Chapter 156: Pre-Competition Training 1
“Oh, you know him?” Ning Xia asked curiously.
“Don’t tell me you don’t know who he is!” Xia Chenge said with a look of ‘you’re a terrible actor,’ “This guy is probably just too bored!”
“Hahaha…” Ning Xia burst into laughter, “Honestly, if you hadn’t said that, I wouldn’t have recognized him. Tsk tsk tsk, the campus heartthrob of Yan Sheng High School, he’s really willing to go all out!”
Xia Chenge looked at the video, amazed by Meng Yufei’s acting talent: “I have to say, he was born for this!”
“Then this role is his!” Ning Xia made the decision.
“Mm, it’s him,” Xia Chenge nodded.
Ning Xia would reply to his email about participating in the audition.
“Finally, some progress!” Ning Xia’s previous impatience vanished, and she began to seriously watch the application videos again.
For every person they found suitable, they would discuss it thoroughly before deciding whether to invite them for an audition.
Half a month passed quickly. Xia Chenge was busy with casting the lead actor every day, and finally selected twenty suitable candidates, inviting them to audition at a unified time.
Meanwhile, Ling Hanmu had already finalized the filming crew and hired a new director.
Xia Chenge entrusted the audition matters to Ning Xia, believing Ning Xia could select the most suitable actors.
News about her participation in the City Games had already spread like wildfire online. Coupled with her rejection of several popular young male and female stars for the movie casting, she once again found herself in the spotlight, being mocked:
Hahaha, I’m dying of laughter. You’re making a movie, fine, but you’re also participating in the City Games? Signing up for six events simultaneously, do you really think the City Games are your personal playground? Haicheng is so big, with so many schools, don’t embarrass yourself!
Isn’t this really just for so-called movie hype? Sigh, I was already neutral towards you, but now your antics make me have to turn from neutral to hater. Why not just be a good influencer? You have to seek attention.
Are all second-generation rich people these days so fond of showing off? Have they lost their sense of presence in the elite circle, so they have to seek attention at all costs?
Waiting for a certain goddess from Yan Sheng High School to win a gold medal and ‘avenge’ the school, go for it, ‘goddess’!
Upstairs, are you trying to kill me with laughter? If Yan Sheng High School could win a gold medal in the City Games, they would have done so long ago. Who doesn’t know Yan Sheng High School is known for its zero medals? Hmm, what a bizarre elite school, poor academics, poor sports, poor school spirit… why do so many students still attend such a school?
…
Xia Chenge dismissed these comments with a smile; strength was the only truth that could slap them in the face.
After handing things over to Ning Xia, she and Ling Hanmu returned to school for training, preparing for the City Games.
Although her own strength was undeniable, some events still required team coordination. She needed to accurately understand her teammates’ strengths and weaknesses to make the right adjustments.
Tong Wei was very worried about Xia Chenge and Ling Hanmu’s condition. After all, there were less than two weeks left until the competition, and they were only starting training now. He had already prepared himself for the possibility that they were just there to play.
Others had the same mindset, including the sports teacher.
Due to a conflict in the schedule between the long jump and the 400-meter relay, Tong Wei changed the long jump to the 400-meter sprints. Xia Chenge showed no objection.
For her, as long as time permitted, she could participate in all events except swimming.
When Xia Chenge and Ling Hanmu appeared on the training ground together, other participants stopped their training and whispered to those around them:
“I don’t know what they’re thinking. Instead of coming to play, they might as well go on vacation!”
“Exactly. Our school usually ranks last in medals, and this year will probably be even more of a joke. You don’t know, but they’re participating in a total of six events, four of which are track and field!”
“At most, I’ve seen people participate in two events simultaneously. Six events, aren’t they just here to play and be laughed at? Showing off isn’t done like this, I really don’t understand what they’re thinking.”
“Say less, you might get beaten up later.”
…
Everyone doubted them, including the sports teacher.
Teacher Lin, who was leading the team for this City Games, heard their conversation. Instead of stopping them, he frowned, clearly agreeing with their sentiment.
Xia Chenge didn’t offer any explanation. As soon as she reached the training ground, she began her warm-up exercises.
Seeing her standard movements, everyone began to doubt their own thoughts again. However, they quickly dismissed the doubt: these two had never been seen participating in any sports, how could they possibly be serious about competing?
“Teacher, what should I train first?” Xia Chenge asked Teacher Lin after finishing her warm-up.
Teacher Lin, displeased with Xia Chenge, dared not show it. He simply pointed indifferently at the track: “Let’s test your 100-meter time first.”
“Okay!” Xia Chenge noticed Teacher Lin’s attitude but said nothing, walking over and getting into the starting position.
“On your marks!”
Bang!
Xia Chenge started at the gun, like an arrow released from a bow, sprinting towards the finish line.
The other participants, who had intended to watch her make a fool of herself, were stunned in place with wide eyes upon seeing her speed.
“10.71 seconds!” Teacher Zhang, who was timing, rubbed his eyes and looked at the stopwatch in disbelief, muttering. A moment later, he shouted, “10.71 seconds!”
Everyone looked at Xia Chenge. The world record for the women’s 100-meter sprint is 10.49 seconds! Xia Chenge ran a time of 10.71 seconds. Was she a female speedster?
“This, this can’t be right?” Teacher Lin didn’t believe it at all. “Is the stopwatch broken? Get another one, I’ll time it, let’s test again!”
Xia Chenge was indifferent. She jogged back to the starting line and prepared again.
After the two teachers switched positions, the gun fired, and Xia Chenge sprinted towards the finish line once more.
This time, the result was 10.73 seconds.
At this point, everyone was too shocked to speak, looking at Xia Chenge as if she were a monster.
“Teacher, do you want to test again?” Xia Chenge asked.
“Test!” Teacher Lin was both excited and worried, afraid he had misread.
“Include me!” Ling Hanmu raised his hand, stepped onto the starting line, and smiled slightly at Xia Chenge.
Xia Chenge returned to the finish line and underwent another test.
“9.95 seconds, 10.69 seconds!”
“9.92 seconds, 10.70 seconds!”
“9.93 seconds, 10.71 seconds!”
After three consecutive tests, their times made everyone gasp.
Teacher Lin and Teacher Zhang were too excited to speak. Having taught at Yan Sheng High School for 15 years, they had been ridiculed for 15 years due to the school’s zero medals in the City Games. Just when they had become accustomed to it, two dark horses with the potential to win suddenly appeared. How could they not be excited?
“Excellent, excellent! From today onwards, you two will train sprints diligently. Put aside other events; just aim to participate!” Teacher Lin immediately made a decision. As long as they could win one gold medal, they could wash away the shame!
“Teacher, I still think you should make a decision after watching the other events,” Xia Chenge calmly interrupted the teacher’s excitement.
