In a marathon, the supplies along the route are extremely important for the athletes.
Due to the long distance and duration of a marathon, it imposes very strict demands on the body,
so timely energy replenishment is necessary.
Typically, event organizers provide water and drinks every 5 kilometers or 2.5 kilometers in the first half,
and add energy supplies like gels and bananas in the second half.
After meeting these basic supply needs,
many cities add local specialty foods to the supplies along the route,
showcasing the city's unique features and local customs.
For the showcased food itself, it's a huge promotional opportunity.
However, when it comes to food, Nanjiang City... isn't very impressive!
It doesn't have anything particularly outstanding, and instead, it's famous for its beer,
otherwise, it wouldn't host a beer festival every year to attract tourists.
But still...
Even if Nanjiang City's food isn't great, would they really choose our star sugar cookies?!
Chen Jianhai was stunned, looking at Yang Ruying,
after a long while, he quietly asked:
"Section Chief Yang, are our star sugar cookies really suitable?"
Yang Ruying laughed at Chen Jianhai's reaction.
"Suitable! Absolutely suitable!"
"In the dessert sales data for Nanjiang City over the past three months, Langai Hotel's star sugar cookies have consistently ranked first."
"If star sugar cookies aren't suitable, then nothing else would be!"
Chen Jianhai was secretly amazed.
He had been focusing on Xiaomajia Island Hotel,
not realizing that Xu Bo and the baking team at Langai Hotel had been doing such an outstanding job promoting the star sugar cookies.
"If the city chose our cookies, it's an honor for us!"
"Whatever the city needs, we will cooperate!"
Yang Ruying nodded with a smile, "Thank you, Boss Chen."
...
At Langai Hotel,
Xu Bo hung up the phone and lightly punched Baking's shoulder,
"You really did it, buddy!"
"Haizi just called. Your star sugar cookies have been selected as the main refreshment for the Xiaomajia Island Marathon."
"For now, put the new dessert development on hold,"
"Focus all your efforts on preparing for the marathon!"
Baking looked at Xu Bo in disbelief, "Really?! Did the boss really say that?!"
Xu Bo smiled, "Yes, it's true!"
Baking: (;;;)
As he laughed, Baking suddenly frowned,
"Star sugar cookies should be improved."
"Eating crumbly cookies while running doesn't seem very safe…"
"I'll see if I can make them into soft cookies."
...
As the promotion for the Xiaomajia Island Marathon Friendship Race continued,
more and more people bought tickets to Nanjiang and booked island hotels for pre-race rest.
Langai Hotel, being a five-star hotel directly connected to the island hotels,
welcomed a new wave of guests.
Fortunately, the "Mr. Sweetheart" crew had finished filming a few days earlier, giving Langai Hotel a bit of a breather.
Otherwise, it would have been a real challenge.
For a while,
the number of runners increased on the coastal road in Nanjiang City and the starry coastal road on Xiaomajia Island.
Some even greeted each other warmly when they met,
"Are you here to run 'Xiao Ma' too?"
...
Yanan City, Chunyang Province.
In a high-end office building.
"I'm very sorry, the hotel is fully booked, and there are no available rooms."
"Thank you for your understanding, goodbye~"
Xing Yusen listened to the "beep beep" on the phone,
utterly confused.
The team leader had said the "Mr. Sweetheart" crew left last week.
Why can't he still book a room now!!!
Just as he was getting frustrated, a message popped up:
"Old Xing, I got in!!!"
"I got the re-sign for 'Xiao Ma'!"
Xing Yusen frowned at his phone and replied:
"What is 'Xiao Ma'?"
"Dingdong," another message arrived:
"The Xiaomajia Island Marathon!"
"Luckily, I booked the hotel early thinking I'd get in; otherwise, I'd be stuck in a small inn."
Xing Yusen was stunned.
When did Nanjiang City get a marathon competition!!
He quickly opened his computer and searched for "Xiaomajia Island Marathon,"
The more he looked, the more disheartened he felt.
For such large-scale events, if you don't book a hotel in advance,
forget about staying,
you probably won't even find a room in an inn.
… Why run now of all times! You're killing me!
Xing Yusen was almost in tears as he dialed the chief examiner's number again.
"Chief, can we postpone the assessment date…"
"I really tried, I've tried until I'm exhausted."
"No, I wasn't slacking!!!"
"It's just that there really aren't any rooms available…!"
...
"Ladies and gentlemen, ahead is our destination, Xiaomajia Island. Through the lens, we can see that this island is very beautiful!"
"As the vanguard of 'Creating Charming Nanjiang and Developing Island Tourism,' we're eager to see what surprises Xiaomajia Island will bring!"
"Please stay tuned with me!"
On the luxurious Ocean Star cruise ship, a strong, big-eyed young man was livestreaming with his phone.
His name was Sun Chicheng.
He's a legendary figure in the marathon world of Chunyang Province, having placed in the top three in events like "Duma," "Fengma," and "Jiaoma."
So, for this Nanjiang City Xiaomajia Island Marathon, the organizers specially invited him to be a commentator and provide live coverage of the "Xiao Ma" race.
On a lounge chair on the deck,
a young man with shoulder-length hair and glasses was rapidly sketching on an iPad with a stylus.
Although the Ocean Star cruise was very stable,
there were occasional bounces,
but the young man's hand holding the stylus was incredibly steady, seemingly unaffected.
Finally,
after finishing the current scene of the cruise and ocean,
the young man abruptly closed the iPad and shut his eyes.
He pinched his temples,
nearly vomiting from dizziness.
Although his hand was steady, he couldn't handle the rocking of the boat!
His name was Tang Tangtang, a well-known contracted webcomic artist and a participant in the "Xiao Ma."
He was currently illustrating a light novel,
and the plot had just reached the point where the male lead takes three girls on a boat to an island for a trip.
So,
Tang Tangtang didn't hesitate to book a room at the island hotel online, preparing for an immersive experience.
Suddenly,
the dizzy Tang Tangtang's gaze fixed on a spot not far away.
Two girls in pretty dresses were chatting happily by the railings,
their hair tousled by the sea breeze,
the girl with shoulder-length hair gently reached out,
her fair fingers brushing her companion's black hair,
gently tucking a stray lock behind her ear.
The two laughed and hooked pinky fingers, their bright eyes looking toward the horizon, their smiles as radiant as the sunset.
Tang Tangtang: !!!!!
Wow!
His dizziness vanished, vision cleared, and strength returned to his hand!
The next moment,
Tang Tangtang opened his iPad, and his hand flew over the screen with his pen…
Ah!
I'm amazing!
I've written 500,000 words already.
I'm incredible!
I'm the best!!!
Thank you to those who have accompanied me through 500,000 words, mwah mwah mwah~~~