2. Wang Chuqin

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Beijing, General Administration of Sport of China.

Inside the venue, everyone was training with great intensity.

It was now December, the end of the year—most major competitions had concluded, leaving only occasional smaller tournaments and “leisurely days.” As a result, the training atmosphere was more relaxed, filled with an easygoing vibe.

For the year 2016, it had been a year defined by the “Dragon Mastiff Python” trio, the mainstays of the men’s team. Clearly, none of the three were model athletes; it was normal for their training sessions to veer off into side conversations.

“I’ve heard Coach Liu has his eye on a post-2000s rising star, and this time, his attitude is quite unusual!” Xu Xin shared some gossip he had picked up.

“What’s so unusual? Maybe just a bit more talented?” Zhang Jike replied. As a rebellious genius in table tennis, he didn’t care much about talent—after all, every player in China’s national team was a prodigy. This was a gathering of the nation’s finest.

“Wow, our team is getting more post-2000s players; looks like we’re getting old,” Ma Long remarked with a different focus, then deliberately nudged Fan Zhendong, “What do you think, Little Fatty?”

Fan Zhendong, who had skipped a proper breakfast to catch some extra sleep, wasn’t really interested in their talk. His priority was when he could finally get his favorite egg-stuffed pancake. Still, to save face for his “Dragon Brother,” he nodded perfunctorily.

Today, the men’s and women’s teams were training in the same venue, a rare occurrence that made the place even livelier and noisier.

Nearby, while the “Three Musketeers” chatted, Liu Shiwen and Ding Ning caught the scent of gossip and came closer, training while keenly listening to every detail.

After Xu Xin finished, Ding Ning couldn’t help but add, “I think Coach Kong has been busy lately, probably because of that upcoming young player as well.”

Everyone was stunned by this—if both Liu Guoliang and Kong Linghui were paying such attention, this newcomer must be extraordinary.

After the discussion, everyone had different thoughts about this post-2000s prodigy entering the national team, yet they all shared the same desire: to see just what kind of remarkable talent this was.

Meanwhile, Duan Nanzhou had just arrived at Beijing Airport. As she prepared to hail a taxi with her large suitcase, she noticed a welcome sign bearing her name, held aloft by a smiling middle-aged man.

“Hello, Coach Liu, I’m Duan Nanzhou,” she said, somewhat embarrassed as nearby eyes glanced their way. She had heard that Coach Liu was stern, so this warm welcome felt out of character.

“Oh, Nanzhou, you must be tired from the journey!” Liu Guoliang’s radiant smile was so unlike the coach they knew—the one who scared the “Three Musketeers” into not daring to look up.

“Hello, Nanzhou, I’m your future head coach,” Kong Linghui also warmly introduced himself.

In the end, Duan Nanzhou was flanked by the two coaches as they walked forward. En route to the General Administration of Sport, she barely managed to get a word in, being forced to listen to their introductions.

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Duan Nanzhou, naturally expressionless and often perceived as having a sour face, now wore an even less pleasant expression. Though she was only mildly speechless, this gave the coaches a subtle signal to pause, allowing her a brief respite on the remainder of the walk.

The journey was quick, and they soon arrived at their destination.

Coach Liu and Coach Kong remained enthusiastic, guiding Duan Nanzhou through the surroundings. After helping her with her luggage to the dormitory, they led her to the training venue to get acquainted with everyone.

As they approached the door, the sounds inside were lively and boisterous.

Inside, the players were still engrossed in spirited gossip. A newcomer receiving such attention was a welcome distraction in their otherwise monotonous lives.

The main players had finished their discussion, but the younger athletes, having caught wind of the news, were quietly chatting among themselves.

Wang Chuqin was practicing friendly rallies with his close friends Xue Fei and Liu Dingshuo, all the while chatting about the newcomer Duan Nanzhou.

“I heard Coach Kong wants to groom this new player as a key member of the women’s team. Is she really that good? To be a central figure right upon arrival?” Xue Fei repeated some rumors he didn’t know the source of.

Wang Chuqin was skeptical and immediately refuted, “No way. She just arrived—how could she skip training and big tournaments and become a mainstay? The coaches aren’t crazy…”

Just as the talkative Wang Chuqin was about to continue, Liu Guoliang entered with Duan Nanzhou. With a clap of his hands, the venue quickly quieted down.

Under this peculiar atmosphere, every member of the national team’s table tennis squad fixed their gaze on the newcomer, Duan Nanzhou.

Duan Nanzhou remained silent. She didn’t believe others would make such a fuss just for a newcomer—it felt like Coach Liu was trying to make an example of her.

Had it not been for her early years training overseas and the systematic conditioning she had endured, she might have cracked under such pressure—most fifteen- or sixteen-year-olds would have.

She chose to maintain her cold and sour expression, which the other team members interpreted as a sign of her calmness and cool beauty.

Indeed, Duan Nanzhou’s appearance leaned toward the edgy side. Having grown up under a system designed to cultivate idols, she had perfected the “cool girl” look—rarely smiling, yet when she did, revealing a charming, contrasting sweetness.

She lived like a puppet under the system’s influence, projecting an aloof demeanor that some who disliked her mistook for arrogance.

In this lifetime, Duan Nanzhou’s looks were idol-worthy and ranked high even among idols. At that moment, she was stirring the heart of a certain teenage boy.

Wang Chuqin, about to speak, was stunned upon seeing the newcomer; he stood there foolishly staring at Duan Nanzhou, ignoring Coach Liu’s introduction. His eyes were filled only with the girl who had captured his attention.

At sixteen, Wang Chuqin seemed to understand what love at first sight felt like. His two friends exchanged amused glances, having also been impressed—though the national team had its share of good-looking players, none relied so entirely on their beauty.

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Duan Nanzhou gave a brief self-introduction, realizing that maintaining a sour face continuously wasn’t ideal. As she finished speaking, a fleeting smile crossed her lips.

Those who caught the smile couldn’t help but smile back, especially the women’s team’s little darling Sun Yingsha. She had heard a girl her age was joining and had been looking forward to it; now, seeing Duan Nanzhou’s appearance fitting perfectly her aesthetic, she was eager to befriend her immediately.

Sun Yingsha exchanged a knowing look with her close friend Wang Manyu—both shared the same thought. After all, not only boys liked beautiful girls; girls adored them even more.

After the simple introductions, Liu Guoliang got straight to business, asking Duan Nanzhou to spar briefly with the key players from both the men’s and women’s teams.

At that moment, a silent disbelief hung in the air—this was unprecedented and absurd.

Duan Nanzhou found it equally ridiculous, casting a wry glance at Coach Liu before choosing silence. Though talented and competent, she doubted she could match those who had trained with the national team since childhood. Besides, she had only been playing seriously for two years!

Yet, no one dared defy the head coach, so the round-robin matches began. Other athletes who were not involved were sent away to train, only able to steal glances at the unfolding spectacle.

The matches rotated from Liu Shiwen to Ma Long, all simplified due to time constraints.

By the end, the afternoon’s session concluded. Initially doubtful, the main players were unusually silent, sharing a unanimous thought: this newcomer was extraordinary. How else could she withstand sparring with nearly ten opponents in succession? Even if the matches were informal, most would have been exhausted.

Throughout the sessions, the national team’s elite players, battle-hardened veterans, found Duan Nanzhou’s rapid learning and analytical skills astounding. She seemed able to see through their tactics after just one game, quickly countering their strategies. Though she did not always win, the matches grew progressively tougher for the others.

After the afternoon’s matches, everyone agreed the newcomer was uniquely strong.

Liu Guoliang nodded with satisfaction, his conviction strengthened. He believed Duan Nanzhou’s true strength wasn’t just in her current play—after all, the national team was full of prodigies who were already superior.

What set her apart was her unprecedented talent and learning ability. Liu had never seen anyone start playing table tennis at around sixteen, train for only two years, then compete and visibly improve enough to win a championship.

Liu had observed her during her first major competition. Despite limited experience, she learned quickly by watching opponents and matches, analyzing and attempting to crack their gameplay, leading to rapid improvement by the event’s end.

This was why Liu Guoliang was determined to secure her for the national team. Once there, her progress would be unimaginable. For years to come, the names of her competitors would likely be written beneath hers.

Thus ended that day in a strangely quiet atmosphere. Duan Nanzhou felt exhausted—why was she tested so harshly right upon arrival? She just wanted to head back to the dorm, unpack, and rest. It had been truly overwhelming!