Chapter 10. Early February in Seoul, the chill of winter lingered. ...

In early February, Seoul was still chilly. Ren Xiyao was sharpening her ice skates by the railing at the Seongbuk Ice Rink, adjusting the screws on them as she went. She had cut her right hand on the skate yesterday while lost in thought; her hand was bandaged, but she still meticulously adjusted every detail of the blade. In daily training, she sharpens her skates approximately every 8 hours, based on a single skating distance of 20-30 km per day. This is different during competitions.

For short track speed skaters, the difference in skate blades, even as subtle as a hair's breadth, can create a completely different feel. Polishing the skates is a fundamental skill every professional athlete should possess, though mastery isn't required. Adjusting them to the appropriate position and a familiar arc is essential. Suitable equipment, like a professional singer's microphone or a ballet dancer's pointe shoes, is also crucial for achieving good results. Initially, the arc adjustments in training are based on the skater's power generation method and the experience of the equipment coach, determining the skater's strengths. Excellent skaters will also adjust and modify their blades according to their own physical condition and power generation method.

In this regard, the captain of the Chinese team is undoubtedly the best. Her ability to maintain long-term dominance in women's short track speed skating, even surpassing that of her male contemporaries, stems not only from her amazing cornering control and long-term high-intensity training, but also from her profound understanding of the equipment. Within the entire Chinese team, she is second to none, having improved the way the equipment is used. Ren Xiyao's skates were also chosen by the captain. Short track speed skating has professional equipment coaches. However, in terms of equipment, the South Korean team has a deeper understanding and more abundant resources. In Ren Xiyao's training team, both equipment coaches are South Korean.

The sound of other skaters' blades slicing across the ice echoed across the rink, sharp and crisp.

“Xiyao, I watched your competition last week. I suggest you pay more attention to the details of sharpening your skates before the competition and spend more time on it. Try to do three steps of sharpening in the 72 hours before the competition: 1000 grit → 1500 grit → 2000 grit. This way you can better utilize the equipment’s capabilities on the ice.” Korean coach Kim Seon-hoon walked over and patted her on the shoulder: “You have a saying, ‘Sharpening your axe won’t delay your work.’”

Ren Xiyao nodded and said, "Indeed, my control over the equipment is far from sufficient. Thank you, Coach Jin." Coach Jin Shanxun smiled and shook his head, watching her sharpen her tools, occasionally offering pointers. Training a good equipment coach is no easier than training an excellent athlete. Ren Xiyao was truly grateful that someone was willing to share their knowledge so generously.

After training, Ren Xiyao took off her goggles, her forehead already beaded with sweat. She walked to the sidelines and put on her jacket. She picked up her thermos and took a sip of warm water, but her gaze never left the ice. Coach Jin came over and handed her a training data sheet.

"You did well today, but your cornering speed can be improved," Coach Jin said, pointing to the numbers on the data sheet.

Ren Xiyao nodded, her eyes fixed intently on every detail on the data sheet: "I'll adjust the angle of entry into the corner again, and when I practice the 500m tomorrow, I'll see if I have a chance to break 43."

Coach Kim Sun-hoon smiled and said, "You always work so hard."

Ren Xiyao didn't answer, only sensing the tense and serious atmosphere. She lowered her head and continued studying the data. Her phone vibrated in her coat pocket, but she ignored it. Only after the training was completely over did she take out her phone and see an unread message.

"You're back. Are you free to have dinner together tonight?" The sender was Kwon Ji-yong.

Ren Xiyao stared at the screen for a few seconds, her fingers paused on the keyboard, and finally replied: "Okay".

Kwon Ji-yong's reply came quickly: "The barbecue restaurant in Gangnam District." He then sent an address.

Ren Xiyao put away her phone and headed to the changing room. She knew the shop; it wasn't far from the ice rink, and it was a place Rita often took them to. After changing, she slung her gym bag over her shoulder and walked out of the ice rink. It was already dark outside, and the streets were brightly lit.

When she arrived at the barbecue restaurant, Kwon Ji-yong was already sitting in a corner waiting for her. He was wearing a simple black hoodie, the hood pulled down low, almost covering half his face. When he saw Ren Xiyao come in, he looked up, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Long time no see." Kwon Ji-yong's voice was deep, tinged with a hint of languor. But noticing the bandage on her right hand, his brows furrowed involuntarily, and his tone tightened: "What happened?"

Ren Xiyao nodded and sat down opposite him. "Long time no see." She raised her right hand. "I accidentally cut myself a couple of days ago while sharpening a knife; it's just a small cut that broke the skin. It's nothing."

The waiter brought over several plates of grilled meat and side dishes, and Ren Xiyao wanted to help. However, Quan Zhilong skillfully picked up the tongs, blocked Ren Xiyao's hand with his other hand, and said, "Don't move if you're injured." He then placed the meat slices on the grill. The sizzling sound and the aroma filled the air.

Ren Xiyao was a little confused by his somewhat serious expression. She still explained, "It's a minor cut. When I first started learning to sharpen knives, I got a cut every day. Now it's all about practice makes perfect; I just wasn't paying attention that day. It doesn't matter." Quan Zhilong listened to her without replying. His furrowed brows deepened even more. Ren Xiyao assumed he was pondering something important, so she remained silent.

After a while, the atmosphere in the private room gradually relaxed. Kwon Ji-yong took a breath and took the initiative to start a conversation: "How was the training?" he asked while turning over the slices of meat.

“Not bad, the training data shows it’s better than before,” Ren Xiyao replied, her gaze fixed on the baking tray.

Kwon Ji-yong said somewhat helplessly, "You really work hard."

Ren Xiyao looked up at him and said, "I'm no longer a junior player. Looking at the rising stars on the ice, especially from the opposing team, I feel an intense sense of urgency."

Kwon Ji-yong nodded and placed the grilled meat slices onto her plate: "Then eat more."

Ren Xiyao didn't refuse and took a bite. The meat slices were grilled perfectly, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. She looked up at Quan Zhilong and found him staring intently at her.

"What's wrong?" Ren Xiyao asked.

G-Dragon shook his head: "It's nothing, I just think you're thinner than before."

Ren Xiyao looked down at herself: "It's probably because the training intensity has increased."

Kwon Ji-yong didn't say anything more, just continued flipping the meat slices on the grill. The atmosphere between them was somewhat silent, but not awkward. Ren Xiyao occasionally glanced up at him, noticing that his gaze always lingered on her, only to quickly look away when she looked up again.

"Oppa, I don't think I've ever seriously asked you what you do for a living? What have you been busy with lately?" Ren Xiyao asked cautiously, as if she had remembered something.

Kwon Ji-yong shrugged, a rather bright smile on his face: "You finally remembered. I thought you weren't curious at all. You dared to come out and meet me without knowing anything?"

Ren Xiyao touched her nose a little awkwardly and said, "I always assumed you were a DJ, so I always forgot to ask."

Kwon Ji-yong placed a piece of meat on her plate and said, "You're a singer, right? I told you before you write songs. You're currently preparing an album."

Ren Xiyao nodded: "That's not easy either. Singer-songwriters all face a lot of pressure."

Kwon Ji-yong smiled and asked with some curiosity, "Do you know anything about music?"

Ren Xiyao put down her chopsticks and thought for a moment. She looked up and stared at him seriously. "A long time ago, when I was learning figure skating, I learned music in a cramming style. But I still don't have many of my own ideas about the repertoire. I still skate traditional pieces like 'Moulin Rouge,' 'The Butterfly Lovers,' and 'The Phantom of the Opera'! But if I really had to choose, I don't really like classical music."

“ISU prohibits vocal music. But I just happen to like music with good lyrics. Maybe for some professional musicians, melody and tune are more important, but I think good lyrics, even with a simple melody, can easily immerse me in a story. I like stories told in a gentle, flowing way, so some people used to say I didn't have any musical taste.” Ren Xiyao shrugged after saying that.

Kwon Ji-yong frowned after listening, then said seriously, "There's no such thing as 'lacking musical taste.' That's too biased. Even though music has developed into a very diverse genre today, its fundamental purpose remains to bring joy to people. You can't criticize someone for lacking taste just because their songs aren't popular with the market. Lyrics and music should never be a zero-sum game; they should be like a DNA double helix, encoding infinite possibilities through their intertwining. I think good musicians shouldn't have a condescending attitude."

Ren Xiyao was stunned by the answer, and for the first time seriously examined this man who was full of contradictions everywhere. Sharp on stage, gentle off stage. Just the right amount of teasing on the phone, yet maintaining the perfect distance in the details. And just now, she saw his absolute confidence in his professional field and the ambition that couldn't be hidden in their conversation.

After dinner, Kwon Ji-yong suggested taking a walk to digest. The two strolled slowly along the street. Seoul was still bustling at night, with neon lights flashing on both sides of the street, reflecting on their faces.

"Are you going to train again tomorrow?" Kwon Ji-yong suddenly asked.

Ren Xiyao was still a little dazed, recalling the conversation at the dinner table before nodding when asked, "It starts at 6:30 in the morning."

Kwon Ji-yong frowned: "So early?"

"I'm used to it," Ren Xiyao replied calmly.

Kwon Ji-yong didn't say anything more, but silently slowed his pace. When the two reached an intersection, Ren Xiyao stopped.

“I’m going this way,” she said, pointing to the street on the left.

Kwon Ji-yong nodded: "Then I'll take you back."

Ren Xiyao shook her head: "No need, it's easy to run into the selection supervisor if we go any further. I don't want to get caught and questioned."

Kwon Ji-yong laughed and stopped insisting, simply standing there watching her leave. After taking a few steps, Ren Xiyao suddenly turned back and glanced at him.

"Thank you for dinner tonight, Oppa." She smiled slyly.

Kwon Ji-yong smiled and said, "Let's meet up again next time. I still owe you a Chinese meal."

Perhaps it was because the overall atmosphere was so relaxed, but at that moment, Kwon Ji-yong felt that Ren Xiyao's smile, illuminated by the streetlights, was so free and warm. He suddenly felt that spring was truly approaching, and the spring breeze seemed to linger just for him. Her shadow stretched long under the streetlights, gradually disappearing into the night.

Kwon Ji-yong stood there until she was completely out of sight before turning and leaving.

The next morning, Ren Xiyao arrived at the ice rink on time. She was even more focused during her training than the day before, striving for perfection in every movement. Jin Shanxun stood on the sidelines, watching her gliding across the ice, and couldn't help but shake his head.

"She's really putting in a lot of effort in training these past two days," Kim Sun-hoon said to the assistant coach beside him.

The assistant coach nodded: "Yes, I feel he's getting more focused every day."

Ren Xiyao ignored the conversations on the sidelines and continued to focus on her training. Her skates traced arcs across the ice, her speed increasing rapidly.

After training, Ren Xiyao took off her goggles, her forehead already covered in sweat. She walked to the sidelines, picked up her thermos and took a sip of water, but her gaze remained fixed on the ice.

"Xiyao, you're in great shape today, but you still need to get some rest." Kim Sunhoon walked over and patted her on the shoulder.

Ren Xiyao nodded: "I understand, thank you Coach Jin."

Kim Sun-hoon said nothing more and simply walked away. He knew the burden this girl carried. There wasn't much time left for her to slowly grow up. Ren Xiyao stood there, looking down at her ice skates, but the scenes from last night involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

She shook her head, banishing the images from her mind, put her goggles back on, and skated towards the starting line. The sound of the skates slicing across the ice rang out again, sharp and crisp.

A note from the author:

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In the archaeological investigation, I didn't find any evidence that he had any opinion on whether lyrics or music were more important, but among all the translated lyrics, his songs are neither empty nor vulgar. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to music, and this is exactly what resonated with me. I think such lyrics must have been polished countless times. Consider this just a small personal preference of mine. [Hands clasped in prayer][Hands clasped in prayer][Hands clasped in prayer]