Uncle Gao was finally discharged from the hospital, and Qin Chunxiao happily went to pick him up. At first, Uncle Gao was touched by the gesture, but then he saw Qin Chunxiao brushing wormwood leaves on him, as if following some traditional practice.
Qin Chunxiao even asked Uncle Gao if he wanted to take a bath with grapefruit peels. There were fruit shops near the hospital, where they could buy thick-skinned and sour grapefruits.
Uncle Gao responded, “I was discharged from the hospital, not from somewhere else. If luck is on my side, I won’t need the grapefruit peel.”
Qin Chunxiao took the bag from Uncle Gao’s hand and carried it on his back.
A new patient who had just moved into the ward commented to Uncle Gao, “Brother Gao, your grandson is so filial.”
Uncle Gao coughed and reservedly replied, “He’s not my grandson.”
He only had two granddaughters, both of whom were in kindergarten.
Although having a young and dutiful junior carry their bag with a smile must be a source of pride for the elderly when they are discharged from the hospital.
Upon Uncle Gao’s discharge, he specifically suggested taking Qin Chunxiao to a nearby Hunan restaurant for a meal.
Qin Chunxiao hesitated, “Huh? Aren’t you hypertensive? The doctor said you shouldn’t eat greasy and salty food. Don’t you think you’ve had enough hospital food?”
Just as Uncle Gao was about to respond, Qin Chunxiao interjected, “I only eat steamed and boiled food, so we don’t need to go to restaurants.”
Is this kid still concerned about gaining weight?
After the former coach was involved in a doping scandal, it became difficult for athletes to continue their careers, regardless of their potential. Uncle Gao knew that Qin Chunxiao had passed the entrance exam for a good high school, so he thought this kid planned to focus on studying in the future. Working and training at a sports equipment store might just be a habit. However, Uncle Gao was surprised to see that Qin Chunxiao still followed the eating habits of athletes.
Qin Chunxiao preferred a light diet with less oil, less salt, and avoided eating out to prevent inadvertently consuming meat containing clenbuterol. This way of eating was beneficial for health. Ordinary people could also achieve body shape control by eating this way, but it required strong self-control.
Many athletes lose control of their diet after retirement. They no longer have restrictions and indulge in eating. Additionally, their level of physical activity decreases compared to when they were actively competing.
Uncle Gao carefully observed Qin Chunxiao’s physique and noticed that his waist and abdomen were tighter compared to when they first met, while the muscle lines in his hips, legs, and arms were more defined. It was evident that he was undergoing strict muscle gain and fat reduction.
Uncle Gao asked, “Have you found a coach?”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “Not yet.”
Even without a coach, he hadn’t given up on his dream of becoming an athlete?
Uncle Gao was surprised and felt regretful. This kid was truly dedicated. If it weren’t for the encounter with Wu Chiyao, he would have had a bright future. Now that Wu Chiyao had disappeared, leaving Qin Chunxiao with a stain on his reputation, Uncle Gao wondered how challenging the road ahead would be.
Qin Chunxiao not only helped Uncle Gao get discharged from the hospital but also assisted him in preparing for the store’s reopening. The large appliances in the store were covered with dust covers, and Qin Chunxiao tidied them up roughly.
By August 31st, many students had already started returning to school. Qin Chunfeng, for example, had reported to the National People’s Congress in the capital a few days ago and was likely undergoing military training at the moment.
Uncle Gao sat alone at the front desk, typing the purchase order with one finger. Suddenly, someone knocked on the store door with a cane, creating a crisp sound.
Uncle Gao looked up in surprise and exclaimed, “When did you arrive in City G?”
The visitor replied concisely, “This morning. I came to seek rehabilitation from Academician Li at the Central Hospital.”
On September 1st, schools across the country officially opened, marking the end of students’ enjoyable summer vacation filled with nostalgia and regret.
Qin Chunxiao woke up at 5:30 in the morning. With no one else at home—his father still at the research institute and his mother accompanying his sister to the capital—Qin Chunxiao made his self a sandwich and drank some milk, finishing quickly. He sat in the living room and watched the news for half an hour, then changed into his running shoes and headed out.
He studied the route yesterday. If he ran from home to school following the bus line, it would be about 12 kilometers. Along the way, he had to pass through several underground passages. Qin Chunxiao had a good sense of direction. Even in unfamiliar places like Brazil where he couldn’t speak the language, he never got lost. Now, running the new route, he arrived at school smoothly.
It was already 7:30 when he reached the destination. Students and their parents walked towards the school gate together. Qin Chunxiao took out a towel to wipe off his sweat and hurried to the classroom.
The head teacher, surnamed Qiu, was a female teacher who appeared to be in her fifties. She wore gold-rimmed presbyopic glasses and had her hair curled into small curls. She spoke in an organized manner, saying, “Qin Chunxiao, here is your book. Take it and then go to the gym.”
Qin Chunxiao asked, “Huh?”
The head teacher looked up at him, noticed his strong arms, and explained, “Principal Yang said that Qin Chunxiao from Class 1 and 3 of Senior High School should go to the Second Gymnasium for a physical test after registration. Someone wants to see it. Are you a sports student?”
Upon hearing the surname Yang, Qin Chunxiao seemed to understand something and nodded, saying, “Yes, I am.”
“Alright, go ahead. Be careful during exercise,” Teacher Qiu waved her hand, indicating he could leave. The parents standing behind him immediately led their children to crowd in front of the teacher.
“Teacher Qiu, please report to Ye Meimei.”
No. 6 Middle School had a large campus with three designated sports areas in addition to the playground. One was the comprehensive gymnasium in the north, and there was a swimming pool in the west. The basketball hall was located in the northwest corner of the campus. The second sports hall was the basketball hall, which could be reached by passing through the library and the cafeteria located around the corner.
City G was renowned for its basketball, and it was said that several provincial youth teams were from No. 6 Middle School. However, on the day of registration, there were no people in the basketball hall.
When Qin Chunxiao arrived at the location, he found that the gate was already open. Yang Yun was talking to a young man. Judging from the badge, the young man was a teacher from their school. There was a middle-aged man next to them with a shrewd expression, but the nasolabial folds on his face made him look somewhat bitter.
Yang Yun had sharp eyes and said, “Hey, here you are. This is Qin Chunxiao I told you about, and he looks great.”
The man with the badge stood up and said, “I’ll only know after the test. You didn’t tell me that you are mixed-race. Xiao Qin, which country did you come from?”
The moment Qin Chunxiao saw his face, his expression remained unchanged, but he felt a burst of joy in his heart. Since his rebirth, this was the first time he had encountered an old acquaintance in volleyball.
He smiled and said, “My grandfather is Russian.” He was only a quarter mixed-race and could only speak some daily phrases in Russian and sing the Russian version of “Katyusha.”
The teacher waved at Qin Chunxiao and said, “Qin Chunxiao, right? Come on, the equipment has been wiped clean. Come here.”
Qin Chunxiao glanced at Yang Yun, and Yang Yun blinked at him, indicating that he would take the physical test for him. He said, “First warm up and do some exercises.”
There were dumbbells and barbells on the ground, indicating that it involved strength testing. Qin Chunxiao mobilized his joints and performed a set of muscle activation movements. The movements were very precise, and several people nodded in approval.
Next was the bench press. The physical test requirements for young athletes were not as demanding as those for adults. The teacher initially planned to give Qin Chunxiao a 25-kilogram weight, but the young man vigorously waved his hand and said, “35 kg.”
Young volleyball players under the age of 19 would pass the test if their bench press strength reached 30 kg. Qin Chunxiao exceeded this standard.
Yang Yun reminded him, “It’s not just one push, you need to bench press this weight for 1 minute.”
Qin Chunxiao was very confident and said, “No problem.”
When he said there was no problem, it meant there was no problem. The next step was to quickly lift the barbell overhead for 30 seconds, and Qin Chunxiao could lift a weight that was 5 kilograms higher than the standard for the provincial youth team.
There were also one-minute push-ups, 30-second pull-ups, standing long jump, back touch test, short-distance sprint, movement speed in the half-court of volleyball, and jumping height. Qin Chunxiao performed well in various basic physical fitness tests. When it came to data for the senior team, not to mention Coach Chen, even Yang Yun’s eyes were getting brighter and brighter. Previously, they had only thought of him as a potential player with excellent jumping ability, ball control, and high volleyball IQ. Little did they know that his foundation, as demonstrated in the physical tests, was as solid as a titanium alloy and as hard as a steel plate.
When it came to more “volleyball-specific” tests like serving, special spikes, and positional passes, Qin Chunxiao didn’t hold back his skills at all.
He executed steady jumping serves, powerful jumping serves, precise passes that hit the target with accuracy, tricky smashes that followed an unpredictable path, and the most astonishing of all… Coach Chen and Yang Yun stepped on a 1.8-meter ladder together and smashed the ball across the net to the other side, and Qin Chunxiao was able to catch all the balls.
Coach Chen was out of breath and helped Yang Yun down the ladder. Both of them had played for the national team when they were young.
Qin Chunxiao also leaped all over the court, but he appeared remarkably relaxed. Particularly when he caught the ball and executed several “dives,” his movements were so graceful that Coach Chen felt his official players couldn’t compare.
Coach Chen looked at the young man with delight and asked, “Who taught you your volleyball skills? Your fundamentals are very solid, and your overall skills are impressive!”
This was a promising talent! Apart from his height, his strength, flexibility, reaction time, and adaptability were all excellent, and his game awareness was quite remarkable.
Qin Chunxiao thought to himself, I learned from you.
He had learned from his mentor and coach, who had plucked him from school-level competitions and propelled him to the provincial youth team. They had worked overtime every night to provide him with additional technical lessons, paving his path to the Brazilian league.
However, he couldn’t reveal the truth, so he simply replied, “I practiced in elementary school, but I didn’t specialize in volleyball before.”
Coach Chen was thrilled and extended a warm invitation, saying, “You’re really impressive. I’m Chen Aiguo, the head coach of the G Province provincial team. Xiao Qin, join our provincial youth team. You have the potential to play professional volleyball!”
Unaware that this was the second time he had stumbled upon the golden legend of Qin Chunxiao, Chen Aiguo’s expression mirrored the excitement one would have when drawing a highly sought-after SSR in a game.
Typically, a neglected talent like Qin Chunxiao, who had been abandoned by the sprint event and couldn’t find a coach, would be pleasantly surprised and readily accept an invitation from the head coach of the provincial team. However, Qin Chunxiao had a question: “Which position do you want me to play?”
Considering Qin Chunxiao’s precise passing skills and his height of less than 1.75 meters, Chen Aiguo hesitated for a moment and responded, “You should know the position you prefer and excel at, right? Given your height, setter and libero positions are more suitable. Which position do you want to play?”
Making an accurate judgment, Qin Chunxiao also knew that it would be better for him to focus on setting and receiving, but what the G provincial team lacked most was a main attacker.
Qin Chunxiao let out a deep sigh and replied, “I’ll take whichever position you need.”
Poor old Chen had never experienced such a heart battle in his life. The most convenient secondary attacker in the provincial team was from the post-80s generation, now over 35 years old. The main attacker was younger, nearly 30, and suffered from a serious knee injury.
As the only SSR in his life, Qin Chunxiao had a positive attitude and a deep understanding, and he didn’t mind filling in a few more gaps at all.
That night, Qin Chunxiao, who had successfully returned to the world of volleyball, allowed himself a rare indulgence of going online. Although the games, news, and TV dramas he had been exposed to for 16 years no longer held much appeal, and even the volleyball matches had already been played, he still visited online platforms like xbo, xhu, and xstand. It was still interesting to witness the buzz surrounding various trending topics.
At this time, fandom culture was still in its transitional phase, having recently moved past its infancy and gradually approaching its peak. Period dramas were still highly popular. After spending a long time in the realm of idols and singers, Bai Ming finally gained popularity through a school drama called “Stand Up.”
It was astounding how a 27-year-old could portray a high school student so convincingly, but the comments section about him consisted mostly of passionate CP (couple pairing) enthusiasts or fans of another male protagonist who had outshined the drama’s main character.
Qin Chunxiao mused to himself, “According to the content in the book, Bai Ming is already having an affair with someone because of the drama. Wait, I remember that Lu Yunchen is only a sophomore in high school this year, and he’s quite young. Bai Ming is 11 years older than him. When Lu Yunchen was an innocent student, Bai Ming had already experienced many romantic relationships.”
Uncle Gao was finally discharged from the hospital, and Qin Chunxiao happily went to pick him up. At first, Uncle Gao was touched by the gesture, but then he saw Qin Chunxiao brushing wormwood leaves on him, as if following some traditional practice.
Qin Chunxiao even asked Uncle Gao if he wanted to take a bath with grapefruit peels. There were fruit shops near the hospital, where they could buy thick-skinned and sour grapefruits.
Uncle Gao responded, “I was discharged from the hospital, not from somewhere else. If luck is on my side, I won’t need the grapefruit peel.”
Qin Chunxiao took the bag from Uncle Gao’s hand and carried it on his back.
A new patient who had just moved into the ward commented to Uncle Gao, “Brother Gao, your grandson is so filial.”
Uncle Gao coughed and reservedly replied, “He’s not my grandson.”
He only had two granddaughters, both of whom were in kindergarten.
Although having a young and dutiful junior carry their bag with a smile must be a source of pride for the elderly when they are discharged from the hospital.
Upon Uncle Gao’s discharge, he specifically suggested taking Qin Chunxiao to a nearby Hunan restaurant for a meal.
Qin Chunxiao hesitated, “Huh? Aren’t you hypertensive? The doctor said you shouldn’t eat greasy and salty food. Don’t you think you’ve had enough hospital food?”
Just as Uncle Gao was about to respond, Qin Chunxiao interjected, “I only eat steamed and boiled food, so we don’t need to go to restaurants.”
Is this kid still concerned about gaining weight?
After the former coach was involved in a doping scandal, it became difficult for athletes to continue their careers, regardless of their potential. Uncle Gao knew that Qin Chunxiao had passed the entrance exam for a good high school, so he thought this kid planned to focus on studying in the future. Working and training at a sports equipment store might just be a habit. However, Uncle Gao was surprised to see that Qin Chunxiao still followed the eating habits of athletes.
Qin Chunxiao preferred a light diet with less oil, less salt, and avoided eating out to prevent inadvertently consuming meat containing clenbuterol. This way of eating was beneficial for health. Ordinary people could also achieve body shape control by eating this way, but it required strong self-control.
Many athletes lose control of their diet after retirement. They no longer have restrictions and indulge in eating. Additionally, their level of physical activity decreases compared to when they were actively competing.
Uncle Gao carefully observed Qin Chunxiao’s physique and noticed that his waist and abdomen were tighter compared to when they first met, while the muscle lines in his hips, legs, and arms were more defined. It was evident that he was undergoing strict muscle gain and fat reduction.
Uncle Gao asked, “Have you found a coach?”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “Not yet.”
Even without a coach, he hadn’t given up on his dream of becoming an athlete?
Uncle Gao was surprised and felt regretful. This kid was truly dedicated. If it weren’t for the encounter with Wu Chiyao, he would have had a bright future. Now that Wu Chiyao had disappeared, leaving Qin Chunxiao with a stain on his reputation, Uncle Gao wondered how challenging the road ahead would be.
Qin Chunxiao not only helped Uncle Gao get discharged from the hospital but also assisted him in preparing for the store’s reopening. The large appliances in the store were covered with dust covers, and Qin Chunxiao tidied them up roughly.
By August 31st, many students had already started returning to school. Qin Chunfeng, for example, had reported to the National People’s Congress in the capital a few days ago and was likely undergoing military training at the moment.
Uncle Gao sat alone at the front desk, typing the purchase order with one finger. Suddenly, someone knocked on the store door with a cane, creating a crisp sound.
Uncle Gao looked up in surprise and exclaimed, “When did you arrive in City G?”
The visitor replied concisely, “This morning. I came to seek rehabilitation from Academician Li at the Central Hospital.”
On September 1st, schools across the country officially opened, marking the end of students’ enjoyable summer vacation filled with nostalgia and regret.
Qin Chunxiao woke up at 5:30 in the morning. With no one else at home—his father still at the research institute and his mother accompanying his sister to the capital—Qin Chunxiao made his self a sandwich and drank some milk, finishing quickly. He sat in the living room and watched the news for half an hour, then changed into his running shoes and headed out.
He studied the route yesterday. If he ran from home to school following the bus line, it would be about 12 kilometers. Along the way, he had to pass through several underground passages. Qin Chunxiao had a good sense of direction. Even in unfamiliar places like Brazil where he couldn’t speak the language, he never got lost. Now, running the new route, he arrived at school smoothly.
It was already 7:30 when he reached the destination. Students and their parents walked towards the school gate together. Qin Chunxiao took out a towel to wipe off his sweat and hurried to the classroom.
The head teacher, surnamed Qiu, was a female teacher who appeared to be in her fifties. She wore gold-rimmed presbyopic glasses and had her hair curled into small curls. She spoke in an organized manner, saying, “Qin Chunxiao, here is your book. Take it and then go to the gym.”
Qin Chunxiao asked, “Huh?”
The head teacher looked up at him, noticed his strong arms, and explained, “Principal Yang said that Qin Chunxiao from Class 1 and 3 of Senior High School should go to the Second Gymnasium for a physical test after registration. Someone wants to see it. Are you a sports student?”
Upon hearing the surname Yang, Qin Chunxiao seemed to understand something and nodded, saying, “Yes, I am.”
“Alright, go ahead. Be careful during exercise,” Teacher Qiu waved her hand, indicating he could leave. The parents standing behind him immediately led their children to crowd in front of the teacher.
“Teacher Qiu, please report to Ye Meimei.”
No. 6 Middle School had a large campus with three designated sports areas in addition to the playground. One was the comprehensive gymnasium in the north, and there was a swimming pool in the west. The basketball hall was located in the northwest corner of the campus. The second sports hall was the basketball hall, which could be reached by passing through the library and the cafeteria located around the corner.
City G was renowned for its basketball, and it was said that several provincial youth teams were from No. 6 Middle School. However, on the day of registration, there were no people in the basketball hall.
When Qin Chunxiao arrived at the location, he found that the gate was already open. Yang Yun was talking to a young man. Judging from the badge, the young man was a teacher from their school. There was a middle-aged man next to them with a shrewd expression, but the nasolabial folds on his face made him look somewhat bitter.
Yang Yun had sharp eyes and said, “Hey, here you are. This is Qin Chunxiao I told you about, and he looks great.”
The man with the badge stood up and said, “I’ll only know after the test. You didn’t tell me that you are mixed-race. Xiao Qin, which country did you come from?”
The moment Qin Chunxiao saw his face, his expression remained unchanged, but he felt a burst of joy in his heart. Since his rebirth, this was the first time he had encountered an old acquaintance in volleyball.
He smiled and said, “My grandfather is Russian.” He was only a quarter mixed-race and could only speak some daily phrases in Russian and sing the Russian version of “Katyusha.”
The teacher waved at Qin Chunxiao and said, “Qin Chunxiao, right? Come on, the equipment has been wiped clean. Come here.”
Qin Chunxiao glanced at Yang Yun, and Yang Yun blinked at him, indicating that he would take the physical test for him. He said, “First warm up and do some exercises.”
There were dumbbells and barbells on the ground, indicating that it involved strength testing. Qin Chunxiao mobilized his joints and performed a set of muscle activation movements. The movements were very precise, and several people nodded in approval.
Next was the bench press. The physical test requirements for young athletes were not as demanding as those for adults. The teacher initially planned to give Qin Chunxiao a 25-kilogram weight, but the young man vigorously waved his hand and said, “35 kg.”
Young volleyball players under the age of 19 would pass the test if their bench press strength reached 30 kg. Qin Chunxiao exceeded this standard.
Yang Yun reminded him, “It’s not just one push, you need to bench press this weight for 1 minute.”
Qin Chunxiao was very confident and said, “No problem.”
When he said there was no problem, it meant there was no problem. The next step was to quickly lift the barbell overhead for 30 seconds, and Qin Chunxiao could lift a weight that was 5 kilograms higher than the standard for the provincial youth team.
There were also one-minute push-ups, 30-second pull-ups, standing long jump, back touch test, short-distance sprint, movement speed in the half-court of volleyball, and jumping height. Qin Chunxiao performed well in various basic physical fitness tests. When it came to data for the senior team, not to mention Coach Chen, even Yang Yun’s eyes were getting brighter and brighter. Previously, they had only thought of him as a potential player with excellent jumping ability, ball control, and high volleyball IQ. Little did they know that his foundation, as demonstrated in the physical tests, was as solid as a titanium alloy and as hard as a steel plate.
When it came to more “volleyball-specific” tests like serving, special spikes, and positional passes, Qin Chunxiao didn’t hold back his skills at all.
He executed steady jumping serves, powerful jumping serves, precise passes that hit the target with accuracy, tricky smashes that followed an unpredictable path, and the most astonishing of all… Coach Chen and Yang Yun stepped on a 1.8-meter ladder together and smashed the ball across the net to the other side, and Qin Chunxiao was able to catch all the balls.
Coach Chen was out of breath and helped Yang Yun down the ladder. Both of them had played for the national team when they were young.
Qin Chunxiao also leaped all over the court, but he appeared remarkably relaxed. Particularly when he caught the ball and executed several “dives,” his movements were so graceful that Coach Chen felt his official players couldn’t compare.
Coach Chen looked at the young man with delight and asked, “Who taught you your volleyball skills? Your fundamentals are very solid, and your overall skills are impressive!”
This was a promising talent! Apart from his height, his strength, flexibility, reaction time, and adaptability were all excellent, and his game awareness was quite remarkable.
Qin Chunxiao thought to himself, I learned from you.
He had learned from his mentor and coach, who had plucked him from school-level competitions and propelled him to the provincial youth team. They had worked overtime every night to provide him with additional technical lessons, paving his path to the Brazilian league.
However, he couldn’t reveal the truth, so he simply replied, “I practiced in elementary school, but I didn’t specialize in volleyball before.”
Coach Chen was thrilled and extended a warm invitation, saying, “You’re really impressive. I’m Chen Aiguo, the head coach of the G Province provincial team. Xiao Qin, join our provincial youth team. You have the potential to play professional volleyball!”
Unaware that this was the second time he had stumbled upon the golden legend of Qin Chunxiao, Chen Aiguo’s expression mirrored the excitement one would have when drawing a highly sought-after SSR in a game.
Typically, a neglected talent like Qin Chunxiao, who had been abandoned by the sprint event and couldn’t find a coach, would be pleasantly surprised and readily accept an invitation from the head coach of the provincial team. However, Qin Chunxiao had a question: “Which position do you want me to play?”
Considering Qin Chunxiao’s precise passing skills and his height of less than 1.75 meters, Chen Aiguo hesitated for a moment and responded, “You should know the position you prefer and excel at, right? Given your height, setter and libero positions are more suitable. Which position do you want to play?”
Making an accurate judgment, Qin Chunxiao also knew that it would be better for him to focus on setting and receiving, but what the G provincial team lacked most was a main attacker.
Qin Chunxiao let out a deep sigh and replied, “I’ll take whichever position you need.”
Poor old Chen had never experienced such a heart battle in his life. The most convenient secondary attacker in the provincial team was from the post-80s generation, now over 35 years old. The main attacker was younger, nearly 30, and suffered from a serious knee injury.
As the only SSR in his life, Qin Chunxiao had a positive attitude and a deep understanding, and he didn’t mind filling in a few more gaps at all.
That night, Qin Chunxiao, who had successfully returned to the world of volleyball, allowed himself a rare indulgence of going online. Although the games, news, and TV dramas he had been exposed to for 16 years no longer held much appeal, and even the volleyball matches had already been played, he still visited online platforms like xbo, xhu, and xstand. It was still interesting to witness the buzz surrounding various trending topics.
At this time, fandom culture was still in its transitional phase, having recently moved past its infancy and gradually approaching its peak. Period dramas were still highly popular. After spending a long time in the realm of idols and singers, Bai Ming finally gained popularity through a school drama called “Stand Up.”
It was astounding how a 27-year-old could portray a high school student so convincingly, but the comments section about him consisted mostly of passionate CP (couple pairing) enthusiasts or fans of another male protagonist who had outshined the drama’s main character.
Qin Chunxiao mused to himself, “According to the content in the book, Bai Ming is already having an affair with someone because of the drama. Wait, I remember that Lu Yunchen is only a sophomore in high school this year, and he’s quite young. Bai Ming is 11 years older than him. When Lu Yunchen was an innocent student, Bai Ming had already experienced many romantic relationships.”
