Lin Guodong didn’t respond directly: “Just be patient and watch.”

Just like the Lin family, other sports enthusiasts were also watching the World Middle School Games.

Although in this era, the number of people watching such competitions was very small, perhaps only one in ten thousand households had a TV, making viewers even fewer.

However, even if the number was small, there were some.

“Look, our country’s athlete, it’s this kid again.”

“I remember he appeared in the previous sprint. Why is he chosen for the 3000 meters? Doesn’t our country have any older athletes?”

Seeing Er Bao appear on the track again, some viewers expressed doubts.

Nevertheless, despite these doubts, no one voiced harsh criticisms against Er Bao.

Firstly, in this era, no one dared to question the country’s decisions openly.

Freedom of speech did not exist.

Secondly, people who could afford a television and watched sports were not only financially capable but also had a certain level of education and leisure, which contributed to their understanding and restraint.

So, although they were skeptical about Er Bao’s appearance in this race after losing in the previous one, they didn’t speak negatively.

Compared to the various reactions of people in front of their TVs, Er Bao remained calm.

His calmness was not just because the coach had prepared him mentally before the competition, but also because he was only twelve years old, and the competitors were several years older.

In Er Bao’s mind, losing to older competitors was acceptable; losing to peers would make him upset, but losing to older ones was only natural.

Thus, Er Bao remained composed throughout.

Perhaps this is the happiness of someone who is somewhat oblivious.

The coaches watching from the sidelines also breathed a sigh of relief.

Initially, there was considerable debate about including twelve-year-old Er Bao in the competition.

Some felt that even though Er Bao performed exceptionally well among his peers, the global stage was not limited to his age group, and it was too early for him to compete.

However, as Er Bao’s coach, he insisted on sending him.

One reason was that the country did not have a more competitive athlete for the track events.

Since the likelihood of winning was slim, it was better to send a talented athlete to adapt and build mental resilience for future competitions.

Everyone knew that even if Er Bao didn’t win this time, he would likely be in the fourth World Middle School Games.

If a twelve-year-old could compete against peers and even older participants, how would he fare at fourteen or sixteen?

Thus, the coach persuaded everyone, and Er Bao proudly took the stage on the world stage.

At this moment, all viewers watching the competition were focused on the young boy on their screens.

They didn’t have high hopes for him but felt a pang of sympathy for him having to face such pressure at such a young age.

Some even wondered if the country had more capable athletes, whether he would have to bear such a burden at such a young age.

Watching him, many felt a surge of patriotic pride.

Meanwhile, on TV, the runners on the track began their race.

Even though there were many athletes on the track, viewers quickly found the young boy who stood out in the crowd.

He was shining brightly, positioned in second place.

In reality, it was rare for sprinters to compete in long-distance races.

Compared to speed, endurance was more important for long-distance running.

Er Bao’s early placement in second was due to his speed, which was impressive even among endurance athletes.

“Oh my god, Lin Hairui is in second place. He’s amazing,” the lively Yu Chengci couldn’t help but shout. “Lin Hairui, go for it… Lin Hairui, go for it…”

Yi Bao clenched his fists, his heart racing, and his mind was buzzing with excitement.

He tried to control himself but found it challenging.

Compared to Yi Bao, San Bao clearly had less self-control.

He had already stood up and jumping, joining Yu Chengci in cheering for Er Bao.

Even adults were very excited seeing this scene.

Ning Shu was no exception.

Sitting next to Lin Guodong, she clutched his arm.

Overcome with excitement, she unconsciously squeezed Lin Guodong’s arm.

However, his muscles were too firm for her to squeeze effectively, and she didn’t realize it.

Lin Guodong, feeling helpless, knew his wife was overly emotional and tried to endure it.

For him, it was not painful, just slightly uncomfortable.

The national team athletes also watched Er Bao with nervous anticipation.

They swallowed nervously, hoping Er Bao would take first place.

While participation was the primary goal, everyone still wanted to win, and striving for first place was the ultimate aim.

If Er Bao won first place, it would be the first gold medal for the national team, and this would undoubtedly be an encouragement for future competitions.

In long-distance running, most runners slow down in the third lap.

During the first lap, they push hard to establish a lead, trying to distance themselves from other competitors.

The initial burst of energy might carry them through the second lap, but by the third lap, fatigue usually sets in.

Currently, Er Bao’s competitor in first place was showing signs of this fatigue.

Thus, Er Bao breezed past him, taking the lead.

The former leader, determined to keep his position, tried hard to catch up.

Yet, no matter how hard he chased, Er Bao maintained a steady pace, creating an ever-widening gap between them.

The competitor was baffled.

How could Er Bao not get tired?

Er Bao, in fact, wasn’t getting tired.

Reflecting on his underwhelming performance in the 100 meters and his lack of opportunity to connect with his family back home, he decided to wave his hand as he increased the distance between himself and the second-place runner.

He wanted to show his family that he was in first place.

Ning Shu watched, bemused by Er Bao’s conspicuous gesture.

“What is Er Bao doing?” San Bao asked.

Ning Shu replied, “He’s probably just saying hello to everyone.”

After a few waves, Er Bao focused back on running.

There was no doubt about it—he won first place by a considerable margin.

As he crossed the finish line, the people watching on TV erupted with excitement.

Everyone stood up, and applause filled the room.

“I won! I’m in first place!” Er Bao shouted triumphantly as he reached the finish line, his loud voice echoing across the competition venue.

His enthusiasm seemed boundless, and his voice resonated throughout the stadium.

The national team members also stood up, cheering for Er Bao: “Long live Lin Hairui!”

The first gold medal for the national team had been secured by this twelve-year-old boy.

The significance of the first gold medal at the third World Middle School Games was monumental.

“Er Bao won… Lin Guodong, Er Bao won…” Ning Shu’s voice trembled with emotion, tears welling up.

She was both overjoyed and heartbroken, a bittersweet feeling swelling in her chest.

The boy who once threatened her for a piece of meat had grown up.

Now, he was bringing honor to the country with his young and slender body.

Ning Shu recalled the storylines involving Er Bao and felt the author had been too cruel.

If the original plot had not included Er Bao’s tragic ending, he would have shone brightly in the story as well.

Fortunately, that was just the storyline—a draft, not the reality.

“Lin Guodong, Er Bao is amazing. Sob sob…” Finally, Ning Shu clung to Lin Guodong’s hand, crying.

Lin Guodong, unaware of the plot details, assumed Ning Shu was overwhelmed with joy.

He embraced her, gently patting her back. “Yes, Er Bao is great. You’re great for raising him and encouraging him to join the sports school.”

A child’s growth is inseparable from family education.

In the first five years of the children’s lives, Lin Guodong had rarely seen them.

Therefore, the growth of the three children was largely thanks to Ning Shu.

When Er Bao and Yi Bao were five years old, Lin Guodong’s return that year showed they had already become little men.

They would stand up to him, the “stranger,” to protect their mother.

In Lin Guodong’s heart, Ning Shu was the one who taught them responsibility and courage.

Er Bao’s achievements today were largely due to her.

“Oh, no. I didn’t teach him much. It’s mostly your genes. He inherited your athletic talent, which is why he excels in sports. As for me, my academic performance wasn’t great, so he inherited my intelligence but performs average in studies,” Ning Shu said, rare in her praise of Lin Guodong.

San Bao asked, “So does that mean Yi Bao and I inherited Mom’s athletic talent too?”

Everyone laughed heartily, finding the Lin family’s humor endearing.

Er Bao’s gold medal in the 3000 meters seemed to open the door to victory for other national athletes.

In the following competitions, the national team also achieved impressive results.

In track and field, besides Er Bao’s 3000 meters gold medal, he also won the 5000 meters gold medal, and three other athletes secured additional gold medals.

In total, the country won five gold medals in track and field alone.

However, gymnastics emerged as the most successful sport, with a total of eleven gold medals.

Additionally, table tennis added four gold medals to the tally.

In total, the national team won twenty gold medals at this World Middle School Games, becoming the country with the highest number of gold medals.

Such a remarkable achievement inspired everyone who followed the games and caught the attention of national leaders.

“Do we have the background information on these athletes?” a leader, who had been closely watching the games, asked his secretary after the event.

The secretary responded, “The national team should have detailed information. Would you like to review the athletes’ family backgrounds?”

The leader replied, “These athletes are fighting abroad for the country’s honor. We should provide encouragement and support. Get their family details and see if there’s anything they need help with, so they can focus on their performance without concerns.”

The secretary said, “Understood. I will prepare it right away.”