"I like it, it looks great. When I go out with my buddies, they always take silly or ugly pictures of me."
Zhou Mu chuckled.
"We're out of photographic paper today. We'll take more pictures for you another day."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered that he was going to a training camp.
"Oh, no, you're going to training camp. We'll wait until you come back from training camp. Oh, still no, you're going to the competition after training camp."
Although the long winter break meant they couldn't see each other, which made her a little frustrated, she still smiled and encouraged him.
"Good luck in training camp and in the competition!! If I have time, I will definitely go watch your match!"
Cheng Zhen also laughed.
After crossing the bridge, there was a downhill path, and the boy's clothes were fluttering in the night wind.
"You too, good luck on your exam!"
Zhou Mu nodded emphatically: "Yes!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the car turned sharply, the back seat swayed, and Zhou Mu, a little scared, cried out and tightly gripped his clothes.
Cheng Zhen smiled and said, "It's okay, just hold me if you're scared."
In the darkness, the girl blushed slightly, her fingers loosening their grip on his clothes and slowly wrapping around his waist.
***
On the way back, everyone was exhausted, and the only sound in the carriage was even breathing.
Xie Shi'an also leaned on Qiao Yuchu's shoulder and dozed off.
Using the neon lights that flashed by outside the carriage, Jian Changnian browsed through the photos Zhou Mu handed her, one by one. There was Qiao Yuchu wearing a birthday hat and blowing out candles, Cheng Zhen with cake smeared all over her face, her funny selfies with Zhou Mu, and a group photo of the Binhai Provincial Team.
Scrolling to the last photo, you'll find not only photos taken at a birthday party, but also a solo photo of Hsieh Shih-an on the field.
The boy leaped high, his white clothes fluttering, his long arms outstretched, full of vigor and spirit. It was the shutter she pressed when she scored the final blow to Yin Jiayi.
For some reason, Jian Changnian felt a desire to preserve this moment forever.
She glanced at the back of Xie Shi'an's head, who was sitting in front of her, fast asleep. She looked around and saw that no one was paying attention to her.
Like a thief, Jian Changnian quietly unzipped her backpack, took out her diary, and tucked the photo inside. After doing all this, she let out a long sigh, and even her palms were covered in a thin layer of sweat.
She was much more nervous than she was on the field.
The next day, the Binhai Provincial Team had a day off for a short rest, and Jian Changnian took the opportunity to visit her grandmother in the hospital.
She used her salary and prize money from the competition to pay off part of the medical bills she owed to the hospital.
The cashiers at the window all know her.
"Our dean said there's no rush to pay back the money; treating patients and saving lives is the priority. Oh, by the way, I watched your match..."
The young woman looked on with envy.
"Is Xie Shi'an on your team? Can I have an autographed photo of her?"
Jian Changnian immediately shrank back when she thought of Xie Shi'an's icy face, and changed the subject with a laugh.
She returned to the ward, put down the fruit she was carrying, drew back the curtains, and glanced at the weather outside. It was a bright and sunny day.
"Grandma, the weather is so nice outside, let's go for a walk."
She helped her grandmother into a wheelchair, then pushed her downstairs. The two of them strolled slowly along the winding path in the hospital park, basking in the sunlight.
As she walked, Grandma saw children running on the grass and patients in blue and white hospital gowns strolling with their families.
Grandma turned around and glanced at Jian Changnian: "Niannian..."
Jian Changnian understood: "You want to take a walk, right?"
Grandma nodded.
Jian Changnian helped her slowly get up. After walking a few turns between the two trees, she tried to let go of her hand, took a few steps back, and reached out her hand to her grandmother again.
"Grandma, try walking slowly to me."
Nearly a month of bed rest left the elderly man's limbs somewhat stiff, making it even more difficult for him to walk without assistance.
Jian Changnian patiently encouraged her.
"Grandma, don't rush, take it one step at a time, keep going, you can definitely do it!"
One step, two steps, three steps.
Although the old woman walked very slowly, her steps were steady. When she held her grandmother's hand again, she couldn't help but cheer and hug her tightly.
"That's wonderful, Grandma! That's wonderful! You can finally... walk again!"
Jian Changnian's mood was just like the sunshine at this moment; she firmly believed that no storm was insurmountable.
Their future will be as bright as the weather today.
***
Even though he had a rare day off, Xie Shi'an didn't stay idle and went to the training room to play ball.
She and the teaching assistant were going back and forth, while Qiao Yuchu sat beside her, holding a bottle of water, watching her back, lost in thought.
Yan Xinyuan sat down next to her.
Aren't you going home?
Upon hearing this, Qiao Yuchu snapped out of her daze, looked down at the bandage on her hand, and shook her head.
"No, I'm afraid my mom will worry if I go back."
Injuries are common for athletes, but they always became her excuse to retire. Qiao Yuchu didn't want to go home and face her at this critical moment, but just because she didn't say anything didn't mean that her mother wouldn't know. After all, the live broadcast clearly captured the scene of her falling.
Qiao Yuchu's phone, which was placed to the side, kept lighting up and then turning off, all displaying the same name: Mom.
She had already muted it.
Yan Xinyuan patted her on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I have some connections in Beijing. There are several hospitals with very good rehabilitation doctors. The national team members also recuperated there when they were injured. We'll take a good look when we get to Beijing."
Qiao Yuchu gave a grateful smile, her eyes slightly red.
"Thank you, Coach Yan, for making you worry about me."
"Hey, it's only right. Don't think that just because I'm the head coach, you're more like a patriarch than me. You always take care of them like an older sister. Our Binhai Provincial Team can't do without you."
Qiao Yuchu felt a warmth in her heart as the eyes of the person who had been somewhat dejected due to injuries regained their sparkle.
She nodded emphatically: "Yes, I will do my best, Coach Yan."
Yan Xinyuan patted her shoulder again, then got up and left.
"Answer the phone, don't worry your mother."
***
The next day, the entire team departed from the airport on time. To Jian Changnian's surprise, some fans even came to see them off.
As the team's top seed and having defeated Yin Jiayi, Xie Shi'an was naturally the most popular and favored player, with so many flowers, gifts, and letters that she couldn't carry them all.
Yan Xinyuan pulled her suitcase over and walked ahead, while Coach Liang cleared the way beside her.
"Excuse me, our plane is going to be delayed."
It was Jian Changnian's first time on a plane. She was excited and curious, looking around when she heard someone call her name.
"Chang Nian, Shi An, and Sister Yu Chu, you guys have to keep it up!"
She turned around and saw Zhou Mu, Cheng Zhen, Cao Rui, and the girl from the club all standing together.
The boy jumped up and waved at them.
"Okay, you guys keep it up!"
Xie Shi'an waved goodbye to them with his back turned and walked into the boarding gate.
As soon as Jian Changnian boarded the plane, she moved around curiously, touching and looking at everything. Soon, a flight attendant came over and told her to fasten her seatbelt, and then she sat down obediently.
As the plane took off, a tremendous roar filled the air. Jian Changnian glanced down and saw that the buildings on the ground looked like swarms of ants. She gasped and felt a sudden, inexplicable fear.
Especially when the jolt caused a feeling of being suspended in mid-air, I gripped the armrest tightly, my whole body stiffening in the seat, afraid to move at all.
Xie Shi'an sat next to her and noticed something was amiss.
Are you afraid of heights?
Jian Changnian swallowed hard.
"I've never been on an airplane before."
Xie Shi'an smiled knowingly.
Jian Changnian: "..."
Damn it, it seems like I'm being made fun of again.
After a while, a rustling sound came from the side. Xie Shi'an took out an eye mask from his bag and handed it to her.
"Close your eyes and you won't be afraid."
***
After a three-hour flight, the group arrived in Beijing and checked into the athletes' apartments attached to the national badminton training center.
As soon as Jian Changnian opened the door, she was shocked. The room was clean and bright, with two single beds, a refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, microwave oven and other small appliances. The balcony was also very spacious.
Looking out, you can see the playground downstairs and towering buildings in the distance.
The boy threw his suitcase and collapsed onto the bed.
"Wow! This feels so comfortable! No wonder everyone wants to join the national team!"
Yan Xinyuan carried their luggage to the door.
"Two people per room, make your own arrangements. Rest this afternoon, and meet at six o'clock tomorrow morning to start training. Do you all understand?"
"Understood," everyone replied in unison.
As Yan Xinyuan turned to leave, he nodded to Qiao Yuchu and said, "Come find me in the lobby downstairs when you're all ready."