15 Wang Chuqin

“Baby, you’re acting like a rogue…”

After holding back for a long time, Wang Chuqin finally leaned close to Duan Nanzhou’s ear and whispered these words, though he made no move to stop her.

But Wang Chuqin couldn’t understand why his usually serious and composed girlfriend was touching his thigh like an old scoundrel today. Fortunately, no one saw it—otherwise, how could he explain?

“So what if I’m just touching it a bit?”

Wang Chuqin hardly believed such words could come from his normally stern girlfriend. His mind was filled with question marks and shock.

“Your legs look good. I like them, so I want to touch them more,” Duan Nanzhou explained earnestly—and indeed, they were nice to touch.

Wang Chuqin’s “beautiful legs” were well known, far surpassing those of many players on the national team, and had even gained attention beyond the sport.

So after training today, seeing Wang Chuqin’s legs exposed in shorts, Duan Nanzhou felt it was natural for a couple to touch each other a little.

On the other hand, Duan Nanzhou also liked to poke her boyfriend’s little belly, a bit soft, but more softness would be even better to touch!

Speaking of which, Wang Chuqin couldn’t understand. They were all table tennis players—most teammates needed a bit of fat to protect their bodies—but why did his girlfriend have not only no softness but also defined abs?

Since they got together, Wang Chuqin had been trying to feed her more, but to no avail; her flat stomach remained flat, while he himself gained some weight from eating more.

At first, Wang Chuqin worried whether his girlfriend preferred a boyfriend with abs and sometimes feared he might be dumped for lacking them.

Only after Duan Nanzhou repeatedly assured him that she genuinely liked touching his little belly did Wang Chuqin’s worries subside. Still, occasionally, he felt uneasy because he once caught her watching a swimming competition with female teammates—full of “abs-bearing men”!

Thinking of that made Wang Chuqin gnash his teeth, but since he only saw it once and wasn’t sure if she was dragged along, he kept it to himself.

“Hey baby, how about we buy matching couple’s outfits to wear?” Wang Chuqin suddenly suggested.

“Are you trying to get the coach killed?” Duan Nanzhou wondered what was going on in her boyfriend’s head. Being flashy in the team was one thing, but getting caught outside would have the coach furious.

“And don’t we already wear matching training uniforms every day?”

“Alright then…” Wang Chuqin was discouraged but secretly kept the couple’s outfit plan on his list—at worst, something subtle!

……

The year 2020 was a wandering year for the Chinese national table tennis team.

Due to certain reasons, they participated in fewer tournaments than usual, and the losses increased.

With the Tokyo Olympics approaching, the coaching staff urgently adjusted strategies to restore the players to peak condition.

The athletes themselves realized their poor form and worked hard to improve.

On the women’s side, Duan Nanzhou continued training as usual. Though her condition was unaffected, she spent her days reviewing past table tennis tournaments to seek breakthroughs.

Lately, she mostly trained with her close friend Sun Yingsha, as the coaching staff intended for them to form a doubles team.

Before this, they had never teamed up in competitions, only occasionally practicing together, so the coaches were taking a bit of a gamble with this pairing.

Fortunately, with over half a year left before the Olympics, they had time to practice and, if necessary, could dissolve the partnership.

……

Since the Olympics were hosted on Japanese soil, the Chinese team was determined not to lose, fueling their fierce dedication.

After starting to practice doubles with Sun Yingsha, Duan Nanzhou focused more on understanding her partner’s playing style, knowing that good coordination required deep familiarity.

Luckily, their close friendship and roommate rapport translated well on the court, and their cooperation was surprisingly smooth and synchronized. The coaching staff nodded in approval—this duo might become the biggest dark horse.

Since playing doubles, Duan Nanzhou found herself rarely leaving the mid-to-far table area, giving her the feeling she was developing in the style of Xu Xin.

During their training, many from the national team came to observe and offer guidance. When Xu Xin and Ma Long watched, there was an uncanny sense of familiarity.

Ma Long: “I hope Yingsha won’t get caught off guard from behind.” (Worried)

Xu Xin: “Her style is solid, showing signs of her own flair.” (Nods approvingly)

Fan Zhendong: “Suddenly I don’t want to pair with Duan Nanzhou anymore—I’m worried about my safety…”

Wang Chuqin: “My baby is really handsome!”

Training inside the team never ceased, and competitions outside the team were ongoing as well.

Everyone fought to accumulate points and improve through countless matches in hopes of making it to the Olympics.

Eventually, the coaches finalized the roster for the Tokyo Olympics.

Men’s team: Ma Long, Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong; P card: Wang Chuqin

Women’s team: Duan Nanzhou, Sun Yingsha, Liu Shiwen; P card: Chen Meng

With the list settled, the team no longer lived the extreme lifestyle of earlier months but focused instead on analyzing potential international opponents.

The Olympic squad often gathered to discuss, analyze, and train together, striving to understand both teammates and rivals.

All preparations were complete, awaiting the arrival of the competition.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Scene Break–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Early 2021, the national team held a large dinner gathering.

The men’s and women’s teams were separated into different private rooms. Wang Chuqin was quite upset, wondering why they couldn’t sit together when they were all out to eat.

No one cared about his feelings; the seating was as arranged.

However, once the atmosphere warmed up, no one minded the separation anymore.

In the women’s room, the chatter was nonstop—everyone gossiping, discussing fashion, and switching topics rapidly. Girls’ conversations were always rich and swift.

For example, they had just been talking about some gossip, with Duan Nanzhou listening attentively.

The next moment, someone suggested singing and dancing, having heard the men’s team singing next door, they wouldn’t be outdone.

Duan Nanzhou: “Is this really a competition? I don’t get it,” utterly stunned.

Thus, the women’s singing began. Duan Nanzhou watched her close friend Sun Yingsha dance, impressed by her skill, which had improved thanks to extra solo practice.

Sun Yingsha: “Of course! She’s practiced these moves countless times! No way she wouldn’t be good.” (Proud) “But if she practiced more, it’d be beyond her limits.”

Right after praising Sun Yingsha, Duan Nanzhou was suddenly pulled by Liu Shiwen to check out the men’s room.

Sun Yingsha followed eagerly to join the fun. When the three arrived, they found Wang Chuqin passionately singing.

Duan Nanzhou instinctively started recording—some moments needed to be preserved.

Liu Shiwen and Sun Yingsha began gossiping, wondering why Wang Chuqin was singing such a sad, heartbroken song.

“Why does he sound like a divorced man with three kids?” came the complaint from his own girlfriend.

“Hahaha, we want to know too,” Liu Shiwen and Sun Yingsha exchanged amused looks.

Meanwhile, Wang Chuqin, immersed in singing, was nudged by someone:

“Big Head, your girl is here!”

Almost stumbling at the ending, Wang Chuqin hurriedly finished and scampered over to his girlfriend with a pleading expression for praise.

“You sing beautifully!” Duan Nanzhou immediately complimented him, lifting his spirits even higher.

“Big Head, Nanzhou says your singing sounds like you’ve been abandoned—were you dumped before?” Liu Shiwen teased, stirring trouble.

Sun Yingsha’s eyes sparkled with delight at the drama, silently applauding her sister’s good question.

Both Wang Chuqin and Duan Nanzhou looked at Liu Shiwen in surprise—one thinking “Oh no, trouble’s coming,” the other wondering if they had ever said such a thing.

“Zhouzhou, don’t listen to Xiao Zao’s nonsense. You’re my first love!” Wang Chuqin quickly reassured.

“Oh~ first love~” The room filled with laughter as everyone teased the usually thick-skinned Wang Chuqin, who turned bright red but looked at his girlfriend earnestly.

“I know,” Duan Nanzhou was bewildered—clearly, everyone was joking about them. Couples on the same team were always easy targets for teasing and gossip.

“Hey Big Head, why don’t you and Nanzhou do a duet?” Liang Jingkun joined the group’s banter after finishing his meal.

“Yeah, you both sing well. Let’s record it for memories!”

So they were put on stage and chose the song “Only Have Feelings for You.” During the duet, Wang Chuqin’s eyes never left Duan Nanzhou, filling the team with an undeniable aura of young love.

Finally, amid cheers and applause, the duet ended, closing the night’s gathering.

The video of their duet circulated within the team, leaving everyone smiling fondly—truly sweet beyond words!