NOVEL NEXT Chapter 274: Fair Competition
Outside the competition arena.
After Li Jing temporarily parted ways with Xu Yingning, he went alone to the waiting area to meet Huang Jun.
"Brother Jing is here."
A companion behind Huang Jun was the first to see Li Jing and quickly alerted the two people beside him.
Huang Jun's expression changed slightly, his gaze complex.
Then, Zhou Shun discreetly nudged Huang Jun's back with his elbow and whispered with a frown, "Brother Li came specifically to cheer you on, don't ruin his mood. No matter the outcome, stay upbeat!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Jun took a deep breath and forcibly lifted his previously downcast spirits a bit. He stood up, smiled, and greeted Li Jing, "Brother Jing."
"How's it going?"
Li Jing walked towards the three of them smiling, reached out, and patted Huang Jun's rock-solid arm, exclaiming, "How is it that I feel you got even stronger since I last saw you?"
As his words fell, Huang Jun just managed a weak smile, lacking the energy to say anything else.
Seeing this, Li Jing was puzzled, then glanced at Zhou Shun, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing, Huang Jun is just a bit tired from dehydration."
Zhou Shun immediately smoothed things over with a laugh, "Brother Li, why not let Huang Jun rest a bit first, we can chat after the competition."
Li Jing's gaze swept over the faces of the three, didn't say much, and nodded.
"Brother Li, I'm really sorry, the seat I got for you is quite far back, the front rows have already been reserved by the organizers for others..."
"It's alright, I met a friend who has a seat closer to the front."
"A friend?"
Zhou Shun led Li Jing out of the waiting area while puzzled, "Are they from this circle?"
"No, she's just been paying more attention to sports events recently."
Li Jing didn't plan to say much on this matter, then seeming to remember something, asked, "By the way, do you know much about the person behind Director Liu?"
Having learned about the project from Xu Yingning, he knew the other party likely hoped to collaborate with him on government project investments.
Therefore, he wanted to understand more about Hu Yongbo through Zhou Shun, to judge whether the other party was worth cooperating with.
"The person behind Director Liu?"
Zhou Shun's expression changed slightly, then he shook his head with a bitter smile, "Brother Li, you look too highly of me. Director Liu is already the highest leader I know; I've only heard a bit from Director Liu about the person behind, but I don't know much specifically. Besides, that person wouldn't meet someone like me."
Seeing Zhou Shun indeed didn't know much, Li Jing didn't ask further but switched topics, "Does Huang Jun have some mental issues?"
"What?"
Zhou Shun's expression changed slightly, not expecting the other party's observation to be so keen, after a moment of silence, he said, "Indeed not so good, there might be behind-the-scenes manipulation in this competition, a contestant's mentor happens to be one of the judges."
"Such a situation can occur in international competitions?" Li Jing was surprised.
Zhou Shun shook his head helplessly, "Our country started relatively late in this area, many rules and systems are not well-established, and bodybuilding scoring is quite subjective, it's inevitable someone would exploit this.
Besides, our country has always been a society of relationships, often it's not about who's stronger or weaker but whose backers are higher. You can only blame me for not being a judge."
Hearing this, Li Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, "Comparing backers and connections?"
He suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question, "What's the relationship between this event and the sports authority?"
"Sports authority?"
Zhou Shun didn't understand what he meant, but still answered, "The approval for this event was granted by the sports authority. Without the sports authority's consent, this competition might not even be held."
"So, does the sports authority's leadership have more say than the judges?"
Hearing Li Jing's words, Zhou Shun grew more puzzled, "Although you could say that, it is a competition after all, not dictated by one person.
However, if it's to standardize order and ensure fairness, the sports authority's leadership does have this power. The organizers would strictly adhere to these requirements."
"I understand."
Li Jing nodded, then with a smile, said to Zhou Shun, "When you return to the waiting area later, tell Huang Jun to compete wholeheartedly.
If he loses fairly, I find it acceptable. But if his own mindset caused him to perform poorly, he's failed my trust, and it's irresponsible to himself.
A person who concedes defeat before even competing has just one name, and that's a coward."
"Coward..."
Shortly after, Zhou Shun returned to the waiting area and recited Li Jing's words verbatim to Huang Jun.
Huang Jun's pupils fluttered slightly, recalling the trust shown by lending him one million and his own efforts all this time, he finally took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and said deeply:
"Brother Jing is right, admitting defeat before competing is cowardly.
I will lose with style, just to let them see how disgraceful their win is!"
Watching Huang Jun's rekindled spirit, Zhou Shun's surprised eyes reflected some relief, and exchanging glances with his companion beside him, they both felt some newly found hope.
Though Li Jing mentioned the sports authority, Zhou Shun remained curious and puzzled.
Could it be that Brother Li... knows the leadership of the sports authority?
...
Guest resting area.
Xie Peng warmly and respectfully led two middle-aged women into the venue.
Among the two women, one was stern and formidable, the other gentle and intellectual.
However, both Xie Peng and Wei Yan seemed to defer to Xu Yingning, who always wore a mild smile.
The judges, who had already received the news, happened to be gathered in the resting area. Seeing the trio approach, they promptly stepped forward to greet them respectfully.
Seeing everyone greet her first, Wei Yan intentionally introduced Xu Yingning beside her, "This is Professor Xu, and she is my friend."