Two Months of Relentless Training
The weeks leading up to the World Junior Championship were grueling for Jian Chen and the Chinese National Team. Every morning began with intense physical conditioning, followed by hours of technical drills and match simulations. The stakes were higher than ever—this wasn't just another tournament. It was the pinnacle of junior badminton, and every player was vying for glory.
Jian's focus was unwavering. His schedule left little room for anything else, but he didn't mind. For him, this was a step closer to cementing his legacy. His father, Jian Yong, beamed with pride, constantly bragging about his son's progress to anyone who would listen.
The Day of Departure
The team was set to depart for Incheon, South Korea, on a crisp autumn morning. Players gathered at the airport, their gear in tow, excitement and nervous energy filling the air. But as the team prepared to board, someone was missing.
"Where's Jian?" Coach Ren asked, scanning the crowd.
A call came through moments later. Jian's voice was frantic. "I'm late! Traffic's insane. I'll catch up with you in Incheon!"
"Typical," Lin Hao muttered, shaking his head.
Luckily for Jian, his father was already prepared.
The Private Jet
Within the hour, Jian was boarding a sleek private jet arranged by his father. The best pilot in the business was at the helm, and Jian reclined in his seat, confident he'd make it to Incheon in no time.
As the jet soared through the sky, Jian gazed out of the window, the sprawling landscapes below reminding him of how far he'd come.
But then, disaster struck.
The Crash
The jet hit turbulence as it passed over a rural village in South Korea called Joam-ri. Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the cabin—a bird had struck one of the engines. Before the pilot could react, the turbine malfunctioned.
The jet spiraled out of control, plummeting toward the earth. Jian's heart raced as alarms blared and the world blurred around him. Then, everything went black.
A New Life in Joam-ri
When Jian awoke, he was lying on a straw mat in a small, cozy home. His body ached, but he was alive. A group of villagers surrounded him, their expressions kind but curious. They spoke to him in Korean, their words foreign and confusing.
"I… Where am I?" Jian murmured, his voice hoarse.
The villagers exchanged glances before one of them replied gently, "Joam-ri. You're safe now."
Jian tried to recall how he'd gotten there, but his mind was blank. His memories—his name, his life, everything—were gone.
Becoming Haneul-i
The villagers took Jian in, caring for him as one of their own. Without a name to give them, they decided to call him Haneul-i Naelin Seonmul, which meant "gift from the heavens." Over time, they shortened it to Haneul-i cause it's simpler that way.
Haneul-i embraced his new identity, grateful for the kindness of the villagers. He learned their language, their ways, and their lifestyle. The simplicity of rural life was a stark contrast to the intensity of his former world, but he found joy in it.
Farming: Haneul-i worked in the fields, learning to plant and harvest crops. The physical labor was satisfying, and he often joked with the other farmers as they toiled under the sun.
Fishing: He spent afternoons at the river, perfecting his casting technique and laughing with the village children
Community Events: Haneul-i became a loved figure in the village, participating in festivals and sharing meals with his neighbors.
Meanwhile, in China
Back home, Jian Yong was inconsolable. News of the crash spread like wildfire, plunging the badminton world into shock. The team had arrived in Incheon without Jian, only to hear about the tragedy.
Jian Yong spent every waking moment organizing search parties and working with authorities to find his son. His once-vibrant personality dimmed, replaced by a hollow sadness.
The badminton community mourned the loss of its brightest star. Fans and players alike held vigils, honoring Jian Chen's legacy and the promise of what could have been.
The Forgotten Sport
While the world grieved, Haneul-i loved his new life. The pressures of competition, fame, and expectation were gone, replaced by the quiet rhythm of rural living.
He had no memory of badminton, no recollection of his skill or achievements. His body, still conditioned from years of training, felt strong, but he used that strength for farming and helping his neighbors.
One day, as he sat by the river with an elderly villager, the old man remarked, "You seem like you were meant for something big, Haneul-i."
Haneul-i laughed, shaking his head. "Maybe I was. But this life… it's enough for me."
For now, he was content, blissfully unaware of the world he had left behind.
A Glimpse of Boxing
One quiet evening in Joam-ri, Haneul-i sat with a group of villagers in the local community center. The television buzzed softly in the corner, and the villagers gathered to watch the evening news and whatever came on afterward.
As the news ended, the channel switched to a live broadcast of a boxing match. The fighters danced around the ring, their powerful punches landing with precision and force. The crowd on the screen roared with excitement, and Haneul-i found himself leaning forward, captivated by the spectacle.
"What is this?" Haneul-i asked one of the villagers, his eyes glued to the screen.
"It's boxing," the man replied. "A sport where two people fight using only their fists. You've never seen it before?"
Haneul-i shook his head, mesmerized by the speed and intensity of the match. Something about the fighters' movements—their footwork, their focus—stirred something deep within him.
The Decision to Try
That night, Haneul-i couldn't stop thinking about the match. The way the fighters moved reminded him of something familiar, though he couldn't quite place it. By morning, he had made up his mind.
"I want to try boxing," he announced to the villagers over breakfast.
The room erupted in laughter.
"Boxing? You?" one of the older farmers said, shaking his head. "You're a farmer, Haneul-i, not a fighter."
But Haneul-i's determination didn't waver. "I just want to see what it's like. Can anyone teach me?"
One of the younger villagers, Minjae, grinned. "There's an old boxing gym in the next town. I've been there a few times. I can take you."
The First Session
The next day, Minjae took Haneul-i to the gym—a modest building with faded posters of famous boxers on the walls and the faint smell of sweat lingering in the air. The trainer, an older man named Coach Kang, greeted them with a skeptical look.
"You want to learn boxing?" Coach Kang asked, eyeing Haneul-i's lean but muscular frame.
"Yes," Haneul-i replied earnestly.
Coach Kang chuckled. "Alright, but don't cry if it's too hard."
He handed Haneul-i a pair of worn gloves and wrapped his hands. The first lesson began with the basics: proper stance, how to throw a jab, and how to guard. Haneul-i struggled at first, his movements clumsy and awkward.
But as the session progressed, something clicked. His natural athleticism shone through, and his punches became sharper, his footwork more fluid.
Discovering the Fun
By the end of the session, Haneul-i was drenched in sweat but grinning from ear to ear.
"That was amazing," he said, panting as he unwrapped his hands.
Coach Kang raised an eyebrow. "You've got potential, kid. You move like someone who's trained before."
Haneul-i frowned, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "I don't remember training for anything."
"Well, keep at it, and you might go far," Kang said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Over the next few weeks, Haneul-i returned to the gym regularly, finding joy in every punch and drill. Boxing wasn't just a sport—it was an outlet, a way to challenge himself in a way he hadn't experienced since arriving in Joam-ri.
A New Passion
The villagers, initially amused by Haneul-i's interest in boxing, soon became his biggest supporters. They'd gather around him in the evenings, asking about his training and cheering him on as he practiced shadowboxing by the river.
"You're really into this, huh?" Minjae asked one day as they walked back from the gym.
Haneul-i nodded, a rare smile gracing his face. "It's fun. I like the challenge. And who knows? Maybe I'll even compete one day."
The idea seemed far-fetched, but Haneul-i didn't care. For now, he was content to throw punches and enjoy the thrill of the sport, blissfully unaware of the world of badminton waiting to reclaim him.
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