Chapter 6, Opening Ceremony

Today traffic was very good compared to other Mondays. There weren't many cars on the road, the few cars rode smoothly. In one flashing latest sports car sat a middle aged man Lan Yifeng and his nephew Lan Xueyou. Lan Xueyou has copper red hair, which usually covers half of his face, slicked back hair, round glasses, red eyes, an iPad in his hand.

He was wearing a black jacket with a white collared shirt tucked inside and a navy pants. He dressed more like a professor than a sports student.

"Are you sure about this? As an honor computer science student, you should've joined a program that focuses more on technology studies," said the older man, Mr Lan: "Why did you choose to join the youth sports program?" he inquired again.

Lan Xueyou, slightly narrowed his eyes and responded in a monotone tone, "You don't have to worry about this, uncle. My dad made the arrangement. According to him, I'm lacking something in my data research and programming; therefore, he recommended me to join the youth sports program to gain inspiration from my fellow age groups."

"I don't understand your father. How can someone improve their programming skills by attending a camp that has nothing to do with the subject? Does he know that there will be lots of unruly and arrogant kids? There's nothing for you to learn from there."

Mr. Lan couldn't understand his brother's way of thinking and he sighed deeply, "Just tell me if you want to transfer, I'll talk to your dad."

Lan Xueyou paused for a second and looked into his uncle's deep brown eyes, "There's no need. My dad has his own considerations. If I want to surpass him someday, I need to follow those steps." He replied.

Mr Lan nodded his head and drove on. The father and son duo are the same, they're both unreasonable. But he couldn't help being curious. What kind of person would send their own son who is on a programming scholarship to a sports program? It's just like telling a rat to eat a cat.

"Xiao Xue, now that your father has decided to send you to the youth sports program, does he want you to play sports?" He asked curiously.

Lan Xueyou pondered, "Most likely; but... I've only practiced for two months. " His voice sounded dull and he didn't seem pleased at all.

Mr Lan was shocked after hearing what his nephew had said. "That's impossible!" he exclaimed. The idea of Lan Xueyou not being an athlete wasn't so far-fetched.

In fact, as someone who spends most of his time in the laboratory, it was normal for him not to be a good athlete but to only practice for two months and yet join a competition, isn't that just asking for an humiliation?

"Are you serious? Are you serious?! The children at the camp are training to become a national team. A newcomer like yourself won't be able to survive." Mr Lan became increasingly confused by the minute as he drove on the busy streets of S city, where people were going to and from. "Is it that you haven't experienced failure, so your dad makes the arrangement for you to gain experience?" Mr Lan was amused.

Xiao Xueyou didn't seem to realize his uncle's joke and said slowly in a serious manner. "Don't worry, uncle. I won't fail nor will I lose. Dad said he won't let me miss out on my youth any longer."

Mr Lan nodded in understanding: Everyone loves smart and clever kids, but just because of adults, kids shouldn't miss out on their youth.

The car drove on the outskirts of the city as Lan Xueyou observed his surroundings. They arrived in front of a huge building with a large glass entrance.

The Youthful Age of Youths logo hanging at each corner of the sign. The logo is a white tiger.

"Here we are", Mr Lan stated while parking the car.

"Have a good first day. You've been isolated from your peers for years. If you can't get along with them and have a difficult time, tell your uncle. Uncle will take care of it." Mr Lan instructed his youngest nephew while walking towards the large main entrance of the camp.

Lan Xueyou didn't think he would need his uncle's help for things like that, but he still nodded and followed his uncle through the gate. The security identified his ID before allowing him to enter. Families and guardians weren't allowed to enter, so Mr Lan had to attach Xueyou name cards to his suitcases and left them with the security.

There were lots of participants walking around the camp; they were in big and small groups. Some of them were wearing their camp t-shirt, while others dressed casually. And few sitting in the waiting area.

[The opening of the East Youth camp is about to begin. Please put on your camp pass before entering the Tiger building for the start of the ceremony.] The voice of the monitor echoed throughout the camp capturing everyone's attention.

"Where can we get the camp pass?"

"Beats me, I have no idea."

"It wasn't distributed at the gate."

"Why don't we go to the Tiger building? They should be distributing it there."

"Good idea."

As soon as Lan Xueyou entered the hallway he felt overwhelmed; the atmosphere was so much different from home. Everyone was so lively, it was very loud, different from the quiet research room, lab and library. So loud that he found it a challenge to remain calm.

He tried to breathe deeply and slow down. Then he walked forward and stood on the line for his camp pass. There were a lot of participants so the camp was considerate by sending ten staff to give out the camp pass in alphabetical order.

[Welcome to the "Youthful Age of Youths," 3045 at East Sports Camp! The Camp entering ceremony is about to start. Dear students, please enter the Tiger building with your camp pass.]

"The pass has our name and dorm number on it. So cool!"

"I feel like I have an identity now. Haha"

"I entered the camp today, training starts!"

"Go for it! Go for it! Go for it!"

"With so many participants, it is a shame that only few will remain at the end."

"I wish to be part of the few standing at the end."

"Let's go, bye bye."

The boys were chatting with each other.

They put on their camp passes and enter the Tiger building.

So Luxurious!

They were mesmerized by the design of the auditorium. The Tiger building turns out to be a huge auditorium. The seats were labeled with name tags. Everyone got their own seat by following the names.

With over a hundred participants, that was the easiest way to get everyone in order quickly.

When they were all seated, the monitor started. [Dear trainees, pay attention! Dear trainees pay attention! ] Once everyone has quiet down, the monitor continues:

[Let's Welcome our five champions coaches who will be guiding you through your training for the next five months. Welcome your coaches Zhu Ning, Yin Shun, Ye Liushui, Gu Ruoyun, and Xue Peng ] The stage curtain opens, revealing five handsome men in suits standing there. The participants began to applaud.

The five coaches are all popular individuals in the sports industry. Some have won over four to five championships and are very recognizable. When the youths saw their idols that were far from reach, standing right in front of them, they were so excited that they didn't know where to put their feet and hands.