew was not so excited as he was before the start of the race. Professional athletes had to adjust their state as soon as they entered the race, letting everything go and only focusing on the game.

I’m almost as fast as Aylwin. I am not behind him.

Andrew uncontrollably thought of the qualification trial four years ago. At that time, he also entered the final of the qualification and for the first time he could compete with his idol on the same stage, trying to show himself confidently before his idol. However, he only could see the back of his idol far ahead of him.

At that time, Andrew was like a piece of grass, while Aylwin was a tall tree. The gap between them was too large.

But now, the grass had also become a tall tree. Now he could compete with the one who could only be respected in his mind before.

Andrew became excited again. This time, he was not a young man who could only chase his idol anymore, but an athlete who could show himself well, challenge him, and even defeat him!

Nothing could be more inspirational.

…

Aylwin had realized the two competitors on both sides of him were excited. They were fast, like two leopards which were chasing after their prey.

The thought just flashed through Aylwin’s head, but it annoyed him very much. If they were two leopards, Aylwin was the prey they were chasing after.

In Aylwin’s career, he was always the dominator of the 400m event, the absolute king. If others could be leopards on the track, Aylwin should be the king of leopards.

A king couldn’t be a prey!

Aylwin knew that he should and must react to them. He should tell those challengers that he was not old, that he was still the king of the 400m!

The best reaction was to defeat them on the track. Defeat them thoroughly.

Chapter 460 - The King’s Glory

Chapter 460: The King’s Glory

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Aylwin would react to his challengers, but he didn’t accelerate now. He still ran in his own rhythm, because he knew that he had no advantage in the first half.

As a white athlete, he couldn’t beat a black athlete in terms of explosive power and speed. Even when he was at his peak, he wasn’t the fastest in the first 200 meters.

Aylwin needed to use his advantages and avoid his shortcomings. In the first 200 meters, Aylwin didn’t pursue faster speed, but instead focused on improving his pace frequency and adjusting his strength in order to express his advantages in the last 200 meters.

Aylwin didn’t choose to waste his strength in the first period when he was young, so he had no need to compete with others now that he was 34 years old now. He was no longer an aggressive young man, with reckless impulses.

Finally, the first 200 meters was over and the athletes went into the bend again. The most difficult period of the 400m was coming.

As for Aylwin, however, it was just the beginning of his advantage.

…

The fast run in the first 200 meters nearly made Brown exhausted. In the next bend, he needed to adjust himself and store strength for sprinting the last 100 meters.

Brown turned around slightly to watch Aylwin next to him, and suddenly realized that he himself was in the lead.

Great, I’m ahead of him. Today I am faster than Aylwin. I can win the race today. Next, I need to keep this lead and not make any mistakes.

Thinking of this, Brown found that Aylwin wasn’t slowing. In the previous 200 meters, Brown was much faster than Aylwin, but now he felt that Aylwin was surpassing him.

Aylwin is becoming faster! No, I’m slowing down. After all, he is Jimmy Aylwin. Even though I am ahead of him, I can’t take it seriously. He is 34 years old now, but according to his performance now, I really can’t defeat him if I don’t try my best.

Thinking of this, Brown tried to keep his speed and maintain his lead to the final sprint.

…

He is worthy of being my idol. He indeed has caught up with me! Andrew also realized that Aylwin was gradually narrowing the gap.

Maybe at the end of the bend, the gap between us will be gone. At that time, we will enter the last straight at the same time and sprint together.

Thinking of this, Andrew only felt more morale. It was aspirational for Andrew to compete with his idol and to cross the finish line with him.

…

The final competition began as the athletes entered the last straight.

Opposite the end of the straight was the main stand, the area with the most audience. At this time, the audience in this area were nearly crazy. Everyone was standing up, waving banners, and shouting to the track.

Brown was the first to enter the final straight and he started to accelerate. The final 100 meter sprint would determine who was the champion today, so Brown didn’t keep back anything and he tried his best.

In the track next to Brown, Aylwin was starting to accelerate nearly at the same time.

Moreover, he was faster than Brown.

Just entering the straight, the two were nearly at the same place after one breath, but after the second breath, Aylwin surpassed him.

He surpassed me! Brown was shocked at first and then he tried to accelerate in the next second and regain his lead.

However, in the next second, the distance between them widened.

In the final sprint, Aylwin clearly had stored much more strength to allow him to run fast.

A sense of powerlessness rose in Brown’s heart. He had tried his best, but he was still falling behind.

I lost again! Though it was not the first time that Brown had been defeated by Aylwin, he couldn’t be more depressed.

He is already 34 years old and has left the track for three years, but I still can’t beat him. Today is no different from previous races. No matter how hard I try, I just can’t beat him…

…

Only fifty meters left, and Andrew could only see Aylwin’s back. Just like four years ago, the difference was that this time the back was closer.

Andrew had tried his best, but he still couldn’t catch up with Aylwin. The situation that he could pass the finish line together with his idol didn’t happen. Aylwin didn’t give him the opportunity to run together, and left him far behind.

As he closed towards the finish line, Andrew’s body had reached its limits. He had used so much of his strength that it was very hard for him to take one more step. The distance between them was becoming farther and farther.

Andrew felt depressed, as if he was nearly out of breath. This pressure was from Aylwin. His back was still ahead, as if he was telling all his challengers that he was still the unbeatable king of the 400m.

Today, Andrew was not that little blade of grass, but Aylwin still was that tall tree.

…

The commentator was also explaining and shouting. The sound around was so noisy that even with the help of a microphone, the commentator wasn’t sure that all the audience could hear his voice.

“Next is the final sprint. Who will be the first one to the straight? Brown! Andrew! Aylwin! Those three entered the straight together! Who is the fastest in the final sprint? Who? Who? Aylwin! Aylwin is ahead. Aylwin is faster! The lead distance is increasing. Aylwin is still accelerating! He must win! The line! Aylwin! Jimmy Aylwin is the champion! After three years, Aylwin still won!”

“Aylwin’s final result is 43.82 seconds. That’s an incredible result. It’s even 0.03 seconds faster than four years ago when he won the championship at the Olympic Games! It’s incredible! Aylwin can still run so fast even though he is 34 years old!”

At that moment, the noise in the stadium suddenly increased by decibels, and could be heard kilometers away.

…

Aylwin crossed the finish line. He opened his arms and started to celebrate.

He had done that gesture many times. Every time when he posed that, he could feel a special excitement.

It was the feeling of victory. Every victory was different, even in the same competition and facing the same competitors, but the sense of victory was unique.

Aylwin turned back to the scoreboard. The score of 43.82 seconds on it made Aylwin feel shocked.

So fast! I just ran so fast? Aylwin blinked few times to make sure it was real.

I know I performed well just now, but I was faster than four years ago? How could it be… Aylwin looked at himself subconsciously. He was four years older than his previous self, but his performance was better than it was four years ago.

However, the journalists didn’t give time for Aylwin to think about the reason. They had already surrounded Aylwin and stretched their microphones towards him.

As the most famous competitor of the Olympic qualification, Aylwin was also closely watched by journalists. Those journalists catch any action of Aylwin’s that they could on, even including Aylwin going to the bathroom. Now that Aylwin was qualified to attend the Olympic Games again by winning the first prize in the qualification, journalists naturally would rush to him to get the first-hand information.

Faced with plenty of cameras and journalists, Aylwin didn’t want to think about why he was faster than four years ago. At this time, he was starting to enjoy the victory.

The king of the 400m event was still creating his glory.

…

Dai Li also looked relieved at the edge of the field.

It seemed correct to reduce his age by six years. The body of a 28-year-old is indeed better than that of a 30-year-old. That’s why he performed better than four years ago. I think it could be better if he tried harder, Dai Li thought.

For ordinary people, there might be no difference between 28 years old and 30 years old in terms of body function. Men’s bodies tended to decline after 30 years old. Therefore, people were at their peak at 30 years old.

But it was different for sprinters. Sprinting was simple, but the requirements for the body were extremely strict. There would be a significant decline in performance if the physical condition was a little bit worse. For players who played basketball or football, their career could be quite long if they took good care of their bodies. For those who liked to play health-maintenance basketball, they could even play into their forties in the high-intensity physical confrontation of the NBA.

However, there was no concept of health-maintenance sprint. Sprinting was a constant pursuit of extreme explosive power and speed, a challenge to the limits of a body. Under this condition, every day in his peak was valuable. It could even be totally different between 28 years old and 30 years old.

Next is the 100 meter sprint. Looking at the athletes’ passageway, Dai Li just happened to see Alexander coming out of it.

No weak opponents in the final. Alexander is really stressed this time!

Chapter 461 - The Coach Who Beats Time

Chapter 461: The Coach Who Beats Time

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The 100m race hadn’t started yet. The eight participants were just on their tracks to make preparations. At the same time, the audience were all talking about Jimmy Aylwin’s most recent victory.

What the common audience saw was Aylwin’s comeback to win the 400m race. But professionals focused on his score of 43.82 seconds.

In the TV studio, the commentator with ESPN couldn’t help saying, “Aylwin is still so fast! It’s beyond my imagination that a 34-year-old coming back three years later after retirement can still finish the race within 44 seconds. His physical condition has seen no decline through four years. I really want to know his secret of keeping such a good physical condition!”

The question of the ESPN commentator was also confusing many coaches. In their opinion, it was impossible for an athlete aged 34 who came back after three years of retirement to get a score of 43.82 seconds. They would consider it a delusion if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes.

“How did he do that?” Every coach on site couldn’t help thinking about it. Many coaches were discussing it.

…

“To tell you the truth, I think there are two possible reasons for Aylwin to keep so fit. One is that he was born physically gifted. There are some people who are born to run faster and jump higher than others. It’s impossible for an ordinary person to copy the brilliance of a talent,” a black coach said. He added after a pause, “The second reason may be the training. A more scientific training method can keep the athlete’s physical condition good.”

But a Spanish coach beside him shook his head to say, “The training? That’s hardly possible. That’s a score of 43.82 seconds. A 34-year-old sprinter must have gone through a severe physical degeneration. No training will help. Training can make a man stronger, but it cannot rejuvenate him. So, I believe in your first inference that Aylwin is gifted just like the mutants in X-Men. He is unique and cannot be replicated.”

“Your words about rejuvenation remind me of another man. Do you remember the boxing king, Kevin Taylor? Everyone was optimistic about his comeback. Taking his age into consideration, all people thought it was impossible for him to fight so aggressively. But the reality, Taylor shows a better physical condition than before. It’s a real rejuvenation,” a coach with a beard said.

“Maybe that’s just a coincidence,” the Spanish coach denied stubbornly. “And boxing is different from sprint. There are many professional boxers in their forties. But sprinters are considered old athletes when they are more than 30 years old.”

“But Ted’s way was in pursuit of extreme explosive force, which is similar to the aim of sprint,” said the coach with a beard. He seemed like he might have a problem with the Spanish coach.

“Okay. Let’s suppose you are right. Training can rejuvenate athletes. Could you please tell me what kind of training can achieve that? No? So, Kevin Taylor and Jimmy Aylwin today are both just unique cases. Never forget that we are just coaches. We cannot beat time!” the Spanish coach said.

“If I may speak,” the black coach who started the topic interrupted the two, looking at his mobile phone. “According to my search just now, Jimmy Aylwin’s fitness coach is also Kevin Taylor’s fitness coach.”

“So, this coach has helped two athletes regain youth?” the bearded guy said with the expression of someone who had just won an argument. And he added, “One athlete’s rejuvenation can be called an isolated case. But I don’t think we can still use the term ‘isolated case’ since we have found the shared key point in the two cases.”

The Spanish coach asked skeptically, “Who is that coach?”

“Dai Li, and you must have heard of him. Chinese names are few in our field,” replied the black coach.

“It’s him! The man in Los Angeles!” Obviously, the Spanish knew Dai Li.

Track and field were traditionally the weakness of Asians. Asian coaches were fewer than pandas. So, everyone knew of Dai Li.

“As far as I know, he is also the coach for the ‘Blade Runner,’ Philip. I met Dai Li in the last World Championship tryout,” the coach with a beard added.

“Philip, Taylor, and now Aylwin. Their achievements cannot be analyzed by common theories. They are not isolated cases. This Coach Li must have a special way of training.” The black coach paused and then he said, “I think he really has beat time to some extent!”

…

Sebastian’s expression was very serious. Aylwin’s score of 43.82 seconds went beyond his imagination. He believed that Dai Li had a more effective new drug.

I must have that new drug! And I’d better get it before the Franklin Lab gets it. And I can make an exchange with the Franklin Lab to get benefits. I must figure out a way. From his seat on the main stand, Sebastian looked over the coach rest area by the side of the field and found Dai Li.

Asking Dai Li directly will not work. No coach will admit he provided drugs for athletes. That’s silly. And even if he admitted it, he would never give it to me. A new type of drug, which is so effective. That’s priceless.

So, I need to think of something to make Dai Li give it to me. If I can find the evidence of his providing drugs to athletes, I could threaten him with it to get the new drug. If he refuses, I could take it public to make him notorious. Okay. Good idea! And a direct one!

But the problem is how to find the evidence? Should I hire an investigation company? The Franklin Lab has done that, but it hasn’t got any information. And nothing was found in the urine samples of Alexander and Ford after several rounds of tests. And I think they would be equally useless on Aylwin.

Or should I talk with athletes to seek some information? No. They are athletes, not fools. Admitting that they used drugs would be too silly. Their mouths are zipped on the issue of drugs. It’s meaningless.

What should I do? Sebastian thought.

I know! The urine test found nothing, but other tests may find something. The blood test! But it’s very complicated to set up a blood test… Suddenly Sebastian got an idea.

That’s fine. I am the Chief Coach of the National Track and Field Team of America. Winning the qualifications, Aylwin and Alexander are all going to be promoted to the National Team soon. It will be so easy to get the blood samples when they are all under my control.

Thinking of that, Sebastian smiled happily.

…

Under most circumstances, athletes were required to take urine tests. Some migh be asked to take blood tests. But there were just few cases of blood tests. Take the International Anti-Doping Organization for example; during ten years, it set blood tests for only 5000 athletes, most of which went through batch tests. Many high-level professional athletes needn’t take blood tests for several years.

When athletes used drugs, the metabolites of the drugs would be conveyed through the blood to the organs and tissues where they would function. So, the blood test was quicker and more accurate than the urine test. The urine test just examined the metabolic waste of humans, but the blood test was a real-time test of athletes’ usage of drugs.

Many illegal drugs, including peptides, some kinds of hormones, erythropoietin, the human growth hormone and so on, could not be found by the urine test. Because they were natural hormones of the human body and so were their metabolites. The urine test couldn’t identify the evidence of those drugs as long as the hormones didn’t exceed the limits too much. But the blood test could solve this problem.

The blood test was more accurate, but its process was very complicated. According to the IAAF regulations, reasonable cause and a written notice with the athlete’s personal signature for confirmation must be presented for a blood test. It was more complex than the urine test.

According to the rules, athletes were allowed to refuse to offer their blood samples immediately, as long as they offered the samples within one week. So many changes could take place in one week with current technologies.

And the athletes had to hand in the list of drugs they used over the last ten days and records of any blood transfusions in the last six months. The two requirements gave the athletes room for playing tricks. Some of the athletes might make deals with doctors to give themselves a temporary prescription to confuse the results of the blood test.

Because of all of the reasons above, the blood test was not a usual option. Generally, only when an athlete was under suspicion of using drugs, or when the athlete was the top three of a high-level competition such as the Olympic Games, would blood tests happen. Usually, the urine test could solve all problems.

…

Having made his plan, Sebastian relaxed to refocus on the field.

The 100m race was going to begin. And his student, Warton, “the Miami Hurricane,” would take part in the race.

Warton made great efforts these last two months. I think he will not be defeated by Alexander.

Chapter 462 - The Surprising Progress

Chapter 462: The Surprising Progress

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Alexander looked around, recalling his last participation in the Olympic Games.

At that time, Kittell was at the peak of his career life. And the most important task of the American Team in the Olympic Games was to challenge world-class Jamaican runner. But their efforts were in vain. The American Team led by Alexander spared no effort, but they couldn’t beat the great Kittell. And the 4×100 meter relay witnessed Kittell outrunning the American Team at the final baton. And America was defeated by Jamaica.

Many years had passed, and everything had changed. None of Kittell’s teammates in that Olympic Games attended this tryout. And many young faces showed up.

Although Alexander knew them, they felt like strangers.

So many young people this time! Alexander shook his head slightly. He was only 30 years old then. He was still strong, though as a sprinter, he was at the end of the peak of his physical condition. He was still able to get good achievements. But compared with those young athletes around him, he was already an old man.

Competition in the 100m sprint was always ruthless. And sprinters had a fast turnover. An athlete’s physical peak lasted for several years, and he would be active in races in those years. And years later when he was out of the period of his physical peak, he would be out of the competition, too.

And America was the greatest track and field superpower in the world, with endless good athletes. A large number of young people chose to be professional athletes every year. So, the generations of athletes cycled very quickly.

100m sprinters in other countries who achieved Olympic A Level were allowed to take part in the Olympic Games twice. At least they could take part in one Olympic Games and one World Championship. But in America, a country full of competition, taking part in the Olympic Games twice was a great achievement, which could be talked about proudly for a lifetime.

What’s more, the former king of the 100m sprint Kittell had retired, which made many 100m sprinters dream of being the next king. No one could challenge him when he was active in the field, but he had retired and left an empty throne behind. Every top sprinter in the 100m program hoped to replace Kittell as the new king of the 100m sprint, the fastest flying man in the world.

The Olympic Games was the best stage for the enthronement of a new king. Therefore, this tryout for the Olympic Games saw many athletes in the program of the 100m sprint. And those sprinters were more skillful than sprinters of previous years. The same thing was happening in other sprinting powers, especially Jamaica. Sprinters were competing fiercely for opportunities to take part in the Olympic Games. Each of them wanted to inherit the crown of “the fastest flying man in the world.”

While Alexander was reminiscing about all the changes, he sensed a hostile stare from one of the tracks beside him.

He is the talented sprinter, “the Miami Hurricane,” Warton. I beat him in the previous race. He must be dissatisfied with the result. He is seeking revenge this time!

Seeing Warton reminded Alexander of his former coach, Sebastian.

That coach is a “pharmacist.” But he is now the Chief Coach of the American National Team. I will be under his management again after I’m promoted. That’s terrible.

And this guy, Warton, is very good. I’m afraid he is as fast as I was in my youth. I might lose to him if he performs better today.

Foreseeing a hard race, Alexander took a deep breath to erase all thoughts and then he stood on the starting block to get himself fully prepared.

…

The starter raised the starting gun and asked all participants to be on their marks. Then the gun went off to mark the beginning of the 100m race.

Every sprinter in the 100m sprint final was brilliant. The eight sprinters in the final all had the ability to finish the race within 10 seconds. That was to say, each one of them could be the champion of Asia in the field of sprinting.

So, for the first 20 meters, they stayed very close. Tiny gaps among them were just the evidence of their different start reaction time. Sprinters whose start reaction time was shorter ran slightly ahead while those with a longer reaction time fell behind slightly. Only “slightly.”

It became a competition of acceleration after 20 meters. A faster acceleration led to an advantage. Some sprinters with a higher stride frequency had a greater advantage in acceleration.

An experienced sprinter ran in his own rhythm. The slight falling behind didn’t change his rhythm of running. And new sprinters were easily interrupted by their rival’s rhythm.

Sprinters in the final were all experienced. So everyone knew that the advantage in the first 50 meters was useless unless one could change this advantage into a victory.

In fact, the 100m sprint nowadays was a competition of strength in the latter part of the race, when the abilities of sprinters were almost the same.

…

After 50 meters, Alexander and Warton were almost at the same position.

Warton has grown faster since the last race! Alexander realized.

It had been several months since his last race with Warton. Alexander had been training hard for these months and he had fully recovered to his condition before he was banned. So, he was now more powerful.

Alexander would, of course, win against Warton if he ran the same speed that he had several months ago. But in this race, Warton wasn’t slower than Alexander, which showed that Warton had made great progress in these months.

It’s not surprising that he is called a talented sprinter. His progress is great after just a few months. If he keeps making such progress, it will lead him to be the champion of the Olympic Games this time.

Other sprinters besides Alexander and Warton also showed their strength. During the period from 50 meters to 70 meters, all participants stayed very close.

…

That Warton runs so fast today. I think he is as good as Alexander now. Just a few months have brought such great changes to him! Dai Li thought.

Dai Li was confident about his own training ability. It was his effective training that let Alexander make obvious progress these months.

But then Dai Li saw that Warton had made greater progress. A few months ago, he had been weaker than Alexander. But it turned out that he was likely to outperform Alexander in this race.

Something is wrong. My training is arguably the most effective with the help of the system. But Warton is making progress faster than Alexander. It means that the training he has received in recent months is more effective. I remember his coach Sebastian, who is also the coach of the American National Track and Field Team. That shows Sebastian is skillful enough. But it can hardly be possible for him to be better than me plus my system!

Alexander was the number two sprinter in the world. I just helped him recover, which is much easier than making a new athlete be the best. An experienced athlete already knows what he should and should not do. And his previous achievements made him more confident. A new athlete hasn’t gone through enough competitions, so he cannot rise to the top in a short time. And sports training is a step-by-step process that allows no sudden rise.

While Dai Li was thinking, the participants on the track entered the final sprint.

Alexander was still neck and neck with Warton. But the two were ahead of the other participants. The winner would be one of the two.

…

In the final 20 meters, Alexander had sped up to his limit.

And at the same time, he found that Warton was faster than him. Warton had a half-body-length lead.

He outran me! Alexander felt worried and tried his best.

Warton was faster than Alexander. Warton’s advantage was larger and larger as he reached the finish line.

The next moment saw the two crossing the line at almost the same time. The gap between the two was not big, and both crossed the line very fast. But it could be recognized that Warton crossed the finish line first.

Warton won!

…

Sebastian smiled from the main stand with satisfaction.

Alexander, do you still think that Warton is the same today as he was a few months ago? Is that beyond your imagination that he can make so much progress within these months? Do you regret refusing me? If you had chosen to be trained by me, you would have been the winner today. As I said before, the Franklin Lab is the best in the US!

Thinking of the Franklin Lab, Sebastian was a little guilty at the bottom of his heart.

By the way, the new product of the Franklin Lab is so effective. It applies well to young athletes like Warton who are still developing. It can activate their physical potentials more quickly. The Franklin Lab would not have given it to me in advance if it were not for Dai Li’s actions. But its effect is not so good on physically activated old athletes. So, I must have Dai Li’s new drug to cover both young and old athletes. I will be invincible!

…

“Warton won. He defeated Alexander in the final 20 meters to get the championship of the 100m sprint! His score is 9.83 seconds. A score at the top of the world, and very close to 9.80 seconds. I just looked up to find that it is the best score of the 100m sprint this year! And it ranks third among all American sprinters in history. I think he will be the Olympic champion if he can keep this score in the Olympics!” the commentator said. Immediately the audience broke into applause to congratulate Warton on the annual best achievement.

“And Alexander is the silver medalist with a score of 9.86 seconds, 0.03 seconds slower than Warton. Bad luck! But congratulations, too!”

Meanwhile, the screen on site showed all participants’ scores, and the wind speed, 1.7 m/s against the wind.

Being in the second place, Alexander won the opportunity to take part in the Olympic Games successfully. But he was not so happy, not only because he lost to Warton but also because that Warton’s fast progress had made Alexander afraid.

It was not so difficult for Alexander to win the last race between Warton and him. And at that time their scores were close. Alexander got 9.87 seconds and Warton got 9.91 seconds. Just a gap of 0.04 seconds.

But Warton was 0.03 seconds faster than Alexander this time. So, it was a gap of 0.07 seconds in total. But it only cost him a few months to get this gap. It was surprising progress. It was too surprising to be believable.

Is that because they ran against the wind? Is Warton better at running against the wind? Looking at the scoreboard, Dai Li was confused. Alexander got a score of 9.87 seconds last time with the wind. And he got 9.86 seconds this time against the wind. 0.01 seconds faster. But given the wind speed, Alexander had made a progress of more than 0.01 seconds.

In fact, for a sprinter who could finish the race within 9.90 seconds, being 0.01 seconds faster was a great achievement, which could be celebrated with a bottle of champagne.

But Warton was 0.08 seconds faster. His score was 9.91 seconds last time and 9.83 seconds this time.

Within the same period, Alexander would celebrate for an enhancement of 0.01 seconds. Warton’s improvement of 0.08 seconds deserved a special ceremony.

It’s abnormal! Did Sebastian provide Warton with drugs again? Alexander knew Sebastian’s tricks. So, he thought of the possibility at once,and became furious.

It’s okay if I lose to him because of strength, like I lost to Kittell. But I lost to such tricks. D*mn it!

Alexander’s eyes were filled with anger for a moment. But he knew there was nothing he could do against Sebastian. As he knew, Sebastian would not be trapped. The drug would not be found out as long as he dared to use it.

And what’s more, he was the Chief Coach of the American National Track and Field Team!

…

I can’t believe that Alexander lost to Warton. Alexander’s performance was good enough today. The score of 9.86 seconds means that he has fully recovered to his best condition. But he lost. Maybe his rival had a better luck today and performed better. Dai Li shook his head with regret. And then he looked to other scores on the scoreboard.

As the track and field superpower, America has many talents of track and field. Except for the eighth, all participants finished the race within 10 seconds. Generally, the final of the American Tryout reaches a higher level than the final of the Olympic Games.

The 100m sprint ended, and tomorrow will be the preliminary competition of the 200m race. It’s lucky that Warton won’t take part in the 200m race. A strong rival won’t be there. So, Shawn Ford, you must try your best to be the champion!

Chapter 463 - The Worst Champion of the World Championship Ever

Chapter 463: The Worst Champion of the World Championship Ever

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It’s true that Dai Li hoped Shawn Ford to win the championship, because it was not just an honor, but a business opportunity.

Dai Li and Shawn Ford signed a revenue-sharing training contract. To be brief, if Ford could obtain more advertising sponsorship, then Dai Li would get more shared revenue. Athletes’ endorsements income was related with their reputation, the best way to promote reputation was to get better performance, and athletes’ reputation would become more famous if they got more titles and more recognition of the audience

But Alexander and Dai Li signed an ordinary training contract, although Dai Li had high salary, it was not revenue share. For Dai Li, it would be much better if Alexander could win the championship, but it didn’t matter if Alexander couldn’t win the championship. As long as he could get a good result, it was enough to prove Dai Li’s training was effective.

The contestants of 200-meter race was slightly fewer than that of 100-meter race, and so was the number of the rounds, but it was more competitive than 100-meter race. It’s just that Shawn Ford has an absolute advantage, so he could easily pass the preliminary and repecharge without trying his best.

Shawn Ford began to take it serious in the semifinals, and he finally made it to the final with the best results in the group.

The 200-meter final was scheduled for the final day of the Olympic trials, and it was the finale of this Olympic, and this day happens to be the weekend. So, the stadium was already full of audiences and the television rating was greatly improved, which was obviously good news for the 200-meter final.

In general, the finale of large-scale track and field events is the relay race, but the track and field events in the US were signed up by individuals, so there would be no such team events as relay race.

The athletes’ locker room was empty, after all, there was only one race left and only eight athletes participated in the race, so there were only about 20 people, including coaches, in the locker room.

Foster, who come from Boston, is probably one of the most celebrated players among these contestants. As a 25 years old sprinter, he was at the peak of his career, and sprinters at the age of 25 are often the strongest.

In the 100-meter sprint three days ago, Foster was second only to Warton and Alexander, he won the bronze medal, and got the qualification places of the 100-meter sprint, which was the proof of his strength. Today he had to fight for the qualification places of the 200-meter sprint. Since neither Alexander nor Warton have participated in the 200-meter sprint, so Foster would be the only player in the US to participated both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprint once he was in the top three.

At this point, Foster was sitting on the bench and lacing up his running shoes, his coach stood by and whispered something to him.

“You have to keep an eye on Mayer, although he didn’t make it to the final of the 100-meter sprint, he was very good at the curve, so he has a strong strength in the 200-meter sprint. His advantage was exactly your weakness, so if you fall behind him on the curve, do not be panic and try your best to sprint forward. Come on, with your strength in the 100-meter, you can beat him and win the championship!”

Foster nodded and asked, “I heard there was a champion of the World Championship in the final?”

“You mean Shawn Ford! I haven’t seen him on the field for a long time, I thought he was retired. Anyway, when he won the championship in the World Championship, you didn’t become a professional athlete, did you?” Foster’s coach asked.

“I was in high school at that time, I was in the senior grade four and I was preparing for the college entrance interview. I wanted to go to a good college, where I could get the full scholarship, so I didn’t pay attention to the World Championship that year,” then he continued to ask, “Should I pay special attention to Shawn Ford? After all, he was once the champion of the World Championship, he should be strong in the 200-meter sprint.”

“Strong? Then why didn’t you meet him in the race in recent two years?” Foster’s coach smiled, “you don’t have to pay attention to him at all, he hasn’t got any good results after the World Championship, and he only participated in some small unknown races in recent years. Thus, many people knew that he won the World Championship just with good luck. I remembered that someone gave him a nickname a few years ago, but it was known by only a few people. Can you guess what the nickname is?”

“What is it?” asked Foster.

“The worst champion of the World Championship ever!” Foster’s coach replied with a smile, “so you don’t have to worry about him, he has no strength at all. It was said that he finished a race within 20 second in Miami a few days ago, but he can’t so lucky every day!”

Shawn Ford took a deep breath, and there was a kook of enjoyment on his face, the atmosphere of the final gave him a thrill.

He hasn’t appeared in the final of such a large-scale track and field event for a long time.

There were not so many 200-meter races, so Ford also took part in 100-meter races in recent years. But due to the disadvantage caused by his leg length discrepancy, he couldn’t participate in any large-scale track and field events. So, he had to participated in some unknown races. Just like in computer games, you had to go to low-level dung eons when you only had a low level and bad equipment.

But it was Ford who was forced to participate in these unknown races that gave him the chance to be seen by Dai Li.

Even though Ford was now in the final of the Olympic trials, he was still the least impressive, he hasn’t achieved any good results for many years. His name was no longer known to people, those audiences who knew him has already forgotten him, and these new audiences would not recognize him as a former champion of the World Championship.

Sebastian, a coach who has always been active on the front lines of track and field. When he heard the name of Ford, he had to spend a long time to recall who Ford is. So, it was reasonable for these common audiences to forget Ford.

On both sides of the track, most of Ford’s opponents looked at him with a curious eye. They didn’t understand how Ford made it to the final. The so-called the worst champion of the World Championship ever, who has been out of date for many years,

Ford was at peace of mind. The previous champion of the World Championship was now worthless. He has been used to being questioned and ridiculed by others over the past years. More often than not, he even wants to be forgotten by others, at least, people would not look at him with strange eyes.

But accustomed of being questioned and ridiculed by others didn’t mean he had to make compromise, and it didn’t also mean he had to give up himself.

Ford has always wanted to prove himself with his strength, he wanted to be focused by others again, and he wanted to say to everyone: I’m back!

Ford has been working hard for it. Even though his efforts never paid off, he kept insisting, and he never thought about giving up.

But today, he finally got a chance to prove himself again.

Chapter 464 - The Joy of Being a Coach

Chapter 464: The Joy of Being a Coach

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The eight participants were on the track. And their coaches all stood within the rest area by the side.

“Long time no see, Li!” Dai Li turned around to find a white-haired older man standing behind him.

That man was called Duke, and he was 68 years old. He was a senior fitness coach living in Seattle.

“Hello, Coach Duke.” Dai Li walked to him to say hello immediately.

After exchanging greetings, Duke asked, “I’ve heard that Shawn Ford is now being trained by you. That true?”

Dai Li nodded and said, “Yes, I’ve been training him for a few months.”

“Is it hard to help him improve?” Duke smiled and then he added with a lower voice, “I was once his fitness coach. There is no problem with his strength. His problem is the defect of his body.”

By “defect of his body,” Duke was referring to Ford’s leg length discrepancy.

Dai Li nodded again and said, “I found that, too. So, I set some targeted training for him. And that worked.”

Dai Li wouldn’t tell others about his training methods. Training methods weren’t patented. High-level coaches would never leak out their training methods, and in this way, they could avoid having their training methods used by others.

In fact, the so-called training method was actually a coach’s understanding of a specific sport. Different understandings or different depths of understanding led to different training methods. Such an understanding needed to be formed with a great deal of experience, thinking, and trials of a coach. It was the most valuable secret of a coach. And no coach would like to let someone else steal it.

But Duke didn’t believe in Dai Li’s “that worked.” He thought Dai Li was bragging to save face. So, he asked, “Coach Li, which rank do you think Shawn Ford will get this time? Is it possible for him to pass?”

“He will be the champion, of course!” replied Dai Li confidently without any hesitation.

“The champion?” Coach Duke laughed suddenly. In his opinion, it was a surprise that “the worst champion of the World Championships ever” could enter the final of the tryout. It was impossible for him to be the champion.

Dai Li got the irony in Duke’s smile. But he knew that the old man meant no harm. So, he explained, “Not long ago, Ford finished the Miami Open in 19.93 seconds.”

“19.93 seconds! So fast!” Duke took a deep breath. He knew Ford could pass the tryout with such a score.

Coach Duke lived in Seattle in Washington State. Miami, Florida was about as far away from Coach Duke as it was possible to be in America. So Duke didn’t know about Ford’s achievement in the southeast.

And then, the referee asked the athletes to be ready on the starting block. The race was about to begin.

…

Vincent was a high school student in Eugene. And he was a master of sports, especially sprinting and long jump. He might be a star in high schools of other cities. But Eugene, the Capital of Track and Field, saw numerous high school students who were good at track and field just like Vincent.

It was the weekend, so Vincent came to the competition site with his friends to watch the race and cheer for the athlete he liked.

“The race is going to start. Which one do you think will win?” asked a friend beside him.

“Mayer, of course. I think he’s the best runner there,” replied Vincent without hesitation.

But his friend shook his head and said, “I prefer Foster. I have a poster with his signature on it!”

“Foster is good, but he cannot outrun Mayer. He runs terribly on the bend, and always falls behind. Compared with him, Mayer’s skills are more comprehensive,” Vincent argued at once.

“But Foster is faster on the straightaway. He is good at spurting. And I think that would be a remedy for his weakness on the bend,” his friend argued back.

As the two argued, the sprinters readied themselves on their starting blocks. The starting gun went off as usual, and all participants spurted forward instinctively.

“Let’s wait and see. Mayer will win!” Vincent sneered and refocused on the race.

“Cheers! Foster!” his friend suddenly cried out.

“It’s too noisy. He cannot hear you. Save your energy!” Vincent scorned.

Every sprinter on the field was trying to move as far left as they could to shorten their running distance as much as possible. That was a test of a sprinter’s running skill on the bend. High-level athletes like them wouldn’t make a mistake such as stepping on the line, but some of them might lose control of their steps and waste their time.

Suddenly, the audience who sat in front of Vincent started to wave an American flag. Vincent’s sight was blocked.

“You blocked my view!” Vincent cried at the audience in front of him.

They looked at Vincent, apologized, and then put down the flag.

When Vincent looked at the field again, he found that all participants were running on the straightaway instead of the bend.

However, he found that the leading sprinter was neither Mayer nor Foster. The leading one was an athlete unknown to him. And more importantly, the guy had a great lead. It seemed that he was fixed to win.

“Who is he?” asked Vincent with surprise.

The man was Shawn Ford, of course.

…

Why does he have such a big lead? Sebastian was shocked.

Sebastian knew that Shawn Ford got several impressive achievements recently. And it was acceptable to Sebastian that Ford became a temporary leader in the race, but the fact that Ford was holding such a safe lead wasn’t acceptable to him. From the professional perspective, Sebastian thought it was meaningless for the race to go on. The advantage Ford got when he ran out of the bend had already made him the winner.

A single bend gave him such an advantage. How did he do that?

But then Sebastian found that Ford’s speed was slower than the other participants’ on the straightaway.

Is he only good at running on the bend? Sebastian calmed a little.

But his advantage is too big on the bend. Other sprinters cannot outrun him within such a short distance. Shawn Ford is going to win! Dai Li’s new drug is effective for old athletes. Even the weak Shawn Ford got rejuvenated.

…

The bend was going to end. And Mayer thought he performed well on the bend. He had made no mistakes. And he believed that he would be the leader when he ran out of the bend.

Mayer’s explosive force ranked in the middle among all top sprinters. So, he wasn’t very good at the 100m sprint. But he had a good running skill on the bend, and he was able to run persistently. Therefore, he found his place in the 200m program. He took part in the World Championship two years ago as a representative of America, and he won a bronze medal with a score of 19.89 seconds. The champion of the World Championship that year was the top flying man in the world of the time, Kittell.

Mayer was confident that he could pass the qualifications. But whether he would be the champion depended on whether he could defeat Foster or not

Foster’s running skills on the bend weren’t very good. But his ability to spurt on the straightaway was great. And Foster got the third place in the 100m race. In Mayer’s opinion, Foster was the strongest rival on his path to being the champion.

Finally, Mayer got on the straightaway and he was indeed ahead of Foster.

But Mayer wasn’t in first place. A man was running ahead of him.

Shawn Ford! How could he be ahead of me? I didn’t make a mistake on the bend! I should be the fastest one. How could it be possible for him to be faster than me?

…

Foster got on the straightaway and immediately found that ahead of him were Mayer and Shawn Ford.

More importantly, while Mayer was just a little ahead him, Shawn Ford was holding a great lead. Foster even thought about giving up, taking Ford’s big advantage into consideration.

The gap between Mayer and me is small, and I can catch up with him. But I can never catch up with Ford. His lead is too large. The race is meaningless. He will cross the finish line before I get closer.

Foster at that moment recalled his coach’s remarks about Shawn Ford. His coach said Ford was “the worst champion of the World Championship ever.”

“‘The worst champion of the World Championship ever’?” Can the worst one run so fast? Can the worst one hold such a safe lead? If he isn’t the worst, will he be one or two seconds faster than me? Was my coach kidding me?

…

Ford wasn’t the fastest on the straightaway, but he built so much lead on the bend that no one could catch up with him. So, he finally got to be the champion of the 200m race.

Ford’s time was 19.85 seconds, 0.08 seconds faster than his time in the Miami Open. According to the situations of previous years, 19.85 seconds deserved a medal in the Olympic Games. Whether it was a gold one or not depended on the performance of other participants.

“A bend brought him such a great advantage. It’s my first time witnessing this in my career life as a coach,” Duke said to himself.

Other coaches around also looked at Ford with surprise. No one in the final was weak. To be a fixed winner by running on the bend of the first 100 meters was rarely ever seen in a final.

Dai Li showed a happy smile. In his opinion, that wasn’t only Ford’s victory but also his victory.

At one time, Dai Li would’ve used the Athlete’s Patch to make up for Ford’s leg length discrepancy without any hesitation.

But this time he chose another way. He used his experience and understanding of the 200m program along with his unique ideas to make Ford change the way he ran.

He thought the achievement this time was not made with the magic of the Coach System. It was made by his own abilities.

Dai Li had a sense of achievement.

It was like playing a game. When you cheated to beat your rivals, you could get satisfied along with joys of winning. But the victory you gained by cheating was so different from the victory you got by yourself. Many cheaters would stop being interested in the game after a short time of excitement. But those who won with their own efforts would carry on because that they could experience more joy and a greater sense of achievement after their victories.

Dai Li had been a “cheating gamer” since he got the system. In fact, Dai Li’s joy of being a coach had disappeared as both the upgrade time of the system and the time intervals between the awards became longer.

But this time, he found remembered the joy of being a coach through training Shawn Ford.

Looking at Ford, who was celebrating on the field, Dai Li exclaimed in his heart, It’s joyful to be a coach!

Chapter 465 - The Father of Prohormone

Chapter 465: The Father of Prohormone

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the plane back to Los Angeles, Aylwin and Alexander were seated together.

“Justin, did you hear that the national team asked us to provide our blood samples?” asked Aylwin.

“Yes, I’ve been informed.” Alexander nodded. “I’ve heard that they are going to make personal biological information files for athletes, so they have to collect blood samples for that.”

“What the hell is a ‘personal biological information file’? I have been in the national team for several years, and I’ve been to the Olympics three times, but I’ve never heard of it,” said Aylwin.

“I was confused too, so I called the staff who are taking charge of it and they told me that they made it with the aim to keep us safe. They seem to be worried about kidnappings or terrorists during the Olympics.” Alexander shrugged.

“We’re just athletes, not politicians. Terrorists won’t bother us!” Aylwin complained.

“That’s not necessarily true. This Olympics is being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the security isn’t good. So we Americans are just like walking wallets there.” When Alexander said this, he stopped and looked at Aylwin with a smile. “Especially you, you are the world’s top sports star. If I were a terrorist, I would kidnap you!”

“If someone kidnaps me, I’ll run. No one can surpass me within four hundred meters,” Aylwin joked.

…

“I made an excuse to get the blood samples of Jimmy Aylwin, Justin Alexander, and Shawn Ford. And I’ve asked very reliable people to send the samples to you, so please be ready to receive them,” Sebastian’s voice came over the phone.

“I see. I’ll ask someone to follow up,” Franklin said.

Sebastian asked, “What should we do if we can’t find anything in his blood sample?”

“If we can’t find any problems in his blood sample, we can do something else. I’m waiting for the investigation’s results,” said Franklin.

“Is there any progress from the private investigation company?” Sebastian asked eagerly.

“Nothing. They even sent someone to pretend to be customers in Dai Li’s training center, but they still found out nothing.” Franklin sighed and continued, “You’re now the head coach of the national team, so can you use your authority to help us.”

“I see. There will be an assembly for training two days from now, and I will try to ask them some questions. Hopefully I can get some information.” When Sebastian said this, he heard a knock at the door.

“Someone has come to visit me, so I need to go. Please let me know if you have any news.” Sebastian hung up the phone eagerly.

The creation of personal biological information was an excuse, Sebastian just wanted to get the blood samples of Aylwin, Alexander, and Ford. As the head coach of the US team, Sebastian had the authority to do this.

In front of Franklin sat a man in his 60s with a long face and deep-set eye sockets. But the most obvious feature was his big aquiline nose, which resembled the nose of Penguin in a Batman movie.

When Sebastian talked with Franklin on the phone, it was obvious that he didn’t know there was someone else in Franklin’s room. If he had known, he would never have talked to Franklin, because they were talking about something that couldn’t be overheard by others.

The only reason that Franklin let the man remain in the room was because the man was already an insider.

When Franklin put down the phone, and he immediately explained to the man, “That was a call from Sebastian. He has the blood sample, and it can be delivered today.”

“As soon as the blood sample arrives, we can test it at once. I hope we can find some clues,” the man with the aquiline nose said.

“I’ll try to. But I couldn’t find any problems in their urine samples, so I’m worried that we might not be able to find any problems in their blood samples either,” said Franklin.

“Don’t worry, just go ahead and do your job. And please remind the research firm not to stop their work; it might be crucial for finding other clues. I still have plan B,” the aquiline nose said.

“As you wish, Mr. Blecher,” Franklin answered.

If Sebastian had been in the room, he would have been very surprised when he saw the aquiline nose. And then Sebastian would have chosen to leave at once and stay away from the aquiline nose, and he would have chosen to terminate his contract with Franklin’s Laboratory.

The name “Blecher” was well-known to sports coaches and athletes, and they weren’t allowed have any contact with him.

Blecher was a scientist and the owner of a pharmaceutical company. And his nickname was “the father of prohormone.”

Prohormone was a kind of synthetic metabolic hormone formed by enzymatic transformation in the body. Prohormone could increase the circumference and strength of muscle, reduce internal fat, and improve sexual function. Once they entered the body, they would be transformed into steroid analogues. For athletes, Prohormone was a kind of performance-enhancing drug.

Since he could be called “the father of Prohormone,” then there was no doubt that he was the most senior expert in this field; what’s more, he was a world-famous expert with many research achievements under his belt.

As a scientist, there was nothing wrong with engaging himself in the research of prohormone, but what Blecher had done has beyond the limits of ethical science.

During the cold war, the United States and the Soviet Union competed in politics, economics, military, science, and other fields, including sports. In order to achieve better scores, Athletes in both countries began to take various drugs, which resulted in the rapid development of performance enhancers drugs.

The International Olympic Committee launched a campaign against doping in 1968, but it didn’t work. Especially in the 1980s, when doping was rampant among athletes, there were many incredible world records, and thanks to doping, some of them weren’t even broken for a couple decades.

Blecher was active in that era, and when he was a doctor, his research project was prohormone. He even had patents on it.

After getting his PhD, Blecher turned down a number of offers from many pharmaceutical companies. He sold his patent, found some sponsors, and set up a small laboratory to continue his prohormone research.

Blecher’s research went well, and he made numerous research advancements and gained more sponsors. In addition, his small laboratory became a big laboratory. His research in prohormone was highly valued by large-scale pharmaceutical companies, so he was paid a lot of patent royalties. Then Blecher started his own pharmaceutical company in the mid-nineties.

Blecher’s excellent performance and research achievements earned him the title “the father of prohormone.”

He was very famous at that time. His had his own research achievements, he had great fame and his pharmaceutical company, and it was obvious that he was a successful scientist. In addition, he often donated money everywhere with the aim of packaging himself as a philanthropist.

But great changes took place in 1990, when the World Anti-Doping Agency Council was established in Lausanne. And at the same time, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would provide the World Anti-Doping Agency with the full cost of doping control in the next two of three years. In 1999, the International Olympic Committee gave $2,500 to the World Anti-Doping Agency for anti-doping.

In 1999, $2,500 meant you could do many things; for example, setting up a special committee to take responsibility for out-of-competition drug tests, setting up a research group to research new types of drugs, and buying new equipment to upgrade the existing techniques of drug tests.

With the money given by the IOC, the World Anti-Doping Agency made several achievements. In 2000, many American athletes were found doping by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and some of them were former world champions and world record holders. It even alarmed the FBI.

Soon, the FBI found that the sudden deaths of some athletes in recent years had been related to the usage of performance-enhancing drugs. If athletes just used the drugs in competition, then it was only a moral problem that violated the fairness of the competition. But if there were many cases of deaths, then the situation was more serious than anyone had realized.

As the investigation of the FBI went further, Blecher became the focus of the FBI, and the truth began to surface. The FBI found that Blecher not only provided drugs to many athletes, but also provided them with drugs that had never gone through clinical trials. What’s more, many kinds of drugs had shown obvious side effects in animal tests, but Blecher still provided them to athletes. This was also the cause of the sudden death of some athletes.

Apart from providing athletes with drugs, Blecher also collected athletes’ body indicators as experimental data for his further research. It meant that he used the athletes as guinea pigs, which also equivalent to conducting human trials without any safety measures.

In recent years, Blecher’s rapid progress in prohormone research had also benefited from his disregard of proper clinical trials. Other scientists conducted their research step by step, but Blecher ignored the safety of athletes and conducted his experiments on living athletes, which was definitely faster than normal research.

His behavior violated not only the law, but also the basic morality of human beings. It caused a great sensation in the US that year, and Blecher turned from a successful scientist into a person hated by everyone. He was suddenly facing legal punishment.

But the law is biased towards the rich in many cases, and a wealthy man such as Blecher could hire the best lawyers and find plenty of scapegoats. Most of the charges against Blecher ended up being untenable, and he was eventually sentenced to only six months in prison. But several coaches of the athletes who died were suddenly accused of manslaughter and forced to serve several years in prison.

After this, Blecher became a pariah in the eyes of coaches and athletes. His lack of morals allowed him to provide athletes with drugs that had not passed animal experiments, and the drugs he provided to these athletes were fatal. Although all athletes were eager to improve their performance, their lives were more important than performance.

Blecher was blacklisted by sports coaches and athletes, and even Sebastian, who provided drugs to athletes, would never be willing to contact Blecher or talk with him. Blecher’s reputation was so terrible, if a coach had contact with him, then the coach would instantly become the target of the World Anti-Doping Agency, and his athletes, fearing for their health and lives, would choose to be far away.

But Franklin’s Laboratory, which he had worked with for several years, was actually being sponsored by Blecher. If Sebastian had known that Franklin’s Laboratory had always been sponsored by Blecher, he would never have dared to use any of the products of Franklin’s Laboratory.

Chapter 466 - The Poor Investigator

Chapter 466: The Poor Investigator

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The investigator, Andrew, came to Dai Li’s training center once again. This time, however, his task was no longer to obtain the urine samples of athletes, but to investigate whether coaches here provided drugs to their athletes.

This time, he didn’t pretend to be a plumber, but a client of the training center. After paying a great deal of training fees, he succeed in entering Dai Li’s training center and beginning his training. Of course, he didn’t use his real name, he gave himself a fake name: Jack Delmar.

After several days of investigation, Andrew didn’t find anything unusual. All the training in Dai Li’s training center was carried out on a regular basis. The coaches showed no signs of using illegal drugs. In a word, Andrew found nothing.

There was no progress in Andrew’s investigation, so the client who commissioned Andrew began to urge him. Andrew knew that his previous measures hadn’t worked, so he decided to take the initiative.

Chris Payton had become Dai Li’s most useful assistant, as well as the core member of this training center. He even took responsibility for most of the high-end clients of this training center.

On that day, when Payton sent off his last client and was about to go to the locker room to change, he was suddenly stopped by a voice.

“Coach Payton! Just a moment, please.”

Payton looked back immediately and recognized the man who called him. The man, Jack Delmar, was a new client at the training center. From the application materials, Payton knew that Delmar was a lawyer. Since he had a high salary, Payton had to get along with him.

For the sake of money, Payton stepped toward Delmar with a bright smile on his face and asked, “Mr. Delmar, what can I do for you?”

“Yes, I’d like to talk about my recent training with you.” Andrew nodded.

“Well, let’s go to the lounge,” Payton said at once.

In the lounge, Payton made Andrew a cup of coffee personally, and asked, “Mr. Delmar, do you have any questions about the recent training, or any other requirements?”

Andrew nodded. “All of your coaches here are very professional, and I can feel that the training is pretty effective, but I think it’s too slow.”

“Too slow? You mean the training rhythm or the training time?” asked Payton.

“I mean the training effect. I want my abilities improved. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean that the training here is not good enough, I just want to have more results and faster progress,” said Andrew.

“Mr. Delmar, physical training must be carried out on a regular basis. No training can be effective immediately, so if you want to get better results, you must persist for a long time,” Payton explained.

“Coach Payton, I know what you said, I just want to know if there is a shortcut?” asked Andrew.

“There is no shortcut for physical training,” Payton answered without hesitation.

“That’s not necessarily true. I’ve heard that many athletes use some auxiliary methods to improve their performance.” Andrew paused, lowered his voice and then said, “For example, drugs.”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t have those here.” Payton shook his head.

“Mr. Payton, I just want better training results. If you can provide some effective drugs to me, I will certainly pay extra,” Andrew continued.

“Mr. Delmar, we really don’t have these drugs. As a coach, I don’t want our athletes to use drugs. Doping has side effects, which can damage our health, and I don’t want our clients to be harmed,” Payton said seriously.

Andrew went on to ask, whine, and cajole. He almost put his credit card in Payton’s face. But Payton insisted that the training center would never provide drugs to its clients.

Payton saw Andrew off at the door of the training center personally.

“Mr. Payton, are you free tonight? How about going for a drink with me?” Andrew still didn’t give up. He wanted to find any connection that existed between the training center and doing, and he thought that a dining table might be a better opportunity.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Delmar, I still have work to do today. My boss has given me a lot of tasks recently, and I’m afraid I have to work late tonight,” Payton said helplessly.

“That’s a pity, let’s go for a drink another time,” Andrew said bye to Payton and turned away.

Just then, a black man walked into the door of the training center, and he met Andrew.

The man looked at Andrew with an expression of surprise, and Andrew immediately recognized the man. He was Shawn Ford, and Andrew had once been commissioned by others to obtain Ford’s urine sample.

Oh no, will I be recognized? It’s been a long time since I saw him last time, maybe Shawn has forgotten me. Well, no one is likely to remember the appearance of a plumber!

When Andrew thought of this, he pretended to be calm and stepped out of the door.

If Andrew was an ordinary plumber, Shawn Ford might not remember him. But Alexander had reminded him that Andrew was gay, which made Andrew very memorable to Shawn. So, when Ford saw him, he was a little bit nervous, and he recognized Andrew immediately.

No sooner had Andrew left than Ford walked over to Payton.

“Chris, who was that man?” asked Ford.

“New client,” Payton said vaguely. He would not give away the information of his clients to anyone, including Shawn Ford, who he knew well.

“He’s a client?” Ford was quite surprised, and he continued to ask, “Is there some sort of discount at the training center? Or a membership lottery?

“No, we never do that.” Payton was a little bit confused. “Why do you ask?”

“I wondered how a plumber can afford such expensive training fees. Did he win the lottery?” Ford said.

“What did you say? He’s not a plumber, he’s a lawyer,” answered Payton.

“A lawyer? Impossible, he’s a plumber. When I was training in the athletic field, he came to repair the pipe for us when the pipe in the toilet was broken.” Ford added, “I’m not kidding you. Justin saw him too, and he can confirm what I’m saying.”

Ford’s confidence made Payton feel that he wasn’t lying, so he asked tentatively, “Could you have mistaken him?”

“Nope. He made an impression, because he was gay and he kept staring at my penis when I was urinating.” Ford pointed at his lower body and added, “Justin told me that he had the same experience, and he kept looking at Justin while he was urinating. What normal person would do that?”

Payton looked very serious and said warily, “I don’t know whether he is gay or not, but Jack Delmar’s occupation is listed as “lawyer” in his application checklist. If he was a lawyer, why would he want to be plumber? But if he was a plumber, he could never afford such expensive training fees. So he must have secrets!”

“I don’t know if he’s a lawyer, but if he can afford such expensive training fees, he can’t be a plumber!” said Ford.

“But why did he pretend to be a plumber?” Payton asked dubiously.

“It is obvious that he has some secrets!” Ford said seriously.

Payton glared at Ford with disdain, then suddenly thought of something.

“You said that he was gay, but maybe he’s a psychopath, pretending to be a plumber to find targets in the male toilet? Once he found someone suitable, he would take action right now!” said Payton.

“Do not scare me! If what you say is true, then he has found the right target; a member of our training center! So he chose to come here to receive training! Oh my God, could it be me?” Payton unconsciously covered his *ss.

“Don’t be scared. If he kept staring at your penis, it means he should be the passive one. Otherwise he would stare at your ass,” said Payton.

“D*mn it, I’m not a gay! I have to keep away from him.” Ford was so scared that cold sweat began to gather on his forehead.

Payton nodded sympathetically. “I have to keep away from him, too. He just now asked me to go to the bar with him tonight. I’m afraid that he wants to do something to me! Thank goodness I didn’t promise him. By the way, I have to remind other coaches to be careful about him. His behavior of pretending to be a plumber showed he’s not only gay, but also a psychopath.”

Chapter 467 - Occupational Injury (Part 1 of 2)

Chapter 467: Occupational Injury (Part 1 of 2)

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Early the next morning, Payton called another coach to him in the coaches’ locker room.

“Tom, is the new client, Jack Delmar, in your charge?” Payton asked.

The coach nodded. “Yes. He comes here frequently, and every time he stays in the training center for quite a long time. What’s more, he is talkative and he always asks me something about our training center.”

“Talkative? Just with you, or the same with others?” Payton asked.

“Mr. Delmar is very kind to others. He talks to anyone,” he answered.

He is looking for a new target as expected! Payton nodded with worry.

Andrew had come as part of an investigation, so it was natural that he would ask for information as much as he could. Therefore, he talked to others frequently to get more useful information. However, Chris Payton had misunderstood his intentions and thought that he was looking for a gay lover.

“Coach Payton, is there anything wrong with Mr. Delmar?” Coach Tom asked.

“Yes, you should be careful with Jack Delmar. He is gay…” Payton said in a low voice.

Tom smiled and said indifferently, “Chris, I’m straight, but I don’t discriminate against gays. After all, everyone has the freedom to pursue love.”

“I didn’t mean you discriminate against gays. I want to remind you that he is gay, and he is… well, a psychopath. He came here not for training, but for hunting love.” Payton moved closer to Tom and told him about what happened to Ford and Alexander.

“Did you say that he pretended to be a plumber and lurked in the men’s bathroom?”

Payton nodded. “Both Alexander and Ford met him, and I don’t think they were lying to me!”

…

Beside the water dispenser, Tom handed a bottle of water to his client and said, “Carrey, I just saw you talking with Delmar for quite a long time.”

“Yeah, baseball. He’s an Angels fan too,” the client said.

“Well, I have to remind you that Delmar is special in terms of sexual orientation. Also, he has something wrong with his mentality,” the coach said.

“You mean Delmar is gay and a psychopath?” The client was shocked.

“As a coach, I shouldn’t disclose my clients’ information, but considering we have known each other for such a long time, and we are friends… As your friend, I want to remind you that I don’t want you to be in trouble. For a muscular man like you, you are likely to be his target!” the coach continued.

“Thank you, Tom. Don’t worry, I’ll be careful of him,” the client said.

“And don’t tell others I said so, or I’ll lose my job.”

…

The training center lounge not only provided coffee and fruit juice but also fresh fruits for free, to help clients to regather strength after training.

Two clients had just ended their training and walked together into the lounge. One got himself a cup of coffee, while the other got some fruit.

“You know what, the lawyer Delmar is a gay!” one client said.

“Really? I talked with him yesterday! He didn’t seem like a sissy,” the other said.

“Not all gays are sissies!” the first client continued. “Besides, I heard that he is a psychopath.”

“But he looks normal. He is a lawyer and he should be sane,” the second client said.

“Of course you can’t tell from his looks. Those perverts in the movies all look like good people, and most of them are doctors or lawyers in disguise.” The first client continued to say, “Anyway, just stay away from him in case he finds you and plays some weird games with you!”

…

As a saying goes, good things don’t go out while bad ones spread far, which means that gossips spread quickly. Several days later, many people in the training center knew that new-comer Jack Delmar was a mentally-unstable homosexual.

Moreover, the rumor was growing quickly. Soon there were many versions of the story about Andrew.

Everyone had a different view of homosexuality. In Europe and the United States, a more inclusive society, many people with normal sexual orientations wouldn’t discriminate against gays at all.

But it was different with psychopath. There were many criminal cases involving psychopathy in USA, and many directors adapted them into movies, which had brought them many awards. Therefore, people would exclude those psychopaths. Only psychologists wanted to deal with psychopaths. They might even take out a gun and kill you if what you said annoyed them.

A psychopathic gay was much more dangerous than psychopath. Anyone would stay away from them.

…

At nine o’clock in the morning, Andrew came to the training center and started his investigation again.

“Morning, Chris!” Andrew greeted someone he knew.

“Hi.” Seeing Andrew, he just responded politely and left quickly.

Why so quickly? Andrew was confused.

Andrew entered the equipment training room and saw another acquaintance, so he went to him.

“Phil, did you watch the hockey game yesterday? Predator defeated Jet 2 to 1!” Andrew said.

“Oh, I was busy with other things and didn’t watch the game.” After saying this, he suddenly took out his phone and said regretfully, “Sorry, Jack. I nearly forgot, I have a phonecall to make. Excuse me.”

Then he turned around and left quickly.

So quickly. It seems to be urgent. Andrew shook his head and walked to the coach.

“Coach, shall we begin the training?” Andrew asked.

“Sure, no problem. Do some warm up’s first as usual.” The coach nodded.

“Stretch first? Yesterday the stretch was effective. It made my legs very relaxed.” Andrew pointed to his legs.

However, the coach misunderstood him. He thought that Mr. Delmar was pointing to the important organ at the lower part of his body. Thinking of the rumor about Delmar recently, he suddenly felt uncomfortable.

“Mr. Delmar, wait a moment, I’ll fetch my gloves,” the coach said.

“You didn’t wear gloves before when you stretched,” Andrew said with confusion.

“Well, the training center has a new rule that in order to offer our clients better hygiene, the coach should wear gloves while stretching.” After saying this, the coach ran quickly for gloves.

He thought in his mind that this Jack Delmar was a psychopathic gay, and that he must avoid skin-skin contact in case Delmar tried something immoral.

…

Andrew clearly realized that it was totally weird today. He usually got along easily with others, and he could talk about anything.

But today, everyone he met in the training center was deliberately staying away from him. They would ask to leave before they could even start a conversation.

What happened? Why do I think everyone is staying away from me? It can’t go on like this. How can I get information if no one talks to me?

Andrew was confused and depressed. He had become acquainted with others over his time in the training center, and he had thought that he could get information about the drugs based through these connections. But suddenly, no one would speak to him.

What should I do? Continue or find another way? Andrew considered with his head lowered.

At this time, a big hand appeared on Andrew’s shoulder.

“Hi Jack! You’re done with your training courses today, right?”

Andrew turned around and saw a tall white man, nearly two meters in height and about 125 kg in weight, with long hair and strong muscles. He looked like a brown bear.

Andrew knew this guy. He was William Wood, a professional wrestler.

After a long day of being shunned by others, it was rare to get someone who wanted to talk to him. Andrew felt excited and said sincerely, “Yes. How about you, William?”

“Me too.” William Wood smiled and asked, “You want to go for a drink?”

The wrestler has stayed here for quite a long time. I heard he has won five times in a row recently. Maybe he knows something about the drug. And I can get something from him. Thinking of this, Andrew nodded immediately. “Sure, let’s go. I’ll change my clothes.”

“See you at the gate. I know a great bar!” Wood winked at Andrew.

…

In the bar, the singer was half-naked, hanging his guitar from his bare shoulder. The song was slow and his voice was soft also.

Not many people were there in the bar, whether whispering to each other or drinking alone.

A great bar? Too quiet. No atmosphere at all! Besides, everyone here is male, not a single woman! Looking around, Andrew complained in his mind. If it wasn’t for getting information from Wood, he would never come to such a place.

The bartender knew Wood and when he saw Wood, he greeted him warmly.

“William, you brought a new friend here, aha?” His voice was high and effeminate.

“Yes, my new friend, a lawyer!” Wood said with a smile.

“Lawyer!” The effeminate bartender looked at Andrew and said to Wood, “William, you are so lucky to find such a handsome lawyer friend!”

Andrew didn’t notice how the effeminate bartender stressed the word “friend.”

Chapter 468 - Occupational Injury (Part 2 of 2)

Chapter 468: Occupational Injury (Part 2 of 2)

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After a few drinks, Wood seemed a little drunk and he began to talk more.

Andrew also drank a lot. He felt dizzy, but he had to keep drinking in order to get useful information from Wood.

Several rounds later, Wood was drunk and in a daze.

Andrew felt it was the right time and he asked, “You’ve been in the Coach Li’s Training Center for quite a while. What do you think of the training results there?”

“Very good. I’ve won five times in a row recently!” Wood answered.

“Did the coach give you some special training?” Andrew pretended to ask him casually.

“Every coach differs from others in terms of training. Everyone is special, so there is nothing special at all,” said Wood.

Leaning forward and lowering his voice, Andrew asked, “I mean whether you have gotten something exciting.”

“Exciting?” Wood asked softly, glancing at Andrew with interest. “In what way?”

“For example, take or inject something and energize the body or excite the spirit!” Andrew said.

He didn’t mention the word doping, but he felt that his implication was clear.

However, Wood, who seemed to be drunk, just watched Andrew and his look made Andrew feel a little guilty. He didn’t know whether Wood understood his implication or not.

Minutes later, Wood suddenly sighed and asked, “Do you like that stuff, too? That can excite you, aha?”

“Me? Yes, sure! Absolutely I like it. Well, do you actually use it?” Andrew asked immediately.

“Well, I admit it. I use it occasionally!” Wood nodded.

Finally, I get the clue of the drug! Andrew couldn’t be happier in his mind now.

Wood continued, “Besides some by injection or orally, there is something for external use.”

External use? I’ve never heard of a drug that can used externally! Is this the new drug my client asked me to investigate? Andrew was overjoyed now.

As Andrew was wondering how to get more information from Wood, Wood lowered his voice and asked, “Jack, do you want a try?”

How lucky I am! If I can get some samples of the new drug, my investigation this time will be a success!

Thinking of this, Andrew nodded immediately and agreed without any hesitation, “I’d love to try it. Do you have it now?”

“Sure, in my house,” Wood said, with a smile on his face.

“You mean, you use it at home?” Andrew asked him with surprise.

“Of course. I am a professional wrestler, a kind of public figure. I definitely can’t use it in public.” Wood paused and continued, “Jack, don’t sell me out!”

“Don’t worry, William. I won’t tell anyone about this!” Andrew promised to him. He would swear to God if needed.

…

Wood lived on a nice block and his house was on the hillside, where it was quiet with few people.

No wonder I didn’t find a clue even after I investigated so many days in the training center. It turns out that these athletes don’t use the new drug in the training center, but in their homes. Therefore, if it is exposed, it is only the athletes who would get in trouble, and the training center would appear to have nothing to do with it. Coach Li is smart! Andrew thought in his mind.

They two entered the living room. Wood pointed to the sofa and motioned Andrew to sit down and asked, “You want to something to drink, Jack? Whisky? Or brandy?”

“I just drank enough. I can’t drink anything more.” Shaking his head, Andrew then asked, “Where is the stuff you mentioned? Right here?”

“You’re so hurried!” Wood said. “Well, I’ll take you there. Just in the attic.”

It is really secretly hidden! Andrew thought, and followed Wood upstairs to the attic.

The attic was so dark that they couldn’t see anything.

“I’ll go turn on the light!” said Wood as he walked to the corner of the room. Andrew heard the door close and the light above his head flipped on.

All of a sudden, the whole room became a blaze of color, with several kinds of colors constantly changing on the wall. It wasn’t a regular incandescent light, but a rotating colorful one.

The next moment, Andrew’s eyes finally adapted to the colorful light and he could clearly see what was before him.

It was a bed with four handcuffs attached to its four corners. Right above the bed were several iron chains.

Aside from that, some strange stuff was hung on the walls, like a collar with small steel nails, a whip with little thorns, a headcase with only eyes and mouth exposed, black cord for binding, a ball with a neck collar, and other gadgets.

Andrew looked a little embarrassed suddenly. He was smart enough to know what the stuff was used for.

“William, are we in the wrong room?” asked Andrew self-consciously.

“No, right here. You want to try something exciting? Here it is. I can assure you. You’ll be absolutely excited!” Pointing to all the props on the walls, Wood continued, “I have an oral philter here, but I don’t think we need that thing.”

“We? Wait, William. Did you misunderstand me?” Andrew felt something wrong and he explained hurriedly, “I meant the drug! The drug for athletes!”

“My stuff works better than drugs! I know you like this stuff…” Wood said with a wicked smile.

“What? I like these things? Sh*t! Where did you hear that?” Andrew shouted.

“Well, don’t deny it. Nearly everyone in the training center knows it. Jack, we are the same people! You like to be passive, but I like to be active. We are so matched! Come on. Don’t waste time…” said Wood.

“We are not the same people!” Now Andrew knew that there wasn’t any new drug at all. Wood misunderstood his reference to drugs. Wood thought Andrew was talking about a philter.

Meanwhile, Andrew also realized that William Wood was a psychopathic gay, who liked BDSM.

But it was too late now. Wood just pounced on him.

Surely, Andrew would not surrender to him. He wanted to defend his butt. However, Wood was a professional wrestler. Hard as Andrew tried, he couldn’t escape from Wood.

All was over, so was someone’s *ss…

…

Andrew limped along the road, with his hands on his butt.

Ordinary people would like to sleep, eat, and play in a day, but Andrew became the one who was beaten and slept.

What happened last night was terrible, but Andrew still didn’t know why that psychopath Wood had found him.

I’m just an investigator. I just want to investigate the drug. Why did this0 happen to me! Being an investigator is becoming high-risk work! Ouch! My butt hurts… Occupational injury! It’s an occupational injury! I need to apply for compensation for occupational injury!

Chapter 469 - Missions Failed

Chapter 469: Missions Failed

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The US National Track and Field Team held its first intensified training in Eugene, the capital of track and field.

In the afternoon, the main track of the field had been cleared out to hold the men’s 400-meter test match.

In addition to three Olympians and one substitute, the other four were all training partners, but they would’ve been strong enough to participate in the Olympic Games in other countries.

You could find high-level training partners in nearly all track events, especially in Eugene, the capital of track and field. Besides, these training partners were willing to train with the national athletes.

Aylwin was standing on the best track, with an unstoppable momentum. Although it was just an unimportant training match, the king of the 400-meter event showed his momentum without any hesitation.

Both the competitors and training partners looked at Aylwin with admiration. For the 400-meter athletes, this training match was also a process of pursuing a star. It would also be a literal pursuit, because Aylwin would definitely be in first place.

The US coaching group were talking about Aylwin beside the field.

“Aylwin’s performance has been really good since he returned. I think he seems to be the same as before,” said one coach.

“I think if there is a comeback player of the year award, it must belong to Aylwin. He certainly has a chance at the Olympic championship this time. Four Olympic championships in a row. It’s really exciting,” another coach responded.

“He is 34 years old, yet he is as strong as a young man in his twenties! I don’t know how he kept it,” said the third coach.

“Genius is genius. We ordinary people will never understand it. I got my beer belly when I was 34.” The first coach patted his belly.

“Personal factors are important, but the coach’s training is also significant. That kind of training must be very reasonable and effective to make a 34-year-old athlete fresh again. Do you know where Aylwin trained after coming back?” asked the second coach.

“You must have heard of Aylwin’s coach. His name is Dai Li, the Chinese coach in Los Angeles,” answered the first coach.

The second coach nodded. “It’s him! So he’s Aylwin’s coach too!”

“Too? There’s an athlete other than Aylwin under his training?” asked the first coach.

“Justin Alexander and Shawn Ford,” responded the second coach.

“Alexander had been suspended for years and his condition is similar to Alexander, but he is younger than Aylwin. He also returned back to his peak time not long after coming back. It seems that Dai Li is an expert in helping those athletes who haven’t played games for a long time to come back,” the third coach commented.

“What I’m concerned is that all three have the possibility of winning Olympic gold medals judging from their results. That will be awesome if they all could win championships! There are only a few gold medals in track events, right? It’s incredible to cultivate one Olympian, but he might have three in just one Olympic Games!” The first coach heaved a deep sigh.

“That’s impossible. You know how hard it is to win a championship. If that Chinese coach could make it, then he is definitely the best track coach in the United States!” said the second coach.

But the first shook his head. “Not only in the US; in the world!”

“Hush! You two keep your voices down in case Sebastian…” the third one reminded them.

…

In the meeting room, a group of coaches were sitting around a table. Like Sebastian, they were all recruited by the USA Track and Field to take charge of different events.

Kevin, the vice coach of the US national team who presided over the meeting, waved a sheet of paper and said, “We have held training matches for three days consecutively, and the results are in your hands. The results of the training match basically reflect the real level of the athletes.”

“Our scientific research group has input all the results into a computer and compared the statistics with our counterparts in other countries. The comparison had calculated the probability of each athlete of winning gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Olympic Games. Look at page two. Here is the result of the comparison.”

“Surely, the computer’s calculation can’t be taken seriously, considering the many variables in real races. However, the calculation results can be regarded as a reference indicator, which can help us see more clearly and intuitively in which events we might win medals. Today we’ll discuss the probability of the various results. Begin with the 100-meter dash!”

They all looked down at the papers in their hands. One coach who was in charge of sprint frowned as he said, “I think the probability of winning is too small generally. Taking Warton as an example, his probability is only 12.5%. We know that his best result now is within 9.80 seconds, which means that he surely can win the championship now since Kittell retired. How could his chance only be 12.5%! The same with Alexander. He is only 12.8%, higher than Warton, but we all know he lost to Warton in the qualification trial. Besides in the three practice matches, Alexander won only once while Warton twice. I don’t think the result is reasonable.”

Kevin listened to what he said and explained, “The first thing you said is about the low probability calculated by the computer. According to the calculation, all the athletes put together have one hundred percent chance of winning the championship, so the figure will be small for each athlete. But if we add all three probabilities of our runners, the figure is greater than 33.3%, which means that the US will have a one in three chance of winning the gold medal.”

“As for the second point, about Alexander’s winning probability being higher than Warton’s. The fact is that during the data collection, the statistics of athletes’ experience and honor also will be included. Alexander has attended many international games, including Olympic Games. He has more experience than Warton. Therefore, the winning probability of Warton is smaller than Alexander in comparison.”

After hearing Kevin’s explanation, the sprint coach shook his head soon and said, “That’s not true either. Shawn Ford’s winning probability is 18.1% in 200-meter sprint. That’s too high! As far as I’m aware, Ford only attended one World Championship, and no other international competitions. Both Mayer and Foster have richer international experience than him, so why are their probabilities still lower than his?”

Kevin continued to explain, “It’s because Ford’s most recent three practice matches were so excellent! Three times were all within 19.90 seconds. His state can’t be better now. Especially since he is much faster than others during the first bend.”

“This result is a half second slower than Kittell in his peak, but it’s fast enough. Since Kittell retired, the level of sprint events has declined a lot in the world, especially the 200-meter event with few games and specialized competitors. All the champion results last year were over 20 seconds. Even a 20.10-second result would have won the world championship. Considering this, Shawn Ford definitely has more probability of winning now.”

“How about Aylwin? 55%? His winning probability is higher than all the other competitors put together, right?” that coach asked at once.

But Kevin smiled and asked him instead, “Don’t you think Aylwin could win the fourth championship consecutively? I’d say 55% is too small.”

That coach didn’t know how to respond. There was no doubt that Jimmy Aylwin was the most promising athlete in the national team this year. As the king of the 400-meter event, Aylwin’s state now was as good as it had been four years ago. Winning the fourth Olympic championship consecutively had become a national consensus.

…

Leaning back in his chair, Sebastian wasn’t listening to the discussion of the other coaches, but was thinking of something else entirely.

So many days have passed, but why there is no any new information from Franklin’s Lab? The Olympic Games will begin soon!

Sebastian looked at the report in his hands. The probabilities of the report made him so anxious.

Aylwin, Alexander, and Ford—they are all still in a good state. If they remain that way, they will all probably win gold medals. The Olympic championship! D*mn it! How did Dai Li get such a kind of powerful drug? If I had it, I certainly could create an army of world champions!

I can’t wait on Franklin’s Lab now. I have to take the initiative instead of waiting so passively! Whether or not it works, I must talk to these three athletes. Maybe I can get some information about the new drug if I am lucky.

…

Mission: Gather information about the new drug.

Target one: Justin Alexander.

Sebastian walked up to Alexander with a big smile.

“Hey Justin, nice day today, right?” Sebastian greeted Justin blandly.

Alexander just snorted without saying anything and turned away as soon as he saw Sebastian.

After all, the two were at odds.

Mission failed!

…

Target two: Shawn Ford.

Sebastian walked up to Ford with a big smile.

“Hey! Shawn, nice day today, right?” The same corny greeting.

“Hi, Coach Sebastian. Today is nice for exercise,” Ford said politely.

“Shawn, how’s your recent training? Is there anything you’re unaccustomed to?” Sebastian asked again.

Ford shook his head. “No, I’m used to training here.”

“Actually, I’m curious about why you have made such fast progress recently? I know you just performed so-so in recent years until several months ago. There must be some unique training method, right?” asked Sebastian.

“Yeah, I have received some different training.” Ford nodded.

“Really? What kind of training?” Sebastian asked, full of expectation.

“Well…” Suddenly Ford remembered that Dai Li urged him before to never disclose the fact that he changed his way of running.

Therefore, Ford said, “That’s a secret!”

“Secret? What secret?” Sebastian immediately asked.

“Surely a secret that cannot be told.” Ford smiled simply. “Many athletes have their own unique skills. That’s a secret!”

Sebastian was being stalled by a simple-minded Ford, but he didn’t give up. He continued to ask, “What kind of nutrition and health care products do you use? Fish oil, vitamins, protein powder, or lycopene?”

Sebastian wanted Ford to reveal some information about the new drug, but Ford shook his head, “I don’t use those things.”

“You don’t? Probably not?” Sebastian didn’t believe this answer.

However, Ford seemed to have something to say.

Well! Maybe I can get some useful information! Thinking of this, Sebastian lowered his voice and said, “Did you use some niche brand products or special nutritional products? Trust me, you can tell me. I am your coach and we have the same goal, to win the Olympic gold medal. So we are brothers, you can trust me completely!”

“Okay!” Ford sighed, looking embarrassed, and he lowered his voice. “Those special nutritional products for athletes are expensive. I haven’t got any good results recently. Without regular income, I even need to do part-time work to support myself sometimes. The usual training is expensive, so I can’t afford those nutritional products.”

Can’t afford… Well… Sebastian suddenly got frustrated. He never thought of such an answer.

Mission failed again!

…

Target three: Jimmy Aylwin.

Sebastian walked to Aylwin with a big smile.

“Hey! Jimmy, nice day today, right?” Also the same greeting.

“Coach Sebastian! What’s up?” Obviously Aylwin wasn’t as polite as Ford, for he was a legendary athlete.

“Nothing important. I just want to know your recent training,” said Sebastian.

“Everything is okay, the same as before,” Aylwin answered.

“Actually, I’m curious about why you became so successful after coming back? To be honest, I never thought that you could run as fast as a young man in the twenties since you are 34 years old now. I have never seen such a condition since I became a coach. You really surprised me! I guess you must have used some very special training methods to return back to such a good state, right?” Sebastian said as he watched Aylwin’s face intently. He wanted to find some clues.

To Sebastian’s disappointment, Aylwin’s face didn’t change at all.

Aylwin said, “Actually, there is no special training. I think it has something to do with my good maintenance. Many athletes don’t keep working out hard after retirement, so they lose their shape quickly. I am different. Even after my retirement, I still played sports for two to three hours a day.”

Aylwin’s response was exactly the same as what he gave in the journalist’s interview, not even changing a word. However, it was a perfunctory answer to Sebastian.

Sebastian was certainly unhappy with the answer, and he asked again, “Did you use any dietary supplements? Like fish oil, vitamins, protein powder or lycopene…”

“I seldom use those things, and I mainly rely on getting nutrition from food. My nutritionist changes my diet every week, and I have a special chef for this.” Then Aylwin continued, “As for this point, I have some suggestions. I hope the national team can have more vegetables in their food. I mean the variety, not the quantity. Like the lunch today, we only had salad for vegetables, and there are lots of mangoes and strawberries in it. There are not many real vegetables.”

“Additionally, I suggest they should supply boiled eggs for athletes, which are boiled directly in water. Although they don’t taste that great, they can provide more absorbent proteins. Now we only have omelets in our dining hall, and it’s too thin, which allows the eggs to absorb too much oil. It’s too greasy for me. As a track and field athlete, I shouldn’t eat something so greasy, but I have to because I need protein.”

“What’s more, we don’t have whole grain bread in the dining hall. Milk also contains too much fat. It’s more than 2%. Besides, there are so many varieties of red meat, while the varieties of white meat are so few. You know, the saturated fatty acid content in red meat is 3%, while in white meat it is less than 10%. The throwers may need more red meat to maintain their strength, but we sprinters need white meat.”

“And I think our dining hall should provide almond tablets…”

“And I’ll say something about the training. Our fitness training room actually opens at 8:30am and closes at 5:00pm. It’s too short. You know we are basically doing outdoor training during this time. When we need to use the training room, it’s closed.”

“And about the training partners…”

“By the way, about the coach’s training plan…”

“Coach Sebastian, next let me give you a little bit of personal advice…”

Sebastian nodded helplessly as he listened.

Other athletes wouldn’t dare talk to the chief coach of the US track team. But Aylwin was different. He was a legendary athlete. Since his status and position in sports was much higher than Sebastian’s, Aylwin was well qualified to advise the chief coach of national team.

“Well, that’s it for the moment! It’s getting late. Coach Sebastian, I need to train now.” Aylwin finally ended giving his tips and turned away, leaving Sebastian standing there still.

I came here for information, not for suggestions! He just listed dozens of suggestions, huh? Is he the chief coach or am I the chief coach?

Mission failed for the third time!

Chapter 470 - Toast or Forfeit?

Chapter 470: Toast or Forfeit?

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Blecher, the famous father of prohormone, was sitting in his office, looking at the latest quarterly financial statements.

The situation was not optimistic. His company’s loss increased again during the last quarter.

In industrial production, quantitative change would cause qualitative change. In any industrial product, the cost of production would be reduced as long as it was produced in enough quantity, and the same was true with drugs. The per unit costs of producing one million pills and one hundred million pills were totally different. If nothing else, the costs of research and development, shared evenly across one million pills and one hundred million pills, would create a hundredfold difference.

Mass production always belonged to big pharmaceutical groups. Small pharmaceutical companies like Blecher’s were different from them. They couldn’t mass produce drugs. In terms of producing the same drug, the cost of small company like Blecher’s would be much higher, which would be less competitive in the market.

Therefore, Blecher’s pharmaceutical company made money mainly by producing a small number of special-interest patented drugs. These drugs were profitable, but with less demand, so big companies would not set up a production line for it. What’s more, research and development costs were also needed in drug production. A single drug would sometimes require several patents. Therefore, it was not worthwhile for big companies to invest precious resources into this type of development.

This also gave small pharmaceutical companies like Blecher’s enough space to survive. In fact, Blecher did have some advantages, for he had plenty of patents. His pharmaceutical company only produced the drugs, of which the patent was contained by him, which also could save a lot in patent costs for his company.

Blecher had actually studied the subjects of these patents in the 1990s, when he was a scientist specializing in the study of prohormones. At that time, he performed experiments on athletes immorally, and he quickly made impressive achievements. He also succeeded in turning these achievements into economic gains.

During the last decade, Blecher didn’t get any notable research results. Blecher had been removed from the science community because of his human experiment scandal. His reputation was so bad that nobody would talk to him. Even the lowest-level researcher would not be willing to work with Blecher.

No matter how great Blecher was, he couldn’t operate the whole lab. As the saying goes, one can’t make brick without straw. Therefore, Blecher had to shut his lab, stop scientific research, and manage his pharmaceutical company intently.

Blecher was indeed a genius. His company soon became famous just relying on the savings in patent costs.

But in recent years, Blecher had encountered a problem.

The patent protection duration for an invention was 20 years in America, but Blecher’s patents were basically all received in the 1990s. Now his patents would expire soon, which meant that other pharmaceutical companies could produce the same drugs and ignore Blecher’s patent.

Blecher could outshine others in the market with his patents, but now he lost his advantage. With more and more competitors, the price would fall sharply. Blecher’s pharmaceutical company had no advantage in production cost, which naturally would cause a huge loss.

Blecher hadn’t performed any new research for years, so his company hadn’t launched any new products, which directly put Blecher’s company in trouble. This was really successful for patent and failed for patent too.

Naturally, Blecher would not just wait and do nothing. He wouldn’t let his years of effort be lost. He had to save himself. The best way to save himself was obviously to launch a new product. However, in pharmaceutical production, a new product undoubtedly meant a great deal of research.

In recent years, Blecher had been secretly funding many biological labs. Although he was removed from the scientific community, that didn’t mean other scientists would refuse him when he could provide funding. No matter how high a scientist’s integrity was, he still had to eat. No one wouldn’t need money.

People would beat a rat in the street, but if the rat carried carats of diamonds, the first reaction would not be to beat the rat, but to lure the rat and take the diamonds.

Unfortunately, all the labs funded by Blecher didn’t achieve any research results he wanted.

It was true for scientific research. You couldn’t always get payback on your work. It was common to gain nothing after huge investments.

When Blecher felt hopeless, a message from Franklin’s Lab rekindled Blecher’s hope.

A new drug appeared!

As the father of prohormone, Blecher knew what a new drug meant. Blecher had become a multimillionaire just for studying prohormone and its derivatives years ago. If a new drug existed, it would probably mean hundreds of millions of dollars.

The main purpose of a drug was not its use for athletes, but the biotechnology behind it. Maybe it was a new synthetic technology, or a new extraction technology and hundreds of derivatives. If there only existed one derivative for pharmacy, it would bring huge wealth.

Blecher believed that if he could get that new drug, he could make a comeback. Not only could he save his company, he could also make a lot of money.

According to Franklin’s Lab, the new drug was owned by a Chinese coach.

Therefore, Blecher started to investigate Dai Li and his training center, but several months later, he still got nothing for all his efforts and the huge amount of money he had paid. The research company he hired couldn’t find any clue, and Franklin’s Lab didn’t find anything useful in the athletes’ samples either.

Blecher had thought that there was no new drug at all, and that Franklin’s Lab and Coach Sebastian had made a mistake. The fact that an athlete regained his competitive state from his youth might just be a special case.

However, one athlete after another became powerful again and showed world-class performance after Dai Li’s training, which meant it wasn’t just a special case. It also made Blecher believe the existence of such a new drug. What’s more, he was more certain that the new drug was his only hope.

…

Looking at the quarterly financial statements and the loss figures on it, Blecher felt his heart bleeding. If the loss continued, his company would go bankrupt soon.

Franklin’s Lab received so much funding from me, but they couldn’t even detect the new drug. They were so unreliable at the critical moment. And that Coach Sebastian is also unreliable. Although he is the chief coach of the national team, I don’t think he can get that new drug from the athletes.

It seems that I should rely on myself! Blecher heaved a deep sigh. He put down the financial statements and started to consider carefully.

The athletes who used the drug must be insiders. But they just use it passively, and the initiative is held by the supplier of the drug, which means that Chinese Coach Dai Li is the core leader of this event.

Therefore, it’s just a waste of time and vigor to investigate those athletes. I’d better contact Coach Li directly. Maybe I just complicated this before. I might as well give the money to Coach Li directly rather than spend money and time on hiring a research company. It’s much simpler to buy it directly!

…

The girl at the reception desk stopped Dai Li as soon as he entered the gate.

“Boss, there is a Mr. Derrickson calling to make an appointment to see you,” said the girl.

“Derrickson?” Dai Li thought carefully and went on, “I don’t know him. Is he an athlete? Does he want to train here?”

“According to Mr. Derrickson’s self-introduction, he is not an athlete but a representative of a pharmaceutical company,” responded the girl.

“For nutrition promotion again? Hand it to Randy. He negotiates the products.” Obviously Dai Li was not interested in representatives of a pharmaceutical company.

“I have informed Mr. Blake, and he also spoke with Mr. Derrickson by phone. But Mr. Derrickson wanted to see you,” continued the girl.

Dai Li nodded. “Well, make an appointment for me.”

…

Only Derrickson and Dai Li were in the reception room of the training center.

Derrickson pushed a check to Dai Li and said, “Coach Li, please don’t refuse it so quickly. Look at the check first. We are very sincere.”

With a glimpse of the seven-digit figure on the check, Dai Li was shocked.

This pharmaceutical company is really willing to spend money, Dai Li thought.

“Many people will not earn so much in their whole lives,” Derrickson said. “Coach Li, you only need to give me ten grams of that new drug that you have. This check is yours. I will never disclose the deal between us after leaving here. You don’t need to take any risk.”

Dai Li sighed reluctantly. “I’ve told you, we don’t have any illicit drugs here, and I’ve never used a drug on athletes.”

Derrickson, however, ignored Dai Li’s explanation and kept saying, “It seems that you aren’t satisfied with the figure on the check. How about this. You just offer your price, and I will see if I have the right to accept. Even if it is beyond my authority, I will report it to my boss. We can negotiate the price.”

“I really don’t have anything here you want. I repeat again, I’ve never used any illicit drugs,” Dai Li explained again.

“Coach Li, my boss is really sincere. If you don’t think it proper to talk about the price directly, we can also discuss about the matter of sharing. You give the new drug to us and we’ll take the research. If we achieve the patent and turn it into money, we can give you a bonus. Coach Li, this is the last concession we can make,” Derrickson said with an honest face.

Did I speak in English just now? He doesn’t seem to understand what I said. It’s like casting pearls before swine. Dai Li didn’t think he could communicate with Derrickson normally. He already had the intention to see him off.

…

Derrickson walked out of Dai Li’s training center with an unhappy look on his face. He took out his cell phone and dialed Blecher’s number.

Soon Blecher was on the line. “How’s it going?”

“He refused it,” said Derrickson.

“Why? Did you tell him all our offers?” Blecher asked at once.

“Yes, I did. He refused everything, including the matter of profit sharing,” responded Derrickson.

“Isn’t our offer high enough? This guy is too greedy! What on earth does he want?” Blecher asked angrily.

“He didn’t quote a price at all. He just refused it directly,” said Derrickson.

“He isn’t willing to talk about it, right?” Blecher became angrier. He repressed his anger and asked in a low voice, “Did you tape your conversation?”

“According to your instructions, I taped all the conversations. However, unlike our previous plan, Dai Li has always denied using drugs. So there is nothing substantive in the recording. We can’t threaten him with the recording.” Derrickson went on, “Unless we edit the recording.”

“That doesn’t work. With today’s technology, a computer only needs one second to identify whether a recording is edited or not.” Blecher heaved a deep sigh and continued, “Forget it. Come back first. I’ll see what else I can do.”

Putting down his cell phone, Blecher sat alone in his executive chair.

In Blecher’s view, his offer was high enough.

If Dai Li wanted cash, Blecher directly offered a seven-digit figure and indicated that it was also negotiable.

If he wanted long-term income, Blecher offered revenue sharing of the research results, which was even unavailable for research scientists.

Blecher had thought that with such a good offer, Dai Li absolutely would accept it and give him the new drug. However, he just refused and stated that he didn’t own any new drug at all.

I thought the worst result would be that he would ask a price so high I couldn’t accept, then I would threaten him with the recording to force him to lower his price. I didn’t expect that he wouldn’t admit it at all. He just closed the door of the negotiation. That is to say, there is nothing to talk about. You just refused a toast only to drink a forfeit. You push me to take plan B.

Blecher’s eyes were cold suddenly.

The next second, Blecher stood up and walked to the wall.

An oil painting was hung on the wall. Blecher took it down, revealing the safe behind it. Blecher input the password and used his fingerprint to unlock it. The safe behind it opened with a click.

Blecher took out a small card, which contained a phone number on it.

Blecher took a deep breath and dialed the number on it.

The phone connected quickly.

“Hi, Leon, this is Blecher. As I mentioned to you last time, I need a few men and one expert in interrogation.”

Chapter 471 - Kidnapping

Chapter 471: Kidnapping

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Randy Blake was kind of addicted to cigars lately. After lunch every day, Blake would get himself a cup of coffee, light a cigar, and sit quietly in the lounge, enjoying a moment of leisure.

Blake, after all, was the training center’s Number Two, so few people would disturb him except Dai Li.

Dai Li came into the lounge, holding an extra-large tea cup with Chinese big-leaf tea in it. Dai Li had developed this habit in the Chinese domestic training team, where many coaches got a large tea cup with a handful of big tea leaves and enjoyed it the whole afternoon.

“Hi Dai Li, I heard you saw Derrickson. What did he want?” Blake puffed at his cigar and went on, “That guy didn’t say what he wanted, just that he wanted to see you. I don’t think he just came here to promote products, right?”

“He didn’t come here to promote products, but to give me money. Really generous. He put a seven-digit check in front of me,” said Dai Li with a smile.

“Did he come for training? A seven-digit check? Our training fee is not cheap, but it’s not that expensive! What position does a pharmaceutical representative have within the company, exactly? Is he from a super-rich family?” Blake asked several questions in succession.

“He wasn’t here for training. He wasn’t some rich guy. He came here to buy something,” said Dai Li.

“What can we sell him? The most advanced training equipment here is not worth that kind of money. Maybe he wants to buy the whole stadium? That’s what real estate agents do. But this guy is just the pharmaceutical company’s representative,” Blake said with curiosity.

Dai Li put down his large tea cup and said unwillingly, “He wants to buy a drug.”

“Drug? We don’t have anything like that. I guess Derrickson must have something wrong with his mind,” said Blake.

“He firmly believes that we have a new drug.” Dai Li shrugged his shoulders. “I explained to him many times that we have never used illicit drugs here, but he just didn’t believe me. At last, I really had no more to explain to him, so I sent him away. He seemed to be indignant when he went out.”

“This guy isn’t a journalist, pretending to be someone else and trying to trick you into something, is he?” Blake sat up straight and looked serious. He continued to say, “You didn’t say any words that might be used against you, right? If he was indeed a journalist, he probably taped your conversation secretly.”

Dai Li recalled the details of their conversation, then shook his head. “I don’t think there should be any problem. My response was not perfect, but I didn’t say anything against myself.”

“That’s good.” Blake gave a heavy sigh. “To be honest, I would also have suspected you of doping the athletes if I hadn’t seen you train them with my own eyes.”

“Is it because of Aylwin’s successful comeback?” asked Dai Li.

“Aylwin is just one of them. All three of them, along with Alexander and Ford, are back to their peak performance. And a little while ago, after being trained by you, Kevin Taylor even performed better than when he was young,” answered Blake.

“Taylor was different. Coach Ayres also did a lot,” Dai Li said modestly.

“Ayres was only be responsible for technical guidance and developing tactics, but you took care of the physical training.” Blake took a heavy puff on his cigar and went on. “However, it also reminds me that we should be careful in case other people try to do something bad for us. I’ll tell the security company later to install more surveillance cameras in our training center.”

…

Blecher entered his company with a black suitcase.

His secretary said at once, “Boss, a Mr. Leon said he had an appointment with you and now is waiting for you in the reception room.”

“Yes, I did. I’ll head there right now.” Blecher walked towards the reception room, but he turned back halfway and said to the secretary, “From now on, nobody can enter my reception room without my permission.”

“Yes, boss.” The secretary suddenly thought of something and asked with his voice lowered, “Boss, one more thing. What about the man we caught last night?”

“Didn’t you lock him up?” Blecher frowned and asked.

“Yes, in the storeroom, but we can’t keep him in that way all the time! Should we turn him over to the police?” asked the secretary.

“If we needed to do so, we would have done it last night. Why it would have to wait until now? When we caught him, we didn’t send him to the police but locked him up privately. That’s false imprisonment. Therefore, we can’t turn him over to the police,” said Blecher coldly. “Just wait. I’ll tell you what to do later.”

With these words he entered the reception room with the black suitcase.

On the sofa in the reception room sat a man with black hair, who looked very fierce. The long scar on his face made everyone look away from him.

“Long time no see, Leon,” Blecher greeted him.

Leon didn’t make any kind of response but asked directly, “Have you got the money?”

“It’s all here. Count it.” Blecher placed the black suitcase in front of Leon and opened it. Inside were piles of cash.

Seeing the stacks of bills in it, Leon’s eyes were burning. He took out an ultraviolet fluorescence detector and began to test the authenticity of the money.

“Don’t worry. It’s all real. By the way, the fact that you never accept check or transfer of account is really inconvenient for me. I need to make an appointment at the bank in advance to get cash, and then I need to walk around with so much money,” Blecher complained.

As he counted the money, Leon said, “Since we are doing dirty work, receiving cash is the safest thing. If the money went into a bank account, the police might watch us. We don’t want to be caught by the police.”

“Without bank account transactions, you don’t even need to pay taxes. I really envy you,” said Blecher with a smile.

“The money is good.” Leon closed the suitcase and continued, “I’ve found an interrogation expert for you. He is a Colombian illegal immigrant and worked for a Colombian drug trafficker before. He knows not only techniques of interrogation, but also skills in torture. My men are ready now. When do you want to begin?”

“The sooner the better,” said Blecher.

“Well, I’ll go back now and tell my men what to do.” Leon picked up the suitcase and stood up to leave.

“Wait a moment!” Blecher stopped Leon and continued, “It’s not because I don’t trust you, but I want to see if the interrogator is really worthy of his name. I want to test him first.”

“How?” asked Leon.

“Last night, I caught a guy sneaking into the lab. He isn’t an ordinary thief, because he was sneaking into our computer control room, where there were many core secrets. Therefore, I concluded that he was a commercial spy who was dedicated to stealing business intelligence. I didn’t send him to the police, because if I did so, he would be released on bail soon, at best for trespassing or theft.”

Blecher continued, “but I want to know who sent him here and what he wanted from me. Thus, I’m going to hand this man over to you and the interrogator. I think he can help me find the answer, right?”

“No problem. Give me the spy, and you’ll know the answer soon. I’ll do it for you free of charge,” Leon said with a confident expression.

…

Ding dong! The doorbell rang.

“Who is it? It’s so late.” Dai Li went to the door, and through the screen of the intercom, he saw two strange policemen outside.

Dai Li opened the door and asked, “Officers, what can I do for you?”

“Someone reported that you had hidden illegal immigrants here,” one of the police said.

“Hiding illegal immigrants? Definitely not. This must be a false accusation.” Dai Li shook his head. “Sir, I think you know, the people who live in this block are all people with high social status. The security around here has always been very good. It is impossible for illegal immigrants to come here.”

“But if someone reports, we have to do something. We need to get in and check,” said another policeman coldly.

“Alright.” Dai Li couldn’t help but nod and make way for them. “Please come in.”

The two policemen entered the house, and when Dai Li closed the door, he found that there was only a black van outside, with no police car in sight.

Dai Li became suspicious immediately. The police were supposed to drive their car on duty, and they would be seen from a distance with the flashing lights.

“How did you get here without a police car?” said Dai Li as he turned back.

Suddenly a series of splutters rang out.

Then one of the police took the taser in his hand and rushed to Dai Li and reached it directly to his neck.

The blue light of the electric shock device flashed across Dai Li’s eyes, and the next second, Dai Li felt a sudden pain on his neck and then a sense of paralysis spreading over his body.

Oh, no. They are not cops! The moment when Dai Li thought of this, he lost consciousness.

The two men dressed as policemen stepped forward to grab Dai Li immediately and carry him out of the house. The black van drove over to them and its door was quickly opened.

The two policemen threw Dai Li into the van, and then jumped in themselves. The van quickly drove away…

…

Leon dialed Blecher’s number.

“Mr. Blecher, we succeeded in catching him. It went well and nobody noticed, including the police, but he isn’t awake yet. And the man you asked me to interrogate has confessed,” said Leon.

“It’s not safe to talk about this on the phone. I’ll go to your place now.” Blecher put down his cell phone and clenched his fists in excitement.

The new drug! I’ll get it soon!

Chapter 472 - Giving Up Resistance

Chapter 472: Giving Up Resistance

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

When Dai Li opened his eyes slowly, he felt a bit dizzy. There was a burning sensation from the part of his neck that had been shocked.

Where am I? Dai Li tried to look around, but wherever he was, it was very dark. His eyes couldn’t adjust to it for a moment.

He intended to raise his hand to rub his eyes only to find he couldn’t move his arms at all.

I’m tied up! Dai Li realized.

He wanted to call for help, but he found that his mouth was covered with tape so that he couldn’t make any sound.

What’s going on? Dai Li began to recall what had happened.

I remember, two cops said I had hidden illegal immigrants. One cop hit me with a taser. Besides, I didn’t see any police cars outside, and the police would not attack me for no reason. I think I met fake police! D*mn it! There are fake police in America, too.

I’m tied up now. Could it be that I was captured by the two fake policemen? Or I was kidnapped by them! Quite possibly. The robbers disguised themselves as policemen for kidnapping and extortion. I remember there was a sensational kidnapping case in America, where a man and a woman pretended to be policemen and kidnapped a rich man in a brownstone district. I didn’t expect that I could get the same treatment today. What should I do?

Dai Li was somewhat flustered at the thought of being kidnapped by bandits.

Calm down! Calm down! Don’t panic. Dai Li forced himself to calm down and at that time he found that his eyes had gradually adjusted to the darkness around him.

He started to look around and, immediately on his right, he saw an operation desk with a shelf on it, the kind that was often seen in a chemistry lab. The operation desk was very old, and the shelf on it was covered with dust. Some tilted test tubes and glass bottles on it were faintly visible.

It was a laboratory before, but now it’s abandoned, Dai Li decided.

Looking to the left, Dai Li was startled suddenly. There was a chair and a man sitting in it, whose hands were tied to the back of the chair and whose feet were tied to the legs of the chair. But to his horror, the man was covered in blood. Some of his wounds had even turned black.

The man’s head was hanging down so that his face couldn’t be seen at all, nor could his age be recognized. He was tied there still. Dai Li didn’t know whether he was alive or dead, and he couldn’t even feel his breath.

He is so miserable. Is it because he didn’t pay his ransom that he was tortured? Is he alive? A sudden fear appeared in Dai Li’s mind, and he didn’t want be like this.

To survive is important. If these kidnappers just want money, I will give it to them to buy my life. Money can be earned again, but life can’t. Moreover, I’m not short of money. It is worthwhile to buy a life with millions of dollars.

Dai Li now had given up resistance. He was not a superhero who could save the world. Particularly, he was shocked by the man next to him. All of a sudden, he intended to give up resistance and spend his money resolving the trouble.

…

“Mr. Blecher, you’re finally here.” Leon walked to him, pointed to a man behind him and said, “Let me introduce you. This is the interrogation expert you wanted. His name is Santos, from Colombia. It only took him an hour to interrogate that guy who had infiltrated your company. The guy confessed everything.”

Blecher looked at the man. He was an Indo-European. That ethnicity was common in Central America and South America. In Colombia, most people were Indo-European.

Santos was neither tall nor strong, even a bit thin. He his appearance looked very ordinary, but his eyes were completely different. His eyes were so bright and so sharp that others wouldn’t dare to look at them directly. Blecher even had a feeling that his eyes were like those of an eagle, constantly staring at distant prey.

“Truly an interrogation expert, unlike those before.” Blecher felt that he found the right person and then asked, “Which pharmaceutical company sent this commercial spy here, and what did he want from me?”

“He is not a commercial spy,” responded Santos.

“Then what did he do? Why did he infiltrate my company if he was not a commercial spy? He couldn’t be an FBI agent!” said Blecher guiltily.

Blecher was investigated by the FBI twenty years ago and spent half a year in prison. He had done some dirty things over the years, so he was afraid that the FBI would investigate him again.

“He is not from the FBI. He is an investigative journalist,” Santos answered.

“Just a journalist!” Blecher took a deep breath, but he suddenly frowned at the thought of investigative journalists.

Investigative journalists were mainly journalists who were engaged in investigative reporting. Unlike ordinary journalists, investigative journalists tended to go into the front line to unveil shady deals of public power authorities, powerful enterprises, and criminals mostly.

It was actually a very dangerous occupation. Investigative journalists often took unconventional means to unveil the truth, such as disguise, infiltration, undercover work, and so on. During investigation, once the identity of the investigative journalists was discovered, they would inevitably suffer from the target’s retaliation, which could even threaten their lives. So, in many countries, the registration of investigative journalists was separated from that of ordinary journalists. And those who dared to engage in this profession were usually people who had a strong sense of justice.

Blecher knew that his company contained some disgraceful things, so he asked immediately, “What did the investigative journalist get?”

Santos answered in English with a South American accent, “He said he was investigating the use of illicit drugs by athletes. He found that many biological laboratories were providing illicit drugs to athletes, including many famous athletes. The illicit drugs developed by those biological laboratories are more advanced than the anti-doping agency. Therefore, even if athletes use these drugs, it is difficult for the anti-doping agency to detect.”

“This investigative journalist infiltrated your company because, according to his previous investigation, he found that your company was the initiator behind those biological laboratories. And many of your patents were used in the production of those illicit drugs. Based on your criminal record of supplying the drug to athletes, he targeted you. He thought you were the boss behind those biological laboratories, so he sneaked into your company’s information center, hoping to download the data stored there to prove his suspicions.”

Blecher’s face clouded. The investigative journalist was right. He was indeed related to those illicit drugs. He provided funding and patents to those biological labs in the hope of gaining scientific results. Giving athletes drugs was just another way to do clinical trials.

“Well, Mr. Blecher, are you satisfied with Santos’s work?” Leon asked smugly.

“Yes, very good!” Blecher continued, “Then can we go and interrogate Dai Li? I want his new drug!”

“No problem! Come with me,” said Leon, with a gesture of invitation. “When we caught him, we stunned him with a taser. We don’t know whether he is awake or not. But it doesn’t matter. Santos has several ways of waking him up. It will be better for him to be unconscious!”

Chapter 473 - No Way Out

Chapter 473: No Way Out

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The heavy steel door opened, and Leon came inside with Blecher.

Blecher caught the strange smell of blood. And then he saw the bloody man tied to the chair.

Blecher was frozen suddenly. He turned to Leon for an explanation.

Leon started to explain immediately. “This is the investigative journalist who infiltrated your company. He was tight-mouthed and refused to say anything at the very beginning, so Santos taught him a lesson.”

“Still alive?” Blecher whispered.

“He was alive just now, but at this moment, who knows.” Leon didn’t care.

“I don’t want to get into trouble,” added Blecher.

Leon nodded. “Don’t worry. I will handle it. This investigative journalist will disappear in the way water evaporates. No one will ever see him again.”

“Fine,” Blecher said, and then he turned to the other chair on which Dai Li was tied. Dai Li was watching them in a panic.

“It looks like he is awake,” Leon said and took a few steps forward to get closer to Dai Li.

…

The steel door was opened from the outside. Then, Dai Li saw several people walk in and then have a small discussion with each other.

Afterward, a scar-faced man came over.

He should be the head of kidnappers. Dai Li tried to calm down and then he asked, “How much do you want as the ransom for letting me go?”

Being too nervous, or maybe extremely afraid, Dai Li’s voice was trembling.

“Ransom?” Leon was puzzled at first and then he laughed out, “Haha! He thinks we are kidnappers!”

Dai Li was surprised by his words. What does he mean? Aren’t they kidnappers? Didn’t they kidnap me for the ransom?

I must figure out why they kidnapped me! Thinking of that, Dai Li asked immediately, “Why did you take me if you don’t want ransom money?”

“We kidnapped you for money. But you needn’t pay the money yourself. Somebody has paid for you,” Leon said with satisfaction.

“Is someone paying to hire you to kidnap me?” Dai Li squinted his eyes and asked at once, “How much did he pay you? What’s my price?”

“You needn’t know,” Leon said coldly.

“No matter how much he gives you, I will double the price. Just let me go!” replied Dai Li.

The word “double” ignited the greed in Leon’s eyes. To him, it was very attractive.

Dai Li found that Leon hesitated a little. So, he continued, “Set me free and I will give you twice the money. And you can give your original hirer a refund. Tell him you didn’t complete the mission. You won’t suffer any loss. What’s more, you can make some money for free. Or, you can have all the money, three times the ransom in total. In short, I give you money and you let me go. And then we forget about it. Does it sound okay to you?”

“Mr. Li, I must admit that your suggestion is attractive. I am regretting that I did not come to meet you in advance. You are so unlucky. The hirer comes with me.” Leon squinted at Dai Li and then turned back to Blecher.

He whispered near Blecher’s ears, “Mr. Blecher, did you hear that just now? Mr. Li is willing to give me twice the money. But I didn’t accept. I kept my word. Maybe it’s your turn now to show your sincerity.”

“I will double the price, too. Come to my company to get the other half of the money tomorrow afternoon,” replied Blecher, gnashing his teeth.

Blecher knew clearly that one who accepted such a dirty task must be money-oriented. If he was stingy, it might make Leon set Dai Li free for the money Dai Li had promised.

Dai Li is still troubling me at this moment! I have to double my expense! Blecher stared at Dai Li bitterly.

Meanwhile, Dai Li was staring at Blecher, too.

Is this guy the hirer? I don’t know him. In fact, I haven’t even met him before. Why did he ask people to kidnap me? What’s the problem between us?

Searching in his memory, Dai Li was sure that he had never seen this guy before.

Blecher walked up to Dai Li. Smiling with scorn, he said, “Coach Li, I never thought our first meeting would happen like this.”

“So, you are the hirer? I don’t know you. Who are you? Why did you hire people to kidnap me? In what way have I hurt you?” asked Dai Li immediately.

“You didn’t know me before, of course. But you’ll know me from now on. My name is Blecher,” said Blecher. He observed Dai Li’s facial expression, only to find Dai Li totally confused.

He then added, “It seems that you aren’t familiar with me. Let’s put it this way. I have a pharmaceutical company and one of my representatives whose name is Derrickson once visited you. So, do you recall him, Coach Li?”

“You are the boss behind Derrickson!” Dai Li realized at once.

So, that Derrickson wasn’t a disguised journalist trying to find out my secrets. He was a real representative of a pharmaceutical company. But he insisted that I have a new performance-enhancing drug and he wanted to buy it. Did they kidnap me for that imaginary new drug? Dai Li guessed.

However, he decided to ask, “Why did you kidnap me? I am running a physical training center and have nothing to do with pharmaceutical companies. I don’t think I have ever annoyed you, have I?”

“Coach Li, haven’t you understood? I am taking you as a hostage for your new performance-enhancing drug. Give it to me and I will set you free. Otherwise…” Blecher smiled evilly.

“I told Derrickson many times. I really don’t have the drug,” said Dai Li innocently.

“You don’t have it? Then what’s your explanation of the fact that all the athletes you’ve trained made great progress?” Blecher asked dismissively.

“That resulted from scientific training methods and the athletes’ efforts,” Dai Li said. “I am a coach. It’s my job to strengthen athletes through training.”

“Then what happened to Jimmy Aylwin? He has been retired for three years, and he is 34 years old. But he is doing as great as a 24-year-old boy. Justin Alexander, who was banned for so long, took only a few months to recover to his condition before the ban. And Shawn Ford. If he were able to run so fast, he would have gotten numerous championships throughout these years. How could he be totally refreshed with your training? Don’t you provide them with illegal drugs?”

“I don’t!” Dai Li shook his head immediately. And he said, “Aylwin ruled the 400m race before. Alexander was once the flying man in the world who was only second to Kittell. They are all the greatest talents in the sports world. It is normal for them to be faster than average people when we take their physical talents into consideration. As for Ford, he was born with a leg length discrepancy. And I just taught him a way of running with his leg length discrepancy.”

“Do you think I will believe that?” said Blecher coldly. “Coach Li. We all understand what’s happening. I don’t think we need to beat around the bush.”

“I swear to God that I have no such new drug,” Dai Li said, more innocently. He added, “I know you may not believe me. But think about it! I have been taken by you. Why should I lie to you? Given my situation at this moment, I would give the drug to you if I really had it.”

“Would you? I think you are so stubborn!” said Blecher with a cold facial expression. “It’s your final chance now. Will you give it to me?”

“I can’t give it to you! I don’t have it!” Dai Li replied sadly.

“It seems that our talk has to be ended. You are going to take my words as a joke if I don’t show you some violence,” Blecher said and walked back to Leon.

“Santos, you are an expert of interrogation. I give him to you. Make him hand over the new performance-enhancing drug,” said Blecher.

“No problem, Mr. Blecher. Please go out for a cigarette and have a rest. I will handle this,” said Santos easily.

…

Blecher and Leon left the room. And only Santos stayed behind with two strong black men. Santos had a leather case in hand, and one of the two black men carried a pistol on his waist and the other took out a long gun.

Dai Li was still tied up there. He was extremely worried. He felt that death was approaching.

This is a dangerous situation, probably a fatal one. Kidnapping is a felony. The sentence may be many years. Normally, the kidnappers are not willing to let hostages see their faces. But these guys don’t care about all that. And Blecher showed me his face and name. It seems that he isn’t worried about me calling the police.

So, there is only one possibility. He doesn’t plan to let me leave alive. He is going to kill me, so he doesn’t care about whether I know his name or not. If I really had that new drug, I would be killed the moment I gave it to him.

But if I don’t give it to him, they will torture me. And I will be like that guy! Dai Li looked at the bloody man tied to the chair nearby. He still hadn’t moved. It seemed he was dead.

I am going to die. There is no way I can get out of this. What should I do?

Chapter 474 - Fishing

Chapter 474: Fishing

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li had thought that the kidnappers were taking him for the ransom. But he realized that it was more complex this time.

Before he met Blecher, Dai Li didn’t plan to resist. He would pay the kidnappers the ransom. But that was before he knew the kidnappers were going to kill him.

It was a deadlock!

At this critical moment, Dai Li put aside the idea of paying to be safe. He knew his only option was to spare no efforts to live.

A man’s potential would burst out when his life was in danger. It was the same for Dai Li. At that moment, he became extremely calm and thought actively. Many plans occurred to him.

I must escape. But it doesn’t seem practical. They have a lot of hands and guns. So my only way is to call the police for a rescue. The key point is that I must, first of all, subdue the three here. However, I’m not likely to win a fight against all of them.

Luckily, I already have Kevin Taylor in my Athlete Illustrated Handbook. I can use a copy card. And I will have 70% of the strength of Kevin Taylor. In that way, I might be able to beat them down as long as they fight with their bare fists. But the two black men have guns! Even though I can subdue one of them, I will be killed by the other black man’s gun. No matter how skillful and strong I am, the gun will be fatal to me.

More importantly, my hands are tied now and I can’t move my hands. I must find a way to free my hands.

While Dai Li was thinking, Santos, the expert of interrogation, had already put his little case on the table and then turned back to ask the two black men, “Would you like to appreciate my interrogation again?”

The two men’s faces turned pale immediately.

“I never want to watch you interrogating again. It’s so disgusting. It almost made me vomit. D*mn it! I can’t even stand the sight of meat now,” one black man said.

“Don’t mention meat! It makes me sick, too! I’ll go first!” said the other black man.

“Me, too! I don’t want to stay with you weirdo!”

They left firmly and closed the big steel door.

God bless me! Dai Li was happy. He had just thought of a way to win the fight against the three. But two of the three left together with their guns, which made Dai Li feel that his escape was going to be easier.

The two with guns have left. My only trouble now is that my hands are tied. I must find a way quickly to free them, Dai Li thought quickly.

The fear of the black men made Santos satisfied. He turned his back to Dai Li and opened the leather case. He said to Dai Li with a South American accent, “Do you know? I once learned medicine. I wanted to become a surgeon. But I’m unlucky in that my family was poor, and my father was an alcoholic who spent every penny he had on drinking. And my mother left me when I was a small child to marry another man. I had to earn my college fees on my own.”

“College fees are so expensive. And learning medicine was more expensive. I couldn’t afford it with normal jobs. So, I chose a lucrative job. I planted marijuana in a basement secretly. Later I was caught by the police, and I was ordered to quit school.”

“Then, I got a night shift job in a mortuary. That was a job with extra income. There were always some people who accidentally died when they were delivering drugs. And I would slit their bellies and stomachs to get the drugs out and return them to drug dealers for a big reward. Sometimes, people dying would be sent to me,” Santos said.

He turned to Dai Li with a facial expression of hysteria, and then he added, “But I still slit their bellies and stomachs when they were not dead. Do you know the cool feeling of dissecting a living person? I could see his heart beating, his lungs breathing, and his stomach contracting. I could see the desperation on his face, the fear in his eyes. And his face was contorted with pain. That’s awesome! That’s great art!”

Dai Li watched Santos in terror. He realized that this skinny guy was a psychopathic murderer.

And then Santos walked over and pointed to the leather case opened by him. He said, “These are my best friends who want to touch you closely. Choose one.”

Dai Li looked at the leather case. Inside were small knives, small saws, small awls, small hooks and so on. They were all instruments of torture. They were shining terrifyingly in the dim light. All these made a man frightened.

Dai Li finally understood how the man in the chair became so bloody.

Santos continued saying, “It’s hard to make a choice, right? Never mind. I will choose for you.”

Santos took a small knife and a small hook and said, “This knife will cut your skin, and I am going to carve a star on your skin and use this hook to pull the star up.”

He leaned closer to Dai Li and showed Dai Li the instruments. And then he added, “I don’t know if you have learned about the Visual Analogue Scale, a method to measure the degrees of pains. According to it, pains are divided into 10 levels. 0 means painlessness while 10 means the worst pain. And I can guarantee you that these two devices in my hands will give you a pain of Level 8.”

“No! I will tell you. I will tell you the whole thing!” Dai Li cried out suddenly.

“Er? You will? That’s not interesting. I would like to use the knife. You Chinese always act like this. You coward! You give up fighting when you are facing a tiny threat.” Santos curled his lip disappointedly and then he asked, “Tell me then. Where is the new drug?”

“In the safe box in my office,” replied Dai Li.

“What’s the code of the safe box?” asked Santos.

“To tell you the truth, this new drug is produced by a new technology and many of its ingredients haven’t been revealed to the public.” Dai Li suddenly switched to another topic.

“Don’t try to fool me. I am asking you for the safe box’s code. You don’t want me to draw a little star on your chest, do you?” said Santos, showing his knife.

“I just want to tell you that it is very complex to make this new drug. You can’t produce it in a short time, even though I will give it to you now,” said Dai Li.

“It’s the hirer’s job to see if he can produce it or not. My job is to get it from you. Now, tell me the code,” said Santos.

Dai Li added immediately, “I want to let you know that it’s valuable, maybe priceless! Your boss spent a lot of money on hiring you to get it. You know that.”

“So, what’s up?” asked Santos.

“I can tell you the recipe of the new performance-enhancing drug. The core secret of making it. Having the recipe will shorten the time for study and counterfeiting very much. And it will be much easier to make it,” continued Dai Li.

“His study on it is none of my business. Tell me the code, now! Otherwise, I will use violence.” Santos’s knife got closer to Dai Li.

“Think about it. How much will the hirer pay for the core secret!” Dai Li cried out at once.

Mentioning money stopped Santos’s knife. And he asked, “What do you want to say?”

“That hirer spent a lot of money on hiring you to get a sample of the new drug. Do you think he will be willing to buy it if there is the core secret to the new drug? To you, the speed of study never matters. But to him, isn’t the speed a very important factor? You once went to college. You should know that time is more important than money to scientific researchers!” Dai Li spoke so hurriedly that his speech was incoherent.

However, Santos understood him.

“You are right. We should make more money.” Santos moved the knife away from Dai Li’s chest. And he added, “Then tell me. What’s the recipe for the new drug?”

“OK, listen to me carefully,” Dai Li cleared his throat and said in Chinese, “Qing, Hai, Li, Pi, Peng, Tan, Dan, Yang, Fu, Nai, Na, Mei, Lv, Gui, Lin, Liu, Lv, Ya, Jia, Gai…(Hydrogen, helium, lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, neon, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, argon, potassium, calcium…)”

He repeated from memory the Periodic Table of Elements in Chinese. And Santos was totally confused.

“D*mn it! What are you saying? I don’t understand at all,” Santos shouted.

“I’m reciting the core elements of the new drug. You can’t understand it. That’s because I recited it in Chinese!” said Dai Li.

“You are fooling me! It seems you want to be taught a lesson. Okay, I will respect your choice. You will soon beg me to kill you!” Santos raised his knife again.

“No, I’m not fooling you. Let me explain,” Dai Li said at once. “I brought this new drug from China. And its instruction manual is written in Chinese. I’m not a chemist. I’m a coach. I cannot translate those chemistry terms. I can only tell you the Chinese version.”

“But I don’t know Chinese. It makes no sense to me,” said Santos angrily.

“I can write it down for you. And you can find someone to translate it into English for you later. And you can also use the translation app on your mobile phone,” said Dai Li.

“Okay, good idea.” Santos nodded, and he found a paper and a pen. And then he looked at Dai Li to find that Dai Li was tied up and couldn’t write.

So, Santos walked up and stood behind Dai Li.

“I’m going to untie you. Don’t try to fool me, or I will hurt you. Don’t try to escape. You’re surrounded by my men here. You can’t escape!” said Santos. And then he lowered his head and untied Dai Li.

Dai Li was so happy. My efforts are not in vain. The fish has swallowed the bait, finally.

Chapter 475 - Break Out

Chapter 475: Break Out

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Santos untied the rope on Dai Li’s hands, and Dai Li waggled his wrists to ease the numbness of his hands.

Meanwhile, Dai Li used a copy card. He copied Kevin Taylor’s information on the athlete’s illustrated handbook and used the card on himself.

He then instantly acquired seventy percent of Kevin Taylor’s strength.

My legs still are tied up. I can’t move now. Only when Santos enters my attack range can I attack him. If I miss, he will retreat out of my attack range. That is to say, I only have one chance and I must beat him down.

Realizing this, Dai Li cooled down. He knew that the following dozens of seconds were vital to his life, so he couldn’t be hasty. He had to concentrate.

“Write down what you know!” Santos walked close to Dai Li with a piece of paper and a pen in his hands.

Dai Li leaned forward and reached out his hands as if he wanted to take the pen and paper, but as Santos came near to him, Dai Li suddenly clenched his fists.

Whoosh! The fierce fist broke out and headed for Santos.

Dai Li hadn’t thought that Santos could react to it quickly enough. However, to his surprise, a disdainful expression appeared on Santos’ face as Dai Li punched out. The sarcasm in Santos’ eyes seemed to tell Dai Li that he had already known that Dai Li would play tricks.

As expected, Santos had prepared for it. He immediately started to dodge as Dai Li threw his punch.

Although Santos was a psychopathic murderer, he was not a fool. Usually, the intelligence quotient of this kind of people was relatively high. He surely would be wary of Dai Li.

Additionally, Santos had worked for the Colombian drug trafficker for many years and experienced many things. Although he looked quite thin, average people were no match for him in a real fight. Therefore, Santos believed that he could easily get Dai Li under control even if he untied Dai Li’s hands and legs.

However, he never thought that he would be facing not Dai Li, but seventy-percent of Kevin Taylor.

…

Dai Li punched out and Santos also began to dodge immediately.

D*mn it! He dodged! Dai Li felt sick. He knew that he only had one chance. If he missed it, it would be difficult to trick Santos again.

However, while Dai Li was feeling hopeless, his other fist also punched out to the side which Santos was dodging to.

It wasn’t consciously controlled by Dai Li, but by the natural response of his body, or the instinctive reaction of Kevin Taylor’s body with seventy-percent strength.

Santos escaped Dai Li’s first punch, but he didn’t dodge the second. The Dai Li’s second punch slammed into Santos’ temple.

Santos was rocked with pain, and it took him a split second to realize he had been hit.

What’s going on? I should have dodged away! He had just thought of this through his shock when Dai Li punched him a third time.

The third punch hit Santos on his chin, and almost at the same time, Dai Li punched out for the fourth time.

The fourth punch also hit him! Then the fifth punch! Santos had passed out. Dai Li’s punching was too fast. He hit the man’s face several times before he fell down.

What was Kevin Taylor’s best attack pattern? Undoubtedly, it was the fast and stormy combination blow, which meant that the second punch and the third would come as the first punch was recoiling. Even the most experienced heavyweights would only choose to dodge when they faced this combination blow. If an ordinary person took this combination blow of seventy-percent Taylor to the head, there was only one result: severe concussion.

Dai Li gasped for breath after punching out a set of combination blows. He looked at Santos lying on the ground and ensured that he was completely unconscious. Then he picked up the knife Santos had dropped and cut the rope tied to his legs.

Dai Li stood up to stretch his legs. His feet were numb being bound, and he could feel the prickles all the way to his thighs. He couldn’t move freely at all. Fortunately, Dai Li had the ability to relax his muscles through massage. He immediately massaged himself for a while and his legs recovered quickly.

This one is finished, two left outside with guns. Dai Li walked quietly to the iron door and listened at the door, hoping to find out what the two men were doing outside.

At that time, the two black men were smoking and talking about romantic topics.

They both have guns while I have this stuff. Definitely I will lose if I face them. Dai Li was looking at the leather case on the table, in which there were several knives, a hammer, scissors, and so on. The tools were numerous in number, but useless for him. They might be suitable for peeling an apple or cutting an orange, but it was completely useless to fight against opponents with guns.

It’s even not as useful as my fists. I’m seventy-percent Taylor now. I can knock someone down with punches. But the point is that they have guns and I definitely can’t win when facing them. I must make a sneak attack.

…

The two black men at the door were talking about women when the iron door opened slowly.

“Did Santos finish so soon? That guy seems to have confessed pretty quick,” said one black man.

“Better to confess fast than to suffer,” said the other black man as they looked inside. However, the chair to which Dai Li had been tied was empty and Santos was lying on the ground.

“D*mn it! We got a problem!” that black man shouted and rushed into the room with his gun immediately.

The other black man also took out his pistol and entered the room following him.

When the first black man entered the room, he could only see the bloody man and Santos on the ground. Dai Li was gone.

“Where is he?” The black man looked around and suddenly he heard something behind him.

He turned around only to see his partner falling down towards him.

Chapter 476 - The Coach Is a Good Boxer

Chapter 476: The Coach Is a Good Boxer

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Dai Li had been hiding behind the door. He opened the door slowly, deliberately letting the two black men see Santos on the ground.

As Dai Li expected, they rushed inside at once.

Surely, they didn’t immediately look behind the door. Normally, when entering a room, nobody would make sure whether there wasn’t a person behind the door. What’s more, their eyes were looking down to Santos lying on the ground, without noticing Dai Li hiding behind the door.

Dai Li rushed out unhesitatingly and threw a combination blow to the man in the rear.

The back of the head was a quite vulnerable part. Even a great fighter who was good at resistance couldn’t stand an attack to vulnerable back of the head. In some Chinese folk performances, some martial artists could smash bricks and beer bottles with their heads, but no one could perform this with the back of their head.

After the punches landed, the black man behind fell down before he even knew who attacked him.

Since he was attacked from behind, he fell forward, right into the black man in front.

The black man turned around as he heard this and saw his partner falling down to him. He unthinkingly reached out to grab his partner, which also gave Dai Li a chance to attack him.

This black man was carrying a civilian version of the Remington 700, which had a long handle and couldn’t be operated with one hand. Since he was now trying to hold up his partner, the gun in his hand became nothing but a stick.

Dai Li seized the chance. He pounced on him and punched him. The black man also saw Dai Li. He wanted to dodge, but one of his hands was holding his partner. Under this condition, he was not flexible enough to dodge Dai Li’s punch.

Therefore, he had to block with the other hand, the one with the gun.

Dai Li hit him on his arm, and the man dropped his gun because of the pain.

The man reacted quickly, however. He pushed his unconscious partner in Dai Li’s direction and retreated rapidly.

Dai Li was blocked by the unconscious black man. He pushed the black man aside, but his opponent was already several steps away from him now.

“You did this? What a surprise! Santos was defeated by you!” Taking a look at Santos on the ground, the black man growled, “Boy, I’ll kill you!”

“Maybe I’ll kill you!” Dai Li had been ready to fight. At that time, the black man’s gun was on the ground. They both were unarmed. Dai Li was not afraid of him at all.

However, the black man was staring at Dai Li with a disdainful expression.

“Boy, you want to fight with me? Let me tell you, I almost became a prizefighter before! If my fists hadn’t been so heavy and nearly killed someone, I might be another Kevin Taylor now!” said the black man fiercely.

“Yeah? I trained Kevin Taylor!” said Dai Li, and he slid forward sharply and began to attack the black man.

The black man had boxed before. He really knew something about boxing. Therefore, when he saw Dai Li’s slide forward, he was shocked immediately and he could see that the slide was so standard that only specially trained boxers could use this.

This guy really knows boxing! The black man snorted. Meanwhile, Dai Li’s fist was coming at him.

“I’m not afraid of you.” The black man dodged quickly.

To his surprise, it was a feint, and the real punch was following.

Bang! Dai Li punched the black man on his chin.

The black man backed up a few steps, but he didn’t fall right away.

Didn’t fall down! Dai Li wasn’t satisfied with this result. The man’s resilience was beyond his expectation.

Taylor at seventy-percent is still not powerful enough. If it was Taylor himself who hit him on his chin, he would’ve dropped like a rock, Dai Li thought reluctantly.

The black man spat out blood as well as a tooth. Dai Li’s punch was quite powerful. The black man’s tooth was knocked out.

At the sight of this tooth, the black man became so angry that he shouted and punched Dai Li.

Bang! Bang! The black man stepped back, pressing his rib. This time he was not hit on his head but right beneath his ribs. It was as painful as being hit on the head.

Why is he so strong? With an amazed expression on his face, the black man stared at Dai Li.

Just now, the black man was completely defeated by Dai Li with boxing techniques. It was absolutely unbelievable for the black man.

He was an amateur boxer before and he almost became a prizefighter. Therefore, the black man was confident with his boxing techniques. He had never met someone before who was a better boxer than him. But today, he was defeated by Dai Li.

Is this guy really just a coach? The boxing technique he showed just now was absolutely the top. In terms of his flexibility and discretion, he was just like an experienced professional boxer. I didn’t even have a chance to fight back! The black man had realized the gap between them.

He was powerful as an amateur boxer indeed, and he was quite great among amateur boxers. However, the gap between an amateur and a professional in any sport was the difference between heaven and earth. Those amateur players who seemed to be very powerful would be completely defeated by real professional players.

There were also huge skill gaps between professional players. Huge gaps existed among ordinary players, high-level players, and top players. If an ordinary player met a top one, he would definitely lose.

Kevin Taylor was one of the most dominant boxers of his generation, the most powerful of the top boxers. It was not an exaggeration to say that a seventy-percent Kevin Taylor would certainly win a gold belt in an ordinary boxing league.

Now Dai Li was a seventy-percent Taylor. As a champion of an ordinary boxing league, he could easily beat an amateur boxer.

Dai Li also felt that he could defeat this man. During their fight, Dai Li could beat him just based on his instinctive reaction without any thinking. Therefore, Dai Li didn’t hesitate to attack.

Ten seconds later, the black man slumped on the ground. His eyes and mouth were bleeding and his nose bridge seemed to be broken.

“You were a professional boxer before?” asked the black man as he gasped.

“No, but I was Kevin Taylor’s coach before!” said Dai Li.

“Just a coach? How could that be! How could a coach be so good? Your boxing skills are more powerful than many boxers!” the black man went on.

“Who told you a coach must be less skilled than his players? How could I become Taylor’s coach if I was not good enough?” Dai Li snorted. Dai Li directly punched him in the face. The black man’s head tilted back as he fainted.

Chapter 477 - A Trapped Beast

Chapter 477: A Trapped Beast

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

I’ve finally gotten rid of these three men. Dai Li took a deep breath and immediately picked up the handgun and rifle the men had dropped. He checked them and found both guns loaded.

With guns in his hands, Dai Li immediately felt much safer. He had weapons, so at least he could protect himself now.

If I can escape alive this time, I should be grateful to Adam Holly. If I hadn’t gone to his shooting practice center and asked him to teach me how to use a gun, I wouldn’t know how to use them.

Then Dai Li picked up the ropes and tied up Santos and the two black men.

In movies and TV series, there were often stories in which the good guy knocked down the bad guy, but didn’t give him the last hit to make sure he was dead. Then, one or two of the good guys were killed by the bad guy before he died. Dai Li wasn’t going to kill them, but he would not just let them go. If they woke up, they would make trouble for him. Therefore, Dai Li tied them all up.

I have to get out of here now. Dai Li looked around, only to find that the room had no windows at all. Except for the steel door, the only thing which could be connected with the outside was a vent surrounded by iron pipes. However, the vent was just the size of an adult head. It was impossible to get through.

No windows to get through, and the only way out is the front steel door. But I was tied up here. I’m not familiar with this building and don’t know where the exit is. That kidnapper still has many men here. It would be really bad to get caught on my way out. Besides, I don’t know where this building is, or if I’m even in Los Angeles or not. I’d better call the police first. The police can find me through the satellite positioning of my cell phone.

Dai Li immediately searched one of the black men’s pockets and found a cell phone. He called 911 at once.

The phone didn’t even ring. Dai Li looked at the screen only to find the cell phone showed no signal.

Why is there no signal? He immediately went to search the second black man’s pockets and found another cell phone, but it still showed no signal. Then he found Santos’ phone but it had no signal either.

No signal! Am I in a movie? Once it comes time to call the police, the main character’s cell phone is always dead! Dai Li was so angry that he dropped the phone on the floor. He wanted to curse.

No other way now. If I can’t call the police, I’ll have to force my way out. Dai Li picked up the gun, loaded it, and walked out of the steel door.

…

He tiptoed down the corridor. He walked lightly because he didn’t want to be discovered by the kidnappers.

A staircase ahead! The exit mustn’t be far! Dai Li walked up there in delight.

When he was halfway down the stairs, the sound of footsteps came from the floor below.

Dai Li stopped at once, afraid to make any sound.

However, the sound came nearer and nearer. Dai Li wanted to go back, but he didn’t dare to move for fear that he might make noise.

At last, one kidnapper turned around on the staircase and appeared in front of Dai Li, and he saw Dai Li immediately.

All of a sudden, Dai Li raised his gun and pulled the trigger. The kidnapper also responded quickly and attempted to dive for cover.

However, it was too late. The shot hit him in the shoulder, and he fell directly onto the ground.

“What’s going on?”

“Where’s the gunshot?”

The other kidnapper’s voice came from downstairs.

Dai Li realized that things weren’t going well. Although he hit one target, the gunshot also got the attention of other kidnappers. They would soon come here following the sound.

As expected, heavy footsteps pounded in the corridor downstairs.

Oh, no! The others were alarmed. I have nowhere to go! Dai Li didn’t hesitate to turn around and return back up the stairs.

The nearest kidnapper reached the staircase and saw the man Dai Li had shot, and asked immediately, “What’s going on? Who shot you?”

“The hostage escaped! He shot me,” said the man on the ground, groaning with pain.

“Where is he now?” the kidnapper asked.

“Ran upstairs,” responded the man on the ground.

“There’s no exit upstairs. He can’t escape.”

…

Dai Li returned to the abandoned laboratory. He locked the door from the inside. Footsteps approached in the corridor outside, and drew nearer and nearer to the steel door.

Holding the gun in his hand, Dai Li stood by the side of the door and waited for someone to come in and shoot him immediately.

Bang, bang, bang… Someone pounded on the door.

“The door is locked!” said someone outside.

“Break the door!” said another person.

Bang! Bang! Bang! The pounding grew louder.

“No. It can’t open!” one kidnapper said.

“Go away. Leave it to me!” After that, a few cracking gunshots followed. The steel door shook. Obviously, someone outside was shooting at the door.

“D*mn it! It can’t open. How can this door be so strong!” shouted the man who shot the door.

Dai Li heaved a sigh of relief. During the last minutes, the kidnappers had tried to shoot and break the door. Dai Li was afraid that they would manage to break the door and come in.

Fortunately, the steel door was strong enough. For now, the people outside couldn’t get in as long as Dai Li kept the door locked. Dai Li was safe for the moment.

…

In a room on the ground floor, there were several shabby tables and chairs. They seemed to have been there for years, and some of them were stained and dirty.

Blecher found a relatively clean chair to sit in, lit a cigarette, and waited patiently.

“Mr. Blecher, I assure you, it won’t take long for Santos to make that coach tell us everything. You will get what you want,” said Leon.

“Leon, when I get it, I’ll leave Dai Li for you to handle. Kill him secretly,” said Blecher.

“You can rest assured that I will make him disappeared completely. I’m best there is at this,” said Leon.

As he finished speaking, a gunshot rang out.

“Who did that?” Leon immediately frowned and said to one of his men, “Go and check what happened.”

That man nodded and walked out. Two minutes later, he ran back.

“Boss, the hostage. He escaped, and he’s got a gun. He wounded one of our people.”

“Escaped? Where are Santos and his men?” Leon asked at once.

“I don’t know. We didn’t see Santos,” responded that man.

“Then Santos is dead. Idiots! Three of them! With guns in hand, they can’t deal with one guy who was tied up! But how did he beat Santos and the other two men and get out?” demanded Leon, slamming his fists on the table. Then he asked, “Where is he now? Did you catch him?”

“We haven’t caught him yet, but he didn’t escape. He went back upstairs. Our men are after him. Boss, don’t worry. The upper floors are a dead end. No way out except for the staircase. He can’t get away,” said that man.

“Let’s go and take a look upstairs!” Leon stood up and so did Blecher. Following Leon, he walked out of the room.

…

Dai Li was safe for the moment, but the abandoned laboratory had no other exits.

It was obviously impossible to run out. There were several guns outside, facing the steel door. Once Dai Li opened the door, he would be killed instantly.

Now Dai Li was like a trapped beast, backed into the abandoned lab with no way out.

Chapter 478 - You Know Me?

Chapter 478: You Know Me?

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li couldn’t escape, and he couldn’t call for help. He was like a cat on hot bricks, not knowing what to do.

The kidnappers outside swore at Dai Li incessantly, and some angry guys even kicked the door hard, but it didn’t help. The steel door was really strong. The kidnappers outside didn’t know what to do either.

Minutes later, Leon finally arrived.

“Boss, he is inside, but he locked the door and we can’t get in,” one of them said.

“Didn’t you try breaking the door?” Leon asked angrily.

“We tried, but the door is too strong. We even shot the door,” said the man, pointing at the dents the bullets had gouged into the door.

Leon looked at the scratches on the door. The door was strong indeed. The bullets couldn’t penetrate it, but only left marks on its surface.

Leon was unhappy with this, and he was getting angry again. He banged on the door heavily and shouted at Dai Li, “Hey, you. Open the door immediately, and you’ll receive a quick death. Otherwise…”

Dai Li interrupted him. “Idiot! I still have to die even if I open the door. Why should I open it then? Even if you want to trick me into opening the door, you are not sincere enough!”

Leon suddenly felt a little awkward. He wanted to make some caustic remarks, but Dai Li had ridiculed him instead.

Dai Li continued to shout out the door, “Three of your men are still in my hands. Believe me or not, I’ll kill them!”

“Do as you like! Three idiots. Since they couldn’t deal with you, what do I want from them?” Leon snorted.

The answer was just as Dai Li expected. They were kidnappers, and it was definitely useless to threaten them with their accomplices’ lives. As was shown in movies and TV series, villains never cared about the lives of their partners.

I guess I should find other ways. Dai Li sat down hopelessly, leaning against the wall.

At that moment, a faint voice became audible.

“Help, help…”

…

“How could this door be so strong!” Leon kicked the door angrily.

“Boss, this room was a chemistry laboratory before, so it was specially designed. There were no windows to prevent the chemical reagents from being changed by sunlight. The door was specially designed too. It was reinforced for fear that someone would steal the research results,” said one of Leon’s men.

“So how should we open the door?” asked Leon.

“We have to use a cutting machine, like the one firefighters use to cut open car. But we don’t have that here,” said the man.

“Then go and get one right now!” Leon roared at that man.

That man shivered with fear and turned away immediately.

Blecher was also anxious. He had thought everything would be alright when he caught Dai Li, but he hadn’t expected Dai Li to almost escape.

“Leon, is everything alright?” asked Blecher in a low voice.

“Mr. Blecher, don’t worry. There are no windows in the room, and the door is the only way out. He can’t escape,” said Leon confidently.

Blecher nodded, but the next second, a terrible thought occurred to him.

“But if he calls the police, what should we do? He has caught your men. Your men should have cell phones, right?” Blecher asked with trepidation.

“Call the police? Mr. Blecher, you can try calling 911!” said Leon with a smile.

Blecher took out his cell phone and found it had no signal.

“The cell phone has no signal. What’s wrong? You did this?” asked Blecher.

Leon nodded with a sneer on his face. “I blocked the cell phone signal of the whole building, so you can’t get a call in or out. More than that, we also blocked the satellite positioning signals of GPS, so you lose your connection to GPS as soon as you enter this building.”

Blecher took a deep breath and commended him, “You’re really prescient.”

Leon explained, “People we kidnap will do everything they can to call the police, so the police can track us through the positioning of the phone. In addition to cell phones, many electronic products now contain GPS positioning systems, which is a big risk for us. Therefore, I installed a signal jammer to block cell phones and GPS positioning systems in this whole building.”

“I’m relieved now.” Blecher was becoming considerably calmer.

“Mr. Blecher, let me deal with it. You go and have a rest first. When my men find the cutting machine and cut the door open, we’ll be able to pry his mouth open!”

…

“Help, help!” came the faint voice again.

Dai Li was startled by the sound and instinctively pointed his gun in the direction of the voice, only to find that the bloody man had raised his head.

He is alive! Putting the gun down, Dai Li walked over to him.

“Could you give me some water?” asked the bloody man. His voice was still weak.

Dai Li looked around and found several pop-top cans on the table, two of which had not been opened yet. They were both beer, left by the kidnappers.

“No water here. Just beer. Make do with it.” Dai Li immediately opened one beer and gave it to the bloody man.

The bloody man drank the beer and regained some strength. “They tied me up too. Could you help to untie me?”

Dai Li took the knife and cut the rope. The bloody man tried to move, but he seemed to be in great pain, as if moving stretched the wounds on his body.

“Are you alright?” asked Dai Li.

“Better than I thought. Just skin traumas,” said the bloody man. “I need something to bandage my wounds.”

Dai Li searched the room again and found a roll of bandage and a morphine ampule in the interlayer of Santos’ leather case.

He hesitated for a moment and handed the morphine ampule to the bloody man. “You may need this now.”

“Oh, thank God.” The man took the morphine ampule and injected himself expertly.

Soon it worked and the bloody man was no longer as weak as before.

Dai Li took up the medical tape and started to bandage his wounds. At the same time, he asked, “Why did they bring you here?”

“Oh, I almost forget to introduce myself. I’m an investigative journalist. My name’s Edward Snow.” He paused and went on, “Thank you for saving me, Coach Li.”

“You know me?” Dai Li didn’t expect to meet an acquaintance when he was kidnapped.

Chapter 479 - Hopelessness

Chapter 479: Hopelessness

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Edward Snow took a deep breath and said, “You are Coach Li who runs a fitness training center, right? Many excellent athletes have come from your training center.”

“Have we met before?” Dai Li looked at Snow carefully, but he could not remember where he might’ve met Snow.

“I know you, but you certainly don’t know me,” Snow said, “because I went to your training center and investigated something.”

“What did you investigate at my training center?” Dai Li sensed that Snow wasn’t telling him something.

“I went there to investigate performance-enhancing drugs,” Snow admitted.

“Why the performance-enhancing drugs again!” Performance-enhancing drugs were now the last words Dai Li wanted to hear. Because of performance-enhancing drugs, he had been kidnapped and imprisoned in this room, and his life was in danger. But most importantly, the so-called performance-enhancing drugs were non-existent.

Dai Li thought it would be very unjust to lose his life for something that didn’t exist.

Snow, standing opposite Dai Li, said, “I was doing an article recently about performance-enhancing drug use by athletes. The Olympics is coming, and I thought this topic would be interesting to readers. I thought only a few athletes would take performance-enhancing drugs, but the results surprised me.”

“A lot of athletes use them, right?” asked Dai Li.

“Yes, the results were far beyond my expectations. I almost couldn’t even believe my findings,” Snow said, nodding. “Many athletes, even well-known athletes, are using performance-enhancing drugs. Take track and field sports, for example. This Olympics, nearly half of the players of the US team are using illicit drugs, and this is only a survey I have evidence to prove; there is still a lot I didn’t get enough evidence to support.”

“Their coaches are also involved, and there are many so-called renowned coaches, including this year’s head coach of the US track and field team, Sebastian. In addition, I found that some coaches colluded with doctors to give athletes false diagnostic certificates and prescriptions they didn’t actually need. The athletes weren’t sick at all.”

“I also secretly went into many training centers to investigate. Some of them actively advised their athletes to use illicit drugs containing stimulants in their training, while some training centers directly provided illicit drugs for their athletes,” Snow said and looked at Dai Li. “Your training center is one of the few training centers that I haven’t found using any illicit drugs.”

“I’ve never provided illicit drugs for my athletes,” said Dai Li.

“I know. I came to a little while ago, and I heard them questioning you. They seem to think you have a new performance-enhancing drug,” Snow said. “I found that the vast majority of illicit drugs are very advanced. They can’t be detected by the technology of the Anti-Doping Commission. Therefore, I carried out a thorough investigation, and I found some biological laboratories secretly providing these advanced illicit drugs for athletes. Some of them are well-known biological laboratories, whose scientific research level is at the forefront of the world. Their technology is far ahead of the Anti-Doping Commission.”

“I also secretly investigated several representative biological laboratories, and finally found the person behind them. Blecher! So I sneaked into Blecher’s company, hoping to get more evidence, but he caught me. He didn’t call the police, though. He just thought I was a business spy, so he brought me here and locked me in this room.”

“I was also kidnapped by Blecher.” Dai Li paused and the added, “There are a lot of rich people on the block where I live, so the security there is very good, and I never thought I would be kidnapped by others in my house. They are too bold.”

There was a hard-won smile on Snow’s face, and he said, “It seems that you don’t know who Blecher is. But you may have heard his nickname ‘the father of prohormone.’”

“The father of prohormone, I seem to have heard it.” Dai Li thought carefully and immediately asked, “Was the stimulant scandal of more than ten years ago related to him?”

“Yes, it was him—Blecher, ‘the father of prohormone’! He killed a dozen athletes indirectly by giving untested enhancers to them. He was a villain and a criminal. He was responsible for everything, and you can’t expect a man like that to have any sense of morality,” said Snow.

“So, our lives are really in danger. We need to find a way to get out of here quickly.” Dai Li pointed to the steel door. “That door is strong enough, but it won’t keep them out forever. They’ll find a way to open the door. What’s more, even if they don’t open the door, there’s no water and food in here, so sooner or later the dehydration will get to us.”

Looking around and frowning, Snow said, “There are no windows in this room, and that door is the only exit. It is impossible for us to get out of the room. Do you have a mobile phone? We can call the police.”

“I tried that, but there’s no signal in the room,” Dai Li said and threw a mobile phone to Snow.

Snow caught the phone and tried to dial 911, but he didn’t get through.

“We have a gun. We can rush out.” Snow pointed to the rifle.

“There are several men with guns out there. If we rush out, we will die,” Dai Li said, rejecting Snow’s advice. He looked around, and eventually focused his attention on the ventilation duct.

“I have to open it.” Dai Li pointed to the iron pipe on the ventilation duct, then moved one of the chairs under the ventilation duct.

Standing on his toes on the chair, Dai Li held the air-ventilation pipe with both hands. He pulled the pipe with all his might, and then, after a big cracking noise, the whole pipe ripped loose and fell down, scattering rust and dust all over the place.

As the ventilation grate removed, an exhaust fan was exposed on the wall. The air vent of the exhaust fan was not very big, only large enough to allow someone to reach his head out, not his whole body.

“It’s supposed to be an air vent that connects to the outside. I need another chair,” said Dai Li.

Snow got another chair at once and stacked it on top of the other chair, then Dai Li climbed upon the chair with his face next to the air vent of the exhaust fan.

The exhaust fan was also rusted. Dai Li grabbed the blades with his hands and gave them a jerk. When they shifted down, Dai Li finally saw the situation outside.

“We are probably on the third floor, and it’s empty all around,” said Dai Li.

“Can you make sure where we are?” Snow asked.

Dai Li shook his head. “I can’t see the road, and I can’t see any signs. Maybe the road is on the other side of this building, and this room is on the other end of the building.”

“Is there anyone outside?” Snow continued to ask.

“No, wait a minute. Someone seems to be coming.” Dai Li immediately shouted as loud as he could, “Help, help!”

The man, however, didn’t hear Dai Li’s cry for help at all and disappeared from Dai Li’s view.

“It didn’t work. It was too far, and he couldn’t hear my cry for help at all,” Dai Li said helplessly.

“Help me stand on the chair to have a look,” said Snow

Dai Li stepped down from the chair and helped Snow get up. Perhaps because of the effect of the morphine, Snow didn’t seem to show much pain. He climbed up the two-tier chair and looked outside through the air vent of the exhaust fan.

“It’s so empty around here that few people will pass by. Unless someone happens to pass under us, our cry for help won’t be heard.” There was a look of despair on Snow’s face. “What bad luck. It looks like we are going to die here.”

Chapter 480 - Self Rescue

Chapter 480: Self Rescue

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Snow was so upset that he almost cried, and he seemed to be on the verge of despair.

Dai Li didn’t know if Snow was born with poor psychological endurance, or if the morphine had affected his spirit, so he began to comfort Snow by saying, “Edward, calm down, and let’s think about other ways.”

“What else can we do? We can’t escape the room at all, so we’re going to die here.” Snow began to cry.

Dai Li picked up the phone, pointed to the air vent of the exhaust fan, and then added, “Although we can’t get out from that air vent, we can hold the phone out. Maybe there is a signal outside the vent, then we can call the police.”

“You are right, give it a try.” Snow stopped crying at once.

Dai Li climbed up the chair again, stretched his arm through the air vent to get the phone to the other side of the wall. Then he dialed 911 again.

Unfortunately, the phone still wasn’t connected. The phone was so close to the building area that the signal was still shielded.

“Did you get through?” Snow looked expectantly at Dai Li, but Dai Li shook his head.

Snow sat on the ground in despair, and it looked like he was on the verge of despair again.

The next second, he suddenly picked up the rifle on the ground and yelled, “I’ll go out and fight them. Even if I die, I can take a few of them with me.”

“Wait a minute!” Dai Li jumped down from the chair at once and caught Snow by his hand.

“Do not stop me, I’m going to die anyway, let me fight with them!” Snow struggled to free himself, but he was hurt, so it was hard for him to free himself from Dai Li.

“Calm down. I’ve just come up with a new way, and I have 80% confidence that we can escape from here,” said Dai Li.

“What’s your method?” Snow stopped struggling.

“Give me the gun first.” Dai Li stretched out his hands.

Snow thought Dai Li was worried that he was going to go out and fight with the kidnappers, so he gave the rifle to Dai Li.

Dai Li, however, climbed up the chair with the rifle in his hands, and then leaned against the vent.

“What are you going to do?” Snow asked.

Dai Li reached the rifle out of the air vent and sighted down the barrel.

“Who are you going to shoot?” Snow continued to ask.

“I will just shoot at anyone who passes by. Let’s see who gets unlucky,” Dai Li said.

“What on earth?” Snow asked doubtfully.

Dai Li leaned against the wall, aimed his gun at the distance through the vent, and then said, “What would do if you were shot at by someone while you were walking on the road?”

“There is no doubt that I’d lie down right away and then run away,” said Snow.

“But what if you couldn’t run away?” asked Dai Li.

“I would yell for help and call the police.” Snow suddenly understood and said, “I see. You are going to shoot at people passing by, then they will call the police! But what if they run away and don’t call the police?”

“I must stop them. I am going to shoot them in the leg, so they can’t move and they have to call the police. Then they will have to stay where they are and wait for the police.” Dai Li paused and added, “But in that case, I’ll be sued. If I’m lucky, I will be charged with intentional assault, but if not, I will be charged with attempted murder.”

“Save our lives before thinking about anything else.” Snow was more sensible than before. He bowed his head, thought for a few seconds, and said, “But it won’t work even if the police come here. We are so far away from them, they won’t be able to hear our cries for help at all.”

“So, I’ll also be charged with assaulting the police,” Dai Li joked.

“You mean when the police come here, you will shoot them?” Snow understood immediately.

“Yes, the police are different from ordinary people. If ordinary people are shot by someone, they might not call the police when they run away. On the other hand, you can imagine a cop being shot at the scene of a shooting accident. He would certainly call in a lot of police to help him, and then they would try to find out who the shooter was. Then they will find us and rush towards where we are. When these kidnappers see the police, will they stay here? No, they’ll run. Then we shall be saved!” Dai Li explained to Snow.

“Mr. Li, what a genius you are! This is great!” Snow finally calmed down, and added, “But I have a question: how’s your marksmanship? We are far away from your targets. Are you sure you can hit someone in the leg?

Dai Li laughed. “Didn’t you come to my training center to investigate? You should know Adam Holly received training there.”

“But your training center is a fitness training center, not a shooting range,” said Snow in confusion.

“What I want to tell you is that I have been with Adam Holly for a long time, and he has taught me everything about shooting!” said Dai Li confidently.

Since he was the world’s top sports shooter, Dai Li had certainly preserved Adam Holly in the athlete’s illustrated handbook, and it came in handy at this time. Dai Li used the second copy card and successfully acquired 70% of Holly’s strength.

In this case, the rifle was clearly the most reliable of their weapons. Although Adam Holly was not a sniper, he was the world’s top sports shooter, and his marksmanship must be much better than an ordinary shooter’s. A sports shooter could hit the center of a dollar coin from fifty meters away. Therefore, it wouldn’t be difficult to hit a man in the leg within the effective range of the gun. A man was much bigger than a coin, after all.

Dai Li was not worried about the range of the gun, because the gun in his hands was the famous Remington 700 rifle.

This gun was first manufactured in 1962, and the Remington 700 rifle was still in production today, and still sold well.

The essential part of a gun was the gun bolt, which was the mechanism that delivered the bullet, locked the firing chamber, hit the percussion cap, unlocked the firing chamber, extracted the bullet casing, etc. The gun bolt of the Remington 700 rifle had multiple layers of packaging, making its gun bolt the safest in the world.

It was the reason that the Remington 700 rifle could keep good sales for more than half a century. In addition, it was quite cheap, so many Americans chose the Remington 700 rifle when they bought guns. It was especially well-liked by farmers and hunters, because the Remington had good stability and long range.

The police version of the Remington 700 rifle was standard equipment for American police, and 90% of the marksmen among the American police force used the sniper version of the Remington 700. In addition, the American version of the M24 sniper rifle and the M40 sniper rifle used by the Marine Corps were also developed from the Remington 700 rifle.

If a gun had large production and good sales, it would be easier to get, and more easily used by criminals. For example, all terrorists have AK-47’s, and in the movie series Long Arm of the Law, everyone has a type 54 pistol. The Remington 700 rifle was also the most popular rifle on the black market, and it was one of the most used guns by gangsters.

…

Dai Li kept staring outside, expecting someone to pass by. Time dragged by, and every minute felt like an hour.

Finally, a man appeared in Dai Li’s view

“Someone is coming!” Dai Li held his breath and began to aim.

Snow was so frightened that he didn’t dare to breathe. He was afraid that he might disturb Dai Li. If Dai Li failed to wound the man, the man would run away.

More than ten seconds later, Dai Li pulled the trigger. With just one shot, the man in the distance fell to the ground.

“What happened?” asked Snow.

“I shot him.” Dai Li breathed a sigh of relief. “Next, we have to wait for him to call the police.”

…

Sam didn’t feel much pain, but he could see clearly that there was a small hole in his pants, and his blood was flowing out.

Sam immediately realized that he had been shot.

Shootings were not uncommon in the United States, but Sam didn’t expect it would happen to him.

Sam tried to stand up, but his injured leg couldn’t support him. Sam knew that if he couldn’t stand up, and it would be impossible for him to escape from here.

He looked around in horror, wondering where the shooter was.

Sam knew that he was a target now, and the shooter could shoot him at any time.

However, the shooter didn’t shoot him.

Why didn’t the shooter keep shooting? Is the place where I fell down out of the shooter’s vision? He can’t aim at me if I stay here!” Thinking of this, Sam stopped moving. He was afraid that if he moved, the shooter would aim at him again.

But Sam’s injured leg was still bleeding. Even if the shooter had stopped shooting, Sam would eventually bleed out.

Sam finally took out his phone and dialed 911.

“Hello, 911? I got shot, I got shot! The address is…”

…

With the sound of sirens, a police car came from the distance.

On the second floor of the building, one of Leon’s men saw the police car.

“Hey, watch out, there’s the police,” the man said.

“Don’t worry. There’s only one police car, and it’s not coming towards us,” said the other.

Sure enough, the police car passed the building and stopped not far away.

“See? I told you that the police car wasn’t coming for us.”

…

The sound of the siren made Blecher more nervous, and he looked at Leon with an appealing look.

“Go and see what happened,” Leon said to his man.

Leon’s man went out and then came back not long after. “It’s alright, boss, just a police car passing by.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Blecher, it’s safe here. The police won’t notice us,” Leon explained to Blecher.

“But I can still hear the siren now,” Blecher said anxiously.

Leon’s man answered at once, “Boss, the police car stopped nearby. It seems that someone in the neighborhood called the police.”

Leon waved his hands. “Tell everyone not to stick their heads out, and to mind their own business as long as the police don’t bother us.”

…

The abandoned chemistry lab on the third floor.

“Coach Li, I seem to hear a siren. Is it the police?” asked Snow.

Dai Li nodded. “I hear it too, and it’s getting closer and closer. The man I shot called the police.”

As soon as Dai Li said this, the police car was in his sights.

“The police have come!” Dai Li began to aim at the front of the car and was ready to shoot.

The police car stopped and two policemen stepped out of the car. They took out their guns and walked towards Sam.

“Help, police officer, help me! I got shot!” Sam shouted at once.

The two policemen didn’t approach Sam. They called out to him, “Sir, do you know where the shooter was?”

“I don’t know where the shooter was, he only shot me once,” said Sam.

The two policemen discussed for a while, then one of them took out his gun and began to aim around, as if to deter the shooter. The other rushed towards Sam quickly, helped him stand up, and then quickly pulled him back into cover.

Just then, shots rang out again.

The two policemen lay down at the same time. But this time, Dai Li didn’t aim at the two policemen, but at the front tire of the police car.

“Hurry up, get behind the car!” one of the policemen shouted. The other immediately lifted Sam up, then the three of them hid behind the police car as fast as they could.

“We’ve got a flat tire, so we can’t drive. Although I don’t know where the shooter is, he probably hid high, so he could shoot the tire of our car,” one of the policemen said.

As soon as the policeman finished his words, a bullet punched a whole in the car’s hood.

“D*mn it, how dare the shooter to attack the police? It could be a terrorist attack! I have to call dispatch and ask them to send backup.”

…

In the building, Leon’s man stood at the window and looked out toward the street.

“I thought I heard a shot, did you hear it?” asked one of them.

“I thought I must’ve heard wrong, but I did hear something just before the police car came,” said the other man.

“I thought the shot we heard just now came from the direction of the police car. Is someone attacking the police?” said the other.

“Why don’t I go over there and have a look?” asked Leon’s man.

“The boss said we should mind our own business as long as the police don’t bother us.”

…

There were sirens again, but this time there were a lot of sirens. Judging by the sound, there were many police cars.

Blecher stood up from the chair directly, and there was some terror in his eyes.

There was also a look of fear on Leon’s face. If there had only been one police car, it would be no more than two policemen. He had seven or eight people with more than ten guns. In addition, they had heavy firepower, so it would be quite easy for them to deal with two policemen.

But now there were a lot of police, so everything was different. If there were enough police, they would be wiped out by the police.

“Let’s go out and have a look.” Leon could hardly sit still, so he went out with his men.

Chapter 481 - Counterattack

Chapter 481: Counterattack

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The sirens made Leon feel annoyed and perplexed. He pulled out a pair of binoculars and looked toward the end of the road.

So many police cars. Leon was shocked.

Because of his guilty conscience, when Leon saw large numbers of police, he naturally felt timid.

They’ve dispatched so many policemen. It must be a big case. Are they encircling gangsters? Or are they trying to annihilate a drug lord? Leon wondered. The wailing of woo-woo-woo was passing through the sky.

“Boss, there is a helicopter there,” a lackey said as he pointed at the sky.

Leon lifted the binoculars to the black spot in the sky and saw a helicopter. There was a symbol on the helicopter. It was an eagle holding an arrow.

“SWAT! How is it that even the SWAT needs to be involved. Is there a terrorist? God help us. This cannot be directed at us. We are no match for a SWAT team.” Leon suddenly felt nervous. He couldn’t help but start praying to God.

The SWAT Police Unit was part of the Los Angeles Police Department, and it was a special operations force within the police force. It was similar to the SDU Flying Tigers in Hong Kong. It was designed to deal with hardened criminals.

In terms of public order, the United States was less ideal than Hong Kong. The high crime rate in Los Angeles was as famous as Hollywood. Therefore, the usage of SWAT teams was much higher than the Flying Tigers. Moreover, in recent years, the United States had been plagued by terrorist attacks, so the SWAT teams had more opportunities to be exposed to the public.

Leon was wondering what kind of big case would require the Los Angeles police to dispatch SWAT teams. Beside him, a lackey appeared. “Boss, we just heard gunshots nearby. Maybe these policemen came because of the gunshots.”

“Gunshots? Where did they come from?” Leon asked immediately.

“It seems like it came from the back. Oh yeah, the police car that just came over also parked at the back. Maybe someone attacked the police. I think the police officers were headed in the direction of the gunshot,” the lackey replied.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier!” Leon looked at the lackey a little angrily, and he continued to say, “Did you go and confirm what actually happened?”

“Boss, you said that as long as something doesn’t involve us, we shouldn’t stick our noses into it. So we stayed here and didn’t go out.” The lackey looked as if he had been mistreated.

F*ck! Leon cursed in his head, and then said to his lackeys, “Go quick and see if it was one of our guys who fired the shot! If it was one of our people who brought these policemen here, I am definitely going to kill him!”

…

“Li, listen. There are a lot of sirens,” Snow looked excited.

“I hear them. I think the police backup has arrived.” Dai Li nodded. The gun in his hand continued to aim at the police car in the distance.

After a while, other police cars appeared in his field of vision. After the police cars stopped, the doors opened. The policemen hid behind the doors and aimed at all four corners. They didn’t know the position of the gunman.

“Let’s remind the police where we are.” Dai Li fired several shots at the police car.

There were several additional bullet holes in the police car. The police finally saw where Dai Li was shooting from.

“Over there. There is an air vent on the third floor of that building. The gunman fired his shot there.”

“Such a long distance? Everyone be careful. It is a sniper! Only a sniper could shoot from such a long distance.”

“Maybe they are professionally trained terrorists, and we don’t know how many people there are. Tell headquarters. We don’t have enough manpower, we need more reinforcements!”

Americans were terrified of terrorist attacks. As a country that allowed guns to be sold in supermarkets, the police had their work cut out for them. If you were unlucky, you would encounter situations where gangsters were more powerful than the police.

…

Leon sat in the room, waiting anxiously. Blecher, who was next to him, felt that the atmosphere was a little off. He understandably kept his mouth shut.

The lackey trotted into the house and said, “Boss, I asked, and it wasn’t one of our people who fired the shot.”

“That’s good. It seems like the police are not coming for us.” Leon breathed a sigh of relief.

However, another lackey also rushed into the room.

“Boss, they fired again, and it was several shots, all directed at the police,” the lackey said.

“Is that gunman stupid? So many policemen came, even the SWAT arrived. Does he not plan to stop? Is he shooting at the entire LAPD at this point?” Leon said mockingly.

The lackey who just entered the door said, “Boss, I just listened carefully. The gunshot seemed to come from the third floor.”

“You mean our third floor?” Leon looked at the first lackey with a puzzled look and asked, “Didn’t you say that it wasn’t one of our people who fired the shot?”

“Our people really didn’t shoot at the police.” The lackey stopped there, and suddenly remembered something. “Boss, would the hostage have been the one who fired the shot? That coach caught some of our men. He should have one rifle and one pistol on him.”

“Impossible, that room has no windows. How could he shoot at a policeman from there?” Leon shook his head.

“But I think the room has an exhaust vent. It was designed to eliminate harmful gas. But if it really were the hostage who fired the shot, why would he attack the police?” the lackey asked casually.

At that second, Leon’s facial expression suddenly changed. He realized Dai Li’s plan.

“If they really fired at the police, it was to lure the police over. Not good! The police are coming soon. Tell our men to pack our things, we have to leave!” Leon made a decision.

“What about the hostages? They are still locked there,” the lackey asked.

“Nonsense, in this situation, not being caught by the police is the most important thing!”

…

On the helicopter, an observer was staring at the main entrance of the building with binoculars.

Leon and his men ran out quickly and then went to the car in front of the door.

“Vulture one reporting, vulture one reporting. The suspects have come out of the building. They got into the car and are getting ready to leave. They are carrying something suspicious that looks like a rifle. Repeat. The suspects came out of the building. They got into the car and are getting ready to leave. We can see that they are carrying something suspicious that looks like a rifle. Over.”

“This is vulture one reporting, vulture one reporting. They have started the car. They are leaving. Repeat. They are leaving. Over.”

On the ground, the sheriff who commanded the operation picked up the intercom. “Attention all squads. Attention all squads. The suspects are getting ready to escape, but we are not ruling out the possible presence of terrorists in the building. The first squad and second squad are to intercept them immediately. The sniper is in place, the assault team is preparing to attack the building, and the helicopter is ready to provide fire support.”

…

On the third floor of the abandoned laboratory, Dai Li anxiously waited for the police rescue.

Outside, a barrage of gunfire suddenly sounded. It was like a fierce exchange of gunshots between two groups of people.

“Hear that? They are fighting outside! The police and the kidnappers are fighting.” Snow couldn’t help but walk over to the door and put his ear on the steel door, trying to listen.

Dai Li nodded with no expression on his face.

“Hey, Li, we are going to be saved soon. You should be happy,” Snow said.

“I was just thinking about where I should go to hire a good lawyer,” Dai Li said. He pointed to the rifle. “Deliberately wounding a person and assaulting the police. If I am really convicted, I expect I will go to prison for many years.”

“You only did those things to save yourself. Your original intention was not to hurt others. If you really need to go to court, I will testify for you. And I also know several famous lawyers. I will introduce them to you.” Snow smiled, and he went on to say, “Relax. Government prosecutors are not able to put up a fight against well-known lawyers.”

…

The gunshots outside went on and on, but it wasn’t as intense as it had been. It sounded like the gunfight was coming to an end.

“The police should have won, right? I wonder if they caught that Blecher.” Dai Li slammed his fists with anger. “Now I really want to beat him up!”

“Even if they caught him, I am afraid it will be difficult to accuse him of kidnap and murder,” Snow said in resignation.

“Why? Although he did not do it with his own hands, he was the mastermind behind the scene. We can prove it,” Dai Li said.

“We are the victims. Our evidence is not as valid as a third party,” Snow replied.

“What about the kidnappers? I don’t believe that not one of the kidnappers survived. As long as some kidnappers are alive, they are witnesses. They should be effective third-party evidence, right?” Dai Li retorted.

“Those kidnappers are desperate, they would do anything for money. Blecher can just give them a sum of money, and they won’t testify against him. And Blecher will hire the most famous lawyers for his court case. I’m guessing the end result will be Blecher making up several similar reasons claiming that he was coerced, or admitting to several less important charges, and then escape the felony of kidnapping or murder. In order to maintain his conviction rate, the prosecutor will also accept such a result. Another way of putting it would be that in order to maintain the conviction rate, the prosecutor will be happy to make such a deal with Blecher.”

Snow sighed and said, “Remember what I just said? The government prosecutors are not able to win against well-known lawyers. The deeper meaning of that is that the law is not able to win against money. I have been an investigative journalist for many years. No one knows this better than me. The laws of the United States will always protect the rich.”

“Is there any way for Blecher to get the punishment he deserves? He hired someone to kidnap me and almost killed me.” Dai Li pointed to Snow. “He also caught you and tortured you to this state. People like him must be punished.”

“Actually, it’s not that there is no way.” Snow suddenly laughed. His eyes flashed coldly, and he whispered, “When I get out, it will be time for a counterattack.”

“Do you have a way to deal with Blecher?” Dai Li looked at Snow, and he felt that Snow might have been concealing something.

Snow took a deep breath and said, “We have suffered together, you even saved me, so I won’t keep anything from you. Do you still remember what I told you before? I sneaked into Blecher’s company to steal information.”

Dai Li nodded. “Blecher caught you because of that.”

“In truth, my real purpose was not to steal Blecher’s information, but to insert a computer virus.” Snow calmed down and went on, “I have a hacker friend who can invade Blecher’s company’s database, remotely stealing the information stored there. The only problem is the firewall. Blecher had a special information security company to create a firewall system, and my hacker friend had no way to bypass the firewall.”

“So I sneaked into Blecher’s company and released a computer virus in the computer database. This computer virus can temporarily block the firewall. It only needs to block the firewall for five minutes, and my hacker friend will be able to steal all the information in Blecher’s database. Then I just turn off the virus, release program, and everything will return to normal. Unless a professional inspection is conducted, Blecher definitely won’t know that the data in his computer has been stolen by me.”

“Were you successful?” Dai Li asked immediately.

Snow nodded. “Yes, I succeeded. I released the virus and interfered with the firewall. My friend succeeded in invading the database and getting the information. But when I was about to flee, they caught me. But when they tortured me, I didn’t disclose this. I just said that I was going to steal their information, but I didn’t tell them that I already had.”

“What are you going to do?” Dai Li then asked.

“I have already said that I want to mount a counterattack.” Snow’s eyes revealed a bulldog-like persistence. “I have been investigating the stimulants issue for some time, and I have a lot of information in my hands, and the information in Blecher’s database is the last piece of the puzzle. Li, after you get out, you must remember to read the news. I want to blow this wide open!”

…

“To the people inside, listen up! We are the Los Angeles police. Put down your weapons immediately, and come out with your hands up!” The voice of the police finally sounded outside the steel door.

“Officer, don’t shoot, we are hostages! We were kidnapped!” Dai Li shouted loudly while running towards the door.

“Hostages?”

The police officer in charge gave the SWAT officers around him a look that signaled that they were preparing to rescue the hostages.

The police then asked, “How many people are there inside? How many hostages? How many hostiles?”

“There are five people, two hostages and three criminals. I am one of the hostages. We have subdued the kidnappers,” Dai Li continued.

The police officer in charge was a little surprised. He had thought that he would need to stage a huge spectacle to save the hostages, but he did not expect that the criminals would be subdued by the hostages.

“You guys open the door now, raise your hands high up in the air, and slowly walk out,” the police officer said.

Dai Li and Snow opened the door as the police ordered, and went out with their hands raised.

“Gentlemen, please place your hands in our field of vision.” The policeman made a gesture and several police officers immediately rushed up. Some of them rushed directly into the abandoned laboratory, and some began to search Dai Li and Snow.

The police did not find any weapons on the two of them. They then looked at the miserable state that Snow was in after being tortured, and basically confirmed that he and Dai Li were hostages.

“Gentlemen, you are saved, and the ambulance is at the building’s entrance. I will arrange to send you guys to the hospital right away,” the head police officer said.

…

Snow was taken into the ambulance. In actuality, his injuries were not light, and he was in a state of excessive blood loss. If it weren’t for the morphine, he would never have been able to last until then.

Dai Li’s situation was much better. He only had some bruises on his body.

“Li, see you at the hospital!” Snow gave Dai Li a strained smile.

“Edward, you have to get better soon. I am waiting to see the news.” Dai Li thrust his hands out and raise a thumbs up to Snow. “Don’t forget our counterattack!”

Chapter 482 - The Big News Is Here

Chapter 482: The Big News Is Here

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Edward Snow sat in a conference room. Three people sat across him. The men on the left and the right were the editor-in-chief and the deputy editor of a news network, and in the middle was the CEO of the network.

The thing that Snow brought was so shocking that the editor-in-chief and the deputy editor could not make a decision, so they invited the CEO.

The CEO stared at the investigation report provided by Snow. He looked stunned.

“Mr. Snow, can you guarantee the authenticity of this report?” the CEO asked first.

“Of course, I almost died for this report.” Snow pointed to the sutured wound on his face.

The CEO took a deep breath and said, “Mr. Snow, the report you brought is really shocking. This may be the biggest scandal in the history of American sports. I hope to get the exclusive right to report this information.”

“No problem,” Snow promised.

“But I really don’t know how much we should pay for it. Shocking news is our business, but this kind of big news on sports… Well, it is our first time reporting something of this scale. Not to mention that we will have the Olympics this year. The value of this investigation is hard for me to estimate,” the CEO said sincerely.

Snow smiled and said, “Actually what I care about is not the money. I hope that the public can know the truth.”

The CEO nodded solemnly. “I understand. I will use your report as the focus of our work. I will follow up on this myself. I will let the public know the truth!”

Investigative journalism wasn’t a very profitable occupation. It could even be said that the income was meager. Most investigative journalists entered the industry because of their sense of justice.

The main source of income for many investigative journalists was from writing books. They would investigate a very important news topic, and when the news was trending, they would go on talk shows and write one or two books related to the investigation. To put it plainly, they took advantage of the heat of the news to make money.

…

Los Angeles Police Department.

A short, pudgy man with glasses walked in front of Dai Li and said, “Mr. Li, the procedure for bail has already been completed. After you sign here, you can go. A special reminder, before the trial, you need to report to the Los Angeles Police Department once a week, and you are not allowed to leave the country during this period.”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Wilfrid.” Dai Li signed the document and then walked out of the police station with the lawyer.

Wilfrid said as he was walking, “The injured person you hit has already accepted our compensation. He said that he will not sue us again. But he also revealed to me that the prosecutor asked him to appear in court to testify.”

“So I can just wait for the court session. The only trouble is the prosecutor?” Dai Li asked.

Wilfrid nodded. “The prosecutor is Nick Reese. He is indeed very talented. He is the only prosecutor in California who has been able to maintain a 100% conviction rate. I’ve been up against him three times, so I guess we’re tied?”

Dai Li did not understand what the lawyer meant. In his mind, if it was four fights, it was possible to get a tie with two wins and two losses, but three showdowns would result in two wins and one loss. It was inevitable that one party would have two wins, so there should be no possibility of a tie.

“Mr. Wilfrid, what do you mean by a tie?” Li Dai could not help but ask.

“My client, although pleading guilty, was not sentenced severely. In truth, all three parties were guilty. All I could do to help them was to reduce the penalty. In this respect, the prosecutor and I each achieved what we wanted. I helped my client reduce the penalty, and the prosecutor was able to convict them.” Wilfrid’s tone changed and said, “But Mr. Li, you are different. I don’t think you are guilty. You were trying to save yourself, and your intention was not to hurt people or assault the police. I think their charges of causing intentional injury and assaulting the police are unfounded. I am sure I can help you win this lawsuit.”

“Thank you for your trust,” Dai Li said quite sincerely.

“You are welcome. As your lawyer, my job is to help you win the lawsuit!” Wilfrid said.

The two talked as they walked to the police station entrance, and Blake was already waiting outside.

Wilfrid said goodbye to the two, and Dai Li got into Blake’s car.

Blake started the car and said at the same time, “Wilfrid is the best criminal lawyer in the United States. We have a good chance of winning with him helping us.”

“This really is a disaster! I’ve encountered these sort of situations even though I was just living my life honestly at home… I am a victim, but I have to pay a lawyer’s fee. This is really unfortunate.” Dai Li sighed helplessly.

“According to the police, the people who took you are repeat offenders and have committed several large cases of kidnapping and blackmailing. For you to escape from them was no small feat. In fact, I really admire your wit; you were able to figure out a way to contact the police even in that sort of situation. If it were me, I’m afraid I could only have sat there and waited for death to come.”

Blake turned to look at Dai Li and asked, “Do you need to hire one or two bodyguards? I had a friend when I was a boxer who opened a security company after he retired. A lot of his men are retired soldiers, including some who came back from the battlefield in Iraq. If you need to, I can ask him to find a few good bodyguards.”

“Forget it, I am not an important figure. I am just a coach. But I really hope that I can install a security system in my home. I don’t want to be tied up at home again.” Dai Li was looking at his phone when he spoke, but he never managed to find what he was looking for.

So Dai Li asked, “Has there been any big news recently?”

“There is all sorts of news every day. What kind are you specifically asking for?” Blake asked.

“Things such as scandals,” Dai Li replied.

“Haha, you’re actually interested in these sort of things. It seems that your mood is not as bad as you said it was.” Blake became jolly, and he continued, “A pornstar is saying that the president once married her. Does this count as a scandal?”

“I am not talking about things like that. I wanted to ask about things related to sports. Were there any sensational scandals recently?” Dai Li asked.

“There weren’t any. Li, you couldn’t have heard of any gossip, right?” Blake asked.

“I am waiting for a piece of news.” Dai Li nodded.

Just then, a phone number suddenly appeared on the car’s central control screen.

“My car has Bluetooth.” Blake looked down at the screen. “It is Chris Payton.”

Blake pressed the button to answer the call, and Payton’s voice immediately came through the speakers.

“Blake, I just saw an incredible piece of news on the internet! This is probably the biggest doping scandal in the history of the United States!”

Blake smiled dismissively. “Is it really so amazing? Every year in the United States, there will always be dozens of cases where athletes are found to be using illegal drugs. Those are not unusual.”

“But this time it involves thousands of people, including many well-known athletes and coaches, and 27 biological laboratories were said to be providing illegal drugs to athletes. More importantly, the mastermind behind it all was Blecher, the father of prohormone from a few years ago!” Payton said.

When Blake heard the news, he could not help but look at Dai Li.

Dai Li let out a sigh of relief. “The big news I’ve been waiting for is finally here!”

Chapter 483 - Turning Sour

Chapter 483: Turning Sour

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Williams, CEO of the American Track and Field Association, looked at the laptop in front of him with a complex expression.

The Track and Field Association chief operating officer, Frey, held a printed list of names and kept shaking his head. “There are so many people involved, this can’t be true. That investigative journalist Edward Snow must have made this up to attract people’s attention.”

Williams looked at Frey but didn’t speak.

Frey continued to argue, “I’ve skimmed through it. More than half of the athletes who are participating in the Olympics in this year’s national track and field team are on this list, which means that at least half of our athletes are using illegal drugs. How is that possible! This cannot be true!”

Williams sighed and leaned back in his chair. “I didn’t think it was possible when I saw the list. But when you think about it, this list may be true. We have a lot of track and field athletes who use illegal drugs. It’s an open secret, and we both know it. And this time it involves a lot of biological laboratories, and the ‘father of prohormone’ Blecher. Think about what Blecher did in the past. That scum, he destroyed so many excellent athletes. What won’t he do?”

“But there are too many people involved. Is it possible that it is exaggerated?” Frey’s tone was a little softer.

“I don’t know if it is exaggerated, but the molecular formula of the 27 steroid derivatives was published in the investigation report. I just consulted our experts. With the molecular formula of these chemicals, the Anti-Doping Committee will soon be able to develop a method of detection. When the truth comes out, the athletes who used the illegal drugs won’t be able to pass the drug test,” Williams said with a worried look.

“But I still don’t believe that so many athletes are using performance-enhancing drugs.” Frey shook his head.

Williams sighed deeply. “There are many athletes on this list, including athletes who use ‘legitimate medication.’ The journalist’s report pointed out that many doctors deliberately gave fake prescriptions to athletes. They can use the medicine reasonably. You and I know about this, and the IOC also knows this. It is just that we pretend we don’t see it. No one wants to change the status quo. But now, the investigative journalist has exposed all of this. I think the FBI and the Physician Association will intervene. Prescribing fake prescriptions is illegal. This kind of thing can’t be concealed if it is checked.”

“The coaches are also mentioned on the list. All the coaches on our national team are listed.” Frey pointed to the list. In the coach’s column, the first name listed was Sebastian’s. “But he is the head coach of the US team! ”

“So if this list is true, we will suffer a fatal blow! From the head coach to the ordinary athletes. At least half of our athletes will be unable to participate in this Olympic Games because of the use of illegal drugs. All our coaches will also be unable to participate in this Olympic Games because of their involvement! Right now, I really hope that this list is fake,” Williams said. It looked like he had aged ten years.

“What should we do?” Frey asked.

“Let’s wait and see. After all, we can’t be sure of the authenticity of this investigation yet,” Williams said.

In Williams’ heart, he still hoped that it wasn’t true, but he also knew that an experienced investigative journalist like Edward Snow wouldn’t choose to fight a battle he couldn’t win. Since he decided to leak the story, it was almost certain that the story was true.

…

Montreal, Canada. The headquarters of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Lewis, the chairman of the Anti-Doping Agency, had just convened a meeting with all the cadres.

“The breaking news in America, I’m sure all of you have seen it, right? If the content of the investigative report is true, this will be the biggest scandal in the history of sports. What are your opinions on this matter?” Lewis asked.

“I think the report is forged. It involves so many athletes, coaches, and numerous biological laboratories. It’s not possible if you think about it,” someone said.

“I don’t think so. I think this report is the real deal. Athletes have been using illegal drugs for decades. Athletes around the world are using drugs every year, and every time we test the B samples that we have stored, we always discover that someone was using illegal drugs. Many of them were Olympic champions,” another person immediately raised a different opinion.

Someone nearby immediately added, “And a large number of names on that list are people who are ‘legitimate drug users.’ They obtained drugs legally through fake prescriptions issued by their doctors. What’s more, we of the Anti-Doping Committee are the ones who gave approval. In this regard, we also have to bear responsibility.”

“From the statistics, the country with the most applications for legal drug use is the US. Its numbers exceed the total number of applicants from all the other countries. And we grant more approvals to American athletes than athletes of any other country. I think we all know that we had to do this because our funding comes primarily from the United States. So on this matter, we only gave the Americans the green light.”

Cough! Cough! President Lewis coughed twice and stopped the person from continuing. He obviously didn’t want to talk about this less-than-glorious subject. He said, “The problem of approvals for legal drug use is something we can put aside for the time being. What we are discussing now is the investigative report itself. How true is it? Dr. Lawrence, you are an expert in researching illicit drugs. What do you think about the authenticity of this report?”

A scholarly old man with glasses cleared his throat and said, “I think it is too early to judge, but on the technical side, there is indeed a gap between the first-class biological laboratories in the United States and us. For example, we usually can’t detect the illegal drugs in the A bottle sample, and it’s usually a few years before we can detect substances in the B bottle sample. Our technique is always behind. So one thing is certain; the latest types of illegal drugs, based on our current technique, cannot be detected.”

“I noticed in the report published by the media that there was a 27-substance chemical formula. Although we have not tested it, from the chemical formula alone, I am certain that it is a steroid derivative, and our detection process has never discovered it before. Although I am uncertain about the clinical effects of these substances, steroid derivatives are the most popular performance-enhancing drugs at the moment.”

“Steroids and their derivatives, regardless of their clinical effect, are banned from use. Even if they are unable to improve or enhance performance, they are still illegal drugs,” President Lewis said. He held his chin and thought about it. After a few seconds, he asked, “Dr. Lawrence, according to what you said just now, if one of these 27 substances were detected in the athlete’s sample, could we consider the athlete to have used illegal drugs?”

Dr. Lawrence nodded. “That is the case.”

“So, can we detect these 27 substances?” Lewis then asked.

“In the past, definitely not, but now that the chemical formula of the substance has been published… Although we still can’t synthesize these substances, if we were to just test for them, it would be relatively easy,” Lawrence said.

“How long do you need?” Lewis continued to ask.

Dr. Lawrence raised three fingers. “Three days. Three days is enough for me to design a method to detect these 27 substances.”

“Very good. Inform the United States immediately; in three days, we will test the B bottle sample of all athletes who are allegedly using drugs,” Lewis said without hesitation.

“Mr. Chairman, this matter involves many things. Do we want to be considerate of the United States?” someone reminded him.

“Things are already getting out of hand. Even the Americans themselves are asking for the truth. If we don’t do this, we will lose credibility. Don’t forget the Olympics is being held this year! If we let a group of athletes on drugs participate, then what would become of the Olympics in the future?” Lewis said with a deep sigh. “Now that we’ve come to this, any attempt at a cover-up would be ludicrous.”

…

How did the molecular formulas of the 27 derivatives leak out! Finished! This time I am really finished! Blecher’s expression was filled with despair.

Did the leak come from the biological laboratories? No, I only gave the laboratories 24 derivatives. There are three kinds of derivatives that I did not let any biological laboratory know, but they were still published! The problem is from my end.

It was that investigative journalist, that d*mn investigative journalist. It must be him! I should have killed him when I had the chance!

Blecher knew that this time, he was completely finished. The 27 steroid derivatives were the clearest evidence that he had been providing athletes with illegal drugs through those biological laboratories. Taking into account his criminal record, this time he might be subjected to a very heavy sentence. And his company would never be able to walk away from this.

Blecher went to the window and opened it, hoping to breathe fresh air and relieve his depressed mood, but he saw a black Chevrolet parking in front of the door to his company.

It was a Chevrolet Suburban. This car was a household name in the United States. For example, in the president’s motorcade, that car would be at the front. At the same time, this car was also called the FBI’s exclusive vehicle.

The FBI is finally here. Blecher had already guessed their identity. His legs became soft, and he couldn’t help but drop to his chair.

Chapter 484 - Moral Coercion

Chapter 484: Moral Coercion

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Nick Reese was a prosecutor, and he was the prosecutor with the highest conviction rate in California. So far, he had a conviction rate of 100%.

In the Anglo-American judiciary system, the prosecutor in a criminal case was the equivalent of a public prosecutor in China. They were responsible for the prosecution of public criminal cases. Although persecutors were sometimes translated as public persecutors, their responsibilities were very different from those of public prosecutors in China.

For a prosecutor, the conviction rate equaled the “performance” and “highlights” of their work. The conviction rate would directly affect their future and future career development as a prosecutor. Many politicians in the United States started as prosecutors, and their high conviction rates would build their reputation when they became political candidates.

Moreover, the Anglo-American judiciary system was a little biased towards protecting the defendants. And the conviction rate was also a way to protect the rights of the defendants. Because of the conviction rate index, prosecutors would not easily prosecute a suspect without a good chance of full conviction. The prosecutor would not sue a suspect with a “try it out” mentality, as it would lead to a waste of public resources.

The police were responsible for solving cases. From the police’s point of view, to maintain the settlement rate, they might be anxious to rush the prosecutor to charge a suspect. The possibility of the police closing a case and charging a suspect without sufficient evidence just to increase their settlement rate couldn’t be ruled out. And with a conviction rate index, a sloppy prosecution in the absence of evidence was simply taking the prosecutors and their superiors for a ride. Prosecutors would never prosecute a case without sufficient evidence. This also forced the police to collect sufficient evidence to prove the crime, thereby reducing the probability of suspects being wrongly charged.

Of course, there were also flaws in such a judiciary system. Under this kind of judiciary system, a direct confession from the defendant was considered a successful conviction. As such, a prosecutor would often try to get a conviction this way to boost his conviction rate. Instead of a long and fierce confrontation with the defense lawyers in court, they would often hope for this type of easy convictions. Therefore, the prosecutors would offer a shorter sentence in exchange for the subject pleading guilty. This was so that the prosecutor could get a guarantee on their conviction rate, saving them time and energy, while the suspect would receive a reduced penalty. Whether the suspect was receiving justice wasn’t considered important. There was a famous movie with a similar plot.

The conviction rate was very important. Most prosecutors had a high conviction rate, and Nick Reese was definitely one of the best. He had a 100% conviction rate. It could be said that if a suspect were to fall into his hands, they would not be able to escape.

At that point, Prosecutor Reese was drinking coffee in the office of the director of the Los Angeles Police Department.

He was really drinking coffee, not the kind of “being invited” to the police station to “drink coffee” in Hong Kong dramas.

In front of Reese was a man who had a serious case of balding on his hands. He was the director of the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Nick, we are hiring you this time because we have no other choice. You are the prosecutor with the highest conviction rate in California. I believe that you can successfully convict this guy!” the police chief said.

“I have read the relevant files and charging him for murder may be somewhat far-fetched. As for charging him for intentionally causing injury, the injured person has already accepted his compensation and does not intend to pursue it. As for assaulting the police, he did attack the police at that time, but considering the circumstances, that was the only way he could get help. This is also a justifiable excuse.”

Reese shrugged and said, “And there is a record in the file. He did not cause any physical injury to any police officer. He just left a few holes on the police car. The policemen who were injured were injured in the gunfight between the police and the kidnappers. If we are only charging him for damage to public property, I could convict him 100%.”

“What I want is not damage to public property, I want to charge him with police assault!” the police chief said indignantly. “It is true that he did not hurt our police officers, but if his bullets had strayed slightly, then the holes wouldn’t have just been in the police car!”

“How about letting him donate money to your police department? I heard that the coach is very rich,” Reese joked.

“Nick, you still don’t understand my intentions,” the police chief continued with a solemn expression. “He shot at the passerby to get the man to call the police, and he shot at the police to get the attention of the police so that they could rescue him. Maybe he was not wrong to do this, but I don’t want this behavior to be encouraged, and I don’t want anyone else to learn from him.”

The police chief put on a stern expression. “It is understandable that one chooses to hurt others to save their own lives. Anyone who was in the same situation would make the same choice, but it does not mean that this behavior is just. He wanted to save his life, but the life of the innocent passerby does not need to be protected? The injured passerby did not do anything wrong. He was simply passing by, and he got shot. Although he did not die, should this innocent passerby simply have been sacrificed?”

Reese opened his mouth slightly but did not speak. Reese couldn’t find an answer that the police chief’s fervent sense of justice would accept. When faced with someone who had the moral high ground, everything he said would be wrong.

The police chief went on to say, “In addition, he also fired at our police. Although it could be seen as a way to notify the police, I still feel that this is a very bad method of doing so. As I said earlier, the distance was huge. If his aim were a little off, he would’ve hit our officers! If his behavior is forgiven, then others will follow his example! That would bring us a lot of trouble.”

“Yeah?” Reese asked, then looked at the police chief with interest.

The police chief continued, “Imagine if our police officers were on duty on the road, and then a gunshot is heard. Someone in the distance had fired at a police officer. Afterward, we caught the man, and he said that he did it in order to notify the police. Wouldn’t you find that to be ridiculous? What if the gunmanship of that person wasn’t very accurate and caused harm to our police officers? Or if someone who deliberately shoots at our police officers, and then argues that he did it in order to notify the police, would he also escape punishment? I don’t want our police officers to be inexplicably shot at when they are on duty!”

I was almost deceived by his appearance of upholding justice. I thought that his sense of justice compelled him, but he was just worried about similar situations happening again, and it would bring more trouble to the police or cause accidental casualties. I think this is the real reason why he wants to charge the coach right? He doesn’t want to see others behaving like the coach. A strange smile flashed across Reese’s face.

“Chief, I now understand what you mean. Your purpose is not to put the coach in prison. You want to convey a message, or to achieve a deterrent effect on others, right?” Reese asked.

“That’s right. I don’t want anyone to follow the behavior of the coach,” the police chief nodded.

“Okay. Although this case is somewhat difficult, I will do my best,” Reese promised.　　…

Nick Reese returned to his workplace.

“Nick, Mr. Terrell is waiting for you,” a colleague said to Reese.

Terrell was Reese’s boss and the head of all the prosecutors there.

“I’ll go there immediately.” Reese nodded and walked towards Mr. Terrell’s office.

Reese knocked on the door and walked into Terrell’s office, and Terrell was indeed waiting for Reese.

“Reese, just came back from the police station? What is the situation?” Terrell asked.

“I talked to the police chief. As you told me, what he wanted was something simple like damage to public property. He wants us to sue the coach for intentional assault and police assault. If it weren’t for me, he probably would’ve wanted to sue for murder.” Reese relayed the police chief’s intentions to his boss.

“This can be a bit troublesome.” Terrell frowned, and he said, “The penalties for intentional assault and police assault are not light. Do you think the coach would plead guilty if we offer the condition of mitigating the penalty in exchange?”

“I’m afraid that will be difficult.” Reese shrugged and said, “If he were just an ordinary person, it would be okay, but the coach is a rich man. He has a chain of physical training centers. Many well-known athletes train there. He can afford the best lawyers to help him fight the lawsuit. If we were only charging him for the destruction of public property, he would in all likelihood plead guilty. But intentional assault and police assault? He definitely won’t plead guilty; he’ll fight this lawsuit till the very end.”

“If that is the case, this lawsuit will definitely go to court,” Terrell said.

“Yes, and it is possible I will need to go to court many times. I am ready to fight a long war,” Reese replied.

Terrell looked satisfied. “It is good that you are determined. Actually, after reading the case file, I am sympathetic towards the coach. He was the victim in the whole incident. But we have had a very good relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department for so many years, so I can’t refuse them. Nick, you know, our relationship with the police department is mutually beneficial. Often times, I don’t have a choice.”

“Mr. Terrell, I understand,” Reese said understandingly.

“Alright, I’m handing this matter over to you. If there is anything you need from me, you can come to me directly,” Terrell said.

“There is one thing I want to report to you first.” Reese lowered his voice and went on to say, “It will be difficult to get a conviction in this case, so I intend to use the power of public opinion.”

Terrell thought about it for a few seconds, then nodded. “I think it’s okay, but it needs to be in moderation. Don’t make it into too big of an issue. If things get too big, the trial process would be affected.”

…

“Would you hurt an innocent person to protect yourself?”

The topic was sensational, and Dai Li’s case provided a real case study.

Very quickly, some media commentators issued their opinions. It was very likely that this kind of issue would attract people’s attention, and this led to many people discussing the issue. Some news outlets engaged in online interactive voting. Other news networks went to the streets to engage in random interviews with passersby.

“Sir, I want to ask you a question. Would you hurt an innocent person to protect yourself?” The female reporter walked up to a passerby with a microphone.

“Of course not! How could I do such an unethical thing? I would rather get hurt myself then hurt an innocent person!” the passerby replied without any hesitation. He looked at the camera. The sense of justice he had on his face made it look as if he were a superhero in a comic book.

“Madam, I want to ask you a question. Would you hurt an innocent person to protect yourself?” The female reporter found another target.

“No, absolutely not!” The woman shook her head immediately. “I have a moral bottom line. I would not cause pain to others.”

“Sir, I want to ask you a question. Would you hurt an innocent person to protect yourself?” the female reporter asked, this time to a middle-aged man.

“Why would you ask such a strange question?” the middle-aged man asked back.

“It is because of a recent kidnapping incident in Los Angeles. The hostages were unable to contact the police. He shot a passerby to get the attention of the police. He was rescued because of it,” the female reporter said.

“Oh my god! That hostage already had a gun, why didn’t he just shoot the kidnappers instead of choosing to shoot a passerby!” The middle-aged man looked exasperated. He continued to say, “If it were me, I would use the gun to shoot the kidnappers in the head, not go and hurt an innocent passerby!”

There was not much practical significance to these kinds of so-called questionnaires. If it were a questionnaire that was related to morality, the people being asked the questions would definitely choose to stand on the moral high ground. And they would give the most hypocritical of answers.

This would be like if someone went on the street to ask passersby if they had 10 billion dollars, would they be willing to donate five billion to the poor. Many people would say that they would be willing. They didn’t have 10 billion anyway. It was easier said than done. Who wouldn’t boast?

But if someone were holding a donation box and wanted passersby to donate 100 dollars, how many people would choose to donate? Almost everyone could afford 100 dollars, but when it came time to actually donate, most people would become stingy.

People have the ability to pretend that they could donate 5 billion, but they would be reluctant to even give 100 dollars. This wasn’t just laughable, but a cruel reflection of reality. It was human nature to be hypocritical.

However, this type of moral coercion was not favorable to Dai Li. People would influence one another, especially on issues of morality. Everyone tried to stand on the moral high ground.

When the majority of people started to judge him from their moral high ground, the truth would become unimportant. The only thing left would be criticism from the point of view of “superficial justice.”

Chapter 485 - A Battle Outside the Court (Part One)

Chapter 485: A Battle Outside the Court (Part One)

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“Prosecutor Reese, this is the data you asked me to collect. It includes media commentary and investigation.” An intern passed a thick document to Reese.

Reese took the document and flipped through a few pages before a bright smile appeared on his face.

“The direction of public opinion is very advantageous to us. Our chances of winning in the next court appearance have increased significantly,” Reese said proudly.

“Prosecutor Reese, I don’t fully understand. What’s the relationship between these things and the case? Will it really help us a lot?” the intern asked with a puzzled face.

“That is a given,” Reese said with a boastful expression. He then continued, “The direction of public opinion will convey a message to the jury; harming others while trying to defend one’s own life is wrong as well as immoral. At the beginning of the court session, the members of the jury will assume that the action of the accused, which was to open fire and harm bystanders, was wrong. Even if he only did it to get the bystanders to help him call the cops. In court, I only have to emphasize that the accused took the initiative to act, and thus, it was an intentional behavior of the accused. Harming others while trying to protect one’s self-interest, does it not sound like intentional assault? I hope that I can define the actions of the accused as intentional assault by this method.

“Then, will the members of the jury accept such an idea? What I want to ask is if the jury members aren’t influenced by public opinion, then what should we do?” the intern continued asking.

“Relax, they will definitely be influenced by public opinion. It is directly related to the structure of the jury.” Reese gestured for the intern to have a seat. He then continued explaining, “The law stipulates that citizens who are above 18 years old, live in the country, are fluent in English, do not have hearing and mental impairments, and have no criminal records, are eligible to sit on a jury. However, in the actual screening process, the prosecutors and defenders will screen out some people.”

“For example, someone whose education level or living standards were lower would have a higher chance of being removed by both parties during the screening process. The reason is that these people are limited by their education and living environment. It is hard for them to come to a reasonable judgment based on the evidence. You can’t count on a high school dropout to think and analyze problems like a scholar. So regardless of whether it was the prosecuting or defending party, the lawyers would feel that letting someone like that become a jury member was a risk. Unless the accused comes from a particular group; if not, when it comes to screening for the jury, both sides will definitely remove these people.”

“Apart from that, we also don’t want people who have a very high educational level or experts within industries to become members of the jury. These people have gone through higher-level education and have achieved certain success. They are also more confident. They have better independent thinking ability and excellent judgment, and they are not easily affected by external factors. If someone like this were to appear in a jury, even if an excellent argument were made in court, they would not follow our thought process. They would use their independent thinking and come out with their own insight. The efforts of the prosecutor and the lawyer would be pointless in front of them. They would follow their own judgment and wouldn’t be easily dissuaded.”

“That is why, when it comes to the selection of the jury members, we usually pick the ones who don’t stand out in their lives, the ones who aren’t good at multi-layered thinking, who are pliable and easily influenced by external factors. Normal people who go with the flow. These people are the perfect jury members for both the prosecutor and defense lawyers. They will come out with a conclusion based on the most basic evidence as well as the words of the lawyers, never producing any unexpected factors.”

“I guess you should understand now that I’ve said this much, right? The members of the jury are people who are easily affected by external factors. Guided by public opinion, they will make assumptions. And in this case, I’ve used exactly this point to make them side with us. Or it might be better to say that we have used public opinion and moral coercion to affect their judgment!”

The intern nodded with a distorted expression. It wasn’t hard to see that he didn’t entirely agree with such behavior.

Instead, Reese advised him, “I know. You probably can’t comprehend this sort of behavior, but believe me, you will get used to it. From one perspective, it is indeed moral coercion, but you have to understand, the one who makes the final call isn’t us, so we don’t have to worry about mental or moral pressure. We have only one objective, and that is to convict the suspect!”

…

Dai Li arrived at Wilfrid’s law firm.

“Mr. Li, the direction of recent public opinion, I’m sure you’ve noticed it, right?” Wilfrid asked.

Dai Li nodded and said with a smile, “I’ve noticed it. I’ve already become a negative example; I never knew that there were so many moral and noble people in the world.”

Wilfrid felt the sarcasm in Dai Li’s tone, he smiled without paying it any heed, and said, “Mr. Li, this sort of situation is very unfavorable to us in the next court session. The jury will easily be affected by the direction of public opinion, which will lead them to make an unfavorable judgment against us.”

“They sure know how to pick their time. We’re about to start a court session, and something like this happens,” Dai Li said in resignation.

“If I’m not wrong, this is a trick of that prosecutor. The reason Nick Reese is able to maintain a 100% conviction rate is that he does things unscrupulously,” Wilfrid stated.

“Mr. Wilfrid, you’ve brought me here. I’m guessing you have already thought up a method of dealing with this,” Dai Li said. He knew that a lawyer of Wilfrid’s caliber would have already thought of a solution a long time ago.

“I have indeed thought of a solution, but it will require some money. This expenditure is not included in the lawyer fees, so I need to get your consent,” Wilfrid said.

“I understand.” Dai Li pulled out his checkbook and signed it. However, he didn’t fill in the number. He then handed the blank check to Wilfrid.

Wilfrid took the check and continued, “Later, I will send a detailed receipt of this expenditure to you by mail. I suggest you show the receipt to your accountant, as there might be parts that can be used to deduct tax.”

The reason Wilfrid requested this extra money from Dai Li was also because of tax. If the money were included in Wilfrid’s lawyer fees, then Wilfrid would have to pay personal income tax for it, whereas if it were funds provided by the client, then Wilfrid would not be required to pay extra tax.

“Mr. Wilfrid, I’m now very curious. What exactly is the coping method you thought up? Can you reveal it to me first?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course, you are my client, and you have the right to know everything.” Wilfrid smiled craftily. He pointed towards the blank check and said, “With this, there’s nothing that cannot be solved! Do you still remember the bystander you injured?”

“Yeah, I remember. I heard that the guy doesn’t have a real job. He usually works part-time at a gas station,” Dai Li answered.

“He’s now living quite comfortably, isn’t he!” Wilfrid said as if referring to something. He clasped his hands together and asked, “I guess you won’t mind letting him live even better, right?”

Chapter 486 - A Battle Outside the Court (Part Two)

Chapter 486: A Battle Outside the Court (Part Two)

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The 30-year-old Sam Gardner didn’t have much education, so it was natural he couldn’t find a high-wage job. His previous job was working as a salesman, but he lost that job during a company layoff. As such, he could only work part-time at a gas station while looking for a new job.

Sam Gardner felt that he an extremely unlucky person. 30 years old with no achievements, not even a full-time job. His girlfriend, who had been with him for several years, also left him after he became unemployed. And something that happened not long ago made Gardner realize what “bad luck” truly meant.

While Gardner was walking on the road, he was actually shot by someone, and the shot hit him exactly in the leg.

Gardner had thought that he was going to die. He called the cops, which started a large-scale gun fight later. It was only after Gardner was hospitalized that he found out that the guy who shot him was a hostage of the kidnappers. The hostage used him to alert the cops.

For Gardner, it was really an unexpected disaster. He hurt his leg and could not work for quite a while. And because he was unemployed, he didn’t have any medical insurance, so he was worried about his medical bills. He thought that he would go bankrupt because of that.

At that moment, an obese lawyer came to him. He indicated that he was willing to bear all of Gardner’s medical costs as well as a sum of money as compensation.

Of course, Gardner agreed to it without hesitation the moment he heard that he could receive money. It was the thing he lacked most. Gardner gave the lawyer the medical bill, and at the same time, he received a check worth 200,000 dollars. He then signed an agreement that stated that he would no longer pursue the matter.

200,000 dollars. It was an incredible amount. It would’ve taken him four to five years to earn that much money when he was a salesman. It was regarded as compensation in damages, which was not categorized under a person’s income, which meant that it wasn’t even taxable. With this money, even if Gardner didn’t work, he would still be able to enjoy a comfortable life for seven to eight years.

Gardner felt that his luck was changing. He left the old apartment that he originally rented, and moved into a better condominium. He even bought himself a car for practical use.

Then the lawyer appeared again. This time, he even brought along a reporter. They said that they wanted to interview Gardner, and at the same time, they even invited Gardner to appear on a talk show. Apart from that, the lawyer also stated that they were in contact with a publisher. They wanted to help Gardner publish a book titled, “The Bullet That Changed My Life.”

Gardner never would have thought that he would have an opportunity like that. He was without a doubt an underachiever back when he was a student, and now he was about to get interviewed by a reporter, visit a talk show, and even publish a book!

…

A talk show was live on the television, and the special guest was Gardner.

“Not long ago, I was a man in poverty. I had nothing, and every day was a struggle. I rented the cheapest apartment and relied on food stamps. I could have gone bankrupt at any time. I made my livelihood by working part-time at a gas station nearby,” Gardner said pitifully.

“Stop kidding me. I heard that you recently moved into a new apartment, and you even bought yourself a new car,” the host said. He then waved towards the big screen. The screen immediately played a video clip of Gardner showing the reporter around his new apartment and new car.

“Yes, you’ve all seen it. That is my life now. All of those things are because I was shot in the leg!” Gardner pulled up the leg of his pants as he said that, leaving his gunshot scar exposed.

“I don’t quite understand. What’s the relationship between getting shot and changing your house and your car? Sam Gardner, why don’t you tell everyone your story!” the host announced immediately.

Gardner began talking about his experiences.

“Mr. Gardner, are you saying the person who shot you paid for your medical fees, and he even gave you 200,000 dollars in damages? That is the annual income of a lot of people.” The host intentionally showed that he was shocked.

“Yes. He is a good man, and I need to thank him,” Gardner said.

“Thank him? He shot you! Not only do you not hate him, you even want to thank him? Is it safe to assume that you have completely forgiven him?” The host continued his barrage of questions.

“Of course, he was also a victim. He was kidnapped and locked in a room without windows. He couldn’t call for help or call the cops, so he did it to save himself. I can understand him. Not to mention, he has given me enough compensation, this money has completely changed my life. I don’t have to worry about my survival every day like before. I don’t have to worry about my credit card payments anymore. I can live in my new apartment and own a new car. This is exactly what I want!”

Gardner paused briefly and continued, “I’m only an ordinary person. I don’t want to stand out. My dream is simple. To have an ordinary house, an ordinary car, and to marry the person I love, have some kids, and live a peaceful life. But I’ve worked so hard for so many years without getting any of that, my dream was gradually moving away from me. But now, I can see the hope for me to realize my dreams again!”

Gardner’s words resonated with many members of the live audience. Most people were ordinary; they didn’t fantasize about being the best, what they wanted was simply to live an abundant and stable life. However, even with that pure desire, many people were unable to realize it no matter how hard they worked.

Gardner then continued, “Although 200,000 won’t let me have everything at once, it could significantly reduce my economic pressures. I have settled all my debts, and I still have a significant amount left. I can get in my car and go to a ball game during the weekends, I can go have a good meal in a better restaurant. And all of this is thanks to the guy who shot me. Thanks to him, I can once again see hope! I feel that he didn’t actually hurt me. On the contrary, he helped me. If it were to happen again, I would still be willing to take that shot.”

Members of the talk show’s live audience began applauding. These people were, of course, planted by the lawyer Wilfrid beforehand. Led by the planted audience, the other audience also started clapping their hands.

After the applause, the camera returned to focus on the host. The host then said, “Getting shot by a gun. Not only does he not hate the person who fired on him, he is, instead, expressing his gratitude! This is the first time I’ve seen such a situation. Although this sounds extremely absurd, after we’ve seen Mr. Gardner’s current living condition, I can actually understand this behavior of his. Although Mr. Gardner was shot in the leg, he received 200,000 dollars as compensation. He is one step closer to his dream of leading a comfortable and stable life.”

…

Under Wilfrid’s authorization, many media sources had already interviewed Gardner and reported about him. And in all those reports, Gardner created the image of a lucky person for himself. Gardner also spoke of the 200,000 dollars compensation provided by Dai Li as aid from Dai Li, aid that helped him escape poverty.

The reporters found Gardner and recorded videos and took photographs of his newly rented apartment and newly bought car. Although the apartment wasn’t big, the surrounding environment was excellent. The car was an ordinary passenger car, but it was the kind that was practical and popular amongst consumers.

Those were all things that were obtainable for the average person. If what was shown were swimming pools, mansions, or sports cars instead, the general population would feel nothing. That was because they couldn’t afford a mansion that had a swimming pool, or a luxurious sports car. For an ordinary person, talking about the luxurious mansion and sports cars were fantasies, and naturally, it would not be able to resonate with them.

However, these seemingly normal things were different; they could reach into the hearts of ordinary people, especially the general population. An apartment located in a livable environment, an average but practical car, those were exactly the things they needed. They were also the things they could aspire to obtain through hard work.

Like the movie “The Pursuit of Happiness,” stories where a poor person became a millionaire were indeed touching and inspirational, but for an ordinary citizen, the stories were usually far away. The goal of becoming a millionaire was unattainable for most people. However, Gardner’s story made them feel very close. It was very close to their lives, and it even made every normal person feel that they could do it too.

Within a short amount of time, another discussion appeared in public opinion forums. Getting shot in the leg for 200,000 dollars compensation, would you do it?

When talking about money, the previous question that asked, “Would you hurt an innocent person to protect yourself?” The question seemed incredibly empty. An actual 200,000 dollars was being discussed, and someone had actually received that 200,000 dollars in real life.

Under Wilfrid’s push, all sorts of survey questionnaires appeared online, and reporters once again went onto the streets to interview passersby.

When faced with money, Americans displayed their honesty decisively.

“Of course I would! It’s 200,000 dollars! Look at that Sam Gardner guy, he was only a poor failure, but now he has a car and a house. His life has completely changed!” Passerby A said.

“Of course, I’d be willing! I know that guy called Gardner. He received 200,000 dollars in compensation for damages, and he called the cops to help the hostage who was kidnapped. Not only could you help someone, but you could also get out of poverty. Why not?” Passerby B stated.

“If getting shot once could be exchanged for 200,000 dollars, then please shoot me more! If it were me, if you gave me 200,000 dollars, I would also thank the person who shot me. He’s really generous!” Passerby C declared.

In a matter of days, the direction of the news media made a 180-degree turn. Previous public opinion made Dai Li a villain who hurt others to protect his life, asserting that Dai Li lacked morality. Now, public opinion made Dai Li out to be a generous philanthropist who helped Gardner escape poverty, and live an abundant and plentiful life. Dai Li was just doing a good deed.

…

Prosecutor Nick Reese held his tablet and stared at Gardner’s photograph the media put out with an ashen expression. He knew that his public opinion offensive had completely failed. Gardner, the man who got shot, actually came out to thank the guy who shot him. From that point alone, Reese had lost this battle outside the court.

The photograph posted by the media is too enchanting for the common people. An apartment in a decent area, an economical and practical car as a substitute for walking, it is the standard package for a normal person. And most members of the jury will be exactly this type of people. If they see these pictures, they will most certainly resonate with them. They will naturally think of the problem from Gardner’s perspective. They will also feel that they should thank the accused! Looks like the jury will not be on my side in court.

Reese took a deep breath. However, his eyes were filled with a desire to battle.

That’s Wilfrid all right, he really deserves to be called the best criminal lawyer in the US. I must also give it my all! I guess I’ll have to go to Plan B…

Chapter 487 - Attempted First-Degree Murder

Chapter 487: Attempted First-Degree Murder

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Nick Reese found his superior, Terrell.

“You don’t plan on prosecuting him on intentional assault. Instead, you want to charge him with an attempted first-degree murder?” Terrell frowned and said, “This is a very serious crime. Although it is only an attempt, if convicted, the accused will face several years in prison. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Prosecutor Reese nodded. “Previously, I wanted to guide the jury using public opinion, but that plan failed, so I have to use other methods.”

“Tell me your current idea.” Terrell crossed his legs and appeared to be listening.

“I will first accuse the defendant of a severe crime and let the defendant realize that he might actually be convicted of a first-degree murder attempt once court session begins. Later, I will negotiate with the defendant, with the cancellation of the first-degree murder attempt accusation as a condition, to let him confess to intentional assault and assault on a police officer,” Prosecutor Reese said.

“You are planning to use the accusation of an attempted first-degree murder as the negotiating chip? But is the evidence we have enough?” Terrell asked.

“Indeed, we do not have enough evidence to charge him with an attempt at first-degree murder. However, I need to gain the initiative. After that, things will be much easier. During the actual negotiation, I will also propose that, as long as he confesses, I will reduce his sentence accordingly. It is a very tempting exchange,” Reese stated.

Terrell shook his head. “From what I know, the accused hired Wilfrid as his lawyer. He’s the best criminal lawyer in the US. With Wilfrid’s experience, these tricks of yours won’t be able to fool him.”

“I know that Wilfrid is amazing, but when we dueled against each other last time, he didn’t gain any advantage over me.” Reese smiled and continued, “Although I can’t guarantee that I will persuade the jury with 100% certainty, I can make the accused feel that he actually has a chance of being convicted on an attempted first-degree murder. Next, it will only be a matter of gambling on the chance of conviction, which I don’t think the accused will be willing to do. That’s because he’s a rich person! And if the negotiation were to take place at that time, I will be in a more advantageous position.”

“Indeed, what you say makes sense. When there’s a possibility of being convicted, rich people do not dare to gamble on the results.” Terrell crossed his arms in front of his chest and asked, “Just now you said that you want to magnify the effects of the bargaining chip. That means you already have a plan, right?

“Yes, I think I’ve found an exploitable point of breakthrough. Once in court, I will silence them! This lawsuit, I have to win it!” Terrell looked confident.

…

Wilfrid’s law firm.

“Mr. Li, there has been an update in the situation. The prosecutor, apart from wanting to sue you for damage to public property and police assault, wants to add another charge, an attempt at first-degree murder,” Lawyer Wilfrid said.

Hearing the word “murder,” Dai Li was shocked. Obviously, he also understood that it was a severe crime.

So Dai Li asked with a frown, “What’s going on? Didn’t they say they were going to sue me for intentional assault? How did it become an attempted first-degree murder? This should be several times more severe, isn’t it?”

“Mr. Li, you don’t have to worry. Based on my understanding of Nick Reese, this is just a trick he commonly uses. He starts with a more severe charge, letting the accused worry that he will be convicted of a serious crime. Then with the cancellation of the serious crime as a condition, he asks for the accused to confess to the other crimes. I think that in your case, there isn’t enough evidence to sue for attempted first-degree murder. So you mustn’t become frantic, and even more so, do not meet the prosecutor alone. No matter what they say or do, leave them to me,” Wilfrid cautioned Dai Li.

“Alright. If the prosecutor or the cops look for me, I will remain silent until I see you,” Dai Li said.

Wilfrid nodded with satisfaction. He lifted the documents in his hand and said, “Mr. Li, let’s organize the charges the prosecutor put against you. First is damage to public property, which is referring to a few bullet holes left behind on the police cruiser when you fired the shots. I feel that we don’t have to waste time and energy on this item. We can ask for the police to send us the bill of their car repairs, and we will compensate them accordingly. If they want an additional penalty, my suggestion is to directly submit the penalty amount. At most, it will only be 1,000 to 2,000 dollars.

“No problem. I have no objections,” Dai Li answered immediately.

“Next is the assault of a police officer. Although you did shoot towards the police, your real intention was to inform the police and not attack them. Besides, you didn’t cause any bodily harm to the police. So in my opinion, we have sufficient reason to deny this accusation.” Wilfrid sighed slightly and continued, “Mr. Li, do you know that you made the right decision back then?”

“What decision?” Dai Li asked.

“After you opened fire at the cops, you didn’t remain at the exhaust vent. That decision could not have been better. According to what I know, after you opened fire and exposed your position, a sniper immediately aimed at the exhaust vent. If you had appeared again, there was a high possibility that you would have been killed by the sniper of the police force. And from the cases of police assault that I’ve encountered, there’s not even the need to mention opening fire towards the police. Even those who had the guts to point a gun towards a police officer wouldn’t appear in the defendant’s seat,” Wilfrid said.

“Why?” Dai Li didn’t immediately understand what Wilfrid was implying.

“They were all gunned down by the police. Even if they didn’t die at the scene, they would be lying in a hospital bed, with no possibility of appearing in court.” Wilfrid spread out both his arms and continued, “The law gives the police the power to shoot, but most of the time, the power is abused. Sometimes, the police open fire not to subdue the criminal or to defend themselves, but to display the authority of the police.”

After Wilfrid finished, he turned to a new page of the document in his hand, and continued, “Finally, let’s talk about the attempted first-degree murder. Mr. Li, I don’t know how well you understand this charge, but I will still explain it to you. Murder is classified into two categories in most states of the US. They are first-degree murder and second-degree murder.”

“First-degree murder includes premeditated killings, multiple deaths caused by manslaughter, and killing in the process of committing a crime. Second-degree murder includes every other situation of killing not included in first-degree murder, such as unpremeditated killings, impulsive killings, killings not in the process of committing a crime, manslaughter that killed not that many people, intent to cause harm that leads to death, and etcetera.”

Dai Li’s brow furrowed together as he listened. He then asked, “Mr. Wilfrid, according to your description of first-degree murder, I feel that what I have done cannot be defined as first-degree murder. I don’t know how to interpret this attempt at first-degree murder in terms of the law.”

“When you shot at Mr. Gardner, it was a premeditated act. I believe Prosecutor Reese must be thinking of using this to cause a big fuss. He will associate your act of shooting and Mr. Gardner’s behavior with first-degree murder; however, from the law perspective, he doesn’t have enough proof. I’ve said it before, this is just their negotiating chip. He wants to first intimidate you, and later, he will force you into confessing to intentional assault or the police assault,” Wilfrid said confidently.

At that moment, the secretary knocked on the door and walked in.

“Mr. Wilfrid, there’s a prosecutor called Nick Reese hoping he can make an appointment with you. He says it’s regarding a case, he wants to exchange evidence before court session opens,” the secretary stated.

An “I told you so” smile immediately appeared on Wilfrid’s face. He said to Dai Li, “Mr. Li, it looks like I’m correct! The guy is already here to negotiate.”

…

“Mr. Wilfrid, I advise you to seriously consider persuading your client to confess as soon as possible. As long as he is willing to confess, I can still withdraw the charge of attempted first-degree murder, and only sue him for intentional assault and police assault. Furthermore, I will also try to get him a reduced sentence. Perhaps your client will face a heftier cash penalty, but being able to resolve the case quickly is beneficial for the both of us,” Nick Reese said in an organized manner.

Wilfrid laughed. “Prosecutor Reese, this suggestion of yours, I only see that it is beneficial to you. I don’t see any benefits to my client.”

“How could that be? Your client has no need to face charges against him for an attempted first-degree murder. For your client, isn’t that a great benefit?” Reese stated.

“My client is innocent.” Wilfrid shook his head firmly.

“In that case, we’ll meet in court.” Reese stood up and prepared to leave. Before he left, he added, “Mr. Wilfrid, this suggestion of mine, do consider it carefully. Or perhaps you can ask for the opinion of your client. Until the judge makes a judgment, my offer is still in effect.”

…

Reese walked out of Wilfrid’s law firm. The meeting had gone exactly as Reese expected. Wilfrid was the nation’s best criminal lawyer; naturally, he would never compromise under Reese’s intimidation.

Reese took out his phone and dialed the cell phone number of the chief of the LAPD.

“Chief, the thing I talked about previously, looks like we’re going to court. A few officers will need to appear as witnesses. To win this lawsuit, I hope that they will cooperate with me in court.”

“No, no, of course, we cannot falsify evidence. Falsifying evidence is against the law, we can’t break the law while knowing the law. What I mean to say is that I hope that the officers who will appear as witnesses can side with us when providing their testimonies. You can relax, I will guide them during questioning.”

…

It was the first time Dai Li was faced with a lawsuit, and it was also his first time in court.

Who would have thought that my first time in court would be as the defendant? Dai Li shook his head in resignation. He looked towards the witness stand, and the middle-aged man who was seated there.

The middle-aged man was a police officer. He was one of the two who reached the scene the quickest. He ran up to pull Sam Gardner out of the way, then hid behind the car with the other police officer.

“Officer Lori, can you briefly describe what happened on that day,” Nick Reese said.

The officer organized his thoughts and said, “On the day of the incident, me and my partner, Pane, dispatched to the scene of a shooting. After we arrived at the scene, we discovered an injured person lying on the ground. The injured person told us that he was shot. My partner Pane was responsible for keeping a lookout, and I went to check the condition of the injured man.”

“I walked to the front of the injured person and lifted him up. As I was walking back, we were attacked with gunfire again, and after hearing the shots, the three of us immediately got down. Later, Pane let me hide behind the car, so I immediately helped the injured man move behind the car. Pane then told me that the tire of the vehicle was blown out, so we immediately requested backup. After that, headquarters sent a professional anti-terrorist team, and I retreated back under the cover of the other officers.

Nick Reese listened seriously. He nodded as he listened, and when Officer Lori finished his description, he asked instantly, “Officer Lori after you and your partner arrived at the scene, did you know that the shooter was still hidden around the area?”

“No, we didn’t know if the shooter was around or not, so my partner stayed to keep watch,” Officer Lori answered.

“Then, even you guys didn’t know the location of the shooter?” Reese continued asking.

“We didn’t know,” the officer answered without hesitation.

Reese looked encouragingly at the police officer and asked, “From what you’ve said, you helped the injured person up, and you were shot at as you tried to provide aid, is that correct?”

“Yes,” the police officer answered without hesitation.

“Then I’d like to ask Officer Lori, what was the first thing that came to mind when you heard the gunshot?” Reese continued his questioning.

“The first thing I thought was that someone had assaulted the police,” the police officer immediately replied.

“I object!” Wilfrid immediately stood up. “The opinion of the witness is only formed by his subjective will, it is unrelated to the case! I object to the prosecutor bringing up unrelated issues.”

Reese quickly answered tit-for-tat, “Your honor, this witness was not only there at the scene when everything happened, but he was also the officer in charge of handling the case. As a professional, that was the professional judgment he made based on the situation at the scene. It should be able to be used as a reference for this case.”

The judge thought for a moment and nodded, “Overruled. As a police officer who was first to arrive at the scene of the crime, Officer Lori’s opinions are professional, and can be used as a reference for this case.”

A victorious expression flashed over Reese’s face. He then asked, “Officer Lori, when you called for backup, did you state that there was a police assault?”

“Yes. When my partner, Pane, called for backup from headquarters, he clearly stated this point. I heard it clearly from beside him,” Officer Lori replied.

“After that, did the shooter open fire again at the police?” Reese continued asking.

“He did. That was after the arrival of the backup. The shooter fired a few more shots at the officers,” Officer Lori answered firmly.

On the defense lawyer’s stand, Wilfrid kept noting down key points in his notebook.

Reese keeps repeating the words “fired at police.” Looks like he wants to pin the police assault charge on my client through the words of this police witness. But this sort of thinking is too naive, it might work on newbie lawyers, but to use this against me, haha, he’s naive…

Chapter 488 - A Battle in Court

Chapter 488: A Battle in Court

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was Wilfrid’s turn to ask questions. He did not speak immediately; instead, he walked up to the front of the witness stand and stared sharply at Officer Lori. It made Lori feel somewhat uneasy.

Finally, Wilfrid asked, “Officer Lori, according to your description, you heard the gunshot when you pulled the injured person back, is that right?”

“Yes,” Lori said while nodding.

“Then did you see the shooter firing at you?” Wilfrid continued asking.

“No,” Lori answered.

“Then were you shot?” Wilfrid asked again.

“No,” Lori continued answering.

“When you heard the gunshot, did you see where the bullet hit?” Wilfrid asked again.

“Also, no,” Lori replied.

“Then since you didn’t see the shooter fire, your body wasn’t shot, and you didn’t know where the bullet ended up, how did you know the target of the shooter was you from just the sound of a gunshot alone?” Wilfrid asked with a serious tone.

Officer Lori thought for a moment and said, “The surrounding area was empty, no one else was there, so we were the only possible targets.”

“Then have you ever thought of the possibility that the shooter was only shooting at an object, and his target wasn’t you?” Wilfrid continued asking.

“Objection! I object to the defense lawyer asking a hypothetical question. The witness doesn’t have to answer this question.” Reese immediately stood up.

Wilfrid smiled instead. “Your honor, based on the evidence shown at the scene, the shot made by my client did not hit anyone, it hit the tire of the police cruiser. He did indeed shoot at an object. That is the truth, not a hypothetical question.”

The judge nodded. “Overruled. May the witness answer the question of the defense.”

Officer Lori thought for a few dozen more seconds before finally saying, “I did not think about the situation that you’ve mentioned. We were the only ones there, and I made a judgment based on my experience. The shooter’s target would be the people at the scene and not some random object.”

“Which means that you confirmed that you were being assaulted from your deduction?” Wilfrid’s tone was still solemn.

Lori immediately said, “Under those circumstances, with someone already shot and on the ground, any normal person would think that…”

“You only have to answer yes or no, did you determine you were being assaulted from just your deduction,” Wilfrid interrupted Lori.

“Yes,” Lori could only answer.

Wilfrid nodded in satisfaction. He had gotten the answer he wanted. He then asked, “When did you discover the shot did not hit anyone, but hit your car tire instead?”

“After I brought the injured person to the back of the car, my partner told me that my car tire was hit,” Lori said.

“Then, when the gunshot rang out and you got down, how far were you from your car?” Wilfrid continued asking.

Lori thought for a moment and said, “Maybe around ten meters!”

Wilfrid laughed mockingly and asked, “Only ten meters? You had a recording device, didn’t you? It should be able to clearly show how far you were from the police cruiser.”

“I don’t really remember. It was really chaotic, maybe it was more than ten meters,” Lori immediately changed his words.

Wilfrid took a piece of paper from his assistant instead. The picture was a screenshot taken from the law enforcement video equipment. He pointed at the screenshot and said, “This is a screenshot from the law enforcement video recorder for when Officer Lori got down. From the screenshot, we can clearly see that Officer Lori was between 35 and 40 meters away from the police cruiser. This shows that the target of the shot made by my client was not Officer Lori or the injured person, it was the police cruiser located 40 meters away.”

“Obviously, being 40 meters apart, this shows that my client had no intention of harming Officer Lori. His target was the police cruiser. It was only to grab the attention of the police. He used it as a means of calling the police.” As Wilfrid said that, he received a photograph from his assistant. On the picture was a police cruiser, a few bullet holes could be seen on it.

“The bullet holes on this police cruiser were created by my client, and they were also the product of the few gunshots after the backup that Lori mentioned just now arrived. After my client fired the shots, not one police officer was hurt, and this photo also proves that my client’s target was the police cruiser, not the police officers at the scene. His objective was the same, to call the police, not to assault the police. So the ‘police assault’ charges brought up by the prosecutor have no grounds to be established. The so-called ‘police assault’ is just the feeling of the police officers who were there, it isn’t the truth.”

As Wilfrid spoke, he glanced provocatively at Nick Reese, seemingly telling him that he was going to lose this lawsuit.

The judge also glanced at Reese with a peculiar look. From his perspective, the police assault charges brought up by Reese indeed did not have sufficient evidence.

Prosecutor Reese was, however, very calm. It was as if he did not suffer from any sense of defeat.

…

As the victim of the case, Sam Gardner sat on the witness stand.

“Mr. Gardner, please describe in detail what happened that day,” Nick Reese started with the same question.

Gardner was already at home with answering that question. He had already been interviewed by various reporters, and every single reporter asked him to talk about that day. Gardner had long since memorized what he wanted to say.

“I was on my way home, and I decided to use a shortcut. So I passed through the scene of the incident. I then heard a gunshot, I felt a pain in my leg, and when I lowered my head, I found out that I had been shot. Then I fell on the ground, and I called the cops. After a while, a police cruiser came to the scene, two police officers got out of the car, and one of them came and helped me move behind the police cruiser to hide. They then called for backup. An ambulance and the police backup came quickly. After that, I was put on the ambulance and sent to the hospital.” Gardner described everything that happened on the day of the incident.

“Mr. Gardner, after you realized you were shot, did you feel scared?” Reese asked.

“Yes, I was indeed quite scared,” Gardner answered.

“Did it ever occur to you that the shooter was shooting at you?” Reese asked.

“Yes, I thought of it,” Gardner answered honestly.

“Then, have you ever wondered if the shooter wanted to kill you?” Reese continued asking.

“Yes, I did.” Gardner nodded.

“When you were injured and lying on the ground, was the wound on your leg still bleeding?” Reese asked again.

“Yes, the wound was bleeding,” Gardner continued answering.

“Then did you worry that you were hit in an important artery and that you might die from blood loss?” Reese asked.

Gardner took a deep breath and continued to reply, “I had such a worry.”

“Your honor, I’ve completed my questioning.” Reese returned to his seat.

Wilfrid had prepared a long time ago. After Reese finished his questioning, Wilfrid was immediately in front of the witness stand.

“Mr. Gardner, according to the diagnosis of the hospital, was your gunshot wound lethal?”

“It wasn’t lethal.” Gardner shook his head. “The doctor said it was only a flesh wound, and that it would heal up quickly after the stitching.”

“Then after this shooting incident, how much did you spend on medical fees?” Wilfrid asked.

Reese had guessed what Wilfrid wanted to say, so he immediately raised his hand to signal, “Objection! The defense lawyer is bringing questions completely unrelated to this case.”

“Your honor, I’m guessing not a lot of the people here are doctors. I want us to get a better assessment of Mr. Gardner’s injury through the amount spent on medical fees. This should be useful in clarifying the case,” Wilfrid argued.

The judge hesitated slightly but nodded his head in the end, “The basis for the defense lawyer to raise the question is reasonable, objection overruled. However, the treatment expenses are considered personal privacy, the witness may choose not to answer.”

“I’ll answer,” Gardner said immediately. “I didn’t spend a single cent, Mr. Li paid for all my medical expenses.”

“Then what about the rehabilitation that came after? The cost of rehabilitation should be rather expensive, was it not?” Wilfrid continued asking.

“I also didn’t spend any money. My rehabilitation fee was also paid for by Mr. Li. And Mr. Li also gave me 200,000 dollars as compensation. It directly helped me get out of poverty,” Gardner said.

“Then, is the Mr. Li that you speak about in this room?” Wilfrid continued with his question.

“He’s here. He’s there sitting in the defendant’s seat,” Gardner answered.

Wilfrid showed a satisfied smile. “I think the truth is clear. First, although my client shot Mr. Gardner, he did not aim at his vitals. This shows that my client did not want to kill Mr. Gardner. He never had the intent to murder Mr. Gardner, he only wanted Mr. Gardner to help him call the police.”

“Besides that, because my client feels sorry for hurting and injuring Mr. Gardner, not only did he pay for his medical fees and rehabilitation fees, he even gave him a huge sum of financial compensation. From this point, one can tell that the defendant is a kind person, and he was forced to shoot at Mr. Gardner. That is why the accusation of the attempted first-degree murder is completely baseless.”

After Wilfrid finished his sentence, he bowed to the judge. “Your honor, I’ve completed my questioning.”

“Prosecutor, do you still have any question you want to ask the defendant or anything else to add?” the judge asked Reese.

“No, I have no questions, and I have nothing to add.” Reese shook his head without hesitation, his expression was still very calm.

Reese’s display made Wilfrid frown. Nick Reese was way too calm.

…

Edward Snow also appeared on the witness stand.

“Mr. Snow, you were also a kidnapped hostage, and you were also stuck in the room. You personally witnessed the entire process of the shooting. Can you please describe everything that happened then?” Nick Reese started in the same manner.

“We were stuck in the room, and the kidnappers were everywhere outside. Mr. Li locked the door so the kidnappers outside couldn’t enter, which provided us with temporary safety. The room we were stuck in had no window so we couldn’t escape. We wanted to call the police, but there was no phone reception. Later, we opened the exhaust vent and hoped to call for help through the vent, but there was no effect. We were too far away from the people passing by, they couldn’t hear our call for help.”

“Later, Mr. Li had an idea. He suggested that we shoot at the people passing by. As long as someone was injured, someone would call the police, and then the police would arrive. I thought that the method would work, so Mr. Li stood and waited beside the exhaust vent. As soon as a passerby appeared, he shot at the person and injured the passerby.”

“Surely enough, the passerby called the police just like we expected. Not long after, I heard the police siren, and Mr. Li fired at the police cruiser, and the police then called for backup. Mr. Li fired for the third time as he hoped to use that to inform the police of our location, and the police did discover us. They fought against the kidnappers and finally saved us.”

Reese pondered for a couple of seconds and asked, “Mr. Snow, based on your description just now, it was Mr. Li who suggested shooting at the people passing by, is that correct?”

“It was indeed his idea.” Snow then added, “And I also expressed agreement. I felt that given the circumstances, it was the only way to get to the police.”

Reese did not pay any attention to Snow’s additional remarks and continued, “Based on this, the action of shooting at a passerby performed by the accused was an action that was planned before execution.”

Just as Snow wanted to defend Dai Li, Reese asked again, “Mr. Snow, shooting at the police, did Mr. Li suddenly bring it up, or was it pre-planned?”

“It was part of the plan. We needed to use this method to get the attention of the police,” Snow said.

“Which is to say that the police assault was also a deliberate act of the defendant?” Reese asked immediately.

Wilfrid stood up immediately. “I object! My client has not been convicted, the prosecutor’s use of the word ‘police assault’ is directional.”

“Sustained. Prosecutor, please be wary of your words,” the judge reminded.

“Alright, I take back my previous question and ask again. Mr. Snow, may I ask if the action of attacking the police with a gun a deliberate action of the defendant?”

“Ugh, yes.” Although Snow felt that this answer would negatively affect Dai Li, he still gave a firm answer. He could not falsify his testimony.

“Alright, I’ve finished questioning.” Snow returned to his seat.

The few questions targeted at Snow were within Wilfrid’s expectation. Before the court session began, he had already guessed that Reese would utilize the words “deliberate action” a lot. And the case of Dai Li shooting at and injuring Gardner, as well as his shooting of the police cruiser, were indeed actions performed after planning. They could also be regarded as deliberate actions.

However, Wilfrid already had a method to deal with that. Although he could not deny Dai Li’s deliberate action, he could defend Dai Li from another perspective: Dai Li’s motive.

In a criminal case, sometimes the motive for committing a crime was more important than the actual act of committing the crime. For example, if a terrorist wanted to perform a terrorist attack at a public place, even if the terrorist didn’t succeed in the end, and there were no casualties, his motive was enough to have him sentenced to life in prison.

And what Wilfrid had to do was to let everyone feel that Dai Li did not have a motive to hurt anyone. Then, even if his actions were considered a crime, he could be acquitted.

Wilfrid reached the front of the witness stand and asked, “Mr. Snow. When you were trapped in the room, if you were unsuccessful in calling for help, would your life have been in danger?”

“If we failed to call for help, we would surely die. The metal door could only hold the kidnappers off temporarily. They could use bombs or cutters to cut open the door. Besides, there was no food or water in the room, so we couldn’t have lasted long,” Snow answered.

“Then what kind of condition were you in?” Wilfrid asked further.

“I was in a terrible condition. After being kidnapped, I hadn’t drunk any water for two days, and I hadn’t eaten anything either. Also, I suffered torture at the hands of the kidnappers. I was covered in wounds, my body had lost a lot of blood, and I was feverish. In that situation, without food and water, a normal person might be able to hold out for three days, but I might not have lasted another 24 hours,” Snow replied.

“That is to say that if you didn’t receive help in a short amount of time, all of you risked losing your lives. In comparison, the defendant’s body was in better condition. The defendant could have waited two to three days, but your condition did not allow that. Your life was in imminent danger, and if you didn’t receive treatment, you would die. Is my understanding correct?” Wilfrid probed further.

“Yes.” Snow nodded.

“So, under such a circumstance, my client could not help but utilize an extreme method to call for help. He used a gun to injure Mr. Gardner, and he also shot at a police cruiser. The motive for him doing all of those things was so that the near-death Mr. Edward Snow could receive treatment as soon as possible. At the same time, it could also lead to his freedom.” Wilfrid paused, and continued in an affectionate tone, “Without a doubt, my client’s actions were performed based on a plan; however, my client had no motive to commit a crime. Everything he did was to help a stranger he had just met. In my opinion, he is a selfless hero, but now, this life-saving hero is sitting here, receiving judgment!”

Wilfrid’s tone and expression touched the hearts of many people. Even Dai Li thought he was a great person after hearing that.

To become a fantastic lawyer, acting skills were crucial.

Chapter 489 - Trump Card

Chapter 489: Trump Card

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the trial so far, Wilfrid obviously had the upper hand. Every move Nick Reese made was within Wilfrid’s grasp, and every attack he made Wilfrid resolved.

However, Nick Reese’s calm expression made Wilfrid slightly uneasy and worried.

Wilfrid had battled multiple times against Prosecutor Reese, and from Wilfrid’s understanding of Reese, he was not the kind of prosecutor who would simply accept being in the backseat. As the only prosecutor with a conviction rate of 100%, that was definitely not the entirety of Reese’s capability.

I already have the advantage, but Nick Reese is still as calm as ever. He definitely has something up his sleeve. That’s the only reason why he is so calm. Wilfrid took a deep breath. He knew it wasn’t time yet for him to relax.

Finally, it was Dai Li’s turn to be questioned.

Nick Reese walked to Dai Li’s side. His gaze suddenly seemed very sharp, and his tone also became serious.

“Mr. Li, based on the data available, you successfully freed yourself from the kidnappers, and moreover, subdued three kidnappers. You even managed to rob them of their guns, is that correct?” Prosecutor Reese asked.

“Yes,” Dai Li answered.

“Did you subdue them with your bare hands?” Reese asked.

“Yes. Before I subdued the kidnappers, I had no weapons. It was only until after I beat them up that I took the guns from their hands,” Dai Li replied.

“Which is to say you subdued three gun-wielding kidnappers while you were barehanded.” As Reese spoke, a cold look flashed through his eyes.

“To be exact, two of them held guns.” Dai Li didn’t think there was anything wrong with his reply.

Reese did not focus on that. He took out three photographs and continued, “I’ve seen the information of the three kidnappers you subdued. This guy was smuggled in from Colombia. He used to be the subordinate of a Colombian drug lord. He is a savage, and he has claimed several lives.”

The photograph Reese took out was a photo of Santos. He showed the photo to everyone and then changed to the other photograph. The person in the photograph was a very tall black man.

“This guy has multiple priors. He was imprisoned for robbery and assault. His information in the document archive in the police department is around this thick.” Reese gestured with his hand, he then moved on and showed everyone the third photograph.

“This guy received professional boxing training. He used to be a boxer, but because he almost beat his opponent to death, he had to bid farewell to the boxing profession. In the crime syndicates in Los Angeles, he is a famous fighter because his fighting skills are very good.”

“The three kidnappers are obviously not people with frail or weak bodies. They know how to fight. Truth be told, if it were me, even if they were barehanded, I wouldn’t be able to beat any one of them one on one. I believe most people wouldn’t be able to achieve this feat. Not to mention subduing all three at once. I think a Navy SEAL might be able to subdue all three of them at once, maybe. So, Mr. Li, I’m curious, were you part of the military?” Reese asked.

“No.” Dai Li shook his head firmly.

“Then, are you a martial artist? Or have you obtained any rank in martial arts? Like the black-belt in Judo and Taekwondo, or the armbands in Muay Thai, or something else?” Reese asked directly.

“No,” Dai Li answered.

Reese laughed coldly. “Then have you received professional martial arts training?”

Dai Li thought that Reese’s question was a trap, he thought for a moment and said, “I used to be the fitness coach of the ultimate boxing champion, Kevin Taylor. In the process of coaching Kevin Taylor, I learned boxing techniques.”

“You’ve only learned some techniques as you coached him, and haven’t directly received professional boxing training as a boxer, can I phrase it like that?” Reese asked immediately.

Dai Li pondered for a moment and finally nodded. “Yes.”

“Then do you normally have any special interest in martial arts?” Reese asked.

“As a sports coach, I’m interested in all kinds of sports, including martial arts. It’s not just a question of hobbies, it is my job,” Dai Li answered.

“Then do you conduct specialized martial arts training?” Reese asked again.

At that moment, Wilfrid suddenly stood up. “Objection, the prosecutor’s question is unrelated to the current case!”

Although Wilfrid hadn’t figured out what Reese’s plan was, Reese hadn’t brought up the shooting incident all day. He had instead placed his focus on the three kidnappers subdued by Dai Li. It made Wilfrid feel uneasy, so he decided to interrupt and stop Reese’s questioning.

Reese, however, said calmly, “Your honor, the kidnapping of the defendant is also part of the shooting, so my questions are completely related to the case.”

The judge nodded. “Overruled. Prosecutor, you may continue with your questioning.”

Reese turned around with satisfaction and continued asking Dai Li, “Mr. Li, do you train regularly in martial arts techniques?”

“No,” Dai Li said.

“A non-military personnel who has no rank in any kind of martial arts, who also does not train in martial arts regularly, how did such a person subdue three kidnappers barehanded? Moreover, one of the kidnappers used to be a boxer! Don’t any of you think that this is just too unbelievable?”

Reese turned around to look at the others, he then spoke, “Obviously, the only explanation is that the defendant has a tendency for violence! Based on scientific research, people with tendencies to violence can exert extra strength and power when attacking someone. It is because Mr. Li has a tendency to violence that he could subdue the three kidnappers barehanded.”

“Objection! The prosecutor’s conclusion is without proof. If the prosecutor thinks that my client has a tendency for violence, please show us actual proof.” Wilfrid stood up.

The judge immediately looked over towards Reese. “Prosecutor, do you have proof?”

“Because the defendant did not go through a mental evaluation, I currently do not have actual proof. However, this conclusion was deduced from the truths related to the case,” Reese stated.

“Prosecutor Reese, do you actually plan to convict someone based on a deduction?” Wilfrid snorted coldly.

“Of course not. However, Mr. Wilfrid, can you provide another answer or explanation? How did a non-military individual, who does not have any rank in any martial art, who also does not train in martial arts regularly, subdue those three kidnappers?” Reese asked.

“It’s because I’m very talented in boxing!” Dai Li suddenly declared.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Dai Li. Dai Li then said, “I believe that I am a boxing genius. There are so-called ‘geniuses’ in all kinds of fields and industries; they don’t need to put in a lot of effort to achieve results. I don’t think it’s hard to find cases like this in real life.”

“Boxing genius? Mr. Li, how can you prove that you are a boxing genius? Your opinion alone cannot be used as evidence,” Reese asked in a mocking tone.

“Then what proof do you have that I am not?” Dai Li refuted immediately.

The judge felt that it was meaningless to continue arguing about that. He slammed the tiny hammer in his hand and stopped the two people from continuing to express their opinions. “May I remind the two gentlemen that this is a court, don’t discuss things that are unrelated to the case. Prosecutor, you are a professional, please be more conscious.”

“I’m sorry.” Reese showed the judge an apologetic expression, then turned around and asked, “Mr. Li, my next question is, when you shot Mr. Sam Gardner, was it random? Or was it preplanned?”

“It was part of my plan of calling for help. I planned to shoot and injure a passerby so that the injured passerby would surely call the police,” Dai Li said.

“Then, before you fired the gun, did you ever think that you might not hit the leg of the person, but instead, hit his chest or heart, or perhaps even his head? The person would have been killed, by you!” Reese asked.

“So I had to make sure I aimed at his leg before I shot,” Dai Li said.

“Based on what you’ve said, you have thought of the possibilities that I mentioned? You only have to answer yes or no.” Reese’s tone was aggravated.

“Yes,” Dai Li nodded.

“Then, before you fired the gun, did it occur to you that the injured person might not be able to call the police due to different circumstances, such as him not having a phone, his phone having no battery, or that he had fainted from the pain?” Reese asked again.

“No. Under the circumstance, I could have lost my life at any moment, so I didn’t think that much,” Dai Li answered.

“Then did you know that if the injured person did not get help from others in time, he could have died from blood loss?” Reese asked directly.

“I didn’t consider that much,” Dai Li answered.

Reese’s voice suddenly increased by a decibel. He said, “Based on the description of the defendant, we can understand that the defendant knew, prior to firing the gun, that his shot might kill the targeted-person directly; however, he still took the shot. At the same time, the defendant also understood that if the person did not get help from the police in time, he might die from blood loss. Obviously, the defendant isn’t as kind and amazing as the defense lawyer said. On the contrary, he is very selfish; he didn’t care if the injured person lived or died, the defendant only cared about being saved.”

“And from the fact that the defendant was able to subdue three kidnappers, he excels at fighting, and there is a possibility that he has a tendency for violence. Imagine, an individual with a tendency to violence, with a gun in hand, but due to the constraints of the law and morality, he could not shoot at others. However, one day, he had good reasons for shooting someone. Would he still continue to suppress his tendency to violence? Would he look forward to shooting at someone?”

“This is also the reason why our side decided to charge the defendant with first-degree murder. First of all, the defendant’s action of firing the gun was premeditated; secondly, the defendant might have a tendency for violence. His action wasn’t just a call for help, it could evolve into behavior that endangers public safety. Thirdly, the motive of the defendant. The defendant kept arguing that the motive for him firing the gun was to call for help from the outside; however, in truth, he didn’t care if the person lived or died. He still chose to shoot despite knowing he might kill the person. This clearly complies with the law’s definition of murder! Added to that, his action was premeditated. This, without a doubt, clearly constitutes first-degree murder.”

In the defense lawyer stands, Wilfrid furrowed his brows. There were already members of the jury nodding their heads in the jury stand. They clearly felt that Reese’s argument was reasonable.

Just as Reese described previously, the members of the jury were filled with people who were easily influenced by others. When Reese said, “complied with the law’s definition for murder,” as well as, “without a doubt, clearly constitutes a first-degree murder,” he obviously affected the jury members’ judgment.

After all, the members of the jury were not well-versed in law, while the prosecutor was a professional in law. When the prosecutor talked about the law in front of them with such confidence, they had a tendency to believe the words of the prosecutor.

…

Wilfrid felt that the situation wasn’t good. Initially, he had a complete advantage, but now, Reese had reversed the situation significantly.

Reese has surely played his trump card, I initially thought that he would not let go of the term “deliberate action.” Who’d have thought he would suddenly shift to “motivation to shoot.” Moreover, he actually forcefully associated both actions with first-degree murder. And his action is actually effective, since some members of the jury have wavered.

Wilfrid took a deep breath. He had to think of a way to turn the tables around. It was his turn next to question Dai Li, which would obviously be the best method for turning the tables around.

I need some time to think of a countermeasure, I also need some time to communicate with the client. As Wilfrid thought of that, he glanced at his watch, and an idea instantly popped into his head.

“Your honor, I would like to apply for a temporary recess,” Wilfrid stated.

“Defense, what are your reasons?” the judge asked.

“I have some questions regarding the point the prosecutor brought up just now, claiming that people with a tendency for violence are able to exert more strength than normal when attacking people. The prosecutor said that it is scientifically researched, but I’ve never seen research results of the kind, so I would like to have some time to consult with relevant experts to check if it is as the prosecutor says,” Wilfrid said.

Reese stood up. “Your honor, the conclusion I mentioned is scientifically proven. Because I am a prosecutor, I am often exposed to suspects with a tendency for violence, so experts who conducted such research projects have contacted me for research subjects before. I have detailed research reports, as well as a research thesis published in relevant journals with me. If the defense lawyer has any questions, I can provide him with them.”

“Alright. Prosecutor, how long do you need to have the information given to the defense lawyer?” the judge asked.

“I’ve prepared this information beforehand and placed them in my briefcase. If the defense lawyer needs it, I can give it to him now.” Reese was clearly prepared.

“Defense, how long do you need to verify this information?” the judge asked Wilfrid again.

“This depends on how much information is available.” Wilfrid gave a vague answer.

Reese waved at his assistant. His assistant then brought a thin document over and handed it to Reese.

“I think that you probably don’t need an hour to finish reviewing these documents, right?” Reese asked.

The judge looked at the thickness of the documents before glancing at his watch. He found out that an hour later would be around lunch time, and by then, there was no way to continue with the trial. Thus, the judge lifted the gavel and said, “The court is adjourned. The court will resume at 2pm.”

Bang! The hammer fell, and a crisp sound surrounded the room.

Chapter 490 - I’m Owning You Guys

Chapter 490: I’m Owning You Guys

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Wilfrid casually threw Reese’s research documents to his assistant. Even Dai Li could tell that Wilfrid didn’t really care about them.

Wilfrid explained, “Since Nick Reese dared to just hand over this document to us, there is no need for us to doubt the truthfulness and professionalism of this document. It would be a waste of time to focus on them. We are not experts in psychology, and there is no way for us to find any problems or loopholes within these documents in such a short amount of time.”

After Wilfrid finished speaking, he looked towards Dai Li and asked, “Mr. Li, please tell me honestly, do you have a tendency for violence?”

“No.” Dai Li shook his head firmly. “Although I haven’t gone through any psychological test, I am considered rather calm when I handle things.”

“If it is possible, we might have to really have you undergo a psychological test to prove that you do not have a tendency for violence, so that we may deny Reese’s charges. Later in court, I will try to bring it up,” Wilfrid said.

At that moment, Prosecutor Nick Reese walked over from afar.

“Mr. Wilfrid, you’ve reviewed the documents that I gave you, right? If there’s any part that requires clarification, please do allow me to explain it to you.” Reese went ahead and sat beside Wilfrid as he spoke.

“Prosecutor Reese, it can’t be that you came all this way just to explain the content of this document to me, right?” Wilfrid asked while staring at Reese.

Reese smiled and lowered his voice. “I can’t hide anything from you after all. Mr. Wilfrid and Mr. Li, I hope that you seriously consider my previous suggestion.”

“You still want to advise my client to plead guilty?” Wilfrid laughed coldly.

“Yes. If Mr. Li is willing to plead guilty to the intentional assault and police assault charges, I can withdraw the charge on an attempted first-degree murder,” Reese said.

Before Wilfrid could answer, Dai Li shook his head first. “I’m innocent.”

“Mr. Li, whether you are guilty or not depends on the decision given by the jury.” Reese displayed an expression of helplessness, then went on to say, “How they will decide, I don’t know, but I really hope that I can help you.”

“Help me? Prosecutor Reese, are you joking? I sure don’t feel like you are helping me,” Dai Li said mockingly.

Reese said instead, “Mr. Li, you are now charged with first-degree murder. Although it is only attempted murder, you have to know that if you were found guilty, what kind of punishment awaits you? You will go to prison, five years, ten years, or even more than ten years! You have to know, prison isn’t a comfortable place. It’s full of villains, scum, scoundrels, and there are even perverts who like f*cking people in the as*!”

“But if you are willing to plead guilty, with just intentional assault and police assault, your sentence will be much lighter. As a prosecutor, I can apply for you to have a lighter sentence, and you might not even need to go to prison. I can help get you on probation for three to five years, with an added 1000 hours of community service. What do you think?”

“Not great. I’m innocent, why should I plead guilty?” Dai Li shook his head.

“Looks like Mr. Li still doesn’t understand the situation,” Reese smiled and said. “Mr. Li, I think you should have discovered by now that there are some members of the jury who agree with my points, which means that based on this trend, you might be convicted of an attempted first-degree murder. You might have to go to prison. Of course, I don’t know what the probability for this is. Perhaps 10-20%? 30-40%? Or maybe 50-60%? I guess everyone will have their own assessment. Mr. Wilfrid should also be able to give you more professional advice.”

“But the important thing is, do you want to gamble on the probability of being convicted? Even if there is only a 10% chance for you to be found guilty, that means that there’s a 10% chance that you will have to stay ten years in prison! Can you guarantee 100% that you have such good luck, and that you won’t encounter that 10% chance? Don’t you feel that even if it were just a 10% chance, it is a high risk? Not to mention when it comes time to finally make the judgment, your chance of getting convicted might not be only 10%, right? That’s because I still have cards I haven’t played.”

“I don’t know how you view this, but if it were me, I definitely wouldn’t want to bear any risk of going to prison. And now, there is an option right in front of you where you don’t have to bear any risk. As long as you confess and plead guilty to intentional assault and the police assault charges, you don’t have to go to prison. I’ve seen your data; you don’t have any criminal record after coming to the US. I believe that a few years of probation shouldn’t be too tough for you. And using some time in community service to remove the risk of going to prison, I think this is a very good deal.”

“So Mr. Li, I know you have a chain of physical fitness centers. It’s a huge business, and it brings you a lot of income every year. But if you go to prison, can you still maintain all this? At least when you’re in prison, you’ll lose all these. There’s a phrase that says, if there’s life, there’s hope. That is why I hope that you will seriously consider my offer.”

Dai Li did not answer. Wilfrid was the one who spoke instead, “Prosecutor Reese, the probation you mentioned, does it include intensive probation?”

Reese shook his head. “I don’t think there’s a need for reinforced probation, but if the probation period is too long, perhaps there might be six months to a year’s intensive probation.”

Wilfrid fell into a deep state of reflection. Prosecutor Reese felt that he was in business, so he stood up. “Mr. Li, Mr. Wilfrid, you can discuss this first. I shall take my leave. I hope I will hear your good news soon.”

…

There were different kinds of probation in the US. The first type was the unsupervised probation, also called informal probation. During the probationary period, the convict didn’t need to be directly supervised by a probation officer. It was mostly used on criminals convicted of minor crimes.

The second type was the supervised probation, also called the formal probation. During the probationary period, the criminal was required to report to the probation officer on a regular basis. The criminal could also be asked to participate in consultation services, and they had to accept spot checks for drugs and alcohol.

The third was intensive probation. It was suitable for criminals who had committed more serious crimes. During the probationary period, the criminal had to also report to the probation officer regularly, as well as accept consultation. If it were a particular crime, such as drug dealing or sexual offenses, there would be additional conditions. For example, mental and physical treatment, and also registration in the local crime registrar.

The consultation services mentioned referred to legal and psychological consultation services. The legal consultation services were the equivalent of letting the convict learn more about the law; it was a process of studying law. As for psychological consultation services, those who had watched the movie “Internal Affairs” should have a clearer and better understanding. The protagonist of the movie, Chan Wing Yan, had to go through a lengthy psychological consultation period because he committed a crime.

Apart from that, during the probationary period, criminals normally had to complete a fixed amount of community service. For those who committed less serious crimes, the court would also directly sentence them to community service as the most fundamental punishment measure.

Wilfrid explained all this to Dai Li and said, “You can’t commit another crime during the probation period, and you have to report to the probation officer twice a week. You will be restricted when leaving the country. You can only leave the US after the state court’s approval. At the same time, according to the law of California, convicts under probation have a curfew, that means that you are not allowed to venture outside at night, you can only stay at home.”

Dai Li nodded and said, “Mr. Wilfrid, I’d like your professional advice.”

“From the perspective of law, our chances for winning this lawsuit is great, as our discussions and opinions are more persuasive. However, as your lawyer, what I am supposed to do is to safeguard your personal benefits to the best of my ability. It is as the prosecutor said just now; we don’t have a 100% chance of winning, there is a chance for you to be found guilty. If we continue with this lawsuit, you have to be prepared to face a prison sentence. Even if the chances are low, it is still a risk. On this, the prosecutor did not lie to us,” Wilfrid said.

“So, do you think I should accept the prosecutor’s advice and plead guilty to the intentional assault and police assault charges?” Dai Li asked with a frown.

“This depends on your willingness to bear the risk of going to prison.” Wilfrid’s expression turned serious. “If you plan on continuing with this lawsuit, I will do all I can to help you win, but if you are willing to accept the conditions of the prosecutor, I will also negotiate with the prosecutor and help you get the best possible deal.”

“Let me consider it for a while.” Dai Li breathed in deeply.

Wilfrid was considerate as he stood up and walked to the side. The Dai Li needed space to think carefully before making a decision.

…

“Prosecutor Reese, will the defendant and his lawyer accept our conditions?” the intern asked quietly.

Reese immediately corrected him. “Don’t use the word ‘condition,’ it’s called a suggestion.”

“Alright, then will the defendant and his lawyer accept our suggestion?” the intern asked again.

Reese did not answer “Yes” or “No,” he only asked a question that seemed completely unrelated. “Have you been to Las Vegas?”

“Ugh, yes, I’ve been there,” the intern answered honestly.

“Then you should have been to the casinos in Las Vegas, right?” Reese continued asking.

“Yes, I have.” The intern’s tone was very low when he answered. As an intern working beside the prosecutor, he felt that having been to the casino wasn’t exactly something to be proud of.

“Then, did you play a few rounds?” Reese asked with a smile.

The intern felt that Reese wasn’t blaming him, so he got himself together and answered courageously, “I’ve only played a few rounds of the slot machine. I didn’t play at the gaming tables.”

“Did you lose or did you win?” Reese continued with his questions.

“Of course I lost. The chances of the slot machines were already low, you’d lose nine times out of ten,” the intern answered in resignation.

Reese instead, seemed very interested. “How much did you lose?”

“It was around 50 dollars. I was a full scholarship student in school, so I had some extra money on my hands,” the intern answered.

“Did it hurt?” Reese asked with a laugh.

“Not really. It was only 50 dollars, after all. I could lose that much,” the intern replied.

“What if you lost 500,000 dollars instead? Would it hurt?” Reese’s questions seemed a bit out of the blue.

“I don’t have 500,000 dollars.” The intern didn’t really understand what Reese was trying to say.

“I’m going to give you an example. If you had 50 dollars, and you lost them, you might not feel too bad, since it was only 50 dollars. The amount was sufficient for you to eat a few meals of fast food, ordering a few large hamburgers and pizza. Or you might go to the movies with your girlfriend, and you would probably still have enough for condoms. Or perhaps you could go watch a game on the weekend, but of course, you could only sit in the back. You can easily get 50 dollars. You could find any random job, or perhaps go work part-time, and you’d have earned 50 dollars. That sounds about right, correct?”

The intern nodded. Reese then continued, “If you had 500,000 dollars, and you lost that amount at the casino, I’m guessing it would hurt a lot, right? It is 500,000 dollars, it’s almost the equivalent of an ordinary person’s ten-year salary. This money can be used to purchase a small apartment in California, or a mansion in a rural area. It can be used to buy several new cars, sports cars, SUVs, RVs, satisfying all your traveling needs. Or perhaps you can thoroughly enjoy yourself in Las Vegas for an amount of time, eat lavishly, find a few beautiful ladies and have fun every night. With that much money, it is enough to weaken your kidneys! Yup, you probably won’t need that much to have fun until your liver fails.”

“Prosecutor Reese, what are you implying?” the intern asked, as he couldn’t wait anymore.

“What I want to say is, if you only had 50 dollars, perhaps you would spend it all on the slot machine, but if you had 500,000 dollars, you definitely wouldn’t want to waste them away. You would probably use it to satisfy other material needs, or maybe change ladies every night until your kidney fails, right?” Reese suddenly looked very serious.

He then said, “That’s the difference between having money and having no money. The rich live, or to be precise, they enjoy life. The poor survive, working hard just to survive! Between the two, which do you think would value their life situation more?”

“This…” The intern thought for a moment and answered, “I guess it’s the rich. It’s because they can enjoy life, they might not want to lose their state of enjoying life. As for the poor, they definitely wouldn’t want to maintain their daily life of hard work.”

“That is exactly correct. For those at the bottom of society, they don’t have to worry about losing something because they have nothing, there’s nothing to lose for them. If the defendant were someone like that, and you told them that there was a 10 to 20 percent chance of them being found guilty and that they would have to go to prison for a couple of years, they would feel happy. That’s because there was an 80 to 90 percent chance for them to be innocent.” Reese glanced towards Dai Li and continued, “However, it’s different for the rich. Although rich people might have more things, they are also more fearful of losing everything they own. If the defendant were an affluent person, and you told them that there was a 10 to 20 percent chance for them to be guilty and that they would have to go to prison for a few years, they would panic. That’s because the 10 to 20 percent chance of going to prison is already a very big risk for them. They would never take that risk.”

The intern had an expression of realization. “So the defendant will surely accept our conditions. Oh, no, I mean he will agree to our suggestion!”

“It’s not over yet, don’t jump to conclusions too quickly.” Although Reese said that, his expression betrayed his belief.

Later, Reese used a very light tone and said, “In truth, at the beginning of the trial, I intentionally put us in a disadvantageous position. It was a tactic that intentionally showed weakness to the enemy. I wanted to make Wilfrid think that they were in an advantaged position, that they had a good chance of winning this lawsuit.”

“It is easier for one to relax and lose vigilance when close to victory. At the same time, when there is a large advantage, it is the time when one looks for stability. For example, in a basketball match, if there were a 30 point advantage when there were only five minutes left on the clock, the coach would substitute the key players off to avoid injury. This is a display of looking for stability.”

“What I used was exactly the psychology of the defendant and the defense lawyer. At this moment, they will make the choice that brings even more stability, and not to try their luck. Even if they continue to have the advantage, and have a high chance of winning.”

“It is just like a game of cards. I keep on folding so that the opponents think that my cards are bad. And if I suddenly choose to raise, the opponent’s first reaction will be that I have got my hands on good cards. Even if I were faking it, and even if the opponent had a good or decent hand, they still wouldn’t choose to follow.”

As Nick Reese spoke, he had a triumphant look on his face. He then looked towards Dai Li and Wilfrid and said to himself, “This time, I’m owning you guys!”

Chapter 491 - Unyielding Spirit

Chapter 491: Unyielding Spirit

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li looked a little confused. He didn’t know what to choose.

If he didn’t plead guilty, the trial would continue. However, even Wilfrid, who specialized in criminal cases, couldn’t guarantee he would win the case. Dai Li didn’t want to be imprisoned, let alone be imprisoned for more than a decade. Just as Reiss said,even if there was only a 10% chance of a guilty verdict, Dai Li would not be willing to take that risk.

Compared with ten years in prison, the sentence that came with pleading guilty was much lighter. A few years of probation was quite acceptable and the community service also could be regarded as physical exercise.

If I was on probation, I would need to report to the probation officer twice a week and there may be 1000 hours of community service. If I could do four hours a day, I would need 250 days in all. That means that if I do community service five times a month, I would need 50 months. That’s over four years; however, it’s better than ten years in prison.

Why should I plead guilty when I’m actually innocent? The nonsense of the American justice system! Dai became irritated.

Reiss seemed like he was being nice in advising me to plead guilty. He would drop the first-degree murder charge if I did. However, I didn’t intend to murder that guy! He wanted to make a bargain with me regarding something that I didn’t do. He just let me think I could benefit from it. Why should I accept his condition?

I shouldn’t compromise! Dai Li had already decided in his mind. He knew it might be irrational, but he decided to follow his beliefs this time.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up and walked to Wilfrid.

…

Wilfrid sat quietly in the corner of the lounge, thinking about what to do next.

He knew that he had lost to Reiss just now. Wilfrid had to admit that Nick Reiss was indeed a good negotiator. Reiss set high conditions deliberately at the beginning and, when he lowered them, it was easier for his opponent to accept.

What’s more, Nick Reiss clearly knew his opponent’s thought processes. He knew that a rich man would never bet on freedom. When someone is completely unwilling to lose what he has, he is forced to compromise.

This was what Nick Reiss usually did. As a prosecutor with a 100% conviction rate, Reiss knew how to get the defendant to plead guilty as soon as possible.

In the face of the terms offered by Reiss, if Dai Li didn’t plead guilty, Wilfrid had to win Dai Li’s case. If Dai Li agreed to plead guilty, Wilfrid would still need to negotiate with the prosecutor for better conditions, such as shorter term of penalty or probation and shorter community service.

Wilfrid therefore had to make two plans, one for each of Dai Li’s potential decisions.

What are you thinking? Wilfrid glanced at Dai Li, who stood up and walked over to him.

It seems that Mr. Li has decided.

…

“Mr. Li, you should make your decision. Shall we accept the prosecutor’s proposal?” asked Wilfrid.

“I don’t intend to accept prosecutor’s ‘kind proposal’. I’ll keep the trial going,” said Dai Li.

“You sure? I mean, do you really know the risks of continuing this case?” said Wilfrid.

Dai Li didn’t answer him immediately. He asked Wilfrid another question. “Wilfrid, do you know about the flood?”

“The flood? Has there been a flood recently?” Wilfrid was confused and asked.

“I’m talking about the prehistoric flood, the legendary one,” said Dai Li.

“Sure,” Wilfrid nodded, “it is said the great flood inundated Atlantis. What does it have to do with our case?”

“Many ancient civilizations recorded that flood, like Mesopotamia, Greece, India, China, and the Mayan Empire. The all had different reasons for why this flood occurred though. For example, in Sumerian myth, Eniel, the king of gods, felt humans were too noisy and he sent a flood to destroy them. According to Mayan civilization, humans forgot their creator, so the creator decided to send a flood to destroy them. In the Bible, God saw the earth filled with corruption, violence and evil, and he intended to use the flood to destroy all evil people.”

Wilfrid didn’t say anything, but listened to Dai Li carefully.

“In Sumerian myth, there is a kind-hearted water god named Enki. He arranged for a man called Utnapishtim to board a ship and escape the flood. It is very much like the story of Noah’s Ark in the Bible, right?” asked Dai Li.

“Yes, God found a good man named Noah, so he instructed Noah to build an ark. He took his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two of every animal. Then came the flood. All the fountains of the great deep were awoken and the windows of heaven were opened. It rained heavily on the earth day and night and the waters flooded the highest mountains. All the creatures on the land died. Only Noah and his family survived in the ark. After 220 days of flooding, Noah’s ark stopped near Mount Ararat. Forty days later, the flood retreated and Noah sent a crow out for information. The crow never returned. Seven days later, Noah sent a dove. This time, the dove returned with a branch from an olive tree, indicating that the flood had finally gone,” Wilfrid explained. As someone who had grown up in Western civilization, he obviously knew the story of Noah’s Ark better than Dai Li.

“Do you know how the story of the flood was recorded in the east, or in China?” asked Dai Li with a smile.

“I’d love to hear about it,” said Wilfrid.

“It is also a story about fathers and sons. According to ancient Chinese books, the boundless flood inundated crops, mountains, and houses. People were displaced and had to leave their homes. The flood brought untold disaster to everybody. Yao, the ruler of that time, decided to control the flood. He found a person named Gun to tame the flood. However, he failed after nine years of work.

“Then Shun, the successor of Yao, killed Gun and let Gun’s son continue to tame the flood. His name was Yu. He finally tamed the flood after thirteen years of work. During that time, he never went home, even when he passed by his own house. Thirteen years later, his son barely knew him.

“In Christianity, God saved everybody and the humans just hid on a boat. Inn China, we didn’t get any help from gods. Without boats, we didn’t compromise to the flood. We had to fight on our own. W fought had to fight against the flood!” Dai Li’s tone was calm but his voice was persistent. He took a deep breath and went on,

“There are many similar myths in China. One story says that there were ten suns in the sky, searing the earth, and one skillful archer saved the planet by shooting down nine of them. One story says that a bird called Jingwei tried to fill the sea with pebbles. Another story says an old man called Yugong decided to remove a mountain with a shovel because it was in his way.

“I’ve heard many such stories throughout my life. Some are about brilliant heroes and others are about fools. However, when natural disasters came, our ancestors never chose to compromise, never chose to escape, and never chose to wait for God’s help. They chose to fight, to defeat disasters! If they couldn’t do it in a year, they would spend ten years, or twenty years. If one generation couldn’t make it, two, maybe even three, generations would try until they succeeded!

“Many people say that the Chinese are materialists. They think we don’t believe in gods and that we have no religious belief. That’s because we know that no god can save us in times of trouble! We have to fight like our ancestors and never give in!

“In Christian mythology, god may not be perfect, but he is absolutely invincible. In China, we think that a man is the master of his own fate! If God gets in the way of our survival, we will push him down!

“Therefore, today, I will not compromise or give in. I firmly believe that I am innocent, so I will not plead guilty. Even if I am found guilty, I will choose to continue to appeal. I will fight firmly to the end, because an unyielding spirit flows through my blood!”

As he listened, Wilfrid nodded earnestly. “I see. I understand what you mean. Mr. Li, let’s discuss the trial this afternoon! I’ll do everything I can to help you win this case.”

…

Pointing to the document on propensity for violence in his hands, Wilfrid said, “A for the problem of propensity for violence, we can apply for a professional psychological test to prove that you aren’t abnormally prone to violence. It will take some time. Therefore, we need to apply for an extension of the case on the grounds of preparing key evidence.”

“I have no problem with that.” Dai Li then sat in thought for a few seconds before he asked Wilfrid a question. “Since we have to apply for an extension anyway, why don’t we prepare more evidence? I have an idea, but I don’t know how to implement it and I’m not positive it would work.”

“That’s why you pay me,because that’s where my value lies. If your idea is really good for the case, I can help you implement it in the most effective way,” said Wilfrid.

“I remember this morning that Reiss listed the reasons for my first-degree murder charge. One of them was that the gunshot could have killed the victim directly, so he affirmed that I didn’t care about the life of the victim,” said Dai Li.

Recalling the situation, Wilfrid said, “Reiss tried to distort the reason you shot the gun. He intended to make the jury think you are a murderer who killed people indiscriminately.”

“If we can prove that I have the ability to make sure that the shot would not kill that man but just disable him temporarily, wouldn’t it mean that I did care about the life of the victim? Could I be cleared of the first-degree murder charge that way,” asked Dai Li.

Wilfrid thought for nearly half a minute, then said, “This causal relationship is valid. How can you prove that you are able to shoot somebody with such accuracy?”

“I can prove that I shoot well. Is that enough?” asked Dai Li.

“It depends on how well you shoot,” Wilfrid said.

“As well as a professional shooting athlete. I’m as good as an Olympian 50-meter rifle athlete. How about that?” asked Dai Li.

Wilfrid thought for a while. He took out his laptop and searched something. Minutes later, he said, “According to the information I have found, it’s complicated because athletes who shoot don’t do so in actual combat situations. However most people know they can shoot very well. The jury is made up of everyday people. If they see your results are the same as a professional athletes, it will prove that you can shoot well.”

“Then I’ll give them a shocking performance!” Dai Li lowered his voice and discussed his plan.

…

Nick Reiss looked at his watch. Court would begin in half an hour. He looked at Dai Li, and saw that Dai Li and Wilfrid were talking about something.

Haven’t they talked it over? It’s taking so long! Reiss sighed, and reluctantly continued to wait.

Wilfrid finally ended his discussion with Dai Li ten minutes later. He stood up, adjusted his clothes, and walked over to Reiss.

“It seems that you two have reached a decision.” Reiss firmly believed that Dai Li would plead guilty, so he was relaxed. He stood up and walked to meet Wilfrid.

“Do you have good news for me Wilfrid?” asked Reiss with a big smile.

“I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Reiss!” Wilfrid was also smiling. “My client will not accept your proposal. He will not plead guilty and the trial will continue.”

“Ah?” Nick Reiss looked surprised. Though he had prepared for this possibility, he thought the probability of Li rejecting his deal had been extremely low. In all the cases he had dealt with, every defendant in similar cases chose to compromise with him and plead guilty.

Reiss couldn’t help but ask, “Wilfrid, have you really told your client all the risks involved in this decision?”

“Please don’t doubt my professionalism, Reiss.” Wilfrid became serious and said, “My client considered his options and decided that this was the course he wanted to take. As his attorney, I will do everything I can to do it well. So…” Wilfried intentionally paused for dramatic effect. “See you in court!”

Chapter 492 - The Fish Took the Bait

Chapter 492: The Fish Took the Bait

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At two o’clock in the afternoon, the trial continued. Now, it was Wilfrid’s turn to ask the questions.

“Mr. Li, on the day of the crime, you shot and wounded Mr. Sam Gardner. My question is why did you choose Mr. Sam Gardner as your target?” asked Wilfrid.

“Because Mr. Sam Gardner was passing by. At that time, I could only look outside through the air outlet and wait. Mr. Gardner just came into my sight. I did not target him specifically,” said Dai Li.

“In other words, you chose to shoot Mr. Gardner because he entered into your sight. You didn’t shoot someone randomly. You just shot the first person you saw, right?” asked Wilfrid immediately.

“Yes. Due to the limitation of view, I couldn’t choose the target, but had to wait for someone to walk by,” responded Dai Li.

“Why did you choose to shoot him in his leg?” Wilfrid continued to ask.

“Because an injury to the leg won’t cause any fatal damage,” responded Dai Li.

“Why not the arm? A gunshot to the arm wouldn’t have caused fatal damage either.”.

“Because the arms are in the upper body, so they’re closer to the chest, heart, and head. The risk of a fatal injury would have been much higher if I chose to shoot his arm,” responded Dai Li.

“In other words, before you shot Mr. Gardner, you fully considered the danger that your gunshot might cause to the injured person’s life. In order to reduce the possibility of that risk, you made a choice to avoid shooting the parts that may cause fatal injuries to the victim,” said Wilfrid.

“Yes.” Dai Li nodded.

“However, you didn’t consider the possibility that the person might bleed to death, or the possibility that he wouldn’t have a phone, or that he might pass out because of the pain,” said Wilfrid.

“That is correct. I didn’t think of that then. I apologize for what I did to Mr. Sam Gardner,” said Dai Li.

Dai Li didn’t tell the other reason why he had shot Gardner in his leg. He hadn’t wanted Gardner to run away. Dai Li certainly wouldn’t bring that up because it made him look bad.

Nick Reiss looked at Dai Li and Wilfrid with a sneer. As Dai Li’s attorney, Wilfrid must have told Dai Li what questions he would ask and how he should answer. Therefore, it was meaningless for Nick Reiss to seek loopholes in Li’s responses. He might fall into a trap set by Wilfrid.

Wilfrid said, ” The prosecutor’s charge that the defendant is completely oblivious to the life of the injured is not true. My client deliberately did not shooting the victim’s upper body in order to avoid fatally injuring the victim, which means that he didn’t want to threaten Mr. Gardner’s life.

“As mentioned by the prosecutor, there did exist possibilities that my client didn’t take into account. The victim could have bled to death. He might not have been able to call the police for various reasons. My client has admitted that he didn’t think of these possibilities at that time. I don’t think anyone can guarantee that every decision they make is perfectly thought out. This doesn’t prove that the defendant ignored the victim’s life. There was no causal relationship.

” Considering that the defendant was kidnapped at that time, he must have been frightened and hopeless. In that case, he tried to avoid shooting the vital parts of the victim as much as possible. That couldn’t have been easy for him. The defendant couldn’t sit in a chair and think like we do. We expect the defendant to have thought through everything given the circumstances.”

Wilfrid nodded at the judge as he said, “Your Honor, I have no more questions.”

“What do you want to add, prosecutor?” The judge turned to prosecutor Reiss.

Reiss stood up immediately. “I have several new questions for the defendant.”

Reiss walked to Dai Li and asked, “Mr. Li, according to what you just said, when you shot, you avoided shooting the victim’s upper body. That means you chose to shoot him in his leg, right?”

Dai Li thought for a while and couldn’t see any reason why he shouldn’t answer truthfully. “Yes,” he responded.

“How did you succeed in shooting his leg specifically?” Reiss continued to ask.

“Sorry, I don’t know what you mean,” said Dai Li.

“Well, let me reword my question. How were you certain you would hit his leg and not fatally injure him? If you couldn’t make sure that you could avoid shooting the victim’s upper body, you might have killed him. You didn’t kill the victim because you got lucky that you did not fatally wound him. You couldn’t have known you wouldn’t commit a murder.”

Dai Li understood what he was implying.

Just as Wilfrid expected. The fish has taken the bait.

Dai Li smiled and said, “I certainly knew that I could just shoot his leg.”

“How could you have been sure?” Reiss asked.

“I am confident in my accuracy,” said Dai Li, brimming with pride.

“Mr. Li, I shall remind you that this is court. Confidence can’t be served as evidence,” Reiss said coldly.

“Well, let me put it another way then. I can shoot very well,” responded Dai Li.

“Very well? that’s very broad. Everyone has a different definition of ‘very well’. Maybe you think that you can shoot very well, but someone else thinks you can’t. It is totally inadmissable as evidence,” Reiss said reasonably.

Dai Li thought for a while as if he was hesitating. Seconds later, he said, “I can hit a coin at a distance of fifty meters with a rifle. I would like to ask you, Mr. Reiss, and I would like to ask the jury as well, whether that is line with most people’s concept of skilled shooting. If you don’t agree that that is correct, you can present your own evidence.”

Both the judge and the jury were stunned..

Reiss was also shocked. Of course, Dai Li’s proposed standard was fair. Dai Li said he could hit a coin from 50 meters away, that was beyond Reiss’ comprehension.

Reiss subconsciously glanced at the door of the courtroom. He stood about thirty meters away from the door, and even he could not see the keyhole clearly.

Bullshit! How could it be possible to hit a coin from 50 meters away? I can’t even see the keyhole from 30 meters away. It’s definitely impossible to see a coin from fifty meters away! He must be bluffing.

Reiss asked at once, “Mr. Li, are you sure you said 50 meters?”

“It seems that you didn’t hear me. I can hit a coin at a distance of fifty meters with a rifle.” Dai Li slowed down his speech deliberately so that everyone in the court could hear him clearly.

“Mr. Li, I shall remind you, this is a courtroom. Every word you say is evidence and will be recorded. If you lie, I can sue you for perjury.” Reiss looked at Dai Li with a piercing stare.

“Mr. Reiss, just because you don’t believe me doesn’t mean I’m lying. Just like you charged me with first-degree murder and attacking the police because you don’t believe I’m innocent. That’s not the truth.” Dai Li shrugged his shoulders.

Reiss frowned awkwardly. Dai Li’s analogy indicated that he was challenging him.

“Whether you are guilty or not is up to the court to decide. But you said you could hit a coin from 50 meters away. That’s not a claim you can make casually,” said Reiss.

“If I can hit a coin at a distance of 50 meters, does that prove I was confident enough in my ability to ensure Mr. Gardner’s safety?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Well…” Reiss began to hesitate. He didn’t want to give Dai Li a clear answer. Although he didn’t think that Dai Li could do that, he thought it was necessary to leave himself some wiggle room.

However, Dai Li continued. “Mr. Reiss, you just said you didn’t believe my claim and asked me to prove it. Now I intend to prove it, but you seem to have changed your mind. What are you afraid of? Or you don’t think I am guilty?”

Everyone was looking at Reiss now, including the jurors. Reiss could clearly feel that the jury began to distrust him.

It looks bad if I don’t agree with him. Reiss took a deep breath and said, “Mr. Li, if you can prove that you can shoot as well as you claim, I will agree that you are capable of hitting the victim’s leg without causing fatal injury.”

“Good,” Dai Li turned his eyes to Wilfrid.

Wilfrid stood up at once and said to the judge, “Your Honor, the prosecutor asks us for new evidence. As the attorney of the defendant, I apply to the court for a temporary adjournment and an extension, so that we have time to prepare the evidence.”

The judge nodded and turned to Reiss. “Do you have any comments?”

“Your Honor, I have no problem with the request. However, I think that the new evidence provided by the defendant’s attorney must be approved by the court and the prosecution,” said Reiss.

“Reiss, what do you mean?” Wilfrid asked immediately.

Reiss answered, “Simple. Since the defendant said that he could hit a coin from 50 meters away, I hope that the court and the prosecution will witness this in person.”

“Attorney for the defendant, can you accept this request from the prosecution?” asked the judge.

Wilfrid looked at Dai Li and Dai Li nodded at him.

“We can accept the prosecution’s request,” said Wilfrid.

“Jury, can you accept the prosecution’s request?” The judge looked at the jury.

The jury began to discuss. Most of them were curious about whether Dai Li could actually hit a coin from 50 meters away, so they accepted Reiss’ request at last.

…

“Our plan succeeded, but I figured we’d just need the notary’s witness. Mr. Li, Reiss deliberately created obstacles for you,” Wilfrid said.

“I see. Nick Reiss thinks I will be nervous and miss the target if there are a lot of people watching me. He is wrong. My concentration is impeccable,” said Dai Li confidently.

If an ordinary man was asked to perform in front of this many people, he would become nervous and miss the target. It was quite normal. Just like athletes who lacked experience, they couldn’t perform as well in front of a crowd as they could in training.

However, Dai Li could use a copy card of Adam Holly and acquire 70% of Holly’s shooting ability.

As a world-class athlete, Adam Holly had attended countless competitions, including many international ones. It was common for thousands to watch those competitions in person and there were dozens of cameras broadcasting Holly live. For athletes of his caliber, having an audience was not an issue. Dai Li acquired 70% of Adam Holly’s ability, so naturally he wouldn’t be afraid.

Wilfrid asked, “Mr. Li, can you really do that? I don’t mean to question you, but it seems so incredible to me. A coin is so small from 50 meters that people can’t see it at all, let alone shoot it.”

“Wilfrid, have you watched any 50-meter air rifle competitions?” asked Dai Li.

“Yes, but not much. I have seen Adam Holly’s competitions, though.”

“You should know then that it is not difficult for a professional athlete to get nine points,” Dai Li said as he gestured. “A coin is about as big as the ninth ring on the target of a 50-meter air rifle.”

Chapter 493 - A Sharpshooter

Chapter 493: A Sharpshooter

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Dai Li stood on a platform with a 50m rifle at a gun range. He was facing a piece of white paper with a coin-sized black circle in the center.

The judge, the jury, the notary, and Nick Reiss were all with him.

Wilfried had a coin in his hand and was comparing it with the black circle on the target. “Everyone,” he said. “This is the target sheet. The black circle in the center is as big as my coin. Does anyone disagree with this setup?”

No one showed any sign of disagreement. Wilfrid then took out an air rifle and spoke to the notary. “Sir, this is a rifle specially designed for competition. Please check it.”

The notary took the rifle and checked it carefully. Later he returned it to Wilfrid and said, “Nothing wrong with it.”

“Let me clarify one thing in advance. The scope on this rifle cannot magnify things. The target you see through the scope is as big as the real one. Am I right, sir?”

“Yes,” said the notary.

“OK. So, I think we can get started.” Wilfrid gave the rifle to Dai Li.

Members of the jury all looked at the target 50 meters away, excited to see Dai Li’s attempt.They were disappointed, however, that they couldn’t see the coin-sized black circle at all.

“Can you see the target clearly?”

“I can only see the target paper. I cannot see anything on it.”

“Same here. Shooting something you cannot see? Impossible for me.”

“I think it’s hardly possible for anyone to shoot a coin 50 meters away. I don’t think he can do it.”

“But why did he ask to do this if he can’t? I think he can.”

“I will admit that he is great at shooting if he can shoot the target at such a distance.”

Members of the jury discussed in low voice. Meanwhile, Nick Reiss was very confident.he can’t shoot the target if there’s no magnifying scope on his rifle.”

Dai Li seemed calm. He used the copy card of Adam Holly and had gained the 70% of Adam Holly’s strength.

A coin 50 meters away is out of the sight for an average person. From the perspective of a professional shooter, the black circle equaled the size of the ninth ring in a competition and the ninth ring was the lowest standard for such an athlete.

Adam Holly was the top shooter in the world. 70% of his strength equaled the strength of a normal Olympic athlete. It’d be easy to shoot the ninth ring with 70% of his strength.

Dai Li put up the rifle and aimed at the target. He pulled the trigger.

There was no gunpowder explosion because this was an air rifle. Its sound was clear and easily distinguishable. He shot, and the next second people refocused on the target.

“Did he make it?”

“I don’t know. It’s too far to see.”

Dai Li gave a signal to an employee of the gun range and the worker pressed a button to send the target paper to Dai Li and the audience.

“Oh my God. He made it for real!”

“It was such a long distance, but he hit it!”

“How did he do that? Does he have an eagle’s eyes?”

Someone in the jury cried out.

Nick Reis froze. Dai Li had done it. It was beyond Reiss’ imagination.

Soon, he calmed down. Then he said, “Only once, it might be a coincidence.”

Dai Li seemed to read Reiss’ thoughts. He said to the worker, “Please set up another piece of target paper. I will shoot again.”

A new piece of paper was then set, and the worker pressed the button to send it to the spot 50 meters away. Dal Li again aimed and shot.

The second target paper was sent back. The bullet hole was clearly in the central black circle.

“He hit it again. Hitting the mark twice consecutively is not a coincidence, is it?” a juror asked. Several jurors nodded and agreed.

Reiss was embarrassed. He was proven wrong so quickly.

He refused to give up easily, however. He wanted to find some more excuses to argue.

Dai Li did not even give Reiss the opportunity to complain. “One more piece of target paper, please.”

…

The third piece of paper was set up. After the first two shots, Dai Li had optimized his aiming. His third shot was close to the exact center of the black circle. This was even more impressive.

“He shot the center at such a long distance. It’s unbelievable!”

“The defendant didn’t lie. I must say he is a sharpshooter.”

“I don’t think a sniper in special forces could do that.”

“I agree. A sniper rifle works with a functional sighting telescope. The scope on this air rifle did not magnify the target. He aimed with naked eyes.”

“It’s not only a matter of sight. His aim was also perfect. At a distance of 50 meters, the slightest movement will lead to a huge difference.”

Nick Reiss was annoyed with all of these discussions.

Dai Li didn’t stop after the third shot. Before long he had shot the target a fourth time.

His fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth followed.

Every shot was on target.

Everyon went from being stunned to expecting him to hit his targets. They had gradually gotten used to Dai Li’s success.

Dai Li stopped after ten and Wilfrid showed the stack of target paper to the audience. “Everyone saw this with their own eyes. My client is fully capable of hitting a coin from 50 meters away. I don’t think there will be any more questions about his shooting skills.”

Jurors nodded. They obviously recognized Dai Li’s abilities.

The only one who didn’t want to recognize the result was Nick Reiss.

If he admitted Li was skilled, he had to admit that Li was reasonable to assume he was able to shoot Gardner in his leg. That was to admit that Dai Li had no motive, making a first- degree murder charge groundless.

It’s so far away that the target is beyond my sight, but he could hit the target. Why? Is there something wrong with the gun?

Nick Reiss thought about it for a while before exclaiming, “Wait! I want to check the air rifle!”

He decided to not take any chances, although he knew the rifle was probably fine.

“No problem,” said Wilfrid.The lawyer gave the air rifle to Reiss.

The notary scowled at once and looked at Nick Reiss angrily. He had checked the air rifle with his own hands, so such a request was insulting. It was almost an accusation of collusion with the defendant.

Reiss took the air rifle and made sure the scope was not capable of magnifying the target.

Wilfrid said, “I think you’d better try to shoot the target, Reiss.”

He then asked for another target to be set up.

Reiss hesitated for a moment and finally stepped onto the shooting platform. He picked up the gun. A prosecutor’s job was to send criminals to jail, which often led criminals trying to take him out. Given the gun problem in America, he felt as though he was in constant danger. So, Reiss himself practiced shooting often and had gotten fairly good at it. However, all of his skills were useless in this situation He could barely see the target paper. As for the coin-sized black circle, it was totally beyond his sight.

Damn it. I can’t see the black circle. How can I aim at it? How could I shoot? How did Dai Li do that? Reiss complained in his heart.

He aimed at the target as exactly as possible, but he found that at such a long distance, even the slightest movement of his arms caused a huge difference in the target paper and might even make him miss the target

As the minutes ticked away, Reiss started trembling more and more.

Three minutes passed before Wilfrid said, “Reiss, the time of the judge and jury is precious. Could you please be faster?”

“I need time to aim! The defendant was given time to ai, wasn’t he?” argued Reiss.

“My client was much faster than you though. I don’t think another three minutes will help you either. You don’t want to keep us waiting forever, do you?” Wilfrid was intentionally irritating Reiss.

Finally, Reiss pulled the trigger.

After the gunshot, Reiss looked to the target expectantly. He hoped very much that he had hit the target. From so far away, he couldn’t even see the target paper clearly.

The target was sent back to the audience and there was no bullet hole on the paper at all.

Reiss had missed the target.

“Why don’t you take a couple more shots to see if you hit it” Wilfrid said sarcastically.

Reiss was embarrassed. Luckily, the judge said, “Did you find anything wrong with this gun?”

His question eased Reiss’ sense of shame. He shook his head helplessly and said, “Nothing wrong with it.”

“That is to say, my client has proven that his shooting is excellent. I think you all admitted this, right?” asked Wilfrid.

It was obvious that the jury and the judge acknowledged this. The only one left was the prosecutor, Reiss.

With a notary’s presence, Reiss could not deny it. Faced with the fact, he nodded helplessly and admitted with a low voice, “Yes, his marksmanship is great.”

Wilfrid smiled. He took his briefcase from his assistant and got out a document. “This is my client’s psychological assessment report issued by the Psychology Research Institution of UCLA, which shows that my client has no tendency towards violence. It makes the prosecutor’s accusations regarding this tendency totally groundless. I will propose this report be admitted as evidence to the court.”

The report in Wilfrid’s hands made Nick Reiss more upset. His reasoning had been taken apart bit by bit. There was no way to accuse Li of first-degree murder now

He did not even think he’d win if he accused Li of intentional injury. The jury was obviously favoring Li as of right now. Any further accusations would just turn the jury against Reiss. They would sympathize with Li and pass a verdict in his favor.

It seems that my perfect record is about to come to an end…

Chapter 494 - Everyone Had a Tough Day

Chapter 494: Everyone Had a Tough Day

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A dozen journalists surrounded Sebastian. Microphones, recording pens, and flashing cameras were all around him.

“Coach Sebastian, claims have been made that you have been giving your athletes performance-enhancing drugs. Is this true?”

“Coach Sebastian, say something about the drug scandal, please!”

“Mr. Sebastian. You are the head coach of the American National Track and Field Team and are now involved in the biggest drug scandal in American history. What are you thinking right now?”

Sebastian was almost in all of these questions. He wanted to leave but couldn’t get away. He had to stop and say, “I have said before that I never provided my athletes with illegal drugs and I never will!”

“You are the first name on the list of coaches involved in the scandal. What’s your explanation?” asked a journalist at once.

“That’s a rumor! That’s slander! I’ve asked a lawyer to sue the investigative journalist for libel! His false report ruined my reputation!” Sebastian shouted.

Another journalist asked, “Three of the coaches on the list have admitted to providing illegal drugs for athletes and more than ten of the athletes have admitted to using them. That investigative report seems to have checked out so far.”

“There are about a thousand people and a thousand different drugs on that list. A few admissions mean nothing. Nothing! I can find several athletes who are using performance-enhancing drugs if I look up a list of all athletes of the world,” argued Sebastian.

“Mr. Sebastian, reliable sources say that the Chairman of the International Anti-doping Organization, Mr. Lewis, has come to America with the newest drug-testing technology. They will check all the urine samples of all athletes involved, including your athletes. Are you worried about the results of these tests?”

“Of course not. I have never provided them with any drugs,” Sebastian said. He paused for a moment and then asked, “You were talking about Mr. Lewis’ arrival in America. When did he come? Why wasn’t I aware of this?”

“His schedule is classified. The news didn’t leak until this morning. He has been here for three days. He’s done hundreds of tests already,” the journalist replied.

Sebastian controlled his facial expression but, in fact, he was very worried and frightened. There was a lot of attention on him because he was one of the more famous coaches involved in the scandal and he was the new head coach for the American National Track and Field Team. He had immediately denied that he provided athletes with drugs.

It was impossible for him to admit. He fought a tough battle to be the head coach of the American team, the pinnacle of his career. Admitting that he provided illegal drugs to athletes would definitely destroy him.

More importantly, he thought no one can harm him as long as he never admitted it.

Many who made mistakes or committed crimes acted the same way that he was. Their first instinct is to cover up their mistakes, even to the point of making new ones. Therefore, these situations always got worse and worse.

…

Sebastian called Franklin on his mobile phone.

“Professor Franklin, it’s me, Sebastian.”.

“Why are you calling me? Don’t you know that we shouldn’t communicate with each other right now? The FBI has been looking into the scandal.They might be monitoring your calls,” said Franklin angrily.

“A high-level lab like yours should have anti-eavesdropping measures.” Sebastian didn’t stop. He said quickly, “Let’s make this quick. I want to confirm something with you. Are you sure that the product you gave to me cannot be detected by the Anti-doping Organization?”

“What do you mean?” asked Franklin in reply.

Sebastian lowered his voice and said, “The Chairman of the International Anti-doping Organization just arrived in the US three days ago with new testing technology for performance-enhancing drugs. I’m worried that your product will be detected.”

Franklin took a deep breath and replied, “I’m not sure whether they can be detected or not.”

“You are not sure? What do you mean? That’s not what you said when you gave me your product! You told me that your technology was at least two years ahead of the International Anti-doping Organization. They would never detect your drugs. Those were your exact words. Do you forget?” Sebastian said worriedly.

“I said that before because they didn’t know our core secrets. Now, however, they do,” said Franklin.

“What are the core secrets?” asked Sebastian.

“Our molecular formulas! There are 27 steroidal derivatives, two of which are exactly what we used in the product. Any lab that is relatively advanced will be able to find the drug as long as it knows the molecular formulas of these derivatives. No one can copy the product, though.”

“So, the International Anti-doping Organization will surely find it!” Sebastian’s face turned pale.]”How do your security measures work? How could your secrets have been stolen so easily?”

“Our lab didn’t leak it. Blecher’s company did. That’s where the investigative journalist got our secret’s from,” said Franklin aggressively.

“Blecher, ‘the father of prohormone’? Damn it! You collaborated with the devil! You are just as bad! If I had known you two worked together, I never would have contacted you!” Sebastian cursed.

“Do you think I wanted to work with him? Several of my investors want to withdraw capital!” Franklin became angry and he added, “Never call me again. I have a big mess to take care of. Our business together is finished.”

“Are you going to get rid of me? Let me tell you, Franklin, you don’t want to make an enemy of me!”

“You know you can’t save yourself now. The International Anti-doping Organization will soon learn that all of your athletes used my drugs. You’ll go down quicker than I do!” Franklin angrily hung up the phone.

…

Franklin was fuming after his phone call with Sebastian. His assistant entered his office and said, “Professor, we just got a fax from Hans Pharmaceuticals. Its board of directors decided to temporarily stop their sponsorship of us.”

“Stop the sponsorship! Why? Because of that?” Franklin got up from the chair.

“Yes. It’s because of the performance-enhancing drugs scandal. Hans Pharmaceuticals has learned about our relationship with ‘the father of prohormone,’ Blecher. The company to rid itself of any connection to him.. So, the board of directors voted unanimously to suspend the sponsorship,” said the assistant and he gave a fax to Franklin.

Franklin read it and became upset. Blecher had always been notorious. Biological labs did not dare to openly work with him. Even though he was an investor in some of these labs, they still kept their work with him under the table.

Those labs weren’t the only things that Blecher invested in. Scientific research was always costly. Even a single research project was usually backed by many investors.

Investors invested in science to make money, not to be sued. However, Blecher was the man who would do experiments on living people. Labs with Blecher’s investments, therefore, might also be willing to do illegal experiments, so a public relationship with the man made other enterprises stop investing their money.

The thin fax paper in Franklin’s hand felt heavy given its importance.

The telephone rang but it took Franklin a moment to regain his focus enough to answer the phone.

“Professor, I just got a call from a man named Davis who claimed to be the attorney of Qianfan Investment Corporation. He wants to make an appointment with you soon.”

Qianfan Investment Corporation is one of our investors. We’ve been on good terms for years. Why do they want to meet now? Franklin had a bad feeling. He asked, “Did he say why he wants to meet me?”

“I asked. He said that our lab has been involved in the drug scandal that has received a lot of negative press. He says this violates the investment contract between tour businesses. He needs to have a meeting with you to talk about the penalty.” The receptionist spoke in a low voice.

“The penalty! You mean we have to give them money!” Franklin was shocked and he almost passed out in the chair.

The withdrawal of am investor was trouble. A withdrawal with the request of compensation was much more serious.

Franklin hung up the phone, locked the door and closed windows. He wanted silence. However, the phone rang again.

“What’s up this time? Someone else asking for compensation?” asked Franklin angrily.

“No, Professor. It’s the FBI. Two agents want to see you,” the receptionist replied with fear.

The FBI comes, finally. Franklin sat in the chair, exhausted.

…

Edward Snow and Dai Li drank happily together at a bar.

“It looks like you have fully recovered, so you can drink now. I propose a toast to you,” Dai Li said as he raised his glass.

“I’m not fully healed. I can’t make any sudden movements. I’m afraid of my wounds reopening. Drinking a little bit is fine though.” Snow said as he drank his wine. “How’s your trial going?”

“The verdict is coming soon. Mr. Wilfrid insists that I’m innocent. And I think it will all work out,” replied Dai Li.

“I also have a piece of good news for you. Blecher is ruined for real this time!” Snow smiled.

“Ruined? What do you mean?” asked Dai Li.

“All of his assets have been frozen. Next, his company will close and declare bankruptcy. No one can save him this time.” Snow drank from his glass again and added, “In fact, his company owes banks a lot of money. After the drug scandal broke, banks stopped lending to him and asked him to pay off his loans. He’s being refused by everywhere he’s asking for money.

“Actually, Blecher was in a similar situation a decade ago. But at that time, he had a few patents that kept bringing him money. Now, none of his patents are protected. So, they can’t make him money anymore.

“Without enough capital, he cannot afford a good lawyer. He doesn’t have the money that he used, so he can’t get the great lawyers to get him off easily, or bribe the warden of whatever prison he gets sent too. Now, he has to be careful.”

Chapter 495 - A Deadly Strike

Chapter 495: A Deadly Strike

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That night, Warton stopped by Sebastian’s house.

“The International Anti-Doping Agency has come to America. They have brought the latest detection technology for illicit drugs. You’ve heard all of this, right?” Sebastian asked awkwardly.

“Yes, I have,” Warton looked at Sebastian and asked, “My name was in the investigative report. I’m not going to be caught, right?”

Sebastian thought for a while before saying, “Well, I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure? Why? You told me Franklin’s technology was years ahead of the International Anti-Doping Agency and that it would never be detected.” Warton became angry immediately.

“There was an accident. I didn’t expect it,” responded Sebastian.

“What should we do? If I’m found out I’ll be suspended and won’t be able to attend the Olympics.” Warton was nervous.

“Calm down.” After Warton calmed down, Sebastian continued. “I’ve always claimed that I’ve never given any illicit drugs to athletes, so if you are found out I want you to take full responsibility.”

“Me? Are you kidding me? I’d be suspended. My whole career would be ruined!” Warton shouted at Sebastian.

“Warton, you are still young. Even after a few year suspension, you’ll still be in your prime. That’s no big loss for you,” said Sebastian.

“Not a big loss? It’s funny…” Warton said with a sneer. “You’re just trying to protect yourself.”

“You are going to be found out anyway. Why do you want me to go down with you?” said Sebastian.

“You gave me those drugs!” Warton snorted. “Don’t think you can distance yourself from this.”

“You used the drugs to improve your performance then. You couldn’t resist the temptation. Can you really blame me?” Sebastian put on a serious look and continued, “I’m doing this for you. If you take full responsibility, I’ll try to intercede for you. With my personal relationships, you’ll get off easy. You might only be suspended for a year or two. If I’m caught, no one can help you.”

“That was what you told to Justin Alexander, right? You shifted all the blame onto the athletes, while you avoided taking responsibility,” Warton’s tone was full of sass. “I won’t be as stupid as Alexander. I guess you are also in trouble now, right?”

Sebastian got much more aggressive. He said in a threatening tone, “You better wrap your head around your situation right now. All I have to say is that you used illicit drugs of your own will. I didn’t participate in it and I didn’t know anything. What can you do to me? You have no evidence to prove that I gave you the drugs.

“Why not cooperate with me and take the blame? It works out for both of us. You are smart. You must be able to see this is the best option for you.”

…

Walking out of Sebastian’s house, Warton was distraught. He didn’t know what to do.

What should I do? Do I really have to take all of the blame? Will Sebastian intercede for me? Will my career be ruined?”

Maybe I should talk to someone. Warton took out his phone and called his agent.

An hour later, Warton met his agent in a small bar. Warton found a small table near the corner and told his agent everything.

“Sebastian wants you to take all the blame? Really?” His agent shook his head.

According to his agent, if Warton was suspended, he’d lose any chance at getting endorsed and the agent would lose lots of money. The longer Warton was suspended, the more the agent would lose. Therefore, his agent didn’t want him to take all the blame. He thought it would mean a longer suspension.

“I really don’t know what to do.” Warton looked desperate.

Warton’s agent got an idea. “We can strike him first. Sebastian wants to shift all responsibility onto you, right? You should put it all on him instead. We can hold a press conference and admit that you have used drugs, but that Sebastian masterminded eveeything. You were innocent until you were corrupted by Sebastian.”

“But I have no evidence,” said Warton.

“Your words are all the evidence you need.” His agent was serious. “It’s a battle between you and Sebastian. One of you is gonna take the blame, and the other one will be fine.What’s it gonna be?”

…

Williams, the CEO of the U.S. Track and Field Association, was really a successful manager. Since he was appointed to his position, he had signed several large sponsors for the association, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Besides, he had also negotiated with many broadcasters on television relay agreements, expanding the association’s influence.

However, now Williams was facing the biggest crisis since his appointment.

The drug scandal was a huge blow to the sports world of America. It was more like a deadly strike to track and field sports. It was known that drug cases were much more frequent in track and field than other sports.

This time was no different. The U.S. Track and Field Association was going to lose a lot in this drug scandal.

Williams’ office was closed. Only two people were in the room, CEO Williams and the USA Track and Field’s second person in command, COO Frey.

“Mr. Williams,” Frey asked. “Have the International Anti-Doping Agency come to a decision?”

“Yes, but it hasn’t been announced. Since the Olympic Games are approaching, the International Olympic Committee doesn’t want to make such a big scandal public yet. They instructed the anti-doping committee to downplay this problem,” said Williams.

“Downplay this problem. Great. That’s great.” Frey heaved a great sigh of relief.

However, Williams wasn’t optimistic. He added, “It will reduce the amount of negative press we get. Our athletes and coaches are still going to face consequences though. Suspension is the best case scenario for many of them, but the Olympics is fast approaching.”

Williams picked up a paper on the table and handed it to Frey. “Take a look. This is the list of athletes who have been using illicit drugs. The list has not been published yet. I got it through personal relations. The athletes on the list are definitely not going to attend the Olympic Games.”

Frey took the paper. His expression became grim as he looked at every name on the list. When he’d finished, he looked absolutely wretched.

“None of them can attend this Olympic Games?The IOC can’t bend any rules? Every year we give them so much money. Don’t we get special treatment?” asked Frey.

“I’m afraid not. This time is totally different. The evidence is overwhelming. If the IOC gives us the green light, other countries will be upset. If it looks like they’re giving us a pass they will lose some of their authority. If they lose their authority then no one will want to host the Olympics anymore,” said Williams.

“I remember some of those athletes had falsified medical records so as to use drugs properly. Will they get higher penalties? We can announce to the public that they didn’t falsify medical records,” Frey asked.

Williams shook his head and said, “It’d be feasible if we were the only ones involved, but FBI and American Medical Association are in this now too and the media has been watching.. Those doctors who prescribed fake prescriptions will eventually confess. Then, we’d get a lot of backlash from the press and we could be sued.”

“But so many athletes are on this list. There are 73 athletes from the national team. If they can’t attend the Olympic Games, we’ll only have half a team,” said Frey.

“Therefore, we have to let other athletes take their spots in accordance with the qualifying rules,” Williams said. “According to the rules, the top three performers at qualifiers are qualified to attend the Olympic Games. If someone can’t attend, the fourth athlete takes his spot. If the fourth athlete also can’t attend, the fifth one takes his spot and so on. There are so many track and field athletes in America. Surely we can find enough.”

“I’m not so optimistic. Take the women’s 100-meter dash as an example: two of the top three athletes are on the list as well as the fourth, the sixth and the seventh-place athletes. We might be in similar trouble with other events.” Frey sighed.

“We have no choice now. We’re also going to have a hard time finding a good coach. You should see the list of coaches who are involved. It is more serious than the athletes. All the coaches recruited by the national team are all on the list!” Williams said worriedly.

Looking at the list of namest, Frey said, “How ironic! As the most powerful national team of track and field sports and the biggest delegation of Olympic track and field events, the United States has no suitable coach! All right, the whole world is waiting to laugh at us.”

“We will not become the laughing stock of the whole world. We can never allow it to happen. In addition to athletes, we must recruit coaches immediately,” said Williams decisively.

“It will be more difficult than selecting athletes. All the coaches who attended the interview for the head coach of the national team are on the list!”

“So those coaches are dirtier than athletes! Sports coaches in recent years have been involved in many scandals.They provided illicit drugs for athletes, took bribes and even sexually assaulted athletes…” Williams snorted, “But we really have no choice now. We have to find a coach as clean as possible!”

…

Sebastian hadn’t expected Warton to admit to using drugs but the athlete shifted the responsibility to him.

It was brilliant for Warton to strike first. Sebastian even had no time to react, and the media came to him at once. Sebastian still refused to admit it.

“That’s slander. A rumor! I definitely didn’t give Warton any illicit drugs!”

“Warton lied. He was slandering me!”

“Why did he lie? Because he wants to pass the buck! He wants to pass the buck to me, so he can get away with it!”

“If Warton thought what he said was true, he should provide enough evidence to prove that I gave him those drugs.”

“Warton has no evidence at all. He’s talking nonsense! I’ll hire a lawyer to investigate his legal liability!”

Sebastian’s acting was really good. His solemn and strict expression even made many journalists feel that Sebastian really had been wronged.

Two middle-aged men in suits elbowed their way into the crowd.

“Stand aside please.” The two middle-aged men walked through the crowd of journalists and to Sebastian.

“Are you Mr. Sebastian? I’m Agent Smith with the FBI.” One of them took out his credentials as he spoke.

“Yes, I am. What’s the matter?” Sebastian became nervous suddenly.

Agent Smith said, “When we investigated the Franklin Lab, we found a document which indicates that during the last five years they have provided you with 73 types of steroid derivative reagents. 341 times in total. These reagents probably can be used as performance-enhancing drugs for athletes. So please come with us and assist in our investigation.”

“Oh… oh…”

The journalists seemed surprised as they all turned to Sebastian.

He had just been insisting that he had nothing to do with those drugs, and these journalists had believed him.

However, these two FBI agents revealing this information about a document connecting him to Franklin Labs and the illegal drugs. This really was a fatal blow to Sebastian..

Sebastian became so irritated that he fainted. He knew all of his excuses were meaningless now.

Chapter 496 - Different Reactions (1)

Chapter 496: Different Reactions (1)

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Nelsen, a javelin athlete, was planning on attending the Olympics because he came in third place in the Olympic qualifiers.

The drug scandal sent him into panic. Although Nelsen’s name was not mentioned in the investigative report, he had used illicit drugs before. He was worried he would be caught like everyone on the list had been.

Once he found out the International Anti-Doping Agency had come to America, he became even more terrified.

Nelsen wasn’t able to concentrate on his training at all. He looked at his phone on the sidelines from time to time as if he was waiting for an important call.

Finally, the phone rang. Nelsen stopped his training and ran quickly to answer the call.

“Hello, it’s me. We can talk now.” Looking around, Nelsen didn’t see anyone watching him.

He asked the voice on the phone, “What’s going on? Are those rumors true?”

“They are not rumors. The situation is even more serious than it looks. The President of International Anti-Doping Agency came to America in person with the latest drug-detection technology. Every athlete named in the report was investigated and more than 95% of them were found to have drugs in their systems. The tests of the other 5% came back unclear, so officials could not be positive that they used illicit drugs,” said the man on the phone.

“God, it’s so serious! It seems that the new drug-detection technology is really powerful.” Nelsen took a deep breath.

“Exactly!” The man paused for a moment before asking, “So what do you plan to do?”

“I…” said Nelsen softly, “I want to withdraw from the Olympic Games.”

“Withdraw? You’ve trained four years for this! How can you withdraw?” said the man on the phone.

“I don’t want to but, if I don’t quit and I’m discovered, my whole career is over!” said Nelsen restlessly.

“That’s a waste of four years! You may never get another chance. What if you don’t qualify for the next Olympics?” said the man sadly.

Nelsen was struggling. He really didn’t want to quit, but his mind told him it was his best option.

“I know, I will lose a lot. However, I’m going to lose more if I don’t do this! If I quit the Olympic Games, I still can participate in other competitions. I’ll be suspended if they find drugs in my system. Then I wouldn’t be able to participate in any competitions!”

…

Richardson was a very good long jumper. Even in the United States, he was considered one of the best.

Unfortunately, being one of the best in the United States didn’t get you to a spot on the Olympic team. Only the top three athletes qualified and the long jumping competition in America was intense this year. .

After all, America typically won the long jump. With so many excellent long jumpers in America,all the athletes were under pressure. Richardson got the fifth place, which meant that he would miss the Olympic Games.

Richardson was extremely disappointed. During the qualification trial, the athlete who got first place was only 0.1 meters farther than him.He had been 0.1 meters away from going to the Olympics.

To his surprise, his luck turned. In the afternoon, he received an email. At first, he thought it was a bill or an advertisement. When he read it he realized that some of the athletes who had placed above him had been disqualified and he was being asked to be their substitute.He was going to the Olympics..

Richardson was overjoyed. He immediately called the United States Track and Field Association to confirm the authenticity of the letter and became more excited when the letter was authenticated.

Participating in Olympics was the lifelong dream of many athletes. However, as an American track and field athlete, this dream was very difficult.

Richardson felt lucky. With great excitement, Richardson called his coach immediately, hoping to share the good news. When he told his coach, his coach didn’t seem excited.

The coach didn’t answer for a long time and Richardson realized that something was wrong. He asked, “Coach, are you there? Why aren’t you excited?”

“I’m listening.” Finally, the coach responded to Richardson. “Listen to me. You can’t go. You must refuse the association!”

“Refuse? Are you kidding me? It’s the Olympic Games! This chance only comes once every four years! There are only three spots in the long jump event. This is a golden opportunity for me,” said Richardson.

“Do you know why those athletes withdrew from the competition? Do you know why they asked you and not the guy who placed in fourth? Did you ever think about that?”

This time Richardson fell silent.

“The drug scandal is really serious. According to the molecular formula of the illicit drugs’ ingredients released in that report, the International Anti-Doping Agency has upgraded their drug-detection technology. You should have heard the rumors. If you go to the Olympics, the drugs in your system will be detected and you will probably be suspended.”

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I can’t give it up!” said Richardson bitterly.

“Are you going to bet your career on whether the technology of the International Anti-Doping Agency is advanced enough to detect the drugs?” asked the coach.

“Maybe their detection technology is not as good as they say,” Richardson tried to argue.

“Maybe? If you think so, go ahead!” said the coach with a grim tone. “I want to make this clear in advance. If you’re found out, don’t tell anyone that I was involved. I’ll claim to know nothing about it. Don’t try to get me in trouble.”

Chapter 497 - Different Reactions (2)

Chapter 497: Different Reactions (2)

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At the University of Oregon, an old man with white hair was approached by a blond man as he was stepping out of his car.

“Coach Logan, long time no see! I’m Smart. Do you remember me?” The blond man extended his right hand to the white-haired old man.

“I remember you. You’re the journalist” Coach Logan shook hands with him out of politeness and asked, “What can I do for you?”

“I heard that the U.S. Track and Field Association invited you to become the head coach of this national track and field team. I want to talk about their offer,” said Smart.

Coach Logan closed the car door and said, “Let’s walk and talk.”

As they were walking together, Coach Logan said, “Yes, I received the invitation. They wanted me to replace Sebastian as the head coach of the national team.”

“Did you accept it?” asked the journalist immediately.

“No, I refused.” Coach Logan shook his head with a smile.

“Why? Isn’t it a great position?” asked the journalist.

“Indeed, it’s a great honor to become the head coach. Every coach wants to lead the world’s most powerful track and field team into the Olympic Games, including me.” Coach Logan sighed. “But I am old now. I’m 73 years old. I’m not energetic enough to lead a national team with over 150 athletes. If I were twenty years younger, I would accept this invitation.”

“I remember that you were the head coach of the national track and field team twenty years ago,” the journalist said with a laugh.

“Yes. So many years have passed since then. I served as the assistant coach for a term, the head coach’s assistant for two terms and the head coach for two terms. I served the national team for twenty years and I loved it. However, time and tide wait for no man! Now I am vigorous enough for the job. Maybe I can handle being the head coach of the track and field team for this school, but I don’t think I’m a good option for the national team.” Logan shook his head once again.

…

After seeing the journalist out, Coach Logan smiled.

His assistant came to him and said in a low voice, “Coach, I still don’t understand why you refused the U.S. Track and Field Association’s invitation.”

“What do you think?” asked Logan.

“It’s definitely not about you or your body. They don’t know you, but I do. I know you are still Have more than enough energy,” said the assistant.

“Yes, I am good in strength and energy. Right now the American national team is like a hot potato. They’re trying to pass it to anyone they can,” Coach Logan responded.

“I don’t get it. The American track and field team is the strongest team in the world, isn’t it?” said the assistant.

Coach Logan pointed to the chair next to him, motioning his assistant to sit down. “There are 154 athletes on the national track and field team, but 73 of them are involved in the recent drug scandal. That’s nearly half the team. I don’t even know if the rest of them are clean. Besides, that means there are going to be 73 people on the team who didn’t originally make the cut. Who knows if all those substitutes are clean?

“Therefore, the national team this year is not so powerful. Many of the athletes are likely to be second-rate. I’m afraid that they won’t even make it to the finals! If my judgment is correct, this will be the weakest national team that we have ever had. Agreeing to lead such a national team to the Olympic Games is agreeing to fail.”

Coach Logan took a long sigh and went on, “I have served as the assistant coach of the national team for one term, the vice head coach for two terms and the head coach for two terms. I have received enough accolades. I don’t want to destroy my reputation for this!”

…

In the office of the U.S. Track and Field Association, Frey, the COO, stared at the sheet in his hands with a grim look.

“27 people have applied to leave the national team. We have lost 100 athletes in all, including the 73 athletes who were using drugs. There are only 54 athletes on our national team now.” Frey spoke in a low voice.

“It seems that the impact of this scandal went beyond our expectations. Maybe the 27 athletes were worried the International Anti-Doping Agency would discover they were using drugs as well.” Williams, the CEO of the U.S. Track and Field Association was almost as desperate as Frey. “How about the substitutes?”

Frey looked at another sheet. “We sent 73 emails to take the places of those 73 athletes, but only 23 of them agreed to join the national team. The rest either refused our invitation or didn’t reply to us within the allotted amount of time. We only have 77 athletes in all, including these 23 athletes. We still have over seventy vacancies to fill.”

“In the past, everyone was eager to join the national team. Now no one wants to.” Williams had a wry smile on his face. “Then we have to keep picking athletes according to the qualification standards.”

Frey thought about this for a few seconds. “There were only eight athletes in the finals of the qualifiers for each event. We might have to select the athletes who were eliminated in the semifinals of the qualifiers.”

“Yes, we have no choice,” said Williams.

Frey put down the sheet and asked, “How are we coming along with coaches? Has Coach Logan agreed to coach our team?”

Williams shook his head. “No, he refused. All the famous coaches we’ve invited have refused. The national team is going to be so weak this year, no one wants to take on that role of leadership for us.”

“Damn it. They’d normally kill for the chance but now, when we need them most, they aren’t willing to help us out!” Frey said angrily. “The next training camp is only two days away and we still can’t find a coach. Should we postpone it?”

“I’m afraid we can’t.” Williams rubbed his temples. “I plan to let Rivers substitute as the head coach temporarily. He applied to be head coach but didn’t even make it to the interview round.”

“Rivers? He is too young! He is not qualified for this at all.” Obviously, Frey was not optimistic about Rivers.

Williams shrugged his shoulders reluctantly. Like you said, we only have two days to find someone. Rivers is our only choice.”

Chapter 498 - Hard to be a Head Coach

Chapter 498: Hard to be a Head Coach

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The second training camp for the American track and field team was underway.

“Jimmy, guess what? Our new coach is Rivers,” Alexander said with a big smile.

“Rivers who?” Jimmy Aylwin seemed to be a bit confused.

“Don’t you remember? He was a 400-meter runner. I remember you competed against him once. I didn’t expect he would even become a coach, let alone ours,” said Alexander.

“I know this guy. During the last Olympics, he was an assistant coach for the national team. He was at the very bottom,” said Aylwin.

“I wouldn’t know about that. I was suspended during the last Olympics.” Alexander also felt hopeless. “How good is he?”

“Not very good. He didn’t even make the national team as an athlete. He hasn’t trained a top athlete since becoming a coach either. There’s no way he’s qualified to coach us. I think I would be a better head coach than him,” said Aylwin disdainfully.

…

Rivers was a 400-meter sprinter, but he was never any good. After he was out of his prime, he decided to retire and become a coach.

So far, his coaching career had been better than his athletic one. He hadn’t trained any top athlete, he had trained several decent ones. Additionally, he had been able to be an assistant coach for the national team four years ago. Although he was at the bottom, at least he was on the national team.

This year, Rivers had not been satisfied with an assistant coaching position. He wanted to become the second-in-command. Therefore, he applied for the head coaching position, hoping they’d see his potential. However, Rivers was unlucky. He was eliminated in the first round and didn’t make it to the interview round.

When Sebastian was head coach, Rivers wasn’t offered any spot on the coaching staff. This year, Rivers didn’t think he had any chance of being on the national team, not even in an assistant coaching position.

After the drug scandal, Rivers was lucky enough to temporarily replace Sebastian as head coach. It was really beyond his wildest dreams. He had only hoped to be second-in-command. He never thought that he could be the head coach. He accepted the invitation without delay.

When he reached the training camp, he found that there were not enough athletes on the team.

…

An officer of the U.S. Track and Field Association handed Rivers a roster with all the athletes’ names on it. There were only about 70 athletes. This was not enough.

There were over twenty track and field events in the Olympic Games, fifty if one divided them by gender as well. As the number one of track and field team in the world, America had a large number of athletes who reached the A standard of the Olympics. Therefore, America could send three athletes to participate in every event. Normally, the American team had about 150 athletes.

Now, there were only 70. Naturally, Rivers had doubts about this list.

“Are there several pages missing?” Rivers pointed to the roster in his hand and wanted the officer to take a look.

“No,” the officer responded without looking at it.

“But there are only about 70 athletes,” said Rivers.

“Yes, just 70,” the officer said.

“Normally, there should be at least 140 athletes, right?” asked Rivers.

“That’s all for this year. The rest are banned,” responded the officer flatly.

“All of them are banned? How could it be? Why?” Rivers asked all these questions at once.

“Over ninety withdrew from the team and we recruited twenty from the qualifiers that didn’t originally make the cut. Don’t you understand? The drug scandal decimated the team. I can’t even describe how bad of a position we are in. You’ll see when you get to the camp.”

…

Soon enough, Rivers saw the truth behind the officer’s words.

This American team was really terrible.All of the athletes had lost their morale, it was like they had given up before the Olympics had even started.

The drug scandal had lost them almost two-thirds of their team. Everyone else was panicky now. If two-thirds of an army deserted their comrades, the remaining members of the army are put in an impossible position.

The twenty substitute athletes were also in bad shape. Many of them had ranked quite low in the trail so they were nervous about their competition in the Olympics.

Rivers immediately regretted accepting the head coaching job.

When the training began, Rivers met another problem. No one respected him. Some, like Jimmy Aylwin, even ignored him completely.

…

As a legendary athlete, Aylwin was a powerful force on this American team.However, Aylwin had a bad attitude. He gave Rivers the cold shoulder and he looked down upon him.

There was an enormous gap between them. Aylwin had been a legendary athlete for years, the absolute king of the 400-meter event, while Rivers was just a little-known coach without any achievements.

Perhaps Aylwin would have respected Sebastian, who had been famous for years. How could he show his respect to such an insignificant person as Rivers?

More importantly, Rivers was a 400-meter runner with no good achievements. Aylwin competed against him and beat him handily. In fact, Rivers had never even been a threat to Aylwin. Aylwin would not accept him as a coach.

As the king of 400-meter event, how could Aylwin let his defeated opponent to coach him! Therefore, Aylwin ignored Rivers completely and Rivers couldn’t do anything about.

Aylwin’s attitude obviously influenced the others’ as well. Soon Alexander began to ignore Rivers.

Alexander was not as excellent as Aylwin. He was the second-best in the world in his event. However, he had won many world championships and he really didn’t care about athletes that weren’t as good as him. Naturally, Coach Rivers didn’t deserve his respect.

This was a common problem in coaching.A coach had to be strong to gain the respect of high-level athletes. Otherwise, no athlete would accept him and follow his instructions.

In China, coaches had the means to punish the athletes who refused to follow their instructions.In America, coaches didn’t have that right. In the four major professional leagues in America, star players were often seen as more important than their coaches.

Faced with this situation, Rivers really couldn’t do anything.

When Rivers was an athlete, Aylwin had been great. Now he was still extremely powerful. Therefore, Rivers had to let Aylwin do what he wanted.

As for Alexander, Rivers also couldn’t do anything to him. After all, Alexander was also a world champion!

Without the necessary strength, Rivers knew that he could do nothing but tolerate this bullying. Any qualified coach would not tolerate this. However, any qualified coach would not be in this situation.

The situation got worse and worse. As the training went on, more and more athletes began to refused to cooperate with Rivers. He realized that he had lost control of the entire team.

The root of this problem was his relationship with Aylwin.

The rest of the team looked up to him. They followed his example. Many young athletes, therefore, treated Rivers the same way Alywin did.

Western culture praised individualism. There were many stories about superheroes saving the world. They had been popular since the second World War. In this culture, the obedience of the collective was far less popular than the worship of an individual hero.

If one wanted to control all the athletes in this national team, he must deal with Aylwin first. It would be much easier to get other athletes to obey him if he could get the approval of Aylwin. If the best athlete on the team obeyed the coach, the others would follow him.

Nevertheless, Aylwin didn’t accept Rivers at all, so other athletes would not trust him.

…

Rivers sat in the corner of the small bar, drinking alone.

“Coach Rivers, I didn’t expect to see you here,” someone said. Rivers raised his head and saw a familiar face.

His name was Carter, a doctor for the team. They had known each other since Rivers had been an assistant coach.

Carter sat next to Rivers and stated the obvious. “You look miserable. Did something go wrong?”

By this time, Rivers was a little drunk. He nodded and muttered, “I’m a really bad coach.”

“Why do you say that?” asked Carter.

“None of my athletes listen to me. They basically ignore me! They pretend that I don’t exist at all!” Rivers complained.

Carter sighed slightly, “Coach Rivers, actually aren’t a bad coach. You should have stayed away from this team. the national team is a disaster right now. You can’t handle it all.”

“Why?” asked Rivers.

“Rivers, have you ever wondered why the position of the head coach of the national team fell to you? Do you think you are qualified for this position or do you think you are extremely lucky?” asked Carter with a grim look on his face.

“You know something, don’t you?” Rivers was sobering up a bit. He pleaded earnestly, “Doctor Carter, we’ve known each other for years. If you know something, please tell me.”

“The U.S. Track and Field Association chose you because you were their only option,” said Carter.

“What do you mean?” asked Rivers.

Carter leaned forward and lowered his voice. “This head coaching position used to be a coveted spot. This year it’s different. The team only has half the athletes it needs. No matter who was the head coach, the team would be awful. We’ll fail this Olympics, badly.”

“We are the number one track and field power in the world. Our people may accept a bad result, but definitely they will not allow a disastrous defeat. Therefore, someone needs to accept responsibility. Who do you think should be responsible for it? The athletes? Or the head coach?”

“I think now you understand why the position of the head coach fell to you. The coaches who are more famous, more qualified and more powerful than you all know that the national team is a mess right now. They didn’t want them to fail on their watch. Being the most unsuccessful head coach of American could be a permanent stain on one’s legacy!”

Rivers was now completely sober.

“Doctor Carter, thank you! Thank you so much!” Rivers had decided that after he returned home, he would immediately draft a letter of resignation.

Chapter 499 - Other Possibilities

Chapter 499: Other Possibilities

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Rivers handed his letter of resignation to Williams, CEO of the U.S. Track and Field Association.

Williams took the resignation and asked, “Coach Rivers, why do you want to resign?”

“I don’t think I am qualified to be the head coach.” Rivers was clearly ashamed of this statement. “I’m not as talented as many of the athletes and they don’t respect me. Our training didn’t go well.

At the moment, Rivers felt a little gratified. Aylwin’s bullying gave him an excuse to resign. Williams had to accept his resignation.

Williams nodded to show that he has understood River’s concerns.

As the leader of the U.S. Track and Field Association, Williams certainly had to pay attention to the daily training of the track and field team, so he knew that Rivers was not lying.

The main issue that Rivers had was with Aylwin. Rivers lost his respect so he lost the respect of the entire team. That’s why I have to solve the problem from Aylwin first. No one will be able to coach the team if he keeps this attitude of his.

Williams felt helpless.

Aylwin was no ordinary athlete, he was the king of the 400-meter sprint. When an athlete was as famous and brilliant as Aylwin, he had power over the U.S. Track and Field Association. The association needed Alywin to get sponsorships and commercial spots. He was one of their most popular athletes

Moreover, because of the scandal, there were few athletes left on the US team that could win a gold medal. Aylwin was there best shot at getting gold this year.

Normally, the association wouldn’t bother Aylwin. If they wanted him to do something, they’d ask him. If he said yes, that was great. If he said no, they couldn’t force him to do anything that he didn’t want to.

In this instance, Williams made up his mind to have a talk with Aylwin. After accepting Rivers’s letter of resignation, Williams personally went to the training ground and invited Aylwin to the training room.

…

Williams handed Aylwin a bottle of unopened mineral water and said, “Jimmy, Coach Rivers has handed in his resignation letter.”

Aylwin replied with “Oh.” His tone didn’t give anything away.

“Jimmy, I was wondering if you were dissatisfied with Rivers?” Williams asked with a smile.

“Dissatisfied with Rivers? No!” Aylwin shook his head, “I just think he is not qualified to be the head coach of the national team. You know, Mr. Williams, that high-level physical training is like sailing against the current. You have to forge ahead or be driven back. If a coach is bad, then his athletes get worse. I didn’t follow Rivers’ instructions, because I don’t think his training ability can help me maintain my current competitive state. On the contrary, it may cause it to become worse.”

“I see!” Williams pretended to understand what Aylwin meant. “But you must know our current situation. We are greatly affected by the performance-enhancing drugs scandal. Most of the best track and field coaches in America are involved, so it’s really hard for us to find an excellent track and field coach to lead the national team. Rivers, at the moment, was the best choice for us.”

“I understand.” There was still a look of defiance on his face.

Williams continued. “Now, Rivers has resigned, so we need to look for a new coach to replace him. We might not be able to find a better coach than Rivers but, for the sake of the team, I hope you can accommodate yourself to the new coach and support his work.”

As Williams spoke to Aylwin, he observed Aylwin’s expression, hoping that Aylwin would nod and agree.

However, to Williams’ disappointment, Aylwin shook his head.

“Mr. Williams, all I can promise is that I won’t make trouble for the new coach. If he can’t help me to maintain the current state, I won’t follow his training programs,” said Aylwin.

Williams was back to feeling helpless, because what he said was no effect on Aylwin. All the members of the track and field team followed his leadership. If he didn’t accept the new coach, then the new coach would be the next Rivers, and leave the national team in dejection.

Realizing that Williams was in quandary, Aylwin felt he should make a concession, so he said, “Mr. Williams, I won’t participate in the national team’s training next time. I will continue to train with my former coach so that I won’t affect other athletes, I think it’s a viable solution.”

“So, you are not going to participate in the training camp? No! That’s impossible!” Williams immediately shook his head.

Aylwin was the top star of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. They needed him to attract the attention of the public. Aylwin was more of a symbol than an ordinary athlete. Aylwin to the team is what the giant panda is to a zoo. Without him, the team would not be much less attractive.

“I’m sorry that I have no other solutions.” Aylwin looked helpless.

Williams came up with an idea immediately.

“Aylwin, now that you have some doubts about our new coach, we can hire your former coach to the national team and appoint him a coach of the national team. He can continue to train you, and your training won’t be affected. I think this plan is feasible, right?” Williams asked smugly.

Aylwin thought for a while and said, “This is a feasible solution, but I think Coach Li may not agree. He may not be energetic enough and he may not be willing to be an ordinary coach led by someone else.”

“Coach Li? He is your coach, right? What’s his name?” Williams asked subconsciously. Williams thought his name was Lee, which is a common surname in British and American countries.

“His name is Dai Li, and he has a chain physical training center in Los Angeles. You may have heard of him,” said Aylwin.

“Dai Li? That Chinese coach! He is your coach! He’s also the coach of Justin Alexander!” Williams looked surprised.

Williams began to think about other possibilities.

Chapter 500 - Finding a Scapegoat

Chapter 500: Finding a Scapegoat

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Frey, the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Track and Field Association, stared at Williams, surprised.

“Mr. Williams, did I hear you right? You mean ‘the head coach’? You want to hire a Chinese man to be the head coach of our American track and field team?”

Williams was pleased with Frey’s surprised reaction. He nodded, “Yeah, you heard that correctly.”

“America is the best in track and field. Our team is the Dream Team! Ae you sure we should hire a Chinese man to be our head coach? His country only wins one gold medal in track and field every Olympics.

“I have thought carefully about this,” Williams said. “I was so blind and optimistic about the appointment of Rivers, but it turned out to be a bad decision. Rivers was not qualified enough to be respected by the athletes, and they would respect Li. So far, the only American coaches we can find are lie Rivers.”

“Yeah, the coaches who are qualified are either involved in the performance-enhancing drugs scandal or have turned down our invitation,” said Frey.

“I think other less qualified and less competent coaches would face the same situation as Rivers. If they can’t be accepted by the athletes and lead the whole national team, then they are not capable of being the head coach. So, I think we should find someone who is competent, no matter their nationality.

“Dai Li is qualified. He coaches Aylwin, Alexander, and Ford. They won’t resist their own coach, so they will help Dai Li to get a foothold in the national team.”

Frey nodded, “I agree with you, but Dai Li is Chinese! I’m very uncomfortable a Chinese man as the head coach of our American team. The public opinion won’t be on our side. People might think that our going outside the country to find a head coach shows that we are incompetent as an organization!”

“But that’s true. We do lack qualified talent right now, right?” Williams composed himself. “There’s no shame in owning your flaws in front of the public.”

“But…”

Frey was about to say something, when Williams waved his hands to interrupt him. “In fact, after Rivers handed in his resignation letter, I was wondering if we handled the scandal badly. Coaches don’t want to work with us now. Is that our fault?

Frey gritted his teeth and said, “This is all on the damn investigative journalist who exposed the performance-enhancing drugs scandal. It cost us a lot of brilliant athletes. Before his report, coaches would be scrambling to become our head coach. Now they all know that this Olympics is going to be the Waterloo of the American track and field team.”

“That’s normal. Why would they get on a sinking ship? We all know this year the team is like the Titanic. When the Olympics begin, it’s going to hit the iceberg. Although we don’t want the ship to sink, we can’t stop it.”

Williams paused and became more serious. “We want to save a ship that’s bound to sink, but we can’t. We should find another solution. We should consider who should take responsibility for the sinking?”

“You mean find a scapegoat? You want to Dai Li to be the scapegoat?” Realization dawned on his face.

“Of course, we need to find a scapegoat. Otherwise we will bear responsibility for the failure! The media will blame the team’s failure at the Olympics on our association. Someone will even force us to resign. You don’t want to see that happen, do you? Don’t you think it’s great to put the responsibility on someone who’s Chinese?” Williams said with a strange smile on his face.

Frey hesitated for a while, lowered his voice and said, “Mr. Williams, I don’t think it’s a good way to solve this in such a racially motivated way. Now everything that involves race is very sensitive. If you can’t handle it properly, you will get yourself into trouble.”

“You misunderstood me. I’m not going to make anything about race. It’s not about race it’s about nationality.” Williams waved his hands and added, “I heard that Dai Li never got American citizenship. He just got the green card, so he’s still a Chinese citizen. We can take advantage of this. Our President, our members of Congress and other politicians are saying all the time that China is stealing American jobs, China is stealing America’s intelligence, China has polluted the earth, China has hampered the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and China has driven up the housing prices in California. In their view, whatever the Chinese do is wrong! And more importantly, the public is also happy to believe what these politicians say!

“Really, it’s our politicians that are incompetent, but they passed the buck to China. It’s very effective, so why don’t we imitate these politicians!” With a conspiratorial smile on his face, Williams continued. “Since the end of the Second World War, our government has been engaging in ideological propaganda and several generations have been brainwashed. They don’t care whether it’s wrong or right, they’re just willing to believe what they want to hear. They to believe their values are real. So why do we insist on the truth when we can give the public an answer that they want.

“So, finding a Chinese scapegoat and making him take responsibility for the failure of an American team is the best solution. The public will want to believe it as well. We just need to say is ‘Look, we failed and it’s all because of the Chinese coach! The public will take out their anger on Dai Li. After one or two years later, when the drugs scandal is forgotten about, everything will be OK for us…”

Chapter 501 - A Disaster

Chapter 501: A Disaster

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“The defendant is found to be not guilty of first-degree murder and not guilty of police assault.” As the judge finished speaking, he slammed his gavel with force.

Dai Li exited of the defendant’s stand and immediately walked towards Wilfrid to shake his hand.

“Thank you very much, Wilfrid,” Dai Li said.

“Mr. Li, it is the least I can do. Besides, I’ve always believed that you were innocent.” Wilfrid’s plump face was filled with a bright smile. Apart from winning the lawsuit, there was a generous sum of lawyer fees waiting for him. It was worth opening up a bottle of champagne to celebrate once he reached home.

Upon leaving the court, Blake was already waiting in the car. After saying goodbye to Wilfrid, Dai Li entered Blake’s car.

“First, I’d like to congratulate you on winning the lawsuit.” As Blake spoke, he handed a letter to Dai Li. “Take a look, this is an invitation letter we just received. From the American Track and Field Association. They’re inviting you to become the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team!”

“Recruiting me to become the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team!” Dai Li wasn’t sure if he shouldn’t believe what he had heard or if he shouldn’t believe Blake’s words. He wasn’t an American. There was no need for the almighty US national team to find a foreign head coach to take the reins.

“When I first saw this invitation letter, I also thought it was a prank! Why would the US National Track and Field Team want a Chinese guy to become the head coach? However, I’ve called and checked with the Track and Field Association; it’s real,” Blake started the engine as he spoke.

The car moved steadily forward along the road. Dai Li reviewed the invitation letter in detail. He read it from beginning to end three times before asking, “Regarding this invitation letter, what do you think?”

“There are pros and cons! Becoming the head coach of the U.S. national team can definitely boost your fame and reputation. It’s certain to be beneficial for the development of our fitness centers. These are the pros,” Blake said as he slowed the car down.

He then continued, “As for the cons, the current state of the U.S. National Track and Field Team is terrible. Before I came here, I called and asked Irwin; he told me that the current team is only half-filled. The athletes who were able to compete for gold medals were mostly caught up in the performance-enhancing drugs scandal, and have left the U.S. National Team. The current team will become the worst national team in history. Leading such a team to the Olympics is like going to meet your doom. Regardless of who becomes the head coach, he has to bear the responsibility of failing in the Olympic Games. So if you ask me, I feel that becoming the head coach of the US national track and field team has more cons than pros. My suggestion is to say no. Just reject the Track and Field Association.”

Dai Li nodded, but did not speak.

Dai Li’s behavior somehow made Blake feel uneasy, as if there was a possibility of something terrible happening. With his understanding of Dai Li, it wasn’t a look that said that he was going to reject the Track and Field Association.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to take head coach job. I admit ‘the head coach of the US National Track and Field Team’ sounds wonderful. However, there’s also a lot of responsibility you need to bear. Don’t be blinded by the glory and prestige in front of you. Think about it carefully; there are so many excellent track and field coaches all over America, it can’t be that everyone has been involved in the performance-enhancing drugs scandal, right? There will always be people who weren’t part of it, but why didn’t they become the head coach of the national team? Why didn’t they look for an American coach when there are so many of them lying around? If it were really a good job, how could this job opening fall to a Chinese coach like you?”

Blake sounded a little anxious. He continued advising, “The current U.S. National Track and Field Team is too weak, even ignoring the fact that they’re missing a lot in number; they aren’t exactly the strongest either. The result and performance of this Olympic Games will be unbearable. It’s like a gamble that you are sure to lose. If you know that there’s no chance of winning, why would you waste time placing a bet?”

Blake’s anxious look made Dai Li laugh. He said, “Looks like the miracles that I’ve produced these past few years aren’t enough!”

“Are you really going to accept that disaster?” Blake asked.

“Don’t you think that taking on the impossible is an interesting thing to do?” Dai Li asked with a laugh.

Blake shook his head and said, “I’ve never thought that it was interesting. I prefer the taste of victory. I’d rather lead an unbeatable team than to challenge the impossible or something.”

“Leading a winning team is boring! All the opponents you meet are weak; they pose no threat to you. Sooner or later, the joy of winning will dissipate. You will become used to winning and you will lose the joy you feel when you achieve victory. You might even become numb. Try and think about it, if competitive sports is always one-sided, and you lose the joy and thrill of competition, then wouldn’t it be better to just sit in front of the TV and watch a soap opera?” Dai Li asked.

“How do you know all this?” Blake asked.

“Have you forgotten? I used to be a fitness coach for such a team. It was our national table tennis team. We kept on winning; it was boring,” Dai Li sighed as he spoke. He then changed his tone and said, “You should just relax and stop worrying. Before taking over this disaster, I will first try and understand things, to learn where I stand. I will not fight a battle that I cannot win.”

…

Dai Li arrived at the headquarters of the American Track and Field Association and met with the CEO of the association, Mr. Williams.

“Coach Li. Welcome!” Williams was warm as he invited Dai Li to the meeting room. He then personally introduced the situation of the U.S. Track and Field Team to Dai Li.

Actually, Dai Li already knew the team’s situation. Before he came, he had already received a lot of information from Irwin, and it was all intelligence from the front line of training. It was far more detailed than what Williams mentioned.

“Mr. Williams, according to what you’ve said, we currently don’t even have enough athletes to participate in the competition?” Dai Li asked.

“As of now, yes. However, we are still recruiting athletes,” Williams nodded as he replied.

“Based on what I know, before the 15th of July, we have to submit the name list of all the participating athletes to the International Olympic Committee. And now, there’s only around a week left before we reach this date,” Dai Li said.

Williams nodded awkwardly, “That is indeed the case. We are really short on time.”

“Then in your opinion, do you think that we can recruit enough athletes within the timeframe given by the International Olympic Committee?” Dai Li continued asking.

“We, the Track and Field Association, will work hard to settle this.” Williams gave a vague answer. It actually showed that he wasn’t confident in that regard.

“Mr. Williams, if that is the case, I have a demand,” Dai Li said.

The fact that Dai Li wanted to make demands wasn’t beyond the expectation of Williams. After all, since he was willing to take over in this awful situation, surely there was no way he wouldn’t make any demands.

“Coach Li, please speak. As long as it is within our powers, we won’t deny it,” Williams declared.

“I want the right to select participating athletes. Half of the current U.S National Track and Field Team has not been confirmed. I want to personally select these athletes!” Dai Li announced.

Chapter 502 - Well-Prepared

Chapter 502: Well-Prepared

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In Asian countries, if one were to reach the B standard of the Olympic Games in track and field, it meant that the person would be able to represent the country in participating in the Olympic Games. In European, African, or South American countries that weren’t great in sports, reaching the A standard would make one eligible to participate in the Olympic Games.

Only in the US, as the world’s number one nation in track and field, reaching the A standard of the Olympics was the lowest standard. In any track and field event, the number of athletes who could reach the A standard of the Olympics was numerous.

In the Olympic Qualifier not so long ago, Dai Li was at the stadium. He personally witnessed many excellent athletes getting eliminated because they didn’t make it into the top three. Among them, there was no lack of incredibly talented athletes or athletes with a high ability value that were eliminated because of a bad performance. Upon using his detector, Dai Li even discovered athletes with A+ grade talent potential getting knocked out in the first round. It must be said that athletes with A+ grade talent potential were people who could become world champions without much problem; however, these athletes had faced elimination in the first round of the qualifiers.

That was the athlete selection system in the U.S. Everything was decided in one round. It didn’t matter if the athlete was extremely talented, extremely capable, very famous, or if the athlete had multiple past achievements and glories. It didn’t even matter if the athlete was a world record holder, as long as he failed to qualify, he could not participate in the Olympics.

Although a selection system like this was very fair and just, it resulted in many excellent athletes missing out on taking part in the Olympic Games.

During the qualifiers, Dai Li used his detector on every single athlete when he had nothing to do. He discovered many “lost pearls” during that time. Some failed to qualify because they didn’t perform at their best, and some could not display their full strength due to training issues. Some were simply faced with far better opponents, so they were eliminated.

For Dai Li, this was a waste of these athletes. If they were not in the U.S., they would have definitely had the chance to appear in the Olympic Games. However, Dai Li did not plan on helping them either. After all, they weren’t his athletes.

However, things were different now. Dai Li was going to become the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. The “lost pearls” Dai Li discovered back then had suddenly become important. For example, the athlete with an A+ grade talent potential who was eliminated in the first round could definitely become a champion in the Olympics, if Dai Li had some time to train him properly.

As such, Dai Li requested that he select the participating athletes. His objective was to recruit and gather all the athletes who had a chance of achieving great results in the Olympic Games. It was also the reason for Dai Li’s confidence in taking over that pile of mess.

Any other coach would be bound to fail at taking over the current U.S. track and field team. As the saying goes, “Even a chef wouldn’t be able to cook a good meal without rice.” No matter how good or amazing the coach is, when the athletes suck, nothing works.

However, Dai Li was able to find hidden but excellent athletes. If these athletes were to succeed in joining the US national team, the overall strength of the U.S. national team wouldn’t drop too much.

Dai Li was actually well-prepared.

…

After listening to Dai Li’s request, Williams did not agree to it immediately. Instead, he started thinking.

In other countries, there was nothing more ordinary than the head coach selecting the participating athletes. However, the US was different. The right to participate in every individual event for the US national team was fundamentally due to qualifiers. This rule had been in place for over a decade.

Now, Dai Li had requested to select the participating athletes. It not only undoubtedly broke with the traditions of the US national team, but it also violated this rule that the US national team had maintained for over a decade. Of course, Williams could not simply make a promise. Deep down in his heart, he was even against Dai Li’s demand.

Breaking with tradition was not an easy feat. Moreover, Williams had more to consider. Williams was worried that, if he agreed to Dai Li’s demand, future head coaches of the US national team would make the same request.

After much deliberation, Williams finally said, “Coach Li, the US national team has always been selecting athletes through the qualifiers; it has been like this for over a decade. Your request, it does not comply with our rules.”

What Williams actually meant was that he had no intention of accepting Dai Li’s demands.

Dai Li then advised him. “Mr. Williams, I don’t plan to disobey your rules, and I have no intention of challenging your tradition; however, the current issue at hand is that we don’t even have enough athletes to participate in the competition. This issue should be solved first. Isn’t the reason you asked me to become the head coach so that I could solve problems?

“As the saying goes, when times are abnormal, the methods should be abnormal too. The time between now and the deadline for submitting the participating athletes’ name list is only slightly more than a week away. If we follow the standard selection procedure and go about things step by step, we won’t make it. Besides, I will also need time to train and integrate the team. If we can’t do even that, then I can’t guarantee good results for the athletes.”

Williams furrowed his brow and pondered over the issue for a while before finally nodding. “Alright, Coach Li, you’ve persuaded me. However, I hope that you can submit the participants’ name list three days before the deadline of the International Olympic Committee.”

“No problem,” Dai Li promised with a nod.

…

As Dai Li’s silhouette gradually disappeared from afar, Frey asked in a whisper, “Mr. Williams, do you really plan on letting Dai Li choose the athletes himself?”

“I’ve already promised him, do you expect me to go back on my word?” Williams answered.

“But we’ve never done something like this before, we’ve always selected athletes through qualifiers,” Frey said.

“We’re already at this stage. Unless you want us to organize another qualifier?” Williams smiled slyly. He then said, “I know what you want to say. You think I’ve given Dai Li too much authority, right?”

“That is a concern of mine, yes,” Frey admitted without hesitation.

“Don’t forget the reason we deliberately found a Chinese man to become the head coach. We just need him to be a suitable scapegoat. So what if we gave him a little authority? Besides, something like selecting athletes, do you really think that it is some kind of power?”

Before Frey could answer, Williams said, as if responding to himself, “In my opinion, that isn’t any form of authority or power, only a troublesome task. There’s only slightly more than a week left but he needs to add at least six or seven athletes. That is an arduous task in and of itself. At first, my head hurt trying to solve this problem, but now it’s all better. Someone is here to solve our problems.

“During the Olympic Games, if the track and field results of the US national team are subpar, we have all the more reason to push all the responsibility onto Dai Li. He is the head coach. Moreover, the athletes were handpicked by him, but the results were terrible. So, all responsibility for failure will be borne by him!”

Chapter 503 - The Student has Surpassed the Master

Chapter 503: The Student has Surpassed the Master

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“New Coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team Announced!”

“The First Foreign Coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team!”

“Facing Danger, Chinese Coach Taking Over the Reins of the U.S. National Track and Field Team!”

“The Decline of the U.S. National Track and Field Team? We’ve Found a Non-American Coach!”

The following day, all the major media outlets ran a piece in their sports section announcing Dai Li as the new head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

Most media reports were relatively neutral or, more precisely, they were relatively simple. They only gave a brief overview instead of going into a detailed report.

Some media outlets, however, found Dai Li’s resume and discovered that he was the one who groomed the “Blade Warrior” Phillip. They also found that the 400m sprint king Jimmy Irwin, upon making his return, chose Dai Li as his coach. At the same time, Dai Li also had his fitness training centers. From this point of view, Dai Li did indeed have the qualifications to become the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

There were also a lot of news outlets that generated negative opinions. They obviously felt that the U.S. National Track and Field Team should not have a Chinese guy as its head coach.

“The U.S. is the best in the world when it comes to track and field, but now we actually need a foreigner to become our country’s track and field team’s head coach!”

“Does the United States’ track and field need to be saved by a Chinese coach? What are our American coaches doing?”

“Has the Track and Field Association gone mad? They actually let a Chinese person lead our national team! The number of gold medals they have can’t even be compared to amount we have!”

“Although China isn’t a country that’s weak in track and field, it definitely isn’t a strong one. How can a Chinese coach have the qualifications necessary to lead the world’s strongest and mightiest team, the U.S. National Track and Field Team!”

The U.S. was an immigration nation. The society was considerably inclusive, and foreigners holding the position of a head coach in a particular national sports team wasn’t actually rare. In the history of the U.S. Olympic delegation, there have been multiple instances where the head coach was not born in America.

However, in events that the U.S. was strong in, there had never been a non-American head coach. For example, basketball in the U.S., every coach had been American, and in the many years of NBA history, there had never been a foreign head coach. Occasionally, there would be coaches with dual nationalities, but they always grew up from American basketball culture.

The track and field event was a traditionally strong event for the U.S.. In the 1980s and 1990s, the United States conquered the world of track and field and all of the previous U.S. National Track and Field Team were far stronger than the current U.S.A basketball dream team. Therefore, there had never been a non-American track and field coach in the history of the U.S.

As such, there was no way the Americans would accept a head coach leading their national track and field team if he wasn’t born in America.

Some media outlets gave Dai Li negative reviews, and some also voiced their objections. People also expressed themselves on the internet, saying that they shouldn’t let a foreigner become the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

However, overall, it didn’t really cause a huge public uproar. After all, coaches did not attract as much attention as athletes. Not many would pay special attention to whomever it was that coached a particular athlete. There were some who only paid attention to who won the championship, they didn’t even bother with the second and third-placed athlete. These people obviously wouldn’t care about news regarding coaches.

…

In the age of the internet, the spread of information around the world in seconds. As soon as the news was broadcasted in the U.S., people on the other side of the ocean would see it.

It was morning in the U.S., and night in China. At that moment, most people who worked for internet corporations in China had not yet finished their work for the day.

For an internet corporation in China, a 996 work system was common. Going to work at 9 in the morning, leaving at 9 in the evening, working six days a week. It had already become the rule of various internet corporations. These sorts of schedules far exceeded the stipulated time allowed by labor law. However, internet businesses simply enjoyed that work system, many even took pride in it.

It was also because of the 996 work system that many editors who were working overtime had the chance to see the news right away.

In the editing room of some web portals, Editor A read a piece of news on an American site.

“‘New Coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team Announced.’ That was such a huge scandal, even the head coach was involved. Looks like the chances for the U.S. National Track and Field Team is slim this time. I wonder what kind of head coach they found to become the savior of the American team,” Editor A said to himself.

He actually didn’t care too much about this piece of news, the people in China were similar to the people of the U.S.. They don’t follow coaches as much as they did athletes. Even if it were the coaches of their respective countries, no one really bothered, and this guy was the coach of some foreign country.

A piece of news like that wouldn’t garner much attention even after being translated, so the editor didn’t really plan to click on the link. However, considering the performance-enhancing drug scandal that rocked the U.S. recently, the editor still clicked and opened the news webpage, albeit with just a curious and not-really-thinking-about-it mentality.

“Eh? I’m not mistaken, am I? The head coach of the U.S. national team is actually Chinese!” Editor A exclaimed loudly in shock.

“What’s all the noise? That scared the hell out of me!” A complaining sound came from the side. The guy had been secretly sleeping before the shout from Editor A woke him up. After all, not every employee could take the 996 work system. It was common to nap if one couldn’t hold on.

“Guys, hurry up! Come and see this! The new head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team is actually Chinese!” Editor A repeated.

“That’s fake, right? With the American’s standard, why would they need a foreign coach? There’s a ton of exceptional track and field coaches lying around everywhere over there.”

“If you think about it, there’s no way that’s possible. After all, how strong is the U.S. track and field team? And how strong is our track and field team? We’re not even one-tenth of their strength! What gives us the right to teach the Americans track and field?”

Everyone thought that Editor A was just exaggerating things. Some people walked over to expose Editor A’s lie but, instead, found out that the editor was telling the truth.

“Damn, it’s real. It really said so on the news!” Someone said.

“It can’t be, right?” Some people surrounded Editor A, while others started frantically searching on different website. A few even went to the American Track and Field Association’s official website. All the information they obtained was consistent.

The U.S. was the strongest track and field country in the world. The mighty U.S.A National Track and Field Team actually went and hired a Chinese guy to become their head coach. To the editors, it was big news. It definitely was seen as bringing glory to the nation.

In truth, a lot of Chinese citizens still had an inferiority complex, believing that everything overseas was more developed and, therefore, better. Everything the foreigners said seemed better because the grass is always greener outside the country. As such, when a Chinese citizen achieved something in the developed western countries, it was regarded as bringing glory to the country.

Extreme self-belittlement and xenophilia were, of course, not something to be encouraged. However, regarding track and field, the U.S. was indeed sufficiently developed and strong; no other countries in the world could compare. That alone was an indisputable fact.

So, the poor editors started another overtime shift. Dai Li becoming the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team instantly appeared in the sports section of all the big news outlets’ websites. Some sites even made the news their headline.

…

Early in the morning, in a quiet community situated within the third ring of the capital of China, Beijing, a ferocious-looking old man with a shaved head walked on a bent path as he hummed a tune.

The old man was the ex-assistant head coach of the national track and field team of China, Li Xue. The current Li Xue had long begun enjoying his life of retirement.

In front of the community area, there was an old soybean shop that Li Xue visited every morning. He walked straight in and ordered a bowl of soy milk. He glanced at the freshly fried ring and swallowed his saliva, but in the end he ordered a tea egg.

“Aiyo, old Xue, why didn’t you order a fried ring today?” Someone beside him asked.

“Fried food is unhealthy and I have high blood pressure. I need to eat less of these things. I ate them yesterday, so I dare not eat them today.” Li Xue shook his head in resignation. Later, he grabbed his soy milk and tea egg, found a table, and sat down.

Li Xue knew everyone at the table. Two old men also ate their breakfast there every morning. A thirty-year-old, middle-aged man who was a manager at a nearby real estate agency also sat at the table. The man lived nearby, and also became a part of the neighborhood.

As is the case when a few old men are gathered together, they began gossiping. The real estate agent started browsing on his phone instead of joining in the gossip.

“Aiyo, fresh news! The U.S. national team made a Chinese man their head coach!” The real estate agent suddenly announced.

“What did you say? Is it real? The Americans are so strong, they wouldn’t need on of us to be their coach” one of the old men exclaimed.

“It says so on the news, Uncle Chen, see for yourself if you don’t believe me!” The real estate agent passed his phone to the old man.

The old man took out his reading glasses from his pocket and began reading that piece of news on the phone.

“It really is true, huh. ‘The U.S. National Track and Field Team welcomes their first foreign coach.’” The old man read the title of the news and said, “Look at the picture, this guy is still young. He must be pretty amazing if he can become the head coach of the Americans.”

“Let me see!” The other old man grabbed the phone, read the news once, and spoke to Li Xue. “Old Xue, this fellow is better than you. You’ve worked for your whole life, but you were only ever our national team’s assistant head coach. You didn’t even become the head coach. Look at this guy, he might be half your age, and he’s already the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team!”

The way the old man spoke, one would know from a glance that he was the type of person that provoked people whenever he could.

With a dissatisfied look, Li Xue said, “That must be fake! The American track and field standard is so high, turning to one of us to be their head coach? In my opinion, it must be fake news!”

“See for yourself if you don’t believe us! It says that it was announced on the official American Track and Field Association’s website, and there’s even a picture there!” The old man passed the phone to Li Xue.

Li Xue took the phone with contempt, but when he saw Dai Li’s photograph in the news on the phone, his expression suddenly became stiff.

In the next second, Li Xue’s chopstick dropped to the floor and tears began welling up in his eyes.

As soon as the old man who just spoke saw Li Xue’s expression change, he mistakenly thought that he had agitated Li Xue. He immediately said, “Old Xue, what’s wrong with you? Don’t be like this! I was only kidding. My mouth stinks, I was only messing with you! Is it alright if I just say sorry to you?”

However, tears rolled down Lie Xue’s cheeks.

“Old Sun, look at you. Never know when to shut up, now you’ve done it!” The other old man blamed him.

“It’s not Old Sun’s fault, I’m happy!” Li Xue wiped the tears off his face. He pointed towards Dai Li’s photo on the phone and said, “This guy here is my apprentice! His name is Dai Li, and he is my apprentice!”

“What? He’s your apprentice?”

“Are you serious? Old Xue, aren’t you amazing, grooming a head coach of the U.S. national team!”

“Even the head coach of the U.S. team is your apprentice. Old Xue you sure have some hidden moves!”

The surrounding people who were more familiar with Li Xue immediately gathered around them.

Even the owner of the place walked towards them. He looked at Dai Li’s photo and said, “Old Xue, this apprentice of yours sure looks young. When you were around his age, you’d only just joined the national team as a coach, isn’t that right? This sounds like the student surpassing his master, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, the student has surpassed the master! It’s good that the student has surpassed the master!” Li Xue breathed in deeply. However, he felt that there was still an uncontrollable feeling within his heart.

Chapter 504 - Different Reactions

Chapter 504: Different Reactions

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Zhongyi Xu went from his position as a first-team coach to an administrative position. Due to his excellent performance as a coach, his career had been relatively smooth. He was now the assistant director of the General Administration of Sport in Hanbei Province. The Provincial Sports Bureau was considered a departmental level unit.

In the morning, Zhongyi Xu went to his office. The room had already been cleaned by his comrades in the office. The hot water in the water dispenser was already boiled. Zhongyi Xu made himself a cup of instant coffee and stirred it with a spoon. The coffee’s aroma filled the entire room.

Most sports coaches in China liked to drink tea. A large teapot, half filled with camellia sinensis, would relieve the heat and quench their thirst. It could last an entire morning. However, Zhongyi Xu was different. He was a swimming coach, so he stayed in the swimming pool all day. He was not hot in the summer, and he was not cold in the winter. He hated the humidity of the pool, so he chose coffee. He felt that it helped dispel that humidity. Over time, drinking coffee became a habit.

There was a knock on the door. Zhongyi Xu shouted to invite the person in and he saw that it was the director.

“Director! Why are you here?” Zhongyi Xu immediately got up and greeted him.

“I need to talk to you about something.” The director didn’t consider himself an outsider in Xu’s office, and he promptly sat on the sofa in the room.

“If you needed me for something, you could have just called me over. Why did you have to come personally? Let me pour you a cup of tea.” Zhongyi Xu smiled and walked to the water dispenser.

The director sniffed with his nose and said, “Are you brewing coffee? That’s good. I don’t drink tea anymore. Give me a cup of your coffee.”

“Alright. I will make one for you, but I only have instant coffee, I hope you don’t mind,” Zhongyi Xu said.

“I don’t know what that is. I usually drink tea every day. It’s good to have a change of taste here and try something different,” the director replied.

Zhongyi Xu made the director a cup of coffee. He then sat down on the sofa and asked, “Director, what is it that you wanted to see me about?”

“Our provincial training team used to have a coach named Dai Li. He was later taken away by the National Table Tennis Team. This person was recruited through a talent search, and he was recommended by you. You are familiar with him, right?”

“I recommended Dai Li. At the time, he was very capable. I felt that he had talent, so I recommended him to the training team. I heard that he has not been part of the National Table Tennis Team for the past two years. He seems to have gone to the United States.”

Zhongyi Xu actually knew that Dai Li was operating a physical fitness training center in the United States, but he was not sure why the director was asking about this. Because of his uncertainty, he gave a somewhat ambiguous answer. He neither dared to admit that he was very familiar with Dai Li nor dared to say that he was unfamiliar with Dai Li.

It all depended on whether the director was going to talk about something good or something bad. If it was bad, Zhongyi Xu would say that the two of them had not kept in touch after Dai Li left for the United States. He would try his best to sever his relationship with Dai Li. If it was good, then Zhongyi Xu would definitely say that he and Dai Li had a close relationship. They were practically brothers. Zhongyi Xu was politically sensitive.

He heard the director ask, “Do you still keep in touch with him now?”

Zhongyi Xu secretly observed the director’s expression and found that the director’s appearance was not very serious, but was rather one of expectation.

“I can contact Dai Li,” Zhongyi Xu replied. Instead of saying the words “keep in touch,” he said “can contact.” This was a deliberate move to create room for him to maneuver.

“It would be good if you could get in touch.” The director smiled and went on to say, “If you can, please invite Dai Li to visit our sports bureau and give us some guidance.”

“What? Let him guide us in our work?” Zhongyi Xu was shocked.

“It seems that you still don’t know! Our ‘old colleague’ is now the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team! The United States is number one in track and field and they hired him to be the head coach. He made us proud,” the director said.

“Really?” Zhongyi Xu could not believe it, but he knew that the director would not make jokes about such matters with him.

This Dai Li. I thought he had gone to the United States to run a large gym, I did not to get such huge news about him! Zhongyi Xu thought.

By then, Zhongyi Xu already understood the intention of the director. The director was looking for Dai Li to “claim kinship.” Asking the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team to be a guest was obviously more valuable than asking domestic coaches. It was more glamorous.

The director went on to say, “I wonder if his position should be consider a result of our successful coaching system! So, are we going to take this opportunity to highlight our experience in training coaches? We will continue to work harder, and continue to train more talented coaches.

“Old Xu, as you are a coach, this matter will be handed over to you. Give me a detailed report later.

“In addition, the General Administration of Sports of China will have a meeting next week and I am to report this matter at this meeting. Meanwhile, see if you can get them to give us some special itemized funds.

“Old Xu, are you free next week? If you have nothing going on, come to the general meeting with me. After all, you know Dai Li. If I miss anything in my report, you can help me out.”

Zhongyi Xu finally understood the director’s intentions. It went without saying, the current funding for sports was not enough. The director was going to take advantage of Dai Li’s reputation and try to get more benefits from the General Administration.

…

“Psshhhhhhh.” The sound of a can opening filled the room. Zhizhong Gu gulped down a few mouthfuls and took a deep breath.

His retreat from the competition years ago shut the door on Zhizhong Gu’s return to the national team. Those who held power would not allow a person who had such a large influence over the China National Table Tennis Team to teach again. So they assigned Zhizhong Gu a job. They said they were honoring him, but he wasn’t allowed to do anything.

One needed to know that Zhizhong Gu was only in his forties. He was in his prime, but he was forced to retire. That kind of blow really hit him hard.

In the past two years, Zhizhong Gu had entered the world of business. He worked on some projects with a few well-known businessmen. At the very least, he had something to do. However, Mrs. Gu knew that Zhizhong Gu still couldn’t get table tennis out of his heart and he couldn’t let go of his disciples.

Zhizhong Gu would occasionally be a guest commentator for table tennis games. Of course, he could only work on the online platform that broadcasts table tennis competitions. Zhizhong Gu’s current situation made it so that TV stations dared not invite him. The fact that the former head coach of the China National Table Tennis Team was going to an online platform to commentate was an illustration of how difficult it was for him to give up table tennis.

Zhizhong Gu’s wife came out of the kitchen with a plate of food in her hand. She looked at Gu Zhizhong and, not knowing why, asked, “Why are you drinking alcohol again? The only time you touched alcohol this year was when you drank with my father on New Year’s.”

“I am happy today! Especially happy!” Zhizhong Gu’s tone showed that he was excited.

A trace of pity flashed in Mrs. Gu’s eyes. Ever since Zhizhong Gu ‘s retirement from his position, she rarely saw him in such a happy mood.

“Why are you so happy?” His wife came over and sat next to Zhizhong Gu.

“There is good news,” Zhizhong Gu took out his mobile phone and handed it to his wife. “Look at this.”

“The U.S. track and field team is looking at a Chinese person to be their next head coach? This sure is news.” Mrs. Gu wondered why her husband cared about this, as it was not about table tennis. She asked, “When did you start paying attention to track and field?”

“I don’t pay attention to track and field. It is this person!” Zhizhong Gu pointed to Dai Li in the photo and said, “This is Dai Li. I scouted him from the Hanbei Provincial Track and Field Team for the China national Table Tennis Team. He became a physical fitness coach.”

“So that’s how it is!” Now Mrs. Gu understood why her husband was happy.

Zhizhong Gu drank all the beer left in the can in one gulp and said, “After I left the China national Table Tennis Team, my people either had to choose between siding with other groups or being removed from the national team. Because I was the reason Dai Li joined the National Table Tennis Team, he also suffered. He was assigned to some kind of boxing committee. Hehe, the person who has the ability to be the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team was taking care of applications for boxing over here! Ridiculous!”

Zhizhong Gu calmed down and said, “I am really happy to see Dai Li’s development. He is a capable person and he needed a platform to display his abilities. Now that he has found this platform, I am happy for him!”

Mrs. Gu frowned slightly. She knew that Zhizhong Gu had been blaming himself for years. After the dropping out crisis that year, Zhizhong Gu’s people on the China National Table Tennis Team were either left out or suppressed. For example, Dai Li was given a promotion but in actuality lost any real power. He was assigned to a Tai Chi Application Committee to serve and spend his time doing useless work.

Zhizhong Gu always felt that he was the cause of his colleagues’ suffering. He felt guilty because he could not help them in any way.

However, today, Dai Li became the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team, an even better position than his place on the China National Table . This helped ease Zhizhong Gu’s sense of guilt.

…

In the back seat of a luxurious car, Zhicheng Huang reported the contents of his notebook to Dingtian Xiao.

“Chairman, this is your itinerary for today. Do you see the need for any changes?” Zhicheng Huang asked.

“Let’s just follow it for now; make a change only if something offhand comes up,” Dingtain Xiao answered.

“Okay.” Zhicheng Huang closed the notebook. He hesitated for a moment and then said, “Yes, there is one more thing to report to you. Dai Li became the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. The media is reporting that he has brought glory to the country.”

“Oh, I know,” Dingtain Xiao answered disinterestedly as if he didn’t care.

Zhicheng Huang smiled slightly. He then sat up properly and stopped speaking.

Soon after, the car had arrived at the Dingtian Group and Dingtain Xiao had began a day of work.

There was a lounge outside the chairman’s office. Dingtian Xiao’s bodyguards sat on the sofa waiting for instructions. After Zhicheng Huang completed his work, he ran to the sofa and sat down. He could finally relax a little.

“Assistant Huang, our future son-in-law became the head coach of the American track and field team. He has brought us a lot of pride. Now the media is bragging about him, but the director doesn’t seem happy at all!” The bodyguard said.

“Unhappy? Why on Earth would you say the director is unhappy?” Zhicheng Huang asked with a smile.

“I was sitting in the passenger seat at the front of the car just now. Looking into the rearview mirror, I noticed that after you told the director about the news, he answered plainly. He didn’t seem happy at all,” the bodyguard answered.

“The director is the kind of person that doesn’t express his emotions explicitly. He is thrilled in his heart,” Zhicheng Huang said as he looked at the door of the director’s office.

Inside the room, all of Dingtian Xiao’s usual dignity was gone. He was humming a song and his body swayed with its rhythm. He looked delighted.

Chapter 505 - Recruiting Soldiers and Buying Horses

Chapter 505: Recruiting Soldiers and Buying Horses

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The University of Tennessee.

Even though it was already the summer holiday, there were still a lot of students on campus.

Summer vacations for students at American universities were very busy. Due to the high tuition fees of universities, most students relied on student loans to go to universities. Therefore, summer jobs became the best way for university students to reduce their personal financial burden. Many businesses offered summer jobs that catered to students.

In addition, many university students participated in social activities, especially those who were graduating. They would also use this time to prepare for employment.

Universities offered summer courses as well. These types of summer courses were short and, although the coursework was stressful, one could earn credits quickly with them.

For university students on full scholarships, their summer vacations were much more enjoyable. Scholarships for American universities included living allowances, so students who received full scholarships did not have to worry about money. They could live nicely at the the university and they could do what they wanted to do during the summer vacation.

Ellis Mett was such a university student. He did gymnastics when he was a child and had started practicing sprinting in high school. The coach found that he was very flexible and had excellent control, so he moved him to the 110m hurdle. In his fourth year of high school, Mett won the Georgia statewide hurdle competition. Because of that, University of Tennessee wanted him to go there and they gave him a full scholarship.

The University of Tennessee also had a tradition of great hurdling. There were many well-known hurdlers among their alumni, but within Mett’s first year of entering the University of Tennessee, he broke the the 24 year old record in the 110m hurdles.

Of course, compared to many older athletes, Mett was still young. He also had many of the shortcomings that were common in young athletes. His techniques was less refined, he lacked experience in large competitions, and wasn’t consistent in his performance during competitions.

Mett participated in the Olympic qualifiers this year. It was the most prominent competition he had competed in, and the results were not satisfactory. He was eliminated in the first round of the preliminaries.

Clearly, that was not a good illustration of Mett’s ability. He performed terribly in the competition, but that was due to the fact that he was a young athlete. He also felt a sense of shame and became more determined. After he was eliminated in the qualifiers, he immediately immersed himself in training.

Mett sweat profusely on the training ground. Even in the summer, he chose not to rest. On the contrary, he increased his training load.

Mett knew that he kept the school’s full scholarship by doing hurdles. If he couldn’t perform well, the full scholarship would be withdrawn.

After a day of training, Mett dragged his fatigued body back to the locker room. After taking a shower, Mett lay on the bench in the locker room to rest.

A teammate asked, “Ellis, do you have any plans tonight?”

“No.” Ellis shook his head.

“I know a place that is going to have a party. Do you want to go together? There might be a lot of beautiful girls!”

Mett hesitated for a few seconds, and finally shook his head. “No, I have to rest early today. I have to train early tomorrow.”

“You train so desperately. Looks like the Olympic qualifiers really dealt a big blow on you!” The teammate paused for a while and said, “Do you really want to join the national team that much? There are only three places for a sports event, and there are so many athletes in the United States. Hehe, I’m not looking down on you, but it really is too difficult.”

Mett sat up and said, “I thought I could enter the semi-finals, but I was eliminated in the first round. I think it was because I didn’t put in enough effort, so I have to double my training. The World Championship is in two years and I have to join the national team!”

Seeing Mett’s determination, his teammate decided to comfort him with a few words. The teammate said, “Ellis, I think it’s a good thing that you didn’t enter the national team this time. You know about the performance-enhancing drugs scandal. The national team’s head coach, Sebastian, turned out to be a senior ‘pharmacist.’ If you went to to the national team, you might’ve also been corrupted by him.

“A lot of athletes on the national team were involved in that scandal and were forced to quit. The scandal generated some really negative attention. The current national team has low morale; they have no will to fight. I’m afraid the team isn’t going to win anything at the Olympics!

“Also, the news mentioned that the Track and Field Association announced the candidate for the new national team head coach yesterday. He turned out to be a foreign coach. He is Chinese! Can you imagine a Chinese man as the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team? We couldn’t even find one qualified coach! The national team is completely finished.”

“You sure you’re not mistaken? A Chinese coach? Has the Track and Field Association gone crazy? If it were a British or a German coach, then it would still be passable, but a Chinese coach? His country’s track and field program is so bad that they aren’t even the best in Asia. Have all of our American coaches died?” Mett couldn’t believe his ears.

“I am telling the truth. See for yourself if you don’t believe me,” the teammate handed his phone to Mett. On it was a report on Dai Li taking on the role of head coach for the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

Mett read through the news carefully several times. He then took a long breath. “It really is true!”

“Well, do you feel lucky now that you didn’t join the national team?” The teammate smiled and said, “So you don’t have to put so much pressure on yourself. Even if you had joined, it might have gone badly. Stop always thinking about training. You need to relax and go to tonight’s party.”

“What you said makes sense. A national team led by a Chinese coach? Even if I am invited to join the national team, I will not go!” Mett snorted.

At that time, a school administrator appeared at the door. Instead of entering the locker room, he knocked on the door and said, “Ellis Mett, someone outside is looking for you.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there,” Mett quickly put on his clothes and left the locker room with his bag. His teammate followed closely behind him.

Crossing the hallway Mett saw a Chinese man.

Is that the person looking for me? I don’t think I have any Asian friends! Wait, that person looks familiar. Where have I seen him before? Mett suddenly remembered the photo he had just seen on his teammate’s mobile phone.

It’s him! It’s the new head coach of the national track and field team. I just saw his photo!

…

At the end of the corridor, Dai Li looked around and checked his surroundings. At that moment, Mett started walking towards him.

Dai Li saw him and waited for him to walk closer before asking “Are you Ellis Mett?”

“Ah, yes!” Mett looked very surprised.

“Hello. My name is Dai Li. I am the new head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. I’d like to ask if you are interested in representing the U.S. in this Olympic Games?”

He really came to invite me! Mett was suddenly as dumb as stump.

Chapter 506 - Coach Logan

Chapter 506: Coach Logan

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Just a few minutes ago, Mett had been discussing with his teammates that the new head coach of the U.S. national team was Chinese. His tone had been full of disdain, as had been the language he had used. He had even sworn that if the coach were to personally invite him into the team, he would refuse to join.

However, this was before Dai Li really appeared in front of him. He had even been invited to join the national team. At that moment, Mett was genuinely stunned; he seriously felt that the universe hated him.

The head coach of the U.S. national team had come to personally invite him to join the team. What should Mett do?

Only an idiot would reject the offer.

“Coach Li, did you say that I can join the national team? I can participate in the Olympics?” Mett’s voice trembled with excitement.

“Yes, if you’re willing,” Dai Li said calmly.

“I’m willing! Of course, I’m willing! I’m very willing!” Mett said without hesitation.

His declaration that he “wouldn’t go even if he was personally invited” just a few minutes ago had long been forgotten. Bragging was indeed fun, and exaggerating stuff could definitely make you seem cool, but when push came to shove, Mett was still very honest. He didn’t care about being awkward in front of his friends; he agreed immediately.

Any athlete who said that he didn’t want to join the national team or didn’t want participate in the Olympic Games was 100% lying. In truth, what Mett had said earlier was simply sour grapes. When the opportunity to join the U.S. national team and participate in the Olympic Games appeared in front of him, there was no way he was willing to say no.

Ellis Mett was the athlete with a grade A+ talent potential who was eliminated in the first round. In Dai Li’s professional eyes, Mett’s performance on the day of the race had been unbearable to watch. He made a lot of errors professional athletes shouldn’t be associated with.

Dai Li felt that his performance that day was not representative of his true strength. Mett was paying the price for being young. He definitely could have ran faster. Dai Li even felt that, with Mett’s talent potential and ability, if he performed better, it wouldn’t be surprising if he won a gold medal.

This was the reason Dai Li personally went to invite Mett.

Dai Li had obtained the right and authority to select the athletes himself, and he already had an idea in his mind regarding the athletes he wanted to choose. However, the gap left between the U.S. national team was really too big, and Dai Li didn’t know how to split himself in two. Therefore, it was impossible for him to personally invite every single athlete. For most athletes, Dai Li sent invitation letters in the name of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. As for the athletes whom Dai Li regarded as most important, he went to them personally to ensure that they would join the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

…

The University of Oregon, located in the town of Eugene, is a famous sports school in North America. It is famous for both football and track and field. Among the delegates and representatives of the previous U.S. national team, ten of them were alumni of the University of Oregon. The U.S. National Track and Field Team consists of around 150 people, meaning that one-fifteenth of the athletes on the team came from the same university. One had to keep in mind that there were a lot of exceptional universities in the U.S., and the competition between each school was very fierce. Moreover, the U.S. has a long history in sports and a huge amount of excellent athletes. A ratio of one-fifteenth is very impressive.

The head coach of the University of Oregon was named Logan. He had served two terms as the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team and, therefore, was considered an experienced and skilled track and field coach.

Not that long ago, when the scandals of performance-enhancing drugs broke out, the American Track and Field society had contacted him and invited him to be the head coach, hoping that he would help them turn the tide. Unfortunately, they were rejected. Logan knew that the current U.S. national team was doomed. A person like him, who valued his reputation, had no intention of being deemed a “failure” before his retirement.

Logan was already more than 70 years old that year. He had lived in England for a while, so he had a habit of drinking tea in the afternoon. Because of this, whenever it came time for afternoon tea, the track and field team would have their break. The coaches and the athletes would all stop as Logan would make himself a cup of black tea, bring out some desserts, and enjoy his afternoon tea.

Today, the taste of the desserts was to Logan’s liking. He leaned back on the sofa with a bright smile on his face. He was in peace and looked comfortable.

On his side, a few coaches, who were his subordinates, were discussing interesting events that had happened recently.

“Who’d have thought the Track and Field Association would actually choose a Chinese coach in the end. Is it so hard to find an American coach?”

“That’s right! This might be the worst decision in history for the Track and Field Association.”

“Who knows if the Chinese coach bribed the officers at the association? I heard that the Chinese guy is very rich. He has a chain of training centers all around Los Angeles.”

“I personally don’t think that that Chinese coach really has what it takes. If you ask me, it would have been better if you’d have gone and become the head coach!”

“Hehe, you’d also be a better choice than him!”

“Anyone would be a better choice than him!”

Everyone laughed without fear or restraint.

However, there was no sign of a smile on Logan’s face. He coughed once, which stopped the discussion in its tracks. He then asked them, “Why don’t you guys use your brains and think? If that Chinese coach really didn’t have any skills, would he dare to take over the disaster that is the U.S. National Track and Field Team?”

Everyone looked towards Coach Logan.

Coach Logan continued, “He has several chain physical fitness training centers in Los Angeles, and he is quite reputable. None of you have any training centers, right? Besides, the first track and field athlete that he groomed was that ‘Blade Warrior’ Phillip. I don’t think any of you will be able to make a person who has lost both legs run faster than a normal person. Will you?”

“It might be that he has good luck and that it’s a coincidence,” someone said.

“A coincidence? When Irwin returned, he had so many reputable coaches to choose from, but he chose him. Was that also a coincidence? Do you really think that an athlete of Irwin’s standard is an idiot? Would he go and choose a coach without skills?” Logan countered.

Everyone was silent.

Logan then said, “Stop always thinking that you are smarter than someone else, and don’t go and criticize others without using your brain! He has achieved more than you people and that means that he has qualities that you don’t have. If you lot had qualities like that, you should be able to achieve the same things he has. You lot should learn to see other people’s qualities and stop always imagining their weaknesses! Regarding everyone else in the world as idiots doesn’t make you any smarter.”

At that moment, a school management officer walked inside and said, “Coach Logan, someone is looking for you outside. He’s claiming that he is the national track and field team’s new head coach.”

“Is it the Chinese coach? Speak of the devil,” Logan stood up as he spoke, tidying up his shirt. “Let him in!”

Chapter 507 - Not a Simple Coach

Chapter 507: Not a Simple Coach

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li entered the room and saw Coach Logan. They both greeted each other before heading to their respective seats. Logan then began the conversation by asking a question. “Coach Li, may I know the purpose of your visit?”

“I’m here to recruit athletes for the national team.” As Dai Li spoke, he pulled out a lit of athlete’s names and passed it to Logan. He then said, “The five athletes on this list are all currently enrolled in the University of Oregon, and they’re also your students. I hope to invite them into the U.S. National Track and Field Team.”

Logan took the list and reviewed the names. The expression on his face suddenly became serious.

“Coach Li, on what do you base your selection of these five athletes? From what I know, their performances at the Olympic qualifiers were terrible. According to the rankings, they have no chance of getting onto the national team. There are more than one or two names above them,” Coach Logan said.

“This list wasn’t made based on the results of the qualifiers. These five athletes are athletes that I believe will do well,” Dai Li said.

“But according to the rules of the national team, athletes should be selected according to their rankings in the qualifiers.” Logan’s expression became even more solemn. He then continued, “Coach Li, am I mistaken or are you free to select athletes by yourself?”

“That is the case,” Dai Li nodded.

Coach Logan’s expression relaxed a great deal and an unpredictable smile appeared on his face. “Coach Li, I’m guessing that was a condition you had for taking over the U.S. national team, am I right?”

“That’s right. Due to the time constraints, I need to have some sort of autonomy. If I don’t, I might not even be able to get the numbers needed for the team,” Dai Li stated.

Logan shook the list with the names of the five athletes in his hand and asked, “Who recommended the athletes on here?”

“No one recommended them to me,” Dai Li said.

“Then how did you come to the decision of selecting these five from a huge pool of athletes? Like I said, their results and performances during the qualifiers weren’t exactly great,” Logan said.

“I’ve seen their performances during the qualifiers. Still, I believe they have what it takes to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games. As for their results at qualifiers, I believe these athletes did not perform to the best of their ability,” Dai Li said.

Coach Logan glanced at Dai Li with a faint smile on his face.

Logan did not believe Dai Li’s statement that no one recommended them. However, Logan completely agreed with Dai Li’s latter statement that the five of them had the skills and strength to represent the U.S. and compete in the Olympic Games.

The five athletes on the list were all trained personally by Logan. No one knew their capabilities and strengths better than Logan. He had also once been the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team and, based on his estimates, the five athletes were indeed strong enough to join the U.S. national team.

However, there are times when a man stumbles. There were times when an athlete was not at his best, and all five of the athletes did not exhibit enough of their skill during the Olympic qualifiers. Because of this, they didn’t even make it into the final.

Situations such as these were common in every selection of the national team. It was, after all, decided in one race. Even the best athlete could keel over in the qualifiers. A world record holder might not make it through the U.S. qualifiers. So of course it was normal for a more average athlete to fail in the contest.

However, what surprised Logan most was Dai Li personally making the trip there to select those five specific athletes.. It was apparent that he knew how strong each one of them was.Logan would never believe this was a coincidence.

There were a lot of athletes competing in the qualifiers. To handpick these five from all those contestants, this Dai Li isn’t a normal coach! As Logan thought this, his curiosity in Dai Li piqued. He wanted to get a chance to test Dai Li.

“My afternoon tea is about finished.” Logan glanced at his watch and said, “Coach Li, are you interested in visiting my training?”

“It would be my honor!” Dai Li nodded as he agreed.

…

The University of Oregon was located in the city of Eugene. The track and field team of the University of Oregon was a level above the track and field teams at other universities. Whether it was the facilities, the standard of the coaches, or the talent of the athletes, the University of Oregon was among the best.

“Coach Li, what do you think about these youngsters,” Coach Logan asked with a bright smile.

“They’re pretty good, and it’s all thanks to your great coaching,” Dai Li said politely.

Coach Logan wasn’t satisfied with Dai Li’s answer. He pressed on. “Coach Li, you are the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. If you could just give these youngsters a pointer or two, they would be delighted.”

Logan didn’t wait for Dai Li to answer. He waved directly to the assistant coach beside him. The assistant coach understood and immediately gathered a few athletes from the training ground.

Is he putting on an act for me? Or is he testing me? Although Dai Li did not yet understand Logan’s thoughts, he knew that his opponent had already dealt his card. There was no reason Dai Li shouldn’t deal his own card.

At that moment, the other coaches all stopped their work and gathered around. They wanted to see just what kind of tricks Dai Li, the new head coach of the U.S. national team, had up his sleeves. They also wanted to see Dai Li make a fool out of himself.

Dai Li looked towards the first athlete and at the same time, started the detector.

“You injured your thigh not that long ago, is that right? You haven’t recovered fully yet, but you’ve already started high-intensity training. That’s not good, as this might cause an even more severe injury which could destroy your career path. You’re still young, so you still have time. My suggestion would be for you to lighten your training load and perform more rehabilitative training that would aid in your recovery,” Dai Li said to the first athlete.

“How did he know Jim got injured a few days ago?” The surrounding coaches all looked at Dai Li, shocked.

Coach Logon then asked directly, “Jim, has your leg not fully healed?”

“Ugh, the doctor said it’s almost there, but I feel like it’s fine…” The athlete answered weakly.

“You feel like it’s fine? Are you a doctor?” Coach Logan grunted coldly and said, “You will stop training now. Go to the team doctor for a checkup. I forbid you to come back to training before I see the doctor’s report.”

Dai Li then looked toward the second athlete.

“You’ve dislocated your shoulder joint before, have you?” Dai Li asked.

“How did you know?” The athlete asked instantly, “Am I like Jim? And I haven’t fully recovered? I feel weird in my shoulder, now, when I throw the javelin. I always feel like I can’t exert all of my power.”

Dai Li shook his head, “No. You’re different from the athlete just now. You are fully recovered. However, you don’t feel like you’ve fully recovered. To be more precise, you are physically fine, but psychologically, you have not recovered. You’re worried that your shoulder will get dislocated again, so subconsciously you dare not fully utilize your strength. I suggest you visit the psychologist and have a rehabilitative counseling session.”

Dai Li then looked towards the third athlete, who was a long jumper.

Before Dai Li spoke, the third athlete said first, “Um, I’ve never been injured.”

“I know that you haven’t been injured before, but your technique needs to improve. In high school, you managed to defeat your opponents with your physical advantage and natural talent. However, in college, although your body might still give you some advantage, if you want to really become a competitive professional athlete, your natural abilities won’t be as important. You have to have better technique,” Dai Li said.

“But I think that my technique is decent,” the athlete said unhappily.

“Really? I saw your long jump practice just now. You have 11 areas in your technique that need improvement. Number one…” Dai Li began explaining in detail.

Dai Li spent around five or six minutes talking about the weaknesses of that athlete. By that time, the surrounding coaches had gone silent. All of them looked at Dai Li in disbelief.

As for that athlete, apart from being shocked, he was visibly grieving. He had actually actually thought that he was a decent long jumper.Now, after Dai Li’s comments, he realized that he was actually worthless.

How is that possible? He only took a glance at this kid. How could he know so many details? He sounds as if he has been training with the athlete for a few months. Is it possible that some of my coaches leaked information to him beforehand? Coach Logan subconsciously looked at his subordinates. The shocked expression on their faces made it clear that none of them leaked any information to Dai Li.

It can’t be leaked information. None of my coaches have the ability to discover all of those 11 areas of improvements that Dai Li just highlighted.

Could it be that this Dai Li really found out about them himself? Discovering so much just from a short observation, how is this possible? I don’t believe it.

At that moment, Dai Li turned towards the fourth athlete. The fourth student was instantly engulfed in fear.

Having one’s weaknesses, let alone 11 of one’s vulnerabilities, pointed out in front of so many people was certainly not a pleasant experience.

…

After more than ten minutes, Coach Logan was convinced by Dai Li. Dai Li’s review of every athlete was spot on. Some of the weaknesses highlighted by Dai Li were things that Coach Logan himself had never noticed.

No wonder he could open so many chain physical fitness training centers in Los Angeles. His sharp observation skills alone are unequaled. Based on that, he is far better than me. Coach Logan could not help but admit Dai Li was much better than him, a past head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. He no longer had any desire to test Dai Li.

Dai Li’s gaze turned to a tall athlete in front of him.

He was a Caucasian who was more than 1.90m in height. He had blonde hair, blue eyes, and very distinct features. He was undoubtedly regarded as a handsome guy.

However, Dai Li’s expression froze when he U.S.ed the detector on this athlete.

This guy’s ability value is around 800. This young athlete’s level is already close to a world champion. More importantly, his talent potential is grade S, meaning he’s capable of breaking world records! Who is this guy? Coach Logan really has such a hidden talent within his ranks! If I were to train this guy for a month, he might be able to compete for a gold medal.

As Dai Li was thinking, he asked, “Coach Logan, what’s this athlete’s name?”

Dai Li actually noticed Muller! Logan thought. He then responded, “He’s called Muller, Franz Muller. He is a pole vault athlete.”

Franz Muller? Dai Li thought deeply and said, “I don’t think I’ve seen this name in the list of the athletes who participated in the qualifier. Did he not attempt to qualify?”

“His mother was involved in a car accident during the Olympic Qualifier, so he did not compete,” Coach Logan answered.

“Then, has his result reached the A standard of the Olympics?” Dai Li asked impatiently.

“Early this year, he reached the Olympic A standard,” Logan answered.

Dai Li’s face suddenly lit up. Logan continued, “Muller’s parents are both Germans and he was born in Germany. He grew up there, he’s only been in the U.S. since high school.”

“So he’s a German?” Dai Li suddenly looked disappointed. A German could not represent the U.S. national team in the Olympic Games.

“He has both German citizenship as well as American citizenship,” Logan answered.

The U.S. was a country that allowed dual citizenship. Although there was no specific law focused on the issue of dual citizenship, U.S. policy allowed it. However, the government had always maintained that they did not encourage it. As for Germany, they only started recognizing dual citizenship in 2002.

“I assume he hasn’t joined the German national team, right?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“That’s correct.” Logan nodded and said, “His father is an auto engineer and their family came to the U.S. a few years ago. They have all even obtained U.S. citizenship. Muller hasn’t gone back to Germany in a few years.”

“Which is to say, he can represent the U.S. in the Olympic Games!” Dai Li’s face lit up with excitement once again. He then said, “Coach Logan, there’s a need to add one more name to the list. This Franz Muller, I want to bring him onto the national team!”

…

Coach Logan personally escorted Dai Li out of the main gate of the University of Oregon.

“Coach, you sure think highly of this Chinese coach, it’s been a while since we saw you personally sending someone off at the gate,” an assistant coach by his side said sarcastically.

“This Coach Li is no simple person!” Logan smiled. “Suddenly, I feel that the current U.S. National Track and Field Team still has a glimmer of hope.”

Chapter 508 - The Ambition to Win Gold Medals

Chapter 508: The Ambition to Win Gold Medals

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The American Track and Field Association.

Frey knocked on the door and entered the office of the Track and Field Association CEO, Williams.

“Mr. Williams, we’ve received a few letters recently. It’s from some athletes and supporters who are questioning the fairness of our method of selecting athletes for the Olympic Games,” Frey said.

“They’re all aimed at Coach Li, aren’t they? After all, we expected this. Before him, we selected athletes based on their rankings in the qualifiers. That way, even when the athletes failed to get selected, it would be due to their lack of skills. They had nothing to complain about,” Williams sighed lightly. He then continued, “However, we’ve broken this rule. It’s reasonable that we’re being questioned by people.”

“But among these, there are three letters of complaints. The complaining athletes think that the athletes Dai Li selected aren’t as good as them. Their results in the qualifiers were good, but Dai Li did not select them. Instead of them, the athletes who were eliminated in the first and second round of the qualifier were selected and joined the national team,” Frey continued.

“If I had been pushed down the pecking order by athletes who performed worse than I had, I would also be miserable. However, getting eliminated in the first round of the qualifier doesn’t signify a lack of ability. I’m sure you’re well aware of the weakness of our selection system.” Williams laughed and continued, “It’s just like Black Friday. You’ve made a huge shopping list and are in front of everyone in the line. You could be the first to rush into the mall to buy the things you want, but that doesn’t mean that you are the biggest client of the mall. Perhaps someone did not arrive as early as you, didn’t get in line as early as you, and didn’t want to be the first to rush into the mall, yet, he buys an item that costs 100,000 dollars whereas you only buy items worth several thousand dollars. In this instance, of course, the mall would give him preferential treatment.”

“Mr. Williams, I understand what you mean. However, one of the complaint letters mentions an athlete who didn’t even participate in the previous Olympic Qualifier, but was still selected by Dai Li into the national team. I think that this might be a little overboard,” Frey said.

“There’s such a case, huh?” Williams frowned.

“I’ve looked into it myself. Dai Li never referred to the qualifier results of the athletes. He went straight towards a university and directly met up with the athletes and coaches of the university to tell the athletes that they had been selected for the national team. With all due respect,I have a strange feeling about this. I don’t get what he uses as the basis for selecting athletes. I think that he select them based on his personal preferences. A coach should not behave like this. He’s more like a talent scout looking for superstars! What we need are excellent athletes, not superstars,” Frey said with dissatisfaction.

“It really does seem like a valid complaint if that is the case. But we’ve given Dai Li the authority to select the athletes. So however he selects them, we should not interfere. What do you think?” Williams countered.

“But I’m worried the media will use this as an opportunity. It could be very harmful to us. The performance-enhancing drugs scandal has already hurt us, the Track and Field Association. We cannot be involved in another scandal,” Frey said.

“The media is really troublesome.” Although Williams said this, he was still all smiles. He then said, “Have you forgotten why we chose Dai Li, the Chinese coach? We only need him to bear the responsibility. We need him to take the blame. So if the media really does come, we will just put everything on him.”

…

The third training of the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

A few fresh faces could be seen in the dressing room. They were all athletes Dai Li had recruited to the national team.

The new arrivals looked forward to the upcoming national team trip. Initially, they didn’t have the chance to take part in the Olympics, but now they were selected by Dai Li. It was as lucky as winning the lottery.

However, the other athletes were not as optimistic as them. In the span of three training camps there had been three changes to the head coach. The older athletes were anxious, a sense of panic in the hearts of many of them that was spreading to others.

“This training camp, we’ve got a new head coach. Who knows how long this guy will last. I remember the last guy, Rivers, he quit around halfway through camp. I heard that before the training camp ended, he had already handed in his notice of resignation to the Track and Field Association,” someone said.

“I think this new head coach won’t last long either. The news said that he’s Chinese. That means he’s the first ever foreign head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. In our current condition, most American coaches can’t help us, not to mention a foreign coach!” Someone else said.

“I sure won’t trust a Chinese coach. The Chinese can play table tennis, sure, but track and field? They haven’t got what it takes yet,” a third person said.

“If everyone thinks like you, then the new coach really won’t last long. The previous coach, Rivers, was exactly like this. He wasn’t able to gain the trust of the athletes, so the only option left to him was to scram!” The person who spoke earlier stated.

At that moment, another voice came from the back, “Devon and Lock, I know that you guys are faultfinders and that you like to cause trouble, but I’m warning you, respect the new coach, Coach Li.”

Who would dare to speak to me like this! Devon was obviously annoyed. He turned around and saw Jimmy Irwin standing there, looking at him coldly.

“It’s Jimmy!” Devon suddenly looked scared, even his posture lowered considerably.

Although Devon was a little nitpicky, he knew who was the boss in the current U.S. national team.

“Jimmy, do you know the new coach?” Devon asked with a smile. He wanted to change the awkward situation.

Irwin nodded coldly and said, “The new coach, Coach Li, is my current coach. So I hope that every single one of you will not make trouble for him. Causing problems for him means causing problems for me.”

“Understood. We understand!” Devon quickly nodded. At that moment, no matter how dissatisfied he was at heart, on the surface, he obeyed.

After warning the few troublemakers, Irwin returned to his locker in resignation.

The current U.S. national team has long lost all its morale. Coach Li, this is all I can help you with.

…

Dai Li never lead a national team that consisted of over 100 people.

However, while he was in China, Dai Li had been on the Chinese national team, and he worked beside Li Xue for a long time. Back then, Li Xue was only the assistant head coach. However, he was in charge of the daily operation and training of the national team and while Dai Li followed Li Xue, he gained a lot of knowledge.

Athletes in the U.S. were usually all about themselves. The national team of the U.S. was always formed hastily prior to a prestigious competition. That being they way it was, the time for American athletes to train together was insufficient. Slightly reputable athletes would individually purchase training courses from famous coaches, and the top-class athletes would even hire a team to service them.

As for the athletes in China, they trained together on different levels of training teams. The moment they entered the national team, they would train at the training base of the national team. There would often even be group camp and field training, where they would draft outstanding provincial team athletes to join. So for the athletes in China, almost all of their training was conducted in training camps. Therefore, just looking their experience with training camps, 100 American coaches couldn’t compete with Dai Li.

In terms of the amount of people they had, the U.S. National Track and Field Team had the most in the world. On the Olympic stage, the other countries could not muster that many athletes who could reach the A standard of the Olympics, so they could not send out that many participating athletes. To lead that many athletes into the competition was actually a severe test for the head coach.

However Dai Li was not worried about that; he was confident in himself. When he was in China, whether it was the national team or the provincial team, he dealt with more athletes than this. For example, there were hundreds of athletes on the provincial youth team that Dai Li used to be on. The management difficulty of that group was comparable to the management difficulty of the entire U.S. Olympic representative group.

Moreover, Dai Li also had experience in the Asian Games. In the Asian Games, the Chinese National Track and Field Team also sent out over a hundred athletes. The number did not differ much from the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

Dai Li was seated alone in the office, with an Olympic track and field event list in his hand. He was looking at it in detail.

I should not have any problem handling this training camp with my experience. The most important thing is the results. Without good enough results, it doesn’t matter if I was an awesome head coach. Not to mention that I am currently leading the U.S. National Track and Field Team, the world’s strongest track and field team. I need have to achieve the best results in the world. Anything other than that implies failure.

In the recent Olympic Games, the U.S. has consistently been able to obtain around 10 gold medals, 10 silver medals, and 10 bronze medals in the track and field events. This truly showcases the overall strength of the U.S. team. If you include the relays, the total number of events in Olympic track and field is 47, which means that there will be 47 gold medals and 141 medals in total. Around a quarter of those need to be won by the U.S. team. They definitely deserve being called the number one track and field country in the world.

But the current U.S. national team has been affected by the performance-enhancing drug scandal. They’ve lost half of their gold medal winners, so the number of medals won will be affected. There are only four events that we are confident that we can win: the men’s 400m sprint, the women’s 400m sprint, the men’s 4x400m relay, and the women’s 4x400m relay. Among the track and field events, the U.S. has the most advantages in the 400m sprint. It shouldn’t be a problem retaining these four gold medals.

We’re still six short of achieving the target of ten gold medals. The world’s fastest man, Kittel, has already retired. Although the overall strength of the Jamaican sprinting team has decreased, they still shouldn’t be underestimated. When it comes to men’s sprinting, with a little bit of luck, Alexander’s 100m sprint should be able to get us a gold medal. Shawn Ford will also have a chance of getting gold in the 200m. On the women’s team, the two fastest women of Jamaica are both in the Olympics, so they are the double insurance of the Jamaicans. Looks like the women’s team can at most fight for the bronze medal.

However, we can try to go for the two gold medals in the 4x100m relay races. What’s important in relay races is cooperation, a good bar transfer could save up to 0.1 seconds and three successful transfers equal 0.3 seconds. In a world-class contest like this, 0.3 seconds is can decide a victory. I still have the bonus called the continuous iron chain. When it comes to the cooperation in relay races, we should be slightly better than the other teams.

In terms of the men’s middle distance running, African nations are a level stronger. Kenya, Algeria, Morocco are the best at middle distance runs. As for the women’s middle distance running, Russia’s strength should not be underestimated. Initially, the U.S. team could have competed for a medal but, due to the effects of the performance-enhancing drug scandal, their best middle distance runner can’t participate. It seems as though the chances for a medal in the middle distance running event seems slim.

The long distance running and the marathon. Both of these have always been dominated by the African nations. The Ethiopians and the Kenyans will most likely take all the medals. We can be satisfied with just participating in this huge event.

As for the hurdle and obstacle course, we can go for it. Ellis Mett on the 110m hurdles has a talent potential grade of A+. However, he is currently still some distance away from being an Olympic champion. I have to focus on giving him training.

The long jump and triple jump have always been the U.S. team’s strength. Although several of the best players have been affected by the performance-enhancing drug scandal, the substituting athletes are still very strong. They should have the strength to compete for gold medals after some specialized training.

The high jump and pole vault. Although the U.S. team isn’t weak, the Russians are obviously better. However, I got an excellent accidental acquisition at the University of Oregon. Franz Muller, the pole vault athlete with an S grade talent potential will definitely bring us some unexpected joy. I will at least take one gold medal from the Russians.

The hurling events. The Eastern European countries and Germany have an indomitable position. The Slavs’ strength is incomparable, so even the African Americans could not compare. However, the U.S. team also has a few Slavic athletes, so they should also be able to contest for a medal.

Not only does the race walking event emphasize the individual ability of the athlete, but the tactics selection is also important. The race walking athletes’ strength of the U.S. team is indisputable, but if they want to achieve something, the key is to select the correct strategy. Before the race, I’ll have to take a good look and research the issues of race walking strategies.

The men’s decathlon and the women’s heptathlon can be regarded as the events that the U.S. team has the biggest advantage in. However, the Western European countries also have quite a number of athletes in these events. In particular, Great Britain. They might become our toughest and strongest opponent. The training for the decathlon and heptathlon events is too complicated. A lot of it relies on the accumulation of the athlete’s daily training,so to improve performance in the short-term is too difficult. I don’t have that much time for training, so I guess it’s up to fate for these two events.

Dai Li conducted a detailed analysis for every event and found out that it wasn’t impossible to obtain ten or even more gold medals. The key was to have the athletes perform targeted training. For this training to be effective, they had to have enough time.

“What I need most right now is time,” Dai Li sighed lightly.

There was one month left before the Olympic Games started. Dai Li had to transform the athletes in this one month.

“There’s no time. A few days of training is definitely not enough. I need to extend the training time!”

Chapter 509 - The Aura of an Overbearing CEO

Chapter 509: The Aura of an Overbearing CEO

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The entire management staff of the U.S. National Track and Field Team, more than a dozen people, were gathered in the meeting room. Among them were the U.S. National Track and Field Team leader cum manager, the team doctor, the physiotherapist, the nutritionist, and even a lawyer. Apart from that, there were also a few assistant coaches.

Affected by the performance-enhancing drug scandal, the coaching team that Sebastian had established had long vanished. As for the second coach, Rivers, he was forced out before he had the chance to develop his team. The current U.S. National Track and Field Team didn’t even have even one specialization coach, not to mention an assistant head coach. The only ones left were the assistant coaches they recruited hastily.

The few assistant coaches were whispering among themselves, some of them seemed a little excited.

“That’s the new Coach Li, he arrived yesterday morning. He shut himself in his office the whole day, he even ordered takeout for lunch. I haven’t seen him till now,” one of them said.

“I saw him yesterday off work. I’ll let you in on something, he’s here alone,” another person said mysteriously.

“Alone? So what?” Another on the side asked, confused.

“Him being alone means that he hasn’t established his coaching team! Who knows, some of us might have a chance to become a specialty coach,” the person answered.

The assistant coaches instantly became interested because assistant coaches were the lowest ranking coaches in the national team. They could only conduct the most basic kinds of the daily training. After the training camp, their work would be completed. It was impossible for them to follow the U.S. national team to the Olympic Games.

If one were to join the coaching team of the head coach, everything would be different. A specialty coach would at least be responsible for a particular event and, as such, would be able to follow the U.S. national team to the Olympic Games.

The others, however, poured cold water on them by saying, “I think you guys should stop getting ahead of yourselves. There are so many coaches all over the U.S. that, even if the new head coach wanted to build a new team, he wouldn’t use us.”

“But the third training camp is going to start soon. Where would the new head coach find time to build a new coaching team? He would still need to rely on us.”

As the U.S. National Track and Field Team head coach, if Dai Li wanted to start his work smoothly, he needed to establish his coaching team. He needed at least two assistants or deputies and, apart from that, he also needed one specialty coach responsible for each of the events. That meant a coach for the sprint, middle and long distance running, the marathon, the high jump, the long jump, hurling, race walking, hurdle, and obstacle course events.

The only thing was that building a coaching team wasn’t something one could accomplish in a short amount of time. Sebastian took several weeks to build his coaching team, and now, with so many coaches being involved in the performance-enhancing drug scandal, Dai Li’s choices had decreased, making it even harder to create a coaching team.

As the assistant coaches discussed among themselves, they heard a lot of footsteps approaching from the hallway.

Looks like a lot of people arrived, everyone thought as they looked toward the direction of the footsteps. A few seconds later, Dai Li pushed the door open with around eight or nine people behind him.

“Why did he bring so many people?” Everyone looked curiously at Dai Li.

Dai Li coughed and cleared his throat before saying, “Hello everyone, I’m the new head coach, Dai Li. The people behind me are members of my coaching team, I will introduce them to you in a moment.”

The initially expectant assistant coaches instantly looked gloomy. No one understood how this happened. Just a day before, Dai Li was alone. How did he have an entire coaching team in after only one day?

“Coach Li, who’d have thought you would finish building your coaching team so quickly? However, I sure haven’t seen the faces of these coaches before,” the one who spoke was the U.S. National Track and Field Team leader cum manager, Donny. He had previously met with Dai Li.

“These are all coaches from my physical fitness training center.” Dai Li pointed behind him and said, “Time is of the essence, so I don’t have time to contact the other coaches. Besides, a new team would need time to gel, so I might brought my people because we’re more familiar with each other. We also established a tacit understanding a long time ago. We’ll save time because we already know each other, which will help us get into the work faster.”

“So that’s it.” Donny thought in his mind how rich coaches were different. Even building a coaching team was so simple. It was a feat that took others a few weeks to accomplish yet, when it came to Dai Li, he simply accomplished it by getting his subordinates to do the work.

…

Under Dai Li’s leadership, the third training camp of the U.S. national team was underway. Training was going smoothly, and there weren’t any accidents or surprises. There was also no instance of athlete disobeying or causing trouble for the management. Everything went according to Dai Li’s plan.

The list of participants’ names for the U.S. national team had already been submitted to the International Olympic Committee, and the U.S. Olympic delegation was officially established. Based on tradition, after confirming the participants, each of the sports association would have to hold their respective press conference.

The U.S. National Track and Field Team had always been the group that had the most members of the U.S. Olympic delegation, so the scale of their press conference would also be more prominent. Every press conference could be regarded as a gathering of stars. However, this time, the press conference of the U.S. National Track and Field Team was a little quiet and dull. Due to the effects of the performance-enhancing drug scandal, too many star athletes could not participate in the competition. As such, during the press conference, only Irwin and a few others forcefully held things together.

Although the number of stars had decreased, the number of journalists and reporters did not go down. Those who were journalists tended to be curious, so they wanted to see the condition of the team that had been baptized by the performance-enhancing drug scandal. Apart from that, there were also people who had ulterior motives that were there to cause trouble.

A male journalist with black-bordered spectacles received the microphone and asked, “I heard some rumors saying that the selection for the current national team lacks justice and fairness. Some athletes whose results were not great during the qualifiers, even those who were eliminated in the first round, were actually brought onto the national team. As for some other athletes whose results were clearly better in the qualifiers, they were not selected. I would like to know if this rumor is true?”

“Someone really asked such a question.” The chief operating officer, Frey, smiled calmly. Composed, he answered, “Before this, our only standard of measure for an athlete was their results during the Olympic qualifiers. However, due to the special circumstances of this year, some of our athletes had become involved in the performance-enhancing drugs scandal and left the national team. As the time to register with the International Olympic Committee was limited, we had to submit the participants’ name list to the committee as soon as possible. That is the reason why some of the athletes were personally selected by our head coach, Mr. Dai Li.”

The bespectacled journalist continued asking, “Then, Mr. Dai Li, when you selected the athletes, how did you ensure fairness?”

The microphone was passed to Dai Li. He pondered the question for a bit, and said, “Regarding the selection of the athletes, I selected the athletes who were better.”

“Then how did you determine whether one athlete was better than the other? What is your standard?” The bespectacled journalist asked with an unrelenting tone.

“There is a lot. For example, body condition, individual talent, sports ability, overall ability, work rate, mental stability, injury proneness, all are taken into account. Even ambition is within the range of my consideration. I will comprehensively review everything before finally selecting a suitable athlete,” Dai Li answered slowly.

“Your comprehensive review?” The bespectacled journalist laughed in disdain, “Then can I assume that you selected athletes based on your personal preferences?”

Dai Li frowned a little. The journalist’s questions were very sharp and targeted. Obviously, the only thing he was afraid of was the world at peace. He was here to cause trouble.

“Of course you can’t assume that, because your understanding itself is a mistake,” Dai Li’s expression became stern. He then continued, “To be selected by me, the athlete’s overall strength needs to be acknowledged by myself. This has nothing to do with personal preferences. To acknowledge a person’s strength and to like a person, these are two completely different things.”

Dai Li spread his hands and continued, “For example, the best actor of the Oscars, you might not like him, but you will definitely acknowledge his acting skills. You can’t say that the actor doesn’t have any acting skills because you don’t like this actor. Or perhaps you are of the opinion that the reason every Oscar winner has won is not that of their excellent acting skills, but it is because the judges liked them better?”

The bespectacled journalist suddenly did not know what to say. Initially, he had wanted to cheat and shift the concept a little. He didn’t know that Dai Li was also adept at this trick.

“Then how do you prove that the athletes you chose are stronger? What if some among them are actually weaklings?” The bespectacled journalist asked in exasperation.

“You’re a journalist, you should be able to tell the value of a news report because that is your job. In the same way, I am a coach, so it is natural that I am able to tell the overall ability of an athlete. It is my talent. A different industry is a completely different world. You are not a coach, so you might feel that what I’ve said is ridiculous; however, if you were to let me, a sports coach, do your job I would also be clueless,” Dai Li answered.

When talking about the professionalism of a sports coach, the bespectacled journalist was clearly not Dai Li’s opponent. Even if it were a sports journalist who excelled in writing sports-related reviews and critique, when it came to professionalism, they could never compare against a professional coach.

The journalist obviously did not admit defeat, he continued saying, “Coach Li, based on what you’ve said, only athletes that you acknowledge are allowed to enter the national team? You make me feel as if you are a dictator, it’s not democratic at all.”

“Democratic? So you think we should hold a vote to see who enters the national team? Then we don’t need the Olympic anymore. We can vote to decide the champion. Would that be democratic enough for you?” Dai Li looked coldly at the bespectacled journalist and said, “There has never been democracy in competitive sport. It’s a dog eat dog world, survival of the fittest. Your democracy won’t help the U.S. national team gain even one piece of medal!”

As Dai Li spoke, he patted his chest and said, “And I am the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. So my acknowledgment is the standard and prerequisite for entering the U.S. National Track and Field Team!”

At that moment, Dai Li was emanating an aura that resembled an overbearing and robust CEO.

Chapter 510 - You Really Can Do Anything When You are Rich

Chapter 510: You Really Can Do Anything When You are Rich

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The happenings of the press conference were immediately all over the news.

“‘I’m the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. So my acknowledgment is the standard and prerequisite for entering the U.S. National Track and Field Team!’ This declaration is too damn cool!”

“I think it’s just a kind of arrogance. Who does he think he is? A Chinese coach, what gives him the right to say that his acknowledgment is the standard and prerequisite for entering the U.S. national team.”

“I’m looking forward to when he fails during the Olympics. However, his failure is also the failure of the U.S. national team, so I still hope to see the U.S. team getting a few extra medals.”

“I have the opposite opinion. I hope to see this Chinese coach succeed. Our athlete selection system has a lot of flaws, it’s about time someone stood up to break tradition!”

Western countries had a culture of boasting. Take, as an example, the pre-match interviews that take place before some sporting events. Athletes from western countries say in these interviews that they are going to win the championship or that the winner would definitely be them, even if their strength or ability wasn’t enough to take them past the first round. Asian culture was humbler. Even if one had the ability to win the championship, even if the chance of winning the championship were at 80 to 90 percent, they would still say that their opponents were strong and that victory wasn’t a given.

Another example, in the NBA, before the season starts, at least half of the teams of say that their target for the year is to win the championship. However, there are only four to five teams actually strong enough to do so. Or when the season is almost finished, although it’s only theoretically possible, players would still say that their team could enter the playoffs. Even during playoffs, when a team is behind by three games, there is a 100% chance a player from the trailing team will come out and say, “We’ll make a comeback and win 4-3.” In truth, they didn’t believe in these statements.

Boasting didn’t cost anything. After boasting this time, one would continue bragging next time. Since everyone knew he was only boasting, they wouldn’t treat it seriously anyway. Since no one treated the statements seriously, even when the boasts came to nothing, there would be no shame in it. A man usually holds true to his words. Clearly, that thinking did not exist here.

…

There was a knock on the door. The team leader cum manager of the U.S. National Track and Field Team, Donny, looked at the door before saying, “Please, come in.”

Dai Li pushed the door open and walked inside. Donny saw that it was Dai Li and he immediately stood up to greet him.

“Coach Li, please, have a seat,” Donny said enthusiastically.

After Dai Li sat down, he did not waste any time with small talk and went straight to the topic at hand, “Mr. Donny, the reason I’m here today is to discuss something with you.”

“Coach Li, please elaborate.” Donny showed that he was ready to listen.

“The third training camp of the track and field team is about to end. At the moment, I’m rather satisfied with the results and effects of the training. However, I feel that the time of training is still far from enough. You should know, the situation this year is different and the strength of our athletes isn’t what it used to be. There are many young athletes on the team and they need more training to reach my expectations. Some of the older athletes also need more training to maintain their individual condition,” Dai Li said.

“Which means that you want to increase the training time of the athletes, right?” Donny thought for a moment and said, “Before the opening of the Olympic Games, we still have a fourth training camp.”

“That is right before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, right? I’ve seen the schedule, the fourth training camp is scheduled to be in August. After the training camp, we’ll be headed straight for Rio for the Olympics. For me, that isn’t enough time,” Dai Li answered.

“In that case, we can try to extend the time of the third training camp. Or perhaps we can make the fourth training camp earlier. I can make report to the Track and Field Association about this. How many days do you want to add?” Donny asked.

“From now until the start of the Olympics,” Dai Li replied.

“Uh… That’s…” Donny suddenly looked troubled. He had thought that Dai Li only wanted to add a few days of training. He never would have thought that Dai Li would suddenly request half a month.

“Coach Li, it’s fine if it’s only two to three days, but it is tougher if you want to add that many more days. We need to rent places. We also need to provide the athletes with lodgings and food, as well as pay the staff. All these are extra expenses and I’m afraid I can’t get that much of an increase in the budget,” Donny said awkwardly.

The U.S. national team was an impromptu team assembled right before the competition. They were like provisional performance troupes who had no customized training venues, whose every training needed a rented location. As for the lodgings and food for the athletes, they also needed to book hotels and chefs in advance. Everything was done after budgeting was done. If one wanted to suddenly add a few days of training; if it were only two to three days, a discussion was still possible. As the amount of days Dai Li wanted to add increases, however, the logistical support, as well as the budget, would become problems.

The sports stadiums were constantly being used in the U.S.. Some of the larger stadiums were not just used for competitive sports, but also for concerts and performances. For example, the NBA stadiums or the NFL stadiums were often used to organize events. Athletes would sometimes need to rent other stadiums for their training.

If it were in China, situations like these would not appear. The Chinese national team had several training bases, so they could train in various places in the country. In the worst case, they could easily just put up with the training centers of any random provincial teams.

Dai Li also knew that Donny wasn’t being superficial; he was describing things as they were. Suddenly adding days, not even taking into account the logistics of supporting of so many athletes and coaches, was not something Donny could solve.

As such, Dai Li said, “Mr. Donny, I know that adding so many days of training is indeed difficult for you, so I’ve thought of a solution. I want to change the location of the training to Los Angeles. At my training centers. I have sufficient space and equipment over there. It’s sufficient for the huge amount of people we’ll have training there at the same time.”

“It is an idea,” Donny nodded. “But can the athletes accept it?”

“We’ll let the athletes participate voluntarily then. Those who are willing to come train in Los Angeles, I’ll accept with my hands wide open. Those who aren’t willing, I won’t force them,” Dai Li said.

“Then what about expenses?” Donny asked cautiously, “Coach Li, I know that your training centers have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. The fees should be high, right? With that many athletes training at your place, I’m afraid the Track and Field Association won’t approve this budget.”

“I’ll cover the training fees, no need to trouble the Track and Field Association,” Dai Li said directly.

“Then what about logistical support? There are over a hundred people. They will need a place to sleep, right?” Donny asked.

“There is no lack of hotels in Los Angeles. Any random hotel will be able to accommodate a hundred or so people.” Dai Li looked at Donny’s expression and said, “Don’t worry about the accommodation fees, I’ll cover that too.”

“The question of food…” Donny continued asking.

“I’ll settle that. Food expenses are on me as well,” Dai Li answered.

“Coach Li, the food and lodging of so many people, and it’s not just a day or two, this is a pretty huge expense. Have you really considered this carefully?” Donny asked.

“I’ve thought about it carefully, I can still bear this much,” Dai Li nodded.

“Alright then, since you’re willing to cover the expenses, then I have no problems anymore.” Donny let out a long sigh, while in his mind, he thought, You really can do anything when you are rich!

Chapter 511 - The Weakest in History

Chapter 511: The Weakest in History

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Everyone was gathered around the bulletin board, where there was a notice about the move to Los Angeles.

“We have to go train in Los Angeles? We’re training until the start of the Olympics? That’s 20 days. Do we really need to train that long?” An athlete asked with a frown.

Someone next to him immediately consoled him and said, “You don’t have to worry, we’re not being forced to go. It’s voluntary. Don’t go if you don’t want to.”

“What I want to know is, if we’re training in Los Angeles until the start of the Olympics, what happens to the fourth training camp?” Another athlete asked.

“The training camp in Los Angeles will count as the fourth training camp. If you don’t go to Los Angeles, it means that you are voluntarily giving up on the fourth national team training camp.” A voice joined the conversation.

Chris Payton stood behind them. He had followed Dai Li to the U.S. National Track and Field Team. He was in charge of training athletes for the middle and long distance race, as well as the marathon.

“Coach Payton, if we go to training in Los Angeles, what’s in it for us?” An athlete asked directly. He sounded like the type of person who wouldn’t even get out of bed early unless there was something it in for him..

“What’s in it for you? You can receive the best training in the world,” Payton responded. “Our training center has the world’s best equipment and facilities. Moreover, Coach Li will personally create your training plans. I can guarantee that you will experience significant progress.”

A few people looked suspiciously at Payton. Clearly, they thought Payton was exaggerating.

“What? You think I’m lying?” Payton did not get angry. He continued saying, “You should know the results of training the past few days, right? Once we get back to Los Angeles, you will be able to use better training equipment, so the effects of training will be more apparent than they are now.”

No one said anything. All the athletes knew that the past few days of training had been unusually useful.

Payton continued, “You probably don’t know how high our fees are. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we have the most expensive training facilities in Los Angeles. Of course, the training services we provide are the best. If you go to train in Los Angeles, you will enjoy around 20 days of free training. That in itself makes it worth it, right?”

…

Payton turned around and left, leaving behind a group of athletes who couldn’t make a decision.

One of them pulled out his phone and searched Coach Li’s fitness centers.

After a few minutes, that athlete said, “Coach Payton isn’t lying to us. What he said is true.”

“Do they really offer the best training in the world?” Someone asked.

“No, I meant the cost. It’s really expensive. You guys take a look…” The person passed his phone to the others.

“Oh God, that’s really expensive! I couldn’t afford that.”

“That’s the most expensive training center I’ve ever seen.”

“Living in Los Angeles is expensive, so maybe other training centers in Los Angeles aren’t that much cheaper.”

“The other training centers in Los Angeles are definitely not that expensive. This is the price of the top-class training centers in New York.”

“Then I think that what Coach Payton said makes perfect sense. I could never afford this normally. This really is a bargain!”

“Besides that, food and lodging are completely free, even if we have to pay the airfare we could almost look at it as a vacation. Los Angeles has a considerable number of nightclubs. Who knows, we might even meet a Hollywood star! I’m going to sign up, right now.”

“Let’s sign up together. I’m also going to Los Angeles!”

The word “free” was as attractive word. It often tricked people into making bad deals. For example, some people would drive to get free cabbages, but the value of the cabbages earned might not even be enough for gas money.

For these not-so-famous athletes, the prospect of experiencing highly expensive training and using high tech training equipment was a great deal.

Of course, people were lazy. Since it wasn’t mandatory, even though it was beneficial, some would still choose not to do it. Not every athlete would prefer to train in Los Angeles.

…

“Coach Li, the registration deadline was yesterday. There is a total of 122 athletes going to Los Angeles to train.”

“Noted. Hand the list of the registered athletes to Manager Blake. Let him book the hotel room,” Dai Li said.

The number was better than Dai Li’s had hoped. After all, it wasn’t mandatory. Dai Li initially thought that it would be excellent if only half of the team was willing to go to Los Angeles. He never imagined the number that three-quarters of the team would want to.

Dai Li could easily handle the food and lodging of over 100 people. Food didn’t cost much in the United States. In fact, Dai Li could just hire a catering service to make and prepare all of the meals for the athletes.

As for lodging, as long as he didn’t book the team a five-star hotel, the price would be reasonable. Dai Li could actually book a medium-sized hotel.

The cost of training for this many people was going to be a little tougher.

The training of over a hundred athletes would use up many of his centers’ resources. It would definitely decrease the number of resources that his paying clients would be able to use. Dai Li would have to stop receiving new clients temporarily. Of course, that would mean he might incur a loss during that period of time.

However, in the long term, this decision meant more advertising for Dai Li’s centers. This sort of publicity could, at the very least, attract some clients. However, the prerequisite was that the current national team had to have a decent enough result, only then would it be convincing.

If the current U.S. National Track and Field Team flopped, it would negatively affect Dai Li’s business. No one would want to train at the place a failed team trained. In the opinion of many, everything associated with a failure contributed to it. So, if the U.S. national team performed terribly during the Olympics, Dai Li’s training would have to shoulder most of the blame. Athletes who originally wanted to train at Dai Li’s place would cease to do so. He would lose a lot of potential clients.

The performance-enhancing drug scandal had decreased the strength of the U.S. national track and field team significantly. Even the general populace of the U.S knew something was off about the team; however, many were still relatively optimistic. They believed that even though many top-class athletes were unable to compete in the competition due to the performance-enhancing drug scandal, the U.S. national team could still achieve excellent results.

In truth, many Americans were oblivious to what was happening around them. They were used to immersing themselves in an idea, thinking that “The U.S. is number one in the world.” Living a life centered around the U.S., the things that they were exposed to were also limited to only products revolving around American culture.

The U.S. is a world leader in various industries. As such, most Americans are unaware of the things happening outside the U.S. They have no desire to learn about things outside the United States and might even reject them. A lot of fresh and new items created in foreign countries might even be considered odd and, as such, be rejected by the American populace.

However, the other countries did not think the current U.S. National Track and Field Team was going to do well.

The U.S. track and field team was the number one in the world. They had to be prepared for everyone to be gunning for the. The world would use them as their target.

At the same time, the world would treat the U.S. as a subject for research and study. It was like a class, the teachers and parents would want the weaker students to learn from the first-place student. Every parent-teacher conference, the parent of the first-place student would always get on stage and talk about the study methods of his or her child. Their explanation would often become the bible for many of the students and parents listening.

The U.S. track and field team was that “first-place student.” The track and field team of every country studied and imitated the U.S. team. They would learn about the strengths of the U.S. team as well as find the weaknesses. Often, the coaches of other foreign countries would know more about the U.S. national team than an American.

The strongest opponent of the U.S. national team was,, without a doubt, the Russian team.

In the past, the Soviet Union was undoubtedly the world’s strongest sporting nation. They would crush the American team in every Olympic Games. For example, during the 1972 Munich Olympics, the Soviet Union obtained 50 gold medals and the U.S. only got 33 gold medals. In the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the Soviet-Union got 59 gold medals and the U.S. got 34. After that, during the Moscow Olympics, as the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, the U.S. national team boycotted the Olympic Games and did not participate. The following year the Olympics were held in Los Angeles and the Soviet Union boycotted to get their revenge. At the Seoul Olympics, both the U.S. and Soviet-Union returned to participate and Soviet Union ended up with 55 gold medals and the U.S. ended up with 36 gold medals. In the Barcelona Olympics, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union participated in a joint team. The joint team took home 45 gold medals, which was still much more than the U.S.’s 37 gold medals.

Track and field events were always the strength of the Soviet Union. Before the 1980s, the three strongest track and field countries were the Soviet Union, West Germany, and the U.S. Back then, even West Germany was better than the U.S. in track and field. It was after the civil rights movement in America that the number of African-American athletes increased. After that, the U.S. surpassed West Germany and became the second strongest country in the world in track and field.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited the success of the Soviet Union. Although Russia wasn’t as strong as the Soviet Union had been, they were still the only country that was able to contend against the United States. The rise of Central and South American countries, as well as countries in the Caribbean in sprinting, further weakened the Americans as they snatched up many medals. It was also the reason why Russia could stand shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in track and field events.

The Soviet Union implemented a nation-run sports system back a long time. When the Soviet Union first dissolved, Russia began to imitate and learn from the West when it came to politics, economy, culture, sports, and various other aspects. The nation-run sports system was rejected. However, Russia became worse. In the 1990s, the sports of Russia basically relied on the leftovers of the Soviet Union.

It was only after a powerful person became president that the Russians rediscovered their nation-run sports system. Then, Russian sports recovered and gradually became strong again. In truth, the current system used by the Russians isn’t the same as the nation-run system deployed by the Soviet Union, though.

Russian policy encourages athletes to explore outside the country, to compete in foreign competitions or join foreign professional sports clubs. For example, the reputable CSKA Moscow was a football team with Russian military background. It was, without a doubt, a product of the nation-run sports system. However, the club doesn’t just use foreign talent to boost their rank and playing standard. As soon as a player receives an opportunity to play in a higher level football league, CSKA Moscow is certain to encourage the player to venture towards it.

Apart from investments from the country, a lot of Russian billionaires have also started investing in sports. This has resulted in some Russian coaches who were working in other countries to return to Russia.

The current Russian National Track and Field Team head coach, Coach Melklov was exactly such a person. He used to be a long distance running world champion, and he received multiple honors during the period of the Soviet Union. The disintegration of the Soviet Union was coincidentally the year of his retirement. Back then, he did not know how to do anything apart from long distance running. As such, he was forced to leave Russia, going to Europe to earn a living. Later, as the economy of Russia recovered, he returned to Russia and became the head coach of the Russian National Track and Field Team.

The track and field events that Russia excelled in included women’s middle and long distance running, the marathon, race walking, high jump, and the hurling events. As a long distance runner, Melklov was more familiar with coaching middle and long distance running, the marathon, as well as race walking. After he took over the Russian National Track and Field Team, they team has seen better results. In the previous world championship, Russia took nine gold medals, trailing behind the U.S. which won 12 gold medals.

For the current Olympic Games, Melklov’s original target was also second place. However, plans change. The sudden appearance of the performance-enhancing drug scandal greatly weakened the strength of the American team. Melklov also saw a glimmer of hope for, once again, surpassing the U.S.

…

An old bearded middle-aged man walked into Melklov’s office with a roster in his hands.

“Coach, the roster submitted by the U.S. National Track and Field Team to the International Olympic Committee has been finalized. Just as you expected, compared to the qualifying round, there has been a drastic change in personnel. There is less than a quarter of the athletes left from the qualifying round. The rest of them are new additions to the U.S. team,” the bearded man said.

The bearded man was called Ignagave. He was Melklov’s deputy and also the deputy head coach of the Russian National Track and Field Team.

“There really is a drastic change in their personnel. I haven’t even heard of many of these athletes. I’m guessing these athletes aren’t even famous in the U.S.,” Melklov said.

“However, the 400m sprint king, Jimmy Irwin is still on the list. Based on his results in the qualifiers, he’s still the favorite for winning the 400m sprint in the Olympics. There’s also Justin Alexander. He has been banned for so long. He returned this year, and I heard that his time is still around 9.80 seconds. After Kittel’s retirement, this is a competitive time,” Ignagave stated.

“Although the U.S. team has Irwin, I feel that this is the weakest U.S. National Track and Field Team in history. It is such a shame the events that the U.S. team is good are not the same ones we are. If we were to win one gold medal, it would be the equivalent of increasing the gap by two gold medals.” Melklov put down the roster with a relaxed face. He then said, “Now, we can only hope that the British pull their weight. I hope that they can snatch a few gold medals away from the Americans.”

…

Great Britain is also a track and field powerhouse. However, the track and field events the British excelled in overlapped with the Americans.

Back in the day, the British Empire had colonies all around the globe. Even now, the scale of the Commonwealth Games is not in any way inferior to the Asian Games. The competition is actually more intense.

A lot of athletes from less developed Commonwealth countries hoped to move to Great Britain. Among them, most were African athletes from countries like Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and Jamaica. These countries used to be colonies of the British Empire and these were places that produced strong athletes. These strong athletes brought multiple Olympic medals to Great Britain.

Athletes of African descent were good at similar events, whether they were American or British. The events they excelled at were sprints, the long jump, and various other sports events that required high amounts of explosive power. However, African American athletes tended to have a slight edge over African athletes who had moved to Britain to play for them in the Olympics.

Moreover, there are a lot of similarities between the sports culture of Great Britain and the U.S. Citizens from both countries get very involved in the competition.

The head coach of the British National Track and Field Team was named Alex. He was a legend in British track and field. He used to be an athlete in charge of training para-athletes. Later, due to his success in leading the team through the Paralympics, he was promoted to become the head coach of the British National Track and Field Team.

At that moment, Alex also received the roster of the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

“I don’t recognize many of the names here on this list. I haven’t even heard of them. There’s a rumor saying that the current U.S. National Track and Field Team is their weakest team in history. It looks like the rumor isn’t baseless.” A polite smile appeared on Alex’s face when he spoke.

“Coach, I’ve taken a look and, in this Olympics, it is possible for us to surpass the U.S. team and win the gold medal in a couple of events,” the assistant said in excitement.

“We are, of course, going to compete for gold medals. The more, the better. However, I’m fairly interested in the new head coach of the U.S. team. This is, after all, the first time the U.S. hired a non-American track and field head coach, isn’t it?” Alex said.

“You’re talking about the Chinese coach, aren’t you? I sure don’t think he has the ability to command the U.S. national track and field team. After all, track and field isn’t a strength of the Chinese,” the assistant said.

Alex maintained his polite smile and said, “The reason I’m following this Chinese coach is that his experience is similar to mine. You should know, four years ago, I was training para-athletes, and the competition I participated in was the Paralympics. The first product of this Chinese coach is also a para-athlete. You’ve heard of the name ‘Blade Warrior’ Phillip before, right? He’s the only para-athlete in the world who could compete against normal athletes. He was personally discovered and groomed by this Chinese coach.”

“That means that this Chinese coach excels at training for sprinting events. The sprinting events have always been the strength of the U.S. team!” The assistant suddenly had a solemn expression.

Alex instantly consoled the assistant and said, “Don’t worry. Our sprinters don’t have sufficient ability to become the champion in the Olympics anyway. We only have to do well in the relay races. However, the Jamaicans might think differently! After all, Kittel has retired. The Jamaicans need a new leadership icon. They want the title of the world’s fastest man to remain in Jamaica, and not to return to the U.S.!”

…

The Jamaican National Track and Field Team.

At that moment, the head coach, Fraser, was in the middle of lecturing his athletes. He looked excited. His held his fists tight and said, “The current U.S. National Track and Field Team is the weakest in history. This is a chance for our Jamaican squad. Although we have lost Kittel, I believe that among all of you, there is someone who can take Kittel’s place, and become the new world’s fastest man! The 100m, 200m, and 4×100 relay races. A total of six gold medals. This time, we’ll get them all!”

…

A bowl of soy milk in front of Li Xue was empty. He patted his stomach and burped.

“The previous U.S.National Track and Field Team was filled with superstars. However, the current U.S. is, without a doubt, the weakest ever. Old Xue, the public account that I’m following just published an article that says that the current U.S. National Track and Field Team is ridiculously weak. They will be destroyed in the Olympics. Looks like that apprentice of yours won’t last long as the head coach. Will he be fired by the Americans?” An instigator asked.

“Don’t listen to the bullsh*t from that account. They don’t know sh*t!” Li Xue pouted and said, “That is my apprentice, after all. Even if it is the weakest U.S. national team ever, it will obtain the best results!”

Chapter 512 - The Olympics

Chapter 512: The Olympics

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Olympic Games were steadily approaching and the athletes began their final training.

The training venue of the U.S. track and field team was in Los Angeles. As the second largest city in the United States, and the home of Hollywood, the entertainment industry in Los Angeles was quite developed. This attracted young people. Many young athletes on the U.S. track and field team agreed to come to Los Angeles to train because of the vibrancy of the city.

However, they soon discovered that they simply did not have the time or energy to entertain themselves. Their training schedule was full from morning to evening and there was no rest on weekends. The training was very intense. After a day of training, everyone wanted to go to bed and sleep. It was impossible to go out to the nightclubs.

This kind of training was very dull, and remaining committed was a kind of suffering. As an athlete, one should adapt to the pain of training. Moreover, Dai Li said that the ones who couldn’t adapt to this kind of training should just scram and go home.

People had self-esteem, especially athletes who were selected to be on the U.S. national team. Each was a top-notch track and field talent. Their egos were huge. Such people would not give up easily. No one would willingly withdraw. No one was willing to be regarded as a weakling by the other athletes.

…

On the training ground, Ellis Mett crossed the last hurdle and rushed past the finish line.

He looked back to see that he finished in 12.98 seconds.

Mett was shocked.

“My God, I ran under 13 seconds. Is this a dream?” Mett couldn’t help but exclaim.

You could win any competition if you can the 110 meter hurdles in under 13 seconds.

…

Franz Muller held a pole in his hands and looked up at the bar in front of him.

He had never tried this height before. Six meters!

He took a deep breath and accelerated.

He gained support, had a great take-off, and, with the flexibility of the pole, he completed the extension, pendulum, upswing, the turn, and various other actions.

He then fell on a thick cotton pad.

Muller quickly got up and looked up at the bar as soon as possible, confirming that it did not fall.

“6 meters! I did it!” Muller couldn’t help but shout in excitement.

Muller knew what vaulting over six meters in men’s pole vaulting meant. The record for this event in the Olympics was only 5.97 meters!

Everywhere on the training ground the same thing was happening, athletes tested their limits and kept getting better and better.

…

The Olympic Games this year was going to take place in Brazil. For the American audience, this Olympic Games was very suitable for them to watch. It was in the Americas, so the time difference was negligible and the American audience wouldn’t miss any match.

However, a few days after the start of the games, the results of the U.S. Olympic delegation were somewhat unsatisfactory.

In this Olympic Games, the first major events were shooting, weightlifting, swimming, diving, judo, and road cycling. Among them, shooting, swimming, and road cycling were all events the United States was strong in. They were also on America’s gold medal list.

However, the competition was fierce in these events, and the United States could not win everything. Shooting, for example. Although the United States had the most shooting athletes in the world, China, South Korea, Russia, Italy, and Germany also had top athletes. American athletes did not have any advantage. In road cycling, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and other European countries were not inferior to the United States.

In these two events, the U.S. team’s performance was relatively normal, and the results were similar to previous years. However, swimming dragged down the entire American delegation.

In swimming, the United States was the best. The U.S. could always expect to win gold. The U.S. team had even more gold medals in swimming events than track and field. There were 34 gold medals in the Olympic swimming events. If the U.S. team performed well, they could get 15 or 16 gold medals, almost half of the total gold medals in the swimming events. In comparison, in the track and field events, the American team could only get around ten gold medals.

However, the recent doping scandal also affected many swimmers. It caused a decline in the strength of the U.S. swimming team. With their strength lessened, the number of gold medals the United States would win would also naturally decline.

Because the swimming was a bit disappointing, track and field became the last straw to clutch at for many Americans.

…

It was the first day of track and field events. At nine thirty in the morning, the Olympic track and field competition officially began, starting with the men’s discus qualifier.

The discus required a combination of strength and technique. Athletes didn’t necessarily need a lot of weight, but they had to possess good skills and excellent balance.

European countries have always conquered this event. Germany, was especially good at this event. Other countries such as Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Poland, Estonia, which all had a connection to Germany, were also very strong in the discus event.

As for the United States, they were not as strong as Germany, but they were also at a world-class level.

However, the impact of the doping scandal caused the top discus throwers in the United States to withdraw from the Olympics. The newly recruited athletes were not very strong. Even Dai Li could not find talented players for this event. Therefore, although the U.S. team sent three athletes to participate, they were all eliminated in the qualifying round.

This was a very bad result for the U.S. team. In the previous Olympic Games and World Championships, the United States may not have gotten medals, but they at least had one athlete make it into the finals.

…

The Russian team had an athlete who entered the finals in the men’s discus event. The Russian coach Melklov was satisfied with this result.

“Some athletes have entered the finals. Our target in the men’s discus event has been met.” Melklov looked subconsciously in the direction of the U.S. team and said, “No one on the U.S. team made it into the finals, right?”

“That’s correct,” deputy head coach Ignagave confirmed. “The Americans sent three athletes to participate, but they ended up in the bottom half of the rankings. They were nowhere close to making the final!”

“As expected, this year’s U.S. team still has a large number of athletes, but there aren’t many top-quality ones among them,” Melklov smiled casually.

…

At the headquarters of the American Track and Field Association, CEO Williams watched the performance of the U.S. track and field team.

“No one entered the finals. They really aren’t strong enough! It seems like we shouldn’t hope for too much from this Coach Li. If it can’t be done, it can’t be done.” Williams shook his head.

Chapter 513 - Social Gap

Chapter 513: Social Gap

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

At 10:10 in the morning, two events were happening in the track and field stadium. The field competition was a qualifying match for women’s shot put and the track competition was the first round of the men’s 800 meters event. For both events, the U.S. team sent three athletes.

The American team originally had had a chance of winning gold in the women’s shot put. They had a world-class star who was the runner-up in the Olympics and the winner of the World Championship. This star took the initiative to withdraw from the U.S. team after the outbreak of the drug scandal, on the grounds of a recurring back injury.

On the present U.S. team, the three female shot putters participating had never competed before. Two of them were personally selected by Dai Li.

As for the men’s 800 meters, the United States wasn’t weak, but the Kenyans were too strong. Kenya’s strength was difficult to overcome.

In the area where the coaches waited, Dai Li chatted away with a Chinese coach in his fifties.

The Chinese coach, surnamed Yang, was the coach for the Chinese national team and was responsible for the hurling events. When Dai Li was still learning on the national team, he met this Coach Yang. They had to have a chat since they were reunited. Coach Yang was the same as he had been when Li first met him. However, the “Little Li” Coach Yang used to know had now become “Coach Li.”

In terms of their social status, the head coach of a national team of the world’s best track and field team was definitely the more important figure in the area.

“We’re trying to win gold in the women’s shot put event. Xiaona Li won the bronze medal in the World Championships,” Coach Yang said, introducing her.

“I remember her from when I was on our national team. I remember she was less than 18 years old then,” Dai Li said.

“Yeah, it’s been so many years,” Coach Yang said with a playful smile. He then said, “Coach Li, you are the head coach of the American track and field team. What do you think Xiaona Li needs to improve on? How about giving us a few tips?”

Dai Li was able to hear the vague sourness of Yang’s words, but Dai Li was able to understand Yang’s thoughts.

Back then, Dai Li was only temporary personnel on the national team. He wasn’t even an authorized staff member. In contrast, Coach Yang, at the time, was already a coach that was responsible for a minor sports events.

In just a few years, Dai Li became the head coach of the U.S. track and field team, becoming the most important figure in the track and field stadium. He also became a person other coaches looked up to. In terms of status, Dai Li instantly leapfrogged and was ahead of Coach Yang. This was like seeing a younger brother become the head of a powerful society. It was normal for Coach Yang to feel sour in with that kind of social gap between them.

Of course, Coach Yang was not trying to make things hard for Dai Li. He was just a bit annoyed and wanted to vent his emotions.

Dai Li did not mind Yang’s behavior, and his behavior could be understood. He still decided to show off to the coach. So, he launched a test on Xiaona Li and immediately saw her shortcomings.

“Xiaona Li. This athlete has very good technique and her strength, when compared with European and American athletes, is impressive. She has experience in competitions. If I have to say where there is still room for improvement, her arms are too stiff when she is throwing. I think her movements can be stretched a little more so that they aren’t too tight. This is helpful for the overall coordination of her movements. If the overall coordination of the movements were better, perhaps in terms of results, the improvement would be minimal, but the stability of the throw will improve and her individual mental state would avoid excessive fluctuations,” Dai Li said.

As Dai Li spoke, Yang’s expression froze up. Dai Li’s assessment was, in Yang’s opinion, completely accurate.

The better the athletes are, the less room they have to improve. Xiaona Li, the bronze medal winner of the World Championships, was considered to be the world’s top shot putter. An athlete like her was close to perfection in all aspects. It was very difficult to find any kind of flaw.

Faced with such an athlete, a coach would need to repeatedly watch the athlete’s recorded footage during competitions, slowing down the video recording to compare and analyze slowly. Later, through continued discussion with the athlete, would it be possible to find flaws. Coach Yang also used this method, and he invited several hurling coaches to analyze her. Several light seminars were conducted before he finally reached this conclusion.

Coach Yang spent a lot of time and effort to get to that conclusion whereas Dai Li made the same conclusion with precision by just simply thinking about it. If Coach Yang did not witness this in person, he would not have believed it.

He was actually right! He said it so accurately just by looking at it casually. When Dai Li was on our national team, I didn’t realize that he had such a great ability. No wonder this kid became the head coach of the American track and field team. That sort of observation is really unparalleled! Yang coach secretly thought.

At that time, any feelings of animosity that Yang held on to were replaced by respect for Dai Li. He was completely convinced that he was one of the best.

On the court, an athlete on the American team went onto the field. The athlete only threw 17.37 meters on the first try. It was considered a failure in the Olympics.

In the Olympic shot put qualifier, each athlete only had three chances, and the top 12 athletes would enter the finals, so every throwing opportunity was very valuable. If the first throw were too bad, the pressure for the latter two would be larger. If the result for the second attempt was also very poor, then the last throw would have no room for error. It would be a last desperate attempt.

The American athlete picked up the shot put. She then took a few deep breaths, adjusted her breathing, and then made a throw.

“Whoosh” The shot put was thrown from her hand, forming an arc that landed on the grass in the distance.

“It went over the 19-meter mark, she will totally make it to the final.” Yang pointed to the athlete and asked, “Who is this person? I have never seen her before, but she is quite good.”

“Her name is Vince Jackson, this is her first time representing the U.S. team in an international competition.” Dai Li’s furrowed his eyebrows. He then said with a somewhat imposing expression, “Coaching young athletes is tough. Their ability fluctuates too much”

Chapter 514 - Counterattack of the Extra

Chapter 514: Counterattack of the Extra

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Vince Jackson was one of the athletes that had been personally selected by Dai Li. She was only 19. Vince Jackson was considered slightly above average in terms of her strength and talent. The reason Dai Li chose her was that he fancied her malleability.

There was no advantage to being 19 in the adult shot put competition. It could even be seen as a disadvantage. Shot put not only required strength, but it also required athletes to have a certain weight. At the age of 19 the body had not yet accumulated enough fat and the development of muscles had only just begun. This may it more difficult for young athletes because they were up against people in their mid-20s, the physical prime of one’s life.

Vince Jackson’s physical disadvantage was not the only one that was a result of her youth. Young athletes had unstable mindsets and their mental states were always fluctuating, especially in sporting events like the Olympic Games. There were too many uncontrollable external factors, both on and off the field, which made accounted for these fluctuations.

In the women’s shot put qualifier, twelve athletes entered the finals. While the U.S. team sent three athletes, only Vince Jackson made it to the final. Although this was better than the men’s discus event, it was worse than the U.S. had done in previous years.

The first round of the men’s 800 meters occurred at the same time as the women’s shot put qualifier. The American team performed as well as they had in the past. All three athletes advanced into the semi-finals.

After the men’s 800 meters race, the Maracana Stadium, the main stadium of the Olympic Games, hosted the final of the women’s 10,000 meters race. This was the first track and field medal round in this Olympics.

This event was undoubtedly dominated by the Ethiopians and Kenyans. Other countries also had strong athletes but, in the face of the alternate lead-runner strategy of the Ethiopians and Kenyans, it would be tough for them to keep up.

In the end, Ethiopia won the gold and bronze medals. The Kenyans won the silver medal, along with fourth and fifth place. An ethiopian came in sixth. The seventh-place athlete was slower than the sixth place athlete by a full 13 seconds. Africa’s fame in long-distance running was really well-deserved.

Although it was a 10,000-meter race, at one point there was such a gap that they could have basically just surrendered. Dai Li could not be held responsible for losing the 10,000-meter race. The opponent was just too strong. It was too difficult for any coach to snatch medals from Ethiopia and Kenya in long-distance running.

The final event of the morning session was the final of the men’s 20-kilometer race walk. Although the race walk event originated in the United Kingdom, the Russians were the strongest in it. The Chinese team was also strong enough to have a chance at getting first place. America was much worse off and couldn’t make it into the top 20..

Dai Li did not expect a lot from this event. After giving the athletes some encouragement, they returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for the evening’s competition.

There were no scheduled track and field events in the afternoon. It was not until 8:30 in the evening that the field events resumed.

The first event in the evening was the first round of the women’s 1,500 meter race. The Kenyans and Ethiopians were the strongest in this event. Algeria’s was also good. As for the American team, they were strong enough to place, but Dai Li was not too concerned about this competition. After all, it was the first round. There were many lesser athletes in the competition. These lesser athletes were all used as cannon fodder. It was rare for the U.S. to be eliminated when among such athletes.

The women’s hammer throw qualifying match was held at the same time in the track and field stadium. The American team performed normally, and two players entered the final. They were up against a strong Eastern European team, so it was unlikely that the Americans would win.

The next two events were the first round of the men’s 400 meter and the men’s long jump qualifiers. America was favored in both of theses events. The American athletes were all able to advance and nobody was surprised..

There were two remaining track and field events that day. The first round of the women’s 100 meter sprint and the final of the women’s shot put.

Dai Li did not pay attention to the first round of the women’s 100 meter. Although the U.S. team was not as good as the Jamaicans, they were definitely the second strongest. There would be no problem for America’s two athletes to enter the final. They would be able to advance easily in the first round.

A gold medal would be awarded to the winner of this competition. This would be the third gold medal in Olympic track and field today and it was also the last gold medal for the day. If they could get this gold medal, it would at least be something to cheer about for the U.S. team. It would be very helpful for improving their morale.

However, the 19-year-old Vince Jackson was the only member of the U.S. team to advance. She would have to face top athletes from all over the world. It was very unlikely that the U.S. would win.

…

Three athletes from the Russian team entered the finals of the women’s shot put, Melklov was certainly determined to win.

“New Zealand veteran Adams and Hungary’s Malton are our biggest rivals. Adams has already participated in the Olympic Games three times. She has won the Olympic silver medal. This time, of course, she’s trying to get first place. Malton won the last World Championship. Schneider of Germany and Xiaona Li of China are also favored. As for the other athletes, they pose no threat to us.”

Melklov suddenly laughed. He continued, “Only one person from the U.S. team advanced to the final, and she is a 19-year-old youth named Vince Jackson. I hadn’t even heard of her name before this Olympics. Her preliminary score was 19.23 meters, which isn’t bad. However, she’s going to need to throw over 20 meters to have a chance at a medal”

As Melklov said that, he raised his fist and, with a fervent look, directed his words to the three athletes who would be competing in the event. “Girls, our biggest enemy, the American team will not be able to pose any threat to us. Now, no one will be able to prevent us from winning this gold medal! I believe that you can win. You guys will become heroes of Russia!”

On the other side, Dai Li was not as excited as Melklov. At the moment, he looked very calm.

None of the 12 athletes who entered the final were weak. He found that Vince Jackson would end up in the middle of the pack based on raw strength alone.

Although there are some gaps in strength, it won’t be like the women’s 10,000 meters where we were crushed by the African teams. It will be difficult to get a medal. Vince Jackson has always been unstable… looks like I have to take a chance!

Dai Li looked at the state scale in his coaching system and decided to use the tool for Vince Jackson.

The state scale could make an athlete’s state extremely stable. For a player with superior talent, a stable state could almost ensure a victory. Dai Li originally helped Adam Holly get rid of his psychological problems by doing this.

At the same time, the state scale could also make the state of the athlete extremely unstable. This instability might cause the athlete to do very well or do very poorly. It was based on luck.

Today, Dai Li planned to make Vince Jackson extremely unstable.

Dai Li thought that if Vince Jackson were to perform normally, she wasn’t likely to win. It was better to gamble and give her a shot at first place. Doing something extreme was her only shot.

The way that the shot put event worked made the state scale a great option.

Sports that were related to racing, such as short-distance running and swimming, were all fleeting. Every athlete only had one chance per month. Who would be the first to get to the finish line? Whoever was faster would come in first. There was no second chance. The performance and mindset of the athlete in sports like that were indeed important, but the most important thing in the competitions was still raw power and strength.

As for events like shooting, archery, diving, and other sports that relied on the accumulation of points, the total score determined the outcome. So every bullet, every arrow, every time the athlete made a move, they had to go all out. Even if they did badly for a second, they would lose the gold medal. For those kinds of sports, a steady performance was the most important thing. A single good performance might give athletes some advantage, but when calculating the total score, the one single excellent performance would be evenly distributed in the total score, which might lessen its importance or even make it negligible.

Shot put and other field events, however, were different from those other events. Field events gave an athlete multiple chances. For example, there were six attempts for the shot put and there were six opportunities to jump for the long jump. As long as one of their scores were better than the other athletes, even all their other scores were zero, they would still win.

This kind of system of competition also made it so that athletes could boldly go all out and choose the technique that pushed them to their limits, even if it put them on the verge of failure and fouling. As long as they produced a good enough result, they could still become the champion.

This was made the state scale particularly useful. For instance, for the six attempts that were taken, as long as there was a situation where an athlete went all out, it would be possible to become the champion.

…

Vince Jackson picked up the shot put and looked at the ground with the curved lines. She was tense. Not only was this the first time she was participating in the Olympic Games, it was also her first time participating in an international competition. Now, she was in the shot put final in the Olympics.

Vince Jackson couldn’t help but recall that a few months ago she was in the American domestic trials and only got twelfth place. She had ranked nowhere near the top three who had qualified. She didn’t even dream that she would stand on the stage of the Olympic final.

It wasn’t easy to get here. This may be the most brilliant moment of my life. I’ll do my best! Vince Jackson thought of this and started a test throw.

“Ugh!” Vince Jackson couldn’t help but scream and the ball left her hand at the same time.

Whoosh. The black shot put ball was like a cannonball.

Bam. A hole appeared on the ground. That hole was not even over the 17-meter mark.

The surveyor immediately rushed towards it and inserted a long rod into the hole.

“16.79 meters!” The referee announced the result.

Vince Jackson felt frustrated. Her throw had been terrible. That was an Olympic throw. A B standard in the Olympics was 17.3 meter, and the A standard in the Olympics was 18.35 meters. For athletes who entered the Olympic final, not being able to reach at least 17 meters was embarrassing.

Vince Jackson walked off the field, and Dai Li personally came over and handed her a towel.

“Sorry. Coach Li, I…”

He didn’t wait for Vince Jackson to finish. Dai Li interrupted her and said, “It doesn’t matter, it’s just the first throw. In shot put, every throw is a new start! I picked you personally. I’m very sure that I didn’t pick the wrong person.”

Dai Li’s expression was very relaxed and confident. This helped Vince Jackson settle down.

When faced with a young athlete who was in the Olympics for the first time, encouragement was obviously very important. Moreover, Dai Li did not want Vince Jackson to put too much pressure on herself. He tried to appear relaxed to take some off of her.

Moreover, Dai Li did not feel that his luck would be so bad that all three throws would be that bad.

…

The first round of throws was over, and Vince Jackson, who had a score of less than 17 meters, was undoubtedly at the bottom.

An unknown athlete scoring less than 17 meters. Everyone thought this young girl was just an extra.

Coaches from the other countries chose to ignore Vince Jackson. While the other 11 competitors also decided not to pay attention to her. No one wasted energy on an extra.

The athletes started the second throw, and Vince Jackson also ushered in her second appearance in the Olympic final.

Vince Jackson stepped onto the throwing area and picked up the ball. At that moment, the big screen in the stadium and TV broadcasts showed the statistics on Vince Jackson’s first throw.

When a very low score of less than 17 meters appeared, some viewers couldn’t help but yawn. After all, it was already after ten o’clock in the evening. If the person going on wasn’t an expert, it was very difficult for people to concentrate.

The people who were watching at home went to get a glass of water or go to the bathroom. No one cared about the results of an unknown extra.

In the coaches’ rest area and the athletes’ waiting area, everyone was busy with their own things. They were completely uninterested in the performance of Vince Jackson.

At that point, perhaps only the referee put his attention on Vince Jackson.

Vince Jackson took a deep breath and repeated the essential shot put techniques in her mind, and then started to throw.

The black shot put ball was turned into a small cannon again. It flew out and slammed into the ground, leaving a hole.

This time, however, the mark was located outside the thickest line.

That was the 20-meter mark!

The referee in charge of the measurement widened his eyes, as if he could not believe what he just saw.

Am I seeing this wrong? It exceeded 20 meters! She couldn’t even reach the 17 meters a moment ago. How did her score improve so much in such a short amount of time?”

Chapter 515 - Lady Luck is on My Side

Chapter 515: Lady Luck is on My Side

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“20 meters 42!” The referee confirmed Vince Jackson’s result. It was the best result so far in the final of the women’s shot put.

The referee checked again before recording the result. It was the first time in a very active career that he had witnessed a situation like Vince Jackson.

An athlete whose first hurl attempt was short of the 17-meter mark was able to surpass the 20-meter mark by a considerable distance on the second throw. The margin between the results was too great. It was if they were the results of two different people. If he had not personally witnessed it, it would be difficult to imagine an athlete producing such different results in the same competition.

As they saw a result that surpassed the 20-meter mark on the big screen, the live audience did not care who did it, they just gave the person a great round of applause.

Melklov was disturbed by the sudden eruption of applause. He lifted his head and looked towards the big screen. When he saw the numbers “20.42” he let out a cold exhalation.

“20.42 meters. A great result. Is that the athlete from the U.S.?”

The world record for the women’s shot put was 22.63 meters. The Olympic record was 22.41 meters. Compared to those, a 20 meters result wasn’t that big of a deal. However, those records were achieved during the 1980s, in an era where world records were constantly broken. Modern athletes could hardly throw 21 meters. This throw made her become an instant favorite to win gold.

Melklov’s face became stiff. He felt pressured. He realized that the unknown athlete from the U.S. wasn’t there to play around and that he should pay more attention to his opponents.

“Coach. That American…” Ignagave’s face filled with concern.

“Don’t worry, it’s only 20.42 meters. It’s not enough to guarantee a win. Who knows, it might only be a coincidence. That American might have just been lucky,” Melklov consoled him.

…

“That’s what I’m talking about. My luck can’t be that bad. There’s no way she’d keep being bad.” Dai Li sighed in relief.

Dai Li knew the result of 20.42 meters wasn’t enough to win a gold medal, but it was enough to get them a chance at another medal. However, what Dai Li was more concerned about was that the result was enough to cement Vince Jackson’s place in the top eight. It meant that after the first three throws, Vince Jackson could continue with the following three test throws. Three chances where she would either get lucky or unlucky.

Gambling and luck. The more times, the better.

She has four more throws. She just needs to get lucky one in four of those times,” Dai Li thought with confidence.

Vince Jackson walked off the field. She looked excited. The result was very close to her best result in training.

…

The third round was about to begin. For the four contestants ranked at the bottom, if they failed to get themselves into the top eight, they would be eliminated. As such, it was their life or death throw.

Nobody passed the 20 meter barrier after a few athletes made their attempts. Vince Jackson maintained her rank in first place.

However, Vince Jackson also knew that a result of 20.42 meters was, at best, a result that would get her a medal. It wasn’t enough to get a gold medal.

The current Vince Jackson would not be satisfied with just a medal. She wanted a gold medal. She wanted to get the first gold medal for the U.S. National Track and Field Team.

When she once again stood got into position, she was aiming for the Olympic gold medal.

With a 20.42 meter result as insurance, Vince Jackson could use relatively extreme techniques. This throw wouldn’t matter if it was bad. After all, she had four attempts left.

However, this time, lady luck seemed to be busy doing something else. She did not visit Vince Jackson.

“16.95 meters!” The referee announced the result of Vince Jackson’s third attempt.

“Awww…” The audience exclaimed in disappointment. As the athlete with the best result, everyone naturally expected Vince Jackson to throw better than that. However, she disappointed everyone. Her result was the second worst in the competition, and the worst result was also hers.

“That’s what I said. That 20.42 meters were just a coincidence!” Melklov lifted his head and looked satisfied. It was as if he had proven to the world that he was correct.

Dai Li’s expression was much calmer. It was like gambling with dice. As long as there was no cheating involved, one would sometimes win and sometimes lose. Under the effect of the state scale, the system would never cheat.

After the first three attempts, Russia’s famous Sergeyeva managed a 20.33 meters result, temporarily ranking in second place.

The bottom four athletes were eliminated. The top eight rested for three minutes and, after the referee rearranged the appearance order according to the results, the fourth shot put attempt began. As Vince Jackson was ranked first, she would throw last.

On the fourth throw, it was clear that the contestants upped their game. The first two athletes utilized relatively extreme techniques in their throws. They both fouled.

The famous New Zealander, Adams, threw 20.28 meters and Hungary’s renowned athlete, Malton, got 20.25 meters. The Russian contestant, Milkina, finally surpassed Vince Jackson with 20.43 meters, moving into first place. Later, her compatriot from Russia, the famous Sergeyeva, got 20.45 meters, temporarily moving herself into first place.

The Russians began to show their strength. These two Russians surpassed Vince Jackson, moving her into third place.

Vince Jackson was the last to make her attempt. However,, she stepped on the periphery of the hurling area with her toe, resulting in a foul. There was no score for that throw. In a few short minutes, U.S. team’s fortune had reversed.

…

“Good job, ladies. Well done!” Ignagave said, excited. It was as if the Russian national team had already won the gold medal.

In the women’s shot put event, Russia was among the top two in the world. If the U.S. national team had not been affected by the performance-enhancing drug scandal, they competition would’ve been more intense. However, with Vince Jackson as their sole contestant, the U.S. national team seemed unable to put up a fight.

“Like I said just now. The American got lucky on that 20.42 meter throw. She is definitely not that strong,” Ignagave repeated what he had already said. He then continued and said, “There are two more attempts, you’re already in the lead. No need for any reservation. Just go all out and do your best! We will take both the gold and silver medals!”

…

It was currently night time in the U.S., which was prime time. A lot of Americans sat in front of their TV, watching the Olympic Games.

In a small bar, the women’s shot put was on TV.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the bar seemed a little dull. Many people stared at the TV with a sad look on their face. They looked speechless. She had been seen as an extra, then she had been in first place, and now she was in third. It was these sorts of ups and downs that truly disappointed the American viewers.

The opponent was the mighty Russian athlete Sergeyeva. If the U.S. had a famous athlete as well, the American viewers would still have hope. However, Vince Jackson was, without a doubt, a rookie. People subconsciously felt that she wasn’t good enough to be Sergeyeva’s opponent.

“Russia has surpassed us. Not only did our athlete not fight back, she made a foul throw. Shouldn’t the coach do something right now?” Someone asked.

“Yeah, the coach should do something!” Another person concurred.

…

Dai Li knew there was nothing he could do.

He was gambling. Whether she became excellent, or if it became terrible, it was not something Dai Li could decide. It was like Texas Holdem. He was already all-in. He could now only wait to see what kind of card was dealt.

However, Dai Li still encouraged Vince Jackson.

“Vince, you don’t have to be too hard on yourself. This is your first Olympic. Getting a bronze medal is already an excellent result. Besides, your opponents include Sergeyeva and Milkina. They are both internationally renowned athletes. It’s not embarrassing if you lose. No one will blame you. There is nothing for you to lose. Now, every centimeter you gain is considered a plus. So, in the upcoming two throw attempts, don’t be nervous, but at the same time, don’t restrain yourself. Just give it your all. Even if you don’t achieve great results, you’re still a winner!” Dai Li said.

Vince Jackson nodded. Dai Li’s calm demeanor calmed her down a lot.

…

The competition between the athletes intensified further.

The athletes from Russia took both first and second place. The two of them were the strongest and the most skilled.

Although the two of them were teammates, they both wanted the gold medal. So, when it came to the real competition, none of them relaxed. They both showed their true strength.

As for the athletes from the other countries like New Zealand’s Adams, Hungary’s Malton, and China’s Xiaona Li, none of them would simply hand over the gold medal to the Russians. They began to fight for their lives.

On her fifth throw, New Zealand’s Adams got 20.42 meters, tying with Vince Jackson at third place. According to Olympic rules, the results of the shot put event are only determined by the length of the distance and the sequential order is ignored. If the both of them had the same result, they would both be ranked third. As a result, they would both get bronze medals.

This was also true of the silver medal. However, if it were a gold medal, then there could only be one. If two people tied in first, then there would be a need for extra time.

After that, the Russian athlete, Milkina, made an error and fouled. Sergeyeva on the other hand successfully increased her lead to 20.48 meters, staying in first place.

Vince Jackson was the last to make her appearance.

Dai Li’s words suddenly appeared in her mind.

“Coach Li is right. I’m already a winner after getting here. There’s nothing I can lose. Now, every centimeter I gain is a plus!”

Vince Jackson took a deep breath, calmed her emotion, and began her fifth throw.

This time, she also used a relatively extreme move. Her shot put flew steadily past the 20-meter line before landing on the ground.

The result of Vince Jackson’s fifth throw was 20.54 meters. Her extreme move reaped its rewards. She successfully surpassed Sergeyeva and regained her number one spot.

…

“Pretty decent luck! Another maximized state,” Dai Li let out a breath of relief.

The result of 20.54 meters was excellent enough. It was a result that could win the gold medal. There was only one throw left and the other contestants would feel extra pressure. Who knows, they might even falter. Vince Jackson’s chances of winning the competition just became much higher.

Dai Li couldn’t help but look towards the other coaches. At that moment, many of the coaches looked solemn. They clearly didn’t have much hope left.

Melklov’s previous satisfaction was nowhere to be seen. The throw had not doomed him but it made his job a lot tougher.

He looked at Sergeyeva and nodded.

By then, Melklov had to put his faith in Sergeyeva.

The athletes began the last round. The first to appear felt immense pressure and her throw failed. The following athlete was unable to hit her target distance. At that moment, every athlete that finished increased Vince’s chances of winning.

Hungary’s Malton and China’s Xiaona Li made their attempts consecutively. Their final throws didn’t even reach the 20-meter mark. They did not pose any threat to Vince Jackson.

It was now New Zealand’s Adams’ turn. She was a 32-year-old veteran. Her body was no longer at its peak, but her technique and experience made up for that. It helped her remain among the best in the world.

It was also her last Olympic Games. As such, she was desperately hoping to win the gold medal, but any medal would be great.

At that crucial moment, her wealth of experience helped her. She did not panic. She calmly stepped into the hurling area and executed a perfect shot put technique.

“20.44 meters!” The referee announced Adams’ result.

She passed Milkina and moved into third place. This was the most she could have hoped for. With that throw, her Olympic career had come to a complete end.

Milkina was extremely anxious. After the fourth throw, she had been in second place and she had a chance at first place. However, she was now in fourth place, not even eligible for any medal. There was only one throw attempt left.

She was a very experienced athlete. At such crucial moments, she forced herself to calm down and walked towards the hurling area.

*”I can do this. I can definitely do this!” Milkina knew that the only thing she could believe in was her strength.

The shot put left Milkina’s hand and easily flew past the 20-meter mark. With the naked eye, it seemed as if it fell in the 20.50-meter range. It had to be measured to see if it passed Jackson’s throw though.

Milkina looked at the surveyor expectantly. A few seconds later, the referee finally revealed an answer.

“20.51 meters!” The referee announced the final result.

Milkina looked heartbroken. She had not managed to surpass Vince Jackson’s 20.54 meters.

Adams was even more sorrowful. She was once again in fourth place. She couldn’t even manage to get a bronze medal.

By then, the only one who could outperform Vince Jackson was the famous Russian athlete, Sergeyeva. If Sergeyeva could not throw farther than 20.54 meters, then the shot put gold medal would belong to Vince Jackson.

…

Sergeyeva had been ranked in the top three shot put athletes for the past 2 years. There were even a few occasions where she would take the first place seat.

Whether it was strength, experience or technique, Sergeyeva was at the peak of her career. She feared no one in the world and the only thing that could prevent her from winning was luck.

Sergeyeva walked towards the hurling area with a solemn expression. She looked as if she was a little nervous, but the head coach of the Russia national team, Melklov, knew it wasn’t nerves. She was serious.

On her final throw, Sergeyeva felt unbelievable pressure, which she used as motivation to improve her concentration and focus.

Finally, Sergeyeva released her final throw of the current Olympic Games.

The shot put hit the ground. The mark left behind was clearly a distance past the 20.50-meter mark.

“Woooaaahhhhhh!” Sergeyeva shouted passionately. Although the referee had not announced the result, she knew that it was definitely over 20.54 meters.

“20.63 meters!” After checking several times, the referee announced the result.

A round of applause erupted from the stands of the stadium. They were congratulating Sergeyeva, as if they thought she had already won.

Melklov embraced his deputy, Ignagave. He lifted both his arms in the air and waved to the audience behind him, as if he had won the gold medal himself.

The TV camera switched from Sergeyeva, to Melklov, to Vince Jackson, and then to Dai Li. Perhaps the broadcasters wanted to capture the sad expression of the head coach of the U.S. team.

However, Dai Li only furrowed his brows a little before returning to his calm demeanor.

For Dai Li, winning the gold medal was the goal, but a silver medal wasn’t unacceptable. After all, in the women’s shot put event winning wasn’t guaranteed. The silver medal would have exceeded the target of the U.S. team before the drug scandal.

Besides, Dai Li still had one more chance to gamble. Vince Jackson might still win.

Vince Jackson stood atop the arena. All focus was on her. The shot put championship title depended on this final toss.

The one who was most nervous was, without a doubt, Sergeyeva. She felt that, although she was in the powerful position, there was nothing she could do anymore.

“Don’t worry. That American can’t beat you. Her results are too unstable. There were two times she didn’t even pass the 17-meter mark,” Melklov attempted to console his apprentice. In truth, he was also very nervous.

As soon as Melklov finished his sentence, Vince Jackson released her grip on the shot put.

Bang! The shot put hit the ground with great force.

Everyone looked towards the point of impact.

“I had a feeling. I knew that lady luck was on my side!” Dai Li was the first to smile.

Chapter 516 - Upset

Chapter 516: Chapter 516 – Upset

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The shot put clearly passed the 20.50-meter mark. However, before an official measurement was completed, there was no way to know if it had passed Serayegev’s.

Dai Li smiled. He did not actually know whether Vince Jackson’s final effort was able to surpass Sergeyeva. However, it was a result that exceeded the 20.50-meter mark. It clearly meant that it was another form of maximized performance.

Six throws. Three times her form was maximized. The 50% success rate couldn’t help but make Dai Li feel happy. It meant that the state scale was fairly practical. It was only the first day of the track and field competitions in the Olympics. There were other events such as the javelin throw, the hammer throw, long jump, h and the high jump. The state scale was suited to help in all of those events.

Of course, the condition was that the ability gap between athletes could not be too big. If the athlete couldn’t even get into the final through their strength alone, there was no helping them get a medal.

In the stadium, the referee did not immediately announce the result of that throw. As it involved the winning the gold medal, the referee was very cautious, repeatedly checking for the accuracy of the result. There was no room for error.

Finally, on the scoreboard, a number appeared. At the same time, the referee announced, “20.66 meters!”

Vince Jackson had successfully made a complete comeback in her last throw.

Applause erupted from everywhere. The audience began cheering for Vince Jackson, and the camera pointed her way. Many athletes walked towards her and hugged her as if congratulating her.

Sergeyeva looked crestfallen. The gold medal had been within her grasp but, in the blink of an eye, it had disappeared like the wind.

Melklov was doing a deep breathing exercise to suppress the wrath he felt. He wasn’t mad at his Russian athletes, nor was he mad at Russia losing a gold medal, he was angry at the strength of the U.S. team.

Melklov had initially thought that the U.S. National Track and Field Team that was affected by the performance-enhancing drug team was significantly weakened and that they had lost their competitive edge in many events. However, that wasn’t the case. At least when it came to the shot put event, he had been very wrong. The U.S. team sent out an obscure athlete that won the gold medal.

The camera stopped and focused on Vince Jackson. At that moment, the 19-year-old girl did not look excited, she looked dumbfounded. It was as if she wasn’t aware of what was happening, that she had really won an Olympic gold medal.

This was her first time entering the Olympic. Heck, it was her first time taking part in an international competition and she had won the gold medal. To Vince Jackson, it was more fantasy than reality.

She did not prepare anything to say in interviews. She was unprepared for anything related to winning the gold medal, so when the journalists flocked towards and surrounded her, she did not know what to do.

…

In the TV studio, two commentators began discussing the competition.

“I originally thought that she was participating just to gain some experience. Who’d have thought she would win and become the champion? Does this count as an upset?”

“It could be considered an upset. I’d never even heard of Vince Jackson before all of this. She never participated in any international competition, so she had zero points on the International Association of Athletics Federation table. However, she is an American athlete. I feel that when it comes to track and field, an American athlete winning the championship shouldn’t be counted as an upset.”

“That sounds about right. The U.S. is deservedly called the world’s strongest country in track and field. At first, I thought that the performance-enhancing drug scandal would negatively affect the U.S. team, but it seems that they are still showing us just how scary they are. They have far too many exceptional athletes in their country. They sent an unknown athlete out, and she became a champion.”

“This is also the first track and field gold medal for the U.S. team in this Olympics, right? Getting a gold medal on the first day of track and field events. That is certainly a good start.”

…

The CEO of the American Track and Field Association, Williams, was already in bad. He read a book and laid down, ready to rest.

“Dear, the track and field competition starts today, right?” His wife asked.

“Yup, that’s right. The track and field competition starts today,” Williams answered vaguely.

“Why aren’t you watching the games? You are the CEO. Don’t tell me you don’t care about the team?” His wife asked.

“There’s no need to watch. The current team is too weak and there aren’t that many events where the team can win a gold medal. Today is the first day of the track and field competitions, so there are only three gold medals. The U.S. team definitely won’t be getting any of them,” Williams answered.

“Then what about silver or bronze medal?” His wife continued asking.

“The silver and bronze medals are also out of reach for the U.S. team. We got nothing in the women’s 10,000 meters race walking as well as the men’s 20 kilometers race walking in the morning. In the women’s shot put final at night, we only had one unknown athlete get into the final, and it’s her first time participating in an international competition. It was an achievement that avoided elimination in the first three rounds.” Williams turned over and faced away from his wife, clearly done talking about the topic.

At that moment, a phone rang.

Williams was ready to sleep, but someone had to call and disturb him. It made him furious.

Williams looked at the caller ID on his phone. It was Frey calling.

“This bast*rd. Does he not know what time it is? This is my personal time!” Williams snorted coldly. Frey was definitely calling about work, and Williams hated talking about work-related matters on his own time.

“Hello, it’s me. What’s the matter?” Williams picked up the phone, and his tone was icy. He made his dissatisfaction clear.

However, Frey did not feel it at all. He was very enthusiastic. “Mr. Williams, good news, we made an upset! We’ve got a gold medal!”

“Upset? Gold medal? Us? You mean the U.S. national team? Or do you mean a track and field event?” Williams asked immediately.

“It’s track and field! Women’s shot put. Vince Jackson won!” Frey exclaimed.

“Vince Jackson,” Williams repeated the name once but it was unfamiliar. He subconsciously asked, “Are you telling the truth?”

“Of course! Why would I lie to you? If you turn on your TV now, you can still see the awards ceremony!” Frey said.

Williams stood up, walked towards the TV, and turned it on.

The shot put awards ceremony had just begun.

A familiar song rang about. It was the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“Oh, say can you see…”

Williams could not help but raise his voice and sing along.

Chapter 517 - Taking the Top Three

Chapter 517: Taking the Top Three

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The U.S. national team had one a gold medal and Dai slept peacefully.

The next morning, Dai Li arrived at Maracana Stadium.

The first event was the qualifier for the women’s triple jump. It began at half past nine in the morning.

In this event, the competition was tight. European, as well as North and South American countries, all had athletes with a shot at the gold medal. As such, the U.S. wasn’t definitely going to win.

In the end, one American athlete made it into the final. Her name was Mamina Kim. She was only 20 years old. She was one of the athletes who did not have the chance to take part in any competitions before being scouted by Dai Li.

As Dai Li saw Mamina Kim make the final, he decided that he would continue using the state scale in the final.

The event that followed was the preliminaries of the women’s 3,000m obstacle course.

The obstacle course was an event that the U.S. team was historically good at. However, this was almost a long-distance run and there were obstacles to overcome, so the stamina expended was around the same as the stamina expended in a 5,000m race. The two African powerhouses, Kenya and Ethiopia, were also influential in this sort of long-distance sport. Those two countries were the U.S. team’s chief opponents.

There was a total of 18 slots available for the final of the 3,000m obstacle course. As such, it wasn’t that hard to make it into the final. In the end, all three athletes from the U.S. team advanced. However, all three athletes from both Ethiopia and Kenya also made it. Apart from that, Germany and Australia both had two athletes advancing through to the final. Among the Asian countries, only an African athlete from Bahrain made it into the final.

After that, the event that used the track was the first round of the women’s 400m sprint. It was an event the Americans dominated. It was possible that they take home the gold, silver, and bronze medals. Getting through the first round was a given.

The field event happening at the same time was the men’s discus. All American athletes were eliminated in the preliminaries, so Dai Li did not pay attention to the final result of the competition.

The last track and field event of the morning was the first round of the men’s 100m sprint. The 100m sprint had always been one of the most popular events. It was also one of the events with the most contestants. Among the contestants, around one-third of them were considered B standard athletes. They would definitely be eliminated in the first round. Another third of the athletes had just reached the Olympic A standard. These athletes were also there to simply take part in the competition; they would be thankful if they made it to the second round.

American athletes were naturally there to win, especially Justin Alexander. Before he was banned, he was the world’s second fastest man. For him and all the American athletes, the first round was a warmup.

No track and field event was scheduled in the afternoon. In the evening, the preliminary of the men’s pole vault and the semi-final of the men’s 400m sprint began almost at the same time.

The men’s 400m sprint was one of the best events for the U.S. team. They had the “King of the 400m,” Jimmy Irwin, with them. The gold medal was as good as won by the U.S. team. The only unknown was whether the U.S. team would be able to take all three medals.

Franz Muller was to make his appearance in the preliminary round of the men’s pole vault. Although the German fellow did not take part in the qualifiers, his talent potential was S grade. Under Dai Li’s training, he quickly passed the six-meter mark.

The world record for men’s pole vault was 6.16m and the Olympic record was only 5.97m. A result of over six meters was enough to become an Olympic gold medalist.

Franz Muller did not let Dai Li down. He was the only one from the U.S. team to make it into the final.

The other countries were in a similar situations. For example, the traditionally strong Russian team also only had one athlete going into the final. Another country, Germany, of similar strength also only had one representative in the final. Apart from that, Czech Republic, France, Poland, and etc. all had only one athlete making it into the final. The complete list of the 12 finalists was a list of athletes from 12 different countries. That meant that no single country had an absolute advantage in this event, everyone’s strength was equal.

The event that followed was the final of the men’s long jump competition. It was an event that the U.S. team had a chance at winning. Three American representatives made it into the final.

…

The long jump event was affected by the drug scandal. Several famous long jump athletes weren’t able to participate in the current Olympic Games.

However, there were a lot of reputable long jump athletes in the U.S. Even if they were replacement athletes, they still had world-class strength. Paired with Dai Li’s training, their strength was on another level.

Moreover, Dai Li had the state scale. For sports like the long jump that recorded only the best jump out of multiple attempts, the state scale was an essential power.

Dai Li was not disappointed. After the first jump, one of the American athletes triggered a lousy condition, achieving a result of no more than 7.5m. The other two athletes triggered the incredible conditions, obtaining results of 8.38m and 8.37m respectively.

The world record for the men’s long jump was 8.95m. The Olympic record was 8.90m. However, those crazy results were the byproduct of the golden era of track and field records in the 1980s and 1990s. It was difficult for modern athletes to jump even 8.50m. A jump that passed the 8.30m mark would ensure first place in a typical international competition.

In the Olympic Games and the World Championship, the level of the athletes was undoubtedly higher than a normal international competition. However, an 8.30m jump was still an impressive feat.

One 8.38m and another 8.37m. For the athletes from other countries, these results were two critical blows to their chest. Even if they survived, they received severe internal injuries. The weaker athletes probably thought of quitting when they saw those results.

Great athletes also felt a twinge of bitterness when they saw umps that were close to 8.40m. Everyone participated with the gold medal as their target. If they could not win the gold medal, the silver medal was a good alternative. Now, the gold and silver medal were already almost out of reach. For the athletes who aimed for gold, it was a very tough pill to swallow.

With the Americans obtaining two excellent results right off the bat, the contestants from the other countries would have to utilize extreme techniques in their next five jumps. It was impossible for them to surpass those two jumps if they played it safe. There was additional pressure on these athletes because using extreme techniques mean increasing your likelihood of failing.

The athletes from other countries had no choice, they had to give it their all.Some of them would succeed and some of them would fail.

After three rounds, the best result was still the record set by the American athlete at 8.38m. The second-best result was the 8.37m set by the other American athlete. The third-ranked result was also from an American athlete, set at 8.31m. The American athlete who didn’t even make it to the 7.5m mark in the first round finally triggered a maximum condition on his third attempt, improving his result to 8.31m.

With that, the gold, silver, and bronze medals seemed to disappear from any other athletes

…

The famous long jumper from Great Britain, Rutherford, stared at the scoreboard in despair. He had just recorded an 8.33m jump, sending the previously third-ranked American into fourth place.

However, that American athlete immediately made a leap of 8.39m, leapfrogging everyone into first place.

Rutherford was brought more despair when the last American athlete to make his attempt achieved a result of 8.41m.

Rutherford felt like crying when he saw a jump that went over the 8.40m mark.

What’s wrong with the U.S. team today? Did they all grow wings? If we continue like this, the Americans will win all of the medals in long jumping. Rutherford felt immense sorrow. He lost all ambition to fight for victory.

Chapter 518 - A Bonus

Chapter 518: A Bonus

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Three American flags rose into the air at the same time in Maracana Stadium. The “Star-Spangled Banner” was played again.

The Brazilian audience in the stadium felt nothing for the song. They discussed the might and strength of the U.S.

“I saw an article that said that the U.S. team was affected by a drug scandal, and they in bad shape. It looks like that isn’t the case.”

“Don’t believe the media. When have they ever been honest? The U.S. team has already won two out of five gold medals. That is impressive.”

“The U.S. National Track and Field Team is deserves to be considered number one in the world. Even the negative effects of the performance-enhancing drug scandal, causing so many strong athletes missing the game, can’t hold them back.”

At that moment, many Americans watching the event in public venues around the U.S. cheered

The CEO of the American Track and Field Association, Williams, did not go to sleep this time. He waited in front of the TV and watched the competitions and matches of the Olympic Games.

When the three flags moved into the air, he was reminded of the Olympic Games from eight years ago. The U.S. team back then took home all three medals in the men’s 400m sprint.

“When did our long jump athletes become so strong?” Williams mumbled to himself.

Williams looked carefully at the three well-built youngsters standing on the podium. He recognized one of them and the other two looked really familiar. Obviously, the two new faces joined the U.S. team after the drug scandal.

These two youngsters that I don’t recognize were probably brought in by Dai Li. his Coach Li really has a good eye.

Williams suddenly realized he admired Dai Li.

“We shouldn’t let this Coach Li become our scapegoat. The athletes he chose have been excellent so far! If we give him another four years, our U.S. National Track and Field Team will be strong again!”

…

The three U.S. athletes covered themselves with American flags as they answered questions from journalists. Dai Li watched it all with a bright smile while praising the state scale in his mind.

The three athletes had decent abilities, but if they had performed normally they could not won all three medals. That was where the state scale helped. The nature of the long jump event also made it possible for the state scale to work its magic. With six attempts at jumping, they only had to achieve the maximum condition once.

Moreover, Dai Li’s was lucky today. Two persons achieved the maximum condition in the first jump. It instantly put immense pressure on the other athletes, helping the U.S. obtain an advantage right at the start. Victory would not have been certain if the U.S. hadn’t taken such an early lead. It was the Olympics, after all. It was the highest level of competition in the world.

As the men’s long jump final was underway, the women’s 100m sprint had just ended.

Two contestants from the U.S. team had made it into the final. All three contestants from Jamaica had made it into the final.

The final of the 100m sprint would begin in two hours.

The next event in the track and field stadium was the men’s 10,000m long distance run.

There were a total of 34 contestants in the men’s 10,000m long distance event. Almost all of the participants were Olympic A standard and most of the participating countries sent out three contestants.

The 10,000m run required teams to employ an alternating leading strategy to conserve stamina. If a country sent three athletes, it would be easy to generate a small area alternate leading strategy. If it were only one person, it would be difficult to do. Leading the pack alone would definitely result in one running out of stamina and following another athlete would result in falling into someone else’s rhythm.

The two long-distance powerhouses of Africa, Ethiopia and Kenya, were the strongest contenders for the gold. The other countries, like Uganda and Eritrea, were similar to the U.S. in strength. They were regarded as the second-tier teams.

Although the U.S. was only really behind the two African powerhouses, Dai Li did not plan on trying to win the run’s gold medal. Kenya and Ethiopia were too strong. The difference in strength was not something Dai Li could overcome in such a short amount of time.

The race went as expected. The Kenyans took both first and second place while the Ethiopians got third and fourth place. Long-distance events were still dominated by the Africans. A U.S. athlete managed to get fifth place, which was a decent result in itself.

After the men’s 10,000m race was the semi-final of the men’s 800m race. The contestants from Kenya maintained their form and all three of their athletes made it into the final. Two athletes from the U.S. also made it through. If everything went according to plan, the gold medalist would emerge after a battle between the Kenyans and the Americans.

After that was the major event of the day, the women’s 100m sprint.

…

Dai Li’s gaze turned towards a man not far away. The man’s hair and beard were all completely white. He was at least 60 years old.

“That guy is the head coach of the Jamaican team, right?” Dai Li asked the U.S. team leader, Donny, who stood beside him.

“Yeah. He’s Fraser,” Donny nodded.

It wasn’t the first time Donny was made the U.S. team leader, so he recognized many coaches from the other countries, especially from Jamaica. They were, after all, their strongest sprinting adversaries.

Coach Fraser is a legend in the world of track and field. He has groomed no less than ten world champions. Among them was the world’s fastest man, Kittel. I only graduated that year, and I knew Fraser when I was following Li Xue on the Chinese national team. Coach Li Xue really admired him. Who would have thought that only a few years later, I would have the chance to battle against him in the same arena, Dai Li thought.

At the same time, in the Jamaican camp. Fraser’s deputy saw Li. “Coach, the head coach of the U.S. team is staring at you!”

“Staring at me! Does that Chinese coach want to provoke me!” Fraser turned his face towards Dai Li and widened his eyes intentionally.

However, Frase didn’t expect Dai Li to smile at him. It was a very friendly smile.

Fraser suddenly felt as if he was punching cotton.

On the other side, Dai Li lightly tapped his chest and said to himself, “This old Jamaican man sure is aggressive!”

…

The Jamaican team was confident in that they were going to win the gold medal. To guarantee it, they dispatched both of their fastest representatives who were respectively ranked as number one and two in the world.

As for the U.S. team, their strength was significantly lessened by the drug scandal.

Everytime a doping scandal occurs in the U.S., the sprinters were the ones who felt the full brunt of the consequences. That was because performance-enhancing drugs worked best in the sprinters’ bodies. Use the 100m sprint as an example, reducing your time by 0.1 seconds was an incredible feat.

Even though two American athletes made it into the final, they still did not pose much of a threat to the Jamaicans. If the Jamaicans had only one advantage, Dai Li might have tried his luck. The Jamaican athlete might be in bad condition, and the U.S. could end up winning the gold medal. However, the Jamaican employed a double-insurance tactic, so Dai Li decided to not challenge the Jamaican team.

The result was as predicted. The Jamaicans won both the gold and silver medal. An American athlete managed to get a bronze medal. It was still a pretty fruitful result.

…

“We managed to win one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Not bad,” Dai Li was pretty satisfied with the results for the day. He stretched and prepared to return to the hotel.

At that moment, on the big screen of Maracana Stadium, a list of participants in the next sporting event appeared.

“Oh, I almost forgot that there is a women’s heptathlon. After this event ends, the gold medalist of the women’s heptathlon will be awarded. American athletes are participating in this race, so I should wait for it to be over before I go back to the hotel.”

Dai Li didn’t pay much attention to the men’s decathlon or the women’s heptathlon. The two events were important, just too complicated. Dai Li did not put much effort into them.

When Dai Li took over the U.S. national team, the Olympic Games was only one month away. Many of the new and younger athletes in the national team needed training, and they needed to improve quickly. It was impossible for Dai Li to focus too much on the decathlon and heptathlon events. The men’s decathlon included a 100m sprint, the long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m sprint, 110m hurdles, the discus, the pole vault, javelin throw, and 1,500m run. A total of 10 events. The amount of time and resources spent on an athlete’s decathlon training would have been similar to the amount of time and resources used on ten separate athletes in ten separate events. If Dai Li focused on ten instead of one, he would get more gold medals.

The training process for a decathlon event was a cumulation of training effects, it wasn’t something one could improve quickly through short and targeted training.

If it were a single event, like the 110m hurdle, adjusting and targeting weaknesses could have helped an athlete become better

However, the result of a decathlon was the accumulation of several individual events. An improvement in a single event was less significant. It definitely couldn’t help an athlete become that much better.

In modern sports, athletes were becoming more professional every day. The number of track and field athletes with multiple events kept on decreasing. In the 1980s and 1990s, there were a lot of sprinters who were also long jumpers. Even at the beginning of the 2000s, there were a lot of long jumpers who also participated in the triple jump. However, nowadays, barely any athletes that took part in multiple events. The only ones who survived were runners who participated in multiple running events. The race walker of 20km and 50km. They were likely the only survivors.

An athlete might have great talent. However, focus and vigor are limited. To achieve world-class success in a sport was already difficult enough. To become world-class in multiple events was almost impossible. As such, the the decathlon was extremely difficult.

The developed Western countries were the traditional powerhouses of the decathlons. The sport tested the overall abilities of an athlete, including the athlete’s speed, explosiveness, strength, flexibility, jumping ability, endurance,and balance. Caucasians had a natural advantage. Their explosiveness, jumping ability, and endurance were better than Asians’, and their flexibility, balance, and strength were also greater than Africans’. They were well-suited to the kind of sport that tested one’s overall ability.

…

The sequence of the women’s heptathlon began with the 100m hurdles. It was followed by the high jump, shot put, 200m sprint, long jump, javelin throw, and the 800m run. All the events would be completed within two days. Among them, the high jump, long jump, shot put, and javelin throw, the field events, gave every contestant three attempts. It was different from the six attempts normally given.

After completing every event, the athlete received scores based on the results from the respective event. Take the shot put event as an example, the scores for a 20-meter result and a 19-meter result were completely different. Even if an athlete ranked first in the shot put event, if the result wasn’t good enough, the score would still be low. In the same sense, even if athletes ranked far from each other, as long as the result was good enough, the athlete would get a high score.

The final score was the key to deciding the victor. The system made it so that if one were to flop in an event, as long as the scores for the other events were good enough, the athlete could still manage to make a comeback.

Now, the only event left was the 800m run.

Once the competition reached this stage, people would have a clue as to which athletes were possible winners. The score between athletes widened. Only the ones whose scores were in front had a chance of winning.

The person currently in the lead was a contestant from the Ukraine. Her score was 5838. In second was a German athlete with a score of 5777. Following her was an American athlete who had a score of 5702. The fourth-ranked athlete was a Russian, she had a score of 5650. These athletes were within 200 points of the first-ranked athlete, so they were still in the fight for gold.

The fifth-ranked athlete had a score of 5614. The difference in this score exceeded 200 points. It would be extremely difficult to turn the tables, but going for a medal was still possible.

The last event of the women’s heptathlon was the 800m run.

The 800m run had certain rules. In the first 100m, athletes had to run in their respective tracks, but after they could start moving into the innermost track. If the lead runner ran fast, the athletes scores would be better. If the lead runner was slow, the scores of the athletes would be worse.

In the women’s decathlon, the 800m race was scheduled to be the last event. Moreover, the groupings were done based on scores. The best eight would be placed in the same group. That way, they wouldn’t unnecessarily lose points in the end because of the speed difference between the lead runners in each respective group.

It was the same in the men’s decathlon. The 1,500m race did not require runners to be separated into individual tracks, so it was arranged to be the last event. Similarly, the athletes with the highest score would be grouped together.

The first to appear were the eight athletes with the lowest scores.

“It’s not unreasonable these eight are ranked last. It is apparent from their 800m result alone. The best time among them was two minutes and 14 seconds.” Dai Li shook his head slightly as he looked at the results of the contestants.

The contestants of heptathlons and decathlons naturally could not be better than athletes who specialized in the single event. The result of the last eight was even worse. If it were a female athlete who trained specifically for the 800m run, they would make it within two minutes.

The second round of athletes appeared. They fared better, the best result was two minutes and 13.65 seconds. Afterward, the athletes of the third round appeared. The lead runner kept suppressing her speed. The best result for that group was surprisingly over two minutes and 15 seconds.

The fourth group consisted of athletes ranging from ninth to sixteenth place. Theoretically, if their results were good enough, they still had a chance of winning a medal, so this group battled. Several athletes made it in two minutes and ten seconds. The first-ranked athlete even ran two minutes and 8.55 seconds. Based on the scoring, she would receive more than 980 points.

Finally, it was time for the top eight to make their appearance.

Dai Li used a morale-boosting book on the American athlete before spectating the race in peace. Although the American athlete was ranked third, she was behind the first placed athlete by 136 points. It wasn’t an easily surpassable gap.

However, the contestant from Ukraine wasn’t that great in the 800m run. At the end of the race, she was actually in last place.

Was she conserving her strength intentionally? That’s a possibility. After all, she leads second place by 61 points and third place by 136 points, looking for stability is normal, Dai Li thought.

However, after around a minute, Dai Li discovered that his judgment was wrong. The contestant from Ukraine was really not good at the 800m run.

In contrast to that, the American contestant was constantly positioned within the top three.

“We have a chance!” Dai Li realized.

The contestants went into the final straight of the track and began their dash. Dai Li couldn’t help but stand up and cheer for his team member.

Finally, the first one to the finish line was the Russian. Her time was two minutes and 6.50 seconds. The American was close behind her, with a time of two minutes and 7.34 seconds. The difference between the two was only 0.84 seconds, and the difference between their score was 52 points.

Two minutes and 7.34 seconds. That’s almost 1000 points. The Russian was quicker than us by 0.84 seconds, that shouldn’t be a 52 point advantage. The final score of the Russian should not be enough to surpass the U.S. Dai Li made the judgment immediately.

Now, what Dai Li cared about was the times of the second-ranked German and first-ranked Ukrainian. The German in second place led the U.S. by 75 points, and the first-placed Ukrainian led the U.S. by 136 points.

The German contestant had a horrible time. it was two minutes and 15.21 seconds. She was not good at the 800m race.

Two minutes and 15.21 seconds. Based on the scores from the previous rounds that should even reach 900 points. We just need 975 points to surpass the Germans, Dai Li counted in a flash in his mind.

Just now, I estimated that our athlete should have around 1000 points. If I’m right, we should beat the German, and we should be in second place.

Dai Li calculated all of that quickly. At that moment, the first-ranked Ukrainian athlete made it past the finish line. She was still in last place. Her result was two minutes and 17.72 seconds.

The gap between us and Ukraine was 136 points. The Ukrainian’s result is two minutes and 17.72 seconds. That should be between 850 to 870 points. If our athlete manages to get 1000 points, then this Ukrainian only needs 865 points to become the champion!

As Dai Li reached that conclusion, he became slightly nervous. The final result was not out. He did not know if his athlete could surpass the Ukrainian and become the champion. He looked towards the big screen anxiously.

The results of the athletes were converted into scores and appeared on the big screen.

Two minutes and 7.34 seconds. 1004 points, our final score is 6706 points!

The German’s result, two minutes and 15.21 seconds, got her 890 points. Her final score is 6667 points. Fewer than us!

The Ukrainian only finished the race in two minutes and 17.72 seconds. She got 855 points, so her final score is 6693 points. That’s 13 points fewer than us! We’ve won!

Dai Li clenched both his fists in excitement.

He never would have thought that the U.S. team would get another gold medal that day.

It was a bonus!

Chapter 519 - Things to Protect

Chapter 519: Things to Protect

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

There were five medal ceremonies on the second day of the track and field events. The U.S. team won two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals that day. It was a good haul.

In summary, so far the U.S. had won a total of three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. One could argue their performances were flawless. Even the most critical audience would give the U.S. team a perfect score.

However, the track and field events had only just begun. There were eight more days to go, and only eight out of 47 gold medals had been won. It was a small amount considering how many were left. The U.S. team still had a long way to go.

The third day of the track and field events started. In the morning,there were no events scheduled in the main stadium. The only track and field event was the women’s marathon, which was underway outside on the streets.

The women’s marathon was another event the two long-distance running powerhouse nations from Africa dominated. It was once again a competition between Kenya and Ethiopia. Although the other countries sent out strong competitors,, they still did not have the strength to snatch the gold away from the two long-distance running powerhouses of Africa.

At night, the first event in which a medal would be given out was the women’s triple jump. One U.S. athlete made it into the final.

Dai Li went about his old tricks once again. He used the state scale again but, this time, Dai Li’s luck was not as good. The first two jumps both triggered the terrible condition and the best result of the U.S. athlete was only 13.93m.

Do I want to take another chance? If the next attempt is terrible, then she won’t even make it into the top eight, and the remaining three chances will be gone.”

Dai Li hesitated for a moment before finally removing the state scale. He decided to let the athlete get a safe result to at least get into the top eight.

This time, the U.S. contestant jumped 14.33m, putting herself in the top eight and getting three more chances.

Dai Li had more chances to try his luck. He used the state scale on the athlete again. However, luck was not on his side. In her following three attempts, the U.S. athlete only managed to trigger the maximum state condition once and the other two attempts were terrible.

It dissatisfied Dai Li. In five attempts, he only managed to achieve a maximum state once. The other four times were terrible states.

This state scale is truly a double-edged sword! Dai Li sighed in resignation. He looked at the result sheet. The final result of the U.S. athlete was 14.88m, third place. She got a bronze medal.

I’ve already managed to win two gold medals from the women’s shot put and the men’s long jump events using the state scale. The return I’ve got from the state scale is good enough. Although we didn’t get a gold medal this time, a bronze medal is better than nothing. Dai Li consoled himself.

At the same time of the final in women’s triple jump, the semi-final of the men’s 100m sprint was underway. Justin Alexander was in the stadium.

Alexander was an athlete that Dai Li had trained personally. As such, Dai Li had great confidence in Alexander’s strength. Dai Li believed that Alexander would win the men’s 100m sprint, even if he had strong Jamaicans opponents.

Alexander did not let Dai Li down. He advanced as the first in his group.

After the semi-final of the men’s 100m sprint ended, the next event on the track was the semi-final of the women’s 1,500m run. That was followeds the high-profile final of the men’s 400m sprint.

It was one of the events the U.S. team was best in. The U.S. team had three spots in the final.

A lot of the U.S. audience had already taken out their Jimmy Irwin signs. They wer waiting for the king of the 400m sprint to get his fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

The contestants walked out of the tunnel separately and began preparing for the race. Dai Li used the detector on each of the athletes in the final. His face froze when he used his detector on an African athlete from South Africa.

Grade S+ talent potential! This guy has a value of 900. Who is this guy! Was there someone this amazing among the contestants? Why has no one paid attention to this person before? Dai Li frantically searched and looked for information on this athlete.

South African representative, Nick Zouma. 21 years old. First time taking part in the Olympics. Never took part in the World Championship in Athletics. He has also never participated in the IAAF Grand Prix or the diamond league. The only international competition he competed in was the Commonwealth Games. He got a bronze medal.

Dai Li stared at the South African guy as he grew cautious.

This South African will definitely threaten Irwin, I better let him know.

Dai Li moved to Irwin’s side and said, “Jimmy, do you see that South African?”

“I don’t know him,” Irwin answered.

“Be careful of that guy. He is strong. He might threaten you,” Dai Li said.

Irwin’s immediately felt weird. As the king of the 400m sprint, he had absolutely no reason to look at an athlete that he did not even know. The guy looked like a rookie.

However,words from Dai Li’s mouth had to be taken seriously. Irwin knew deep down that his coach had amazing insight. Since Dai Li said the South African was strong, Irwin would not take him lightly.

…

Irwin had a mix of emotions as he readied himself for another final in the Olympics.

This will be my final Olympics. The thought flashed through Irwin’s mind. He then shook his head.

I thought the exact same thing four years ago! However, four years later, I’m still here. Time sure enjoys making fun of people!

The sound of the referee’s reminder to the athletes reached his ear. Irwin prepared and went to his starting position.

This time is really my last Olympics. In four years’ time, I probably wouldn’t be able to run anymore.

As the gun sounded, the race officially began.

Irwin started smoothly. He quickly moved into the rhythm he excelled at. However, his thoughts fell into past memories. His past experience in the Olympic Games fragmented into different parts and ran through his mind.

He remembered a decade ago when he was a youngster in his first Olympics. As a Caucasian athlete competing in an event dominated by black athletes, no one thought he would win. However, he was crowned the champion. The media used the word “upset” to describe it because he was Caucasian. A Caucasian winning the 400m sprint, was considered shocking.

Most media outlets said that he had gotten lucky. A lot of sports critics said that he was a one-hit wonder. However, in the Olympics four years later, he did it again and became the Olympic champion of the 400m sprint. From that day onwards, he didn’t lose 400m sprint.

Everyone in the stadium stood up and a cacophony of cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. People lifted signs showing their support and waved large posters of him in the air. Some even waved American flags. To Irwin, the scene was familiar.

The Olympics four years ago was just like this. Everyone cheered for me. Everyone hoped that I would get three consecutive championships and create a new era. Back then, I succeeded! I became the winner of the Olympics and revelled in glory…

My old self fought for glory, but what about now? What am I fighting for? To get another win and create history? Is there a big difference between three consecutive wins and four consecutive wins?

If my investment in shale oils hadn’t failed, I wouldn’t have come back. I should be at home right now with a glass of champagne in my hands. I should be watching TV, talking about other athletes. Maybe I’d return to ESPN and be a part-time commentator.

Irwin’s thoughts were suddenly chaotic. He was still able to maintain his rhythm and speed.

Running had already become second nature. It was his instinct, even if his thoughts stopped, his body would automatically keep running.

I’m still in a race and it’s the final of the Olympics. What nonsense am I thinking about? Why did I bring up such terrible issues in my mind!”

Irwin’s focus returned to the race track. By then, he was about to enter the straight track for the final dash.

I’m in the lead. When I get this gold medal, the sponsors will keep their promise and provide me with a bonus. New sponsors swarm me and I will be as busy as before.

Irwin was the first to enter the final stretch of straight track. He began to accelerate into his final dash.

However, a shadow suddenly appeared beside him.

Someone has caught up to me! Irwin was shocked. He turned his head slightly and saw an unfamiliar face and a green uniform.

Green. It should be an African country. It’s that young South African! Coach Li reminded me to keep an eye on him. Irwin remembered Dai Li’s warning before the race.

The next second, the young South African, Zouma, passed Irwin.

“Oooooooooooh…” A flurry of panicked sounds emerged from the stands. No one would have imagined the great king of the 400m sprint could be overtaken by some unknown contestant in the final dash.

…

I’ve overtaken Irwin! Nick Zouma’s mind suddenly went blank.

Zouma suddenly realized that he had a chance of winning. It was possible for him to beat Irwin, to dethrone the king of the 400m sprint!

More than a decade ago, when Irwin first took part in the Olympics, he was like me. He was just an unknown person. He stepped over various veterans and succeeded in becoming the best in the 400m sprint.

Today, I can replicate that moment. I will become the second Jimmy Irwin. I will become the new king of the 400m sprint!”

No, I don’t want to become the second Jimmy Irwin. I am me. I don’t want to be the clone of someone else. I want to be myself! I want to surpass Jimmy Irwin! I want the records to be filled with my name!”

At that moment, Zouma’s heart burned with passion. His entire body flooded with energy. He used all his strength to rush towards the finish line just over a dozen meters away.

…

Am I going to lose? Irwin suddenly did not know what to do.

The moment Zouma overtook him, Irwin finally panicked. It was a panic he had not felt in a long time.

He was the king of the 400m sprint. He had never lost in any of the important races. None of his opponents ever made him panic.

However, right now, the young South African had done it. He let Irwin see the possibility of losing.

I had this feeling a few months ago, but it wasn’t in a race. It was when oil prices fell. I almost lost all of my assets. I panicked back then! I was really worried that I would go bankrupt. My mansion, my cars, my yacht. All of my possessions would be taken by the bank. I would have nothing left. I would lose my life… That’s why I chose to return here because I don’t want to lose everything!

At that moment, Irwin suddenly understood why he chose to return to the sports arena. To compete against athletes who were over ten years younger than him for the championship. It wasn’t his desire for glory, it was because he didn’t want to lose all his money!

Irwin had grown up in a middle-class family. After he became famous in his youth, his wealth accumulated. He had never been poor, not even for a single day. He did not know how to live a life of poverty.

Irwin was not like other sports stars who had lived in poverty. His middle-class family had shielded him from issues that arose from money problems.

The current Irwin had already won a good number of championships. He had received way too much glory. He had grown numb to the applause and the praise tired his ear. The championship, the glory, the title of the king of the 400m sprint, those were not the things Irwin desired.

What he wanted most was to enjoy a comfortable and worry-free life.It just so happened he needed money to maintain that dream.

If Irwin lost that race, he would not receive the bonus provided by the sponsors. The amount of advertisement and endorsement deals would decrease. Although the remaining advertisement and endorsement fees would be enough for him to live his remaining life in comfort, his quality of life would decrease significantly.

I’ve always known what I was fighting for! It’s not glory, applause, or fame. It is the way of life I desire! A life of freedom! I have to protect my life! That is also something that I must protect.

Irwin suddenly felt a sense of enlightenment. He found a direction. He found a target for his effort. He found something he needed to protect.

Irwin was no longer confused. He looked straight at the finish line in front of him and became unbelievably determined. His entire demeanor and aura were completely changed.

His speed increased. With his breathing technique alone, he caught up with the South African youngster, Zouma. They ran shoulder to shoulder.

…

Irwin has caught up again! It’s the last 100m dash, so this is when Irwin is at his strongest. However, I will not lose. Zouma did not retreat. Instead, a fire lit up in his heart. He wanted to defeat Irwin.

Zouma turned his head slightly. He wanted to check just how fast Irwin was going. However, he realized there was an immense energy emanating from his opponent.

At that moment, Zouma hallucinated. He thought that he was running against a giant. He was terrified.

How is this possible? Why am I so scared? Zouma thought.

It was the first time Zouma had been in this situation. He was separated by two lanes from Irwin. However, the energy from Irwin made him feel like he was suffocating.

That was the imposing aura of Irwin. It was the energy of the conqueror of the 400m event. It was the special demeanor that was accumulated by winning multiple races.

He used it to inform the challengers that this was his territory. Here, he was king!

Another second passed. Irwin overtook Zouma.

Zouma did not resign to his fate. However, the current Irwin already understood and knew what he wanted to protect. He gave it his all to do so.

…

“Irwin is in the lead and the gap is gradually getting wider. Looks like there’s no doubt anymore. He has passed the finish line! Irwin has won. Congratulations Irwin, a historical four consecutive wins in four Olympics!”

The commentator exclaimed in a loud voice, which was quickly drowned out by the audience.

Dai Li let out a breath. When Zouma overtook Irwin, he had really worried that Irwin would lose the race.

That scared the sh*t out of me. I really thought Irwin would lose. However, this South African youngster really is something. Grade S+ talent potential. I’m sure after Irwin retires, he will become the new conqueror of the men’s 400m sprint.

Chapter 520 - The Pursuit of Victory

Chapter 520: The Pursuit of Victory

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Irwin did not disappoint his fans and he was crowned the champion of the men’s 400m sprint.

The South African youngster, Nick Zouma, got the silver medal. The bronze medal went to another U.S. athlete.

On that day of the competition, the U.S. team had already won a gold medal and two bronze medals. The upcoming event was another important one. It was the men’s 100m sprint.

The previous fastest man in the world had retired. The world record he left behind was unlikely to be broken within the decade. This race was going to determine who was the new fastest man in the world.

As the defending champions in the event, the Jamaican team was in a good place. Three of their athletes had made it into the final. Their objective was to keep the gold medal in Jamaica.

Although the U.S. team had been hurt by the drug scandal, two of their athletes still made it into the final. Among them was the world’s second fastest man, Justin Alexander.

Although all three of their athletes made it into the final, the head coach of the Jamaica team, Fraser, was not relaxed. He was careful, especially when it came to Alexander.

The assistant beside him looked at Fraser with wonder. It had been a long time since he witnessed such a solemn expression on Fraser’s face.

“Coach, are you worried about Alexander? He has been banned for almost five years. That means that he hasn’t ran in any international competition for five years. Perhaps he has gotten worse,” the assistant said.

“It is not an easy feat to make it through the U.S. qualifier. Besides, Alexander ran within 9.9 seconds in the U.S. Do you think that he won’t do better now?” Fraser took a deep breath and continued. “I’m not only worried about Justin Alexander, but the entire U.S. team.”

“Coach, I don’t quite understand,” the assistant sai, dumbfounded.

“I used to believe that this U.S. team was the weakest the country ever had. Of course, everyone thought the same. However,, this U.S. team is strong. They won a gold medal on the first day. You could say that it was luck, but they have gotten some since then as well. Do you think they are really just lucky? It has only been three days since the start of the track and field events and the U.S. team has already won four gold medals. They have exceeded all expectation,” Fraser stated.

“Perhaps it’s because all the events that the U.S. team is good in are concentrated in these first few days,” the assistant said.

“Then why don’t you tell me which events the U.S. team are weak in?” Fraser asked with disdain.

The assistant was speechless. As the world’s strongest country in track and field, the U.S. did not have any weak events. Even in long-distance running, the U.S. team was second only to Ethiopia and Kenya.

Fraser then said, “The media may still be saying the U.S. team is weak, but I believe that any head coach could see that the U.S. team is still amazingly strong. That Chinese coach of the U.S. team is no simple man. To lead the U.S. team and achieve this kind of result, means we’ve underestimated him since the beginning. A non-American coach, and a Chinese one at that. He must have some kind of special ability.”

As Fraser said this, he looked towards Dai Li. His gaze was firm. He then changed his tone and said, “But I still believe that victory belongs to us!”

…

The Jamaican athlete, McNea, stood on the race tracks. He rubbed the soles of his shoes against the track to decrease his anxiety.

McNea was currently the strongest 100m sprinter in the Jamaican team. He had to take over for Kittel.

It wasn’t McNea’s first time in the Olympics. Four years ago, he had participated in the Games. He also made it into the final back then.

Back then, everyone had their eyes on the world’s fastest man, Kittel. The McNea back then was but a supporting character that didn’t really matter.

In truth, to be a sprinter in the same generation with Kittel was unfortunate, even more so if you were one of his teammates. Actually, McNea was exceptional. He had worked hard but, no matter how hard he tried, he was only a supporting character.

McNea did not want to be a supporting character, he wanted to become the main character, the focus of the stadium.

Today, without Kittel, McNea finally had the chance to become the hero.

“This time, we don’t have Kittel. I will lead the Jamaican team in this event!” McNea clenched his fist tightly.

Jamaica needed to tell everyone that even without the world’s fastest man, Jamaica was still number one when it came to sprinting! Jamaica would produce a new world’s fastest man.

McNea had decided long ago that he would voluntarily bear this burden. That was the reason he had to win!

…

Another Jamaican athlete, Bartlett was also very nervous. However, he was also excited.

It was Bartlett’s first Olympics. He had not slept last night because he had been so anxious.

In Jamaica, any exceptional young sprinter would receive the nickname, “Kittel’s successor.” That nickname had been stuck on Bartlett for more than a decade.

Every Jamaican child saw Kittel as a role model. They hoped to become the next Kittel. Bartlett was the same. When Bartlett was still a kid, he began practicing. He displayed great talent very quickly and started formally training. He stood out in competitions of various age groups. Ultimately, he made it onto the Jamaican national team.

On the Jamaican national team, he met dozens more like him. Of course, he also met Kittel himself. Later, Bartlett defeated his opponents and rivals one by one. He told everyone that he was the real successor to Kittel. He climbed over anyone he had to in order to participate in more and more international competitions, including the current Olympic Games.

Kittel has retired. I will become the second Kittel! I want to become the new fastest man!

Bartlett’s obsession grew stronger as he got older. Since he was young, people had called him Kittel’s successor However, in Jamaica, too many people were told that. Today, he would prove to the world that he was the one who truly deserved the title

Kittel, you should be watching this race in front of a TV, right? I’ll let you know. I’ll let the world know that I’m the most qualified person to be the next you!

…

Alexander breathed in deeply.

The final of the Olympics, what a familiar scent!

It was the second time Alexander had been in the Olympics. His previous outing was eight years ago.

Alexander was banned four years ago and lost a chance to challenge Kittel.

It’s been eight years. I’m finally back, but the people from back then have since left the competitive arena. Alexander looked around him. There were a lot of fresh faces.

In the five years Alexander was banned, he had missed one Olympics and one World Championship in Athletics. For a sport like sprinting, an athlete’s prime was very short, so five years was enough to see two generations of athletes go by.

The athletes who were present in the first Olympic Games that Alexander had participated eight years ago were nowhere to be seen in the stadium today. Even counting the athletes who were present when Alexander was banned five years ago, only two of them were present at the race today.

Among them included McNea from the Jamaican team. However, five years ago, McNea was just a fresh young athlete, so he had posed no threat to Alexander. Back then, in Alexander’s eyes, McNea was only an extra. However, today, McNea had become the best on the Jamaican team.

Seeing the energetic youngsters that surrounded him, Alexander suddenly realized how time had discriminated against him.

A five year ban. I’ve missed too many things and I’ve lost way more. Today, I’ll start to make up for it all!

Alexander stood on the starting block. His movements seemed slow and structured, structured like the movements of a robot. He looked serious, as if in the middle of a holy ritual.

Perhaps to everyone else, I’m still the guy who used performance-enhancing drugs to improve my results. I’m still an immoral cheater. I will prove that my glory is not reliant on prohibited drugs. Even without drugs, I will become the best in the stadium.

Alexander took a deep breath and looked towards the track in front of him. He lowered his head and prepared himself for the race to start.

…

Dai Li looked at the eight contestants lined up at the starting line and said, “That young Jamaican called Bartlett, he has more potential than McNea. He’s got the better chance.”

“Oh?” The team leader, Donny, looked towards Bartlett and said, “McNea is the top sprinter on the Jamaican team. Besides, his results have been good. He ran within 9.90 seconds a few times this year. I thought you would look more favorably on McNea!”

“In truth, the person I favor the most is still Alexander,” Dai Li smiled. He then said, “Alexander is the athlete I trained personally. I fully understand his strength. Although Alexander is older than the other athletes, his condition is well-maintained and he isn’t any weaker than those youngsters. I’m a little sad I didn’t meet him sooner. If l had maybe he’d be the fastest man in the world and not Kittel.”

Donny did not reply. He had long become used to Dai Li’s confidence. Donny realized that the coach’s predictions often came to pass. He was a little upset but, after a while, Donny’s temper disappeared. He used his silence to display his attitude.

What Dai Li said was true. Compared to Irwin, Dai Li had not used the age-reduction card on Alexander, because he didn’t have to.

Dai Li attributed it to luck. It was just like how some people naturally look younger than others, while some naturally look more mature. Alexander might have been the kind of person whose body aged slower than normal athletes’. Although he was already over 30 years old, he still had the body of a younger person.

At that moment, the referee gave the command for them to get in position. The athletes were prepared to take off.

As the gunshot rang, all the athletes rushed away from the starting line almost at the same time. In the next second, the big screen showed the reaction time at the start of each of the athlete.

Alexander’s reaction time was 0.155 seconds. It was the second last.Bartlett had the fastest starting time, O.128.

Alexander had really aged. His reaction time was slower than younger athletes’. However, Bartlett’s reaction time of 0.128 seconds wasn’t in reaction to the gun, it was more like he had tried to beat the gun.

Beating the gun is a type of sprinting tactic. The athlete would attempt to get used to the rhythm of the referee’s command and, based on the rhythm, attempt to start at the moment the gunshot rings. As for starting after hearing the gunshot, it would be the body reacting. The difference between the two was an interval of .03 seconds, it can be said to be irrelevant. However, to a world-class sprinter, even 0.01 seconds matters.

In the past, when it came to sprintin, the rule regarding the start was that the second athlete attempting to beat the gun would be sent off. So many athletes were choosing to try to beat the gun so that they would gain an advantage. Some athletes even attempted to beat the gun intentionally just to disrupt the rhythm of their opponents and to get used to the rhythm of the referee.

However, the rules of track and field were changed. If an athlete attempted to beat the gun, they would be sent off. This greatly reduced the number of situations where athletes attempted to beat the gun, so the number of athletes who employed the tactic also decreased. To take the risk of getting sent off just to gain an advantage of a few tenths of a second was not worth it.

Although Alexander’s start was slower, he was even faster than the other younger athletes.

After 50m, the distance between the eight athletes began to widen.

By the time they reached the 70m mark, the group in the lead had become apparent. They were Alexander, McNea, and Bartlett.

…

This old bastard, Alexander. He’s already over thirty years old, how is he still so fast! McNea couldn’t help but complain to himself.

In the World Championship six years ago, McNea had the chance to meet Alexander in the final. However, McNea was new to the Jamaican team back then, so he wasn’t given the opportunity. Kittel had battled against Alexander instead.

Now, Kittel had retired. Alexander, a guy who was a few months older than Kittel, was still in the race. Moreover, he was not any slower than when he was younger.

I can’t lose, I am the best sprinter on the Jamaican team. I have to carry the team!

At that moment, the responsibility felt like an enormous mountain on McNea’s shoulders. McNea suddenly imagine that he was hiking up a mountain. It was as if he was not running on a track, but on a slope.

On the other side, Bartlett also felt a formless pressure. The pressure had become more powerful than the excitement in his heart.

It was the final of the Olympic Games, after all. The closer they got, the more pressure was on them. It was especially clear when everyone in the stands stood up and cheered. Tens of thousands of people watching you could make anyone nervous.

Perhaps the athletes with a lower ranking would feel less pressure because no matter what they did, they would not get a medal. For the ones in the lead, the pressure was much greater.

Bartlett was in the leading group, and he felt his desire to win and his fear of defeat getting stronger. However, his spirit that had once demanded victory began to waver.

…

Alexander did not take notice of his opponents at all. When there was less than 30m left before reaching the finish line, Alexander was chasing after a shadow.

That shadow was the world’s fastest man, Kittel.

At that moment, Alexander felt as if he had gone back in time. In the old days, he had run shoulder to shoulder with Kittel, but Kittel always passed him at the last second.

He had challenged Kittel again and again, and he had failed again and again. However, Alexander never gave up. To defeat Kittel, he had even agreed to Sebastian’s suggestion and used prohibited drugs. For that, he had paid a hefty price.

Vaguely, Alexander also had a vision. Kittel was beside him. He was on the race track right beside him. That huge shadowy figure was going to overtake him again.

No! Alexander screamed in his mind.

Regret and dissatisfaction filled Alexander’s mind. Memories of each of his defeats were so vivid, they gave Alexander the impression that he was actually there.

Alexander was feeling sad for himself. In the end, he did not defeat Kittel, and now Kittel had retired and set a world record no one could beat. Alexander no longer had a chance to compete against him.

At that moment, Alexander’s thoughts returned to reality. The illusion of being overtaken by Kittel disappeared. Alexander noticed that the huge shadowy figure was not on the track.

Kittel has already retired, and he created a wall I cannot surpass!

As he realized that, Alexander suddenly felt uncontrollable rage. He needed to vent his emotion, he wanted to vent crazily.

The only target for his wrath was the race track beneath his feet.

At that moment, Alexander made his last dash. That dash was not only for the gold medal, but it was an explosion of the emotion from his heart.

There was dissatisfaction, disappointment, sorrow, and also wrath.

These emotions he had accumulated over the years were all released in that instant. They became the force that pushed him forward.

…

At the moment of his last dash, McNea and Bartlett were both burdened by pressure, but Alexander was instead releasing his emotion.

At that moment, the difference became clear and the winner was obvious.

Alexander stood out. He left McNea and Bartlett in the dust and dashed towards the finish line!

Chapter 521 - Two World Champions and One Newbie

Chapter 521: Two World Champions and One Newbie

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Justin Alexander crossed the finish line!” The live commentator was excited, and the timer stopped at 9.78 seconds.

“9.78 seconds. Justin Alexander just ran the best time in the 100m sprint this year! And it’s the first score within 9.80 seconds after Gittell’s retirement!” said the commentator excitedly.

To win with a time within 9.80 seconds made Alexander’s Olympic gold medal even more precious.

Alexander didn’t laugh out loud after he crossed the finish line. He didn’t even look excited. He hit his own chest with his right hand and shouted out as if he couldn’t express himself accurately.

Macnee of the Jamaica team seemed to be driven out of mind. For him, it was a disaster that Jamaica didn’t win this race again. As the top sprinter on the team, he felt guilty.

“We lost and I am the one to blame,” Coach Fraser said in low voice.

“Coach, it’s neither your fault nor ours. That Alexander ran too fast. He ran within 9.80 seconds. No one could beat him and take the gold medal unless Gittell had come back,” his assistant said.

“What we need to do now is show the world that Gittell is not irreplaceable. We must tell the world that Jamaica is still the No. 1 sprinting superpower in the world even without Gittell!” Frazer said and, suddenly, he sighed, “Unfortunately, we failed. We lost the 100m sprint gold medal. Maybe the world will see Jamaica as nothing without Gittell!”

“Sir, we lost only one important gold medal. The 200m sprint and the relay race are on the way. We still have four gold medals to fight for. We can still prove to the world that Jamaica is the most powerful country in the field of sprinting if we get the four gold medals smoothly,” added the assistant.

The assistant’s words made Fraser refreshed. He regained courage and said, “Yes, you’re right. This isn’t over. We must get the other four gold medals!”

…

“Congratulations, Coach Li! You helped the American national team win the gold medal of the 100m sprint again. America has not won the gold medal of men’s 100m sprint in the last three Olympics. The last time we won this gold medal was 16 years ago!” Downey said, clearly excited.

“Well, we worked so hard to get this gold medal,” Dai Li said with satisfaction, looking at Alexander who was still celebrating the victory near the finish line.

Dai Li knew that Alexander faced many obstacles to get this gold medal. His continuous challenge to Gittell, the ban in the prime of his life, and coming back to track and field in his thirties had all been difficult. It all paid off though.

He hadn’t beat Gittell, but right now he was on top of the world.

“We’ve taken the gold medal of the 100m sprint. Today we have won two gold and two silver medals in total. Today is a great day.” Dai Li was happy.

There had been four competitions that day and the American team, led by Dai Li, had won two of them. This was indeed an excellent achievement.

…

The CEO of the U.S. Track and Field Associations, Williams, didn’t miss any race that day.

Even when the last program, men’s 100m sprint’s final, and the following award ceremony had all finished, Williams still sat in front of the TV, gazing at the screen.

After a long time, he sighed deeply and spoke to himself. “Finally, we got the Olympic gold medal of men’s 100m sprint again after 16 years.”

The gold medal of men’s 100m sprint meant a lot to America’s track and field team.

The fastest man in 100m sprint was also considered the fastest man in the world. This title meant not only a gold medal or glory, but also a world record. Men’s 100m sprint was the most influential track and field program.

America had ruled men’s 100m sprint for the last several decades. Many “flying men” were Americans. Americans had always kept the world record of the 100m sprint before the rise of Gittell from Jamaica that ended the American rule and kept Americans away from the Olympic gold medals of the 100m sprint for a dozen years.

An U.S. National Track and Field Team without a world champion of the 100m sprint was like an empty dumpling that was tasteless. It lost the most important part.

The need to get a world-class championship in the men’s 100m sprint had always burdened Williams. America signified to him that the country was once again the best at track and field.

It is the fifth gold medal of the track and field team. This year’s team, which is weaker than those of previous years, got five gold medals in three days of competitions. What an achievement! Dai Li’s training is great! Maybe the schedule has to be changed. The press conference that is going to blame him for the failure might be changed to a celebration party for him!

…

It was the fourth day of the Olympic track and field games. There were still many discussions about the men’s 100m. No new world records were created this time, but the story about Alexander’s gold medal was the headline of many sports articles.

Dai Li paid little attention to the news stories. His focus was on the races that were being ran that day.

The first program of the fourth day was the qualification for men’s triple jump, where the U.S.A was likely to win gold. Two American athletes entered the final, one of which was Thales, the defending champion.

However, Dai Li was surprised that Europe did not perform well. The three traditional superpowers in the triple jump, Britain, Italy, and German, sent no athletes to the final. there was only one Russian athlete that made the final. However, all three of the Chinese athletes entered the finals.

The first round of women’s 100m sprint happened at the same time as the triple jump qualification. Three American female sprinters passed the first round easily.

The third program was the preliminary round of men’s 3000m steeplechase. Three American athletes performed very well and they all entered the final.

The first gold medal of track and field programs of the day was going to be revealed after the men’s 3000m steeplechase. It would come from the final of women’s hammer throw.

Dai Li liked field events the most. The state scale, which was like gambling was effective on the high jump, long jump and the four throwing events.

To Dai Li’s surprise, although he gambled well with all three of the American women, they didn’t win the competition.

…

It was the third throw of women’s hammer throw. The Polish athlete Ullodzinke stood on the throwing area. She got the hammer and turned three times to throw the hammer out. The hammer left her hands and went flying.

The hammer flopped on the ground. Dai Li was surprised by where it landed.

It’s longer than 81 meters!

The Olympic record for the women’s hammer throw was 78.18 meters, and the world record was 81.08 meters. According to the statistics from the world-class competitions, a distance longer than 76 meters would give the athlete a gold medal.

Will it be a new world record? Dai Li looked at the scoreboard.

The scoreboard showed a score of 82.29 meters after a careful measurement and the referee’s confirmation.

OK. That’s a new world record, 1.21 meters longer than the former record! Dai Li took a deep breath. He knew that America wouldn’t get the gold medal for this program. Facing a new world record, athletes from other counties could not get the gold medal either.

The state scale couldn’t solve this problem. An athlete without the strength to break the world record could never win the competition even with his best performance.

In the end, America got a bronze from women’s hammer throw, which made Dai Li a little disappointed. All he could do was accept it. The rival broke the world record after all.

The women’s 3000m steeplechase followed. This was the second event of the day which awarded medals.

The competition was seen as between America, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Kenya won gold, America won silver, and Ethiopia won bronze.

The first two finals that day brought America no gold medals, only one silver, and one bronze. However, that was a big achievement in and of itself.

The following three programs were the first round of men’s 400m hurdles, the first round of men’s 110m hurdles, and the qualification of women’s discus throw.

The 400m hurdles and the 110m hurdles were all where the US was likely to win gold. In women’s discus throw, no American athlete entered the final.

The third medal round that day was in the men’s pole vault.

The rules of the high jump and the pole vault were different from the rule of the long jump. In the long jump, the top eight athletes in the first three jumps would then jump three more times. The one who jumped the longest of the eight would be the gold medalist.

The goal of the high jump was to clear a set height that gradually increased. An athlete had three chances to try to clear every height. The athlete could challenge the next height as long as he or she jumped over the current height in any of his or her three jumps. The athlete was eliminated if they missed three umps. The height wouldn’t stop increasing until there was only one athlete left. They would be the champion.

The pole vault allowed an athlete to pass at any height. The athlete might choose to pass all the jumps at a certain height in order to save his or her energy for a higher one. The pass would not be counted as a jump. To put it simply, an athlete could skip a height and directly choose to jump at the next height.

What’s more, the athlete could choose to pass the current height if he or she failed in the first or the second jump at this height. He or she could only use the chances left for this height to jump at the next height. For example, if one failed in the first jump at a height and he chose to pass, he would only have two chances to jump at the next height, with the failure counted as one jump.

Meanwhile, an athlete was not allowed to jump again at a height if he chose to pass at the height. You passed the height and then you must attempt the next height.

When the height was increased so high that only one athlete was left, the one must jump, and was not allowed to pass.

Theoretically, an athlete could always choose to pass until no one else left. Such a strategy would give him or her the highest height. The athlete would be the champion if he or she jumped over the height. Otherwise, the athlete’s score would be zero.

…

The day’s competition’s first height was 5.50 meters. Athletes from France and Russia chose to pass. They thought it too easy for them and could not even consider it a warm up. So, they decided not to jump so that they could save some energy.

The other ten athletes jumped. It was an easy height that could be a warm up for them to get familiar with the competition field or to gain their competitive mindset.

The height of 5.50 meters was not so difficult for those who could be in the Olympic final. All athletes jumped over it except one Latvian athlete.

Eleven athletes remained on the field. The next height was 5.65 meters, 0.15 meters higher than the previous height.

According to IAAF’s rules, the height increased every time in the pole vault should be at least 5 centimeters. Athletes in the Olympic Games were all the top-level in the world. At the beginning of the competition, an increase of 5 centimeters each time would force athletes to jump too many times, which would slow down the competition and make athletes exhausted. That would make the competition boring to watch and the athletes’ scores low. So, the height was directly increased by 15 centimeters.

5.65 meters was a relatively difficult height in an Olympic final. One unable to clear this height could never win the gold medal.

This height made five athletes leave the final. Six remained.

The next height was 5.75 meters, which saw the elimination of another athlete. Five remained in the final.

The fourth height was 5.85 meters, 10 centimeters higher than the previous one. Four succeeded in clearing this height and one chose to pass after he failed twice, which left him only one chance to jump at the next height.

The fifth height was 5.93 meters, 7 centimeters higher, not 10 centimeters. That was because that the Olympic record was 5.97 meters.

The Olympic record was 5.97 meters.It required that the final must set a height of 5.98 meters to see whether anyone could clear it and break the record. According to rules from the IAAF, the increase in height should be at least 5 centimeters each time. So, the height before 5.98 meters was 5.93 meters.

Two athletes were eliminated at this height. A French athlete, a Russian athlete, and an American athlete were still competing. The next height they would challenge was the Olympic record of 5.98 meters.

…

“The next height is 5.98 meters and we still have three athletes. Pat Riley, the defending champion from France, Kurayev, the world champion from Russia, and Muller from the US,” said the commentator.

Pat Riley was the champion in the last Olympic Games. It was him who had created the Olympic record of 5.97 meters in men’s pole vault.

The Russian athlete, Kurayev, was the gold medalist of the world championship two years ago. He was excellent.

With such a fame and strength, the two could undoubtedly challenge the Olympic record.

But the American, Franz Muller, was a newbie to the world-class competition.

At that moment, the head coach of Russia, Merkulov, looked at the handsome Muller in surprise.

Who can tell me who this Muller is? Where does he come from? How could he make it? How could it be possible for this guy whom I never heard of to challenge the Olympic record together with world champions?

Chapter 522 - The Newbie’s Counterattack

Chapter 522: The Newbie’s Counterattack

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The height was 5.98 meters and three athletes remained, two of whom were world champions.

A competition between two world champions could draw in a very large audience by itself, but a third party took part in the competition. Franz Muller, a young man who was new to the Olympic Games, was about to challenge the record height along with the two world champions.

He was at least going to win a bronze medal. Getting a bronze medal was an impressive achievement in men’s pole vault when one was competing with two world champions.

The handsome young man drew more and more attention. The audience began to talk about his good looks and reporters began to search for his information. They found he had no achievements in international competitions and, looking into it further, didn’t have any in U.S. either.

“This Franz Muller was chosen by you, wasn’t he?” The team leader, Downey asked. “He never took part in any qualifying competition, right?”

“You are right. He missed the American tryouts due to some unfortunate circumstances. He has the talent, though. That’s why I chose him,” replied Dai Li.

“I really admire your judgment. Now we know you have made a right decision, but you took a huge risk. If Muller hadn’t done well you would’ve been blamed,” said Downey.

“That’s why I’m counting on him right now,” said Dai Li.

“Well you are already a success. Someone who didn’t even tryout for the Olympics getting a bronze medal is impressive,” Downey said joyfully.

Dai Li stared at Downey and said with an intentionally confused tone, “Why do you think getting bronze is impressive?”

Downey was totally surprised. “Do you want him to achieve more? That’s not possible! Don’t you know his rivals? They are the defending champion Pat Riley and the world champion Kurayev. How could Muller win a gold or silver in a competition with those two?”

“He has the talent,” Dai Li repeated. “So, nothing is impossible!”

…

“Now, the height is 5.98 meters. Clearing this height will break the Olympic record. The first to attempt is the American athlete, Franz Muller, who was born in German and moved to America with parents in his early years. He is now a student in University of Oregon. And his score in the qualifier was…”

The American T.V. commentator paused and found that he had no document with Muller’s statistics from the U.S. qualifiers.

“What’s up? Was he not in the qualifiers? Was this put together by an intern? He missed such an important score! He’s so fired,” said the commentator angrily.

An awkward pause followed, but the live stream on TV continued. The audience could see what was happening and they could also hear what was happening on site even though the commentator said nothing.

The commentator turned off the speaker and complained to his director. “Who collected the information for today? I don’t even have the athlete’s statistics from qualifiers!”

A moment later, he heard his director’s voice in his earphones. “I looked it up for you. Franz Muller didn’t take part in the U.S. qualifiers.”

The commentator suddenly remembered a report on an athlete that had gotten on to the U.S. national team without actually having participated in qualifiers. It was an indication of shady deals on the team.

This competition proved the conspiracy theory was groundless. Although he didn’t take part in the Olympic qualifiers in America, Franz Muller was already one of the top three male pole vaulters in this Olympics. He already had a bronze at least.

The commentator cleared his throat and opened the speaker to go on with his introduction, “Muller didn’t actually participate in any Olympic qualifier. He was directly picked by the coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. He is now among the first three in men’s pole vault. He sure didn’t let his coach down! Of course, applause must go to the head coach, too. Let’s thank him for picking Muller to the team, which paid off today.”

Muller started to move just after the commentator finished his introduction. His attempt to break the world record began.

…

Muller was a nobody, so his making it this far surprised the Russian head coach, Merkulov. He didn’t see Muller as a threat, though. From his perspective, a newbie like Muller didn’t deserve his attention even if he was impressive. The major rival of Russia was still the defending champion from France, Pat Riley.

When Muller started to jump, Merkulov simply tried to appreciate his jump.

Muller was like a big bird flying high. He got across the bar elegantly and then fell on the sponge mat.

Oh, beautiful posture! Merkulov thought.

The next moment he realized that this young athlete unknown to him jumped over the 5.98 meter mark and had broken the Olympic record in only one jump.

How could an Olympic record be broken so easily?

He is so powerful! It seems that he can clear 6 meters. Will he be stopped at the next height? Merkulov thought.

Merkulov wasn’t yet worried that Muller would win the gold because he was confident about his own athlete. 5.98 meters would stop Kurayev either.

Kurayev had won the pole vaulting world championship two years before. This height was a piece of cake for him. It also only took him one jump to succeed in clearing 5.98 meters and breaking the Olympic record.

It was easy for the first two athletes to clear 5.98 meters.

The last athlete to jump was Pat Riley from France, the defending champion of this program. He won the men’s pole vault four years ago and he then broke the Olympic record at that time with a height of 5.97 meters.

To everyone’s surprise, he didn’t come to the field. He chose to pass.

“Pat Riley chose to pass. Then he will skip the height of 5.98 meters and go directly to the next. He is so confident that he chooses to pass at this height,” spoke the commentator.

The Russian head coach Merkulov dismissed this.

Self-confidence? It’s just a tactical pass! He wants to put pressure on us. However, Kurayev has long been battle-hardened with rich competition experience. He will not be influenced by mind games. Merkulov curled his lip and thought.

The next height was 6.03 meters, 5 centimeters higher. Compared with the world record of 6.16 meters, it was not so high. It was already a height that that most athletes couldn’t dream of clearing.

Franz Muller got the pole and stared in front of him. Then, he started to move forward. For him, the height was also a great challenge. It was close to the highest height he had cleared in daily training.

On the side of the field, Dai Li used the state scale for Muller. He put all the weights on the side of the extreme stable state. He believed in Muller’s strength. He thought that Muller would clear the height if he performed stably.

Muller started to run and accelerate. With the help of the pole, he succeeded in making movements including his swing up, extension and turn. At the moment his S+ Level talent was on display. He flew across the bar with a series of smooth movements.

Success with only one jump, again!

The site was filled with joy and excitement. The whole audience greeted Muller with thunderous applause.

In the Athlete Waiting Area, Pat Riley and Kurayev looked serious. Even to them, the height of 6.03 meters was a tough challenge. They had the strength to clear it but they couldn’t guarantee success.

The two world champions saw Muller, the young unknown, as a foil for themselves. The final in their eyes was a competition between the two of them. Yet, Muller had successfully changed the situation of the final after he cleared the height of 6.03 meters. He had the highest score. Pat Riley and Kurayev were now finding that Muller had been a strong rival on the path to the gold medal.

Kurayev followed to jump. He was not as relaxed as he was before.

He put up the pole and accelerated with a rhythm. Then he jumped high with the end of the pole sticking into the ground. At the same time, he made movements in the air with the pole.

As a gold medalist of the track and field world championship, Kurayev was undoubtedly very skilled. He was not so lucky then. His shank knocked the bar down to the ground.

Kurayev’s first jump failed!

The audience around shouted out in disappointment. Kurayev shook his head, too. He walked down from the sponge mat, thinking about the adjustments he had to make.

Pat Riley was the next to complete his first jump.

Pat Riley had chosen to pass the height of 5.98 meters. Maybe he was confident in himself. Maybe he choice was about tactics, or maybe he was just bluffing. Regardless of the reasons he might have, after Muller cleared this height, Pat Riley had to jump as the defending champion.

He had chosen to pass the previous height and this action gave him a disadvantage at this height. As a pole vaulter, his every jump was a self-adjustment. In such a program requiring the repetition of movements, the more adjustments one made, the more possibilities he had to win.

Now, it was like a game where you had to guess the right number. You said a number and were told that your number was bigger than the right one. So, you could say a smaller number when you guessed again. When you were told your number was smaller than the right one, you could try a bigger number. Keep tryin and you could eventually say the right number.

Such a method of trial-and-error also worked for a pole vaulter. If you didn’t utilize the strength of your waist enough, then use your waist more the next time. If you didn’t raise your legs high enough, then raise them higher the next time. It’s impossible for a jumper to jump for endless times at one height, but such adjustments would help you gain a higher fault tolerance in competition.

From this perspective, Pat Riley’s pass at the former height had lost him an opportunity for the self-adjustment.

What’s more, both Muller and Kurayev had cleared 5.98 meters. For them, 6.03 meters was only 5 centimeters more than 5.98 meters. Pat Riley hadn’t cleared 5.98 meters. For him, the height of 6.03 meters was 10 meters more than the previous height he cleared.

In pole vaulting, the bigger the increase in height each time was, the more difficult the jump would be.

Pat Riley held fast to his pole and took a deep breath. Then, he started his first jump at the height of 6.03 meters.

“Alas!” sighed the whole audience disappointedly. Pat Riley failed, too. It was obvious that he didn’t manage to control the height of his jump. His take-off showed that he would never clear the height of 6.03 meters.

“Giving up the height of 5.98 meters seems to have been the end of Pat Riley!” Dai Li said.

Dai Li was watching this pivotal moment with a sense of security. Muller had already cleared the height of 6.03 meters. In fact, Dai Li hoped that both Pat Riley and Kurayev couldn’t clear the height and then America would get a gold medal easily.

This situation was complicated. The two world champions who were in favor to win didn’t clear 6.03 meters, but the young jumper from America with no fame, experience, or achievements had the best score.

Then, Kurayev started his second jump.

Kurayev already knew the reason for his first failure. After adjustments, he corrected the mistakes in his first jump and he jumped over 6.03 meters successfully.

Pat Riley was then burdened. As the defending champion of this program, he was before considered the one who was most likely to win, but he was at the moment the only one of the top three who didn’t clear 6.03 meters.

He stood on the field with a cloudy face. It was his second jump, but it was also a jump to determine his fate. Failing twice usually meant that the third jump wouldn’t succeed. He was at the moment the only one left who had yet to pass this height. He had to jump for the third time immediately if he failed in his second try.

Pat Riley hoped he could succeed, but he was unlucky. He failed again in his second jump.

The defending champion was in a hopeless situation!

Chapter 523 - Clearing the Bar

Chapter 523: Clearing the Bar

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Now, the bar was 6.03 meters high and Pat Riley only had one more chance. If he failed this time, he would be knocked out and only win the bronze medal.

Even he succeeded jumping over this height, he had to face the two competitors in the next round.

At this time, Pat Riley regretted that he passing at 5.98 meters. He was so arrogant that he lost the chance of adjusting himself.

In fact, the 6.03 meters were not insurmountable. He could jump that height in his daily training and he had also achieved the height in real competitions. However, when going directly from 5.93 meters to 6.03 meters, Pat Riley couldn’t get used to it immediately. His first two attempts failed, leaving him in a desperate situation.

All of the audience was watching at Pat Riley. As the last Olympic champion of men’s pole vault, he was considered the favorite to win before the competition, but now he may be the first to be eliminated.

“Can Pat Riley jump over 6.03 meters high?”

“I think it’s too hard. After all, he’s failed twice. I don’t think it possible to succeed a third time.”

“According to the statistics given before the game, he once jumped even higher than this. I think he still has a chance.”

The audience clapped their hands in a rhythmic manner, like the drumbeat before a gladiator’s battle, a unique way of cheering for the pole vault. They were expecting that the defending champion could successfully jump this height and then continue to give them a good show.

At this moment, however, the camera was on the referee. He was holding a microphone to announce a message.

Pat Riley had chose to pass on the height!

He wanted to skip the height 6.03 meters and directly challenge the 6.08 meters.

According the rules, the athlete could request not to jump after the failure of the first and second attempts at a certain height, but the number of times to continue the attempt at the subsequent height can only be the number of times remaining after the failure of the previous height. Pat Riley had made two attempts at 6.03 meters high. Therefore, even as he chose to pass the height, he only had one attempt in the next height.

To be or not to be, this is his last chance.

…

“Pat Riley chose the way with the highest risk-reward ratio,” said Downey, the team leader of the United States.

“Or maybe Pat Riley had no confidence.” Dai Li proposed another possibility.

Pat Riley had failed twice at height 6.03 meters, and even he had succeeded at the third jump, he would have had to compete with the other two competitors. If he failed in the last attempt, he would win a bronze medal and say farewell to this Olympic Games.

Now, he had chosen to pass the height and go directly to the next height. At least he was on the same starting line as the other opponents. Although he only had one chance, he would be the champion if he succeeded and the other two competitors failed. If both he and his opponents succeeded, he also entered the repechage group, and if he failed, he still won the bronze medal.

From this point of view, since he could win a bronze medal, he still had a shot. If he was lucky enough, he may even win a gold medal. If not, he still had nothing to lose. He at least could win the bronze medal.

…

The height rose another 5 centimeters reaching 6.08 meters, which was really close to the world record 6.16m. This was really a world-class competition.

Muller looked serious. 6.08 meters was his highest height in his training. Now in real competition, the final of Olympic Games, Muller seemed to be lacking confidence.

Muller’s first attempt failed as expected.

In fact, few athletes had the strength to challenge the height at all. Naturally, the ability to challenge it didn’t mean that he could succeed. The person who had the highest likelihood of success must have been the Russian athlete Kurayev. Two years ago, in the World Championship, Kurayev showed the world that he was the best athlete today both in terms strength and mentality.

However, it was 6.08m now, which had not appeared in any Olympic Games before. It was really a difficult challenge!

Faced with this height, Kurayev’s first attempt also failed.

Then it was Pat Riley’s turn, his last chance.

Holding the pole tightly, Pat Riley looked straight ahead, took a deep breath and started to accelerate. He began to take his last try.

The long pole hooked on the ground, Pat Riley jumped up high, dangling, swinging, raising his legs, pulling up, a series of smooth movements.

At this moment, even Pat Riley could see the hope of winning.

Unfortunately, he didn’t do well in holding his belly in. His body touched the bar as he was crossing it.

Pat Riley fell on the spongy mat. Hearing the sound of the bar falling hitting the ground, he couldn’t have been upset. As the last champion of men’s pole vault, it was the end of this Olympic Games.

…

“Pat Riley failed! He is knocked out! I didn’t think Pat Riley would be the first one to be knocked out!”

“I thought it would be the young American athlete. I didn’t expect it to be Pat Riley,or that that young American could make it this far.”

“I think that American athlete will be knocked out very soon. It is 6.08m high. I don’t think anyone can make it except for Kurayev.”

People began to discuss the game. The competition was nearing its end and there were only two athletes on the field, both of whom had two attempts. For both of them, one attempt may determine the final winner.

Standing on the field, Muller was very nervous. Before today, he had not participated in any competition outside the United States. Now, he not only stood at the final of the Olympic Games, but he also had to face Kurayev in the final competition. He was definitely nervous.

Dai Li also felt the change of Muller’s mood.

For Muller, 6.08m high is an extremely hard challenge. After hesitating for a moment, Dai Li moved the weight to the other side of the state scale at last.

Before this, the state scale was on the extremely stable side and Muller’s performance was so stable that he had reached 6.08m high. However, it was not enough for Muller to jump over this height. Therefore, Dai Li decided to take a risky bet. Maybe Muller would be lucky enough to jump over the height 6.08m.

Muller began to accelerate in rhyme. With the long pole stuck into the ground, he jumped high.

“Oh, no!” Dai Li felt something was wrong immediately.

As soon as Muller was in the air, Dai Li knew he wasn’t going to clear this jump. Muller was going to fail this attempt.

Obviously, this was not what Dai Li wanted.

With the second attempt failed, Muller had only one chance left. The situation was not looking good for him.

Then Kurayev began his attempt.

Muller’s failure surely relieved Kurayev’s pressure. Now, he had one more chance than Muller and the situation was more favorable.

Besides, Kurayev was confident that he could jump over 6.08m high.

He stood on the starting area now, but he didn’t jump immediately. Instead, he kept adjusting they way he held the pole as well as adjusting his mental state.

Then he began to murmur, as if he was praying to remind himself some key strategy.

At this time, the audience started to clap for Kurayev in rhythm. The applause was getting faster and faster. Any athlete who heard this kind of applause would feel his blood boiling.

Finally, Kurayev started to run and then jump. His body moved smoothly and he crossed the bar.

The bar was slightly shaking. Maybe his body touched the bar or it was caused by the wind.

Kurayev raised his head as soon as he fell on the mat. The bar was still there firmly.

“Yes! Yes!” Kurayev roared with excitement.

“He made it! 6.08m high, Kurayev made it!” The commentator also shouted with excitement.

Cheers erupted from the audience as the large screen played back Kurayev’s attempt. In slow motion, Kurayev’s body in the air was literally attached to the bar. If Kurayev had been a centimeter off, the bar would have been knocked down.

“Whoa…” The cheers turned to exclamations. The tiniest things causing great results was part of the charm of sports.

…

Since Kurayev cleared the height of 6.08m, the situation was not favorable for Muller. No one would think it unreasonable if Kurayev started celebrating.

This was pole vault. If the athlete failed in the first two attempts, he was not likely to succeed in the third.

Now, Muller’s situation was the same as Pat Riley’s just a few moments ago. If he failed in his third attempt, he would lose the game. If he succeeded, he would enter the next height.

Muller could choose to pass on the height. He could use his last attempt and challenge the next height.

“How about we pass the height?” asked Dai Li.

Muller didn’t answer him directly but, instead, said, “Coach, the next height is 6.13m. I have never jumped that high before. Even in my training, I have never tried that height.”

“Franz, listen to me, if you fail at the height of 6.08m, you will lose the game and you only receive a silver medal. If you succeed, you would face the height of 6.13m anyway. So, why don’t we avoid the possibility of failure in the third attempt and directly challenge 6.13m high? Kurayev cleared the height of 6.08m, and if you want to defeat him and win the gold medal, you must jump over 6.13m high!” said Dai Li.

“I have no confidence. I’ve never tried that height before,” said Muller hesitantly.

“I believe in you!” Dai Li patted Muller on his shoulder. “You never attended the Olympic qualifiers, but I still ignored over all dissenting views and recruited you onto the national team. Do you know why? Because I believe in you! I believe you will be the dominate the men’s pole vault for the next decade, and today is only your first step. All you need to do is have faith in yourself. Don’t hesitate and don’t be afraid. Today, 6.13m high is just a small challenge to you. In the future, you must be able to break the world record. Now, you only need to believe that you are the best!”

…

A glow of excitement shown on Merkulov’s face. He said, “That American guy chose to pass on the height! It looks like we can celebrate the victory ahead of time!”

“Yes, both of his two attempts were failed at height of 6.08m. How dare he try the height of 6.13m!” said the deputy head coach Igonagave.

“6.08m high is the new Olympic record now, 0.11m higher than before. I don’t know whether Kurayev has the interest to rewrite the record again,” said Merkulov.

Muller chose to pass on the height. Therefore, both of them had to challenge the height of 6.13m. However, Muller only had one attempt. If he failed, he had no scores both in the height of 6.08m and 6.13m. Since Kurayev had cleared the height of 6.08m, he would win the championship without attempting the height of 6.13m if Muller’s attempt failed.

However, according to the rules, if Muller’s attempt failed, Kurayev still had three attempts. He could continue to try the height of 6.13m and even higher levels if he wanted to.Then his challenge would not be about the gold medal but about the new Olympic Games record.

This was all assuming that Muller couldn’t clear 6.13m.

…

Muller had never tried this height in his training.

Dai Li also knew that if Muller wanted to clear that height, he must outdo himself. Just as Igonagave said, if he couldn’t jump over 6.08m, how could he make 6.13.

Now, Dai Li only could pray that luck would come to him.

A perfect balance! He must have perfect balance! Dai Li prayed in his heart.

In fact, Dai Li knew that even Muller if had just the right balance, he still might not clear the height of 6.13m. Although Muller’s talent level was S+, he was too young. Besides, he had only been trained by Dai Li for one month. He was not yet the king of the pole vault.

“But maybe you will be crowned for the first time today!” murmured Dai Li.

…

Looking ahead of him, Muller’s face seemed extremely calm. Instead of feeling nervous, he felt excited and expectant.

Muller moved, he started to accelerate, and then he made a series of technical movements of pole vault. He had done that for numerous times. He could skillfully complete this movements even sleepwalking.

As Muller’s body was rising in the air, the bar was coming closer and closer.

6.13m is really high! Suddenly, Muller had a strong will take over him. He must clear this jump!

The expectation turned into the faith to win as the excitement turned into the desire for victory. At this time, a kind of potential seemed to unlock in Muller’s body. In the face of the desperate situation, he really exerted extraordinary strength.

Perhaps this was the special ability of a king!

Finally, Muller’s hands were off the pole. He was like a dancer, performing his most elegant dance!

Perfect! Dai Li unclenched his fists. Although Muller’s body had not crossed over the bar yet, Dai Li could see that Muller would make it!

A second later, Muller had successfully cleared the bar.

Chapter 524 - Advance Triumphantly

Chapter 524: Advance Triumphantly

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Muller successfully jumped over the bar and fell on the thick mat while the bar above remained stable.

“6.13m high. Franz Muller! He made it! He seized his only chance! He cleared the bar at 6.13m high!”

Muller stood up on the mat. First, he looked up to confirm that he had not knocked down the bar. When he confirmed his success, he immediately raised his hands and screamed. Although he hadn’t won yet, he had jumped 6.13m high, which meant that he had gone farther than he thought was possible. At this moment, he really was a winner.

The audience was so excited. This was exactly the kind of nail-biting drama they had come to see.

“He succeeded! We succeeded!” The U.S. team leader Downey was so excited that he gave Dai Li a big hug. Downey thought Muller would fail just as Pat Riley had. To his surprise, Muller had made it.

The camera zoomed in on Riley’s face. In this competition, both Muller and Pat Riley had been put in the same situation. They had both failed their first two attempts, passed on the height, and moved on to the next height. They both chose to use their last chance to challenge the height.

However, where Pat Riley had failed. Muller succeeded.

“Now Pat Riley is really in a bad mood. Maybe he will say he wasn’t lucky enough,” said the commentator in a jocular tone.

On the Russian team, the head coach Merkulov, the deputy head coach Igonagave, and the world champion Kurayev were all serious.

Before Muller had jumped, Kurayev had already been celebrating his victory. However, Muller’s jump had been successful, which meant that Kurayev not only lost his gold medal but also had to challenge that same height.

Now, the situation was completely different. A minute ago, Kurayev had the advantage, but now the situation was not looking good for him. He had to successfully complete this jump to catch up to Muller.

6.13m was only 0.03m lower than the world record in men’s pole vault. Even for the world champion Kurayev, it was an extreme challenge. Although he had the ability to clear that height, he wasn’t positive he’d succeed. He needed to get lucky in order to succeed at that height.

Standing at the starting area, Kurayev grasped the long pole firmly and encouraged himself.

That American newbie could jump over that height. I, as the world champion, also must make it.

After thinking this, Kurayev started to run.

However, 6.13m was really high. After he jumped up, Kurayev realized that he had not jumped high enough to pass over the bar.

Failed. Kurayev got up from the mat. He shook his head ungratefully and then returned to the starting area.

Since Muller had already completed this jump, there was only one athlete left on the field. Kurayev didn’t get a break before he had to jump again.

As an experienced athlete with the strength of a world champion, Kurayev knew the problem with his first attempt and he also knew where he needed to make some improvements. He murmured to himself in order to remember when he needed to do.

Kurayev took a moment before he started his second attempt. He tried to restore his strength as much as possible and he wanted to give himself more time to prepare.

According to the rules, when there were less than three athletes, the time of preparation could be extended to three minutes. Therefore, Kurayev started his second attempt three minutes later.

However, this jump was very difficult. If he wanted to clear this height, he must combine his strength and his skill. He had to be very lucky as well.

Kurayev was unlucky, however, and he failed again this time.

A second failure was really a deadly strike to Kurayev. Now, he was in the same situation as Muller and Pat Riley had been. He only had one chance now and, if he failed this time, he lost the gold medal. If he succeeded, he didn’t win. He had to continue to compete with Muller at the next height.

Kurayev was now also facing a choice on whether to pass on this height.

In pole vaulting, the athlete could choose to pass on the height after two failed attempts and attempt the next height, which was a choice of maximizing returns. Even if he succeeded in his third attempt, the athlete also needed to challenge the next height. However, if he chose to pass at that height, he could come to the next height and stand at the same level as the rest competitors.

…

The Russian coaching team was having a heated debate.

“We should pass on the height. Once you fail twice it is the best option. Both Pat Riley and that American Muller did so. I think we have no other choice,” said one Russian coach.

However, another coach shook his head, “I don’t think passing on the height is a good idea. You should remember that the height for Pat Riley after passing was 6.08m and the height for Muller was 6.13m. However, if we choose to pass on this height, the next height is 6.18m. The world record is only 6.16m now, which means that Kurayev needs to create a new world record. That’s really difficult, no different from giving up.”

“But if Kurayev cleared the height of 6.13m, he’d still have to jump 6.18m high. Therefore, we can’t avoid confronting the world record,” said the first coach.

“So, do you think that American guy can jump over 6.18m? That’s a new world record. I don’t think he can make that. Therefore, we only need to jump over 6.13m. When the height comes to 6.18m, if both Kurayev and that American guy can’t jump over it, the height of the bar will be lowered. Then, it will be more favorable for Kurayev!”

According to the rules, if all the competitors failed their three attempts at a certain height, then there would be a tie-breaker. The bar would be lowered and the competitors would begin their attempts again.

Under the rules, if Kurayev jumped over 6.13m, the next height was 6.18m, which exceeded the world record. If Kurayev couldn’t make it, young Muller couldn’t jump over it either. Under this condition, the bar would be lowered. With more experience and more strength, Kurayev would have an advantage over Muller after the bar was lowered.

If Kurayev chose to pass on the height, he would have to face 6.18m height with only one chance. If he failed, he would lose the game. Faced with a height exceeding the world record, nobody would be confident.

After a long discussion, they all looked at the head coach Merkulov, hoping that he could decide.

Merkulov shook his head and said, ” Let Kurayev make the choice himself.”

…

The referee asked Kurayev whether or not he was going to pass.

Moments later, Kurayev was back on the field, and the height of the bar remained the same.

Kurayev had chosen not to pass on the height. He wanted to try 6.13m again.

Kurayev doesn’t seem confident enough to attempt to break the record. Dai Li became a little more relaxed.

“I think Kurayev made a wise choice.” Looking at the field nervously, Downey told the coach his opinion. “6.18m would exceed the world record and nobody will make it. Under the condition that neither Muller nor Kurayev can jump over that height, the bar will be lowered. That’s going to benefit Kurayev.”

“However, all that depends on Kurayev successfully jumping over 6.13m on his third attempt,” said Dai Li disdainfully. “Kurayev is a world champion, a top athlete of men’s pole vault, so his target should not be the height of 6.13m, but the world record. Today, he quit his chance of confronting the world record. The moment he chose to try his third attempt, he lost the game and lost his confidence. He doesn’t have the heart to pursue the championship!”

…

Standing on the starting area, Kurayev rotated the pole to make sure it didn’t slide.

The next height is 6.18m and it exceeds the world record. I can’t jump over that height and Muller also can’t make it. The height will be lowered and I will need to compete with Muller again!

Kurayev took a deep breath and began to run. He started to run and accelerate. While the long pole stuck into the ground, Kurayev’s body was above the bar. Then he began to cross the bar.

“He crossed it!” the audience shouted with exclamation.

“I made it!” Kurayev wanted to celebrate even as he was falling to the ground.

However, the bar fell to the ground.

Kurayev had touched the bar and failed.

“Gosh!” The audience groaned and they felt sorry for Kurayev.

However, the cameras didn’t focus on Kurayev. All the photographers gave all their attention to Muller.

Young Franz Muller won the championship even though this was his first world-class competition!

The newbie athlete had become the king of pole vaulting.

…

In an American bar, people began to exult. A rich man wanted to buy everyone a drink.

“Yes, we won! Franz Muller, good job!”

“Franz Muller was the guy who was recruited to the national team without attending the qualification trial. I remember that someone even doubted the fairness of him joining the team. In my view, we couldn’t have won the gold medal if we had the people from the pole vaulting qualifiers on the team.”

“Let alone the gold medal. I didn’t think we’d win any medal!”

“Who cares about the fairness of it all. We want the championship, the gold medal! We are watching the Olympic Games here and hoping our nation can get more gold medals!”

…

The awards ceremony was over and Downey was excited as he looked at the stars and stripes above.

“We got one gold medal, one silver medal and one bronze medal today!” said Downey.

“No, you are wrong,” Dai Li shook his head. “This is not the end of the day’s competition! We’ll gain more.”

The first round of women’s 100m dash was on at the same time the men’s pole vaulting was. This was just the first round of women’s 100m, so the audience paid more attention to the finals in men’s pole vaulting. Therefore, few people cared about the first-round competition of women’s 100m dash, even the broadcasters ignored it.

The American team had a high likelihood of winning this event. The American team was also strong in the 400-meter hurdle and the 400-meter dash. Normally, it was common that three American athletes entered the final of 400-meter hurdles.

Then came the final of men’s 800-meter event, the fourth gold medal of the day.

As the defending champion of this event, Kenya had three athletes in the final and America had two. This event was basically the competition between Kenya and America.

Kenyans were indeed better at medium and long-distance running. The Kenyan athlete won the championship by a slim margin of 0.8 seconds. One American athlete won the silver medal and another Kenyan athlete won the bronze medal.

After the men’s 800-meter event, there came the final in women’s 400-meter dash. This was the last competition of the day.

The American team was also unstoppable at 400-meter event, with three athletes entering the final. The Jamaican team also improved a lot in recent years with two athletes entering the final this year. However, they couldn’t threaten American team at all.

At last, the American team won the gold and silver, while the bronze medal was won by the Jamaica team.

The fourth day of the Olympic track and field competition ended there. In the six finals, the American team won two gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal. It was still going well.

Chapter 525 - Triumph Belongs to the Brave

Chapter 525: Triumph Belongs to the Brave

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was the fifth day of the Olympic track and field competitions. The track and field events being held were the women’s pole vaulting qualification round and the first round of the women’s 5000 meters. The next event was the final in the men’s triple jump.

The US team was favored to win the gold medal in men’s triple jump and they had two athletes participating.

Europeans were also quite good at the men’s triple jump. In the past three decades, Europeans had gotten excellent results in this event. However, several of Europe’s traditional triple jump powers failed to perform well in this Olympics and no European teams made the final.

On the contrary, players from Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana and other countries in the Central and South America advanced. On top of that, three athletes from the Chinese team advanced to the final. The Chinese team therefore had one more athlete than the American team.

Jinrong Hu, the coach of the Chinese team in charge of the long jump, was an acquaintance of Dai Li. When Dai Li had graduated from college, he had entered into the Hanbei Province Sports Bureau and worked as a choreman in the Beikou Base. At that time, Jinrong Hu also worked at Beikou Base, so Dai Li had the chance to get acquainted with him. After Dai Li trained Haiquan Fang, Jinrong Hu personally took Haiquan Fang away from the base. When Dai Li went to the national team for further learning, he also worked with Jinrong Hu. He worked with him during the Asian Games.

Many years had passed. Jinrong Hu was still the coach of the national team that was in charge of the long jump. Although he was more experienced and qualified, he didn’t officially get promoted.

However, Dai Li, who had worked in the Beikou Training Base as a choreman at that time, had become the head coach of the U.S. national team.

At this point, the game was about to start. Dai Li and Jinrong Hu stood together and they had a friendly talk.

“Coach Li, the US national team is determined to win the gold medal in the men’s triple jump, right? Dorries was the defending champion of the men’s triple jump, so there is no doubt that he will win this gold medal,” Jinrong Hu said with a smile.

“Maybe, we still have four Chinese athletes that advanced to the final,” Dai Li still used “we”, which made Jinrong Hu feel comfortable with him.

Jinrong Hu was comfortable with the word Dai Li had used – “we.” He felt that although Dai Li had become the coach of the US team, he was still modest and didn’t regard himself as an outsider.

“Oh, it’s just a fluke. You certainly knew the ability of our athletes. They lack both ability and experience. They are good in Asia, but they were not qualified to be in the Olympic final,” said Jinrong Hu.

“Coach Hu, I don’t believe you don’t want your athletes to win the championship,” Dai Li said, smiling. “The soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier!”

Jinrong Hu didn’t deny what Dai Li said, but he knew that it was almost impossible for them to defeat the U.S. team and win the gold medal. He changed the topic and said, “Anyway, Coach Li, it couldn’t have been easy to achieve what you have these past few years, right? When did you go to the U.S.?”

Dai Li began to tell his experience, “When I left our track and field team and returned to the provincial team, I met Zhizhong Gu by chance. At that time, Zhizhong Gu was the coach of the national table tennis team, so he recruited me to be the physical coach for the team. You must have heard about what happened to the national table tennis team later.”

“Zhizhong Gu was demoted, and you were also affected, right?” Jinrong Hu had been on the national team for several years, so he had a clear idea of the regulations of the national team. Therefore, Jinrong Hu could guess what would happen to Dai Li after Zhizhong Gu was demoted.

“I was transferred to some committee for applying for the intangible cultural heritage status for a sort of free-hand boxing. I can’t even remember the official name for free-hand boxing now! I was promoted in terms of ranking, but the new job was actually a position with little work. I am a coach and I don’t know anything about an intangible cultural heritage application. So I quit,” Dai Li said.

“So you went to the U.S.?” asked Jinrong Hu.

“I didn’t have enough money to go to the U.S. at that time! So I went to the Dingtian Football Club and followed Harman for a year as a fitness coach,” said Dai Li.

“Dingtian offered a good salary, right? I heard that Dingtian group was very rich; they spent a lot money on football,” Jinrong Hu said.

“Dingtian indeed offers a pretty good salary. I wouldn’t have had enough money to open a training center in the U.S. without them,” Dai Li said. “I worked at Dingtian Club for a year, during which I saved some money. Then I went to the U.S., rented a place, and opened a physical training center. In the beginning, nobody came to my training center. To save on the rent, I had to train some disabled athletes for free. I was lucky enough to meet Philips, namely, the blade runner.”

Dai Li gave a brief summary of what happened after that. He mentioned helping Taylor comeback, helping Holly overcome a tragedy, and helping Alexander, Ford, and Aylwin with their training. By the time the performance-enhancing drugs scandal broke, the U.S. team had no available coaches, so Dai Li was appointed head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team in a time of crisis.

Dai Li go to in depth into his story; he skipped over many details. For Jinrong Hu, Dai Li’s experience over the years was full of ups and downs.

“Oh my god, it sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster to me! Your experience is enough for you to make a two-part autobiography now!” Hu sighed.

When Dai Li and Jinrong Hu were talking to each other, a young Chinese woman came over with a press card hanging around her neck. There was a national flag design on her press card, to make it obvious that she was a reporter from China.

“Coach Hu!” The female reporter greeted Jinrong Hu in a sweet voice, but his eyes were fixed on Dai Li.

“It’s Miss Liu!” It was apparent that Coach Hu knew the female reporter.

“Is this Coach Li?” Obviously, Dai Li was the real target of the reporter.

Jinrong Hu knew that she had just came over to talk to Dai Li, so he did Dai Li a favor and introduced them. “Coach Li, let me introduce Miss Ran Liu, a reporter sent by CCTV to cover the Olympics.”

“Hello, Miss Liu,” Dai Li nodded politely.

“Coach Li, I have heard so much about you. I feel so lucky to finally be able to meet you.” The female reporter shook hands with Dai Li, who was smiling warmly.

The three were chatting casually when Ran Liu asked, “Coach Li, do you have time for an interview?”

“Well I don’t want this to have been a complete waste of time for you.” Dai Li thought for a while, then he smiled and nodded. “No problem, but I’m busy with my work at the moment. You can tell my assistant that I have agreed to an interview, he will arrange a time for you.”

…

The final of the men’s triple jump finally began. One of the two athletes on the U.S. team was Dorries, the champion in the last Olympics. Their goal was to win the gold medal again.

With the aid of the state scale, Dorries had an excellent performance in the third trial jump. His final score was 17.96 meters. Athletes from other countries lost almost all of their motivation.

The world record for the men’s triple jump was 18.29 meters and the Olympic record was 18.09 meters. At present, it was almost impossible for athletes to challenge the two records. Dorries’ score could rank in the top 10 showings ever, and 17.96 meters was enough to determine the outcome of the competition ahead of time.

Another American athlete also performed well in the fifth trial jump. His final score was 17.75 meters. He was ranked second, securing for him the silver medal. The Chinese athletes were respectively the third and the fourth, winning a bronze medal for the Chinese team.

The two events that followed were the men’s 1,500m preliminary round and the first round of women’s 100m hurdles. The two American athletes both did well in the men’s 1,500m preliminary, so they each made it to the final. The U.S. was traditionally good at the women’s 100m hurdles, so the first round was stress-free for them.

These events were followed by the women’s discus final. Dai Li did not pay attention to it, because no one on the US team could make it to the final.

The men’s 200m race was held at the same time. All three of the American athletes made it to the final, and Macnee, Jamaica’s No.1 sprinter, made his second appearance.

The morning races were over and the next races would not be held until the evening.

…

Neither the U.S. men’s basketball team nor the U.S. National Track and Field Team stayed in the Olympic village.

The village was too simple and crude for American athletes. What’s more, the U.S. Track and Field Association could raise hundreds of millions of dollars from several major sponsors a year, so it was not too crazy for them to book a hotel.

Franz Muller’s race was over but, instead of going out to enjoy Rio’s nightlife, he stayed in the hotel.

Of course, it was not because Muller wasn’t interested in going out, all the young people were, but Muller had no money.

He was still a college student and, although the full scholarship guaranteed him a comfortable life, it wasn’t be enough for him to constantly spend money.

Rio de Janeiro was not a cheap city. It was more expensive than Las Vegas. In Rio de Janeiro, as long as you had enough money, you could enjoy everything you could enjoy in Las Vegas. In addition, you could also enjoy what you couldn’t enjoy in Las Vegas.

Everything was also more expensive during the Olympics. What’s more, Muller was an American. In the eyes of Brazilians, Americans are wealthy, so they took advantage of this Olympics to make money from Americans. Therefore, Muller’s scholarship was unlikely to support him to indulge in extravagant pleasure-seeking entertainment.

Sure, he could get his way even with no money. Muller was quite handsome. With his good-looking face and perfect figure, which is typical for Germans, he could easily get the attention of many enthusiastic Brazilian girls. Even if he didn’t want to go out, he could wander around the Olympic village. What’s more, he was now an Olympic champion. There were probably a bunch of female athletes who wanted to make out with him.

Muller was handsome enough that he could afford to be picky about the people he slept with. Handsome guys seemed to always be the pickiest.

Sitting alone in the hotel room after lunch, Muller hung out and appreciated his gold medal.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang and Muller dropped his gold medal. Through the peephole, he saw his teammate, Wyon Leonard.

Wyon Leonard was a high jumper. His event, the men’s high jump final, was the first of the evening.

The high jump and the pole vault were two different events. Leonard was far more famous and qualified than Muller. At the Olympics four years ago, Leonard and two other competitors won the Olympic bronze medal at the same time.

In track and field events it is possible for multiple athletes to win the silver medal or bronze medal at the same time. Especially in the high jump, where it was usually impossible for all athletes to clear the bar when it is raised passed a certain height. Therefore, there are always multiple athletes that win the silver medal and the bronze medal in the high jump.

Muller immediately opened the door, invited Leonard to come in, and said, “Wyon, your high jump final will be held is tonight, why aren’t you getting ready?”

“I needed to ask you some questions.” Leonard walked into Muller’s room, sat down on the sofa, and then said, “I want to know how you defeated Pat Riley and Kurayev yesterday. What’s your trick?”

“Trick?” Muller frowned and didn’t know how to answer.

“Or how did you do that well? As far as I know, you’ve never jumped over 6.13m, even in practice, but you did it yesterday. If you have any trick, I would like to know it,” Leonard said earnestly. “I really want to win tonight but I have a lot of tough competition.”

Although Leonard was the second runner-up in the last Olympics, he was not the strongest physically. The Russian Geedako, who won the men’s jump high at the last Olympics, also won the gold medal at the World Championship two years ago. He was regarded as the king of men’s high jump the past four years.

Another Ukrainian athlete Doogallov, known as the “prince of jump high”, did not participate in the Olympics four years ago and the World Championship two years ago due to an injury. He came back to participate in this Olympics and he was definitely in a position to challenge Geedako.

Leonard was not as skilled as Geedako and Doogallov, but he wasn’t to far behind them. In addition, Franz Muller, who took part in an international competition for the first time, had won the championship of men’s pole vault while up against people more skilled than him. Leonard saw the hope for himself.

For Leonard, it was unbelievable that Muller had won a gold medal in his first Olympics. Leonard felt that he was an experienced veteran, and he had won the bronze medal at the Olympics before. He felt that if Muller could win a gold medal, so could he.

That is why Leonard had come to Muller’s room; he hoped to learn something useful from Muller.

Muller hesitated before saying, “Actually, I don’t have any trick. I was just thinking that I had to clear the bar and then I did it. You know that it is very hard to control your performance on the field.”

Leonard looked disappointed because he didn’t get the answer he wanted.

“In fact, I think you should go to someone else instead of me. There might be only one person who can help you,” Muller added.

“Who?” Leonard asked eagerly.

“Coach Li!” Muller answered confidently. “Coach Li can create miracles and only he can help you with this problem.”

…

Leonard followed Muller’s advice and went to Dai Li for advice.

When Leonard explained what he had come for, Dai Li found it both funny and annoying.

“Wyon, your event is tonight. Don’t you think it’s too late? I am not in a position to create an Olympic champion in an afternoon,” Dai Li laughed.

Leonard felt a little bit embarrassed, so he bowed his head subconsciously.

“Well, I’m not kidding.” Dai Li leaned back calmly on the sofa. “I can’t help you physically improve in an afternoon. However, you don’t need to. Let’s talk about something else.”

Leonard immediately became serious and ready to listen. Dai Li picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and asked, “Did you watch the pole vault final yesterday?”

“Yes, I did, Muller performed brilliantly.” Leonard nodded.

“Before the race, did you think that it was possible Muller could win?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course not,” Leonard said as he shook his head without hesitation. “I thought either Pat Riley or Kurayev would win.”

“Then who do you think is stronger, Kurayev or Muller?” Dai Li continued to ask.

Leonard thought for a moment and then replied, “Before yesterday, I would have said Kurayev is stronger than Muller. But now, I think Muller and Kurayev are on the same level. Muller is younger, so I think Muller will surpass Kurayev. It’s just a matter of time.”

“Then do you know why Kurayev lost?” Dai Li asked.

After thinking for a while, Leonard answered, “In my opinion, Kurayev didn’t perform as well as Muller. If he had performed better, he would have been able to clear 6.13 meters.”

“No. Actually, after two failed attempts at 6.13 meters, Kurayev didn’t choose to go directly to the 6.18 meter jump. That was when he lost,” Dai Li said.

“6.18 meters was higher than the world record for men’s pole vault, right? Kurayev was unlikely to clear it,” said Leonard.

“Kurayev must had the same idea. It’s true that 6.18 meters would’ve been tough to reach, but if you don’t believe in yourself and you don’t have the courage to try, then you are doomed to fail.” Dai Li picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea and continued.

“His tactical intention was simple. He wanted to clear 6.13 meters. Both he and Muller would fail to make the attempt at the height of 6.18 meters. So next, the height would be lowered, and he would have an edge over Muller. That is to say, he gave himself leeway.

“Muller, after two failed attempts at 6.08 meters, chose to pass. He used his last chance to challenge 6.13 meters, which he had never tried in practice sessions. He made a choice to be brave. That’s the difference between the two of them.

“Let me tell you a story. It happened in China. There was a famous battle. The first emperor of our country built a great dynasty and, after his death, many people stood up to his dynasty. A general who guided the army composed of 50,000 farmers defeated a regular army of 400,000 soldiers. Guess how he did it?”

Leonard thought for a moment and said, “He must have used some tricks, right? I know that the ancient Chinese generals liked to use fire and water in battles. That general might have burned his opponents with fire or used water to drown them.”

“You know a lot about ancient Chinese tactics but, unfortunately, you guessed wrong.” Dai Li shook his head.

“They must’ve be in a strong castle, like the medieval castles in Europe. A castle with a few dozen people in it can withstand the attack of a thousand. I think if the general had a big castle, he would win,” Leonard said.

“Wrong again,” Dai Li shook his head, and then he told Leonard the answer. “The general didn’t choose to defend, but to attack with his army. He led his irregular troops and crossed the river and they sank all their boats to the bottom of the river. The general told his troops that they had no way to retreat, so they had to move forward. In addition, he broke all their pots. Then, he told his troops that if they could not defeat the enemy, they would have nothing to eat and all of them would starve to death. The general wanted his 50,000 soldiers to know that if they wanted to survive, they must move forward and attack the enemy. Only by defeating 400,000 could they eat again.

“Then, just as the general expected, his troops kept attacked their enemies until they finally defeated every last one. When an army is confronted with a desperate situation, they can unleash tremendous power, even though if they are just farmers.”

Dai Li took a deep breath and continued. “I’m telling you this tso that you know to never cower, even if your opponent seems more powerful. You have to constantly remind yourself that you are in a desperate situation, you have no way to retreat, you can only go forward and keep fighting! You have to remember that triumph belongs to the brave.”

Chapter 526 - The Desire for Showing off and Stability

Chapter 526: The Desire for Showing off and Stability

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

There were 15 athletes participating in the Olympic men’s high jump final. There were three extra athletes because four athletes had tied for 12th place in the qualification round. They couldn’t clear the next height, so all of them were allowed to participate in the high jump final.

This had no impact on the final result. There would be only one champion, one runner-up, and one second runner-up. These low-ranking athletes were unable to compete for the medals.

The initial height was 2.20 meters, a height at which no one failed. The next height was 2.25 meters and two athletes were eliminated. The third was 2.29 meters and three athletes were eliminated. The fourth height was 2.33 meters, and only six athletes made it

One of the differences between pole vaulting and high jumping was that in pole vaulting the height was almost always increased by five centimeters between rounds. In the high jump, the athlete may choose to increase the height by more than five centimeters. It could be five centimeters or ten centimeters. However, as the race went on, the height increased less and less. Basically, the referee had to get the race to end between five to eight attempts.

The bar was raised by three centimeters and the height was 2.36 meters this time.

This height was a challenge for Leonard, who failed to clear it at the last Olympics, which had put him in third place.

Now, facing this height again, Leonard remembered the story of the ancient Chinese general that Dai Li had told him. The saying “triumph belongs to the brave” kept flashing through his mind.

This was Leonard’s first attempt at 2.36 meters, but for some reason he felt like it was his only shot.

Leonard started his take-off.

“Perfect!” When Leonard jumped over the bar, Dai Li couldn’t help but notice that it was a perfect trial jump.

I did it the first time! Leonard got up from the pit and was very excited. He had finally succeeded in clearing this height

The Coach Li’s lesson was indeed very effective. When confronted with difficulty, do not cower. Keep fighting and you will succeed! Leonard thought it had been this lesson that had helped him so much. However, he had actually done so well because Dai Li had used the state scale on him .

2.36 meters was challenging for many athletes. When athletes’ attempt at 2.36 meters were over, there were only 3 athletes left. Besides Leonard, there was the champion of the last Olympics, Geddako, and Doogallov, the “prince of high jump,” from the Ukraine.

Geddako also cleared 2.36 meters the first time, but Doogallov chose to pass the height.

Today, Doogallov was very confident. He had chosen to pass 2.20 meters, and then had cleared 2.25 meters. He had then chosen to pass 2.29 meters, and cleared 2.33 meters. This was the third time passing. He would challenge the third height directly and, if he failed in all three attempts, his final score would be 2.33 meters.

The bar was raised 2 centimeters this time and the height was 2.38 meters. The best height in men’s high jump this year was 2.37 meters so, if someone who cleared 2.38 meters, he would have the best score this year.

Leonard stood on the field and began to feel hypnotized by Dai Li’s teachings again.

Leonard had succeeded in clearing 2.38 meters in competition only once before. Therefore, he couldn’t make any mistakes in this next attempt, He had to do well on his third attempt, only in this way could he clear 2.38 meters.

He started his approach run, accelerated and jumped, and, with a series of twists, Leonard’s upper body managed to clear the bar.

“He got help from the state scale again!” Dai Li knew it from Leonard’s take-off.

However, getting lucky with the state scale did not ensure success. 2.38 meters is too difficult for some of world’s top jumpers to clear.

Although Leonard’s upper body had jumped over the bar, his heel touched the bar.

“What bad luck!” Dai Li said to himself. Leonard was also aware of it. He became saddened while he was still in the air.

On the screen, the audiences saw Leonard touch the bar and they cried out.

However, the bar just wobbled a little, and then stood still.

Leonard had touched the bar, it hadn’t fallen.

According to the rules of the high jump, a jump is failed when the bar is dislodged from the rack. That is to say, a jump is successful as long as the bar doesn’t fall, even if the athlete touches it.

Yet the bar is very easily dislodged. The bar bracket only supports the bar. It does not secure it. Even the slightest touch to the bar would dislodge it. Furthermore, the bracket is on the side of the mat, so there really is barely any support for the bar. If the jumper touches the bar, the force he inflicts on it would almost definitely push the bar off the bracket. That’s why the bar wass so easily dislodged.

“How lucky Leonard was!” Dai Li sighed.

Touching the bar without knocking it down was 100% a result of good luck. It could only be said that the laws of physics had been on his side.

On top of that, the state scale had helped Leonard out twice. It seemed that Leonard had been touched by Lady Luck.

Leonard was so scared when he touched the bar, especially when the bar was wobbling. That second seemed as long as a century.

The bar didn’t fall! Leonard looked at the referee immediately and the referee hesitated. The referee didn’t raise the white flag until he was sure the bar had not fallen.

“I made it!” Leonard had just gotten up from the mat, but he quickly fell down on his knees in excitement. He waved his fists to express the excitement in his heart.

On the side of the field, Geddako, the defending champion from Russia, and Doogallov, the “prince of high jump” from Ukraine, looked at Leonard, saddened.

…

Doogallov stood on the field.

He had chosen to pass the 2.36 meter jump, which told everyone that he was very confident in his strength. It seemed that he wanted to tell the audience that 2.38 meters may be a challenge for some, but it was very easy for him.

Doogallov became famous in his youth, which is when his nickname, the “prince of high jump,” had became known. When Doogallov was young, he had won almost all the championships of the youth competitions. When he was an adult, he became the champion of various events.

God seemed to like to play the trick on this “prince of high jump.” Although he had won the championship in various track and field events, he had never had the chance to win a medal in the Olympic Games.

The first time Doogallov participated in the Olympics, he had come down with the flu before the final, which greatly affected his physical condition and performance. He had still gotten fourth place, which wass just one step away from the medal.

Four years later, Doogallov was selected for the Ukrainian national team, but he was injured in a warm-up, so he missed the Olympic Games and the World Championship two years later.

Now, it was the third time for Doogallov was participating in the Olympics. The “prince of high jump” was no longer young, but his desire for the Olympic gold medal was stronger than ever.

In today’s competition, he showed his pride and confidence.

He chose to pass two out of the first four heights. When he had passed the 2.36 meter jump people became suspicious of him showing off.

However, people believed that the most pretentious will get struck by the lightning. Doogallov might not have been struck by the lightning, but he would pay his price for showing off. His first attempt at 2.38 meters failed.

Doogallov got up from the mat, stepped off it, and shook his head as he walked. It was clear that he was unsatisfied with his jump,or that he had failed to show off.

Next up was the last Olympic champion, Geddako.

In the Olympic Games four years ago, Geddako’s score was 2.38m. Four years later, he had to face this height again. If he got the same score as he did four years ago, he couldn’t defend his championship.

However, Geddako was quite confident he could clear this height.

Amid the applause and cheers from the audience, Geddako began his first attempt.

However, Geddako’s first attempt failed.

Geddako stepped off the sponge mat and his expression was nonchalant. It seemed that he was not affected by this slip-up. For Geddako, it was just a trial jump. If he had succeeded, he would have been happy, but now he just knew that he had to adjust his performance. After all, 2.38 meters was not his ultimate goal, because he had the strength to jump higher.

…

Doogallov began his second attempt at the 2.38 meters.

Approach run, take-off, jump. All the posture of the “prince of high jump” was graceful, like a delicate work of art.

Doogallov stood up and wanted to celebrate, but the bar suddenly fell off.

“What’s the matter? I didn’t touch the bar!” Doogallov was very surprised.

The next second, a slow-motion playback appeared on the screen. It could be seen that, when Doogallov lifted his foot, the upper of his heel touched the bar

“Actually, I don’t think he needed to be as flamboyant as he was in that technical movement. He should have been a little more conservative,” Dai Li commented.

“Doogallov has always been like this. He’s so fond of himself, he’s always hoped to win by showing off. If he wins, it’s all the more impressive, but his likelihood of failure increases. Perhaps this was his biggest drawback,” said Downey.

Then it was Geddako’s turn. After the failure of his last attempt, he had evaluated his performance and got back on the field again.

“Geddako is quite stable. He will get over this jump. I just don’t know how many attempts he needs to make it,” Downey said.

“It seems like he’ll need at least three times. He doesn’t take enough risks, he is too conservative in the take-off. Although it allows him to finish the whole technical movement smoothly, he can’t clear 2.38 meters successfully.” As soon as Dai Li stopped talking, Geddako failed again.

Athletes with stable performances, unless they were unlucky, were often able to jump heights as long as it was within their normal strength to do so.

At 2.38 meters, the two Olympic gold medal contenders both failed two attempts. Next, they were confronted with the same choice: to continue their third attempts or pass the height and go straight onto the next height.

The referee suspended the game and asked the players on both sides for their opinions.

“Given Doogallov’s character, he will definitely choose to pass,” Downey said.

“So how about Geddako? What will he choose?” Dai Li asked.

“He’s always been very conservative, so I guess he won’t challenge the next height,” Downey answered.

As it turned out, Downey was right. Doogallov was supposed to be the next on the field, but he didn’t show up. Instead, Geddako approached. That meant Doogallov chose to pass, but Geddako chose to continue his three attempts.

If other jumpers don’t clear 2.38 meters, it may be a right choice for Geddako to keep trying to jump. Now even if he clears t 2.38 meters, he will not be the champion. Dai Li shook his head slightly. He didn’t have faith in Geddako.

Geddako spent a lot of time preparing. He didn’t move forward until the referee told him that the countdown was starting.

Geddako crossed over the bar but heard the disappointed sigh of the audience before he the shitponge mat.

He was unlucky that day. His third attempt failed, too. The champion of this program in the previous Olympic Games was eliminated first.

…

The next height was 2.40 meters, which was higher than the Olympic record of 2.39 meters and was just 5 centimeters lower than the world record of 2.45 meters.

Leonard hadn’t cleared this height in competitions before and he had never tried the height in his daily training. Generally speaking, if one could clear 2.35 meters or higher in an international competition, he could count on being the gold medalist. Only in an Olympic level competition could the standard be raised to 2.40 meters.

This height was indeed beyond Leonard’s ability. In his first attempt, he knocked down the bar before his upper body crossed the bar.

His performance made the audience think that he couldn’t clear 2.40 meters.

That meant Doogallov, who chose to pass before, would be the champion if he could clear 2.40 meters. If he couldn’t, he would only win a bronze along because of his pass at 2.36 meters.

He had only one chance left to attempt.

This was beyond his ability.

His last success was at 2.33 meters and now he was going to attempt 2.40 meters. It was 7 centimeters higher. In the high jump, an increase of 7 centimeters when the height was already above 2.30 meters was hardly possible.

…

Suddenly, Doogallov was excited. He thought it would be excellent if he used his only chance to clear 2.40 meters and beat his rivals after two consecutive failures.

I will create the most classic jump in the Olympic Games’ history as long as I can succeed!

Doogallov still wanted to show off.

He was a pretentious jumper. Just like those who wanted to look nice even on their deathbed, Doogallov was thinking about how to win impressively.

You must win before you think about an impressive win.

Firstly, he approached. He took-off and aimed to get over the bar. His technical movements were so standard.

His jump would have been so impressive and beautiful if the bar hadn’t been knocked down.

…

Failed! Doogallov gazed at the bar on the ground, shocked.

Maybe he had been so sure of himself.

Doogallov failed in his last attempt.

Leonard got another gold medal for America.

Chapter 527 - The Person Who Uses the Axe

Chapter 527: The Person Who Uses the Axe

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

After the men’s high jump, the next final was going to be held in two hours. Before that, there would be six events: the women’s javelin qualifiers, the men’s 110m hurdles semifinals, the women’s long jump qualifiers, the women’s 400m hurdles semifinals, the men’s 400m hurdles semifinals, and the women’s 200m semifinals.

The American team performed as expected in these six events, without anything unusual happening.

Later, the final of women’s 1500m event was decided.

Two American athletes were in the final. Ethiopians made up the majority of the athletes. However, they just had quantity, not quality. In other words, those Ethiopian athletes were good, but not good enough to place.

The Turkish athletes performed remarkably well in women’s 1500m event. In the last Olympic Games, they won both the gold medal and the silver medal. They had also won the World Championship. They were the biggest opposition to the American team. However, two years ago after the World Championship, Turkish athletes were found to have used illicit drugs and were banned by the IAAF. Therefore, the last winners of the gold and silver medals missed this Olympics.

The Russian team was also very powerful in women’s middle-distance races and the Soviet Union had even dominated this event for a long time. Nevertheless, as in most racing sports, African and Middle Eastern countries were not to be taken lightly.

Bahrain, Morocco, and Katar also had powerful competitors. The unique climate of west Asia and north Africa, along the eating habit of Muslim countries were very suitable for training middle-distance athletes. In many middle-distance races, people from west Asia and north Africa often could defeat African competitors from Sub-Saharan.

Unfortunately for them, there were many African-Americans competing for the U.S.

African-American athletes were much stronger than African athletes.

Many people felt this was because America was better and American people had a high quality of life.

This was just one aspect. For example,, there were lots of African-European people. Moreover, European social security was better than American, and poor people could get more social welfare and nutrition than American poor people. However, African-European athletes from England and France were not as strong as African-American athletes.

The real reason why African-Americans people were stronger could be traced back to colonial era.

When European colonists sold slaves to America, they mainly chose Africans, who were tall, strong and full of strength. They were physically ideal slaves. When the slave trade boomed, the population in Africa declined rapidly.

At that time, the long distance from Africa to America was really a big challenge. The people were huddled in the ship’s hold and there was little food and water. The people who survived the journey had to have been physically impressive. If not, they would have been thrown into the sea to feed sharks. The descendants of these strong men and women could have inherited their physicalities.

The trip from Africa to Europe was not as bad. Many slave traders went through the Strait of Gibraltar, so there was little risk during the transit. Therefore, the same physicality that Africans transported to America needed to survive was unnecessary in those transported to Europe.

…

In the women’s 1500m event, Turkish athletes were banned for having used illicit drugs, which benefited the American team most. Two American athletes performed excellently and won a gold medal and a silver medal.

After the final of the women’s 1500m event, there was only one event left. The final of the men’s 110m hurdles.

Hurdles had always been a strong event for the American team. America had been dominant for years, especially in the men’s 110m. During the last twenty years, only Feixiang Lin from China had beaten them.

However, after his retirement, the Chinese lost much of their hurdling ability, while America regained the dominant position.

Nowadays, the country America worried most about was Jamaica. After succeeding in 100m and 200m events, the Jamaican team began to develop other track and field events. They had become strong in the 400m and short-distance hurdles.

The 400m and 200m races were related. In the 1990s, many 400m athletes could participate in 200m competitions. Short-distance hurdles required the same explosive force. It was known that Jamaican athletes were good at short-distance races. When faced with fierce competition in sprints, many Jamaican sprinters chose to practice short-distance hurdles.

For the American team, their most powerful athletes were not at this Olympic Games because of the drug scandal.There was only one American athlete that reached the final of the men’s 110m hurdles. Ellis Metter, who hadn’t made it through the first round of Olympic qualification, was one of the athletes chosen by Dai Li.

Without the powerful American athletes in the men’s 110m hurdles, the outcome of the event was unpredictable.

…

Fraser, the head coach of the Jamaican team, was inspiring his athletes.

“America doesn’t have powerful athletes in this Olympics. This is the best chance we have to win the championship. The only American athlete in the final is named Ellis Metter. Based on the information we got, he has never attended any international games. He even didn’t make it through the first round of Olympic qualifications in America! Sending such an athlete to the Olympic Games, America must really have no talent.

“In the men’s 100m dash, an American athlete grabbed the gold medal from us. This time, we should pay it back. We should let them know how it feels when your gold medal is stolen! Reed, it’s your turn now. Come on, go get the gold medal!” Fraser said.

The Jamaican athlete participating in this event was named Reed. Two years ago, in the World Championships in Athletics, he won the bronze medal in the men’s 110m hurdles. Now, without the powerful American athletes in this event, Reed was hoping to win the gold medal.

On the French team, there was an equally ambitious and fierce athlete.

His name was Baccus, a 29-year-old veteran athlete. This was his third Olympic Games.

Baccus was a powerful athlete, but he had bad luck. When he began to participate in international games, Feixiang Lin was in his prime. At that time, even American athletes couldn’t defeat Feixiang Lin. Young Baccus hadn’t win stood a chance.

When Feixiang Lin was injured, Baccus had become famous. However, it didn’t last too long because Dai Li cured Feixiang Lin. At that time, Baccus who was just reaching his prime, became a supporting role once again.

After Feixiang Lin’s retirement, American athletes rose to fame and became the main players in the men’s 110m hurdles again. Therefore, Baccus still didn’t get much recognition.

Baccus had been a top athlete for more than a decade, but there had always been stronger athletes. He hadn’t yet had a good chance to win.

However, this time was different. Without the powerful American athletes, Baccus also saw a chance.

I have never heard of that young American athlete. He didn’t even qualify originally. He can’t be a threat to me. I should pay attention to that Jamaican, Reed. He won the bronze medal in the World Championship in Athletics the year before last.

Looking at the podium, Baccus looked determined.

May God bless me. After all these years, it should be my turn to win a championship!

…

When all the competitors were on the track, Dai Li smiled.

At first, Dai Li had been worried about Metter. However, after detecting the other competitors, Dai Li became calm. None of the other seven competitors matched Metter in neither ability nor talent.

Metter’s talent level was S+, which was really rare. Even in top international games like Olympics, athletes with A+ level talent were not common. In most cases, there might be only one athlete with an A+ talenin every two events. Basically, those athletes with A+ talent won the championships. It was really unlucky to face Aylwin who had S+-level talent.

Surely Metter can win a medal. If he performs normally, he should win the gold medal. However, Metter didn’t perform well in the Olympic qualification round so he didn’t pass the first round. Perhaps I need to use the state scale for him.

Dai Li put all the weights on the stability side of the state scale.

At this time, Downey said to Dai Li, “You look confident.”

“Of course. I selected Metter myself,” said Dai Li.

“He didn’t even make it through qualifiers,” said Downey.

“Muller didn’t even participate in qualifiers, right? He still won a gold medal,” said Dai Li.

“Muller is different from Metter. Muller didn’t attend the qualifiers, but he could have won them. Metter participated in the qualifiers, but he didn’t pass the first round. This means that he doesn’t have the necessary ability.”

Downey paused for a moment. “If there is an axe, it could be sharp or blunt before we use it. If the axe has been used to chop firewood and it doesn’t work well, we can be absolutely certain that this is a blunt axe. I don’t know why you are so confident with a blunt axe.”

“Because I’m the woodsman who uses the axe! Whether the axe is sharp or not is just one factor in chopping firewood. The most important part is the person who swings the axe. Even with a sharp axe, a three-year-old child can’t chop firewood.” Dai Li smiled and said, “Do you think you could chop firewood faster than Captain America if you had a sharp axe while he had a blunt one?”

Downey didn’t how to respond to this question. He couldn’t chop faster than Captain America with an electric saw, let alone a sharp axe.

“This metaphor is off. Captain America is a superhero. How can an ordinary person be compared to a superhero!” said Downey, unconvinced.

“The difference between superheroes and ordinary people is that superheroes can do things that ordinary person can’t. In other words, they perform miracles.” Pausing for a moment, Dai Li continued. “Don’t you think my putting together this team was miraculous? Besides, I can promise you, Metter isn’t a blunt axe.”

Downey frowned. He felt scorn for Dai Li’s arrogant expression. However, God had not yet punished this arrogant person.

…

After dinner, Williams stayed in front of the television to watch the Olympic Games.

The American team won 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 1 bronze medal today. Naturally, he was quite satisfied with this result. Leonard had defeated two powerful competitors and won the gold medal of high jump, which gave Williams a long-lost sense of excitement.

Now came the last event, but Williams turned off the television.

“Today’s events are not over yet. Aren’t you going to watch it?” asked his wife.

“No, there is no need. It’s getting late. I should go to bed. I’ll go the bathroom first…” said Williams.

“Why don’t you go to sleep after watching it? This should be the last track and field event, right? There is one American athlete,” his wife continued to ask.

“Yes, there is one American athlete, but he can’t win. This athlete is named Metter. However, he didn’t even qualify. He was selected by Coach Li. I was shocked he even made it into the final. I don’t think he has the ability to win a medal,” said Williams.

“You go to the bathroom, and leave the television on. You can turn it off when you came back. That way you can know the result before you go to sleep,” said his wife.

“Alright,” Williams put down the remote and went to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Williams was urinating.

He heard a burst of cheering on the television.

It looks like the competition is over, and the champion is decided. I wonder who won.

Standing in front of the toilet, Williams turned to look out of the bathroom at the television.

The next second, he froze. He didn’t believe what he saw on the television.

“Isn’t that a mistake?” Williams said to himself.

Suddenly, Williams felt something warm on his hands.

“Damn it! I pissed on my hands.”

Chapter 528 - The Final Proof

Chapter 528: The Final Proof

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was the final of the men’s 110m hurdles.

The shot rang out and all the athletes on the track hurtled forward like arrows.

The reaction times of the athletes were immediately on the screen. The fastest was the American athlete, Ellis Metter, at 0.131 seconds.

That young man’s reaction is so fast! Dai Li thought in his mind.

By this time, the athletes on the field had began to jump the first hurdle.

Of the ten hurdles in the race, the first three hurdles were the most important. Athletes must find their own rhythm in the first three hurdles or the later part of race would be greatly affected.

It would be a big mistake for the athlete to lose his own rhythm in the first three hurdles. Every athlete in the final was a top professional athlete. After so many hard trainings, nobody would make such a stupid mistake.

After the first three hurdles, all the athletes found their rhythm, and the real competition began.

…

“Reed is nearly neck and neck with Baccus.” The Brazilian commentator’s voice was passionate.

Actually, there were three athletes in the lead at this time: the Jamaican, Reed, the French athlete, Baccus, and the American, Metter. However, Metter hadn’t attended any international games, so the commentator was not familiar with his name. Therefore, the commentator couldn’t remember it while caught up in this exciting moment.

The distance between the athletes became apparent by the sixth hurdle. Reed, Baccus and Metter were obviously ahead of the rest athletes and one of them would win.

Reed started to accelerate at the seventh hurdle. For Baccus and Metter, Reed’s acceleration was a distraction.

Reed raised his leg a little faster than Baccus and Metter at the eighth hurdle. However, that advantage didn’t put him far enough ahead. When he stepped hit the ground after crossing the eighth hurdle, Baccus also hit the ground.

Obviously, Baccus was also starting to accelerate in the final sprint.

Reed had always kept an eye out for Baccus. He had competed with Baccus several times and Reed thought that Baccus was the biggest threat. Reed suddenly became more determined as Baccus caught up.

I’m the champion! Reed repeated this in his mind.

Jamaica was a country where sports flourished. When it came to Jamaican athletes, people first thought of sprinting. Like all the other Jamaican athletes, Reed was a sprinter and viewed Gittell, the first flying man in the world, as his idol.

However, Reed practiced the 110m hurdles, which was not the event Jamaican athletes were good at. Jamaica had not gained any medals in this event before.

This put immense pressure on Reed. In Jamaica, sprinting was irreplaceable as the favorite sport. It was no exaggeration to say that all the best athletes in Jamaica sprinted. If one athlete gave up sprinting to practice something else, it told others that he was not good enough to sprint.

It was like a battlefield. The best soldiers would fight with enemies at the front, while weak ones would stay in the back. Surely, the back was also important. However, when the war came, most soldiers wanted to fight against the enemy directly rather than stay in the back.

The situation would be better if Reed had started in the 110m hurdle. However, he had switched over from sprinting, which brought criticism from the public. Many people thought that Reed was a loser, who gave up sprinting for a less fierce competition.

“Why don’t you just keep sprinting and also run the 110m hurdles?” This was the most common question Reed heard and he hated it. It was more a criticism than a question to Reed. They doubted about his ability.

Anything done by a loser would be wrong and any decision made by a loser would be doubted.

Reed didn’t want to be that kind of loser. He wanted to break down that doubt, so he needed this Olympic gold medal. He wanted to prove to the world that the path he had chosen was the right one.

…

At the ninth hurdle, French Baccus caught up with Reed.

I’ve been waiting eight years for this gold medal. I won’t let it go! Baccus looked determined.

Compared to the other seven athletes in the final, Baccus was a veteran. Certainly, Baccus had much more experience than all the other athletes.

Baccus was called a star of 110m hurdles when he was young, and he was regarded as hope for the 110m hurdles in France, even in Europe. Baccus himself even felt that his future would be bright.

However, when he entered international competition, he finally realized how strong his opponents were. In addition to Feixiang Lin, the world record holder, there were several strong American athletes faster than him.

At that time, Baccus told that he was still young and there was a lot of time for him to improve. He would keep improving and win a gold medal eventually.

During the two years in which Feixiang Lin was injured, Baccus really rose to the occasion. He ran several times within 13 seconds. It was a performance as excellent as a world champion, and Baccus indeed won several rounds of Grand Prix held by the IAAF. However, this was not as important as the World Championship in Athletics or the Olympic Games. Only one thing could be sure: Baccus had entered his prime.

Nevertheless, Baccus wasn’t lucky. In the World Championship in Athletics, when Baccus had entered his prime, Feixiang Lin came back. Faced with the world record holder, Baccus couldn’t win anymore.

Baccus didn’t know that all of this was because of the American head coach Dai Li. If Feixiang Lin hadn’t gotten help from Dai Li, he wouldn’t have come back.

When Feixiang Lin retired, Baccus was still among top athletes in the world, but American athletes were still competitive. Although American athletes were not as powerful as Feixiang Lin, they were as strong as Baccus. Moreover, America had many strong athletes. Normally, the American team could send two to three athletes who were almost equal to Baccus.

Baccus had to face several competitors of his own strength in every competition. If his opponents performed a little bit better, or he did a little bit worse than he was capable of Baccus couldn’t win the championship. Sometimes, even when Baccus performed well, his opponents performed better than anyone could expect.

In fact, it was an awful experience. Just like gambling, the more people involved, the harder it is to win. If there were only two players, one would win easily if he rolled three sixes. However, if there were two hundred players, there might be one or several people who were lucky enough to roll three sixes.

If there were only two people, one just needed to knock down the other to get the whole cake. However, if there were ten people contesting for one cake, the unlucky one might not get any.

Baccus had encountered this situation several times. There was actually no obvious speed gap between him and his opponents, but they were still making it more difficult for Baccus to win the gold medal.

Year after year, as he got older, Baccus could feel his sports career coming to an end.

The media thought that Baccus was just unlucky and someone thought Baccus should retire to be a coach. However, Baccus stuck with it. He was still training to win a gold medal.

Baccus also knew that this Olympic Games might be his last chance. Maybe four years from now, he wouldn’t be as strong as he was now.

Age was the biggest enemy of any athlete, an unbeatable enemy. Therefore, Baccus should seize his last chance in this competition.

During my entire career, I was overshadowed by Feixiang Lin. I couldn’t defeat him because he was the world record holder. I couldn’t do anything about it!

When I was in my prime, I had to compete with several strong American competitors. I couldn’t defeat them because I wasn’t lucky enough to overcome all of them. I couldn’t do anything about that either!

But today, without Feixiang Lin and those top American opponents, how dare you,Reed, stand in my way! How dare you take the championship from me!

Baccus gave Reed a sidelong glance. He began to get angry. It was not because he looked down on the Jamaican, but because hehad gained nothing from all his persistence!

I need this gold medal. I need to prove to this world that I am able to win this.

Baccus looked determined and he wanted to prove to the others that he had been right not to retire.

…

By the tenth hurdle, Ellis Metter was falling a bit behind Reed and Baccus.

Metter was satisfied with this situation. He hadn’t even made it through the Olympic qualifiers yet he now had the chance to stand on the Olympic podium.

Reed and Baccus were fighting hard for the final championship.

In fact, a bronze medal is also a pretty good result! Thinking this, Metter looked at Reed and Baccus subconsciously.

At that moment, he saw a special energy in Reed’s eyes. It was not just the eagerness for championship, but a determination!

Baccus had a similar expression on his face!

Suddenly, Metter felt inspired by the two athletes.

This is the Olympic final! At this time, Metter finally understood how important this was.

He had always gotten eliminated in competitions before he had gotten a chance to become inspired. He hadn’t really cared about his races.

In the first round of the Olympic Games, he had performed well and had entered the next round easily. He still hadn’t felt any difference between the Olympic Games and his usual training.

However, at this moment, he finally felt the magnitude of this moment.

I must win! I must win the championship! At last, this thought appeared in Metter’s mind. It was a desire for victory.

Metter raised his leg, crossed the hurdle and stepped on the ground. He crossed the last hurdle and hurtled forward.

He caught up with Reed and Baccus in a second.

They didn’t expect Metter to catch up with them and even run ahead of them.

What happened? Who is this guy! He is faster than me!

He is beyond me. Am I not destined to win this gold medal?

Reed and Baccus were startled.

Metter stretched out his head and crossed the finish line first.

…

Dai Li raised his arms and celebrated the victory in the coaching area!

“We won!” said Downey as he ran toward Dai Li to hug him.

Dai Li, however, didn’t want Downey’s hug.

“You see, he’s no blunt axe!” said Dai Li.

“Yes, you are right! You are Captain America!” Still excited, Downey went on, “You proved to the world once again that your insight was correct!”

…

“We won the championship! That guy didn’t pass the first round of qualifiers and he could won the gold medal!” Williams rushed out of the bathroom without washing his hands.

“It was luck, right?” Williams murmured to himself.

At this time, Metter’s final time was shown on the television. 12.95s.

Although it was far behind the world record and the Olympic record,it was still incredible. It was worthy of an Olympic gold medal.

It proved that Metter won the championship with his ability.

How could such an excellent young man fail the first round of qualifiers?

How could Dai Li pick him out of so many athletes?

The two questions came to Williams’ mind at the same time.

Chapter 529 - The Trap in the Interview

Chapter 529: The Trap in the Interview

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Williams got into his own office with several newspapers. He was in a very good mood.

“Good morning, Mr. Williams.” His secretary greeted him the moment she saw him.

“Good morning, Jenny.” Williams smiled nicely and then said, “Go to Mr. Frey and tell him to come to my office.”

“I was about to tell you that Mr. Frey is waiting in your office. He came in very early this morning,” Jenny said.

“It seems like someone was even more excited than me.” Shaking his head with a smile on his face, he stepped into his office.

Frey had been waiting for quite a while. He stood up when he saw Williams. He was about to speak when Williams threw the newspapers at him.

“Good job! We won four medals in one day. This is the best results we’ve ever gotten. Almost all of the media is talking about this. You as the COO must have done quite a lot of work behind the scenes,” Williams said with compliment.

“I have been in contact with the media. The front pages of newspapers had already been decided when I talked to them and had them changed. Of course, we paid for it. I promised them that we will print some advertisements in their newspaper,” Frey said.

“It’s worth it. The dosing scandal inflicted us with a lot of negative attention. We really needed some good news to boost our public image,” Williams said, nodding.

Frey continued, “Mr. Williams, I think we should hit the iron while it’s hot and increase our publicity. I hope I can get some more funding.”

“We have quite a big budget this year, right? The dosing scandal has cost us a big sum of PR expenses. We have been trying to cut the expenses recently so you need to give me a good reason,” Williams said, frowning.

“Yes. We do have a bigger publicity budget this year due to the Olympics. I assure you, it is absolutely worth it to increase the budget. We did very well in the Olympics, and this will get us more sponsors. We can get twice the amount we spend now from sponsors,” Frey said.

Williams nodded. Weighing the pros and cons of the whole thing, he did not speak.

Frey continued, “Mr. Williams, our track and field team has won 11 gold medals so far this Olympics. This is more than we won in the last Olympics, yet it is now only the fifth day of this one. Besides the marathon in the last day, we have four days left to get even more gold. We can win at least 15 gold medals even according to conservative estimates. With a little luck, we may even win 20 gold medals!”

“The national team of this year will be historic. This is a heaven-sent chance for us to expand our influence! We can wipe off the negative influence caused by the dosing scandal and gain more recognition from the public. It would be such a pity to miss this opportunity and we may never have a chance like this again.”

Williams was finally convinced. He nodded, saying, “You are right. It is a rare opportunity, I agree with you. I’ll try to persuade the board to increase the budget.”

“I also want to go to Europe. So I need some PR expenses,” Frey said.

“What is your plan?” Williams asked.

“I want to meet the officers of the Laureus World Sports Academy,” Frey said.

“You want to lobby them?” Williams understood immediately what Frey was going to do.

Frey nodded. “The Team of the Year award should be ours. I want to see if Alwyn or Alexander can get the Comeback of the Year award. Each of them has gotten a gold medal in the Olympics, which makes them both successful comebacks.”

“About Laureus, I heard some rumors that they will have three more awards this year: Action Sportsperson, Sporting Inspiration, and Coach of the Year,” Williams said, unconcernedly.

Frey hesitated as he was not so sure about what Williams was trying to say. He then asked, “Mr. Williams, you mean, you want me to persuade them to give the Coach of the Year award to Dai Li?”

Williams nodded, “We hired him because we wanted him to be our scapegoat, but he saved us. Don’t you think we should thank him?”

“We should,” Frey lied. The Williams he knew was a person who didn’t care about repaying his benefactors.

“You didn’t follow,” Williams said, with an expression showing full seriousness, “I want to show our faith to Dai Li through this. He has shown us sufficient coaching and leadership abilities. He has earned it. Now you see my point?”

“I got it. I’ll try to persuade them and get Dai Li nominated for the award,” Frey nodded immediately.

If Dai Li hadn’t been as good as he was, he would’ve been used as a scapegoat.

Dai Li had been an excellent coach and had helped the U.S. team recover from a scandal, so they should recognize his excellence.

Dai Li had become valuable for the U.S. Track and Field Association. Dai Li proved that his coaching and leadership abilities were better than other coach’s.

Only the best earns the respect of others. It is human instinct to please the more powerful ones.

…

Winning 4 gold medals in a single day was great encouragement for the U.S. track and field team. The gold medals for the man’s high jump and 110 meter hurdles especially inspired the athletes because they hadn’t been supposed to win them.

Up to now, the US team had won 11 gold medals. In the last Olympics, they won in total 10 gold medals. The Olympic Games was just halfway through and they had already won more gold medals than they had in the last Olympics. In all likelihood they were going to get more medals as well. A better overall result this was already secured’.

On the sixth day of the Olympic track and field games, there were some parts of the men’s decathlon. There was only one final match scheduled – the men’s 3000 meter steeplechase.

The men’s 3000 meter steeplechase was an extremely demanding event. In terms of energy consumption, it was more or less the same as the 5000 meter run. Furthermore, the runners had to jump every few steps to stride over the obstacles, which negatively affected the rhythm of the athletes.

The difficulty of this game showed in the results. Of the 15 runners, only ten finished the run. The tenth runner was 40 seconds later than the first one.

The “king of obstacle race,” Hengelo from Kenya, won the championship. He dominated this event. Dai Li had detected him once and found that he had a S+ level. If everything went smoothly, no one could challenge him in the next five years.

The athlete from the U.S. team won the silver medal of the 3000-meter steeplechase. Dai Li was satisfied with this as the gold medal was unlikely with Hengelo in the game. Silver was the best result that the U.S. team could hope to get.

There were no events in the afternoon. Dai Li, however, was busy with the interview with the Sports channel of the Central TV.

…

“Coach Li, it is said that you aren’t an American. So, you are the first non-American head coach in the history of the US track and field team?” the reporter chose to start the interview with this question.

“No. I don’t have American citizenship and I don’t intend to apply for it. I do have a green card, as I mainly work in U.S. and it is much more convenient for my work and my life,” Dai Li answered.

“The U.S. track and field team was thought to be the weakest it has ever been this year. Now, you have gotten very good results. How did you achieve this?” The reporter began to ask the important questions.

Dai Li thought for a while, and then said, “The team did have some problems before I was appointed at a kind of difficult moment. The first thing I did when I began my work was change the normal rules for athlete selection. They used to select the athletes for the Olympics according to their scores in the qualifiers. I, however, didn’t choose that way…”

Dai Li went on without interruption. He didn’t mention anything about the training nor did he give a comment on any athlete. He only told her some non-essential things.

Dai Li was not so silly as to reveal any secret, such as the weakness of the athletes and the corresponding training he had prescribed for them. Dai Li would never make such a stupid error.

Dai Li’s answer was not valuable, but the reporter thought it was sophisticated

“Coach Li, as the head coach of the US track and field team, what do you think of the Chinese track and field team? What suggestions do you have for the Chinese track and field team?” The reporter asked another question that was of some significance.

“The development of sports team is a long term endeavor, the success of which requires the efforts of several generations. It needs a long term plan and just a few pieces of advice are not be enough to improve the ability of a nation,” Dai Li answered, smiling.

“Coach Li, I have an irrelevant question. Are you interested in coming back to China to be a coach on, our national team?” the reporter asked.

“Actually, I used to be a coach on our national team. For me, going back to the national team was like going back home. I surely am willing to go back if I have the opportunity. However good it feels to be abroad, it is never as good as being home,” Dai Li said with a sigh.

“I have noticed that. You stayed quite a long time at the training camp of the national team when you were in China and went to the Asian Games with the national team.” The reporter then asked, “Why didn’t you stay in the national team after that?”

“My position was actually in the Sports Bureau of the Hanbei Province and I was temporarily transferred to the training camp of the national team, which was quite common. When the Asian Games ended, I had the opportunity to get a job on the national track and field team. As chance would have it, I came across Coach Zhizhong Gu, who recruited me onto the national pingpong team as a fitness coach. The national pingpong team was composed of the top athletes in the world. As a coach, I wanted to coach the best athletes; so I went to the national pingpong team. It was the national team, right? It just wasn’t the national track and field team. It was the same for me as long as I was serving my country,” Dai Li said.

“According to your resume, you went to Dingtian Football Club after you left the national pingpong team. Why did you leave the national pingpong team? Did the Dingtian football club headhunt you with higher pay? Everyone knows that Dingtian football club is always willing to spend huge money on excellent talent,” the reporter said.

“About that.” Dai Li hesitated but finally said, “I didn’t want to leave the national pingpong team at that time. After the strike, I was transferred from the team to an intangible cultural heritage application committee for Taijiquan as a committee member. I am a coach and I don’t know anything about intangible cultural heritage applications. So, I quit the job. There was a friend of mine who recommended me go to Dingtian football club. I went there to be a fitness coach.”

“Intangible cultural heritage application committee for Taijiquan? It was a promotion-like demotion? It seems you were shelved,” the reporter said in a joking tone. This was quite unprofessional, or seemed like some careless mistake.

Dai Li, however, believed that the reporter setting him up.

The reporters for the Olympic Games are really hard to deal with, Dai Li thought to himself.

However, Dai Li was not the ignorant young lad anymore. He would not say tell the truth although he had really been demoted and shelved.

“I am only a sports coach. I don’t know about anything but leading and training my team.” Dai Li shrugged his shoulders, “For me, it is good enough to do the things I’m good at. For example, I am leading a team in the Olympic games. This is what I am competent at.”

The reporter was a little disappointed that Dai Li didn’t answer her question on the “shelving” but she didn’t show it. Retaining her professional smile, she asked another question.

“Coach Li, I heard that you are running a fitness training center in the U.S. Could you tell us something about it?” she asked.

“Sure. I prepared some documents for you to reference.” Dai Li took a pile of files from his assistant and then said, “Ms. Liu, I can email you the information if you give me your email address. Now, I will tell you something about my training center. Oh, this is not advertising, right?”

“Coach Li, you are so humorous. This is an exclusive interview to learn about what it’s like for you to be the head coach. This is a necessary part of this interview,” the reporter said with a even bigger smile.

“OK then. I know it is not allowed to utter the words like the best, or the number 1 in a commercial, or you’ll be fined by the industry and commerce bureau. Since this is not a commercial, I’ll be honest and tell the truth: my fitness training center is definitely the best of its kind in the whole world.”

A glittering of admiration brightened up the reporter’s eyes. At that moment, Dai Li seemed to be shining with confidence.

Chapter 530 - Harmony First

Chapter 530: Harmony First

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the sixth day of the track and field events, the finals for the women’s long jump, women’s 200 meter, and women’s 200m hurdle were scheduled.

The U.S. team had superior strength in the long jump, both men’s and women’s. There were two U.S. athletes in the final, Barrett, a veteran, and Seid, the record holder of women’s long jump in the Indoor World Championships. They were both likely to win the gold medal.

Barrett was 31 years old, making her a real veteran. In the qualification matches in the US, Barret didn’t win the qualify. However, due to the dosing scandal, the athletes ranking higher than her dropped out, which gave her a spot.

Seid was the champion in women’s long jump in the last Olympics.

Seid also won the Indoor World Championship and had the record for that competition. Scores for indoor competitions were usually lower than outdoor ones. The world record was 7.52 meters, the Olympic record was 7.40 meter, while the indoor world record, held by Seid, was only 7.22 meters.

Both the world record and the Olympic record were created in the 1980s and 1990s and weren’t comparable to the scores nowadays. A result of 7.22 meter would win the athlete any world championship.

In the last Olympics, Seid won the champion with a result of 7.12 meters. While to win this Olympics, the athlete would have to get better than 7.10 meters to win the gold medal and better than 7.00 meters to win a bronze medal, according to gambling companies.

It was not difficult for the two U.S. athletes to jump higher than 7 meters without the help of the state scale.

Dai Li loved this scale so much now. It was as if it was custom-made for the U.S. team because they could lock in a championship if they have one lucky maximum condition from the scale.

The competition went much as Dai Li expected. The two U.S. athletes got their higher-than-7.10 results on their fourth and fifth attempt and locked in the gold and silver medal before the match finished.

Finally, Barrett won the gold medal with 7.17 meters and Seid failed to defend her championship and won a silver medal.

Barrett was very excited about winning the championship. She had always been one of the best in the world, yet she had never won any gold medal in a world class event. Being 31 years old, she had intended to retire after this Olympics and this gold medal was the best award of her career.

With a gold medal, the US team led by Dai Li continued their show of winning at least one gold medal every day.

The next final was the women’s 200 meters, which was one of U.S. team’s strengths. The U.S. team would not be defeated by any opponent other than Jamaica.

The two best players on the Jamaican team won the gold and silver medals in women’s 100 meters. They also dominated the women’s 200 meters, winning the gold and silver medals by the same two players, leaving only the bronze medal to the U.S. team.

The last match was the final of women’s 100 meter hurdle.

In this event, America’s dominance was almost unchallengeable. They could win the championship in the Olympics even if they sent their second class players.

It turned out that they not only won the gold medal, but also won silver and bronze medals.

The gold medal was planned. Dai Li was not surprised. He had not expected that they also would win the silver and bronze medals.

For the second time, three U.S. flags were raised in Maracana Stadium..

Downey, standing next to Dai Li, began singing The Star-Spangled Banner along with the music. It hurt Dai Li’s ears, but Dai Li could feel Downey’s excitement.

The U.S. athletes and coaches were much like Downey, watching the flag raising with great joy.

This reminded Dai Li of the Asian Games he had went to several years ago. When the Chinese team won the championship, Dai Li had been exactly like Downey was now.

This is what Olympics are for! It’s not only high-level competition, nor only about victory and passion. It’s about the honor of the country. In times of peace, nothing can give people honor like this. Dai Li couldn’t help but sigh.

…

The reporter Ran Liu wrote a report and sent it to China immediately after she finished the interview with Dai Li. She didn’t even have time for supper.

The ringing of her phone woke Ran Liu up from her dream. She checked the time, finding that it was a little past two o’clock in the morning. The caller was her section chief back in China.

Ran Liu was a little annoyed at waking up in the middle of the night. She knew, however, it was a normal time for her section chief, as it was afternoon in China. He called her for work.

This is what journalism was like. She took up the phone and said, “Hello chief. This is Ran Liu.”

“Ran, I’ve read your article on the interview of Coach Li,” her section chief said.

“Ok. Is there anything that should be revised?” Ran Liu asked, resisting her sleepiness.

“No need for revision now.” He paused, and then said, “It won’t be published now.”

Hearing that her hard work was rejected, Ran Liu didn’t feel sleepy anymore. She asked immediately, “Why?”

“There is a problem with your article. You wrote that Dai Li was transferred to the Intangible Application Committee for Taijiquan after the strike and then he resigned. This will cause a misunderstanding among the readers and they may think Dai Li was transferred to the committee because he was oppressed by someone,” Ran Liu’s section chief said.

“Chief, you really think that is misunderstanding?” Ran Liu snorted and then said, “Our best coach was transferred to a committee to apply for the intangible heritage status for Taijiquan. Isn’t that deliberate oppression? What I have written is the unbiased truth. The readers will think as their reasoning tells them.”

“Ran, it is for your own good that I reject this article. You should know that those things are really complicated. If your article was published, you would offend a lot of people. I did this to protect you,” the section chief said.

You are protecting yourself, nothing more! Ran Liu thought to herself. She despised what her section chief was doing, but she didn’t say it. There was nothing she could do about the article’s rejection. Her hard work had been in vein.

On the telephone, her section chief continued, “Ran, we are in pursuit of harmony everywhere. We, as the media, should remember this and stop writing anything that would affect this harmony. Harmony first, right?”

Chapter 531 - A Good Harvest

Chapter 531: A Good Harvest

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was the seventh day of track and field events at the Olympics.

The American team was likely to win gold medals in the men’s shot put, the men’s 400m hurdles, the women’s 400m hurdles, the men’s decathlon, and the men’s 200m dash. Additionally, the preliminary round of the 4x100m relay race was also held this day.

Considering the strength of American team, as long as they didn’t drop the relay baton, they’d get through this preliminary round easily.

Actually, Dai Li was known for his practice he called continuous iron chain, which strengthened the cooperation of players on a team. Dai Li use this to successfully help the national team win the championship of the 4x100m relay race in the Asian Games.

With the aid of the continuous iron chain, the American players cooperated with each other very well and successfully advanced to the final.

After the end of the relay race, the day’s first track and field final took place, the men’s 400m hurdles.

Since the boom of track and field sports in the 1980s, America dominated this event and continuously won several Olympic championships in the 400m hurdles.

The American team was powerful in this event because they had a group of excellent athletes. In fact, this was a difficult event and many athletes who ran the 400m hurdles changed from the 400m dash. Therefore, sometimes athletes from the 400m hurdles could act as substitutes in 4x400m relay race.

The American team had the most 400m dash athletes as well as 400m hurdles athletes. It was known that quantity often led to success. When there were many athletes engaged in a certain sport, more of them would be talents. The average talent level of American athletes was world-class.

However, in today’s final of the men’s 400m dash, the person who was thought to win the gold medal was a typical American but a naturalized one.

…

“Klett, you look nervous. Guess the finals in the Olympics is different from those common events. Considering your experience, I didn’t expect you would be so nervous!” said Dai Li with a smile.

“I’m sorry, coach. I’m a little nervous. I will try to adjust,” said Klett. “After all, this is my first time representing the American team.”

Klett was a 31-year old black athlete. He was representing the American team in the 400m hurdles.

He was born in Trinidad and Tobago, a small country along the Caribbean Sea. The people of this country loved sports and there were many excellent athletes; Klett was one of them.

At first, Klett attended events as an athlete for Trinidad and Tobago. He had many outstanding performances at the World Championship in Athletics, the IAAF Grand Prix and Diamond League, and the Olympic Games. However, at that time he was a Trinidad and Tobago athlete.

Later, he was naturalized into the U.S. and became an American athlete. This caused him to miss the last Olympic Games. According to the rules of I.O.C., after changing nationality, an athlete may not represent the state in any games for three years.

In this Olympic Games, Klett benefited from the drug scandal. In the beginning, he came in third place in the qualification trial. However, both the first place and the second place withdrew from the competition due to the drug scandal. So, the last one suddenly became the first one, shouldering the task of winning the gold medal for the American team.

Dai Li was very optimistic about Klett, who was very hard-working and self-disciplined.

Dai Li knew Klett must have worked hard to stand out as he did. The 400m hurdles was the strongest event for the American team, and he was not an American-born athlete.

Klett was different from the champion of the pole vault, Muller. Although Muller was born in Germany, he came to America with his parents when he was very young. He lived in the United States, was educated according to the country’s standards, and grew up in America. He was influenced by the culture and he integrated into the United States. Besides, being Germanic, he was accepted by Americans more easily.

However, Klett was a naturalized athlete. He couldn’t integrate into American culture so easily because he didn’t grow up there. Above all, he was black. This part of his identity was a barrier to his acceptance in the predominantly white country.

Therefore, for Klett to achieve the success he had, he must have worked harder than any other American.

Dai Li was not an American, so he could understand Klett’s eagerness to be part of America. When Dai Li wanted to run a training center in America, no one trusted him and Americans didn’t believe in his ability as a coach because he was Chinese. Later, Dai Li proved himself .as he accomplished great things. Now, he had won his place in Los Angeles.

Obviously, Klett couldn’t be as almighty as Dai Li. For Klett, his biggest issue was his identity. Dai Li had to untangle this knot in Klett’s mind as much as he could.

Dai Li asked, “Klett, you trained according to the plans I made for you, right?”

“Of course. Coach, I finished all the training you arranged for me. I took it very seriously.” Klett nodded, but he didn’t understand why Dai Li had asked him this question.

“Why did you follow my instructions?” asked Dai Li.

“You are my coach!” Klett answered.

“Did you doubt my training?” Dai Li asked again.

“You are the head coach. Why should I doubt you? Besides, the training plan you arranged for me was excellent. It completely solved my problems.” Klett had no idea what the coach was getting at.

“Very good.” Dai Li nodded and continued, “Look, I’m the head coach of the American team and I lead the entire U.S. track and field team. All the members of this team obey me and no one opposes, or even questions, me. I am the head coach, and I lead this team with supreme authority.

“However, I am not an American. Why do you choose to obey me? It’s because I have the ability to lead. I have abilities that you can trust!”

He patted Klett on his shoulder and went on. “Klett, I know what you are worried about, so I hope you understand what I’m saying. People will only accept you based on your talent. In sports, especially in the Olympic Games, people only accept that gold medal!

“Therefore, you don’t have to think or worry too much. Look at the finish line. You just need to cross that line first. Get that gold medal and you are a hero of America!”

Klett nodded as he realized something. “Coach Li, I see. I know what to do.”

Dai Li was satisfied with Klett, who had enough experience with competitions and enough strength, would have a high probability of winning if that mental knot in his head was untangled.

In fact, Klett didn’t let Dai Li down. In the competition, he didn’t perform well to start, but he got better. In the end, Klett won the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 47.70s.

After the event ended, there was the usual break in the track and field events. In the evening, the first event was the final of the men’s shot put.

Both Russia and Poland were powerful in this event, but the top two men’s shot-putters in the world were Americans.

America had never been short of strong men. In this Olympic Games, the shot-putters were two talented men: Divac, the winner of the World Championship in Athletics, and Luther, the best in the world at the moment.

The world record in shot put was 23.12m and the Olympic record was 22.47m. Both Divac and Luther got over 22.50m in other games, which meant that both of them had the ability to break the Olympic record.

Besides, both of them were young. Divac was 24 years old and Luther was 23. For male shot-putters, they had potential. Many sports commentators thought that one of them could break the world record.

For the American team, this gold medal was expected. Nothing happened out of the ordinary. Luther won the championship with 22.52m and broke the Olympic record, while Divac won the second prize with 22.18m.

On the seventh day of the Olympic Games, the first two gold medals went to the United States.

At the end of the men’s shot put, there came the final in women’s javelin. However, no American players had qualified for the final in this event.

During the women’s javelin, Dai Li focused on the track, where the last event of the men’s decathlon, the 1500m run, was beginning.

American players took first and the second place in this event in the last Olympic Games. After the javelins, the ninth event in the Olympics, American players held first place securely, with a score of more than 7500 points, which was 70 points more than the second place.

Therefore, in this last event, the 1500m run, they didn’t have to get the first place or even rank among the top. They could win the championship if he didn’t fall too much behind the second place athlete.

This American athlete didn’t let Dai Li down. Although he only came in eighth place in the 1500m run, he was still number one on the scoreboard and finally won the gold medal in the men’s decathlon.

The next event was the final in the women’s 400m hurdles. Although the Jamaican team had three players in the final, they couldn’t compete with America and Russia. At last, the American team won the gold and bronze medals, while the Russian team won the silver.

There were five gold medals in that day’s track and field events so far. The American team had won four of them, which was a considerably good harvest.

Now there was only one event left that day, the men’s 200m dash.

Chapter 532 - When the Dream Came True

Chapter 532: When the Dream Came True

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the previous Olympic Games, the Jamaican team won all three medals in the 200m dash. They had been under the leadership of the “first flying man in the world,” which was really a shame for the American team.

Before that, the American team was dominant in this event. Even after the “first flying man in the world” became famous in Jamaica, the American team was still great at the dash. At that time, the American team had hoped to win a silver medal, and it would have been acceptable to win a bronze medal if they were not lucky enough. After all, something is better than nothing.

However, in the last Olympic Games, the American team didn’t even get the bronze medal in the 200m dash. It really was a failure.

Now, Gittell had retired. For the American team, their biggest rival had left and they had a good chance in the final.

Shawn Ford stood at the starting line. What he saw made him feel both nostalgic and strange.

After so many years, the previous champion of the World Championship was in the finals once again.

Ford didn’t know anyone other than himself, and the other competitors looked at Ford with a curious expression.

Ford, after all, used to be a world champion. Even though he hadn’t run in those international competitions during the recent years, the other competitors still took him seriously.

In the coaching area beside the field, Fraser, the Jamaican head coach, was looking Shawn Ford over.

He has not shown up to a competition in years. The public has no information about him. I thought he had retired! When I got the roster for the U.S. team and I saw Shawn Ford, I thought it was some guy with the same name. I didn’t expect it to be him. His performance at that World Championship was really impressive. However, I am wondering how good he is now after so many years.

Fraser looked relaxed. Three Jamaican players were in the final, while the American team only had Shawn Ford. Now, the Jamaican team had the advantage.

Besides, the Jamaican team got all three medals in this event last Olympic Games. Although Gittell retired, both the athletes who had come in second place and third place were qualified in this final. The champion had retired, so the next best naturally became the best.

It really depressed Fraser when he lost the gold medal in the men’s 100m dash. Fortunately, the Jamaican team got two gold medals for the women’s 100m dash and 200m dash. They helped the Jamaican team regain confidence. Fraser hoped he had found the faith needed to win once again.

Fraser couldn’t help noticing Dai Li. He was looking at the field confidently with his hands on his waist.

You think you will win again! You are just a Chinese coach! Humph! Fraser couldn’t help snorting, full of dissatisfaction for Dai Li.

In fact, Fraser was jealous of Dai Li, who had become the head coach of American track and field team. This American team was excellent, nearly perfect.

As a legendary coach, Fraser had taught several world champions. However, it was natural to feel jealous of the younger coach with the better team.

Downey, the team leader, secretly looked at Dai Li. He saw confidence on Dai Li’s face under the reflection of the light, as if he knew Shawn Ford would win.

Downey was used to this confidence. Downey knew that Shawn Ford was one of the first American athletes to follow Dai Li, so Dai Li knew more about Ford.

“Coach Li, Ford can defeat those three Jamaican athletes, right?” Downey asked in a low voice. “The Jamaican team has the second and third place athletes from the last Olympics.”

“That Macnee is an excellent athlete.” Dai Li signaled with his eyes and continued, “Unfortunately, he didn’t have me for a coach.”

Macnee, the best Jamaican sprinter, lost to Alexander in the final of the 100m dash, and now he was running the men’s 200m dash. He was still the one projected to win the gold medal. Besides, even Dai Li spoke highly of him, so Macnee must be a powerful force.

Downey answered, lightly. “Coach Li, I have known you for a long time and you seldom praise an opponent.”

“Actually, it’s a trick. If we praise our opponents but beat them anyways, doesn’t that make us even stronger?” Dai Li said with a big smile.

As an American, Downey didn’t understand Dai Li’s Chinese humor. Dai Li realized that it was a bad joke, so he changed the topic. “In fact, I think Shawn Ford could be the best 200m sprinter in the world.”

“Oh, I’m relieved to hear that,” Downey said.

Although Ford’s talent was only an A+, Ford had leg length discrepancy, which gave him a special advantage. Even players with S-level talent were not comparable to Ford in terms of bending speed. Such a physical advantage was not based on talent, but physique.

The straight was Ford’s weakness, but with the help of an athlete’s patch, Ford could perform like an athlete with A+ talent.

In this 200m dash, Ford was a little faster than those athletes with S-level talent in the bend, while he was as fast as an A+-level athlete in the straight. This meant that Ford could be regarded as an S-level athlete overall. Therefore, it was quite possible for him to win the gold medal in this Olympic Games.

…

The gunshot signaled the start of the final of the men’s 200m dash.

Ford was slightly older than the other competitor and his start reaction time was 0.168s, which was the third slowest start among all the competitors.

Compared to the 100m dash, the start reaction time in the 200m dash was less important. 0.168s was not fast at all, but it was acceptable.

Besides, in the 200m dash, Ford was not expected to have a quick start, but to make up the difference in the bend. Because of his leg length discrepancy, he could accelerate more easily and run faster than other runners in the bend.

Although he was only a little faster than others, in sprinting such a tiny difference could determine the final winner.

…

Fraser started to feel uneasy three seconds into the race.

Ford is really fast! Staring at the track, Fraser could tell that Ford was better than all the other athletes.

Two seconds later, Ford was running faster than ever through the bend.

He is really fast. Even Gittell, at his peak, wasn’t as fast in the bend! Fraser couldn’t help but wonder at Ford’s speed.

One second later, Fraser realized that, if Ford kept this up, he would win the gold medal for the American team.

Macnee, come on! You can’t lose! Fraser started to pray.

…

Soon all runners were past the bend and entering the straight. Now that everyone was in the straight, it became clearer how the competitors compared to each other.

“Shawn Ford!” The commentator was shouting Ford’s name. He was the first athlete in the straight.

He had a quite huge lead.

It’s just a bend. Why is he so much faster than me? Looking at Ford’s back, Macnee didn’t even believe what he was witnessing.

Macnee attended many competitions and had a lot of experience. However, he had never seen anything like this before. Macnee had lost time due to the bend in the past, but this was the most he had ever fallen behind.

Even Gittell wasn’t this much faster than me! How can I catch up with him? Macnee stared at Ford’s back and was overcome with a sense of helplessness.

Will I lose to Shawn Ford?

At this moment, sadness and determination filled his heart.

Four days ago, I lost to Alexander in the 100m dash. Alexander was the second-best sprinter in the world, and his best performance was better than mine. I accepted that loss.

Shawn Ford has not appeared in an international race in years. Will I lose to him too?

Later, Macnee realized that Shawn Ford was not some nameless athlete. He had won at the World Championship in Athletics before.

Is this the strength of a world champion? He is so much faster than me in this first 100 meters! Macnee realized that he had looked down on Ford before.

In the last few years, Gittell dominated sprinting. With Gittell, the first flying man in the world, Macnee, along with the whole Jamaican team, had won all the time. With more victories, the team became increasingly confident, to the point of overconfidence. They began to look down on athletes from other countries. In their subconscious, they felt that Jamaica was the best in the world at sprinting.

Although they didn’t have Gittell in this Olympic Games, Jamaican team was still so confident that they thought they’d win every sprinting event. They had taken it for granted. Even when they lost the men’s 100m dash, the Jamaican team had still felt that they were still invincible.

Now, when Macnee fell so far behind Ford, he finally realized that the whole Jamaican team had made a big mistake in underestimating their opponent.

At last, Macnee realized that his opponent was incredibly powerful. The Jamaican team was not destined to win every sprinting event.

…

Ford was in the lead, and once again he felt both like he belonged and was out of place.

He had once had a similar experience when he was the first to cross the finish line and won at the World Championship.

It was so long ago that he also felt out of place. The memory had blurred in Ford’s mind.

Over the years, Ford had dreamed about the scene when his win at the World Championship many times. Now, he seemed to return to that moment years ago.

Ford couldn’t even recognize whether this was reality or a dream.

If this is a dream, I am in control. I’m the one in charge, so everything that happens here will go as I want it to!

Ford was getting closer and closer to the finish line.

If this is a dream, the result will be what I have dreamt of many times. I’ll be the first to cross the finish line and I’ll get the gold medal. I will stand at the top of the podium!

With this thought, Ford crossed the finish line.

Ford’s final time was displayed on the side of the field: 19.78s.

“Shawn Ford crossed the finish line. He’s first! The past champion has come back!” The commentator yelled passionately at the microphone.

The audience began cheering and the Americans waved their American flags. Countless cameras flashed at Shawn Ford…

Ford felt this was not real. It was like the World Championship years ago and nearly the same as the dream he’d had so often.

If this is a dream, I hope I don’t wake up too quickly. I want to enjoy this as much as I can!

Ford closed his eyes and raised his head. He took a deep breath, as if he wanted to keep this feeling forever.

Ford hoped time would stop and so he could stay in this moment forever. He hoped that he wouldn’t wake up from this “dream.”

Several athletes came over to Ford to congratulate him, but Ford kept his eyes closed and took another deep breath with his head raised. He had no intention of responding to the others.

Many journalists came to him with all sorts of cameras. He could hear was sounded like dozens of people continuously tapping keyboards. However, Ford kept his position, taking deep breaths with his eyes closed and head raised. He didn’t notice the journalists around him.

The other athletes walked away awkwardly when they saw Ford didn’t respond to them.

The journalists stood there and continued to film him. They thought this was Ford’s unique way of celebrating, so they didn’t disturb him.

“Bang!”

At last, someone hit Ford on his shoulder.

Ford woke up, opened his eyes, and turned to see Dai Li standing beside him.

“What are you thinking about? Get ready for the awards ceremony!” said Dai Li.

Ford nodded slowly and looked around. He saw the journalists, the audience, and the result on the screen.

Ford realized that this was not a dream. All of this was real!

It’s real! I won…

Chapter 533 - A New Reward

Chapter 533: A New Reward

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li was excited. Not only had Shawn Ford just won the gold medal of the men’s 200-meter, but he had also been promoted again.

It took a while for Dai Li to make it from where he started to being a mid-level famous coach, but this process was much faster than he expected. Dai Li would have had to wait a long time to be promoted if it weren’t for the Olympics.

So far, the US team had won 18 gold medals in track and field. This brought him a wealth of experience that helped him get promoted faster.

Before the awards ceremony for the men’s 200-meter, Dai Li logged into the system and to see the rewards he got this time.

I hope this time I will get something useful.

Two rewards appeared in front of Dai Li. On his left was a cylinder with a lot of what looked like bamboo sticks inside. On his right was a golden badge with words on it.

Dai Li was familiar with the badge, it was a title prop. Dai Li had gotten the title of “concatenate” before, which enhanced the tacit understanding between players. Dai Li won the relay race of Asian Games with this title.

However, this time the badge was golden, so it looked more advanced than the one he had won before.

Dai Li picked up the badge and found several words on it: evenly matched.

“Evenly matched? Is this a new title? What’s the function?” Dai Li asked.

“The so-called “evenly matched” tile puts your athletes on par with their opponents. It creates a close game.” The system went on to explain. “For example, if your athletes are playing a table tennis game, when you wear this badge, it will be a close game. At the end of the game, a clear winner or loser cannot be distinguished.”

“A close game? A match must have a result, who will be the winner or who will be the loser?” Dai Li asked questioningly.

“It depends on luck. The victory belongs to the lucky,” the system answered without hesitation.

“In other words, it is possible to lose. Why would there be such a weird badge? The point of playing is to win. If I use this badge, it would be difficult for me to predict the result of the game. The badge is useless!” Dai Li complained.

“Of course it works. If your athlete is much weaker than his opponent, then at least he can compete with him. Even if he loses, it won’t be too embarrassing. If he is lucky enough, he will win,” the system said. “The title is different from the title you won before. ‘Close game’ acts on the whole game. When you use it, the other props and skills that are part of the game lose their effect until the end of the game.”

“So, as long as I use it, then such things as status scale and morale booster will be useless the game is over until the end of the game, right?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“You are right, but athletes’ patches and age-reduction cards stay effective because they do not directly effect on the game,” the system added. “The second limitation is that this title can only be used in one-on-one sports. For example, it can be used for tennis, badminton, fencing, boxing, judo, wrestling. This title is not allowed in such sports as track and field, shooting, diving, gymnastics, and swimming.”

“That is to say it can only be used in those sports where two athletes face off against each other, right?” Dai Li asked.

“It can also be used in team sports, such as basketball, football, and volleyball. In those sports, there can still be confrontations on two sides, so the ‘evenly matched’ can be useful,” the system answered.

Li nodded, but he didn’t know how to make use of this title now. If he used it to make the weaker lose respectably, just as the System had told him, it would not be that helpful.

Dai Li put the new title aside, pointed to the cylinder and asked, “What’s this?”

“It’s a prophecy box for drawing lots,” the system answered.

Hearing the word “prophecy”, Dai Li could not help but feel refreshed. He immediately thought of predicting the future.

The system went on to explain. “The prophecy box can predict the results of the decisions you make. It can tell you if the decision will result in the luckiest draw, a lucky draw, a general draw, a bad draw, or the worst draw. The luckiest draw is the best decision, while the worst draw is the worst decision.

“For example. If you are the head coach of a football team and your team isn’t score, you need to substitute a player. You have to draw lots. If you get the luckiest draw and it reads replace player B with player A, then that is the best decision you can make at the time.

“If you get a general draw, and it reads replace player B with player A, then it means it is a neutral decision. If you get the worst draw, and it reads replace player B with player A, then that is the worst decision you can make.”

Dai Li nodded, “I get it, it means the cylinder is useful. As long as I draw lots several times, I’m sure I will get the luckiest draw, which means I will always make the best decision.”

“That’s impossible. If you go to the temple to draw lots, it is impossible for you to draw lots until you get the luckiest draw. You have only one chance. Take the example I gave earlier; if you decide to change a player you’ve only got one draw,” said the system.

Dai Li shook his head disappointedly. “As you have said, it will be useful if I get a lucky draw or the luckiest draw, but it will be useless if I get a bad draw or the worst draw. I’m not going to make a terrible change based on the worst draw.

“But if you get the worst draw, you can avoid a terrible choice,” the system added. “If you already know a choice is terrible, you can avoid a wrong decision.”

“You’ve got a point there. Just as you said, this is a useful prop.” Dai Li thought of those TV quiz shows, where there was always an option to “get rid of one wrong answer.” For a multiple-choice question with four alternative answers, getting rid of one wrong answer was very helpful.

In fact, in a formal game, coaches had limited options. Being able to get rid of the worst decision meant the chances of making the right decision drastically increased.

Chapter 534 - Dai Li Saved U.S. Track and Field

Chapter 534: Dai Li Saved U.S. Track and Field

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Shawn Ford won the men’s 200-meter, which was the fifth gold medal won by the U.S. track and field team that day.

On the fifth day, the U.S. track and field team won four medals in a single day. This day was even better, as they secured five.

This was the U.S. track and field team’s 18th gold medal at this Olympics. They had already broken the record for the number of track and field gold medals won by the United States.

Between the 1980s and the 1990s was the best time for the U.S. track and field team.

In 1984, a total of 19 countries and regions did not participate in the Los Angeles Olympics due to the boycott of the Soviet bloc. The Soviet Union and Germany were among those that did not participate. This made the U.S. a dominant team at that Olympics and the home team won 16 gold medals in track and field events.

At the Seoul Olympics in 1988, there was a drop in the number of U.S. gold medals as the Soviet bloc participated in the Olympics. However, the U.S. track and field team still won 13 gold medals in track and field.

At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the U.S. track and field team won 12 gold medals. In the subsequent Olympics, the team could win about 10 gold medals each time.

Now, the US team had already won 18 gold medals in track and field, a record for the US team, and the events were not over yet.

The busiest man that night was Frey, the COO of the U.S. Track and Field Association. He was constantly on the phone and made promises to one sponsor after another. He worked until morning without a rest, but he never tired.

The next morning, a headline appeared on the front page of most newspapers in the U.S.: “How the Best U.S. Track and Field Team Came to Be!”

Eighteen gold medals was the team’s new record, so it was fair to call them the best U.S. track and field team. Before the Olympics began, no one thought highly of the team. The media called them the worst team ever.

Eight days had passed and the U.S. team had completely changed. It went from being the worst team ever to the best team ever.

The recent performance-enhancing drug scandal was fading from the public’s conscience. Ordinary people are always forgetful. When they saw America’s good performance at the Olympics, no one paid attention to their past missteps.

Dai Li, the head coach of the U.S. team, was also in the spotlight

It was controversial when Dai Li first took over as head coach of the U.S. team. As a non-American coach, no one thought highly of Dai Li at that time. However, Dai Li trained the best U.S. team ever, so everyone’s attitude towards him changed radically.

The original questions and criticisms about Dai Li were gone. On the contrary, he now got all kinds of flattery.

Just as Dai Li put it, nationality and race don’t matter at all in the face of gold medals. The glory of honor will overshadow everything.

People get used to judging a person by his success or failure. This is true in competitive sports; the one wins is the hero.

Although the Olympic spirit of solidarity and fraternity was chanted at each Olympics and although the phrase “friendship first, competition second” was often mentioned, none of the athletes participated in the Olympics just with the aim of promoting friendship. If they really wanted to promote friendship, a meal at a restaurant or a drink at a bar would be far more effective than a fierce competition.

…

James was a well-known sports commentator. He did free-lance work with many different media outlets.

Right now, James was sitting at his computer and watching the Olympics.

The phone rang and James saw it was a call from the editor of a sports magazine. Sports magazines sold well in the United States, and James had worked with this magazine before.

James didn’t hesitate at all, so he muted the TV and answered the mobile phone.

“Hello, Mr. Julian. This is James speaking, I’m so glad to hear from you,” said James.

“James, are you free today? I need your manuscripts and I need them today,” Julian, the magazine’s editor, said.

When James heard that Julian wanted his manuscripts, he was instantly refreshed because he knew he could make money. He said immediately, “Mr. Julian, of course I’m free today. If you want, I can work for you all day. What kind of manuscripts do you need?”

“I need articles about the head coach of the U.S. track and field team, Dai Li,” Julian replied.

“That Chinese coach again,? I’ve written about him before, should I write the same things?” James asked immediately.

A month ago, James published several articles questioning Dai Li’s coaching ability and his criteria for selecting athletes. James also concluded that the U.S. team would fail under Dai Li. Two of these articles were published in this sports magazine.

James’ conclusion was wrong. Julian said, “Mr. James, didn’t you pay attention to the news this morning? This U.S. track and field team has been named the best team in American history. Our track and field team has won 18 gold medals and they’re expected to win more. Readers want to hear the good news, so we can’t belittle the head coach who leads his team to consistent wins!”

“Well, Mr. Julian, what do you mean?” James asked.

“We’re going to sing his praises! You need to praise him, it should be quite easy for you,” Julian said.

“But I just published some articles criticizing him a month ago. Two of them were published in your magazine,” said James.

“So what? Everything is changing. We are a sports magazine, so we write what readers love to read. A month ago, readers wanted to hear criticism of Dai Li, so we criticized him. Now, readers want good news. They want to see a winner, so we are going to show them Dai Li is one.” Julian paused before saying, “Mr. James, you have to understand that our magazines sell well only if we publish what the readers want to read. In order for us to pay you, we need the magazines to sell well.”

“I see.,” James reluctantly agreed.

Being a professional sports commentator, James still wanted to be able to give his professional opinion without being interfered with, rather than acting like a buffoon. F with reality, he had to make compromises.

“You want me to compliment Dai Li? It’s OK, I will do as you want. I will describe the Chinese coach as the world’s top coach!”

James opened his computer indignantly, thought for a while and finally decided his title:

“Dai Li saved U.S. Track and Field!”

Chapter 535 - The Luckiest Draw

Chapter 535: The Luckiest Draw

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“He Saved American Track and Field!”

“Chinese Coach Becomes the Savior of the American Track and Field!”

“From Weakest to Strongest, He Made the American Track and Field Team Comeback!”

Looking at the titles of articles, James realized that he was actually a man of principles compared to these sports reporters. At least his article was not as exaggerated.

Generally speaking, it was normal for American reporters to use a flashy title to attract readers’ attention. Sometimes, the content had nothing to do with the title at all.

James sighed helplessly. He was a professional sport commentator and he wanted to provide readers with a more professional analysis. Unfortunately, he had to yield to the market to survive. Therefore, he wrote the article that readers wanted to read, rather than those that he wanted to write.

When can I end this kind of life? Feeling depressed, James stood up and opened a bottle of whiskey, hoping alcohol could make him feel better.

Meanwhile, Dai Li was speaking to American journalists in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Today was the eighth day of track and field events, and only two events were scheduled for the day: the men’s 5km and the women’s 20km heel-and-toe walking race. These two events were not held in Maracana Stadium. The American team was not like to win the gold medal in these two events, so they didn’t have their hopes up. Dai Li had no real competitions all the day, so he had time to do interviews.

The journalist this time was arranged by U.S. Track and Field Association. The company the journalist worked for got several great advertising contracts from the association, so the journalist was going to report something that benefited the association.

Because of this, the questions the journalist asked were favorable to the team. He actually tried to stay away from any unpleasant information about the American team.

“Coach Li, as of yesterday, our team has won 18 gold medals. This is the best result in the history of American track and field team at the Olympic Games. There are three days left until the end of the Olympics so, may I ask you, how many gold medals do you think your team will win by the end?” This was the journalist’s last question.

“As of right now, we won’t have a problem getting 20 gold medals. We are still favored in the relay race. However, I am not setting my target at 20.” Dai Li paused for a while and said, “I want my team to win more than 25 gold medals by the end.”

“25!” The journalist was astonished. He said, “Coach Li, you see, on the last day, the marathon is the only track and field event. Therefore, track and field events are only tonight and tomorrow. That means that your team has to win at least 7 gold medals in those two days.”

“It’s a little difficult, but not impossible. I have faith,” said Dai Li confidently.

The journalist nodded. He took his recording pen and put it into his pocket. He asked, “Coach Li, your answer to my last question may be controversial. Should I make some modification or just report it as you said?”

Dai Li immediately understood the journalist, who was afraid that Dai Li would come across too braggy.

It’s normal to talk big before a game in American culture. Why doesn’t it work for me? Dai Li complained in his head. Out loud, he said, “It doesn’t matter. Just report it as I said. You’ll hear the good news by tomorrow night.”

…

“Interview with Dai Li, the Head Coach of Track and Field Team: His goal is 25 gold medals”

In the afternoon, this headline was all over America.

A conversation could be heard in the coach lounge of the University of Oregon.

“25 gold medals? How dare he say that!” A bearded coach said angrily, pointing to the tablet computer in his hand. “There are only 13 track and field events that have not yet been decided. If he wants to win 25 gold medals, he has to win 7 from the remaining 13 events. It’s impossible!”

“Take it easy,” Coach Logan waved his hand to motion the man to calm down. “Young men are always arrogant after success. Even if he can’t win 25 gold medals, he can surely win 20, which is still a record. Could any of you do that?”

“Dai Li is just lucky. These achievements belong to the powerful athletes!” said a coach angrily.

“Do you think that he is just lucky? Would you have let Muller on our team without tryouts? Would you have the guts?” Logan snorted and went on, “I told you before, every successful person has quality and merit that others don’t. If you were the same quality, you would as successful as him.”

“Well, I know I’m not as good as him. I just can’t stand his arrogance! He’s a mean guy,” the bearded coach said.

“If he were an American coach, would you think so?” Logan said indifferently. “We American people have thought of ourselves as the best for too long, and we naively think that the other countries are inferior to us. When countries less advanced than us make progress, our first reaction is to deny it and say it’s fake. In fact, sometimes our subjective judgment is totally opposed to reality. We always believe what is most appealing. Maybe we need to lose badly so we realize that we aren’t as great as we think we are.”

…

After seeing the journalist off, Dai Li started to consider the competitions that night.

In that night’s field, there were only two preliminary events, the men’s and women’s 4x400m relay races. Considering strong the American team was in 400m events, it would be fairly easy to win these two gold medals. Dai Li didn’t have to worry about these two preliminary games.

Other than the relay races, the other events were finals. That night was the women’s pole vault, the men’s weight throw, the women’s 5000m running, the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay race.

No American athlete qualified for the final of men’s weight throw. With Kenya and Ethiopia in the competition, it was nearly impossible for other countries to win the gold medal in women’s 5000m running. As for the women’s pole vault, many strong European athletes were qualified in the final so it might be hard for American athletes to win the gold medal. However, it was possible for them to win one medal.

Dai Li mainly focused on men’s and women’s 4x100m relay race.

This event had been viewed with respect for a long time. It was seen as a way to measure a country’s overall sprinting ability.

Before the rise of the Jamaicans, the American team had always been dominant in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay race. The American team always won the championship as long as they didn’t make any mistakes.

However, the Jamaican team had overshadowed the American team in sprinting events recently, and they had won the gold medal for the 4×100 relay race for two consecutive years. Many people regarded Jamaica as the largest sprinting power in the world.

The Jamaican team doesn’t have Gittell in the men’s relay race, so they are much weaker than before. Our team has Alexander and Ford. This time the Jamaican team is not better than the American team.

It will be harder for the women’s team. In the 100m dash and the 200m dash, there were two Jamaican females that were competitive. The women on my team can’t be compared to them, even with the help of my title “continuous iron chain”. Our probability of winning is just 50-50.

I need to find a way to increase our chance of winning. Li thought for a while and remembered the new prop he received recently.

Should I try that prophecy box? Maybe it can help me. Thinking this, Dai Li entered the system and took out that prophecy box.

He shook it a few times and one bamboo stick came out from the box.

Dai Li took up the stick and saw two words on it: the luckiest.

The luckiest draw! I’m lucky. Dai Li couldn’t help looking down and he saw a few words appeared on the stick:

“Let Halyna Bob be the third runner.”

“Let Halyna Bob be the third runner? Is this the luckiest draw? Really? How can it be the luckiest draw? I think it’s more like the worst draw. I must have read it wrong,” Dai Li talked to himself.

Halyna Bob was only 19 years old. She was the worst among the four athletes in the relay race and she had the least experience. If the American team had not been affected by the drug scandal, she would not have had the chance to even be in the relay race because more famous sprinters would have been available.

In the relay race, the weakest runner was always the first runner. The one strong at sprinting went second, the one with the best overall ability went third, and the most powerful went fourth.

Generally, the third and the fourth runner were the most significant. The third runner was an important link and, therefore, was often the most trusted by the coach.

On the American team, Halyna Bob was the first runner.

Dai Li dared not expect too much of her. She was not fast enough and was too young. However, she was youthfulness gave her a quick reaction time. This qualified her to be the first runner.

Nevertheless, the luckiest draw said that Halyna should be the important third runner. It really was the worst decision Dai Li could think of.

“How can I put Halyna in such an important position? She is not the fastest, most able, most stable, or most experienced. More importantly, she just learned how to pass the baton and she never learned how to receive the baton at all! Maybe the luckiest draw is wrong,” said Dai Li.

A difference between the first runner and the third was that the first one only had to pass the baton, while the third runner not only had to pass the baton but also had to receive the baton. This made being the third runner more complicated.

The transfer of the baton in the relay was not simple. The runner who received the baton should run slowly at first before receiving the baton. Given the speed of the athletes, the transfer of baton was not easy work.

Besides, it would be a foul if the athletes didn’t complete the transfer within the passing zone. The passing zone was only 20 meters long. It was a quite long distance, but it only took 10s for athletes to finish 100m. Therefore, the athletes only had two seconds to complete the transfer of the baton. Neither side could make any mistakes or they would lose the whole competition.

As Halyna Bob was the first runner, she didn’t need to receive the baton. She just practiced passing without practicing receiving. Without regarding her ability or experience, how dare Dai Li let the athlete who hadn’t practiced receiving the baton be the third runner.

At this time, the system in Dai Li’s head said, “Don’t doubt the prophecy box. The power of the prophecy box is not telling you which decision is the best or the worst but it’s telling you its prophecy.”

“I see. You mean that the decision of the prophecy box must be correct.” Dai Li nodded, but he was still hesitating whether he should believe the words of the luckiest draw.

Then the system spoke again, “You humans are always afraid of the unknown. How much are you willing to pay to know the future?”

Dai Li was still hesitant but he didn’t know how to respond to that question.

“I don’t know,” Dai Li shook his head. “I don’t know how much it will cost.”

“You think that any cost is too high for the ability of prophecy, right?” asked the system.

“You are trying to remind me of the value of prophecy?” asked Dai Li.

The system didn’t say anything, and Dai Li knew what to do.

“Well, I’ll let Halyna Bob be the third runner just as the luckiest draw indicated I should!”

Chapter 536 - Drop the Baton

Chapter 536: Drop the Baton

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The first event of the night was the final of the women’s pole vault.

Just as Dai Li expected, although the American athlete tried her best and she got the perfect state twice with the help of Dai Li’s prop, she came in third place.

The Russian queen of pole vault had dominated this event for more than ten years. She must have been a S+-level athlete. Although she was 32 years old now, she was still in excellent shape. As long as she was in the competition, the gold medal was hers.

Next was the final of the men’s weight throw. Since no American athletes were qualified for this final, they just watched the game for fun. The next event was the final of the women’s 5000m running, which was actually a competition between Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes. The other countries had no opportunity to win any medals at all.

In this event, the American athlete was expected to run 15.08s, while the Kenyan athletes could finish the race within 14.30s. It might be a gap of more than 40s, which was like two different races. Compared with the two African giants, even American athletes fell behind. The other countries had no chance of winning at all.

After the end of women’s 5000m running, five gold medals had been decided in the eighth day, including the two gold medals of the heel-and-toe walking race. The American team only got one bronze medal, which was much worse than the previous days.

The last two events of the day were the women’s 4x100m relay and the men’s 4x100m relay. The two superpowers of sprinting, America and Jamaica, would confront each other once again.

…

The head coach of Jamaica, Fraser, was confident in his female athletes.

In the two previous sprinting events, the 100m dash and 200m dash, the Jamaican male athletes were defeated by the American athletes. Alexander and Ford won the two gold medals. In women’s events, two powerful Jamaican female athletes dominated. They had won the gold medal and the silver medal respectively. So, in this Olympic Games, the Jamaican female athletes performed better than the male ones.

Those two Jamaican female athletes were really powerful. They were ranked number one and the number two in the world now, while American athletes were ranked third and fourth. However, affected by the drug scandal, those two American athletes didn’t participate in this Olympics.

The relay race was a group sport involving four athletes. Since the best American athletes were not there and most of the best Jamaican athletes attended the game, the advantage the Jamaican team had was obvious.

Beyond that, the Jamaican team had won the gold medal for the 4x100m relay the last two Olympic Games. This proved that Coach Fraser was proficient in relay training. Without a doubt, Fraser helped those two Jamaican female athletes perform better.

Fraser was determined to win the gold medal for the women’s 41x00m relay. In fact, he knew that, with the Jamaican team’s strength, they certainly could win as long as they didn’t make any mistakes. Therefore, Fraser tried to be steady in his strategy. He would rather waste time in the baton transfer than make any unnecessary mistakes.

When all eight teams and 32 athletes were on the field, the track seemed to be bustling.

Fraser looked to the American team, and suddenly he felt so astonished.

“What’s going on? Is the third runner Halyna Bob?” Fraser couldn’t help asking his assistant next to him.

The assistant took out his phone. After careful checking the roster, the assistant finally gave Fraser an answer. “Coach, you are right. The third runner is indeed Halyna Bob.”

“In the preliminary, Halyna was the first runner, right? According to our information, she is the worst athlete of the American team, with low ability and little experience. How could such kind of athlete be put as the third runner! What’s wrong with that Chinese coach?” Fraser couldn’t help looking at Dai Li, who was just staring at the track.

What is he trying to do? Fraser became alert.

In fact, Dai Li was not confident now. He had never used the prophecy box before and he didn’t know what the luckiest draw would bring him. According to Dai Li’s professional judgment, it was really a bad decision to let Halyna be the third runner.

Dai Li was nervous but, as the head coach of the American team, he had to pretend to be calm so others would feel confident and optimistic.

Next to Dai Li, Downey wanted to say something several times but he couldn’t decide what to say.

Downey was also confused about this arrangement. He knew that Halyna was the weakest among the four athletes and she shouldn’t be the third runner. He wanted to ask Dai Li why he had arranged it this way and whether he had any secrets that Downey didn’t know about.

However, Downey knew that every time when he doubted Dai Li, Dai Li appeared confident and determined. This meant to Downey that Dai Li always thought he was doing what was best. Additionally, every time so far, Dai Li had been right.

Downey didn’t want to see Dai Li’s arrogant face or to embarrass himself, so this time he didn’t ask Dai Li.

Halyna Bob herself was also nervous.

Both in her daily training and in the preliminary match for the Olympic Games, she was the first runner. In relay races, the easiest part was first and there was less pressure on the first athlete, so young Halyna didn’t feel nervous at all when she thought she was running first.

Now, Halyna was running the most important part in the final of the Olympic Games, which really made Halyna confused and nervous.

Halyna knew how to receive the baton, but hadn’t practiced it at all recently. It was completely different for athletes who hadn’t trained. Psychologically, the athletes were not confident if they hadn’t practiced.

…

In the athletes’ lounge of Maracana Stadium, the athletes running the men’s 4x100m relay were preparing for the match. The TV screen on the wall of the lounge was displaying the live match.

“Coach Li changed his line-up!” Alexander pointed at the screen. “Halyna Bob is the third runner. Am I seeing this?”

“It’s her. Why did Coach Li make her the third runner?” Shawn Ford was also confused.

In the men’s relay race, Shawn Ford was arranged as the third runner, which proved that Dai Li trusted him. In fact, Ford’s leg length discrepancy made him the best one for the bend. No one was faster than Ford in the bend. After all, no other world-class athlete had leg length discrepancy.

Ford knew the significance of the third runner. In Ford’s opinion, it was obviously a mistake to let young Halyna be the third runner. She was bad in technique and had little experience.

Alexander frowned as he said, “If someone is hurt and a substitute comes in, it’s acceptable to adjust the order of the four athletes. There’s no substitute, though. I really don’t understand the adjustment.”

“Coach Li must have his reasons. We can’t understand it because we are not good enough to understand Coach Li’s strategy,” Ford seemed confident. “Maybe we won’t know his reason until Halyna gets passed the baton.”

“You’re probably right,” Alexander nodded.

The two started to praise Dai Li, while the other athletes, especially those from other countries, became more confused after hearing their conversation.

Both of them were champions of the Olympic Games. One was the winner of the men’s 100m dash and the other the winner of the men’s 200m dash. They were the two strongest athletes in the world and both of them said they didn’t understand Dai Li’s strategy at all. They couldn’t understand why they put so much faith in him.

Only the two other American athletes understood. They knew that both Alexander and Ford were trained by Dai Li. They were his fans. They never missed a chance to boast about Dai Li.

…

The referee signaled all the first runners to the starting line. When all of them were prepared, the women’s 4x100m relay race began.

All the first runners started smoothly. The start reaction time of American athlete was 0.151s, while the Jamaican athlete was 0.160s. Obviously, the Jamaican athletes were following their coach’s strategy. Considering their advantage, they tried to perform steadily, so they didn’t want to pursue the fastest starting speed.

The athlete with the fastest start reaction was English, and it was 0.113s. Apparently, she didn’t start after hearing the gunshot but beat the gun. She nearly got a false start.

Generally, the first runner wasn’t often the strongest on the team, and many teams let a weak athlete be the first runner.

However, the American team arranged Halyna as the third one, while the third runner was put first, which made the American team have an advantage in the beginning. The American team had a powerful athlete as the first runner, while the other teams just fine ones. Therefore, the gap became obvious very soon. The American team was in the lead after the first changeover.

The American athlete’s changeover is quite smooth. The head coach of the Jamaican team, Fraser, realized that the American team’s first changeover was faster than the Jamaican team’s.

That Chinese coach seems to know that the American team is inferior to us in terms of strength. Therefore, they focused on the changeover, hoping to save time in the process. It’s a good idea, but it’s too naive, Fraser thought with a disdainful smile on his face.

Although the Jamaican team fell behind the American team, Fraser was not worried at all. The last two athletes on the Jamaican relay team were their best. They had won the gold medal in the women’s 100m dash and 200m dash respectively. Having them both on the same team was like having double insurance.

According to Fraser’s plan, if both of the women performed well, the Jamaican team would win the championship easily. If only one of them performed well, the Jamaican team still might win the championship. If neither of them performed well, and the Americans did, it might be possible that the Jamaican team loses the gold medal.

The second runner was almost finished and Fraser was still smiling.

In the 4x100m relay, the second runner ran the shortest distance. Runners completed the changeover in the process of running, so the runner should start running before the passing of the baton. While the passing zone was set in the joint part between the bend and the straight, the runner who ran the straight would run a little farther. Therefore, the second runner would run a little shorter distance.

The second runner was responsible for the sprinting part in the straight. Therefore, the most powerful athlete would not be sent as the second runner. Besides, since the distance for the second runner was quite short, so it was difficult to widen the gap.

After the second runner was done, the American team was still in the lead.

However, the American team’s third runner was Halyna Bob. She was not a strong athlete, while the other teams all put their best athletes in third. The Jamaican team had one of their two strongest, a really powerful runner.

When the third runner started to run and was prepared for the changeover, Dai Li began to be nervous.

It’s time to see whether the luckiest draw was correct or wrong. Dai Li stared at the field, holding his breath.

Athletes began to enter the passing zone, and the second changeover was about to begin.

Halyna has not practiced receiving the baton. I hope she can make it.

Halyna reached back with one hand, and the second runner put the baton directly in Halyna’s hand and she grasped it tightly.

She made it! Dai Li was relieved to see this.

Halyna caught the baton. Her hand holding the baton naturally swung from behind her to in front of her. However, when her hand moved forward, the baton flew out of her hand.

She dropped the baton! Li watched the baton fly out of Halyna’s hand and to the front.

Dai Li couldn’t remain calm anymore. He knew they were going to fail now.

The baton was dropped! How the hell is that the luckiest draw! Dai Li cursed in his head.

Chapter 537 - The Power of the Luckiest Draw

Chapter 537: The Power of the Luckiest Draw

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Halyna threw the relay baton into the sky.

Surprised shouts arose in the crowd.

Dai Li couldn’t control his anger and nearly shouted out.

Frazer smirk, very pleased.

Halyna was the one to blame.

During the changeover process, there was no mistake at all. It was perfect until Halyna held the relay baton in her hand.

It went so well, of course, because Dai Li who had the “continuous iron chain” title. He never worried about the changeover.

When Halyna took the relay baton, she didn’t hold it tight and let it fly out of her hand, a huge and terrible mistake.

Before the contest, Halyna had never been trained to take the relay baton, only trained to hand over it. This was one of the reasons for her terrible mistake, but another was that she was under a lot of pressure. The third runner is so critical that Halyna, a young athlete, was shouldering too much of the burden. That was the fundamental reason for her fault.

The U.S. team has lost!

Almost everyone who was there, Dai Li included, thought this and couldn’t bear to watch.

The relay baton flew away towards the front of the race.

The two athletes from Jamaica were making their second changeover in that direction.

Jamaica was in the lane beside the U.S. team, and they were in their passing zone. The U.S. team had accumulated a lead in the first round, which meant that when Halyna threw the relay baton away, the Jamaican team was still passing the baton.

At that moment, the two Jamaicans noticed her fault and the relay baton flying towards them.

When she lost the relay baton, Bob realized that she had made an unforgivable mistake that could destroy the U.S. team’s chance to win.

She tried to do something instinctively, bending forward and reaching her hand to grab the relay baton. She did it! Of course, she almost dropped it but it didn’t fly off the track thanks to her flexibility.

Halyna, moving like an acrobat, pulled the U.S. team back from defeat.

Thanks to her young body, she could move quickly enough to grab the relay baton again. Had she been an older athlete at that moment, they would have lost the game already.

“Woo!” Dai Li breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank god! Not losing the relay baton is a lucky turn of events. Dai Li comforted himself with this thought.

Dai Li knew that, although Halyna didn’t lose it, at least 0.3s were wasted because of the loss of momentum. This was considerable in a race like the 4×100m.

Halyna was just a common athlete who had made a mistake and lost some time, so Dai Li had expected them to lose to the Jamaicans.

However, at that moment, something unbelievable happened: The Jamaican athletes slowed down. They almost stopped, to be exact.

The Jamaican team stopped at the edge of the passing zone.

What was more shocking was that the relay baton hadn’t been passed.

Their changeover failed! Dai Li realized at once.

Next to Dai Li, Fraser’s expression froze instantly.

The passing zone in the 4×100m was only 20m. Actually, before taking over the relay baton, one must start running. Therefore, when they received the baton, they were going as fast as they could. That meant that it took no more than two seconds for top athletes to run out of the passing zone. In other words, the changeover must be finished within two seconds.

You only got one chance for a changeover in two seconds. If the changeover is completed within two seconds, the athletes have to slow down, or even stop running, in order to get the baton in the passing zone. Only then could they start running again without breaking the rules and getting an invalid result.

Obviously, the Jamaican team made such a mistake.

They had to stop to pass the relay baton and speed up again. It was a disaster in a race like this. When such things happened they could just give up. They had lost seconds.

As expected, the third runner of the Jamaican team stopped first, took the relay baton and started running again. Eventually, the Jamaican runner was behind 7 runners. Compared to the U.S. athlete, she was behind by two seconds.

What on the earth happened just now? Why did they make such a horrible fault? Dai Li was confused. Halyna had all his attention at that moment, so he didn’t notice how they made that mistake.

Most other people watching had been paying attention to Halyna too, so most people didn’t realize that the Jamaican runners failed at the changeover until the Jamaican runner stopped on the verge of the passing zone.

The female sprinter tried her best to catch up, but she could do little now, although she was much faster than the other athletes. Even though two of the fastest runners fastest runners in the world were on the Jamaican team, making up for two seconds was impossible.

Meanwhile, the third runner, Halyna, was trying her best to run hard.

Halyna knew that she had made an unforgivable mistake. Although she hadn’t lost the relay baton, she had still wasted some time. She wanted to make up for what she had lost.

Actually, her mentality changed after her mistake. Before, she had been worried about how she would negatively affect the team. After the mistake, the pressure was off. It was like a wealthy man who lived in fear of losing everything had just been robbed. Now that he had nothing, he was fearless.

After unloading her burden, she was fearless and courageous.

Halyna was brave and her shame led her to a nearly flawless performance. Compared with the other third runners, she did much better than she was expected to

Eventually, she rushed into the passing zone and handed the relay baton over to the fourth runner.

The fourth runner from the U.S. ran out of the passing zone while the Jamaican team was still in the process of passing the baton.

Although the Jamaican team was very powerful, they could do nothing about a two-second gap.

Without the threat of the Jamaican team, the U.S. team was the most powerful contender.

After entering into the last leg of the race, the U.S. team acquired a huge lead. They were nearly half a second ahead of the team in second.

“We did it!” Dai Li was relieved and, eventually, looked at the Jamaican team.

The champion of the hundred-meters dash was in last, but she didn’t give up and still exerted herself in an attempt to catch up, despite knowing it was useless.

What happened in their second changeover? Dai Li wondered.

The U.S. team whose speed was 41.36s was the first to break the tape and if Halyna hadn’t made such a mistake, it might have been 41′. The mistake cost 0.3 seconds.

The Jamaican team, which had been most likely to win, came in last.

When the U.S. athletes hugged to celebrate their victory, the big screen showed a replay of Halyna making her mistake. Then, it showed what happened in the Jamaican team’s changeover.

The replay showed that the relay baton was flying towards the Jamaica athletes when they were passing the baton. To take back the relay baton, Halyna bent forward to grab it, right in the direction of the Jamaican athletes.

The two Jamaican athletes were in their changeover when Halyna seemed to run towards them so they dodged instinctively, missing their best chance at the changeover.

The two experienced athletes realized it immediately and they decided to do baton exchange again. They didn’t cooperate with each other well, and the runner about to receive baton reached her hand back but the runner behind her didn’t hand it over in time. Then, when the one handing over the baton was ready, the runner ahead didn’t open her hand.

It was similar to how when a car and pedestrian come to a crosswalk at the same time and they both stop to let the other go. Then, both attempt to go at the same time.

After missing the best chance at the changeover, both of them wanted to compromise with the other. They hadn’t been able to complete the changeover by the end of the passing zone.

The big screen showed the scene again and again and Dai Li finally figured out to the Jamaican team.

“That’s it? Unbelievable!” Dai Li said, filled with surprise.

Suddenly, Dai Li realized that without Halyna’s fault, the Jamaican team wouldn’t have been interrupted. They might have finished the changeover instead of making such a fatal mistake.

If the Jamaican team had avoided the fault, it would have been hard to predict whether the Jamaican team or the U.S. team would have one.

It was Halyna’s fault that interrupted the Jamaican team, which led to their defeat.

Dai Li shook his head and the “Luckiest Draw” came back into his mind. He finally realized why the prediction box said Halyna Bob was the most suitable one to be the third runner.

“Without their mistake, we really don’t know if we would have won or not. Halyna being the third runner was really the best choice!”

Donny looked at the big screen, astonished.

He had always thought the U.S. team could win, but he had never thought they would win in this way.

Mr. Li put Halyna in third, what a wonderful result it is! Donny looked at Dai Li and it occurred to him that the coach might have arranged it in advance.

“It can’t be a tactic designed in advance. If the opponent hadn’t been interrupted and Halyna did lose the baton, it would’ve been a disaster. No coach would have such a risky strategy.”

In the athletes’ lounge, Alexander and Ford watched the TV, amazed.

“I can’t believe a team can win like this! Was it arranged in advance?” Alexander mumbled to himself.

“It couldn’t have been arranged in advance! How could it be possible to arrange for an athlete to lose her baton,” Ford said.

“If that wasn’t arranged in advance, then why did Coach Li put Halyna in third? She did make a mistake, wasn’t it a terrible idea?” Alexander replied.

“How could it be possible? Coach Li does not make bad decisions. His choices are always the best!” Ford shook his head.

“So I guess it was planned in advance. Maybe the Jamaicans’ mistake was part of his plan as well,” Alexander muttered.

The athletes beside Alexander looked at him and wondered what was wrong with this new hundred-meter champion.

What kind of idiot would believe a coach would purposely put in an athlete planning for them to make a mistake?

Everyone in Jamaica was deeply upset.

Losing in this way was difficult for them to accept.

Jamaica was supposed to get the gold medal, but they didn’t even get any medal.

Seeing the picture slowed down on the big screen, Fraser couldn’t control his emotions anymore and got angry.

“That is U.S. athlete ruined the race. Our two athletes can’t be interrupted! I have a complaint. I am about to file it to the IOC, the U.S. team meant to do that!”

Chapter 538 - 20 Gold Medals

Chapter 538: 20 Gold Medals

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The U.S. team was celebrating their gold medal when a steward came from afar towards Dai Li.

“Mr. Li, we have just received complaints from the Jamaican head coach, Fraser. He believes that what your athlete did interrupted the Jamaican athletes’ performances and led to their fault in the changeover,” the steward said.

“Nonsense! We nearly lost our relay baton,” Dai Li replied, the smile on his face disappeared.

“Mr. Li, according to regulations, if someone files a complaint, we have to follow up. Please cooperate and come with us, we need to ask you several questions.” The steward had a cold expression on his face.

“All right, I will cooperate. Let’s go.” Dai Li said. He glared at the Jamaican team.

Dai Li didn’t see Fraser in their group, so he must have gone to file his complaint.

“Fraser is such a sore loser.” Dai Li curled his lip.

Following the steward, Dai Li went into an office. Fraser was there too. Other than them, a referee, his two assistants, and three other stewards were in the office.

“Everybody is set,” the chief steward said. “Both of you please present your arguments. Mr. Fraser, you filed the complaint, so you go first.”

Fraser nodded and said, “I believe the U.S. team broke regulations when they purposely interrupted our athletes, which led to a mistake in our changeover. It is very unfair to leave the situation like this, I request a rematch!”

The steward turned around to face Dai Li and said, “Mr. Li, is there anything you wish to say?”

“Mr. Frazer’s complaint is unreasonable. Our athlete didn’t mean to interrupt anyone.” Dai Li continued, “I bet all of you have watched the replay that showed our athlete make a mistake and nearly lose the relay baton. Thanks to her quick response, she grabbed it again. We still lost time. Is there a coach who would formulate a strategy that involved wasting time?”

Then Dai Li turned around to face Fraser and asked, “Mr. Fraser, if you were me, would you arrange such idiot tactics to interrupt your rival?”

Fraser snorted and Dai Li continued. “What’s more, if our athlete lost control of the relay baton, we would have lost the race. In addition, if you had succeeded in the changeover, then we would have wasted our time for nothing. Is that reasonable?”

The stewards nodded, discussed it together, then said, “We have listened to both of your statements. We discussed it and we believe that, in this case, the U.S. team did not mean to interrupt the Jamaican team. It was an accident. Mr. Fraser, if you refuse to accept our judgement, you can continue to initiate an arbitration with the IOC after the Olympics.”

Fraser knew that there were no grounds for his complaint. Dai Li was right, no coach would formulate such a foolish tactic.

Fraser was not willing to admit defeat, so he replied immediately. “Even though the U.S. team didn’t mean to interrupt our athlete, they did. This is unfair to us and violates the principle of fair competition in the Olympic Games. We should get reparations. Even if we can’t get a rematch we should get a chance to run again. If our time is better than theirs, you should make the U.S. team give us back the gold medal.”

“Give back?” Dai Li sneered and said, “Mr. Fraser, do you mean that the gold medal belongs to your team? I believe there isn’t a regulation that stipulates that the gold medal in the women’s 4×100m belongs to Jamaica?”

Fraser didn’t care about his mockery. He wanted to get the chance to get back the gold medal.

Those stewards discussed again, going over what Frazer presented.

Dai Li knew that he had to do something right now to prevent those stewards from making a foolish decision.

Dai Li said, “Stewards, referee, if my memory serves me right, the IAAF states “an athlete has to run through the whole course with the relay baton in their hand. If one drops his baton, he can leave the track to pick it up, and if he doesn’t affect other athletes, he doesn’t break regulation.” Am I right?”

“It is true.” The referee nodded.

“According to the replay and this rule, it can be easily estimated that our athletes didn’t break regulations, right?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes, all the technique movements are finished in her own track.” The referee confirmed that.

“The regulation makes it plain that leaving one’s own track to pick relay baton up without interrupting other athletes doesn’t break regulation. If all movements are finished in one’s own track, how can he interrupt others?” Dai Li said.

“Why can’t it be regarded as a foul if all movements are finished in one’s own track?” he retorted.

“If that is counted as illegal, then I can also file a complaint that the Jamaicans broke regulations. In the previous women’s 100m, the Jamaican stared at our athlete so intensely it affected our athletes’ ability.” Dai Li replied.

Fraser snorted again. He didn’t retort, even though he wanted to, because there was no ground for him to stand on.

Dai Li continued. “I don’t deny that the Jamaican athlete made their mistake after our mistake and that there might be a causal relationship between them. That doesn’t mean that we’re responsible. In a relay race, it is very common to make mistakes. It is an integral part of the whole competition, we cannot replay whenever a fault happens, right?

“In conclusion, they should bear the responsibility for their own mistake. So I ask that the Competition Committee reject Mr. Fraser’s unreasonable request.”

In the end, the committee didn’t approve Fraser’s request because they knew it was unreasonable.

After that episode, the competition went on. The last event of the day was the final of the men’s 4x100m.

In this event, the U.S. team was undoubtedly favored. They had, Alexander and Ford, two new Olympic champions, so they were most likely win gold.

What’s more, the women’s team had won with average athletes. With two champions is men’s team, why shouldn’t they win the gold medal in the 4×100m?

Faced with the U.S. team, the Jamaican team, the two-time defending champion, lost their spirit. In the men’s 100m and the men’s 200m, they were beaten by the U.S. team, which made people question their ability to defend their championship.

What’s worse was that the women’s relay race team was beaten by U.S. team as well. They didn’t even win a medal, which was a big shock to them.

In team sports, the athletes’ morale is one of the most important factors. Racing when you’re confident and racing when you think you’re going to lose are two very different experiences.

The way in which women’s team was beaten put extra pressure on men’s team because now the men were worried about making the same mistake.

People always worry that unlucky accidents will recur, but athletes worry more than most people. If an athlete is injured due to a certain movement, when he recovers he is afraid to do that movement again.

Now, the Jamaican men’s team was worried. The women’s team had planted a dark seed in their hearts, which germinated and grew gradually. Afterwards, they would hesitate to do the right movements in their changeover, worrying about bad fortune could come again in men’s team.

How could the Jamaican team compete with the powerful and confident U.S. team?

When Shawn Ford handed the relay baton over to Alexander, the U.S had such a lead it was clear they had won.

“20 gold medals! We got the 20th gold medal!” Donny was very excited.

This was not the first time for him he had participated in the Olympics with U.S. team and it was the second time he was in charge of the track team. He had never been a part of such a big win. It set him up for a chance of promotion at the U.S. Track and Field Association, a bright career waiting for him when he got home.

The best of all was that he was there to witness the moment when the U.S. was at its most powerful, which was quite an honor.

American journalists were also excited, they had thought of the title in tomorrow’s news: “The U.S. Team Back on Top after Waiting 10 Years!”

On the bus back to the hotel, all the athletes on the U.S. team were excited. Dai Li was lost in thought, a file in his hand.

The file contained information about the race.

Tomorrow would be the second-to-last day of the Olympics.

On the last day of the Olympic Games, the closing ceremony would be held at Maracana Stadium. That meant that there wouldn’t be any competition on the last day, so tomorrow would be the last day to win events.

There were still another eight events left. The men’s marathon was actually held on the last day because it was held outside and they did not need Maracana Stadium. All of the other seven programs would be held on tomorrow.

They were all finals: the women’s high jump, the men’s javelin throw, the men’s 1500m, the women’s 800m, the men’s 5000m, the women’s 4×400m, and the men’s 4×400m. According to the schedule, all seven programs were going to be held at night.

For the U.S. team, the good news was that there were talented U.S. athletes in all of the finals.

There were two 4×400m relay races that the U.S. team was favored to win. The U.S. team’s domination of the 400m race was suspected to cross over into the 4x400m relay. It might be said that those two gold medals had already been won by the U.S. team.

The women’s high jump was a European sport and all but two of the finalists were European. However, the European players were from Spain, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Croatia, Bulgaria, Sweden, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia; one player from each country made it into the final. This meant that the competition was very intense and no country dared to say that they were definitely going to win the women’s high jump project.

The men’s javelin was similar to the women’s long jump. There were a large number of European athletes entering the final. Generally speaking, there wasn’t a big difference between the strengths of the athletes. Everyone was likely to stumble, so it was hard to say who was going to win.

In both the women’s high jump and the men’s javelin, the state scale could play a role. Every athlete had the opportunity to try many times and one good attempt could make them the champion.

In these two sports, where there was not too much difference in the athletes’ talents, it was easier to use the state scale to fish in troubled waters. A good mental state could win an athlete the competition. If there was a big gap in talent, it would be hard for the U.S. to win a gold medal even they had good mental states every time.

Two relay races, the women’s high jump, and the men’s javelin throw, that’s four gold medals in total. That is one gold medal away from my goal of 25. Dai Li frowned and looked at the three other programs.

The men’s 5,000-meter race had traditionally been won by a pair of athletes from Africa, one from Ethiopia and one from Kenya. Although all three of the American team’s competitors had qualified, it would still be difficult to win the gold medal.

There was good news about the men’s 5,000m. The first round went badly wrong and no one from Kenya team made it to the final. So, the U.S. team would only have to face one of Africa’s top teams.

The competition was very fierce in the women’s 800m and the men’s 1500m middle-distance races. In addition to Russia, Africa, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, Algeria also had a world-class middle-distance runner who was in the final. All of the athletes were basically at the same level, so it was hard to say who would win.

I’ve observed all of the athletes in these two events and I haven’t found any S level or even A+ athletes. That is very rare in high-level sports. There will be fierce competition tomorrow!

Chapter 539 - A Great Day of Miracles (Part One)

Chapter 539: A Great Day of Miracles (Part One)

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was another Sunday, the second-to-last day of the Olympics.

The final for the women’s high jump was starting on the field.

Two American players had advanced to the finals. One was an experienced 32-year-old athlete named Jennifer and the other was a young athlete named Ayman.

The older athlete was too old, while the younger was too young. This was thought of the entirety of the U.S. team in this Olympic Games. Influenced by the scandal of doping, the most of the American track and field team had not shown up. Therefore, it had to rely on its old athletes who were no longer in their prime and freshmen who were far from being mature.

However, the team had acquired 20 gold medals, a record for the American team.

Normally, athletes past their prime were not well regarded. However, today was different; everyone feared the older athlete because she was American

Those 20 gold medals really were scary! It showed the power of the American team. The U.S. team had brought many dark horses into competitions this year. There were veteran athletes returning to their primes and young sportsmen winning huge upsets. No one dared to doubt the team might make other miracles happen.

Dai Li was quite relaxed because all of the women were evenly matched, so the State Scale would play a big part in deciding the winner.

There were 17 athletes in that day’s final. Normally there would only be 12 players in the final, but six of the women tied in the qualifier.

The initial height was 1.88 meters, which was quite easy for the women in the final. All of them made it over.

The second height was 1.93 meters, which stopped six jumpers from continuing.

Then, the height reached 1.97 meters. Ayman was knocked out here and, in the end, only five athletes were promoted: Jennifer and athletes from Spain, Bulgaria, Russia, and Italy.

Unexpectedly, the five remaining all failed to jump over the next height, which was two meters.

It was quite disappointing that, in the Olympics, none of the women could jump over two meters. The world record for this event was 2.09 meters and the Olympic record was 2.06 meters. In recent Olympics, the gold medal would be gotten by someone who jumped 2.03 meters or higher.

This being the case, the height was lowered by one centimeter, making it 1.99 meters.

Jennifer was the first to try this jump. For her, 1.99m should not be too difficult, she could easily jump it when she was young. Even though she was 32 now, it was not that hard.

She took a deep breath, ran up, jumped into the sky before and crossed over the bar quite gracefully.

1.99 meters! Her first try had been a success!

The coaches of the American team roared with joy. This successful jump had meant Jennifer should win.

This event’s tiebreaker worked similarly to the way overtime does in some sports. Because Jennifer had cleared the bar on her first try, everyone else only got one try to make it as well.

For example, if Jennifer succeeded in her first attempt, other athletes would be out of the running if they failed on their first try. If someone else succeeded on their first attempt, the height would be increased for the successful players and it continued until the winner was decided.

Now, the other four players needed to succeed in their first jump if they wanted to jump for the next height as Jennifer had been successful on her first try.

As a result, the pressure on the athletes left to go increased. Their three tries had just turned into one.

Affected by the pressure, the Italian and Croatian athletes failed and were kicked out, putting more pressure on the other two players.

The Russian jumper followed also failed, meaning that she, together with the failed Italian and Croatian players, would earn bronze medals at least.

The high jump permits multiple people to win bronze and silver medals, but the gold medal is only given to one.

So, the eliminated hoped that the still-untested Spanish athlete also failed. If she failed, the four of them would be tied for second place and they would all get silver medals instead of bronze ones.

Their wishes came true. The Spanish athlete bumped the bar down and then failed. The four of them all got the silver medals.

The gold medal was Jennifer’s.

…

“21 gold medals now!” Downey had a huge smile on his face. “With the last 4×400 meters relay races, we will get 23 gold medals!

“23 gold medals aren’t enough. As I said before, we are aiming 25 gold medals,” Dai Li told him.

“Haven’t you given up on that yet? 25 gold medals, that’s quite difficult. We are still two away from that goal. Getting 23 gold medals is excellent. There are 47 gold medals in total for track and field events and we got half of them. Isn’t that satisfying? No team in track and field history has ever been able to get 23 gold medals in just one year!” Downey said.

“Well, we may be witnessing a 24th winner soon enough.” As Dai Li said this, he pointed at the javelin competition.

The final of the men’s javelin was about to begin.

“The javelin?” Downey shook his head and said, “That has never been our strength.”

“The men’s pole vault was not our strength, either,” Li answered with a smile.

“In the pole vault, Muller was quite competent, but we can’t expect every event to have a Muller. Marcus Allen is in the final of the javelin throw. I don’t believe he has the strength of Muller,” Downey said.

Dai Li shook his head and explained: “In the pole vault, Muller was strong, but his opponents were also not bad. That is different from this event. Marcus Allen is not as competent, but his rivals are of similar strength. The one earning the gold medal may not be the strongest athlete as long as he overcomes the others. That means either he has to be strong or his opponents must be weak. Now that we know he isn’t strong, why not pray for the weakness of his rivals?”

…

20 minutes later, Downey had forgotten how he had questioned Li. He celebrated more than anyone else.

The American Marcus Allen had acquired the gold medal with a throw of 85.38 meters. The German player who came in second, threw for 85.32 meters, so the American team won by just six centimeters.

In the javelin event, six centimeters is a very small difference. When looked at as part of the bigger picture, six centimeter was equal to 7/10000 of the total distance. It was quite a pity for the German team to lose because of 7/10000 of the total distance. However, it was thrilling for the American team.

This win was also the worst one in the recent Olympic Games. The world record for the men’s javelin was 98.48 meters and the record at the Olympics was 90.57 meters. The winners’ results at the last several Olympic Games were all over 88 meters.

This echoed what Dai Li said before the event, the participants had not been very strong. As an athlete, if one wants to win, there are only two possibilities: be strong enough to overcome the others or don’t be as weak as the others.

If you want to be strong, you have to work at it. If you want others to be weaker than you, it is tough to make your competition weaker. In sports, the competition is rather fair. As an athlete, it is basically impossible to weaken the competitor. The only real thing an athlete can do is become stronger and defeat his opponents on the field.

…

On the track, the men’s 1500m was about to start.

The American athlete, Lamon, was in the final of this event. Lamon was 25 years old this year. He had participated in many international competitions and won the IAAF Super Grand Prix. Being experienced and competitive, he was one of the few athletes who did not fall prey to the performance-enhancing drug scandal.

Lamon was likely to win the championship, but he was going to be challenged. Algeria, Uganda, Kenya and other African countries all had strong runners.

This was another event in which competitors were similar in terms of strength. Unlike the high jump or the javelin throw, the athlete couldn’t try multiple times, so the State Scale didn’t work.

It all depends on Lamon now. Dai Li took a deep breath, hoping that Lamon would pleasantly surprise him.

At the moment, Lamon was standing on the track. His mind was not on the race, however, but the awards ceremony for the men’s javelin.

Lamon had arrived in Rio de Janeiro with the U.S. team 10 days ago. In the eight days of competition, he had witnessed American athletes win championships and gold medals one by one.

Among them, there was Jimmy Elvin, who had dominated an era; Justin Alexander, an athlete who had made remarkable comeback after his suspension; Shawn Ford, who many had thought had passed his prime; Elis Meter, who hadn’t been supposed to make it past the first round; and Franz Muller, who hadn’t even qualified. They had all won gold medals.

Just that day, he had seen the experienced Jennifer and the mediocre Marcus Allen win championships. He was in turmoil.

Lamon could win this event. He had come in first at the domestic qualifier. The doping scandal didn’t affect him at all.

In comparison to Elvin, Alexander and Ford, he was young. 25 was the prime of an athlete’s career.

He was more experienced than Meter and Muller. He had won the IAAF Super Grand Prix.

Compared with Jennifer and Marcus Allen, who had just won their championships, he was more talented. He wasn’t a common athlete, he was the best in his event.

They can get the gold medal, so can I! When Lamon thought of winning a gold medal, he got excited and felt more confident.

In the eight days of track and field race, he had envied so many times. Every day he could see several teammates showing off their gold medals. And today, he would fight for his own gold medal.

…

Dai Li looked at his timer.

“The runners are going a bit slow. If it continues at this speed, the final time will be more than 3 minutes and 50 seconds.” He said, talking to himself.

The men’s 1500m was not a split run, so the speed of the runners depended on the speed of the athletes in the front. Now, the front-runner was not very fast, so others were going more slowly.

The world record for this event was 3 minutes and 26 seconds, and the Olympic record reached 3 minutes 32 seconds. A final time of 3 minutes and 50 seconds would not be satisfying.

“The runners are slower and more energetic. The final lap will be fierce, ” Downey said, standing next to Li.

“That is where Lamon’s strength lies. He is not great at allocating his energy and retaining his stamina, but he is great in the final sprint,” Dai Li said.

As the head coach, he was well-acquainted with the strengths and weaknesses of his athletes.

Sure enough, after entering the final lap, Lamon’s pace picked up and, in the final 100 meters, he was in the lead.

“This race will be ours.” Dai Li passed his own judgment.

“Will we really get 25 gold medals?” Downey suddenly realized that it was possible.

Lamon began his final sprint, crossing the finish line in first and getting exactly 3 minutes and 50 seconds, as Dai Li had expected.

Unexpectedly, the American track and field team had won 3 gold medals.

With the 4×400 meters relays, the team would get 5 medals of gold.

Adding to the previous 20 gold medals, the American track and field team had actually won 25 gold medals at this Olympics.

Dai Li had been correct at his interview yesterday!

Chapter 540 - This Time It Was the Worst Draw

Chapter 540: This Time It Was the Worst Draw

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Williams had never thought the U.S. track and field team could win 25 gold medals at the Olympics. When Lamon won the championship, he was so excited that he opened a bottle of whiskey he had kept it hidden for many years.

As long as they don’t make any mistakes in the relays, they will surely win 25 gold medals. Williams smiled, then picked up his glass and took a gulp. The pungency of the wine entered his throat, but Williams closed his eyes in enjoyment.

The alcohol made Williams a bit sleepy, and his consciousness gradually blurred. Williams was so faint that he saw himself sitting in his office with lots of sponsors coming to him and putting their sponsorship contracts in front of him. Williams couldn’t help laughing.

At that moment, the national anthem of the United States suddenly rang out. Williams, who had fallen asleep, woke up quickly. Then, he opened his eyes and looked at the screen of the television.

A star-spangled banner was rising slowly on the TV screen.

Isn’t the award ceremony done? Williams thought. He had just been watching the awards ceremony for Lamon and had had a drink to celebrate.

Suddenly, Williams saw a female athlete standing on the podium and looking into the sky with tears, a gold medal hanging around her neck.

“That is not Lamon! Who is she? She looks familiar.” Williams was surprised and he looked at the female athlete carefully until he recognized her.

“She is Serena Jones! She’s an athlete in the women’s 800-meter!” Williams screamed.

He realized that the women’s 800-meter was held after the men’s 1500-meter.

“I fell asleep, did the U.S. team win another gold medal?”

…

Serena Jones was the only American athlete who had advanced to the finals of women’s 800-meter. Still, she had gotten another gold medal for the U.S. team.

The competition had been thrilling. At the beginning of the competition, Serena had been lagging behind others. She was even last until the second half of the last lap.

In the middle of the second lap, Serena’s started to pass people. In the final 100-meter sprint, she reached the top three. It wasn’t until the final 30 meters that she overtook her two other rivals and won the championship.

This gold medal went beyond Dai Li’s expectation. He had not expected that Serena Jones would win the gold medal.

The unpredictability is part of what makes sports so fun! Dai Li sighed and began to prepare for the next event.

The U.S. track and field team had won four gold medals in a row, including the gold medal for women’s 800-meter. Now, it may not be able to win the gold medal in the men’s 5000-meter.

There was an athlete that dominated the men’s 5000-meter. His name was Ramsey, “the king of long-distance running,” and he was from Ethiopia.

Ethiopia was the world-famous kingdom of long-distance running. Many long-distance running champions came from there. For most Ethiopians, long-distance running was seen as a way to escape poverty, so many Ethiopians had practiced long-distance running since childhood. When they became a professional athlete, they went to various countries to participate in competitions to earn bonuses.

This was the story of Ramsey. He had been born into a poverty-stricken family and later had changed his life through long-distance running. Ramsey, “the king of long-distance running,” had won the championship of the men’s 5000-meter and the men’s 10000-meter at both the World Championship and the Olympics. In addition, he had also won numerous awards at the IAAF Grand Prix and the IAAF Diamond League. Since he had started his career, he had won almost every long-distance running competition he had entered.

There was no doubt that Ramsey was an S+ level athlete or that he absolutely dominated men’s long-distance running. Therefore, it would be extremely difficult for other athletes to beat him and win the gold medal.

Dai Li knew that it was almost impossible for his American athletes to beat Ramsey and win the championship. Apart from Ramsey, there were two more Ethiopian runners that had advanced to the finals. Ethiopia was very good at using alternating the lead in long-distance running to control the race’s pace. When Ethiopia used this tactic, they manipulated the other runners into exerting too much energy and gave themselves a big advantage.

The only country that could compete with Ethiopia in long-distance running was Kenya, another powerhouse in long-distance running. However, the Kenyan athletes had done poorly in the preliminaries, so none of them had advanced to the finals. For the athletes from other countries, they had lost a strong competitor. For the Ethiopian athletes, they had lost their only competition.

Without the competition from Kenya, Ethiopia planned to win all three medals.

…

Dai Li scratched his head and couldn’t figure out a way to snatch the gold medal from Ramsey, “the king of long-distance running.”

Dai Li really wanted to win, but he couldn’t. It was a terrible feeling.

The other coaches must feel the same way about the 4×400 relays!

The U.S. team had a trump card in the men’s 400-meter. Aylwin, “the king of men’s 400-meter,” dominated the event. Aylwin was seen as invincible to coaches from other countries.

How about drawing lots again? Dai Li thought of the prophecy box.

Dai Li logged in the system and began to use the box.

I hope I can get the luckiest draw so that I can snatch the gold medal from Ramsey, Dai Li thought. A bamboo stick fell from the box to the ground, and this time he thought it was “the luckiest draw” again.

The luckiest draw again? Dai Li was delighted, but he saw that the bamboo stick had fallen to the ground in the opposite direction. In other words, it was the worst draw.

It’s the worst draw! Dai Li became glum.

The worst draw means the worst choice. I want to win, not lose, so drawing lots was useless. Dai Li shook his head helplessly, but he still looked at the stick.

There was a small line of words that read “let the athletes follow the pace set by the others.”

Is this the worst draw? That’s what I was planning on doing!

Chapter 541 - A Day of a Great Miracle (Part Two)

Chapter 541: A Day of a Great Miracle (Part Two)

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Is this considered drawing the worst draw? They have to follow the pacesetter. This is a 5,000 meters race; it takes up too much energy to lead this race. Maybe they have a good balance of strength on their team like the Ethiopia and Kenya. If they stay in the lead it can only help the other athletes.

As Dai Li thought this, his eyebrows furrowed together.

Using standard running strategy is the safest bet, but the result of the lottery box is saying that following normal strategy is not my best option, which means that I should rule out this safest tactic.

If just running as normal is the worst draw, what would be the opposite of that? Would it be lucky if I let my athletes lead the race?

As mentioned before, there were not many options available to track coaches. For example, Dai Li’s choice right now was to either have his athletes run with everyone else others or have them run in the lead. If he excluded running in the lead, then there would was only one choice…

There was a trace of hesitation in Dai Li’s heart. The lottery box, once again, gave a seemingly unreasonable result.

However, taking into account the warning about the women’s 4×100 meters relay race, Dai Li decided to believe the prediction.

Dai Li waved his hands and called over the three athletes who would be participating in the race to the side and whispered softly.

“You want us to lead?” The three athletes looked surprised. It was apparent they also knew that this was not a good decision.

However, seeing Dai Li’s solemn expression, the three did not object but decided to carry out Dai Li’s strategy.

…

A total of 16 were participating in the men’s 5,000-meter final. Everyone formed an arc in front of the starting line, waiting for the race to startl. After the starting pistol sounded, all the athletes ran and the players in the outer lanes tried to merge inward; the players in the inner lanes began to try and seize more favorable positions.

There were 12 and a half laps in this race. Most of the time was spent running along with others, so it was critical to occupy a more favorable position on the track.

What people didn’t expect to see was all three American contestants rushing to the front of the pack. They planned to run in the lead!

“The Americans are leading!” The coaches of other countries looked at Dai Li. They had expected Dai Li to let his athletes run along with the others obediently.

“The U.S. team actually chose to lead. This is too radical!”

“I don’t know if the physical strength of the U.S. team will be enough to support them until the end.”

“If another country leads, the Ethiopians will be able to save some of their physical strength. They will definitely win.”

The people around began to whisper softly.

On the track, the three Ethiopian contestants were stunned. They had superior strength, so their original plan had been to alternate the lead between themselves. They could constantly control the rhythm of the race and let the other participants become drained. They did not expect the American team to take the lead.

Two Ethiopian athletes both looked at Ramsay at the same time. They needed to know what he wanted them to do.

Ramsay made a sign for running along with the others, indicating to his teammates not to take the risk and that they should follow at the back with peace of mind. In Ramsay’s mind, if someone was willing to lead, why not save their strength? It took 12 and a half laps to run 5,000 meters anyway. The competition still had a long way to go!

Although the American team was not as strong as the Ethiopian team, they were able to get to the final, which meant they were definitely top-level runners. They also had a vast amount of competitive experience and they naturally knew how to use the alternate leading strategy.

The first lap, the second lap, the third lap… The American team was not slow and the other players did not have the intention to surpass the American team. When everyone saw that the Ethiopian team did not make any moves, they followed along at the back with peace of mind.

Half of the 12 and a half laps passed in the blink of an eye. Nothing too exciting happened. The American team was still leading and the other players were still following behind. It seemed that there would only be changes when the players started to speed up in the second half of the race.

On the eighth lap, the American team had been in the lead for three-quarters of the competition. This type of leading was physically exhausting. They were significantly slower than at the beginning of the competition. It seemed that it would be difficult for them to keep the lead.

Ramsay, who had been running along in the back, realized this. He gestured to his teammates, indicating to them that, after entering the tenth lap, they should accelerate and overtake the American team.

On the ninth lap, the American team slowed down even more.

Since the American team was leading, when they slowed, the players who were following at the back naturally caught up and got a lot closer. All the athletes were all clumped together. The front and back were very close and there was not much space.

Ramsay saw that the American team slowed down again. He decided to accelerate in advance. He gestured to his teammates.

The teammates noticed and immediately nodded. They then began to accelerate, wanting to surpass the American team.

Ramsay suddenly felt someone push him from behind. He lost his balance and fell to the ground. Then, the man who pushed him also fell down, landing on top of Ramsay.

Ramsay had been pushed by his teammate on accident. His teammate had fallen because somebody had stepped on his heel. He subconsciously wanted to hold onto the person in front of him to maintain balance, but he ended up pushing Ramsay to the ground.

His heel had been stepped on because when he accelerated the runner behind him, wanted to keep up with him, also chose to accelerate.

When the two were originally running along with the others, they had fallen into a synchronized rhythm. However, after he accelerated, the rhythm of the two people desynchronized, causing the person behind to step on the person in front. The person in front lost his balance and fell straight to the ground.

This initiated a domino effect. He not only pushed Ramsay, but he also fell on Ramsay. The contestant behind him did not react fast enough and also fell, and then the contestant behind him could not dodge it and fell to the ground as well.

In the blink of an eye, seven or eight contestants crashed. They either weren’t able to dodge in time and just crashed into the pile, or they stumbled due to another runner getting out of synch. Only a few people who were relatively further away were able to react in time and bypass the scene of the accident.

Of course, the American team was not affected by this collision, as they were well ahead of it.

“They collided!” Dai Li exclaimed.

He knew that the biggest beneficiary of this collision was naturally the American team. There were two and a half laps left for the competition. Others colliding together at this time was akin to handing the first place position to the American team’s hands.

If it weren’t for the fact that the American team had gotten slower, closing the distance between the runners at the front and the runners at the back, the collision would not have been as big as it was.

In long-distance running, it was quite normal for athletes to accidentally step on the feet of others. It was also common for them to lose a shoe. As for being knocked down, it was not impossible. There was even an athlete who had been knocked down on the track and lost his shoe, only to win the race barefoot.

The best time to be knocked down was at the beginning, when one still had a chance to catch up. However, there were only two and a half laps left in today’s competition. At this time, the athletes did not have much strength left. Getting up,re-accelerating after being knocked down, and trying to catch up required great physical fitness and running skill. Before they were able to catch up, the competition would be over.

I finally understand why running along with others was the worst draw. Most of the players who were running along with the others were knocked down to the ground. If we had chosen to run that way as well, the same thing would’ve happened! Dai Li thought in his head.

The sudden collision stunned the audience and the sound of exclamations echoed through Maracana Stadium.

The sprint king, Ramsay, fought hard to crawl out from underneath the mess. After he stood up, he did not pay attention to his teammates and he did not check whether he was injured. Instead, he put his legs forward and started running.

He was still eager to become the champion. He still thought he could catch up.

He not only needed to catch up with the three American contestants, but also a few of those who had not fallen in the accident.

Ramsay then demonstrated why he was called the sprint king. He was so fast it was like he had not just ran ten laps.

Finally, when the competition entered its final lap, he began to catch up with the other athletes.

One, two, three. One by one, the athletes were being overtaken by Ramsay and he left them behind.

Whenever he surpassed an athlete, there were deafening sounds cheers from the audience.

Ramsay was the long-established “king of long-distance running.” He was the ruler of the man’s long-distance running and he was the biggest star in this competition. Any unbiased audience member supported him.

The contestants on their last lap were entering their final sprint. The Americans knew that their had been a collision, so they stopped alternating the lead and unleashed their full force.

Now they were competing against each other. If they could beat their other two teammates, they would get a gold medal. If they could defeat one teammate, they would get a silver medal.

Ramsay was still faster than the American team, but he had fallen behind too much.

Finally, Ramsay caught up with the American athlete in third. When he approached the contestant in second place, the finish line was already in sight.

Ramsay crossed the finish line. He did not congratulate the American player who got first place. Instead, he was annoyed and kneeled on the floor. Tears were quivering in his eyes. He felt that if he had been given another lap, he would definitely have been able to win first place!

The “king of long-distance running” ended his journey at the Olympics with a loss because of an accident!

…

“We won! We really won!”

The American team was jubilant.

Although it sounded a bit disgraceful to win the competition because of such an accident that was the way it often went. There would always be accidents, and every time there was an accident, there would always be beneficiaries and victims.

In the studio of the TV broadcaster, the two commentators started to comment on the competition.

“I didn’t expect such an upset from the American team. The ‘king of long-distance running’ Ramsay only got third.”

“Ramsay was really unlucky. He had an obvious advantage in strength, but his run was ruined by chance. The American team took advantage of it and had it easy. The American team’s luck was really good.”

“Don’t forget, if the U.S. team didn’t choose to use the strategy they did, they would’ve fallen into that accident. So it’s not so much that the American team was lucky, it’s better to say that the American team’s strategy were successful!”

“Hey, I just noticed that among the five events that have been completed today, all the gold medals have been taken by the American team! They have already won 25 gold medals in the track and field events.”

“That’s right, and the last two events, the women’s 4×400 meters relay and the men’s 4×400 meters relay, are also events that the American team is strong in. They are basically destined to get those two gold medals.”

“That is to say, of the seven gold medals produced in today’s track and field events, all will likely be taken away by the American team? My God! How can the American team be so strong?”

“The funny thing is that before the Olympics, some people said that this is the weakest American track and field team ever. Now, it seems that it wouldn’t even be too much to call them the ‘dream team’!”

…

“Coach Li, have you noticed that the five gold medals produced today are all ours, and the next two gold medals will also be ours!” Downey looked as if he could kiss Dai Li.

“Yeah, seven gold medals. Even I did not think that we could take all seven gold medals in today’s competitions!” Dai Li pointed to the stadium and then said, “The United States is the world’s best country in track and field. No matter what the past was like, or what the future will be like, today is a great day of miracles in American track and field!”

“Yes, a great day of miracles!” Downey nodded solemnly, then looked at Dai Li with a look of admiration. “I have the honor to witness this day, and you, you created this day!”

Chapter 542 - Taking Credit

Chapter 542: Taking Credit

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the studio, 27 gold medals were placed in three rows and then hung around Dai Li’s neck. Dai Li’s lips were stretched out, and he smiled joyfully.

“Coach Li, endure it a little longer. It will be over soon,” the photographer said, trying to comfort him. At the same time, he took a picture.

The weight of an Olympic gold medal was 500 grams, which was one jin. The weight of 27 gold medals was 27 jin. When hung on the neck, it was equivalent to the weight of the shackles that prisoners wore in ancient times.

When the photography session was finally over, Dai Li let out a long sigh of relief.

The photo would be used as the cover of Time Magazine. If it were not a renowned media group like Time, Dai Li might not have agreed to come and take such pictures.

Although the Olympics were over, the Olympics were still a hot topic. For example, the 27 gold medals the American track and field team won had become a popular talking point for the American people.

There were only 47 gold medals in the Olympic track and field competition, and the American team took 27 of them. This kind of record, such dominance, had been unthinkable.

In a poll, Dai Li was deservedly named the best coach of the Olympic Games. Although it was not an official award, so there were no trophies or prize money, it represented the public’s recognition.

Dai Li’s training center became even more famous and Dai Li began to consider whether to open two more branches and expand his influence.

…

Just after the Olympics ended, there were also various meetings held in China on the topic of Olympic Games. This meeting was about giving commendation to individuals with achievements and summarizing the different events.

Nearly 100 people had to squeeze into a conference room that was not too big. The main persons in charge of the provincial sports bureau, in addition to the leadership of the Sports General Administration, sat at the large oval conference table in the middle of the room. As for the others, they sat in chairs that were around the room.

The position in the middle of the conference table was empty. Even the head of the Sports General Administration did not sit in it. There were still more leaders who had not arrived.

After a while, the door opened, and the leader appeared in front of everyone. Everyone looked and saw their superior. In the next second, everyone in the conference room stood up.

“Everyone sit!” The leader waved his hand mildly at the crowd. He then sat in the vacant position.

The meeting started very quickly. The heads of several provincial sports bureaus began to give their report. The athletes in these provinces all had outstanding performances in the Olympics. To put it bluntly, they were the “big medal provinces” of the Olympic Games. Giving them a chance to provide a report was, firstly, to introduce their respective experiences and let everyone exchange experiences and learn. Second, it was to let them show their faces in front of their boss, and it was a chance to make a good first impression.

Finally, it was Director Li of the Sports Bureau of Hanbei Province’s turn to give a report.

Director Li was usually quite talkative, but he appeared to be quite constrained. He sat upright and reported very clearly on the information in his hands, fearing that the leaders might not be able to hear clearly.

“In addition to this, my province has also paid great attention to the construction of a coaching echelon. In the past few years, the province has trained many excellent coaches…”

When Director Li said this, the leader turned his head slightly. His gaze landed directly on Director Li.

In this kind of reporting meeting, everyone reported the same thing. It could be said that it was similar to New Year’s greetings. Everyone’s New Year’s greetings were “Happy New Year.” The first time it was said by someone it appeared “festive,” but the more people said it, the duller it became.

The construction of the “coach echelon” that Director Li mentioned was not mentioned in the previous reports. This was something new and the leader immediately became interested.

Director Li observed the leader’s reaction while he reported. Observing was a basic reporting skill. When he saw the leader looking at him, Director Li felt happy. He knew that this topic had caught the attention of the leader.

Reporting work was a form of knowledge. It was not a matter of simply just reading according to the manuscript. It was also necessary to know how to save time for the leader. If the leader did not like to listen to a certain section, then one should simply report on a few key points. It was only necessary to make things clear. If it were something that the leader was interested in, it was smart to talk about it in detail.

Director Li was aware of this. He was well prepared before he came. He decided what could be said in a more detailed way and what could be stated more simply. Having said that, if Director Li had not been able to do this, he would not have been able to be in his position.

Director Li felt that the leader wanted to understand this topic in depth, so he changed his tone of voice and immediately began a detailed report. A few people around him cast an envious look at Director Li. Being able to attract the attention of the leader in charge of sports and giving the leader a chance to recognize their ability to work was an opportunity everyone looked forward to.

Director Li kept reading his report and came to the “detailed results” of the construction of the coach echelon in Hanbei Province.

“For example, Dai Li, the head coach of the American National Track and Field Team, represents the excellent coaches trained by the province. As a Chinese coach, being able to become the head coach of the national team in the United States, the world’s best in track and field, represents outstanding ability. In this Olympic Games, Dai Li led the American track and field team to their best result in history with 27 gold medals…”

Director Li said this without flinching. The only thing he did not say was that the 27 gold medals of the United States were all due to the hard work of the Sports Bureau of Hanbei Province.

“This old Li is really good at exaggerating! He even roped in the gold medals of the American team.”

“It was already very cheeky of us to take credit for our national team’s gold medal. This old Li is cheekier than us. He is even taking credit for the American team’s gold medal!”

A few people next to him looked at Director Li’s situation with some contempt, but Director Li pretended not to see any of them. The words had already left his mouth and there was no way of taking them back!

However, the leader who sat in the middle gave a cough and interrupted Director Li. “I would like to ask a question. I have heard of this Dai Li. It is said that he is very famous in the United States. Is he a Chinese American? I thought he was a second or third-generation Chinese born in the United States. But he is from Hanbei?”

Director Li nodded immediately. “Dai Li was born in Yuzhou City in Hanbei Province. He has not yet changed his nationality to American. His household registration is still in our Hanbei. My comrades at my bureau have personally confirmed this with him.”

“Oh? He is not an American. This means Dai Li is one of our own coaches!” After hearing the news, a satisfied look flashed in the leader’s eyes.

Director Li continued. “After Dai Li graduated from university, he entered our Hanbei Province Sports Bureau. He was personally recruited by Director Zhongyi Xu who was a first-tier coach in our bureau at that time. He allowed him to come to our training team to act as a coach.”

Director Li then turned around and looked back at the chair behind him. Zhongyi Xu, who was sitting there, hurriedly stood up and gave a slight bow to the leader.

The leader nodded to Zhongyi Xu. He took note of his name. For Zhongyi Xu, this was a big moment.

Director Li continued to report. “When Dai Li was working for the training team of our bureau, we focused on training him. Our bureau sent him to the national team several times to learn and, when the bureau had the opportunity to go abroad to learn, we let Dai Li participate.

“Later, Dai Li left our Hanbei Province Sports Bureau after he accepted the recruitment offer from the national team. Our provincial training team, in addition to providing excellent athletes to the national team, is also responsible for providing excellent coaches to the national team,” Director Li said, showing a kind of expression that inspired awe.

The leader gave Director Li an approving glance. He did not inquire more about how Dai Li eventually went abroad. In his opinion, it was understandable that exceptional talents would want to travel. Numerous people had gone abroad in the past few years. After all, those developed countries could provide better benefits. In contrast, those that couldn’t go out were those who were not talented, and the developed countries were not interested in taking them in.

However, the leader cared more about Dai Li’s nationality. As long as Dai Li still retained his Chinese citizenship, it was enough to be used as promotional material. To coach the world’s best, the U.S. National Track and Field team, was a very astounding feat.

Moreover, this had happened before in China. For example, in volleyball, a Chinese coach had gone to coach foreign teams and had done very well. This had also been widely discussed in the Chinese media.

As the leader thought of this, he asked, “Why didn’t we see any Olympic news report about coach Dai Li? I’ve only learned of it and heard the name when I saw a report by American media. We didn’t report on our own coach? Instead, we let foreigners publicize him. Our comrades who are responsible for reporting on the Olympics did not do a good job. They need to work harder!”

What the leader said was neither too serious nor too casual, but in the back, a deputy director of China Central Television broke out in cold sweat.

In this kind of open conference, being told they were “not working hard enough” by a leader of this level was undoubtedly a criticism.

…

“What is wrong with you? You missed such important material. This was a dereliction of duty!” The deputy director sat in the back of the car while on the way to the station. He had made a call to criticize and educate the person on the other side.

A few minutes later, the person who had just been criticized and schooled said into a phone, “Did we send people to Rio de Janeiro to see the sights? How did a living person not see this? Did they not see the 27 gold medals? It’s track and field. It’s the biggest event in the Olympics! This was malfeasance!”

The “dereliction of duty” mentioned above had become “malfeasance,” a more serious offense.

Chief Editor Zhao, who had just been scolded, hung up the phone. He didn’t understand why the leader was furious because of this matter. He used such a word as “malfeasance.” Something must be wrong.

Chief Editor Zhao had been working for many years. He had climbed the corporate ladder. He had accumulated some connections. He immediately inquired about the situation. He quickly learned from a friend from the PR department that the deputy director of the station was criticized by their superiors during a meeting.

Chief Editor Zhao suddenly understood the importance of the matter. He knew that it was necessary to come up with a remedy as soon as possible. Even if it could not completely fix the situation, he should convey the right attitude. If he made a mistake and he didn’t convey the right attitude, then his career would go down the drain.

Chief Editor Zhao immediately called and found several reporters who were responsible for the track and field events during the Olympic Games.

…

Liu Wei did not know why Chief Editor Zhao suddenly contacted her. She and Chief Editor Zhao were divided by several layers of bureaucracy. Most of the reporters in China Central Television might not even be able to reach Chief Editor Zhao’s position after working for a lifetime.

When Liu Wei went to the office of Chief Editor Zhao and saw several of her colleagues, she started guessing why they were there.

They are all colleagues who participated in the reporting of the Olympic track and field competition. Is it about the report on the Olympic track and field competition? What went wrong?

Liu Wei thought with a guilty conscience as she and the other colleagues went into the office of Chief Editor Zhao. When she saw the livid expression of Chief Editor Zhao, she knew that it wasn’t good.

“When you reported on the Olympic track and field events, did you notice the head coach of the American team, Dai Li?” asked Chief Editor Zhao.

Several people nodded at the same time, but they did not understand what Zhao was getting at.

“Then did you guys know that this Coach Li of the American team is Chinese?” Chief Editor Zhao continued to ask.

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Several people said in unison.

“Yes? Then why didn’t any of you get an exclusive interview with him? Even if you couldn’t do an exclusive interview, you could’ve interviewed him a few times. It shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do, right? A Chinese man is the head coach of the American track and field team. Do you guys think this isn’t newsworthy? This year’s American team set a record with 27 gold medals. Do you think that such an achievement is not worth reporting at all? As reporters who go overseas to report, do you guys not have any sensitivity to the news?” Chief Editor Zhao asked angrily.

Zhao’s furious tone stunned a few people.

Finally, a mosquito-like female voice whispered, “Chief Editor, during the Olympics, I had an exclusive interview with coach Li very early on.”

It was Liu Wei who spoke.

“What did you say? You did an interview? Why didn’t I see it?” Chief Editor Zhao stared down Liu Wei.

“I sent back the interview with Coach Li, but our director refused to broadcast it,” Liu Wei continued to whisper.

“Why didn’t he allow it to be broadcast?” When Chief Editor Zhao heard this news, he became very calm. He looked at Liu Wei and said, “Are you Little Liu? Don’t be nervous. Speak slowly. Tell me clearly, why was the exclusive interview done not broadcast?”

“It was because our director said that it was necessary to be harmonious, so I did not broadcast this interview,” Liu Wei replied.

“Harmonious? Well, was there any unharmonious content in the interview? Did Dai Li say anything inappropriate?” Chief Editor Zhao asked.

“No, he didn’t.” Liu Wei shook her head.

“Was it because Dai Li did something inappropriate?”

“Not at all,” Liu Wei shook her head again.

“Then what was unharmonious?” Chief Editor Zhao continued to ask.

“Our director said that there was a piece of information about Coach Li’s resignation after being transferred. If it were broadcast it might offend some people. Offend those who transferred him at that time,” Liu Wei answered honestly.

“Offend someone? The China Central Television afraid of offending people!” The anger in Chief Editor Zhao’s heart rushed to his head.

“I was scolded because you were afraid of offending people. You got to be the good guy, while I was blamed. The deputy director was criticized by his superiors because of this! It only made things worse!”

Chief Editor Zhao screamed at the director who wanted “harmony” in his head. He had already sentenced him with “the death penalty” in his mind.

After a while, Chief Editor Zhao asked, “Does the exclusive interview still exists?”

“It should still exist. I sent it back last time, so it should be in our system,” Liu Wei nodded.

“Go, go to the editing studio. I want to have this interview now. If it doesn’t violate any of our guidelines, I will broadcast it tonight!” Chief Editor Zhao stood up.

Chapter 543 - Dwarfism

Chapter 543: Dwarfism

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

China Central Television was very efficient. The exclusive interview with Dai Li was broadcast that night.

Chief Editor Zhao’s superiors and the deputy director of the channel were naturally very happy. When other media groups saw that China Central Television began to report on Dai Li, they all started to get in on the action. Within a short time, an endless stream of reporters came to Dai Li’s home. The original unit where Dai Li had worked, the Sports Bureau of Hanbei Province, also received a large number of reporters.

The Olympics had just ended. The people had already seen the stories of the champions. It wasn’t the athletes that were being talked about now, it was the coaches. It felt fresh for the people.

What’s more, Dai Li was still a coach for the American team. In the eyes of most people, one was definitely more capable if they taught Americans than if they taught Chinese people.

Soon, someone noticed the period in which Dai Li was transferred to the Tai Chi Application Committee.

One headline read: “The United States let the best coach train their best athletes, and we let the best coach handle applications for cultural heritage.”

More provocative headlines followed immediately: “The best coach of the Olympics was forced to go to the United States. Whose fault was it?”

Since the media had always liked to use seditious headlines to attract people’s attention, Dai Li’s resignation was also dug up, as were the National Table Tennis Championship strike and Zhizhong Gu’s mysterious demotion. Linking these things to Dai Li was easy.

The turmoil of public opinion caused some people anxiety. After all, they had transferred Dai Li to the Tai Chi Application Committee because he was associated with Zhizhong Gu. They never would’ve expected that that unremarkable physical fitness coach would become the head coach of the American track and field team and get them their best results ever. Turning against their own people by forcing them out was a terrible sin; there would be no way to be cleansed of it.

Zhizhong Gu had long been idling at home. At this time, he had also noticed the reports about Dai Li, especially the reports from We media.

Zhizhong Gu let out a long sigh.

“What’s wrong?” His wife asked.

“We media, the way they are talking about Dai Li. I’m afraid that there will be no chance for him to return to the country to coach,” Zhizhong Gu said.

“That’s true.” His wife stopped what she was doing. “Dai Li was forced to leave. Now that he is famous, the more famous he is, the less likely those people will dare to let him back. Dai Li is now living well in the United States, he may not want to come back. Besides, isn’t being the head coach of the American track and field team better than returning to China to coach? There aren’t that many high-level athletes in this country!”

Zhizhong Gu sighed again. “I just feel that it is such a waste. Dai Li is a rare talent, but unfortunately, this country can’t use him!”

“There needs to be someone who wants to use him.” His wife snorted and said, “Just like you. You played for the national team for most of your life, and in the end, didn’t you end up like this? I think it was good for Dai Li to go abroad to develop his career. At the very least, he is able to showcase his talents. He didn’t waste his time!”

…

Argentina, Buenos Aires.

The River Plate Football Club was a giant in the Argentine League. Founded in 1901, this football club had a history of more than 100 years and was regarded as a model for Argentine football.

In the manager’s office of the River Plate team, a middle-aged man with a thick beard on his lips was pleading with the general manager of the River Plate team, Aguero.

“Mr. Aguero, please give Halls another chance! I beg you!” The middle-aged man said passionately, tears even appeared in his eyes.

However, Aguero shook his head. “Mr. Frast, I can’t do anything. I admit that our River Plate team was very optimistic about Halls, hoping to recruit him into our River Plate team. However, I am afraid he cannot become a professional football player due to his current situation.”

“Mr. Aguero, Halls’ disease could be cured,” Frast pleaded.

“Indeed, it is possible, but how likely is it? As far as I know, Halls’ Wagner’s line has closed. In this case, it is difficult for him to grow any taller. If it were true that the disease was really so easy to cure, I think Halls’ old team, Newells Old Boys, would not have given up on him right? So, Mr. Frast, I am very sorry.”

Aguero looked helpless. “Mr. Frast,” he continued. “I hope you understand that football clubs are not charities. Our ultimate goal is to make a profit so that we can answer to our shareholders. We can’t waste too many resources on a child whose future is uncertain.”

Frast walked out of Aguero’s office disappointed. For him, the River Plate team was his last option. If the River Plate team refused, then he really had no chance.

At this time, Aguero’s secretary came from afar and saw Frast standing in the door of the manager’s office.

“Mr. Frast, you should leave quickly. Our manager has to welcome guests from Europe.” The secretary said this in a way that implied that she was saying goodbye.

“Guests from Europe? Did someone from the European clubs come?” asked Frast.

“Yes. He is very interested in our attacking midfielders and side midfielders. Maybe this time we can reach a deal,” the secretary said.

“I see, then I won’t be a bother,” Frast nodded. In his mind, he was planning something else.

For South American professional football players, the dream was to play in the five major leagues in Europe. The standard of the European League was much higher, and they could earn more money.

South American football clubs didn’t have enough money to keep the athletes. They would rather sell the athletes to European teams when they are worth more and get a large transfer fee. Many South American clubs’ source of income came from training athletes and then selling them to European football clubs.

The River Plate team was Argentina’s top football club and it brought together Argentina’s top players. Naturally, it would attract the focus of the European clubs. There would always be people coming from Europe to investigate the River Plate players every year and the River Plate team would showcase their players. They hoped to sell them at a good price.

…

“Mr. Claude, welcome!” Aguero extended his hand to the person on the other side.

This guest from Europe was the chief fitness coach of the Harman team, Toby Claude.

The contract between Harman and Dingtian was over. He chose to take a break for a while and temporarily return to his family. After all, Harman was a 70-year-old man. He always insisted on training on the front line, but his physical state could not keep up with what he wanted to do in his heart. If he were not really passionate about football, perhaps he would not have continued to coach at this age.

As for the members of the Harman team, they also needed to make their own living. However, those who were able to be on the Harman team all worked hard. It wouldn’t be difficult for them if they wanted to find a suitable job in football. They would be very popular commodities in the talent market. For example, Toby Claude was a world-class physical coach in Europe and was also good at football. Such talents were always wanted by the top European giants.

Now, Claude was recruited by the high-paying Atletico Madrid football club in La Liga. He became their physical fitness coach.

Argentina used to be a Spanish colony. The languages and cultures of the two countries had many similarities, so Spaniards would often go to Argentina to select players.

Before Claude came, he already had someone in mind. However, he wanted to see more of the other athletes on the River Plate team. He might be able to make some unexpected discoveries.

The River Plate team also wanted Claude to examine a few more people. In the eyes of Aguero, no one was unsellable. As long as Atletico Madrid was able to pay the right price, there would be no problem with them buying anyone.

Claude observed the training of the River Plate team. The River Plate team had even arranged a small training game in order to showcase players for Claude.

After the observation, Claude roughly evaluated two athletes whom Atletico Madrid was interested in. He did not make his opinions obvious. He was worried that his excitement would affect the price of the signings by the club. After all, the discussion of the price was the manager’s business. He just needed to write a specific assessment report, list the athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, and then report it to the club.

Aguero personally sent Claude to the door. He didn’t know if Claude was interested in any players in the River Plate team. Even if he wasn’t interested in any of them, it didn’t matter, as this one transaction would not change the relationship between them. These two groups had cooperated together frequently. There were still many opportunities for cooperation in the future.

At this time, a man suddenly ran over. It was Frast.

“Sir, you sir! I want you to see this!” Frast said as he pulled out his cell phone.

Claude was shocked by this person’s sudden approach. If he were not in the River Plate club, he would be worried that he was about to be robbed. After all, Argentina’s unemployment rate had remained high in recent years, so law and order in the country had worsened. Claude, a pure German, looked different from the indigenous Indian-Europeans in Argentina. This made him an easy target.

“Frast! Why are you here?” Aguero became angry. He was clearly worried that Frast had collided with Claude.

So they know each other, Claude was relieved. He smiled and asked, “What do you want me to see?”

“Sir, are you from Europe? Are you here to pick players? I want to ask you to see this,” Frast handed his mobile phone to Claude.

Claude glanced at it and saw a video of a child playing football. The clarity was average, and the lens was shaking very hard. One could tell that he had used his mobile phone to record it.

“Is he your child?” Claude asked.

Frast nodded. “Yes, he is my son, Halls Frast. He is thirteen years old.”

Claude took another look at the contents of the mobile phone, but not seriously. In his heart, he knew that in Argentina, there were probably many such parents, hoping that their sons could be seen by European teams and then suddenly become huge successes.

Claude had never cared much people who gave recommendations. Claude grew up in Europe, where the football player training system was very mature. Talented players were recruited early on and entered into professional club’s youth training camps. The best of them would be valued by the top giants. They would invest a lot of resources to cultivate these talents, so there weren’t often cases of undiscovered talents.

Although Argentina was not comparable to Europe, it was a famous football country. Although Argentina’s football player training system was not comparable to Europe, there were still many football teams in Argentina, and there were many youth training camps. Naturally, it would not let excellent players remain undiscovered. Young Argentinian football talents would be taken away by clubs such as the River Plate team. After being trained, they would be waiting to be sold at a high price to the giants of Europe. So people who had to personally find him would not be talented players.

Claude looked at the screen of the phone with a playful look, but he was wondering in his mind how to reject the father.

However, in just a dozen seconds, Claude was impressed with the video that was recorded by the mobile phone.

After a while, the video finished. Claude couldn’t help but ask, “Do you have more?”

“Yes! There are many!” Frast was overjoyed. He hurriedly found another video and showed it to Claude.

It continued on. The third, then the fourth video played.

After several videos were shown, Claude was stunned.

“You said your son is only 13 years old this year?” Claude asked.

“Yes, he just turned 13 in June,” Frast replied.

He is able to do this at 13 years old. Genius! A real genius! Maybe this child will become the next generation’s football king! Claude secretly thought.

Although Claude was a physical fitness coach, he had engaged in football training for many years, and he worked with the world-class football coach, Harman. He had seen and coached many top athletes, and his many years of work had cultivated a vision that allowed him to see with just one look that this child was a rare talent that could only be found once in few decades.

“Oh, Mr. Aguero, it seems that the River Plate team still has some treasures that they are not willing to show to me! Your youth camp, it gave me quite a surprise,” Claude said with a smile.

“Mr. Claude, you misunderstood. Halls is not a player in our River Plate youth training camp,” Aguero replied.

“Oh? Then which team is he a part of?” Claude asked.

“He is not part of any team. He is currently unassociated,” Aguero replied.

“Unassociated?” Claude was evidently surprised.

Through a few videos from a phone, Claude realized that this Halls Frast was a genius. If a physical fitness coach such as himself could see this, how was it that the Argentinians, with their standard of football, were not able to see it? How could such a talented youth not interest a professional team? He was unassociated?

What’s more, the manager of the River Plate team, Aguero, obviously knew this middle-aged man and knew of the player of Halls Frast, so he must have already seen the incredibly scary talent, yet he did not recruit Halls to the River Plate youth training camp. It was illogical.

“Mr. Aguero, this child is very talented, but he did not enter the youth training camp of a professional team. Is there a problem with this child?” Claude whispered.

“Yes,” Aguero did not conceal anything. He whispered, “Two years ago, this child was diagnosed with a lack of growth hormone. In layman’s terms, he suffers from dwarfism!”

Chapter 544 - A Guest Arrives

Chapter 544: A Guest Arrives

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Claude was instantly filled with pity when he heard this child was suffering from dwarfism. As a professional coach, Claude certainly knew that it was impossible for a dwarf to engage in a career in professional football.

“Sir, my son does have dwarfism, but his illness can be cured,” Frast said eagerly.

Claude nodded. “As far as I know, there is a possibility of dwarfism being cured. The main cause of dwarfism is the lack of hormones necessary for growth and development in the body. If long-term injection of growth hormone were possible, it would be possible to let the patient grow to the height of a normal person.”

“Yes, my son has been injecting growth hormone for treatment!” Frast immediately agreed.

“Mr. Claude, as far as I know, Halls’ Wagner’s line has been closed. This is a professional report from a doctor,” Aguero whispered to Claude.

So that’s the case, Claude nodded a little, finally understanding why the River Plate team gave up this talented teenage footballer.

Injecting growth hormones to treat dwarfism cost money, but compared to cultivating a talented player, that investment would be nothing. Treating someone suffering from dwarfism would cost at most tens of thousands of dollars, but for a potentially gifted player, the European giants would be willing to invest tens of millions of euros in transfer fees. There would be a huge return on this investment. Any team with an even slightly economic mind would be able to calculate that this would be a profitable investment.

However, many teams in Argentina, including the River Plate team, chose to give up this talented football youth. This was certainly not because the manager of the River Plate team was stupid, but because the skeleton of the talented football youth had closed.

In the human body, the cartilage between the epiphysis and the metaphysis appeared as a wide translucent band on the X-ray film during a person’s early childhood. This was the so-called epiphyseal or Wagner’s line. As one aged, the wide translucent band became shorter. When the epiphysis was completely ossified with the metaphyseal cartilage, the original translucent band would become a tight seam. This meant that the epiphyseal line was completely closed and the bones would stop growing.

After a normal person passed puberty, the epiphyseal line closed and it was difficult to regenerate the long bones in the body. The legs and arms did not grow longer, and people did not grow taller.

However, although the long bones did not continue to grow, the spine and inter-bone tissue could still grow. There was the common saying that “people will grow taller when they turn twenty-three years old.”

For football players, it was acceptable to be a bit on the short side, but it was unacceptable if their legs were short. For Halls Frast, a football genius, it was really a fatal blow. It was like the death penalty to his football career.

“If you were in Europe, where there are better health services and better trainers, you might be able to save the child, but here in Argentina, the conditions are far less ideal. This child is a lost cause.” Claude felt pity in his heart. An athlete who had the potential to become the football king of a generation wasted just like that.

So Claude said some words of comfort, “In actuality, even if the Wagner’s line was completely closed, it isn’t impossible for there to be a chance of growing taller. A nutritious diet, scientific training, and some treatment. This child still has the possibility of growing taller.”

The words of Claude, to everyone else who was around, sounded obviously like words of comfort, but to Frast’s ear, these words of encouragement were more like a light, guiding him to the fire of hope.

“Sir, do you mean you have a way to make Halls grow taller?” asked Frast.

Claude was too embarrassed to say that he couldn’t do anything in front of so many people. It might make him seem incompetent. As the top physical fitness coach in Europe, protecting one’s ego and reputation was necessary. He had no choice but to nod. “If I were to train him, there is indeed a possibility.”

“Sir, then I beg you, take my child away! As long as you can help him grow taller, let him continue to play football, I am willing to do anything,” Frast said with great enthusiasm.

“Sir, I think you understand that I came here to represent my club, so the final purchase of the player will also be decided by my club. I have no power to take anyone away,” Claude shrugged to show that he was helpless.

Frast also knew that his request was indeed excessive, but he still looked at Claude with a look of expectation.

Claud felt an unbearable feeling rise up in his heart. As a coach, when he discovered a young athlete with unparalleled talent, he did not want to see the athlete’s talent be left undiscovered.

Claude thought for a moment and said, “Sir, I know a person whose training may make your son grow taller. His standards of physical training and rehabilitation for athletes are higher than mine. I think if even he can’t help your son, then no one in the world can help your son.”

“Who is he? Is he also in Europe?” Frast asked urgently.

“No. He is in America. His name is Dai Li,” Claude replied.

“Dai Li. This sounds like a Chinese name,” Frast said subconsciously.

“Yes. He is Chinese. He opened a fitness training center in California. You may not recognize him when I just say his name, but once I mention his title, you will definitely know who he is. I don’t know if you paid attention to the Olympics these past few days. The American team won 27 gold medals in the track and field events, and Dai Li is the head coach of the American track and field team.”

“So it is him!”

As far as Dai Li’s performance in the Olympics was concerned, no one would question his coaching ability. Moreover, everyone knew that an excellent track and field coach must also be an excellent physical fitness coach.

Claude took out a business card and handed it to Frast. He then said, “I have worked with Dai Li once before, so if you go to the United States to find him, you can say that I introduced you to him. Show him my business card, I think he will meet you.”

…

Los Angeles, U.S.A.

Dai Li’s training center had a special guest. He was the runner-up in the Olympic triathletes. The British athlete called Hansen Brown.

“Mr. Brown, I welcome you to my training center.” Dai Li looked at Brown with a smile,., He was very curious as to why Brown came all the way to the United States to visit his training center.

After the Olympics, Dai Li’s training center had become, undisputedly, the best physical fitness training center in the United States. There were countless outstanding athletes, many of them were the world’s best athletes.

In the sports of triathlon, Hansen Brown would definitely be considered one of the world’s best. So far, he had won two Olympic bronze medals and was the runner-up twice in the Triathlon World Championship.

However, as a British athlete, Brown did not need to come to the United States for training, because the training conditions and training standards in Britain were already excellent. At least in regards to the triathlon, it was not in any way inferior to the United States.

Triathlons had always been one of the Caucasians’ strengths. Caucasians tended to be the best when it came to swimming. They were more talented in long-distance running events than Asians, and Caucasians generally had longer legs, so it was easier for them to do well in cycling events. So the triathlon was merely a tailor-made event for white people.

There were many accomplished triathletes in the United States, Australia, and Europe, and the sport was also prevalent in these three regions. In addition to the professional athletes who specialized in this event, there were also a large number of amateurs so, in Europe and the United States, there were often many triathlon competitions.

In Europe, the country that was the strongest in triathlons was the United Kingdom. There were more than 100,000 athletes officially registered in the British Triathlon Association, and there were even more amateurs that weren’t registered. In the U.K., the triathlon was an industry that was worth around one billion pounds. This only included things such as running shoes, cold-proof swimsuits, bicycles and other such equipment that were needed for participating in the event, as well as the costs associated with the competition. It did not include the sports nutrition products used by athletes.

If it were viewed from the perspective of the proportion of the population that was involved in triathlons, then the U.K. was better when it came to triathlons than the United States.

If a country were strong at a particular event, then its training standard would naturally be robust. With the training standards of the triathlon in the U.K., Brown did not have to go out of his way visit the United States.

Moreover, Hansen Brown was the silver medalists in the Olympics. He definitely was receiving the world’s best training in the U.K. From this point of view, he also did not need to fly across the Atlantic, then across the United States, specifically to Los Angeles to find Dai Li to receive training.

Dai Li knew himself well. Although he knew that he was famous, he was not at the point where athletes such as Hansen Brown had to spend money to find him.

“Mr. Brown, I am very curious. What is the reason for you to fly all the way from London to Los Angeles to my training center here?” Dai Li asked directly.

“Coach Li, I don’t know how much you know about me. Let me introduce myself first. I was born into a sports family, my father was a cyclist, my mother was a long-distance runner, and my uncle was a swimmer. My brother and I followed our uncle and swam ever since we were young. We originally wanted to be swimmers.

“When I was ten years old, and my brother was 12 years old, we came into contact with triathlons for the first time. My brother and I felt that the sport was more challenging and more suitable for us, so both of us changed our career paths to triathlon. Under the guidance of my father and mother, we became the best triathletes in the U.K.”

“My brother and I have participated in many competitions, including world-class competitions such as the Triathlon World Championship and the Olympic Games. We have won many honors. The name ‘Brown Brothers’ has become an endorsement for triathlons. In the U.K., when anyone mentions triathlons, they mention us brothers.”

Dai Li nodded, “Yes, in the last five or six years, triathlons have been ruled by you Brown brothers. In the Olympics that just concluded, the media also called the triathlon competition ‘a performance by the Brown Brothers’.”

“But I have never beaten my brother!” Hansen Brown seemed agitated.

Dai Li knew Hansen Brown’s brother. He was called Tyre Brown. He was two years older than Hansen. Compared with his younger brother, Hansen Brown, his performance was even more dazzling. He was the champion of two triathlons, as well as the champion of the triathlon of the two Olympic Games. In the just-concluded Rio Olympics, in the “performance by the Brown Brothers”, the younger brother Hansen was the runner-up, and his brother Tyre Brown became the champion.

Hansen Brown continued on to say, “In every race, as long as my brother and I participate in it together, I end up as the runner-up, and he always wins. I have never beaten him. I used to think that it was because I was younger, that my body was not as mature as his so I would lose to him. Now we are all grown up, but I am still losing to him!”

Hansen Brown’s tone became agitated. He said, “I want to win. I want to beat my brother. I don’t want to always be the runner-up. So I trained harder and harder, but it didn’t work. In Rio de Janeiro, at the Olympics, I lost to him again.

“I know that I should make some changes. Over the years, I have been training with my brother. We do the same training. What he does, I also do, what I do, he also does. So I realized that if I continued this way, I would never beat my brother.”

“So you searched for me? You hoped that I could provide you with a different training method than your brother’s? You want to defeat your brother Tyre Brown by doing this?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes!” Hansen Brown nodded with certainty.

Dai Li frowned and started to think.

He had already detected Hansen Brown. Hansen was an A+ athlete, and his personal ability was close to 900. It could be said that he had almost reached the limit of an A+ athlete. In other words, Hansen Brown didn’t have much room for improvement.

As for his brother Tyre Brown, Dai Li had not met him, but he guessed that Tyre was at least an S- level athlete. He may be an S class athlete or even an S+ athlete. After all, Tyre won almost every competition he’d been in. It could be said that since Tyre entered his peak, he had indeed dominated the triathlon sport. An athlete that was able to dominate in a particular sport had a high probability of being an S+ athlete.

Looking at Hansen’s ability value, he has almost reached the limit A+ athletes can reach. He still can’t beat his brother, though. It seems that it would be difficult for Hansen to beat his brother Tyre in this lifetime.

Dai Li did not tell Hansen Brown his own conclusion. He didn’t want to damage Hansen’s self-confidence, so he did not reject Hansen Brown. Instead, he said, “Mr. Brown, I can provide you with a targeted training program that can make you better. Defeating your brother Tyre Brown, I can’t guarantee. The only thing I can ensure is that as long as you believe in me, after a while, you will become stronger!”

“I believe in you!” Hansen Brown nodded solemnly. “You led the American track and field team to unprecedented heights, and I believe that you can also lead me to such heights as well.”

After Hansen Brown was escorted out of the reception room, the receptionist at the front desk hurried over.

“Boss, there is a man outside who doesn’t have an appointment, but he wants to see you,” the receptionist said.

“No appointment? I won’t see him. If he really needs to see me, help him make an appointment,” Dai Li said.

“Boss, he handed me a business card and said that after seeing this business card, you would see him.” The receptionist handed the business card to Dai Li.

Dai Li took the business card and saw the name of Toby Claude.

Claude came! Dai Li was joyful, as if he were meeting someone from his hometown.

When he was with the Dingtian Club, Claude took care of Dai Li and, in the end, he recommended Dai Li to join Harman’s team. Dai Li was very grateful to Claude.

However, Dai Li thought for a while. Claude had his phone number. If he were looking for him, he would call directly. Why did he need to find the receptionist and hand over a business card?

So the person outside is not Claude! But he should be someone who has a relationship with Claude, Dai Li suddenly made a judgment.

Dai Li said, “Bring the guest into the reception room!”

Chapter 545 - The Future King of Football

Chapter 545: The Future King of Football

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li met Frast and his son in the meeting room.

In the beginning, Dai Li did not pay attention to the boy. He only paid attention to his father.

Frast looked like a rambunctious Argentinian man. If one were to say that he was a sports coach, most would believe it.

In truth, Frast was indeed a football coach, he just wasn’t well-known. As such, he was not wealthy. His lifestyle was not yet at the middle-class level. He was just able to meet the demands of life. In Argentina, a lot of people loved football, so there were a lot of people working in the industry. The number of football coaches who just made it past the minimum living standard could be found everywhere.

Dai Li sensed Frast was a coach, so his immediate assumption was that Frast was there to look for work.

It was only when Frast spoke that Dai Li found out that he was wrong.

“Coach Li, please help my son. Coach Claude told me that only you can help him,” Frast said. His accent was very strong. He sounded more like he was speaking Spanish. It made Dai Li have to take the time to understand his words.

“Your son?” Only then did Dai Li notice the short boy, who looked to be around 12 years old, in front of him.

“My son has a growth hormone deficiency. It restricts the growth of his bones, which also makes it impossible for him to grow taller,” Frast explained.

“Growth hormone deficiency? Is it dwarfism?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes,” Frast answered.

“Then you should look for a doctor. Ask the doctor to prescribe you growth hormone drugs or the like. If you use it in the long-term, it should be able to treat dwarfism. I’m only a coach, treating diseases isn’t my specialty,” Dai Li answered.

“But I also know that undergoing scientific sports training will also help a person grow taller, especially children in their growth and developmental period. That’s why I came to you,” Frast stated.

Dai Li nodded, “That is indeed true. Suitable training does indeed facilitate the growth and development of adolescence.”

Although Dai Li said the words, his mind was jumbled.

Generally speaking, if one were to have dwarfism, one would first go to the doctor. Medical methods are the best way to cure the disease. As for improving the growth and development of the body through sports training, that should only be a supplement to medical treatments. Besides, my fees are among the highest in the entire United States. Training at my place is certainly much more expensive than getting injections of growth hormone through medical treatments. Only the extremely rich would choose to train at my place as a supplement to their medical treatment. It should be more cost-effective for a normal person to just go to the doctor.

As he thought this, Dai Li sized up Frast again. Frast didn’t look like a rich person.

If he can afford my fees, it would be better if he used that money to find a good doctor for his son for better treatment. Dai Li became even more confused.

Frast did not intend to hide anything. He directly said, “Coach Li, my son received treatment from doctors before, and he has already been injected with growth hormone, but the treatments aren’t good enough. Moreover, the X-ray showed that his Wagner’s line has already closed. Even if we continued with the growth hormone injections, there wouldn’t be any significant effect.”

“His Wagner’s line has closed! That is indeed a little troublesome!” Dai Li furrowed his brow. As a professional coach, of course, he knew what it meant.

“Coach Li, I know that you are the world’s greatest coach, which is why I want to ask you to help my son. As long as you can help my son get to 170, no, 165 centimeters, he will be able to continue playing football! My son really has a gift in football, if he continues playing football, he will definitely be a star,” Frast pleaded earnestly. “Coach Li, please!”

When talking about football, Dai Li’s first instinct was that to assume it was American Football. After all, in the eye of Americans, football meant American Football. However, Dai Li remembered the father and son in front of him were Argentinians. That country was really a kingdom of football.

Dai Li glanced at the short kid in front of him and used the detector on him.

Football talent, S+! This talent, he can become the king of football of the next generation! Dai Li finally started looking carefully at the boy named Halls Frast.

Dai Li used to work in Dingtian Football Club and, back then, although the top foreign talent the in the club was a world-class football star, his talent grade was only A+.

Later, when Dai Li followed Dingtian Football Club to the Asian Cup, he saw many Japanese and Korean, as well as West Asian world-class players. Among the players in the Korean and West Asian football clubs, some used to play in the top five leagues of Europe. However, among them, only the core leaders of each team had A talent potential. Suffice it to say that at the Asian Cup level, most players had a talent potential of B.

Now, Dai Li actually met an S+ grade player. Based on the assessment of the system, an S+ player was one that could dominate an entire generation. Without a doubt, this kid could be called the “King of Football.”

However, the detection result also showed a weakness of Halls Frast, and that was dwarfism.

This child is only 13 years old. Although his Wagner’s line has closed, he is still going through puberty and can continue growing taller. If I use the athlete’s patch, it should be able to supplement the growth hormone he needs to grow and develop, which will solve his problem of growing taller. An athlete with S+ talent. It’s definitely worth using three athlete’s patch, Dai Li thought.

Humans are complex individuals. The growth and development of the human body are not determined merely by growth hormones. There are other hormones involved. The growth hormone is only the hormone with the largest effect on a human’s growth. It is impossible to manufacture and synthesize all the hormones required in the human body based on the technology of today.

From primates to modern homo sapiens, evolution spanned over 50 million years. The result of 50 million years of natural selection isn’t something biologists and scientists can research thoroughly in a few decades. When scientists really do succeed in synthesizing all the hormones required for human growth, then humans will become “Gods.”

The effect of the athlete’s patch was to supplement whatever was missing so, as long as he let the child use the athlete’s patch, it would mean that he would receive all the hormones for his growth during his puberty. Moreover, scientific training really did help people grow taller.

To groom a king of football. That should also be quite an achievement! As Dai Li thought this, he told Frast, “Mr. Frast, I promise you I will provide your child with the most scientific training available to help him grow taller.”

“Really? That’s great!” Frast was so happy he almost leaped off his feet. However, he looked sad again a second later.

“Coach Li, in truth, we are not rich, so I don’t have that much money to pay you. However, I can work for you. I can use my wages as payment to offset the training fee. I’m a football coach and I can also train athletes. Perhaps I can do other work. Even janitorial work is fine! As long as my son can stay here, I’ll do anything!” Frast said in earnest.

Dai Li leaned back in his chair instead and clasped his hands together. He stared straight at Frast., “Mr. Frast, I’d like to ask you a question. How many children do you have?”

“I have four kids. Three boys and a girl.” Frast did not understand why Dai Li cared.

“Are they all adults?” Dai Li continued asking.

“The eldest is almost an adult. My second son is still in middle school. Halls is my third son, and he still has a very young sister,” Frast answered honestly.

“Which is to say you are the breadwinner of your family?” Dai Li asked.

“Ye… Yes…” Frast sounded hesitant.

“Since you are the breadwinner and pillar of support of your family if you continued staying in the U.S. all the time, what will happen to your family?” Dai Li asked again.

“I plan on selling my house. The money I get from selling my house should last my family for a time,” Frast replied honestly.

“Alright, Mr. Frast.I cannot let you work here because you still have a whole family to support. I don’t want to see your family sleep in the streets,” Dai Li spread out his hands.

Frast suddenly looked pale, he thought that Dai Li had rejected his request because he could not afford to pay the training fee.

“Coach Li, I beg you, please help this child. He really has a gift in football, as long as he can become a professional football player, he is sure to become a star,” Frast begged in earnest.

On the side, the young Halls looked at his father. He suddenly tugged his father’s shirt and said, “Papa, stop begging him. Don’t beg anymore!”

Halls spoke in Spanish. Dai Li did not understand but, from Halls’ expression, Dai Li could guess what Halls had said.

Although not born physically strong, he was born with a strong will. Dai Li smiled and said, “Mr. Frast, don’t be too hasty. I haven’t finished.”

Both father and son quieted down. Dai Li then continued, “In truth, I have two types of payment systems in my training center. The first is direct payment. You can pay cash, through cheques or even use a credit card. However, it looks like this type of payment method is a bit difficult for you now. So let’s talk about the second type of payment method.

“The second payment method is an income-sharing model. Simply put, the athlete trains here in my center and a portion of this athlete’s income for a period of time in the future will be divided between us based on an agreed ratio to offset the training fee. Just like the commission of agents.”

This put some life into Frast’s eye. He immediately asked, “Coach Li, what you mean is that we can use Halls’ future income as the training fee now?”

Dai Li nodded, “Your understanding is correct. Our fees have always been rather high. Several other athletes could not afford the fees previously, so they used this payment method. Train first and pay according to the ratio after earning money. However, not a lot of athletes use this method. We also need to conduct an assessment on the athlete to see if he or she has the potential ability to earn money.”

“Then can we also use this type of payment method to pay for the training fees?” Frast asked.

“Yes. I have faith in Halls’ potential. However, Halls is too young. He will not have the ability to make money in the next few years, so I want income sharing with him for 20 years! Your son is 13 years old this year so, until he is 33 years old, a portion of his income will be taken out as payment for the training fee,” Dai Li said.

“How much do you want?” Frast asked cautiously. He was afraid Dai Li would ask for a ridiculous amount.

“3%!” Dai Li held out three fingers and said, “This is a lot lower than the commissions for agents. I think this is a more suitable price.”

Frast let out a long breath. A share of 3% was not a large percentage, even if it were 20 years, it was acceptable.

Moreover, Halls was only 13 years old, he wasn’t an adult yet. That meant that in the next five to six years, he couldn’t earn any money. The income sharing of 20 years was actually more like 14 to 15 years.

Frast agreed without hesitation.

“Mr. Frast, I have to remind you, the income that I’m talking about isn’t only limited to the wages paid by the football clubs. It also includes advertisement and endorsement deals, as well as portrait rights. All kinds of income are also commissionable,” Dai Li reminded.

“Yes, I understand,” Frast nodded.

“Your son is a minor now, so I hope you can explain to him clearly and obtain his consent. I don’t want a situation where he uses the excuse of being a minor when the contract was signed to nullify the contract after he becomes an adult,” Dai Li said.

“Alright, I will explain it to him thoroughly,” Frast said.

“Also, Mr. Frast. I have another question. Will you stay in the U.S.? Or do you plan to return to Argentina?” Dai Li looked at Halls and said, “Because your son is still a minor, he needs a guardian in the United States.”

“That…” Frast suddenly looked hesitant. The living costs in the U.S. were much higher than in Argentina. Food, shelter, and clothing, everything cost money. Frast was the pillar of support for their family. If he stayed in the U.S. to look after his son, he would really have no choice but to mortgage his house to support his wife and three other children.

Dai Li saw through Frast’s hesitation and said, “Mr. Frast if you need to return to Argentina, you need to find a guardian for your son in the U.S.”

“I’ll think of something.” Although Frast said this, he was really troubled. He didn’t have any family or friends in the U.S.

“If you can’t find a guardian in the meantime, I can help you find someone. I guess I can arrange for one of the coaches in our establishment to be your son’s guardian in the United States,” Dai Li said. In truth, he already had a suitable candidate in his mind.

“Really? That’s great! Coach Li, I can’t thank you enough,” Frast said passionately.

“Mr. Frast, why don’t you rest here for a moment? I’ll get my lawyer to draft the agreement. Also, I’ll get that guardian candidate here to meet you.” Dai Li left as he finished speaking.

After that, Dai Li took out his phone and dialed Chris Payton’s number.

“Chris, come back for a second. I have a difficult task for you!”

“Boss, another big shot for me?” Chris asked, a little excited.

“Yeah, I’m handing you a king of football!” Dai Li answered with a smile.

Chapter 546 - Rebellious Puberty

Chapter 546: Rebellious Puberty

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Chris Payton saw Dai Li and Halls Frast.

“Is this the king of football that you were talking about?” Payton asked with a frown.

“Actually, he’s the future king of football,” Dai Li answered with a smile.

“Alright, it is what you say it is.” Payton looked resigned. He treated it as a joke and said, “Do you intend to hand over his training over to me?”

“Yes, you will be responsible for most of his training, but more importantly, you will be his guardian. This kid is an Argentinian and he is a minor, so he needs a guardian in the United States,” Dai Li answered.

“You want me to be his guardian?” Payton immediately showed his reluctance.

Dai Li nodded, “You are also responsible for his daily life!”

“Boss, stop joking around. My apartment is small. It’s cramped even when I live alone, there’s no way two people will fit,” Payton said as he shook his head.

“I’ll be responsible for your rent for the following one year,” Dai Li said without hesitation.

“I don’t know how to cook, I usually just order takeout…” Payton stated.

“Alright, I’ll also pay you one year’s worth of food expenses,” Dai Li said in resignation.

“And, I…” Just as Payton looked for excuses, Dai Li interrupted him.

“The Porsche 911 that I just bought, I’ll lend it to you for a year. That should be enough, right?” Dai Li said.

“Deal!” Payton had obviously been interested in Dai Li’s new sports car for a long time. As soon as he heard Dai Li was willing to lend it to him for a year, Payton agreed without hesitation.

“Boss, I have one last question. We have so many coaches in our training centers, among them, many of them are married and have kids. They know more about taking care of children than me. So why did you choose me? In truth, a single guy like me, I have problems taking care of myself. How would I know how to take care of children?” Payton said.

“Do the others know how to speak Spanish?” Dai Li asked.

Payton’s family was a clan of famous gangsters in Los Angeles. California is very close to Mexico, so a lot of the gangsters in California were connected with the Mexicans. Payton grew up in that kind of environment, so it was natural for him to have picked up Spanish.

Dai Li did not understand Spanish, so there was fundamentally no way for him to interact with Halls. Halls was only 13 years old and he grew up in Argentina. He could only utter a few simple English words and sentences; he was a long way from being able to converse fluently in English.

…

After finishing up with Halls, Dai Li made another call to the lawyer asking him to bring the agreement to the training center after it was drafted.

The 3% income commissioned in the next 20 years was considered a fair trade for Dai Li.

Based on the current market, the total annual income of a king of football would be around 100 million Euros. Those who were a level lower than the kings of football, their annual income would be around 20 million to 30 million Euros.

If one were to assume an annual income of 50 million, 3% would be 1.5 million Euros. Considering the future, the income was sort of like a handout, so it was considered a substantial amount of income.

However, Halls was only 13 years old. At most, he would only be able to start a professional football career in four to five years’ time. By the time he became famous, another three to four years would have passed. Under normal circumstances, it might be ten years before Halls could start earning a sizable income.

If one counted like that, Halls would only earn money for Dai Li for ten years. 1.5 million Euros per year meant 15 million Euros in ten years. That would be Dai Li’s profit. Dai Li might just use one or two athlete’s patch, as well as complete a training plan. Clearly, it was a worthwhile investment.

…

Frast left the U.S. and returned to Argentina. Halls quickly adapted to an American lifestyle.

Apart from training, the Halls had to take an English language course. After all, Halls had to train in the U.S. for a long time, so he had to learn to speak English.

In the blink of an eye, Halls had spent two weeks in the U.S.

On the training ground, Halls continued practicing the high jump. That sort of training was beneficial in helping him grow taller.

Not far away, Dai Li looked at Halls. However, he was frowning. He could see that Halls was performing below par in both his fitness and concentration. It was far from his performance a few days ago.

“What’s wrong with this kid today?” Dai Li waved to signal one of his coaches and asked, “In the past few days, was Halls training like this?”

The coach turned to look at Halls. He did not notice any difference, so he said, “He’s been like this for the past two days. Boss, is there something wrong?”

“There is indeed something wrong. Go get Coach Payton for me,” Dai Li ordered.

A few minutes later, Chris Payton arrived.

“Boss, you called?” Payton asked.

“Halls seems to be out of it in his training. He isn’t focused enough, he’s just going through the motions. Has he shown any peculiar behavior recently? Is he missing home? Missing his family? Is he having any problem adapting to life in the United States?” Dai Li asked.

“I don’t think so. Halls did not show any signs of missing home. It is clear that life in the U.S. is better than life in Argentina. Besides that, he’s been very happy these past few days,” Payton answered without hesitation.

“Very happy?” Dai Li looked ever more serious.

“Yeah, he’s met a new friend,” Payton said.

“That’s not an easy task, considering how new he is to the country,” Dai Li said casually.

“His new friend is a Mexican. They speak Spanish,” Payton then continued. “You don’t have to worry, I know that family; they migrated legally and are not involved with gangs. The man of the house is a professional gardener. He specializes in helping people trim the plants in their garden. You might have even visited him!”

“What else?” Dai Li continued his questioning.

“The boy’s name is Santiago and he’s around Halls’ age, maybe slightly older. He loves football.” Payton was worried that Dai Li might misunderstand, so he added, “I mean English football.”

“I understand, and?” Dai Li continued asking.

“Halls plays football with Santiago. I heard that there were several other kids with them. Some of them Mexicans, Colombians, but not a lot of Americans. You know, Americans don’t really pay attention to this sport. Halls seems to be enjoying himself. I can see that he really loves playing football. If I were to guess, I would say that playing football with his friends every night is the best part of his day.” Payton answered.

“You mean to say he plays football everyday? Normally, how long does he play?” Dai Li asked immediately.

Payton thought for a moment and answered, “That’s hard to say, but more than two hours. Usually, he’s back after three to four hours. You don’t have to worry, where I live is pretty safe. Gangsters would never dare look to for trouble with me!”

“Looks like I’ve found the problem,” Dai Li sighed. He couldn’t help but think back to his childhood, when he would sneak out to cyber cafes and play games after school. Back then, all he could think about was playing games. He did not pay attention in class, so his results also deteriorated.

Halls was doing the exact same thing now. The only difference was that, instead of playing games, he was playing football.

Dai Li, with a critical tone, said, “Chris, you should know that playing football for two to three hours every night uses up most of Halls’ stamina, which affects his training. He is obviously not focused, I’m guessing the only thing on his mind right now is his football game tonight!”

“I’ve told him that before and I asked him to play less.” Payton shrugged his shoulders and continued, “Apparently, he didn’t listen.”

“13 years olds love to play. It’s impossible for him to control himself. You are his guardian, you should make him go to bed earlier,” Dai Li said.

“Why?” Payton looked puzzled. He then said, “I’ve already told him. Clearly, he knows the consequences, so his decisions are his problem. Although I am his guardian in the United States, I should not make his decisions for him. As for the consequences, aren’t people responsible for their own choices?”

Dai Li was speechless. At the same time, he realized this was a cultural difference between Americans and the Chinese.

Compared to “Chinese education,””American education” tended to emphasize freedom. American parents did not interfere with the lives of their kids too much. They preferred allowing their child to think independently and make judgments by themselves. Parents in China structured rules and regulations for their child. For example, one should not be too playful, not allowed to watch TV, play games, eat snacks, or be in a relationship too early.

It was due to this difference in educational philosophy that Dai Li felt Payton should prevent Halls from spending too much time playing football, but Payton felt that he already made it clear to Halls, so he had already completed his duty.

If it were a child that had grown up in the U.S., receiving the American style education from a young age, perhaps they would know how to think and make judgments independently. They would know to not spend too much time and effort on playing football and place more focus and attention on their training.

However, Halls grew up in Argentina. Clearly, he had never been exposed to American education culture, so he did not possess the independent thinking and judgment skills that American kids often have.

Although many Argentinians are educated, the quality of education is often very poor. Argentina went from being a developed country to a developing country. It could be said that education was part of what many called the “broken window effect” in Argentina. Many institutions in Argentina had been broken like windows. Although it had the highest ratio of educated citizens in South America, the quality of education was worrisome. The expensive private schools were better, but the public schools did not really care about the students.

As such, compared to Americans of the same age, Halls was at a disadvantage. Putting Halls in an environment that afforded relatively more freedom made it hard for Halls to discipline and control himself.

It was like some high school students in China, their results were always great but, after getting into university, they failed. Apart from not putting in enough effort, they also did not how to study by themselves. Studying in high school was following the instructions of the teacher; however, studying in university was, most of the time, more of a personal endeavor. A person who was used to having food fed to him might not know how to use a spoon if it were put right in front of him.

Looks like I have to personally talk to Halls. Dai Li personally called over Halls. Of course, he did not ask Payton to leave. Dai Li did not speak Spanish, and Halls had not yet learned that much English. So, he still needed Payton’s translation.

…

“Halls, I know that you play football with your buddies every night, but I think that it’s affecting your training condition in the day,” Dai Li said in a very strict tone.

Payton translated and conveyed that message to Halls. Halls immediately lowered his head and, like a kid who made a mistake, he apologized. “Sorry, coach.”

Although Halls was still young, he knew who was the boss of the training center.

“Halls, you cannot play football every night. You have to put more effort into training during the day,” Dai Li said.

After Payton’s translation, Halls did not answer.

Dai Li continued advising, “I am not prohibiting you from playing football, I just hope you limit yourself. For example, play football once a week. You have to understand that your main task right now is training, nothing else should come before that.”

After listening to Payton’s translation, Halls remained in silence. However, he clenched both his fists very tightly.

Dai Li noticed. He felt that he might have been too harsh. So Dai Li continued. “Halls, you have to understand. Your training now will help you play football better in the future. If you don’t train seriously today, you won’t grow taller and you cannot become a professional football player.”

Payton translated once again, and Halls still did not give a reply. However, from Halls’ eyes, Dai Li detected a sense of unwillingness. He had not reconciled with Dai Li’s reprimand.

Dai Li felt that he had failed to persuade Halls. His Chinese style educational philosophy clearly did not work on Halls.

13 and 14-year-olds! Puberty is a rebellious period in one’s life. It sure is troublesome dealing with kids of this age! A sense of helplessness emerged in Dai Li’s heart.

Chapter 547 - Talk to the Boss if You’re Looking for a Job

Chapter 547: Talk to the Boss if You’re Looking for a Job

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li felt helpless when it came to dealing with Halls.

Dai Li was similar as a kid. In his youth, kids had been just as rebellious and sensitive as they were today. He knew teenagers were rebellious and thought that every word uttered by an adult was wrong.

Dai Li knew that a few words wouldn’t prevent Halls from playing football with his friends every night. He also knew that if he continued trying to persuade him, Halls might rebel even more.

I’ve got to try and solve this problem another way, Dai Li thought. “Halls, you should know that your father wishes for you to become a professional football player. He thinks you can play in the top five leagues in Europe. It would be awesome for you to make La Liga. Do you know what La Liga is like?”

Halls shook his head.

Dai Li continued. “Have you been to Spain?”

Halls shook his head again.

“Do you want to go?” Dai Li asked.

This time, Halls nodded.

“Alright then. You go and prepare. I’ll take you to Spain in a few days.” Dai Li paused and continued, “We’ll see Real Madrid, and then Barcelona.”

Payton translated the sentence to Halls, whose face lit up with excitement. He could not help but ask, “Really?”

“Of course. After the visa is approved, I’ll take you there. However, you have to train seriously these next few days,” Dai Li stated.

The knowledge that he could go to Spain motivated Halls. He became much more serious about his training.

Payton said, “Boss, a trip to Spain sure is an attractive carrot. The kid is suddenly filled with energy. But do you really plan on taking him to Spain?”

“It’s not a simple reward,” Dai Li sighed. He then tried to explain. “I promised to bring him to Spain hoping that it will help him understand why he should take his training seriously.”

“I’m not sure I get what you mean,” Payton said.

Dai Li, instead of answering directly, seemed to change the topic. “That car of mine, it’s pretty nice, eh?”

“Ugh, of course. It’s a Porsche 911. It’s my dream car. Boss, relax. I’ll keep it well-maintained. I won’t break it,” Payton said.

“When did you start wanting this car?” Dai Li asked.

“When? I’m not sure when. When I was very young, I saw it in an auto magazine, and I fell in love with it,” Payton answered.

“So you saw it before you fell in love with it. In other words, if you hadn’t seen the car, and someone only told you that it existed, would it still be your dream car?” Dai Li asked.

Payton paused and thought for a moment before saying, “Probably not, since I wouldn’t have seen it personally.”

“That’s exactly my point. The easiest way to pique someone’s interest is through visual stimulation. When something appears in front of you, it’s much more likely to awaken your desire. For example, when you go to a restaurant, the photos of the food on the menu whet your appetite more than the words. Or think about women. If a woman appeared in ‘Playboy,’ you might want to spend a night with her, but if she were only a name in the phone book, you might not even think twice about her!”

Dai Li looked at Payton teasingly and said, “Dreams are a type of desire, so it is the same situation. It is easier to awaken a desire for something one has seen, so that it may become the person’s dream. After that, a type of ambition to chase after and realize that dream will appear. That is the reason I’m bringing Halls to Spain. Halls has never been to Spain, so he has never seen La Liga in person. He only heard about how good La Liga is from others. Top clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona are destinations that professional players dream about. For him, it’s all too fictional. He has never seen them before, and he isn’t a professional player. His longing for La Liga can’t be that strong. Similarly, his desire to join top clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona must also be weak.”

“That’s why you want to bring Halls to Spain?” Payton asked.

“Yes, I want him to witness La Liga in person, to see with his own eyes what the best football clubs in the world are like. I want him to know Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Juventus. He belongs in a world-class football club, not that small field close to your house!

“I hope this can awaken his ambition. Only when a person really desires something will he have the motivation to work hard towards a goal. If he is satisfied with his life now, he will become complacent. Then, he will never achieve greatness.” As soon as Dai Li finished his sentence, he looked at Payton and said, “You’re also going. I don’t know Spanish.”

“Why? You know you can afford a translator, right?” Payton said, a bit down, “Boss, you are rich, you know.”

“You idiot. I’m offering you a chance to travel to Europe at the company’s expense, a trip where you continue getting paid. Moreover, your lodgings and food will all be paid for. If you’re unwilling, I’ll bring someone else,” Dai Li said, laughing.

“Go. I’ll go. I’ll definitely go!” Payton agreed immediately.

Dai Li took out his phone and dialed Blake’s number. “Randy, send a letter to both Real Madrid and Barcelona. Tell them the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team wishes to visit their club.”

…

After a day’s work, the coaches bathed and returned to the coaches locker room. They were talking about their plans after work.

“Kenny, wanna go have a drink?” A young coach asked his colleague.

“No thanks, I drove here today. Why don’t you ask Andrew?” Kenny shook his head.

“Andrew, do you have time today? Wanna go have a drink?”

“Sure. It’s been a tiring day. Where are we headed? Same bar as last time?”

“Let’s go to the one next to it.” The young coach suggested. “It sure has been busy. We’ve added several clients recently. I have to get myself some alcohol to relax.”

“It’s because of the Olympics. A third of the track and field team registered at our training center. I heard that the boss gave them an 80% discount. Besides, the boss was amazing at the Olympic Games. He attracted many new clients. I’ve been thinking, in the short-term, my workload will only increase,” the coach named Andrew said.

“I actually think that it’s a good thing,” The young coach said. “After the Olympic Games ended, didn’t the boss give us an extra month’s worth of salary as a bonus? I heard that our year-end bonuses will also double. It would be even better if the coach brought me with him on his European business trip. It’s like going on vacation in Europe for free, That’s a great benefit of being employed here!”

“Single youngsters like you would definitely love to go. I am different. It would be better if we could just exchange these benefits for cash. If I got cash equivalent to the airfare, lodgings, and food, then I’d be close to paying off the cost of my son’s education. The tuition for universities nowadays are too expensive, and my son can’t get a full scholarship. We’re looking into loans and it looks like he’ll be paying them off for at least a decade,” a slightly older coach said.

As they talked about the possibility of their year-end bonuses increasing, several others in the locker room began to chime in. Only the coach Kenny remained silent, with his head down.

Everyone got changed and left the locker room one by one. Kenny moved towards his locker and looked left to right to make sure no one was watching him. He pulled out a document file from his locker. He then opened the file and took out the documents, reviewing them in detail.

The document was a CV, Kenny’s CV.

Kenny packed the file and arranged his shirt before leaving the locker room. He got into his car, grabbed his phone, and dialed a number.

“Mr. Hagrid? I’m Kenny Parker, where should we meet? Okay. Yes, I’ve brought my CV. I’ll be right there.”

Kenny hung up the phone and saw a sign that read “Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center” not far away.

“I should have gotten a raise, not just a month of bonuses.”

…

Hagrid used to be a data analyst on Wall Street. He loved extreme sports and had dreamt of becoming an extreme sports athlete when he was younger. Unfortunately, he was not talented enough so, in the end, he embarked on the journey of finance.

Most of the time, working on Wall Street was like gambling. Hagrid was a data analyst, so he saw through that lens for a long time ago. After earning some money, he chose to leave Wall Street, leave New York, and return to his home in Los Angeles. He used his savings and bought an extreme sports club to start his new life.

When it came to extreme sports, apart from some external equipment needed to ensure safety, fitness was undoubtedly the most important factor. As such, Hagrid hoped to hire a few exceptional fitness coaches for his club.

It didn’t take long for him to fix his eyes on Dai Li’s physical fitness training center. Dai Li’s training center was one of the best in Los Angeles if not the entire United States. The results of the Olympic Games further elevated Dai Li’s fame. Hagrid knew that the coaches there were definitely world-class. He hoped to scout and pry away a few of them.

Hagrid used an investigative company and discovered that, although Dai Li’s fitness center was expensive, the coaches didn’t get paid that much. He immediately decided to use a higher salary tactic to pry coaches away from Dai Li’s place.

However, scouting required strategy. Take, for example, Chris Payton, a person who had been with Dai Li since the beginning. He worked independently, responsible for a branch of his own, and Dai Li even gave him some of the dividends from the shares. A core member of Dai Li’s team like him was impossible to pry away.

So Hagrid targeted coaches who were younger, whose wages weren’t as high, and who had worked at Dai Li’s place for a while but did not make it into Dai Li’s core team.

Kenny Parker was Hagrid’s first target. He fit every condition and requirement Hagrid set. He was not yet 30 years old, his wage at Dai Li’s place was below average, and he had been working at Dai Li’s training center for around two years without any promotion or any important tasks.

As such, Hagrid held out a helping hand to Kenny Parker. He made an appointment with Kenny and, as expected by Hagrid, Kenny was dissatisfied with his current salary. After talking to Hagrid, he accepted the salary given by Hagrid.

For Hagrid, it was a great start. Next, he wanted to propose even better conditions. He hoped that he could pry away at least one or two skilled coaches who had more experience.

In the morning, Hagrid drove to his extreme sports club. He passed the CV to the head coach in charge of training at the club.

“Thomas, I plan to hire this person to strengthen our fitness coaching team,” Hagrid said.

The coach named Thomas was a veteran employee of the place. The club had three owner changes throughout the years, but Thomas always stayed on. Every owner was willing to keep him in his position. Although he wasn’t exceptional, he was robust and, moreover, he had a reputation and connections in the extreme sports industry. He was regarded as an important and experienced consultant.

Coach Thomas took the CV and reviewed it. It didn’t take long for him to notice a column in the work experience section that read “Coach Lee’s Physical Fitness Training Center.”

“Boss, this Kenny Parker. Did you personally hire him?” Thomas asked immediately.

“Yeah, nowadays, you talk to the bosses when looking for a job,” Hagrid said with a smile.

“Then, a contract hasn’t been signed, right?” Thomas asked.

“No, but we’ve agreed to a salary. Once he’s here, we can sign the contract,” Hagrid answered.

“Phew!” Thomas breathed a sigh of relief and said, “That’s good. As long as the contract isn’t signed yet, it’s fine.”

“Coach Thomas, what do you mean? ‘As long as the contract isn’t signed, it’s fine?’” Hagrid asked, a little annoyed. It wasn’t easy for him to finally get someone, but now his success was greeted with Thomas’ objection. He was annoyed.

Thomas immediately said, “Boss, you’ve just returned to Los Angeles, so there’s one thing you don’t know. In Los Angeles, as long as you’re in the sports industry, there is one thing that’s taboo.”

“What is it?” Hagrid asked.

“Never pry people away from Dai Li’s place!” Thomas said.

“Why?” Hagrid snorted coldly. He then said, “I know that Dai Li is the head coach of the U.S.track and field team, but he shouldn’t be that selfish, right? He doesn’t think his employees are his private property, right? They can only work for him? Even if I were to headhunt people from his place, what can he do?”

Hagrid sounded angry, so Thomas explained. “Boss, you’ve misunderstood. Coach Li doesn’t restrict people from approaching or hiring people from his training center. Many training centers or large-scale gyms have actually signed several coaches from Dai Li’s place, but it resulted in them losing a lot of money.”

“What do you mean?” Hagrid asked, puzzled.

“They got coaches from Dai Li’s place, paid them better salaries, and gave them important jobs. However, those coaches never showed had the necessary abilities. In other words, those coaches did not deserve those salaries. Clients do not like low-level coaches, so some training centers had to pay an exorbitant salary and also lose customers,” Thomas answered.

“That’s because they didn’t have a good eye!” Hagrid said. “Thomas, don’t worry. I was a data analyst on Wall Street. Before deciding on a target, I conduct a lot of data analysis. This Kenny Parker is really good. He has coached several famous athletes; those athletes all improved, so the salary that I proposed to him is definitely worth it.”

“Boss, perhaps I didn’t explain clearly enough. What I mean is, the performance of every single coach headhunted away from Dai Li’s training center showed that they did not have the ability to match their salaries. In other words, every single one of them was outstanding under Dai Li, but, upon leaving, they were terrible.” Thomas then intentionally emphasized, “I’m talking about every single one. not a single exception.”

Hagrid finally took this seriously. As a data analyst, he was naturally great at calculating, so he understood what “every single one, not a single exception” meant.

“Theoretically speaking, there is a possibility that everyone made a mistake in scouting, but that’s almost impossible. Why is that? How can that be? To be fine under Dai Li but not after leaving?” Hagrid asked.

“No idea. No one knows why it happens.” Thomas shook his head, “Perhaps it’s Coach Li. Maybe he knows some witchcraft from the East!”

“There’s no such thing as witchcraft!” Hagrid shook his head. However, Thomas’ serious expression made Hagrid nervous. He couldn’t help but ask, “Is everything you said true?”

Thomas nodded seriously.

“Then we can’t hire this Kenny Parker anymore.” Hagrid wasn’t stupid. He was able to stand on his own on Wall Street, so he naturally kept away from risks when it was possible.

On Wall Street, if he gambled without considering the risks, he would have jumped off the Empire State building more than a dozen times.

“I’ll call him immediately to tell him that I won’t hire him!” Hagrid said.

Chapter 548 - Real Madrid

Chapter 548: Real Madrid

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li wasn’t aware that the Team Pyramid effect had prevented yet another coach from getting another job.

There wasn’t a reputable coach on Dai Li’s team. Most of them were youngsters and Dai Li’s training center only became operational a few years ago. It couldn’t be compared to the old school training centers that had been operational for decades.

Whether it was because of experience or ability, it was unlikely that young coaches would be that exceptional. Of course their wages were much lower; you get what you pay for. It’s possible that someone could get paid more than they’re worth. It’s unlikely for someone who’s not getting paid what they’re worth to stay too long.

It was a good thing Dai Li had the Team Pyramid because it made the young coaches better..

However, the bonus provided by the Team Pyramid just a bonus. It did not reflect the true ability of the young coaches. When they chose to job hop or were pried away by another owner, Dai Li they did not keep the bonus afforded by the Team Pyramid. They would, of course, revert back to their previous level of skill.

Over the last two years, as Dai Li’s training center became more famous, people started to pay attention to Dai Li’s coaches and their relatively small salary. The process of training coaches was difficult and troublesome; anyone would prefer to just pick up a finished product. As such, a good number of people from Dai Li’s place had been headhunted.

However, the competitors who headhunted coaches from Dai Li’s place quickly discovered that prying people from Dai Li’s training center wasn’t a good idea. The coaches weren’t worth what they were paying them. From their ability alone, one could see that Dai Li gave them a fair salary. They only deserved so much. If one were to pay them more, that employer would be getting the short end of the stick..

Gradually, the competitors discovered that the young coaches performed amazingly under Dai Li. Each of them seemed among the best their age. Upon leaving Dai Li’s training center, however, they would revert back to being an average coach. They couldn’t even be regarded as talented.

Some people began to joke that Dai Li might know some kind of Eastern witchcraft that he used to curse the coaches that left him. In truth, every professional knew that it was probably the difference in management.

It was like in basketball, where there are always “system players.” These players have all kinds of weaknesses, but, under certain tactical systems, they performed amazingly. Even if a player who was not making much money might be able to look like an all-star. Upon leaving the tactical system that suited him, he immediately reverted back to his original skill, becoming a mediocre player once again.

Coaches were similar. Most coaches had areas of expertise in which they excelled and weak areas. Therefore, there was also such a thing as a systems coach. Whether it was football or basketball, there was always a coach that was a one-trick pony. In a system, he excelled in he had great ability. Without that system, he was no good.

Dai Li’s competitors assumed that the poached coaches performed terribly because they were only suited to excel in Dai Li’s training system. Multiple sports industry leaders in Los Angeles came to the conclusion that Dai Li’s coaches should not be headhunted, as they were all system coaches and not worth the effort. Even if the coaches at Dai Li’s place actively sought to change companies, they should not offer them high salaries.

The loss of talent increased Dai Li’s vigilance. It wasn’t easy to groom a qualified coach these days, so Dai Li did not want to lose too many of his employees. If his coaching staff changed every few days, it would disrupt the workflow of the training centers.

To deal with this, Dai Li devised countermeasures to prevent the loss of talent. For example, he would give out dividends to employees with decent abilities; Chris Payton was one such employee. He was also generous with bonuses. After the Olympics ended, Dai Li gave everyone bonuses and promised to double the year-end bonus. That increased employee loyalty.

Apart from that, Dai Li switched to a better insurance company. He purchased better medical insurance for his employees. Healthcare was ridiculously expensive in the U.S., so good medical insurance did not just cover the healthcare of the employee but also the spouse and offspring of the employee as well. For the employees who had families, this was one of the best benefits. A lot of people with families opted for lower-paying jobs with better medical insurance.

…

Dai Li arrived in Madrid, Spain.

Madrid was the capital of the country. However, it didn’t look like a capital to Dai Li. The roads were narrow, the buildings were old, and the streets weren’t that crowded. It felt to Dai Li like a city that hadn’t woken up. The vibe of the city was slow-paced and relaxed.

The first stop for Dai Li was the Real Madrid Football Club.

The home stadium of Real Madrid was the Bernabeau. It was open for visitors. Tourists could buy tickets, visit the stadium, and also go to the Real Madrid Museum, which displayed the glories and awards of the Real Madrid football team.

Real Madrid accommodated many visitors every year. Among them were tourists, politicians, and famous people. Occasionally, when politicians or celebrities visited, the club would give them a jersey with their name printed on the back as a gift.

Dai Li sent a letter in advance, so he did not have to visit with the other tourists. Real Madrid sent a special envoy to take care of him and, at the same time, they gave Dai Li one of those special jerseys.

The U.S. National Track and Field Team was pretty famous. On top of that was how well they did at the Olympics under Dai Li’s coaching. From the 27 gold medals alone, Dai Li earned the respect of Real Madrid.

Results were the most important thing in the sports training industry. Even you coached a different sport, as long as you were one of the best, you had the respect and recognition of whoever you were with.

Real Madrid sent the team’s sports division manager, Henry, to receive Dai Li.

Henry was a French man, who played football when he was younger. He used to play for Real Madrid and, at his peak, he was one of the world’s best forwards. He received the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times and the Europe Golden Ball Award once. He had also been on teams that had won the European Champions League, La Liga League, and the Italian Serie A. On the national team, he had won the World Cup and European Football Championship Cup. He had won it all.

Dai Li knew who Henry was; he’d grown up watching Henry play football. When Dai Li was a student, he would see Henry on TV and all over the newspapers. Now, Henry was there to personally welcome and receive him.

After a simple tour of the stadium, Henry brought Dai Li to the Valdebebas training ground. It was Real Madrid’s training ground. All the players associated with Real Madrid, including the big shots, trained there. The difference between the training ground and Bernabeu stadium was that the training ground was not open to the public.

Under normal circumstances, no one, not even a politician or a celebrity, would be scheduled to visit Valdebebas. However, Dai Li was different, he was a coach. He was a professional, one of the best in his field. Real Madrid F.C. naturally wanted to let him see the team in its genuine state.

There is a saying that says that average men gather to have fun, while experts gather to observe the inner workings. In ancient times, during street performances, when an expert was around, he or she would be inclined to whip out a move or two to show off their skills. If a world-class club such as Real Madrid dealt with an expert just as they did normal fans, it would look like they were ridiculing themselves.

As such, Dai Li had the chance to visit Valdebebas training ground.

“Coach Li, over there is our youth training base. We are planning to open up part of it for the tourists as a next step. At the end, on the left, is our Real Madrid youth training academy. Let’s start over there,” Henry said, smiling.

“Whatever you say,” Dai Li said. He followed Henry towards the training ground of the youth academy.

The youth academy was filled with a bunch of kids. They were divided into three levels: the U10s, the U12s, and the U14s. The older ones, if they remained at Real Madrid, reported to the youth team.

“Our U10 team is the strongest in Spain. They have won all 23 games this season! These kids scored a total of 50 goals in those 23 games, scoring an average of two goals per game. Only eight goals were scored against them the entire season.

“Our U12 won the Mediterranean Cup that just finished up in April by defeating Barcelona.. My son was the first to score in that match. Look, the third one from the left, that’s him,” Henry said with pride. The man who had once been the world’s greatest forward talked more excitedly about his son than winning a championship.

Dai Li was stunned by the football system of Spain. The U10s and the U12s had their own professional leagues. The kids were taken so seriously that huge organizations like Real Madrid participated in their training. No wonder Spain was so good at football. In China, no one paid attention to football, much less a bunch of 10 to 12-year old kids who played football.

Beside Dai Li, Halls watched the children, who were about his age, play football. He clearly wanted to jump in and play as well.

A few people arrived at the training ground of the U14 team.

“Looks like the U14 team has a practice game,” Henry pointed towards the field.

“There is even an Asian.” Dai Li saw an Asian man run onto the field.

“His name is Tanaka. He is Japanese. He is regarded as a genius footballer in Japan.” Henry shook his head as he spoke. “Perhaps in Asia, he is a genius. In Europe, in Spain, there are teenagers all over the place as good as he is.”

As Dai Li and Henry chatted, a kid on the field cleared the ball with a powerful kick. The ball flew towards Dai Li.

Next to Dai LI, Halls saw the ball flying over. He ran forward a few steps and moved onto the sidelines of the field. After that, he stopped the ball with his chest and controlled the ball steadily. Then, with a kick, he sent the ball flying towards the front of the penalty box.

The ball was sent precisely to the feet of an attacking player.

“Hwis hwis!” The coach blew the whistle to call the play dead, stopping the practice match.

Henry looked at Halls. Henry was one of the best forward in the world. When it came to overall skill, he could be regarded as the best player in the world. So he could tell that that touch and cross from Halls was not something a normal kid could execute.

“Who’s this kid?” Henry assessed Halls seriously.

This kid doesn’t look Chinese. He probably isn’t Coach Li’s son, so who is he? As Henry thought this, he said, “Coach Li, who’d have thought you would have a young player hidden beside you!”

“Hehe, he’s called Halls Frast, and he has loved football since he was a baby. One of the coaches that works under me, Coach Payton, is his guardian. Coach Payton came with me to Spain, and we couldn’t leave Halls alone in the United States, so we thought we’d bring him along,” Dai Li said.

“Not a lot of Americans like football,” Henry said as he nodded.

“Halls is Argentinian,” Dai Li explained.

“Argentinian!” A peculiar look flashed across Henry’s eyes. He then pointed towards the field, and asked Halls in Spanish, “Hey kid, do you want to go and have a try?”

Halls nodded seriously, he then turned to look at Dai Li, as if asking for Dai Li’s permission.

Dai Li intentionally displayed a weak smile, “Alright, if Mr. Henry allows it, you can go. But remember, don’t injure yourself.”

“Awesome!” Halls pumped his arms in the air in excitement.

Henry called over the coach on the field and uttered a few words to him. The coach brought over a red practice bib and passed it to Halls. He then said, “You’ve joined the red team. What position do you play?”

“Striker,” Halls answered.

“Striker? You don’t have any height advantage. Amongst the strikers in our lineup, the shortest is at least one head taller than you.” The coach smiled helplessly and said, “I’ll give you a short run-down of our strategy today, and then you can go play. The red team is mainly playing counter-attack football…”

…

Payton moved to Dai Li’s side and whispered into his ear, “Boss, look at the players from Real Madrid. Although they are around the same age as Halls, they are much bigger and stronger than Halls. Won’t Halls lose because of this physical difference?”

“Football is very different from American football,” Dai Li smiled. “Football is more like an art, the art of the foot.”

Payton looked as if he did not fully understand.

Dai Li continued, “Do you remember what I told you last time? Halls will become a king of football. Do you think that the king of a generation of footballers wouldn’t know how to handle such a situation? Just wait and see, he’ll surprise us!”

Chapter 549 - Born to Excel at Football

Chapter 549: Born to Excel at Football

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the football field, Halls dribbled with speed and control. With his amazing skills, he quickly moved between and past two defenders, reaching the free kick line before shooting.

“Beautiful!” Henry couldn’t help but exclaim.

His ball control is excellent, there is no extraneous movement. Upon his first touch, he was already prepared for his next action. This sort of ball control is simple and efficient.

He’s not very forceful when dribbling but he’s very direct, very lethal. That kind of dribbling makes it easy for him to get past people.

His acceleration is exceptional. After his body begins to move, he accelerates to his top speed quickly. He also has quick steps, so he can easily change and shift his direction when running, without losing control of the ball.

Although he isn’t very tall, his field of vision is great. He is able to observe the shifting of situations on the field in a timely manner so he can get where he’s needed most.

Henry completed his initial assessment of Henry in his mind. He already knew that the Argentinian boy in front of him was a football genius.

“Where did this guy come from? This is a real genius!” After seeing Halls’ performance, he could not help but admit that no young football player could be compared to Halls, even at the youth academy of Real Madrid.

Henry felt a sense of defeat. The youth academy of Real Madrid was regarded as one of the best youth academies in the world. The academy gathered all the young football talents of Europe, of the world, together. Whatever the youth academy of Real Madrid lack, it wasn’t supposed to be genius!

However, on that day, the lights that surrounded each and every one of the talents on the field were overshadowed by the performance of that Argentinian boy. The Real Madrid U14 team, one of the best in the world, had been shown up by Halls.

This kind of player must be a part of Real Madrid! We need to sign him, he will be the future of the club! Henry used to be one of the world’s greatest forward. He was a world-class superstar, and his insight was very sharp. He had already discerned the unlimited potential emanating from Halls’ body.

Henry looked at Dai Li and said, “Coach Li, this boy plays good football. He has the potential to become a football superstar.”

“Yeah, I think so too.” Dai Li nodded with a smile.

“May I know which club is he playing for at the moment? Is it a club in Argentina? Or perhaps in America?” Henry asked testingly.

Henry assumed a genius player like Halles would have been spotted by a football club and recruited a long time ago. He also assumed that if Halls were in any of the youth academies in Europe, Real Madrid would have discovered him a while ago. So, Henry deduced that Halls must play for a football club on the American continent.

Henry thought that it might actually be a good thing that Halls was playing football for an American club. Real Madrid could spend some money to directly purchase his services. Although Halls was a football genius, he was still a youth player, so he wasn’t too valuable. The American clubs, whose eyes grew wide at the sight of green, wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation of money. Real Madrid could potentially produce a core player in their future attacking lineup by investing in him.

Henry looked expectantly at Dai Li as he hoped for an answer However, Dai Li shook his head and said, “This boy is currently a free player. He hasn’t joined the youth academy of any football club.”

“None?” Henry looked bewildered.

Such an amazing football talent hasn’t joined a football club? Are the clubs on the American continent blind? Is it actually possible that they don’t see the genius of Halls? If he was in Europe, he couldn’t have gotten this good without being signed! As Henry’s thoughts raced, he was delighted. He felt like he had found a great deal. Since Halls did not have a club, Real Madrid saved on transfer fees.

In earnest, Henry said, “Coach Li, this kid has a lot of talent. I think he was born to play football. It would be a pity if such an amazing football player went to waste.”

“Mr. Henry, I understand what you mean. You want to invite Halls to join your Real Madrid Football Club, am I right?” Dai Li said frankly.

Henry nodded, “Yes, you get it. Our Valdebebas training ground has the world’s greatest football training system. Our logistics support is also world-class. The accommodations for our youth academy players are built based on the standards of a four-star hotel. Life here isn’t any worse than any other place in the world…”

Henry wanted to continue with his pitch, but Dai Li simply waved his hand and interrupted him. “Mr. Henry, please let me say a few words. Do forgive me for being direct. The current Halls, unfortunately, cannot be a professional player. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not trying to reject you. It’s not any objective factors, it is his own problem.”

Henry was stunned, but his frantic mind slowed down. He realized that he was a little too enthusiastic. He must have come off as a borderline fanatic.

How has a football genius like him been overlooked by professional football clubs? He’s Argentinian. The professional football leagues of Argentina are also world-class. There is no way those Argentinian clubs missed such a genius. He has no club, so there must be something wrong, a serious issue. Could it be an injury? Or, perhaps, a mental illness? Damn, I should’ve thought of that. I got carried away.

Henry scolded himself in his mind before asking, “Coach Li, what’s wrong with Halls?”

Dai Li did not beat around the bush and answered, “Dwarfism. He has dwarfism.”

“So that’s it. I saw that he was shorter. I assumed that he was born shorter, but it was due to dwarfism,” Henry said. “However, if treated in time with regular growth hormone injections, he can still grow taller. Although he can’t become a 1.80-meter guy, he could still become a professional football player.”

“What if his Wagner’s line was already closed?” Dai Li asked with a laugh. His tone indicated he was rather relaxed.

“His Wagner’s line was closed? Then that would really be troublesome,” Henry looked at Halls, who was playing on the field. He couldn’t help but shake his head and sighed. “This kid. That is truly a real pity.”

Henry knew what the Wagner’s line’s closure meant. He finally understood why a young football genius such as him was not signed by professional football clubs. Dwarfism paired with a closed Wagner’s line completely blocked off the boy’s path of becoming a football player. It was impossible for him to become a professional football player. He had no value for a club.

“Mr. Henry, you no longer plan to recruit him anymore, right?” Dai Li laughed and said, “In truth, he is receiving treatment through my training center. Although his Wagner’s line has closed, and the effects of the growth hormone injections are limited, he can still grow taller with systemic sports training.”

“That is indeed the case. I hope he is successful.” Henry nodded, but he was clearly disinterested.

Henry knew that the systemic sports training Dai Li talked about could indeed help a teenager going through puberty grow taller, but there was only a small chance. The current Halls looked to be only around 1.40m tall. If he were to become a qualified professional football player, he had to grow to at least 1.70m. It was a 30-centimeter difference.

A Dwarfism patient whose Wagner’s line had already closed growing 30 centimeters was practically impossible in reality. It would be some sort of dream come true if it happened.

In Henry’s eyes, the genius footballer in front of him had lost his value.

What’s the use of a football genius who could not become a professional football player?

…

In the car back to the hotel, Halls was still breathing heavily; he was still recovering from playing.

“Did you have fun?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes!” Halls nodded and said, “I’ve never had such amazing teammates, and I’ve never played against such amazing opponents. They are much better than the people I played with in Argentina! I also made a few new friends today.”

“Well, that was to be expected. That was Real Madrid after all! They have the world’s greatest youth training system. Every team of theirs is among the best in the world. On Real Madrid, there are lots of geniuses like you. They are talented and they work hard. Perhaps some the kids you played with today will become football stars in the future,” Dai Li said.

Halls nodded, his face filled with excitement. He was still savoring a goal he scored.

“Do you want to play for Real Madrid?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes, of course I want to.” Halls nodded without any hesitation. His eyes filled with expectation.

Dai Li patted Halls’ head and said, “You can stop dreaming now. You can’t go to Real Madrid just yet. When you were playing, I brought it up with them, but they turned me down. The door for joining Real Madrid has closed, so you can no longer play with them like you did today.”

Halls was disappointed. His excitement had vanished without a trace. Tears welled up in his eyes.

“Is it because I am too short?” Halls asked, clearly trying not to cry.

“No,” Dai Li shook his head. “It’s because you can no longer grow taller.”

Halls lowered his head and fell silent.

Dai Li did not speak again. At that moment, it was better to let Halls reflect on his own.

…

Dai Li’s next stop was Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona.

Halls’ grandmother was Catalonian. She emigrated to Argentina when she was young so, to Halls, Catalonia felt like home.

As a giant in football on par with Real Madrid, Barcelona was comparable in all aspects, including their training facilities and the team’s youth training system.

Faced with Dai Li’s visit, Barcelona sent out the team’s biggest celebrity to personally receive him and give him a tour.

Dai Li managed to get Halls a chance to play again, and, with Halls’ talent, he convinced Barcelona F.C. that the kid was a genius.

However, when Barcelona learned that Halls had Dwarfism and that his Wagner’s line had closed, they stopped in their tracks.

The difference was that Barcelona did not reject him completely. They indicated that if Halls could grow taller in the next few years, they were willing to give Halls a chance to join their youth academy.

Although the promised seemed empty, it was better than nothing.

…

On their way back to the hotel, Halls was silent once again.

“Barcelona isn’t any worse than Real Madrid, right?” Dai Li asked with a smile.

Halls only nodded.

“Do you want to play here?” Dai Li asked.

“I know they won’t want me because I’m short. No, because I can’t grow taller,” Halls answered, filled with discontent.

Dai Li’s tone changed and asked, “You’ve been to professional football clubs before. Spanish football is different from Argentinian football, isn’t it?”

“There’s a huge difference between here and Argentina. It’s like two different worlds,” Halls said.

“Do you feel like you belong here?” Dai Li looked serious as he spoke. “You’ve made a few new friends here in Spain, right? You have to admit they are better off than you, because they are already in the youth academies of Real Madrid or Barcelona. You are still a free agent. Real Madrid or Barcelona were both unwilling to accept you.

“The kids who are already on the teams are training hard now. They don’t waste their time and strength playing street football after dinner for two or three hours. They follow strict timetables. They put all their energy and focus into their training because they want to remain there. They want to become professional players.

“I hope you understand that the people who have an advantage over you are working really hard. If you want to join them, you have to work harder than they do to close the gap. If you can’t do that, then they will always be in a different world than you.”

Dai Li pointed towards the ground under his feet and said, “This is Spain. We will leave here tomorrow. I hope that the next time you are here, you will become a professional player. Good luck, Halls!”

Halls nodded seriously. A great fighting spirit had lit up in his heart. He knew that he could no longer waste time.

Perhaps Coach Li’s strategy of bringing him to Spain will prove to be effective. Chris Payton looked at Halls’ determined expression and couldn’t help but sigh. He sure is a child born to excel at football.

Chapter 550 - The Father and Son Who Pursued Their Dreams

Chapter 550: The Father and Son Who Pursued Their Dreams

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It seemed as though Halls had transformed into another person. He no longer went to play football at night. Instead, he went to bed early every day and put all his energy into his training the next day.

The trip to Spain significantly affected Halls. He had personally witnessed the way two giants of football, Real Madrid and Barcelona, trained their youths. He even had the chance to play in a couple of practice matches. He finally saw what world-class youth training was like.

All of that generated a drive within Halls. He desired to train in Real Madrid or Barcelona. He wanted to enter one of their teams and become a part of them. He aspired to play with awesome teammates and against amazing opponents.

However, because of his dwarfism and his Wagner’s line closing, Real Madrid and Barcelona rejected him. It wounded his pride, and this sort of wound quickly inspired his motivation to train.

Just as Dai Li said, only a person with a vivid goal would strive and fight to achieve it.

Halls was doing exactly that. Although he had wished to play in Europe when he was younger, he never really witnessed what a top football club was like in Europe. The dream of playing football in Europe had been based in fantasy. The current Halls had visited Spain and two of the biggest clubs in football, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Playing football in Europe was no longer just a fictitious dream, it had become a target he strived for in reality.

Halls knew that his height was the reason he got rejected by the clubs. He had dwarfism and his Wagner’s line had closed. Those were things he could not change. Halls realized deep down that training at Dai Li’s place was his last hope of growing any taller.

Having dwarfism meant that Halls had a congenital deficiency, so the teenagers who had already entered the Real Madrid and Barcelona youth academy had a huge advantage over him. In such a dire situation, Halls had to work much harder and put it more effort than the others if he wanted to succeed.

Halls understood that. He knew that his path was much harder than everyone else’s. However, he would never give up. He would sprint towards his goal.

…

It was ten in the morning and Dai Li was in his office developing a training plan for a client. His phone suddenly rang.

Dai Li grabbed his phone and glanced at it. The caller ID surprised him a little.

“It’s Zhongyi Xu. Why is he calling? It should be midnight in China.” Dai Li calculated in his mind. The West Coast of the U.S. had a 16 hours time difference from China. Taking into account daylight savings time, there was at least a 15-hour time difference between the West Coast and China. It was morning for Dai Li, so it was definitely early in the morning in China. Xu should be sleeping.

Old Xu, calling me at this hour? I just hope it’s not something too serious. Dai Li did not hesitate and picked up the phone immediately.

“Hello, Old Xu. Why aren’t you sleeping right now? Is something wrong?” Dai Li asked directly.

“It’s because I don’t want to affect your rest.” Zhongyi Xu laughed and said, “But I really do have something that I need to ask you.”

“What’s up? Let me hear it,” Dai Li said generously.

“Our provincial sports team. The coach’s name is Jianguo Chen. He’s a tennis coach. You’ve heard of him, right?” Zhongyi Xu asked.

“That sounds vaguely familiar.” Dai Li paused briefly and said, “But isn’t our provincial tennis team pretty weak? There’s not a lot of players and even fewer coaches.”

“That’s right. Apart from some first-tier cities, the other places have never really developed tennis as a sport. Policy and financial support are also pretty limited.” Zhongyi Xu did not stay on that issue for long. He said, “Jianguo Chen and I have known each other for a long time. He has a son named Zhen Chen who he trained in tennis. The fella is pretty talented. He won the bronze medal in the national games when he was only 18 years old. He also participated in several international competitions this year. In the most recent world rankings, Zhen Chen made it into the top 200.”

“A male player from our country making it into the top 200 in the world ranking is pretty impressive,” Dai Li praised.

“And making it into the top 200 in the world ranking means that he can participate in the qualifiers for the U.S. Open. It’s been a long time since a male player from our country participated in one of the four grand slams,” Zhongyi Xu said.

There were four grand slam tournaments. The main competitions had 128 spots, among them, 104 were based on the world rankings. The top 104 ranked players were eligible to participate directly in the main competition of the four tennis grand slam tournaments. However, it was inevitable that some of the players would drop out due to injury or other sudden factors or incidents. The lower-ranked players were the substitutes. So, under normal circumstances, as long as someone was among the top 110 in the world there was a chance to participate in the four grand slam tennis tournaments.

Another eight spots were left to wild cards. Sometimes big shot players drop out of the top 104 rankings if they stop participating in competitions for long periods of time. In such situations, these players are provided the chance to enter the grand slams as a wild card. Players from the host country have an advantage in the wild card selection. So, for the Australian Open, there are always a few Australian players selected; for the Wimbledon Open, British players are selected; for the French Open, French players are selected; for the U.S. Open, Americans are selected.

The last 16 spots in the main competition were determined by the qualifiers. Before the four grand slam tennis tournaments, a qualifier would first be organized. A total of 128 athletes would participate in the qualifiers. Participation in the qualifiers was based on the players’ world rankings. Three rounds of elimination matches were played, and players who won all three matches were allowed to advance to the main competition.

From the rules, if nobody retired early due to injuries, the top 104 and 232 ranking players would be able to participate in the qualifiers. However, because many usually retired early, the top 250 ranked players are usually able to participate in the qualifier.

Zhen Chen was already in the top 200 in world rankings, so his place in the qualifiers was guaranteed.

“You want my help, right?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes, Jianguo Chen hoped to bring Zhen Chen to the U.S. early to help get him acclimatized to the environment. It would be ideal to find a U.S. tennis coach in advance so that he could guide Zhen Chen in advance. You are more familiar with the U.S. so I would like to ask for your help,” Zhongyi Xu stated.

“No problem, you can let Jianguo Chen know that he can contact me directly,” Dai Li said.

“Jianguo Chen isn’t very wealthy. His is an average, working-class household. They rely on their fixed salary. Grooming Zhen Chen to be a tennis player cost them a lot of money, so I hope you don’t get him someone too expensive,” Zhongyi Xu reminded.

“Is that so…” Dai Li hesitated for a moment and continued, “Old Xu, you are a coach. You must know that, in the sports training industry, any skilled coach will not be cheap. The better they are, the higher their wages.”

“I know, I know. That’s the reason I’m calling you in the middle of the night. I need you to help me think of something. You’re doing very well in the U.S., so you must know many people. Perhaps you could help Zhen Chen,” Zhongyi Xu said.

“How about this? Let him train at my training center. Some of my clients are reputable tennis players, they’re among the top 50 in the world rankings. Zhen Chen can train with them. Although it’s just fitness training, perhaps he will learn a thing or two. If it’s possible, I’ll try recommending some of the players here practice with Zhen Chen,” Dai Li said.

“Then, in terms of the fees, you better give them a discount. I know the fees at your place is amazingly expensive,” Zhongyi Xu said intentionally.

Dai Li understood what Zhongyi Xu meant. He chuckled and said, “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t bother but it’s you, Old Xu. How can I say no to you! By the time they get here, it’ll only be a few days before the U.S. Open. I won’t charge them anything.”

…

Three days later, Jianguo Chen and Zhen Chen arrived in Los Angeles.

Jianguo Chen used to be the coach of the Hanbei Provincial Sports team, but Dai Li didn’t have much of an impression of him. First of all, they were in different sports. Second of all, provincial tennis had always been a niche sport, it wasn’t important.

Zhen Chen was a genius youth tennis player, part of the new generation in China. Dai Li used the detector on him and discovered that his talent potential grade was B+. It was enough to dominate in China and possibly participate in some of the lower-level international tours. However, when it came to competitions like the four grand slams, he would barely manage to meet the minimum requirement for the main competition.

In the U.S., tennis was fairly popular. The U.S. has a lot of specialized schools in tennis, and a large number of tennis players are produced annually. Among Dai Li’s clients, there were a few reputable tennis players in the top 50 of the world rankings. As the U.S. Open neared, they trained more frequently. Their fitness training was the most important part of their training schedule.

Under normal circumstances, the U.S. Open would last for around half a month. Most of the non-seeded players would be in both the individual singles competition and the doubles or mixed doubles competition. Some participants would even have to deal with both matches in singles and doubles. They needed a lot of stamina, so they were willing to place more emphasis on their fitness training before the competition.

For Zhen Chen, these tennis players were “idols” that he didn’t think he’d ever have a chance to meet.

Zhen Chen’s ranking was just inside the top 200. In theory, his ranking was just 150 spots away from the top 50, which doesn’t seem like too big a deal. However, when it came to tennis, the jump from 200 to 50 was like heaven and earth. A lot of the players ranked around 200 would not ever be pitted against a top 50-ranked player.

In tennis, the qualifier was determined by the world rankings. For example, the most important ATP tournaments were the four grand slam tournaments. Following that was the ATP 1000, then the ATP 500, and then the ATP 250. A player ranked in the top 10 of the world would not participate in the ATP250 tournament because, to them, the talent level in an ATP 250 tournament was too low.

After that, it was the Challengers tournament 125K +H level, the Challengers 125K, Challengers 100K, 75K, 50K, and 40K. For Challengers tournaments below 100K, it would be difficult to see any players ranked in the top 100. After the Challengers tournaments, there was the Hope tournament. Only players who were not in the world rankings would participate in the lower levels of the Hope tournament.

So for any players ranked within the world’s top 200, at most, they would take part in a few of the Challengers tournaments. It was difficult to participate in tournaments above the ATP 250 so, it wasn’t often possible to play against players in the top 50 world rankings.

Even when players ranked within the top 232 in the world were allowed to take part in the qualifiers of a grand slam tournament, the three rounds of games were all death matches for the players ranked in the 200 regions. If they wanted to advance through to the main tournament, they had to get three consecutive victories against opponents higher rankings. There would have to be an upset every match. One upset was still possible, but to have three consecutive upsets was extremely unlikely.

So, in the qualifiers of the four grand slams, the ones who ultimately made it to the main tournament were usually the top 150 players. Those ranked outside of the top 150 could barely ever make it to the main tournament.

…

On the training ground, Jianguo Chen watched Zhen Chen as he trained. With a benevolent smile, he said, “When Zhen Chen first picked up a tennis racquet, he wasn’t even taller than the racquet. Back then, I had just retired and was supposed to become the coach of the team. He was like my tail. I trained while he picked up the balls. Later, I saw that he imitated the athletes swinging the racquets. It was then that I began teaching him tennis.

“Zhen Chen had talent. Among the athletes I trained, he was the most talented. He only needed to learn the things I taught him once. From then on, I decided that even if I went broke, I would properly groom him. I hoped that one day he could play in the grand slam tournaments, and achieve everything I couldn’t.”

Jianguo Chen sighed. “When I was an athlete, I hoped to play in one of the four grand slam tournaments. I would have been satisfied with one match. However, back in our day, it was impossible. Tennis players didn’t even have the chance to take part in tournaments outside China. Especially after the tennis player defection during the 1980s, our chances of leaving the country for competitions got even slimmer. I’ve never left the country to participate in any competition.”

Dai Li, who was at this side, nodded. Back then, a tennis player competing in a tournament in the U.S. left the team and stayed in the U.S. He even applied for government protection to stay in the United States. However, if one thought carefully, only people who were being politically persecuted were eligible to apply for government protection. An athlete was not a politician with influence. Who would politically persecute an athlete? So, the athlete wanted to stay in the U.S. and the American government was more than willing to use him as a political tool. Today, the athlete would have been deported by the U.S. immigration service.

Jianguo Chen then continued, “When I saw that Zhen Chen made it into the top 200, I was really happy. He has the chance to take part in a grand slam tournament. It was my lifelong dream and, although I never realized it, there is a chance my son will realize this dream for me!”

As Jianguo Chen said this, he became more and more excited.

Dai Li looked at Jianguo Chen’s face and felt a tinge of pity. With Zhen Chen’s current standard, not to mention the main tournament of the grand slam,it would be difficult for him to make it through the first round.

It was always difficult working in tennis back in China. Dai Li knew what the tennis environment in China was like. He glanced at Zhen Chen, who was in the middle of his training. Zhen Chen looked serious, but Dai Li could feel that Zhen Chen was a little nervous.

It wasn’t a tournament or a match, only a normal training session. Yet, Zhen Chen was actually nervous. It wasn’t because Zhen Chen was mentally weak, it was because he knew how important this training was. He valued training and he treasured the chance to train with tennis players in the top 50, even if it were only fitness training.

“Looks like even Zhen Chen knows that he is living the dream of two generations. His participation in the U.S. Open isn’t just for him, it is also for his father!”

Dai Li finally made the decision. He decided to help this father and son pursue their dreams.

Chapter 551 - The Ultimate Favor

Chapter 551: The Ultimate Favor

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Noel, a famous American tennis player, lived in Los Angeles. He had previously made it into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.

Noel was currently ranked 25th in the world. According to the rules of the grand slam, the first 32 ranked players were seeded. So, in the upcoming U.S. Open, Noel was the 25th seed.

At the moment, a young Chinese man was training with Noel on the court. He was Noel’s new training partner.

The Chinese youth was Zhen Chen.

Noel was also a client of Dai Li. Under Dai Li’s introduction, Zhen Chen was given a chance to become Noel’s training partner.

Training with a world-class player was a valuable opportunity. Zhen Chen valued this training. Even if he was only a training partner, he treated it extremely seriously.

For Zhen Chen, it was impossible for him to train with a player of Noel’s standard in his regularly. Moreover, in the process of training with Noel, Noel or Noel’s coach would give him a few reminders. These were tidbits were extra bonuses, as he wouldn’t normally get them in his training.

Noel was very willing to give Zhen Chen a few pointers. Of course, Noel wanted his training partner to be stronger so his training session would go better. Besides, Zhen Chen’s ranked just inside 200; it would be difficult for him to reach the main stage of grand slam tournaments, and Noel was a seeded player. Zhen Chen’s ranking was not a threat to Noel so, even if Zhen Chen improved, he couldn’t possibly become a threat to Noel. Noel didn’t have to worry about being defeated by this disciple.

As training for the day came to an end, Dai Li appeared on the training ground.

“Coach Li, this fella that you introduced isn’t bad. He’s very hard working. The only thing is that he doesn’t seem to be very talkative. He only spoke when I asked him something,” Noel smiled as he welcomed Dai Li.

“Yeah, the kid is a bit of an introvert,” Dai Li said. “Noel, I’m afraid he will no longer be your training partner anymore.”

“Why? The kid isn’t bad and, besides, there are only ten days left before the qualifiers. He can stay here for a few more days,” Noel said.

“I found him a tennis coach. He’s going there for a week of specialized training,” Dai Li lowered his voice and said, “It’s Coach Wiggins’ private training camp.”

“Coach Wiggins!” Noel exclaimed.

“Lower your voice. I don’t want Zhen Chen to hear about this,” Dai Li said.

“Oh heavens, Wiggins is the best tennis coach in the United States. His private training camp cost $20,000 a week!” Noel blurted.

“To be exact, it’s $20,000 for five days. Coach Wiggins rests on the weekend,” Dai Li shrugged in resignation.

“Coach Li, forgive me for being direct, but this expenditure isn’t worth it. Sending Zhen Chen to Coach Wiggins’ training camp is a waste. Even with Coach Wiggins’ special training, it’s impossible for him to get a decent result in the U.S. Open. Even if he made it into the main tournament, it would only be for one round,” Noel said.

Dai Li knew what Noel said was true. If Zhen Chen were an athlete with S+ grade talent, giving him a week of specialized training might have produced a miracle, but Zhen Chen was only a B+ talent. Even if he were to receive the best training in the world, he only had the capability to barely make it into the main tournament. It wasn’t possible for him to go that far into the tournament. He might not even make it through the first round.

“In terms of a return on investment, this is indeed a bad deal.” Dai Li smiled and said, “However, if it can help realize the dream of two generations of people, then, to me, the fee is worth it.”

…

In the middle of the night, after a day of exhausting training, Zhen Chen had fallen asleep. Jianguo Chen was, however, hiding in the toilet, whispering into the phone so he wouldn’t startle his sleeping son.

“Don’t worry, we’re doing fine over here. Coach Li takes great care of us. No problem in terms of lodging or food. We have enough. The money I’ve brought is definitely enough. I’ll be bringing our son to New York for the qualifier of the U.S. Open in two days. We’ve already booked the tickets. After the tournament ends, we’ll return to China.”

After wrapping up the conversation with his wife, Jianguo Chen called Zhongyi Xu.

“Old Xu, I’m really thankful to you. Coach Li found a coach for Zhen Chen, so he doesn’t have to be Noel’s training partner anymore. Yeah, a tennis coach, I’ve seen them. He is much better than me. That said, this is because you, Old Xu, have the right connections!”

After chatting with Zhongyi Xu for a while, Jianguo Chen looked at the time and realized it was the work day in China.

“Is this Director Huang? I’m Jianguo Chen, Zhen Chen’s father. Yes, yes, also his coach. Zhen Chen and I are currently in the United States, we’re preparing for the U.S. Open. Yes, thank you, leader. I’m calling because I have something that I need your help with. The U.S. Open is about to begin, and Zhen Chen is about to compete in the qualifier. Can you contact the media and inform them?

“Exactly, Director. The higher the exposure, the more chance of sponsorship. Since the reformation of tennis in our country, the livelihood of athletes has not been as stable as before. Constantly going overseas for competitions, the expenditure on the basic necessities are indeed quite high. If there is no sponsor, it is indeed quite difficult.

“Then I really have to thank Director Huang in advance. Yes, you are right, a blacksmith needs his own hardware. He’s been training really hard. He just went to an American training camp today. The coach is Coach Wiggins, I heard he’s quite famous in the U.S.

“Yes, in Los Angeles. That’s right, the coach is named Brad Wiggins. Even you know him!

“Oh? You’ve been to the U.S. for reconnaissance before and you’ve visited Coach Wiggins’ training camp? In that case, this Coach Wiggins really is quite famous. Even our National Tennis Management center went to him to learn.

“What did you say? The fee for Coach Wiggins’ training camp is at least $20,000?”

Jianguo Chen froze.

…

The sound of the alarm woke Zhen Chen. Although he still wanted to sleep a little more, he knew he had to train at Wiggins’, so he forced himself to get out of his bed.

Later, he saw his father seated on the sofa alone, staring out the window with a blank face.

“Dad, you’re up early,” Zhen Chen said. He noticed the bags under Jianguo Chen’s eyes.

“Dad, did you sleep well? Insomnia? You didn’t sleep the whole night?” Zhen Chen felt pain as he looked at his father.

Jianguo Chen slowly turned his head over. He let out a long sigh and told his son, “Son, once you’re at Coach Wiggins’ place, you better train seriously. Don’t waste a second!”

Zhen Chen felt the weight of Jianguo Chen’s words. It had been a while since his father used such a tone with him.

“Dad, is something wrong?” Zhen Chen asked.

Jianguo Chen shook his head, “We really owe Coach Li a big favor this time. This U.S. Open, if you don’t make it into the main tournament, we really let Coach Li down!”

Zhen Chen nodded without fully comprehending everything. He didn’t know that the cost of training at Wiggins’ training camp was $20,000 for five days. One day cost $4,000.

Chapter 552 - A Dream Come True

Chapter 552: A Dream Come True

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Wiggins was the best tennis coach in the U.S. He used to coach many players that went on to play in the grand slam. Of course, his fee was the highest. $20,000 for one week. For tennis coaching, this was ridiculously high.

The reason Wiggins dared to charge so much for his services was that his training was worth that price, especially for young players who needed to work on their technique. With guidance from Wiggins, these players improved by leaps and bounds.

Zhen Chen was exactly the kind of young player whose technique needed work. It was fair to say that his weaknesses were abundant; that is how Wiggins saw him. The current Zhen Chen was too weak. He was filled with mistakes and shortcomings.

Zhen Chen was, after all, a player who grew up in China. The training standard and the overall tennis environment in China was far from those in the Western countries. So, compared to Western athletes, he had lots of room for improvement.

The more weaknesses an athlete had, the more areas he could improve on. This meant that his area for improvement was large. For athletes like that, every weakness remedied was a big step towards getting better.

Zhen Chen was just like that. Based on his B+ talent potential grading, although it was impossible for him to win the grand slam, it was still possible for him to make it into the main tournament. That meant that he could make it into the top 100 in the world rankings. However, he only made it to the top 200. The reason was that, in China, his training was so bad that a lot of his weaknesses were never improved upon.

After arriving in Coach Wiggins’ training camp, Zhen Chen’s main goal was to be transformed by Coach Wiggins. He tried to change and remedy the various mistakes in his technique.

Zhen Chen had never received the guidance of a world-class tennis coach like that before. To Zhen Chen, an opportunity like this was incredibly valuable. Every sentence, every word Coach Wiggins told him, was as holy as the Bible. Zhen Chen executed Wiggins’ suggestions without deviation, he did not dare to be sloppy.

Coach Wiggins also lived up to his name. Under him, Zhen Chen improved each day. Although the entire length of the training was a mere five days, under Coach Wiggins’ direct one-on-one guidance, Zhen Chen improved significantly. He grew a great deal.

Although Zhen Chen wasn’t the best, he wasn’t the worst either. After receiving the best training around, he had been reinvigorated.

It was as if he had was a piece of jade processed by a master carver. A mineral of the highest quality would be ridiculously expensive without any sort of processing. However, after going through the hands of a master jade carver, its price would skyrocket. It might even be regarded as a priceless treasure.

If it were a less valuable type of jade rock, its quality would be less than a high-quality one. However, if the one responsible for processing that lesser jade were a master jade carver, then, after processing, the value of the lesser jade would still significantly increase. Although it was far from comparable to the higher-quality jade, it was still a very highly valued item.

Zhen Chen did not have an S grade talent, he didn’t even reach an A grade. His B+ talent could be regarded as lesser quality jade, but Coach Wiggins was clearly a top-class “Jade carver.” After his processing, even if he were a lesser jade, he could still be sold for a decent price.

…

Among the four grand slam tournaments held every year, the first was the Australian Open. It was usually organized in the last two weeks of January every year, in Melbourne, Australia.

The second was the French Open. It was usually organized annually in either May or June. The third was the Wimbledon Open. It was the tournament with the longest history, and was usually held in the month of June or July. The last tournament was the U.S. Open, which was usually held in August or September.

It was an Olympic year. So, all international competitions took a step back for the Olympics. The dates of the French and Wimbledon Opens were moved forward, while the U.S. Open was slightly postponed.

Before the U.S. Open, the qualifier and wildcard tournaments began. The participants in the qualifier were based on the world rankings, and the wild card tournament consisted mainly of American players. It was the U.S. Open, so they had to take better care of the American players.

The qualifier was a single-round elimination tournament, which meant that, as long as one could win three rounds, one would most certainly advance to the main tournament. Losing once meant elimination. For every player taking part in the qualifier, every match was a death match.

Zhen Chen’s ranking was around 200. Among the 128 participants of the qualifier, he was among the middle-lower rankings. The opponent of his first match was most certainly someone with a higher ranking.

Zhen Chen was very nervous, as this was his first time in the qualifier of a grand slam tournament. He performed terribly in the first round, and Zhen Chen’s opponent was clearly not participating in the qualifier for the first time. His head was in the game right away, so he easily beat Zhen Chen with the score of six – two.

In the men’s single of the grand slam, the main tournament utilized a system of three victories in five rounds. The qualifiers and the wildcard tournaments both used only a two-out-of-three rounds victory system. This meant that after losing the first round, the opponent could win with the next round.

Zhen Chen was forced into a corner. After losing a round, he finally used all of his potential and won the round, with the final score being seven to five.

That round gave Zhen Chen confidence. In the third round of the match, Zhen Chen had clearly become used to the match. He was no longer nervous and he showcased his true abilities, beating his opponent with a score of six to four.

The final score was two to one, with Zhen Chen advancing to the second round.

…

In the second round of the qualifier, Zhen Chen’s opponent was a Frenchmen. He was also ranked above Zhen Chen.

However, Zhen Chen won easier this round easier than the first round. Two rounds with the score of 6 to 4 meant an overall score of two to zero.

Clearly, the French player was not good at playing on a hard court, which Zhen Chen was very adept at.

Among the four major tennis tournaments, the Wimbledon Open used a grass court, the French Open used a clay court, and the Australian and U.S. Opens used a hard court. The difference between the U.S. and the Australian Open was that the Australian Open used rubber, so the ball bounced slower. In the U.S. Open, they used cement floors with a special material on top of it, it was regarded as a fast hard court.

The tennis courts in China were basically all rubber courts. There were no grass or clay courts. However, the rubber courts in China mainly used acrylic materials of normal quality. Courts conscientiously constructed would have two layers of coarse rubber under a layer of fine-grained rubber. For courts that were hastily constructed, the surface hardness was pretty much the same as a cement floor.

Most tennis players in China, therefore, were more used to playing on hard courts. They could easily adapt to the Australian and U.S. Open. It was the French Open, because of the clay court, which was the most difficult.

…

It was the third round of the qualifier. Zhen Chen’s opponent’s world ranking was 119. For him, it was an extreme challenge.

Zhen Chen’s opponent clearly did not take him seriously. Just a few months ago, in the Wimbledon Open, Zhen Chen wasn’t even eligible to participate in the qualifier for the grand slam tournaments. For his opponent, Zhen Chen was only a passerby.

The 119-ranked player clearly did not realize that his real opponent was himself. His overconfidence was his biggest enemy!

Although Zhen Chen’s world ranking only just passed the 200 mark, he had transformed himself. He wasn’t that much weaker than his opponent. “119” underestimated his opponent too much. As a result, he suffered defeat at the hands of Zhen Chen in the first round.

After losing the first round, his opponent was mentally imbalanced. He was anxious to try and take back a round but, in the end, it resulted in more unforced errors. Zhen Chen capitalized on these errors and scored points consecutively.

Zhen Chen, who was in the lead, gained momentum as he played. On the contrary, his opponent became more anxious by the second. In the end, the result was completely one-sided.

Another two to zero. Zhen Chen won the third round of the qualifier and obtained a spot in the main tournament of the U.S. Open!

Beside the court, Dai Li let out a sigh and said, “I did not waste that 20,000 dollars!”

After that, Dai Li looked towards the court. He saw Jianguo Chen.

The current Jianguo Chen was laughing and crying at the same time…

The grand slam dream of two generations of people was finally realized!

Chapter 553 - No Chance

Chapter 553: No Chance

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Jianguo Chen personally poured Dai Li a glass of wine and said, “Coach Li, taste this wine. I have kept this Maotai for 20 years.”

“A 20-year-old Maotai! If this bottle were sold, it would cost tens of thousands!” Dai Li did not hesitate. He took a sip from the wine glass, closed his eyes, and relished it. He said, “A 20-year-old Maotai really is something. After one gulp, the scent of the alcohol goes through and out the nose. I say, Old Chen, where did you find this rare bottle?”

“I brought it from China,” Jianguo Chen said.

“You specifically brought wine overseas?” Dai Li asked curiously.

“I thought that if Zhen Chen was able to qualify for the U.S. Open, then shouldn’t we celebrate? So I brought this bottle of wine, even though I’d never have thought that we’d actually drink it.” Jianguo Chen gave Dai Li a large amount of wine and said, “Coach Li, thank you very much. If it weren’t for you, Zhen Chen would not be competing in the U.S. Open. Thanks especially for Coach Wiggins’ training camp. Zhen had made a lot of progress in that one week of training.”

“It was also his own hard work,” Dai Li said with a smile on his face.

Jianguo stood up and raised his glass to toast Dai Li. “I, Jianguo Chen, am not great with words or speeches. In short, my gratitude to you is all in this wine.” Jianguo and Zhen downed their glasses.

“Old Chen, the real competition is next. Do you have a new goal?” Dai Li asked, smiling.

Jianguo Chen shook his head. “I am still very aware that it was not easy for Zhen Chen to make it this far. I know that, with his current ability being what it is, it is impossible for him to advance beyond the first round. After the next game is over, we will probably go home.”

“There actually is a small chance. If he’s lucky, Zhen Chen might face a wild card in the first round. If so, he might advance to the second round,” Dai Li said.

“I hope so.” Jianguo Chen did not show the slightest hint of optimism.

The tennis players were grouped according to their rankings. For example, the four major tennis tournaments had a total of 32 seed players. They were the top 32 players in the world. During the grouping, these 32 players were assigned to different groups. In the groupings, the seed players didn’t encounter each other in the first two rounds. It was not possible for these players to meet until the third round.

At the same time, the high-level players would also be separated as much as possible. For example, the top seed and the second seed would be in different groups. Unless it was the finals, it was impossible for them to meet. The top seed and the fourth seed, as well as the second and third seeds, could only encounter each other in the semi-finals.

Since there were 32 seed players, there would be 96 non-seed players. Many of these athletes cannon fodder who would be eliminated in the first round. Like those who qualified through the qualifiers, their world rankings were much lower. The weaker the cannon fodder athletes, the more likely they were to meet the top seed players in the first round.

When the athletes were grouped, they took extra care in placing the top seeds, which were the top 16. Their first-round opponents were basically there to be beaten. This guaranteed their entry into the second round. For example, the athletes who were ranked highly would often compete against the players who got in through the qualifying round first. Because the players who qualified through the qualifiers were weaker, the first round would be a guaranteed win for the highly ranked players.

For the organizers, if the dominant seed players were eliminated in the first round, the tournament would be less enjoyable as a whole.

The players who got in through the qualifiers were ranked below 110th. When faced with the top 10 players in the world, they would be utterly destroyed. There wouldn’t even be a chance to fight back. Therefore, it was basically impossible for players who had to go through qualifiers to advance to the second round. Their role in the Grand Slam was to become qualified cannon fodder to help the higher ranked athletes warm up and adapt to the rhythm of the game. They were supposed to lose the game and guarantee advancement for the top seeds.

Jianguo Chen knew that, although Zhen Chen had advanced to the Grand Slam tournament, he was still unable to shake his fate of being cannon fodder. In the first round, he had to face the top seeds, so Jianguo Chen did not expect Zhen Chen to enter the second round. Zhen Chen had no way of beating a seed player.

However, there was one way an athlete meant to lose in the first round could actually advance to the second. It was possible for Chen to meet a wildcard in the first round.

As mentioned before, the Grand Slam had eight wild cards slots. They were mainly for popular players, sponsored players, and local players. The organizers hoped that the local players could last a long time, as it normally made more people pay attention to the tournament. Therefore, when grouping, the organizers deliberately let the local wildcards encounter the players who had to go through qualifiers.

The thought was qualifier players were relatively weak, so the local wildcards had the opportunity to beat them. On the contrary, local wildcard players were weaker. If players who qualified through the qualifiers met them, they had a chance to win. It was much better than facing the seeded players.

To put it simply, if the first round was a match between a wildcard and someone who qualified through the qualifier, both sides had a shot to win. In fact, it would be a match between two weak players.

It was not uncommon, in tennis, for the organizers to guarantee advancement to local players. They would often arrange for a weak opponent to play local players. Sometimes, they even put two local wildcards in the same group. One year, at the China Open, the Chinese had three wildcards, but the Chinese players were really bad. They could not beat anyone else in the competition. The organizers simply arranged for two of the Chinese players to encounter each other in the first round, so that at least one Chinese player was guaranteed an advancement to the second round.

If Zhen Chen encountered a wildcard in the first round, he could at least put up a fight and have a chance of advancing to the second round. Of course, even if he were promoted to the second round, he would encounter a seeded player there.

As a professional, even though he was not one of the best, being able to get past the first round was a good thing.

Moreover, the prize money increased significantly the farther he made it.

…

When Jianguo Chen and Dai Li were drinking, Jianguo Chen’s cell phone buzzed and a text message appeared.

“It is a notice from the tournament. The first round of the U.S. Open has already been published. It can be checked on the official website,” Jianguo Chen said.

Dai Li took out his mobile phone and went to the website. He needed to know who Zhen Chen’s opponent would be.

Dai Li found the bracket and he saw the name of Zhen Chen immediately.

He saw it so quickly because Zhen Chen’s name was very high up. He was in the second position on the match map. The one who was placed first in the match map had to be a seed player. He was the player who was ranked number one worldwide.

Zhen Chen’s first opponent would be the world’s number one player!

“Who is it? Who is Zhen Chen playing in the first game?” Jianguo Chen asked hopefully. He still hoped that Zhen Chen’s luck might hold out and he might go against a wildcard in the first round.

Dai Li handed the mobile phone to Jianguo Chen and said, “He can’t advance. He’s facing Basel, the tennis king! Basel, the strongest tennis player of all time…”

Chapter 554 - King Versus Cannon Fodder

Chapter 554: King Versus Cannon Fodder

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Basel, the tennis king, was the undisputed ruler of the tennis world. Basel won every youth championships when he was young. He became a professional tennis player at the age of seventeen. It took him six years to become number one. In the following seven or eight years, besides periods where he was injured, he had never been ousted from the throne. He was the champion of dozens of Grand Slams, as well as nearly a hundred world championships. All of this demonstrated Basel’s dominance in the tennis world.

Dai Li could guess without using his detector that such a player was definitely an S+ level talent with a personal ability value of 950 or more. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to rule over the tennis world.

Zhen Chen’s opponent in the first round was Basel. This was an opponent that he could never overcome in his entire life. Everyone knew how the match would go as soon as they saw who he was playing. He did not have the slightest chance of qualifying for the second round.

Zhen Chen became Basel’s first opponent. The organizer must’ve deliberately made it so. Zhen Chen was barely in the top 200 tennis players. Going by the world ranking, Zhen Chen was the weakest player in the tournament.

Basel was the world’s number one tennis player and the top seed of the tournament. According to tradition, the top seed was received extra care. The organizers couldn’t let Basel be eliminated in the first round. They just arranged for a weak opponent to face him so Basel could win even if he were in a bad state. If Basel had an easy time winning, he would be able to retain his strength and make the subsequent games more exciting. This would raise ratings of the competition.

Thus, Zhen Chen, the weakest cannon fodder, was the opponent in Basel’s first match.

…

Zhen Chen never thought that he would be able to play at the Centre Court. He thought this was the only time in his entire professional career that he would be able to play here.

Zhen Chen had also never thought that he would be able to compete against the tennis king, Basel. Zhen Chen thought that using the word “compete” wasn’t accurate. He was not qualified to compete against Basel. He would just be a stepping stone for Basel. He was not able to pose any sort of threat to him.

Basel is right in front of me! Zhen Chen stood on the court. He was still slightly dazed. He was reminiscing about shaking hands with Basel. After all, Basel was Zhen Chen’s idol.

Zhen Chen was not qualified to play at the Centre Court. He was soaking up the light radiating from Basel. Basel was the number one seed. E was the best in the tennis world. He only competed at the Centre Court or the No.1 Court. Arranging a match for Basel at a No. 2 Court with excellent facilities would be an insult to Basel.

Therefore, by competing against Basel, Zhen Chen had the chance to play at the Centre Court.

Basel did not go out of his way to think about his first opponent. He had no reason to. The gap between Zhen Chen and Basel was too large. He had no reason to waste his energy on Zhen Chen. Before the game, he didn’t even watch videos of Zhen Chen’s past matches. He did not attempt to understand Zhen Chen’s technique.

On the day of the game, Basel saw the young athlete from China for the first time on the court. He also saw his the starstruck expression on his face. Basel had seen too much of this expression. Every Grand Slam, in the first few rounds, he would saw this expression on his opponent’s face. Sometimes even the seeded players were his fans.

I have never seen this young guy before. It isn’t easy to get into the U.S. Open. He seems to be my fan. I’ll relax a little later. I don’t want to play too hard. Otherwise, I might hurt his self-confidence, Basel thought. Basel appeared to be extremely relaxed at that moment. He was at the Centre Court, but it was as if he was just at any regular practice court.

Although this was an irrelevant round this Basel’s debut in this U.S. Open. Therefore, this game was important to the TV broadcasters. After the players from both sides appeared, the commentators introduced them. Of course, they mainly cared about Basel. As for Zhen Chen, it was a few words. No one cared about the cannon fodder.

“Basel’s opponent is a young player that barely made it into the top 200. He got into the U.S. Open through the qualifiers. Among the 16 players who qualified through the qualifier, his world ranking is the lowest. There really isn’t much suspense for today’s match,” the commentator said.

Another commentator immediately agreed. “That is correct. The conclusion of today’s match has already been determined. The score will be 3 to 0. This game is mainly for us to see Basel’s current state. However, I am worried that the game will be over before we get to see Basel’s real strength.”

“It is inevitable that this game will end quickly. I think Basel will end the match within half an hour. For Basel, this game is just a small warm-up.”

…

In the audience, Jianguo Chen looked very nervous.

In a tennis match, coaches were not allowed to advise the athletes on the court. Throughout the match, the athletes were on their own. So Jianguo Chen could only sit in the audience and look at his son with anxiety in his eyes.

“Old Chen, don’t be nervous. Being able to compete against Basel is already a reward. Most professional players won’t experience this in their lives,” Dai Li said.

“I know, I know, I know…” Jianguo Chen said “I know” three times in a row. One could easily see how stressed the man was.

Dai Li continued, “Look at it from another perspective. Zhen Chen will gain a lot of exposure. This match is broadcast live all over the world. At least people will know Zhen Chen exists after this.”

“That is true. Gaining exposure is a good thing.” Jianguo Chen replied without thinking. The tone of his voice revealed that he was inattentive.

Perhaps to Jianguo Chen, this was not just a simple tennis match. It had become a special event, a grand ceremony that overwhelmed him.

Dai Li did not pay attention to Jianguo Chen. The result of this game had already been determined. Zhen Chen was in no way an opponent to Basel. What Dai Li wanted, for now, was for Zhen Chen to perform slightly better. Even if he lost the game, he had to have his own flair.

Dai Li suddenly remembered something.

Right! The reward for being promoted! There was a title called ‘Evenly Matched’. I have never used it before. This title can only be used during a sport that involves head-to-head competition. The track and field competition was not head-to-head, so I didn’t have a chance to use it. Perhaps I can try to use this ‘Even Matched’ title to see its effect.

Once Dai Li thought of this, he looked at the two players on the court. He smiled. This was a competition between a king and cannon fodder. Their strengths were far apart, sot was the perfect time to test the effects of “Evenly Matched.”

The next moment, Dai Li equipped the “Evenly Matched” title.

Chapter 555 - Evenly Matched

Chapter 555: Evenly Matched

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Basel thought of the day’s match as more of a practice exercise.

Zhen Chen was so weak that Basel wasn’t interested enough to take the competition seriously. In Basel’s mind, Zhen Chen’s serve was not strong enough, and the whirl of his return was also average. Even his ball placement left much to be desired. His sparring partners were better than this guy.

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Basel’s friends were all top 20 players. His sparring partners were all good enough to be seeded in the Open tournaments. They really were much better than Zhen Chen.

However, Basel pouted, as he was dissatisfied with the score. In the first set of the match, the two sides actually tied 6-6. They were now both competing for the advantage.

“It seems I’ve relaxed too much today. My concentration must not be as good as when I usually practice. I’m even stuck in a tie.” Basel shook his head with a bitter smile.

Basel knew he shouldn’t be tied with such a weak player. However, he was not worried. He was relaxed and not entirely focused on the game. Basel believed that as long as he concentrated, he could easily win the game.

Zhen Chen did not expect to tie Basel.

Zhen Chen did not really have a strategy for this match. He gave it his all for every ball. He knew that, his opponent being Basel, he would not be able to win no matter how hard he tried. It was better just to do his best and win a point. Unexpectedly, he was now tied in the first set.

If one ignored the players and only looked at the scores, it looked like a good battle. However, considering the talent gap between the two sides, the tie was probably because Basel had not yet gotten his head in the game.

*pang* The ball flew towards the sideline and Basel did not attempt to return the ball.

“ACE!” The umpire did not hesitate. He saw very clearly that this was an ace.

After hearing this, Basel was annoyed. He should have received this serve, but he felt that the ball would go out of bounds, so he ignored it. This was representative Basel’s mindset today. He was slacking

Basel looked at the score. Chen had the advantage, Basel had, unexpectedly, fallen behind by a point. More importantly, Zhen Chen got the game point, and it was going into the set point with the advantage!

Fortunately, the next serve was Basel’s. He had control.

If I lose the next point, I will lose this set, Basel thought. In actuality, he was not the least bit nervous.

Basel swung his racket and served. He put his signature topspin on it.

The serve was beautiful. The angle, power, and rotation of the ball were all excellent.

Although Zhen Chen returned the ball, the quality of the return was poor. His technique had been deformed by the serve.

Basel chose to go directly towards the net. He smashed the ball vigorously, and the ball went towards the opposite side of Zhen Chen. He scored this point easily. Zhen Chen didn’t have the strength to return the ball.

The score was now 6-6.

Then, Basel double faulted and the score became 7-6. It was Zhen Chen’s turn to serve again.

“This game is not going anywhere.” Dai Li could not help but sigh.

There was no response from Jianguo Cheng. He was already nervous, and he could not bring himself to speak.

Finally, Basel won the set with his superior skills. The overall score changed to 1-0.

“Although the first set took a while, Basel won without too much effort. However, I did not expect that the player who got in through the qualifiers could tie with Basel,” the commentator said.

Another commentator immediately added on. “Yeah, I did not expect that. I guess maybe the opponent is so weak that Basel relaxed too much. He did not take it seriously.”

Basel was indeed as relaxed as the two commentators said. He was currently very confident.

“Looking at the score alone, it seems that match was very difficult.” Basel took a sip of water and leaned back in his chair. He shot a smile towards the opposite stand every once in a while. He did not feel the slightest ounce of pressure right now.

The second set of the match started very quickly. Basel still looked relaxed. He performed as if he did not care, and the game tied again.

Two ties in two consecutive games. If someone was unaware of the matchup, they would think that the two players were of comparable strength.

This time, it was Zhen Chen who won the match. Zhen Chen seemed to be possessed by Basel, serving two aces. Basel himself did not try his hardest, so he lost this match.

The total score became 1-1.

Although it had become it was tied, Basel appeared to still be indifferent. He did not think he would lose to this unknown athlete. Now, Basel was like a gambler with a million chips. Even if he lost a hundred and eighty chips, it was only a drop in the bucket. It wouldn’t hurt at all.

Basel thought that, as long as he got just a little serious, he could easily beat Zhen Chen.

In the third set, Basel got serious. He did win this set, but it had once again been tied.

It was very rare to reach the ties in three consecutive games in the Grand Slam.

A match that was expected to be completed within half an hour had now been going on for an hour and a half. The match had only finished with the third set.

In the fourth game, the score became 5-5.

How can it be tied again? Basel looked at the score and became slightly anxious.

Tying three consecutive sets with a player that entered through the qualifiers, made Basel slightly off-balance.

However, became Basel even more dispirited. He easily scored on his serve but lost the two subsequent points. The two sides were tied for the fourth time.

I have played tennis for many years, and this is the first time where I’ve tied in four consecutive sets. The opponent isn’t even supposed to be good. Basel looked at Zhen Chen on the other side of the rest area. He recalled the game in detail.

In the first two sets, I underestimated my opponent too much. Later, this guy gradually adapted to my style of play. I myself have made several mistakes and I have not been trying very hard. If I knew this was going to happen, I would’ve ended this match as soon as it started, Basel thought

…

“7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7…” Dai Li recited the scores of the four sets. This was the power of the “Evenly Matched” title.

In a Grand Slam tournament, Zhen Chen was undoubtedly one of the worst and Basel was deservedly the best. The two players were at completely different ends of the spectrum. There was not supposed to be any suspense. However, with the “Evenly Matched” title in effect, the result was even.

Oh my god, the effect of this title is too abnormal. It can make a match between a weak player and the world’s tennis king difficult to resolve. It completely got rid of the gap in strength.

Dai Li could not help but compare this “Evenly Matched” to the rewards that he had received before.

In the beginning, I got the Explosive Aura. The effect was not too noticeable and, as the level of the athletes increased, it became less and less obvious. Later, the Weight Loss Exercises, Fat Loss Exercises, Relaxation Massage, and the Rehabilitation Massage could only be regarded as auxiliary effects. Although it helped athletes lose weight and recover, in the end, it could not directly affect the competitions.

The Morale-boosting Book and Warm Up Square Dance both directly affected the competition, but they could not directly improve the athlete’s strength. They only allowed them to get into a relatively competitive mindset. As for Flexible Yoga and Physical Runaway, they were able to enhance an athlete’s ability. They enhanced a certain aspect of the athlete, but this enhancement was not immediate and required long-term uninterrupted training.

The Athlete Album and Copy Card could only be regarded as items that enhanced my personal ability. They had no effect during training or during the competitions. The Athlete’s Patch and Age-reducing Card are items that directly affect the athletes, and they can continue to be used for a long time. The effect of the items last for a long time, but the number of uses is limited.

The coaching Team Pyramid and the coaching Scepter of Authority, although not directly affecting the athletes, enhance my personal leadership. My first title, ‘Iron Rope Boat,’ enhances the cooperation between athletes. I can be used to achieve amazing results in certain competitions, the track and field relay race for example, but this title does not directly affect how fast the athletes run.

When compared, the State Scale can directly affect the state of the athletes, thus directly changing the outcome of the game. The Prophecy Request Box also changes the outcome of a match. As for today’s ‘Evenly Matched,’ it is to ignore the gap in strength between athletes. It can make it so that a tennis king and a weak player can be locked in a close battle.

These three items were obtained recently. The rewards I obtained at the beginning only assist athletes in training. The ones I obtained a while can directly affect the athletes, and the ones I obtain now can directly affect a competition. It seems that as I improve, the rewards I receive get more and more powerful.

Dai Li suddenly felt scared. He had the ability to change the outcome of a competition, so it wasn’t fair at all!

“A world-class coach should have the ability to change the outcome of a competition. That’s is the mark of a great coach. If an athlete were bad and was still bad after coaching, then what is the use of the coach?” The system said this in Dai Li’s head.

“But other coaches don’t have the system’s support. They rely on their own real skills. This is unfair,” Dai Li immediately responded.

“Life is not fair. Everyone starts at a different point in life from birth, so unfairness already exists. This is fate. People cannot choose it. Starting life with an advantage is not a sin. It can be said that one is lucky. It is like how you met me, you were luckier than others, so you have an advantage.”

The system paused for a while and then said, “A knife can do a lot of things. It can be used to cut vegetables and it can be used to chop firewood. It can also be used to hurt people. It all depends on the person using the knife. I am the knife and you are my wielder. How I am used depends on you in the end. It depends on what you want to achieve. Maybe sometimes, what you want is not a simple victory.”

Not a simple victory? Dai Li blinked and saw Zhen Chen on the court.

Now, Zhen Chen had a strong, fighting spirit in his eyes. He was confident.

At this moment, Dai Li had a realization.

No matter what the outcome of this game, Zhen Chen has gained the heart of a confident man! Is this not the result I hoped to see?

Thinking this, Dai Li laughed.

Dai Li wanted to help Zhen Chen, but Zhen Chen’s was not the best and he was not very strong. He had many places he needed to improve on. Zhen Chen, a weak player, could not have gone too far in the Grand Slam. Maybe, for this type of athlete, gaining confidence was a better reward than victory.

…

In the fifth set, the two sides were still neck in neck. Zhen Chen had several lucky points at crucial times, while Basel made many mistakes at critical times.

Zhen Chen also had excellent luck. He challenged two of the umpire’s penalty to the Hawk-Eye system, always being right. Basel’s two challenges to the Hawk-Eye failed.

In a blink of an eye, the fifth set reached a score of 6-6 again.

The audience was amazed. All five sets had been played in the match. The first four sets all reached ties, and the fifth set also managed to reach a 6-6. A match that was only expected to last half an hour had gone on for more than two and a half hours.

More importantly, according to the rules, the winner would have to be decided by an advanced set.

The men’s singles of the four major tennis tournaments followed a system of having five-games and three-wins. In the first four games played, if they all get to 6-6, the winner was determined through a tie-breaker. If the fifth game reached a score of 6-6, the winner was determined by an advantage set.

Most tennis competitions were based on the short set system. In each set, the person who got to 6 points first is the winner. If there was a 5 to 5 draw, the person who gets 7 points first won.

In the four major tennis tournaments, when both sides reached the set that decides the final winner, they would have to play an advantage set. That is to say, in this set, if both sides scored 5 points, a player must beat the opponent by two points. Only then would the set be won. Therefore, in an advantage set, scores of 10-8 or 12-10 were not uncommon.

The longest final in history was an advantage set was at Wimbledon. The score was 70-68. That is to say, in the final match, the two players played a total of 138 points. The match was played for three full days. The length of the entire match was 11 hours and 5 minutes. Both players were obviously evenly matched.

In fact, any two players who reached the finals with an advantage set were evenly matched. The two conditions of victory of an advantage set were, firstly, the previous two sets had to have scores of 2-2. Secondly, the final set had to reach a score of 6-6. It was impossible for any two players who were not evenly matched to achieve these two conditions.

It was clear that Chen and Basel were not evenly matched. Before the game, no one would think that King Basel, when faced with an athlete who qualified through the qualifiers, would have to play an advantage set to win!

Chapter 556 - Becoming Famous Overnight

Chapter 556: Becoming Famous Overnight

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Perry was the third seed in the tournament. His first match was also that day. However, he did not receive the same treatment as the tennis king Basel and was not scheduled to play at the Centre Court.

Perry’s opponent was also a player who got in through the qualifiers, so the talent gap between the two sides was too large. Perry beat his opponent in three sets, and easily advanced to the second round.

When the game ended, Perry walked out of the stadium. He heard a round of applause when he walked past the Central Court.

That is very enthusiastic applause. I don’t know who is playing at the Central Court. Perry looked towards to the court and saw an enormous electronic display in front of the door. It showed the details of the ongoing game and the upcoming game.

Perry saw the name “Basel” straight away.

Basel? How is he still playing? Is his match not finished? When I got here, he was already playing. My match has finished, but he is still playing? How can it be dragging on for so long? What happened?”

Perry was puzzled. He decided to check out why Basel’s game was going on for so long.

As the third seed of the tournament, Perry was naturally allowed admission into the court. He immediately saw Basel.

It’s really Basel. His game is not over.

Perry then looked at the scoreboard.

An advanced set? That means that the previous two sets were tied? What is going on? This is only the first round. How can Basel be facing someone as good as him? Perry couldn’t believe it

7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-7. Did they play four ties? What is going on? There is actually someone who is able to tie Basel four times?

Perry turned to the other side of the court, and then he saw Zhen Chen.

Who is this guy? Perry frowned. As the third seed in the tournament, Perry was ranked third in the world. He certainly wouldn’t know such a low-ranked player.

…

Who is this guy? He actually reached an advanced set with Basel.

The board says that he is Zhen Chen. Other than his age, nationality and world ranking, there’s not much to know about this guy.

He must be quite good if he was able to push Basel to this point.

Is he really ranked around 200? As far as I know, even the top 10 players in the world lose in three sets when playing Basel. Chen’s performance today is much better than those that.

At that moment, everyone watching was paying attention to Zhen Chen.

A wind of change rippled through the audience.

At the beginning of the game, everyone cheered for Basel. After all, Basel was the tennis king and, therefore, deserved the most attention.

As for Zhen Chen, he only managed to get a bit of applause when he played well. The applause was more of a courtesy than an acknowledgment of his skill.

However, now that the game had reached this stage, the audience also started to change. They began to applaud and cheer for Zhen Chen. Although the audience still didn’t know who Zhen Chen was, a supposedly weak player, was facing off against the Tennis King in an advanced set. Even the fussiest of audiences had to cheer for him.

The applause excited Zhen Chen. He never thought that he would be so enthusiastically cheered for at the U.S. Open at the Central Court. He could feel the audience giving him recognition. For such a weak player, it was already impressive to compete in the Grand Slam. Getting the recognition of the audience was just another blessing.

…

Maurez was the president of a well-known watch brand in Switzerland. He was also a hardcore fan of the tennis king Basel, so Basel became the spokesperson for the watch brand.

Maurez came to watch Basel’s game that day. As a fan of Basel, he certainly hoped that Basel could win the U.S. Open. As the president of the company, he hoped that his company’s spokesperson could win the Grand Slam.

Maurez did not pay much attention to this match. After all, it was only the first match. Victory was inevitable for Basel. He would be able to destroy the cannon fodder. There wasn’t supposed to be any drama.

However, as a hardcore fan of Basel, Maurez still came to watch the match, even though it was predicted to only last half an hour. Maurez really hoped that Basel could play longer. After all, Basel was the spokesperson of their company; the longer the game, the more exposure the company got.

When Zhen Chen won a set, turning the total score to 1-1, Maurez was somewhat satisfied that his company got more time in the spotlight.

Now, however, Maurez felt anxious.

How can this be? This opponent was supposed to be weak. An advantage set?

Maurez looked at the 5-5 score and his anxiety increased. Basel needed to win two points in a row in order to win.

There’s no way Basel would lose, right? This thought popped into his head and he broke out in a cold sweat.

If Basel was eliminated in the first round, then the huge amount of endorsement fees they had invested in Basel would be lost.

Where exactly did this guy come from? Maurez looked at Zhen Chen with anxiety and bitterness.

Basel, you must not lose. Our company has given you a lot in endorsement fees. If you can’t make it through the first round, I won’t be able to explain it to the board. Maurez prayed silently.

Maurez was not the only sponsor who was present. As a tennis king, Basel had dozens of advertising endorsements. Half of his endorsements were from well-known multinational brands. Those sponsors were not feeling confident. If Basel lost in the first round, it would be terrible news.

…

Basel looked indignant. The score in the fifth set was 6-6. As it was an advantage set, he had to win at least two more points to achieve final victory.

Basel never thought this match would be so hard. He couldn’t understand how he wasn’t dominating his opponent. He had started taking it seriously, but the score was still neck-to-neck.

Basel looked at Zhen Chen and he thought about the look Zhen Chen gave him before the match began. He was clearly his idol. He then looked at the score. Basel knew that he was a respectable opponent and an opponent worthy of facing head-on.

I want to beat him! A new conviction emerged in Basel. He felt the desire for victory.

Basel had never had such a strong desire in the first round of any the four Grand Slams. Of course, he had never been forced to this point in the first round before.

…

Basel was the tennis king. 80% to 90% of his games were broadcast live all over the world. After all, in tennis, Basel meant good ratings.

The sports channel of the Chinese Central Television chose to broadcast Basel’s match as the first match of the U.S. Open. Basel’s opponent was also a Chinese player. It didn’t matter that it would just be for one round, it was still worth broadcasting the game live.

Zhen Chen’s performance had already attracted the attention of many Chinese at this point.

Zhen Chen was one of the top players in Chinese tennis. However, men’s tennis was not very popular there. There were not many excellent male tennis players in the country. Even tennis fans did not know Zhen Chen. They would be able to name the top ten players in the world, but they would not know Zhen Chen’s name.

In this match, Zhen Chen and Basel were playing an advantage set. Now, Chinese audiences were learning a lot about this rookie.

…

8-6! The game is over! In the end, Basel still won! Dai Li took a deep breath. Although the game reached an advantage set, Basel achieved the final victory.

The effect of ‘Evenly Matched’ was still not enough for Zhen Chen to win. Perhaps the talent gap was too big. Even if it was a close match, Zhen Chen wasn’t able to win against Basel.

Dai Li turned to look at Jianguo Chen. Jianguo Chen was not frustrated at all. On the contrary, his face was full of pride.

Playing as well as Zhen Chen had against Basel was something to be proud of.

On the court, Basel did not celebrate but instead went directly over to Zhen Chen. He extended his hand to Zhen Chen. He did this to show his respect.

Zhen Chen looked flattered. He did not expect his idol, Basel, to take the initiative in shaking hands.

“Zhen Chen, you played well. I almost lost to you…” Basel said with a smile.

“Basel, can I have your autograph?” Zhen Chen asked timidly.

Basel was no stranger to having an opponent who wanted his autograph. Four Grand Slam titles a year and a few dozen World Tour Masters, Basel always encounter opponents who wanted his autograph in the first few rounds. Basel was usually not stingy and he normally agreed to the other party’s request. He would sign the ball or the other’s racket. After tennis matches, players would often sign the tennis ball and then throw it to the audience.

This time, Basel signed his name directly on his racket and handed it to Zhen Chen.

“I’ll give my racket to you. I hope I will get another chance to play against you.” Basel’s action showed that he had a lot of respect for Zhen Chen.

…

The moment was captured on camera. It was also observed by Dai Li.

No matter the result of this match, Zhen Chen will become famous overnight! No one will ever think of him as weak ever again.

Chapter 557 - Laureus World Sports Awards

Chapter 557: Laureus World Sports Awards

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“I just signed a three-year contract with a sponsor. For the next three years, I don’t have to worry about the money for Zhen Chen’s training or the cost of going abroad for competitions,” Jianguo Chen said through the phone.

Dai Li looked at his watch. Although the sun was already high in the sky in Los Angeles, it was still dawn in China. Of course, Jianguo was excited despite the early hour.

As Dai Li said, although Zhen Chen lost the game, he became famous overnight. In the first round of the U.S. Open, Basel had to go through an advantage set to win. His opponent would naturally attract people’s attention. Everyone wanted to know what kind of opponent could give Basel such trouble.

Zhen Chen had also won the favor of many sponsors. After he returned to China, several companies took the initiative to offer advertising endorsement contracts. The most sincere of these was a car company. They gave him a five million dollar, three-year contract for endorsing their products. For the car company, five million dollars was chump change. They could earn that amount back easily. For Zhen Chen, it helped solve an urgent need.

Professional tennis players usually have to spend a lot of money. Professional tennis was a relatively expensive sport. For unassociated players, they had to bear the cost of equipment, training venues, coaches, and travel by themselves. According to some calculations, this could cost at least $40,000 a year. There were relatively fewer tennis tournaments in Asia as well, so Asian players needed to spend a little more.

According to the statistics published by the International Tennis Federation, nearly half of the professional players who were registered with the International Tennis Federation won less than a penny per year. 96% of the tennis players who participated in official competitions were not able to earn a single penny in a year.

According to another statistic, the prize money for male players could only sustain those who were ranked 336 and above, while the female players had to be ranked 253 and above. For those who were ranked lower, the prize money was not enough for them to keep joining competitions. They had to go into debt to play in tournaments.

Looking at this data alone, the world ranking of 350 for men was equivalent to the “poverty line” for athletes. Of course, this data did not take into account endorsements. For athletes who collected sponsorship fees, it was easy to fly around the world and compete.

Zhen Chen was barely in the top 200. Before that, his world ranking was in the three or four hundred. This meant that he was living close to the “poverty line.” If his results were a little bit worse, it meant that it would be necessary to go into debt to participate in competitions. For Zhen Chen, the five million dollar, three-year advertising contract was a well-timed miracle. He wouldn’t have to worry about the cost of going abroad, and he still had enough money to hire a high-level foreign tennis coach.

Dai Li smiled after ending the call with Jianguo Chen.

Men’s tennis in China was quite weak. The living conditions for players there were also very insecure. Those whose family had a good economic background were able to manage, but the average worker was not able to afford the upkeep of a professional player. Zhen Chen was an example of this. He was not the most talented, but he could be considered a top-notch tennis talent in China. This improved his chances of participating in competitions and improving his training environment. It was also good for the development of tennis in China.

Dai Li switched on his computer and took a look at the progress of the U.S. Open. At this time, the tournament had entered the final stages. Although the tennis king Basel had a somewhat bumpy start in the first round, he went straight to the finals. Victory was just around the corner.

As Dai Li was browsing the latest sports news, his phone rang. It was a call from the front desk receptionist.

“Boss, I just received an invitation from the Laureus World Sports Association. They are inviting you to the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony,” the receptionist said.

“Understood. Send the invitation to my office,” Dai Li said.

Seeing this letter made Dai Li aware that he was on the list of candidates for the Laureus Sports Award.

The Laureus Award was the most influential award in the world of sports. It was also the only global award ceremony for sports. The awards at the Laureus Awards were given at the beginning of each year, and the awards were presented to individuals and groups that had made contributions to the world of sports in the past year.

About 2,000 senior sports journalists from more than 70 countries and regions nominated six individuals or groups for each award. Then, 52 officers from the Laureus Sports Association voted in a secret ballot to determine the winners.

If the Olympics or the World Cup were held the preceding year, the Laureus Awards were inclined to include these two major sports events during the selection. For example, when the World Cup was held in the preceding year, the Best Team Award went to the World Cup champions. For example, the 2007 Best Team Award was awarded to the Italian men’s soccer team. The 2011 Best Team Award was awarded to the Spanish men’s soccer team. In 2015, the German men’s soccer team won this award.

This year’s awards coincided with the Olympics, so the Laureus Awards would be more inclined to include those athletes and groups that won in Rio. The American track and field team won 27 gold medals in the Olympic Games, so they were the favorites to win the Best Team Award in the Laureus Awards.

The Laureus Awards this year had added several new awards, such as the Sports Model Award, the Sports Charity Award, and the Best Coach of the Year award. Dai Li had a chance to win the Laureus’ first Coach of the Year award.

Dai Li called the American Track and Field Association and asked the American Track and Field Association to inquire about the other five candidates. Soon after, he received detailed information on the other five candidates.

Fernando, the head coach of the Portuguese men’s soccer team. Portugal won the European Cup this year, so he also received the candidacy of best coach. Although the Portuguese team was strong, Europe is full of strong teams. Winning the European Cup was not an easy feat.

Steve, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors were the NBA champions last season. If it were just an NBA championship, it might not be enough to receive the nomination for Best Head Coach for the Laureus’, but the Warriors made NBA history last season. They had a terrifying 73 wins in a single season.

Helheim, the world-class leader of the Formula One World Championship Ferrari team. After the car king Helheim’s rehabilitation, he seems to have adapted well to his new job. The Ferrari team regained their team champion and champion driver titles in this last season. It seems that I have another chance to see Helheim again at the Laureus Awards ceremony.

Henry, the head coach of the Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox has always been a strong American professional baseball team, and they also won the MLB World Series last season. Coach Henry has coached the Boston Red Sox for more than a decade. The curse of the Bambino was broken by him. In baseball, he is definitely a legendary coach. Perhaps this is why he got a nominated as a candidate.

Muhammad, the head coach of the Afghan cricket team. In the past two cricket World Cups, the Afghan team has won a semi-final and been a runner-up. It wasn’t easy for a country like Afghanistan, which is still subject to car bomb attacks from time to time, to do so.

Looking at the list of the other five candidates, Dai Li felt that he was in a better position.

The performance of the U.S. track and field team at the Olympics was Dai Li’s best bargaining chip.

This year’s U.S. track and field team was affected by the doping scandal. Before the Olympics, everyone thought they would do poorly. Everyone described the team as the weakest track and field team in history. However, Dai Li took this weak team and counterattacked to achieve the best results in the history of the Olympic Games and, in doing so, created a miracle.

For the other five candidates, the Portuguese men’s football team was one of the best in Europe and the Golden State Warriors were also the strongest team in the NBA. Ferrari was the king of F1 and the Boston Red Sox had always been at the top of the MLB standings. These four teams were dominant, so their wins were not miraculous. Based on this, they were not as good as Dai Li.

The Golden State Warriors and the Boston Red Sox were also American professional teams. There were already at a disadvantage competing against a national team. If they had actually won the competition against a national team and they took an award away from a national team, it would make them public enemy number one.

As for the Afghan cricket team, they were indeed very inspirational. Their achievements were also a model of a weak team’s counterattack, but Dai Li was the head coach of the U.S. track and field team. He was representing the United States. How could Afghanistan fight with America for the award?

F1’s Helheim: For him to get the Best Coach Award was somewhat far-fetched. Although Helheim was a team leader and race engineer, the functions of his role were different from the other sports coaches.

Formula One was a team sport. If you wanted to get good results, it was not enough to have a good driver, you also needed a fast enough car. At the same time, the strategy of the game and the speed of the tire change directly affected the final result. The effects were enormous. So the tasks of the mechanical engineers and strategic engineers were equally important. The strength of the racer needed to be reflected in the car, but it also depended on the entire team behind him. This was not like basketball or football where if you gave the player a ball, he would be able to show the world amazing skills.

…

In February, Dai Li went back to China for the New Year. Before he had a chance to celebrate the Lantern Festival, he had to fly back to London, England hurriedly. The new Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony was being held here.

The first-class cabin of the aircraft provided a variety of the latest magazines and newspapers, some of which were about sports. Dai Li picked up several newspapers and looked at them.

“The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve, misses the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony because of the NBA All-Star Game.”

“Boston Red Sox coach Henry misses the Laureus World Sports Awards for a preseason game.”

If you people don’t come, it is going to be difficult to present theme the awards. From the look of things, Steve and Henry are intending to give up on this award.

Chapter 558 - The Beauty of the Tennis World

Chapter 558: The Beauty of the Tennis World

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

For the first time in many years, Dai Li saw Herheim. They were at a famous hotel in London.

“Ready for your speech?” Helheim asked with a smile.

“Whether I actually win remains to be seen.” Dai Li shook his head.

“I think you’re absolutely going to win Best Coach. Steve and Henry didn’t come to London, which basically means they gave up.” Helheim paused before saying, “As for me, I don’t think I am going to win. I cannot even be regarded as a coach in the strictest sense of the word. When I was a driver, I won the Laureus Best Male Athlete Award two years in a row. They won’t give me Best Coach on top of that.”

“I remember seeing the Laureus trophy when I visited your home,” Dai Li said casually.

“I came to London because I was bored and wanted to find something to do. I also wanted to see some old friends.” Helheim put down the knife and fork in his hand and said, “As you know, ever since I recovered my family no longer allows me to go skiing. Winter without skiing is really boring.”

Dai Li smiled understandingly. When Helheim injured his head skiing, he had almost entered a vegetative state. Therefore, ever since Helheim recovered, he was not allowed to ski.

Dai Li continued, “Don’t forget that there is also Muhammad. The Afghan cricket team is indeed very inspirational. They were able to achieve incredible things even though being surrounded by death and destruction.”

“It is still only cricket.” Helheim shook his head. “Cricket is a British sport, so it is only played in Britain and ex-British colonies. It can’t really be counted as a global sport. Track and field is different. The influence of track and field has a much wider scope. This is the first Best Coach Award, so Laureus judges must choose a coach of a globally influential sport to win. Track and field and football are the most reasonable. As for the cricket team in Afghanistan, I think the committee may give them the Sportsmanship Award. ”

“Track and field and football. So my biggest competitor is the coach of the Portuguese football team, Fernando?” Dai Li asked.

Helheim nodded, “Yes, this is the first time in history that Portugal won the European Cup. It is indeed a remarkable achievement. There are many people applauding Coach Fernando in Europe. Still, I think that you have a better case than him. Although football is the world’s sport, the European Cup is only a European event. The Olympic Games is a worldwide sporting event. A continental sports event and an international sports event can’t be compared. If I were a judge, I would definitely vote for you.”

…

The Laureus Sports Awards were the world’s most prestigious sports awards. Not only did the Mayor of London personally attend, but the British Prince and the British Prime Minister attended the award ceremony as well.

“The Best Coach Award goes to…” The host deliberately stretched out this last word. He looked at the small card in his hand and then said, “Dai Li!”

The cameras immediately pointed at Dai Li. Dai Li smiled and stood up. He went on stage and took the trophy from the hands of the guest presenter. He then made a speech.

This result was not unexpected. As Helheim had said, Dai Li had had a stronger case for winning the award. Cricket was far less important on a global-scale than track and field. Although being the European Cup champion was incredible for Portugal, it was not an international event, so it was outweighed by the Olympics.

After the awards ceremony, the organizers held a reception and the winners and guests gathered together. This was a traditional Western way of socializing.

During this period, people kept coming up and congratulating Dai Li. Although Dai Li didn’t usually socialize in this way, he gradually adapted.

“Coach Li, congratulations!” A voice rang from behind Dai Li. It was another person who had come over to congratulate Dai Li.

Dai Li politely picked up his wine-glass and turned around. The young man he saw looked vaguely familiar.

Dai Li thought for a second and immediately remembered the identity of the other party.

“Thank you, Mr. Brown,” Dai Li responded with a smile.

This man was the British athlete Tell Brown, the world champion and the king of triathlons. He was the brother of Hansen Brown, who was currently training at Dai Li’s training center. Hansen’s goal was to defeat his brother Tell.

Dai Li and Tell Brown had not met before, so they had never spoken to each other. It was because Tell Brown was a well-known athlete that Dai Li was able to recognize him. Hansen Brown training at Dai Li’s center also made Li more conscious of what his brother looked like.

The two brothers look quite alike. Dai Li subconsciously launched a detection on Tell Brown and it was as he had predicted. Tell had an S+ talent level of 966. Sure enough, this was the level needed for someone to absolutely dominate a sport.

At this moment, Dai Li felt some sympathy for Hansen Brown who was training at his center. Hansen very much hoped to surpass his brother and he was training very hard. Now, it seemed that there wasn’t much possibility of doing so.

Hansen was only an A+ talent and his brother was an S+ talent. Moreover, Tell’s ability value also indicated that he was now in his prime. Having an ability value of 966 indicated that the effects of Tell’s usual training were also excellent. Even if Hansen trained at Dai Li’s center, it was impossible for him to surpass his brother.

With this kind of gap, the only way for Hansen to beat his brother was for him to race excellently and his brother to make a lot of mistakes. As long as Tell used is full potential, even if Hansen played extremely well, Hansen would not be able to win the game.

Tell Brown asked, “Coach Li, my brother Hansen is training at your fitness training center. Is he doing okay?”

“Hansen is doing very well. He has improved,” Dai Li said diplomatically. He did not want to disclose too much information.

Tell seemed to hesitate for a second before asking, “Coach Li, did Hansen mention anything about me?”

“I’m not sure. What do you mean?” Dai Li answered.

“Does he talk about how he wants to beat me?” Tell replied.

Dai Li thought about it and nodded, “Yes, he did mention it.”

“That’s what I thought. I knew when he no longer wanted to train with me it meant that he wanted to beat me.” Tell shook his head helplessly, but a bitter smile spread across his face.

“Mr. Brown, it seems that you know your brother very well,” Dai Li said.

“I’ve always known that he wanted to beat me. He always wants to outdo me. Hansen was always eager to excel, even as a child. Back then, he wanted more praise from our parents. After becoming an athlete, he always wanted to do better in training than me. In competitions, he also wanted to beat me.” Tell seemed to be talking to himself but, at the same time, also talking to Dai Li

“It is true that Hansen is working hard. But to be honest, after seeing you, I think that Hansen may not be able to beat you in a race. Hansen is very talented at running triathlons, but you are even more talented,” Dai Li said.

When he heard of Dai Li’s evaluation, surprise flashed through Tell’s eyes.

“Actually, I am also very competitive. I like to get first place. I just don’t want to beat my brother to get it. I don’t want to compete with him. It will make our relationship awkward,” Tell said.

“I have trained many world champions, and they are all eager to excel,” Dai Li replied with a smile. He then lowered his voice and then said, “Mr. Brown, I have a question. Have you thought about letting your brother win once?”

“I have certainly thought about it, but I can’t do that.” Tell shook his head.

“In the spirit of fair play or because you want to keep all the glory?” Dai Li asked in a whisper.

“Neither,” said Tell. “I don’t want to hurt Hansen’s pride. He is a very prideful person. If he knew that I deliberately let him win, he would blame me. He may think that I was treating him like a charity case. The relationship between us brothers would get even worse. So Coach Li, I really hope that you can help Hansen achieve a breakthrough and beat me. Our relationship would definitely get easier. At least he would not go to the United States to avoid me.”

Dai Li nodded. He could feel that the Brown Brothers had a relationship that was competitive, affectionate, and some other things that couldn’t be said. It was far more complicated than what was on the surface.

…

Tell Brown had just left with a wine glass. A brown-haired girl strolled over leisurely. She was about 1.8 meters tall and she wore a diamond-encrusted black evening gown. The upper part of the dress had straps and revealed her cleavage, the lower part of the dress had a split that revealed a pair of long legs. It was an attractive look.

It’s Helen Pepe. Dai Li immediately recognized this person.

Helen Pepe was an Italian tennis player. She had the nickname “Tennis Elf.” It was easy to guess from this nickname that she was beautiful. In fact, Helen Pepe was regarded as the “the beauty of the tennis world.” She had a body with perfect proportions, and she was also the darling of the catwalk runway. Many fashion weeks invited her to walk The appearance fees they gave her was more what they gave supermodels.

In tennis, Helen Pepe was one of the best in the world. So far, she had won three Grand Slam titles and dozens of other world championships.

Helen Pepe was the kind of person who could obviously rely on her looks to make a living but instead chose to rely on her own strength.

After Helen Pepe expressed her congratulations to Dai Li, she asked, “Coach Li, I heard that you were very proficient in rehabilitation training?”

“Miss Pepe, how did you know?” Dai Li asked with a slight surprise.

Those who had come to congratulate Dai Li before all talked about his physical training centers. Everyone knew that Dai Li had a large-scale physical training center in the United States. It was like a golden hen in that it brought in a considerable income to Dai Li every year. The radiance of the training center masked Dai Li’s personal ability, so few people mention Dai Li’s coaching ability. None of them talked about his rehabilitation ability.

“It was the car king who told me,” Pepe glanced in the direction of Helheim.

“Helheim,” Dai Li smiled helplessly. He then nodded, “It is true. I am really good at rehabilitation training. When I first started my business, a large part of it was paid for with Helheim’s treatment fees.”

“A few days ago, at the Australian Open, I had to withdraw due to an injury. The injury has recently gotten better, but my body has not returned to its previous level. I would like to ask the great Coach Li to help with my rehabilitation training. Coach Li, when I go to find you, you have to give me a discount!” Pepe said as she gave him a wink.

Pepe’s wink suddenly left Dai Li slightly unsettled.

Beauty was indeed a very useful weapon. In the face of this “Tennis Elf’s” request, no man could refuse. Dai Li was as straight as one could be, so Dai Li nodded immediately.

“No problem, it would be my pleasure to be able to receive such a beautiful customer as Miss Pepe. I can give you a 50% discount. That is already the net cost.”

After Dai Li finished, he detected Pepe’s situation and went on to say, “The calf muscle strain in your calf is not serious. I estimate that one month of rehabilitation, plus a half-month rest will completely heal it. However, the hip injury is somewhat complicated. The long-term strain causes the inflammation to act up frequently. If you want to cure it completely, it will take at least half a year of rehabilitation training. This might affect your participation in Wimbledon.”

After listening to Dai Li, Pepe’s face looked panicked.

“How did you know about the hip injury?”

Chapter 559 - Brothers (Part One)

Chapter 559: Brothers (Part One)

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was not uncommon for professional athletes to conceal their injuries. This not only protected the athletes but also prevented their opponents from deliberately targeting their injured areas during competition. At the same time, it avoided having their injuries result in taking economic losses. It was possible to lose endorsements if you were injured.

In professional basketball or professional soccer, for example, many clubs keep the player’s medical report confidential. This is to protect both the athlete and the team.

Helen Pepe concealed her own hip injury. Even when she withdrew from the Australian Open recently, she announced that it was because of a strain on her calf muscle.

There was relatively more flesh around the human hip, whether it was muscle or fat, so it could be used as a buffer or as a kind of protection. When a person fell on their butt, they would not be seriously injured. If some of the less padded parts of the body, such as the knee, smashed on the ground, if it were a light fall, it could result in either insignificant scratches or major fractures.

There was more flesh around the buttocks, so it offered more protection. It wasn’t an area that could easily be injured.

Many injuries in the athlete’s buttocks area were caused by strain. If the muscles did not get enough rest after long periods of high-intensity training and competition, they could easily be injured. It was hard to recover from injuries that were caused by strain. Because they were caused over a long a period of time, they took a long period of time to fix. That kind of inflammatory muscle damage could recur even if it was healed. There was always a possibility of recurrence. These strains were likely to follow the athletes for their entire lives.

It was precisely because it was very hard to cure this kind of hip strain that Helen Pepe chose to keep it hidden. It wasn’t something that could be cured in a short amount of time.

However, Dai Li mentioned Helen Pepe’s hip injury, so she was naturally surprised.

Only Helen Pepe, her coach, and her doctor knew about her hip injury. She didn’t even tell her parents. There couldn’t be a fourth person in the world that would know about this.

How did he know? Pepe looked at Dai Li with shock, and she couldn’t help but ask the question, “How did you know about the hip injury?”

After seeing Pepe’s expression, Dai Li realized that he may have said too much again.

Dai Li carefully recalled the recent tennis news. He remembered that the news only mentioned that Helen Pepe’s calf muscle was strained when she withdrew from the Australian Open. There was no mention of her hip injury. Dai Li quickly understood the situation.

She has been concealing her own hip injury! Dai Li pretended to be very thoughtful and then said, “Miss Pepe, you just said that I am very good at rehabilitation training. If I couldn’t even tell where athletes were injured, then how could I conduct rehabilitate them? You would agree, wouldn’t you?”

“Oh, really?” Helen Pepe obviously didn’t quite believe what Dai Li said. She looked at Dai Li with a sense of uncertainty.

To resolve the awkwardness, Dai Li tried to relieve Pepe’s concerns and said, “Miss Pepe, please rest assured that I will keep your injury a secret. I am a coach, and I would naturally abide by the coach’s ethics.”

“Thank you very much,” Pepe lifted up her wine glass, made a toast, and took a small sip. She then smiled and said goodbye.

Dai Li could feel that the “beauty of the tennis world” had become cautious of him.

After all, Dai Li knew her secret. She would probably not become one of Dai Li’s client.

…

Winter had passed and spring had arrived. The weather finally warmed up. The triathlons started up in the northern hemisphere.

The triathlon included 1.5 km of swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of long-distance running. The 40 km of cycling and 10 km of long-distance running weren’t problems during winter. However, the 1.5 km of swimming were in public waters. Carrying out this event in the winter was impossible. Even if the water was not frozen, the cold waters still brought about life-threatening risks.

The summer was hot, so there was no problem with swimming. In spring and autumn, although the water temperature in the open waters was not high, the triathlon athletes wore special swimsuits that kept them warm. It was able to keep the athletes in a healthy state.

Hansen Brown was training in Los Angeles. He participated in several triathlon events held in the United States and successfully won several championships.

At Hansen Brown’s level, as long as his brother Tell didn’t participate in the same race, no one else had a chance.

“Coach Li, I think my strength has improved a lot,” Hansen said, his eyes full of confidence.

Dai Li nodded. He was very confident about his training. Hansen Brown had indeed made progress at Dai Li’s center. However, Dai Li also knew that Hansen was still not as good as his brother Tell.

However, Hansen Brown did not share the same opinion. He said, “I feel that I am already comparable to my brother. I just have to work harder and I will be able to surpass him.”

Dai Li nodded again. He didn’t tell Hansen the truth. He didn’t want to damage this young man’s self-confidence.

Hansen went on to say, “Coach Li, there are three months left until the Kona Triathlon World Championship. I plan to use this time to train intensively, so please design me a new training program. I hope to increase the intensity of my training.”

“Okay. I will clear my schedule this afternoon and focus on creating your training plan,” Dai Li promised him. As a coach, if an athlete wanted to train harder, he should encourage it as much as possible.

However, he thought of the time he met Tell at the Laureus Awards ceremony. Dai Li asked, “Hansen, I know that you really want to beat your brother, but have you ever thought that maybe your brother may not care about this competition? To put it differently, he doesn’t care about which of you wins first place.”

Hansen Brown was slightly taken aback. He then shook his head, “I don’t know.”

“When you were in the U.K., you guys trained together all day. Didn’t you guys communicate frequently?” Dai Li asked.

“In the past, we were able to talk about anything. When we were young, we talked about cartoons. When we grew up, we started talking about beautiful women. After becoming athletes, we started talking about the competition and becoming champions.” Hansen let out a long sigh and said, “Recently, we haven’t talked as much. After we won multiple titles, it felt like we had even fewer things to talk about.”

“Is it because of the competitive relationship between you two?” Dai Li asked.

“That’s probably it! I’m not very sure,” Hansen shook his head. “In any case, our relationship has grown cold.”

“I am able to understand that.” Dai Li looked at Hansen but, for a while, he didn’t know what to say.

Dai Li was the only son in his family. Unlike Hansen, who had a brother who grew up with him, he had no brothers or sisters.

However, Dai Li could understand Hansen’s feelings. His own brother had become his biggest competitor. That kind of contradiction between family and career was like a shackle. It must be a big a burden.

…

The Kona Triathlon World Championship was a colossal event. It was held in the small town of Kona, Hawaii and about two thousand people participated each year. Of course, the two thousand contestants were divided into different groups. Most of them were not professional triathletes and there were even many film and television stars who were just there to be there. After all, it was a common practice to have celebrities kick-start an event.

For professional athletes, the number of spots to compete was limited. Those who participated in professional competitions were top players from all over the world. Many players who had the ability to compete in the Olympic Games might not be able to participate in the Kona’s Triathlon World Championship.

The Kona Triathlon World Championship was currently the longest triathlon.

The triathlon of the Olympic Games included 1.5 km of swimming, 40 km of cycling and 10 km of long-distance running. The Kona Triathlon World Championship had 3.8 km of open water swimming, 189 km of road cycling, and a 42.159 km full standard marathon.

In terms of intensity, the Kona Triathlon World Championship was more than four times more intense than the Olympic Triathlon. Even the world’s top triathletes would have to take more than eight hours to complete the event. A slightly worse triathlete would have to take more than ten hours to complete the full race.

If one could successfully complete this kind of high-intensity competition, they would definitely be worthy of the title of “Iron Man.”

The Brown brothers were still the favorites to win this year’s Kona Triathlon World Championship. In fact, in the past two championships, the elder brother Tell Brown was the champion and his brother Hansen Brown was the runner-up.

At the starting line, a lot of athletes were gathered together in a tightly packed area. The Brown brothers stood side by side. The lenses of the cameras were constantly on the brothers who reigned over triathlons.

However, the two brothers did not communicate. They didn’t even look at each other. The two were just quietly and seriously looking at the waters ahead.

The starting pistol was shot, and the competitors rushed into the water.

3.8 km of open water swimming. The amount of physical energy needed was equivalent to the amount needed to swim in a pool for five thousand meters. This long-distance, physically intensive activity quickly divided the contestants into different groups.

As the powerhouses of the triathlon, the Brown Brothers were, naturally, in the group that was leading. Soon, the two brothers started to leave behind other contestants.

For sports such as long-distance running and long-distance cycling, there were tactics that helped athletes save energy. For example, in long-distance running, there was the tactic of alternate leading. Another example is in the Tour de France. A team would have a clear division of labor. Some people were responsible for carrying drinks and supplies. Those that wore the green jersey were responsible for sprint points. Those that wore the polka dot jersey would compete for the climbing points. Each of the core cyclists of the teams was responsible for the overall rankings. They strived to be able to wear the yellow jersey that symbolized the highest total score.

However, such situations did not exist in the Triathlon World Championship. For competitions that were more than eight hours, there would inevitably be a limit to an athlete’s physical strength. In such a case, no tactics would be of any use. Engaging in any kind of tactical cooperation was meaningless.

Therefore, other players were not worried that the Brown Brothers would cooperate to gain an advantage.

…

Hansen Brown was the first to complete the 3.8-kilometer swim. He went up on shore. He took off his swimming suit as he ran. He came to the area where the bicycles were parked. He quickly put on his helmet and put on his shoes as he was pushing his bicycle forward. He then started his journey on the 189-kilometer road cycling section.

Tell Brown was close behind him. He was only twenty seconds slower than Hansen. In triathlons, this was not considered much of a gap. Being slightly slower when putting on a helmet or shoe would be enough to create a gap of twenty to thirty seconds.

Having only a gap of about twenty seconds after swimming a distance of 3.8 kilometers highlighted how close the brothers were in terms of strength.

However, Tell Brown knew that his brother had improved.

Hansen has improved a lot. Compared to previous races, I now need to spend more physical energy just to follow him. It seems that his training in the United States is really good. Coach Li deserved the Best Coach Award that he received, Tell Brown thought.

Tell Brown felt at that moment that Hansen was already as strong as him. This time, he had to use all his strength without any reservations to compete with his younger brother.

Road cycling was the event that Hansen was best at. His riding skills were better than Tell’s and the gap between Tell and him was gradually getting bigger.

The sea breeze blowing in the air had a sweet smell. Hansen liked this smell, it was the unique atmosphere of Hawaii. It was a mix of the smell of pineapples, bananas, sugar canes and the smell of seawater that came from the water evaporated by the sunshine.

He lifted up his head and enjoyed the sea breeze on his face. He even enjoyed the burning sensation of the sun shining on his face. There was another kind of comfort to this burning sensation when the humid sea breeze passed by.

He turned around a big bend and glanced back. His brother Tell Brown had disappeared from his sight.

I finally left him behind! Hansen’s heart filled with excitement.

Maybe I can really beat him this time! The thought popped into Hansen’s head.

This was not the first time Hansen had this thought. However, every time he became hopeful, he was disappointed.

No. Now is not the time to relax. This is only the second section. There is still a long-distance marathon! I have to keep the lead until the end.

Hansen regained his serious expression. He was no longer enjoying the sea breeze. He was entirely focused on moving forward.

…

Tell turned a corner and looked in front of him. Even at the end of the horizon, he still couldn’t see his brother Hansen.

He left me behind by more than two kilometers! Tell frowned slightly. He was somewhat dissatisfied with this result.

How far the human eye could see was relative to the target of the eyes. For example, looking up at the starry sky, one could see the artificial satellites one thousand kilometers away. If one looks at the high-rise buildings, they could see them from eight thousand to ten thousand meters away. If one were looking at a landed house, the range would be five to seven kilometers. To see a person’s eyes, nose, and fingers, one would have to be within 60 meters.

If the target was a person, the human eyes had a limit of about 2,000 meters, so two kilometers. If Tell couldn’t see Hansen at this time, it meant that Hansen was at least two kilometers away from him.

“I need to be faster. At the very least, Hansen shouldn’t be out of my sight.”

…

Hansen was the first to complete the 189-kilometer road cycling.

He placed the bicycle in his spot, then put on his running shoes. He couldn’t help but look in the direction he had come from while he was doing so.

He didn’t see any trace of Tell.

Tell has not caught up yet. It seems that I have a decent advantage. Maybe I can really win! Hansen finally felt that the goddess of victory was beckoning to him.

Chapter 560 - Brothers (Part Two)

Chapter 560: Brothers (Part Two)

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the Kona Triathlon World Championship, the last event was a long-distance run. The athletes needed to complete a 42km marathon-length race. This was after completing 3.8 km of open water swimming and 189 km of road cycling.

Even professional athletes with excellent physical fitness would be exhausted after completing the first two events. However, the world’s top triathletes were still able to run after 3.8 km of open water swimming and 189 km of road cycling.

Hansen Brown ran while eating an energy bar. He then took out an energy drink from a supply bag and put it in his mouth. He drank half of it and used the other half to rinse his mouth. He then spat it out.

Athletes did not want to feel bloated during competitions so they did not drink a lot of water. Half of the energy drink was enough to replenish the body’s water and electrolytes. Rinsing and spitting out the other half of the energy drink was to relieve the temperature of the mouth and relieve its fatigue. Cyclists, track and field athletes, and soccer players would often gargle with carbohydrate solutions during a game instead of drinking them.

Hansen was still in the lead. No one caught up from behind. He was like a lonely wolf king, running alone in the grasslands.

Hansen enjoyed the feeling of being better than everyone else. He started to expect victory more and more.

But Hansen was gradually getting slower. He was getting closer and closer to the finish line but he was getting slower and slower.

…

Tell Brown was swinging his arms mechanically and running forwards.

The 3.8-kilometer open water swimming and the 198-kilometer road cycling had already used up much of his physical strength. He was now recovering while he ran. He would then use up the strength that he had recovered.

His rhythm had not changed and his speed had not changed. He was like a robot on an assembly line, relentlessly repeating the same motions.

It was not easy to do this at this stage of the race. Only Tell Brown, the ruler of the triathlon, was able to maintain his pace when faced with such exhaustion.

Finally, Tell saw a moving black spot on the horizon ahead.

It’s Hansen! Although he was far away, Tell was still able to recognize his younger brother.

I see Hansen. That means he is only two kilometers ahead of me! At this speed, I should be able to catch up with him! Tell thought.

If this were the Olympics, the last long-distance run would only be ten kilometers and Tell would not be able to catch up at this point. However, the athletes had to run a 42-kilometer marathon. A gap of two thousand meters within the context of 42 kilometers was only a short distance. Tell would be able to catch up to Hansen before long.

However, Tell did not change his running rhythm. He did not choose to risk speeding up in pursuit because he knew that he was going faster than his younger brother Hansen. As long as he kept his current rhythm, he could catch up to and even surpass Hansen.

…

Hansen had seen Tell behind him. Although Tell was still a far from him, Hansen could feel that Tell was gaining on him with every step.

He caught up! Hansen felt anxious. He wanted to speed up. He wanted to be faster, but his legs didn’t listen to him at all.

Hansen had already depleted his strength. It was difficult for him to maintain his current speed let alone speed up.

Am I going to lose to Tell again? No, I am not willing to let that happen! Hansen became ferocious. He clenched his teeth and wanted to exert his strength. However, his body had already reached its limit. At times like this, it was difficult to turn even the strongest willpower into physical strength.

Tell was gradually approaching from behind. Of course, he was not very fast. About 20 kilometers had already passed from the time Hansen saw Tell. Tell was now about 100 meters away from Hansen.

Although Hansen still maintained a lead of more than 100 meters, the pressure of Tell being behind him became heavier and heavier.

Hansen’s gradually became slower and slower. He was now starting to feel that his legs were beginning to go numb and he was gradually losing consciousness. He felt that he had no control over his body. Every step forward was solely instinct.

Ten kilometers from the finishing line, Hansen had greatly overexerted his physical strength. His body had already exceeded its limit. He could no longer maintain his original speed, he could only slow down.

Tell had also slowed down. After nearly eight hours of uninterrupted competition, the average person would not even be able to stand. Tell, however, could still run. This kind of running did not appear to be strong and vigorous but, instead, it seemed to be a bit battered and exhausted.

Hansen looked back to look at Tell. He had gotten even closer.

Hansen became more anxious. The anxiety that Tell gave him was getting stronger and stronger. This pressure gave Hansen a feeling of suffocation. He felt that his will was on the verge of collapse.

Finally, Tell caught up with Hansen and they were neck in neck.

Then, Tell overtook Hansen and left him behind.

Hansen’s eyes flashed a glimpse of despair. In the past year, all his training was to defeat Tell. He saw the hope of victory in this race, but as he approached the end of the race, he was surpassed by Tell.

Hansen had tried his best, but his body had been overloaded for a long time. In his current state, once he was overtaken by Tell, it was impossible to regain his position.

I am still going to lose to him! Hansen felt determined, but he could no longer accelerate. He could only watch as Tell increased the distance between them. He was getting farther and farther away from him.

Unwillingness, loss, and anger all manifested in Hansen’s heart and they filled up his entire body. This did not help. He could only swallow in the pain to his stomach.

The sense of powerlessness came over him and Hansen suddenly felt something on his calf. He knew that it was a cramp in his calf.

After a long period of exercise, the body was always in an overloaded state. In cases where the body lacked electrolytes, having a cramp was something to be expected.

Hansen staggered and fell to the ground. He refused to accept the pain. He rubbed his toes, hoping to ease the pain caused by the cramp.

Exhaustion came over him. Hansen suddenly felt that it was really comfortable to stay on the ground. He didn’t even want to get up again.

I really want to sleep for a while… Hansen almost closed his eyes, but he saw Tell in the distance, getting farther and farther away from him.

I cannot give up!

The next second, Hansen climbed up in determination and ran forward.

However, after only two or three steps, he fell to the ground again. Then, a stinging sensation came from his ankle. Gradually, the tingling sensation became more and more intense and Hansen couldn’t help but open his mouth.

At this point, Hansen finally realized that it was not just a cramp in his calf. He had also sprained his ankle when he fell down. Because of the fatigue, the nerves in his legs were not as sensitive, so he simply didn’t notice it.

It’s over! Hansen expression showed that he was in pain. He didn’t know the extent of his injury, but he knew that in his current physical condition, after suffering an ankle injury, it might take a long time to stand up again.

…

Tell looked at the sign on the side of the road. He was three kilometers from the finish line. For him, the five kilometers were very much in his grasp.

“Come on! Tell!”

“Tell! You are the best!”

As the finish line approached, spectators started to appear on the side of the road. They began to cheer for the contestants. Tell even saw several of his compatriots waving the British flag and shouting in the crowds.

Tell suddenly felt a little excited. Even the sense of exhaustion disappeared.

Tell glanced towards his back, but he didn’t see Hansen.

I’ve left Hansen behind so quickly? That can’t be. At his speed, he would still be close.

Doubt filled Tell. He couldn’t help but turn his head and look back. He then saw that Hansen had fallen to the ground far away from him.

What happened to Hansen? Did he fall? He stared at Hansen for a few seconds, only to find that Hansen didn’t stand up.

Tell turned back towards his goal, then he turned back and looked at his brother Hansen.

Tell slowed down. Then, he stopped. He turned around and ran back.

…

Hansen tried to get up but, after several attempts, he did not succeed.

Damn! Hansen let out a long sigh. In such a situation, he could only withdraw from the competition.

Someone came running from the front.

Is a doctor coming? Hansen thought. All of the contestants were running from the other direction. Only the staff responsible for logistical support would run in the opposite direction.

Hansen looked up and saw his brother Tell.

Tell trotted all the way up to Hansen.

“Why did you run back?” Hansen asked.

“You fell. Of course I had to come back.” Tell squatted down and asked, “Are you okay?”

“It should be a sprain. The bones are not damaged. I should still be able to walk,” Hansen replied.

“That’s good. Come on. Stand up!” Tell helped Hansen stood up from the ground.

“Let’s go,” Tell supported Hansen with his shoulder and the two walked forward together.

“I remember that, when we were younger, every time you fell you would always sit on the floor and cry. You wouldn’t get up by yourself. You would only get up after I went and helped you,” Tell said. He smiled a smile filled with nostalgia.

Hansen didn’t answer. He just looked at his brother with an unusual gaze. He was panting heavily, and he listened to Tell reminiscing about the past.

Just like that, the older brother helped the younger brother slowly walked towards the finish line.

…

Hansen looked at the signs on the side of the road. Only two kilometers until the finish line.

At this time, another contestant appeared behind them.

The third athlete had finally caught up.

Hansen knew that if he had not gotten injured and been forced to walk on this stretch of road, the person in third would not have been able to catch up.

He looked at his brother and said, “You go first. There are less than two kilometers to the finish line. If you start to run now, that person wouldn’t be able to catch up with you.”

“If I ran, what would you do?” Tell immediately asked in reply.

“You don’t need to care about me. I’m injured anyway. The person behind would’ve definitely surpassed me,” Hansen replied.

Tell shook his head. “In your current condition, you won’t even be able to finish the last two kilometers. If I leave, you would have to withdraw. You won’t even be in the rankings.”

“But if you do this, I will drag you down. The person behind will overtake both of us and you will lose first place,” Hansen said anxiously.

“What if I lose first place? You are my brother, I will not leave you alone,” Tell said, determined.

Hansen opened his mouth. He looked at his brother and saw the insistence in Tell’s eyes. He did not say anything.

…

There were only 500 meters left until the end. The contestant in third place overtook them.

Hansen looked at the man. He was already very slow. It was not much faster than walking. It could be said that his physical strength had been exhausted a long time ago.

“If you put me down right now, you would still have enough time to catch up to him. You’re better than him and you’re faster than him. You would easily be able to surpass him in the last five hundred meters,” Hansen said to Tell.

Tell shook his head again, “I’ve already said that you are my brother. I will not leave you alone. This was true in the past, it is true right now, and will still be true in the future.

“Do you really not want to win the World Championship?” It was Hansen who was worried for Tell.

“No. The championship is not more important than my brother.” Tell grinned and said, “Let’s go. It is the last five hundred meters. Let’s pass the finish line together.”

…

The person in first place reached the finish line.

For the last two hundred meters, Tell still supported Hansen and they marched forward with great difficulty.

“The man has already crossed the finish line,” Hansen turned to look at Tell and then asked, “Any regrets?”

“Why would I have any regrets?” Tell asked.

“You can no longer win first. Don’t you regret it?” Hansen asked.

“No regrets.” Tell continued, “If I abandoned you, that would be something that I would regret.”

Upon hearing this answer, Hansen was finally convinced that Tell did not care much about the World Championship. In Tell’s heart, his younger brother was more important than the honor of being a champion.

Hansen couldn’t understand why he had spent the last year regarding Tell as his competitor. He had gradually alienated him. He had placed the honor of being champion over his relationship with his own brother.

Hansen finally realized that he had been wrong. Compared with the honor of being the champion, Tell, who was the person right in front of him, was the one he should cherish.

Hansen leaned in and whispered into Tell’s ear, “My brother, I’m sorry.”

Chapter 561 - Grow Tall

Chapter 561: Grow Tall

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li only saw the results of the triathlon online that night.

The Brown brothers only got the second and third place. Dai Li then saw Tell helping Hansen cross the finish line on the news. He was moved.

“The older brother gave up on becoming a champion for his younger brother. I hope that after this race, the brothers will become close again.” Dai Li closed the webpage and stood up. He had to go welcome a guest from Spain. It was Fernando, the department head of one of the football giants in the La Liga, FC Barcelona.

“Coach Li, we met again,” Fernando spoke in standard American English. People who didn’t know him might think he was a full-blooded American.

Dai Li had met Fernando when he went to visit FC Barcelona. It was then that Fernando promised Barcelona would give Halls a chance if he could grow taller. Fernando was there because of this promise.

A few minutes later, Fernando saw Halls. The Halls had grown taller in the past year.

“The child really has grown taller since last year,” Fernando nodded, satisfied.

“Mr. Fernando, we should let the data do the talking.” Dai Li reached out and pointed to a ruler on a wall that measured height.

Halls immediately went over.

“Wait a minute!” Dai Li stopped Halls and said, “Take off your shoes.”

Halls nodded. As Dai Li instructed, he took off his shoes. He then went over to the wall.

A staff member immediately stepped forward and measured Halls’ height.

“168 cm!” The surveyor reported the measured number and, at the same time, he moved his body to the side so that Fernando could confirm the result with his own eyes.

“The measurement is 168cm when he is barefoot. If you put on your shoes, you will at least be 170 cm. Although you can’t be a center-forward that constantly gets to shoot and score points, you are tall enough to be a winger that breakthrough the enemies defense.” Fernando gave a satisfied nod. In his opinion, Halls had reached the minimum height that was required to be a professional football player.

A height of 168 cm was considered small on the football field, but there were many football players that were less than 170 cm tall. There were many well-known “sideways killers.” Although they were not tall, they were flexible, technically sophisticated, and very fast. They could easily attack their opponent’s goal.

The technical characteristics currently displayed by Halls was clearly in line with the idea of the “sideways killer.”

Dai Li went on to say, “If we let Halls continue to train here, he should be able to continue to grow taller. Maybe he can grow up to 175 cm, but that will take time. Maybe one or two years. However, during this period, I’m afraid that he will not be able to get professional football training. I am not a professional football coach. I can’t provide professional football training here. I think football training should be handled by football clubs such as yours. If I handled his football training we would be wasting his talent.”

“Coach Li, you’ve really given this a lot of thought.” Fernando rose slightly to pay his compliments before saying, “I am very satisfied with Halls’ current state. I believe that he will have a future after joining Barcelona.”

…

Life in Argentina had been hard recently. The Argentine peso had depreciated by 10% in just a few days. It seemed that a new economic crisis was on the horizon.

However, the people of Argentina had long been used to this. Last century, the struggle between Peronism and anti-Peronism caused the country to slip from being a developed country to being a developing country. The rise of neoliberalism triggered the withdrawal of foreign capital, the collapse of exports, and pushed a large number of businesses to the brink of bankruptcy. It continually drained the vitality of the country. The country was at risk of defaulting on an astronomical debt. Argentinians had become numb to the constant and numerous problems.

No matter how bad the economy got, nothing stopped the Argentinians’ passion for football. Every weekend, during the domestic football league in Argentina, people would gather together and watch football matches.

In a dilapidated tavern, twenty people gathered in front of an old-fashioned CRT television which had been in use for more than a decade. They drank the cheapest beer and stared at the television with a chromatic aberration.

Frast was amongst them. As a football coach, he was naturally very passionate about the sport. Although raising four children put him under great economic pressure, he still came to the tavern on the weekends in the afternoon, drank two bottles of beer, and enjoyed the moment.

The phone rang. Frast was unhappy. A phone call during a football match ruined her mood.

Frast still picked up the phone. After a few seconds, his face changed drastically and he screamed wildly.

Everyone in the pub looked at Frast. It wasn’t that strange to scream here. Whenever there was a goal, the pub always went crazy. However, there hadn’t been a goal. Frast’s scream was of a different kind.

“Hey man. What’s wrong with you?” The person next to him asked.

“Barcelona has decided to give my son Halls a contract!” Frast yelled excitedly.

The people around the room surrounded him.

“What are you talking about? Barcelona? The Barcelona?”

“Is that the Barcelona in La Liga? Is your son there?”

“What is your son’s name? Is he a footballer?”

All sorts of questions instantly arose.

“Of course. Of course, my son is a footballer. He will soon be playing in Barcelona in La Liga!” Frast replied incoherently.

“Hey Frast, I think you’ve gone insane. I remember that your son has dwarfism. He is only 1.5 meters tall. He can’t be a professional player,” someone said from the side.

“My son has grown to 170 centimeters!” said Frast.

“170 centimeters? How is that possible? How can someone who suffers from dwarfism grow to 170 centimeters?” No one believed Frast.

“Believe it or not. You just wait and see. It will be reported on the news within the next two days,” Frast said as he stood up. He wasn’t in the mood to watch football anymore. He decided to return home immediately and share the good news with his family.

…

The Argentinian media did in fact report on the news.

Although Argentina had a lot of football talent, someone being able to play in the La Liga was definitely big news. Barcelona was a very famous club as well. Even if he were just entering the youth training system in Barcelona, every sports news outlet in Argentina would still focus on it.

When the manager of the Riverbed team, Aguero, saw that familiar name, he was in disbelief.

How could Halls be chosen by Barcelona? Isn’t he suffering from dwarfism? He can’t be a professional player, so how could Barcelona choose him?

Aguero couldn’t help but reread the content of the news article word by word in great detail.

The newspaper said that Halls is 1.7 meters tall. How is this possible? He has dwarfism. There is no way he would have grown to 1.7 meters, Aguero thought.

However, there was a picture in the newspaper. It showed Halls training on the field while wearing a Barcelona training jersey. In the photo, although he was shorter than the other players, he was definitely not a dwarf.

The very next moment, Aguero remembered how crazy talented Halls was at football.

What a loss! If I knew that he could grow to 1.7 meters, I would’ve definitely signed him on. With his talent, I could’ve obtained at least ten million euros in transfer fees when I sold him to a European team! Aguero was full of regret.

…

In the conference room of the Real Madrid Club, the intelligence officer held a document in his hands, and he was giving a report to the management.

“In a U15 practice session yesterday, Barcelona’s U15 youth team defeated Valencia’s U15 youth team with a score of 7 to 1,” the intelligence officer said. He lifted up his glasses.

“7 to 1? Such a big difference? This must have been a very one-sided game. As far as I know, Valencia’s youth team is not weak. Even if it were just practice, they wouldn’t lose so much to Barcelona, right? That would be too embarrassing,” someone immediately questioned the intelligence officers.

“Indeed, this score is unusual. The players at the U15-level already have a firm grasp on defensive techniques. They also know about a few complicated tactical cooperation tactics. How could there be such a big difference? Was there anything unusual about the game or did anything happen during the game?” Someone else asked.

“Yes. All of Barcelona’s seven goals were related to a player named Halls Frast. He is an Argentinian. He was just recruited by Barcelona. During this practice game, Halls Frast scored four goals, two of which were penalty kicks that were caused by him. He also scored in a direct free kick. He also helped his teammates with three assists,” said the intelligence officer.

“What did you say was his name,” Henry suddenly said.

“Halls Frast.” The intelligence officer turned to look at Henry and then asked, “Mr. Henry, do you know this player?”

“Is it him?” Henry immediately shook his head. “Impossible. I do know a child named Halls, and he is indeed an Argentinian, but he suffers from dwarfism. It is impossible that him became a professional footballer.”

“Then maybe they have the same name,” the intelligence officer said.

“Do you have a photo of the Argentine?” Henry asked.

“Yes,” The intelligence officer took out a piece of paper from a folder and handed it to Henry. He said, “The third one in the first row is Halls Frast.”

Henry took the paper and looked down.

“It’s him. This is the Halls Frast I know. How is it possible? He has dwarfism, how could he be playing football?” Henry screamed. He completely lost it.

“Mr. Henry, what is going on?” Someone besides him immediately asked.

“This Halls visited our club a year ago. I’d already noticed him at the time. He was very talented. It could be said that he was a football genius. But he suffered from dwarfism. It was impossible for him to become a professional player, so I didn’t try to get him to stay,” Henry said.

“The information I have here shows that the height of Halls is 1.7 meters. Obviously, his height has reached the standard of professional players. He could at least be a winger that breaks through the enemies defense.” The intelligence officer paused for a moment and then said, “Mr. Henry, I think you may have been cheated. He may be short, or he may have reached puberty a little later, but he does not suffer from dwarfism.”

“No. That’s probably not true. Coach Li wouldn’t deceive me. After all, he won Best Coach at the Laureus Award and he had no conflict of interest with Real Madrid. He wouldn’t lie about this kind of thing,” Henry suddenly stopped talking. He remembered that when he had met Dai Li a year ago, Dai Li said that Halls was going to be training with him.

“Did Coach Li actually do it? Oh my God! He actually got a dwarf to grow to 1.7 meters through fitness training!”

Chapter 562 - Recommendation

Chapter 562: Recommendation

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Castello was a key midfielder on the Real Madrid U15 team. He had been on the Real Madrid youth training system ever since he was young. Step by step, he eliminated his opponents one by one. He had already earned a place on Real Madrid by the time he joined the Real Madrid youth training camp. They already knew that he was strong enough to play for the team.

Castello was also a member of the Spanish National Youth Football Team, so he had a bright future ahead of him. It was only a matter of time before Castello joined the Real Madrid team.

Now, was with the Real Madrid U15 team in Villarreal, a city in the province of Castello within the Valencian Community in Spain. The U15 team of Real Madrid was about to play a match against the Barcelona U15 team.

Coincidentally, the Real Madrid and Barcelona teams were both staying in the same hotel.

The players of both teams knew each other. They were all the cream of the crop in their age group. Many of them had competed with each other since they were seven or eight years old. Many of them had been rivals for years.

At the same time, many of them were members of the Spanish national team, so they also used to be teammates that fought for the honor of Spain.

Castello met a former teammate in the hotel corridor. He was currently his opponent.

“Francisco! Long time no see!” Castello greeted him with a smile.

Francisco was a young player trained by Barcelona, but he had been on the Spanish National Youth Football Team. He was teammates with Castello and was also a midfielder. Francisco and Castello’s technical characteristics complemented each other. One of them was partial to being very organized and the other was partial to defense. So when they were on the Spanish National Youth Football Team, the two of them became the twin-spears of the Spanish midfield. They had good chemistry and cooperated with each other.

Although Francisco and Castello currently served different masters, the friendship between the two remained.

“Francisco, we meet again. I feel a bit embarrassed about always beating you guys,” Castello said snarkily.

At the U15 level, Real Madrid was indeed better so, as Castello said, Real Madrid did always beat Barcelona.

Francisco knew that Castello was not being malicious and that he was just teasing. He did not get angry, but instead said, “Castello, you guys used to win, but we will beat you this year!”

“Get out of here! You’re dreaming!” Castello said with a smile. The two of them were familiar with each other, so they spoke casually.

Francisco shook his head, “What I said is true. I am not lying to you. We have an excellent newcomer this year. To be honest, I have never seen someone so good before!”

“Is that so? Where is he?” Castello asked.

“I will take you to see him.” Francisco took Castello to the hotel’s pool. Then Francisco pointed to Halls who was next to the pool and said, “Look. That is him!”

“That thin, small guy?” Castello looked at Halls. Halls was sitting alone by the pool at that time. He soaked his feet in the water and he was playing by himself.

“This kid is very good? Why haven’t I seen him before?” Asked Castello.

“He is Argentinian. He just came to Spain,” Francisco replied.

Castello curled his lips with disdain. He always believed that Francisco liked to brag, so he didn’t really believe him.

Francisco is definitely deliberately trying to confuse me! I don’t believe him! Castello thought.

…

On the field, Castello looked at the score, Barcelona’s 3 to Real Madrid’s 0. He now realized that Halls had crushed the Real Madrid U15 youth team.

The Barcelona team had been using a short pass tactic in the match. No matter where the ball was, whether it was on the middle or the sides, the fast passes made it so that the ball reached Halls’ feet quickly.

When the ball was at Hall’s feet, it was terrifying for Real Madrid. Halls looked small and skinny, but he was strong. He gave the defenders a headache.

The craziest thing was the way that Halls controlled the ball. Castello had never seen such impressive skill. The defenders had no way to take the ball from Halls’ feet. It could be said that Halls single-handedly threw Real Madrid’s entire midfield and defensive line into dismay.

How can there be such a terrifying player! Castello was panting and his eyes displayed the dread he felt.

For a midfielder who was partial to playing defense, seeing such a strong striker on a rival team was terrifying. Castello realized that this small guy from Argentina was going to be a nightmare in his career for decades to come!

…

“We shouldn’t have missed out on him. It’s all my fault. I should’ve paid more attention to him,” Henry looked despondent. He let out a long sigh and said, “More importantly, our enemy, Barcelona, has gotten him! That is my biggest concern. I think everyone has seen the potential of this player. He’s is already incredibly good and he is only fifteen years old. He will be giving us headaches for the next twenty years.”

“Henry, this is not your fault. No one could have known that a child with dwarfism could grow to the height of a normal person. None of the staff of any teams would have wasted their time on someone who suffered from dwarfism.” Someone next to Henry comforted him.

“No. I am responsible for this. I looked down on Dai Li.” Henry shook his head and said, “At that time, he said that he would train the child with dwarfism to grow taller. I was full of disdain. I even laughed at him. Now, it seems that I should be the one laughed at. I am an ignorant person.”

…

Royal Medical College, United Kingdom.

Helen Pepe looked nervously at the white-haired doctor in front of her. It was as if she was a prisoner waiting for her sentence.

Finally, the white-haired doctor said, “Miss Pepe, treating your strain injury will be a complicated matter. If you want to cure it completely, as long as you are still playing tennis, engaging in high-intensity training will be impossible. So I can’t really do anything about it.”

“Professor Green, you are the authority on sports rehabilitation. Even you don’t have a solution?” Pepe looked at the doctor pitifully.

Professor Green decisively shook his head, “From a medical point of view, I really don’t see a way. This type of inflammation in your hips cannot be treated surgically. In the case of medicinal treatment, many drugs are banned by the International Tennis Federation. If you use medication, you may need to rest for two to three years. You will not be able to accept this. The only thing that can alleviate your injury is through physical therapy.”

“I have already done a lot of physical therapy, but there aren’t any obvious effects,” Pepe said.

“It’s not surprising. The effects of physical therapy cannot be guaranteed,” Professor Green said.

Pepe was dismayed. She was like a hurt kitten. People would pity her upon sight.

Although Professor Green was not young, he was an average man. When he saw the look on Pepe’s face, he couldn’t bear it. He lowered his voice and said, “I know a person who is very good at sports rehabilitation. Our Duke of Gael in England was injured and he sat in a wheelchair for more than ten years. All of the European rehabilitation experts, including myself, couldn’t do anything to help, but this person helped the Duke of Gael recover. I think he may be able to help you in your current situation.”

“Is that true? Who is he? Do you have his contact?” Pepe asked immediately.

“His name is Dai Li. He is Chinese. He has a training center in America. He won Best Coach at the Laureus Award,” Professor Green replied.

Him again! Pepe suddenly remembered the person who saw through her hip injury at the hotel in London.

Chapter 563 - “Pervert” Coach Li

Chapter 563: “Pervert” Coach Li

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The light was not switched on in the room. Helen Pepe was alone. She leaned against a sofa. She looked through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and looked outside at the moon and stars in the sky.

In the past year, Helen Pepe had been plagued by severe injuries and her performance had greatly suffered. At the beginning of the Australian Open, she had only made it to the quarter-finals. Later at the French Open, she had been eliminated in the quarter-finals. After that, at Wimbledon, she lost in the third round. In the U.S. Open, although she got through the first round, her injury made it so that she was unable to play the second round, so she had to withdraw.

For a professional tennis player, playing worse meant making less money because sponsors would drop you. This was especially true for beautiful athletes like Helen Pepe. The prize money for the competitions was never her main income. The huge celebrity endorsement fees were the most significant contributor to her income.

Of course, even if she didn’t play tennis, Helen Pepe would still be able to gain the favor of many advertisers with her attractive features. She could always do what those supermodels do and partake in a fashion week when she was free. She would only need to show her face and make her presence felt. She would be able to attract many endorsements offers from companies by doing that.

However, if Helen Pepe really wanted to be a supermodel, she wouldn’t have trained every day to become a tennis player. The life of an athlete was much harder than that of a supermodel’s. The kind of players who could win grand slams gave their blood, sweat, and tears. They trained hard every day.

Helen Pepe changed her sitting position, but the injured area in her hips still made her feel uncomfortable.

Her injury was a strain and, because of the inflammation, it caused physical discomfort. This kind of inflammation did not cause her substantial pain and had no real effect on her average day to day life. However, after playing in a high-intensity match, the strenuous physical activity made the injury more serious, and it would bring her unbearable pain.

Pepe knew that if she wanted to continue to play tennis, she must fix the strain on her hip. Even if it could not be eradicated, it had to recover to the point where it wouldn’t affect her performance.

It was a pity that the well-known experts she had seen had been no help. The answers they gave were to rest and use conservative treatment methods. She would need to stop training and taking part in competitions. This was unacceptable to Pepe.

Do I really need to go to America to find that person? Pepe let out a long sigh. She knew very clearly that in her current situation, Dai Li may be the only person who could help her.

However, Pepe had some reservations about Dai Li. Beautiful players such as herself had always been the focus of media attention. The media were very happy to dig into her private life. No matter where she was, paparazzi would be all around trying to sneak in a few shots. She had to be very concerned about protecting her privacy. Dai Li saw Pepe’s hip injury at the party after the Laureus Award, and that made her feel that her privacy had been invaded.

To continue playing, I need to go to America and find Coach Li.” Although Pepe was hesitant, she decided to go to Los Angeles.

…

Dai Li handed a document to Helen Pepe and said, “Miss Pepe, this is the rehabilitation program I specifically designed for you. It focuses on physiotherapy, supplemented by new some rehabilitation exercises. If you have any problems with it, you can tell me. I can modify it. If there are no problems, we will follow this plan.”

Pepe took the document and looked at it carefully. As she looked at it, her face expressed more and more doubt.

Later, Pepe looked at Dai Li skeptically and asked, “Coach Li, how many masseurs do you have here?”

“Most of our coaches here have mastered the technique of giving massages. They are all very good. But Miss Pepe, please rest assured, I will personally handle your rehabilitative message to ensure the best results,” Dai Li said.

You personally giving me rehabilitative massages is what I am worried about, Pepe internally complained. Naturally, she wouldn’t say this out loud. Her tone changed and she asked, “Coach Li. This rehabilitation program, aren’t there too many massages?”

Dai Li glimpsed at the plan and immediately understood what Pepe was thinking about.

Pepe was injured in the hip area, so Dai Li had to massage around that region. Naturally, this area was an area where women were concerned with their privacy. It wasn’t an area that people could just touch.

Although it was for medical purposes, it was easy to misunderstand if a middle-aged man like Dai Li massaged the hip of a beautiful woman. Touching the butt of a beautiful woman might please Dai Li, but Pepe didn’t want him to. Pepe’s subconscious felt that Dai Li was deliberately using her injury as a way to take advantage of her.

If she were a slightly uglier athlete, she might not think this way. However, Pepe was a beautiful woman. Many men harassed her. There were also many people who would want to use opportunities to take advantage of her. Therefore, she had become a little more defensive. When she saw that Dai Li’s training program contained massages, she had labeled Dai Li a “pervert.”

Dai Li felt that he was being treated unfairly.

Amongst the rehabilitation programs he listed, there were many other physiotherapy and exercises besides massages, but massages were the main component. Dai Li relied not on physical therapy and rehabilitative exercises, but on his rehabilitation massaging skills. Dai Li was able to guarantee that Helen Pepe’s hip injury would be fixed because he was so confident in his rehabilitation massaging skills.

In other words, if there were no rehabilitation massages Dai Li wouldn’t be able to fix Pepe’s hip injury. The more frequent the rehabilitation massages, the faster Pepe’s hip injury would recover. Therefore, Dai Li added more massages to the rehabilitation program, but he had not expected Pepe to misunderstand this.

She can’t be thinking that I am deliberately trying to take advantage of her? She must think of me as a pervert! Dai Li was upset, but he realized that when thought about Pepe’s supermodel body, he felt a little excited. He even looked forward to seeing Pepe’s hips.

What am I thinking? How can I have such dirty thoughts? I am a coach. I have to have the professional ethics of a coach. I have to be pure. Dai Li bit his tongue to clear his mind. He then opened his mouth and said, “Miss Pepe, it is okay if you want to reduce the massages, but I must inform you in advance that the effect of the rehabilitation may be reduced.”

Although Dai Li appeared to be very professional, Pepe was unconvinced. He had the appearance of a modest gentleman, but the beast in him was thinking about how to get into bed with her. She had seen this many times. Pepe took it for granted that Dai Li was deliberately trying to find ways to act out his perverted nature.

“Okay, I understand. Please reduce the frequency of the massages. I think the daily massages should be kept to 20 minutes.” Pepe’s tone seemed a bit stiff, as if she was warning Dai Li not to have any funny thoughts.

Dai Li understood. He could only smile bitterly and shake his head.

It seems like I have really become a pervert!

Chapter 564 - A Coach With a Pure Soul

Chapter 564: A Coach With a Pure Soul

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the massage room of the training center, Dai Li looked at the surveillance camera in the corner and felt relieved.

This surveillance camera had been installed that day because of Helen Pepe. Dai Li could feel that Pepe saw him as a pervert. He wanted to avoid provoking suspicion, so he found someone to install a camera.

Pepe was on the massage bed. It had to be said that she had a good figure. Her figure pair with a body in peak physical fitness could easily provoke the most basic male instinct. She was also wearing tight-fitting sweatpants.

Think no evil, do no evil, Dai Li repeated this several times in his head. He picked up a towel and covered the area on Pepe’s hips that needed to be massaged. He then put on a pair of gloves.

A layer of towel, and a layer of gloves. This should be alright, right?” Dai Li helplessly shook his head. For the first time, he felt nervous about giving a rehabilitative massage to his customers.

“Miss Pepe, let’s get started,” Dai Li said. He gathered his thoughts and started to focus on his work.

…

Helen Pepe clenched her fist. She was very alert.

If this guy dares to use the massage as a guise to touch other parts of my body, I will beat him up, Pepe thought. She was even prepared to turn around and kick Dai Li.

The next second, Dai Li’s hand was pressing down.

Dai Li’s massage technique was no different from other masseurs, but it did have a unique effect.

Pepe felt a warm current coming from Dai Li’s hands. It was like a warm blanket that wrapped her up in an instant. This warm current gradually reached into her muscles. It was as if the bruises of the strain melted away.

This was like the sunshine of spring being ushered in after being blocked by ice and snow for a whole winter. The tough icicles slowly turned into water droplets and gathered in the streams. The snow gradually faded from the inside. The black soil leaked out and countless green seedlings rushed out of the soil. A wasteland suddenly turned into a land that was full of life.

Pepe also felt a new breath of life. She could feel the cells that were injured become like grass that had just sprouted. They had been revived. They had regained life.

It was an unparalleled sense of comfort. Pepe had never felt so comfortable. She felt her whole body relax. Like a lazy dog with a belly full of food and drinks lying in the yard, stretching and enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

Helen Pepe began practicing tennis when she was five. Since then, she had trained hard every day. Every single muscle and cell in her body had been subjected to the fatigue brought about by exercise. Day after day, year after year, even when she was resting, her body was still full of tension.

This was the physical condition that professional athletes should be in. Their bodies must be prepared every day. When they walked on the field, they should be able to enter a high-intensity confrontation. So, even in the off seasons, their spirits were relaxed, but their bodies could not be relaxed.

This is so comfortable… Pepe closed her eyes and completely relaxed her mind and body. She began to enjoy this feeling.

As the massage progressed, she became more and more comfortable. Although he was only massaging her hip area, the comfort brought about by the rehabilitation massage gradually spread through her whole body. This made her became more and more relaxed.

Pepe couldn’t help but moan when she felt this kind of relaxation and comfort.

“Hmm…ah…”

…

When Dai Li started to give Pepe the massage, he could feel that Pepe’s muscles were very tense. Dai Li didn’t know if it was because she was nervous or it was because these muscles had been overused.

However, as the rehabilitation massage started to take effect, Pepe’s muscles began to relax.

Dai Li was still very confident about the effects of the rehabilitation massage. Among all of Dai Li’s skill, only the rehabilitation massage was strengthened over time. If he were able to heal Helheim from a half-vegetative state with his rehabilitation massage, treating Pepe’s strain-related injuries would be nothing. Dai Li believed that as long as he did it a few times, he could definitely cure Pepe’s hip injury.

There was suddenly a moan.

“Hmm…ah…”

Dai Li understood that this was probably because the effect of the rehabilitation massage had started taking shape. Pepe felt comfortable, so she could not help but make a sound.

This was also the case when Dai Li did the rehabilitation massage for other athletes. They couldn’t help but moan because of the comfort that was brought on by the rehabilitation massage.

However, even though they were both moans, when it came out of Helen Pepe’s mouth, the effect it had on straight men was different than the effect of the moans of middle-aged men.

Dai Li was certainly not gay, so when he heard the moans of Helen Pepe, he could not help but have some evil thoughts.

This voice, people who don’t know would think that we are doing something shameful. But I feel pretty good about this massage, Dai Li thought.

A beautiful woman was right in front of him and he was pressing down on her hips. She was even making sounds that could stimulate male hormones. Dai Li became worried about not being able to hold back himself.

Think no evil, do no evil. I need to control myself. Don’t think about those dirty things, I am a coach with a pure soul. Dai Li comforted himself while looking at his watch. At this time, he suddenly felt that Helen Pepe’s proposal to limit the session to 20 minutes was smart.

Thank goodness this is only 20 minutes. 20 minutes. It will pass by in no time,” Dai Li thought.

“Hmm…ah…” Helen Pepe moaned again. Dai Li couldn’t help his hands from trembling.

Dai Li looked at the clock on the wall. He suddenly felt like this 20 minutes would be long and slow…

…

The 20 minutes were up. Dai Li stopped immediately.

As a top professional athlete, Helen Pepe often received a variety of physical therapies. Not just massages, but cupping, moxibustion, and low-temperature liquid nitrogen. She had experienced all of them, but she had never been so comfortable before.

After the massage, Pepe got up from the bed and looked at Dai Li with an unsatisfied look.

She saw that Dai Li was a little red and that he was covered in sweat. It was as if he had just finished exercising.

From the looks of Coach Li, giving massages must be very labor-intensive, Pepe thought. She then said, “Coach Li, thank you for the hard work.”

“It was a little hard.” Dai Li smiled, but he thought, Holding it in was really difficult!

Chapter 565 - Gossip

Chapter 565: Gossip

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

That evening, Helen Pepe stood on the tennis court and practiced for an hour with the tennis ball machine.

For professional tennis players, training with the ball machine was low-intensity training. This kind of training was mainly to maintain their familiarity with the ball. Not playing with the ball for a long time would make them rusty.

In Pepe’s current condition, even this kind of low-intensity training carried a certain risk. Once a problem arose it could just be muscle soreness, but if it were more severe it might disrupt some core functions of the muscles.

In the past, after Pepe’s training, her wounds would make her somewhat uncomfortable. However, after one hour of training, Pepe did not feel any discomfort.

“In the past, after relatively high-intensity training, there would be a continuous pain in the hip area. If the intensity were light, I would feel sore. Now, I don’t feel sore at all,” Pepe said to herself.

The soreness was a very direct effect of her strain. Pepe’s hip injury had been going on for many years so she had long been accustomed to sore muscles. Now that it wasn’t there she was relaxed.

Pepe subconsciously reached out to press her hips, specifically on the area where the pain was usually stronger. She didn’t expect that when she pushed down she wouldn’t feel any pain.

Experiencing pain when pressing down on parts of the hip area was also one of the symptoms of muscle strain and this symptom had tortured Pepe for many years. At its most serious, Pepe couldn’t even lay down because it brought her a lot of pain.

It doesn’t hurt at all! Pepe couldn’t believe it. She pressed down a few more times and only then did it hurt.

Is this the effect of today’s massage? This is amazing! Pepe took a breath of cold air. She never could’ve dreamed of achieving such results.

Suddenly, Pepe realized that she was wrong about Dai Li. The reason Dai Li arranged a lot of massages in the rehabilitation program was really for her to recover quickly.

I’ve misunderstood him. He must think that I think of him as a pervert. I’ve really done something wrong this time!

…

James, the editor-in-chief of a well-known media company in Los Angeles, looked through some photos that were in his hands and he shook his head.

After a while, he finished looking through all the photos and threw them to a young man opposite of him. Then he said, “Peter, these photos are all rubbish. They are not worth a single penny. I don’t want a single one.”

“Garbage? How come? These are all photos of Helen Pepe. She has so many fans. Her photos have always been the most popular. I followed her for a long time to get these photos,” said the young man named Peter.

“Helen Pepe’s photos are really popular, but there are no highlights in these photos. Look at the garbage you took. This is Pepe going to the parking lot and getting in her car. It is so regular. Do you think our audience will pay attention to pictures this bland?”

As James spoke, he picked up a few other photos. “These photos. Pepe walking out of a hotel. She is not an American. She has no real estate in Los Angeles. Of course, she would stay in a hotel. Where else would she sleep? On the streets? What is the point of these photos? Do you think this can be published in the newspaper? This is Los Angeles. Anyone can see a star if they sit outside a five-star hotel. Why is it strange for Pepe to stay at a hotel?

“What I want are not photos of her daily life. What I need are photos that have a point. It should be what the readers want to see.” James pointed at the photo, and then went on to say, “Even a few photos of Pepe at a nightclub would be better than this rubbish!”

“But the photos I took are very clear, the choice of angle, the choice of light, and…”

As Peter was explaining, he was interrupted by James before he could finish speaking.

“Okay, Peter. Do you really think that you are some artsy photographer? Angle and light choice? Hehehe…” James laughed mockingly and said, “Okay, to put it kindly, you are a freelance photographer. To put it bluntly, you’re paparazzi! Paparazzi need to do what paparazzi need to do. You should take paparazzi photos instead of worrying about angles and lighting!”

When James finished speaking, he pointed his finger at the door and said, “Well, Peter, I don’t have time to talk about ideals and life here. I still have a lot of work to do. If you keep bringing me this kind of garbage, I won’t see you again.”

…

Peter was walking down the road, frustrated. He had been humiliated by James.

He also knew that what James said was true. He was not a photographer. He could only be regarded as paparazzi.

Being a photographer was Peter’s dream, but his dreams weren’t able to feed him. The photos that he took were worthless in the eyes of others.

James is right, I am just paparazzi. I should do what the paparazzi do.

Peter took a deep breath and he recalled Helen Pepe’s recent activities.

Helen Pepe has been going to a physical training center. If I can take some pictures of her while she’s training, I should be able to sell it for some money.

That is a very upscale training center. If I am not a member, I won’t be able to get in. I can’t become a member with my income. If I want to get into that training center, I have to think of another way.

…

Peter pushed a cleaning trolly and secretly looked around the room.

He had disguised himself as cleaning staff to sneak into Dai Li’s physical training center.

Labor cost a lot in America. To hire a regular employee, a company would need to pay for the employee’s various insurances in addition to paying their salary. Therefore, Dai Li did not hire a cleaning staff but instead paid a cleaning company to take care of the cleaning and sanitation of the training center. He saved a lot of money doing this.

It was for this reason that Peter was able to disguise himself as cleaning staff and sneak into the training center. The cleaning company did not send the same person every day. Even if he was unfamiliar, no one would suspect him.

This training center is really big. I wonder where Helen Pepe is, Peter pondered as he looked around him.

From time to time, there were one or two familiar faces that Peter saw. They were well-known athletes.

Peter had a strong urge to take out his camera that was hidden in the cleaning trolly and take a few photos of these famous athletes, but the rational part of Peter told him that he should not do that. The purpose of his trip was Helen Pepe. Helen Pepe’s photos were much more valuable than those athletes.

Peter was finally nearby the massage room.

A massage room? The door is closed. There should be no one inside. Peter walked straight into the massage room with his cleaning trolly.

At that very moment, he heard a woman moaning.

“Hmm…ah…”

When he heard this sound, Peter immediately stopped walking.

…

Helen Pepe moaned again in the massage room.

Dai Li felt awkward and he couldn’t help but stop the massage.

Pepe was enjoying the comfort brought by the rehabilitation massage. When Dai Li stopped, Pepe subconsciously said, “Coach Li, don’t stop.”

Dai Li was helpless. He then said, “Miss Pepe, can you not make such sounds? It may be heard by others.”

Once Dai Li said this, Pepe realized that the moans that she made were indeed indecent.

“Sorry. It was just that the touch was just right and it was just too comfortable. I couldn’t hold back.,” Pepe looked back at Dai Li with an unsatisfied look in her eyes. She then said, “Coach Li, can we continue?”

“Okay.” Dai Li went back work.

After only twenty seconds, Pepe couldn’t help but moan out in comfort again.

…

Outside the door, Peter heard the strange sound from the room and immediately stopped walking.

Why is there a female moaning? Is someone doing something dirty inside?

Peter’s curiosity suddenly grew. He wanted to push the door open to see who was inside, but he also knew that he was here in secret. He had entered without permission. If he was discovered, he would be in trouble with the law. He could not be discovered by others.

Peter suppressed his curiosity and waited quietly outside the door to eavesdrop. Although he couldn’t take pictures, he made sure that he hit his phone’s record button.

The woman’s voice could be heard again.

“Coach Li. Don’t stop.”

Peter suddenly realized what was going on. Just what I thought. A dirty smile crept across his face.

The people inside are doing something that can’t be described. They are quite brave to do such things in a place like this in broad daylight. This woman said ‘Coach Li,’ who I remember is the owner of the training center.

She must be with the owner of the center. Only the boss would dare do such unscrupulous things here. I wonder who that woman is. Is it a female secretary? It is normal for the boss to do such things with a secretary. An affair between the Best Coach Award winner and his secretary. If this kind of news spreads, I wonder if anyone would pay attention.

At this moment, several ideas popped into Peter’s head.

Another sound came from the room.

“Miss Pepe, can you not make such sounds? Others might hear.”

Miss Pepe. Peter was shocked.

The man just said ‘Pepe.’ Is it possible that the woman inside is Helen Pepe? My God! Helen Pepe and that Coach Li are doing something shameful!

Peter also felt sadness and jealousy. It was as if the goddess he admired had been tarnished.

“Sorry. It was just that the touch was just right and it was just too comfortable. I couldn’t hold back.”

“Coach Li, can we continue?”

Pepe made a moaning sound again.

The touch was just right? Comfortable? Continue?” Peter, who was outside the door, heard these words. After a while, Pepe’s moan could be heard coming from the room again.

Big news, super big news! Gossip about Helen Pepe. I have the recordings too. This is worth more than a few photos of her training! I am going to make a fortune!” Peter smiled excitedly. At this moment his dream of being a photographer had been completely forgotten.

…

A few days later, Peter appeared again in James’s office.

“Peter, what kind of photos have you brought this time. Don’t tell me they are the same as last time. This is not a garbage disposal center, we do not take in garbage.” James did not raise his head when he was speaking to Peter. He didn’t show the slightest respect.

Seeing how James acted made Peter very angry. He became even more determined to knock James down a peg or two.

“I didn’t bring any photos this time,” Peter said.

“No photos?” James lifted up his head when he heard this answer. He looked at Peter and asked, “If you don’t have any photos, why are you here?”

“I brought a recording.” Peter had a very smug look on his face. It told James that the recording was something very valuable.

However, James grinned disdainfully. “I don’t sell audiobooks here. Why would I want a recording!”

“This is a recording of Helen Pepe,” Peter said.

“So what? Helen Pepe does hundreds of interviews every year. There are various kinds of interviews. She also records short videos from time to time to post on Twitter. Why would I want your recording? Unless you recorded the sounds Helen Pepe makes in bed, which I could sell it to those who like her. That way they can get more excited when they masturbate!” James raged. His last sentence was certainly not true. He didn’t actually want to sell recordings. He was ridiculing Peter’s incompetence.

Peter then said, “Mr. James, you guessed right this time. I’ve really recorded the sounds of Helen Pepe in bed!”

“What did you say? Have you gone crazy!” James exclaimed.

Peter calmly and steadily took out his phone. He found a piece of audio and began to play it.

“Hmm…ah…”

“Coach Li, don’t stop.”

“The touch was just right and it was just too comfortable. I couldn’t hold back.”

“Hmm…ah…”

Peter had edited the original audio recording. He intentionally made it so that it was vague. He only left in the critical parts for James to hear.

“Oh my god! This…this…” After James finished listening to it he did not know what to say.

Peter was very satisfied with the expression on James’ face. He said, “Mr. James, this is just a part of the recording if you want the full recording…”

“I want this recording. Name a price!” James interrupted Peter before he could finish talking. Peter was somewhat unprepared to go straight to talking about money.

…

The next day, the media published a piece of news with this headline.

“Special training? Helen Pepe and the “Best Coach” involved in a large scale drama.”

Chapter 566 - Unintentional

Chapter 566: Unintentional

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li wore a cap, sunglasses, and a scarf to hide as much of his face as possible. Almost his entire face was covered. Then he carefully looked around and quickly walked into his training center.

This should be enough to get rid of those damn paparazzi. I’m an innocent man caught in this mess. If I knew that there would be such gossips, I wouldn’t have picked up Pepe’s business. The media has no ethics whatsoever, Dai complained internally.

The receptionist at the front desk noticed Dai Li. She stood up and asked, “Sir, what can I do for you?”

“Annie, it is me.” Dai Li took off his scarf and sunglasses.

“Boss, good morning!” The beautiful receptionist greeted him with a smile, but she wondered why Dai Li was dressed the way he was.

“Good morning.” Dai Li stopped and asked, “Is Randy here?”

“Mr. Blake is here. He is seeing a customer in the reception room,” Annie replied.

“Oh. Then I will head there.” Dai Li nodded and walked to the reception room.

Dai Li knocked on the door of the reception room and walked in. He saw that Randy Blake was holding the training center’s brochure and telling the client about the brilliant achievements of the training center.

When he saw Dai Li walk in, Blake immediately introduced him to the client. “Mr. Hanks, let me introduce you. This is the boss of our training center…”

“I recognize you. You are Coach Li!” The customer interrupted Blake before he finished speaking.

Dai Li was about to answer, but the client continued. “You are Helen Pepe’s boyfriend. Coach Li, can you teach me a few tricks on how to bag a goddess?”

Dai Li looked helpless. He had explained it too many times in the last few days and now he did not want to waste his breath again. Most of the time people didn’t believe Dai Li’s explanation. Trying to explain it made it seem like he was trying to cover it up.

Dai Li did not explain. He immediately changed the topic and shifted the customer’s attention.

After sending away the customer, Blake smiled and pushed Dai Li’s shoulder,.”Li, Helen Pepe is a goddess to countless people. Even I envy you!”

“That’s enough. Those paparazzi have already given me a headache, so don’t tease me. You know this is a misunderstanding, I have nothing to do with Pepe. I just helped give her a massage.” Dai Li looked even more helpless than before.

Blake smiled and said, “Actually, this kind of thing is common, especially in Los Angeles. Hollywood and most of the world’s stars are here. Naturally, the media will exaggerate reports based on gossip. The more you care about the paparazzi, the more they are interested in you. The more you ignore them, and do what you need to do, they will give up on you. Then, average people will forget about this.”

Dai Li nodded. American stars did indeed deal with gossip differently than Chinese stars. Chinese stars wrapped themselves up to hide their face in fear of being photographed by the paparazzi. American stars were willing to get pictures taken of them. They continued to go about their everyday activities.

“Right. Why did you come to me?” Blake asked.

“I have to go back to China. I already booked my ticket. I will leave tomorrow. This will be the first time you are in charge of the training center,” Dai Li said.

“It’s not a big deal. Some media just want to hype it up. You don’t need to hide on the other side of the globe,” Blake said.

“I’m not trying to hide. I’m not worried about these unscrupulous reports either. What I’m worried about is my girlfriend.” Dai Li pointed to the mobile phone in his hand and went on to say, “After this happened, she stopped answering my calls. She even blocked me on WeChat.”

“So you have to go back to put out the fire?” Blake laughed as if he was taking joy in Dai Li’s misery. He went on to say, “If it were me, I would do the same thing if I thought that my boyfriend and Helen Pepe got into bed together. How are you going to explain it to your girlfriend? Even if you tell the truth, she may not believe you.”

“Fortunately, I installed surveillance in the massage room. I have the surveillance video. It will be able to prove my innocence,” Dai Li said.

“You installed a surveillance camera? So you and Helen Pepe didn’t do anything?” Blake pretended to be surprised. It was obviously to tease Dai Li.

Dai Li stared at Blake, and Blake smiled slyly. He went on to say, “I have never seen you look so flustered before. I didn’t expect Coach Li, who was full of confidence even at the Olympics, would have such a side. Okay, you rest assured and return to China. Just let me take care of the training center.”

“Okay. I will try to come back as soon as possible,” Dai Li said.

“You don’t have to worry. Just come back after you deal with your girlfriend. When women encounter this kind of thing, even if you explained it clearly, it will stay on her mind. You don’t have to rush it. If worst comes to worst, you should bring her to the United States. If you live together and let her be by your side every day, it may dispel her doubts,” Blake said.

“Live together?” Dai Li was stunned for a moment, and he suddenly laughed. Then he grabbed Blake’s shoulder with excitement and said, “Randy, thank you, thank you for reminding me. You are right. I should marry her! I will buy a diamond ring. I will propose to her!”

“What? Propose?” Blakes was shocked.

What I meant was that they could try to live together first. Did Dai Li misunderstand me? He wants to go and buy a diamond ring to propose to his girlfriend? Blake thought.

Dai Li ran out excitedly to buy a diamond ring.

Many young men and women in China chose to live together before marriage, while young people in the United States did the same but would remove the words “before marriage.” To them, it was just simple cohabitation. Although many of the men and women were really in love, it was normal to only live together without getting married for a decade or two. Even if they had children, there was no need to get married.

For example, many American sports stars had children before they got married. When a son went to attend the wedding of his parent, sometimes he would wear a suit and act as his parents’ page boy. Such situations were normal in the United States, but not in China.

Therefore, Blake had just been talking about cohabitation.

Dai Li was not an American, so he thought Blake’s suggestion was to propose to Xiao Yunan.

Blake looked at the back of Dai Li in the far off distance and immediately planned to stop him.

However, just as Blake was about to call out, he held back.

Li, this decision may be just a spur of a moment thing, but I do hope to attend your wedding, Blake shook his head as he smiled. Then he suddenly remembered his wife.

We haven’t had a romantic two-person date for a long time… Blake pulled out his mobile phone and dialed the phone number of a restaurant.

“Hello, my name is Randy Blake, I want to make a reservation for tonight. Oh right, please help me prepare some roses…”

Chapter 567 - New Opportunities, New Challenges

Chapter 567: New Opportunities, New Challenges

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Ten days later, Dai Li returned to Los Angeles.

Blake looked at Dai Li, who seemed cheerful, and could not help but ask, “Li, was your proposal successful?”

Dai Li nodded and then grinned like a fool.

“Congratulations. It seems that I have to apply for a visa to China so that I can participate in your wedding,” Blake congratulated him.

“The wedding is still a bit far off. As for where the wedding will be held, I’m not certain. We might have it in Hawaii. If that were the case, you wouldn’t need to apply for a visa,” said Dai Li. Dai Li then said, as he pointed to the door, “I just took a look around. It seems that there are not many people here r today. There are fewer customers than usual. It also seems that there are fewer coaches working.”

“All of the center’s black coaches took time off to go participate in a protest at the entrance of Stark Real Estate,” Blake said.

“Protest? What for?” Dai Li asked.

“Have you not read the news recently? There was a leaked recording of the Los Angeles Clippers boss, Stark, saying something discriminatory against black people,” Blake replied.

Dai Li nodded. “I did see that. I saw some reports when I was in China. It seems that this Stark fellow has made racially discriminatory remarks before. This is not the first time he has done such a thing.”

“This guy has a record of being racist, but this time it seems to be a lot more serious. This time, the recording caused an uproar. Many black people are protesting in front of Stark Real Estate every day. I think the NBA will definitely impose a heavy punishment on him,” Blake said.

“How big of a fine will have to pay?” Dai Li smiled disdainfully, “Stark is a real estate tycoon. He is worth at least a few billion dollars. This rich man won’t feel a thing even if he’s fined tens of thousands of dollars.”

“It may not just be a fine this time. The NBA could force him to sell the team.” Blake then explained, “In other words, they want to kick Stark out of the NBA forever.”

“So serious?” Dai Li was a little surprised. He continued to ask, “But the Clippers are the property of Stark and his ownership of it is protected by law. If Stark does not sell, the NBA can’t force him. The NBA has no power to force him to.”

“That is true. As his private property, his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers is indeed protected by law, and Stark can choose not to sell the team. However, the entire Clippers team, from the coach to the players, have already issued statements refusing to work for Stark. I heard that the Clippers’ head coach has already written his resignation letter. The fans are also disgusted by such racist behavior. They will boycott the Clippers.”

Blake then explained, “If this continues, no one will watch games that feature the Clippers. No one will buy their jerseys and souvenirs and the advertising sponsors will leave. The market value of the Clippers will fall and the value of Stark will also shrink. Instead of losing money, it is better to sell the team quickly. Anyway, Los Angeles is a big basketball market. Even if they were a bad team, it would still be possible to sell them at a good price.”

“How much do you think the Clippers can be sold for?” Dai Li asked casually.

“Definitely more than $1 billion,” Blake replied.

“So expensive?” Dai Li was shocked. “The Clippers’ record is not that good. It’s basically the bottom of the barrel on the West Coast. Can it be sold at such a high price?”

“This is after I’ve deduced the amount. This is Los Angeles! The NBA market has been quite good in recent years. It is a Los Angeles team. It will definitely appreciate after someone buys it. I guess the price of the specific transaction will definitely be far higher than $1 billion!” Blake continued, “Stark bought the Clippers in the 1980s for only $10 million, and now he can sell it for at least 1 billion. A one hundred percent growth over thirty years. That doesn’t include his income for managing the team for thirty years. The sale will be a very profitable transaction for Stark.”

…

NBA Headquarters, New York.

The President of the NBA, Adams, was listening to his assistant’s report.

“Stark has relaxed his position. He said that he will be willing to sell the Los Angeles Clippers if the price is right,” the assistant said.

Adams nodded. “I knew it. Stark, the old fox. He said that he wouldn’t sell the team, but he just wants to sell it for the right price. It seems the one billion dollar price we leaked is unable to impress this old guy.”

“Yes, he is more greedy than we thought. Before, we released information that a buyer was willing to spend one billion to buy the Clippers. He was completely unmoved and told the media that he would not sell the team. Now someone has offered a bid of more than 1.5 billion dollars, he said he would be willing to let it go. The nature of the bargaining businessman has revealed itself,” the assistant said.

“1.5 billion dollars is definitely not a price Stark would accept. He will want more. This old fox spent ten million dollars to buy the team. Now he wants to sell it for 1.5 billion!” Adams’s tone change and continued to say, “If the team sells at a high price, it will also be good for us. If the team gets more and more valuable, the owner of the team will be more willing to invest money into it. The NBA will develop faster. The value of the NBA will also increase.”

“What you said is true,” said the assistant as he handed a document to Adams. He then continued to say, “Mr. President, so far we have received dozens of requests to acquire the Clippers. These four are the ones that offered to bid more than 1.5 billion. I have already sorted out their background information. Please look them over.”

Adams opened the folder and looked at it carefully.

“The Seattle Consortium. They have a background in Silicon Valley technology. They make up some of the shareholders at Microsoft and Intel. It seems that these industry giants also want to delve into sports.

“Bay Area Entertainment Group. They are currently the highest bidders, but how many of their major shareholders are from the Las Vegas Lottery Company? This won’t do. We have signed a three-year strategic cooperation agreement with the Las Vegas Lottery Company. Gambling on NBA games has been legalized. If they were allowed to control a certain team, it would be equivalent to letting them control the chains of the entire industry. Even we in the upper management at the NBA will be controlled by the Lottery Company,” Adams said as he shook his head. “So no matter how much they pay, we can’t sell it to them.

“Shenzhen Investment Group is the second highest bid. The boss behind the company is the richest man in India. He is called the ‘Rockefeller of India.’ This guy is worth nearly 50 billion U.S. dollars. If the Clippers were sold to him, the NBA would be welcoming the wealthiest NBA owner ever. That is also a good thing.

“Dingtian Sports is Chinese-funded. Their main shareholder is the Chinese real estate giant the Dingtian Group. Although their bids are not high, they have a huge market behind them. It is a market that we at the NBA hope to expand into. There hasn’t been an NBA player who is from China for a while now.”

When Adams thought about the massive market of over one billion people, he had already made his decision.

…

The Dingtian Group’s central conference room was where the shareholders’ meeting was being held. Everyone there was a major shareholder.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss whether or not to acquire the Los Angeles Lakers. This kind of investment of more than one billion U.S. dollars was a significant investment decision for Dingtian Group. The investment amount was higher than prime properties in first-tier cities in China. The transaction would also be in U.S. dollars. Xiao Dingtian could not make such a decision by himself. It was natural to conduct a meeting with the board of directors.

“I think this investment is feasible. The domestic real estate market is unlikely to rise forever and the cost of land acquisition is getting higher and higher. It is imperative to diversify our investment. The NBA only has thirty teams. Anyone of the NBA teams would be a good asset that is suitable for the group to invest in. So I agree with this investment proposal,” said a white-haired shareholder.

“I also agree with this investment proposal. Compared with other investment proposals, buying an NBA team is definitely a relatively low-risk investment.” Another person paused and said, “I am just worried about something. Will this take up much of the group’s funds? And this investment is in U.S. dollars. Can we raise that much?”

Xiao Dingtian focused his gaze on his assistant, Zhicheng Huang, who was beside him. Zhicheng Huang immediately started to report, “Shareholders, as far as the capital is concerned, I need to inform you that we have received a clear reply from the foreign exchange bureau. They will not approve such a large amount of foreign exchange. A large amount for the acquisition of the Los Angeles Clippers will require us to raise our own funds.”

Xiao Dingtian added a timely cough, and then Zhicheng Huang said, “In the past few years, we have made some investments overseas. There are stocks in big companies, there are U.S. dollar bonds, and there are real estates. These investments have made some gains. If we were to buy the Los Angeles Lakers, we would need to sell a large portion of our overseas investment.”

“We need to sell our overseas assets?!”

“The overseas assets have been accumulated with great difficulty in the past few years. It would be a pity to sell them.”

The shareholders began to whisper and it was clear that everyone was reluctant to give up these overseas assets.

Xiao Dingtian seems to have anticipated something like this, so he said, “Of course, there is another way. We could use these overseas investments as collateral, borrow from foreign banks, and then use that money to buy the Los Angeles Lakers. However, it is more difficult to get loans abroad than in China.”

“In our own country, with the name “Dingtian Group,” we can borrow tens of billions from the banks. Even if we delay the repayment time sometimes, we could discuss it with the bank. The bank knows that once we take the money, bought the land, and build the buildings, we will be able to make it back very quickly. It would be very easy to repay the loan. In foreign countries, our name does not carry as much weight.”

“Chairman Xiao, what do you mean?” asked the white-haired shareholder.

“I mean, after we buy the Los Angeles Clippers, we need to make a profit as soon as possible. As long as the Clippers can make a profit, it will demonstrate to the bank that we have the ability to repay the loan, so the pressure to repay the loan will be lessened,” Xiao Dingtian said.

“What the chairman said makes sense, but I don’t know much about the management of a basketball team. To be honest, I don’t even watch basketball very often,” a shareholder said with a smile.

“I think it’s easy to make a profit. Let the team sign a Chinese player. There hasn’t been a Chinese player in the NBA for a long time. When we buy the Clippers, we immediately sign a player from the CBA, even if he is just a substitute. It would attract a Chinese audience. It won’t be a problem to make a profit then,” another person said.

“The crux of the matter is whether or not our domestic CBA players are good enough for the NBA. As far as I know, the substitutes in the NBA are better than our CBA players,” another shareholder said.

“Then just sign someone to be a mascot,” said the man before.

“You can’t just sign any random person. If this player isn’t popular in China, even if he were signed to the NBA as a substitute, it wouldn’t attract much attention from the domestic fans. If you want to sign someone, you need to sign someone from the CBA who is well-known. We would need a player who is key to the CBA. Now that the CBA games are in progress, the CBA teams will definitely not let them go easily. It wouldn’t be easy even if we were trying to find a ‘mascot.’”

Xiao Dingtian coughed again, indicating that everyone should be quiet. Then he said, “Everyone, I have an idea. Since it is not easy to find a suitable Chinese player at this time, then we can find a Chinese coach. The NBA has had Chinese players in the past, but there has never been a Chinese coach. More attention will be paid to a head coach than a substitute player.”

Everyone concentrated on Xiao Dingtian.

Xiao Dingtian then said, “The head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers is a black man. He submitted his resignation after Stark’s racist speech a few days ago. He declared that he would not work for Stark. His behavior attracted the positive attention of African American groups. Some called him a defender of equal rights. After our investigation, we found that the reason for his resignation was that he found a better job. He will be the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

“A month ago, the Bucks fired their own head coach because of their team’s poor performance. They have been looking for a new coach. The Clippers boss, Stark, is stingy. The salary he gives his coaches are very low, so the Clippers’ coach had wanted to change jobs. The racist incident by Stark gave the Clippers’ coach the excuse to change jobs. He just resigned and signed a two-year contract with the Bucks.

“The current Los Angeles Clippers have no head coach, and the coaching for the team is temporarily being done by the former assistant coach. So we can find a Chinese coach to be the new head coach of the Clippers.”

After Xiao Dingtian finished, the shareholders began whispering amongst themselves again.

“Can we find the right coach in China?”

“We can’t even find a strong enough player for the NBA. How can we find a coach who can coach an NBA team?”

“Our own men’s national team hires foreign coaches, right? If the domestic coaches have the ability to coach an NBA team, why would our men’s team spend so much money hiring foreign head coaches?”

“Don’t forget Dai Li won the Best Coach Award.”

“I remember. He could become the coach of a U.S. team! I think Dai Li and Chairman Xiao’s daughter are in some sort of relationship, right?”

“Yeah, it is said that he is Xiao Dingtian’s future son-in-law. Does Xiao Dingtian mean to let Dai Li be the head coach of the Clippers?”

“That should be the case. Keep it within the family!”

“But Dai Li is a track and field coach, right? Does he know basketball?”

“If Chairman Xiao dares to mention this, it means that Dai Li must know basketball. Besides, he became the head coach of the American track and field team, and he won an important international award. There’s no way he wouldn’t be multi-talented, right?”

“Xiao Dingtian will be suggesting Dai Li as the head coach soon, should we agree or disagree?”

“Nonsense. Xiao Dingtian is trying to use this as a chance to promote his future son-in-law. If you are against this, Xiao Dingtian will lose face. Moreover, Xiao Dingtian only has one daughter. The position of chairman of Dingtian Group will be handed over to his daughter in the future. We will be seeing her very often in the future. Why should we go against it? Why not just agree since it isn’t hard to do and save the Xiao family some face!”

Chapter 568 - No Past, No Present, No Future

Chapter 568: No Past, No Present, No Future

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li stood in the arrivals areal of the Los Angeles International Airport. He stared at the crowd coming out.

Finally, Xiao Yunan came into Dai Li’s line of sight.

Dai Li immediately went over, greeted her, and took the suitcase from her hands.

“You are always so busy, I didn’t expect you to take the time to come to the United States to see me,” Dai Li said with a smile.

“You think too highly of yourself! I am not here to see you. I came to the United States to work. I’m only seeing you because I’m in the area.” Listening to Xiao Yunnan’s voice made Dai Li’s heart itch.

Xiao Yunan then lowered her voice and said, “We at Dingtian Sports have bought the Los Angeles Clippers. The contract has been signed, but there are still some legal procedures that have not been completed, so it has not been publicly announced.”

“You bought the Clippers?” Dai Li was surprised. He said, “I have seen some news about the sale of the Clippers. There are a lot of rumors. One of them was that a Chinese company wanted to buy the Clippers. I thought it was just the media spreading fake news to create buzz. I didn’t expect that it was true or that the Chinese company was your company.”

“In recent years, many domestic enterprises have begun to venture overseas and purchase overseas assets on a large scale. We are keen on investing overseas, especially for overseas fixed assets. However, the cost of overseas fixed assets is relatively high. An NBA team is a much better asset. Managing a team generates income and the value of the team can appreciate. Even if we sell it, we will still make a profit,” Xiao Yunan said.

“As far as I know, the Clippers’ boss, Stark, does not have a low asking price. How much did you spend?” Dai Li asked.

“1.7 billion dollars,” Xiao Yunan replied.

“So much?” Dai Li was shocked.

Dai Li and Blake had had a conversation about this before. At the time, Blake believed that the Clippers could sell for more than one billion U.S. dollars. Dai Li felt that even if there were a premium, at most, it would sell for 1.1 or 1.2 billion. He did not expect the final transaction price to reach 1.7 billion. This was more than half of what Dai Li estimated.

“Actually, spending $1.7 billion to buy the Los Angeles Clippers is indeed a bit expensive. However, the NBA has developed well in recent years. If some talented Chinese players join in the next few years, it will open up the domestic market. Then, this investment will have a better return.” Xiao Yunan went on to say, “If nothing goes wrong, I may be stationed in Los Angeles for the near future, to manage the operation of the Clippers.”

“Really? That’s great. We finally don’t have to be in two separate places.” Dai Li immediately became excited and he couldn’t help but hold Xiao Yunan’s hand.

Xiao Yunan let out a long sigh, “The current Clippers are a mess. The team has no star players, they were ranked second last in the Western Conference, and more importantly, even the head coach has resigned.”

“I have seen some reports. Because of Stark’s racist remarks, the Clippers’ coach refused to work for Stark and has resigned from the Clippers,” Dai Li said.

“Did you know that the head coach had already gotten a job as the head coach at the Bucks?” Xiao Yunan smiled and then said, “He just used the racial discrimination as an excuse to resign. Stark is a stingy person. The salary he gave the head coach was only $3 million. His income ranks second lowest amongst the NBA’s head coaches’ salaries. The only one lower than him is the Memphis Grizzlies head coach’s salary of $2.8 million. He had wanted to leave the Clippers for a while. Now that he had the excuse of the racial discrimination, he didn’t have to pay liquidated damages when he resigned.”

Dai Li nodded silently, “A salary of $3 million in California is not as good as a $2.8 million salary in Tennessee. The tax rates in California are quite high, while Tennessee is one of the seven states that does not have state taxes. They have many tax reduction policies as well. If this is taken into consideration, the Grizzlies head coach had a higher salary.”

Several states in the United States did not collect state taxes, such as Texas and Nevada. Some did not have a value-added tax, such as Oregon. Some states had reductions in property taxes, petrol taxes, and so on.

For a coach who made millions of dollars a year or an NBA player with a salary of tens of millions of dollars, saving money on the state tax was equivalent to making a lot of money. Teams like the Rockets or the Spurs, who were based in Texas, had an advantage when offering salaries to players. Realistically, the player would be getting a higher salary.

However, in California, where the tax was relatively high, the difference between the player’s salary and the actual amount that the player got was relatively big. Just paying a few taxes was enough to make a huge difference. Fortunately, the teams in California were in a large market. Players could make up for the money lost to taxes through other commercial activities.

Xiao Yunan said, “The position of the Clippers’ head coach is being filled by an assistant coach for now, but this is not a long-term solution. So I came to the United States to solve the Clippers’ coach problem. Dad hopes that you will be the head coach of the Clippers.”

“Me?” Dai Li was caught off guard.

Dai Li wanted to tell Xiao Yunan that he was not a basketball coach. He did not have a very good understanding of basketball. He was not even as good as a professional player. He may not even be qualified to be the head coach of an NBA team. However, when he was about to say it out loud, he stopped himself from doing so.

I became famous through track and field, not basketball. I am not a professional basketball coach. Everyone knows this. Dingtian Group spent $1.7 billion to buy the Clippers. The head coach is a very important position. How can Xiao Yunan’s father hand this position to me, a coach who specializes in track and field? Track and field and basketball are very different sports. Being good at coaching track and field does not mean that I will be good at coaching basketball.

Xiao Dingtian is able to conduct businesses that involve billions of dollars. There’s no way that he wouldn’t have thought about something so obvious, right? Even if Xiao Dingtian doesn’t understand sports, there should be people around him that at least understand a little, right? This involves a billion-dollar team, there should be someone who told Xiao Dingtian about this. I don’t believe that this real estate giant doesn’t have a professional think tank team. It’s a 1.7 billion dollar investment, Xiao Dingtian would definitely not make such a careless decision.

There are a lot of excellent basketball coaches in the United States. Of the ones I know, there are four or five people who have been on NBA teams who are now just spending their time at home. The assistant coaches of strong teams are also not mediocre. For example, the assistant coaches of the Spurs and the Warriors are more than capable enough to be the head coach of other teams. It is not difficult to ask such people to go to the Clippers as the head coach.

According to the current market rate in the NBA, hiring an excellent coach with experience will only cost four or five million dollars. I could even afford that amount. The Dingtian Group is rich and they have already spent $1.7 billion in acquisition fees. They wouldn’t mind spending four or five million dollars to find a professional basketball coach, right?

Xiao Dingtian’s decision for me to be the head coach of the Clippers must be deliberate. I just proposed to Yunan a few days ago. Now Yunan’s father wants me to be the head coach of the Clippers. Is this a promotion? It can’t be so simple. In addition to it being a promotion, perhaps it is also a test. Dai Li was frowning while thinking all of this.

Xiao Dingtian is not testing my ability. I got the Laureus World Sports Award Coach of the Year. Naturally, my ability cannot be doubted. I believe no one in the world could question my ability. He is testing how I can contribute to Dingtian Group. Another way of putting it is that he wants to see if I am any use to Dingtian Group. I am a coach, so doing business is not my specialty. Coaching the Clippers may be the best way for me to contribute to Dingtian Group.

Or, Xiao Dingtian hopes that I can make a contribution to Dingtian Group. Xiao Dingtian only has Yunan as his daughter. She is the future heir of Dingtian Group, so I, the son-in-law, need to show that I can do well. At least to the point where outsiders won’t feel that I am just a pretty face, useless to Dingtian Group.

Dai Li could not help but think about the incident during the reign of Emperor Kangxi where he made the nine princes compete against each other. At that time, to test the princes, Emperor Kangxi sent the princes on errands. The princes, to make a good impression on Kangxi, all went out and did their best.

Dai Li sighed, I can’t refuse to be the Clippers’ head coach. I need to accept this job for Yunan. Being the son-in-law of a rich man is really not easy!

…

When he got home, Dai Li let Xiao Yunan rest first, to let her get used to the time difference. He sat in front of the computer and began to check for information on the Clippers.

Most of the information about NBA teams were public. It could easily be found on the internet. Dai Li was able to understand the situation of the Clippers through the use of the internet.

Presently, the Clippers had a record of 16 wins and 30 losses, ranking second to last in the Western Conference. This meant the Clippers would not make the playoffs.

The best option for a team that wasn’t making the playoffs was to get the worst results possible. They should get a very bad record. They could then get a highly ranked player in the next draft. They could get a player with potential as a draft pick. If they could get one of the top three ranking picks, those that were at the top of the list, that would naturally be a very good thing.

However, the Clippers’ first-round draft picks were not decided by the Clippers themselves.

Five years ago, in order to become the champions, the Clippers formed the so-called “three giants,” which brought together three star players. At that time, this “three giants” model was the best lineup for an NBA team.

So, in order to form the “three giants,” the Clippers used the first round of draft picks of the next few years as a bargaining chip. They exchanged two All-Star players from other teams to their teams. This behavior was equivalent to using the team’s future in exchange for the team’s present

However, luck was not on the side of the Clippers. The Clippers’ three giants had suffered injuries since the day they were formed. Amongst the three of them, there was always someone who was injured. Sometimes it was only one of them and sometimes two were injured at the same time. Once the ones who were injured recovered from their injury, another would immediately get injured again. In that season, of the 82 games, the Clippers three giants played less than 20 games together.

In the next season, one of the “giants” did not participate and, when he returned, his condition was worse than before.

At the same time, their ages had also started to show. When the “three giants” joined the Clippers, they were already over thirty years old. Their bodies were already on the decline. The process of aging spares no one. After two years, the data on the “three giants” showed an obvious decline. They no longer had the data of celebrity-level athletes.

The “three giants” also knew that it was impossible for three old guys who were on the decline to go all out and win the championship. So the three men chose to go their own way after the expiration of their contracts, and go to other teams to try and win the championship with them. Thus, the Clippers’ “three giants” dissolved. Not only did the Clippers not win the championship, but they also threw away their team’s future because they lost the chance of getting draft picks in the next few years.

The current Clippers had no reason to get a bad result intentionally. They had no draft picks. Even if they ranked at the bottom, they would just be helping others. They just helped the teams that received their rights to their draft picks.

The only benefit the fall of the “three giants” brought for the Clippers was freeing up the team’s cash flow. The salaries of the star players were relatively high. Once the high-income players left, the Clippers naturally had more money and the Clippers could offer a high salary to the star players on the other teams.

As Los Angeles had a large market for basketball, it was still very attractive to players. If the Clippers were willing to pay a high salary, the All-Star players who had no desire to win the championship, but just wanted to make more money, may still be attracted to the Clippers.

The Clippers could still offer rookies a high salary to get them to join the Clippers. As long as the other teams were reluctant to match the Clippers offer, then the Clippers would be able to get a newcomer with potential.

Whether it was directly offering a high salary to attract all-star players, or giving a high-priced offer to a rookie, they could immediately become stronger. The Clippers could recover quickly. Although they could not win the championship, they still had a chance to make the playoffs.

However, the Clippers chose another path: to rebuild themselves completely.

With no draft picks in hand, the Clippers couldn’t rely on intentionally getting bad results to get highly ranked rookies. The option of getting rookies and bringing in several star players could not be implemented immediately.

The Clippers had plenty of money to offer high salaries, but they chose to take over rubbish contracts to gain the right to draft picks.

There would always be garbage contracts in the NBA. For example, if a team signed on a player for a certain price, the performance of the player might not meet expectations. Obviously, the high salary and bad performance made it a garbage contract. Every year, there were always players who earned much more than they actually deserved.

Teams would, of course, want to get rid of these garbage contracts. However, other teams were not fools. They would not take on those contracts if there were no benefits. So, if the team wanted to get rid of these garbage contracts, they would have to offer more. They might also give an extra player who performed well, a rookie with potential, or the rights to a future draft pick. With such benefits, there would be teams who would pick up such contracts.

The Clippers became a team that picked up such contracts. They took over the garbage contracts of other teams and gained players who performed well and the rights to draft picks. The downside of this was that the cost of the garbage contracts also locked up the Clippers’ cash flow. Before the garbage contracts ended, the Clippers did not have the extra money to attract star players.

Looking at the Clippers’ information, Dai Li felt depressed.

The Clippers have taken on the garbage contracts, so they don’t have the extra money to recruit new people. The Clippers can only rely on the existing lineup to continue onwards. With the current condition of the Clippers, it is impossible for them to perform well.

The Clippers’ rights to draft picks have been traded. Intentionally getting a bad result to secure future draft picks is useless. They have no highly ranked draft picks. This team has no future.

As for the past, the Clippers’ best result was getting to the second round of the Western Conference. They haven’t even gotten to the final of their conference.

It seems that the team I will be taking over is a team with no past, no present, and no future! This is another insanely difficult challenge!

Chapter 569 - The Head Coach of a Garbage Team

Chapter 569: The Head Coach of a Garbage Team

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li continued looking at the player information for the Clippers.

At the moment, the highest paid player on the Clippers team was a player named Wood. He was a point guard and was currently recovering from an injury.

Wood entered the NBA as a first-round draft pick. He started his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls and he played very well. In his rookie season, he displayed great leadership qualities. In the second year of his career, he had already made it as a substitute onto the all-star lineup. He received the NBA MVP award at the age of 22 and became the youngest MVP in NBA history. This helped him get onto the All-NBA team for a while.

With performances as amazing as that, after Wood’s rookie contract ended, he received a five-year contract worth 153 million dollars, a super contract that exceeded the NBA salary cap. The NBA changed their contract signing rules because of this.

However, an injury destroyed this superstar. One injury tore his cruciate ligament and, after he recovered, the cruciate ligament of his left knee also tore. After that, it was the meniscus of his right knee that was torn. The once youngest MVP had become a man made of glass.

Wood’s form was destroyed by his injuries over time. He lost speed, explosiveness, as well as his competitive strength. The skill he relied upon to survive, his amazing breakthrough, also disappeared. The original Wood could have easily broken through the defense for a layup with defenders latched onto him. The current Wood, however, could not even defend one-on-one, his opponent would easily pass him.

Without a doubt, Wood had fallen and the 153 million-dollar five-year contract he signed a while ago had become one of the most garbage contracts in the NBA.

The Chicago Bulls wanted to ditch that awful contract. After some effort, the Clippers received that rubbish contract. At the same time, they also got themselves a young player with decent potential, a first-round draft pick, another second-round draft pick, and some cash from the Chicago Bulls.

After Wood arrived at the Clippers, before the first game of the season, he injured himself training. The current Wood was still rehabilitating and, based on the information given by the Clippers, Wood’s injury would only heal by the summer at the quickest. That meant that he was practically unusable for the rest of the season.

Wood’s contract, if one counted the current year, still had two years left. Every year, his salary exceeded 30 million dollars. That meant that if the Clippers did not quickly get rid of Wood, they would have to wait another season before they could finally be rid of Wood’s garbage contract.

Wood takes up around 30 million dollars worth of salary space in the team. That is blocking the Clippers’ future signing capability. Dai Li shook his head in resignation.

Under that situation, the Clippers did not have a lot of salary space to offer a high salary to other players. That, on top of the team playing so badly, discouraged basketball stars from joining. Their prospects looked really dim indeed.

Dai Li then took a look at the results of the Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Bulls were currently placed in fifth in the Eastern Conference table. They led the eighth-placed team in the Eastern Conference by at least 10 games. Getting to the playoffs was not a problem for them. That meant that the draft picks that the Clippers received from them would be after the 20th pick. If they got a player worthy of being in the starting line-up, they should start thanking God for the fortune bestowed upon them.

The player with potential who transferred over with Wood was called Ronny. He was 2.03 meters tall forward. He was the 23rd pick in the first round of the draft back in the day, and it was the last year of his rookie contract.

Ronny was one of those well-suited three-dimensional players. When he was with the Bulls, he was an important player for the team. As the Bulls’ top substitute, his average contribution per game was 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. His shooting success rate was 42% and his three-pointers also had a high success rate of 36%. For a player in his rookie contract, he had a lot of potential.

The Clippers also fancied Ronny’s potential, which was why they were alright with taking over Wood’s rubbish contract. After joining the Clippers, Ronny became the team’s starting small forward. His playing time and shots increased and his average points per game increased to 18.8 points. He became a key player on the current Clippers team.

However, Ronny was not the top scorer on the Clippers. The leading scorer of the Clippers was a 32-year-old veteran player called Naismith. As a guard, Naismith contributed 22.6 points per game and 5.3 assists per game. Those stats were quite decent. However, it was not enough to help the team achieve victory.

Naismith was once the sixth best man in the NBA. He was great at individual play, but his defense was weak. More importantly, Naismith was not consistent. If he was in the mood, he could compete against the superstars of the NBA, but if his form dipped a little, he might not hit any of his shots.

“Wildcard” players like him served as additional forces to the team in terms of firepower, but they were destined to never become the core of a team.

The original center and power forward of the team were all injured. So the Clippers could only send out peripheral players and “drinking fountain” players to partner up inside. One of them was a rookie drafted in the second round and another was not a drafted player. These players did not have secure spots on the team. As the Clippers were short of players, however, they got the chance to start in games.

Dai Li then looked at the injury situation for the Clippers. His face suddenly became distorted.

15 players. Five people are currently injured, and two more are on the list of players under daily observation. Doesn’t that make it so that there are only eight perfectly healthy players? Among these eight, three of them are “drinking fountain” players who never would have made the team under normal circumstances. With that many injuries, if I were to take up the job offer from the Clippers, the first thing I would do is to fire the team doctor!

Later, Dai Li started reviewing the upcoming fixture of the Clippers.

At the moment, the Clippers had played a total of 46 games, and their result was 16 wins and 30 losses. There were 36 games to go. Dai Li took out a pen and paper and started categorizing the remaining fixtures of the Clippers.

The first category was the top two teams of both the Eastern and Western Conference. These were teams that would go into the playoffs without any problem. They won most of their games and would certainly maintain their home game advantage in the playoffs. Teams that were able to stay in the top two of the Eastern or Western Conference were teams that were likely to be crowned champions. These teams were immensely strong. There was no way the Clippers could beat them.

The second category included teams ranked in third to sixth in both conferences. These teams were likely to make it to the playoffs, but it wasn’t guaranteed they’d obtain the home team advantage. So, in the remaining 36 games, they would definitely fight to win the right to have the home advantage in the playoffs. They would not give up easily. If the Clippers were to face them, it would certainly be a tough battle.

The third category was the teams ranked from the seventh to the 12th in both conferences. They were the peripheral teams for the playoffs. They would make it to the playoffs if they won a few more games, and not make it to the playoff if they lost a little bit more. For these teams, the closer it was to the playoffs, the harder they would fight. The Clippers were regarded as a weak team that these teams would definitely have to beat, so the Clippers would definitely have a tough time.

The fourth category included teams that were tanking. When the NBA season reached this stage, a lot of teams would begin tanking so that they would get a better pick in the draft. These teams did not even want to win, so when the Clippers faced them, they could get the victory.

To mid-to-low level teams, the latter stage of the NBA season was a lot tougher than the earlier stage. For one, after half a season of games, all the teams were completely synthesized, some of the capable teams started to show their strength. Secondly, to make the playoff, or to obtain a home advantage in the playoff, teams treat games more seriously. They will not lose to weaker teams as easily. So I must accept that the 30 games remaining will be very tough. This is a nightmare!

Dai Li massaged his temple and looked very distressed.

…

Journalists soon found out that the Clippers had a new owner and it didn’t take long for it to make headlines.

Following this, the NBA also officially announced that the Dingtian Sports Group acquired the L.A. Clippers.

For the entire NBA, it was like a stabilization injection. The previous negative effect of racism was quickly turned around.

The NBA had been enticed by the Chinese market for a long time. With Dingtian Sports acquiring the Clippers, the development of the Chinese market could go more smoothly.

The owners of the other 29 teams looked favorably upon the acquisition made by the Dingtian Sports Group. They were all beneficiaries of the expansion of the NBA.

The NBA players were the same. Some NBA players had already received brands sponsorships from Chinese sports brand and felt the pleasantries beforehand. The other players naturally hoped to receive some of the benefits of the Chinese market.

The happiest of them all was, without a doubt, the players on the Clippers. They were not superstars, so they would never have the chance to receive lucrative advertising endorsement deals normally. The few “drinking fountain” players on the Clippers even started planning. If they failed to find a team in the NBA next season, they could join the CBA to make a living.

…

The assistant coach of the Clippers, Cassel, parked his car in the underground carpark. He then walked to the elevator with his chest puffed up and head held high.

Due to the resignation of the previous coach, Cassel was the interim head coach of the team. With the acquisition from the Dingtian Group complete, Cassel felt as if his opportunity had come.

“Hold on!” Before the elevator door closed, a person rushed inside. Cassel pressed on the open button of the elevator to open the elevator door. The person who rushed in was the team doctor.

The team doctor entered the elevator and showed the smile of a sweet talker. He then said, “Coach Cassel, congratulations.”

“Congratulations? Why?” Cassel asked. His tone indicated that he already knew the answer to the question.

“The team just welcomed our new owner. I’m guessing Coach Cassel will be promoted and become the new official head coach of the team.” The team doctor paused and continued, “Half the season is already over and the result of the team is far than satisfying. There are at least 30 games left. In my opinion, at least for the remainder of this season, it is impossible for our new owner to hire a new head coach. Naturally, you will be promoted. So I must congratulate you!”

“I hope you’re right!” Cassel stated. However, his tone of voice implied a sense of confidence.

In Cassel’s opinion, the analysis of the team doctor was spot on. The Clippers were terrible and the situation of the season was already set in stone. The new owner would not have to spend an extra sum to hire a new coach.

If he were to become the head coach of the Clippers, even if it were only the second half of the season, Cassel’s resume would be considerably more impressive. He might even be able to solidify the position of head coach.

The elevator stopped. Cassel and the team doctor got out of the elevator. However, the people around him shot him a different kind of glance.

The glance made Cassel feel uneasy. He had a feeling that something was going to happen.

When Cassel entered the coach’s locker room, three trainers were whispering in low voices. When they saw Cassel, their faces suddenly changed colors. A person even hid something behind him.

“What are you looking at?” Cassel asked.

“Nothing…” The person who answered smiled awkwardly before saying, “Mr. Cassel, the weather sure is nice today!”

Cassel knew that this guy was intentionally trying to change the subject. He sensitively noticed that the thing that they were discussing, the thing that was hidden behind them, was related to him.

Cassel suddenly felt angry, he was going to become the head coach of the team. He was the most powerful person on the team, so how could he tolerate such behavior?

Cassel grunted coldly at them and walked towards them with a straight face. He pushed the guy who hid something to the side.

On the bench behind the person was a newspaper.

“It’s just a newspaper, what’s there to hide!” Cassel picked up the newspaper, a little confused. He then saw the headline.

“New Owner of Clippers: We’re going to hire the Laureus World’s Coach of the Year, Dai Li, to be the head coach of the Clippers.”

“Laureus World’s Coach of the Year? That Chinese man named Li? Isn’t he a track and field coach? Does he even know basketball?” Cassel couldn’t help but start yelling.

Chapter 570 - Some Are Happy, Some Despair

Chapter 570: Some Are Happy, Some Despair

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

There are only 30 teams in the NBA and anyone could become the head coach of an NBA team. Although one could not regard every head coach of NBA teams as tactical masters, one thing was for certain. Every NBA head coach had an exceptional understanding of basketball.

Nowadays in the NBA, a lot of the head coaches of teams used to be professionals, even superstar players, when they were young. They started off as an assistant coach after their retirement and gradually became the head coach of a team. They were basketball players for decades and personally witnessed the development of the NBA. They were unbelievably familiar with the NBA and their tactical thinking was the most suitable for the NBA.

The NBA was significantly different from international basketball leagues. The rules, the tactical systems, and the skills of the players were all differences. That is the reason why there has never been a non-American head coach before. Even if there were coaches with dual nationalities, they would have grown up in the U.S. and been immersed in American basketball culture. One could say that coaches who had never experienced the American basketball would never stand on their own in the NBA.

Dai Li did not really understand American basketball culture. He did not even have experience working as a basketball coach. So when news of him becoming the new head coach of the Clippers came out, all sports commentators voiced their doubts. Clearly, no one looked favorably on a person without any basketball coaching experience, even if he was Laureus World’s Coach of the Year.

…

L.A. Lakers

“Has the new boss of the Clippers gone mad? Hiring a track and field coach as the head coach! What a joke!” The person speaking was a middle-aged man around 40 years old. He was the head coach of the L.A. Lakers.

As teams in the same city, although the Lakers and Clippers could not be regarded as fierce rivals, there was tension between the two teams. The Lakers’ market was big and they were one of the NBA’s traditional powerhouses. The emergence of the Clippers did reduce the size of the Lakers’ market. To think that the Lakers would not follow news about the situation of the Clippers was unrealistic.

“This Dai Li is Laureus World’s Coach of the Year, perhaps he really has what it takes,” a person beside him said. He was the manager of the Lakers.

“So what if he was named Coach of the Year! It’s not that easy to be a head coach of an NBA team. I would say that the assistant coaches of any NBA team would be better than him,” The head coach of the Lakers grunted.

“In truth, our intelligence unit investigated Dai Li. He is the fiancee of the new boss of the Clippers,” the manager of Lakers said.

“No wonder. Looks like this new owner of the Clippers isn’t looking for results, he just wants to control the team. That’s why he appointed his own people in key positions. However, as terrible as the Clippers are right now, they have no chance of getting better.” The head coach of Lakers shook his head in disdain. He then said, “I remember not long ago there was gossip that he had been with Helen Pepe? Hard to believe he has a fiancee now. Dating two girls at once, what a player.”

Hearing that, the calculative manager of Lakers smiled.

…

Boston Celtics.

“I really want to give the new owner of the Clippers a hug and a kiss right now. He is a nepotic crony, hiring an outsider as the head coach. What a way to help us out. We should really give him a toast and celebrate!” The general manager of the Celtics looked as if he were on top of the world.

“We’re in the East while the Clippers are in the West. We don’t have any conflict of interest with the Clippers, so them playing badly doesn’t really affect us. I don’t understand. What’s the benefit ?” Someone in the meeting room asked, confused.

“Did you forget we have a draft pick from the Clippers?” The manager of the Celtics laughed as he talked. He then said, “Back then, because the Clippers wanted to have their three giants, they gave us their first draft pick, which is also the draft pick this summer. The worse their result, the higher the value of this draft pick.

“The Clippers are bad enough this year and now they got themselves an outsider to be their head coach. They will only get worse. If they sat at the bottom of the table in the Western Conference, there will be a good chance for us to get the draft pick for the three best positions! However, for the tanking teams out there, they might have to stay depressed longer cause they’re faced with a team far weaker than them.”

…

The Phoenix Suns was a depressed team.

The Phoenix Suns were currently the last placed team in the Western Conference table. They didn’t want to win. The objective of the Phoenix Suns was to tank and place last in the table so that they would earn the first draft pick. Then they could get a rookie with the potential to become a superstar.

The management of the Phoenix Suns was currently discussing Dai Li.

“Hiring an outsider to become their head coach. The Clippers clearly don’t want to win. If the Clippers get a result worse than us this season, we’ll be in trouble.”

“The key is that there is no reason for the Clippers to tank. Their draft pick belongs to the Celtics, so it would only benefit the Celtics.”

“Looks like we have to pay attention to the Clippers in the remaining 30 games. If they lose, we must also lose. If not, our last place in the Western Conference will no longer be guaranteed.”

“I really just want to find several capable assistant coaches and send them over to the Clippers. At least they would win a few more games.”

“I actually have an idea. We can question Dai Li’s coaching qualifications. We can make an appeal to the league and say that Dai Li doesn’t have the capability to coach an NBA team. It will only lower the standard of the NBA and that it is not beneficial to the development of the NBA.”

“Great idea, but if it’s just us isn’t our argument a little weak?”

“We can look for help from other teams because we aren’t the only ones trying to tank this season. The other tanking teams would also benefit, so we can create an alliance.”

…

New York. The headquarters of the NBA.

“Mr. President, we’ve received a joint appeal from the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and the New York Nets. They believe that the new head coach of the Clippers, Dai Li, does not possess the necessary qualifications to coach a team in the NBA. Letting him coach the L.A. Clippers would greatly diminish the strength of the Clippers, lowering the overall competitiveness of the league, which is not beneficial to the development of the league,” his deputy reported.

“The Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and the New York Nets; none of them have been great this season. Aren’t these the teams all tanking?” The President of the NBA, Adams, smiled. He clearly understood why these teams had formed an alliance. It was simply because they were worried that the Clippers would suck too much, taking away their first draft pick.

Later, Adams lifted his head and asked his deputy, “What’s your opinion?”

“The reason these teams are making this appeal is that they are worried that the Clippers will play terribly and up their drafting plans.” The deputy paused briefly before continuing, “I believe they are telling the truth. I think that Dai Li really does not have the ability to coach an NBA team. Even the famous coaches in Europe are unable to adapt to the speed and pace of NBA games. A coach without any NBA coaching experience will never be able to coach an NBA team. I think that it is possible he will make a mess of the entire Clippers team.”

“Yeah, I’ve also thought of the things you said. Dai Li has no experience in basketball, so letting him become an NBA head coach is simply a trifling matter. If he was smart enough, he would not attempt to take control of the team but leave all the important responsibilities of being head coach to his assistant coach, Cassel. He should take it easy and become a puppet head coach.”

Adams shook his head and said, “But he won’t do that. There is no way a person capable of being recognized by the world and crowned as the Coach of the Year would be willing to just be a puppet! A person like that is sure to have a strong personality. It’s impossible for someone like him to ignore the team.”

“Mr. President, what should we do? Should we talk to the new owner of the Clippers and ask him to withdraw the head coach position from Dai Li?” The deputy asked.

“Don’t be hasty. We’ll just observe for now. The NBA is a commercial league, so it is natural for us to follow commercial rules. In principle, we cannot interfere with the decision of the owner in recruitment. The boss can hire whoever he wants and give them whatever position he desires. Besides, Dai Li is the future son-in-law of the new boss of the Clippers and it is normal for a boss to put someone he trusts in a key position of the team. The other teams also do that.”

Adams spread out his hands and said, “Of course, we can’t completely let them do whatever they want. If Dai Li turns the Clippers into a worse team, the reputation of the entire league will be affected. I want to wait and observe for a few games before making a decision.”

…

News concerning a few tanking teams making an appeal to the NBA was leaked and reported by the media.

“What the heck is this? I haven’t even taken my post and my position as head coach is already in danger. Someone is already talking about taking me off. I might just be the unluckiest head coach in the entire history of the NBA!” Dai Li sighed in resignation.

“That’s even more reason for you to not let them look down on you!” Xiao Yunan said. As she talked, she put a document in Dai Li’s hand. “This is a new contract for your assistant coach, Cassel.”

Dai Li took the file and he reviewed it carefully. He said, “It should be a lot easier with this new contract to recapture Cassel’s service. After all, no one ever had any problem with making more money.”

“You really want to put Cassel to good use? He might be angry with you, thinking that you’ve stolen the position of head coach from him,” Xiao Yunan said.

“Using Cassel is something I don’t have much of a choice in. There are only around 30 games left so the team cannot afford to change strategies. The chemistry between players also needs to be taken into account. We can only use the tactical system of the previous coach and Cassel is the person who is most familiar with that tactical system. That is why I need him,” Dai Li lowered his head and thought for a moment. He then said, “I have a small goal. I want to win half of the games we have left.”

“That means a 50% win rate? That might be a bit difficult. Can you do it?” Xiao Yunan sat beside Dai Li and rested her head on his body before saying, “The previous result was 16 wins and 30 losses. That’s not even 35%. The team doesn’t have any new players, how can they get a 50% win rate?”

“Other people can’t do it, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t!” Dai Li lowered his head and kissed Xiao Yunan’s forehead. He then said, “Don’t forget, I am the best coach! I will surprise everyone!”

Chapter 571 - Dai Li’s First NBA Game

Chapter 571: Dai Li’s First NBA Game

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Los Angeles Clippers.

Assistant Coach Cassel glared at the head coach’s office. He whispered to himself, “Nepotism got you this position. If you weren’t dating the boss’s daughter, there is no way you would have become the head coach. That room should be mine.”

Cassel cursed in his head. He calmed himself down and knocked on the door of the office.

Dai Li was inside. This was his first day as the head coach of the Clippers. When he saw Cassel, he smiled. “Coach Cassel, do you want something to drink? I have coffee and tea here. There’s also some whiskey.”

“Coffee is fine, thank you.” Cassel was very cautious.

Dai Li poured a cup of coffee for Cassel. As he was pouring, he said, “Coach Cassel, from now on we are colleagues. I hope we can cooperate and work well together.”

“Of course. It is my pleasure to cooperate with the Coach of the Year.” Cassel gave him a compliment. He did not express his dissatisfaction to Dai Li’s face.

Dai Li handed a folder to Cassel and said, “Look at this.”

Cassel opened the folder and saw that a new contract was inside.

“This is…” Cassel looked at Dai Li doubtfully.

“Look at the numbers on the back first,” Dai Li said.

Cassel turned to the back and saw the number at the top. It was 50% more than his current salary.

“Coach Li. What is this for?” Cassel asked, puzzled.

“What do you think? Aren’t you satisfied with this new contract?” Dai Li asked.

“New contract? Is this contract for me?” Cassel couldn’t help but be excited by a 50% bump in his salary.

“Normally, a team’s manager should sign an assistant coach. This is a little bit outside my jurisdiction, but I’ve gotten the okay from the team’s management. After all, my relationship with the boss is no secret. Coach Cassel, you are a smart person. You should be able to understand my intentions,” Dai Li said.

Obviously, Cassel understood Dai Li’s intention. Dai Li, the head coach, had given him a bump in his salary to show Cassel who his “boss” was.

Dai Li said, “Coach Cassel, I recognize your ability and I think that you are an indispensable member of the team. I suggested management give you this raise. I hope that you can continue to perform well for this team. Believe me, this is just the beginning. You will get more in the future.”

Dai Li was subtle, but Cassel fully understood him. Dai Li was, without a doubt, saying that, if Cassel was loyal to him, Cassel would make a lot of money.

Cassel looked at the contract in his hands and thought about the salary. Cassel’s dissatisfaction with Dai Li disappeared.

Cassel really wanted to be the head coach, but he also wanted to make money. Compared with the position of the head coach, making money was more practical.

Dai Li is the future son-in-law of the new boss. He is also the boss of the team. I can’t compete with him for this position. It is better to earn money while he is willing to recruit me. Right now, they need an assistant coach who is familiar with the team. If I stand out, I might be able to sign a multi-year contract with the team. That way I won’t struggle to put food on the table for the next few years.

The more Cassel weighed the pros and cons, the more he saw that accepting Coach Li’s kindness was his best option.

…

Several other coaches and staff members also got their salaries increased

Dai Li knew that, when a team got a new boss and head coach, the most important thing to maintain was morale. The easiest way to do this was to throw money at them. When faced with more money, complaints tended to disappear.

The offer of new contracts was a way to communicate to the team that no significant changes were going to be made. They would keep their jobs and could work for the new boss with peace of mind.

This generosity solidified Dai Li’s place on the Clippers. His next step was to exercise his duties as the head coach.

Dai Li did not intend to change the strategy of the Clippers. In fact, a coach like him wouldn’t have anything practical to contribute. Thus, the Clippers tactics would remain the same.

The Clippers’ strategy this season was to quickly switch between fast attacks and defense.

This season, many teams were using this style of play. There were not many teams that were using conventional tactics. Therefore, the Clippers seemed to be merely following the trend of the NBA.

The Clippers were weaker than the other teams. Their frontline was not up to par because they had no first-rate offensive players. On top of that, the team’s defense wasn’t very efficient. Most of their points came from players that were only occasionally good. They were not good enough to win using conventional tactics. They could only score by quickly switching between fast attacks and defense.

Dai Li would hand the responsibility of strategy over to Cassel. Dai Li observed from the sidelines. This was a learning process for him.

As for the team’s training, they each had their own professional coaches. The coaching staff of the team was relatively well-equipped. Some coaches were responsible for the offense. Some coaches were responsible for the defense. There were special coaches that handled shooting and rebounding. The head coach need not worry about them.

For example, if a player’s free throw accuracy got worse, the player would have to work on free throws. The shooting coach would be responsible for the player’s free throw training. The head coach only needed to arrange the training, instead of having to coach the player himself. Of course, if the head coach was very good at free throws, or had a particular preference for this player, it was possible for the head coach to step in.

Dai Li was obviously not skilled at basketball. He could not get involved in any of the tactical elements of the game. The only thing he could take charge of was the physical training.

Dai Li was considered to be the best in the United States when it came to physical training. No one could challenge that. Track and field coaches were inherently good at physical training. Dai Li had led the American track and field team to create miraculous results. Naturally, no one would question his ability in that field.

It was currently the middle of the season. The turbulent Clippers lost two games before Dai Li joined them and their record became 16 wins and 32 losses. According to the schedule, the Clippers had five days without a game followed by four away games.

Before Dai Li was familiar with the team, he had to board a plane and start this four-match journey

The first stop opponent on this journey was the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers had made it into the playoffs the last five seasons. Considering that the competition in the Western Conference was fierce, reaching the playoffs in five consecutive seasons was an impressive feat.

The Blazers’ current record was 34 wins and 15 losses. They had won close to 70% of their games and they were ranked third in the Western Conference. They were regarded as a strong team. It was almost impossible for the Clippers to beat them.

A betting company gave them odds that confirmed this. The Blazers had 14.5 points, and the odds were 1.75. With such odds, no one thought the Clippers could win the game.

…

In the visiting team’s locker room at the Moda Center, the Trail Blazers’ stadium, the Clippers players were talking and laughing. They seemed very easy-going.

Dai Li could feel that this was not confidence but a lack of focus. The players didn’t seem to be thinking about the upcoming game.

Their opponent was a strong team playing at home. Even the NBA’s reigning champion couldn’t hope to win without giving their attention to the game. The Clippers were inattentive, however, because they knew they were not good. They thought that their loss was inevitable so there was no need to put up any sort of resistance.

In fact, the Clippers record was terrible. They had just experienced a six-game losing streak. Coupled with the turmoil caused by the change in leadership, the players had forgotten what victory felt like. They were no longer eager to win.

For them, being weak is not scary and losing is not scary. The scary thing is that the players have lost their desire to win. Dai Li felt helpless.

In this case, I can only gamble. Whether we win or lose depends on God’s will. Dai Li shook his head and equipped “Evenly Matched.”

…

As the game had not yet begun, the two commentators were talking about the two teams.

“In the previous four games, the Clippers were led by the assistant coach Cassel. Under his leadership, the Clippers lost four games in a row. I heard that a new coach will lead the team in this game. I don’t know what he will bring to the Clippers,” said a commentator.

“I think we won’t be seeing much change in the Clippers. Their new coach has just taken over and he doesn’t have any basketball experience. He will definitely follow their old strategy and not make any adjustments. With their current lineup, there isn’t any room to adjust,” another said.

“The key to the Clippers’ current strategy is Ronny. He has improved a lot this season, but he still can’t carry the team. They would be doing even worse if it were not for Naismith’s occasionally outstanding performances.

“In this game, the Clippers face the Blazers. I am afraid they will have to swallow a bitter pill. The Blazers normally win at home and the Clippers aren’t a strong team, so they are unlikely to beat the Blazers.”

During this conversation, the player’s walked onto the court.

…

The Blazer’s head coach, Terry, came to Dai Li’s side. With a smile on his face, he gave Dai Li a hug. He looked sincere.

“Li, welcome to the NBA!” Terry said.

Dai Li did not feel welcome based on Terry’s tone. He looked at Terry’s smile and remembered the smile of the wolf that tricked Little Red Riding Hood.

Terry may be welcoming me, but I am afraid he is thinking of ways to destroy me!” Dai Li thought. Out loud, he said, “Terry, this is my first game in the NBA. I hope the Blazers can be merciful and don’t make me lose by too much.”

At least you know how to behave, Terry thought, the smile on his face getting bigger. “What are you talking about Coach Li? The Clippers have always been a strong team. We will need to go all out.”

The broadcast footage was on the two of them. The two did not show any arrogance, and they seemed cordial. This disappointed the reporters.

Terry returned to the Blazers’ bench and called the players to his side.

“In this game, your opponents are the five Clippers players on the court. My opponent is the head coach of the Clippers. He is a coach who has no basketball experience. He is a layman! I want a big win today! I hope that you crush your opponents!” A spark of color flashed in Terry’s eyes. “I am your head coach, and you are my players. I hope that you tell the world through your actions that I am far better than this layman!”

Chapter 572 - Won't Stop Even If Beaten to Death

Chapter 572: Won’t Stop Even If Beaten to Death

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The gameplay stopped and the player’s left the court for their first official break. The score was 10-9, with the Blazers in the lead.

Looking at the statistics, the Clippers did not appear to be playing well. They had only made three out of their nine shots. On top of that, they scored on only half of their free throws.

The Blazers didn’t play badly. While on defense, they limited the Clippers’ field goals to 33%. They caused a terrific turnover as well. Regarding their offense, the Blazers created many chances for unblocked shots with their strategy of cooperation.

The problem was that the Blazers’ ball-handling was just average. Their shots were always just slightly off.

Looking at this score, the Blazers’ coach, Terry, was dissatisfied. His goal was to dominate the Clippers completely. He wanted to the score to be 10-0, or even 20-0. However, the Blazers were only up by one point now, which didn’t make much of a difference.

Terry couldn’t blame his own players. The players were not playing badly. They carried out Terry’s strategy well. They played in typical Blazers style. The only thing Terry could be upset about was that they missed a basket before the quarter ended.

The game has only just started, the players haven’t gotten a handle on this game yet. Once they have gotten used to it, they will naturally score more. Once we get the momentum, we’ll sweep this game. Terry looked towards the Clippers’ bench.

He saw Dai Li giving a water bottle to one of his players with a smile on his face. It looked like Dai Li was going to stick to the same strategy. The players were either sitting in their chairs, drinking water, or wiping their sweat. They had no intention of listening to their coach.

Dai Li isn’t going to say anything to his athletes? He looks like he’s their waterboy. Come to think about it, this man wouldn’t have any advice to offer anyway. Terry grinned disdainfully.

The break was about to end so the players returned to the court. Both sides kept in their starting lineup.

The Blazers’ got a better handle on the game and scored a few consecutive goals. In the face of the Blazers’ attacks, the Clippers were powerless. On the defensive end, the Blazers forced the Clippers to make mistakes.

However, it remained a one-point game. The Clippers’ inconsistent player, Naismith, scored a three-pointer and the team made a free throw after one of their players was fouled. The free throw helped the Clippers stabilized the situation.

If it weren’t for Naismith, who is extremely inconsistent, we would be winning much more decisively, Terry thought as he looked at the scoreboard indignantly.

Terry knew that when an inconsistent player started doing well, there was no stopping them. When they went crazy they could get an unreasonably high number of points. Even when there were no openings for an attack, they would be able to find an opportunity to get points.

In the blink of an eye, the first quarter of the game entered its last three minutes. The referee used a dead ball to begin the second official break.

Terry was not satisfied with the performance of his five starting players because they had not achieved a big enough lead. They didn’t even have much of a lead at all. In the first nine minutes of the game their lead had never exceeded five points, and the vast majority of their leads were two or three points.

This was what Terry wanted. He wanted a big win, not only because the Clippers were a weak team, but also because the Clippers’ head coach was a layman. If he only defeated such an inexperienced coach by three or five points, it would be embarrassing for Terry.

The substitutes should play. Our substitutes have always been better than the Clippers’. The Clippers have suffered from large-scale injuries so, if both sides put in subs, we will be better off overall. It’s up to the substitute players to do what our starting players couldn’t.

He started to replace the lineup with substitutes. He was looking forward to the substitutes increasing their lead.

…

Terry changed another two players during a free throw and, finally, the starting lineup had been completely replaced.

The Clippers scored two free throws, making them only behind by four. Terry felt powerless.

After the substitutes put in, the team still couldn’t get too far ahead. Instead, the gap stayed around five points.

Anger gradually sprouted in Terry’s heart. Against such a weak team and a weak coach, the Blazers should have a much higher score.

Terry couldn’t help but look at the Clippers’ bench and see Dai Li looking very relaxed. He was talking and laughing with his assistant coach, Cassel.

Dai Li was indeed very relaxed. When he had equipped “Evenly Matched,” he lost control over the result of the match. Dai Li decided to simply enjoy the show. From time to time, he would listen to Cassel explain their strategy.

The Clippers’ assistant coach, Cassel, became more and more confused. From his perspective, the Clippers were not playing well. The Blazers were not playing badly either, but the scores had been close the whole game. He constantly looked at the latest technical statistics. He wanted to find some clues.

Finally, the first half of the game ended. Naismith scored a two-pointer at the buzzer. The Clippers only trailed the Blazers by three points. The score was 49-52.

The Blazers were a strong team in the Western Conference. It was excellent that the Clippers were only down by three.

For the Blazers, they kept the lead the first half, which was an acceptable result.

…

In the Blazers locker room, Terry looked at his players and roared in anger.

“What the hell are you doing? We’re playing the second worst team in the Western Conference. Are you guys sleepwalking out there?!”

The Blazers’ players faced each other. Some of them didn’t understand why the head coach was so angry.

“Coach, we have been playing very seriously and we never lost the lead. Overall, we have been suppressing the Clippers,” a player explained.

“So why are we only leading by three points?” Terry said with contempt. “There were several missed opportunities to score that even a middle schooler would know to take. We made too many rookie mistakes, like stepping on the line in the second quarter!”

Terry began to go into detail about the performance of the Blazers in the first half. He talked about every single thing he was unsatisfied with. He was like a stingy businessman, arguing over the smallest little details.

…

At the start of the second half, the Blazers were able to score 11 and the Clippers only scored two. This may have been because of Terry’s outburst during halftime.

“Coach, we should call a timeout,” Cassel said.

Under normal circumstances, when the opponent was on a roll, the head coach on the losing end immediately called a timeout. This was to adjust strategy, let players calm down, and interrupt the opponent’s momentum.

When the Clippers were being outscored by the Blazers 11-2, Cassel immediately suggested a timeout.

Dai Li looked at the timer and shook his head. “It’s almost time for the official break. We should just hold on a bit longer.”

From Dai Li’s point of view, calling a timeout wouldn’t make much of a difference. The two sides were currently under the influence of “Evenly Matched.” As long as the game was not over, they would be able to catch up.

Cassel, however, looked anxious. “Coach, I am afraid that they won’t last until the official break. The Blazers are on a roll. If we don’t call a timeout soon, they will lead by even more. ”

“They won’t. You can rest assured that our players will catch up.” Dai Li said with a smile.

…

“The Blazers played an impressive start to the half. Now they have a 12-point lead. The Clippers should be calling a timeout soon,” the commentator said. He then looked towards to the referee.

The referee subconsciously looked at the Clippers’ bench and looked at Dai Li, only to find that Dai Li had no plans to call a timeout.

The Clippers’ player looked at their bench and saw that Dai Li did not call a timeout, so they served the ball. The defense dribbled the ball halfway down the court and looked at Dai Li as if asking him to call a timeout.

The Blazers’ players across the court were thinking the same thing. They thought the Clippers would call a timeout, so they ran back to their own half of the court and waited for the referee to sound his whistle.

The Blazers’ coaching staff even picked up their boards and prepared for the timeout.

It wasn’t until the Clippers’ defense passed the ball to the other half of the court that they realized Dai Li would not be calling a timeout.

The Clippers’ players were somewhat frustrated with this. The Blazers were able to put up a 24-second defense on the Clippers’ attack. This affected the morale of the Clippers.

Why don’t the Clippers call a timeout? They have enough. Do they want to keep playing and try their chances? Terry thought, frowning.

It was the Blazers turn to make a play. They scored another three-pointer and widened the gap to 15 points.

A difference of 15 points. Surely you call a timeout now! Terry looked at Dai Li.

…

“Coach, let’s call a timeout! Now that the situation has worsened, if we wait until the official break, we might be behind by more than twenty points,” Cassel said anxiously.

“Hold your horses. It’s only the third quarter. The end is still far off.” Dai Li waved his hands. He still firmly believed that “Equally Matched” would narrow the difference between the two teams as soon as possible.

At this time, both the players and the referee turned their attention to Dai Li. They were waiting for Dai Li to call a timeout.

However, Dai Li was still indifferent.

As soon as the Clippers handed the ball to the team’s key player, Ronny, organized an offense.

Ronny and his teammates made a breakthrough and scored a two-pointer with a pull-up jumper. The lead narrowed to 13 points. This score was due to a hole in the Blazers’ defense. The defensive players were not able to get into their positions in time, giving the Clippers a shot from a middle-ranged distance.

The 14-2 run that the Blazers achieved had obviously made them more relaxed.

As the Blazers attacked, the players took advantage of their confidence. They dribbled to the three-point line and threw a three-pointer. The ball bounced out of the basket.

The Clippers grabbed the rebound and, before the Blazers had time to get into position, they changed from defense into offense. They made a three-point play. The difference between the two sides became 10 points.

The Blazers broke through the Clippers’ defense and immediately committed a foul. The ball was back in the hands of the Clippers. The Clippers attempted a three-pointer but missed, but the forward players attempted a rebound. The Blazers committed another foul and the Clippers gained two points of the free throws. The gap narrowed to eight points.

Neither side scored over the next two plays. On a third play, a lay-up by the Blazers was disrupted by the Clippers. The Clippers switched to offense and managed to get two more free throws and narrow the gap to six points.

The Blazers finally recovered and cast a two-pointer while stepping on the three-point line, returning their lead to eight. The Clippers immediately retaliated with a real three-pointer and narrowed the lead to five points.

“Hwee!” The referee sounded his whistle. Terry had called for a timeout.

The Clippers caught up from the 15-point lead. They did it without calling for a timeout, a substitution, or any tactical change. This meant the problem was with the Blazers’ own players. Terry couldn’t wait any longer and told the referee to call a timeout.

The Blazers’ walked back to their bench in frustration, but the Clippers were very excited. They reduced the lead by 10 points. However, they didn’t even know how they had done it.

Cassel looked at Dai Li and couldn’t help but scream internally. No timeout, no substitution, and no adjustments to the strategy. He just allowed the players to continue playing. Coach Li is really lucky!

…

The game went into the last quarter and the score stayed close. The Blazers were always leading, but the lead was always by three or four points.

As the game got closer to the end, the Blazers’ players started to feel the pressure.

A difference of three or four points was not a secure advantage. A four-point lead was almost acceptable because the opponent would need two plays to catch up. If the lead was three points, the opponent only needed a three-pointer to tie it up.

Terry’s face became uglier and uglier. He didn’t think that a weak team like the Clippers would be so troublesome.

After the last official break, the game entered its final decisive moment. Now it was a two-point game and each attack was very important.

The game entered its final two minutes, and the Blazers’ key player scored a crucial three-pointer, widening the gap to five points.

“Coach. We should call a timeout,” Cassel advised.

“No!” Dai Li shook his head.

Just as Dai Li’s voice faded away, Naismith scored another three-pointer.

With about a minute left in the game, the Blazers had a two-point lead and the ball was in their hands.

The Blazers’ point guard began to apply some pressure and tried to exhaust the 24 seconds of attack time.

It wasn’t until the timer had five seconds left that he started to attack. As a result, when the player started to move, the 24 seconds were up. The Blazers had wasted this attack.

However, the Blazers also successfully wasted 24 seconds, leaving about 50 seconds left in the game.

“Coach, call a timeout so we can plan the next attack,” Cassel advised.

The Clippers were two points behind with about fifty seconds left on the clock. In theory, the Clippers had two opportunities to attack and the Blazers had one. If the Clippers scored and then stopped the Blazers’ attack, the Clippers would have the initiative.

Dai Li thought for a moment but shook his head. “Let the players play how they will.”

The ball was in Ronny’s hands. Ronny looked at the Blazers’ defense and lost his confidence. He thought about how he had scored 23 points today, which exceeded his average. He had finished what he needed to do today, so he passed the ball to Naismith.

The inconsistent Naismith did not care about such things, he took the ball and attacked. His style of play was unconventional. His shot was blocked by the Blazers’ defense.

However, Naismith won two free throws and he scored both.

The Blazers were uneasy and Terry immediately called a timeout.

Terry arranged an attack which succeeded. After the jump ball in the middle of the court, the Blazers quickly rushed underneath the rim, took a shot, and scored. The offensive only took 7 seconds and there were 32 seconds left.

From this calculation, the two teams would each have one more opportunity, and the last attack would be the Blazers’.

“Coach, call a timeout. This is our last attack,” Cassel immediately advised.

“No timeout.” Dai Li shook his head.

“Coach, we should really call a timeout this time,” Cassel urged.

“There is no need,” Dai Li shook his head again. It seemed he wouldn’t call a timeout even if he were beaten to death.

The referee once again looked at Dai Li. The players on the court also looked at Dai Li. Even the camera lens zoomed in on Dai Li to give him a close-up. They wanted to capture the scene where he called for a timeout. The Blazers’ coach took out his tactics board.

Dai Li was still sitting there, completely indifferent.

“Why don’t the Clippers call a timeout?”

“Are they out of timeouts? No. The Clippers have not called a single timeout for the entirety of the second half, right?”

“What is the Clippers head coach thinking? Surely he’ll make a plan for the last attack? If they can’t mount a successful attack, they would need to create a foul immediately. Who will be committing the foul? How would he foul? All these require proper tactical planning.”

The audience was doubtful. The professional commentators did not understand what Dai Li wanted to do.

The Clippers players did not hear the timeout whistle, so they served the ball. They then transported the ball to the front of the court. They began to run into their positions. The ball was passed twice, and it landed in the hands of the inconsistent Naismith. Without regard for what was around him, he took the ball, took two steps, and did a jump shot. The ball actually went in.

The score was tied again. There were only 13 seconds left for the Blazers.

The Blazers used the last timeout and laid out their last play. However, in their lay-up, the ball slipped. The Clippers prevented a rebound. The game ended at this time.

The commentator on-site took a breath. “105 to 105. This game is going into overtime. I really didn’t expect the Blazers, a strong team in the Western Conference, and the Clippers to give us such a close match.”

Chapter 573 - King of Overtime

Chapter 573: King of Overtime

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the Blazers’ sideline, Terry looked like a monster who had just climbed out of hell. He shouted at the players loudly.

“Run! You better run!”

“Quickly attack, apply maximum pressure!”

“Shoot! It’s such a good opportunity. Shoot!”

“Did you not eat? It took you such a long time to get back into defensive positions. Faster. Work harder on the defense!”

In a basketball game, if the head coach scolded someone or constantly challenged referees, he could get a technical foul. He might even be expelled from the match. In addition, the referee could give on-site commands on the side of the court. As long as it did not interfere with the progress of the game, shouting was permissible.

The styles of each coach in the NBA were different. Some coaches liked to shout at the players. If they were even a tiny bit unsatisfied, they would roar like a wild beast. Some coaches were as quiet as scholars. They would sit on the bench. Never shouting loudly even if the players did not perform as expected. They would, at most, frown to express their dissatisfaction.

Terry was not the kind of coach to shout. However, now that they had reached overtime, he could not control his emotions.

Typically, during overtime, the side that was stronger had the advantage. The team with more substitutes also had an advantage. Those playing on their home-court normally had an advantage. The Blazers had all three of these advantages, so they had no need to worry. As long as the Blazers played as they usually did, they would be able to win.

Whenever Terry remembered that the Blazers were playing in overtime against a weak team being led by a layman, he felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

Terry thought that everyone who looked at him was judging him. He thought they were laughing at him for being worse than an inexperienced basketball coach participating in his first NBA match.

On the Clippers side, assistant coach Cassel kept looking in Terry’s direction. He did not expect to see Terry this agitated today.

“Terry seems very agitated. This is just a regular season match. With the Blazers’ current wins, even a loss today would not affect their ranking. Does he need to act like this?” Cassel whispered to himself and then looked at the score.

In the last two and a half minutes, there had been no change to the score. No one scored any points. The game was deadlocked.

The Clippers were weak. When faced with the Blazers’ tough defense, not scoring any points was excusable. However, the Blazers were a strong team playing on their home-court. Not scoring any points in two and a half minutes was inexcusable.

On top of that, it was overtime. For a team that was able to make it to the playoffs, not scoring during overtime was a problem.

“It seems that much of today’s match went like this. When the Blazers played well, we also played well. When the Blazers played badly, we also played badly. When they scored, we also scored. When they didn’t score, we didn’t score. The two sides seem to have reached an agreement. The rhythm of this game is quite strange.”

Cassel looked at the statistics in his hand. He scratched his head in confusion. From the data, the Clippers were not performing any better than usual. The field goal percentage, rebounds, assists, and mistakes were all completely average. A team which such stats should not be able to beat the Blazers, so Cassel was extremely puzzled.

“What’s wrong?” Dai Li asked. He noticed Cassel looking confused.

“Nothing, I just didn’t think that we could go into overtime against the Blazers. After all, the Blazers are much stronger than us,” Cassel said.

Dai Li nodded. “Yeah, we are a weak team and our lineup is not perfect. The crux of it all is that the team coach is inexperienced, so everyone thought that we would lose very badly. No one thought that the Blazers and we would be playing a first overtime.”

“First overtime?” Cassel blinked and then asked, “Coach, you can’t be thinking that this game will have a second overtime?”

“There may even be a third overtime,” Dai Li replied with a smile.

Dai Li remembered the first round of the U.S. Open where Zhen Chen played against the tennis king Basel. Under the influence of “Evenly Matched,” they played four tie-breaks. In the end, the winner was decided by an advantage set.

The gap between Zhen Chen and Basel was much larger than the gap between the Blazers and the Clippers, so Dai Li didn’t think it would be strange for the Blazers and Clippers to play two or three overtimes.

Cassel did not believe in Dai Li’. The Blazers’ starting players were stronger and their substitutes were many. They were also playing at their home-court. These advantages would be exacerbated in overtime. Cassel thought the Clippers could collapse at any time.

…

“Hwee!” The sound of the live electronic timer buzzed. It had reached zero, ending the second overtime.

Cassel looked at the score of 118-118. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

It is as predicted by Coach Li. There is going to be a third overtime. Cassel sneaked a look at Dai Li. He felt that Dai Li’s body was emitting some sort of invisible, mysterious aura.

Coach Li said that there would be a third overtime. I thought he was joking, but there really will be a third overtime. Is this just a coincidence? Playing three overtimes is not common in the NBA. If it is a coincidence, then it really odd. It is so coincidental that I can’t believe it!

Before, during the third quarter, he didn’t call a timeout. He said that the players would be able to get back the scores. He was right. Was that also a coincidence? How could it be possible that everything is so coincidental?

Is this coach Li’s professional judgment? He doesn’t know basketball. How can he make such accurate judgments? I have been a basketball coach for over a decade and I couldn’t tell that this game would have three overtimes. I also didn’t think our players would be able to catch up when we were behind by 15 points.

Maybe Coach Li actually understands basketball, but he has been pretending to know nothing. He is deliberately playing dumb to catch his opponent off guard! He wants to make everyone feel that he is a layman and let his opponents lower their guard. Then, he gives his opponents a fatal blow.

Cassel thought of this possibility and looked at Dai Li involuntarily.

Dai Li noticed that Cassel was looking at him, so he smiled.

From Cassel’s point of view, there was a knife behind this smile.

…

On the Blazers’ bench, Terry had mentally collapsed.

He had wanted a big victory without suspense. He had wanted to crush his opponent easily. However, this was the third overtime and the winner was still undecided.

The Blazers were now two points behind.

Although it was only two points, it made Terry feel very helpless.

Are about to lose to the Clippers?

Terry’s self-confidence was shaken.

On the court, the Blazers’ players became anxious. They were now two points behind in a third overtime in a game that they should have easily won. It was impossible for the players to be calm.

As for the audience at the home-court, they became quieter and quieter. Some fans had begun to leave early. The excitement in the home-court had dropped significantly.

In an average 48-minute NBA game, it took about two hours to finish the game. With two overtimes already passed, the fans were getting tired. Those who cheered for their team lost their voices. In the third overtime, most were not be able to shout anymore.

Portland was located on the West Coast, so other time zones were already late into the evening by the time the game started. Although everyone lived in the Pacific standard time zone, not every fan lived near the Moda Center. Many fans drove dozens of kilometers to see the game. They had to work the next day. It was impossible for them to stay at the stadium very late. If it had just been one overtime, they could have waited it out. With three overtimes, some fans weren’t able to wait any longer.

This game was also not very enjoyable to watch. Although it reached three overtimes, the opposing team was weak. The Blazers were also slacking. They did not perform well. In the eyes of the fans, it was meaningless to spend time watching a boring game.

In fact, many fans were disappointed with the performance of the Blazers. The Blazers were ranked third in the West Conference and the expectations were high. Many fans looked forward to the Blazers reaching the Western Conference finals and maybe even reaching the finals of the playoffs. However, the team wasn’t scoring against a bad team, so the fans were naturally disappointed. Some fans even began to accuse the Blazers of playing badly.

The players’ mentalities and the atmosphere had both become detrimental to the Blazers. The situation that was created by “Evenly Matched” seemed to have changed.

…

“Bong!”

The basketball hit the rim and bounced back out. Three Clippers’ players rushed over and protected from the rebound.

At this point, the Clippers still had a two-point lead there were less than ten seconds left. This meant that, even if the Clippers did not attack, they would win the game.

The Blazers’ players hesitated. They did not immediately commit a foul. It was clear that their concentration was off.

“Commit a foul!” The Blazers head coach, Terry, shouted at the players.

Only then did the Blazers’ players rush forward, but the ball had already passed from the players inside the three-point line to the point guard.

According to the rules of the NBA, fouls that were committed towards players who were not holding the ball in the last two minutes would be considered technical with two free throws given. This was to limit the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy.

Now that the ball was in the point guard’s hand, the Blazers could only commit fouls towards the Clippers’ point guard and give the point guard free throws.

The point guard’s free throw was reliable. He shot two free throws and both of them went in. The gap widened to four points. This was a safe lead. The Blazers needed at least two plays to catch up.

The Blazers had no more overtime, which meant that they would need to run from the back of the court to the front of the court quickly in order to shoot. With the time that was left, they were unable to mount two offenses.

“We won! We actually won against the Blazers!” Although the game was not over, the Clippers’ bench was celebrating in advance.

Dai Li also let out a long breath.

After using “Evenly Matched”, the result of the game was out of my control. The last time I used “Evenly Matched” was when Zhen Chen was playing against Basel in the U.S. Open. Zhen Chen eventually lost. I got lucky this time. The Clippers actually won against the Blazers. I hope that I will be as lucky in the next game.

…

“Three Overtimes. An Upset in the Clippers v. Blazers Matchup.”

The next day, people who saw this headline in the news couldn’t help but want to read the article.

The Clippers were a weak team and they had just gotten a new boss and coach. The Blazers were a strong team in the league and they had had good odds. The Clippers had actually won a contest between the two of them. People were driven by curiosity. Everyone wanted to find out what had happened.

Three overtimes was rare for the NBA. An entire season could pass without a game going into three overtimes. For the fans who had seen the game, it was dull watching three overtimes. When the same thing was in the news, it became a point of interest.

A weak team beating a strong team was not uncommon in the NBA. There had been cases where the team ranked at the bottom beat the team ranked in first place. The Blazers and Clippers were not teams that received a lot of attention. Besides the fans of the two teams, this game was only another report in the news. It did not set off a big shockwave.

There were many NBA games every day. A team played 82 games in a regular season. This was not a crucial event so it would not be particularly memorable. Most people forgot about it after they saw the result. They wouldn’t even be able to recall the scores.

For the Clippers, this game was the first victory after the team changed leadership. As for Dai Li, this was his first victory as a head coach in the NBA.

Typically, after a victory, a team should celebrate. However, this was only the first of the Clippers’ four games as the away team. They had to play another three away games, so there was no time to celebrate this long-awaited victory. Instead, they traveled nonstop to New Orleans to challenge the New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans was located in Louisiana. If one were to open a map of the United States, they would think that Louisiana was located more in the eastern part of the United States. In actuality, three teams in the Western Conference were located relative to the east: the Pelicans, the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves. They were geographically closer to the teams in the east.

Flying from Portland to New Orleans meant flying from the northwestern United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Even planes took a long time to make the trip. So, after the game against the Blazers, the Clippers did not return to the hotel. They got on a private plane and flew directly to New Orleans.

The Pelicans were also a playoff-level team. In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, as long as a team was able to make it to the playoffs they were not weak.

Therefore, the Pelicans were much stronger than the Clippers.

In the face of opponents who were stronger, Dai Li could only use “Evenly Matched” again.

Dai Li got lucky again. After three overtimes, the Clippers won again.

The Clippers then flew to Indiana to challenge the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers were ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference. They had a winning percentage close to 60%. The Pacers had always been known for their perseverance. Although the Western Conference was stronger than the Eastern Conference, the Pacers were not afraid of the teams from the other conference.

The Pacers were also stronger than the Clippers. Dai Li still used “Evenly Matched.”

This time, luck was not on Dai Li’s side. After they played four overtimes, they lost to the Pacers.

For Dai Li, the two wins and one loss was acceptable.

Dai Li had calculated in his head that if he used “Evenly Matched” and had a 50% chance of winning, then the probability of winning two consecutive games was 25%. This was actually a very high probability. It was equivalent to choosing the correct answer to a multiple-choice question with four choices. Many people had encountered such a situation before.

The probability of winning three consecutive games was 12.5%. The possibility of this happening was much lower.

What Dai Li cared about was the win rate, while others focused on the overtimes.

In the last three games, a total of ten overtimes were played. The Clippers had become the “Kings of Overtime” to their fans.

Chapter 574 - Los Angeles’ Overtime Team

Chapter 574: Los Angeles’ Overtime Team

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

At the NBA headquarters in New York, President Adams opened the NBA news column on a website and glanced at the headlines.

In the most visible spot on the website, there was a headline that read: “Ten Overtimes in Three Games, the Los Angeles Clippers Create a New NBA Record.”

“The Clippers were able to make the headlines. Then again, there has been quite a lot of news about the Clippers lately,” Adams said to himself.

The NBA had games every day. Except for the teams that received the most attention, it was really difficult for most games to make a headline. The current Clippers didn’t have top stars and the team was one of the worst. It was not easy for them to make the news.

It’s very rare to reach overtime in three consecutive games. Playing ten overtimes in three games is even more incredible. I didn’t expect that this change in leadership for the Clippers would make them so tenacious. They have really surprised me. Adams couldn’t help but check the recent schedule for the Clippers.

“In the past three games, they’ve won twice. The next opponent for the Clippers is the Orlando Magic. The Magic have been deliberately tanking so as to get the number one draft pick. It seems that the Clippers can win again,” Adams said to himself.

…

Orlando. The Clippers were the away team challenging the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center.

In the player’s locker room, Cassel looked at the players. He could tell that the players’ conditions were completely different from previous games.

Previously, the Clippers had a very bad record. They had lost too many games. The players had started to become disinterested. They did not care if they won or lost. It was as if they were going to work every day. Punching out after working for 48 hours. Even if the team lost, no one was frustrated. They would still go to nightclubs and hook up with girls.

After the last three games, having played in ten overtimes, the Clippers’ players took on a different attitude. They gained a new kind of resilience. Cassel could feel that the desire for victory was returning to the players.

In the three away games, their opponents were all teams at the playoff-level. Getting two wins and one loss could indeed cultivate confidence and let the Clippers’ players feel that they could compete with strong teams. This provoked their desire to win.

After all, players in the NBA were all leaders amongst the people in their age groups. Even the worst substitutes were very good basketball players. Many of them had been winning games since they were young. They were all people with a strong desire to win. It was just that, previously, the Clippers were doing terribly. Even if they were people who had the desire to win, it was slowly wiped away after losing constantly.

The current victories allowed the Clippers’ players to regain their confidence. Victories that were achieved after playing in overtimes seemed even more hard-fought. The continuous overtimes made the Clippers more resilient. This was the biggest gain for the Clippers.

As a weak team, resilience was an important attribute and it was difficult to cultivate. For professional players, losing was acceptable but giving up was not.

The current Clippers had gradually developed resilience through these past few games because of the overtimes.

Cassel remembered the anger and unwillingness on the players’ face swhen they played four overtimes and lost to the Indiana Pacers. Cassel felt the depths of the players incomparable longing for victory. This was completely unlike a usual team that was ranked at the bottom.

I really didn’t expect that, in just three games, the team could have undergone such a big change. Cassel though this and looked at Dai Li, who was a little further away. He realized that all these changes happened after Dai Li came.

Does Coach Li really not understand basketball? Cassel felt that the Dai Li in front of him was getting harder and harder to figure out.

…

The Clippers’ opponent was the Orlando Magic.

The Magic were ranked second last in the Eastern Conference. They were half a game away from being ranked last.

A team in such a position would naturally want to tank so that they could get the best draft pick. There was still a team under them in the rankings. The Magic was very desperate to lose, so as to “catch up” to the bottom as soon as possible.

The Clippers also had a terrible record. Although the Clippers’ own draft picks had already been traded, the Magic didn’t want to have a team that had a record as bad as theirs to compete with. Therefore, the Magic were eager to lose to the Clippers.

The Clippers definitely wanted to win. The players’ desire to win had been aroused and the opponent was even weaker than the Clippers. The Clippers were naturally going to go all out this game.

One wanted to lose, the other wanted to win. The result was obvious.

The anger and unwillingness the Clippers felt when they lost to the Pacers after playing four overtimes were vented out in the game. They started with a fierce attack at the beginning of the game. The Magic were happy to lose to the Clippers. They put up some symbolic resistance for a while, and then they basically surrendered.

Dai Li did not use “Evenly Matched” for this game, because Dai Li knew that the Magic would come in last in the Eastern Conference if they lost this game. They were “begging to lose.” They wouldn’t put up a fight against the Clippers.

Without effects of “Evenly Matched,” the game did not go into overtime. The Clippers successfully defeated the Magic, and they ended their four away games journey.

Four away games, three of which had been against playoff-level teams, ended with a record of three wins and one loss. People who were unaware would think that this was the record of a playoff-level team.

The Clippers returned to Los Angeles. Their next opponents were the Lakers, who were based in the same city.

In both Los Angeles and the entire NBA, the Lakers had far more influence than the Clippers. The Clippers and the Lakers shared a home-court, the Staples Center. Therefore, the Clippers’ home-court would be flooded with a large number of Lakers fans. The Lakers fans outnumbered the Clippers fans. Very often at the Staples Center, cheers were overwhelmingly for the Lakers when the Clippers were playing at their home-court.

So, for the Clippers, playing against the Lakers was akin to playing as an away team.

The Lakers’ record this year was not good enough to enter the playoffs, but the Lakers were not deliberately tanking. One reason was that they had gained three excellent draft picks consecutively. The team was already full of talented players. The second reason was that it was a giant team, so the fans had expectations for the Lakers.

In fact, the Lakers had the top players in the NBA. They had no reason to tank to rebuild the team deliberately. The attraction of Los Angeles and the magnetic attraction of giant teams always attracted superstars. Although the performance of the Lakers was not very outstanding this season, the Lakers was able to form a grouping of three or four superstars.

When facing the Lakers, Dai Li once again used “Evenly Matched.” It resulted in overtime again.

…

The head coach of the Lakers felt helpless. This was the first time he had played a match with three overtimes since becoming an NBA head coach.

The young players on the Lakers, although very talented, did not have much experience in such situations. Facing a third overtime, they began to fall apart.

On the other hand, the Clippers were not in a hurry. After all, in the past four games there had been three games with overtimes. For the Clippers’ players, playing overtime was normal.

“This game has reached its third overtime. In the last game where the Clippers defeated the Magic, there had been no overtime. I thought the Clippers had broken the overtime spell, but now it seems that they haven’t,” the live commentator said playfully.

Another commentator said, “Since the Clippers changed ownership, their games often go into overtimes. It seems that when I commentate on Clippers’ games in the future, I should apply for overtime in advance.”

…

The Clippers eventually defeated the Lakers in the third overtime. They achieved four wins and one loss in the last five games. In the new NBA rankings this week, the Clippers had risen eight places.

Following this, the Clippers faced a period of great difficulty.

They played on their home-court against the Houston Rockets, the team ranked number one in the Western Conference. The Clippers lost after one overtime. They then played an away game against the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers lost after one overtime again. Immediately after, they played against the Grizzlies at their home-court. The Grizzlies were deliberately tanking. Dai Li did not use “Evenly Matched” and, eventually, the Clippers won. They then played against the Thunder at their home-court. The Thunder didn’t give the Clippers a chance to go to overtime. The Thunder’s superstars defeated the Clippers in the last second with a three-pointer.

One win and three losses in four games. This was the record of a weak team.

The momentum of the Clippers had improved. The Rockets, the Warriors and the Thunder were all teams that competed for the championship, especially the first two. They were ranked in the top two in the NBA power ranking list. In the current situation, with the Western Conference being strong and the Eastern Conference being weak, whoever dominated the Western Conference would basically win the championship. As for the weaker teams, being able to reach overtime while competing against championship teams gave them a morale boost.

In the next game, the Clippers once again faced the Blazers. This time it was at the Clippers’ home-court. The game once again reached three overtimes.

The Trail-Blazers seemed to be suffering from some trauma when they played against the Clippers. It resulted in them making two crucial mistakes during the third overtime, which made them lose the game.

The Clippers then went on to play two away games against the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks. Both games reached overtimes. They won one and lost the other.

After Dai Li became the head coach of the Clippers, the Clippers had played 12 games. Nine of those games went into overtime. This wonderful situation caught everyone’s attention. The gaming company started to offer a special bet to let people bet on how many overtimes the Clippers would reach in their future games.

The fans also joked online that the Los Angeles Clippers should simply be renamed to the “Los Angeles’ Overtime Team.”

Chapter 575 - I Hate Overtime

Chapter 575: I Hate Overtime

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Xiao Yunan held the Clippers’ financial report in her hands. Compared to last month, the Clippers’ attendance rate at their home-court had shown noticeable improvement.

In Los Angeles, the Clippers’ attendance rate was worse than the Lakers’. Even though the Lakers didn’t have any star players this season, they could still attract 19,000 spectators to watch their games. Considering how expensive tickets to a Lakers game was, this was an excellent number.

The Clippers’ average attendance rate, even in the past when they were consistently getting into the playoffs, never reached 18,000 people. The Clippers had a very bad record this year, so the audience number had fallen to less than 17,000 people. Going by the standards of a city like Los Angeles, where the basketball market was huge, the numbers were really too low.

In other basketball cities, such as New York, even when the Knicks chose to tank a season deliberately, their average attendance rate could still exceed 19,000. The Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers were also based in large basketball markets. Their audience numbers were above 20,000. The market for the Cleveland Cavaliers was not very big, but they could get an audience of 20,000 by relying on superstars.

The Clippers’ recent record had clearly improved. This had stimulated the enthusiasm of the fans. The multiple overtimes in the last few games attracted more viewers for the Clippers.

In the eyes of the fans, if a game reached overtime, it meant that the game was very intense. This was especially true if it went into the second or third overtime. Most fans may not be able to remember a game where a team achieved an overwhelming victory, but they would remember a game where there were three overtimes.

What’s more, the fans had already spent money to buy tickets. They also had to put in an effort to get to the stadium. Watching one overtime was equal to increasing the value that they were getting, as there were no extra charges for watching the overtimes. Although the Clippers’ tickets were not as expensive as the Lakers, they were still in Los Angeles, so the ticket prices were more expensive than they are in smaller cities. Fans spent the same amount of money anyway, so they would, of course, want to watch the game for a few more minutes.

…

Los Angeles Staples Stadium.

The Clippers were at home going against the Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets had always been on the brink of entering the playoffs and, in the Western Conference, teams that had a chance of entering the playoffs were not weak. The Nuggets were definitely stronger than the Clippers.

The two teams were neck-in-neck throughout the game. The Nuggets did not have superstars that could single-handedly help them win the game. If one were to look at the data, their players were average. This team did not have any clear advantages or disadvantages.

This type of team was particularly weak under the effects of “Evenly Matched.”

So far, the only team that did not go into overtime against the Clippers when “Evenly Matched” was used was the Thunder. They relied on their superstar’s three-pointer in the last second to defeat the Clippers. No one could’ve done anything to help in such a situation.

There were no players on the Nuggets who could score in such a miraculous manner. Their coaches were also very strict about maintaining discipline. The head coach did not let the players play however they liked, and he definitely did not allow his players to take risky shots. For teams that played like this, it was difficult to witness such plays that would turn a match around.

As was predicted, the game only ended after four overtimes. The Nuggets won with their superior lineup. This was the second time the Clippers played in a game with four overtimes this season.

In the history of the NBA, four overtimes had been played in a total of eight games. The most recent one had taken place in the previous century. In fact, since the NBA introduced the 24-second rule, the record for the most number of overtimes was only five. The Clippers under Dai Li had almost tied with this record.

In the Nuggets’ locker room, the Nuggets players were all happy. Although the Nuggets had always been a very resilient team, winning after four overtimes made it a hard-fought victory for them. This kind of victory also made the players feel that the victory did not come easily.

“Hey, Mike. Do you want to go to the nightclub together? I know a great that opened in Los Angeles recently. There are a lot of beautiful girls over there!” A player greeted his teammates.

“No. I’m not going. It is a bit too late right now. We played four overtimes and the game ended an hour later than usual. I’m going back to the hotel to sleep,” Mike said.

“This is Los Angeles, it’s a city that never sleeps! Even if it’s late, there are plenty of places to go.” The player then asked another person, “Steven, are you going? Let’s go have a look around, have a drink, and find a few beautiful girls.”

Steven also shook his head, “Having a drink would be fine, but forget about finding a girl. I just played for 60 minutes. Even if Helen Pepe stripped naked right in front of me, I wouldn’t be able to muster up any strength. ”

“Useless! I played longer than you! I can still handle three babes right now!” The player said with contempt.

“This was a high-intensity game, and it went on for a long time. Even ironmen wouldn’t be able to do it. Don’t forget that this was the second game back-to-back. If you really managed to get three hot girls this evening, I suggest you call the waiter and ask him to buy a few Viagra for you!” An old player next to him said playfully.

“Forget it, if you guys don’t want to go, I will enjoy it myself,” the player said with contempt. He quickly changed into casual clothes and got ready to go to the nightclub.

This player was named Raul. He was famous in the NBA for going to nightclubs.

However, in Denver, the entertainment industry was not developed. Although Denver’s population was not too small, it was ranked as the tenth largest city in the United States. It was located in the Colorado Plateau. One could see the Rocky Mountains just by lifting their heads. Its unique geographical position created a culture where the people in Denver would just go to sleep as soon as it got dark. Very few people would have a nightlife.

Staying in a place like Denver had stifled Raul. The nightlife in Denver was scarce. He had long gotten tired of the few nightclubs there.

Now that Raul was in Los Angeles, how could he not go to the nightclubs?

Los Angeles was the entertainment capital of the United States. It had the best nightclubs. This was a fatal attraction for Raul. After the game, Raul couldn’t wait to go to a nightclub he had been longing to go to.

…

In a private room, Raul took out a hundred-dollar bill and stuffed it into the hands of the nightclub public relations manager. The public relations manager smiled and accepted the banknote. He lowered his voice and replied, “Mr. Raul, I will help you find some girls right away!”

“I want the hottest girl here!” Raul paused and said, “I heard that there is a hot girl named ‘Red Pepper’ in this building!”

“It is true. Mary works here, but I’m afraid that she will not be able to come today,” the public relations manager said.

“Why?” Raul asked, looking displeased.

“Twenty minutes ago, she was invited to the private room next door,” the public relations manager replied.

“Then what about the one called Nana? I heard that she is hot,” Raul asked.

“If you had come half an hour early, I would’ve definitely called Nana to accompany you. Now, she seems to have gone to the private room over there,” the public relations manager continued to say.

“There is another one called Lucy…”

“She just went out with a guest five minutes ago.”

Raul was getting angrier and angrier. The few girls he had learned about from his fair weathered friends had all gone out with other people.

I should have been an hour early. No, I was still playing in the game an hour ago. It was the four overtimes. I was delayed for more than an hour. It cost me these girls.

…

Raul was an NBA player. His annual salary of more than ten million was enough to support his generosity in nightclubs. Raul was able to get a few beautiful women to drink and have fun together in the end.

A few hours later, after he had enough of partying in the club, he went to a nearby five-star hotel with two hot girls.

Raul was no stranger to doing such things. Every time he went to nightclubs, he would always bring two or three hot women with him to spend the night. Every time, Raul was always able to perform well. After all, as a player in the NBA, it was natural to be physically strong, so he would be better than most men in bed.

However, Raul felt that he was not able to do anything today. When he intended to do it a second time, a feeling of exhaustion filled his whole body. Raul then discovered that even if the babes who were opposite him attempted to stimulate him, he could not perform.

Back-to-back games were tiring enough on their own. Add to that four overtimes that were played just now, and it was no wonder that Raul didn’t have any physical strength left. A single match in the NBA required a large amount of physical strength. Even the extremely strong players might get a cramp in a 45-minute game. Raul played more than 60 minutes today. There was no way he could make love all night long to two beautiful women.

In this situation, he finally realized what his teammate’s words meant. “Even if Helen Pepe stripped naked right in front of me, I still wouldn’t be able to muster up any strength.”

The two hot women opposite Raul looked at him with traces of contempt in their eyes. It seemed to them that Raul was just a pretty face that could only be looked at and not used.

Raul was also vexed. He had finally come to Los Angeles, managed to get two hot women, but his planned all-nighter had ended just after one round. He also had to endure the disdainful look from the hot women. This hurt Raul’s self-esteem.

A man could be called ugly and poor. He may not refute those accusations and he might even admit that he was ugly and poor willingly. If one were to accuse a man of being unable to perform sexually, even if he were poor and ugly, he would argue and say that he was able to perform as well as a pornstar.

Raul could not justify his impotence. The two hot women looked at Raul with “unsatisfied” eyes. Raul could guess that by tomorrow, the nightclubs in Los Angeles would have rumors of his impotence.

Damn, this is embarrassing. If this gets out, I won’t be able to show my face in the Los Angeles nightclubs anymore! It’s because of those four overtimes! Damn Los Angeles’ Overtime Team! I hate overtime!

Chapter 576 - Physical Fitness

Chapter 576: Physical Fitness

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

New York, NBA Headquarters.

In the reception room, Adams, the President of the NBA, was meeting with guests. These guests were representatives from the major sponsors of the NBA. It could be said that they were the sources of the NBA’s wealth.

In the face of these people, Adams did not dare be inattentive. He personally received them in the reception room and listened to their thoughts.

One of the representatives said, “Mr. President, we have a small request. We are negotiating with ESPN with the hope that they will broadcast more Clippers games. The negotiations are not going well, so I hope the NBA can help us put some pressure on them.”

“That won’t be difficult. ESPN needs to negotiate their broadcast schedule with us. It’s not difficult to change the one or two games a month.” Adams nodded and then asked, “But the Clippers are not a strong team. Their record is very bad and they don’t have stars players. I don’t understand why your company wants to increase the number of broadcasts for them.”

“We also know that the Clippers are not a strong team and that they don’t have stars players, but their games always go into overtime. We have ads that our company puts on ESPN. If more games go into overtime, it will help promote our products,” the representative said.

Adams understood his intention.

When NBA games were broadcast on TV, advertisements were inserted during timeouts and breaks. If there were overtimes, there would be advertisements shown during the timeouts between the overtimes and the breaks before the overtime starts. This was something the sponsors would be happy to see.

Under normal circumstances, a game lasted 48 minutes. The number of timeouts and breaks between quarters was fixed. The number of advertisements shown was also fixed. If there were overtimes, it meant that the sponsors were able to advertise their products several times for free. The more overtimes there were, the more the sponsors gain.

The ratings during overtime were often higher than the ratings during the normal game time.

If two games started at the same time, they would end at the same time. The difference in when they ended would not be more than a couple of minutes apart. However, if one of the games went into overtime, that game would end later. People who were watching one of the games on TV or watching live webcasts would very likely watch the game that was still ongoing.

Therefore, advertisements during overtime were seen by more people. This meant that the sponsors were putting in half the effort but getting twice the results. It was a very cost-effective transaction for the sponsors.

Adams understood the sponsor’s intentions. He nodded, “I understand. I will arrange for an increase in the nationwide broadcast of Clippers games. This will ensure a high rating. The broadcast schedule for next month has already been confirmed and it has been announced in the United States, so your company’s request will not be implemented until the month after the next.”

“I understand. Mr. President, thank you very much for your help,” the representative from the sponsor said.

However, Adams hesitated for a couple of seconds. He then said, “I have to remind you that, even though the Clippers have managed to go into overtime in almost all of their recent matches, they might not be able to keep doing this.”

“I understand this. Competitions are always filled with uncertainty,” the representative from the sponsor said.

“Not only that, but there is also the problem of physical fitness,” Adams said. “The pace of NBA games are very fast. It is very hard on the body, so the games are very intense. If only one or two overtime games are played occasionally, it won’t be a problem for the athlete’s physical fitness. If every game goes into overtime, two or three overtimes no less, I don’t think athletes will have enough physical strength to play.”

…

A program about the NBA was playing on the TV.

“We just enjoyed watching the best dunks, the best shots, and the best steals from yesterday’s games. Next, we will be discussing a pretty hot topic in the NBA recently, that is ‘Los Angeles’ Overtime Team.’ We have invited the famous basketball commentator Mr. Blair as our guest!” The host waved his hand, and the scene switched to the other side of the stage. It showed the guest commentator, Mr. Blair walking into the studio.

“Mr. Blair, in yesterday’s game the Clippers went into overtime again. The Clippers have been given a new nickname by the fans: ‘Los Angeles’ Overtime Team.’ The Clippers have now broken the NBA record of most number of overtimes in a single season. What do you make of this matter?” The host asked.

Blair cleared his throat and said, “If I hadn’t witnessed it myself, I really wouldn’t have believed that there could be so many overtimes. It’s incredible. I can’t figure out why the Clippers have been able to play so many overtimes both from a technical and empirical point of view. I am certain of one thing, this is only temporary. It won’t last long.”

“Why would you come to such a conclusion?” the host asked.

“Physical fitness,” Blair said calmly. “The players can’t sustain playing so many overtimes. NBA games are very intense. If a player played two or three minutes extra per game, if accumulated, it would consume a huge amount of the players’ strength. At present, the main players of each team play for about 35 to 40 minutes per game. The main players of the Clippers play more than 45 minutes per game. In games with overtimes, the play time of the main players could reach an unbelievable 60 minutes. Obviously, the players cannot withstand such a long-term consumption on their physical strength.

“Now, we’re in the second half of the regular season. After the players have played for more than half the season, their bodies have entered a stage of fatigue. We can see that, recently, players have been getting injured more frequently. This is one of the symptoms of physical fatigue.

“At the same time, we all know that the second half of the NBA season is much more intense than the first half of the season, especially in the last two months. This is the key moment for teams to make the playoffs, the combative nature of the games will grow. When the players’ bodies are under such intense physical pressure, going to overtime will be a risk for players. Those with poor physical fitness will be especially vulnerable to injuries. Therefore, if the Clippers continue to play in such a way, most of their players would inevitably be facing injuries. In the worst case scenario, they might not even have enough players to rotate their lineup.”

Blair talked on and on. In front of the TV, Raul, who was watching the show, nodded frequently. It was clear that he was in agreement with Blair’s statement.

He talks too much. If the Clippers continue to play like this, even if they don’t get injured, they will die from exhaustion! Damn those four overtimes…

Raul couldn’t help but curse the game where he had to play four overtimes. After four overtimes, he was too tired to get an erection.

It was a nightmare for Raul. Although the Nuggets beat the Clippers, Raul left a nasty reputation in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles’ Overtime Team? Humph. Continue to play like this. Let’s see how long before you guys collapse! Raul took joy in the Clippers’ misfortune.

…

Cassel put down the newspaper in his hand and smiled disdainfully.

“Looking forward to seeing us have physical problems? You guys might not see us have any physical problems until the end of the season,” Cassel said to himself.

As second in command on the Clippers’ coaching staff, Cassel was very familiar with the physical condition of the players. He spent most of his time with players on the training ground, so he knew that the Clippers’ players had no problem with their physical fitness whatsoever.

If it were another physical fitness coach, the players would’ve been exhausted a long time ago. A large number of our players might’ve also suffered from injuries. Coach Li is currently responsible for our physical fitness training, so there are no problems with the physical fitness of our players. In other words, there is a reason why Li’s physical fitness training center is so famous. If he weren’t good, he wouldn’t have become famous. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if one were to say he is the best in the world.

In basketball, Dai Li was indeed inexperienced, at least from Russell Cassel’s point of view. His basketball coaching ability and understanding of basketball were far above Dai Li’s. Although Dai Li had been the Clippers’ head coach for a while, he was still an entry-level coach in terms of basketball. Everyone on the Clippers’ coaching team was better at coaching basketball than Dai Li.

When it came to physical fitness training, Cassel was convinced of Dai Li’s skill. Recently, the Clippers had played many overtimes and they were still very comfortable. No one had been injured. In Cassel’s view, this was miraculous. As far as Cassel knew, there weren’t any physical fitness coach who could do as well.

When he thought about the overtimes, Cassel couldn’t help but scratch his head. “Come to think of it, we have really played a lot of overtime ever since Coach Li came. The amounts of overtimes I’ve played recently is more than all of the overtimes I’ve played in my entire life. How peculiar.”

…

Many people in the media predicted that many of the Clippers’ players would be suffering from injuries soon. Some even believed that the Clippers would suffer from large-scale injuries due to a lack of physical strength.

However, after a few games, the Clippers’ players did not show any signs of problems with their physical fitness. They were still up and running. They had not been plagued by physical fitness problems.

The Clippers’ players were getting used to going into overtime. For other teams, overtime was the most intense and exciting thing, but for the Clippers, it was business as usual. On the contrary, if they did not play any overtimes, they felt uncomfortable.

As time went by, news of the Clippers eventual collapse became less and less. Those sports commentators were not fools. Since their predictions were not accurate, trying to prove otherwise would be equivalent to shooting themselves in the foot. It was better to try to talk about something else and shift the topic.

Many people were also trying to figure out how the Clippers were able to play so many overtimes.

The NBA kept very rigorous statistics on the data of games, so people quickly discovered that when the Clippers faced the weak teams who were ranked at the bottom, they didn’t go into overtime. When they faced the stronger teams, they would definitely go into overtime. It was obvious that the Clippers and the stronger teams were not able to get along.

For strong teams, if the opponent were a team that was ranked lower in the league, they would naturally hope to end the game as soon as possible. It was best if the key players could stop playing within the first three quarters and then rest for the rest of the game. While they were at it, they could let the substitutes gain more experience in real matches.

However, when facing the Clippers, who often went into overtime, key players would definitely have to go onto the court to play during the overtimes. Not only did they not have the chance to rest in advance, but they also needed to increase their physical exertion. When both of those conditions were put together, it significantly increased the possibility of getting injured.

The teams that were likely to enter the playoffs would become desperate, especially in the last ten days of March. The top-ranked teams were working hard to get the home-court advantage in the playoffs. At this time, as the Clippers always went into overtime, they had become the team that the stronger teams were most unwilling to play against.

At this time, the Clippers were like a hedgehog. They didn’t seem to be very strong. They could easily be bullied but, if one were not careful, they would prick themselves on the spikes and bleed.

Chapter 577 - Avoiding Overtime

Chapter 577: Avoiding Overtime

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, Gray, was one of the best coaches in the NBA. He was a tactical master and also had the wisdom that comes with age. During his tenure as the coach of the Spurs, he had led the team to the championship of the NBA. Some thought that he was the most accomplished head coach in the league.

In recent seasons, the Spurs had gotten a bit worse, but they still frequented the playoffs. This year, the team was ranked fifth in the Western Conference. The fourth-ranked team was only one game ahead of them.

Last night, the Spurs had beat a strong team in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers, in a home game. Their next game was an away game against the Clippers. Based on their schedule, the players flew to L.A. in the afternoon and were staying a night in L.A. to prepare for the game the next night.

Coach Gray held a roster and moved in front of the players. The Spurs players quieted down as they saw Coach Gray.

“I’m going to announce the starting lineup for tomorrow’s game against the Clippers. The starting players are…”

Gray called out five names but none of the names were the usual starting players. They were all substitutes.

The players looked around at each other, confused. Some players were annoyed, wondering if Coach Gray had Alzheimer.

Later, Coach Gray named the players who would be substitutes. Two of the team’s key players were not even included on that list.

An NBA team had 15 official spots. Apart from that, they also had two two-way contracts that were not counted towards the 15. Only 12 players could make an appearance in a game. Any other players on the team were not allowed to play in that game. They were put on the inactive player list. According to NBA rules, players on the inactive player list had to wear a suit if they were to watch the game besides their teammates.

The Spurs team had one injured player, so he was not playing. On top of that, Coach Gray put two key players in the inactive player list. This meant that, even though those two came to Los Angeles, they could only watch the game and show their support from the side of the court.

The two key players placed in the inactive player list looked at each other, confused. They knew that they hadn’t made any mistakes recently, so the coach was not punishing them. The coach must only have one objective, to let them rest for a match.

Finally, a player asked, “Coach, is this rotation?”

Coach Gray nodded. “You can treat this as rotation.”

“Coach, it’s only the end of March right now. Isn’t it a little early for a rotation? We normally only start to rotate the second half of April. The competition in the Western Conference is fierce this year. Right now, it’s not given that we’ll make it to the playoffs. The teams below us are close behind us, and we are only one win away from the team in fourth,” another player stated.

“Then you should treat this as me giving you a vacation.” Coach Gray looked at his disciples. He decided to explain, “To me, the toughest team to face right now in the league isn’t obvious. It isn’t the defending champions, Warriors, or the team with the best record, the Rockets. It’s not even the team with the league’s best player, the Cavaliers. It’s the L.A. Clippers. Do you know why?”

“Is it the overtimes?” Someone immediately asked.

Gray nodded. “That’s right. Those damn overtimes! I don’t know what the new head coach of theirs did to get the Clippers to play so many overtimes, but I don’t want you to follow suit. You all know that competition in the Western Conference is tough. I don’t want you to waste your energy and strength on the Clippers.”

Gray looked at everyone and continued. “If we were playing another weak team, perhaps you could play three-quarters of the game. When it comes to the Clippers, once you enter the game you might need to play two or three overtimes. We’ll be spending twice the energy than we’d normally be using against a weak team! Moreover, playing overtime will increase the risk of injury. I have no interest in losing any of you before the playoffs.”

“Coach, a lot of reporters said a few days ago that, because the Clippers keeps playing overtime, they will fall apart. Perhaps we can use this and keep shaving away at their energy. When they run out of steam, we can defeat them,” a player suggested.

Gray shook his head. “Don’t listen to that bullsh*t. If those sports commentators were that smart, they would be your coaches instead of me! If the Clippers were going to fall apart, then they would have done so long ago. Don’t forget who their head coach is! Dai Li might be the world’s greatest fitness specialist!”

A few players were unconvinced. They felt that Gray was exaggerating things.

Gray explained further. “You probably know Dai Li from the Olympics. He led the U.S. National Track and Field Team to their best performance ever. However, I heard his name way before the Olympics. I have an old friend who is a boxing coach, he’s named Ares. Some of you may have heard of the ‘White Devil’ Ares? Ares’ wife was in a coma due to an accident. The doctors believed that his wife would have to spend the rest of her life in bed. I visited his wife at the hospital.

“However, when I went to visit my friend again, I discovered that his wife could already stand and walk with a walking aid. That surprised me I had personally talked to the doctors. I knew how serious his wife’s condition was. It was supposedly impossible for her to stand up again, but a miracle happened.

“It was only later that I found out that it was a Chinese rehabilitation coach who helped Ares’ wife recover. That Chinese coach is now the head coach of the Clippers. I also know that Dai Li also trained Kevin Taylor and helped him recover.

“I’m sure you know the rest of the story. Taylor was over 30 years old and performing better than he did in his 20s. He also had better stamina than he had in his 20s.” Gray looked at a few of the players older than 30. He then said, “Some of you are over 30 years old, some are even 35. You know the physical difference between a 30-year-old and a 20-year-old. You must understand how impossible what Li did with Taylor is.”

The players who were over 30 nodded. All of them experienced it, so the knew what it was like.

“Dai Li made the impossible possible. In truth, after I saw Kevin Taylor’s match, I thought of getting Dai Li to be our fitness coach. That way, even you older guys would be able to be starters at 40.” Gray pointed towards the balding player who had been with him for more than a decade. As he teased him, he shook his head, “Unfortunately, he already has his own physical fitness training center. His revenue isn’t bad either. The only way to have gotten him to be on the Spurs would have been to off him my position.”

…

Los Angeles, Staples Center.

It was the L.A. Clippers against the San Antonio Spurs.

Before the game, Dai Li got a hold of the starting lineup of the Spurs.

“All five of their starters have changed. What are the Spurs trying to do? Are they rotating? Isn’t it a little early for that? Don’t people only start to rotate in the second half of April?” Dai Li said to himself. It looked like he was looking for the advice of those around him.

“I’m guessing that old fox, Gray, doesn’t want to play with us in overtime. The players on the Spurs are a bit older. If they played overtime, they would expend more energy and be more prone to injury,” Cassel explained.

“You’re saying the Spurs chickened out? They are avoiding overtime?” Dai Li asked.

“Ugh… I guess you could say that,” Cassel answered.

Interesting, Dai Li thought with a frown. He then asked, “If we’re only playing the substitutes, we should have a chance to win, right?”

“Our starting lineup should be stronger than the bench of Spurs. This time, Gray even put in some of the players who would normally never play. It shouldn’t be a problem for our starters to play against their subs,” Cassel said with a nod.

“Okay, then I understand. The Spurs brought us a giant gift.” A weird smile appeared on Dai Li’s face.

…

When Dai Li saw that Spurs decided to send out their substitutes against them, he decided there was no need to use “Evenly Matched” in this game. He just let the players do their thing.

Although the Clippers were a weak team, the starters were still starters. Players who could become starters in the NBA would still be a lot better than the players on the bench.

It was the same for players who could make to the rotational roster. They were definitely much better than the “water dispenser” type players who did not even normally play.

The match was just like Tianji’s horse race [1]. The Spurs were a strong team, but they sent out their middle-class and low-class horses. The Clippers were a weak team, but they sent out their high-class and middle-class horses. When the starters played against the starters, the high-class horses of the Clippers were going against the middle-class horses of Spurs. When the benches played each other, it was the middle-class horse of the Clippers against the low-class horse of Spurs. The result was obvious.

…

“Beep…” The digital bell signaled the end of the game.

Gray looked despondent. He intentionally hid his main force to avoid overtime and, in the end, there had been no overtime.

One of the most experienced and qualified head coaches in the NBA, Gray felt ashamed. Initially, he had wanted to play tricks to show off his skills as a tactical master. Looking at the result, it was clear that he had dug a hole and jumped into it.

“Where’s the overtime? They always going into overtime against strong teams. Where are those two to three overtimes? If I had known that there wasn’t going to be any overtime, I would have used my starters and secured the win…”

Endnotes

[1] Tianji was a general of the kingdom of Qi. He lost all his horse race bets against the king of Qi. His friend Sun Bin helped him think of a plan, which was to pair his weakest horse against the strongest horse of the king, to pair his strongest against the king’s middle horse, and to pair Tianji’s middle horse against the king’s weakest horse. With that plan, he defeated the king of Qi by 2 to 1.

Chapter 578 - The Entire League is Working Against Me

Chapter 578: The Entire League is Working Against Me

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The general manager of the Boston Celtics, Dennis, arrived to work early, as usual. His secretary got him a cup of coffee and he sat in front of his computer. He went online and researched last night’s NBA games.

Boston was in the eastern United States so, when teams in the west started playing, it was a little later for those living in Boston. Teams that played on West Coast, like the Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Trail Blazers, started their games three hours after teams that played on the East Coast. The games on the East Coast ended before the games on the West Coast even started. Therefore, most people in Boston were asleep when games on the West Coast ended. This was why Dennis rarely watched games on the West Coast all the way through. It had become a habit of his to check on the previous night’s games on the West Coast first thing in the morning.

After checking the scores of various games, Dennis saw the score between the Clippers and Spurs.

92 to 87! The Spurs lost to the Clippers? How is that possible? Although the Spurs are unlikely to win the championship this year, they are still a strong team. Now is the time for teams to be making a final push to get into the playoffs. How could they lose to a weak team like the Clippers? Getting 92 points for the Clippers is normal, but the Spurs only got 87 points. The Spurs’ offense is strong and the Clippers aren’t exactly known for their defense. How could the Spurs only get 87 points? What happened?

Dennis immediately clicked and checked out the detailed statistics. He hoped he would find some clues to what happened.

Starting only substitutes? What is that old fox, Gray, doing! His two key players were not even in the active players’ lists. Is this rotation? There’s still one month left before the regular season ends. Isn’t it a little early for a rotation?

Dennis looked at the Spurs ranking in the Western Conference.

The Spurs are currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference. After losing this game, they are 1.5 wins away from the fourth-ranked team and the three teams below them are pretty close. They won’t even have the home-court advantage in the playoffs. Where did they find the courage to rotate? Isn’t it time to work hard and try to move into fourth place? At least to try to secure the home-court advantage during the playoff.”

Dennis furrowed his brow for a long time trying to guess what drove this decision. However, they were all blind guesses. They only made him less certain of why the Spurs did what they did.

“Although the Clippers aren’t a strong team, there was no way the Spurs could win with only subs. The Spurs were clearly trying to lose the game!” Dennis said to himself. Suddenly, he thought of something and clicked on another link. He went to check the results of the Clippers.

The Clippers are now in 11th place of the Western Conference. With the same record, they would be in the ninth place of the Eastern Conference. That means that there are four teams in the west whose records aren’t as good as the Clippers, and six teams in the east that worse records. Based on their current ranking, the Clippers are ranked 11th from the bottom of the entire league! Damn it…

Dennis couldn’t help but curse in his head. He remembered that he was getting a draft pick from the Clippers.

The draft in the NBA was related to how each team ranked in the regular season. The worse the team did, the earlier they would be able to draft, which made it more likely they would get a good player. On the contrary, the better the team did, the worse their draft pick. The team ranked at the bottom of the league had the best chance to get the first pick. The team ranked first basically signed up to get the 30th pick.

Theoretically speaking, the Clippers were ranked 11th from the bottom, so they would get the 11th pick.

However, before Dai Li became the head coach of the Clippers they were ranked second from the bottom of the Western Conference. They were ranked fourth from the bottom of the entire league. They were amongst the bottom feeders of the league. In the past, the team ranked fourth from the bottom had about a 10% chance to get the first pick. There was also a high probability of them getting the second or third pick. Even without luck, it was easy for them to get one of the top five.

That meant that after Dai Li began coaching the team, the Clippers went from getting the fifth pick to getting the 11th. Their slot had clearly depreciated in value.

In truth, the 11th pick wasn’t that bad. There was a chance they could still draft a good player. However, compared to the fifth pick, the 11th pick was significantly worse. They also lost the chance of getting the first pick. Any team would be willing to take that 10% chance of getting the first pick than take a 100% chance of getting the 11th pick.

The Clippers had traded the Celtics their first-round draft pick this year. When the Clippers were doing terrible this season the value of the draft pick had increased significantly. Dennis had thought that he had profited a lot from the deal.

The Celtics had still remained in the top three of the Eastern Conference, so they had a chance of winning the championship. The draft pick that they received in exchange from the Clippers had made it possible for them to get the first pick. Dennis could not help but applaud how good the deal had been.

It was a pity, though, that things rarely go as planned. The Clippers had improved. The one of the first five draft picks had turned into the 11th pick. Dennis could say goodbye to the possibility of getting the first pick.

The Celtics would like nothing more than to see the Clippers fall apart. It would be best for the Celtics if they fell to the absolute bottom of the entire league. That way, the Celtics would be able to enjoy one of the first draft picks. The Celtics suffered the most from the Clipper’s improvement.

Dennis was infuriated thinking about how the value of his trade had depreciated.

Damn the Spurs. How did you lose? You should beat the Clippers right now! You’re losing intentionally! Yes, it must be intentional! No, I must write an appeal to the league and complain about you losing on purpose!

…

After beating the Spurs, the Clippers’ next opponent was the Rockets.

The last they played each other, the Rockets had scored a streak of three-pointers in overtime and defeated the Clippers.

At the moment, the Rockets were ranked first in the Western Conference. They were also number one in the entire league. They were ahead of the Warriors, the second place team, by five wins. Their chances of securing first place in the Western Conference were high.

In Houston, the head coach of the Rockets, Max, learned of the Clippers beating Spurs.

“The Spurs actually lost against the Clippers. They sent out a team of substitutes against them. It sure is puzzling. Although the Spurs team aged a year, there is still one month of the regular season left. There shouldn’t be a need to rest players yet,” the assistant coach nagged beside Max.

Max smiled and said, “You don’t understand that old fox, Gray. This isn’t about resting and rotating players, this is his plan. However, I never would have thought that he would actually fall into someone else’s trap.”

“Coach, I don’t understand,” the assistant coach said in confusion.

Max explained, “I used to work for the Spurs, so I know a little about Gray. I am guessing Gray tried to avoid overtime since the Clippers have been going into overtime way too much. Going into overtime once is like expending two games’ worth of stamina. There is also an increased risk of injury. That’s why Gray sent his substitutes into the match while he waited to play against the Clippers in overtime. He didn’t expect the game wouldn’t make it into overtime, so Gray’s plan fell through.”

“So that’s what happened!” Comprehension had just dawned upon the assistant coach.

After Max finished his explanation, he went into his own thoughts.

Although Gray, that old fox, failed in his plan, perhaps I should learn from him, Max thought.

Max was the master of the “run and gun” in the NBA. Besides that, his tactics were very modern. Back when the NBA still admired defense, he had already started using the run and gun tactic with his team. Now that the NBA had entered the small ball era, he created a magic ball theory, which was to give up the mid-range shot on offense to either go for a three-pointer or go below the basket. On defense, it was to continuously change the defenders to destroy the modern pick and roll strategy.

Max had a huge weakness: he did not really believe in role players. On his team, a lot of role players only played when his team was losing anyway. As he did not believe in role players, Max often used a seven-man lineup. He received a lot of criticism for this.

A regular NBA game was 48 minutes long. A team had five players on the court at the same time. This meant that if you added all of the players’ time in the game you would get 240 minutes. This was a fixed number.

If seven players rotated between each other, the average time a player was on the court was 34 minutes. If eight players rotated, the average time would decrease to 30 minutes. If ten players were to rotate, the average time of every player was only 24 minutes.

The difference between rotating ten players and seven players meant that every player would play ten minutes less. This also meant that every player would have an extra ten minutes’ rest every match so they would have more energy.

Of course, it was only theoretical data. In reality, the key players would spend more time in the game than the substitutes.

However, one thing was certain: the more players in the rotation lineup, the more people would be able to play in the game. This meant the players would be expending less energy.

Considering that there were 82 games in the regular season, with the addition of rigorous and competitive playoffs, it was a good thing for key players to have to expend less energy.

There is only one month in the regular season left. It’s about time to prepare for the playoffs. This season, we’ve used the seven-man rotation too much. There have been signs that some of our players may be injured soon. I should try to control this.

Since the Clippers won’t be making it to the playoffs, they won’t pose a threat to us. If we battled against them till overtime, we would lose more than we would gain. What’s more, we are sitting comfortably in It won’t be easy for the Warriors to catch up to us. Losing a game or two occasionally isn’t going to affect the big picture.

…

The Clippers defeating the Spurs was considered an upset. However, no one had expected that the Clippers could actually manage to defeat the top-ranked team in the entire league, the Rockets!

The Rockets had also sent out a starting lineup of substitutes. They had even called in their players playing in the development league to play over 20 minutes in the game.

No matter how weak the Clippers players were, they weren’t weak enough to lost to players from the development league. It was another game reminiscent of Tianji’s horse race against the king of Qi.

The Rockets did this because they did not want to waste their energy on overtime. After all, the Rockets played an entire season with a seven-man rotation. By the time they reached the last month of the regular season, the players would be in terrible condition. It would be much better for them to save some strength for the playoffs rather than battle against the Clippers in a couple of overtimes.

…

The Cleveland Cavaliers.

The head coach walked to the side of a strong player and asked, “Do you want to rest in the next game?”

The strong player was named Brown. He was the best player in the current NBA.

Brown heard his coach and looked puzzled. “What happened?”

“Our next opponent is L.A. Clippers,” the head coach said.

“I know some of the L.A. fans don’t like me, but they are mostly Lakers fans, not Clippers fans. Even if the fans don’t like me, games must still be played!” Brown answered.

“You don’t understand. In a previous game, the Clippers beat the Spurs because Spurs sent out an all-substitute team. In their last game, the Clippers beat the Rockets. The Rockets also sent out an all-substitute lineup. So I’m thinking that when we play against the Clippers, we should also rest a few of our key players. We should also start looking towards the playoffs now. Our target is the championship. As for our ranking in the regular season, that’s not as important,” the coach said.

One of the reasons why Brown was able to become the best player in the NBA was his intellect. He thought about it for a moment and immediately understood.

Brown nodded. “Our rankings aren’t really affected by our games against Western Conference teams. Among them, we should be wary of the Warriors and the Rockets, because we might play against them in the final. If we play two or three overtimes against an irrelevant team in the regular season, it would be an unnecessary expenditure.”

“Alright, then. In the next match, you will take a rest. By resting f this game, you will gain around five days of rest. Five days off is amazingly rare.”

…

Boston Celtics.

General Manager Dennis looked at the results of the previous day. He wanted to cry but had no tears.

In the past three games, the Clippers had beaten the Spurs, the Rockets, and the Cavaliers. Those were the strongest teams in the league.

More importantly, the three opponents had rested their key players and sent out their substitutes for the match. Due to this consecutive win streak, the Clippers moved up one place in the rankings. With that, the first round draft pick of the Clippers had further depreciated in value.

What is this? The Spurs sending out their substitutes, the Rockets sending out their substitutes, and the Cavaliers only sending out their substitutes! They’re all weakening their teams! They are clearly letting the Clippers win on purpose! Why do I feel like the entire league is going working against me!

Chapter 579 - Condemnation

Chapter 579: Condemnation

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The regular season of NBA had entered into its last month, April. It was the most competitive period of the season.

The teams at the bottom were competing to lose in order to get a better draft pick. If they accidentally won a match, they would definitely face an angry manager.

The teams at the top had confirmed their home-court advantages in the playoffs. At this time, they had to consider their first opponents in the playoffs, especially the first and second-placed teams in the Western and Eastern Conference. They could try to manipulate their rankings to select their first-round opponent. For example, they could intentionally lose to certain teams to help increase their rankings in order to remove the opponents they would rather not face in the first round of the playoffs.

The mid-tier teams in the Western and Eastern Conference, on the other hand, had begun their battle for the home-court advantage in the playoffs. For example, the fourth and fifth-placed teams in both conferences were only separated by one spot and the fourth-placed team would have one home game more than the fifth-placed team. In such situations, where the difference was insignificant, the lower-ranked team would definitely try to catch up, so that they may get one more home-court advantage. The higher-ranked team, on the other hand, would try their best to win as many games as possible to keep the extra home-court advantage.

As for the teams at the periphery of the playoff threshold, they would have to fight every game. It was highly possible that every victory they gained would help them get into the playoffs. It was also possible that a defeat would make drop them out of the running. It was even possible for both sides to have the same win/loss ratio. In such cases, their division results or their results against the entire Western Conference would have to be compared to determine which team would advance.

As for the Clippers, it was certain that they would not make it into the playoffs. Their first-round draft pick was already handed over to the Celtics, so tanking was also meaningless. Whether the Clippers obtained a good result or not, it was not important. They were more like troublemakers.

The Clippers had an away match on the East Coast. They headed towards Boston and would challenge the Celtics in an away match. After that, they would head to New York to face off against the Knicks.

…

The general manager of Boston Celtics, Dennis went to the head coach, Arnold.

“Coach Arnold, I would like to know if the team plans to rotate the players?” Dennis asked.

“You’ve got that spot on. I do plan on resting a few key players against the Clippers. It’s what the Spurs, the Rockets, and the Cavaliers did,” Coach Arnold stated. “At this point in the season, the players have expended a lot of stamina, especially our key players. They will definitely benefit from saving their strength if we can let them rest for a match or two. Moreover, the Clippers are called ‘L.A.’s Overtime Team,’ to battle against them in overtime would be detrimental for us.”

“No, we can’t rotate and rest our players,” Dennis said impatiently. “We must win this match against the Clippers!”

“Why?” Arnold looked confused and said, “We’re currently sitting firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference and we’re four games behind first place. It would be difficult to catch up in the remaining matches. Moreover, the Clippers are a Western Conference team. Our win-loss record against them won’t really affect our ranking in the Eastern Conference.”

“But the ranking of the Clippers is too high!” Dennis exclaimed.

Arnold’s expression was conveyed his confusion. What’s Clippers’ result got to do with me.

Dennis had no choice but to explain. “We have a draft pick from the Clippers. A few months ago, we were on course to get the first pick. Now, this pick is at the periphery of the lottery area. If the Clippers continues to win like this, our draft pick this year will become even less relevant.”

Arnold frowned.

Based on Arnold’s understanding, the new draft picks were quite decent. Several of the players were being touted as younger versions of the superstars in the league. That meant that everyone had high hopes for them. Arnold himself had his eyes set on some rookies too. As such, Arnold hoped to get a better pick in the draft so that he may choose the rookie he wanted.

“However, I’m more worried that the additional overtime would cause extra fatigue for our players. It will also increase their risk of being injured,” Arnold said hesitantly.

“Coach Arnold, the Clippers belong to the Western Conference, so we only face off against them twice a year. We’ve already played against them once, so this game is our only chance to suppress the Clippers. More importantly, we can show other teams in the league that, as long as victory is possible, overtime isn’t something to be afraid of!”

“Alright, I’ll put all our key players in the next game.” Arnold nodded as he agreed, reluctantly.

…

“The Celtics are actually sending out their entire first team lineup, they sure think highly of us.” Dai Li held the Celtics’ roster in his hand as he talked in a relaxed manner.

“I initially thought that a title-challenger such as the Celtics would be like the other teams, and send their substitutes to play against us. I never would have thought that they would send out their entire starting team. Looks like they really want to win,” Cassel said.

“Since the Celtics afforded such respect, we shouldn’t disappoint them. Tell the fellows, let’s play overtime again this game!” Dai Li announced. “Boston has always been the Devil’s home stadium. It has been a while since we won here in Boston, isn’t that right? This time, everyone should do their best. Even if we fail to defeat the Celtics, we will let them know that we, the Clippers, are not a team that people can just push around!”

…

“As I predicted, the game has entered into overtime. They sure are L.A.’s overtime team,” the commentator said enthusiastically.

On the sideline, the head coach of the Celtics, Arnold, looked very dispirited. He clearly did not want the game to go into overtime.

Please God, let us beat the Clippers now. Please let there be no second overtime, Arnold prayed.

It was at that moment that the point guard of the Celtics, Kerry, attempted a breakthroughl. He collided with a defensive player of the Clippers and to the ground. The referee blew the whistle, and he gave the Clippers a blocking foul.

“They’ve reached their limit on fouls. Time for free throws.” Arnold tightened both his fists as he spoke. However, Kerry remained on the floor. He did not get up and his arms were wrapped around his left knee. His expression showed that he was in great pain.

“Please don’t be injured!” Arnold became grim and his gaze radiated his sense of anxiety.

Arnold suddenly remembered that Kerry had experienced a left knee bone fracture three years ago. Two screws were screwed into his left tibia and, recently, Kerry often complained about pain in his left knee. After some examination, they discovered that it was caused by the tendinitis in his left knee. The region where the screw was had a staphylococcal infection.

Under normal circumstances, he would have sought early treatment when faced with situations like that. They would have removed the screws through surgery to prevent an even more severe infection. However, if they proceeded with surgery now, that meant that Kerry would be out for the rest of the season. The Celtics aimed to win the championship, so Kerry had to persevere through with his injury.

On the big screen of the stadium, a slow-motion clip of the breakthrough was finally shown. From a different angle, one could see that while Kerry was advancing, his left knee collided with the knee of a Clippers’ defender. It was that collision that left Kerry lying on the ground.

Oh no, a direct collision. Arnold’s entire body tightened.

The game had to be stopped as a player was injured. The team doctor made his way to the court to examine Kerry. Kerry looked to be in extreme pain. He could not stand at all, so it looked like there was no way for him to continue playing the game.

After three minutes, Kerry was carried off the court on a stretcher so that he could be looked at further. There was no way he could continue playing in the game.

Kerry was the core point guard of the team, his injury completely messed up the offensive rhythm of the team. In the next few minutes, the offensive plays of the Celtics were held off, while the Clippers caught up. The first overtime ended in a draw.

…

If Kerry had not gotten injured, there’s no way we would have needed a second overtime! Arnold complained in his head but, at the same time, he was worried about Kerry’s injury.

Kerry was an all-star player and a point guard. That meant that he was the organizer as well as the offensive playmaker of the Celtics. If he were no longer around, their entire strategy, and their strength reduced greatly.

God bless Kerry and please don’t let his injury be too severe.

As Arnold prayed to God, the Celtics were rallying themselves for an attack. The Celtics’ small forward, Gordon, ran towards the basket. The guard on the outside directly shot the ball towards the hoop with the intention of doing an alley-oop with Gordon.

However, the defenders of the Clippers were not weaklings. The center below the basket jumped up quickly and blocked the ball in the air.

At that moment, Gordon had already started his jump and was prepared to complete the alley-oop. In the end, he collided with the center of the Clippers. Both players were in the air and no one could really control their body.

However, the center weighed a little more so he had the advantage. Gordon lost his balance so, when he hit the ground, his left ankle twisted 90 degrees outwards as the impact was too great.

Gordon fell to the ground in pain. The referee had no choice but to stop the game. The players around Gordon even turned their heads away from Gordon. They didn’t dare look at Gordon’s pained expression.

It must be a bone fracture! Dai Li thought. At that moment, the team doctor, as well as Arnold, rushed over immediately.

Why? Why did someone else get injured? Looks like Gordon’s injury is far worse than Kerry’s. He can’t be out for the rest of the season! Arnold became indescribably panicked.

Gordon was an all-star player and Kerry’s injury severity was still unknown. If Gordon also got injured, the first round of the playoffs would seem hopeless.

“It’s an ankle dislocation and a humerus fracture! It would be best if he was sent to the hospital immediately for surgery,” a voice from behind everyone called out.

The doctor looked back in annoyance wondering where the claim originated from. Who dared to give such diagnosis before an X-ray was even taken? He saw Dai Li standing there.

Dai Li used the detector on Gordon, so he immediately knew Gordon’s injury. He couldn’t bear watching Gordon in pain, so he just went and told them the diagnosis so he could receive treatment as soon as possible.

“Coach Li, what did you just say? What fracture?” Arnold asked impatiently. By then, he didn’t care if Dai Li was his opponent.

“I said an ankle dislocation and a humerus fracture!” Dai Li repeated himself and said, “It’s unfortunate news, but Gordon is out for the rest of the season.”

“How do you know?” The team doctor asked, unconvinced.

“Apart from being a coach, I’m also a sports rehabilitation specialist,” Dai Li answered.

Upon hearing that, Arnold remembered Dai Li’s training center really did have a sports rehabilitation business. As the head coach of the Clippers, to have the courage to give such a diagnosis in such a situation, he would definitely have to be certain.

At the same time, Arnold realized that, if the diagnosis of Dai Li was correct, then Gordon was definitely out for the season.

Two overtimes and two key injured players. This damned game. Why did I go all out? I should’ve just been like the Spurs, the Rockets, and the Cavaliers. That way, not only would Kerry and Gordon not have been injured, they would have been able to rest for a day. I have really condemned myself!

Arnold became overwhelmed with a sense of regret.

Chapter 580 - The Newbie Coach with a High Win Rate

Chapter 580: The Newbie Coach with a High Win Rate

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Two of the Celtics key players, including Gordon, were injured in two overtimes against the Clippers. It was a disastrous blow; just thinking about it sent chills down one’s spine.

After Gordon was taken off the court, the morale of the Celtics players hit rock bottom. Their style of play clearly lacked penetration. They seemed to be afraid of physical confrontations. Clearly, the other players were starting to worry that they might end up injured like Kerry and Gordon.

In the eyes of Coach Arnold, the players being unwilling to be too physical was a good thing. The score became irrelevant. As long as no additional players were injured, Arnold would be thanking God.

In truth, Arnold was no longer in the mood to direct the team. He was worried about Kerry and Gordon. Gordon’s injury looked much more serious, so he might be out for the rest of the season. As for Kerry’s left knee, they had to wait for the result of the examination. The worst case was that he would need surgery, which would mean the season was over.

Losing two key players, Arnold felt that the Celtics’ road to the playoffs just got difficult. He also didn’t know if they could make it through the first round of the playoffs.

The rest of the game could only be described as being uninterested. In the end, the Celtic’s lost.

…

The next day, the media revealed Kerry’s and Gordon’s injuries.

Gordon’s injury was exactly as Dai Li described, an ankle dislocation and a humerus fracture. Even if one were to ignore the ankle dislocation, a humerus fracture alone was a very serious injury. When one’s bones or muscles are hurt, they needed 100 days to recover. It was not possible for Gordon’s injury to heal in 100 days, so he was definitely out for the rest of the season. Based on the estimation of the doctor, even if Gordon recovered nicely, he would not be able to make the preseason of the coming season. He might be able to come back the first month of next season.

Kerry required surgery to remove the two screws from his knee in order to prevent infection that would further worsen the injury. After the removal of the screws, Kerry would need five to six months’ time to rehabilitate. That meant that Kerry would also need to wait until next season to play.

Knee injuries like Kerry’s were a common problem. A lot of players who experienced similar injuries weren’t able to regain all of their abilities after recovering. So, if the rehabilitation of Kerry’s injury did not go smoothly, it would affect his professional career.

To athletes and professional sports players, injuries are a sort of physical and mental torment. For the Celtics, this was an agonizing loss.

Losing two key players in one night, the Celtics managed to garner the sympathy of many of the fans. However, sports commentators and professional basketball coaches were not surprised by the accidents.

Injuries had always been a part of the NBA and this was the peak time for injuries to happen.

Throughout the season every year, there were always some periods in which more players got injured.

The first period was the beginning of the season. The players enjoyed several months of rest, so their bodies weren’t used to the rigor of the season. Suddenly plunging such a body into a high-intensity basketball match, the players’ bodies could not adapt immediately. Therefore, injuries were common at the start of a season. As the season progressed, players began to adapt to the intensity and rhythm of the game.

The second period of high injury occurrence was right before the all-star game. By then, the season was three months in. The players had experienced three months of high-intensity matches, so their bodies were worn down by fatigue. There were always some players that withdrew from the all-star game due to injuries.

For NBA players, the all-star game was a rare period of rest during the season. Although they could only rest for a week, the short period allowed the bodies of the players to recover slightly. A lot of players placed their faith and hope on that week’s rest to help them pull through the remaining second half of the season.

The third period of high injury frequency was in April. The bodies of players once again became fatigued. A lot of old injuries started to reappear. At the same time, a lot of teams put in an effort to make it into the playoffs or obtain a home-court advantage. The intensity of the games increased, so the number of physical confrontations during the games also increased in number. All of those factors contributed to the increased risk of injury.

This was the current period of the season. Teams were fighting for the playoffs and Kerry and Gordan were not the only injured players. The other teams had their own injured players too. However, to lose two key players in one game was still rare.

The Celtics could not blame anyone since it was their players who were injured. It was their bitter pill to swallow. At the same time, they had to pray for their two key players to recover.

The terrible fate that befell the Celtics served as a reminder to the other teams of the NBA, especially those who would make the playoffs. They came to realize that it was not worth it to battle against the Clippers in overtime. No one wanted to risk what happened to the Celtics happening to their team. It would be fine to give a game to the Clippers.

It would be a bad idea to risk injuring key players for just one regular-season win.

No one wanted to follow in the footsteps of the Celtics. No team wanted to see their key players injured right before the playoffs. So, the playoff teams that ranked higher chose to rest their key players against the Clippers, sending their substitutes out to fight against the Clippers.

As for teams at the bottom of the league, they wanted to tank games. They “searched” and “begged” for defeat regardless of their opponent. They did the same when playing against the Clippers.

As such, when the regular season of the NBA came into its last month, the Clippers were in the middle of a very rare winning streak.

When the regular season ended, the record of the Clippers was 38 wins and 44 losses. They were ranked tenth in the Western Conference.

Before Dai Li became the head coach of the Clippers, their win-loss ratio was 16 to 32. After Dai Li became the Clippers’ head coach, they had obtained 22 wins and 12 losses. This was an amazingly high win rate of 64%. With such a high win rate, one would definitely rank within the top three.

From the result alone, Dai Li was already on par with the top coaches in the NBA. Taking into account that the team didn’t have any all-star players, Dai Li seemed even more impressive.

It was unbelievable for a newbie basketball coach to not just lead a weak team such as the Clippers but to achieve such a result. Many qualified and experienced coaches failed to achieve a win rate of over 60% even when the teams they lead was a strong one. Dai Li had actually managed to achieve a win rate of 64%. It stunned almost everyone.

Back then, a few of the weak bottom feeder teams appealed to the NBA, stating that they felt Dai Li, would lower the standard of the NBA. Now, those teams were silent. No one brought that up ever again.

Professional sports commentators divided and formed two factions.

One faction thought that Dai Li was truly skilled and that he was a wolf disguised as a sheep. He acted as if he did not know about basketball but, in truth, he was was well-versed in basketball.

The other faction believed that Dai Li was just lucky. All the strong teams rested their main players when playing against the Clippers while the weak teams were all looking to lose. Therefore, it was no surprise the Clippers got a good record.

However, the Clippers still did not make it into the playoffs. The competition in the Western Conference was too fierce. The teams ranked in the top nine all achieved a win rate of over 55%. It was not until the last day of the regular season that the teams making it into the playoffs was confirmed.

A total of 16 teams would play in the playoffs and, for teams like the Clippers who did not make it into the playoff, their season was over.

However, Dai LI still had a job to complete.

…

Dai Li knocked on the door and walked inside Xiao Yunan’s office.

“You’ve succeeded again!” Xiao Yunan looked at Dai Li in admiration and said, “The regular season is over, and the selection of the award winners for the regular season has also begun. There’s word saying that you’ve entered the list for best coach.”

“Really? Will they be willing to hand such an award to a newbie like me?” Dai Li asked, surprised.

“You’re worthy of winning this award. However, just like you’ve mentioned, you’re still new. I guess letting you on the list is, in itself, a special treatment already.” Xiao Yunan paused briefly before continuing, “There’s one more thing, our team has decided to sign a strategic cooperation agreement with the men’s national basketball team.”

“Men’s national basketball team? You’re talking about the Chinese men’s national basketball team?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course it’s the Chinese men’s national basketball team. Even if I wanted to sign an agreement with the American dream team, they wouldn’t agree to it!” Xiao Yunan showed Dai Li the white of her eyes before continuing, “If we can really work with the Chinese men’s national basketball team, it could be good news. At the very least, it will be easier for us to organize commercial events back in China. However, we haven’t come to an agreement on this. The Chinese national basketball association still has some concerns.”

“Then what do you need me to do?” Dai Li asked.

“In May, the Chinese men’s national basketball team will come here to train for half a month before heading to Europe for some friendly games. After that, they will participate in the Asian Games. If they are trained well, we will be able to finalize this strategic cooperation agreement with the Chinese men’s national basketball team,” Xiao Yunan said.

Dai Li nodded and said, “I understand. What you mean to say is that, within the next month, I will be training the Chinese men’s national basketball team!”

Chapter 581 - An Entire Team of Training Partners

Chapter 581: An Entire Team of Training Partners

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Wood’s mansion is in front. Back when he first came to L.A., he spent 8.5 million dollars on this mansion. He said that he wanted to play on the Clippers until he retired so he could help the Clippers win the championship. It’s a pity that since the inception of the ‘Three Giants,’ we were cursed. Someone was always injured,” Cassel said in a melancholic manner. “However, the value of Wood’s mansion has risen. I heard that it’s at least 11 million dollars now.”

Dai Li nodded and said, “The neighborhood is nice. It looks like ‘Mr. Youngest MVP Ever’ is enjoying his life. I hope this sort of peaceful life hasn’t dulled his fighting spirit.”

Cassel seemed like he wanted to say something but he hesitated. In the end, he opened his mouth and asked, “Coach Li, do you really plan to use Wood again?”

“Of course. His pay for next season is 34.5 million dollars. If the club is paying him that much money, we need him to play so we can make it back,” Dai Li answered.

“Wood is no longer the same player that was the youngest MVP in history. He has only played 20 games in the last three seasons. He even played some of those games as a substitute. His average points per game went from 25 points to five points. His average assists went from eight to 1.2 per game. More importantly, his shooting percentage dropped significantly. Before this injury, his three-pointer percentage had dropped to a measly 16.7%,” Cassel said.

“Wood was never good at three-pointers. At his peak, his three-point percentage did not exceed 35%. For a forward, that was a passable standard. His breakthroughs were really amazing. Not only was he able to score points, but he also hurt his opponent. As a point guard, he has the ability to control the rhythm of the game. That is exactly what we need,” Dai Li said.

“But he got injured because his style of play relied on breaking through the defense. His body broke down because he kept attacking the paint and getting into physical altercations. He could not play for long,” Cassel said, shaking his head.

“Unless he has the world’s greatest fitness coach!” Dai Li stated.

Cassel was slightly stunned. Of course, he knew that Dai Li meant Dai Li himself. Cassel also had to admit Dai Li was the best, but he did not believe that Wood could return to his prime.

The two of them reached Wood’s mansion, Wood also welcomed Dai Li warmly.

Since becoming the head coach, Dai Li noticed that Wood constantly came to the Staples Center to cheer for the team despite being injured. Of course, he did it to show his face, so that the sponsors would not trouble him.

“How is your recovery?” Dai Li asked.

“If I want to completely recover, I still need at least one to two months. However, I will definitely make it to pre-season training,” Wood answered. He looked a little suspicious.

“Really?” Dai Li smiled. He took a piece of paper out of his pocket and read it aloud. “23 February 2009, right wrist injury; 11 March 2010, left wrist sprain; 26 November 2010, neck injury; 10 January 2012, left big toe sprain; 14 January 2012, another left big toe sprain; sixth of February, back spasms; 14 March 2012, groin sprain; 10 April 2012, right ankle sprain; 28 April 2012, torn knee anterior cruciate ligament; 1 November 2014, ankle sprain on both legs; 15 November 2014, left leg sprain; 22 November 2013, knee meniscus tear; 24 February 2015, another knee meniscus tear; 29 September 2015, left eyelid fracture; third of April 2016, third left knee meniscus tear…”

Dai Li kept going one-by-one. It was a list of all of Wood’s recent injuries. From the first sprain to the much more severe meniscus tear.

Wood’s face darkened as he listened. Finally, he could not take it anymore and interrupted Dai Li, “Coach Li, what’s the point of you reading these?”

“Wood, you’ve experienced so many serious injuries that you’re worried that if you came back you won’t be able to play like you used to, right?” Dai Li said as he put away that piece of paper.

Wood remained silent. Dai Li continued. “In truth, I consulted your doctor before I came here. He told me that you have the knee of a fifty-year-old.”

“He told you that? Damn it, that’s private. How could he leak that information to you!” Wood was infuriated.

“Don’t forget that the NBA has rules. Players are prohibited from hiding injuries from their teams. You signed an agreement related to that, so your doctor telling us your situation isn’t a breach of your privacy. If he had tried to hide it, the club could have sued him,” Dai Li said as he spread out his hands.

Wood sighed as if he had just aged a few years. He said, “Alright, I admit my situation is pretty bad. If I did recover, it would be impossible for me to play like before. What do you plan to do? Do you plan to buy me out or trade me away? My contract this season will make it hard to find any takers. I can tell you in advance that I will want a full buyout of 34.5 million dollars. I will not take a single cent less!”

To Wood, there was no way they would continue to use him. They would not give him a chance. Faced with a 34.5 million dollar buyout, it was likely the team would look for a trade or just buy him out.

“The club has no plans to trade you or buy you out,” Dai Li said, smiling. He shook his head and said, “Next season, we need a starting point guard as the core of the team, to control the rhythm of the game.”

“What do you mean?” Wood asked.

“I mean the team needs you. I’ll let you continue to start and make you the core of the team,” Dai Li answered.

“Are you kidding? Me? You know my situation. Do you like messing with me?” Wood became even more furious.

Dai Li was incredibly calm. He looked at Wood and said, “Of course, right now you wouldn’t be able to start. You might not even make it into the bench. That’s why you need to recover and return to your peak condition.”

“Impossible. Even if I wanted to, my body couldn’t do it. My knee is history!” Wood said, shaking his head.

“That’s why I’m here today,” Dai Li said. He pulled out a booklet from his bag and gave it to Wood.

“Coach Li’s Physical Fitness Training Center’s promotion booklet? Coach Li, this is your physical fitness training center, right?” Wood looked at Dai Li. He originally thought that Dai Li was there to talk about a buyout. He never would have imagined that Dai Li was there to look for business for his training center.

Looking for business for his own training center while being the head coach of the Clippers? Isn’t this wrong? He wants to make money off of me when he knows I can’t get better. I never would have thought that Coach Li was this sort of person.

“Look inside. This is training for those who have experienced serious major injuries or for athletes with old injuries that failed to heal. It’s a promotion booklet printed especially for those types of athletes,” Dai Li said.

Wood opened the book. The beginning was a normal introduction saying that Dai Li’s training center had the best equipment, professional coaches, and experience with rehabilitation therapy training.

The second part attracted Wood’s attention. It listed real cases in which athletes who had trained at Dai Li’s center had returned to their peak condition. Among these cases were several very famous world-class athletes who Wood had heard about.

“You don’t have to doubt the the accuracy of this book. These athletes all underwent the rehabilitative training at my place. Their success and results can all be found online.” Dai Li paused for over a minute. He waited for Wood to read through at least half of them and then continued. “Your situation is terrible, but I have methods to help you recover. You can be just like the other athletes you’ve just read about.”

“Really?” Wood’s eyes showed his anxiety and his breathing became more hurried.

Dai Li nodded. “Of course, however, you will need to contribute.”

“How much do you want?” Wood asked immediately. He thought Dai Li had come to personally profit, so he asked the price directly.

“What the hell are you thinking? You are my player. Why would I take your money?” Dai Li was dumbfounded. “When I said ‘contribute,’ I meant you’d have to contribute time and effort! You need to listen to me and work hard in the rehabilitative training!”

“I’m sorry, I misunderstood.”

Dai Li then went on. “The regular season just ended, so the teams in the playoffs are still playing games. We have been dismissed because we didn’t qualify. The training camp for next season begins in October. However, I need you to start training now, not in October. There are six months from now until the season starts. I’m confident that in the next six months, I can return you to your previous condition. This arrangement will mean that your vacation is over. Over the holiday, the other players are all off. They will go to nightclubs, fish, surf, date beautiful stars, and enjoy time with their sons and daughters. You will have none of that. You can only train and sweat. Every day will be repetitive and boring. Are you willing to accept that?”

“Of course I’m willing! As long as I can recover, I’m willing to do anything.” Wood’s eyes showed a sense of impatience. He was already raring to go.

Dai Li said, “Apart from that, I also found you an entire team to be your training partner.”

“An entire team of training partners?” Wood stared at Dai Li in confusion.

“It’s an entire team, from the point guard to the center. Every position will be filled and if we decide to scrimmage I’ve got players we can play against. Considering your current body condition, I’m afraid you will have difficulty adjusting to the physicality of the NBA, so I found you these training partners. They are weaker than NBA players. I believe that, in your current condition, they will be the perfect partners for you,” Dai Li said as he started to smile triumphantly.

Chapter 582 - Group Training for the Men’s Basketball Team

Chapter 582: Group Training for the Men’s Basketball Team

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Clippers’ training center was certainly one of the newer ones in the NBA. The previous boss of the Clippers had spent $4.9 million to purchase the land in 2005 and spent three years erecting a new training center.

Three sides of the training center faced the sea. It was within a mile of the beach and it was also close to the airport. The Staples Center was more than a dozen miles away. The training center was opposite the highway, so it was considered to have traffic connectivity.

The United States was, after all, a country that relied on cars. Regardless of wealth, everyone had a car. The public transport system of the U.S. has always been criticized. If Americans didn’t have access to cars, their lives would change dramatically. Americans lived close to highways, just as the Chinese lived close to subway stations.

It was due to this convenient location that the property and land prices of the region around the Clippers rose quickly. That year, in that region, a 200 square meters residence could be sold for two million dollars. The Clippers’ training center had become an asset worth over 100 million dollars. That was one of the reasons why the Clippers could be sold for such a high price.

A bus stopped in front of the Clippers’ training center and multiple well-built young men walked off the bus. The shortest of these men was at least 6.2 feet and the tallest might have been over 6.8. Anyone could tell that they were basketball players.

However, these people were all Chinese. They seemed totally out of place with all the English signs surrounding them.

These were members of the Chinese national men’s basketball team. They were to train in the Clippers’ training center for one and a half months.

Some of the younger players looked around curiously. Even this wasn’t their first time in the United States, which it was for some of them, it was the first time they were receiving NBA level training. They were all eager.

Some of the players were much calmer, they seemed familiar with the surroundings.

In truth, some players used to receive their training in the NBA. Some had even played for NBA teams and took part in the NBA summer league. Although they did not have the ability to stay in the NBA, they were not strangers to it.

The first thing the team did upon arriving in L.A. was visit the training center. In truth, the basic facilities in every NBA teams’ training center were more or less the same. Every team was equipped with the necessary equipment. Compared to what they had in China, the hardware of NBA teams was clearly a higher level. They were also more professional. For the players who had never been to the NBA, it was overwhelming.

Later, the members of the team returned to their hotel. Everyone had just flown from China. It was good for them to rest, in order to get over the jetlag.

Dai Li discussed the upcoming training with their head coach, Chenggong Sun.

Chenggong Sun used to be a basketball player. He had been the key player for the Chinese men’s basketball team and had represented the team on multiple occasions. He represented the Chinese national basketball team in the Olympic Games as well as the World Basketball Championship. After he retired, he became the head coach of a team in the CBA and, later, was called upon to become the head coach of the men’s national team.

Dai Li was no stranger to Chenggong Sun. When Dai Li was still in school, he often watched Chenggong Sun play basketball. Even after he graduated and found a job, Chenggong Sun had still been a player.

Chenggong Sun also knew about Dai Li. Back when Dai Li was the head coach of the U.S. track and field team, Chenggong Sun knew that there was a fellow Chinese achieving success in the sports world over in the U.S. When Dai Li became the head coach of the Clippers, he became a peer in the same industry. Chenggong Sun followed news about Dai Li more closely, which included the over 60% win rate Dai Li achieved by the Clippers. Chenggong Sun also knew his stats by heart. Chenggong Sun probably would have been able to dictate Dai Li’s entire curriculum vitae.

…..

In the meeting room, Dai Li talked to Chenggong Sun in Mandarin. Cassel and the other assistant coaches could not understand anything. They only sat there and looked at each other.

“Coach Sun, may I know if your team has any demands for this group training?” Dai Li asked, smiling.

“We will just follow your lead! You need not be so polite. After all, the NBA has the best training in the world. Moreover, you are one of us. I believe you will definitely create an effective training plan for us,” Chenggong Sun said, laughing joyously. He passed the ball back to Dai Li.

Chenggong Sun knew that Dai Li was not originally a professional basketball coach. Yet he had still managed to lead a weak team to a win rate of over 60%, meaning Dai Li was genuinely capable. That was why Chenggong Sun did not try to show off. He was very receptive and would follow any plan. At the same time, he also wanted to test Dai Li’s ability.

“Since you put it that way, I’ll share my thoughts with you briefly,” Dai Li said. He stopped being courteous and cleared his throat. “A month and a half is neither too long nor too short. I hope that our team can benefit greatly in this one and a half month.

“I believe there is no need for tactical training. You and the other coaches should already have very detailed tactical plans and systems for the current team, so there is no need for us to intervene here. Moreover, the tactical coaches of the Clippers are all Americans and they do not understand the Chinese basketball play style. They also don’t know the traits and personalities of your players. If our tactical coaches interfered your system, I’m afraid it would be bad for the team.”

Chenggong Sun nodded. He had not planned on allowing Dai Li to interfere with his tactical system.

Dai Li continued. “I don’t see a need for technical training either. Any such training would be ineffectual over such a short period of time. Some techniques require months, even years of training. Furthermore, a lot of game time is needed for adjustments and improvements. If we use the time we have on techniques and skills, it would be a waste and the effects would be minimal.”

“Then, Coach Li, what you mean is…?” Chenggong Sun started to ask.

“I think that the best kind of training, in this case, is physical fitness training. Fitness training has the fastest results. Athletes can make significant progress and improve a lot in a short period of time. I want to use this time to make our national basketball team players stronger, with better endurance and resistance.

“I analyzed our opponents in Asia. At the moment, our main adversaries are Australia, New Zealand, and Iran. Australia has a lot of players in the NBA, and several among them are even considered stars. If they were to return and play for the Australian national team, the Australian team would have the capability to play evenly against the strong teams of Europe and America. Truth be told, if the Australian team manages to gather all their players, they are definitely out of our league.

“The situation in New Zealand is similar to the one in Australia. They have a lot of excellent players. If all of those players join the New Zealand team, they would have the strength to play evenly against the teams in Europe and America as well. However, the top players of Australia and New Zealand seem unwilling to represent and play for their country. Most of the time, we only face their second-tier team.

“Moreover, Australia and New Zealand are not participating in this upcoming Asian Games, so Iran is our main opponent. The skills of the Iranian team are pretty decent in the Asian region. The physical qualities of West Asian players are also ideal. However, in the past few years, as the Iranian team has gradually aged, the team is currently transitioning between the young and old players. They are no longer as strong as they were.

“Another thing is naturalization players. The Korean, Japanese and Philippines team all have naturalization players, right? The Filipino team actually has quite a few, even some who used to play in the NBA. It’s no exaggeration to say that some of their better players could single-handedly destroy the average team in Asia!”

As Dai Li spoke, he looked at Chenggong Sun, as if asking for his opinion.

Chenggong Sun shook his head in resignation. “This is indeed the case. The current Philippines team has more naturalized players than local ones. Some have dual citizenship so they are both Filipino and American. This means that they have a basketball background in the United States. Although some of their skills are coarse and they are unable to play in the U.S., they can dominate in Asia. The naturalized players in the Philippines really change the tone of Asian basketball.”

“That’s why I think that our players need physical fitness training. We need to let the players who only rely on the physical qualities to know our strength,” Dai Li said with confidence.

Not all of the naturalized players in the Philippines were amazing. Some of them only played in Asian basketball leagues and some only played in the local leagues in the Philippines. Those who only managed to play in the Filipino basketball league were quite bad.

In truth, these players weren’t skilled, so they couldn’t really play in the United States. American basketball players, who had skills and technique, could still play in the European basketball leagues to earn money if they couldn’t make it into the NBA. Those who had a little talent could play in the CBA for a decent wage. They did not have to be reduced to playing in the Filipino basketball league.

The Filipino team was also not physically the strongest when compared to the muscular Americans. However, when compared to local players in Asia, they were much stronger.

Regarding naturalized players in the Philippines, most played with their body. They only knew how to play solo and their skills and technique were rubbish. Such players could still manage when playing against average Asian players, they had an advantage with their bodies. However, when faced with players who were equally strong physically, their lack of skills would be exposed.

Chenggong Sun lowered his head and thought for over a minute. He finally nodded, agreeing Dai Li’s point.

To Chenggong Sun, what Dai Li said seemed reasonable. Since tactics and skills could not be developed in such a short period of time, physical fitness was the only thing left to be trained.

Basketball is, after all, a highly physical sport. Chenggong Sun also considered the fact that Dai Li was originally a physical fitness coach. Physical fitness training was probably the kind of training he excelled at.

“Coach Sun, if you have no objections, I will create a training plan as soon as possible. However, my plan will not be limited to only physical training It will also include the daily lifestyle and food intake of the athletes. I hope that during this period, players will be disciplined and follow my instructions,” Dai Li said.

“Naturally,” Chenggong Sun said, nodding. However, the word “discipline” seemed very out of place to him in a place like the United States.

…

Dai Li led multiple coaches onto the court. The players from the Chinese team immediately formed a line.

It was only then that the people discovered that among the group that followed Dai Li onto the court was a man who looked very familiar.

“Is that Wood?”

“Wood? Which Wood?”

“How many Woods do you know? He’s the youngest MVP ever in the regular season!”

“Wood is a Clippers’ player?”

“Wood, it’s really Wood! That’s right, it’s him!”

Wood’s appearance caused several seconds of ruckus in the line. They never would have thought that they would have the chance to meet a superstar because the Clippers’ season was over.

Dai Li walked in front and coughed to signal that he wanted them to quiet down. He then said, “I’m sure you already know the person beside me. From today onwards, Wood will be training with you!”

“Wood will train with us?”

“Train with an NBA superstar? Awesome!”

“Help me take a picture later. I want to be in a photo training with Wood.”

A few of the younger players seemed very eager to start.

Dai Li smiled and said, “Fellas, opportunities to train with a regular season MVP of the NBA are far and few in between. I hope that you will value this opportunity. The amount that you learn from Wood will depend on all of you!”

Not far from the group, Coach Chenggong Sun was shell-shocked. He never would have imagined that Dai Li could bring Wood to train with the men’s basketball team.

Looks like Coach Li has put a lot of effort into training the team. It was definitely the correct decision to work with the Clippers this time. From this alone, I can beautify the U.S. outstation training report more and hope that the basketball association can finish up our strategic partnership with the Clippers. Our players will get even more opportunities to train with these NBA superstars, even if we do just serve as their training partners. This is definitely better than training back in the mainland!

Chapter 583 - Nominee

Chapter 583: Nominee

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was 10:00 A.M. at Dai Li’s training center.

“Everyone take a break!” Dai Li clapped his hands, signaling for the players to pause their training.

“We’ve been training for two hours. Finally, we’re getting a break.”

“The morning training actually wasn’t as intense as I’d imagine it to be. It was similar to our training back in China.”

“Perhaps this is because we’re just beginning. Coach Li did not want to increase our workload too much. Maybe in a few days, our workload will increase drastically.”

Players walked to the side of the court in twos and threes, consciously forming a line in front of Dai Li.

“Alright, everyone’s here. Get ready to eat,” Dai Li said as he waved his arms. After his wave, some staff appeared and walked towards them with dining carts.

The players were dumbfounded. They were wondering if they had heard him wrong.

“Eat? Did Coach Li just say eat? I didn’t mishear him, did I?”

“I also heard it.”

“It’s only ten in the morning. Isn’t it a bit early to be eating?”

“Why are they pushing dining pushcarts over here when the Clippers’ training center must have specialized dining halls? Do they actually want us to eat here at the court?”

Everyone seemed lost. The staff with the pushcarts had moved in front of them. Everyone looked over the carts. The first one had milk cartons; the second one had sliced apples placed on small plates; the third one had plates of sticky stuff.

“Everyone will have one carton of skimmed milk, a plate of apples, and a plate of this nutritional meal,” Dai Li said as he pointed to the pushcarts.

“So we’re getting a snack!”

“We get snacks in the middle of training? The NBA sure is exquisite.”

The players moved to claim their food one-by-one. They did not pay much attention to the milk and the apple, but they were very interested in the pasty “nutritional meal.”

“What is this plate of paste?”

“This must be a snack that the nutritionist of the NBA specifically prepared, right?”

“I know this stuff; I think it’s used to build muscle. Trainers have their thinner players eat this stuff to help them bulk up.”

“There must be some protein powder in this, right?”

“There are also other kinds of vitamins and minerals. I’m not sure what the difference is between the standard nutritional meal here in the U.S. and the one back in China. I’ll test the taste first.”

“It tastes pretty decent. I think it’s vanilla flavored.”

The players each had their nutritional meals in their hands. They talked as they ate, some of them actually enoying the food.

Wood looked agonizingly at the snack in front of him. He gritted his teeth and, as if he had finally mustered enough courage, grabbed the spoon and put it into his mouth.

It’s been years since I last ate this stuff. It still tastes the same. If I have to eat this every day, this will be true torture, Wood thought. He looked at the Chinese players and found that they were actually enjoying the stuff.

“Wait ’til you’ve eaten this for an entire week. I bet you won’t be enjoying it anymore!” Wood mumbled to himself.

…

At dinner, the players gathered in the dining hall and talked amongst themselves as they ate.

“I thought that we would be having steak for every meal in the United States. There are so many vegetables in front of us: cucumber, broccoli, and lettuce.”

“This is chicken breast, isn’t it? There’s also freshly squeezed orange juice. There’s not even sugar in it so it tastes a little sour.”

“Why are you looking for steak? Didn’t we already eat grilled beef in the afternoon?”

“That grilled beef had a layer of cheese on it, so I couldn’t get used to eating it. It doesn’t compare to the boiled beef back at home!”

“That’s enough. This is the United States. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

“Now that I think about it, this’ll be our fifth meal of the day, right?”

“You’re right. We also ate at ten in the morning and three in the afternoon. Moreover, we also drank one liter of that glutamic acid drink. Back in China, the meals were not as detailed and specific.”

“Isn’t that right? Back in China, we could go out at night and order skewered meat or something. There’s nothing here. I asked around just now, and we’re 12 miles away from the city. There are no buses here. If we don’t have a car, we have to stay in this training center. We can’t go anywhere.”

“The United States, huh. Everything is so good, but it’s so boring…”

…

Wood had predicted that if the players would get sick of their nutritional meals after a week of eating them. In reality, the players began getting disgusted after only three days.

Food in the form of a paste did not taste great. If one were to eat it occasionally, one would probably be able to accept it. When one had to eat it every day more than once, it was agony. Furthermore, the team was used to Chinese delicacies. This made it even harder to put it the pasty substance into their mouths.

The intensity of the training had gradually increased and a lot of players felt the pressure. They had finally realized that NBA training was not something simple or easy.

…

In the morning, the players arrived early at the dining hall to eat.

“I can’t take it anymore. The training is difficult every day and they want us to eat this garbage!” A player pointed at the pasty snack on the plate and threw a spoon at it.

“That’s right! Training is the same everywhere. We didn’t have to come to the United States! There was no need for us to look for Dai Li at the Clippers! The training is tiring every day. He even controls what we drink and what we eat!”

“We’re eating boiled meat and vegetables every day. They aren’t even flavorful. Also, how am I supposed to eat this bullsh*t nutritional meal?”

“There’s nothing here apart from this training center, not even a supermarket! We’ve finally come to the U.S., but we can have to stay here. We’re not in prison, so what right does he have to keep us stuck here?”

“Coach Li isn’t even a professional basketball coach. He’s never played the game a day in his life! Why should we listen to him?”

“Yeah, he’s an outsider! What gives him the right to train us? He was only great at track and field coaching. Basketball isn’t track and field! What does he know!?”

“No more training. We’re not training today. Let’s go find Coach Li and talk it out with him! We’re not his slaves! We want to go out and have a good meal!”

A few players grumbled. Emotion had sparked as if a bunch of dried firewood had caugh aflame, burning and growing ever stronger in intensity.

The gradually increasing training intensity, as well as the disgusting nutritional meal every day, kindled a rebellious spirit in the players. They started to feel conflicted about Dai Li.

It was actually a normal phenomenon. The players who joined the national basketball team were the best in the CBA. They were the core players on their respective teams. A lot of them enjoyed special privileges. Now that they were at the Clippers’, things were not going their way. They were suffering. It was natural for them to be mentally offput by this change in their circumstances.

They would not dare to oppose the coaches of their respective teams or Chenggong Sun so agressively. After all, their coach had the authority to punish them. Of course, players did not dare to cause problems. If they challenged an order from him they could kicked off the team and branded as disobedient. That would kill their chances of ever palying for the national team again.

Dai Li was not their head coach and he did not have the authority to punish them. To these players, Dai Li was only a temporary coach. When they were dissatisfied, they did not dare to complain to Chenggong Sun. However, they were brave enough to vent their dissatisfaction to Dai Li.

A few brave players started planning how to pressure Dai Li. At that moment, three pictures appeared on the TV screen in the dining hall.

“I know those guys. The first is the head coach of the Rockets and the second is the head coach of the Raptors!” Someone said.

“The Rockets are in first place of the entire league. The Raptors are first in the Eastern Conference. It would be normal for these two head coaches to appear together, but why is Coach Li with them? Little Ding, your English is good. Hurry up and translate for us.”

Little Ding nodded and said, “The NBA just announced the nominees for the best coach award for the season. Those three are the nominees.”

“What? You’re saying that Coach Li is a nominee for the best coach of the season in the NBA? Is it possible for him to be the best coach in the league?”

The dining hall suddenly went into an uproar.

Everyone there was a professional player. They knew how impressive the best coach in the NBA must be. Even to make it onto the nominee list was impressive.

The players who were plotting to confront Dai Li looked spiritless and the ones who said that Dai Li was an outsider lowered their heads. They did not dare to look into the eyes of the other players.

At that moment, they could only bottle their feelings up.

Dai Li was nominated as one of the best coaches in the NBA. That meant that the NBA recognized Dai Li’s professionalism and standard in basketball. Dai Li was no longer an outsider when it came to basketball. These CBA players would be stupid to confront Dai Li about his coaching now!

Chapter 584

Chapter 584: A Man Who is Not Content With What He Deserves is Like a Snake that Tries to Swallow an Elephant

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Coach Li, congratulations on being the nominated for the best coach of the season!” Chenggong Sun said with the brightest of smiles. “There are only three people nominated. They must recognize your ability as a coach. Congratulations on becoming the best coach in advance!”

“The best coach of the season award will not go to me this season. I may be able to get it next season if I fight for it. After all, the Rockets and Raptors did really well this season. We didn’t even make the playoffs. The NBA officials won’t give such an award to me,” Dai Li said, smiling.

“Fight for it a little. You’re already nominated, so you might actually have a chance!” Chenggong Sun suggested.

Dai Li smiled mysteriously. He lowered his voice and said, “In truth, I’ve already spent quite a lot in PR just to get nominated, so I think this is as much as I can hope for.”

“Oh, spending a lot in PR also works in the U.S.! I thought that it only worked back in China.” Chenggong Sun nodded.

Dai Li really did spend a lot of money to get this nomination.

The annual NBA awards ceremony was usually held in the latter part of May every year, where nominees for all sorts of awards were announced. Some awards (such as the scoring leader, the rebound king, and the assist king) were supported by data. Whoever had the best stats would win, so there was no suspense at all.

However, some awards (the MVP, the best sixth man, the best defender, the best growth, and the best coach) were more subjective. The final winners in these categories are decided through the voting procedure.

Previously, the head coaches of each team would have one vote for each award. However, this had changed recently. Now, well-known sports journalists and sports pundits voted. In recent years, the NBA had also tried to involve the fans in the voting process.

People often fell into habits when voting. For example, a player was named the best defender last season would likely win it again if he was still a good player. He would at least be put in the best defensive line up. So, for players, it was hardest to win their first award. As long as a player got his first award, then the next awards became far easier.

Dai Li wanted to be nominated for the best coach award. The best method to get a nomination was to do PR with sports journalists who had votes. These journalists were certain to be backed by well-known media firms. Dai Li sent a message to these media firms by buying multiple advertisements for his training center from these firms. The sports media firms knew that Dai Li purchased those advertisement space with conditions and, when there’s money to be earned, who would say no. Naturally, they would let their journalists vote for Dai Li if he was willing to buy advertisements.

In truth, he basically purchased his nomination for the best coach award. Other coaches did not have that enough money to throw away media advertisements.

Dai Li’s physical fitness training center budgeted a certain amount for advertisement and public relations annually, so Dai Li had to spend that money sooner or later. Since it was money that needed to be spent, why not benefits it a little extra?

Dai Li also really needed this nomination. His identity as “Outsider” had plagued him for over half a season. Since the day he arrived at the NBA, an endless stream of people had coined him as “Outsider.” He needed an award like this to support him. Even if he could not really win the award, being nominated for the best coach award would be sufficient in shutting up the people who had dubbed him “Outsider.”

It was similar to the way that acting careers worked. If critics don’t like an actor they say he isn’t believable or can’t capture an audience’s attention. Other people are affected by these negative comments and believe that this actor is bad. However, when the actor receives an award, the negative criticism vanishes. If he received several heavyweight awards and became a master actor, then everyone who critiqued him would change their tune. All the negative comments would become excuses for absolution.

The coaching industry was similar. After receiving a few awards, people would naturally start praising someone.

In truth, the voting was also very lopsided.

The annual NBA awards ceremony was an appraisal of the award winner’s season. A team had to play 82 games in a season. The players who could win an award would have at least played 70. It was impossible for the journalists to focus on too many players. They could not watch all 82 games of every team in the NBA. When they voted, they could only vote for players from the pool of players that they followed, or perhaps choose a few players with good stats from the statistics table.

Based on that, when the candidates for the annual NBA awards were released, there were always debates and arguments. Some fans always felt that the nominated players did not deserve the awards.

Dai Li and Chenggong Sun chatted casually for a while and began discussing the next stage of the training plan. At that moment, someone’s phone rang.

Dai Li picked up his phone and his expression suddenly changed.

“Coach Li, you should go if you’re busy. I’ll be here to keep an eye on things,” Chenggong Sun said kindly.

“Alright, I’ll be right back,” Dai Li said. As he left, he called for Cassel and walked to the meeting room.

…

“Coach, what happened?” Cassel asked as he walked in behind Dai Li.

“Ronny’s contract renewal talks collapsed. He rejected the contract we offered,” Dai Li said.

“He rejected a five-year contract worth 90 million dollars?” Cassel was a little surprised.

“Before the season ended, the team wanted to renew Ronny’s contract, so they offered him a five-year contract worth 85 million dollars. He did not accept it. Now that the season is over, the team offered him a 90 million dollar five year deal, with the last year being his option. That averages out to 18 million dollars per year, but he still rejected it. He wants more!” Dai Li said.

Cassel nodded and asked, “Then how much does Ronny want? Does he want a super contract of 20 million per year? That’s 100 million over five years!”

“His appetite has no limit. He wants a five-year contract worth 150 million dollars!” Dai Li said as a cold light flashed in his eyes.

“What? A five-year contract worth 150 million dollars? That’s about as much as we could pay anyone. Has Ronny gone mad!?” Cassel exclaimed.

“It’s a good thing he is a restrained free player and we have the right to a contract renewal. We can match the offer of any other teams. According to the rules, the other teams can only offer him a four-year contract, while we can offer him a five-year contract,” Dai Li said coldly.

“But if Ronny keeps insisting on the five-year 150 million dollar deal, what do you plan to do? Do you really plan to lose him?” Cassel asked.

“I don’t know,” Dai Li said, shaking his head. He then said, “But I don’t feel that he is worth the highest wage for five years! Worst case: we give him a qualification offer, use him for another year, and ask him to scram!”

…

Back when the Clippers accepted Wood’s rubbish contract, Ronny was one of the conditions. Back then, Ronny only had a rookie contract. He was only a bench player and his game time was limited, but he still contributed an average of 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

The Clippers fancied Ronny’s potential and planned to make him into the core of the team. They gave him a lot of chances. They let him become a starting forward and developed a lot of plays that centered around him. Ronny’s stats continually increased. In the most recent season, he reached an average of 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

As a forward, 19+5+3 was a decent result. The previous season was the last year of Ronny’s rookie contract, so contract renewal became one of the Clippers’ main task over the summer.

Before the season ended, the Clippers had already decided to renew Ronny’s contract and they offered him a five-year 85 million dollar deal. Although that contract was not the top wage, it was still considered pretty high among for a newbie’s contract. After all, Ronny had never been a higher ranking player and wasn’t considered an all-star.

Ronny rejected this offer and informed the media that he was fighting for the top wage.

After Dai Li joined the Clippers, they played quite a number of overtimes, which improved the average statistics of several of the Clippers players. They played several more minutes each game, so, naturally, they got higher stats. Ronny’s average points per game went above 19.

The Clippers did not want to lose Ronny; they even offered him a five-year contract worth 90 million dollars. This was five million more than the previous offer, and his average annual salary would be over 18 million dollars. However, Ronny was still unsatisfied; he wanted the top wage!

Based on NBA rules, Ronny had already played four full seasons in the NBA, so he fulfilled the requirements of the Larry Bird exception clause. Although he had been traded once, his rookie contract inherited the Larry Bird exception clause. The team that obtained the player after the trade could still execute the Larry Bird exception clause. As such, Ronny could use the clause to obtain a top wage during contract renewal.

The Larry Bird exception clause states that free players could play for a team for over three years. Teams can re-sign their own free agents, at an amount not affected by the salary cap for a maximum of five years. The starting salary for the first year of the contract would be 25% of the current salary under the restriction of the salary cap. Every consecutive year, the salary would rise by 12.5% annually. However, if the player moved to another team by the end of the season, then his salary only rose by 10.5%, and the contract length was limited to four years.

The 12.5% annual salary increase in the Larry Bird exception could only be used on first-round drafted rookies. Ronny was a first-round drafted rookie. His wage in the first year was close to 25 million dollars, and the 12.5% increase in consecutive years would make his five-year salary 150 million dollars.

If he made 90 million dollars over five years, a loss of 60 million, he would lose 12 million dollars per year. Naturally, Ronny did not want to lose that much.

…

In the meeting room, everyone was discussing Ronny’s contract renewal.

“150 million over five years is impossible. Ronny isn’t worth this much. Although his stats improved to 19+5+3, he is still not an all-star. He’s not worth such a high salary.”

“Ronny’s stats are based on the fact that there’s more time to improve. In truth, his shooting rate hasn’t improved that much since he was on the Chicago Bulls. If he weren’t the tactical core of the team, he would not have the ball so much. He would never have gotten stats like these.”

“I believe that Ronny can become an all-star player. However, it’s difficult to believe he can become a game-changing leader of a team. A five-year deal worth 150 million dollars is really too much.”

Everyone in the meeting room began stating their opinion.

If one were an all-star or had similar stats to an all-star, then a team could offer him a top wage without having to worry about facing a loss. Of course, this did not guarantee teams would earn profits.

A mega superstar, on the other hand, was guaranteed to make a huge profit for a team even if they offered him a the top wage.

Some players had strategic value. They occupied the slot of the top earner but they helped the team make the playoffs. For the team, these sorts of returns were well worth the investment.

Apart from them were mega super rookies. These players were definitely going to become mega superstars in the future. They could very well bring teams the championship or even create a golden era for the team. Teams were naturally going to offer players like these the top earner clause because it was the equivalent of paying for the future in the present,

Ronny wanted to become the top earner with a five-year deal worth 150 million dollars. Clearly, he felt that he was the kind of player who could develop into a mega superstar.

Unfortunately, he was not such a player.

In the meeting room, the management of the Clippers discussed this for at least half a day before finally reaching a consensus. They decided that they would not satisfy Ronny’s demands for the 150 million dollar five-year deal.

“At the moment, it looks like we still have the initiative in Ronny’s contract renewal. However, I’m worried that the other teams will start causing problems once the playoffs are over. If other teams offer him huge contracts, then it will be up to us to see if we want to match their offers. In that case, we become the passive party. I would prefer to complete contract talks as soon as possible,” Xiao Yunan said and looked at Dai Li.

“A man who is not content with what he deserves is like a snake that tries to swallow an elephant!” Dai Li sighed. He then said, “I will think of some way to put pressure on Ronny. In the training camp, I will intentionally pay more attention to players in the forward position. I will also follow some free agents. Hopefully,, Ronny will know that we are already starting to look for his replacement. That way, he may be more anxious to renew his contract with us!”

Chapter 585 - Rookies

Chapter 585: Rookies

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The NBA organized a joint training camp for up-and-coming rookies every year in late May. The NBA invited about 60 new players to take part in the camp, putting them through a variety of physical and skill-based tests. Every year, scouts, general managers, and sometimes head coaches personally visited the camp and observed the training of the rookies.

If a team spotted a rookie that they liked, they would invite him to participate their team’s rookie training. Rookies with potential got invitations from several teams.

In the past, many rookies who were predicted to get drafted early declined to take part in this joint rookie training or to only undergo the physical examination. They might be worried that the skill-based segment would expose their weaknesses.

However, two years ago, the camp reinstated the five versus five scrimmage program, and many high draft ranking players returned to the camp. Actual gameplay was the most effective way of determining a players’ actual strength. Many rookies were willing to go play in five versus five scrimmages to display their strength.

As the NBA playoffs were still underway, the head coaches for many teams could not take time off to check out the training camp. Therefore, there were not many head coaches there. Most teams sent their managers and scouts. Dai Li became the focal point for reporters because he personally attending the camp.

Dai Li had just been nominated for the best coach award and a lot of players hoped to receive positive comments from him. It would increase their rankings in the draft.

“Coach Li, these are the physical test results for all the players taking part in the camp,” the Clippers’ scout said, handing heaps of information to Dai Li.

The stats from the physical test included the height, weight, wingspan, standing reach, palm width, fat percentage, shuttle runs in the paint, shuttle runs, three quarter court sprint, standing vertical leap, and maximum vertical leap for each player. Every year, players with crazy physical stats would appear and a lot of rookies with outstanding physicality used this chance to improve their draft rankings.

The Clippers’ scout briefed and introduced the player stats to Dai Li, but Dai Li only shook his head from time to time.

“Coach Li, you don’t seem satisfied with these rookies,” the scout said.

“Our first round draft pick comes from the Bulls. The Bulls did pretty well this season, making the playoffs. I estimate that our pick will probably be 20th. I’m afraid with a draft pick like that, it’ll be really difficult for us to find a suitable rookie.”

Dai Li sighed and said, “For this draft, the first few picks will be players with outstanding talent. If we were among the top five, or even the top ten, we would have a good choice, but after the 20th pick there really isn’t anyone to choose.”

“Coach Li, you don’t have to worry, around seven to eight players did not accept the invitation to participate in the joint training camp this year. If you want, I can send their information to you,” the scout said.

“Are there any forwards?” Dai Li asked.

The scout thought for a moment and nodded. “Yes, there are. Please wait a moment, I’ll find them for you.”

The scout took out his tablet, which made a few clicks before producing a lot of player information.

“Coach Li, take a look at this. This player, Kelz Kumar, is 6.7 feet tall. His main position is forward. He’s from the University of Utah, where he’s a junior. Last season, he played 29 games for the University of Utah, scoring 16.4 points per game, and averaged 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He was selected as part of the best lineup in the Pacific-12 Conference,” the scout said.

“A junior? That sure is an old rookie. What’s the media predict for his draft?” Dai Li asked.

“The media predicts that he will probably get picked by the end of the first round or early in the second round. Among the forwards, he’s the only one who did not participate today. The latter part is his scouting report,” the scout said.

“Strength: Tall and wide wingspan. Good overall skill with decent athletic ability. Large frame, a little underweight at the moment. Standard rotational small forward, or a scoring power forward. Average defense capability. Weakness: Ability to score outside the paint fairly low, low scoring ability shooting off a dribble, in-game decision making could be better, average vertical leap and explosive strength…”

Dai Li reviewed the report carefully. From its content, the scouts did not appear to think highly of Kelz Kumar.

“He is similar to Osef. If he does become like Osef, that isn’t so bad,” Dai Li said as he returned the tablet to the scout. He then asked casually, “What has that fellow, Osef, been doing lately? It’s been a while since I heard anything about him.”

“Osef? Last week he announced that he will be making a comeback next season! But I think he’s just talk. His career over!” The scout curled his lips. “An excellent player who destroyed himself with drugs and women!”

…

Ronny had been traded to Los Angeles, so he had not yet purchased any real estate in Los Angeles and rented a condominium.

Although the season for the Clippers was over, Ronny did not leave Los Angeles. It was the center of entertainment in the U.S., so there were many temptations that made it hard for a youngster to leave.

At that moment, Ronny opened a bottle of beer and leaned casually on the sofa.

Beside him, Ronny’s agent said, “The rookie training camp is about to start and the Clippers invited several forwards to participate. I heard that they were also scouting the NBA development league for forwards.”

“Hmpf, they are just trying to trick me into signing a renewal contract faster.” Ronny curled his lips in disdain.

“As long as you understand that. I’m really worried that you can’t take the heat and will actively seek them out to lower your salary,” his agent said.

“I’m anything but anxious! I don’t believe that the Clippers can so easily replace me.” Ronny put down his beer mug and asked, “Have any other teams shown interest? Are there any teams willing to offer me a contract?”

“The playoffs aren’t over yet. Even if there are teams, they won’t express their interest right now,” his agent said.

“Good point,” Ronny said as he narrowed his eyes. He then said, “Put the word out to say that my contract talks with the Clippers have stalled and that I’m willing to consider any offers!”

…

A couple of rookies who arrived for trials could be seen on the Clippers’ training ground. It was the Clippers’ rookie training camp.

“American players sure are strong. Look at that guy! How is he a 19-year-old kid? And that one, I think he’s only around 20 years old, but he’s as strong as a bull!” Chenggong Sun said enviously.

Concerning physical qualities alone, these rookies were indeed better than the players from the Chinese men’s national basketball team. As the head coach of the national team, Chenggong Sun wished that his players were at least as strong.

“Our players have become much stronger after half a month of training,” Dai Li said.

“You’ve got a point. Their muscles have certainly become bigger. At least they are definitely much more defined now,” Chenggong Sun said with a nod.

Compared to when they had arrived, the Chinese players had indeed grown stronger. While they could not be compared to the muscular American players, they were certainly better off than other Asian players.

Just as Chenggong Sun relished in the improved physical quality of his basketball team, Dai Li’s gaze was fixed on another player.

Looks like the scout was wrong. Kelz Kumar’s talent definitely puts him within the top five draft picks. The scout clearly did not seriously consider his potential! Looks like the 20th pick will be reserved for him!

The player he was focusing on was Kelz Kumar, the player who did not take part in the joint rookie training camp.

Under Dai Li’s suggestion, the Clippers’ rookie training camp sent Kumar an invitation. Kumar decided to accept the invitation.

The Clippers were, after all, a team in Los Angeles. Although they could not be compared to the Lakers in multiple aspects, the team was still in Los Angeles. This was a bonus. It was a factor for attracting players, especially the younger ones. They hoped to begin their professional basketball career in a metropolis.

At the same time, the Clippers had a 20th draft pick. This was slightly earlier than Kumar had been predicted to be drafted, so Kumar hoped that he could be chosen earlier than predicted if he impressed them.

Dai Li looked at Kumar, satisfied. The detector had informed Dai Li he had amazing potential. As long as he could realize his potential, he was destined to become an all-star player. At that moment, Dai Li already decided that he was going to pick Kumar.

“Coach!” A voice came from behind Dai Li. He turned his head and saw that it was an administrative staff of the team.

“Is something the matter?” Dai Li asked.

“Please take a look at this news report.” The staff member turned on his laptop and put it in front of Dai Li.

“Ronny from LA Clippers willing to listen to offers from other teams.”

Dai Li furrowed his brow as soon as he saw the headline.

“Ronny intentionally put out this information as a countermove huh!” Dai Li smirked in disdain. He told his employee, “You can head back. I know what to do.”

Earlier, Dai Li might have cared more about Ronny because the Clippers needed good forwards. Apart from Ronny, there really was no one else.

However, things were different now. Dai Li had discovered Kelz Kumar. Kumar’s talent was far greater than Ronny, and his potential was also better. It was much more worth it to groom Kumar. Even if Ronny left the team, the Clippers would still be able to use Kumar as a forward. Right then, Dai Li did not care much if Ronny stayed or not.

Dai Li thought for a few seconds and waved his hands. He hollered for the team reporter of the Clippers.

“There’s someone here I’m interested in. I’ll have a chat with him later, and you can take a few pictures. After that, write a news report and publish it,” Dai Li ordered.

The team reporter nodded to signal that he understood.

Later, Dai Li called Kelz Kumar over and began talking to him. The team reporter who took out his camera and quickly began taking pictures.

…

The following day, photos of Dai Li and Kumar speaking appeared online. The words that went along with the pictures stated that Dai Li was coaching Kumar.

Head coaches normally observed from the sidelines during training camps. Sometimes, they wouldn’t even make an appearance and only sent their assistants.

Dai Li was on the court, giving advice to a rookie. This meant that Dai Li valued that rookie.

The first thing they guessed was that the Clippers would use their 20th pick to choose Kelz Kumar.

For Kumar, it was good news. Kumar’s previous media-projected draft position was at the end of the first round or the start of the second round. If he were selected as the 20th pick, it would mean he moved up several positions.

…

Boston

The draft pick that the Celtics received from the Clippers went from within the top five to the 13th pick. It was a pick at the periphery of the lottery. It put the general manager, Dennis, in a bad mood.

Moreover, two of the core players on the Celtics were out for the rest of the season due to injuries. They lost in the first round of the playoffs. This made it possible for Dennis to focus his effort and energy into the upcoming NBA draft pick.

At that moment, the rookie training camp of the Celtics was also underway.

Dennis sat on a bench beside the court and gazed at the rookies participating. Occasionally, he sought the advice of the scout seated next to him.

Not far away, Arnold, the head coach of the Celtics walked towards him.

“Coach Arnold, what brings you here? I thought that you wouldn’t come today!” Dennis said.

“I want you to look at the information of a rookie.” Arnold turned to look at the scout and said, “Please give me a detailed report on Kelz Kumar.”

“You’re talking about Kelz Kumar from the University of Utah? Please hold on a second, I’ll bring him right up.” The scout quickly found data on Kumar and passed it to Arnold.

Dennis moved his head to take a peek. As he read the report, he said, “This is a forward! We don’t really need any additional players, right? He’s predicted to go by the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round. Coach Arnold, you specifically came here. Does that mean you are interested in this player?”

Arnold shook his head and said, “I just saw a news report that stated that the head coach of the Clippers, Dai Li, was interested in this rookie. Some sources said that the Clippers were going to use their 20th pick to select this rookie. I was wondering if this Kumar was a hidden gem.”

“Hahahaha. Coach Arnold, you think too much. This is just a trick,” Dennis laughed suddenly.

“Mr. Dennis, do you have any inside information?” Arnold asked immediately.

“I’m not sure if you noticed some news yesterday. The Clippers’ contract renewal talks with Ronny aren’t going very smoothly. Ronny already indicated that he was willing to listen to offers from other teams. Ronny is a forward, and this rookie is also a forward. The Clippers released this info is to put pressure on lowering Ronny’s salary demands.

“The Clippers are just trying to tell Ronny that they found a replacement for him. At the same time, they are also telling other teams that the Clippers don’t necessarily want to keep Ronny. When the other teams consider making him an offer, they will not set the price too high. That way, when the Clippers match their offer, they will be able to save money.”

Arnold nodded and said, “So that’s how it is. If you did not remind me, I really would have thought that Kumar was unique. It’s just a tactic the Clippers are using to lower the contract value!”

…

Los Angeles, Ronny’s apartment.

Ronny was infuriated.

“Damn it. They actually did this to pressure me? I’ll never compromise! Five years. 150 million. I will not accept a cent less!” Ronny said angrily.

Calmly, his agent said, “Even you can see through such a price reduction method. I’m sure the managers from other teams will also understand. If they are truly interested in you, they will give you a reasonable price. However, I’m still more inclined to renew your contract with the Clippers. After all, the Clippers can give you a five-year deal while the other teams can only offer you a four-year deal.”

“I understand!” Ronny grunted coldly. He then said, “Book me a ticket to Hawaii. I want to go on vacation. I’ll leave the Clippers on the side for a while. After the playoffs are over, they will beg me to renew the contract!”

Chapter 586 - Nobody Cares

Chapter 586: Nobody Cares

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Chinese basketball players finally finished their month of training. It had been a month of torment.

“Finally, I’m done with those meals. I feel nauseous whenever I think about them.”

“I don’t know how I got through this month. I got up earlier than chickens do, went to bed later than chickens do, and ate worse than chickens do…”

“Actually, the food was not bad. We had fish, meat, eggs, and vegetables. It was just that American cooks aren’t good at cooking. They only boiled the food or baked it. If we had a Chinese cook, the food might’ve been decent.”

In the front of the bus, the head coach of the team, Chenggong Sun, listened to the complaints of the players and sighed.

They complain after such little hardship. A lot of NBA stars eat such diets for more than ten years. Our players lack self-discipline, Sun thought, irritated.

Overall, Changgong Sun was satisfied with the effect of this training period. Although it was only a month, most of the players had gained weight. This increase in weight came from muscle, not fat.

Chinese basketball players were generally thin; many looked like thin bamboo poles. Because of this, muscle growth had always been very important for Chinese basketball players. However, the training that most players received in China was ineffective at increasing muscle. Of course, some players lacked self-discipline. They were not very concerned about their diets. They drank beer and ate BBQ or fried foods every day. There was no way they could gain muscles.

In the United States, the training environment was different. Dai Li’s standard for physical training was a lot higher than most Chinese physical trainers. Moreover, the training center of the Clippers was flanked by the sea on one side and a village on the other. It was impossible to get anywhere without a car. If the players lacked self-disciplined, the environment forced them to behave.

“We will be going to Europe for a warm-up game soon. I hope to see the effect of this month’s training very soon.” Sun looked at his watch and thought of something else.

“Yesterday, Coach Li flew to New York to participate in this year’s NBA draft. The Clippers have the 20th pick in the first round. I wonder who they will pick,” Sun said to himself.

…

The NBA draft was being held in New York. Almost all of the head coaches and team managers of the 30 teams in the NBA were present.

A Clippers’ staff member hurriedly walked to Dai Li’s side. He whispered, “Coach, the Kings want our second round pick. They are willing to pay cash, or trade their second-round draft pick next year.”

“It seems that the Kings have someone in mind.” Dai Li thought about it for a moment and said, “Then we should exchange draft picks with them. We will trade for their second-round draft pick next year.”

The second-round draft picks, especially after the 40th pick, had always been seen as irrelevant. Teams in the NBA often used the second round to show goodwill towards other teams.

The Kings were cashing in on this goodwill. They took a second-round draft pick from the Clippers. From the perspective of the Clippers, it was worthwhile to use a second-round draft pick to gain favor with the Kings.

The first, second, and all the other top draft picks were concluded. It was as the media had predicted. In fact, on the day of the draft, the top three picks had already been determined and the teams wouldn’t risk choosing anyone else.

Starting with the sixth-round draft pick, teams started to deviate from what the media had predicted they would do. Gradually, players outside the green room were selected. This meant that there would be players in the green room who fell out of the lottery.

In the NBA drafts, there was a so-called “green room.” It was not really a green room. It was a privilege given to certain rookies. Players who had been selected to be in the “green room” could be accompanied by relatives and friends to watch the draft. In general, the NBA invited at least 14 rookies into the green room. These rookies were basically in a lottery.

After the top 19 rookies were selected, it was finally the Clippers’ turn to choose.

“I heard that the head coach of the Clippers is very interested in Kelz-Kumar from the University of Utah. I think the Clippers will definitely choose him!”

“That’s not necessarily true. Kumar was predicted to be picked at either the end of the first round or the beginning of the second. It’s a bit wasteful to choose him with the 20th pick.”

“I think the Clippers spread the rumor that they were interested in Kumor to lower Ronny’s contract renewal price. Both Ronny and Kumar are frontline players after all.”

“I heard that Ronny asked the Clippers for $150 million for five years. He is really daring. He sees himself as an all-star.”

“Yeah, if I were the Clippers, I would not agree to that price. That price will scare other teams away from offering him a contract. If he asked the Clippers for $150 million for five years, then other teams would have to offer him a four-year salary of 120 million to recruit him. In that case, it would be better to recruit an actual all-star player.”

There were a lot of discussions. Kelz-Kumar was there. He had a nervous expression on his face. From time to time, he looked at the Clippers. He was worried that they might not choose him.

Finally, the President of the NBA, Adams, came to the stage and announced their pick.

“The 20th overall pick from the Los Angeles Clippers is Kelz-Kumar!”

When the applause rang out, Kumar stood up excitedly, took the Clippers’ hat from the staff, and put it on his head. He jumped onto the stage and shook hands with Adams.

The general managers and coaches of every team started to talk again.

“The Clippers really chose Kumar. Is this a front?”

“It’s really a waste to choose Kumar with the 20th pick. After all, there are still a lot of good forwards who are better than Kumar that have not yet been selected.”

“The Clippers are bent on lowering Ronny’s contract renewal price. I don’t know if Ronny will insist on the $150 million for five years after hearing this news. This is going to be entertaining to watch.”

…

Hawaii.

Ronny was on vacation in Hawaii. Due to the time difference, the NBA draft began in the afternoon in Hawaii. Ronny was enjoying the sun, the sea breeze, and the delicious fruit.

Bikini-clad girls walked around the beach and made Ronny happy and relaxed. He even started to think about whether to approach a hot girl to buy her a drink.

His mobile phone started to ring. It was a call from his agent.

“The results of the draft came out. The Clippers really chose Kelz-Kumar,” the agent said straightaway.

“What? They chose a forward!” Ronny became uncomfortable. He felt betrayed.

The agent continued, “Obviously, the Clippers are not just trying to lower the price. They are really looking for someone to replace you.”

“A rookie player would have trouble just lasting in the NBA. He won’t be able to replace me!” Ronny said without hesitation.

“Ronny, I think we should lower our conditions accordingly. The Clippers are unlikely to give you $150 million for five years,” the agent pleaded.

“You were the one who wanted me to insist on $150 million for five years. Now, you want me to lower it!” Ronny said resentfully.

“I was testing the bottom line of the Clippers. I didn’t expect the management to be so determined to replace you.” The agent paused before saying, “But you can rest assured, I will continue to fight for your best interests. What do you think about $125 million for five years?”

“$125 million for five years. Although it is less than before, it is still $25 million each year. If the Clippers are willing to accept this, I can renew the contract,” Ronny replied.

…

“Ronny’s agent has contacted us. They have asked for $125 million for five years,” Xiao Yunan said.

Dai Li seethed. Now that the Clippers had Kelz-Kumar, a rookie with potential, Ronny had become less important. Dai Li thought that the $90 million off the Clippers gave him had been too much. There was no need to mention how he felt about $125 million for five years.

“Don’t refuse, let’s say that our management wants to have a discussion. Then we will take Ronny’s requests to the press,” Dai Li said.

“Why?” Xiao Yunan asked.

“$125 million for five years is an average of $25 million per year. I want other teams to know this. It will tell all those who are interested in Ronny that they need at least $100 million for four years to recruit Ronny. Do you think any of the 29 teams will offer such a figure?”

Dai Li smiled and continued. “I think other teams won’t be able to offer such a high price. Ronny’s request is too high. Other teams know that they can’t meet Ronny’s conditions, so they won’t be able to offer him a contract. We can keep dragging Ronny’s contract renewal for a while.

“As time goes on, each team will sign new players or renew the contracts of old players. The money they have to spend on salaries will lessen. Once other teams don’t have enough money to sign Ronny, we will be Ronny’s only choice. It will then be easier to drive down the price. The longer we drag this on, the better it will be for us.”

After listening to Dai Li, Xiao Yunan stared at him with a strange look on her face.

“I think you have become a worse person. I can’t believe you are able to think of something like this! You didn’t have the guts to do something like this when we first met!” Xiao Yunan said with a smile.

“This is not me becoming worse, this is me becoming more mature!” Dai Li shrugged his shoulders to indicate a sense of helplessness. However, he smiled smugly. “If the husband of the lady boss of Dingtian Group was dumb and stupid, he might eventually get kicked out!”

…

In the conference room of the Detroit Pistons, several key personnel from the management and coaching staff were discussing the Piston’s approach to the next season.

“This season, we have to strengthen the team’s frontline. I want to sign someone who to help us in this regard,” the head coach said.

“Do you have any suggestions for a suitable candidate?” The general manager of the Pistons asked.

“The Clippers’ Ronny is a good candidate. He became a key player for the Clippers last season and his stats improved dramatically. He is currently a restricted free agent. I think we can give him an offer and see if the Clippers match it,” the head coach replied.

“What do you think we should offer him?” The general manager asked.

“$80 million for four years. That should be enough. If that is not enough, we can offer $5 million as a performance bonus. His average annual salary will be more than $20 million. That should be enough to impress Ronny. The Clippers just selected a rookie from the draft. They may want to train this rookie. I think it is very likely that they will give up on Ronny and not match our offer,” the head coach said.

“Hahaha! You think that $80 million for four years will impress Ronny?” The Piston general manager smiled slyly.

“$80 million for four years isn’t enough? Does Ronny want a top salary?” The head coach asked.

“Of course he does! You probably didn’t pay attention to yesterday’s news. Ronny asked the Clippers for $125 million for five years,” said the general manager.

“Oh my God. He is asking for such a high price. Is Ronny crazy? How did the Clippers reply? They certainly didn’t agree,” the Pistons’ coach said.

“The Clippers said they would consider.” The general manager of the Pistons spread his hands and said, “$125 million for five years. That is $25 million every year. If we want to recruit Ronnie, we need to offer him a minimum of $100 million for four years. He will definitely reject $80 million for four years. Even if Ronny accepted the offer of $80 million for four years, the Clippers will match it. After all, if they are considering giving him $125 million for five years, why would they hesitate to match $80 million for four years?”

Upon hearing this news, the Pistons’ head coach frowned.

The general manager said, “I suggest the coaching staff give up on Ronny. Let’s talk about another target that is more practical than Ronny!”

…

Ronny had a 19+5+3 season when he was with the Clippers. This was impressive for a small forward. He was a restricted free agent this year. There would naturally be teams that were interested in him.

However, teams were very cautious when giving offers to restricted free agents. When they learned that Ronny had requested $125 million for five years to the Clippers, many of them backed away.

This meant that other teams needed at least $100 million for four years to get Ronny to accept. At the same time, they could not rule out the possibility that the Clippers might match the offer. According to the NBA rules, once the Clippers chose to match the offer, the Clippers would have Ronny’s signing rights. The team that gave the offer would be left with nothing.

Teams that were deliberately tanking had to make sure that their record was as bad as possible. They would then get a top rookie in the draft. It wasn’t worthwhile for them to sign Ronny to improve their record. They definitely wouldn’t offer Ronny a four-year contract.

Although teams that wanted to buff up their strength might want Ronny, they thought that Ronny was asking for too much. It was better to recruit a veteran star player.

A team that had a chance to the championship wouldn’t be interested in Ronny. They needed cost-effective players to play supporting roles to the team’s superstars. Players like Ronny, who weren’t all-stars but were stronger than average players, were not cost effective. He wasn’t good enough to be a key player on those teams. Teams with a chance of winning would not consider someone like Ronny.

Now, Ronny had become a player on the free market that nobody cared about.

Chapter 587 - Untamed Horse

Chapter 587: Untamed Horse

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li was no longer paying attention to Ronny’s situation. The summer was long and Dai Li had plenty of time to deal with the Ronny situation.

The Clippers’ next focus was the NBA Summer League. Throughout the Summer League, new players could be examined. First and second-year rookies, as well as free agents who had not been selected, could be watched closely.

This was usually handled by assistant coaches. The head team coaches mainly watched from the sidelines. They usually didn’t give any personal guidance to the players. If a head coach was in a good mood, he might go to the summer league to provide some analysis for the players.

Dai Li handed the responsibility of the summer league to Cassel. He only went occasionally to observe.

Among the Clippers’ players participating in the summer league, Kelz-Kumar was the only one that could surprise Dai Li.

In fact, this was not unexpected. The NBA had the best talent scouts in the world. Even if one or two scouts missed a rookie, he would not be overlooked by 30 scouts at the same time. A rookie who was unsuccessful definitely lacked talent.

Dai Li showed up on the training ground one day. Although he was just simply observing the training, it excited the players. They all tried their best to showcase themselves, hoping to gain Dai Li’s favor and stay on the Clippers.

Dai Li looked at these hard-working young men, feeling helpless.

“These young men are really working hard but, unfortunately, effort alone isn’t enough to make it in the NBA. There are too many talented players here,” Dai Li said to himself.

His mobile phone rang and broke Dai Li’s train of thought. He took it out. Blake’s name was on the screen’s display.

“Randy, is there anything going on at the training center?” Dai Li asked immediately after picking up the phone.

“I just got a customer. He wants to come to us for rehabilitation training, but there are some small issues with this person,” Blake said.

“Who is it? A celebrity?” Dai Li asked.

“He’s a well-known athlete, but he is riddled with bad press,” Blake continued. “You are now a coach in the NBA. You must have heard the name Osef?”

“Him!” Dai Li said. He could not help but look towards Kelz-Kumar.

In the rookie’s draft report, it said that he most resembled Osef!

…

Osef was born into a single-parent family. When he was a child, his mother died. He grew up with his grandmother and aunt. Before the second year of high school, Osef was short and very thin. He had no advantage when he got into fights. When he played as a point guard, he often relied on his brains.

In the second year of high school, he suddenly grew 8 inches. He soon grew to 6.7 feet. His body became strong. Suddenly, he had the potential to become a superstar. He was a point guard with good technique. As a result, he was already a player who was difficult to defend against in high school games.

Osef later entered the NBA as a fourth-round pick. This was very impressive. The team that selected him had high hopes for him. Osef did not let the team down. He showed great potential in his rookie season. It wasn’t hard for him to get a triple-double.

Osef reached his peak with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won two championships with them. He also won best sixth player once. He averaged 14+9+5 per game. As a substitute, he could get ten triple-doubles in a season. At the time, Osef was hailed as a point forward.

Osef was a rare player in the NBA in that he could play all five positions. As a substitute, his adaptability made him better than an all-star player. At the time, many opponents treated Osef as an all-star.

It was a pity that such a player was eventually ruined by drugs and women.

In fact, Osef constantly had trouble off the court. He smoked marijuana, was charged with drunk driving, and got involved in a shooting. What really ruined his career was the drugs. After becoming addicted, Osef’s condition declined. He was eventually kicked out of the NBA. Later, he went to a drug rehabilitation center, but it didn’t help.

It was also around that time that Osef’s wife cheated on him with another man. This made Osef indulge himself in women and become more dependent on drugs. He even overdosed from taking too much of an aphrodisiac. He had to be kept alive using a ventilator and kidney dialysis.

After a while, there wasn’t any news about Osef. He only recently announced he wanted to make a comeback after the last regular season ended. There wasn’t any other news after his announcement. Dai Li didn’t expect Osef to go to his training center on his own.

…

Dai Li rushed back to the training center and met Osef.

Before Dai Li arrived, the training center had already given Osef a medical examination. What surprised Dai Li was that, based on the results of the physical examination, Osef was still stronger than most people, even after having used drugs for such a long period of time. His strength shocked even Dai Li, someone who was experienced in this field.

Putting down Osef’s medical report, Dai Li asked, “Mr. Osef, are you really going to return to the NBA next season?”

“Of course. I have made up my mind. I want to go back to the NBA. That is why I came to you. You have the best physical training center in the United States, especially in rehabilitation,” said Osef.

“Mr. Osef, please forgive me. If you really want to return to the NBA, my training can only help a bit. The more important thing is self-discipline,” Dai Li said.

“I know. I have already planned to stop drinking,” Osef replied immediately.

“Not just alcohol.” Dai Li shook his fingers and lowered his voice. “You have to stop taking drugs as well. Otherwise, you can’t qualify as a professional athlete.”

“I used to take drugs, but that was a long time ago. I have quit,” Osef replied.

“Is that so?” Dai Li smiled and stared at Osef. From what Dai Li saw, Osef looked uncomfortable.

Dai Li knew that Osef was lying; he had not stopped taking drugs. Dai Li had learned through the detector that Osef’s body contained traces of drugs. This meant that he was still taking something.

Dai Li did not reveal that he knew. Since Osef wanted to conceal it, he had no reason to reveal it.

…

“Do you think Osef really wants to make a comeback?” Blake asked.

Dai Li shook his head. “He is still taking drugs. Do you think any serious professional athlete would become a drug addict? If he really wants to make a comeback, he has to get sober first.”

“As I thought. I knew that this guy couldn’t make it.” Blake shook his head disdainfully and then said, “He has said that he wanted to make a comeback in the past. He released a few photos of his training but, after a few days, he was sent to the hospital because he took too much of an aphrodisiac. You heard about this, right?”

Dai Li nodded. At the time, there was a lot of buzz about Osef. Some of the press even said that Osef was braindead. Of course, Dai Li had heard.

“Osef was not really sincere about wanting a comeback. Maybe he just came because he was feeling emotional. What should we do about his training?” Blake asked.

“Just do what we need to do. He paid the money and he is our customer. Even though he is not sincere, we need to provide good service.” Dai Li sighed and thought for a few seconds. “There is nothing for me to do with the Clippers recently. I can handle Osef’s training myself.”

…

“Whamp! Whomp! Whump!”

The smashing sounds came from the training room.

Dai Li rushed over and saw several coaches standing at the door. None dared to go in.

“What’s wrong?” Dai Li asked quickly.

“It’s Osef. He is breaking things,” one coach replied.

“Why?” Dai Li asked.d

“Because of this.” Someone handed Dai Li a sports magazine. “This is the magazine we order. I usually show it to customers when they take a break. This was just sent in the morning. There is an article about Osef and his wife. When Osef took a break, he took the magazine on the shelf next to him. He then started breaking things in anger. Damn. I really shouldn’t have let Osef see the magazine.”

Dai Li looked at the magazine. The picture was a woman with a bust and hips that she could be proud of. This woman was holding a strong black man.

“This person is Osef’s wife. I heard that she had trouble with Osef and that they are going through divorce procedures,” the coach explained.

“I know this woman,” Dai Li nodded.

According to the rumors, she had cheated on Osef a few times when he was still playing in the NBA. Later, when Osef entered the hospital, his wife went to the hospital with her new boyfriend to visit Osef. Thankfully, Osef was unconscious at the time. Otherwise, he would have seen his wife with another man. It would have definitely made him angry.

“I should’ve known not to take on this client!” Blake rushed over. He went to Dai Li and asked, “What is Osef mad about? Did he take drugs again?”

“It is this.” Dai Li handed the magazine to Blake.

“Hey, isn’t this Osef’s wife? Their divorce procedures aren’t finalized yet, are they? Let me see what is written here. Wow, she said that her boyfriend is much better than Osef in bed! No wonder. I would also go crazy over this.” Blake shook his head.

“Yeah, this wife of Osef is not your typical woman.” Dai Li smiled and said, “She is a wild untamed horse.”

Chapter 588 - Detoxification

Chapter 588: Detoxification

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The sounds of Osef smashing things gradually died down. It wasn’t clear if Osef had gotten tired or he had finished smashing everything.

“Do we want to call the police?” Blake, who was standing beside Dai Li, asked.

“No. If we call the police, this will spread. The media will certainly write some nonsense about it. It will be another thing that affects Osef.” Dai Li shook his head and asked, “You have a bottle of whiskey in your office, right?”

“What do you want it for?” Blake asked cautiously.

“Lend it to me. Bring me two cups while you’re at it,” Dai Li said.

“You want to give him alcohol?” Blake shook his head. “He already smashed up a bunch of things sober. If he gets drunk, he’ll tear the entire center apart.”

“Then get another bottle to get him even drunker,” Dai Li said. “A man was cheated on by his wife. People are spreading rumors of his sexual prowess. It is times like this that a man needs to get drunk!”

…

Dai Li walked into the training room with a bottle of whiskey and two wine glasses.

This training room was a mess. The equipment was all tipped over and many of the things had been smashed. Osef was sitting on a bench, panting angrily.

Osef had calmed down a lot. He looked at Dai Li and then at all the broken things around him. He clearly felt guilty. He said, “Sorry, I’ll pay for the damages.”

Dai Li pretended not to care about the things that were broken. He handed the glass to Osef and said, “Have a drink.”

Osef did not refuse; he took the glass. He wanted to get really drunk.

Dai Li poured a glass for him and then started pouring one for himself. Before he had finished pouring his own glass, Osef had already finished his.

Dai Li filled Osef’s cup again. Osef downed the entire cup again. Dai Li poured the whiskey again, and he downed it again.

After drinking three consecutive cups of whiskey, Osef, who was 6.7 feet tall, couldn’t drink anymore. He started to get tipsy. His vision began to blur.

When Dai Li thought the timing was right, he poured Osef another glass of whiskey and said, “I know that you are being wronged. If you talk about it, you might feel better. Although I can’t help, I can be a good listener.”

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but Osef actually started to cry. “I love her, I really love her…”

Dai Li knew that the “her” was his wife who had cheated on him. Dai Li tried to change the topic. “Don’t think about these sad things. Let’s talk about how you became a basketball player.”

Alcohol made Osef frank. He began to tell Dai Li his personal history.

“I was born in New York. My father was a jerk. He abandoned my mother and me not long after I was born. My mother died of cancer, so I had to live with my grandmother and my aunt. I started playing basketball around then. In the neighborhoods of New York, many teenagers like me hung around the street basketball courts every day. We all hoped to become a professional basketball player one day. If we made it to the NBA, we could escape poverty.

“In high school, I was already very famous. Many universities wanted to recruit me, but my academic performance was very poor. I failed my exams my senior year and had to go to a special class. I wasn’t able to play. With my grades, I couldn’t get admitted to a university. I could only go to school with a remedial course. I couldn’t play or participate in the NCAA.

“At the time, there were European teams who wanted to recruit me and give me an annual salary of $500,000. In the end, I decided to participate in the draft. It was an adventure for me. Fortunately, I was selected. I made it to the NBA.”

Dai Li nodded, “I know what happened next. You became more famous. Later, you went to the Lakers, helped them get two championships, won the title of best sixth men, and almost joined the All-Star team. You were the hottest frontline player at the time. You had a good future. Why did you start taking drugs?”

“That year, my cousin passed away. I was raised by my aunt. My cousin was my closest relative. I was very sad. It hurt a lot.

“On my way to my cousin’s funeral, the car I was in hit someone. Although I was not driving at the time, I watched a person die right in front of me, and that person looked like my cousin. It felt like my cousin had died in front of my eyes, killed by my car.

“After attending my cousin’s funeral, I went back to Los Angeles. I was very depressed. I got drunk, then went to bed. I accidentally rolled off the bed. I woke up and saw a pair of underwear under the bed. It was a man’s underwear, but it was not mine.”

Dai Li nodded. Osef found another man’s underwear under his bed. Even a brainless person would know that his wife had cheated on him.

“It was painful for me. I ran out. I still remember that night. There was a light rain. I was walking alone on the road. From time to time, some young punk would look at me. I guess if I weren’t very tall, they would’ve messed with me.

“I eventually ended up outside the door of a bar. I went in and asked for wine. I drank one glass after another. I don’t remember how much I drank. I was drunk and someone gave me a bag. He told me that I would forget my troubles after using what was inside…”

“Drugs?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes. Even though I was drunk, I still realized it was a bag of drugs. I knew that I shouldn’t touch it, but I didn’t refuse it. I was hurting. I wanted to forget everything. I want to now. I thought that if I only used occasionally, it shouldn’t be a problem. I would just stop using in the future.”

He wrapped his head with his hands. “I underestimated those pills. After using once, I wanted to use a second and third time. I wanted to quit many times, but I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t stand the temptation. That’s how I ended up where I am today. I don’t blame others, I can only blame myself for my self-degradation…”

Dai Li was sympathetic. Osef’s self-degradation was wrong, but Dai Li felt that Osef only took one wrong step. He was a lost lamb. He wanted to go back to the herd, but he couldn’t find the way. He could only wait for a shepherd to rescue him.

“Actually, when I saw you, I knew that you hadn’t stopped taking drugs,” Dai Li said as he reached out and took the glass from Osef’s hand. “I have not been exposed to drugs, but I know that once you get addicted, it is very difficult to quit. Taking medicine can help you to get rid of drugs, but the most important thing is willpower.”

“I know, but I really can’t do it…” Osef shook his head.

Dai Li then said, “Maybe you should try to distract yourself. Although I don’t know what it feels like to crave drugs, I do know what it’s like to exercise to the point of exhaustion. Your limbs will go numb and your mind will be blank. All you want to do is rest. Perhaps it can help you forget about drugs and forget the unhappy things…”

…

Dai Li returned the glass to Blake.

“It seems that you have successfully persuaded him,” Blake said.

“It’s only temporary. I don’t think he can quit drugs on his own. Osef is different from other addicts. Most addicts don’t have the money to buy drugs and are forced to detoxify. With Osef’s wealth, he could take drugs his entire life and still have money left over,” Dai Li replied.

“What are you going to do? You are not a drug rehabilitation specialist. You can’t control him,” Blake asked.

“That’s why I plan to tackle the source. The best way is to prevent him from buying any drugs,” Dai Li explained. “That’s why I need Payton’s help.”

…

Chris Payton came to Dai Li’s office.

“Chris, I want to know if drug dealers have their own territory. They can’t cross into another dealer’s territory to sell drugs, right?” Dai Li asked.

“Of course. If a drug dealer dares to cross over to another dealer’s territory, it is a declaration of war.” Payton nodded and then asked, “Why?”

“Is it possible to stop a person from buying drugs in Los Angeles? I mean, even if he wanted to buy, no drug dealers would sell to him,” Dai Li asked.

Payton thought for a moment and replied, “That would be really difficult. Los Angeles is big, so there are a lot of big and small gangs. Every gang has its own territory. There are countless drugs. No one can control all the drugs dealers. Unless…”

“Unless what?” Dai Li asked immediately.

“Unless I go to the Mexicans for help.” Payton lowered his voice and went on to say, “Some have almost monopolized the drug trade on the West Coast of the United States. If they are willing to help, the dealers may comply to show some goodwill.”

“Well, I need you to do me a favor. I want to make it so Osef can’t buy any drugs,” Dai Li said. He wrote a number on the checkbook, tore off the check, and handed it to Payton. “I know that it is necessary to spend money to get people to help. They answer to no one but money. This is for you. If you can handle it with money, it would be better not to depend on favors.”

“No problem. Let me handle it. Although I don’t know what my brother is doing, I am sure he has contacts with Mexican drug dealers,” Payton promised.

…

In the middle of the night, Osef sat alone on the bench of the villa. He was feeling sleepy.

Gradually, he felt something strange. Osef felt uneasy. He knew that this was a sign of his drug craving.

No, I have to hold it. I must detoxify my body! Osef licked his fist and then gritted his teeth. He wanted to fight through it.

One minute, two minutes, three minutes…

Ten minutes, fifteen minutes, twenty minutes…

The pain became stronger and stronger. Osef tried to restrain himself, but the feeling grew more and more intolerable.

Finally, he couldn’t hold it anymore.

Osef picked up the phone. He hesitated for about two minutes but dialed his phone in the end.

“Hey, I am Osef, please send me some goods. Now. I need it right now!” Osef said on the phone.

The other party immediately replied, “I am afraid I can’t do that. I am out of stock now.”

When the other party finished speaking, he hung up the phone.

Osef cursed him in his head and immediately dialed another phone number.

“It’s me, Osef, I need some goods now. Send me some, the sooner the better,” Osef said.

“I am very sorry, Mr. Osef, my goods here just sold out…”

“Nothing again!” Osef was a little angry and hung up the phone. He then dialed the third number.

This time, Osef asked directly, “Do you have any goods there?”

“Of course, what do you want?”

“Give me the best stuff,” said Osef.

“No problem, but delivery will cost you extra,” the other party said.

“I know. I will not give you a penny less,” Osef replied.

“Well, where are you? I will ask one my people to send it to you immediately,” the other party promised.

“I am Osef. You know my address, right? said Osef.

“Osef?” When the other party heard the name, he hesitated. He then said, “Sorry, I am understaffed today, and I cannot deliver to you.”

After the other party finished speaking, he hung the phone up straight away.

Osef could feel something was wrong. He knew these dealers were deliberately avoiding him. They didn’t want to sell to him.

The craving was getting stronger and stronger. Osef couldn’t tolerate it. He was lying on the ground, struggling. He had never let himself suffer so much, but he couldn’t buy any drugs this time. He had to fight through it.

Osef finally remembered what Dai Li said. He forced himself up and walked into the villa’s gym. He set the speed of the treadmill to its fastest setting and ran like crazy.

After ten minutes of running, Osef was panting but he did not stop. Instead, he did push-ups on the ground. Osef was currently exercising like crazy. He wanted to consume all the strength in his body.

It was unclear how long he ran. Finally, Osef was lying down on the ground. He felt the pain brought by the craving lighten.

In fact, the energy consumption caused his limbs to go numb. He felt less sensitive. It was too difficult to struggle.

The exhaustion became stronger and stronger and the pain caused by the cravings disappeared. Osef felt his mind begin to stagnate. He closed his eyes and gradually fell asleep…

This time, Osef was able to resist taking drugs when his cravings started to act up.

Chapter 589 - Fighting For His Dignity

Chapter 589: Fighting For His Dignity

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

After Osef had one successful experience in overcoming his drug cravings, a second and a third soon followed.

A basketball player who could become a famous player in the NBA naturally had strong willpower. Without it, he wouldn’t have able to gain a foothold in the NBA. The more he resisted his cravings, the easier it became to do so.

More importantly, Osef could not buy drugs in Los Angeles. The Mexican drug dealers took Dai Li’s money and said that they would not sell to Osef. The drug dealers in Los Angeles couldn’t risk offending suppliers just so they could sell to one buyer. In addition, Osef was a celebrity. He almost died as a result of an overdose. If Osef really died, the dealer who sold him the drugs would get into trouble.

Osef was forced to detoxify because he couldn’t buy drugs. After going through several days of painful withdrawal and all-day training, his physical condition improved.

In the training room, Dai Li walked over to Osef. He saw he was drenched in sweat and said, “You look very good. If you stick to it, you will be able to play on the courts again in a few months.”

“I hope so.” Osef stopped working out and said, “In fact, I already planned to go overseas. I asked my agent to contact European teams. I don’t know if the European league is willing to take me in. If Europe doesn’t want me, then I can only go to Asia. Coach Li, if I go to China to play, I will need your recommendation.”

“Go to China? Why don’t you return to the NBA? That’s the place you belong,” Dai Li said.

Osef sighed helplessly. “I have a bad record there. I don’t think any NBA team would take in someone as useless as me.”

“That may not be the case.” Dai Li smiled and said, “If you can really get back to your previous condition you’ll be fine. No, that’s not true. As long as you can get back 70% of your previous condition, you can stay in Los Angeles.”

“Do you mean to get me back on the Lakers?” asked Osef subconsciously. He shook his head. “Impossible, the Lakers won’t want me anymore.”

“The Lakers aren’t the only team in Los Angeles. Don’t forget the Clippers; their head coach is standing right in front of you,” Dai Li replied with a smile.

Osef was stupefied. He suddenly remembered Dai Li’s other job. Osef asked, “Coach Li, are you making a joke?”

“No.” Dai Li became solemn. “We really need to strengthen our frontline. I can give you this opportunity, but only if you work hard. You have to start over, like a rookie. Perform well to get a contract for yourself. The contract that you get is likely to be an unguaranteed one!”

…

The NBA offseason began and rumors of various trades were flying around. The players were looking for better teams and teams began to strengthen their manpower.

Every reporter began to try to get the latest scope, hoping to get first-hand information on player signings.

Some reporters noticed that Osef was training at Dai Li’s center.

In truth, most reporters normally don’t pay attention to ex-stars like Osef; however, his socialite wife was high profile. Every so often, she would make the news. Osef was dragged into the news by association. This news wasn’t positive. Most of the time they made fun of him going bald.

…

Dai Li attended the Clippers’ media meeting in person.

After the reporters asked a few questions about the summer league, a reporter finally asked about Osef.

“Coach Li, I heard that Osef is training at your center. Is he really planning to make a comeback?” A reporter asked.

“Please don’t ask questions not related to the team.” The M.C. immediately stopped the reporter’s question.

Dai Li made a gesture signaling that it was okay, picked up the microphone and replied. “Osef announced his comeback at the end of the last regular season. There were media reports at the time. This shouldn’t be considered news, right?”

“Is Osef planning to join the Clippers?” The reporter then asked.

“Why would you think that? Did Osef tell you?” Dai Li asked with a smile. He guessed that Osef had leaked the news.

“I am very sorry Coach Li. This was just my own guess. After all, Osef is training in your center; you are the head coach of the Clippers,” the reporter replied.

“The center is my personal business and does not involve my work in the Clippers. It does not affect my ability to carry out my duties as head coach. I have always separated my private and public businesses.” After he said this, he deliberately made a thoughtful expression. After thinking for a few seconds, he replied, “But what you said reminded me that the Clippers’ frontline really needs to be strengthened. If Osef recovers, I will advise our management to give him a contract.”

…

The next day, various headlines appeared on all forms of media.

“The best sixth man will return with the Clippers!”

“The Clippers are interested in signing with Osef!”

“Osef returns: a one-year veteran signing with the Clippers!”

Although Dai Li had only said it was a possibility, it became confirmed when it reached the news media. People were predicting what kind of contract he was going to get.

…

“Coach, this is a perfect move. Deliberately saying that you want to give a contract to Osef. Ronny must be anxious now.” Cassel pointed to the headline of a sports magazine.

“You’re not thinking that I planted journalists there to ask that question, right?” Dai Li asked.

“Isn’t that the case?” Cassel was surprised.

“Of course not!” Dai Li shook his head.

Cassel’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you using the situation with Osef to put pressure on Ronny so we can be in a better position as we negotiate Ronny’s contract renewal?”

Dai Li shook his head again. “You think too much. If Osef really can get back to his previous condition, do we really need Ronny? On the surface, Ronny’s scoring average is higher than Osef. However, Ronny is a key player and Osef is the sixth man. Really, in terms of offensive techniques and offensive efficiency, Osef is better than Ronny. Osef has organizational skills. Among the NBA’s teams, there aren’t a lot of substitutes who can get triple-doubles…”

“Wait,” Cassel interrupted Dai Li. “Coach, you aren’t thinking of actually offering Osef a contract? That guy only cares about drugs and women. He’s useless!”

Dai Li shook his head in disapproval and said confidently, “Don’t forget, he is training in my training center. The athletes I train all come out jumping higher, running faster, and being stronger!”

…

Ever since he demanded $125 million for five years for his contract, Ronny had been ignored.

He initially thought that when the Clippers said that they would consider it, it meant that the management was leaning towards agreeing. They would eventually accept the $125 million for five years that he proposed. He did not expect that he wouldn’t hear from them again.

Ronny finally got impatient. He asked his agent to ask the Clippers on the progress of their “consideration.” The reply from the management was that they were still in consideration.

Gradually, Ronny felt that the Clippers were deliberately stalling, so he began to release that he was willing to consider other teams’ offers. No teams had approached him so far. After all, the teams knew that Ronny’s asking price was not low and the Clippers were likely to match the offer of the other teams.

Over time, many of the free agents got new contracts. Many of them received high-salary contracts. Each high-salary contract that the teams signed ate up more of the money the teams had for new players. Several teams had already crossed the luxury tax threshold. They could not afford to sign new contracts. The number of teams that could offer a high-salary contract to Ronny became lower and lower.

The Clippers were still in consideration and Ronny’s patience was being worn out.

Ronny finally saw the news about Osef.

“What? Osef made a comeback! He is also joining the Clippers!” Ronny looked at the news in total confusion.

As a frontline player who could play in any position, players like Osef were definitely in demand by all teams. If the Clippers really signed him, they would be able to reduce Ronny’s playing time. If Osef returned to his previous condition, the Clippers might not even need Ronny anymore.

Ronny called his agent immediately.

“Don’t worry. This is just a way for the Clippers to reduce the price. Osef is useless. He almost died from a drug overdose last year. How could he return to the court now? Don’t forget that he is still taking drugs. Of all the drug addicts I know, none of them were able to quit. You don’t need to worry at all. Don’t fall for the Clippers’ tricks.” The agent tried to comfort him.

“But there are fewer and fewer teams that can give me high salary contracts now, I am worried…”

“Don’t worry,” the agent interrupted Ronny. “I will talk to the Clippers. Don’t forget, they have given you a contract of $100 million for five years. I think this is definitely not their bottom line. We can definitely make the Clippers increase their pay!”

…

At the physical fitness training center, Osef was training like crazy.

“Osef has been training very hard recently. I have some concerns about whether his body can withstand such high-intensity training,” Payton reported to Dai Li.

Dai Li nodded in satisfaction. “It seems that he is really the prodigal son.”

“I talked to him in between his training session. He really wants to return to the NBA. He said that you promised the Clippers would give him a chance to return, so he does not want to disappoint you.” Payton changed his tone and went on to say, “I grew up in a family of gangsters. I have seen a lot of addicts. I have seen many people who died because of drugs. The number of people who have successfully quit is very low. Coach Li, you are perhaps the only person in this world who has the ability to change a person.”

“Don’t flatter me. I just gave him hope. In the end, it depends on him.” Dai Li looked at Osef and sighed. He said, “Osef has experienced so many bad things. His wife is openly demeaning and mocking him. He has become a laughing stock. His pride has been damaged. He needs to regain his dignity as a man. He is now fighting for his dignity!”

Chapter 590 - The Power of a Role Model

Chapter 590: The Power of a Role Model

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the Clippers’ meeting room, the management was discussing Ronny’s contract renewal.

“Yesterday afternoon, Ronny’s agent contacted me again asking about the contract renewal. I told him the team was considering it. We have been delaying Ronny’s renewal for a long time. I think we should decide this now.”

He was speaking to a white man named Johnson, the new general manager of the Clippers.

When Dingtian Group took over the Clippers, the Clippers’ management was short on staff. After the Clippers changed hands, the former general manager left the company, so Xiao Yunan was temporarily responsible for the general manager’s position.

It was impossible for Xiao Yunan to handle both her roles as C.E.O. and general manager forever, so the Clippers hired Johnson as the latter. This way, Xiao Yunan could focus on her work as C.E.O.

Johnson used to play in the NBA. Although he wasn’t a superstar, he won the championship ring with his team. After retiring, he worked in the management of many NBA teams. He had many years of experience and was considered an NBA insider. He was the most suitable candidate the Clippers could find for the position.

Johnson wanted to achieve something immediately to get the team’s approval. Renewing Ronny’s contract at a relatively lower price was his chance to show his worth.

Johnson said, “Before, Ronny’s agent asked for $125 million for five years. This is indeed a bit much. I am confident that I can lower Ronny’s renewal price to $100 million for five years.”

“That price is still too high.” Dai Li was the first to shake his head. He then said, “Next season, Wood’s salary will cost us $35 million. If we give Ronny another $20 million, it will be hard for us to sign someone big.”

The NBA’s salary cap for was $99 million, and the luxury tax threshold was $125 million. If the team’s total salary exceeded this figure, it would have to pay a luxury tax. The Clippers were currently in the process of rebuilding their team and did not want to pay a luxury tax. Since there was no need for the team to perform well, it was best to keep the total salary of the players near the salary cap so that the team could save money.

The Clippers had a high-salary contract with Wood. If they renewed Ronny’s contract for $20 million a year, the team would only have $40 million left for signing new players. This wouldn’t give the Clippers much room to operate. The Clippers would only be able to sign on players with low salaries.

“It seems that our coaching staff thinks that Ronny is not worth much money.” Johnson looked at Dai Li and said, “But last season Ronny got a 19+5+3. This is a major improvement. I think it’s acceptable to renew the contract for five years at $100 million. His stats might improve in the future. If he joins the All-Star Team, this contract will give us a good return.”

Dai Li shook his head. “Ronny’s stats have improved, but only because he was the key player on the team. We used tactics that were designed to assist him. In fact, there was no improvement in his field goal percentage. He did not show a great performance in attacking or defending. Most of the time, he was focused on improving his stats and not on creating opportunities for his teammates. That is not what a team leader should do. Our coaching staff thinks that Ronny has fulfilled his potential and is not worth training.”

Johnson knew that Dai Li was the son-in-law of the owner, so he did not argue with him. Instead, he chose to compromise.

Johnson said, “Since the coaching staff thinks this price is too high, we will proceed with the previous offer: $90 million for five years. I will negotiate with him to reach this target.”

“Actually, I think that the price of $90 million for five years is still too high.” Dai Li shook his head again. “We selected Kumar this year. I think he is more talented than Ronny. He will be able to replace Ronny in two years. I have also been examining the free agents who are frontline players. I hope to find a replacement on the free market.”

“Coach Li, the free agent you are talking about, it isn’t Osef, is it?” Johnson asked.

“He is one of the options,” Dai Li nodded.

“Coach Li, I know that Osef is training at your center, but I don’t think that he can return to play! That guy is still addicted to drugs. He has become useless!” Johnson said.

“Osef has quit taking drugs,” Dai Li replied.

Johnson shook his head in disapproval. “After athletes get addicted, it is impossible for them to return to compete. None of the addicts I’ve seen can stay away from drugs.”

…

Dai Li and the new general manager, Johnson, had a disagreement and the meeting ended with their difference in opinion unchanged.

At the end of the meeting, Dai Li sat in the office alone, thinking about the next season.

Osef has too much baggage. It is understandable that Johnson would have reservations about him.

As for Kumar, he is still a rookie. He has never played in the NBA. It is normal for Johnson not to trust him.

It wasn’t good that the general manager didn’t share the same opinion as him. Dai Li was worried, and he massaged his temples.

There was suddenly a knock on the door. Dai Li shouted, “Please come in.” Wood entered.

“Wood, what do you need?” Dai Li asked.

“Coach Li, I want to talk with you about the recent situation with training.” Wood sat down, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally said, “Coach Li, I feel that your training is very effective. I feel that I have recovered a lot. My knees are much better than before, but they are too damaged and it’s impossible to return to my previous condition.”

Dai Li thought for a second and asked, “Is the effect of the recent training not meeting your expectations?”

Wood did not answer but, from his expression, Dai Li could tell he was right.

According to the promise Dai Li made, Wood’s knees would be restored to their pre-injury state. Now, it seemed that this recovery was somewhat slow. It seemed that a full recovery was far away. Thus, Wood already started to give up.

Dai Li laughed involuntarily.

Wood’s knees had suffered multiple injuries, and most of the damages were irreparable. Some of their functions had stopped working. To get Wood’s knees back to their pre-injury state, an athlete’s patch was required.

Since an athlete’s patch could only last for twelve months, Dai Li did not immediately use one for Wood. He hoped to wait until the start of the season to use it. It seemed that Wood was getting impatient waiting.

“Wood, our training has only just begun. We will only start to see the results in early September. If you gave up now, wouldn’t it be a pity?” Dai Li asked with a smile.

Dai Li’s confident smile affected Wood, but he still seemed somewhat uncertain.

Dai Li asked, “Wood, tell me why you wanted to become a basketball player in the first place?”

“Michael,” Wood replied without hesitation.

“I almost forgot, you are from Chicago. When Michael was creating the Bulls Dynasty, you were still a child, right?” Dai Li asked.

Wood nodded, “Michael has greatly influenced me. In fact, at the time, Michael was the idol of every child and teenager. We dreamed of becoming like Michael when we grew up, of becoming the ‘The God of Basketball.” If it weren’t for Michael, I might not have played basketball. I might have gone to college like an ordinary person and found a regular job after graduating.”

“After you were selected by the Bulls, I guess you felt that you were getting close to your idol?” Dai Li smiled casually. “It seems that he is not only your idol but also your role model. You must’ve wanted to become just like him.”

“When I first entered the NBA a few years ago, I used him as my goal. The longer I stayed in the NBA, however, the more I discovered how great he was. No one in this world can surpass him,” Wood sighed.

“So you are not going to chase after your role model anymore? Although you may not achieve all that he did in his career, you have always been on the path to catching up with him. Now that you realize you may not be able to surpass him, you gave up?” Dai Li asked solemnly.

“No, I didn’t give up!” Wood said without hesitation.

Dai Li changed his tone of voice. “Since you have not given up on chasing your role model, what are you doing here? You should be sweating on the training ground right now. Your leg injury is as such. I think you can be completely rehabilitated, but you have no confidence. The possibility is right in front of you. Even if it is only a small possibility, you should try very hard. If you try, you won’t be mad that you failed. You won’t feel any regret!”

…

Wood left Dai Li’s office. The image of Wood’s back when he was leaving emerged in Dai Li’s head.

Because of the power of a role model, Wood had embarked on the path of basketball. Although Wood could never surpass the “God of Basketball,” the “God of Basketball” had planted a conviction in Wood’s heart. Dai Li believe that a person with conviction would not give up.

Dai Li suddenly had a bold idea.

Wood needs an athlete’s patch to restore him to his previous condition. There should be a lot of players like Wood in the NBA. Instead of focusing on one player, why not go all out?

Dai Li picked up the phone and dialed the number of the team’s data analysis group.

“This is Dai Li. I need a list. I want a list of players who have gotten worse because they faced certain issues or retired for various reasons in recent years. It is best if they were stars or superstars. I want those who were the best players. Don’t miss anyone!”

Chapter 591 - Love of the Game

Chapter 591: Love of the Game

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“Some of the players on my list used to be superstars, some were even All-Stars. Others on my list were players who never had the chance to show their full potential due to injury, age, or some other reason. All in all, none of the ever had a secure footing in the NBA …

“What I want to do is to bring these former stars together and have them join the Clippers. I will train them so that they will be as good as they used to be. I’ll return them to their prime. The Clippers will have a team filled with superstars. Not only will we be able to make the playoffs, but we will be able to go even further…

“I call this plan, the ‘Nirvana Project.’ The team will be like a phoenix, reborn. The stars who have been eliminated by the NBA will be reborn as well!”

Dai Li eloquently introduced his “Nirvana Plan” in the conference room.

“Coach Li, I admire your imaginative thoughts, but I don’t think this is feasible. The players on your list had a glorious past, but they won’t be able to adapt to the current NBA. Even if you got them to come back, they won’t be able to play in on the court again. They couldn’t bear the intensity of a current NBA game.” Johnson, the team manager, was the first to object.

“So they require my training,” Dai Li admitted. “Rehabilitation is what I am best at. I’m confident that I will be able to return them to their prime. In fact, I accomplished similar feats in the last Olympics.”

Johnson shook his head. “Every injury is different. You might be able to help track and field athletes recover from their injuries, but you can’t guarantee that you can do the same for basketball players. These injured superstars have already gone to many well-known doctors. In the end, they had to leave the NBA. Their injuries must be incurable.”

“I can guarantee that they will recover,” Dai Li said resolutely. His answer demonstrated his self-confidence. Johnson was speechless. It didn’t matter how reasonable he was being, he clearly wouldn’t be able to convince someone so sure of himself that he was wrong.

Dai Li went on. “My ‘Nirvana Project,’ if successful, will greatly benefit the team. We don’t even need every player to return to their prime. As long as two or three people on this list recover fully, we can make it back to the playoffs. Don’t forget that all of them are superstars!

“If my plan fails, we won’t lose anything. At most, the team’s record will be worse. In that case, we could deliberately tank the season and get a good draft pick next year. The players on the list are former stars so, as long as they come to the Clippers, this will benefit us. Los Angeles needs stars!”

His last sentence clearly struck a chord with the management of the Clippers.

A star player could bring a lot of benefits to a big city team. The arrival of star players could mean more expensive tickets, higher attendance, more broadcast income, and better jersey sales. Teams could depend on star players to make a fortune.

Although the players that Dai Li wanted to recruit for his “Nirvana Project” were unlikely to succeed in the current NBA, they were still undeniably very famous. Some were even former All-Stars. In smaller cities, such players would be seen as ex-athletes who were no longer valuable. In a big city like Los Angeles, they could develop their commercial value and increase their popularity.

This was Los Angeles after all. Stars were all over the city. However, stars were what the Clippers needed most.

…

The team management finally approved Da Li’s “Nirvana Project.”

As Dai Li said, the Clippers were not expecting an incredible result this next season. Recruiting star players had no downsides and a guaranteed return. If the “Nirvana Project” was successful, the Clippers would naturally benefit. If the “Nirvana Project” failed, the Clippers could deliberately tank and get a good draft pick next year. This was a very cost-effective transaction, so the management was happy to implement it.

Dai Li wanted to recruit the players on the list personally and Johnson, the team manager, tagged along.

Johnson was extremely reluctant. He did not agree with Dai Li’s plan at all, but the team manager was responsible for signing players. In the end, Johnson had to pack his luggage and set off with Dai Li.

“Coach Li, where is our first stop?” Johnson asked. His voice indicated a sense of resignation.

“To Seattle. This guy is a Seattle native. I heard that he just became a high school basketball coach,” Dai Li said.

“Are we going to see Nathan Hall? He used to be known as the ‘Yellow Mamba!’ Unfortunately, the two menisci in his knees were removed. I heard that he had a knee replacement surgery on both his legs. They implanted artificial menisci, but they did not help. He could not handle the intensity of an NBA game, so he had to retire,” Johnson said sympathetically.

Dai Li nodded, “Yes, we are going to meet him. There have been cases in which players have had their menisci removed and been able to get back to the game, so I think I will be able to help Nathan Hall recover.”

“I really don’t know how you’re so confident.” Johnson shook his head in disdain. The confident look on Dai Li’s face made Johnson think that Dai Li was bragging again.

In fact, Dai Li was extremely confident in dealing with a missing meniscus. The Athlete’s Patch could easily solve this problem. With the help of the Athlete’s Patch, a person with no feet, such as Philip, could run faster than a normal person. Not having any menisci would be a relatively easy problem to solve.

…

Nathan Hall was a shooting guard. He was a relatively younger player who had only played seven seasons in the NBA. In one of these seasons, he was absent because of his injury. In another, he had only played five games because he had not fully recovered. In reality, he had only played five full seasons.

In these five seasons, he had managed to be named the NBA Rookie of the Year, be selected for the NBA All-Star team three times in a row, and be put on the All-NBA team. People gave him the nickname “Yellow Mamba.” This implied that he would become the successor to the “Black Mamba” of the NBA.

His knee injury ruined him and his arthritis restricted the amount of time he could play. His knees were constantly swollen and he had to have the water that built up in his knees taken out from time to time. He had to take anti-arthritis drugs frequently. In the end, he finally had to undergo arthroscopy surgery on both his knees, but the surgery did not cure his arthritis. One of his menisci was being worn out and the remaining meniscus was not enough to act as a buffer. They had become a hindrance to his physical ability. He had no choice but to remove both. After every operation, he would have to go back to the hospital.

Losing his menisci ruined his career. Every time he played, every step he took, every jump, and every confrontation on the court, caused him unbearable pain in his knees. Even after he put in the artificial menisci, he couldn’t bear the intensity or pace of the NBA.

He had to retire at only 25 years old.

Shooting guards were not even in their prime at 25. A player who made three All-Star games before the age of 25 was destined to become a superstar. However, a knee injury ruined his chances.

…

Dai Li and Johnson arrived in Seattle.

“Are we going to the high school where Nathan Hall is working? It is summer vacation, so we may not be able to find him at school,” Johnson said.

“Of course we can’t find him at school,” Dai Li said. “Think about what we are doing. Hall is currently the coach at a high school and we are here to recruit him. How can we go to the place where he works? I have already arranged to meet Hall in the reception room at a hotel. So let’s go there and rest first. We will join Hall for afternoon tea.”

After a few hours, Dai Li met Nathan Hall in the reception room.

“Coach Li, I really didn’t expect you to come to Seattle personally. I also didn’t expect you to come to see me.” Hall obviously knew who Dai Li was. Although he had left the NBA, he still cared about it. He was familiar with every team and Dai Li was a candidate for “Coach of the Year.” Hall certainly knew who he was.

Hall continued, “Are you interested in any of the players at our high school? To be honest, I just became the head coach of the team this summer, so I am not familiar with the players. I am afraid I don’t have that much information for you.”

Dai Li shook his head. “A few years ago, when the NBA allowed high school students to participate in the draft, I might’ve been here to recruit students. Now that the NBA has banned high school players from participating in the NBA draft, however, I would’ve gone to a college to recruit students.”

“That is true. Why are you here then? What is this for?” Hall asked.

“I want to invite you to join my team,” Dai Li said.

“You want me on your coaching staff?” Hall was a little flattered. Joining an NBA team’s coaching staff was much better than becoming a high school coach.

Dai Li shook his head again. “Nathan, you misunderstand me. I want you to play for my team. We need a shooting guard.”

“You want me to play for the Clippers!” Nathan Hall exclaimed. He expressed his disbelief by saying, “Coach Li, you’re joking, right?”

“Do you think that the team manager and I flew all the way to Seattle to make a joke?” Dai Li said with a smile.

Nathan Hall became serious. He realized that Dai Li was being honest. He then asked, “Why me?”

“Why not you?” Dai Li replied.

“I have already announced my retirement. Why did you come looking for me?” Hall asked.

“You are still very young and should not retire,” Dai Li replied.

“But my knee has been badly injured, I can’t deal with the intensity of the NBA.” Hall shook his head and said, “I only played five games in my last season in the NBA. Every time I sprinted or jumped, I’d be in unbearable pain. I couldn’t take it anymore, so I chose to retire.”

“What you need is one of the world’s best rehabilitation trainers,” Dai Li said. He took out a brochure for his physical training center and handed it to Hall. He then said, “Look at this. The athletes here have suffered serious injuries and they have all returned to their peak condition. They did so by relying on my rehabilitation training.”

Hall took the brochure and read it page by page. When he read the real cases, he was obviously affected.

“Nathan, I know that you have removed the menisci from your knees, but there have been cases in which athletes have come back from that. This is why I came to you. I think you will be able to return to the court after training with me,” Dai Li said.

Hall hesitated for a long time, then let out a sigh. He closed the brochure and handed it back to Dai Li. He shook his head and said, “Even if I could return to the court, I wouldn’t be able to play like I used to. Without the menisci, my knees are useless. I can’t sprint, do a crossover, or jump. I can’t do any of the technical moves that used to be easy.”

“That’s the next thing I wanted to talk to you about. I can get you back to your peak condition. I can even make you stronger than before!” Dai Li stared at Hall and continued, “When did you peak? Were you 22 or 23 years old? It’s was probably when you were on an All-Star team three years in a row. However, most shooting guards are just beginning their careers at 20. You have not yet reached your peak, but you have already retired. If you had not been injured, you would have become stronger.”

After listening to Dai Li, Nathan Hall lowered his head to hide the unwillingness in his eyes.

“Nathan, you are still young. Don’t waste your time. Your career shouldn’t have ended. You can work hard again. You should be on the court to compete, not teach high school students how to play!” Dai Li advised.

Nathan Hall took a deep breath. “Coach Li. Give me some time. Can you let me think about it?”

“No problem,” Dai Li handed his business card to Hall and said, “This is my contact information. I am looking forward to your reply. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. If you join the Clippers, you will get a fully insured contract. I can guarantee that.”

…

Nathan Hall took Dai Li’s business card and left the hotel.

“Do you think he will agree?” Johnson asked.

“Yes. He definitely will,” Dai Li replied.

“Why dare you so optimistic?” Johnson asked, puzzled

“Because of his love for basketball.” Dai Li turned to look at Johnson. “Some basketball players just regard basketball as a job, others have a deep passion for basketball. Basketball will always be a part of their lives.

“Nathan Hall is such a person. He loves basketball. His knees were injured, but he insisted on staying on the court. Every time he got injured and after he had his surgery, he always returned to the court as soon as possible. He eventually lost his menisci, but he still tried to play. When he had to leave the NBA, he did not leave basketball. He became a high school coach instead. When other stars retired they chose a life of riches.

“Hall has no bad habits. He earned tens of millions of dollars in his career, so he is not short of money. He went to a high school because he couldn’t bear to leave basketball. I know that he is really passionate about the sport. He won’t ever be able to stay away from the court. I firmly believe that he will agree because of his love of the game!”

Chapter 592 - The Feeling of Victory

Chapter 592: The Feeling of Victory

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

That evening, Dai Li received a call from Nathan Hall. As Dai Li expected, he agreed to join the Clippers. The next step was to negotiate his contract, which would be handled by Johnson.

Johnson returned to the hotel right after lunch.

“Have you finished already?” Dai Li hadn’t thought that Johnson would be so efficient.

“We are already done negotiating. We even had lunch together.” Johnson sat down and said, “Hall thought that we were only going to give him a one-year contract so, when I proposed a one-plus-one contract, he was very surprised. Although the second year was a team option, he did not hesitate to agree.”

Dai Li nodded and said, “I can guarantee that Hall will not have problems over the next three years. If Hall does well enough next season, I will persuade the team to keep him on for another year and raise his salary.”

“Coach Li, I don’t quite understand why you didn’t just give him a three-year contract. We would have been able to offer a lower salary, which would help out the team,” Johnson asked.

“We need the players to give each game everything they’ve got. Would he be willing to work hard for a team he did not think paid him enough? You wouldn’t give a $1 million performance for only $100,000, right? We had to give him a very attractive contract for at least a year. Wood’s $30-million contract will expire next summer. That will free up a lot of our finances,” Dai Li smiled. He tried to comfort Johnson. “Rest assured, if I can return hall to his prime, we will earn it all back.”

“Hall is a done deal. Who are we going to find next?” Johnson asked.

“The most famous guy in Houston.” Dai Li let out a sigh.

“Why are you sighing?” Johnson asked, a little puzzled.

“I did some evaluations and it seems likely not everyone is going to be as excited about joining us as Hall was,” Dai Li said.

“You’re worried that Raymond won’t accept our offer?” Johnson asked.

“Raymond is a superstar. He has earned hundreds of millions of dollars. He has won the scoring title, been on the All-Star team, and been on the All-NBA Team. He has even made it into the Hall of Fame. I have no idea how to convince him. I can only take it one step at a time,” Dai Li said.

“Yeah, he has two NBA scoring titles, seven All-Star titles, and he was one of the two youngest players ever in his rookie season. He had an average of 26 points per game before the age of 21 and averaged 32 points per game in his prime. He averaged 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Not to mention that time when he scored 13 points in 35 seconds. Raymond’s past achievements are indeed great! You may be able to convince him by offering him a chance to win the championship,” Johnson said.

“You’re right. Raymond might only be interested in the championship, but we are not a championship team. If we find him now and say ‘Play with us to win a championship,’ he will think we’re crazy,” Dai Li said.

“He will think we’re conmen,” Johnson laughed.

…

Raymond’s mansion was more like a castle. Raymond personally greeted them at the gate.

“Coach Li, welcome.” Raymond embraced Dai Li and said, “The last time Clippers were in Houston, I went to the Toyota Center to watch the game. You and your Clippers left an impression on me. You guys are quite tenacious.”

Raymond ushered Dai Li into the living room. After the guests were seated, Raymond’s wife brought out a few glasses of juice.

After they chatted for a while, Raymond asked, “Coach Li, what are you here?”

“I want to invite you to join the Clippers,” Dai Li said bluntly.

Raymond did not seem shocked. He smiled and nodded. He then said, “Coach Li, thank you for your kindness, but I’m afraid I can’t accept your proposal. In fact, the Rockets also invited me to be part of their management or on their coaching staff. I am retired now. I just want to rest, spend more time with my family, and go to the Toyota Center from time to time to watch a game. I am very satisfied right now.”

“No, Mr. Raymond, you misunderstand me. I am inviting you to play,” Dai Li said. ” To play on the court as a player.”

“Play? You want me to come back?” Raymond was surprised.

Dai Li nodded seriously. “Yes, I want you to come back.”

“Coach Li, are you joking?” Raymond shook his head. “I am retired. I don’t plan on playing anymore.”

“Raymond, don’t refuse so quickly. You should listen to our offer first,” Johnson said.

Raymond waved his hand dismissively. “Even if you gave me an extremely high salary, I wouldn’t go back. I played basketball for many years and received many honors. I’m tired. I don’t want to go back. In a few years, my name will be engraved in the NBA Hall of Fame. I just want to spend more time with my family.”

“Raymond, you played for so many years. Are you really willing to let it go?” Johnson asked.

“If I want to play, I can call a few friends or go to the Rockets’ training grounds. However, I won’t play in a professional game again,” Raymond said.

Johnson wanted to say more, but he was stopped by Dai Li. He said to Raymond, “I understand. You have already made a decision, so we will push you. Still, I hope you will think about it more. This is my business card. If you change your mind, call me.”

Dai Li took out his business card and handed it to Raymond. Then he said, “Of course, it is also okay if you just want to chat.”

“Of course. I will definitely visit you next time I’m in L.A.” Raymond smiled and took Dai Li’s business card.

…

The Raymonds personally walked Dai Li and Johnson to the door.

When the two got into the car, Johnson asked, “Li, are you just going to give up? You could take out your brochure and tell him that you have helped many athletes recover, just like how we persuaded Hall.”

“Of course we won’t give up, but Raymond is different from Hall. Raymond is a superstar. He won’t be persuaded by the same things Hall was. You can’t buy out a billionaire with only $100.” Dai Li paused and then said with a smile, “Now we have to ask ourselves what could persuade him to join us?”

“Who knows what he cares about?” Johnson shook his head despondently, and then asked, “Do you?”

“I don’t know, but I have a way to find out,” Dai Li replied.

“How?” Johnson asked eagerly.

“Haven’t you seen any of those TV quiz shows? When you don’t know the answer, you can get help from the audience!” Dai Li said as he picked up the phone.

“Get help from the audience?” Johnson was still puzzled. Then he saw Dai Li take out his mobile phone. “Who are you calling?”

“The audience. In other words, people who are similar to Raymond,” Dai Li dialed a number and put his finger to his mouth, telling Johnson to be quiet.

…

“Jimmy? It’s Dai Li. Yeah, long time no see. How are you doing?

“I’m in a difficult spot. There’s something I need your help with. There is something I want to ask you.

“After you retired, did you ever regret it? Or is there anything that could make you want to return to compete?”

“Oh. So that makes sense. I understand. Thank you, Jimmy.”

Dai Li ended the call.

“Who did you call? Jimmy? Was he a basketball star?” Johnson asked.

“It was Jimmy Irwin,” Dai Li replied.

“The king of the 400-meter, Jimmy Irwin!” Johnson was fascinated, which was rare. He was obviously a fan of Irwin.

Dai Li then dialed another number.

“Hey, Li! Why are you calling? Are you here in Switzerland?” A man’s voice came from the phone.

“No, I’m still in the United States, but I need to ask your help with something. Actually, I have a question I want to ask you,” Dai Li said.

“Is it about the car?” asked the person on the other end.

“Yeah, my car broke down, do you know how to repair it?” Dai Li said with a smile.

The other side knew that Dai Li was joking, so he replied, “I know everything. Give me some tools and parts and I can assemble a car myself.”

Dai Li went straight to the point, “After you retired, did you have any regrets? Did you have any urge to return to competitions?”

“Why?” The person asked, puzzled.

“I don’t want the answer you’d give to a reporter. I want to know your real thoughts,” Dai Li continued.

The person on the other end thought about it and gave Dai Li an answer. Dai Li hung up after a few minutes of chatting.

“Who was it this time?” Johnson asked.

“Helheim,” Dai Li replied.

“The Car King? You know a lot of big-time athletes,” Johnson sounded a bit jealous.

Dai Li ignored Johnson and called another person.

…

When the car arrived at the hotel, Dai Li had already made several calls, each one to famous athletes.

Sitting next to him, Johnson went from being jealous, to admiring Dai Li, to being absolutely stupefied.

Johnson never thought about it, but Dai Li knew many of the world’s top athletes. Johnson finally realized that he really had earned the honor of being named the world’s top coach.

Johnson had been a part of the NBA for quite a few years. He knew a lot of professional basketball players, but he didn’t know anyone from other sports.

The resources that Dai Li had accumulated over the years were finally coming into play. He had provided physical training for many top athletes, so he could quickly contact any of them. Other people couldn’t reach so many high-level athletes with the efficiency that Li could.

The two went to the hotel’s restaurant and ordered afternoon tea. Johnson kept urging Dai Li to tell him what he had said to the top athletes.

Dai Li only told him when the afternoon tea was delivered. “I just spoke to a few athletes whose situations are similar to Raymond’s. They all retired after they have achieved fame and success. I asked them if anything could make them return to professional sports. Do you know what they said?”

“The love of the game? Like Hall? He loves basketball, so he agreed to come back,” Johnson guessed.

Dai Li shook his head. Johnson then guessed, “Then for their honor. They have yet to achieve what they wanted to or there is a record that they want to break. Top athletes might return for this, right?”

Dai Li shook his head again.

“It wasn’t money either, right? The world’s top athletes are not short of money. They wouldn’t come back for money.” Johnson spread his hands and said, “I really can’t figure it out”

“Everyone I asked gave me a different answer. Some said that when they see other athletes standing on a podium, they get an impulse to come back. Some said that when they think thought about overpowering an opponent, they get an impulse to come back. Some people said that when they recall the brilliant moments in their careers, they get an impulse to come back. There are many answers but, in the end, there is only one underlying reason.” Dai Li deliberately lowered his voice and said, “Victory!”

“Whether it be standing on a podium, overpowering an opponent, or reliving the most brilliant moment in their careers, the thing that excites these athletes is the feeling of victory. Even though they have retired, they still miss this feeling. I think ‘victory’ is the only thing that can influence Raymond.”

“Makes sense,” Johnson nodded. “What are you going to do?”

“We will stay in Houston for two days. I have to arrange something,” Dai Li replied.

…

The next morning, Raymond wore a hoodie and ran on the road near his home.

Raymond ran every morning before breakfast. Although his knee was injured and he could not undertake any high-intensity exercise, he could still partake in low-intensity cardio.

A car was coming so Raymond ran to the side of the road, but the car stopped at his side.

Dai Li walked out of the car.

“Coach Li? Are you here for me?” Raymond stopped running. He knew that Dai Li had come early in the morning from downtown Houston, so he must’ve been there for him. He probably still wanted to persuade him to join the Clippers. Raymond even prepared what to say to reject him.

However, Dai Li said, “My training center recently released a promotional film that I want to show you.”

Dai Li took out his tablet.

Raymond didn’t understand what Dai Li wanted. Wanting to be polite, he took the tablet and sat on the side of the road, looking intently at the content on the tablet.

This video was a montage of moments in different sports. On it was recordings of athletes at their peak moments. Sprinters were crossing finish lines, high jumpers were jumping over poles, weightlifters were lifting weights, rugby players were scoring, and of course, basketball players making game-changing shots.

Every athlete in the video made a celebratory movement when they won. They were excited and some even seemed frenzied. With passionate music in the background, it made Raymond excited.

Suddenly, a subtitle appeared.

“This is the feeling of victory!”

Dai Li spoke when it ended. “What do you think?”

“Ah yes. Not bad. It makes people feel excited ” Raymond replied subconsciously.

“This is the feeling of victory!” Dai Li repeated the sentence from the subtitles and then asked, “How long has it been since you experienced this feeling of victory?”

Raymond gave glanced at the coach. He didn’t expect Dai Li to ask him this. It was difficult for him to answer. He recalled the last time he had played professionally and he couldn’t help but feel a bit lost.

“Actually, this is why I came to you, to ask you to come back. I hope that we can achieve victory together!” Dai Li stood up and patted Raymond’s shoulder, he then said, “If you want to taste this feeling again, call me!”

After Dai Li finished, he went straight to the car.

The car started and gradually disappeared, leaving Raymond sitting alone in the same spot, holding the tablet in a daze.

…

“Will this work?” Johnson asked.

“I don’t know.” Dai Li shook his head and said, “I am gambling on how eager he is to win!”

Chapter 593 - I Am Unwilling

Chapter 593: I Am Unwilling

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Raymond sat alone in his basement with an old VHS in front of him. There was a box full of videotapes next to him.

Video home systems and videotapes used to be standard equipment in American families, but they had become irrelevant. Most had been thrown into basements as Raymond’s had been.

Raymond picked up one of the tapes, feeling nostalgic. He blew off the dust and placed it into the VHS.

To his relief, the old equipment still worked. The old CRT TV in the basement had lost its clarity. The colors had become very distorted.

Raymond appeared on the TV screen as an 18-year-old. He had just graduated from high school and participated in the NBA draft. He was selected ninth, by the Toronto Raptors, in the first round.

Videos of games from back then were hard to find, but Raymond had kept the videos of his season as a rookie.

I was really young back then. Raymond looked at his tender face in the video and smiled.

Raymond switched out the tape. On the next one, Raymond was going up against the Indiana Pacers.

I remember that game. I got 10 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first time in my career where I got a double-double. I was only 18 years and 5 months old. I was the youngest in the NBA to ever a double-double.

Raymond changed videotapes again. The next one was a game against the Nets. At that time, the Nets were still the “New Jersey Nets.”

This was the game that I scored 22 points. It was the most a rookie had ever scored in a game at the time.

My rookie season is worth remembering. I averaged a 45% field goal percentage per game. I had the highest field goal percentage of any player under 21 in the history of the NBA. Now, I have the record for the highest field goal percentage in a single season.

Raymond picked up another videotape. The word “Magic” was marked on it. Raymond knew that this was a record of when he transferred to the Magic.

He picked up the videotape, put it into the VHS, and began to reminisce about his past.

I still remember that season. I wasn’t 21 yet, but I still averaged 26 points per game. I was the third person in NBA history to average 26 points before turning 21.

Exciting highlights came on the screen. It was as if Raymond was able to find a way to get the ball in the basket every time he got his hands on it.

I got two NBA scoring titles in two seasons. I was the fifth player in NBA history to get a 40+10+10.

He only had recordings of the two seasons he got scoring titles. His career was not recorded on the videotapes, but Raymond remembered the time he scored 13 points in 35 seconds. In the final 35 seconds of the game, he had scored three three-pointers and four other baskets to turn the fame around. It was remembered by countless fans.

Raymond suddenly felt a strong urge to play basketball. He stood up, walked out of the basement, and went to the villa’s basketball court. He picked up a basketball, started shooting, and made a few perfect layups.

I was very hot and it didn’t take long for Raymond to start sweating. He still felt unsatisfied, as if there was something lacking.

Raymond stopped and looked at the basketball in his hand.

How long’s it been since you experienced this feeling of victory? Raymond heard Dai Li’s question in his mind. He looked at the lonely basket in front of him but felt that he himself was lonelier.

I miss the feeling of victory! Raymond sighed. He realized that even though he had retired, he still wanted to feel victorious.

When I want to play, I can go to the Rockets’ training grounds at any time to have fun. I can only feel victorious when I’m playing a real game in the NBA. Raymond suddenly had an impulse. He threw the basketball, hurried back inside, and found Dai Li’s business card in the living room.

Raymond picked up his mobile phone and dialed Dai Li’s phone number.

“Hey, is this Coach Li? This is Raymond…”

…

It didn’t take long for Dai Li and Johnson to get to Raymond’s home.

“Coach Li, if I join the Clippers, what position can you give me? Can you guarantee that I enter the rotation? I don’t want to be a benchwarmer,” Raymond said.

“I can guarantee that you will enter the team rotation,” Dai Li nodded without hesitation/ “If you are in good shape, I intend to put you in the starting lineup.”

“Starting lineup?” Raymond shook his head bitterly, “I can’t even fathom that. I am injured. I’ll be thankful for being able to play just a few minutes.”

“I know. You have a severe back injury, a waist injury, a knee injury, foot injuries. In addition, your inguinal hernia, wrists, elbows, hips and left foot have all been injured in the past. However, these are not problems,” Dai Li smiled and waved his hand. “Even your congenital scoliosis is not a problem in my opinion.”

“Coach Li. You are not kidding, are you?” Raymond said in disbelief.

Raymond had played basketball for many years. Naturally, he accumulated some injuries. He chose to retire because of his back injury. After he had a minimally invasive surgery on his knees, he did not fully recover. In actuality, he was not considered that old for a shooting guard or small forward.

Raymond’s most serious issue was his congenital scoliosis. In the past, some experts predicted that he could play basketball for another three or four years at most. Raymond was picked in the ninth in the draft because of this problem. If the congenital scoliosis were to disappear, Raymond would definitely be able to play at an even higher level.

Dai Li took out the brochure he had prepared.

“I am known for my excellent rehabilitation training. Over the years, I have helped many well-known athletes undergo rehabilitation. Many of the athletes suffered injuries that affected their careers. All of the cases above are successful cases.”

…

Dai Li and Johnson left Raymond’s villa.

“Raymond looked very excited,” Johnson said.

“Of course. The two biggest enemies of professional athletes are time and injury. Time is beyond anyone’s ability to overcome. We can’t do anything about it. Injuries are different. Injuries have always been an obstacle for athletes. Any athlete who has sustained an injury will be excited about healing themselves” Dai Li replied.

Johnson nodded and then asked, “Who is our next target?”

“Have you brought your swim trunks?” Dai Li asked.

Johnson immediately understood what he meant. “Why are we heading to Miami? To look for Chris Noel?”

“Yes, we need players inside the three-point line. This is the era of small ball play. The requirements for players inside the three-point line have changed. Those able to move quickly that can switch to defense quickly are popular. The players with three-point shooting ability are also very popular. Chris Noel is the best power forward in the NBA right now,” Dai Li replied.

“Noel is different from the others. Other athletes left the court because of injuries. Chris Noel had to leave the game because of an illness. The blood clots in his body may be fatal and they may cause thrombosis. They could even cause a pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction. This is a disease that needs treatment. It can’t be solved through training,” Johnson said.

“There is a problem with his anticoagulant function. If his body has no blood clots, these symptoms will not appear. He will then be able to pass the NBA medical examination, right?” Dai Li said. “It is up to you to talk about the contract. Leave the NBA medical exam to me.”

…

Chris Noel was two meters tall. He was a power forward and an occasional center. He had been selected for the NBA All-Star team 11 times. He had also won two NBA championships. He was definitely an A-list star player.

Noel was one of those players who played rapidly inside the three-point line. As a guy with a big build, Chris Noel could shoot outside the three-point line as well. He had won the NBA All-Star Weekend Shooting Stars Competition three times in a row. In his career, he had a 40% field goal percentage for three-pointers in a season.

There were a lot of fans who criticized him for not being aggressive enough, always shooting from outside the three-point line and not going inside. The truth was that he was very good at getting rebounds. Considering that it was the small ball era, power forwards who were able to shoot from outside the three-point line were definitely the most popular.

Like other stars, Chris Noel suffered from a lot of injuries, but it was a disease that eventually made him leave the court. The doctors found a blood clot in his lungs. They may cause pulmonary thrombosis.

The worse news was that he had a problem with his anticoagulant function. This meant that blood clots would appear in his blood vessels and enter the meridians of the main arteries The biggest problem was the potential blocking of the pulmonary artery, causing pulmonary embolism, or blocking of the cardiovascular system and causing heart disease. These were both deadly.

Although anticoagulation drugs could treat this disease, anticoagulation drugs also caused an increased risk of bleeding. It was not easy to stop the bleeding once it started. Playing basketball already increased the chances of vascular bleeding so had to choose between anticoagulation drugs and continuing his career.

In the end, the National Basketball Players Association issued a medical report to confirm that Chris Noel suffered from a career-ending injury. This report meant that Noel was leaving the NBA. Although Noel had never announced his retirement, his team, the Miami Heat, announced that he had been laid off and promised to retire his jersey.

…

In Miami, there were tons of bikini babes on the beach. In the evening, the nightclubs were filled with people indulging themselves.

Noel’s mansion was right by the sea and it had a three-story pool. There was also a private marina by the sea.

When Dai Li and Johnson arrived, they found a sign hanging on the door.

“Is Noel selling his house?” Dai Li subconsciously asked.

“It seems that getting cut from the Heat really upset him. He is not planning on continuing to stay in the city,” Johnson said.

“That’s better for us. We have a better chance of convincing him,” Dai Li said. He rang the doorbell.

…

“Chris, we want to invite you to join the Clippers.” Johnson was afraid that Chris misunderstood what he meant. “Don’t join the management or coaching staff, but join us as a player. We want to ask you to make a comeback.”

“Comeback? Why would you use those words? I haven’t retired yet!” Chris Noel patted his chest.

“You haven’t retired yet!” Johnson said, a little embarrassed. He was actually a little stunned. The Heat had already retired Noel’s jersey and he had the gall to say that he wasn’t retired.

Dai Li asked, “Mr. Noel, as you are not retired, are you interested in joining the Clippers?”

“Of course! I still have a villa in Los Angeles. I wanted to sell it, but I couldn’t. Now I can just move in,” Noel replied.

Dai Li and Johnson looked at each other. They didn’t think things would go so smoothly.

Noel went said, “I can go to the Clippers, but I want to be part of the starting lineup!”

“That is not going to be a problem,” Dai Li agreed quickly.

The speed in which Dai Li agreed made Noel felt uneasy. In his current condition, he wouldn’t be able to pass the NBA’s medical examination. He couldn’t even get on any teams, let alone play in their starting lineups. If Dai Li were not the head coach of the Clippers, Noel would think he had encountered a conman.

Noel asked doubtfully, “Coach Li, you know about my current physical condition, right? I am referring to the blood clots.”

“Of course I know,” Dai Li nodded.

“Then you should know that, in my current condition, it is impossible for me to pass the NBA’s medical examination. The NBA officials will not allow me to play,” Noel continued.

“I know,” Dai Li nodded again.

“If you know that I can’t get back on the court, then why would you agree to my requests?” Noel asked, puzzled.

“We’re still quite a few months away from the new season. If you come to Los Angeles to train during these few months, I’m confident I can help you recover,” Dai Li spoke very candidly.

“Through training? Are you kidding?” Noel clearly did not believe what Dai Li said.

“We can sign the contract first. If you can’t pass the NBA’s medical examination before the start of next season, then we will lose a lot of money. I don’t think anyone would use a few million dollars to make a joke, right?” Dai Li said.

Noel thought about it and saw that what Dai Li said made sense, so he nodded and agreed.

“Our team manager Johnson will contact your agent about the contract.” Dai Li thought for a while and asked, “I have one last question. I thought I would have to pay a lot of money to get you to join the Clippers. I didn’t expect you to agree so readily. I want to know why you made your choice so quickly.”

“You saw the sign at the door, right? I have no plans to stay in Miami. I’ve actually already planned to go to Los Angeles. I have a big villa there,” Noel answered.

“Is it because the Heat kicked you out?” Dai Li asked.

“That’s just one of the reasons. I have been in this city for many years. I love Miami. I would have also liked to stay on the Heat. I have a group of teammates who I am familiar with here. We have won two championships together. I thought I would grow old in this city, but now I have those damn blood clots!”

Noel took a deep breath and before saying, “I should have retired like a superstar, with glory. I could have enjoyed the flowers and applause. I wanted a perfect retirement ceremony. Instead, I was lying in the hospital wearing a patient gown, waiting for others to announce that I can no longer play. I was treated like an abandoned orphan!

“I am not willing to leave the court like this! So I said to myself, if I can, I will definitely return to the court!

“I am unwilling to stay down!”

Chapter 594 - Because of Talent

Chapter 594: Because of Talent

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In his office at the Ohio State University, a large man was sitting in front of his computer, working hard.

He was seven feet tall and broad shoulders. The desk in front of him looked tiny in comparison. A normal-sized mouse in his hand looked like like the size of an egg in an ordinary person’s hand.

“Gray, it’s time to leave.” His colleague had already decided to head out.

“I will go after finishing this form,” Gray said.

“Okay. I’m leaving now, though,” his colleague replied. “School hasn’t started yet, you don’t have to work so hard.”

“I want to get familiar with the work of assistant coaches as soon as possible. I have never been a coach before, I was just a player,” Gray said.

After the colleague left, Gray continued on with his work.

His cellphone started to ring. He saw from the caller ID it was a strange number.

I don’t know this number. Is it a telemarketer. Gray thought about it and chose to reject the call.

However, five minutes later, the man called again. Gray chose to answer this time.

“Hello, is this Mr. Gray? I am very sorry, I originally intended to contact you through an agent, but I heard that you had dismissed yours,” the person on the phone said.

“I am Gray. May I ask who you are?” Gray replied.

“My name is Johnson, the general manager of the Clippers. I am in Columbus now. I was hoping to meet with you…”

…

Johnson put down the phone and turned to Dai Li. “I made an appointment. We’ll meet him at the hotel restaurant tomorrow night.”

“We have a day left then. Let’s go sightseeing, I heard there are many places worth visiting in Columbus,” Dai Li said as he stood up.

Johnson changed the subject and asked, “Do you really want to choose Gray?”

“Of course. I remember, when he was drafted, he was hailed as a rare talent that only appeared once every 50 years. Some people said he could surpass Brown, the best in the NBA! He was named “Mr. Basketball USA” in high school. Besides Brown, the only other person who has done that is Gray.”

“It’s true that he’s an amazing talent, but his injury is equally astonishing. He only played 105 games in the NBA because he got injured so much. How can we make use of such a fragile person? We are a basketball team, not a nursing home,” Johnson said.

“Did you forget that I specialize in rehabilitation training? We all know that Gray’s main problem is leg length discrepancy and I have experience in this area. I trained Shawn Ford, the Olympic champion. He also has a leg length discrepancy,” Dai Li replied, a smile on his face.

“Basketball and sprinting are different. There is no contact in sprinting, but basketball has physical confrontations between players. This is especially true of players within the three-point line. They have to fight opponents and keep jumping to get rebounds.” Johnson shook his head. “As a seven-foot man, Gray’s weight is close to 290 pounds. This weight is a burden for his waist, knees, and ankles. Leg length discrepancy makes it even worse. In a fierce physical confrontation, there’s no way that he won’t get injured!”

“I know everything you just said. I have seen Gray’s medical report. I am confident that I can solve his leg length discrepancy issue. I can’t give up on his talent. I believe he can realize his potential on my team!”

Dai Li took out his phone. He found a picture and handed it to Johnson. He said, “This is the data on Gray from when he was in the NBA. He could do the lane agility drill in 11.67 seconds and sprint three-quarters of the court in 3.27 seconds. Can you imagine that this is a person who is seven feet tall and weighs 285 pounds? This kind of agility means he can switch from defense to offense very quickly. With him on the team, we can do what the Rockets do and keep employing the tactics of quickly switching from defense to offense.

“Gray’s great at both offense and defense. He can attack from the low post area, play under the basket, get rebounds, and block. Combine that with his agile pace, and he has all the qualities of a really good center player. In the Blazers’ last season, he scored 11 points, got eight rebounds, and got two blocks in only 24 minutes. He had a field goal percentage of 60%. If you extrapolated this data to encompass 36 minutes, it would be 16.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks. As long as he stays healthy, he might become a very good center. In the worst case scenario, he is a top defensive player.”

“Everyone in the NBA knows everything you just said. Before Gray entered the NBA, everyone thought he would be an amazing center player in the future. It is different now. The small ball style reigns supreme. There is no need for an amazing center player in small ball. Now the scoring paint protector strategy is the most popular,” Johnson said.

“Did the small ball style of playing that eliminated the need for good centers, or is it the lack of good centers that made people adopt a small ball style of playing?” Dai Li asked.

“Um…” Johnson found out that this was a question that was difficult to answer.

Very good centers dominated the NBA quite recently. Johnson experienced that era. He knew how terrifying an amazing center could be. The NBA now had many players who played very well within the three-point line but they were lacking in good centers.

Their ability to score aside, just their ability to attack from the low post area was terrifying. There were no solutions for defenders dealing with going head-to-head with good centers at the time. Centers who were able to play one-on-one in the low post area were all excellent. Now, barely any centers were able to attack from the low post area. There were definitely not any centers who made the defenders feel helpless.

Of course, having centers play in the low post area wasn’t popular anymore. The most popular method for players who usually played inside the three-point line was to shoot a three-pointer from the outside. They also might rush underneath the basket and score after getting a pass from a teammate. Those who were able to get rebounds were regarded as key players inside the three-point line.

So no one knew whether the small ball style eliminated the need for good centers or if it was a lck of centers that started the small ball style. If an amazing center appeared, then people would see whether a good center could break a team that utilized small ball tactics or if the small ball style could overcome the center.

…

Gray was confused about Dai Li’s offer. He had long been regarded as a fragile man who couldn’t play in the NBA. That was why he came to the university to be an assistant coach. Who would’ve thought that, just as he was hired, he would receive an offer from the Clippers?

The next night, Dai Li meet with Gray. As Dai Li expected, Gray was an S+ athlete. If he wasn’t injured, he could’ve become a dominant player in his generation.

“Coach Li, are you guys serious about this? Don’t you care about my history of injuries? I may get injured again after playing just a few games,” Gray asked with a sullen look.

“It seems that you are very concerned about your injuries.” Dai Li looked very relaxed. “If you join us, your injuries will be handled by our coaching staff. All you have to do is to make use of your talent!”

The word “talent” struck Gray’s ears. This changed his expression slightly.

When Gray was in high school, he was hailed as the most talented player. He was called the best high school player of the year and was even named “Mr. Basketball USA.” At the time, Gray had shown absolute dominance and was even nicknamed “the Great.” The nickname of the number one ranked player in the NBA was only “Emperor,” but Gray was able to be nicknamed “the Great.” This highlighted how optimistic everyone was about his chances of dominating the NBA.

After entering college, Gray’s name was synonymous with “natural talent.” When people talked about him, they talked about his talent. Everyone believed that when he fulfilled his potential, he would dominate the NBA.

Before the NBA draft, both the talent scouts and media praised him. They said that he possessed all the skills of the outstanding centers in history. Even the most critical of scouts praised his talent. At the time, he not only had an imposing stature, but he was able to jump as well. His speed and flexibility were not inferior to smaller athletes. Finally, he entered the NBA.

Before he was able to make use of his talents, his leg length discrepancy coupled with the intensity of the physical confrontations within the three-point line caused him frequent injuries. His leg length discrepancy did not impact him in high school or college. He was injured for two of his four season. In the other two seasons, he only played 105 games.

Gray became a fragile man in the eyes of many. He was regarded as the “possible champion.” Ever since then, whenever someone mentioned the word “talent,” Gray thought they were ridiculing him! It became a very harsh word.

Because of his talent, Gray had once been lifted up into heaven. The, because of his talent, he became the target of others’ ridicule. His previous nickname, “the Great.” had become a joke that others talked about after a meal.

When Gray heard the word “talent” from Dai Li, he felt an indescribable sense of sorrow and grief. He was not able to face this word.

Gray was silent for a long time. After a while, he said, “Coach Li, can you let me think about it?”

Dai Li could feel Gray’s insecurity in his answer.

He had fallen from the heavens to the pits of hell. Now, no one cared about him. Anyone Gray’s position would feel insecure.

Dai Li shook his head. “I want you to make a decision now. If you overthink this, it will just make you hesitate! If you want to return to the court and fulfill your potential, then the only thing you can do is rush forward courageously. Once you have the think of backing down, you have already failed!”

Dai Li’s words enflamed Gray. This gave Gray the wrong impression. He felt that he was standing on a tall ladder and the steps beneath him were collapsing. He couldn’t move backward, so he could only move forward constantly.

Dai Li then said, “In my eyes, you are still the talented Gray, but you have not fulfilled your potential. I don’t think you are willing to leave the court to just be an assistant coach in college. You are destined to become a superstar. You should not wither away here! The opportunity is in front of you. Seize the opportunity to fulfill your potential and you can still become an NBA superstar!”

…

Gray eventually stopped resisting his desire to be a superstar. He agreed to join the Clippers and Dai Li left Columbus satisfied.

In the airport lounge, Dai Li wrote several names in his notebook.

“Center: Gray, power forward: Noel, small forward: Raymond, shooting guard: Hall, point guard: Wood. What do you think of our starting lineup?” Dai Li asked.

“If they are all healthy, this is an all-star starting lineup,” Johnson said.

“In addition, we have the best sixth men. Osef, the talented rookie Kumar, and the inconsistent Naismith…” Dai Li continued.

“Don’t forget Ronny. We can renew his contract,” Johnson reminded him.

“Get rid of Ronny!” Dai Li said, shaking his head.

“What are you talking about?” Johnson thought he had heard him wrong.

“We have Raymond, Hall, and Osef. If they are healthy, then do you think we have to let Ronny stay?” Dai Li asked with a smile.

“I understand, but you need to prove to me that Raymond can play in a normal NBA game. Otherwise, Ronny is our best choice on the front line,” Johnson said.

“You can rest assured.” Dai Li voiced changed. “I am not very sure about the players inside the three-point line. Although Gray is outstanding, he has only played in 105 NBA games. He isn’t very experienced. We still need to find an experienced alternative for players inside the line. You can help me pay attention to the market or find other teams to make a deal with.”

Chapter 595 - Strong

Chapter 595: Strong

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

During the offseason of the NBA, the market was full of rumors. Possible new signings, contract renewals, and transfers were discussed. Unless the team announced something themselves, it would be difficult to distinguish what was true.

Most of the team’s staff was on vacation. The new players recruited by Dai Li )Hall, Raymond, Noel, Gray, Wood, and Osef) did not go to Clippers training, but instead went to Dai Li’s fitness training center. They currently did not meet the physical requirements set by the NBA. It would take some time to restore them to their previous states.

Many athletes trained at Dai Li’s center. With so many stars training there, no one was surprised that these NBA players started going there too. Even though rumors were abundant in the offseason, no one suspected they were joining the Clippers.

At the same time, the Asian Games had also started. In this Asian Games, the Chinese men’s basketball team was determined to become the champions.

The overall standards of basketball in Asia were relatively low. There were not many teams that could play well. The group stage of the competition was divided into four groups. Advancing through the group stage was not hard for strong teams. For example, the three opponents of the Chinese team were from Central Asia and Southeast Asia. These teams were so bad they had basically gotten a free pass through the group stage.

The Chinese team easily advanced to the top eight and then entered the quarter-finals. The Chinese team faced a team that got second place in another, so their opponent was not that strong. The team easily advanced to the semi-finals.

Their opponent in the semi-finals was the team from the Philipines. They were finally playing a decent opponent.

In actuality, the Philippine men’s basketball team was not strong. In fact, none of the countries in Southeast Asia were athletic countries. However, in recent years, the Philippines had naturalized many American basketball players. Some mixed-race players played on the Philippine team.

The U.S. military had been stationed in the Philippines for many years. Everyone knew about the U.S. military. Their soldiers weren’t able to control their sexual desires. For example, the U.S. military stationed in Japan often had sexual scandals. After the Vietnam War, there were a large number of mixed-race babies in Southeast Asian countries where the U.S. military had been stationed.

There were large numbers of American troops stationed in the Philippines, so it was expected that they would have many children of American descent.

Some U.S. soldiers stationed in the Philippines were responsible and fulfilled their duties as fathers. They brought back the children that had Filipino mothers to the United States, made them Americans, and gave them an American education. Most American troops were not this responsible. They would leave their own children who were born in the Philippines with the Filipino women. These children lost their father from a young age. Their mixed-blood appearance also subjected them to judgment from other Filipinos.

However, the genes of these soldiers were better than those of most Southeast Asians when it came to physical activities. Therefore, when these mixed-race players grew up, some became outstanding athletes.

However, these basketball players did not receive formal basketball training at an early age. They, of course, did not have the chance to receive basketball training when they were young. Therefore, their skills were rusty and they were far from having the skills of a professional player. These players mainly relied on pure physical strength. They jumped higher than others, ran faster than others, and had a stronger outburst of energy when needed. This was more than enough to dominate the native Filipinos in the Philippine national league.

Most of the naturalized players were unable to make it in the United States or Europe. They wouldn’t even be able to last in the Chinese or Japanese leagues. They were only able to play in the Philippines.

…

In the Philippine team’s locker room, the players seemed very relaxed. Meanwhile, their head coach looked dignified.

As the head coach of a national team, he knew that the Chinese team was strong. In the absence of Australia and New Zealand, the Chinese team and the Iranian team were the strongest teams in the competition.

He looked at his players, especially the mixed-race players, and saw that they were still joking around. They were not serious about the upcoming game. This made him a little angry. However, he did not use his authority to get the players to get serious. In fact, his title as coach was almost worthless.

The key players on the team were naturalized, with dual American and Philippine citizenship, but the Filipino nationality was just for show. They might not even know the name of the President of the Philippines. Why would they care about what a Filipino head coach said?

More importantly, the strategy that this team had was very bad.

In the past, the players on the Filipino team and other Southeast Asian teams were not tall enough. It was considered good for the center to be at least two meters tall. Many of the players were around 160 cm. Such heights were disadvantages for the players. Their shots were easy to block. If their shots missed, they wouldn’t be able to get the rebound. When they got into a physical confrontation, they were at a disadvantage. So the Southeast Asian teams always had to deploy the fast break strategy. The players played smart and executed their tactics well.

Of course, it wasn’t possible to make this happen through pure willpower. In a confrontational sport, if one was not as strong their opponent, then the only way to win was a strategy. To put it bluntly, if their bodies were inferior, they could only rely on their smarts to play ball.

The current Philippine team’s physical fitness had improved a lot, but their tactical literacy and tactical execution had gotten worse. The Filipino team’s physical fitness was much better than before. In the Philippine league, they could easily get 34 points by relying on their physical strength.

Since they could easily dominate the other players without having to think, they didn’t need to use any tactics. It was similar to a high-level professional video game team encountering a team of newbies. They easily defeated their opponents so they didn’t put in any effort towards cooperation. Everyone on the team just tried to get as many kills as possible.

This was the case for the Philippine team. In the group stage, no strategy was used at all. Almost everyone relied on their physical strength. They were all eager to try to improve their statistics as well. The opponents were really weak, so they were basically abused by the Filipino team.

This gave the Filipino team players the illusion that Asian teams were weak. To defeat their opponents, they didn’t need a strategy, only physical strength.

The players on the Filipino team were accustomed to playing solo. Their tactical literacy and tactical execution had degraded. Even if they were holding the ball, they had no awareness.

Basketball was a five-person sport. It required cooperation between players. For the five people to work as a single entity, they needed to employ some sort of strategy.

There were many “systematic players” in the NBA. They weren’t skilled, and their physiques weren’t great, but they were able to do well through a systematic approach. Their statistics reflected that.

There were also players whose statistics weren’t great. They might have played for more than ten years, but their numbers weren’t even in the double-digits. They were still able to last in the NBA. There would always be teams that were willing to sign them. They were also able to get pretty good contracts. Most of these players had strong tactical execution. They were able to do precisely what the coaches wanted them to.

On the other side of the spectrum, there were players who had good physiques and were skilled but were less intelligent. They would be eliminated. Many fans always wondered why teams didn’t want some of the players who had good physiques, techniques, and performance stats. The reason was probably that their tactical execution was poor.

If they were not superstars and they were not able to carry out the coaches’ tactics, they might hold back the entire team. Of course, if they were superstars, they would be able to affect the entire team’s performance positively. In that case, it was not necessary to talk too much about tactics.

These players on the Filipino team were the kind of people who had no knowledge of tactical execution. If they had a strong understanding of it, they wouldn’t need to stay in the Philippine domestic leagues.

…

Both teams entered the venue. The players in the Filipino team were still talking and laughing, while the Chinese team was more serious.

“The players on the Chinese team are really tall. They have more than one seven-footer in their team!”

“What’s the use of being tall? They are all thin bamboo poles. I could easily shove them down!”

“Why do I feel that the Chinese team is much stronger than our previous opponents?”

“Even if they are stronger, they aren’t stronger than us. We can definitely defeat them.”

The players of the Filipino team discussed this quietly.

…

In the stands, the Iranian players were watching this game.

An hour ago, in the same venue, the Iranian team had defeated the South Korean team and advanced to the final. The winner of this game would be their opponents in the finals. They must, of course, observe them carefully.

The Chinese team and the Iranian team were old rivals. Both sides often encountered each other in Asian competitions. Iran had players playing in the CBA. Both sides were familiar with each other.

“Why do I feel that the Chinese team’s players are stronger than they were a few months ago?”

“I agree. Look at the big ones, they have muscles. They didn’t have them before in the CBA league.”

“It seems they must have gotten better training than the teams in the CBA! I think the Filipino team should prepare to lose.”

“This is expected. the Filipino team is no opponent for the Chinese team. Weren’t we always planning on facing the Chinese team in the finals?”

…

While everyone was talking, the game had begun.

The Filipinos’ first attack was, of course, a solo attack.

A mixed-race player held the ball and rushed forward. In his opinion, this was similar to the games in the Filipino league. The Chinese defensive players were like paper. be able to handle a physical confrontation with him.

However, he did not expect the Chinese team’s defensive player would rush forward to meet him. It was as if they were not worried about getting into a physical confrontation with him.

Be careful not to get hit by me! The Filipino player thought. He then rushed forward. He wanted to give the defender a bit of trouble.

The next moment, their two bodies slammed together. The toughness of the Chinese team’s defender surprised him. What surprised him, even more, was that the defender’s body seemed to be stronger than his.

With his experience in the Philippines, Asians could not compete with him physically. However, he met an exception today. Although the opponent was Asian, he was much stronger than the Filipino players.

His rush ended in failure. When he stopped, the Chinese defensive player was already in front of him. He had no openings to shoot, so he had to pass the ball.

After several passes, the basketball came to the hands of a Filipino player inside the three-point line.

The player inside the three-point line, Eppes, was a naturalized mixed-race player. He was six feet and nine inches tall. He grew up in the United States. He had once played in the NCAA at Western Kentucky University. He also tried to enter the Austin Spurs’ NBDL team. He later participated in the Philippine League PBA draft. When he became a professional player in the Philippine League, he gained a very high status.

Being able to play in the NCAA, and being able to participate in the NBDL tryouts, indicated that he had a good physique He had been exposed to American basketball culture since his childhood. This was something that could not be matched by an Asian player. In the Filipino national league, Eppes used his outstanding physical talent to become a player that was hard to defend against inside the three-point line.

It was a pity that, although Eppes had played for many years, his technique was still a bit rough. He made no progress throughout the years. Of course, with his physical strength, playing in the Filipino League did not require any technical abilities.

Eppes caught the ball in the low post area, but he didn’t possess the skills to attack the low post area. He could only rely on his body to rush at the basket. This was a trick he used in the Philippines’ domestic league. The Filipino players would be stunned. They would not be able to stop his offense and he would always easily rush towards the basket to do a layup or dunk.

Today, Eppes felt that he was facing a wall, despite using his body to push against the other party, the other party was still with him. He did not retreat and he did not move from his position.

At this moment, Eppes felt that he had returned to the United States. The opponents he met there had physiques comparable to his and each of his opponents dared to get into physical confrontations with him. This meant that a player who had bad technique became useless and it was difficult for him to score.

“hen did the Chinese team become so strong? Eppes thought anxiously.

The time for the offensive was almost over and Eppes had no choice but to force a layup against the defensive players.

He may be a giant in the Philippines with his height of six feet and nine inches. Faced with a team of seven-footers, he had no advantages. His layup was blocked.

…

After the first half, the Filipino team was 12 points behind. The audience was not surprised by this result. After all, the Chinese team was the top team in Asia.

However, the course of the game had been unexpected. In everyone’s opinion, the physical strength of the Filipino team players was better, and they would undoubtedly focus on this fact and use it as their advantage. The reality was that the Filipino team had no advantages when it came to physical confrontations. On the contrary, this Chinese team preferred to engage in physical confrontations. They were aggressive in their defense. They used their bodies to push against the Filipino players.

In the stands, the Iranian coach was furrowing his brows. He was able to sense that the Iranian team was not going to do well from what he had seen from the current match.

This Chinese team is much stronger than before. The naturalized players on the Filipino team are restricted in their movements when faced against the Chinese team. The players inside the three-point line are not afraid to get into physical confrontations. This is not good news for us. The Chinese team has never lacked players with big physiques. Their players inside the three-point line are more talented than ours. Our players inside the three-point line are still quite green. If we have to play against the Chinese in the finals, our players inside the three-point line will not be able to last.

The head coach of the Iranian team sighed. Worry flashed in his eyes.

“Coach, what’s wrong? Why did you sigh?” A player next to him asked.

As the head coach of the team, he certainly shouldn’t infect the players with his negative emotions. He should not damage his own prestige with his ambition either. The Iranian head coach quickly explained, “I think the Filipino team’s tactics are really bad.”

“You said it. Everyone is playing by themselves. The fast and flexible tactics that were used by the Filipino team in the past has been completely abandoned. Teams that relied purely on their physique can only do well in Asia. When you get to the international stage and you meet a team whose players have the better physique, you will definitely lose,” the player said.

…

In Los Angeles, Dai Li came to the office early and watched the Asian Games basketball match between the Chinese team and the Iranian team on the Internet.

The Chinese team really defeated Iran! The young men on this national team are much better than I thought. The players inside the three-point line are quite daring and the players outside the three-point line are very accurate.

The Chinese team won the game, so Dai Li was in a good mood. He closed the live stream of the game and went to the training ground.

The training for the new season is about to begin. It is time to use the athlete patch on my new players!

Chapter 596 - A New Lease on Life

Chapter 596: A New Lease on Life

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li stared at the list of players in his hands and thought it over.

Wood is a 20-year-old who has the knee of a 50 or 60-year-old. His knee is useless. He needs an athlete patch to recover.

Hall has no menisci in either knee, so he will require an athlete patch.

In addition to the injuries he has accumulated, the most serious problem for Raymond is congenital scoliosis. He also has to use an athlete patch.

Noel has a problem with anticoagulant function. His body lacks anticoagulant hormones. This can also be solved with an athlete patch.

Gray has leg length discrepancy. His situation is the same as that of Shawn Ford, but Gray’s is more severe. If the athlete patches for him were included, I would have to use five athlete patches this season. That is a really high cost.

There is also that Osef fellow. If all goes well, he should be able to play in December.

Osef was unlike the others. The others suffered injuries that caused their bodies to not work as intended. The athlete patches could be used to supplement the missing functions in their bodies. However, Osef was in his current state due to his use of drugs and his unhealthy lifestyle.

The harm caused by drugs to the human body could not be cleared up in a day or two. After a normal person quits taking drugs, it takes six to twelve months for the body to recover. To be completely restored to a healthy state, it takes at least two years.

As an athlete, Osef was physically better off than most ordinary people. He trained every day. His metabolic rate was much higher than an ordinary person’s so his recovery after detoxification would be faster than usual. However, the intensity of an NBA game was extreme. It was not enough for Osef to recover if he wanted to be able to play in the NBA. He needed to receive more training.

…

Hall felt that his one month of physical training had been monotonous. He was a basketball player. Making him stay in the gym all day to work with all kinds of equipment would annoy him after a while.

Fortunately, the new season was coming up, so Hall was allowed to go to the Clippers training base to familiarize himself with his future working environment.

Hall had felt like he was going to suffocate if he didn’t get his hands on a ball soon. He couldn’t help but give the ball in his hands a kiss or two. Another person who felt like suffocating from a lack of basketball was the superstar, Raymond. It would’ve been easier to go a month without eating than it was for him to go a month without a ball.

The two of them went to the training center of the Clippers and started playing one-on-one against each other.

Players who were at such a high level naturally had a strong desire to win. Neither side was willing to admit defeat. Both of them had an impressive scoring ability. They were proficient in various scoring techniques. They were also able to use scoring methods that others would find unreasonable. Therefore, a one-on-one between the two was truly a sight to behold.

On the sidelines, besides Dai Li and Cassel, was Johnson.

Johnson had been an NBA player when he was younger. He could see the conditions of a player just by watching them.

Johnson saw that the two people on the court were full of energy. They were entirely unlike two retired and injured veterans.

“Have they recovered from their injuries?” Johnson asked. He could not be sure but, as a former NBA player, his intuition told him that Hall and Raymond had recovered.

Dai Li did not answer, but asked in return, “Why? Do you think so?”

“Seeing them play one-on-one right now is like seeing them play a few years ago when the Rockets played against the Blazers. If the two of them had been put on a team together back then, they would be the best backcourt combination in the Western Conference,” Johnson said.

“So you should forget Ronny! We don’t need him anymore,” Dai Li said with a smile. He patted Johnson’s shoulder and said, “Ronny is still a restricted free agent. I suggest we trade him for a substitute player inside the three-point line while he still has value. I really need someone to fill that position right now. We could also use him to get next year’s draft pick”

…

This kind of one-on-one match was more physically exhausting than an official game. In official games, players didn’t have the ball for the entirety of an offense. Teammates shared the responsibility of attacking. It was the same when it came to the defense. A player didn’t constantly defend, there were always teammates to share the pressure. In a one-on-one game, everything was up to one person; there was no one to help.

Moreover, the opponent was a top athlete. Trying to go on an offensive and trying to defend in a game like this was even more physically exhausting. After ten minutes of competition, Hall and Raymond were already panting. They both went to the side to rest.

“How is it? Are your knees okay?” Raymond asked, handing a bottle of water to Hall. “I know that after losing menisci, every acceleration, every sudden stop, and every jump puts the knees under extra pressure.”

Hall gently rubbed his knees and then shook his head. “I don’t feel anything in the knees. Only my calf muscles are sore. That’s probably because we were too intense when we played just now, right? A while ago, I’d have to be carried out on a stretcher right now. How about your back injury?”

“I don’t feel anything either.” Raymond subconsciously twisted his upper body and then said, “To tell the truth, before I retired, I suffered pain in my back muscles. My congenital scoliosis caused very serious injuries. Even after playing for so long today, I don’t feel anything at all.”

“When I was going one-on-one against you, I could tell that I didn’t lose too much speed or explosive power. As long as my knees don’t hurt, I can play like I used to,” Hall said. “I have heard before that Coach Li is the best rehabilitation coach in the United States. Now I see it is true. Staying in that room and doing a month of recovery training was worth it.”

“I agree with you. That back injury has been bothering me for many years. I looked for top rehabilitation coaches in the United States, but they couldn’t help me. If I were coached by Li, maybe I would not have had to retire. I might have had several championship rings by now!” He then looked around and searched for Noel, but he did not find him.

So Raymond asked, “Where’s Noel? Where did he go? Why can’t I see him?”

“He might have gone to the hospital for a medical report. You know that the blood clot in his body needs to be monitored from time to time. If a blood clot occurs in his artery, it will kill him,” Noel replied.

…

In a famous private hospital in Los Angeles, Noel was sitting in the doctor’s office. He was looking at the doctors nervously, waiting for them to announce the test results.

The doctor looked at the test report in his hand. He furrowed his eyebrows and his face expressed disbelief.

The doctor’s expression made Noel more nervous. He was worried his condition had worsened.

Finally, the doctor said, “Mr. Noel, the blood clots in your body have disappeared.”

“Disappeared? What do you mean?” Noel asked.

“They may have melted away or been absorbed by your body. I think it is incredible. The clot should not have disappeared so quickly.” The doctor hesitated for a few seconds. Then he asked, “Mr. Noel, have you taken more anticoagulant drugs recently?”

“No.” Noel shook his head. “In fact, I have stopped taking anticoagulant drugs. I remember that you said that anticoagulant drugs will have side effects and that I can stop taking them for a while to avoid the side effects from damaging my body.”

“You stopped taking the medication, but the blood clots in your body disappeared? My goodness, what is going on here? I have been a doctor for 30 years, and I have never seen such a thing.” The doctor couldn’t figure it out how this could happen.

“Doctor, if I have no clots in my body. Can I stop using anticoagulant drugs?” Noel urgently asked.

The doctor thought for a moment and replied, “If no new clots form in your body, and your body’s indicators are normal, you don’t need to continue taking them.”

“Does that mean I can play again?” Noel asked.

“I can’t answer this question. It depends on whether the NBA will approve. If necessary, I can give you a medical report to prove that there is no blood clot in your body,” the doctor replied with a smile.

…

In the bathroom, Wood stood under the shower head and let the water fall on him.

Wood’s body couldn’t help but tremble. It wasn’t fatigue or the water in the shower that made him shake; he was excited.

Like the other players that joined the Clippers, he had been training for more than a month. He faced the fitness equipment all the time and didn’t have any chance to play basketball.

When he had returned to the court today, he realized that his explosive power was back!

Wood, a star player at this level, was proficient in all scoring methods, but what he relied on most was his explosive power. After his knees got injured, he lost his speed and explosive power. He had lost that skill.

Now, after a month of physical training, he was able to showcase his talent once more.

Wood thought that this was a dream. If he were dreaming, he would rather not wake up.

“I can finally see the effect of this training!” Wood muttered to himself.

Wood certainly didn’t know that Dai Li had used an athlete patch on him. Today, Wood had received a new lease on life!

Chapter 597 - Shelter for the Old and Weak

Chapter 597: Shelter for the Old and Weak

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“According to an announcement made by the Clippers, the team has signed a one-year veteran minimum salary contract with free agent Osef. They are paying him 2.32 million dollars. This season, Osef will return to the Staples Center in Los Angeles wearing the Clippers’ jersey. Is this true or is it fake news? That guy has ruined himself with drugs and got a girl pregnant. Can he still play?”

“The Clippers’ announced the news and gave a lot of details. The specific amount of money was included. I think there is a nine out of ten chance it is true. Weren’t there some reports the past few days that Osef had begun preparations for a comeback and that he resumed training. He is training at the fitness center owned by the Clippers’ head coach! It doesn’t surprise me at all that Osef will be joining the Clippers.”

The news of Osef signing with the Clippers was revealed before training camp for the upcoming season started. The veteran minimum salary was not high, but it was a chance for Osef to regain his dignity.

At the end of last season, there was a rumor that Osef had joined the Clippers. The current news confirmed those rumors. Thus, people were not surprised.

Osef had a bad record. Once your reputation had been contaminated by drugs it was hard to earn it back. No one believed in a drug addict and no one was optimistic about his comeback. Many people saw the signing as a bad decision.

The sports commentators gave the signing a very low rating. Among the scores of more than a dozen sports commentators, the best rating for this signing was only a C. It didn’t even receive a C+.

Just two days later, the Clippers announced another signing. They signed the free agent “Yellow Mamba” Hall for two years at $8.5 million.

8.5 million for two years. An average of more than 4 million a year, this price was less than the regular middle-class contracts and more than lower-middle class contracts. The second year of the contract was the team’s option. If Hall did not perform well, the Clippers would not continue with his second-year contract.

Of course, for Dai Li, it was not possible to only use Hall for one year. An athlete could use three athlete patches. This meant that Hall would not be troubled by his lack of menisci for three seasons.

Dai Li was planning to give Hall a one-year contract first so that he could show his strength and, after that, give him a two-year contract. After all, Hall was a star player, and he should get a salary that matched his strength.

Right after this signing was disclosed to the media, it received a wave of criticism.

“Hall is not the ‘Yellow Mamba’ of the past. He doesn’t have any menisci in his knees. He can’t run and he can’t jump. He’s useless. I really don’t understand why the Clippers would sign him.”

“Two years at 8.5 million. It would be better to try to train a few rookies. That way, they might be able to get one or two useful players.”

“If Hall could still play, he wouldn’t have retired. First, they signed Osef, and now they signed Hall. I really don’t understand what the Clippers are doing this year!”

People were not optimistic about Hall’s comeback. Not only had he lost the menisci in his knees, but he had returned to play after he had lost his menisci before. He could not adapt to the intensity of an NBA game.

Hall was unable to continue to play. Now, Hall was a few years older, so his comeback was less likely to succeed.

The news of the Clippers’ signings did not end there. The next day, the sports section was dominated with headlines about the Clippers.

“Legendary star Raymond announces his comeback!”

He was a two-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star. A superstar in the NBA, Raymond was a player who could indeed be described as a “legend.”

Countless Raymond fans were excited by this news. Many people did not care whether Raymond could match his old stats, they only cared that Raymond was returning.

People began to guess which team Raymond would join, which team would hand him an olive branch. Some people were worried that no team in the NBA would accept Raymond. After all, Raymond had played for many years. He was injured and had been retired for a while. The current Raymond might not be able to handle the fast-paced rhythm of an NBA game.

This worry was superfluous. A few hours after Raymond’s announcement, the Clippers released the news that they had signed a three-year contract with Raymond at $25.8 million. The third year was a team option.

The salary was not what Raymond valued most. He was not short of money. He had earned hundreds of millions of dollars in his career. He was more concerned about the starting position that Dai Li promised. After all, Raymond was a superstar; he still had an ego. If the team was willing to guarantee his starting position, he didn’t mind getting a lower salary.

From the perspective of the Clippers, a two-year, $25.8 million contract for a superstar like Raymond was certainly a very cost-effective deal.

No one else felt that the current Raymond was worth 25.8 million for three years.

Sure enough, after the Clippers announced the signing of Raymond at this price, almost everyone felt that the Clippers were stupid, acting like rich kids with too much money to spend.

…

In the Clippers’ training hall, Raymond sat on the sidelines, holding a few newspapers in his hand. His face was very blue.

Raymond was very unhappy. They said that he was not worth 25.8 million for three years. Some people even said that he should only be valued at the veteran minimum salary. This was an insult to Raymond!

On the other side, Gray looked depressed as well.

The Clippers announced that they had signed Gray at the veteran’s minimum salary, but the news did not attract much attention. They were focused on Raymond.

Gray felt very lost, he hated being neglected. He was formerly “the Great” who lived up in the clouds, someone who people had high hopes for. Now, he had become a grain of unremarkable sand that no one cared about.

Noel rushed over.

“Noel, how did it go? Did the league approve your return to the court?” Raymond asked.

“The league still has some concerns. They asked me to provide at least half a year’s medical reports to prove that there are no new clots in my body, but I only have a one-month medical report,” Noel shrugged helplessly.

“That means you have to wait at least five months before you can play. It will be January of next year by then!” Raymond counted with his fingers.

Noel nodded, “The team’s performance in the first half of the season depends on you. I can wear a suit and cheer for you from the sidelines.”

…

The NBA was giving a press conference at their headquarters in New York.

The NBA spokesperson sat on the podium and answered the reporter’s question with a smile. “Indeed, we received an application from Noel to compete but, for his sake, we asked him to provide a six-month medical report. This way we can be sure he is fully healed and able to play once more.”

“If Noel returns to the court, can he join another team or does he have to return to the Heat?” A reporter asked.

“Noel has been cut by the Heat, so he is now a free agent. Any NBA team can choose to sign him, but without the approval of the league, he can’t play.”

The cellphone of one of the reporter shook a bit. He immediately it out. He was surprised.

“The Los Angeles Clippers announced that they have signed a contract with Noel!”

“The Clippers again? They signed Hall, Raymond, and Gray a few days ago. Now even Noel has signed with the Clippers!”

“What are the Clippers doing? Why have they signed on so many retired players? Can they still play?”

The crowd began to mutter.

…

On a sports program, a commentator was talking to the camera lens.

“The management of the Los Angeles Clippers this summer: I can only give them a D grade! They had enough money to renew their contract with Ronny and sign a few players from the free market, but they didn’t. Look at who they have chosen!

“Osef, a drug addict who cheated on his own wife; Hall, a disabled player without menisci in his knees; A retired and injured superstar, Raymond; A fragile man with leg discrepancy, Gray. Last but not least, they signed Noel, a person with blood clots.

“In my opinion, this is just bad management. It might be the worst management of the NBA this summer. They have no potential for new stars, they have not recruited ready-made stars, and they have not renewed their key players. Instead, they signed players who have been eliminated by the NBA.

“If you have some money, you can buy a brand new Ford or a second-hand BMW. Instead, you go to the scrapyard and look for a car that cannot be driven! Okay, it is a Porsche, but it’s a Porsche which has been scrapped. This is really just too stupid.

“I’m only making an analogy and didn’t mean to offend the players. There is one thing that I must say. The current Los Angeles Clippers don’t seem like an NBA team, but a shelter for the old and weak!”

Chapter 598 - A Complicated Transaction

Chapter 598: A Complicated Transaction

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

“‘Shelter for the old and weak?’ The new season hasn’t even begun and we already have another nickname!” Dai Li pointed to the magazine in his hand.

“You seem happy. They are not praising us. Wait, what do you mean by ‘another’?” Johnson asked.

“We were called ‘Los Angeles’ Overtime Team’ last season. You heard about that right?” Dai Li replied.

“I’m not in a joking mood. I am the general manager, so I am responsible for the choices we made. If the players we signed this summer perform badly, it’s on me,” Johnson said.

“I understand. If the players do not perform well, you will have to take the blame for me. Have you not seen, with your own eyes, how good these players are now?” Dai Li smiled. He then asked, “How is the situation with Ronny going?”

“I inquired about it. there are teams that are interested in him, but they are worried about the price. There are no teams that can offer a 20-million salary right now. Those who give a price can only offer 10 to 15 million, at most. Those teams are worried that we will match their offer,” Johnson said.

“What about Ronny? Is he still insisting on a $100 million contract?” Dai Li asked.

“Ronny’s agent has expressed his willingness to agree to a $90 million offer for five years and asked for the player option for the last two years,” Johnson replied.

Dai Li thought about it and asked, “Do you think we can use Ronny to get a first-round draft pick next year?”

…

A few days ago, when the Clippers had just announced that they signed a contract with Osef, Ronny’s agent contacted him immediately.

“Ronny, have you seen the news? The recent rumors are true. The Clippers really signed Osef,” the agent said.

“I just heard. What’s wrong? You think that addict can replace me?” Ronny said disdainfully.

“Osef certainly can’t take over your position but, if he gets into the rotation, he will definitely steal your playing time. Imagine getting less time per game. Will you be able to maintain your statistics?” the agent asked.

“What should I do?” Ronny asked.

“I think we should agree to 90 million over five years!” the agent replied.

“Damn it. You were the one who convinced me to demand a high salary. Now, you’re telling me to agree to a lower price. You swore that the Clippers would agree to our demands and I would get a higher salary. Now, we have to accept their offer of 90 million over five years. We are back to square one! You good-for-nothing agent!” Ronny screamed angrily. He felt deceived.

“I admit, I was blindly optimistic about this year’s situation. The past two years, many players received top contracts, but this year’s market is not as good as the last two. I am also a victim. If you don’t get a high salary, I lose a lot in commissions, right? I didn’t expect the Clippers to be so sly, either. They deliberately made it seem like they would match any offer so that other teams didn’t make you an offer. They were actually just stalling,” the agent explained.

“I don’t care about any of that. What I want now is a contract as soon as possible!” Ronny took a deep breath and calmed down. Then he said, “Five years at 90 million is fine, but the last two should be a player option. I’m want to be able to get out of it early. I need a high salary!”

…

Two days later, the agent heard that Hall signed with the Clippers. The agent contacted Ronny again.

“I’ve been in talks with team management. They think that 90 million over five years is too high.” The agent said this feeling somewhat guilty.

“What? They were the ones who offered me a five-year contract for $90 million. They went back on their words?” Ronny became very angry.

“The Clippers just signed Hall. Although Hall is a shooting guard, he is six feet and six inches tall. He has a good overall technique and he is strong. He can be a substitute cornerman. The Clippers believe that they have enough substitutes for the frontline…” The agent trailed off helplessly.

“They said that and you just believed them? Hall has no menisci in either knee. He is crippled on the court! He’s just replacing me by himself? Ridiculous!” Ronny said.

“Of course I know everything that you just said. The Clippers just want to use this as an excuse to force us to lower our price,” the agent said.

“I will not lower the price! 90 million over five years. I have already given a lot, I will not give one more inch,” Ronny said with contempt.

“Just in case, and I’m saying just in case, Hall really is able to play, he would take up the playing time of other players. The important thing here is that the Clippers will have more choices in who they choose to play!” said the agent.

Ronny understood what the agent was saying. “You want me to lower my price again?”

The agent advised him sincerely. “Ronny, you have to understand that the NBA is a business. Business is a process of mutual concessions. I think we should lower the price again! My bottom line is 85 million over five years.”

“85 million over five years?” Ronny became angry. “They offered me that at the end of last season. I held out for months, but the price is still the same. Are you playing me?”

“You have to know the NBA market is not doing well this summer; there weren’t many high priced contracts. We can’t do anything about it…” His agent tried to persuade him by speaking as sincerely as possible.

…

All of the sports world was talking about Raymond’s comeback.

Raymond and Hall were different. Hall was the shooting guard. Raymond was the swingman. He could play as a small forward. When the news broke that the Clippers promised Raymond a spot on the starting lineup, it became clear why he chose to join the Clippers.

“They gave Raymond a spot in the starting lineup. Which position will I play? Do they want me to sit the bench?” Ronny asked angrily.

“Raymond can also play as the shooting guard. Maybe he will play one of the backcourt positions in the starting lineup…” His agent comforted him and waited until Ronny calmed down. “I have more bad news. The Clippers rejected the $85 million offer!”

“What?” Ronny had just calmed down, but he was once again ignited. He was angry. He asked, “What are they offering?”

The agent hesitated. “Four years at $45 million. The last two years are a team option!”

“Damn, they are doing this deliberately. This is an insult. Fine. Tell them I will not sign this contract! Even if they offered $85 million or $90 million, I won’t sign with them!” Ronny ranted.

“Ronnie, you need to calm down. You have to understand that you are now a restricted free agent. If you do not accept the Clippers qualifying offer, after October 1st the contract will still take effect. You have to continue to play for the Clippers. Unless they withdraw their qualifying offer, which would be giving up their signing rights and making you a completely free agent. They will never do that.”

“Damn! This is outrageous! I won’t stay with them. Help me contact other teams to what they are willing to offer me. I have to leave the Clippers!” Ronny said fiercely.

“I think there should be teams that are interested in you, but they won’t offer a very high salary,” the agent said.

“I don’t care if I lose some money, I have to leave. I don’t want to stay on the Clippers!” Ronny said decisively.

…

According to the rules of the NBA, players who had just completed a four-year rookie contract could become a restricted free agent. The team needed to give a qualifying offer before June 30 in order to have priority in choosing the player. If the qualifying offer was not given, the player would become a completely free agent. If the team withdrew their qualifying offer, the player would also become a completely free agent. The offer amount had to be 125% of the previous contract or the minimum salary plus $200,000, whichever was higher.

After a team gave their offer, the player became a restricted free agent. At this point, he could communicate with the team to renew the contract. Other teams could also give their offers and the original team could match any of them.

If no team issued an offer to the player and the team did not reach an agreement for a new contract with the player, the previous qualification offer would take effect on October 1. The qualification offer was a one-year contract. When the player signed the contract for this qualification offer, he would still be a restricted free agent. Before March 1 of the following year, other teams could still give him offers. The team had the right to match their offer.

After March 1, the player would become a completely free agent. By the end of the season, after the player had fulfilled his contract, he could sign with any team without restrictions.

If the player did not accept any offer, including the qualifying offer from his own team, after one year the team could give him the same qualifying offer. The player would still be a restricted free agent. In other words, if the player did not get a high valued contract and he did not want to accept the team’s qualifying offer, then he would always be a restricted free agent. The team could always match the offers of other teams.

…

The Clippers’ management was in the the middle of a meeting.

“The Nuggets general manager contacted me. They want Ronny. They want to offer Ronny a contract, but they are worried we will match their offer. He contacted me to find out our position,” Johnson said.

“How much are the Nuggets willing to spend?” Dai Li asked.

“Four years, $60 million. That’s an average of 15 million a year. We can match this number with our current finances. We are still a ways off from the luxury tax threshold,” Johnson replied.

Dai Li frowned and thought about it. He asked, “If we match the offer of the other teams, can we still trade Ronny?”

“Yes, but you need to get Ronny’s consent,” Johnson replied.

“I think the Nuggets’ Blocked Shot Leader Karaby is very good. He is tall, has a good arm, and is good at blocking shots. He is one of the best defenders in the league. Although he is not too strong, his feet are very flexible, and he is able to switch to defense quickly. His technical skills are very suitable to the small ball style,” Dai Li said.

“Are you describing the Karaby who was famous five years ago?” Johnson shook his head. “He is 35 years old. His only assets now are his long arms. He can’t jump anymore and his feet don’t move as quickly as they did. He has been injured a lot recently. He hasn’t completed a full season in three years. Now, he’s just trying to get by in the NBA until his ‘retirement’ contract ends.”

“You mean to say that signing a contract with Karaby would be a waste? In that case, we should add that we get the Nuggets next year’s draft pick! If we have a draft pick, we can fix the bad contract and we still get an instant boost to our team’s strength. I’m guessing the Nuggets will agree to this proposal,” Dai Li said.

“I know what you are thinking. You want to match the Nugget’s offer, and then trade Ronny to the Nuggets for a draft pick right?” Johnson asked.

Dai Li nodded. Johnson shook his head. “That’s not allowed by the league. According to the rules of the NBA on the veto of trade deals, the restricted free agent who stayed due to the team giving a matching offer can’t be traded during the season unless the player gives his consent. The team the player goes to must not be the team that the home team matched their offer with. That means if the Nuggets give Ronny an offer and we match it, Ronny will have a veto on the trade deals next season. even if Ronny agrees to the trade, we can’t trade him to the Nuggets. So your idea won’t work.”

“So that’s how it works.” Dai Li thought for a few seconds. He smiled. “Since we can’t directly trade with the Nuggets, we can get help from a third party!

…

“Ronny, I just received an offer from the Kings for $60 million over four years,” the agent said with enthusiasm.

“Only 60 million in four years!” Ronny was very dissatisfied.

That was an average of $15 million a year. It was much lower than his desired salary.

“They only guarantee 52 million,” the agent went on.

“What? We lose a further 8 million?” Ronny became more dissatisfied. He shook his head and said, “I will not sign the contract!”

“Ronnie, we need to consider this offer. It might be the highest offer we can get,” Ronny’s agent advised. “If you don’t accept it, then we can wait until October 1 for the qualifying offer to take effect.”

“Then I will wait until the qualification offer takes effect. Anyway, other teams can still give me offers before March 1!” Ronny said.

“Do you think other teams will still have the finances to do so?” the agent asked.

“I can endure another year on the Clippers. By next year, I will be a completely free agent, so I can get a high salary!” Ronny vowed.

“That would require the Clippers to give you opportunities to perform.” His agent sighed and said, “Last season, you were the key player on the Clippers and your stats improved. Next season, the Clippers will know that you want to leave. Do you think they will still let you be their key player? Will they continue to give you opportunities to handle the ball and shoot?”

“This…” Ronnie knew that the agent was telling the truth. If he didn’t get enough opportunities to handle the ball or shoot, it would be impossible to get good stats. In that case, he could say goodbye to the chances of getting a high salary.

“Ronny, you are still young. You will have many opportunities. We might as well agree to the King’s offer. Wait for your next contract and I can definitely get you the best salary!”

…

After a restricted free agent received offers from other teams, the team had three days to consider whether they wanted to match it.

However, the Clippers matched the offer on the second day.

“Ronny, the Clippers matched the King’s offer,” the agent said.

“That means that I stay on the Clippers for the next four years? No, I want to be traded. I don’t want to play for the Clippers! They are scammers, a group of untrustworthy bastards! Even if they gave me $60 million, I don’t want to stay in the Clippers!” Ronny said.

“Not $60 million, but $52 million.” The agent sighed and said, “According to the rules of the NBA, the Clippers only need to match the guaranteed part of the contract!”

“Bastard, those bastards! They took another 8 million. I won’t sign this contract!” Ronny yelled.

“Ronny, there is only one person in the history of the NBA that rejected a team’s matching offer. In the end, he lost his foothold in the NBA. Fortunately, he was a Rocket player so he went to the Chinese basketball league. The league doesn’t allow such things to happen. There are no flaws in the process of offering and signing contracts. If the players don’t follow the rules of the NBA, it makes a mess of the restricted player market. You don’t want to be an enemy of the NBA, do you?”

“But I don’t want to stay on the Clippers! How about this? Go tell the Clippers to trade me!”

…

The next day, the agent came to Ronny’s home again.

“The Clippers have promised to trade you to another team. However, as you have the right to veto any trade next season, the Clippers want to take your right to trade. They told me that there are not many people who they can choose to trade with,” the agent said.

“I don’t care where I go. I just don’t want to stay on the Clippers!” Ronny did not hesitate to sign away his right to trade.

…

That day, there were two new stories in the media. Both were about Ronny.

The first news was that the Clippers matched the King’s offer for Ronny. The other was that Ronny was traded to the Nuggets for the veteran Karaby, the first round of their draft picks, and four million dollars in cash.

…

“Coach Li, I didn’t expect you to complete the transaction this way. Let the Kings offer a contract to Ronny, set the guaranteed amount at 52 million, and then match the offer. You were sure that Ronny did not want to stay on the Clippers. You then made use of the opportunity and traded him to the Nuggets. Through this trade, we gained a first-round draft pick. This also benefits the Nuggets. They originally planned to sign Ronny at 60 million over four years. Now, they only need to spend 52 million,” Johnson said.

“The Nuggets were willing to pay us an additional four million in cash, as our reward for helping them save money,” Dai Li said.

“And the Kings. We need to thank them for offering a contract to Ronny,” Johnson said.

“The Kings owed us a favor. Last draft, we helped them in the second round,” Dai Li replied.

Johnson remembered that, in the recent draft, the Kings wanted a rookie from the second round. They exchanged a second-round draft pick with the Clippers for the rookie. Because of this, the Kings had owed the Clippers a favor. The Kings had just returned it.

Chapter 599 - Blocked Shot Leader

Chapter 599: Blocked Shot Leader

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Karaby found out he was being traded when he saw the reports on the news.

Karaby might have felt slighted, but he was used to it. The 35-year-old had completely fallen out of the team’s rotation last season. Even during unimportant games, the head coach was not willing to give him too much playing time. He had only played 24 games the entire season.

Karaby had been brilliant when he was younger. He was 6.9 feet tall and had a wingspan of 7.5 feet. Everyone thought he was born to play basketball

Karaby had entered the NBA as a model player. He received was named the blocked shot leader just two years in. Although he was never on the All-Star team, he was named blocked shot leader four times, won NBA defensive player of the year award, and the best defender twice. Looking at the honors that he had received, Karaby was definitely one of the best defenders in the NBA.

Karaby was capable in scoring and he could even make three-pointers. However, due to his defensive ability, he never had many chances to shoot.

As a player that played inside the three-point line, he was relatively light. He was only 235 pounds. Many players on the frontline were stronger than him. For this reason, he was more vulnerable to injuries. This greatly reduced his overall performance in an otherwise brilliant career.

However, it was because of his lightweight that Karaby’s movements were flexible and quick. With his excellent wingspan, he could guard against the smaller players and also supplement the team’s defense. These features were suitable in an era where the small ball style was popular. However, all this was only relevant when Karaby was younger.

The aging of basketball players who had larger physiques was much more serious than the aging of smaller players. Five years ago, Karaby was named the NBA’s blocked shot leader. Now, the only thing he had left was his wide wingspan and his vast experience in the NBA. Due to his age, his body was no longer as nimble as it was. It was not possible for him to jump like a young man. He had also never been a strong player inside the three-point line. He wasn’t even fit to act as a human shield underneath the basket.

The Nuggets gave Karaby a five-year contract for $55 million. For a 35-year-old, this was the last contract before his retirement from his professional basketball career. However, Karaby deteriorated faster than the Nuggets expected. As he aged, his injuries became more frequent, reducing Karaby’s effectiveness on the court. Eventually, he was taken off the team’s rotation.

Karaby’s current two-year contract for $23 million was not very high, but for a player who couldn’t get on the court and had to sit on the sidelines, it was garbage.

Karaby knew that this contract was basically his pension, so he was not planning on competing with the younger guys. As long as he could live comfortably, finish getting his pension, and then retire from the NBA, he was satisfied.

…

Karaby’s agent contacted him for the first time after the transaction,

“I can’t believe the Nuggets actually traded you to the Clippers. There weren’t any rumors about this. I only saw when I watched the news,” the agent complained.

“That’s how I learned of it too. The Clippers haven’t contacted me yet,” Karaby said. “I am hesitating whether or not I should go to Los Angeles to report in.”

“The deal is done. You have no power to refuse,” the agent said.

“No. I mean I don’t know if it’s worth it to go to L.A.” Karaby sighed depressingly. “I think the Clippers will dismiss me. I just saw the Clippers’ roster. They already have 17 people. This means they have to dismiss two people. I will be one of them.”

“It is a possibility. Ronny and the Clippers have already fallen out because of the contract renewal. That’s why the Clippers used Ronny to trade for a draft pick. Your current contract has no value. There are still two years left. If they wanted to free up their finances, they would have to wait for a year. It’s better to dismiss you straight away,” the agent said. He was not considerate to Karaby at all.

“I am waiting for the news of my dismissal from the Clippers. I thought I would be playing for another two years before retiring. Now it seems that I won’t even get to play this season. I have to retire in advance,” Karaby said, sounding helpless.

After he ended the call with his agent, Karaby sat alone in his living room and recalled the glorious moments in his career. It was as if he was saying goodbye to basketball.

His phone suddenly rang. The number on it was odd but Karaby did not think much about it. He answered out of habit.

“Is this Karaby?” The person on the line asked.

“Yes, I am Karaby. Who are you?” Karaby asked in a neutral tone.

“I am Dai Li, the head coach of the Clippers. You probably know who I am, right?” the person on the line said.

Karaby was shocked.

Is the Clippers coach, Dai Li, going to inform me of my dismissal personally? Karaby thought.

However, Dai Li said, “I think you already know that you have been traded to the Clippers. When will you come to Los Angeles to report in?”

“Go to Los Angeles to report in?” Karaby was surprised again.

From the sound of this, they might not dismiss me, Karaby realized.

Dai Li then said, “If possible, I hope that you can come to Los Angeles early. I have developed a training program for you. It may help you to restore you to your youthful state.”

…

“There will be a total of six months this regular season. From November of this year to April of next year. The playoffs will end in June next year. That means that a team has eight months of competition from the start of the season to the end of the playoffs.”

Dai Li wrote an “8” as he was speaking.

According to the calculations of the age-reducing card, to last for eight months, he needs to be five years younger. Karaby is 35 years old, and if he becomes five years younger, he will have the body of a 30-years-old. If I remember correctly, Karaby was the blocked shot leader in the NBA five years ago!

Dai Li couldn’t help but laugh when he thought this.

The current Karaby would be useless. However, if Dai Li used the age-reduction card on Karaby and made his body five years younger, Karaby would be back at his peak. He would be the blocked shot leader in the free-throw lane, just as he had been in the past.

Everyone thought that my biggest gain in the deal with the Nuggets was the first-round draft pick. In fact, Karaby is my biggest gain!

Chapter 600 - All-Star Strategy

Chapter 600: All-Star Strategy

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the NBA preseason, each team has a warm-up match.

At the end of each season, each team made considerable changes to their lineup. Some teams even changed their coaches. So the NBA held preseasons to let the teams have a chance to try out their lineups. It allowed them to get familiar with the how every player and team played. It helped with determining the actual lineups in the regular season. It also helped increase the communication between the players and the coaches. It helped them get into the mindset that was needed for the arduous regular season.

Typically, the preseason lasted two weeks. In those two weeks, a team played about eight games. In recent years, the NBA increased its internationalization efforts to cater to the tastes of overseas fans. It sent teams to play preseason games overseas, in addition to inviting overseas teams to come to the United States to participate in the NBA preseason.

The Los Angeles Clippers were selected by the NBA to play a preseason game in China this year. After all, the Clippers were owned by the Dingtian Group. Being sent to China was no surprise.

The Clippers were playing the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks signed a preseason contract with a Chinese player. That meant that the Chinese player could participate in the preseason on behalf of the Mavericks. The NBA officials would naturally not give up this opportunity to cater to Chinese fans, so they arranged for the Mavericks to go to China in the preseason.

Going to China for the preseason was an opportunity for the NBA to expand overseas. It benefited both the NBA and the teams. The players, however, had to travel long and far. They had to travel half a globe, from the United States to China. After they got used to the time difference, they had to compete in two different cities and, at the same time, partake in promotional activities. Some players also had to participate in sponsored activities. Their schedules were full. Under such conditions, they did not feel the positive effects of the warm-up games.

Da Li took the team on a vacation in China. As for the preseason, he treated it as a performance.

The Clippers had been called a “shelter for the old and weak,” but the current team of “old and weak” was filled with star players who knew how to play. They were still very popular in the hearts of the fans. They could easily get fans to cheer for them simply by returning to the court.

When the Clippers returned to the United States, the preseason was half over. After they got used to the time difference and resumed their training, the Clippers only played two preseason games in the U.S. By then, the NBA preseason was already coming to an end.

For the Clippers, this was an obvious loss. Other teams had played eight preseason games. They had time to get used to and adjust their lineups to achieve an optimum result. However, the Clippers went all around the world. They were not in a condition that was fit for competition.

…

Cassel went to Dai Li with a form in his hands.

“Coach, from the preseason stats, Wood has played the best. It seems that he has restored 70-80% of his peak skill. As the season progresses, he should get better and better. As long as he doesn’t get injured again, he may be playing like an MVP again soon.

“Hall’s situation is much worse than Wood’s. He hasn’t played for a long time. His speed and explosive power are recovering. The most important thing is his handle of the ball. You know, although Hall is able to make three-pointers, he’s best at scoring pull-up jumpers. Although Hall’s current scoring rate in training is very good, during actual games, his scoring rate pull-up jumpers is just over 30%. This is a failing score. Getting a feel for the ball is something that needs time. I think Hall needs more time to find the rhythm of the game.

“The worst is Raymond. In fact, his situation is similar to that of Hall. Although his body has recovered, he has not yet gotten used to competing. Raymond hasn’t played the game for a long time. It will take some time for his body and spirit to get used to the tension. He is a superstar so, in the preseason games, the opponents put more pressure on him. His field goal percentage was the worst amongst them.

“Gray is recovering very well. He is indeed a brilliant man with a large physique, but his problem is that he has too many fouls. He has only played about 100 NBA games. As far as experience is concerned, he is really a second-year rookie. His lack of experience is a major disadvantage on the court. He might receive six fouls within 30 minutes. In this respect, there aren’t many ways to help him. Any inexperienced guy with a large physique playing inside the three-point line will get fouls. It is the only way he can learn. This is the price that he has to pay.

“Fortunately, we still have Karaby in the three-point line. When Gray gets into trouble with the fouls, Karaby can prop up our defense in the free-throw lane. From his performance at the preseason, Karaby did not seem like a 35-year-old veteran at all. I think he is just as good as he was five years ago.

“In addition, Kumar’s performance surprised me. During the NBA Summer League, he was strong and adaptable. In the preseason, he scored the most points for the team other than Wood. He has begun to adapt to the rhythm of an NBA game.”

Cassel gave this simple report on the players’ performances in the preseason. Osef had not been able to get on the court yet because of his history of drug abuse. As for Noel, he would not be able to get a six-month medical report until January, so he did not play in the preseason.

Cassel said, “Coach, the regular season is about to begin. We have only briefly practiced a few tactics. We have not yet made it clear what kind of tactics we’re using this season.”

“Our strategy will be simple. Just pass the ball to someone,” Dai Li said with a smile.

“What do you mean?” Cassel asked, puzzled.

“Isn’t it a very common tactic in the NBA? Passing the ball to someone…” Dai Li left his words hanging.

“And then what?” Cassel asked.

“And then? Nothing.” Dai Li shook his head. “Someone will score. The Lakers and the Cavaliers, didn’t they used to have superstars who did this all the time?”

Cassel gave laughed drily. His expression was clearly asking, Are you telling a joke?

Dai Li continued. “Strategy in the NBA has been constantly developing. Many coaches have their own systems. These are what I am worst at. We can still learn and apply tactics that are simple. Complicated tactical systems can’t be learned by watching a video. We are far worse than the other teams tactically!”

“So you want the players to play solo?” Cassel shook his head. “I don’t agree with this. We can’t give up on tactics just because you haven’t mastered them.”

Dai Li explained. “What I am best at is physical training. I can let athletes play at their best while they are out competing. Our team is unique. We have gathered a group of all-stars…”

“They were all-stars,” Cassel corrected.

“Well, if I can get them back to their previous states, we will have a group of all-stars. Do you think we need to teach a group of all-stars how to play?” Dai Li did not wait for Cassel to answer. “They could become star players before. That not only means that they have excellent skills, but also that they have an extraordinary ability to read the game. They can lead a team and win.”

“That doesn’t mean we don’t need to plan a strategy.” Cassel shook his head.

“Of course we need a strategy, but there is no way that we will be able to create a complex tactical system like the Spurs. We need some simple, effective tactics to increase the chemistry between the players. Then, we need to give the players more freedom when playing. They were once leaders, they know better than me how to lead a team to victory,” Dai Li replied.

Cassel expressed disbelief. “You want to let the players decide what to do? What’s the use of us coaches? Do we just sit on the sidelines and watch the show?”

“We can give advice, as well as make some adjustments to the players. When it comes to the court, we should trust the players. They are all-star players, they have enough experience in the game. They know when they need to do what they need to do. The game is always changing and the player’s judgments are based on experience. Sometimes their decisions are better than ours,” Dai Li explained.

“I still can’t agree with you. We are coaches, so we should provide players with a tactical plan. That is what we do.” Cassel was stubborn.

Dai Li shook his head helplessly. “Please tell me, what kind of strategy should we arrange for the players? The complicated cooperation of the Spurs? The Warriors ‘death lineup’? The Rockets’ magic style of play? These are popular tactics, but they require a deep tactical understanding of basketball. With my level of knowledge, I am can’t understand them. Do you have such a deep understanding? Can you make our players like the Spurs? Will the ball go through the hands of each individual and then reach the basket? Can you make our players like the Warriors? Can they pass rapidly between players and then shoot very difficult three-pointers? Can you make our players like the Rockets? Will they only score outside the free-throw lane and the three-point line? Do you have the ability to create a new, better tactical system?”

Cassel was left speechless. If he could, he would not be an assistant coach.

“So you are saying that it’s not that we don’t want to plan a strategy, but we don’t have the ability to do so? We are not ‘tactical masters.’ Therefore, we can only use one type of play style.” Dai Li extended a finger and then said, “We can only hope that the players’ personal abilities are strong enough. We can only use the ‘all-star’ strategy!”

After listening to Dai Li, Cassel wanted to refute him, but he could not do so.

Dai Li continued. “What’s strange about expecting star players to succeed? During the early days, a single superstar could dominate a game. Later on, it was standard to have one superstar outside the three-point line and one inside the three-point line if a team wanted to win the championship. Even later, the ‘Big Three’ model won championships. Today, the Warriors have the so-called ‘Big Four’. Why can’t we build a ‘Big Five,’ ‘Big Six,’ or ‘Big Seven’? Other teams are putting out their star players in the starting lineup. I think we should even have star players as substitutes! We have no tactics. We can only rely on the stars to play. That is the ‘all-star’ strategy!”

Chapter 601 - Pass the Ball to Wood

Chapter 601: Pass the Ball to Wood

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The new season had officially begun.

The first game of the new season at the Staples Center was reserved for the LA Lakers. The Clippers, who were based in the same city, flew to Portland to face off against the Blazers for their first game of the season.

The Blazers were a strong team. They had been consistently made the playoffs in recent years. They had also been improving. In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, reaching the playoffs proved a team’s strength.

In comparison, the Clippers were not considered a strong team. They had traded away their key player, Ronny. They signed on some retired ex-stars who were making their comebacks. They had become a shelter for the old and weak. Commentators and fans alike were optimistic about the Blazers’ chance of victory.

In the predictions made before the game began, every commentator interviewed said that the Blazers would win. The betting odds by the gaming company verified this.

The fans at the Blazers’ home court were very excited. Although the game had not yet begun, they were thinking about how they would celebrate the first win of the season.

In the Blazers’ locker room, the players were relaxed. All of them felt that the game could be easily won. The substitutes were eager to play. They felt that their team would gain a massive lead very quickly. Once that happened, they could get seven or eight minutes of playing time. For those players who had not yet entered the rotation, having the opportunity to play in front of the coach was something worth celebrating.

The Blazers’ coaching staff were also very relaxed. After all, their opponent was the Clippers. They were the shelter for the old and weak. The coaching staff did not believe that a group of retired veterans could be too strong. In addition, the Blazers’ backcourt duos were the best in the NBA. They could easily defeat the Clippers.

On the other hand, the atmosphere in the Clippers’ locker room was much more serious. Hall, Raymond, and Gray were all back after retiring. This was the first official game they would be playing since their comeback. Gray took it especially seriously. The former genius did not have much experience. He had only played about one hundred NBA games. Now that he had made his comeback and was starting for the Clippers, he felt nervous.

Dai Li sat alone on a chair. He held a clipboard in his hand. He seemed to be closing his eyes, but he was actually using the Prophecy Request Box.

To all the gods and goddesses on both heaven and earth, let me draw a good lot! Dai Li silently recited in his head. In the system, a sign came out of the Prophecy Request Box.

It is a good lot! Although it could be better, it can be considered to be a good one. Let me look at what is written on the sign quickly.

Dai Li immediately checked the sign. On it, it said, “Pass the ball to Wood.”

What does this mean? Dai Li thought about it. He eventually stood up, walked to the middle of the players and said, “Let’s talk about the game plan.”

The players immediately stopped what they were doing and turned to Dai Li.

Dai Li coughed and cleared his throat. “We have a very simple strategy this game. Pass the ball to Wood.”

The players looked at Dai Li, waiting for him to continue, but Dai Li had stopped.

Wood couldn’t wait any longer. He took the initiative and asked, “Coach. Then what?”

“Then what?” Dai Li asked.

Wood looked at Dai Li with a blank stare. “I mean, after the ball is passed to me, what should I do? Is it a pick and roll, a breakthrough? Should I create opportunities for the players outside the three-point line, or should I directly rush for the basket?”

“Well, you can decide that yourself,” Dai Li said casually.

“Decide by myself?” Wood blinked in confusion. He had played basketball for so many years and he had never seen a coach arrange such a strategy.

“Is there a problem?” Dai Li asked. “Wood, you are the point guard. You are the leader on the court. The organization of the offense is your responsibility, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but…” Wood looked a little hesitant.

“Are you worried that you can’t handle this responsibility?” Dai Li asked with a smile.

Wood did not answer, which was an admission that Dai Li was right.

“Do you think you haven’t recovered fully?” Dai Li asked. He did not wait for Wood to answer. “Wood, there are many excellent players in our team. They used to be superstars, but no one has recovered fully; that includes you.

“I know you need more time to find your rhythm and the rhythm of the game. However, the regular season has started, so we don’t have that much time. I need someone to take the lead and step up, to lead the team forward. I think that person is you!

“You started your rehabilitation training in May, earlier than everyone else. You have recovered the most. That is why I chose you. I think you can take on this responsibility. You don’t need to worry about it, as long as you do what you think is right, you should do it boldly.”

Dai Li looked at Wood trustfully as he was talking to him.

Wood was moved. He did not expect Dai Li to trust him so much. The effects of the Specter of Authority made Wood feel that Dai Li’s words were as right as the words on holy scriptures.

“Coach, I will definitely try my best,” Wood said positively.

When he saw the players walk onto the court, Dai Li tightened his face to conceal his sly expression. He thought, I’ve been able to put the sign from the Prophecy Request Box into motion!

…

Wood stood on the court and looked around the stadium.

The regular season was a bit unfamiliar to him. Due to his injuries, he had played less than 30 games in recent seasons. He had even forgotten how playing in the regular season felt.

The player standing opposite him was staring at him. This Blazers player was named Damian. He was the key player on the Blazers. He was one of the Blazers’ backcourt duos. He was named the best rookie during his rookie season. He was selected as an All-Star three times and was put on the All-NBA team once.

In terms of age, Wood was only two years older than Damian, but Wood had entered the NBA earlier. When Wood was named the regular season MVP, Damian was a rookie who had just entered the NBA. This player won rookie of the year had become one of the best backcourt players in the NBA. Wood, the youngest regular season MVP in NBA history, had become an injured veteran that had lost his luster.

Wood and Damian were the same height, 6 feet 3 inches. They also weighed about the same. One was 192 pounds, the other was 193 pounds. In terms of achievements, Wood and Damian were also similar. They both were named All-Stars three times. They both were on the All-NBA team once. Both had won an All-Star Skills Challenge. The only difference between the two was one of them was a regular season MVP.

Wood knew that his opponent would be very difficult to deal with. His stats were almost the same as Wood’s during his peak. He did not know whether he would be able to compete with this rising star.

On the opposite side, Damian looked at Wood with a provocative stare.

There was no shortage of provocations in the NBA. The younger generations were particularly bad. Provoking their seniors was very normal. Some of the seniors couldn’t wait for the younger generation to provoke them. They would bully the rookies and push them onto the ground.

Today, it was Damian who was obviously trying to push his senior, Wood, onto the ground.

As an All-Star backcourt player, Damian never felt that he was any worse than anyone, but when people talk about the best players in the NBA, they didn’t consider him as being one of the best. When compared with the defenders of several other strong teams in the Western Conference, Damian was put at the end of the list.

In the Western Conference, the Rockets’ defender once was the MVP of the regular season. The Thunder’s defender once was the MVP of the regular season. A Warriors’ defender was named the regular season MVP twice. Although Damian’s stats were those of a top defender, and his performance was good, he had never received the title of MVP in a regular season. This lack of an MVP title seemed to tell Damian, “In the Western Conference, you are still a rookie!”

Carrying the anger of having never been an MVP, he had to face off against Wood, the youngest player ever to be named MVP in a regular season. Damian wanted to defeat Wood for this reason.

Damian wanted to prove to the world that he was much stronger than a regular season MVP!

…

This was the first game of the new season. Both sides seemed to have not entered with the proper mindset. This was evident in the standard of the defense and the positioning of the players.

It was expected for the Clippers to be slow when it came to getting into the correct mindset. After all, the team was made up of comeback players. They had not participated in an official game for a year or two. They needed time to recover and adapt.

For the Blazers, it was simply because the new season had only just begun and the players were still in the “holiday mood.”

Besides the defenses, the two teams were pretty much neck-in-neck for most of the game. At the end of the first quarter, the Clippers were 10 points behind.

Damian scored three of his five three-point attempts. Adding in his two free-throws, he scored 11 points in total.

Damian was good at getting points. He was accurate, especially on three-pointers. He had a good handle on the ball and he had a field goal percentage of 37%. He depended on three-pointers for his offenses; half of his shots were taken outside the three-point line. It was not surprising for a player like him to get dozens of points in a game.

On the Clippers’ side, Wood also shot three-pointers, but his were much worse than Damien’s. His best method of offense was to rush towards the basket and face off against the defense. This method was also known as the “knee killer.” None of the players in history who used this way to score had good knees.

It was because of this method that Wood had the knees a fifty-year-old.

With the help of Dai Li, Wood’s knees had returned to their previous state. Once he had the explosive power and speed, he started to score by using methods like rushing forward to attack.

There was a beautiful change of direction dribble. He made a sudden start-and-stop, with strong explosive power, then a quick rush, and a smooth layup. Wood’s signature attack could turn the defenders’ defense into a mess. If no one came to assist on defending, it was difficult for a single defender to stop Wood’s attack.

Still, the scoring rate of the last few throws was a bit horrible. Only one of the seven shots were made. It made Wood speechless. His field goal percentage for these kinds of rushing methods was close to 50%. This did not include free-throws. If the seven free-throws were counted, he would have a field goal percentage of 70% by using this method of attack.

…

“Our field goal percentage is a bit bad,” Cassel said with a worried look.

“I know,” Dai Li nodded. “Wood still needs time to get back the feel. I believe that he will get back his feel for the game soon.”

Dai Li turned his head and looked at Cassel as he spoke. Cassel still looked a little anxious. Dai Li continued to say, “Wood is a regular season MVP. If he is given enough opportunities, he will return to his prime condition. From my point of view, real competition is the best teacher for an athlete!”

Chapter 602 - Natural Born Leader

Chapter 602: Natural Born Leader

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Rush in, throw, and miss.

Rush in, throw, and miss.

Rush in, throw, and score.

Rush in, throw, and miss. Draw a foul for a free-throw.

Rush in, throw, and miss.

Rush in, throw, and score…

If the free-throws weren’t counted, Wood’s field goal percentage was just 33%. For two-pointers, this was quite low. Most shooters’ field goal percentage for three-pointers were higher than that as well.

Although Wood’s knees had recovered, he had not regained his rhythm. His sense for the game had also not recovered. When he made a beautiful change-of-direction move, rushed towards the basket with quickness and explosive power, and overcame the tall defenders inside the three-point line, he still couldn’t put the ball into the basket.

On the sidelines, the Blazers’ assistant coach in charge of defensive training was embarrassed and depressed. Wood’s rushes were too incisive. The Blazers were not good at defending. Their defenses completely broke down when faced with Wood’s rushes.

Right next to him, the Blazers’ coach, Terry, looked at their lead of a dozen points. He looked worried. It didn’t seem like they were leading by a dozen points, but more like they were a dozen points behind.

“Wood’s knees have recovered!” The head coach of the Blazers, Terry, finally said.

Watching for this long, the recovery was impossible to miss.

Wood did too many change-of-direction moves, sudden stops and rushes, and jumps. He also attacked the defensive players with difficult moves. To make these moves, a person needed a good pair of knees.

Every change-of-pace dribble or sudden move put a lot of pressure on the knees. That was why Wood’s knees were those of a fifty-year-old. This was basically an irreversible injury. Once it appeared, it would only get worse and worse. It would not get better.

Wood began to use this offensive method at the beginning of the game. This was the style of offense he was best at. In the beginning, the Blazer’s head coach realized that his knees had had a season to recover. When the first quarter began, his knees were not under great pressure. The few difficult maneuvers were to be expected.

Terry reached the conclusion that Wood’s current style would not last long. He knew that Wood’s knees had been badly injured and they were already in a sorry state. He would at most be able to carry out several difficult moves occasionally. If he continued to play like this, his knees would definitely not last.

When he was on the court, Wood had been continuously using those type of difficult moves. He didn’t seem worried about his knees. His speed, explosive power, and control were telling everyone that his knees were in good condition.

The head coaches in NBA teams were definitely good at what they did. They spent their entire life working with basketball. A player could be deciphered in a single glance from the head coaches. The Blazers’ head coach was naturally able to analyze Wood in his current performance.

“Wood’s knees have recovered!” Terry, the Blazers’ head coach, had a complex expression on his face. It was in transition between doubt and shock.

“Coach, what did you say?” The assistant coach next to him asked.

“I said Wood’s knees have fully recovered!” Terry added the word “fully” this time.

The assistant coach thought for five or six seconds before he was able to understand the true meaning of what he said. “Impossible!”

He looked at Wood, who was on the court and recalled the difficult moves Wood had been using. His tone changed and he asked, “It shouldn’t be possible, right?”

The assistant coach’s tone shift illustrated that he had the same opinion as the head coach.

Terry didn’t answer. He just looked at Dai Li. He was sitting on the Clippers’ bench on the other side.

Dai Li had been the head coach of the Clippers for half a season, so the coaches of the NBA teams had already figured out some details about Dai Li. They knew he was very good at rehabilitation training and that players who had suffered serious injuries had fully recovered under his care. He was very good at leading older athletes into their second primes.

However, the Blazers’ head coach did not consider that through Dai Li’s rehabilitation training, Wood’s knees could recover!

Wood was the youngest MVP in history. He could be regarded as a superstar. His injury was no secret. Although the seriousness of each of Wood’s injuries had not been disclosed publicly, each team had someone responsible for estimating the severity of the injuries. The estimates were usually not far off.

Some of the team’s physical trainers and doctors even used Wood’s injuries as a case study to prevent their players from suffering the same injury. They studied how a player could recover from similar injuries.

Terry knew how serious Wood’s knee injury had been. He didn’t think Wood’s knees could recover and he didn’t think Wood would able to maintain his speed and explosive power. The media used the words “fifty or sixty-year-old knees” to describe Wood. They had told the world that the youngest MVP in history had become useless.

What happened today was beyond Terry’s understanding. Wood’s knees were fully recovered! If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, Terry wouldn’t have believed it. Even now, he still had some doubts about what he saw.

How could such a severe injury go away just like that?

After a brief period of shock and confusion, Terry realized that the person whose knees had recovered was Wood. This was not some minor player, nor an ordinary good player, but the youngest player to get the title of MVP in a regular season in NBA history.

…

Rush in, throw, and score.

Rush in, throw, and score.

Rush in, throw, and score. Successfully created a foul for a free-throw.

Wood scored three times in a row.

What a familiar feeling! Wood quickly ran back to his half of the court, but he was still thinking of the previous shot in his head.

Wood used to use this scoring method to dominate in the NBA. Since his knee injury, he could no longer use this method to score. He had forgotten the feeling of rushing and scoring. It was only now that he had remembered the sensation he felt when he scored.

I’ve found my rhythm again! Wood felt joyful.

After the miraculous recovery of his knees, Wood started high-intensity training. He was eager to find his own rhythm and to get back into the flow of a match.

Such things could not be rushed. Even if he did well in training, without actual experience a player could never get their rhythm back.

This was the case with basketball players. They might be ferocious tigers in training, but they turned into dogs in an official game.

On the training grounds, many players were able to run fast, jump high, and shoot accurately. In a high-intensity game, if they could maintain that for ten minutes, they were considered a top athlete. For example, a certain NBA player who played inside the three-point line often released videos of him shooting free-throws. In training, he made all of his shots. In real games, he was lucky to make one out of two free-throws. If he made both of the free-throws, everyone on his team’s bench cheered for him.

This was the difference between training and competition. Simple free-throws became doubly difficult. The chance of scoring was reduced by half. Wood’s change-of-direction move, his confrontation with the defenders, and his layup required many attempts before he could get into the flow of regularly scoring.

Fortunately, Wood had recovered that flow. He had also recovered his confidence.

Each time he attacked, he became more and more determined.

Wood’s dribble made Damian lose his balance, and he lost his position as a result. Wood used the chance to rush towards the basket and make a beautiful throw. The ball went into the hoop.

Damian looked at Wood very unhappily. This was due to a mistake made by him, the defender.

Damian was not good at defending. His defense had received criticism. The Blazers’ backcourt duo was once described as the “backcourt leaking duos.” It was common for them to leave a gap in their defense accidentally. However, in the last two seasons, Damian’s defensive skills had improved a lot. He wasn’t the one responsible for leaving a gap in their defenses.

When facing the best players of the NBA, however, Damian’s defense left a lot of openings for the attackers.

It is just a two-pointer! I will get you back with a three-pointer! Damian thought as he gestured to his teammates to perform a pick-and-roll maneuver. He scored a three-pointer straight away.

The three-pointer was Damian’s best scoring method. After scoring the three-pointer, Damian looked at Wood provocatively, as if to say that a three-pointer would always be one point more than a two-pointer.

Wood quickly responded in the next attack. He made a very easy high shot, and the ball went into the basket. The attack also created a foul, so he received a free throw. In the end, he also received three points.

The game entered a phase in which the two point guards kept scoring.

…

Cassel looked at the scoreboard. The score was 63-63. He couldn’t help but say, “Wood has found his rhythm. Coach Li, your arrangement worked.”

Dai Li smiled and did not answer. “Pass the ball to Wood.” Although it was only a good lot from the Prophecy Request Box, it was not the best. It was similar to only getting second place in an exam. Getting second place was also good enough sometimes.

After a timeout, Dai Li sent out Gray, the center.

Gray was getting a lot of fouls, so he did not have much actual playtime. Whenever he was on the court, however, the Clippers had an advantage inside the three-point line. A good center was beneficial to any team that they were on.

On the court, the Blazers had gotten tougher defending against Wood. Wood changed his style. He no longer obsessed with rushing. He started to pass more often, and the person who benefitted the most from this was Gray.

Rushing forward and then passing to another player was a common strategy in basketball. The Rockets’ strategy of passing to another player to score at the last second turned an ordinary player inside the three-point line into a player with excellent scoring ability. Wood might not be as good as the backcourt duos of the Rockets, but Gray was better than the Rockets’ backcourt duo when it came to receiving the ball and scoring. He was able to split the pressure of attacking with Woods. This made it so that the Blazers’ players inside the three-point line did not dare to surround Woods.

At this point in the game, Woods had demonstrated why he was a regular season MVP.

…

“Whoomp!”

The basketball entered the basket was extremely crispily. Damian had allowed three three-pointers to get into the basket in a row.

Terry wanted a timeout to let Damian calm down but the rebound was caught by a player from the Clippers.

The ball was in Wood’s hands. He was very focused. With sharpness and calmness in his eyes, he was constantly observing the positions of his teammates. He directed where they should go with his hands.

Wood was like a general on the battlefield, waving the flags and mobilizing thousands of horses.

He is a natural leader! Dai Li let out a long sigh. He remembered a phrase on Wood’s evaluation of Wood when he participated in the NBA draft: “He is a natural leader!”

There weren’t many players in the draft that received such an evaluation.

A regular season MVP was indeed a good leader for a team. The responsibility of the leader was to lead his team to victory!

On the court, Wood looked at his teammates around him. There was Gray, who committed five fouls. There was Halls, who hadn’t gotten his groove back. There was Raymond, who was still trying to get used to playing in a proper game. Not one of his teammates were able to give much help. This made Wood feel like he was back on the Bulls. That was the season he won MVP.

That season was similar to right now. He had two all-star teammates who played inside the three-point line. Both of them had missed about 30 games and they played around 30 games with injuries. Wood had to carry the whole team. He played 81 games, scored 25 points, received 4.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists. This helped the Bulls achieve a record of 62 wins and 20 losses in the NBA. This record proved the value of an MVP.

He had a similar feeling to back then. His teammates were only able to offer limited help. He had to rely on himself to win victory for his team.

Wood was convinced that he could do it because he was the leader of this team. All he had to do was to carry out his role correctly.

…

Terry felt mentally exhausted. He sat in his chair and looked at the scoreboard.

Initially, the scores of both teams had been quite close but, in the last two minutes, the Blazers’ players kept making mistakes. The Clippers took the opportunity to seize the lead. The Clippers were now leading by six.

Six points. It was two three-pointers to tie. They needed not only strength but also some help from lady luck.

The youngest regular season MVP! The youngest leader! Terry looked at Wood with fear in his eyes.

The next second, he looked at Damian.

In terms of the honors that they received, the only difference between Damian and Wood was that one was a regular season MVP and the other was not. The title of “leader” also came with the honor of being a regular season MVP.

In Terry’s eyes, Damian was indeed strong. He was also capable of leading the team to victory, but he was not a qualified leader. He was far from being able to be described as “leader.”

Wood was different. He was a real leader. There was no doubt that Wood had proved this when he was on the Bulls. Even now, it was difficult to find such players in the NBA.

“How did he recover from such a severe injury?” Terry muttered to himself again.

On the bench on the other side, Dai Li said in a commentator’s tone, “Wood is different from other players. He is a natural leader, so I feel assured leaving the decisions on the court to him. He knows how to win. He does what needs to be done to secure victory!”

…

Someone needed to take control at the most crucial part of the game.

The Blazers sent out their All-Star player, Damian.

The Clippers sent out their leader, Wood.

The result was predictable.

In the first game of the season, the Clippers beat the Blazers 105 -101 and got their first win of the season.

Chapter 603 - Simple Rehabilitation Training

Chapter 603: Simple Rehabilitation Training

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Auckland, Golden State Warriors Training Camp.

Fidel, the team doctor, hurried into the room. There was a TV on the wall. On both sides of the TV, there was a tactical board of the court. On the other side was a whiteboard.

This was where the team analyzed and discussed tactics. Fidel did not come here often. Right now, all members of the coaching staff had arrived.

Fidel felt like he was late. He said apologetically, “Sorry coach. I rushed here as fast as I could.”

After Fidel finished talking, he went to the back to find a seat.

“Fidel, sit here.” The Warriors’ coach, Nicholas, pointed to a seat close to him.

It was the seat facing the TV. Usually, the head coach, Nicholas, would sit there alone. There was an extra chair there today.

Although Fidel felt somewhat overwhelmed and a bit flattered, he nodded and sat next to Nicholas.

“Fidel, look at this.” Nicholas pressed the remote.

The game between the Clippers and the Blazers appeared on the TV.

Fidel didn’t understand for a while. He thought about it carefully. The Clippers and the Blazers were both teams in the Western Conference and the Clippers and Warriors were also in the Pacific Division. Their chances of facing off against each other were quite high. In the next two weeks of competition, the Warriors would not meet the Clippers or the Blazers. He was just a team doctor. He didn’t know much about tactics, so he didn’t quite understand the reason Nicholas wanted him to watch the video.

“Coach, why am I watching this?” Fidel asked.

“Look at him.” Nicholas pointed to Wood on the TV. “Look at Wood.”

“Oh, he played very well. There were a few very beautiful shots. It was enjoyable to watch!” Fidel was a bit slow to catch on.

“What else?” Nicholas asked.

“What else!” Fidel thought about it and said helplessly, “Well, you may not be happy to hear it, but my two sons are fans of his.”

Fidel’s slowness made Nicholas feel discouraged. If it weren’t for Fidel’s medical skills, Nicholas would have kicked Fidel out.

Nicholas had no choice but to clarify, “I want you to watch his movement. Don’t pay attention to whether or not they were well executed. Analyze, from a professional’s point of view, how much has his knees have recovered.”

Nicholas said everything very clearly. He was afraid Fidel might misunderstand again.

Fidel suddenly understood the situation. He gave a little smile. He then looked at the TV screen. After focusing on it for ten seconds, he said, “In my professional judgment, Wood’s knees are in better condition than most normal players. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to pull off such difficult maneuvers. For example, if you rewind a bit…”

Nicholas pressed the rewind button. Fidel pointed to the TV. “Yes, here, after the sudden stop, the immediate change in direction, then a jump-and-throw. Such coherent movements, coordination of the body, and explosive power require great strength. The average player cannot perform such actions. Doing something like this puts the joints on the knees under pressure in all sorts of areas within a short time span. Unless he has a very strong knee, he will get injured very easily…”

Fidel’s analysis was as fierce as a tiger. As he was talking, he suddenly stopped.

“Wait a minute. Is this Wood?” Fidel stared at the screen in surprise.

After repeated confirmation, Fidel found that this was not a simulation. Suddenly, he showed an expression of shock, “How did Wood’s knees recover? This is impossible!”

“So you also think it is impossible?” Nicholas asked.

Fidel nodded and thought for a while. “Wood’s injuries stem from a cruciate ligament tear. The torn cruciate ligament caused the subsequent menisci tearing. In fact, cruciate ligament rupture is a very common knee joint injury. The traditional medical treatment is arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, but the treatment for this is more complicated. As far as I know, Wood did undertake this treatment. This is an arthroscopic surgery. It is not only for the use of ACL reconstruction but also for the use of arthroscopic reduction and fixation surgery…”

Fidel’s professional analysis was, again, as fierce as a tiger. Professional jargon kept coming out of his mouth.

When Fidel finished his analysis, Nicholas asked, “So your conclusion is that it is impossible for Wood to recover from his injury?”

“In theory, yes.” Fidel shrugged and said, “But our reality is different from theory. Wood has really recovered.”

“Can you be sure? I mean, is it possible that he only did well this one game, but his knees still haven’t recovered?” Nicholas asked eagerly.

Fidel frowned. This time, he thought about for a long time. “This is a possibility, but I am not inclined to believe it is the case. From the technical performance shown by Wood, I think his knees have recovered.”

“What you mean is that his knees have returned to their state when he was in his prime?” Nicholas asked, unwilling to believe it.

“From this performance, I can draw such a conclusion,” Fidel nodded.

“Damn! Another MVP player,” Nicholas said somewhat angrily. “The competition in the Western Conference is getting tougher and tougher!”

…

It wasn’t only the Warriors, the defending champions, that paid close attention to the game between the Clippers and the Blazers. Other teams paid close attention to it as well. They focused on the fact that Wood had fully recovered.

This was not good news for the other 29 teams, especially for the ones in the Western Conference. It was very bad news. The competition in the Western Conference was fierce. The gap in skill between the teams in the playoffs was very small. It was often the case that three or four teams would compete for one or two places in the playoffs.

A healthy Wood meant that there was another MVP-level superstar in the NBA. It also meant that there was another team in the battle for a place in the playoffs in the Western Conference. That team was the Los Angeles Clippers.

An ordinary All-Star player could change the record of a team. An ordinary superstar player could change the results of the playoffs, and a regular season MVP was enough to change the situation of the entire NBA.

Every team had the same question. How did Wood recover from such a severe injury?

…

The schedule of the regular season was packed. The day after the Clippers returned from Portland, they had back-to-back games. Their first opponents were the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns wanted to tank this season. They didn’t want to win the game at all. Wood played very well in this game. He got 30 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. The Clippers eventually defeated the Suns.

Their next opponent was the Thunder. They had superstars on their team. This game was another battle between stars. In the end, the Thunder defeated the Clippers in the last 1.9 seconds. Wood’s performance in this game was still very good. He got a 20+10 double-double.

The record of two wins and one loss at the beginning of a new season was a very good result for the Clippers. This record convinced everyone that Wood had really recovered.

Many people had speculated, like Nicholas, that Wood’s performance was just a one time deal, and that his knees had not really recovered. They believed that he was only able to play the way he did because he had rested for a season, so his knees were slightly better. There was no way he would be able to maintain his performance.

Now, this speculation had been completely shattered. Playing as he did in one single game may be accidental, but doing it for three consecutive games dispelled any thoughts that it might be “accidental.”

…

After the back-to-back games, the Clippers had a two-day break, but the players did not rest. In addition to training, the Clippers arranged for a meet and greet with the media.

Although the usual practice for a meet and greet with the media was just to take photos and give interviews, the event was packed into a very short two hours.

Wood was clearly popular. He was a famous athlete when he was young. He used to be a popular athlete in the past, and only lost his popularity due to his injury. Now that he had recovered, he became interesting to reporters again.

Wood had suffered such a severe injury and had recovered in a short time. This was something that everyone was very interested in.

Dai Li accepted several interviews and left the scene. When he left, he did not forget to call Johnson, the general manager.

“Were there a lot of new faces today?” Dai Li asked with a smile.

“There were more people than usual. Many of them were indeed unfamiliar. They did not seem like they were reporters from Los Angeles.”

“They all came for Wood, right?” Dai Li stayed silent for two or three seconds, and then said, “How many of them were sent by other teams to gather information on us?”

“There were some, but probably not much,” Johnson said. “I think most of the new people were sent from hospitals. ”

“Hospitals? What do you mean?” Dai Li did not understand.

“Private hospitals, including joint research institutions and professional rehabilitation institutions. They must be very curious about how Wood recovered so well,” Johnson said. He lowered his voice and then curiously asked, “Coach Li, can you tell me, in secret, how you helped Wood recover? I won’t tell anyone.”

“Through rehabilitation training of course!” Dai Li said very casually.

Only a fool, however, would believe what he just said. Johnson didn’t.

“What? Don’t believe me?” Dai Li pointed to Johnson’s knee and said, “If you don’t believe it, tear your cruciate ligament, I will definitely help you recover…”

“Are you teasing me?” Johnson said with disdain.

“I won’t charge you for my service! That should be good enough right?” Dai Li replied.

Johnson looked at Dai Li with slight resentment. “If I really do what you said, tear my ligament and find you to help me recover, I would leave need money to treat my mental illness.”

…

At the meeting with the media, a reporter asked Wood how he recovered.

There was silence. Everyone’s eyes were concentrated on Wood. They hoped to get an answer from him. The reporter did not even press the shutters on their camera, fearing that the shutter’s “squeaky” sound would drown out Wood’s answer.

“This is how I did it. I did rehabilitation training. The effect of rehabilitation training was very good. My knees have recovered completely,” Wood said.

“Was it just rehabilitation training?” a reporter asked immediately.

Wood thought about it and replied, “To put it accurately, it was a long-term process, with large amounts of physical training. In fact, I started rehabilitation training since the end of the last regular season.”

Nobody asked you for the amount of time you trained… The reporters stared at Wood a little depressingly.

Another reporter took the microphone and asked what everyone wanted to know, “Besides rehabilitation training, have you used other methods to recover? For example, a new treatment method?”

“No, it was just simple rehabilitation training,” Wood’s innocent tone made the reporters feel like they had hit a wall.

“Just through simple rehabilitation training? Who would believe that?”

“Such a severe injury. How could it recover through just rehabilitation training? How is this possible?”

“Does Wood think we have no medical knowledge!”

“Wood is deliberately keeping it a secret. He does not want to tell us the truth!”

The reporters sent to inquire about the news all knew that they would have to return empty handed…

Chapter 604 - Free-throw Lane Defender

Chapter 604: Free-throw Lane Defender

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Seattle, Davis Institute of Traumatic Arthritis.

Although it was called an institute, it was actually a well-known private hospital. The institute’s owner, Professor Davis, was an expert in the treatment of knee injuries.

Professor Davis was sitting in front of his computer, carefully looking at the results of an MRI on the computer screen. Davis groaned. “Impossible, how could it fully recover?”

When Wood was injured, he received a consultation from Professor Davis. Davis gave him a treatment plan. Therefore, Davis’s Institute of Traumatic Arthritis had Wood’s medical records and the results of various tests they had run.

I have experience with hundreds of cruciate ligament tears and no one has been able to recover 100%. Wood is different from other patients. He had serious strain-related injuries and his wounds were more prone to inflammation. Even if surgery were performed, the postoperative complications would be difficult to avoid.

The subsequent tearing of his menisci continued worsened this. Because the cruciate ligament could not fully recover, he was more vulnerable than other athletes and his knees got worse every time he was injured. If he had not rested and continued to play, his knees would only have gotten worse!

Wood’s knee injury, from the perspective of medical science, was a death sentence. It was irreversible. Unless new treatment methods were applied…

When he thought about new treatment methods, Professor Davis’s eyes sparkled with a burning glow.

Medicine was the fastest-growing scientific field in the world, yet, there were still a large number of diseases that couldn’t be cured by medicine. Everyone was sentenced to grow old and die eventually, but everyone wanted to live longer. Medicine that could make people live longer was the easiest kind of medicine to get funding for. It was also the most profitable.

Therefore, if a new method of treating cruciate ligament tears suddenly appeared in the field of medicine, Professor Davis would feel as if his field was better off.

The phone rang and Professor Davis’s eyes left the computer screen. He answered the phone.

“Professor Davis, I contacted the Clippers’ internal staff through some of my personal contacts. The answer he gave me was the same as what Wood said in the interview. Wood’s recovery was entirely through rehabilitation,” the person said frankly.

“Rehabilitation training? Haha. That might fool the average person,” Davis said disdainfully. After a few seconds, he asked, “Were you able to get Wood’s latest MRI results?”

“Well, I am afraid that it is somewhat difficult. It is related to a patient’s privacy. Leaking his private details will violate the law…” The other party hesitated.

“I can pay you an extra investigation fee,” Davis said. “I am a doctor. I have given Wood treatment. I just want to know how much his knees have recovered. This is an innocent request with the development of medicine in mind.”

“In that case, I am willing to contribute to the development of medicine.” The other party laughed and said, “Professor, if your time permits, I will collect the check from you tomorrow.”

The other party was clearly concerned about the investigation fee.

…

The NBA announced the best player in the first week of the new season.

In terms of his stats, Wood was not the best. His average was 25+7. There were some strong players on other teams that had 25+10 or 30+8. Regarding the team records, the Clippers only had two wins and one loss. It wasn’t very impressive compared to other teams in the Western Conference that had three or four consecutive wins.

However, Wood was still named the best player of the week.

He had been the youngest person to become an MVP. He was not short on fans or popularity. Wood sold the most jerseys in the NBA. When he recovered and showed that he was able to perform well, countless fans returned to him. After he was named best player of the week, he gained even more fans.

In the following games, the Clippers defeated the Spurs, the Grizzlies and the Thunder, gaining a three-game win streak.

The Grizzlies had gone through a significant change in their lineup the last few seasons. The once proud key players inside the three-point line were of no use during an era where small ball playstyles were popular. The Grizzlies had just changed their coaches as well. They hadn’t had a chance to create a new strategy, so they had been expected to lose to the Clippers.

The Spurs were getting unlucky this season. Their key player was fighting with management as they refused to renew his contract in advance. When the new season started, he refused to play, citing his injury. It was clear that he was not interested in staying on the Spurs and wanted to go to another team that could offer him a high salary. Because of this, the morale of the Spurs was low. The players were not in a mood to compete. Even the Spurs’ longtime coach couldn’t stabilize the situation. It wasn’t unexpected that such a team would lose.

As for the game against the Thunder, it was a battle between superstar defenders.

Wood used to be a regular season MVP. The Thunder’s point guard was also a regular season MVP. He was famous for getting triple-doubles. Wood was good at breaking through his opponent’s defense and so was the Thunder’s MVP point guard. The two of them would inevitably face off in this game.

The last time the two teams competed, both of them had started to compete with each other. They were both point guards, and they were both regular season MVPs. Neither was willing to give in to the other and neither was afraid of the other. When the official game began, they performed equally well. They both played exciting basketball.

The Thunder’s point guard averaged three double-doubles in previous seasons. Not a lot of people in the NBA could do this. He received his title as MVP because of this. He scored a triple-double in this game. However, his triple-double was overshadowed by the Clippers’ player’s triple-double.

It wasn’t Wood who had gotten the triple-double; it was the center substitute, Karaby.

Karaby got 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

In a basketball game, 99% of the triple-doubles were a combination of scores + rebounds + assists. It was difficult for players who didn’t have many chances to get ten points. It was possible for those who had an adequate ability in getting rebounds to get ten rebounds. Those who were decent at passing, as long as their teammates weren’t too bad, could easily get ten assists as well.

However, getting ten blocks and ten steals required a bit of luck and cooperation.

Karaby had been the blocked shot leader four times. He had achieved four triple-doubles in his career. All in scoring, rebounding and blocking. This was the fifth time he had a triple-double. It wasn’t out of the ordinary.

At the “old age” of 35, however, getting a triple-double in scoring, rebounding, and blocking was seen as incredible.

This was thanks to the Thunder. The Thunder’s point guard was competing with Wood. Wood scored by breaking through the opponent’s defense. He wanted to prove that he was better than Wood, so he kept using the same scoring method as Wood.

The Thunder’s defender was good. He was a seven-feet and could shoot from a middle distance. He also had the ability to defend in the free-throw lane. However, he only managed to block one shot the entire game.

On the Clippers’ side was Karaby, a four-time blocked shot leader. After using the age-reduction card, he had reverted back to his skill at 30, his prime. Coupled with his years of experience, this old timer was able to determine when his opponent would turn and when they would do a layup. When they attempted to put the ball into the basket, his hand would reach out and block them.

So when the Thunder’s point guard insisted on breaking through his opponent’s defense to score, the result was obvious. Every attempt to score was a chance for Karaby to block him. Karaby did not hesitate to do so. When he couldn’t block the ball, he found ways to interfere with the opponent’s layup. This resulted in his triple-double.

A triple-double consisting of scoring, rebounds, and blocks was something that might not happen even once in a season. Such a performance would undoubtedly make the next day’s headlines.

People started to notice Karaby’s performance this season. He averaged 10.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game. His stats were high because his triple-double dragged his averages up. 10.8 points and 12.2 rebounds were not expected of a 35-year-old veteran.

When people compared his current performance to when he was the blocked shot leader, they found that them similar. If Karaby maintained his current performance, he would become the best defender in the free-throw lane.

Karaby had been exchanged for Ronny. When they were being traded, many people felt that it was a bad deal for the Clippers to get a first-round draft pick and a 35-year-old veteran in exchange for a young, key player from their team.

Now it seemed that the deal benefited the Clippers. Not only had the Clippers gotten a first-round draft pick, but they had also received one of the best defenders in the free-throw lane.

There was never a shortage of players outside the three-point line who could score in the NBA. There were always rookies with strong attacking abilities every year. However, there was always a shortage of good defenders inside the three-point line. Those who were able to defend in the free-throw lane were not typical players. Even when small ball playstyles were popular, a good defender inside the three-point line was still something that most teams needed if they wanted to become champions. Every strong team wanted to have a player like that.

…

In a luxury apartment in Sacramento, a 40-year-old man was sweating on a treadmill.

He was 6.5 feet tall, had a shaved head, and no tattoos on his muscles. He looked very clean.

The TV hanging on the wall next to him was playing the five best performances in the NBA from yesterday. The first wasn’t a shot, but a beautiful block.

It showed Karaby leaping high up, slapping the basketball in the air, and the ball flying to the other half of the court.

“Beautiful block! Karaby is only a few years younger than me, but he can still jump so high! He got a triple-double as well. It seems like he has become a young man again,” he said to himself. He pressed the treadmill’s pause button and the treadmill slowly stopped.

The man picked up the phone on the table, opened Twitter, and found Karaby.

“Hey, old guy! I can’t believe you can still jump!” The man typed.

A few minutes later, Karaby actually replied.

“Flyboy, jealous? I have found youth again! You wanna have a go?”

After the man read the reply, he furrowed his eyebrows.

Chapter 605 - Too Talented

Chapter 605: Too Talented

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The NBA announced the player of the week for the second week of the regular season in the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Clippers’ center substitute, Karaby, was awarded the acclaim in the Western Conference.

His last season was not bad, but he was only ever able to get a double-double. This was common in the star-filled Western Conference. Getting a triple-double, on the other hand, was rare. Getting a triple-double was enough for him to get named the player of the week.

Karaby was very happy. At 35, he had regained his youth and been named the best player of the week. He hadn’t even won this title in his prime.

Karaby treated the entire coaching staff and his teammates to a meal; they did not hold themselves back. They all came with the thought of using as much of Karaby’s money as possible. They ordered a table full of luxurious foods.

In the private dining area of the hotel’s restaurant, Karaby happily handed his credit card to the waiter. Karaby had earned tens of millions of dollars in his career, so the cost of such a meal wouldn’t bother him. If he had to treat his team to a meal every time he achieved a triple-double, he would happily go bankrupt.

His teammates were very happy, but Gray was spacing out a bit.

As the substitute center of the team, Karaby had been maintained an average double-double of 10+10 this season. Now, he had gotten a triple-double through his blocking. In contrast, Gray had been plagued by fouls. He played even less than Karaby, a substitute.

Dai Li noticed Gray’s worries. A starting player doing worse than his substitute would obviously make one feel depressed.

Dai Li went to Gray’s side and sat down. After thinking in silence for a few seconds, he asked, “Are you feeling worried?”

“Hhmm?” Gray was slightly absent-minded. He quickly composed himself and replied, “No, no.”

“I thought you were worried about Karaby taking away your spot in the starting lineup,” Dai Li said with a smile.

Gray did not answer this time. He did indeed have this fear in his heart. After all, Karaby’s performances were much better than his and Karaby was much more experienced. As long as Karaby maintained his current performance, he could play in the starting lineup of any team.

Dai Li said, “The reason why I keep you in the starting lineup instead of Karaby is that I recognize your potential. Karaby has done well recently, but he has reached his limit. You are different. I cannot even see your limit.”

Dai Li was not trying to comfort Gray. Gray had a rare genius that only appeared once every 30 years. The detector rated him as an S+ level talent. He definitely had much room to grow.

“However, you need to solve your problem with fouls. You get too many. This fragments your playing time and affects your stats,” Dai Li said. An eccentric expression flashed on his face.

Gray was plagued by fouls. In 20 minutes of playing time, he was able to get an 11 + 8, plus 2.3 blocks. If this were converted to 36 minutes, it would definitely be a double-double.

Taking into account that his playing time was very fragmented, his stats could definitely improve. Dai Li also thought that if Gray could control his personal fouls like the other players inside the three-point line, he could very easily average 20+15.

Gray, who was sitting opposite Dai Li, listened to him. He agreed with him and nodded as he listened. He knew that he committed too many personal fouls.

“Coach, what should I do?” Gray asked.

“According to my observations, your fouls occur when you block and when you fill in. When you are defending during a one-on-one situation, your fouls are under control. You need to improve in these two areas.”

Dai Li extended his finger as he spoke. He then said, “First of all, let’s talk about blocking. You definitely can block, I might even say that you are good at it…”

Gray heard this and smiled timidly. His face looked very old, and a few wrinkles suddenly appeared on his face.

Gray could get 2.3 blocks per game with his 20 minutes of playtime. This proved that he was very good in this respect. If converted to the 36 minutes of playtime of an average player, Gray might get four blocks per game. He was able to be blocked shot leader by just by getting three blocks at the beginning of the year. If he got four blocks in a game, he could enter the hall of fame.

Dai Li suddenly changed his tone, “You should not block for the sake of getting a block.”

Gray hesitated and then tentatively said, “I don’t do anything like that coach. I really don’t. I’m not trying to push up my stats.”

“I didn’t mean to say that you were deliberately trying to boost stats. I mean you always want to block the ball.” Dai Li paused and said, “Sometimes, you don’t need to block at all. You just need to interfere with your opponent’s throw to keep the ball from going into the basket. Then you can get the rebound. Wouldn’t that be easier?”

Without waiting for Gray to answer, Dai Li already lifted up his second finger. “We are now going to talk about defense. You have a major problem with guarding. You are too obsessed with guarding an opponent. You want to block off his path completely. You have the ability to do so, but it bears the risk of getting more fouls. In fact, many times you just need to interfere and put some pressure on your opponent to make him lose his rhythm. That’s enough. That would be considered successful defense.”

Dai Li changed his tone and then asked, “Do you think that, as a defender, you should guard against the ball or the player?”

“That…” Gray obviously hesitated.

In basketball, there were 10 players on both sides. TThe most important thing in this sport was the basketball itself. The goal of the attacker was to put the ball into the basket and the defender’s goal was to stop the ball from entering the basket. Simply put, the defender should guard against the ball.

In the development of basketball over the years, the answer had become less clear. The players on the field had different roles to play. They needed to cooperate and implement strategies. In the end, the game was still being played by people. In the NBA, guarding against the player was mainstream. Regardless of whether there was a ball in the opponent’s hand, the defender should guard against the attacker he was responsible for. Nowadays, even junior high school students knew they needed to guard against the people that were in front of them. The defenders should be guarding against the people instead of guarding the ball.

“Guard against the people,” Gray replied.

Dai Li smiled and said, “But you like to guard the ball.

“When I asked you this question, you hesitated a bit. Obviously, you also know about your bad habit.”

Gray nodded. Of course, he knew.

The coaches in the NBA were not useless. If Dai Li could realize this, other coaches would realize it too. They definitely used this to exploit Gray.

Dai Li became serious. “If you know, why not change?”

Gray lowered his head and was silent.

Dai Li was able to understand Gray.

Sometimes, being too talented might not be a good thing! Dai Li lamented in his head.

What made Gray stand out was his talent. He was tall and had a large wingspan, a strong body, exquisite technique, an amazing jump, and quick moves. He really was a genius that only appeared once every 30 years. This wasn’t something that people said without reason.

Gray’s habit when defending was that he would always rush towards the ball, instead of guarding against the players. This was because he was too talented.

For example, when an opponent rushed underneath the basket to attack, other defenders thought about how to interrupt their opponent. The first thing that came to mind was interfering with the opponent when they shot the ball. Gray thought about how to block the ball. Because of his height and wingspan, he was able to block the ball easily.

Blocking, when compared to interrupting a shot, required more technical movements, increasing the chances of committing a foul.

For example, when defending or filling in, other players tried to prevent their opponents from advancing, closing the space the attackers were able to maneuver in. If the defenders could force the opponent to pass the ball or force them to shoot, the defense was considered a success. However, Gray wanted to put maximum pressure on the attackers when defending. He was not afraid of confronting anyone because he was strong enough and fast enough. If his opponent was nimble, he was able to keep up.

The probability of getting fouls was greater when maximum pressure techniques were applied and the opponents had no room to maneuver. After all, the ball was in the attacker’s hands, and they were the ones who had the initiative. It was much easier for the attackers to make the defenders commit a foul than the other way around.

Gray was seven feet tall. When defensive tricks used by the players outside the three-point line were used by Gray, it was magnified. If done by someone shorter, the referee might not notice it. When done by Gray, the referee definitely saw it. He would then get a foul.

At the end of the day, Gray had a lot of fouls because he was too talented. Any other player inside the three-point line, a player who couldn’t jump, couldn’t block, and sometimes shouted to intimidate their opponents, just went underneath the basket and waited for a rebound.

Gray was not like this. He was able to touch the board just by jumping. Why wouldn’t he block his opponents?

Any other player with a big physique wouldn’t put all their effort into guarding the point guard. Point guards were fast and nimble, they wouldn’t be able to keep up. It was hard for players with big physiques to guard against those with small physiques. Guarding against a point guard was just asking for trouble! Being able to interfere with them for a while was considered good enough.

Gray was different. Although he had a big physique, he was as fast as a point guard. He was taller and stronger than them. Of course, he would want to pin them down!

Chapter 606 - Short End of the Stick

Chapter 606: Short End of the Stick

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

The conversation between Dai Li and Gray ended.

Dai Li felt that Gray already knew his shortcomings. People who could make it to the NBA were not fools. They knew how to solve their problems.

For Gray, his problem with fouls was a challenge he needed to overcome. This was Gray’s so-called “rookie wall.” If he successfully overcame this challenge, he would be like a bird that had just learned to fly; the sky would be his limit.

As for whether or not he could overcome this challenge, that would depend on Gray himself.

As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. There was a phenomenon in the NBA: players with the better physiques were more likely to foul. If one were to look at the players with the most fouls, the top ten would be made up of players with good physiques. Those who that couldn’t jump high or run fast were less likely to get fouls.

This was Dai Li’s analysis. These muscular players were able to run quickly and jump high. When defending, they felt that they could pin down their opponents. They only needed to harass them a little, but they always wanted to apply maximum pressure. In order to apply this pressure, they had to perform maneuvers that were technically difficult, increasing their chance of fouling their opponent.

Although Gray had played in the NBA for several seasons, he had only played around 100 games. He was regarded as an experienced rookie. He wasn’t a superstar, so refs never looked the other way on his fouls. Whenever he committed a foul that was ambiguous, or that could be ignored, the referees didn’t hesitate to blow their whistles. If Gray became an all-star, the referees might be more relaxed in calling in his fouls.

In fact, every player who played inside the three-point line had to deal with getting too many fouls. Every player who played inside the three-point line had the experience of getting kicked off the court because they committed six fouls. If they didn’t have this experience, they were ashamed.

…

In the next game, the Clippers went to Oracle Arena in Oakland to challenge the defending champion, the Warriors.

The Warriors were the strongest team in the NBA. They and the Clippers were both in the Pacific Division.

According to the NBA’s scheduling rules, teams in the same division had to play four games against each other every season. Under this system, it was tough to be in the same division as a very strong team.

For example, in the Pacific Division, the Warriors were super strong. The other four teams (the Lakers, the Clippers, the Kings, and the Suns) were no match for the Warriors. As long as the Warriors played seriously, the other four teams would get four losses. By the end of the season, their record would be worse than teams in other divisions. In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, a difference of winning and losing one game could cause a shift in ranking by two or three places. If they lost another one or two games, they would not be able to get into the playoffs.

Before the start of the game, Nicholas, the Warriors coach, was at the bench. He looked at Karaby, who was warming up, and pouted.

“Karaby has gained a new lease on life. The Clippers got such a good deal! If we had a player like him, our chances of winning the championship would be much higher,” Nicholas said to himself.

Karaby had returned to his prime this season. This made him a favorite amongst many teams, and that included the Warriors. Karaby had height, ability, and speed on his side. He could guard the entire free-throw lane with his blocking. One, he could shoot well. He could even shoot three-pointers. He was very suitable for the Warriors.

Karaby’s only drawback was that he was thin. However, this was not a problem for the Warriors. The small ball playstyles that were currently popular had been popularized by the Warriors. Traditional tactics had no place in the Warriors’ strategy. It was better to have someone control the entire space inside the three-point line than to have a large player act as a single obstacle for opponents.

Nicholas couldn’t help but glance at his center substitute. Although his guy was also physically strong and had explosive power, he was a little slow. He was like an explosive. One never knew when he might blow up and hurt his own teammates.

Nicholas looked at him, and then jealously looked at Dai Li’s substitute bench. He remembered Dai Li’s record. When Dai Li was the head coach of the U.S. track and field team, he was able to give new life to a lot of older players.

“It is good to be young!” Nicholas sighed. It wasn’t clear whether he was referring to Dai Li or the athletes who returned to their youthful prime with Dai Li’s help.

…

The Clippers and the Warriors were neck and neck in the first two quarters. However, in the third quarter, the Warriors seemed to have found their footing, leading by 23 points.

The Warriors displayed their own unique characteristics when they played. They achieved the lead in the third quarter by employing their traditional method. The first quarter was for warming up, the second quarter was warm-up for the substitutes, the third quarter was for going all out, and the fourth quarter was for preparing to get off work. Statistically speaking, the Warriors had an APBRmetric value of +130 in the third quarter. The Warriors employed this method against the Clippers that day.

There were many excellent teams in the NBA, but none of them were able to crack the Warriors’ tactical system. There was no way it could be done by a half-baked basketball coach like Dai Li. The only thing he could do was use the Prophecy Request Box and try his luck.

I drew a bad lot! Dai Li looked depressed and looked at the result of the Prophecy Request Box. If it were a good lot, the game could be reversed. The bad lot was useless.

Dai Li didn’t even want to look at the result of the Prophecy Request Box. He thought about it. Since they could not win, he decided to give up. There were 82 games in a season. It didn’t matter if they lost one game. Moreover, they were losing to the Warriors. There was no shame in losing to the Warriors.

“You guys are up!” Dai Li pointed to the substitutes who usually didn’t get to play. They couldn’t get into the rotation in most games so, when they were called to play, they were happy. They had a quarter to showcase their skills.

“Coach, I want to play for a while longer,” a voice out of nowhere said. Dai Li turned to look. It was Gray.

Gray actually asked to play on his own. Was he affected by our last conversation? He was able to keep his fouls under control today. This may be because of his opponents. The players on the Warriors rely on shooting to get points. They tend not to rush underneath the basket. Dai Li nodded and agreed to Gray’s request. At the same time, he told his players, “If Gray wants the ball, pass the ball to him.”

…

The Clippers made a player substitution after a dead ball.

They gave up! Nicholas smiled smugly. He felt that the entire game was under his control. He turned his head and gestured to the substitutes to get warmed up.

The Warriors changed their entire lineup with substitutes during the next dead ball. The players on the starting lineup and the other key players in the rotation were all sitting on the bench, laughing. Getting off work after the third quarter was a routine that they were familiar with.

…

There was still a quarter left in the game.

Gray ran to the low post area. He got the ball into the basket using a technique for attacking from the low post area that he was familiar with.

The Warriors’ defenders were startled by this style of attack. They were unfamiliar with it and did not how to defend against it.

American basketball players were typically paying less and less attention to attacks from the low post area. The number of players in the NBA that specialized in attacking this area was very small. The top-ranking players with good physique were few and far between. They were prized by every team. The players who were not in the rotation didn’t usually have the chance to come into contact with such players. Thus, they did not know how to deal with such a traditional attack.

What’s more, Gray was not the traditional, slow-moving center. He had outstanding flexibility. He was comparable to the defenders in terms of agility and speed. With his height, wingspan, outstanding physical abilities, and speed in the three-point line, he definitely had the advantage when going one-on-one.

Gray scored on a few consecutive attacks. Although he did not lessen the gap, Gray felt like he was finding his rhythm.

He liked it when he got the ball in the low post area and went one-on-one. Every time he scored, Gray felt a sense of accomplishment.

The Warriors weren’t able to stop Gray. They didn’t bother to guard against him. After all, the Warriors relied on three-pointers for their offense. They had a lead of 30 points. They had the option to let him score.

The third quarter came to an end and the fourth quarter started. The Clippers had caught up to within 20 points. The Warriors made two consecutive three-pointers and widened the gap once again.

Both teams had their substitutes on the court. When compared, the substitutes from the Warriors were still better. The Warriors were the champions after all. It was easy for them to recruit strong players. Some players wanted to join them just so they could be part of the winning team.

The Warriors were better tactically as well. Their experience in several championships had matured the Warriors tactical system. On the Clippers’ side, Dai Li was a clueless newbie who kept insisting on the “all-star tactic.” They had no real strategy to speak of.

When the game entered the last five minutes, the Warriors maintained a 20-point lead. There was no suspense in the conclusion of the game.

However, on the Warriors’ bench, Nicholas was not happy at all.

Gray has got 28 points and 17 rebounds. Nicholas looked at the latest statistical data. If he continued to play, Gray could get an extremely high 30+20 double-double.

More importantly, Nicholas felt that Gray was getting more confident as he played. He looked at Gray, who was running on the court, and felt that a future superstar center was being born.

Nicholas couldn’t help but think of the scouting report on Gray when he played before the draft. Everyone thought that he would be the strongest center in NBA history, even better than the four great centers in history.

A superstar center! Fear flashed in Nicholas’ eyes.

He used to be an NBA player. He had experienced the era where basketball was dominated by the four great centers. He knew the horror of the four great centers. He got a shiver down his spine whenever he thought about it.

The era of the great centers had already passed. There had not been a great center in the NBA for a long time. When small ball playstyles were introduced, there were no longer any great centers left in the NBA. Nicholas did not know whether or not the Warriors’ “death lineup” could deal with a very good center, but the lack of height on the “death lineup” was indisputable. Whenever the Warriors encountered players who had big physiques and were fast, they got pushed around.

Gray, who was right in front of him, obviously had a big physique and speed. He also had excellent strength and excellent offensive skills. When faced with such an opponent, the only thing Nicholas could think of to counter him was surrounding him with multiple players.

The game entered its last two minutes. The Clippers had closed the gap to within 20 points and Gray had successfully achieved an extremely high 30+20 double-double.

However, this had not affected the outcome of the game. The Warriors could celebrate their victory before the game ended.

Nicholas could not feel any joy in achieving victory.

We have won the game, but the opponent has gained a great center. It doesn’t matter how you put it, we are the ones who got the short end of the stick! Nicholas was worried.

Chapter 607 - Fulfilling Potential

Chapter 607: Fulfilling Potential

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

A 30+20 double-double, even if achieved by accident, was still notable enough to make the headlines.

There weren’t many players inside the three-point line who could get a 30+20. Of the players that were currently active, one could count how many of them could get it on one hand. Players inside the three-point line who could achieve a 30+20 were all-star players.

It wasn’t hard for a player who was part of the rotation of his team to get 20 points in a game. As long as they had some offensive ability and they were given enough chances to shoot, they could get 20 points. It was much more difficult to get 30 points per game. If they were given enough opportunities to shoot but didn’t possess the offensive skill that was required, they wouldn’t be able to get 30 points. After all, the defenders on the opposite team weren’t weak. If the attacker’s offensive ability wasn’t strong enough, even if they were given unlimited opportunities to shoot, it would still be difficult for them to get 30 points.

It wasn’t difficult for most players inside the three-point line to get 10 rebounds in a single game, but getting 20 rebounds per game was something else entirely. Even good players might not be able to do that in their entire lifetime. Getting rebounds not only required physical strength and mental awareness, but it also required the attacker on the opposing team to miss their shots. Even if one was good at getting rebounds, it was difficult for them to get many rebounds if they played against players with a high field goal percentage. Getting a lot of rebounds didn’t just depend on one own’s ability, but it also depended on how good or bad one’s opponents’ field goal percentages were.

30 points or 20 rebounds in a single game wasn’t something achieved by accident. In addition to luck, the most important thing was one’s own ability.

Getting both 30 points and 20 rebounds together in a single game was at least ten times harder than getting only either 30 points or 20 rebounds per game. Anyone who could achieve that should be considered a top-level player.

Gray was not some nameless veteran. He was the second high school student in the history of the United States to win the title of “Mr. Basketball.” He had accumulated a large number of fans as a high school student. Later, he made a big splash in the NCAA. He was considered the best center in the United States in the last 30 years and was even hailed as the combination of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and David Robinson. Everyone knew that these two predecessors were legendary centers. The two of them needed to be added together to reach the level of Gray, that was how terrifyingly good Gray was.

When Gray achieved a 30+20, he was an instant sensation. Gray’s fans from the past came back overnight. Almost all of the media was talking about Gray.

…

“30+20, ‘The Great’ returns!”

Miles looked disdainfully at the headline. He threw the newspaper aside and looked at the next one. In the NBA section, the headline read “The Strongest Center in History Has Been Resurrected!”

“It’s about Gray again!” Miles curled his lips, his unhappiness showing on his face.

Miles was the Pacers’ center. He was only 22 years old, but he had already made it onto the Pacers’ starting lineup. He averaged 14+8. This was particular dazzling for a young player inside the three-point line.

Achieving such results at such a young age, Miles had the right to be proud. He also had the potential to improve. Of course, he would be full of disdain when all of the media touted Gray as the next big thing.

He gets injured so easily. He is only good once in a while by accident. There is no need to blow this out of proportion! I will let you taste my power next game! Miles thought.

…

Miles was six feet and 11 inches tall and he weighed 245 pounds. He had height and a wide wingspan. He was not slow. He did not lack strength. He also had an outstanding jump. His attacking ability, however, was poor. He did not know how to attack from the low post area. He depended on his teammates’ assists and rebounds to get points.

These kinds of centers, who could run and jump but lacked the ability to attack, were representative of the current state American centers. After the rise of the small ball playstyles, the centers with big physiques were not able to keep up with the fast attacks and defenses. They got completely destroyed during the switch between the attack and defense. Players with good adaptability and good physiques became highly valued inside the three-point line.

…

The Pacers were playing against the Clippers as the away team. For both sides, this was a hard battle.

The Pacers were a powerhouse team in the Eastern Conference. They were tough and tenacious. Even top teams, like the Warriors and the Rockets, got a headache when playing against the Pacers.

The Clippers had shown signs of being a dark horse. Wood’s recovery had given the Clippers an MVP-level player. The other ex-star players were also getting better game by game. This was especially true for Gray, who had just attracted the attention of the whole United States with his 30+20.

The Staples Center was packed. Many of the people there were not fans of the Clippers. They were there to see Gray.

Dai Li and the entire Clippers team understood this so, when they were on offense, they would pass the ball to Gray as much as possible.

Gray was not the kind of player who needed assists to score. He could attack from the low post area. His offensive method had defeated many experienced veterans when Gray was still a rookie. The confidence he gained from getting a 30+20 spurred him on to bravely lead the team’s attack.

Miles was responsible for defending Gray. He received two fouls in less than five minutes. He sat down on the substitutes bench looking depressed.

…

“Swoosh!” Gray scored a free-throw.

His scoring rate for his free throws had reached 78%. This was good for a center. At least with this field goal percentage, no team would employ the “Hack-a-Shaq” tactic against him.

“20 points! There are still three and a half minutes left in the third quarter and Gray has already gotten 20 points!”

The commentator at the Staples Center was clearly on the Clippers’ side. He was speaking very excitedly. The DJ used this opportunity to liven up the atmosphere.

Miles, who had four fouls, could only sit on the bench. The unyielding expression on his face had given way to astonishment.

What the hell? How could someone like this exist! He has such good innate physical talent. Is this guy Superman?

He is stronger than me because he is taller than me and weighs more than me. I can admit that, but he is so much stronger than me. I have no way to guard against him, but he can guard against me easily.

He is able to jump much higher than me although he is 40 pounds heavier than me. This guy may even be able to touch the board when he jumps.

He can jump higher than me. Fine, whatever, but he is faster than me as well. He is also able to change to play as a point guard!

The key is his offensive method. There’s no way I can guard against him underneath the basket. I’m completely swept away in the low post area!

He’s taller than me, more robust than me, stronger than me, jump higher than me, faster than me, and has better technique than me. How can I guard against him?

Miles looked at the statistics on the big screen. Gray had already scored 20 points. Miles suddenly felt sorrow and grief. From a young age, Miles had always felt that he had very good physical talent and was a natural born basketball player. When he looked at Gray now, he saw that his physical talent was only at a very low level. Gray was the real natural born basketball player.

For the first time, Miles met an opponent that possessed far superior physical talent. He could not help but whisper, “This is not fair!”

“I also feel that this is unfair!” Another person said. It was the Blazers’ head coach.

Miles turned his head and looked at the head coach. The coach said, “His physical talent is top-notch. He can run fast and jump high. He is very fast and, most importantly, he has amazing offensive abilities. He has all the advantages of every different type of center put together. How can God have created such a player? This is really unfair.”

Miles screamed at God. He knew that the head coach was talking about Gray.

The Blazers coach sighed and said, “This is talent, the kind of talent that only appears once every 30 years! He is a genius that can only appear once every 30 years!”

…

On the Clippers’ bench, Dai Li took a deep breath.

From the looks of Gray’s performance this game, the 30+20 he achieved was not a flash in the pan. His offense that game was as good as it was in the last game. He scored 20 points in the first three quarters.

Gray has finally gotten it together! Dai Li’s expression was very calm. One couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad.

There were always some lackluster players in the NBA who were substitutes or not part of the rotation who would suddenly have some sort of epiphany and become an all-star level player.

As for Gray’s sudden outburst of performance, Dai Li felt that it was a matter of course. The detector had rated him as an S+ level talent long ago. It was obviously a matter of course for such a player to display the talent of an all-star.

Next to him was Cassel. He was very excited. Every time Gray scored, every rebound he got, Cassel could not help but stand up and cheer.

“You look like one of the fans in the stands,” Dai Li couldn’t help but say.

“Hahaha, yes. I am a fan of Gray!” Cassel said, “You have to know that anyone who paid attention to the NCAA was a fan of Gray! I still remember that finals game between Ohio State University and the University of Florida. Gray’s right hand was injured. He used his left hand to outplay two of his opponents inside the three-point line. Those two centers are now all-star centers! This guy is simply a monster. Even with two defenders hovering around him, he can still slam dunk.”

“I know everything that you just said.” Dai Li interrupted Cassel and then said, “I know that Gray is very talented. That is why I chose him to come to the Clippers.”

“Yeah, he is very talented. More importantly, after so many years, he has finally begun to fulfill his potential!” Cassel said with great enthusiasm.

…

Gray achieved a terrifyingly good average result of 25+15 in three consecutive games.

After playing in more than 130 games in the NBA regular seasons, Gray had finally begun to fulfill his potential once he had the opportunity to appear in games on a regular basis with the opportunity to shoot.

At the highest level of competition, athletes were competitive when it came to talent. All athletes at this stage worked hard and all of them would have their fair share of luck and opportunity. The only thing that separated them was talent. They may only differ a little but, in a competition, the one who was less talented was suppressed by the one who was more talented.

Gray was hailed as the most talented player inside the three-point line within the last 30 years. This was not an exaggeration. Before he entered the NBA, he had already been suspected to become a legendary superstar. His injury had gotten in the way.

Now that Gray was no longer plagued by injuries, he finally began to fulfill his amazing potential.

Although it took a few years longer than expected, it was better to be late than never.

Chapter 608 - Resurrection of the Yellow Mamba

Chapter 608: Resurrection of the Yellow Mamba

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

TD Banknorth Garden.

The Celtics center, Fred, wiped the sweat from his head. He looked at Gray and there was a hint of fear and helplessness in his expression.

Fred couldn’t help but think of a night from a few years ago. It was the NCAA final and the University of Florida team, led by Fred, played against the University of Kansas team, led by Gray. The University of Florida won that game, but Fred was defeated by Gray.

Fred still remembered how invincible Gray was on that day. Gray could handle two opponents single-handedly. He easily defeated Fred and another player inside the three-point line.

This had left a scar on Fred’s memory.

Fred was currently an all-star center. His partner, who had also been beaten by Gray, had also become an all-star. Both of them had been named “Best Defensive Player” by the NBA. Meanwhile, the talented center who defeated them in the NCAA finals had fallen prey to injuries.

After many years, Fred had forgotten about the opponent that embarrassed him that day. Now, Fred saw him again. It was a version of Gray in extremely good condition.

It was as if he was the Gray from years ago, the Gray that defeated him with just one hand.

Being both an all-star defender and a center was rare. He was one of the most talented players even when he was younger. He could take on two opponents at the same time. The only word that could describe him was “terrifying.”

On the court, the Celtics used a pick-and-roll tactic. After the pick-and-roll, Gray changed his position to guard against the Celtics’ point guard.

The Celtics’ point guard sped up, rushed to the free-throw lane, and stuck to Gray. He then maneuvered and attacked from the rim. Right as the ball left his hands, Gray smacked the ball with one big slap. He knocked the ball right out of the air.

It was a beautiful block!

Unfortunately, this was the Celtics’ home court. The fans wouldn’t cheer when their own players’ shots were blocked.

On the bench, Arnold, the Celtics’ coach, frowned. He had not expected Gray to block that shot.

Arnold’s coaching record in the NBA was quite good, but his basketball coaching career started in the NCAA. He had been the head coach at Butler University for more than a decade. Coaching the Celtics was his first coaching job in the NBA, so he had not experienced the era when the centers had dominated the NBA.

It was because of this that Arnold could not come up with any good counters when facing Gray.

“Is another super center going to emerge?” Arnold licked his lips.

In the NBA, there had been no incredible centers for over a decade. People had forgotten how terrifyingly good the centers had been. A young coach like him didn’t know how to deal with these centers because he did not have any experience playing against them.

“So what if he is another great center? The NBA is no longer the same as it was a decade ago! The small ball playstyles are popular in the NBA right now. The era where a center can defeat an entire team is over!” Arnold said in disdain.

A player from the Clippers picked up the ball outside the three-point line. He was facing off against a defensive player. He suddenly sprinted forward and broke through his opponents’ defensive line.

The Celtics’ defensive player immediately moved back. He tried to stop him from moving forward. Another defender on the other side was preparing to move in to give some assistance.

The Clippers’ player suddenly stopped, jumped, and his body began to lean back.

A sudden stop and a step-back jump shot. It was beautiful. It was like it came out of a textbook.

After the ball left his hands, it moved in a perfect arc in the air. It then went straight into the basket.

A perfect sudden stop and step-back jump shot. It was picture perfect!

“Nathan Hall!” The live commentary said the name of the player who scored in a low voice.

Arnold, the Celtic head coach, subconsciously looked at that player’s stats. It was at this point he realized he had forgotten about this person.

The terrifying “Yellow Mamba” Hall from the past!

The mamba was a poisonous snake. An African-American shooting guard who had ruled the NBA in the past had been given the nickname “Black Mamba.” Hall had the nickname “Yellow Mamba” because his skin color was slightly lighter than the legendary “Black Mamba.” In terms of skill, he was similar to the “Black Mamba.” His height, weight, basic fundamental skills, shooting skills, and physical condition were all ideal. He was well-balanced in every aspect. He had almost no weaknesses. The picture-perfect sudden stop and step-back jump shot was similar to the “Black Mamba.”

In the past three decades, the sudden stop and step-back jump shot was the most commonly used scoring method for guards and small forwards.

When a guard or small forward broke through the defense, the defender would be slightly away from them. This created space for the jump shot. If a fadeaway was added, the defender would only be able to stop and stare; they wouldn’t be able to interfere with the shot. It depended entirely on whether or not the person who threw the ball was able to get it into the basket.

Shooting three-pointers had become the mainstream tactic in the NBA. The number of players who used the sudden stop and step-back jump shot was lessening. Many players chose to shoot outside the three-point line even if they knew how to perform the sudden stop and step-back jump shot.

Hall once again used the technique that he was best at, the sudden stop and step-back jump shot. Many old fans felt a sense of nostalgia. It was like they had been transported to the past.

The Celtics’ coach, Arnold, seemed to be rejoicing. He realized that the Clippers had brought back a terrible thing.

Wood, Gray, plus Hall, super centers and super guards. The Clippers’ lineup should not be underestimated! Fortunately, the Clippers are in the Western Conference. Unless in the playoffs’ finals, we won’t play against one another again. Let the teams in the Western Conference worry about them!

On the other bench, Dai Li was looking at Hall’s statistics.

“Hall has scored more than 15 points in recent games. Although he did not have many chances to shoot, he has been able to score consistently,” Cassel said, standing beside Dai Li.

“He has a lot of offensive methods. He is especially consistent with the sudden stop and step-back jump shot. I think we can give him more chances to shoot. Although he has a good field goal percentage, I don’t want him to only focus on shooting the ball,” Dai Li said.

“Would you like Wood to reduce the number of shots he takes?” Cassel asked.

After a few seconds, Dai Li nodded, “Wood doesn’t have a high number of assists, but he is good at them. I remember that his highest number was 17 assists in a single game, right? As a point guard, he has the ability to act as the glue that holds the team together”

The gist of what Dai Li was saying was that he wanted Wood to score less and pass more. This would give Hall more opportunities to shoot.

…

On the court, Hall received the ball, did a pump fake, and then broke through the defender’s defenses. His opponents immediately rushed forward to meet him, but they did not expect Hall to suddenly change direction. He rushed past the three-point line.

The defender was shaken by Hall and felt embarrassed. He quickly rushed forward and wanted to stop Hall.

Hall stopped and then jumped. The defender was sprinting too quickly. When he was finally able to stop, he was already five feet away from Hall. Even if he jumped now, he wouldn’t be able to block Hall.

This was a middle-distance shot that no one was able to block. Hall’s steady hands got the ball into the basket and received two points.

The pump fake, single-handedly breaking through the defenses, the change of direction, the rush, the sudden stop and step-back jump shot, all of Hall’s technical movements were extremely smooth. If one were to slow down everything to one frame at a time, his performance could be used in a textbook to demonstrate how to perform the sudden stop and step-back jump shot.

After he scored, Hall did not celebrate but instead looked down at his knees subconsciously.

His knees felt good and there weren’t any problems with them at all.

Hall felt much more at ease.

The pump fake, the continuous change of direction, the sudden stop, the sudden rushes, and the sudden stop and step back jump shot were all techniques that were called “knee killers.” The menisci in Hall’s knees were already gone and they were gone because of his use of these techniques.

After retiring and making a comeback, Hall had become weaker. He did not dare to do the moves that were very damaging to the knees. He played relatively conservatively. This was the NBA, however. Their opponents were strong and all of them were going all out. Trying to stay healthy while playing would mean that he would neither be able to attack or defend well. He would get completely destroyed while attacking or defending.

Hall was a top-level athlete, he had his ego. If he were completely destroyed in every game, he would be embarrassed. He became more and more daring one game after another. He slowly started to attempting the knee killing moves again.

If Hall was willing to use those technically difficult moves, the terrifying “Yellow Mamba” had been reborn!

…

In the next game, the Clippers played against the Lakers at their home court.

Although it was their home court, in actuality, the Staples Center was also the Lakers’ home court.

The Lakers were one of the most important teams in the NBA. They had the well-deserved spot of top dog in the L.A. sporting scene. The Lakers had more fans than the Clippers, so even when the Clippers played against the Lakers as the home team, the number of Lakers’ fans were much higher than the Clippers’.

This was actually quite unfair. Both teams had to play against each other four times a year. They each got two games as the home team. The Clippers’ home court was also the Lakers home court. This basically meant that the Clippers had two fewer games as the home team.

The Lakers had been rebuilding their team in the recent seasons. Their performance had degraded greatly. They were getting less and less attention from their fans. On the other hand, the Clippers had been signing megastars. This created a lot of interest from the fans. The Clippers’ recent performances had been quite good. They were currently ranked second in the Pacific Division. They were in the top eight of the Western Conference. They had a chance to make the playoffs. Under these circumstances, the Clippers were in a much better situation. There were just as many fans at the stadium for the Clippers as there were for the Lakers.

Before the start of the game, the Clippers decided to increase the opportunities for Hall to shoot. Wood, as the point guard, would strictly stick with the decision by the coaching staff. In fact, for a point guard, it was more important to aid in the team’s offense than to score. If his teammates could contribute to the attack, it was easier for Wood to not attack by holding the ball and rushing to the basket to meet the strong defenders inside the three-point line all on his own.

Hall did not disappoint his coach or teammates. He broke through the defense by continuously changing directions. Together with the sudden stop and step-back jump shot, he was able to completely decimate the Lakers’ defense.

“Swoosh!”

It was another sudden stop and step-back jump shot. As the basketball went inside the basket, the fans screamed deafening cheers.

It wasn’t just the Clippers’ fans who cheered, but the Lakers’ fans began to cheer as well. They cheered because they saw a picture-perfect sudden stop and step-back jump shot. It was something that was absent from basketball games for a long time.

The top NBA player, the “Black Mamba,” had used this picture-perfect sudden stop and step-back jump shot to bring the Lakers to the playoffs and, ultimately, to win the championship multiple times. Since his retirement, many Lakers’ fans thought that they would never see this picture-perfect shot again.

Now that the “Yellow Mamba” had been resurrected and he was using the same shot, it triggered a sense of nostalgia for the fans. It also ignited the fans’ fervor.

The city of Los Angeles had a long history of sports. There were many people who grew up and grew old with the Lakers. There were many longtime fans at the current game. It was easy to trigger these longtime fans’ fervor.

At a time where small ball playstyles were popular, the fast switch between offensive and defensive was very enjoyable. The three-pointers that were impossible to make marveled people again and again. However, in Los Angeles, in the hearts of this generation of fans, it was not as good as seeing that picture-perfect sudden stop and step-back jump shot. It represented the youth of a generation. It was the memory of an entire generation!

Even if the actual shot itself wasn’t good for the Lakers, the memory was still beautiful.

Those beautiful memories were like a person’s first love. It would always remain beautiful in a person’s mind. It was something that was hard to give up. In fact, if one were the look at the picture of the girl they liked, they would realize that the girl was actually not as beautiful one remembered her to be.

…

In this game, Hall felt that he had a good handle on the ball. He scored 35 points. The Clippers beat the Lakers.

The next day, the headlines of sports papers were dominated by one headline: “Resurrection of the Yellow Mamba!”

Chapter 609 - Not Enough

Chapter 609: Not Enough

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Davis Institute of Joint Trauma Research, Seattle.

Professor Davis had obtained Wood’s latest MRI results through his contacts.

Looking at the results, Wood’s knees are still in bad shape. He didn’t recover at all! It doesn’t affect him at all during games. He’s still able to pull off incredible moves. What is going on here? He should not be able to play as he does. Professor Davis frowned. He couldn’t believe it.

He thought for a long time and couldn’t think of an explanation. He massaged his temples and went on the internet. He wanted to see Wood’s recent game.

An article titled “Resurrection of the Yellow Mamba!” popped up. He clicked on it immediately and he saw a news report on Wood.

“This is impossible!” Professor Davis exclaimed loudly.

He clicked on the video attached to the page. It showed the highlights of Wood scoring in recent games.

In the video, Hall’s various change of directions, as well as the picture-perfect sudden stop and step-back jump shot were shown. He constantly toyed with his opponents. It was very entertaining. Anyone who saw it could not help but cheer for Hall’s spectacular performance.

Davis was getting more and more somber. In his opinion, this was simply impossible.

“I have worked with Hall before. The menisci in his knees have been removed. How can he make such rapid shifts in direction and speed, especially that jump shot? Doesn’t he feel any pain?”

Although Professor Davis was not an athlete, he was an authority on knee trauma. Medically, he knew what happened to athletes who had lost both menisci. He also knew that it was impossible for Hall to perform those moves dubbed as “knee killers.”

The sudden stop and step-back jump shot, in particular, created massive pressure on the knees. Even if the knees were intact, the continuous use of that move would still cause joint pain. For a person whose menisci on both knees were removed, performing it caused friction in the knees and caused even greater pain.

Compared to Wood’s recovery, Hall’s recovery was less believable. Although Wood’s injuries were very serious and they happened frequently, every part of his body was still there. In theory, there was the possibility of rehabilitation. In Hall’s case, both his menisci had been removed.

This was comparable to when someone damaged the nerves in their hands. It caused functional disorders of the limbs. Under normal circumstances, it was difficult to get it back to its original state, but a miracle might happen and it might get better. If the hands were amputated, even if a miracle were to occur, there was no way for the hands to grow back.

…

The fans were not as professional as Professor Davis. They could only see that Hall had scored 35 points in a game. They only saw the beautiful change of direction and the perfect jump shot. The fans were not concerned about how his knees had gotten better.

The regular season had only started a month ago. When the Clippers introduced a large number of retired players and traded Ronny away, no one had been optimistic. People had called the Clippers a “Shelter for the Old and Weak.”

Now, Wood and Hall had recovered and Gray had lived up to his potential. The Clippers suddenly had three all-star players. They formed the most popular “Big Three” in NBA’s recent history. Coupled with veteran Karaby and rookie Kumar, the Clippers’ lineup was strong.

This change for the Clippers was not good news for other teams in the Western Conference. The competition in the Western Conference was already fierce. With another team having a “Big Three,” it was even more difficult to enter the playoffs.

There were six regular season MVPs in the Western Conference. Besides the one on the Mavericks, who was getting old, they were all in their prime.

In addition, there were several “quasi MVPs” in the Western Conference. These “quasi-MVPs” had ranked in the top five among the MVP candidates in the past few years. Their personal stats were nothing to shout about, but they had helped their teams achieve really good results.

A regular season MVP could change the flow of the entire NBA. If the five MVPs got together, it would be extremely difficult for the other teams.

Getting into the playoffs for the teams in the Western Conference was already very difficult. Now there was the Clippers’ “Big Three” to contend with. The situation in the Western Conference had become more chaotic and the competition between the teams had become more intense.

The Clippers had someone to organize the whole team, someone to score points, and someone to defend and attack inside the three-point line. This combination had someone both inside and outside the three-point line, and for both offense and defense. Of course, everyone took it for granted that the Clippers’ “Big Three” would make a massive difference to the competition.

However, the Clippers unexpectedly had a five-game losing streak. They fell to the ninth place in the Western Conference and were very far off from being able to make the playoffs.

…

In the conference room, the Clippers’ coaching staff were discussing the reasons for the frequent losses in the recent games.

“We lost tactically,” Cassel said carefully as he looked at Dai Li. He was worried that Dai Li would be unhappy. If they lost tactically, it must be because of the head coach.

Cassel was telling the truth. The Clippers had not established their own tactical system. With Dai Li’s lack of tactical literacy, there was no way he could develop such a system. Dai Li was not a professional basketball player. Even if he started to learn now, he wouldn’t be able to acquire enough knowledge on the subject.

The current Clippers relied on their star power. There wasn’t any precedent for this in the NBA. After all, NBA games were about personal ability. A superstar with outstanding ability could perform miracles with the ball in his hands.

At the beginning of the season, the Clippers’ playstyle achieved good results. The other teams did not understand the Clippers’ playstyle. Add to that Wood’s sudden recovery and Gray living up to his talent, and the other teams were caught off guard. The Clippers won and got a good record by surprising their opponents.

Each team was testing out their tactics at the beginning of the regular season as well. The players were still trying to adapt to the coach’s system. There were also some players who hadn’t fully adjusted. This inevitably affected the team’s overall strength.

Now that the regular season had been going on for a month, the Clippers’ tactic was known by all the teams. Their opponents naturally worked out a tactic to counter them.

More importantly, after a month of competition, each team had finished testing out different strategies and the players had gotten adjusted. The whole team gradually changed from the beginning of the season. They were slowly warming up and they started to show their strength.

There were always some “anticlimactic” teams in the NBA every season. They played very well at the beginning of the season. It was smooth sailing. They started falling apart in the middle of the season, and the other teams would catch up with them. By the end of the season, the other teams dominated them. There were two possible reasons for this. Either the other teams got stronger or the other teams found a way to counter the team’s tactics.

…

In the conference room, everyone concentrated on Dai Li. Decisions involving tactics required input from the head coach.

Dai Li tapped his index finger on the table a few times, trying to think of a solution.

Dai Li had no foundational knowledge about basketball tactics. He could not develop a complete tactical system.

Last season, the Clippers had relied on the “Evenly Matched” title to deliberately do badly. This gave them a slightly better record but made them play worse. There was no way he could continue to use the “Evenly Matched” title again this season.

I am not a basketball coach after all! Dai Li thought.

In terms of personal fame, Dai Li had more than the other coaches in the NBA. Tactically, however, even the assistant coaches were better than Dai Li.

Many NBA assistant coaches had been players themselves. They played for decades before becoming assistant/deputy coaches for seven to eight years. Their entire lives revolved around basketball and such accumulation was not something Dai Li could catch up to in a mere year or two. Even if Dai Li produced a tactical system, it would only be to show off in front of a true expert. If he did not shame himself, the product would still be far inferior compared to the others.

My advantage is in training. I have an advantage in that spending the same amount of time and intensity as other coaches amounts to better results. I can make athletes run faster, jump higher, and stronger. They won’t get injured either.

I have the athlete patches to make injured players recover. I have the age-reduction card that will allow those older players to return to their prime.

Understanding my own strengths and weaknesses, and then cultivating my strengths and avoiding shortcomings is the correct decision. That’s why I chose to use star players at the beginning. If I competed tactically, any random NBA coach would be better than me. I shouldn’t compete with others on things that I’m not good at.

As long as I am the head coach, we shouldn’t devise any tactical system. We can only rely on star power! Dai Li took a breath silently and accepted the helplessness of the situation.

Now, sending out star players has somewhat failed. We are on a five-game losing streak… Hmm…I know why!”

Dai Li grinned and finally looked up.

The rest of the coaching staff were all ears

Dai Li coughed and cleared his throat. He said, “The strategy we chose this season was to fully utilize the abilities of the star players. We are now on a five-game losing streak. This shows…”

Dai Li deliberately dragged out his words. The others immediately tried guessing what Dai Li would say.

“Is he going to admit that his strategy failed?”

“That it is necessary to use a new tactical system?”

“We need to learn from the Warriors? Or learn from the Rockets? Or learn from the Celtics in the Eastern Conference?”

They looked at Dai Li with anticipation.

Dai Li said, “We are now on a five-game losing streak. This shows that we don’t have enough star players!”

“What?” Cassel’s eyes widened and he looked as if he had just seen a ghost. He never expected Dai Li to give this answer.

The entire coaching staff suddenly went silent. Everyone looked at Dai Li with all sort of expressions. If Dai Li weren’t the head coach, some of them probably would’ve slapped Dai Li in the face a few times.

They weren’t winning because they didn’t have enough star players. What kind of logic was this?

The answer given by Dai Li was too illogical!

It was as if you were playing poker and you lost. Instead of blaming yourself for not playing your hand well, you instead choose to laugh and brazenly say, “If I had gotten a few more Queen of Hearts, I would’ve won!”

Wouldn’t this be nonsense?

If winning was only a matter of choosing the best lineup and sending out five superstars, then there would be no need for coaches!

Chapter 610 - The Big Four

Chapter 610: The Big Four

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li ended the meeting awkwardly.

If he had a strong understanding of basketball, he might be able to convince the staff of his logic and, at the same time, make them think that their head coach was amazing!

His understanding of basketball, however, was worse than his assistant coach’s. The only thing he could do was remain thick-skinned and insist his decision was right.

He was the head coach. Everyone had to do as he said in order to make a living. Dai Li had decided to make unreasonable demands. The others couldn’t do anything to stop him.

Dai Li chose to speak with Raymond after the meeting. The two-time scoring leader had not yet returned to his prime. He had an average score of 12 points per game, barely enough to qualify him as a starting lineup. There was still a huge gap between the Raymond now and the superstar Raymond of the past.

Dai Li hoped Raymond recovered as soon as possible. The Clippers were using the tactic of sending out stars. Since the Big Three was not enough, he wanted a Big Four!

…

“How have you been you feeling recently? Your back isn’t hurting again, is it?” Dai Li walked towards Raymond with a smile on his face.

“No. My back feels great. There hasn’t been any pain since I came to Los Angeles!” Raymond replied.

“What about your waist? Any pain there?”

Raymond shook his head, “There are no problems with my waist. I played four games last week and I don’t have any backaches.”

“What about your knees?” Dai Li asked.

Raymond patted his knees, “The knees are also good. The last time they felt this good was my rookie season!”

“Wrists? Ankles? Ligaments? No problem with those?” Dai Li asked again.

“All doing great,” Raymond answer honestly.

“That’s good,” Dai Li said. It seemed that the athlete patch was working well. It had patched up all of Raymond’s old injuries.

Raymond, who was sitting opposite Dai Li, asked, “Coach Li, I am disappointing you, aren’t I?”

“Why would you say that?” Dai Li answered, surprised.

“Wood was badly hurt, both of the menisci in Hall’s knees were removed, but both of them have regained their prime. I haven’t. My body feels great, but I can’t play like I did when I was young. I guessed you’re disappointed,” Raymond said in a very low voice.

“Why would I think that? It is great that you are able to play on the court again,” Dai Li smiled comfortably.

Dai Li, however, did feel a bit disappointed with Raymond. Among the stars recruited by the Clippers this season, Raymond had been the most famous, the strongest, and the oldest superstar but, so far, he provided a satisfactory result.

Raymond knew that Dai Li was comforting him. He sighed. “It seems that I am still old! If I were a young man, I would be in such a good physical condition. I’d be able to score 50 or 60 points per game.”

Dai Li realized that he had completely overlooked the problem with Raymond’s age.

Raymond was at the “old” age of 30. He was in the second half of his career. Because he had been plagued by injuries and had been constantly absent from the court, it had been hard for him to maintain his standard.

Players who struggled on the frontline, even those who were not in the starting lineup, normally had enough playtime to maintain their standards. Their body was always ready to play. Even if the player was 35 years old, he was still able to perform well.

Some players were good at maintaining their bodies. They spent a lot of money on their bodies every year. They also had a strict self-disciplined lifestyle. Sometimes, it wasn’t a problem for someone to keep playing into their forties.

I should use another age-reduction card on Raymond. There are five months left in the regular season and two months of the playoffs. In total, there are seven months left in this season. With the age-reducing card, Raymond’s age would be reduced by six and he’d become 28 years old, Dai Li thought to himself.

For a basketball player, the body of a 28-year-old was not as good as the body of a 24 or 25-year-old, but it was definitely still physically fit. Although at that age one wasn’t able to move around like someone in his early twenties, the body still served in physical confrontations. It didn’t affect the players’ ability to make difficult technical moves.

…

After the five-game losing streak, the Clippers flew to Houston to challenge the Rockets as the away team.

The Rockets were currently ranked first in the Western Conference. This showed the Rockets’ extraordinary strength. The Rockets had already won eight consecutive victories at home.

Any team facing the Rockets was expected to lose. With the Clippers’ current strength, it was very likely that they would lose as well.

The Clippers’ strategy was to send out star players. Such a team did not fear going one-on-one with their opponents, but they did fear facing a team that had very thought-out tactics, especially one that also had superstars. It was hard to defend against a superstar in a one-on-one situation. A superstar playing with a decent strategy was impossible to defend.

Dai Li felt that it would be difficult for the Clippers, in their current state, to defeat the Rockets. They might have a chance if the Clippers were doing exceptionally well and the Rockets were doing poorly, but they needed to get lucky.

Dai Li used the Prophecy Request Box before the game started. He only drew an average lot. It didn’t help much since the difference between the Clippers and the Rockets was huge.

Dai Li used the “Evenly Matched” title before the game started. His idea was simple. This was a difficult game to win anyway. It was better to rely on the effect of “Evenly Matched” title. If they could play a few overtimes, they might have a chance to steal away the victory.

In terms of defense, both teams made sure to have someone to defend against pick-and-roll attacks. The Rockets’ center was fast and the Clippers’ center, Gray, was faster than the Rockets’ center. Neither of them was at a disadvantage guarding against pick-and-rolls. With the development of basketball, a defense-oriented strategy was less effective. Unlike ten years ago, the best way to win was to adopt an offense-oriented tactic.

The Clippers’ offense relied mainly on the individual abilities of the star players. The star players had enough offensive means and a way to put the ball into the basket.

The Rockets’ offense was concentrated in the free-throw lane and outside the three-point line. They didn’t attempt many mid-range shots. They either threw from outside the three-point line or they would move inside the free-throw lane to score.

“The Rockets’ style is indicative of the current trend in the development of basketball!” Dai Li said. “The Rockets’ players inside the three-point line are not strong. The Rockets’ center is weak when it comes to going one-on-one with another player. He also can’t attack from the low post area. He also isn’t very muscular. He scores by getting the rebound. Most of his points come from cutting through the court and getting an assist. Yet, a decent number of points the Rocket get from the free-throw lane.”

Dai Li pointed to the three-point line as he was speaking, and said, “The three-pointers allow the attackers in the free-throw lane to have more space. The essence of basketball is a kind of movement that exchanges time difference and space difference between the offensive and defensive ends. If there aren’t any players who can score three-pointers to scare the opponent, the opponent’s defense will close in on an even smaller area. The space in the free-throw lane will become smaller. If the player shooting the three-pointers is good, the opponent needs to expand the scope of their defense. The space in the free-throw area subsequently becomes larger. This way, regardless of whether players outside the three-point line are running outwards, or if the cutters are moving into the free-throw lane, they both create chances for the attackers to score.”

“What you said makes sense.” Cassel glanced over at Dai Li. Dai Li was a layman, but his increasing knowledge of basketball impressed Cassel.

“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t come up that analysis. I heard it from someone else. There is this 70-year-old man in my country. He was a basketball player when he was young. He worked as a basketball coach after he stopped playing. He now mainly works as a basketball commentator. He always said that one needs to be logical when playing basketball. According to him, the three-point tactic is a logical way to play,” Dai Li explained.

Cassel nodded and then pointed to the scoreboard. “I am even more impressed by your cheerfulness in this situation.”

The game had entered the fourth quarter. The scores between the two teams were very close. The gap in score stayed within three or five points.

Naturally, it was a fiercely fought game. The atmosphere was filled with passion. The stadium was like a barrel full of explosives. Whenever the home team scored, the explosives ignited and the whole place filled with cheers.

On the Rockets’ bench, the coaching staff and the substitute players were unable to sit still. They stood up to watch. The head coach even began to personally direct the game. On the Clippers’ side, the players were very excited. Dai Li, on the other hand, was as calm as a cat.

Since he had used the “Evenly Matched” title, the result was in the hands of God!

…

At the end of the 48-minute of normal game time, the two sides were both at 105 points. Tieing at their home court what the Rockets wanted.

This was, however, exactly what Dai Li had hoped to see. After the Clippers’ five-game losing streak, they needed some good news to revitalize themselves. Reaching overtime against the best team in the Western Conference was what they needed.

The teams relied on their star players during overtime. If a star player could take on the responsibility of scoring in those five minutes, the team had a much better chance. During overtime, star players were extremely important. Overtime was basically was a stage for star players to perform.

The Rockets were not lacking in star players. James Harden, “The Beard,” was the current best shooting guard in the NBA. He was also a regular season MVP. If the NBA picked five of its strongest players, among the active players, he would definitely be one of them.

Although the Clippers also had stars, they were a bit weaker than James Harden, a regular season MVP.

Dai Li had another idea. He turned to Raymond.

This may be an opportunity for him. Dai Li called Raymond to him.

“You will be attacking during overtime,” Dai Li said.

Raymond gave him a blank stare. He did not expect such a decision.

In the Clippers’ lineup, Wood and Hall had the ability to bring the game to an end. Wood used to be a regular season MVP. He lacked no experience in buzzer beaters. Hall was famous for being a stable player. He was able to keep calm even during the tensest times. He once made a buzzer-beater with only 0.8 seconds left on the clock in the playoffs. They were the ones who should act as the key players during overtime, not Raymond. He wasn’t even able to play as he had at his prime yet.

“Why me?” Raymond asked subconsciously.

“Because they have the best shooting guard.” Dai Li patted Raymond’s shoulder and said, “Only the best shooting guard can deal with the best shooting guard!”

Raymond was stunned. Being called the best shooting guard felt familiar, but it also felt a bit distant.

In his prime, Raymond was the best shooting guard in the NBA!

Dai Li used the age-reduction card to make Raymond’s body six years younger.

“Go. You probably don’t want to lose to your own junior!” Dai Li pushed Raymond onto the court and then took a look at the “The Beard” from the Rockets.

“The best shooting guard from ten years ago against the current best shooting guard? Who is stronger? I am looking forward to finding out!”

…

As Raymond stood on the court, his mind was blank.

The Rockets were not strangers to him. Raymond had played with them for many seasons. After retiring, he had even settled in Houston. On weekdays, he went to the Toyota Center to watch the Rockets’ home games. He even went to the Rockets’ training base and practiced with them once.

As a player who contributed greatly to the Rockets, he was able to enjoy such privileges. Raymond was therefore familiar with the Rockets coaching staff and players.

Raymond knew that the person opposite him, “The Beard,” was really good. Raymond acknowledged his title as the current best shooting guard. In Raymond’s mind, “The Beard” was most likely no weaker than he had been in his prime. Perhaps, when they met each other on the court, he would learn that “The Beard” was much better than him.

After the ball in play, it arrived in Raymond’s hand. The Clippers’ players were firmly implementing Dai Li’s plan and they kept passing the ball to Raymond.

James Harden immediately pushed up against him. He was very close to Raymond. He didn’t want Raymond to make a three-pointer.

Let’s try to break through their defense. Raymond made a judgment instinctively. He started to move and began to break through the defense.

Raymond felt his body become lighter. His footsteps had become more agile.

Raymond was shocked. Just by taking a few steps, he reached the free-throw lane.

James Harden’s defense outside the free-throw lane was not good. People said that he only used his eyes to defend.

When the two of them were in the free-throw lane, James Harden’s defense improved significantly. His strong body and excellent lower limb strength allowed him to completely dominate his opponents.

The other defenders from the Rockets came to assist.

Although the Rockets’ center and power forward were not tall, they were fast. They could switch to defense easily. The Rockets could keep using the defensive switching tactic continuously. They had some of the fastest fills in the NBA.

Both attacking and defending were difficult. Although Raymond made it into the free-throw lane, the Rockets had shrunk the amount of space he could maneuver in.

Raymond chose to rush forward and head towards the basket.

With the Rockets’ defenders in front of him, Raymond flew into the air. He did a double pump to trick his opponents. With the inertia of his jump, his body flew to the other side of the basket. He immediately turned his body. His back was facing the basket. He lifted up his arms and threw the ball. The ball went straight into the basket.

“Woah!” The audience exclaimed in a loud voice. That was a beautiful layup. Every step was perfect. It was definitely one of the best five baskets this game.

“Raymond can still pull that off at his age!” The commentator couldn’t help but exclaim.

If he had been a young man in his twenties, it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise. It was amazing that Raymond could still make such a basket at his age. It definitely gave people a shock.

Even Raymond himself did not expect to pull off such a difficult move.

Such difficult moves were how Raymond used to get most of his points when he was young. He was not the kind of player who liked to rush to the basket and make the opponents commit a foul in order to get a free-throw. On the contrary, he preferred to use difficult maneuvers to get through the opponent’s defense and get into high-intensity confrontations in order to score.

Perhaps this was why his body was full of injuries. After all, battling it out with the players inside the three-point line was damaging to one’s body.

What I did just now felt the same as what I did when I was younger, Raymond thought.

After the Clippers scored, the Rockets were not going to be outdone. Straight away, James Harden threw a three-pointer two steps outside the three-point line. Then, it was the Clippers turn to attack. The ball was passed to Raymond.

The opponents were worried that Raymond would break through again this time. That was why they chose to move their defensive line backward. It was to block Raymond’s attacking route.

My body still feels quite relaxed, as if I were younger! Raymond moved around for a while and found that no way to break through the defense easily. He had already found a familiar rhythm for shooting,, however. He stopped immediately and made a jump shot outside the three-point line.

Raymond’s jump shot was his signature move. His jump shots were graceful and beautiful. They made people calm. Anyone who saw his jump shot would enjoy it. A sense of appreciation would be generated in their hearts.

His jump shots were not achieved through technique alone, they also required great physical support. This jump shot required a combination of strong legs, good knee support, and the correct arm movements. Moreover, when shooting, he needed a high point of release, long airtime, and occasionally, he might also need to lean his body backward and have a long hang time. If he was in the state he had been just moments ago, he would still have been able to pull off a jump shot, but it wouldn’t have been perfect. His body’s condition had not been good enough. With the help of the age-reduction card, his body had become six years younger. He was able to pull off the perfect jump shots he used to when he was young.

“Swoosh!”

The ball was flying through the air. It traveled in an arc and the ball entered the basket.

“A beautiful jump shot!”

“What a nice display!”

“Raymond’s signature jump shot. This is pure art!”

This time, even Dai Li couldn’t help but stand up and applaud Raymond.

Raymond looked at his hands subconsciously. He recalled the jump shot. He was completely surprised, My body has really gotten better!

…

How is this old fart so good! James Harden stared at Raymond with extreme confusion.

Raymond made four consecutive shots, all of which were jump shots outside the three-point line. If one looked at it through pure data alone, this wasn’t out of the ordinary. After all, three-pointers were commonplace in this period of the NBA. There were countless players who had high field goal percentages. Getting consecutive three-pointers had become the norm. Still, Raymond’s jump shot was something that James Harden had never seen before. No one in the NBA could use this method to get points.

These kinds of jump shots happened very suddenly. The suddenness, combined with the control the shooter had in the air and how high up he was in the air, made it almost impossible to be blocked. Interfering with this kind of shot would be difficult.

The high point of release made it so that if the defenders were too close to the shooter, they were at risk of committing a foul and giving the attacker a free-throw. If the shot went in the basket, the attacker would still get the three points, as well as an additional free-throw.

It was no exaggeration to say that this kind of jump shot three-pointers was one of the most difficult things for defenders to deal with. If they were too aggressive, they risked getting a foul. If they were not aggressive enough, they could not interfere with the attackers throw.

The three-pointers were thrown a few meters away from the three-point line. Although they looked cool, in the end, they were still just three points. After all, there was no four-point line in the NBA. In comparison, Raymond’s three-pointers were much riskier to defend against. If the defender didn’t perform well, he might risk fouling. Worst case scenario, the attackers might get four points in total. For the defenders, this was worse than making two mistakes.

More importantly, this kind of jump shot just looked extremely cool! When James Harden was defending, he couldn’t help but stop and admire Raymond’s jump shot. He was so shocked that he let out an audible gasp.

The audience did the same. When Raymond made the jump shot, there was a strange exclamation from the audience. It was as if they were on a roller coaster and it had just started its descent. When the ball went into the basket, there was a sound of reassurance. Some of the audience even cheered.

This was the Toyota Center, the home of the Rockets. Someone cheering for the away team was quite out of the ordinary!

It made sense, however, that there would be cheers for Raymond in the Toyota Center. Raymond used to be the Rockets’ number one star. If he hadn’t made a comeback, he would get his own retired jersey on the Rockets. He still had a fan base here. It was not difficult to get cheers and the support of the old fans when he made his signature jump shot.

…

On the Clippers’ bench, Dai Li looked at the court and the reaction of the audience. He smiled.

“Coach, Raymond changed into a different person. That jump shot was perfect!” Cassel was also amazed.

“Do you remember what I said before in the meeting? We don’t have enough stars.” Dai Li pointed to Raymond on the court and said, “We now have the Big Four!”

Chapter 611 - Enjoy the Show, It’s No Big Deal

Chapter 611: Enjoy the Show, It’s No Big Deal

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

After making consecutive offensive plays, Raymond felt tired but, at the same time, he also felt happy. Five minutes into overtime, Raymond had regained the feeling he had when he was younger.

Under the defense of the reigning MVP, “The Beard,” Raymond made another pull-up shot. After scoring the basket, the crowd gave Raymond another round of applause, which undoubtedly inflicted 10,000 damage to the mentality of”The Beard.” This was far worse than receiving boos from the entire crowd. It was then that “The Beard” initiated his next attack. He switched up his technical movement a bit, but the result of the play was another rebound for the Clippers.

Shuuuu!

The ball flew to the other side of the court.

Raymond had already started moving. He received the ball on the other side of the court and immediately made a tomahawk-style slam dunk.

Raymond used to be a slam dunk competition participant. Back in the day, his 360-dunk was considered a classic moment in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. With his natural fitness and personal ability, his tomahawk-style slam dunk was undoubtedly a combination of violence and art.

The reporters on the side of the court quickly snapped many pictures as they did their best to record every movement in Raymond’s dunk. As for the automated camera fixed behind the basket, it also made continuous clicking sounds. It took a dozen or so shots per second, so there was no way of missing any exciting moments.

“Kuang!” Raymond slammed the ball into the basket. The entire basket shook at the impact.

“Ohhhhhhh!” The crowd went wild. It lit up the entire stadium.

The moment caused sadness to fill the heart of “The Beard.” Everyone knew that home games for the Rockets did not have an energetic atmosphere. The fans in the Toyota Center were always very selfish when it came to cheering for their home team. Even when it came to critical games during the playoffs, visiting fans generally would not feel too much pressure from the home fans.

It was fine that the fans did not want to put pressure on the visitors; however, cheering for the opponents was a bit much.

“Just who is playing at home right now!” The Beard grumbled, irritated.

…

Raymond returned to his prime in that overtime without any warning and helped the Clippers defeat the Rockets.

For the Clippers, who had just been on a five-game losing streak, defeating the Rockets, who were first place in the Western Conference, was a confidence booster. Both the players and the coaching team regained their confidence overnight. The fans also became more hopeful.

In the next four games, the Clippers had three home matches and one away. They achieved victory in all four. Including the match they won against the Rockets, the Clippers managed to go on a five-game winning streak.

The previous five-match losing streak had dropped the Clippers to the ninth place in the Western Conference, which had dropped them out of the playoff zone. Now, after a five-match winning streak, the Clippers quickly moved up to sixth place in the Western Conference. They were only one win away from being the fifth-placed team in the Western Conference.

Sixth place was not a safe rank to be in in the Western Conference. In this current season, only the bottom two teams in the conference were trying to tank. The other weaker teams of previous seasons were starting to benefit from playing their talent and were achieving decent results. Under such circumstances, not even the top-ranked team in the Western Conference, let alone the sixth-placed team, could say that their qualification for the playoffs was guaranteed.

Raymond’s addition to the Clippers clearly strengthened the team. Any team that obtained an additional superstar would improve significantly overall. Importantly, the Clippers did not have any tactical system, they depended on their superstars, so an additional star really meant additional strength.

Raymond had been the scoring king of the NBA for two seasons. There was no need to doubt his ability to play one-on-one which, coincidentally, suited the Clippers’ superstar strategy. They just needed to pass the ball to him, and any cooperation or tactics no longer mattered; he had a myriad of methods to score points.

There were two attributes one needed to become the scoring king of the NBA. The first was to excel at all kinds of scoring methods. Only after mastering all methods of scoring could one score anywhere on the offensive side of the court. If one, for example, failed to master the turn-around jumper or the pull-up jumper, it would be difficult for the person to become the scoring king of the NBA. As such, if a person lacked mastery of a method, the person had one less position to shoot from and missed out on opportunities.

It was because of this that, in the 21st century, no center had ever become the scoring king of the NBA. The continuous development of basketball significantly increased the importance of three-point shots, and centers were generally bad at three-point shots. Without the mastery of such an important scoring method, it was naturally very difficult for centers to become the scoring king.

In truth, since the implementation of the three-pointer system in 1979, only two centers had ever obtained the glory of being the scoring king. Even then, their points-per-game average did not even exceed 30 points. When guards obtained the scoring king title, their average points generally exceeded 32 points.

The other prerequisite for becoming the scoring king was being so good at one scoring method that no one could solve or defend against it. Looking at the scoring kings of previous seasons, it was a given that each of them had at least one ultimate move, a move that opponents could not defend against even if they tried. If a player did not have an ultimate move, it was easy to be targeted by defenders. A player that could be defended by players did not deserve the title of scoring king.

Raymond’s ultimate move was the pull-up shot. In truth, the essence of his pull-up shot was understood by everyone; even a lot of amateurs and non-professionals understood it thoroughly. The important thing was that no one could imitate his move.

Although previously the Clippers had had the so-called “Three giants,” they did not have any clear advantage when playing against a sophisticated tactical system.

After all, basketball was a sport that consisted of five players. It required cooperation between all of them. A mature tactical system could synergize five players and make them even more formidable than they are when they are not cooperating.

Although the Clippers had “Giants,” they did not have a tactical system. They relied on the individual abilities of star players. When put against a sophisticated tactical system, this playstyle was naturally a disadvantage. History had proven countless times that a well thought-out system could beat a team of fantastic star players.

It was like a war in ancient times. No matter how amazing a martial artist was when it came to fighting, it was impossible for him or her to defeat the entire army of the government. These martial artists did not know how to cooperate. It was a given that a martial artist could defeat a solder. If there were ten martial artists, they might be able to reach a draw against ten soldiers. When 100 martial artists went up against 100 soldiers, eight or nine times out of ten the soldiers would win. The soldiers did not fight alone, they knew how to work together and to form battle formations.

Teamwork, however, had its limits. If the individual strength of the opponent was too much, even the best teamwork would be ineffective. For example, 100 soldiers could defeat 100 powerful martial artists with their battle formations. If, however, they were going up against 100 Zhang Feis, then, even if all 100 of these Zhang Feis did not work together and fought alone, it would still be easy for them to cut down the soldiers.

The Clippers were currently like 100 Zhang Feis. The previous three giants would still be at a disadvantage when facing sophisticated tactical systems but, with the addition of a scoring king of the NBA, their strength had clearly surpassed the level that the tactical systems of the other teams could handle. As such, the Clippers became considered a very strong team.

…

The next opponent of the Clippers was the Sacramento Kings. The two teams were both in the Pacific region. As such, they played against each other four times per season. The two teams had already played each other this season, so this was the second time the two teams met.

The Kings had had terrible results in the past few years. Due to this, they had obtained better draft picks. The team was filled with a bunch of young and talented players. The only problem was that these players wouldn’t reach their full potential for another couple of seasons.

Apart from the young players, the Kings had veterans that had been playing for several years. Among them were players who used to be superstars, but they were all old now, and could only manage to play as rotational bench players.

Good players in their prime would definitely join a team trying to make the playoffs, but who would want to join a tanking team? Therefore, the Kings tried to win.

The game had no suspense at all, the talented Kings still could not stop the stars of the Clippers.

In this match, another player on the Clippers had recovered. This player was Osef.

The Clippers” fans did not put too much hope on Osef. The other teams did not bother themselves too much with Osef’s return. This was due to Osef’s self-destructive past and that he used to be a drug addict.

As long as an athlete was associated with drugs, he or she was considered obsolete. This was especially true in the NBA, where physical battles were fierce. A body damaged by drugs could never withstand the intensity of an NBA match.

Dai Li, however, believed in Osef. More accurately, he was confident in his training.

In this game, Osef played eight minutes and contributed three points, two rebounds, one assist, and got another turnover. For a substitute, these stats were alright. They were not terrible, but also not exceptional.

Osef also needed time to adapt to the game. Although he had successfully detoxified, his body was still not ready to withstand playing for a long time.

Over the next few games, Osef’s game time gradually increased. He went from playing eight to nine minutes to playing more than ten minutes. He then played around 15 minutes, and then finally played 17 to 18 minutes.

Playing 17 to 18 minutes per game was already enough to be considered a main rotational player.

Osef’s game statistics also continued to grow. Unfortunately, he still did not manage to produce any breathtaking performances. His points per game stayed around seven to eight, averaging around four to five rebounds and two to three assists per game. Overall, he was considered a 7+4+2 player.

Rotation players with 17 to 18 minutes game time getting stats of 7+4+2 were considered fine.

Osef’s contribution to the team was not limited to game stats. He was a player who could play all positions in a game. When such a versatile player acted as a team’s substitute, he could fill in the gap for any position of the team.

There are 82 games in an NBA season. With the addition of the playoffs, this was an intense schedule. It forced teams to create a rotational rhythm. For example, in the first quarter, after a certain number of minutes, the first team players would be subbed out and rotation players would substitute for the first team players.

Each game was different, however, so there was absolutely no way for things to go as planned all the time. Unplanned foul accumulations or sudden injuries were variables that always messed with the rhythm of the plans set by coaches.

When a team that had a versatile substitute who could play any position in, a coach would save tens of thousands of brain cells in such situations. Being able to substitute players without thinking was a major advantage.

…

Game schedules in December were very congested. Every team would begin to feel tense and this would continue until All-Star Weekend, only then could players relax a little bit.

In early January, the Clippers played four consecutive away games. Playing so many away games in a row was very tiring for the players but, when looking at it from the overall scheduling perspective, it was a good thing. Playing several away games in one go was better than going back and forth between home and away matches.

Try and imagine going to Los Angeles for a game one day and flying to New York the following day, then heading back to Los Angeles only to fly to Boston the next day before going back to Los Angeles again. There could be a lot of suffering from going back and forth between the East and West coast. Even if one were to enjoy the private jets and the spacious business class seats, the constant noise of the plane’s engine alone could increase a player’s fatigue.

Compared with that, staying in Los Angeles and being able to head back home every day, eating at home and relaxing at home, seemed nice. The luxuries of travel did not matter as much when one had to play game after game. It was much more comfortable staying at home than flying everywhere to play.

That was why most teams preferred playing several away matches in a row to avoid running around everywhere. Consecutive away games were not really that scary. Some teams utilized consecutive away games as a way to rest their key players. Since there were 82 games in a season, it did not matter if they lost a couple of away games. The health of their key players was more important.

The first opponent of the Clippers’ consecutive away matches was the Cavaliers.

The Clippers and the Cavaliers did not have a grudge against each other, but it was a different story for the players. The recently recovered Osef had a grudge with the center of the Cavaliers.

Back in the day, Osef was cheated on by his wife. The male in that story was the center of the Cavaliers. Back when Osef had not yet divorced his now ex-wife, his ex-wife had already had the other guy’s child. After Osef’s divorce, his ex-wife also married this guy.

More importantly, in an interview, she told the media that when it came to doing embarrassing things, Osef was far worse than the center of the Cavaliers.

It was one thing to be cheated on, but he was also said to be impotent. What man could endure such a thing?

It was because of this that, when Osef was being self-destructive, he had promiscuous sexual behavior. It could have been said that he wanted to prove that he could function without a problem. He ended up using many drugs, but not the tiny blue pill.

If Osef did not return to the court, perhaps things would have ended right there. Osef would have continued to deteriorate and, perhaps one day, he would have died in the hands of a woman. Perhaps he would have died from a drug overdose. His ex-wife would have continued to live a happy life filled with shameless acts with the center of the Cavaliers.

Today, however, Osef had returned to the court. He was going to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had to face his ex-wife, who had not only cheated on him but had also said that he was impotent. He had to get on the court and compete against this guy.

Perhaps, on the court, the two of them would not only compete in terms of basketball techniques but also start fist-fighting.

As the saying goes, when enemies face off against each other, their eyes turn red. The hate and animosity that comes from killing one’s father and taking one’s wife also applied to Americans. These were two huge men who were both at least six and a half feet tall. No matter how one interpreted it, they did not seem like people who settled things with their words instead of their fists.

…

On the bus heading towards the home stadium of the Cavaliers, Cassel moved to Dai Li’s side.

“Do you think they will start a fight?” Cassel whispered softly.

“I don’t know.” Dai Li shook his head.

“How about we don’t put Osef on the court this match?” Cassel suggested.

“Do you think that’s possible? He is a professional. The team pays his salary, so he has to play,” Dai Li answered.

“I’m worried that they won’t hit the basketball.” Cassel knew that his suggestion was not a very good one. He hesitated briefly and asked, “If they really start to fight, what should we do?”

Dai Li was silent for a few seconds. “Let’s see who wins!”

“Umm…” Cassel did not expect such an answer.

“What if Osef wins the fight?” Cassel asked patiently.

“Our player won the fight. Of course, that’s the best outcome!” Dai Li answered.

“What if Osef loses?” Cassel asked.

“Then we’ll ask him if he needs help!” Dai Li looked like he was there to enjoy a show and did not think it was a big deal.

Chapter 612 - Fight

Chapter 612: Fight

Nyoi-Bo Studio  Nyoi-Bo Studio

Osef sat on the bench, but his attention was not on the court. His gaze was on the fans that were on the other side of the court.

He was looking at the VIP section for the Cleveland home fans. One of the women seated over there had a sumptuous body. She had a big belly, so it was clear that she was several months into a pregnancy.

This woman was Osef’s ex-wife.

Osef initially thought that he would hate her but, upon seeing her again, he realized that he could not bring himself to hate her at all.

She was the woman who used to drive him mad, the woman who had deeply hurt him. She still held an important position in his heart.

Osef gazed at his ex-wife dumbly, reminiscing about the good old days.

His ex-wife noticed that Osef was looking at her, so she then sent a smile Osef’s way.

She is smiling at me! Does she miss me? Osef felt as if his heart had melted. His heart started thumping faster.

This smile was also seen by someone else. The center for the Cavaliers, Terry, who was Osef’s ex-wife’s current husband, also saw Osef and his wife looking at each other.

He then saw his wife winked at this other man, her ex-husband. Terry was infuriated.

Is it possible that they reconciled? Terry guessed at what this exchange of looks meant in his heart.

If Osef was still as self-destructive as he had been, Terry would not even bother with worrying. A drug addict was trash. Who knew? An addict could overdose any day.

The current Osef, however, was back playing basketball; moreover, he seemed to be doing well. It even seemed like he was returning to his peak condition. Obviously, Terry had to be more vigilant in observing their interactions.

When the ex-husband of his wife had been a loser and trash, it made Terry feel powerful and successful as a male. If his wife’s ex-husband was stronger than him, then Terry would feel defeated and emasculated.

These external factors affected Terry’s concentration. Over the next few minutes, Terry made consecutive defensive errors, letting his man slip past him. The Clippers also capitalized on the chances this gave them and went on a 15-3 offensive streak.

The physicality and the execution of difficult movements in a basketball game made the sport one of toughest to play. Players had to concentrate intensely. Once a player was on the court and immersed in the game, he had to focus every second. Once a player lost his concentration, even if he was a superstar, his performance would slip.

The head coach of the Cavaliers noticed that Terry’s attention was not completely on the game. He decisively subbed Terry off. It was an unusual substitution. Everyone could see that the head coach wasn’t satisfied with Terry’s performance over the past few plays, which was why he was subbed off the court.

To be subbed out of a game like this was humiliating. Terry felt that humiliation and he could feel the unfriendly gaze from surrounding fans. It was as if they were trying to say that the team was losing because of him!

On the other hand, on the Clippers, Osef was subbed into the game.

Osef was not the kind of player who excelled at scoring points, but he was an all-around warrior on the court. The way he played, if he performed well, one could feel his presence everywhere on the court. He appeared under the net when it came to getting rebounds; he appeared to throw a block; he appeared during a cut-in; he also appeared in space when his teammates needed to pass to someone. Occasionally, he would even make a couple of beautiful passes, assisting his teammates in scoring.

When it came time for the substitute players to make their appearance, Osef’s performance was even more eye-catching.

In the current Clippers’ lineup, Osef was the core of the substitutes. A versatile miracle player like him could do anything on the court was very suitable in the role.

Sometimes, when one knew how to do everything, it meant they weren’t a master of anything. Osef, however, was skilled enough to bully the substitutes of the other teams.

After all, the substitutes of a team were not as strong as the first team players. Even on a top-class team, the bench would only have one or two strong points. The other players were not strong enough to get on the starting lineup.

Faced with the bench players of the Cavaliers, Osef performed amazingly in the few minutes that he played. He scored, rebounded, and assisted. He displayed for all to see his ability as an all-around great player.

Of course, this was because the bench players of the Cavaliers were weaker. The Cavaliers had three superstar players in their team. They had gotten three giants, and these three people took up most of the salary the team was allowed to pay. This meant that the Cavaliers could not pay the other players high wages. Without sufficient funds, it was natural they could not attract players of a higher caliber to join them in lesser roles.

This was a common problem for a lot of teams. The stars of the team took up so much salary space that the other players had to have lower wages. Typically, the strength of the player was in proportion with their wages. That being true, the strength and ability of the players on the bench, who had lower salaries, were concerning.

It was normal for the bench to be weaker. Any team with 20 to 30 million dollars lying around would try to get a star player before spending the money on benchwarmers. When it came to substitutes on NBA teams, everyone was in the same boat. If a team had an amazing substitute, it basically meant that they were aiming for the title of best sixth man.

Coincidentally, Osef was once the best sixth man!

…

In the battle between the bench players, Osef’s presence was strong. He also attracted the attention of the cameras.

The director of the broadcast was a troublemaker. Every time Osef did something worthy of a highlight, the camera would pan and aim towards Osef’s ex-wife and zoom in on her.

Occasionally, the camera would also zoom in on Terry to record his sad expression.

Terry was currently very depressed. He felt as if there was a huge boulder pressed against his heart. The weight of the huge boulder was increasing the more the game went on. He could not wait to get back on the court and to get rid of Osef.

Finally, the bench players had played there time, and the starters were subbed on the court.

Finally, there was a free throw. Terry was called by the coach and subbed on to the court. As he started gearing up to get on the court to show Osef up, Dai Li subbed Osef off the court.

Terry felt a sudden sense of defeat, as if he had been punched in the face.

After that, he witnessed his wife trading glances with Osef again while he was on the court.

Terry’s attention was shifted off the court once again, so he lost his man again. The Clippers immediately scored two points.

…

Terry looked like he was daydreaming the entire game. He kept losing his focus, losing his man, or making unnecessary fouls. As a center, fouls inadvertently affected his game time. Throughout the entire game, his play time was fragmented and totaled to only around 20 minutes. He didn’t play any longer than a substitute normally does.

Moreover, Terry’s performance directly affected the offense of the Cavaliers. One needed to understand that when a team had big centers like Gray, the other players were able to break through and score in the paint. Without Terry’s defense in the paint, it was all too easy for the Clippers to break into the Cavaliers’ paint. Just from winning a few offensive rebounds, the Clippers led the Cavaliers by a dozen or so points.

When there were only five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers subbed off all their starters and sent the “waterboy” players on. This basically meant that they had surrendered. The Clippers immediately made adjustments accordingly. They subbed off their starters and accepted the victory.

The broadcast did not let Terry move on. The camera continued to pan towards the bench, giving both Osef and Terry several close-ups that focused on their expressions. Then, the close-ups were broadcasted on to the big screen in the stadium.

Obviously, the director was looking for trouble. Those who worked in the media industry were delighted to escalate the tension of a moment as much as possible. The more interesting the scene, the more it would attract the attention of the audience. The reporters and journalists at the stadium wanted to see a fight break out between Osef and Terry.

Osef sat on the bench and gazed at his ex-wife joyously. His gaze was filled with care and concern.

His ex-wife occasionally sent Osef a gentle smile. To Osef, the smile was the warmest ray of light in the world. It made him feel unlimited warmth. Osef no longer cared, at this moment, that she had cheated on him. He also didn’t care about her spreading rumors of him being impotent. His mind was filled with happy memories they shared together.

Terry sat on the bench and stared furiously at this adulterous pair. His wife and her ex-husband. It was difficult for him to endure it.

Finally, the buzzer that signaled the end of the game rang.

The Cavaliers and Clippers began hugging each other in a show of sportsmanship.

Terry, on the other hand, stood up violently and walked towards Osef.

“Get away from my woman!” Terry said in a low voice. His gaze looked like it was filled with the intent to kill.

It had not been easy for Terry to endure that game. He did not perform well that game Whether in terms of stats or the way he played on the court, he lost to Osef. More importantly, it seemed like the relationship between Osef and his wife was not over. How could a man endure such a humiliating night?

Hate filled Osef’s face as well. He noticed that he simply could not hate his ex-wife. That being the case, he placed all his hate on Terry. He even decided that it was Terry who took his wife from him. The origin of everything that went wrong was Terry.

Words were useless. Fists were more direct!

The photographers and the videographers immediately aimed their cameras at the two men. The director of the live broadcast immediately focused in on the two of them.

The fans who were leaving the stadium instantly stopped moving. Some looked towards the big screen while others gazed directly at the two people on the court.

“Are they gonna start a fight?”

“I bought tickets for this game just for this!”

Clearly, Dai Li was not the only person who wanted to enjoy the show. Tens of thousands of fans did as well.

…

“What are you looking at?”

“What’s wrong with looking at you?”

“Try looking at me again!”

“I just did. What? Does it bother you?”

“Keep looking. Believe it or not, I’ll cut you!”

Dai Li created these dialogues in his mind.

Dai Li was located relatively far away from the two of them. He did not know what Terry and Osef were talking about, so he had to make up their dialogue in his mind. Dai Li felt that their words were probably leading to a fight.

Dai Li did not know if a fight would have really broken out from someone saying “What are you looking at,” but it looked like Osef and Terry were really going to fight. This dialogue mysteriously appeared in Dai Li’s mind.

Chaos stormed the court in an instant. The game was finished, everyone normally would have left work. The referees were already headed into the tunnel leading to the locker rooms. Of course, some players and coaching staff had also already left the court. At that moment, Osef and Terry actually started to fight.

In the history of NBA, there had been many fights occurring during the course of a game. It was extremely rare, however, for a fight to occur after the game had finished.

When a fight occurred in a game, the referee immediately rushed over to interfere. The other players rushed over in an attempt to pull the fighters away. At that moment, the game had already finished and the referees had left, so no one blew the whistle to interfere. The other players had also left or, at the very least, were preparing to leave the court, so no one immediately there to try and stop the fight.

In terms of height, Osef was six-foot-ten and Terry was six-foot-nine. Considering, however, that the record of a player’s height was never that accurate, the height difference between the two men was negligible.

When it came to weight, the official data on the two men were similar. Terry, who played as a center, was heavier. Due to taking drugs in the past, Osef was lighter.

A fight, however, was not determined by the size of a person. A huge person was not guaranteed to win a fight. For example, in the fight today, Osef clearly had the advantage. He caught Terry and gave him a good beating.

The outcome of a fight was related to where a person came from.

Osef was born in Queens, New York. It was the most complicated region in New York It had the world’s busiest airport, the most historical museum, a famous park, and a chaotic slum.

Strictly speaking, the Bronx was the most impoverished borough of New York. It was also the place with the worst neighborhoods. When it came to the degree of chaos in the neighborhoods, however, Queens was worse than the Bronx.

In New York, Manhattan was where the rich gathered and the Bronx was where the poor gathered. Queens had both rich and poor people.

Where the rich lived together, security was, without a doubt, the best. Anywhere in the world, wealthy areas were great. These places had good environments, incredible security, and excellent educational facilities.

Where the poor gathered together, the living standards were certain to be terrible. This did not mean that it was chaotic. If everyone was poor, there was nothing to steal or rob from each other. Everyone simply survived and there was no need for the poor to make life harder for the poor. Instances like this created a “poor man’s order.”

For example, the Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong was like this in the 20th century. To outsiders, it was a place where strangers should be avoided at all cost. It was filled with all kinds of sins. Still, tens of thousands of citizens lived in the Kowloon Walled City. To them, as long as they followed the rules, they were able to survive.

Where the rich lived together with the poor, chaos was common. The poor, who had no money, had to see the rich walk past them every day. It was hard not to have evil thoughts. Hating the rich was common. In some areas of China, if a person sent his child to kindergarten in a luxury car, he would be attacked by the teachers as well as other parents. Then, he would be kicked out of the parent group. The U.S. was considered the “Gun Capital of the World.” Guns outnumbered people in this country. This put the rich in danger of being shot.

Queens was such a place. It was the most multicultural area in New York. It had luxurious villas, as well as chaotic slums. Both appeared in the same region, so it was natural that there was a lot of chaos.

Osef grew up in Queens. He was raised by his maternal grandmother and aunt. He was considered a good kid who grew up from a poor family. In Queens, there was simply no way a poor kid could grow up there and not know how to fight!

Osef, who grew up in that kind of environment, was an expert fighter.

Terry was born in Canada, both his parents had emigrated from Jamaica. He hadn’t been poor, which is why his family had been able to emigrate to Canada. At the very least, he was part of the middle class. When you were poor, it was impossible to emigrate to Canada.

Terry’s parents had also paid a lot of attention to the education of their kids. Terry was an ice hockey player in middle school. It was a sport that cost a lot of money. Later, as Terry grew taller and taller, his parents ultimately sent him to a prestigious basketball school in the U.S. Canada had 12 years of compulsory education, so if a Canadian sent his child to a high school in the U.S., he needed to pay extra. Since Terry’s family managed to pay extra, it could be assumed that Terry’s family was well-off.

One could say that Terry grew up in a relatively affluent family. He received a better education at a young age. A child who grew up in such a family, even if there were conflicts between him and his peers, would not be in any serious fights. It was unlikely for a person like that to be a good fighter.

Although Terry was over six feet, had a muscular body, and looked very intimidating, he did not know how to fight.

One grew up fighting and the other did not know the first thing about a fight. When the two fought, the result was predictable.

Although Terry was bigger, he was beaten up by Osef.

…

“They’ve started fighting!” Dai Li looked at the two men with a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Then, Dai Li opened his mouth and started making comments. “It looks like Osef has gained the upper hand! Not bad, he’s won!”

“Coach, it doesn’t really matter who wins, right? We should pull them apart!” Cassel said nervously.

Still, he did not immediately go over to stop the fight. Two muscular men who were over six feet tall were fighting each other. If Cassel did not get a few people to help him, he did not dare to just walk up to them. The two men had thick arms and fists as large as pots, it would be quite possible for Cassel to get injured by mistake.

“Yes, hurry up and go pull them apart!” Dai Li showed an excited look. “Osef has won, let’s hurry up and stop those who are trying to stop the fight!”

Cassel didn’t know how to respond.

Chapter 613 - They are Committing Murder

Chapter 613: They are Committing Murder

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

New York. NBA headquarters.

A TV hung on the wall of the meeting room. It was playing the fight scene between Osef and Terry.

“They were really fighting. We need to punish them even though the game was already over.”

“As per the standard operating procedure, we need to treat them like players who fought in-game and dole out match bans then!”

“There’s definitely going to be a match ban. The question here is just how many matches should we ban them from? After all, this brawl took place after the game. The punishment cannot be too heavy, but it can’t be too light either. If this punishment is worse that the punishment for fighting during games, it will upset the public.”

“We’ve had similar situations before, right? I remember we punished players for a brawl inside the locker room last season. We can refer to the punishment during that incident.”

The people inside the meeting room discussed the punishment that awaited Osef and Terry.

Although the brawl did not take place during a game, the league still had to hand out match bans to the players who took part in the fight.

Similar incidents had happened before. For example, sometimes after games ended, players would have physical conflicts after returning to the locker room. Some players even got into fights inside the tunnel and physical conflicts that happened after players got on to the bus. Playes got bloodied during fights wasn’t uncommon. Once, there was even an all-star player who pulled out a gun in one spat. Concerning these incidents, the NBA handed out match bans as punishment.

Situations like this, where players fought on the court after the match had ended, should be more serious than fights that occurred inside the locker rooms; however, they were less serious than a fights that happened during a game. When it came to punishment, it would also be less severe than a brawl during the game.

On the screen of the TV, Osef clearly had the advantage. The few punches that Terry threw out were either dodged or blocked by Osef while Osef’s fists hit Terry’s face firmly.

“Osef! This fella sure can fight! Terry is bigger than him, but he can’t beat him,” someone exclaimed in surprise.

“He’s from Queens, New York. Of course, he knows how to fight,” another person replied.

“It’s a good thing some of the players hadn’t returned to the locker room. They went to stop them!” A third person said.

On the TV screen, the journalists surrounded them and recorded everything in a frenzy. They hoped more than anything that the fight between the two would escalate. As for the players and coaches of both teams who had not yet left the court, they quickly moved towards them with the intention of stopping the fight.

The conflict was different from those normally seen on the court.

Players would trash talk on the court and have all kinds of sneaky and dirty moves. There might even be bad calls. These were all reasons that fights happened. Sometimes, when players with a temper became the victim of a trick move and felt humiliated, they would directly start a fight. Faced with this type of situation, teammates might not move to help disperse the fight. On the contrary, they might even go up and help out to express the kinship between teammates and the cohesiveness of the team.

But Osef and Terry fought because of a woman. No teammate would help for such a reason. Apart from the two of them, the other people had zero interest in that woman. Perhaps if they were interested, it would only be biologically. So no one went to help their teammate, they only went to try to stop the fight.

The thing was that the people who went to stop the fight moved cautiously. The two fighters were big guys, both very tall. If the thick arms and massive fists accidentally hit them, it would be disastrous. Just imagining it hurt.

“Stop fighting! You guys, stop fighting!” A woman screamed from the side anxiously. She was Osef’s ex-wife, Terry’s current wife.

It was bad when she had not screamed. Once she screamed, the fight between the two worsened. Terry knew that he was losing; moreover, his woman saw the entire thing. So he was even more inclined not to give up, he wrestled free from the person who tried to stop him without any hesitation and rushed towards Osef.

Osef was also not from about to stop. He won, so he needed to show the dignity of a winner. He posed in front of his ex-wife.

So, the two men tangled together again. The others could not stop them if they tried.

In the meeting room, the video played until that point, and someone could not keep it in anymore. “I thought they stopped the fight. It started again! This should warrant for more severe punishment, right?”

“Look, the coach of the Clippers is headed over. You still have to depend on the head coach for stopping fights after all!”

On the TV screen, Dai Li rushed towards them excitedly. He looked as if he was going to stop the fight. His hand, however, moved and pushed away the two players who were trying to stop the fight.

Then, Osef and Terry tangled together and fought again. Terry’s eye took another blow.

In the meeting room, someone said, “That doesn’t seem right. Why do I feel like the head coach of the Clippers isn’t trying to stop the fight? He’s just there to side with his player!”

…

“The league has decided the punishment. Osef is banned for three matches,” Cassel passed a fax to Dai Li. It was the league’s decision on Osef’s punishment.

“Then what about Terry from the Cavaliers?” Dai Li asked.

“Same. Also a three-match ban.” Cassel paused and continued, “The league basically just divided the punishment into two.”

“Oh, then we’re on the winning side. After all, Osef won the fight. He gave Terry several blows,” Dai Li said, smiling.

Cassel hesitated for a few seconds. “It looks like you aren’t going to hand out any internal punishment to Osef?”

“Yes, I don’t intend to punish him. You should have already guessed that. You saw the way I tried to ‘stop’ the fight.” The smile on Dai Li’s face became even brighter.

“You still have the guts to actually say that that was a move to stop the fight? You were clearly helping one side! If you did not do that, Terry could have at least avoided two punches,” Cassel complained.

“Osef needed to vent.” Dai Li waved his fingers and said, “Men. It is better to fight and vent out the emotion stuck in the chest than to keep it all bottled up inside.”

“You make it seem logical.” Cassel nodded and then said mockingly, “Looks like you are very experienced.”

“Get lost, I’ve never been cheated on before!” Dai Li exclaimed.

Cassel changed his tone. “For the next three games, we won’t have Osef. Our bench will be affected.”

“We’re playing consecutive away games, it is acceptable to lose a few. In the upcoming three games, if we can win just one we’ll have two wins and two losses. It is an acceptable result.” Dai Li looked calm. He continued, “Moreover, Noel already received his sixth medical report from the hospital. Everything is normal. Based on the agreement with the league, he only needs to submit six months of the medical report to prove that he is healthy enough to return to the court. So, I plan to let him make his return in the next home game!”

…

The sixth medical report was placed on the table of the president of the NBA, Adams. It was the medical report of Noel in the most recent six months.

Although Adams was not a professional doctor, he could still understand the contents of the medical report.

“This means that he has recovered from his disease?” Adams pointed at the medical reports on his table.

“To be precise, the problem of the blood clot has been solved. At the moment, it seems like there are no symptoms for a relapse,” a man wearing spectacles cross from him said. He was a famous medical professor in the U.S. He was also one of the medical consultants for the NBA.

“This means that he can play now?” Adams continued asking.

“Based on the data in the medical reports, he is much healthier than your average Joe. He can definitely play,” the medical professor said.

Hearing this, Adams frowned. He seemed hesitant.

From a medical perspective, as long as a blood clot disappeared an athlete’s life was no longer in danger. Taking anticoagulation drugs could achieve this. The only thing was that anticoagulation drugs had side effects, like constant bleeding from a wound or increased vulnerability to get internal bleeding from intensive sports.

If it were not a sport with intense physical contact, taking the anticoagulation drug would solve an athlete’s problem without any adverse effects. Basketball was different. It required intense physical contact, so they had to prove that players had no problem after taking anticoagulation drugs. If a player faced the problem with anticoagulation drugs and still played, it was no different from committing suicide.

Naturally, the NBA could not allow players to commit suicide. It was this reason that, after it was discovered that Chris Noel had a blood clot, he was banned from all NBA fixtures.

Blood clots formed because of a lack of anticoagulation hormone. This meant that the body had a disability. Based on the athlete’s patch fixing anything that was missing, it was natural that he recovered.

To the NBA president, Adams, it was a headache. If the blood clot in Noel was not completely solved and he allowed him to play, then if something happened the NBA would have to bear all responsibility.

In the past few years, the NBA had been successful in promoting the brand worldwide. The NBA had also been paying more attention to their image. If a scandal occurred now, years of hard work would have been wasted.

Adams also understood blood clots. It was a common disease among players. It was a functional disorder. Fundamentally, it could not be cured. It was even listed as one of the incurable diseases.

As such, Adams did not believe that Noel would recover. When he requested for six months of medical reports, it was just to delay him. Adams did not really think that Noel could stay healthy for six months.

Noel really brought six months of medical reports, though. The reports showed that his coagulation functioned normally. He had long stopped taking the prescribed anticoagulation drugs and his body did not show any symptoms of a relapse. Although it did not mean that Noel had recovered, it did satisfy the requirements set by Adams before.

“If I knew that this was going to happen, I would have asked for a year’s worth of medical reports!” Adams sighed. Words were said, however, and he could not go back on his words.

Adams signed his name on the document in resignation. He knew that it was a risky move. If Noel had a relapse, he would be accused by the entire country.

…

Chris Noel also used to be a superstar. His return immediately caught the attention of the media in the U.S. Everyone focused on Los Angeles.

The Clippers released several photographs of Noel taking part in team training and announced to the media that Chris Noel would be featured in the next home game as a starting power forward.

Most people were not interested in the personnel arrangement of the Clippers. Most people wanted to know about Noel’s health situation.

After all, blood clots were lethal to athletes. They flowed through the blood. If they moved to the blood vessels of the lung or the heart, it could cause a pulmonary embolism or Myocardial infarction.

If one took anticoagulation drugs to dissolve the blood clots, it would affect the body’s ability to stop bleeding. In the NBA, intense physical contact was inevitable. If internal bleeding occurred due to a collision, it could be lethal.

So to preserve the life of an athlete, players with impaired blood function, like Noel, should stay as far away from NBA games as possible. The best situation for them was to be a good audience, they should not even try becoming a coach.

Noel, however, was going to make a comeback. In the eyes of most people, he was playing with his life on the line.

…

The following day, an article with the following title appeared in a newspaper:

“The Los Angeles Clippers are basically committing murder!”

Chapter 614 - Another Perfect Recovery

Chapter 614: Another Perfect Recovery

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li held a tablet in his hand and read the title of the news article. An odd expression appeared on his face.

“‘The Los Angeles Clipper are basically committing murder! Murder? What does that even mean?” Dai Li furrowed his brow. He did not furrow it because of the article title, but because his picture was attached to the title. His image had been photoshopped to make him look like a murderer.

The first half of the news article mostly just praised Noel. It basically stated that he was diagnosed with blood clots but was still determined to recover. The superstar, who loved basketball and was immensely professional, was a model for every athlete to look up to.

The latter half of the article described the Clippers as heartless. They knew that blood clots were life-threatening, yet they still allowed Noel to play. The article portrayed them as capitalists without consciences. Even if Noel’s blood clots had been removed, the anticoagulation drugs still made it impossible for him to participate in intense physical contact sports. Allowing him to play in the NBA was simply handing him a death sentence.

The accusation of murder was aimed at Dai Li. At the end of the article, it even pointed out that if something were to happen to Noel, then the one who would undeniably be responsible was Dai Li.

“I helped Noel return to the court and let him continue playing basketball. This should be viewed as an act of kindness. Shouldn’t they praise me? Why are they accusing me of murder? I really don’t understand how you Americans think,” Dai Li said, a little bit confused.

“I found someone to investigate the article. This story came out of Miami,” said the team general manager, Johnson.

Dai Li thought for a moment and said, “I haven’t done anything to anger Miami!”

“It was something conjured up by the Heat,” Johnson said. “Miami Heat feel wronged, but they can’t do anything. They had to resort to a low-handed tactic to mess with our season. If they succeed in stirring up public opinion and manage to put pressure on us, then they will be a bit better off. If Noel plays, and something happens, then this article will be brought up and be used against us.”

Dai Li nodded to indicate that he understood.

Chris Noel used to be a player for the Miami Heat. He helped the Heat win multiple championships, and had been a star of the NBA. Before discovering the blood clot, the Heat paid Noel as much as they could and he was the pillar of the team. Even after Noel was diagnosed with the disease and forced to stop playing the game, the Heat also said that they were willing to retire Noel’s jersey number.

When he was a player, they paid him as well as they could and, when he stopped playing, they were going to retire his jersey number. Such treatment was only offered to accomplished stars of the NBA.

The Heat originally thought that, by treating Noel that way, they had done their part. They didn’t think that Noel would actually return, much less that he would join another team. This meant that the Heat had taken a huge loss!

Noel had left the game due to the disease so, even though he had been fired by the Heat, his salary had been paid by the insurance company. That meant that the Heat did not lose anything. Now, however, it felt as though they had simply handed over a superstar to the Clippers, which was unacceptable to the Heat.

In the NBA, superstars were a scarce resource. Superstars were able to pick which team they played for, not the other way around. Every superstar was wanted by every team. If a particular superstar implied that he was willing to join a particular team, then that team would do anything it could to try to clear up the salary space they needed to sign the superstar. Otherwise, they would bargain as much as they could to make the deal happen. Salary space was less important than having a superstar.

A superstar of the highest level could even make the management of teams kneel down and lick their shoes. The NBA ruled that teams could not negotiate contracts with free agents before the first of July. Therefore, on the evening of June 30th, a large number of cars belonging to team managers were parked outside the mansions of superstars. At 11:59, the managers would get out of their car, walk to the front of the gate, place their fingers on the doorbell, and wait until it was twelve before pressing it. After that, they did their best to persuade the star to join them.

The team managers were willing to wait outside someone else’s house in the middle of the night instead of getting a good night’s sleep. This was for the chance to be the first to invite whichever player they were going to join whichever team they managed. That was the way superstars were handled in the NBA.

Because superstars were such a scarce resource in the NBA, the management of the Heat, felt that Noel should have chosen to return to his old team. Instead, Noel went to the Clippers, so the Heat viewed his return as a loss.

There was a myriad of methods that NBA teams could be used to annoy one another. Teams were not as kind to each other as they seemed to be. If one were to look at the NBA as a business, then a deal involving a superstar was worth around 20 to 30 million dollars per year. In the current era, business deals worth several million dollars were important enough to have business firms go to war. One definitely had to do anything necessary to secure a 20 to 30 million dollar deal.

On top of that, the Miami Heat were never a team that was considered kind. The management always adhered to a “Commercial Alliance” spirit. This meant that they definitely did not mind using sneaky methods in order to stir up trouble for other teams in the league.

As for the other teams in the league, they did not want to see the Clippers become stronger either. After all, everyone was in the same league so, on some level, competition existed between every team.

Johnson said, “Noel’s return has been approved by the league. Six months of medical reports were enough to prove Noel’s health. I don’t think the league will restrict Noel’s participation due to a news article. I am, however, worried about public opinion.”

Dai Li waved his hand and said, “I’m the exact opposite. I’m worried that the league will do something. As for public opinion, as long as Noel performs, everything will settle down by itself. For the fans, as long as their favorite stars have great stats, then they won’t care about potential injuries and what not.”

…

Inside the locker room, Chris Noel changed into his jersey.

According to NBA rules, players who were not listed as an active player could only wear a suit when they were at the stadium. Noel had received this sort of treatment before; he had only been able to watch games wearing a suit on the bench. To him, it had been torturous.

For normal people playing a random game that didn’t mean anything, it was already fairly anxiety-producing to sit on the sidelines. A superstar, who played in the NBA, felt much more anxiety about being sidelined.

Due to his blood clots, Noel had been forced to warm the bench for multiple games. He could only watch his teammates play. His hands had itched. His heart had felt even worse. It had been tough to endure.

Now, it seemed like his days of suffering had come to an end and that a sweet future awaited him. He could finally return to the court.

The new jersey he wore felt both strange and familiar. At that very moment, his hands started shaking. He was overwhelmed and could hardly contain himself.

A random disease had forced him off the court. It had even made him bid farewell to basketball. Now, he was back!

…

Staples Center, Los Angeles

The Clippers were facing the Spurs at home. It was Noel’s first game since his return.

Without the cover of his teammates, Noel dribbled quickly to an advantageous position. He received the ball quickly and completed a jump shot. All the while, the player defending against him could not keep up. He could only stare helplessly as Noel shot under no pressure.

The ball went in. The stadium instantly erupted into applause.

“His score is now in the double digits. He’s scoring 50% of his field goals, which is pretty good too. Looks like we don’t have to worry about his form anymore!” Dai Li said, smiling.

Noel was different from the other Clippers players. The other players had been forced out due to injuries. Their forms had gotten worse prior to their leaving the game because they had been afraid of injuries. This had caused their play to deteriorate. In the end, they were not on par with the players warming the bench.

Noel, however, had been forced into early retirement due to blood clots. Before he had retired, he had still maintained his all-star level. Getting a 20+10 had been very simple for him. It could be said that he had left the game in top form.

Noel had also still been in his prime when he returned. In the months before the current season, he had still continued training. Therefore, when he returned to the court, he found it easy to return to his previous form.

The Clippers also did not have a tactical system. They relied on their superstars. On the Clippers, once he received the ball and had a good opportunity, he would play solo. If he did not have a good opportunity, then he would pass the ball to his teammate and his teammate would play solo. This sort of simple strategy, which relied on the individual capabilities of the players, did not demand any adaptability. Any star player could play this way once they got on the court. The ball could be thrown anywhere once it was in their hands. For an experienced offensive player like Noel, it was a very handy strategy.

Noel performed with great efficiency in the game. He played 25 minutes and scored 16 points, obtained four rebounds, and got one assist.

Things unfolded as Dai Li predicted. The fans only cared about the stats of their favorite stars. As for potential injuries, they were unimportant in the face of good stats. The following day, the media mainly reported on Noel’s perfect recovery. As for the problem of his blood clots, it seemed as if it had been completely forgotten by the people.

This was what happened in sports. A player’s results were the most important things. Excellent results were enough to make the public forget about all the negative news.

…

In his first game since his recovery, Noel had tested the waters and easily gotten 16 points.

In the following game, Noel got more game time and contributed more to the team. With Noel, the Clippers were fearless in the power forward position.

For a big man, Noel was quick, agile, and had a great leap. He excelled in two scoring methods. He was good at scoring with a post-up followed by the turnaround jumper. He was also good at using the opponent as a cover or for a pick-and-roll and following it with a high-jump shot. His field goal percentage for these two methods were exceptionally high. Moreover, he also had considerable ability to breakthrough into the paint and he could make three-pointers. He try to make three-pointers that often, however.

In the league, Noel was regarded as a top-scoring paint protector.

As basketball developed, human started to realize the different functions of space. One needed space to breakthrough and to shoot. As such, in the current NBA, a good paint protector was a scoring paint protector who also efficiently protected space. As a paint player, if he could not help the team create space, then he would only be a second-tier player.

At one time, centers who could make three-pointers had been very popular. It had been because centers who made threes created more space. During that time, a lot of centers who were awful at free throws began to practice their three-pointers.

Then, the expert tacticians in the NBA quickly realized that when centers were shooting three-pointers outside, the paint was empty. This meant that they surrendered their chance of getting an offensive rebound. Without offensive rebounds, the team would have zero chance of initiating a second offense. Considering that three-point field goal percentages averaged around 30 to 50 percent, one had to go for the offensive rebound most of the time. Giving up the chance to initiate a second offense for the benefit of getting a little room was not worth it.

With that tactical understanding, centers were more likely to sit below the basket and protect the paint. The coach would rarely ever design a tactic that needed centers to shoot three-pointers. Because centers had to protect the paint, the power forward became the first choice for creating space for the team.

Power forwards who were good at shooting were originally more popular in the league. Many centers who were able to make shots also played as power forwards so that they could create more space.

A power forward who created space was regarded as a tactical weapon for a team. Entire tactical systems would change if a team obtained a power forward that was able to create space.

Chris Noel had, coincidentally, been the best power forward in the league when it came to creating space. He could break through for a layup as well as he could shoot. As soon as he stepped towards the three-point line on either side of the court, the defenders would have to be prepared to swarm him. A superstar player like him also had multiple offensive methods. On top of that, he was a big man, so he was hard to defend against. After all, it was harder to defend against a big guy than a small guy.

Noel’s addition to the Clippers did not just strengthen the team a little bit. It was not merely a matter of getting an extra player. It was also a matter of a lot more space being created for the entire team.

Everyone on the Clippers was a top-class scorer in the league. They had MVPs and the scoring king of two consecutive seasons. Not only did every player in every position master their scoring methods, but they also had their own offensive skills that were impossible to defend against. Once players like them were allowed space, scoring was easy as pie.

…

Professor Thomas was an expert in hemophilia research.

Hemophilia was a coagulation disorder. Blood clots were an anticoagulation disorder. Although one was the opposite of the other, in medical research, they belonged in the same studies. Therefore, Professor Thomas was also an expert in blood clots.

A good illustration of opposites being more similar than one would think in the medical field was hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The former is the excess of the thyroid hormone while the other is a lack of it. The symptoms were the exact opposites of each other but, when visiting the doctor, one had to go to the endocrinology department for both. Doctors who were adept at treating hyperthyroidism were also good at treating hypothyroidism. It was the same the other way round.

A while ago, Professor Thomas had been out in Europe for a business trip. He first went to Switzerland in order to participate in an academic seminar. Then, he had gone to Sweden for a conference with a couple of academics. After that, he went to Germany to visit a few medical cases before finally going to England to diagnose several wealthy individuals. In total, he spent around half a month traveling around Europe.

In this half a month, Thomas was kept busy. He had not had time to pay attention to other things. It was like this for doctors, they got so busy that they couldn’t take care of anything else. Even a doctor in the U.S.worked more hours than those with other professions.

Upon returning to New York and getting off the plane, Professor Thomas bought a newspaper and quickly scanned through the headlines.

Finally, he reached the sports section and he saw an article about Noel’s return.

“What? Noel is back? He played? He played for 25 minutes!? Does he want to die!?” Professor Thomas exclaimed.

Professor Thomas had provided a diagnosis for and had treated Noel, he completely understood Noel’s situation. In his opinion, it was impossible for Noel to return to the game. His disease did not allow him to continue playing in the NBA.

“Which bastard doctor allowed him to play. This is plain murder! The doctor who let him play should lose his license. He should be charged!” Thomas said in anger. Later, he took out his phone and called Noel.

Thomas was considered a doctor with a conscience. He planned to persuade Noel to stop playing basketball.

The call was quickly picked up and Noel’s voice came from the other side. “Hello Professor Thomas, it’s been a while.”

“Mr. Noel, I just read the news. I heard that you’ve returned to the NBA!” Thomas sounded somber. “You’ve made a grave mistake. You cannot play at an NBA level with your disease. Your life is in danger!”

“Professor Thomas, if you’re talking about the blood clot, then you don’t have to worry. The blood clots in my body have completely dissolved. There won’t be any pulmonary embolism or cardiac infarction. My life is not in danger,” Noel answered.

“It’s not hard to dissolve blood clots, but the anticoagulation drugs will affect your body’s ability to coagulate. If you overuse them, they might even induce hemophilia. With the intensity of the NBA, if you get internal bleeding and it isn’t discovered in time…it’s hard to imagine the consequences,” Thomas continued.

“There’s also no problem with my body’s ability to coagulate,” Noel continued, “How do I put this… I’m completely cured!”

“Cured?” Thomas asked, rhetorically, as if to say, You’re kidding me, right?

“I’m really cured. I have six months of medical reports from Dell Medical Center. The NBA also officially approved it,” Noel said.

After hearing that, Thomas remembered that if Noel could play, it meant that the NBA had officially allowed him to play. The NBA was a huge league, so they must have a bunch of world-class medical experts as consultants. These medical experts were certainly not there for show. Since they allowed Noel to play, then it did mean that there was nothing wrong with Noel’s body.

“Your body is really alright?” Thomas asked.

“Of course. Look. I can already play,” Noel answered.

Thomas was still dumbfounded, so he asked, “How did you treat it?”

“Training!” Noel said. “My coach created a training plan for me.”

How was Noel’s answer so casual? It was so casual that it made Thomas smile.

Thomas usually had a solemn face, as if he had stepped on the tail of a dog and the dog was chasing him.

“Training can cure blood clots? Hehe…”

Then, the conversation ended.

…

In the blink of an eye, Noel had already played seven games and the Clippers had a seven-match winning streak. The seven-match winning streak allowed the Clippers sit firmly in fourth-place in the Western Conference.

During this period, Noel submitted another medical examination report to the league to prove that his body was alright.

His stats were great and his body had recovered. The league had no reason to prevent Noel from playing, and those who wanted to see Noel make a mess of things also shut up. No one was stupid, everyone could see Noel’s return-to-form.

Noel had felt anxious after being gone from the court for a long time. He finally made it back to the court, so he naturally wanted to prove himself. As such, he exerted extra effort in every game. A superstar player like him, who was already better than everybody else, was going to be phenomenal if he was in the right headspace.

After seven games, Noel was playing 30 minutes per game and his averaged 17+6.

It was a case of another perfect recovery.

Chapter 615 - Championship puzzle

Chapter 615: Championship puzzle

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Halfway through the NBA season, the competition in the Western Conference had gotten fiercer. Based on the current standing, all of the teams, other than the team in last place, still had a chance to make it into the playoffs. This meant that 14 team were trying to make it into the top eight of the league. It seemed more intense than usual.

The Clippers, who had a seven-match winning streak, went to Oakland to challenge the the Golden States Warriors, who were currently first in the conference.

It was going to be a tough battle for both sides because both sides had strong lineups. Almost every position had a head-to-head showdown between superstars. The audience loved watching a showdown between superstars like this match was going to be.

Neither of the teams let the audience down. The game really went back and forth. There were all kinds of highly technical moves which made the match absolutely entertaining.

The game entered the fourth quarter. The score between both teams was still close. The Warriors only had a four-point lead. Coach Nicholas, however, who sat on the Warriors’ bench, frowned. He did not seem at all relaxed.

It was not the game that Nicholas had wanted!

In the first three quarters, both sides changed so quickly into an offense that they did not put much effort into defense. To Nicholas, it did not seem like much of a problem at the time. The Warriors’ offensive efficiency was among the league’s best. When it came to attacking, the Warriors feared no one.

The scoring efficiency of both teams was very high. With three quarters, both teams had already exceeded 100 points. To Nicholas, this was also not a problem. 100 points in three quarters meant an average of only 33 points per quarter. Based on the offensive efficiency of the Warriors, it just meant that they had to make a couple more three-pointers, that was it.

What worried Nicholas was that the game seemed to have become a game between superstars.

It was fine for the Clippers to play solely with superstars. After all, they were a team that initially only played with this strategy. The Warriors, however, had become like the Clippers. They were also solely relying on their superstars. This was not acceptable for Nicholas.

The Warriors had amassed a large number of star players. The real reason behind the strength of the Warriors, however, was not their star players, it was that they were able to perfectly integrate the star players into their tactical system. In the Warriors’ system, star players could exert their maximum potential and this magnified their personal characteristics. This led to the victory of the team.

In the NBA, some teams played only with their superstars and some teams played overall basketball. The Warriors merged both styles together. It could be said that the Warriors played “Superstar-Overall Basketball.”

In this match, however, the star players of the Warriors seemed to have completely given up on the integrity of their tactic. Their style of play was similar to the Clippers, so it became a superstar style of play. As the game progressed, the teamwork between players had gradually disappeared. The individual ability of each player guided the play instead.

It was common for something like this to happen. There were too many star players in both teams’ lineup. They were also the stars of two different generations. When the stars of these two generations clashed together, sparks were going to fly. The new generation of stars wanted to defeat the previous generation and the older generation wanted to teach the younglings a lesson. When players on both sides wanted to prove themselves, there was going to be more individual play. The game would naturally turn into a competition between individual strength.

When outstanding players clashed, single play was more likely. Tens of thousands of fans watched in the stadium. Millions of fans watched in front of their TV. The coaches and players of both teams also watched them. When the opponent made a field goal right in front of you, if you did not immediately answer with a basket of your own, then wouldn’t you be the loser?

That was NBA culture. As a star, you could miss a basket, but you couldn’t back down. If a player forced a one-on-one battle 100 times, the fans might not remember it. If the player were to back down once, he would forever be labeled a “sissy” by the fans.

The Warriors did not lack stars. They had an MVP and they also had a scoring king. They also had many players who had made it in “the season’s best-lineup” previously, and the number of players who had been all-star players was even higher. They won had multiple championships in recent years and attracted several big stars. Even if they had discarded their strategy, the Warriors still had enough capital to play superstar styled basketball against their opponents.

If they were going against another opponent and they used the superstar-style, the head coach would have felt fine because all the other teams were inferior to the Warriors. Nicholas did not mind his players being stubborn every once in a while.

The Clippers, however, were different. The Clippers were not inferior to the Warriors when it came to the quantity or the quality of their star players. If they played superstar basketball, the Warriors would not have the advantage in every position. This was a situation that Coach Nicholas had never encountered before.

In the point guard position, both players were good enough to be NBA MVPs. One excelled at three-point shots while the other excelled at breakthroughs. Both had their unique skills, so it was hard to say who was stronger or weaker.

In the shooting guard position, both players were fantastic scorers. One of them was the best three-point shooter in the league while the other was also accurate when it came to three-pointers. One of them had a pull-up jumper that could not be defended. At least in terms of mobility, the shooting guard of the Clippers was stronger.

In the small forward position, both players were top-class superstars. Both superstars excelled at the pull-up shooter. One jumped high enough while the other had a longer hang-time. Neither could defend against the other, so it was impossible to tell who was stronger. One thing was certain, however, they were among the best when it came to getting points.

In the power forward position, both teams had players who could create space. They also both had an excellent natural physique. They had uncommon scoring and rebounding abilities and they were both adaptable On top of that, the power forward of the Clippers was slightly taller.

As for the center position, the center of the Warriors used to be the number one center in the NBA. As for the Clippers, the center was very talented with a skill that appeared once every three decades. The lineup of both teams did not depend on points from the paint. After all, they had the best scorers in the league in every other position, so the two centers mainly focused on getting rebounds and passing to others. They did not have many opportunities for one-on-one battles.

Nicholas thought carefully for a moment and suddenly realized the starting five players of the Warriors were actually slightly weaker than the starting five players of the Clippers. The current lead of four points for the Warriors was the contribution of the bench players. Compared to the starters, the substitutes of the Warriors were more willing to follow the tactics. It was an undeniable truth that the Warriors possessed an amazing tactical system. Just from the efforts of the substitutes alone, the Warriors had managed to get a lead on the Clippers.

A gap of four points was nothing to the stars on the court. By the fourth quarter, the starters had to be substituted back in. Among the starters on both teams, there were more than a few players who could score over a dozen points in less than a minute. A mere four points could be regained through a simple offense and defense transition.

Nicholas did not want to play superstar basketball against the Clippers. It was the same as discarding the system of the Warriors, throwing away their strongest weapon. When the star players of the opponents were not weaker than theirs, it would come down to luck. When it came down to luck, it meant that the head coach had lost control of the game.

For a coach who had won the NBA championship, losing control of a game was, without a doubt, a disaster.

…

The lights surrounding the basket lit up and the number displayed on the timer turned to zero, but the basketball was still flying in the air.

Everyone was focused on the ball.

Swish.

The basketball flew inside the basket.

“It’s in! A comeback! The Warriors won!” The commentator shouted.

The score on display was 128 against 127. The Warriors had won by a one-point margin. Nicholas let out a sigh of relief.

Although he had won the game, Nicholas could not make himself smile. The reason the Warriors had won the game was not their tactic, they had been luckier. If the last shot had missed, then they would have lost.

Some people said that luck was also part of one’s strength but, to the head coach of an NBA team that was fighting for the championship, it was unsettling to rely on their luck to win games!

On the opposite bench, Dai Li was not frustrated. He encouraged the players with a gentle smile and consoled them. He said, “Don’t mind it. We were only a little unlucky tonight.”

Dai Li said this out loud but, in truth, he was reflecting.

The last few plays were too chaotic, Dai Li concluded.

In the last two minutes of the game, both sides had been closely matched and the game had entered its climax. They fouled each other, made free throws, called timeouts, the referees checked replays, and the last two minutes turned into half an hour.

In this stage, the play of both teams had been too chaotic.

There were too many stars on both teams. Every player on the court had the ability to end the game and every player also felt that they were the one who could end the game. It ended up making a mess of the game.

In NBA basketball culture, star players were the ones who stood up and took on responsibility in crucial moments. There was only one ball, however. If everyone stood out, it would be a miracle if things didn’t turn chaotic.

Sometimes, it was vexing to have too many stars.

If something like this happens in the future, we can’t play like this. If everyone wants to be the one to end the game, the game will become chaotic. We should define our offensive core, Dai Li thought.

…

The game between the Warriors and the Clippers was a game that caught the attention of a lot of people. To the fans, it was an excellent battle between superstars. A high scoring game that neared the 130-point mark meant that both teams had a smooth offense. With star players, smooth offense meant great entertainment.

The game influenced the ongoing all-star voting process. At the moment, there was less than a month left before All-Star Weekend. The all-star voting process had entered into its climactic stage. Many stars intentionally showed off in the hopes of getting into the lineup.

All-star voting was always beneficial to big shots. Many famous stars, even if they had below par stats, could still make it into the all-star lineup, or even the starting lineup, just from the support of their large fanbase.

Because of this, the players of the Clippers had an advantage. After all, the team had several veteran star players. They had a lot of fans. When these veteran stars recovered, they had naturally brought along a sense of nostalgia. As long as they had passable stats, the fans would vote for them based on their emotions.

The Clippers had returned several veteran superstars to the game. It increased the competition for the all-star lineup in the Western Conference. Some of the emerging young stars were unlucky. Some young stars managed 20+ stats, but their support did not compare to the veteran superstars, who had slightly worse stats.

Before the weekend, it was a peak period for teams to make trades.

Under normal circumstances, the transfer deadline in the NBA was the first Thursday after All-Star Weekend. A lot of teams that performed worse than expected would make trades during this period to make a final attempt at the playoffs.

This year, the competition in both the Eastern and Western Conference was a lot fiercer. The number of teams that tried to make the playoffs had increased. The number of tanking teams had decreased. This also made it so that more teams hoped to adjust their lineups through good trades. So, as the weekend drew near all kinds of transfer rumors popped up. The truth behind those rumors gradually came to light.

…

At a particular luxury condominium in Sacramento, a man in his late 30s packed his luggage while talking to his daughter on the phone.

“My dear, I’ll visit you over All-Star Weekend in a few days… Yeah. I will be able to rest for a week. Do you want to go on a vacation in Miami…”

After he ended the call with his daughter, he threw the phone on the sofa before continuing to pack his luggage.

“Three consecutive away games. This is tough!” The man sighed.

At that moment, his ringtone sounded. The man picked up the phone and saw that it was his agent calling. He chose to answer the call.

“Hey, Lamar, I finally got through. I kept getting a busy signal,” his agent said.

“Sorry, I was talking to my daughter just now. I was also packing,” the man answered.

“In preparation for the away games?” His agent paused and continued, “I don’t think there’s a need to do that anymore. I just received a notice from the Kings, they decided to trade you!”

“What!? I’m being traded?” The man exclaimed in surprise.

“I did not expect this. You shouldn’t be traded, but this trade requires an equal salary and your salary for this season is three million, so you were used as a bonus,” his agent explained.

“Damn it! I shouldn’t have chosen the Kings! I’m the bonus of a trade deal? This is simply a humiliation!” The man scolded. His face looked terrible.

“Calm down. The NBA has always been a business. You’ve been playing for over a decade, you should understand,” his agent advised.

The man took several deep breaths in resignation. After he calmed down, he asked, “Then where’s my next stop?”

“The Boston Celtics.” His agent let out a long sigh and continued, “The Celtics have tons of players in the shooting guard and small forward positions. In my opinion, even if you were to go to Boston, you won’t have an opportunity to play.”

The man nodded. The Celtics not only had an abundance of talent in the shooting guard and small forward positions, but they also had too many that it was a problem! Among them were star players, potential stars, and players in their prime. An old veteran like him had no standing at the Celtics.

On the other side of the phone, his agent continued, “I already started talking to the management of the Celtics. If they don’t plan on using you, I will try to negotiate with them and buy out your clause. That way, at least you can still look for your next team before the trade deadline.”

“Alright, that’s all we can do.” The man let out a long sigh. He hung up the phone and sat on the sofa, depressed. His face was filled with sorrow.

“A bonus to a trade deal? I never would have imagined that me, Lamar Vincent, would sink to this level!”

…

The training ground of the Clippers

Players and coaches were sweating like crazy. Only Dai Li sat on the side and staring at the tablet in his hands.

Assistant Coach Cassel snuck up behind Dai Li and glanced down. He noticed that Dai Li was looking at the trade rumors from the day before.

“Why are you looking at this? Nine out of ten of these rumors are fake. Most of them are fake news intentionally leaked,” Cassel asked.

“I want to see if any potential trades are happening,” Dai Li said.

“It’s rare for you to care about the transfer of players from other teams,” Cassel said, complaining.

“No, I want to see if I can pick up some good scraps,” Dai Li said, smiling.

As Dai Li finished speaking, a new notification appeared on Dai Li’s tablet. Dai Li opened the notification without hesitation.

“Hehe, another trade. It’s the Kings and the Celtics,” Dai Li said, pointing at the tablet.

“I heard about that. The Kings and the Celtics began negotiation a few days ago. They finally came to an agreement!” Cassel lowered his head and looked at the tablet. “Let me see. Yup, four for two, and also a draft pick.”

“This is the key, Lamar Vincent. I never would have thought that the Kings would use him as a trade bonus. They sure are disrespectful. He used to be called ‘Half man, half God.’ He has actually become just a trade bonus due to the equal salary clause! How cold,” Dai Li said, shaking his head.

“The NBA has always been a business. The Celtics, however, have more than enough shooting guards and small forwards. It is even a problem for them. Giving game time to players is difficult. If the old man, Vincent, goes to the Celtics, he definitely won’t have a chance to play. Do you think he’s going to retire? After all, he’s 38 years old,” Cassel asked.

Ding! Another notification appeared.

“The Celtics announced that after the trade was completed, they would buyout Vincent!” Dai Li said.

Cassel frowned and thought for a moment. He said, “The Celtics have been kind enough. Since they will not use Vincent, they might as well buy him out. This way, Vincent has a chance to find a new home over the weekend. Perhaps a lot of teams need his experience. His age will make a lot of teams hesitate though.”

Dai Li did not reply. Instead, he stood up and prepared to leave.

“Coach, where are you going?” Cassel asked.

“To Johnson’s office,” Dai Li turned around and answered. “I want to sign Vincent! He’s going to become a piece of the puzzle to win the championship!”

Chapter 616 - Half God

Chapter 616: Half God

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li had already tasted the sweetness of owning several stars.

Gathering a group of stars together eased the burden of a coach greatly. The skills of superstars were obviously top-class and they possessed a wealth of experience. Even without the guidance of a coach, they still knew how to play.

It did not matter if a player attacked by himself and the other four just watched. Dai Li did not think of that as a problem. That was how superstar basketball was played. It relied on the individual skills of the star players; it relied on the star players to create opportunities.

Since the “three giants” model emerged, there had been an ideology that became popular: As long as one of the three giants performed well, they could defeat a normal team; if two performed well, they could defeat a playoff team; if all three performed well, then they would be a championship team.

The NBA was currently more competitive, but the era was still led by stars. Every team was still fervently trying to build get their “three giants,””four giants” or even “five giants.”

When Dai Li learned that Lamar Vincent was bought out, his heart fluttered. To Dai Li, when it came to stars, the more he had, the better off the team was.

Vincent had been, without a doubt, a star when he was younger. He was six feet and six inches tall and played as both a shooting guard as well as a small forward. Most of the time, however, he played as a shooting guard. He had been selected to be included in the NBA All-Star Lineup eight times. During his peak, he contributed 27.6 points per game and he was regarded as one of the “Four Great Shooting Guards.”

Vincent might have been the shooting guard with the best physique. Back then, he was even touted as the “flying basketball player.” His nickname, “half man, half God,” proved his strength.

Now, Vincent was 38 years old. For a basketball player, he was definitely old. Players at this age could not “fly” anymore. Not only was he unable to fly, but his speed and agility had also become less impressive. His physical strength deteriorated as well. Some players even lost their accuracy when they got older.

When a player was 38 years old, one could say that the only thing that he had left was his experience.

Dai Li did not mind Vincent’s age. For him, it was simply a matter of using the age reduction card.

Now, there were only two months left in the regular season. Adding to that the two months of the playoff season, there were four months left of play. Dai Li only needed to provide Vincent with four months time. Based on the formula of the age reduction card, he could deduct nine years, That meant that he could return Vincent to his 29-year-old body.

29 years old. For a basketball player, it was his peak condition. Back then, Vincent had still been a superstar player touted as the “flying basketball player.”

…

Lamar Vincent did not even plan to go to Boston. He stayed quietly at the luxurious condo that he rented and waited for his agent to contact him about his next team.

Although he waited quietly, Vincent was tremendously anxious internally. He was already 38 years old. It was a miracle that he could still play. Compared to when he was younger, his ability and body had deteriorated drastically. He could no longer leap into the air like before. There was no way for him to continue fighting intense physical battles like back in the day. He could also hardly keep up with fast feet when playing defense.

He was a 38-year-old veteran who had been bought out in the middle of the season. It would not be easy to find a new home.

Based on NBA rules, after a player had been bought out in the regular season, there would be a 48 hours clarification period. During this time, other teams could directly claim his contract. If, after 48 hours, no one was willing to claim the contract, then the player had cleared the clarification period. The player would become a free agent, and he could sign with any team.

Vincent did not expect any team to claim his contract because his salary for the current season was three million dollars. The number was much higher than the minimum wage. Teams that wanted to claim him would have to have at least three million dollars worth of salary space. Otherwise, they would need to possess trade exceptions worth three million dollars.

Half the season had already passed. Teams that had salary space were mostly weak teams that could not make it into the playoffs. They needed to tank, so they would have no need for players like Vincent. Why would they waste three million dollars!?

Strong teams might need Vincent’s experience, but they did not have the needed salary space. In modern basketball, teams that did not spend a lot of money could not be that strong.

For Vincent, his best chance was to wait out the 48-hour clarification period before signing on a team for the minimum salary. After all, the minimum salary was not restrained by the salary cap.

Vincent did not know his market value. After all, he was a 38-year-old veteran. It was not exaggerating to say that no one coveted him.

I wonder if I can play any more basketball this season. Vincent sighed. His dream would be to join a team that had a chance to win the championship. If he were lucky, he could get himself a championship medal to make up for the regrets in his career. Even if he were to retire the following season, Vincent would have no regrets.

Of course, Vincent knew that it was highly unlikely for that to happen. Once half a season has passed, teams that had a chance of winning the championship were already synergized. They would not change their formation half-way through the season unless a player in a particular position was injured. That was the only way they would sign a new player.

A young team like the 76ers wouldn’t be bad. The team has the ability to make it to the playoffs; they could even go far into the playoffs. They might need my experience.

As Vincent mulled this over, his agent called.

“Do you have any good news? It hasn’t been 48 hours. Someone can’t have claimed my contract, right?” Vincent asked.

“Don’t joke around, why would any team willingly spend three million dollars now?” His agent’s tone changed and he continued, “However, a team is willing to provide you with a minimum salary after the clarification period.”

“Who?” Vincent asked immediately.

“The Los Angeles Clippers! Their general manager contacted me today,” his agent answered.

Vincent did not reply, thinking about this team.

If a team were to claim him, Vincent would have no choice. He could not decline. He would have to join any team that claimed him. If a team offered him a new contract, however, then Vincent could, of course, choose to reject the contract. Vincent thought about stalling.

There were things Vincent could not understand. Why would the Clippers choose him? The current lineup of the Clippers was complete. They had exceptional players in every position. No one was injured. The key was that the Clippers had several players who were from the same era that he was from. They were veterans who had a wealth of experience, so it was not something they lacked.

Experience was the only thing Vincent, a 38-year-old veteran, had left. As a team that did not lack experience, they had no reason to sign Vincent.

Finally, Vincent asked, “What kind of conditions did the Clippers ask for?”

“The manager of the Clippers told me that their head coach personally promised that he would give you a position on the bench,” his agent said.

“The bench, huh? That’s not bad.” Vincent was a little interested. As a player, although he was old, he did not want to become a mascot that cheered from the bench. He still wanted to play.

His agent then continued, “The head coach of the Clippers also said that, if you are willing, he will provide you with at least 20 minutes of game time every match.”

“At least 20 minutes?” Vincent was surprised. That was something he could not have expected. After all, he was 38 years old. He didn’t even get that much playing time on his previous team. It would also be difficult for his body to handle playing that long. Honestly, asking a 38-year-old man to play for over 20 minutes was quite cruel.

Vincent was a little hesitant and could not decide. He asked his agent, “What do you think?”

“I suggest you give it a try. The head coach of the Clippers, although he doesn’t have a basketball background, has a way with older players. He has already returned quite a number of older players to their prime. If you head to the Clippers, perhaps you might also return to your former condition,” his agent stated.

At that moment, Vincent suddenly thought about Karaby from the Clippers whom he had met a few months ago. Back then, he had congratulated Karaby for getting a second prime in his career. (See Chapter 604)

Now, Vincent was genuinely interested.

…

News of Vincent signing with the Clippers for the minimum salary spread. It did not cause any waves. After all, he was a 38-year-old veteran. Although he was famous, he was nearing his twilight. He could no longer create any waves.

Moreover, just before deadline day, several huge deals emerged from the league. They involved star players from several teams. They were deals that could change the playoff landscape, so it was natural that it attracted eyeballs. It also made Vincent’s arrival at the Clippers seem irrelevant.

Dai Li thought that he had obtained the last piece of the puzzle for the season. After deadline day, there would no longer be any trade deals. If teams wanted to strengthen themselves or to adjust their lineup, they could only search the market for free agents. The free agent market was always open. If there were any big fish left there, Dai Li would have taken them a long time ago.

Dai Li did not arrange for Vincent to be in the starting lineup. He did not plan to adjust the current starting lineup. This was not because Vincent lacked the ability to be a starter. Vincent, with a 29-year-old body, would be able to compete for the best shooting guard in the league. Naturally, he had more than enough strength to be a starter.

In Dai Li’s plan, however, Vincent was his best weapon on the bench. The game against the Warriors had exposed the weakness in the bench lineup. They lacked a strong point-getter.

On the bench lineup of the Clippers, although Osef was an well-rounded warrior, he was not a top-class offensive player. Karaby could shoot, rebound, and block, but he was also not a player that attacked the paint. As for the rookie, Kumar, he had great talent, but he was still too young. After another one or two years, he could be used as a key player.

As such, Dai Li needed a super scorer to become the final part of the bench. It would increase the firepower of the bench lineup for the Clippers.

Vincent was clearly the best choice.

The shooting guard position was created to score points. No team in the league would allow a player who couldn’t score points to become the shooting guard. The player would be a 3-D type player at worst. Vincent, who used to be a superstar, did not lack the ability to score. He was a player who excelled at all kinds of scoring methods.

More importantly, Vincent was a leader among the players. With him at the helm of the Clippers bench, he could definitely stabilize them. He was what the Clippers’ bench lacked.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that, with Vincent, the current Clippers’ bench might be stronger than the starting lineup of most teams.

…

After All-Star Weekend, Vincent reported to the Clippers. Although most of them were old friends, he still needed to find the quickest way to assimilate into the team.

On the second day that Vincent was on the team, he was given a training plan. This training plan was just a bit more specific, it was not as strange as he imagined.

The training felt the same. After a few days of training, Vincent did not feel his body improving significantly. His body remained the body of a 38-year-old. He did not return to his prime. Vincent began to doubt Dai Li.

Dai Li maintained his immovable disposition. He also acted very confidently. He had not yet used the age reduction card on Vincent, which was why Vincent’s body did not regain its youth.

It was now March. The first game of the month for the Clippers was a home game against a strong team from the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics. This would be the first game Vincent played in a Clippers jersey.

Before the game began, Dai Li used the age reduction card on Vincent and allowed him to return to his 29-year-old body.

The Celtics was a tactical team. The lineup of the Celtics was not weak either. Although they were not as scary as the Warriors, they still had a lot of all-star level players.

Teams like this, that had a lot of stars as well as a tactical system, were the teams that the Clippers wanted to avoid the most.

If they played superstar basketball, the current Clippers were absolutely the best in the NBA. If they played against teams with tactical systems, the Clippers could also defeat their opponents with the individual skills of their stars alone.

Teams that perfectly integrated their superstars with their tactical systems, however, gave the Clippers a headache.

Moreover, the Celtics had a vast talent pool. For the past two years, the Celtics could be regarded as the most successful run team in the NBA. Three years ago, they were still a team in the lottery area but, in the short span of three years, they signed big shot superstars and obtained several good players who were still in their prime. Their rookies also realized their potential. Now, the Celtics were an experienced and strong team that also had the energy of the younger generation. The makeup of the lineup could be regarded as perfect.

The game began. Both sides tested the waters until around the eighth minute, when they subbed on their bench players.

When there was only around a minute and a half left in the first quarter. Vincent was finally subbed on the court.

This was the first time Vincent represented the Clippers and he was against his “former team.”

Previously, Vincent had been traded to the Celtics as the bonus to a trade deal. The Celtics, however, had a lot of talent in the shooting guard and small forward positions, so they bought out Vincent. From this view, the Celtics could be regarded as Vincent’s former team.

The Celtics were at full capacity in the shooting guard and small forward positions. One could even say that the team was oozing shooting talent. The competition between players was fierce. Every player put in a lot of effort in every match in the hopes of gaining the trust of the head coach and becoming his favorite on the team.

Under such circumstances, t Vincent became viewed as a weakling among the Celtics player. H was regarded as the weak link on the court. Even if the coach did not say it, they would focus on attacking Vincent.

The head coach of the Celtics, Arnold, was not an idiot. He was one of the best master tacticians in the league. As such, the moment Vincent got on the court, Arnold made corresponding tactical arrangements. Whoever it was that faced Vincent would attack him without hesitation.

The Celtics were certain that Vincent’s old age would make him slower in defense and he would not be able to keep up in terms of footwork. That was the reason why they chose him as the point of breakthrough.

…

A young fellow stood in front of Vincent. He had been the third pick the previous year. He was only 20 years old. He was almost half the age of Vincent.

Vincent knew he could not underestimate the young man in front of him. In his rookie season, he performed like a mature player. He almost won the Rookie of the Season Award. In truth, his performance was definitely worthy of winning the award, his competitor had been too outstanding so he missed the opportunity to win that honor.

In the future, this young guy will definitely become a star in the league, Vincent thought.

At that moment, the young man received the ball. He faced Vincent and made a sudden quick move as he moved forward. He planned to get past Vincent with pure brute force.

Vincent immediately put all of his attention into defense. He knew his 38-year-old body. Whether it was speed, agility or footwork, he could not compare with 20-year-old. If the opponent wanted to force his way in with his body, he was out of ideas.

What Vincent did not expect was that he could follow the kid in front of him!

Vincent’s movements actually seemed more agile than the 20-year old kid.

Eh? I can catch up to him? No, I’m faster than him! Is it because he’s slow? Vincent thought.

The young man also thought it was odd. Although he was an explosive player, he was still quite confident in his physical ability, at least he should not be slower than a 38-year-old man.

Continuous changes of direction did not shake off Vincent. This frustrated the kid, so he chose to directly breakthrough and attack the basket. This sort of breakthrough layup was one of his best scoring methods.

He was six feet and three inches tall with a six-foot wingspan. A body like that could be said to be perfect for basketball. Added to this were an excellent physique and exceptional techniques. His breakthrough usually ended with points gained through slam dunks.

That day, however, Vincent’s defense was ridiculous. He did not get any space to make a slam dunk, so he could only do a layup.

The ball was thrown towards the basket and floated to the highest point. As the ball reached the highest point, a large palm appeared and slammed into the basketball.

Blocked! He reached it at that height! The youth thought. After he landed on the ground, he belatedly found out that the player who had blocked him was Vincent.

Can he jump that high?! The young fellow sucked in a breath of cold air.

At the same time, the big screen in the stadium replayed the scene. It showed Vincent jumping high in the air and slamming the ball with his palm. He almost reached the top of the basket.

“Oh…” The audience in the stadium made a noise in anticipation, which was followed by a loud cheer.

“Oh my God. That’s Vincent. He can jump so high!”

“Jumping so high that and he’s 38 years old. Vincent is giving us his all today!”

“I think Vincent shouldn’t play like this. He’s already very old now. When he jumps that high, he could easily get injured.”

Fans started giving their opinions and discussing. As for Vincent, he had a very strange feeling.

He had jumped so high just now. He did not feel strained. That was why Vincent thought it was weird. Ten years ago, that height just now had been a piece of cake to him. He could easily make it. Currently, Vincent could never reach that height even if he tried with his life on the line.

Vincent thought back in detail. He had jumped up instinctively to complete the block. He did not even try his hardest. From the moment he leaped, to the block, to his feet landing on the ground, the entire movement gave Vincent an oddly comfortable feeling.

It was the same he had gotten when he was younger.

Could it be that the training these past few days have already returned me to the condition I was in when I was younger? Vincent looked at his palms, puzzled. The confidence had already taken bud in his heart.

…

Vincent received the ball, broke through, leaped, and dunked.

He dunked the ball with a man in between him and the basket!

As Vincent reached the highest point in his leap, he felt that his eyesight was parallel to the basket.

Vincent was no stranger to that perspective. In the first ten years of his career, Vincent often enjoyed his eyesight being parallel to the basket.

That day, the 38-year old Vincent once again enjoyed this perspective.

Kuang Tang!

The ball slammed hard into the basket. The entire basketball post shook non-stop.

“Ohhhhhhhh!” The crowd erupted into a roar again. The audience behind the basket was especially loud. They were the ones who directly felt the spectacular visual effect brought about by that powerful slam dunk. They could not help but stand up and make beast-like cheers and roars.

“Oh my God. That was not a slam dunk. He is flying! That slam dunk was worth the ticket price for today!” The commentator rambled on in excitement.

He continued to highlight the magnificent dunk on the big screen in the stadium as well as on the broadcast. A 38-year-old player could still fly up into the air and complete a slam dunk. It was definitely the best highlight of the day.

After only two rounds, however, Vincent made a cut under the basket and immediately completed an alley-oop dunk with both his hands.

A flashy move like that was entirely suitable for a performance move in the slam dunk contest. In a normal game, it might even be meant to provoke the opponent.

At the moment that Vincent completed that move, no one felt that he was provoking his opponent. Everyone ust saw a 38-year-old veteran telling the world that he was still there and he could still play like he did when he was younger. He would still try to fly.

Vincent was still a little unsatisfied. He wanted to fly a few more times!

Just like people described him, he was a player who “played while flying.”

He used to be called “half man, half God.” That night, however, there was no “half man,” there was only “half God!”

Chapter 617 - First in the Western Conference

Chapter 617: First in the Western Conference

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Green lost!

There were 82 games in the regular season. Losing one game was not the end of the world; it was acceptable. Still, the head coach of the Celtics, Arnold, felt that the loss today was very embarrassing.

Vincent had started playing like the superstar he had been a decade ago. He destroyed everyone in the game. The Celtics rotated shooting guards into the game and whoever went on the court was utterly destroyed by Vincent.

No matter how good the Celtics’ players were, how could they stand up to a “Half God!”

The thing that annoyed Arnold the most was that the Celtics had discarded Vincent.

In the deal before All-Star Weekend, Vincent had been a bonus meant to balance the deal and had been sent to Boston. After the deal, the Celtics had immediately bought out Vincent. They had basically told Vincent that they did not want some as old as him playing for them!

The Celtics had a lot of talent, especially in the shooting guard and small forward positions. On the surface, it seemed like they didn’t need a veteran like Vincent.

In the game today, however, the player they had discarded, Vincent, had utterly destroyed them. None of the shooting guards and small forwards that the team was so proud of could stop Vincent.

A person who was discarded by a team had turned around and crushed that team. Things turned around way too quickly. This had been a textbook situation of buying the case and returning the pearl. The entire management team of the Celtics would probably feel fairly embarrassed about the entire debacle.

…

Vincent’s existence increased the strength of the Clippers’ bench. The current Clippers’ bench was even stronger than the starting lineups of some of the weaker teams.

As the team continued to synthesize, victory became a rather simple thing for the Clippers. As long as two players performed well in each game, they were able to obtain victory. With the number of star players in the Clippers, it was extremely reasonable to assume that at least two players would be in top-form.

Maintaining a good form was a prerequisite for being a star player. There were no star players who’s form fluctuated or was inconsistent for too long. Stars typically had stronger self-regulation. Even if they were out of form for a game, the player would get better fairly quickly. The form of NBA stars was generally stable. An inconsistent player who played great in a match while playing badly in the next one would never deserve to be called a star.

Ending games after the third quarter had become a normal occurrence for the Clippers. With his streak of winning, Dai Li’s job also became much easier.

The coaching staff on NBA teams generally had assistant coaches who specialized in offense and defense, so the head coach naturally did not need to handle such things personally. Dai Li’s current main task had turned into regulating the relationships between players so that players could get along with each other in harmony.

The team would still be fine if they were weaker and lost a little bit more. The worst thing that could happen would be internal conflict between the players. Even on a championship-level team, if players did not get along with each other or, worse yet, tried to undermine each other, the team would collapse instantly.

Dai Li did not want something like that to happen to him.

The current Clippers was full of superstars, so it was a given that there would be problems. The problem was the possession of the ball. Every star player hoped to handle and hold the ball. If the ball possession was uneven, players might make a fuss over it. That could cause internal conflict.

Incidents like that had happened in the NBA before. For example, during an important play, a particular star refused to pass the ball and did everything by himself to the end, but it didn’t end up working out for him. His teammates started to complain and ask him to pass the ball to him. In the end, both players started a big argument and someone received an internal match ban as a punishment.

Even if both players had been calm, their hearts and actions would not have been in sync. It was hard to guarantee that no issue would appear during a game.

After all, in the NBA, selfless players were rare.

Perhaps, during the offensive planning phase, one star would say that they should play one way while another would say that it was better to play a different way. Then, a third star might voice another opinion. In the end, everyone believes that their view is correct, and everyone wants to play according to their plan. That would be chaos.

Sometimes, the star players on teams are such big shots that even the coaches failed to contain them. Similar incidents had occurred before in the NBA. Once, during a critical play, the superstar of a team had had a disagreement with the coach. While the coach was explaining his play, the superstar walked to the side and made a gesture that implied he did not want to listen.

The media companies were also a problem because they were always trying to stoke conflict. Sometimes, rumors became truths. Trivial arguments between players would be picked up by the media and they would fan the flames. There was no limit to their ability to create issues.

Of course, Dai Li had to prevent situations like that from arising.

It was a good thing that the stars of the Clippers had all been recruited by Dai Li personally. They had only been able to return to the court with the help of Dai Li. With that alone, Dai Li already took up an authoritative spot in their hearts. They were willing to listen to Dai Li’s instructions, so Dai Li’s control of the team was respectable.

Dai Li, however, still needed to cautiously regulate the relationships between players. Ball possession was certainly a serious issue and Dai Li’s arrangement was to pass the ball to whoever was in good form. Since they played superstar-style basketball anyway, no one could question their plays as long as the ball made its way into the basket.

The Clippers’ players were no longer young kids. They were not as hot-blooded as the younger players who became enraged at the slightest provocation. After playing basketball for so many years, they were old veterans, so they knew what to do and what not to do. They knew how to control their emotion and they were not impulsive.

Many of the Clippers players had already experienced the lowest point of their careers. Players who grew up experiencing failures and setbacks were mentally different from other players.

Superstars that constantly stayed at their peak would always maintain their superiority complex wherever they went. On the bench, if these players were not used as the tactical core of the team, they would make a fuss. There were lots of instances where star players were at odds with their teams.

The stars of the Clippers were different. All of them used to be among the best, but they also each experienced a fall from grace, either through injury or age. They went from being superstars who everyone looked up to to nobodies that no one cared about. The consequence of this fall from grace was that it forced people to grow. For them, it was fine even if they were not the boss or the tactical core of the team. At least they could stay on the court and enjoy basketball.

It was possible that older players had lost the sharpness they once possessed, but they had gained the willingness and understanding of cooperation. Not only did they learn to share the basketball, but also share the joy that basketball brings.

As the games progressed, the synergy and chemistry between the players deepened. A tactical system also gradually formed. The cooperation and understanding between the players also grew day by day.

The Clippers, however, played superstar-style basketball. For them, cooperation was merely trying to come up with different ways to create one-on-one situations for their teammates. Even high school basketball players understand this tactic, so this strategy was a piece of cake for NBA players.

…

For teams going for the playoff, March was an exceptionally important month.

For the entire month, the Clippers were quite decent. Because of this, the Clippers managed to win all their games in March. It was rare in the NBA.

Many teams were able to win all their games in February. For one, there were fewer days in February. Secondly, All-Star Weekend usually fell in February, which made it so that there was an entire week less of matches. One week less of matches meant fewer games, so it was naturally easier to win all of them.

As for March, it was the golden phase for teams going for a final push to enter the playoff. Many teams would exert extra effort throughout March. To win every game of the month meant that the team really showed their strength.

As such, the Clippers also caught up with the top-ranked team in the Western Conference, the Warriors. By the end of March, the difference between the two teams was only a 0.5 win margin.

They had the second place in the Western Conference and they were also only one step away from first place. It should no longer be a problem for them to make it into the playoffs. Dai Li was dissatisfied with being only the second-placed team in the Western Conference. He initially set the season objective as number one in the Western Conference. It was not only to be crowned the champion of the regular season, but he wanted to gain a home advantage during the playoff season.

In April, the first opponent of the Clippers was the Golden State Warriors.

The two teams only had a slight margin of 0.5 wins between them. If the Clippers won this game, it would be the equivalent of winning two. They would get first place.

…

The Warriors were challenging the Clippers away.

There were only eight minutes left in the game. The Warriors were, however, behind by 20 points. The head coach of the Warriors subbed their key players out. It was an indication of the Warriors giving up on the game. They had raised the white flag and surrendered.

With the firepower of the Warriors, it was not normally difficult for the Warriors to catch up 20 points in eight minutes. In tonight’s game, however, the head coach of the Warriors, Nicholas did not see even a single ray of hope.

“A game has once again been dissected and turned into a one-on-one solo match,” Nicholas mumbled to himself.

The players did not carry out the team’s tactic and ended up playing superstar-solo-play. It was the thing that Nicholas had wanted to avoid. Nicholas could not help but remember the final of the Western Conference the previous year when the Warriors had faced the Rockets. The game constantly broke off into individual solo plays. Sometimes, it even turned into a shooting contest between the two teams. The game was completely up to the shooting form of the players.

For a master tactician like Nicholas, a game that relied on shooting form was the same as gambling. It was way too untechnical!

The only thing that the Clippers excelled at was creating opportunities for solo play. For example, on offense, everyone would stop and attempt to create space for the one with the ball, forcing a one-on-one situation. The ball handler would attempt to attack and, upon noticing there was no chance, he would pass the ball to another person. Then, there was another attempt at a solo play. A 24-second offensive phase was enough for this to happen three to four times.

Try to imagine how Nicholas must have felt. Basketball is a game that involves five people at most. If one of the four attempts at individual play in every attack worked, an opportunity to score will most certainly appear. Worse comes to worst, many of the Clippers players had exceptional endgame abilities, so forcing a buzz-beater shot often worked too.

This superstar-style play was determined by two things. The first was the individual ability of the star and the second was the number of stars in a team. The Clippers had advantages in both aspects, so when the game became individual-solo plays, no one could beat them.

“This Clippers team has already matured!” Nicholas complained.

Looking at the result, both teams were the first and second-ranked teams in the Western Conference. Once the playoff season started, as long as both teams did not get eliminated prematurely, they would face each other in the final. By that time, the Warriors and the Clippers would face off against each other after having four wins in seven games.

“How are we supposed to play by then?” Nicholas was filled with anxiety and worries.

…

It was the last month of the regular season. Dai Li had already started his preparations for the playoffs.

Dai Li began to emphasize defense for the team.

The playoff season was much more intense than the regular season. When it came to defense, they were going to have to play on a whole different level. Many stars’ stats would drop during the playoff season. Of course, during the playoff season, the stats of the entire team would drop.

Throughout history, there had been many teams that were average on offense that ended up winning the championship because of their incredible defense. There had never been a team that was awful at defense that went far in the playoffs. Generally, by the third round of the playoff, which is the final of the Eastern and Western Conferences, the remaining four teams were most definitely among the top ten in defense in the NBA.

If the Clippers wanted to go far in the playoffs, they couldn’t just rely on their superstars. They needed a better defense.

Defense in the NBA was mainly man-to-man marking, which relied on the individual abilities of the individual athlete. Once upon a time, the NBA did not allow players to double team. Back then, the double team was deemed an infringement and was considered a foul. Later, as the NBA started to connect to international basketball, rules on double teaming gradually shifted. Teams were allowed to use the double team. The NBA, however, still maintained the three-second-defense rule, so the double team defense effect under NBA rules was far less effective than under international rules.

The question of how to overcome a double team used to be a difficult problem in international basketball. As basketball gradually evolved, however, the method for overcoming the double team was no longer a secret. European basketball coaches took action to show the entire world how easy it was to overcome the double team. They needed either a top-notch breakthrough player or an accurate three-point shooter. If a team had either one of those players, it would easily overcome a double team tactic.

American athletes were one level above European players in terms of both physique and technique. As such, that method was very effective in the NBA. Due to that, the double team was limited in the NBA. Only when there were clearly no sharpshooters on the opposing team and the team could control the defensive paint would a team employ a double team. As soon as an accurate three-point shooter got off the bench, the double team tactic would stop.

The defense tactic of the Clippers was to switch their defensive target whenever there was a mismatch. This was one of the most popular defense tactics in the NBA. There was a demanding requirement: the center had to be quick enough. If the center was too slow when dealing with a defensive mismatch due to a cover, he would not be able to switch in time.

The center of the Clippers, whether it was the starter or the bench player, was fast enough. As such, they were one of the few teams in the league that could perform an unlimited defensive switch.

All the Clippers players used to be All-Stars or even superstars. Players at this level would never be that bad defensively.

People would often say that a particular All-Star player was bad at defense, describing these players as defending with their gaze, mouth or intention. These derogatory descriptions were even used for star players. In truth, it was not because stars did not know how to defend, it was because the players did not pay much attention to defense. In blunter terms, they had a bad defensive attitude.

When it comes to defense, the two most important elements are the body and the attitude. Defensive techniques and awareness come second.

If a player was not strong enough, even if the player had an Oscar-winning acting ability that could easily earn an offensive foul, he would never be able to become a superb defensive player. Similarly, if a player’s attitude towards defense was not serious, he would still be the weakness on the court, no matter how good his body, technique or awareness.

Players who became All-Stars were naturally top-notch when it came to their physique. As long as they were serious and put in the effort to defend, they would not be too bad. At the very least, it would be above the average level of the league.

On defense, the most important factor was the players’ attitude. At the same time, a good defensive attitude was exactly the hardest thing to possess.

…

The regular NBA season ended in the middle of April, so April did not have that many games. The Clippers only had five matches in April. To improve the defensive capabilities of the team in just five games was clearly impossible.

Dai Li put more hope in the first round of the playoffs. The first in the Western Conference was going against the eighth in the Western Conference. The probability of an upset happening was very low. Dai Li hoped that through the first round of the playoffs, he could get the team to adapt earlier to the intensity and rhythm of the playoff season.

At the same time, the awards for the NBA regular season were also out. Dai Li was once again nominated for the Best Coach Award. Unlike the previous year, this time Dai Li was the one most likely to win the award.

Last year, the Clippers did not even make it into the playoffs. The nomination Dai Li obtained last year was more like a consolation prize for Dai Li entering the NBA.

The situation was different this year. The Clippers were ranked first in the Western Conference. That alone was a sufficient enough reason to make Dai Li a strong contender for the award.

Dai Li did not care about this honor, he put all his focus on the playoffs.

On April 12, the Clippers played their last game of the regular season and secured the first place in the Western Conference.

At the same time the team won, Dai Li’s system received two huge chunks of experience. The first was the reward for leading the team into the playoffs while the second was for becoming the champion of the Western Conference in the regular season.

“System level up!” Dai Li was overjoyed. He had finally leveled up and moved into the senior phase. He was now a celebrated coach.

Chapter 618 - Fraudulent Tool

Chapter 618: Fraudulent Tool

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li had waited so long for this level-up. He had almost forgotten about it.

Dai Li’s physical fitness training center was still in operation and continuously provided him with an endless supply of experience. While he coached the Clippers, the daily training of the players also gave him experience. A total of 82 games in the regular season also gave him experience.

Despite all that, Dai Li still had to wait a while for the level-up. It had taken him years.

The distance to the next level-up was still far away. Dai Li estimated that it would probably be difficult for him to accumulate enough experience for the next rank before he reached the age of 40.

Since it was already certain that it would be a long wait. Dai Li no longer paid any attention to it. Now, he was more expectant of the rewards he would receive for leveling up.

Two items appeared in front of him, as always. On the left was a shiny gold horseshoe, spinning slowly while floating in the air. On the right was a silver gray top, suspended in the air.

“What are these?” Dai Li asked.

“On the left is the Lucky Horseshoe. You should know the meaning behind a horseshoe. It represents luck. It can bless you and your athletes with good luck in a match,” the System answered.

“That sounds very general,” Dai Li said with a frown.

There was a saying: “Luck is also part of a person’s strength.” Although there was no lack of real-life examples of people relying on luck, it was too much like gambling. When the “Lucky Horseshoe” appeared, Dai Li still could not wrap his head around the idea.

The System then began to explain. “What is luck? I don’t think I need to give you an explanation. You should already know. So, why don’t I talk about this Lucky Horseshoe? After you obtain this item, you and your athlete’s luck will slightly increase.”

“Increase by how much? Is there any hard standard? Or perhaps a quantifiable display?” Dai Li asked directly.

“The increase is marginal. That is why I said slightly increased. Most of the time, it won’t be enough to change the outcome of a match. You can disregard it,” the System answered.

“Which means that this Lucky Horseshoe isn’t really useful.” Dai Li looked disgusted.

“Also, the Lucky Horseshoe has a limited passive stat increase and is accompanied by an active skill. After possessing the Lucky Horseshoe, you will obtain the skill called Good Luck Prayer. Using Good Luck Prayer will allow you and your athletes to obtain extremely good luck. The effect’s duration is three minutes,” the System said.

“What does it mean when you say ‘extremely good luck?’” Dai Li continued to ask.

“It is what it sounds like. For example, you leave your house and pick up a dollar, you win the lottery, you get a good weapon in a video game. These are all luck,” the System answered.

“The examples you used have got nothing to do with sports,” Dai Li replied coldly.

“Of course it works in a match. For example, during a key play, if your luck is a little off, the ball won’t go in. If your luck is just slightly better, it will go in,” the System answered in an irritated manner. It then continued in the same tone. “Apart from that, let me repeat again. After using the Prayer skill, you and your athletes will obtain very good luck. The effect’s duration is three minutes.”

“Hold on a minute. You said ‘My athletes and Me?’ Does this mean that this skill can be used on me?” Dai Li suddenly asked.

“Yes. This Prayer skill can not only be used on the players, but it can also be used on you,” the System answered firmly.

Dai Li’s heart leaped in joy. Ever since he obtained the System, he had gained several skills. Those skills, however, could only be used on the athletes. The only thing that could be used on himself was the Copy Card. Now, he finally gained another skill that could be used on himself. The only thing was that Dai Li still did not know how the effect of the skill was.

Giving myself a little luck, huh? Maybe I can really try buying a lottery ticket! Dai Li thought.

Suddenly, Dai Li’s thoughts took a turn. Perhaps this Lucky Horseshoe’s Prayer skill could be used with other items.

My Request Box. When it comes to the results, it’s completely randomized. One can say that it all depends on luck. If I fail to get a good draw or a very good draw, it will be useless to me. If I use the Prayer skill first, then I will have good luck for the next three minutes. Then if I use the Request Box, will I be lucky and obtain an extremely good draw?

The thought flashed through Dai Li’s mind. If the Request Box could be combined and used in conjunction with the Lucky Horseshoe, then every time he used the Request Box, he would make a good draw.

As he thought about that, Dai Li could not wait to play a game to test and see if his ideas could be put into practice.

On the other side, the System began introducing another item, the silver top.

“This is called the Dream Creator Top. The Dream Creator Top can help you construct a dream space. After your athlete enters a dreaming state, you can pull your athlete into the dream space,” the System said.

Dai Li thought about the movie, “Inception.” He then asked, “What’s the use of the dream space?”

“This depends on what you construct in the dream space. If you construct a training ground, the dream space can allow the athletes to train. If you construct a match, then your athletes will be able to play a game in the dream space. It is worth noting that the time ratio to the real world is ten to one. That is to say that if you spend ten hours in the dream space, only one hour will pass in the real world,” the System said slowly.

“Which means that you can even train when you are dreaming! Moreover, training for ten hours in the dream only equals one hour in real life! Oh my God, this thing is a little too fraudulent!”

As Dai Li lamented, he could not help but start counting in his mind. If a person slept for eight hours a day, that meant that the total training time in the dream space was 80 hours. One year has 365 days. That meant a total training duration of 29,200 hours. In reality, an athlete could only accumulate around 30,000 hours of training volume in ten years. This Dream Creator Top could create almost 30,000 hours of dream space in one single year. If it were used for training, it was the equivalent of ten years.

For athletes, the saying ‘One minute of performance on stage requires ten years of practice off the stage’ applies. A 100m sprint athlete trained monotonously every day for decades just for those ten seconds in the arena. From this point of view, the core of the career of an athlete was daily training. As for the result of competitions or matches, they are actually the effects of their daily training. That is why training is the most important thing for athletes.

Based on this calculation, the Dream Creator Top might just be the most imbalanced and fraudulent item I have. As the saying goes, ‘Diligence makes up for want of ability.’ Even for the players with average talent, if they had ten times the amount of training time, they could still become exceptional athletes.

In the next second, Dai Li suddenly realized a problem. He quickly asked, “That’s not right, sports require activities that strengthen the body. Regardless of the sports in question, at the end of the day, the body is needed to support the activity. How can training in a dream improve the status of the body?”

“Have you heard that dreaming can strengthen the body?” The System asked.

“I know that sleeping more will help with muscle gain, but I never heard that sleeping more would strengthen the body,” Dai Li answered honestly.

“Then isn’t that your answer? Training in dreams can’t be applied to the body,” the System answered.

Dai Li’s expression turned gloomy instantly. “Sports activities always involves the body. If the dream space training isn’t effective on the athlete’s body, then athletes also won’t be able to become taller, faster, and stronger through training in their dreams. Then isn’t this dream training completely useless! I initially thought that I’ve obtained a fraudulent God item. In the end, it’s just a piece of useless junk.”

“Dream space training certainly cannot directly affect the body, but it can be used to help athletes accumulate experience. If an athlete, for example, completed 10,000 basketball shots, the technical experience and conclusion he obtained from these 10,000 shots belong to him and only him,” the System answered.

“So it’s like that.” Dai Li suddenly understood how to use the Dream Creator Top.

This item was fairly limited when it came to sports that relied more on the physical body like track and field, swimming, and weightlifting because dream space training could not increase the capability of the physical body.

For sports that required more technical skills or experience, the Dream Creator Top was very useful.

Skills and technique in sports are the accumulation of training experience and sporting talent. Sporting talent is based on genetics, no one can change that. Training experience, however, is gained later in life. Through daily training, athletes slowly accumulate experience and the accumulated experience transforms into proficiency in a particular skill. As proficiency increases, the skill or technique also gets better.

Take for example shooting a basketball. A beginner does not even know why he was missing his shots when he starts practicing shooting. After more practice and as his experience accumulates, he gradually learns the reason for each of his missed shots. It was either a lack of control in terms of power or shooting at a wrong angle.

Continued practice leads to knowing how to adjust the power and angle so that the ball will go inside the basket. With enough practice, one will generally be able to tell if the ball is going in or not as soon as the ball leaves the hands. One can even adjust the power and angle of the shot at the last moment. These were all the accumulation of experience.

After all, practice makes perfect!

This was the use of the Dream Creator Top. Although training within a dream cannot bring about any improvements to the body, it provided an accumulation of experience. Experience would only increase and never decrease. These types of experience accumulation would transform into skills and, as a result, increase the overall level of the athlete.

Then, the System continued. “I also mentioned just now that the dream space that you construct can be a training ground or a game.”

“I understand. You mean to say that if I were to construct a game and let players participate, he would be able to gain practical game experience for an entire game.” Dai Li’s ability to deduce things was still pretty good.

To construct a game and allow athletes to gain practical match experience within a dream was meaningful, especially for the younger athletes.

There were 82 games in the regular season of the NBA. A rookie who was ranked highly might be able to play all 82 games, but rookies whose rankings were lower might find it tough to get off the bench. They would be satisfied if they could even get some time on the court. If they could not get on the court during when coaches pulled good players from the game, then they had no hope of gaining any match experience. Similarly, the NBA also had players whose talents weren’t that high but managed to earn their place in the NBA through a wealth of match experience.

As long as it was a sport that involved intense physical competition, practical match experience was important. No matter how physically splendid a player was or how exceptional his techniques were, if he did not have any match experience, he would still not be a very useful newbie. On the contrary, some older veteran athletes whose physical traits had deteriorated could no longer run fast or jump high but, due to their wealth of experience, they were still the ones the coaches relied on.

The Dream Creator Top could create a match. This could help athletes supplement their weakness of lacking practical match experience.

Dai Li calculated in his mind. Based on an eight-hour sleep schedule, the athlete would be in his dream for 800 hours. A basketball match lasted 48 minutes. 800 hours equaled 16.7 basketball games. A football match was 90 minutes, so 800 hours equaled 8.9 football matches.

Take the Spanish La Liga as an example. There are 38 matches in a season. Based on this, an eight-hour sleep would equal nine games. That would be enough for a player to accumulate enough experience for one-quarter of an entire season.

Then, in the NBA, even if a player was the absolute best on the team, he would play, at most, 40 minutes per game. 800 minutes meant 20 games, it was also around a quarter of the entire season.

Based on this calculation, if a player were to sleep eight hours a day. In just four days, the dream space would be able to create an entire Spanish La Liga season or a regular NBA season. The players would be able to accumulate an entire season’s worth of match experience.

Based on this calculation, I only need 40 days to turn a newbie into a veteran with a decade of match experience! No one’s mom had to worry about them not playing in a match anymore. Come to me for a year and I’ll make you play until you want to puke!

…

The playoff season began. The first opponents of the Clippers were the Denver Nuggets.

At the beginning of the season, the Nuggets’ performance stole the spotlight. They were once ranked first. As the season progressed, however, the traditionally strong teams gradually regained their form and the results of the Nuggets gradually deteriorated. In the end, the Nuggets managed to make it into the playoffs in the highly competitive Western Conference, merely relying on their win-loss advantage.

It was the first place in the Western Conference versus the eighth place of the Western Conference. There would be no suspense. After all, miracles did not happen for them every day.

Moreover, the Nuggets were a relatively young team. This was the first time in six years that they had made it into the playoffs. Their main objective was to allow their starters to accumulate playoff match experience. They did not dream about winning through some miracle

Faced with an opponent like this, the path for the Clippers became that much easier. They swept the floor with their opponents as they won four to nothing without any suspense. The players also did not expend that much energy. They quickly made it through and waited for the next round of the playoffs at their home turf.

In the second round of the playoffs, the Clippers faced the New Orleans Pelicans.

In the past two years, the Pelicans had performed decently in the regular season. The team also constantly strengthened itself in the hope of achieving something. When it came to the playoff, the Pelicans still failed to obtain any exceptional results.

Players exhaust their patience easily when a team fails to achieve a breakthrough for a long time and the Pelicans faced this problem. At the beginning of the season, they lost two star players. It was a good thing the head coach of the Pelicans was excellent and coached the team successfully, leading the Pelicans team into the playoff season. They even made it to the second round.

This Pelican team did not have the strength to challenge the championship title. Their head coach and players also knew this. With their lineup, making the second round of the playoffs was already considered an achievement. If they wanted to go further in the playoffs, the team needed to strengthen itself through reinforcements in the next season.

Because they had already completed their task, the Pelicans team lost their ambition. They treated the matches less seriously and did not pay a lot of attention in winning or losing. Since they did not have “Fight till death” determination, they also did not have any intention of causing an upset.

Often, an objective determined the achievement.

Take a random company for example. The annual sales revenue is 100 million dollars. If the company reached the target in the first ten months, then in the following two months, a worker would have less motivation. There would definitely be people who would approach things with a “Three days of fishing and two days of net-drying,” mentality. They would take it easy until the end of the year.

In contrast, if, by the last month, the annual sales task were almost complete, everyone in the company would put in the extra effort and think up various ways to complete the sales target.

The Pelicans were like this. During the last month of the regular season, they put in everything they had and made it to the playoffs. Now, since their season target had already been achieved, the players let out a sigh of relief and were no longer persistent about victory.

The Pelicans lost their motivational target, which made things easier for the Clippers. Faced with an opponent that did not desire the championship, victory became easy. They repeated a sweep of four to zero and the Clippers made it into the Western Conference final.

The other team that made it into the Western Conference final was the Golden State Warriors. Their advancement, however, had been far tougher.

The Warriors had faced the Pistons in the first round.

The Pistons were a team that set their sights on winning the championship. To achieve their target, the management team of the Pistons did a lot of things: trades, scouting, and high-income contract renewals. They would do something big during practically every off-season. Almost every season, the lineup of the Pistons would change.

In terms of strength, the Pistons were considered a strong team, but they were definitely not amongst the best. Still, everyone knew that the Pistons was a tough opponent. In a round of games against the Pistons, even if they won, they would exhaust a lot of strength.

The Pistons’ target was to become the grand champion!

A team that set their target on winning the championship like the Pistons would always be very persistent during the playoffs. Even though they were the seventh-ranked team in the Western Conference, they would go all out and create a difficult encounter for their opponents.

After the Warriors got past the Pistons, they met with the Rockets.

The Rockets were yet another team with their sights on winning the championship. The difference with the Pistons was that they really did have the pedigree to challenge for the championship.

The two teams clashed and the Warriors narrowly broke through after seven hard-fought battles. The Warriors had completely exhausted themselves and had key players injured.

The Rockets finally lost in terms of stamina. The Rockets were stubborn and maintained they’re eight-man rotation system, resulting in the Rockets collapsing suddenly in the seventh match. It was similar to sudden death.

After all, it was the playoffs. The intensity of the games was that much greater. An eight-man rotation system was insufficient in dealing with a round that consisted of seven games.

The Western Conference final would be a clash between the Clippers and the Warriors. The first and second place of the Western Conference. A clash between the old and the young superstars. It was a clash that fans loved.

Chapter 619 - For the Championship

Chapter 619: For the Championship

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was the first game of the Western Conference finals. The Clippers were facing the Warriors at home.

In the Western Conference semifinals that had ended just a few days ago, the Clippers had defeated their opponents with a sweeping score of four to nothing. Due to the seven games between the Warriors and the Rockets, the Warriors had definitely expended more energy. More importantly, the Warriors had lost a few key players to injury. According to estimations, these players would not be able to play the first two games, at the very least.

The Clippers awaited their exhausted enemies at home and the result was within the expectations of most people. Although the Warriors fought persistently, in the end they still could not overcome the Clippers.

In a series where a team needed to win four out of seven games, the first game was more like a probing match. Both teams probed and tested their opponents. The team that lost the game would make adjustments for the next game. They would create particular tactical arrangements. As such, it was normal for teams to win a game and then lose the next.

After the Warriors that lost the first game, however, they did not make any tactical arrangements. This was not because the coaching staff of the Warriors lacked the ability to do so. It was because, when playing against the Clippers, there was really nothing to specifically target.

The Clippers played superstar-style basketball. It was not a complicated tactic. Under normal circumstances, when playing against superstar basketball teams, the key was to target particular superstars when your team was on defense. For example, surround and disturb him when receiving the ball, restrict a particular method of scoring, or use a tactic that utilized multiple players taking turns defending against the superstar in order to sap his stamina.

Sometimes, when faced against a superstar, simply disturbing his catches and restraining his scoring methods wat not very effective. The rotating defense tactic, however, was an effective weapon that was always effective. It was fine if the player was fouled out after six fouls, as long as they could sap the superstar’s strength. Any human being would be exhausted eventually, even superstars. It was difficult to play 48 minutes a game, especially if that game was in the middle of a series.

Defensive tactics like this, however, could not be applied to the Clippers because the Clippers had too many stars. A strong defender could defend against a star, and a defense tactic could defend against two to three superstars. Still, even the best defensive lineup would be hard-pressed to defend against five superstars.

Basketball is the kind of sports where the initiative always lies with the offensive team. With the best five defenders against the best five attackers, the game would become a very slow-paced and have a low score. The ultimate winner of the game, however, would always be the attackers.

Faced against the Clippers, the tactical adjustments the Warriors could make was not centered around defense, it was focused on their attack.

There are two ways to win a game. The first is to ensure that the opponent scores less and the second is to ensure that your team scores more. As such, in the second round, the most obvious change of the Warriors was that the rhythm and pace of the game increased. The ball moved faster and they needed to score more than the Clippers.

The coaching staff of the Clippers did not make any drastic adjustments to their tactics. For a team that played superstar-style basketball, complicated tactics would not guarantee good results. As long as they continued to create one-on-one situations, it was enough. Unlimited one-on-one plays was the only viable tactic in a superstar-styled basketball game.

Moreover, the Warriors’ tactical system was also transparent in front of the Clippers.

The tactical system of a successful team would always be transparent. The tactical system of a team like the Warriors who had been successful in recent years would not only be researched by the NBA, it would be the topic of research for the entire world. European basketball, Asian basketball,and the basketball of every country had studied the tactics of the Warriors. If every basketball professional and expert in the world focused on you and continuously studied your every game, nothing could be hidden, no matter how complicated it was.

So, in the NBA, it was difficult to create a dynasty. A dynasty means winning the championship three years in a row. Under normal circumstances, after a team won the championship, its tactical system would be completely dissected and analyzed by the other 29 teams. By the time the team won the championship twice in a row, the other teams would probably have already found a countermeasure. By then, it would become harder to win games.

By the third year, every team would intentionally target the tactic and some teams might even get players with specific ability to target the tactic. So, it got harder to win championships the more times you won them.

Due to that, the only teams that succeeded in winning the championship three years in a row and created a dynasty were the Celtics, the Lakers, and the Bulls. The Warriors wanted to become the fourth, but it seemed too difficult.

…

It was the second round of the Western Conference final. The Clippers were still the hosts.

The Warriors played faster; they became more like warriors.

The entire world knew the Warriors hoped to play while they ran and the entire world also knew the best way to counter the Warriors was to slow down the play. Playing to the Warriors’ rhythm was like suicide.

A team that played superstar-style basketball like the Clippers needed to slow down the rhythm even more. Five players steadily began their positional battles, turning the five-on-five game into five one-on-one games. After that, they showed off the individual ability of the superstars.

The Warriors still did not manage to grab a win from Los Angeles. The score of the series became two to zero.

The result was also within the expectations of various experts and pundits. After all, the Warriors lacked a key player. Faced against a team of amazing players, it was way too difficult for the Warriors to win away. The Clippers had too many star players, any one of whom could go on a roll and give the Warriors a big headache.

The good news was that the injured player would return to the bench in the next game.

The third match between the teams was at the home stadium of the Warriors. For the Warriors, it was a game they had to win at all cost. As soon as they lost, it would mean that they trailed zero to three. In the NBA, there had never been a case where a team came back to win after trailing zero to three.

To lose the first two games was very disadvantageous for the Warriors, but the Warriors did not just sit around to wait for death. After all, they were a champion level team. This year, they had overcame a bunch of hurdles before making it to the finals. How could they easily surrender?

…

Oracle Arena.

The Warriors still attacked in waves at their home stadium.

This time, the injured player on the Warriors had recovered. The Clippers faced the full force of the Warriors.

Quick ball movements continued to create offensive space. The Warriors’ players also maintained movement of their footsteps. By cutting through space, they tore through the defense of the Clippers. Once a defensive gap appeared, the Warriors players’ did not hesitate to take aim and shoot towards the basket, scoring points.

The Warriors executed their tactic!

The coaching staff of both teams realized this.

In the face-off between the two teams during the regular season, the superstar-style basketball of the Clippers easily turned the game into multiple one-on-one games. These one-on-one plays made it so that the Warriors could not fully execute and display the full strength of their tactical system.

The game today was different. The Warriors did not fall into the solo trap of the Clippers. They were not stubborn in trying to play solo against the Clippers players. Instead, they displayed the strength of their tactic. Quick rotation, offensive and defensive transitions, constant movement, and cutting made it so that it was difficult for their opponent to create a comprehensive zonal defensive line.

If they were an average team, when faced against a Warriors team that exerted the full strength of their tactical system, the team could collapse instantly. They would be utterly destroyed by the Warriors by the third quarter. Perhaps, by the second half of the fourth quarter, they would be behind the Warriors by 20 points. It was normal in the NBA.

The Warriors, however, were playing against the Clippers, a team that had enough superstars to maximize the efficiency of the superstar style.

As long as superstars paid attention and put in the effort, their defense would not be bad. The Clippers had also gathered a bunch of veterans. These veterans were all very experienced, so they were even more mature when defending. Making predictions of what would happen next was a must. They also had an abundance of dirty defensive tricks in their arsenal.

The longer professional basketball players played for, the dirtier they played. For the veterans, who had played over a decade of basketball, it was assumed they would have a bunch of tricks on defense. These tricks usually had no practical meaning, but they would disrupt the rhythm of the opponent and induce their opponents to commit fouls.

With a group of veterans who had a wealth of game experience, the Clippers made it through the third quarter and did not get swept away by the gameplay of the Warriors in the third quarter.

As for the Warriors, their offense slowed down slightly. They began to save strength for their next wave of attacks. They wanted to deal the deadly blow in the fourth quarter.

…

Dai Li felt unprecedented pressure for the first time.

This type of pressure did not only come from the cheers of the surrounding Warriors fans, but it came from the almost perfectly executed offensive tactic from the Warriors.

A team that won three championships in four years had already accumulated a huge amount of fanatic followers. It was natural for them to possess a devilish home atmosphere. The Oracle Arena was exactly that. Tens of thousands of fans in the stadium had turned it into a yellow ocean. Everyone screamed at the top of their lungs. The insanity sent a chill down the visiting Dai Li’s spine.

When the Warriors defended. The stadium chanted the word “defense” in unison, as if it were hypnotic, making the defenders excited, and making the attackers hesitate. The booing sounds also brought an unending sense of pressure and sadness. This type of home atmosphere was torturous for the visitors.

By the Western Conference final, the Oracle Arena could certainly be regarded as a devilish home stadium. Even a top team with a wealth of experience would still feel an increased sense of pressure when playing in an atmosphere like this.

As for the tactical system of the Warriors, it had long struck fear into the heart of every coach of the NBA. The Warriors used their results in recent years to prove the might of their tactical system. For an amateur basketball coach like Dai Li, who had just entered the industry, tactics were his main weakness. They were also the source of his pressure.

Tactical target? The word had long been ignored by Dai Li. He did not know tactics at all!

So, the only situation that was possible was for others to use their tactics while Dai Li focused on his superstar-style basketball. This move was typically very effective, but now Dai Li faced a Warriors team that performed perfectly.

“The players of the Warriors’ hands are getting hot!” Dai Li checked the score and, before he knew it, the Clippers was already behind.

In terms of field goals alone, both teams were great, but the Warriors scored more three-pointers, including several “Fairy balls” that were unexpected. Due to this, the Warriors were in the lead.

The Warriors, who trailed by zero to two overall were already at their wit’s end. They increased the number of three-point shots, which could be seen as a gamble. For the Warriors, as soon as they were on form, it was a rain of three-pointers. The Warriors would be in an advantageous position.

A timeout. The players returned to the bench.

The coaching staff of both teams knew that they would send out their starters soon. The game reached its critical moment.

Even though he held a two to zero lead, Dai Li did not want to lose this game. He hoped to achieve victory and use a crushing score of three to zero to completely destroy the Warriors’ hope of advancement.

Biiiii! The buzzer sounded and the timeouts were over. The players started walking towards the court. At the same time, Dai Li took a deep breath and used the Prayer skill of the Lucky Horseshoe.

Over the next three minutes, Dai Li would possess good luck and the Clippers players would as well.

Dai Li, however, was not finished. He immediately used the Prophecy Request Box, and he hoped that the Request Box would give him an answer that brought victory.

“A super good draw!” Although Dai Li knew that under the effects of good luck, he was almost guaranteed to get the best draw, his breathing still quickened when the best draw came out.

After looking at the results of the draw, Dai Li was shocked. After that, he immediately hollered at the referee and said, “Substitution!”

Although the players had already gone on to the court, the ball was still in the referee’s hands. He had not yet given it to the player starting the game. So, the game had not yet started and substitutions were allowed before the game resumed.

Dai Li then subbed the power forward, Noel, and subbed Vincent in.

At the same time, the coaching staff of the Warriors all had an odd expression on their face. The substitution before the game resumed was rather abrupt. It was clear that it was a last-minute decision by Dai Li.

The head coach of the Warriors, Nicholas, could not help but gaze at Dai Li, seemingly trying to figure out what Dai Li was thinking. Nicholas knew that these abrupt and sudden changes were dangerous, it could disrupt the tactical arrangement of the team. Thinking about it in detail, a team that played superstar-style basketball did not really have to worry about tactics.a

“It’s a one big four small lineup? Why is he using this kind of lineup?” Nicholas mumbled to himself. To him, to sub off a power forward that created space at this moment and switching systems seemed like a mistake.

It was not only Nicholas. The broadcast commentators questioned it as well.

A power forward that created space could be enough to intimidate the defensive players on the opposing team even if he just lurked outside the three-point line. In the last deciding moments of the game, a space-creating power forward was clearly more of a threat than a one big four small lineup.

Vincent, who had been subbed in, clearly seemed a little overwhelmed. Normally, he only played as a substitute. He was seen as the offensive weapon of the bench. According to regular rotation order, he should be resting off-court, but, now, he was suddenly subbed in to play on the court and to participate in the final battle against the Warriors.

The substitution was certainly very sudden. The game had almost been underway before Dai Li indicated that he wanted to make a substitution. There were no premonitions. At the time, he had already put on his long pants and jacket. Then, he had been called up by Dai Li from the bench. He quickly took off the jacket and got on the court. His behavior seemed a little discomposed.

More importantly, Dai Li did not tell him anything before letting him on the court.

In such a crucial moment, a sudden substitution like would certainly entail tactical adjustments! The head coach should at least give the player an instruction or two!

This was not the case. Dai Li did not say anything.

When Vincent got on the court, therefore, he still felt a sense of disillusion.

Suddenly, Raymond moved forward and patted Vincent on the shoulder.

“Dude, focus. The game is about to begin! If we win this game, the grand championship trophy will be in our pockets,” Raymond said.

Vincent froze for a moment and instantly understood what Raymond meant.

If the Clippers won the game, they would lead the series with a score of three to nothing. Throughout history, there had not been a team that had successfully turned the result around after trailing with a score of zero to three. As such, the Clippers winning the Championship would be certain if they won this game.

The West being stronger than the East was a phenomenon that had persisted for many years. There was a genuine gap between the strength of the East and the West. To say that the champion of the Western Conference was the grand champion would not be an exaggeration.

For the Clippers, the game was not only a simple struggle in the playoff season; it was a crucial battle for the grand championship.

“Grand champion!” Vincent could not help but think about the championship trophy that shone in gold.

His professional career was successful. He had won countless honors and it was almost certain that he would enter the NBA Hall of Fame after he retired. After several years, he was also guaranteed to be called a “legendary star,” but he had never won the championship before.

An NBA would have regrets in their professional career, no matter how many personal accolades they obtained, if they did not win a championship. It was due to this that many star players would make sacrifices just to obtain a championship ring in the latter part of their career.

Vincent was one of those who had made sacrifices for the championship. He lowered his pay, joined together with a bunch of other stars, and even went specifically to teams with higher chances of winning the championship. In the end, his fate did not intertwine with the championship trophy..

Cruel reality forced him to give up in his dream of winning the championship. He stopped intentionally pursuing the championship. Instead, he found a team that afforded him sufficient game time so that he could continue his professional career, to continue playing the sport he loved, basketball.

Now, Vincent suddenly discovered that the grand championship that he dreamed about was close to him. He felt a sense of excitement that was hard to be put in words.

“For the championship!” Vincent suddenly screamed, as if to encourage himself.

“Yes, for the championship!” Raymond, who stood beside him, responded loudly.

He was like Vincent, having obtained countless honors and entering the Hall of Fame, even being called a legendary superstar, but he never won the championship. One could say that the only thing lacking on his wall of honors was a championship ring!

“For the championship!” Another voice shouted. This time, it was Hall.

He did not have as many honors as the previous two and his professional career was not that long as well. Still, this did not affect his desire for the championship. For a person who lost the menisci on both his knees to still be playing, one could imagine his desire for victory. How could a person like this tolerate the championship slipping away from his hands?

“For the championship!” Wood made the same remark.

Once the first pick of the draft, he had already made arrogant remarks in the rookie season of his professional career, saying that he would bring home a championship to the team. Now, many years had passed and there was finally a chance for him to realize his promise.

Gray looked at his four teammates. He had been practically fighting against injury his entire professional career. He did not have such complicated experiences nor did he have that many honors. He was not that persistent in terms of getting the grand championship.

By now, however, he was already under the influence of his teammates. He could sense the heartfelt desire for the championship emanating from the hearts of his teammates.

“You’re right, for the championship!” Gray’s expression also seemed to have focused.

…

The morale has completely changed from just now! Cassel widened his eyes. To him, Dai Li’s decision for playing Vincent was not entirely correct. After two minutes, however, it had achieved some amazing effect.

Cassel could feel that the Clippers players were working hard. Every player emanated an imposing aura that seemed to imply that this was the last battle. It seemed as if they had been forced to a dead end and they had decided to burn their boats and face their enemies head-on with the river behind their backs. In short, they were fighting to the death.

It is clear that we have the advantage! Why are they making it seem like we are trailing? Cassel thought it was an odd situation. The Clippers had a considerable lead of two to zero; they also had another home game. One could easily say that everything was in their favor. They had no reason whatsoever to put out such a heartfelt and moving display. The Warriors were the team that should be fighting to the death.

Cassel had underestimated the desire of the bunch of veterans towards the championship trophy. That championship ring was what these veterans had been pursuing half their life. To them, it was not the simple honor of winning the championship. It was like sustenance for their professional career.

To put it simply, they lived most of their lives just so they could win this championship!

Chapter 620 - Good Luck

Chapter 620: Good Luck

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

There were many consecutive pick-and-rolls and alternating runs. The ball shifted between the Warriors players seamlessly.

The Clippers players also kept switching their defensive targets. Switching the defensive target immediately when screening fully compressed the Warriors players’ space to release the shot. As long as they did not allow the Warriors players any space, they would not have suitable opportunities to shoot.

After a screen and a corresponding defensive switch, Vincent was faced with a young man named Dale.

Vincent was no stranger to this young man. He was a two-time MVP of the regular season. He had made it into the starting lineup of the Western Conference All-Stars five times and was one of the three best NBA three-point shooters in the current era. He could be considered the best point guard at the moment.

Vincent knew that when facing this young man, he had to concentrate. Even if paying full attention, he still might not be able to prevent Dale from scoring.

The 24 seconds the Warriors had for the attack was almost up. Just as he thought that it was a successful defense, Dale, who was in front of him, suddenly released the shot.

He was still two and a half yards away from the three-point line. This was an extremely impressive three-point shot.

Vincent’s reaction was also quick. He immediately rushed forward. It was impossible to try and block the shot now, but he could try and disturb it.

Swoosh! The basketball went directly into the basket. The crowd, which was already full of passion, erupted into roars. It sounded like mountains were collapsing and seas were roaring. The entire Staples Center trembled.

From a defensive point of view, this defense was faultless. They had held them for 24 seconds. It had come down to the last possible moment. Their opponents were forced to shoot far away from the three-point line.

Looking at the result, however, they had failed since the opponent scored a three-pointer.

Vincent knew that there was nothing wrong with his defense. No one could have stopped this fairy ball.

He did not except that, however. He thought that it was just an excuse.

I can do better! I can definitely do better! I have to do better! Vincent’s heart repeated. He knew that if he failed to restrain Dale and allowed him to continue making three-point shots like that without any pressure, it would be difficult for them to win this game.

…

Dale dribbled the ball quickly, but he noticed that he could not get away from the defender in front of him. He instinctively passed the ball to his teammate, hoping to use that to break apart the opponent’s defensive line.

His teammate, however, also faced strong defensive pressure.

Damned unlimited defensive switch! Dale complained internally.

This sort of unlimited defensive switching was the kind that he hated the most. The opponent’s unlimited switch would make it hard for the Warriors to find any space to shoot. Every player was tangled with a defensive player and every shot faced an opponent who might disturb it.

Naturally, a three-point shooter would want to have the opportunity of shooting in an empty space. They did not want to face a defensive player every time they took a shot.

After a run, a pick-and-roll, a screen, and a pass, the ball returned to Dale’s hands. As a point guard, he was responsible for organizing the attack.

This, however, was the third time Dale touched the ball in this attack. This meant that the previous two attacks had failed because the ball kept coming back into his hands.

The previous pick-and-roll had generated another defensive switch. He was once again faced with Vincent or, perhaps, he should call him “Uncle Vincent.”

Dale’s father had also been an NBA player. He had been a shooting guard and had won the Best Sixth Man Award. He was a master sharpshooter. He had scored 1,245 three-pointers in his entire professional career. He was also the New Orleans Nets’ lead scorer. Dale’s accurate three-point shots were certainly, at least to some degree, inherited his father.

The last three years of Dale’s father’s professional career had been spent with the Raptors. Back then, Vincent had only just started playing in the NBA and he had also been on the Raptors. Dale’s father had been Vincent’s teammate for three years.

When he had been just a boy, Dale would often train at the Raptors training ground and would watch the Raptors’ games. His deepest impression of the Raptors was the man who played basketball flying! Every time that man flew, Dale would open his mouth in awe.

Now, this man still played basketball. In fact, he was standing in front of him!

The most impressive thing was that he still played basketball like he was flying!

After two attempted attacks, there was not much time left for their attack. The Clippers’ defense still followed them closely. The five players on the Warriors did not have any good opportunities to shoot.

In the end, I’ll still have to shoot by myself! Dale’s eyes shined as he snuck a glance at the basket. Although he was still some distance from the three-point line, this was within his shooting range.

In the next moment, Dale raised his hands. His movements were very sudden.

Vincent’s reaction, however, was even faster. At the moment that Dale moved his hands to make the shot, Vincent rushed forward to disturb it.

Dale leaped and took a jump shot.

Vincent leaped to block it.

The moment the ball was released, Dale suddenly saw Vincent as he seemed to fly in the air.

Subconsciously, Dale wanted to open his mouth like when he was young. Still, he had to deal with Vincent’s block. Dale adjusted the angle of his shot. He did not have any deep thought process; it was an instinctive reaction to a defender.

The ball was not blocked and flew towards the basket. The shot angle had been adjusted, however, and the ball hit the rim of the basket.

Kwang! The basketball bounced off the rim. Three Clippers players rushed towards the point where the ball would fall to at the same time and won this defensive rebound.

It had been an extremely successful defense.

Fairy balls. Humans would never be able to defend against them, so they had to leave them to the “half-human and half-God” to defend.

This old man, he’s almost 40 years old now. He can actually still fly. Just how does he maintain himself? I’m still far from the last year of my contract with the team, should I start playing basketball like he does. Crazy thoughts started appearing in Dale’s mind.

…

The game was still very close. A satisfied smile, however, appeared on Dai Li’s face. The game had proceeded as he expected.

Taking off the space-creating power forward, Noel, and playing the guard, Vincent, instead had been an excellent choice. That was what the excellent draw had told him to do. After thinking about it carefully, Dai Li knew why the Prophecy Request Box had given him this answer.

Noel owned a championship ring. He actually had two of them.

Vincent was different. He did not have a championship ring. He had also made a lot of sacrifices in pursuit of one.

The other four players in for the Clippers were the same as Vincent. They had never won the championship before.

People always worked harder for something they had yet to attain. The championship ring was the item that they all desired most in their hearts.

The game had progressed to the stage where that passion mattered. Both sides had done their best to defeat the other side; they had played all their cards. Both sides knew just how strong their opponent was. The game was now more like a mental battle. The fight was to see which side would be the last one standing.

At that time, the desire for the championship was the best stimulant, it was the motivation needed to help the players persevere.

Draw, comeback, and then another draw again. Then, the game finally reached its climax.

The last two minutes of the game. Both sides had already played 20 minutes. The battles on the court had become ridiculously intense. There was a lot of physical contact and the referees had no choice but to keep reviewing the match recordings to determine the possession of the ball.

It was the Western Conference final. Each team had many stars. One whistle and the bunch of star players from both sides would surround the referee, putting pressure on him. Faced with this kind of situation, even the most experienced referee would be as cautious as possible and try to avoid making an error.

The NBA was like that. Star players could, from time to time, complain a little to the referee. Sometimes, they could even request that the referees review the video. If a newbie tried complaining, just a few words would get them a technical foul.

…

The score was 102-102. There were 28 seconds left in the game. Theoretically, each side had one opportunity to attack left.

The Warriors had the ball, and they had multiple styles of attack to choose from. They could choose a two-point or three-point attack. The most important thing to them was time management.

28 seconds. No matter what offensive method the Warriors used, the ball would return to the hands of the Clippers. Even if they exhausted all 24 seconds, the Clippers would still have four seconds of offense. With a timeout, they would be able to restart the game in the other half court. Two passes after that and they would be able to shoot.

“Don’t wait until the last second before you shoot. Our opponent has the ability to kill the game at the last second. Whether you give them four seconds or 14 seconds, the effect is the same. There is a possibility for us to lose to a buzzer beater.” The head coach of the Warriors paused before saying, “Our next attack will be the same as always. Whoever has the opportunity will shoot. We need a three-pointer. With a three-point advantage, we’ll be in a position where we can’t lose. The worst that could happen is to play overtime!”

The Warriors players returned to the court. They did not show any panic and moved between screens and covers like always, playing entirely according to their tactics.

Swoosh! A three-point shot was released. It was a gap created by a pick-and-roll. The shot was released instantly. Strictly speaking, it could not be considered a good opportunity to shoot a three-pointer but, under the intense defensive pressure of the Clippers, it was considered a great opportunity to shoot.

There was no shortage of amazing shooters in the stadium. The moment they saw the path of the ball, they knew that it was going in.

As they expected, the basketball entered the basket without touching the rim. The basket fully displayed the Warriors exceptional three-point ability.

The Warriors led by 105-102 and only 12 seconds were left in the game. The Clippers immediately called for a timeout.

There was a 3-point gap. The Clippers had to make at least a three-point shot in their next attack. The best situation was to score a buzzer beating three-point shot without giving the Warriors a chance to get the ball back. With the ability of the Warriors being what it was, a few tenths of a second for them was enough for them to kill the game.

The Clippers played superstar-style basketball. In situations like this, the only script they could use was for everyone to spread out outside the three-point line and attempt to make a three-point shot regardless of who held the ball after the game restarted.

As for whether or not they could make the basket, they also needed to rely on luck.

We have to make a buzzer-beating three-point shot in order to push the game to overtime. We need some good luck right now! Dai Li immediately looked at his watch.

There’s still five minutes of cooldown left before I can activate the Lucky Horseshoe! A sense of dread flashed past Dai Li’s face.

The skill cooldown time was 30 minutes. When using the Prophecy Request Box, Dai Li used the prayer skill once, 25 minutes ago.

After the NBA removed the rule about long and short timeouts, all timeouts were standardized to be 75 seconds. Although games would not strictly adhere to it and most timeouts lasted longer than 75 seconds, the referees would definitely not allow a five-minute timeout.

Biiiii! A lengthy buzz sounded, signaling everyone that the timeouts were over. The players had to return to the court.

The Warriors players moved swiftly. They quickly walked on to the court with the clear intention of trying to set up their defense perimeter in advance.

The cooldown of the prayer skill isn’t over yet. I need to delay! I need an actor right now! Dai Li looked to his bench and finally rested his gaze on Karaby.

“Karaby, I need you right now!” Dai Li said.

Karaby stood up in excitement. He did not know the coach would have so much faith in him during such a critical period.

Dai Li lowered his voice to a whisper and said, “You get on the court and act as if you’ve slipped and injured yourself. Lie on the ground for at least three minutes!”

“What? Slip? Injured? Injured what?” Karaby asked dumbly.

“Decide yourself. Regardless, make it as real as possible! I don’t believe that the best defensive player like you doesn’t know how to act!” Dai Li grunted coldly.

In the NBA, an excellent defender not only needed a strong physique, great determination, a positive attitude, and incredible defensive awareness, he also needed acting skills. Many defensive experts in the NBA were actually first-class “actors.” If their acting skills were not good enough, they would not be able to get fouls from the referees.

As the saying went, “One touch to the shirt causes a giant fall.” One would fall down after a simple touch of the shirt. For players with a frail-looking body, this trick was very effective.

Karaby was exactly that kind of frail-looking player. He once received the Best Defensive Player Award and was in the best defensive lineup of the NBA. Apart from his height and a wide wingspan, his ability to create fouls naturally came from his individual talent. His “acting” skills were, of course, first-class.

This was the reason Dai Li chose Karaby.

Karaby was a boorish looking fellow, but he had played in the NBA for more than a decade. He had become a scheming bastard, so he naturally knew that Dai Li wanted him to waste some time. Although he did not know why Dai Li wanted to waste time, the coach had a request, so he naturally had to oblige.

He walked on to the court and walked straight towards the defensive players of the Warriors. He then intentionally looked for physical contact.

On the sideline, the referee was about to pass the ball to the Clippers players responsible for restarting the game. Suddenly, Karaby staggered and fell straight to the ground. At the same time, he screamed loudly, intentionally attracting the attention of the referee.

The referee looked towards Karaby and saw Karaby had an anguished expression, hugging his legs rolling on the ground.

Beside him, a Warriors player had an innocent expression on his face.

I didn’t touch him at all, why did he fall!?

In crucial moments like this, the physical battles between players were very intense. To get to a decent position, it was normal to begin pushing around before the ball came back into play. These occurrences were common to the referees. When a player was injured before play resumed, that meant that the game could not continue. The referee immediately blew his whistle and walked over to check it out.

After the whistle was blown, everyone, both Clippers and Warriors, gathered around.

Karaby’s acting skills were indeed decent. He was biting down hard on his lip. He looked to be in extreme pain. It was really convincing.

“Karaby is 38 years old. He’s a veteran, why are they messing with him? Look at him now, he’s injured. Someone’s gonna blame you after the game!” Dale said to the innocent Warriors player.

“I didn’t touch him! I really did not touch him! We simply walked and faced against each other. He walked past me and fell!” The person argued. From the expressions on the faces of those around him, no one believed him.

The Clippers’ doctor had already moved beside Karaby. They had already received Dai Li’s instructions to waste as much time as possible, so they had prepared all kinds of medical checks and procedures.

As for the Warriors, head coach Nicholas looked at the big screen in the stadium, waiting to look at the video replay.

Finally, the broadcaster replayed the scene. It showed that Karaby and the Warriors player walked towards each other and faced each other. Karaby turned around and the shoulders of both players seemed to have vaguely touched. Karaby then fell instantly to the ground.

“There isn’t any physical contact at all. Karaby fell himself. Yup. It’s more like he slipped when he turned around. Was the ground very slippery?” Nicholas could not help to look towards the ground. Later, he shook his head.

The staff members had already wiped the floor during the timeout. They had already wiped off the sweat on the ground. The shoes of the players were also not just decorative, they were basically slip-proof. He was also not running or involved in intense physical battles, so his fall was very weird.

It can’t be that he fell intentionally? Why? Could it be that he wants to waste some time so that they can plan for a new tactic? As Nicholas thought that, he looked at Dai Li. Dai Li did not even speak to anyone, he only continued looking at his watch.

They are not making any new plans, is it just to purely waste time? What the heck is Dai Li doing? Could it be that he feels that wasting some time will help him score a buzzer-beating three-pointer? Nicholas shook his head. After that, his gaze rested on Dai Li’s wrist.

That’s a good watch! A new model! That’s expensive! I’m so envious! Nicholas’ eyes glimmered as he lamented.

On the other side of the bench, Dai Li did not even worry about Karaby’s condition, he kept staring at his watch.

Finally, Dai Li let out a breath.

“It has been 30 minutes. The cooldown of the prayer skill has ended!” Dai Li raised his head and looked at Karaby who was still doing his best to act in pain on the ground. Then, he began repeating in his heart.

“Heavenly Karaby is the best. Heavenly Karaby is the best…”

Karaby had faked his fall but, when he acted, he had to go all out. He had to be supported until he returned to the bench.

The game resumed. The Clippers had 12 seconds left. It was enough to organize a full attack.

All five Clippers players spread outside the three-point line. The Warriors, on the other hand, defended one-on-one. They did not dare to double team, in fear of leaving any gaps for a three-point shot.

After several passes, there were still no opportunities for a three-point shot. The ball finally fell into the hands of Raymond.

Raymond dribbled and before time ran out, he straightened his body and made a pull-up shot!

The Warriors player immediately leaped to block but did not dare to leap forward as he was worried about committing a foul.

The modern-day NBA was stricter when it came to calling for fouls on shots. Many intentional attempts at cheating their way into getting a “two-and-one” or a “three-and-one” would be treated as fouls before the shot by the referees. The referees did not regard those actions that tried to intentionally get fouls as genuine attempts at shooting.

As for Raymond’s pull-up shot, even if he were to lean forward when he leaped off the ground, his body would remain straight. This sort of jump shot technique required a strong waist. As such, Raymond was always plagued with back injuries.

This type of pull-up jumper, however, was not the type of jump shot that could not be “touched” entirely. It was because the body was always straightened, so as long as the defender touched Raymond’s body, even if it were a simply a light tap, it could be regarded as a foul on the cylinder of the shooter. The NBA has always been very strict in calling for fouls on actions that violated the cylinder of the shooter.

Raymond’s hang time in the air was impressive. His point of release was also very high. When the defender committed a foul, the ball in his hands might not have even left his hands. This meant that he had the chance to adjust the power and angle of his shot in midair, making “two-and-one” and “three-and-one” situations possible.

In the past, countless defenders had been beaten by Raymond’s pull-up shot. It was not because they were dumb and intentionally gave fouls away, it was because they could not help it. NBA rules on cylinder violation were made that way.

On that, the defender of the Warriors was smart. He knew that defending against this sort of pull-up jumper involved huge movements, so he might even need to intentionally avoid them while defending.

The defender had to avoid the attacker. This might sound a bit funny, but it was an undeniable truth.

This sort of “avoidance” defense could rarely effectively disrupt the opponent. So the moment Raymond released the shot, the Warriors could only pray for Raymond to miss the shot.

While the ball was still in midair, the red buzzer surrounding the basket had already sounded. The number on the timer had become zero, which meant that the game had already ended.

Immediately after that, the basketball flew and hit the rim of the basket.

Oh no, I used too much strength! Raymond’s face tightened. As the shooter, he was the first to perceive a problem.

Poom! The basketball hit the top of the small square on the board.

It did not go in! The Warriors players looked delighted and were about to celebrate.

The basketball bounced, however, and entered the basket.

A buzzer-beating three-pointer! It was even a shot that bounced off the board!

The entire Clippers team breathed a sigh of relief. As for the Warriors, whether it was the players or the fans, they looked sad.

“A three-pointer off the board, our luck is rotten!” The head coach of the Warriors lamented with a sigh.

…

“A three-pointer off the board, our luck is good!” Cassel raised both his hands joyously. He wanted to hug Dai Li, but he was pushed away by Dai Li with both hands.

The current Dai Li just sweat out a bunch of cold sweat. If it were not for the good luck provided by the prayer skill, the ball was definitely not going in.

A three-pointer off the board was more difficul than a normal shot off the board. Many players trained to score off the board for normal shots, but if they were to practice shooting three-pointers off the board, it would be torture.

The distance and angle of three-pointers made it so that it was difficult to score off the board. Even a top NBA shooter needed luck to score a three-pointer off the board.

Based on this lucky ball, both sides played to a draw. Now that the game went into overtime, it was like the match was starting all over again.

Chapter 621 - Every Dog Has His Day

Chapter 621: Every Dog Has His Day

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The only thing that could have been worse for the Warriors than a buzzer-beating three-pointer was a buzzer-beating three-pointer off the board. It was demoralizing.

Losing away twice in a row and then being forced into overtime at home was also very demoralizing.

Even though the Warriors had experienced many big moments, when faced with this sort of situation, it was impossible for them not to be a bit sad.

In the surrounding stands, all the fans had already stood up to view the match, but their cheers were not as loud. There had been 48 minutes of intense battle with both teams tieing with each other multiple times and overtaking the other team. It had exhausted the stamina of most fans. The fans were already hoarse from all the cheering. The hawker wandering in between the stands selling beverages had become the busiest person in the stadium.

After a short break, overtime began.

Overtimes lasted only five minutes. If one were to divide it up, each team would get around seven to eight chances to attack, so every offense was extremely important.

Dai Li did not make any tactical arrangements. Now, he could only believe in the judgment of the veterans.

The veterans chose to drive inside with the ball. Even if they were unable to score, they could get a foul and obtain free throws. For superstars who had world-class skills, it was the most stable scoring method.

The Warriors continued implementing their previous tactic. They still emphasized shooting outside the three-point line, which relied heavily on the form of the players. It was the most dangerous scoring method since three-pointers gained one more point that normal shots.

Both sides played against each other for around four rallies, each scoring six points. The Warriors made two three-pointers while the Clippers managed to get four free throws and one layup.

Seeing the veterans driving below the Warriors’ basket like a cannonball before twisting and turning their bodies as if they were made of dough while performing their layup, one could become a little teary-eyed.

These old fellows really wanted that championship ring.

Not only Dai Li was touched; the commentators and the fans in front of their televisions were as well.

“Wood collided directly with a paint player. The guard looked for contact with the center, it looks like suicide!”

“Howard still dares to make a layup like that? Is he not afraid of destroying his knees again?”

“This drive, look at how Raymond twisted his body!”

“Vincent, oh, wow, he is flying. Oh my God. Although he forced a foul with this, his fall looks devastating! He’s already 39 years old…”

Everyone could feel that these veterans were all putting their lives on the line when they played. Each of their drives and breakthroughs looked as if they had gambled their entire professional careers on them! No matter how much they had to sacrifice, they were going to win.

Crazy. This group is crazy! It’s just a game, do they have to do it to this extent? Do they think that they are supermen? If everyone played like this, the insurance company would definitely go bankrupt! Dale thought.

Dale had already won three championships so, for him, the fourth championship would just be a bonus.

It was not only Dale; the other players on the Warriors team also had similar thoughts, especially the starters. They all had championship rings, so they did not think it was necessary for them to put their life on the line to obtain something they already owned.

“These old guys are hot in their head, it’s better not to compete with them!”

“They’re not afraid of injuries, but I’m still afraid of injuries! The season has almost ended, I have no intention of spending my entire summer in the hospital.”

“With the age of these old veterans, they’ll retire in a year or two, but my professional career still has a long way to go! They’re the barefooted who aren’t afraid of me, a person wearing shoes. Forget it, it’s better for me to back down a little and show some cowardice!”

“It’s the last year of my contract, and I’m still hoping to sign a 100 million dollar contract next year. If I get injured now, my large contract won’t happen. No, I have to endure. For the large contract, I have to take care of my health! I’ll just be a good boy and shoot three-pointers, that is the safest!”

The thoughts in each of the Warriors’ players minds were different, but the prevailing idea was that they were reluctant to battle against the Clippers.

There is a saying: the brave when win two sides meet on a narrow road. In the last two minutes of overtime, it was a really “narrow road.” The Warriors, however, could not make themselves “brave.”

Evaporation of will!

It was what happened to the Warriors. One minute, they were on fire and the gap in the score was still tight. The next minute, they failed to score in three times in a row.

This the most critical moment in overtime.

For teams that focused on three-pointers, missing three in a row was not an accident, it was common.

In the last two minutes of overtime, missing three times in a row was lethal!

It was due to these three rallies that the Clippers pulled five points in the lead. Two layups and a “two-and-one” from a foul.

The fourth three-point attempt of the Warriors finally went in but the Clippers did not give the Warriors any chance to take a breather. They drove straight into the paint, drawing yet another foul. Immediately after, they made both free throws, pulling their lead to four.

A gap of four points, it was an awkward number. They needed two rounds to either tie it up or to overtake them.

The Warriors pushed forward quickly after the game resumed. They used ten seconds to score a quick two points. After that, they implemented their fouling tactic.

The time of testing the Clippers’ free throws had arrived.

The fans continued to be noisy and produced all kinds of noises in order to disrupt the Clippers’ free throws.

The Clippers made both their free throws, however, shutting the crowd up.

Like before, the score gap was still four points. The Warriors still needed two attacks to tie the game up, but ten seconds had been wasted.

Now, time did not allow them to quickly gain two points, they had to try for a three-pointer.

Three-pointers in times like these relied not only on ability but on luck as well.

The head coach of the Warriors did not have the Lucky Horseshoe, he did not have the prayer skill or the ability to increase his luck.

The Warriors did not make it one of the most important three-pointers and the Clippers quickly grabbed the rebound and, immediately after that, the Warriors had to foul.

The Clippers were put on the free throw line once again. They scored one out of two. The gap was now five points.

The Warriors called for a timeout. They restarted in the middle of the court. A player grabbed the ball before instantly releasing a three-point shot. This time, the basket counted. The gap was now two points.

The Clippers quickly restarted the game and the Warriors committed another foul. The Clippers were on the free throw line again and made both free throws. The point gap returned to four, but this time there were only 5.5 seconds left.

The Warriors used their last timeout and resumed the game from the middle, trying their best to shoot a three-point shot.

It did not go in and the Clippers grabbed the rebound. The Warriors fouled again, but it no longer had any meaning.

There were only 2.2 seconds left with a four-point gap. There were no timeouts, so they needed to start their attack from the other side of the court. Even if they made the basket, the 2.2 seconds would be used up. Even if they made a three-pointer, the Warriors would still be one point behind.

The Warriors’ chances of winning this game were slim.

…

The buzzer signaling the end of the game sounded. The fans had already started to leave.

The series score was now three-zero. The Clippers had only one game left to win. For the Warriors, they might as well say goodbye to playing in the Championship.

In the NBA, there has never been a team that was able to overturn a series where they trailed zero-three. If a team trailed zero-three, they may as well just give up.

In the fourth game, two days later, Dai Li only played his starters for over a dozen minutes, warming them up enough to maintain their form before putting on non-rotational players. It was the equivalent of resting his main players and intentionally throwing the fourth game.

The Warriors played against the waterboys of the Clippers and easily obtained a victory, turning the score of the series to one-three.

Although the Warriors had won, the players were not happy at all. They had been trailing zero-three. Their intention had been to give it their all and overturn things in one go to regain some face, but their great punch would land on soft cotton.

This game did not help the Warriors regain their confidence. They beat the waterboy team. They felt like a six-foot muscular man who had beaten up a child. It would have been humiliating if they had lost, but winning brought them no sense of achievement.

All in all, it was a one-sided battle.

The coaching staff of the Warriors felt depressed. Initially, they had wanted to use the victory to boost the morale of the players. They never would have thought that their opponent did not even plan to face them head-on. Instead, they just put in a dummy team and avoided a fight.

Dai Li treated this strategy as if it were the most natural option. When faced with questions, he answered, “Our players are older, they can’t maintain their body in high-intensity physical battles during the playoffs. They needed a rest. You can’t expect a bunch of almost 40-year-old veterans to push like young players, can you!?”

Dai Li’s reasoning left the journalists speechless. For players of such an age, playing was called “professionalism.” Almost everyone who witnessed it would commend it, but if they were to play a few games taking care of their health first, no one could reprimand them for anything.

Respecting your elders and loving the young is a virtue. In the NBA, there was only the respecting of the elders, there was no loving of the young. Young newbies were commonly bullied, but respecting the older veteran players was the politically correct thing to do.

…

It was the fifth game. Both teams had returned to Los Angeles.

Los Angeles was a city with a tradition of winning the championship. This year, however, the team that was going to be in the championship was not the Lakers but the Clippers. The fans were just as passionate. Nearly all of the 20,000 seats in the stadium were filled. There were many Hollywood movie stars who came to witness the moment the Clippers won the Western Conference championship.

The game had not yet started. Dai Li chatted happily with Dingtian Xiao in the VIP seats.

“I never would have thought that U.S. sports made so much money. I played football in China and lost millions in a single year. U.S. basketball nets me over 20 million dollars in profit in a single game!” Dingtian Xiao exclaimed.

Dingtian Football Club losing over 10 billion annually was standard. For Dingtian Group, 10 billion was simply the cost of the development of a few more buildings. It was considered as small as the cost putting up advertisements.

Back when Dingtian Group bought the Clippers, they did not intend to make huge profits. As long as they did not lose too much money they would be fine. Contrary, however, to Dingtian Xiao’s expectations, doing business in the sports industry of the U.S. made a lot of money.

The average price of a ticket for this game had already surpassed a thousand dollars. It was a new record price for the Western Conference final. Based on the number of seats in the Staples Center, which was 20,000, the revenue from tickets alone would reach 20 million dollars.

One game had already produced the salary of a star player for a year.

Ticket prices in Los Angeles were already high. For the grand final, the ticket price in Los Angeles could exceed 2,500 dollars.

Dai Li smiled and said, “The commercialization of sports in the U.S. is certainly something that other countries cannot compare with.”

“It’s regrettable that this stadium does not belong to us.” Dingtian Xiao let out a long sigh and looked towards the surrounding stands.

Dingtian Xiao was a developer himself and Dingtian Group was ranked in the top 200 of the Global Fortune 500 Companies. The stadium was not his, so it made Dingtian Xiao feel bad.

After a lifetime of developing properties, he had to rent someone else’s stadium. How could he bare it!

Dingtian Xiao then lowered his voice and said, “I plan to build a new stadium and make it ours. If you win the NBA championship this year, there will definitely be no problem getting a new stadium aprroved by the board.”

There were 30 teams in the NBA and 29 stadiums in total. The Lakers and the Clippers shared the Staples Center.

Among these 29 stadiums, only seven and a half teams really owned their own home stadium. The Palace of Auburn Hillswas owned by Pistons, the Verizon Center by the Wizards, the Air Canada Centre by the Raptors, the Barclays Center by the Nets, the Moda Center by the Trailblazers, the Pepsi Center by the Nuggets, and the Vivint Smart Home Arena by the Jazz. Apart from that, the owner of the Bulls owned 50% shares of the United Center, so the Bulls were considered to own half a stadium.

The rest of the teams rented their stadiums. For example, the Toyota Center, of the Houston team that Chinese fans were more familiar with, belonged to the Houston Sports Bureau.

“It would cost quite a bit to build a stadium, no?” Dai Li asked subconsciously.

“I plan to pay this much.” Dingtian Xiao raised one finger.

Did he mean 100 million dollars? He couldn’t build an NBA basketball stadium in Los Angeles with that little money.

10 billion dollars? Dingtian Group couldn’t furnish that much money and one did not need that much money to build a stadium.

That hand gesture surely meant one billion dollars!

One billion dollars to build a stadium. It was definitely going to be a high-quality stadium.

Current NBA stadiums had been built in the previous century. Earlier stadiums like the Bradley Center and the Palace of Auburn Hills had been built in 1988. The building cost back then had lost its value of being a reliable reference.

After 2010, a total of three stadiums were built and used in the NBA: the Amway Center, which started operations in 2010, cost a total of 480 million dollars; the Brooklyn Barclays Center, which opened in 2012, cost a total of one billion dollars; the Sacramento Golden One Center, which was completed in 2016, cost 558 million dollars.

Apart from that, the new stadium of the Warriors, which was built in California, was also said to have cost one billion in investment.

Barclays Center was located in New York, so the rent was higher, resulting in a total development cost of one billion dollars. The rent in California was also very high, so the cost of the Warriors’ new stadium was also extremely high.

Land in Los Angeles also cost a lot. To build a new stadium in Los Angeles, one had to at least spend seven to eight hundred million dollars. If one were to spend more than one billion dollars, it would be a fantastic stadium.

As for whether one could recoup his or her investment, Dai Li did not really worry much. When it came to being a coach, Dai Li believed himself to be world-class. When it came to real estate developments, Dingtian Xiao was world-class. Since Dingtian Xiao was willing to spend one billion dollars to build a stadium, it must mean that there were ways to benefit from it.

…

Amidst the audience, many were not fans of the Clippers. They were there purely to witness the birth of a new Western Conference champion. Of course, there were also people there to witness the Warriors getting eliminated.

The Warriors had made it to the championship four years in a row and had won three of them. This was the first time the Warriors failed to enter the grand final in five years, so it was definitely worth witnessing.

Many fans also realized that it was perhaps the last game for the current Warriors team lineup.

Among the Warriors players, some of them were in the last year of their contract. Some hoped for a new, huge contract. There were also those who lowered their salary in order to win the championship. There were even people who were heading towards the last year of their contracts If they won the championship, it would not be a problem for players to lower their salary and renew their contracts. If they did not win, or even make it to the final, then it was highly likely the Warriors lineup would dissolve in the next year.

So, after the Warriors lost this game, it was highly likely their players would each go their separate ways next season.

If the fans had realized, how could professional coaches and players not?

Some of the starters of the Warriors came into this game thinking that their futures were in doubt. Their minds were not on whether they won or lost in the game, they were thinking things like “I must look for a top salary next season” or “I should go to that team next season.”

The minds of the players were already scattered and it became even more difficult for them to win the game.

…

During the game, the Clippers and the Warriors played competitively. Both sides executed brilliant plays and scored amazing shots. To basketball experts, however, the game did not reach the expected intensity level of a Western Conference final.

Even during the last moment, when the Warriors lost the game, nobody could detect the sadness of being eliminated on the face of the Warriors players. They just seemed a little disappointed. Some players even looked as if a huge burden had just been lifted off their shoulders.

Perhaps, for the Warriors players, the championship was also a kind of pressure. As the saying goes, it is always lonely at the top! Now that they did not make it to the championship, it seemed like the heavy burden on their shoulders was gone.

The Clippers defeated the Warriors with a final score of four-one. They were now one step away from the winning the championship.

On the other side of the league, the Eastern Conference final was still underway.

Unlike Dai Li had expected, the final Eastern Conference champions were the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Bucks were a team with a long history. They were the NBA champions in 1971 but, since 2000, the overall strength of the Bucks had been going downhill. It was only in the past two years that they returned to being a strong team in the Eastern Conference.

Even if this were the case before the playoffs began, not many people favored the Bucks. Regardless, under the leadership of the Bucks’ core player, “Mr. Alphabet,” they overcame all kinds of obstacles and made it into the championship.

One could say with a fair amount of confidence that no one expected the Clippers to face the Bucks in the championship.

The second day after the Eastern Conference final, the Clippers flew on a plane that headed towards Milwaukee.

The first two games of the grand final were at the home of the Bucks because the Bucks had done better than the Clippers during the regular season.

This did not mean that the Bucks were stronger than the Clippers. The main reason was that the competition in the Western Conference this season was fiercer.

The Western Conference this season had been pure chaos, especially in the first half of the regular season. Around seven or eight teams took turns occupying the first place of the Western Conference. A team that was placed first one day would drop out of the playoff positions the next if they lost just a game. The chaotic situation made it so that the average results of a Western Conference team to be poorer than usual.

The competition in the Eastern Conference had not been as fierce. Like in previous years, the first five to six teams going to the playoffs were confirmed very early. The other teams with a win rate of below 50% fought for the remaining spots. The teams that were worse began tanking in the beginning of the season and became teams that handed out wins for free

As such, the top three teams in the Eastern Conference actually had a better result than the Western Conference teams.

…

It was the first game in the Championship. Unwittingly, the Clippers had a double-digit lead.

The Bucks did not make any mistakes. They executed their tactics well and their field goal percentage was not bad either, but they were just behind when it came to points.

It was a difference in strength!

Their lineup was slightly weaker and they had a little bit less experience. When put on the stage of the Championship, this sort of difference turned into a difference in points. It was a kind point-gap that they had no way of reducing.

In truth, they had already done quite well, but they still had to lose. The Bucks had no way of dealing with this.

On the bench beside the court, Dai Li looked casual and relaxed while he chatted away casually with the assistant coach, Cassel.

“That kid is pretty good!” Dai Li pointed at the core player of the Bucks. The guy, who had a very long name, was called “Mr. Alphabet.” Dai Li could not pronounce his name.

Dai Li’s detector showed that this young man, who was only 24 years old, had an S+ talent potential. It was very likely he would be the next conqueror of the league. His season average was 26 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, so his stats were unquestionable.

Dai Li said, “Such a talented kid should not stay in Milwaukee, he should head to a bigger city to grow.”

“Are you planning on bringing him over?” Cassel asked cautiously.

Dai Li did not answer, so Cassel continued, “He still has two years on his contract, but I’m afraid it will be hard for us to get him to Los Angeles. In his interview, he said that he is willing to stay in Milwaukee his entire career.”

“He said that because he hasn’t experienced enough defeats! He’s still young right now and feels that he has a long road ahead of him. The Championship doesn’t feel as urgent to him yet. Wait until he has experienced repeated failures and many despairs. When he realizes that he will never ever win the Championship if he stays in Milwaukee, he will change his mind,” Dai Li said.

“That’s true. Milwaukee is a small market. It’s hard for them to attract big stars to join them. With how things are in the NBA now, if you don’t have enough stars, you won’t become a champion,” Cassel answered honestly.

Milwaukee was not exactly a small city, it had around two million poeople and it was ranked in the upper rankings among the many cities in the U.S.

In terms of basketball, however, Milwaukee was a tiny market.

The people of the city loved baseball more than basketball. The Milwaukee Brewers were a team that lost more than they won for many years in a row, staying at the bottom of the ranking. In Milwaukee, however, the Brewers was more popular than the Bucks.

Then, Dai Li said, “After the season ends, I am going to resign from my post of head coach.”

“What?” Cassel swayed his body to the side and looked at Dai Li in disbelief.

“It’s the Olympics next year, so it’s impossible for me to continue focusing on the team.” Dai Li spread his hands and continued, “I plan to make a suggestion to the management team and ask for you to take up the post of the head coach. After all, you’ve been in charge of the tactics of the team for the past two years. Next season, I will only be responsible for physical fitness training.”

“You’re letting me be the head coach!” Cassel opened his mouth wide. He never would have imagined that he would receive such a piece of surprisingly good news in a place like this.

Every assistant coach dreamed of becoming a head coach, and Cassel was no different.

Dai Li was leaving Cassel a team that had won a championship.

Cassel realized that, after many years of suffering as an underling, his day had finally come. He was going to have his chance to shine.

Chapter 622 - The Man God Has Forsaken

Chapter 622: The Man God Has Forsaken

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Los Angeles Staples Center.

It was the fourth game of the Championship. The Clippers had won the previous three matches and led the Bucks by a dominating score of three-zero. The fourth game was at home for the Clippers so the win was all but guaranteed.

As the buzzer signaled the end of the game, all of the Clippers players rushed onto the court and hugged each other. The few veterans on the team had started bawling their eyes out a long time ago.

To these veterans, returning to the court had been a miracle. This had filled the void of regret that had haunted each of them for so long.

The camera shot straight at these veterans. Their expressions touched the heart of every fan, not only in the stadium, but also those watching on television.

These fans had been rooting for these old stars since they had been children. Every year, these fans hoped that these people that they supported would win a championship. Still, many retired without ever winning one.

That day not only fulfilled these veteran players’ dreams, but it also fulfilled the childhood dreams of many fans.

Dai Li, who was on the sideline, was also touched. He felt more reluctant to leave basketball behind.

After this game ended, he would resign and leave his post as the head coach of the Clippers. He would return to his physical fitness training centers.

There would be another Olympics next year, so the physical fitness training centers would be busy.

…

As news of Dai Li’s resignation head coach got out, it attracted a considerable amount of attention instantaneously.

After all, the Clippers had just won the championship. A head coach in the NBA had never left a team after winning a championship.

If they had been any other team, it would certainly cause a lot of speculation. There might even be conspiracy theories that developed.

The Clippers were different. Everyone knew that Dai Li was the son-in-law of the team’s boss so he was likely to be the future boss. Of course, there were no conspiracy theories. It was their family business, why shouldn’t they come and go as they pleased?

Many people felt that Dai Li had achieved his objective of conquering the NBA after winning the Championship, so he simply quit.

Cassel was promoted to the head coach role and fully inherited the work of handling the Clippers. Everything proceeded smoothly.

That was the benefit of internal promotions. Everyone was originally from the same team, so everyone was familiar with each other. The work was easier. If they had hired a new coach from external sources, it would take at least a month for the new coach to integrate with the team. Cassel had always been the deputy and the second-in-command of the coaching staff, so he was already very familiar with the job of coaching.

Initially, Dai Li thought that after handing over his work to Cassel he would have nothing left to do. He never would have thought that by late June, Cassel would once again invite Dai Li to New York.

Madison Square Garden.

A new season of the NBA draft had started.

“Coach, your instincts are great when it comes to drafting new players. Without you here I could not feel confident,” Cassel said charmingly.

Dai Li was speechless. He used the detector on the rookies participating in the draft for the team.

“This batch of rookies are quite decent. The players with a lot of potential are all concentrated in the lottery area, so the Clippers will not be able to get them.”

Dai Li sighed in disappointment. Players with exceptional talent had long been targeted by other people. These players would be taken during the lottery phase. The Clippers had the 28th pick, so they had no chance of getting a rookie with exceptional talent.

“The 28th pick. It would be good to get a passable rotational player. Getting a star player with the 28th pick was like winning the lottery.”

Dai Li had no hope in the first round. As for the rookies in the second round, they did not have any exceptional talent.

Of course, many players who were on the roster would not turn up to the event, so Dai Li had no way of using the detector on them to measure their talent.

This is what scouts were for. Every team had a fair evaluation of the rookies. The exceptionally talented rookies had long since been booked. They were taken during the lottery phase.

The CEO of the NBA announced the 14th picked player. Dai Li shook his head in resignation. As expected, the players that Dai Li fancied did not make it out of the lottery phase. It looked like there was no hope for the Clippers to pick up leftover gems.

On the stage, the CEO produced a piece of paper from his pocket.

“What’s going on? Did the 15th team already finish choosing? That fast? That’s not right, even if the team has chosen, the CEO wouldn’t have the results in his pocket!”

Dai Li was still deliberating when he heard the CEO announce, “The 14th pick of the NBA is Saya Austin!”

What? Another 14th pick? The NBA chose? What’s going on here? Dai Li became even more confused.

The big screen showed a picture of a player. At the same time, a big man wearing a suit walked on stage. This person was the player shown on the big screen; however, this person looked a little weird. His facial features seemed a little distorted. His left eye was bigger than the other. His right eye looked as if it could not be opened.

“Who is this guy? What’s going on here?” Dai Li asked Cassel.

“Coach, you really don’t pay attention to high school or college basketball, do you?!” Cassel smiled gently. He then began to explain what was happening. “His name is Saya Austin. He’s from Baylor University. He’s seven feet and one inch, a center. Do you feel that there’s something off about him?”

Dai Li nodded. Cassel said, “He has a disease, Marfan syndrome!”

Dai Li nodded in realization.

Marfan syndrome, also called Spider Fingers, was a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. The disorder made it so that the one inflicted with the disorder experiences congenital mesoderm dysplasia. Symptoms of the disorder include having uneven length and width of the limbs, fingers, and toes, and an unordinary height. These were accompanied by vascular system abnormality, particularly a combination of heart valve abnormality and aortic aneurysm.

Throughout history, many basketball and volleyball players were found to have been inflicted with this syndrome. Most of them died from an aortic aneurysm, pericardial tamponade, the incomplete closing of the aortic valve, an mitral valve prolapse, which occurs when in the heart to weaken myocardium.

Cassel continued, “When Austin was 12 years old, his right eye became blind after being hit by a baseball. He currently has a fake eyeball in his right eye socket.”

“No wonder one of his eyes is bigger than the other one. He lost an eye, surely it will affect his shooting! His turning from the right will also be greatly limited,” Dai Li commented.

“That is the case; however, it never stopped him from chasing his basketball dream. He was hard-working. In high school, Austin was one of the top three high school students in the U.S. At Baylor University, he managed to average 13-8 in his first season. Back then, there were even draft pick websites that predicted him as the second pick,” Cassel said.

Dai Li nodded in silence. For a center to get a 13-8 in his freshman year was indeed amazing. Exceptionally huge centers always had higher draft positions. This could be seen from the drafts of previous years.

Teams with the first pick always prioritized choosing a top center. The strongest basketball players might only be the third pick in the diamond generation because the first pick of those years was naturally a center. From 2001 to 2010, seven of the first picks had been centers.

A huge center who could get a 13-8 on the NCAA stage certainly had the pedigree to be a top three pick in the draft.

Cassel said, “Last year, Austin did not take part in the draft and, this year, he chose to participate. During the medical checkup, he was found to be inflicted with Marfan syndrome. This meant the end of his professional basketball career. To be an eye down as well as have Marfan syndrome, he has definitely been forsaken by God!

“He did not give up. He still wants to play. Although the doctors have already provided reports that allows him to play, I don’t think any team will choose him. No team would select a player with the Marfan syndrome. Perhaps his inspirational story will help him get a job in a lower-tier league overseas.”

“What a waste, what a waste.” Dai Li could not help but lament.

The reason Dai Li sighed was that he detected that Austin had a grade A basketball talent potential. This meant that it was possible for him to grow into a star player. He was a seven-foot one-inch star center. His value was much higher than forwards and guards at the same level. His disease made all of this meaningless.

It’s unfortunate that my athlete’s patch can’t treat diseases. It’s not like he’s missing an arm or a leg…

Dai Li lowered his head and deliberated for a while before opening his mouth to ask, “Do you think that his body can adapt to the physicality of the NBA?”

Cassel thought for a moment before answering. “He is a little bit light, so when it comes to physical battles, he is definitely at a disadvantage. He’s 225 pounds, which is considered passable in the NBA. His leaping ability and wingspan are top-tier. His rebounding ability and awareness are also amazing. What is most important is the way he shoots, he has the ability to make three-point shots.”

“Sounds like he is suitable in a high post and pivot position.” Dai Li furrowed his brow and thought for a moment. He then said, “With his talent, it’s too much of a waste to not let him play basketball. I will let him train with me at my physical fitness training center for a few months. I want to observe him. If he can satisfy my requirements, give him a two-way contract! This is a young man with a dream. If possible, I would like to help him realize his dream!”

…

Austin knew what receiving a training invitation from Dai Li meant.

Although it was not a training trial with the Clippers, Austin knew that this was his way of getting into the NBA. If he could get the recognition of Dai Li, he would have a chance to play in the NBA.

For Austin, even if he did not play in the NBA but played in the NBA development league, he would be fine. The development league took in many rookies who did not make the cut or those who had lower draft positions. If Austin played in the development league, he would at least have the same starting position as the other rookies who did not make the cut and the lower draft positioned rookies.

For a person inflicted with Marfan syndrome, it was a very rare opportunity just to be able to compete against normal people.

When Austin read through the training plan that Dai Li drafted, however, he could not help being slightly confused.

“Coach Li, this training plan has an hour for a nap every day? What does this mean?” Austin asked.

“It means to go to sleep after lunch,” Dai Li explained.

Americans did not normally nap in the afternoon. In the afternoon, if there were time to rest, they would definitely rather get a coffee than find a place to rest. So Austin did not understand the meaning of napping in the afternoon.

Dai Li explained, “An afternoon nap is beneficial for the body. German scientists have relevant research findings. They believe that naps are part of the natural sleeping cycle. In my opinion, naps can not only reduce fatigue, but also protect the heart. I believe that it would be beneficial in your current situation.”

The most lethal characteristic of Marfan syndrome was the pathological changes of the aortic valve, especially aortic aneurysms. Aortic aneurysms were the most common cause of death of Marfan syndromes. As such, Dai Li stating that naps could protect the heart really did correspond with Austin’s situation.

Although Austin did not think that Dai Li’s reasoning was reliable, he needed to ensure his coach was satisfied, so he nodded in agreement.

If an hour of napping was required to get into the NBA, would nap for an hour!

…

Patients with Marfan syndrome had no problems participating in sports as long as there were no pathological changes to their hearts. Austin had received approval from the doctors allowing him to play basketball.

As such, Austin’s training plans were designed based on the standards of normal humans.

After lunch, Austin followed Dai Li’s plan and lied down in the lounge. He then started his nap.

To make Austin fall asleep faster, Dai Li intentionally added rice into his lunch menu; he also prohibited Austin from drinking coffee.

Ingesting carbohydrates increased the blood glucose level, making it easier for a person to feel sleepy. Westerners rarely ingested a large number of carbohydrates during their lunch, so they did not feel sleepy in the afternoon.

He prohibited coffee to stop it from stimulating his nervous system. Countries in Europe where people get off work around three or four in the afternoon start work immediately after lunch to ensure their work efficiency in the afternoon. After lunch, they must drink a cup of coffee. They liked to enjoy a cup of strong coffee in the afternoon so that they remained energetic the entire afternoon.

After eating rice without any coffee in his system, Austin definitely felt sleepy. The training in the morning had also exhausted him. Before long, he fell asleep.

At the same time, Dai Li used the Dream Creator Top and initiated dream training.

Although Austin had grade A basketball talent, he was not a healthy person. As such, it was impossible for him to have an explosive and powerful body like the other NBA players.

At 7’1″, 225 pounds, he was certainly a little thin. His body was definitely at a disadvantage in the paint; however, Dai Li did not plan to increase Austin’s weight because Austin had Marfan syndrome. The most lethal aspect of Marfan syndrome was pathological changes in the heart. If he increased his weight, the pressure on his heart would also increase. It might induce heart-related complications. For Austin’s safety, Dai Li wanted him to maintain his current weight.

Since basketball could not strengthen his body, the only focus left were technical skills and match experience.

Training technical skills took time while as did accumulating match experience. As such, Dai Li chose to use the Dream Creator Top. This would allow Austin to gain skills and experience in his dream.

…

Austin had a dream. He dreamed that he had become part of the Clippers and he appeared in an NBA match.

Austin had really wanted to play in the NBA. Now, he was really dreaming about it.

He was thoroughly beaten. He was blocked, his ball was stolen, he was tricked into fouling, lost his man in defense…

In just a few minutes, Austin committed six fouls and was forced to leave the court.

Although it was just a dream, Austin was still very frustrated.

The scene in front of Austin changed. He stood on the court again. He was once again in the NBA, the league he dreamed about. A new match was about to begin.

Once again he was blocked, had his ball stolen, was tricked into fouling, lost his man in defense, and was forced to leave after six fouls. Austin experienced it all over again.

In the next second, the scene in front of Austin changed yet again and another game started. The same happened again.

A newbie had appeared on the court of the NBA. This sort of performance was normal.

After numerous attempts, Austin started to score and there were times he defended successfully. He was not as easily tricked into fouling and he was not forced off the court due to six fouls in the first quarter.

Austin himself did not know just how many games he had played or how many times he was forced off the court after six fouls. A bell rang and he instantly opened his eyes and found that he was resting in the lounge. He remembered that he was following Dai Li’s instructions and was taking a nap.

I had a very weird dream. I dreamed that I went and played in the NBA. I was thoroughly beaten. After returning to reality, Austin shook his head and stood up to prepare for training in the afternoon.

That night, Austin had another dream. He dreamed he was standing on the training ground practicing his footwork under the basket.

That night, he slept for seven hours. In his dream, he practiced his footwork under the basket for an entire 70 hours.

The second night, Austin practiced his hook shot for 70 hours.

The third night, Austin played in NBA games for 70 hours.

In the NBA, a common bench player had less than 30 minutes of game time. Based on a calculation of 82 games per season, a player could play around 40 hours per season.

With Austin’s nap and nightly sleep, he could play 80 hours in his dream. It was the equivalent of two seasons for a normal bench player of the NBA.

One day was equal to two seasons. Five days equaled ten seasons. To continuously play ten days of games, Austin’s cumulated match experience was comparable to a veteran whose professional career spanned for two decades.

Even if one were to look throughout NBA history, there weren’t many whose basketball career spanned for 20 years.

…

Austin suddenly felt tired. It was not fatigue of the flesh, but fatigue of the mind.

Every time he slept, he would have weird dreams. For example, he would be doing all kinds of training or playing in the NBA, suffering from the punishment dished out by the NBA superstars.

Austin did indeed want to play basketball in his dreams, but he actually did it every time he dreamed. It was certainly quite frustrating as well.

He even complained to his doctor during his medical re-examination. The doctor said that he was feeling too stressed or that he wanted to play basketball too much, which was why he had those dreams.

Austin had no solution. One had to sleep after all. To be able to face off against those NBA superstars in his dream was still quite an exhilarating experience.

…

New York. NBA headquarters.

“Mr. President, we’ve just received a notice from the Clippers. They want to give Saya Austin a two-way contract,” the secretary said, handing over a document to the NBA president, Adams.

“Austin. That’s the kid who lost an eye and has Marfan syndrome!” Adams nodded. He remembered the draft a few months ago. He chose Austin using the NBA as a charitable move.

“This kid’s story is inspirational. Although God has forsaken him, he did not give up on himself and continued to work hard. If a team is willing to give him a two-way contract, it’s a good thing.” Adams put down the documents in his hand and continued, “I really hope the other teams can imitate the Clippers and are not always so cautious in spending a few hundred million dollars. They should be more charitable so that the NBA has a better reputation, it’s also helpful for promoting the NBA!”

Just as Adams said, everyone thought that the Clippers signing on Austin was simply charity.

A Marfan syndrome patient couldn’t play in the NBA. He might not even make it in the development league. Spending money on signing him must be charity.

…

Before Marcus was injured, he was the number one center in the NBA. He had the standard body of a center. He had a strong physique, nimble footwork, exceptional leaping ability, as well as amazing technical skills. He was chosen as an All-Star multiple times and joined the U.S. national team. He won the gold medal in the Olympics.

At the end of the season two years ago, Marcus tore his left Achilles tendon. He missed the remaining games of the season and the entire season after that to rehabilitate.

Now, Marcus had finally recovered from his injury and the new season approached.

Marcus felt that after not playing for more than a year, his form and touch would be out of place. As such, he decided to play a few low-intensity games first to recover his form and touch.

Marcus requested to be put in the development league. He wanted to find his form and touch by dishing out punishment to the newbies in the development league.

The first opponent Marcus faced in the development league was the Ontario Clippers, the sub-team of the Los Angeles Clippers in the development league.

Marcus was unfamiliar with his opponent. He did not even know their names.

Of course, before Marcus came to the development league, he did not even know the name of his own teammates.

The number one center of the NBA and a starter of the All-Star lineup, why would he follow the happenings of the development league?!

Marcus knew that he was in the development league to crush weaklings, that was all he thought he needed to know.

Before the game, the coach specifically called Marcus to the side.

“Marcus, our opponent in your contraposition is Saya Austin. You have to pay special attention to him,” the coach said.

“Pay special attention? Is he really good? Relax, I’ll destroy him,” Marcus said with a smirk. To him, no matter how great a development league player was, he was a weakling.

“No no no, you misunderstand, this Austin is a rookie who failed to get signed during the draft. He has Marfan syndrome,” the coach explained.

“Now that you mention it, I remember. He’s the cripple who is blind in one eye and has a disease! I saw his story on the news. A poor fellow forsaken by God. Alright, seeing that he’s so pitiful, I’ll take it easy on him. I won’t bully a cripple,” Marcus said.

“That’s what I mean.” The coach paused and continued, “Also, if it is possible, let him score two points. It’s difficult enough for this kid to get on the court, we have to be sympathetic to him.”

“Understood. I will give him opportunities to score. It’ll be charity!” Marcus smiled and said, “I will get him a jersey which I signed, he’ll definitely love it.”

Chapter 623 - A Disabled Person Has to be Strong

Chapter 623: A Disabled Person Has to be Strong

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Marcus stood on the court. He was determined to do charity work.

He looked at the big guy wearing sports goggles standing beside him and guessed that he was the disabled person, Austin.

One of Austin’s eyes was fake so, when he participated in sports activities, he would wear sports goggles as protection.

For Austin, playing on the court, even if it were just in the development league, was an extremely precious opportunity.

Austin really appreciated this moment. He seemed solemn. In truth, as someone with Marfan syndrome, he had to treat every game as the last of his professional career.

A shot was missed. Austin put his life on the line to get the offensive rebound. It was the first time he received the ball.

The one defending him, Marcus, hesitated for a moment and raised both his hands. He did not try to block him and allowed Austin to complete his layup and score.

The audience in the stadium immediately erupted into a roaring cheer for Austin. A disabled person had scored a basket! It was inspirational and deserved to be cheered on by the people.

Yup, I’m here to do charity, Marcus thought. He did not mind this basket. On the contrary, he felt good, as if he had just given some money to a beggar.

In the next attack, Austin received the ball in a high post position. Marcus did not immediately follow up on defense, so Austin shot directly and scored another two points.

A disabled person’s life must not be easy. I’ll let you score another two points, Marcus thought.

…

After a minute, Austin received an alley-oop assist from his teammate and scored with a slam dunk. He had already scored six points.

I’ve already given him six points. That’s enough charity work for now. I better start defending seriously on the next attack, Marcus told himself.

In truth, these three baskets had been the result of Marcus’ negligence on defense. The once number one center in the NBA did not take Austin seriously at all. Marcus thought that there was no way a disabled person like him could actually beat him!

What Marcus did not know was that these three baskets had given Austin confidence!

I’m actually that great! I can score against the number one center in the NBA! I’ve scored six points, it’s like I’m dreaming!

That’s not right. In my dream, I really did play against Marcus. It feels like dream Marcus and the real Marcus are the same.

Austin was more confident now. He felt that he had the ability to compete against Marcus.

Austin received the next ball low post and played one-on-one against Marcus.

After a feint, a turnaround, another feint, and then a turn, Austin used dreamlike footwork to lose Marcus. He then made a slam dunk with one hand.

The stands suddenly erupted. A seven-foot one-inch tall man had taken such deft and nimble footsteps. He had shaken off the number one center in the NBA!

This was incredible because he was a disabled person!

Austin stared blankly after scoring the basket. He suddenly felt that the number one center in the NBA was not that hard to deal with.

In truth, Austin had trained in that set of footwork for 500 hours in his dream. After that, through over a thousand hours of game time, it had synergized. Austin had already mastered the set of footwork.

Marcus’ face turned grim. He had been beaten by a disabled person in a one-on-one faceoff. He felt like he was being ridiculed.

Scoring three baskets should be good enough. I never would have thought that you would become bolder as a result. A chilling light flashed in Marcus’ eyes. He decided to put Austin back into his place

The ball fell into Marcus’ hands. He chose to play against him with his back to the basket, he wanted to force a dunk over the head of Austin.

In terms of physique, Marcus was definitely much stronger than Austin. He would not have become the number one center of the NBA if he wasn’t. Austin also had Marfan syndrome, so he could not pursue a higher bodyweight.

Marcus held the ball in place and forced his way inside the paint with Austin having absolutely no way to defend against Marcus’ strength. He could only continuously retreat.

Then, Marcus leaned into Austin before turning around.

It was at that moment that Austin suddenly loosened up, making Marcus suddenly lose balance.

Marcus was, of course, not an amateur. He instantly balanced his body and adjusted to a suitable offensive rhythm. Then, he directly went towards the basket.

Austin’s hands, however, had also extended towards him at that moment. The hands scooped upwards and sliced the ball directly into the air. The timing of the steal was perfect and the movements were extremely precise.

Austin had pulled off a successful defense. From the point of view of an expert, it was a textbook low-post defense method for the weak against the strong.

Marcus became angry.

To be beaten by a disabled person on both offense and defense was totally humiliating!

Marcus, angry after being humiliated, decided to give his all. He no longer cared if his opponent was a disabled person or not. He didn’t even care if his opponent had functioning limbs, he would no longer take it easy on him!

After a few to-and-fros on offense and defense, however, Marcus discovered that he simply could not gain any advantage.

Although Austin was inferior to him in terms of physique, his skills and techniques were solid. More importantly, his performance was definitely not that of a newbie. His play felt more like that of a veteran with decades of experience in the NBA.

Marcus even vaguely felt that the disabled guy had more game experience than he did.

Over the past few months, the length of time Austin played games in his dream was the equivalent to 30 seasons for a normal NBA player. He had gained 30 seasons of experience.

Was there anyone in the NBA who had played 30 seasons?

Certainly not.

The newbie Austin, however, actually had 30 seasons of match experience. Any rookie who was suddenly given 30 seasons of experience in the span of a few months would have been able to perform similarly to how Austin was performing.

In this match, Austin played for 20 minutes. He scored 15 points and got eight rebounds. He was headed towards a double-double. More importantly, was playing against the once best center in the NBA, Marcus.

In comparison, Marcus managed 28 points and 15 rebounds, a wonderful double-double performance. This was much more outstanding than Austin’s performance; however, Marcus had played the whole 39 minutes of the game.

Marcus definitely could not be happy about that.

…

During the press conference after the game, Marcus faced the reporters and journalists with a sad face.

A 28-15 performance was considered very good, but Marcus thought it was not enough. Before his injury, he had been the best center of the NBA, so Marcus thought that, upon moving down to the development league, he should at least achieve a 30-20.

More importantly, the disabled person who played against him managed a 15-8. Although it was only half his own statistic, the guy had played a lot less! If they had both played 40 minutes, Austin’s stats would not be worse than Marcus’.

It wouldn’t be as bad if he didn’t have to compare himself to Austin!

As such, Marcus felt that he had just received 10,000 points of damage.

I am the number one center in the NBA! I got the same stats as a disabled person. This is too humiliating! If news about this game gets out, everyone will think that I can’t even handle a disabled person!

For Marcus, even to have been slightly better than Austin would have been a loss. If Marcus had utterly destroyed Austin the entire match, it wouldn’t even be worth being happy about. The number one center in the NBA beating a disabled person would have been nothing to be proud of!

…

A 15-8. This statistic was not considered special in the development league. Many players who were not good enough to play in the NBA could easily get a double-double in the development league.

To obtain this statistic while faced against Marcus, however, was definitely worth noting. Even in the NBA, the number of centers who could manage this statistic while faced against Marcus was small.

Due to his excellent performance in this game, Austin obtained more game time. As a result, Austin’s stats also greatly improved.

In the next five development league games, Austin managed to get double-doubles of 25-15.

Austin’s skills were more than enough to handle games in the development league. The experience he had accumulated in the 30 seasons in his dream was something that the other players did not possess.

The NBA development league players had very low salaries. A player who was determined to remain in the development league had to work part-time elsewhere to get by.

Upon finding out that they did not have the chance to play in the NBA after playing in the development league for one or two years, young athletes would choose to play overseas, in the basketball leagues of countries like China, Turkey, or Israel. The salaries of foreign players were decent. Worse comes to worst, they could go to the Philippines, the pay would still be higher than in the development league.

The development league was mostly filled with newbies who lacked experience, any player with experience would have long been gone.

In an environment like this, Austin, who had over 30 seasons of match experience, stood out instantly.

After two months, Austin finally got the chance to play in the NBA.

Austin signed a two-way contract, which meant that he could play for 45 days with the Los Angeles Clippers every season.

…

The training ground of the Clippers.

Austin had already started to train with the other players on the Clippers.

On the side of the court, the Clippers general manager, Johnson, stood beside Dai Li while talking about Austin.

“Coach Li, your foresight into players is really great. After looking at him train, I can confirm that this kid can play in the NBA. He is really hard-working!” Johnson’s eyes followed Austin tightly, as if he was looking at a money tree.

“He lost an eye when he was young and he also has Marfan syndrome. He was already behind before he even began the race of life. He had to put in more effort than normal people just to keep playing. The NBA, however, is never in short supply for players who work hard.”

“He is also greatly talented. It’s so unfortunate. If he were not inflicted with Marfan syndrome, perhaps he could grow to become a great player,” Johnson lamented.

“As long as he stands on an NBA court, he is a great player.” Dai Li changed his tone and asked, “Do you really plan to play him in the great Christmas battle?”

“Yes! That’s live across America!” Johnson implied with a look that he had just found a cave of treasure. He then said, “A disabled youth who makes it to the NBA stage after years of hard work, reaching his dream. It’s an inspirational story, could be made into a movie. I’ve already ordered 100,000 jerseys of his, as well as various souvenirs…”

Johnson kept talking about his multitude of strategies for making money. Dai Li just shook his head in resignation.

For Johnson, the inspirational Austin was definitely a money tree.

…

It was Christmas. The Lakers were playing the Clippers. It was a derby and, what’s more, it was a national broadcast throughout the U.S.!

Austin sat on the bench with a confused expression, looking as if he had not yet understood his situation.

It was not his first time in the Staples Center and it was not his first time live at an NBA game. This time, however, it was different. He walked in through the players’ tunnel! This time, he sat on the bench and he wore a jersey with his name printed on it!

“NBA. I’m finally here!”

Austin could hardly contain the glint of tears that appeared in his eyes.

He had lost his right eye and gotten Marfan syndrome. Austin, the man who was forsaken by God, kept getting up again and continuing to challenge his fate.

Today, he finally got his wish and was there. For the Christmas season, he received the best Christmas present.

Austin still remembered when he was just 12. He had lost his right eye and his coach had advised him to give up basketball.

Austin, however, did not give in to his fate. He loved basketball and he challenged fate.

To remain on the basketball court, he worked harder than any normal person.

He did not have his right eye so, when he shot, as long as his opponents blocked his left vision, he would not be able to see the basket.

He did not have his right eye so, when defending in the paint, his opponents only needed to defend against his attacks from the left.

Therefore, on the court, Austin was always targeted.

To continue playing, Austin worked hard to train his right-sided attacks. He could not see with his right eye, so he could only attack based on his instincts and feeling. It was the same as making a layup with his eyes closed.

He sacrificed a lot, more than people could imagine and he finally achieved success. He became one of the top three high school players in the U.S. and attracted the attention of various NBA scouts. Draft prediction websites predicted that he would be in the top three of the draft.

Fate, however, played another joke on him. He was found to be inflicted with Marfan syndrome!

It was like a death sentence on an athletic career.

Once again, he chose to challenge fate!

Now, he had succeeded again.

…

Finally, in the second half of the second quarter, Austin was sent on to the court.

At that moment, the entire stadium stood up and began applauding and cheering for him. It was just as Dai Li had said, as long as Austin could stand on the court, he was a great player.

On the court, his teammates gave Austin encouraging gazes. As for Austin’s opponents, their eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

A player who had been forsaken by fate stood before their eyes. An opponent like that had to rock one’s heart!

He received the ball, turned around, shot a hook shot, and scored. Austin succeeded in scoring his first NBA basket.

It was also at that moment that the camera captured the tears in Austin’s eyes, albeit only his left eye!

His right eye was blind, so the tear glands of his right eye had lost their function. As a result, he could not produce tears in his right eye.

This scene was a reminder to everyone that he was a disabled person, a man forsaken by God!

Clap, clap, clap… Roaring and unending applause rang.

“Wooooooh…” Screams and cheers rang throughout the entire stadium.

Even the referee did not pass the ball to the players to start the game, he wanted Austin to enjoy the applause and cheers a while more.

It was Austin’s moment, even if he had only made one basket.

…

A disabled person who had the will to be strong! Dai Li let out a long sigh.

Dai Li had given Austin 30 seasons worth of cumulative game experience. From this alone, he could stand on his own in the NBA. At the very least, he would have no problem playing as a rotational player.

Austin’s professional career was destined to be a short one. If he were to be diagnosed with heart complications one day or have an aortic aneurysm, that would spell the end of his professional career. For a man with Marfan syndrome, it was an inevitable situation.

…

The American Track and Field Association.

“Mr. President, Dai Li rejected our invitation. He stated that he no longer wished to be the head coach of the National U.S. Track and Field Team.”

“Why? We’ve given him authority!” The association president looked puzzled. “Is it because the Track and Field Association of other countries are a step ahead of us? Or is he going back to China to become their head coach?”

“No, he did not take on any head coach post. He decided to start an Olympic training camp.”

The president’s expression tightened, “What great ambition!”

…

Franz Muller was on vacation.

In the IAAF year-end Grand Prix, Muller won the men’s pole vault gold medal. He had completed all his competition responsibilities this year so he could enjoy his two months vacation.

A new email appeared on the screen of his phone. Muller opened his inbox and saw that it was an invitation letter.

Coach Li wants to start an Olympic training camp! Muller shot up and sat up straight quickly in his lounge chair.

After a while, Muller got connected with his agent over the phone. “I’m afraid my vacation has been cut short, I want to go to Los Angeles. Coach Li started an Olympic training camp! Of course, I’m taking part! I want to defend my title in the upcoming Olympics next year!”

…

It was summer in South Africa.

Early one morning, when Nick Zouma woke up, he found an unfamiliar beauty with lying on his bed.

To say that she was unfamiliar was not exactly true. Just the night before, Zouma had been in an intense struggle with her that lasted for quite a while. In terms of their flesh, they were very well-acquainted.

What’s her name again? Zouma shook his head. He had a hangover, making his mind foggy, so he only remembered that the beauty was a young model.

For a young model like her, it was natural for her to want to get close to a world champion like Zouma. She might go viral and become famous from just stirring up some gossip.

Four years ago, during the Olympics, Zouma lost against Irwin and only managed to get the silver medal in the 400m sprint. When Irwin chose to retire, the 400m sprint event became Zouma’s domain. Over the past two years, Zouma had swept and won all the 400m sprint events in all major track and field competitions.

The new king of the 400m sprint was born!

A tinge of regret remained in Zouma’s heart. It was that he once lost to Irwin.

Zouma felt that before he broke Irwin’s world record, he could not be considered the true king of the 400m event.

Zouma gulped down a large cup of water and felt his head clear up. Then, he went in front of his computer.

“An Olympic training camp invitation letter? What is this? Coach Li? It’s that Chinese coach of the U.S. track and field team? He is inviting me to participate in his Olympic training camp!”

Zouma’s heart trembled. The desire for the Olympic gold medal once again boiled in his heart.

Four years ago, Irwin trained under this Coach Li and returned to peak condition. Perhaps he has a way to help me surpass Irwin!

…

Justin Alexander stopped the car and looked towards the large signboard of Coach Li’s Physical Fitness Training Center not far away.

He took a deep breath and got out of the car.

After a few minutes, Alexander saw Dai Li.

“Coach Li, I want to take part in the upcoming Olympics!” Alexander said.

“Have you thought about it thoroughly? After all, you’re already 35 years old. You will be competing with a bunch of 20-year olds who are at their peak,” Dai Li said with a smile.

“Yes, I still don’t want to retire. I want to work hard one more time!” Alexander paused. He then said, “I saw the advertisement and know that you started an Olympic training camp, which brings me here. I remember four years ago when you helped Irwin return to his peak. Back then, we trained together. I know that you will definitely be able to help me!”

…

Dai Li sent out over 50 invitation letters. They were to American athletes as well as athletes from other countries. They were athletes that Dai Li fancied, and most of them had at least A grade or S grade talent potential.

At the same time, Dai Li created a wave of advertisements and accepted special interviews from the media and magazines to tell the world that he started an Olympic training camp and that he welcomed athletes of every country.

Four years ago, during the Olympics, the miracle of the U.S. track and field team filled with the weak and old was still fresh in the minds of the people. Dai Li’s reputation was also there, so it quickly got the attention of multiple athletes.

…

China. Track and Field Management Center.

It was twelve in the afternoon. Director Liu walked out of the meeting room.

Director Liu had just attended a meeting that lasted the entire morning and he still had more meetings in the afternoon.

The start of every year was always one of the busiest times of the year. They needed to conclude and summarize their performance of the past year, deliberate over the new year’s plan, and set all kinds of budgets. There were way too many minute and detailed tasks.

Director Liu stretched his back and looked at his watch. He was ready to head towards the canteen. At that moment, the deputy director in charge of training rushed towards him in excitement.

Director Liu thought there must be unfinished business related to the previous meeting, so he said, “Old Sun, let’s head to the canteen, we can talk while we walk.”

“Director, this is pretty urgent,” Deputy Director Sun said. “I only found out after the meeting. I just received several invitation letters on my side. They came from the U.S. The one sending these invitations is the training center of Dai Li. He invited our athletes to take part in an Olympic training camp. I’ve checked it, and it’s genuine. We have a total of ten athletes in the invitation list.

Deputy Director Sun passed the list to Director Liu.

Director Liu quickly glanced over it and said, “All of our athletes on the track and field team with a chance of gaining a medal are on that list, right?”

“Yes, all ten of these athletes made it past the Olympic A standard, so they don’t have to take part in the Olympic qualifiers,” Sun said.

“What about the cost? What did Dai Li say?” Director Liu asked.

“Waived. Training fee is waived. As for food and lodgings, if needed, he can also settle it. Director, do we let our athletes go?” Sun asked.

“What is your opinion?” Director Liu asked.

“I think this is a great opportunity. The track and field training in the U.S. is better. In the last Olympics, Dai Li’s result as the head coach of the U.S. team was remarkable,” Sun answered.

Director Liu became silent for a few seconds and said, “He’s already waived the training fees, we’ll take care of food and lodging ourselves. we can still afford that much at least. Also, try and contact Dai Li and see if he can give us a few more spots. This is a rare chance if we can get one more to go, we should.”

…

Luggage sat on the bed of Yingjie Zhao.

He looked at his family photo stored on his phone and sighed. He then dialed his mother’s phone number.

“Mom, how are you doing…I’m doing good…I know, wear more clothes…Mom, I have something to tell you. I won’t be going back this year during the new year…

“I want to go to the U.S. to train…I don’t know exactly how long, maybe a few months…”

As Yingjie Zhao hung up his phone, tears rolled down his cheeks.

As an athlete, it was not the first time he had to continue to persevere and train during the lunar year.

Yingjie Zhao did not go home during the lunar new year last year. Instead, he trained on base and his parents flew directly to where he was. They even brought along with them warm dumplings placed within a thermos container.

This time, he was going to train in the U.S. It was impossible for his parents to follow along.

Mom, I really miss the dumplings you make!

Chapter 624 - A Mother

Chapter 624: A Mother

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

It was March. Battle was brewing in many different sports.

At Dai Li’s training camp, March was considered a small test. The effects of the training camp would be identified and checked in the competitions coming up this month. It would be easy to see if an athlete had improved or not based on their results.

The competition results were announced one by one and the athletes who had taken part in Dai Li’s training camp all got outstanding results. Everyone’s results had improved. Even athletes who had already been the best in their respective sports, like Muller and Zouma, could feel that they were improving.

The results did not lie. When other athletes saw the amazing effects of Dai Li’s training camp, they came to register as well. Dai Li’s training camp accepted another batch of athletes.

By the time May came around, the Olympic qualifiers for various sporting events had begun.

Athletes who were part of the training camp continued to excel, winning and qualifying for various Olympic events.

In June, another batch of athletes from Europe and South America arrived in Los Angeles to take part in Dai Li’s training camp.

These were athletes who had already qualified Olympics. All of them were impressed by the reputation of the training camp, and they took part in it as a last ditch of effort to prepare for the Olympics. There were only two months left before the opening ceremony, and there were those who were doing whatever they could before the Games began, like drowning men clutching at straws.

In a short amount of time, Dai Li’s training camp had become too packed.

…

A middle-aged Caucasian woman walked back and forth in front of the door to the training center. It seemed like she wanted to go inside but was very hesitant.

The woman was not tall, barely even 5 feet, and she was not fat, she seemed a little thin. She was definitely petite. It was rare to see caucasian women with petite bodies like that in the U.S.

After walking back and forth for a while, the middle-aged women finally built up enough courage to walk through the main door.

The moment she reached the door, it opened, and Dai Li walked outside. He was face-to-face with this middle-aged woman.

“Coach Li!” The middle-aged woman suddenly looked overwhelmed.

Dai Li, on the other hand, thought that the woman looked familiar. After a few seconds, he remembered her identity.

“You are Kpanova?” Dai Li asked cautiously.

“Hello, Coach Li. I am Kpanova,” the woman said, a little hesitantly.

A sense of respect appeared on Dai Li’s face. He asked, “Miss Kpanova, are you here to look for someone or are you planning to register for a training course?”

“I…” Kpanova hesitated for a dozen or so seconds before saying, “I want to register, I know that you started a training camp here, but…”

Kpanova seemed to have a hard time putting into words what she wanted to say.

“Why don’t we talk inside?” Dai Li extended his hand towards the door and led Kpanova into the reception room.

…

In the reception room, they sat at a table for two.

A cup of coffee was put in front of Kpanova. Then, Dai Li asked, “Miss Kpanova, since you plan on registering for the Olympic training camp, that means that you plan to take part in the Olympic Games this year?”

Kpanova nodded and said, “Yes.”

“You’ve already been in five Olympics, haven’t you?” Dai Li asked instinctively.

“It’s actually been six. If you include this year, it will be seven,” Kpanova answered.

“I’m sorry, do forgive me for asking this. You should be around 40 years old by now, shouldn’t you? Please do not misunderstand, I do not mean to offend. I just want to remind you that taking part in the Olympics at this age will be difficult,” Dai Li said.

“I’m 41 this year.” Kpanova did not dodge the question about her age. “I know that I will be facing athletes who are 20 years younger than me. Some of them are even younger than my son! I have to take part, however. I have already qualified.”

“Are you doing this for your son?” Dai Li asked.

“Yes. His disease is currently being managed, but he still needs to take drugs. As soon as the drugs stop coming in, his situation will take a turn for the worse. The drugs are expensive,” Kpanova answered honestly.

Dai Li sighed. He was touched by how much parents all over the world loved their children!

Kpanova said, “Coach Li, I know that you have the best physical fitness training center in the world. Many older athletes have returned to their prime after training with you, so I wish to take part in your training camp. I cannot afford your training fees, though. Is it possible to let me pay the training fees in installments?”

…

Dai Li had a lot of respect for Kpanova.

Kpanova was a legendary gymnast. She was one of the athletes who had participated the most times in the Olympics. If she chose to take part in the Olympics again this year, then she would be the athlete who had participated the most.

A female gymnast who might participate in the Olympics seven times? It was an incredible feat no matter how one looked at it!

Kpanova was an athlete from the Soviet era. Before the Soviet Union dissolved, she represented the Soviet Union and took part in the World Gymnastic Competition.

During the Olympics after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the individual countries that were part of the union formed a team. Kpanova participated in the Olympics that year as an athlete of that team, winning the Olympic gold medal as well. Four years later, she represented her motherland, Uzbekistan, and took part in the Olympics for the third time. After that, she chose to retire.

An unfortunate thing happened to Kpanova, however. Her son was diagnosed with leukemia. Anyone who watched “Dying to Survive” would know the disease could be combated as long as one took medication.

Patented medicines were expensive, so much so that Kpanova could not afford them at all. There were also other costs for medical treatments. As such, Kpanova chose to return to the gymnastic arena and took part in the Olympics for the fourth time.

After that, Kpanova obtained German citizenship, as the medical facilities of Germany were far better than those of Uzbekistan. She represented Germany in two Olympics, and by then, she was already 37 years old.

Germany was also a power in the sports world and talent was abundant in the country. Clearly, they did not need a 37-year old female gymnast. So, to continue her son’s treatment, Kpanova returned to Uzbekistan and represented Uzbekistan in the upcoming Olympics.

This was her seventh Olympic!

This year, she was 41 years old!

An athlete at her age, returning to compete in tournaments to treat her son’s illness, was rare, but she might not be the only one.

She was going to compete as a female gymnast, though!

The peak age for gymnasts was 16-20. Many female gymnasts start considering retirement after 20 years old. It was rare for anyone to persevere past the age of 30.

The 41-year-old Kpanova was still in the game! During the competition, she competed against a bunch of opponents who were at least 20 years younger than her.

Was this a miracle?

No! It was the greatness of a mother!

…

Dai Li agreed to Kpanova’s request and allowed her to pay by installments.

At the same time, Dai Li also gave her a remarkably lowered price to avoid creating extra burdens to Kpanova.

Dai Li sympathized with Kpanova’s situation. He helped her less out of sympathy and more from the immense respect he felt for her as a wonderful mother.

Dai Li also knew that if a 41-year old female gymnast were to compete in the Olympic stage, it would be difficult for her to obtain excellent results.

Female gymnastics was a sport that required the power of youth!

In shooting events, a 60-year old athlete could still win the gold medal as long as his eyes functioned properly.

In archery, a 40 or 50-year old veteran could still become the champion as long as he could still shoot accurately.

In table tennis or badminton, athletes who were in their 30s or 40s had become world champions.

In basketball and football, athletes reached their peak at around 30.

For track and field and swimming events, sports that heavily relied on the physical condition of the human body, athletes were at their strongest at around 25.

It was only in gymnastics, especially female gymnastics, that 20-year-olds were considered old. For the gymnastics team of China, it was normal for athletes to retire at 21 or 22 and become coaches.

What could the 41-year-old Kpanova do to compete against young ladies who were only 18 or 19?

Age being as much of an issue as it was, Dai Li decided to use an age-reduction card on Kpanova.

The age-reduction card’s limit was a reduction of 12 years and it could only last for a month.

The gymnastic events did not last for more than one month, so the age-reduction card’s length was sufficient. After reducing her 12 years, however, Kpanova was still 29 years old, which far exceeded the peak age for female gymnasts.

A 29-year-old female gymnast was still too old.

A 29-year-old will still be much better than a 41-year-old! Dai Li told himself.

In truth, Dai Li had another idea, which was to give Kpanova a few tens of thousands of dollars as funds for her son’s medicine. For Dai Li, that much money was expendable.

Dai Li, however, rejected his own idea.

It was because Kpanova was a great mother. She was worth Dai Li using an age-reduction card on. She deserved respect, not tens of thousands of dollars of charity.

Dai Li even decided that if Kpanova did not obtain good results in the Olympics, he would give her a job and hire her as a coach at the training center. That way she would be able to afford the medical cost of her son’s treatment.

Working as a coach in the U.S. was definitely more profitable than working as a coach in Uzbekistan.

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

…

The quadrennial Olympics began once again.

This time, Dai Li did not take part in the Olympics as a head coach, but he was more than a spectator. Among all the Olympians, over 200 of them were clients of Dai Li’s training center.

The gymnastic events were some of the most competitive events that began early in the Games. The vault event was one of the most important events in gymnastics.

The vault event was a competitive event in the first modern Olympic games in 1896. It was considered one of the more historical competitions in modern sports history. Over the past few years, female vaulters have started to use more and more male actions, which made the female vault events increasingly exciting.

The vault competition in the Olympics was clearly the highest level vault competition in the world. It was also one of the most watchable vault competition around. Notably, in the finals of the female vault event, the abilities of the athletes were exceptional. It was rare for anyone to try a move with a difficulty rating of below six. Highly difficult moves, with a difficulty rating of 6.4, were common occurrences.

The final was also a gathering of stars and talents. The defending champion from Russia, Natalia, and the seven-time Olympic veteran, a “mother” contestant, the 41-year-old Kpanova, were both there.

The one who garnered the most attention, however, was Simmons, an athlete from the U.S.

Simmons was a black athlete. The 19-year-old Simmons appeared for the first time in the adult group competition three years ago. In three short years, she had already won ten gold medals in the World Gymnastic Competition, surpassing Russia’s “Queen of Gymnastics” and America’s “Gymnastic Princess.” She became the female gymnast with the most world championship gold medals in history.

Considering that Simmons was only 19 years old, she could still compete for at least another three years. It was natural for her to win more gold medals.

Simmons was an almighty competitor whose best event was the vault!

Most ordinary people believed that the balance beam was the most difficult event in female gymnastics. It was extremely difficult for a normal person to try and balance him or herself on it, but athletes were able to perform highly difficult moves on top of it. It was more like an acrobatic performance.

In truth, for professional athletes, the vault was the most difficult event. This was because the event needed athletes to finish an entire set of continuous actions the moment they leaped into the air. It was unlike the balance beam or the uneven bars, where athletes had sufficient buffer time before they executed a set of actions.

Regardless of the sport, consecutive combination moves were always difficult.

The higher the level of the competition, the higher the difficulty rating of the techniques. The difference between a difficulty rating of 5.8 and 6.0 was the difference between heaven and earth even though the gap between them was only 0.2.

In the U.S., was one of the world’s best countries in terms of gymnastics standards, no athlete had ever won the female vault gold medal.

That day, Simmons was expected to become the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in the female vault event.

…

The first athlete up was a young 16-year-old Canadian athlete. She had never participated in a world championship or the Olympics before, so it was her first time appearing in a competition on the global stage. For her, getting to the final was already incredible.

The Canadian youngster’s strength was also not to be trifled with. She chose a technique with a difficulty rating of 6.0 for her first attempt and obtained a score of 8.766. On her second attempt, she chose a move with a difficulty rating of 6.3 and obtained a score of 8.666.

In the vault event, athletes were required to complete two jumps consecutively. The techniques used could not be the same for both. Before athletes jumped, they had to tell the referee the difficulty rating of their jump before proceeding to the execution of the jump.

The difficulty rating points added to the completion score. Subtracting points for errors to that score would produce the final score for the athlete’s jump. Adding the final score of the two jumps together and dividing it by two would produce the average score, which would become the final outcome of the athlete.

Take, for example, the Canadian youth’s score. Her first jump had a difficulty rating of 6.0 and a completion score of 8.766, so her total score for the jump was 14.766. The difficulty rating of her second jump increased by 0.3 points, but her completion score decreased by 0.1 points. The final score of her second attempt was 14.966 points.

If she were to make any errors during her jump, then, when calculating the score, points would be deducted. For example, if she had stepped out of bounds when she landed the jump, a 0.1 point deduction would be recorded.

For an athlete taking part in the finals of the Olympic games for the first time, this Canadian youngster’s performance could be regarded as perfect. The only thing was that, in a world-class competition like this, even a perfect performance on jumps with 6.0 and 6.3 difficulty ratings was not enough to be crowned champion. One could even say that it was not enough to challenge for a medal.

As expected, the contestants that came later all chose techniques with much higher difficulty ratings. They also executed them excellently. The final score of the contestants all exceeded 15 points, some even exceeded the score of 15.5 points.

As experts showed their skills, the competition reached its climax.

The defending champion, the Russian contestant Natalia, took her first jump. She chose a back handspring round-off, back straight body somersault, and 900-degree spin, which had a difficulty rating of 6.3.

The defending champion’s strength was not to be underestimated. She obtained a high score of 9.250 for her completion score, with a final score of 15.550.

In her second attempt, Natalia increased the difficulty. She chose a back handspring round-off with a 180-degree spin and a front straight body somersault with a 540-degree spin. It had a difficulty rating of 6.5. This was a set of very difficult moves. Normal professional athletes did not even have the ability to attempt it and, with a difficulty rating of 6.5, it was also the highest difficulty rating in the finals so far.

Natalia obtained a final score of 15.750 with that jump. She moved up to first place. Her final score, 15.650, was really hard to surpass.

Many people who were there felt that Natalia had successfully defended her title.

…

Then, it was Simmons’ turn.

Natalia’s 15.650 points high score made Simmons feel a lot of pressure.

Her first set of techniques had the same difficulty rating of 6.3. She did a back handspring round-off and a back straight body somersault with a 900-degree spin.. It was the same as Natalia’s first jump.

Then, Simmons showed Natalia who was the better gymnast.

It had been the same jump, but Natalia had earned a 9.250 completion score while Simmons had managed a stunning 9.6 points!

That was 0.35 points more!

It was the difference in their abilities.

Her first attempt was already a frightening 15.9 points. This result made her worthy of being called “The World’s Strongest!”

With a lead of 0.35 points, in a competition of this level, it was practically impossible to overcome.

Everyone thought that the gold medal had fallen into the hands of Simmons.

With a 0.35 points lead, Simmons had every right to choose a technique with a slightly lower difficulty rating for her second attempt.

Natalia had chosen a technique with a difficulty rating of 6.5 for her second attempt. As long as Simmons selected a technique with a difficulty rating of above 6.2, she would safely hold first place.

Under the gaze of the entire stadium, Simmons indicated to the referee her next move.

The referee looked shocked and, after discussing for a while, it was decided.

She would do a 180-degree round-off with a front straight body somersault with a 720 degrees spin. It had a difficulty rating of 6.4. It was also a new move, created by Simmons herself.

If Simmons completed this jump, then this set of techniques would be named after Simmons!

Simmons took a deep breath and started her run. She jumped and flew in the air. Her height was perfect and her posture was comparable to art!

Both her feet hit the ground, Simmons stood firmly on the ground and puffed her chest up, while raising both her hands in the air. She had finished the set.

It was an execution that was near-perfect!

The judges gave a super high score of 9.633. With the 6.4 points of difficulty rating, Simmons’ score for her second attempt was 16.033 points!

This was a crazily high score!

In the vault event, scores surpassing the 16-point mark only existed in the men’s vault competitions.

Simmons, who was a female athlete, had succeeded in producing a score that was only seen in male competitions!

Even the TV commentator could not help but say, “The competition is over, we can congratulate Simmons now for winning the gold medal of this event!”

At that moment, however, one contestant still had yet to make her appearance.

It was the 41-year-old veteran, Kpanova, taking part in the Olympics for the seventh time!

…

Kpanova knew what kind of opposition she faced.

She had appeared on the international stage when she was only 14 years old. In the 27 years of her professional career, she had seen way too many top-class athletes.

When the “Queen of Gymnastics” of Russia had first appeared, Kpanova had been the world champion. By the time the “Queen of Gymnastics” retired, Kpanova was still fighting the fight. Then, it was the “Gymnastics Princess,” who had taken the place of Russia’s “Queen of Gymnastics.” Kpanova still managed to remain until after the “Gymnastics Princess” had retired.

One could say that Kpanova was a first-hand witness to the rises and falls in the gymnastics world over the past three decades. She had witnessed the rise of multiple almighty individuals and then saw them move out of her way.

Now, another individual had appeared in the world of women’s gymnastics. It was Simmons, who was even stronger than the “Queen of Gymnastics” and the “Gymnastics Princess.”

Kpanova could not help but admit that the girl named Simmons was definitely the most gifted female gymnast she had ever seen.

Kpanova knew that, even if she were still at her peak, she might not be able to defeat her opponent. She was also 41 years old, it was practically like trying to beat a rock with an egg.

Kpanova still went into the arena. She needed to fight for her son one more time.

Kpanova indicated to the referee the moves and techniques she was going to do. She was doing a handspring and 360-degree body somersault with no hands. It had a difficulty rating of 6.4.

It was a set of techniques used in male vault competitions. Due to the high difficulty, no female gymnast had ever succeeded in this set of techniques before.

The first to use this set of technique was Kpanova. This set was also the first to be named after Kpanova herself.

20 years ago, Kpanova once relied on this set to win the world championship. This was her signature move. For her, this set was familiar.

There was a run and then a leap into the air. While floating in the air, Kpanova smoothly completed the set of familiar moves without any error!

She managed a completion score of 9.30 points. It was a really high completion score, that surpassed the score of the Russian competitor, Natalia.

Perhaps from the standpoint of execution and completion, Kpanova was not perfect. With the image of being “a 41-year-old mother who was determined to participate so that she can treat her son’s illness,” however, the judges gave her a few tenths of points in sympathy.

A difficulty rating of 6.4 added with a completion score of 9.3. Kpanova’s final score was 15.7 points. It was a fantastic score!

It was still far from getting the gold medal. This was because the first jump of the American contestant, Simmons, had gotten 15.9 points. Compared to that, Kpanova was still behind by 0.2 points.

More importantly, Simmons’ second jump had a score of 16.033. It was incredulous, there was simply no way of surpassing that!

Kpanova took a deep breath. Of course, she knew that it was practically impossible to close the 0.2 points gap. If she wanted to win the gold medal, her second attempt needed to surpass 16.233 points. Only then would she be able to beat Simmons in her final score.

Even among male contestants, 16.233 points was a high score. It was all but impossible for female athletes.

Kpanova had no way out. Getting the gold medal meant that she would receive a bigger reward from her country. It was the medical fee for her son, it was her son’s life!

Initially, Kpanova had planned to do a handspring and a straight body somersault with a 540-degree spin, which had a difficulty rating of 6.4. It was also a set that Kpanova had used first.

Kpanova had trained with this set for over a decade and she was immensely familiar with it. She was confident that she could execute it flawlessly.

This set, however, could not get her 16.233 points!

One needed a completion score of 9.833 to get 16.233 points with 6.4 difficulty rating.

Nobody could do that! Even if she was better than ever before, there was still no way to get a 9.833 completion score.

Kpanova was forced into a dead end.

In an instant, a determined look appeared on her face.

Then, she indicated to the referee the techniques she would use in her second attempt.

“A Handspring – forward somersault with body tucked in for two circles!”

The referee was stunned for a good ten seconds. He was sure he had heard her wrong.

“Can you repeat that?” The referee asked.

“A handspring – forward somersault with body tucked in for two circles!” Kpanova answered.

“Are you sure? A handspring – forward somersault with body tucked in for two circles!” The referee couldn’t believe it.

“Yes!” Kpanova nodded seriously.

If she were a rookie, the referee would think she had messed up the name for a different technique, but the woman was a few years older than him. She had spent more time training as a gymnast than the referee had been a referee and an athlete combined. There was no way she would make a mistake like that.

The referee opened his mouth and tried to advise Kpanova. As the words reached the tip of his mouth, he remembered his responsibilities. After that, he sighed in resignation and informed the group of judges of Kpanova’s selection.

…

The big screen in the stadium showed the difficulty rating of Kpanova’s next jump.

7.0!

A set of moves with a difficulty rating of 7.0 in the women’s vault competition!

In front of the TV, Dai Li widened his eyes.

He did not come from the gymnastics world, but he knew what a 7.0 meant!

At that moment, a set appeared in Dai Li’s mind. It was widely accepted as the world’s most difficult and most dangerous gymnastic move of all time, for men or women.

This set had a nickname, the “Leap of death!”

…

A handspring – forward somersault with body tucked in for two circles. A set with the highest difficulty rating in the history of the women’s vault event.

The handspring move was hard enough. Before the 90s, the handspring onto the vault was a specialty distinctly in the men’s vault competitions. The key to this technique was the after-flight. If the effects of the after-flight were terrible, then it would be difficult to complete the rest of the techniques.

After the handspring, came the forward somersault, which was also a challenge. More importantly, it needed a tucked body forward somersault in which she spun twice.

As the human body flew into the air, it was hard to control when it was tucked in. Somersaulting with the body tucked in made it so that the entire body moved like a cannon. It moved fast, had terrible balance, and was hard to control. If one were careless, the entire body would hit the ground like a ball.

That was why the set of technique was very dangerous. Ever since the day it appeared, someone in the gymnastic world had advocated for the abolishment of the move. Many world-class athletes had wanted to try this move, but they were all denied by their coaches.

As for this set, only five persons had ever completed it. Kpanova was one of them.

When she completed this move, she had been 28. Now, she was 41!

…

The live audience saw a difficulty rating of 7.0.

People who were familiar with the sport immediately understood that Kpanova had chosen to try the “Leap of Death.”

“Has she gone crazy? She actually chose the leap of death!”

“Oh my God, did she forget that she is 41?”

“She’s going all in. Kpanova’s putting her life on the line!”

This seemed to start a riot. No one would have ever thought that Kpanova actually would actually choose this move.

Why? Why did she choose this set? Is it just for that gold medal? Simmons widened her eyes. She knew that it was practically impossible for Kpanova to surpass her current score unless she chose some crazy top-class difficulty moves.

Simmons did not understand why Kpanova put in so much effort!

It was just a competition and she was putting her life on the line!

Even for an Olympic gold medal, one did not need to wager one’s life!

Simmons had grown up with her maternal grandmother. She had never felt the love of a mother when she was a child so she could not empathize with Kpanova.

For her son to live, Kpanova was willing to throw her life away!

Everyone’s gaze focused on Kpanova. Everyone who knew of Kpanova’s experience could feel the greatness of the petite woman in front of their eyes.

Standing on the stage, Kpanova was no longer just an athlete, she was a mother!

…

The live camera closed in on Kpanova’s face. At that moment, her determined gaze was focused on a faraway place.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

From the crowd, someone started clapping in a rhythm. Following that, like a contagious disease, the rhythmic claps spread all over the entire stadium.

On the other side, the pommel horse competition stopped. Their gaze turned towards Kpanova.

On the judges stand, a female judge could not help but stand up and look at Kpanova with teary eyes. She was also a mother and she knew Kpanova’s situation, so she could understand Kpanova’s choice.

Some people made praying hand gestures. They prayed for Kpanova and wished her success.

On the other hand, Kpanova seemed to have not perceived anything that was happening around her.

She was thinking about her son. In her memories, he always smiled at her, gently. Even as he lay on the bed while receiving chemotherapy, enduring great pains, he always smiled gently at her!

Kpanova knew that that smile was something that she would gladly trade her life to protect.

She ran. She did a handspring on the vault and, immediately after that, she tucked her body and made two rounds of a forward somersault. As she landed, Kpanova fully regained control and took a slight step forward.

Kpanova used up all her strength in this jump and completed the entire set of moves. Although it was not perfect, there were no mistakes!

She had completed the 7.0 difficulty rated leap of death!

The moment Kpanova landed on the ground, she did not feel even the slightest tinge of joy. She was mostly filled with anxiety.

She needed 16.233 points. Including the 7.0 difficulty score, she needed a completion score of 9.233.

So, Kpanova looked toward the screen immediately. Anxiety, unease, nervousness, were written on her face.

The camera also focused in on Simmons. She seemed calm, she would be amazed if Kpanova’s moves could get her a 9.0 completion score.

In the next second, the big screen displayed Kpanova’s results.

Difficulty Rating: 7.0.

Completion Score: 9.333.

Total Score: 16.333.

Kpanova won!

…

Why? How is it possible that she got such a high completion score! Simmons stared in disbelief at the big screen. To her, Kpanova’s jump did not deserve such a high completion score.

The American coach patted Simmons on the shoulder and consoled her. “Child, you did not actually lose in this competition!”

Simmons stared at her coach, puzzled. She did not understand what her coach meant.

The coach looked at the crying Kpanova and said, “You did not lose because you were worse, but you lost because she is a mother!”

Chapter 625 - World’s Best

Chapter 625: World’s Best

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Men’s 400m Sprint Final

Although the competition had not yet started, there was no doubt who would win. Everyone knew that the gold medal of the Men’s 400m Sprint belonged to the new sprinting king, Nick Zouma.

In terms of strength, Zouma was certainly ahead of the others by a significant margin.

None of the other seven contestants could finish the race within 44 seconds. Their historical best results were longer than 44 seconds. Zouma did not even need to exert his full strength to run it within 44 seconds.

If Zouma ran without restraining himself, he would obtain a lead of more than one second. This sort of gap in this event signified that he was at a much higher level than the other athletes.

This was the finals in the Olympics, the highest level of competition in the world. The fact he was significantly better than his competition was proof of Zouma’s might.

The focus of the match was not on who would win, it was on how fast Zouma could run. Could he surpass the previous king, Irwin? That was the question of the match.

The moment Zouma walked onto the track, he could not help but get excited. He could feel his heart beating faster and his head feeling clearer. It was like he had just taken stimulants.

Of course, Zouma did not ingest any stimulants. He had always been the type of player who relished competitions. As long as he stood at the starting line, his blood would boil.

In truth, all sprinters became crazy when competitions began. As long as there was a race, sprinters would be extremely excited.

Athletes didn’t have time to find their form in short-distance sprints. A 100m sprint was only a total of ten seconds. How could an athlete take any of that time to find their form? Everyone needed to get their body and mind excited before the match started. Only athletes who felt a rush before the race even started could win!

When the gunshot rang out, Zouma transformed into a cheetah and shot straight forward.

Did he have a professional 400m sprinting method? He didn’t need one.

Did he have a tactic to disrupt the rhythm of the opponents? That also was not needed.

Did he use a special technique to distribute stamina? That was needed even less.

Zouma was stronger than the rest of the contestants. His ability alone was enough to crush his opponents, so there was no need to consider tactics or techniques.

Zouma only needed to run freely, as fast as he possibly could!

To his opponents, Zouma was fast enough. They would never be able to run that fast in their life.

To Zouma, he was not yet fast enough. Based on his current speed, he could not surpass the current world record!

Perhaps this is my only chance, I have to go faster! Resolve appeared in Zouma’s gaze.

Zouma was definitely at the peak age for sprinters. He would soon start to deteriorate. Perhaps he would still be able to remain the best, but his speed would slowly decrease.

No one could win the battle against time, especially sprinters. Their peaks lasted three to four years. As soon as they were out of their prime, all their bodily functions started to weaken. The distance between them and the world record only increased.

Zouma could not help but reminisce about the past six months of training.

In January, Zouma had arrived at Dai Li’s training center. He had given up on his vacation, a huge amount of commercial activities, and focused solely on training.

He was a South African athlete, so he did not need to participate in Olympic qualifiers like American athletes. As the current best 400m sprinter in the world, South Africa would give him a spot in the Olympics.

Due to this, he did not participate in any competition before the Olympic, including the Grand Prix organized by the International Track and Field Association. Just two days before the Olympic opening ceremony, he was still in Dai Li’s training center.

For an athlete at Zouma’s level, competitions could no longer improve his overall strength. He no longer had any opponents; the other athletes were far weaker than him.

A high-level chess player would rather study chess scripts than play against lower-level chess players. If the player continued to play against weaker players, his own skills would also gradually deteriorate.

If one looked at digital games, when a high-level professional player played a few days’ worths of casual games, he always won, but his skills and awareness of the game would also gradually deteriorate.

On the contrary, if one were to continuously compete against opponents who were stronger, even if one lost, one would learn a lot of things in the process. One would slowly improve.

It was the same in sports. Athletes need to continuously challenge stronger opponents, only then were they able to move forward. If a player failed to find a stronger opponent, then competing against athletes of similar levels also helped to maintain one’s form. The scariest thing was to destroy weaklings. As the saying went, “Study is like sailing against the current; either you keep forging ahead, or you keep falling behind.”

Zouma was in this sort of situation. He was already the best. In a competition, no matter who his opponent was, Zouma would achieve victory easily. For Zouma, competitions no longer improved his game. That was why he put all his time and focus on training.

Perhaps it was more appropriate to say that Zouma bet on Dai Li’s training.

He has the world’s best physical fitness training center. He’s the world’s greatest physical fitness coach. Maybe he will be able to help me get better!

Zouma spent six months in Los Angeles. He trained a lot every day and even added extra training himself.

He showed absolute discipline. He slept and woke early, he avoided nightclubs, and completely cut himself off from the entertainment districts. Even if a world-class beauty voluntarily jumped into his arms, Zouma would not hesitate to reject her.

After a few months, he genuinely felt that he had increased his strength. He was not certain, however, that he had improved enough to break the 400m sprint world record.

Only by breaking the 400m sprinting world record would Zouma truly feel that he had overcome the huge mountain that stood before him and become the true 400m sprint king!

Zouma got closer and closer to the finish line, and Zouma was also counting down in his mind.

He had started counting down from 43. It was because the current world record was 43.18 seconds. He had to ignore the 0.18 seconds.

If he were to get past the finish line before he reached zero, it would mean that there was a chance that he had broken the 400m sprinting world record. On the contrary, if he were to reach zero before he reached the finish line, then the world record would have nothing to do with him.

19, 18, 17, 16… As Zouma counted down in his mind, his opponents gradually disappeared from his field of vision.

They were in the second bend and sprinters placed in the outer tracts would be comparably behind in terms of their position.

Nine, eight, seven, six… Zouma started the last of the countdown. He already reached the last stretch of straight track. He had also obtained a lead that completely sent his opponents into despair.

Zouma was the furthest in front. He could not see his opponents and it was exactly because he could not see the positions of his opponents that Zouma did not know just how fast he was running. He also did not know just what kind of lead he had. The only thing he could do was run as fast as possible.

Going into the last 50 meters, Zouma’s speed did not decrease. At that moment, the cheers and shouts of the crowd reached their peak.

For people who were familiar with the 400m sprint, Zouma’s performance was simply incredible!

By the time athletes reached the last 50 meters, their bodies were in an anaerobic state and their speed gradually decreased. It was biological.

Zouma was different that day. As he entered the last 50 meters, his speed did not decrease in the slightest, he still maintained his quick movements. He was in the process of breaking through the human biological limit!

Three, two, one…

The moment Zouma counted down to zero, he rushed past the finish line.

Did I break the world record? Zouma immediately looked up to the timer.

43.03 seconds!

He was 0.15 seconds faster than the world record of 43.18 seconds!

“Yes! I’ve succeeded in breaking the world record!” Zouma raised both his arms into the air in excitement. Before he could celebrate, however, he felt a sense of breathlessness rise from his chest. Then, he collapsed on the ground.

To surpass the human biological limit, one had to pay the price!

After the human body experiences extreme amounts of anaerobic exercise, symptoms that arise include shortness of breath, tachycardia and other symptoms, which cause alkali and electrolytes to go into disarray. Some might even experience myocardial deficiency. Zouma was currently faced with exactly that situation.

It was a good thing paramedics were placed on the scene of every Olympic event. After some basic first aid, Zouma returned to normal.

…

Los Angeles.

In the parking lot of Dai Li’s training center, there was a huge row of posters. They created a large curve facing the road.

On every poster was the photograph of an athlete and on the upper-left corner of the posters were numbers.

These were the athletes who won gold medals during the Olympic, and they were all Dai Li’s clients.

The newest poster was just put up, and on it was a photograph of Zouma holding his gold medal. On the top-left corner, the number was 50.

A car drove past the training center and the driver saw Zouma’s giant poster as well as the very obvious number 50 on the upper-left corner.

“I remember it was 43 yesterday, now they’ve won 50 Olympic gold medals! I never would have thought that a training center would be able to produce so many Olympic champions. It’s already more than the U.S. team!” The driver lamented.

American athletes were still the majority of Dai Li’s clients, so many among the 50 gold medals were obtained by Americans. If one did not consider the repeats and just compared the number of gold medals, the U.S. Olympic representatives definitely could not defeat Dai Li’s training center in terms of how many medals they won.

After the 21st century, only the U.S. and China had the ability to obtain more than 50 gold medals during an Olympic. Although Russia was also a gold medal hauler the sporting level of Russia had gone downhill substantially in recent years. On the summer Olympic stage, compared to China and the U.S., Russia was more of “niche.” The events they were capable of winning gold medals in were fixed, and they could not get 50.

The Olympics had not yet ended. There were still more than a hundred gold medals yet to be won. That meant it was possible for Dai Li to win much more than 50 gold medals!

…

When the Olympics ended, a total of 85 large posters stood outside Dai Li’s training center.

He had won 85 gold medals. That was the achievement of Dai Li for this Olympic. These 85 gold medals were the result of Dai Li’s training camp.

In truth, during the last Olympics, when Dai Li led the track and field team to victory, every sportsman and woman knew that Dai Li’s physical fitness training center was world-class. It was also due to this that when Dai Li started the Olympic training camp, so many athletes came from so far away.

When the number 85 appeared, entire sporting world was still shocked!

He had earned 85 gold medals in one Olympics. What did that mean? A lot of people probably did not understand it because, throughout history, no single country won 85 gold medals in one single Olympic outing.

Only four countries had ever succeeded in winning 50 gold medals. Among them were the U.S. had done it twice, the Soviet Union thrice, and the U.K. and China once each.

As for a country winning 80 gold medals in one Olympic, only the U.S. and the Soviet Union had done it, but only when the other had not taken part.

During the 1980 Moscow Olympics, when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, the U.S. decided to protest. During that time, the International Olympic Committee recognized 147 countries and regions, and only 80 participated. It decreased the value of the gold medals of that Olympics and under, such circumstances, the Soviet Union managed to win 80 gold medals.

After that, during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic, the Soviet Union wanted to take revenge and decided to protest against that particular Olympic games. In the end, 19 countries did not take part. During this Olympics, the U.S. won 83 gold medals.

These superpowers had had huge advantages when they had won their 80 gold medals. When they both competed in the same Olympics, it was impossible for them to get 80 gold medals. One could say that this number was over the limit of what a global superpower could achieve in the Olympics.

Dai Li’s training center, however, managed to win 85 gold medals. He had reached beyond the limits of a global superpower!

A physical fitness training center’s Olympic training camp had reached the maximum limits of a global superpower. Dai Li was finally considered world-famous.

The world’s best physical fitness training center. This was without question!

The world’s number one best. This was also undeniable!

No one could be unconvinced.

In truth, during every Olympic games, the international world-class training centers would get some gold medals into their account. Among all the world’s greatest coaches, which one of them had never coached an Olympic gold medalist before?

Under normal circumstances, to train one or two Olympic gold medalists would be considered world-class. If one were to produce five to six Olympic gold medalists, then one was definitely worthy of being called a legendary coach.

Compared to Dai Li, this was nothing. Other coaches could produce five or six gold medalists in their entire lifetime while Dai Li created 85 gold medalists by organizing one training camp for a single Olympic outing. Dai Li’s Olympic training camp could use the signature slogan, “Olympic Gold Medal Supplier!”

The saddest people should be the silver and bronze medalists of the Olympic. If they had only gone to Dai Li’s training camp, they might have won.

…

The Olympics ended, but Dai Li’s busy life had just begun. Due to the shocking result of this Olympics, Dai Li’s training center received a huge amount of visitors. There were groups as well as individuals.

Among them were specialized sports researchers, professional coaches from world-class universities, and superstars. As long as a person with some weight came to visit, Dai Li had to personally receive them. The large amount of reception work made Dai Li feel annoyed.

As the saying went, “fame portends trouble for men just as fattening does for pigs.” Whether it was local or international, as soon as one became famous, there would be annoyances waiting for you. If a particular corporation were to be featured on CCTV news, what came after would be unending site visits and learning. If someone were to be posted as the national model laborer then, in the next few years, he no longer needed to do anything else because he’d be too busy touring the country.

Dai Li was exactly in this situation right now. A training camp with 85 gold medalists had indeed attracted the attention of sportspersons from all over the world. There were even many professional sports research center that came in the hopes of working with Dai Li.

Of course, there were many visitors who came with impure intentions. Some arrived specifically to ride on coattails, such as some unknown and obscure training centers that hoped to be associated with Dai Li and increase their reputation.

Some were there just so they could be involved. For example, big Hollywood stars arrived specifically to take pictures with Dai Li in front of sporting equipment while wearing sports attire. Then, they would post it online on social media, gaining some likes from their fans.

There were also those that were there to gather information. To achieve such outstanding results, one definitely had to have some unique training methods. Many people came as visitors but, in truth, were actually “spies.”

To deal with the ever-increasing amount of visitors, Dai Li could not help but set up a public relations department and hire a public relations manager to specifically deal with visitors. It was a good thing they were in Los Angeles, the center of entertainment in the U.S. Hollywood was located there and it was natural for there to be loads of gossips going around with so many big stars around. The place did not lack professional public relations talent.

After solving the problem of dealing with visitors, Dai Li went straight to New York.

While the training center’s reputation was sky high, Dai Li planned to expand the training center’s business to the east coast of the U.S., that meant that he would open a new branch.

One would naturally select a big city when opening a new branch. The largest city of the U.S. was New York, so Dai Li decided to open the branch in New York.

In truth, before this, Dai Li also considered Boston, since when talking about sports atmosphere, Boston was much better than New York and Los Angeles.

Boston had teams in all four of the major sports leagues in North America. They were all strong teams.

In MLB, the Boston Red Socks had won the world series seven times. In the NFL, the New England Patriots won the Superbowl five times and, in the NBA, the Boston Celtics won the NBA championship 17 times. In the NHL, the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup six times.

A good sports atmosphere did not mean a huge number of athletes. Dai Li’s clients were still mainly professional athletes and the number of professional athletes in New York was higher than Boston, so Dai Li still decided to lock the address of his new branch in New York.

Manhattan was the highlight of New York, but to Dai Li, it was too expensive. Land prices made earth as valuable as gold so Dai Li avoided it. If he were to open his training center in Manhattan, the cost would be too high.

Dai Li could only go back a step and choose the second best option. He set the address of his training center in Queens.

Queens was separated from Manhattan by just a river, but the property prices were like heaven and earth. In areas of Queens, where security was good, a fully furnished condominium only cost around 10,000 dollars. Of course, compared to agrarian states where one could buy a huge mansion with just 200,000 or 300,000 dollars, the property price of Queens was also sky high.

Before going to New York, the real estate middleman had already found several locations suitable for setting up a training center and waited for Dai Li to choose.

If one were to correctly address the real estate middleman, one could call him a real estate agent. He was the best among the other real estate agents. He graduated from a reputable university, had a Master’s degree, and even passed the New York Bar exam, obtaining his law license. He was the kind of real estate agent with multiple personal assistants.

A real estate agent like this naturally cost more. He only dealt with huge deals, but when it came to professionalism and service levels, he was top-class. He definitely put his clients first in everything he did. Dai Li did not worry that this agent would trick him. After all, a real estate agent of this level relied on his reputation accumulated throughout the years, he would not risk his entire brand just for one simple deal.

…

In the end, Dai Li chose a three-story old factory. The factory was built during the 70s of the previous century.

Similar buildings were abundant in New York. Large cities like New York completed all their basic infrastructure several decades ago. Using Manhattan as an example, there were many century-old buildings around. Queens and Brooklyn welcomed their peak of infrastructure construction after the second world war.

The old factory initially had several warehouses behind it, but they were destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. At the same time, it also destroyed the electric supply of the factory. The owner of the factory thought that it was too expensive to purchase a new industrial electric supply system, so he just went and shut down the factory and put the land on sale.

After Dai Li bought the land and factory, he spent another sum renovating it. The renovation took around half a year. It was only in the summer of the following year that the New York branch began operation.

It was also during the summer that Dai Li started a new business deal, to provide fitness training to two NFL teams.

…

There were four major sports leagues in the U.S. The one that ranked first was naturally the NFL. American football was the most popular sport in the U.S.

Los Angeles had two NFL teams. Both of them had moved there three years ago. That meant that three years ago, the second largest city of the U.S. did not have its own NFL team. For a top-class city like Los Angeles, it was an incredible thing.

Of course, Los Angeles had once had their own NFL team. The Rams, the Chargers, and the Raiders, had been there but they had all moved away.

The Rams and the Chargers, however, had now returned.

A large city like Los Angeles was a temptation for teams. Every team hoped to go to Los Angeles, and Los Angeles was definitely able to accommodate two NFL teams.

NFL team owners, however, did not want other teams to move to Los Angeles. Everyone knew that Los Angeles was a big piece of meat. If one could not eat it himself, it was best if others could not eat it as well.

To return to Los Angeles, the owner of the Rams spent a huge amount of money investing a stadium that could accommodate 20,000 people in Los Angeles. That shut the mouth of the other owners. At the same time, the Rams found an ally, the Chargers.

The Chargers were initially in San Diego. They were only 100 miles away from Los Angeles. The Chargers had been drooling over Los Angeles for a long time. They applied multiple times to return to Los Angeles, but they were denied by the NFL every time.

The Rams and Chargers allied with each other. To do that, they signed a 20-year lease for the use of the stadium. The new stadium built by the Rams would also be used as the home stadium of the Chargers.

Although Los Angeles was a big city, to conquer the fans of Los Angeles was a difficult task. The sports fans in Los Angeles still belonged to the Lakers. The Clippers arrived at Los Angeles in 1984 and had their roots in Los Angeles for over 30 years, but fans in Los Angeles still treated the Clippers as outsiders.

In the eye of the fans, only the Lakers could represent Los Angeles!

As such, the market was awful for a year after the Rams and Chargers moved back to Los Angeles.

Back then, the new stadium had not been completed. The Rams had used the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium as their home stadium. It was the main stadium of the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1932 and 1984. It was also the only stadium in the world that hosted two Olympics. The stadium could accommodate over 90,000 people. The field of an American football game was different from a track and field venue. As a result, when an American football match was going on, the stadium could only accommodate around 80,000 people.

When the Rams played their first game in the stadium, the occupancy rate did not even reach 30%. When the University of South California hlad played there, the stadium was full! That meant that in the eyes of sports fans in Los Angeles, the NFL Rams were not comparable to the NCAA University of South California.

The Chargers were in an even worse situation. As the Los Angeles Memorial stadium needed to host the games for both the Rams and USC, the venue was fully booked. The Chargers could only use the Los Angeles StubHub Center. This was the home stadium of the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy. The stadium had around 30,000 seats, and when it was changed for an American football game, it could only hold 27,000 people. Even then, around one-third of the seats remained empty.

One had to remember that this was Los Angeles. This was football. It was the most popular sport in the U.S., but they could not even fill a stadium that accommodated 30,000 people. It was very sad.

It was a good thing both the teams were good.

The Rams managed 13 wins and three losses in the previous season while the Chargers managed 12 wins and four losses. Their win percentage was at 75%.

In any professional sports league, a team with a 75% win rate was good. It didn’t matter if you were talking about the NBA or the English Premier League, it was a good record.

Victories always attracted the attention of fans. Wins helped fill the seats of both stadiums quickly. By the end of the season, the two teams no longer had to worry about the occupancy rate of their games. With their results, they could move to a new stadium that accommodated 120,000 people and still fill the seats.

This only meant that they could stand their ground in Los Angeles. It was still a far cry away from conquering the fans in Los Angeles!

Fans in big cities were pickier compared to small cities.

In small cities, there were less professional teams and fans did not have that many choices. The loyalty of the fan was relatively higher. For example, the Green Bay Packers had the most loyal fanbase in the U.S. Since 1960, all the home games of the Packers had been sold out. Even if the Packers played badly, the fans still supported them like crazy.

In average cities, if the results of a team were still passable, the fans would be satisfied. For example, Denver had several professional teams: the Denver Nuggets in the NBA, the Denver Broncos in the NFL, the Colorado Rockies in the MLB. In recent years, their results were always mediocre, not the best and not the worst. The fans still supported them.

The fans of some cities were more pragmatic. They favored whoever had the better results. In Houston, during the years when the Rockets did not play that well, the occupancy rate was average. In recent years, after they improved, the occupancy rate increased. Apart from the Rockets, there was also the Houston Astros in the MLB and the Houston Texans in the NFL. When the Astros had bad results, the stadiums could not be filled, but when they won the championship, the stadium was filled. The Texans were in the same boat.

Then there were some cities where fans supported their city’s teams unconditionally. The most classic examples were Boston and Philadelphia. No matter how good the teams were, fans would still support them like crazy. For example, the Boston Red Socks had never once won the World Series, yet the fans in Boston never once discarded the Red Socks. Bostonians had been fans of the Red Socks for generations.

As for cities like New York or Los Angeles, it was impossible to conquer the fans just through good results alone. The fans were too picky, one could only conquer them by winning the championship!

That was why the Lakers were the overlords of Los Angeles. They were able to win championships. Even when the Lakers weren’t doing great, the fans still supported them like crazy. The Clippers, who had been in Los Angeles for almost 40 years were still treated as outsiders until they won the NBA championship.

In New York, the Nets were treated like the son of the concubine, because they had never won the championship before.

In the same city of New York, the 1969 miracle of the New York Mets was still discussed by New Yorkers. The top team in MLB, the New York Yankees, had countless die-hard fans.

New York and Los Angeles only recognized champions. To conquer them one needed to win a championship!

If the Rams and the Chargers really wanted to put down their roots in Los Angeles, good results were not enough. Even if they had a 75% win rate every year, it was still not enough. They needed to win a Superbowl for Los Angeles. Only then would they truly be regarded by Los Angeles as one of their own.

To win the Superbowl, the management team of the Rams found Dai Li. They hoped Dai Li could provide fitness training to the Rams players.

As a professional team, they had their own fitness coaches. It was like in soccer. The head coach had his own team and, within it, there was a special team that focused on fitness training.

To abandon their own fitness coached and go with Dai Li was a gamble. It was the equivalent of rejecting their own fitness coaches. If met with a narrow-minded head coach, he might just quit his job since the management did not have faith in him.

But, for the Superbowl, the management of the Rams really went all in. After all, Dai Li had earned 85gold medals in one Olympics.

It was the NFL after all, there were many strong opponents and many miracles. Perhap. there were weaklings in the NFL, but there would never be an absolutely dominant team. In the NFL, there were many teams one could know would lose, but there were no teams that would definitely win.

To the management of the Rams, the competition for the Superbowl was too fierce. How could one win it without making a gamble?

The Chargers were currently allied with the Rams, so they could only move with the Rams and place everything they had on Dai Li.

It is worth mentioning tha,t although the Rams and Chargers were both in Los Angeles, they could not be considered rivals.

The NFL was not the same as the NBA. The NBA was split into the East and the West. Two teams being in the same city, even the same state, were rivals. For example, every year the three teams in Texas spilled blood as they fought for a place in the playoffs. When other teams came to Texas to play, it was a given that they would lose some skin. It was normal for defending champions to lose to the Spurs, Mavericks, and Rockets.

The NFL was divided by the American League and the National League, not East and the West. The American League and National League each divided into East, West, South, and North. Each of those regions had four teams.

The Houston Texans belonged to the southern part of the American League. The Dallas Cowboys, also in Texas, were in the Eastern Conference of the National League.

The regular NFL season only had 16 matches. According to conventional fixture arrangements, in the regular season, teams in the American League and the National League only faced off once every three or four years. During the playoffs, teams from the different leagues only played against each other in the Superbowl.

The Rams belonged to the National League and the Chargers belonged to the American League. The two teams only faced each other every few years and the result did not really affect the other team’s rank, so they were not rivals. There was no direct competition between the teams, so they could sit down and work together honestly.

Dai Li took on this job not because of the money, but because he thought it was an interesting challenge.

After all, American football was without a doubt one of the most physical sports. It was due to the physicality of the sport that athletes had to wear helmets and protective gear in the game.

One needed a strong body to play football. Even a quarterback was constantly the target of the defensive linebackers. Try and imagine a big guy rushing towards you. If you did not have a strong body, you would not survive very long.

The physical demands of the sport was high.

It was different from when he joined the Clippers. This time, Dai Li was not the head coach. He did not have full authority of the team and his fitness training had to cater to the tactics of the head coach.

Any training could not deviate from the tactical system, this included fitness training. Back when Dai Li was the fitness coach of Dingtian Football Club, he experienced this. All of the fitness coaching staff were there to help the head coach meet his tactical needs. Whatever tactic the head coach decided to use in the next match, the fitness coach had to create specific training plans for the players to match it.

Even in the Chinese Super League, fitness training had to cater to the tactical arrangements of the head coach. In higher-level leagues like the English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga, and other world-class football leagues, every time the team faced a different opponent, they would need to change their training methods. It was a common phenomena.

As for the physical demands of the NFL, it was clearly higher than the other professional leagues. The team was a single unit and the coaching staff was also a single unit. Dai Li was not part of the coaching staff, however. Not only did he have to provide the world’s greatest fitness training, but he also had to adhere perfectly to the tactical system of the head coach. It was a difficulty Dai Li had never been exposed to before. One could even say that no other coach in the world had experienced it before.

It was like ordering the world’s highest-spec extreme ultraviolet lithography machine from Holland’s ASML Holdings and then sending the machine over to another factory to upgrade one of its parts and asking for the upgraded ultraviolet lithography machine to be better than the original. It was an impossible task.

The Rams and Chargers were among the best teams in the NFL. Among NFL teams, they were comparable to the ultraviolet lithography machines by ASML. Dai Li was the “other factory” tasked with upgrading the machine.

The task was too challenging! It was practically impossible!

Dai Li had created too many miracles, though. For Dai Li, this type of impossible task was the kind of work he hoped to get. It was the only way to stir up his passion and enthusiasm!

Chapter 626 (END) - Legendary Coach (Finale)

Chapter 626: Legendary Coach (Finale)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li stayed with the Rams for three days. He used the System’s detector to observe the daily training of the players. He obtained a preliminary basic understanding of the physical aspects of the NFL players.

Dai Li had worked in the NBA before, so he unintentionally compared the NFL and NBA players. After comparing them, he found that NFL players were much stronger.

For example, the quarterback of the NFL and the point guard of the NBA were both the players that organized an offense. In the NBA, however, the strongest point guard’s physical stats were only the stats of an average NFL quarterback. The bodies of point guards could even be said to be slightly inferior. Among NFL quarterbacks, the average 6-foot-tall athlete was 220 pounds. For point guards, the average 6-foot-tall athlete weighed 198 pounds.

Of course, in the NFL, the white quarterbacks’ physical stats were slightly worse than black quarterbacks’. Based on Dai Li’s calculations, black quarterbacks were stronger than most NBA small forwards.

The forwards with the best physical traits in the NBA had bodies similar to the wide receivers or cornerbacks of the NFL. They were a little weaker than the tight ends and the defensive linemen.

As for centers in the NBA, their physical strength was inferior to the guards and nose tackles and they were way weaker than the 330 pound centers in the NFL.

Lebron James was a wide receiver when he played American football and he once played as a tight end. He did not have any physical advantage as a tight end, so he might as well played as a wide receiver. He was without a doubt a nightmare for short cornerbacks.

To prove his judgment, Dai Li found the test scores of the NFL rookies that year and compared them with the scores of NBA rookies.

In terms of basic physical stats, NFL rookies were not taller than six-foot two-inches; NBA rookies had an average height of six-foot seven-inches.

In terms of weight, NFL rookies weighed, on average, 242 pounds, and NBA rookies weighed 215 pounds.

To compare them, NFL rookies were slightly shorter but significantly heavier. Clearly, NFL rookies were stronger.

The comparison in strength had the widest gap. NFL rookies benched an average of 225 pounds 20.8 times, while NBA rookies benched 185 pounds 8.4 times.

Then, he looked at their jumps. The average maximum vertical leap of NFL rookies was 33.6 inches while for the NBA rookies, it was 35.3 inches.

In terms of sprinting speed, in the 40-yard dash, NFL rookies averaged 4.8 seconds. NBA rookies sprinted three-fourths of the basketball court, which was smaller, and their average time was 3.3 seconds.

Dai Li calculated it and found that NFL players must run a little less than 10 yards in a second.

Only high-level professional track and field athletes could do this. With Dai Li’s knowledge of the NBA, practically none of the NBA players could reach this level.

This series of stats showed that NFL athletes really did have much stronger bodies compared to the NBA players.

Of course, NBA players had something NFL players lacked, technique. Basketball was more based on skills and techniques. Professional basketball players mainly focused their attention on improving their skills and not on improving their bodies.

…

The fitness training for football was much more complicated than basketball or soccer.

Football players were divided into offensive teams, defensive teams, and special teams, and each had their own responsibilities. The offensive team played on offense, the defensive on defense, and at kick off or when the team wanted to punt, the special team came in.

The offensive team and the defensive team each had 11 players. That made 22 players. Added to that were the kicker, punter, holder, long snapper, gunner, and others from the special team. Apart from that, there were the substitutes for each position. For a team to play one game, they needed at least than 30 players. Moreover, all 30 of these players had the opportunity to play in the game.

Based on NFL rules, a the most players a team could have on their roster was 53. Even if that was so, in an NFL season, there were still times where teams lacked players.

It was too easy to get injured playing football. Although they only played one game every week, there were still many injured players. Many of those injuries were season-long. For example, the running back, who dashed towards a huge bunch of players, could very easily get hurt. They were basically expendable. Among the running backs of the 32 teams, less than one-third could play all 16 games without getting injured.

It was due to the high expenditure of players that the NFL draft had seven rounds. 32 teams could produce 224 rookies. Moreover, even rookies drafted in the fifth or sixth round had opportunities to play. It was different than the NBA because NBA rookies drafted in the earlier stages of the second round were considered lucky to play at all.

The high probability of injury made football players heavily rely on physical and fitness training.

At the same time, because the offensive, defensive, and punting team each had their own responsibilities and players of every position had their own tasks, the training of each individual player was very specific.

For the quarterback, the most important focus of training was arm strength. A top quarterback could pass the ball rooted on the spot without any momentum for a distance of 50 yards. If he did not possess a powerful arm, it was impossible.

The kick returner needed speed. The faster they were, the better. It was like Forrest in the movie Forrest Gump. He was selected by the University of Alabama because he ran fast, and he became the returner of the team.

Then there were the running backs. There were the strong running backs that rushed to break through the last line of defense and gain the last one or two yards. Even if people were in front of them, they still had to rush forward. This required strength and explosiveness. There were also shorter and more flexible running backs who were good at finding gaps in the defense and quickly going through those gaps. Just focusing on running backs, different players required different types of physical fitness training.

Of course, this training could not defeat Dai Li. The best coach in the world would not be daunted by such a task.

…

It was the first weekend in January. The finals of the American and National Leagues had become the focus of the NFL playoff season.

The NFL playoffs were more brutal than the NBA playoffs. Both the American League and the National League had 16 teams. Only the top six made it to the playoffs. The NBA Eastern and Western Conferences each had 15 teams and the top eight made it to

In comparison, advancing in the NFL was much more difficult. The competition was naturally fiercer.

The six teams that made it through were scheduled to play according to their ranks in the regular season. Third place would play against the sixth place, fourth against five. It was called the wild card race. The first two ranked teams did not play this first round. They waited until the second round and played against the teams that won the previous rounds. After that, the winners duked it out in their respective league finals.

This meant that the first and second ranked team played one game less than the other four teams. They could await their exhausted enemies at ease. Do not underestimate the positive effects of being able to play one game less. Football was an intense and extremely physical sport. Every game was like a war. If one was able to rest for a week and play one less game, it was an amazing advantage!

None of the wild card teams since 2003 ever made it to the Superbowl. The Superbowl competitors were all teams that rested an extra week and played one game less. This was enough to prove the importance of that one week of rest.

Games in the NFL playoffs were decided in one game. In the NBA, teams played in a seven game series. This left the games more to chance. Teams with good results during the regular season lost during the playoffs all the time.

The finals of the American and National Leagues were already the highest level battles in football. The two highest level battles in one day made the fans incredibly excited.

For people from Los Angeles, today was another day to party.

The home stadium of the Rams was located in Inglewood, Los Angeles. At the moment, although the game had not yet started, the 120,000 seats inside the stadium had been filled.

Suddenly, cheers erupted from one side of the stadium and, soon, the cheers spread throughout the entire stadium.

The fans had already gotten word that the American League final had just ended. The other Los Angeles team, the Chargers, had defeated their opponents and become the champion of the American League. By doing so, they earned themselves a spot in the Superbowl.

If the Rams also defeated their opponent, that meant that two Los Angeles teams would play against each other in the Superbowl. The Superbowl this year would be won by Los Angeles in advance!

The Superbowl could be the Rams versus the Chargers, a inner-city competition! This was something that was worth celebrating for the fans of Los Angeles!

NFL teams were not divided according to whether they were in the East or the West, so same city competitions were possible. Only two cities, however, had two teams. One was New York and the other was Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Chargers and the Rams were in the American League and the National league. The New York Jets and Giants were also split between the two leagues. Strictly speaking, the Giants and the Jets could not be considered from New York because the Giants’ and the Jets’ home stadium was not in New York, but in New Jersey. Based on the geography, the Giants and the Jets were both teams from New Jersey. They just used the name New York.

By the time the players of the Rams got on the field, they already knew that the Chargers, who were from the same city had already achieved victory. The other team from the same city had already got their ticket to the Superbowl, it was motivating as well as it was pressuring.

If the Rams were to win this game, then the Superbowl was guaranteed to stay in Los Angeles. By then, they would definitely be hailed as the heroes of Los Angeles and perhaps, in future Superbowls, citizens of Los Angeles would reminisce about this year. They would remember the Los Angeles Rams and the Rams would firmly place their roots here in Los Angeles and become a true Los Angeles team.

…

There were two minutes left in the game and it was an official timeout.

The score was 41 to 32. The Rams had a nine-point lead and they had possession of the ball.

This meant that the game had already ended.

In football, one attack could gain, at most, eight points. A lead of nine points could only be beaten by two attacks. In the remaining time, there was not enough time to complete two attacks.

The fans had already started to celebrate. The Rams had won the National League championship, which meant that the Superbowl was won by Los Angeles. The Superbowl, which was in two weeks, belonged to the city.

At the same time, in Manhattan, Professor Luck sat in front of his TV. He went into deep thought as he looked at the scoreline that was broadcasted.

Professor Luck worked at Columbia University. He was a faculty member of the Department of Sports Management. Among the universities in the U.S., not many schools had that major. Columbia University was among the best with the major.

Of course, as one of the top schools in the U.S., Columbia University had multiple world-class programs.

In truth, both sides in the game had made some errors, but they were not fatal errors. At most, if they would be penalized for a few yards, there was not even any error that led to a change in possession.

As for tactical execution, both sides were top-class. Football demanded tactical execution among its players. Players that did not adhere to tactical plans would never make it in the NFL.

The cooperation between the players was also very good on both sides. These were teams that made it to the finals of their individual leagues. At the very least, they had more than ten wins during the regular season. The players had already built up chemistry as they won games during the regular season.

In terms of tactics, both sides were very transparent. After all, everyone was a top-class team, so they knew everything about each other. It was like in the NBA, the better their results, the fewer secrets they had. Everyone would know how they played.

Football was the same. NFL teams had an entire week between each of their games, so it was more than sufficient for the coaching staff to research and understand the tactics of their opponents. They produced a set of tactics to restrain their opponents. They even considered how their opponents would try to restrain them, then think up another strategy or tactic to counter that.

In all aspects of the game, both sides did great, but the Rams ultimately led by nine points.

“The difference is in the linemen!” Luck mumbled to himself.

From Luck’s professional perspective, the Rams won because of their linemen. Whether it was the offensive or defensive linemen, the Rams were at a higher level.

The Rams defensive linemen were stronger. They had the league’s best defensive lineman, who produced 20 blitzes in a season. It was definitely a nightmare for quarterbacks.

In that game, their performance had surpassed their average level throughout the season. Three blitzes totally destroyed and delayed the opponent’s rhythm.

The Rams’ defensive end also performed nicely, not allowing even a yard when the opponent tried to rush through.In the end, they could only retreat.

As for the offensive linemen, the Rams’ offensive end and offensive tackle always held their line and kept the opponent’s defensive linemen tangled, giving their quarterback enough time to observe the positions of the wide receivers before completing his pass.

The defensive linemen could defend an extra one or two yards while the offensive linemen gave the offensive team an extra one or two yards. The end result might just be one extra first down or perhaps one extra kick. The nine point lead came from them.

The linemen of football had the most direct physical battles. The wide receivers, the running backs of the offensive team, and the cornerbacks would be involved in direct and intense physical battles when they had the ball. It was the linemen who were involved in intense physical battles during every attack.

As Luck thought of that, he went to his computer and searched for half a day. Finally, he found a news article from last year.

I remembered right after all. The Rams handed over their physical fitness training to that Olympic coach! The Rams’ linemen becoming so strong was probably the coach’s achievement!

In the next second, Luck seemed to have suddenly noticed something.

The Rams outsourced their physical fitness training to a professional physical fitness training center and the effect was excellent. It looks like they will be headed to the Superbowl. Apart from that, the Chargers already made it through. The Chargers’ physical fitness training was also conducted by Coach Li. The reason these two Los Angeles teams will face off against each other in the Superbowl is Dai Li!

The fitness training standard of a professional team is without a doubt inferior to those of a world-class physical fitness training center, so the Rams and Chargers received better physical training. Looks like outsourcing their physical fitness training to a professional center was a success for them.

Since this worked football, it should be fine in other types of sports, right? Basketball, hockey, and baseball. These sports are not as physically demanding as football. If it worked in American football, it should also work in other sports!

Not only physical fitness training but other types of training could also refer to this type of method. Rehabilitation and technical training could all be outsourced to more professional coaches. The coaches of the team would only be responsible for creating the structure of the tactical system.

Perhaps I can conduct research on this new type of training model, and after that, write a dissertation on this…

…

In Holland, Holland’s National Men’s Soccer Team’s head coach, Roman, held a sports magazine from the U.S. in his hands.

Americans were not as passionate about soccer as Europeans or South Americans, but the U.S. was one of the strongest countries in the world when it came to sports. Even if the four major sports league of the U.S. did not include soccer, Roman still hoped to learn something from the four major sports leagues of the U.S. Perhaps it could be used in soccer.

Roman was a famous soccer legend from Holland. When he was young, he played for powerhouses like Barcelona. After he became a coach, he coached in Eindhoven, Valencia, Everton, and various top-class professional soccer teams in Europe. He could be considered a world-class coach and, at his level, was certainly capable of drawing inferences about other cases from one instance. He could absorb ideas from other sports and, after modifying them slightly, use it in football.

Finally, Roman saw Professor Luck’s article.

“It’s Professor Luck from Columbia University. I know this guy, he’s an expert in sports management. He is pretty famous in the U.S.,” Roman mumbled to himself. He proceeded to read the article seriously.

A new training method for professional teams? Head coach would only be responsible for formulating the tactical structure and system? Will this work? The Rams outsourced their physical fitness training to a professional fitness training team? Is this a joke?

At first glance, Roman thought the things mentioned in the article was ludicrous. After all, he used to work as the head coach for several first-rate soccer clubs in Europe. Every time, he formed his team. Of course, the other first-rate soccer coaches also did the same, they all had their own teams. No matter which club they went to, the coaching staff could handle all kinds of training and not look to others for help.

After a while, Roman fell into deep thought.

The Rams outsourced their physical fitness training to a professional physical fitness training center, I remember last month the Rams won the Superbowl…

Roman then reread the article seriously. After that, he felt that the article made a lot of sense.

Disregarding physical fitness training, if one were to look at Europe as a whole, top-class physical fitness coaches were limited. Most of them had already been obtained by Real Madrid, Barcelona, and various other powerhouses. Average teams or normal coaching teams would not be able to recruit the best fitness coaches, so handing over physical fitness training to third-parties with more expertise was not something that would not work for average teams.

In terms of technique or skills training, third-party involvement was not something new. For example, shooting, free kicks, and dribbling techniques were trained through technical coaches.

It was not only soccer, but other types of sports had similar situations. Some NBA Hall of Famer would organize training camps to teach players techniques of a center. As long as one was willing to pay the tuition fee, one could even learn the “dream footwork.” Of course, while many had paid the fees to learn the “dream footwork,” none had come to master it.

In truth, as the head coach of a team, one could not usually choose their players. It was difficult for head coaches to get the players they liked. The makeup of the team was decided by the club owner. Many times, from a commercial point of view, teams would even get players that did not fit the system of the team at all.

In times like these, the head coach would have to show his ability. He used tactics to adjust and mediate, to make sure that players could integrate into the tactical system. High-level coaches were able to transform useless people into magical beings. Weak or bad coaches, would lose even if they were given the lineup of Real Madrid or Barcelona.

It was like the game Dou Dizhu. A player had no say in the card he was getting, but the player got to decide how to play the hand he was dealt. A good player would not lose badly even if he were given the worst hand, but a bad player would still lose even if he were dealt the best possible hand.

From this perspective, the main work of the coaching team was really to focus on structuring tactical systems. As for the makeup of the team, the coaching team had the authority to make suggestions, but they did not have the final say.

Perhaps the success of the Rams was a special case… Roman continued thinking. American football has a higher demand on the body than soccer. From another perspective, if it worked in American football, then it should work for soccer as well!”

Roman could not help but think about his team. These young fellows were excellent, what they lacked right now was fitness training.

Dutch soccer was filled with contradiction because they were the “Uncrowned King.”

It sounded like a compliment, but it speaks more to the mistakes made in Dutch soccer than the greatness of it..

Currently, soccer in Holland was in short supply. They did not make it into the last World Cup and the previous Dutch head coach resigned. Roman was the new head coach of the Dutch team.

The Dutch team that Roman took over was not really a bad bunch. Although the players of the golden era of the Dutch team had grown old, the current Dutch national team had many players playing in the five major football leagues in Europe. The Dutch team was still a top-rated team in Europe. The only problem was that the current Dutch team did not have a world-class superstar.

The team was in the midst of lowering the average age of the players. The team had many players who were not even 25 yet. Although they came from the five major soccer leagues in Europe, many of them were not the key players on their teams. A team like this, when compared to the previous Dutch team filled with shining stars, was bound to lose.

This team defeated the French and German teams not that long ago. It was as if they were declaring to the world that Dutch soccer had revived.

Roman knew that the Dutch team was still far away from glory! These young players still had a long way to go.

In terms of match experience, Roman was not worried. Most players who came from the European football powerhouses grew up in a soccer environment. They would have started playing soccer before they entered primary school. In that kind of environment in Europe, games were abundant in every age group. Those who were on the Dutch national team did not lack experience.

In terms of skills and techniques, Roman had even less to worry about. The Dutch team had always played technical football. Exquisite footwork was the special characteristic of Dutch soccer, no soccer players originating from Holland had crude skills.

Roman was worried about tactics. Roman’s current tactical system relied on the athleticism of the players.

The previous World Cup redefined the role of big target forwards and, at the same time, it redefined another keyword in modern soccer, “high intensity.”

Soccer was not a trick show, a circus, nor was it a drama. It was a high-intensity competitive sport.

If one’s skills were lacking, then one could use big players with high endurance that relied on defense to defeat strong teams.

Those with good skills would require exceptional athleticism. They would be able to freely use all kinds of tactics to destroy their opponents.

The big and athletic players who were also skilled shone brightly during the World Cup.

As for the players who were skilled but were not big or those who were skilled but were not athletic, they were targeted and restrained.

Roman thought that this was a trend in soccer. A bunch of big athletic players, whose skill with the ball was good but not great They had a physical advantage on the field,and they could limit their opponents in both attacks and defense.

Roman created his team’s tactical system based on these standards.

What the current Dutch team lacked most was truly exceptional athleticism, so they needed the best fitness training.

Perhaps I should head to the U.S. and personally see just how good this Coach Li is!

…

Dai Li had been very happy lately. When the Los Angeles Rams won the Superbowl, his System leveled up once again. He went from being a celebrated coach to a legendary coach.

After becoming a legendary coach, a store appeared in the System. Within the store, he could exchange for various skill books. He could also exchange for more expendable items like the age reduction cards and athlete’s patch.

At the same time, the reward for the legendary coach was that all athletes under him would have a five percent increase in their ability.

For normal athletes, a five percent increase was not a lot. For world-class athletes, a one percent increase was already immensely difficult. A five percent ability increase was almost beyond the limits of human biology.

On the world stage, a five percent increase was enough to affect who the winner would be.

If, during the final of a world-class competition, the ability of the athletes were all similar, and suddenly, one of the contestants’ strengths improved by five percent, the balance for victory would be broken.

Dai Li wanted to find a huge competition to test just how strong this five percent increase was. It was regrettable that the Olympics were far away and Dai Li could not find any suitable opportunity.

At that moment, Roman came to visit.

As such, Dai Li took over the fitness training of the Dutch Men’s National Soccer Team.

…

The World Cup Qualifiers

The competition in the European region had always been the fiercest.

Based on the rules of qualifying for the World Cup, the 54 European countries were divided into nine groups. Every group had six teams and, after the grouping, teams played group matches at home and away. The first-ranked team of each group would directly qualify for the World Cup. The remaining best eight teams would play extra games and fight for the remaining spots.

In the qualifier grouping, Holland was seeded second. In the end, they successfully qualified for the World Cup by being the best in their group.

This result did not exceed people’s expectations. There were no weak teams in Europe. At least in the European qualifiers, teams that were placed in the top three levels of seeding did not really have a huge gap in terms of strength. One was not definitively stronger than the other.

Dutch soccer was always among the best in Europe. Holland had beaten the powerhouses of Europe, like France, Spain or Germany.

In the World Cup grouping, Holland also got a decent group. In the same group, there was another European team, an Asian team, and an African team. For Holland, the African and Asian teams were free wins. Holland was already guaranteed six points, and there seemed to be no problems in terms of getting through the group stage.

The Asian and African teams were lacking skill. When faced against Western European teams that were more skillful with their feet, they were completely dominated. The Dutch team easily advanced to the knockout stage.

In the first round of the knockout stage, they faced the runner-up of the previous World Cup, Croatia.

In the previous World Cup, Croatia made it into the finals and became the runner-up. They exceeded the expectations of many. Croatia’s success also stimulated discussions about the development of soccer.

Croatian players were generally bigger and they did not have fancy footwork like the South American players. They were not as exquisite as Western Europeans, but they were solid in their fundamentals. These sort of players did not seem to be special when put in the five major European soccer leagues, but it was exactly this group of people that hurt the Argentinians with a three-nil scoreline in the previous World Cup.

There was no need to doubt the skills of the Argentinian players. Fans loved Argentinian soccer. Eight or nine out of ten liked the fancy and flamboyant style of Argentinian soccer players. In Argentina, soccer was not just a sport, it had become beautiful art that people admired. In contrast, Croatian soccer was so simple that it seemed like a big black pot.

The exquisite and beautiful art piece was broken into tiny pieces by the big pot!

Success and failure in sports was determined by the results. The crushing defeat of flamboyant skills by strong physical bodies and, furthermore, the excellent display of strength by big players during that World Cup made many soccer specialists think that perhaps having big and strong players was the newest trend in soccer.

In the knockout stage that came after, Croatia defeated Denmark, eliminated Russia, and pulled England off their high horse. They went into extra time in all three games, and the Croatians fully displayed their endurance.

Because their skills were sufficient, having a big and strong bodies and exceptional endurance put them over the top!

…

Holland versus Croatia

For both sides, this game was a test.

Nobody expected that the Croatian team, which was famous for their athleticism, would be completely dominated by the Dutch team.

When two players went to head for the ball, the Croatian player failed to jump as high as the Dutch player.

When two players pursued the ball at the same time, the Croatian players were slower than the Dutch players.

When forming walls during free kicks, the Croatians lost the physical battles against the Dutch.

Western European players were stronger than the Eastern European players. It sounded ludicrous, but the truth was there for all to see.

More importantly, the Dutch players showed shocking endurance. Throughout the game, they kept running as if they did not know what fatigue was.

A Dutch team like that reminded people of the “Total Soccer” strategy the Dutch team used back in the day.

This strategy led the way in soccer during that time. The technical and physical demands of the tactic, however, was now too high.

Soccer back then was not as intense and physical as modern day soccer. Players with great stamina could support the entire tactic but, as soccer became more physical and intense, it became impossible. In high-level battles, players did not have as much stamina to run that long.

Although the Dutch team today was not using this strategy, the players still ran with positivity. They were not that inferior to the players back then.

They had strong bodies and sufficient stamina, which were recognized as the future of soccer. When these elements were supplemented with exquisite footwork, a frightening team was instantly created.

It was three to zero. Holland beat Croatia. The previous World Cup runner-up did not have any physical advantage and lost without any suspense.

After that, in the quarterfinals, Holland played against a similarly young English team.

Many ons the Dutch team played in England. England was perhaps the most familiar opponent for the Dutch team.

The English Premier League had always been well-known for its physical nature and English players were great at physical battles. Under the guidance of Dai Li, the Dutch team’s physical ability outmatched Croatia. When faced with the English players, they were on a higher level. In the end, the Dutch team defeated England, two goals to one.

In the semifinals, Holland played against the defending champions, the French.

Four years ago, the French team was ridiculed as an “African team.” This time, the French team went even further, three-fourths of the team were black. One of the key characteristics of this French team was that they had great stamina and these black players were great at running. When paired with their amazing technical skills, the style of play for the French team was certainly amazing.

In truth, the current play of the Dutch team was similar to the French’s. They relied on skills and athleticism and used a penetrative playstyle to destroy their opponents. When comparing the athleticism of black and white players, black athletes generally had an advantage. The French team also had multiple top European stars. As for the stars of the Dutch team, they were clearly a lot darker than the French team.

In the pre-match predictions, everyone favored the French team. Most people thought the score would be two to zero or two to one.

No one expected that by the time the regular game time was over, the final score would be two against two. Then, they went to extra time.

The French team’s attack was amazing, the entire world knew it. The Dutch team displayed similarly amazing attacks and both teams failed to restrain their opposition.

Truth be told, once a technical team gained athleticism, attacking became easier.

The Dutch team was slightly weaker than the French. The French team had so many world-class superstars, their individual abilities were certainly better than the Dutch players’.

Dai Li, however, brought a five percent increase in ability to the Dutch team. Every player experienced an increase in their skills. When put on a team, this sort of increase was exponential. It closed the power gap between the two teams.

…

How is it that the Dutch are so good at running? The French head coach had a solemn look on his face. He wanted to rush on to the field and scream at the French players to make them run more. He also knew that the French team already ran quite decently. The players had been running for over 100 minutes and they were constantly sprinting. The coach could not be as strict as he was in the beginning.

Their black players were great at running. The French team relied on their exceptional stamina to outmatch their opponents one after another. The head coach of the French team had thought extra time was advantageous for the French team, and that the Dutch would never be able to hold on.

The reality was exactly the opposite. During extra time, the Dutch players ran with even more motivation, they displayed even better stamina and endurance than the French. If this were to continue, the ones that would be dragged down would not be the Dutch but the French!

The head coach of the French team had an ominous feeling, which turned into reality during stoppage time of extra time!

A long ball from the Dutch team flew past half the field. The Dutch forwards quickly rushed forward. Although the French players put in everything to run back to defend, the drop in their stamina was too obvious. Their defense was completely overwhelmed by the Dutch’s speed.

It was a three versus four attack. The Dutch team broke through the French defense and put the ball into the French net at the last moment!

The Dutch team had succeeded in getting to the World Cup finals.

…

Teams that achieved success in the World Cup attracted more attention. The entire world researched and looked into the reasons for their success.

The Dutch team was no different. When they made it to the World Cup final, the Dutch team became the target of research for soccer professionals all over the globe.

Holland getting to the World Cup final should not have been news. After all, Holland was considered a European powerhouse. For a young Dutch team with barely any player who took part in a World Cup before to make it to the finals was something worth researching.

In truth, the research mentioned was simply a process of looking for something different. Anything the team changed would probably be the reason for the team’s success.

They looked for changes in the players, the position of the players, changes in the team formation or tactical selection changes.

The change in the Dutch team was obvious, the change in their athleticism and stamina. They dared to compete against Eastern European countries in physical battles, the previous Dutch team could not do that.

Dai Li had once again come into the people’s view. Professionals in the soccer world knew Dai Li’s fitness training brought about the changes in the Dutch team. If the Dutch team were to win the World Cup, then Dai Li would be the biggest contributor to the Dutch team’s success!

…

Ultimately, the Dutch team won the World Cup and finally lost the title of “uncrowned champions.” At the same time, the entire world witnessed Dai Li’s greatness.

The world’s two most influential sporting events were the Olympics and the World Cup. In the Olympics, Dai Li’s training camp produced 85 gold medals. In the World Cup, Dai Li helped a young Dutch team become the champions.

In the living room of a hotel suite, a reputable European media company was currently interviewing Dai Li.

The World Cup was placed on the table in front of Dai Li. The cameraman adjusted the angle and put Dai Li as well as the cup in the frame.

Facing the camera, Dai Li said teasingly, “In terms of competitive sports, there are only three needs. The first is to have a suitable body. A basketball player needs height, being too short makes it impossible for the person to turn professional.

“Second, skill. No matter what sport, experts always have good skills and techniques. The higher level the competition, the better the skills of the contestants. It is an undeniable truth.

“Third, physical fitness, a human body’s basic athleticism. This includes strength, speed, endurance, coordination, flexibility, and agility. Every skill and technique in sports needs to be supported by physical fitness.

“The body comes from the parent. Whether you can grow tall depends on your genes. Although training can influence the growth of a body, genes are the main determinant. Which genes we get is not something that we can choose.

“Skills and techniques are acquired and improved after birth. Talent, however, determines the upper-limit of skills. Some people train very hard but, due to the limitations of their talent, they can never become the best. This is not just in sports, it exists in every industry. Talent is something that one cannot improve with training, it depends on luck.

“Physical fitness is the only thing athletes can improve upon with training. Of course, physical fitness training also has a limit. From the point of view of sports, compared to genes and talent, physical fitness is controllable, it is something that can be changed by training.

“High-level physical fitness training is actually the strengthening of physical fitness, which is what I am doing. I help athletes become better, faster, and stronger!”

After the interview ended, as Dai Li sent the reporters away, the assistant came rushing towards him.

“Coach, someone outside wants to visit you. They are from China and they say that they are from the soccer association. This is their business card.” The assistant passed a card to Dai Li.

Dai Li took the card, lowered his head, and saw two designations were written on it. One was the Deputy Director of the Joint Conference of the Soccer Reform and Development Department while the other was the Deputy Director of the Chinese Soccer Association.

Deputy Director of the Soccer Association! Dai Li was shocked. He asked his assistant to bring them over.

The one in front was named Wang. He was the Deputy Director of the Soccer Association.

After Deputy Director Wang entered the room, he immediately saw the World Cup placed on the table. Boundless admiration showed in his gaze.

After the guest and the host each sat down, they greeted each other and made small talk before Dai Li asked, “May I know the reason for your visit?”

Deputy Director Wang did not attempt to hide anything and said frankly, “Coach Li, you helped the Dutch team achieve brilliant success during the World Cup. This is apparent. We want to invite you to help with the physical fitness training of our men’s national soccr team. We hope to make it into the next World Cup!”

The originally calm expression on Dai Li’s face instantly changed.

Dai Li really wanted to say, “Dear leader, you are really ambitious! It was difficult just to get into the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup. You want them to play in the World Cup!”

Deputy Director Wang felt a bit awkward. He made a dry cough and said, “We received news that there was a high chance that the World Cup will expand. By then, 48 teams will be able to play in it. The maximum number of Asian teams will be increased to eight. Our country should be able to make it in.

“Moreover, with 48 countries participating, there will be 16 groups. Every group would have three teams, with only the last-placed team being eliminated. This meant that two out of three would advance, which was much easier than two out of four. Our country not only has the chance to make it into the World Cup, we could even perhaps make it through the group stage!”

The more Deputy Director Wang said, the more excited he became. Dai Li,however, only felt that he had met with a multilevel marketing agent who just built a castle in the sky. Perhaps that famous Italian soccer coach was coaxed into his job like this. After one Asian Cup, his reputation had been destroyed.

Even if the World Cup expanded and Asia had eight spots, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia already took five spots. Apart from that, there was the UAE and Qatar, both of which seemed stronger than China. There were also countries like Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, North Korea, and Vietnam. These were all teams that the Chinese team might not win against. If one counted like that, even if there were eight spots, there might still not be enough for China.

To get that team into the World Cup was the hardest task Dai Li had ever received!

If he succeeded, it would be okay. If he failed, the brand that Dai Li worked so hard to build for so many years could be destroyed.

How did a headache like this appear! Even as a legendary coach, I’m afraid this is impossible!

Table of Contents

Information

Chapter 1: Dai Li

Chapter 2: Training for the High School PE Entrance Exam

Chapter 3: Training starts
Chapter 4: Refund
Chapter 5: Retain Customers
Chapter 6: I Only Need One Day
Chapter 7: Convinced
Chapter 8: Looking for trouble
Chapter 9: Misleading the Students
Chapter 10: Who is Misleading the Students?
Chapter 11: I Won Again
Chapter 12: Famous Coach Li
Chapter 13: Third-Rate Coach
Chapter 14: Full Score
Chapter 15: Fatties Make a Move
Chapter 16: 100% Full Score Rate
Chapter 17: Making a Big Fortune
Chapter 18: New Job

Chapter 19: The Summer Training Class in Sports School

Chapter 20: Fired
Chapter 21: Open a Training Class by Himself
Chapter 22: Free Trial Training
Chapter 23: The usage of explosive force halo
Chapter 24: Massive Improvement
Chapter 25: Class Begins
Chapter 26: Reveal the True Color
Chapter 27: Talents of Athlete
Chapter 28: Independent Enrollment Quota

Chapter 29: Exam for National Second-Class Athlete

Chapter 30: A High-Flyer
Chapter 31: Within 11 Seconds
Chapter 32: Treasure

Chapter 33: He Has a First-Class Athlete’s Ability

Chapter 34: A New Opportunity

Chapter 35: Sophomore Coach at an Advanced Level

Chapter 36: A Useless Reward
Chapter 37: The Haunted Training Room
Chapter 38: World Champion or a Whiner?
Chapter 39: Let’s Practice

Chapter 40: Try Once and You Will See the Effect

Chapter 41: The Reason Why People Get Fat
Chapter 42: Fantastic Result
Chapter 43: Coach Xu
Chapter 44: Don’t Believe It
Chapter 45: This Is Not Broadcast Exercise
Chapter 46: The Wind Blows
Chapter 47: The Cloud Moves
Chapter 48: The press conference
Chapter 49: Weigh in Front of Everyone
Chapter 50: Formal Organize Personnel
Chapter 51: An Iron Bowl
Chapter 52: Second-Rate Coach
Chapter 53: Loss Exercise and Massage

Chapter 54: Fitness Coach of Weightlifting Team

Chapter 55: An Experienced Athlete
Chapter 56: Relaxing your muscle
Chapter 57: Magical Massage
Chapter 58: A Father’s Responsibility
Chapter 59: Advertising Effect

Chapter 60: The Busiest Person in the Weightlifting Team

Chapter 61: Coach Also Needs Massage

Chapter 62: Even Periarteritis of the Shoulder Could Be Cured

Chapter 63: Degrade
Chapter 64: Broadcast Exercises
Chapter 65: Curtain Call Competitions
Chapter 66: The Championship Starts
Chapter 67: Snatch
Chapter 68: The Last Shot
Chapter 69: Adding Weight
Chapter 70: Individual Effort
Chapter 71: Father’s Honor
Chapter 72: Extra Reward
Chapter 73: Rehabilitative Massage
Chapter 74: Secondment
Chapter 75: Beikou Training Center
Chapter 76: Feixiang Lin
Chapter 77: Train Himself
Chapter 78: Come Late, Leave Early
Chapter 79: A Degenerate Champion
Chapter 80: Taste of Victory
Chapter 81: Injury
Chapter 82: Rehabilitative Massage
Chapter 83: The Heart Is Still Alive
Chapter 84: The Return Of A Prodigal Son
Chapter 85: Rehabilitation
Chapter 86: Qatar Money Grabbing Game
Chapter 87: Intimidation
Chapter 88: Team Pickup Game
Chapter 89: Back to the Field
Chapter 90: You Are Finally Back
Chapter 91: A Challenger
Chapter 92: Super High-Intensity Training
Chapter 93: Invitation and Rejection
Chapter 94: Broke World Record
Chapter 95: Morale-Boosting Book
Chapter 96: Happy New Year!
Chapter 97: Become A Chief
Chapter 98: A Period of Shortage
Chapter 99: They Don’t Listen
Chapter 100: A Solution
Chapter 101: Never Give Up
Chapter 102: A New Hope
Chapter 103: A Visit From A Strong Rival
Chapter 104: Battle Preparation
Chapter 105: Strong Rivals
Chapter 106: The Strongest of the Strong
Chapter 107: A High Mountain
Chapter 108: The Best of the Best
Chapter 109: Losers' Success
Chapter 110: The Only Winner
Chapter 111: Goodbye, "Agent"
Chapter 112: Freeloader
Chapter 113: An Awful Mess
Chapter 114: An "A"
Chapter 115: A Rich Second-Generation Athlete
Chapter 116: My Dream
Chapter 117: Rejection
Chapter 118: Proof
Chapter 119: Participant
Chapter 120: Throwing Money
Chapter 121: Choose Your Own Path
Chapter 122: Haiquan Fang's Competition
Chapter 123: It's A Small World
Chapter 124: A Strong Opponent
Chapter 125: An Overage Athlete
Chapter 126: Competing for Glory
Chapter 127: The Last Jump
Chapter 128: My Pride Forever
Chapter 129: Two Records
Chapter 130: Digressive Plot

Chapter 131: Trading the Gift for the Gift Wrap

Chapter 132: Recruitment
Chapter 133: National Team Experience
Chapter 134: Hit Twice
Chapter 135: The Youth Training Program
Chapter 136: Resource is Better than Ability
Chapter 137: Background Battle
Chapter 138: The Final Candidate
Chapter 139: I Am Not On The List?
Chapter 140: Police Training Base
Chapter 141: Eliminate Half First
Chapter 142: Training Policemen
Chapter 143: TV Dramas are Deceiving
Chapter 144: Conceal the Injury
Chapter 145: Another Physical Examination
Chapter 146: Your Leg is Cured
Chapter 147: Mental Disorder
Chapter 148: I Just Need to Pass
Chapter 149: Faith
Chapter 150: Bad Example
Chapter 151: 1st Place, Chong Lin!
Chapter 152: The Bad Example’s Counterattack
Chapter 153: The Real Competition
Chapter 154: Observation and Learning

Chapter 155: The Miraculous Secret Weapon for Coach

Chapter 156: The Selection Examination
Chapter 157: I Should Keep a Low Profile
Chapter 158: Examination Paper Marking
Chapter 159: A Full Score Examination Paper
Chapter 160: Another Career Change
Chapter 161: New Sprinting Technique
Chapter 162: This Could Even Be Found By You!
Chapter 163: New Task
Chapter 164: The Useless A-Level Gift
Chapter 165: I Have to Put on an Act Again
Chapter 166: What Coach Li Said Makes Sense!
Chapter 167: Convincing the “Ringleader”
Chapter 168: Convincing

Chapter 169: “Walking Dead” on the Training Ground

Chapter 170: I Don’t Want to Be an Athlete
Chapter 171: Shoot Oneself in the Foot
Chapter 172: You are The Owner of Your Youth
Chapter 173: You Are The One To Blame
Chapter 174: Misunderstanding
Chapter 175: Father and Son
Chapter 176: I Am An Athlete
Chapter 177: University Games
Chapter 178: Old Friends
Chapter 179: An Unexpected Opponent
Chapter 180: We Are Beating The National Team
Chapter 181: Stay Tough
Chapter 182: A Resolute Fighting Will
Chapter 183: Outdo Himself
Chapter 184: Catch Up from Behind
Chapter 185: Expendable
Chapter 186: Reasons
Chapter 187: Parents
Chapter 188: Way Out
Chapter 189: Opportunity
Chapter 190: Parenthood
Chapter 191: Teach You A Lesson First
Chapter 192: Take the Lead
Chapter 193: I Want to Be Stronger
Chapter 194: Qualifying Standard

Chapter 195: The Marvellous Effect of the Halo

Chapter 196: Sense of Urgency
Chapter 197: Iron Man
Chapter 198: The Result is Certain
Chapter 199: Relay Race Training
Chapter 200: Campaign for the Asian Games
Chapter 201: Persistence
Chapter 202: Hang On
Chapter 203: Fly
Chapter 204: The Reason I Can’t Lose
Chapter 205: An Unexpected Accident
Chapter 206: Fight for My Father
Chapter 207: The Interlinked Iron Chain
Chapter 208: Absence
Chapter 209: Racing in the Rain
Chapter 210: The 200m Sprint Final
Chapter 211: Say Goodbye to the Past
Chapter 212: A Volunteer
Chapter 213: Li’s Army
Chapter 214: A Makeweight
Chapter 215: Closeness of Li’s Army
Chapter 216: The Last Baton Exchange
Chapter 217: We are the Champions
Chapter 218: They Are All Ordinary People
Chapter 219: Mystery
Chapter 220: Role Play
Chapter 221: The Windfall
Chapter 222: The Half Marathon
Chapter 223: The Opponent
Chapter 224: Giving a Hand With No Hesitation
Chapter 225: The Good Man
Chapter 226: The Score Counting
Chapter 227: You Owe Me This Time
Chapter 228: The National Games Are Coming
Chapter 229: Dai Li Is Coming Back
Chapter 230: Failed to Ally

Chapter 231: I Want to Strive for a Gold Medal

Chapter 232: A Big Appetite
Chapter 233: The Highest State
Chapter 234: Undermine
Chapter 235: Laugh Impudently
Chapter 236: Team Building
Chapter 237: Beg for Membership

Chapter 238: Nobody was Happy but Somebody was Sad

Chapter 239: The First Place
Chapter 240: A Saint Knight
Chapter 241: Frame Up
Chapter 242: Achieve Something Big
Chapter 243: Bluffing

Chapter 244: Make Things Right Once And For All

Chapter 245: Remove the Obstacles
Chapter 246: The National Games
Chapter 247: Speed vs Teamwork
Chapter 248: A Finish That Takes Everything
Chapter 249: Regretful People
Chapter 250: Go To the USA
Chapter 251: The Stolen Quota
Chapter 252: The Turnaround
Chapter 253: The Guess Work
Chapter 254: He Has Connections
Chapter 255: The Visit To UCLA
Chapter 256: The New Dream
Chapter 257: The Basketball Camp

Chapter 258: The Talent Who Was S-level For Two Sports

Chapter 259: The Feast Of Hamburgers
Chapter 260: The Ghetto
Chapter 261: Happy Hunting
Chapter 262: Forge the Scoring Machine
Chapter 263: Children of The Poor
Chapter 264: The Opportunity Came Up
Chapter 265: A Convergence of Celebrities
Chapter 266: Here Comes the Scoring Machine
Chapter 267: A Great Young Man
Chapter 268: Go Home
Chapter 269: Be an Official
Chapter 270: Rating
Chapter 271: The Competition is a Show
Chapter 272: Practical Training
Chapter 273: A Feast
Chapter 274: Increase Difficulty
Chapter 275: Training Seniors

Chapter 276: Arthritis And Scapulohumeral Periarthritis

Chapter 277: He is More Skillful
Chapter 278: A Red Envelope
Chapter 279: The Dream of Three Generations
Chapter 280: Feng Zhu’s Story
Chapter 281: Practice Yoga
Chapter 282: Two Amateurs
Chapter 283: Yoga Worked
Chapter 284: Dai Li’s Yoga Class
Chapter 285: Helped by Some Master
Chapter 286: National Team Came to Poach Him
Chapter 287: Everyone Wants to Go Upwards

Chapter 288: The Surprising S-Plus Grade Talent

Chapter 289: Chapter 289
Chapter 290: The Test
Chapter 291: Seventy-eight Training Plans
Chapter 292: Hired a Superman
Chapter 293: The Way of Changes
Chapter 294: Trust Building
Chapter 295: Rehabilitation Training
Chapter 296: Help Only the One in Need

Chapter 297: The Core of the National Table Tennis Team

Chapter 298: The Reason for Being Number One
Chapter 299: The Athlete Album
Chapter 300: The Warm-up Square Dance
Chapter 301: Have Some Music!
Chapter 302: Let’s Dance!

Chapter 303: The Attractiveness of Square Dance

Chapter 304: A New Continent
Chapter 305: Spread Square Dance in the Team
Chapter 306: A Slow Starter
Chapter 307: Young and Frivolous
Chapter 308: A Slow-Starter?
Chapter 309: Concede Points
Chapter 310: Always the Second

Chapter 311: Conceal Strength in Each Final Match

Chapter 312: Happy Sport
Chapter 313: A Famous Coach
Chapter 314: Howl of the Mighty Wind
Chapter 315: An Outstanding Tree in the Woods

Chapter 316: Each Sovereign Maintains His Own Courtiers

Chapter 317: Departure
Chapter 318: New Challenges
Chapter 319: People from Two Different Worlds
Chapter 320: Mission Accomplished
Chapter 321: True Blue Will Never Stain
Chapter 322: Second-Rate Young Player
Chapter 323: Outbreak Movement
Chapter 324: Wish Fulfilled
Chapter 325: Period Training
Chapter 326: Coach Li Likes Warming Up
Chapter 327: Warming up
Chapter 328: Running
Chapter 329: Massage Master Li Came Back
Chapter 330: To the Rescue
Chapter 331: Aspiration for Talent
Chapter 332: Boyfriend
Chapter 333: A Shield

Chapter 334: A Fitness Trainer and His Female Customer

Chapter 335: Father-in-law

Chapter 336: The Final of the AFC Championship League

Chapter 337: Association of Hearts
Chapter 338: Athlete Patches
Chapter 339: Skill Upgrade
Chapter 340: The Glee Feast
Chapter 341: Be Vulnerable to Envy
Chapter 342: Guidance
Chapter 343: No Mercy
Chapter 344: A Scoundrel Encountered Another
Chapter 345: Singaporean Champion
Chapter 346: Professional Level

Chapter 347: The One Who Is Hiding His Strength

Chapter 348: Breaking Up the Affectionate Couple

Chapter 349: Father-Daughter Relationship
Chapter 350: The Injured Racing King
Chapter 351: Will You Believe in Miracles?
Chapter 352: For the Family
Chapter 353: Get Him Convinced
Chapter 354: The Miracle Happened
Chapter 355: Buck-Passing
Chapter 356: The Scapegoat
Chapter 357: The Duke
Chapter 358: Life is Full of Hope
Chapter 359: This Car Is Yours
Chapter 360: Birthday Gift
Chapter 361: Birthday Party
Chapter 362: Here Comes the Roadster
Chapter 363: Unloading
Chapter 364: The Unique Gift
Chapter 365: He is Lucky
Chapter 366: Ruthless Man
Chapter 367: A Confusing Conversation
Chapter 368: Go to America
Chapter 369: Training Gym

Chapter 370: Coach Lee Physical Training Center

Chapter 371: Reception
Chapter 372: An Immediate Correction
Chapter 373: Chancing Upon a Gem
Chapter 374: The Big Debut
Chapter 375: The Birth of the Blade Warrior
Chapter 376: Equivalent Respect
Chapter 377: Venture into the 400m
Chapter 378: 5%
Chapter 379: A Small Test
Chapter 380: What the Heck Is This?
Chapter 381: Tricked
Chapter 382: Group of Death
Chapter 383: Qualifier
Chapter 384: Advancement
Chapter 385: The Ability of a Finalist
Chapter 386: The Meaning of Running
Chapter 387: New Rewards for Leveling Up
Chapter 388 - Recruitment
Chapter 389 - Pre-Emptive Strike
Chapter 390 - Research Report
Chapter 391 - Los Angeles Police
Chapter 392 - A Has-Been Boxing Champion
Chapter 393 - In Debt
Chapter 394 - New Client
Chapter 395 - Lost Confidence
Chapter 396 - Fitness Issue
Chapter 397 - Price Markup
Chapter 398 - Unprofitable Deal
Chapter 399 - Opponent
Chapter 400 - Singing a Different Tune
Chapter 401 - You’re the Best
Chapter 402 - Revival of the Boxing Champion
Chapter 403 - It Was Just a Coincidence
Chapter 404 - High-Difficulty Instance
Chapter 405 - Stage Clear in 37 Seconds
Chapter 406 - Boss Fight
Chapter 407 - Re-emergence
Chapter 408 - Becoming Indian
Chapter 409
Chapter 410 - The Legendary Coach
Chapter 411 - The Coach’s Talents
Chapter 412 - A Worthy Opponent
Chapter 413 - The Meaning of Iron
Chapter 414 - Money Matters

Chapter 415 - Change to Another Training Center

Chapter 416 - An Easy Game
Chapter 417 - A Fallen Star
Chapter 418 - Sponsors Left
Chapter 419 - The Truth That We Need
Chapter 420 - I’m Going to Retire
Chapter 421 - Growth
Chapter 422 - Physical Fitness Battle
Chapter 423 - Advancing and Retreating
Chapter 424 - The Celebrated Coach
Chapter 425 - The Successor
Chapter 426 - Rebirth
Chapter 427 - Job Hopping
Chapter 428 - Old Trade
Chapter 429 - Increased Difficulty
Chapter 430 - A Fatty with a Quest
Chapter 431 - Mediocre
Chapter 432 - Hassel’s Race
Chapter 433 - Follow-Up Calls
Chapter 434 - One Hundred Percent and Zero
Chapter 435 - Press Conference
Chapter 436 - Tragic Last Shot
Chapter 437 - The Shadow of the Failure
Chapter 438 - A Trap
Chapter 439 - Dai Li the Bluffer
Chapter 440 - Marathon of Shooting
Chapter 441 - Tragic Last Shot
Chapter 442 - Effective Training
Chapter 443 - Defeating Inner Demons
Chapter 444 - Lost Person
Chapter 445 - God’s Guidance
Chapter 446 - Time Bomb
Chapter 447 - Unfair Competition
Chapter 448 - Utterly Convinced
Chapter 449 - Leg Length Discrepancy

Chapter 450 - Leg Length Discrepancy Has Its Advantages Too

Chapter 451 - A Different Coach

Chapter 452 - Measuring Other People's Corn by One's Own Bushel

Chapter 453 - A Little Bit Expensive

Chapter 454 - The Former Ruler of the 400-meter Sprint

Chapter 455 - Three Trump Cards
Chapter 456 - Why him Again
Chapter 457 - Still Him
Chapter 458 - The Taste of Youth
Chapter 459 - Return of the King
Chapter 460 - The King’s Glory
Chapter 461 - The Coach Who Beats Time
Chapter 462 - The Surprising Progress

Chapter 463 - The Worst Champion of the World Championship Ever

Chapter 464 - The Joy of Being a Coach
Chapter 465 - The Father of Prohormone
Chapter 466 - The Poor Investigator

Chapter 467 - Occupational Injury (Part 1 of 2)

Chapter 468 - Occupational Injury (Part 2 of 2)

Chapter 469 - Missions Failed
Chapter 470 - Toast or Forfeit?
Chapter 471 - Kidnapping
Chapter 472 - Giving Up Resistance
Chapter 473 - No Way Out
Chapter 474 - Fishing
Chapter 475 - Break Out
Chapter 476 - The Coach Is a Good Boxer
Chapter 477 - A Trapped Beast
Chapter 478 - You Know Me?
Chapter 479 - Hopelessness
Chapter 480 - Self Rescue
Chapter 481 - Counterattack
Chapter 482 - The Big News Is Here
Chapter 483 - Turning Sour
Chapter 484 - Moral Coercion

Chapter 485 - A Battle Outside the Court (Part One)

Chapter 486 - A Battle Outside the Court (Part Two)

Chapter 487 - Attempted First-Degree Murder
Chapter 488 - A Battle in Court
Chapter 489 - Trump Card
Chapter 490 - I’m Owning You Guys
Chapter 491 - Unyielding Spirit
Chapter 492 - The Fish Took the Bait
Chapter 493 - A Sharpshooter
Chapter 494 - Everyone Had a Tough Day
Chapter 495 - A Deadly Strike
Chapter 496 - Different Reactions (1)
Chapter 497 - Different Reactions (2)
Chapter 498 - Hard to be a Head Coach
Chapter 499 - Other Possibilities
Chapter 500 - Finding a Scapegoat
Chapter 501 - A Disaster
Chapter 502 - Well-Prepared

Chapter 503 - The Student has Surpassed the Master

Chapter 504 - Different Reactions

Chapter 505 - Recruiting Soldiers and Buying Horses

Chapter 506 - Coach Logan
Chapter 507 - Not a Simple Coach
Chapter 508 - The Ambition to Win Gold Medals
Chapter 509 - The Aura of an Overbearing CEO

Chapter 510 - You Really Can Do Anything When You are Rich

Chapter 511 - The Weakest in History
Chapter 512 - The Olympics
Chapter 513 - Social Gap
Chapter 514 - Counterattack of the Extra
Chapter 515 - Lady Luck is on My Side
Chapter 516 - Upset
Chapter 517 - Taking the Top Three
Chapter 518 - A Bonus
Chapter 519 - Things to Protect
Chapter 520 - The Pursuit of Victory

Chapter 521 - Two World Champions and One Newbie

Chapter 522 - The Newbie’s Counterattack
Chapter 523 - Clearing the Bar
Chapter 524 - Advance Triumphantly
Chapter 525 - Triumph Belongs to the Brave

Chapter 526 - The Desire for Showing off and Stability

Chapter 527 - The Person Who Uses the Axe
Chapter 528 - The Final Proof
Chapter 529 - The Trap in the Interview
Chapter 530 - Harmony First
Chapter 531 - A Good Harvest
Chapter 532 - When the Dream Came True
Chapter 533 - A New Reward

Chapter 534 - Dai Li Saved U.S. Track and Field

Chapter 535 - The Luckiest Draw
Chapter 536 - Drop the Baton
Chapter 537 - The Power of the Luckiest Draw
Chapter 538 - 20 Gold Medals

Chapter 539 - A Great Day of Miracles (Part One)

Chapter 540 - This Time It Was the Worst Draw

Chapter 541 - A Day of a Great Miracle (Part Two)

Chapter 542 - Taking Credit
Chapter 543 - Dwarfism
Chapter 544 - A Guest Arrives
Chapter 545 - The Future King of Football
Chapter 546 - Rebellious Puberty

Chapter 547 - Talk to the Boss if You’re Looking for a Job

Chapter 548 - Real Madrid

Chapter 549 - Born to Excel at Football

Chapter 550 - The Father and Son Who Pursued Their Dreams

Chapter 551 - The Ultimate Favor
Chapter 552 - A Dream Come True
Chapter 553 - No Chance
Chapter 554 - King Versus Cannon Fodder
Chapter 555 - Evenly Matched
Chapter 556 - Becoming Famous Overnight
Chapter 557 - Laureus World Sports Awards
Chapter 558 - The Beauty of the Tennis World
Chapter 559 - Brothers (Part One)
Chapter 560 - Brothers (Part Two)
Chapter 561 - Grow Tall
Chapter 562 - Recommendation
Chapter 563 - “Pervert” Coach Li
Chapter 564 - A Coach With a Pure Soul
Chapter 565 - Gossip
Chapter 566 - Unintentional

Chapter 567 - New Opportunities, New Challenges

Chapter 568 - No Past, No Present, No Future

Chapter 569 - The Head Coach of a Garbage Team

Chapter 570 - Some Are Happy, Some Despair

Chapter 571 - Dai Li’s First NBA Game

Chapter 572 - Won't Stop Even If Beaten to Death

Chapter 573 - King of Overtime
Chapter 574 - Los Angeles’ Overtime Team
Chapter 575 - I Hate Overtime
Chapter 576 - Physical Fitness
Chapter 577 - Avoiding Overtime

Chapter 578 - The Entire League is Working Against Me

Chapter 579 - Condemnation

Chapter 580 - The Newbie Coach with a High Win Rate

Chapter 581 - An Entire Team of Training Partners

Chapter 582 - Group Training for the Men’s Basketball Team

Chapter 583 - Nominee
Chapter 584
Chapter 585 - Rookies
Chapter 586 - Nobody Cares
Chapter 587 - Untamed Horse
Chapter 588 - Detoxification
Chapter 589 - Fighting For His Dignity
Chapter 590 - The Power of a Role Model
Chapter 591 - Love of the Game
Chapter 592 - The Feeling of Victory
Chapter 593 - I Am Unwilling
Chapter 594 - Because of Talent
Chapter 595 - Strong
Chapter 596 - A New Lease on Life
Chapter 597 - Shelter for the Old and Weak
Chapter 598 - A Complicated Transaction
Chapter 599 - Blocked Shot Leader
Chapter 600 - All-Star Strategy
Chapter 601 - Pass the Ball to Wood
Chapter 602 - Natural Born Leader
Chapter 603 - Simple Rehabilitation Training
Chapter 604 - Free-throw Lane Defender
Chapter 605 - Too Talented
Chapter 606 - Short End of the Stick
Chapter 607 - Fulfilling Potential

Chapter 608 - Resurrection of the Yellow Mamba

Chapter 609 - Not Enough

Chapter 610 - The Big Four

Chapter 611 - Enjoy the Show, It’s No Big Deal

Chapter 612 - Fight
Chapter 613 - They are Committing Murder
Chapter 614 - Another Perfect Recovery
Chapter 615 - Championship puzzle
Chapter 616 - Half God
Chapter 617 - First in the Western Conference
Chapter 618 - Fraudulent Tool
Chapter 619 - For the Championship
Chapter 620 - Good Luck
Chapter 621 - Every Dog Has His Day
Chapter 622 - The Man God Has Forsaken

Chapter 623 - A Disabled Person Has to be Strong

Chapter 624 - A Mother
Chapter 625 - World’s Best
Chapter 626 (END) - Legendary Coach (Finale)