Chapter 52
Chapter 52 – Brother Bing’s return (Translated and edited by Xing)
After finals were over, Tang Xue diligently switched into competition mode .
The “Ascendance Cup” was a short track speed skating championship organized by Rain City’s Winter Sports Administrative Centre and was named after a sports product company named “Ascendance” . The level of this competition was not high but as the prize money offered was quite attractive, there were still numerous highly-skilled participants .
Tang Xue had signed up for both the 500 metres event and 1000 metres event but at the present, her focus was the 500 metres event .
“My demand for you is not high . There are two events—proceed to the semi-finals for one of them,” Chu Xia said .
“Coach Chu, I have very high demands for myself . ”
“Oh?”
“The goal of every contestant on the rink is to become the champion . ” Tang Xue put on a pretentiously profound look on her face . If she stared into a mirror at that very instant, she would realize that it was possible she had been possessed by Li Yubing .
Zhang Yuewei happened to pass by and hear Tang Xue’s boast . She could not help but to roll her eyes . “Heh, a snail coming in first . Dream on . ”
Tang Xue replied, “What do you mean by this, Zhang Yuewei? Are you going to bark like a dog if I come in first?”
Zhang Yuewei straightened her neck and looked at her coldly . “Are you going to bark like a dog if you don’t come in first?”
Chu Xia felt her head ache . “Stop it, both of you . First a snail, then a dog . The two of you are turning our speed skating team into a zoo . ”
——
The day of Li Yubing’s return to Rain City was the day of Tang Xue’s competition . He dashed off upon getting off the plane . The wheels of his poor luggage were nearly flying off the ground as he rolled it along with him . Even more pitiable than the luggage was Jiang Shijia . Despite not wanting to chase along, he had no choice but to do so . As he closely followed the wind left in Li Yubing’s wake, the two of them became the most eye-catching duo in the airport .
After getting on a taxi with much difficulty, Li Yubing stated RCU’s address as the destination; the Ascendance Cup was held at RCU’s ice stadium . Then, he proceeded to beseech the driver repeatedly, “Sir, please hurry, thank you . ”
The driver was annoyed . “Stop rushing me . Why are you youngsters so impatient—what major issue could you possibly face?”
Jiang Shijia said, “Sir, his wife is about to give birth . Please hurry . ”
The driver looked at them through his rear-view mirror . “Do you take me for an idiot? Why are you going to school if his wife is about to give birth?”
“She’s giving birth in the school hospital . ”
“…” The driver stepped on the gas and lamented, “Youngsters these days are way too incredible . ”
Thanks to Jiang Shijia, the driver discussed the topic of babies with Li Yubing throughout the entire trip . This caused him to be utterly speechless . Towards the end, when he closed his eyes, he could immediately visualize Tang Xue with an adorable baby in her arms .
Pfft, he could not help but burst into laughter .
Jiang Shijia silently shifted to the side, away from Brother Bing .
After finally reaching RCU, Li Yubing leapt down from the car and sprinted off, leaving Jiang Shijia to slowly haul down their luggage and pay the taxi fare . After doing so, with one giant luggage in each hand, Jiang Shijia stood in the chilly wind and mourned for a moment before trudging his way back .
……
On the coaches’ stand, Chu Xia observed the athletes on the rink warm up as she chatted with people next to her . She turned her head and suddenly saw Li Yubing, getting a huge shock . “Why are you here?”
Li Yubing was still wearing the signature red, yellow and white tracksuit[1]with a tiny red flag with five stars printed over the left side of his chest . Drenched in sweat from running, he asked Chu Xia in a panting voice, “Which stage of the competition is it now?”
“Semi-finals, she’s still there . ” Chu Xia nudged her head towards the rink .
“Mm, I saw her . ” Li Yubing had long spotted Tang Xue . He had waved to her when he first came in but she did not see him . This chapter is a labour of love that should not be found outside of teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com .
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Li Yubing was afraid that Tang Xue would be distracted and did not try to attract her attention again, choosing to watch her quietly from the coaches’ stand .
Chu Xia realized that Li Yubing had a staff pass hanging in front of his chest that she had no idea where he got it from . Chu Xia felt that Li Yubing was quite an amazing person . Though he had a quiet personality and was not extremely sociable, numerous people—ranging from coaches to other athletes—seemed to like him a lot . Was it really due to his looks?
Seeing how Li Yubing’s line of sight kept tracing Tang Xue’s figure, Chu Xia said, “She’s made a vast improvement . To be honest, I’m quite surprised . ”
Li Yubing looked over and explained, “She sets extra training for herself every day and has been strict with her diet . ”
“No wonder . ” A rare look of admiration appeared on Chu Xia’s face .
For some unexplainable reason, a wave of pride swelled up in Li Yubing .
As they talked, the competition began on the rink . When he saw Tang Xue get into proper position, Li Yubing could not help quirking his lips . His eyes softened as well .
“Go for it, little fool,” he mumbled .
Everyone else’s attention was on the rink and no one paid attention to him . Only Chu Xia who sat near him heard his words . In an instant, goosebumps covered her arms .
She silently shifted to the side .
Bang——
The starting pistol went off .
Tang Xue got off to a good start and was in second place . However, all four contestants were closely matched in abilities and no one was falling behind . It was obvious that the person in the lead was the most experienced contestant . There were numerous times when Tang Xue tried to overtake her but failed to do so . She seemed to have eyes on the back of her head and knew Tang Xue’s movements, allowing her to obstruct Tang Xu’s path .
One lap, two laps, three laps .
The track for the 500 metres event was merely four and a half rounds that passed in a blink of an eye .
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Li Yubing’s heart slowly tensed . He had never been so nervous even for his own competition .
Actually, it was possible for Tang Xue to surpass the other contestant by moving to the outer lane but she did not do so . Surpassing someone on the outer lane meant skating a larger distance . She was not someone who blindly overestimate her own abilities . With how close the race was, she risked falling into third or even fourth place if she moved to the outer lane rashly . Only the first two contestants from the semi-finals could advance to the next stage of the competition .
Though Tang Xue did not take action, the contestant behind her was discontent to resign to fate . The contestant in third place suddenly tried to cut past Tang Xue through the inner lane . Unfortunately, she miscalculated her actions, slipped and fell onto the ice .
Towards Tang Xue .
Without warning, Tang Xue felt a huge impact knock against her, causing her to fly wildly towards the edge of the track . Her entire body was on the ice and she did not slide for long before her butt knocked against the plastic boards of the ice rink with a loud thump .
She sat up and gazed around in confusion .
The ice stadium was in a clamour . The two contestants who managed to reach the finishing line waved to their family and friends .
While she sat on the ice .
Everything did not seem real .
“I’m sorry,” Someone said suddenly .
Tang Xue’s gaze refocused and she saw that it was the culprit of the accident . Her face was filled with guilt as she bent over, intending to help Tang Xue up .
Tang Xue waved her hands and climbed up from the ice herself .
That’s short track speed skating for you . The ice rink is always filled with countless uncertainties that though merciless, is also what gives it its appeal . Since she was bold enough to compete, she should also be bold enough to accept this and not be a sore loser . This was what she told herself in her heart .
Then, she finished skating the remaining short distance . Without caring to look at the results, she pressed a hand against her butt as she skated towards the exit leading to the stands . She put on her skate guards and left the ice .
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When she stepped out from the ice rink, she saw an unexpected figure when she raised her head .
Instead of wearing a white tracksuit, that person wore egg and tomato colours . For a piece of clothing with such an indescribable design, he actually managed to wear it into something that exuded grace and confidence . Translated by Xing for only teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com .
It has really been quite some time since she last saw him…
However, thinking of how he saw her disgraceful state earlier, she began to feel extremely uncomfortable . She avoided looking at him and without turning her head, strode past him and said, “Where in the world did you come from?”
Li Yubing pulled her into his embrace .
Caught off guard, Tang Xue was roughly jerked into his embrace . She was about to start cursing when all of a sudden, he drew in his arms and wrapped her in a hug .
Tang Xue was startled . She was fully wrapped in his embrace and enveloped in his scent . The smell of dust and weary travel was a little foreign and also a little familiar . With how the two of them were pressed so closely together, she tried to wriggle away instinctively .
Li Yubing pressed his palm against her back . As if coaxing a child, he patted softly and soothed in a gentle voice, “It’s okay . ”
Tang Xue originally felt that it was okay too . She had convinced herself that she was a champion of unbreakable spirit . However, now that Li Yubing said this to her, she felt that everything was somehow not okay after all . Numerous grievances suddenly surfaced in her belly . Her nose soured and tears welled up uncontrollably .
She closed her eyes, lightly pressed her face into Li Yubing’s shirt and felt the area dampened .
Good grief…
This is an original work of 酒小七 (Jiu Xiaoqi) translated by Tea Fragrance . If you are not reading this at teafragrance[dot]wordpress[dot]com, this translation has been reposted without the translator’s consent . Head there for extra content or to leave feedback and comments on the novel translation .
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Red, yellow and white—traditional colours for the uniforms of Chinese athletes .