Chapter 12: Holding Up Four Fingers, Meaning I Will Win Four Gold Medals!
As everyone awaited Wang Xiaoming’s response, they saw him hold up five fingers to the camera. The reporter thought he was greeting the crowd and quickly signaled the cameraman for a close-up on Wang Xiaoming’s handsome face. But then, to everyone’s surprise, Wang slowly lowered his thumb, leaving only four fingers raised.
“Are you saying you’re going to compete in the remaining four events?” the reporter guessed sharply.
Instantly, the livestream exploded! The trending rumors were true. Wang Xiaoming was truly going to participate in all the men’s individual shooting events.
This was unbelievable! One person’s energy was limited. How could he possibly perform well in so many events?
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”
“I thought it was a joke, but he really means it?”
“This is a bit much. Entering all events—doesn’t that take away chances from his teammates?”
“If he doesn’t win any medals in the end, won’t he be heavily criticized for hogging all the spots?”
But then Wang shook his head at the camera and said, “That’s not what I mean. What I mean is... four gold medals!”
!!!!
“Arrogant!”
“So cocky, but I like it!”
“If you’re going to brag, you better back it up; otherwise, it’s just embarrassing!”
“Exactly, so wild—Wang Xiaoming really lives up to his nickname!”
“Haha, I admit winning the first gold was impressive, but dreaming of all four more golds? That’s just delusional!”
At once, the entire audience was blown away. Everyone instinctively thought Wang Xiaoming was just showing off. Coupled with his earlier confident demeanor during competition, they immediately crowned him the “King of Show-Offs.”
...
In a residential complex in Magic City, China, a man was smiling as he watched himself on TV. He was Fu Quanzhi, who sixteen years ago helped China win its first shooting gold medal. Back then, after winning the first gold, he was full of pride and eager to continue competing in the following shooting events. But unlike Wang Xiaoming, he wasn’t so presumptuous as to enter them all; he only competed in the 25m rapid fire pistol event.
...
Unfortunately, despite good intentions, reality was harsh. After winning that first gold, he should have ended on a high note with the applause and flowers waiting for him. But in the 25m rapid fire, overwhelmed by excitement, he lost control of his mindset and ended up at the bottom of the rankings. The gold medalist finishing last in the next event—anyone hearing that would scoff. Worse, before the event, he had confidently declared he would secure China’s second gold medal.
Instantly, online criticism surged. In his prime, he was forced to retire.
So when he saw Wang Xiaoming on TV, he felt as if he was looking at his younger self—youthful and reckless, naive and exuberant.
“Is a gold medal something you can get just by wanting it?” He shook his head, switched channels, unwilling to watch Wang’s potential failure, as it would remind him too much of himself.
...
Meanwhile, at the venue, the atmosphere had already erupted. Watching the arrogant Wang Xiaoming on the big screen, spectators from other countries began hurling insults.
“Fuck you, Xiaoming Wang!”
“Get out!”
“Out! Out! Out!”
Shouts demanding Wang be kicked out rose again and again. But the Chinese audience stood united. When facing foreign adversaries, they knew they must stand together.
Thus, the scene became a fierce exchange of insults between Chinese and foreign spectators, including curses targeting each other’s ancestors.
Though the Chinese had a rich vocabulary of insults, the sheer number of foreign spectators drowned out their voices. Even the loudest Chinese fans, like the stout man, lost their voices yet were still overwhelmed by the crowd’s noise.
Fortunately, the event organizers stepped in to maintain order; otherwise, the brawl might have gone on indefinitely.
Still, as Wang Xiaoming passed by the stands, many foreign spectators continued to shout at him angrily—calling him names like “beach” and “sun” and worse.
One foreign woman boldly pushed to the front and gave Wang the middle finger, shouting, “Fuck you, bitch Wang! Fuck your mom! Fuck your...”
Seeing this broad-faced foreign woman, Wang’s gaze turned cold. He instinctively scanned his surroundings, then realized this wasn’t the place to start a fight.
He simply said, “Broad-faced,” and walked away.
The woman, obviously not understanding Chinese, only grasped the insult after her companion explained, which instantly sent her into a rage. She nearly jumped off the stands but was held back in time, avoiding an incident.
Everyone knew lies don’t wound hearts; only the truth cuts deep. Clearly, Wang’s words struck a nerve with the foreign woman.
The entire scene was witnessed by the Chinese audience, who silently hoped for Wang Xiaoming’s success.
“Brother Ming, you must win a medal—show these foreigners who’s boss!”
“If you win, Brother Ming, you’ll be the father of all these foreigners!”
“Damn right we can’t stand this! Go, Brother Ming, shut their foul mouths!”
Everyone cheered him on.
No one wanted their nation to be looked down upon by foreigners.
Four Olympic Games without medals? So what?
This time, we will claim the first gold as soon as we compete!
Not content with just the first, we aim to sweep all the shooting golds!
Soon, as the preparation whistle blew, athletes from all countries began readying themselves—checking and adjusting their equipment.
Only Wang Xiaoming sat still in his seat, motionless.
No one dared disturb him, knowing that before the competition, a competitor’s focus and spirit must remain untouched. Whatever he did was his own business. Interrupting him might cost him the gold medal!
The first event was naturally the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol.
At 25 meters, using a small-caliber rapid-fire pistol, shooters must fire 60 rounds quickly at a target. Every five shots make a group, with time limits of 8, 6, and 4 seconds per group. The target’s appearance and disappearance are electronically controlled, greatly increasing difficulty.
There was hardly time to aim carefully. As soon as the target appeared, bullets had to pour out.
Soon, at the sound of the whistle, the competition began...