Sports Medicine Master System

Chapter 369 - 309: Not Afraid You Won’t Eat, Just Afraid You’ll Have an Extra Meal

"Dr. Chen, do you mean you’ll provide some of the funding for Liu Xiang to train in the United States, have him compete less next year, and focus entirely on training for the ’04 Olympics?"

Sun Haiping stared blankly at Chen Yu, his mind a complete void.

Chen Yu nodded. "That’s more or less the gist of it. While it’s true that athletes need competition to maintain their form and gain experience, competing too frequently can also negatively affect their performance, not to mention the risk of injury. Participating in fewer meaningless competitions and focusing on training and improvement might lead to better results."

"Mm, it’s about building a solid foundation for future success."

Chen Yu thought for a moment, having found a fitting description.

Just like with Bolt, there’s no need to chase prize money by entering competitions that don’t mean much.

Sun Haiping asked dazedly, "But Dr. Chen, why would you do this?"

’What’s he after?’

’Money?’

’That can’t be it. Liu Xiang isn’t even a world champion yet, and Chen Yu is the one giving them money.’

Chen Yu shrugged and looked at Liu Xiang. "No major reason. I’m simply curious to see if, with my help, he can break the world record and create a miracle for the yellow race."

Just like with Bolt, it was pure curiosity.

’Besides, I have spare cash on hand and I’m not short on money. Is there anything wrong with spending a little to invest in my own hobby?’

’Nothing wrong with it at all.’

Forget everything else, just look at those NBA team owners, especially guys like Paul Allen. He bought the Pioneer and just mindlessly threw money at them, earning the nickname "big spender" from fans, but the man didn’t care. It was truly just a hobby he was happy to spend money on.

Chen Yu wasn’t rich enough to buy a team for fun, but what was wrong with spending a little money to satisfy his own hobby?

He was so busy every day he barely had time to breathe. All he did was make money; Chen Yu didn’t even have time to spend it.

Besides, the cost really wasn’t that high.

It was only for a year. The daily expenses in the United States, plus the venue and equipment, were all readily available. Add to that the lost prize money from not competing, and at most, it would cost him five hundred thousand US dollars.

He could earn that little bit of money back just by squeezing in a few more surgeries.

Why not give it a try and see the limits of the yellow race?

Chen Yu’s words—"a miracle for the yellow race"—made Liu Xiang’s eyes brighten considerably.

The world of track and field, especially sprinting, was basically monopolized by Black athletes. Yellow and white people were all left on the sidelines.

And no one had been able to break this pattern for many, many years.

He hadn’t thought about any lofty ideals, but he truly wanted to prove in the world of track and field that if you can do it, then so can the yellow race—or rather, the Chinese people!

"Coach, I think it’s a good idea," Liu Xiang said in a low voice.

Sun Haiping shot Liu Xiang an irritated glare. ’Of course you’d say it’s a good idea. You’re not the one paying. Who wouldn’t be happy about getting free performance improvement?’

But Sun Haiping subconsciously felt that there was a catch.

’Is there really such a thing as a free lunch?’

After a moment of thought, Sun Haiping said, "Dr. Chen, we’re very grateful for your kind offer, but this is no small matter. Not only is Liu Xiang currently on the National Team and an athlete from our Modu Sports Academy, but his training abroad would certainly require approval from the leadership. And that’s not even mentioning the most basic thing—the visa would have to be redone. So, could you please allow us some time to think this over carefully?"

"Of course," Chen Yu said. "I’ll have my lawyer draft a contract for you to look over later. Don’t worry, I’m not a human trafficker. I have no intention of selling you off. Look at him—he’s someone I sponsor. And I’m sponsoring him for four years straight."

Chen Yu pointed at Bolt.

Sun Haiping looked at Bolt in confusion. He had only just learned from chatting earlier that the 16-year-old Bolt had already become the youngest World Youth Champion, a true sprinting prodigy.

"Alright," Sun Haiping nodded.

But his nod was basically useless in this matter; it would still depend on the leadership’s decision.

And as for himself, now that he had calmed down, he felt a bit reluctant. Ever since he’d spotted Liu Xiang in ’99, he’d begged and pleaded with Liu Xiang’s family to let him bring the boy back to the sports academy to train in hurdles. In these past three years, he had poured an unknown amount of blood, sweat, and tears into Liu Xiang.

Now, handing Liu Xiang over to Chen Yu... logically, he felt it would be better for Liu Xiang, because the equipment here was better and the techniques more professional. But emotionally, he was still reluctant to let go.

Liu Xiang, on the other hand, approached Chen Yu as the group was leaving the rehabilitation center and quietly asked what would happen to Sun Haiping if he agreed. Could his coach come to the United States with him?

Chen Yu clapped Liu Xiang on the shoulder and nodded with a smile.

’The kid’s got a good sense of loyalty.’

But that was a matter for another time. Right now, the most important thing for Liu Xiang was to have his surgery and recover.

Chen Yu arranged for him to stay in Liu Yudong’s hospital room. Two guys from the same region shouldn’t feel lonely.

Liu Xiang was clearly no stranger to the "War God" Liu Yudong. He seemed very excited and even asked about Yao Ming’s situation.

Chen Yu had been keeping an eye on Yao Ming’s situation.

After that one game, in the Lakers versus Warriors match, facing last year’s rookie Troy Murphy, Yao Ming proved once again that scoring 30 points wasn’t just a flash in the pan. He was truly worthy of being the number one draft pick.

Shooting 7 for 11, plus free throws, he efficiently racked up 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, securing the first double-double of his professional career.

Having regained his confidence, Yao Ming seemed to have a breakthrough. He suddenly knew how to play, how to leverage his own advantages.

Later, against the Rocket, facing fellow rookie Nene Hilario, he used his actions to show his opponent exactly why he was the number one pick.

points and 16 rebounds, including 5 offensive rebounds, practically dominating the paint.

Yao Ming was playing better and better, his future bright. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns were facing their first bit of trouble since the season began.

It wasn’t their record.

From the start of the season until the 23rd, the Phoenix Suns had a record of 10-1. Their only loss was to the King, who were missing Bibi, on a game-winner from Peggy.

Bibi had been injured before the season even started with a stress fracture in his left foot.

It wasn’t a major issue, and he didn’t want to come to Phoenix, so he had the surgery done locally in Sacramento.

But even without him, the King were still one of the strongest teams in the league, so losing to them was normal.

After all, no one can win forever. An 8-game winning streak to start the season was already an incredible run, making countless media outlets exclaim, "Who can stop the Phoenix Suns?"

So, the Phoenix Suns’ record was fine. The problem was O’Neal.

O’Neal, wearing only his shorts, squinted as he looked down at the result on the scale.

pounds!

At the start of the season, his weight was 352 pounds.

After about twenty days of traveling for home and away games, high-intensity competition, and daily training, not only had he not lost weight, he had actually gained 7 pounds—3 kilograms!

"Is there something wrong with this scale?" O’Neal said, slapping the device.

Seeing Chen Yu’s unfriendly gaze, O’Neal immediately straightened up. "I know! It must be because I haven’t gone to the bathroom. I haven’t taken a dump since yesterday. Chen, you just wait."

He ran quickly towards the bathroom.

Chen Yu didn’t stop him. ’Fine, go ahead. Let’s see if you can take a seven-pound crap.’

Twenty minutes later, O’Neal slowly returned and nervously stepped onto the scale.

pounds!

"See, Chen? This scale is broken!" O’Neal immediately shouted.

Chen Yu took a deep breath. ’There’s a problem, alright,’ he thought, ’but it’s not the scale. It’s you.’

"Shaq, the diet plan I made for you... have you been following it strictly?" Chen Yu asked.

O’Neal immediately raised one hand. "Of course! I swear, I ate everything on the meal plan you gave me. I didn’t miss a single grain of rice."

Chen Yu was speechless.

’The problem isn’t that you won’t eat it. It’s that you’re eating it as an extra meal!’

The key thing was, he was impossible to control.

When they were with the team, Chen Yu could watch him and manage him.

But in private, who knew what he ate or drank?

Seeing Chen Yu’s dark expression, O’Neal held his thumb and index finger a tiny bit apart. "Chen, it’s just 7 pounds. A tiny little bit. I feel fine, no problem. After all, I’m way lighter than I was with the Lakers last year. And I’m so healthy, it’s fine."

He waved his hand, a look of indifference on his face.

’Fine?’

Chen Yu snorted. For a man his size, 7 pounds really wasn’t much. But was this a question of 7 pounds?

The season hasn’t even been going for a month, and you’ve already gained 7 pounds. At this rate, by the time the playoffs come around next year, won’t you be heading for 400 pounds again?

The crucial part was that he hadn’t missed any of his daily training.

Training during the regular season was a bit lighter, but with constant games, the fact that he could still gain weight could only mean he was eating a lot on his own time.

Chen Yu crossed his arms, silently calculating.

’Increasing his training load is a given.’

’But that’s not enough. Someone has to control him in his private life.’

"Shaq, I remember you said you were planning to marry Shaunie at Christmas. How are the wedding preparations coming along?" Chen Yu asked.

O’Neal’s fiancée was named Shaunie Nelson. The two had known each other since ’97, and now their first child, Sheriff, was already two years old.

Like Joumana, Nelson was also a television host, but she had long since quit her job to be a full-time stay-at-home mom.

The two were planning to get married this year. Because he was traded to the Phoenix Suns in the summer, O’Neal had bought a property in Phoenix, but it was being redecorated and wasn’t ready yet.

Therefore, Shaunie and their son were still in Los Angeles and hadn’t moved over.

Seeing Chen Yu change the subject, O’Neal breathed a sigh of relief and grinned. "She’s handling all the preparations. I haven’t been involved. Don’t worry, Chen, your spot as best man is safe."

Chen Yu rolled his eyes at him. ’Am I talking about the best man spot?’

"Shaq, what I mean is, the house renovation is finished anyway, and you still have a month. You should have Shaunie come over to properly prepare for the wedding. Besides, you’re all alone in Phoenix. You need someone to look after you, don’t you?"

Chen Yu didn’t say lonely. A star like O’Neal could never possibly be lonely.

Since he couldn’t control O’Neal himself, he could only start with the people around him and find someone who could.

If he were truly alone, he’d let himself go completely wild.

O’Neal looked at Chen Yu warily, his eyes darting back and forth.

The guy had definitely guessed Chen Yu’s intentions, but he still nodded and said, "Chen, you’re right. I’ll have Shaunie come over. Speaking of which, I miss her and Sheriff."

He was all smiles, but it was impossible to know what he was thinking.

Chen Yu sighed to himself. It seemed he had another job to add to his list this season: playing mind games with O’Neal.

’This guy’s self-discipline is just unbelievable.’

Sizing up O’Neal, Chen Yu couldn’t help but think, if he really couldn’t be controlled, he might as well just get liposuction and be done with it.

The guy was getting older, too. If he couldn’t control his weight, he was in for a world of injuries in the next few years.