Chapter 353: The Afternoon To Meet At the Ministry of Civil Affairs (8)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
s.h.i.+ Guang went silent for about three seconds before she composed herself and replied to the crowd, “If any athletes were to be reported for using forbidden drugs, the Anti-Doping a.s.sociation would definitely take a test against them. I am present at the compet.i.tion venue right now. If any of you have any doubts, I’m willing to take a test right now to give a clear explanation of things. But, before the results are out, you guys should not make any conjectures about any possibility of my test coming out as positive. That’s because I can a.s.sure everyone with utmost certainty that my results were based on my own efforts and the professional guidance of my coach.”
As she said that, s.h.i.+ Guang’s lips curled up without any hint of a smile.
“Everyone, you can wait here for the results then. Other than that, I don’t wish to comment about it anymore.”
Now that things had already blown up so hugely, the consequences would be dire if this were not settled appropriately—it would damage the reputation of the entire swimming team.
Head Coach Li had already arrived, bringing people with him as well as Zhang Shulin. As s.h.i.+ Guang’s coach, the moment he appeared, he was swarmed with reporters.
It happened almost instantaneously as he was shoved with questions up his face.
And of course, the topics of those questions revolved around whether Zhang Shulin knew that s.h.i.+ Guang was using forbidden drugs as her coach, and whether he was the one who had instigated her to do so.
Head Coach Li shouted out to everyone, “Silence, silence! Everyone, please trust us that we will provide you all with a satisfactory response. We will undergo a professional examination right now, and will ensure that our compet.i.tions have all been fair and square…”
With that, the staff of the Anti-Doping a.s.sociation stepped forth and brought s.h.i.+ Guang away with them for the test.
After the test, s.h.i.+ Guang came out and she caught sight of Zhang Shulin. She strode forth and looked at him apologetically, “Sorry.”
Zhang Shulin’s face darkened. “Could you be as they have accused you of, that you were using forbidden drugs…?”
s.h.i.+ Guang shook her head and waved her hands hurriedly. “No, no! Please believe in me, coach! I would never ever use forbidden drugs to enhance my performance.”
“Then why were you apologizing?”
“That’s because I’ve caused you to be suspected and accused of by everyone as well. In fact, questioned and humiliated.”
“I don’t need you to apologize for that. As your coach, I advance and retreat with you,” As Zhang Shulin said that, he harrumphed coldly, “Furthermore, you’re not the only one I have coached. Do I look like the type of coach who would harbor any consumption of forbidden drugs? Every single champion that I’ve groomed was built out of steel and fort.i.tude!”
Instinctively, s.h.i.+ Guang wanted to apologize to Zhang Shulin again. But recalling his words, she continued, “Thank you for believing in me, coach!”
Zhang Shulin patted her on her shoulders. “If I don’t believe in you, who else can I believe in? Even though I haven’t coached you for long, I can tell that you’re a just and upright child. Don’t worry about today’s events! One who does not invoke envy from others is not a talent. When your results get even better in the future as you create an even wider gap from the others, you will be met with more than this. After all, the t.i.tle of champion can only belong to a single person. As for rumors and slanders? Those are everywhere. Therefore, look on the web. Every single champion, no matter how well they’ve done, would be faced with all sorts of smearing and negative news.”
Even though his tone was stern, it was laced with words of a.s.surances all over.
s.h.i.+ Guang gripped her fist into a ball and replied gratefully, “Got it, coach!”
After bidding farewell to Zhang Shulin, she was prepared to return to the press area. There were many swimmers cl.u.s.tered outside, whispering in hushed tones in groups of three to five.
The moment s.h.i.+ Guang arrived, all of their gazes landed on her.
Someone could not help but jeer out sarcastically, “Oh, the young people these days! Aren’t they way too hasty? To think that someone would try to take the shortcut of using forbidden drugs! Such a disappointment!”