10 Wang Chuqin

Beijing Training Base.

Today is February 2, 2019, the day of the National Table Tennis Gala.

The event was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., but people began arriving and taking their seats as early as six o’clock. Duan Nanzhou joined everyone and took her seat. Since it was the Lunar New Year, everyone was dressed festively, mostly in shades of red. She heard that a few team members would be going on stage later to wish everyone a happy New Year.

This arrangement was clearly Coach Liu’s idea. Duan Nanzhou’s reaction was one of silent embarrassment—it felt really awkward!

Still, she sat in the front row chatting with the women’s team, unaware that someone just behind her was staring intently at her, without her even noticing.

At last, the clock struck 7:30, and the National Table Tennis Gala officially began.

The opening act was a dance medley performed by the second team girls. Duan Nanzhou overheard Chen Meng saying that the second team had been pushed onto the stage unwillingly; their blank expressions spoke volumes, showing many were reluctant.

Meanwhile, the first team breathed a sigh of relief—they had almost been forced to perform.

The second team performers thought to themselves, “This is exhausting. We have to obey the coaches, even if we don’t want to. Just get through it with eyes half-closed.”

“Hey, Nanzhou, how’s your dance rehearsal going?” Liu Shiwen suddenly asked with a hint of gossip. Since they trained regularly and Duan Nanzhou rehearsed in isolation, no one knew the details.

Everyone nearby perked up, curious as they looked at Duan Nanzhou.

“Little Zao?” Duan Nanzhou smiled at Liu Shiwen’s friendly teasing and thought, “Now even my dear Little Zao sister is directing me.” “It’s probably just okay. After all, I haven’t had much time to practice.”

“No worries, Nanzhou. Just think of it as having fun on stage,” Ding Ning, taking on a big-sisterly role, offered comforting words.

What they didn’t realize was that Duan Nanzhou’s “just okay” was worlds apart from their understanding. The astonished expressions during her performance would show that clearly.

After all, as a former trainee who had trained under the system’s strictest demands, Duan Nanzhou’s dance and singing skills were honed to the highest standards. When she was under the system, she was a puppet with no interest in these arts.

Now, free from that constraint, she chose to embrace dance and singing as hobbies rather than obligations, practicing occasionally to maintain her skills and condition.

So, when she said “just okay,” she meant that compared to having practiced a song to perfection before, this week’s preparation was limited. Only one week to practice was simply not enough.

Soon, it was time for Liu Guoliang and some star players from the first team to go on stage to offer New Year’s greetings. The scene was undeniably awkward, but judging by Coach Liu’s smile, he seemed to be enjoying it.

At this moment, the men’s and women’s teams came on stage together, and Wang Chuqin finally got close to Duan Nanzhou for the first time in a week. She had told him not to look for her during this busy week, so he had been lonely all along.

When going on stage, Wang Chuqin initially went up first but hesitated and waited for the women’s team. Amid the teasing glances from the older sisters, he waited for Duan Nanzhou to arrive, then stepped onto the stage with her.

During the climb up the stairs, with the audience watching, Wang Chuqin quietly slipped something into Duan Nanzhou’s hand. Feeling her hand touch his and tug slightly, she realized he was handing her something.

Duan Nanzhou was surprised—was this guy brave enough to hold her hand just like that? Looking down, she saw a candy, her favorite green grape flavor.

Even more amazed, she thought, “Today this guy is really smooth.”

Meanwhile, Wang Chuqin, under Liu Guoliang’s stern gaze, hurried to catch up with the men’s team ahead. Coach Liu didn’t expect this boldness—private closeness during training was one thing, but doing this in public with cameras around was another. He would have to reprimand him later.

Duan Nanzhou quickly pocketed the candy and followed onto the stage to deliver her blessings. She was definitely charmed by Wang Chuqin today—had he suddenly come into his senses?

Wang Chuqin: “Hehe, I’m sure you’ll like it, Zhouzhou!”

After the blessing segment, Ding Ning and Fan Zhendong took the stage as hosts to officially continue the evening’s program.

Duan Nanzhou went backstage to change clothes and fix her makeup.

Meanwhile, Wang Chuqin kept searching for Duan Nanzhou in the audience, puzzled why her seat was empty—maybe she went to the restroom?

The reason Wang Chuqin didn’t know about Duan Nanzhou’s performance was that, aside from Sun Yingsha and a few senior coaches present, no one else was informed. Liu Guoliang insisted on keeping it a secret to surprise everyone.

Wang Chuqin was so distracted by looking for her that he barely paid attention to the performances on stage, even imagining that maybe she had a stomach ache or something since she hadn’t returned.

Only when Ding Ning announced the next act as a surprise performance by Duan Nanzhou did he look toward the stage in astonishment.

He wasn’t the only one surprised; many, including the men’s team “uncles” and host Fan Zhendong, looked equally stunned.

Fan Zhendong: “What’s going on? Ding Ning and I are the hosts—why wasn’t this in my script?”

Ding Ning (with a mysterious smile): “Sorry, chubby. I know more than you. Your reaction is exactly what Coach Liu wanted.”

Liu Guoliang: “The mastermind behind the scenes is very happy to see everyone’s reaction.”

Backstage, Duan Nanzhou felt that going on stage wasn’t the hardest part—the hardest was dealing with someone clinging to her relentlessly.

Sun Yingsha clung to Duan Nanzhou: “Hehe, Zhouzhou, stick with me! Beautiful girl, stick with me!”

The staff nearby watched enviously, wishing they could get that close too.

Although Duan Nanzhou was widely recognized within the team for her striking looks, and fans following table tennis often said she was a beauty held back by the sport, she usually wore sportswear during training and competitions.

Even in daily life, comfort was her priority, typically sporting training gear or clothing from sports sponsors, so Sun Yingsha never paid much attention.

But today, for the performance, Duan Nanzhou wore a red short dress to match the festive New Year atmosphere. It showcased her slim waist and long, fair legs, captivating Sun Yingsha’s eyes so much she didn’t want to let go.

“Next, let’s welcome Duan Nanzhou performing ‘Sun Never Sets’!”

Hearing Ding Ning’s announcement, Duan Nanzhou quipped, “Sasha, do you want to come on stage with me?”

That single line was a knockout—Sun Yingsha immediately loosened her grip and returned to her seat with fluid grace.

Duan Nanzhou’s reaction: ...

But she had no time to dwell on that; clutching the microphone, she prepared to perform. Her act involved singing and dancing, but thankfully the choreography wasn’t too difficult or intense.

As the music began, Ma Long, a devoted fan, recognized the song immediately—it was his idol’s track! His excitement soared.

When Duan Nanzhou appeared on stage, whispers of “wow” rippled through the audience, especially among some men’s team members who glanced at Wang Chuqin, then quickly averted their gaze back to the stage once they remembered the cameras were rolling.

For Duan Nanzhou, it had been a long time since she sang and danced before so many people, but she wasn’t nervous. She had been through much tougher situations, especially during evaluations that were far more serious. Besides, this performance had no pressure.

From the opening note to the final beat, she felt the thrill that made so many love stage performances—it was truly exhilarating.

“Sun Never Sets” was a sweet love song. Duan Nanzhou deliberately glanced in Wang Chuqin’s direction during a few flirtatious lyrics. The brief looks left him wondering if she really had looked at him.

Her performance was a huge success, both in singing and dancing, as the applause from the audience made clear.

Part of the surprise was the stark contrast to her usual reserved, expressionless persona—the “quiet beauty” known within the team. On stage, she was a sweet, lively girl, which stunned everyone.

The coaches were all smiling broadly, proud of their “good daughter.” Truly multi-talented. And as for that mischievous Wang Chuqin, he was being held tightly in check!

Just as Duan Nanzhou finished and was about to leave the stage, her good sister Ding Ning called her back for a brief interview.

“Hey Nanzhou, wait a moment! Let’s say a few words after the performance.”

Duan Nanzhou stopped, silently wishing she had walked faster, then came back to stand and wait.

“Wow, Nanzhou really surprised us all! Look at the enthusiastic reaction down there. Anything you want to say?”

Amid warm applause, Duan Nanzhou simply said, “Wishing everyone prosperity and a happy New Year,” then quickly escaped, giving no chance for the teasing sister to pester her further.

Watching her hurried retreat, Ding Ning was delighted—it was fun teasing the little sister. Then she continued to cue the next segment of the gala.

Back at her seat, Duan Nanzhou noticed her bare legs and saw that none of her teammates nearby had jackets. Planning to check backstage for something to cover up, she suddenly saw a figure sneaking over.

“Big Head?” Duan Nanzhou asked suspiciously.

“Zhouzhou, here!” Wang Chuqin, living up to the role of perfect boyfriend, thoughtfully brought her a jacket.

“Thanks~” Duan Nanzhou felt charmed again but reminded him, “You should go back now!”

“Okay.” Wang Chuqin had only come to deliver the jacket and was about to sneak away when he suddenly gestured for her to check her pocket.

Duan Nanzhou felt inside and found a pocket full of candies—just as sweet as the evening itself.

So, she shared the candies with the women’s team sisters nearby, although the entire process of distributing and secretly eating them was caught on camera.

The gala passed quickly, ending with the entire National Table Tennis team singing together.

Overall, the common feeling among Duan Nanzhou, Sun Yingsha, and Wang Manyu was that the event was too awkward—especially Wang Manyu, who admitted she almost couldn’t bear to watch.

But seeing the coaches so immersed and pleased, especially Coach Liu Guoliang, who smiled nonstop all evening, it was clear they were very satisfied.

In the end, it was a perfect Spring Festival gala!