Chapter Forty-Seven: A Daily Deed of Evil

The meeting was rather formal, filled with official-sounding statements, but in the end, it all boiled down to one thing: this year is crucial, let’s all give our best in the new season.

As they left the conference room, Chen Lecheng and Wu Xincheng stretched simultaneously.

Chen Lecheng remarked, “I’ve noticed Coach Huo’s talent for rambling has really reached new heights. He kept talking for so long—the sun was still up when we went in, and now it’s already dark.”

Wu Xincheng agreed, “Every year he says something different, but the meaning is always the same. I have to hand it to him.”

“And did you notice Coach Huo was wearing his jacket inside out?” Chen Lecheng whispered.

“Yes, yes! I thought I was the only one who noticed.”

The two were deep in conversation, oblivious to Shen Yu’s increasingly sour expression as he walked behind them.

Zhu Hongzhe turned to Shu Ran, saying, “Wait a moment.”

He strode over, grabbed Chen Lecheng by the collar, and dragged him to Shu Ran’s side.

Chen Lecheng, still oblivious, protested, “Hey, what are you doing? I wasn’t finished talking!”

Zhu Hongzhe lowered his voice, “Didn’t you notice Shen Yu looked furious?”

Chen Lecheng stopped struggling and, seeing that Shen Yu had already left with Wu Xincheng, finally realized, “Ah, that was terribly inconsiderate of me.”

Their laughter caught the attention of the others. Chen Lecheng turned to see Shu Ran and, embarrassed, asked, “Was I being completely oblivious?”

Shu Ran cleared her throat and nodded.

Suddenly, as if something occurred to him, Chen Lecheng exclaimed, “Ah!” and, while running towards the dormitory, called out, “I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll head back first!” and vanished from Shu Ran’s sight.

A breeze stirred, rustling the leaves along the roadside, as if trying to break the stillness of the night.

With Chen Lecheng gone, Zhu Hongzhe felt the atmosphere grow even stranger.

Shu Ran commented, “Chen Lecheng’s thought process is getting weirder by the day.”

Zhu Hongzhe laughed, “When has he ever been normal?”

The two exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Zhu Hongzhe then said, “By the way, if you have any questions about skating, you can always ask me. You have such a great coach at your disposal—don’t miss the opportunity!”

“Alright, alright, I know you’re amazing.”

They were just about to launch into conversation when hurried footsteps approached—Chen Lecheng had come running back.

Zhu Hongzhe: “…”

“Are you messing with me?” Zhu Hongzhe muttered, just loud enough for only the two of them to hear.

Catching his breath, Chen Lecheng pointed ahead, “No, it’s just… Shu Ran’s coach is up ahead.”

The streetlights drew moths to their glow, fluttering around the halo of light. There was a slight chill in the late summer air. Shu Ran looked up and saw Fu Yiqing standing not far away, looking at her and beckoning.

Shu Ran fixed her gaze forward. “I’ll go ahead then.”

Zhu Hongzhe turned his head, catching the natural, unguarded expression on Shu Ran’s face—a feeling that was hard to describe, but something seemed to click inside him.

“Coach Fu, it’s late. You haven’t gone back yet?”

“Did you forget your luggage?” Fu Yiqing said gently. “I brought it for you.”

Shu Ran nodded and reached for the suitcase, but he gestured for her to let him carry it. “It’s a bit heavy. I’ll take it up for you.”

Shu Ran replied, “Okay.”

The two of them disappeared from Zhu Hongzhe and Chen Lecheng’s view—one tall, one short, the picture unexpectedly harmonious.

Seeing Zhu Hongzhe lost in thought, Chen Lecheng nudged his arm. “Hey, you look dazed.”

Zhu Hongzhe watched a while longer before withdrawing his gaze. “I’m tired. I’ll head back and get some sleep.”

Zhu Hongzhe’s shifting expressions didn’t escape Chen Lecheng, who was no fool; he could tell his friend was in a bad mood.

Chen Lecheng commented, “Shu Ran’s coach is really something else—always hovering around her, as if he’s afraid she’ll talk to us for even a minute.”

“Let’s go,” Zhu Hongzhe said, suddenly impatient, striding toward the dormitory.

*

In this season’s Grand Prix, Shu Ran registered for the American and Russian stops. Among the six Grand Prix events, these two were of moderate competitiveness, but since the World Championships would also be held in Russia this year, the Russian leg was expected to become as competitive as the Worlds themselves.

As for the Challenger Series, Fu Yiqing only registered Shu Ran for one event—the Misty Horn Cup—which would take place before the American Grand Prix.

Shu Ran started her 2020-2021 season with calm, steady training.

On her way to Germany, she recalled what Fu Yiqing had said before registration.

“This season’s main focus is the World Championships. But there’s always an ‘if’…”

Shu Ran understood his meaning. If she didn’t perform well enough at Worlds to secure an Olympic spot, she’d have to wait for the Misty Horn Cup at the end of September next year—which, as always, would act as the Olympic qualification event.

Fu Yiqing looked at her steadily. “Be mentally prepared. Competition isn’t as easy as we imagine. We all know the top contenders’ strength well. What worries me most are those youth skaters just moving up to seniors.”

Shu Ran nodded. “I know. I’ll keep my mindset in check.”

Fu Yiqing said, “If there’s a mistake and you don’t qualify at Worlds, we’ll go to the Misty Horn Cup in September.”

The World Championships would be in March next year, and the Misty Horn Cup, as the Olympic qualifier, would follow six months later, still classified as a Challenger event.

Shu Ran pieced it together. “So entering the Misty Horn Cup this year is to help me get familiar with the venue?”

Fu Yiqing replied, “Maybe we won’t even need it.”

Shu Ran smiled. “Better to have a backup plan. I understand.”

In other words, every competition this season was critical.

Pulled from her thoughts, Shu Ran straightened her back and focused.

The Misty Horn Cup always attracted a strong field.

She followed Fu Yiqing inside, recounting what she’d seen on the way, and nodded in greeting to Hazuki Chigen, who was standing by the passageway.

All along the way, she encountered star competitors.

Fortunately, Shu Ran was no pushover herself.

On the first day’s short program, she made a slight error—a fall on a jump, and an under-rotation call on the 3F in her combination—but her artistic performance earned her significant bonus points. She finished the short program in third place.

It seemed that her good state on the first day gave her confidence. On the second day’s free skate, she delivered an error-free performance. Still, she lost to Hazuki Chigen, who was flawless in both programs, and took second place.

But for Shu Ran, this was her best result ever.

After performing in the gala on the third day, Shu Ran had just gotten off the plane when Fu Yiqing tugged at her sleeve.

She glanced back in confusion. “What is it?”

“Your hair’s a bit messy. Fix it.”

“Oh.” Shu Ran tidied her hair, then stepped out—only to be stunned by the scene awaiting her.

All along the barriers stood reporters and media with cameras on their shoulders. As soon as they spotted Shu Ran in her red national team tracksuit, the previously quiet crowd burst into a frenzy, cameras flashing. Before she’d even walked through the glass doors, questions started flying:

“Shu Ran! You just won silver at the Misty Horn Cup—do you have confidence for the World Championships this season?”

Shu Ran froze, glancing at Fu Yiqing, and suddenly realized why he’d told her to tidy her hair—he’d known she’d be making the news.

She drew a breath, ready to answer, but there were so many questions she could only see countless mouths moving, unable to make out the words.

There were simply too many reporters, and they’d purposely blocked her way. Shu Ran couldn’t squeeze through and, seeing Fu Yiqing had vanished into the crowd, looked around in confusion. “Excuse me, could you let me through?”

The only responses were more questions about competition.

Shu Ran could only laugh helplessly. Then she caught the tail end of a question: “Shu Ran, your short program and free skate this season are both based on films—one a Chinese martial arts classic, the other a Western classic. Which one do you prefer?”

A question practically designed to spark controversy.

Shu Ran didn’t overthink it and answered honestly, “I chose ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ myself because of the traditional martial arts elements. The free skate was picked by my coach.”

She paused, about to continue, when a hand reached into the camera frame, grabbed her by the wrist, and pulled her out of the throng.

The tall figure took her hand, shielding her as he led her through the crowd. To prevent a repeat, his right arm reached over her left shoulder, pulling her in protectively.

The reporters, unable to get close, could only follow Fu Yiqing as he led Shu Ran away.

But Fu Yiqing simply ushered her into a car, closed the door with a blank expression, and left all the reporters outside.

“Phew, just in time,” someone said.

Fu Yiqing cast a cold look at Qin Liubei. “To be precise, you were five minutes late.”

Qin Liubei hadn’t attended the Misty Horn Cup, and since Shu Ran had finished her overseas training, she’d rarely seen him. Seeing him now, she couldn’t hide her delight.

“What are you doing here? Weren’t you in D City?” Shu Ran leaned forward, hugging the back of the driver’s seat.

“I heard you got a great result. My mother-in-law said this year is important, so Goldfish and I came to B City to support you.”

The word ‘important’ weighed on Shu Ran, but she quickly caught the key point. “Xu Jingyu’s here too? Where?”

“Buying an apartment.”

“Buying an apartment? You two are buying a place in B City?”

“Don’t underestimate your brother Qin. Why not buy one here and another in D City?” Qin Liubei slapped the steering wheel with a confident grin. “When you’ve got money, you can do as you please.”

Shu Ran replied, “Take my blessing and get lost.”

“Shu Ran, you’ve changed!”

The two chatted happily, entirely missing the darkening expression on Fu Yiqing’s face.

Qin Liubei was amused by Shu Ran’s stories, then remembered something. “By the way, Lao Fu, do you have any thoughts on me buying—”

“No.”

The speed of the reply left Qin Liubei speechless.

He mumbled a defeated “oh,” thinking he hadn’t even finished his question.

He then whispered to Shu Ran, “What’s with him now?”

Shu Ran sneaked a glance at Fu Yiqing and whispered back, “No idea.”

“Got it, got it,” Qin Liubei said.

The signature Fu Yiqing daily act of mischief.