The Final Day: Semifinals and Finals
Jian Chen stood in the empty practice court under dim lights, the silence broken only by the rhythmic sound of his racket hitting the shuttlecock. He hadn't slept at all, spending the night honing his precision and timing. The final day of the Asian Junior Championships was here, and Jian was determined to leave nothing to chance.
The Semifinals
The crowd was alive with energy as the semifinal matches began. Four players remained, including three from China and the top player from India, Arjun Singh, who had stunned the crowd with his powerful performances in the earlier rounds.
Semifinal 1: Zhang Weihao (China) vs. Arjun Singh (India)
The first match of the day featured Zhang Weihao, China's top-seeded player, against Arjun Singh.
First Set:
Arjun immediately established dominance, his smashes blazing across the court with unstoppable force. Zhang tried to counter with his aggressive net play, but Arjun's precision and power were too much to handle. The first set ended 21-11 in Arjun's favor.
Second Set:
Zhang came back stronger, extending rallies and using deceptive drops to force errors from Arjun. However, Arjun adapted quickly, turning the tide with a series of unreturnable smashes. The set ended 21-13, and Zhang's run in the tournament came to an end.
Arjun's victory was met with thunderous applause as he advanced to the finals.
Semifinal 2: Jian Chen (China) vs. Liu Fang (China)
The second semifinal was an all-Chinese affair, with Jian facing Liu Fang, the second seed. Liu, known for his tactical play, had been anticipating this match, eager to prove himself against his unranked yet unstoppable teammate.
First Set:
Liu started cautiously, using long rallies to test Jian's patience. Jian, however, maintained his calm, breaking through Liu's defenses with sharp cross-court smashes. He took the first set decisively 21-10.
Second Set:
In the second set, Liu attempted to play aggressively, pushing Jian into a corner. But Jian's adaptability shone through as he countered with effortless precision. The set ended 21-8, securing Jian's place in the finals.
The Finals: Jian Chen vs. Arjun Singh
The final match was the most anticipated event of the tournament. Jian's dominant run had captivated the crowd, but Arjun's raw power and experience made him a formidable opponent.
As Jian entered the court, his coach, Zhang Qiang, approached him with a rare smile.
"Take off the weights," Coach Zhang said.
Jian raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"Do it," Zhang insisted. "It's time to show them your full potential."
Jian nodded and removed the 60 kilograms of weights strapped to his body. The crowd watched in stunned silence as he stood at the baseline, lighter and faster than ever before. To test his newfound freedom, Jian jumped—and soared nearly two feet higher than the net.
The crowd gasped, and Arjun's confident expression faltered. The stage was set.
The Match Begins
First Set:
From the first rally, it was clear that this match would be one-sided. Jian moved with unparalleled speed and precision, his smashes landing with thunderous force. Arjun, despite his best efforts, couldn't find a way to score.
The set ended 21-2, leaving the crowd in awe and Arjun visibly shaken.
Second Set:
Fueled by his promise to Li Wei, Jian doubled down in the second set. His movements were so fluid and precise that it seemed as though he was predicting Arjun's every shot.
Jian's smashes were unrelenting, and his deceptive net play left no room for recovery. The second set ended 21-3.
Jian had done it. He not only dominated the finals but kept Arjun's total score below 5 points, just as Li Wei had dared him to do.
The Interviews
After the match, reporters swarmed Jian, eager to understand how he had delivered such a commanding performance.
Reporter 1: "Jian Chen, you just defeated one of the best juniors in Asia with an unprecedented score. How did you do it?"
Jian: "Training. And a bet."
Reporter 2: "A bet? Can you elaborate?"
Jian: "Last night, I saw Li Wei at a restaurant. She told me that if I could keep my opponent under 5 points, she'd go on a date with me. So, I did."
The reporters erupted into murmurs, furiously jotting down his words.
Reporter 3: "You mean your motivation was a date with Li Wei?"
Jian: "Yes. Anything else?"
Reporter 4: "You took off your weights before the match. How much were you carrying?"
Jian: "60 kilograms."
Gasps rippled through the room.
Reporter 5: "Why did you take them off now?"
Jian: "Coach told me to."
Reporter 6: "What's next for you, Jian?"
Jian: "Training. There's always another challenge."
Returning to the Hotel
As Jian exited the stadium, he spotted Li Wei at a table with her teammates, laughing and chatting. She glanced at him, her expression a mix of annoyance and amusement.
"Don't forget the bet," Jian called out, smirking.
Li Wei rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint smile on her lips.
Back at the hotel, Jian collapsed onto his bed, his body finally feeling the exhaustion of the day. He stared at the ceiling, replaying the match and the bet in his mind.
"Most intense match of my life," he muttered. "And all for a date."
A small grin crept onto his face as he closed his eyes, satisfied with his victory on and off the court.
The Convenience Store Incident
It was late in the evening when Jian Chen decided to head out to a nearby convenience store. The thrill of victory from the tournament finals was still fresh, and he wanted something sweet to celebrate. The streets were quiet, the occasional car passing by, but as Jian approached the store, he noticed a commotion in the dimly lit alley beside it.
A group of three men had cornered a girl, her voice muffled as she tried to resist. Jian paused, his fists clenching. This isn't my business, he thought initially. But as the girl's muffled cries grew louder, something in him snapped.
It doesn't matter if it's my business or not. This isn't right.
Jian Steps In
Jian strode into the alley, his towering 6'2" frame casting a long shadow. "Hey!" he shouted, his voice sharp and commanding. "Leave her alone."
The men turned, laughing as they sized him up. "What are you going to do, kid?" one of them sneered.
Jian didn't answer. He had no formal training in fighting, but years of strength conditioning, quick reflexes, and a few too many Bruce Lee movies had given him enough confidence to act.
When the first man lunged at him, Jian ducked, his body moving on instinct. He swung his fist, landing a solid punch to the man's jaw. The sound of impact was enough to make the other two pause.
"Still want to try?" Jian asked, his voice calm but his eyes cold on the tough he was very scared but excited.
The second man charged, but Jian sidestepped, grabbing his arm and slamming him into the wall. The third hesitated but made the mistake of swinging a metal pipe. Jian blocked with his forearm, wincing as the impact stung, and retaliated with a powerful kick to the man's stomach.
The first man tried to stand, but Jian grabbed him by the collar and delivered another punch. One by one, he incapacitated them.
The Reveal
As the men groaned on the ground, Jian turned to the girl. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softening.
She nodded, adjusting her mask and cap. "I think so… Thank you."
But as she pulled off her mask to get a better breath of air, Jian froze. It was Li Wei.
"Li Wei?" he said, his voice laced with disbelief.
Her eyes widened in recognition. "Jian? What are you doing here?"
The realization of who he'd just saved reignited Jian's fury. "Wait here," he said, his voice cold.
He turned back to the men, who were attempting to crawl away. Without hesitation, Jian grabbed one by the shirt and growled, "You think you can just get away with this?" He landed another punch.
"Jian, stop!" Li Wei cried, rushing to him. She grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "They're done! Don't hurt yourself anymore!"
The Aftermath
Jian finally relented, breathing heavily. His lip was split, and his knuckles were red and raw. Li Wei's eyes scanned his face, worry etched into her features.
"You're an idiot," she muttered, rummaging through her bag for tissues. "You're an athlete. You can't just go around punching people like this."
Jian chuckled despite the pain. "I thought I did alright for someone who doesn't know how to fight."
"'Alright'?" she snapped, dabbing at the cut on his lip. "You could've gotten seriously hurt!"
Jian winced as she pressed the tissue against his wound but couldn't help but smile. "Does this mean I can go on a date with you now?"
Li Wei froze, staring at him in disbelief. "You're unbelievable," she muttered, but her cheeks turned pink. "Fine. But only because you just saved me and cause of our bet."
The Date
They left the convenience store and walked to a nearby café. It was quiet, with soft music playing and dim lights casting a warm glow. Jian ordered tea while Li Wei picked a small dessert, and they sat by the window, the night outside calm and serene.
For the first time, Jian saw a different side of Li Wei. She wasn't the fierce competitor he admired from afar—she was warm, funny, and endearingly awkward when she tried to thank him.
"You didn't have to do what you did," she said softly, stirring her tea. "But I'm glad you did."
"I couldn't just walk away," Jian replied. "Not when someone needed help. Especially not you."
Li Wei blushed, biting her lip to hide her smile. "You really are something else, Jian Chen."
They talked late into the night, sharing stories about their training, childhood, and dreams. The connection between them grew stronger with every word.
Back at the Hotel
When they returned to the hotel, the hallway was quiet, the faint hum of the elevator the only sound. They stopped in front of Li Wei's door.
"Thanks for tonight," she said, hesitating before looking up at him. "For everything."
Jian smiled, his lip still slightly swollen. "Anytime."
Li Wei reached up, standing on her toes to brush her lips softly against his cheek. "Goodnight, Jian."
He froze, his heart racing as she disappeared into her room.
When he reached his own room, Jian flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind replayed the night's events, from the fight to the café to that final moment in the hallway.
"That was the best date ever," he muttered to himself, a wide grin spreading across his face. "But next time, I'm going for the lips and maybe something more."
With that thought, he closed his eyes, already looking forward to the next time he'd see her.
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