Shu Ran had always been at the bottom of the women’s singles figure skating national team. One day, a very handsome man suddenly approached her and told her he would make her a world champion. In that instant, she realized that God was fair—some people might be blessed with good looks, but there was clearly something wrong with his head. If she ever became world champion, the president of the International Skating Union would have to be her relative! But later, not only did Shu Ran win the world championship, she also became the girlfriend of Fu Yiqing, the vice president of the International Skating Union. Shu Ran said, “Coach, I’ve noticed that having the surname Fu is really unlucky.” Fu Yiqing: “?” Shu Ran: “No matter if you’re the actual president or just the vice president, everyone still calls you President Fu.” Fu Yiqing: “…” An eternally bottom-ranked women’s singles skater with sunshine in her soul, matched with a sharp-tongued but soft-hearted vice president of the International Skating Union.
As Shu Ran sat outside the rink putting on her skates, she heard footsteps approaching. Liang Yue and Jiang Wanru seemed to be in good spirits, humming a little tune, but as soon as their eyes landed on her, it was as if they’d spotted something filthy. The smiles on their faces froze instantly, like ice forming over water, and with a cold snort, they sat down at the far end of the bench to change their skates.
While tying her laces, Liang Yue sneered, “Some people, year after year with that pig-tail of hers, never once won a medal in the junior division, and now in the adult group, last year she went to an international competition and placed fifth from last. What a waste of a spot.”
She switched to the other foot. “If I were her, I’d have quit figure skating ages ago. Doesn’t she feel ashamed to embarrass the country like that?”
Shu Ran wanted to retort, but the words died on her lips.
Although Liang Yue’s results weren’t impressive, and hardly anyone in the international arena paid her much attention, she was still far ahead of Shu Ran. At least Liang Yue’s short program scores were good enough to qualify her for the free skate, while Shu Ran’s short program never made the cut.
What Liang Yue said was true—she really had brought shame upon her country.
Shu Ran stood up and looked deeply at Liang Yue.
Liang Yue met her gaze with arrogance, brushing past her with a mocking smile still lingering at the corners of her mouth. She took off her skate guards and glided onto the ice like a nimble swallow. Jiang Wanru, also a women’s si