Chapter 130: Digressive Plot
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Watching Haiquan Fang celebrating his victory delightfully in the auditorium, Dalu Fang was struggling with his son's future.
As a father, he could feel that his son was very happy. His son's big smile and body language all came from the bottom of his heart. Haiquan Fang was not only celebrating for his achievement, but also his devotion to the long jump.
Haiquan really loves the long jump! Dalu Fang sighed. It was the first time he had doubted himself. Would it be a right thing to do if he sent Haiquan Fang to study in the UK?
Should he take up the long jump as a career? Dalu Fang shook his head in silence. But Haiquan Fang's behavior clearly conveyed his thoughts on the matter. He really wanted to make it his career.
Dalu Fang was stuck in a dilemma. As a parent, he hoped that his son could grow up happily; but his responsibility warned him that it would be better for Haiquan Fang to follow the original plans he had set up for his son.
We need to talk. Dalu Fang came to a decision.
...
This was the third time Dai Li had met Dalu Fang. As opposed to the previous two meetings, today's Dalu Fang looked more like a father rather than the chairman of the business empire, Continental Corporation.
Seeing his father, Haiquan Fang remained silent for a few seconds. Finally, he built up courage to say, "Dad, I won!"
"I saw." Dalu Fang maintained his dignity without showing any delight, but his eyes were shining with pride, which revealed his true feelings.
"Dad, I want to keep practicing long jump!" Haiquan Fang said in a louder voice.
Dalu Fang did not respond. He stared at his son, seemingly considering the idea, or trying to put pressure on his boy. The brooding silence descended on them. Haiquan Fang wanted to speak at times, but said nothing.
Dai Li broke the ice, saying, "Manager Fang, I know that a championship in the Provincial Youth Games means nothing to you, and that even a national champion may not be worth mentioning in your eyes. However, to Haiquan, this victory is a testament to his ability, as well as a reward for his hard work. Perhaps you have not heard yet, but Haiquan's last jump broke two records at once. One is our provincial U18 long jump record, and the other is the national U16 record."
"Oh?" Finally, Dalu Fang's facial expression changed visibly. He was happily surprised. He did not know much about the long jump. He only knew that his son had won the championship. He never would have thought that Haiquan could break two records at once.
Dai Li continued, "Manager Fang, being an athlete is a young person's profession. An athlete can only remain at their best for a handful of years. Haiquan Fang is 16-years-old. His peak might end at twenty-six, then around thirty he would retire. To him, there are only ten years left for him to chase his dreams. Why don't you give him ten years and let him do whatever he wants? I know that you want him to take your position, but based on your current condition, there will not be any problem if you keep working for another ten, or even twenty years!"
Dalu Fang was in his late forties. In twenty years, he would be just under seventy-years-old. For billionaires like him, it was quite common to retire after seventy.
Dalu Fang said nothing. It seemed that he approved, or that he was at least considering whether he should give Haiquan Fang the ten years or not.
Seconds later, Dalu Fang said, "I will consider your suggestions. But he is my only son, and he will take charge of the Continental Corporation. It is not only about running a company, but also shouldering the responsibility. He should take on this responsibility as soon as possible."
"Manager Fang, I have a bold vision." Dai Li thought for a while, then said, "How about you develop Haiquan as the spokesperson for the Continental Corporation? If one day he becomes the best long jumper in the nation, and goes to the international stage, he would be a good spokesperson. He can make contributions to the company in his own way."
Dalu Fang was a little moved. He had never thought of this before. He had been so focused on sending Haiquan Fang to study abroad that he had not considered any possible alternatives.
It was not easy to get to the international stage. In athletics, many players from more talented countries lacked opportunities to go abroad. For Asians, it would only be more challenging. People who succeeded were one in a million. Because of this, Dalu Fang did not expect that to happen.
But now that Dalu Fang knew that Haiquan had broken the national U16 record, it indicated that he was the best among his peers in the country. Going to the international stage was something that was just around the corner.
He was moved.
If I send Haiquan to the UK, I can develop him into a qualified successor. If he joins the company as a spokesperson, and takes time to gradually learn the operation pattern, this could be a devious path to my goal, thought Dalu Fang silently.
Dalu Fang did not realize that he was making an excuse for his compromise. In fact, as soon as he had sensed Haiquan Fang's true love of the long jump, he had decided to let his son continue doing this. It was not a wise decision, but the love from a father to his child. It was the result of emotional fermentation.
Dai Li's advice had given Dalu Fang an excuse to persuade himself, so that he could label his decision as "reasonable."
...
Meanwhile, in another arena, the shot put final was taking place.
The Provincial Youth Team had only sent three athletes. Jiankang Chen and Bin Wang had advanced to the final, but Lei Qin had not made it due to his bad performance. In fact, none of them had performed normally in the qualifying session.
This was a lesson that young athletes had to learn. None of them had attended formal competitions before, so it was understandable that they were being overcautious and indecisive during the Youth Games, which was the reason not performing well was a sure thing.
Unfortunately, in the final, neither Jiankang Chen nor Bin Wang obtained a satisfying result. Although both of them had gotten on the top-eight list and obtained six attempts, they did not throw over 18 meters.
The Youth Games used a 5kg shot instead of 16-pound standardized shot. If one could not make the 18-meter mark using a 5kg shot, he would never be able to touch a medal.
Jiankang Chen finished his last attempt. The shot dropped right on the 18-meter marking line, which put him in fourth place.
Only 18 meters! Only fourth place! He is one spot away from getting a medal! Xuexi Zhuang, the shot put team coach, looked embarrassed.
Jiankang Chen had once thrown 17.11 meters using a 16-pound shot, and had defeated the national third place of the Youth Games! What was wrong with him today? Xuexi Zhuang's face was filled with shock, confusion, and unwillingness.
In Xuexi Zhuang's eyes, Jiankang Chen had had a great chance of winning a gold medal. Even if he had messed up, he still should have had a silver medal. As for Bin Wang, he also had the potential to be in the top-three. Before the competition had begun, Xuexi Zhuang had already dreamed about the glory of having two of his athletes on the podium!
But the cruel reality hit him hard without mercy. Even Jiankang Chen, the strongest on the team, had only gotten fourth place, saying goodbye to the podium.
Xuexi Zhuang had taken the shot put team from Dai Li, aiming to make some achievements in the Youth Games stepping stones for a future promotion. But he had gotten nothing in the end. Even though fourth place could also promote him to a higher place with the help of his vice-director uncle, fourth place could only help him a bit.
Why have things turned out like this? This is not what I planned! Xuexi Zhuang said to himself. Obviously it was not what he wanted. Losing had not been in the script.