The Return of the Seniors
The Beijing Academy of Badminton was abuzz with anticipation. A major international tournament was on the horizon, drawing players from across the globe. For the academy, it was an especially important moment as the third-years who had been training in England for the past year had finally returned.
Among them was Lin Hao, one of the academy's former top players. Known for his sharp smashes and cool demeanor, Lin Hao had gained a reputation as a prodigy before leaving for England. The younger students idolized him, and his return was treated as a homecoming for a legend.
A Curious Encounter
Lin Hao strolled into the training hall, his sharp eyes scanning the courts. He stopped when he saw Jian Chen, drenched in sweat, moving at lightning speed while practicing with weighted gear.
"What's this guy doing?" Lin muttered to one of his old teammates.
"That's Jian Chen," the teammate said. "He's been dominating the academy since you left."
"Dominating?" Lin Hao repeated, raising an eyebrow. "I've never even heard of him. He must be new."
Curiosity piqued, Lin Hao approached the court where Jian was practicing. "Hey, you!" he called out, his voice carrying authority.
Jian paused, glancing at him. "Yeah?"
Lin Hao smirked. "Why are you training so hard? You're not going to make it to the top by overworking yourself."
Jian raised an eyebrow but didn't reply, returning to his drills.
Annoyed by the dismissal, Lin Hao stepped onto the court. "You're new here, right? Let me show you what real skill looks like."
The Humbling Match
Without waiting for an answer, Lin Hao picked up a racket. "One set. First to 21," he said confidently.
Jian shrugged, adjusting the straps on his weighted vest. "Fine."
The match began, and Lin Hao quickly realized he was in for more than he had expected. Jian moved with a speed and precision that made the 20 kilograms of extra weight seem nonexistent. His smashes were unrelenting, his drops deceptive, and his defense impenetrable.
Lin Hao, though skilled, struggled to keep up. Every time he thought he had an opening, Jian countered with ease. The final score: 21-6.
Lin Hao stood at the net, breathing heavily, his pride bruised. "What rank are you?" he asked, trying to mask his disbelief.
Jian tilted his head, wiping his face with a towel. "I don't have one."
Lin Hao's eyes widened. "You're not ranked? How is that possible?"
"Doesn't matter," Jian said bluntly, picking up his water bottle. "I'm here to get better, not chase numbers."
With that, Jian walked off the court, leaving Lin Hao standing in stunned silence.
The Discovery
Later that evening, Lin Hao sat in his family's living room, still replaying the match in his head. Who is this guy? he wondered. Determined to learn more, he pulled up videos of Jian's matches online.
He watched as Jian dismantled top academy players from around the world with ruthless efficiency. Each game was a masterclass in adaptability and precision. Lin Hao leaned forward, captivated by Jian's playstyle.
Then, he found the post-match interview from Jian's Nationals win.
"Chen Jian, what inspired you to start playing badminton?" the interviewer asked.
Jian's blunt response echoed through the screen: "I saw a match on TV. Li Wei was playing. I fell in love with her, so I picked up the game to meet her."
Lin Hao froze, his jaw dropping. Li Wei?
He quickly checked the video's comments, where viewers were speculating about Jian's crush. It didn't take long for him to confirm the truth: Jian's crush, Li Wei, was none other than his cousin.
The Realization
Lin Hao leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "So that's why he's so driven," he muttered. A wry smile crept onto his face. "He picked up badminton for Li Wei, and now he's making waves across the academy—and beyond."
As he scrolled through more videos and articles, Lin Hao's respect for Jian grew. The younger player wasn't just talented; he was relentless, focused, and unyieldingly honest.
"Jian Chen," Lin Hao murmured, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're something else."
The Next Day
The next morning, Lin Hao approached Jian at the training hall, a new expression on his face—not of arrogance, but of curiosity.
"You're impressive, Jian," Lin Hao said. "I underestimated you."
Jian glanced at him, his usual bluntness on display. "Most people do."
Lin Hao smirked. "Fair enough. Just one question, though."
"What?"
"Li Wei. She's my cousin."
Jian froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So?"
Lin Hao chuckled. "So, I hope you're ready. If you're going to keep chasing her, you'd better live up to all this hype."
Jian's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Don't worry. I will."
And with that, the two players returned to their training, each silently acknowledging the other's resolve.
The Senior's Advice
It was late afternoon, and Jian Chen was finishing another grueling practice session when Lin Hao walked onto the court. Unlike their earlier encounters, Lin Hao's demeanor was calm and contemplative, his usual smirk replaced with a thoughtful expression.
"Jian," Lin Hao called, motioning for him to come over.
Jian wiped his face with a towel and approached, curious. "What is it?"
Lin Hao crossed his arms, studying Jian for a moment before speaking. "I've been thinking about your situation—your talent, your future, and…" He hesitated before smirking slightly. "…Li Wei."
Jian raised an eyebrow, his blunt tone cutting through the tension. "What about her?"
Lin Hao chuckled. "Look, I know you're planning to play in the upcoming Beijing tournament, but hear me out. I think you should skip it."
"Skip it?" Jian repeated, his eyes narrowing. "Why?"
The Case for Asian Juniors
Lin Hao leaned against the wall, his expression serious. "Because you don't have a ranking. You're 18, which makes you eligible for the Asian Junior Championships, and that's where you should focus."
Jian frowned, crossing his arms. "Why would I wait? I can prove myself in Beijing."
"Sure, you could," Lin Hao said. "But think about it. Without a ranking, no one will take you seriously, no matter how good you are. Playing in the Asian Junior Championships will give you an official ranking—and trust me, a high one if you perform like I know you can."
Jian was silent, mulling over the idea.
"And let's not forget," Lin Hao added with a sly grin, "if you really want to date my cousin, you're going to need that ranking."
Jian blinked, caught off guard. "What does that have to do with anything?"
Lin Hao laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Everything. Li Wei isn't just any player; she's a rising star in the sport. If you want to impress her—and everyone else—you need more than just raw talent. You need credentials. A ranking will open doors for you, not just with her but in the badminton world."
The Decision
Jian stared at Lin Hao for a long moment before sighing. "So you're saying I should wait, focus on the juniors, and build my ranking first?"
"Exactly," Lin Hao said, nodding. "You're already phenomenal, Jian, but the world doesn't know that yet. Let them see you rise the right way."
Jian rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at the court where he'd spent countless hours training. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll skip Beijing and aim for the juniors."
Lin Hao smiled, his respect for the younger player growing. "Good choice. And hey—when you're ranked, I'll make sure Li Wei hears all about it."
Jian smirked faintly. "I'll make sure she doesn't just hear about it—she'll see it for herself."
Lin Hao laughed. "Now that's the spirit. Let's make it happen."
As they left the court, Jian felt a renewed sense of purpose. The Asian Junior Championships were calling, and this time, he was determined to make his mark—not just for himself, but for the future he envisioned, both on and off the court.
The Decision and the Training Time Skip
The academy buzzed with excitement as the annual Beijing Tournament drew closer. Players sharpened their skills, the gym was alive with the sound of shuttlecocks, and everyone whispered about Jian Chen's inevitable dominance. But those whispers turned to confusion when Jian announced his decision.
"I'm not playing in Beijing," Jian said one afternoon, his voice calm yet resolute.
His teammates froze mid-drill, staring at him in shock.
"What do you mean you're not playing?" Feng asked, dropping his racket.
Jian shrugged. "I'm aiming for the Asian Junior Championships instead. It's bigger, and I need the ranking."
The gym erupted in murmurs, but Coach Liu nodded approvingly. "Smart move, Jian. It's time you stepped onto the international stage."
Months of Training
The next few months were a whirlwind of relentless training. Jian pushed himself harder than ever, perfecting every aspect of his game. His daily regimen remained brutal:
Morning weighted sprints: Still carrying the 20 kilograms, Jian sprinted through resistance drills, increasing his explosive speed.
Shadow drills and reaction time training: Jian's reflexes became sharper, his movements more instinctive.
Sparring with international-level players: His matches grew tougher, preparing him for the intensity of the Asian Junior Championships.
Though he didn't play in Beijing, Jian attended the tournament to support his teammates. As he sat in the stands, casually watching the matches, the last thing he expected was to see her.
The Encounter
Jian's gaze swept across the crowded stadium until it landed on a familiar figure. Li Wei. She stood a few rows away, chatting with her teammates. Her radiant energy lit up the space around her, and for a moment, Jian forgot the tournament entirely.
But then, their eyes met.
To his surprise, Li Wei didn't look away. Instead, she marched toward him with purpose, weaving through the crowd. Her small frame and determined expression made her seem like a storm in a teacup. Before Jian could react, she was standing directly in front of him.
"What—" Jian began, but she cut him off, grabbing his jacket and shoving him back against the wall.
"Jian Chen," she said, her voice low but fierce, "we need to talk."
Jian blinked, amused rather than intimidated. At 6'2", he towered over her petite 5'5" frame, but her fiery presence almost made up for the height difference. Almost.
"I wanted to make the first move, though," Jian said, smirking slightly. "Li Wei."
Li Wei glared up at him. "Don't you 'Li Wei' me! Do you have any idea what you've done?"
The Yapping Session
Li Wei let go of his jacket but didn't back away. Instead, she launched into a tirade, her hands flying as she spoke.
"Do you know how hard you've made my life? Ever since your little 'confession,' all I hear about isn't my games, my matches, or my progress—it's about how I'm 'marked' as the prodigy's crush! My teammates tease me nonstop, reporters won't stop asking questions, and even my coach has started giving me funny looks! I can't go a day without someone bringing it up!"
Jian leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms and listening with mild interest. But as Li Wei's rant continued, a slight boredom began to creep onto his face.
"And another thing!" she continued, her voice rising. "You think you can just say stuff like that on national television and get away with it? Do you even—"
Li Wei froze mid-sentence as Jian leaned down, kissed her gently on the top of her head, and straightened back up.
"Calm down," Jian said, his tone soothing. "I need to go to the bathroom."
Before Li Wei could recover, Jian slipped past her and disappeared into the hallway, leaving her standing there, her cheeks flushed crimson.
Jian's Reaction
Inside the bathroom, Jian splashed cold water on his face and stared at himself in the mirror. His face was as red as a tomato, and his heart was racing.
"That was the riskiest thing I've ever done," he muttered to himself.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Why didn't I just stop her with words? And why couldn't I kiss her properly? Ugh, she's too short."
The thought made him chuckle nervously as he dried his face. But despite his embarrassment, a small smile lingered on his lips.
Li Wei, he thought. You make life interesting.
With a deep breath, Jian composed himself and stepped back into the stadium. The tournament was still ongoing, but his focus was now split between cheering for his team and wondering what Li Wei would do next.
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