"I know you want to participate in this year's national competition. Well, that'll finish what you started. Here, you didn't fill in the registration time. You can fill it in yourself."
Chapter 106 Rising Star
After that, Xie Shi'an's life returned to its former tranquility. Through this Olympics, she also realized where her weaknesses were. The day after being discharged from the hospital, she threw herself into intense training, this time focusing on improving her physical fitness.
Unlike before, in addition to training, she also has to take time to see a psychologist every week.
Because she had previously attempted suicide, Coach Liang was worried that she might suffer from psychological trauma. At first, Jian Changnian accompanied her, but gradually, she was able to face the psychologist's questions independently. Finally, one day at the end of September...
The autumn sky is clear and crisp, with a pristine blue expanse.
The psychologist looked at her with a smile.
"It's a beautiful day today. Congratulations, you don't need to come starting next week."
Xie Shi'an paused for a moment, a smile appearing on his lips. He shook hands with him and left two tickets for him.
"Thank you. This is a ticket to the national competition. Please come and watch my match if you have time."
The competition was scheduled to start after National Day. When Yan Xinyuan was around, everyone complained that his training plan was too strict. Now that he's gone, no one is there to stand downstairs early in the morning with a megaphone and a stopwatch to wake them up anymore, but everyone is going downstairs earlier than the last.
Every morning, when the call to start morning exercises sounds, Wangfu would rush out of his office and follow the group, swaying his head.
At noon, while they were exposed to the scorching sun, Wangfu lay slumped under the shade of trees by the playground, snoring.
Xie Shi'an was always the last to return to the dormitory at night, as she had lost too much time due to her injuries.
Before the competition, Coach Liang said that this year they couldn't be without a head coach or a captain, and that they should nominate one themselves.
Everyone turned their attention to Xie Shi'an.
Xie Shi'an was taken aback.
"Me? I'll pass."
Everyone knows that she will be leaving early next year after the national competition, but they still insist on choosing her as captain.
"Shi'an, you're the most capable among us."
"Yes, and he's a veteran player."
"Yes, we all believe in you."
...
It was hard to refuse such warm hospitality.
In the end, Coach Liang made the decision.
"Okay, it's settled then."
On the day of departure.
Jian Changnian packed her things, ran a few steps, then turned back, took the photo off the wall, and carefully put it into the breast pocket of her shirt.
The photo shows her with Xie Shi'an and Coach Yan, taken in Beijing. It is one of the few images of Yan Xinyuan left in the world.
Xie Shi'an looked at the pipe placed on the table next to his medals, his eyes filled with nostalgia.
Jian Changnian gave this to her.
A familiar voice called from the doorway.
“Shi An”.
"team leader."
"team leader."
"Captain, it's time to go."
...
Xie Shi'an responded, picked up his pipe, and put it into his golf bag.
"They're here."
***
Cheers erupted.
Shouts.
Whistle.
The sound of a ball being struck.
The sound of a heartbeat.
Standing on the familiar field once again, Xie Shi'an couldn't help but open her arms and embrace the wind rushing towards her from all directions.
"Congratulations to the Binhai Provincial Team for their first victory, defeating the Guangxi Team 3-1!"
"Let's congratulate the Binhai Provincial Team on their 3-2 victory over the Shanghai Team, securing another point!"
"Congratulations to the Binhai Provincial Team for defeating their formidable opponent, the Zhejiang Team, 3-0, securing their qualification for the Eastern Division!"
...
Scene after scene, frame after frame.
The young men poured their sweat into their journey from the Eastern Division to the finals stage.
When the scoreboard lights up.
The entire venue erupted in cheers.
"Xie Shi'an defeated the player from Sichuan 2-0, securing this crucial point for the Binhai Provincial Team!"
"Tonight's champion belongs to—"
The commentator left the microphone to the audience.
The stands erupted in cheers, the roar of which swept across the entire stadium like a tidal wave.
"Thank you, Shi'an! Thank you, Shi'an! Thank you, Shi'an!!!"
"Binhai Team! Binhai Team! Binhai Team!"
Ladies and gentlemen, friends of the audience, let's cheer for them!
When they stood on the highest podium and held up the trophy, Jian Changnian took out the photo from her pocket, held it high, and pointed the camera at it.
Coach Yan, did you see that?
The flowers and applause at this moment are also for you.
Seeing this, even the commentator was somewhat moved.
"Binhai Provincial Team, this team was not favored by anyone from the group stage this year. They did not have a head coach, and their captain was once embroiled in a public opinion storm. To be honest, I was very worried that they would not be on the roster this year. But fortunately, they made it through. They are standing here not only for their dreams, but also to carry on the legacy of their head coach."
"Their persistence, Xie Shi'an's persistence, reminds me of a saying."
"Even if a strong wind rises, one should not give up on life." [1]
"This is for all the viewers watching on television. May we all have this kind of courage."
After winning the national team championship for two consecutive years, the Binhai Provincial Team made history again, becoming the first team to sweep the gold and silver medals in both women's singles and women's doubles. Xie Shi'an once again defended her championship title, while Jian Changnian unfortunately won the silver medal. The gold medal in women's doubles was won by Zhang Chun and Yang Li. Unbeknownst to many, the once-naive teenagers have become capable of standing on their own.
I'm back from Beijing, and the Chinese New Year is just around the corner.
On New Year's Eve, everyone got together, and Coach Liang made an exception and allowed them to drink some alcohol, pouring a small sip for each of them.
Jian Changnian watched longingly.
"What about mine? What about mine?"
Xie Shi'an took the cup away from in front of her.
You can't drink it.
Her teammates started teasing and mocking her.
"Haha, who told you to be the only minor in our team right now?"
Jian Changnian chased after the person who was speaking for a long time, only stopping when the dishes were served.
After a few rounds of drinks and several dishes, it's time to say some things, and some people will eventually part ways.
Zhang Chun put down her cup, her eyes slightly reddening.
"Next year... next year the captain will leave, and then I... won't be here anymore."
In the silence of the room, Jian Changnian spoke first, her voice urgent.
"What do you mean you're not here anymore? Weren't you fighting just fine? How come..."
“My contract was expiring, and the Zhejiang team was interested in signing me. They talked to me after the national tournament. I hesitated for a long time, but they did offer better terms.”
Since the topic had come up, Yang Li stood up and poured a glass for Coach Liang and Xie Shi'an.
Jian Changnian's tears fell down in an instant.
"Lili, you wouldn't be one of them too..."
"Me? No, I'm not that capable. This year's doubles gold medal was won thanks to Chun'er. That's enough, my dream has come true. Next year... next year I'll be studying abroad. This toast is for Coach Liang and the captain. I'll drink it first."
In the blink of an eye, the twenty or thirty people who were all together during the training camp have left or scattered. After all the twists and turns, only the youngest one, Jian Changnian, remains.
Coach Liang stood up, holding his wine glass, his eyes red.
"When we are together, we are a blazing fire; when we are apart, we are a sky full of stars. Wherever our Binhai Provincial Team goes, we will forge ahead without hesitation."
"Wishing everyone a bright future! This toast is for Lao Yan!"
When the event ended, there were no more buses back to the training base, so Jian Changnian went home with Xie Shi'an.
When they reached the entrance of the residential area, there was another spicy noodle stall in the familiar spot. Jian Changnian had a sudden thought and pulled the person over to it.
Xie Shi'an was somewhat reluctant.
"Aren't you full yet?"
"I was so busy crying that I couldn't eat anything."