Chapter 92 Three Updates in One

It was not the first time that Lin Xiang was suspected of having ulterior motives, but after facing Captain Qian's strong questioning, she had calmed down a lot and was not panicked at all.

Facing Ding Youshan, deputy director of the Beijing University Administration Office, she put the 119 Food Factory on the stage: "Deputy Director Ding, the 119 Food Factory where I worked before school was quite famous in southern provinces and cities, and it was also a golden signboard. People in the south have definitely drunk 119's coconut juice or yellow peel water, and they will remember it if you ask them casually. But not many people in the north know about it. This time, the factory is also thinking about supporting the country's restoration of the college entrance examination and supporting the majority of college students to return to university campuses. It is taking from the people and using it for the people. In order to make the sports meeting better, we will do our best. Not only Beijing University, the 119 Food Factory is also preparing to sponsor several universities in Haining Province for free and provide coconut juice at large-scale events."

Ding Youshan had indeed never experienced anything like this. In the past, when large-scale events were held, would factories provide supplies for free? Schools would purchase them in bulk, and they had to pay for it.

Listening to Lin Xiang's explanation, she was skeptical.

"Besides that, Factory 119 actually has a little selfish motive." Lin Xiang understood that the more high-sounding the words were, the more suspicious they would be. It would be better to be open and honest, "Let the northern students try the signature soda and juice to see if they can give their opinions. It will also be convenient for the factory to adjust the taste of the products when they are sold to the north in the future, and it will also make them familiar."

This is much more frank. Ding Youshan sat up slightly straighter. Having selfish motives can make people feel at ease.

She thought about it carefully for a while: "We need to discuss this matter. By the way, if it is convenient, it would be best if we could have a few bottles of that... coconut juice so that we can taste it first. As you know, everyone drinks Arctic Ocean soda. I have never tasted the coconut juice you mentioned. I don't know if we are used to it."

This is where it gets interesting!

Lin Xiang agreed immediately!

After reaching a consensus with Director Zhao, Lin Xiang suggested that he send a box of soda. To impress people, you have to have something real. Talking on paper is ultimately less convincing.

Three days later, a box of soda that Zhao Jianjun had sent in advance also arrived. As yellow water was not in season yet, he sent a box of coconut juice, using straw and leaves as buffers in the middle of each bottle. So when they reached Lin Xiang's hands, they were all safe and sound.

When Lin Xiang brought coconut juice to the administrative office again, Ding Youshan saw coconut juice that was completely different from the various sodas sold in the capital.

There has never been such a milky and rich soda, it is white and beautiful, and the rich and fragrant taste after taking a sip is even more amazing.

"This taste is really different from orange soda!" Ding Youshan comes from a well-off family and has tasted many good things, but she has never tasted soda of this flavor.

It is sweet and fragrant, and the aftertaste seems to linger on your lips and tongue after you finish drinking it.

Ding Youshan brought a few bottles of coconut juice sent by Lin Xiang and showed them to her colleagues for a taste. Without exception, they were all amazed.

"It's really such a good thing! This thing is not only delicious, but also different. It has a taste that I have never tasted before. People are willing to supply it to our sports meeting for free?"

"Is this factory legitimate? Let me take a look."

A colleague was alert and took a closer look at the sticker on the coconut juice bottle, and indeed saw the words "119 Food Factory".

The official who has relatives in the south slapped his thigh and suddenly remembered: "I've heard of this 119! Why does it sound familiar? My cousin went to the south as an educated youth. When she came back to visit her relatives, she mentioned this factory and said that the canned sauce and water were delicious. I tried the canned food and it was really fresh. The water was not easy to carry, so I didn't drink it. Now I remember it, it's coconut juice! I heard it's very popular in the south and everyone loves it."

Seeing that everyone liked it, Ding Youshan decided, "Let's put this one in the sports meet. It can also save money."

Every penny saved counts.

The sponsorship of the Peking University sports meet went smoothly. Ding Youshan reported to her superiors, who made the official decision after evaluating and tasting the samples.

Lin Xiangshang called the second factory through the school post office and confirmed with Director Zhao the supply quantity and arrival time of the coconut juice. Ding Youshan would later send a telegram to the 119 Food Factory with the specific details.

Kyoto University will also return the favor by promising to allow 119 Coconut Juice to appear when major reporters from Beijing come to interview and film.

"Thank you, Deputy Director Ding. I've been bothering you for a while." There were 12 bottles in the box of coconut juice. Five bottles were used for the administrative office, and Lin Xiang gave the other four bottles to Ding Youshan.

Ding Youshan didn't answer: "In the final analysis, our school got the advantage in this matter. We are also grateful to the 119 Food Factory for the free supply. So I won't accept this coconut juice. It's all for the school."

Lin Xiang recalled that the last time they had dinner together, Ding Youshan was like a distant figure, with a sense of alienation everywhere, and it seemed that it was difficult for people to get close to her.

Ding Youshan refused, and Lin Xiang didn't force him. She just put down a bottle of coconut juice at the end and said, "This bottle is not a thank you for this matter. It's all because you and Brother Hong invited us to dinner last time. But if you say it this way, my return gift is too light. When you are free to go to the military academy, we will definitely treat you back."

When Lin Xiang first arrived at the military academy, Hong Wei and Ding Youshan invited her for a meal. Lin Xiang wanted to have another meal with them, but Ding Youshan never went to the military academy again and didn't give her the chance.

A bottle of coconut juice was placed on the table. Ding Youshan did not refuse it. She opened the lid and took a sip slowly. It was really sweet.

But Lin Xiang's last sentence reminded her that she hadn't been to the military academy for so long?

Thinking of Hong Wei, that burly man, Ding Youshan took another sip of coconut juice.

Lin Xiang’s roommates didn’t quite understand what she was up to recently, but they were enjoying the sweet coconut juice.

"Xiangxiang, the factory where you used to work still produces this kind of soda? It's so delicious!"

"It tastes different from orange soda! It tastes amazing. What do you think it's made of? What is coconut?"

"It's a round fruit, and it's very big. It's a pity that I can't show it to you." Lin Xiang shared the remaining coconut juice with her roommate and classmates from the next dormitory, giving each person an enamel cup.

When she mentioned that they would be able to drink coconut juice at the sports meet, everyone was even more shocked.

"So that's what you've been busy with lately!"

But people were more puzzled: "Is your factory crazy? How can you give away so much coconut juice for free?"

"How foolish! What a loss!"

They had never heard of doing business this way, it was simply a losing business.

Lin Xiang said mysteriously: "Haven't you heard that it is a blessing to suffer a loss?"

At least when it comes to sponsorship, taking a small loss is definitely a preparation for making big money in the future.

After finalizing the sponsorship of the Peking University athletic meet, Lin Xiang unexpectedly ran into Ding Youshan when she returned to the military academy on Saturday.

A man who hadn't been to the military academy for at least a month and a half appeared in the corridor wearing a khaki coat and met Lin Xiang.

"Hey, sister-in-law, are you back from school?" Hong Wei has dark skin and strong facial features, but he does not look stern. It's mainly because he is easy-going, friendly and enthusiastic. He has many friends and comrades-in-arms, and he greets everyone he meets.

Ding Youshan stood expressionlessly beside Hong Wei. One of them was talking excitedly while the other was listening coldly. It seemed so inconsistent no matter how you looked at it.

"Yes, I just got back from school. Brother Hong, Deputy Director Ding, are you going out?" He Hongyuan had something to do today, so Lin Xiang rode her bicycle back by herself. "Are you free tonight or tomorrow? It's a rare opportunity, so our family must treat you to a meal."

Hong Wei waved his hand: "Even if it doesn't work, I have to go to my father-in-law's house. Maybe next time."

"OK."

Ding Youshan and Lin Xiang passed by each other and their eyes met. Ding Youshan nodded to Lin Xiang and urged the man, "Let's go. My parents are waiting at home."

"Okay, let's go." Turning his head, Hong Wei called to Lin Xiang, "Sister-in-law, we're leaving first. Tell Brother He that I'll come back and have a drink with him."

"Okay." Lin Xiang listened to the sound of this couple with completely different temperaments going downstairs. She turned around and heard the sound of footsteps. The girl in the house heard the noise outside and knew that her mother was back, so she ran out in a hurry.

"Mom!" Little Coconut will be three years old next week, and that day happens to be Sunday, so Lin Xiang can celebrate the child's birthday with her.

The three-year-old child seemed to have grown taller all of a sudden, and became heavier to hold.

"Hey, are you going to eat something delicious again?" Lin Xiang carried her daughter into the house and saw her mother-in-law lighting the coal stove and preparing hot pot ingredients. "Mom, are we going to have hot pot today?"

"Yes, the copper pot that Hongyuan brought back is suitable for hot pot!" He Guifang put the copper pot on the coal stove, put the sliced ​​mutton rolls on three plates, and prepared some vegetables. "The mutton was sent by his comrades-in-arms. It's fresh and delicious."

Lin Xiang didn't expect to have such a delicious meal tonight, so she was looking forward to her man coming back soon.

He Hongyuan was called to further shooting training today, and it was already dark when he returned home.

When I saw the hot pot and lamb rolls on the table, it was not surprising. But when I saw the coconut juice on the table, my eyebrows raised slightly: "You sell coconut juice from your factory here?"

Lin Xiang lit the fire and started cooking the hot pot with her mother-in-law. She smiled and said, "I think this is a sample sent by Director Zhao to support the sports meeting of Beijing University."

He Hongyuan washed his hands and sat down. He couldn't help but admire: "You are incredible. Have you really agreed to provide free supplies to the school sports meeting?"

"Hmm!" Lin Xiang tilted her head and looked at the man, "Isn't that amazing?"

Little Coconut watched his mother talking to his father, and followed suit, tilting his head and saying in a coquettish voice, "I'm awesome, right~"

In the end, the child ended up with his chubby little face being pinched by his dad and mom, respectively.

Little Coconut called out to his grandmother: "Grandma, save me, Baba, my mommy is bullying me! I want to eat meat!"

He Guifang didn't know how children these days could say anything. She smiled so hard that her wrinkles became prominent. She quickly put a piece of mutton in her granddaughter's bowl and said, "Okay, grandma is here. Your dad and mom won't dare to bully you. Let's eat meat!"

The lamb in the north is delicate, smooth and tender. It is delicious when dipped in rich sesame sauce. After eating enough of the meat, you can dip it in cabbage leaves, vermicelli and radish for a refreshing taste.

In late spring, eating a steaming mutton hotpot can warm your body.

As they were chopping their chopsticks, Lin Xiang mentioned the plans for next week: "Next Friday and Saturday are our school sports day. On Saturday, outsiders are allowed to come, but they have to use their student badges. Do you want to come and watch? I've signed up for a 1,000-meter run!"

"Yes!" Little Coconut almost jumped up three feet high, so excited that he couldn't help but say, "Mom, I want to see it, I want to see it!"

He Guifang immediately responded, "Let's go! But Hongyuan has to go to class, so he definitely can't go. I'll take Linlin with me."

Lin Xiang nodded: "Okay, Mom, I'll take you and Linlin to the school for a walk, and you can also cheer me up."

He Hongyuan: "..."

You have a good plan, but I have no part in it.

There were four people at the table, and three of them were lesbians, talking excitedly about the arrangements for the sports meet. No one really cared about them.

Lin Xiangan glanced at the man appeasingly, still smiling as she had just talked to her mother-in-law about showing her around: "There's nothing I can do, you have classes on Saturday too! When you're free, I'll secretly bring you in to take a good look around the school, dear~"

He Hongyuan thought the last word "be good" sounded very familiar. Isn't that what his wife often said to coax her two-year-old daughter?

Little Coconut on the side: I am a very good boy.

++++

The Kyoto University sports meet opened on Friday. Because it happened to coincide with the 80th anniversary, all the school leaders attended the meeting, and many alumni also came, including some big names from all walks of life across the country.

The school office where Ding Youshan worked was responsible for organizing and welcoming the event. Seats were arranged for the leaders, and a long table was filled with sodas, juices, and teas, including milky white coconut juice.

119 Coconut juice appeared in the seats for entertaining school leaders, professors, teachers and invited famous alumni. It also appeared in every corner of the sports field, placed in boxes.

On this day, the weather was fine. Lin Xiang was in the team of students from Class 2 of the Department of Economics and Trade, and they appeared in formation with other classes and departments.

The familiar sound of the "Athletes' March" that has been played on Chinese campuses for decades rang out, and Lin Xiang felt as if her DNA had moved! Even in elementary schools, middle schools, and universities in later generations, whenever there were important events, this music would be played.

The playground was bustling with people, and the students were full of vigor. After marching in formation, they all lined up at the bottom of the playground, listening to the voice of the host of the sports meeting in front of them and the speeches of the school leaders on the stage, as if they had returned to their youth.

Today, Lin Xiang has her hair tied in a high ponytail, with her smooth black hair spread out like satin, the ends of her hair sweeping across her slender white neck, and the striped sportswear on her body exuding youth and vigor.

As the principal on stage announced the start of this year's school sports meet, the playground became bustling with activity, and various sports competitions also kicked off!

Lin Xiang and her roommates ran around the playground, like busy butterflies looking for projects that their classmates were participating in, and cheering like cheerleaders.

Sports meets really seem to make people younger, full of energy, and run and jump freely.

Zhong Lihua, the third student in the dormitory, wanted to watch the boys play basketball, but she happened to run into the girls' volleyball match that was about to start. She pulled Lin Xiang's hand and said, "Xiangxiang, let's go watch basketball for a while and then come over to watch volleyball."

Lin Xiang was thinking about the fifth student in the dormitory, Luo Meng, who was about to go on stage: "But Meng Meng's show is about to start."

"It's still about seven or eight minutes. We'll go and see for a while and be back!" Zhong Lihua pulled Lin Xiang and shook her arm.

Lin Xiang inexplicably remembered that the lady also loved to shake her arm and act coquettishly, so how could she refuse? She smiled helplessly and said, "Let's go, we'll come back after a while."

Today's sports meet mainly included short-distance running and preliminary rounds of various ball games. Lin Xiang cheered and cheered with her classmates. In her spare time, she noticed that many people were curious about the milky white soda that replaced the Arctic Orange Soda.

"What are the athletes given this year? Why isn't it the Arctic Ocean? That water looks so white."

"Is it delicious? I see they drank a lot."

After the athletes were given their quota of coconut juice, it was also available to the students on a first-come, first-served basis. Many people lined up to get some, with two or three people drinking one bottle. Later, one person would take a sip and share it with others to try.

"Coconut juice? What is this? I've never heard of it."

"It tastes delicious, sweet but very fragrant!"

"Is this the new soda from the department store? I'm going to buy a bottle and drink it when I leave school on Sunday."

Lin Xiang listened at the side and curled up the corners of her lips quietly. If 119's coconut juice could really be sold in the north, it would definitely be popular. It appeals to the general public and most people would like it.

The milky white soda that suddenly appeared at the Kyoto University sports meeting not only attracted the attention of students, but also the attention of leaders.

The president, secretary and other school leaders of Kyoto University were walking and chatting with famous alumni on campus. As middle-aged people, they reminisced about the past, and their conversations were full of the ups and downs of Kyoto University over the years.

Minister Zhou, dressed in casual clothes, hurried over and shook hands with Peking University President Wang Huaishan to apologize: "Old Wang, I was really busy with work and came late. I didn't catch up with your opening ceremony."

Principal Wang and Minister Zhou were classmates. After graduation, one entered the education system and has since become a principal, while the other entered politics and now holds a high position.

There's no need to be reserved when meeting acquaintances.

Principal Wang joked, "Old Zhou, you must be punished!"

"Fine! You can't drink alcohol. You can't be a bad role model in school." Minister Zhou laughed loudly.

"Then it's your choice whether it's tea or soda."

"Then I will punish... Hey... This soda is quite different. Why does it look familiar?" Minister Zhou saw the tea and soda placed on the pavilion on the campus, and a bottle of milky white soda caught his attention.

It feels like déjà vu.

As the soda took his first sip, the sweet taste instantly brought him back to a day several years ago when he had been on a business trip to Haining Province.

"I've drunk this water before, it's great!"

Principal Wang's eyes were filled with surprise: "Have you drunk it before? This is my first time drinking it. In the past, it was always filled with Arctic Ocean soda, but this time it was filled with fresh soda. It tastes different."

"I know this. It's from a factory in Haining Province. I drank it when I was there on a business trip a few years ago and brought a few bottles back with me. Unfortunately, it was gone after I finished it and it wasn't sold here." Minister Zhou took the soda home. The children in the family loved it the most.

While the leaders were chatting, Principal Wang asked his secretary to call the person in charge of the school office to inquire about the supply of southern soda.

Ding Youshan followed the school office director to the leaders and told them about the free supply of 119. Several leaders were surprised.

"This water is actually supplied for free by the food factory where our freshmen used to work?" Principal Wang pondered for a moment and couldn't help but sigh, "A factory in the south wants to support the development of colleges and universities and even comes to the north. Their ideological awareness is really amazing."

Minister Zhou agreed: "This factory is indeed aware! When I was in Haining Province, I heard the deputy secretary of the Haining Provincial Party Committee praise that the young comrades in this factory have a very good spirit and are also active in developing new products. Now it seems that after a few years, this factory has never stopped and has been making progress."

When it came to this, Principal Wang simply asked Ding Youshan to call the freshman over: "No matter what, it saved the school a lot of money, so he should be praised."

When Ding Youshan found Lin Xiang, she and her roommate were watching the 100-meter dash finals. Amid the cheers, she heard, "Student Lin Xiang, the principal wants to see you."

"Ah?" Lin Xiang saw the first runner cross the finish line. His muscles tensed and released with every run, full of strength and speed. He almost ignored Ding Youshan's voice. "Deputy Director Ding, what did you just say?"

"The principal wants to see you."

Lin Xiang: “…?”

How come I, an ordinary freshman, was received by the president!

Lin Xiang was taken by Ding Youshan to a famous pavilion in the school, where she saw a group of middle-aged people sitting casually, none of whom looked like ordinary people.

Lin Xiang had seen the principal, secretary, and dean of studies from afar at the opening ceremony and today's sports meet. As for the others, she didn't know them, but judging by their aura, they must be important figures.

When Principal Wang saw this freshman, he mentioned the free supply from Factory 119 and praised it: "Student Lin, the food factory where you used to work has a high level of awareness. On behalf of the school, I would like to express my gratitude. Similarly, you have helped the school save a lot of money by acting as a bridge, so I would like to thank you too."

Lin Xiang never expected that the president of Beijing University would be so approachable. She smiled and said, "Thank you, President. 119 Food Factory also thanks our school for giving us an opportunity to get to know them. Director Zhao asked me to tell them that if 119's coconut juice can be sold in the capital in the future, it will definitely be due to our getting to know them at Beijing University. We will treat our teachers and students to a drink again."

The conversation was very interesting, and the group of middle-aged people laughed out loud as they saw how lively the young comrades were.

Minister Zhou even joined in: "Your factory is quite capable. I also drank your coconut juice and tangerine peel water when I went to the guesthouse of the Haining Provincial Party Committee. You never thought that I was the most far-sighted person in the room and drank it early, but they didn't have the good fortune to drink the tangerine peel water."

Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse?

Lin Xiang suddenly remembered that when he and Kong Zhenzhen went to the Provincial Party Committee to confirm the supply details, they encountered the guesthouse entertaining important people. It was later that he accidentally met Deputy Secretary Liu of the Provincial Party Committee. This is how he accidentally promoted the yellow skin water.

"Leader, this time the kumquats are not ripe yet. We have to wait for more than a month to produce kumquat water. The next time the school has a large-scale event, Director Zhao of the 119 factory will definitely be happy to supply it again. Everyone can taste the taste of kumquat water, which is very suitable for summer drinking. However, my colleagues and I did bring kumquat water to the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse to introduce it. I remember that was three years ago, in the summer of 1974."

Minister Zhou was shocked: "I was the one who went back. Could it be that when Old Liu came into the room with the yellow water and said that comrades from the food factory were outside delivering new soda, he was talking about you?"

Lin Xiang never thought that there would be such a fate: "Yes, leader, it was my colleagues and I who met with Deputy Secretary Liu, and that's why we supplied the yellow-skinned water to the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse. I didn't expect you were there at the time."

After three and a half years, I could recall our shared past events in such a strange way. Who wouldn't be surprised?

Minister Zhou had a rare day off, so he came out to relax, put down his burdens and attend his alma mater's 80th anniversary celebration and school sports meet. Unexpectedly, he would be dragged into some past events from a few years ago. It was indeed quite a coincidence.

"Look at these young students. They haven't even finished their supplies for this sports meet, but they're already thinking about the next one."

Principal Wang also laughed: "Young people have active minds."

Lin Xiang took advantage of the fact that the leaders were all here and struck while the iron was hot, saying jokingly, "When the city-wide college student table tennis competition is held next month, we can have the yellow skin water on the market, so it's a good time to try it."

If we slowly promote the product in private, the process will be long, so it is better to give it a try in the good atmosphere now, which will always save you money.

But before Principal Wang expressed his opinion, Minister Zhou started to play around: "That's great! I'll have to try it when the time comes!"

Principal Wang looked at his old classmate and couldn't help laughing: "Come here, you sign up for the college table tennis competition, and I'll give you a bottle of...what kind of water?"

Lin Xiang quickly followed up: "Yellow water."

"Yes, I'll give you a bottle of yellow water!"

......

The leaders took a break in the pavilion, preparing to continue reminiscing about the past and walking around. Lin Xiang followed Ding Youshan and left. Thinking of the fact that she had just won the supply for next month's table tennis competition, which would be open to all college students in the city and would have an influence beyond Peking University, Lin Xiang was even happier.

After thinking for a while, Lin Xiang caught a glimpse of Ding Youshan's gaze, and said seriously, "Deputy Director Ding, thank you."

Ding Youshan was surprised at how Lin Xiang behaved in front of the leaders just now. She was not at all restrained and behaved very confidently. She even took the opportunity to mention the supply for the table tennis match. It was really...amazing.

"Nothing much, but you are quite capable." Ding Youshan always felt that this person was different from ordinary students.

Looking at her back, with her high ponytail swinging, and trotting with her roommates to watch the game, she looked youthful and seemed no different from any other student.

On the afternoon of the second day of the sports meet, Lin Xiang went out with her school badge to welcome her family in.

To her surprise, He Hongyuan was also among them!

"Hongyuan, aren't you having class this afternoon?" Lin Xiang's eyes suddenly lit up, as bright as the sun today.

He Hongyuan smiled slightly: "There is shooting training in the afternoon. I am the first place, so I asked for leave and left early."

Lin Xiang: "...Awesome."

You are so arrogant, just like you.

"Mom!" When Little Coconut heard that his mother was going to run, he was so excited that he felt like he was going to join the race. He clenched his fists and cheered for his mother, "Mom, take first place!"

Lin Xiang: "..."

That might be a bit difficult, so please let your old mother go with her frail arms and legs!

He Guifang looked at her daughter-in-law and encouraged her: "Run as you like, we will just watch from the side."

Lin Xiang introduced her family to her roommates, and a group of people gathered around to tease Little Coconut, praising the child to the skies.

The little girl's face turned red, and her white face was rosy, like a pink apple. She covered her face with her hands and buried her face in her father's arms, saying shyly: "I'm not very pretty, just a little bit!"

Lin Xiang's unmarried roommates were simply overwhelmed by Little Coconut's cuteness: "Xiangxiang, why don't you just bring your daughter to our dormitory to live for a few days? Other dormitories have children here, so we can help take care of her together."

The freshmen selected by this special college entrance examination are different from others. Many of them are married with children. Taking the actual situation of the students into consideration, many schools have specially approved students to bring their children to live with them in the dormitory temporarily, which is extremely humane.

Lin Xiang, who had put on rubber shoes and tied her shoelaces tightly, was ready to go to the starting line and refused: "You just want to tease Linlin every day, right? Look at how many little tricks you have! Don't be lulled by her well-behaved appearance at the moment. This girl will not stop making trouble. You will know the hardship then."

Zhong Lihua held Xiao Yezi's hand, staring at her intently: "What's the commotion? Your daughter is so cute and pretty, how could she be commotion? It must be because you didn't give her candy. Come, auntie will give you candy. Auntie and your mother are roommates, good friends!"

Little Coconut blinked her big watery eyes: "That's right~ Linlin won't make a fuss~"

Lin Xiang: "..."

There's no hope. This filter is too thick to be helped.

Little Coconut was held by her grandmother and played with the Peking University students around her. He Hongyuan walked towards Lin Xiang who was doing warm-up exercises alone: ​​"Are you nervous?"

Lin Xiang nodded and shook her head: "There is no pressure of grades, but I am worried about being the last one, at least I don't want to be the last one."

He Hongyuan chuckled: "Being last is not a big deal. It's good enough that you can finish the race. Anyway, you must have made the most progress."

"That's true. I've made great progress." Lin Xiang could comfort herself and coax herself easily. It didn't matter if she was the last one. The important thing was to participate.

When we got to the starting point and heard the whistle, all the athletes started off together.

Lin Xiang, who used to hate running, felt the whistling wind in her ears as she ran backwards. With cheers coming from all around her, Lin Xiang felt as if she was as light as a swallow. She only had one goal in her eyes. She could not see if there were people around her or what ranking other athletes were in. She was only competing with herself.

After sprinting past the finish line and jumping into the arms of the man in front of her, Lin Xiang panted and cheered. She held He Hongyuan's arm and turned back to listen to the timer's count. When she heard that she had run the best result in history, she grabbed the man's arm in surprise and shook it: "Wow, this is my best run!"

He Hongyuan smiled and said, "Yeah, very impressive!"

Lin Xiang asked him: "Which one am I?"

He Hongyuan: “Second.”

Lin Xiang: "...? Tell the truth."

He Hongyuan added: "Counting backwards."

Lin Xiang: "..."

Not bad, the goal has been achieved!

On the way home, He Guifang praised her daughter-in-law for running the entire distance at the Beijing University Sports Meet. Little Yezi was so excited that her voice was almost hoarse. According to her grandmother, the little girl yelled along with the other adults throughout the race, and her voice was the sharpest in the audience: "Come on, Mom! Mom, run! Run! Run!"

That little voice is almost about to split.

Lin Xiang hugged her girlfriend and kissed her several times: "Good girl, mommy loves you for a reason."

But after returning to the military academy, the girl was still not satisfied and told her mother's competition to her uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters in the neighborhood.

At first, Lin Xiang didn't take it seriously. But on Sunday noon, when the family was preparing to go out to take little Yezi out shopping and eating to celebrate her third birthday, they ran into several neighbors along the way, and the first words they said to each other were.

"Xiao Lin, I heard that you took second place in the running event at the Kyoto University athletic meet. That's amazing."

"Xiao Lin is really amazing. He has good grades and is also a great runner. It's amazing that he came in second."

Lin Xiang: “…?”

How did she become the second place? Moreover, it seemed that everyone in the hospital knew about it. She was so embarrassed!

Lin Xiang looked at her husband, He Hongyuan looked down, then she looked at her mother-in-law, He Guifang looked down, and finally, Lin Xiang lowered her eyebrows and stared at the little girl He Lin on the ground.

Today is He Lin's third birthday. Her mother dressed her up beautifully. She wore a red floral sweater, a black skirt and black cotton pants, black leather shoes, and two pigtails on her head. She looked like a doll.

Lin Xiang looked at the cute little birthday boy and said, "Linlin, what are you saying about your mother outside?"

Little Helin looked up with great pride, and made a number 2 with her hands: "I'll tell the uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters that Mommy came in second in the race! Mommy is so awesome~"

Lin Xiang trembled: "Did you say that mom was second to last?"

Xiao Helin shook her head, looking righteous, and gritted her teeth and said, "What do you mean by last place? Mommy is the second place!!!"