Chapter 3, Reversal and Major Revelations

This time the result is less, but it is also more precise

At this moment, the layout of the swimming pool has largely taken shape, with Qi Ruifeng and Tang Yibai in the first tier, while the third place is more than a body length behind them, making it nearly impossible to catch up. The distance between Tang Yibai and Qi Ruifeng remains consistently at a quarter of a body length, and Tang Yibai has attempted to overtake twice, both without success. Whenever he accelerates, Qi Ruifeng also accelerates.

Injury? This was the first possibility that Cloud thought of. However, even if he were injured, there should be some news released, as Tang Yibai had performed excellently in the Asian Games and is considered a promising talent, certainly attracting media attention. Similarly, regardless of any other reasons, there should be news.

This seems to be a replication of the first half of the race

The two individuals come from different provincial teams, both serving as the final baton holders in their respective teams.

The cloud felt somewhat sad. It was not that Tang Yibai was not fast enough, but rather that they had fallen too far behind before. Although Tang Yibai and Qi Ruifeng's speeds were now comparable, it would still be Tang Yibai who would lose.

The news provided a photo, in which Tang Yibai stands together with his teammates, holding flowers in one hand and a medal in the other, smiling directly at the camera, with a radiant smile that also carries a hint of youthful innocence

That night, Yunduo did not sleep well, and the next day it was still Teacher Sun who called her up. After the two had breakfast, they headed straight to the swimming pool. As Yunduo had expected, the discussions among her colleagues in the media circle about Tang Yibai had noticeably increased today, clearly indicating that everyone had come prepared. Of course, the popularity of Tang Yibai still could not be compared to that of Qi Ruifeng

The cloud stuck out its tongue and squeezed through the crowd to come out. After all, she did not want to interview this genius with a peculiar thought process; she wanted to see how things were on Tang Yibai's side

The heart of the cloud hung for half a day, and now it has finally relaxed all over, leaning against the railing beside it and gasping for breath

In the blink of an eye, the gap between Tang Yibai and Qi Ruifeng had been reduced to a head's length, but at this moment, there were only a little over 20 meters left to the finish line, and no one knew whether he would be able to close this gap in time

However, it is different! Because the distance between the two is gradually shortening, they are indeed both accelerating, but Tang Yibai is faster!

Setting aside her official duties, she opened her computer and typed the three characters "Tang Yibai" into the search engine interface

She is truly very curious about him

The competition is still ongoing, and the gap continues to narrow, yet they are also getting closer to the finish line... 15 meters, 10 meters, 5 meters, 4 meters, 3 meters, 2 meters, 1 meter

The articles at the forefront are all recent news released by online media, reporting on the latest developments of the National Swimming Championships. Flipping through a few more pages, bypassing this topic, the search results became somewhat chaotic. Yun Duo widened her eyes, searching and searching, flipping through more than ten pages, and finally found a piece of news.

The two individuals almost simultaneously touched the wall, and Yun Duo could not distinguish who was first and who was second with her own eyes. She was momentarily taken aback and immediately looked up at the electronic screen. Almost everyone in the audience was making the same gesture as her

In the first two legs, Qi Ruifeng's team held a slight lead, and by the third leg, this advantage gradually widened to a full quarter of a body length. When Tang Yibai set off, he faced such a situation. His opponent was the talented Qi Ruifeng, who was ahead of him by a quarter of a body length, which was an almost insurmountable advantage.

Training This is his response

Teacher Sun, on a whim, went out to dinner with an old classmate she ran into, leaving Yun Duo to return to the hotel by herself. Her interview today yielded no results, with the only highlight being the question about Qi Ruifeng's nickname. However, thinking back to Qi Ruifeng's gloomy expression at that time, Yun Duo truly worried that if she were to leak this information, it might affect Qi Ruifeng's performance in the competition, which would be a grave mistake. Her interview today yielded no results, with the only highlight being the question about Qi Ruifeng's nickname. However, thinking back to Qi Ruifeng's gloomy expression at that time, Yun Duo truly worried that if she were to leak this information, it might affect Qi Ruifeng's performance in the competition, which would be a grave mistake

At this moment, the cloud could not yet comprehend the technical connotations contained in the final leg of the competition. She looked towards the swimming pool and saw that Tang Yibai and Qi Ruifeng had already been pulled up onto the shore by their teammates. Both of them were extremely exhausted, their chests heaving violently, leaving no time even to speak.

Tang Yibai, champion

After the award ceremony, Yun Duo reacted quickly this time and rushed in front of Qi Ruifeng

The C Province delegation, with Qi Ruifeng running the final leg, achieved a personal time of 48 seconds 23, and a total time of 3 minutes 19 seconds 22 for the four legs.

Why has he not participated in competitions during these three years? Why has there been no news at all? Three years may not seem long for an ordinary person, but for an athlete's career, it could be fatal

This news is from three years ago, reporting that China won the gold medal in the 4X100 meter mixed relay swimming event. The awarded athletes are: Zhao Yue, Song Le, Tang Yibai, and Qi Ruifeng

The most noteworthy competition today is undoubtedly the men's 4X100 meter freestyle relay. There are two reasons for this: first, there is Qi Ruifeng; second, there is Tang Yibai

At that moment, Tang Yibai suddenly increased his speed. Almost simultaneously, Qi Ruifeng, in the adjacent lane, also accelerated. Yun Duo was unsure whether this was the tacit understanding between swimmers or if Qi Ruifeng sensed Tang Yibai's increase in speed in the water. In any case, both of them accelerated at the same time, like two frenzied torpedoes, swiftly advancing towards a common goal

Why choose freestyle swimming

Really, it's too tense and too stimulating

However, the result is simply nonexistent

Blocked outside the door of truth, the clouds are tangled to the point of despair. She truly wishes to grab Tang Yibai by the collar and ask him. Moreover, she believes that after the results of today's competition are announced, many others will want to do the same.

At this moment, the surrounding reporters were already clamoring to ask questions. Qi Ruifeng did not respond, but merely gazed at the clouds, saying, "I allow you to be the first to ask a question." His expression was exceedingly arrogant, provoking a strong impulse in others to want to hit him.

To exert every effort is of no avail

Uh... what kind of answer is that! The reporter, sweating profusely, pressed on, "Then why haven't you participated in the competition for three years?"

Touch the wall

Qi Ruifeng also recognized her, and he nodded seriously, "As expected of my fan, you are about to dive into my embrace."

Faced with his arrogant demeanor, Yun Duo suddenly felt a desire to bully him, so she smiled and asked, "What does it feel like to lose to the same person twice?"

There is no certainty

Then, everyone watched in astonishment as Qi Ruifeng and Tang Yibai, the two fierce competitors who had just been battling to the death in the pool, now walked towards the athlete's passage like a pair of good friends, supporting each other.

The conclusion seems to have been announced in advance, and the cloud cannot bear to watch any longer. She cannot bear to see someone struggling in vain under hopeless circumstances, yet to no avail

The clouds listened attentively to Teacher Sun's arrangements, feeling as if this situation resembled a wedding abduction.

Cloud: "... ..." I really want to just turn around and leave!

As for Qi Ruifeng, regardless of what he wears, he always has a "I am the best in the world" arrogant expression. Moreover, everyone often sees him in a state of undress, so his clothing can be disregarded.

However, the event in which he won the championship today was clearly freestyle swimming

The profession of a journalist is akin to that of a cockroach; their enthusiasm can never be extinguished. After watching the two major figures leave, this group quietly prepared to seize the opportunity for interviews once the award ceremony concluded. Teacher Sun assigned a task to Yun Duo: he himself would go after Tang Yibai, while Yun Duo would pursue Qi Ruifeng. They must give it their all, and they will surely succeed in their endeavors.

Tang Yibai was also surrounded by many people, and as expected by Yun Duo, many were inquiring about what Tang Yibai had been doing in recent years

The surrounding reporters looked at the clouds in shock. This girl is so bold

Yun Duo turned back to look at the list of the four individuals once again, suddenly becoming stunned. This is a medley relay, which means that the athletes must compete in a fixed order of backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle. Tang Yibai is ranked third on both the list and the podium, which clearly indicates that he is swimming the butterfly leg.

Why on earth would he do this? From any perspective, he has no reason to act this way

Second baton

At this moment, a man suddenly shouted, "Mr. Tang Yibai, please explain the incident from three years ago when you were penalized for doping and faced a suspension."

The third baton

It turns out he won a gold medal three years ago, and it was a gold medal from the Asian Games, which carries more weight than yesterday's competition

The cheers from the audience became increasingly frenzied, reaching a deafening level. This time, Yun Duo did not experience tinnitus; she completely disregarded the noise and focused all her attention on the pool. She held her breath, her body tense, her fists clenched tightly, her eyes fixed intently on the two figures. The uproar from the audience gradually faded away, and she could hear her own heart pounding fiercely.

Team B, with Tang Yibai running the final leg, achieved a personal time of 47.88 seconds and a total time of 3 minutes 19.20 seconds for the four legs.

The clouds were almost dying of curiosity, constantly changing keywords to search, but despite straining her eyes, she could not find the reason for his switch to freestyle swimming. Not only did she fail to find the reason, but since that Asian Games, Tang Yibai had also vanished without a trace, his presence absent from all competitions—large and small, domestic and international. However, many swimming enthusiasts had been tirelessly pursuing his whereabouts, but of course, the results were equally in vain. Not only did she fail to find the reason, but since that Asian Games, Tang Yibai had also vanished without a trace, his presence absent from all competitions—large and small, domestic and international. However, many swimming enthusiasts had been tirelessly pursuing his whereabouts, but of course, the results were equally in vain

Fortunately, Tang Yibai and Qi Ruifeng could not be absent from the award ceremony, so they had no way to escape this time. When it was time to go on stage to receive their awards, the athletes had already put on their outfits. The sportswear was sponsored by a well-known domestic clothing brand, and the design of the clothes was somewhat unattractive. Fortunately, Tang Yibai had a striking appearance, and he was able to carry off such an unappealing outfit, exuding a unique charm.

However, it is not surprising that Yun Duo does not know him; three years is a period sufficient for a significant generational change in the very youthful world of professional sports

Indeed, three years ago, Tang Yibai was swimming the butterfly stroke. Judging by his competition results, he was already a mature and promising professional athlete at that time. However, this fellow, after achieving good results, surprisingly decided to give up everything and start over by switching to freestyle. Isn't that a bit chaotic? Not professional at all

This blank has persisted until this swimming championship.

This blank span has lasted for more than three years

The search results yielded many entries, but most of them are trivial. It seems that there are quite a few people with the same name. Yun Duo added two words before "Tang Yibai": Swimming.

Qi Ruifeng's expression instantly darkened, "Next question!" Seeing that Yunduo was about to speak again, he quickly interjected, "Shut up, I will not answer your question anymore." His tone was laced with unabashed anger and a hint of sadness.

Tang Yibai's entry into the water was swift and fluid, akin to an arrow released from its bow. Upon entering the water, his arms extended in long strokes, his legs moved rhythmically, propelling him forward rapidly, resembling a beautiful and robust dolphin, cleaving through the waves beneath the azure surface.

The reporters are eagerly preparing to interview the two individuals, while Teacher Sun has once again led Yunduo in getting ready to secure a prime interview position

The difference between the two scores is twenty milliseconds, which is one-fiftieth of a second. One-fiftieth of a second is merely a fleeting moment, even shorter than a moment itself. However, it is this brief instant that determines the allocation of the championship.

Yun Duo couldn't help but clench her fist. She stared intently at the swimming pool, not knowing what she was anticipating.

Upon the utterance of these words, there was an uproar among all present

The first baton

She suddenly found herself somewhat disliking such competitions

Yun Duo could hardly believe her eyes. At first, she thought the organizers had mixed up the order of the list, but she quickly dismissed that speculation. Because there was another person in this quartet: Qi Ruifeng. This genius had already shone brightly at that time, so the final leg of the freestyle must be him; it could not be anyone else

Damn it, don't go

At the start of the final, even those who do not enjoy swimming, like the clouds, focused their attention on the competition

He remains calm and composed, "because of freedom"

In the preliminary and semi-final rounds, Qi Ruifeng and his team maintained a leading position, replicating Qi Ruifeng's performance in the 100 meters freestyle from yesterday. Tang Yibai swam steadily, and it was not immediately apparent that he had the dominance he displayed yesterday. However, at this moment, no one dared to underestimate him

Yun Duo found the special feature on that edition of the Asian Games, and then she discovered that Tang Yibai won a gold medal in the men's 50-meter butterfly swimming event at this edition of the Asian Games

Damn it, having raised such a huge appetite, how is she supposed to sleep tonight

So, what exactly is the reason that has taken away these three years from him

Finally, as he approached the 50-meter mark, Tang Yibai managed to narrow the gap slightly. Although it was just a little, it was at least visible to the naked eye. However, soon after the next turn, that effort was erased once again.

The fans in the audience who were desperately cheering for Qi Ruifeng fell silent, in stark contrast to the media area, which was immersed in a festive atmosphere. These individuals were not happy because they supported Tang Yibai, but rather because "Tang Yibai's final leg achieved a stunning turnaround, overwhelming Qi Ruifeng" was clearly more captivating than "Qi Ruifeng's stable performance leading to a smooth victory"