[Short track speed skating] From academic master to Winter Olympic champion

When Gu Changfeng and Xu Mei heard their son was back, they drove to the provincial capital early in the morning.

Although it was less than two hours' drive from city C to the provincial capital, they couldn't wait to see their precious son after almost a month.

When the couple received their son, one gestured on top of Gu Ran's head to see if he had grown taller, and the other squeezed his arm, saying that he had met a lot.

Gu Ran didn't look excited when she saw her parents, but rather worried.

Gu Changfeng put his luggage into the trunk: "Little heartless, your parents miss you every day at home, you see we are not enthusiastic at all."

Gu Ran gave her parents a hug, with "forced to open" written all over her face.

He sat in the back row of the car, fell down, put his hands behind his head, and stared at the small piece of cloud outside the skylight in a daze.

Xu Mei couldn't help reminding him: "Sit down and put on your seat belt."

Gu Ran sat up calmly, fastened her seat belt, and leaned against the car window again.

Gu Changfeng glanced at him from the rearview mirror, and said with a doting smile, "Hey, is our champion worried?"

Gu Ran nodded: "A little bit."

"Speak and listen."

Gu Ran shook her head: "I don't want to say it yet."

"It's okay, you can talk about it when you want." Gu Changfeng said with a smile, "I have a surprise for you after returning home, and you will feel better when the time comes."

Gu Ran looked out the window: "This is not the way to get on the highway."

"No, your mother said to go shopping and buy you two new clothes for the New Year."

So, when they got home, the trunk was full.Xu Mei bought more food and clothing for the family of three than Gu Ran's luggage.

After arriving home, Gu Ran took a shower and sat in front of the desk.I took a set of cloze and filled in the blanks and started to do the questions.

After a while, Xu Mei walked in with fruit: "I will start studying when I come back, and I won't take a break."

Gu Ran said: "For me, studying is also a kind of rest."

Xu Mei suddenly asked: "Then do you prefer skating or studying?"

"..."

After chatting with Xu Qing in the morning, Gu Ran has been asking herself this question repeatedly.

Until now, there is no answer.

As long as he can remember, he grew up surrounded by everyone's praise.When he was in kindergarten, the teacher praised him for being good-looking, cute and beautiful.

After school, the teacher praised him for his excellent studies, smart and hardworking.

He began to practice short track speed skating in a muddleheaded way. Jiang Yan often said that he was a rare genius who was rewarded by God.

This is an exaggeration. It has not been 100 years since the birth of short track speed skating, and it has been an even shorter time to become an Olympic sport.

When he first started practicing short track speed skating, he had other thoughts.Not to mention that he won the Olympic champion and was directly recommended, at least he could get extra points in the college entrance examination.

After practicing for a long time, he really likes it, and he can experience endless fun from it-the fun of fighting wits and courage between people.

He enjoys the satisfaction of surpassing his opponent, whether it is in learning or on the ice.

He never thought of giving up his studies because of short track speed skating, because learning is not a burden for him, but a pleasure.

But now, he couldn't let go of short track speed skating.

"Xiao Ran," Xu Mei patted Gu Ran's shoulder suddenly, "You will start school in the next year, the last semester of junior high school, take care."

Gu Ran said, "Mom, when did I let you worry about my studies?"

"Yes, yes, you have always been very good, mother knows."

"What are you two talking about?" Gu Changfeng leaned against the door and looked at the mother and son with a pleasant smile, "Son, show your gold medal to your parents."

Speaking of this, Gu Ran's mood immediately improved. Not only did she show them the gold medal, but she also took out her mobile phone and showed them the game video at that time.

The couple watched the video back and forth several times, Xu Mei pointed to the few people nearby and asked, "They look much older than you, why are you in the same group?"

"The new regulations this time, a group of 14-16 years old, they are all 16 years old this year, two years older than me."

Gu Changfeng rubbed his hair: "You can win the championship, it seems that my son is really a genius."

Gu Ran chuckled, pointed at Chi Lang and said, "Everyone was optimistic about this guy before the game. The first night, I watched his game video dozens or hundreds of times, and found out that he has a habit."

"What habit?"

"He is tall and big, and he likes to take advantage of his body to get a position. I don't want to compete with him. When he comes out of the corner, he will subconsciously adjust his center of gravity. This is the best time to overtake him."

Gu Ran was not in a very high mood all day today, but now he was very interested in talking about the competition, and happily explained to them how he won the championship in an upset when he was not favored.

It is not difficult for the couple to see that their son really likes short track speed skating.

Gu Changfeng suddenly brought a big box in from the outside: "Son, come and see the surprise Dad gave you."

"What is this, the new Lego?" Gu Ran opened the box as he said that, and found a new pair of skates and a pair of skates inside.

Gu Ran took out his skates, the carbon fiber material was almost weightless in his hand.

Gu Changfeng saw his son couldn't put it down, so he knew that he liked this gift: "The arc of the skates is also selected according to your requirements, but you have to install them on the skates according to your own needs."

Gu Ran nodded again and again: "Thank you, Dad."

Xu Mei looked at her husband with disdain: "You really know how to please your son."

Gu Ran held his brand new skates and looked at them again and again, not forgetting to help his father: "Isn't it the price of a bag of yours."

This year, Gu Ran had a good life and took a lot of lucky money.When the relatives in the family heard that he had won the championship, they took turns to praise him again.

Especially uncle and aunt, Fei pulled him and asked him to give advice to his little cousin when he was free.

The little cousin was not selected for the listed team, and now he is practicing with a club.

Before school started, Gu Ran went to see Jiang Yan once.

What Xu Qing told him, he didn't even mention it to his parents, but he told Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan held the teacup: "I told you before you went, you can't have it both ways."

Gu Ran curled her lips: "You can't have both, why did you choose me?"

Jiang Yan smiled and said, "You are talented. When I see talented players, I will naturally try my best to dig them out. Maybe I can cultivate an Olympic champion."

"Master," Gu Ran put his chin in both hands, and asked Jiang Yan seriously, "Do you really think I can become an Olympic champion in the future?"

"I don't know," Jiang Yan took a sip of tea, "but I hope you can."

"Talent is just a seed, it needs blood and tears to water it."

"You have the talent to become an Olympic champion, but it depends on whether you are diligent and focused enough."

These words made Gu Ran feel inexplicable throbbing in his heart, and he firmly remembered them in his heart.

As soon as school started, Gu Ran received good news. Because of his excellent grades, he had been admitted by the school's high school in advance.

City C is not big, there are only two best high schools, and Gu Ran's school is one of them.

In the evening, he also received a call from another high school.In order to grab a high-quality student like him, the other party offered more generous conditions, saying that he would be the focus of training him as a seedling in Qingbei, and he was also given a high scholarship.

Gu Ran didn't immediately agree, nor did he expressly refuse. This semester has just started, so he is not in a hurry.

Although you don't have to worry about the senior high school entrance examination, you still have to study.

Thus, Gu Ran resumed her routine of going to school during the day and skating at night and on weekends.

The students are all sprinting for the high school entrance examination, and he is also working hard for another goal.

On the first day of training, he mentioned to Jiang Yan: "Master, I want to start practicing 1000 meters."

All along, Gu Ran's explosive power is better than her endurance, so she practiced 500 meters from the beginning.

"Why do you suddenly remember to practice 1000 meters?"

Gu Ran didn't say that he wanted to compete with Chi Lang, but said: "I want to qualify for the National Short Track Speed ​​Skating Championships next year."

Jiang Yan has worked in this industry for decades. When he was young, he was full of energy and often led teams out to participate in competitions.He still knows the rules of the game and promotion.

"Qualification for the national championship depends on the all-around ranking in the elite league, so we have to hurry up and start practicing."

At the beginning of March, the provincial team came to notice that a new training session will start on the 15th, which will last for two weeks, and will participate in the competition in Qingdao at the end of the month.

Gu Ran will sprint 1000 meters with all his strength every day in training, and his performance in the first 500 meters is very good, even surpassing his performance in the final.

But in the last two laps, his speed dropped sharply due to exhaustion, and his single-lap results in the next two laps were not ideal.

Jiang Yan handed the stopwatch in front of his eyes. Gu Ran took a look and frowned: "1:47, according to the results of the competition in Shanghai, this won't even make it to the semi-finals."

Jiang Yan was surprised: "You didn't even participate in the 1000-meter race, but you still remember the results of the semi-finals?"

Gu Ran took off his helmet and wiped the sweat from his forehead: "I can remember everything I have seen on purpose."

"Xiaoran," Jiang Yan put away the stopwatch, and suddenly asked a separate question, "Last time, you said that if you get a good grade in the final exam, you will be admitted in advance by the high school of your school. Is it settled?"

Gu Ran shook her head: "Not sure."

"The grades are not ideal?"

"It's ideal, but I'm just thinking about which high school to go to."

"..."

Jiang Yan was too lazy to chat with him: "If you want to practice 1000 meters, you must first strengthen your physical fitness, and then you need systematic training and professional guidance. Now you go to school and train at the same time, and you can't meet this condition."

Gu Ran raised her head: "Master, you mean... let me go to the provincial team for training."

"That's right, there will be competitions for the next three consecutive months. If your admission to higher education has been confirmed, then stay in the provincial team for training."

Gu Ran asked: "Isn't it something you suddenly thought of?"

Jiang Yan was taken aback: "How to say?"

Gu Ran shrugged noncommittally: "Where is the provincial team, how can I go if I want?"

"You are sharp. Xu Qing called me yesterday."

On the way back to the locker room, Gu Ran didn't speak.Jiang Yan also understood his contradiction and did not urge him to give an answer.

Until I changed my clothes and walked out of the skating hall.Jiang Yan couldn't bear to see him so entangled, so he said, "Don't think too much, he just asked you to practice for a few months, and he didn't say that you should decide whether to join the provincial team now."

Speaking of this, Jiang Yan couldn't help snorting: "Things that others can't ask for, become a burden for you instead."

"Master, you said that you can't have your cake and eat it too. Director Xu also said that if you join the provincial team, you will be a professional athlete. You will receive a national subsidy and work hard for the honor of the motherland."

"Let me tell you the truth, I want to practice speed skating, but I don't want to give up my studies. I have to find a way to solve this problem."

When he said the last sentence, his face was full of determination, and there seemed to be light in his eyes.It's not like talking to the master, but it seems to be talking to himself.

Jiang Yan couldn't help being moved by it: "Okay, there are still a few months anyway, and I will help you find a way."

When he got home, Gu Ran told his parents about the matter. As expected, his father agreed with both hands, and his mother voted against it.

But Gu Changfeng doesn't have much decision-making power at home, so Xu Mei has to decide this matter.

So, Gu Ran started to cooperate with his father, trying hard to persuade his mother: "We have all finished classes, and now we mainly review and prepare for the senior high school entrance examination. Your son, the two best high schools are vying for it."

Gu Changfeng said: "If the child likes it, let him go. After entering high school, he will not be so free."

Xu Mei glared at him: "If you don't go to class for half a year, will he be able to adapt to high school?"

"Yes!" Gu Ran patted her chest, "You have to have confidence in your son, your son is a top student in others' mouths."

Xu Mei said, "You'll be gone for three months, so I won't be able to see you for three months."

As soon as Gu Ran heard that there was something interesting, she immediately rushed over and leaned on her mother's shoulder to act like a baby: "Every Sunday is off, you can come to the provincial capital to see me."

Xu Mei looked at him: "Didn't you say that you are not interested in short track speed skating?"

Gu Ran leaned over and acted like a baby: "I'm interested now, very interested."

Xu Mei has nothing to do with him: "Then you have to take care of yourself, remember to call your parents if you have anything to do, be careful during training, don't get hurt, you understand?"

"Yeah! I remember." Gu Ran rubbed her forehead on her shoulder, "Mom, you are the best."

The person who had been firmly on his side was not happy: "Your father supports you wholeheartedly, and he didn't hear a single word 'good' from you."

When Gu Ran returned to the provincial team, the first person he saw was Xu Qing, who was just downstairs from the apartment.

He asked: "Director Xu, can I still live with Brother Gao and the others?"

Xu Qing nodded: "Come on, anyway, you will train together in the future, it's convenient to live together."

"Ah?" Gu Ran was confused, "You mean..."

Xu Qingchao smiled kindly at him: "I am easy to get along with."

"Yes... is it?"

Gu Ran looked at the smile on his face, no matter how he looked at it, he felt that he had malicious intentions.