She sat there, an ice pack on her forehead to cool down. Her face was flushed from the high fever, but her lips were bloodless.
"You... just wait until the match is over, you just wait!" Yan Xinyuan wanted to curse, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Chapter 56 National Competition (20)
The match wouldn't be suspended just because she was unwell. The next doubles match was about to begin, and Jian Changnian insisted on not going to the infirmary for an IV drip. She also dared not take antipyretics for the upcoming match, opting instead for the most basic physical cooling method, sitting in the rest area.
Yang Li and Su Jie will be the pair for this doubles match.
Before the match, Xie Shi'an glanced at Jian Changnian sitting next to him and reached out his hand first.
"Chang Nian insisted on finishing the last game despite having a high fever. We can't lose either. Let's do our best in this game!"
Because of her first victory, the Binhai Provincial Team's morale soared. Everyone's face was full of confidence, and they roared in unison, "Binhai Team—"
"Invincible!"
"Wow, this year's Binhai Provincial Team is like a dark horse, it's such a pleasant surprise!"
"I originally thought Xie Shi'an was the strongest in the team, but I didn't expect the others to perform so well as well. Sure enough, they are quite capable to have made it all the way from the highly competitive Eastern Division to the National Finals."
"Congratulations to Yang Li and Su Jie on winning the second game, and congratulations to the Binhai Provincial Team for securing their second point and reaching match point ahead of schedule!"
"I wonder if Xie Shi'an will play in the next match?"
"I think it depends on Kim Nam-ji's movements and the arrangements made by both coaches. If Kim Nam-ji doesn't play, then Xie Shi'an will most likely choose to remain inactive."
"Moreover, this year's Binhai Provincial Team is a new generation team. Apart from Qiao Yuchu, almost all of them are newcomers. Head coach Yan Xinyuan probably has his own considerations, such as whether to let the new players go on stage to hone their skills?"
"If you have already scored two points, you can actually choose to bring in a new player."
"Not necessarily. If this were the group stage or semi-finals, it would give newcomers more opportunities to hone their skills. But this is the national finals. Winning this point would directly secure the championship."
"This point is crucial for the Beijing team, so they will definitely field their strongest lineup."
"That's true, but it still depends on how the head coach arranges things."
During the break, the two commentators exchanged their views on the current situation on the field.
Yan Xinyuan, sitting in the audience, glanced at his teammates and made a bold decision.
"Zhang Chun, come here."
In previous matches, she had always come on as a substitute, and the person who was called on was clearly taken aback.
"Coach Yan, I..."
Yan Xinyuan patted her on the shoulder.
"Don't be afraid. The experience of the finals is invaluable. Just go on stage with a learning mindset."
No one questioned his decision, and the other team members encouraged her: "That's right, and you're not necessarily weaker than the Beijing team. We've already played against the Zhejiang team, so what are we afraid of?"
"It's okay, we all believe in you."
Jian Changnian put down the ice pack, walked over, and put her hand in theirs.
Xie Shi'an nodded, his eyes filled with hope.
"Binhai Team—"
"Invincible!!!"
In the third singles match, despite Zhang Chun's best efforts and a fierce three-round battle, she lost to her opponent by two points.
She walked back dejectedly after losing the game, only to be greeted by a big hug from her teammates.
Yan Xinyuan patted her on the shoulder to encourage her.
"To play to this level in our first time in the finals, and even though we lost by a small margin, it's not a big loss, and it would be a huge win. It's okay, we still have two more games to go, and we'll definitely win them back."
That being said, the fourth doubles match was originally planned to be played by Xie Shi'an and Qiao Yuchu, but Qiao Yuchu has not yet returned. To prevent this from happening, Yan Xinyuan has made contingency plans in advance.
That means if Qiao Yuchu doesn't make it back in time, Jian Changnian will take her place and play in her place.
Doubles is different from singles. In addition to requiring a high level of skill, it also tests the teamwork between the two players.
Therefore, Jian Changnian is the most suitable partner for Xie Shi'an besides Qiao Yuchu, but now...
Yan Xinyuan glanced at the rest area and saw that Jian Changnian was already lying on the bench with an ice pack on her forehead.
In this state, it is impossible to continue the game under any circumstances.
Coach Liang walked over with his phone in his hand.
"Old Yan, we still can't get through to Yu Chu on the phone."
The referee was also urging them on.
"If the contestant is unable to participate, then you will have to forfeit the match."
Upon hearing this, Jian Changnian struggled to sit up and picked up her racket.
"Coach Yan, I..."
Although forfeiting this match would give the opponent a match point, there's still the final decisive game.
Yan Xinyuan gritted his teeth and spoke before she could finish.
"Referee, we forfeit..."
Before she could finish speaking, the door to the athletes' tunnel was kicked open, and Qiao Yuchu ran in, panting, carrying a bag, and raised her hand.
"Referee...I...I'm participating...the Binhai Provincial Team...I will not forfeit!"
She spoke breathlessly, and the moment Xie Shi'an saw her appear, a smile appeared in his eyes.
The other team members all crowded around.
"Sister Yu Chu, you've finally arrived!"
Jian Changnian smiled brightly and wanted to go over and give her a hug, but as soon as she stood up, she felt dizzy.
A pair of hands steadily supported her.
Qiao Yuchu placed the person on the chair and turned to look at her teammates and coaches.
"Sorry everyone, it took some time to wait for the doping test results. Chang Nian, thank you for your hard work."
"The rest of the matches are up to me and Shi'an."
The two looked at each other and nodded simultaneously.
Xie Shi'an picked up the racket next to him and threw it to her.
"How is your hand recovering?"
Qiao Yuchu caught the racket and twirled it between her fingertips.
"Don't worry, I won't hold you back."
Xie Shi'an extended her hand, and Qiao Yuchu understood, giving her a light high five.
"We're not holding each other back; we're fighting side by side."
Kim Nam-ji's side is also ready.
Both teams' players enter the field.
A deafening roar erupted from the scene.
"In the match where they qualified from the Eastern Division, Qiao Yuchu, a member of the Binhai Provincial Team, was unfortunately injured. As a result, she and Xie Shi'an missed the national doubles competition. I wonder how she is recovering after this period of rest?"
"I'm really looking forward to today's doubles match. It's a clash of titans. This is the first time the two of them have faced each other since Kim Nam-ji lost to Hsieh Shih-an in the singles finals."
"Will Xie Shi'an continue to write his undefeated legend, or will Jin Nanzhi put himself in a deadly situation and successfully avenge himself? Let's wait and see!"
With the commentator's impassioned words, the match officially began.
The players from both sides shook hands.
Xie Shi'an slightly raised his eyes.
"You got a haircut?"
Kim Namji raised an eyebrow: "That's right, I haven't rested for a whole week in order to defeat you."
The boy withdrew his hand, his tone calm but determined.
Even so, the result was no different.
"At the start of the match, we could see that Kim Nam-ji's left-handed shot put a lot of pressure on the Binhai Provincial Team."
"Xie Shi'an is scribbling the net, Jin Nanzhi is pulling the ball, and Qiao Yuchu is following up. They've been mobilized!"
"There's a gap in the defense on the left side of the court, Beijing team scores another point."
Qiao Yuchu wiped the sweat from her face with her shoulder, tiptoed back, and although she was talking to her, her eyes were fixed on the other side.
"Shian, Kim Namji's left-handed shot is very difficult to deal with. Let's attack the other one, press her head, and put pressure on Kim Namji's defense. Then you can launch an attack."
Xie Shi'an nodded almost imperceptibly, and the two high-fived as they passed each other.
Even though the situation on the field had turned against them, the expressions on both of their faces were equally resolute.
Time passed by, second by second.
The Beijing team won the first game.
Xie Shi'an won a point in the second game.
The score was tied 1-1.
The third game begins.
Zhou Mu nervously bit the pen.
The flags of the Beijing team and the Binhai Provincial team in the stands complemented each other.
Both sides' fans were shouting and cheering at the top of their lungs.
In a corner of the stands near the Beijing team's section, a person sat wearing a mask and a baseball cap. He wasn't carrying any support items, but just a bouquet of flowers, quietly watching everything that was happening off the court.
"Kim Nam-ji fell down; it seems the injury to her knee from last time hasn't fully healed."