Chapter Fifty: Awakening

A farewell for Juno?
What for?
Still confused, Rousseau followed Tian Shiwei to the cafeteria.
There, he saw Juno and Zheng Ni had already arrived.
It was only after a brief conversation that he learned Juno would depart tomorrow for Hainan Province to attend the East Asian Youth Games training camp.
Counting the days, there were 30 left until the East Asian Youth Games began. This timing for training camp was neither too early nor too late; after all, high jump wasn’t a team event, relying on the athlete’s individual ability, so the place hardly mattered.
“We don’t know yet about the coach’s recommendation for us to join the East Asian Youth Games. If it works out, we’ll be able to set out together,” Tian Shiwei said a little wistfully.
“That’s right, the three musketeers battling at the Games together would be amazing,” Juno chimed in, then lifted her cup. “Today, I’ll use tea instead of wine to say temporary goodbyes. I’ll await you at the Games.”
“I won’t be able to make it to the Games, but Juno, you have to bring honor to the country,” Zheng Ni clinked her cup against Juno’s. Her own results weren’t good enough—top ten at the provincial games, maybe she could fight for the national games, but the East Asian Youth Games were out of reach.
“Good luck,” Tian Shiwei toasted Juno.
“Good luck,” Rousseau followed suit.
Rousseau and Juno exchanged a glance and a smile, saying all that needed to be said without words. Though one was a sprinter and the other a high jumper, their goals were the same: Olympic champion. That sacred medal was the shared aim of their efforts.
There was no alcohol at this farewell.
First, athletes should drink as little as possible.
Second, they couldn’t all get leave at the same time to go out for a real farewell.
So they sipped a few glasses of juice, gnawed on some prawns, and counted the send-off complete. Each returned to their dormitory, knowing the next reunion would be either at the Games in a month or in Pengcheng ten days after, when the Games concluded.
Though there was a hint of sentiment, everyone knew there would be a next meeting, so the parting wasn’t too sorrowful.
...
Two days passed.
October 2nd, a day worth remembering.
While the whole city rested for the National Day holiday, Rousseau finally managed to maintain the "acceleration" technique throughout the entire 200-meter sprint.
His "strength" attribute had increased by another point, now at 36, ever closer to his balanced goal.
But "agility" was also about to rise—currently at 39.93.
Rousseau couldn’t control which attribute improved, since most training involved agility. So, to reach balance, he still had work to do.
The increased attribute points and the ability to sustain full acceleration meant Rousseau’s 200-meter results leaped forward.
At the finish line, Tian Shiwei, who crossed second, stared in disbelief at the electronic timer: 21.35 seconds.
“This isn’t possible...”
Indeed, it made no sense.
Rousseau’s current 100-meter result was about 10.65 seconds.
But if his 200-meter time was 21.32 seconds...
Simple math suggested Rousseau’s 200 meters was almost faster than his 100—impossible, since energy must be managed for 200 meters, and no one can sprint at top speed the whole way.
Clearly, this result surprised Coach Lu Jinrong as well. Last run, Rousseau’s 200 was still around 21.70 seconds; now it was 21.35. Was this a fluke?
“Run it again,” Lu Jinrong said.
So they ran again.
This time, Tian Shiwei chased Rousseau hard, determined to show his true strength after being outdone last time.
They crossed the finish nearly side by side, lifting their heads to check the clock.
“21.32” and “21.38.”
Rousseau was faster.
Tsk tsk…
Lu Jinrong looked at his two protégés—had they finally broken through?
They had reached the selection standard for the East Asian Youth Games.
Lu Jinrong originally wanted them to run again, but Rousseau raised his hand in surrender, and Tian Shiwei was also spent. The 200 meters was much more exhausting than the 100, so Lu Jinrong told them to rest and measured again in the afternoon. Both still clocked around 21.30 seconds.
That was a stable result.
And that afternoon, Lu Jinrong finally received news from Shen Peng.
Rousseau and Tian Shiwei’s roles as substitutes for the East Asian Youth Games sprint squad were confirmed.
They could go to the capital for testing. The national coaches had reviewed their records and believed that as long as they performed normally, they’d make the team.
There were 28 days left before the Games.
When Lu Jinrong delivered this news to Rousseau and Tian Shiwei, the two young men erupted in excitement—especially Rousseau, who never expected he’d get to represent his country so soon, even if it was only among nine East Asian nations, and only for those aged 14 to 18.
“You get a day off. The day after tomorrow, report to the capital,” said Lu Jinrong.
“Training in the capital?” Tian Shiwei asked. “I thought it was in Hainan?”
“Different events have different training sites. Sprints are in the capital,” Lu Jinrong replied.
“Oh... then we won’t see old Juno again,” Tian Shiwei said, a little disappointed.

Rousseau felt the same.
...
Though training in Pengcheng was also centralized, you could still get leave to visit home.
This time, they’d be away for over twenty days for camp, plus a week of competition—a total of more than a month. Over thirty days away from home meant there were things to arrange.
Of course, if they were eliminated early and didn’t even make it past the preliminaries, they could come home sooner—but who would wish for that?
Rousseau spent his day settling matters for Lu Xiaoyu. The family had a phone installed now, so they agreed to call daily to check in. He also invited the landlord for a meal—not out, just a few dishes at home.
Rousseau offered the old man a glass of wine, thanking him for taking care of Lu Xiaoyu. Though Rousseau tried to pay, the old man refused—“It’s not about money.” This kindness, Rousseau would never forget.
And when he learned Rousseau would represent the country at the East Asian Youth Games, the elderly landlord, after hearing all about the event, shared three drinks with Rousseau, then made just one request: “Kid, you listen to me—whatever you do, don’t lose to the Japanese!”
Seeing the hope in the old man’s eyes, Rousseau nodded solemnly.
...
Before departure,
Lu Jinrong spoke with both Rousseau and Tian Shiwei separately.
He paid special attention to Rousseau.
Lu Jinrong knew Rousseau had a strong competitive streak, but his current sprint level, while above average nationally, was not top-tier. Competing internationally, he would have to remember: winning and losing are both part of the game.
“Our country isn’t strong in track and field, especially in men’s sprints. At the East Asian Youth Games, just reaching the finals is cause for celebration. So don’t pressure yourself, just do your best—the main thing is to gain experience.”
Rousseau understood that Coach feared a setback would crush his confidence, so he nodded. Though he only held a “visitor’s pass,” Rousseau was the type to seize any opportunity for greatness. He was not content with a one-round exit.
“In addition, I’ve negotiated a contract for you,” said Lu Jinrong. “About the sponsorship I mentioned last time—the brand is now willing to offer you this amount.”
He produced a contract. The sponsor was a major local supermarket chain in Pengcheng, Rousseau the signee, and the sum was five times what was previously discussed. Rousseau, seeing so many digits, felt a bit dizzy.
This contract was almost an endorsement deal. Usually, the brand signed with the city team, who then allocated portions to athletes. That way, the division could be fifty-fifty, sixty-forty, or even eighty-twenty.
In the eighty-twenty split, the athlete got the “twenty”—the team or the sports bureau got the “eighty,” counted as team advertising revenue, which meant it went into the public funds.
Lu Jinrong refused to play that game. First, the Pengcheng sprint team was well-funded; second, in his view, such practices amounted to taking money from the athletes’ pockets—hardly fair to these kids.
Rousseau didn’t fully understand, but his teammates did, and Rousseau knew Lu Jinrong genuinely looked out for them. Still, Rousseau had an idea.
“Coach, if I get a good result at the Games—make the finals, maybe win a medal—do you think the sponsorship amount could go even higher?” Rousseau asked.
Hmm? Lu Jinrong regarded his proud disciple.