My Soulmate is A Libero
Weibo Trending Topics
1. We should tell children that their lives are far more important than the virtual world.
2. National University Professor Su Su explains “HeLa cells” to middle school students.
3. Bai Ming sentenced to 11 years.
4. New term: “tag cancer.”
…
7. Chinese Fireworks in Irkutsk
#ChineseFireworksInIrkutsk#
Cyber Sunrise: [Video]
In the video, a boy wearing a fur hat exclaims, “As an international student in Russia, I had already gotten used to a world composed of the Cyrillic alphabet. But I never expected to see Chinese fireworks in Irkutsk today, celebrating the Big Boss’s birthday up in the sky! So romantic!”
Amidst the fireworks, someone resembling Lu Yunchen nervously walked by, becoming the highlight of the video and a significant factor for this term’s trending on Weibo.
After all, on this day, the first and third spots on Weibo’s trending topics were somewhat related to Lu Yunchen. The former spot was due to a comment left on the account of a girl who had sent a dead rat, saying “Hope you cherish your life and don’t do silly things anymore” after the police found her. This comment was mistaken for coming from Lu Yunchen’s fan, leading to this occasional do-gooder getting swarmed by online attacks.
Wait, why was this online passerby a fan of Lu Yunchen? Well, that was because after the police visited the girl, Lu Yunchen posted on Weibo, expressing his hope that she won’t repeat such actions and to cherish her own life.
Following that incident, no matter what Lu Yunchen posted, some people would sarcastically comment, “Oh, the Sage Yun is being kind again.” This incident became a meme, turning good deeds into bad ones.
What was most important was that after this incident, it seemed some fandoms had realized that as long as they avoid personal attacks and vulgar language, sarcastic comments made it harder for the opposing side to retaliate. So, they swiftly turned this form of attack into a regular weapon.
The story continued with Lu Xuandong’s list of people he intended to sue growing longer, ultimately concluding with the aftermath of the intense online battle, which Lu Xuandong, who had truly experienced a wave of internet uproar, was not used to.
While Lu Yunchen, the target of the attack, shivered in the cold wind of Russia, it gave many viewers a sense of relief. It seemed that the young master of the Lu family was being well protected by his older brother, able to enjoy fireworks outdoors.
Lu Yunchen: Actually, I received a message from my brother to bring some people over to move the piano, guitar, and other equipment back.
As for the third spot on Weibo’s trending topics, that was a different story. The reason behind the downfall of a fraud group that recruited Bai Ming, with Lu Yunchen being the most unfortunate hero, was well-known.
However, the storms on the internet had nothing to do with Qin Chunxiao. After hugging Lu Xuandong, he closed his eyes amidst the bustling crowd and the loud sounds of fireworks.
Lu Xuandong brushed away the snowflakes on his hair and hummed a song into his ear.
He gently touched Lu Xuandong’s hand, thinking that this person’s hand was much warmer than the first time they had met. Their initial meeting, so distant and spanning life and death, had vanished in the grandeur of the fireworks. Now, with brilliant colorful fireworks in the background, a new path lay before Qin Chunxiao.
Next, how should he get along with this soul companion?
Qin Chunxiao thought this way and asked it out loud.
Lu Xuandong hugged him tightly. “This is enough.”
Qin Chunxiao paused for a moment, then hugged him back.
For Lu Xuandong, this was a beautiful night. Until he fell asleep, he held onto a pillow, a smile lingering on his lips.
But did he forget something? Before losing consciousness, Lu Xuandong had a vague thought like this.
After returning the musical instruments, Lu Yunchen realized he had lost his room key. He sent a few texts to his brother with his phone, but received no response. His brother must be resting.
As a mature 19-year-old, Lu Yunchen felt he shouldn’t bother his brother with every little thing. So, he entered the elevator, preparing to communicate with the front desk.
Yes, he could handle this himself.
In the elevator, Lu Yunchen unexpectedly bumped into Yashenka. The top-ranked nanny of the volleyball world was also taken aback. The two of them looked at each other, and as the elevator reached the highest floor, Yashenka inexplicably walked out, only to find Lu Yunchen following behind him.
He turned around and raised his phone, asking, [What are you doing?]
Lu Yunchen countered, [What are you doing here?]
Yashenka replied, [Looking at the scenery, taking night shots. Why did you come?]
Lu Yunchen replied, [Sorry, I was originally heading to the first floor.]
Talking about going to the first floor, Yashenka naturally asked him why. Lu Yunchen candidly answered the team doctor’s question.
Then Yashenka readily said, [Why bother looking for a room key? The front desk in this place is slow. I’m going down now. You can stay at my place tonight.]
Seeing the incredulous expression on Lu Yunchen’s face, Yashenka raised an eyebrow and added, [Don’t worry, I have no ulterior motives towards you. I’m not interested in chicks that haven’t even grown feathers.] He glanced at Lu Yunchen, implying something.
Lu Yunchen’s face showed dissatisfaction, but that area was where he was quite confident!
As the saying goes, it’s not about the bun, but about standing one’s ground. If he wanted to stay in a room, he would. Today, he needed to let this arrogant Russian learn a lesson.
The next day, Qin Chunxiao noticed that something was off with Yashenka. His hand was constantly in a fist-like position.
Little Qin walked over, making the same gesture, “Yashenka, what does this mean?”
Yashenka snapped back to reality, shaking his head repeatedly, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing! You go rest, and remember not to use your phone in the car.”
Qin Chunxiao walked back, puzzled, and said, “But you use your phone too.”
Yashenka replied irritably, “Nonsense! I’m not playing sports. It doesn’t matter if my vision gets affected. You rely on your eyesight as your greatest weapon, so you better take care of your eyes!”
Qin Chunxiao gave an acknowledging sound and returned.
If Lu Yunchen had only a younger-brother position with his older brother, then Qin Chunxiao was gaining an increasingly higher position in the Russian Super League’s defense.
After Nikolai’s winter camp, a few spirited and skilled individuals emerged on the Russian youth volleyball scene, with several of them already confirmed to participate in the 2019 World Youth Championship.
Roughly speaking, Qin Chunxiao had played a part in the evolution of the Russian Super League’s defensive skills.
Qin Chunxiao received a call from Newton and was scolded. But Newton achieved his purpose with this call—to have Qin Chunxiao agree to conduct a defensive training session for the junior and youth teams.
Qin Chunxiao really wanted to say that his training method was just about feeding them, and those kids who trained with him would surely gain something as long as they were willing to endure a beating. But even the Russians thought he was a bit rough.
But Newton didn’t care, “Just come and improve their defense a bit.”
Keep in mind that Newton was doing this for Qin Chunxiao’s benefit. If Newton wasn’t proactive, the assistant coach of the youth team would have wanted to borrow Qin Chunxiao for the Asian Youth Championship last year. But Newton had refused due to Qin Chunxiao’s tight schedule. Otherwise, Qin Chunxiao would have faced an incredibly demanding schedule this year, likely leading to some trouble.
As an exchange, Qin Chunxiao must participate in the training camp this year as an instructor.
Originally, the head coach even wanted to fight for Qin Chunxiao to participate in the World Youth Championship again as a key player. However, the timing of the World Youth Championship conflicted with the domestic National Volleyball Championship. Whether Qin Chunxiao could be snatched away from Chen Aiguo at that time would depend on the head coach’s abilities.
Qin Chunxiao’s Champions League matches and the Russian Super League matches had not yet concluded.
The hamsters were spirited, but spirit alone couldn’t fill their stomachs, especially as the season progressed and the period of player injuries approached.
Oleg was the first to fall and entered a four-week recovery period. When Anton’s wrist injury flared up, Li Ling had to step in as the starting setter. Qin Chunxiao couldn’t stay content in his libero position either. When a main attacker left the court, it meant that as long as the Hamsters still harbored championship aspirations, Misha Qin would also need to step up and score.
Not long after Qin Chunxiao’s birthday, the finals of the Champions League arrived. This was a competition with intensity rivaling that of the World Club Championship. After fierce competition, a total of eight clubs secured spots in the finals. The Hamsters and the Beluga naturally made the cut. In addition to them, Turkey, France, Italy, Poland, and Serbia also sent their most outstanding club players to participate in this grand event.
The competition was divided into two halves, with each half featuring four teams. The top two from each half would advance to the semi-finals. The Hamsters’ first opponent was the Unity Club from Serbia. Qin Chunxiao struggled alongside his teammates to secure a victory. However, the cost of their win was evident as he lay directly on the bench after the match, surrounded by people fanning him and massaging his legs. Exhausted, Er Leng also laid nearby, becoming a pair of weary brothers alongside Ruslan.
In the second match, they unfortunately faced the Lynx Club from Poland once again. What was even more unfortunate was that in the same half of the draw were the ENEL Club and France’s Toffee Club—two formidable opponents. If they couldn’t win this match, their journey might come to an end.
With determination, Oleg gritted his teeth and requested an injection to alleviate his condition. Anton was also playing with an injury, rotating in and out with Li Ling during the match.
The Lynx Club had long known that the Hamsters were a tenacious team, but they didn’t expect the recent World Club Championship winners to be taken down by this familiar adversary.
However, in this match, Er Leng, who had been as unpredictable as a bellows in a blacksmith’s shop, finally unleashed a decisive and remarkable performance from his miraculous brain.
[The idiom “as unpredictable as a bellows in a blacksmith’s shop” refers to someone or something that is erratic, inconsistent, or unstable, much like the unpredictable movements of a bellows (a device used to pump air into a fire) in a blacksmith’s shop. In the context provided, it suggests that Er Leng’s performance in previous matches had been uncertain or unreliable, but in the current match, he displayed an outstanding and decisive performance that showcased his exceptional thinking or intelligence.]
During this match, the barrage of comments from domestic viewers in the live chat room conveyed their astonishment:
“Wait a minute, was that incredible one-handed ball deflection to the opponent’s weak defensive point made by Er Leng just now? Is his setting accuracy already this high!”
“Er Leng’s back set was awesome! And I, Láng, took advantage of the opportunity to launch an unexpected back-row attack! Our synergy is amazing!”
“My Wolf has scored almost 7 points today with Er Leng’s assistance! Unbelievable!”
“Is this what it looks like when the Twin Star mode is operating at maximum frequency?”
“I feel like both of them are playing at a god-level status today! Damn it! If they played like this in the World Club Championship, the championship would have already belonged to the Hamsters!”
Not only did Qin Chunxiao and Li Ling perform well in this match, but the redhead, blue-eyed beauty Grigory also displayed a commendable attacking efficiency. As a power player, despite not having exceptional height, he executed pinpoint attacks flawlessly.
Ruslan was even more remarkable. While Qin Chunxiao had the best coordination with Er Leng on the court, the player who scored the most points in the offense was Ruslan. This kid was undoubtedly an offensive genius!
Winning this match, the Hamsters secured their spot in the top four. They then rested, allowing the team to recover until the semifinals. However, they were ultimately halted by the burden of injuries.
Due to work commitments, Lu Xuandong couldn’t attend the Hamsters’ matches in person and could only follow their progress online. When the journey of the Hamsters’ Champions League came to an end, he clearly saw the young athletes displaying expressions of reluctance.
Li Ling was crucial for the Hamsters in the Champions League finals. For victory, he repeatedly unleashed his potential. Originally, his goal was to face Mattia from ENEL in the championship battle, but in the end, he fell short.
As a result, this young man burst into tears.
Qin Chunxiao sat down by the advertising boards, draped a white towel over his head, closed his eyes, and didn’t want to say anything.
The team doctor continued running around the court, observing the condition of the injured players and conducting basic checks. Then, he urged them to leave quickly and undergo a comprehensive examination at the hospital. The players gradually got up and left with the coach.
They say victory and defeat are commonplace in the world of sports, but those who can truly accept every defeat don’t seem to exist here.
Lu Xuandong counted the time, made sure that Qin Chunxiao had returned to the hotel, and then sent a message to offer his consolation. Soon, a call came in, and as soon as the call was connected, Lu Xuandong heard the sound of water and shallow breathing.
He couldn’t help asking, “What are you doing?”
Qin Chunxiao was filling the bathtub with water, “Taking a bath, Dong Zai, do you have a musical instrument with you?”
Hearing this, Lu Xuandong understood what he meant. He walked to the piano, pressed a few keys, and the elegant sound of a Steinway piano resonated across the cold land of Siberia.
After a while, the sound of “Nocturne in E-flat Major” echoed in the bathroom.
Qin Chunxiao placed his phone on a rack and twisted his slightly sore wrist. If it weren’t for his wrist pain causing him to miss the final ball, they could have continued to play today. However, he missed that ball.
But in this world, there are no athletes untouched by injuries, just as there’s no one who can remain undefeated forever. Winning and losing are both part of life… but today, Qin Chunxiao didn’t want to console himself with these reasons.
He slapped the water forcefully, venting his frustration.
Following the sound of water, Lu Xuandong started playing a tango piece on the piano. As the king of instruments, the piano could interpret almost any piece, with varying degrees of success. Michael Allen Harrison played a piano piece that was perfectly suited for a tango—a piece that was alluring, teasing, and full of rhythm.
Every note seemed to embody the athlete’s unwillingness to accept defeat and their desire to continue battling their opponents.
The latter half of each season was always the busiest period for Yashenka. He set aside everything else and followed the Hamsters everywhere. After the Champions League ended, he even submitted a report to the boss, requesting the conversion of one of the Hamsters’ buses into a mobile medical station, equipped with various medical instruments.
The boss actually agreed, thinking that even if the Hamsters didn’t use the bus frequently, other projects and clubs could rent it. So, beyond the conversion cost, they might even make a profit from maintenance expenses.
Soon, a tall and silent seventy-year-old man who didn’t drink or smoke arrived. The boss introduced him, “This is Ivan. Generations of his family have been engineers. He’s very talented. In the 1980s, he specialized in ‘silencing.’ I had to pay a hefty price to convince him to work on these little things.”
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
What did Ivan used to work on?
Seeing their incredulous expressions, the boss repeated, “Silencing.”
Okay, okay, the Hamsters knew the boss was amazing. There was no need to mention that word again.
Qin Chunxiao was delighted. As long as it wasn’t during matches and training sessions, he stayed by Uncle Ivan’s side, watching him organize the equipment.
While he wasn’t a social butterfly, Qin Chunxiao had strong social skills. Ivan appeared quiet, but when it came to technology, he became emotionally engaged. Upon learning that Qin Chunxiao’s dream was to conduct Antarctic research after retirement, Ivan generously shared some technical tricks with him.
For example, welding, painting, car repair, polishing, basic ship structure, freehand drawing, and even how to dismantle a car with a screwdriver. He also taught him how to fix electronics, repair circuits, and unclog drains.
Qin Chunxiao wasn’t good at driving yet, but he felt that one day in the future, he could become skilled at dismantling cars.
Ivan’s teachings were diverse but not overly intricate or complex. Qin Chunxiao felt that Ivan had provided him with a systemic approach, and all he needed to do was follow this path and engage in detailed learning to make it easy.
Li Ling, who occasionally observed from the sidelines, always felt that something was off but couldn’t quite pinpoint it. In the end, he could only scratch his head and wonder. “Xiao Zai wanted to study marine animals and ecology, right? Why did Ivan leave patting his shoulder, saying that he’ll definitely become a good engineer?”
After Ivan left, Qin Chunxiao said to Li Ling, “No matter what the final result is this season, just getting to know Ivan makes me feel like it’s been worth it. With what he taught me, I feel like I could study mechanical engineering on my own in the future.”
Li Ling placed his hand on Qin Chunxiao’s shoulder, “Xiao Zai, did you know? Currently, the most educated person in volleyball is our senior Su Su from the Chinese women’s volleyball team, who retired 20 years ago. She specialized in vaccine research, even won a biotechnology award, and is now a Chang Jiang Scholar.”
Qin Chunxiao was puzzled, “I know, didn’t she appear on TV when she won the award?”
Furthermore, the person who said they would draw his blood after he grew up was none other than Su senior’s junior, so Qin Chunxiao had met Senior Su when he was a child.
Li Ling said gravely, “I know you’re someone who always wants to come first in everything, but if you want to surpass her in terms of knowledge and become the most knowledgeable person in the volleyball field, you’ll have to reach the level of an academician. This goal is too far-reaching, and Ling Zai’s IQ isn’t enough to be your research partner when it comes to scientific research.”
Qin Chunxiao responded, “What are you talking about? When did I say I wanted to surpass Senior Su in knowledge?”
Li Ling asked, “Hey, don’t you want to surpass her?”
Qin Chunxiao retorted, “Hey, don’t talk nonsense! When did I ever say I wanted to surpass Senior Su? I’m just an ordinary young man with dreams of going to Antarctica!”
Li Ling mentally added a new label to his image of Xiao Qin—right behind the “ambitious” label, he added “skilled at setting practical goals for oneself.”
Impractical goals, like surpassing Senior Su Su, never crossed Xiao Zai’s mind.
Li Ling was surprised, “I didn’t expect you to be so practical. So, when we shout slogans like winning the Russian Super League for the second time, you actually believe it’s possible?”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “How is that possible? I’ve never played a sure-win match. I just can’t show weakness before the game.”
Given the Hamsters’ current condition this year, Qin Chunxiao was even forced to return to the attacking side. How could the matches be easy?
Little Qin cleared his throat and began advising his relatively reborn but inexperienced partner, “Er Leng, don’t be too superstitious about me. In this world, no one, including yourself, is worth blind trust. I can’t possibly predict everything accurately every time.”
Li Ling said, “I know you can’t predict everything. Otherwise, you would’ve become a sage.”
Qin Chunxiao responded, “…Well, as long as you understand that principle.”
Li Ling grinned triumphantly, “I knew long ago that Xiao Zai isn’t a perfect person. Last time, when people online called you a short-legged rat, you were so upset you couldn’t even eat. But you didn’t let anyone know what got you fired up, making everyone else anxious.”
Qin Chunxiao coughed, “Okay, enough. Let’s get to training.”
From the moment they met, the Gemini Stars treated each other without preconceived notions or labels. They never saw each other as some illusionary figure and didn’t project anything onto each other. They consistently saw each other as real individuals to understand. As a result, two individuals who initially competed against each other became the most synchronized Gemini Stars.
For the Gemini Stars, when the team lacked attackers, stepping up to assist each other in scoring was a natural thing to do.
However, for the Hamsters, who were in a battered state, achieving consecutive championships in the Russian Super League was not easy. So, their second Russian Super League season also ended with regret.
They ultimately couldn’t achieve the consecutive championship, but the external evaluation of the Hamsters remained high. Almost all fans believed that the Hamsters and the White Whales were evenly matched teams. Last year, the Hamsters defeated the injured White Whales, and this year, the White Whales defeated the injured Hamsters.
Fortunately, whether it was Qin Chunxiao or Li Ling, they quickly moved on from their failures and aimed for even greater dreams.
At 18, Qin Chunxiao hoped for more championships.
At 20, Li Ling hoped to enjoy volleyball with a good partner.
They also shared a common goal: qualifying for the 2019 Tokyo Olympics.
To bring the red wristbands to the Olympic stage, to fulfill the dream of their coach, who had become a star, to see the Chinese men’s volleyball team stand on the Olympic podium—all of this was achievable.
For the sake of not disappointing their senior mentors who had guided and fed them, and for the sake of their own youth without regrets, those players who had left their homeland to battle overseas embarked on the journey back home with courage and anticipation.
Another season had ended, and they had become stronger!
However, before boarding the plane, Qin Chunxiao received a message from an unfamiliar sender. The name seemed familiar, and after searching his memory for a while, Qin Chunxiao finally identified the sender’s identity from the corner of his mind.
He remembered that year when he was only twenty-six. His parents and sister had suffered food poisoning from eating spoiled dumplings, and Qin Chunxiao had quickly dialed 120 to take them to the hospital. His grandfather had rushed over to help with the medical bills.
With a backpack full of elementary school textbooks, the innocent Qin Chunxiao had sat in the hospital corridor, filled with worry. Just then, a person in a white coat stood before him.
The flashback ended…
Qin Chunxiao blinked, “So, it’s him.”
My Soulmate is A Libero
Weibo Trending Topics
1. We should tell children that their lives are far more important than the virtual world.
2. National University Professor Su Su explains “HeLa cells” to middle school students.
3. Bai Ming sentenced to 11 years.
4. New term: “tag cancer.”
…
7. Chinese Fireworks in Irkutsk
#ChineseFireworksInIrkutsk#
Cyber Sunrise: [Video]
In the video, a boy wearing a fur hat exclaims, “As an international student in Russia, I had already gotten used to a world composed of the Cyrillic alphabet. But I never expected to see Chinese fireworks in Irkutsk today, celebrating the Big Boss’s birthday up in the sky! So romantic!”
Amidst the fireworks, someone resembling Lu Yunchen nervously walked by, becoming the highlight of the video and a significant factor for this term’s trending on Weibo.
After all, on this day, the first and third spots on Weibo’s trending topics were somewhat related to Lu Yunchen. The former spot was due to a comment left on the account of a girl who had sent a dead rat, saying “Hope you cherish your life and don’t do silly things anymore” after the police found her. This comment was mistaken for coming from Lu Yunchen’s fan, leading to this occasional do-gooder getting swarmed by online attacks.
Wait, why was this online passerby a fan of Lu Yunchen? Well, that was because after the police visited the girl, Lu Yunchen posted on Weibo, expressing his hope that she won’t repeat such actions and to cherish her own life.
Following that incident, no matter what Lu Yunchen posted, some people would sarcastically comment, “Oh, the Sage Yun is being kind again.” This incident became a meme, turning good deeds into bad ones.
What was most important was that after this incident, it seemed some fandoms had realized that as long as they avoid personal attacks and vulgar language, sarcastic comments made it harder for the opposing side to retaliate. So, they swiftly turned this form of attack into a regular weapon.
The story continued with Lu Xuandong’s list of people he intended to sue growing longer, ultimately concluding with the aftermath of the intense online battle, which Lu Xuandong, who had truly experienced a wave of internet uproar, was not used to.
While Lu Yunchen, the target of the attack, shivered in the cold wind of Russia, it gave many viewers a sense of relief. It seemed that the young master of the Lu family was being well protected by his older brother, able to enjoy fireworks outdoors.
Lu Yunchen: Actually, I received a message from my brother to bring some people over to move the piano, guitar, and other equipment back.
As for the third spot on Weibo’s trending topics, that was a different story. The reason behind the downfall of a fraud group that recruited Bai Ming, with Lu Yunchen being the most unfortunate hero, was well-known.
However, the storms on the internet had nothing to do with Qin Chunxiao. After hugging Lu Xuandong, he closed his eyes amidst the bustling crowd and the loud sounds of fireworks.
Lu Xuandong brushed away the snowflakes on his hair and hummed a song into his ear.
He gently touched Lu Xuandong’s hand, thinking that this person’s hand was much warmer than the first time they had met. Their initial meeting, so distant and spanning life and death, had vanished in the grandeur of the fireworks. Now, with brilliant colorful fireworks in the background, a new path lay before Qin Chunxiao.
Next, how should he get along with this soul companion?
Qin Chunxiao thought this way and asked it out loud.
Lu Xuandong hugged him tightly. “This is enough.”
Qin Chunxiao paused for a moment, then hugged him back.
For Lu Xuandong, this was a beautiful night. Until he fell asleep, he held onto a pillow, a smile lingering on his lips.
But did he forget something? Before losing consciousness, Lu Xuandong had a vague thought like this.
After returning the musical instruments, Lu Yunchen realized he had lost his room key. He sent a few texts to his brother with his phone, but received no response. His brother must be resting.
As a mature 19-year-old, Lu Yunchen felt he shouldn’t bother his brother with every little thing. So, he entered the elevator, preparing to communicate with the front desk.
Yes, he could handle this himself.
In the elevator, Lu Yunchen unexpectedly bumped into Yashenka. The top-ranked nanny of the volleyball world was also taken aback. The two of them looked at each other, and as the elevator reached the highest floor, Yashenka inexplicably walked out, only to find Lu Yunchen following behind him.
He turned around and raised his phone, asking, [What are you doing?]
Lu Yunchen countered, [What are you doing here?]
Yashenka replied, [Looking at the scenery, taking night shots. Why did you come?]
Lu Yunchen replied, [Sorry, I was originally heading to the first floor.]
Talking about going to the first floor, Yashenka naturally asked him why. Lu Yunchen candidly answered the team doctor’s question.
Then Yashenka readily said, [Why bother looking for a room key? The front desk in this place is slow. I’m going down now. You can stay at my place tonight.]
Seeing the incredulous expression on Lu Yunchen’s face, Yashenka raised an eyebrow and added, [Don’t worry, I have no ulterior motives towards you. I’m not interested in chicks that haven’t even grown feathers.] He glanced at Lu Yunchen, implying something.
Lu Yunchen’s face showed dissatisfaction, but that area was where he was quite confident!
As the saying goes, it’s not about the bun, but about standing one’s ground. If he wanted to stay in a room, he would. Today, he needed to let this arrogant Russian learn a lesson.
The next day, Qin Chunxiao noticed that something was off with Yashenka. His hand was constantly in a fist-like position.
Little Qin walked over, making the same gesture, “Yashenka, what does this mean?”
Yashenka snapped back to reality, shaking his head repeatedly, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing! You go rest, and remember not to use your phone in the car.”
Qin Chunxiao walked back, puzzled, and said, “But you use your phone too.”
Yashenka replied irritably, “Nonsense! I’m not playing sports. It doesn’t matter if my vision gets affected. You rely on your eyesight as your greatest weapon, so you better take care of your eyes!”
Qin Chunxiao gave an acknowledging sound and returned.
If Lu Yunchen had only a younger-brother position with his older brother, then Qin Chunxiao was gaining an increasingly higher position in the Russian Super League’s defense.
After Nikolai’s winter camp, a few spirited and skilled individuals emerged on the Russian youth volleyball scene, with several of them already confirmed to participate in the 2019 World Youth Championship.
Roughly speaking, Qin Chunxiao had played a part in the evolution of the Russian Super League’s defensive skills.
Qin Chunxiao received a call from Newton and was scolded. But Newton achieved his purpose with this call—to have Qin Chunxiao agree to conduct a defensive training session for the junior and youth teams.
Qin Chunxiao really wanted to say that his training method was just about feeding them, and those kids who trained with him would surely gain something as long as they were willing to endure a beating. But even the Russians thought he was a bit rough.
But Newton didn’t care, “Just come and improve their defense a bit.”
Keep in mind that Newton was doing this for Qin Chunxiao’s benefit. If Newton wasn’t proactive, the assistant coach of the youth team would have wanted to borrow Qin Chunxiao for the Asian Youth Championship last year. But Newton had refused due to Qin Chunxiao’s tight schedule. Otherwise, Qin Chunxiao would have faced an incredibly demanding schedule this year, likely leading to some trouble.
As an exchange, Qin Chunxiao must participate in the training camp this year as an instructor.
Originally, the head coach even wanted to fight for Qin Chunxiao to participate in the World Youth Championship again as a key player. However, the timing of the World Youth Championship conflicted with the domestic National Volleyball Championship. Whether Qin Chunxiao could be snatched away from Chen Aiguo at that time would depend on the head coach’s abilities.
Qin Chunxiao’s Champions League matches and the Russian Super League matches had not yet concluded.
The hamsters were spirited, but spirit alone couldn’t fill their stomachs, especially as the season progressed and the period of player injuries approached.
Oleg was the first to fall and entered a four-week recovery period. When Anton’s wrist injury flared up, Li Ling had to step in as the starting setter. Qin Chunxiao couldn’t stay content in his libero position either. When a main attacker left the court, it meant that as long as the Hamsters still harbored championship aspirations, Misha Qin would also need to step up and score.
Not long after Qin Chunxiao’s birthday, the finals of the Champions League arrived. This was a competition with intensity rivaling that of the World Club Championship. After fierce competition, a total of eight clubs secured spots in the finals. The Hamsters and the Beluga naturally made the cut. In addition to them, Turkey, France, Italy, Poland, and Serbia also sent their most outstanding club players to participate in this grand event.
The competition was divided into two halves, with each half featuring four teams. The top two from each half would advance to the semi-finals. The Hamsters’ first opponent was the Unity Club from Serbia. Qin Chunxiao struggled alongside his teammates to secure a victory. However, the cost of their win was evident as he lay directly on the bench after the match, surrounded by people fanning him and massaging his legs. Exhausted, Er Leng also laid nearby, becoming a pair of weary brothers alongside Ruslan.
In the second match, they unfortunately faced the Lynx Club from Poland once again. What was even more unfortunate was that in the same half of the draw were the ENEL Club and France’s Toffee Club—two formidable opponents. If they couldn’t win this match, their journey might come to an end.
With determination, Oleg gritted his teeth and requested an injection to alleviate his condition. Anton was also playing with an injury, rotating in and out with Li Ling during the match.
The Lynx Club had long known that the Hamsters were a tenacious team, but they didn’t expect the recent World Club Championship winners to be taken down by this familiar adversary.
However, in this match, Er Leng, who had been as unpredictable as a bellows in a blacksmith’s shop, finally unleashed a decisive and remarkable performance from his miraculous brain.
[The idiom “as unpredictable as a bellows in a blacksmith’s shop” refers to someone or something that is erratic, inconsistent, or unstable, much like the unpredictable movements of a bellows (a device used to pump air into a fire) in a blacksmith’s shop. In the context provided, it suggests that Er Leng’s performance in previous matches had been uncertain or unreliable, but in the current match, he displayed an outstanding and decisive performance that showcased his exceptional thinking or intelligence.]
During this match, the barrage of comments from domestic viewers in the live chat room conveyed their astonishment:
“Wait a minute, was that incredible one-handed ball deflection to the opponent’s weak defensive point made by Er Leng just now? Is his setting accuracy already this high!”
“Er Leng’s back set was awesome! And I, Láng, took advantage of the opportunity to launch an unexpected back-row attack! Our synergy is amazing!”
“My Wolf has scored almost 7 points today with Er Leng’s assistance! Unbelievable!”
“Is this what it looks like when the Twin Star mode is operating at maximum frequency?”
“I feel like both of them are playing at a god-level status today! Damn it! If they played like this in the World Club Championship, the championship would have already belonged to the Hamsters!”
Not only did Qin Chunxiao and Li Ling perform well in this match, but the redhead, blue-eyed beauty Grigory also displayed a commendable attacking efficiency. As a power player, despite not having exceptional height, he executed pinpoint attacks flawlessly.
Ruslan was even more remarkable. While Qin Chunxiao had the best coordination with Er Leng on the court, the player who scored the most points in the offense was Ruslan. This kid was undoubtedly an offensive genius!
Winning this match, the Hamsters secured their spot in the top four. They then rested, allowing the team to recover until the semifinals. However, they were ultimately halted by the burden of injuries.
Due to work commitments, Lu Xuandong couldn’t attend the Hamsters’ matches in person and could only follow their progress online. When the journey of the Hamsters’ Champions League came to an end, he clearly saw the young athletes displaying expressions of reluctance.
Li Ling was crucial for the Hamsters in the Champions League finals. For victory, he repeatedly unleashed his potential. Originally, his goal was to face Mattia from ENEL in the championship battle, but in the end, he fell short.
As a result, this young man burst into tears.
Qin Chunxiao sat down by the advertising boards, draped a white towel over his head, closed his eyes, and didn’t want to say anything.
The team doctor continued running around the court, observing the condition of the injured players and conducting basic checks. Then, he urged them to leave quickly and undergo a comprehensive examination at the hospital. The players gradually got up and left with the coach.
They say victory and defeat are commonplace in the world of sports, but those who can truly accept every defeat don’t seem to exist here.
Lu Xuandong counted the time, made sure that Qin Chunxiao had returned to the hotel, and then sent a message to offer his consolation. Soon, a call came in, and as soon as the call was connected, Lu Xuandong heard the sound of water and shallow breathing.
He couldn’t help asking, “What are you doing?”
Qin Chunxiao was filling the bathtub with water, “Taking a bath, Dong Zai, do you have a musical instrument with you?”
Hearing this, Lu Xuandong understood what he meant. He walked to the piano, pressed a few keys, and the elegant sound of a Steinway piano resonated across the cold land of Siberia.
After a while, the sound of “Nocturne in E-flat Major” echoed in the bathroom.
Qin Chunxiao placed his phone on a rack and twisted his slightly sore wrist. If it weren’t for his wrist pain causing him to miss the final ball, they could have continued to play today. However, he missed that ball.
But in this world, there are no athletes untouched by injuries, just as there’s no one who can remain undefeated forever. Winning and losing are both part of life… but today, Qin Chunxiao didn’t want to console himself with these reasons.
He slapped the water forcefully, venting his frustration.
Following the sound of water, Lu Xuandong started playing a tango piece on the piano. As the king of instruments, the piano could interpret almost any piece, with varying degrees of success. Michael Allen Harrison played a piano piece that was perfectly suited for a tango—a piece that was alluring, teasing, and full of rhythm.
Every note seemed to embody the athlete’s unwillingness to accept defeat and their desire to continue battling their opponents.
The latter half of each season was always the busiest period for Yashenka. He set aside everything else and followed the Hamsters everywhere. After the Champions League ended, he even submitted a report to the boss, requesting the conversion of one of the Hamsters’ buses into a mobile medical station, equipped with various medical instruments.
The boss actually agreed, thinking that even if the Hamsters didn’t use the bus frequently, other projects and clubs could rent it. So, beyond the conversion cost, they might even make a profit from maintenance expenses.
Soon, a tall and silent seventy-year-old man who didn’t drink or smoke arrived. The boss introduced him, “This is Ivan. Generations of his family have been engineers. He’s very talented. In the 1980s, he specialized in ‘silencing.’ I had to pay a hefty price to convince him to work on these little things.”
Hearing this, everyone fell silent.
What did Ivan used to work on?
Seeing their incredulous expressions, the boss repeated, “Silencing.”
Okay, okay, the Hamsters knew the boss was amazing. There was no need to mention that word again.
Qin Chunxiao was delighted. As long as it wasn’t during matches and training sessions, he stayed by Uncle Ivan’s side, watching him organize the equipment.
While he wasn’t a social butterfly, Qin Chunxiao had strong social skills. Ivan appeared quiet, but when it came to technology, he became emotionally engaged. Upon learning that Qin Chunxiao’s dream was to conduct Antarctic research after retirement, Ivan generously shared some technical tricks with him.
For example, welding, painting, car repair, polishing, basic ship structure, freehand drawing, and even how to dismantle a car with a screwdriver. He also taught him how to fix electronics, repair circuits, and unclog drains.
Qin Chunxiao wasn’t good at driving yet, but he felt that one day in the future, he could become skilled at dismantling cars.
Ivan’s teachings were diverse but not overly intricate or complex. Qin Chunxiao felt that Ivan had provided him with a systemic approach, and all he needed to do was follow this path and engage in detailed learning to make it easy.
Li Ling, who occasionally observed from the sidelines, always felt that something was off but couldn’t quite pinpoint it. In the end, he could only scratch his head and wonder. “Xiao Zai wanted to study marine animals and ecology, right? Why did Ivan leave patting his shoulder, saying that he’ll definitely become a good engineer?”
After Ivan left, Qin Chunxiao said to Li Ling, “No matter what the final result is this season, just getting to know Ivan makes me feel like it’s been worth it. With what he taught me, I feel like I could study mechanical engineering on my own in the future.”
Li Ling placed his hand on Qin Chunxiao’s shoulder, “Xiao Zai, did you know? Currently, the most educated person in volleyball is our senior Su Su from the Chinese women’s volleyball team, who retired 20 years ago. She specialized in vaccine research, even won a biotechnology award, and is now a Chang Jiang Scholar.”
Qin Chunxiao was puzzled, “I know, didn’t she appear on TV when she won the award?”
Furthermore, the person who said they would draw his blood after he grew up was none other than Su senior’s junior, so Qin Chunxiao had met Senior Su when he was a child.
Li Ling said gravely, “I know you’re someone who always wants to come first in everything, but if you want to surpass her in terms of knowledge and become the most knowledgeable person in the volleyball field, you’ll have to reach the level of an academician. This goal is too far-reaching, and Ling Zai’s IQ isn’t enough to be your research partner when it comes to scientific research.”
Qin Chunxiao responded, “What are you talking about? When did I say I wanted to surpass Senior Su in knowledge?”
Li Ling asked, “Hey, don’t you want to surpass her?”
Qin Chunxiao retorted, “Hey, don’t talk nonsense! When did I ever say I wanted to surpass Senior Su? I’m just an ordinary young man with dreams of going to Antarctica!”
Li Ling mentally added a new label to his image of Xiao Qin—right behind the “ambitious” label, he added “skilled at setting practical goals for oneself.”
Impractical goals, like surpassing Senior Su Su, never crossed Xiao Zai’s mind.
Li Ling was surprised, “I didn’t expect you to be so practical. So, when we shout slogans like winning the Russian Super League for the second time, you actually believe it’s possible?”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “How is that possible? I’ve never played a sure-win match. I just can’t show weakness before the game.”
Given the Hamsters’ current condition this year, Qin Chunxiao was even forced to return to the attacking side. How could the matches be easy?
Little Qin cleared his throat and began advising his relatively reborn but inexperienced partner, “Er Leng, don’t be too superstitious about me. In this world, no one, including yourself, is worth blind trust. I can’t possibly predict everything accurately every time.”
Li Ling said, “I know you can’t predict everything. Otherwise, you would’ve become a sage.”
Qin Chunxiao responded, “…Well, as long as you understand that principle.”
Li Ling grinned triumphantly, “I knew long ago that Xiao Zai isn’t a perfect person. Last time, when people online called you a short-legged rat, you were so upset you couldn’t even eat. But you didn’t let anyone know what got you fired up, making everyone else anxious.”
Qin Chunxiao coughed, “Okay, enough. Let’s get to training.”
From the moment they met, the Gemini Stars treated each other without preconceived notions or labels. They never saw each other as some illusionary figure and didn’t project anything onto each other. They consistently saw each other as real individuals to understand. As a result, two individuals who initially competed against each other became the most synchronized Gemini Stars.
For the Gemini Stars, when the team lacked attackers, stepping up to assist each other in scoring was a natural thing to do.
However, for the Hamsters, who were in a battered state, achieving consecutive championships in the Russian Super League was not easy. So, their second Russian Super League season also ended with regret.
They ultimately couldn’t achieve the consecutive championship, but the external evaluation of the Hamsters remained high. Almost all fans believed that the Hamsters and the White Whales were evenly matched teams. Last year, the Hamsters defeated the injured White Whales, and this year, the White Whales defeated the injured Hamsters.
Fortunately, whether it was Qin Chunxiao or Li Ling, they quickly moved on from their failures and aimed for even greater dreams.
At 18, Qin Chunxiao hoped for more championships.
At 20, Li Ling hoped to enjoy volleyball with a good partner.
They also shared a common goal: qualifying for the 2019 Tokyo Olympics.
To bring the red wristbands to the Olympic stage, to fulfill the dream of their coach, who had become a star, to see the Chinese men’s volleyball team stand on the Olympic podium—all of this was achievable.
For the sake of not disappointing their senior mentors who had guided and fed them, and for the sake of their own youth without regrets, those players who had left their homeland to battle overseas embarked on the journey back home with courage and anticipation.
Another season had ended, and they had become stronger!
However, before boarding the plane, Qin Chunxiao received a message from an unfamiliar sender. The name seemed familiar, and after searching his memory for a while, Qin Chunxiao finally identified the sender’s identity from the corner of his mind.
He remembered that year when he was only twenty-six. His parents and sister had suffered food poisoning from eating spoiled dumplings, and Qin Chunxiao had quickly dialed 120 to take them to the hospital. His grandfather had rushed over to help with the medical bills.
With a backpack full of elementary school textbooks, the innocent Qin Chunxiao had sat in the hospital corridor, filled with worry. Just then, a person in a white coat stood before him.
The flashback ended…
Qin Chunxiao blinked, “So, it’s him.”
