Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Beep!”
The whistle sounded out as the swimmers bolted into the waters like torpedoes, and water splashed all over.
The 200m Freestyle event had begun!
After Shi Guang entered the waters, she transformed into a fish instantaneously and started swimming in the waters agilely.
The preliminary selection heat was an event that couldn’t be any smaller, and hence, the audience size was pathetic—most of them were just staff or friends and families.
Even though there were cheers, they were few and between.
Zhang Shulin, who was at the sidelines, watched Shi Guang’s figure in the waters intently.
He was still rather pleased with Shi Guang’s initial burst. Should she maintain that momentum, getting the top spot in this group would definitely not be an issue for her.
He was watching with a hawk’s eye, sparing no detail related to every single motion of hers as he recorded them into his notebook.
As for her flipping around in the waters, she still needed a little bit of adjustment and work in that area…
Suddenly, he frowned, and then, his face turned dark. He looked at Shi Guang who was in the waters with an anxious expression.
After flipping around from the first wall, Shi Guang felt a momentary loss of power from her left foot. At that moment, it was as though she could not exert any bit of strength, and her body was sinking… It was a cramp!
She had done sufficient warmups! How could she be cramping now?
Even though it was only for a split second, Shi Guang was still rattled by it.
This was her final chance! If she were to fail… Her mind went slightly blank as her heart could not help but be filled with a sense of dread thereafter. It was as though she was afraid that if she were to use up too much strength, she would cause that unhealthy cramping reaction again. Because of that, she did not dare to go full out and started being fearful in her strokes.
Just as Shi Guang’s head was leaning to the side for her to breathe in, she caught a glimpse of her being left behind by other swimmers.
One after another, they passed her long into the dust… Was she going to lose this final chance of hers?
Zhang Shulin’s face had turned red like a pig’s liver, then black as coal.
What was going on? Just what in the world was going on?
Was it due to nervousness?
But this wasn’t her first competition! Why would she suddenly get nervous?
She was all good and fine during training! Why had she lost her grip right at the critical moment and acted out of sorts?
Suddenly, a voice of pity sounded out beside him, “Seems like your final disciple is going to be eliminated in this preliminary heat.”
Zhang Shulin turned around and saw Head Coach Li of the provincial team. He snorted out coldly and replied firmly, “It’s not even the 100m mark yet. What are you getting hasty about?”
Head Coach Li chuckled out, “This is but a short race—burst speed is important. Be it the first 100m or the last 100m, there mustn’t be any bit of mistake, or one would lose their chance at winning.”
To be honest, Head Coach Li was filled with skepticism towards this final disciple that Zhang Shulin had taken under his wings suddenly. With just a potential and results like that? Hell, he could grab a whole bunch of those out on the streets!
He shook his head and sighed, “Well, I’m sure you understand it clearer than I do. It’s better for you to come to terms with it sooner.”
Zhang Shulin gripped his fist tightly.
That was right, he knew it better than anyone else. However, for just this once, he wished that he knew nothing. He too had no way of accepting that outcome that Head Coach Li had predicted…
It wasn’t just the professionals that had noticed it—the audiences did too.
Chu Mubei frowned and could not help but mutter, “What’s happening? Why has Little Sister Shi Guang suddenly fallen behind?”
Mo Yanzhi could not understand at all as he casually remarked, “Looks as if she can’t swim anymore.”
Can’t swim anymore? She was going to lose? At that moment, Chu Mubei wished that he had thought wrongly. After all, he was just an outsider who knew nothing of the techniques and strategies of competitive swimming.
His gaze instinctively started looking out for Shi Guang’s coach. But, he found out that Zhang Shulin’s face was every bit as shocked as his was… even a little terrible looking.