Chapter 42

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Lei Huanxi had no interest in the competition at all.

Just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly saw Shi Shunzhong's pleading face and remembered that he had once helped him. His heart softened, and he nodded.

Shi Shunzhong was overjoyed, and Lei Huanxi quickly said, "Let's get one thing straight, I'm just going to take the test, but I really don't want to join the swimming team. I've just leased ten acres of fish ponds, and I can't afford to lose the annual lease fee."

The few officials exchanged glances and smiled.

This silly boy, as long as he can achieve good results in the competition, what does a little lease fee matter?

Peng Zhiwei, however, shook his head secretly. In his view, Shi Shunzhong might be exaggerating. A 22-year-old who has never received any systematic training, even if he has talent in swimming, has little future.

But since Old Shi had just taken office, and this was his first recommended candidate, it was necessary to show some respect. After all, it was just a simple test and wouldn't waste much time.

Seeing that Lei Huanxi had agreed, Yin Hao raised his glass, "I sincerely hope that Little Lei will pass the test tomorrow and discover a talent for the country. I propose a toast to celebrate the successful completion of tomorrow's test in advance."

Lei Huanxi drank about half a catty of alcohol during the meal but showed no signs of drunkenness. The alcohol seemed to be just like water in his stomach.

He was surprised by how much his alcohol tolerance had improved.

After the meal, Shi Shunzhong personally escorted him to his room and chatted for a while. The gist was that Lei Huanxi was the first talent he had selected after taking office in the national swimming team, and the test tomorrow must not fail, or his future in the swimming team would be difficult.

Although Lei Huanxi had no interest in joining the swimming team, he agreed to do his best in the test tomorrow, as a way to repay Shi Shunzhong for his past help.

Shi Shunzhong stayed for 20 minutes before leaving. Only then did Lei Huanxi have the chance to take a good look at his room.

Although he had worked here before, he had never entered any of the guest rooms. If he had stayed here before, he would have thought he had entered a palace. But since he now owned a luxurious villa in Xiantao Village, he found this place to be nothing special.

He took a comfortable bath in the massage tub and didn't hear the phone ringing several times.

Finally, he leisurely came out of the bathroom and found that Annie had called him over ten times.

Lying on the bed, he turned on the TV and called Annie back. As soon as the call connected, the young lady said in a hurry, "Lei Huanxi, where are you? I thought something had happened to you."

"At Xi Hai Grand Hotel."

"Really? Did you go back to being a doorman?"

"No, the national swimming team invited me. They even gave me a suite. I just had dinner with two directors and was taking a bath, so I didn't hear the phone."

"Blow, blow, you just keep blowing. Next time you'll say the mayor personally entertained you."

"Believe it or not, it's up to you. What's the rush?"

"Fatso heard about your delicious food and can't wait. He's too embarrassed to ask himself, so he asked me to find out when you're free."

Lei Huanxi was both amused and exasperated. This fatso is really a foodie: "I'm really in Yun Dong, not lying to you. I have to go to the swimming team's training base for a test tomorrow. Why don't you wait until I come back?"

"Really? Then I'll go with Fatso to cheer for you tomorrow."

"Can you get in?"

"Pfft, it's just a small training base. What can't you get in? I'll see you tomorrow, bye."

This young lady was all fire and brimstone, hanging up the phone as soon as she said it.

He lazily lay on the bed and watched TV, not even knowing when he fell asleep.

He was woken up early by a phone call from Shi Shunzhong, asking if he was up and saying he would be at his room in 10 minutes.

It was clear that Shi Shunzhong was very serious about this test and didn't want to waste any time.

He had just finished washing up when there was a knock on the door. Opening it, he found Shi Shunzhong outside.

"Let's go have breakfast."

In the special restaurant for athletes at Xi Hai Grand Hotel, Lei Huanxi met a large group of people, including coaches, athletes, team doctors, and logistics staff.

"Comrade Xiao Lei, hello. Did you sleep well last night?" Xie Kunhong was also there and greeted Lei Huanxi warmly.

The people eating there were a bit surprised. This young man was unfamiliar, yet Director Xie actually shook his hand. From the tone of Director Xie, it seemed he was quite important.

"Mr. Peng, who is that young man?" In a corner of the restaurant, the swimming team coach Yuan Bozhou asked curiously.

"Oh, a talent discovered by Old Shi. They say he's a genius and will be tested with us at the base today." Peng Zhiwei replied casually.

Yuan Bozhou sneered and said to a young man beside him, "Daning, did you hear that? A genius. You finally have a rival."

Originally, the national swimming team had an open position for deputy head coach, which Yuan Bozhou thought was his. However, after he got into some trouble, Shi Shunzhong was promoted instead, leaving him full of resentment.

The young man he called "Daning" was Qi Xuning, his most talented disciple, the double champion in the 100m and 200m at the last Asian Swimming Championships, and the most promising candidate for a medal in the men's short-distance events at the next Olympics.

Since Qi Xuning burst onto the scene, he had been surrounded by flowers and applause, making him arrogant. Hearing the word "genius," he sneered just like his coach.

Peng Zhiwei frowned habitually.

Although he didn't think highly of Lei Huanxi, after Qi Xuning won two gold medals, his attitude changed, and he wasn't as diligent in training. This was a good opportunity to remind him.

After all, he was the star of the swimming team, carrying the hopes of many.

"Daning, Coach Shi doesn't praise people lightly," Peng Zhiwei said sternly. "Since he recommended Lei Huanxi so seriously, he must have some outstanding qualities..."

"Mr. Peng, why don't I compete with him?" Qi Xuning interrupted Peng Zhiwei casually. "He's a genius, right? Once we get to the base, we can just have a competition and see who's better."

Compete?

Let a person who has never received any systematic training compete with a star athlete? Peng Zhiwei felt both amused and exasperated.

He had only intended to use this opportunity to remind Daning, but he didn't expect the boy to challenge the other party.

Once in the water, Lei Huanxi would be lucky not to be left behind by three body lengths...

...

On the bus to the base, Yuan Bozhou and his talented disciple sat together. "Daning, you know about the deputy head coach position for the national team, right?"

"I know, it's a shame," Qi Xuning said, showing great respect for his master. "The disciples you've trained are all top-notch, and you've won so many medals in Asia. Who else could take that position besides you? It was just a problem in your personal life, and your wife caused a scene at the swimming team."

Yuan Bozhou was slightly embarrassed, "Let's put that aside. Daning, I have two requirements for you. First, win the gold medal at the next Asian Games. Second, when we get to the base, find an opportunity to test this genius that Coach Shi recommended. It would be funny if you leave him behind by several body lengths..."

Qi Xuning immediately understood his master's meaning, "Don't worry, Master, I'll take care of it."

"Good, rest for a while."

Yuan Bozhou closed his eyes in satisfaction.

At that moment, he could almost see his disciple dominating the Asian Games, winning the gold medals in the men's 100m and 200m.

And he himself, besides the honor, would also receive a large sum of money.

As for his future? When Peng Zhiwei retires, who else but him deserves the position of head coach of the national team?

(Adjusted update times: I will still update at least two chapters a day, at 10 AM and 3 PM. I will try my best