Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 536: Journey to Jinling (4K)

Let them do whatever they want in their life. Chen Ran can’t do anything about it anyway.

If their dreams cannot be realized in the real world, let them immerse themselves in the world of comics and fulfill their wishes.

Just like in “Captain Tsubasa”, are they dreaming of winning the World Cup?

Although there are many Japanese fans on the Chinese Internet who firmly believe that China's football team will be able to win the World Cup one day, the fact is that they have never been able to make it past the first round of the rematch and have been eliminated in the round of 16 again and again.

Chen Ran didn't care what slogans they shouted, and even wanted to watch them for fun.

"I personally am very optimistic about Nishikori-kun." He said reluctantly when facing a reporter from Xiaorizi, "He has very comprehensive skills, is very outstanding, and has great potential."

"What? Do you think he'll ever win a Grand Slam?"

"Of course there is! I think if Mr. Chang can coach properly and Nishikori can fully realize his potential, he may even win more than one Grand Slam."

"Really?" The reporter, who was living a small life, was very excited.

"Of course it's true! I was able to play on the tour when I was just 16 years old. There are very few people in the professional tennis world." Chen Ran talked about it, "Only Michael Chang and Martina Hingis. When I played on the tour for the first time, I was already 16 and a half years old."

"You know, at this age, players improve very quickly. Half a year is enough to turn things around."

This seems to be flawless and there is no point in refuting it.

When the reporters from Xiaori heard Chen Ran's high evaluation of Kei Nishikori, they were so excited that they couldn't express it in words.

Although Xiao Rizi likes to study Chinese culture very much, they obviously don’t understand what “overpraising to death” means.

This is flattery.

One party gets the interview fee, the other party can write the article happily, and everyone has a bright future.

……

The ancient capital of Six Dynasties, Jinling.

Jinling in late October, a city full of stories, is so beautiful that it inspires endless imagination.

The hustle and bustle of the roads are decorated by the sycamores, red maples and osmanthus trees all over the city, with golden leaves and red clouds all over the mountains.

The National Games, held every four years, will be held in this city for the first time.

Strangely enough, Chen Ran worked in Shanghai for a period of time in his previous life, but he had never been to this ancient capital of six dynasties, which is less than 300 kilometers away.

In this life, he was busy flying around the world, and even went to Corsica, France several times, but he had never been to Jinling.

"Can we go for a walk outside?"

Chen Ran did not act like a big shot and asked to live alone in a star-rated hotel. Instead, he stayed in the National Games Village with other athletes.

In fact, he does not have a strong sense of regionalism, so there is no need for him to stay with the athletes from Zhejiang Province.

Especially for the National Games, do athletes really register to represent their provinces according to their respective places of origin?

Totally impossible.

It is very common for athletes from various provinces, cities and regions to exchange visits to each other's locations.

What's the funniest thing?
For example, the athlete trade between Jiangsu Province and Qilu Province this time absolutely astonished the world sports arena, especially the NBA which is famous for its player trades.

A male basketball player from Jiangsu Province was traded to Qilu Province. He will represent the Qilu Province men's basketball team in this National Games.

A female canoeist from Qilu Province was traded to Jiangsu Province and will represent Jiangsu Province in the competition.

This transaction between athletes is not only about different sports, but also about different genders. The player transactions in the NBA are simply too weak!
Chen Ran was also shocked when he saw this scene.

Of course, there is also China's well-known basketball player Battelle. After completely breaking off relations with the Yanjing Men's Basketball Team, he represented different provinces and cities in every National Games. His appearance fee was so high that he could definitely buy a large house in a first-tier city in this era.

However, his wife and children, as well as his wife's children from her ex-husband, are all in the United States. The expenses are not low, so Daba can only work hard to make money.

Chen Ran is also an athlete outside the system. Theoretically, he can also wait for the right price like Bater and represent different provinces in every National Games.

But he is not interested in making this money. Even though he represented Zhejiang Province in the competition this time, he did not ask for an appearance fee.

Chen Ran also participated in this year's National Games. One reason was to fulfill a promise he made more than three years ago, and the other was to take advantage of this opportunity to play more in front of Chinese fans.

But no matter what, it will be impossible for Chen Ran to participate in the next National Games.

There is also Yao Ming. In fact, before he went to the United States, he had promised to represent Shanghai in the National Games.

Of course, this is just a stopgap measure.

After all, if Yao Ming hadn't made such a promise at that time, he would not have been able to play in the NBA.

But this is a different time now. Now that Yao Ming has broken the contract again, Shanghai has no choice but to admit defeat.

To be precise, if Shanghai forces Yao Ming to fulfill his contract and rush back from the United States to participate in the competition, he will only be scolded by the media and will not be able to withstand the mountain of public pressure.

"Brother Xiang, are you familiar with Jinling? Take me for a walk." Chen Ran greeted Liu Xiang. "We are not as tall as Yao Ming, so we are still very safe if we wear a hat and a mask."

"Okay, since we have nothing to do, let's go for a walk outside." After thinking about it, Liu Xiang was quite interested.

When they participated in the Olympics, they could wander around anywhere. So, does that mean they can't wander around anywhere during the National Games?
The public security in China is much better than that in Europe or the United States.

"Then let's go!"

Chen Ran waved his hand, then put on his mask and the hat that came with his clothes.

The two were just about to go out together when a woman with a very distinctive appearance ran over.

When Chen Ran saw this person, his expression suddenly became extremely interesting.

Isn’t this the famous CCTV reporter Dong Ri?
"Liu Xiang... where are you going?" Dong Rina immediately ran over excitedly, and looking at his excited attitude, it seemed as if he couldn't wait to pounce on him.

Obviously, she also wanted to visit Jinling, and she wanted to accompany Liu Xiang to visit Jinling.

Brother Xiang was also helpless. He couldn't refuse her in person. After all, she was a full-time reporter assigned to him by CCTV.

But CCTV is such a large organization with countless beautiful reporters, but they chose to arrange this one to follow Liu Xiang all the time.

Obviously with ulterior motives!

Seeing this scene, Chen Ran felt that CCTV was quite polite to him. The female reporters who were arranged to visit him were often replaced, and their appearance was at least good enough.

"Brother Xiang, it seems like you two are inseparable." Chen Ran raised his eyebrows and joked, "Is there a story behind this?"

Liu Xiang smiled awkwardly, but the CCTV reporter actually blushed.

Seriously, she actually took it seriously.

At this time, Dong Ri finally noticed Chen Ran, and asked in a shocking tone: "Chen Ran, do you want to go out with us?"

Liu Xiang: “…”

Chen Ran: "..."

He said this as if he were a light bulb.

As the saying goes, one never stops until one's words stun the world. This is indeed very wintery.

But, in fact, I wish I were just a light bulb.

Chen Ran thought with some evil humor.

So he followed the other party's intention and replied: "Then you two go, I won't go out."

Liu Xiang: “…”

What the hell?

At this moment, Brother Xiang had only one thought in his mind: "Who am I and where am I?"

Anyway, that lady Dong Ri acted like she was the hostess, so Chen Ran just withdrew very decisively.

In fact, Chen Ran suddenly felt that if she could be a reporter, then another first-generation Internet celebrity Sister Furong could also be a reporter. It's just that one has a background.

He suddenly had an idea and asked, "Reporter Dong, there are rumors that you are from the Golden Family and a descendant of Genghis Khan. Is that true?"

"It is indeed recorded in my grandfather's family tree, so I should be counted as one too." Dong Ri said seriously.

How do you say this thing?

The descendants of the Golden Family are scattered all over the world, and considering that seven or eight hundred years have passed, it is actually impossible to trace them.

Therefore, this family tree can be completely forged, and no one else knows about it, so they can only turn a blind eye.

Since it is impossible to verify, the country naturally recognizes Dong Ri’s identity as his grandfather.

"Haha." Chen Ran smiled, "Wow, the rumors are indeed true, and the background is very strong."

No wonder she is so confident and feels that she and Brother Xiang are a perfect match.

It seems that Brother Xiang is the golden sword prince consort in her mind.

Looking at the other person's face full of grassland characteristics, Chen Ran actually wanted to ask Mr. Jin Yong, is the Zhao Min you created really that beautiful?

These two are of the same bloodline.

Chen Ran waved and said goodbye to them.

Liu Xiang wanted to say something, and hesitantly stretched out his hand, as if trying to keep Chen Ran from leaving.

But the winter lady beside him was completely familiar with her. She treated herself as the hostess, waved her arms happily, and shouted: "Goodbye!"

Liu Xiang: “…”

Ms. Dong turned around and asked, "Xiang, where are we going?"

Liu Xiang: "I suddenly felt a stomachache."

……

There is no doubt that in this National Games, apart from football and basketball, the most watched events are tennis and 110-meter hurdles.

Of course, advantageous sports such as table tennis and badminton are also popular among Jinling sports fans.

Overall, this is the last National Games before the Yanjing Olympics, and it can also be seen as a warm-up for the Yanjing Olympics, so the attention is very high.

At least in this half month, the attention of all Chinese sports fans will be focused here.

"Whoever can beat Chen Ran in one round will win!"

"The suspense of the 110-meter hurdles is who will win the silver medal."

Before the game, "Sports Weekly" published this headline.

Then, other newspapers or portals followed suit.

Win a game?
Many of Chen Ran’s fans on the Internet disagreed and expressed different opinions.

"If we can break a serve, we win!"

"If you can hold serve for three games, you win!"

"Hold serve for three games? You overestimated those losers. If you can hold serve for one game, you'll win!"

"One game, you are exaggerating. If you can't even hold serve in one game, what kind of athlete is that? You might as well be working as a bricklayer at a construction site."

"Look at Kei Nishikori! Yes, that talented player from Xiao Ri. He was undefeated against our Chinese players in the challenge tournament, but he lost to Chen Ran 6-0."

"You're right, but this is the National Games, a civil war. Chen Ran will definitely show mercy. Two 6-0s? He can't be so ruthless!"

Obviously, this netizen understands the Chinese ways of the world very well.

There are 64 draws in the men's singles tennis competition at the National Games, which is only one round less than the Grand Slam tournaments. Of course, the level is far from comparable.

In the first round, Chen Ran won the game with a score of 6-0 and a score of 6-1.

In the second round, Chen Ran still won the two games with scores of 6-0 and 6-1.

In the third round, Chen Ran's scores were still 6-0 and 6-1.

After three rounds, he easily made it into the top eight.

I rub!

Netizens were also excited.

You are really good at controlling the situation.

In the first three rounds, the opponent kept one serve each time, no more, no less.

Chen Ran played completely as he pleased and could break the opponent's serve whenever he wanted.

However, although the game was one-sided, the audience in Jinling was still very enthusiastic.

All the tickets for tennis matches that Chen Ran participated in were sold out.

But without Chen Ran's tennis matches, especially the men's, the spectator stands were basically deserted.

The contrast is very strong.

In the fourth round, which was the quarter-finals, Chen Ran won both sets with a score of 4 to 1.

In the semi-finals, it was still 6 to 1.

Then in the final, Chen Ran still scored two shocking 6 to 1.

Reporters and audience at the scene: "..."

This ability to control the board is simply perfect.

前面三轮统一都是一个6比0和一个6比1，到了后面三轮统一两个6比1。

The scores were the same in the first three rounds and the last three rounds.

As a result, Chen Ran won the men's tennis singles gold medal very smoothly without any hindrance.

No game lasted more than 50 minutes.

The men's tennis singles gold medal was even hailed as the easiest gold medal to win in this National Games.

As for the second easiest gold medal, everyone agreed that it was the men's 110-meter hurdles.

However, when the men's 110-meter hurdles final officially began, the audience broke out in cold sweats.

For some reason, another famous 110-meter hurdler was particularly excited in today's final, as if he was stimulated, which brought huge pressure to Liu Xiang.

Shi Dongpeng started faster than Liu Xiang, and even left Liu Xiang one body length ahead in the first few hurdles.

Relying on the world's best hurdle technique, Liu Xiang continued to catch up and narrowed the gap between him and Shi Dongpeng.

After completing the tenth hurdle, Liu Xiang and Shi Dongpeng were almost shoulder to shoulder.

In the final sprint, Liu Xiang gritted his teeth and sprinted, finally crossing the finish line first with a slight advantage, winning the gold medal in the men's 110-meter hurdles.

This was not easy and it almost caused his teammates on the national team to create an upset.

Chen Ran, who was watching the game at the scene, touched his chin and smiled.

He seemed to understand something. It seemed that the famous CCTV reporter was going to provoke the other party again.

……

(End of this chapter)