Chapter 105
Chapter 105 – Like a pervert (Translated and edited by Xing)
Before coming to Yun City, Tang Xue was viewed to hold equal chances of placing first as Zhang Yuewei and Pang Shuangshuang for the 500 metres event . This was due to her excellent results for recent competitions .
However, after learning about Li Yubing’s condition, Coach Chu no longer placed high hopes in Tang Xue . It was enough for her if Tang Xue did not give up halfway through the race . Before the competition, she gave Zhang Yuewei numerous pointers and instructions . However, she only had one sentence for Tang Xue . “Relax and don’t feel stressed . ”
In the end, one after another, Zhang Yuewei and Pang Shuangshuang ran into problems . Zhang Yuewei committed a mistake and fell out of the lane in the quarterfinals . As for Pang Shuangshuang, in the semi-finals, while putting her hand down on the ice as she turned the corner, she accidentally caught the Italian skater behind her who was trying to overtake forcefully . Both contestants were disqualified for committing a foul .
On the contrary, it was Tang Xue who—under everyone’s sympathetic gazes—slid her way silently into the “A” final .
Coach Chu had the inexplicable feeling that heaven was fooling with her .
However, when the full name list of the finals was released, nearly all of the Chinese coaches despaired .
—Out of the four people in the “A” final, three were Koreans .
The general practice of Korea’s sports industry was not good . Often, they would use crooked means and shady tactics that went against sportsmanship in order to ensure victory . One example was that referees would make biased calls in football matches . Another example was that in badminton matches, they would use the air conditioning to control the wind direction and help their country to score…
In short, slews of underhand and shameless methods were involved .
This sort of malpractice extended to Korea’s ice sports as well . Korea’s speed skating team was strong . However, their ability to carry out dirty tricks was top-notch as well . Their ice blades had impeded numerous athletes . If there were two Korean athletes in the same competition, one would be responsible for interfering with the other contestants and ensuring that his or her teammate place first . This was their modus operandi .
Now, Tang Xue was going up against three Koreans herself .
The coaches all felt disheartened . How was this still a competition—she should be focused on surviving the race!
Before the competition started, Coach Chu ran through with Tang Xue where and how she could be possibly targeted .
Today, Tang Xue was quieter than usual . After listening to Coach Chu, she merely nodded and did not even speak .
Coach Chu exhaled a light sigh . “Off you go . Remember, safety comes first . ”
Tang Xue gave another nod .
She went up onto the rink .
She was assigned the first lane as she had the best result in the semi-finals . When the live commentator announced her name, the audience sounded with wild applause .
After all, it was China’s home ground . The Chinese audience made up a large part of the crowd .
Tang Xue’s face was expressionless as she skated to the starting line . Before getting into the starting position, she suddenly closed her eyes and raised both hands, bringing her palms to her lips .
Most people thought that she was kissing her palms . Only one person knew that that was not the case .
She was kissing the gloves . This chapter is a labour of love that should not be found outside of teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com .
One by one, the athletes’ names were announced . Each of them arrived at the starting line .
The atmosphere was tense and almost no one spoke . The huge stadium was silent .
The television commentator was silent as well .
The gun went off .
It was as if Tang Xue had installed a sound-activated switch on her body . She tore out almost the exact moment that the gun went off . In the blink of an eye, she was in the lead and increasing the distance between her and the second skater .
Then, bit by bit, that distance was pulled even further apart .
She dominated the race and left everyone else in the dust .
Commit a foul? You’ll have to catch me first .
The audience’s cheers were enough to quake the ground and shake mountains . The television commentator hollered, “Tang Xue, go for it! Maintain your edge! Hold it steady!… There’s only one round left! Hold it steady, hold it steady… Ah! Well done, beautiful! Congratulations, Tang Xue, congratulations to her! This first place did not come easy…”
The commentator suddenly teared up .
Everyone knew what this girl had experienced from yesterday until now . They knew the massive pressure she shouldered while facing this competition . When the competition name list was released, everyone’s sympathy towards her outweighed their anticipation . Most people had already helped to come up with excuses for her in their hearts .
But not her .
So what if the pressure was great? So what if the entire Korean team meant to sabotage her?
Go ahead .
I’m, not, afraid .
“Congratulations to Tang Xue . ” The guest of the broadcast was a retired athlete . Her comments were more collected than the commentator but her eyes had dampened as well . “The new generation is ushering in a new era indeed . In her, I see the light of this generation’s skaters . ”
……
After the panel of judges verified the results, Tang Xue skated across the ice while draped in the red flag with five stars . This was the winner’s privilege . She was naturally satisfied after winning . However, she was not overly agitated nor excited . It was as if her soul was left in the hospital and she was unable to raise her spirit no matter what she did .
As she skated along while draped in the flag, she waved towards the audience mechanically . Of course, the focus of her waves was still the Chinese audience .
The Chinese audience waved the flags in their hands back at her vigorously .
The stands were packed with people . Sweeping her eyes across it from the distance, Tang Xue naturally was unable to differentiate who was who .
However, a particular head attracted her attention .
Bright, it was really too bright…
It was a bald head with no hair . The light-coloured head stood out from its surroundings like a yellow soybean that had made its way into a pile of black beans . What was more, the bald head reflected light as well… It gave the impression that though it was all heads, his head was several times brighter than the rest .
This was a dude that came with his own holy light effect!
Tang Xue could not resist giving the baldy a second look .
With this second look, she was stunned .
Li Yubing sat in the stands, his gaze clear and gentle . It passed through the crowd and landed on her .
Tang Xue looked in his direction and suddenly broke into silent tears . She could not stop the tears from falling and two obvious streaks of tears ran down her face .
“What happened?” The staff working on the television broadcast was puzzled . The director instructed the cameraman, “Quick, turn the camera in that direction to see what she’s looking at . ”
The cameraman accurately captured the baldy in the crowd . This was not due to his professional experience . Rather… it was simply too eye-catching…
Presently, the television channel had already cut to the post-match commentary . When they heard what was going on, they immediately cut back to the live scene .
When the commentator saw the bald head in the stands, he asked in an uncertain voice, “Is that Li Yubing? I think it is…?”
After confirming, the commentator looked at the IV rack beside Li Yubing . He pressed down the suspicions in his heart and gave a heartfelt sigh . “He’s still so good-looking even without hair . ”
……
Tang Xue came back to her senses, wiped her tears and left the rink . After claiming her prize, she rushed to the lounge hurriedly .
Li Yubing was there indeed .
He sat in a wheelchair with one hand resting on the armrest . His wrist was connected to a drip and there was an IV rack beside him .
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Tang Xue made her way towards him, her steps measured and taken with care . She was deeply afraid that she would accidentally shatter the image in front of her . When she was in front of him, she stretched out her hand and touched his face .
Mm, there was warmth . He was real .
Li Yubing’s eyes were affectionate as he raised his head and looked at her .
Tang Xue cupped his face and scrutinized his head . His head was intact without any signs of a stitched wound .
She was a little puzzled . “Didn’t you undergo surgery?”
“The doctor said that there’s no need . ”
“That’s great . I was scared to death . Last night, I dreamt that you became brain-damaged . ”
Li Yubing was quite touched during the first half of her sentence . When he heard the latter half, he sputtered and raised his hand to pinch her hand .
Tang Xue plucked the gold medal off her neck and gathered its ribbon before passing it to him . Her actions were docile, like a primary school student handing in her homework .
This was the most important medal that she had won since she started . Li Yubing put the medal into his pocket and beckoned her over with a finger . “Come here . ”
“For?” Tang Xue bent down and looked at him .
“Closer . ”
Tang Xue bent down a little more . Li Yubing leaned over and kissed her .
“Your reward . ” He smiled .
Tang Xue’s heart fizzed with sweetness . She straightened up and touched her lips . Suddenly hearing movements at the door, she turned towards it and found several heads peeking at them . She recognized some but not all of the faces .
Her face immediately reddened . “Uncle, auntie…”
Mama Li beamed . “Please, continue . Don’t mind us . ”
After she said this, everyone pulled back their heads .
Tang Xue: = =
Li Yubing raised his voice in the direction of the door . “Go back first . ”
Tang Xue did not have any more competitions that day . She called Coach Chu to give her a heads up before returning to the hospital with Li Yubing . On the way back, Mama Li told Tang Xue, “Do you know the first thing he said when he woke?”
Tang Xue glanced at Li Yubing and made a logical guess . “Where’s my hair?”
“Hahaha!” Mama Li burst into wild laughter .
Everyone else in the car smiled as well . However, they stifled their laughter out of consideration for the patient .
Li Yubing felt that the two most important women in his life were taking turns to stab his heart . There was no meaning left to life .
He gave Tang Xue his meanest stare .
Tang Xue knew that she had guessed wrongly . She asked Mama Li, “What exactly did he say?”
“He said…”
Li Yubing stopped her . “You’re not allowed to say . ”
“Fine, fine, I won’t say . ” Mama Li soothed . She carried on to scoot over to Tang Xue’s ear and raised a hand to shield her mouth .
Li Yubing stressed again, “You’re not allowed to say . ”
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“Gosh, don’t worry . I just want to share something with Tang Xue . ” As Mama Li said this, she turned back and said to Tang Xue secretly, “The first thing he said when he woke was ‘where’s Tang Xue?’”
……
Back at the hospital, Li Yubing returned to the hospital bed obediently . When only the two of them were left in the room, he looked at her serenely for a moment . Then, he suddenly said, “Have two kids, with the older one called Eggy and the younger one called Eggy Number 2?”
Tang Xue, “………”
She blinked subconsciously and pretended to be confused . “Ah?”
“It’s been so many years and the way you name things has not improved at all . ”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying . ”
“The way you get nervous from guilt hasn’t changed at all as well . ”
Tang Xue raised a brow . “I haven’t changed but you’ve changed . ”
“Oh? How have I changed?”
“You’ve become bald . ”
“…”
K . O . This chapter is a labour of love that should not be found outside of teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com .
Li Yubing’s sullen expression made Tang Xue softened . After all, he was still on a drip . She extended an olive branch and asked, “You were awake?”
“No . ”
“Then how did you hear what I said?”
Li Yubing thought for a moment and quirked his lips . “I thought I was dreaming . I was testing you . ”
Wow, how presumptuous of you, young man .
Tang Xue gritted her teeth and stared at him with narrowed eyes .
Li Yubing felt that she was incredibly adorable like this . He tugged her hand . “Don’t be angry . ”
“Li Yubing, I’m going to bash your dog head when you’ve recovered . ”
“I’m different from you in this . ”
“Oh?”
Li Yubing gave a meaningful smile . “When I’ve recovered, I’m going to shower you with love . ”
……
Li Yubing made a speedy recovery . He was ready to be discharged after being on a drip for a week . In the same week, Tang Xue finished the women’s 3000 metres relay and won yet another gold medal .
Li Yubing’s bald photo was posted onto the internet . It was received well and netizens felt that Li Yubing’s looks were so outstanding that it could withstand anything .
After finishing the 3000 metres relay, Tang Xue was idle . She would head to the hospital to find Li Yubing every day . She took lots of photos of him as mementos and edited those photos after she was done . From male to female and old to young, she photoshopped all kinds of hairstyles onto Baldy Bing .
Li Yubing accidentally saw it and felt his blood pressure shot up .
Once, Tang Xue posted a photo of a baldy looking into a mirror on Weibo . She attached the following caption:
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—Mirror, mirror, on the wall . Who’s the hottest baldy of them all?
—Of course it’s Li Yubing!
The comments were flooded with laughter and everyone was extremely amused . Many people mimicked the format of this post and sent out similar Weibo posts of their own . The phrase “Hottest Baldy Li Yubing” even trended .
Li Yubing silently recorded all the ‘good’ things that Tang Xue did onto the little booklet in his heart . Just she waits . When he was better, he would settle all these ‘bills’ with her .
……
The day he left the hospital, Li Yubing’s parents had already gone back . Tang Xue accompanied him to be discharged and they went back to the hotel .
Jiang Shijia ended that day’s competition early . Presently, he was in the hotel bathroom . It was still day and the sunlight was bright . Thus, he did not insert the hotel key card .
Tang Xue and Li Yubing did not discover him and thought that no one was in the room .
Jiang Shijia was playing with his phone as he sat on the toilet . He heard the room door open and the sound of footsteps, followed by Tang Xue’s voice .
“Let me touch it for a bit . ”
“No . ” Brother Bing’s voice was firm .
Holy crap! Jiang Shijia felt that this was way too exciting . It was as if a narrator spoke into his ears: Welcome, to the World of Adults .
Tang Xue persisted, “Let me touch it for a bit . There’s no one here . There’s no need to be shy . ”
Jiang Shijia’s eyes widened . Sis-in-law is so open-minded!
Brother Bing still refused . “No . ”
Sigh, Brother Bing, why not just give in…
“Please, Li Yubing . Pretty please . ” Tang Xue began to coax and turn on her charm .
Li Yubing finally gave in . “Just one touch . ”
Jiang Shijia raised his hand and covered his mouth . Don’t listen, it’s impolite . Don’t look, it’s impolite…
Li Yubing, “Enough . ”
Tang Xue, “A little more, a little more! Don’t move! Mm hmm, it feels so good!”
Li Yubing, “You’re like a pervert right now . ”
The curiosity was killing Jiang Shijia . Why was Brother Bing so unwilling? What was sis-in-law doing to him?
Just what in the world is going on? He could not imagine what was happening even with his video experiences .
I’m sorry, Brother Bing . I’ll just take one look to satisfy my curiosity . Jiang Shijia apologized silently to the two people outside . Then, he neatened up and climbed into the bathtub . Stealthily tugging one corner of the shower curtain aside, he looked into the bedroom through the glass wall .
Presently, both Li Yubing and Tang Xue were sitting on the bed . Li Yubing had a wooden expression on his face while Tang Xue’s face was deeply satisfied . As for her hand, it rested above the newly-grown layer of black fuzz on Li Yubing’s bald scalp .
She rubbed and rubbed .
Jiang Shijia, “…………”
He felt like lodging a complaint against them to the Consumers’ Association .