After Leaving the Sports Circle, I Became a Cooking God (Completed BL)

Chapter 54: Su Bai's Arrangements, Training Ends & Pre-departure Interview

As announced earlier, the first four athletes, apart from Qiu Wen, would directly form the 4x400-meter relay team for the Asian Games. The order Su Bai provided also indicated that Li Junhao would take on the critical fourth leg of the relay—a highly significant role within the team.

After hearing Su Bai's announcement, Li Junhao's expression remained unchanged, but his hands clenched into fists.

Others might not have noticed why his performance had fluctuated so dramatically, but he had a vague understanding. If he were still responsible for the second or third leg of the relay, as in the past, he might not have felt such great pressure.

However... the fourth leg.

Su Bai had entrusted him with the anchor leg of the 4x400-meter relay without reservation?

Li Junhao gritted his teeth and surreptitiously glanced at Su Bai, unexpectedly making eye contact with him.

"What's the matter? Afraid of taking the fourth leg? Unable to shoulder the responsibility?" Su Bai casually glanced at Li Junhao, his tone calm.

...

"Damn it!"

"Who the hell wouldn't dare?!" Li Junhao glared at Su Bai, finding this annoying pretty boy coach truly irritating.

"Oh." Su Bai heard Li Junhao's response and a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes. He then smiled at Li Junhao, saying, "Well, in the upcoming 400-meter relay training, you'll have to work hard. After all, the last leg of the 400 meters is crucial. Whether you can overcome a disadvantage or maintain an advantage depends on your performance."

"Yeah, Ah Hao, how well our 400-meter relay ends up will really depend on you!" Zhang Ziyi smiled and patted his younger brother's shoulder.

When he saw Li Junhao's results just now, Zhang Ziyi had been pleasantly surprised. He knew how much effort their coach, Wang Ting, had put into helping Li Junhao. Seeing Li Junhao make a comeback and significantly improve his personal best filled him with relief.

Lin Chuan, Guo Dun, Zhou Xu, and Zhang Chang each came over and patted Li Junhao's shoulder, offering their encouragement. Even Qiu Wen ran up to him, giving him an encouraging pat on the back just like everyone else, then looking at him with a pair of eyes full of trust, expressing his belief that Li Junhao could definitely shoulder the responsibility of leading the team to a good performance.

Though he had previously thought that Su Bai was an annoying pretty boy coach, Li Junhao suddenly found himself at a loss for words. His usual cocky demeanor, along with the criticisms he had intended to make, were all silenced by the trust and encouragement of his teammates. He opened his mouth several times but couldn't find the words to say. In the end, he discreetly glanced at Su Bai and could only inwardly complain about this coach. Not only was he a pretty boy, but he was also a cunning one!

But then again...

This pretty boy coach seemed to have some real skill.

Li Junhao recalled the personal best he had just set, and his emotions fluctuated. Over the past year, he had lost hope for his performance. He had even thought that not being burdened by the expectations of others might allow him to perform better. But today, he shattered his own hypothesis. It was a pleasant surprise, a complete accident.

He understood that without the stimulation from the practice race and without Su Bai tearing down his defenses so straightforwardly and even touching upon his deepest emotions, he wouldn't have been so angry, to the point of being irritated, and wouldn't have channeled this irritated defiance into his training.