Love Me in Another Universe

Chapter 106. Xuchen's Father (4)

July 13, 2001, Friday Just past ten o'clock that night, the Guan family sat glued to the TV, holding their breath in anticipation of the final announcement.

On the screen, Mr. Samaranch of the International Olympic Committee opened the envelope, glanced at it, and then declared in a solemn, clear voice, "The Games of the twenty-ninth Olympiad in 2008 are awarded to the city of - - Beijing."

"Fantastic!" Guan Xuchen jumped to his feet, clapping enthusiastically like the crowds in Moscow and across China, and shouted, "Long live Beijing! Long live China!"

"Xuchen, keep your voice down. Don't disturb the neighbors." Mrs. Guan smiled and chided her son, then joked, "Otherwise, people might think the Olympics are being held right here at our house!"

"Well, they are basically being held at our doorstep!" Guan Xuchen retorted, sounding a little miffed, "Even though Beijing is kind of far from Guangzhou..."

"Having the Olympics in China is definitely something to celebrate." Mr. Guan exchanged a smile with his wife, then turned to his son with a hint of confusion and asked, "But Xuchen, why are you so thrilled about it?"

"Of course I am!" Guan Xuchen replied, gesturing excitedly with his hands: "With Beijing hosting the Olympics, the Three Olympic Questions have finally been answered perfectly!"

"What are the Three Olympic Questions?" Mrs. Guan looked puzzled.

"They were three questions raised by students of Nankai Middle School in the early 20th century." Guan Xuchen explained earnestly, "Namely: When could China attend the Olympics? When could China win an Olympic championship? When could China host the Olympics?"

Guan Xuchen paused briefly, then went on, "Back in 1932, Liu Changchun became the first Chinese athlete to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics. Then in 1984, also in Los Angeles, Xu Haifeng won China's first ever Olympic gold medal." "Now Beijing is going to host the Games in 2008." "All three of China's 'Olympic Questions' have been perfectly answered!"

"Xuchen, you know so much!" Mrs. Guan gently patted her son's arm and praised him with a warm smile.

"Of course he does! Our Xuchen has inherited the best of both your genes and mine." Mr. Guan teased his wife, then turned to his son and said jokingly, "Now I know all about China's Three Olympic Questions." "But I have my own 'Three Questions for Guan Xuchen'. I wonder when you'll give me some perfect answers?"

"What are the 'Three Questions for Guan Xuchen'?" Guan Xuchen looked completely bewildered.

"The 'Three Questions for Guan Xuchen' are:," Mr. Guan said with a broad grin, "When will Guan Xuchen become successful? When will he settle down and get married? And when will he carry on the Guan family line?"

Mrs. Guan laughed when she heard her husband's words, then smiled affectionately at her son and added, "That's right, Xuchen! I'm also eager to see you answer these Three Questions soon — don't make us wait over seventy years like we did for the Three Olympic Questions!"

"Mom, Dad! We were talking about Beijing winning the bid... how did this turn into a discussion about me?" Guan Xuchen chuckled embarrassedly, then quickly changed the subject, "It's past ten. I'll go make my bed first."

A moment later, Guan Xuchen emerged from his room, looking surprised. "Huh? Why does the bed feel sturdier now? It doesn't creak anymore..."

"Good thing it doesn't wobble or squeak now," Mr. Guan explained with a satisfied look. "I took your bed apart and fixed it up a couple of days ago."

"Oh, Dad, you shouldn't have gone to all that trouble!" Guan Xuchen said anxiously, "It wasn't a big deal if the bed shook a little and creaked sometimes..."