Chapter 120 Early December in the capital, Ren…
In early December in Beijing, Ren Xiyao was on the brightly lit ice rink, her recovery training still arduous. After countless falls and attempts, she finally completed the 1500m run for the first time on the cold ice, without any mistakes, although it took her twice as long as her peak performance.
But when she stopped, panting, and leaned against the railing at the edge of the ice rink, feeling her heart pounding in her chest, she smiled. She knew it was almost over.
This arduous rehabilitation training continued until late December.
On the ice rink of Longcheng Club, the lights were on, and Ren Xiyao's figure repeated the same movements over and over on the cold ice. Pushing off, gliding, turning, sprinting... she strived to do every movement to the best of her ability.
Her body was constantly pushing its limits. The injury in her left shoulder sent dull pain through her every arm swing, and the cold steel nail in her lumbar spine was like a leech, a constant reminder of the high workload she was under.
The dosage of painkillers was being increased, but their effectiveness was gradually decreasing. After each training session, she felt as if all her strength had been drained, and her whole body ached so much that she didn't even have the strength to lift a finger.
"Xiyao, your sprint data today is even better than yesterday," the team doctor said, handing her a stack of printed training data, his eyes filled with amazement and worry. "Your recovery speed is simply a miracle, but... your body is already under a lot of strain. If this continues, I'm worried..."
“I understand.” Ren Xiyao took the data sheet, her gaze sweeping over the cold numbers. She had been away from the competition for far too long. Although she had never neglected to study her opponents, theoretical knowledge was never truly relevant. She bore the title of All-Around Champion, the reputation of a long-distance prodigy. Her mistakes would become the laughingstock of others. She didn't want to hear those hypocritical tales of wasted potential; she only wanted to win.
To achieve this goal, she's willing to pay any price, including pushing her body to the limit and even jeopardizing her athletic career. The three qualifying tournaments in January are arguably the fairest, and only, opportunity. She must win, giving it her all to secure a spot.
It must have been a miracle; just when we were about to be engulfed by darkness and chaos, a ray of light finally shone through.
That day, Lin Shan called her and said she was waiting for her at the national team. Ren Xiyao knew that she had done everything she could for her under such extreme conditions, and now it was up to her own abilities.
The team hired the team captain as a technical advisor. When the captain was still on the team, many members trained under her. Her experience, technique, and coaching ability are all exceptional. Excellent athletes rarely make bad coaches; their experience and skills are invaluable. If she also happens to possess a groundbreaking vision and exceptionally keen insight, then she will most likely become an outstanding coach.
Standing on the sidelines, the captain watched Ren Xiyao's almost obsessive training, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew better than anyone the pain, pressure, and desperate situation Ren Xiyao was enduring, just as she herself had once fought with all her might to return to the competition.
After training, Ren Xiyao soaked in ice water. The cold water directly stimulated her central nervous system, relieving her physical pain. She subconsciously reached for her empty neck, but quickly withdrew it. Things that didn't belong to this moment were forcibly stripped away from her.
These became subconscious actions. But the relationship ended tragically. It's not suitable to dwell on it. Time is the best healer. Besides, she has no right to think about it now.
He was busier than ever, and also lonelier than ever.
In the house in Hannam-dong where he and Ren Xiyao shared many memories, there was a room that was completely private. The walls of this room were covered with all sorts of photos.
There's a photo of him and Ren Xiyao under prayer flags on the Sichuan-Tibet Plateau, Ren Xiyao's serene profile. A selfie of them snuggling together watching the stars—it was their first real trip, and the days in Sichuan felt like a lifetime ago. A photo beside them is of the entrance to a Tibetan-style guesthouse. Ren Xiyao is bending down to check the vehicle; he remembers that day when they drove to Litang, they talked about going back to Sichuan in the autumn.
There are photos of them laughing and kissing freely under the neon lights of Las Vegas. It's a pity he put a ring on her finger, but didn't have time to prepare a wedding dress.
There are also photos of them walking hand in hand on the beach in Jeju Island, enjoying the sunshine and sea breeze like any ordinary couple.
And then there was the ice rink in Harbin. That was the first time she asked him to do something, the first time she made a request of him. It was also the first time she went on the ice after overcoming PtSD, her shadow stretching extremely long in the afterglow of the sunset. Yet, the last ray of light seemed to be crowning her.
Besides these, the wall also displays photos of Ren Xiyao during her competitions. There are photos of her speeding across the ice rink, overtaking her opponents, and photos of her standing on the podium, draped in the national flag, with a radiant smile.
Each photo carries a unique memory, recording those irreplaceable happy moments they once shared.
Kwon Ji-yong would often stay alone in this room, with a glass of red wine and a cigarette, quietly looking at the photos on the wall for a long time.
Kwon Ji-yong seems like someone who won't be trapped by love. But being together is so wonderful, and losing it is so devastating. He's constantly tormented by it, a torment beyond words. But through Ren Xiyao, he truly returned to his most authentic self and saw another passionate side of life.
However, the harshness of reality often shatters the most beautiful dreams.
He was still wearing that dark jade ring; of course he liked it. It was a gift from her, but he remembered even more her saying that jade would bring peace and safety. And her greatest blessing for him had always been peace. Only this ring could act like an invisible red thread, tightly connecting his heart with her name.
He would unconsciously stroke the ring's cool surface, feeling the faint warmth emanating from a distant land. He wanted to know how she was doing. She hadn't participated in a single match for an entire season. Logically, this was the Olympic season; she shouldn't be missing matches. Had her old injury flared up again?
But he was truly afraid. He dared not disturb her, nor did he dare inquire about her. He feared that his presence would bring her unnecessary trouble and harm again. And the deepest reason was that he was genuinely afraid she was not doing well. He could only suppress his longing and worry in his heart during each lonely night.
Ren Xiyao's training intensity reached an unprecedented peak after entering January. She spent almost all her time on the ice rink and in the weight room. Her weight finally stabilized, but her muscle definition became more pronounced and powerful. Her eyes also became increasingly sharp and determined, like a sword about to be drawn, gleaming with a cold, icy light.
The Olympics are drawing ever closer, and everyone's nerves are on edge.
"Xiyao, this is the plan that the coach and I discussed based on your recent training data." The captain handed her a thick training plan, saying seriously, "This plan is very intense and will be a huge test for your body. But..."
Ren Xiyao took the plan, glanced at it briefly, and interrupted the captain: "I understand."
Everyone is fighting for her. The team leader is staying up all night to make plans. The club has allocated a budget to hire several very experienced rehabilitation trainers to follow her. Several people in charge of the club are arguing with Lan Hai every day. Coach Zhang and others even went to Beijing from time to time to "have heart-to-heart talks" with the leaders of the General Administration of Sport... If she quits now, she will be letting everyone down.
During intense skating training, Ren Xiyao attempted a right-angle change of direction to overtake someone, but lost her balance and fell heavily onto the ice. A sharp, excruciating pain shot through her left shoulder and back, causing her vision to blur and nearly making her faint.
The team doctor and captain immediately rushed over and helped her to the sidelines.
"Xiyao! How are you?!" The captain's voice trembled slightly.
Ren Xiyao gritted her teeth, enduring the excruciating pain, and shook her head: "I'm fine... just... a little weak."
The team doctor quickly examined her injury, then hesitated, "Xiyao, the steel pins in your nails seem to be shifting, I..."
"No need to say anything more!" Ren Xiyao interrupted the doctor without even listening to him finish.
"But your body..."
"I know my own body best!" Ren Xiyao interrupted the team doctor, her eyes filled with unwavering determination: "Painkillers and injections are all fine; please discuss with the doctor to find a suitable treatment. I will definitely persevere until the end of the Olympics!"
Seeing her almost frantic, stubborn demeanor, the captain and team doctor fell silent. Such a desperate, reckless act couldn't be reasoned with with platitudes…
Kwon Ji-yong's enlistment date has been finalized for the end of February. This means that he will be making final preparations for his upcoming military career during the Spring Festival, a time for family reunions.
BIGBANG's final commemorative album achieved unprecedented success upon its release, bringing a perfect end to their illustrious music career.
Before enlisting in the military, Kwon Ji-yong turned down all unnecessary business activities and social engagements, freeing up as much time as possible to lock himself in his apartment. He began to organize his life and seriously consider his future.
The sun was getting married; it was the day he received the invitation. He sat in the room filled with photos, quietly reminiscing about the moments he shared with Ren Xiyao. He imagined what they would be like now if none of this had happened.
Perhaps he can successfully complete that album. Or perhaps he'll have a busy schedule with spare moments, allowing him time to be by her side to support and hug her while she prepares for the Winter Olympics. Maybe he'll even steal a kiss in a storage room or an emergency exit. Perhaps they'll even stroll hand-in-hand through the streets of a foreign country on a night with the first snowfall, dreaming about their future together.
But reality doesn't offer "what ifs".
He didn't let go of anything, nor did he put anything away, because deep down he still hoped that fate would smile upon them again.
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