[World Athletics Championships]
China’s Wu Delin is about to compete in the 100-meter final.
He can feel the Ascend he took thirty minutes ago spreading through his entire body.
Every single cell.
Every single hair.
He can feel every sensation exactly as it is.
Even the most minute, tiny changes come to him in full.
He can control his body perfectly.
A brimming sense of exhilaration wraps around his whole body.
When he first entered the competition, his final goal had only been to make it past the preliminaries.
But with a single Ascend he took before the race, he had made it all the way to the final.
Naturally, the moment he came in first, they tested him for doping.
But the result showed no abnormalities.
Of course it did.
Wu Delin had not taken any drugs.
He had merely eaten a piece of candy that improved concentration.
Ascend was not a drug.
It was a gift from God.
That was what Wu Delin thought.
With a nervous heart, Wu Delin stood at the starting line.
Having achieved a good result in the preliminaries, Wu Delin had been assigned lane 4, the best lane.
Soon, the broadcast called Wu Delin’s name, and Wu Delin raised his hand in response.
The countless Chinese spectators who had come to cheer roared.
Leaving the cheers of the crowd behind him, Wu Delin prepared to start.
On your marks
Set
Bang.
The gunshot rang out.
No, it was before the gunshot rang out, but Wu Delin could feel it.
‘Now.’
He started just a very, very little bit faster than the others.
But it was such a subtle instant that it did not count as a false start.
At the sound of the start, Wu Delin dashed forward at full speed.
And until he reached the finish line, there was no athlete ahead of him.
9.77
It was a new Chinese record, and a new Asian record.
After crossing the finish line first, Wu Delin took up the national flag and slowly circled the track.
The countless Chinese spectators who had come to cheer at the World Championships applauded Wu Delin.
.
.
.
Liu Zhuang, who lived in Kuala Lumpur, had come to watch the World Championships since morning.
He did not know much about track and field, nor was he particularly interested, but he had booked a ticket simply after hearing that Chinese athletes would be competing.
It was his day off, and he had booked the ticket with the thought that he might as well cheer them on.
Unlike the Olympics or the World Cup, the ticket price was not particularly expensive, and that helped Liu Zhuang make up his mind.
And this choice became the best choice of Liu Zhuang’s life.
“Athlete Wu Delin crosses the finish line in first place.”
“Athlete Wu Delin wins the gold medal.”
“Athlete Chen Lüxin takes first place in the women’s 200 meters.”
“In the women’s 10,000-meter final, athlete Sun Kexin is the first to cross the finish line.”
“In the men’s high jump, athlete Zhou Huihang clears 2.36 meters and wins the gold medal.”
“Athlete Li Xiaotong is recording an overwhelming first place in the women’s javelin throw. If the event ends like this, she will take the gold medal.”
“At this year’s World Athletics Championships, the performance of the Chinese athletes has stood out in particular. It seems there is some special secret unique to the Chinese athletes.”
“Perhaps the god of athletics is bestowing his blessing upon the Chinese athletes.”
Liu Zhuang wondered if track and field had always been this entertaining.
In almost every event in which Chinese athletes competed, they either won gold or were in medal contention.
There was a real thrill in cheering for them.
“Zhongguo jiayou!! Zhongguo jiayou!! Zhongguo jiayou!!”
Excited, Liu Zhuang cheered for China.
.
.
.
An emergency response meeting was being held in the conference room of the World Athletics Championships organizing committee.
It was not common for an emergency response meeting to be held during a competition.
Unless there had been an accident at the stadium, a serious issue with the operation of the events, or perhaps an international dispute or political conflict, emergency response meetings were not held during competitions.
But even though there were no such problems at all right now, an emergency response meeting had been convened.
The reason was the overwhelming performance of the Chinese team.
They had won medals in almost every event.
Chinese athletes ranked outside the top 100 were taking first place or placing near the top.
Athletes no one had expected at all were surging into medal contention.
It seemed problematic to call all of this a miracle, luck, or the result of hard work.
Everyone knew that.
But to say there was a problem with China’s overwhelming performance, they had no evidence to support it.
So they had gathered.
To find a way.
“Chairman, we can’t go on like this.”
“Then what do you propose we do?”
“We need to test the Chinese team for doping again.”
“On what grounds?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re saying we should test them again. I’m asking on what grounds we would conduct another doping test.”
“That’s…”
“If we just go to the Chinese team and say we’re going to test them again, do you think they’ll say they understand and accept it?”
“Still, shouldn’t we do something for the sake of fair competition?”
“Fine. Then let’s assume that for the sake of fair competition, we conducted another doping test despite there being no such regulation. And what if nothing comes out?”
“…”
“No, what if something does come out in the doping test? Wouldn’t that mean there was a problem with the doping test we conducted? It didn’t show up in the first test, but a drug showed up in the second. Doesn’t that mean we’re admitting that the doping tests we’ve been conducting until now were a mess?”
“It might not show up, might it?”
“If it doesn’t, the Chinese side will protest fiercely. They’ll say we nitpicked and carried out a targeted test.”
Everyone looked dissatisfied at the chairman’s words, which seemed to oppose another doping test, but it was not as if what the chairman said was wrong.
“It’s not as if I don’t find certain things suspicious myself. Even so, our organizing committee must act according to the regulations. If the regulations are inadequate, then we supplement those regulations and apply them. We cannot do it once, then not do it, then do it two or three times simply because our feelings tell us to, or because we’re suspicious.”
“Then are you saying we must acknowledge all of China’s records as they are?”
“We have no grounds whatsoever to cancel those records, do we? We find them suspicious, so we refuse to acknowledge them? Is that possible? Instead, keep the samples collected during the doping tests well preserved. They may not be illegal now, but if they are judged to be a new drug even several years later, then we can cancel the records and retrieve the medals then. For now, we operate according to the rules that exist now.”
Everyone reluctantly nodded.
Their hearts were not in it, but in reality, there was nothing they could do.
There was no regulation that could break through this situation.
.
.
.
[China sweeps almost every medal at the World Aquatics Championships.]
[Chinese athletes sweep every medal at the FIG World Cup hosted by the International Gymnastics Federation.]
[The Malaysia Open badminton tournament ends in an overwhelming victory for China.]
[ISSF Cairo Grand Prix! Once again, a Chinese athlete shoots a 10.9 and secures the gold medal.]
[Was China good at baseball too? They are recording strong results at the WBSC.]
[But what are the Chinese athletes eating like that on the bench? Isn’t that jelly?]
[I’ve seen athletes eat bananas, almonds, or energy bars on the bench, but jelly is a first.]
[I thought they didn’t eat jelly like that because of diet management, but in any case, it’s an interesting scene.]
[If this had been an Olympic year, China would have taken first place by an overwhelming margin.]
[In every sporting event held this year, Chinese athletes have achieved overwhelming results or made significant progress. It seems this has been a year in which Chinese sports have taken another step forward.]
.
.
.
Not only at the World Athletics Championships, but in every sporting event held that year, China achieved strong results.
The organizing committees suspected the Chinese athletes of doping,
but because nothing was detected in the doping tests and no regulations had been violated, they could take no action whatsoever.
However, the athletes and staff of other countries thought differently.
[USA Track & Field sends letter of protest to World Athletics. If measures against drugs are not prepared, they will boycott the next competition.]
[Swimming Australia. If a new testing system regarding drugs is not introduced, they will temporarily suspend participation in the next World League.]
[Canadian Gymnastics Federation cancels participation in Grand Prix for reasons of athlete safety. However, some say it is related to drug use by Chinese athletes.]
The athletes who had competed alongside them knew.
That was 100% drugs.
The coaches and managers all knew as well.
Even the judges were suspicious.
But there was no evidence to support it.
So they refused to stand on the same stage as China.
They were discussing new competitions in which China would not participate.
It was the point at which China began to be isolated in the world of sports.
*******
MHK Private Equity, Gangnam, Seoul.
Working-level negotiations for the sale of Daeyeon Development had begun.
Director Go Seungmin was in charge of the working-level negotiations.
“MHK will be paying the closing costs, correct?”
“Pardon? Why would we pay those?”
“Huh? That was all discussed with President Kim Changsu.”
“What did you say?”
“I said it was all discussed with President Kim Changsu. Ask President Kim Changsu.”
“No. Still, the terms…”
“In addition to that, it was also discussed that MHK would handle the costs for ‘post-acquisition liabilities,’ ‘escrow,’ and ‘transition services.’”
“What? What kind of terms are those? It already makes no sense that the sale price of Daeyeon Development is two billion won, but if we have to handle all those costs too… it might be better not to sell… Isn’t something wrong here?”
Hearing that, Director Go Seungmin spoke.
“My memory is poor, so I can’t remember your name. What did you say it was?”
“I’m Manager Park Seonghyo from the Strategy Team.”
“Manager Park Seonghyo. Does MHK just overturn things that multiple people agreed upon and decided because some mere manager doesn’t understand them? Is your company that lacking in fundamentals?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking whether a lowly manager changes things however he wants when orders have come down from above.”
“That… I think your words are a bit harsh…”
“So, Manager. If you have the authority to decide, then overturn everything and write it anew. Otherwise, shut up and write the contract. We’re both busy, so let’s not have some emotional fight over this crap. Manager Park Seonghyo!”
“Yes? Yes…”
“I left this out earlier, but if the documents you gave us differ from the due diligence results, you’ll have to bear legal responsibility for that as well. Let’s make that part clear too.”
“…Yes.”
And so, amid an overwhelming atmosphere, the negotiations ended.
Director Go Seungmin made a contract that allowed him to acquire Daeyeon Development almost for free—no, as if he were being paid to buy it.
He shifted all the costs involved in the contract onto them, and also made a contract that protected him against any additional problems or losses that might arise.
For MHK Private Equity, it was the worst possible contract.
Of course, President Kim Changsu had never agreed to such terms, but he could not refuse to sign.
He was afraid of the sashimi knife.
He did not want to hand over an arm or a leg as a penalty fee.
********
Beijing, China.
The executive meeting had ended at the State Council building.
Zhou Qiming of the Ministry of State Security, who had attended the executive meeting, was about to return when the Minister of Public Security (similar to our country’s Minister of the Interior and Safety) approached him from the side.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course I’ve been well. But what brings you here?”
“You know that candy you gave me last time and told me to try.”
“I do.”
“Could I get a little more of it? I’d like to buy some myself, but I don’t know where it’s sold.”
“Hahaha. Fortunately, I have a few more with me.”
Zhou Qiming took Ascend out of his pocket and handed it to the Minister of Public Security.
“Thank you. I won’t forget this favor.”
The Minister of Public Security expressed his gratitude and left.
But his place was immediately filled by another person, and Zhou Qiming handed Ascend to that person as well.
Most of the people who had attended the executive meeting took Ascend from Zhou Qiming.
Not a single piece of Ascend Zhou Qiming had brought remained.
Zhou Qiming once again purchased Ascend with special activity funds.
It was not out of personal greed.
It was, strictly speaking, an unavoidable action to carry out the chairman’s orders.
.
.
.
After the executive meeting ended, Zhou Qiming returned to his office in Dongcheng District.
He had been sitting in his office for only a moment when his secretary reported to him.
“The Director of the National Medical Products Administration is here.”
“Tell him to come in.”
A moment later, the door opened and the Director of the National Medical Products Administration entered.
“Welcome. It’s been a long time.”
“Have you been well?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I’ve been well. By the way, what brings you here?”
“The results of the component analysis for the candy you entrusted to us last time have come out, so I came to report them to you.”
“You could have simply sent over the documents…”
As he spoke, Zhou Qiming sensed that something was wrong.
“Please, have a seat first. Let’s sit down and talk.”
“Yes.”
“So, what is the matter?”
“Would you look at this first?”
The Director of the Drug Supervision and Administration Bureau held out the documents.
The unfolded papers were filled with complicated graphs, numbers, and symbols.
“This is the component analysis chart for the candy you commissioned last time.”
“Is there anything unusual?”
“This is… I’m not sure how I should put it, but it isn’t a narcotic, yet it contains a narcotic component.”
“What? It isn’t a narcotic, but it contains a narcotic component? What does that mean?”
“In other words, a new component was discovered. We cannot definitively classify this component as a narcotic, but the role it plays is similar to that of a narcotic.”
“It isn’t a narcotic, but its effects are similar to one? Is that what you’re saying?”
“More or less.”
“Then this could be designated as a controlled narcotic substance.”
“We’ll have to analyze it in greater detail, but… in all likelihood, yes, that would be the case.”
Zhou Qiming was startled.
No, a chill ran down his spine.
He had never imagined that the candy might contain a narcotic component.
For one thing, he had received it from Chairman Li Guoqing, so he had had no suspicions at all.
And after eating the candy, there had been no side effects to speak of.
He had felt a sense of emptiness in his stomach, but he had dismissed it as simple hunger and thought nothing of it.
And yet, a narcotic component.
The shock lasted only a moment.
He had to resolve this situation quickly.
If he did not, Chairman Li Guoqing and the State Councilors would all be in danger.
Perhaps the one in the greatest danger was Zhou Qiming himself.
Hadn’t Zhou Qiming been the one to distribute the candies?
That would make Zhou Qiming the supplier.
China had no tolerance for drugs.
As he was agonizing over what to do, unexpected words came from the Director of the Drug Supervision and Administration Bureau.
“But it is not a narcotic component listed in the regulations, is it? Since it is not a narcotic component prescribed by law, there is a difficult aspect to calling it a narcotic.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean exactly what I said. In its current state, it is not a narcotic, merely a new component. It produces effects similar to a narcotic, but that much can be found in painkillers or medicinal products as well.”
“Is that so?”
Just as Zhou Qiming was finally calming his startled heart after hearing the explanation about the candy’s components, the Director of the Drug Supervision and Administration Bureau said something else unexpected.
“Even if that were not the case, we would have to make it so.”
“What?”
“We have to make it so there is nothing wrong with this candy.”
The director’s gaze sharpened.
Seeing his face, Zhou Qiming suddenly recalled a Standing Committee meeting from a few weeks ago.
After trying Ascend for the first time, he had found the sensation so fascinating that he had shared it with several State Councilors.
It seemed that the Director of the Drug Supervision and Administration Bureau had been among those he had shared it with at the time.
The director already seemed to have become an ardent believer in Ascend.
There might be people who had never tried it, but there was no one who had tried Ascend only once.
That was the kind of candy Ascend was.
He had already become a body that could not live without Ascend.
That was why he had come in person.
To prevent Ascend from being designated a narcotic.
Zhou Qiming felt a deep bond with the Director of the Drug Supervision and Administration Bureau, though they had never been particularly close.
He seemed like a comrade in the same boat.
It was reassuring.
With a man like him at his side, Zhou Qiming felt they could build a strong and prosperous China.
“That’s right. We must make it so. Don’t you agree?”
“Of course. In any case, I will conclude the matter by stating that there is nothing abnormal in Ascend’s components. I came here to tell you that.”
“Excellent. I’m glad you came. Let’s meet often from now on.”
“Call me anytime, and I will come.”
After the Director of the Drug Supervision and Administration Bureau left, a thought occurred to Zhou Qiming.
If every State Councilor ate Ascend, perhaps the government’s ability to run the nation would actually improve.