"Come on, Lao Yan, sit here for a while."
After leaving the consultation room, Yan Xinyuan sat down in a chair with the X-ray films in his hand, while Coach Liang went to the other side to make a phone call.
With nothing else to do, he took out his phone to check sports news.
China's top female badminton player, Yin Jiayi, easily defeated German professional player Christil 2-0, securing her first victory.
South Korea's Kim Nam-ji swept aside Thailand's seeded player, Mara, the runner-up in the previous World Championships, 2-0.
Chinese badminton star Xie Shi'an suffered his first defeat, losing 1-2 to Singapore's newcomer Natiya.
After the first day of competition, Yin Jiayi continued to lead the points standings in the upper half of the bracket, while Xie Shi'an's situation in the lower half was not optimistic.
...
He randomly clicked on the last news item, and the comments were all cursing.
"Is this the true strength of the national champion? Did they really just concede, or did Jiang Yunli deliberately throw the game?"
"Playing in domestic competitions, those who know, know."
“Tell us how much the Binhai Provincial Team paid to win this championship. I suggest the Badminton Association investigate this matter thoroughly.”
"It was just a mistake, there's no need to be so malicious towards the athlete."
...
Yan Xinyuan flipped through the pages one by one, his blood rushing to his head, and he coughed violently a few more times.
Coach Liang hung up the phone and walked back.
"Are you alright, Lao Yan? It's so hard to get an appointment with a specialist at the Chest Hospital. Luckily, I have an old classmate who has a relative who works at the Chest Hospital. He managed to get us an appointment for the day after tomorrow. We can take our medical records to the hospital now to complete the admission procedures, and the head doctor will see us when he comes the day after tomorrow."
"It's nothing." Yan Xinyuan waved his hand, holding his phone, and stood up with difficulty.
"I was just watching the news. Shi'an lost his first match, and there's a huge online uproar. It's really worrying."
Coach Liang helped him walk further and further away down the corridor.
"Isn't it normal to make mistakes? There are no undefeated champions in competitive sports. Sooner or later, she will have to face these challenges alone."
“I’m just worried about her condition. Judging from her appearance, she probably had another argument with Yu Chu before she left. I’m afraid it will affect her performance later.”
"I think you're always worrying about this and that. You should worry more about your health! It's only the first game. You can win it back later."
Chapter 68 Defeat
"Try it, is this red wine foie gras to your liking?" Jin Shunqi smiled and pushed the dish that the waiter had just brought over in front of her.
Qiao Yuchu carefully scooped up a little with a spoon, took a sip, and found it melted in her mouth without any fishy taste.
A hint of pleasure naturally appeared in her eyes, and Kim Soon-sik's smile deepened, his expression becoming even more tender as he looked at her.
"If you like it, that's fine. I was worried that French food wouldn't suit your taste."
"No, I eat everything except pork."
"That's good. Also, this steamed egg with caviar is one of their signature dishes. Be sure to eat it while it's hot. Try it now."
The two chatted as they ate, and Jin Shunqi arranged her schedule for the next few days perfectly.
"If we have time after we finish eating, I've booked a foot massage. I go to that shop often, and the technicians are all familiar faces. Every time I get a massage, I feel completely relaxed and refreshed."
Qiao Yuchu looked at him meaningfully.
"Oh, so Dr. Kim likes foot massages and health care."
Jin Shunqi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, and the way she hurriedly explained made the man's ears turn a little red.
"No, Miss Qiao seems to have misunderstood. It was a proper foot massage, and the technician was a male friend of mine. Or is it that in Miss Qiao's mind, I am that kind of person?"
As Jin Shunqi spoke, he leaned forward slightly, his amber eyes gleaming under the light.
The faint scent of his men's cologne wafted into my nostrils.
Qiao Yuchu looked away and sat back a little.
"Of course... no."
Jin Shunqi then let her go and sat back down, satisfied.
"Alright, let's keep this project. After you finish eating, I'll take you back to your hotel to rest. I'll show you around properly tomorrow."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao Yuchu's phone on the table vibrated. The caller ID showed: Mom.
She glanced at it and then pressed the button.
Jin Shunqi stopped using his knife and fork.
Why didn't you answer?
Qiao Yuchu's smile faded.
"They're probably trying to get me to go home and go on blind dates again. I don't want to hear those things for now."
After she finished speaking, she realized that the person sitting opposite her was Jin Shunqi, and it was somewhat inappropriate to tell him that she was going on a blind date.
"I'm sorry, my mom keeps urging me, but I don't have that idea."
The phone kept ringing again, like an earthquake.
This time it was an unfamiliar number.
Kim Soon-sik shrugged.
"It's okay. My family also urges me, but I usually take it as their well-intentioned concern. You should answer the phone, just in case something urgent happens."
Qiao Yuchu glanced at him, then at the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen, put down her knife and fork, and picked up her phone.
"Hello?"
As soon as the other person finished speaking, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and she jumped to her feet.
"What did you say?!" She raised her voice unconsciously, drawing the attention of half the people in the restaurant.
The person on the phone repeated the same thing in a businesslike manner.
"Are you a family member of Qiao Zishan? Your father hit someone on the highway. Please come to xxx police station immediately."
***
Just as we were about to arrive at the airport, the traffic light turned red again at the intersection ahead, and a long line of vehicles waited to pass.
Qiao Yuchu bit her lower lip anxiously.
Jin Shunqi looked at her, slowly reached out, and grasped her hand in his palm.
Qiao Yuchu turned around, and Jin Shunqi nodded firmly at her.
"Don't be afraid, it's okay, I'm here, we'll definitely make it on the plane."
As soon as he finished speaking, the red light turned green, and the line of cars in front of him began to move. He quickly changed lanes and cut into the congested traffic.
For some reason, looking at his resolute profile, Qiao Yuchu felt reassured and less flustered than before.
Jin Shunqi escorted the person all the way to the security checkpoint.
"Here you go, your seat is first class, C2. Give me a call when you land."
Qiao Yuchu nodded, holding her boarding pass. She knew that the first-class ticket she had bought at the last minute was expensive, but time was tight and she didn't have time to say anything to express her gratitude. She would thank him properly after everything was over.
"good."
Qiao Yuchu quickly passed through security with her suitcase. When she turned around, Jin Shunqi was still standing there looking at her.
The two people gazed at each other from a distance, separated by a glass wall.
Kim Soon-sik moved his lips, gesturing for her to pick up her phone.
Qiao Yuchu answered the phone.
"Are you sure you don't need me to come back with you?" The man's eyes were gentle yet full of worry.
Qiao Yuchu smiled.
"No need, I can handle it myself. Besides... I don't know how to explain it to my mom if I take you back now."
When Jin Shunqi booked the plane tickets, he actually bought two. He had one hand in his pocket, clutching the ticket, and was slightly sweating nervously, but he didn't plan to tell Qiao Yuchu.
"Okay, then I hope... we can go home together next time."
Before she could answer, the boarding announcement came on.
Jin Shunqi took a step back and didn't say anything more to put too much pressure on her, but simply expressed her concern.
"Go quickly. You can call me if anything happens. My phone is on 24/7."
Qiao Yuchu looked at him, and although she still had something on her mind, a shy and sweet smile finally appeared on her face.
She nodded and hung up the phone.
"Okay, I'll contact you if I need anything. Goodbye."
At that time, Qiao Yuchu still had a glimmer of hope. She had only hit someone and hadn't fled the scene. She could just take responsibility and let the insurance company handle the claim. But she never expected that a storm would be brewing at home.
***
While the Badminton World Championships are in full swing, the National Swimming Championships have also started as scheduled.
Cheng Zhen swam a time of 3 minutes and 49 seconds in the men's 400-meter freestyle preliminaries, advancing to the final as the top finisher in his group.
As soon as the game ended, he returned to the locker room and immediately took out his phone to call his father.
"Hey Dad, did you see the news?! I made it to the finals!"
Mr. Cheng had just come out of the company building, carrying clothes in his hand, with a big smile on his face, and was chatting with him as they walked.
"I watched it all! How could Dad miss any of your matches? My son is amazing! Dad has always said that as long as you put in the effort, not only will you be a national champion, but you'll also be a world champion!"
Cheng Zhen changed her clothes, closed the closet door, and was still somewhat upset that he couldn't come to watch the game in person.
"You keep saying you can't miss my competition, but you're just busy running around for your crappy company. This is my first time participating in the National Swimming Championships."
Mr. Cheng smiled.