Cycling: Racing into the Headwind

"Bro, what about me? What about me? I want a present too!!

Did you get me anything good?"

Although Huang Lingshan was still shouting this, she was already holding the flavored yak jerky Huang Chong had brought back from the Tibetan plateau and gobbling it down.

Huang Chong truly doted on his younger cousin. He reached out, ruffled her hair, and reminded her with a smile,

"I bought twenty pounds of jerky, so don’t eat it all yourself. Remember to share some with Xiaocong and the others.

Also, I had this string of Celestial Pearls custom-made for you by a local master craftsman in Lhasa when I was training there. It cost a fortune. Here, it’s for you!"

Huang Lingshan was a Gemini. Aside from being terrible at her studies, she loved just about anything fun or interesting.

So, she absolutely adored a handmade accessory like the Celestial Pearl necklace. She immediately hung it around her neck and started jumping up and down.

"Bro, I knew you dote on me the most!!!

I’m taking the Celestial Pearl to school tomorrow to show it off to my girlfriends. They’re going to be so jealous!!

Did you know a ton of girls in my class have a crush on you? They told me I had to get them your autograph.

Can you sign some for me later? I have photos of you in my schoolbag. I already promised them!"

Huang Chong was exasperated, scolding her with a laugh.

"How old are you? Can you stop being so flashy all the time? And autographs? No way!

Besides, Xianyun Middle School doesn’t allow jewelry. Be careful or your homeroom teacher will confiscate it.

If you lose your present, I don’t have a second one for you. You can just go cry into your pillow then."

Hearing her cousin refuse to sign autographs, Huang Lingshan’s lip immediately jutted out in a pout.

She grabbed Huang Chong’s right arm with both hands and started shaking it wildly, begging in a pitiful voice,

"Nooo, Bro! I already told them I could definitely get them autographs!

You can’t let your little sister lose face in front of her friends—

Please? Just ten. How about it?

I know scarcity makes them valuable, so just ten! I won’t ask for a single one more!!"

Huang Chong didn’t even have to guess. This sly little girl must have already gotten something in return from them, like copying their homework. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be trying this hard.

But in truth, he had no intention of actually refusing her request. He just deliberately rejected it, saying,

"No way. Hurry up and eat. I’ve been on a high-speed train all afternoon, and I’m starving!"

At his words, a clever idea popped into Huang Lingshan’s head. She immediately changed her tune, enthusiastically getting Huang Chong a bowl of rice and piling food onto his plate.

In short, she made it clear she wouldn’t rest until she got what she wanted.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was full of warmth and laughter as the family ate together.

But all meals must come to an end. After Huang Chong had eaten his fill, signed the autographs for Huang Lingshan, and sent the little girl home, Liang Xiaomei finally asked,

"Son, you came back this time because you have something to tell us, don’t you?

Last year you didn’t come back until the New Year. Is everything going well with work?"

Huang Chong nodded and replied with a smile,

"Everything’s great, Mom. I came back this time because there’s been a change with my job, and I wanted to tell you and Dad about it."

"What kind of change? Just tell us. It’s not like your father and I wouldn’t support you, right?"

Liang Xiaomei was actually very perceptive. When her son had called a few days ago to say he was making a special trip back, she had a faint feeling she knew what it was about.

If it were just a simple job transfer, he could have explained it over the phone. There was no need to make such an arduous trip back home.

Hearing this, Huang Chong hesitated for a moment before speaking candidly.

"Dad, Mom, I’ll just be straight with you.

The truth is, my current competitive level isn’t being challenged by domestic races anymore. And you know how I was recently competing against top-tier teams from Europe in Guangxi.

They think my skill level meets their standards, so a lot of top teams have extended invitations, asking if I want to go race in Europe.

And about this... Coach Han from the National Team, my current team’s Coach Li, and Director Zhang from the provincial team all agree that I should join one of those teams and try to develop my career in Europe for a few years. It’s the best way to improve my skills.

Of course, I want to go too, so I wanted to ask for your and Dad’s opinion!"

Hearing this, Liang Xiaomei couldn’t help but exchange a glance with her husband. She fell silent, but her mind was racing. ’Just as Xiaocong said, our son was destined to go to Europe after all.’

Huang Yuda saw his wife fall silent and look to him. He could only gather his thoughts before speaking slowly.

"Well—Son, your mother and I suspected that you coming back this time was probably about going abroad to advance your career.

Back when you were competing in the Asian Games, Xiaocong was home from college on break. He watched your race with us here and told us a lot about the sport of road cycling.

He said you were at a very high level and might eventually join one of those top-tier World Tour Teams.

We just didn’t expect you to reach that level so quickly—

You’re a grown man now, a college graduate. We don’t really understand these career matters and can’t help you much, so you should make your own decision. We’ll definitely support you.

But what your mother and I are worried about is that you don’t speak any foreign languages. Won’t it be difficult to communicate over there?

And which country are you going to? Is it decided? When are you leaving?"

Hearing his normally taciturn father speak at such length, Huang Chong knew that his dad had probably turned these words over and over in his mind countless times.

’Ah, "While your parents are alive, do not travel far. If you do travel, you must have a clear destination."’

’The ancients really weren’t kidding.’

But in truth, he had no answer for his parents’ worries about the language barrier himself.

Of course, he couldn’t let his own anxiety show, or his parents would be up all night worrying.

He could only force a carefree smile and say,

"It’s decided, Dad. The team I’m joining is in Germany. It’s called the Bora Team.

And as for the contract and all that, Coach Han from the National Team had professionals help me negotiate everything.

As soon as I arrive in Germany, he’s also arranged for staff stationed there to accompany me to the team headquarters to sign.

As for the language, the team will definitely provide a dedicated translator. I’ll just learn as I go while I’m cycling. I should be able to adapt quickly!

As for when I’m leaving, the team wants me to wrap up my personal affairs and head over as soon as possible to finalize the contract. After that, I’ll have to join the team’s winter training.

You know how it is with athletes. You can’t go too long without training, or your competitive level will drop!"

Hearing Huang Chong’s explanation, Huang Yuda had nothing more to say and replied directly,

"Mm, since the leaders of the National Team are helping you arrange everything, it must be reliable. You can go abroad without any worries.

You don’t need to worry about your mom and me. We’ll take care of ourselves.

When you have free time, remember to send your mom messages on WeChat and check in every now and then to let us know you’re safe and where you are.

Just don’t go too long without getting in touch."

Huang Chong, of course, had no objections and agreed to everything.

Finally, with his family’s support, he began to pack his bags, get his passport in order, and book a flight to Shanghai.

Because there was a direct flight from Shanghai to Frankfurt.

As for the visa application, work documents for German customs, and so on, Coach Han and the Bora Team had already provided and prepared everything for him well in advance.

Before heading to Shanghai, however, Huang Chong called Chen Junyi to update her on the situation.

When she had dropped him off at Dewey’s house, she had specifically told him to give her a call after he had talked things over with his family.

Huang Chong wasn’t a complete idiot; he knew that her saying this meant she was willing to go to Europe with him ahead of schedule.

In the end, after receiving his call, Chen Junyi booked a seat on the same flight to Germany.

They flew for nearly twelve hours, and by the time they landed, they were in Frankfurt, Germany.

After they left the airport, staff members stationed in Germany, arranged by Coach Han, were there to pick them up. They had them rest at a hotel for the night before taking them to the Bora Team Headquarters the next day.

The team manager of the Bora Team had personally witnessed Huang Chong’s prowess during the Tour of Guangxi. Seeing him arrive now, he greeted him warmly, extending a hand with a smile.

"Welcome to Germany, Huang! And thank you for your trust, and for choosing to join us at the Bora Team!"