The secretary placed all the athletes’ files in front of the leader, representing those selected to compete on behalf of the country.

When the leader saw Lin Hairui’s file, he took a closer look.

Lin’s father, Lin Guodong, had a unique identity, noted only as the captain of the capital’s garrison.

The file didn’t contain any further details.

Military personnel’s information, especially someone of Lin Guodong’s rank, was classified, and even the secretary didn’t have the clearance to investigate further. “Leader, if you want to look into Lin Guodong’s details, you’ll need to approve the paperwork,” the secretary said.

“No need,” the leader replied. “Since he’s a soldier protecting our country, both his and the Lin family’s records should be fine.”

After reviewing all the athletes’ profiles, the leader continued, “It’s tough for them to represent the country in international competitions. Whether or not they win, the bonuses they deserve should not be reduced. For those who win, besides the athlete’s reward, their families should also be taken care of. You handle this. Prepare a detailed plan and report back to me.”

“Understood,” the secretary responded.

---

At the Airport:

On the third day after the competition, Erbao and the team returned.

As soon as they exited the airport, they saw a massive crowd gathered outside, waiting for them.

Although the team had gone abroad for the competition, many domestic newspapers had already dispatched reporters to follow the event.

Upon their return, these same reporters were present to conduct interviews.

The national coach was used to this scene.

This was the third World School Games, and with experience from the previous two, the coach knew how to handle the situation smoothly.

Upon seeing the reporters, the coach had the athletes line up for easier photo opportunities.

The athletes were happy to oblige, as being featured in the newspaper was considered a great honor at the time.

Not just anyone could appear in the press.

The reporters eagerly snapped away, trying to capture the athletes in their best light.

Passersby also noticed the commotion, but given that air travel wasn’t common at the time, the airport wasn’t crowded, avoiding the kind of traffic issues seen in later years.

Likewise, there was no star-chasing phenomenon back then, so the athletes were left in peace, with only the reporters around.

After the photo session, they moved on to the usual Q&A phase.

Most of the questions were directed at Erbao, as he was the only new face among the athletes.

He was also only 12 years old, which made him a prime candidate for promoting a positive national image.

One reporter asked, “Coach Cheng, could we interview Lin Hairui?”

In the past, children of this age, especially twelve-year-olds, would have been addressed as “little ones.”

But this case was different—just a few days ago, Lin Hairui had won two gold medals for the country in track and field, making him the only athlete to do so.

His young age made his achievements even more significant, so the reporters were careful to show respect.

The coach turned to Erbao and said, “Lin Hairui, the reporters would like to interview you. Are you willing to accept?”

Although Erbao was still young, the coach treated him with great respect, like a father caring for a child and honoring the nation’s future talents.

Erbao, having seen interviews on TV, blinked his bright eyes and asked, “If I do the interview, will I be on TV and in the newspaper?”

The reporter smiled and said “Yes.”

“Then I’m willing!” Yibao was a boy who liked being in the spotlight.

The reporter smiled and began, “Alright, let’s start. First of all, Comrade Lin Hairui, could you introduce yourself so more people can get to know you?”

“Okay.” Erbao thought excitedly about how his parents, brothers, and especially his third brother, would be happy to see him on TV. It was a shame that his hometown didn’t have a television.

Otherwise, his grandparents and Haicai could see him too.

Suddenly, Erbao had an idea—if he earned enough money, he would buy his grandparents a TV.

What Erbao didn’t know was that at that very moment, his family was watching him on television.

The Qinglin Bay Production Brigade had been electrified, and Lin Xiaojing had bought a television so her parents could see their grandson, Erbao, on it.

She had sold her job to her niece and used the money to purchase the TV for her parents.

Her in-laws had no objections to this.

First, Lin Xiaojing had been accepted into a junior college, and her in-laws were pleased.

Second, her family was quite accomplished.

Her brother was a regiment commander in the capital’s army, and her nephew was a national team athlete—honors that were rare across the country.

Her in-laws were eager to maintain good relations with her and would not be stingy.

Lastly, it was Lin Xiaojing’s own money, from her own pocket.

Now, Erbao’s doting grandparents were watching him, and so was the entire Qinglin Bay Production Brigade.

People crowded the Lin family’s yard, some even standing outside.

Even if they couldn’t see or hear everything clearly, just getting some information was enough for them.

“My name is Lin Hairui. I’m 13 years old, born in 1966. I’m in my first year of junior high. Last year, I was in fourth grade, but I skipped a grade and got into junior high. My father is a college graduate, and he helps us three brothers review our lessons every day, which is why I was able to skip a grade,” Erbao explained proudly.

He was no longer the same kid as last year—he now understood the importance of special recruitment and felt the need to clarify that he had earned his success through skipping a grade.

His companions, aged between 15 and 18, couldn’t help but laugh.

Erbao was the youngest among them, and they treated him like a little brother, always looking out for him.

The reporter, who already knew Erbao had skipped a grade, smiled. “Lin Hairui, that’s very impressive. It shows that knowledge is important. Parents who are educated can help their children get ahead.”

Erbao blinked, clearly not understanding such a profound statement.

Could the reporter ask something simpler?

Before he could speak, another reporter jumped in. “Lin Hairui, we all know you’re a student at a sports school. Since you did so well academically, why did you choose to attend a sports school?”

In most parents’ minds, sports schools were seen as a last resort, typically for students with poor academic performance who had no clear future.

Erbao answered, “Because I’m not good at studying. I find it too hard and stressful.”

“What?” The reporter thought he must have misheard.

Not only the reporter but also the viewers and other journalists couldn’t believe it.

A student who had skipped from fourth grade to junior high was saying he wasn’t good at studying?

Was this not a form of humblebragging?

“Lin Hairui, you skipped from fourth grade to junior high. How can you say you’re not good at studying? Are you joking with us?” the reporter asked, a bit exasperated.

If his own child could achieve that, he’d be thrilled.

“I’m not joking,” Erbao said earnestly. “I really struggle with studying. Since third grade, I haven’t been able to get two perfect scores on my exams, even though my dad tutors us every day. He finished teaching us the entire fifth-grade curriculum, but I still couldn’t get two perfect scores.

Then, when he started tutoring us on junior high material, I didn’t understand a lot of it. So, my dad had to split up our tutoring sessions—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, he tutors me, and on the other days, he tutors my brothers because they’re smarter.

I’m still working on understanding the junior high lessons, but my brothers have already started learning it. Oh, by the way, my twin brother and my younger brother—he’s only 10—also skipped from fourth grade to junior high this year. They both got perfect scores on the skipping exams,” Erbao said, full of pride.

Although he couldn’t brag about his own grades, boasting about his brothers’ achievements gave him just as much satisfaction.

The reporters were speechless.

The coach and the national team members weren’t surprised—they’d heard this explanation before.

After spending months with Erbao, they all knew he was a bit simple-minded.

“Your family is incredibly smart,” the reporter finally said, his voice tinged with bitterness.

Erbao replied, “Not really. My mom says I inherited my brain from her, but my athletic ability from my dad. My dad is really good at sports. My brothers inherited their brains from my dad because he’s super smart, but they got their athletic ability from my mom, who can’t even carry a bucket of water.”

Back home, Ning Shu made a decision.

When Erbao returned, there would be no braised pork, no popsicles, no new clothes, or new shoes.

This brat needed to learn that some things shouldn’t be said!

The reporter was at a loss for words.

There was something bittersweet about what Erbao had said. “Your mom must be really weak, then.”

“Yes, but my dad says women need to be protected by men. We have four men in our family, so it’s fine that my mom isn’t strong. Any work that requires strength can be done by us,” Erbao said proudly.

He was clearly proud of the four men in his family.

The reporter was surprised to hear that from Erbao’s father, especially since his father was a college graduate.

This wasn’t what the reporter had expected from an educated man.

If given the chance, the reporter thought, he’d love to interview Erbao’s father.

After all, the father of a champion must be quite interesting.

“So, you chose to attend a sports school because you felt your grades weren’t good enough?” a reporter who hadn’t yet spoken asked, his question suddenly sharp. “Do you think that all students who go to sports schools are poor academically?”