My Mr.Mermaid

On January 20th, the National Swimming Championships were held at City-C . This time coincided with the last month of the lunar calendar . City-C was located in the Northeast, and the outside temperature was around -20 degrees . As such, even though this compet.i.tion was called the "Spring Championships", in reality, it had nothing at all to do with spring . Yun Duo was well prepared, but even so, she had almost become a frozen dog outdoors . Actually swimming in this kind of cold weather . . . it was scary just thinking about it . Although the swimming pool would surely be heated, there would somehow still be some psychological stress . . .

Yun Duo shared her thoughts with Lin Zi and received Lin Zi"s contempt in exchange . "Don"t act as if you know how to swim . "

Yun Duo felt that this fellow was really becoming more and more annoying .

The events of the Spring Championships would go on for four days in total, nearly half the duration of the National Championships . The scheduling of the events were rather tight — it was clear to see that the organizers felt it wasn"t very important . In the compet.i.tion this time, the famous top athletes continued to opt to use the opportunity to train their secondary specializations; Xiang Yang-Yang and Qi Rui-Feng were no exception . This time, Qi Rui-Feng had chosen once again to only sign up for the 100-metre free . From a normal outsider"s perspective, it was like he had decided to lock horns with Tang Yi-Bai . As a peripheral professional, Yun Duo knew that Qi Rui-Feng"s decision was not out of personal reckless whimsy, but many people would not see it that way .

For example, Chen Si-Qi was howling at Yun Duo over the phone, "Tang Yi-Bai is the one that Qi Rui-Feng truly loves, right?!"

Yun Duo found it hilarious . "Isn"t Tang Yi-Bai your husband?"

"No, I"ve seen the truth of the situation . I"m now team BaiRui . "

Yun Duo asked curiously, "What"s team BaiRui?"

"That the team supporting the Tang Yi-Bai and Qi Rui-Feng couple! Hehehehe . . . "

She cackled so salaciously that Yun Duo could not help but feel a layer of gooseb.u.mps rising up all over her skin . It was really difficult to be a public figure these days . . . you never knew when you might be s.n.a.t.c.hed up and forced into pairings by others .

Both of Tang Yi-Bai"s individual events were on the first day of the compet.i.tion . They were the 50-metre free and the 100-metre free . His results for the 100-metre free was 48 . 13 seconds, a little short of his previous 48 . 04 seconds . Some people began to worry whether his results in the Winter Championships had been a extraordinary fluke . It would probably be difficult for him to break the 48-second wall after this . . .

However, these concerns did not last for long, because Tang Yi-Bai achieved his new personal best of 21 . 90 seconds in the finals of the subsequent 50-metre free . At the same time, he matched the current Asian record for the event held by a j.a.panese swimmer .

What a miraculous athlete . . . performing averagely in his main specialization, but equalling the Asian record in his secondary specialization .

Actually, this was not that unusual . The variability of the short-distance races have always been considerable — it wasn"t very surprising no matter what happens . This was also one of the charms of such events, because everyone only differed from the others by those few scant milliseconds or so . Anyone at all could become champion — and this was what made these events so exciting and nerve-wracking . If it were Qi Rui-Feng"s specialization, the long distance of 1500 metres made the advantage very obvious . Even a pig could see who would come in first, so cheering for anyone else was like doing pointless work — it was very awkward and embarra.s.sing .

When Tang Yi-Bai was interviewed, after going through some of the standard questions, the reporters began probing for gossip . "Tang Yi-Bai, some netizens have said that you"re the most handsome athlete in history . What do you think about that?"

Tang Yi-Bai did not rush to answer . Instead, his gaze flicked over to Yun Duo for a beat and then his lips pressed together in a stifled smile .

Yun Duo knew he was doing that on purpose, so she glared back at him indignantly .

In the end, Tang Yi-Bai let the smile shine through and it was brilliant, revealing his neat white teeth . He said to that reporter, "It"s meaningless to be handsome . I can"t use my face to swim, right?"

Lin Zi whispered to Yun Duo, "That may not be true . A smaller face would mean relatively less resistance in the water . Under similar conditions, it"ll mean swimming faster than those with bigger faces . "

Was this kind of explanation really okay? How terrible for those with bigger faces! . . . Yun Duo wiped the sweat off her brow, glad that she was the only one who had heard this, otherwise they would have become the centre of attention .

When the reporter heard Tang Yi-Bai"s reply, he commented, "But you have to admit that people who are handsome are more likable . You"ll have more fans that way . "

Tang Yi-Bai asked in return, "Will I be able to swim faster if I have more fans?"

"Uh . . . " The reporter was stumped . He was rather stunned — usually when someone learns that many people likes him, shouldn"t they feel very happy? They should at least say thanks of some sort to the fans, right . . . ? Why was this youth of just 21 years old so calm about this? Was it just an act?

The professionalism of the reporter was strong, so he only paused for a moment before immediately getting a hold of himself to continue asking Tang Yi-Bai, "So, do you want to tell the fans that they don"t have to like you?"

This question was rather tricky — if Tang Yi-Bai said "yes", he would be seen as aloof and unfriendly and this may draw a new round of scorn; if he said "no", then he would be contradicting himself .

Tang Yi-Bai responded with a smile, "It"s up to the fans whether to like me or not . I do not have the right to give permission or to stop them . But what I would like to say to the fans is — if they really like me, then they should exercise more . Swimming is a very good option . "

These words gained the silent approval of many at the scene . As a group, professional athletes were rather lacking in many respects, because so much of their energy had been put into their training . As a whole, they were somewhat simple-minded, perhaps even immature and naive . Everyone here had been working within the sports circles for a long time . They were used to seeing athletes who were exceedingly direct with pitiful emotional intelligence; those as eloquent and tactful as Tang Yi-Bai were really a rare sight . Rarer still was how he didn"t come off as slick despite his eloquence . He was still sincere, stating facts as they were .

Yun Duo could not help but give him a subtle thumbs up right in front of her chest . Tang Yi-Bai just happened to catch it and he quirked a brow at her .

Lin Zi again whispered to Yun Duo, "Have you become a Tang Yi-Bai fan now?"

Yun Duo gave him a pointed stare . "None of your business . "

After the interview, Tang Yi-Bai called out to Yun Duo .

Now, thanks to Tang Yi-Bai, most of the reporters and photographers who often followed the swimming team knew that this female reporter was named Yun Duo .

They also learned that they should never challenge this miss Yun Duo when questioning Tang Yi-Bai . . .

Yun Duo looked at Tang Yi-Bai with a slight tilt of her head . "What"s up?"

Tang Yi-Bai handed a ticket to her . "This is an entrance ticket to a ski resort . A friend gave it to me but I don"t have the time to go . You can have it . "

Yun Duo believed that he really did not have the free time to go . She accepted, and said with a smile, "Thank you . "

Tang Yi-Bai looked at her with a faint smile . "No need to be so polite . "

Lin Zi jumped in with an ill-timed interjection, "Why did you only give one? Don"t people always give two tickets at once as a gift? You"re not sincere at all . "

Yun Duo gritted her teeth . "Shut your mouth . "

Tang Yi-Bai did not get angry, merely turning to look at Lin Zi unsmilingly, "If you"re her boyfriend, then I"ll give you all two tickets . "

"Hehehe," Yun Duo giggled, "Quit joking . Only if I had destroyed the milky way in my past life would I be cursed with something like that . . . "

Tang Yi-Bai grinned .

At the end of a full day of interviews, Yun Duo was all tired out . She and Lin Zi had left the swimming hall and were walking back towards their hotel . As they walked, Yun Duo grumbled at Lin Zi, "Not able to ask a single proper question, but you"re a pro at picking a fight!"

Lin Zi was helping her to carry their things, and he adjusted his steps to match her pace . "Don"t be mad . I"ll treat you to a meal . "

"You"ve already used this move before! Can’t you come up with something new?"

"I"ll treat you to a bath . "

"Scram . . . "

Lin Zi suddenly said, "Yun Duo, I ——"

"Call me boss!"

Lin Zi"s lips twitched . He could not help but feel a sense of shame every time he called a little girl "boss" . . . He said, "Boss, I think we should quickly conduct an exclusive interview with Tang Yi-Bai . Don"t let others cut in before us . "

"Why?"

"Because the rise of Tang Yi-Bai has already become the biggest trend . Everyone"s antic.i.p.ating it . "

Yun Duo was a little surprised . "Even though this is the prediction of everyone within the sports" circles, no one has dared to state it as fact . Besides, Tang Yi-Bai has only competed a handful of times since he returned from his ban, how can you be so sure?"

Lin Zi tapped his temple, casting a prideful look at Yun Duo — it was the ultimate look of contempt science students threw at liberal arts students . He replied, "Through a.n.a.lysis . First off, Tang Yi-Bai"s specialization is notable . Short-distance races are the weakness of Asians as a whole, so any who has hope of competing for a place with the Europeans and Americans will receive extra attention . Tang Yi-Bai"s 100-metre free has already achieved 48 . 04 seconds in a non-serious national compet.i.tion . In future, there is high hopes for him to break into 48 seconds in a major compet.i.tion . As long as he breaks through the 48-second barrier, he will have the strength to medal in world championships or even the Olympics . For the sake of this potential, the country will funnel immense resources to cultivate his talent . Secondly, the need for new role models . Let"s take a look at the sport superstars that China has produced who can match up against the foreign ones . The basketball player Yao Mingming has retired, Li Nana from tennis has retired, and Liu Xiangxiang, the 110-metre hurdle runner, has also retired . Originally, Qi Rui-Feng could barely qualify to become a new role model, but unfortunately, both his intelligence quotients fall below the standard line . If this kind of person becomes an idol for the youth, the national leaders will find it very difficult to sleep comfortably . But Tang Yi-Bai is different . Tang Yi-Bai is extremely cunning —"

"Hold it," Yun Duo interrupted, "What"s with this description?"

"In short, the general idea is that, due to the need for a new role model, the nation and the people have high hopes for Tang Yi-Bai . And so Tang Yi-Bai will receive more and more attention . We should reel him in while he"s still relatively unknown now . . . "

"Fine, fine, fine," Yun Duo interrupted him once again, "I"m really quite curious . How much did you score for your college entrance exam? I"m talking about your Chinese composition . "

Lin Zi twisted his face aside; he did not want to answer such an awkward question . He pushed on to say, "Thirdly, Tang Yi-Bai is a fair piece of eye-candy . This kind of person is very suited to become a national idol . "

"Ha!" Yun Duo could not help but laugh . She pointed at Lin Zi, "Your face is so fair, and you still dare to call someone else "fair eye-candy"?"

Lin Zi stared back at her expressionlessly .

Yun Duo rubbed her chin and nodded . "Even though your description is rather quirky, what you say is still quite reasonable . I"ve finally discovered that you"re not completely useless . "

"This big brother is unbeatable when it comes to predicting trends, thank you very much . "

Yun Duo went back and told Lin Zi"s suggestion to Director Liu, and Director Liu said that he would need to think about it . The media was not interested in predictions — all we looked at was the present .

The result of his consideration would have to wait till after the championship .

At present, the most important thing was naturally going home for the New Year holidays!

Yun Duo"s home was in City-N, a remote place which still took two hours to get to by plane . She lugged a large suitcase home, and when she saw her mother, she opened her arms wide . "Mummy, I missed you so much!"

Her mum took one look at her and said, "You"ve finally come back . We"re going for a matchmaking meeting at 2 o"clock . "

Yun Duo: = . =

She really felt like going for a paternity test!

Only after she returned from the matchmaking meeting did she get to feel any warmth from her parents . However, by the time she went to bed that night, she could no longer feel warm .

The temperature in the southern cities was not very low, but the humidity was also not low, and there was no heating to boot . Sleeping at night was oh so lonely, silent, and cold! She might as well go sleep in the dog house — at least there would be a warm body there!

Yun Duo shivered under the blankets for a long while before she finally stretched her head out with tears in her eyes . With trembling fingers, she held her phone and posted a message to her friend circle:

Just returned to City-N and I"ve been switched back to vibration mode! qaq

Very quickly, many people had given her likes, so this was probably also echoing the inner thoughts of many others?

But the most exaggerated thing was a reply which suddenly popped up .

A White Streak Among the Waves: I"m also at City-N .

Yun Duo: !!!

She poked Tang Yi-Bai and asked: Why are you at City-N? I didn"t hear about a compet.i.tion over here .

Tang Yi-Bai: Silly-billy . Me compete on New Year"s Eve?

Yun Duo: True . Then why are you here?

Tang Yi-Bai: My home is here .

Yun Duo: ????? Isn"t your home at City-B?

Tang Yi-Bai: I only moved to Beijing when my mom changed jobs while I was in primary school . Before that, I was always in City-N .

Yun Duo: Ha, then we"re from the same hometown!

Tang Yi-Bai: Took you long enough . = . =

Yun Duo: How long will you be staying in City-N?

Tang Yi-Bai: 3 days . Returning to the team for training on the third .

Yun Duo: Awww! And I was thinking to take you out to play!

Tang Yi-Bai: Okay, where will you take me to?

Yun Duo felt awkward . She had just been being polite and he actually took her seriously . She could only say in return: Do you have the time?

Tang Yi-Bai: Not on the 1st, but I"m free on the 2nd .

Yun Duo: Shame, I"m not free on the 2nd . Have a matchmaking date . . .

Tang Yi-Bai: In the morning? Afternoon? Evening?

Yun Duo: All of the above . = . =

Tang Yi-Bai: I don"t believe you .

Yun Duo: It"s true!

Tang Yi-Bai: In such a hurry to marry yourself out?

Yun Duo: Not me, my mum! My mum doesn"t want me anymore! qaq

Tang Yi-Bai almost replied with "Come to my house then", but on second thought, it was a little out of bounds to say that kind of thing to a girl so he quickly deleted the message .

And with that, Yun Duo launched off into a sensational dating campaign . Frankly speaking, blind-dating was a useful activity to train one"s tolerance and broaden one"s horizons . She posted records of her experiences in her friend"s circle as she went along, and over the course of a few short days, she felt as if she had become a content master . At the same time, she had also gained a batch of loyal readers c.u.m like party members, such as Xiang Yang-Yang, and Qi Rui-Feng, and Ming Tian . . . were all the members of the swimming team so into gossip?

One time, Yun Duo posted such a message:

Tonight I had a blind date with a second-generation rich kid about the height of Big Sis Yang-Yang with pretty decent looks . He kept on telling me how he had many girls chasing after him because of his good looks, so I showed him a picture I had taken together with a particular handsome fellow . And then he stopped talking to me . . .  [laughs wildly slapping hands on the table]

A heated discussion unfurled beneath the post .

Xiang Yang-Yang: Curious about who the handsome fellow is .

Qi Rui-Feng: It"s me .

Ming Tian: It"s me .

Zheng Ling-Ye: It"s me .

Tang Yi-Bai: Hehe .