After Leaving the Sports Circle, I Became a Cooking God (Completed BL)

Chapter 44: Preliminary Results & Public Discourse

Translator: dapotaturs
Release Date: 09/03/2023

After crossing the finish line in second place, Qiu Wen took a couple of steps to slow down, then turned back to look for Hu Li's position. He quickly approached Hu Li, who had just finished, and glanced at Li Gu, who seemed to have crossed the line around the same time.

After catching his breath, Hu Li smiled at Qiu Wen, who seemed to want to ask a question but hesitated. "Fourth," Hu Li said.

Upon hearing these two words, Qiu Wen's eyes brightened. He gave a thumbs-up to Hu Li and exclaimed, "Hey, Hu Bro is amazing!"

Seeing Qiu Wen's exaggerated praise, Hu Li, still catching his breath, laughed and placed a hand on Qiu Wen's shoulder. He joined in the praise, saying, "Not at all, it's still our little Qiu who's amazing..."

As Qiu Wen and Hu Li exchanged their playful compliments, not far away, Zhang Zi Yi had just stopped and was trying to catch his breath. With his hands on his hips, he was regaining his composure.

Next to him, Lin Chuan walked over to Zhang Zi Yi and asked, "How was it?"

Though only three words, Zhang Zi Yi understood the meaning behind Lin Chuan's question. He gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "The pressure is even greater than last time."

Zhang Zi Yi was referring to the feeling of competing with Qiu Wen on the track. The last time they had faced each other was during Qiu Wen's debut in the 400 meters. Qiu Wen had left a strong impression on Zhang Zi Yi, as Lin Chuan had said, running like an exuberant Husky finally let off the leash. On the 400-meter track, he appeared tireless.

Of course, Qiu Wen couldn't truly be tireless. He mostly adhered to the overall rhythm of the 400-meter race, despite his seemingly boundless energy.

It was like someone had taught an exuberant Husky how to sprint with strategy.

Back during the z-city station of the previous meet, Qiu Wen's performance had already given Zhang Zi Yi some pressure. However, comparing then to today, Zhang Zi Yi realized that the pressure had grown significantly.

Lin Chuan also nodded in agreement and sighed, "I'm in better shape today compared to last time, but the gap between him and me has actually widened."

Finishing that sentence, Lin Chuan and Zhang Zi Yi exchanged a glance. Both of them knew the unspoken meaning behind those words.

Qiu Wen's progress and speed of improvement had far exceeded their expectations. Initially, they thought Qiu Wen would be a talented athlete with potential. But now, it seemed his talent and potential were much deeper than they had imagined.

After hesitating for a moment, Lin Chuan asked, "Do you think he... has a chance?"

Furrowing his brow, Zhang Zi Yi remained silent for a while. "Let's see... It's hard to say for sure right now."

In the spectator stands, at the seating section for the S province track and field team, Hu Shaowen also asked Su Bai the same question, "Xiao Bai, Qiu Wen has only been training in the 400 meters for a few months, yet he's keeping up with Zhang Ziyi... Do you think he has a chance to break the 45.25 seconds barrier in the 400 meters?"

45.25 seconds, for the Asian or even global scope of the 400 meters, was just an average time. But for domestic athletes, it was a record that had loomed over the heads of all 400-meter runners for over a decade without being broken.

Su Bai turned to look at Hu Shao Wen, who was filled with hope, and smiled slightly. Then, with firm conviction, he said, "He can."

This resolute and direct answer caught Hu Shaowen off guard, but before he could gather his thoughts to ask more, the live broadcast announced the final results of the first heat of the men's 400 meters.