8 Wang Chuqin

This Asian Games proved to be a resounding success, marking a distinct turning point in some ways.

A few days after the competitions ended, the national table tennis team didn’t linger in Indonesia. Partly because there wasn’t much else to attract them there, and partly because their training schedule was tight—they needed to return promptly to prepare for upcoming tournaments.

Back at the General Administration of Sport, the team resumed their relentless training; after all, they were either competing or en route to competition.

For now, the mixed doubles pair of Duan Nanzhou and Wang Chuqin remained intact, as the coaches soon sent them off to participate in the Youth Olympic Games. Thus, the two continued training together daily. Wang Chuqin was on the verge of replacing Sun Yingsha as Duan Nanzhou’s new inseparable “conjoined twin,” to the point where the team members no longer found it strange to see them side by side. In fact, it was more curious if one appeared without the other.

Amid these daily close quarters, a wager began circulating within the national team: when would the two finally become a couple?

Some bet they already were; others insisted that by 2018 it was inevitable; and some thought it was still a long way off.

The majority leaned toward them getting together this year, but those close to Duan Nanzhou believed Wang Chuqin’s path was still far ahead. It was clear that Duan Nanzhou’s interest in him paled compared to her ambition to achieve a grand slam in table tennis.

Regardless of the gossip, Wang Chuqin steadfastly adhered to his “boiling the frog gently” strategy—considerate in every way, steadily evolving into the ideal boyfriend.

Unfortunately, the blissful days of training side by side with Duan Nanzhou soon came to an end. After the Youth Olympic Games concluded, the coaching staff cruelly informed them they would no longer train together temporarily.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chuqin felt as if the sky was falling. He wanted to protest but, seeing the knowing looks from Coach Liu and Director Qin, he swallowed his words. He feared that if he argued, the coaches might forcibly separate him from Duan Nanzhou altogether. Better to keep training together occasionally, as things were now.

Silently, Wang Chuqin wept inwardly—how could such beautiful days pass so quickly?

When Duan Nanzhou learned the news, she felt a sense of inevitability. She remarked that the coaches would never let her stick with one partner forever. Knowing their usual ways, they treated her like a piece of movable property, shifting her wherever needed. Having paired with the same partner for so long was already unusual.

So, Duan Nanzhou began juggling training sessions between the men’s and women’s teams, sparring daily with different teammates and occasionally training solo.

The difference now was that whenever she joined the men’s team, certain players would openly come to pick her up or find a spot nearby to train themselves. The coaching staff turned a blind eye, as both Wang Chuqin and Duan Nanzhou’s skills were improving, and as long as it didn’t affect their play or competition, the coaches were quite relaxed.

……

By the end of the year, Duan Nanzhou felt a weariness from playing. She planned to request a few days off from the coach to return home and rest. She was somewhat afraid of slipping back into the mindset dominated by the system—a puppet-like existence she no longer desired.

After a brief conversation with Liu Guoliang, he readily approved a short break. At this time, Liu was not his usual stern, intimidating self; instead, he was genuinely concerned about Duan Nanzhou’s condition. Talents like her were rare.

Knowing her character well, Liu didn’t say much more. He simply told her to go home, rest well, adjust her mindset, and return to playing when ready. There was no need to rush.

Understanding this, Duan Nanzhou packed and prepared to leave. Since it was sudden, she told only a few close friends—Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Chen Meng, along with Xiaozhao and Ding Ning—about her plan, then hurried to catch her flight.

The older teammates and close friends were worried and urged her to rest properly at home.

Meanwhile, Wang Chuqin, waiting foolishly in the men’s team for Duan Nanzhou to arrive for training, waited a long time in vain. Quietly, he tiptoed over to the women’s team to check.

He found Duan Nanzhou was nowhere to be found there either. Messages to her went unanswered.

On the plane, Duan Nanzhou recounted how the women’s team sisters had casually mentioned her going home to rest in the dorm, and she forgot to inform Wang Chuqin and the men’s team.

When Wang Chuqin returned to the men’s team, he happened upon Liu Shiwen, who filled him in.

Alas, all he could do was fret. After some time, Duan Nanzhou finally replied, saying she was fine and just taking a few days to rest at home.

At home, Duan Nanzhou cut herself off from the outside world, embracing a few days of total relaxation, pampered by her parents. Apart from her daily training regimen, she either slept in bed or was shooed outside by her parents to enjoy nature.

More than a week passed, and Duan Nanzhou felt the joy of lying flat. She even dreaded returning to play.

Liu Guoliang: “What? What?! Was this why I gave you such a generous break? (angry)”

Wang Chuqin: “Is Nanzhou giving up on him? Why doesn’t she reply to his messages? Will she come back to play?”

Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi: “Zhouzhou said she’d bring back some treats when she returns—so looking forward to it!”

Liu Shiwen, Ding Ning: “When will Nanzhou come back? If she delays any longer, someone’s going to figure the women’s team out. They keep pestering us for news—it’s so annoying!”

Ma Long, Xu Xin: “When is our big niece coming back? It feels odd not having her around to challenge us.”

……

Another week later, bombarded by more than ten calls in a day from Liu Guoliang, Duan Nanzhou finally packed and prepared to return.

Liu’s tone alternated between gentle inquiries about her rest and harsh urgings to come back. She feared if she delayed further, Coach Liu might lose his mind.

Liu Guoliang: “How could I not go crazy? A prodigious player goes home to rest and then refuses to come back to play—if I don’t lose it, then who will?”

Upon her return, Duan Nanzhou was warmly welcomed, especially as she looked radiant—clearly well-rested and recovered.

However, while Duan Nanzhou’s condition was rejuvenated, some others wore dark circles under their eyes that seemed endless.

After greeting the senior teammates and close friends, she noticed Wang Chuqin standing silently nearby, gazing at her with a pitiful look.

Seeing this, Duan Nanzhou thought: Oh no, did he forget something?

“Big head?” she called, patting Wang Chuqin’s arm. “Sorry, I left for home so suddenly, I forgot to tell you.”

She felt like a terrible person as she spoke, but fortunately, Wang Chuqin’s tolerance for her was extremely high; practically the moment she arrived, he had forgiven her.

“No worries, Zhouzhou. As long as you’re okay.”

Duan Nanzhou thought to herself: She’s okay, but is this young man really okay? He looks like he’ll burst into tears any second.

Still, she said little and resumed training as usual. Since they were merely friends for now, she saw no need to explain herself further. If they called her cold and heartless, so be it. That was simply how she operated. If he wanted comfort, he’d have to wait until he became her boyfriend.

Duan Nanzhou’s return brought a fresh wave of despair to the main players of the national team. How could this big niece go home to rest and come back even stronger?

Watching Duan Nanzhou train and dominate the others, Liu Guoliang and the coaching staff nodded in satisfaction.

“Excellent! Very good! The national team is progressing rapidly once again!”