Chapter 473: Chapter 222: How Can Anyone Compete? Isn’t This Just Asking to Be Beaten? (Part 2)

The roles of team leader, deputy team leader, and secretary are also appointed after a rigorous selection process.

After registering his identity, Jiang Tao is now officially a member of the Ping County running group.

The prerequisite for the mission [Bringing Glory to the Team] is to first become a member of the Ping County running group.

"I have received the registration information for this health run."

"Although there are no foreign athletes, there’s a well-known running circle celebrity broadcaster from Shishi and his apprentice."

As they chatted, the conversation naturally turned to topics related to this health run event.

Although Huo Chenyang, the team leader, is not an official, he has many connections within the system.

Getting the competitors’ information in advance isn’t a difficult task.

"Is it Fang Yunpeng and Jia Feng? If they participate, our chances of placing will be even smaller."

Upon hearing Huo Chenyang’s words, Peng Xiaotong’s expression immediately turned a bit somber.

Huo Chenyang also said with some frustration:

"If we can’t earn any ranking at Ping County’s first-ever health run event, it’ll be quite embarrassing."

Improving running results is a long and slow process; wanting a rapid improvement in a short time is extremely difficult.

While it’s not impossible, it’s definitely rare.

Huo Chenyang is still self-aware.

He knows he definitely can’t outrun Fang Yunpeng, not even Fang Yunpeng’s apprentice, Jia Feng.

This mentor and apprentice are very famous marathon bounty hunters in Shishi, frequently participating in marathons nationwide.

They join races while broadcasting live, making quite a name for themselves.

Fang Yunpeng’s marathon personal best is 2 hours and 23 minutes, making him one of the top experts in the domestic marathon field.

Jiang Tao follows a running broadcaster on Kuaishou called Taisho, who’s on par with his level.

His apprentice Jia Feng’s marathon personal best is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Huo Chenyang’s marathon personal best is only 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Among public runners, finishing a marathon in under 3 hours is considered elite among elites.

But compared to professionals like Fang Yunpeng, this score is inadequate.

Peng Xiaotong’s marathon personal best is over 3 hours, and she is striving to break 3 hours.

The pressure these mentor-apprentice duo places on the Ping County running group is enormous!

However, there’s nothing that can be done about it.

To reflect the Olympic spirit of fairness and impartiality, all marathons are open to all running enthusiasts globally.

They don’t even restrict the nationality of participants.

It’s not like you can prevent participants from other provinces just to win first place in your own event!

"Haha, but this time Jiang Tao has joined us, maybe we can secure a place."

"By the way, Jiang Tao, what’s your 15-kilometer personal best?"

Bai Yulan looked at Jiang Tao and asked with a smile.

"A week ago, I did an LSD long-distance run over in Beijing, ran slightly more than 15 kilometers, and the watch showed 43 minutes."

Jiang Tao showed a thoughtful expression, recalling while searching for the record on his phone’s exercise log.

"How much...how much?"

"43 minutes?? Is...is it for 15 kilometers? Are you sure it wasn’t 10 kilometers!"

"15 kilometers in 43 minutes? An average pace of under 3 minutes!"

Upon hearing Jiang Tao’s words, Bai Yulan, Huo Chenyang, and Peng Xiaotong all stared at him in shock!

This morning, seeing Jiang Tao run, they already thought he was skilled.

But they never imagined he’d be this extraordinary!

Turns out, during the morning jog, you weren’t giving it your all, just running aerobically??

"Found it, there’s a slight discrepancy, it’s precisely 43 minutes and 13 seconds."

Jiang Tao spoke while showcasing the history from his fitness watch to everyone.

Distance of 15.03 kilometers, time of 43 minutes 13 seconds, with an average pace of 2 minutes 52 seconds!

"Running 15 kilometers at a 2:52 pace!"

"Oh my god, this is..."

Huo Chenyang and Peng Xiaotong were once again stunned by the record displayed on Jiang Tao’s fitness watch!

If...

If Jiang Tao’s record is accurate and the watch isn’t broken.

His result could be considered top-tier globally!

If he can maintain this level, he might win the first Ping County health run!

"Impressive, impressive, never thought you’d be a god-level runner, Jiang Tao!"

Unlike Huo Chenyang and Peng Xiaotong, Bai Yulan wasn’t overly surprised but looked at Jiang Tao with admiration.

Running enthusiasts naturally get along with those who share the same interests.

There’s even more admiration towards those who excel in running.

"Jiang Tao, this mission of bringing glory to Ping County is now on you!"

Although it’s hard to admit when others outperform, Huo Chenyang could only smile and offer his congratulations in the face of such disparity.

If their scores were similar, he certainly wouldn’t boost Jiang Tao’s morale while diminishing his own in front of Peng Xiaotong and Bai Yulan.

But when there’s a huge difference, Huo Chenyang couldn’t even think of comparing himself to Jiang Tao.

Why compare when it’s bound to end poorly?

"Impressive, impressive! Our Ping County running group now has a nationally top-tier runner! Go, Jiang Tao!"

Peng Xiaotong began to look at Jiang Tao as if he were her idol.

Handsome, great physique, and incredible at running!

Practically Ping County’s Mo Farah!

"I’ll try my best."

Jiang Tao, although confident, kept his words modest.

No matter how confident you are, there’s always the possibility of unexpected outcomes, which would be embarrassing.

After completing the team enrollment and discussing the first health run, they idled for a little longer.

Around 10 a.m., Huo Chenyang and Peng Xiaotong said their goodbyes and left.

With just Jiang Tao and Bai Yulan left in the office, Jiang Tao initiated the conversation:

"Sister Bai, there’s something I need to say, but it might offend you. However, given our relationship, I can’t stay silent."

"What’s so mysterious? If you’ve got something to say, just say it straightforwardly."

Bai Yulan laughed, looking at Jiang Tao with a "don’t beat around the bush" expression.

"I noticed Sister Bai seems to have signs of financial loss recently."

"Is there any anomaly in the hotel’s finances lately?"

Jiang Tao wasn’t afraid of offending Bai Yulan’s cousin Bai Jianfeng mentioned in the intelligence.

They’ve never met nor have any relationship.

Exposing him poses no psychological burden for Jiang Tao.

"Financial anomaly?"

Hearing Jiang Tao’s word, Bai Yulan frowned slightly.

When Bai Yulan Hotel opened, her cousin Bai Jianfeng came along to the hotel.

Roles like finance, a core position, must be entrusted to someone completely reliable.

Thus, Bai Jianfeng became the finance manager of Bai Yulan Hotel, a position he has held for over a decade.

Bai Yulan paid him a monthly salary of 20,000, which is considered high in a small county like Ping County!

Over the years, Bai Jianfeng was able to buy a house, get married, and purchase a car thanks to his income from Bai Yulan Hotel.

Of course, Bai Yulan knew it’s hard for the finance department to be absolutely clean.

If Bai Jianfeng pocketed an extra 10,000 to 18,000 a month, she would turn a blind eye as if she didn’t see it.

"Could the financial loss Jiang Tao mentioned be related to this?"

In this case, Bai Yulan really wouldn’t care.

"Haha, thanks for the reminder, Jiang Tao. I’ll check on it later."

Knowing Jiang Tao’s reminder came from kindness, she thanked him with a smile and changed the topic:

"What else? Did you only see financial loss?"

"Sister Bai, have you been having trouble sleeping lately? I noticed your circulation seems a bit off."

Jiang Tao’s statement was a "universal comment," suitable for anyone.

Bai Yulan nodded, "Lately, I have had some insomnia, often not able to fall asleep until after midnight."

[Ding! Congratulations on triggering the special mission [Insomnia Terminator!]]