Chapter 120: On the Brink of Explosion

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. As the entire nation gathers with their families, the second floor of the cafeteria is unusually lively. Since many team members stayed behind for training instead of heading home, they decided to celebrate together. Later, discovering that it was also Shu Ran's birthday, they decided to keep it a secret to give her a surprise.

They had worried that Shu Ran might figure it out in advance, but she, true to form, spent the entire day burying herself in training, even forgetting that it was New Year's Eve.

The steam from the hot pot rose steadily, casting a warm, ruddy glow on everyone’s faces. Athletes cannot consume alcohol or sugary drinks, but their spirits remained high as they chatted and ate, sipping freshly squeezed fruit juice. After the meal, the group stayed in the cafeteria to watch the Spring Festival Gala. In recent years, the gala’s programs have become increasingly dull; by Shu Ran’s count, she hadn't watched it in three or four years. Yet tonight, even though the show was just as boring as ever, the smile never left her face. It turned out that the "flavor" of the New Year hadn't faded—it was just that as fewer people gathered together, the focus on the gala had naturally intensified.

The older ones in the group didn't have the energy of the youngsters and headed to the empty dormitory building to rest around ten o'clock. The Shu couple was already struggling to keep their eyes open. Fu Yiqing stood up to accompany them to the dormitory area, but a hand barred his path.

Shu Ran looked up. "Mom, Dad, let me walk you over."

The Shus, of course, had no objections, and Fu Yiqing didn't insist, only telling Shu Ran to watch her step on the way back.

As they stepped out of the cafeteria, the noise and bustle faded away. A streetlamp stood between every two plane trees, casting a warm, amber light that was dappled by the branches. The transition from the clamor inside to the silence of the path felt suddenly chilly. The family of three walked in a row along the right side. No one spoke; their footsteps were quiet, making the rolling sound of the luggage wheels feel amplified.

Inside the dormitory building, Shu Ran got the room card from the dorm manager. Just as she was about to enter the elevator, Shu Yutian stopped her. "Alright, your mother and I know the way from here. You go on back."

Shu Ran smiled faintly. "It’s fine, it’s only a few steps."

Shu Yutian insisted, "It's just a few steps, there's no need."

But Shu Ran was persistent, and the couple eventually had to let her have her way. After all, she was their most precious daughter.

After getting her parents settled, Shu Ran headed back out, only to find Shu Yutian had followed her all the way to the dormitory entrance.

Shu Ran: "Dad, go back inside."

Shu Yutian: "I'll walk you back." His expression was natural, as if he didn't see anything odd about it.

Shu Ran gasped and laughed, reminding him, "If I walk you here, are you going to turn around and walk me back?"

Shu Yutian looked up. The path was dim and seemed endless. He frowned, his tone firm. "These streetlights aren't very bright. Aren't you afraid walking alone? Don't say another word, I'm walking you."

Shu Ran tilted her head. "But I just walked you here. Isn't this all for nothing?"

Shu Yutian replied, "You walking us here was to show us the way. Now that I know the way, it’s fine."

Knowing how stubborn her father could be when it came to his concern for her, Shu Ran tried every argument until he finally abandoned the idea of walking her back to the cafeteria.

"Okay, Dad, I'm heading off then," Shu Ran said, taking a step forward before turning back.

Shu Yutian called out, "Send me a message when you get there."

"..." Anyone listening would think she was embarking on a long journey, rather than a mere 800-meter walk to the cafeteria. To put her father at ease, Shu Ran nodded.

She walked a few paces before hearing a voice from behind: "Ranran."

"Dad?"

Shu Yutian’s gaze was tender. "Whether you are a world champion or not, you will always be mine and your mother’s wonderful daughter."

Shu Ran froze for a moment, the cold in her heart replaced by warmth. She offered a soft smile. "Go back inside, it’s freezing out here."

"It's not cold," Shu Yutian said with a generous smile, though he immediately shivered and let out a sneeze.

The father and daughter looked at each other, stunned, and then burst into uncontrollable laughter. Under Shu Ran’s urging, Shu Yutian finally turned around, though he didn't move immediately, so Shu Ran hurried away.

The surroundings were quiet and the night was dark, but her heart was warm. Even without looking back, she could imagine that gaze of deep concern watching her retreating figure. Four years ago, she had fought with her back against the wall; four years later, carrying the support and encouragement of so many, she felt invincible in spirit.

Throughout the evening, Shu Ran listened to everyone’s jokes, kept busy just by laughing along.

Shortly after the Spring Festival, the national team athletes threw themselves back into intense training. Past experiences made Shu Ran afraid to be too attached to success or failure, yet she couldn't be entirely indifferent either. No one knew how to measure that balance, so all she could do was perfect every movement.

Qin Liubei asserted that as long as Shu Ran’s foot injury didn't flare up, qualifying for the Winter Olympics was a certainty. But the foot injury remained the biggest problem. If too much pressure was placed on her right ankle, the injury could recur at any time. Fortunately, when she trained with Yuan Cangyu in mid-August, he had taught her to disperse the pressure—such as slowing down appropriately before gliding, or skillfully using the bend of her knees when landing.

*

Before dawn, Shu Ran opened her eyes, her gaze bright, as if she had been waiting for the sun for a long time. Her hand reached out from under the quilt to the bedside table, grabbing her phone and pressing the lock button. The dazzling light from the screen made her squint, and she closed her eyes again, waiting for them to adjust.

Three o'clock. They weren't leaving for Finland until nine. Shu Ran slumped, letting out a long sigh.

The World Championships were in three days, and the competition would determine the 24 participants for the Winter Olympics. Unlike before, because the injury could recur at any moment and the competition for the Olympic qualifiers was fierce, she had to secure her spot for the Winter Olympics at these World Championships. Once qualified, she would have nearly a year to prepare for the Olympics.

Thinking of this, Shu Ran tightened her fist, making a silent vow to herself.

Shu Ran had moved on from the incident three years ago, but Fu Yiqing had not. Every time he remembered how Shu Ran had collapsed on the ice in agony, he couldn't help but worry, to the point where he hadn't slept a wink all night. He lay in his room for a while, and with nothing else to do, he took out paper and pen to calculate scores for her.

By seven o'clock, he messaged Shu Ran to see if she was up, but received no reply, and her phone went unanswered. For this competition, Shu Ran was traveling with the main group to Finland. Seeing the time, he went to the dormitory building to wake her. However, there was no response after knocking for a long time.

"Coach Fu?" A girl’s voice sounded, polite yet unfamiliar.

Fu Yiqing looked at Chen Jiahe, who said, "I heard movement in Senior Sister Shu Ran’s room early this morning, it sounded like luggage. It was quite early, I checked the time and it was only five."

Fu Yiqing processed this. "Thank you."

Leaving at five, and accounting for breakfast at the cafeteria, there was little time left for training, so Shu Ran wouldn't be at the ice rink. The closer he got to the dance studio, the more certain Fu Yiqing became of his guess. Through the glass door of the dance studio, he saw her inside.

Shu Ran was drenched in sweat, having finally exhausted her energy. She panted heavily as she walked over to grab her towel, only to realize it wasn't on the chair. Fu Yiqing walked toward her and handed her a towel.

She took it to wipe her sweat. "Thank you."

Fu Yiqing didn't ask why she was practicing in the dance studio before their departure, nor why she had gotten up so early. The reasons were obvious, and he didn't want to make her more anxious, so he said nothing.

The two arrived early at the designated meeting point, and the team members arrived one after another. Aside from Shu Ran, Chen Jiahe was also going in women’s singles. There was one more in men’s singles than in women’s, and the pairs skaters Wu Xincheng and Shen Yu were also bringing their junior counterparts, along with ice dancers Wan Yushan and Li Yuanxing. Added to their coaches, the team looked exceptionally large.

Huo Guang was also up early, giving everyone a final pep talk. The bus headed straight for the airport, and familiar landmarks flashed by like a white horse passing a crack, disappearing at the edge of his vision.

When her empty gaze met Fu Yiqing’s, she frowned, remembering something. He found it somewhat amusing and asked, "Don't tell me you forgot your skates."

Shu Ran shook her head.

Qin Liubei, standing to the side, chimed in, "Seriously? Is it your performance costume?"

Shu Ran: "Do you think Nadirova will compete in the World Championships?"

Three months ago, Nadirova had withdrawn from the GPF due to a waist injury. Officials stated her injury was serious and required rest, and whether she could participate in the World Championships would depend on her actual condition.

Qin Liubei raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Even if she doesn't participate, I believe their country will easily secure two or more 'Olympic tickets,' and she’ll still be able to compete in the Winter Olympics regardless."

That was true. Fu Yiqing looked at her and joked, "Are you worried about your opponent?"

Shu Ran: "I want to see if my revised performance is what truly moves people, or if their country's 'skating machines' are superior."

Because the young Russian skaters had achieved such outstanding results in women’s singles in recent years, and because they were all coached by the same ruthless trainer, the group had earned the nickname "skating machines."

Qin Liubei clapped his hands. "Not bad, not bad! That’s a bit of a student of Fu Yiqing for you—very arrogant!"

Because of Shu Ran’s legendary history, the media paid special attention to her. The grouping for the short program was still based on points. Shu Ran was in the final group. Looking at the mostly unfamiliar names on the list, Shu Ran, with her excellent mindset, simply laughed. Because most of the skaters from her generation had chosen to retire, it was no surprise that she and Kristina were ranked in the final group. In this way, being an older competitor had its advantages.

The day of open practice ended, followed by the short program draw. There were 34 participants in women’s singles this time, and Shu Ran drew number 34, meaning she would be the very last to skate. Kristina was the first to skate in the same group, while numbers 32 and 33 were Japan’s Jo Reina and the United States’ Zhang Ziqing.

The competition was about to begin.