Farewell to China
A month had passed, and it was time for Jian Chen and Soo-jin to return to Korea. The airport was bustling with activity as friends, teammates, and family gathered to bid them farewell. Hugs were exchanged, laughter filled the air, and promises to stay in touch were made.
As the final goodbyes were said, Soo-jin realized she had forgotten something in the cab. "I'll be right back!" she called, running off to retrieve it.
Jian stood by the gate, his gaze scanning the crowd when he felt a presence behind him. He turned to see Li Wei, her expression unusually somber.
"Jian," she began softly, her voice barely audible over the chatter of the terminal. "Before you leave, there's something I need to say."
He tilted his head, curious but cautious. "What is it?"
Li Wei hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around him in a hug. "I love you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Jian froze. His mind raced, but his heart felt nothing beyond a quiet sympathy. He gently pulled back, his expression kind but firm. "Li Wei," he said softly, "you're an amazing person and a phenomenal player, but my heart belongs to Soo-jin. I'm sorry."
Li Wei gave him a sad smile, nodding. "I understand. I just… needed to say it."
As she turned and walked away, Jian felt a sense of closure. He knew this was for the best.
When Soo-jin returned, she noticed Jian standing alone, a thoughtful look on his face. "Everything okay?" she asked, tilting her head.
Jian nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Yeah. I just… said goodbye to someone properly."
Soo-jin looked at him for a moment, understanding dawning in her eyes. She reached out and squeezed his hand. "That was the best thing you could've done," she said softly.
Jian smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude for the woman who stood by his side. Together, they boarded the plane bound for Seoul.
Upon arriving in Seoul, Jian's father surprised them with a new house—a sleek, modern home in an upscale neighborhood. The design was clean and elegant, with spacious rooms, large windows that let in plenty of light, and a beautiful garden in the back.
"This is incredible," Soo-jin said as they explored the house, her eyes wide with wonder.
Jian's father chuckled. "Only the best for my son and future daughter-in-law."
Soo-jin blushed at the comment but couldn't hide her smile. Jian placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch steady and reassuring.
The following days were a mix of settling into their new home and Soo-jin searching for a job. She attended several interviews, her professionalism and charm leaving a strong impression wherever she went.
One afternoon, while waiting for Jian to pick her up, she looked out the window of the pharmacy where she had just finished an interview. What she saw made her pause—several young women had gathered around Jian, chatting animatedly.
Jealousy and Teasing
Soo-jin stepped outside, her arms crossed and her expression exaggeratedly pouty. Jian noticed her immediately and began gesturing wildly, trying to explain that it wasn't what it looked like.
"It's not like that!" he said, his face a mix of panic and amusement.
Soo-jin narrowed her eyes for a moment before breaking into laughter. She mimicked his frantic gestures, saying, "I'm just kidding, silly."
Jian sighed in relief, pulling her close. "You're going to give me a heart attack someday, you know that?"
"I have to keep you on your toes," Soo-jin replied, grinning.
As they walked home together, hand in hand, Jian couldn't help but feel grateful.
BADMINTON TIME
The announcement of Jian Chen's return to professional badminton sent ripples across the sporting world. After a brief stint in the Chinese Open, he shocked fans and analysts alike by accepting an invitation to join the Korean National Badminton Team. The move was both strategic and personal, as Jian saw it as an opportunity to challenge himself further while staying close to Soo-jin in Korea.
Training with the Korean team was intense, but what set Jian apart wasn't just his talent or determination—it was Soo-jin. Always present on the sidelines, she was his constant source of support.
Whenever Jian took a break during practice, Soo-jin would rush over with a bottle of water and a towel, her hands gentle as she wiped the sweat from his brow.
"You're pushing too hard," she would say softly, concern in her eyes.
"I have to," Jian would reply with a faint smile. "I've got something to prove."
Her presence didn't go unnoticed. The male teammates often grumbled, exchanging envious glances as Soo-jin fussed over Jian.
"Must be nice to have someone like her," one of them muttered.
"Lucky guy," another added, shaking his head.
Even the coaches weren't immune to the jealousy, their expressions often a mix of admiration and mild annoyance as Soo-jin doted on Jian.
After a week, the head coach, Park Min-woo, realized that Jian's potential far exceeded the current training program. Determined to push him to new heights, Coach Park devised a grueling regimen.
"Jian," Coach Park announced, "starting tomorrow, your training is going to the next level. And not just you—the entire team will follow the same program."
The next morning, Jian was handed a vest weighing 60kg and told to run 20 miles uphill. The weight dug into his shoulders, but he didn't complain. His strides were steady, his focus unyielding as he ascended the steep paths.
Once the run was complete, he was tasked with completing over 1,000 repetitions of every core exercise—push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and more. Each movement was precise, his form unbroken despite the strain on his muscles.
The rest of the team, though following the same program, struggled to keep up. Whispers spread among them:
"How is he still going?"
"Does he ever stop?"
Every evening, after Jian's body gave out and he collapsed from exhaustion, Soo-jin was there. She would gently guide him to a shaded area, letting him rest his head on her lap.
"You're insane, you know that?" she would tease, stroking his hair as he caught his breath.
Jian would chuckle weakly. "I'm just trying to make you proud."
"You already do," she'd reply, her voice filled with warmth.
Her care didn't go unnoticed. The other players often watched from a distance, their expressions a mix of awe and envy.
"Seriously, how did he find someone like her?" one of them whispered.
"I'd train like that if I had someone waiting for me like she does," another joked.
Even Coach Park, despite his stern demeanor, couldn't hide his jealousy. "She's practically his personal nurse," he muttered to one of his assistants.
The weeks passed, and the rigorous training began to show results. Jian's endurance, speed, and strength improved exponentially, his movements on the court becoming sharper and more precise.
Coach Park watched with pride as Jian sparred against top-ranked players, often outmaneuvering them with ease. "He's going to dominate the international stage," the coach remarked one evening.
But behind every victory, every grueling session, was Soo-jin. Her unwavering support became the cornerstone of Jian's success.
One evening, after an especially intense training session, Jian found himself sitting with Soo-jin under a tree near the training facility.
"Thank you," he said suddenly, his voice breaking the comfortable silence.
"For what?" Soo-jin asked, tilting her head.
"For always being here," Jian replied, his gaze steady. "I don't think I could do any of this without you."
Soo-jin smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. "You don't have to thank me, Jian. I'm here because I want to be."
As the sun set, casting a warm glow over them, Jian felt a sense of gratitude that words couldn't express.
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