CHAPTER 984: CHAPTER 568: TORMENT BEFORE THE FINISH LINE (PART 2)

What a pity, it’s over now.

Due to running too fast, Wu Yunzhi’s stamina was largely depleted, and his steps became heavy, as if filled with lead. Every step required immense effort, and his breathing became rapid.

His initial lead advantage gradually disappeared as other competitors ran past him.

Wu Yunzhi clenched his teeth.

What was left for him, only his pride, and this pride supported him to keep moving forward.

Not long after, the sport student Tao Nian ran past him with light steps.

Tao Nian saw Wu Yunzhi’s disheveled state and felt a great sense of joy. He adjusted his breathing and shouted, "Brother, what’s up with you, keep running!"

Wu Yunzhi was so exhausted that he couldn’t even speak.

"GO! GO! GO!"

Tao Nian cheered him on but seeing Wu Yunzhi still not struggling, he shook his head and overtook him, leaving him with a nimble back view.

Soon, Dan Kaiquan passed by, gave a glance at the panting Wu Yunzhi but said nothing, quickly surpassing him and heading towards the leading group of competitors.

Wu Yunzhi watched their backs with a heart full of helplessness and unwillingness!

If he hadn’t run so fast at the beginning, he definitely wouldn’t have ended up like this!

He hadn’t lost; he just didn’t allocate his stamina properly.

"There’s still a chance!"

Wu Yunzhi delusively tried to muster some extra energy, but unfortunately, he was already completely exhausted.

Before long, another familiar figure passed by.

Wu Yunzhi took a look and found that it was Jiang Ning and that girl!

The two maintained a steady pace, and particularly Jiang Ning was chatting and laughing with the girl, showing no signs of fatigue at all.

In contrast, Wu Yunzhi was utterly battered.

What made Wu Yunzhi even more angry was that they ran past him without even glancing at him.

This complete disregard was even a more severe blow than Tao Nian’s earlier taunts.

After his pride was utterly ignored, it became vulnerable.

Wu Yunzhi was infuriated: "Damn, what’s so great about that? Try winning a prize then!"

"Damn it!"

He took a deep breath, prepared to make one last dash, to struggle a bit.

Amusingly, he couldn’t sprint at all.

Too tired, Wu Yunzhi decided to give up resistance.

...

At 8 kilometers.

Due to the reporters’ interviews, some time was delayed, and Xue Yuantong noticed the marathon award team emerging.

She didn’t want to eat with the large group, so she and Chuchu headed towards the next refreshment stop.

At the 10 km refreshment stop, there was sweet and sandy cool cake that Xue Yuantong found filling, and she only ate a little bit.

But she did take some grilled squid and fried egg dumplings.

At the 12 km mark, there was delicious meat sandwiches, and Xue Yuantong and Chuchu shared one, then had some braised tripe...

"So happy, it’s like a banquet!" Xue Yuantong laughed with delight.

Xue Chuchu stood in front of the seafood pot, silently nodding.

Luckily, she listened to Tongtong’s advice, otherwise she wouldn’t have this current joy; she regretted eating breakfast.

The volunteers had already reached the 12 km mark.

While Wu Yunzhi’s steps stopped at the 5 km mark, he tidied his clothes, wiped the sweat off his forehead, trying not to look so disheveled.

Then, Wu Yunzhi took a bowl of ice jelly at the refreshment stop and stood by the roadside eating.

A few minutes later, Shang Wanqing arrived at the refreshment stop, and seeing Wu Yunzhi, a slight confusion flashed on her face.

’Wasn’t he going for the championship?’

’Why is he here?’

However, Shang Wanqing didn’t foolishly ask him directly. With a reserved smile, her sweet voice floated out:

"Brother, are you waiting here for me?"

Wu Yunzhi stepped forward, smiling brightly like a Husky: "I thought about it, and compared to the championship, it’s more important to accompany you."

...

This marathon race, passing by Hu Qi Mountain.

Tens of thousands of participants gazed at Hu Qi Mountain along the way, seeing its peaks faintly appearing and disappearing within the clouds.

The sunlight pierced the misty clouds, forming golden rays of light that beautifully contrasted with the mountain’s verdant green, leaving people breathless with its beauty.

Tourists from other places marveled at Hu Qi Mountain’s beauty, expressing their desire to climb it after the competition.

Then they were informed by the locals that the mountain was contracted by Evergreen Liquid for raw material cultivation, and no one was allowed to enter.

Someone lamented: "Evergreen Liquid is too strict!"

People in Yuzhou City said: "It’s necessary to maintain strict confidentiality; what if the raw materials fell into foreign hands and they copied our formula?"

Evergreen Liquid is rooted in Yuzhou, employing many locals there, offering high salaries and comprehensive benefits, making them staunch supporters of Evergreen Liquid. They hope nothing happens to it, as where else would they find such good jobs?

Midsection of the Marathon team.

Yang Sheng looked at the contestants ahead, knowing that if she didn’t speed up now, it would be hard to win a prize.

Just as she had this thought, she noticed Jiang Ning quickened his pace slightly, and she stepped up to follow.

"Stick close to me," Jiang Ning said softly.

Yang Sheng: "Don’t worry."

Jiang Ning took the next step, his body brushing through the air, colorless Spiritual Power extended from his arms, forming a pair of invisible wings.

The wings fully expanded, their feathers slowly unfolding, gradually fending off air resistance until finally, all wind resistance was completely blocked.

Yang Sheng realized her steps had become much lighter, and when she slightly increased her speed, it surprisingly wasn’t as exhausting.

The two of them moved closer to the first echelon at the front.

kilometers, 12 kilometers, 15 kilometers...

Class 8 group chat.

Jiang Yanan suddenly spoke: "Did you guys just see Jiang Ning? He was caught on video just now!"

Yu Wen: "Didn’t see, is he participating in the race? Yanan, could you be mistaken?"

Jiang Yanan: "I wasn’t mistaken, he’s quite at the forefront."

Chai Wei, noticing Jiang Yanan’s excited tone, glanced at the TV at home, the camera now focusing on the leading participants, most of whom were black, with only one being Asian.

Chai Wei messaged: "Abandon fantasies, embrace reality."

...

The half-marathon is 21 kilometers in total, yet at the 20-kilometer point, there were even more people than at the finish line.

The crowd was dense, surrounding the barbecue stalls.

This grill was constructed of steel bars, on which a flat piece of wild boar was being roasted.

The originally 50-pound wild boar, after processing, transformed from an oval shape into a flat rectangular one. This huge piece of meat was threaded with a few steel rods, then tightly bound with wire through its ribs, secured on the rack over charcoal fire.

Sculpted by the flames, the meat took on an enticing reddish-brown color, the fat boiling over the fire released a sizzling sound, some dripping down, some permeating into the meat fibers, emitting a rich aroma.

The aroma wafted from the grill, permeating the air, carried far and wide by the gentle breeze.

The scent seemed to possess a kind of magic, capable of instantly igniting people’s taste buds, making mouths water.

It was a primal and intense temptation, impossible to resist, attracting spectators within a two-mile radius, drawing them closer.

Faced with such temptation, people’s reactions varied; some closed their eyes, inhaling deeply, as if wanting to absorb all the fragrance into their lungs.

Some had their eyes sparkle with desire, eager to taste, even wanting to rush into the competition grounds.

Over a hundred security personnel formed a human wall, barely resisting people’s surge.

One well-dressed man shouted: "I’ll pay, I’ll pay!"

Many others silently salivated.

Finally, the barbecue master picked up a spice bottle and began sprinkling spices, chili powder, and sesame seeds over the roasted meat.

After sprinkling, he quickly took down the roasted wild boar and placed it on an empty rack nearby.

The crowd grew even more restless.

The barbecue master sliced off a piece of meat, tasting it first. He closed his eyes, his expression one of complete intoxication. With just one bite, he experienced the utmost enjoyment.

Shen Qing’e was standing quite close, her older sister beside her, exclaiming: "It’s so fragrant!"

Shen Qing’e marveled: "Evergreen Liquid’s chefs are amazing."

In the distant crowd, Li Shi was outraged and cried out: "He is a barbecue master, is that for him to eat?"

Lin Zida drank a sip of purified water, easing his craving; the aroma was so delightful, comparable to last time at the rural tourism establishment when he encountered Jiang Ning’s roasted rabbit.

Last time, despite Lin Zida’s high self-discipline, he had a hard time resisting, shamelessly went to find Jiang Ning.

Let alone the ordinary bystanders who hadn’t tasted much gourmet food, the temptation they faced was unimaginable.

In the midst of everyone’s torment, several pink electric bikes approached from afar, led by Chen Siyu.

Li Shi’s lips moved, an array of emotions flashed across her delicate face—surprise, astonishment, reluctance. Finally, she complexly said: "Is it still in time to sign up as a volunteer?"