QTIMP -Chapter 314 Character Persona – Vain (Part 8)

The three adults who were parents exchanged glances. They did indeed know that several children had gone to play at the stadium. After all, children couldn’t keep secrets, and they had learned some details through casual conversations.

However, they had also gone there to take a look before. Seeing that there were quite a few people playing inside, they didn’t pay much attention to it.

Now that this woman had brought it up, they were quite surprised.

Wang Cui poured a cup of hot water and placed it in front of her. “Are you talking about the little daughter of the Si family, Si Qiu?”

The woman thanked her and nodded.

Si Yangui had been doing business outside for some time, so he had met many kinds of people and understood some ways of speaking. He asked, “So, besides learning figure skating, are there any other requirements?”

The smile on the woman’s face became much more genuine, but in the next moment, it carried a hint of difficulty.

“Mainly, it’s about figure skating. If a child wants to achieve results in this field, it depends not only on the child’s talent but also on how much effort and resources are invested into them. You should understand that…”

“Some sports require a huge amount of investment in the early stages, but whether the child can actually achieve results is still unknown. This is also why many people don’t support their children choosing this path.”

“After all, the sunk costs are too high. It’s not something an ordinary family can afford.”

She was not one of those unscrupulous people who lured children in and then ignored everything afterward.

After hearing her words, Si Yangui nodded, then turned to look at Si Qiu.

“Qiuqiu, do you want to learn? If you like it, just say so. Don’t worry about money. Dad will find a way.”

Si Qiu herself wasn’t worried about money, but she knew that if someone wanted to achieve results in sports, they would inevitably have to endure hardships.

When Xue Li heard Si Yangui say this, her eyes lit up. She turned to look at the little girl sitting obediently to the side.

Suppressing her urge to pinch the child’s adorable little face, she softened her voice and said:

“Baby, you were absolutely dazzling on the ice rink. You have a great talent for this. As long as you study hard, aren’t afraid of hardship, and aren’t afraid of being tired, you will definitely achieve glory on the competition stage in the future.”

She didn’t really care about anything else, but the word “glory” struck straight at Si Qiu’s heart.

It was as if she had been bewitched. She couldn’t help but nod vigorously in agreement.

Si Yangui understood his daughter very well. Seeing her reaction, he couldn’t help but rub her head.

“Alright, if you want to learn, then go ahead. But weren’t you studying at Old Man Bai’s traditional Chinese medicine clinic at the street corner? If you start learning figure skating, I’m guessing you might not have time to go there anymore, right?”

The traditional Chinese medicine clinic at the street corner was an old-established shop with nearly a century of heritage. The storefront wasn’t large, and since communications weren’t as developed back then, its reputation wasn’t particularly widespread.

However, Si Qiu knew that Old Man Bai was quite capable. Moreover, the old man had taken a liking to Si Qiu’s talent in medicine and had tried several times to take her as his disciple.

Si Qiu had always refused. The main reason was that she disliked dealing with doctor-patient relationships. The events of her first life had left her frightened, so even though Old Man Bai introduced Si Qiu to everyone as his apprentice whenever he met people…

The truth was that Si Qiu was relying entirely on the foundation she had accumulated from her previous lives. She hadn’t really put much effort into studying medicine.

But even without putting in much effort, whenever she had free time, she would still go over there.

The main reason was that with her being there, Si Yangui felt reassured.

Besides, Old Man Bai truly treated her well.

But now she was going to learn figure skating. In the future, she would definitely have no time to visit anymore. If Old Man Bai found out, who knew how angry he would become?

Seeing that Si Qiu was truly determined, Si Yangui turned back to Xue Li.

“Coach Xue Li, hello. Then I’ll bring her to register tomorrow?”

“Of course, of course. Bring her over tomorrow. I’ll be waiting for you at the city sports stadium. When the time comes, just rest assured and leave the child with me.”

As she said this, she seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at the Meng couple.

“I think your children could also learn speed skating. If you want them to learn, I can recommend someone to you.”

When the couple heard Xue Li say this, they were initially delighted. But after recalling what Xue Li had just said, their hearts sank again.

They simply did not have the ability to support their children. The annual expenses were tens of thousands of yuan.

However, when they turned around and saw the hopeful looks in their two sons’ eyes, they found themselves caught in a difficult position.

At this moment, Xue Li spoke again.

“Speed skating costs a little less than figure skating, but for two children together, it would still cost around fifteen thousand yuan a year.”

Meng Dazhu took out a cigarette and wanted to light it, but Wang Cui gave him a shove, so he just held the cigarette between his lips and stopped looking for a lighter.

However, his face was still full of worry.

“How about we let the children follow along and learn for one or two years first, and see how it goes? If they really have talent in this area, then even if we have to sell everything we own, we’ll find a way to train them. If they don’t work out, at least we’ll know we did everything we could. We can borrow some money if needed and slowly pay it back later.”

Wang Cui did have hopes that her sons would achieve something great. But her two boys were already in second grade, and in every exam, they ranked second-to-last and third-to-last.

The main reason was that the child who always came last had some intellectual difficulties. Because of that, she felt that sports might be another path for her sons. Otherwise, ending up doing heavy labor like their parents in the future was not something she wanted.

Hearing his wife say this, Meng Dazhu suddenly slapped his thigh.

“Alright, let’s do that. Then we’ll trouble Coach Xue to help recommend them when the time comes.”

The couple both knew that if they missed this opportunity, they might never get another one.

After all, even if they wanted to send their children to learn later, they would not know where to start or who to ask.

This time, Coach Xue was willing to help because of Xiao Qiuqiu. They would just endure a few difficult years and let their children give it a try.

Xue Li had not expected things to go so smoothly. She thought she might have to spend a lot of effort persuading them and even come up with other solutions, such as finding sponsors or helping them find extra work.

It was already getting late, so they saw Coach Xue off.

Meng Wen and Meng Wu jumped down from their stools and bounced around happily.

“Yay! I’m going to learn skating! In the future, I’m going to become an Olympic champion!”

“Me too, me too! I’m going to win a gold medal someday!”

Seeing how happy the children were, the three adults also felt joyful, even though they knew how many difficulties lay ahead.

The next day, the group drove over to find Coach Xue.

After arriving, Coach Xue first introduced the Meng family of four to a speed skating coach whose surname was Song.

Then she took Si Qiu through various tests before helping her complete the enrollment procedures.

By the time everything was finished and they came out, the Meng couple had also brought their children out.

Unlike the children’s excitement, the Meng couple felt their hearts ache.

“You two have to study hard. You need to know that those skating boots are really expensive.”

“That’s right. And the training uniforms, protective gear, and everything else… a whole set costs as much as your dad earns in two months.”

The two boys nodded and promised.

Si Yangui walked over and asked, “Brother Meng, Sister-in-law, what did Coach Song say about your boys?”

A smile appeared on Wang Cui’s face.

“The coach did some kind of physical examination for the children and said that their physical conditions and all that were pretty suitable. Then they did all kinds of tests. We didn’t really understand them, but basically, this one was qualified, and that one was pretty good too. Knowing our family’s financial situation, the coach said that in the early stages, they could use roller skating as a substitute, and then train on natural ice rinks. Later, when they enter the provincial team or national team, there will be various subsidies, and by then we’ll save money.”