Chapter 11: Reputation

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Zhang Song could no longer continue speaking, but Li Quanyuan had already grasped the implication behind Zhang Song’s words—that the world champion was still worth competing against!

Indeed, the nation had risen, and the fervor for ordinary gold medals was no longer as intense, even bordering on madness, as it had been ten or twenty years ago.

Yet the crucial point was that this gold medal was in athletics—

As the most straightforward and visceral of sports, an athletics gold medal was undoubtedly the most prestigious at the Olympics, without equal.

This gold medal symbolized the limits of human potential! It represented what humanity could achieve.

The original sprinting champion Liu, winner of the 100-meter hurdles, had shaken all of Asia and even the world! He became a beacon for the Yellow Race.

If, if it were possible to produce an athletics champion…

No matter for the school, the province, the country, or even the world… it would carry an exceptional significance.

“Alright then, this student… I’ll look into it,” Li Quanyuan said after a deep breath, though even for him this was no small matter.

“What a pity…” Zhang Song suddenly expressed regret, “If only we had discovered this child earlier, started training him from a young age! Perhaps the last athletics gold medal would have already been ours.”

“The best time for a person to train and grow stronger is during youth… Now, even with training, it’s already too late. At best, he could barely break a world record.”

Li Quanyuan: “…”

Listen to yourself—are you even speaking humanly?!

…

10 p.m.

Chu Zhu lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The sounds of his roommates playing online games drifted into his ears.

He was unable to sleep, not because of the noise—he was used to that—but because of the lingering effects of his dreams.

“A dream come true… What am I supposed to do in the future?”

“To uncover the truth of ancient Chinese civilization? That’s a given! To develop in the real world? So, I need to bring over popular novels, songs, and other things from another world, then get rich?”

“Or, simply break a world record in the real world, and as long as I maintain the right stance and don’t commit any unforgivable acts… I could easily get a bunch of endorsements and make a fortune? Hmm, that sounds easier than copying novels and songs?”

Chu Zhu’s thoughts raced. The golden opportunity had truly arrived; wealth and status seemed within reach. The future he had dreamed of during his youthful delusions appeared attainable—yet at this moment, he felt no excitement.

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Lin Xia’s words lingered persistently in his mind.

“If it is truly the future, if there really will be war… if everything is really destroyed… then, is that catastrophic event happening in my generation… or is it further ahead?”

Lost in thought, Chu Zhu gradually slipped into a half-awake, half-asleep state, eventually falling asleep.

…

“Good morning, Jing’an City.”

Chu Zhu stepped out of his home, stretched, and scanned the familiar surroundings, silently counting down, “Three, two, one!”

A basin of water crashed to the ground next door, drenching a passing bald elderly man who let out a shiver. He wiped the water from his head angrily, shouting up to the apartment above: “Who did that? Don’t you have any decency? Come down here! Not even an apology? Where are you, damn it? Don’t let me find out who you are!”

“First stop, the bank?” Chu Zhu cheerfully set off.

Passing pedestrians wore a mix of coarse homespun clothes, Western-style suits, Zhongshan jackets, ancient Tang dynasty robes, and even some flamboyant outfits.

This place resembled a massive cosplay scene, blending elements of the past, present, and future.

A steam-powered automobile roared past him, its chimney spewing steam, adding a unique steampunk charm to the world.

The buildings along the street were no more than four stories high, many of them shantytown renovation housing.

A few simple frames and cloth canopies made up individual dwellings. People queued in long lines at communal water taps, while others went to public restrooms to empty chamber pots.

“Good morning, Mr. Zhu!”

“Oh, it’s Boss Zhu! Blessings upon you.”

“Brother Zhu, you helped our family so much the day before yesterday! Come have dinner at our place tonight?”

Recognizing Chu Zhu, people’s faces brightened as they greeted him. Their voices attracted even more attention…

“Brother Zhu, had breakfast yet? Want a couple of baked flatbreads?” At Yang’s Baked Goods Shop, a stout elderly man hurriedly pulled some freshly baked flatbreads from the oven and caught up to Chu Zhu to offer them.

He looked to be in his forties or fifties; the cloth wrapped around his head was soaked with sweat, and the lines on his face reflected a hardworking life. Though much older than Chu Zhu, the address “Brother Zhu” was uttered without hesitation or fear—only respect and warmth.

Those waiting in line at the bakery were not upset by this.

Some even bowed slightly to Chu Zhu with gratitude.

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Chu Zhu simply nodded calmly and accepted the flatbreads.

“...You, Yang Sanlang!” The chef from the neighboring wonton shop popped out, grumbling, “You’re quick to snatch them away.”

Yang Sanlang—more properly Yang Sanye—stood tall, shooting a sidelong glance at the wonton chef with pride.

“Master Zhu, come have lunch at our place today!” The noodle shop’s chef called out; his kitchen faced the street, and he waved as Chu Zhu passed by.

“I’ll come if I have time,” Chu Zhu replied with a nod, saying no more and walking away. His seemingly impolite behavior did not disappoint others.

Clearly, he commanded great respect in this area.

In his dreams, Chu Zhu’s timeline roughly synchronized with the real world.

For example, the real-world Chu Zhu was a university student, and in the dream world, he was about seventeen or eighteen.

He grew up bit by bit in reality… likewise, he experienced childhood, adolescence, and youth in the dream world. He grew up little by little there too!

With his dream-resetting ability, he had once done many reckless and extraordinary things!

He had helped many people and eliminated many others…

After all, to him, resetting was like loading a saved game.

But precisely because he once treated it like a game reload, in the dream’s main timeline… Chu Zhu strove to be a positive influence, a good kid. Others didn’t see him as a ruthless killer.

As for why people treated him this way… when he was eleven or twelve, due to chaotic surroundings and frequent hunger, he used his intelligence advantage to stir up conflicts among several gangs rampaging in the renovation district, manipulating the fighters to drive the gangs out…

He also set up a small grassroots self-governing organization, constantly experimenting and refining it until it gradually improved and spread to other renovation areas.

Well, that was when he was eleven or twelve—nothing too serious. At thirteen, tired of handling too many things, he completely let go!

Thus, he had a minor, insignificant reputation within the renovation districts.

Just as he finished two flatbreads, Chu Zhu stepped out of the renovation district.

The scenery changed drastically!