The Return to China
Jian Chen stood at the entrance of the stadium in China, taking in the thunderous energy of the crowd. The familiar scent of the court, the deafening cheers, and the sight of the gleaming shuttlecocks brought a sense of nostalgia rushing back. But this wasn't just any match—this was his official return to the world of badminton.
Training with Zhang Wei
The days leading up to the tournament were grueling. Jian trained tirelessly with Zhang Wei, the world's 25th-ranked player. Soo-jin was there every step of the way, supporting him from the sidelines.
"Here, drink this," she said, handing him a bottle of water during a break.
"Thanks," Jian said, his voice steady but laced with exhaustion.
As he trained, Soo-jin wiped the sweat from his brow and handed him towels, always attentive to his needs.
The Day of the Open Tournament
The stadium was packed to capacity, the energy electric as the crowd waited for the final match of the day. The announcer's voice boomed across the arena, trembling with a mix of fear and excitement.
"After a long wait, the moment has arrived. The last match of the day is here!" The announcer paused, looking at the lineup, his voice quivering. "It is Xiao Peng versus the man who came back from the dead… the talent thought to be lost no.. no.. no the prodigy and was the pride of the Chinese team and now we shall call him soul reaper… JIAN CHEN!"
The crowd erupted into chaos, cheers and gasps rippling through the stands. Cameras flashed as reporters scrambled to capture the moment.
In the audience, Jian's former academy teammates and coaches stared in disbelief.
"Is that really him?" one of them whispered.
"It's been years… How is this possible?"
Li Wei, sitting among them, was equally stunned. Her mind raced as she tried to process the sight of Jian Chen, the prodigy who had vanished, now standing confidently on the court.
Jian entered the court with a smirk, his movements calm yet intimidating. His opponent, Xiao Peng, visibly trembled as he faced him.
The match started, and it was clear from the first rally that Jian was in a league of his own. His smashes were devastating, his drops precise, and his movement so fluid it looked effortless.
Point after point, Jian dismantled Xiao Peng's game, leaving the crowd in awe. By the time he won the match with a staggering 21-5 score, the entire badminton world was buzzing with disbelief and excitement.
Soo-jin was waiting for him at the sidelines, holding a towel and water. As Jian walked toward her, his expression softened. She handed him the water and wiped his sweat with a smile.
"You were amazing," she said softly. "Fighting!"
Her encouragement fueled him further as he prepared for his next match. Despite the early lead he gave his opponent in the second game, Jian turned it around with ease, showcasing his dominance once again. The match ended with a decisive 21-20, silencing any doubts about his skill.
Reporters swarmed Jian after the match, their microphones and cameras capturing every word.
"How did you recover after the plane crash?" one asked.
"What was it like to regain your memories?" another pressed.
Jian answered each question calmly, detailing his journey from Joam-ri to his rediscovery of badminton.
Finally, a reporter asked, "What's next for you, Jian Chen?"
Jian's eyes gleamed with determination. "The world champion title. It will belong to me within a year."
The crowd roared at his declaration, and the internet lit up with his bold statement.
As Jian returned to the warm-up room, Soo-jin was already there waiting. She handed him a fresh towel, her hands gentle as she massaged his shoulders.
"Why do you do all this for me?" Jian asked, turning to look at her.
Soo-jin smiled, her cheeks flushed. "Because I love you. Isn't that reason enough?"
Jian pulled her closer, his voice low. "Will you still do it with me if I'm sweating .?"
"Yes," she replied without hesitation.
Jian tilted her chin up, his gaze locked on hers. "Then you won't mind this." He leaned in, their lips just inches apart—
The door to the room slammed open, and Jian's former academy teammates and friends rushed in, shouting excitedly.
"Jian Chen!" one of them yelled. "You're really back!"
The moment was interrupted as Jian sighed, turning toward them with a look of mild annoyance. Soo-jin quickly stepped back, her face red as she tried to hide her flustered state.
"You guys have the worst timing," Jian muttered, running a hand through his hair.
One of his friends laughed, clapping him on the back. "We couldn't wait to see you! It's been too long."
As the group caught up, laughter and stories filled the room. Soo-jin watched from the side, her heart swelling with pride as she saw Jian surrounded by his friends, his smile genuine and carefree.
In that moment, she knew that no matter where life took them, they would face it together. Jian's return to badminton was just the beginning, and with her by his side, he was ready to take on the world.
THE EMOTIONAL REUNION
The room was already buzzing with energy as Jian Chen caught up with his former academy teammates, the laughter and chatter filling the space with warmth. But the atmosphere shifted suddenly when the door burst open again, and a familiar face stepped in.
It was Feng, Jian's best friend from the academy. His eyes were red and swollen, tears streaming down his cheeks as he stumbled into the room.
"Jian Chen!" Feng cried, his voice cracking. "You… you're alive! We thought… we all thought you were dead!"
Feng didn't wait for an invitation. He threw himself at Jian, wrapping his arms around him in a tight embrace. "You have no idea how much I missed you," he said between sobs.
Jian patted Feng's back, his own emotions stirring. "I missed you too, Feng. I didn't remember much, but I always felt like something was missing. Now I know what it was."
The two stood there for a long moment, the bond between them unspoken but deeply felt.
Not far behind Feng, the academy's previous 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st-ranked players entered the room. Their faces lit up with a mix of relief and disbelief as they saw Jian standing there, very much alive.
"You really came back from the dead," one of them said, their voice tinged with awe.
"We thought we'd never see you again," another added.
Without hesitation, they joined Feng and Jian in a group hug, the camaraderie of their shared history binding them together once more. Jian couldn't help but smile as memories of their intense training sessions and friendly rivalries came flooding back.
The door opened once more, and this time, it was Li Wei who stepped into the room. Her usually confident demeanor faltered slightly as her gaze met Jian's.
"Jian Chen," she said softly, her voice carrying a mixture of emotions—relief, surprise, and something else unspoken.
Li Wei walked toward him and, without hesitation, hugged him tightly. "It's good to see you again," she said, her tone sincere.
But while Li Wei embraced him, Jian's arms remained at his sides. His eyes drifted past her to Soo-jin, who stood in the corner of the room with a faint pout on her lips, her arms crossed.
"Hi, Li Wei," Jian said quietly, his gaze fixed on Soo-jin's face.
Li Wei stepped back, a flicker of confusion crossing her expression, but she didn't comment. She joined the rest of the group, and the room buzzed with conversation once more.
As the excitement settled, Jian found himself surrounded by his old teammates, coaches, and friends. The academy coach, an older man with a stern but kind expression, approached him.
"Jian," the coach said, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how proud I am to see you standing here."
"Thank you, Coach," Jian replied, bowing respectfully. "I wouldn't be here without everything you taught me."
The coach clapped him on the shoulder. "You've come back stronger than ever. I can't wait to see what you'll achieve next."
Throughout the conversations, Jian kept glancing toward Soo-jin. She stood quietly near the wall, her expression softening as she watched him interact with his old friends. When their eyes met, she offered him a small smile.
Excusing himself from the group for a moment, Jian walked over to her.
"Hey," he said, his voice low. "You okay?"
Soo-jin nodded, her pout fading. "I'm fine. Just… it's nice seeing you reconnect with everyone."
Jian leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "You're the only one I want to reconnect with after this is over."
Soo-jin's cheeks turned pink, and she looked away, trying to hide her smile.
As the room buzzed with energy, Jian stood in the center, surrounded by his past, his present, and the promise of his future. The reunion was overwhelming, but it reminded him of how far he had come—and how much he still had to achieve.
With Soo-jin by his side, quietly supporting him, and the unwavering bond of his old friends and teammates.
Returning to His Old Home
Jian Chen and Soo-jin stepped into the house he once called home, the memories rushing back like a tidal wave. The familiar scent of polished wood, the soft hum of the air inside, and the creak of the floorboards under his feet brought him back to a time before everything changed.
"Feels strange being back," Jian admitted, placing his bag on a nearby chair. "But it's good. I want you to see this part of my life."
Soo-jin smiled, her eyes scanning the living room. "It's lovely. A little big for one person, though."
"Not when you're around," he teased, pulling her into a quick hug before heading toward the bathroom.
After his shower, Jian came into the bedroom, his hair still damp. He flopped onto the bed with a sigh of relief, stretching out before glancing at Soo-jin, who sat cross-legged, scrolling through her phone.
"Told you we'd reconnect after that reunion," he said, smirking.
Before she could respond, Jian pulled her toward him, his lips capturing hers in a passionate kiss. One thing led to another, and they deepened their bond once more.
The Next Morning
The sound of the doorbell ringing jolted Soo-jin awake. She sat up groggily, her hair disheveled, and glanced at Jian, who was still sound asleep.
"I'll get it," she muttered in Korean, grabbing a blanket to wrap around herself.
When she opened the door, she froze. Standing there were Feng, Jian's old academy teammates, and even Li Wei. Their eyes widened at the sight of Soo-jin, clearly surprised by the unexpected greeting.
Though they couldn't understand her, Soo-jin bowed slightly and spoke quickly in Korean. "I'm sorry, can you please wait in the living room? I'll be right back."
Still half-asleep and flustered, she shuffled back to Jian's bedroom and shook him awake. "Jian, get up. Your friends are here!"
Jian groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Seriously? This early?"
"They're in the living room," Soo-jin said, frowning. "And I don't have anything clean to wear."
Jian sat up, glanced at her, and handed her one of his oversized hoodies and a pair of sweatpants. "Here, these will do."
Soo-jin slipped on the hoodie and pants, which were far too big for her, and followed Jian into the living room.
The Conversation
"Hi, everyone," Jian greeted casually, running a hand through his messy hair.
All eyes turned to Soo-jin, who looked adorable in the oversized clothes, the hoodie almost swallowing her petite frame.
Feng, of course, was the first to comment, smirking as he leaned forward. "So… you lost your virginity last night, huh?"
Jian gave him an unimpressed look. "No. I lost it last year—with her."
The room fell silent for a moment before Feng and the others erupted into laughter and teasing remarks.
"Jian Chen, you've been holding out on us!" one of them said, clapping him on the back.
Li Wei's face betrayed a flicker of surprise, though she quickly composed herself. Jian, however, didn't pay much attention to her reaction. His focus remained on Soo-jin, who was now curling up next to him, clearly still tired.
As the conversation continued, Soo-jin's head gradually drooped onto Jian's shoulder. Her breathing slowed, and it became clear she was falling asleep.
"She didn't get much sleep last night," Jian said, his tone amused yet gentle.
Feng raised an eyebrow, grinning. "I wonder why."
Ignoring the comment, Jian carefully lifted Soo-jin into his arms. The oversized hoodie made her look even smaller as he carried her to the bedroom. Gently, he laid her on the bed, covering her with a blanket before returning to the living room.
After catching up with everyone, Li Wei excused herself, explaining that she needed to leave for national team practice. The atmosphere shifted slightly once she was gone, and Feng leaned forward, asking the question on everyone's mind.
"So… what about Li Wei? You two used to be close."
Jian sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I admired her, sure. She's a fantastic player, and back then, I thought I might've had feelings for her. But it wasn't love. What I feel for Soo-jin? That's love."
The group nodded, seeming to understand. Feng patted Jian's shoulder. "You've changed, Jian Chen. And I mean that in the best way."
Later that day, Jian went out for a run to clear his mind. As he rounded a corner near the park, he spotted a familiar figure—Zhang Bo, his old rival.
"Jian Chen," Zhang called out, jogging over to him. "I thought it was you."
The two exchanged pleasantries before Zhang started asking questions.
"How are you back? The whole badminton world thought you were gone," Zhang said, his tone laced with curiosity.
Jian explained briefly about the crash and his journey of rediscovery, though he kept the details light.
"You've been through a lot," Zhang said, his respect evident. "But I'm glad to see you back. We need players like you in the game."
After a brief conversation, the two parted ways, promising to meet again on the court.
When Jian returned to the house, the living room was quiet. He peeked into the bedroom, where Soo-jin was still curled up on the bed, looking peaceful.
Not wanting to disturb her, Jian sat on the edge of the couch, resting his head against the wall. But moments later, Soo-jin stirred and opened her eyes.
"Jian?" she called softly.
"Yeah?"
"Come to bed. You'll be uncomfortable out there."
Jian hesitated but eventually joined her. As he lay down, Soo-jin draped a blanket over him and snuggled close, wrapping her arms around him.
"You're too stubborn," she murmured sleepily.
"And you're too persistent," Jian replied, a soft smile on his lips.
Within moments, they both drifted off, finding comfort in each other's presence.
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