The commentator stood up and exclaimed excitedly, "Yin Jiayi didn't catch that ball!"
"The two sides fought fiercely for three games, reaching 22 points before a winner was decided. It was an unparalleled and exciting match. In Xie Shi'an, I saw the shadow of Yin Jiayi in the past, and I also saw the future of our national badminton team."
He paused slightly as he spoke, and then the voice of the event organizing committee came through his earpiece.
After listening to the explanation, the commentator's face was filled with surprise and delight.
"We have just received news that the infrared speed measuring device on site has confirmed that Xie Shi'an's highest ball speed has reached 350km/h, breaking the women's singles world record set by Yin Jiayi at the World Championships."
"From today onwards, I can say that a new star has risen in the world of badminton."
"A golden carp is no ordinary fish; it will transform into a dragon once it encounters wind and clouds!" [1]
"Let's congratulate Xie Shi'an and the Binhai Provincial Team on securing the only qualifying spot in the Eastern Division and successfully advancing to the National Finals!"
These words ignited the atmosphere, instantly garnering over a million views on the live stream platform, with the chat flooded with comments:
"Xie Shi'an, awesome."
"Congratulations to Xie Shi'an and the Binhai Provincial Team."
"The Chinese national badminton team has a promising future."
...
Her name also became a trending topic overnight.
For some reason, listening to the cheers around him and seeing everything happening in front of him, Zhou Mu felt a little like crying. He wiped away his tears while clapping and celebrating for her.
"Waaaaah, this is great! We've finally made it to the finals!"
Jian Changnian's eyes were slightly moist. After the referee announced the result of the match, he was the first to rush up and hug her.
The other teammates also gathered around, and they lifted Xie Shi'an up and tossed him into the air.
They cheered, jumped for joy, and shed tears of excitement.
Yan Xinyuan stood outside the arena, watching this scene, his eyes slightly moist, but a gratified smile appeared on his lips.
Before he could be happy for long, Jian Changnian pulled him in, and everyone grabbed his legs, trying to lift him up.
"Hey, you little brats, you've really gone too far! Daring to touch the coach, you'll be waiting for this when we get back!!!"
Qiao Yuchu stood on the second-floor stands and burst out laughing. As she laughed, tears welled up in her eyes.
That's great, Shi'an, really, that's great.
With everything settled, she felt relieved.
Qiao Yuchu sniffed, wiped away the tears on her face, and said to the team doctor standing behind her.
"Let's go to the hospital."
In a post-match interview, Xie Shi'an faced so many cameras and microphones for the first time.
The reporter asked her, "Now that you've defeated Yin Jiayi, what are your thoughts?"
The boy raised the trophy he had just won and bowed deeply to the camera.
"I want to thank my coach, teammates, and everyone in the Binhai Provincial Team. This honor of being the top team in the East is the result of everyone's joint efforts."
"Thank you so much."
After finishing their post-match interviews, the group didn't go out for dinner but rushed to the hospital immediately.
Orthopedic clinic.
The doctor was wrapping a bandage around Qiao Yuchu's wrist and said softly, "Avoid strenuous exercise in the near future..."
Before he could finish speaking, the door was flung open, and Xie Shi'an stormed in, exuding a chill.
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
Qiao Yuchu quickly stood up and said, "Shi'an, what brings you here?"
Xie Shi'an walked straight to her side and looked her over carefully.
"I've finished playing, so I came to see you."
Jian Changnian peeked in from behind and raised the trophy in her hand, shaking it.
"Ta-da! I also brought the trophy. Once Sister Yuchu sees this, the pain will definitely go away."
Qiao Yuchu exclaimed softly, gently stroking the line of small gold characters engraved on the base of the trophy, her eyes filled with lingering affection.
First place in the Eastern Division of the 19th National Badminton Championships.
very nice.
Yan Xinyuan also came in: "We rushed over right after the match. How's the injury?... "
The team doctor and the physician exchanged a glance.
"You twisted it, but as long as you don't do any strenuous exercise recently, it should be fine."
Yan Xinyuan breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good. We've all had a long day. Let's go get something to eat together."
Qiao Yuchu put her arm around Xie Shi'an's shoulder and walked out.
"What delicious food did Coach Yan prepare?"
"Beef hot pot, haven't you been wanting to eat it for a while now?"
"It would have been better if you hadn't mentioned it, but now that you have, I'm starving."
Although she was smiling, Xie Shi'an always felt that there was something hidden beneath that smile; young people are sensitive and suspicious.
"Are you really... alright?"
Qiao Yuchu let go of her and spun around in place.
"Look at me, I'm perfectly fine now, aren't I?"
Xie Shi'an looked intently into her eyes.
I mean, your hands.
Qiao Yuchu used the gesture of putting her arm around her shoulder to cover up the pain that flashed across her eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely be better before the finals. Then we'll dominate the competition."
Jian Changnian jumped up, all smiles, completely without guile.
"I agree! Shi An alone can beat Yin Jiayi, and with Sister Yu Chu added, she could beat ten Yin Jiayis!"
Thanks to her witty remarks, Qiao Yuchu burst out laughing, and Xie Shi'an also showed a faint smile.
"Stop flattering me, we almost lost today."
As they walked further and further away, Yan Xinyuan did not follow, but instead lagged behind with the team doctor.
As the group left the hospital, Qiao Yuchu got into the car and was quite surprised to find that Cheng Zhen and Zhou Mu were also there.
"What are you two doing here too?"
"We came to see you. Besides, your team won today thanks to me, the captain of the cheerleading squad. My voice is hoarse from shouting."
Cheng Zhen teased.
"Oh, stop joking around, Yu Chu, how's your hand?" Zhou Mu asked with concern, looking at the bandage on her hand.
Qiao Yuchu found a seat and smiled.
"It's nothing, I just twisted it, it'll be fine in a few days."
Xie Shi'an also sat down next to her.
"I think Orange Juice is just pretending to visit you, but really wants to freeload a meal."
"Hey, I was cheering you on the whole time during your competition, and I even called the whole swimming team over. What's wrong with having a meal with you guys?"
Jian Changnian looked at him with a smile.
Zhou Mu blinked and looked at him.
Cheng Zhen was completely confused: "W-what are you doing?"
Jian Changnian looked around: "There are no seats left on the bus."
"Ah—then why did I have to give way?" Before Cheng Zhen could finish speaking, she was dragged and pulled by Zhou Mu, who was sitting next to her, and Xie Shi'an, who was on the other side.
Zhou Mu, Xie Shi'an, and Jian Changnian all said in unison, "Because you're the extra one."
Jian Changnian had barely settled into her seat when Yan Xinyuan jumped in, sat in the front passenger seat, and glanced back.
"Is everyone here?"
A teammate raised his hand and laughed, "Report, there's one more."
Yan Xinyuan turned around and saw Cheng Zhen squatting in the car, and he smiled.
"It's alright, we're practically acquaintances, let's have a meal together. Hold on tight, driver, let's drive."
The city lights flowed past his eyes, and the carriage was dimly lit. Xie Shi'an gently rested his head on Qiao Yuchu's shoulder.
Qiao Yuchu turned her head to look at her: "Tired?"
Her eyelashes fluttered, as if she were half asleep.
"Hmm." Xie Shi'an responded softly, still feeling uneasy after thinking it over. He gently hugged her arm, like a child, eagerly seeking reassurance from her.
"I'm still worried. Are you really... alright?"
Qiao Yuchu looked at her intently. The neon lights outside the carriage flashed by, and their reflections were mirrored in their clear pupils.
She smiled gently.
"Shi'an, when have I ever lied to you?"
From childhood to adulthood, Qiao Yuchu has always granted her every request. She would never agree to something she couldn't do, but she would always do what she promised.
Xie Shi'an had been waiting for her to say those words.
The boy smiled and nodded emphatically.
"Um!"
Qiao Yuchu touched her head with her uninjured hand and leaned her on her shoulder.