Chapter 45

The entire training base was in an uproar.

A simple test, and Lei Huaxi actually broke the national record with ease, something that had never happened since the swimming team was established.

What was even more unbelievable was that Lei Huaxi completed the 200 meters with an extremely unstandardized stroke and somehow managed to achieve this incredible result.

Now, using the word "genius" to describe Lei Huaxi was no exaggeration at all.

The focus of the training base had shifted entirely to Lei Huaxi, while the star athlete Qi Xuning, who had just climbed out of the pool, was largely ignored.

Perhaps because he had been in the water for too long, Qi Xuning's face was pale and looked terrible. Seeing Lei Huaxi surrounded by a crowd, he trembled all over.

"It's just luck." Yuan Bozhou didn't forget to comfort his disciple, but he couldn't help muttering to himself, "Where did this guy come from? Why didn't I have such good luck to meet him?"

After all, at this moment, Lei Huaxi was not only a genius athlete but also a bright future and a fortune in Fanyu's eyes.

As long as Shi Shunzhong firmly controlled him, he would solidify his position...

In the crowd surrounding Lei Huaxi, Annie was clearly the most excited. She held Lei Huaxi's arm, as if showing off her "ownership" of him.

Well, although she had only pretended to be Lei Huaxi's girlfriend before, now seeing his performance, having him as her real boyfriend seemed like a good choice.

Xie Kunhong, being the director, didn't forget to remain calm at this moment. He quieted everyone down and reiterated a rule:

This test must be kept strictly confidential, especially from the media, to prevent any disturbance to Lei Huaxi's normal life.

This was already a high-level treatment for a star athlete, and Qi Xuning, who was being ignored, looked even more distorted.

Why? He was a two-time Asian Championship gold medalist and the holder of an Asian record. Lei Huaxi? He just got lucky and set a record in an internal test that couldn't be officially recognized.

But why did this damn guy swim so fast?

Did he take some special banned substance?

Well, it must be that. Qi Xuning couldn't find any other explanation...

...

Lei Huaxi returned to Xi Hai Grand Hotel like a hero.

This time, he didn't return with the bus but was personally driven back by Shi Shunzhong.

Xie Kunhong had to rush back to report Lei Huaxi's emergence to his superiors, while Yin Hao and Peng Zhewei stayed at the base for a seven-day closed training session with the team. Therefore, only Shi Shunzhong, with a special mission, returned with Lei Huaxi.

Annie, who was extremely excited, seemed to have achieved the results herself. She drove back early with Fat Mo and booked a private room at Xi Hai Grand Hotel to treat Lei Huaxi and Shi Shunzhong.

As soon as they entered the room, wow, there were all kinds of wines—white, red, and beer. Lei Huaxi felt a bit tipsy just looking at them.

"Today, whoever doesn't get drunk isn't allowed to leave," Annie declared with great enthusiasm, showing a bit of a bossy attitude. "I've booked a room for us. If you get drunk, just go back and sleep."

"Right, I haven't even asked your names yet," Shi Shunzhong suddenly realized he didn't know Lei Huaxi's friends' names.

"My name is Mo Dawei, everyone calls me Fat Mo," Fat Mo started with his characteristic hearty laugh. "She is Zhu Annie, the daughter of Mr. Zhu, the CEO of Juncheng Group, and also your swimming team's sponsor, I believe?"

"You are Mr. Zhu's daughter?" Shi Shunzhong was a bit surprised. "Mr. Zhu is an old friend of ours, and he has been sponsoring the swimming project for many years. My apologies. And you and Lei Huaxi are...?"

"He is my boyfriend," Annie said before Lei Huaxi could speak, affectionately holding his arm. "Coach Shi, don't we make a good couple?"

"Good, good," Shi Shunzhong nodded repeatedly.

He had indeed not misjudged Lei Huaxi. Not only was he a great swimmer, but he had also won the favor of Mr. Zhu's daughter.

If he could bring Lei Huaxi under his wing, once he achieved results, with Juncheng Group, the team's largest sponsor, he could very well become the head coach of the swimming team.

But he didn't realize that Lei Huaxi was in a dilemma.

When did he become Annie's boyfriend? This young lady... ever since she pretended to be his girlfriend last time, she had been clinging to him.

As soon as they sat down, Annie asked the waiter to open the white wine and pour it into three large glasses, while she opened a bottle of red wine. "To celebrate Brother Huaxi breaking the national record. Coach Shi, will we see Brother Huaxi's news in the newspaper tomorrow?"

Shi Shunzhong almost spat out his drink. "How could that be? First, Director Xie announced the rule that no one is allowed to leak the information. Second, strictly speaking, it was just an internal test, and the results are not officially recognized."

"Oh, I see..." Annie was a bit disappointed but quickly became excited again. "Well, with Brother Huaxi's level, there will be plenty of opportunities to break records."

This hit the nail on the head, and Shi Shunzhong seized the opportunity. "Huaxi, I'll reiterate my previous request... no, my plea. I invite you to join the swimming team again. It would be a waste of your talent..."

"Coach Shi, I really haven't thought about joining any swimming team," Lei Huaxi firmly refused. "You've seen, I'm very lazy. If you make me do closed training every day, I'll go crazy. I'll lose face, and so will you, Coach Shi. And breaking the record was just a coincidence. Besides, I have no interest in competitions."

His reaction was within Shi Shunzhong's expectations, and he didn't get discouraged. He first toasted Lei Huaxi. "Huaxi, let me tell you about myself. I've dedicated half my life to swimming. When I was young, I was an athlete but didn't achieve much, the best I did was sixth place in a national competition. Later, I retired and became a coach, gradually gaining some recognition. I've trained several national champions and top-three Asian athletes... After a long time, I finally reached this position... You might not know, but the position of deputy head coach of the national team was originally meant for Yuan Bozhou..."

He briefly explained the general situation, glossing over some personal privacy issues. He only mentioned that Yuan Bozhou made some mistakes but didn't specify what they were.

This changed Lei Huaxi's perception of him somewhat.

From the previous events, Yuan Bozhou was clearly hostile towards Shi Shunzhong, but even at this moment, Shi Shunzhong didn't attack him behind his back.

"Being in this position doesn't mean I'm secure," Shi Shunzhong sighed. "I'm still just a temporary deputy head coach, and the higher-ups still favor Yuan. To keep this position, I need to show results. Huaxi, let me be honest with you. I'm inviting you so earnestly not just because you're talented, but also for my own selfish reasons. If you achieve good results in international competitions, my future will be bright, and it will affect my future benefits, even my retirement benefits..."

He was a very smart person and realized that talking about grand ideals wouldn't work with Lei Huaxi. It was better to be straightforward and honest about his thoughts and difficulties.

Indeed, Lei Huaxi was somewhat moved by his words.

Was Shi Shunzhong a good person? Definitely not. But was he a bad person? He was much more likable than a bad person, at least he dared to speak the truth.

While he was hesitating, he suddenly saw Fat Mo nod at him discreetly.

Who was the smartest person here? Lei Huaxi always thought it was the seemingly silly Fat Mo. If he nodded, there must be a reason.

After hesitating for a while, Lei Huaxi finally said, "Coach Shi, I'm not against joining the swimming team, but I have a few conditions."

"Say them, I'll agree to anything," Shi Shunzhong's spirits were immediately lifted.

"First, I won't participate in those closed training sessions."

Lei Huaxi's first condition made Shi Shunzhong silent.

The training of the swimming team was a comprehensive plan. Even a star athlete like Qi Xuning had to take leave to go out. If he reported this, it was hard to predict the reaction from above.

"Second, I know my stroke is not standard. I'll accept your training, but I can't train every day. I still have a fish pond to manage at home," Lei Huaxi added his second condition. "How about this, you train me one day a week, okay?"

Shi Shunzhong was almost amused. "What else?"

"Also, if there's a competition, let me know in advance so I can prepare."

Shi Shunzhong, holding his wine glass, was at a loss. Lei Huaxi really didn't understand the training and competition system in our country. He thought he was like an athlete abroad who trains on their own and signs up for competitions.

"Huaxi, let me be honest with you again," Shi Shunzhong sighed. "Even in foreign countries, take Phelps, for example. To participate in the Olympics, he still has to go through domestic selection and meet the standards. The three conditions you've set are unprecedented."

This was absolutely the first time in Shi Shunzhong's long career as a swimming coach that he had encountered such a ridiculous situation.