Chapter 26: Direct and Efficient
Smash!
Zou Yameng’s fierce smash shot whizzed past He Ping’s armpit, securing another point. He Ping was taken aback, seemingly surprised by the drastic change in Zou Yameng’s playing style. Reality wasn’t a passionate manga; there were no sudden power-ups, and hoarse shouts wouldn’t bring strength. She didn’t believe Zou Yameng could change the outcome.
Everything was preordained. From her twelve years of relentless training, the result of this match was already set in stone. She could only be the champion, and only she could be the champion. However, when Zou Yameng surpassed her in points for the first time, He Ping couldn’t help but take a closer look at this “Tiger of Chuanhai.”
Zou Yameng was drenched in sweat, her hair plastered to her forehead. The words “Chuanhai” printed on her sportswear were mundane and ordinary, no different from the opponents she usually defeated. Perhaps Zou Yameng was the most beautiful, perhaps she was the most tenacious. He Ping’s eyes landed on the scoreboard for the first time. 7:8, she had seven, Zou Yameng had eight. She rarely paid attention to the scoreboard because it was meaningless.
Zou Yameng’s biggest weakness was her mentality. Beneath her fully armed, all-out exterior, Zou Yameng was unexpectedly soft inside. She would get distracted by small things, be sentimental about fallen flowers and flowing water. Underneath her valiant appearance was a girl who hadn’t grown up. Her cure was Lu Li. As long as she had Lu Li’s support, she had no mental weakness; she was a flawless warrior.
He Ping was the only player who had truly witnessed Zou Yameng at her peak. She could see that Zou Yameng was no longer hesitant, her serves were becoming more stable, her responses more composed. Even when briefly lagging behind, she wouldn’t panic. Her skills hadn’t improved, but her strength had undergone a qualitative change.
Wolves were the most misunderstood animals. People always thought they were cunning, ferocious, and greedy. In reality, wolves, no, wolf packs were the most profit-driven and cowardly creatures. Ferocity was just their disguise in nature, just like Zou Yameng. She had abandoned the characteristics of a wolf and faced He Ping like a dignified human being.
The most important thing in a competition was “momentum.” Perhaps it was the aura, perhaps it was the atmosphere. When a person was immersed in a positive atmosphere, everything they did would be smooth sailing, reminiscent of the saying “a just cause enjoys abundant support.” When a person was in a negative state, everything would be difficult, every step a struggle. He Ping’s “invincible” aura finally wavered at this moment. Under Zou Yameng’s continuous counterattacks, even He Ping herself had a thought:
“Zou Yameng is so strong, will I lose?”
When she had this thought, she was unconsciously drawn into Zou Yameng’s “momentum.” With worry came hesitation, slow reactions, and defeat.
The referee blew the whistle, signaling the players to switch sides. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the scoreboard, their expressions filled with shock.
9:11, Zou Yameng had won a game back from a huge disadvantage!
“He Ping actually lost a game?”
“Victory and defeat are common matters in war…”
He Ping listened to the audience’s discussion, her poker face unmoved. She had to admit that she had underestimated Zou Yameng. Zou Yameng’s skills were not as comprehensive as hers, but her attacking power was off the charts, and her body seemed as tireless as a monster. The main reason He Ping lost points was that her stamina couldn’t keep up. Exchanging blows with Zou Yameng consumed a tremendous amount of physical and mental energy. The slightest lapse in concentration would give Zou Yameng an opportunity.
Her head felt a little numb. Due to years of strenuous training, He Ping’s body wasn’t as invincible as it seemed.
She glanced at Zou Yameng, who was taking deep breaths, her eyes falling on her chest. How could she engage in such high-intensity exercise with that kind of burden? Didn’t it hurt? He Ping shook her head, pushing away the distracting thoughts.
The fifth game began. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that He Ping’s reaction speed had increased significantly. Her unfocused eyes finally settled on Zou Yameng’s right hand holding the racket. This was He Ping at her full strength!
But facing He Ping at her best, Zou Yameng didn’t back down. Her reaction speed was even faster, her shots even more powerful! Her energetic and healthy body seemed to have no limits. The two fought fiercely, and the score was tied at 5:5.
Coach Dan’s eyes fell on Zou Yameng’s left heel. “Yameng’s foot can’t hold on any longer, her movements are obviously slower.”
“Oh no, I remember Xiaomeng’s left foot has been sprained several times, don’t tell me it’s acting up again?”
“Spit, spit, spit! Don’t jinx her!”
“Wuwuwu, spit, spit, spit!”
Coach Dan was right. Zou Yameng’s movements were starting to slow down. But she ignored the nagging pain in her left foot and continued to unleash her power without reservation because only by giving it her all could she compete with He Ping. Her willpower was terrifying. Her lower lip was bitten until it bled, but she didn’t even glance at her left foot, her eyes fixed on He Ping, not missing a single detail.
At this moment, the unexpected happened.
He Ping made a service error.
The referee looked at He Ping in surprise but didn’t say anything.
He Ping discreetly supported her lower back. The foundation of human strength was the waist. In table tennis, if the waist couldn’t keep up, the serve would lack power, and the technique would easily become deformed. He Ping’s waist was injured. As athletes, who didn’t have some minor ailment they carried around?
He Ping served again, but the ball was still unsatisfactory. It was slow and lacked spin, completely relying on her wrist to push it out.
When He Ping played against ordinary players, she usually didn’t use her full strength, not because she was trying to show off, but for the sake of her body. But exchanging blows with Zou Yameng was extremely taxing. She had to put in an equal amount of power into every shot, which was a considerable burden on her back.
Of course, Zou Yameng wouldn’t miss this opportunity. She returned several balls in a row, scoring point after point. The fifth game unexpectedly ended with a score of 5:11. He Ping, who had been as steady as a mountain, was actually six points behind.
The Jindong coach requested a timeout. Only then could He Ping sit on the bench in the rest area, gritting her teeth as she lifted her shirt, revealing a plaster on her lower back. Plasters should have been a foreign concept to young people. Should have been.
“Do you have any ice?”
The coach’s expression was grim. “Use this bottle of water to apply a cold compress. Can you still continue?”
“Yes.” Her words were short and clipped.
Suddenly, He Ping looked up at the audience. “Are they here?”
“…They didn’t call me.” The implication was that they weren’t coming. Hearing this, a rare look of dejection appeared on He Ping’s face. She pressed the mineral water bottle hard against her lower back, speechless.
The coach gritted her teeth. “Hold on a little longer. This competition is very important. There are people from the Sports Bureau among the judges!”
“Okay.” She didn’t like it when the coach repeatedly emphasized things she already knew, but everyone liked to do that, repeating the same thing three or four times, as if they couldn’t speak without repeating themselves. She liked things to be simple, clear, and swift, just like her playing style – direct and efficient. And just like her life – simple and pale.
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