Almighty Coach

by Stayrr

How could a poor graduate student without any background or connections become successful? With a coaching system? An upgrade? This is not a computer game, but real life we’re talking about! This will be a fantasy based on reality. Dai Li will fight back against all those who would mock and humiliate him with his astonishing and awe-inspiring training skills. From a nobody he’ll t

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Read Almighty Coach - Chapter 349: Father-Daughter Relationship online free - Light Novel Full

Chapter 349: Father-Daughter Relationship

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dingtian Xiao was surprised that Dai Li dared to speak to him in such a way. But later, he burst out laughing.

"I was such a person in your eyes? Political marriage? Do you think I will would sacrifice my daughter's happiness for my own career?" asked Dingtian Xiao.

Dai Li hesitated for a few seconds, then finally nodded: "Yunan told me that you've always wanted her to marry the heirs of other big enterprises, just like Fen Luo. You wanted to find a suitable son-in-law to inherit Dingtian Group."

Dingtian Xiao took a deep breath and said, "I see, so Yunan had the same idea as you?"

Dai Li didn't answer, but you could know the answer from his expression.

Dingtian Xiao was more exasperated, then he said, "I was surprised that she had the idea. It was no wonder that, each time I arranged a blind date for her, she would reject me. It turned out that she regarded them as each being a potential political marriage…"

Dai Li looked at Dingtian Xiao bewilderingly, and was keenly aware that there was something behind it.

Dingtian Xiao relaxed and said, "I started my business in the 1980s, when Yunan was born, and I've built up Dingtian Group. At that time, Dingtian was not as big as it is today, but it was a famous enterprise still, here. Yunan grew up in a very superior environment ever since her childhood, and she has never suffered from any hardship, as I provided her the best things. No matter what she wants, I will always try my best to satisfy her."

He continued: "But when it comes to marriage, I can't listen to her. Just as a Chinese saying goes: "A marriage between two families should be of equal rank" ... you should know what that means. Families backgrounds, social status, economic status, and occupations should all be taken into consideration in a marriage, thus, the couples will have more in common. However, if there is a big gap between the two families in lifestyle, living habits, and living cultures, there will be estrangement between the couples.

"I hope that my daughter and her future spouse have similar life experiences, similar values, and a common language, and I hope that they can understand each other, so that they can live together happily and won't quarrel over trivial things."

He took a breath, slow, then resumed talking: "So, I introduced many promising and rich young men to Yunan. In your eyes, they are the second rich generation, each having a pretty good family background and a lot of money. And the marriage between rich enterprises is quite similar with the so-called political marriage. But what I valued was not family background and money, but rather their life experiences, as they must have the similar values as Yunan, so that they could understand each other easily. You see, ordinary people don't have these!"

He charged on in his explanation: "In the corporate world, there are only several young men, who conform to the requirements of family background, economic condition, personal ability, and so on. I hoped that she could choose a man she really likes, and I encouraged these young men to make contact with Yunan, which she probably regarded as the so-called 'make a match' being a part of."

"Marriage is an important choice in everyone's life. The couples have to live together for the rest of their lives, so they must have tacit understanding, as they have to use the rest of their lives to accommodate each other, to understand each other, and to support each other. If they are different regarding their ideas and lifestyle, and they live together just out of passion, then they have to accommodate and adapt to each other, and so are forced to accept the living ideas and lifestyles they perhaps dislike or disagree with. Do you think that is a happy life?" he posed the question to a listening Dai Li.

The he added with a sigh, "I'm a father, I have only one daughter, and Yunan's happiness, in my view, is more important than anything else! Compared with Yunan, Dingtian Group is nothing! Therefore, I must be responsible for her marriage, and I do want to make her happy!"

At this moment, Yunan pushed the door open and came in, looking at her father with emotion. Yunan Xiao had been outside for a long time, listening their talk. Yunan was worried that her father would embarrass Dai Li, so she didn't leave. However, she listened to her father's true thoughts, and she immediately knew that she had always misunderstood her father.

"Dad, I'm sorry, I misunderstood you," said Yunan Xiao.

Dingtian Xiao opened his mouth slightly, but failed to say something.

"Mr. Chairman, I have to go!" Dai Li stood up to go, as he knew that Yunan and her father needed to talk.

Dai Li didn't leave immediately, but waited for Yunan near the door. After more than half an hour, Yunan came out of the room.

"I thought you were gone," said Yunan Xiao.

"I'm waiting for you." Dai Li paused and said, "Have you stitched up your misunderstanding?"

Yunan Xiao nodded: "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I might not have understood my father's true thoughts. Although, I still don't agree with him, I now know that he did it all for me."

"It couldn't be better, as you are family, and you should always talk with him and understand him," said Dai Li subconsciously.

"But I didn't expect you to say those words to my dad. No one has ever spoken to him in that way! Aren't you afraid of getting fired?" said Yunan Xiao, impressed.

"Now I'm a bit afraid. But, when it was all happening, I just wanted to say something that was fair to you at that time," said Dai Li.

"Thank you," said Yunan Xiao.

"Well, now that you're OK, I have to go," Dai Li waved to Yunan Xiao and turned away.

"Wait a minute!" Yunan Xiao suddenly said.

"Anything else?" asked Dai Li.

Yunan was a bit bashful and whispered, "Please don't take what my father said to you seriously."

"What?" Dai Li asked curiously, as Dingtian Xiao had said a lot to him just now, so he didn't know exactly what Yunan was referring to.

Yunan Xiao stared at Dai Li angrily, then said in a reproachful tone, "It's the words that you should keep me at arm's length! Don't take it seriously…"

"So? What do you mean?" Dai Li wondered.

"You are a fool!" Yunan Xiao looked at the puzzled Dai Li, not being able to keep from scolding him, which was more like coquetry between lovers.

A ripple of doubt went through Dai Li's heart, when he heard these words.

"Is she implying something to me?" thought Dai Li.

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Chapter 350: The Injured Racing King

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The season was over, and the holidays had begun, but the club became more and more cheerless. Harman's team had returned to Europe, the players all spending their time to rest, recover themselves, and take holidays.

Dai Li, however, didn't leave the club immediately, but rather, he began to date Yunan Xiao. It seemed that everything was going well after the celebration banquet. They established a good tacit understanding, they worked together, ate together, and went to movies together, if time permitted. They completely forgot Dingtian Xiao's words of: "You should keep away from Yunan."

On the evening of Christmas Eve, as they came out of a restaurant, a cold wind blew past them, and Dai Li took off his coat and put it on Yunan Xiao. They strolled down the pedestrian street, hand in hand, and when they looked at the couples around them, they got closer and closer.

Looking at Yunan Xiao's beautiful face, Dai Li couldn't help wanting to kiss her. But suddenly, his cellphone rang.

"It's a call from Germany," Dai Li looked at his cellphone, the security software showing the source of the call.

"Why did a German call me? Could it be a fraud call? I know that's been rampant recently," Dai Li didn't want to answer the call, but it kept ringing, so he finally answered.

"Hello, Mr. Li, Merry Christmas!" It was Cloud. Dai Li was very familiar with his voice.

"Mr. Cloud? What a surprise!" said Dai Li.

"I hoped that I haven't disturbed you, because I thought Spring Festival is your traditional holiday." Cloud added, "My wife was cooking the Christmas Eve dinner, and I couldn't bear her nagging, so I walked around the yard and gave you a call. How are you doing?"

They greeted to each other, then Cloud got right down to business: "Dai Li, I know you had your own methods in rehabilitation training, and that several players in the team had recovered quickly with your help and methods. But their injuries were not very serious, as many of them were cumulative trauma disorders. I wandered if you could cure a very serious injury, also?"

"How serious was it? What kind of trauma?" asked Dai Li.

"The injured was hit on the head, which caused intracranial hemorrhage and cerebral edema after surgery. After two weeks spent in an artificial coma, his cranial injury has recovered, but partial cerebral hypoxia might have caused the injury of nerves, which couldn't be judged accurately. There were fractures and hairline fractures in his body, but they were not serious and have since healed. Therefore, it was not local trauma, but rather, was comprehensive physical trauma," said Cloud.

"How was his spine? Could he act on his own?"

"There was nothing wrong with his spine, he can now sit up and stand, with much help, but it is difficult for him to walk," said Cloud.

"That means he can't act on his own," Dai Li nodded.

"Far from not being able to act on his own, he is now almost completely at a total loss of control over his limbs. He can't stand truly firmly without the help of others. He can only slightly raise his arms, and he can't even clench his fists," said Cloud helplessly.

"It sounds like he had a very serious injury, was it caused by routine sports? A car accident?" asked Dai Li subconsciously.

"It's not a car accident, the injured hit a stone at a high speed while skiing. But fortunately, he wore a helmet, or else he would have died," Cloud said with a sigh.

"It occurred to me that Helheim, the king of racing, hit his head when he was skiing a few months ago," said Dai Li.

"You guessed it, the injured is Helheim," Cloud confessed.

"Really?" Dai Li remembered the news that he had read a few days ago. But then he had been preparing for the Asia Champion League, so he didn't pay much attention to it at the time.

"Yes, it's him! We have been friends for over ten years, as I was his fitness coach when he was at Ferrari," said Cloud.

"I have been praying for him since he was injured. And when I returned to Europe, I went to Switzerland to visit him for the first time, hoping to help him. He is safe now, but from the perspective of a coach, he is still in bad condition, and it's difficult for him to be an able-bodied person again."

Cloud paused, then said, "In fact, Helheim has received the best medical team, the best medical equipment, and the best treatment, but he is still is not in good condition. So, we can only rely on exercise rehabilitation. But I have no idea, because he can't even do the basic rehabilitation training. I guess you could help him, as I remembered that you could help these athletes, who I now see can run and get back on the court. I wondered if you could help him to recover, or at least help him to do rehabilitation training."

"Well…" Dai Li hesitated for a moment, because he didn't know whether rehabilitation massage would be helpful to Helheim.

"Cloud, I'm not sure if I can help him, but I can have a try," said Dai Li.

"Better try than give up all hope!" Cloud sighed, then said, "When can you come to Europe? We're going to Switzerland."

"At least one week, I have to get a visa. Unlike you, German passports are almost visa-free in Europe. You can go anywhere you want." Dai Li agreed to his request.

Helheim is a German, the world's greatest Formula One driver. He has won the championship of Formula One seven times, and he kept most of the records of Formula One Racing. So, he was known as "the king of racing".

Apart from racing, Helheim's biggest hobby was skiing. He would spend a month or two a year at a ski resort in Europe. Not long ago, the Alps had just started its ski season. So, Helheim couldn't wait to go to the ski resorts in the French Alps, but unfortunately, he hit his head on the stone and almost lost his life.

There had been much debate in the news media about Helheim's injury. Some say he has been a vegetable, and could never stand up again, while others say he would recover soon. Now, it seems that what Cloud has said is the reality. Helheim didn't become a vegetable, but he would not recover soon, either.

Dai Li knew Helheim very well. Being one of the greatest racing drivers in the world, Helheim had led the trend of the times. When Dai Li got the intermediate detector, and hence, knew the talent date for athletes, he thought of several athletes whose date might be S, including Helheim.

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Chapter 351: Will You Believe in Miracles?

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the following week, after applying for a Visa to Germany and Switzerland, Dai Li flew to meet Claude in Germany, and then onward to Switzerland.

Many professional race drivers chose to settle down in Switzerland, because being a race driver was not recognized as being a career by the Swiss government. Therefore, if race drivers lived in Switzerland, they would be registered as unemployed, so they would enjoy more preferential treatments in taxes. Especially for Helheim, a world-class racing driver, who got an income of billions annually, even a 1% cut in tax would be a good deal. Therefore, he settled in Switzerland years ago.

Switzerland had the highest level of medical care in the world, and even among the developed western countries, Switzerland enjoyed the most efficient and effective medical system. Besides, Switzerland was quite attractive to talents. Many high-level doctors would choose to immigrate here. So, Helheim, who would never lack for money, could get the world's top medical treatment here.

Dai Li, with Claude, came to Helheim's villa, which was more like a medieval castle, and was located by the picturesque Geneva River. In front of him was a large area of grassland, which was broad enough for a round of golf, and was surrounded by trees. Though there were many famous people living around, these trees could protect the owner's privacy.

Pointing at the villa, Claude said, "To build this villa, Helheim spent over thirty million euros. It contains eight bedrooms and five shower rooms, together with a kitchen costing three million. It has a small cinema, a sauna room, one indoor pool and two outdoor pools, which could be injected with fresh lake water. Have you seen the tower? The roof was hand-polished and cost 400,000 euros!"

"After his injury, Helheim's wife spent nearly 10 million euros converting this villa into a modern rehabilitation center. Now, it has the most advanced rehabilitation equipment in the world, and the medical professionals of Lausanne University Hospital stay here 24 hours, on call."

"That is his wife. She is awaiting us there," Claude made an eye gesture at the villa's gate, pointing to a gaunt, middle-aged woman standing there. That was Helheim's wife, Corinna.

"Corinna, is Helheim getting better?" Claude asked with concern.

"Still the same," Corinna sighed and then looked at Dai Li.

"He is the one I told you about, Coach Li," Claude started to introduce them.

"Coach Li, nice to see you. Thank you for coming here from the far east," Corinna politely shook hands with Dai Li. Her expression seemed a little confused and even more panicked, since she didn't expect him to be so young.

Yellow people seemed to be younger than white ones. So, her judgment of his age was even less than his real age. Ordinarily, Corinna would never believe such a young man could help her husband, and even she would doubt whether Claude could get to know a swindler of the east. However, now she was desperate and had no choice. She would try anything to rehabilitate her Helheim.

Dai Li answered humbly, "I am a fan of Helheim, too, and I also hope to see him recover soon. If my method would work, it's my honor."

"Well, Corinna, it's still early. Let's see Helheim first. Now he needs more rest. I don't want to disturb you too long," Claude said.

"Please follow me. Professor Nelsen of Lausanne University Hospital is just here. Maybe you can exchange with each other," said Corinna, as she led them into the villa.

"Professor Nelsen? Darcy Nelsen?" Claude said the name at once.

"Yes, that's him!" Corinna nodded, "My husband is now in charge of his team. He comes in person every two or three days."

Dai Li asked softly, as he approached Claude, "Is this Professor Nelsen very famous?"

"He is an expert in rehabilitation therapy and fairly famous in Europe. I read one paper of his about rehabilitation therapy, long before, and it's quite helpful in sports rehabilitation. In terms of level, his position in rehabilitation therapy was almost as high as my position in physical coaches," Claude responded.

So, he is a top expert in rehabilitation therapy in the world! Dai Li thought. He knew Claude was nearly at the world-top level as a football physical coach. According to this, Professor Nelsen was also the top in rehabilitation therapy.As these three people approached Helheim's recovery room, they happened to see a bald, old man wearing glasses coming out.

"Professor Nelsen! How's my husband? Getting better?" Corinna asked eagerly.

"Compared to the condition he was in two days ago, his language competence hasn't recovered yet. I think we need more patience," the bald professor said.

Corinna nodded disappointedly, then made introductions: "Professor Nelsen, let me introduce to you. This is Mr. Claude, who I mentioned before."

"Professor Nelsen. I've heard a lot about you," Claude said politely.

"Mr. Claude, hello. I heard a lot about you from Helheim. You are a world-top physical coach and an expert in sports rehabilitation," Nelsen stepped forward and shook hands with Claude.

As for Dai Li, behind as usual, he was ignored by Nelsen. An Asian young man in his twenties was naturally regarded as a nobody by Nelsen.

Nelsen then made a brief introduction regarding Helheim's condition and turned to leave.

Corinna led Dai Li and Claude into Helheim's room.

Finally, Dai Li saw the real face of Helheim.

Helheim looked much older than his pictures in the media. Perhaps because of the injury, he seemed gaunt and thin. At this time, he was half-lying in his bed. When he saw Claude, a smile appeared on his face.

"My old pal, I'm coming to see you. How do you feel?" Claude asked.

"Not bad," his voice sounded very weak, his words not quite clear. It even sounded like an old wizard was saying a spell.

But for Dai Li, it mattered nothing. Helheim and Claude were talking in German. Dai Li didn't understand what they said, even if he could hear it clearly.

"I brought you a man," Claude pushed Dai Li forward and continued, "His name is Dai Li...my colleague and a physical coach too, very proficient in sports rehabilitation. I bring him here, particularly to see if he can help."

"Hello, Mr. Helheim," said Dai Li in English.

"Hi, Mr. Li," Helheim looked at Dai Li. Now, in addition to his mouth, it was very hard for him to move his other parts.

Later, Helheim's eyes fell on Claude again.

"My old pal, let's talk for awhile, OK? I am nearly suffocating in bed," Helheim said inarticulately.

A racing driver was the kind of person who liked to have the pursuit of passion. They liked the thrill of extreme sports and, it indeed was a kind of torture to let them lie in bed all day.

Claude nodded, "Well. But before that, let Coach Li see if he can help you," said Claude, gesturing to Dai Li with his eyes. But Helheim refused, "Thank you for your kindness, but I don't think it's necessary. Therefore, don't bother Coach Li."

"Why?" Claude paused, as if he had guessed Helheim's concerns, and began to explain, "Although Coach Li is young, he is really quite proficient in sports rehabilitation, especially in practices. I have witnessed this many times, so please trust him."

Claude thought Helheim didn't trust Dai Li because he was so young.

"You misunderstand what I mean. It is not because I have no faith in Coach Li," a despair appeared in his eyes, and he deliberately explained it in English, in order to get Dai Li to understand, "I've been like this. It's great to live. I don't need to do anything in vain!"

Looking at Helheim, Dai Li could clearly feel the despair in his tone.

"In fact, I know my condition is terrible. After the surgery, I realized it when I woke up from anesthesia. I can't recover to the way I used to be, and it's impossible to be a normal person. But now, I can't raise my arms and step on my feet. My hands once used to drive the fastest racing car in the world, but now, I even cannot hold a pen."

Helheim's eyes became hollow, his voice still faint. Dai Li couldn't hear him clearly, but judging from his expression and tone, he knew Helheim's world had collapsed.

Corinna frowned, her eyes full of blame. She thought it was Professor Nelsen who had told Helheim his actual condition.

It seemed that Helheim got her thinking, and he said, "Corinna, it has nothing to do with Doctor Nelsen. I clearly know my own body. Don't forget, I have been badly injured before. Crashed with a speed of 200kmph, severe cerebral concussion, comminuted fracture, and pulled out in coma from a smoky racing car ... I've been through all these. I have gotten through all of these. So, this time, I know I'm afraid of being so lucky again."

"So, you choose to give up?" Dai Li's voice came out suddenly, and he continued in a tone of questioning, "You feel there is no hope, so you give up? Are you really willing to lie here all of your life?"

Helheim smiled sadly, "I know what you want to say. You want to tell me don't give up and continue to fight like a warrior and regain my previous glories! But to me, now, none of those matter!"

"Glories, I had many. I even can open a museum with all the trophies. Position, I had that also. I was at the top of the world as a racing driver. Wealth, I don't lack. Although the injury this time might cost me much, I could live a rich life all the rest of my days with all my wealth."

Still, Helheim couldn't express himself clearly, but Dai Li was listening earnestly and understood his words.

Dai Li had also met some athletes who gave up on themselves, such as Feixiang Lin, who abandoned his training and only went to nightclubs for fun. However, there was always a flame of hope in his mind. He was eager to return to the field and to his peak.

But Helheim was different. He was a retired athlete. Besides, he had achieved the highest level of success in the field of racing, even having no competitors. His achievements were nearly unsurpassable, and he was really so powerful that he had nothing left to pursue. The lyric "how lonely to be invincible is" was quite suitable for Helheim.

Therefore, after giving up on himself, Helheim completely lost his morale. For him, even if he could return to his peak level, all he could experience was loneliness. Unlike Feixiang Lin, he couldn't rekindle his hope.

"I've received a lot in my life, so God let me quit something. Hence, stop talking to me about struggles and ideals. Let me rest," said Helheim, as if tired, as he closed his eyes.

"But your family and your friends haven't given up," Dai Li continued, "They hope you can recover. Your parents want a healthy son, your wife wants a healthy husband, and your son also wants a healthy father. They want to see a normal Helheim, rather than a self-abandoned wretch in bed!"

Dai Li's words let Helheim open his eyes, and he involuntarily looked at his wife. Seeing his wife pining away, he felt an inexplicable sadness. The next second, however, Helheim sighed hopelessly, "I understand what you're saying, but I know my condition is really terrible, and that the chance of complete recovery is nil. I could never turn back to what I used to be, unless a miracle happens!"

"So, for your family, will you believe in miracles?" Dai Li stared at Helheim seriously, and then he said slowly, "You don't have to answer me now. I think you should think it over, before you answer me. If you still believe in miracles, I would do everything I can to help you."

A vague bewilderment appeared in his empty eyes, and there contained a trace of struggle and pain deeper in them.

"I once met an athlete, who gave up himself for an injury. At that time, I gave him a sentence, and now, I give it to you: If it is a physical injury, I still have some ways. But if it be a mental one, even God cannot save you!"

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Chapter 352: For the Family

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The original sentence Dai Li said to Feixiang Lin was: "If one gave up mentally, even the immortals couldn't save him." But for westerners, it was exactly more appropriate to replace the word immortals with the word God.

Dai Li didn't make rehabilitation massage for Helheim, but his words touched him similarly. He may not care about self-salvation, but he had to care about his family. In the afternoon, nearing sunset, Helheim lay in his bed, two empty eyes staring at the ceiling.

A slight snore came and Helheim turned his face to see his wife lying in his bed, not knowing when she fell asleep.

"She really had a hard time recently," so touched was Helheim, that his old days flashed in his mind.

Helheim was a racing driver, and the Formula One Racing he had occupied was one of the most dangerous sports in the world. There had been many deaths on the track throughout its history. Therefore, every time he attended races, his wife was very nervous, hoping that he wouldn't have any accident, and that he would come back safely.

His two sons were playing football on the lawn outside the window, screaming and running.

Although Helheim was the greatest racing driver in history, he didn't wish his sons to follow his steps and become racing drivers. He also didn't wish they could watch his matches, because he knew this sport was too dangerous, and he would rather his sons just be ordinary people.

"I chose to retire for them!" looking at his wife and thinking about his sons, Helheim sighed with emotion.

By his age and condition at that time, it was definitely no problem for him to race for four or five years more, but he chose to retire. He didn't wish his family to live in fear every day any longer.

He didn't want to see his wife nervous. Helheim remembered that Corinna spent a long time in church before each match, praying that he would not suffer accidents and would could come back safe and sound.

He also didn't want his sons to view him as their model, and he was afraid that they would love this dangerous sport. So, he even took holidays abroad, as excuses to prevent them from attending youth carting.

Years ago, I chose to leave the track, and to retire for my family. I didn't want them to be nervous. But now, they are still worrying about my condition.

Thinking of this, Helheim closed his eyes.

The screams of his two sons from outside came through the window. They seemed to be arguing about the football. Helheim wanted to go there and stop them, but now he could just lie in bed helplessly, like a piece of trash. The feeling of hopelessness made him want to shout and vent, but in fact, he couldn't even speak loudly.

The setting sun dyed the sky into red, and made Helheim sleepy.

Suddenly, a voice broke out, "Dad, pass the ball to me!"

Helheim saw his two sons waving hands to him. Lifting his leg, he wanted to kick the football to them, but the ball was still there.

"Honey, dinner is ready. It's time for dinner!" Corinna's voice came from a distance.

His two children ran to their mother, and Helheim intended to step forward, but only found that he couldn't move at all. The two children and their mother went into that castle-like villa.

"Wait for me!" Helheim shouted, but they were getting further away, as if they heard nothing.

"Wait for me!" he wanted to rush there, but couldn't move at all.

Corinna and his two sons went into the villa and disappeared from view, leaving Helheim standing there, alone and hopeless. The setting sun disappeared under the horizon, and all surrounding was left in darkness. All Helheim felt was that he was enveloped by endless fear. Silence was everywhere, as if countless demons lurking there would devour him soon. The nightmare frightened him, causing him to keep opening his eyes. Out of the window, the sunset's glow came into his eyes again.

Corinna was still in sleep by his bed, snoring softly. The sound of his two sons, playing football on the lawn, came into this room.

"Just a dream!" Helheim sighed with fear, "What a nightmare!"

This moment, Dai Li's question flashed into his mind.

Will you believe in miracles for your family?

Also, at this moment, Helheim finally realized what he had lost.

At this time, I should be playing outside with my sons, instead of lying here!

At this time, I should stay in the kitchen with Corinna, preparing today's dinner together!

At this time, I should be in my study, and call my parents to invite them here to spend the weekend!

I chose to retire, just for these things! I hoped to spare more time for my family. But now, I only can lie here, letting them look after me and worry about me.

Will you believe in miracles for your family? Once again, Dai Li's question came into his mind. But this time, Helheim's heart was renewed.

"Yes! For my family, I will believe in miracles!" Helheim muttered.

His sound awoke Corinna. Raising her head, Corinna looked at him and asked, "What did you say? Are you thirsty? I'll get you some water, OK?"

"No! I'm not!" said Helheim, looking gratefully at his wife, "Make me an appointment with Claude and that Coach Li tomorrow."

Corinna hesitated and asked, "Can we believe that Coach Li? He is too young, maybe in his twenties..."

"I would like to believe him, even just for you! I am willing to believe in miracles!" Helheim said with a firm look.Once again, Dai Li and Claude came into the medieval castle-like villa.

"Mr. Helheim, I'm afraid that you are not fit for rehabilitation at your current physical state, so we can only start with the most basic massage," Dai Li said seriously.

Helheim nodded. He even couldn't stand up now without help, let alone do rehabilitation exercise. Dai Li continued, "In addition to hitting your head in the accident, your legs are fractured. By comparison, your arms are probably the least injured, right?"

"My arms suffered only bruises," Helheim answered.

"Can you raise your arms?" Dai Li asked.

"Yes, but only a little," Helheim tried to raise his arm, but it stopped before thirty degrees. Obviously, it was his limit now.

"Can your fingers move?" Dai Li continued, "Could you have a try?"

"Pretty hard!" Helheim moved his fingers slightly. Obviously, it was also all he could do now.

"I see," Dai Li frowned and realized now that Helheim's condition was really serious. In all likelihood, the inability to move without any trauma mostly was due to damage to the nervous system.

Fortunately, I upgraded the rehabilitation massage before, so now it can activate damaged nervous tissue and promote the nervous cells. It may work for Helheim.

As Dai Li was thinking of this, the door opened suddenly.

"Wait a minute!" Professor Nelsen burst in and snapped.

"What are you going to do with my patient?" he asked with a stern look.

"Professor Nelsen, take it easy. They're just giving me a massage," Helheim explained.

"Massage? That's not the doctor's advice!" Nelsen said coldly.

Suddenly, Helheim looked a little embarrassed. As a patient, he should follow his doctor's advice, but he bypassed his attending physician and hired a coach for rehabilitation massage. It was not correct. Nelsen even could regard it as showing a distrust of the doctor.

Claude started to explain quickly, "Professor Nelsen, don't get me wrong. We are physical coaches, and we are also experts in rehabilitation training. We just make some additional complements on the basis of your treatment. This will help with Helheim's recovery. For example, in addition to taking medicine, patients can also take some extra nutrition supplements to improve their bodies, right?"

"However, the premise is that nutritional supplements will not conflict with the medicine, and will not aggravate the patient's condition!" Nelsen grunted.

"Of course not, Professor Nelsen. Your concern is unnecessary. Every year we do rehabilitation trainings for dozens of athletes, including some with severe injuries. So, in this respect, we have rich experience. Therefore, please trust me on my professional level, that we'll never aggravate Helheim's injury," Claude said.

"Coach Claude, I know you are the top physical coach in Europe, so I trust you. It's alright if you massage Mr. Helheim," saying this, Nelsen now pointed at Dai Li, "But he can't!"

Looking at Claude with a solemn face, Nelsen said seriously, "Mr. Claude, you know Helheim's injury is quite complicated, and he needs your experience. Therefore, it's better to do the rehabilitation massage yourself, rather than having your assistant practice on him!"

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Chapter 353: Get Him Convinced

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Claude smiled bitterly. He knew that Nelson had misunderstood him.

"Prof. Nelson, you've misunderstood. Coach Li is not my assistant. He is a fitness coach, just like me. Also, exercise rehabilitation is what he is good at," explained Claude.

"He is also a coach? He looks even younger than any of those medical interns! I'm not a coach, but as far as I know, a coach, just like a doctor, needs an accumulation of experience," Nelson went on with his doubts, "And Asian coaches are not the best in Europe."

His words meant that he thought that Dai Li was too young to be experienced and moreover, that he was doubtful about the ability of Asian coaches.

"I'm not an Asian in Europe. I'm Chinese," said Dai Li.

"Chinese? Then I won't let you touch my patient! The medical technology of you Chinese is, at most, in the second tier in the world!" Nelson became serious suddenly.

"Prof. Nelson are you a racist?" Claude questioned angrily. It was obvious that he was not comfortable with the attitude of Nelson.

"No, I'm not a racist. A lot of my patients are minorities, and I spare no effort to treat them," Nelson added, as he shook his head, "But I'm a doctor, who must be responsible for my patients. I have to make sure that all treatments are going to help him recover, instead of worsening his injuries, as long as I am his attending doctor."

"My massage will only make Helheim better," answered Dai Li.

"Who can guarantee that?" Nelson shook his head contemptuously.

"I can guarantee that," answered Dai Li at once.

"Your guarantee is not trustworthy!" Nelson took a deep breath and said calmly, "Coach Li, to tell you the truth, it is just the second time we have now met each other, and I don't even know your name. For me, you're just a stranger with a familiar face, so I can't trust you. And I will never allow you to do massage for Mr. Helheim."

Nelson was quite frank. He, a bald, old man, seemed to be extremely stubborn on this issue.

Dai Li said calmly, "The reason I'm so sure of this, is because the body of Helheim can fully take a normal muscle massage."

"Why are you so sure?" Nelson stared at Dai Li.

"The clinical manifestation of Helheim's arms is Level-3 muscle atrophy, and the clinical manifestation of his trunk is far worse, probably close to the Level 2 of muscle atrophy, but in fact, his arms are just suffering from Level-4 muscle atrophy. The muscle atrophy of his trunk is only Level 3. That is to say, the actual condition of his body is not as terrible as those clinical manifestations. Am I right?" Dai Li asked.

"How do you know?" Nelson, somewhat surprised, involuntarily turned his eyes to Corinna, who he thought had revealed Helheim's condition to Dai Li.

"It's not Mrs. Helheim who told me," Dai Li shook his head and added, "Don't forget that I am a fitness coach. I can tell what's going on with Helheim by observing and touching his muscles."

"That makes sense!" Finally, Nelson became serious.

Helheim's clinical manifestations were really bad. As an example, he could only raise his arms slightly. In medical classifications of muscle atrophy, it is Level-3 muscle atrophy if one's body can overcome gravity. But Nelson had found that Helheim's muscles were in the stage of Level-4 muscle atrophy, based on a series of examinations, including electromyography, muscle circumference detection, muscle tone examination and a MRI. That was far milder than what was indicated by Helheim's manifestations, and was more in line with the clinical manifestation of a patient who had been on bedrest for a long time.

Nelson couldn't get such results without medical examinations. But Dai Li reached the same conclusion only by observations and touches. That was what made Nelson finally treat him with some respect.

Dai Li continued saying, "Helheim's actual physical conditions are better than his clinical manifestations. Therefore, his muscles should be able to endure a normal massage, currently, in terms of either medicine or rehabilitation exercise. Am I right?"

Nelson nodded grudgingly. Dai Li was right. Helheim behaved as if he was very weak. It even seemed that he had difficulties moving slightly, but his muscle strength was not low at all. In other words, Helheim's body was strong enough to go through a normal muscle massage.

Dai Li went on speaking, "It is mainly a neurological problem, in the case of Helheim, isn't it? Part injuries of nerve roots, nerve plexuses, and motor neurons. I think you know much more about the causes of such injuries than I do."

"You got that from your observations, too?" Nelson asked, finding it hard to believe. What Dai Li just said is true. but Nelson got those results by measuring nerve conduction velocity and detecting evoked potential.

"I judge by experience," said Dai Li.

"What else can you see?" asked Nelson seriously.

Dai Li squinted enigmatically and then whispered, "Epilepsy!"

On hearing the word, Nelson's expression changed suddenly.

How did he know? Even I didn't know, until I got the report this morning! Not even Mrs. Helheim knew about it! Does the young man know divination?

Nelson wore a much more serious expression, staring at Dai Li.

Helheim had been showing anxiety and fear for a while, which had long been considered by Nelson as a psychological problem caused by trauma. Later, Helheim experienced occasional visual hallucinations and frequent auditory hallucinations, all of which met the primary symptoms of epilepsy.

Nelson knew that epilepsy was common for a lot of patients after brain surgeries. So, he arranged the examinations, including cerebral angiogram and a nuclide brain scan for Helheim, particularly. The examination results given to him today finally proved that Helheim had been showing signs of the early stages of epilepsy. Nelson's visit this day was, in fact, to tell Helheim's family about the new issue, and to decide the treatment plan.

However, Dai Li told everyone before Nelson started the topic! Dai Li knew so much because of the detector, of course. The detector would tell Dai Li accurately, as long as athletes had defects, whether they were physical or technical, including this epilepsy, the brain surgery's sequela, which only showed early symptoms recently … and the doctor diagnosed it before.

But when Dai Li spoke about the results of the detector, he convinced Nelson totally. Nelson's expression also showed what was in his mind. Seeing Nelson's expression, everyone there understood that Dai Li was right at once.

"Prof. Nelson, would you trust my expertise now?" asked Dai Li with a smile.

"Coach Li, I admit that your experience and judgment are indeed very good, I despised you before, for which I apologize to you now," Nelson continued, "But an expert like you should know that a normal muscle massage could only help smooth Helheim's blood circulation. The main problem now is neurological damage, which calls for a pretty long recovery process that cannot be replaced by a simple muscle massage. Muscle massage has almost no therapeutic effect on his current condition."

"My massage can stimulate the nerves of Helheim and accelerate his recovery," answered Dai Li at once.

"Coach Li, I hope you're not joking," Nelson replied with distrust again, and then said, "Almost all the great experts over Europe came here for a consultation for Helheim, and they have given many solutions. We have tried low frequency electrical stimulation, nerve nutrition, electroacupuncture stimulation, and even the most advanced laser treatments, but we didn't see any effects."

"It was because nothing else worked that I decided to try my method," Dai Li said, as he pointed to Helheim's arms, adding, "Start with his arm first."

"Coach Li, I admire your confidence, but do you think your methods will work, when even the best experts in Europe have been at a loss to do anything about it?" Nelson sneered. He thought Dai Li was too conceited, and Nelson didn't like a young man like that.

"Try, and we'll know," Dai Li answered confidently.

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Chapter 354: The Miracle Happened

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li seemed very calm. He didn't know how much the upgraded rehabilitation massage could do for Helheim's recovery, but was sure that it would make Helheim recover much faster, compared with the speed of his self- healing.

"Mr. Helheim, I'm going to massage your arm. Please relax," Dai Li put on special rubber gloves as he spoke.

Nelson shook his head helplessly. He considered what Dai Li was doing as being something totally useless. How would a case, remaining unsolvable to all experts on rehabilitation, over the whole, get effectively cured by such a simple muscle massage?

"Prof. Nelson, what did coach Li mean by epilepsy?" Corinna asked.

Her words reminded Nelson of the present business, then he replied, "That's why I'm here today. Epilepsy is a chronic recurrent transient cerebral dysfunction syndrome, which is one of the most common diseases on the nervous system, featuring a recurrent epileptic seizure caused by abnormal discharges of brain neurons. According to the latest test results, Mr. Helheim has been in the early stages of epilepsy."

"Why did it happen? Isn't he recovering?" Corinna asked.

Nelson immediately explained, "Acquired brain injury is one of the etiologies of epilepsy. After a brain surgery, the nervous system will inevitably encounter inflammations, including central nervous system infection caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and spirochetes, and nervous system complications of AIDS are among those etiologies, too. The brain hypoxia can also cause myoclonic epileptic seizures."

"That is to say, that my condition is now more complicated?" Lying in bed, Helheim asked.

"Yes," Nelson nodded, then went on talking, "But don't worry. You are now in the early stages of epilepsy, with less obvious symptoms. We are able to control the seizures by medication..."

He then went on with a torrent of introductions about epilepsy, as if he was giving a lecture about epilepsy in a college. Foreign doctors are very good at explaining the illness to their patients. Different from their counterparts in China, who must make diagnoses about hundreds of patients, a doctor receiving ten patients a day could be regarded as a model worker in a country with the top healthcare in the world, such as Switzerland.

A word-class leading expert like Nelson offered his services with a high price. His patients were all rich. Usually, he was scheduled for only two patients each day, so that he could explain their conditions thoroughly to them, from the pathogenesis to symptoms, and then he would propose a list of therapies, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each, for his patients to choose from.

If the patient wanted therapy plan A, Nelson would take him through a comparison among plan A, B, C and D, and then would recommend the most suitable: plan D. In the end, Nelson would add, "That's only my suggestion. It's you who will make the final decision."

A same case in China would never see so many explanations and suggestions from the doctor. He might directly choose plan D for the patient, even without a word to make the therapy clear to the patient and his family. The doctor just would just simply them about the decision and ask them to pay for the treatment.

Nelson's long "lecture" made Helheim and Corinna, as well as Claude, a fitness coach with a little knowledge about medicine, confused. As for Dai Li, he did not listen to Nelson at all. There were so many medical terms that Dai Li needed a dictionary to help him understand.

Foreign doctors respect their patients' rights to know. If there is nothing special in the case, they will tell the patient about his illness in detail. Such a way of communication between doctors and patients cannot be defined as "correct" or not, nor can it be judged by the standards of good and bad. What it will result in only depends on the psychological endurance of the patient in each specific case.

For example, in the case of a terminal cancer patient, doctors in China usually tell the condition to the patient's family member, instead of the patient himself. They are afraid that the patient cannot accept such a fact, and that would make him suffer in his last few days. But foreign doctors believe that patients should be told the truth, so that they can use their time left to fulfill some of their own unfinished wishes.

Those patients, who treat life positively, will indeed spend their final period of time to realize their own wishes. There is always news about someone with an incurable disease selling his houses and cars in order to travel around the world. And the one in the news is usually a foreigner.

As for those who cannot accept the fact they will soon die, they will be destroyed by their own fear about death, some of them even committing suicide to end their lives early. Such things are also frequently reported by domestic media. A patient, usually who was fatally ill, jumped off a building in a hospital because he could not face death. Hence, his family could get an economic compensation from the hospital, since his death happened in the hospital building.

Helheim, after serious injuries, was obviously not someone who could think positively. He looked upset upon knowing about his current conditions. He felt that he was one more step away from recovery.

My health is getting worse and worse, and now I have epilepsy. Maybe I can't recover. Helheim couldn't help but taking a look at Dai Li, who was massaging him, and he recalled Dai Li's words before and sighed in his heart. It is never easy to make a miracle happen!

A sense of disappointment hung over Helheim, and he felt that the world had turned grey again. It's useless. I've been in such a situation. A brain surgery, nerve damage, and now epilepsy. How can it be possible that such muscle massage works? It's just a waste of time. A sense of despair rose from the bottom of his heart, and he opened his mouth, intending to stop Dai Li from doing such a futile massage.

Helheim was then ready to give up.

"Coach Li..." Helheim said with a faint voice, but at that moment, a pain suddenly came from his arm. Helheim grinned with the pain, and then his mind was filled with joys. To him, it was a long-lost pain. Helheim had been unable to move his arms and legs flexibly after the brain surgery. Sometimes he couldn't even feel the existence of his arms at all. He even thought his two arms were no longer there with him. He was not even so sensitive to pains.

But the pain at the moment made him refreshed at once. He felt that his arm was coming back to him, with the numbness fading away and being replaced by the clear pains gradually...vivid, real pains.

Without a reason, Helheim thought of an image of a wasted and silent black land, covered by dark clouds that was suddenly enlightened by a ray of sunshine breaking the barrier of clouds. And a green seeding grew out of it. It was a wonderful symbol of life and hope.

"Mr. Helheim were you calling me just now?" the voice of Dai Li brought Helheim back to reality.

"Never mind..." Helheim shook his head hesitantly. His subconscious suddenly told himself that maybe he should give Dai Li a chance, as a chance to himself, too.

"It will be alright soon. Don't worry please," Dai Li explained further, "It's normal to be painful occasionally."

"I can endure it," Helheim answered, now full of trust for Li.

Nelson shook his head contemptuously. He thought it was useless. They'd be better off spending time on his detailed introductions of follow-up treatment for epilepsy, rather than on such meaningless massage.

"Mrs. Helheim, I would like to go back, if you have no question," Nelson bowed slightly and said. He did not want to remain here any longer.

"Thank you very much, Prof. Nelson. If there is any question, I'll call you!" Corinna saw him out.

"It's time to leave," said Nelson, turning to leave the room.

At the same time, Dai Li finished his massage and asked, "Try moving your arm, Mr. Helheim. Let's see what's different."

What difference will a muscle massage make? Nelson thought. He had reached the door and reached to open it...Helheim stared at his newly-massaged arm on his bed. At that moment, he felt a little nervous. He then had a hunch that his condition had gotten better. Meanwhile, he was worried that the fact would be the totally opposite.

He took a deep breath and began to lift his arm. Wow! Helheim suddenly realized that his arm was much higher than it had been before. He used to be able to raise his arm up to, at most 30 degrees, and now he moved it to about 60 degrees. Then he tried moving his fingers..."Oh? Oh!" Claude cried out happily.

"Ahhh! My holy God!" Corinna cried out, too. Her voice revealed her pure joy.

Meanwhile, Nelson had almost left the room, with his one foot out of the door. But the cry of surprise stopped him. Nelson turned back to see Claude clenching his fists and waving them near his chest, Corinna covering her mouth, with surprise in her eyes.

What happened? Nelson was confused, then turned around to find Helheim,

who raised his left arm high and clenched his fist.

For God's sake, that's impossible! Nelson was stunned the moment he saw this.

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Chapter 355: Buck-Passing

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Nelson stared at Helheim, his eyes as big as a bell, and he could not help but hold his glasses on his nose, just to make sure it was all happening.

Helheim did raise him arms, and could clench his fists. Although his couldn't clench tightly, he had never been able to do so before. Before the massage therapy, Helheim was just able to move his fingers slightly, and had even had difficulty bending his fingers, let alone his fists. But with just one massage, he could raise his arms higher and clench his fists.

Clenching fists is an important indicator in rehabilitation medicine. If someone can clench his fists, it means that he can pick up the spoon to eat, without the help of others, which is a basic element of survival, and that he has made great progress in self-care.

For those who lost or partially lost the ability of language, clenching fists means he can pick up a pen to write down his thoughts, which is an important method to communicate with others. The Helheims were not doctors, and they didn't know that clenching fists was such an important indicator. But it was much better to clench fists than to move fingers. However, being a professional doctor, Nelson knew that from moving fingers to clenching fists, in a mere dozens of minutes, was amazing progress.

"How come? Helheim can raise his arms! He can clench fists! I just introduced an epilepsy case here, but I didn't know the details of his seizure. How could he do that in such a short time?" Nelson even had some malicious doubts as to whether Helheim had recovered, or he just cheated him.

This idea just flashed in Nelson's mind, as he had been the attending doctor for Helheim for a long time, so for Nelson's real condition, no one knows better than his. Of course, he knew that it is impossible for Helheim for clench his fists at this point.

"Why? Is it the massage therapy? Could muscle massage really cure nerve injury? That doesn't make sense! I've been a doctor for most of my life and have never heard that!" Nelson looked at Dai Li and felt that what he had witnessed today was a violation of his common sense, him having been a doctor for decades.

Corinne covered her mouth with her hands, and tears of joy welled up in her eyes. These days, Corinne went through a string of bad news. Her strong husband had an accident and almost lost his life. Then, although, finally his life was saved, he still had a long way to go before he completely recovered, and whether he could take care of himself remained in doubt.

These days, she was beset with many things: care of her husband and two kids, communication with doctors to choose the best treatments, handling the media and facing the unknown future, all of which made her exhausted. She was suffering something she had never experienced before. Every morning, when she woke up, she hoped that what she had suffered was a dream, hoped her husband was still very healthy. But when she looked at the pillow beside her, she was always pulled back to the cruel reality.

Corinne needed some good news to encourage herself, or at least to give her something in return, to make her felt that everything she had done was worth it. Now, she finally got what she wanted, and saw the long-lost hope.

Next to Dai Li was Cloud, who felt proud and elated, because Dai Li was introduced by him, and Cloud would have been ashamed if Dai Li couldn't help Corinne. But at present, the effect of Dai Li's massage therapy exceeded everyone's expectations, which made Cloud feel excited.

"My dear fellow, you will recover soon, having coach Li here!" Could said with a smile, and meanwhile, he gave Nelson a provocative look in a casual way.

Cloud's eyes made Nelson depressed immediately. He was a doctor, a world's top rehabilitation specialist! But in the field of rehabilitation medicine, to think that he should have been disdained by a coach, Nelson felt ashamed immediately.

"How could this therapy achieve such a good effect, just with massage, might he secretly use some injections of which I haven't heard?"

Thinking like this, Nelson went back into the room, had a hacking cough, and then said, "Mr. Helheim, please allow me to examine your left arm."

Helheim nodded, and Nelson came to Helheim and had a careful examination. Nelson checked, caught hold of Helheim's left arm, and pinched his arm from time to time, then asked him about the feeling. Nelson wanted to have a careful examination of Helheim's hair and pores, in other words, he wanted to find out a few problems.

However, Nelson failed to find any problem, even after dozens of minutes, which made him even more confused about why muscle massage could be so effective.

Was my diagnosis wrong? Is it the muscle, not the nerve, that was really injured? It is impossible, the diagnosis can't be wrong, not with so many times of MRI. But what's the reason for the recovery of his arm? Perhaps, it is just a coincidence!

The word "coincidence" came to Nelson's mind. "Coincidence" was the best explanation for this violation of his medical common sense.

"Coincidence! Coincidence! It must be a coincidence!" Nelson kept telling himself.

"Professor Nelson, how was my left arm? Any problem?" asked Helheim.

"After my examination…" Nelson immediately said with confidence, then added, "it was the same as before, if you want to know more details, I have to give you another MRI."

"Thank God, I am OK!" Helheim heaved a great sigh of relief, turned to Dai Li, then said in an earnest voice, "Coach Li, could you give me another massage, on my right arm?"

"Of course!" Dai Li answered, then wore the special rubber gloves to do so.

This time, Nelson did not introduce "epilepsy", nor did he leave. Instead, he stood by and stared at Dai Li's hands. He wanted to have a careful look at his movements. But Dai Li's massage manipulation didn't bring any surprises to Nelson, as Dai Li used conventional massage manipulation, which was widely used by other therapists, and there was no novelty in his massage manipulation whatsoever.

It's just common massage manipulation! It isn't novel at all, I can do it. How can this common massage be so effective? It confirmed my conjecture, it must be a coincidence! Nelson relaxed immediately, and his gloom disappeared gradually.

Dai Li stopped to indicate that the massage was over and said, "It's OK, now, Mr. Helheim, you can try to raise your right arm, or clench your fists."

This time, Helheim directly raised his right arm, without any hesitation.

Helheim was not a left-hander, his right hand being more flexible than his left hand, so the performance of his right hand was much better than that of his left hand. At least, he could clench that fist more tightly, and his fingers were more flexible.

"I can clench my fist with my right hand!" Helheim waved his arms at the same time and said pleasantly, "I think it won't be long before I can pick up my knife and have a medium rare steak! I really missed that taste!"

Seeing the improvement of his arm, Helheim was in a good mood, and the thought of eating steak with a knife and fork made his mouth water. While Nelson, who stood to the side, stared at him, his eyes as big as bells.

"His right arm also has improved, it's not a coincidence!" He was depressed again. He couldn't find any evidence to explain what he had seen, and now, Nelson was completely at a loss.

"Why? What could be the reason? Why is this kind of muscle massage so effective?" Nelson couldn't help mumbling to himself, and was heard by Dai Li.

"Professor Nelson, are you asking me? Dai Li shrugged his shoulders, looked at the bewildered Nelson, then said, "I'm just a coach, and knew that it was useful to do that. As for the principles behind it, or the deep-seated pathological factors, I thought all of these are the business of the scientists in the field of rehabilitation medicine. Am I right, professor Nelson"

Nelson was shocked. In Dai Li's view, the "rehabilitation medicine scientist" was himself. Although Nelson was not the world's top rehabilitation medicine expert, he must be one of the top ten experts in the world. However, Nelson must admit that Dai Li was right. He was a coach, who pursued training effects and had chosen the training methods for better effect. A coach is a man of practice, so do you expect a coach to do some scientific research? Why else would we need scientists?

Nelson glanced helplessly at Dai Li, only to find that he was looking at him with a spurious smile. Did he mean that I should explain all these? But I don't know the reasons! No, he gave the massage therapy to Helheim, he was passing the buck to me! Nelson suddenly realized this.

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Chapter 356: The Scapegoat

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Switzerland is not hot in the summer, but it is very cold in the winter, the average temperature being zero. That is to say, the temperature will be below zero in the evening, and it will be under ten degrees Celsius in the day.

When there was a heavy snow, everywhere was covered with snow, especially the banks of the Geneva River, where Helheim lived. It was originally a beautiful place, and as it was now covered with heavy snow, it seemed that it was a holiday resort.

Dai Li pushed the wheelchair to the lawn in front of the villa, which was fully covered with snow. In addition, the medieval style villa behind him made him felt that he was in a fairytale world.

In his wheelchair, Helheim took a deep breath, expectantly looked around, and then said, "It's so great to come out and breath the fresh air! I would be a zombie if I stayed in my room all day."

"But you can't stay out too long, it's so cold outside. I promised the nurse that I would only be out for 20 minutes," said Dai Li with a smile.

"Twenty minutes is OK, I can see the beautiful snow, I can talk with you." Helheim paused and asked, "Could you help me up?"

Dai Li nodded, helped Helheim out of the wheelchair, then took two steps forward. "Be careful not to slip." said Dai Li.

"It doesn't matter, you won't get hurt if you fall down, I had a lot of experience in it," said Helheim confidently, then added, "I wish I could recover soon, so that I can go skiing again."

"You still want to go skiing again?" Dai Li looked at Helheim, dumbfounded.

It was because of skiing that he had an accident last time and almost lost his life. If it had been anyone else, it would have a deep psychological impact on them, making them even scared when they heard the word "skiing". Yet not Helheim, who still wanted to go skiing after recovery.

Harman understood what Dai Li meant, and then he said, "Take it easy, after this accident, I will slow down my speed when I go skiing."

After these words, Helheim turned to Dai Li and asked, "Coach Li, I should be able to recover soon, shouldn't I?"

"Look, you can walk in the snow with the help of others. Next, I will arrange some rehabilitation training for you. I guess, if everything goes well, you can walk by yourself," said Dai Li confidently.

After the upgrading, the effect of the rehabilitation massage was greatly improved, which went even beyond Dai Li's expectations. Helheim recovered rapidly under the help of rehabilitation massage, especially in his nervous system. The rehabilitation massage was tailored to Helheim, so he could walk with the help of others in ten days.

"Coach Li, you know, you've cost me a lot of money," said Helheim suddenly.

"What do you mean?" asked Dai Li, confused.

"Before you came here, I'd sold my private plane, the villa in Hawaii, the racecourse in England, and the wine estate in France. I thought I would spend the rest of my life in bed, and that I'd lost my self-care ability, so I didn't think I'd need them anymore."

Helheim continued to say, "But you cured me! I suddenly found that I shouldn't have sold them, and that I still need them. What's more, I sold them at a rock-bottom price, and now I find that I suffer losses."

At that point, Helheim was completely free from the German's stereotypical seriousness, so instead, he played a joke on Dai Li. Far away in the medieval villa, an eleven or twelve-year-old boy sat by his computer in a daze. His name was Mick Helheim, the younger son of Helheim, and he was on winter holiday.

Europeans love to take holidays. For many Europeans, at least one holiday a year is a must. In previous years, Mick would ski in the Alps with his family, or enjoy sunny beaches in Hawaii during the winter holiday.

This year, Mick had to stay at home and couldn't go anywhere, because of Helheim's injury. Time permitting, he could play football outside, but now that everywhere was covered with snow, he had to stay in the room playing computer games, watching television, and on the mobile phone.

Lucas was on vacation, so wer Andrew and Jenny. Mick looked at the pictures shared by his classmates on Facebook and sighed with admiration. Behind the pictures, there were the messages of his classmates, who would ask each other things and show off for each other. All of these made him think that he had nothing in common with his classmates, and so that he had lost the attention of his classmates.

Mick had blond hair, inherited from his mother, Corinna. He had always been the most popular in school, because he was a charming Germanic boy with blond hair. In addition, he was the son of Helheim, who was hailed as "The King". Hence, for Mick, the feeling of being forgotten by his classmates was terrible.

Everyone went on vacation, but I had to stay at home and make a snowman. No one left messages for me. If it was in the past, I would be in France or skiing in Austria, or enjoying the sun in Hawaii by this time. I would show my pictures, and my classmates and I would exchange many messages! Mick suddenly felt depressed, as if he were a stray wild goose, lonely and helpless.

But father will recover soon, as now, he is able to walk, so I think we can go on holiday this time next year. Thinking of this, Mick looked out the window, and it was then that he saw Dai Li and Helheim in the snow.

"It's dad and coach Li, who helped dad in physical rehabilitation." Mick suddenly had an idea, he picked up his phone, pointed at Helheim, and then pressed the button. Mick filmed a short video in less than 10 seconds, then shared it on his Facebook with a caption: "Dad will recover soon."

"Then someone will leave me messages!" Mick mumbled to himself.

But Mick didn't know that, in addition to his classmates, some strangers were also watching his Facebook. They were the journalists for motor sport magazine. Winter, especially after heavy snow, was often the most depressing time for motor sport magazines in Europe, because they couldn't find stories to cover.

Motor racing is an outdoor sport, so considering the weather in winter, there would be no decent races, and it is not worth covering small-scale indoor go-kart races. At this moment, all teams would be in the stages of research and development. They occasionally tested their motors, but they did it secretly in order to prevent information from being stolen by competitors, and hence, it was more difficult for journalists to get information. So, no matter how talented the editors and journalists of the motor sport magazines were, they had no opportunities to show their abilities to share the scoops!

Many motor sport magazines would cover gossip of some drivers, for example, like a driver had an engagement with a young model, or a driver had engagements with two young models at the same time, or with many young models. Usually, some blurry photos, taken in secret, and some high-definition amorous photos, were very attractive to buyers. Of course, motor sport magazines are not Playboy, so they can't cover such gossips and amorous photos in each issue.

Hence, Helheim's illness was obviously more gripping than the drivers' gossips with those young models, as Helheim had been a racing driver for more than a decade, which almost made two generations of fans of him. Mick didn't know that there was a journalist who had been focusing on his Facebook for a long time. When the journalist saw the video that had been uploaded by Mick, he was very excited.

A few days later, the headlines of the sports section in Europe was filled with the news that Helheim would recover soon. While in Helheim's hometown in Germany and Italy's Ferrari, Helheim became the headline of some mainstream media. The phone suddenly rang, as Nelson looked at it and showed a serious expression.

It's professor Mueller! Nelson was a bit surprised.

Muller was a veteran rehabilitation expert in Europe. When Nelson was young, he had spent some time in Muller's laboratory, so he was the student and a friend of Muller. Nowadays, although Muller was now more than 70 years old, he was still working, currently, in fact, at the Karolinska institute of Stockholm Medical University in Sweden.

The Medical School of Lausanne University in Switzerland, where Nelson worked, is quite famous in Europe, but can't compare with the medical school where Muller worked. The Karolinska institute of Stockholm Medical University is very famous for its science and technology, as it was responsible for the first selection of the famous Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Now, the selection committee of the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine was appointed by it. In addition, it was also responsible for the preparation of the selection. Therefore, Karolinska Medical School is the most unique in the eyes of the world's top scientists.

Nelson had always respected Muller, so he picked up the phone without hesitation and said, "Hello, professor Muller!"

"Congratulations! Nelson, you did it again!" said Muller.

What Muller said bewildered Nelson. "Congratulations? Why?" Nelson was confused, not knowing how to answer.

Muller continued, "I went to France to give him a consultation when he was injured, but his injury was quite terrible! But it is so amazing that you could help him to recover to such a degree in such a short time. It seems that your team has already led the world in rehabilitation medicine. I think you can take advantage of this opportunity and publish a top paper. Helheim is a celebrity and has a great influence, so considering his influence, even New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, or British Medical Journal would not reject your paper."

Muller's words made Nelson more confused, he didn't know why Muller advised him to publish papers in medical magazines, New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, and British Medical Journal are all the world's top medical journals. Professor Muller was still gushing, and he didn't give Nelson the chance to speak, as he continued to chatter, "When it comes to papers, I can't help but read your papers, so please make sure that when you finish it, I'm the first reader!"

After the call with professor Muller, Nelson had many doubts. The telephone rang again, and Nelson pressed the hands-free button, a sweet voice of his female assistant rang out from the telephone.

"Professor, you've a call from the editor of global medical network and he hoped to give you an interview."

"An interview? Of which aspects?" Nelson asked subconsciously.

"He wanted you to talk about the rehabilitation of Helheim."

"Helheim again!" It seemed that Nelson had realized that something was wrong with Helheim.

Being a doctor, Nelson had to do some research in his working time, and give lectures at colleges. Therefore, he had no spare time to watch sports news, and even if he watched sports news, it would be football news. So, he didn't know that Helheim was already the focus of the sports section in European media.

After the call, Nelson quickly opened the website and searched for the latest news about Helheim. The video, which showed Helheim walking in the snow, was also seen by Nelson. "Next to Helheim is coach Li." Nelson shook his hand with a bitter smile.

It's all coach Li's contribution, it's his massage, damn it! How can I write a paper?! I can't make it up! I didn't know his massage would make Helheim recover so quickly! Am I going to write a paper on massage, and then publish it in Lancet? Nelson mumbled to himself, suddenly becoming very discouraged.

As a doctor, and one of the world's top rehabilitation medicine experts, he was outdone by a sports coach, which really hurt his self-esteem.

My team is now in charge of the rehabilitation of Helheim, and now everyone thinks that it's my contribution. A lot of people may wonder what new research projects I've developed! But who should I talk to? Am I going to tell the world that something I can't handle is done by a sports coach?

Nelson felt as if he had become a "scapegoat" all over again.

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Chapter 357: The Duke

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Helheim was walking in the micro pool with some difficulty.

He stood on a track that looked like the one on the running machine. The track could rotate, following his steps.

Such a micro pool was actually the latest model of rehabilitation equipment, which integrated several functions of several older models of similar equipment. It was much more advanced than ones that Dai Li had used.

Squatting nearby, Dai Li looked at the clock and said, "I know you are tired. But you must hold on. You just need to walk another 15 minutes!"

Helheim nodded tiredly and moved again, grinding his teeth. For his present state, such a walk, with water resistance, was indeed tiring. But the desire of recovery, and his trust in Dai Li, made Helheim carry on.

Massage was not enough for Helheim's complete rehabilitation. He had to take much more rehabilitation training, which was Dai Li's official job. With the help of BUFF of "Renowned Coach", Helheim recovered well, even through normal rehabilitation training. Now, he could walk slowly without assistance.

Nelson appeared at the door and walked to them.

"Hey! Dr. Nelson!" Helheim seemed to be in a good mood, and greeted Nelson on his own.

"Mr. Helheim, I've come here for Coach Li," he then turned to Dai Li and asked," Do you have any spare time, Coach Li?"

"What's up?" Dai Li was surprised, as he didn't know what Nelson had come for.In the restroom, Nelson and Dai Li sat on their own sofa.

"Coach Li, did you notice that there is a video about Mr. Helheim on the Internet?" Nelson asked.

Dai Li nodded and said, "Yes. The younger son of Helheim recorded that by accident, and then he uploaded the video on the Internet."

"Many people have contacted me since the video appeared. They believe that it is the new research fruit of my team that is making Helheim recover so quickly," spreading his hands, Nelson continued, "However, I have explained that, what is behind Helheim's fast rehabilitation are your massage and rehabilitation training."

Dai Li nodded silently. Nelson was honest from this aspect. He didn't attribute all the merit of Helheim's rehabilitation to himself.

But Nelson shook his head unhappily, saying, "My fellow colleagues don't believe me, however, just like I didn't believe you before. They don't think that rehabilitation training from a coach could have such a good effect."

"Let it go, Dr. Nelson. Different people have different standards, when it comes to judging things. There is no need for you to tangle with it," Dai Li comforted him.

"No, no, no. I don't mean that," Nelson waved his hand and said, "My colleagues don't believe that, but one of my former patients does believe. That patient contacted me yesterday, in hopes of getting new treatment. As you see, when tortured by injuries and illnesses, many people are willing to try anything, even if others could consider it absurd."

People stuck in illness are always tending to trust some inexplicable treatment, especially for those suffering from incurable diseases. A famous Chinese writer has even written a story about how ignorant folks dream of curing tuberculosis by eating steamed bread stained with human blood!

Compared with that, rehabilitation training seems to be much more reasonable and trustworthy.

Dai Li asked, "Dr. Nelson, do you want me to help your former patient?"

Nelson nodded in agreement and said, "I came here to ask for your will. I have brought his medical records. You can read them first. Give me your reply, when you have it."

While speaking, Nelson gave the records to Dai Li.

Dai Li read the records and found that the name of the patient was covered. All he knew was that the patient was a male, aged 61. He returned the records to Nelson after taking a few glances.

"Dr. Nelson, these medical records are too hard for me to decipher. I don't understand. I can't handle so many English medical terms with my broken English. Could you please introduce it to me?" Dai Li said with some awkwardness.

For common people, medical records are naturally obscure. Those high-end medical records only make outsiders confused, because there are too many professional terms in them. Moreover, Dai Li's mother tongue is not English. Also, his English may be good enough for daily conversation, but it is not competent for reading medical records.

Dr. Nelson couldn't help but let out a sigh, as he started to make introduction for Li, "Same as Helheim, my patient has gone through head surgery, due to a head injury ten years ago. What's different, is that the medical technology then was not as advanced as that of today. Hence, his recovery was not as good as Helheim's. In these ten years, he has tried his best to recover from that injury. But to this day, still, he can only walk with support."

"This patient is 61 years old now. He was aged 51 ten years ago, then, right? What accident did he get hurt in?" he asked.

"He fell from a horse and hit his head while hunting," Nelson answered.

"Hunting? Riding a horse?" Dai Li asked incredulously, "Is your patient a nomad?"

"Of course not, he is an Englishman," Nelson explained immediately, "Hunting is a very traditional mode of entertainment in Europe, especially in Britain. It has been around for hundreds of years, and the sport still enjoys great popularity. Even the royal family is fond of it. In Britain, there are many legal hunting fields. When the season arrives, many people will gather to ride horses and go for a hunt with their hounds and rifles."

"Are there many animal protection organizations in Europe? They will..." Dai Li asked casually.

"Hunting is a tradition in Europe, a cultural heritage to some extent," Nelson answered.

Dai Li chuckled. He was not surprised at European's double standards at all. Those animal protection organizations make protests all over the world. Sometimes, they may even hold some naked sit-ins. It seems that they want to transform all people of this planet into vegetarians. However, when it comes to hunting for fun, they call it a traditional cultural pastime.

Nelson ignored Li's ironic chuckle and kept speaking, "Now, you may realize that my patient is a nobleman in Britain."

"Are there still so many noblemen in Britain? Don't tell me this patient is from the royal family of the UK," he inquired with a smile.

"He does have a close tie with the royal family, "Nelson nodded seriously and went on, "He is Duke Gale."

"A duke? Is that the highest title?" obviously, Dai Li had never heard of it.

"Indeed. Gale is an ancient family in Britain, whose lineage dates back to the period of Henry VI," Nelson told Li.

Dai Li knew little about the ancient history of Europe, neither was he familiar with Henry VI. For him, the name seemed to belong to a British king.

Nelson continued, "The ancestor of Duke Gale served as the colonial secretary of Great Britain, and made great contribution for Britain's expansion. So, he was made duke. In the Victorian Age, Duke Gale then married a princess of the British monarchy, after which, he became the governor general of Canada."

"So, this Duke Gale is in the royal family," he concluded.

"No more. Since the end of the first World War, the royal family has been reducing members of the family. So, in Britain today, although many nobles are descendants of the monarchy, they don't officially belong to the royal family anymore," Nelson explained.

"Do I need to go to Britain?" Dai Li asked then.

"Do you agree to help?" Nelson asked back.

"I still have to instruct Helheim. I think I can give it a try, as long as I have time," Dai Li said, rather conservatively.

"We can talk about the specific time later. Duke Gale has waited for 10 years, so he will certainly not mind waiting for another few days," Nelson smiled.Dai Li, accompanied by Nelson, arrived in the UK by plane on Sunday.

They landed in the Edinburgh Airport, which was located in the capital of Scotland. Duke Gale had arranged to have a car waiting for them there. When they got in the car, they were taken to the country.

A medieval castle stood in front of Dai Li. It was a real castle, rather than a villa imitating the medieval style, like Helheim's. The long history of Gales had been shown in such a castle.

A grey-haired man in a swallow-tailed coat stood at the gate of the castle. He made Dai Li think of the old butler of batman.

"He is Mr. Thompson, the butler of Duke Gale," Nelson reminded Dai Li.

What an elegant way of dressing, the butler of a duke! Dai Li thought.

Thompson walked to them and made a self-introduction, with some Scottish accent detected.

Standing in this ancient castle, surrounded by hundreds of years of history, and witnessing the time-honored decorations, Dai Li, accompanied by this old English butler, felt surreal, as if he was in a movie.

Then the butler led Li to visit the entire castle. It seemed that the butler often did this, as he was obviously a professional guide.

Half an hour later, Dai Li met with Duke Gale.

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Chapter 358: Life is Full of Hope

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Duke Gale was sitting in his wheelchair and relaxing in the sun, his legs covered with a blanket.

Dai Li took a close look at Duke Gale. He maintained his face so well, that he didn't look like a man aged 61. However, the grey in his dark-brown hair, and completely white hair on his temples, were telltale signs that exposed that he had experienced vicissitude.

Duke Gale had a low-pitched voice, but he was very talkative. He kept talking, his topics including almost everything. Dai Li even felt that he maybe had met a comedian rather than a noble.

Shouldn't a man of nobility be quiet and calm? Why is he is such a chatterbox? Dai Li thought.

Duke Gale held forth for more than half an hour. In the end, it was Nelson who couldn't bear the duke's chatter.

"Sir, please let Coach Li examine you now," Nelson said.Lying in bed, Duke Gale was massaged by Dai Li. He couldn't help thinking of his past.

It was a clear memory for Duke Gale, one from his hunting days, back to a time when his hunting rifle discharged accidentally and hit a piece of stone. The fragment of stone splashed his horse, causing him to be thrown off by the astonished horse. His head hit a tree, making him lose consciousness.

When he recovered consciousness, he found he couldn't move his body. He could only blink his eyes or make some muffled sounds. For a chat lover, that was nothing but torture from hell.

Ever since then, Duke Gale had started to receive medical treatment. Gradually, he could control his legs and say words clearly, then, finally, he regained his ability to speak. He thought that was a good beginning, and so he expected to completely recover soon.

But it was not as promising as that. A month later, he still had to lie in bed. One year gone, and he could barely stand up, even with the help of others. At that moment, Duke Gale finally realized the seriousness of his injury.

Gale felt a sinking feeling that he might no longer be able to stand up for the rest of his life. But he was not resigned to the fate of sitting in the wheelchair, being fed by others until his death. Instead, he sought help from excellent rehabilitation specialists from all over the world, trying every kind of therapy.

In the past ten years, he was trapped in the loop of hope-to-disappointment: he hoped to fully recover in the hands of one specialist and therapy, only to be disappointed in the end. He would then turn to a new specialist and therapy, with renewed hope, only to go through yet another failure.

However, those therapies did have some positive effects. For instance, now he could eat with a spoon, drink through a straw, and walk slowly (albeit unstably), aided by a walker or crutches, all by himself. However, such things were not his ultimate goal. He wished to walk as before, and dreamed of riding his horse to chase prey while out hunting with his hounds and rifle.

All in a mist of his own imaginings, Duke Gale could almost see his beloved horse and his butler, leading a group of hounds, all were waiting for him. Then, he fastened his paces, jumped on the horse, and rode far away.

Suddenly, Duke Gale realized that he had lost his action capacity. How could he ride a horse?

The duke fiercely opened his eyes, only to find himself alone, still lying on the massage bed of his room in the castle, as Dai Li and Nelson had left.

I dreamed again. Duke gale gave a long sigh. He looked at his half-paralyzed legs and felt lost all over again.

"You are awake, sir," his butler's voice came from his side, "You fell asleep while Coach Li was massaging you. I didn't want to disturb you, so I saw the gentlemen out."

"How long did I sleep?" the duke asked.

His butler looked at his watch and answered, "One hour, sir."

"Help me up first," Gale ordered his butler.

The butler immediately stepped forward and helped Duke Gale sit up, then he pushed the wheelchair from the side, helping the duke stand, then aiding him to the wheelchair.

With the assistance of his butler, Duke Gale made his first step. However, he felt the difference in his whole body by this single step.

"Maybe I should try to walk alone!" the adventurous idea popped in his mind.

"Thompson, just leave me alone. I want to walk by myself," Duke Gale turned to his butler and said.

After some seconds of hesitation, the butler nodded in agreement and couldn't help but say, "Sir, I will stand by you. You can lean on me if you need."

Looking at the duke nervously, the butler let go of his hand slowly, but his arms were still in front of Gale, in case he might fall down.

Duke Gale took a deep breath and made the second step.

Lifting his foot, putting it down, and standing stably were all very simple things for common people. However, Duke Gale had spent seven or eight seconds to finish each move.

Such an easy action of walking made Duke Gale excited and astonished.

"I did it! I can walk with no help or crutch!" Duke Gale shouted out in excitement.

In the next second, he started to cry.

"Sir!" the butler stepped forward and held him.

"Thompson, don't help me! Let me do this!" Duke Gale took a deep breath and said, "Thanks for your kindness. But I am fed up with being pitied!"

"Sir..."

Duke Gale straightened his back and lifted his chest. He looked at the wheelchair and crutches at his side, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Thompson, do you know what hope is?" the duke suddenly asked.

The butler stared at Duke Gale blankly, and the latter went on, "As long as hope comes to me, I never mind whether it comes early or later!"

Pointing at the wheelchair, he said, "I think I will soon not need it anymore. You should prepare a walking stick for me!"An afternoon tea party was held in the Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Queen's access to the throne. All guests of this party were hereditary nobles of Britain.

There were many people with titles of nobility in Britain, especially since the end of the Second World War. This collective included scientists, politicians, stars and athletes. All these were given a medal and a nobility title that couldn't be inherited.

In Britain, the hereditary aristocracy and others were quite different. The House of Lords in Britain had the seats for hereditary aristocracy, and was in Britain's legislature institution. That is to say, the hereditary aristocracy in Britain could interfere with the legislation. In any country, those who could interfere with legislation must indeed be quite influential.

Meanwhile, the hereditary aristocracy in Britain was entitled to immunity in many aspects. For example, once an inherited duke died, his oldest son would inherit his title, as well as his property, without paying legacy tax. This is the immunity of legacy tax enjoyed by the hereditary aristocracy.

Those hereditary nobles have been amassing wealth all over the world since the colonial period, and their property is unable to count, even after hundreds of years' accumulation. The legacy tax in Britain is 40 percent. Thus, it is clear that this immunity of legacy tax will lead to severe tax loss.

Governments of Britain have tried to reverse this trend, but failed due to the hereditary aristocracy having control of the House of Lords. For nobles, they also know that having controlling seats in the House of Lords means the defense of interests for all, and hence, they form an inner circle.

Those guests of the tea party stand a good chance of being relatives to each other. It's quite common that the great-grandfather of one noble and the great-grandmother of the other are brother and sister. Such is the result of European aristocratic tradition, that noble marries noble. As a result, the number of nobles is so small now, that they all become relatives in the end.

They gathered here, never losing topics to talk about. For the high society of Britain, afternoon tea was a way of social intercourse. Naturally, they flocked into several groups, talking about everything with each other.

Carrying a walking stick, a middle-aged man in an exquisite suit came from afar. He had dark brown hair, half of which had bits of grey interspersed.

Why did he carry a walking stick? It was because the man walked so steadily, that he didn't require the aid of a walking stick, but rather, used it like a decoration.

"That's Duke Gale!" someone recognized him in no time.

"Duke Gale? It is him! He came!" the person next to that man cried out.

"Is it that surprising? Duke Gale is Scottish, but it is quite reasonable that he comes here, as today is the anniversary of her majesty's accession to the throne," one beside him said.

"I mean, he walks here!" he explained at once.

At this moment, others had now seen it, too.

"That's true. It is said that Duke Gale fell from his horse and was injured. He was given a tough brain operation and lost the ability of action. He had to sit on a wheelchair most of his time." A person made some introduction.

"Not bad. Duke could walk a few steps, if he held an arm support," the other added.

"Look at his steps. It seems that he doesn't need it anymore."

"Yeah, even without a stick..."

"Duke Gale has recovered! My god! What a miracle! A man in a wheelchair for ten years, can now walk."

In the system of the hierarchy of Europe, the hereditary title of the duke is the highest. For instance, the eldest son of the prince of Britain, who is the second in line to the throne, is the duke of Cambridge. So, in such a noble gathering, a hereditary duke is the most honorable title among the non-royals.

Thus, the very appearance of Duke Gale had attracted all the people's attentions. What made them more surprised, was the fact that he walked!

Everyone here knew about the accident of Duke Gale. In the recent ten years, every time he showed up somewhere, he had sit in a wheelchair. But now, all of them were aware of his recovery.

"Is Duke Gale really recovered? Last time I met him, it was at Her Majesty's birthday party. I saw him still sit in the wheelchair back then. It was no more than a year ago."

"Duke Gale must have gotten new treatment, or he wouldn't be so well, in such a short time."

"It is ten years since he got hurt in his accident. In my opinion, his body may have degraded. So, I think it is likely to be attributed to some advanced biological regeneration therapy. I have heard that some scientists of Northern Europe are working on it."

"Maybe it's thanks to cloning … Transplant some new organs, and then he can work and function again."

When it came to the topic of new therapies, such as biological regeneration and cloning, many eyes lit up, especially of those aged people present. They looked at Duke Gale greedily.

None of them were short of money, not to mention that they enjoyed the privileges that the common British couldn't.

With money, status, and privileges, all these nobles wanted was to live longer, to feast longer. The older they became, the stronger that desire grew.

In the more developed countries, the rich were always afforded better medical treatment and thus, lived longer as a result. There were many aged nobles there, all gathered around Duke Gale at the moment.

Duke Gale felt good about being the center of attention. He was excellent when he was young, acquiring the most kills in aristocratic hunting matches. He was the envy of his fellows back then.

All that had gone away after that accident. He was not the envy of others any longer. On the contrary, he had become the target of pity. Now, he was once again surrounded by people, and became the focus of them again!

Before he got hurt, he used to be very talkative, and would visit social places quite often. However, when he was injured and became disabled, people talking with him dwindled. After all, who wanted to waste time on a disabled man?

Now, people were once again fond of listening to him.

Duke Gale was deeply contented. He felt that his life was colorful again.

It's so good to live with hope again!

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Chapter 359: This Car Is Yours

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

"When will you be back? You have already missed the pre-season training. And now the opener! I'm going to cut your salary for your absenteeism!" Yunan Xiao said on the phone.

"Helheim is almost recovered. I will be home next week," Dai Li apologized.

Dai Li had been in Europe for more than three months, from the end of December to the middle of March, during which time, Dai Li returned to China only once for the Spring Festival.

He was especially busy during the last one month. The magical recovery of Duke Gale had made Dai Li famous as an expert on rehabilitation among British nobles. As a result, he got two more patients that month: a French tycoon, who had his spine injured while skydiving, and a British-born equestrian athlete, who needed a rehabilitation training.

Dai Li could get more clients as long as he wanted. The chatty Duke Gale was a perfect free advertisement for Dai Li everywhere. However, Dai Li did not plan to develop his practice in Europe. His family and sweetheart were all in China. So, he decided to return to China as soon as Helheim was fully recovered.

"Will you be back next week?" Yunan Xiao asked excitedly, "That's just in time for my birthday, where I could introduce you to everyone."

"Everyone? You mean your friends?" asked Dai Li, puzzled by her words.

Xiao hesitated a little, then said, "My dad is going to hold a birthday party for me, and he has invited a lot of people."

"It's a big occasion, then I have to dress formally. I met a British tailor the other day, who makes suits for British aristocrats. I asked him to make a suit for me," said Dai Li, grinning.

"I mean that my father has invited a lot of young men, who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths, who come from families of entrepreneurs. They are all promising youngsters from his point of view," Yunan Xiao explained somewhat reluctantly.

Dai Li was stunned, and then understood, "Your father is giving you a dating show in real life! Then I must attend, and you will choose me!"

"Screw you! I will weed you out in the first round!" Yunan Xiao replied teasingly, and then she sighed, "In fact, I don't know what my dad wants to do exactly. I almost know every one of those so-called 'promising youngsters'. He needn't hold such a party, if he just wants to arrange a blind date for me. I'm thinking about introducing you to the public at the party."

"Is there any possibility that my future father-in-law is to hold this party for you and me intentionally?" Dai Li said.

Yunan Xiao protested coquettishly, "Who is your future father-in-law? I never said I will marry you..."

The sweet chat between the two lasted for a while and then they ended the call. Dai Li had just put down his mobile phone, when he saw that Helheim came in after knocking on the door.

At that time, Helheim had almost recovered. Although he still didn't get back his former strength as a racing driver, he was just like an ordinary healthy man.

The reason for this was also because his physical condition was better than the average before his accident. He was a professional racing driver. An ordinary person would never have recovered so fastHelheim asked, "Coach Li, are you interested in visiting my garage?"

"It's a great honor!" said Dai Li without hesitation.

As the best racing driver, Helheim had enough automobiles in his collection to run a museum. His collection included many special editions or customized editions of automobiles and even original models of some classic automobiles.

What Dai Li saw was obviously not a disappointment to him, when he entered the garage with Helheim. In the garage were parked dozens of automobiles orderly, most of which were sports cars. Several of them were Formula One cars.

"In Switzerland, a lot of people like to collect old cars, but I am different, I like these sports cars. You know, I am a racing driver. It is difficult for those slow old cars to meet my driving requirements," said Helheim.

"I remember you once took part in an old car race," said Dai Li with a smile.

"You mean that one," Helheim said immediately, pointing. "I happened to be on vacation at that time in a small town, and the town held an old car race. My nature, being a professional race driver, drove me to join the game with a pseudonym and a car temporarily borrowed from someone," Helheim said.

He now was pointing to a blue Formula One car and continued, "It's the car that helped me win my first Formula One world championship. A Benetton B194 with a Ford-Cosworth V8 engine of 800 horsepower, and it can be shifted by a pedal. It was not the fastest at that time. The fastest car that year was the car of Renault and Ferrari, which approximately equaled us in competitive power."

"Lucky you are the fastest racing driver," said Dai Li with a smile.

"Yes. The fastest racing driver," said Helheim, recalling his past.

"Did each of these Formula One cars here help you to win?" Dai Li said, pointing to other Formula One cars in the garage.

Helheim nodded and then said, "Right, every time I win a race, I will collect the car I used in the race. Formula One rules change every year, and teams design new cars every year to meet the rules. Those old racing cars are useless. Some of them will stay in the team, wasted, while most of them will be sold at auction."

Helheim's introduction about his racing cars ended, and then he talked about his sports car, "Over half of the cars in my sports car collection were free. This Bugatti EB110 is the only production car of Bugatti. It was given to me as a gift. The company wanted it to be free advertisement for them."

"And this is my favorite, a Shelby - Cobra - Daytona 427 sports car, which is also the most expensive one I ever bought," said Helheim, pointing to a dark blue coupe.

"This car has a number. Is this a racing car?" asked Li.

"You are right. It was developed for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But its quantity of production was less than 100 for the model, therefore, it didn't qualify for the Le Mans. This car has a top speed of more than 340 kilometers per hour, and I really enjoy its maneuverability! I don't know how many its quantity of production was exactly. But almost all cars of its type in the market now were fakes," said Helheim.

"Mercedes SLS-AMG. This car should be very common, and I once endorsed it. And that is Ferrari F50, the flagship sports car released for the 50th anniversary of the founding of Ferrari. A big one, full of power. It's a gift from the boss of the Ferrari team, for when I joined Ferrari. And this one is a Ferrari ENZO, a legendary with a perfect aerodynamic design."

"It's also a gift from Ferrari?" asked Li.

"Yes!" Helheim pointed around and added, "Every Ferrari car here is free for me."

He stopped at a black sports car, while still speaking.

It seemed that the car came from a science fiction movie. It looked different, with its low body and small lights and pure black paint. A number "30" was on its hood and it had doors at both sides.

"The prototype of Ferrari FXX. Only 30 cars of this kind were produced. Well, 29 exactly, plus this prototype. And I took part in the design of this car. It uses a V12 engine of 6262CC and a gearbox for F1 cars, which means its shift can reach the level of F1 racing cars. Its speed is up to 390 km/h with the 0-100km/h sprint completed in less than 3 seconds. What's more, it follows the aerodynamic design of the F1 racing car. I'm sure that it is the supercar closest to the F1 racing car in the world!"

Helheim talked about statistics, and Dai Li found it very compelling, although he didn't understand it all very well.

"Have a try?" Helheim pointed to the Ferrari FXX, and then said, "In all of the sports cars I've collected, this is the fastest."

"May I?" Dai Li asked with surprise.

"Sure, I'll take you for a ride!" Helheim could not wait to get in the driver's seat.

It was a rare opportunity for one to take a joyride with the best racing driver. Dai Li then sat in the passenger seat and put on the safety belt. He was filled with excitement with the vibration of the car, as the engine roared.

"By the way, I forgot to tell you that this car can only be driven on the road in Switzerland," said Helheim.

"What do you mean?" Dai Li was puzzled.

"Ferrari FXX is so fast that, in other countries, it is considered a racing car, so it is only allowed to run on the track. But there is no professional racing driver in Switzerland, therefore, FXX is allowed on the roads there," explained Helheim.

Dai Li involuntarily reached for the armrest, hearing Helheim's explanation.

Helheim continued calmly, "One can never get an FXX, if all he has to offer is enough money. There are further requirements of driving ability for FXX owners set by Ferrari. You cannot buy it if you are not good enough at driving. Oh, mine is different, though, because it is the prototype. It is faster than the other 29!"

After Helheim said this, he stepped on the gas. The black sports car bulleted out of the garage.Finally, Dai Li knew the feeling of a racing driver.

The area Helheim lived in was not so densely populated. Helheim's villa accounted for a dozen acres of land, just like his neighbors'. Therefore, there were few residences in the area. Roads were open, without passengers or cars.

Helheim accelerated the car to more than 300 km/h. Such a speed was the limit to some of those good sports cars, but for this prototype of Ferrari FXX, it just got the engine to work efficiently.

Dai Li found it hard to describe how he felt in a car with a speed higher than 300 km/h. He often took the high-speed railway train in China, and the speed of the train was always higher than 300 km/h, but the feeling on the train was totally different from that of a car running more than 300 kilometers per hour.

The front of the FXX was a curved windshield, and there was no driving blind area around on both sides of the front windshield, which made the scenery ahead panoramic. But sitting in the passenger seat, Dai Li was frightened. He felt his heart was about to jump out from his throat.

Li Dai was even scared to close his eyes, not being able to see the scene while the car was running the fastest. But Helheim enjoyed the joyride very much. It seemed that he wanted a longer ride, as he drove back to the villa.

"I will never get in your car!" Dai Li got out of the car with quaking legs. He would have fallen on the ground if he hadn't been holding onto the car.

"A powerful car, isn't it?" Helheim patted the pure black Ferrari FXX and then said, "From today on, this car is yours!"

Pardon?" Dai Li questioned in surprise.

"Take it, Li. It's my gift for you," Helheim repeated.

"No, it's too expensive! I can't accept it," Dai Li refused, shaking his head.

Helheim smiled, "Coach Li, I would have never recovered without you. But for your help, I would have lay on my bed, groaning, or have been in the wheelchair for my lifetime. It's impossible for me to get back in the car without you."

"You've already paid me for the treatment," said Dai Li.

"That's different," Helheim shook his head and added, "You have shown me the miracle. You have shown me that there's always hope if I don't give up, and you've made me know how important my family is to me..."

Helheim continued saying these things seriously, "I was once headstrong. I did things only following my own thoughts. Some of the things I did were very dangerous. But lying on the bed in the hospital, I regretted all I had done before. I even chose to give up."

"But then you woke me up. The most important thing in my life is not myself, but my family, the people who loved me. They are the most important people in my life. I should not live for myself only, it is my family that makes my life meaningful. Thank you, Coach Li. You healed me, and you let me know the meaning of life. You've given me a second life! So, I'm going to give you this car."

"In fact, after my injury, I had planned to sell the car, and I think I will not drive it again. Fortunately, you are here to save me," touching the black FXX, Helheim added, "This car was a gift from Ferrari when I retired. A unique supercar in the world."

"Then I have more reasons to refuse. it's a valuable souvenir to you," Dai Li, who shook his head.

"You are right. It stands for my past and my previous glories! But I know it's time for me to say goodbye to my past," Helheim smiled, "Therefore, I want to give it to you, the man who gave me a rebirth! Keep it, please!"

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Chapter 360: Birthday Gift

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Instead of rejecting Helheim's offer, Dai Li took the special supercar. But he soon realized that this supercar was definitely a troublesome gift, a joyful annoyance.

First of all, because it was too fast, the car could only run on the road in Switzerland, and in other countries, this FXX could only run on the track. Dai Li found no road to drive on, although he accepted the car.

This supercar applied a gearbox of the F1 racing car. Its 0-100 km/h acceleration could be achieved within 3 seconds. Its speed would be higher than 100 km/h before the driver's foot left the pedal. A ride on a city road in China, with a speed limit of 50 km/h by this car, would give the driver dozens of speeding tickets.

Secondly, maintenance. A top super car's maintenance cost equaled the price of an imported C-class car. And FXX used many F1 racing car technologies, which surely led to more expensive maintenance fees.

If it were in China, my whole year's salary would not be enough for the maintenance of this car. This car is free, but it is going to cost me everything to maintain it... Dai Li sighed.

Helheim's retirement gift, a Ferrari FXX prototype. One can get 4 million or 5 million euros easily, if he takes it to auction. One may not be able to earn so much in his life! Dai Li continued thinking.

He would not sell this FXX prototype. It was a gift from Helheim. Dai Li must show some respect.

Yunan's birthday is around the corner. Let me give this to her as a birthday gift. I have never given her anything valuable before. And her family keeps many luxury cars, which may be given a discount if they maintain cars together.Dai Li visited an international transport company. The company had three Boeing 747 jumbo jets and often undertook luxury car delivery tasks. Many of its clients were from rich countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Those rich customers from the Middle East booked some luxury cars in Europe, and then they would turn to the company to deliver the cars to the Middle East by air.

"Mr. Li, we will offer different delivery options, according to the value of the car," Thomas, the transport company's business manager, holding a color page ad, told Dai Li. "An ordinary sports car only needs an ordinary shipping container. Shipping needs more time, but its price is lower."

"What about a more luxurious supercar? For example, a car of limited edition?" asked Li.

"I suggest you use a customized transport container for a high-value limited edition supercar. We can provide different support brackets according to the style of the car. If necessary, we will also use the anti-scratch film. You know, the paint of high-end supercars is also very expensive. We have common anti-scratch film, BOPP abrasive film, PRT soft-touch film, anti-fingerprint soft-touch film, temperature-sensitive color shift film and so on," Thomas continued.

"Does it just cover the car, like a dress, or stick to the car?" Dai Li continued asking.

"It depends on your needs, and the distance, and the way of transportation," Thomas paused and then asked, "What kind of car would you like to transport, Mr. Li?"

"A Ferrari FXX. I want it to be delivered by air," said Dai Li.

"What? Are you talking about the FXX? One of the only 30 FXX in the world?" Thomas asked in surprise.

Li nodded, and Thomas swallowed a little. "Mr. Li, in this case, I suggest you use the polymer anti-scratch film, as such film can not only prevent scratches, but also can resist a sword cut, and it can stop small-bore bullets shot from far away, too. And we vacuum it to minimize the effect of high-altitude air pressure on the paint to prevent the paint from oxidation," said Thomas.

"So many details?" Dai Li nodded, "The polymer film must cost a lot."

"Coach Li, we can offer you a 20 percent discount if you choose us for the delivery of the FXX," Thomas seemed to be facing a hard situation, then he added, "Coach Li, our market is limited. And we are in a tough competition. Every high-end customer from the Middle East is a treasure that is very hard to get."

"You want me to be your advertisement, don't you?" asked Dai Li with a smile.

Thomas nodded honestly, "Ferrari FXX is the top supercar. Experience in delivering such a car will help us to gain recognition among those Middle East clients much more easily."

"Let it be a 40 percent discount, OK?" Dai Li started his bargain immediately.

"No! That price even cannot cover our cost," Thomas stretched out seven fingers, "Let's make some compromise. Is a 30 percent discount OK for you?"

Dai Li frowned. He was thinking. Thomas didn't want to let this client go. The opportunity is so rare for a company to deliver one of the only 30 FXX in the world. The success of this deal would lead to more business opportunities between the company and the rich from the Middle East. One would be surely willing to get his own luxurious supercar transported by a company that once successfully accomplished the task to deliver an FXX.

"Mr. Li, how about a 30 percent discount and an extra one-million euro shipping insurance for free? That is to say, if your car has an accident during transportation, which causes your losses, you will receive a compensation from our company up to one million euros from the insurance company," Thomas added.

"Only one million euros..." murmured Dai Li.

Thomas made a hard decision. He said, "Two-million extra shipping insurance! That's all we can afford."

"OK. Deal!" Dai Li said and then he added, "Please arrange the transportation for me as soon as possible."In an auction on Hong Kong Island.

"The next is the final item of today, and the most important item in this auction. The jade pendant, 'The Star of Princess'! You all have known a lot about this item. So, I will not waste my time on introductions. The opening bid of 'The Star of Princess' is ten million Hong Kong dollars, and the minimum increment per time is one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. The auction has started!"

The auctioneer, holding the hammer in his hand, said excitedly, "Ten million and one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars. Any more bids? OK, No.3 offers ten million and one hundred thousand. And No.15 offers ten million and one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars..."

The price kept increasing, and soon it came to 12 million, which was more than 120 percent of the opening bid. The bidding slowed down a lot. Many had quit the competition.

"12.2 million Hong Kong dollars, from No.7, sir..."

"12.8 million from Mr.7 again! 12.8 million!"

"13 million! 13 million from No.7! Any other bid? Any more? OK! We have No.19! No.19 raised his paddle!"

"Mr.7 offers 13.5 million! 13.5 million, calling once! Calling once!" The auctioneer looked at No.19, who was the only competitor to No. 7 at the moment.

Looking at the No.7, No.19 hesitated. The price was then more than 135 percent of the opening bid. It was high enough. And he thought that was not so worthy.

"It seems that Mr. Chai is determined to win 'The Star of Princess'!"

"13.5 million is nothing compared with the wealth of the shipping tycoon Chai family!"

"Although this jade is great, the price is high enough! 13.5 million will be a big surprise to the seller."

"The auction company can also take a lot of commissions."

The crowd discussed and finally, No.19 decided. He clenched his teeth and sighed helplessly, then he made a "please" gesture to Mr. 7. Liang Chai, the No.7, knew that "The Star of Princess" was his. And he put away the paddle of No.7 with satisfaction.

"13.5 million! Last calling! Sold! Congratulations! 13.5 million Hong Kong dollars sold to bidder No.7! He got 'The Star of Princess'!" The auctioneer hammered heavily.

The crowd applauded, and Liang Chai stood up and showed an expression of thanks, especially to No.19.

"The Star of Princess". No gift is more valuable than mine! Liang Chai thought.At the Donggang International Auto Show.

A casually dressed man stood in front of a red Ferrari. It seemed that he did not want to leave.

"LaFerrari with a 6262CC V12 naturally aspirated engine. Truly the top flagship of Ferrari. King of supercars! Unfortunately, it has been reserved for someone before the show started. Who would that be?" The man sighed, regretfully.

"I bought it, of course!" hearing the voice, the casually dressed man looked back to see an acquaintance.

"Liancheng Jia!" The man looked at that newcomer, and added, "Mr. Jia, are you kidding me? You are the buyer? It costs more than 22 million yuan!"

"Why do I need to deceive you on this?" Liancheng Jia continued, "Yang Chen, you know sports cars best. Is this car worthy?"

"A man like you never needs to care about the price. Just buy what you like! Unfortunately, I don't have that much money, otherwise, I would have bought one." Yang Chen stopped and then said, "Mr. Jia, may I borrow this car for a couple of rounds of driving later? I will only drive on the track, not on the ordinary road."

"You are crazy about cars!" Liancheng Jia said, "You could borrow, it if it's a gift I had bought for myself. But it is my gift to someone."

"A gift? It's more than 20 million yuan, and you just bought it as a gift to someone? To whom?" Chen asked.

"Yunan Xiao, of course!" Jia replied.

"You mean for Yunan Xiao's birthday party? You've been invited, too?" Yang Chen asked immediately.

"What do you mean by 'too'? You have been invited. Why couldn't I receive the invitation?" said Liancheng Jia coldly.

"It makes sense. Even I have been invited. It's impossible that Mr. Jia cannot get the invitation." Yang Chen took it for granted and then he added, "It is said that a lot of promising youngsters have got the invitation. Is President Xiao of Dingtian Group choosing his son-in-law there?"

"Something like that. I heard that Yunan Xiao got a boyfriend on her own. He is a poor coach, a nobody. President will never like him." Jia added, "The party is an opportunity to impress President Xiao and Yunan. Maybe I will be the son-in-law of Dingtian."

Chen Yang turned his eyes and said, "You are interested in the power of Dingtian Group, aren't you? With the help of the funds from Dingtian Group, your group's equity carve-out in Hong Kong will be much easier. Even 20 billion is OK, not to mention a car of 20 million yuan, for marrying Yunan."

"So, please don't compete with me!" Jia added, "And I have my father's full support, in both finance and manpower, to catch Yunan Xiao as my girlfriend."

"Others treat me as a rich boy. But I am a loser compared with you. I'll never compete with you! And you are the best among our friends in terms of family background, ability and look!" Yang Chen grinned and then said, "You have to be careful about Liang Chai in Hong Kong. My father told me that Dingtian is to set the partnership with the Chais to enter the energy industry."

"The Chais. Just businessmen in the shipping industry. They would have been nobody, if it were not for us not carrying the policy of opening and reform several decades ago!" said Jia coldly.

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Chapter 361: Birthday Party

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the garden of Dingtian Group's leisure villa, the lawn was redecorated. The table was covered by a white table cloth, and beside the table, fresh flowers were organized into the letters, spelling out "Happy-Birthday" in petals.

Today was Yunan Xiao's birthday, and Dai Li had arrived here early. However, he was currently holding his phone with a bitter face.

"Mr. Li, we have arrived at the highway entrance, and will arrive in half an hour, without a traffic jam." A man was talking through the phone.

Dai Li sighed with helplessness. Yunan Xiao's birthday party was about to begin, but Dai Li's birthday gift for her, a Ferrari fxx, was still on the way. It was not the shipping company's fault. Dai Li had found a European shipping company, which offered nice service, but the car was stuck at Customs.

To enter a country, imported cars must pay tariffs, otherwise, they would be regarded as smuggled cars. The import tariff for an imported car was 25%, value-added tax was 17%, and beyond these, there was an additional excise tax that would be charged, according to car emissions, which could run up to 40%.

But this Ferrari was a retirement gift from the Ferrari company to Helheim, who, himself, hadn't spent a cent on it, let alone have any receipt. Therefore, it was impossible to assess the car, so they did they know much tax should be paid.

Moreover, this Ferrari fxx was a special case. It was not a production car, there were only 30 of this particular model in the world. Dai Li's car was a prototype, which was different from ordinary imported cars. Except in Switzerland, in any other European countries, this fxx would be regarded as a racing car, which was only allowed to be used on the racecourse.

The Customs did have a special entry detection channel for racing cars. But according to domestic rules, a racing car must have a contest invitation to enter the country. Dai Li didn't have any invitation letter, so Customs couldn't refer to racing-car standards to let the car into the country.

Dai Li could do nothing to help, so finally, he found a trade company which specialized in importing and exporting, and together, they spent great efforts to complete the customs formalities. To be honest, if Dai Li turned to Yunan Xiao for help, based on Dingtian Group's power, it wouldn't take much effort to have the car be let the in, but Dai Li wanted to give Yunan Xiao a surprise. Hence, the car took longer to arrive.

Luckily, now the car was about to arrive, and Yunan Xiao's birthday party just started, so everything was working well so far."Who were you talking with?" Yunan Xiao's voice rang behind Dai Li. She walked closer, stretched her arm to Dai Li, and asked: "Where is my birthday gift?"

"On the way, it will arrive soon." Dai Li smiled.

"So what is it?" Yunan Xao was curious about the gift.

"It's a secret. You will know. But I'm pretty sure that it is unique in this world," Dai Li said with confidence.

"You know I don't need anything, you don't have to waste your money on my birthday gift. I would be happy with anything you give me, even if it's just a flower you picked from the roadside." Yunan Xiao said, showing her love.

"I wouldn't do that. Your friends are here, plus those 'young talents', I can't let you lose face!" smiled Dai Li.

Worry flashed across Yunan Xiao's eyes. She wanted to say something, but gave up in the end.

"What's wrong?" Dai Li caught Yunan Xiao's facial expression.

"Nothing." Yunan Xiao shook her head: "Come, let me introduce you to my friends!""Aha, Prince Chai is here."

"Prince Chai? Do you mean Liang Chai?"

"Of course, who else's surname is Chai?"

Under the crowd's focus, Liang Chai showed up in front of Dai Li and Yunan Xiao.

"That man is the second son of the Hong Kong shipping magnate Wang's eldest son. Have you ever heard about the shipping magnate Chai?" Yunan Xiao reminded Dai Li in a low voice.

"Of course, he is one of the four shipping magnates in Hong Kong, became rich in the nineteen fifties, and is now an old, rich man."

Dai Li nodded and said, "Is Liang Chai on your 'young talents' list?"

Yunan Xiao replied to Dai Li with a stare, and said: "Let's go meet him!"

Yunan Xiao walked toward Liang Chai with her arms around Dai Li. Liang Chai saw Yunan Xiao, too, but he also noticed Dai Li, confusion crossing his eyes then.

"Welcome, Mr. Chai!" Yunan Xiao greeted him with a polite smile.

"You invited me, I dare not refuse."Liang Chai spoke in Hong Kong Style Putonghua, as he took a delicate gift box from his assistant.

"Happy birthday!" Liang Chai smiled like a gentleman. He opened the box and said, "This emerald is called 'Star of the Princess', and it fits you the most, my princess.""That emerald, 'Star of the Princess', is it famous?"

"Star of the Princess, I know, it used to be exhibited in the Mainland, and later was auctioned in Hong Kong, I heard the final price was thirteen million Hong Kong dollars! So it was bought by Prince Chai."

"How much is it? Thirteen million? This Prince Chai is so generous, a thirteen-million dollar birthday gift, is he serious?"

"Prince Chai's real interest is not in emeralds! It's a pity that Yunan Xiao has already got a boyfriend."

"You mean that poor coach beside her? How could he match Yunan Xiao? You see the gifts she has received today. Million-dollar gifts are gathered in piles, plus this thirteen-million Star of the Princess, and that poor coach can't earn that much ever in his life. I say he is living off a woman."

"Yeah, if I were him, seeing that the others give my girlfriend such expensive gifts, I would already feel ashamed and dig a hole to bury myself in."

"Right? Plus, it's an emerald, huh, the color of forgiveness! What a cuckold!"

"Hey, don't be so mean!"

The crowd discussed all of these things in low voices, and although Liang Chai couldn't hear them clearly, he was quite sure that they were talking about his bounteous gift. All of a sudden, his heart was filled with inexplicable priority.

"Three-million, for the Star of the Princess, I say the others' gifts could be no more valuable than his. I heard that president Xiao is here, too. Today, Liang Chai does show himself in front of President Xiao!" Fen Luo held a glass in his hand, looking at the show with interest.

"I wouldn't say that." Beside him, Yang Chen showed a playful smile.

"Hey Yang Chen, are you hiding a trump card? Give me some clues." Fen Luo lowered his voice.

"Mr. Luo, you thought too highly of me. I would feel pain to even buy a million-yuan gift." Yang Chen shook his head: "But someone else may spend money like water."

As he said this, a truck approached from afar.Dai Li also saw the truck.

Finally! Dai Li took a long breath. He smiled with relief. But the next second, Dai Li realized that this truck didn't have a container, but used a trailer to carry a red roadster. A red roadster? It's not my fxx. Dai Li felt bad at once.

The truck came to the gate from a distance. When it finally arrived, it had already attracted everyone's attention. There was a red roadster on the trail, which had a white silk bowknot on the car.

Is this roadster a gift for Yunan Xiao? Many people had the same question.

At this time, Liancheng Jia finally showed up. He also held a delicate box with him, when he walked toward Yunan Xiao, but the box had a running horse sign on its top, which was the logo of Ferrari.

"Yunan, happy birthday!" Liancheng Jia opened the box, revealing that there were three keys in it: one was an electronic key, the others were mechanical keys. On the red key shell, the running horse sign was eye-catching. At this time, workers had already unloaded the red roadster. The crowd was able to see it clearly now.

"It's a Ferrari, I always wanted to have one!"

"If I'm right, this car is worth more than twenty-two million dollars, and just days ago in the Donggang Car show, I saw it on display … it was the climax of the entire Ferrari exhibition."

"One of the best roadsters in the world, I bet there are few in the entire country!"

"Liancheng Jia is indeed generous, if he is willing to give this car as a gift."

"I felt that Prince Chai was handsome enough, in giving a thirteen-million emerald pendant, now it seems that Liancheng Jia is even cooler, as he gives a twenty-two million dollar roadster!"

"As for roadsters, Ferrari is the world's best, isn't it?"

"Yang Chen is here, he knows most about cars, let's ask him later."Fen Luo eye-signaled the roadster from afar, then asked: "Is this what you meant when you said, spend money like water?"

Yang Chen nodded: "In the Donggang car show a few days ago, this Ferrari was the most expensive one. To us roadster fans, it is what we have been dreaming of."

"Then it means that Liancheng Jia has been running down leads on this!" Fen Luo gave a long sigh.

"Prince Chai's emerald pendant was immediately defeated. You see his face, now he is not as complacent as before," Yang Chen said in a low tone.

Fen Luo turned around to look at the main buildings in the villa: "President Xiao is there watching everything, I wonder whether Liancheg Jia caught his eye or not!""This is my boyfriend, Dai Li." Yunan Xiao introduced Dai Li to some people in front, her arm linked in Dai Li's.

"So this is Coach Li?" A fashion woman looked at Dai Li with picky eyes, asking in a voice dripping with sarcasm: "Today is Yunan's birthday, dear coach, what do you have for her?"

Anger flashed across Yunan Xiao's eyes, showing that she clearly felt that this fashion woman was up to no good. The other rich second generations around them also looked at Dai Li, waiting to see a drama.

Among these people present, men envied Dai Li, as he was the lucky dog to be Yunan Xiao's boyfriend, while women felt jealous about Yunan Xiao, who was born into a rich family with a beautiful face. Therefore, they were willing to see Dai Li being stupid.

Yunan Xiao linked Dai Li's arm tight, she was worried that those people would bring a terrible blow to Dai Li's self-esteem. To their surprise, Dai Li was still confident, as he looked at Yunan Xiao with love, then replied, as if he was showing off their love: "My gift for Yunan is on the way, it should be here soon."

"Huh, still on the way, then we will take a good look at it after it arrives!" The fashion woman still talked with sarcasm.

At this moment, Dingtian Xiao's assistant Zhicheng Huang came from a distance. "Your father's assistant is coming," Dai Li reminded Yunan Xiao.

As Yunan Xiao turned around, she also saw Zhicheng Huang. "My dad may want to see me, "Yunan Xiao said, walking to Zhicheng Huang herself. But Zhicheng Huang looked at Dai Li instead.

"Coach Li, the President wants to see you," said Zhicheng Huang.

"President Xiao wants to see me?"Dai Li looked at Yunan Xiao, showing her a "don't worry" look, while he said: "Your father wants to see me. I will come back soon."

Yunan Xiao looked at Dai Li with worry in her eyes, a sinking feeling raising up in her heart.

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Chapter 362: Here Comes the Roadster

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

In a room at the top of the resort hotel, Dai Li met Dingtian Xiao again. Dingtian Xiao remained wearing his poker face, looking serious, with authority. But comparing with the last meeting, Dai Li was less nervous, more confident.

"President Xiao, you wanted to see me?" Dai Li looked at Dingtian Xiao.

Although he was not sure about what he was here for, he sensitively felt that it was a Hongmen Banquet.

"Sit down." Dingtian Xiao pointed at the sofa. Dai Li didn't make niceties, but rather, sat down directly.

"You have been downstairs for a long time, how do you feel?" Dingtian Xiao suddenly asked.

"Quite lively." Dai Li answered casually.

"That's it?" Dingtian Xiao stared at Dai Li. He was a little annoyed that Dai Li reacted so slowly, so he reminded Dai Li: "I mean, when you saw Yunan's friends, and their gifts for her, how did you feel?"

Feel? Feel what? Dai Li was dazed. He wasn't sure what was Dingtian Xiao's point, hence, he didn't know what to say. Dintian Xiao looked out the window, and said: "Just now, I had a glimpse of the gifts Yunan received, they look good, jewelries, emerald, luxuries, roadster, all kinds of things, and none of them is cheap. For ordinary people, they may not be able to afford any one of them, even if they devoted all the money they earned through their whole lives."

Dai Li was even more baffled about Dingtian Xiao's words. "What does Dingtian Xiao mean? He is a myraidnaire, his name can't fall out of from among the top 10 on domestic wealthy people's name lists. He doesn't need to covet those gifts. They are indeed worth much money, but if he wanted to buy it, he could have it all immediately." Dai Li complained secretly.

In front of him, Dingtian Xiao suddenly turned around, looking at Dai Li and asking: "Dai Li, do you think you are one of the ordinaries?"

"Me?" Dai Li frowned, his eyebrows furrowed in thought for two seconds. He remembered his magical Coach System, so he shook his head: "I don't think so."

Unsatisfaction flashed across Dingtian Xiao's eyes, as he said: "Indeed, you are an outstanding coach. It's really difficult to make such achievements at your age. So you would think that you are not ordinary."

But the next second, Dingtian Xiao switched the point: "But in my eyes, you are just an ordinary person."

"You have high standards." Dai Li replied casually, but his words contained a sense of disagreement.

Dingtian Xiao shook his head with helplessness: "Everyone lives in a certain circle, a circle of life and sociality. A politician has politicians around him, businessmen make friends with businessmen, pork-sellers meet other pedlars everyday, while breakfast makers deal with philistines. If I say, I make friends with a pork-seller or a breakfast-maker, would anyone believe it?"

"This society has tiers. We have extremely wealthy people on the top, then rich people, then mid-class, wage earners, and the underclass." Dingtian Xiao said this, as he made a gesture of tiers, then said: "People in the same tier will naturally be together, while people from different tiers, simply can't belong. There are unbridgeable gaps between tiers."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not discriminating against the underclass, neither do I look down upon poor people. I just want you to understand the facts. Namely, that you and Yunan are not in the same tier, and that you have gaps in between." Dingtian Xiao looked very serious as he spoke.

"I can't see any gaps between us," said Dai Li.

"Really? It's just you haven't realized it yet. But it doesn't mean you won't realize it in the future." Dingtian Xiao showed a rational look, as he said: "As her father, I don't want my daughter to be with you. But I am not an unreasonable parent, so I won't say 'no' like some parents do, without giving any reasons. I want to convince you by my reasoning. That's why I held today's birthday party for Yunan, to let you meet her friends, so that you will know what kind of circle she lives in."

"You want me to retreat before the impossible?" Dai Li had by now somewhat guessed Dingtian Xiao's plan.

Dingtian Xiao showed a "finally you got it" look, as he continued: "You are right. I hope, through this birthday party, you two will realize the distance between you. You belong to different tiers, even if you stay together, you will have to deal with great distinctions in your future life. You will face difficulties, you will have hard times, all because you are from two dissimilar life circles. I think Yunan has guessed my ideas, but from your reaction, I say she didn't tell you anything."

Dai Li immediately remembered how today Yunan Xiao looked somehow different, especially when people gave her expensive gifts. So she is worrying that those jewelries and roadster things will hurt my feelings. This does make sense, I'm a coach, normally, so how could I afford a ten-million dollar emerald, or a roadster? 'I will like whatever you give me, even it's a flower you pick from roadside' she had said, so she was probably comforting me! Dai Li had figured out everything.

Sitting on his opposite side, Dingtian Xiao took a long sigh, then said: "As a father, I hope my daughter can live a happy life. A few years of joy is not true happiness, and I want her to always be delightful. Therefore, I can't give my daughter to you. I don't know whether you would feel pressure with her, but I can't let her bear the pressure which shouldn't belong to her. Such pressure is exactly from what I just mentioned, social stratum gaps."

"You will find that you have little in common with Yunan's friends. They may neglect you, they even make fun of you. When it comes down to it, you are not the only one who suffers, as my daughter shares your pain, and she suffers, too. I don't want my daughter to live such a miserable life for ever after!"

"I'm not belittling you, neither do I praise myself. But imagine this: A princess marries a commoner, then what will the other princesses and princes think of her? They will laugh at her, taunt her, despise her. Even in fairy tales, at the end, Snow White marries a prince, rather than any of the dwarfs, although they had been the ones protecting her all the time. Suppose Snow White married a dwarf instead, it would not be a happy ending. There must be some readers jeering at Snow White, wondering whether her head was squeezed by the door."

Dai Li never thought that a super rich man like Dingtian Xiao would talk about Grimms fairy tales to him, which was weird. But, in his mind, he had to admit that Dingtian Xiao's words were quite convincing. Dingtian Xiao licked his lips, then leaned on the sofa and crossed his arms at his belly, before he said: "I'm not saying that you can't give my daughter a good life. I, dingtian Xiao, do not lack money, whoever my daughter marries, she doesn't need that guy to feed her. But from today's birthday party, you should see, and you must see, that you and Yunan are from two different worlds. You can't live inside her life, neither can she live in yours. You two should not be together, I hope you see now for yourself."

"You want me to leave Yunan?" asked Dai Li.

Dingtain Xiao nodded: "Yes, I want you to leave her, unconditionally."

Dingtian Xiao paused, then said: "According to what I know about you, I don't think you would ever ask for something from me. If you were a greedy guy, Yunan would not be with you. But, of course, if you do need some financial compensation, I will meet your requirements."

Undoubtedly, Dingtian Xiao was saying basically: tell me how much money you want. Dai Li didn't doubt Dingtian Xiao's economic power. He knew that if he gave a price, even an enormous figure in commoners' eyes, Dingtian Xiao would pay him without hesitation. How could Dai Li treat love as a trade?!

Dai Li shook his head: "Sorry President Xiao, I'm afraid that I can't agree with you."

"Good, then tell me your thoughts, perhaps you would persuade me," said President Xiao.

Dai Li knew that, when facing people like Dingtian Xiao, the best way was to negotiate with reason, as lovers' pledging eternal loyalty was bullshit in Dingtian Xiao's eyes. Those empty words could not persuade him at all, but asked instead for his sarcasm.

Dai Li organized words in his mind, then said: "I know Yunan and I were born in different tiers. I agree with you that there must be gaps between us on outlooks on life. But it won't tear us apart. In your eyes, the current me is just a nobody, and you think that Yunan deserves a better man. But I am trying to make myself better!"

Dai Li spoke in a more excited tone: "If you think that only people from the same tier could live together to form a family, then right now, I'm moving forward to the tier that you belong to, and one day, I will stand in the same tier with you."

"How? By empty talks?" Dingtian Xiao shook his head: "I agree, you are a capable young man, and you are hardworking. But, you are far behind Yunan, and the gap is so wide that you can never cross it!"

"I don't think so. Nobody was born to be a success! President Xiao, didn't you spend only twenty years to reach today's height? When you were my age, weren't you just just starting your career? Did you ever think about owning such a business empire one day in your life?" Dai Li replied with questions.

"Time is different. As the society develops, social tiers are getting more and more fixed." Dingtian Xiao shook his head, "The reason I am what I am today is that I caught many chances. But such chances only occurred in a certain period of time, and are unrepeatable. Even though the same chance may jump out to you, you would not be the one who catches it."

"I can forecast that the future you may become a leader in your career, and be a so-called 'successful professional', but that is about the future. The future is uncertain, and I may not be able to wait until you finally succeed. Therefore, to the current me, as well as to the current Yunan, you start rather low, compared with people outside!"

Dingtian Xiao said this, while pointing out the window: "You have witnessed what happened today. People who are here for celebrating Yunan's birthday, the cheapest gift they brought was worth tens of thousands yuan, gifts worth more than a million are piling up, even million-yuan gifts can be found. Liang Chai, the third generation of Chai's family from Hong Kong, gave Yunan an emerald pendant, which is worth ten million Hong Kong dollars; Liancheng Jia from Donggang, the roadster he brought for Yunan was the climax of Donggang car exhibition, the price was higher than twenty million yuan. Can you do the same thing?How long would it take you to cross this gap?"

"What you saw happened right in front of you, and this is reality!" Dingtian Xiao paused. He put down his arms, then said sincerely: "It's good to have enterprise, but your dream should not dull your senses. You'd better face reality, then make a decision, which is both good for you and Yunan."

Dai Li raised his head, looking at Dingtian Xiao seriously: "They gave Yunan a roadster, I saw it. Yes, this is reality, but to me, it's not that cruel. If you think that a twenty-million roadster can knock my confidence and humiliate me, then you are wrong about me. I don't think I'm subordinate to them."

"A slight error in thought brings you from confidence to conceit. A confident man may not be clever, but a conceited man must be stupid!" DIngtian Xiao snorted.

"I'm not conceited." Dai Li shook his head at once. "If you think the gap between me and Liang Chai, or Liancheng Jia, is an emerald pendant or a roadster, then does it mean that I can bridge the gap with an emerald pendant or a roadster, and you will then accept me?"

Dai Li spoke, also pointing out the window: "You pointed out the window and asked me whether I could buy an emerald pendant or a roadster, I answer your question right now, I can. I can give Yunan a supreme roadster as a birthday gift, and it's a unique one!"

"You can? By what, boasting?" Dingtian Xiao shook his head with scorn.

Right at this moment, an extremely loud beep ended the conversation. Through the window, Dai Li saw a truck stopped at the villa gate. At the back of the truck was a container, with an English logo painted on the wall. It was the shipping company Dai Li had entrusted.

Finally! Dai Li made a long sigh with relief. He turned around to Dingtian Xiao, a satisfying smile emerging on his face.

"President Xiao, I said I could do it. Here comes my roadster for Yunan!"

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Chapter 363: Unloading

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Liang Chai sat alone in the chair, looking solitary. His cold face refused everyone that approached him. After spending more than thirteen million Hong Kong dollars on an emerald pendant, the gift was still exceeded by someone's twenty-million dollar roadster. Liang Chai was unpleasant. To him, the ten-million price difference was no big deal, but being exceeded by other people and losing face mattered much.

From afar, Liangcheng Jia's arrogant look kept attacking his confidence, which made Liang Chai felt even worse. What an upstart! Liang Chai snorted. As the third generation of Hong Kong shipping magnate, Liang Chai looked down upon these mainland rich people. His grandfather began his shipping business in the last century, since World War ended, and had become one of the richest people in Hong Kong in the early nineteen seventies. Even the new richest man, who enriched his family through land and property, was very polite in front of Chai, the King of Ships.

On the contrary, most mainland rich people earned their fortunes in the recent ten to twenty years. Although many of them had caught up to Hong Kong rich men, they were not able to exceed the wealth rankings in Hong Kong people's hearts. Priority remained.

However, at this moment, priority was just an excuse to comfort Liang Chai himself. Although Chai's family was wealthy, Jia's family was about the same. Besides, Liancheng Jia was the rich second generation, while Liang Chai was the third generation. The son definitely inherited family property sooner than the grandson.

On the other side, Liancheng Jia was flattered by the crowd, flattery such as "Young master is bounteous", "Mr. Jia is forthright", and so forth, and Liangcheng Jia's vanity had been greatly satisfied. As such, he absolutely put on an arrogant face, enjoying this happy moment.

"Mr. Jia, is your car the grand finale of the latest Donggang International Car Exhibition? I inquired about the car, and they told me that it was already reserved. I have been wondering who is so generous, never expecting it's you! Mr. Jia, is this car vigorous?"

"Haha, Yang Chen is our specialist on roadsters. Hey Yang Chen, would you like to introduce the car to us?" Liangcheng Jia said with a smiling face.

Yang Chen knew that Liancheng Jia wanted him to flatter him in a different way. But Liancheng Jia did say one thing right, the only person who truly knew about cars was him.

Yang Chen cleared his throat, then said: "Mr. Jia's Ferrari is Ferrari's flagship sports car. This car has a hy-kers hybrid power system, 6262cc V12 engine, and can reach speeds up to 200km/h within 7 seconds, accelerate from 0 to 300km/h within 15 seconds, and its fastest speed is 350km/h. This car is exclusive, as there are only 499 of the same model cars, and it is the best roadster in the world. Moreover, based on its speed, this should be the fastest Ferrari roadster."

Yang Chen's introduction made Liancheng Jia feel even better. He couldn't help looking at Liang Chai, who sat alone sulking, satirizing in his heart: You are from Hong Kong Chai's family, so what? Your family has been declining, a few years more, and you are won't even be qualified to clean my shoes.

At this point, a beep rang from afar. A truck with a container appeared, slowly drove in to the resort villa's gate, and parked in front of the crowd.

"Whose gift is this? It's carried by a truck, must be a big one. What do you think?"

"I say it's a 90% probability it is a roadster, too. Other things don't need to be carried by a truck."

"And it's packed by a container. What a mysterious gift."

"You see, the loader is a foreigner!"

Two foreigners got off from the back of the truck. The one with a red beard opened the container door, then took out a remote control and pressed a button. Mechanical gears transmitted, then, gradually, a support stretched from the container. There was indeed a roadster in the container.

However, the roadster was tightly covered by a layer of white plastic film, and although people saw the shape of the car, they couldn't tell its color, let alone its logo.

The red beard foreigner kept pressing the remote control, bringing the support slowly down, and finally landing it on the ground.

"This container should be specialized in shipping roadsters, seems to be first class."

"I feel the same. The whole car is covered by plastic film, looks mysterious, plus two foreign loaders, hey, the level immediately raised."

People involuntarily recalled that, not long ago, when Liancheng Jia's Ferrari was shipped here, the car was also loaded on a truck. But the differences were, that Ferrari was carried by a trailer, and was driven off from the trailer. On the contrary, here, this roadster had a special shipping container with a hydraulic support, so unloading was completed simply a remote control.

Although a remote-control hydraulic support didn't contain much high-tech, it was automatically functioning, which was completely different from manual operation. It was similar to thirty years ago, when people switched TV channels by twisting a button, then later, remote control was invented. But it was the remote control which raised the levels of television. Besides, there were two foreign loaders!

The two foreigners were sent by the European shipping company. They were not only loaders, but also technical advisers for unloading. After all, a polymeric membrane had been protecting the car. This membrane could even block sharp blades, so it definitely needed specialists to uncover it. But in the crowd's eyes, the two foreigners raised several levels up for this gift.

It was like dining out in a restaurant, where one sat in a French restaurant, with a violinist playing beautiful songs, and the waiters were all foreigners, with golden hair, blue eyes, dressed up in suits and ties, speaking French, and the menu was written in French, as well. Even though the guest could not understand the menu, he would feel the restaurant was exotic with high quality.

But, in contrast, if one ate in a noodle house, served by an old man in a sleeveless sweater and flip flops, who spoke dialect, asked about the food you wanted, then made loud noises when stretching noodles. Even if the beef noodle soup tasted way better than the French cuisine, the guest could not feel any romantic sentiment.

Thus, this scene of a professional container, electronic unloading, whole-cover polymeric membrane, plus two foreign loaders, altogether made a gorgeous packaging for the product. The value of a product could be increased by packaging. The same apple, which was worth one yuan in a local market, when put it into a special fruit and vegetable market with a tag, and stored in a fresh-keeping cabinet, the apple could then be sold for four to five yuan. But if it was kept in a delicate box, and was sold at Christmas Eve, the the price could be tens of yuan.

Liancheng Jia looked embarrassed. Although he had no idea whose car it was, the unloading process had already humiliated him. He even began to regret that he didn't buy a container and hire some foreign loaders, too. It wouldn't cost much anyway.

Who's being deliberately mystifying here?! Liancheng Jia snorted. But he could not restrain the others' curiosities. To be honest, even he was eager to know what kind of roadster was under that white protection membrane. Everyone's attentions fell onto the membrane-wrapped roadster. Many people talked in whispers.

"A roadster again, whom does it belong to? And the car is protected under a membrane, what kind of car is this?"

"No idea, it looks pretty high-tech. From its streamline design, it should be another roadster."

"Well, it doesn't really matter what car is it. What car can be better than Mr. Jia's laferrari?"

"Makes sense. How can this car exceed laferrari? But back to the topic, who sent it here? Mr. Jia bought a roadster, he also got one, how can his car be better than Jia's? Isn't he looking for humiliation?"

"Right. People are afraid of outfit clashes, same as sending gifts! The key point is, in this gift clash, his gift is not as good as the other's. What does the proverb say again? "Comparing with other people, the lowest rank will die; comparing with other products, the worst product will be thrown."

Those discussions went into Liangcheng Jia's ears, which made him feel better at once. That's true. No matter how gaudy your car packaging is, how can yours exceed my laferrari?! Mine is the most expensive car in the entire Donggang International Car Exhibition! The best roadster in the world! Liancheng Jia thought confidently.

While Liancheng Jia was comforting himself, suddenly an exclamation rang from the crowd: "Oh my God, this is...this is..."

A figure shot pass the crowd and rushed directly toward the car, peering at the unwrapped roadster. It was Yang Chen! "This is fxx! Am I right? Ferrari's fxx." Yang Chen's voice trembled with surprise.

The others might not know about fxx, but as a senior car fan, how could Yang Chen not recognize fxx?! Even though the car was totally covered by a protection membrane, its shape was very clear. Yang Chen recognized it right away by its shape.

The next second, Yang Chen looked at the two foreigners, and asked in English: "Is this car Ferrari's fxx?"

The foreigner slightly hesitated, then nodded: "Yes, you are right."

"Jesus, fxx, this is a real fxx! I see a real fxx!" Yang Chen almost wanted to dance. His eyes, his facial expression, were as if he was a sincere pilgrim worshiping his God. In fact, to a crazy car fan like Yang Chen, seeing a fxx by himself, the feeling was the same as worshiping God.

Everybody saw Yang Chen's craziness.

"What's wrong with Yang Chen? Is he insane? He looks crazy!"

"Is it because of that car? What did he say? Ferrari? Is this roadster also a Ferrari?"

"I heard him saying fxx, what is it? Is it the name of the car?"

"Fxx? Is it famous?"

"I heard it somewhere before. Right, fxx is also a supreme roadster in Ferrari."

"Is it? Then which one is better, laferrari or fxx?"

Not every rich second generation here knew about roadsters. Wealthy people directly bought the car, but only keyboard men who could not afford a roadster setting roadsters as wallpaper, and talking about roadsters online all day long. As the saying went, people who afford it don't talk, people who talked a lot wouldn't buy. Were there any domestic rich kids boasting about roadsters online all the time?

Real wealthy people, even though their roadster was crashed, would sit down and look through webpages on their phone. They didn't care about millions of money. They changed roadsters just like ordinary people changed clothes, so likewise, was there anyone who kept talking how many buttons, or how many stitches there were on a coat?

This Ferrari fxx was a special car, as it was made ten years ago by Ferrari. Back at that time, most of these rich kids hadn't even gotten their driving licenses yet, so how would they care about this fxx?

Even though they wanted to know, there was no way to do so. There were only thirty of the same cars produced, and none of them were found in the country. Even senior roadster fans like Yang Chen only saw its model, rather than the real car.

Finally, someone couldn't help asking: "Yang Chen, what car is this? Could you introduce it to us?"

Yang Chen was pulled back from his excitement. He took a deep breath, then introduced it: "This is Ferrari's fxx! So far, it is the most high-tech car produced by Ferrari. This car contains a lot of racing techniques, so technically speaking, this car is a racing car! To us roadster fans, this car is our God!"

As he said this, Yang Chen's voice sounded more excited: "You know what? Even with the prototype car, there are only thirty of them in the world, in the whole world! And they all belong to top-level roadster collectors, we have none of them is in this country! Wait, no, finally, we now have one!"

Enthusiasm shone through Yang Chen's eyes. His eager look was like a puppy seeing a bone. You feckless! It's just a car. Liancheng Jia snorted in his heart.

Right now, someone stood beside and asked the question that Liancheng Jia was eager to ask, which was also the question most people wanted to ask: "Yang Chen, how much is this car?"

To everyone's surprise, Yang Chen shook his head: "I don't know."

"Are you kidding? Is there any car in the world that you don't know about its price?" someone immediately asked.

"I'm not joking, I really don't know!" Yang Chen shook his head again depressingly: "This car was not open to the public, at that time, so if one wanted it, he must meet certain standards. More precisely speaking, Ferrari chose customs, and only if they chose you, did you get the chance to buy this car."

"How could this happen? Sellers choose buyers, only Ferrari dares to do so."

Somebody sighed.

Liancheng Jia felt his show was stolen, and he involuntarily asked: "I say, Yang Chen, even though this car was not open to the public, it should have had an appraisal, shouldn't it?"

Yang Chen thought for a while, then replied: "At the time that this car came out, some European media assessed its price should be no lower than one and a half million euros."

"One and a half million euros, converted into RMB, is around twelve million, so similar to that Star of the Princess something!" Liangcheng Jia talked out loud deliberately, aiming at telling everyone that, this fxx was way cheaper than his laferrari.

"One and a half million euros TEN YEARS AGO." Yang Chen reminded, ill-timed.

The crowd was enlightened. The exchange rate was different ten years ago. At that time, one and a half million euros was equal to more than fifteen million RMB, plus inflation, fifteen million RMB ten years ago was worth way more than today's twenty million. What fifteen million RMB could do a decade ago, might not be done with thirty million RMB at present.

Apart from anything else, if one bought a fifteen-million house in a first-tier city, conservatively speaking, the price would increase five to six times, and if lucky enough, the price might be ten times higher than the original value. But Yang Chen hadn't finished yet, as he continued: "Ten years ago, media assessed it to be one and a half million euros, but no one would be willing to sell it with this price. In recent years, no trading record about this car was found. It would probably be auctioned. I guess if it was priced at three million euros, it would be sold."

"Three million? Then this car is more expensive than that laferrari, isn't it?" Liang Chai said, chuckling.

Liancheng Jia suddenly turned around, giving Liang Chai a murderous look...

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Chapter 364: The Unique Gift

Translator:Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor:Nyoi-Bo Studio

"Mr. Li, your car has been delivered, please come and sign for it." A voice came through the phone. It was the red bearded foreigner from the European shipping company.

"OK, please wait for a minute, I'm coming right now." Dai Li hung up the phone, and looked at Dingtian Xiao apologetically.

"President Xiao, please excuse me, I have to go downstairs. My gift for Yunan has arrived, I have to sign for it."

Dingtian Xiao waved his hand, poker-faced, seeming to be indifferent.

However, soon after Dai Li left the room, Dingtian Xiao involuntarily moved beside the window, looking at the roadster being unloaded.

This young man did buy a roadster! Is this a coincidence? Dingtian Xiao suddenly felt like he was being smacked in the face. This feeling was strange, as he hadn't experienced such a feeling for a long while. Zhicheng Huang knocked on the door, then came in. He looked at Dingtian Xiao, then asked:

"President, would you like me to go watch him, to ensure that he won't mess anything up?"

"OK. You go watch him, that will reassure me." Dingtian Xiao seemed to suddenly remember something, so he said: "Go inquire about Dai Li's car.

What car did he buy for Yunan?"

"Understood." Zhicheng Huang immediately replied, but he looked a little surprised.

President never show any interest in cars, why does he care about this gifted car? Zhicheng Huang shook his head, as he walked out the room.Liancheng Jia's face was filled with depression, but he was still unwilling to be defeated.

"It's just a jalopy!" Liancheng Jia snorted, and said: "A ten-year-old car. I wonder whether it can run or not. Even so, it must be slower than my new laferrari!"

Liang Chai moved to the front with a smiling face, asking: "Yang Chen, could you tell me how is this fxx's engine? How is its speed?"

This sulking saboteur! Liancheng Jia gave Liang Chai an angry look. He already knew that this guy was here humiliating him. Yang Chen replied honestly: "This car also has a 6262cc v12engine, according to what I know, and has a Formula One gearbox, so even though it doesn't have an advanced hybrid power system, its acceleration is no worse than Ferrari's newest flagship automobile. It speeds up to 100km/h within three seconds, to 200km/h within seven seconds, and to 300km/h within fifteen seconds, none of these would be any problems. Fxx has a top speed of 390km/h."

"If I'm right, did you say that laferrari's top speed is 350km/h? Then this fxx is faster than laferrari!" Liang Chai smiled, glanced at Liancheng Jia, then said:

"I'm really curious about whoever bought such a legendary car as a gift."

Liang Chai's last sentence awakened many people. Before that, they focused on the car, but the key question now was, who had bought this car.

"Who sent this car here? That person indeed invested much!"

"Right, Mr. Jia put more than twenty million in his gift, and still isn't able to win.

Who is this Mr. Mystery?"

"He must have a powerful background, otherwise, how can he buy a Ferrari fxx? If I were him, I wouldn't even know where to buy it!"

As the crowd was busy discussing, Dai Li walked hurriedly towards that red beard.

"Mr. Li, would you like me to uncover the car now?" asked the red beard.

"Yes, please!" Dai Li nodded, signing his name on the receipt."Who is he? Did he send the car?"

"Is he Yunan Xiao's boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend? No wonder he gave her such an amazing gift! But her boyfriend looks strange to me, which family does he come from?"

"Which family? I heard that her boyfriend was just a normal sports coach!"

"It can't be, don't you make fun of me. I can't afford this Ferrari fxx, let alone a sports coach!"

"I'm serious, Yunan Xiao said so herself. Her boyfriend is a coach, and is right in Dingtian Football Club!"

"I still can't believe it. How much can a coach earn? You think he's Hammam, earning millions upon million euros per year?"

"You are right, our domestic coaches, even earning million yuan per year, he should spend no money within thirty years to finally afford this fxx!"

"Do you think that it's a fake one? Like a model?"

The last sentence reminded Liancheng Jia of something. He seemed to catch a live-saving straw, which could reverse the situation.

That makes sense, he is only a coach, how can he afford Ferrari fxx, this must be a fake one! Thinking about this, Liancheng Jia shouted at Dai Li in the front: "Hey, pull off the plastic film, let's take a look at this Ferrari fxx!"

As Liancheng Jia shouted, some people followed him. Dai Li nodded at red beard, the latter one immediately picking up his tools and moving close to the car, preparing to peel away the protection membrane. This polymeric membrane could not be lacerated by any knife, only special tools, together with certain methods could peel it.

"Let me help you!" Yang Chen couldn't wait to see the fxx, so he rushed forward.

Red beard held his tools in his hand, and walked to the rear, as he needed to peel the protection membrane on the engine first. Since the engine was the core of a car, he must make sure that the core was alright. The reason why he came to the rear was because Ferrari fxx's engine was located at the rear, like most roadsters' were.

As red beard peeled the protection membrane on the engine, black metal lacquer surface appeared in front of the crowd.

"Black, this car is black!"

"Usually Ferraris are red, why is this one black"

"You see, I search fxx online, and they all look red, none of them is black.

This one is weird!"

Red was the traditional Ferrari color, so many people even thought that only red Ferraris could be called Ferrari. Liancheng Jia's laferrari was also red. As for the other colors, there were some, but not many. Many cars in the street were black and white, but to Ferrari, no matter whether black or white, as long as it was not red, it was non-mainstream.

Seeing this, Liancheng Jia suddenly asked out loud: "Yang Chen, this one is black. Is there any black fxxs?"

"Well, I'm not sure." Yang Chen shook his head: "But my collections are all red."

"Black Ferrari, rarely seen, huh? Is this a real Ferrari, or a fake one? I heard that there are some people specialized in stitching cars, who can make whatever you want" Liancheng Jia said in a loud voice, for fear that someone couldn't hear him.

There were some lawbreakers who specialized in stitching cars. A county collected various kinds of car components, and it was said that there was nothing they could not make. Hundreds of thousand of yuan for a Benz, four to five hundred thousand for a Bentley, seven to eight hundred thousand for a Lamborghini ... it was not a myth there. How couldn't the others tell Liancheng Jia's sourness in his words? It was just that he was not the only one who felt jealous, but rather, a lot of people waited to mock Dai Li.

The previous fashion sarcastic woman snorted in the crowd: "I say, how can a sport coach afford a tens of million roadster? This forgery is so unprofessional. You wanna fool us with a black Ferrari? Everyone knows that

Ferrari is red. You are making yourself look fat by slapping your own face!"

In the front, red beard ensured that the engine was alright, then began to peel the membrane on the door. On the black surface, a number "30" showed up.

"Uh-huh, a number? 30? What does it mean, odd-and-even license plate rule?

Liancheng Jia jeered.

But Yang Chen, who stood at the front, after noting the number, was taken aback.

"Seriously? No. 30, is it THAT fxx? No, it can't be! It's impossible!" Yang Chen murmured to himself.

Finally, the membrane on the front hood was also peeled off. At the center of the hood, a number "30" came into Yang Chen's eyes. 30, number 30, black fxx, only that car has such a painting! Is this indeed that car? Really? Yang Chen couldn't help but touch the "30" sign, then he turned to Dai Li, astonished.

"Is this Herr Haim, King of the Car's fxx?" Yang Chen asked seriously.

Dai Li smiled and nodded: "Yes, it was. But now, it's Yunan's!"

"Aw!" Yang Chen suddenly shouted, which gave Dai Li a good scare.

The next second, Yang Chen suddenly bowed down and leaned his upper body on the front hood, and kept kissing that "30" sign. If previously, Yang Chen looked like a sincere pilgrim worshiping, then currently, he was actually like a pilgrim, who was worshipping this black fxx!

"What's wrong with Yang Chen? Is he insane?"

"He must be crazy! Crying, laughing, shouting, he is crazier than before!"

"What is Yang Chen doing? Kissing the car? Isn't it gross?"

The crowd looked at Yang Chen confusingly. But red beard couldn't tolerate it at all. He stepped forward and lifted Yang Chen off the car, shouting: "Hey, move your mouth away from the car, don't smudge it, I haven't completed my delivery yet!"

"Please, I beg you, please let me touch it again! Just one more time!"

Yang Chen seemed to become a child seeing his favorite toy, as he kept begging red beard.

Fen Luo couldn't stand it, and he stopped Yang Chen, saying: "Yang Chen, mind your behavior, you are in public area, don't forget who you are."

Yang Chen then awakened. Seeing that the crowd was looking at him, he was embarrassed, and calmed himself down at once.

"What's wrong with you, Yang Chen, are you insane?" asked Fen Luo.

"No, I was too excited, really!" Yang Chen said: "I never expected to see the legendary fxx ever in my life!"

"The legendary fxx?" Fen Luo was confused. He looked at Yang Chen, then looked at the car, asking: "Are there legendary cars and non-legendary cars?"

"Well, I just mentioned, there are only 30 Ferrari fxxs in this world. In fact, the prototype car is included. The fxx prototype, which is the most unique fxx in the world, its number is 30!" Yang Chen said, pointing at the number "30".

"You mean, this car is its prototype?" Fen Luo was now enlightened, then he asked: "But you don't need to overreact like that, kissing a car?"

"The fxx prototype is different from the other 29 fxxs. It contains the most Formula One technology, in other words, the prototype is the most Formula-One-like roadster! This car can bring the driver a car-racing experience." Yang Chen's face was flushed, as he was in an extremely exciting moment. He continued: "Well, what I said was not the key point. Do you know to whom this fxx prototype belongs to?"

"Who?" Fen Luo asked subconsciously.

"Herr Haim, King of the Car! This is Ferrari's gift for Herr Haim's retirement, it's ...

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Chapter 365: He is Lucky

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Herr Haim, King of the Car, the name was familiar to everyone present.

"Is this indeed the Herr Haim's retirement gift from Ferrari?"

"Yang Chen said so, so then it should be true. He knows roadsters best among us."

"If it is the retirement gift, then it's invaluable. Three million euros should not be enough."

"Stop joking, the car's sentimental value alone is priceless."

"Back to the topic, why is Herr Haim's retirement souvenir here? This car is memorable to Herr Haim, so I think he wouldn't sell it, even if he got paid?"

Liancheng Jia heard those voices, his depressed face suddenly lighting up. He was hyper now. "I say, Yang Chen, did you misread it? How could Herr Haim's retirement souvenir be here?"Liancheng Jia said.

"How would I misread it? Black lacquer coating, plus the figure 30, only Herr Haim's fxx looks like this." Yang Chen was sure.

"Perhaps, the coating is made on purpose!" Liancheng Jia smiled, and said: "Or rather, say, this is just a model! At least I can't believe this, that an ordinary coach owns Herr Haim's retirement souvenir."

Hearing these words, Yang Chen hesitated. He looked at the roadster, then at Dai Li, undecided. There were many people staring at Dai Li, waiting to see him lose face. Apparently, they thought that Dai Li intended to fool them with a fake car. Herr Haim's private car, an exclusive roadster, which could not be bought by money, how would it fall into a poor coach's hands?

Red beard walked to Dai Li, and asked: "Mr. Li, the car looks good from appearances. Would you like to start it, just as a double check? If the engine works well, then our delivery will be completed."

"Sure, let me try." Dai Li opened the door and sat inside. He inserted the key, then pressed start button. Rear lamps went on, followed by that 6262cc V12 neighing-like startup. After that sound, the heavy bass roar shocked everyone at the scene.

As the fxx prototype, it didn't use a series-produced engine. This special engine was made only for fxx, later, it was gradually used in other Ferrari flagship roadsters. Therefore, from the engine's roar, its uniqueness had already been shown.

Not every rich second generation there knew about roadsters, but surely everybody got one, at least. However, none of them had ever heard such a roar from their own roadsters. But from the pleasant neighing heard when the engine just started, and heavy bass-like beastial roaring after it fully started, everyone sensed that it must be a top-level roadster.

Yang Chen stood right next to the car, intoxicated by the engine roaring. To him, it was the most beautiful music in the world. Meanwhile, Dai Li stepped on the accelerator in neutral. A tremendous crash "Hum" immediately shocked the crowd.

Hearing it, Yang Chen shouted, ill-mannered: "This roar is made by a v12 engine, no, only racing-car level engines can produce such a roar. This car is indeed a fxx! This car is Herr Haim's fxx!"

Yang Chen's words slapped Liancheng Jia in his face. Liancheng Jia was questioning that the car was just a model, but Yang Chen's behavior refuted him, and humiliated him greatly.

Liancheng Jia wished to kick Yang Chen down to the ground. Although nobody laughed at him, it didn't mean that people would forget about this. Liancheng Jia predicted that soon he would be the others' after-dinner joke. Today's "gift war" was full of twists and turns. From Liang Chai's pendant, to Liancheng Jia's roadster, but the one laughing till the end was Dai Li, who was the one who had been ignored the whole time.

The crowd looked at Dai Li differently now. Previously, Dai Li was a loser in people's eyes, as to those rich people, a sports coach was nothing. But now, after an exclusive roadster was presented, Dai Li's figure immediately grew bigger. At least, none of those people was able to buy a Ferrari fxx as a gift, let alone Herr Haim's retirement souvenir.

Now, many people began to guess as to what background Dai Li had. Perhaps he was a love child of an executive, otherwise, how could he afford such a unique gift?Zhicheng Huang knocked at the door and walked in. "President, I have investigated Dai Li's roadster, and it is indeed a Ferrari fxx," reported Zhicheng Huang.

"Oh, a Ferrari? This Dai Li probably spent all the money he has in order to afford such a Ferrari roadster. Well, he indeed invested much for Yunan." Dingtian Xiao kept reading the document in his hand, and didn't even raise his head, asking: "How much is it?"

"Not sure. I haven't found any information," Zhicheng Huang answered honestly.

"No information?"Dingtian Xiao put down the document, while he looked at Zhizhong Huang in surprise.

He knew Zhicheng Huang's competence. Zhicheng Huang had been following Dingtian Xiao as an assistant for so many years, how would he be now a common individual? But today, hearing "no information" from his assistant, Dingtian Xiao was a little bit confused.

Zhicheng Huang explained: "President, this Ferrari fxx is an exclusive product, as there are only 30 of them in this world, and all are not open for sale. The buyers were selected by Ferrari, according to certain standards, otherwise, there is no way to buy it. Precisely speaking, this car is priceless, without even a market."

"Is Ferrari making hunger marketing? Hmm, not really, if there are only 30 of them, there is no need to do any hunger marketing." Dingtian Xiao slightly shook his head, but kept asking: "You said there are some standards, what are they?"

"Details are not given. I found some rumors, but they are all wrong," replied Zhicheng Huang.

"Do I meet those standards?" Dingtian Xiao asked with interest.

"Definitely not, "Zhicheng Huang replied honestly, like a robot.

"I don't meet the standards, how come Dai Li reached the standards? Am I worse than that boy?!" Dingtian Xiao didn't blame Zhicheng Huang, he just seemed to pour out his unpleasantness, for the thought of that Dai Li being better than him in some aspects.

"I guess Dai Li didn't buy this fxx himself. This car was sold ten years ago, when Dai Li was still at school, so how could he buy this car? Besides, this fxx has a special sentimental value, as it was given to Herr Haim by Ferrari when he retired," said Zhicheng Huang.

"You're sure?" Dingtian Xiao turned around: "Are you sure that it is Herr Haim's car? Not a model for fooling people?"

"I'm quite sure. I think people who bought this car must pursue personalization and uniqueness, since they didn't want to use the same coating as the others. Moreover, Herr Haim's coating is most special, as the one who bought his car didn't need to make the same coating as Herr Haim's," said Zhicheng Huang.

Hearing these details, Dingtian Xiao fell into the sofa, defeat flashing across his face.

"How did Herr Haim's car fall in his hands, then, did he steal it? Then when Herr Haim came to ask for the car, I would have to give it back... This Dai Li is really good at surprising me! I just told him that he couldn't afford a roadster, and he immediately gave me a supreme one. Huh, interesting, I haven't be losing face like this for years!"

Frustration raised involuntarily from within Dingtian Xiao's heart. He hadn't experienced such feelings for years. As Dingtian Xiao spoke, he turned to Zhicheng Huang and asked: "Zhicheng, what do you think of Dai Li?"

Zhicheng Huang thought for a while, then answered seriously: "Stubborn, serious, hot-blooded, pushy, and I think, he is very lucky."

"Lucky?" Dingtian Xiao suddenly burst out into laughter: "You are right, he is lucky. Sometimes, fortune make people helpless."

Dingtian Xiao took a look at the document again, then casually said: "This time, Yunan has received many gifts. You go prepare some return presents. Besides, keep the present for Hong Kong Chai's family, for next week, when I go, I will bring it with me."

"Understood." Zhicheng Huang continued: "This time, Liang Chai gave a ten million emerald pendant, but was exceeded by the others, so I'm not sure whether he would feel awkward or not."

"Let him be! Even though we can't be future relatives, we still need to continue in our business. Shipping Magnate Chai will understand. Canadian natural gas, it is a large piece of fat meat. We invest, and we will surely gain profits. To do business, there would be no eternal enemy or friends, we either compete with each other, or cooperate together..."Dingtian Xiao said, as he began to read the document again.Yunan Xiao leaned close to Dai Li's shoulder, gazing at clouds far away in the sky.

"Where did you get this car?" Yunan Xiao asked.

"Herr Haim gave it to me," said Dai Li.

"Did you beg him for it?" Yunan Xiao curled her lip, making fun of him.

"How would I do that? I refused again and again for thousands of times, and it was Herr Haim who insisted to give the car to me." Dai Li made a helpless look, then switched the topic: "But the car ran fast. Herr Haim took me for a ride in this car, and with a blink of an eye, we sped up to 350km/h. I was petrified."

"I can't go that fast," Yunan Xiao said thoughtlessly.

"This car is not allowed to be on the road, except in Switzerland. If you want to have fun, drive it in the racing field." Dai Li thought for a second, then said: "If we've got time, I can drive you in the racing field, and let you experience Formula One's feeling!"

"Forget about that. Your driving experience is less than mine!" Yunan Xiao shook her head.

Dai Li smiled carelessly. After Herr Haim recovered, Dai Li took Herr Haim into the Athletes Illustrated Handbook. Now that Herr Haim had been retired for years, and was injured, he was no longer at his best status. But the king was always the king, so if he was asked to drive a Formula One racing car, He could still drive it well,and would still be better than many young drivers.

In Dai Li's Athletes Illustrated Handbook, although Herr Haim was not at his peak, he could surely surpass 99% of racing drivers. There were only twenty to thirty Formula One drivers in the world, and if Dai Li copied Herr Haim's ability, even only 70% of it, he would be able to reach European top-level driver's competence, and would be way stronger than domestic drivers.

Dai Li clasped Yunan Xiao in his arms, enjoying this momentary sweetness, before his phone rang, ill-timed.

"A phone call from UK, excuse me," Dai Li said as he picked up the phone.

"Hello, Coach Li. This is Thompson, Duke Gaer's housekeeper." A man spoke with a British accent.

"Hi Mr. Thompson, how are you? Haven't seen you for a while! How is Duke Gaer?" Dai Li said with great enthusiasm.

"I'm good, thank you. Sorry to bother you, but Duke Gaer may need some rehabilitative training. Yesterday, when Duke Gaer was riding a horse, he fell off the horse again. Although he was not seriously injured, he still needs some help to recover." Thompson paused, then said: "I have found some therapists, but he rejected them all. He didn't trust them."

Pausing here, Mr. Thompson sighed helplessly: "So, Coach Li, could you come to the UK again? I think Duke trusts nobody, except you!"

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Chapter 366: Ruthless Man

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

On the second day, Dai Li flew to Capital City for his UK visa. This time, the visa application was extremely easy, with all green lights along the process. British visa officers saw Duke Gaer's invitation letter, didn't say anything, and directly sealed a "pass".

Among British governmental organizations, hereditary aristocracy enjoyed some special rights. After receiving his visa, Dai Li booked a flight to the UK. Fifteen hours later, he arrived at Edinburgh.

Duke Gaer's injury was not severe, in fact, beyond some abrasions, he had merely wrenched his waist. If he had been a young man, after receiving simple massage and having some good rest, he would be fine. But Duke Gaer was an old man in his sixties. As the saying goes, "When getting old, do not match strength with others". A minor wrench on his waist made Duke Gaer completely bedridden.

However, Duke Gaer didn't trust the other therapists, he only believed in Dai Li. He'd rather lie in bed bearing the waist pain than to receive treatments from other therapists. He had been waiting until Dai Li came.

When aging, people get stubborn. It's like domestic elders, who are fooled into buying health products, no matter what the others said, they were willing to spend hundreds of thousands yuan buying something useless.

In the medieval castle, Duke Gaer was lying in bed, receiving Dai Li's massage.

"My horsemanship is excellent. When I was young, I participated in domestic Olympics selection for British equestrian athletes. But who could predict that I would fall off the horse! Ten years ago, making such a performance on a horse was no big deal to me..." Duke Gaer recalled the old times.

"Your Excellency, you just said it was ten years ago. Please remember, you are in your sixties now, and are no longer a young man. How could you perform difficult technical moves as excellent as before?" Dai Li paused, then said: "Besides, you have sat in a wheelchair for a decade, and during this period of time, your body, like muscles and bones, must have degraded. Therefore, you should pay more attention when exercising. My suggestion is for you to only exercise under professional guidance."

"Just because I have been restrained in the wheelchair for ten years, I couldn't wait to go out for a horse ride. I have already wasted ten years, I don't want to miss any more time." Duke Gaer shook his head.

At this time, Thompson, the housekeeper, walked into the room. He slightly bowed to Duke Gaer, then said: "Your Excellency, guests from Hong Kong have arrived, they are waiting in the lounge."

"Huh, I forgot this." Duke Gaer thought for seconds, then said: "I don't want to meet them. Tell them that I don't feel good, and send them away. I'd like Coach Li to massage me for a longer time."

"Yes, Your Excellency." Thompson bowed again, then left the room.

Duke Gaer turned his head to glimpse at Dai Li, then said: "Coach Li, would you like to have afternoon tea with me? My chef has prepared the most authentic Scottish desserts, and black tea from your country!"

"My pleasure!" Dai Li nodded with a smile.Four Chinese men were sitting in the lounge. If Dai Li was here, he would be surprised, for he knew three of them. On the left sofa, sat a man around sixty with a serious look. Next to him was a middle-aged man in his forties. The two were Dingtian Xiao and his assistant Zhicheng Huang.

On the side sofa, there was also a sixty-year-old man, who wore a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, his hair combed sleek. Next to him was a man right above thirty years old. The thirty-year-old was Liang Chai, Hong Kong Chai's family's third generation. The sixty-year-old man next to him was his father, Zhengnan Chai, who was the eldest son of Hong Kong Shipping Magnate Chai.

Shipping Magnate Chai was more that ninety years old. He had retired tens of years ago, and passed on Chai's business to his son, Zhengnan Chai. In other words, Zhennan Chai was actually the man in charge of Chai's business.

The four sat in the lounge, having tea and chatting. But if there were any outsiders here, they would have felt that both sides looked harmonious, but actually deceived each other.

"Duke Gaer had been paralysed in a horse accident, after ten years, and he has finally recovered recently," Zhennan Chai said. "So it's a good timing for us to be here in order to congratulate him on his recovery."

"What I care about more is, whether Duke Gaer is willing to support us on Canadian natural gas or not." Dingtian Xiao squinted his eyes a little bit, then continued: "In my memory, British people are arrogant. This Duke Gaer may ask for an exorbitant repayment."

"Canadian natural gas is a piece of fat meat, a lot of people want it. But current European economics is in a recession, and investors are cautious. I don't think there would be anyone who offers better cooperation terms than we do. Moreover, after gas is extracted, finding a market for it will be a big problem. Except in new markets, European and American countries can not use so much gas." Zhennan Chai tapped his finger.

"Right. Although it's a fat meat, it requires long-term investment." Dingtian Xiao subconsciously lifted his neck, seeming to count gains and losses.

The four waited for a long while, before finally seeing the housekeeper Thompson walk in. Thompson was wearing a pair of clean white gloves, and was holding two delicate paper boxes in his hands.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Thompson slightly bowed, then said: "His Excellency doesn't feel well today, so he can't come meet you. His Excellency wants me to deliver his apologies, and let you know that he really appreciates your coming from afar."

Thompson showed an apologetic look, but the atmosphere among the four guests suddenly deflated a bit.

"To apologize, His Excellency asks me to bring some snacks especially for you. Our dessert chef once worked for Her Majesty and is one of the best dessert chefs in the UK. These two boxes contains freshly made cookies, of authentic Scottish flavor, so please accept it." As he said this, Thompson handed the boxes to the four people.Duke Gaer leaned on the chair, his back was supported by a cushion. He pointed at the tiered cake stand, saying: "Coach Li, my dessert chef once served Her Majesty, but she seemed to not like Scottish cookies very much."

"This tastes really good." Dai Li smiled. "To be honest, I don't know much about European desserts. I can't even tell the difference between British and French desserts. But what I do know is, this cookie is great."

"Glad you like it. I will have my housekeeper bring a box of cookies to you when you leave." Duke Gaer started to enter his chatterbox mode, as it was rare to have someone like his afternoon tea. This led Duke Gaer to begin to evaluate afternoon-tea cultures among European countries.

Dai Li listened helplessly. His eyes randomly glimpsed outside the window, just happening to see four people as they left the castle. Those two people, did I meet them somewhere before? They look familiar! Looks like Dingtian Xiao and his assistant Zhicheng Huang! Thinking about this, Dai Li shook his head in self-mockery, "This is the UK, how would I possibly meet them here? I must have 'Father-in Law phobia'!""Alright, we have waited for several hours, only to see a cookie box!" Zhicheng Huang sat in the car, holding the cookie box in this arms, complaining. "This Duke Gaer is really good at putting on airs. I mean, a box of cookies, and we are sent away!"

"Two boxes. Zhennan Chai is also rejected by a box of cookies, isn't he?" Dingtian Xiao remained calm, his eyes shining with self-examination. He continued: "I have some responsibility for today's situation. It seems that I overestimated Chai's relationship in the UK."

"President, after you said so, it's likely to be this way. Previously, the Chais boasted how much power they had, as if they could talk to any British nobility, and it seemed that even the queen had to give them face. But when they actually came here, they couldn't even see a duke." Zhicheng Huang continued in his scorn: "Perhaps even the Chais overestimated their status. As a matter of fact, in the past, the old shipping magnate was indeed influential. He was given the title of Justice of Peace, and was greeted by the queen individually for the investiture. People at his status, even the governor of Hong Kong have to show much respect to him."

Pausing here, Dingtian Xiao sighed: "It sounded like he had stepped into the UK's upper class, and became a part of British nobility. But now, it seems that those British never took him as being truly one of them. It makes sense, since Hong Kong used to be a British colony. You regard British as your lord, try hard to show your loyalty, but they don't even treat you as good as a dog!"

"President, what are we going to do? Duke Gaer is not willing to meet us, and we can't waste time waiting for him, can we? Is there any other plan? Or can we inquire about new relationships?" asked Zhicheng Huang.

"It's too late to find other relationships." Dingtian Xiao curled his lip and said. "Zhennan Chai must not be willing to give up. He will make another appointment tomorrow, so let's wait first.""Your Excellency, the men from yesterday, Mr. Chai and Mr. Xiao, they have come back again. Right now they are waiting in the drawing room," Thompson spoke in a standard British housekeeper way, with a deep, rich voice.

"Why come again? Did he make an appointment?" Duke Gaer was impatient.

"It looks like Mr. Chai and Mr. Xiao are assured that they will have Canadian natural gas. They are not willing to give this fat meat up," Thompson smiled and said. "Mr. Chai's father received Her Majesty's investiture, and he has a high status in Hong Kong."

"I'm not going to see anyone without an appointment! Recently, Her Majesty knighted hundreds of people, and if I met every one of them in person, I would be busy until death! Besides, this Mr. Chai is just the son of Knight Chai. Even if his father were here, I wouldn't see him if I didn't want to!" Duke Gaer shook his head indifferently. "As for Canadian gas, I don't lack money, and I have been lying in bed for ten years. I don't want to waste any time on earning more money. Let me enjoy my life. Send them away for me!"

"Yes, Your Excellency." Thompson nodded.

"Uh, has Coach Li arrived?" Duke Gaer asked.

Thompson checked the time on his watch: "An hour ago, our driver went to the hotel to pick Coach Li up. They are about to arrive."

"Then tell chef to prepare more afternoon tea," Duke Gaer said. "Yesterday I had a nice conversation with Coach Li."

Thompson laughed, nodding in reply. He knew well about his duke, and how yesterday afternoon, to say that Duke Gaer was chatting with Dai Li, he would rather say that Duke was giving a lecture, and spouting eloquent speeches!"Mr. Chai, Mr. Xiao, I'm sorry. His Excellency has a full schedule today, and will be meeting an important guest soon. Please go back." Thompson gave them a sorry look, sending the four people to the gate himself.

It had been a long time since Dingtian Xiao was denied an entrance, anywhere. At least in the domestic market, no one dared to slam the door in his face. But this was the UK, not Dingtian Xiao's territory, so he had to take duke's cue before taking action. Duke Gaer's status was only subordinate to the royal family, and hence, was at the top among hereditary aristocracies. If he wanted to show his pride, nobody could stop him.

From his property stance, although Duke Gaer might not be as rich as Dingtian Xiao, he still had billions of pounds. Plus, these British nobility's property usually existed in the form of fixed assets, like land, houses, precious metals, artwork, etc. These things had steady appreciation.

On the contrary, entrepreneurs like Dingtian Xiao's properties mainly came from stocks they held in the company. If the company's share price increased, they might become billionaires within one night, but if the price fell, their property would experience several hundred times of shrinkage. Therefore, the two sides didn't need to look at the other's cue, and perhaps Duke Gaer, with less money, had more priority.

Dingtian Xiao could take temporary setbacks. Although he was refused and annoyed, he still looked calm, and it seemed that he was not affected by his failure at all. Thompson walked out to the castle with them, all the way to the parking lot in front. At the same time, a Rolls-Royce came from afar, it was the car the housekeeper had sent to pick up Dai Li.

Seeing this Rolls-Royce, Thompson immediately applied a professional smile.

"Is this the important guest the housekeeper mentioned? Duke Gaer will probably see that individual." Liang Chai whispered.

Zhennan Chai and Dingtian Xiao involuntarily looked at this Rolls-Royce. They were curious about who the important guest was. Finally, the Rolls-Royce parked. Thompson walked forward to open the door himself, greeting with enthusiasm: "Coach Li, finally you are here! His Excellency has been waiting for you!"

"Coach Li?" Zhizhong Huang couldn't help but repeat this appellation, while Dingtian Xiao furrowed his eyebrows. To these two people, "Coach Li" meant something different.

The next second, Dai Li got out of the car. This moment, Zhicheng Huang looked like an owl, dazed in the tree. While Dingtian Xiao, who never let facial expressions reveal his feelings before, didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Only Liang Chai couldn't control himself, as he shouted out surprisingly: "Dai Li! Why are you here?"

Liang Chai's shouting caught Dai Li's attention. The first person he saw was not Liang Chai, but Dingtian Xiao.

Why is Yunan's father here? Did he chase me all the way to the UK, only to separate us? My future father-in-law is too ruthless! Dai Li's mind was a mess.

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Chapter 367: A Confusing Conversation

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

On their way back, Zhicheng Huang was still thinking about what had happened just now.

"Why had Dai Li become Duke Gaer's honorable guest?" said Zhicheng Huang. "He is just a normal coach, and his parents are simple wage earners. They don't have much money, neither do they have supporting backgrounds. I have investigated all his information."

Zhicheng Huang investigated Dai Li's personal information himself, so he knew well about Dai Li's family background and working experience. No matter how hard he tried, Zhicheng Huang couldn't figure out how Dai Li engaged in a friendship with Duke Gaer. From any standpoint, a domestic young sports coach should not have any connection with a British duke.

"There is always something in this world that happens unexpectedly." Dingtian Xiao acted more calm than did Zhicheng Huang. He lowered his head in concentration for a few seconds, then said: "After we go back, talk to Dai Li, and see whether he could help us meet Duke Gaer."

Zhicheng Huang looked at DIngtian Xiao, surprised, as he never thought that one day Dingtian Xiao would be willing to get off his high horse and ask Dai Li for help.

"Why, you look surprised? Is it losing face to ask Dai Li for help?" Dingtian Xiao smiled, then shook his head. "I understand why you think so. But if I could take this Canadian natural gas program, it would be nothing to lose face!"

Dingtian Xiao said, sighing as he thought back to old times. He then asked, "Zhicheng, have you been working in Dingtian for more than ten years?"

"Plus this year, it's been fifteen years. I have been working with you for ten years already." Zhicheng Huang nodded.

"Right, you didn't went through my starting period. At the time when you came working with me, Dingtian walked on the right trail, and was one of the biggest companies in the province. Hence, you have no idea about what I experienced when I was just starting my business."

Dingtian Xiao shook head again with a bitter smile, then continued: "I remember, at the very beginning, I often humbled myself in order to please people. I'm lucky that I was able to survive. I didn't care about saving face, as it couldn't bring me any fortune, so why did I need to?"

He went on: "As for now, in outsiders' eyes, I'm a successful entrepreneur, owning hundreds of billions of properties. But, actually, I still ask for help very often. The difference is that, many times now, I no longer need to humble myself, but rather do a win-win cooperation instead. It is essentially the same, however, as decades ago, when I paid money to beg others for help! Comparing with that, asking Dai Li for assistance makes me feel better. My daughter is going to be taken by him, so how can't I ask him to do me a favor?" Pausing here, Dingtian Xiao burst out in laughter: "But you were right about this young man. He is indeed very lucky!"In another car, Chai's father and son, Zhennan Chai and Liang Chai, were sitting together in the backseat.

"You know that man?" asked Zhennan Chai.

"Yeah. He is Dai Li, YUnan Xiao's boyfriend. I met him in Yunan Xiai's birthday party," answered Liang Chai.

"Yunan Xiao's boyfriend? Then he will probably become Dingtian Xiao's proud son-in-law?" Zhennan Chai said, frowning with his eyebrows. "What is Dingtian Xiao doing? His future son-in-law apparently knows Duke Gaer, so then why does he want us Chais to build a bridge for him? Wait, who is his son-in-law anyway? He is regarded as an honorable guest by Duke Gaer, so then he is not a mainland Chinese, is he? Is he an overseas Chinese?"

"That Dai Li is just an ordinary mainland sports coach!" Liang Chai snorted.

"An ordinary coach? How can an ordinary coach become Duke Gaer's important guest?" Zhennan Chai didn't believe his son at all. But the next second, he took a long sigh, disappointed: "Anyway, I think we should book flight tickets back to Hong Kong soon."

"Why" Liang Chai asked subconsciously, then immediately got his father's point, asking: "Is it because of that Dai Li?"

Zhennan Chai nodded: "Dingtian Xiao came to us, aiming at our relationships in the UK. He hoped for us to build a bridge for him, so he could close a deal with Duke Gaer. That was why he was willing to share profits with us. But, now, he has found some other way. With that Dai Li, DIngtian Xiao could talk to Duke Gaer himself, so do you think he will still share some profits with us?"

"Such a big deal, and finally it comes to nothing? If Dingtian Xiao kicks us out and stands by himself, isn't he burning the bridge after crossing the river?!" Liang Chai said angrily.

"The business world is like a battlefield! If we Chais had sufficient funds, and are able to get this trade done alone, do you think I would cooperate with Dingtian?" Zhennan Chai said seriously, hoping to be teaching his son a lesson. "Now I feel that we should appreciate Dingtian Xiao, for he has taught you a lesson. He taught you how cruel the business world is!"

Liang Chai nodded in silence. After all, he was more than thirty years old, and was the third generation of successors in Hong Kong Chai's family, who had been leaning to do business by trial and error for years. After a brief time of excitement, he calmed down.

Although Chai's family was one of the original Hong Kong riches, no matter what were their total assets or liquid funds, the family was not as strong as Dingtian Group. Dingtian Group concentrated on real estate, since recently, housing prices had zoomed up. Thus, Dingtian immediately accumulated a large amount of properties. As long as it didn't go grab premium land on a large scale, Dingtian's financial chain would stay quite strong.

On the contrary, Chai's family made their fortune by shipping. Their main properties were hundreds of ocean-going freighters, wharf stock, and properties in Hong Kong. These things were worth as much as properties, but none of them could be liquidated within a short time. Therefore, the liquid funds that Chais could use were considered of far less worth to most than Dingtian's.Dai Li received Zhicheng Huang's text: President Xiao invites me for dinner!

Dai Li stared at his phone diffidently: Will it be another Hongmen Banquet?

Hesitating for seconds, Dai Li finally texted back in agreement. To Dingtian Xiao, escape could not solve any problems at all. As his future father-in-law, he had to face him one day. At dusk, Dai Li arrived at the restaurant on time, which was located in the hotel Dingtian Xiao lived in.

"Today's appetizer is West Seashore halibut filet with lobster mousse. Entrees are Balmoral grilled venison, served with Madeira soft cake, truffle, red cabbage stew, roast potatoes, roast walnut, pumpkin and celery. In addition, there will be mango and lemon dark chocolate, and fruit, as desserts. I have told them to now begin service," introduced Zhicheng Huang.

Dai Li didn't know much about this. However, he felt that, since it was Dingtian Xiao's treat, it would not be low-grade fare. He guessed that these dishes could only appear in top-level banquets in the UK.

Sitting opposite him, Dingtian Xiao didn't say anything, but gave Dai Li an intense gaze, which made Dai Li a little anxious, and he dared not say anything. The two major characters sat in silence, the atmosphere suddenly becoming embarrassing around the table.

Saying nothing for about a minute, Dingtian Xiao finally broke the ice first: "I want to meet Duke Gaer for a big trade, and I want you to recommend me to him."

"OK, I will talk to him tomorrow." Dai Li answered without thinking, subconsciously agreeing.

"Good. Then let's have dinner." Dingtian Xiao remained wearing his indifferent look, no happiness, no sorrow, as if he hadn't talked to Dai Li just now.

That's it? Zhicheng Huang stared at the two. He was expecting a complicated conversation, perhaps one not as long as making three calls at the thatched cottage, but he figured it would at least take around half an hour to explain everything clearly, or to put off for a while. While in fact, the whole conversation only contained two sentences, and that was it.

Maybe president is unwilling to put off his pride. He said yes, but meant no. Zhicheng Huang considered this thought, feeling that it would be better to offer further details.

Hence, he said: "In the last few years, Dingtian Group has been transforming from a real estate developer into a diversified manager. Recently, president is planning to enter into the energy field, and natural gas is our preferred investment. Compared with petroleum, natural gas looks like a cleaner energy. Since the public is concentrating on environmental protection, president thinks highly of gas' potential."

Dai Li nodded. He learned from newspapers that the price of natural gas had been increasing, especially in winter, and that the high demand of heating caused gas shortages in many places.

Zhicheng Huang continued: "Natural gas which we have now is mainly imported from Russia and Qatar. Beyond these two countries, North America also has quite a few natural gas resources. In America, due to demands for industrial production, the majority of gas is used by locals. But Canadian gas is almost solely used for export."

He continued: "Canada is the third biggest natural gas producer, right after America and Russia. Meanwhile, Canada is also the world's second natural gas exporter. In fact, if they put more money into natural gas production, Canada will probably exceed Russia to become the world's largest gas producer."

"We Dingtian Group value Canadian natural gas resource, and wish to invest on this project. However, whenever referring to such a kind of investment, resistance is quite strong. They don't want us to invest in any energy programs in their countries. Therefore, to gain some profits in Canada's gas project, having enough money is simply not enough, we also need help from a third party, like, Duke Gaer."

"Duke Gaer's family entered into Canada at the beginning of the very first colony, and Duke Gaer's great grandfather used to be a governor in Canada. At that time, Duke Gaer's family bought a large scale of land there, which used to be barren fields. Duke Gaer didn't spend much on it."

Still talking: "Later, natural gas was found underground there. Although Canada was independent, and was no longer a British colony, the country didn't own legislative or constitutional rights, at least until in 1982, when the UK passed the Constitution Act. Hence, British traditional nobility kept their rights in Canada till today. Because of this, Duke Gaer owns much discourse power, as a large amount of Canadian natural gas is explored from their lands."

Dai Li took a long breath, processing all this information: "No wonder I saw you guys outside Duke Gaer's castle!"

"Do you think, we are so boring, that we come here just to make trouble?" Zhicheng Huang laughed.

Yes, I did. Dai Li talked to himself in his heart, but he dared not say so aloud. Instead he asked, "Did you meet Duke Gaer today?"

Zhicheng Huang shook his head. "This Duke Gaer really treats himself as nobility, never getting off his high horse. We went there yesterday, but he refused us, giving a box of cookies instead in apology."

"Were they blueberry flavored?"Dai Li casually replied, as he had the same cookies yesterday, too. At this moment, Dai L finally recalled that, who he saw through the window yesterday, were exactly DIngtian Xiao and Zhicheng Huang.

"So, how did you know Duke Gaer?" asked Zhicheng Huang.

"Well, it's a long story. Duke Gaer had an accident ten years ago..." Dai Li generally explained how he helped Duke Gaer recover.

As Dai Li ended the story, a waiter pushed a food trolley in, then put the appetizer halibut and lobster mousse on the table. Dai Li didn't bother, as he ate directly. The food looked pretty, but was served in a rather small amount, so it was finished within two to three bites.

Next came their entrees, Dai Li also gulped these down without thought.

Sitting at his opposite, Dingtian Xiao put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, then seemed to ask casually: "Dai Li, are you interested in working for Dingtian?"

Dai Li was dazed a little bit. He put down his knife and fork, and looked at Dingtian Xiao, confused.

"If you are willing to come, I can arrange a proper place for you, and I will also offer you some chances to prove your abilities. If you are indeed capable, in the future, you will have a chance to sit at my place," Dingtian Xiao said calmly.

As his words came out, everyone, including Dai Li and Zhicheng Huang, was shocked. Dingtian Xiao's place was none other than the president of Dingtian Group!

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'm just a coach, I don't know anything about running a business," Dai Li said, but he looked at Dingtian Xiao cautiously as he spoke, wondering what Dingtian Xiao truly meant.

"Learn to do so. Nobody is born to be an entrepreneur." Dingtian Xiao sounded serious.

Does he really mean it? thought Dai Li.

"Why, is this so unbelievable?" Dingtian Xiao looked at Dai Li, speaking in an oppressive way. "You like Yunan, but I say you are not fit. That's why I told you before, I don't want you to be together. You are not the right son-in-law in my eyes."

He continued: "But now I think that maybe I can give you a chance. I want to cultivate you, to see whether you will reach my standards or not. If you satisfy me, I will agree to you two being together. In the future, after I retire, I can pass Dingtian Group to you with trust, and you can take it as Yunan's dowry."

Dai Li was astonished upon hearing this, eyes widely opened, still trying to assimilate what Dingtian Xiao had just now told him.

Did I hear that right? To pass Dingtian to me? To give me an empire with hundreds of billions in market value? Dai Li only felt his mind must be deranged.

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Chapter 368: Go to America

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li's mind was messed up for a while, then he finally came to himself. Dai Li knew exactly how competent he was, or wasn't. He had no experience in running a business, and he couldn't even take good care of a small supermarket, let alone a huge Group Company worth hundreds of billions of RMB.

As for Dingtian Xiao's "Learn it, if you don't know" mentality, it was encouraging to some degree, but it also brought more pressure than inspiration. Dai Li was no longer an ignorant boy, who concentrated only on study, nor was he an enthusiastic newbie, who had just started his job. He had already become a successful coach. Now, he was told to enter into a completely unknown field, and start from the very beginning, so understandably, he was confused and anxious.

But such confusion and anxiety were outshone by the lust of wealth. Being possible to receive a company with hundreds of billions in market value, such an allure was like a stray that suddenly found a GPS navigation, offering such amazement, which was strong enough to destroy any confusion or anxiety. If Dai Li hadn't had the System with him, he would definitely have agreed without a slight hesitation.

Sitting on his opposite, Dingtian Xiao continued: "You may ask me, why don't I give Dingtian Group to Yunan. I know, she has been trying really hard on everything, and that she hopes to take my place, but I don't want her to sit on my seat and walk down my old path. Being a businessman is exhausting!"

Dingtian Xiao spoke, took a long sigh, then continued: "In outsiders' eyes, I, DIngtian Xiao, live a wonderful life, owning hundreds of billions worth in properties, being one of the richest people in the country, calling the wind and commanding the rain. But, in fact, it's sad to look back on those old days, when I just began my career. Even at present, when Dingtian has such a big scale, I still wake up at five a.m., work for sixteen to seventeen hours a day, and can't go to bed until twelve. Meetings, reports, activities, social parties, I fly around the country everyday dealing with various kinds of people...Day in and Day out, the same things repeat again and again, and I can't see its end!"

He went on: "This is a hard life. At the beginning, I felt my life was fulfilled and passionate, but now, I think it's more about fulfilling responsibilities." Dingtain Xiao was now looking at Dai Li seriously: "Since I have experienced the life a businessman is likely to have, I don't want to see Yunan go though the same hard life. I hope her life could be easy and simple, not being forced to shoulder so many responsibilities."

Dingtian Xiao paused, sipped on his wine, then told Dai Li: "My requirement to my future son-in-law is simple: to be able to take my turn, and be strong enough to support the whole Dingtian Group, so that Yunan can have a rather relaxing life, and won't worry about Dingtian anymore."

He continued: "You may think that my behavior is selfish, to force my son-in-law to shoulder more responsibilities in order to make my daughter's life more comfortable. Sometimes I also think this is like finding an uxorilocal son-in-law in ancient times. In the past, an uxorilocal man married into, and lived with, his bride's family, and he also needed to do the bride's farm work. Isn't it like my requirements?" Dingtian Xiao paused here, laughed at himself, then continued:

"You are not too old to start learning to do business. Many successful entrepreneurs didn't start their business until their forties or fifties, but you haven't yet reached your thirties. So, I think I can offer you a chance, and assess whether you have talent in management or not. As for you, there is no need to reply right now. You can take time and consider thoroughly."The hotel's bed was soft and comfortable, and lying in bed was like falling into a snow pile. But Dai Li was not in the mood for enjoying this. He lay in the bed, pondering Dingtian Xiao's words.

Dingtian Xiao indeed offered Dai Li a great chance, a chance which could help Dai Li reach the sky in one step. And Dai Li's desire was indeed aroused. Like many commoners, he had a dream of being rich, or even lucky enough to be the richest person in the country. Now, he was very likely to attain his dream.

But I'm a professional coach!

With hundreds of billions money, why do I do this shit?

My dream is to become the best coach in the world!

Comparing that with hundreds of millions in money, how much does it cost for a dream?

Two voices kept ringing in Dai Li's mind, arguing back and forth, making Dai Li incomparably conflicted in his heart. Dai Li tossed and turned restlessly, unable to fall asleep at all. He never knew that a night could be so long.One day later.

Dai Li walked out form Duke Gaer's castle, enjoying the warm sunshine. Dai Li had already introduced Dingtian Xiao to Duke Gaer, who met Dingtian Xiao after afternoon tea. As for what they discussed in the meeting, Dai Li didn't care. But as for Dingtian Xiao's suggestion, Dai Li had made up his mind. He took out his phone, typed Yunan Xiao's number.

"Yunan, I met your father in London," Dai Li said calmly.

"My father? He seems to be there for some natural gas program. Why, did he embarrass you?" Yunan sounded very nervous.

"President Xiao wanted me to join in Dingtian," said Dai Li.

"Join in Dingtian? But aren't you the coach in our club?"Yunan Xiao asked, confused.

"Not the club, but Dingtian Group. He wanted to cultivate me as the successor of Dingtian, to take his turn in the future." Dai Li told Yunan Xiao about Dingtian Xiao's general idea.

Yunan Xiao remained silent for a while, before she asked: "Then, what's your plan? Did you agree?"

"Today, on my way to Duke Gaer's, I have refused him." Dai Li's voice was calm: "I have thought carefully, and it might be a right choice to join in Dingtian, but it's not what I want."

"Don't you want to try?" Yunan Xiao sounded causal, but Dai Li could feel that she was controlling her emotions.

Dai Li didn't reply directly, but said, "I remember that you once mentioned wanting to prove to your father that you have sufficient ability to take charge of Dingtian, so inheriting Dingtian Group is your dream. But for me, I want to be the best coach in the world! I don't want to be some successful entrepreneur at all. So, I have made a decision."

"What decision?" Yunan Xiao immediately asked.

"I want to achieve my dream, to be the best coach in the world. Then I will retire and go to Dingtian to help you. I can be a garbage man, or fetch lattes for you!" Dai Li said seriously.

"Hum..." On the other side of the phone, Yunan Xiao suddenly snickered.

"Hey, don't laugh, I'm serious." Dai Li continued, "And I'm planning to go to America!"

"You wanna go to America?" Yunan Xiao stopped laughing now.

"In this country, If I want to be a good coach, I have to rely on the governmental system, which is unreasonable to me. So I want to go to America in order to open a private training center, and to offer commercial physical training." Dai Li paused, then said: "Actually a few years ago, when I was in America for a study tour, I had this idea of running my own training institute! But at that time, I had neither sufficient funds nor good timing. Now, I think I'm ready!"

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Chapter 369: Training Gym

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Walking out of Los Angeles airport, Dai Li took a taxi to the reserved hotel.

Downtown LA remained unchanged, appearing exactly as it had several years ago, which brought Dai Li a feeling of familiarity.

American cities were like this, their city scales extended block by block, but the downtowns themselves remaining unchanged. The pull down-rebuild model was rarely used in America. Thus, cities like New York and Chicago, buildings around fifty to sixty years old, or even more than hundreds of years old, were everywhere. Central Station in New York looked the same as it had a hundred years ago. Hence, many people felt that American metropolises' infrastructures were old and outdated. Downtown LA was in a similar situation, although it looked prosperous, it didn't change much every year.

After settling down in the hotel, Dai Li went to the bank to cash a check worth one and a half million dollars. This check was given to him by Yunan Xiao, and was her case-dough, for when she studies in America. Besides, Dai Li had an eight hundred thousand dollar initial fund, which was earned from Duke Gaer and the others' rehabilitations in Europe.

Dai Li planned to open a training gym in Los Angeles. America had developed a thriving sport industry, and Americans love sports. There were plenty of training centers in America, like specialized fitness centers, or places focusing on a specific activity, such as boxing halls, gym halls, natatoriums, etc. Some of them were nonprofit organizations, while some were for profit institutions.

Dai Li was not here for charity work, as he was going to open a for profit training center, which was equivalent to running small business. Hence, application procedures were not complicated. If he asked a professional lawyer to help, things would be more easier. Dai Li didn't mind to pay a lawyer's fee, after all, under a professional's guidance, fewer worries would be raised.

But to declare enterprise, one must have an operation premises first. Therefore, before declaration, Dai Li must find a suitable place for his training center.

Dai Li only had around two million dollars, which was not enough to buy a suitable training center. What's more, Dai Li needed to keep a part of the fund as working capital, hence, he had to rent a place instead.

Los Angeles' property market had always been bustling, which had fed a large group of real-estate brokers. Dai Li found several brokers, at which he had left his email address, then went back to the hotel with ease. He knew that, soon, these agents would send information to him.

As expected, in the next three days, Dai Li gradually began to receive dozens of emails, which were all about housing information, sent from those agents.

This used to be training center, but the price is too high. If I rented it, I would not have much circulating capital left.

This one is too small, it's OK for a gym, but definitely not large enough for a training center. Oh, the introduction says that, actually, it is a gym.

This gym is big enough, pity that the location is not ideal. It's too far from the city, plus it is surrounded by Mexicans. People say that there might be many illegal immigrants, so then the security might not be very good.

This has a good location and a proper price, but it used to be a hardware store. I would need to rebuild it, which will cost too much. Then buying fitness equipment will cost another large amount of money. No, it's not worth it to do so.

This is a swimming center, including a ten-meter diving platform. I'm in the beginning stages, so a swimming center seems to be useless.

Well, this looks nice. Wait, the landlord wants me to sign a five-year lease. Let's forget about this one. Five years is such a long time, maybe I will move to a better place within five years.

Dai Li looked through all the emails, carefully filtering those with new information.Finally, one email caught Dai Li's attention:

This looks good, nice location, no slums around, most of the neighbors are middle-class. And there is a university not far from here. This center used to be a medium-sized gymnastic hall, a large space inside, plus a fitness room with much equipment available for me to use. As for its price...No price? What does it mean?

Dai Li slightly frowned, creasing his eyebrows. These American brokers were professional, as they had introduced lease requirements in detail, such as prices, the minimum leasing time, deposit, whether the building was allowed to be rebuilt or not, all those items were listed clearly. It was the first time Dai Li met an introduction without a price.

I checked this agent's certificate, so he should be a professional one. But why is there no price? Dai Li hesitated, then called the agent.

After Dai Li explained his calling's purpose, the agent immediately explained.

"Well, Mr. Li, the building you prefer is a special case. It doesn't belong to any individuals, but rather, to the bank. It used to be a gymnastic hall, but not long ago, American Gymnastics had a scandal, and the gymnastic hall owner was accused of crimes. He went bankrupt, and faced a court battle. So during the insolvency liquidation, this gym was taken back by the bank."

"I see." Dai Li nodded. He heard about the scandal recently in American Gymnastics.

At the very beginning, a gymnast from the American national team revealed on a social media platform that she was molested by her team doctor. Later, the American media began to investigate, realizing that it was not a single event. Rather, hundreds of gymnasts had been molested or sexually offended by their coaches, gym owners, or the other staff in the gym. The key point was that those gymnasts were all juveniles.

This totally stirred up a hornet's nest, and became the biggest scandal in American Gymnastic history. It was a moral crime. More than three thousand gym halls in America were under the administration of the American Gymnastic Association, even the president of AGA was forced to resign.

The broker continued: "This gym hall's previous owner planned to sell the building to pay his debt, but nobody bought it. Later the gym was taken by the bank, and priced to sell at auction for three times the amount, but all remained unsold."

"Why? Was the price too high?" asked Dai Li.

"Well, in my eyes, the price was high. The previous owner owed too much, and he would be prosecuted and sent to jail for years. Even assessing the assets after a reorganization after bankruptcy, it was impossible to settle with creditors within a short time. To retrieve the loss as much as possible, the bank set a rather high price."

"Then why didn't they decrease the price?"asked Dai Li.

"Recently, California has attracted many immigrants, many of whom are rich. They raised general housing prices in California. Plus, this gym hall has a nice location, so it probably attracts foreign investors' attentions. Hence, the bank is not willing to decrease the price."

"When it's cheap, the bank is not willing to sell, but when it's expensive, no one is willing to buy it. So that's why the bank tries to lease it out instead. What about the price? If the bank does want to let it out to somebody, why doesn't it offer a price?"asked Dai Li.

"That's exactly what I'm going to explain. In fact, the bank offers two prices, one is for direct renting, which, I think, is quite expensive and less cost-effective, and the other price is relatively low, but it has an additional condition. Because of this, I didn't attach detailed prices in my email," said the agent.

"Additional condition? Is it harsh?"Dai Li frowned.

"I'm not sure how to judge it." The agent paused, then said, "The bank says, if the new runner continues to use this hall as a physical training center, to enjoy a discount, that person should train 10 or 15 disabled athletes free of charge. Otherwise, the new runner must pay the total amount of the original rent."

"That's weird. Why should the new runner undertake disabled athletes' training?" Dai Li was confused.

"Well, details couldn't be disclosed right now, so sorry about that. Actually, the reason I took this order is that I have been doing business with this bank for a while. If Mr. Li is interested in this building, I can make an appointment with the responsible person for you. You can discuss this face to face," said the agent.The next day at nightfall, around the time of the work day's end, Dai Li came to a nearby cafe.

"Mr. Li, this is City Councilor Mr. Anthony," the agent introduced.

"City Councilor?" Dai Li looked at the housing agent with confusion. He was here to meet a bank clerk, but the agent brought him a Los Angeles City Councilor.

Sitting next to him, the agent explained, "Well, Mr. Anthony is the bank's responsible person in Los Angeles, and he succeeded in last year's Los Angeles City Councilor election."

After a brief introduction, the agent didn't stay long, as he found an excuse and left, leaving Mr. Anthony and Dai Li in the cafe.

"Mr. Li, you must be curious, why I offer such a weird tenant condition?" Anthony asked straightforwardly.

"Yes, that's what I'm here for," Dai Li nodded, said. "To be honest, I'm planning to use this gym as a fitness training center, and I'm able to meet your additional requirement. But may I know why?"

"Actually, the reason is quite simple. It's just not so good to declare." Anthony looked around, then lowered his voice, continuing, "Last year when I was campaigning for City Councilor, I promised the voters that I would strengthen humanitarian concern for the disabled. Then I won, so I should keep my promise."

"Not long ago, several amateur disabled athletes came to me and told me that they wished to receive professional training, and that, while coaches from the Protection Centre for the Disabled are usually low-level volunteers, they couldn't meet those athletes' training requirements, and high-level professional training centers offer rather high prices, which they are not able to afford. Therefore, I came up with this additional leasing condition."

"But this is not good to tell the public, after all, as this is the bank's property. Although I'm the responsible person of the bank, and I have the right to determine the final rent, if I lowered the rent without authorization, I would damage the bank's interests to some degree. It would be using my right to complete my commitment."

Pausing here, Anthony grinned wickedly, showed a "You know why" look.

Sitting opposite, Dai Li nodded with a smile, indicating that he understood what Anthony meant. He was not like some so-called public intellectuals, advocating how clean-handed European and American countries were.

Actually, foreign politicians using their powers or resources to seek benefits was nothing new, such action was even accepted widely. It was just that the so-called interest didn't have to be money. Using powers and resources to help oneself get re-elected, to support one's sponsors, or to defeat political opponents, although the politician didn't gain any benefit, meant he was still actually gaining interest.

Just like the American TV series 'House of Cards', there were many people who were good at "using power", and their exchanges of interests were not noble at all. Those methods could even be described as "sordid". In fact, this was a hidden rule in European and American countries, that every politician gained interest more or less for themselves, and would trade-off with others.

Frankly speaking, this was politics, which had a similar pattern around the world. People, who were as innocent as the Virgin Mary, would never be politicians, just like sheep could never sneak into wolves' dens unnoticed or blend in. Anthony was doing the same thing, but compared with the tactics used in the "House of Cards", his behavior was nothing.

Dai Li didn't care whether Anthony was using his power to gain interest, nor did he care about how much the bank was going to lose. Rather, he was only focused on the training hall's rent, which was closely related to his own benefit. Therefore, Dai Li asked: "Mr. Anthony, how much discount would you offer, if I accept this additional condition?"

"This." Anthony took out a pen, then wrote a number on the napkin in front of him. He showed Dai Li the number. Seeing this figure, Dai Li's interest was aroused. It was a price with a high performance-price ratio, and nowhere else in Los Angeles could offer such a suitable place with this price. But Dai Li didn't agree immediately. He deliberately frowned, seeming to be unsatisfied.

"Mr. Anthony, training disabled athletes is different from training ordinary people, as it requires a high level of professional skills. If a disabled athlete trains here four hours per week, and according to your condition, at least ten people would come here, then I need to have 40 hours extra working time per week, which is the legal weekly working time. I would have to hire an extra coach for this." Dai Li spoke logically, with ease and composure.

Dai Li apparently brought the set point, what cost most in America was human resource! In America, energy price was low, land price was low, and while tax might not be low in some states, it didn't charge extra ridiculous fees. Hence, human capital input became the biggest expenditure. Americans had high wages, about fifty-six thousands dollars in average, which was definitely ranked among the world's top percentage.

America had a well-developed labor security system, and when hiring a formal worker, the company paid not only wages, but also various kinds of insurances for that worker. Besides, if that individual's working time exceeded legal working time, overtime pay must then be offered. Add to all this other legal welfares, and hiring employees actually meant a rather high input.

Therefore, to American small companies, hiring an extra worker was blood-sucking, for they could not afford such a high cost. Moreover, unlike labor workers, being a fitness coach required special skills. In America, any individual with special skills could be called specialists in a certain area, and thus, would not accept a salary that was lower than average.

Anthony knew that Dai Li said these things in hopes of striking a deal to cut down the rent. He hesitated for a second, wrote a new figure on the napkin, then showed it to Dai Li.

"This is the lowest price I can offer. After all, this training hall is the bank's property, and I can't justify myself to the bank if the rent is too low,." Anthony said with a serious look.

Dai Li didn't believe Anthony's bullshit, and he guessed that this figure was not Anthony's minimum price at all. But he didn't continue his bargaining, because he was quite satisfied with this price, and because Anthony was Los Angeles's City Councilor, so Dai Li dared not waves, as he hoped that one day, they might gain some common interest in the future.

"Deal!" Dai Li held out his right hand, agreeing.

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Chapter 370: Coach Lee Physical Training Center

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li named his training center "Coach Lee Physical Training Center". To make it easier to be accepted by Americans, he didn't use the Chinese Pinyin "Li", but used "Lee" in English, instead.

Now that he had a building, the rest was easy. Dai Li spent some funds on lawyer's fee, in order to get the training hall registration settled. After that, Dai Li made some simple alterations to the training hall. It was a small gym, and soon, the equipment and facilities were all ready. Dai Li also spent a little money to buy some new, modern equipment.

Dai Li hadn't hired any other workers yet, so currently he only had one task, which was to train disabled athletes for free, which he took as doing charity. No profitable business was coming to him yet, so Dai Li felt that he could handle the training all by himself for now. After all, the most expensive thing in America was human resources, so to hire less people meant to save more money for future use.

Dai Li even did the cleaning by himself. The training center just opened, few guests came to visit, and since there was nothing to do, he had sufficient time to mop the floor, or to wipe equipment. Once the training center got going and on the right track, he planned to find a cleaning company to take charge of this job.

Dai Li knew nothing about finance, so he directly gave those issues to the accounting firm. American small enterprises could afford professional accountants, hence, they usually gave corporate finance tasks to an accounting firm, letting the firm be in charge of all special financial and tax reporting.

It was also different from domestic situations. Domestic accounting firms' main clients were big enterprises and companies, and the firms usually offered large scale accounting and audit services. Small companies and individual businesses didn't have many things to ask accounting firms to help with. But in America, the main clients of accounting firms were small companies and individuals, as for big enterprises, hiring private accountants would be more economical.

Unlike a domestic situation, where individual income tax was deducted directly from wages, in America, tax returns should be done by citizens themselves. Moreover, American tax programs and tax relief projects were very complicated, so ordinary people could hardly figure them out. If, unfortunately, someone missed a program carelessly, that individual would be charged with tax fraud. Therefore, they needed professional accountants for help.

Many Americans, especially low-income groups, since they received a tax reduction or subsidy, might not need to pay for tax. But they must have still gone through the tax return process to confirm this. Therefore, when in tax season, it was common to hear that poor people didn't need to pay even a cent for taxes, but that they had to give their accountants hundreds of dollars for going through the tax-returning process, still.

Dai Li had a clear plan for his training center. In the beginning level, he would not hire any other workers, so he could save as much labor costs as possible. Of course, he would not be stingy, and when there was some money he must spend, like a lawyer's fee or accountant's fee, well, those he would consider as unavoidable costs. If he tried to make money-saving moves on those aspects, in the future, he might get himself into big trouble, which could then not be solved by thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars!Coach Lee Physical Training Center opened, unknown to the public, no opening ceremony, no ribbon-cutting, no colorful flags or banners. Perhaps, only when neighbors walked by, did they notice that the previous gym had now turned into a physical training center.

The first day, there were no customers at all. Professional physical training centers like this, unlike gyms, were aimed at athletes rather than ordinary fitness enthusiasts, and thus, they charged higher fees than gyms. It was similar to cheap mass-marketed products, which had a large amount of buyers but gained little profit, while luxuries might be displayed for a long time before they were sold, but they brought high profits in return.

Dai Li didn't expect people to flood in. Physical training valued public praise most, while praises, he knew, were collected over time. But Dai Li didn't have much time to kill. In the afternoon, a social worker from the Los Angeles Association for the Disabled came to the Coach Lee Physical Training Center.

"Coach Lee, this is the name list of your disabled athletes, twelve people in total." The social worker handed a list to Dai Li.

Training ten to fifteen disabled athletes was what Dai Li had promised. Mr. Anthony didn't profit at Dai Li's expense, as he had selected twelve people, neither more nor less, but just the right amount, as agreed upon.

Dai Li received the list and took a careful look at it, then asked, "This is just a list with names on it, but I need more detailed information about my trainees, like age, height, weight, detailed impairments, causes of disabilities, etc."

The social worker frowned. "These facts are private, Coach Lee, America pays attention to the protection of personal privacy."

"I understand, and I know how to protect my customers' privacies. But to organize high-level physical training, I must know this information, before I make training plans." Dai Li stretched his arms. "Let me give you a quick example: If a normal individual's standard weight is 150 pounds, then, as a disabled person who lacks an arm or a leg, the same weight would be overweight for him, and thus, my training plans must then include weight loss."

"Alright, I will bring their detailed information to you." The social worker compromised. He paused, then told Dai Li, "Coach Lee, in observing your physical training center, I suggest you add some barrierless facilities."

How come I forgot?! Adding barrierless facilities also costs money, so even basing only on this point, I could ask for a higher discount from Anthony. Dai Li suddenly regretted not doing so earlier.

But Dai Li maintained a smile, saying, "Sorry, I didn't think about that. This place used to be a gymnastic hall, hence, while most gymnasts don't have mobility impairments, there were no barrierless facilities."

"A polite suggestion, Mr. Lee, that building barrierless facilities can bring you tax incentives." The social worker smiled and said, "American barrierless facilities are widespread, and are also benefit from the Tax Reform Act of 1986. This act stipulates that companies that build barrierless facilities can enjoy tax preferences. Hence, enterprises are enthusiastic about building barrierless facilities voluntarily. Except in public areas, barrierless facilities are built by enterprise owners."

Dai Li showed a "This is a good lesson" look in reply. In the country, public intellectuals told people that the reasons enterprise owners voluntarily built barrierless facilities were that they had high political quality and good virtue, and that they sincerely considered disabled people. Until now, Dai Li had not realized that by doing so, he could pay less tax.

But Dai Li still praised, "America is very kind to vulnerable groups like disabled people. Even in my country, we know that, in America, as long as you are disabled, you can receive 800 dollars per month from the government."

"Who told you this? I never thought that the Far Eastern World had such a misunderstanding of America." The social worker stared at Dai Li with surprise, then said, "Our welfare for the disabled varies from state to state, let alone having a so-called fixed amount. So the person who told you that disabled Americans receive a certain amount of subsidy every month must be a liar! Once, there were scammers doing similar things in America."

"Then what about common disabled people, how much can they get from the government?" asked Dai Li.

"The disabled receive benefits mainly through two programs, the first one is the Social Safety Disability Insurance. Every individual with a job should pay a social safety tax, a part of which is then turned into a fund of Social Safety Disability Insurance, and the taxpayer is the insured. If the insured became disabled, they could receive money from this insurance. The actual amount of money that person could have depends on their age and income, hence, it is not a fixed number. If the insured is dead, the insured's minor children and spouse, who hasn't reached retirement age, could also receive money from the insurance," explained the social worker.

"Ah, is that so!" Dai Li nodded. He now understood that the so-called Social Safety Disability Insurance was equal to domestic employment injury insurance 2.0. The two insurances were mandatory, and only people with jobs could buy the insurances. The difference was that employment injury insurance only compensated injuries on-the-job, while American Social Safety Disability Insurance compensated the insured, as long as the insured was disabled.

The social worker standing in front of Dai Li continued his explanation: "The second one is Federal Supplemental Security Income, which is the so-called SSI. Disabled people, who are above age 18 and without working ability, can apply for it. If the individual is not disabled, but over 65, that person can also apply, as well as can blind people. The government then investigates applicants' economic and asset conditions. If the application is successful, the applicant will receive a living subsidy every month, depending on specific conditions. In California, people who receive SSI will be automatically included into a medicaid program."

"Is the medicaid program the free-medical-care white card?" Dai Li immediately asked. He knew this white card with so-called free medical service was something that domestic public intellectuals boosted most, and probably because of this, people propagated that seeing a doctor in America cost nothing.

"Free? Well, if you think so." The social worker showed a sarcastic smile, then said, "The California medicaid program has been lavish. Currently in California, at least thirteen million out of forty million people have received low-income, free medical care, which means that one out of three Californians owns the white card you mentioned. At present, many doctors are beginning to refuse patients with white cards."

"There will always be some doctors who are willing to take care of them, right? After all, the government pays the fee, so doctors won't lose anything." Dai Li showed an indifferent look.

"The government is willing to pay only ten dollars, which, to doctors, is like doing charity. At least, doctors with fame do not want to have these ten-dollar patients. Therefore, white-card owners have no choice but to go to public hospitals, waiting for one or two months to finally see a doctor." The social worker explained.

Dai Li was suddenly enlightened. He recalled that American doctors only gave diagnoses, then sent patients to buy medicine in pharmacies. Doctors offered inspections, while patients made appointments in hospitals. Doctors only earned the amount of fees that belonged to them. Of course, surgeons performed operations that would charge extra fees.

American doctors set their own "prices". Doctors with high abilities charged quite high fees, some of which, depending on specific market conditions, could be two to three hundred dollars, four to five hundred dollars, or seven to eight hundred dollars. There would never be a specialist offering five-dollar treatment.

With white-card patients, no matter how much the doctor's fee was, the government only paid ten dollars. If charging only ten dollars per person, American doctors had already applied for bankruptcy. Doctors who usually charged hundreds of dollars, were not willing to see ten-dollar patients. Hence, only doctors in public hospitals offered ten-dollar outpatient services, for they had governmental support that covered some costs.

However, American doctors were not "super-doctors" who could see two hundred patients per day. They saw twenty new patients at most, plus revisiting patients. As more and more white-card owners crowded public hospitals, waiting time would be longer and longer. In this case, waiting for two months to see a doctor was not uncommon in America.

Thinking about this, Dai Li inquired, "But this is free, after all. I know that medical services are quite expensive here, so I think many people are willing to wait for one to two months for the sake of saving money."

"You may have some misunderstandings on 'free'. It doesn't mean that patients don't need to pay for the medical fees at all with the white card, but rather, that those fees will be recorded. Patients pay the bill once they are able to pay. What I mean is that, being able to pay includes paying the bill, even after they die," introduced the social worker.

How can they pay when they are dead? Is it also a custom here for a son to pay his father's bill? Dai Li was astonished.

The social worker stretched his hand out. "Here is an example. An individual under the free-medicaid program spent three-hundred thousand dollars in the hospital. After he died, he left a five-hundred thousand house property. If his inheritor wants to have this house, he must pay for the three-hundred thousand debt first, otherwise, the court will sell the house by auction, then use the money to pay the government first, only then releasing the rest to be inherited by the successor."

"So there is a back-up plan. Then, in this case, only proletarians could gain benefits from this program, as they have neither money nor property, so even when they die, there is nothing left for auction." Dai Li said subconsciously.

"Free-medicaid program is a charitable rescue social welfare. Why would people who can afford medical insurance choose this medical aid?"

The social worker paused, then said, "People who are rescued are poor, they live in the lowest social tier, no job, maybe not even having the ability to work. They depend on food stamps to live. They have no alternative, but are compelled to live life like humble ants. They live for mere living itself."

Stopping here, the social worker showed a serious look, while talking slowly in a poetic manner. "If there was a better option, who would be willing to fight in the bottom of society, living with no dignity?!"Looking at the social worker walking away, Dai Li had an inexplicable emotion. He felt his heart was empty, while his mind was filled.

He was right, if one can live a better life, who is willing to struggle at the lowest class, without dignity?!

Dai Li involuntarily recalled, when he was at home hearing people discussing about how good American social welfare was, like, the government gave out free food, citizens enjoyed free medical service, etc. A few years ago, when Dai Li heard these, he felt jealous about such a kind of life. But now he had a new thought. Just like the social worker mentioned, these were charitable rescues, aimed at guaranteeing underclass life, to help poor people live, even with humble means.

But no one was willing to live humbly!

From the program user's point of view, the poorer a person was, the more beneficial the free medicaid would be. No car, no house, nothing would be left after the user's death, which, on the other hand, meant that person received totally free medical service, and the government paid for everything. But if there was a better life, who was willing to live with poverty and blankness?

When a person began to envy American vulnerable groups' free medical services, he had put himself in the disadvantaged group. Only poor people felt jealous about other poor people who lived better than themselves. It was like two beggars, one envied the other's better begging location, for that place brought the other beggar more money. However, basically, the two were both just beggars!

Thinking about beggars, Dai Li subconsciously recalled a domestic news report, saying that a beggar earned more than ten-thousand yuan per month. Many people envied such income, but to be honest, how many of those people with jealousy were willing to be beggars? The beggar's ten-thousand yuan income was exchanged with dignity. Who was willing to easily throw dignity on the ground and let others trample on it?

Now, thinking back, my previous jealousy on American welfare was indeed underclass thought! Well, if considered carefully, only people living at the bottom of the society envy American underclass' free food and medicaid. Domestic middle-class people are living comfortable lives, so who will envy American poor people? They may probably envy American middle-class, living in houses, having vacations frequently. As for rich people, their lives are alike, no matter where they go.

Dai Li let out a long sigh. He believed that everyone who left their homeland and travelled far to America had their own dreams for better lives. Everyone fought for their future. None of them came here to be in the underclass, then live on nothing. While in America, those poor people who received "free" services didn't feel satisfied about their current life, nor did they think they had gained extra advantages from society, for their "free" services exactly reflected their life full of failures.

This "salvation" is made for disadvantaged groups in need, which is not worthy of envying. My goal in life is to create a better future by myself, rather than waiting for others' almsgiving. Dai Li was awakened from his misconception with sanity.

For a bright future, let's fight! Dai Li sighed with disappointment, but his heart was filled with high morale.

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Chapter 371: Reception

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li, whose morale soared after filling himself with a big bowl of chicken soup for the soul, grabbed a towel and began cleaning the equipment inside his training center. No one was around anyway, so for Dai Li, working temporarily as a cleaner was the only thing he could do.

The sound of a phone ringing could be heard. As Dai Li set aside the mop that was in his hand, he wiped away the sweat from his forehead and reached into his pocket to pull out his phone.

A message appeared on the screen of his phone, "Li, send me the address of your training center. Our next game is against the Los Angeles Clippers. I'll arrive earlier in Los Angeles."

"It's Allen Hampton! It's been years since I last saw him," Dai Li thought, as he sent the address of the training center to Hampton.

Hampton got into Georgetown University with the help of Dai Li back in the day, and as a person who focused all his efforts in basketball, it did not take long for him to make a name for himself in the NCAA, attracting the attention of national scouts across the U.S. In his second year, he was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers as the first overall pick in the NBA draft.

Being the first overall pick naturally meant that he had a promising future ahead of him, and he did not disappoint, as he scored 30 points in his NBA debut match. He even managed to score 50 points in a single game in his first season.

After the entire season, although the Philadelphia 76ers recorded another miserable season, Hampton managed the feat of averaging 23.5 points per game, 7.5 assists per game, and 2.1 interceptions per game, acquiring statistics that could be considered All-star level.

After his rookie season, Hampton's stats continued rising, and up till then, Hampton had already become a starter in the All-star team. He was also a strong contender for the NBA Scoring Leader, with his average points per game reaching 28 points.

Looking at his growth and performances, it was only a matter of time before he became a superstar. In fact, even the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Championship title were practically waving their hands at him.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Hampton was one of the most wanted sports stars in the U.S. Large businesses were more than willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on him via sponsorship and endorsement deals, so his entire family was already living richly.

Dai Li's heart filled with excitement as he learned that Hampton was coming to visit. He didn't know that many people in the U.S. in the first place, so when someone he knew was finally coming to visit, Dai Li felt as though he was going to meet his family and loved ones.

More importantly, Hampton was a superstar.

"I better get Hampton to cooperate and take more photos, so that I can develop them and hang them on the walls. That way, this visit is also a type of advertisement opportunity!" Dai Li thought, as he scanned through the interior of his training center, attempting to identify the best place to hang the photographs.The training of American athletes depends mainly on private organizations. As such, a great variety of sports clubs are scattered throughout the cities, streets, and towns of the the nation, forming the most basic sports training system in the U.S.

For example, the gym that Dai Li rented was initially a gymnasium. The operator of the gymnasium also established a gymnastics club, so that children interested in gymnastics could learn by paying a small membership fee to join the club.

After joining, they could then learn from the gymnastics coaches stationed at the club, or simply purchase an individual gymnastics course. Hence, collecting membership fees and selling courses are the main ways basic training sports clubs in the U.S. generate income.

The same model may not work as well in China, as parents in China prioritized their children's studies over all else, even when it came to cultivating a hobby. Thus, they would be more inclined to have their children learn painting, music, and other specialties, whereas for sports, it was always ranked last.

Parents in the U.S. were different, as they were much more willing to spend money for their children to learn sports, whether it was a popular sport like basketball or baseball, or something less popular, like gymnastics or archery.

Also, in the U.S., even regular athletes had to depend on private organizations, such as sports clubs, for their training, so when it came to disabled people, there were even less professional training institutions available. In China, the China Disabled Persons' Federation handled disabled sports. The country would allocate funds to the federation to support para-athletes, which made it possible for different levels of the organization to establish dedicated sports teams, to hire professional coaches, and to have specialized training equipment and training locations.

These things were nowhere to be found in the U.S., so for a para-athlete, even finding a newly opened and unknown training center, like Dai Li's, was a rare opportunity. Several para-athletes paid a visit directly on the second day of opening, and there were even some who called and made appointments with Dai Li.

Although Dai Li had no experience in disabled sports training, even if a person had never eaten pork, he would have at least have seen a pig run [1]. Plus, Dai Li had the motion detectors, so he would be able to instantaneously pinpoint an athlete's weaknesses, leaving only the simple task of arranging targeted training programs, which made things much more manageable.He glanced at his watch, the time was already a quarter past four in the afternoon.

Dai Li furrowed his brow slightly, as he had an appointment with a para-athlete named Barron Phillip at four o'clock in the afternoon. Fifteen minutes had passed, and this Barron Phillip was still nowhere to be seen.

Americans have a good sense of time. It could even be said that they value time as much as gold. In the U.S., excluding human lives, the most valuable thing is time. In fact, when human resources cost a lot, this is often caused by, or relating to, time.

Americans, out of everyone in the world, are probably the best in understanding the concept of charging by the hour. That is why Americans are used to making exact appointments for just about anything.

Americans are also exceptionally punctual, and the punctuality mentioned is not the kind where a person arrives in advance. Instead, it is the kind where a person arrives at the exact time of an appointment, generally no more than five minutes before or after the appointed time. Of course, if one was attending a dinner party, it would be acceptable to be ten to fifteen minutes late, as arriving early would actually be seen as impolite, since the guest might then be seen as pressuring the host.

However, when it comes to an appointment with a doctor, lawyer, or even a business meeting, arriving 15 minutes late would result in people canceling the appointment directly, no longer wishing to continue with the meeting. Obviously, making an appointment with a fitness coach was not the same as attending a dinner party, so this Barron Phillip, who was fifteen minutes late, was already being very rude.

Dai Li hesitated, wondering if he should call to check and see if Phillip was coming. However, as Dai Li lifted his head, he saw a man striding towards him at an incredible pace.

The man was most likely of mixed-race, as his appearance had the features of a white Caucasian, while his complexion was dark, but not dark like a black person, as his skin was slightly darker than a Mexican, but fairer than a typical black person. The U.S. was originally a nation of immigrants, so interracial marriage was common, and the number of people who were biracial was high. As such, Dai Li had grown used to seeing people similar to this man in appearance.

"The information from the social worker said that Barron Phillip had no legs, and that everything below his ankle joint had been amputated. Hence, this person, who is walking with such dexterity, that ordinary people might not even be faster than him, definitely cannot be Barron Phillip. Looks like there's new business for me!" Dai Li thought gleefully, as he moved forward to welcome the incoming guest with a big smile on his face.

The person trotted towards him, and finally stopped in front of Dai Li.

"Hello sir, how may I help you today?" Dai Li said, as he brandished his brightest "receptionist" smile at the incoming gentleman.

"I'm so sorry I'm late! There was an accident at work, and I was delayed," the person said apologetically. Immediately after his apology, he introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Barron Phillip, I made an appointment earlier."

"You're Barron Phillip?" Dai Li exclaimed, as his face filled with surprise. He was careful to look the man in the eye, as he knew that looking at the part of a disabled person that was his disability was considered to be extremely rude. However, he could not help but to take a quick glance at the person's feet. What he saw was a pair of Nike sports shoes, the check mark logo appearing particularly distinct.

"What's going on? Didn't they say that Barron Phillip had no feet? Not only does this person in front of me have both of his feet, but he also walks ridiculously well. Could this Barron Phillip be faking his disability, so that he can receive relief funds?" Dai Li thought in silence.

Notes

[1] The main idea of the phrase is to express that there are some things, while a person may not have experienced it directly or personally, that he or she might have at least heard or know about it, thus understanding it.

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Chapter 372: An Immediate Correction

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li stared blankly at the man in front of him, the one who called himself Barron Phillip.

Relief funds, such as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which the social worker told him about, were established to provide aid towards senior citizens aged 65 and above, as well as to the blind, and other people with disabilities. They receive several hundreds of dollars each month from the government.

For a lot of people with "lazy man's thinking," they would regard the few hundred dollars as a handout from the government, and when someone's handing out free lunches, why not take one? If someone told Dai Li that there were people who would use tricks and lies to con their ways into receiving these relief funds, he would certainly believe them.

As he reached this conclusion, he put on a puzzled look and said, "Mr. Phillip, from the information I received, everything below your ankle joint had been amputated." Dai Li glanced again at both of Phillip' feet as he said that.

Paying no mind to Dai Li's comments, Phillip smiled and said, "I use prosthetics." He then pulled up his trousers, exposing the prosthetic limbs beneath.

"They really are!" Dai Li thought. As he recalled Phillip's pace when he was walking towards him earlier, Dai Li couldn't help but sigh, and said, "I'm really sorry, I really didn't notice. The way you were walking just now, it was the same as everyone else!"

"I'm not a wheelchair athlete, so if you group para-athletes according to their disability sports classifications, my classification would be T43," Phillip stated.

In the disability sports classifications, the alphabet represents the sports type, for example, "S" is for swimming, "AR" for archery, "WB" for wheelchair basketball, "TT" for table tennis, "SH" for shooting, etc. For the number that follows, the digit in the tens regards the disability type.

For instance, the digit one is used for vision impairments. Two is for intellectual impairments, and three is for cerebral palsy, or those who have suffered brain damage. Four is for amputees, or those with short stature, and five is for spinal cord injuries, as well as some wheelchair groups.

The digit in the ones signifies the severity of an athlete's disability. The lower the number, the more severe the disability. For example, in the vision impairment disability type, a classification of "11" means that the person is fully blind, or almost fully blind, meaning that the person can no longer see anything. However, a "13" classification is for those who meet only the minimum standards of being regarded as visually impaired. As such, these people can generally still see something.

Barron Phillip was in the T43 class, so the alphabet "T" stood for track. The number four meant that it was the amputee or short stature disability type, and the final number three implied that the amputation was below both knees, but above, or through, the ankle joint. It could also mean that the amputation was above the knee on one leg, while on the other leg, the amputation was below the knee and above the ankle.

For normal people, losing both their legs usually meant that there was an 80 to 90 percent chance that they would end up in a wheelchair. Even if one were to utilize a prosthetic, they would most likely require the additional support of a crutch, as there was no way they could walk like an ordinary person.

However, for a class T43 para-athlete, it meant that he was a professional track and field athlete, or to put it in simpler terms, he practiced running. How could a runner not know how to walk? They might even walk better than healthy people!

Dai Li stared at Phillip's prosthetic and had a look of realization, as he said, "Oh so that's why. No wonder! You walk just like everyone else."

Phillip smiled and said, "If I had difficulty moving around, I wouldn't even be able to work anymore."

"Work? I should think it would be quite tough to work, considering your circumstances. Why not apply for financial subsidies for disabled persons?" Dai Li asked.

"It's not all that hard, once you get used to wearing the prosthesis. Besides, I didn't apply for the SSI. I'm not qualified," Phillip continued.

"I previously heard from a social worker that people with disabilities, the blind, and those who are over 65 years old can apply," Dai Li said.

"He might have missed some details, as those are just the groups of people who can apply for the SSI. There are other economic limitations. One of them is that the personal financial income of the applicant is capped at 2,000 USD, and I don't meet this requirement," Phillip said, pausing for a short moment before continuing, "I can work and live on my own, so I don't need that. Of course, I'm still poor, so I do apply for other financial subsidies. I have to work at least 20 hours a week to be eligible to receive the financial subsidy that I apply for, which means that I have to work at least four hours a week."

"Oh, I'm not that well-versed in these topics, I just came to the U.S. not that long ago," Dai Li answered with an awkward smile.

"I can see that, because if you were an American Born Chinese, you wouldn't have asked me those questions," Phillip said in a friendly manner. "In the U.S., for most financial subsidy programs, you are required to submit three to six months' worth of tax bills when receiving funds. Those are needed in order to prove that you were indeed from the low-income group. At the same time, it would also prove that you are a working individual, not just an idler getting by through these relief funds."

"I understand. Simply put, the government doesn't want to raise lazy people," Dai Li said as he chuckled.

Phillip shrugged his shoulders and continued in a talkative manner, "You've just come to the U.S. A lot of you new immigrants think that America is a heaven, filled with welfares and guarantees, free medical treatments, free food, free accommodation… But the truth isn't like that, the welfare is only used to help the poor, not the lazy. As far as I know, some European countries are the same. After losing both my feet, I've read a book that was titled "A Second Wind." It was the memoir of a paralyzed French aristocrat and his black immigrant care-worker. The reason the black immigrant became a care-worker was simply because he needed a job, so that he could receive relief funds."

"I'll try to find this book if I have the chance," Dai Li politely replied. He now knew that Phillip considered him as being a new immigrant.

Regarding this matter, Dai Li was neither surprised, nor was he interested in justifying himself to anyone anymore. The U.S. was originally a nation of immigrants, and it was also the country that received the highest number of immigrants in the world.

Several cities located in the west coast were popular immigration destinations for the Chinese, and as such, a Chinese like Dai Li, who knew little about the various systems in the U.S., would easily be regarded as a new immigrant.

Phillip glanced at his watch and spoke, "Although I am late, I really did encounter an accident. Can you take me to Coach Lee? I'll explain it to him myself."

"You're looking for Coach Li? I am Coach Li!" Dai Li said with an innocent look on his face.

"You are Coach Lee? You're the one in charge of this place?" Phillip exclaimed, as a look of distrust formed on his face.

Americans generally stereotyped Chinese people as being bookworms, short, not good at sports, antisocial, etc. As such, it was rare to see a Chinese person within the sports industry, which was why Phillip didn't even consider the possibility that Dai Li was the fitness coach, and why he even assumed that Dai Li was just a part-time worker.

"Hi, my name is Dai Li, and I'm the owner, as well as the coach of this training center," Dai Li said as he formally introduced himself.

"Sorry, you used the word "L""E""E", so I didn't give it much thought," Phillip stated.

"Lee" is also a common surname used in the west, and the number of Americans with this surname isn't exactly low. That was why Phillip's impression of "Coach Lee" was that he must be a tall and burly white Caucasian male.

However, Phillip knew from the bottom of his heart that he didn't trust Dai Li. After all, sports was never a thing the Chinese excelled at. Moreover, in his eyes, Dai Li was but a mere "new immigrant," so Phillip would never believe that Dai Li was a certified fitness coach. In fact, he even felt that Dai Li was probably less qualified than the volunteers working in charities.

"I should've known. There is just no way a good coach would ever provide free training. An a Chinese, as if that isn't enough, a new immigrant! I bet he isn't even qualified to train elementary school students. There is no way he's training me."

Phillip was set on switching to another coach, so he asked, "Coach Li, may I know in total, how many coaches do you have employed here? And what kind of programs do you provide?"

"For now, I'm the only coach. I just opened not long ago, and I haven't got the means to employ other coaches at the moment. As for programs, I will develop customized individual training programs based on each person's traits and needs," Dai Li answered without a shred of hesitation.

Many other para-athletes had asked him similar questions before, and at first, Dai Li felt awkward and uneasy. However, when you're covered in lice, you don't itch anymore, so after repeatedly facing the same question, Dai Li had already grown numb to being affected by it. Thus, he graciously admitted that he could not afford to hire coaches.

Upon hearing Dai Li's answer, Phillip was extremely dissatisfied. Although Dai Li provided free training programs, Phillip still had an urge to call it quits.

Consumers in the U.S. are used to paying for services. For example, there's medical insurance. Only those living at the bottom of society would choose free health care in dire situations. As long as they could afford it, they would pay the insurance companies for commercial insurance, so that they could enjoy better healthcare services.

That was why Philip was reluctant to stay, even when the training programs that Dai Li provided were free. He felt that if he could not achieve the desired training effect, it would be a complete waste of time.

"Coach Li, I think that your training center might not be suitable for me…" before he finished his sentence, a black man could be seen walking towards them.

"Hey Li, I've been all over the place before I finally found your place!" The man was extremely loud, so his voice could be heard from afar.

"This person looks a bit like Allen Hampton!" Phillip widened his eyes, as he stared at the black man walking towards them.

"Allen! I thought you would arrive in Los Angeles tomorrow!" Dai Li smiled as he replied.

Hampton, however, merely moved forward and gave Dai Li a hug.

"Li, even if you didn't come to the U.S., if I happened to be in Asia, I would have definitely gone to find you!" said Hampton enthusiastically.

On the side, Phillip was staring blankly at them both. By then, he was confident that the black man in front of him was indeed Allen Hampton.

"Allen Hampton, it's really Allen Hampton! I can't believe I'm actually meeting Allen Hampton. Is he here in Los Angeles for a game?" Phillip thought as he pulled out his phone, wanting to take a photo with him.

Phillip approached apologetically and asked, "Are you Allen Hampton? Can I get a photo with you?"

"Of course," Hampton was already used to having his photo taken with his fans, he posed and asked, "Are you here to train with Coach Li? If you are, then you've got the right man, as Li is the greatest fitness coach I've met!"

"The greatest fitness coach?" Phillip never would have imagined hearing such high praise from Hampton.

"Definitely the best!" Hampton nodded. "If it wasn't for Li's training, I might have not even made it to university! Li was the one who made me who I am now."

Phillip subconsciously looked at Dai Li. He never would have thought this new Asian immigrant standing in front of him had actually trained the famous Allen Hampton!

It was then that Dai Li spoke, "Mr. Phillip, what did you say was not suitable? I didn't quite catch that..."

"Not suitable? No, I did not say not suitable, I was just asking, when can we start?!" Phillip immediately corrected himself. He was certain that the skills and level of a coach who trained Allen Hampton couldn't be too bad.

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Chapter 373: Chancing Upon a Gem

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Phillip's tone became much humbler, like a transfer student who had just joined a new school. He opened his mouth and began to introduce himself, "My main sport is the 100m sprint, though I occasionally practice the 200m sprint as well. Right now, my time for the 100m sprint is 13.35 seconds, and I hope that through training, it can be improved to within 13 seconds".

"Based on your T43 classification, if you can improve your time to within 13 seconds, you would have the chance to participate in international competitions," Dai Li stated.

Finishing 100 meters in 13 seconds was a result that wouldn't even make a person a grade three national athlete in China. Even middle school students could run faster than that. However, for a para-athlete, who had had both his feet amputated, finishing a 100m sprint within 13 seconds was enough to participate in para-athletics competitions at the international level. After all, the world record for the 100m sprint in the T43 class was only 12.20 seconds.

"First, I'll have to see how talented he is," Dai Li thought, as he started his examination on Phillip.

"100m, talent potential is A-, 200m, talent potential is A, 400m, talent potential is A!" Dai Li drew in a breath of cold air in surprise, because the result was far greater than his expectation.

"Grade A talent potential, the talent required to become a world champion! A para-athlete with grade A talent potential, this is too unfortunate. He has so much potential in sprinting, yet he has no legs!" Dai Li thought sympathetically.

Most of the para-athletes, who had visited earlier, only had grade D talent potential, not even one had a grade C- talent potential. The way athletes were selected and trained was different in the U.S. than in China. In China, athletes were chosen from large groups of people, such as sports schools, city teams, provincial teams, and different levels of national team training.

After layers upon layers of selection, the ones who were ultimately chosen, were the best of the bunch and, more often than not, had excellent talent potential. The ones who were left out, would alter their plans and change their career paths as soon as possible, to not waste time. That was why most athletes in China had to have at least a decent amount of talent in sports.

In the U.S., however, athletes were required to pay for their own training. Coaches wouldn't care if you had talent or not. As long as they were paid, they would provide training services. That was why the U.S. lacked people with incredible talent, despite having so many people working in the sports industry. The actual number of people who were truly suited to work as athletes was amazingly small.

Meeting an athlete with Grade A sprint talent in the U.S. was something one could only wish for, and the man called Phillip, who was standing in front of him, was one with such talent. However, he had lost both of his feet.

Dai Li's gaze was filled with disappointment and sympathy. He was sure that, if Phillip was a normal, healthy individual, he could turn him into a world champion! Phillip, however, did not pay much heed to Dai Li's expression. He pulled out a pair of semi-curved black blades from his backpack.

"Is this a prosthesis for sport?" Dai Li asked, since he had recognized the item.

"The Flex-Foot Cheetah. It's the world's most advanced sports prosthesis available. It weighs around 8 pounds, the thickest area has 80 layers of carbon fiber, and the bottom of the prosthesis is equipped with the sole of a running shoe. I specifically went to a company specialized in creating prosthesis and mobility solutions in Iceland to have it custom-made. It cost me 250,000 Dollars. Half of what I got from the insurance company was spent on this prosthesis," Phillip said.

"So what caused you to lose both your feet?" Dai Li paused briefly, before continuing, "Please don't misunderstand, I don't mean to intrude on your privacy. I just need to assess your situation in detail, so that I can develop specific training programs later."

Phillip nodded and began describing his experience, "I've liked all types of sports since I was a kid. For example, football, basketball, tennis, boxing, and golf. I was even interested in motorbike racing. I wanted to a professional football player back then. I was a main player in the school football team, but after graduating high school, none of the colleges gave me a scholarship, and my family wasn't able to afford the school tuition, since it was just too expensive. So I didn't go to college, but went and joined the military instead. That was because I could apply for tuition subsidies after joining the military. With the subsidy, I would have enough to get into college after I retired."

"However, a year after joining the military, I was sent to Iraq. You know, in Iraq, we weren't welcomed by the locals. Even if we were in a supposed 'green area,' we'd still have to worry about getting hit by an incoming missile, and for me, it was bad luck. I stepped on a landmine during an operation. Fortunately though, it was a homemade landmine, not a professionally made anti-personnel landmine. If it was the latter, I'd have lost more than just both my legs, I'd probably have lost my life".

"After that, I returned to the U.S. and received the disability insurance from the insurance company. The government also gives me a monthly allowance for disabled military servicemen. I used the money I got from the disability insurance to purchase a set of normal prostheses, and began training to walk. I was naive back then, and I really thought that, if I could walk like a normal person, I would be able to live a normal life."

"But when I could walk like normal again, I still couldn't find any formal work. I didn't go to college, and a person who hasn't gone to college could only do physical labor. And as a person with a disability, I cannot engage in heavy physical labor. Even if I wanted to, employers wouldn't hire me. They are afraid that the labor unions and organizations that protect the rights of people with disabilities would accuse them of mistreating people with disabilities. They don't want trouble, which is why I can only do part-time jobs".

"I joined the army so that I could lead a better life, because I didn't want to end up at the bottom of society. But after losing both my legs and leaving the army, I found out that, in the end, I had still ended up at the bottom of society. I have no job, and I'm only getting by using the money I earn from part-time jobs and the money I receive from relief funds. I had thought that I would be living like that for the rest of my life, just getting by every day. That was until I met Jonny".

"Jonny was an army sergeant, who was my superior back when I had just arrived in Iraq. He suffered heavy burns from napalm, and the doctors used morphine on him during his treatment, which later made him addicted to drugs. Jonny also resorted to alcoholism. So when I met him, he had already become a homeless person, he was living in the streets, and he was using the allowance for disabled military servicemen that he'd received from the government to purchase liquor. He was living from the food given to him by charities every day. It was tough to imagine, the courageous warrior that once stood upon the battlefield had now become a drug addict and drunkard!"

"When I saw Jonny, it was like seeing my future. I started to become afraid. I was worried that I would become like Jonny, turning into a homeless drunkard. I felt that, no matter what, I should never lose my sense of self, and I knew that I had to do something meaningful. I decided to become an amateur athlete, so I traveled specifically to Iceland to have this Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis made."

"At first, I wanted to play football, I even joined a football club. However, the physical confrontation involved in the sport wasn't suited for people like me, who had lost both feet. My prosthesis was extremely durable, making it an accessory that caused injury easily, including injuring myself. During a match, I was hurt. I had twisted my knee, and when I was running during my rehabilitation, a coach at the club felt that I had talent in sprinting, so he suggested I try out track and field training. After that, I started attempting sprinting practice".

Dai Li nodded his head in silence, feeling sympathetic to Phillip's life encounters. If it wasn't for the war, perhaps Phillips could have completed his military service safely, received the tuition subsidy he mentioned, went on to college before graduating, and ultimately, have gotten a decent job.

After adjusting his riled up emotions, Dai Li said, "The difference between you and ordinary athletes is that both your legs and ankles are amputated, which means that you have no feet. The foot is the most important organ in the body, needed to bear burdens and provide support. Apart from that, the feet are also used to adjust the balance of the human body. In any case, I don't think that your prosthesis can truly replace your feet."

"And for a sprinter, you are missing another important organ, and that would be the Achilles tendon! For a sprinter, the explosive force arising from the stomping of the ground comes from the Achilles tendon, so without the Achilles tendon, your explosiveness would suffer a lot. If my guess is correct, you are slow off the mark. I'm not sure if this Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis of yours can provide you with an extra spring, but ultimately, it still isn't a part of your body. So, I am certain that, after you get off the mark, you would need to spend at least 20 to 30 meters to find your running rhythm."

"Next, let's talk about some other aspects. First of all, the calf. When you're walking, the force distribution of your calf is also different…"

"Then there's your thigh when you make a stride…"

"Your arm swing should be your primary balance mechanism, but…"

As Dai Li analyzed Phillip's shortcomings one by one, the expression on Phillip's face shifted gradually, first becoming serious, then surprised, and finally, impressed.

"Everything is as Coach Li said. He was able to deduce so many things from just seeing my prosthesis! It's no wonder that even Allen Hampton came to him for training."

At that point, Phillip no longer held any disdain towards Dai Li, and he no longer cared about all the presumed weaknesses the Chinese had in sports. He couldn't wait to get started in his training.Phillips began his training, and soon discovered that Dai Li's training wasn't just about physical fitness. There were also techniques in sprinting, and the sprinting technique practices Dai Li used were no worse than a professional track and field coach's.

"My disciple was the champion of the 100m and 200m sprint in the Asian Games," Dai Li said in a slightly teasing tone.

Among the many world sports games held in various continents across the world, the track and field of the Asian Games should be of the lowest level. Compared to Europe and Africa, the value of the sprint champion of the Asian Games was obviously the lowest.

However, in a place like the U.S. where a person who had a skill could easily find a job, the more talented a person was, the more valuable he was. A coach with several achievements would have athletes flocking to them, and being the coach of an Asian Games sprint champion was certainly enough for a person to tout himself as a high-level coach.

"Coach Li is actually the coach of an Asian Games champion,so it looks like I've really hit the jackpot!" As this thought surfaced in Phillip's mind, he asked tentatively, "Coach Li, can you be my coach? What I mean is, not just physical fitness training, but also in sprinting."

"Sure, the only drawback is that I don't have a long enough track here," Dai Li thought for a moment before saying, "If you don't mind, there's an empty space outside the gym, where I could draw and create a temporary track."

"That would be great!" a look of excitement filled Phillip's face, but only for a moment, as in the next second, he suddenly remembered something.

"Coach Li, there's another problem, I'm currently still receiving relief funds, so I haven't got the money to pay you," Phillip said awkwardly.

"I am not planning to charge you anything!" Dai Li said with a smile.

Phillip however, shook his head and said, "Coach Li, how about I owe you first, and when I get a sponsor, I will definitely return the amount, and more, to you!"After all, Phillip was one blessed with grade A sprinting talent potential, though he had lost both his feet, and as soon as the training began, his performance started to improve rapidly.

Two weeks later.

On the temporary track outside the gym, Dai Li stared blankly at the electronic timer he held in his hand.

"11.99 seconds, he has broken through the 12 seconds mark, did I remember wrongly?!" Dai Li mumbled to himself.

However, Dai Li knew that in Phillip's T43 classification, the world record for the 100m sprint was only 12.20 seconds, which meant that, after just two weeks of training, Phillip already had the ability to break the world record for the para-athletics' T43 classification.

"I had felt that I was making a loss when I provided free training to para-athletes, now it seems I've found myself a gem!" Dai Li thought happily.

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Chapter 374: The Big Debut

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Max frowned after seeing the words on the signboard, "Coach Lee's Physical Fitness Training Center" as he drove past the gym.

Someone actually rented that gymnasium! When and where did such a rich person come from? What kind of person is actually willing to accept such high rent? Max thought, feeling slightly annoyed.

Max and Dai Li were in the same line of work; he had also opened a physical fitness training center, and his "Ironman" training center had a bit of fame in the northern parts of Los Angeles. Many athletes and affluent individuals would visit him to have a customized physical fitness training course made.

Apart from the physical fitness center, Max also owned two gyms and a swimming complex. He operated a bodybuilding club and a swimming club as well.

Max had always intended to expand his business, and he had been keeping an eye on that gymnasium. It had a great location and sufficient space. It was just that it wasn't cost effective because of the high rent, which deterred Max from making a move. However, Max had not given up on it because he hoped that no one would move into the gym due to the high rent, which meant that a price reduction was only a matter of time.

So when Max saw the signboard with the words, "Coach Lee's Physical Fitness Training Center," he felt as though something precious had been taken away from him.

Max dialed the number of his real estate agent.

"I happened to pass by the gymnasium today and saw that it has already been rented out. Do you know who's renting it?" Max asked.

"It was a Chinese man, who could also be a new immigrant," the real estate agent answered.

"There's a Chinese guy working in the physical fitness training industry? What about the price? Did he really accept such high rent?" Max continued inquiring.

"No. As far as I know, he accepted the second proposal, the one you wouldn't accept," the real estate agent replied honestly.

"He's willing to provide free training to para-athletes? What an arduous and fruitless job." Max curled his lips in disdain.

"Mr. Max, to be honest with you, I don't think that this condition is harsh. After all, you get a reduction in the rent. If you had been willing to accept this back then, the gymnasium would have long ago become a training base for the Ironman Training Center," the agent said. It was natural for the agent to want to tie up a business deal quickly since he would be able to earn an intermediary fee from it.

"I open physical fitness training centers, not physical fitness training charities!" Max exclaimed. "Besides, when you train a para-athlete, even if you do a great job in training them, what's there to be achieved? Among those who are disabled, half of them support themselves through relief funds. They wouldn't be able to afford the course fee! If you ask me, the training center of this Chinese man won't last more than a year!"At the exact moment in Seattle, a para-athletic game was underway.

Despite Seattle's location on the west coast, this para-athletic game had managed to attract many para-athletes from the east.

Thanks to low-cost airlines spread throughout the US, traveling thousands of kilometers had become extremely easy and convenient. Moreover, considering the income of an average American, the aircraft of a low-cost airline was the equivalent of a traditional "green train" in China. Because airfares were very affordable, even low-income groups could afford to buy a ticket from low-cost airlines.

What's more, the para-athletes who arrived to participate in the competition were mostly burly men with tattoos on their body, their bodies burned or scarred.

"They are like me; they're also soldiers who retired due to injury. I think that most of them probably spent some time in Iraq!" Philip said.

Apart from a one-time insurance compensation, soldiers who retired due to injury also received a decommissioning allowance for disabled military servicemen from the government each month. That was why their economic conditions were slightly better than normal unemployed individuals.

The US encouraged disabled soldiers to participate in para-athletic games. After all, the earliest para-athletic games in the US originated from the United States Armed Forces. During the second world war, the wheelchair basketball teams formed by disabled soldiers were quite popular for a time. A wheelchair basketball association was even specially established after the second world war, and it organized tournaments throughout the US. It could be said that the history and heritage of the US National Wheelchair Basketball League wasn't that much inferior to the NBA.

For decades, the US waged war all over the world, and a large number of disabled soldiers appeared after each war. Many of the disabled soldiers soon became para-athletes, and in the next two upcoming Paralympic Games, the performance of the US team would be exceptional. When the US stopped waging war for a couple of years, the performance of the US team in the Paralympic Games would also drop.

Take the Iraq War for example. Although it had been more than a decade since the war ended, US military operations in Iraq were still ongoing, and the number of injured and disabled soldiers kept increasing. After numerous troops withdrawal, the number of soldiers stationed in Iraq still exceeded 5000, and the war had created a large number of para-athletes in the US.

Compared to the other para-athletes, Philip was a rookie. He had played football before, and it hadn't been that long since he started training in track and field.

Philip, who was standing on the track, looked extremely nervous since he kept glancing left and right. It was, after all, his first time taking part in a competition.

"Hey kid, you look awfully nervous. You should take it easy, just treat this as a practice!" said a big bearded caucasian man beside him.

"That's right, the important thing is to just to participate. Don't worry about winning or losing," said a brown-haired man on Philip's other side as he patted Philip on the shoulder. He then continued and said, "To be honest, I think that grouping both the T43 and T44 class together in a competition is rather unfair. But since we're here, the objective is not to beat the other competitors, it is to overcome yourself".

The two men who spoke were both in the T44 para-athletics classification. In a para-athletic game, the T43 and T44 class actually competed together, and occasionally even the T42 class would be included. Compared to the T43 class, the disabilities of the T44 class were less severe. The T43 is an amputation performed on both legs, below the knees but above the ankle or through the ankle joint; however, the T44 is an amputation performed on one leg, below the knee and above the ankle or through the ankle joint. To put it in simpler terms, one is a disability on both legs while the other is a disability on one leg.

Theoretically speaking, a person with a one-leg disability should run faster than a person with a two-leg disability. Among the contestants, Philip was the only one from the T43 class, so his nervousness was instead interpreted by others as a pessimistic view on the outcome of the race, which had led to the advice and encouragement from the other contestants.

People tend to sympathize with the weak. In a group of people with disabilities, the one in the worst situation would get the most sympathy. The others had only lost a leg while Philip had lost both his legs, so Philip, who had lost both legs, had suddenly become the target for sympathy."The Men's 100m sprint of the T43/T44 class is about to begin. The athletes are all ready. As you can see, there is an athlete who is from the T43 class".

As the commentator spoke enthusiastically into the microphone, he took a quick glance at the information he held in his hand before speaking again. "The T43 class athlete is called Barron Philip. According to the information on my report, he only started sprint training a month ago, and today is his first official sprint race. Let's wish him good luck and hope he performs well!"

The excited tone of the commentator brought a wave of applause from the crowd. In truth, everyone present felt that Philip, who had lost both his legs, was the weakest among the contestants. Everyone believed that he would only be left behind by the other contestants and finish the entire race amidst encouraging applause. He would show the indomitable spirit of disabled people.

On the stands, a young father pointed towards Philip and spoke to his son, "Jimmy, do you see that man? He has lost both his legs, but he didn't choose to stay in a wheelchair; he chose to wear a prosthesis and walk and run like an ordinary person. He can even take part in track and field competitions."

"Then can he run very fast?" the child asked innocently.

"He has one leg less than the others, so he'll be the slowest among all the contestants, but he will cross the finish line like everyone else, and he will complete his goals," the father answered with confidence.

At that moment, the race started at the sound of the starting pistol. The contestants began running.

A person with no legs has no Achilles tendon, so the explosive force generated from stomping the ground during the start of the race was reduced. Athletes in the T44 class had at least one leg, so at the beginning of the race, they could generate the explosive force of a leg by stomping the ground using their remaining leg. Philip, who had lost both his legs, could not produce any extra explosive force at the start of the race.

His acceleration at the start was slower, so in the first 30 meters of the race, as expected, Philip lagged behind.

Last place and lagging behind everyone, it suited everyone's perception of Philip. After all, how could a person without both legs run faster!

The father turned his head and continued speaking earnestly, "Jimmy, he's currently lagging behind, but he still has his indomitable spirit, which we should all learn. When faced with a problem, do not compromise. You have to learn to face it head on and overcome it. For him, it doesn't matter if he can win. Just by being out there in the race, he has already won."

That father had begun instilling inspirational chicken soup ideas in his son. Similar situations were happening simultaneously throughout the stands.

Americans were always good at practical education. A good example would be when teaching the Chinese concept of Zi Qiang Bu Xi. The standard practice in China would be for children to read an article from a textbook, followed by writing a review. Alternatively, students would answer questions with standardized answers, the belief being that children would understand the concept just by getting the correct answer. Americans, on the other hand, would prefer to let their children learn through personal experiences, and the para-athletic race was a good example. To the parents, allowing their child to observe the determination and spirit of the para-athletes battling on the racetrack was an excellent opportunity for education.

However, the boy named Jimmy shook his head. He pointed towards the racetrack and said, "Daddy, you're wrong. He's not the last one, he's now the third, second, oh, no, he's in the first place!"

His father looked where his son pointed.

The race had reached the 60 meter mark, and Philip had made it to first place.

"What happened? How did he get into first place!"The crowd went wild. The only athlete who had no legs had somehow made it to the front!

People loved it when the weak rose. Philip coming up from behind, going from last to first place, awoke people's sympathy for the weak. Philip successfully ignited the passion of the audience.

"Come on! Charge forward!"

"Charge, charge through the finish line!"

At that moment, without a doubt, Philip was the focus of the entire stadium.On the racetrack, the brown-haired man who consoled Philip earlier had been left far behind. He could only see Philip's back.

That rookie sure runs fast! The brown-haired man sighed lightly in his heart, but he immediately realized in the next second that Philip was a T43 class athlete, each of his legs equipped with a prosthesis.

How is that possible! He doesn't have any legs, and I've only lost one. How is he running faster than me, and by so much!

As he thought about that, he couldn't help but look down. He wanted to make sure that Philip did indeed lose both his legs.

Although the black colored cheetah-style prosthesis was made of carbon fiber, under the sunlight, it emanated a metallic glow, as if it was a pair of sharp blades.

Blades! The word flashed through the mind of the brown-haired man."Oh my God, Philip is coming from behind! He is surpassing the other contestants, he's leading! He's getting faster, and his lead is getting wider and wider! He has crossed the finish line! Philip! Philip won, he has achieved victory!"

The roaring voice of the commentator livened up the atmosphere in the stadium, where many like him had begun to shout.

"I did not expect that. The winner is actually Barron Philip! You have to know that among all the contestants, he was the only one in the T43 class! He was the only one without both legs, but he has somehow managed to beat everyone, and he completely dominated the other contestants! When he was making his final dash, the other contestants were already far behind him!"

"Let's take a look at Philip's performance, 12.16 seconds, it's been confirmed, it's 12.16 seconds! According to the information in my hand, the world record for the 100m sprint in the T43/44 classification is 12.20 seconds. That means, just now, right in front of us, Barron Philip set a new world record!"

The tone and voice of the commentator kept rising, and as he said the phrase, "set a new world record," his voice reached its highest decibel.

The atmosphere also climaxed, and the cheers and screams were all woven together in the stadium. At that moment, even if a person were to scream at the top of his lungs, he would still not be able to hear his own voice.

"A world record, I couldn't have misheard that, the commentator said a world record just now!"

"Who is that guy with no legs? I've never seen him before. Did he just break the world record?"

"Barron Philip, I remember they introduced his name before, he's called Barron Philip!"

"Barron Philip?" A journalist quickly wrote the name down on her tablet.The world record for the men's 100m sprint for the T43/44 class had been broken, and although most people hadn't the slightest clue what the T43/44 class was like, everyone knew that the man who set the new record had lost both his legs.

A 12.16 second result was not even enough to be considered a grade two national athlete in China, and in a nation that excelled in track and field, the number of people who were faster than that couldn't even be counted. Some might even find it embarrassing to announce that their time was 12.16 seconds. However, because this was the result of a person who had lost both his legs, the situation was completely different.

Before the race, Barron Philip was a nobody.

During the race, he appeared out of nowhere and stood above the rest.

After that day, more and more people would come to know and remember his name.

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Chapter 375: The Birth of the Blade Warrior

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Two weeks later, a track and field competition was held in Oakland.

This was only the second official race Philip had participated in, but he was no longer an unknown and obscure contestant anymore. Although most people had never seen him before, they had heard of his name, and they knew that he had broken a world record two weeks ago. Most of all, they knew that Philip, as a T43 class para-athlete, was faster than para-athletes in the T44 class.

"That person should be Barron Philip, right? I heard that this rookie broke a world record in Seattle."

"He doesn't look all that young, he must be at least 25 or 26, right?"

"I heard that this Barron Philip has been to Iraq, he probably lost both his legs there."

"To tell you the truth, I still can't believe that he actually managed to break the world record. From what I've heard, he uses a prosthesis on each of his legs, which means that he should lose in terms of speed. After all, the other contestants still have one healthy leg."

"It might have just been a coincidence! It was just one race, it doesn't mean anything. Let's hope that he can still perform well today! Lots of charities came to today's race, so he might even get himself a few sponsors."

Amidst discussions within the stadium, Philip had already started his sprint.

The first 30 meters he was lagging behind. The next 30 meters he was catching up. The last 40 meters he was coming from behind. As he reached the finish line, Philip had once again left all his opponents far behind him.

"11.61 seconds! He's done it inside 12 seconds, and compared to two weeks ago, he is 0.5 seconds faster!"

"That's fast. His pace is really amazing, and I heard that he only started training in track and field not that long ago."

In the stands, the heads of various charities had their eyes glued unto Barron Philip. Their eyes glistened as they stared at him.

The US has a lot of charities, and Americans enjoy donating to charities. The wealthier the individual, the more they enjoyed donating to charities. The middle class also happily donates small sums to charities.

Donating to charities in the US makes one eligible for tax deductions. However, the donation mentioned earlier is not limited to monetary donations. It also includes stocks, properties, cars, and even old clothes, which can all be counted as donations, and used as tax deductions.

For example, a person had an income of $100,000, and he donated clothes worth $1,000. When paying his taxes, he would only have to pay taxes on the revenue of $99,000. For those who had just passed a tax threshold, using these types of donations to offset tax collection was very cost-effective. These people could reduce their income tax level by donating to charities, which would result in a significant amount of taxes they would have to pay. The donor would also gain the good reputation of being a philanthropist.

For the wealthy, donations can be used to avoid gift tax and inheritance tax. Gift and inheritance taxes in the US are very high, so much so that the taxes can cut a person's wealth in half, and it is in these situations that charities show their true value.

The rich are allowed to establish or register a philanthropic foundation and name their heir as the decision maker of the foundation. In the event of their death, the money would be left to be used by their heir. They can buy cars and houses, all without having to pay a single cent of inheritance tax.

Another example would be when a billionaire wanted to give his son ten million dollars. To avoid tax, he would make a donation of ten million dollars to a charity, before having the charity give his son a random designation at the charity. The charity would pay his son's salary, which might be 300,000 dollars a month. Using a method much like how ants move, little by little, the money the billionaire donated to the charity would become his son's salary, all done without having to deal with the gift tax. Of course, the charity involved would also receive a portion of the fees as compensation.

However, where there are people, there will always be a Jianghu. As the number of charities increased, the competition grew as well. When people made donations, they would prefer well-known charities, and so it was easier for well-known charities to receive donations. This meant that charities had to perform deeds that people knew about to promote themselves and increase their reputation so that more people would donate to them.

Sponsoring a popular para-athlete was an excellent method of promotion. For example, if a charity were to sponsor Philip, they would be able to display Philip's photographs and images during their fundraising and inform everyone that the fantastic para-athlete who had broken world records was sponsored by the charity. These advertisements would be similar to popup ads such as "Chicken bro delivers a dragon slayer" when one was browsing the web, or the erotic voice of a woman saying something like, "ABC company has opened its business, real women dealing cards online," that appears when a Laosiji selects a video.In the afternoon, Philip appeared yet again at the scene of the 200m sprint.

In the 100m sprint that morning, Philip had set a new world record. Philip had already become the star of the entire stadium. As he stepped onto the racetrack, deafening cheers erupted from the audience.

At the side of the track, Dai Li looked at Philip with a relaxed expression.

Philip started training in the 200m sprint after the sports games in Seattle. However, his talent potential in the 200m sprint was greater than his talent potential in the 100m sprint. The speed of his growth was also extremely fast, and in his routine daily test, he had already broken the world record of the 200m sprint of the T43 class multiple times.

In truth, Philip's growth had far exceeded Dai Li's expectations by breaking a world record with just two weeks of training. It would be unimaginable if this situation were to happen with a normal and healthy athlete, whose limbs were intact. After thinking about it for a long time, Dai Li attributed the result to the athlete training system in the US.

Although the US was among the best in the world in track and field, when it came to track and field in para-athletics, the US was far less dominant. In the sprinting event of para-athletics, for example, a prosthesis that cost more than 20,000 dollars was enough to stop most disabled people who aspired to become para-athletes.

Half of the disabled population in the US lived on government relief funds, especially black people who grew up in the slums. Even if they had terrific sports talents, they wouldn't have the money to get their hands on a sports prosthesis. A Chinese saying says that the poor studies while the rich practice martial arts describes this situation perfectly. One needed money to play sports. Philip was one who fit the condition; he was willing to spend several tens of thousands of dollars to get himself an advanced sports prosthesis. Philip's case was extremely rare because for most Americans, after receiving a large sum of money, the first thing that came to mind would be to go and have fun and enjoy their lives.

As Dai Li contemplated, Philip had left the bend and gone into the straight track. His pace was as quick as ever. Dai Li even saw glimpses of a normal and healthy athlete from him.

"Come on, Blade Warrior!" A voice erupted from the stands. Someone was holding onto a sign with the words, "Blade Warrior," with a drawing of a cheetah-style bladed prosthesis on the side.

"Blade Warrior!"

"Blade Warrior!"

The voices spread through the entire stadium. Gradually, on the side the voice originated from, the number of voices shouting "Blade Warrior" had increased.

Philip sure has gained a lot of fans! The "Blade Warrior" is a pretty cool nickname. It's also very well-put. The Flex-Foot Cheetah that he's using really looks like a sharp blade.

Dai Li kept pondering as he watched Philip continue his wide lead before finally crossing the finish line.

Philip's result was 21.58 seconds, just barely breaking through the 22 seconds threshold. In the US, this result would have been unconvincing for healthy people who called themselves professional sprinters; however, for a para-athlete like Philip, he had set a new world record."The Blade Warrior. Sounds strong and rambunctious. We are talking about the young man who lost both his legs, right?" A bespectacled and well-dressed man with white sideburns who sat in the main central stands asked.

"That's right. It's probably a nickname given by the audience, looks like he's already made some fans," answered a youngster who sat beside the man.

"I think that this young man is worth the investment. Don't we still need a representative for our newly launched accident disability insurance? The Blade Warrior, a very memorable name," the older man said with a big smile on his face.

"I understand, director. I'll go meet with Philip after the race," the younger man replied immediately.The name "Blade Warrior" appeared in the media very quickly. At first, only media from the west coast followed Philip. However, not long after, media companies in the east had also learned about the "Blade Warrior" who had lost both his legs and still repeatedly broken world records in several para-athletic games.

The nickname "Blade Warrior" went viral overnight. Philip had suddenly become a "limited celebrity.""Limited" mainly because it was still only sports for disabled people, not something mainstream media paid attention to. Even if there was a news report, it would have only appeared as a side story.

In a large sporting country like the US, the weekly number of matches of the four biggest sports leagues alone reaches over the hundreds. Taking into account other sports like tennis, golf, car racing, boxing, and various other sports loved by Americans, sports media in the US had an abundance of content to report on. Who would pay any attention to para-athletics?As Philip handed over a check to Dai Li, he said, "Coach Li, I can finally pay the fees for your training!"

"20,000 dollars? Where did you get that much money? I remember your prize money, it was only around 2,000 dollars, wasn't it?" Dai Li asked with a puzzled expression.

The annual average income of Americans was over 55,000 dollars. However, people with that kind of income had to pay an income tax of 25%. Adding to that, there was also the social security tax they had to pay to enjoy social benefits, as well as the medical insurance and dental insurance paid to insurance companies. As such, the maximum disposable income of Americans was only around 40,000 dollars. This meant that the 20,000 dollar check was already an American's expenses for half a year.

"I just signed a sponsorship deal. An insurance company is launching a new accident disability insurance product, and they asked me to be their representative. There were also several other charities that provided me a few thousand dollars' worth of sponsorship," Philip answered as his face filled with an excited smile. He then continued, "I can finally stop working part-time, and I don't have to depend on a government check anymore. I can train the whole day!"

"Looks like you should start looking for an agent!" Dai Li said with a smile.

"You've got that absolutely right. There's a guy called Steven. I haven't got a clue where he got my contact info, but he's saying that he wants to be my agent! Of course, I ignored him." Philip shook his head before continuing to speak, "I am not a superstar, there is no way I can afford an agent!"

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Chapter 376: Equivalent Respect

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Philip was not a world class sports star, and as such, no one would spend millions or billions to endorse him. For Philip, the two to three thousand dollars worth of sponsorship provided by charities was already a pretty good income.

Regarding endorsements, it was impossible for Philip to achieve a high net worth, because the number of endorsements an athlete had was directly related to their reputation. In this aspect, para-athletes were disadvantaged since mainstream media rarely paid any attention to things or events related to para-athletes. If the insurance company did not happen to launch a disability accident insurance product, Philip might not have had the chance to become the advertising endorser for that product.

Although the sponsorship and endorsement deals hadn't amounted to much, Philip's quality of life had still improved significantly. Previously, he had to work as a part-timer for four to five hours a day just so he could receive a check from the government. Now, he no longer had to continue working part-time because the sponsorship he received from various charities, paired with the disability allowance for military servicemen, was enough to cover his daily expenses. He could now stay and train in Dai Li's training center the entire day.

Philip's success was an example, encouraging and urging the other 11 para-athletes who were receiving free training from Dai Li. Unfortunately, they did not have the kind of talent Philip possessed, and even if they put in a lot of effort, it would be challenging for them to reach Philip's level.In the dressing room of the training center, Philip took off his prosthesis with a look of relief.

He supported and rubbed the part where his calves and his prosthesis touched, and the initially grim expression on his face gradually subsided.

"Come. Let me!" Dai Li appeared from the side and began massaging Philip.

The part where his calves and prostheses met had become swollen again, and faint scars from recovered wounds that were caused by wearing prostheses could still be seen on his skin.

No matter how good a prosthesis, in the end, it still wasn't a person's real leg. It was impossible to say that walking with a prosthesis was like walking with a real leg. Walking with a prosthesis was undoubtedly more exhausting. It didn't matter if the Flex-Foot Cheetah was the most high-tech sports prosthesis in the world that used the most advanced carbon fiber technology, or if the prosthesis was designed to be ergonomic and only weigh eight pounds; it was still incredibly uncomfortable to wear.

To ensure that the prosthesis didn't fall off during his sprint, Philip had to fix it tightly to his limbs. Carbon fiber is a tough and durable material, and the Flex-Foot Cheetah was comprised of 80 layers of carbon fiber. It was much more durable than steel and one didn't need to worry that the prosthesis would break. However, attaching such a thing to a person's body would naturally cause harm to it.

Muscles that were tightly clamped by the prosthesis would become swollen and bruised as if someone had punched them. The part where the prosthesis touched the skin would chafe, bleed, and become wounded before finally forming scars, after which, the process would start all over again.

Philip had to endure that process daily. Compared to Philip, an able-bodied person only had to work hard in their training, whereas he also had to go through excruciating bodily pain.

"Barron, I really admire you. Track and field training has always been boring. To athletes, the neverending repetitive training routines are already mentally exhausting, but for you, apart from the mental stress, you also have to endure physical pain. If it was just any other man, I doubt they would be able to stick to it, " Dai Li said.

"Compared to losing both legs, this much pain is nothing," Philip said with a sigh. "However, I still haven't got what I wanted"

Dai Li paused his movement and said, "In your class, you are already the fastest in the world. You've already broken the world record for the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprint. Also, your nickname, the 'Blade Warrior' sounds very cool. It really suits your Flex-Foot Cheetah prosthesis."

"That only means that I've achieved results." Philip shook his head. "Though I've been winning races continually, I still don't feel happy."

"Why? Why aren't you happy when you are winning races? Are you too tired? If that's the case, we can lower your training intensity." Dai Li paused to think before speaking again. "You have an absolute advantage over your opponents since your current level is far beyond them. In the 100m sprint, you would be 0.5 seconds faster than your opponents; in the 200m sprint, you would be faster than them by approximately 1 second."

"It's not fatigue," said Philip. He shook his head and sighed before saying, "A few days ago during the race in Houston, a lot of people came and had their photos taken with me. They would say things like 'Keep it up, Blade Warrior.' Everyone who approached me encouraged me, but that's not what I want."

"I'm not sure I quite get what you mean. I think that it's nice that people are encouraging you," Dai Li said.

"I also know that it's a good thing. It's their way of showing that they care about me. But somehow I can feel it; the expression in their eyes when they see me and the tone they use when they talk to me, it's filled with pity and sympathy!" Philip's expression suddenly became serious. "But I don't need their pity or sympathy. What I want is respect! I want to live with dignity!"

As Philip said that, his emotion started to broil. He continued and said, "I am not trying to become someone amazing. I don't even think that what I do can motivate others. The reason I became an athlete was that I hoped to make my life more meaningful. I don't want to be treated as someone who needs to be protected, or put in another way, I don't want any special treatment. Even when these special treatments are considered a privilege, they still make me.uncomfortable. "

"I understand," Dai Li said as he frowned and began to think. He then continued in an enlightened manner, "But you can't avoid them. People will always treat you differently because you are handicapped. People will always regard disabled people as weak and show them sympathy. It is a normal way of thinking. However, this does not mean that they don't respect you."

"What I want is equal respect!" Philip said with strength.

Dai Li stopped massaging Philip's calves and looked at him with a little surprise.

Philip, however, calmed himself and continued, "When I first came back from Iraq, I didn't get a prosthesis immediately. I actually used a wheelchair for some time. During that time, I used all kinds of accessibility facilities, and I also enjoyed all types of special treatment. Whenever I crossed the road, people would voluntarily come and help me; when I took the bus, a space would be left especially for wheelchair use… I am very grateful for their help, but their help also brought me a kind of unease. They made me feel like I'm not a normal person, and that without their help, I wouldn't be able to live a normal life."

"So you decided to start training to use a prosthesis?" Dai Li asked.

Philip nodded and said, "That's right, I want to live a normal life. I wish that people would treat me like I was a normal person, not like they would normally treat a disabled person. That's why I trained so hard. At first, I left the wheelchair and was able to walk with the help of a crutch; later, I bid farewell to the crutch as well and was able to walk independently. After that, I could walk like a normal person, and I could even run. Since that day, I've never used any accessibility facilities again. I haven't even used any disabled parking spaces!"

"I think that I've got a rough idea what you mean." Dai Li nodded with a tinge of regret. A bold idea suddenly emerged in his mind.

"You want everyone to view you as an able-bodied person. Have you ever thought about taking part in a conventional track and field race? To compete against normal, able-bodied athletes?"

"That's impossible! I can't possibly beat them!" Philip shook his head. He felt that Dai Li's idea was too far-fetched.

"Why do you think that you cannot beat them?" Dai Li immediately followed up with a question.

"Of course it's because I have no legs!" Philip stared at Dai Li intensely.

"Do you really mind it that much?" Dai Li smiled, then he continued speaking in a rhetorical manner. "You really mind. You've said it yourself; you want to live a normal life, you want people to treat you like a normal person, and you've also put in the effort to have that realized. The you can now walk and run like a normal person, but deep down, have you ever treated yourself as a normal person?"

Dai Li stopped and shook his head before continuing to answer his own question. "The answer is no. When I suggested that you take part in a conventional race, the first thing on your mind was that you had no legs, so you couldn't compete against them. Why wasn't it 'I should give it a try'? Because deep down in your heart, even you do not treat yourself as a healthy and normal person! How could you ask others to treat you in a way that you don't even treat yourself? If you want people to recognize you, the first thing to do is to recognize yourself!"

Dai Li's words were like needles piercing through Philip's heart. Philip's face suddenly became blank. Following that, his expression slowly became reflective.

After a while, Philip let out a long sigh. "Coach Li, you are right. I haven't even recognized myself, how could I expect others to recognize me! I have never been able to look at myself properly, and you could even say that I intentionally covered my eyes. I'm so stupid!"

"So do you want to give it a go?" Dai Li spoke as he started moving his hands to massage Philip's legs again.

"Try? Try what?" Philip asked, a little confused with what was asked.

"Try out what I mentioned just now. Go and take part in a conventional race and compete against able-bodied people!" Dai Li continued looking down, maintaining his focus on his hand movement for the massage.

Philip's gaze showed that he was struggling, as if he had no idea how he should decide.

Dai Li, on the other hand, looked up and stared at Philip. With a serious expression on his face, Dai Li said, "You've left the wheelchair behind. You've bid farewell to the crutches. You can even walk and run like a normal person. You did all these things because you wanted to be like a normal person. Or you could say that you have been learning to become a normal person. And now, it's time you said goodbye to the lessons. You should give it a go. You should try to truly become a normal person!"

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Chapter 377: Venture into the 400m

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Phillip lowered his head and thought for a long time before finally speaking. "Coach Li, you are right. Trying to join a race for normal people, would be good for me. However, with my current results, I'm not sure if I could even make it through the qualifiers."

"There's no uncertainty there, it's a given. You would never be able to make it through the qualifiers." Dai Li nodded honestly and said, "In the 100m sprint, your current time is 11.50 seconds, and this is already a world record in your current disability class. However, in a race against normal people, it is only at the level of high school students. Even in Asia, where track and field is the least developed, the minimum threshold for competing in an international race is 10.50 seconds. The track and field standard in the US is much higher. If you want to do well in track and field in the US, your time for the 100m sprint should be close to 10 seconds."

"There is no way I can make it in 10 seconds. H*ll, it might even be impossible to make it in around 11 seconds. I haven't got any legs, this is an unchangeable truth that I cannot overcome." Phillip shook his head.

"Don't be hasty. Keep listening." Dai Li said. "We were talking about the 100m sprint. In the 200m sprint, your result is much better. You were able to cross the finish line within 22 seconds. This result might even get you into the Asian Games."

"To tell you the truth, there is a grading standard for athletes in my country. In the 100m sprint, getting a 10.93 seconds result would make you a national first-class athlete. In the 200m sprint, the time required to become a national first-class athlete is 22.02 seconds. Based on your current level, you can't reach the standard to become a national first-class athlete in the 100m sprint, but in the 200m sprint, you can. Do you know what this means?"

"It means that I'm better at the 200m event, which also means that my advantage in the 200m event would be better!" Phillip replied.

"That's correct. Do you know why that is so?" Dai Li did not wait for Phillip to reply but revealed the answer himself. "First and foremost, it is what I told you previously. You lack the Achilles tendon, and this affects your explosiveness at the beginning of the race, which means that you will always start much slower than others. This process takes up around 10 meters. In these 10 meters, you will always be behind the other athletes."

"Apart from that, under normal circumstances, when a sprinter begins his run, his body would lean forward, and this sort of unbalanced state continues for around 30 meters. All the power in the legs transforms into a forward pushing momentum, which makes it possible to continually accelerate. You are equipped with a prosthesis, and your prosthesis is fixed to your knee. That means that it is hard for your knee to bend or twist flexibly to keep your balance. Your body has to be straightened as much as possible if you want to keep your body balanced. So, in the next 30 meters, the momentum obtained by leaning the body forward is also gone."

"At the same time, because you are wearing a prosthesis, your leg is actually 40 centimeters above the ground. You are a certain distance away from the ground, which means that you cannot perceive the state and condition of the track immediately. Based on my observation, after starting, you need around 30 meters to find your running rhythm."

"This 30 meter distance is your weakness. If put on a 100 meter track, 30 meters is almost a third of the entire course. If it were a 200m sprint, 30 meters would only be around one-seventh of the entire race. From this point, the shorter the distance, the larger the disadvantage you face at the start. On the flip side, the longer the distance, the smaller the disadvantage. For example, if you were to run 5,000 meters or even 10,000 meters, everyone would be running with their bodies upright, and the disadvantage from the beginning of the race would be close to zero!"

"Next, let's talk about your prosthesis, the Flex-Foot Cheetah." Dai Li pointed towards the black-colored prosthesis lying at the side. "It's elastic, right? Although carbon fiber is extremely tough, even tougher than steel, it doesn't mean that it isn't elastic. From what I know, carbon fiber has always been a material with high durability, density, and elasticity."

Phillip did not hide anything and just nodded, admitting that the carbon fiber prosthesis he used could provide extra elasticity.

Dai Li continued and said, "As you run, the extra spring you get from the elasticity of the prosthesis would provide you with additional momentum. It is like those Shox sneakers you see in playgrounds. The further you run, the more you benefit from the elasticity of the prosthesis. That is why your advantage in the 200m spring is more significant than the 100m sprint."

"I understand what you mean now. You want me to focus on the 200m sprint, correct? I can currently cross the finish line within 22 seconds, and this result should help me get through the qualifiers of some races. By then, I would be able to compete against normal people!"

"No, that's not what I meant." Dai Li shook his head and asked, "Do you want to hear my suggestion?"

"Of course, you are my coach, I need your advice!" Phillip answered.

"I want you to train for the 400 meters," Dai Li stated.

Phillip was shocked, since he had never considered running the 400m sprint.

If calculated seriously, the 400m sprint might not even be considered a sprint. When the 400m event was listed under the sprint category, there was a lot of debate. Many people felt that the characteristics and techniques behind the 400m event leaned more towards a mid-distance race, the only difference being that contestants were separated by the tracks during the race.

From a physiological perspective, the 100m and 200m sprints were both anaerobic exercises since sprinters tended to finish the race in one breath. They did not breathe during the race. Even in the 200m sprint, sprinters would only breathe one or two times. During this process, the human body practically wouldn't use any glucose from aerobic metabolism to provide energy. The stored energy within the human body, as well as the energy generated from the decomposition of phosphoric acid and creatine, was enough to ensure that athletes could run through the entirety of the 100m and 200m sprint. Unfortunately, the process produced pyruvate, lactate, and various other metabolites, which caused muscle fatigue.

The 400m sprint, on the other hand, was regarded as a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. The nature of the 100m and 200m sprint was completely different from the 400m sprint. The stored energy within the human body, as well as the energy acquired from the decomposition of phosphoric acid and creatine, are insufficient to support a person completing a 400m race. So, athletes participating in the 400m race perform aerobic exercise before their final dash, relying on the energy produced from the aerobic metabolism of glucose in the beginning, and once they enter the last phase of the race where they make their final dash, they switch to anaerobic exercise.

However, the human body is not a machine. Adjusting with such precision and speed is impossible. It's not as if the body would perform aerobic or anaerobic exercise just because a person wanted it to do so. During the 400m sprint, the body of the athlete would actually be in a hypoxic state, in other words, the locomotive organs and internal organs of the human body had to go into overdrive and fully utilize all the energy produced from aerobic, as well as anaerobic exercises.

The pyruvate and lactate produced from anaerobic exercise had side effects on the human body, including fatigue, muscle pain, hyperventilation, arrhythmia, and etc. If the condition was severe, there might even be acidosis. In the 100m and 200m sprints, the state of anaerobic exercise wouldn't last very long, so athletes would only feel these side effects after the race had finished. In the 400m race, athletes would begin to feel the effects of the pyruvate and lactate halfway through the race. The physical demands of an athlete for the event were extremely high, since athletes had to continue running in those kinds of situations. That was why the 400m sprint was generally known as one of the hardest sports events out there.

Dai Li was not concerned about whether Phillip had the potential to become competent in the 400m sprint, because the motion detector had already informed him that Phillip's highest talent potential was in the 400m sprint. It indicated that his body and talent were extremely well-suited to exercise under a hypoxic state.

Phillip however, hesitated. If there were reasons, of course, he hadn't planned to train in the 400m sprint. He knew that the 400m race was extremely difficult.

"Coach Li, can you tell me why you want me to train in the 400 meters? Do you think I would do well in it?" Phillip asked.

"Of course. I made this decision based on logical reasons," Dai Li said as he stretched out a finger. "First, I've mentioned it just now, the beginning of the race is a disadvantage for you, so the longer the race, the smaller the disadvantage. If it was a 100m or 200m sprint, the reaction time at the start is calculated in the thousandth of a second. Being 0.1 seconds quicker is already a huge advantage. However, in the 400m sprint, the demand at the start of the race is less stringent, and the gap of a few tenths of a second could easily be offset on the track."

Dai Li stretched out a second finger. "Secondly, also from what I've said just now, your prosthesis is elastic. The longer the distance, the more you benefit from its elasticity. From this perspective, it's obvious that the benefit of running 400 meters is far greater than running 100 meters or 200 meters."

"Number three. I'm going to explain this from a physiological perspective. Both your legs are partially amputated, so you have fewer muscles compared to regular people. That means that when you run, the pyruvate and lactate produced in your muscles is far less than others, so the side effects of anaerobic exercise on your body are less severe. The effects of muscle fatigue aren't that extreme, and your muscles won't get fatigued easily. This is very advantageous in the latter part of the race. In a 400m sprint, normally, contestants would be faster in the first 200 meters, while in the last 200 meters, they would slow down due to fatigue. However, in your case, you might not necessarily be slower in the first 200 meters, but in the last 200 meters, you will definitely be faster than others."

Phillip nodded and asked, "Based on what you've said, wouldn't it be better if I ran longer distances, such as the 800m or 1500m event?"

"Can your legs hold out that long?" Dai Li pointed towards the part he was massaging and continued, "800 meters is too long. You'd have to run for over a minute, and the prosthesis would be a burden in that type of high-intensity exercise over a long period of time. The area where you equip the prosthesis would feel pain, and under those kinds of circumstances, it would be difficult for you to finish the course. That is why, even in the Paralympics, the events for the T4 class only went up to 400 meters. Longer distances like the 800m, 1500m, or 5000m race were left to the T1 and T5 class para-athletes."

The Paralympic Games was categorized into a few classifications. The number "1" meant visual impairments, "5" meant the wheelchair group. That meant that the para-athletes who ran long distance races were those who had problems with their eyes, or they finished the entire race in a wheelchair. For para-athletes in the T4 class, the pain and damage brought about by wearing prostheses made it impossible for them to finish a long distance race. As such, the Paralympic Games would not set up mid-distance or long-distance race events for the T4 class.

In truth, in mid-distance or long-distance races, the standard of the T1 class para-athletes wasn't that much weaker than a race for normal athletes. T1 class athletes only had problems with their eyes; their legs were just as nimble. It had actually turned out before in a 1500m event that the results of the top four contestants in the Olympic Games were worse than the top four of the T1 class in the Paralympic Games.Running 400 meters was indeed an excellent choice for Phillip. Compared to normal people, the disadvantage of his body would be reduced.

Phillip began training in the 400m sprint, and at the same time, Dai Li posted a job advertisement online. He had decided to start hiring.

Phillip began training all day, and Dai Li's primary focus was also on Phillip. He didn't have time to take care of the other 11 para-athletes. Also, since Phillip's success, there had been more people visiting, seeking consultation on matters pertaining to physical fitness. It was too busy with Dai Li alone.

Hiring a new coach had become a must. However, Dai Li's first choice was to hire part-time coaches.

Labor costs in the US were too high.

A lot of people compared the price of goods in China against the US, feeling that products were cheaper in the US. Foodstuff was cheaper, beef was cheaper, clothes were cheaper, cars were cheaper, and etc. No matter how they calculated, the items in China were still more expensive than in the US. Of course, the taxation system was part of the reason for the difference in price; however, if one only looked at basic daily living necessities, living in the US was definitely more cost-effective.

People are always focused on meeting their current needs. Those who are only trying to survive will naturally concentrate on food and clothes that ensure that one stays fed and warm. Only those who have already solved their basic food and clothing problems will seek to find food that tastes better or clothes that are prettier.

However, humans do not live to only fill their stomachs. Food and warmth are just basic needs. Once a person's economic condition improves and his income increases to a certain level, new needs emerge, such as lifestyle needs and spiritual gratification. Some examples include getting a beautiful haircut, going to the spa, listening to the opera, or watching a sports game. These expenses that are closely linked to the service industry are more than ten times more expensive in the US than in China. Moreover, after the services are rendered, apart from the bill, there is also a tipping fee.

If Dai Li hired an official employee, he had to pay his wages and buy all kinds of employee insurance. Although it wasn't unaffordable for Dai Li at that point, it was still a significant amount of money. If he hired someone part-time, he would save a lot of expenses, and he could also avoid the trouble of buying insurance.

Dai Li also didn't need his part-time coaches to be that highly skilled. Since Dai Li made all the training plans and schedules, the part-time coaches only had to follow the training plans. In a country like the US where sports fundamentals were widely known, there were many people who were qualified to do this kind of job.

At the same time, if he hired someone part-time, he could be more flexible with his staff. If the part-timer did not perform well, he could just fire him. The procedure was more troublesome if he were to fire an official employee, and it would also involve a lot of laws on labor protection.

Of course, if there was a really amazing coach whose asking price was reasonable, Dai Li wouldn't mind offering an official contract. Labor costs in the US were expensive, but if the person was indeed a talent who could bring in additional value, hiring that person would only bring in profits.On the second day after posting the job advertisement, a man with red hair walked into Dai Li's training center.

Dai Li sized the person up. The man was probably in his early thirties, with a head full of red and brown curly hair. Under his large eyes were two dark circles, and he had freckles around his nose. The look of a typical Caucasian from the west. The man was formally dressed. A suit, a tie, and a pair of leather shoes, and he also had a briefcase in his hand.

Dai Li felt that the individual was probably not there to begin physical training. However, he still walked up and inquired, "Hello, how can I help you?"

"Sorry, I'm not here for physical training. I saw your address on a part-time job hiring advertisement," the man with the red and brown curly hair replied.

"You're here for an interview?" Dai Li's expression looked odd. The man did not look strong, no matter how you looked at it. He did not seem like a person from the sports industry.

"Oh no, no. I'm not here for the job," the man said. From his pocket, he took out a name card and passed it to Dai Li.

The name card was simple. The company name, job title, telephone number—nothing more was on the card except a name:

"George Stephen!"

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Chapter 378: 5%

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

George Stephen. It wasn't an exceptional name; a lot of people in the US were called George, and many had "Stephen" as their last name too. Although it wasn't as widespread as the names "Wang Wei" or "Li Qiang" in China, it was still a name that appeared often.

Although Dai Li felt that the name was somewhat familiar, he didn't think about it too much and simply treated it as encountering a common American name.

"Mr. Stephen, since you aren't here to train, and you aren't here for a job, what are you here for? Are you a salesman?" Dai Li asked with a smile.

"Actually, I'm an agent, a sports agent," Stephen replied.

Dai Li suddenly remembered. Philip mentioned it a few days ago when he handed a 20,000 dollar check to Dai Li. He mentioned an agent named Stephen. Philip also said that he couldn't afford an agent.

Could he be that agent? Dai Li thought. He then asked, "Are you here for Philip?"

"Oh no, no. Coach Li, I'm here for you." Stephen paused briefly before continuing, "But it is related to Philip. Can we find somewhere to sit down and talk?"

"No problem." Dai Li brought Stephen to a place where they could sit.

Americans are very direct in their speech, and Stephen was no exception. So, he said directly, "Coach Li, I'm a sports agent, and I am very optimistic about Barron Philip's potential, which is why I'm hoping to become his agent. I can help him get in contact with more sponsors, as well as more advertising endorsements."

"I heard from Philip that he rejected you," Dai Li stated.

"Yes, it seemed like he didn't want to depend on an agent. That's why I came to you. I hope that you can help me persuade Philip to let me be his agent. This is a win-win situation for us both." As he spoke, Stephen continued to monitor and observe the expression on Dai Li's face.

However, Dai Li's expression remained unchanged, and even his eyes had a slight hint of wanting to reject the offer. Stephen noticed this and immediately corrected himself, "Let me correct myself. To be precise, it should be a win-win-win situation! Coach Li, if you are willing to help me persuade Philip, I can offer you a remuneration package worth $1000 dollars after everything is done!"

Dai Li smiled and shook his head firmly. The price that Stephen offered was too insincere.

The remuneration of sports agents in the US was commissioned from the income of athletes. Under normal circumstances, 10% of an athlete's salary would become an agent's income. Reputable agents might get higher commissions. In regards to advertising endorsements, the commission was much higher, sometimes going as high as 20%.

Philip had received tens of thousands of dollars from the sponsorship fee awarded by multiple charities. Moreover, there was the endorsement fee he received from the insurance company on the disability insurance product. Philip's recent income would be around 100,000 dollars. If he had an agent, even if it were calculated according to the minimum commission percentage of 10%, the agent would receive 10,000 dollars.

And in the future, as Philip's performance improved and he achieved better results, his exposure would also gradually increase. As such, the number of sponsors, as well as the advertisement endorsements would also increase, and as a result, the commission the agent received would also rise.

Philip had already decided to take part in races for normal athletes. A para-athlete who had lost both his legs was taking part in a race for normal and healthy individuals. It was something that was certain to attract attention. It was inevitable that Philip would become a focal point, as long as he successfully appeared on the field. He would also become an inspirational figure that the entire US knew; the hidden commercial value of Philip was definitely not worth only a few hundred thousand dollars. Millions or even tens of millions of dollars' worth of advertisement endorsements could potentially emerge someday. For a sports agent, Philip was without a doubt a once in a lifetime treasure.

Even Dai Li could anticipate that Philip would become a golden goose in the future, and this Stephen was actually hoping to get his hands on this golden goose with only a meager 1000 dollars. In Dai Li's opinion, Stephen was simply trying to get something for nothing.

Stephen excelled at observing the moods and emotions of people. He noticed that Dai Li looked a bit dissatisfied, so without hesitation, he immediately increased the price. "How about 2000 dollars?"

Dai Li still shook his head. Stephen intentionally gnashed his teeth and said, "2500 dollars!"

Still, Dai Li did not speak.

"Coach Li, this is already a very high amount. All you have to do is to speak a little and persuade Philip to accept this 'win-win-win' situation! Besides, this is beneficial to you as well. Once Philip has a dedicated agent, he can invest a lot more time and effort into training, isn't that right?" Stephen said as he attempted to persuade Dai Li.

Dai Li glared at Stephen and made a hand gesture that was used to send guests away. "Mr. Stephen, I'm not interested in your offers, please show yourself to the door!"

Dai Li stood up and decided to leave upon finishing his sentence. Stephen immediately stood up as well and said eagerly, "3000 dollars, Coach Li, this is as high as I can go!"

Dai Li smiled and shook his head and gestured for him to leave once again.

Alright then, since Coach Li isn't interested, I'll have to bid my farewell, Stephen said, looking disappointed as he turned around and headed towards the door.

As Dai Li looked at the back of the departing Stephen, his mind began contemplating.

Although Philip was the strongest when it came to people with disabilities, when compared to normal people with healthy bodies, there was still a large gap. Dai Li decided to use the "athlete's patch" on Philip. The effect of the "athlete's patch" was, simply put, a Godsend tool for athletes with physical defects such as Philip.

However, the "athlete's patch" was a consumable item. Dai Li only had 200 of them. Each patch was only effective for one year, and Philip's entire career might require a total of two or three patches. Dai Li felt that if he were to only gain tens of thousands of dollars in training fees, he would have made a loss.

As soon as Philip achieves decent results in normal races, his commercial value will skyrocket. It should be quite easy to sign a million-dollar endorsement deal. If he manages to break into the international stage, Philip will definitely become a world-famous superstar. By then, the endorsement fees won't only be in the millions anymore," Dai Li began to think.

As Dai Li pondered, Stephen the agent had reached the front door. However, he did not walk out. Instead, he stopped in his tracks, and after two seconds, Stephen turned and walked back.

Why is he coming back? Did he drop something? Dai Li glanced at the ground around him, but he did not discover any item that was left behind.

Stephen opened his mouth and declared, "Alright Coach Li, you've won! Name a price, how much do you need to help me?"

This fellow thinks that I'm playing hard to get. He must have thought that I would stop him if he pretended to leave. He sure is calculating. He came all the way here to show off his negotiation skills. Unfortunately for him, I really do not care about those 3000 dollars. Dai Li suddenly understood Stephen's intention.

Dai Li looked at Stephen with an expression that looked like a smile but couldn't be called a smile, and said casually, "Mr. Stephen, I have a feeling that you will become an excellent agent one day."

Stephen laughed awkwardly. "Those of us who are in this business are all like this. Coach Li, do let me know your price, we can slowly negotiate."

Dai Li thought for a while and put out five fingers.

"5000 dollars?" Stephen breathed in a breath of cold air. He had a solemn expression, as if he was having an intense psychological battle in his mind, but it was more like he was weighing the pros and cons.

Stephen was certainly counting in his mind, calculating to see if the 5000 dollars was worth it. He was gauging to see how long it would take to break even on the investment.

However, Dai Li simply shook his head. "You are mistaken. I am not just asking for 5000 dollars."

"You can't mean 50,000 dollars?" There was disdain in Stephen's eyes.

"Of course not." Dai Li shook his head before continuing. "What I want is 5%!"

"5%? What 5%?" Stephen asked immediately, a sense of unease slowly building up in his mind.

"5% of Philip's annual income!" Dai Li answered.

"That's impossible!" Stephen shook his head without hesitation. "Coach Li, you must be kidding?"

"Do I look like I'm kidding you?" Dai Li said with a serious look on his face.

"Heh, heh, heh…" Stephen couldn't help but laugh. "Coach Li, this is the funniest thing I've ever heard! Even us agents only receive a 10% commission! You only need to persuade Philip to get himself an agent, and you want to get a 5% commission? You must be dreaming. Even if I agree, Philip wouldn't agree. Do you think that he would be willing to give you 5% of his income? Alright Coach Li, let's stop with the jokes and talk about something more realistic."

"I never said anything about taking away 5% from Philip. You could give me 5% from your commission," Dai Li answered calmly.

"Insane, you must be insane! I never would have thought that I would spend so much time talking to an insane person!" Stephen shook his head and turned around to leave.

However, Dai Li suddenly said, "Hold on a minute, since I've requested a 5% commission, it's natural that I have my reasons. Perhaps you should listen to another condition of mine."

"Heh heh…" Stephen revealed a mocking grin. He stopped and turned around. "What other conditions do you have?"

"Even I knew that you wouldn't agree to my demand of 5%," Dai Li stated.

"No agent in the world would agree to that unless he were an idiot," Stephen said as he shook his head.

"So why don't we add a valuation adjustment mechanism." Dai Li grinned.

"What valuation adjustment mechanism?" Stephen replied quickly.

"500,000 dollars!" Dai Li continued shaking all five of his fingers and said, "If Philip's annual income is below 500,000 dollars, then I won't take a single cent. However, if his income exceeds 500,000 dollars, then I want 5% of the total exceeding amount."

"500,000 dollars?" Stephen's expression suddenly became serious. He responded, "Since this valuation adjustment mechanism is your proposal, you believe that Philip's annual income will exceed 500,000 dollars?"

"I believe in him!" Dai Li nodded.

Stephen frowned and started to reevaluate Philip.

In the US, an individual who had an annual income of over 100,000 dollars was already in the high-income group. Even in the wealthy state of California, a household income of over 450,000 dollars would get one into the top 1%. That meant that if two people were working in a household, on average, each person would only have to earn 225,000 dollars to get into the top 1% in the wealthy state of California.

For a professional athlete, their primary sources of income were their salaries and advertising sponsorships. Athletes who managed to get into the four major leagues in the US could easily earn 500,000 dollars a year. Take for example the rookies who had just joined the NBA; their salaries already surpassed this number.

For track and field athletes, as they didn't belong to any sports club that paid them salaries, their primary sources of income were, number one, the rewards from winning races; and number two, advertising endorsements and sponsorships. It was much more difficult for them to reach an annual income of 500,000 dollars. The monetary rewards from track and field races were modest, unlike tennis or golf competitions where the prize money was in the millions. As such, track and field athletes needed generous and large sponsors to earn that much.

Stephen was a professional sports agent. It was natural for him to know how much athletes from different levels earned annually.

Even if it were a normal track and field athlete, he would have to be among the best in the world to be able to receive sponsorship in the millions. The exposure para-athletes received is already much lower than normal athletes, how is there any chance for Philip to earn 500,000 dollars annually! He would have to be blessed by God if he could earn 300,000 dollars a year!

This Coach Li doesn't even understand the US. He probably still thinks that the US is a land of gold and that any random athlete can earn a lot of money; that's the only reason for him to make this sort of weird request. But this might also be good, as it's going to save me a lot of money!

As Stephen reached his conclusion, he reached out his right hand and said, "Coach Li, I find your terms agreeable. Here's to our future collaboration!"

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Chapter 379: A Small Test

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Portland is the most populated city in the state of Oregon, and it is also the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest of the US, second only to Seattle. Naturally, the market for the sports industry is larger in a city with a large population such as this.

On a field in the State University of Portland, the 400m sprint of the para-athletic games was about to begin.

The 400m sprint was one of the toughest events in track and field. It had high physical fitness requirements, and the training was also extremely difficult. To put it simply, the entry requirement for the sport was very high. Many athletes would select the 100m and 200m sprints rather than taking part in the 400m race. For para-athletes, even fewer people took part in the 400m sprint. In fact, many para-athletic games didn't even set up a 400m sprint event.

And today, the number of athletes taking part in the 400m sprint for the T43/44 class was just five. That meant that a contestant would actually receive a bronze medal if his final ranking were in the middle.

In para-athletic races, Philip was a superstar, since he was the world record holder for the 100m and 200m event in that class. This was the first time Philip challenged the 400m event, so many people had arrived to spectate.

Stephen stood beside Dai Li and pointed towards a plump middle-aged man sitting in the stands. He said, "That's the guy I told you about, the person-in-charge of the Dave Charity. He has already promised to give us 5000 dollars' worth of sponsorship fees."

"5000 dollars huh. He sure is generous. Most charities would, at most, be willing to sponsor two to three thousand dollars," Dai Li answered casually.

"There's also the guy on the left in the grey suit." Stephen pointed in another direction and said, "That person is the boss of a corporation that sells specialized medical equipment. We've already negotiated a price. If Philip breaks the world record for the 400m sprint this time, he would be willing to award us with an endorsement deal worth 30,000 dollars."

"30,000 dollars huh. With a term of one year?" Dai Li asked.

Stephen nodded. "Their current intention is just one year. If Philip continues to maintain his performance, it's not impossible to renew the contract after a year."

"I suggest we delay this endorsement deal a little," Dai Li suggested.

"Why? This is already a good price. Besides, you would also receive 1500 dollars from the commission," Stephen objected.

"There's an important race early next month. If Philip does well in that race, his commercial value will increase significantly. By then, he might even be able to obtain endorsement deals worth around 20 or 30 thousand dollars," Dai Li said.

Early next month? There are two weeks left. Stephen thought for a moment and finally nodded his head, "Okay, then I will try to delay it. Can you tell me what race it is?"

"The selection for the world championship held in Sacramento," Dai Li answered.

"The world championship for para-athletes is starting again? That's great, Philip will definitely set the world on fire. Looks like I'll be getting busy soon!" Stephen answered gleefully.

"I'm not talking about the world championship in para-athletics, I'm talking about the selection stage for the world championship in athletics," Dai Li replied while looking at the race track with his arms crossed.

"Hmm? Is there a difference?" Stephen did not immediately understand what Dai Li meant.

Dai Li just smiled and did not explain further. He simply used his gaze to signal Stephen to shift his attention toward the race track, and as he did that, he said, "Watch the race first, the race is starting soon."

As Dai Li spoke, the starter had already signaled for the race to start and Stephen's attention shifted towards the race track.

At the sound of a gunshot, all five contestants of the 400m sprint dashed away from the starting line.

Stephen's expression showed a slight tinge of nervousness. He could not help himself as he clenched his fists. Sponsorship and endorsement deals worth tens of thousands of dollars were on the line, and it was also Stephen's first business deal since becoming Philip's agent, so it was natural for him to feel nervous.

However, after 10 to 20 seconds, Stephen looked much more relaxed as he said, "Philip is a lot faster than the others!"

"So, you see it too?" Dai Li asked with a big grin.

Stephen nodded. "I'm probably not mistaken, right?"

"If you can see it, then there's no mistaking it," Dai Li stated.

Each contestant had their own tracks in the 400m sprint. At the beginning of the race, the starting position of the outer side of the track was further forward, while the starting position of contestants at the inner side of the track was positioned considerably further back. Everyone had a different starting position, so from the surface, the ones located on the outer side of the track would look like they were in the lead.

Insiders would generally be able to differentiate the actual positions of the athletes; however, outsiders would probably only be able to identify the actual positions of the contestants in the last 100 meters.

However, right then, even an outsider like Stephen could tell that Philip was a lot faster than the rest. That meant that Philip's advantage was indeed very obvious.

The truth was, in the eye of an expert, Philip's pace was not inferior to normal athletes who were average. For a para-athlete, that was an incredible feat.

As a para-athlete, it was natural that their pace was slower than normal athletes. In the 400m sprint of the T43/44 class that Philip was in, the result of the fastest male para-athlete could not even compare to the result of a normal female athlete, and when compared against the results of male athletes, it was a no contest.

Philip was like a completely different being. Although his current pace still could not compare to top-notch athletes in the 400m sprint, if he were to compete against a normal athlete, then there was at least an actual chance for him to win.

The pace of a normal athlete, when put in a race among para-athletes, would be like the Fuxing Hao high-speed train meeting a traditional green train; the speed and pace were simply incomparable. When Philip reached the final stretch of the race, which was a straight track, the four other contestants were still struggling in the middle of the previous bend.

"He is certainly worthy of being the world record holder for the 100m and 200m events. Even when it is the 400m event, he maintains his huge advantage. The victor has already been decided, the key is to see if Philip can also break the world record for the 400m sprint!" announced the commentator.

"I think that there's no doubt that Philip will also break the world record for the 400m event. His result might be close to 46 seconds," another commentator mentioned.

"46 seconds? If I remember correctly, a result like that would be very close to the B standard of the Olympics. In the group stage of the previous Olympics, one-third of the contestants' results were over 46 seconds."

"Quick! Look! Philip is already close to the finish line, he's leading the others by at least two seconds, and he has passed the finish line! Let's congratulate Philip for winning, and his result is… oh, my God, it's 45.51 seconds!"

The timecard at the finish line displayed the number "45.51". The result was without a doubt a world record in the T43/44 class, but more importantly, if the result were put in a race for normal athletes, it would have reached the A standard of the Olympics! There was no polite way to say this but, even in the world, most professional athletes wouldn't have been able to achieve that result.

"My eyes are not deceiving me, right? 45.51 seconds. Wasn't the A standard for the Olympics only 45.55 seconds? That means that Philip is capable of taking part in the Olympics, and he is actually a disabled person! I wouldn't believe this if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes! The performance of a para-athlete is actually on par with normal athletes!" The excited voice of the commentator rang powerfully within the stadium.

It was impossible for normal audiences to remember the A and B standards of the Olympic Games. However, after the introduction of the commentator, everyone thought that Philip was amazing.

Stephen turned his head and looked towards Dai Li with a shocked expression on his face.

"You knew. You already knew this would happen, right?" Stephen asked.

"I told you earlier, Philip is terribly talented!" Dai Li paused briefly and continued, "I am his coach, do you think that I already knew?"

"But regardless, he is still disabled. He doesn't have any legs, how could he be as fast as normal athletes!" Stephen exclaimed as his voice quivered with excitement.

Dai Li did not answer, he only stared quietly at Stephen.

At that exact moment, Stephen recalled what Dai Li had mentioned earlier, that there was an important race the following month.

Just now Coach Li said that it was the selection for the world championship in athletics. He was referring to a race for normal athletes! Stephen's thoughts suddenly went into chaos.

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Chapter 380: What the Heck Is This?

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li held a book in his hands and pretended to be reading seriously.

"Coach Li, what are you reading?" Philip peeked at the title of the book. "An Introduction to Super Hypnosis, are you getting into hypnosis?"

"Yeah, you want to give it a try? I just learned some hypnosis techniques." Dai Li pointed towards the book.

"All the contents in the book are actually lies. These sorts of books overran the market in the fifties and sixties. Countless publishers would publish them every year," Philip said. He continued looking at Dai Li, who looked like he was raring to go. Philip finally compromised and said, "Alright, it seems like you won't give up unless you've tried. Let's try it out. It'll also show you that these are all just tricks used to con people."

"Excellent, take a seat first!" Dai Li pointed towards a seat in front of him and picked up the book with a serious look on his face.

"Now close your eyes and pay attention to what I say. Don't think about anything else. You are now very comfortable, very relaxed, your entire body is relaxed… You are standing in the middle of a plain, a grass plain as far as the eyes can see, a blue sky… You lower your head and look. You see that your legs have regrown. You start running around in excitement, running wildly…"

As Dai Li spoke, he used an athlete's patch on Philip.

"That should be enough right? It doesn't seem like anything happened!" Dai Li stole a glance at Philip, but there didn't seem to be any change on the surface. However, in the system, the number of athlete's patches left had dropped to 199.

In truth, a month ago, Dai Li had not expected Philip to actually make it into the A standard of the Olympics, but Philip's growth was too quick. Besides that, just as Dai Li had predicted, Philip had fewer muscles compared to normal athletes due to his disability, so his muscles produced less lactate, which meant that it took longer for him to feel fatigue. Thus, his speed advantage in the last 200 meters was more pronounced. It could be said that the 400m event was a sport that was custom-made for Philip.

However, achieving the A standard of the Olympics was Philip's limit. Philip was at the peak age of track and field athletes, and it would be tough for him to improve further.

After returning from Portland, Dai Li had decided to use the athlete's patch, a gift of the system that would help Philip break through his limits. However, Dai Li had never actually used the athlete's patch before, so he did not know the effects of the athlete's patch. Dai Li's only worry was if the impact of the athlete's patch was too great, and Philip ended up leveling up too quickly, it might backfire by becoming a difficult situation to explain.

Sports training has always been progressive, and a sudden spike in growth would cause suspicion. Even Philip himself would grow suspicious.

That was the reason Dai Li held the book titled An Introduction to Super Hypnosis in his hand and put up an act. In case the effects of the athlete's patch were too great, Dai Li would directly blame it all on supernatural phenomena, which would save him a lot of time and energy in giving an explanation.

Dai Li read aloud and finished the hypnotic discourse from the book word by word before he asked Philip to open his eyes. He pretended to look very expectant and asked, "How do you feel? Do you feel like you've been born anew?"

"Not at all!" Philip shook his head nonchalantly. "I told you before, these things are used to trick people. I don't deny that professional clinical psychologists know how to hypnotize people, but surely it's impossible for ordinary folks to become hypnosis masters through a book like this An Introduction to Super Hypnosis."

"There's no effect. Huh! Then that's too bad…" Dai Li pretended to look disappointed. He then threw the book to the side and stood up. "Then let's get on with our training!"Philip felt that his running was smooth. He even had an illusion, for a moment, that he wasn't wearing any prostheses, and his legs had returned!

In the next second, a sudden pain came from the area of his knees where the prostheses were fixed. It cleared Philip's mind up.

Both my legs have been gone for a long time! A sudden sadness filled Philip's heart. However, the smoothness he felt from his legs was increasingly vivid. Oddly enough, Philip once again felt that both his legs were back.

How could this be? It's been so many years since I came back from Iraq, and I've long grown accustomed to life without legs. Why am I having these weird feelings today? Philip suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. It had been too long since he became disabled, and he had even begun to forget what it felt like to walk with legs.

It couldn't be the hypnosis just now! Philip shook his head violently.

What am I thinking! That rubbish of a book called An Introduction to Super Hypnosis? Only someone like Coach Li who had just arrived in the US would believe that!The selection system of athletes in the US was different from China. Athletes from China were selected through multiple layers, from sports schools to city teams, then to provincial teams, before finally making it into the national team. The ones who were able to represent the national team in international competitions were the best in the national team. If an international game was coming up, the selection would be held within the national team; in essence, a person would have no chance to represent the nation and participate in international competitions if they did not first make it into the national team.

The athlete cultivation system in the US was different. Athletes in the US fought for themselves. There was no such thing as a provincial or city team. Whenever an international competition drew near, the US selected the athletes before forming their national team. After that, they would represent the country by participating in international competitions.

Athletes were selected through different competitions, and the results were usually decided by one match. For example, if a sports event had three places, it meant that the top three of the selection stage would become the representatives to compete in the upcoming competition. The reputation, as well as past achievements of the athlete, were useless in the selection. Even if the athlete was a world record holder, if he finished fourth in the selection race, he would not be able to represent the US in the competition.

In the history of track and field in the US, there had been many cases where world champions or even world record holders had a drop in performance during the selections and ended up not being able to take part in important international competitions. For example, there was once a 100m sprinter who had just broken the world record the previous year, but in the Olympics selection the following year, he failed to get into the top three. As a result, he missed the Olympics.

A selection system such as this would surely not work in other countries. If an athlete was a world champion as well as a world record holder, or if the athlete had been a past world record holder, then even if the athlete wasn't performing as well, he would have still been given a place to take part in the important international competition. It didn't matter if the athlete could no longer run, or if he had to limp to the finish line, he would still be eligible to participate.

The athlete selection system in the US had its pros and cons. The advantage would be that it was fair, victory was decided by a match, and everyone had an equal chance. No one would get a place by exploiting human relations. There were also no biased internal decisions set at a higher level or things of similar nature. Athletes in the US advocated individual heroism, and collectivism had no place there. Thus, Americans were adept at protecting their personal interests. Things like sacrificing one's own interest for the group was against mainstream American values.

However, the cons were also obvious. The selected athlete might not be the most suited to participate in the competition. Luck played an important role in these types of selection systems that decided everything in one match. If an average athlete succeeded in getting into the top three thanks to extraordinary forms, or if a capable athlete happened to perform poorly on that day, that would mean the weaker athlete would be sent to take part in the competition.

That was why, if you counted in detail the contestants of the US team from the World Championship in Athletics and the Olympics, you would be sure to find a few contestants who were unknown, and their performance would be mediocre. After the race, they would disappear. These were the kind of athletes who had exceptional luck during the selection stage.

Of course, that was because Americans were good at sports, and they had sufficient talent, which was why they chose this method of selection. If it were another country, the total number of usable athletes would be more or less the same, so no country would ever dare use this sort of athlete selection system outside the US.In the stadium of California State University, the selection for the World Championships in Athletics was underway.

The US was a powerhouse in track and field, and as such, it was natural that the selection for the world championship would gather the best athletes in the world. Many world-renowned track and field athletes were present. They were all working hard to get a ticket to the world championship in athletics. Many contestants were not that well-known, and some were obscure. Some of them might not be trying to get a ticket to the world championship, as most would be hoping to use this chance to gain a bit of fame.

At the registration area, Philip walked towards the registration office with a face full of unease. He had downloaded and filled out the registration form much earlier. Now all he had to do was simply submit the form and let the registration officers do their job.

Philip wasn't a seeded contestant who could take part in the official race directly; he had to start from the qualifiers. Once he obtained a qualifying spot during the qualifiers, he would be allowed to take part in the official race later.

Some athletes who were also submitting their registration forms saw Philip not far away.

"Isn't that the Blade Warrior?"

"Blade Warrior? The black actor who fought vampires? He looks thinner than when he was in the movies, and his complexion isn't as dark either!"

"Not that blade warrior movie, he's a para-athlete who lost both of his legs. What was his name again… Oh, that's right, I think he's called Barron Philip! He has a nickname called 'Blade Warrior.' He's pretty famous on the west coast."

"Now that you mention it, I think I remember! I heard he holds the world record for three separate events in the para-athletic world. Do you think he's here to watch the race? He's in the wrong area. You go to the stadium if you want to watch the race, this is the registration office."

"He probably came here with his friend! He's heading towards the registration office, and he's taken a piece of paper out of his bag. Is that a registration form?"

"Registration form? How can it be? He wants to register for the race? Don't joke around, this isn't a para-athletic game! Surely he's just helping someone else submit the registration form."

"But the rules say that if you aren't a seeded contestant, the athlete himself needs to personally submit the form!"

"Then perhaps he's here to deliver some other documents. I don't believe that he's here to register. He's a disabled person, there's no way he is competing against normal people, right?"

There was no difference between the way Philip and normal people walked, so none of the staff found out that Philip was a disabled person.

"Barron Philip." A staff took a look at Philip's name. He only felt that the name was familiar, and he did not immediately associate the name with the famous para-athlete. If the nickname 'Blade Warrior' were brought up, however, many of the staff who were present would have immediately recognized Philip's identity.

This name sure sounds familiar, but it's also pretty standard. Nine times out of ten, I have heard the names of these contestants before. Apart from the few most famous ones, who would remember clearly? The staff shook his head and continued looking down.

Registering for the 400m event. Although the competitiveness of this event is not as high as the 100m and 200m events, it is still very competitive. Personal best is 45.51 seconds. Not bad, a result that is already at the A standard of the Olympics. He only needs to reach the B standard of the Olympics, which is 45.95 seconds, to take part in the qualifiers.

Achieved his best time two weeks ago, which meets the registration requirements, the result can be counted as long as it was recorded within two years. Location was Portland, the race was the Portland Elite Track and Field Para-athletics Competition. Elite Track and Field Para-athletics Competition?

The staff member's eyes opened wide as he stared at the form. He reread it several times to make sure that he was not mistaken.

Disabled. What the heck is this?

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