Chapter 6 In the recording studio in Seoul at four in the afternoon…
"GDxi, the sponsors have requested three more sets of promotional photos." The agent's coffee aroma wafted into the hallway as he opened the door. "The shoot is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon."
He stared at the figure skating ad on the page without turning around: "Change it to the morning."
"But the talent coordinator..."
"I'll just say I have some new ideas for the new song and want to spend some time finishing it."
The agent gently closed the door as she left. The live stream finally lit up, and Ren Xiyao's black speed skating suit gleamed metallically under the cold lights of the skating rink. She was adjusting her goggles at the starting line, her left hand instinctively pressing and moving her left shoulder—a gesture she'd made during their conversation. Kwon Ji-yong knew that was where her old injury had been. It was the last injury figure skating had left her with before she switched sports at age 14.
When the director cut to a close-up, Kwon Ji-yong noticed that her demeanor was completely different from off the ice. At this moment, she resembled a fox gradually awakening, yet also possessed the fierceness of a snow wolf. With a whistle, the athletes converged on the starting line.
He didn't understand the Chinese announcements very well. He watched Ren Xiyao stand in lane two. This was the A final of the 500m. He watched her stand sideways, her inside edges of both feet gripping the ice. With his recent intensive study of short track speed skating, he had begun to understand some of the intricacies. He knew the 500m was a traditional strength of China, and even though the top Chinese 500m runners were preparing for the Winter Olympics, their reserve strength was not to be underestimated. Lane selection was crucial in the 500m. The earlier the lane, the better the position for securing a gold medal.
The moment the starting gun fired, the mixing room filled with a remixed version of the intro to "Crooked," arranged for the concert. Ren Xiyao shifted her weight forward instantly, her front supporting leg's ankle leaping forward, her back leg's inside edge pushing off the ice, her weight shifting forward, pushing off, and swinging her arms—she started. A reaction time of around 0.2 seconds was already quite fast. Actually, he couldn't tell. But Ren Xiyao said it wasn't enough. There was room for improvement. He could clearly discern the subtle details in music, but he was amazed by Ren Xiyao's control over the ice.
Her body lean angle when entering the curve was very low. Her right blade scraped a fan-shaped white mark on the ice. Ren Xiyao said that her biggest problem at the start is that her torso lean angle and the knee joint angle of her pushing leg are both too large during the start: "What I need to train now is how to maintain a low posture to reduce resistance and get faster forward acceleration." Quan Zhilong remembers the seriousness with which she said this, as if she was about to return to the training field to fight hard the next moment after saying those words.
"GD xi, the costume team sent a message saying they need to confirm the performance costumes at 10 AM, and then this afternoon with..." The manager suddenly pushed open the door, scattering the competition data on the screen.
He subconsciously switched back to the music production software interface and listened to the packed schedule in his ears. He couldn't help but smile wryly: "Fine, you arrange it." In the time since his debut, GD has become such a dazzling name. He is like a spinning top on a roulette wheel, constantly revolving and never stopping.
Actually, all this time he'd been wanting to know was who GD was. In 2013, at twenty-five, he returned to his peak, even achieving greater success. It seemed like he had everything. But why did he feel pain?
Kwon Ji-yong's fingers unconsciously swiped across his phone screen, switching back to the race. A sharp ringtone signaled that the race had entered the final lap. Ren Xiyao was in second place, very close to the leader. At the last corner, she lapped very tight, her torso leaning low. She even executed a quick cut at the corner, emerging from the outside almost parallel to the leader at the exit, the finish line difference a mere fraction of a second—perhaps imperceptible to the naked eye. Kwon Ji-yong nervously bit his knuckles, anxiously waiting.
The camera then focused on Ren Xiyao, who was panting. She was supporting herself on her knees, gliding calmly and relaxed on the ice. However, she kept glancing back at the big screen, waiting for her results.
"43.812!" First place!
When he saw Ren Xiyao cross the finish line first with a 0.123-second advantage, Kwon Ji-yong subconsciously clenched his fist and breathed a sigh of relief. He then realized that for the entire last lap, until the results were announced, he had been completely focused, holding his breath. How long had it been since he felt this way? Aside from the initial tension when he was aiming for first place after his debut, GD had already learned to handle it with ease. He couldn't help but chuckle; this thrilling, tense feeling was probably the charm of competitive sports that Ren Xiyao had mentioned. No one knows the outcome until the very last moment.
Ren Xiyao removed her goggles and helmet, slowly skating towards the coaches on the sidelines. Her first-place finish caused the coaches in front of the rink to high-five each other, their joy evident, but Ren Xiyao remained calm. While adjusting her appearance, she seemed completely absorbed in a state of mental emptiness. She remained composed and rational. This composure and rationality allowed her to stand firmly amidst the frenzy of ice skating, like a hawk. She could easily perceive every opportunity, and with the agility and cunning of a fox, she could seize every fleeting moment, leaving her opponents helpless. This kind of girl was born to be a queen, destined to rule this ice rink.
She bowed her head and accepted the gold medal from the presenter—no elaborate ceremony, just a simple recognition. As she skated towards the athletes' exit, facing the oncoming cameras, she made a "V" sign with both hands again. It was a "W" gesture, which, if I'm not mistaken, means "win." Her smile was radiant; for her, the domestic competition wasn't the end, but the beginning.
"GD xi, look at the camera." The photographer adjusted the ring light, filming from 6 PM to past 9 PM. There were hardly any breaks in between; the match scenes kept replaying in his mind, every detail uncontrollably replaying. Looking at this familiar, routine work, he felt inexplicably bored.
"Do you need to remove the reflection on the tempered glass?" the photographer asked cautiously, watching him stare at the photo on the computer.
He snapped out of his reverie. He turned and walked toward the sofa not far away: "Keep it, like the overhead light in the speed skating rink."
On the way back, SBS news on Seoul's big screen was still reporting on Sokyang's preparations for the Winter Olympics. Neon lights cast flowing bruises on the car windows. His manager, in the passenger seat, reported on tomorrow's schedule: "We're going to Fashion Week the day after tomorrow, regarding the clothing..." As the van crossed the Han River Bridge, Kwon Ji-yong held his phone, repeatedly watching the competition segment. He didn't miss a single detail.
He was simply drawn in. Even though it was a field he knew nothing about, and even though he didn't enjoy sports, this time he couldn't help but gravitate towards the unknown. Ren Xiyao had told him about the schedule before; there was only one more day of competition left. Quan Zhilong wanted to ask her when she would be back, but remembering her competition tomorrow, and seeing that the clock was already pointing to 11 o'clock, he restrained himself. She was probably already resting; he'd ask after her competition tomorrow.
The clock struck 10 a.m. Beijing time, and the tactical meeting had just ended. The team had developed very detailed tactical arrangements for tomorrow's women's 3000m relay final and 1000m final. The coach was repeatedly emphasizing the points that needed attention. After the meeting, Ren Xiyao was still sitting in the meeting room. Her notebook, filled with tactical notes and training diaries, contained a summary of today's competition. Specific physical data still needed more detailed testing and professional analysis, but in terms of her own situation, she could feel the progress.
Just before stepping out the door, Lin Shan realized that Ren Xiyao hadn't followed yet, and asked, "Why aren't you leaving? What are you doing?"
Ren Xiyao said, "Let's analyze today's match."
"Let's analyze it together after the competition tomorrow. You should get some rest early tonight, as tomorrow is another full day of matches. Don't worry, are you nervous? It's just a test of what we've been training for." Lin Shan turned around and pulled her.
Ren Xiyao smiled and began packing her things: "Of course I know. But knowing is one thing, but it's another to think about it."
The two walked back, joking and laughing. They were still talking about today's match.
"I feel like your inside overtaking has become much more skillful lately. There haven't been many physical collisions, and without physical collisions, there are no controversial calls. Those inside overtakings were all beautiful, and even when you pulled onto the outside, you seemed to have plenty of stamina." Lin Shan said with a hint of envy, "When I skated the 1500m, I was almost exhausted. The first time I overtook someone and took first place, I felt like I couldn't skate anymore. My lap times even dropped a bit. It was only because you blocked off the line from behind."
Ren Xiyao looked at her shadow on the road: "The competition in the 1500m at domestic competitions isn't that intense to begin with. So I can't really say whether I've improved or not. The key is today's 3000m relay. We've been training abroad for a while now. We haven't had much time to coordinate with the other team members. In this relay, everyone skated their own way. The connection was terrible."
"Yeah!" Lin Shan chimed in, "The coach really frowned and shook his head when watching our 3000m race. It's only because there aren't many competing teams in China. But relays really require good teamwork. Our training time this time was too short. We definitely can't be like this for the 2013 Winter Games. I just wonder what kind of tricks some clubs will pull?"
Ren Xiyao shook her head, remaining silent. Some things are better left unsaid. In this arena of competition, what lies beneath the ice is far less pristine than the surface itself; athletes are thrust into the limelight. Those unfamiliar with competitive sports might assume this is the fairest place, where strength and results reign supreme. But only those who have experienced it truly understand. Buried beneath the ice and frozen ground, some pour their passion and blood into their work, while others navigate the boundaries of the rules.
A note from the author:
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