"Alright, An’an, you’re a genius student, but I’m different. I’m a lousy student, often scoring at the bottom. My mom’s given up on . Luckily, I’ve got a bit of talent in swimming, got selected for the national team, so I can rightfully skip school."
Talking about not going to school, Tang Yuanyuan looked a bit proud.
Athletes bringing glory to the nation, how proud! She’s now the pride of her entire family.
Though she would check in at school when there were no competitions, her grades naturally plumted, but even if she scored last, no one would say anything.
But Shen You’an is different. Tang Yuanyuan knew Shen You’an even before she joined the national team. She was an experienced fangirl, first following boy bands, then liking Rong Xianning, so naturally, she knew about Shen You’an’s relationship with Rong Xianning. At first, she was a bit jealous.
God knows how excited she was the mont she saw Shen You’an in the national team.
But she didn’t dare to let Shen You’an know she liked Rong Xianning, so she could only stick close and act like a little sidekick, as if that would sohow link her to her idol.
Before, Shen You’an was just a na to her. She had many labels: genius student, goddess, Rong Xianning’s childhood friend; to Tang Yuanyuan, she was a distant figure.
But one day, this big figure ca into her life, and she had the chance to stick with her. Spending a week together, sharing the sa dorm room, she felt that Shen You’an was even more of a goddess than one.
She was beautiful, exuded extraordinary charm, was gentle and patient, and had an off-the-charts IQ. She just won an international math competition, shining brightly with glory.
When she returned to the team from the competition, many were not happy with her, feeling the coach was showing favoritism. Why could she return in the last week while everyone else was training hard? Although she participated in a math competition, that wasn’t an excuse. People can’t be so greedy, wanting everything.
At that ti, people had a bad impression of her. They thought, as a genius student, she should stick to competitions and prizes, not ddle in the athletic arena. Normally, one’s energy is quite limited; for example, they excelled in sports, but lagged in IQ.
With such good grades and high IQ, her athletic talent must be lacking. Her previous achievents were re coincidences. With her busy schedule and absence from training, her results would surely falter.
So why should she join them in the World Championships?
The competition in swimming is fierce. Points from the World Championships directly decide Olympic slots. Everyone’s sharpening their skills, eager for an opportunity.
Why Shen You’an?
Then, in the first group training, without warming up, Shen You’an took first place.
So were unconvinced, thinking it was a fluke.
Then, in the second group match, Shen You’an was even faster, leaving others far behind.
No one dared to speak, completely stunned.
Then Shen You’an easily walked ashore, heading back to the dorm to rest.
From then on, no one in the team dared to complain.
The coach couldn’t stop grinning, treating her like royalty.
Shen You’an didn’t lord it over anyone. She trained on ti, but never over-trained, leaving right on ti, not a second longer.
But every group training, she was first, not giving second place a chance. And to think, second place was a swimming prodigy, previously sweeping the youth girls’ gold dals.
This was such a blow that people began questioning reality.
In their eyes, Shen You’an was truly like a deity.
How could soone be so perfect?
With off-the-charts IQ and maxed-out athletic talent, anyone competing with her just crumbled. That feeling of being utterly crushed was like a nightmare.
They never wanted to experience it again.
The team lost motivation for training.
The coach noticed the issue, thinking it was a good-natured competition effect, but who knew it would turn into a Matthew effect, the strong getting stronger and the weak weaker.
He quickly pulled Shen You’an out for individual training.
Gave others a solid psychological class to gradually ease the shadow Shen You’an cast.
Tang Yuanyuan, on the other hand, was fine. She was a happy-go-lucky person, always middle-of-the-pack in the team, neither standout nor behind. The coach always criticized her as a slacker, saying if she didn’t work harder, she’d be replaced by newcors; an athlete without results wouldn’t have a good outco.
Tang Yuanyuan didn’t mind. She was thick-skinned, thinking at worst she’d beco a swimming coach. Coming out of the national team, having participated in major events, it would still be easy to find a coaching job in a small city.
But sticking with Shen You’an these days, she saw what the real human pinnacle was.
The national team training is extrely strict, with 25,000 ters of high-intensity underwater training daily and various land-based physical training. After a day’s training, everyone is exhausted, in need of massages and physical therapy.
Despite her excellent grades, Shen You’an still completed the specified training every day. While others went for therapy, she went back to the dorm.
Everyone thought she had her own treatnt thods, just keeping them secret. But only Tang Yuanyuan, who shared the dorm, knew Shen You’an wasn’t resting when she went back. She was either writing and drawing doing so physics research or playing Go by herself, acting as both players.
These activities consud ntal energy, and Shen You’an usually slept at midnight, waking up at five for training.
She was energetic all day, never seen in a lackluster state.
Tang Yuanyuan couldn’t help but sigh, the heavens not only gave her an off-the-charts IQ but also Superman-like stamina, such a person is destined for success.
Shen You’an heard her words, smiled indulgently, and returned to diving into her sea of problems.
Tang Yuanyuan, left with nothing to do, scrolled through her phone, suddenly exclaiming, "Rong Xianning received an acceptance letter from De Ren High School!"
Rong Xianning had just posted his high school admission letter on Weibo, with the De Ren Middle School crest prominently displayed.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Tang Yuanyuan realized she’d been too quick, sneaking a glance at Shen You’an, only to et her gaze.
Tang Yuanyuan sheepishly stuck out her tongue.
Shen You’an pointed to the charm on her backpack, "Lemons."
This was rchandise made by Rong Xianning fans, a lemon charm with special traits, a secret among fans.
Tang Yuanyuan was too late to cover it, "I didn’t an to hide it from you, I’m just embarrassed...."
Shen You’an smiled, "I never asked you."
"I was afraid you’d think I was approaching you on purpose, thinking I had bad intentions...."
"I’m not that dumb."
Tang Yuanyuan was relieved, "An’an, you’re so nice."
The announcent for boarding started. Shen You’an stuffed her notebook into her backpack. Across from her, the coach and other team mbers stood up, holding boarding passes, preparing to line up for check-in.
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