Chapter 50: The Koreans Kneel! Could Ming Truly Be the Korean Ancestor?
Alongside today’s swimming competition, the women’s diving events were also underway.
Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi secured an excellent result for the Chinese team—winning the gold medal.
During their break at the neighboring venue, they overheard all sorts of rumors from the swimming arena: drug tests, doping scandals, something about Phelps.
All these whispers piqued their curiosity.
Only after the competitions concluded did they learn the full story.
In an instant, they were captivated by Wang Xiaoming’s actions.
At lunch break, they decided to find the swimming team to see this legendary Wang Xiaoming for themselves.
But as soon as they arrived at the entrance of the Chinese swimming training center, they witnessed a scene they would never forget.
“Mr. Ming!”
Several Korean swimmers strode directly up to Wang Xiaoming.
Without a word, they dropped to their knees with a loud smack.
“What the heck is going on? Could Wang Xiaoming be some kind of ancestor to the Koreans?” Quan Hongchan blurted out, always speaking without much filter.
Chen Yuxi shot her a glance. “Don’t say nonsense. If anyone overhears, they’ll think our countries aren’t on good terms!”
After that, she led Quan Hongchan toward Wang Xiaoming.
But halfway there, what happened next shocked them both again.
Wang Xiaoming, looking just as stunned as everyone else, suddenly had several Korean swimmers rush forward.
They were sobbing uncontrollably, trying to cling to his legs.
“Mr. Ming, thank you, thank you so much! We really can’t thank you enough!”
“What exactly are you trying to do?” Wang Xiaoming swiftly dodged their tears and snot, then looked at them with puzzlement.
The Koreans wiped their faces and began chattering rapidly in a mixture of English and Korean.
After a long while, no one could understand a word.
Only toward the end did they catch one phrase: “Wade’s penalty announcement is out!”
Hearing this, although Pan Zhanle and the others didn’t grasp what wailing Koreans had to do with it, they hurried their coach Wang Mu to check the official notice.
Wang Mu quickly retrieved his phone from the cabinet. Sure enough, the final verdict on the incident had been posted.
“They say,” Wang Mu read carefully, then explained to everyone, “several American swimmers have been completely banned from competition. The swimming team coach was also punished—his coaching qualifications revoked.”
“What about the Americans? Only the swimming team got punished?” Pan Zhanle asked.
Wang Mu nodded. “Yeah, the coach took full responsibility, claiming it was his personal decision.”
“That’s nonsense. Without orders from higher-ups, would a coach dare do that alone?” Zhang Zhanshuo said angrily, clearly disbelieving.
“Still, there’s nothing we can do. He’s clearly taking the fall,” Wang Mu shrugged.
Pointing to the Koreans who had just stood up, Pan Zhanle asked, “So what about them?”
Wang Mu explained, “Because the American swimmers are banned, their competition results were nullified.”
“So the rankings moved up, and the Korean swimmers, who were originally fourth place, now have bronze medals!”
Once composed, the Korean swimmers struggled to explain the whole story to Wang Xiaoming and the others.
It turned out that because the American swimmers were disqualified, they were awarded bronze medals.
And because of those bronze medals, they could avoid military service.
Therefore, Wang Xiaoming was like a savior to them.
Hearing this, Pan Zhanle and the others were stunned.
After seeing the Koreans off, Pan Zhanle burst out laughing.
“I say, is it really that serious? Military service is no big deal—why make it sound like a matter of life and death?”
Wang Mu shook his head. “You don’t understand. In Korea, military service really is a life-or-death matter.”
“You might die instantly, but serving in the military could feel worse than death.”
“No way,” Pan Zhanle looked incredulous, then glanced at Quan Hongchan and the others.
“Hongmei, what brings you here?”
Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi looked at Wang Xiaoming and said, “Of course, we came to get your autograph. Did you think we came for you?”
Then, beaming with admiration, they added, “Xiaoming, you’re so strong—how about joining the diving competition in a couple of days?”
Wang Xiaoming was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. “Forget it. Diving is all about skill and scoring. That’s not something I can touch.”
Quan Hongchan and Chen Yuxi knew that these two young women had become huge celebrities.
They had won a gold medal for China in the women’s synchronized diving event.
Plus, their playful personalities had won them countless fans.
“By the way, here’s some more good news!” Coach Wang Mu suddenly said.
“What good news?”
“Xiaoming, you were also fourth place in the 50-meter event, right?” Wang Mu held up his phone. “Since the American who won a medal in the 50-meter race is also on the relay team...”
“So…”
“Oh wow, really? That’s fantastic!” Pan Zhanle immediately realized what this meant.
Wang Xiaoming smiled wryly. It seemed that because the American swimmer was banned and stripped of results, he also moved up to claim a bronze medal.
Sighing, Wang Xiaoming let out a breath.
Pan Zhanle looked at him puzzled. “Xiaoming, why the sigh? You just got another medal!”
Wang Xiaoming shook his head. “Looks like I’m going to have to ease up in future races, or else my pre-competition vow to lose a medal for every finger I raise will be broken!”
Silence.
The whole place fell quiet.
Then came a thunderous round of applause.
“Ming, I have to say, your act is both smooth and elegant!” Pan Zhanle said bluntly, revealing his true thoughts.
Wow, what a show.
So you really want to win every swimming medal, huh?
“Come on, Ming, why don’t you practice your butterfly stroke with me first?” Pan Zhanle said as he prepared to get back in the water to help Wang Xiaoming correct his form.
But Wang Xiaoming waved his hand dismissively, unconcerned.
“No need. I’ve already mastered every swimming stroke!”
Pan Zhanle was left utterly speechless.