Chapter 41

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Xiaoming didn't go back on his word. Early the next morning, he brought specialized equipment and 28,000 yuan to Lei Huanxi's villa and purchased the eight ornamental fish.

The originally tight funds became somewhat more relaxed. Lei Huanxi also paid a 3,000 yuan deposit in a generous manner, asking Mr. Sun to prepare fish fry according to the standard of the ten-acre fish pond.

As for Old Meng, although he deeply regretted agreeing to help clean the fish pond and reinforce the embankment for 2,000 yuan while drunk yesterday, he was a man of his word and still hoped for future business with Mr. Sun and Lei Huanxi. So, he brought a small engineering team to Xiantao Village that afternoon.

Is fish farming a career? Lei Huanxi didn't know, but if it is, then this could be considered the first step in his career.

According to Old Meng's estimate, it would take about three days to complete the fish pond.

Thinking that Old Meng was doing this without making a profit, Lei Huanxi offered his old house for them to stay in and gave 1,000 yuan to Sister Lu to cook for them, ensuring they had three meals a day.

Sister Lu said it wasn't necessary, but Lei Huanxi insisted.

With two children in school, the expenses were definitely not small.

While chatting by the fish pond, the phone rang. It was Coach Shi from the swimming team.

"Xuanxi, have you been busy lately?"

"Not really, not busy. What's up?"

"I'm in Yundong now. Come stay for two days, and I'll treat you."

"Coach Shi, is there something you need?"

"Nothing, just a meal and some bullshitting. I'm quite bored alone."

That night, Coach Shi had helped him with Tongtong's issue without mentioning it afterward. Since he had extended an invitation, Lei Huanxi didn't want to refuse. Besides, the fish pond would take three days, and he couldn't help much anyway.

Without much thought, he agreed.

He entrusted the fish pond to Sister Lu and boarded a minibus to Yundong.

As soon as he got on the bus, Coach Shi called again. Upon hearing that he was on the bus, Coach Shi hurriedly said he had sent a car to wait at the station.

At that moment, Lei Huanxi felt something was off. Was Coach Shi being overly enthusiastic?

While lost in thought, the minibus quickly arrived in Yundong. As soon as he got off, he saw Coach Shi waiting.

Coach Shi warmly welcomed him into a Passat: "I've booked a room for you at the Xihai Hotel. You'll stay there."

The Xihai Hotel? The hotel where he used to be a doorman?

Lei Huanxi never imagined he would return to the Xihai Hotel in this way.

Seeing the doorman open the car door and respectfully shield the top, Lei Huanxi felt a moment of reflection. This was something he used to do.

For his respectful attitude toward guests, Hall Manager Song had scolded him countless times.

As soon as he entered the hall, the same plump, unmarried old lady, Hall Manager Song, greeted him warmly: "Coach Shi, you're back..."

A smile appeared on Hall Manager Song's face: "Lei Huanxi?"

"Manager Song, hello." Lei Huanxi greeted her with a smile.

"Oh, you know each other." Coach Shi laughed: "Manager Song, that's perfect. The suite I booked is for Lei Huanxi. He's my esteemed guest, so please take good care of him. Any services he needs should be charged to my account."

Hall Manager Song responded repeatedly, puzzled.

In her memory, Lei Huanxi was just a poor boy with no power or influence. How could he be so familiar with Coach Shi?

The national swimming team had achieved excellent results in recent major competitions, gaining widespread popularity and significant social influence.

This time, the municipal government had secured the training base in Yundong City after much effort. The city leaders had formed a reception team to welcome the swimming team and carefully arranged their accommodation at the well-equipped Xihai Hotel, emphasizing the need to satisfy the guests.

Because of this, the main investor, Xihai Group, took it very seriously, even sending a senior vice president to personally oversee the arrangements.

Coach Shi, who had recently been promoted from the provincial team to the national swimming team as the deputy head coach, was in charge of training and development and was highly regarded. He was listed as a key guest by the hotel.

But now, Lei Huanxi was standing in front of Coach Shi, and Coach Shi was treating him with great respect.

Strange things happen every year, but this year was particularly strange.

In the past, Hall Manager Song had always been domineering, barking orders at Lei Huanxi. Now, their roles were different. Hall Manager Song was still the hall manager, but Lei Huanxi had become a distinguished guest.

Hall Manager Song led them to the most luxurious private room in the Xihai Hotel. As soon as they entered, Lei Huanxi realized something was off. Coach Shi wasn't just inviting him.

"Come, let me introduce you. This is Deputy Director Xie Kunhong from the General Administration of Sport's Swimming Management Center." Coach Shi ignored Lei Huanxi's changed expression and introduced him warmly: "This is Head Coach Peng Zewei of the national swimming team, and this is Director Yin Hao of the Swimming Department of the Management Center..."

Wow, all big shots.

Before Lei Huanxi could react, Coach Shi pointed at him: "Leaders, this is Lei Huanxi, the one I mentioned."

"Please sit, please sit." The highest-ranking official, Deputy Director Xie Kunhong, was very warm: "Comrade Lei, I apologize for inviting you here, but it was out of necessity. Coach Shi said you are... quite unique, so he specifically said it was just the two of us."

Lei Huanxi, feeling a bit nervous, sat down.

Head Coach Peng Zewei, however, got straight to the point: "Lei, how old are you?"

"22." Why ask my age? Do you have a daughter looking for a boyfriend?

"Have you never received any systematic swimming training?"

"No, just a few dog paddles." Lei Huanxi answered honestly.

Peng Zewei frowned.

Director Yin Hao of the Swimming Department said: "Comrade Lei, Coach Shi just transferred to the national swimming team and recommended you on his first day. He praised you highly... We know Coach Shi well. He doesn't easily call someone a genius, but he used that term multiple times when describing you..."

Genius? Coach Shi called him a genius? That was too much.

"Let's drink and chat." Coach Shi dismissed the server and opened the wine himself. He poured for the three leaders first, then hesitated at Lei Huanxi: "Huanxi, do you drink?"

"Sure." Lei Huanxi agreed without hesitation.

He didn't see anything wrong with it. In the countryside, who doesn't have a few drinks when guests come? Besides, his alcohol tolerance had mysteriously increased recently.

But Peng Zewei frowned again.

What do athletes dread the most? Smoking and drinking, which can severely damage an athlete's career. Of course, there are some geniuses who drink and smoke all day but still perform well in competitions.

However, for Peng Zewei, known for his strictness, such behavior was absolutely not allowed.

"Let's raise our glasses, to Comrade Lei Huanxi." Yin Hao, skilled at defusing awkward situations, was the first to raise his glass.

"Comrade Lei, we invited you to Yundong for training. One reason is to see the genius Coach Shi keeps talking about, and the other is..." Xie Kunhong paused: "I heard Coach Shi once invited you to join the swimming team, but you refused?"

Lei Huanxi nodded: "I really haven't had any training, just swam on my own. Also, I'm a country boy, used to freedom, and not used to being..."

"Managed." Xie Kunhong finished for him, seemingly unconcerned: "Young people today pursue individuality and self-expression, which I can understand. Our athletes are not like those in the past; they enjoy showcasing their unique personalities. Comrade Lei, we can understand this."

Despite his high rank, Xie Kunhong spoke kindly, which helped ease Lei Huanxi's nervousness.

After all, this was his first time meeting such a high-ranking official.

"Comrade Lei, I have a few points to make." Peng Zewei, a straightforward person, got straight to the point: "We invited you here today mainly to test your swimming skills and see if you are as good as Coach Shi says, which is hard for me to believe... Please don't take it personally; I believe in seeing is believing..."

Lei Huanxi wasn't angry. This had nothing to do with him, and he didn't want to join the swimming team or take any tests.

Peng Zewei continued: "Coach Shi even said you could break world records, which I think is an exaggeration. Swimming, especially men's swimming, has always been a weak point for us. Although we've made significant progress and achieved good results in international competitions, we still lag behind European and American athletes..."

Lei Huanxi was confused. What did this have to do with him?

"Huanxi, we invite you to our training site tomorrow for a test." Coach Shi finally revealed the true purpose of his invitation: "I'll be honest, in all my years in this sport, I've never seen anyone as outstanding as you. I can't let such a talent slip away. I believe you when you say you've never had systematic training, and starting at 22 is definitely late. But I trust my judgment. What do you think, Huanxi?"

What do I think? I already told you my opinion. (For more fresh content from "My Farm Has a Dragon," follow the official WeChat account "qdread" and get 100% chance to win a prize! Open WeChat now, click the "+" in the top right corner, search for the public account "qdread," and follow it quickly!)