The Summer Championship Begins
The day of the summer badminton championship had finally arrived, bringing together the best junior players from across the region. The academy was buzzing with excitement and tension. Players stretched, fine-tuned their strategies, and exchanged nervous banter. The competition was more than just a tournament—it was a chance to prove themselves.
Jian Chen stood in the corner of the warm-up area, his usual weighted gear strapped on as he went through his drills. His sharp movements and intense focus drew attention, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He hadn't seen Li Wei since the family gathering, and though they had exchanged a few messages, he wondered if she would be at the championship.
Enter the Rival
Jian's focus was abruptly broken by a loud burst of laughter from a group of players nearby. He turned his head to see a tall, confident boy surrounded by admirers. The boy's voice carried through the room as he spoke animatedly about his matches.
"That's Xiao Rui," Lin Hao said, walking up to Jian. "He's from the neighboring academy. Supposedly one of the top seeds this year."
"He's loud," Jian muttered, returning to his stretches.
Lin Hao chuckled. "Yeah, and apparently, he's got a thing for Li Wei."
Jian froze mid-stretch, his gaze snapping back to Xiao Rui. The boy was now waving at someone across the room. Jian followed his line of sight and felt his chest tighten.
There she was—Li Wei, standing with her teammates, smiling politely as Xiao Rui approached her.
The Rivalry Ignites
Xiao Rui leaned in to talk to Li Wei, his confident grin never faltering. She laughed at something he said, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Jian watched the interaction, his jaw tightening.
Lin Hao noticed Jian's expression and smirked. "Looks like you've got some competition off the court, too."
Jian didn't reply, but his narrowed eyes spoke volumes.
As the day went on, Xiao Rui made it a point to flaunt his skills on the court, winning his early matches with ease. He seemed to bask in the attention, his charm captivating the crowd—and Li Wei.
An Awkward Encounter
During a break between matches, Jian finally crossed paths with Li Wei in the hallway.
"Jian," she said, her expression softening. "I didn't think I'd see you here."
"It's my academy's championship," Jian replied, his tone neutral. "Of course I'm here."
Li Wei smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, good luck today. I'll be watching."
Before Jian could respond, Xiao Rui appeared at her side, casually slinging an arm over her shoulder. "Li Wei, come on! I've got to show you my next match. You'll love it."
Li Wei stiffened slightly but didn't move away. "I'll catch up," she said, giving Xiao Rui a polite smile.
Xiao Rui turned to Jian, his grin widening. "You must be Jian Chen. Heard a lot about you. Hope we meet on the court—so I can show you how it's done."
Jian's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Looking forward to it."
The Matches Begin
The tournament progressed, and both Jian and Xiao Rui dominated their respective brackets, their victories setting up a climactic clash.
As the semifinals approached, the tension between them was palpable. Jian's usual stoicism was tinged with determination, while Xiao Rui made no secret of his desire to defeat him—not just for the championship, but for Li Wei's attention.
Jian Chen vs. Xiao Rui: A Decisive Match
The semifinals of the summer badminton championship were underway, and the tension in the air was electric. Jian Chen stood across the net from Xiao Rui, his expression calm but his eyes burning with determination. Xiao Rui, ever the confident showman, wore his trademark smirk.
"I hope you're ready, Jian Chen," Xiao Rui said, twirling his racket. "I'm going to give you a match you'll never forget."
Jian didn't respond. Instead, he adjusted his weighted vest—still strapped tight—and waited for the whistle.
The Match
The game began, and Xiao Rui immediately tried to assert dominance, firing powerful smashes and deceptive drop shots. But Jian moved with an almost inhuman speed, returning each shot with precision and power.
First Set:
The first rally was brief, with Jian landing a cross-court smash that Xiao Rui barely saw. Point after point, Jian dominated the court, forcing Xiao Rui into desperate lunges and unforced errors. By the interval, the score was already 11-0.
The crowd was stunned. Xiao Rui's confident demeanor faltered as he failed to score even a single point. Jian closed out the set with a decisive 21-2, his every shot calculated to perfection.
Second Set:
The second set was even more brutal. Jian controlled the pace entirely, mixing powerful smashes with delicate net drops that left Xiao Rui scrambling. The set ended 21-3, and the crowd erupted in cheers, though many stared in disbelief at the sheer gap in skill.
The Handshake
As they approached the net for the post-match handshake, Xiao Rui extended his hand reluctantly, his expression a mix of anger and humiliation. Jian, however, leaned in slightly, his voice low but firm.
"This Li Wei is mine," Jian said, his tone icy. "Whether you like it or not. And I don't like to share. Hands off."
Xiao Rui's eyes widened in shock as Jian released his hand and walked off the court without another word.
The Secret Meeting
Jian slipped away from the crowd and found Li Wei waiting in a quiet corner of the stadium. She smiled as he approached, the light glinting off her hair.
"You were incredible out there," Li Wei said, her tone warm.
"Thanks," Jian replied, his usual bluntness softened. "I meant what I said, you know. About you being mine."
Li Wei's cheeks flushed, and she laughed softly. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Never," Jian said with a small smirk.
The two talked quietly for a while, sharing stories and teasing each other about their matches. When it was time for Li Wei's game, Jian walked her to the court, offering a rare, "Good luck."
Li Wei's Match
Li Wei faced off against a formidable opponent, but inspired by her conversation with Jian, she played with unmatched focus and determination. Her smashes were sharp, her defense impenetrable, and her precision flawless.
The first set ended 21-9, and the second was even more decisive, 21-7. Li Wei walked off the court to thunderous applause, her victory solidifying her reputation as one of the best.
The Championship Final and Jian's Victory
Later that day, Jian played in the final match of the tournament, defeating his opponent with the same ruthless efficiency he had shown against Xiao Rui. The score was 21-4, 21-2, earning him the championship trophy and cementing his dominance.
But this time, when reporters gathered for comments, Jian simply shook his head and walked away, leaving the stage to Xiao Rui, who had taken second place.
The Interview with Xiao Rui
Reporters swarmed Xiao Rui, eager to know his thoughts on the match.
"Xiao Rui, what happened during your match with Jian Chen?" one asked.
Xiao Rui sighed, his pride clearly bruised. "He destroyed me. There's no other way to put it. His skill, his speed, everything was just… on another level."
"What about after the match?" another reporter asked. "It looked like you two exchanged words."
Xiao Rui hesitated, then smirked bitterly. "Oh, he said something alright. He told me, and I quote, 'This Li Wei is mine, whether you like it or not.' And he made it very clear he doesn't like to share."
The reporters erupted into murmurs, scribbling furiously in their notebooks.
At the Spring Fountain
After the chaos of the tournament, Jian made his way to the spring fountain near the stadium, where Li Wei had asked to meet him. She was already there, sitting on the edge of the fountain and gazing at the water.
"You're late," she teased as he approached.
"I was dealing with reporters," Jian said, sitting beside her. "Apparently, Xiao Rui decided to share everything I said to him after the match."
Li Wei laughed, covering her mouth. "You really told him that?"
"Every word," Jian said, his tone unapologetic.
Li Wei shook her head, smiling. "You're impossible, Jian Chen."
The two spent the next hour talking, laughing, and teasing each other. Jian told her about his plans for the upcoming tournaments, and Li Wei shared her goals for the season.
"You know," Li Wei said softly, glancing at him, "you're not as scary as everyone thinks."
Jian smirked. "Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to maintain."
Li Wei laughed, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in their little corner by the fountain.
When it was time to leave, Jian walked Li Wei to her car, his usual bluntness softened by the warmth in his gaze. "See you at the next tournament?"
"Of course," Li Wei replied, her smile lingering as she drove away.
Jian stood there for a moment, watching her go, before turning back toward the stadium.
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