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Chapter 28: Sister and Brother

Zou Yameng’s teammates were flushed with excitement, their faces red. The girls surrounded her, jumping up and down. “That was so cool, Yameng! I’m in love! If only you were a boy!”

“Yeah, yeah, that last shot was amazing! Wuwuwu, Xiaomeng, marry me!”

Coach Dan was more reserved. She nodded with a smile. “Well done, Yameng.” He Ping was the strongest player in this Six-Province Tournament. Defeating her was as good as securing the championship. The confrontation between the two had already surpassed the level of “high school players” and had firmly stepped into the realm of professional competition.

Zou Yameng’s mind was in a daze. She didn’t catch what they were saying at all. She just asked, “Where’s Li Zi?”

“Li Zi(Little pear)? Xiaomeng, do you want to eat pears? I’ll go buy some for you!”

“Oh, not pears, silly! Xiaomeng’s brother’s nickname is Li Zi. You know, the one who cheered for her earlier and got taken away by security.”

“Ah? I thought that good-looking boy was a bit slow. My bad, my bad…”

Zhou Wen smacked her forehead. “No wonder Yameng suddenly exploded. Her little brother complex awakened!”

Zou Yameng finally came back to her senses. She was exhausted, otherwise, she would have given her best friend a good knock on the head. She looked at the coach questioningly. Before the coach could speak, she saw a security guard leading a young man towards them. The moment she saw Lu Li, Zou Yameng felt all her fatigue vanish. Suddenly, everything felt worth it.

“Sister Yameng!” Lu Li ran over excitedly, wanting to hug his sister, but then he hesitated, feeling it was inappropriate for the occasion. However, to his surprise, Zou Yameng didn’t even hesitate before pulling him into a tight embrace, as if she wanted to hold him forever.

When you love someone, even their farts smell sweet. That was exactly how Lu Li felt at this moment. Zou Yameng was covered in sweat, but he inexplicably found her scent intoxicating. It wasn’t a refreshing fragrance, but a deep, alluring scent that made him want to drown in her warmth.

If you had only watched Zou Yameng’s matches, you would think she was made of iron. But as Lu Li hugged her, he felt that she perfectly embodied the phrase “gentle as water.” Her body was soft, warm, and carried that captivating scent. Her skin felt delicate, like the finest silk or white jade. Once he held her, he didn’t want to let go. He remembered how he used to insist on sleeping in his sister’s arms when he was little. Later, when he entered junior high, his sister started to become more aware of the boundaries between men and women.

He also remembered when he was seven years old, he had suddenly burst into tears while taking a bath with his sister, making her panic and try to comfort him. After much coaxing, she finally found out that little Lu Li thought he had grown a tumor and was going to die soon.

He laughed, still holding his sister, and Zou Yameng laughed with him.

“Such a sweet relationship,” someone sighed.

Coach Dan shot the girl a look and said in a low voice, “Let’s give them some space. We’ll go discuss the celebration dinner.”

“Coach, the final hasn’t even happened yet. Isn’t this a bit like popping the champagne at halftime?”

“So much for not talking back. The school is paying for the champagne. Are you coming or not?”

“Coming, coming!”

“Hehe, I want beer! I’ll even perform a ‘chicken with pork, egg, and green onion’ dance for you! Hiccup~”

“Xiao Wen, what weird stuff are you watching again? What’s a ‘chicken with pork, egg, and green onion’ dance?”

After the girls left the rest area, Zou Yameng reluctantly let go of her brother, the tenderness and love in her eyes impossible to hide. “Why are you here in Lingyue City instead of attending class? Skipping school again?”

“Yeah. I missed you, so I came.” Lu Li’s smile was pure. He hadn’t smiled so genuinely in a long time. Somewhere along the way, he had learned to be hypocritical, to be calculating, to manipulate people’s hearts. He couldn’t remain untainted by the mud, but his sister could. He admired her for that.

Hearing his words, it took all of Zou Yameng’s willpower not to kiss Lu Li. Her eyes softened. “Earlier in the audience, why did you shout like that? Weren’t you embarrassed with so many people watching?”

“I was. It was so awkward.”

“Then why did you still do it? It was live! Weren’t you afraid of embarrassing yourself?”

“I had to shout. Even if it meant making a fool of myself. I’m your shameless little brother, after all.”

“…You’re not shameless. Don’t say that about yourself.” Zou Yameng pressed her fingers against his lips.

What was youth? Youth was passion, vigor, ambition, poetry, and adventure. It was a time for fine clothes and fast horses, for carefree laughter and grand dreams. There should be no regrets, no should-haves. Everything should be a beautiful memory to look back on in old age, a time when he could proudly recount his youthful exploits. A youth overly concerned with societal rules wasn’t truly young, but someone prematurely aged by worldly concerns.

Having lived through it once, Lu Li understood this clearly. At least he would be able to tell his grandchildren fifty years from now, “Your grandpa once traveled a thousand miles just to see the most important girl in his life…” Such an experience was romantic and legendary, happy and fulfilling.

“Have you been eating well?… Where are you staying?… Why don’t you move in with me today?” Sister Yameng’s motherly instincts kicked in again. Just moments ago, she was a fierce warrior on the court, and now she was fussing over him like a mother hen.

Lu Li didn’t answer because he knew that any answer would only worry her more. So he simply hugged her back. As expected, his sister stopped talking. An Baili was truly his mentor; this trick of acting spoiled always worked wonders.

“You’re too old for hugs…” Although she said that, Zou Yameng didn’t resist at all. Suddenly, she caught sight of a few sneaky figures outside the rest area.

She quickly pushed Lu Li away and walked towards the door, much to his surprise. With a bang, Zou Yameng flung the door open.

“Ouch! My head!”

“Something hit me!”

“Xiaomeng, what was that for?”

Several girls from the Chuanhai team were crouching on the ground, rubbing their heads. They had been caught red-handed eavesdropping outside. What could stop a girl’s thirst for gossip? Zou Yameng should have known better. She glanced at Lu Li awkwardly, and he coughed, pretending to be composed, following behind her without a word.

“Don’t ask me what I’m doing, what are you guys doing?” Zou Yameng had the aura of a true leader. She didn’t need to stand with her hands on her hips like Silly Goose; her imposing presence spoke for itself.

The girls shrank their necks, their gazes shifting to Lu Li.

“Xiaomeng, you’re so mean, hiding your cute little brother from us.”

“He’s so fair and delicate! Let me touch~”

Zou Yameng’s expression turned colder. She swatted away her best friend’s hand, shielding Lu Li behind her like a mother hen protecting her chick.

Zhou Wen wailed, “Xiaomeng, you’ve forgotten your friends after meeting your brother! I’ve been single for so long, let me quench my thirst!”

Lu Li, a master of deadpan humor, wordlessly handed her an unopened bottle of mineral water, as if mocking her. The girls were rendered speechless, their expressions a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

Chapter 27: The Roar

Lu Li sat in the security room, watching the live broadcast on TV. He took the bottle of iced tea handed to him by the security guard and thanked him. He was, after all, a minor and wouldn’t be given a hard time. The security guard simply registered his name, address, and phone number and let him stay in the security room until the end of the match. This was a good thing. The security room had air conditioning and soft sofas, a hundred times better than the stuffy spectator stands.

“Is that your sister?” Don’t let the security guard’s burly appearance fool you. He was actually a gentle older man with three daughters. “She’s amazing. Watching her play really gets you fired up.”

Zou Yameng had always been charismatic. Perhaps it was her confidence, her tenacity, or her hard work, but she always had a steady stream of supporters.

“She’s always been the best,” Lu Li said proudly. This was not an exaggeration. In his previous life, his sister’s achievements eventually surpassed He Ping’s. For some reason, He Ping, who had always had a smooth sailing career, retired a year later and never managed to achieve a world ranking.

“You two have such a good relationship.” The security guard nestled into the sofa. “Not like my three girls. When they come home from college for the holidays, they fight every day. Their rooms are like pig pens.”

Pig pens… Lu Li didn’t know many messy girls. Chen Jianing was one. In his previous life, he and Chen Jianing were a typical case of “fighting like cats and dogs before becoming friends.” Both were independent game developers and competitors. Initially, they were constantly arguing and trolling each other on various social media platforms. Lu Li even thought that the person he was arguing with online was a grumpy old man. In reality, Chen Jianing was indeed like a grumpy old man; she didn’t see herself as a woman.

His thoughts wandered. He might not even meet Chen Jianing in this life.

The live broadcast was replaying the highlights of the previous game, showing Zou Yameng and He Ping’s intense rallies. The two exchanged shots for dozens of rounds, culminating in Zou Yameng’s explosive smash. The commentator was giving a passionate speech, praising Zou Yameng lavishly, saying that she was “as graceful as a startled swan, as agile as a swimming dragon.” Lu Li didn’t think his sister would like that description.

He didn’t think that his sister’s ability to turn the tables was his doing either. It was Zou Yameng who stood on the court, who put in the effort and shed the sweat. He had merely given her a push when she was lost. He looked at the valiant figure of the woman on the screen, his eyes filled with relief and pride, as if he were back in elementary school, tasked with writing an essay titled “My Family,” proudly and eagerly reading aloud “My Sister.” Look, that was Zou Yameng, his omnipotent sister.

*

The sixth game began. He Ping was already drenched in sweat. She licked her dry lips, stepped onto the court, and faced Zou Yameng once more. The ten-minute break was too short. She could feel her lungs drying up, a metallic taste rising in her throat. It was the taste of blood.

She saw Zou Yameng walking out, surrounded by the girls from the Chuanhai team. Her eyes flickered, and a pang of sorrow surged through her heart. She was the only player from Jindong, without even a single person to cheer for her. No, there should have been. There should have been. An unwarranted jealousy welled up inside her, making the veins on her hand gripping the ball bulge.

There was only one word to describe the sixth game.

Brutal.

It was like a hand-to-hand battle in ancient times, where even the dead were dragged up to be used as shields. The score was extremely close. Both He Ping and Zou Yameng’s stamina had visibly declined. He Ping’s shots were getting weaker, Zou Yameng’s movements were getting slower. Even the commentator didn’t dare to predict the outcome because at this point, no one could tell which way the match would go.

Everyone’s hearts were in their throats, their eyes glued to the tiny ping pong ball, not daring to blink, afraid of missing any of the players’ movements.

When the referee blew the whistle, Zou Yameng excitedly threw her hands up in the air. 12:14, she had won the third game with a slim advantage. The incredible comeback from three games down was within reach! A buzz of excitement rippled through the audience. Zou Yameng felt like she was in a dream. She was going to do it, she was going to succeed! If this was a dream, please let her never wake up.

Although He Ping’s face remained expressionless, the beads of sweat forming on her forehead betrayed her inner turmoil. An unprecedented fear gripped her heart, making her breath ragged. The fear of failure. She had never imagined that she would lose to someone her own age. It was always others who were chasing after her, but this time, she could see that Zou Yameng had already surpassed her!

Three wins each! Match point, final game!

At this critical moment, He Ping suddenly thought of her parents. She began to resent them, blaming them for not even coming to such an important match, for leaving her to fight alone. Her mind wandered, as if she saw her childhood. Why did she play table tennis?

She remembered. Because the school required every student to join an extracurricular activity class, other students chose art, music, writing, crafts… She was good at none of them. Her father said she was a disgrace to their family of intellectuals, that she only knew how to bury herself in books. To avoid disappointing her father, she chose table tennis, simply because the PE teacher had casually remarked, “You’re not bad, practice more.”

The next year, she was sent to an expensive training class. The year after that, her free time was occupied by endless training sessions. In the fifth year, her mother boasted to her aunt about her talent as an athlete. In the sixth year, her father’s red envelope contained a note that read, “May Xiaohuan become an Olympic champion!” No one had ever asked her if she liked table tennis, this boring sport of hitting a ball back and forth, this sport she didn’t understand at all.

She didn’t like it, not one bit. She was only doing it for her parents. She wanted to see them proudly boasting to their relatives during holidays, wanted to see them holding their heads high in front of their colleagues. As for herself? He Ping didn’t care. But why didn’t they come to watch her match? Didn’t they promise they would?

“Are you alright?” Zou Yameng’s voice reached He Ping’s ears.

He Ping’s lips were pale, her eyes unfocused. She didn’t look well at all.

No, she wasn’t alright. Her waist was numb with pain, her heart was heavy, and she couldn’t breathe properly.

“I’m fine,” she replied.

But He Ping soon paid the price for her bravado. Just five minutes into the game, she lost four points in a row. Even a fool could see that He Ping was done for. Her stamina was completely gone. In this war of attrition, it was the tireless Zou Yameng who had the upper hand.

*

In the rest area, the Jindong coach had just hung up the phone, her face ashen, speechless. She clutched her phone, her eyes fixed on the exhausted He Ping, her throat as if blocked by a lump of iron. Something had happened. He Ping’s parents had been in an accident. They were in a car crash on the highway and were currently being treated at the hospital. She didn’t know how to tell He Ping, especially at this critical moment.

She could see that He Ping’s eyes were constantly searching the audience, looking for her parents, longing for their recognition. Everyone had their pillar of support. Those with faith were both strong and fragile. Faith could make people invincible, but a shattered faith could also make them collapse. Nihilists would surely gloat at this moment.

Zou Yameng ruthlessly brought the score to 0:10. He Ping, who had been like a demon king, hadn’t scored a single point in the final game, her performance deteriorating dramatically. Just one more point, one more point, and Zou Yameng would be able to overcome the mountain that was He Ping and reach new heights.

She looked at the pale-faced He Ping, her eyes devoid of pity or anger. There was no joy or sorrow, only the calmness before the storm, like a suppressed volcano. She could only hear the pounding of her own heart, see only He Ping’s right hand serving the ball. The image of the young man filled her mind. At this moment, technique and skill didn’t matter. This was a match played with the passion of Zou Yameng’s life.

He Ping seemed to have regained some of her composure, barely managing to return Zou Yameng’s shot. But in Zou Yameng’s eyes, the angle, strength, and speed of He Ping’s return were perfect. This was the perfect opportunity to deliver the final blow! At this moment, she let out a roar, forgetting everything else, like the last spark of a dying flame.

It was said that Zhang Fei once scared Xiahou Jie to death with a roar. Roaring seemed to be a man’s prerogative, but no one had ever imagined that a beautiful woman could also let out such a soul-stirring roar. The woman on the court seemed to have truly transformed into a fierce tiger. That roar was like the most dazzling fireworks on a summer night, igniting a flame called life in everyone’s hearts.

The audience couldn’t help but stand up, their eyes fixed on Zou Yameng’s right hand. Her right hand extended backward in an exaggerated motion, like Genghis Khan drawing back his bow. The next second, the bowstring snapped, and Zou Yameng’s racket struck the ping pong ball like a thunderbolt!

The ball landed on He Ping’s side of the table, its momentum unabated. It shot past He Ping’s racket like an arrow, barely missing her, ruffling her short hair. He Ping stared blankly at the table. The white shadow of the ball was gone. The only thing in her mind was Zou Yameng’s roar. A ridiculous thought crossed her mind:

It’s good, I don’t have to pretend anymore.

The referee’s final whistle blew. He Ping was shut out by Zou Yameng in the final game.

Thunderous applause erupted in the venue, not only for Zou Yameng but also for He Ping. This match had shown them the charm of sports, the passion of life. He Ping saw Zou Yameng walking towards her and sincerely embraced her. The two women didn’t say anything, simply parting ways.

He Ping returned to the rest area, oblivious to her coach’s strained expression.

“I’m sorry. I’ll train harder when I get back.” Her eyes were unfocused as she mechanically slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out. Suddenly, she stopped. “Are they not here yet?”

The coach spoke with difficulty, “They said something urgent came up…”

“Tell them I hate them.”

Without another word, He Ping walked into the world, her emotions bottled up inside.

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.

Chapter 25: The Time of Our Lives

“Yameng, have some water.”

“Xiaomeng, let me wipe your sweat.”

“Xiaolie, Xiaolie, it’s not a loss this round.”

During the break, Zou Yameng let her teammates surround her, but her mind wasn’t on the court at all. Instead, like a fallen leaf drifting down a river, it returned to the summer of eight years ago.

Little Lu Li plopped down on the pillow angrily, his face filthy, probably from another fight with some kid. Although Zou Yameng was only a year older, she already had the composure of an older sister. Before she could speak, little Lu Li started yelling.

“It’s not fair! It’s not fair!”

Zou Yameng took off his dirty T-shirt and went to the bathroom to fetch a basin of water. “What’s not fair? Who messed with you again?”

“He’s only two years older than me, but he’s bigger, and his serve is stronger. Otherwise, I could have returned it!”

“What?”

“The ball.”

“What ball?”

“Ping pong ball.”

Zou Yameng scrubbed little Lu Li’s face with a towel and said with a smile, “Wipe yourself down, you’re filthy. Since when did you start playing ping pong?”

“Last week.” Little Lu Li was still well-behaved in front of his sister, but his pouting lips could have hung a kettle. “I’m so mad!”

That day, the sun outside was bright, the cicadas were noisy, and she still remembered that the water bucket in the bathroom was too full, wasting three cents on the water bill. That was Zou Yameng’s first encounter with table tennis. She had only picked up the racket and practiced for a month to avenge her brother, easily defeating the sniveling boy in front of her brother’s admiring gaze.

It was hard to say whether she had fallen in love with the sport at that time. Even many years later, she didn’t know whether she wanted to continue on this path.

But at this moment, she clearly felt it: she loved table tennis, just as she loved Lu Li. Not the love of a sister for her brother, but the love of a wife for her husband. Only in this moment of near-emptiness in her mind could she truly face her heart. She loved this sport, wanted to win, wanted to achieve something. She wanted to be able to stand proudly in front of her brother with a racket in her hand, just like she had eight years ago, and tell him, “Don’t worry, you have me!”

Zou Yameng wiped off her sweat and left the rest area without a word.

“Xiaomeng… Is she alright? Her eyes are scary.”

“S-she should be fine.”

He Ping met Zou Yameng’s gaze, a rare look of astonishment flitting across her face. If Zou Yameng was a fearless tiger before, now she was a desperate wolf, her desire for victory undisguised, adding a touch of wild charm to the beautiful girl.

Perhaps only He Ping could instantly understand such a look because she had also gone through this stage. From the stage of desperately wanting to win, to the current stage of “having a reason to win.” The former was a lone wolf wandering aimlessly in the wilderness, while the latter was a lion ruling over a pride. There was a clear distinction between the two.

“With just this, you can’t beat me.” He Ping’s voice was soft.

The third game began.

Zou Yameng’s playing style became even more aggressive. She abandoned defense and attacked relentlessly, even if it didn’t earn her points, she would consume He Ping’s stamina. This was an extremely despicable tactic. Whispers arose from the audience, clearly disapproving of Zou Yameng’s actions.

Facing such a Zou Yameng, He Ping remained as calm as an old monk. Her movements were even faster than before, trying to crush her opponent physically once again. But this time, He Ping had met her match. The only thing Zou Yameng was not inferior to He Ping in was stamina. At seven minutes and twelve seconds into the third game, Zou Yameng finally scored her first point, bringing the score to 5:1.

This was the first point, the first point Zou Yameng had scored in today’s match, finally breaking free from the curse of being shut out.

It was also the first point He Ping had lost in the Six-Province Tournament.

The first step was always the hardest. With the first point scored, Zou Yameng gradually found her rhythm and went on to win two more points in a row, closing the gap further. Just when everyone thought Zou Yameng was about to make a comeback, He Ping unleashed even greater strength. Like a bottomless pit, she kept raising her level of play. As in every previous match, He Ping continued to suppress her opponent.

11:3. The third game ended with He Ping’s victory.

He Ping had won three games. As long as she won one more, the match would be over. Zou Yameng’s counterattack was more like a last hurrah, barely managing to buy her a moment of respite in front of He Ping.

As the fourth game began, Zou Yameng’s eyes were noticeably red. He Ping didn’t speak, silently watching her. She had made many opponents cry, one more or one less Zou Yameng didn’t matter. Relatively speaking, Zou Yameng was considered quite tenacious. The referee, a kind-hearted person, asked, “Player Zou Yameng, do you need a break?”

Zou Yameng really wanted to rest, but she was afraid that once she relaxed, she would no longer have the courage to face He Ping. So she stubbornly shook her head, her eyes red-rimmed, but not a single tear falling.

Perhaps what Zou Yameng lacked more than strength was luck. If she hadn’t met He Ping in the second round, would the outcome have been different? In this Six-Province Tournament, apart from He Ping, Zou Yameng was confident that she wouldn’t lose to anyone. During the warm-up matches, she was called the “Tiger of Chuanhai” by other players, the seeded player second only to He Ping.

She held the ball, staring blankly at the table, seemingly pondering tactics and strategies. The referee didn’t rush her, just silently watched the stopwatch.

No loud noises were allowed in the venue, and an eerie silence fell over the place. Everyone wanted to know how Zou Yameng would gracefully finish her final act.

Just then, a reckless and abrupt voice came from the audience. It was loud and clear, completely at odds with the silent and oppressive atmosphere of the gymnasium.

“Go Zou Yameng!”

Zou Yameng looked towards the source of the sound as if she had been electrocuted. She saw the security guards surrounding the person, telling him to be quiet. But the teenager was smiling recklessly and unrestrainedly, his hands cupped around his mouth, shouting at the top of his lungs:

“Go Zou Yameng!”

He completely ignored the security guards’ attempts to stop him. Like Prometheus stealing fire, he cheered for her with the most carefree voice. Even as the security guards dragged him out of the audience, the voice never stopped.

Zou Yameng could no longer hold back her tears. Two clear streams flowed down her face. She was both crying and laughing, “You idiot. Now you’ve been invited out by security for tea…” Her first thought was, “Why is my brother here?” Then it was, “You idiot, aren’t you embarrassed to shout like that in such a place…” Finally, all thoughts faded away, leaving only one:

“I want to win.”

Like a lost knight regaining his badge, Zou Yameng’s expression calmed down, her heart filled with a sense of contentment and happiness. She didn’t need to ask why Lu Li was here; she knew he was here for her. Even though she was at her lowest point, facing certain defeat, Lu Li still chose to support her without hesitation. Knowing this was enough.

The emotions in her heart could no longer be controlled. Love, victory, courage, future, unrelated words flowed through her mind. She cried and laughed, laughed and cried.

“Is that your brother?” He Ping asked.

“He’s the most important person to me.”

The fourth game began.

At this moment, Zou Yameng was reborn, her smile as bright as the morning sun.

Chapter 24: The Unbending Reed

Zou Yameng splashed water on her face, instantly feeling refreshed. Coach Dan said from the side, “Get your head in the game. The next match is against He Ping. If you win, you’ll be in the semifinals, which is equivalent to getting a ticket to the provincial team!”

“I understand!” She opened her phone, glanced at a photo of her and her brother, and took a deep breath, as if she had consumed some kind of spiritual nourishment. “I’m ready!” She asked herself how confident she was. Maybe only ten percent, but even if there was only a sliver of hope, she had to fight for it!

She was the only female singles player from the Chuanhai Women’s Sports School to advance. She was the last vestige of their table tennis team. Zou Yameng’s pressure came not only from herself but also from the school. The Chuanhai City Women’s Sports School claimed to be the “training camp for the national team,” but no one from their graduating class had received an invitation from the national team. The school was under pressure from the Sports Bureau, and this pressure was transferred to the coaches and students.

Both Coach Dan and her teammates desperately wanted to win a championship trophy!

Calm down, Zou Yameng! Calm down! Hold on, there’s only one chance to change your fate! Don’t fall here! Ahead lies your dream, Lu Li, and everything in the future.

She kept hypnotizing herself when she suddenly heard the broadcast calling her name. She froze, looking helplessly at Coach Dan. The next second, she abruptly cut off her weakness, her eyes becoming firm again. She strode towards the arena. At this point, there was no turning back!

The lights in the stadium were particularly dazzling today, so bright that she couldn’t open her eyes. The overwhelming cheers were like a tidal wave, her brain trembling in the cacophony, her soul seeming to leave her body, able to reach out and touch the sky that should have been out of reach.

Her legs wanted to tremble, but she didn’t dare. Her throat wanted to make a sound, but she couldn’t.

Yesterday’s match hadn’t been this nerve-wracking. In this blinding spectacle, the woman who was as insurmountable as Mount Tai took the stage.

She wasn’t tall but rather thin, her hair haphazardly cut. To describe her as unkempt would be a compliment. That signature poker face was even more imposing under the white light, sacred and solemn. He Ping gripped the racket in her right hand, her fingers tightly clasped around the wooden handle, her knuckles thick and unlike a woman’s.

Compared to He Ping, the graceful and beautiful Zou Yameng looked less like she was here to play and more like she was here for a fashion show. People always had a misunderstanding about geniuses, thinking that they must be unkempt freaks, weirdos, madmen, or nerds. But true geniuses could not only excel in their own fields but also be comfortable in other areas.

Most of Zou Yameng’s fans were fans of her looks, half male and half female. When they talked about her, they only talked about how beautiful she was, not how good her skills were – the complete opposite of He Ping. When people mentioned He Ping, everyone thought of her terrifying strength. Maybe in another two years, He Ping would be able to compete internationally and make a name for herself. But Zou Yameng? Don’t even think about it.

Zou Yameng forced herself to take a few deep breaths. When she opened her eyes again, she had transformed back into the fearless girl. However, He Ping could see that Zou Yameng was just putting on a brave face. Putting on a brave front was a biological instinct. The more you lacked something, the more you would deliberately show it. Both she and Zou Yameng were just followers of the laws of nature.

As the players got into position, the audience gradually quieted down, and the entire venue fell silent.

He Ping took the ping pong ball from the referee without saying a word. She simply nodded to Zou Yameng as a greeting, and the next second, the woman blew the horn of war. Her ball speed was even faster than usual. If He Ping during practice was like a sleepy lion, then the current He Ping was like an enraged dragon!

After only a few rounds, Zou Yameng couldn’t keep up with He Ping’s speed and quickly lost a point.

Zou Yameng was not discouraged. She wiped the surface of her racket with her palm, her momentum not diminishing in the slightest. She was in an incredibly good state now, perhaps due to the extreme focus brought about by the extreme pressure. Everything outside the arena disappeared. Her world was reduced to this small table and the silent He Ping, who was like a god.

The second ball was He Ping’s serve again. She calmly hit another ball, her posture like a scholar strolling through a courtyard. Zou Yameng’s muscles tensed, the muscles in her thighs under her shorts pulling taut. In this state, Zou Yameng actually managed to keep up with He Ping’s attack, and the two sides seemed to be on equal footing.

Unfortunately, Zou Yameng’s basic skills were ultimately not as solid as He Ping’s. Her backhand technique was monotonous and couldn’t cope with He Ping’s changing balls. After He Ping hit a tricky shot from a sharp angle, Zou Yameng finally couldn’t keep up with her rhythm and lost another point.

Morale was like a sandcastle; once it collapsed, it would crumble like an avalanche. In the next five balls, Zou Yameng lost points again, and the score reached 7:0. So far, Zou Yameng hadn’t scored a single point. He Ping on the other side was like an impeccable stone lion, not giving Zou Yameng any chance.

The situation did not reverse. The first game ended quickly. Eleven to zero, Zou Yameng was shut out in the first game.

Zou Yameng’s state of mind was no longer as perfect as when she first entered the court. She began to observe the unfamiliar faces in the audience, to care about the gazes of the coaches and teammates in the rest area, and to imagine a future where she had nothing. The audience was whispering. What were they talking about? She guessed they were commenting on how bad she was. The coach and her teammates were cheering for her, but the more they did so, the more anxious and nervous she became.

She didn’t like being the center of attention, didn’t like being comforted when she was down, didn’t like being pitied like a helpless little animal.

Seven games, four wins, there’s still a chance. Don’t be discouraged.

Zou Yameng served first in the second game. She tried to draw He Ping into her own rhythm, but, overly tense, she made a mistake on the first ball. She apologized to the referee with a nod, picked up the white ping pong ball again, and hesitated for a moment.

He Ping didn’t rush her, just stared at the void indifferently, as if no one was worth her attention.

“Player Zou Yameng, you can serve when you’re ready,” the referee reminded her.

“Okay.”

Coach Dan in the rest area looked at the motionless Zou Yameng and saw her past self: “Yameng is scared. He Ping is too strong. This is a hopeless match.” In every era, there were always one or two geniuses who surpassed everyone else. In front of these people, ordinary people didn’t have a shred of hope, giving the illusion that the other party wasn’t even human. This was fear.

Fear was a motivator, but endless fear was a crusher of fighting spirit. It wasn’t that Zou Yameng didn’t want to move, but that she was too scared to move. She was afraid that others would see her hand trembling, afraid that she would really lose this match. Were there any other chances? She would graduate next June. There were no other chances.

The gentle smile of the young man flashed through Zou Yameng’s mind. A surge of courage welled up in her heart. With this courage, Zou Yameng served again. This time, she had to go all out. She had nothing to lose, no room for error. She could only bet everything!

*

The second game ended quickly. Eleven to zero.

Zou Yameng was shut out again.

Chapter 23: Long Night, Long Talk

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to play a joke on you.” Lu Li apologized sincerely. When dealing with someone like the class monitor, bowing one’s head and yielding was the best strategy.

“Don’t do that next time.” The girl’s voice sounded silly. She was clearly reprimanding him, but her tone was like a lover’s coquettish complaint.

“How did you get my number?”

“I’m calling you from my dad’s phone.”

No wonder. It was normal for Chu Xiaodong to have his number. Thinking about it carefully, he had left school without a word and skipped class for three days – tomorrow would be the fourth day – which was indeed not good. It wasn’t him who should have a headache, but the class monitor, Chu Jingyi. Thinking of this, Lu Li’s voice softened, “My sister has an important competition, and I wanted to witness it personally. I’m so sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you. When I get back, I’ll come to thank you personally.”

“N-no need to be so formal!”

Perhaps it was Lu Li’s gentle tone that startled her, or perhaps it was his overly formal words that made her feel at a loss. The girl quickly explained, “I don’t blame you. I’m just… worried about you.” Where were your principles, class monitor? On the first day of school, you were so serious about him not skipping class.

Chu Jingyi was definitely the kind of person who would make a great friend. She was generous, gentle, innocent, and selfless. Apart from being a little silly and a little gossipy, Silly Goose was a perfect girl. It was a blessing from the heavens to be friends with Chu Jingyi.

“Thank you, Jingyi.” This time, the address “Jingyi” had no other meaning, it was just a natural expression of the young man’s true feelings.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a long time before Silly Goose’s voice came through, “When are you coming back?”

Just then, Chu Xiaodong’s voice could be faintly heard, “You little rascal, you’re siding with him too much! You sound just like your mother when she asks me about him!”

“Dad! Why are you eavesdropping on my call! Shoo! Don’t come upstairs! Mom!”

There was another round of commotion before he heard Silly Goose say angrily, “Don’t… Don’t listen to my dad’s nonsense. I’m just asking when you’ll be back so I can… write the report. You know, the class monitor has to write a report when a student takes a long leave. And the report…” She rambled on, all excuses to cover up her embarrassment. Lu Li listened quietly.

“Okay,” he replied softly. “I probably won’t be going to school this week. I’ll be back before next Monday.”

“Oh…”

They had finished talking, but Chu Jingyi didn’t hang up the phone. She didn’t speak either. Lu Li could only hear the girl’s soft breathing through the receiver.

“Hello? Are you asleep?” Lu Li didn’t want the atmosphere to become ambiguous, so he made a joke and was about to hang up.

“I’m not asleep. It’s just… just…”

“Just what?”

“Are you and An Baili really… that kind of relationship?”

How did the topic get to this? Lu Li was stunned for a moment, then realized that this was a good opportunity to explain.

“Of course not.”

“…You never talk to Baili, you don’t tell her about music, and you won’t let me give her your address… Do you hate Baili?”

“Yes.”

“Why? You… you…”

“I have nothing to do with her.” This was true depending on how you looked at it. In this life, he and An Baili really hadn’t had any interactions, so it wasn’t a lie. “I just simply hate her.”

There are two types of terrifying people in the world: one is an Arab with a backpack, and the other is a woman who will drag you down with her in real life. Whichever one is approaching, you have to turn around and run.

Just then, a man’s shrill voice came from the next room, “I have nothing to do with her~” The soundproofing of this rental house wasn’t very good. Although Lu Li’s voice wasn’t loud, it could still be heard if one listened carefully. As soon as the man finished speaking, the landlady abruptly got up and slammed on his door.

“Are you going to shut up while other people are having a private conversation?! If you make any more noise, get out!”

“Landlady, are you being unreasonable?! It’s this kid who’s keeping me awake with his phone call!”

“What I say goes! Sleep or don’t sleep, if you can’t sleep, go to work! You think you’re staying in a five-star hotel with the measly rent you pay?!”

The tenant grumbled a few times, not daring to talk back to the landlady anymore. Lu Li came out of the room and bowed slightly to the landlady apologetically, “I’ll go outside to answer the call.”

“It’s cold outside. Come sit in my room. I’m watching TV outside, I won’t disturb you.”

This time, the landlady was being genuinely kind, but Lu Li politely declined. He insisted on going outside to answer the call.

Walking onto the street at night, Lu Li finally had time to talk to the class monitor, “It wasn’t convenient to answer the phone just now. It’s fine now.”

Silly Goose had been listening quietly and finally spoke, “Lu Li, I’m sorry for bothering you…”

This girl had a habit of taking the blame on herself.

“…” Lu Li didn’t say anything because he didn’t know what to say. He was just waiting for the class monitor to hang up the phone, but Chu Jingyi didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so. Chu Jingyi was acting strange today. Did she have something to say?

“I’ll hang up if there’s nothing else. You should get some rest.”

“…Oh…” Chu Jingyi drew out her voice, her reluctance evident, just like a child who hadn’t grown up.

“I’m hanging up.”

“…”

“…”

Chu Jingyi suddenly laughed, “You liar, why haven’t you hung up yet?”

Lu Li sighed, “I’m just worried you still have something to say.”

“I’m fine now~ You should get some rest too. See you next week.” The girl’s mood suddenly improved for some reason. She hung up the phone on her own initiative, but a minute later, he received a WeChat friend request.

The profile picture was a golden retriever, smiling innocently.

[Likes Strawberries: Good night~]

Lu Li casually changed the remark to Silly Goose.

[Lu Li: Good night, good night.]

The city at night was exceptionally quiet. The evening breeze was gentle, and the neon lights in the distance were a blur. The world seemed to be divided into two halves: one half intoxicated with luxury and revelry, the other filled with the endless sounds of barking dogs and cicadas.

When Lu Li returned to the rental house, the landlady was still glued to the television. The handsome male lead in the drama was holding a dying woman and shouting, “No! Shuqin! How can I live without you! No!”

Lu Li felt that the woman could still be saved, as long as the screenwriter stopped writing such brain-dead plots. The landlady, on the other hand, was moved to tears. She wiped her eyes with a tissue and said, “Why is it so hard for lovers to be together? Sob, sob, you must cherish the people in front of you!”

Was she thinking of some sad past event? Her aura of a lovelorn older woman was showing. After chatting with Chu Jingyi, Lu Li’s mood had also improved a lot. He sat in the living room and watched TV with the landlady for a while before returning to his room and falling asleep amidst a chorus of snores.

Chapter 22: The Reason She Must Win

The morning in Lingyue City was livelier than in Chuanhai. Before the sky had even shed its dark curtain, vendors pushing breakfast carts were already patrolling the streets. Lu Li woke up early, his stomach aching with hunger. Only then did he remember that he had only eaten a piece of bread the day before. He patted his head, which throbbed from the sound of snoring, and groggily rinsed his mouth, washed his face, and carefully counted his cash. He counted three times, confirming he had exactly 872 yuan.

The landlady woke up even earlier. Before Lu Li left, he saw the fierce landlady washing clothes outside. Dirty water flowed down the slate into the narrow alley, adding a touch of down-to-earth atmosphere to the world. Seeing Lu Li, the landlady looked a little unhappy. She grumbled, “Young man, find a real job soon, don’t spend your whole life hanging around in a place like this…”

He left the alley and found a hole-in-the-wall restaurant near the gymnasium, ordering a bowl of Dry Noodles. If there was one thing poverty could destroy, it was one’s self-confidence. Lu Li was used to frequenting these inconspicuous small shops. He always felt a sense of cowardice when facing those high-end shops. Some people heal their whole lives with their childhood, while others need their whole lives to heal from it.

The Dry Noodles were delicious, and the couple who ran the shop were busy, business booming.

Perhaps because there weren’t enough seats, a young woman came in from outside and sat directly across from Lu Li, starting to unpack disposable chopsticks. Lu Li slurped his noodles and looked up at the woman, his expression suddenly changing. It was He Ping. It was indeed He Ping, the one who had spoken boldly in the interview.

Her appearance was extremely ordinary, her hair cut short, even messy. If one had to pick out a characteristic, it would probably be her perpetually expressionless face.

“Anything I can help you with?” He Ping’s expression didn’t change at all. She didn’t even move her lips when she spoke, the sound coming directly from her throat.

“Are you He Ping?”

“Yes.”

She admitted it calmly, took the noodles the owner handed her, and ate them nonchalantly. It wasn’t surprising. This place was close to the gymnasium, and it was normal for athletes to come and go.

Lu Li suddenly felt a surge of curiosity. He wanted to know how the woman who had beaten his sister so badly had trained.

“You’re so good at table tennis, you must have been practicing since you were a child.”

He Ping paused.

“I’m not that famous, am I?”

She was right. Neither she nor Zou Yameng was anything more than a high school reserve player. They might be well-known in the college circle, but in the entire sports world, they were just a drop in the ocean. If Lu Li hadn’t specifically searched for the Six-Province Tournament, he wouldn’t even know who she was.

“My sister also plays table tennis. She said you are very good.”

“Twelve years.”

“What?” Only then did Lu Li realize that she was answering his previous question. This woman’s train of thought was really jumpy.

Twelve years of playing? That meant she had been trained as an athlete since birth. No wonder Sister Yameng was no match for her. Compared to a professional player, Sister Yameng was just an amateur who had started halfway.

Twelve years. How many twelve years were there in a lifetime?

“You must love table tennis very much.” He sighed. Compared to He Ping, his sister’s determination and talent were insignificant. He even remembered that his sister’s motivation for picking up a table tennis racket was to teach the arrogant kids in the low-rent district a lesson. Before that, Sister Yameng didn’t even understand the rules of table tennis.

“I don’t.”

He Ping poured in a little vinegar and added some chili to the noodle soup.

“I don’t like table tennis,” she repeated.

This answer stunned Lu Li. He looked at the expressionless He Ping in astonishment. The dominant player of the Six-Province Tournament, the hottest candidate for the championship, an athlete who had been training for twelve years, actually said she didn’t like table tennis?

He didn’t ask why, but nodded woodenly.

“But I have a reason to win.”

He Ping ate her noodles quickly. After paying the bill, her eyes swept over the noisy crowd and landed on Lu Li.

“If your sister meets me, I won’t go easy on her.”

“That’s what she wants too.”

“Okay.” He Ping nodded coolly and turned to leave. She was just an ordinary person eating at a cheap noodle restaurant, just an ordinary person with ordinary looks, but He Ping’s back made Lu Li feel a sense of awe and sharpness, like a sword that had not been unsheathed for ten years. Perhaps she was the kind of person described as “a hidden dragon in the shallows.”

Lu Li smiled self-deprecatingly. When he saw He Ping, a malicious thought arose in his heart. He thought: If only He Ping couldn’t play tomorrow, then his sister would win by default, wouldn’t she?

He finally understood An Baili’s feelings a little. He was degrading his own dignity, but for his sister’s sake, he was actually seriously considering the possibility.

After breakfast, Lu Li entered the gymnasium, found the table tennis area, and sat down in an empty seat. Today was the first day of the official Six-Province Tournament, but it was only the preliminary round. At ten o’clock in the morning, he saw Sister Yameng on the court. Someone in the audience held up a sign that read “Go Zou Yameng!” It seemed that his sister had quite a few fans.

Her opponent was a thin and skinny girl, whose skills were average. She was quickly defeated under Zou Yameng’s fierce attack. Lu Li noticed that his sister’s playing style had changed, becoming more aggressive and radical. In the next few matches, she rode this momentum and defeated three players in a row, drawing cheers from the audience.

However, there was no smile on Zou Yameng’s face. She walked out of the competition area with a straight face.

He Ping’s match was in the afternoon. Her playing style was very steady, solid, and impeccable. In all the matches on the first day, only He Ping shut out her opponent. The girls who played against her burst into tears on the spot.

She was incredibly strong. Even a layman like Lu Li could see that He Ping’s level was terrifyingly high. Participating in the Six-Province Tournament was like bullying children for her. Someone online said that He Ping from the Jindong women’s team could even compete with the main players of the provincial men’s team. With another year of training, she could enter the national team and compete in the world championships.

Considering her age, He Ping might not be the youngest genius in Shenzhou, but she was definitely the most promising one to compete for the world’s top spot. Her mentality, technique, reaction, and stamina were all impeccable, without any flaws, as if she was born for this sport.

At five o’clock in the afternoon, the first day of the tournament ended. Lu Li sent a message to Sister Yameng in his rented room, mostly words of concern and greetings. He didn’t mention that he had also come to Lingyue City. His sister didn’t reply. It wasn’t until nightfall that Zou Yameng finally replied with a sentence:

“Li Zi, I will definitely win!”

Looking at the line of small words on the screen, Lu Li’s eyes felt inexplicably moist. He Ping said she had a reason to win. Wasn’t it the same for Sister Yameng?

Just as Lu Li was about to turn off his phone, a strange call came in. He answered the call with confusion.

“Hello?”

“Hello…” It was a timid girl’s voice. “Lu Li, where are you? Why aren’t you in class?”

It was Silly Goose. Her tone was like a lost little girl who couldn’t find her parents. Lu Li was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but smile. This was his first genuine smile in days. The physical and mental exhaustion seemed to be swept away by the girl’s words. Some people just had this kind of magic. They had their own emotional magic that could influence the mood of those around them.

“You’ve got the wrong number,” Lu Li said gruffly on purpose.

The panicked voice of Silly Goose came from the other end of the phone, “Sorry, wrong number.” She quickly hung up the phone, then called back after a while.

“Lu Li, how could you!” This time it was the class monitor’s reprimand. Hearing her naive voice, he could imagine her standing with her hands on her hips – this was how she looked when she was lecturing them during class meetings.

*********

Li Zi means Little pear