The story behind the silver medal: Han Rilong's Hangzhou adventure
The silver light on the Circle wasn't enough to brighten up every night for North Korea's Han Il-ryong, especially on the eve of their return home. On the streets of Hangzhou, the North Korean marathon runner and his teammates are like ghosts in the city, silently weaving through the bustling crowds just to pick up some cheap clothes.
The story takes place on a sunny afternoon, when Han Illong and his teammates are in a corner of Sijiqing Market, carefully comparing the prices of each store. For them, even a T-shirt of a few tens of dollars has to be carefully considered, for fear of spending that little bit of winnings. This is not stingy, but a simple and frugal philosophy of life, a habit cultivated from an early age, after all, growing up in a country with limited resources, every penny has to be calculated.
At this time, a middle-aged Chinese shopkeeper noticed the group of North Korean athletes. They were plainly dressed and focused, but their eyes revealed an indescribable determination. The Chinese boss can't help but feel respect, these young people have to buy a few pieces of clothing for the country, which is really distressing.
"Hey, friends, how about some of this?" the boss greeted them haughtily, pointing to a pile of freshly launched sportswear. The North Korean team members smiled at each other and walked over a little embarrassed. After some selection, Han Illong chose a few simple sweatshirts and pants and was ready to pay the bill.
However, at the time of payment, the Chinese boss waved his hand, "Today you all take it, no money." Han Rilong was stunned for a moment and looked at the generous boss in disbelief. He tried to explain repeatedly that he couldn't take the clothes for nothing, but the boss insisted and just smiled and shook his head.
"You're warriors who play for your country, what is that? Take it, and I hope that every time you wear these clothes, you will remember that there are people here to cheer you on. The boss's words were simple and affectionate, which made Han Rilong's heart warm. They thanked softly in Korean, their eyes moistened.
In fact, Han Illong's performance in the Asian Games was moving enough. On the day of the race, his running shoes were so worn out that they were almost unusable. Despite this, he stubbornly completed the entire race and won the silver medal in a stunning way. At that moment, he not only won the honor of the competition, but also won the respect and sympathy of the audience.
At the medal ceremony, Han Il-ryong clutched the glittering silver medal tightly, his eyes flashed with a complicated light. Yes, this silver medal is not only a victory in the tournament, but also an affirmation of his indomitable spirit. He represents not only himself, but his country, his people, and all those who still hold on to their dreams in the face of hardship.
On his last day in Hangzhou, Han Rilong embarked on the road back to China with a deep appreciation for the city. At the moment when he was about to leave, he looked back at the bustling market, and his heart was full of hope for the future and cherishing friendship.
And for the generous Chinese boss, his small gesture may be just a moment of kindness, but for Han Illong and his teammates, it is a warm memory for a lifetime. This is not only a story about gold medals, but also a story about the glory of human nature, and a beautiful intersection of sportsmanship and human truth.
No matter how bumpy the road ahead is, Han Ilyong will remember the warm moments in this foreign country and the friends who helped him in difficult times. This memory, shining like a silver medal in his hand, will always illuminate his way forward.