Chapter Twenty-Nine: Let's Play Together

Shu Ran had already participated in nearly all the international competitions that could help boost her ranking points; only the Four Continents Championships remained this season. The timing of 4CC coincided with the Lantern Festival, which meant she wouldn’t be able to return home for the New Year once again. Traveling back and forth would waste precious days, and at such a critical juncture, she and her team needed to make the most of every moment.

Last year, the issue of not coming home for the holiday had caused some unhappiness between her and Fu Yiqing, but this year, things would be different.

Upon returning to her home country, the team rewarded her with a bonus for her outstanding performance. Unfortunately, she had no time to shop for gifts, so she decided to purchase everything online. She bought new clothes for her parents, grandparents, and maternal grandparents, then called each of them to remind them to accept the deliveries.

Her mother, Shao Anhong, couldn’t hold back tears when she heard that Shu Ran wouldn’t be coming home this year.
“Ranran, I miss you so much. Is your competition really that important?”

Her heart tightened at her mother’s words, but her father, Shu Yutian, interjected, “What are you saying? She’s trained for so many years—if she comes home now, you’ll only hurt her. Why are you crying?”

Shu Ran’s heart leapt. “Mom, are you crying?”

Shao Anhong wiped her tears, “No, no, don’t listen to your father. He’s just trying to guilt-trip you into coming back.”

Shu Yutian: “…”

Shu Ran understood her mother was indeed crying. Though her heart ached, she changed the subject for the sake of her competition. “Mom, you should watch my Tallinn Cup Challenger Series online—I won the silver medal!”

She always shared good news, never bad. She rarely let her parents watch her matches live, even now, when her progress was obvious. If something went wrong and she didn’t win, wouldn’t that only disappoint them? She needed to show results—to let them see her persistence was justified.

“We already watched the live broadcast,” her mother said. “You performed wonderfully; even Chen Yuqi didn’t do as well as you. The champion was Maggie from the European Championships. Your father and I are so proud of you.”

Shu Ran was stunned. “You watched it?”

“Of course,” Shao Anhong replied. “We watch every one of your competitions. It seems your coach Fu is truly remarkable. But my precious daughter is the best of all.”

Shu Ran hadn’t expected her parents to watch every match. Nor had she expected her mother to effortlessly mention names that had previously been strangers, clearly showing how well they understood figure skating now. And the reason for that understanding could only be her.

Her tears fell silently.

She pressed her lips together, swallowing her emotion and striving for calmness in her voice. “Mom, remember to sign for the new clothes I bought you. I’m off to training.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

“Mom,” Shu Ran hesitated for a few seconds, “I love you both.”

On the other end, Shu Yutian complained to Shao Anhong, “What are you crying for? She won silver—nothing to be sad about.”

Shu Ran said, “Mom, tell Dad for me—I love him too.”

Shao Anhong, still crying, relayed the message, “Your precious daughter says she loves you.”

“You’re crying too,” Shu Yutian retorted.

Suddenly, Shu Ran found herself laughing through tears.

She cried in the bathroom for a long time. After washing away the tears with cold water, she finally stepped out.

Fu Yiqing was talking to Qin Liubei when he noticed the beads of water on Shu Ran’s face; she was about to step onto the ice. He walked over with a towel, helped her wipe her face, and gestured for her to do the right side herself.

The words, “Your face is wet—how can you go on the ice without drying off?” were on the tip of his tongue, but when he saw her reddened eyes, his heart lurched. “Dry off, then go train.”

Shu Ran removed the blade covers and skated smoothly onto the rink.

Qin Liubei, unaware of Fu Yiqing’s change in expression, continued their conversation. “No joke, your birthday is coming up—what do you want this year?”

“I don’t need anything,” Fu Yiqing replied.

Qin Liubei snorted, his tone dripping with mockery. “Are you sure? Shu Ran asked me the other day when your birthday was, and what gift I was preparing—she wanted some ideas.”

He lightly tapped Fu Yiqing’s chest with his fist, “Didn’t you tell her? How else would she know your birthday is near? You asked her for a gift, but when I offer, you refuse—such double standards!”

Fu Yiqing suddenly thought of something, his gaze tightening. “When is the Four Continents?”

“Around the Lantern Festival. Why? That’s a weird change of topic.”

In that instant, Fu Yiqing understood why Shu Ran had cried.

*

Perhaps Fu Yiqing’s conscience was stirred, or perhaps Shu Ran’s training had been particularly good these days—either way, he gave her a rare half-day off to relax.

But who could Shu Ran spend time with in City B? She had no friends there. Remembering Fu Yiqing’s birthday was approaching, she decided to use this half-day to buy him a birthday gift.

Her gift couldn’t be as simple as Fu Yiqing’s—a public fireworks display and a cake that could only be looked at, not eaten, weren’t enough. For someone like Fu Yiqing, who lacked nothing, a handmade gift would be most sincere. But where would she find the time to make one herself?

So she wandered aimlessly through the mall until she remembered that, during the French Grand Prix, Zhu Hongzhe and others had mentioned a new pedestrian street in City B—a paradise for young people, with many interesting shops soon to open.

With this in mind, Shu Ran messaged Zhu Hongzhe, asking for the location. He replied quickly, “I’m here right now—I’ll send you the location.”

The street had an intriguing name: “An Interesting Street,” with a sign at the entrance reminiscent of a Miyazaki manga.

As Shu Ran was about to walk forward, she saw two people waving enthusiastically at her, both wearing knit hats and accompanied by a man and a woman.

The ones waving were Zhu Hongzhe and Chen Lecheng; the other two, she realized as she drew closer, were Shen Yu and Wu Xincheng, the pair skating duo.

No sooner had she approached than Zhu Hongzhe asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Just browsing,” Shu Ran replied.

Zhu Hongzhe scrutinized her, his expression odd and complex. “Alone? Shopping? You really are a loner.”

Chen Lecheng shook his head, sympathy in his eyes. “You’re so friendless. From now on, hang out with us.”

Wu Xincheng interjected, “You guys are overthinking it. Maybe she just likes doing things solo?”

Wu Xincheng was mischievous; her partner Shen Yu was much steadier. “Since we’ve run into each other, let’s browse together. Chen Lecheng knows this area well—let him lead the way.”

Shu Ran nodded in agreement.

She could see why the four of them got along. In the national figure skating team, only the men’s singles and pairs had outstanding results. For other skaters, joining them might create a huge psychological gap. If there wasn’t a gap, the thought of poor results while hanging out would only encourage more practice.

Zhu Hongzhe soon resumed teasing Shu Ran. “You really are pitiful. At least I have Chen Lecheng, Wu Xincheng has Shen Yu, but you’re all alone. Truly sad.”

Wu Xincheng frowned, “What are you saying? Finish that sentence—Shen Yu isn’t ‘mine,’ he’s my partner!”

“Fine, fine, your partner. Could you show some sympathy for Shu Ran?”

Wu Xincheng pouted, looping her arm through Shu Ran’s and quickening her pace. “Come on, let’s shop. Zhu Hongzhe just loves showing off—it’s unbearable.”

Shen Yu quietly followed.

The group wandered for quite some time, but Shu Ran didn’t lose sight of her purpose. Yet she still hadn’t found a gift she liked.

They passed a ceramics shop.

Shu Ran paused in front of the window, staring at the display.

Zhu Hongzhe tilted his head, “What are you doing?”

“I want to make something,” Shu Ran replied, pointing at the ceramics. “You guys go ahead, I’ll catch up.”

“Do we look like the kind of people who’d abandon a friend?” Zhu Hongzhe sneered, stepping into the ceramics shop first.

The others, curious about what Shu Ran wanted to make, followed.

The shop offered hands-on pottery. Shu Ran removed her gloves, hat, scarf, and mask, then listened intently as the owner instructed her for ten minutes before she began.

The others looked around, then decided to try their own hand at pottery.

“What are you making?” Zhu Hongzhe asked.

“A cup,” Shu Ran answered.

“I want to make a vase,” Wu Xincheng declared, “one that’s as beautiful and useful as I am.”

Zhu Hongzhe and Chen Lecheng rolled their eyes, but Shen Yu smiled indulgently.

Shu Ran noticed the subtle exchange and fixed her gaze on Shen Yu, sensing something was amiss.

Chen Lecheng leaned in and whispered, “You noticed it too? Shen Yu likes Wu Xincheng, that shameless one?”

Shu Ran was surprised. “It’s true?”

“Of course,” Zhu Hongzhe joined, “I always thought that pairs and ice dance—those events where a man and woman skate together—are perfect for developing feelings. Look at them. But Wu Xincheng’s feelings are harder to read. Do you think she likes Shen Yu?”

Shu Ran shook her head. “Hard to tell.”

Someone mentioned the iconic scene from “Ghost,” where the leads make pottery together.

Chen Lecheng even reenacted the moment, reaching from behind to hold Zhu Hongzhe’s hands, both covered in clay, his expression melodramatic. This time, Zhu Hongzhe was the one annoyed by Chen Lecheng’s theatrics, making the spectacle so awkward it drew stares.

Shu Ran couldn’t stop laughing.

Suddenly, Wu Xincheng squealed, “I’ve got it!”

Everyone looked at her in confusion as she turned to Shen Yu in delight. “Next season, let’s do a program based on ‘Ghost’!”

Shen Yu was nonchalant, his expression saying he’d follow her lead.

The five of them gathered around making pottery—an amusing scene that attracted curious glances from passersby, who peered through the window.

With their striking looks, they soon lured in several onlookers.

A passerby came running in, excitement unmistakable. “Zhu Hongzhe?! Chen Lecheng?”

“You must be Wu Xincheng and Shen Yu!”