Chapter 22: Completely Contrasting Attitudes on Site, Suspicions Flying Everywhere!
As the athletes from various national swimming teams made their entrance, everyone watching the screen immediately spotted that familiar figure.
The venue erupted into a roar of voices!
No one had expected Wang Xiaoming to actually compete in the swimming event.
This revelation was even more astonishing than his winning a gold medal.
After all, shooting and swimming are entirely different disciplines.
No matter how gifted a person is, it’s nearly impossible to reach a high level in two completely distinct fields.
At that moment, the Chinese audience continued to cheer wildly for Wang Xiaoming.
Yet, no one truly believed he would achieve a good result in swimming.
Just by looking at his physique, he clearly lagged behind the other competitors.
Most of the other male swimmers entered wearing shorts, proudly revealing their solid, chiseled chests and impressive abdominal muscles.
Their well-developed thigh and calf muscles were even more remarkable.
After all, swimmers require coordinated strength throughout their entire bodies.
In contrast, Wang Xiaoming was wrapped up tightly.
Though his build was not frail—he was, after all, a shooter—compared to the swimmers, he seemed much less suited.
With such a disparity in physical prerequisites, could he really perform a miracle again in swimming?
Doubt inevitably crept into everyone’s minds...
At this time, inside the best hospital in the capital of China, Wang Xiaoming’s younger sister, Wang Xiaoya, lay in a luxurious private room, watching the Olympic broadcast on television.
When she saw her brother appear on the screen, she couldn’t help but become overwhelmed with excitement.
“Hey, young lady, calm down, calm down!” The nurse beside her noticed her heart rate spike and quickly reminded her.
Wang Xiaoya smiled but said nothing, secretly taking deep breaths to steady her heartbeat.
“I never imagined that Wang Xiaoming, after achieving a grand slam in shooting, would also compete in swimming. It’s simply unbelievable!” The nurse watched the television alongside Wang Xiaoya.
Since Wang Xiaoya had been transferred to this hospital by higher authorities, no one except the director knew her true identity.
Thus, the nurse was unaware that Wang Xiaoya was Wang Xiaoming’s sister, nor did she know her name.
However, the nurse assigned by the director was certainly discreet and tactful.
She would never pry into matters she shouldn’t know.
Her sole duty was to accompany this girl daily and ensure her emotions did not fluctuate dramatically.
Hearing this, Wang Xiaoya said, “I believe he will definitely win a gold medal!”
The young nurse smiled gently, “Don’t just worship him blindly because he’s handsome. Shooting and swimming are completely different sports, you know!”
Wang Xiaoya shook her head without replying.
Since childhood, she had grown up under her brother’s care.
In her memory, her brother seemed capable of anything.
Every brick and tile in their home, every blade of grass, had been brought there by her brother’s young hands.
She had always believed her brother was a superhero!
Growing up, she realized her brother truly was a superhero!
No matter what she needed, it would appear in her room the next day.
Only this time, he seemed a little slower.
But she was not worried!
She trusted that her brother’s participation in the Olympics was to find medicine to cure her.
“To be honest, I’m not optimistic about him,” the young nurse continued, “Look at the muscles of the other swimmers—they’re huge! He’s good, but compared to them, it just doesn’t measure up!”
Suddenly, Wang Xiaoya spoke up, “I believe in him. He will win the gold!”
The nurse was puzzled. This girl seemed genuinely admiring Wang Xiaoming.
“Alright, alright! If he can win a medal, I’ll ask the director to let you go for a short walk every day!”
“Really?”
“Really!”
Due to her condition, Wang Xiaoya hadn’t been outside for more than a week since entering the ward.
Hearing the nurse’s words, her eyes instantly shone with hope...
Meanwhile, back at the Olympic venue, before Wang Xiaoming entered the arena, he ran into an old friend backstage.
His close buddy, plump Zhang Wei.
At this moment, Zhang Wei had no idea that Wang was about to compete in swimming.
Cheering on the swimmers passing by, his gaze suddenly caught a familiar figure.
“Whoa, Ming Ge, what are you doing here?”
“Ah Wei?” Wang Xiaoming greeted him as he followed the swimming team toward the competition platform, surprised to meet a familiar face.
“So, why are you wearing the swimming team’s uniform?” Zhang Wei was incredulous.
“Why not? I’m about to swim in the competition, so of course I’m wearing it! Anyway, I gotta go!” Wang Xiaoming said and left.
For a moment, Zhang Wei felt as if his mind went blank.
What’s going on?
Ming Ge, the shooting champion, joining the swimming team?
Confused, he watched Wang Xiaoming’s retreating figure and opened his phone.
What he saw next stunned him completely—the internet was flooded with trending news.
Every headline conveyed the same message:
“Shooting grand slam champion Wang Xiaoming to once again represent the country in swimming competitions!”
As Wang Xiaoming appeared on the competition stage, the entire venue erupted in cheers as if a volcano had erupted.
“No way, he’s really wearing the swimming team’s uniform!”
At last, people believed what the shooting team captain Zhao An had said before the event was true!
Wang Xiaoming was truly competing in swimming.
The entire crowd erupted into thunderous applause.
“Xiaoming! Xiaoming! You’re the best in the arena!”
“Xiaoming! Xiaoming! Star of tomorrow!”
“Xiaoming! Xiaoming! Win all the gold!”
The cheers were deafening.
The audience didn’t care how Wang Xiaoming got into the swimming team or whether he could swim well.
To them, Wang Xiaoming was their hero.
After all, having just won five gold medals and still in the honeymoon phase of fame, there were no detractors yet.
Unlike the Chinese spectators, foreign audiences saw it as a joke.
They couldn’t understand China’s swimming team’s strategy.
A shooter competing in swimming?
Even their own strongest swimmers—or at least second-tier swimmers—would easily dominate Wang Xiaoming.
Not to mention, Wang Xiaoming intended to compete in all events?
Ridiculous.
A gift to the competition?
Voices of doubt, ridicule, cheers, and encouragement filled the venue.
Amid the clamor, Wang Xiaoming began his preparations...
The swimming competition officially commenced!
The first event: the 50-meter freestyle!
The ultimate test of explosive power!