The Rise of Jian Chen
Over the next five months, Jian Chen transformed. The casual, unmotivated player who once swung his racket halfheartedly was gone, replaced by someone driven and relentless. Coach Liu could hardly believe the change, but he wasn't about to let up.
"Talent isn't enough," Liu had said during one grueling practice. "If you want to be the best, you have to train like you're the worst. Never get comfortable."
And Jian didn't.
The Training
Jian's routine was brutal, designed to forge him into a true contender:
Morning Drills: Every day began at dawn with footwork exercises and strength workouts . Coach Liu insisted on speed, precision and strength. Jian weaved through cones, jumped over hurdles, practiced his split-step until his legs burned, had to 250 push ups, 400 pull ups and practice each move with ankle weights and wrist weights each 300 times.
Shadowplay : Without a shuttlecock, Jian practiced his swings and movements, perfecting the flow of each stroke. It honed his muscle memory and improved his control—500 reps.
Endurance Building: Afternoon sessions were all about stamina. Jian ran laps, swam, and cycled to push his body's limits–all until failure.
Match Simulations: Evenings were reserved for practice matches against different opponents. Each one forced Jian to adapt his strategies, learning to exploit weaknesses and overcome strengths.
Review and Analysis: Late at night, Jian studied recordings of his matches. Coach Liu sat beside him, pointing out mistakes and areas for improvement. They also analyzed his upcoming opponents, crafting tailored strategies for each.
The fourth ranked player – Lin Qiang
Jian's first major challenge came when he faced Lin Qiang, the academy's fourth-ranked player. Lin was known for his raw power, with smashes that felt like cannon blasts.
The match was intense. In the first set, Jian struggled, losing 18-21 as Lin's smashes overwhelmed him. But between sets, Coach Liu's advice echoed in his mind: "Use your speed. Make him move. Power means nothing if he can't catch you."
In the second set, Jian shifted his tactics, keeping rallies long and forcing Lin to chase every shot. Lin's power waned as fatigue set in, and Jian capitalized, taking the set 21-14.
The final set was a showcase of Jian's adaptability. He mixed deceptive drop shots with sudden smashes, keeping Lin guessing. The score ended 21-15 in Jian's favor.
The Third-Ranked Player: Zhao Ming
Zhao Ming was a strategist, a player who relied on reading his opponents and outsmarting them. Against Jian, he tried to control the pace, using precise drop shots and net play to disrupt Jian's rhythm.
But Jian had been preparing for this. His endurance and agility allowed him to keep up with Zhao's mind games. He returned every shot, countered every strategy, and forced Zhao to play faster than he was comfortable with.
The match ended 21-19, 21-18 in Jian's favor. Zhao walked off the court visibly impressed.
The Second-Ranked Player: Yu Chen
Yu Chen was the closest thing to perfection the academy had, second only to the top player. Her game was balanced—flawless footwork, sharp smashes, and an unshakable calm under pressure.
The match against Yu was the hardest Jian had ever faced. The first set was a wake-up call, with Yu dismantling his game 21-11. She exposed every weakness he had, leaving him frustrated.
During the break, Coach Liu pulled Jian aside. "You're not playing your game. You're playing hers. Control the pace, stay unpredictable, and trust your instincts."
The advice worked. In the second set, Jian played aggressively, taking risks with cross-court smashes and net kills. The crowd roared as Jian took the set 22-20.
The final set was a battle of wills. Both players pushed each other to their limits, with rallies lasting over a minute. But Jian's conditioning and mental focus paid off. He edged out Yu 23-21 in a nail-biting finish.
The Upcoming Match: Wu Jian, the First-Ranked Player
Jian's victories earned him a shot at the academy's top player, Wu Jian. Known as "The Wall," Wu was a defensive powerhouse. No shot seemed to get past him, and he wore opponents down with his patience and precision.
The match was scheduled for the academy's annual showcase, an event attended by students, coaches, and even scouts from professional teams.
In the days leading up to the match, Jian threw himself into training harder than ever. He studied recordings of Wu's matches, focusing on how opponents tried—and failed—to break through his defense.
Reflections Before the Match
The night before the match, Jian sat in his dorm, staring at his racket. He thought about how far he'd come—from a bored rich kid chasing a crush to someone who had earned the respect of the academy.
Feng, his roommate, spoke up. "Nervous?"
"A little," Jian admitted.
"You'll be fine," Feng said. "You've already done what no one thought you could. Just play your game."
Jian nodded, a small smile forming. "Yeah. Tomorrow, I'll show him what I can do."
"Him?," Feng said. "to Wich guy are you trying to show that your good."
" my father" said jian.
"oh ok" said Feng and drifted asleep
THE MATCH OF THE YEAR
The gymnasium was packed, buzzing with anticipation. The air was thick with the murmurs of students, coaches, and visiting scouts. All eyes were on the court, where Jian Chen and Wu Jian stood across from each other.
Wu Jian, the undefeated top-ranked player, radiated an air of calm confidence. He had been through countless matches like this, always emerging victorious. But as the first rally began, something felt… different.
Set 1: A Different Beast
The first point was an exchange of calculated shots. Wu's defense was impeccable, as expected, returning Jian's smashes with precision. But then, Jian did something that caught everyone off guard—he suddenly changed pace.
From a powerful smash, he transitioned into a delicate net drop, forcing Wu to lunge forward. Before Wu could recover, Jian sent a blistering cross-court smash past him. The crowd erupted as the scoreboard lit up: 1-0, Jian Chen.
Wu's eyes narrowed, his usual calm replaced by a hint of unease.
As the set progressed, Jian's game seemed to defy logic. He read Wu's every move, countering with an ease that stunned even Coach Liu. Wu, known for his unbreakable defense, looked helpless as Jian manipulated the pace of the game like a puppeteer pulling strings.
By the time the first set ended, the score was a staggering 21-7. The crowd was in shock. Wu Jian, the academy's untouchable champion, had been dismantled.
Set 2: Time Stands Still
The second set began with Wu determined to regain control. He started aggressively, aiming to put Jian on the defensive. But something extraordinary happened.
To Jian, everything around him slowed down. The sound of the crowd faded, the movements of Wu seemed sluggish, and the shuttlecock hung in the air like it was suspended in time.
"Ahh this is fun" jian Thought in his mind while the match was about to end.
Every shot he played was perfect—smashes that thundered past Wu before he could react, deceptive drop shots that left Wu scrambling, and cross-court drives that carved through Wu's defenses.
To the audience, it looked unreal. Jian moved as if he had all the time in the world, while Wu was left chasing shadows. Every point widened the gap between them, and the match turned into a masterclass in badminton.
By the final point, the score read 20-3. Jian took a deep breath, tossing the shuttlecock into the air for his serve. The gym fell silent as he unleashed a pinpoint smash down the line. Wu barely moved as the shuttle landed just inside the boundary.
Game: Jian Chen. Final score: 21-7, 21-3.
The Aftermath
The crowd erupted in disbelief. Students exchanged wide-eyed looks, and whispers of "Was that real?" rippled through the gym. Even Coach Liu, who had seen Jian's potential, was stunned.
"This… This is beyond talent," Liu muttered to himself. "This is genius."
Wu Jian stood at the net, still processing what had happened. For the first time in his career, he had tasted defeat—and not just defeat, but humiliation. He looked at Jian, who was drenched in sweat but standing tall, and extended his hand.
"Well played," Wu said, his voice steady despite the loss. "You're the real deal."
Jian shook his hand, offering a small nod. "Thanks."
The moment Jian left the gym, exhaustion hit him like a wave. His legs felt like lead, his arms heavy from the intensity of the match. He trudged back to his dorm, ignoring the stares and murmurs of his peers, who now looked at him with a mix of awe and reverence.
He barely made it to his bed before collapsing, his body sinking into the mattress. Sleep came almost instantly.
The Dream
Jian found himself in a serene park, the golden glow of a sunset painting the sky. He was sitting on a bench, and beside him was Li Wei. She looked exactly as she had on TV—graceful and radiant.
They were laughing, the sound light and carefree, as if they had known each other forever. She leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"So, Jian, why did you start playing badminton?"
Jian hesitated, then smirked. "Because of you."
Li Wei laughed, the sound like music. "And now? Is it still because of me?"
He paused, looking down at his racket before answering. "Partly. But now… I think I've found something I'm really good at. Something I love."
She smiled, her expression warm. "Good. Because I'd hate to think you'd stop chasing me."
Jian chuckled. "Oh, I'm not stopping anytime soon."
The dream faded, and Jian woke up with a smile on his face. His body was sore, his mind still foggy with sleep, but there was a quiet determination in his chest.
The journey wasn't over. In fact, it was just beginning.
Morning Surprise
The sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Jian Chen stirred, groaning softly as the remnants of his dream slipped away. He tried to hold onto it—the laughter, the park, the glow of Li Wei's smile—but reality was pulling him back.
"JIAN!"
His roommate Feng's voice pierced through the tranquility like a thunderclap, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps and the door slamming open.
"Wake up, man! You're not gonna believe this!" Feng shouted, shaking Jian's shoulder vigorously.
Jian groaned, rolling over and burying his face in his pillow. "Feng, I swear, if this isn't life or death, I'm going to kill you," he muttered, his voice muffled.
"It's better than life or death—it's fame! You're on the news!" Feng yelled, practically bouncing on his feet.
Jian turned his head, squinting up at his roommate with a scowl. "You woke me up from the best dream I've had in weeks… for this?"
"Yes! Now get up, lazy genius," Feng said, yanking the covers off Jian.
"Fine!" Jian snapped, sitting up with a glare. "This better be good."
The Big News
Feng grabbed his laptop and practically shoved it in Jian's face. The screen displayed a news headline in bold:
"Chen Jian: The Next Big Thing in Badminton?"
Underneath was a video clip of last night's match, showing Jian dismantling Wu Jian with almost embarrassing ease. The commentators' voices were filled with disbelief and excitement.
"This young man has burst onto the scene like a meteor. No one saw this coming—not even his own coach, from what we've heard. Chen Jian's performance last night was nothing short of spectacular. Could we be witnessing the rise of a future legend?"
The video cut to a crowd interview. A student from the academy was speaking animatedly, "It was insane! Wu Jian didn't stand a chance. Jian made him look like an amateur. I've never seen anything like it!"
Jian blinked at the screen, still groggy. "They're… talking about me?"
"Of course, they're talking about you!" Feng exclaimed. "You destroyed the number one player in the academy! Do you know how big that is? Everyone's losing their minds!"
Jian rubbed his eyes, his scowl fading as the realization sank in. "Huh. I guess that's pretty cool."
"Pretty cool?" Feng repeated, incredulous. "Dude, this is huge! People are calling you a prodigy! Scouts are probably watching this right now!"
Processing the Fame
Jian leaned back against his headboard, processing the news. Part of him was annoyed that his peaceful morning—and his dream—had been interrupted. But another part, the part that had worked relentlessly for months, felt a small spark of pride.
"Next big thing, huh?" he muttered.
"Yeah, and they're right!" Feng said, grinning. "So, what's the plan now, oh great badminton prodigy?"
Jian smirked, the corners of his mouth lifting. "The plan is to go back to sleep, obviously."
"Seriously?" Feng groaned.
"Seriously," Jian said, lying back down and pulling the covers over his head. "Wake me up when the next headline says I've already beaten the world champion."
Feng rolled his eyes but couldn't help laughing. "You're impossible. But don't say I didn't warn you when fans start camping outside our dorm!"
Under the covers, Jian allowed himself a small smile. He was on the radar now, and while the fame wasn't his goal, it didn't hurt to know his efforts were being noticed. For now, though, sleep called—and maybe, just maybe, another dream about her.
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