She understands that there are limited spots available for representing the country at the World Championships, but she doesn't quite understand this wildcard spot.
So, if joining the national team guarantees a spot, how unfair is that to those who have dreams and have gone through layers of selection?
Xie Shi'an smiled slightly.
"Wouldn't this be considered using connections?"
Another leader spoke up.
"What do you mean by 'getting in through connections'? How can you speak so rudely at such a young age? Didn't your coach teach you how to talk to your superiors?"
Xie Shi'an leaned back in his chair, the smile on his lips fading, his expression turning cold, almost as if he were about to roll his eyes.
Wan Jing stepped in to smooth things over.
"It's not really about getting in through connections; it's our internal policy for cultivating outstanding talent."
"Also, now that you've joined the national team, your salary and benefits will definitely be much better than before. I heard that your family situation is quite special, so you should work even harder and not waste this precious time."
Wan Jing took the contract out of his briefcase and handed it to her.
"We've already drafted the contract. Are you satisfied with it? If not, the salary can be adjusted. And as far as I know, several companies are interested in your popularity and image and want to sign you as their spokesperson. As long as you join the national team, commercial contracts can be signed immediately."
Xie Shi'an straightened up and glanced at it.
The salary section of the contract contained figures she never dared to dream of, not to mention the astronomical commercial endorsement offers waiting for her.
Overnight fame and overnight wealth are within reach.
No young person could remain unmoved.
Xie Shi'an remained silent for a long time.
Just when everyone thought she would agree, Xie Shi'an pushed the paper back little by little.
"I'm sorry, but I still want to stay with the Binhai Provincial Team. Besides, I don't need anyone to pull strings for me. I will make it to the World Championships on my own."
The boy's voice was soft, yet it was firm and resonant.
The leaders looked at each other, realizing they had wasted their time. Finally, one of them lost his temper.
"I'm telling you, do you know how many people would kill to get into the national team every year?! Xie Shi'an, we made an exception for you because you're so young and incredibly talented, don't be ungrateful!"
"Besides, what future do you have staying with the Binhai Provincial Team?! Don't you know why your head coach was demoted?! Following him, you'll get into trouble sooner or later, and you'll suffer the consequences!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Shi'an stood up abruptly, his eyes red, staring intently at them.
"I don't care what he is like, he is my teacher! He is the one who led me and the Binhai Provincial Team into the national competition step by step!"
"I respect you as elders and will give you some leeway, but if you dare to insult Coach Yan even half a word again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
In the complete silence of the room, the boy slammed the door and left.
For some reason, watching her resolute departure, Wan Jing suddenly recalled that line of poetry:
I laughed loudly and went out the door; how could I, a man of such talent, be a mere commoner? [1]
Integrity, character, talent, and hard work.
He gave a bitter smile to himself.
Senior, you've really raised another excellent student.
***
In the coffee shop.
The waiter came up with the menu.
"Sir, hello, what would you like to drink?"
"A latte for this lady..."
Qiao Yuchu smiled and interrupted him.
"Consuming too much □ at night can easily cause insomnia. Just give me a glass of lemon water."
Jin Shunqi closed the menu.
"Alright then, another slice of Black Forest cake."
"Okay, sir, please wait a moment."
After the waiter left, Kim Soon-ki took out the gift he had prepared earlier, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards her.
"Oh right, I haven't congratulated you on winning the championship yet. This is a gift for you. Open it and see if you like it."
Qiao Yuchu opened the gift box and found an expensive watch.
Even though she doesn't pay much attention to luxury goods, she's seen them in TV commercials—limited editions, and quite expensive.
Jin Shunqi had put thought into it, but given the value of the watch, it was clearly inappropriate to give it as a gift to a friend.
Qiao Yuchu was pushed back again.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Kim, I can't accept it."
Jin Shunqi looked somewhat confused.
"Why can't I accept it? It's my heartfelt gift, and there's no rule against athletes wearing jewelry, is there?"
Qiao Yuchu remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"Since the value of the gift far exceeds the value of our current relationship, Dr. Kim would be better off taking it back."
Since the matter has come to this point, Kim Soon-ki decided to lay his cards on the table.
"Then why can't we take it a step further?" He slowly leaned in, and seeing that Qiao Yuchu didn't resist, he gently took her hand and said affectionately.
"To be honest, I felt you were special from the first moment I saw you. Although I've had a few relationships before, none of them made me feel this way, like you do. I feel happy whenever I see you. But I don't just want to have a relationship with you. I want to build a long-term and stable relationship with you, to be each other's support and foundation, and to slowly walk through the rest of our lives together."
"I've had these words in my heart for a long time. I wanted to tell you my feelings later, but I was afraid that we would never have the chance to meet again. Besides, Yu Chu has been a bit cold to me lately, and I'm feeling a bit anxious."
Ever since he met Nan Zhi when he escorted him back to China, Qiao Yu Chu's attitude towards him suddenly turned cold, and she hardly ever replied to his messages anymore.
Jin Shunqi gave a wry smile and looked sincerely into her eyes.
"It's strange, isn't it? I'm a 35-year-old man, and I'm starting to feel insecure. Yu Chu, I like you. Would you give me a chance, a chance to take our relationship further?"
The melodious sound of a piano drifted through the coffee shop, and Qiao Yuchu remained silent for a long time in response.
Jin Shunqi is gentle, affectionate, handsome, considerate, humble, hardworking, and comes from a good family.
This kind of person is probably every girl's Prince Charming. Qiao Yuchu admits that she was a little moved during the process of getting along with him.
only……
Thinking of Shi An, she bit her lower lip tightly and slowly pulled her hand away from his palm.
"I'm sorry, I think we should just be friends."
Jin Shunqi looked somewhat disappointed, but forced a smile.
"Is there something I did that displeased Miss Qiao? If you mind my nationality, we can settle in China in the future. I won't let you leave your hometown. My parents are also very open-minded and won't disagree."
"As for age, there's really nothing I can do about it, but I think one of my advantages over your peers is that I'm more mature, more considerate, more family-oriented, and I have the confidence and ability to give you a better life."
Seeing him like this, Qiao Yuchu felt a dull pain in her heart, and her nose suddenly stung. She composed herself and said...
"No, it has nothing to do with external factors such as nationality and age. Dr. Jin, you are already very good, very good. It is I who am not good enough for you. I am just an ordinary badminton player. Although my parents are urging me to get married, I still want to stick to my dream."
"Be Qiao Yuchu, not someone else's wife."
Qiao Yuchu sniffed, a smile playing on her lips, and finished speaking with a firm and earnest tone.
Jin Shunqi was taken aback, somewhat admiring her courage and frankness, but it also indirectly confirmed a vague guess in his mind.
Is it because of your...sister?
Qiao Yuchu pursed her lips and confessed to him anyway.
"That's part of the reason. She's very dependent on me, and I can't possibly abandon her to get married on my own. No husband can accept having a sister who isn't related to him by blood for no reason. Even Dr. Kim couldn't do that."
Jin Shunqi remained silent. Qiao Yuchu stood up, tears welling in her eyes, and smiled as she said goodbye to him.
"Well... thank you for taking care of me these past few days, Dr. Jin. Hope we meet again someday."
Jin Shunqi stood up and called out to her.
“Yu Chu”.
Qiao Yu turned around for the first time.
The man looked at her and gave her instructions.
"Although the surgery on your wrist was successful, remember to have a check-up every three months, or... you can come see me."
"Although the competition is important, you still need to take care of your health. I sincerely wish you all the best on your journey to your dreams."
"Also, we're still friends, right?"
Kim Soon-ki opened her arms, a gentle smile on her lips, but her eyes were red.
"As a friend, could you give me a polite hug to say goodbye?"
With red eyes, Qiao Yuchu gently hugged him.
***
Xie Shi'an returned to the apartment, while Jian Changnian was still standing downstairs.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, frowning.
Jian Changnian rubbed her hands, which were a little stiff from the cold, and her nose was red.
"Um... I... I just came downstairs and I'm going to the convenience store. Do you want to come?"
“Perfect timing, let’s go.” Xie Shi’an lifted his foot and walked ahead.
Jian Changnian followed for a couple of steps, still somewhat curious.
"Um, what did they say when they called you over?"
The convenience store was warm and inviting. Xie Shi'an picked out snacks from the shelves as he spoke.
"They said they would make an exception and promote me to the national team, and I wouldn't even need to play in the selection trials for next year's World Championships; I'd be guaranteed a wildcard spot."
Jian Changnian didn't even glance at the dazzling array of food on the shelves, instead circling around her.