Chapter 46: The Mindset of the Weak

At the end of August, there was an internal team test, and Shu Ran and Fu Yiqing managed to return to City B the day before it began.

As expected, Shu Ran took first place again.

After a year of various competitions, everyone had slowly gotten used to Shu Ran’s dramatic transformation.

The one most unwilling to accept it was Liang Yue.

Heeding Jiang Wanru’s advice, Shu Ran tried to avoid being alone with Liang Yue.

But sometimes, trouble sought her out and could not be dodged.

Fu Yiqing went to Head Coach Huo Guang’s office, and Shu Ran, bored while waiting, decided to grab her spare skates from the locker room and practice on the ice.

As luck would have it, she bumped into Liang Yue just as she came out.

Shu Ran pressed her lips together, instantly regretting her decision—if only she had waited outside.

But there was no sense in retreating now.

Liang Yue’s fierce gaze made Shu Ran’s heart tighten; she could only skirt around her, pretending not to see.

“So you ignore people now that you have skill?”

The sarcastic tone made Shu Ran pause.

Liang Yue turned, staring coldly at her back. “Fame really changes people. I am your senior, you know. Is this how you treat a senior?”

Shu Ran frowned, not wanting to entangle with Liang Yue. She turned her head, gave a slight nod as greeting, her gaze indifferent. “Sorry. I thought not greeting each other would be best for both of us.”

“That’s true. If possible, I wouldn’t want to see you for even a second. But we’re on the same team, aren’t we?”

Shu Ran’s expression stayed unchanged. Liang Yue felt as if her punches landed on cotton, all effort wasted.

“Liang Yue, there’s something I don’t understand,” Shu Ran asked.

Her furrowed brows and genuine confusion made Liang Yue pause, caught off guard, “What?”

“You used to dislike me because I dragged the team down, brought shame to the national squad. But now, I’m no longer a burden. Why do you still hate me?”

Liang Yue didn’t answer. “Are you proud, thinking you finally surpassed me?” She sneered. “You think I don’t know your progress is thanks to that coach of yours? You got all these resources, but everything I have, I earned myself. Don’t get ahead of yourself—you’ll never surpass me.”

Shu Ran paused, swallowing the truth. “I’m going to train.”

She had just turned to leave when Liang Yue called out desperately, “What’s the story with your coach? There’s something shady between you two, isn’t there?”

If Liang Yue’s earlier words had gone in one ear and out the other, this accusation truly infuriated Shu Ran.

“Don’t say such things. He’s just my coach.”

Seeing the crack in Shu Ran’s calm, Liang Yue pressed her advantage, a mocking smile curling her lips. “He’s not even a real coach—no one in the country’s heard of him. He helps you so much, it must be because of your relationship! Otherwise, why didn’t you live in the dorm last year and the year before, moving into his place instead?”

A flash of anger colored Shu Ran’s clear eyes; she stared fiercely at Liang Yue.

Liang Yue, used to Shu Ran’s mild temperament, was stunned to see her angry for the first time. “Why get angry if I’m wrong?”

“That’s the mindset of the weak.”

“What?”

“I said… Only the weak think that way. They never look for reasons in themselves, only envy the excellence of others—because they know they’ll never surpass them.” Shu Ran’s lips curved unexpectedly, her gaze light yet tinged with scorn.

Liang Yue’s heart froze, her inner fears exposed—just as Shu Ran said. Another fear was being seen through by Shu Ran.

“Stop right there!” Liang Yue shouted after her. “Shu Ran, I’ll expose your true self!”

Her angry cries echoed across the rink.

Meanwhile, Shu Ran ignored her completely, practicing on the ice. Under Liang Yue’s poisonous gaze, she deliberately executed a triple Axel.

And it was unexpectedly flawless.

Landing smoothly, Shu Ran transitioned seamlessly into a combination spin.

Her movement and fluidity rivaled world champions.

For a moment, Liang Yue’s voice weakened. She swallowed, watching the black figure on the ice, realizing finally that Shu Ran was no longer the girl she once looked down upon.

At least, not someone she, Liang Yue, had the right to scorn.

From now on, she could only look up.

Liang Yue, unwilling to accept this, clenched her fists so tightly that her manicured nails dug painfully into her palms.

Fu Yiqing arrived just as Liang Yue stormed out with her skates, anger still clear on her face.

Thinking of Shu Ran, Fu Yiqing quickened his pace.

Seeing Shu Ran practicing calmly, he relaxed, quietly watching her every move.

When Shu Ran was tired, she glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw Fu Yiqing.

She smiled as she skated over, leaning on the barrier. “All done?”

Her bright smile eased Fu Yiqing’s worries completely. He nodded. “Are you going to practice here? The rink at home is quieter—fewer people, easier to train.”

Shu Ran was about to step out when Liang Yue’s words echoed in her ears.

—There must be something shady between you two.

Shu Ran took the blade guards from Fu Yiqing and slipped them on, moving aside to change her shoes. “Coach Fu, don’t I live in the dorm?”

“You want to live in the dorm?”

Shu Ran hesitated for a second. The dorm had many limitations; living at Fu Yiqing’s, she could train whenever she wanted. Besides, his house had things the team lacked.

A home theater.

Her new season’s short program was inspired by “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” She hadn’t fully grasped the character’s mindset yet, but watching a good film again and again always sparked new insights.

But if Liang Yue could think that way, surely others would too.

Shu Ran didn’t want anyone to misunderstand her relationship with Fu Yiqing, nor tarnish his intentions.

After thinking it over, Shu Ran nodded, “Yes.”

She had only hesitated a few seconds, yet Fu Yiqing could tell she wasn’t being honest. “Did someone say something to you? Was it Liang Yue?”

Shu Ran tied her shoelaces and stood up. “Why do you ask?”

Fu Yiqing was even more certain. “I saw her leaving when I came in. What did she say?”

Shu Ran wanted to lie, but facing Fu Yiqing, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything false.

So she kept silent.

Fu Yiqing sighed helplessly. “If you want to move back just because of what she said, there’s no need. Her aim is to provoke you—the best counter is to become even stronger.”

“Actually, moving back isn’t bad,” Shu Ran said softly. “What bothers me most is that the dorm doesn’t have a home theater.”

Her regretful tone made Fu Yiqing smile. “Do you really want to move back?”

Shu Ran met his gaze boldly and nodded.

“All right, I’ll have Aunt Zhang help you pack.” Fu Yiqing pulled out his phone and called home.

After hanging up, he met Shu Ran’s expectant look. She asked, “What about the movie?”

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

*

Thinking it over, moving back had many advantages.

With so many athletes on the team, watching their dedication constantly reminded Shu Ran of her own passion for figure skating.

As the new season was about to start, those athletes with prospects for the World Championships were called together for a meeting.

The year before last, Shu Ran lived at Fu Yiqing’s; last year, she wasn’t qualified to attend the meeting. So this was her first time at such a gathering.

Zhu Hongzhe and Chen Lecheng joked as they entered, and when they saw Shu Ran, their eyes widened.

Chen Lecheng rubbed his eyes. “Am I seeing things? Are you Shu Ran?”

Shu Ran was a bit exasperated. “I just went to Canada, not Korea. Why don’t you recognize me?”

Wu Xincheng was amused, slapping Shen Yu’s thigh. “Shu Ran’s changed—she’s so funny now.”

Shen Yu smiled softly. “Yes, Zhu Hongzhe has changed too.”

Reminded, Wu Xincheng glanced at Zhu Hongzhe, noticing his red face and awkward posture after sitting down. She chuckled secretly, exchanging a knowing look with Shen Yu.

Head Coach Huo Guang hadn’t arrived yet, so everyone in the meeting room began catching up.

Chen Lecheng: “Shu Ran, why did you move back?”

Shu Ran: “Is it strange? I moved back last year, but I just wasn’t qualified for this meeting then.”

Her words were casual, but Chen Lecheng took note, smiling awkwardly. “Impressive, very inspiring.”

“Shu Ran, I heard you had a run-in with Liang Yue yesterday?” Wu Xincheng leaned in, unable to hide her excitement.

Shen Yu tugged at her sleeve, giving her a look to tone down her gossiping expression.

Wu Xincheng glared at him, then leaned in further, gossiping face on.

Chen Lecheng joined in. “Who told you? Was it Liang Yue?”

Wu Xincheng: “Do I look like that kind of person? Liang Yue’s always arrogant—who gets along with her? A junior happened to pass by the rink yesterday and overheard their conversation.”

Chen Lecheng turned his expectant gaze to Shu Ran.

Shu Ran was helpless, smiling wryly. “It wasn’t really a confrontation—she blocked me first and said…”

Her eyes dimmed.

Everyone understood; they guessed Liang Yue must have said something unpleasant.

Chen Lecheng applauded. “I’ll always support you. With Liang Yue, you’re always acting in self-defense.”

“‘Self-defense’ is a good term.” Wu Xincheng slapped Chen Lecheng’s thigh, her eyes full of approval. “Looks like your April class paid off.”

Chen Lecheng jumped up, rubbing his thigh, looking incredulously at Wu Xincheng and Shen Yu. “Wow! Shen Yu, I really sympathize with you. Wu Xincheng hits like a truck, and you’ve endured it so long.”

Wu Xincheng gazed fondly at Shen Yu, running her hand over his thigh. “You don’t get it. Our Xiao Yu isn’t happy unless I hit him once a day. Right, Xiao Yu?”

Shen Yu’s eyes were soft, his smile gentle. “Yes.”

Shu Ran saw through Shen Yu’s thoughts completely, turned to suppress a laugh, only to meet Zhu Hongzhe’s equally amused gaze.

Both paused, then burst out laughing, and the awkwardness in the meeting room melted away.