Zhou Mu and Cheng Zhen in the stands.
Jiang Yunli in the studio.
My former teammates from the Binhai Provincial Team.
Coach Liang sitting in front of the television.
Fellow players of the Chenxing Club.
And everyone who likes her.
Coach Yan, Grandma, Shi'an... and everyone else.
I... will not lose again!
Like a slow-motion replay in a movie, Jian Changnian suddenly started running, one step, two steps, three steps, and then jumped high into the air, stretching out her arms. Her red team uniform fluttered in the air, and like a flash of lightning, she rushed headlong into the oncoming meteor.
A loud bang echoed throughout the entire venue.
The moment she landed, the entire stadium erupted in cheers, with everyone waving flags and shouting for her.
"Jian Changnian, invincible!!!"
"Let's congratulate Jian Changnian on taking the first match point!!!"
"It's the last ball, you have to stay calm!"
Only at this moment, when Kim Nam-ji looked at the ball that had fallen to his feet and looked up at her again, did his eyes show a hint of seriousness.
She used to think that Yin Jiayi was the strongest in the national team. Later, Yin Jiayi left and Xie Shi'an came. Her nickname "cashier" was also given to her by Xie Shi'an. As the commentator said, she and Xie Shi'an had been fighting for many years and had a long-standing grudge. They were already sworn enemies.
There's a saying that goes something like this: you shouldn't meet people who are too amazing when you're young; your enemies are also "people."
While she was unwilling to accept defeat and secretly wanted to catch up with her, she also felt that there was no one stronger than Xie Shi'an in the world.
Sages and worthies of the past have all been lonely. [1]
So the night Xie Shi'an retired, she drank all night. It was as if with her retirement, her youth had also ended, her lover was gone, her friends were gone.
Now even their only rival is gone.
From then on, she didn't think highly of any of the professional players in the world of badminton, including Jian Changnian.
But today, she suddenly realized she was wrong. Yin Jiayi had retired, and Xie Shian had also retired, but they seemed to still be around her. What had she been chasing all along? Was it them as people?
Or is it the person I was back then, who had just started playing badminton, filled with enthusiasm, and was willing to go on a hunger strike to travel thousands of miles to learn badminton in a completely unfamiliar place like China?
Kim Nam-ji seemed to understand something.
She gripped her racket tightly, her eyes hardening with determination: "This is the last point, I won't lose to you."
Jian Changnian raised her racket.
"Then let's settle this once and for all!"
The ball traced a perfect parabola in the air.
Its white tail feathers resemble shooting stars or fireworks.
It is also the youth of her and Xie Shi'an, Coach Yan's dedication over the past forty years, and the obsession of two generations, all for this moment.
Xie Shi'an stood up.
Everyone on the national team stood up.
The spectators in the stands were all eagerly waiting.
Inside the stadium with a capacity of 10,000, only the sound of the wind could be heard.
When the scoreboard lit up, it was as if a drop of water had fallen into a calm lake, and the entire venue instantly erupted in excitement.
The commentator excitedly repeated several times, "21:19, 21:19! We won! Jian Changnian did it!!!"
Jiang Yunli's voice was slightly choked: "Eight years, eight years. We have finally waited for another Olympic champion. From a boy who played alone in a small mountain village to the fastest professional player in history to win a Grand Slam, Jian Changnian's journey has been full of hardships."
"One day, the sleeping dragon will finally receive the rain; today, the crane is released and soars into the sky! Let us congratulate Jian Changnian on winning the women's badminton singles gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first female professional badminton player in Chinese sports to achieve a Grand Slam!" [2]
The moment the referee blew the whistle, Jian Changnian felt all her strength drain away, fell backward, and lay on the ground, panting heavily.
"At the same time, we also received news from the tournament organizing committee that Jian Changnian's winning shot just now reached a speed of 360km/h, breaking the world record previously set by Xie Shi'an. A new world number one has been born!"
Looking at the stadium dome and feeling the thunderous atmosphere, she felt a sense of unreality at the realization of her dream, and tears streamed down her face without warning.
Kim Nam-ji walked over and extended his hand to her.
Jian Changnian was stunned for a moment: "You... what is this?"
"From this moment on, I acknowledge you as my opponent."
The two smiled at each other, and Jian Changnian grabbed her hand and stood up forcefully. The two world champions shook hands and made peace once again.
Her teammates rushed forward, surrounded her, lifted her up, and tossed her into the air.
Xie Shi'an stood there, watching them laugh and joke, his thumb quietly loosening its grip on the pen, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes.
Chang Nian, you did what I couldn't do, it's really... amazing.
The awards ceremony was about to begin, and there was nothing more for her to do here. Just as Xie Shi'an was about to turn around and leave, Jian Changnian ran over from the crowd and grabbed her wrist.
"Come with me."
"often……"
She seemed unusually stubborn today. Before she could even refuse, I pulled her along, step by step, firmly walking towards the podium.
That was the place Xie Shi'an had always dreamed of.
Jian Changnian lifted the person up, took the medal from the tray beside him, and carefully hung it around her neck with utmost devotion, so devotion that he held his breath.
For athletes, this is a more sacred moment than a wedding, and a gold medal is far more moving than a diamond ring.
In full view of everyone, she hung the medal she had worked so hard to win around Xie Shi'an's neck.
Jian Changnian's eyes were red.
Xie Shi'an's eyes also reddened.
Everything is understood without words.
At this moment, all the flowers and applause are the best blessings for them.
"From player Xie Shi'an to coach Xie, his identity has changed, but his passion for badminton remains the same. Half a year ago, Xie Shi'an rejected a high-salary offer from the US team and chose to return to the national team to coach, once again taking on a mission in a time of crisis."
“I have always said that our national badminton team is a force that never stops. Without Coach Yan, there would be no Xie Shi’an in the past. Without Xie Shi’an, Jian Changnian would not be standing here today. I think this gold medal is the best gift for her.”
"Xie Shi'an, who has won almost every international competition, participated in the Olympics twice, missed the gold medal twice, and eventually retired with regret. But today, Coach Xie, your dream has been fulfilled by Jian Changnian."
Let us shout their names once more—
"Thank you, Shi'an!"
"Jian Changnian!"
"Gemini!!!"
"Invincible!!!"
Xie Shi'an pulled the person onto the podium, and the two embraced amidst cheers, with the five-star red flag rising behind them.
Seeing this scene, Zhou Mu's eyes also reddened for some reason, and she cried even harder than the two people on the stage.
"Waaah, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye. Watching them come this far, it's really been so tough..."
Cheng Zhen gently put his arm around her shoulder and let her lean against him: "Yes, after all these years, we've finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel."
The two people on stage bowed deeply towards the distant East as they took their final bow.
"Coach Yan, we did it."
After the event ended, Xie Shi'an and Jian Changnian had just come out of the athletes' passage when someone chased after them and called out to them.
"Please rest in peace!"
A familiar voice.
She turned around, and Qiao Yuchu stood there, wanting to come forward, but seemed a little embarrassed.
Instead, Xie Shi'an smiled and said, "Sister Yu Chu, it's been a long time."
The words "Sister Yu Chu" instantly transported Qiao Yu Chu back to the time when she first met her, when the little kid who followed her around all day called her that.
From "Sister Yu Chu" to "Yu Chu" and then to "Qiao Yu Chu", we've now returned to where we started.
Qiao Yuchu knew that she had made peace with the past, but she still owed her an apology.
If she had been more tactful back then, the two of them might still be good friends now.
"Long time no see, how are you...? When you retired, I thought about flying back to China to see you, but I was afraid you wouldn't want to see me, after all, at that time I..."
Although she was smiling slightly, her eyes were still red.
When talking about the past, Xie Shi'an became more open-minded and composed.
"I am the one who should apologize. I was ignorant back then and did a lot of terrible things. Over the years, I have experienced many ups and downs and finally understood the meaning of Coach Yan's words, 'Let nature take its course.'"
"And then there was the meniscus surgery. Although Coach Wan wouldn't tell me the name of the surgeon, after I went to the United States, I specifically collected some information about the da Vinci surgical robot. I know that Dr. Jin performed the surgery for me. Only he has that kind of skill. Thank you all."
Qiao Yuchu's tears immediately fell. She sniffed and reached out, wanting to hug her again.
"Shi'an, so... are we still friends?"
Xie Shi'an looked up at Jian Changnian. Jian Changnian released her hand from her shoulder. After receiving "permission", she walked over and gently hugged her back.
"Of course, even though we've gone in opposite directions in life, the time we spent together is irreplaceable, and I want you to be happy more than anyone else."
Qiao Yuchu knew that her current peace of mind was also inseparable from another person. Back when Xie Shi'an jumped into the pond that year, and Jian Changnian jumped in after him, she knew that Xie Shi'an had found the best place to belong.
Qiao Yuchu released her, took a step back, looked at them, and a sincere smile appeared on her lips.
"Me too, best wishes to you all."
Dr. Kim was also waiting for her behind her.
"Then I'll be going now. Come visit America sometime."
"Okay, goodbye."
After saying goodbye, the two walked side by side. Although Jian Changnian knew that they were now completely focused on each other, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous of that hug. She clung to her like a piece of chewing gum the whole way, refusing to let go.