My Soulmate is A Libero
2 Part in One
After the match against ENEL Club, the Beluga Club also paid a price. For instance, the second setter, Ludvika, had to have an injection in his knee to continue playing. Similarly, Roman had discomfort in his shoulder even after two hours of medical treatment and had to apply ointment before returning to the court.
Being placed in Group A was both a stroke of luck and misfortune for the Beluga Club. The luck lay in finally avenging themselves, but the misfortune was that this match had taken a toll on them. The only solace at this point was that the other teams were also likely experiencing similar exhaustion.
Before the match began, the Beluga coach had instructed the team to focus on Misha Qin, as he was thin and yet a defensive core. Making efforts to tire him out would neutralize one of the Hamsters’ key defensive counter attack strategies.
However, the young Misha Qin surprised everyone with his exceptional form. Despite knowing he lacked stamina, Qin Chunxiao had discussed with his teammates who could block the net about targeting the opponent and blocking them as effectively as possible.
Even if the ball got past their block, he was ready to withstand it. When the team leader said, “I can handle it,” the other Hamsters instantly felt relieved and played with renewed vigor during their offensive maneuvers.
As the game progressed, the Hamsters’ condition improved while the Beluga Club’s declined. In a surprising turn, the Hamsters managed to take the first set from the Beluga Club, leaving the latter feeling the sting of defeat.
In the second set, at 15:14, Soso once again scored through his serve, prompting a timeout from the Beluga coach. Both teams took a brief break, during which Qin Chunxiao hurried to the team doctor. After downing some water, he asked the doctor to massage his wrist, complaining of soreness.
Yashenka shook his hand and said, “It’s natural to feel sore. You’ve been using your left hand a lot for blocking during one-handed jumps, and the strain is substantial.”
With a quick medical treatment, Qin Chunxiao returned to the court looking invigorated. The DJ switched to playing rock music, understanding that playing Soviet songs wouldn’t be effective today, given that both teams were Russian and the “buff” applied to both sides.
The second set became more competitive. Most strong teams would have moments of intense determination on their path to victory. The Hamsters and Beluga Club had a history of rivalry.
According to WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) staff, four out of the twelve players on the field had received injections to treat injuries, and the rest had varying degrees of injuries. Many players reported to their clubs before using any medication, detailing what they were using and why, to avoid scrutiny from WADA.
Especially for Qin Chunxiao and Li Ling, after playing in the Russian Super League, Newton had specifically communicated with Nikolai. He demanded that the two athletes maintain a safe diet and sufficient medication records, or else he’d rather breach the contract and take the children home.
Nikolai: okok.
A WADA official couldn’t believe it, “It’s not the Olympics or World Championships. Why are they pushing themselves so hard?”
Another replied, “For pride. Not every player here has the chance to go to the Olympics.”
For example, Soso, who had received another injection in his waist, couldn’t make it into the Argentine national team due to injury. He could only return to the field through a transfer and with Nikolai’s help. But could he endure until the day of the Tokyo Olympics? If not, he’d seize every opportunity for glory.
Similarly, veteran Ludvika, plagued by injuries, knew that if he couldn’t prove himself now, he might be eliminated from the competition in the future. Veterans might not die, but they would wither away. Although this saying was more fitting for actors than generals, it held true in this context.
After playing with the Barbecue Club, Qin Chunxiao once again experienced the sensation of being pummeled by the ball from Roman. Although Qin Chunxiao managed to return the ball, it flew over the net and was picked up by Beluga’s libero, Ludvika. Exhausted and feeling a twinge in his wrist, Qin Chunxiao panted on his knees. Looking at Roman, he saw that Roman had already leaped again.
He jumped really high, his height making him appear massive in the air. If he landed on someone, it might break a dozen bones.
Roman was truly determined to win, for himself and his teammates. Their coach was also excellent, and by all accounts, this was a top-five team. So, how did the Hamsters defeat this formidable team and win the championship last year?
The answer was simple: they fought their hardest.
Qin Chunxiao used all his limbs to climb up, his waist springing up like a bowstring, and his arms stretched forward with all his might. Finally, just before the ball hit the ground, his palm landed on the floor, cushioning the impact and lifting the ball up.
To facilitate his receiving ball, Grigory, who had been silent until now, made an effort to move aside, not obstructing Qin Chunxiao’s dive. In doing so, he ended up falling heavily to the ground on his side, his face turning red from the pain.
Anton rushed over and sent the ball out in a graceful arc. By this time, Li Ling had already jumped up, and Anton’s pass landed perfectly in his palms.
As Russia’s top setter, Anton’s precision in setting was equally remarkable, making him a world-class player in his position!
The commentator calmly evaluated, “This is a high-level match.”
Can club competitions match international competitions? It’s hard to say. Some financially powerful clubs might assemble the world’s best spiker, libero, and setter, forming a luxurious lineup. However, even less wealthy clubs could upset the former during matches.
On the court, anything is possible.
Compared to the Beluga Club, the Hamsters’ lineup was relatively modest. After Alexander’s retirement, their captain and vice-captain were the youngest in this year’s World Club Championship. This year, Ruslan, who was the same age as Qin Chunxiao, further lowered the club’s average age.
Qin Chunxiao once again felt everything on the court becoming clear, and his reception efficiency improved.
At this moment, Nikolai unleashed another one of his abilities, the “Burn, Youth!” technique, attempting to infuse Ruslan’s mind with it.
Nikolai said, “I believe that as long as you unleash your potential, help us score more points, we can win this match.”
Young Ruslan rubbed his hands nervously.
Nikolai continued, “The gold medal is within your reach, young man. As long as you shine in this match, many clubs will be eager to have you. You’ll make a fortune.”
Ruslan began to take deep breaths. “Coach, it’s not that easy to win a match just because I want to.”
Nikolai responded, “Ruslan, you must understand that on the court, nothing is impossible. As long as you fight, strive, and give it your all, you have the chance to achieve victory. Your teammates are waiting for that moment when you fight alongside them…”
Yashenka picked up Nikolai’s notebook with an indifferent expression. He flipped to the pages meant for Ruslan and found two sections: one offering incentives and the other full of motivational quotes and sayings, even including lines borrowed from the movie “Rocky.”
In Nikolai’s coaching career, no matter how much young players valued money, they would still respond to a bit of excitement. If it were a coach who lacked this kind of spark, it might not work. This might explain why Nikolai always liked recruiting young players. Their affordability was one thing, but their explosiveness was also a delightful trait.
In Nikolai’s words, “What’s wrong with me? I’m just bringing out the players’ potential! They work so hard in training, and if they can’t explode on the court, then what’s the point of me feeding them?”
Ruslan was still young after all, and under Nikolai’s efforts, when he returned to the court, his eyes appeared brighter and more spirited. Starting from the third set, he seized every opportunity to attack, attack, and attack against Beluga.
As a team with a strong focus on defensive blocks, the Hamsters’ primary weapon was counterattacking after a block, but their main weakness was a lack of offensive power.
Last year, when Alexander was still around, this wasn’t as noticeable. However, this year, lacking a player who could deliver powerful spikes at critical moments, the Hamsters often found themselves at a disadvantage against strong opponents.
This put additional pressure on Qin Chunxiao, who had to focus on both offense and defense, using his skills to earn points from opponents at the net.
Now that Ruslan was performing well, Qin Chunxiao felt a significant reduction in pressure. Perhaps Ruslan was still inexperienced and couldn’t completely fill the void left by Alexander, but he had his teammates, and Grigory’s attacks were also effective.
With his fiery red hair, green eyes, and fair skin, Grigory chased after the yellow and blue volleyball. It was as if vibrant colors were colliding in the air. He smashed the ball with great force, and the volleyball carried immense power, landing on Beluga’s three-meter line!
Commentator Wu Di exclaimed, “The Hamsters Club is gaining momentum, and the Beluga Club has already used up their timeouts. They only have one challenge left. I believe their coach will be more cautious in using it.”
Commentator Li Laiheng added, “This match is not only a competition between the two teams, but also a battle between two coaches. In the Russian Super League, there are two formidable coaches. The Hamsters’ head coach, Nikolai, was in charge of the Russian men’s volleyball national team during the Rio Olympics cycle. During the VNL season, due to the current national team coach, Popov, undergoing gallbladder surgery, Nikolai stepped in for a while. He’s an influential figure in Russian men’s volleyball.”
“Beluga’s head coach, Fili, is Nikolai’s junior brother. These two brothers have been competing against each other since their playing days and continue to be rivals in the Russian Super League. Moreover, Fili is likely to become the next head coach of the Russian men’s volleyball team.”
And what about Nikolai? He was the challenger.
This match was not just a battle between the players but also a showdown between coaches. Everyone wanted to prove their strength and achieve higher honors.
Watching Qin Chunxiao’s running figure and his repeated fall to the ground while making desperate attempts to save the ball, Lu Yunchen couldn’t bear to watch anymore. “Is he in a lot of pain?”
Watching volleyball matches now, the powerful sound and impact of the men’s spikes could give the audience a strong sensation, but it also allowed them to truly feel the pressure on the defensive end.
“He must really love volleyball to go to such lengths, right, big brother?”
Lu Yunchen didn’t wait for his brother’s response. He struggled to tear his gaze away from the game and looked at his brother, who was quietly observing the match.
The match was so intense that it was understandable why his brother didn’t want to answer his question.
Lu Yunchen also became engrossed in the match. Although his understanding of the rules was not detailed enough, he still enjoyed watching volleyball.
As for his brother’s question, Lu Xuandong had no answer. He wasn’t Qin Chunxiao himself, so he couldn’t accurately say why Qin Chunxiao was fighting.
But other than honor, what else could it be for?
Even Qin Chunxiao might not know the answer to that, but initially, he must have stepped onto the volleyball court because of an unwillingness in his heart. This proud young man had suffered a great blow in another sport, sprinting, when he was in his teens. To reclaim his honor, to satisfy his desire for honor, he took up volleyball. As for the pursuit of victory, that required no explanation at all.
Who needed a reason to be competitive and ambitious? The three words “I like winning” surpass all reasons!
By now, he must really loving volleyball.
Lu Xuandong had long noticed that Qin Chunxiao was someone who enjoyed team sports. When he was running alongside his teammates, he was happy, and this psychological joy even overcame the pain.
The blue-eyed youth was like a young wolf who had found its beloved prey. He chased, jumped, and blocked on the court, every movement agile and graceful. Some actions required flexibility, yet as long as he could reach the ball, he executed them naturally, including sticking his butt up in the air, supporting himself with both hands on the ground, and then using his head like a little seal to bump the ball.
Beneath this endearing appearance was his true nature, viewing opponents as prey. Those blue eyes were always fierce and focused when locked onto an opponent.
While others watched a volleyball match, Lu Xuandong sat amidst the noisy arena, fixated on his favorite “hunting.” Since he was hunting, grappling with the prey, getting injured, and even bleeding were all inevitable.
He saw Qin Chunxiao fall heavily onto the bench while trying to save a ball, watched as he lifted his collar to wipe away sweat, his cheeks turning red. He saw Qin Chunxiao’s jersey lift with each powerful move, revealing a slim waist.
Qin Chunxiao’s movements were nimble and smooth, even smoother than silk. The perfect blend of strength and agility—how vibrant and full of life!
There was a saying that might sound embarrassing, but Lu Xuandong always felt that this boy, Qin Chunxiao, was like a rare and untamed spirit in the jungle of steel and concrete. He didn’t want to tame him in the slightest, just watching him was enough.
In the moment the match ended, Qin Chunxiao fell onto the court again, covered in new bruises. He took off his headband, shook his head to flick away the sweat, and tiny droplets flew around. On the opposite side of the court, Roman lay sprawled out, unable to make the final save.
Roman pounded the floor in frustration, then was helped up by his teammates.
Qin Chunxiao, on the other hand, looked up, briefly meeting the bright lights above the court before lowering his head again due to the intense glare.
Li Ling cheered loudly and pounced on him, embracing him and roaring like a monkey. The final point was scored by these two dazed boys. Qin Chunxiao had once again made a significant contribution today.
The match had gone through a full five sets with scores of 25-23, 24-26, 29-27, 33-35, 15-13.
The Hamsters Club had narrowly secured their spot in the World Club Championship finals, while the Beluga team was eliminated. They would now compete for the bronze medal against another eliminated team.
Qin Chunxiao stretched his shoulders and mechanically walked back to the sidelines. He took off his shoes, peeled off his socks, revealing a blood blister on the side of his big toe. It had formed during the game, and now it was burst open, causing him excruciating pain. It looked quite gruesome.
Yashenka hurried over and knelt down to tend to his injury.
Qin Chunxiao stopped his actions, took off his other shoe, and said, “This foot has a more significant problem. I twisted it a bit just now, and my ankle doesn’t feel comfortable.”
Yashenka took a look at the swollen ankle and couldn’t help but let out a string of profanities in Russian.
“Why did you walk back yourself when you’ve twisted your foot? You should’ve let anyone carry you back or notified me so I could carry you!”
Yashenka was stern and quick in his movements, placing two ice packs directly onto Qin Chunxiao’s ankle.
Qin Chunxiao let out a yelp, feeling a bit wronged. “I thought the foot I twisted wasn’t as painful as the one with the burst blister. I thought it wasn’t that serious.”
Yashenka: “… We definitely can’t let this happen again next time! If Misha gets hurt and he has to walk back on his own, what’s the point of having other big guys around?”
Anton timidly: “Passing the ball?”
Yashenka, agitated: “Just passing the ball? You should take care of your teammates! Anton, you’re the captain, after all!”
Anton immediately squatted down, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”
Qin Chunxiao coughed, “No need to scold him, it’s my fault for not showing any reaction.”
As the leader, Anton did take good care of people. For example, when Qin Chunxiao leaned out of the car window to film the chasing wolves, it was Anton who couldn’t stand it and pulled him back, then instructed the driver to accelerate.
Other tall players also gathered around, showing concern, asking if Qin Chunxiao was feeling uncomfortable anywhere else, if he needed water, sweat wiped, shoulder massages, and back rubs.
Thanks to them, Qin Chunxiao’s field of vision instantly narrowed down to the wall of tall figures surrounding him. Nikolai struggled to make his way through the players, took a look at Qin Chunxiao’s foot, and let out a sigh.
Their journey in the World Club Championship had come to an end.
On the other side, the victorious team was the Cheetah Club. The Hamsters had already fought their last battle, pouring their hearts out even without Qin Chunxiao’s injury. They wouldn’t have been able to contend with the Cheetahs, even if Qin Chunxiao was in good shape.
Although Qin Chunxiao did appear in the championship match the next day, it was, of course, because the doctor said his bones and ligaments were not seriously injured and that it was just a minor soft tissue injury. Qin Chunxiao ignored the bruise on his foot and, under the death stare of the team doctor, went back onto the court.
The impact of that bruise on him was minimal. Instead, the blood blister on his other foot caused him more discomfort, affecting his running efficiency. Moreover, Nikolai only allowed Qin Chunxiao to play two sets. In the end, the Hamsters unfortunately lost the match 1-3, finishing as the runners-up.
When the results came out, Ruslan, who had been full of energy the day before, burst into tears. Players like Grigori, Oleg, and Soso were also full of regret. Ruslan was too young, and the other three were getting older. No one knew how many more seasons they could play, and missing the championship was especially disappointing.
Only Nikolai had a positive outlook, “No athlete can win the championship every time. There will always be times when you get the silver medal. It’s good for the young ones to experience this bitter taste now. Don’t be disheartened, the next winter, we will come to the World Club Championship again. By then, we’ll wash away this regret with victory.”
“And at the age of 17, winning the silver medal in the World Club Championship is already a great honor.”
Saying this, Nikolai patted Ruslan’s head and then gave Qin Chunxiao a thumbs-up, “You guys did great.”
Yashenka hugged a few veteran players, “I promise your careers won’t end in just these two years.”
The First Mother of the Court’s promise was always especially reassuring. With his words, smiles appeared on the faces of the veteran players.
After the game, during the awards ceremony organized by the event organizers, Sebastian rightfully became the Best Receiver, and Ruslan also received the title of Best Newcomer.
As for Qin Chunxiao, who didn’t play many matches as a libero in the World Club Championship, he calmly accepted the award for Best Libero despite the skeptical gazes of other outstanding liberos.
“Don’t you have a ‘why is this kid’ look in your eyes?” This was the sentiment in his mind. Qin Chunxiao was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end, after all. In fact, if it weren’t for the mention during the awards ceremony, Qin Chunxiao wouldn’t have known that he had the best floor performance data in this World Club Championship.
Although this was also partly because ENEL, where Dario was, was eliminated early, and Brazil’s top libero, Billy, didn’t even come to the World Club Championship. Nevertheless, Qin Chunxiao wasn’t about to let go of the honor that he had worked so hard for, even if it meant injuring both his feet!
However, by the time he returned, Qin Chunxiao was once again feeling a bit languid, “I wonder if the Beluga team last year had the same mentality as us.”
Li Ling hadn’t fully recovered from the sorrow of missing the gold medal when he heard these words, emitting a puzzled monosyllable.
“Huh?”
Qin Chunxiao: “The World Club Championship isn’t our last match. Last year, the Beluga Club also won the silver medal in the World Club Championship and then went on to play in the Russian Super League and the Champions League. Just the thought of facing so many strong teams again makes me tired in advance.”
This statement immediately pulled everyone out of their regret and unwillingness. Oh right, they still had many matches to play.
Nikolai: “Yeah, once we’re back in the Russian Super League, we’ll have to face the Beluga again. Who on earth planned this schedule? They seem to be afraid we won’t get tired enough.”
At the thought of facing the Beluga again, all the Hamsters on the bus started to wail.
Qin Chunxiao opened his phone and tapped out a message, “We’re taking a flight to Russia tonight. How about you?”
Lu Xuandong replied, “Taking my little brother back to China for a legal case.”
However, Qin Chunxiao was destined to miss the third showdown against the Beluga. Yashenka had ordered him to rest for two weeks.
“You can’t just rely on being young and neglect your body!”
Amidst the team doctor’s angry shouts, Qin Chunxiao was forced into a lazy convalescence.
To avoid wasting time, Qin Chunxiao decided to return to China and take his final exams during this time.
Seeing that there were no other injured players in the club recently, Yashenka snapped his fingers, grabbed his passport, and decided to accompany Qin Chunxiao to China. Not only would he be able to take care of the second-in-command, but he also wanted to visit that miraculous old Chinese doctor in Guangzhou Hospital.
It was only then that Qin Chunxiao realized how dedicated Yashenka was as a team doctor. From the players’ dormitory to the airport, Yashenka had carried him all the way. And Er Leng was also going back to China to take an exam, so he was responsible for pushing the luggage cart.
Once inside the airport, they found a wheelchair for Qin Chunxiao to sit in. And when the plane landed in Guangzhou, Yashenka hoisted Qin Chunxiao on his back again.
Li Ling was taking his exams at Beijing University, so he was on a flight to Beijing and wasn’t with them anymore.
Yashenka’s broad and sturdy shoulders were dependable, and since he had quit smoking, there was no tobacco smell on him. If one insisted on smelling, there was only a faint scent of laundry detergent.
When the Lu brothers, wearing sunglasses and masks, came to pick them up from the airport, they saw Yashenka braving the winter wind, carrying Qin Chunxiao securely to the car. They were rendered speechless.
While Lu Xuandong got out of the car to help load the luggage into the back seat, Qin Chunxiao muttered, “I weigh a solid 70 kilograms, and Yashenka actually carried me all the way from Russia to China.”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Lu Yunchen shifted his butt a bit and couldn’t help but turn his head, “W-why did he carry you?”
Qin Chunxiao blinked, “Because I have a foot injury. He doesn’t want it to get worse. Yashenka is the highest-rated doctor in the sport of volleyball. You don’t think he earned that reputation just by his medical skills, do you?”
“His EQ is great, so he’s always able to provide patients with exceptional support and care.”
Lu Yunchen acknowledged with an “oh” and then thought of a phrase.
Medicine may be finite, but only boundless love can illuminate the soul in suffering
Whether it was doctors commonly seen in hospitals or the team doctors in the volleyball club, those who could still give love while treating pain surely had compassionate and kind souls.
Of course, Qin Chunxiao knew that saying this could improve Yashenka’s image in Lu Yunchen’s eyes. But please believe he didn’t have any ulterior motives. The main reason he said this was that he really didn’t want to see those two idiots fighting anymore.
Sigh, it was one thing to fight, but they were pulling each other’s clothes, hair, poking noses, and biting necks in the process. Were they still preschoolers?
Unfortunately, little Qin’s foot injury made him unfit for a brawl at the moment. He might as well try to help them lower their tempers a bit.
During the most intense part of the season, returning to China for exams could be seen as a form of rest. The exams in the first semester of senior year were quite significant, and Qin Chunxiao took them seriously.
Considering that his parents were busy with work, he didn’t bother informing them beforehand. He simply took the elevator with Yashenka, opened the fingerprint lock, and found his dad in the kitchen grilling steaks. There was a new candelabrum1 on the table with lit colored candles.
Qin Chunxiao: “Uh, are you trying to surprise Mom?”
His dad didn’t even turn his head: “Yeah, huh, why are you back?”
My Soulmate is A Libero
2 Part in One
After the match against ENEL Club, the Beluga Club also paid a price. For instance, the second setter, Ludvika, had to have an injection in his knee to continue playing. Similarly, Roman had discomfort in his shoulder even after two hours of medical treatment and had to apply ointment before returning to the court.
Being placed in Group A was both a stroke of luck and misfortune for the Beluga Club. The luck lay in finally avenging themselves, but the misfortune was that this match had taken a toll on them. The only solace at this point was that the other teams were also likely experiencing similar exhaustion.
Before the match began, the Beluga coach had instructed the team to focus on Misha Qin, as he was thin and yet a defensive core. Making efforts to tire him out would neutralize one of the Hamsters’ key defensive counter attack strategies.
However, the young Misha Qin surprised everyone with his exceptional form. Despite knowing he lacked stamina, Qin Chunxiao had discussed with his teammates who could block the net about targeting the opponent and blocking them as effectively as possible.
Even if the ball got past their block, he was ready to withstand it. When the team leader said, “I can handle it,” the other Hamsters instantly felt relieved and played with renewed vigor during their offensive maneuvers.
As the game progressed, the Hamsters’ condition improved while the Beluga Club’s declined. In a surprising turn, the Hamsters managed to take the first set from the Beluga Club, leaving the latter feeling the sting of defeat.
In the second set, at 15:14, Soso once again scored through his serve, prompting a timeout from the Beluga coach. Both teams took a brief break, during which Qin Chunxiao hurried to the team doctor. After downing some water, he asked the doctor to massage his wrist, complaining of soreness.
Yashenka shook his hand and said, “It’s natural to feel sore. You’ve been using your left hand a lot for blocking during one-handed jumps, and the strain is substantial.”
With a quick medical treatment, Qin Chunxiao returned to the court looking invigorated. The DJ switched to playing rock music, understanding that playing Soviet songs wouldn’t be effective today, given that both teams were Russian and the “buff” applied to both sides.
The second set became more competitive. Most strong teams would have moments of intense determination on their path to victory. The Hamsters and Beluga Club had a history of rivalry.
According to WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) staff, four out of the twelve players on the field had received injections to treat injuries, and the rest had varying degrees of injuries. Many players reported to their clubs before using any medication, detailing what they were using and why, to avoid scrutiny from WADA.
Especially for Qin Chunxiao and Li Ling, after playing in the Russian Super League, Newton had specifically communicated with Nikolai. He demanded that the two athletes maintain a safe diet and sufficient medication records, or else he’d rather breach the contract and take the children home.
Nikolai: okok.
A WADA official couldn’t believe it, “It’s not the Olympics or World Championships. Why are they pushing themselves so hard?”
Another replied, “For pride. Not every player here has the chance to go to the Olympics.”
For example, Soso, who had received another injection in his waist, couldn’t make it into the Argentine national team due to injury. He could only return to the field through a transfer and with Nikolai’s help. But could he endure until the day of the Tokyo Olympics? If not, he’d seize every opportunity for glory.
Similarly, veteran Ludvika, plagued by injuries, knew that if he couldn’t prove himself now, he might be eliminated from the competition in the future. Veterans might not die, but they would wither away. Although this saying was more fitting for actors than generals, it held true in this context.
After playing with the Barbecue Club, Qin Chunxiao once again experienced the sensation of being pummeled by the ball from Roman. Although Qin Chunxiao managed to return the ball, it flew over the net and was picked up by Beluga’s libero, Ludvika. Exhausted and feeling a twinge in his wrist, Qin Chunxiao panted on his knees. Looking at Roman, he saw that Roman had already leaped again.
He jumped really high, his height making him appear massive in the air. If he landed on someone, it might break a dozen bones.
Roman was truly determined to win, for himself and his teammates. Their coach was also excellent, and by all accounts, this was a top-five team. So, how did the Hamsters defeat this formidable team and win the championship last year?
The answer was simple: they fought their hardest.
Qin Chunxiao used all his limbs to climb up, his waist springing up like a bowstring, and his arms stretched forward with all his might. Finally, just before the ball hit the ground, his palm landed on the floor, cushioning the impact and lifting the ball up.
To facilitate his receiving ball, Grigory, who had been silent until now, made an effort to move aside, not obstructing Qin Chunxiao’s dive. In doing so, he ended up falling heavily to the ground on his side, his face turning red from the pain.
Anton rushed over and sent the ball out in a graceful arc. By this time, Li Ling had already jumped up, and Anton’s pass landed perfectly in his palms.
As Russia’s top setter, Anton’s precision in setting was equally remarkable, making him a world-class player in his position!
The commentator calmly evaluated, “This is a high-level match.”
Can club competitions match international competitions? It’s hard to say. Some financially powerful clubs might assemble the world’s best spiker, libero, and setter, forming a luxurious lineup. However, even less wealthy clubs could upset the former during matches.
On the court, anything is possible.
Compared to the Beluga Club, the Hamsters’ lineup was relatively modest. After Alexander’s retirement, their captain and vice-captain were the youngest in this year’s World Club Championship. This year, Ruslan, who was the same age as Qin Chunxiao, further lowered the club’s average age.
Qin Chunxiao once again felt everything on the court becoming clear, and his reception efficiency improved.
At this moment, Nikolai unleashed another one of his abilities, the “Burn, Youth!” technique, attempting to infuse Ruslan’s mind with it.
Nikolai said, “I believe that as long as you unleash your potential, help us score more points, we can win this match.”
Young Ruslan rubbed his hands nervously.
Nikolai continued, “The gold medal is within your reach, young man. As long as you shine in this match, many clubs will be eager to have you. You’ll make a fortune.”
Ruslan began to take deep breaths. “Coach, it’s not that easy to win a match just because I want to.”
Nikolai responded, “Ruslan, you must understand that on the court, nothing is impossible. As long as you fight, strive, and give it your all, you have the chance to achieve victory. Your teammates are waiting for that moment when you fight alongside them…”
Yashenka picked up Nikolai’s notebook with an indifferent expression. He flipped to the pages meant for Ruslan and found two sections: one offering incentives and the other full of motivational quotes and sayings, even including lines borrowed from the movie “Rocky.”
In Nikolai’s coaching career, no matter how much young players valued money, they would still respond to a bit of excitement. If it were a coach who lacked this kind of spark, it might not work. This might explain why Nikolai always liked recruiting young players. Their affordability was one thing, but their explosiveness was also a delightful trait.
In Nikolai’s words, “What’s wrong with me? I’m just bringing out the players’ potential! They work so hard in training, and if they can’t explode on the court, then what’s the point of me feeding them?”
Ruslan was still young after all, and under Nikolai’s efforts, when he returned to the court, his eyes appeared brighter and more spirited. Starting from the third set, he seized every opportunity to attack, attack, and attack against Beluga.
As a team with a strong focus on defensive blocks, the Hamsters’ primary weapon was counterattacking after a block, but their main weakness was a lack of offensive power.
Last year, when Alexander was still around, this wasn’t as noticeable. However, this year, lacking a player who could deliver powerful spikes at critical moments, the Hamsters often found themselves at a disadvantage against strong opponents.
This put additional pressure on Qin Chunxiao, who had to focus on both offense and defense, using his skills to earn points from opponents at the net.
Now that Ruslan was performing well, Qin Chunxiao felt a significant reduction in pressure. Perhaps Ruslan was still inexperienced and couldn’t completely fill the void left by Alexander, but he had his teammates, and Grigory’s attacks were also effective.
With his fiery red hair, green eyes, and fair skin, Grigory chased after the yellow and blue volleyball. It was as if vibrant colors were colliding in the air. He smashed the ball with great force, and the volleyball carried immense power, landing on Beluga’s three-meter line!
Commentator Wu Di exclaimed, “The Hamsters Club is gaining momentum, and the Beluga Club has already used up their timeouts. They only have one challenge left. I believe their coach will be more cautious in using it.”
Commentator Li Laiheng added, “This match is not only a competition between the two teams, but also a battle between two coaches. In the Russian Super League, there are two formidable coaches. The Hamsters’ head coach, Nikolai, was in charge of the Russian men’s volleyball national team during the Rio Olympics cycle. During the VNL season, due to the current national team coach, Popov, undergoing gallbladder surgery, Nikolai stepped in for a while. He’s an influential figure in Russian men’s volleyball.”
“Beluga’s head coach, Fili, is Nikolai’s junior brother. These two brothers have been competing against each other since their playing days and continue to be rivals in the Russian Super League. Moreover, Fili is likely to become the next head coach of the Russian men’s volleyball team.”
And what about Nikolai? He was the challenger.
This match was not just a battle between the players but also a showdown between coaches. Everyone wanted to prove their strength and achieve higher honors.
Watching Qin Chunxiao’s running figure and his repeated fall to the ground while making desperate attempts to save the ball, Lu Yunchen couldn’t bear to watch anymore. “Is he in a lot of pain?”
Watching volleyball matches now, the powerful sound and impact of the men’s spikes could give the audience a strong sensation, but it also allowed them to truly feel the pressure on the defensive end.
“He must really love volleyball to go to such lengths, right, big brother?”
Lu Yunchen didn’t wait for his brother’s response. He struggled to tear his gaze away from the game and looked at his brother, who was quietly observing the match.
The match was so intense that it was understandable why his brother didn’t want to answer his question.
Lu Yunchen also became engrossed in the match. Although his understanding of the rules was not detailed enough, he still enjoyed watching volleyball.
As for his brother’s question, Lu Xuandong had no answer. He wasn’t Qin Chunxiao himself, so he couldn’t accurately say why Qin Chunxiao was fighting.
But other than honor, what else could it be for?
Even Qin Chunxiao might not know the answer to that, but initially, he must have stepped onto the volleyball court because of an unwillingness in his heart. This proud young man had suffered a great blow in another sport, sprinting, when he was in his teens. To reclaim his honor, to satisfy his desire for honor, he took up volleyball. As for the pursuit of victory, that required no explanation at all.
Who needed a reason to be competitive and ambitious? The three words “I like winning” surpass all reasons!
By now, he must really loving volleyball.
Lu Xuandong had long noticed that Qin Chunxiao was someone who enjoyed team sports. When he was running alongside his teammates, he was happy, and this psychological joy even overcame the pain.
The blue-eyed youth was like a young wolf who had found its beloved prey. He chased, jumped, and blocked on the court, every movement agile and graceful. Some actions required flexibility, yet as long as he could reach the ball, he executed them naturally, including sticking his butt up in the air, supporting himself with both hands on the ground, and then using his head like a little seal to bump the ball.
Beneath this endearing appearance was his true nature, viewing opponents as prey. Those blue eyes were always fierce and focused when locked onto an opponent.
While others watched a volleyball match, Lu Xuandong sat amidst the noisy arena, fixated on his favorite “hunting.” Since he was hunting, grappling with the prey, getting injured, and even bleeding were all inevitable.
He saw Qin Chunxiao fall heavily onto the bench while trying to save a ball, watched as he lifted his collar to wipe away sweat, his cheeks turning red. He saw Qin Chunxiao’s jersey lift with each powerful move, revealing a slim waist.
Qin Chunxiao’s movements were nimble and smooth, even smoother than silk. The perfect blend of strength and agility—how vibrant and full of life!
There was a saying that might sound embarrassing, but Lu Xuandong always felt that this boy, Qin Chunxiao, was like a rare and untamed spirit in the jungle of steel and concrete. He didn’t want to tame him in the slightest, just watching him was enough.
In the moment the match ended, Qin Chunxiao fell onto the court again, covered in new bruises. He took off his headband, shook his head to flick away the sweat, and tiny droplets flew around. On the opposite side of the court, Roman lay sprawled out, unable to make the final save.
Roman pounded the floor in frustration, then was helped up by his teammates.
Qin Chunxiao, on the other hand, looked up, briefly meeting the bright lights above the court before lowering his head again due to the intense glare.
Li Ling cheered loudly and pounced on him, embracing him and roaring like a monkey. The final point was scored by these two dazed boys. Qin Chunxiao had once again made a significant contribution today.
The match had gone through a full five sets with scores of 25-23, 24-26, 29-27, 33-35, 15-13.
The Hamsters Club had narrowly secured their spot in the World Club Championship finals, while the Beluga team was eliminated. They would now compete for the bronze medal against another eliminated team.
Qin Chunxiao stretched his shoulders and mechanically walked back to the sidelines. He took off his shoes, peeled off his socks, revealing a blood blister on the side of his big toe. It had formed during the game, and now it was burst open, causing him excruciating pain. It looked quite gruesome.
Yashenka hurried over and knelt down to tend to his injury.
Qin Chunxiao stopped his actions, took off his other shoe, and said, “This foot has a more significant problem. I twisted it a bit just now, and my ankle doesn’t feel comfortable.”
Yashenka took a look at the swollen ankle and couldn’t help but let out a string of profanities in Russian.
“Why did you walk back yourself when you’ve twisted your foot? You should’ve let anyone carry you back or notified me so I could carry you!”
Yashenka was stern and quick in his movements, placing two ice packs directly onto Qin Chunxiao’s ankle.
Qin Chunxiao let out a yelp, feeling a bit wronged. “I thought the foot I twisted wasn’t as painful as the one with the burst blister. I thought it wasn’t that serious.”
Yashenka: “… We definitely can’t let this happen again next time! If Misha gets hurt and he has to walk back on his own, what’s the point of having other big guys around?”
Anton timidly: “Passing the ball?”
Yashenka, agitated: “Just passing the ball? You should take care of your teammates! Anton, you’re the captain, after all!”
Anton immediately squatted down, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”
Qin Chunxiao coughed, “No need to scold him, it’s my fault for not showing any reaction.”
As the leader, Anton did take good care of people. For example, when Qin Chunxiao leaned out of the car window to film the chasing wolves, it was Anton who couldn’t stand it and pulled him back, then instructed the driver to accelerate.
Other tall players also gathered around, showing concern, asking if Qin Chunxiao was feeling uncomfortable anywhere else, if he needed water, sweat wiped, shoulder massages, and back rubs.
Thanks to them, Qin Chunxiao’s field of vision instantly narrowed down to the wall of tall figures surrounding him. Nikolai struggled to make his way through the players, took a look at Qin Chunxiao’s foot, and let out a sigh.
Their journey in the World Club Championship had come to an end.
On the other side, the victorious team was the Cheetah Club. The Hamsters had already fought their last battle, pouring their hearts out even without Qin Chunxiao’s injury. They wouldn’t have been able to contend with the Cheetahs, even if Qin Chunxiao was in good shape.
Although Qin Chunxiao did appear in the championship match the next day, it was, of course, because the doctor said his bones and ligaments were not seriously injured and that it was just a minor soft tissue injury. Qin Chunxiao ignored the bruise on his foot and, under the death stare of the team doctor, went back onto the court.
The impact of that bruise on him was minimal. Instead, the blood blister on his other foot caused him more discomfort, affecting his running efficiency. Moreover, Nikolai only allowed Qin Chunxiao to play two sets. In the end, the Hamsters unfortunately lost the match 1-3, finishing as the runners-up.
When the results came out, Ruslan, who had been full of energy the day before, burst into tears. Players like Grigori, Oleg, and Soso were also full of regret. Ruslan was too young, and the other three were getting older. No one knew how many more seasons they could play, and missing the championship was especially disappointing.
Only Nikolai had a positive outlook, “No athlete can win the championship every time. There will always be times when you get the silver medal. It’s good for the young ones to experience this bitter taste now. Don’t be disheartened, the next winter, we will come to the World Club Championship again. By then, we’ll wash away this regret with victory.”
“And at the age of 17, winning the silver medal in the World Club Championship is already a great honor.”
Saying this, Nikolai patted Ruslan’s head and then gave Qin Chunxiao a thumbs-up, “You guys did great.”
Yashenka hugged a few veteran players, “I promise your careers won’t end in just these two years.”
The First Mother of the Court’s promise was always especially reassuring. With his words, smiles appeared on the faces of the veteran players.
After the game, during the awards ceremony organized by the event organizers, Sebastian rightfully became the Best Receiver, and Ruslan also received the title of Best Newcomer.
As for Qin Chunxiao, who didn’t play many matches as a libero in the World Club Championship, he calmly accepted the award for Best Libero despite the skeptical gazes of other outstanding liberos.
“Don’t you have a ‘why is this kid’ look in your eyes?” This was the sentiment in his mind. Qin Chunxiao was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end, after all. In fact, if it weren’t for the mention during the awards ceremony, Qin Chunxiao wouldn’t have known that he had the best floor performance data in this World Club Championship.
Although this was also partly because ENEL, where Dario was, was eliminated early, and Brazil’s top libero, Billy, didn’t even come to the World Club Championship. Nevertheless, Qin Chunxiao wasn’t about to let go of the honor that he had worked so hard for, even if it meant injuring both his feet!
However, by the time he returned, Qin Chunxiao was once again feeling a bit languid, “I wonder if the Beluga team last year had the same mentality as us.”
Li Ling hadn’t fully recovered from the sorrow of missing the gold medal when he heard these words, emitting a puzzled monosyllable.
“Huh?”
Qin Chunxiao: “The World Club Championship isn’t our last match. Last year, the Beluga Club also won the silver medal in the World Club Championship and then went on to play in the Russian Super League and the Champions League. Just the thought of facing so many strong teams again makes me tired in advance.”
This statement immediately pulled everyone out of their regret and unwillingness. Oh right, they still had many matches to play.
Nikolai: “Yeah, once we’re back in the Russian Super League, we’ll have to face the Beluga again. Who on earth planned this schedule? They seem to be afraid we won’t get tired enough.”
At the thought of facing the Beluga again, all the Hamsters on the bus started to wail.
Qin Chunxiao opened his phone and tapped out a message, “We’re taking a flight to Russia tonight. How about you?”
Lu Xuandong replied, “Taking my little brother back to China for a legal case.”
However, Qin Chunxiao was destined to miss the third showdown against the Beluga. Yashenka had ordered him to rest for two weeks.
“You can’t just rely on being young and neglect your body!”
Amidst the team doctor’s angry shouts, Qin Chunxiao was forced into a lazy convalescence.
To avoid wasting time, Qin Chunxiao decided to return to China and take his final exams during this time.
Seeing that there were no other injured players in the club recently, Yashenka snapped his fingers, grabbed his passport, and decided to accompany Qin Chunxiao to China. Not only would he be able to take care of the second-in-command, but he also wanted to visit that miraculous old Chinese doctor in Guangzhou Hospital.
It was only then that Qin Chunxiao realized how dedicated Yashenka was as a team doctor. From the players’ dormitory to the airport, Yashenka had carried him all the way. And Er Leng was also going back to China to take an exam, so he was responsible for pushing the luggage cart.
Once inside the airport, they found a wheelchair for Qin Chunxiao to sit in. And when the plane landed in Guangzhou, Yashenka hoisted Qin Chunxiao on his back again.
Li Ling was taking his exams at Beijing University, so he was on a flight to Beijing and wasn’t with them anymore.
Yashenka’s broad and sturdy shoulders were dependable, and since he had quit smoking, there was no tobacco smell on him. If one insisted on smelling, there was only a faint scent of laundry detergent.
When the Lu brothers, wearing sunglasses and masks, came to pick them up from the airport, they saw Yashenka braving the winter wind, carrying Qin Chunxiao securely to the car. They were rendered speechless.
While Lu Xuandong got out of the car to help load the luggage into the back seat, Qin Chunxiao muttered, “I weigh a solid 70 kilograms, and Yashenka actually carried me all the way from Russia to China.”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Lu Yunchen shifted his butt a bit and couldn’t help but turn his head, “W-why did he carry you?”
Qin Chunxiao blinked, “Because I have a foot injury. He doesn’t want it to get worse. Yashenka is the highest-rated doctor in the sport of volleyball. You don’t think he earned that reputation just by his medical skills, do you?”
“His EQ is great, so he’s always able to provide patients with exceptional support and care.”
Lu Yunchen acknowledged with an “oh” and then thought of a phrase.
Medicine may be finite, but only boundless love can illuminate the soul in suffering
Whether it was doctors commonly seen in hospitals or the team doctors in the volleyball club, those who could still give love while treating pain surely had compassionate and kind souls.
Of course, Qin Chunxiao knew that saying this could improve Yashenka’s image in Lu Yunchen’s eyes. But please believe he didn’t have any ulterior motives. The main reason he said this was that he really didn’t want to see those two idiots fighting anymore.
Sigh, it was one thing to fight, but they were pulling each other’s clothes, hair, poking noses, and biting necks in the process. Were they still preschoolers?
Unfortunately, little Qin’s foot injury made him unfit for a brawl at the moment. He might as well try to help them lower their tempers a bit.
During the most intense part of the season, returning to China for exams could be seen as a form of rest. The exams in the first semester of senior year were quite significant, and Qin Chunxiao took them seriously.
Considering that his parents were busy with work, he didn’t bother informing them beforehand. He simply took the elevator with Yashenka, opened the fingerprint lock, and found his dad in the kitchen grilling steaks. There was a new candelabrum1 on the table with lit colored candles.
Qin Chunxiao: “Uh, are you trying to surprise Mom?”
His dad didn’t even turn his head: “Yeah, huh, why are you back?”
