Chapter 375: Echoes of Victory
by xennovelThe entire stadium erupted into a sea of shock and uproar.
In the stands, banners and flags of every color and size waved wildly.
No matter whose names were on them, right now they all waved for that girl called ‘Bing’.
This eighteen-year-old Chinese girl not only crushed the top Asian athletes to win gold but also shattered an eleven-year-old Asian Games record.
Even more importantly, she was just a tiny step away from the legendary 12.40-second barrier, a domain once thought impossible for Asians to reach.
……
……
Chenfeng Technology Park, Tiancheng No. 1 High School’s Yifu Building, Provincial Sports University’s indoor arena……
Tonghai University’s Little Yellow Building, Huahai Normal University’s Siqun Hall……
Countless TVs and computer screens……
Everywhere buzzed with joy and celebration.
……
In Yangcheng, at Jiaduobao’s distribution headquarters.
The main conference room.
Vice President Gong Ming calmed his excitement and gestured for everyone to sit.
After Nie Fei left, he took over the Kunlunshan Mineral Water launch.
From the start, Gong Ming worried about Nie Fei’s choice of Xie Bingran as the spokesperson.
He even paid little attention to her endorsement shoot……
She’d only been on the scene for half a year and had competed in just one major event, the National Games—would her track results hold up?
Could her buzz and popularity last?
If her performance dropped later, would Kunlunshan’s endorsement investment go to waste?
Then, when the ‘brand authorization’ issue with Wang Laoshun came to light, Kunlunshan Mineral Water’s importance within the group skyrocketed instantly.
In a way, whether Kunlunshan could succeed would deeply impact the group’s operations for the next five to ten years.
Now, with Xie Bingran winning gold and breaking the Asian Games record, becoming the true ‘Asian Female Sprinter’……
Her commercial endorsement value was fully on display.
For the next four years of the Asian Games cycle, she was unquestionably ‘Asia’s top runner’.
And since she’d broken the record, that ‘Asia’s top’ title might last even longer.
As ‘Asia’s top’, she perfectly supported Kunlunshan’s premium image……
Gong Ming couldn’t help but admire ‘Fei Jie’s’ sharp vision and decisions.
Her forced exit due to the Chen Jinru incident was undoubtedly a huge loss for Jiaduobao……
Gong Ming pulled his thoughts back, cleared his throat, and said:
“Let’s advance the Kunlunshan launch plan—start distribution tomorrow!”
He paused briefly:
“For Xie Bingran’s materials, add eight million to the budget this year!”
……
Equally relieved and thrilled were Jeep Greater China’s Vice President Pang Ming and Brand Director He Da Chang.
They’d stepped out of the meeting room to the outdoor balcony.
He Da Chang lit a cigarette for his boss Pang Ming and said quietly:
“Congratulations, Leo!”
Pang Ming smiled:
“And congratulations to you too, Andy……”
Jeep’s choice of Xie Bingran as spokesperson was driven by Pang Ming and He Da Chang.
It took some effort to convince the American headquarters.
For today’s race, both had been on edge.
If Xie Bingran hadn’t won, their executive positions next year would have been uncertain.
Luckily, she was unbeatable.
And they had bet right!
Now, signing her before her Asian Games win saved the company a ton in costs.
After all, negotiating now would at least double the price.
Pang Ming thought it over and said:
“We can roll out the endorsement materials to dealers now.
Keep TV and print ads on schedule for the 15th—let the buzz build a bit more……”
He took a drag and added:
“For at least a month, push Xie Bingran’s materials hard—ease up on Wang Shi’s for now!”
He Da Chang smiled: “Got it!”
……
At the Capital Airport, in the VIP lounge.
Wang Shi was about to leave when the Asian Games broadcast on TV caught his eye.
He looked at the short-haired girl on screen and said to his secretary Zhou Kai:
“That’s the young girl, right?”
Zhou Kai: “Yes, Xie Bingran……”
Wang Shi nodded thoughtfully:
“Too bad we shot the materials separately—I should have arranged to meet her.”
He thought again:
“Is there a Jeep poster with me and her together?”
Zhou Kai: “There’s a double poster……”
Wang Shi chuckled: “Print one out and hang it in my office.”
Zhou Kai: “Sure, boss. I’ll get it framed……”
……
……
……
At Al Khalifa International Stadium.
In the VIP stands.
“Why are you crying?” Wu Feifei asked Su Rong quietly.
Su Rong wiped the streaming tears from her face:
“I’m just so moved……”
Xu Chen still stood at the edge of the stands, gazing toward the field.
Xie Bingran, Chen Lan, and Bai Miao, the three Chinese athletes, held up the national flag together, circling the track and waving to the stands, drawing cheers.
In the race, Xie Bingran took gold with 12.42 seconds, breaking the eleven-year-old Asian Games record.
Chen Lan came in second at 12.60 seconds, earning silver and setting a new personal best.
That 12.60 would have beaten the 2002 Asian Games gold of 12.93 by veteran Feng Youping—if not for Xie Bingran.
In short, without Xie Bingran, Chen Lan would have been the undisputed champion here.
……
Bai Miao ran 13.20 seconds, also a personal best, placing sixth in the Asian Games.
The bronze went to India’s ‘slum star’ Rohana at 12.80 seconds.
Fourth was Japan’s Akabane Kaoru at 12.89 seconds, another personal best.
Fifth was South Korea’s Kim Sang-cai at 13.12 seconds……
Xie Bingran’s win was utterly dominant—no one could find fault.
……
……
The national anthem played, and the stadium fell silent.
The gold and silver flags rose slowly.
The big LED screen showed that stern yet attractive face again.
Xu Chen had seen her just ten days ago, but it felt like forever.
……
On the field.
Journalists from various countries swarmed the gold, silver, and bronze winners.
Over the speakers, CCTV commentator Han Qiaosheng announced:
“Congratulations to Xie Bingran!
From today, we shouldn’t call her a ‘young athlete’ anymore.
Starting from Doha, she’s the ‘star athlete’ Xie Bingran……”
“In 2006, this eighteen-year-old has achieved the impossible.
A dark horse emerged, dominating all.
She broke the National Games record to become China’s top.
She broke the Asian Games record to become Asia’s top.
She’s the true ‘first in women’s 100-meter hurdles’ in China and Asia right now.
Unprecedented!”
“At eighteen, she’s already surpassed her seniors with ease.
And now, Asia’s top Xie Bingran has cleared the Olympic qualifying line.
In the 2008 Olympics coming up in two years……
We wait and hope.
Could she represent China, Asia, and Asians in chasing an Olympic medal?”
……
“Let’s also applaud the renowned Chinese track athlete Chen Lan.
Silver in the last Asian Games, edged out by veteran Feng Youping.
Silver again this time, outshone by a rising genius……
Every four years for the Asian Games, every four years for the Olympics.
But an athlete’s career has only so many fours.
Sometimes, glory isn’t just for winners.
Without Xie Bingran, 12.60 would have put her at Asia’s peak.
But reality has no ‘what ifs’.
One bright star dims another.
That’s sports, that’s competition.
That’s fate……
The pessimistic sink in sorrow.
The optimistic rise through the tragedy.
Star athlete Chen Lan deserves all the blessings and applause!”
……
……
Fang Jun had already opened that bottle of white wine.
The four girls each held a glass, while Xu Chen poured himself some cola.
They clinked glasses, and Wu Feifei said with a smile:
“Congratulations, Bing Ge!”
……
Xu Chen glanced at his phone and said:
“You all should stick around and watch more of the games.”
……
……
Xu Chen headed out through the VIP passage.
He circled around the stands and went straight to the first floor.
At a barricade booth, assistant coach Liu Shengnan was waiting.
Seeing Xu Chen, she handed him a blue work badge.
Xu Chen took it and slipped it around his neck.
“Thanks, Coach Liu!”
Liu Shengnan: “Go in through the left entrance.
Bing Ge is still doing interviews with the coaches—it’ll take at least twenty minutes.
You can head in and wait in the rest area……”
Xu Chen: “Okay.
Is Coach Cheng still busy? I’ll go say hi.”
Liu Shengnan: “She’s handling fan photos—you can find her first.”
……
……
Outside the east rest area, a big crowd had gathered.
Xu Chen looked up and saw it was Tonghai University’s cheer squad.
Bai Miao was right in the middle, signing autographs and posing for photos.
Coach Cheng stood nearby like a supervisor.
Xu Chen smiled and hurried over to Coach Cheng, looking innocent as he greeted her.
“Coach Cheng!”
Coach Cheng looked at Xu Chen with a mischievous grin:
“Get me a guarantee later—and make Bing Ge sign it too.”
Xu Chen: “What guarantee?”
Coach Cheng: “To ensure Xie Bingran’s safety out here today.”
Xu Chen paused, then said seriously:
“Thanks, Coach Cheng! I’ll make sure Bing Ge is safe.”
Coach Cheng: “How was the VIP stands?”
Xu Chen: “Amazing! It was great!”
Coach Cheng: “Thank Director Li—he arranged it specially.”
Xu Chen: “I need to thank him in person sometime.”
Coach Cheng: “Bing Ge will be a while longer……
She’s in media interviews now.
Then she’ll do photos with fans and the cheer squad from Huahai Normal University……
You’ll get her for half an hour, but bring her back by 11:30.”
Xu Chen: “Why?”
Coach Cheng paused: “Bing Ge’s a big name now.
The king, queen, and prince here want to meet her.”
Xu Chen couldn’t help but draw in a breath.
“Bing Ge is getting quite the VIP treatment……”
The king, queen, prince……
Well.
Bing Ge’s life had reached a level even Xu Chen envied.
……
……
The cheer squad surrounded Bai Miao for signatures and photos.
Qian Xin spotted Xu Chen and waved him over, thinking he was there for the same.
Xu Chen saw Qian Xin holding two of Bai Miao’s poster photos for signatures and shamelessly asked for one.
……
Soon, it was Qian Xin and Xu Chen’s turn.
Xu Chen noticed Bai Miao’s eyes were red, like she’d been crying.
He figured her sixth-place finish had hit her hard.
But facing her schoolmates, she held back tears and flashed a sweet smile.
Still, as one of China’s top three and Asia’s sixth, she deserved all the admiration.
Bai Miao signed the photo Xu Chen handed her.
When she looked up at him, she froze, her eyes tearing up as words failed her.
Xu Chen quickly whispered:
“Congratulations…… Bai Miao!”
Bai Miao pouted, looking upset:
“You’re here to tease me……”
Xu Chen: “How could I?”
Bai Miao burst out laughing:
“Just kidding!”
She handed back the signed photo.
……
Qian Xin stared in surprise: “You know Bai Miao?”
The others had seen the interaction and looked equally shocked.
Huang Hao stayed quiet, thinking they were more than acquaintances.
Back at the start of the semester, when Bai Miao attended the welcome event, Xu Chen had gotten a signed photo too!
They seemed close, though Huang Hao didn’t know why.
……
After the signatures, the whole cheer squad posed for a group photo with Bai Miao.
Xu Chen learned there was a school dinner planned for Bai Miao that evening.
The students were thrilled to dine with her.
……
Qian Xin held his signed photo, looking a bit odd.
After hesitating, he turned to Xu Chen:
“Xu, how well do you know Bai Miao?”
Xu Chen: “Huh?”
Qian Xin: “Could you ask her to get me Xie Bingran’s autograph?”
He pulled out a Xie Bingran poster from his pocket.
“……”
Xu Chen sighed helplessly.
Qian Xin: “A photo with her would be even better!”
Xu Chen thought about it and decided to help.
After all, Qian Xin was a genuine Bing Ge fan.
Xu Chen said:
“I checked with the coach—Huahai Normal has a cheer squad too.
Xie Bingran will sign and pose with them later……
I’ll mention it to the coach—you just wait.”
Qian Xin blinked: “Xu, you’re tight with the coach too?!”
Classmates Huang Hao and Chen Qiong edged closer, looking eager.
“We want in on that too.”
……
……
……”