Volume 1, Chapter 20: Gathering Information

"He has a 'white moonlight'?"

Susan looked shocked. Suddenly, she recalled Jiang Ming's strange behavior in the locker room. Was there really a secret hidden behind the locker door he had blocked?

"Sister Shan, you're quite interested in Brother Ming, aren't you?" Wang Yining teased with a wicked grin.

"It's a reporter's instinct—I like to get to the bottom of things. Don't worry, speak freely; I'll cut this part out. It won't be published!"

As she spoke, the three of them huddled closer. Wang Gulai then lowered his voice and spoke in a melancholic tone.

"Last year at the Olympics, Ah Ming was devastated after missing out on the gold medal."

"By 0.01 seconds! Losing to his old rival Jackson again—anyone would be heartbroken. 'The Eternal Runner-up,' 'The Uncrowned King'... those aren't exactly flattering titles." Wang Yining looked indignant. He hadn't made the national team last year and hadn't been to the Olympics, so he hadn't had the chance to be there for his idol.

"Don't interrupt; the important part is coming," Susan urged, stopping Wang Yining and looking eagerly at Wang Gulai, signaling him to continue.

"The night before we headed back, he drank for the first time ever. But he’s a lightweight. When I was carrying him back to his room, I heard him muttering things like, 'I didn't win the world championship again... will you still wait for me?'"

"That 'you' could also be a metaphor for the 'World Championship' itself," Susan analyzed earnestly.

"As a man, I’m absolutely certain that 'you' refers to a woman. In scenarios like this, it’s usually someone wanting to win the title to confess to their 'white moonlight'."

"Then this 'white moonlight' of Brother Ming’s is a real jerk! Aren't a national championship and a national record enough?"

"They really are a jerk," Susan agreed sincerely.

In her view, if you truly love someone, it shouldn't matter whether they are a champion or not! However, when she eventually discovered who Jiang Ming’s "white moonlight" actually was, she would deeply regret having been so quick to curse them.

But for now, with the gossip atmosphere at its peak, Susan seized the opportunity to probe further.

"What about Captain Lin? He’s so popular—is his love life exciting?"

"Sister Shan, I thought you were only interested in Brother Ming. Turns out, you’re interested in everyone!" Wang Yining raised an eyebrow, looking surprised.

"Don't be nervous; it's just casual chatter, not an official interview."

Wang Yining and Wang Gulai exchanged a knowing look. Then, Wang Yining completely opened the floodgates. Thanks to a good meal and the fact that his idol, Jiang Ming, treated Susan differently, he had already mentally classified her as one of their own.

"Sister Shan, cut this part too, okay? Captain Lin’s love life is definitely exciting! If Brother Ming is a magnet for repelling the opposite sex, then Captain Lin is a magnet for attracting them. But keep in mind, this is just private gossip—it’s not verified, and you can’t spread it, or it’s libel!"

"Oh? Do tell!" Susan’s eyes lit up as she coaxed him.

"Captain Lin is the most famous star athlete in Jiangzhou in recent years. He has tons of fans and even more people chasing after him, trying to shower him with gifts or hook up with him. Once, Yan Lai got a bit tipsy and let it slip that Captain Lin seems to have a girlfriend—and there's a high probability she’s a wealthy woman. But since there’s been no official announcement, he’s technically a free agent. He’s gentle and thoughtful to everyone; he doesn't accept them, but he doesn't reject them either. Even when we accidentally bump into him, he just calls them 'ordinary friends.' But they’re all beauties—tsk, tsk, he’s living the life! After all, he’s got the status—the 'King of Butterfly Stroke.' In short, he’s a seasoned player! Who knows where his true heart lies? Maybe even Yan Lai doesn't know!"

"So what if he's the 'King of Butterfly Stroke'? Jiang Ming is the 'King of Medley'! Gulai is the 'King of Backstroke'! Aren't they just titles? If you win a championship and hype it up a bit, anyone can have one!" Susan said indignantly, unable to suppress her feelings and blurting it out.

"Don't say that, I wouldn't dare call myself the King of Backstroke. I only just made the national team these past two years; my position isn't stable, not stable at all..." Wang Gulai quickly waved his hands in denial, sucking in a breath and silently marveling that this reporter, Susan, really dared to speak her mind!

Wang Yining, however, was exceptionally excited. As Jiang Ming’s "die-hard fan," he felt he had found a kindred spirit.

"Sister Shan, you have great taste! I believe Brother Ming will become the number one male swimmer in the country sooner or later and take the world championship! He’s training so desperately this year—he’s aiming straight for the World Championships!"

"Alright, enough gossip. We all need to train hard!" Wang Gulai, being disciplined, checked the time and prepared to leave.

"Right, let's head out!" Susan knew when to quit and immediately agreed.

The three of them stood up and headed toward the exit.

"Heading back to the dorms to rest?" Susan asked casually before they parted ways. It was a reporter's nature to ask about the little details.

"Yes. Why? Is Reporter Susan interested in visiting the dorms?"

"Maybe another time. I don't want to disturb your rest."

"Though..." Wang Gulai said thoughtfully, as if mentioning it unintentionally, "Ah Ming probably won't be returning to the dorms."

"Oh?"

"After the last competition, he pushed his strength training too hard and injured the ligaments in his wrist. He’ll likely use his lunch break to rest while getting electrotherapy."

"Athletes... it's really not easy. In previous interviews, I’ve heard athletes from other sports joke about envying swimmers who train indoors year-round, never exposed to wind or sun, staying fair and soft-skinned. But in competitive sports, nothing is easy! Your training intensity is massive, and you’re stuck indoors in high humidity," Susan sighed.

"Aren't you going to go see him, Reporter Susan?"

Wang Gulai raised an eyebrow, throwing Susan a suggestive look. Having known Jiang Ming for ten years, he knew better than anyone that Jiang Ming was a straight-arrow, and he could sense even more clearly that Jiang Ming felt differently about Susan.

"No way, I'm not walking into the line of fire! His face was frozen like an icicle earlier! I still have to work with your team for over a month!"

Susan laughed sheepishly, bid farewell to Wang Yining and Wang Gulai, and headed toward the lounge prepared for her by the swimming team.

However, her heart felt increasingly restless and chaotic; a fierce internal struggle had begun.

Should she go see him?

No, that's bad—what if he really thinks I'm a stalker or a tabloid reporter?

But the situation earlier was so sudden, I didn't even get to thank him properly!

That’s a terrible excuse. He probably doesn't care about thanks.

Then, should I go visit him because he's injured?

But she and Jiang Ming clearly aren't at a point where they visit each other casually.

What if she claimed it was for an interview—to document a "typical case of a time-management master who balances rehab and rest"?

"A true master of time management!"

That’s a good headline! Let's go! Whether they let me publish it or not is one thing, but I’ll gather the material first.

In less than two minutes, Susan had convinced herself and headed toward the therapy room with a clear conscience.

...

As she neared the therapy room, Susan saw the team doctor, Wang Ran, from a distance. He was walking out leisurely, patting his belly and humming a tune, carrying his lunch box—he was clearly headed to the cafeteria. After he had walked away, Susan reached the door, stood on her tiptoes, and peered through the glass window on the door. After confirming there was no one else inside, she pushed the door open gently.

Unlike the open therapy area she had photographed in the morning, the curtains between the treatment beds were now drawn, leaving only the hissing sound of the therapy equipment.

Worried that someone else might still be there, Susan tiptoed toward the treatment cubicle, searching quietly, feeling very much like a spy.

Before her hand could even touch the curtain, she heard a familiar voice coming from the treatment cubicle on her right.

Susan pulled her hand back, her feet seemingly rooted to the spot. She stood outside the curtain, held her breath, and pricked up her ears to listen.