Chapter 766: Friendship First, Competition Second

Facts proved that Ji Xiang's judgment was correct.

After three days of emergency treatment, the ICU at the Second Affiliated Hospital adjusted the treatment for Lupus and its corresponding symptoms, and the patient was out of danger.

This matter passed by as if it had never happened, light as a breeze.

There are emergency rescues in the hospital every day, and it did not leave much of an impression in the doctors' hearts.

But only those who experienced it personally and knew the severity, like Bai Chuzhang and the others, understood how much of a contribution Ji Xiang had made in this.

In the new year, Ji Xiang had his own small goals; he didn't think much about the prerequisites for reviewing the Outstanding Youth Fund—a senior professional title or a Doctor of Philosophy degree; if he wanted them, Ji Xiang believed Bai Chuzhang would arrange them for him.

Ji Xiang just buried himself in his work, constantly grinding out papers.

……

In mid-January, the National Weightlifting Competition was held in Shanghai.

Coach Zhang Jinzhao sat under the stage, very nervous, not daring to blink his eyes, staring fixedly at Li Cailing.

Li Cailing's opponent was very strong; both of them had broken the national record, and they were still adding weight to compete for the championship.

The next weight would tie the world record.

When two strong competitors meet, Coach Zhang was even more nervous than Li Cailing.

"Coach Zhang, give up."

The opposing coach walked over wearing a white competition uniform, with a face full of annoying smiles.

"Why should I?" Coach Zhang said with disdain.

He didn't even look at the other person, his eyes fixed on the staff members who were installing the plates.

The current weight already exceeded the maximum weight in their usual training, and he didn't know if Li Cailing could actually do it.

Coach Zhang also knew that the opponent had reached their limit too; at this moment, it was a battle of sheer willpower.

"I heard your athlete was injured last year and had several surgeries," the opposing coach said. "Why bother? Being able to recover to the original level is already a matter of extreme Luck. If you try to go overweight and the old injury recurs, this child's athletic career will be over."

Any other nonsense he said would be useless, but when he brought up Li Cailing's injury from last year, it hit exactly on Coach Zhang's sore spot.

Coach Zhang hesitated for a moment, then turned his head and glared fiercely at the other person.

"Hahaha." The opposing coach laughed loudly, "I'm just here to give a reminder. Shoulder joint injury, three or four surgeries—I can even see the surgical scars on her shoulder. You guys are truly something, forcing an athlete to go on stage for an overloaded competition in this condition."

"……"

Coach Zhang was left speechless by the reprimand.

"The current weight has already tied the world record. I can guarantee that as long as your athlete attempts it, the shoulder injury will definitely recur."

"Stop it, there's no need." Seeing Coach Zhang's face full of anxiety and complex emotions, the opposing coach clapped his hands and left with a smile.

Psychological warfare—just saying a few words was enough; the referee was already looking this way.

Coach Zhang hesitated for a moment, then waved at Li Cailing with a cautious expression.

"Coach, what's wrong?" Li Cailing walked over and asked.

"How about... let's just forget it."

"Forget it? Why?" Li Cailing looked at Coach Zhang in confusion.

"You were just injured last year, and you've had 3 surgeries. Once the old injury in your shoulder joint..."

Before Coach Zhang could finish, Li Cailing interrupted him without hesitation.

"Coach, I'm perfectly fine, really! You saw it during training too; I'm truly fine. I can still attempt this weight; I definitely won't get injured."

As she spoke, Li Cailing raised her arms and made a powerful gesture to tell Coach Zhang that it was definitely no problem.

Coach Zhang was very conflicted and hesitant.

The profession of an athlete is one that relies purely on youth, especially in a niche sport like weightlifting.

If she couldn't win a medal at the national competition or stand on the world stage, in a few more years, Li Cailing would be covered in injuries and retire in sorrow.

No one wanted that ending.

"Coach, I'm really fine! Don't worry!!" Li Cailing was a bit anxious.

"Then try it once. If you can't do it, give up immediately. If your shoulder joint gets injured again, you'll have to retire on the spot." Coach Zhang couldn't win against Li Cailing and gave a final warning.

"I can definitely do it!"

Li Cailing raised her arm and said to her coach as if making a declaration.

After speaking, she turned around to prepare for the competition, full of confidence.

In the stands, among the sparse audience, an Old Man with graying temples held some documents in his hand.

He didn't use a tablet to read electronic documents; the Old Man still preferred to look at black and white on paper.

"Little Sun, this athlete named Li Cailing seems to have been injured."

"Leader, yes," the Old Man's secretary replied immediately. "She injured her shoulder joint last year and had 3 surgeries. However, the effect of the surgery seems to be good; after a period of recovery post-surgery, she quickly returned to her peak."

"Is that so? Why do I remember that a shoulder joint surgery basically announces the end of an athlete's career?"

"I will go ask their coach about the specific situation."

"Wait, let's watch the competition first," the Old Man said calmly.

"Actually, I also think the athlete named Li Cailing should give up. Being able to recover to the point of breaking the national record is already an extraordinary performance. Wanting to break the world record? It's completely impossible. I feel that if she continues like this, her old injury will definitely recur."

"It is indeed a bit of a joke." The Old Man nodded, and the displeasure on his face deepened a bit. "Go ask about the specific situation."

"Alright."

A few minutes later, the secretary returned with Coach Zhang.

"Leader."

"The athlete has suffered a major injury, yet you are still forcing her like this?" the Old Man asked.

"Li Cailing herself strongly requested it, saying she is fine."

"Fine, fine, everything is fine. You are the coach, how can you not know what a person is like after a shoulder joint injury?" the Old Man scolded.

"..." Coach Zhang was silent.

"Let's just leave it at that; friendship first, competition second."

The secretary advised.

Coach Zhang was silent for two seconds, then whispered, "Leader, the Doctor who performed the surgery on Li Cailing has also operated on others, and the results seem quite good."

"Hm?" The old man was somewhat displeased to hear a dissenting opinion.

"Zhao Dali, that young man playing in the Bundesliga, also had his surgery performed by that Doctor!" Coach Zhang said.

"I've heard of Zhao Dali; they say he might contend for this year's Golden Boot." The old man looked at Coach Zhang, suddenly interested.

"It's not just Zhao Dali; Neymar's surgery was also performed by him, and now Neymar has already returned to the pitch."

"!!!"

"!!!"

Coach Zhang was also stunned for a moment.

He saw the old man and his secretary looking confused; it was obvious they didn't know about this.

"Leader, do you watch variety shows?"

"I don't."

"Neymar came here for surgery during the final phase of a variety show this year... last year. At first, it was said that the NBA star Wembanyama was going to have surgery, but who knows how it happened, in the end, he performed the surgery on Neymar."

Coach Zhang spoke in a jumbled mess; he was extremely nervous, to the point that he didn't even know what he was saying.

(End of chapter)