The days passed quickly, and the national championships loomed ever closer. The team's training intensified, but with it came a subtle tension that hung in the air like a storm waiting to break. Ye Xiu could sense it, though no one spoke openly about it. They were pushing themselves harder than ever before, but that relentless drive was beginning to take a toll.
One evening, as the sun set outside the training base, Tang Rou found herself lingering in the common room long after everyone else had gone to bed. She stared out the window, the night sky reflecting her own restless thoughts. Her mind wandered back to her early days on the team, how far she had come—and how much further she still had to go.
"Can't sleep?" Ye Xiu's voice broke through the silence, startling her slightly. He was leaning against the doorframe, his usual calm expression in place.
Tang Rou sighed, shaking her head. "I guess not. There's just so much going on in my mind. We're so close to the championships, and I feel like... I don't know, like something's still missing."
Ye Xiu walked over, sitting beside her. "What do you think that is?"
Tang Rou bit her lip, hesitating before speaking. "Confidence, maybe? Not in my skills—I know I've gotten better. But sometimes it feels like... I'm still chasing after something. Like I haven't proven myself yet."
Ye Xiu leaned back in his chair, looking at her thoughtfully. "You don't need to prove anything to anyone but yourself. And you've already proven to me that you belong here."
Tang Rou smiled faintly but didn't respond right away. Instead, she stared at the distant skyline, the city lights flickering like stars. "You ever wonder if we'll be able to win it all? Not just the national championships, but everything? The world stage?"
Ye Xiu chuckled softly. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation hanging between them. Finally, Ye Xiu spoke again, his voice more serious this time. "The thing about being the best, Tang Rou, is that it's not just about skill. It's about mindset. You've got the talent, but you're still holding back."
Tang Rou looked at him, surprised. "Holding back?"
He nodded. "You're driven, no doubt about that. But sometimes I see you hesitate, second-guess yourself. You need to trust your instincts. When you're out there, don't think about proving yourself to anyone. Just play like you have nothing to lose."
Her eyes flickered with understanding. She knew what he meant. She had always prided herself on her determination, but lately, the pressure of living up to expectations—both her own and those of her teammates—had been weighing her down.
Ye Xiu stood up, stretching lazily. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's another day of training, and you'll need all your energy."
Tang Rou smiled. "Yeah, you're right. Thanks, Ye Xiu."
As Ye Xiu walked away, Tang Rou stayed by the window for a moment longer. His words echoed in her mind, and she made a silent vow to herself. She wouldn't let doubt control her anymore. When the championships arrived, she would play like she had nothing to lose.
---
The next morning, the team gathered for their usual training session. Despite the intense practice schedule, everyone seemed focused and determined. Yet, there was something different about Tang Rou. Her movements were sharper, more decisive, and her focus was laser-like. It didn't go unnoticed by the others.
"Someone's on fire today," Huang Shaotian remarked during a short break, glancing at Tang Rou with a raised eyebrow.
Tang Rou wiped sweat from her brow, giving him a half-smile. "Just trying to keep up."
Huang Shaotian laughed. "Keep up? You're setting the pace."
Ye Xiu, who had been observing from the sidelines, smiled to himself. He could see it—the change in her. She was starting to let go of the need to prove herself to anyone else and was focusing purely on her own growth.
But as the team continued their practice, something unexpected happened. Sun Xiang, who had been quietly working alongside them, seemed distracted. His usually flawless execution faltered, and his movements lacked the precision he was known for.
Ye Xiu noticed it immediately. "Sun Xiang, are you alright?"
Sun Xiang frowned, clearly frustrated. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... off today, I guess."
The team continued the session, but Sun Xiang's performance didn't improve. His frustration grew, and it wasn't long before he slammed his fist down on the table. "Dammit!"
Everyone stopped, turning to look at him in surprise. Sun Xiang rarely lost his cool like this.
Ye Xiu stepped forward, his expression serious. "What's going on?"
Sun Xiang ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "I don't know. I've just been thinking a lot lately—about the championships, about my own performance. I keep replaying the World Invitational loss in my head, and I can't shake it."
The room was silent as Sun Xiang's words sunk in. It was clear now that the pressure had been building inside him for some time.
Ye Xiu nodded slowly, understanding. "It's normal to carry that weight after a loss, especially one as big as the Invitational. But you can't let it hold you back. What happened in the past is done. All that matters now is how you move forward."
Sun Xiang clenched his fists, staring down at his keyboard. "I know. I just... I don't want to fail again."
Tang Rou, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward. "We're not going to fail. Not if we trust each other."
Sun Xiang looked up at her, surprised by her certainty.
Tang Rou smiled. "I get it. That fear, it's there for all of us. But we're not alone. We have each other, and that's what makes us strong."
Ye Xiu placed a hand on Sun Xiang's shoulder. "You're one of the best players I've ever seen, Sun Xiang. Don't let your fear of the past define your future."
For a moment, the room was still, but then Sun Xiang nodded, his expression softening. "You're right. I've been too focused on what went wrong before. Time to let that go."
Ye Xiu stepped back, glancing around at the team. "Alright, let's get back to it. We've got a championship to win."
As the team resumed their training, there was a renewed sense of determination in the air. They had faced their doubts, confronted their fears, and now, together, they were ready to rise above them.
---
That night, as the team wound down from another intense day, Ye Xiu found himself alone in the common room, reviewing match footage. He knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy. The national championships were full of fierce competition, and their opponents would stop at nothing to win.
But as he watched his team's progress, a sense of quiet confidence settled over him. They were stronger than ever, both individually and as a unit. And as long as they kept pushing forward, nothing would stand in their way.
With a satisfied smile, Ye Xiu shut off the screen and headed to bed. Tomorrow, they would train harder, fight smarter, and inch closer to their ultimate goal.
Victory was within reach. All they had to do was take it.