mchenry-crisis.org Chapter 77 Why are there so many leaders?
Chapter 77 Why are there so many leaders?
"Okay! Let's leave first thing tomorrow morning! I'll take care of getting leave from school!"
Su Bingying rubbed his hands together excitedly, as if he could already see Chen Zhiyuan's meteoric rise to fame in the capital.
So, the next day, accompanied by Su Bingying, Chen Zhiyuan left Jiangnan University and flew to Beijing, arriving at the National Athletics Center, a sacred place in the hearts of countless track and field athletes.
The two successfully met Lin Jun, who had been waiting for them for a long time.
Upon seeing Chen Zhiyuan, Lin Jun happily greeted him, patting his strong shoulder vigorously, his eyes full of admiration.
"Xiao Chen! You must be tired from your journey! Bingying told me on the phone that you've made rapid progress!"
His movements were completely standardized and professional, and his time was consistently under 9.8 seconds! Amazing! Truly amazing!" he said, giving Chen Zhiyuan a thumbs up.
Chen Zhiyuan smiled modestly: "Teacher Lin, you flatter me. It's all thanks to your and Teacher Su's excellent guidance. Without your help in laying the foundation and correcting my movements, I'd probably still be a complete novice running around aimlessly."
These words were well said, acknowledging the coach's contributions without being overly modest.
Lin Jun was even more satisfied upon hearing this, thinking to himself: This kid not only has extraordinary talent, but also top-notch temperament and emotional intelligence. He is humble and composed, and is destined for great things!
"Xiao Chen, you should get some rest today, adjust to the time difference, and get used to the environment."
Lin Jun arranged, "Tomorrow morning, we will conduct a formal test of the 100-meter dash at the professional venue here."
The center's main leaders will come to watch, so don't feel pressured. Just run like you normally do in training.
Having lived two lives and weathered many storms, Chen Zhiyuan was naturally not as nervous and flustered as an ordinary young man.
His expression was calm, his gaze steady, and he nodded in response, "Don't worry, Teacher Lin, I will definitely do my best tomorrow and will not let you and the leaders down."
"Great! I like your composure!"
Lin Jun patted him on the shoulder approvingly, then said to Su Bingying, "Bingying, take Xiao Chen to the arranged accommodations and settle him in."
Then I took him around the center to show him around and let him get familiar with the environment.
Su Bingying understood immediately and nodded, "Okay, senior brother, leave it to me."
He certainly understood Lin Jun's subtext—to take Chen Zhiyuan on a tour of the National Athletics Center's top-notch training facilities, scientific research support, and logistical support, so that he could personally experience the conditions and atmosphere here that far surpassed those of a university.
Lin Jun and Su Bingying still harbored that hope: perhaps after Chen Zhiyuan saw the superior conditions of the national team with his own eyes, he would change his mind and be willing to officially join?
Next, Su Bingying led Chen Zhiyuan on a tour of the track and field center, acting as a tour guide.
They visited the training facilities for professional athletes, the high-tech physical fitness testing and recovery center, the well-equipped gym, and even went to the athletes' canteen to see the sumptuous meals carefully prepared by the nutritionist.
As they walked, Su Bingying enthusiastically introduced the facilities: "Zhiyuan, look, the hardware and software facilities here are top-notch in China and on par with international first-class standards."
The scientific rigor, systematic approach, and logistical support of their training are worlds apart from what we have at Jiangnan University—there's simply no comparison!
Chen Zhiyuan listened with a smile, nodding occasionally, but said nothing more. He understood perfectly well what Su Bingying and Lin Jun meant.
But his decision not to join the national team has never wavered.
For him, freedom was far more important than those top-notch conditions.
Just thinking about the strict discipline, the prohibitions on what to eat, the intensive training schedule, and the competition tasks makes him feel constrained.
If you don't join, the sky's the limit. You can practice whenever you want, write books whenever you want, and invest whenever you want. Isn't that great?
The next morning, in the capital.
In September, Beijing enjoys clear skies, bright sunshine, and temperatures that are much cooler and drier than Jiangzhou in southern China, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
A large crowd had already gathered beside the standard 100-meter track at the National Athletics Center.
Besides the staff, many athletes who were training or resting curiously gathered around.
They saw a young, unfamiliar face standing at the starting line, dressed in professional running shoes and sportswear, and couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Who's this guy? I've never seen him before. Is he some new recruit just transferred from a provincial team?"
"Looks really young, probably not even twenty yet? To be able to stand here, with so many coaches watching, you must have some skill."
"Hey? Look, why are there so many leaders here?"
"It's not just the central leadership, over there... isn't that someone from the General Administration...?"
"Quite a show of force, who's this newcomer?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, filled with curiosity.
None of them knew that the calm-looking young man in front of them was a "prodigy" who could run a 9.8-second race.
Lin Jun accompanied several key leaders from the Track and Field Center, as well as a leader from the General Administration of Sport who had come specifically for the occasion, to the edge of the track.
He pointed to Chen Zhiyuan at the starting line and introduced him in a low but clear voice: "Distinguished leaders, that is Chen Zhiyuan, a freshman majoring in computer science at Jiangnan University. He possesses an astonishing talent in sprinting that we have never seen before..."
As the leaders listened to the introduction, their eyes all fell on Chen Zhiyuan.
Some nodded slightly. At least from his appearance, this young man was tall with long legs, a well-proportioned physique, and smooth muscle lines. He was indeed a good candidate for sprinting.
But most leaders had little expression on their faces, maintaining an air of authority and scrutiny.
At their level, they naturally wouldn't easily lower themselves to greet a young student.
Everything is ready.
Chen Zhiyuan did not recognize these leaders, but his experience of living two lives kept him calm and he was not nervous at all.
He stood before the starting blocks, took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and focused entirely on the race. The clear instructions rang in his ears:
"On your marks—"
"preparation--"
Seeing Chen Zhiyuan bend down, swing his arms, and assume a standard and explosive crouching starting position, the coach in charge of giving the starting signal decisively pulled the trigger.
"Bang!"
The moment the gun fired, Chen Zhiyuan, like a soldier hearing the bugle call to attack, almost simultaneously pushed off the starting blocks and his body shot out like an arrow!
What a quick reaction!
Everyone in the know, including the athletes watching, felt a sudden jolt in their hearts.
This starting reaction speed is absolutely at the level of world-class, or even top athletes!
Then, something even more shocking happened.
Chen Zhiyuan's movements after the start, from acceleration to mid-race... were smooth, standardized, and efficient. Every step was full of power, and his speed reached an astonishing level in a very short time!
This speed... it could easily break ten!
No, it might be even faster!
Some experienced coaches have already noticed something amiss, and their eyes are widening in disbelief.