"Sigh, Master, your temper is as fiery as ever!"
Zhang Yi looked resigned, having been scolded the mont he walked in.
But deep down, he was actually quite happy.
’For soone like Master, getting an earful ans he cares. If he couldn’t even be bothered to chew out, he’d basically be treating like a stranger.’
"I knew you wouldn’t believe , so before I ca, I made a special trip with the kid to all the testing departnts at the First Affiliated Hospital.
I can confirm that the test data from the doctors is completely accurate."
As he spoke, Zhang Yi showed Zhang Guowei a photo he had taken of Huang Chong’s archived test results from the hospital.
This ti, Zhang Guowei couldn’t maintain his composure. He asked again for confirmation:
"Are you sure you’re not joking?"
"Of course it’s not a joke. I’m retired and have been working at the bike factory for a while now. If this weren’t real, why would I co all the way to the bureau just to get chewed out?"
Zhang Yi shook his head with a wry smile, his tone earnest.
"I genuinely believe this kid is a natural-born road cyclist, a truly promising talent. I think he might be able to achieve things our generation never could. I was afraid of letting such a great gift go to waste, which is why I brought his test results for you to review.
Of course, whether you think he’s good enough is ultimately your decision. I’m just the ssenger.
In any case, I didn’t tell the kid I was going to see you.
If you don’t think he’s good enough, just pretend I never ca. He’ll just go through the normal process and try out for the city team.
As for whether he can eventually develop to the provincial team level and end up under your wing, well, we can just wait and see!"
"If this data is real, then to hell with the city team! I’d have him report to the bureau tomorrow. With that kind of cardiopulmonary function, as long as he isn’t trained into the ground, forget just dominating in Asia—he’ll have a shot at competing on the European circuit."
At this point, Zhang Guowei believed his apprentice, but the report still looked too absurd to be true.
Only a true expert would understand the imnse value these numbers represented for an endurance sport.
"First, tell about this kid, Huang... what was it—"
Zhang Guowei couldn’t recall the na, so he glanced at the test report again before continuing:
"Ah, this Huang Chong. What’s his story? What’s his current skill level?"
Seeing his master’s interest in Huang Chong, Zhang Yi told him everything he knew.
He also ntioned that they were going to Suzhou together the next day for a cycling race.
After hearing about Huang Chong’s background, Zhang Guowei nodded in satisfaction.
"No professional training, completely self-taught... and he can already hit an average speed of 45 km/h with a power output approaching 300W after less than a year of riding. This kid is really sothing.
It’s a sha he started a little late. If a prospect like him had been discovered sooner, he’d probably be developing his career in Europe by now.
Still, it’s fine. Since you’re going to a race in Suzhou tomorrow, I’ll go see him perform in person.
After all, the physiological data is just a reference. I need to see how his legs perform.
Go back and tell him to give it his absolute all tomorrow, but don’t ntion I’ll be there. I want to see his true capabilities!"
Zhang Yi nodded in agreent.
"I know the drill, Master. I’ll make sure he gives it everything he’s got."
...
After finishing his cardiopulmonary tests at the hospital, Huang Chong didn’t send the results to Zhang Yi right away.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust him. It was just that, in his two lifetis combined, he’d never understood what these numbers actually ant.
So, he first did a lot of research online. Only after confirming that his cardiopulmonary abilities had been optimized by the system to a top-tier, truly genius level did he send the data over.
But two days passed with nothing but silence, as if his ssage had vanished into thin air. Zhang Yi hadn’t replied at all.
He didn’t say if Huang Chong was good enough or not; it was as if he’d never even received the results.
But in reality, right after he sent the data, Zhang Yi had replied:
"Got it. Wait for an update."
’I wonder what the Captain is up to. Don’t tell he got busy and forgot all about ?’
Huang Chong was now on the high-speed train to Suzhou again. The race was the next day, and he had to et up at the sa youth hostel as last ti.
When he t up with Zhang Yi that evening, Zhang Yi just smiled, clapped him on the shoulder, and said:
"Huang Chong, I’ve seen your test results. Judging by the numbers, you’re exceptionally talented.
But data is just a reference, so you have to give it your all in tomorrow’s race.
I’ll use that to make a final judgnt and see if you really have what it takes to join a professional team!"
Since he put it that way, Huang Chong had nothing more to say. He just nodded.
"Okay, Captain. I’ll give it my all tomorrow!"
And so, early the next morning, they went to the organizer’s starting point to manually register, check in, and collect their race numbers, which they attached to the back of their bike saddles.
The Windward Team’s riders were assigned numbers 86 through 90.
Huang Chong was number 88, a very auspicious number.
Zhang Yi was number 89.
The remaining numbers—86, 87, and 90—belonged to Wang Qiang, Liu Junjie, and Chen Guangming, who had all taken ti off work to compete.
The Elite and Open groups raced separately, not on different days, but with staggered start tis.
The Elite group, made up of 22 teams, would set off 30 minutes ahead of the Open group, which would follow from the sa starting line. The entire event would be finished by noon.
However, just as Huang Chong collected his number plate and was about to ride to the starting line, a familiar face on a familiar Canyon race bike appeared in front of him.
Sure enough, Zhou Ming had co to Suzhou to compete, bringing his four dostiques with him.
Huang Chong glanced at the numbers on their bikes. They were numbers 1 through 5.
Unsurprisingly, Zhou Ming was the number 1 rider in the Elite group.
’That son of a bitch,’ Huang Chong thought. ’That rich kid is really loaded. He must have gone to the organizers behind the scenes and specifically requested the top five numbers.’
"Huang Chong, the race is about to start. Our bet is still on.
Compared to a private race, a victory in an official competition like this is much more convincing.
I hope you’re as strong on the flats as you are on the climbs!"
With that, Zhou Ming led his dostiques to the starting line.
And just as expected, the organizers placed their five-man team—with their top-of-the-line bikes bearing numbers 1 through 5—right in the most prominent spot at the very front of the pack.
While Zhou Ming’s five riders all had World Tour Level machines, the other 21 teams, despite having a few top-end road bikes worth over a hundred thousand yuan, were mostly riding entry-level race bikes equipped with Shimano 105 electronic groupsets.
Visually, Zhou Ming’s team, with its full complent of top-tier components, instantly beca the center of attention, prompting whispers from the riders further back.
This was the kind of buzz that money could buy.
"Who was that guy, man? Seed like he was looking for a fight. You two know each other? What’s this about a bet?"
Liu Junjie asked Huang Chong after Zhou Ming had walked away.
Huang Chong shook his head, resigned. He had no intention of hiding it from his teammates and answered bluntly.
"You know how I took off the weekend before last to join that cycling event?
He was the one who organized it.
I accidentally outsprinted him at the finish line, and now he’s determined to get his revenge.
He heard I was racing in Suzhou and chased all the way from Hangcheng!
But the bet is just a joke. Even if it’s real, it’s all one-sided on his part. I never agreed to bet anything with him."
After hearing the gist of the story, Liu Junjie didn’t bother asking about the strength of Zhou Ming’s crew. He just scoffed, clapped Huang Chong on the shoulder, and said:
"Don’t sweat it. The Captain told us we’re all your loyal dostiques today. We’ll make sure to drop those rich kids for you within the first 50 kiloters!"
Just as their conversation ended, the organizers gave the signal to start the race.
One hundred ten riders from twenty-two teams shot off from the starting line.
Because of their high race numbers, Huang Chong and his four teammates started at the back of the peloton.
However, as he rode across the starting line, the system’s text refreshed:
[Host has been detected participating in an official cycling race for the first ti. Mission: Place in the top ten in the final general classification. Rewards will be issued according to final rank.]
...
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