"meeting."
"Will you really not leave me?"
Even though he's an adult, he still acts like a child when he gets stubborn. Xie Shi'an's eyes reddened, and he smiled slightly.
When have I ever lied to you?
Yes, she had never lied to herself.
That year, during the Spring Festival, she was about to leave the Binhai Provincial Team. On the rooftop, Jian Changnian, under the influence of alcohol, pretended to be crazy and half-jokingly and half-seriously asked her to make a promise.
She was told to come back often, to remember Coach Yan, not to forget Wangfu, and especially not to forget herself. Xie Shi'an also promised her to be her best friend for life. Over the years, no one has kept their promises more faithfully than her.
Jian Changnian then stopped crying and started laughing again. He obediently lay down, still holding her hand and refusing to let go, babbling on and on.
"Once you've recovered, we'll be just like before, training together, competing together, and standing on the podium together..."
"good."
Jian Changnian's eyes were bright and sparkling, brimming with tears.
"By then, we will definitely become the twin stars of the world badminton arena, just as Coach Yan said. My Shi'an will also win many, many gold medals, and even a Grand Slam..."
Xie Shi'an lowered her head, curved her lips slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Seeing that she was crying, Jian Changnian hurriedly wiped her face with the back of his hand to wipe away her tears: "Shi'an, why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?"
Xie Shi'an sniffed.
"No... I'm happy... Chang Nian... I'm very happy."
It's nice to meet you.
It's a pleasure to be your friend.
I'm so glad you're still by my side.
I'm so glad to see what you've achieved.
But I'm sorry, I have to... leave you.
Her tears flowed endlessly, as if they could never be wiped away. Jian Changnian panicked, sat up, and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
Her mind was blank, and she couldn't organize her thoughts, but these were the words she had kept in her heart, words she wanted to tell her day and night.
"I know you're not happy at all right now, you're not doing well at all, and I... I don't know how to help you... but... but please don't do anything foolish, okay?"
"I don't know when it started, but you've surpassed everyone else in my heart. Xie Shi'an, I can't... I can't live without you..."
As Jian Changnian finished speaking, her voice trembled with tears, and hot tears slid down her neck.
Xie Shi'an gently placed his hand on her back, choking back tears, "Okay, okay, I promise you."
***
On the second day of the competition, everyone was speculating whether Xie Shi'an would come back, since she had already been eliminated.
But she still showed up at the stadium entrance as scheduled.
As soon as he got out of the car, reporters surrounded him.
"Xie Shi'an, you've been eliminated. Is there any point in continuing this match?"
"Do you think you still have a fighting chance against Jian Changnian, or is it because your opponent is her...?"
The reporter's expression was rather intriguing.
Upon hearing this, Xie Shi'an stopped in her tracks, took the microphone from him, and began to face the camera for the first time in days, as well as to publicly acknowledge her shortcomings.
“I can’t beat her, and I didn’t come here because she’s my opponent. I enjoy the process of the match, and I will give it my all no matter who my opponent is.”
The reporter was taken aback. When she came to her senses, she was already surrounded by security guards and had entered the athletes' passage.
Before the match.
lounge.
"Are you really sure you've thought this through? It clearly doesn't have to come to this!"
Xie Shi'an was wrapping a grip tape around an old racket when he heard this. He paused, looked up at Wan Jing, and his eyes reddened.
"I've thought it through. Perhaps... I should have retired right after the Olympics. As you can see, I've struggled for so long, and I've tried my best. It's just... I feel a little sorry for Coach Yan."
***
Once again, they became rivals.
Jian Changnian looked at her standing opposite him, her expression inscrutable.
Xie Shi'an walked over and raised his fist at her.
"Come on, let's play this match well. I want my farewell game to be meaningful."
Jian Changnian was taken aback, then pursed her lips and reached out to bump into her fist.
If she knew that Xie Shi'an's farewell match wasn't the World Championships, but the end of his entire professional career.
She vowed that she would not only not play well in this match, but would also deliberately throw a few points or make some mistakes.
She desperately wanted to keep Xie Shi'an, but as the saying goes, in this world, those who try their best often end up with things going against their wishes.
Just like Xie Shi'an repeatedly missed out on the Grand Slam, just like she didn't want anything in her life, and the only person she sought ultimately left her.
Strangely, Xie Shi'an had been in a heavy mood during the previous matches, but today, perhaps because her opponent was her, or perhaps because she already knew her fate, she played with unusual ease.
The clock hands have turned back to the past.
The two little ones were sweating profusely in the training room.
"Shi'an, are you sure you can handle this?"
"Stop talking nonsense, let's try again."
Coach Yan provided guidance from the sidelines.
"Stop with all that fancy stuff, just focus on building a solid foundation. Oh, right!"
From dusk to late at night.
The lights cast their shadows on the floor.
The sound of balls being hit in the stadium stopped.
In the blink of an eye, they've all grown up.
Coach Yan is no longer here.
With tears in his eyes, Xie Shi'an leaped high and ended his professional career with his signature game-winning shot.
He used to desperately want to beat her, but now that he has actually beaten her, Jian Changnian is not as happy as he imagined.
Holding her racket, she stood frozen in place for a long time, unable to move, until Xie Shi'an lifted the net, raised her hand, and signaled to the audience that she was the winner of the match.
There was a moment of silence in the stands, then a burst of cheers erupted, and the fans who truly loved them had tears in their eyes.
"Xie Shi'an, Jian Changnian, you are the twin stars that will forever shine on this field!"
"No matter what others say, Xie Shi'an, just be yourself!"
"If the person in question is Jian Changnian, Mom will reluctantly agree to the marriage!"
"I want to watch you guys play matches for a very long time. When you get married, I'll bring my husband; when you have kids, I'll bring my kids. Promise me you'll keep playing, okay?!"
...
Xie Shi'an smiled slightly, released her hand, and bowed deeply towards the audience.
He remained seated for a long time.
Thank you, thank you all.
She didn't come seeking fame at her peak, nor did she abandon her when things were at their lowest. In her short career spanning several decades, she encountered mentors and close friends, poured out her sweat and tears, enjoyed flowers and applause, and stood on the highest podium.
Although I have regrets in this life, I have no remorse.
Most importantly, she believes that the Chinese national badminton team is an inexhaustible force, just as she defeated Jiang Yunli and Yin Jiayi back then, Jian Changnian will also overcome her obstacle and go to higher places.
Hasn't she already done it?
Hsieh Shih-an once again stood calmly in front of the camera.
"Although I am very reluctant to leave this court, it is time for me to retire. I started playing at the age of six, joined the national team at the age of eighteen, and fought for many years. I have lived up to everyone's expectations and have no regrets. It's just that... I am sorry to my mentor Coach Yan for not winning the Grand Slam and fulfilling his last wish."
"But it's okay. I believe that if I can't do it, someone else will do it for me. There's no end in sight, but we'll meet again someday."
"Finally, I wish Jian Changnian a bright future and a splendid life ahead."
Xie Shi'an's eyes were red, but a gentle smile appeared on her lips as she looked at the camera, as if she were looking at someone else through it.
Goodbye, Jian Changnian.
She turned around and walked away from the stage step by step. The camera focused on the red team uniform with her name on it, watching her walk out of the spotlight and into the shadows.
The two commentators in the studio also had tears in their eyes.
"Three-time national championship champion, singles champion, four-time world championship singles champion, Asian Cup champion, All England Open champion, Sudirman Cup and Uber Cup champion, 2012 London Olympics singles silver medalist, 2014 Incheon Asian Games singles champion and doubles silver medalist, 2016 Rio Olympics doubles silver medalist."
"A top ball speed of 350 km/h is the world record set and held by the team!"
"He is one of the world's top ten most influential and commercially valuable athletes, as publicly selected by SportsPro magazine, and a person who has created countless miracles!"
Let's call her name one last time!
"Thank you for your help!"
The entire venue erupted in cheers.
An excited fan rushed down from the stands, only to be stopped by security guards outside the railing, his voice trembling with tears.
"Xie Shi'an, don't retire!"
"Xie Shi'an, don't care what others say. In our hearts, you are number one in the world!"
Homosexuality is not a crime!
"Why, why did they do this to you!"
You're only twenty-four years old this year!