Chapter 156: Chapter 117: Asia’s Strongest Rider and Two-Time Asian Games ITT Champion Arrives (Part 2)
"Uh—"
Huang Chong hesitated at his cousin’s question.
Perhaps it was due to his personality, but he never told his family—especially his parents—before he left for a competition.
After all, he knew road cycling was an incredibly risky sport. If they saw him crash during a race or something, his parents would surely worry themselves sick.
He usually waited until the race was over, he had finished safely, and had his results before sharing the news with his family.
But this time was different. The Asian Games were taking place during the National Day holiday when the whole country was off. With the government heavily promoting the sporting event, it would be hard for him to go unnoticed, even if road cycling was such a niche sport.
He thought for a moment and decided to just come clean. Besides, with Huang Lingshan’s skills as a veteran internet surfer, she would find out his race information sooner or later anyway. He might as well just tell her.
"Yes, I’m competing. I have two events. One is on October 3rd at 2:00 PM, and the other starts on October 5th at 10:00 AM.
But I have no idea if CCTV will broadcast the road cycling races. Your best bet is to search online for a livestream on the day of the race!"
Huang Lingshan was satisfied with his answer.
"Great, great, I’ll write it down so I don’t forget!
Aunt, Uncle, my cousin said his races are on October 3rd at 2:00 PM and October 5th at 10:00 AM.
I’ll come over and help you find a streaming platform. We’ll all watch my cousin’s race together!!!"
Over the phone, Huang Lingshan’s voice faded in and out. He could tell she had turned to speak to his parents, which made Huang Chong a little nervous.
’Sigh. So this day has finally come.’
Once an athlete started getting results, they were basically a public figure. If he managed to secure a spot on a World Tour Team, he would become famous throughout China’s road cycling community.
After all, a Chinese cyclist joining the World Tour was a sensational event in itself.
In terms of difficulty, it was comparable to a local player joining one of Europe’s top five soccer leagues, or even the NBA.
The only difference was that road cycling’s influence couldn’t compare to that of soccer or basketball.
Not long after he hung up with Huang Lingshan, Huang Chong was in a car heading to the airport to return to Hangcheng when he got another call, this time from Dewey.
"Old Huang, are you still in Qinghai?
The Asian Games have already started! Why aren’t you back in Hangcheng yet?
I saw the entry list for the road cycling events! You’re competing in two events all by yourself—you’re making us brothers proud!!
Wu Fang, Eldest Young Master Zhou, and I have already bought our tickets. We’re all ready to come cheer for you in person!!"
Sitting in the car, Huang Chong couldn’t help but exchange an awkward glance with Chen Junyi, who was beside him, as he listened to his friend’s words.
That’s the thing about phones; unless you’re wearing earbuds, someone close by can still hear the voice from the earpiece, even if it’s not on speaker.
He told Dewey the truth:
"I’m on my way to the airport right now. I should get to Hangcheng tonight!"
"That’s great! Do you need me to pick you up? It’s been over half a year since we last saw each other! Tell me, what do you want to eat tonight? How about a few geoducks? It’s on me, brother! A little pre-race boost!"
Huang Chong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Dewey’s offer. He quickly replied:
"Don’t go to the trouble, Old Du. I can’t meet up with you right now. Someone from the team is picking me up. Let’s see if we have time to get together after the race. I can’t let my guard down right now!"
"Oh, I see. Totally understand. All right then, you focus on what’s important, bro. We’ll see you at the venue!!!"
Dewey liked to talk big, but he wasn’t a real idiot. Hearing that it wasn’t convenient for Huang Chong, he naturally didn’t get upset.
He knew Huang Chong had joined the National Team, so he wouldn’t be as free as he used to be during a competition. He hung up right away without dragging it out.
After taking two calls in a row, Huang Chong was left with complicated feelings.
He truly hadn’t expected that this Asian Games would cause the people around him to pay so much attention to him.
Perhaps his family and friends had always been quietly following him, just without saying anything so as not to affect him.
Seeing the serious look on his face, Chen Junyi, who had overheard most of the conversation, could naturally guess how he was feeling. She thought for a moment before speaking.
"Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, Huang Chong. As an athlete, it’s inevitable that you’ll be in the spotlight until you retire.
And when you have an off day and underperform in a race, countless people will tear into you. That’s all very normal.
But your family and friends are genuinely concerned for you. What you need to do is learn how to turn that genuine care into motivation for your races."
Huang Chong wasn’t worried about his own abilities. He wouldn’t feel intimidated or scared in a race just because his opponents were World Tour Cyclists.
But he truly cared about his family and friends and didn’t want them to worry about him.
Adults always want to show their best side to their loved ones, while choosing to hide everything bad.
Fortunately, he had Chen Junyi, who could always dispel his mental anxieties whenever he was troubled.
This had brought about a significant change in Huang Chong’s mindset, which had originally been that of an ordinary person.
In his profession, he had what could be called an innately strong ability to handle pressure. But applying that same mentality to his personal life was another matter entirely—and not nearly as easy.
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