Cycling: Racing into the Headwind

Chapter 173: Chapter 124: World-Famous After One Battle (Part 2)

Admittedly, Huang Chong was no match for Chen Junyi when it came to academics, but his achievements in road cycling had already made him the best in Asia.

All in all, the two young people were a golden couple, a perfect match.

However, after watching them in secret for a while, Chen Mingyuan and Zhang Wanqing saw that their relationship was strictly professional. There was no hint of intimacy in their words or actions, which left the parents feeling uncertain.

’Are young people these days all this reserved?’

They recalled how they had gotten together. It all started when Chen Mingyuan was injured during training. His future wife, who worked in the medical field, had taken care of him, and they soon developed feelings for each other. After that, one thing simply led to another.

But Huang Chong and their daughter spent so much time together, day in and day out. They had traveled the world together, through ice and snow, through biting winds and miserable rain. They’d been like this for nearly a year and a half, so how could they have made zero progress?

"Let’s go. The race is over, and we’ve seen how the kid performed. They’ll be busy, so we should head back.

That said, he’s a really impressive young man.

He’s not just tough, like I was in my youth. That fierce drive he has during a race, that willingness to give his all for the win... that’s truly rare."

This time, Chen Mingyuan and his wife left after the race without finding the pair to catch up or offer congratulations, mainly because they didn’t want to waste their time.

Hearing her husband’s praise for Huang Chong, Zhang Wanqing was silent for a long moment before replying with a sigh:

"Sigh... tell me about it. He’s such a great kid. It’s a shame he’s a little dense.

What if Nannan and Huang Chong just stay colleagues forever? It’ll be hard for her to find someone that good again!

Why don’t we find a chance to play matchmaker?"

Chen Mingyuan, who was driving, flinched at her words. His hands jerked, and he almost lost his grip on the steering wheel. He couldn’t help but frown.

"I’d advise you not to meddle. It’ll only backfire.

Kids these days are rebellious. They hate it when people interfere in their personal lives.

Besides, marriage is a matter of fate. You can’t force it.

You should just relax and let them figure it out on their own.

Don’t the monks at Lingyin Temple always say that what’s fated to be will be, and what’s not, won’t?

The fact they met means they were fated to. Whether they’re destined to become a couple, well, that’s another matter entirely."

Seeing her husband spouting all this philosophical nonsense, Zhang Wanqing shot him an annoyed look and pursed her lips.

"You’re so carefree, believing the nonsense from those vegetarians.

I’m telling you, if we miss out on a son-in-law this good, you’ll be kicking yourself later."

Chen Mingyuan was left speechless.

’But,’ he thought, ’when I really consider her words, she has a point.’

’The first time Huang Chong visited, I gave him the cold shoulder.’

’But that was only because I wasn’t ready to accept the fact that my precious daughter was old enough to be dating.’

’Back then, I wouldn’t have given a warm welcome to any young man who showed up at our door.’

’But then I realized the relationship between Huang Chong and my daughter was just a misunderstanding on my part. And Huang Chong’s performance just kept getting better, and his conduct was always so proper. I actually started to admire him.’

’Sigh, a woman’s intuition can be terrifyingly accurate sometimes!’

Chen Mingyuan couldn’t help but marvel silently.

’It’s more reliable than science or metaphysics.’

...

After all the cyclists had finished, Huang Chong changed into a pair of sneakers and headed to the award ceremony.

As a double gold medalist at the Asian Games, he was finally starting to make a name for himself in the road cycling community.

For instance, sites like Zhihu, Hupu, BIKETO, and wildto—and even sports hubs that usually ignored road cycling—were all reporting on his victory.

Of course, the buzz online was nothing compared to the excitement back in his hometown, Xianyun County.

Thanks to his younger siblings proudly sharing the news on their social media over the past few days, the story of him representing the National Team at the Asian Games had spread like wildfire throughout the small county.

The most surprised of all were his former classmates from elementary and middle school, as well as his old teachers.

No one could have imagined that the unremarkable Huang Chong they knew would become a professional cyclist.

Let alone that he would represent the country at the Asian Games and win two gold medals.

The news was as shocking as it was a source of immense pride.

After all, an acquaintance of theirs—someone they actually knew—had become a celebrity.

Then, during the National Day holiday, they purposefully gathered around their TVs to watch the live CCTV-5 broadcast. Seeing Huang Chong compete in the road race and ultimately win with their own eyes confirmed it beyond a doubt: this was indeed the classmate and student they knew.

Later that afternoon, on the day Huang Chong won his second gold medal, the County Secretary personally visited Huang Chong’s home with flowers to congratulate his parents.

This event was like a bombshell dropping on Xianyun County, solidifying the reality of the situation for everyone.

And so, Huang Chong instantly became the talk of Xianyun County. Almost everyone was recounting his incredible story.

Too bad Huang Chong, far away in Hangcheng, was completely oblivious to everything happening back home.

After the award ceremony, he was busy with post-race interviews with the official media, then he hurried back to the city with his teammates for a celebration banquet that evening.

He also made a trip to the bureau to fill out the application for his gold medal bonus.

Once all that was taken care of, he used the day off that Coach Han had specially granted him to visit Chen Junyi’s parents the next day.

After all, he was in Hangcheng, and they had come all the way out to watch him compete. It would be rude not to pay them a proper visit.

After lunch at Chen Junyi’s, he and Chen Junyi left to attend a celebration dinner held specially for him by their friends, Dewey, Wu Fang, and Zhou Ming.

It was a kind gesture from his friends, one he couldn’t possibly refuse.

As for why he brought Chen Junyi along, it was, of course, so she could enjoy the good food, but also to ensure he knew what he could and couldn’t eat, guaranteeing his dietary safety.

What surprised Huang Chong, however, was that Wu Fang’s best friend was at the dinner. He remembered her from his farewell party before he joined the provincial team, and he found it strange that she was here again tonight.

During the banquet, he pulled Dewey aside, pretending they were going to the restroom, and asked him directly:

"What’s the deal, Old Du? Why does Wu Fang’s friend keep showing up at parties for me? I barely know her!"

Dewey listened, then lowered his voice, but he couldn’t suppress a grin.

"You really are clueless, you know that?

She’s the girl Wu Fang wanted to set you up with.

But when you first met, she thought you were just some cyclist and didn’t see you as a serious prospect, so she wasn’t interested.

But now you’ve won gold at the Asian Games, right? You’re a big sports star.

She probably saw the champion group photo we took at the Chun’an Sports Center on Wu Fang’s social media. She came to your celebration party on her own this time; we didn’t invite her.

But don’t worry. She saw you with Coach Chen, figured you were already taken, and probably did a little comparison between herself and the coach. She already slipped out early looking pretty dejected.

Sigh, people are funny, aren’t they? Always so picky at first, completely blind to what’s right in front of them. Then they realize they’re nothing special themselves and are filled with regret!"

Huang Chong had been completely in the dark about all of this.

He knew, however, that Wu Fang had meant well when she tried to set him up, so he couldn’t really complain.

As for the woman’s attitude, that was beyond his control. He didn’t care whether she was interested in him or not.

Besides, he already had someone he was interested in. He definitely wasn’t going to waste his time on a girl like Wu Fang’s friend.

He thought for a moment, then said with a faint smile:

"Well, thank your wife for her kindness for me, but tell her she doesn’t need to do that anymore!"

Dewey paused at that, his eyes sharp. "What do you mean by that? You have someone you like?

Who is she? Who’s so special that she caught the eye of the new Asian King of Cycling and Asian Games champion?"

Before Huang Chong could answer, realization dawned on Dewey’s face. He didn’t look surprised at all as he said:

"I know who it is!

You’re not being straight with me, though, bro. You flat-out denied it last year. What made you change your mind?"

Hearing this, Huang Chong couldn’t help but rub his nose in embarrassment.

"There really wasn’t anything last year. As for this year... maybe feelings just developed over time?"