Well, since we're already here, let's just consider it an apology on behalf of our teammates. Besides, the Asian Games aren't over yet, and Jian Changnian has to undergo doping tests at any time. She probably can't take oral or injectable anti-inflammatory drugs either. Luckily, she happens to have some herbal ointments for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, which her father commissioned a pharmaceutical company to make. They're very effective.
Kim Nam-ji glanced at the bag he was carrying, just as the elevator arrived, and stepped out.
***
Xie Shi'an bought two servings of rice, one serving of stir-fried rice cakes, soft tofu soup, braised beef, and some kimchi, which was his dinner.
Jian Changnian ate with great relish.
"Hey, weren't you just bothered by reporters? What questions did they ask you?"
"What else could it be but constantly asking me about your injuries? I've practically become your spokesperson."
Since Xie Shi'an helped her take the blame in front of the media last time, these media people have become smarter. They know that Jian Changnian is not good at speaking and can't make sense of things, so it's better to interview Xie Shi'an. Her remarks are much more sharp, and any article she publishes will be a hot topic.
Jian Changnian couldn't help but chuckle and gave her the last piece of beef from the lunchbox.
"Thank you for your hard work, spokesperson Xie. Here, have some."
Xie Shi'an took it and started picking at the food in the bowl.
"They also asked if the security check team would be disbanded."
Jian Changnian was taken aback; she really hadn't expected them to ask that.
"So what did you say?"
Seeing her expression, Xie Shi'an felt a little teasing.
Do you want us to disband?
"I..." Jian Changnian felt a lump in her throat, knowing that she hadn't performed well today and had dragged her down.
In competitive sports, results are everything, and it is indeed possible that they could be separated. Just thinking about this made her chest ache, and she couldn't eat, but she still forced a smile.
"If the national team has other arrangements, or if there is a more suitable partner for you who can help you play better and go further, then... I am willing to withdraw."
Xie Shi'an wasn't particularly satisfied with this answer, but she was quite surprised. She raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Aren't you going to try again?"
Seeing her expression, Jian Changnian suddenly came to her senses and grabbed an ice pack to hit her face.
"I'm already like this, and you're still playing me!!!"
Xie Shi'an held the lunchbox and used one hand to separate the people.
"Alright, alright, I'm not kidding anymore. You're still injured, don't move around."
Jian Changnian then sat down obediently and watched as she poured the leftover food on the table into the trash can.
"So what exactly did you say?"
The person who was just speaking eloquently in front of the media suddenly became a beat slow in his movements.
You'll find out when the newspaper comes out.
"Oh dear, it'll have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest. Just tell me then!"
"I won't say."
"Senior sister~ Senior~ Shi'an..."
Xie Shi'an felt a chill run down his spine; he almost wanted to gag her with a rag.
"If you say another word, I'm leaving right now."
"Hey, no, no, stay with me a little longer."
Jian Changnian knew when to stop and patted the spot next to her bed.
Xie Shi'an walked over and glanced at her eyes.
"Why is it still so swollen? Does it still hurt?"
Jian Changnian shook his head.
"This is nothing, it doesn't hurt anymore."
"No, you still need to keep it iced."
The ice pack we just used was already being used when we entered the hospital, and it's no longer cold. Xie Shi'an looked around and took out a new one from the small refrigerator in the ward.
As soon as he touched her brow bone, Jian Changnian hissed softly.
Xie Shi'an withdrew his hand.
"Is it cold?"
"It's a little bit too cold, it hurts."
Xie Shi'an turned around and saw the towel hanging in the ward. He took it down and wrapped it around the ice pack. Just as he was about to reach out, Jian Changnian hurriedly took it from him, feeling guilty.
"I'll do it myself, I'll do it myself."
As she applied the compress, she leaned close, and the faint fragrance wafted into her nose. Her fair, slender wrists, as white as scallions, swayed in front of her, making her unable to resist the urge to pinch them.
Xie Shi'an was happy.
"I've never seen you treat me this politely before."
"This isn't my first time being hospitalized. I'm not used to being taken care of. By the way, you... you have a match tomorrow, right? Go back and rest. Don't linger here."
Xie Shi'an glanced at the clock on the wall; it was indeed getting late.
"Go to sleep. I'll go back once you're asleep."
Jian Changnian lay down fully clothed.
"Then I'll go to sleep now."
People who say they want to sleep can't fall asleep once they lie down, and their arms get sore from holding an ice pack for too long.
When she wanted to switch hands again, Xie Shi'an naturally took over.
This time, Jian Changnian didn't stop her. Looking at her reflection in Xie Shi'an's dark pupils, she suddenly felt that she was also very important to Xie Shi'an, even though Xie Shi'an was not good at expressing herself.
After realizing this, she felt a surge of joy, but she was also worried about tomorrow's competition.
"Your leg... Tomorrow's match is destined to be a tough battle."
"It's okay, we can still fight."
She had every reason to win; given Jian Changnian's performance today, she was determined to make the South Korean team pay the price.
Jian Changnian grabbed the wrist of the woman who was applying an ice pack to her.
"Don't push yourself. You saw it yourself, this is Incheon's home stadium. I don't want you to get injured again."
Xie Shi'an was silent for a while, then thought of the girl from the past who, although arrogant and domineering, was still warm and kind.
"The Kim Nam-ji of the past was not like this."
Kim Nam-ji paused, his hand still holding the door as he was about to knock.
Jian Changnian knew that they had exchanged team souvenirs before, and Xie Shian genuinely considered her a friend.
"Don't overthink it. Maybe it really was just an accident, or maybe Kim Nam-ji was completely unaware of it. You and she were good friends on the field and respected each other. She shouldn't... she shouldn't do something like this."
Jian Changnian is right. She may or may not have known, but wearing that outfit, she and her teammates and coaches have been dancing on the edge of fairness, openness and impartiality time and time again since the Shanghai World Championships.
The fact that Jian Changnian is injured today is intolerable.
Xie Shi'an's tone was indifferent.
"People change. She and I... can't be friends anymore."
Kim Nam-ji, standing outside the door, paused for a moment, then curled his lips in a mocking smile before turning and leaving.
***
When Xie Shi'an returned to the camp, it was already past midnight. The team doctor was still waiting for her to do physiotherapy.
"I thought you weren't coming back tonight."
Xie Shi'an smiled.
"I have a match tomorrow, so I want to practice a little more."
When the team doctor heard her say that, he pulled out the thin needle and carefully wrapped a pressure bandage around her.
"To be honest, I don't agree with you playing any more games. Every game you play now is pushing your body to its limits."
"I know, but I can't let Chang Nian get hurt for nothing. If I'm not feeling well tomorrow, I'll have to trouble you to give me an injection."
Intra-articular treatment involves injecting anesthetic drugs into the joint cavity to temporarily reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Although it was incredibly effective at the time, allowing athletes to return to the court immediately afterward, the pain would return in double intensity once the drug's effects wore off. It was a method that athletes would only resort to as a last resort.
The team doctor paused for a moment.
Does Coach Wan know?
"This is my own decision."
Although Xie Shi'an's tone was calm, it was exceptionally firm.
This is how she was made to keep it a secret from Wan Jing.
The team doctor was much older than them and had watched these young players on the national team come up one by one. Xie Shi'an was undoubtedly one of the best among them. He had strong skills and no weaknesses in his personality. He was a player with a big heart.
Before Jian Changnian arrived, she was calm, clear-headed, rational, and self-possessed.
After Jian Changnian arrived, she became more humane, but perhaps even she herself didn't realize that she was exceptionally stubborn when it came to matters related to Jian Changnian.
"Do you really want to play the game, or do you just want to get revenge for her?"
After the physical therapy session ended, Xie Shi'an put on his clothes and walked to the door. When he heard her words, he paused slightly, pursed his lips, and left without saying anything.
***
The scene at the competition on the second day.
As soon as the national team's car came to a stop at the stadium entrance, reporters swarmed around it.
"Miss Xie, how is your knee injury?"
"Ms. Xie, you have two matches today. To win the championship, you need to defeat Anton and Kim Nam-ji in succession. Can you tell us your thoughts on this?"