My Soulmate is A Libero
Ivan Ygenoyevich Karkovsky, standing tall at 1.85 meters, was Qin Chunxiao’s grandfather and the key figure in Qin Chunxiao’s registration, learning Russian, and growing to 1.8 meters tall.
As the dear grandson of the elderly, Qin Chunxiao’s decision to bring friends over to stay was warmly welcomed by Ivan. He believed that these might be the closest friends his grandson, Misha, had made.
Even Misha’s good partner, Tulendchika, who was treated well by the Qin family in the past, only received some of the delicious food Qin’s family prepared for athletes and occasionally sent some to the Li family. Or, during Tulengchika’s college entrance exam, Qin Chunfeng personally highlighted important points for him.
The most important thing was that she actually correctly guessed the essay topic for Tulengchika’s college entrance exam, and Li Ling only needed to copy the pre-written essay he had memorized.
Qin Chunxiao couldn’t even recall the essay topic from Tulengchika’s college entrance exam year, but his sister actually guessed it right?
Knowing this, Qin Chunxiao felt that he had discovered a truth – when facing a true genius, even with rebirth, he still couldn’t compare.
Standing in front of Ivan, Lu Xuandong said, “Hello, I am Lu Xuandong.”
Not someone who pursues celebrities, Ivan casually regarded this tall and handsome young man as a friend of his grandson in the volleyball world. He responded warmly, “Hello, you must be Dongzi, as Xiaozai mentioned on the phone.”
Qin Chunxiao’s grandmother passed by, “Dongzi, come and have some cake.”
Lu Xuandong infiltrated Qin Chunxiao’s circle of friends once again, solely based on his height.
After observing for a while, Qin Chunxiao couldn’t hold back and said, “He is a retired singer, not a retired athlete.”
His grandmother was surprised, “Ha? Singers can retire too? Why doesn’t Dongzi sing anymore? Does he have an injury? Is it his throat?”
Lu Xuandong replied honestly, “The psychological pressure from my previous job was too great, so now I’m helping my dad at home. My voice is fine and very healthy.”
Based on his recent medical examination report, Lu Xuandong was currently in the healthiest stage after turning one year old. No illnesses or pains at all. Even his psychologist praised his good psychological state. As for his voice, it was in even better condition. If he were to return to the music world now, he would make waves and become renowned worldwide, conquering mountains and seas.
Ivan then became interested, “Then do you know how to sing ‘Moscow Nights’?”
Lu Xuandong indeed knew how to sing it, and he could sing it in both Chinese and Russian versions. Coincidentally, Ivan knew how to play the accordion, and the two of them collaborated on the spot. Through artistic resonance, Ivan looked much more cordial when he embraced the young man’s shoulders, inviting him to try European Russian dishes.
Qin Chunxiao stood aside with the dog in his arms and laughed, but when Lu Xuandong sang the lyrics “My sweetheart sits silently by my side,” their gazes unintentionally met. Qin Chunxiao lowered his head seemingly naturally and rubbed the dog’s ears.
The dog tilted its head, and its entire upper body leaned against its young master’s arms, closing its eyes in contentment.
Ivan’s house had limited rooms, and apart from Qin Chunxiao’s room, the other rooms were all messy and not arranged. Qin Chunxiao didn’t want to trouble the elderly, so he had Lu Xuandong stay in his room.
At night, Ivan personally cooked a table of Northeastern Chinese dishes, the taste of Qin’s grandmother’s hometown. Lu Xuandong followed into the kitchen and, under Qin’s grandmother’s guidance, made pancakes.
Qin’s grandmother brought out the fermented batter from the refrigerator and chatted with Lu Xuandong, “We used to say that we would teach Xiaozai various skills when he was young – accordion, harmonica, baking – and he learned them all. But he doesn’t use them much. Did you know he could do all these?”
Lu Xuandong replied, “Um, I didn’t know he could play the accordion.”
Qin Chunxiao loudly replied, “Well, there wasn’t any need for me to use the accordion before!”
Qin’s grandmother pointed at him, “Then stop playing with the dog. We’re all cooking. Why don’t you play a tune for us?”
Qin Chunxiao quickly brought out the accordion, “A song for all of you from Pa’s Kitchen.”
After all, cooking should be accompanied by background music.
Generously, Ivan and Qin’s grandmother taught Lu Xuandong a few Northeastern Chinese dishes and Russian-style desserts. Ivan and Lu Xuandong complained, “Misha always wants to go to Antarctica, and we don’t know who this restaurant will be passed on to in the future. If you were our grandson, it would be perfect.”
Lu Xuandong felt embarrassed, “You can treat me as your grandson, it’s alright. Xiaozai is my best friend and has helped me a lot. Please don’t treat me like an outsider.”
Ivan laughed heartily and gave Lu Xuandong a pat on the back with bear-like strength. If Lu Xuandong hadn’t been working out for over a year, he might have been knocked over by that slap.
Although Qin Chunxiao would seek comfort at his grandparents’ place whenever he felt upset, he never really voiced his worries. Simply leaning on the balcony and smelling the fragrance of flowers in the courtyard would lift his spirits.
After Lu Xuandong finished showering, the bed was already made, and there was a long bench placed underneath it with pillows and bamboo mats on top. This was because Lu Xuandong was too tall, and they were worried his feet would hang off the bed, so they extended it.
Qin Chunxiao was sitting at the desk, working on his summer homework. Lu Xuandong walked over and glanced at the questions. He noticed that the child was solving them quite smoothly. He chuckled to himself, thinking that while Xiaozai might say he’s not particularly smart, he always had a clever knack for both sports and academics.
In reality, as a national team volleyball player, Qin Chunxiao had very little time for studying outside of training. Despite this, he managed to rank in the top 20 of his grade at a prestigious high school. If anyone believed he wasn’t smart, they were surely being deceived.
Qin Chunxiao didn’t even lift his head, “Our countdown is over now. Are you leaving?”
Lu Xuandong sat beside him, “No, I’ll leave after you return to the national team at the end of this vacation. Right now, I want to enjoy the holiday too.”
Everyone has the right to enjoy a holiday in the scorching summer, don’t they?
Putting down his pen, Qin Chunxiao stretched lazily, and the hem of his clothes lifted slightly, revealing his clean and firm abs. “Sure, take a rest before starting the journey. Any trip will be smoother that way.”
Lu Xuandong asked, “Is this advice from an athlete’s experience?”
Qin Chunxiao raised his thumb in affirmation. “Of course, why do you think the coach gives us breaks?”
The countdown on their bellies had disappeared. If they wanted to prove their soulmate status, they would need to go to the hospital’s neurology department. There, specialized instruments for soulmates were used to confirm their connection through brainwaves. This was the most common method for verifying explicit soulmates, as in such cases, only one of the two would suffer from black-and-white vision, and they would gain colored vision when meeting the other person. Before this instrument was invented, there were quite a few scammers using this set-up to deceive people.
When Lu Xuandong obtained the countdown, he never thought that he would one day feel disappointed about it disappearing, but it was because he had always looked forward to the moment he could talk to Qin Chunxiao. To him, Qin Chunxiao was such an amazing person. Being able to be his friend was already very fortunate. If he could present proof of a more intimate connection, it would feel like he was surpassing ordinary pedestrians on the road.
However, after spending a day at the Haoziwei Cake Shop, Lu Xuandong dismissed this idea. Compared to silent communication, he realized he cherished this shared holiday more.
Lu Xuandong moved a chair to sit beside Qin Chunxiao.
Outside the room was the summer breeze, the sounds of insects, the fragrant smell of flowers, and the stars barely visible in the sky. If they were to drive to the outskirts at this moment, they might be able to see the Milky Way stretching across the night sky, countless stars shimmering, immersing them in a vast fantasy.
“Being by your side, I always feel that my emotions are uplifted. I hope I can fall in love with someone like you in the future.”
Qin Chunxiao turned his pen around, and when he heard this, he almost dropped it on the table. He quickly caught the falling pen, “Why are you bringing this up?”
Lu Xuandong coughed, “Because there are Altair and Vega stars in the sky. When I see them, I can’t help but think of love.”
As someone who had been single for two lifetimes, Qin Chunxiao replied, “… How about we go stargazing somewhere tomorrow?”
Besides Hainan, there were other good places for stargazing in Guangdong, such as Shikengkong, Yinnashan, and Apo Six Village.
Lu Xuandong enthusiastically responded, “Great idea! Should we bring Cuihua with us?”
Qin Chunxiao said, “Sure!”
So, the next day, Lu Xuandong rented stargazing equipment and an off-road vehicle, took Qin Chunxiao out of the city, and went to Yinnashan, where there was a famous astronomical observatory and a camping site to watch the sunrise.
Of course, to watch the stars and sunrise from the mountaintop, they had to hike first. Qin Chunxiao’s physical strength was needless to say. All the volleyball gods had personally experienced his endurance. Lu Xuandong’s stamina was also good, and the two of them climbed to the top together, set up the tent, and sat shoulder to shoulder, listening to city pop on their phones.
In the past, his favorite singer, Klein Runke, sang the most classic song “Ooh Baby.” The Milky Way hung upside down in the sky, and Cuiflora lay on Qin Chunxiao’s lap. She was the only living being present that was exhausted from climbing the mountain.
It was the first time the little dog had run freely in the countryside, the first time seeing the scenery of the wilderness. So even though she was tired, her emotions were visibly joyful, even to humans.
Qin Chunxiao gently stroked Cuihua’s back while gazing silently at the stars.
When Lu Xuandong turned to look at the person beside him, he saw the reflection of stars in the young boy’s blue eyes.
He heard Qin Chunxiao’s clear voice, “I’m a materialist, but right now, I really hope they are watching me from above.”
The departed are gone, and the past is difficult to chase. Such is life, but life and death cannot stop the yearning of youth.
Lu Xuandong thought, if it were me, I would want to keep watching you from birth to death.
On July 20th, Qin Chunxiao’s summer vacation, like other upcoming high school seniors, came to an end. His classmates had to return to school early to begin their senior year, while Qin Chunxiao had to report to the national team.
The August schedule in 2018 was hectic. They had to go to Taiwan first to compete in the Asian Cup for men’s volleyball. It was crucial as it determined the qualification for next year’s World Cup. They would then return to Jakarta after the Asian Cup. The Asian Games, held once every four years, were taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, with 45 participating countries. The men’s volleyball national team was also attending the opening ceremony as part of the Chinese delegation.
Coach Newton called the players back and began, “The coach’s requirements for your August schedule are straightforward – win the championship, win the championship, and win the damn championship! Kids, you should know that we are now part of the prestigious top four teams in the VNL. If we lose again to small countries like Taiwan and South Korea, will you still have the face to go outside?”
Mao Xunfeng leaned close to Qin Chunxiao’s ear and whispered, “It seems that Coach Newton has managed to get the funding approval, so he’s all fired up now.”
Newton continued, “So, to successfully win the championship, I hope to see everyone perform well in the upcoming physical tests, especially in weight…Aizimaiti!”
Aizimaiti trembled all over.
Newton called again, “Qiao Mingming!”
Qiao Mingming swallowed hard.
Newton called out, “Kong Duojin!”
Kong Duojin instinctively retorted, “I’m not fat!”
Newton replied, “I called your name to remind you to take off that thick chain around your neck. You and Qiao Mingming have been pretending to be macho for so long, thinking you’re some kind of thug? You even wear a chain as thick as a finger, as if you’re afraid people won’t know you’re rich?”
Wait, although their men’s volleyball team had gotten better treatment, compared to the neighboring men’s football team, everyone was still quite simple. How could this guy afford such a thick chain?
Kong Duojin stuttered, “T-t-this is a reward my girlfriend got for me after my good performance in the VNL!”
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone couldn’t help but recall that this guy’s girlfriend was not only the top taekwondo athlete in the country but also a factory owner’s daughter. She loved Kong Duojin very much, and giving him a gold chain as a reward seemed plausible.
The only one in the room who wasn’t concerned about Kong Duojin’s gold chain was Qin Chunxiao, who instead appeared a little guilty.
Xiaoqin could guarantee that his abs were still there, but he had to admit that after a short summer vacation, his body fat had indeed increased significantly, nearly reaching double digits…
My Soulmate is A Libero
Ivan Ygenoyevich Karkovsky, standing tall at 1.85 meters, was Qin Chunxiao’s grandfather and the key figure in Qin Chunxiao’s registration, learning Russian, and growing to 1.8 meters tall.
As the dear grandson of the elderly, Qin Chunxiao’s decision to bring friends over to stay was warmly welcomed by Ivan. He believed that these might be the closest friends his grandson, Misha, had made.
Even Misha’s good partner, Tulendchika, who was treated well by the Qin family in the past, only received some of the delicious food Qin’s family prepared for athletes and occasionally sent some to the Li family. Or, during Tulengchika’s college entrance exam, Qin Chunfeng personally highlighted important points for him.
The most important thing was that she actually correctly guessed the essay topic for Tulengchika’s college entrance exam, and Li Ling only needed to copy the pre-written essay he had memorized.
Qin Chunxiao couldn’t even recall the essay topic from Tulengchika’s college entrance exam year, but his sister actually guessed it right?
Knowing this, Qin Chunxiao felt that he had discovered a truth – when facing a true genius, even with rebirth, he still couldn’t compare.
Standing in front of Ivan, Lu Xuandong said, “Hello, I am Lu Xuandong.”
Not someone who pursues celebrities, Ivan casually regarded this tall and handsome young man as a friend of his grandson in the volleyball world. He responded warmly, “Hello, you must be Dongzi, as Xiaozai mentioned on the phone.”
Qin Chunxiao’s grandmother passed by, “Dongzi, come and have some cake.”
Lu Xuandong infiltrated Qin Chunxiao’s circle of friends once again, solely based on his height.
After observing for a while, Qin Chunxiao couldn’t hold back and said, “He is a retired singer, not a retired athlete.”
His grandmother was surprised, “Ha? Singers can retire too? Why doesn’t Dongzi sing anymore? Does he have an injury? Is it his throat?”
Lu Xuandong replied honestly, “The psychological pressure from my previous job was too great, so now I’m helping my dad at home. My voice is fine and very healthy.”
Based on his recent medical examination report, Lu Xuandong was currently in the healthiest stage after turning one year old. No illnesses or pains at all. Even his psychologist praised his good psychological state. As for his voice, it was in even better condition. If he were to return to the music world now, he would make waves and become renowned worldwide, conquering mountains and seas.
Ivan then became interested, “Then do you know how to sing ‘Moscow Nights’?”
Lu Xuandong indeed knew how to sing it, and he could sing it in both Chinese and Russian versions. Coincidentally, Ivan knew how to play the accordion, and the two of them collaborated on the spot. Through artistic resonance, Ivan looked much more cordial when he embraced the young man’s shoulders, inviting him to try European Russian dishes.
Qin Chunxiao stood aside with the dog in his arms and laughed, but when Lu Xuandong sang the lyrics “My sweetheart sits silently by my side,” their gazes unintentionally met. Qin Chunxiao lowered his head seemingly naturally and rubbed the dog’s ears.
The dog tilted its head, and its entire upper body leaned against its young master’s arms, closing its eyes in contentment.
Ivan’s house had limited rooms, and apart from Qin Chunxiao’s room, the other rooms were all messy and not arranged. Qin Chunxiao didn’t want to trouble the elderly, so he had Lu Xuandong stay in his room.
At night, Ivan personally cooked a table of Northeastern Chinese dishes, the taste of Qin’s grandmother’s hometown. Lu Xuandong followed into the kitchen and, under Qin’s grandmother’s guidance, made pancakes.
Qin’s grandmother brought out the fermented batter from the refrigerator and chatted with Lu Xuandong, “We used to say that we would teach Xiaozai various skills when he was young – accordion, harmonica, baking – and he learned them all. But he doesn’t use them much. Did you know he could do all these?”
Lu Xuandong replied, “Um, I didn’t know he could play the accordion.”
Qin Chunxiao loudly replied, “Well, there wasn’t any need for me to use the accordion before!”
Qin’s grandmother pointed at him, “Then stop playing with the dog. We’re all cooking. Why don’t you play a tune for us?”
Qin Chunxiao quickly brought out the accordion, “A song for all of you from Pa’s Kitchen.”
After all, cooking should be accompanied by background music.
Generously, Ivan and Qin’s grandmother taught Lu Xuandong a few Northeastern Chinese dishes and Russian-style desserts. Ivan and Lu Xuandong complained, “Misha always wants to go to Antarctica, and we don’t know who this restaurant will be passed on to in the future. If you were our grandson, it would be perfect.”
Lu Xuandong felt embarrassed, “You can treat me as your grandson, it’s alright. Xiaozai is my best friend and has helped me a lot. Please don’t treat me like an outsider.”
Ivan laughed heartily and gave Lu Xuandong a pat on the back with bear-like strength. If Lu Xuandong hadn’t been working out for over a year, he might have been knocked over by that slap.
Although Qin Chunxiao would seek comfort at his grandparents’ place whenever he felt upset, he never really voiced his worries. Simply leaning on the balcony and smelling the fragrance of flowers in the courtyard would lift his spirits.
After Lu Xuandong finished showering, the bed was already made, and there was a long bench placed underneath it with pillows and bamboo mats on top. This was because Lu Xuandong was too tall, and they were worried his feet would hang off the bed, so they extended it.
Qin Chunxiao was sitting at the desk, working on his summer homework. Lu Xuandong walked over and glanced at the questions. He noticed that the child was solving them quite smoothly. He chuckled to himself, thinking that while Xiaozai might say he’s not particularly smart, he always had a clever knack for both sports and academics.
In reality, as a national team volleyball player, Qin Chunxiao had very little time for studying outside of training. Despite this, he managed to rank in the top 20 of his grade at a prestigious high school. If anyone believed he wasn’t smart, they were surely being deceived.
Qin Chunxiao didn’t even lift his head, “Our countdown is over now. Are you leaving?”
Lu Xuandong sat beside him, “No, I’ll leave after you return to the national team at the end of this vacation. Right now, I want to enjoy the holiday too.”
Everyone has the right to enjoy a holiday in the scorching summer, don’t they?
Putting down his pen, Qin Chunxiao stretched lazily, and the hem of his clothes lifted slightly, revealing his clean and firm abs. “Sure, take a rest before starting the journey. Any trip will be smoother that way.”
Lu Xuandong asked, “Is this advice from an athlete’s experience?”
Qin Chunxiao raised his thumb in affirmation. “Of course, why do you think the coach gives us breaks?”
The countdown on their bellies had disappeared. If they wanted to prove their soulmate status, they would need to go to the hospital’s neurology department. There, specialized instruments for soulmates were used to confirm their connection through brainwaves. This was the most common method for verifying explicit soulmates, as in such cases, only one of the two would suffer from black-and-white vision, and they would gain colored vision when meeting the other person. Before this instrument was invented, there were quite a few scammers using this set-up to deceive people.
When Lu Xuandong obtained the countdown, he never thought that he would one day feel disappointed about it disappearing, but it was because he had always looked forward to the moment he could talk to Qin Chunxiao. To him, Qin Chunxiao was such an amazing person. Being able to be his friend was already very fortunate. If he could present proof of a more intimate connection, it would feel like he was surpassing ordinary pedestrians on the road.
However, after spending a day at the Haoziwei Cake Shop, Lu Xuandong dismissed this idea. Compared to silent communication, he realized he cherished this shared holiday more.
Lu Xuandong moved a chair to sit beside Qin Chunxiao.
Outside the room was the summer breeze, the sounds of insects, the fragrant smell of flowers, and the stars barely visible in the sky. If they were to drive to the outskirts at this moment, they might be able to see the Milky Way stretching across the night sky, countless stars shimmering, immersing them in a vast fantasy.
“Being by your side, I always feel that my emotions are uplifted. I hope I can fall in love with someone like you in the future.”
Qin Chunxiao turned his pen around, and when he heard this, he almost dropped it on the table. He quickly caught the falling pen, “Why are you bringing this up?”
Lu Xuandong coughed, “Because there are Altair and Vega stars in the sky. When I see them, I can’t help but think of love.”
As someone who had been single for two lifetimes, Qin Chunxiao replied, “… How about we go stargazing somewhere tomorrow?”
Besides Hainan, there were other good places for stargazing in Guangdong, such as Shikengkong, Yinnashan, and Apo Six Village.
Lu Xuandong enthusiastically responded, “Great idea! Should we bring Cuihua with us?”
Qin Chunxiao said, “Sure!”
So, the next day, Lu Xuandong rented stargazing equipment and an off-road vehicle, took Qin Chunxiao out of the city, and went to Yinnashan, where there was a famous astronomical observatory and a camping site to watch the sunrise.
Of course, to watch the stars and sunrise from the mountaintop, they had to hike first. Qin Chunxiao’s physical strength was needless to say. All the volleyball gods had personally experienced his endurance. Lu Xuandong’s stamina was also good, and the two of them climbed to the top together, set up the tent, and sat shoulder to shoulder, listening to city pop on their phones.
In the past, his favorite singer, Klein Runke, sang the most classic song “Ooh Baby.” The Milky Way hung upside down in the sky, and Cuiflora lay on Qin Chunxiao’s lap. She was the only living being present that was exhausted from climbing the mountain.
It was the first time the little dog had run freely in the countryside, the first time seeing the scenery of the wilderness. So even though she was tired, her emotions were visibly joyful, even to humans.
Qin Chunxiao gently stroked Cuihua’s back while gazing silently at the stars.
When Lu Xuandong turned to look at the person beside him, he saw the reflection of stars in the young boy’s blue eyes.
He heard Qin Chunxiao’s clear voice, “I’m a materialist, but right now, I really hope they are watching me from above.”
The departed are gone, and the past is difficult to chase. Such is life, but life and death cannot stop the yearning of youth.
Lu Xuandong thought, if it were me, I would want to keep watching you from birth to death.
On July 20th, Qin Chunxiao’s summer vacation, like other upcoming high school seniors, came to an end. His classmates had to return to school early to begin their senior year, while Qin Chunxiao had to report to the national team.
The August schedule in 2018 was hectic. They had to go to Taiwan first to compete in the Asian Cup for men’s volleyball. It was crucial as it determined the qualification for next year’s World Cup. They would then return to Jakarta after the Asian Cup. The Asian Games, held once every four years, were taking place in Jakarta, Indonesia, with 45 participating countries. The men’s volleyball national team was also attending the opening ceremony as part of the Chinese delegation.
Coach Newton called the players back and began, “The coach’s requirements for your August schedule are straightforward – win the championship, win the championship, and win the damn championship! Kids, you should know that we are now part of the prestigious top four teams in the VNL. If we lose again to small countries like Taiwan and South Korea, will you still have the face to go outside?”
Mao Xunfeng leaned close to Qin Chunxiao’s ear and whispered, “It seems that Coach Newton has managed to get the funding approval, so he’s all fired up now.”
Newton continued, “So, to successfully win the championship, I hope to see everyone perform well in the upcoming physical tests, especially in weight…Aizimaiti!”
Aizimaiti trembled all over.
Newton called again, “Qiao Mingming!”
Qiao Mingming swallowed hard.
Newton called out, “Kong Duojin!”
Kong Duojin instinctively retorted, “I’m not fat!”
Newton replied, “I called your name to remind you to take off that thick chain around your neck. You and Qiao Mingming have been pretending to be macho for so long, thinking you’re some kind of thug? You even wear a chain as thick as a finger, as if you’re afraid people won’t know you’re rich?”
Wait, although their men’s volleyball team had gotten better treatment, compared to the neighboring men’s football team, everyone was still quite simple. How could this guy afford such a thick chain?
Kong Duojin stuttered, “T-t-this is a reward my girlfriend got for me after my good performance in the VNL!”
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone couldn’t help but recall that this guy’s girlfriend was not only the top taekwondo athlete in the country but also a factory owner’s daughter. She loved Kong Duojin very much, and giving him a gold chain as a reward seemed plausible.
The only one in the room who wasn’t concerned about Kong Duojin’s gold chain was Qin Chunxiao, who instead appeared a little guilty.
Xiaoqin could guarantee that his abs were still there, but he had to admit that after a short summer vacation, his body fat had indeed increased significantly, nearly reaching double digits…
