Recognizing the importance of strength attributes in volleyball, especially in men’s volleyball, Qin Chunxiao was cautious when it comes to strength training.
At 5:30 in the morning, Qin Chunxiao waoke up, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and then proceeds with warm-up exercises like skipping rope 500 times and running around the house a few times.
Once his body was warmed up, he took out the dumbbells. Qin Chunxiao had two pairs of dumbbells. One pair weighs 8 kilograms each, totaling 16 kilograms, and the other pair weighs 15 kilograms each, totaling 30 kilograms.
He started by carrying the pair of 8 kg dumbbells for agility ladder training.
As his brand-new white shoes quickly move through the grids of the agility ladder, the early morning children from the neighboring interest class observed him curiously.
Perhaps in their eyes, this older brother who jumps up and down every morning was a peculiar individual.
“His eyes are blue.”
“Shh, he must be a foreigner.”
“Let’s leave him alone.”
Qin Chunxiao stops, turned around, and smiled at them, emphasizing that he was a native of Guangpu in City G. He says, “Kids, I am Chinese.”
“Wow!” the children exclaimed, and quickly ran away.
Qin Chunxiao was puzzled and could only scratch his head, saying, “Oh, I’m getting old and I don’t understand what goes on in the minds of the post-10th generation.”
Next, he lifted two 15 kg dumbbells to do push-ups. Push-ups were an effective way to strengthen the shoulder and arm muscles. Whether it was catching, passing, spiking, or serving, these muscles were crucial.
Qin Chunxiao had a feeling that the strong provincial team would look down on a short guy like him, and only the weak team would accept him. But unless he wanted his team to be continuously defeated in the domestic league, he couldn’t just rely on running and be dragged into the main attack.
The problem was, when selecting players, the national team didn’t pay much attention to weak teams. So even if a strong player lead a team to a major competition with a single core, they had to start all over again.
So let’s keep practicing. He could do what the team needs. Strength was an attribute that both the main attacker and the libero need to enhance. As long as he remains an athlete, these trainings won’t be in vain.
After finished the push-ups, Qin Chunxiao picked up a 15 kg dumbbell and head to the stairs to do single-leg squats.
Qin Chunfeng lazily walked over with a mouthwash cup in her hand and asks, somewhat muffled, “Aren’t you supposed to stand on both legs when squatting? You have one foot straight on the stairs, like standing on one leg, like a flamingo. Won’t you fall like this?”
Qin Chunxiao responds, “No, I have good balance.” He didn’t underestimate his core muscles—they are quite powerful.
Considering his physique was not yet at its peak, there was a risk of falling if the load exceeds 25 kg. 15 kg was manageable, as excessive load may affect his growth. For now, Qin Chunxiao avoided heavy weight training.
Single-leg squats could train not only the hip and leg muscles but also the iliopsoas muscles. They improved jumping ability and increase the starting speed before take-off, enabling faster take-off and smashes that leave opponents with little time to react.
This exercise also strengthened ankle strength and body balance, reducing the likelihood of sports injuries. It was a highly demanding but rewarding exercise.
At this point, the leg muscles began to feel sore. Qin Chunxiao ran into the neighboring new neighborhood, entered a random unit, and began to do single-leg jumps on the stairs, switching legs as he reached the first floor.
After training his upper and lower limbs, Qin Chunxiao would head to the elderly fitness and recreational facilities in the community, tying a 15 kg dumbbell around his waist, and performing weighted pull-ups for his back training.
After completing these exercises, the boy wiped his sweat with the corner of his clothes, revealing his well-defined abdominal muscles.
Qin Chunfeng was eating a meat bun while watching and Qin Chunxiao said jokingly, “Do you want me to touch them?”
To ensure agility, Qin Chunxiao didn’t aim to become a bulky guy, but his muscle definition was no less impressive than those bulked-up individuals.
Qin Chunfeng waved his hand and replied, “Nah, I’ve already had enough of touching them.”
No one in their family had been an athlete, going back to their grandparents and great-grandparents. When they first saw Qin Chunxiao’s muscles, everyone couldn’t resist touching and feeling them. It took several months for them to get used to it and treat it as a normal part of him.
Long before everyone realized that muscles feel hard, Qin Chunfeng grasped the knowledge that relaxed muscles feel soft.
Qin Chunfeng asked, “By the way, how much do you weigh now?”
Qin Chunxiao recalled his morning weigh-in results and replied, “65.5 kg. After all, I’ve been gaining muscle lately. Even if my body fat percentage has dropped to lower levels than before, it doesn’t mean I’ll become lighter.”
Qin Chunfeng responded, “Having visible abs is already impressive. If I had your determination, I would have worked on my waistline by now.”
Qin Chunxiao comforted his sister, saying, “You have determination in your studies, and I have determination in sports. We have different talents, but it doesn’t mean you lack determination.”
Qin Chunxiao had some knowledge in fitness that combining anaerobic and aerobic exercises is more efficient for controlling fat. That’s why he likes to dedicate 40 minutes to body coordination and strength training before going out for a run.
His typical run covered a distance of 10 kilometers, equivalent to 10 kilometers.
After finishing his morning exercise, Qin Chunfeng fanned Qin Chunxiao with a cattail fan and asked, “Do you still have the energy to help me play the game? Let’s establish that you can’t just play around casually. I want to win.”
Qin Chunxiao, who even struggled to pass the middle school physical education exam back when he was a primary school student, couldn’t help but feel helpless. “Understood, I’ll take it more seriously.”
Qin Chunfeng replied, “Just be more serious? The competitors this time are all high school graduates, and half of them are adults.”
Qin Chunxiao pondered for a moment and said, “I guarantee we’ll win.”
It just so happened that he hadn’t played a match with anyone for a long time, and he also wanted to hone his skills. He wouldn’t be half-hearted in this match. After all, some skills required regular practice to maintain proficiency.
Qin Chunfeng’s lack of trust was understandable. In her eyes, Qin Chunxiao had primarily focused on sprinting a few months ago.
In today’s competitive field, achieving good results often requires specializing in a specific event. Even transitioning from track and field to team sports was not a common path.
Qin Chunxiao retrieved two net bags to hold volleyballs from under the bed and prepared two large bottles of water. One bottle had a moderate amount of salt and sugar to prevent his sister from overexertion, while the other contained cold water as he aimed to burn fat. He made sure to avoid sugary drinks. Additionally, he packed sprays and bandages for emergency injuries.
Qin Chunfeng reminded him, “Why are you carrying so much? It will be difficult if your bag is too heavy. It takes 20 minutes to reach the stadium by bus from here. At eight o’clock in the morning, the bus will likely be crowded, and you might not find a seat.”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “I’ll manage.”
“Then I’ll grab the balls.” Qin Chunfeng changed into a light blue sweatshirt and put on a sun hat. She happily trotted out with two balls in her hands, her ponytail swaying behind her.
Youth.
Qin Chunxiao sighed and followed her outside.
The stadium wasn’t far, but during the morning rush hour, there was a traffic jam, causing frequent stops and delays. It would have taken Qin Chunxiao less than an hour to run there.
Inside the car, Qin Chunfeng stood in the corner while Qin Chunxiao placed one hand in front of her, creating a small space to shield them from the bustling crowd.
Qin Chunfeng looked up at her younger brother with a warm smile in her blue eyes.
Strangely enough, both siblings had blue eyes. Qin Chunfeng’s eyes always reminded people of the shallow spring sea, while Qin Chunxiao’s eyes evoked the image of snowfield wolves. However, when they stood together, one could feel the powerful bond between them.
As soon as Qin Chunxiao saw the net on the court, he knew that the game would be easy to play. Judging by his estimation, the net’s height was no more than 2.24 meters, a common height for women’s volleyball teams or youth men’s volleyball teams.
Having adapted to the 2.43-meter net used in adult men’s volleyball, the 2.24-meter net didn’t pose much of a challenge.
Wen Lang ran over and took the bag from Qin Chunxiao first, saying, “You’ve had a tough journey. Our original main attacker got stuck in the school’s accommodations, and we couldn’t find anyone else capable. That’s why we invited you to fill in the role.”
Brother-in-law Wen had been making an effort to be polite to Qin Chunxiao since their first meeting. Qin Chunxiao reciprocated the gesture and handed him the bag, scanning the surroundings. He asked, “How’s the opponent?”
Wen Lang replied, “They’re pretty good. They reached the top eight in the city competition last year and all got into local universities. They asked us for help. But don’t worry, we’re also a strong team. We made it to the top sixteen last year.”
Qin Chunxiao thought to himself, “Neither of these teams made it to the semi-finals of the municipal competition?”
Wen Lang’s team consisted of five tall boys, ranging from 1.75 to 1.8 meters in height. Wen Lang, the tallest among them at 1.85 meters, could block at the net, but his reach was just over three meters. He couldn’t be relied upon for strong attacking plays.
Yi Chuan, a bearded man with a hearty appearance, bent down and said to Qin Chunxiao, “Later, you can help catch and hold the ball. Brother Lang and I will do the dunking. It’s really hard to find a middle school student to play as the main attacker.”
The second passer was a boy with purple-dyed bangs who was chewing gum. He said, “If you want to experience the feeling of smashing the ball, just ask me directly for the ball. You’re welcome, I’ll pass it to you.”
The other two players were the support and the libero. Okay, the team composition looks pretty good.
Qin Chunxiao was puzzled and asked, “Aren’t we missing one more person? Don’t you need me to join? If my sister joins, then we’ll have a complete team.”
Wen Lang said solemnly, “Your sister is our secret weapon. She can’t be revealed easily. As long as I’m on the court, I’ll be energized.”
Qin Chunxiao understood and replied, “Got it, she’s your secret weapon.”
On the opposite side were the students from No. 8 Middle School. Five out of six were spirited guys in sportswear, generally over 1.8 meters tall. The tallest among them was 1.88 meters, but he stood out in a unique way. He wore slippers, had dark skin, and wore a simple smile.
In Qin Chunxiao’s memory, whenever a person like this appeared on the volleyball court, nine out of ten times they were from Island H, where the volleyball culture was very strong. Every village and town had a group of volleyball enthusiasts. Many children would start playing volleyball as soon as they could walk, casually using fishing nets and playing shirtless.
Amateur volleyball in Island H was regarded as the best in the country. They were passionate, enthusiastic, and skilled. Although they were not particularly tall, they had yet to produce nationally recognized volleyball players. However, with the combination of locals and the influence of the volleyball culture, a group of tall players emerged from the post-1995 and post-2000 generations. Finally, they produced players who reached the national level.
The person standing out among this case was Fu Biyang, who had promised to treat his teammates to coconut chicken before the game. He was the most physically gifted player among the post-2000 generation. In 2023, he was the most promising Chinese secondary attacker with the potential to reach the international level.
Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to compete side by side with opponents on the international stage, nor did he get to enjoy the coconut chicken meal. Thinking of this, Qin Chunxiao’s eyes welled up with sadness.
On the other side, the team members said to Yangpen, the player wearing flip-flops, “Yangpen, you agreed to join our volleyball club after this match.”
Yangpen replied, “Got it, brother. But let me remind you that studying medicine at G City Medical University is quite demanding. It will be difficult for you to have the energy to play volleyball everywhere in the future.”
The teammates laughed upon hearing his words and said, “Well, then let’s make the most of it now.”
The player nicknamed “Yangpen” started taking off his shirt and said, “Let’s get this over with quickly. My grandpa is waiting for me to bring him rice rolls. He has a heart condition, so I need to take him home.”
Qin Chunxiao grabbed a meal and began warming up.
Based on his understanding of people from Island H, taking off their shirts meant they were getting serious about the game.
Wen Lang was puzzled and muttered, “But it’s August in City G. Isn’t he afraid of getting sunburned?”
Qin Chunxiao reassured him, “Don’t worry, they come from a place closer to the equator, so their ability to withstand ultraviolet rays is definitely stronger than everyone here.”
Yangpen displayed an aggressive move as he tossed the volleyball high, jumped with both legs, and fiercely smashed the ball with his right hand.
That was an impressive spike!
Wen Lang and the others rushed to stop him.
Qin Chunxiao stood still, flexing his fingers without moving his feet.
He thought to himself, “The speed of that ball is good. It must be around 90 km/h, similar to the powerful women’s volleyball teams. It seems like the opponents have had some practice.”
In the next moment, the yellow-blue volleyball flew out of bounds, beyond the court.
Recognizing the importance of strength attributes in volleyball, especially in men’s volleyball, Qin Chunxiao was cautious when it comes to strength training.
At 5:30 in the morning, Qin Chunxiao waoke up, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and then proceeds with warm-up exercises like skipping rope 500 times and running around the house a few times.
Once his body was warmed up, he took out the dumbbells. Qin Chunxiao had two pairs of dumbbells. One pair weighs 8 kilograms each, totaling 16 kilograms, and the other pair weighs 15 kilograms each, totaling 30 kilograms.
He started by carrying the pair of 8 kg dumbbells for agility ladder training.
As his brand-new white shoes quickly move through the grids of the agility ladder, the early morning children from the neighboring interest class observed him curiously.
Perhaps in their eyes, this older brother who jumps up and down every morning was a peculiar individual.
“His eyes are blue.”
“Shh, he must be a foreigner.”
“Let’s leave him alone.”
Qin Chunxiao stops, turned around, and smiled at them, emphasizing that he was a native of Guangpu in City G. He says, “Kids, I am Chinese.”
“Wow!” the children exclaimed, and quickly ran away.
Qin Chunxiao was puzzled and could only scratch his head, saying, “Oh, I’m getting old and I don’t understand what goes on in the minds of the post-10th generation.”
Next, he lifted two 15 kg dumbbells to do push-ups. Push-ups were an effective way to strengthen the shoulder and arm muscles. Whether it was catching, passing, spiking, or serving, these muscles were crucial.
Qin Chunxiao had a feeling that the strong provincial team would look down on a short guy like him, and only the weak team would accept him. But unless he wanted his team to be continuously defeated in the domestic league, he couldn’t just rely on running and be dragged into the main attack.
The problem was, when selecting players, the national team didn’t pay much attention to weak teams. So even if a strong player lead a team to a major competition with a single core, they had to start all over again.
So let’s keep practicing. He could do what the team needs. Strength was an attribute that both the main attacker and the libero need to enhance. As long as he remains an athlete, these trainings won’t be in vain.
After finished the push-ups, Qin Chunxiao picked up a 15 kg dumbbell and head to the stairs to do single-leg squats.
Qin Chunfeng lazily walked over with a mouthwash cup in her hand and asks, somewhat muffled, “Aren’t you supposed to stand on both legs when squatting? You have one foot straight on the stairs, like standing on one leg, like a flamingo. Won’t you fall like this?”
Qin Chunxiao responds, “No, I have good balance.” He didn’t underestimate his core muscles—they are quite powerful.
Considering his physique was not yet at its peak, there was a risk of falling if the load exceeds 25 kg. 15 kg was manageable, as excessive load may affect his growth. For now, Qin Chunxiao avoided heavy weight training.
Single-leg squats could train not only the hip and leg muscles but also the iliopsoas muscles. They improved jumping ability and increase the starting speed before take-off, enabling faster take-off and smashes that leave opponents with little time to react.
This exercise also strengthened ankle strength and body balance, reducing the likelihood of sports injuries. It was a highly demanding but rewarding exercise.
At this point, the leg muscles began to feel sore. Qin Chunxiao ran into the neighboring new neighborhood, entered a random unit, and began to do single-leg jumps on the stairs, switching legs as he reached the first floor.
After training his upper and lower limbs, Qin Chunxiao would head to the elderly fitness and recreational facilities in the community, tying a 15 kg dumbbell around his waist, and performing weighted pull-ups for his back training.
After completing these exercises, the boy wiped his sweat with the corner of his clothes, revealing his well-defined abdominal muscles.
Qin Chunfeng was eating a meat bun while watching and Qin Chunxiao said jokingly, “Do you want me to touch them?”
To ensure agility, Qin Chunxiao didn’t aim to become a bulky guy, but his muscle definition was no less impressive than those bulked-up individuals.
Qin Chunfeng waved his hand and replied, “Nah, I’ve already had enough of touching them.”
No one in their family had been an athlete, going back to their grandparents and great-grandparents. When they first saw Qin Chunxiao’s muscles, everyone couldn’t resist touching and feeling them. It took several months for them to get used to it and treat it as a normal part of him.
Long before everyone realized that muscles feel hard, Qin Chunfeng grasped the knowledge that relaxed muscles feel soft.
Qin Chunfeng asked, “By the way, how much do you weigh now?”
Qin Chunxiao recalled his morning weigh-in results and replied, “65.5 kg. After all, I’ve been gaining muscle lately. Even if my body fat percentage has dropped to lower levels than before, it doesn’t mean I’ll become lighter.”
Qin Chunfeng responded, “Having visible abs is already impressive. If I had your determination, I would have worked on my waistline by now.”
Qin Chunxiao comforted his sister, saying, “You have determination in your studies, and I have determination in sports. We have different talents, but it doesn’t mean you lack determination.”
Qin Chunxiao had some knowledge in fitness that combining anaerobic and aerobic exercises is more efficient for controlling fat. That’s why he likes to dedicate 40 minutes to body coordination and strength training before going out for a run.
His typical run covered a distance of 10 kilometers, equivalent to 10 kilometers.
After finishing his morning exercise, Qin Chunfeng fanned Qin Chunxiao with a cattail fan and asked, “Do you still have the energy to help me play the game? Let’s establish that you can’t just play around casually. I want to win.”
Qin Chunxiao, who even struggled to pass the middle school physical education exam back when he was a primary school student, couldn’t help but feel helpless. “Understood, I’ll take it more seriously.”
Qin Chunfeng replied, “Just be more serious? The competitors this time are all high school graduates, and half of them are adults.”
Qin Chunxiao pondered for a moment and said, “I guarantee we’ll win.”
It just so happened that he hadn’t played a match with anyone for a long time, and he also wanted to hone his skills. He wouldn’t be half-hearted in this match. After all, some skills required regular practice to maintain proficiency.
Qin Chunfeng’s lack of trust was understandable. In her eyes, Qin Chunxiao had primarily focused on sprinting a few months ago.
In today’s competitive field, achieving good results often requires specializing in a specific event. Even transitioning from track and field to team sports was not a common path.
Qin Chunxiao retrieved two net bags to hold volleyballs from under the bed and prepared two large bottles of water. One bottle had a moderate amount of salt and sugar to prevent his sister from overexertion, while the other contained cold water as he aimed to burn fat. He made sure to avoid sugary drinks. Additionally, he packed sprays and bandages for emergency injuries.
Qin Chunfeng reminded him, “Why are you carrying so much? It will be difficult if your bag is too heavy. It takes 20 minutes to reach the stadium by bus from here. At eight o’clock in the morning, the bus will likely be crowded, and you might not find a seat.”
Qin Chunxiao replied, “I’ll manage.”
“Then I’ll grab the balls.” Qin Chunfeng changed into a light blue sweatshirt and put on a sun hat. She happily trotted out with two balls in her hands, her ponytail swaying behind her.
Youth.
Qin Chunxiao sighed and followed her outside.
The stadium wasn’t far, but during the morning rush hour, there was a traffic jam, causing frequent stops and delays. It would have taken Qin Chunxiao less than an hour to run there.
Inside the car, Qin Chunfeng stood in the corner while Qin Chunxiao placed one hand in front of her, creating a small space to shield them from the bustling crowd.
Qin Chunfeng looked up at her younger brother with a warm smile in her blue eyes.
Strangely enough, both siblings had blue eyes. Qin Chunfeng’s eyes always reminded people of the shallow spring sea, while Qin Chunxiao’s eyes evoked the image of snowfield wolves. However, when they stood together, one could feel the powerful bond between them.
As soon as Qin Chunxiao saw the net on the court, he knew that the game would be easy to play. Judging by his estimation, the net’s height was no more than 2.24 meters, a common height for women’s volleyball teams or youth men’s volleyball teams.
Having adapted to the 2.43-meter net used in adult men’s volleyball, the 2.24-meter net didn’t pose much of a challenge.
Wen Lang ran over and took the bag from Qin Chunxiao first, saying, “You’ve had a tough journey. Our original main attacker got stuck in the school’s accommodations, and we couldn’t find anyone else capable. That’s why we invited you to fill in the role.”
Brother-in-law Wen had been making an effort to be polite to Qin Chunxiao since their first meeting. Qin Chunxiao reciprocated the gesture and handed him the bag, scanning the surroundings. He asked, “How’s the opponent?”
Wen Lang replied, “They’re pretty good. They reached the top eight in the city competition last year and all got into local universities. They asked us for help. But don’t worry, we’re also a strong team. We made it to the top sixteen last year.”
Qin Chunxiao thought to himself, “Neither of these teams made it to the semi-finals of the municipal competition?”
Wen Lang’s team consisted of five tall boys, ranging from 1.75 to 1.8 meters in height. Wen Lang, the tallest among them at 1.85 meters, could block at the net, but his reach was just over three meters. He couldn’t be relied upon for strong attacking plays.
Yi Chuan, a bearded man with a hearty appearance, bent down and said to Qin Chunxiao, “Later, you can help catch and hold the ball. Brother Lang and I will do the dunking. It’s really hard to find a middle school student to play as the main attacker.”
The second passer was a boy with purple-dyed bangs who was chewing gum. He said, “If you want to experience the feeling of smashing the ball, just ask me directly for the ball. You’re welcome, I’ll pass it to you.”
The other two players were the support and the libero. Okay, the team composition looks pretty good.
Qin Chunxiao was puzzled and asked, “Aren’t we missing one more person? Don’t you need me to join? If my sister joins, then we’ll have a complete team.”
Wen Lang said solemnly, “Your sister is our secret weapon. She can’t be revealed easily. As long as I’m on the court, I’ll be energized.”
Qin Chunxiao understood and replied, “Got it, she’s your secret weapon.”
On the opposite side were the students from No. 8 Middle School. Five out of six were spirited guys in sportswear, generally over 1.8 meters tall. The tallest among them was 1.88 meters, but he stood out in a unique way. He wore slippers, had dark skin, and wore a simple smile.
In Qin Chunxiao’s memory, whenever a person like this appeared on the volleyball court, nine out of ten times they were from Island H, where the volleyball culture was very strong. Every village and town had a group of volleyball enthusiasts. Many children would start playing volleyball as soon as they could walk, casually using fishing nets and playing shirtless.
Amateur volleyball in Island H was regarded as the best in the country. They were passionate, enthusiastic, and skilled. Although they were not particularly tall, they had yet to produce nationally recognized volleyball players. However, with the combination of locals and the influence of the volleyball culture, a group of tall players emerged from the post-1995 and post-2000 generations. Finally, they produced players who reached the national level.
The person standing out among this case was Fu Biyang, who had promised to treat his teammates to coconut chicken before the game. He was the most physically gifted player among the post-2000 generation. In 2023, he was the most promising Chinese secondary attacker with the potential to reach the international level.
Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to compete side by side with opponents on the international stage, nor did he get to enjoy the coconut chicken meal. Thinking of this, Qin Chunxiao’s eyes welled up with sadness.
On the other side, the team members said to Yangpen, the player wearing flip-flops, “Yangpen, you agreed to join our volleyball club after this match.”
Yangpen replied, “Got it, brother. But let me remind you that studying medicine at G City Medical University is quite demanding. It will be difficult for you to have the energy to play volleyball everywhere in the future.”
The teammates laughed upon hearing his words and said, “Well, then let’s make the most of it now.”
The player nicknamed “Yangpen” started taking off his shirt and said, “Let’s get this over with quickly. My grandpa is waiting for me to bring him rice rolls. He has a heart condition, so I need to take him home.”
Qin Chunxiao grabbed a meal and began warming up.
Based on his understanding of people from Island H, taking off their shirts meant they were getting serious about the game.
Wen Lang was puzzled and muttered, “But it’s August in City G. Isn’t he afraid of getting sunburned?”
Qin Chunxiao reassured him, “Don’t worry, they come from a place closer to the equator, so their ability to withstand ultraviolet rays is definitely stronger than everyone here.”
Yangpen displayed an aggressive move as he tossed the volleyball high, jumped with both legs, and fiercely smashed the ball with his right hand.
That was an impressive spike!
Wen Lang and the others rushed to stop him.
Qin Chunxiao stood still, flexing his fingers without moving his feet.
He thought to himself, “The speed of that ball is good. It must be around 90 km/h, similar to the powerful women’s volleyball teams. It seems like the opponents have had some practice.”
In the next moment, the yellow-blue volleyball flew out of bounds, beyond the court.
