38 The Water

” Ms. Fang Li, you have won the gold medal at the 21st national archery competition. After breaking your previous records and becoming the best female Archer in the country, how do you feel about it?” The reporter asked.

Fang Li, who was standing in front of a bunch of reporters and was giving her interview after winning the gold medal at the competition, smiled when she heard the question.

She subtly touched the gold medal that was hanging around her neck and smiled at the camera and the reporter before answering, ” Hmm....How do I feel about it?”

“Maybe...hungry? Our coach had promised us to treat a feast tonight if I won the gold medal. So I am waiting for him to fulfill his promise and take all of us to eat something delicious. Something expensive!” She said, which caused all the reporters to erupt into laughter.

Athlete Fang Li is not only known for her incredible archery skills in competitions and record-breaking performances, but also for her witty responses as well.

She is just 25 yet she knows how to handle the media at the finest. As if she is made to stand in the limelight.

Her witty answers in the interviews are one of the reasons why she is so popular among the public.

” Ms. Fang Li, are you aware of the nickname ‘The Knight of the Nation’ that the public has given you? What do you think about it?” Another reporter asked.

” Yes. I have seen many comments calling me the Knight of the Nation. However, I don’t think this nickname fits me that well.” She said which caused all the reporters to look at her curiously, hoping she would say something controversial.

.....

” Ms. Fang Li, why do you think so?” The reporter threw another question at her, which caught everyone’s attention.

While the reporters were excited and curiously waiting for her answer, her coach who had been standing behind her all this time, face palmed himself in embarrassment.

‘This girl never fails to create trouble for me.’

Fang Li glances at all the reporters who were looking at her expectantly and chuckled, ” Because they did not add Pretty in front of the name. Don’t you think ‘The Pretty Knight of the Nation’ suits me better?” She smiled and posed cutely for the cameras, causing all the reporters to burst into laughter once again.

As expected, Fang Li!

While they were in the midst of an interview, a group of officials approached Fang Li and disrupted the interview.

” STOP THE INTERVIEW. NO MORE INTERVIEWS FOR TODAY.”

” Ms. Fang Li, you have to come with us and give a sample for the random doping test.” The man asked seriously which caused all the reporters to be ready with their cameras and microphones to capture the drama.

Fang Li frowned at the cold and indifferent tone of the people who were happily congratulating her a while ago. What changed all of a sudden?

The coach stepped in front of Fang Li and asked, ” Is there any problem? The competition has already ended, what do you need Fang Li for? Why the doping test all of a sudden?”

The man in a formal suit looked at the coach and then the reporters before saying, ” We have to take her for a random doping test. She has been suspected of consuming the banned substances which have helped her to outperform all the athletes and set a new record in the history of national archery competition.”

Fang Li was baffled at the words of the man. ” Is performing well a crime these days? Just because I outperformed all the other athletes and set a new record, does that mean I cheated and used the banned drugs to enhance my performance?”

” It’s not even my first time winning a competition nor winning a gold medal. What made you suspect my performance?” Fang Li was in disbelief as it was her first time going through something like this.

She has won the gold medal but the loud whispers of all the noisy reporters and suspicious gazes of the officials were making her feel uncomfortable as if she is unworthy of this gold medal.

The officials could have asked her for the test by taking her to the side but they disrupted the interview and created a scene in front of all the reporters.

Whatever the results will be, the media got a chance to play with her reputation for a while.

They were waiting for this chance the whole day long, and they got one.

__

” Ms. Fang Li, if you do not cooperate with us, then you will be banned from the national archery competition for four years on the suspicion of doping. Are you going to continue to act this way?”

The coach pursed his lips and patted Fang Li’s shoulder and said, ” Don’t say any word. Let’s go with the test for now. It’s going to be negative anyway.”

Fang Li sighed heavily and agreed to the test. She has no other option anyway.

” You all better apologize to me after it comes out as negative.” She eyed the officials who were treating her as a cheater already.

She has worked hard all around the year and never missed her training and workout, even on the holidays when everyone went back home to celebrate the festivals with their families.

Yet their few words turned her into a cheater already. However, she will not allow anyone to look down on her or her hard work.

___

“WHAT? ARE SURE YOU CHECKED IT CORRECTLY? HOW CAN THE RESULTS COME OUT AS POSITIVE?” Fang Li exclaimed in disbelief when the officials revealed the results to her.

” FORGET ANY BANNED DRUGS, I DIDN’T EVEN EAT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE FOOD AT THE MESS CANTEEN. HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT IT CAME OUT AS POSITIVE?” Fang Li confronted the officials as she tried to explain her side.

Getting tested for doping not only suspends an athlete from sports and training for four years but in the worst cases, they could be banned for life.

However, that’s not the only issue. Since Fang Li is popular among the public, this news will affect her public image the worst, making her a villain in front of all the people who were calling her the knight of the nation. If she were to be banned for four years, it would be difficult for her to make a proud comeback again.

Who will take her on their team after she was charged with doping at a national-level competition?

__

The coach pulled her to the side and asked seriously, ” Fang Li, tell me honestly. Did you take any drugs before the competition? Because the percentage of the banned substance found in your blood is quite high.”

” It does not look like a mistake this time.” The coach asked seriously. ” If not the drugs, then...did you eat or drink anything before the competition?”

Fang Li pursed her lips and tried to think about what she had consumed before the competition.

” Other than a banana in the morning, I did not eat anything before the competition. You know I don’t eat anything before competitions.” She said honestly.

” Then did you drink anything? Or has someone given you anything to eat or drink? Because even if you did not take it yourself, there are chances that someone might have spiked your drink.” The coach suggested.

Because he has trained Fang Li himself. He knows that she does not need drugs to perform better because there is not a single game where she does not give her best.

” Other than the water I did not-” Fang Li swallowed her words when the realization hit her.

‘THE WATER’

##

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