Yin Jiayi held it tightly in her hand, the needle on the earring piercing deep into her flesh, but she was completely unaware.
Just as he was about to leave, Yin Jiayi grabbed him again.
Where is the bugging device?
"In the recessed lights above the living room."
Before he could finish speaking, Yin Jiayi grabbed him by the collar and said through gritted teeth, "Do you have any backups?!"
Park Min-heon nodded frankly.
"Yes, we will send you the floppy disk and the photo negatives together after you finish the press conference."
How can I trust you?
"Because I won't harm Nan Zhi, I won't let these things circulate. It's that simple."
Yin Jiayi still clung tightly to his collar and wouldn't let go.
Park Min-heon said helplessly.
"I swear on my behalf as the head coach of the South Korean national team."
When the door slammed shut, she felt completely exhausted and slid down against it. Yin Jiayi sat on the cold floor for a long time before suddenly getting up, searching for tools, and finally grabbing a pair of scissors. She dragged a chair over, stood on it, and smashed the spotlights like a madwoman.
With a bang, sparks flew, and the entire room was plunged into darkness.
Yin Jiayi used her fingernails to pry out the bugging device, found a lighter, and lit it in the ashtray.
As she watched the flames rise, she collapsed to the ground, exhausted, letting out a desperate, tearful roar.
***
When Kim Nam-ji woke up, it was already broad daylight. She rubbed her aching temples and slowly sat up, looking around the room with a slightly dazed expression, unable to recall what had happened last night.
Qiao Yuchu knocked on the door, pushed it open, and placed a glass of warm water on her bedside table.
"You're awake? You were drunk last night, and your uncle was worried about you going back to your dorm alone, so he brought you back."
Her memory seemed to have a momentary gap; one moment she was taking an exam at school, the next she was having dinner with Kim Soon-sik. She seemed to have drunk quite a bit, no wonder her head was so dizzy when she woke up this morning.
Oh right, what was I planning to do last night?
A familiar face flashed into my mind.
"It's a deal then, Friday night, see you there."
Yin Jiayi!
She immediately became much more awake, threw off the covers, and got out of bed.
"What time is it now?"
"It's 12:30 in the afternoon. Hey, where are you going?"
Kim Nam-ji seemed not to hear, rushed to the bathroom to wash her face, and then walked out without a care.
Jin Shunqi was also at home and didn't intend to stop her. He pulled Qiao Yuchu aside, indicating that she should go.
Because he knew that after last night, it would be too late.
Kim Nam-ji got into the taxi and then remembered to take out her phone to check it. She must have been waiting anxiously last night.
The phone is already turned off, and when I turn it on, it only has 5% battery left.
As soon as the page loaded, Yin Jiayi's message popped up.
"The food is ready. There's fish, shrimp, seafood, and your favorite king crab. I also baked egg tarts and prepared some red wine. When are you coming back?"
Clicking on the picture reveals a table laden with a dazzling array of dishes, each one a feast for the eyes and the palate; she must have used all her culinary skills.
Kim Nam-ji smiled knowingly and scrolled down.
"Nan Zhi, haven't you finished eating yet?"
Two pitiful little emojis followed.
"Nan Zhi, look, I've also prepared flowers and a cake."
"Namji, I'm about to fall asleep waiting."
"Nan Zhi, you're not... not coming, are you?"
The last message was sent around 4 a.m.
She no longer called her name affectionately, only coldly uttering five words: "Let's break up."
Kim Nam-ji's smile froze for a moment. She must be lying; she's probably angry because Kim stood her up.
She opened her contacts and saw many missed calls from Yin Jiayi, so she called them back immediately.
While waiting for the call to connect, she even prepared her apology. First, she would bow her head and admit her mistake, saying that she shouldn't have drunk too much last night. Then, she would coax her by saying that she had prepared many birthday gifts for her and beg her to forgive her and not be angry. After her anger turned to joy, she would then fiercely scold her for breaking up with her over something like this.
After all, it wasn't easy for the two of them to be together.
However, she didn't hear Yin Jiayi's familiar voice, but instead:
"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently switched off."
It's turned off? That can't be right.
Kim Nam-ji stared at her phone screen, her eyes slightly red, a hint of disbelief in her eyes. Just as she was about to call again, the phone went black because the battery had run out.
She pressed the power button several times, but it didn't work.
"Madam, we've arrived."
Kim Nam-ji threw down the money without even bothering to get change, and rushed straight to the apartment. She ran all the way into the elevator, hoping that as soon as she opened the door, Yoon Ga-yi would be sitting on the sofa waiting for her.
She thought that she would accept any punishment, except for the breakup.
"Yin Jiayi—" Jin Nanzhi hurriedly opened the door, but all she got in response was a room full of silent air.
The room was too clean.
There wasn't a single hair on the floor.
It was as if no one had ever been there.
Only the food, now cold, sitting on the table, testifies to how meticulously the host prepared all of this last night.
Kim Nam-ji smiled and placed the key on the entryway cabinet.
"Hey, are you still sleeping?"
She tiptoed over, opened the bedroom door, and froze. The bed was spotless, without a single wrinkle.
This means that Yin Jiayi did not stay here last night.
The phrase "Let's break up" echoed in her mind again, stabbing her hard. Kim Nam-ji, her eyes red, searched every room and even every corner of the house.
As soon as she opened the wardrobe, tears streamed down her face. Yin Jiayi hadn't left her a single word before taking all her clothes and hastily leaving their shared home.
She bit her lip, feeling sad, heartbroken, and guilty. Even if... even if she broke her promise, she didn't have to be so ruthless.
Kim Nam-ji sniffed, turned around and ran outside, determined to go to the national team training center to find her and get some answers.
***
Yin Jiayi did not return home all night. She did not enter Wan Jing's office until dawn. She knelt down with a thud and said with red eyes.
"Teacher Wan... I... I want to retire."
Enraged, Wan Jing raised his hand and slapped him across the face: "The Olympics are about to start, do you know what you're saying?!"
Chapter 99 Opponent
No matter how much Wan Jing pressed her for answers, Yin Jiayi insisted that she wanted to retire because of her declining performance due to injuries.
"You're talking nonsense! Since your debut, you've won four World Championship titles, five World Cup titles, two Asian Games titles, three Sudirman Cup titles, and four Uber Cup team titles. You're just one Olympic gold medal away from a Grand Slam! Now is your prime!!!"
Wan Jing slammed his fist on the table with a deafening roar.
Yin Jiayi closed her eyes briefly, her lips trembling, tears streaming down her face. She did not rise, but instead bowed deeply.
This kneeling is both an expression of gratitude to the teacher and a farewell.
"Teacher Wan... I'm sorry... I... I've let you down... but I really... can't play anymore..."
Wan Jing turned around, leaning on the table, her eyes also reddening, knowing that she was determined to retire.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Yin Jiayi stood up, bowed deeply to him again, and turned to walk towards the door. The short walk felt like an eternity. When she was almost at the door, she swayed and grabbed the door frame for support.
Wan Jing's voice came from behind.
"Think carefully. Once you leave this room today, you will no longer be a member of the national team, and I will not acknowledge you as my disciple."
Yin Jiayi tried to make herself feel less sad, forcing a smile, but the tears fell even more fiercely.
She gritted her teeth, her nails digging deep into her flesh, trying her best to make her voice sound calm.
"I have already informed the media that a press conference will be held after the last warm-up match tomorrow."
Just as she turned and closed the door, Wan Jing smashed the teacup in his hand. With such a commotion in the office, it was impossible for the others not to hear it. When they saw her come out, they all gathered around, their eyes filled with concern.
"Captain Yin, what's wrong with you? Why are you suddenly retiring?"
"Team Leader Yin, our team competition can't be without you."
"Captain Yin, the Olympics are about to start, can't you hold on a little longer?"
"Yeah, even if you're going to retire, can't you wait until after the games are over?"
Faced with her teammates' questions, Yin Jiayi only managed a weak smile, waved wearily, and left.
"Let's call it a day. I just... don't want to play anymore."
Xie Shi'an watched her retreating figure with a cryptic expression.
This whole thing started so early in the morning, who's going to be able to focus on training all day? We'll probably all be done early tonight.
Xie Shi'an returned to his room, lay on the bed, tossed and turned, still unable to fall asleep. He simply got up and went to the training room to play ball. Before he even got close, he heard the sound of balls being hit coming from the court.
The person who said he wanted to retire and didn't want to play anymore quietly returned to the training room to play alone after everyone else had left.