Chapter 73

Yan's efficiency in handling affairs was indeed quite outstanding. The next morning, Ai Xiaohai contacted his cousin early and met her at the driving school in the eastern part of the city.

Under his cousin's guidance, he registered, paid the fees, and received a theory exam CD to study on his own. His cousin, Yan, also patted her chest and guaranteed that as soon as he felt he had learned enough, she would arrange for him to take the theory exam the next day.

After passing the theory exam smoothly, the following period of time, Ai Xiaohai's life was mainly divided between school, the driving school, and the farm. When he had free time, he would have meals with Deng Mengmeng and Xu Yunqi. Xu Yunqi also knew he was taking the driving test and did not insist on going to the farm anymore.

After some time, something that made Ai Xiaohai somewhat headache finally came:

The autumn sports meet of Xinan University began.

This was a tradition at Xinan University, held annually. Their short-distance running was a traditional strong point, producing several national-level athletes and winning many gold medals at the National Games and the Asian Games. Therefore, every year's sports meet attracted many coaches from all over the country, hoping to discover promising talents.

The Xinan City track and field team was even more prominent. The head coach of the middle and long-distance running, Lei Mingsheng, and the head coach of the short-distance running, Kuang Dihan, would always appear here at this time of year, accompanied by a group of their subordinates.

These two were considered gold medal coaches nationwide, with their disciples winning numerous gold medals in Asia. However, what they found regrettable was the lack of gold medals at the World Championships and the Olympics. The best result they had achieved was a bronze medal in the women's 5000 meters at the previous Olympics.

"Old Lei, how's life in the national team? Comfortable, right?" Kuang Dihan greeted him with small talk.

Lei Mingsheng, who had been transferred to the national track and field team, waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't mention it, it's tiring. How can it compare to the comfort of leading the team in Xinan? By the way, the World University Games are next year, and your talented disciple Ma Qi has already passed the selection. I think he can make it to the top eight this time."

"Not really, short-distance running is almost dominated by Europeans and Africans. Ma Qi is mainly there for training. I'll be satisfied if he makes it to the top eight," Kuang Dihan said politely. "But your disciple Guan Tongcheng is quite impressive. Everyone expects him to win a medal at this World University Games."

Lei Mingsheng laughed.

These two were both gold medal coaches, and although they seemed to be on good terms, they had been competing for many years. Due to their performance, Lei Mingsheng had been transferred to the national team, while Kuang Dihan was still in the provincial team, specifically responsible for the Xinan City track and field team. He was clearly being overshadowed by his old rival.

This time, he came with a grudge. Ma Qi was the best talent he had discovered since he started coaching. Since short-distance running was dominated by European and African countries, it was very difficult for Asia to achieve good results. The only breakthrough was at the World University Games. As long as Ma Qi made it to the top eight, it would be an overachievement.

Lei Mingsheng was even more confident about his disciple Guan Tongcheng, who was a sure bet for the top three in the 10,000 meters at the World University Games and even had a chance to win the gold medal. Although Xinan University was known for its short-distance running, he was determined to change that.

Kuang Dihan casually flipped through the list of participants and suddenly said in surprise, "Old Lei, is this a printing error? How can someone be registered for six events?"

"Yes, I saw the list too. At first, I thought it was a case of the same name," Lei Mingsheng replied. "But when I called to confirm, it turned out to be the same person, and he's a freshman."

"A freshman?" Kuang Dihan sneered. "Probably just for show. He doesn't know his limits. By the way, why has the order of the events changed? The middle and long-distance running is scheduled first?"

Lei Mingsheng also found it strange. Perhaps it was arranged this way because his disciple was about to compete.

While they were chatting, the students watching the event were already discussing the same name:

Ai Xiaohai!

Xinan University had produced track and field talents before, but someone like Ai Xiaohai, who registered for six events, was unheard of, even on a global scale.

This person was either truly capable or had gone mad. From the current situation, the latter seemed more likely.

Deng Chenglong looked coldly, "Everything arranged?"

"Everything arranged," Yang Ziwei and Gao Mingyi said simultaneously.

This time, Deng Chenglong was extremely angry. He had originally intended to scare Xu Yunqi, but ended up being bitten by a mouse and spent almost two weeks in the hospital. According to his mother, he needed to be observed for some time.

He blamed it all on Ai Xiaohai.

"Mr. Deng, do you know, your sister and Xu Yunqi formed a cheerleading team in the art department, specifically to cheer for Ai Xiaohai."

Upon hearing this, Deng Chenglong's face turned even uglier. What was his sister thinking, not supporting him but helping Ai Xiaohai instead!

At the opening ceremony, he saw the art department girls in white shirts and black miniskirts, looking incredibly bright. When he saw Xu Yunqi, his eyes blazed with anger. The thought of this fiery beauty cheering for Ai Xiaohai made him furious.

The students at Xinan University also found it strange that the middle and long-distance running was scheduled first.

However, it didn't matter much. Regardless of the distance, the top three spots were always taken by the same few people. The other participants were there more for the spirit of "friendship first, competition second." The university's sports meet, primarily aimed at fitness, was not very formal, and all events were held within a day.

The high jump and long jump in the center of the field did not attract much attention. Track and field events were a weak point for Xinan University, and they could not achieve good results, not just in the province but even in the city. The real focus was on the upcoming track events.

"Where's Ai Xiaohai?" Deng Mengmeng looked around.

"I haven't seen him either," Xu Yunqi said, looking around. "I just called him, but he didn't answer. Oh, right, the Xinan TV team is here to report, and Sister Yan is here."

Yan and the cameraman walked over, looked around, and asked the same question: "Where's Ai Xiaohai?"

"We haven't seen him."

Yan frowned, "He didn't go to the driving school yesterday. Strange, where could he have gone?"

"He's not answering his phone. I wonder what he's up to," Xu Yunqi muttered. "Don't tell me he's scared?"

"No way," Deng Mengmeng said confidently. "What is he afraid of?"

"Here he comes!" Xu Yunqi suddenly pointed to the left.

A yawning, sleepy-eyed guy walked over. Who else could it be but Ai Xiaohai?

What was shocking was that he was still wearing a round-neck T-shirt, shorts... and flip-flops!

"Ai Xiaohai!" Xu Yunqi shouted in alarm. "Where have you been? Why are you wearing flip-flops?"

Ai Xiaohai had stayed up all night playing in the East River the previous night and only got home at 2 a.m. If it weren't for the continuous calls from Deng Mengmeng and Xu Yunqi, he would still be fast asleep.

Looking at his flip-flops, Ai Xiaohai suddenly realized, "Ah, I need to wear sports shoes for the competition, right?"

The people around him looked at each other in disbelief. They had seen forgetful people, but never someone this forgetful.

Yan didn't know what to say. She had suggested this interview to the station because the Xinan University sports meet had a significant impact in the province and because three participants were about to compete in the World University Games: Ma Qi, Guan Tongcheng, and Xiang Gang in the 1500 meters.

The third and most important reason was that Ai Xiaohai was also participating, and he had registered for six events!

A city hero who participated in six events, regardless of his performance, had enough news value.

But... but... have you ever seen a hero come to a sports meet in flip-flops?

Deng Mengmeng smiled and handed a bag she had been carrying to Ai Xiaohai, "Here."

"What is it?" Ai Xiaohai took it, opened it, and found a brand new pair of sports shoes and a sports tank top inside.

Deng Mengmeng hadn't expected Ai Xiaohai to be so forgetful as to wear flip-flops. She had just wanted to buy him a good pair of sports shoes.

"Nike," Ai Xiaohai said without hesitation, putting on the sports shoes. "You're giving them to me?"

Seeing Deng Mengmeng nod, Ai Xiaohai quickly said, "You can't take them back once you give them to me."

He put his flip-flops in the bag and handed it to Xu Yunqi, "Hold onto this for me. Don't lose it, it cost 19 yuan."

Yan was at a loss, quickly blocking the camera to prevent this from being broadcast on TV, which would damage the city hero's image.

"Smelly," Xu Yunqi threw the bag aside.

"Money-waster, money-waster," Ai Xiaohai said repeatedly.

"Ai Xiaohai!" Gao Mingyi walked over with a stern face. "Why are you always so careless? Don't think you can get away with this just because you're a city hero. Here's your race number."

003? Such a small number? Might as well make it 007.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ai Xiaohai took off his round-neck T-shirt. As soon as he did, the girls around him burst into screams.

Who was Ai Xiaohai? The owner of the Dragon Pearl, his body had been transformed by the Dragon Pearl and was now perfect.

Tight abs, a perfect physique, and a well-proportioned body... all of this was incredibly attractive to the girls.

Deng Mengmeng and Xu Yunqi, who had been with Ai Xiaohai for a long time, also screamed when they saw his physique for the first time.

Amidst the screams, Gao Mingyi's eyes were bloodshot. Scream, scream, you'll be crying when the competition starts.

Six events, you'll be exhausted!