Jian Changnian was taken aback, a smile appeared on his lips, and he grabbed her hand and helped her stand up.
"good."
Wan Jing was even more nervous than Jian Changnian.
She needed a match to prove herself, while Wan Jing needed this victory to prove that her vision and decisions were correct. The others sat in the audience, but their eyes did not miss any detail on the field. They were annoyed by their mistakes, but also stood up and applauded their victory.
The men's team won the first game.
At the start of the second round, Xie Shi'an made a gesture with his left hand behind his back:
"You, cover me, attack their backcourt."
Jian Changnian understood, nodded knowingly, picked up her racket, and stepped forward to switch offensive and defensive positions with her.
No one is better at attacking than Xie Shi'an.
Even when facing male team members who were different in height and physical strength, she did not show any weakness and demonstrated a strong ability to control the game.
Even more impressive than her ability to control the situation is her keen observation skills.
After the previous round of matches, she keenly noticed a gap in the opponent's backcourt defense.
In clashes between professional players, the slightest mistake can lead to a world of difference; often, it's just a single moment that can determine victory or defeat.
Under Jian Changnian's cover, she seized the opportunity and smashed eleven balls in one go, directly tying the score and dragging the game into a decisive set.
The entire venue echoed with the resounding thuds of balls hitting the shuttlecock.
Her graceful figure.
Smooth movements.
The explosive power was so great that sparks flew from the rackets.
The ultimate in violent aesthetics.
After the game ended, she rested her hands on her knees, panting heavily, her back completely soaked. Jian Changnian walked over and lightly bumped fists with her.
"Leave the next one to me."
The male team members also noticed that Xie Shi'an was running out of energy, and they exchanged glances: "If we fight Xie Shi'an, she'll be exhausted."
"The other party's strategy is too obvious," Wan Jing sighed.
"Underestimating Jian Changnian will only lead to trouble."
Even though she just won the World Junior Championships singles title, it was the World Junior Championships, not the World Championships.
The men's team coach sat with him watching the game, but didn't pay him any attention.
“If I were on the court, I would also choose to play like this. Anyone with eyes can see that Xie Shi’an is the main attacker. If you keep her down, the others are not a threat.”
However, reality dealt him a heavy blow.
At the start of the deciding set, Xie Shi'an appeared to be the main attacker, openly smashing the ball while actually creating opportunities for Jian Changnian to block the net. The two cooperated seamlessly, scoring points one after another.
This tactic of feigning one move while secretly advancing another caught the men's team off guard. It perfectly compensated for Xie Shi'an's amazing explosive power but lack of endurance, and in such a close match, her advantage became apparent.
Jian Changnian also came from a singles background. In terms of offense and control of the game, she is no less capable than Xie Shian, who is from the same school.
Moreover, they can understand each other with just a glance, and can switch between the roles of spear and shield at any time.
Disrupted, the men's team members began to make frequent mistakes, which Jian Changnian seized the opportunity to smash and win the game 2-1. Wan Jing stood up and cheered loudly for them.
The men's team head coach was somewhat dumbfounded.
"Well done, Lao Wan. Where did you find this new guy? He's got some skills."
Wan Jing smiled smugly.
"You wouldn't believe it, would you? My senior brother's apprentice, Shi An's junior sister, and her fighting style complement each other perfectly. They're a match made in heaven!"
"Well, it looks like you're going to surpass us in medals again this time."
"Hey, we're all doing this to bring glory to the country, you flatter me."
"Don't be like that. We should organize more friendly matches another day so that our men's team can learn from your style of play."
"Okay, no problem."
***
The training match has ended.
Xie Shi'an and Wan Jing were talking while Jian Changnian was packing her things. The two boys glanced at them, and one of them, the taller one with a buzz cut, walked over to Jian Changnian with his phone at the urging of his companion.
"Um... I think you played really well. Could I have your phone number? We're both on the national team, so we can arrange to play together and practice together sometime."
Jian Changnian was taken aback. She was a simple-minded person and was happy to be praised. She didn't realize that this was a flirtation and excitedly took out her phone from her pocket.
"Okay, my number is..."
Xie Shi'an glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye and saw that Wan Jing had been left behind while they were talking.
"Coach Wan, we'll be going now."
Before Jian Changnian could finish speaking, she was grabbed from behind and dragged away by the neck.
"If you're hungry, go eat. Stop dawdling."
"Hey, wait a minute, I haven't taken my bag yet."
Jian Changnian turned around, not bothering to say anything more to the boy, hurriedly grabbed her ball bag, and ran towards her.
What are we going to eat?
"hot pot."
Jian Changnian's eyes immediately lit up.
"You're treating?"
"Whoever scores the fewest points today treats."
Jian Changnian was instantly furious, her expression changing faster than turning the pages of a book.
"Hey, can you be reasonable? I'm just passing you the ball, how am I supposed to score..."
Xie Shi'an shrugged.
"I don't care, that's the rule for the national team."
"Xie Shi'an, isn't this your rule?"
Jian Changnian jumped up, about to deliver a chokehold, but Xie Shian reacted quickly and dodged.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the two playfully fighting.
That's what they said, but Jian Changnian still paid the bill after the meal.
***
Days passed by, and soon it was time for the competition.
The plane flew across the border.
In Copenhagen in 2014, they shone brightly.
Hsieh Shih-an and Chien Chang-nien made their women's doubles debut at the World Championships and advanced to the finals with an undefeated record.
On the day of the final, Jian Changnian opened her locker in the dressing room as usual, took out the yellowed photo, and gently put it into her shirt pocket, closest to her chest.
Xie Shi'an changed into his sneakers and got up.
"Let's go, it's our turn to enter."
Jian Changnian closed the cabinet door and slung the golf bag over her shoulder.
"good."
Her opponents are Kim Nam-ji and her partner Choi Hye-hee.
A fierce three-game battle.
They poured out their sweat and youthful energy on the field.
They went back and forth, neither giving an inch.
The crisp sound of the ball hitting the shuttlecock echoed throughout the entire venue.
The large screens around them displayed their sweaty faces and perfectly synchronized movements.
Even the commentators were frequently surprised.
"I originally thought that Xie Shi'an and Jian Changnian, this temporary pairing, would have some trouble when facing strong opponents like Kim Nam-ji and Choi Hye-hee, after all, they had only been practicing together for less than three months. But after watching the whole match today, I can only describe their teamwork in two words."
"What word?"
"Smooth and seamless."
Zhou Mu, who had just finished the college entrance examination, also came to the scene to cheer them on. Xie Shi'an's mother and Jian's grandmother, who were invited to watch the game, also sat in the audience and held up support items for them.
A sea of red.
When the last ball landed.
There was a moment of silence in the room.
Then a burst of cheers suddenly erupted.
Xie Shi'an scored the winning goal, ending the game 21-19.
The entire venue erupted in cheers, with crowds rising like waves, thunderous applause erupting. Wan Jing also jumped up from his chair in the rest area, shouting "Bravo!" for them.
Some enthusiastic fans in the stands already had tears in their eyes.
"Xie Shi'an, you're awesome! You're number one in the world!!!"
"China team, awesome!"
"Jian Changnian, you've won the World Championship!"
"The security check duo is invincible!"
...
At this moment, Jian Changnian was still sitting on the ground, somewhat dazed, having just fallen while trying to save the ball.